Check out Lord of Grace Preschool

Looking for a preschool?

Lord of Grace has quality teachers, skills development, socialization - all in a Christian environment. Our updated classrooms and new playground offer an ideal environment to learn and grow and be ready for kindergarten.

Enrolling now, 2-5 years old (potty trained).

Contact us at preschool@lordofgrace.org or 520-744-7400 to schedule a tour. We'd love to show you around.

Check out our web pages for more specific information:

Lord of Grace Preschool, Marana, Arizona

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The Play of Structure and Freedom

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Pastor’s Column

December 2024

Advent comes early and short this year, a function of the calendar - just after Thanksgiving, and only 3½ weeks from Christmas. Our church calendar has a full line-up of worship services and events. We still have our four Sundays, and our Longest Night service (Dec. 18). Our music ministry has a full line-up of concerts, starting with the all-Tucson ELCA concert Dec. 1 (at Our Saviour’s), and then the Southern Arizona New Discourses and Neoteric Chamber Choir on Dec. 14. It’s fun to be host to arts in different styles, and be a place of music and creativity. Many ways to glorify God in this season.

Sunday services have a theme: “Words for the Beginning” from sanctifiedart.org. As much as I like coming up with worship ideas, they make some amazing things way beyond my skill level – paintings, poetry, liturgies, children’s curriculums and more. You know I rarely do the Advent verses from the lectionary anymore, as they feel so tone deaf to the season. John the Baptist calling Pharisees a “brood of vipers” and crying about judgment and fire, then Jesus talking about wars and rumors of wars and the beginning of the end….just doesn’t have a whole lot of hope and grace. I know there’s a time and place for all of scripture, and, yes, I know the lectionary comes from a time before December was a month of pre-Christmas everywhere. But this is our world.

So I try to make Advent its own thing, with its own emphasis and meanings. This year we get a collection of quilt patterns, one for the season, which will go on the podium, and one for each Sunday, which will go up front on a stand. Each pattern goes with the theme for the day. The quilt squares play off the idea of new beginnings, how the pieces of who we are, where we come from, what we deal with, sometimes fall apart, but God takes them and makes new beginnings, new starts.

To me, quilt squares perfectly express the back and forth interplay of creativity and structure.

It’s often taught that the two are opposites, that rules and limits stifle and oppress, and that the fullest life is lived with the least restraints. Well, some times. Of course rules can be stifling, and so restrictive that no space is left for anything new. On the other hand, when given no limits, we often don’t know where to start. If I told an art class to paint a family on the lakeshore under a tree, I’d get all sorts of interpretations, but every artist would have to figure out how to make beauty out of that particular scene (Monet made a version; it’s a classic). But if I simply said, “make anything and see you Monday” I would probably get very little. I’m sure someone would try to be clever and hand me an empty canvass and tell me the lack of paint represents the emptiness of his soul being deconstructed of the normative influences of bourgeois society. One might even tape a banana to it and call it something. But I would be suspicious they were having too much fun over the weekend, and the philosophy-babble is just covering up laziness. Limits force you to problem solve, to imagine possibilities, to think of things you haven’t. No-limits creativity doesn’t push you, and you end up with, well, a banana taped to the wall.

I picture so much overlap between good art and engineering. The city comes to the architect and says, “there’s a river this wide, and two roads to connect, and they’re not straight across, and the ground is soft, and you have to put a ship X feet high underneath it, and it can’t all break apart if one section cracks. Go”. That will take a lot of creativity to solve, undoubtedly a good deal of artistic imagination too, so the selection committee likes it.

Structure and limits force creativity. But without variation and creativity, structure becomes stale.

So it comes back around to quilt squares. I imagine it was a challenge to the original artists: how do you express this Bible reading in a quilt, using only straight lines? How do you do it with only a small palette of colors? How do you convey blue, the liturgical color of Advent, with lively colors of hope and opportunity? Now you have to get creative.

This is what it’s all about: not just being able to paint, not being “artsy craftsy” necessarily, but being willing to problem solve and imagine new possibilities within the limits life has given you, using the spiritual gifts God has given you. Worship should be like that: a structure, an architecture, that remains largely the same, but which can be redecorated, repurposed, reimagined from time to time. The predictability of the order gives the security from which to explore and imagine the possibilities of a living God with words of new beginnings.

Peace,

Pastor Lars

Outreach December 2024

Outreach Team – December 2024

Our members include Chris Kollen as lead, Carol Buuck, Phyllis Teager, Patty Clymer, Janette Carollo, and Gail Nicewander.

We are planning new and exciting projects this coming year. If you’d like more information about becoming a member of Outreach, contact Chris Kollen at lizzykollen@comcast.net or at 520-419-7475.

Continuing Events

Marana Food Bank

The Marana Food Bank would like to request that we collect jelly, pie crusts, tuna/chicken, spam, canned cooked ham, ready-to-eat food like ravioli, beans, canned veggies, and low-sodium soups. Let’s continue to show God’s love by sharing what we have with those who currently have less. Let’s make this a wonderful Christmas season for all!

Donated items can be placed in the wooden cabinet located in the hallway outside the Fellowship Hall. Please remember that the food bank cannot accept any food items that have been opened/used or expired. Also, please, no glass containers.

If you would like to donate and keep your gift for the needy of Marana, you can send a check to:

MFB-CRC

c/o Sahuarita Food Bank

PO Box 968

Sahuarita, AZ 85629

Please make checks payable to Marana Food Bank – Community Resource Center or MFB-CRC. You can also donate online at mfb-crc.org. Your monetary gift goes a long way.

Past Events

Thanksgiving Boxes – Roadrunner Elementary

We put together 28 Thanksgiving and Pantry boxes, providing needed food for the holidays for 14 families – 12 families at Roadrunner Elementary and 2 additional families recommended by members of the congregation. Each family received $50 gift card to buy perishable food. Enough food was donated to start putting together food boxes for Christmas families. The congregation donated $425 in gift cards and $270 in cash. Thank you to the Preschool for making cards for each one of the families! Thank you to everyone who helped sort the food and put the Thanksgiving and Pantry boxes together and Bryan and Patty Clymer for donating the boxes!

Upcoming Events

Adopt a Child – Roadrunner Elementary

Thank you to everyone who took gift tags from the tree, all gifts were signed up for! The gifts need to be returned by December 1st. Please don’t wrap the gifts, the parents would like to see what’s being given and wrap the gifts themselves. Instead donate wrapping paper and tape. Thanks to everyone for supporting families at Roadrunner!

Feed My Starving Children

Feed My Starving Children will be coming up at the beginning of February, dates have not been set yet. The sign-up sheet will be available by December 31st. Stay tuned for information about this wonderful event.

Lutheran World Relief – Baby Care Packs

We plan on holding a drive in the new year for baby care packs to send to Lutheran World Relief. In 2023, they provided baby care packs to Angola, the Dominican Republic, Mali, Tanzania, and Turkey. More information to come in 2025.

Sister Jose Women’s Center

We plan on offering to cook an evening meal for the residents of San José Women’s Center. Outreach will provide additional information in the new year. Any questions, contact Chris Kollen.

Prayer Connection December 2024

Here we are, December.  It came quickly this year.  Although I seem to say that every year.  And this year, just like every year, I’m making a vow to try to take some time to stop and enjoy the season's small blessings and gifts.  A hint of coffee or chocolate in the air.  The sound of bells or music drifting by.  The laughter of kids as they rush along with their friends to the new snack/treat shop.  My season favorite is the sight of the twinkling lights at night.  Yet, year after year, things creep in, busyness and deadlines take control, and I allow them to steal pieces of my joy bit by bit.  I forget, or neglect, to take my concerns and frustrations to the Lord and allow him to lead my path and guide my steps.

I’m curious.  Do any of you have any special Bible verses that have helped you keep your focus on God when busy times prevail?  One of my favorites is Psalm: 46:10 – Be still and know that I am God.  This has always brought me a sense of peace.  If you have time, drop us an email with the one that has helped you the most. praying@lordofgrace.org.  I may use it in a future prayer update. 

The gifts I'd leave beneath your tree,
Aren't those that you can touch or see,
No toys meant just for pointless play,
But gifts to bless you every day.
The gift of friendship warm and true,
Is one that I would leave for you.
Good health and happiness and cheer
To keep you smiling through the year.
The gift of peace that comes from God,
With prayer to guide each path you trod.
And when your heart has lost its song
The gift of hope to cheer you on.
These are the gifts I'd leave for you.

–Kay Hoffman    (Southern Living Online Magazine, 2021)

 

This poem is from a collection of 25 Christmas poems, one for each day leading up to Christmas: "Christmas Prayers And Blessings To Share With The Whole Family" (2021). They were compiled by Nellah Bailey McGough, who hopes you will "celebrate the entire season with these thoughtful and thankful Christmas prayers that remind us all of the true meaning of the season . . ."  Find the full collection at: https://www.southernliving.com/holidays-occasions/christmas/christmas-prayer. 

 

The Lord of Grace Prayer Team is always here to help you with any prayer requests you may have!  The Prayer Team continues to pray over all prayer petitions sent our way, including the requests entered in the prayer journal in the narthex. The Team will also continue to offer individual prayer times after each worship service on the 4th Sunday of each month.

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Full Hearts - Full Cups: A Parent's Holiday Survival Guide

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Free workshop for parents

Join us for an uplifting workshop designed for parents who want to approach the holiday season with energy and joy. Join us for an uplifting workshop designed parents who want to approach the holiday season with energy and joy.

November 21, 2024

For more information: email us at preschool@lordofgrace.org

Lord of Grace Preschool, Marana, Arizona

Prayer Connection November 2024

Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. “

To “pray continually” sounds difficult.   J.B. Lightfoot, a theologian, wrote “ It is not in the moving of the lips, but in the elevaton of the heart to God that the essence of prayer consists.”

Let’s remember that God wants to hear about our day.  First, thanks for the day and His life giving blessings.  And then as the day goes on we can turn to God and Jesus to help with the challenges.  Having Christ’s spirit in our hearts unites us to God, to His love as His children.  From a suggestion heard from a friend, sometimes at night as I settle down, I review the day.  I try to think with God in mind what could I have done better.   Maybe to remember some blessings I received during the day.  And to thank Him for being everpresent.

Please know that the Lord of Grace Prayer Team continues to pray over all prayer petitions sent our way, including the requests entered in the Prayer Journal in the Narthex.  The Team will also continue to offer individual prayer times after each worship service on the 4th Sunday of each month.  We strongly believe in the power of prayer and that a continual connection with our God will keep us all closer to Him.  Remember, God can bring the peace you seek.  Seek Him in prayer.

Outreach November 2024

Outreach Team – November 2024

Outreach is excited to announce we have a new member, Gail Nicewander! Welcome Gail, we’re glad to have you on the Outreach Team. Our members include Chris Kollen as lead, Carol Buuck, Phyllis Teager, Patty Clymer, Janette Carollo, and Gail Nicewander.

We are planning new and exciting projects this coming year. If you’d like more information about becoming a member of Outreach, contact Chris Kollen at lizzykollen@comcast.net or at 520-419-7475.

Continuing Events

Marana Food Bank
The Marana Food Bank would like to request that we collect canned veggies (corn, peas, carrots), gravy, stuffing, evaporated milk, condensed milk, pumpkin puree, jelly, and canned cooked ham.  Hygiene items are also always needed as well.

Let’s give Thanks to God for everything by helping our neighbors have a blessed Thanksgiving.  Let’s help them to feel God’s love by sharing what we have with those who currently have less.

Donated items can be placed in the wooden cabinet located in the hallway outside the Fellowship Hall.  Please remember that the food bank cannot accept any food items that have been opened/used or expired.  Also, please, no glass containers.

If you would like to donate and keep your gift for the needy of Marana, you can send a check to:

MFB-CRC

c/o Sahuarita Food Bank

PO Box 968

Sahuarita, AZ 85629 

Please make checks payable to Marana Food Bank – Community Resource Center or MFB-CRC.

You can also donate online at mfb-crc.org. 

Your monetary gift goes a long way. 

Upcoming Events

Thanksgiving Boxes – Roadrunner Elementary

We are currently collecting food from October 13th to November 8th. On Sunday, November 15th, we’ll have a fun day organizing the food and decorating the boxes. We’ll organize the food collected after 1st service, then pack the boxes after 2nd service. The boxes will be delivered to Roadrunner the week of November 11th. We handed out handouts of what to collect on Nov. 18th, there will be additional handouts in the Narthex. Please let us know of any additional families that need help.

Adopt a Child – Roadrunner Elementary

We are having Adopt a Child again this year, partnering with Roadrunner Elementary School. We are waiting to hear from Roadrunner the names of the students and their families and their needs and wants for Christmas. The gifts will need to be returned to the church by Sunday, December 1st. 

Lutheran World Relief – Baby Care Packs

We plan on holding a drive in the new year for baby care packs to send to Lutheran World Relief. In 2023, they provided baby care packs to Angola, the Dominican Republic, Mali, Tanzania, and Turkey. More information to come in 2025.

Feed My Starving Children

Feed My Starving Children will be coming up at the beginning of February, dates have not been set yet. The sign-up sheet will be available by December 31st. Stay tuned for information about this wonderful event.

Monthly Mobile Food Bank Distribution

Volunteers are needed for the Mobile Food Bank Distribution monthly events at Roadrunner Elementary School. They take place in the school parking lot and run from 8:00am-9:00am.  It would be great to have 2-4 volunteers from Lord of Grace on November 19th and December 17th.  We usually meet at church about 7:00 am and carpool out to the school.  There is set up and assisting the neighbors with loading up the food.  If you are interested in joining us for this important outreach please call or text Phyllis Teager 520-906-1837 or Chris Kollen 520-419-7475.

Roadrunner Butlers Pantry

We continue to support Butler’s Pantry at Roadrunner School.  Our personal hygiene drive in the fall was very successful–thanks to all of you!  We continue to have volunteers who work a couple days a month sorting donations and filling the food shelves with generous donations from many groups around the Roadrunner community.  We also staff the Pantry one Saturday a month, when it is open to the Roadrunner neighbors.  We are always looking for additional volunteers to help with this ongoing ministry.  If this ministry is something that you would be interested in getting involved in, please contact an Outreach Team member.

 

 


 

 

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Too Much Information

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One thing that always strikes me when I look at old (1950’s and earlier) photos is how well dressed everybody is. All the women in skirts; all the men in suits. Even in the warehouses, or on the ranch, it was still a button-down shirt and wool slacks. Nobody anywhere walked around in long underwear, pajamas, ripped clothes, etc. Those things were clearly for at-home, out of the public eye. The culture had a sense that we have a public face and a private face, and they were separate, and that’s ok. It isn’t “being inauthentic” to have to dress decently in public, and then be frumpy at home. But something changed.

Now, of course, you can see anything and everything at the local big box store. And if you say something, you’re “being judgmental” and “not accepting people for who they really are.” Long underwear in public is your identity? Pajamas in the store is your personality?

My take is that it started in the 1970’s with the emphasis on being “authentic” and “true to yourself”. We were going to sit in a circle, with a group of strangers, and they would poke and pry us emotionally until we opened up about our deepest secrets, and then everyone would spill all their personal beans, and we’d cry and sing kum-ba-ya and smoke some leafy stuff and break free of those social restraints that tell us to behave certain ways in public. From there came the idea that we should never worry about presentation in public, then vulgar language in public, then to dressing however we feel is “truly me”, then to the pajama party in aisle 5.

And you can call me a fuddy duddy or grumpy old man, but I don’t, honestly, want to see that much of you, or always know that much, or have to look at that much. Some things are ok to keep private. If you’re my friend, my lover, the rules are different. If you’re a stranger, some decorum is good.

But this is our culture, where we are told that any self-censoring is oppression and any public face is a form of lying.

Then came the internet.

Now everyone had the tools to “authentically” share their innermost everything with everyone. Shameless self-revelation met free public broadcasting, and the results have not always been pretty.

On the one hand are people who are isolated and bullied being able to find community that’s safe and affirming.

On the other hand is more bullying and attacking and some of darkest thoughts you never thought people could have.

What can work for good can work for evil.

I remember Facebook as a college pastor in the mid 2000’s. It was a way to catch up with your high school friends and get pictures of the grandkids, then it became a place for angry rants and lies generated by Russian hackers to spread hate and division.

The same has become true of all the other forums. 4Chan, said to be a bastion of free speech, has become the favorite of school shooters and terrorists to find other people with creepy, violent fantasies and plans to get validation. That crazy guy who used to rant at the hardware store used to just get the small town telling him to chill. Then he would go back to the basement, alone, to sit with his dark plans by himself. Now he has a computer in his basement, and can share with everyone his plans, and find people all around the globe to validate them and help him find the best way to commit a mass murder.

Some things, I will argue, should not get a public audience.

If you can’t say it in a group of people, to their faces, and have to sit and listen to their reactions, you maybe shouldn’t say it at all. Unless, again, you’re the kid being bullied and you’re looking for support, or the person with a unique disease and you need to find support with others for whom the bloody details are not Too Much Information but part of a constructive conversation.

It’s a good rule to keep: don’t say it online if you wouldn’t say it in person.

But when it’s me behind a keyboard, I don’t have to fear the response. I might get it in the comments, but it’s not the same. Easier to blow off hateful comments than see a reaction to my face. At least in the 1970’s “encounter group” I couldn’t bash everyone there and not have some kickback. I could be authentic, spill TMI, but I still had some accountability.

I have to admit that when I first got on Facebook in the mid 2000’s, it was kinda fun. I found old friends from high school and college and camp. I caught up with people I probably wouldn’t see in person because of distance. I enjoyed the debates about theology, Bible, politics. I even used to like to stir the pot, get things going. Now, I’ve pulled back. The longer it goes, the less I post, and the less I reveal, and the less I say, because I’m no longer feeling that it builds up. It just wears me out. It’s becoming less is more.

This all becomes an issue for us churches, too, as we try to figure out how to promote what we do on social media, while also dealing with the creeps and trolls and haters who want to bring you down. How do you stay positive in an ocean of negativity? How much do you talk about? What do you show?

As a general rule, I don’t post on church sites a lot of pictures of people. I never know how much people want to be posted. And when I do, the faces are often small or hard to see. I try hard to always project a good image, and keep church business off line. I don’t want to see how the sausage is made at my restaurant, nor do people want to see it at church. It’s the nature of public relations that you have to never show weakness, always make everyone think everything’s great – even when it isn’t. Curating an image and brand is a bit of a game in lying by omission. But if I was truly honest, nobody would ever come. They’d go to the place where everything looks perfect.

Martin Luther has a great line about bearing false witness in the small catechism:

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.

We don’t do enough, in my opinion, of remembering the second parts of these explanations – the proactive parts. Christian ethics gets reduced to a list of don’ts, when in fact discipleship is supposed to be active – taking up your cross and following. Yes, don’t lie on the stand, don’t slander people, don’t bully and demean. But that’s passive. Not enough. We should be actively speaking positively of others, building them up, and defending their reputations.

I wish this was how everyone was online. But, alas, that’s for Magical Golden Unicorn Land. More and more it’s the opposite, the airing of too much private information, personal thoughts, and negativity about others. I never thought the Small Catechism would be so relevant. When you see bullying, slander, hate – call it out – then respond by building people up. When you have thoughts that aren’t terribly upbuilding of people, don’t put them online. Don’t participate in the pile-on.

Put on a good public face for Jesus and the church. When you speak up for justice, and build up those in need, and refuse to participate in evil, you do the work of the Gospel.

Peace,

 

Pastor Lars,

Thank You from Lord of Grace Preschool

Dear Lord of Grace Members,

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your incredible generosity and thoughtfulness in supporting our Preschool Supplies Drive last month. Your donations have not only provided essential supplies but have also filled our classrooms with joy, excitement, and the resources needed to nurture young minds.

Your kindness reminds me of the true meaning of community and the impact we can make when we come together. Because of you, our preschoolers are stepping into an environment where they feel supported, loved, and empowered to learn and grow.

With deepest gratitude and warm regards,

Laura Tanem-Hernandez

Interim Director 

Lord of Grace Preschool Enrolling

Lord of Grace Preschool is enrolling ages 2-5 (potty trained), with 3day and 5day a week classes. Our program offers kindergarten preparation, socialization, faith, and fun. Check out our modern classrooms, expanded new playground, and great staff. Voted the third best preschool in Marana in 2024.

To schedule a tour, or just to learn more, contact us at 520-744-7400, or email preschool@lordofgrace.org. More info is also on the preschool page.

Lord of Grace Preschool. Marana, Arizona

Preschool Rainbow Art in the Church

This month at the Lord of Grace Preschool, one class has been making crafts showing the rainbow, the sign of God’s promise to us and covenant forever.

If you visit the sanctuary here you’ll see the back wall covered, from time to time, with art by our preschool kids. We like to show off their work as a church, and support the kids as a whole church.

Once a year, in the spring we do a preschool art show in the fellowship hall, as well. Encouraging creativity and imagination is part of our philosophy as a school.

To learn more, check out our preschool page, email us, or call 520-744-7400

Lord of Grace Preschool, Marana, Arizona

7250 N. Cortaro Rd (corner of Ina and Cortaro)

Prayer Connection October 2024

“Precious Lord take my hand”

Father God hear my prayer

Comforting Mother hold me

Heavenly Parent be my guide.

All of the above can easily start a prayer or even a hymn.  The first one is the only one that is guaranteed not to lose listeners as you start your prayer.  The other three may hit some raw nerves and lose people before you get any further not everyone grew up with a loving supporting family.  So using father, mother or parent has the potential for sending minds into the scary past.  Precious Lord, Prince of Peace, Heavenly Comforter, Lord of us all Leading Shepherd, Holy God will all take you where you want to go with out alienation.  Care in Prayer is something that calms us all and peacefully leads us to be comforting prayer leaders.  May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ guide you and sustain you now and in the future no matter what challenge or grief is trying to hold you down.  Lift us up and guide us as we try to be more & more like Jesus.  In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord we pray! Amen.

Outreach October 2024

Outreach Team – September 2024 Newsletter Article

Our members include Chris Kollen as lead, Carol Buuck, Phyllis Teager, Patty Clymer, and Janette Carollo.

We are planning new and exciting projects this coming year. If you’d like more information about becoming a member of Outreach, contact Chris Kollen at lizzykollen@comcast.net or at 520-419-7475.

Continuing Events

Marana Food Bank
The Marana Food Bank would like to request that we collect canned tuna/chicken, soups, jelly, cereal, ready-to-eat meals (ravioli), canned veggies, and beans.  Hygiene items are also always needed as well.

Let’s help all our neighbors have a wonderful Fall season and feel God’s love by sharing what we have with those who currently have less.

Donated items can be placed in the wooden cabinet located in the hallway outside the Fellowship Hall.  Please remember that the food bank cannot accept any food items that have been opened/used or expired.  Also, please, no glass containers. If you would like to donate and keep your gift for the needy of Marana, you can send a check to:

MFB-CRC
c/o Sahuarita Food Bank
PO Box 968
Sahuarita, AZ 85629 

Please make checks payable to Marana Food Bank – Community Resource Center or MFB-CRC. You can also donate online at mfb-crc.org.

Your monetary gift goes a long way.  Every $10 helps provide 50 meals.           

Upcoming Events

Thanksgiving Boxes – Roadrunner Elementary

It’s already that time of year!! It’s October and time to start collecting food for Thanksgiving boxes this year! The food boxes will mainly go to families of students at Roadrunner Elementary. We will collect food from October 20th to November 8th. On Saturday, November 10th, we’ll have a fun day organizing the food and decorating the boxes. The boxes will need to be delivered to Roadrunner the week of November 11th. Look for a handout in this newsletter and we will also hand them out in person on Oct. 20th. Please let us know of any additional families that need help.

Adopt a Child – Roadrunner Elementary

We are having Adopt a Child again this year, partnering with Roadrunner Elementary School. We are waiting to hear from Roadrunner the names of the students and their needs and wants for Christmas and when they will need to be delivered to the school. There will be more information in the November newsletter.

Previous Events

God’s Work Our Hands

A Huge Thank You to all the members at Lord of Grace for your generosity!  Butler’s Pantry is full because of our personal hygiene drive on Community Service Day September 8th.  We surpassed our goal of collecting 100 tubes of toothpaste...the kids counted and we had 150 tubes!!!  Thank you all so much. Our friends at Roadrunner are grateful.

Also a big thank you to all who were busy making over 200 Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches for Sister José Women's Shelter during our Community Service Day.  It was truly a group effort with all ages involved! 

9/11 National Day of Service on Saturday, September 14th

On Saturday September 14th, a group of volunteers from Lord of Grace participated in the National Day of Service project at Roadrunner Elementary. We arrived early before the heat of the day. Then we were armed with RED paint and rollers to brighten up the 8 foot pillars all over the school campus.  We joined several other groups-Marana Middle School and Marana High School students along with members of another church and the school administrators, Kristina Brewer and Eddie Walker to tackle this project in record time–and with limited RED paint spills on the walkways!!  Following our work, we stopped in at the Sky Rider Cafe at the Marana Regional Airport for a hearty breakfast and fellowship!  It was an excellent morning doing God’s Work with Our Hands!

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Seeking the Common Good in Politics

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Original ABBA outfits

Last summer on sabbatical, when Kristie and I were in Stockholm, we made sure to visit the most quintessential Swedish thing ever: the ABBA Museum. Yes, there is a museum dedicated to the band. And it’s everything you think it is. There’s the histories of the musicians, a replica of the recording studio, complete with the original soundboard, a theater showing old concerts, and, of course, a whole room with the outfits – all blinged out and flared at the ankles. They were deep in a basement, with no natural light, so as not to destroy all the polyester with the ultraviolet light of the sun.

One exhibit caught my eye, and that was about a later work done by Benny and Bjorn, after the band broke up, called Chess. It’s a musical set during the cold war, a US vs. Soviet chess competition. The assistant to one falls in love with the other player and both love and chaos and politics and heartache ensue. It’s pure ABBA genius.

I’ve been nostalgically listening to some of its numbers on YouTube, and got stuck on a super-ear-worm song called “Nobody’s Side”. Here’s the refrain:

Never make a promise or plan
Take a little love where you can
Nobody's on nobody's side
Never stay too long in your bed
Never lose your heart, use your head
Nobody's on nobody's side

Never take a stranger's advice
Never let a friend fool you twice
Nobody's on nobody's side
Never be the first to believe
Never be the last to deceive
Nobody's on nobody's side
And never leave a moment too soon
Never waste a hot afternoon
Nobody's on nobody's side
Never stay a minute too long
Don't forget the best will go wrong
Nobody's on nobody's side

It's the ultimate personal philosophy of cynical realpolitik. Trust no one. Nothing lasts. No loyalty. Get what you can while you can. All set to ridiculously catchy music.

I see and hear this in the world, and my first question is the same one the kids ask: who hurt you? What horrible thing did people do to you to make you so untrusting and uncaring? In the musical, it was the Soviets who steamrolled her hometown. Of course, love will break through (it’s theater) and the cynicism will melt. It’s not a French noir movie; it’s a Swedish musical.

I imagine a life like this filled with endless chasing of pleasures, and glaring absence of friendship and love. Debauched and lonely, successful and empty, cold but charming. It is, in almost every way, the exact opposite of Jesus. It’s also a good way to succeed in politics.

When I interned in the House of Representatives for a semester, I came in thinking I would find lots of really intelligent and capable people. How else did they get so far? What I found, instead, was a mixed bag. Some really were trying to do good, and some were the most arrogant, rude, selfish, calloused people I’ve ever met. I had to listen to tapes of the guy I worked for because he felt it was beneath him to have to identify himself to staff (even though we rarely saw him). One representative yelled at me with a loud “do you know who I am?” on the phone. Ugh. It was obvious they could turn it on at the state fair, in front of the cameras, and then became monsters when dealing with people for whom there was no transactional gain.

Is this what life is? We’re just individuals in a sea of individuals trying to get what’s best for us?

Are relationships just transactions? Is there no real love? Kindness? Compassion? Common good? And what about higher ideals? Self-sacrifice? Service?  What about that whole cross thing? Giving up everything?

If your view of things is a series of quid pro quos, then Jesus is the ultimate chump. He is the ultimate sucker who teaches us to let others walk all over us and get things from us without getting anything in return. What a wuss.

For those who are transactional, any giving without getting is not just frustrating; it’s humiliation. It’s getting played. It’s getting taken. And you’re convinced that, once the deal’s done, they’re snickering behind your back and laughing at you in disrespect. Giving is just letting people use you. Demand something for everything, then you can walk proudly.

We are in the midst of an election season, as we all know too well. I’ll admit I get tired of it, but I wouldn’t trade it for any other system. I may not always get the results I want, but no gain is worth having a dictator. And I’ll admit, too, that I feel such a deep grief at the total lack of thinking about the common good, the poor and the needy, the disadvantaged, the immigrants and refugees and homeless. The debates end up becoming a race between two people who have to win votes on selfishness: who will get me the most for me?

When did you hear a debate about whose policies will bring the most good to the most poor, and prevent or cure homelessness? They will argue, when pressed, that this or that policy they advocate will have that effect, but that’s ancillary. I don’t hear any “most good for the most people”. It’s always “are you better off than you were under this one?”

The Christian should be looking at the politicians the way Jesus did, through the eyes of the poor and powerless. We should be demanding that the government and corporations work for the betterment of the whole society, and world, to reduce suffering and poverty and environmental destruction. That should be the question. Not who will best satisfy my selfish desires with the least amount of personal sacrifice.

As you know, I’ve been leading a small discussion group on the proposed ELCA social statement Civic Life and Faith. Like all ELCA statements, it moves slowly, building a case with scripture and theology, and moving to specifics. It’s far from radical, but sure to irritate some. It has a lot of talk about the need for Christians to advocate for the “common good” – a phrase that some, mistakenly, think is a code for communism and collectivizing all private property. It’s a slippery-slope argument that makes it impossible to talk about our “collective” responsibility to our neighbors in need. An excerpt from the beginning:

Article 2) In the biblical word shalom (Hebrew word) the Scriptures depict God's goal for creation and point to the nature of God’s ongoing active engagement with it. God’s power and love seeks shalom, the fullness of peace, well-being, goodness, truth, beauty, justice, freedom, wholesomeness, and love woven together for all. This statement is undergirded by that biblical term but in the context of civic life employs other terms such as “the well-being of all” or “the common good” because they are earthly measures toward God’s intention. God’s sovereignty brings forth and sustains the universe and grants creatures their power, even though it often is hidden to human view. God intends that humans use and share the gift of power so that human structures and systems serve the intended well-being of all with good order and justice.

So much here one could unpack, but I want to just highlight a couple ideas for consideration as we go into voting.

First, the idea that we are all in this together, the whole creation, and that peace and fullness exist only when we ALL are experiencing it. The good of all is the good for me. This is not a “if they get something I lose something” – a zero-sum philosophy (which is pointed out later in the statement), but a good for all. There is plenty for all, and one person’s winning is not me losing. It’s about wholeness, not transactional gain.

Second, the line about structures and systems. It’s not just about us, as individuals, minding our business and being nice to the clerk at the checkout counter (which you should be), but it’s about the whole system. Laws and policies can be rigged by the rich and powerful to their benefit, at others’ expense. Being ethical, as a Christian, is more than watching my own worst impulses, but about creating systems where some aren’t forced into poverty by laws and systems that give them no choice. We must seek a wholistic justice.

I could unpack this for ages, and I encourage you to take a look at the full statement again. Suffice it to say that we I believe we need to demand of our politicians a focus on the common good, and creating a wholeness with each other and the environment, a concern for the poor and disadvantaged, and not a transactional view of “what’s in it for me?” Transactional relationships are all about leveraging and using, not about loving and giving. They’re the opposite of Jesus.

Pastor Lars

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Engaging Public Life as Christians - September pastor's column

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This coming month a few big things will be happening in our church. The first is the Community Service and Family Fun Day on September 8th. You could also call it “Rally Day” or “God’s Work Our Hands” Sunday. It’s all those things. We’re trying to market it to people outside the church, who probably don’t know what Rally Day or God’s Work Sunday is. But we have food, community service projects, and some things for kids: the face painter and Willie the balloon maker are back. BUT…..you don’t have to have young children to participate!!!! It’s for the whole church, and intended to be an all-church, all-ages, all-community event.

In olden times it was Rally Day, which was the start of Sunday school. It was a kick-off to get kids back into Sunday school and the church program year. We haven’t had a traditional Sunday school for over 13 years; we do our lessons for kids during the sermon at the 10:30am service. Nonetheless, it’s still a fun time to get everyone back together.

And, unless you have been living under a rock, there’s an election coming up. And it’s big. And we will be asked to vote on candidates and a host of propositions and judges and various positions. We will have the opportunity to make change and participate in government, something a lot of the world does not get to do. As Christians, we have values that inform those decisions, but not uniform agreement on exactly what those values are, or what the role of the government is, or how involved the church should be in these matters. Unlike some pastors, I will not tell you which candidate is “appointed by God” and which propositions are “Biblical”, for many reasons. However, I do believe it’s good for us to do more with politics than just have church about personal problems and prayer, and leave the policies and justice discussions for someone else.

So, where does one begin?

The ELCA (The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), our denomination, puts out social statements from time to time. These are teaching documents, not binding on members (so you don’t have to agree with them to be an ELCA Lutheran). They are not policy documents for congregations. They don’t function with the weight of a Catholic encyclial, say. I’ve done videos on some of the old statements, giving my interpretation of them and introducing them to the people online who might not know that the ELCA exists, or that Christians exist who take social positions that are not reactionary.

Now a new statement is being proposed, and it’s still in the study phase, where people can view it and send back feedback to the committee crafting it. These are not concocted in smoke-filled rooms or in seminary salons. They’re open to the whole church to participate in. It’s called “Civic Life and Faith”. It delves into the issues of engaging issues as a church, faith and public life etc. It has not been ratified, which requires a 2/3 vote of a national assembly.

I decided to do a few study sessions on it to get us started in the conversation, and to be a part of the process. Feedback is open until the end of September. I will host four sessions, in-person, here at church, on September 11, 18, 25, and October 2nd at 6:30pm in the conference room. It’s just a read through and discussion, with no end goal; I’m not aiming to convert to a particular position, just to explore what the social statement committee has come up with.

Peter Muhlenberg. Lutheran Pastor, Revolutionary War hero.

Our history of engagement as Lutherans has been mostly about not-engaging, or selling out. The history is long and sometimes complicated. Lutheran churches in Europe are state churches, paid for by taxes and administered as branches of the government. This has changed in recent years, with the churches becoming moreindependent. It used to be in Sweden, and in England, that a new hymnal needed a vote of parliament. No longer. But with that history, we should not be surprised that bishops were not inclined to bite the hand that feeds them. As much as Martin Luther envisioned a dialectic with the church holding the state accountable, and the state keeping order, and them working back and forth simultaneously as “two kingdoms”, the reality became more one of political union and spiritual separation. Faith was about praying and worshiping and getting to heaven. Politics was the state. So most Lutherans who came to the US stayed out of active politics, with some important exceptions, such as Lutheran pastor Peter Muhlenberg who led troops at Valley Forge under George Washington.

So the history became what theologians now call “quietism” – Christians staying quiet about politics, keeping faith to personal matters and the interior and moral life. When I was in seminary it was a dirty word, and we were admonished constantly to not fall into it, but keep a prophetic witness. Speak the truth to power. Proclaim justice. Name names. It always worked better in principle than parish, where people can choose to leave, or try to run you out if they don’t like your prophecying.

But, and there’s always a but, one can’t forget the German church of the 1930’s. Hitler required an oath from all pastors, his oath, of course, and 98% took it. The Dietrich Bonhoeffers and Martin Niemoller’s were the exception. Yes, they had a prison camp waiting if they didn’t, but most were not doing it with gritting teeth, but with glee. The pastor in Eisleben, at Luther’s family church, where Luther was baptized, had swastikas on his boots under his robes. Because religion was so deeply internalized, it no longer had anything to say to the authorities. It was about making good citizens, with good morals, and not revolutionaries who cause chaos. We look back in such horror at their acquiescence and buy-in, but that’s hindsight. In the moment they were good patriots who loved their country and were proud their leader would make Germany powerful and respected again, the way they believed God wanted it. Their hearts were not initially in antisemitism, at least not openly, but in quietism and a theology that refused to see any contradiction between the Gospel and the desire for the greatness of the nation.

I keep that in the back of my mind, and always hope that we can take a critical view of our own political views, and not fall for the desires of ethno-nationalism and authoritarianism. But it’s hard, because we don’t like to think our views are on the table. It’s “those people” who are out to destroy us. Except Jesus died for them too.

So join me; I think it will be fun. We can model what the rest of the world struggles with: intelligent conversation about religion and public life.

Pastor Lars

Prayer Connection September 2024

Prayer Connection for September 2024:

Have a conversation with God!

This month, have a conversation with God -- let the Lord inspire and guide your prayer time through a Scripture reading. Begin by reading the passage actively and experientially: Where are you in the Bible passage? Who do you identify with? What is happening? As you reflect, calm your heart, and let the Lord speak to you. Then answer Him in your prayer.

Consider John 6:5-13:

5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do

7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

Where are you in this passage? Who do you identify with? What is happening?

Are you part of the crowd sitting in the grass? Are you Philip, Andrew, one of the other disciples, or the little boy? Do you see Jesus give thanks for the loaves and the fish and begin to distribute them to the people? Do you hear Jesus say, “Let nothing be wasted”? Are you one of the people who gathers all the leftover pieces, so abundant that twelve baskets were filled?

Calm your heart, let the Lord speak to you. What is God saying to you in this passage, for your life today? Trust and rest in God’s grace, and have a dialog with God about this passage: Converse with God in prayer!

A member of our congregation shared a Sunday morning prayer inspired by this Bible passage, adapted from the Church of Scotland: 

Gracious God,

Creator of all we perceive,

We join today in the abundance of Your love,

in community and in the joy that comes through love;

through the nourishment of Jesus,

our shepherd and our guide,

the one who feeds us in mind and in body;

through the sustenance of the Spirit,

and the knowledge that You are with us

as we face the highs and lows,

the struggles and joys of this life.

As we worship You this morning,

fill us with Your truth,

your wisdom,

your love and your mercy.

In the name of Jesus, I pray,

Amen.