Grace and Peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ,

There is an old joke that has been floating around for a while; how many Lutherans does it take to change a light bulb?   The answer…..  Change? Why do we need to change?

Change can be hard.  This is especially true when change involves those things that make us comfortable or are a part of the routines that give some stability (perceived or real – doesn’t really matter) in our lives.   And yet the reality is that life itself is in a constant state of change… on a microscopic level there are necessary changes in cells, in nature the trees change with the seasons, in relationships we change as we grow closer to others or further apart, in the church there are changes as we move toward life or death as a community.  Truly, even if we were not to touch a single thing – there would be change nonetheless.     

This Sunday we will be celebrating Reformation Day.  It is a Lutheran festival that marks the legacy and work of the Re-former Martin Luther.  On October 31, 1517 Luther nailed his 95 theses on a church door in Wittenberg, Germany as a scholarly challenge to the church’s practice of the selling of indulgences.  This sparked a series of debates which eventually led to a wholesale Re-formation of the church.   We mark the day on our calendar, as Lutherans, partially because the date marks the start of our theological heritage.  More importantly, though, we mark a day of Reformation because of a core Lutheran teaching – the Spirit is constantly at work reforming (literally RE- FORMing – giving a new shape to the church).  Change within the church, according to our theology, comes as a God given gift in order to extend the kingdom of God.  Therefore, our celebration of Reformation is not so much about what God did nearly 500 years ago in the life of a German monk but rather it is about what the Spirit of God IS doing in our midst today.

The theological answer to the above chuckle – how many Lutherans does it take to change a light bulb- is simple.   The answer is “none”.  It is the Spirit of God that does all the work.  God’s Spirit is hard at work in order to make sure that the light of Christ never goes dark.  Working in the lives of the whole community, the Spirit invites us to RE-FORM as church, so that our lives and the lives of others might be renewed, reenergized, and re-centered.  Thanks be to God that Spirit has been seen to be alive and well in our community.  These days at St. James, there is a renewed energy within our community that is simply contagious.  Why don’t you come and celebrate the work God’s Spirit is doing as we are being led to praise and serve in new and exciting ways?

I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday  (and yes… we’ll be singing “A Mighty Fortress”)   

In Christ,

Pastor Walt

The Rev. Walt Lichtenberger, S.T.M. - Pastor

St. James Lutheran Church, Burnsville, MN

Office: (952) 890-4534  ext. 112

Emergency Pastoral Care hotline: (651) 354-1883

Cell phone: (952) 836-8588

www.stjameslc.org

Grace and Peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ,

There is much excitement in my house these days.  Thankfully this is the good kind of excitement; the kind of excitement that is filled with joy and glee.  We are hours away from the celebration of the birthdays of my boys.  It is hard to imagine that it was only eleven and eight years ago when Noah and Mark were created.  Where does the time go?  I suppose that is one of the eternal questions parents ask themselves.  As I’m wondering about the passing of time, my boys can’t wait for another few hours to pass. 

What makes the birthday celebrations more interesting is that we will be away for the next few days.  It seems like the boys hit the proverbial jackpot – birthday and no school.   Anyhow, my weekly email comes to you earlier this week as I will be out of the office – starting tomorrow – until Monday October 25.  During this time, should you need emergency pastoral care – Pastor Will is available on the emergency pastor’s phone 651-354-1883.  I will return emails and other calls when I return.

Back to the excitement of two boys who can’t wait until their big day arrives…

This church year we have been reading through the gospel of Luke.   Early on in this gospel, Luke tells the stories of Simeon (Lk 2: 25-35) and Anna (Lk 2: 36- 38).  Instead of waiting with joyful anticipation for their birthdays (truth be told, I’m sure that they had stopped counting) they were waiting for God’s presence to be made known.  They longed for the consolation of their nation, for the in breaking of God’s justice, and looked for the Messiah to appear in their world.  Theirs was a holy waiting.  Our text tells us that they were faithful and that they waited with anticipation in the Temple… worshiping God they waited for God to act. 

What would it look like if we did the same?  Instead of our waiting for things to happen to us; what if we longed to see the presence of God in this day?  What if our waiting was filled with joy and done as we gathered together for worship?  What if we longed for justice for the poor and outcast?  What if we longed for a world where children were no longer abused and had proper nutrition?  What if we longed for the consolation of those who are grieving loss of loved ones, of health, of security?  What if our waiting was filled with prayer?  What if we waited for God with a holy waiting that was filled with the kind of joy and excitement of two boys are waiting to celebrate?

In our waiting and in our celebrating, in our joy and in our sorrow, in our clarity and in our confusion… we are led by the Spirit to praise and serve.

In Christ,

Grace and Peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ,

Early Wednesday morning I made my way to our local AirForce base.  Along with clergy colleagues from around the state, I had been invited by the 934^th AirWing – the Flying Vikings – to board a C-130 Hercules cargo jet for a two hour flight around the neighborhood.  As I passed the security check point I was all ready for the adventure… the only fly in the proverbial ointment was that none of the eight C-130s were ready.  Some of the crew and planes of the 934^th are currently deployed delivering supplies and troops in Afghanistan.  A few planes were grounded awaiting scheduled repairs.  And the plane that was scheduled to airlift a group of rapidly praying clergy was stuck a couple of hours away with technical difficulties.  To say that I wasn’t disappointed would be to lie, so I won’t. 

Our AirForce hosts scrambled to find alternative activities for the grounded clergy.  Their ability to be flexible was commendable as the morning was filled with a wonderful tour of not only the facilities, equipment but an introduction to the greatest asset of the 934^th – the men and women who serve our country right here in our backyard.  We owe a debt of gratitude for their service in keeping our nation safe and secure.

One of the things that we got to witness was some of the night vision technology that is used in search and rescue missions.  One of these gadgets plugged onto a tiny 9 volt battery.  To the naked eye – with the lights on and off – nothing happens.  However, when you look through the night vision goggles, you see a bright pulsing light.  Only those who are using the proper equipment can see the mark… can see and rescue the stranded airman.

This reminded me of one of the great Festivals of the church that we’ll soon be celebrating.  All Saints Sunday is just around the corner.  On the first Sunday in November, we stop and recognize the lives of all of God’s saints.  We remember those whose very lives sent out pulsing light – pointing the way to God’s love, forgiveness, and grace.  Sometimes this light was sent out so that all the world could bask in its glory.  Sometimes, the light was seen only through the goggles of faith, while the world was busy looking in all the wrong places. As we remember the lives of the saints, we give thanks for the ultimate source of the light.  Regardless of where it might be on the visible spectrum, the light comes from God and it gives us hope and helps us to find our way.

This year, at St. James, we will be honoring the saints who have gone on before us in a different way.  As part of our Eucharistic Experiences, we are collecting framed photographs of our loved ones who have died and now rest with our Lord in eternal glory.  These photos will be placed around the Altar Table.  When we come up to receive communion we will be reminded in a visible way that when we dine at God’s Table we do so in the presence of all saints, both past and present.  Our Eucharistic feast is an Easter meal.  You are invited to bring your framed photos to the church between now and All Saints Sunday (Nov. 7).  If you put a small note with your name on the photo – behind the picture – it will help us return the photo to you afterwards.

I look forward to gathering with you in worship tomorrow…. See you around our Lord’s Table…. God’s saints will be gathering and your place is open.

 In Christ,

Pastor Walt

Grace and Peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ,

I look with great anticipation to Sunday's dinner.  

This Sunday, October 3, we will gather around the Altar Table for the first of our Eucharistic Experiences - These are a series of experiences that are scheduled throughout the year that will help us to reflect upon the meal that we share in faith.  We begin this week with an experience that will invite us to consider those who are in need beyond our doors.  St. James Quilting group makes beautiful quilts on a regular basis for those who live on the streets of St. Paul.  These quilts are handmade with love.  They come as a great gift - they are more than just a warm blanket ... they are evidence that someone cares.  This Sunday, they will cover the altar rail and kneelers.  When you come for communion you will kneel upon these quilts.  It is hoped that you will reflect not only upon the goodness of God that comes to us in the sacrament but also the call of God that invites us to share the goodness we have received with others.

How appropriate that our Second Annual Servant Event will also be on Sunday!  The point of the whole event is to make the connection between what we do together in worship and the service we are called to do in the larger community...  we are sent from worship into God's world to interact with others.  We are invited as a community (clad in our bright gold t-shirts -- there is still time to get yours) to serve beyond ourselves, our family, and our friends.  If you are available to join us on Sunday, please come to the table in the narthex and sign up for a project.  Though many of the projects are full, some remain and there is a space for you.  Come to worship at the regular time (8:30 and 11:00) and plan to stay for a meaningful experience.

Quilts and servants... meal and faith... worship and service...   Welcome to the Table.

In Christ,

Pastor Walt