Southwood Lutheran Church

Pastor Sara Sabbatical: UPDATE

During the summer months, Pastor Sara is on sabbatical for 12 weeks spending time with our sister church in Tanzania. She will teach and preach, visit families and pray with people. Most importantly, we pray that God will use this time to strengthen Southwood’s partnership with Uswaa in ways that will deepen our relationships with God and with each other. Occasionally she sends updates on her experiences. Below is one of her recent thoughts. 

 

Lights

Two years ago Heidi and I visited with Job Urassa, the father of Irene, who is the student we sponsor in Secondary School. At that time he was asking if there was any way to get Irene moved into the dormitories at the school because she had to study by candle light. There is no electricity to their home. She eventually got moved into the dorms and is excelling in her studies.

I remember thinking at the time that I couldn’t imagine studying by candle light. The power goes out here all the time, so candles and flashlights are constantly in use. Someone was asking us how often the power goes out in Nebraska. They were shocked to hear us say that it was less than an hour per year, shocked. They probably are without power 25% of the time.

We are lucky, the place we are staying has a generator, so when the power goes out, the generator is usually running within minutes. On Saturday night we were staying elsewhere and the power went out at 6 p.m. We sat and talked while it got very dark until about 7 p.m. Then we had dinner by candle light, then at 8 p.m. we each took a candle to our own rooms to go to bed. 

I really wasn’t tired at all, so I tried to read by candle light. I had to very carefully hold the dish the candle sat in as to not drip wax on my lap. I had to hold the candle right up to my book and then slowly lower it in pace with my reading. It was slow going. I had to set down the book and switch hands with the candle each time I turned the page. It was tedious. In one hour, I read 10 pages. (Just to compare, the next morning I read 40 pages from the same book in on hour.) Finally at 9 p.m. I just went to bed because it was too difficult to continue.

Every time I think about that one hour, I think about the kids who have to study by candle light each and every night. They come home from school in day light hours, but help out at the home getting dinner ready, the animals fed, and cleaned up. Then, when the sun has gone down, their tired eyes strain to complete their assignments next to the dim light of a candle.

I couldn’t do it. I know Mary and Laura Ingalls probably did, but not me.

So, today I’m thankful for electricity. Seriously, flipping on a light switch is small and simple and one of the most insignificant things you’ll do today, but be thankful as you do it!

As I'm getting set to post this the power has gone out again. But its after midnight, so I best just hit send and go to sleep.

Pastor Sara Sabbatical: UPDATE

During the summer months, Pastor Sara is on sabbatical for 12 weeks spending time with our sister church in Tanzania. She will teach and preach, visit families and pray with people. Most importantly, we pray that God will use this time to strengthen Southwood’s partnership with Uswaa in ways that will deepen our relationships with God and with each other. Occasionally she sends updates on her experiences. Below is one of her recent thoughts. 

 

Confirmation

The confirmation class meets every Saturday at 8:00 a.m. Every single Saturday! I just would love to know how a schedule like this would go over at Southwood.

Here’s how the day goes:

• 8-9 - An hour long lecture on the Bible.
• 9-10 – An hour long lecture on the catechism
• 10-11 – Cleaning the church property (they use machetes to cut the grass, and bundles of dried grass to sweep the walkways) This is supposed to last an hour, but both Saturday’s I’ve been here their work has gone until noon.

They have the classes on Saturdays at 8 a.m. to remain consistent with the school schedule. It makes me tired just thinking of this though, every Saturday at 8 a.m. – if our students and their families didn’t rebel I’m almost positive that this pastor would.

How about it Southwood? Shall we join in solidarity with our brothers and sisters at Uswaa? Shall we shift the schedule to confirmation every Saturday, all morning long?

 

Luke 24:33-43

Listen or download the message. 

They thought they were seeing a ghost and were scared half to death. He continued with them, “Don’t be upset, and don’t let all these doubting questions take over. Look at my hands; look at my feet—it’s really me. (Luke 24: 37-39a MSG)

Moments of uncertainty can come in both good times and bad times:

• Transitions: new job, new child, new home, new relationship
• Milestones: graduation, first job, marriage, retirement
• Crisis: a distressing diagnosis or injury, a broken relationship, financial hardship, physical or mental illness, addiction
• Loss: loss of job, death of a loved one

Moments of uncertainty cause us to question:

• Is this really happening to me?
• Am I doing the right thing?
• Am I supposed to be learning something from this?
• Is there a purpose to this?
• Is God in this?

Paul Tillich on Faith:

“The very act of faith requires that we believe in someone we cannot fully know, someone who calls us to follow down paths whose ends we cannot see, and someone who demands of us an obedience and trust beyond anything we can conceive of in our daily lives.”

Tools for Faith:

• The Bible
• Questions
• A community of faith
• “I could be wrong.”
• An appreciation of how “big” God is.

For Further Reflection:

• Make a list of the questions you have about God, faith and living in relationship with God.
• Identify a person in your life that you know would be open to having a conversation with you about these questions?
• What are some things you know for sure? What would you be willing to admit you could be wrong about?

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Everyday, Ordinary Moments

The last time I visited our brothers and sisters at the Uswaa parish in Tanzania I: attended a funeral, taught confirmation, delivered quilts to new babies, preached at worship, served communion, visited families, prayed, sang and laughed.

These are many things that I do on a daily and weekly basis here at Southwood in Lincoln, Nebraska.

In Tanzania, those ordinary, everyday activities were anything but ordinary, and I knew before I got on the plane to return to Nebraska that I would go back. I found out that when you participate in ordinary, everyday activities with people halfway around the world, people who seem to be so different, that the differences are not so obvious. Jesus said, "who ever does the will of my father in heaven are my brothers and sisters." When we do those everyday, ordinary activities in the name of God they are not just ordinary, they are extraordinary. They are not just moments, they are sacred moments, they are sacraments. The sacred presence of God can turn strangers into siblings.

You won’t see me at Southwood this summer. I’ll be on sabbatical for 12 weeks. I’ll spend these days in Tanzania at our sister church, the Uswaa parish. I’ll teach and preach, visit families and pray with people, I’ll work with confirmation students and small group leaders, I’ll attend funerals and weddings, and I’ll worship, sing, and pray. Most importantly I believe that God will use this time to strengthen Southwood’s partnership with Uswaa in ways that will deepen our relationships with God and with each other.

I wait with great excitement and anticipation for the time that will be spent in Tanzania. I will be so grateful for your prayers for this trip and for the partnership we have in Tanzania. Please know that I will look forward to those everyday, ordinary moments spent with each of you when I return.

Pastor Sara Spohr

 

This spring and summer, teams from Southwood will be traveling to Honduras and Tanzania. The Lent and Easter offerings will support this mission work by aiding in the construction of Christ homes, providing medical and dental care, education opportunities and vacation bible school. For more information regarding Southwood’s Global Mission work or to get involved, contact Nicole Mroczek.

This Sunday: Global Music Worship

Here's just a little preview of what our Sanctuary is looking like for this Sunday October 24.  Be sure to join us as we celebrate our Global partnerships in Tanzania and Honduras!  We will have guest musicians with us on Sunday to lead us in music from all over the world - you don't want to miss it.

Thoughts on Receiving Holy Communion

This past Sunday our 5th grade students received Holy Communion for the first time. Some of them had been waiting a long time for this.; Check out what Anna (one of the 5th Grade students) had to say:

“I think communion is important because it is a time you share with God. The importance of receiving the Body and Blood of Christ is great. I feel that when we take communion we take it for granted, but if you really think about it you will realize it is one of the most important things you receive as a Christian. Each and every one of us is SO lucky to receive communion. I am really looking forward to taking communion for the first time. It reminds us that Christ died for our sins and we are forgiven.”

These students participated in a Faith Stepping Stones class in the middle of August where they heard all about the Biblical command to eat this meal, where they learned about how it strengthens us to serve, and where they actively participated in a game all about grace. Now they will receive Holy Communion the same as any adult member of our church.

As a church, we pray God's blessings upon these students, and upon all who receive Holy Communion, that they will know they are strengthened, forgiven, and sent out to serve.

Do you remember the first time you received this incredible meal? What does it mean to you now?

Pastor Sara

Pondering Time

You can learn a lot from 2 four year old's and a Golden Retriever! This week's lesson is about time.

Time: it either stands still or it marches on. And which ever one it is doing to us, we wish it were the opposite.

God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. (Ecclesiastes 3:11-12 NIV)

These two sweet boys have been making me think about time this week.

• First, Charlie turned 4 and he wondered why he didn't feel any different. He asked his mom: "Shouldn't I be able to jump higher, reach farther, and lift heavier things?"

• Second, yesterday Benjamin asked me (via Skype) to come over to his house for supper, that very night! I told him that I would love to, but that it would take me until midnight to get there and then i could stay for 2 hours before I would have to leave and be back in time for work the next day. He didn't understand why this would be a problem.

Time. For children it never seems to move along quickly enough. For adults it seems like it is whizzing by us so quickly that we can never keep up.

I suppose there is no solution, people are people after all. We are probably always going to be wishing time away or trying to figure out some way that we can speed it up. A quote on the tag of my tea bag once read: "When God made time, he made enough of it." It seems like such great wisdom, but rarely do I really truly believe it.

You know who doesn't spend a second thinking about time? My parents Golden Retriever named Lincoln. He completely enjoys every moment, every place, and every situation he finds himself in. He's happy to plop down on the floor next to my mom while she reads the morning paper. He's happy to run back and forth endlessly retrieving tennis balls, he's happy to be out in the field hunting ducks with my brother. He is always happy and content, he always has enough time.

I'm trying to live in each moment like I have plenty of time. I'm trying not to fret about moments past, or worry about what is to come, but just absorb myself in the moment God is presently giving to me.

I'm trying. What about you?

Pastor Sara

A Parable about Being Prepared

 Listen to Pastor Sara's Message

Message Text: Matthew 25:1-13

Which of the following would require the most preparation time for you? (check one of the following boxes)

• Hosting your family for Christmas Dinner
• Studying for a comprehensive final exam
• A fishing trip to Canada
• The arrival of a new baby in your home
• Purchasing a new car
• Planning a wedding

When should I be ready?

• Jesus said: “So stay awake and be prepared, because you do not know the day or hour of my return.” Matthew 25:13 (NLT)
• Just a few verses earlier Jesus says: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36 (NIV)
• Many have tried to predict. So far, no one has been right.

Stay awake and be prepared.
Jesus appears daily if we watch carefully:

• Jesus is present in the Word.
• Jesus is present in Holy Communion.
• Jesus is present where two or three are gathered.
• Jesus is present in our going out to make disciples.
• Jesus is present as we serve “the least of these.”

Questions for Reflection:

• Do you think about the “second coming” of Jesus? Is this cause for concern or celebration for you?
• Where have you seen Jesus at work in the world lately?

New Class: When Christians Get it Wrong

This Fall I'll be teaching a new class based on a book by Adam Hamilton called When Christians Get it Wrong. Check out this video introducing the book:

We'll spend time in September talking about how we might be turning others away from Jesus without even really knowing it. Sign up now!

Mark your calendar now for September 16, 23, and 30 - (class starts at 6:30) you can bet there will be a riveting conversation about this one!

Pastor Sara

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard

Listen to Pastor Sara's Message

Sermon Text: Matthew 20:1-16

¹⁶So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last. (NLT)

“It is simply a fact that people regularly understand and appreciate God’s strange calculus of grace as applied to themselves but fear and resent seeing it applied to others.” Robert Smith (Matthew, Augsburg Commentary)

Why do the first worker’s complain?

1. “They assumed they would receive more”  (v. 10)
   • The desire for more is usually considered greed, leading them to desire more than had been promised.
2. “You have made them equal to us.”  (v. 12a)
   • They assumed a hierarchy based on time worked, which should have been reflected in a difference in their wages.  They make a distinction between “us” and “them” and that “we” are better than “they.”  “We deserve more than “they.”  
3. “[we] have born the burden of the day and the heat” (v. 12b)
   • They do not see their invitation to work (and wages earned) as a sign of grace, but as a burden to be borne.  When living the Christian life is seen as a burden, some faulty “seeing” is at work.

“Grace is always amazing grace.  Grace that can be calculated and ‘expected’ (v.10) is no longer grace.”  Eugene Boring (Matthew, New Interpreter’s Bible)

Will you respond with Envy or Generosity?

The Landowner asked:  “Are you envious because I am generous?”  (v. 15b)

We are left with two responses:

1. We can grumble with envy and a spirit of comparison, thereby attacking the goodness of God.
2. OR, we can be grateful for the love that gave us the kingdom of heaven as a free gift, thus engaging life with a spirit of generosity.