This coming Sunday, December 1, the church moves from observing Ordinary Time (the new designation) or Sundays during the season of Pentecost (the old designation), take your pick, to the season of Advent. You’ll notice several differences in the look of the sanctuary. One of those changes involves the Paschal Candle, the candle that has occupied a position to the south of the altar. With the advent of Advent (heh, heh) a ring holding four blue candles takes the place of the Paschal Candle. “What!?” you say! “Don’t we use the Paschal Candle for Christmas?”
Well, no, we don’t. The word Paschal is an adjective describing an object associated with Passover. Remember that Easter is intimately connected to Passover in that Jesus was betrayed by Judas the evening Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples. That meal which we call the Eucharist, or Communion is also often called the Last Supper. We light the Paschal Candle Easter morning to recall that Jesus is our paschal lamb, the lamb whose blood was shed for us, but then was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father. Then that candle is lit every Sunday during the Easter season and when we celebrate a baptism or during a funeral service.
Since I believe we’ve gone on long enough with this topic I’ll stop here, at least for the time being. Perhaps we’ll continue this another month if I hear you wish to know more. For now, we’ll return to Advent and Christmas.
Elizabeth and I have now been with you for almost a year. During this time we have both been struck by the way the members of this congregation, both as individuals and as a community of faith, find ways to let their trust in Christ Jesus shine. You have welcomed strangers like us and we have met love. I’ve seen that happen not only to the two of us but others also. You find various and sundry ways to help those less fortunate by creatively providing food and other necessities. In the meals that this community celebrates, both within the service (Communion) and elsewhere (the Lunch Bunch, Pot-Lucks, et al.) we see people literally reaching out to others. We feel fortunate to have fallen into such loving arms.
During this holiday season may the warmth of Christ’s love for you shine forth.
Peace be with you, Stan
2019

On Sunday, November 24th, every member of Faith Lutheran will be offered an opportunity to give serious consideration to the blessings that God, especially through our Lord Jesus, has given and shown us. The Stewardship Committee is sponsoring a Harvest Potluck after the 9:30 a.m. service when we can celebrate those blessings. Additionally, you are invited to participate in a thank offering. “What is that?” you say? I’m so glad you asked.
In the sacrificial practice of ancient Israel a thank-offering gave the people an opportunity to reflect upon the blessings that God had given them over the year. The practice was not exclusively a part of the harvest but that was a traditional time for it to take place. Thank-offerings were completely separated from those sacrifices meant to address the problem of guilt and sin, marks of separation from God and from other people. Thank-offerings were, are, a means of taking a concrete action expressing thanks to God for what has already been bestowed.
Today’s world rarely provides such an opportunity. We are bombarded with words that appeal to our fears implying that we do not have enough, that we have the wrong thing or that it will be taken from us. We constantly hear or are taught that we deserve, that we are owed, that we should have _________. What’s in the blank?
Newer cars, nicer clothes, a vacation, smoother skin, a fatter wallet, more fun, a more exciting life, a better looking body and on and on. “And why not?”, goes the reasoning. “After all, we have it coming since we earned it.” Such a perspective never, ever, allows us, let alone encourages us, to take a moment to express thanks for that which we have been given. Instead it encourages us to see life, or a certain kind of life, as a right, not a privilege.
I am hoping that between the time you receive this letter and Sunday, November 24 we take a moment , that we make a moment to consider the many blessings our Lord has showered upon us. Perhaps on the first day, say Sunday, November17, we might reflect upon the gift of life that God has given us. Monday we use to celebrate the families of which we are a part. This family might be the one we were born into or the one God has provided by those who surround us and love us but are not related by blood. On Tuesday we look at the incredible place in which we live, surrounded by mountains and valleys and living oh, so close to that gem, Lake Tahoe. On Wednesday we celebrate the access to nutritious and abundant food of all kinds. Thursday might be used to recognize we have the shelter we need for warmth and comfort. Friday might be spent reflecting upon the health care that under most circumstances is available for us and our loved ones and which is absent in so much of the world. On Saturday, as we prepare for worship the next day, we might do well to reflect upon the opening statement of our confession, “that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves”. What we hear in the words of absolution, the declaration that in Christ Jesus our sins are forgiven, is a renewed word of life given by God. Not just biological life but life lived fully.
Echoing a prayer used at the offertory, we have “what (God has) first given us–our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of (God’s) gracious love.” Aware of these gifts, is it not possible to respond to such generosity?
Attached to this letter is a form I invite you to fill out as you will. It is an indication of how you might financially support Faith Lutheran Church. Is that the only way you might respond? Of course not. But, I do believe that supporting the congregation this way is one way of responding. All the gifts we receive support the ministry of Faith Lutheran and we are good stewards of those gifts. The slips of paper will be gathered up near the end of the service on November 24.
Trusting that the weather is favorable, we will take the gathered slips and burn them during a brief rite at the entry to the church. The information you put on the slips will not be seen by anybody; not the pastor, not the financial committee, not the stewardship committee. This is not about the budget. This is your thank-offering to the Lord of life and love.
The peace of the Lord be with you
always,
Stan

Dear Friends,
The Lunch Bunch met yesterday, October 2 (yes, I know this letter is being written late). We were enjoying the great meal provided by the participants, (let’s see ; what can I remember? Meat balls, salad, seasoned potatoes, a rice and chicken dish, a dish made of kernels of corn mixed with other ingredients, . . . well, you know, a real pot-luck. Always good.). We started to move on to dessert (a special fall cake, fresh peaches with whipped cream, lemon meringue pie; mmm, good) when someone brought up the topics discussed at the Tuesday Bible Study. What I remember hearing was the question, “I wonder what Stan will do with the Habakkuk reading.” Now, don’t worry, I’m not about to launch into a recapitulation of that conversation, one that lasted a good 20 to 30 minutes. I am telling you that the experience has put a grin on my face as I consider the interest shown by so many people at Faith Lutheran about understanding the Bible a little better.
I should not have been so surprised. We have had 8-12 people get together after the Sunday services to find out more about the Reformation, to hear how Lutherans Interpret the Bible and who are now considering whether to find out more about either the Old or the New Testament. If any of this sounds intriguing, you are invited to join us at about (as in, about) 11:15 Sunday morning. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll stop being surprised at your willingness to be engaged by scripture. But I won’t stop grinning!
On to other more mundane matters. Throughout the summer two committees have put in a great amount of time and effort. They are the budget and constitutional committees. Both of them have worked hard and they are now just about to bring forth the fruits of their labor to the congregation. After some review by the church council we expect to have the documents put together by these committees presented to the congregation for their consideration. I have been extremely impressed by the work these people have done. They are to be congratulated.
Two more items. Congratulations to the call committee who were installed at the September 29th Sunday service. They have already scheduled some meetings and will now begin their work. Much of their deliberations must remain confidential but they will make periodic reports as they are able.
Finally, don’t forget Sunday, October 27 when we celebrate the Reformation. Color of the day is red. Be creative. The grace and peace of our Lord be with you, Stan
2019
2019
OCTOBER