Recent Sermons at Fidgeting with the Word

I just posted about a month and a half of sermons over at Fidgeting with the Word so I decided I would give a little link message here to ease reading.

Palm Sunday

Maundy Thursday

Easter Sunday

Fourth Sunday After Easter - Psalm 23

Fifth Sunday After Easter - Phillip and the Eunuch



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Congressmen Visit Gaza

A Link from Congressman Brian Baird's congress website. Baird (D-Washington) and Congressman Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota) just got back from visiting Gaza. Here is Baird's report.


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Gone Going (Gone)

I don't know about you, but when I hear this song, I tend to pick up the last line of the chorus, "Gone people All awkward with their things Gone." I hear the song talking about the unnecessary spending that goes on today. About people who go out and buy "And cars and phones and diamond rings Bling, bling." This has been a trend that has died a little in the last year as more and more people became aware of their spending trends because of the economy.

I am a supporter of the Economic Policies of President Obama, and see that Government Spending in the right areas could help those who do not currently have the resources to spend their money get back into the economic loop.

One of the most often comparisons that people (read conservatives) have been making is that this stimulus package is a new New Deal and that in fact the New Deal was a failure that actually extended the recession of the 1929-33. But the recession was actually over in 1933, what they tend to be talking about is the unemployment rate returning to normal.




In an article found in the Guardian, a British Newspaper, Michael Tomasky talks about this issue, and how those who think this are wrong. Here are the last two lines of the article.

So the New Deal worked pretty doggone well. It didn't solve every problem. Yes, there are other legitimate criticisms to be made of Roosevelt. But the New Deal kept millions from starving and gave them jobs. And it generated economic activity – rural electrification, for example – that brought society tremendous benefit. And how might only tax cuts or doing nothing have done?

I can't believe we have to reargue these points. It's not that the Republicans don't know anything about economics. It's that they don't want to know anything about economics, and don't want to reckon with evidence. They have their ideology, chiseled into Pharaoh's obelisk, impervious to fact. How does one erase it?

Read the rest here.


Enjoy another version of the song rewritten with the Black Eyed Peas.

New Idea

So, I have a new idea to maybe get me to blog more. I listen to music a lot, so I thought I would comment on what I am listening to and then go from there.

The idea started from my last post about the song, od yavo Shalom, Peace will come.

this one is short since it is late and I have not thought about it that much,

Imogen Heap's Hide and Seek

This is the album version on YouTube, I personally like it better than other versions, but it is being blocked from embedding into posts. So here is a live version.

Od yavo' Shalom

This song was on a CD that was made during my time in CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education, Chaplaincy Education). I have always enjoyed the song, and never knew the name of it. Today I decided to look up the meaning and the translation of the song.

I found that it was written as a peace song, and is now a anthem for peace between Israel and Palestine.

The combination of Hebrew Shalom (peace) and Arabic Salaam (peace) made me want to know the background of the song.

For more here is a Wikipedia Article on the Song.

Here is a good version of the song on Youtube.

#	English translation	Transliteration	Hebrew
1	Peace will come upon us	Od yavo' shalom aleinu	עוד יבוא שלום עלינו
2	Peace will come upon us	Od yavo' shalom aleinu	עוד יבוא שלום עלינו
3	Peace will come upon us	Od yavo' shalom aleinu	עוד יבוא שלום עלינו
4	and on everyone.	Ve'al kulam (x2)	ועל כולם
5	Salaam ('peace' in Arabic)	Salaam (Salaam)	סלאאם
6	On us and on all the world	Aleinu ve'al kol ha olam	עלינו ועל כל העולם
7	Salaam, Salaam	Salaam, Salaam (x2)	סלאאם ,סלאאם

Prayers

Today we saw another peaceful transition of power in the United States. I feel that it is a great testament to the will of this nation, that despite our differences, and our often negative talk to each other, that we can move past that to understand that we must work together.

I heard two great prayers in the last two days. One today, from Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lawrey and one that was given, but not transmitted, yesterday by Rev. Gene Robinson, Bishop in the Anglican Church.

Lawrey gave the benediction at the Inauguration.

Help us then now Lord to work for that day,
when nations will not lift up soil against nations.
When tanks will be beaten into tractors.
Where every man and every woman
shall sit under his or her own vine and fig tree
and none should be afraid.
When justice will roll down like water,
And righteousness as a mighty stream.
Lord in the memory of all the saints,
Who from their labors rest,
And in the joy of a new beginning.
We ask you to help us work for that day,
When black will not be asked to get back.
When brown can stick around,
When yellow will be mellow,
When the red man can get ahead man
And when white will embrace what is right.
Let all those who will do justice
and love mercy say Amen!
Say Amen!
And Amen!”

Rev. Robinson's prayer was said during the national concert, but on by HBO, however the prayer was removed from the broadcast and rebroadcast of the concert. Here is the prayer:

O God of our many understandings, we pray that you will…

Bless us with tears – for a world in which over a billion people exist on less than a dollar a day, where young women from many lands are beaten and raped for wanting an education, and thousands die daily from malnutrition, malaria, and AIDS.

Bless us with anger – at discrimination, at home and abroad, against refugees and immigrants, women, people of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

Bless us with discomfort – at the easy, simplistic “answers” we’ve preferred to hear from our politicians, instead of the truth, about ourselves and the world, which we need to face if we are going to rise to the challenges of the future.

Bless us with patience – and the knowledge that none of what ails us will be “fixed” anytime soon, and the understanding that our new president is a human being, not a messiah.

Bless us with humility – open to understanding that our own needs must always be balanced with those of the world.

Bless us with freedom from mere tolerance – replacing it with a genuine respect and warm embrace of our differences, and an understanding that in our diversity, we are stronger.

Bless us with compassion and generosity – remembering that every religion’s God judges us by the way we care for the most vulnerable in the human community, whether across town or across the world.

And God, we give you thanks for your child Barack, as he assumes the office of President of the United States.

Give him wisdom beyond his years, and inspire him with Lincoln’s reconciling leadership style, President Kennedy’s ability to enlist our best efforts, and Dr. King’s dream of a nation for ALL the people.

Give him a quiet heart, for our Ship of State needs a steady, calm captain in these times.

Give him stirring words, for we will need to be inspired and motivated to make the personal and common sacrifices necessary to facing the challenges ahead.

Make him color-blind, reminding him of his own words that under his leadership, there will be neither red nor blue states, but the United States.

Help him remember his own oppression as a minority, drawing on that experience of discrimination, that he might seek to change the lives of those who are still its victims.

Give him the strength to find family time and privacy, and help him remember that even though he is president, a father only gets one shot at his daughters’ childhoods.

And please, God, keep him safe. We know we ask too much of our presidents, and we’re asking FAR too much of this one. We know the risk he and his wife are taking for all of us, and we implore you, O good and great God, to keep him safe. Hold him in the palm of your hand – that he might do the work we have called him to do, that he might find joy in this impossible calling, and that in the end, he might lead us as a nation to a place of integrity, prosperity and peace.

AMEN.

More info can be found here.

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Christmas blurbs

Hey all,

Christmas time blurbs,

Follow Santa at Norad.

My Friend Gloria's Internship church Gloria Dei created a free Music CD that is very good, a mix of devotional/worship music that can be listened to any time as well. It is called Hope for a Tree Cut Down. It can be found here.

I have two Christmas Eve Services that I am leading today, one at Faith Lutheran, and one at St. Luke. They are both candlelight services, I put together the Faith service myself, so hopefully it will go well.

My parents and sister are here for the week and then we will head up to my Grandparents for Christmas there. That will be fun, all the family except for two cousins will be there.

Laters, and Merry Christmas!

Erik

edit:fixed link to hope for a tree cut down

If we had some global warming

Christmas Program Part 1

Love Has Come: 2008 St. Luke Christmas Program

(Intern Erik, Joseph, and Mary come on Stage)

Intern Erik: This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man.

Joseph: I do not want to disgrace her, I will quietly break off the engagement.

(Joseph lays down to go to sleep)
(Head Angel comes on stage)
Narrator 3 (Pulpit): As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord's message through his prophet: "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.' "

(Joseph wakes up)

Joseph: A message from God, I will do as the dream said.

(Joseph walks off stage)

Narrator 2 (Lectern): The Angel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, Greetings, favored woman, the Lord is with you! Don’t be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!" And Mary gave praise to God.

Mary: Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For God made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.

Intern Erik: Welcome to the 2008 St. Luke Christmas Program, Love has Come. We have now begun the Christmas story, join us as we celebrate the rest with a bit of humor, laughter, and joy.

(all enter to center stage)
Song: Love Has Come #292 (Youth sing first verse, congregation join in last 2)
(All leave except Narrator at lectern, Caesar Augustus stage right, Joseph and Mary stage left)

Narrator 1 (Lectern): At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. This was the first census taken when Quirinius (kwai-RIHN-e-us) was governor of Syria.

Augustus: I Decree!

(Augustus leaves, Mary and Joseph slowly walk to center stage as narrator speaks)

Narrator 1 (L): All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.

Mary: Joseph, I feel that the baby is coming soon, we need to find a place to stay.

Joseph: Let us check that inn in Bethlehem. I figure that we will need suite with a king size bed.

(All come to center stage for song)
Song: O Little Town of Bethlehem #279
(All leave except Innkeeper who meets Mary and Joseph at center stage)

Narrator 2 (Pulpit): She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

(Joseph and Innkeeper argue, Mary stands in the background holding stomach and does heavy breathing)

Joseph: Do you have a suite available?

Innkeeper: Nope

Mary: {heavy breathing} (Joseph and Innkeeper ignore Mary)

Joseph: Double-bed?

Innkeeper: Nope

Mary: {heavy breathing} (Joseph and Innkeeper ignore Mary)

Joseph: Single Bed?

Innkeeper: Nope,

Mary: JOSEPH!!!

Joseph: (astonished) What! (turning around quickly)

Mary: The baby is coming, it does not matter what room we get.

Joseph: Oh, yeah, sorry about that.

Innkeeper: I have a stall filled with animals that eat from a manger.

Joseph: We’ll take it!

Christmas Program Part 2

(All come to center stage for song)
Song: What Child is This #296
(All exit, Innkeeper guides Mary and Joseph to stage left and then exits)
(Shepherds enter to center stage)

(Mary and Joseph will remain stage left for the rest of the performance)

Narrator 3 (L): That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them.

Head Angel: Hello

Shepherds: (scared) AHHHHH!!!

Head Angel: Don’t be Afraid!

Shepherds: (calm) oh, ok

Head Angel: "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior-- yes, the Messiah, the Lord-- has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."

Narrator 3 (L): Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-- the armies of heaven-- praising God and saying,

(all angels come on stage saying “glory” as they walk)

All Angels: (Once all are center stage they say) "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."

(All come to center stage for song)
Song: Angels We Have Heard on High #289 (youth first verse, cong. join in rest)
(all exit except Shepherds)

Narrator 2 (P): When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other,

Shepherds: "Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

(Shepherds go to stage left with Mary and Joseph, except shepherd 1 and 2)

Shepherd one: I can’t wait to see this baby!

Shepherd two: I can’t wait to tell Frank what he missed by calling, I mean papyrusing (puh – pie – russing) in sick.

(Shepherd 1 and 2 join rest of Shepherds)

Narrator 2 (P): They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.

(All come to center stage for song)
Song: The First Noel #300 (first verse only, youth only)
(all exit)

Narrator 4 (L): All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.

Mary: (to Joseph) I’m going to remember this.

Joseph: Yeah, a multitude of angels, shepherds coming to see the child, giving birth to the Son of God. I am pretty sure we will be talking about this for quite some time.

Narrator 4 (L): The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

(all gather at center stage for song)
Song: It Came upon the Midnight Clear #282 (Vs. 1,4)
(all exit)
(Little Lutherans enter to Center Stage)
Song: Away in a Manger
Song: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
(Little Lutherans exit)
(Herod center stage)