Why do we go to church?
David Dahl
“. . . so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 3:10
Oh, here it comes . . . “Dad, why you make us go to church?”
Well, maybe it’s because:
1. Life makes sense when you’re connected to God.
2. Church is true family, and you need family to get through life. . .
I know . . . no family is perfect – and kids are quick to point out the hypocrisy. Still, Church is what Paul explains as “the wisdom of God in its rich variety” on display for the world to see. Think of that! Our gathering together is displaying to the world just how smart God is! That’s enough to make your brain explode! AND that makes “Church” one of the most mysterious and amazing miracles God has caused to happen since creation.
Church historians note that in the first three centuries, Christians had unbelievable challenges to face. One example: They submitted to the emperor but they refused to worship him as god. This painted them as unpatriotic. It was said that they made the nation weak. It was open permission to mistreat them both physically and economically.
So why did anyone become a Christian?
The Christian church was so “different” – in a good way – that people took notice.
- They embraced all of humanity. Look at the Christian church in Antioch (Acts 13). People of different ethnic backgrounds and social classes embraced each other as family. They came together often, ate together, and honored one another as equals.
- Forgiveness and reconciliation were lived out. These people were persecuted, tortured, imprisoned, and killed, yet they taught forgiveness instead of seeking revenge. This was unheard of. Even more so, within the Christian community, grievances were confronted, and relationships healed. Their families and their sense of community were strong.
- Hospitality to the poor and the suffering was given freely. During the plagues, Christians didn’t flee the cities. They stayed and cared for those who were sick – regardless of the color of their skin, the tribe they belonged to or their economic class, often sacrificing their own lives
- Christians defended and celebrated life. Unwanted children condemned to death by exposure or to slavery were taken in by Christian people. Kids were valued as made in the image of God and not as property to be discarded.
- The sacredness of family was honored. In Roman culture sex was seen as a physical appetite that was to be satisfied. Those who followed Christ embraced sexuality as giving oneself wholly and exclusively to another in marriage as Jesus gave Himself wholly for us. As they supported one another, community was strengthened as trust grew and kids were raised in safety.
I know, these are broad brushstrokes. But do you see any similarities to our own time?
The early church challenged the people of their time with a Christ-like attitude that defended life and protected the most vulnerable, that built trust and showed mercy, and demonstrated the security built by unconditional love – a fulfilment of what Paul wrote of to the Ephesians – The wisdom of God was on display – a wisdom that was totally counter to the culture they were living in.
And yes, the culture made them pay, but it was a price they were willing to pay. . . As a result, life flourished.
There’s a lot of challenges our generation faces. Our generation needs to see God’s wisdom at work. The solution is getting together and opening ourselves to God working in and through us. When we come together, we learn how to support one another in the mission fields God has placed each of us in. We learn how to support those parenting kids. We learn how to support those facing the challenges of growing older. We figure out how to support those teaching the next generation. We discover the joy and beauty of exercising the variety of talents God has given each of us.
Dive deep into the life of Gloria Dei. As crazy as it sounds, let’s show the world just how smart God is!
-Let us all keep and live the faith!
It's Harvest Season
“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.” John 5:24
"I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." Psalm 27:13
25 Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 16:25-27) On July 11th of this year, we celebrated the anniversary of our chartering as a church. We are walking into our 80th year as a family of faith! In the above Scripture passage, Paul points us to the glory and beauty of God. Even in the midst of beatings and imprisonments, Paul experienced the amazing Glory of God. Paul unfolded all of the ways this is taking place – · that in Jesus Christ, God is showing the Jews that He is faithful to fulfill every promise to their forefathers, · and in Jesus, God is showing the Gentiles – of which we are a part – that He is drawing those farthest from Him into His kingdom, being generous in mercy and claiming them as His children. Therefore God is bringing together the Jews –to whom He gave His promises and the Gentiles – those who are objects of His mercy, into the family of His unconquerable kingdom where we do not live by the lies the culture tells, where men and women know who they are in Christ, who raise their children to look to their Creator in discovering who they are, and where the strong are to deal gently with the weak. Glory be to God. The result is salvation and shalom – wholeness. Whole people, whole families, whole communities – to the Glory of God. “Gloria Dei” means “Glory to God”. Our name reflects the attitude that is at our foundation. Christ is our cornerstone. Everything we do springs from Him! In the early documents of Gloria Dei, repeated are expressions like, “Glory to God for sustaining us for another year.” “Glory to God for growing us beyond our current building’s capacity.” At the end of 1963, it was apparent that they had experienced frustrations in their desire for a larger facility. President Chris Stefferud placed the concern in these words, “In our effort to build a larger sanctuary, we must not forget that our first and primary goal is to save the souls of men.” Then at the annual meeting of 1965, after experiencing God opening doors to the construction of this facility, they moved to officially change the name from American Lutheran Church to “Gloria Dei.” Glory to God. As Paul closed his letter to the Romans, he instructed them to fully embrace God’s power and presence – to embrace His glory and step up and push forward. That has been your attitude as a family of faith from the beginning. It’s time to take up that attitude again in these unsteady times. Glory be to God! Living to the glory of God comes in the moments you are looked to for know-how and for guidance and for leadership. You may say, “I’m not up to this, but I know God is.” And you step up to the plate. · Living to the Glory of God is being bold enough to say that the skill that I bring to the table comes from God. · The sensitivity and the wisdom that I bring comes from God. · The solution to the problem has come from God. Whatever impact I have is because of God. The glory is His. Gloria Dei. That is how I live. Something deep in your soul is saying to you: I was made for this — to behold the glory of God and to become a glorious, God-reflecting person. Gloria Dei. Glory to God. That is how we live. Today – this moment – is when the challenge of life meets the faith that God has poured into you, and by God’s grace you are given the strength to meet the challenge. That is Gloria Dei. That is how you live. Now to God who is able to strengthen you through Christ, and open mysteries to you, who is actively saving the human race by bringing them to obedience to Him, to the only wise God, be the glory forever! Amen.
Built on the Rock
Let Your Light Shine Before Others. -Matthew 5:16
Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31).
June has a way of sneaking up on us, doesn’t it? One minute we’re digging out from winter and racing through spring schedules, and the next we’re staring at calendars full of vacations, cookouts, family visits, and hopefully a little time to breathe. Summer brings a different rhythm with longer days, later sunsets, and maybe even a few moments to sit outside and enjoy the season instead of rushing to the next thing. Around here, June is already shaping up to be full in the best kind of way. There’s a lot to look forward to this time of year; gatherings, travel, celebrations, and those simple summer moments that somehow become the memories we keep the longest. My family is also remembering my grandmother after her recent passing. We miss her deeply, but we’re grateful for the love and faith she shared with us over so many years, and thankful for the hope and peace we hold onto in Christ. This summer, as a congregation, we’ll be spending time in the Sermon on the Mount. These words of Jesus are some of the most familiar and most memorable: “Blessed are the peacemakers,” “Love your enemies,” “Do not worry about tomorrow.” They challenge us, encourage us, and remind us that life in God’s kingdom looks a little different. It is rooted in grace, mercy, trust, and joy. They invite us to live with open hearts and to notice the ways God is already at work in everyday life.As you travel, rest, gather with friends and family, or simply enjoy a slower evening now and then, I hope you’ll carry these words with you. Jesus meets us in the ordinary moments just as much as the extraordinary ones around the table, out on the road, during quiet mornings, and in the middle of busy weeks. So wherever June takes you, I pray it brings laughter, rest, connection, and plenty of reasons to soak in the goodness of the season. Enjoy the sunshine. Stay up a little later when you can. Make space for joy. And through it all, remember that God is present in every part of it. Wishing you a joyful and blessed start to summer. -Pastor Kay
Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him -Jeremiah 17:7
“He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior . . . “ (Titus 3:5b-6) Have you ever thought someone was hopeless? That was the question the Apostle Paul faced as he sent one of his students, a man named Titus, to the island of Crete. Crete is the fourth largest island of the Mediterranean. It’s directly south of the Aegean Sea. For as exotic as that sounds, it did not make the NY Times list of “The Best Places to Raise Your Children.” In fact, the corruption and laziness of the place became the stuff of popular sayings. Paul states it plainly for Titus. “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons. This testimony is true.” (Titus 1:12b-13a). To look at Crete, most would write it off as a lost cause. But Paul and Titus saw something different. They saw potential. They saw people for whom Christ died, people who were worthy of God’s rescue. Paul encouraged Titus to get right to work. Show them God’s purpose to save the human race. Teach people to see one another as made in God’s image. Sternly discipline those who need it. Deal straightforwardly with those wrestling with addiction. Work with those whom you have access to – namely the women, the young men and the slaves. This is a big job. After all, how do you eat an elephant? Answer: One bite at a time. Facing this huge task, Paul reminds Titus not to write anyone off. Paul tells him to be honest with himself. We all begin this life from the same place – as sinners. “At one time, we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures . . .” (Titus 3:3). Because of His mercy, “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior . . . “ (Titus 3:5b-6). The church at Crete started, as people began to experience the grace of God. We all need to be scrubbed clean. God washes us through the work of the Holy Spirit, loving us so much as to say, “You’re a mess, but you are worth saving. See, I give myself for you.” Person by person, they became “church”, this mysterious community that cares about and for each other – a community full of joy. I have experienced God’s amazing grace and the joy it brings from your hands. Your life experiences, your God-given wisdom, your talent, your willingness to spend time around a table, your hard work, your care and thoughtfulness have brought so much joy to so many. This summer, let’s sharpen our skills in bringing God’s blessing and joy to our neighbors that they will know that God is good – all the time! May we all Keep and Live the Faith!