Monday, December 31, 2012


Christmas is a season of wonder, a season of light and warmth in the midst of the darkest and coldest time of year where often our homes and churches are adorn in such ways as to try to add to the wonder of the season.  However, the problem for us today is barely different from the one faced over 2,000 years ago, a problem with  space, with making room in our lives for the real wonder of the season.

Luke’s Gospel tells the story of Jesus’ birth and yet John’s Gospel declares the same promise, that the Word, the Word that was in the beginning with God, the very Word that spoke and brought all things into being, that this Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of truth and grace.  Luke and John both declare the wonder of the promise that that God has come to us. Because if there is true wonder in life, this is it!  The wonder of God, the creator, the one who brings all things into being, sends of himself to us, for us!  The good news of the Christmas message is that God, out of love, makes room for us.

And the fruits of his love, the fruits of God’s love for us and in us, is always the same; Peace, hope, and Joy shared for the sake of the world! 

This is why Christians gather regularly for worship, it is why we join together in acts of compassion and caring for the sake of the world, all because of the wonder of our God who so loved us that he send His Son for us and for our salvation.

May the wonder of the Christmas message bless and keep you all year though:  ‘that unto us a child is born, unto a savior is given, and his name is Jesus’.  May the wonder of this love fill always.    Amen.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Fellowship as a Gift of Grace - Pastor's Article Oct - Nov


Fellowship as a Gift of Grace

One of the books I most appreciated re-reading this past summer was Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s “Life Together”.  Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran pastor and teacher in Germany before and during World War II.  In the first paragraph of the first chapter he writes: “Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies.  At the end all his disciples deserted him.  On the cross he was utterly alone, surrounded by evildoers and mockers.   For this cause he had come, to bring peace to the enemies of God.”

He then quotes the reformer Martin Luther:  “The Kingdom is to be in the midst of your enemies.  And he who will not suffer this does not want to be of the Kingdom of Christ, he wants to be among friends, to sit among rose and lilies, not with the bad people but the devout people.”

What Bonhoeffer declares is that the gathering of Christians in fellowship is not only a reason for joy and encouragement but we our being able to gather is itself a gift of God’s grace, for it is by grace that we are able to live in fellowship with one another.  And the reason is this, it is because we come not as ‘demanders but instead we come thankful’ for the grace that is ours in Christ, a grace that has been given to share for the sake of another.

Bonhoeffer writes: ‘Is the divine gift of Christian fellowship anything less than this, any day, even the most difficult and distressing day? Even when sin and misunderstanding burden the communal life (congregational life), is not the sinning brother or sister still a brother and sister with whom I, too, stand under the word of Christ?’

And then he adds these words that have always caught my attention:  ‘Will not their (my brother and sisters in Christ) sin be a constant occasion for me to give thanks that the both of us may live in the forgiving love of God in Christ? Thus the very hour of disillusionment with my brother becomes a reason for celebration because it so thoroughly teaches me that neither of us can ever live by our own words and deeds, but only by the one word indeed which really binds us together… the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ.’

Bonhoeffer wrote these words 73 years ago but they continue to speak to us today, for we too as a congregation, as a community of faith, as a fellowship in Christ gather and serve together only by grace of God that is ours in Christ Jesus.  This grace is what is best about who we are, it defines who we are, we are God’s forgiven and forgiving people called to be community where his grace is declared, trusted, and lifted up.

May the Grace of God continue gather us for a life together as we service together, pray together, and worship together. Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Mark

Christmas Joy - December Pastor's Article


Joy to the World

I remember well the Christmas Eve of my 13th year.  What I remember of that Christmas Eve was the joy of watching my grandfather open his gifts.  He had a small pocket knife and with each gift he carefully cut the tape that held the paper in place and then just as carefully he removed the wrappings and gently folded the paper and placed on the small table next to him.  Then he would examine the box and finally open the box to reveal the gift inside and then he would smile and sometimes laugh.  I remember some of the gifts that he received that Christmas however what I recall the most was the joy, the simple joy I felt in watching him receive his gifts that evening.

A number of years ago Sandy and I choose to make a donation to an international project that helps make possible wells in a small villages in South America for homes and families without access to clean drinking water.  There is always a sense of  joy whenever I think of those who are using that well today.

This fall as we visited with confirmands and their homes it was not unusual to hear them talked about the joy they experienced in helping with a host of projects in and around the church, from joining their classmates and their families in the annual food drive as they do each fall, to helping serve the fall dinner, to helping fill and then pack the boxes for Operation Christmas Child together with the residences of Serenity Assisted Living.  Some told of the joy they experienced ringing the bells for the Salvation Army together with family and others. What caught my attention was that both the confirmands and their homes spoke of these memories as a reason for joy.

Recall for a moment the story from the Gospel of Luke and the telling of the birth of Jesus: “And that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people; to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

God sent his angels with a message of joy for all the world, the joy of our heavenly Father who first loved us; “This is love: not that we love God but that he loved us and sent his Son…” (1 John 4:10). 

This is the message of Christmas, the message of God’s love given to us, the Joy of God, expressed by angles at the gift we receive, the grace and salvation that God brings to us in His Son.  This is a reason for joy, both at Christmas as well as the whole year. “Joy to the World, the Lord is Come!”.

A Blessed and Joyous Christmas to all!


Pastor Mark   

Friday, November 2, 2012

Off and On the Way - Confirmation Sermon 2012


Confirmation October 28, 2012 -  Dilworth Lutheran Church
 “Off and On the Way” 

There is a well know children’s book entitled: “Oh the Places You’ll Go” written by Dr. Seuss that begins with these words:   “Congratulations! -  Today is your day.  -  You're off to Great Places!  - You're off and away!”

Over the years I have heard this quote at high school and even college graduations yet I don’t think that  Dr Seuss’ intention in writing this book was for college or even high school graduates.  Instead I suspect he wrote for children, for children of all ages, young and old alike because the truth be told we have “ALL” been “off and on our way” from the day we were born.  “Off and on our way” as we moved from the crib to the floor and soon were crawling out the door, “off and on our way” to talking and walking and then running down the street, “off and on our way” to school, “off and on our way” with friends, and at some point “off and on the way” with the car but mostly just off and on our way with life and with living.
 
Our moving out into the world… began with our first breath… and although it may seem like a long time ago to you as Confirmands, it was only yesterday to many who are sitting in this room; parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, family members, mentors, neighbors, and friends.

And yet, it may feel like you’ve only just, that you are just beginning to set your course, that you’re ready to be “off and on your way” at any moment, ready to spring into life and through life and all that life holds for you…. from high school, to graduation, to a trade, to a job, to college, to a career, and much more.

And so, what does all of that have to do with this day… with confirmation?

Well, a couple of things.

First, you need to know something you probably havn’t thought too much about, but you are a result of your parents, your family, and all those who have nurtured you who have been  “Off and on their way”… for they too have stood where you are standing … and what you may not understand… is that even though they are older than you, they are “still”… moving out and moving on, off and on ‘their’ way as well.

Second, all those people here (and more) have been a part, a big of what has brought you to this day.  As you have been busy being “off and on your way” they have watching, caring, nurturing and followed alongside,  never more than just a few steps back… strengthening you, encouraging you, cheering you on; but also protecting and guiding, seeking what they have prayed, hoped, and believed was best for you and for your life.

Parents, along with all those others in and around your home, have been and continue to be the most influential people in your life; they are the ones who have passed on all sorts things to you; values, traditions, practices, and not the least faith.  

It is for that very reason they have walked with you over years, bringing you to be baptized, bringing you to worship, bringing you Sunday School, it is why have they have taken part in the milestone events and blessing from 3rd grade Bibles, to First Communion, to the Confirmation classes in 7, 8, and 9th grade as well as all other milestone events and blessings in between.

And the reason is simple:  “They wanted what was best for you, they wanted you to grow up in such a way… that as you continue to be “Off and on your way” that you would be blessed in your moving on and in your growing up.  That you would not only have the tools necessary to go off and move out, but that you would also have the values that would bless you and your life.   Why else would they come if not to bless your life for all the places your life will take you?

Confirmation has long been a tradition in the Christian church, a day that allows you as a young adult to affirm what you believe, to confirm your faith and get this, not as a child, but as an adult, a young adult ready to be “off and on your way”.  Each of you is well aware that you are no longer little children, but what you may not know is that this is what your homes and families have been working at for years, to see you grow into the adult you are becoming.

And even though your parents and family may at times think this is happening all too quickly, it is what they want and desire for you.  It is also what God wants for you as well.  In fact at your baptism God made a promise… to be with you always and that nothing, but nothing could separate you from his promise of love and grace.  

Now you maybe don’t remember hearing it but your parents, sponsors and family promised to remind you, to tell you (and they have done that, they have brought you to the services of God’s house, taught you the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the 10 Commandments).  They placed in your hands the Holy Scriptures and provided for your Christian education all because they believed that it would bless you and your life as you move “off and on your way’ into life.

So how does what we do this day help you, assist you as you continue to be “off and on your way”?  For it is our prayer, the prayer of this church, of your community of faith, along with your home and family that this day will serve to remind you that we trust and believe in a God who goes with us.

God doesn’t reside in a building nor does he reside in the framework of a house.  Instead God resides in us.  The promise and the hope of faith is that our God is with us, that He is in us, calling us, caring for us, walking with us no matter where we go or how far we go, knowing that there is never a place too far that he will not be with us and for us.

This is the promise God made with you in baptism, that he would be your God, that no matter what, nothing but nothing could or would separate you from his promise and love. 

And so as you continue to be “off and on your way” I would ask you to remember the same four things we lift up for every home and family in this community of faith:

First, make the time; indeed take time for caring and trusted conversation with those in your home and in your life.  It is so easy to get busy and not take the time to share our thoughts and concerns with those who truly care for us and for those whom we care for.  And don’t do this just once in a while, because it blesses you and blesses others.

Second, take time to visit with God, to pray.  Yes, again we get busy and distracted, but as people on of promise, in fact the early Christians were called ‘people of the way’, take the time, make time for prayer and for devotions, it would not surprise me if you don’t get some type of devotion book as a Confirmation gift… use it, don’t lose it, its purpose is to bless you… and it will.

Third, make time for worship.   What is the worst thing that happens to people of promise, to people of the way who worship?   Again, I realize that life gets busy but in the midst of that business take the time to come away from the busyness of life to worship… worship is a habit of life for life, for all who are off and on their way and it will bless you and those who worship with as well.

Last of all, serve… as people of the promise, as people of the way, we have been blessed to be a blessing, think of all the people who have blessed you, your have traveled with you to this day, serving others rediscovers over and over again the blessings that come from walking with others. 

And there is one thing, something that you are probably not even aware but these things will bless the home and the children that someday you will be preparing to be “off and on ‘their’ way”.

Today, as you come forward today to affirm your faith and receive the laying on the hands know this, that in the midst of what you believe about God, God believes in you, cares about you, loves you, for that His promise to you.  Also, remember that the church is you, not someplace or someone else, but you.  God chose you as his son and daughter and appointed you to be his people, his church.  And finally, may what God believes about you guide you and your life all through the way of your days.

Come this afternoon, come and hear, come and eat, then go and be off and on your way… in faith.  Amen.

Now may the peace which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Taking Faith Home... not a Program but a Ministry and even more so a Mission



Taking Faith Home... not a Program but a Ministry and even more so a Mission!

I am aware that there are many congregations and denominations working on home centered models for ministry.  I simply would like to share one congregation's efforts.  From the very onset it is important to understand that this is NOT a program that can be bought instead it is a vision for doing ministry, better yet it is a Mission in Ministry!

I have come to appreciate that Luther was right.  In the book "The Evangelizing Church", by Mark Hanson and edited by Craig Van Gelder and Richard Bliese, it states on page 22 that: "Luther himself had no problem connecting the gift of salvation through Christ with the call to follow Christ.  But the reality is that not even the very next generation of Lutherans showed any evidence that they had caught Luther's passion for sharing the gospel with those who did not know it."  So what happened? 

Luther had an expectation for the church, an expectation for the believers who made up the church.  In his introduction to the Small Catechism Luther tells of the "deplorable" state in which he found the homes of the common people and of their inability to understand and know even the most basic of Christian teachings.  It is for this reason that Luther wrote the Small Catechism, for the home. Luther believed that parents were the bishops and priests to their children and therefore the church itself.   When his writing on the estate of marriage in 1522 Luther wrote:  "Most certainly father and mother are apostles, bishops, and priests to their children, for it is they who make them acquainted with the gospel. In short, there is no greater or nobler authority on earth than that of parents over their children, for this authority is both spiritual and temporal. Whoever teaches the gospel to another is truly his apostle and bishop."" So, again I ask, what happened?   

For well over 30 years I have had the privilege to teach, engage, and even evangelize teenagers and adults.  I have used countless materials, enlisted the efforts of youth, parent, and adult leaders.  I have worked with small groups, large groups, employed skits and dramas, used videos and Power Points .  However, what became clearer over the years was that we were always trying to provide a program that was focused at the lowest common denominators.  We wanted programs and materials that were easy to prepare, simple to teach, attractive and compelling to the youth, low cost, and entertaining.  It seemed that often the goal of the materials was to try and attract youth that were not connected to worship and simply didn't want to be there. I will never forget one of my brightest Confirmands.  During her final year we discussed what her life in the church might look like after confirmation.  To my surprise this young Confirmand looked at me and simply said; "Oh, I'm not coming back."  In response I asked, "Why"?  Her reply caught me completely by surprise.  "Do you see my parents here?  Do you ever see my brothers here?  I won't be either!"  That was over 14 years ago and she has not been back since!  I recall the words of John H. Westerhoff in his book "Will our Children Have Faith", page 18: "You can teach about religion, but you cannot teach people faith."

As a continuing education opportunity I enrolled in a workshop entitled "the Role of Family in Faith Development".    The class allowed me to catch a vision of what a home centered, faith-based ministry might look like.  The next fall we began by asking parents to participate in a year of confirmation with their teenager, not as a teacher or leader, but as a parent and family member and fellow student with their child.  The result has developed into a home centered emphasis that has far surpassed my expectations. 

What began as an effort to engage the homes of 7th, 8th, and 9th graders has now reached out to engage almost every home in the congregation.  Confirmation, education, faith enrichment, and service are no longer just for youth or teenagers; instead they are for the whole people of God, for everyone in the parish and even the community. 

Home Centered Ministry recognizes the home as the central location where values and faith are nurtured and passed on. Oh we realize that not every home passes on faith and values in a way that we may appreciate or agree with, but none the less they still pass them on.  

What I also began to understand is this, that congregations are NOT made up of members, but instead everyone one who comes into this community of faith is part of a home, that each one of them comes from and home and returns to a home.  It is also true that not all those homes look or even act the same, there are homes with mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, but there are homes with just one parents or where grandparents are responsible for raising children.  There are home with no children, homes with single persons and yet they are still come from and are a part of a home outside of this community of faith.  

Our mission, as a congregation, is to engage the homes of our congregation and community in the passing on faith and values. 

Dr. David Anderson from Vibrant Faith has always said what we have found to be true that 'faith and values are encouraged and taught through caring, trusted, and compassionate relationships and that most often those relationships are rooted in the home and nurtured through a community of faith'.  However, we have also found that many of our homes, though desiring things spiritual, are often 'barren' of things spiritual:  Prayer, devotions, worship, service to others, and not the least something as simple as daily caring conversation is neither encouraged nor practiced.

Ben Fredenburg, in his book "The Family Friendly Church", states that "Parents are the primary Christian Educators in the church, and the family is the God-ordained institution for faith-building in children and youth and for the passing of the faith from one generation to the next."  

For over 14 years our congregation has been working to engage and encourage parent(s), guardians, and mentors to “pass on the faith”.   Oh, we realize this concept is not new, Luther encouraged it as did Moses in Deuteronomy 6“Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart.  Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.  Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as a emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

14 years ago we began a vision to strengthen and nurture faith and values in and through the homes of the congregation.  What has been exciting is that this effort has offered us not only an opportunity to support and encourage the homes of the congregation but, by supporting and encouraging the homes of the congregation, we also support and encourage the homes in the community and beyond.  In other words, we have come to understand that by encouraging faith in the homes of the congregation we also encourage faith in the community as well.

This shift in focus from a facility-based, program-centered congregation to one that focuses on the home as the primary institution for passing on the faith defines what we call “Home Centered Ministry”.  You might ask; “What has changed because of this focus?”    Everything!  

We have shifted from an age-specific, group teaching to an intentional focus on the home as the basic unit of the congregation and community.  You will note that we do not use the term "family", instead we have intentionally chosen to use the word “home” because not every home is made up of a mom, dad, and the children.  Instead, the homes within our congregation and community differ in a host of ways.  We have traditional families, extended families, single parent families, blended families, families being raised by grandparents; as well singles, widowed, and divorced.  Each one of these is a 'home'.

Therefore, our vision and mission is to find ways to nurture faith in the home.  We began simply by making available free resources for the home; devotional books, prayers, and even suggestions for worship in the home.  Second, we began to encourage the use of the "Four Keys for Christian living" from The Youth and Family Institute in Minneapolis which is now called "Vibrant Ministry" in Bloomington, MN that encourages each home to engage in: (1)Daily Caring Conversation; (2) Daily Devotion and Prayer; (3) Regular Worship, Rituals, and Practices; (4) Service.   

These four keys are woven into the fabric of how we seek to do ministry; from Sunday and Wednesday Education programs for the home, Confirmation, Worship, Youth, to our council and its' committees.    

However, the beginning point is the home. Whenever we meet with a home (parents) before Baptism, we ask them about the values that guide and direct their lives.  We then ask how these values were passed on to them and how they intend to pass those values on to their children.   We then invited and encourage them to participate in home centered ministry offered by the congregation.  We tell them that they will be invited, each year, to participate with other parents and homes in passing on values and faith to their children.  

The response has been overwhelming.  We have discovered that many of our homes have extended home members that come from diverse religious backgrounds.  One Catholic Grandmother told me after one event that no one had ever asked her to teach the faith to her children, let alone her grandchildren. Nor did she ever expect a Lutheran minister to ask her, a Roman Catholic, to pass on faith.  I simply responded: "Why would I ever stop you from doing so?"   She responded:  "You can't!" and then she thanked me and said she was looked forward to coming back with her grandchildren and she has!   

One of my favorite sessions is the one we have with three year olds and their homes on how to "playing" the faith.  We begin by asking the parents and home members about the faith talks they have with their children. Usually the response is simply a blank stare that would suggest that discussions are not easy to come by.  Then, through a series of exercises that involve various play stations, we ask parents to engage in 'faith talk'.  By the end of the session parents are usually overwhelmed by the questions and insights their little ones have about life and death, about creation, about the world, and about God and faith.  Currently we offer sessions for each year from Baptism to an event for graduating seniors.  At every session the home is central and parent(s) or other home members are present, as well as members of the congregation. 

Our 7th and 9th grade take part in what we call 'Bridging Faith" where the parents and mentors which include grandparents, aunts and uncles, along with members of the congregation chosen by the home and Confirmand, gather for a bridging event that models lessons for the month and then passed on to the homes to practice in the home.   

In 8th grade we offer a Bible Survey Course.  At the end of the year we interview each home involved in the “Bible Basics Course”.  During the interview we asked how they liked coming to class as a family instead of with simply classmates.  Now, many of you may not believe this, but out of nearly 300 8th graders the response was almost unanimous, only 3 so far have told us that they would prefer only classmates or friends in the class, the rest, 99% said they like having friends in class, but they want their homes there as well.

More than one of the teens responded that if they were to attend with just their classmates they probably would not learn as much, plus 'it isn’t cool to participate when it is just other friends' (peer pressure). The youth noticed that the presence of parents and mentor simply made the difference that they appreciated. 

It is amazing to watch the look in the eyes of a young adult when he or she watches and listens to a caring adult, a mentor or parent share their questions and responses related to faith.   Ask yourself: "What is the worse that will happen to a 7th, 8th, or 9th graders who spends an hour a week learning, talking, and sharing faith and values with a parent, grandparents, or mentor?"

Please note, that all of our confirmation programs are 'Home Centered" which means they are not age or grade specific.  We have youth of various ages along with parent and non-parent adults attending the Basic Bible Course.  The Mentoring program is open to all homes and can begin at any age.   In other words it is not uncommon to have youth of various ages in the course.

The response has been overwhelming.  One parent remarked:  "I finally figured out what your up to… you're after us!"  Or another parent remarked:  "Thank you, this is one of the few activities in my child's life where I am asked to be more than an spectator, instead you have asked me to be a participant."

One of the most unexpected blessings of doing ministry in this way has come from the homes that have experienced division.  It is not uncommon in our program for divorced couples to attend the class together with their child.  In one instance we had a family where the mother and father had never married, but shared custody.  Every week the three of them came not only to class together, but also met for an extra hour to study and prepare.  This study time was not required!  In short, I have seen more lives changed, reconciled, and blessed by this emphasis than I ever witnessed in the 20 plus years of doing traditional religious education. 

Again, in the book "The Evangelizing Church", on page 128, the editors quote Soren Kierkegaard:  "Lutheran church culture needs to cultivate intentional speaking of faith".   This is exactly what we are striving to do.  We are seeking to give the homes within our congregation both the opportunity and the encouragement to speak faith 'out loud' to their children, in their families, to their neighbors, and with their brothers and sisters in Christ, even to the whole world! 

Now for a moment of twentieth century church heresy and I need to be state this clearly.  Our focus is not on youth.   This is not a youth based program.  It is not a way of getting youth so that we can get the parents.  Instead, this is a home-centered program.  The emphasis is on the home; children and adults together!
We know and understand that it is adults that pass on faith and values or don't pass on faith and values.  They are the ones responsible for teaching and nurturing faith or not teaching and nurturing.   We also believe that when a home is nurtured in the practices and teachings of the faith that it will bless not only that home but that the blessing is passed on to extended families, neighbors, community members, the congregation, people at work, and the world! 

And there is another blessing.  For we have come to believe, more now than ever before, that parents and homes who intentionally engage in passing on of faith and values to their children bless not only their children, but they also bless their grandchildren and great-grandchildren!  

Again, on page 39 of “The Evangelizing Church”, it says: “In the end, all evangelical ministry boils down to the reality of Jesus coming to people.  Jesus’ presence makes the difference in people’s lives.” One grandmother, who at first was very offended by a presentation on home centered ministry called me a few days later and asked if she could begin now, if she could start passing on the faith now?   She then told me that over the weekend she had called her adult children and asked if there were faith practices that they could start doing at family gatherings.  It was obvious that she wanted to bless her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Now some might ask: 'How does encouraging the home help the local congregation?"  I want to state this clearly as well: this emphasis on home centered ministry is not a church growth gimmick.  Instead, the vision that began this program years ago was never about the growth of one congregation, instead it began in response to the command to "go and make disciples", beginning here and moving into the world!   Now that's mission, that's evangelism, that's the call of Christ's church!

Mark Yaconelli, son of Mike Yaconelli an innovator in youth ministry and who worked tirelessly in the evangelization of the Christ's church, writes on the website 'LookSmart': "The problem goes far deeper than the neglect of catechetical duties.  It is not that we've forgotten how to pass on our faith but that we often can't find any faith to pass on.... What we fear most in our youth is not their rambunctious ness, but their lack of interest in the Bible, their boredom in worship, their dismissal of church doctrine.  We fear their judgment of the church as trivial, even laughable".

We are not suggesting that what we are doing is some great answer to all the needs of the church.  But over the years I have watched as children and the adults have joined together in faith development and have seen the blessings that have come from it.  It is amazing to watch a bored child perk up as a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncles answers or asks a question in class.  It is amazing to watch as a home takes the time to engage in daily conversation and prayer.   A grandmother told me that she had been at a large family gather during the summer and overheard her granddaughter tell the cousins about confirmation, how her dad, grandmother, and uncle and aunt had all attended to class with her.  The response from the cousins was that it must have boring, even embarrassing. What caught the grandmother's attention was her granddaughter's response; she disagreed with her cousins, her peers and said: "No, it was great!"   I suspect she will never forget whom she went to confirmation with, the very people who continue to be a part of her life today.

It is my hope that our experience with 'Taking Faith Home' will encourage and support those who are seeking to engage such an emphasis in their community of faith.  To God be all glory, now and ever more. Amen

Blessings,

Rev. Mark Asleson, Pastor                                                                      pastormark@dilworthlutheran.org
Dilworth Lutheran Church (ELCA)                                                                                                        
P.O. Box 474                                                                                                                                           Dilworth, Minnesota  56529
Website: dilworthlutheran.org                                                                 phone:   218-287-2628



Taking Faith Home



Taking Faith Home

In the fall of 1998 we began our first “Home Focused” ministry event.  As part of Rally Sunday each year the congregation presented a Cradle Roll program during worship for the 3 year olds who were beginning Sunday School.  However that year we tried something different. We simply asked parents and grandparents to come with their children and grandchildren for a few Sundays and on the last Sunday we blessed the children and their homes in worship as they began this new chapter in their life of faith.  Thus began our first "Milestone" event. 14 years later we host 17 such events.

This year those 3 year olds from 1998 are affirming God's baptismal promise at Confirmation on Reformation Sunday.   Over the past 14 years parents, grandparents, and mentors have walked with each of our confirmands; they have studied with them the Lord’s Prayer, Apostles’ Creed, and the Ten Commandments.  They were fellow classmates in preparation for Holy Communion in 5th Grade, walked with them through the Bible in 3rd grade and again in 8th Grade and this year joined with them as they worked on Faith Papers and we are part of their child’s Senior Confirmation Interviews. 

Some of our parents, for a host of reasons had never been through confirmation.  They have now!  In addition to our 10th grade Confirmations we have four parents who will be affirming God’s Baptism promise to them as they participate in blessings their own children just as they did back in 1998.

To God be the Glory!  Amen