Issue 62 of Administration Matters

Most (but not all) congregations can avoid new nonprofit employee parking tax

A little-noticed provision of the 2017 tax reform created potential tax liability for nonprofits – including churches – that provide certain transportation fringe benefits, including parking and paid public transportation. This article provides a summary of the changes and some suggestions for minimizing or eliminating the liability. >More

Legal Checklist for Congregations Webinar

Congregations can unwittingly create legal issues and liabilities through inattention to basic requirements and details related to corporate status, taxes, property, insurance and abuse prevention. Many of these issues can be prevented by using an ELCA-prepared checklist of key items for congregations to address. Join us for a free webinar where the ELCA legal staff will discuss the checklist and best legal practices for congregations. This webinar will be of particular interest to rostered ministers and lay congregational leaders and staff, including congregation council members and officers, and church administrators. Webinar date: Feb. 21 at noon CST. Register here. Registration deadline is Feb. 15.

Tax reporting can be complicated

Portico offers the set of annually updated Richard R. Hammar tax guides at no cost to pastors and congregations participating in the ELCA benefit program. Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches helps congregations understand federal reporting requirements. The Clergy Tax Return Preparation Guide gives special attention to tax-related topics relevant to ministers. Updated versions coming soon. To access, log into your Portico member or EmployerLink account.

2019 IRS mileage allowance

The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2019 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business and charitable, medical or moving purposes. Beginning Jan. 1, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) is:
• 58 cents per mile driven for business use, up 3.5 cents from the 2018 rate.
• 20 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, up 2 cents from the 2018 rate.
• 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations.
The business mileage rate increased 3.5 cents for business travel driven and 2 cents for medical and certain moving expense from the 2018 rates. The charitable rate is set by statute and remains unchanged. For more information, visit the IRS website.

Low temperatures increase the risk of damage to frozen sprinkler systems and plumbing pipes

Contrary to what one might think, losses due to frozen pipes occur more frequently in climates that are not normally associated with cold weather, especially when unexpected cold fronts sweep through a region. >More

Slips and falls

Protect your congregation from the second-leading cause of preventable injuries by inspecting your facilities and identifying key areas that may contain trip, slip and fall hazards. Inclement or changing weather conditions can increase the chance of an accident. >More

2018 ELCA annual report cover

The ELCA covers for annual congregational reports in 2018 are now available to order. You can also download them for free. >More

Brian Hiortdahl, West Hills, CA

Warm-up Question

Who is your hero?

Hero at the Wedding

Just after getting married on the beach, newlywed groom Zac Edwards was alerted to a swimmer in danger drifting out to sea.  The former lifeguard and member of the Coast Guard interrupted the wedding photos to save a life:

https://ktla.com/2018/08/09/groom-rescues-struggling-swimmer-moments-after-beach-wedding/

Discussion Questions

•  When was the last time you were in an emergency situation?  What happened?
• What things are important enough to interrupt a wedding celebration?
• What one story from your life do you think you will tell your grandkids?  Why?

Second Sunday after Epiphany

Isaiah 62:1-5

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

John 2:1-11

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year C at Lectionary Readings

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

Jesus wasn’t the groom at the wedding in Cana, and he didn’t technically save a life, but he was a hero.  In biblical times, running out of wine at a wedding was an emergency.  Wine was more common and safer to drink than water.  Wine was a symbol of joy.  Wine was also an expected gift from friends, who would provide it in advance of the week long wedding celebration.  To run out of wine at a wedding would bring enormous shame to the families involved.  It would be an indication that they did not have enough friends.  It would harm their social standing in the village beyond repair.  Jesus rescued a dire situation.

As usual with the gospel of John, however, there is also much more to the story.  John calls this episode “the first of his signs,” meaning the miracle points beyond itself to something more.  Clues are dropped throughout the story.  “The third day” not only reflects the Jewish custom of being married on Tuesday (because the third day of creation is doubly blessed by God calling something good—see Genesis 1:9-13), it also points to the resurrection.  Dialogue with his mother about his “hour” anticipates his crucifixion.  It seems likely that the wine is meant to allude to Holy Communion; the only other time empty containers are “filled” in John’s gospel it is with an abundance of bread after the feeding of the multitude.  And the quality of the wine from Jesus exceeds what anyone else provides, a theme which will recur throughout the gospel.

This story will become important background for the night immediately before the “hour” when Jesus saves flailing humanity with his self-giving heroics on the cross.  He quotes Song of Songs to his disciples:  “Rise, let us be on our way.”  It is what the groom says to his bride, inviting her to the vineyard.  He then says, “I am the vine” on his way to urging his disciples to “bear fruit” and “love one another as I have loved you.”  The point of everything he says is symbolized by the abundant wine:  “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”  The “sign” at Cana points to the gift of abundant life saved with love and overflowing with top-notch joy.

Discussion Questions

• How does the newlywed Edwards couple remind you of Jesus and his love?
• When and where in your life has Jesus transformed trouble into joy?
• Does weekly worship feel like a wedding reception?  Why or why not?
• Who has loved you, and inspired you to love others?

Activity Suggestions

• Sponsor and organize a First Aid/CPR training at your church.
• Write thank you notes to first responders or other local heroes in your community.
• Initiate or support the Souper Bowl of Caring™ or another resource drive (food, clothing, toiletries, etc.) to help those who do not have enough.
• Throw a party.  Bring enough soda!

Closing Prayer

Son of Mary and Son of God, come into our lives and turn our water into wine, our worries into wonders, our emergencies into blessings, our love into action, our scarcity into abundance, our stories into signs of your goodness, and our struggles into joy.  Amen.

 

The shutdown causes worry and doubt about when I will be able to return to work. I wonder if this will continue – how will I be able to make ends meet? I think the church can walk with those affected by the shutdown by raising the concerns of those impacted to lawmakers. Let elected leaders know their communities are being negatively affected. Churches can also be part of providing emergency assistance and relief to those in need. -Richard, furloughed federal worker and ELCA World Hunger leader, Washington, D.C.

During this government shutdown, those affected are at the front of our minds – and we know you share in this care and concern, too.

The current shutdown impacts many of us and our neighbors – from furloughed federal workers waiting for paychecks to hungry families worrying that the help they need to purchase food may not be there next month.

ELCA World Hunger and the MEANS Database have put together this short, practical list of things to consider and do to help our neighbors. Read and share. But most importantly, remember all our neighbors facing the immediate effects of financial uncertainty during this critical time.

Five Ways to Walk Together During the Shutdown

Check-in with your local food pantries, feeding ministries and other emergency shelters.

People facing food insecurity and the programs and ministries that help them are at significant risk during an extended shutdown. Federally-funded programs like SNAP, which help provide support to families facing hunger, have been able to send out payments for our neighbors in need this month and, thanks to a plan put together by the USDA earlier this week, through the end of February, too. But if the shutdown lasts into March or beyond, this funding will run out. Other anti-hunger programs are in danger, too. The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, which provides nutrition for pregnant women and children under age 5, faces the same lapse in funds as SNAP, as does TEFAP, which is a primary way food banks and pantries get access to affordable foods for their clients.

Does your congregation have or host a food-related ministry? Stop by and check-in; ask how things are going. What are they seeing and hearing from guests? Ask what the ministry or service provider needs most right now – the answer may surprise you.

If you’re a rostered leader, consider stopping by the space before opening and offering a supportive blessing for the space and those that will share time together today.

Host a “pop-up” food drive.

Once you’ve checked in with your local hunger ministry, host a food drive to help provide the resources they’ve told you they need most. ELCA World Hunger’s “Road Map to Food Drives” resource can get you started.

Pray.

Pray personally and publicly for those who govern, those experiencing hardship due to the shutdown and those who walk with them. As the nation waits for agreement on a new spending authorization, pray that God will guide legislators in their work and will be with our neighbors affected by the government shutdown.

Make a monetary donation to a feeding ministry – locally or globally.

Providing physical food resources through a drive is good, but cash is often better. Cash in hand for your local pantry often means more cans on the shelf than you can buy at the grocery store.

Reach out and support those directly feeling the strain – listen and help make those voices heard.

Who in your congregation, school and community might be affected? Reach out, send a text, let them know you care. What do they need? If you are directly affected yourself, speak that truth and share your story as you can. Consider writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper or website, sharing a temple talk in church or letting your elected officials know your experience.

For updates, follow ELCA World Hunger and MEANS Database:

Facebook

ELCA World Hunger

MEANS Database

Twitter

@ELCAWorldHunger

@MEANSDatabase

After another week of stalled budget negotiations, the U.S. is now in the third week of the partial government shutdown. Various media outlets and agencies have covered important points over the past few days, such as the 800,000 workers left without pay, limited TSA service and shocking images of deteriorating national parks as services close. But perhaps less noticeable are the growing effects that a prolonged shutdown could place on low income families.

Though many services and programs Congress authorizes are still temporarily running on necessary or “mandatory” funding, local agencies that work with federal contracts will start to feel a tighter and tighter squeeze the longer the government remains closed. For instance, local public housing agencies that provide housing aid will likely run lower and lower on their own funding the longer the shutdown goes, risking the closure of local operations. Other important low-income housing programs, such as certain types of rental assistance and multifamily housing, may start to face serious challenges as well if the shutdown runs past February 1st. (Read more about the shutdown impact on housing programs here.)

Uncertain funding decisions and gaps in funding can be destabilizing and risky for private and non-profit stakeholders who work with the government, disincentivizing investors from partnering with public programs in the future. When building an apartment building, for example, contractors may be less likely to choose low-income options if they are dependent on a shaky funding arrangement. For faith-based and other service organizations that challenge local poverty, the failure of government programs to meet their commitments is a serious issue. Households living paycheck to paycheck, seniors and the most vulnerable among us cannot afford the uncertainty and lapses in services that a prolonged shutdown brings.

In addition, past Administrations have set aside reserves to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funded through potential governmental shutdowns. That funding is managed by the Department of Agriculture (DoA) which is currently an unfunded agency of the government. This year, however, DoA has not indicated if it has the funds to keep hunger funds like SNAP running, which could impact millions of hungry people in our nation. Other programs, such as school meals and the Women’s Infant and Children’s program are at risk. All these services form a critical backdrop for our country’s ability to prevent hunger in our most vulnerable communities.

U.S. government shutdown can also impact foreign assistance and our engagement overseas. Our diplomatic and development agencies cannot make new funding commitments during a shutdown unless it is deemed necessary to protect life and government property. In addition, a government shutdown decreases oversight of international programs due to staff furloughs. This could lead to program inefficiencies and reduce the amount of resources and services available to at-risk populations.

Government shutdowns reduce the availability and credibility of public programs. Policy debates over funding should not ride on the backs of low-income households and those who can afford it. As stated in the ELCA Social Statement, The Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective (1991), “The witness of this church in society flows from its identity as a community that lives from and for the Gospel. Faith is active in love; love calls for justice in the relationships and structures of society. It is in grateful response to God’s grace in Jesus Christ that this church carries out its responsibility for the well-being of society and the environment.” Lawmakers must hear from their constituents that closing the federal government is not an effective solution, and we must continue to build public leadership to reinforce the integrity of the nation.

During this shutdown, most traditional avenues for communicating with our lawmakers are also shut down. Consider often-monitored social media accounts, like Twitter, and local news outlets to urge reversal of the shutdown and re-stabilization of vital government services and relationships.

Dave Dodson, Fort Walton Beach, FL

Warm-up Question

What political figures (living or dead) do you admire?  What characteristics about them do you find to be admirable?Public

Public Servant

2018 has come to a close.  At the end of the year we tend to look back at all that has happened and remember those who have passed away during that year.  In the last year, two of the people mourned by our nation have been prominent political figures: John McCain and George H.W. Bush.  

After John McCain succumbed to cancer in August, former President Barack Obama delivered a stirring eulogy for him.  In this eulogy, Obama commended the former Senator, saying that McCain had “concluded that the only way to really make his mark on the world is to commit to something bigger than yourself.”  In the same speech, the crowd chuckled along as Obama, a former political rival of McCain, referenced the latter’s famously short temper and animated personality.

Likewise, following President Bush’s death in November, a eulogy by Presidential historian Jon Meacham celebrated Bush’s legacy with a simple statement: “An imperfect man, he left us a more perfect union.”  While making humorous references to some of Bush’s most notorious verbal gaffes, Meacham also celebrated Bush’s humility and self-proclaimed goal of working for all Americans.

Both Senator McCain and President Bush had prepared for their deaths beforehand, asking Obama and Meacham to speak at their respective funerals.  They knew that they were asking men who knew their flaws, as well as their strengths, to speak on their behalf.  However, these statesmen were also honest about their flaws during their lifetimes.  Their eulogies became a last testament to this humility and integrity.

Discussion Questions

• What would you like to be said about you at the end of your lifetime?
• Why do you think that one of the synonyms we sometimes use for politicians is “public servant”?

Baptism of Our Lord

Isaiah 43:1-7

Acts 8:14-17

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year C at Lectionary Readings

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

In today’s Gospel reading we are treated to an incredibly powerful lesson in humility and service.  Two of the most prominent figures in the Gospels, Jesus and John the Baptist, demonstrate the great importance of humility when it comes to reaching those around them.

In the first part of today’s reading, we find John in his position as a fiery preacher and prophet, proclaiming the coming kingdom of God.  John’s powerful words and fierce sincerity have earned him a vast following.  Yet even in front of the hundreds of people who have come to him for guidance and salvation, John makes a startlingly humble statement.  “One who is more powerful than I is coming,” John said. “I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals.”  

This simple statement is a powerful witness by John.  Rather than seeking fame, John admits his limitations.  Rather than use his position as a public figure to raise his status, John humbles himself.  This is an incredible moment, one which truly helps prepare the way for Jesus.  By using his position of prominence to humble himself, he prepares the crowd for the pure majesty of the coming of God in the form of Jesus.

Jesus does arrive, and John proclaims Jesus to be the man who he had been speaking about – the Lamb of God.  But our lesson in humility isn’t over.  For months, John had been traveling through the region, proclaiming that it was necessary for everyone to repent and be purified of their sins through baptism with water.  

When Jesus, the one about whom John has been speaking, arrives, what does he do?  Does he immediately begin to tell the crowd what to do?  Does he take over the baptisms himself?  Does he sign autographs and wave at his new fans?  No, Jesus steps into the water and has John baptize him as well.

But why?  We know that Jesus did not sin, and he was not in need of purification.  Why would the savior of all humankind, the perfect Lamb of God, submit to a purification ritual for the sinful and imperfect?

We have only one conclusion: Jesus humbled himself in this way to serve us.  By bringing himself down to our level, Jesus became able to serve and teach us in our own world.  It was the humility and gentleness of our Savior that made him a powerful force for good in the world.  It was this humility that brought to him people that had been marginalized and ignored by the rich and powerful.  By stepping into the water for baptism, Jesus stepped down to our level, showing that he was the guide and redeemer of the outsiders, the oppressed, and the outcast.

How do we know that this was such a powerful act?  Because the sky opened, following Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus, and the air rang out with the commanding voice of God: “You are my Son, my Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Discussion Questions

• What other passages from the Gospel can you recall in which Jesus or his followers humble themselves to serve others?
• What does it look like today when someone humbles themselves to serve others?  Can you think of any examples of servant leaders?

Activity Suggestions

God calls each of us to be his hands and voice to a world in need.  The Gospels are like a Help Wanted ad, and we are here to apply for the job.  Write a Help Wanted ad for a job entitled “Humble Servant of God”.  Be sure to include requirements, necessary skills, and how to apply for the job!

Closing Prayer

Heavenly God, you humbled yourself to walk among us, your imperfect people.  We are so grateful to you for bringing yourself down to us, so that we would not have to walk alone.  Help us to humble ourselves after your example.  Teach us to thrive in service through others, and grant us the peace that we pass onto others.  In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

by Andrew Fuller, Advocacy Coordinator

The start of the 116^th Congress begins this week. As five new Lutheran lawmakers are sworn in to the U.S. House of Representatives, check out some of the Lutheran legislators who will serve our country in this new Congress.

Both incumbent ELCA Lutherans who ran for re-election to the U.S. Senate, Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, successfully won their respective races in November. They will rejoin their other Lutheran Senate colleagues when the new Congress starts in January 2019, including ELCA members Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa; as well as Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) member Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis.; and The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) member Cory Gardner, R-Colo.

Five new Lutheran-affiliated members will be joining the U.S. House of Representatives this year., Lutheran colleagues now include Rep. David Trone, D-Md.; Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn.; Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D.; Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, D-N.M.; and LCMS member Rep. Jim Hagedorn, R-Minn. Two incumbent Lutheran members did not win their bides for re-election this year: self-described Lutheran member Rep. David Young, R-Iowa; and LCMS member Rep. Erik Paulsen, R-Minn.

Incumbent ELCA House of Representatives members who won re-election and will continue serving in the 116th Congress include Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif.; Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif.; Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine; Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn.; Rep. Stacey E. Plaskett, D-U.S. Virgin Islands; Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-Pa..; Rep. John Carter, R-Texas; and Rep. Denny Heck, D-Wash. Re-elected LCMS representatives include Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill.; Rep. Larry Bucshon, R-Ind.; and Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wis. WELS member Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wis., also will rejoin the House. Other self-described Lutherans re-elected to the House are Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich.; and Rep. Donald Norcross, D-N.J.

Special Mention:

Four Lutheran members did not seek re-election last November, including ELCA Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Pa.; Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn.; Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn.; and LCMS member Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash. Among those not seeking re-election, former Congressman Tim Walz won the gubernatorial race in Minnesota and will be joining the state house at the start of 2019. We are grateful for their leadership in Congress and look forward to engaging with them in the future!
________________________________________________________________________________

Get a jump start on building relationships with your lawmakers with ideas from an interfaith guide, “Make Sure Your Member of Congress Knows You!”

by the Rev. Amy E. Reumann

Today the 116th Congress is sworn in to serve our nation.  

Before members get down to the business of government, many mark the opening of a new Congress with a bipartisan and interfaith prayer service at St. Peter’s Catholic Church on Capitol Hill. This tradition shows a different side of Washington, reflecting the rich pluralism of our elected representatives and their respective faith traditions. The bipartisan spirit was evident as Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., and Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., teamed up to lead the music and congregational singing of “Here I Am, Lord” and “Prayer of St. Francis.” They joked that they hadn’t practiced and needed us all to sing loudly to cover any mistakes.

This year, current and new members shared readings that expressed yearning for wisdom in their leadership and for their service to be a blessing to others. Selections included the Old and New Testaments (Genesis 12, Psalm 33:12-22 and James 3:13, 16-18), the Bhagavad-Gita, an Islamic Prayer, a hymn by Edna Dow Cheney and a reading from Thomas Merton. The Chaplain of the House of Representatives, the Rev. Patrick J. Conroy, S.J., encouraged new members as they leave their former positions and “start over as freshmen.” To seasoned members, he counseled that they continue to serve with honor and faithfulness. Prayer petitions were offered by members, lifting to God the work of government, the Supreme Court and work of justice, Armed Forces and veterans, and people who are displaced or facing difficulty or struggles.

As I left the church, I overheard someone joke, “We’ll see how long this bipartisan spirit lasts. I’ll give it two hours.” Yet this moment, though fleeting, encourages me as a new Congress commences. It represents a hope that when we come together in our diversity to pray together, to sing and to hear one another’s faith testimony, bonds of understanding and community are built.

Cooperation and communication across partisan lines are more common than is reported. Shared work together built on faith commitments to justice, equity and compassion doesn’t make headlines, but it can and does open doors for compromise on issues we care about. This morning’s service and prayer prepared a foundation for the work of the 116th Congress.

Dennis Sepper, Rosemont, MN

Warm-up Question

Have you ever looked for something you lost and found it in a very unlikely place? 

Home for the Holidays

Raleigh, North Carolina, December 17, 2018 – Twin sisters A’nina and Zoe Pasco, members of their middle school’s cheer squad, thought it odd that there so many reporters at the school’s basketball game.  Then at halftime when the school mascot came onto the court, the dolphin looked a bit taller than they remembered.  What they didn’t know was that their father, a U.S. Air Force Sergeant, was the reason for both of those unusual observations.

Finally, the mascot removed the costume head and the twins couldn’t believe their eyes.  A’nina and Zoe dashed into their father’s waiting arms (fins?)  The reaction of the twins was worth the whole surprise which the school administration approved.  To see the twins’ reaction, follow the link below for a video of the reunion.

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article223226275.html

Discussion Questions

• Do you like being surprised?  What’s the best unexpected surprise you ever experienced?
• Why are unexpected surprises so special?  (Outside of the obvious fact that they are unexpected!)
• Have you ever been the person doing the surprising?  How did the reaction of the person you surprised make you feel?  Was it worth all the secrecy and planning?

Epiphany of Our Lord

Isaiah 60:1-6

Ephesians 3:1-12

Matthew 2:1-12

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year C at Lectionary Readings

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

January 6^th is the festival of the Epiphany of Our Lord on the church year calendar.  It is the 12^th day, the last day, of the Christmas season.  The day is remembered as the day the wise men arrived to pay homage to the baby Jesus.  The gospel writer Matthew includes the story to remind us that Jesus is not only the ruler and savior of Israel but of the entire world.  The wise men represent all the gentile world as they come to worship Jesus.  

When the “wise men from the East” saw the star announcing the birth of Jesus, they did the most logical thing; they headed to Jerusalem, the capital city, and to the palace of King Herod.  They were looking for the “child who has been born king of the Jews” and it made perfect sense to them that the king would be born in Jerusalem. However, when they arrived and asked King Herod about the birth, it seems Herod knew nothing about it.  Herod had to call together the priests and scribes to ask them where the child was to be born.  It was a surprise to everyone there that it was noted the child was to be born in Bethlehem, a city far more insignificant than Jerusalem.  It is also worth noting that while the foreign wise men knew of the birth, the religious leaders had missed the clues that Jesus had been born.

With this new information, the wise men set off to Bethlehem.  The star reappeared and guided them to the place where Jesus was.  Matthew tells us that the wise men were overwhelmed with joy that they had found Jesus in this place they didn’t expect.  Once there the wise men offered Jesus gifts befitting a king…gold, frankincense and myrrh.

So often we look for Jesus in places that seem to make sense…in church, in the Bible, when we are doing our devotions.  The wise men remind us that sometimes Jesus shows up in unexpected places and surprises us with God’s presence.  When we discover Jesus in those unexpected places we too can be overwhelmed with joy and we can return our praise to God.

Discussion Questions

• Can you think of a time when you ran across Jesus or God in an unexpected place (outside the church and the Bible)?  Where was that place and how did you feel when you sensed Jesus’ presence?
• If you were giving a gift to Jesus like the wise men did, what would that gift be?  Why did you chose that gift?
• There are many traditions surrounding the wise men and their story that are not mentioned in Matthew’s account.  Read the gospel again carefully and answer the following questions:

1. How many wise men were there?  Tradition says there were three
2. Does Matthew tell us they were kings as is often depicted and sung about?
3. Where do the wise men find the baby Jesus?  In the stable and the manger?

Activity Suggestion

There is a very old tradition surrounding the day of Epiphany of blessing one’s house or the church building for the new year ahead.  Take a piece of chalk and over the door of your house or the church (please get permission first!) write the following; 20 + CMB + 19.  In this inscription you will see the new year, 2019, two crosses and the letters CMB which stand for the traditional names of the wise men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar.  Once you have written the inscription you can pray this prayer from Sundays and Seasons (Copyright © 2018 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.)

O God, you revealed your Son to all people by the shining light of a star. We pray that you bless this home and all who live here with your gracious presence. May your love be our inspiration, your wisdom our guide, your truth our light, and your peace our benediction; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Loving God, we thank you for revealing Jesus as the Messiah to the wise men showing us that your love, grace, mercy, and peace are meant for all people of every nation.  By the power of the Holy Spirit assist us to share the good news of Jesus with everyone we meet through word and deed.  We ask this in your most holy name.  Amen.  

Scott Moore, Erfurt, Germany

Warm-up Question

What is the best thing you like about when you come home from being away for a while? 

Discovering Where He Belongs

It’s beginning to look a lot like the Christmas Nick Schneider dreamed about much of his life. He just recently took advantage of new Indiana law which just made possible the release of more than 50 years of adoption records, including Schneider’s. He was one of those fortunate children who was adopted as a baby by two loving parents. They raised him with love and care and provided him all the things that one hopes for in life. Shirley Williams gave Nick up for adoption those many years ago when he was just one day old. She was a 17 year-old, unwed mother. In that time, that was rather scandalous, so she was sent to a place away from her home in order to give birth in secret. 

Schneider found out that he was adopted when he was 12 years old. Reporting to local news sources Schneider said,  “There was always a void. I just needed to know, I wanted to know where I came from. I wanted to know my roots.” In recent years, he started trying to find out about his ancestry through an online DNA test. That led to identifying his grandfather and finding a picture. A television station ran a story on him and when they showed the picture of his grandfather a biological cousin reached out and eventually connected him to his mother.  This has been a been a dream come true in the making. 

Shirley and Nick met last September and, at last report, were planning on celebrating this Christmas together for the first time. 

Discussion Questions

• How many generations can you trace back in your family?
• What is your experience with adoption?
• When have you ever looked hard for something and found it?
• If someone adopted grows up in a loving home, why do you think they still go looking for their biological parents?

First Sunday of Christmas

1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26

Colossians 3:12-17

Luke 2:41-52

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year C at Lectionary Readings

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

Jesus of Nazareth in Galilee, still technically a boy in the eyes of his community but on the brink of being seen as an adult (this was at the age of thirteen), is traveling along with his parents. They are traveling in the security of friends and family and go to Jerusalem for the Passover, one of the most important religious festivals in the Jewish tradition. Jesus has parents who care.

Just last week, we relived the story of this newly betrothed couple away from home with no place to give birth to the one promised by the Archangel Gabriel. Now he is all grown up. Mary and Joseph seem to have done a good job. Jesus is twelve years old, healthy, and…lost! They lose Jesus in Jerusalem, a city full of thousands of people from all over the region. How worried must they have been? Apparently, these loving, adoptive parents didn’t need to be worried at all as they come to find him in the temple.

Jesus found his way home to his first parent. “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” This statement is surprising and not surprising at the same time. If we have been following Jesus’ story closely, we know who he is and we know that Mary and Joseph know who he is. Maybe they forgot over the past twelve years. Maybe they knew Jesus was special but didn’t know if he knew. Whatever the case may be, Jesus knows who he is. Jesus lays claim to his divine heritage. Jesus seeks a home-coming of biblical proportions. He amazes the learned leaders gathered discussing God and God’s word. Jesus yearns to be in his Father’s house and comes into his own. It is three days after they notice him missing that they find Jesus.

How long was Jesus there in his Father’s house? Certainly long enough to be passionately engaged in study of scripture and theological discussion. We don’t know any of the other details of this experience like where Jesus stayed, how he got by, etc. All we know is that Jesus is doing just fine and Mary chastises him for “treating us like this” and “causing us great anxiety”. They didn’t notice he was missing but when they did, they were scared. They love their son, and like so many parents when their child goes missing, they were terrified something might have happened to him. Here the Gospel of Luke helps us see Jesus with new eyes. He is not just the baby in the manger or the lost twelve-year old. Jesus is not lost in Jerusalem but he lost in God’s word. No worries, Mary and Joseph. Jesus is right where he is supposed to be. 

Jesus, however, still has family responsibilities to his earthly parents. He is a good son to them despite giving them a scare. Jesus goes home with Mary and Joseph, even if it is very clear now how strong his connection is to his first Father. This divine child is a loving son to both parents, those on earth and the one in heaven. The next time we see Jesus in the Gospel of Luke, he is all grown up “in wisdom in earthly years” and ready to begin his ministry of preaching and being the good news. 

Discussion Questions

• When have you ever had the feeling of knowing you belonged somewhere or not belonged somewhere?
• Where would you like to be right now?
• When have you felt like you were old enough but others still treated you as a child?
• What are you passionate about? What kind of activities could you “get lost” in?
• Which bible stories or topics of the faith could you “get lost” in?

Activity Suggestion

A faith family tree: Have the participants trace all those in their family and their connection to the faith. They can draw this as a family tree or as a chart. Help the participants identify patterns in their faith family tree. 

Closing Prayer

O God our loving parent, we thank you for giving us the gifts of knowledge, wisdom, and curiosity. Give us a spirit of passion for you and your word. Open our minds and our hearts to engage in conversations about our faith with our family, friends, and others who are interested. May we be examples of your love and may the world see us as your children. We ask this in the name of your Son, our friend and heavenly brother, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen 

The guests sit back, satisfied. The plates are scraped clean. The utensils are carefully stowed for the next meal. Where do we go from here?

In the first session of this study, Babette’s guests had finished their sumptuous, if strange, feast, praising the talents of their hostess, if not the exact recipes she brought to life. The eponymous meal was not the end of the story, however. Thirty-year-old spoiler alert: At the end of the film, Babette informs the two sisters for whom she works that she has spent all her newfound wealth on the meal and so, rather than returning to France, will be staying on as their live-in servant. Almost as important as the climax of the meal is the denouement of Babette’s decision to remain in their service. The feast is not a farewell dinner but rather a celebration of transition — from the servitude she was forced into by circumstance to the loving service she continues by choice.

In the second session of this study, Martin Luther extolled the virtues of Abraham, whose radical hospitality created an opening — both literal and figurative — for Abraham and Sarah to hear the promise of God in their humble tent. It was a model of hospitality Luther commended to the church, that it might be a place of refuge for all who are vulnerable, for all the strangers-maybe-angels in our midst. The people of God are called to be church for the sake of the world — and this starts with the concern for the well-being of others that gives rise to hospitality.

In the third session of this study, Paul admonished Peter for creating tables that were exclusive rather than inclusive. Peter had refused to dine with Gentiles and, in so doing, had decided who was in and who was out based on the law rather than on grace. Paul also held the Corinthians to account for their treatment of people in need, chastising them for mimicking in the church the pattern of relationships already present in the world, where those with earth and power received the places of prestige, and those in poverty had to make do with scraps.

Each of these threads is pulled together in Luther’s teaching on the most important meal in the Christian church, Holy Communion. Calling Holy Communion a “blessed sacrament of love,” Luther writes:

The fruit of the sacrament is nothing other than love. As Christ gave himself for us with his body and blood in order to redeem us from all misery, so we too are to give ourselves with might and main for our neighbor…That is how a Christian acts.

For Luther, Holy Communion draws those at the altar closer to God and closer to one another. To partake of the sacrament authentically, one must remember both dimensions — the presence of grace in the sacrament and the willingness to bear the burdens of the other people at the table. Holy Communion is a means of grace that forms us to be signs of grace to one another.

In Holy Communion, we are reminded of Christ’s sacrifice for us and are invited to give ourselves in like manner to one another. The sacred meal is nourishment for a sacred vocation. In fact, for Luther, the sacrament has no meaning without this: “For the sacrament has no blessing and significance unless love grows daily and so changes a person that he is made one with all others,” he writes. At the table, a community is fed and formed for service in the world. The sacrament’s significance does not end at the table where we eat but extends into the world in which we live — a world we shape by our witness to the hospitality of God, who welcomes all to the table. It is a somber meal of penitent reflection and a celebratory feast of new beginnings.

This season, as we have prepared for the arrival of Christ, it may be easy to see Christmas as the end, the culmination of what has gone before, rather than as the beginning, the inauguration of what is to come. But the coming of Christmas is not merely the end of Advent. It is the start of the life of the church in the world. Freed from sin and death by Jesus Christ, it is the beginning of the servitude we choose — service of the world in gratitude for the grace we have received. It is a celebration of the freedom to join with others at the table and the freedom to concern ourselves wholly with the needs of our neighbors. In Advent, the church is created to be part of the re-creation of the world begun on Christmas.

The “reason for the season” is Christ’s birth, certainly. But it is also the creation of the people of Christ, who are called into the world to “do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

The guests sit back, satisfied. The plates are scraped clean. The utensils are carefully stowed for the next meal. Now, the work of Christmas begins.

Questions for reflection:

• What memorable meals in your life have brought you into relationship with other people at the table? How did dining together help you become closer to them?
• How does Holy Communion help nourish you for service of others?
• Where is God inviting you to be in the new year?
• How are you renewed for service of the world by the holiday season?

Prayer

Gracious God,

we give you thanks for the many ways you nourish us — with food, with family, with friends, with faith. In you, we are made new to be instruments of your grace in our world. Recall to us the many places of need in our world — places of injustice and violence, of hunger and poverty. Enrich us with love at the tables you set that we may seek justice, love kindness and walk humbly with you into the future you have promised.

In your holy name,

Amen.

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