Faith Lens

Brian Hiortdahl, West Hills, CA

Warm-up Question

Who inspires you and how?

Saying It Forward

The Lucas family lost their son and gained a cause. When 18 year old Jonah died, his grieving family decided to start a program inspired by his caring relationships with people experiencing homelessness. They now collect coats and other clothing items for distribution to those in need, and have attracted the attention and support of others in the community. KUTV in Salt Lake City, Utah featured this story under the heading “Pay It Forward.”

Discussion Questions

When have you seen a simple act of goodness expand, maybe even go viral into something bigger?
What lessons can others learn from the Lucas family?
Where is there unmet need in your community? How can you respond? Who will you invite to join you?

Second Sunday After Epiphany

Isaiah 49:1-7

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

John 1:29-42

(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

John makes a stunning claim about Jesus, calling him “the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the whole world.” That’s a lot of sin. The Greek word for “world” is also familiar in English: the word is “cosmos.” It can mean either the universe or the ordered system, the structure of the way things are. Either way, removing what is wrong in the cosmos is an enormous project.

How will God’s lamb do this? The gospel’s next move is surprising. Jesus slowly begins to attract a few followers with (maybe despite) awkward conversations. It feels like trying to conquer homelessness by walking into a clothing store. But perhaps Jonah and his family (in the news item noted above) weren’t trying to house everyone, but to love them…and that is the direction the lamb of God takes. Theologians say that sin means separation—from God, from others, from self. Jesus comes to bridge and remove that separation from the cosmos.

The story ripples forward like kindness. John tells everyone about the Messiah, then his disciple Andrew tells his brother Simon, and the news will continue in the following verses to reach Philip and Nathanael. A network is slowly being built based on relationships. Separation will be overcome by connection. The disciples’ question, “Where are your staying? will echo again in chapter 15, because the word “staying” also means “abiding, remaining”…the same word Jesus uses to describe their enduring relationship (John 15:4). Jesus’ answer,”Come and see,” is the same phrase Philip will say to wary Nathanael (John 1:46). Even Jesus’ first question,”What are your looking for?, will be echoed at the second beginning of the gospel in the garden of resurrection (John 20:15). As with best friends, the same words and phrases on different lips reveal connection, togetherness. Separation is replaced with relationship.

This is at the heart of Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream, in which the children of slaves and slave owners “sit down together at the table of brotherhood” and “little black boys and little black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and little white girls as sisters and brothers.” (I Have a Dream, 1963). Disciples of Jesus work for the removal of socially reinforced separation—cosmic sin—which is the cause of justice. It takes many different forms, but it always involves careful listening, caring speech, and honoring the dignity of all people. Sometimes this happens slowly, even awkwardly, one face, one conversation, one jacket at a time.

Discussion Questions

What are you looking for in life?
How do you introduce Jesus to others?
Where do you see sin at work in the world? What is one small, concrete thing you can do to counter it?

Activity Suggestions

Select, read, and discuss any three speeches by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. What does he say about the way things are (the cosmos)? What light does he shed on sin, love, justice, and relationships?
Write a letter of appreciation to someone to whom you are close. Include as many words, phrases, “inside jokes” and meaningful references in your relationship as you can.
Organize a drive at your church to collect coats, clothes, toiletries or other necessities for people experiencing homelessness in your community, or make a donation to Jackets for Jonah.

Closing Prayer

Lamb of God, connect and keep us all in your love. Remove our sin, renew our hearts, and open our hands to help and bless our neighbors in need. Amen

Brett Davis, Washington, D.C.

Warm-up Question

Is there a story behind your given name? What is it?

Power of Names

Do our names determine our destiny? Researcher Steve Levitt has dedicated decades to this question. Different cultures have different naming patterns and trends. Our names sometimes suggest something about us. Every student has had this experience when a teacher calls the roll in a classroom for the first time and and looks up with an expectation.

Levitt and his research partners have studied whether there is a measurable bias in economic outcomes for people with either unusual or culturally African-American names. Using public data of every baby born in California over forty years, they analyzed what influences our names and what influence names have on us. They were surprised to find that your given name did not impact your economic life as an adult. (Meaning it was not statistically proven to show that an unusual or culturally specific name made you less likely to have an equal income level to people with common or culturally “white” names.)

Levitt found that “it’s not the name your parents give you; it’s the kind of parents you have in the first place.” Our names tell us about our parents, not about us, and the kind of parents one has was the largest factor in influencing opportunities later in life.

However, their research and further work continued to suggest that web searches for names are highly biased. For instance, typically African-American names are programmed into search tool analytics to produce results about finding arrest records for an individual, even if there are none. This could certainly influence someone hiring for a job who searches their candidates’ names, although widespread impact was not shown by the data described above.

“One thing that most of us can probably agree on: Just about every parent thinks that his or her kid is special. Part of what makes each of our kids special is the names we give them. But from what we can tell, your name is not your destiny — even if your name is Destiny. Or Esmé. Or Archimedes, or Track.”

Discussion Questions

Have you ever struggled with liking your name, Have others struggled with it in some way?
Have you ever assumed something about someone based on their name? How were you proven wrong?
Do you think that people are judged or stereotyped based on their name?
If you or someone you know has been named after someone, do you think you try to live up to that name or be like them?

Baptism of our Lord /First Sunday after Epiphany

Isaiah 42:1-9

Acts 10:34-43

Matthew 3:13-17

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

Gospel Reflection

This time of year, right after Christmas, we celebrate some other stories from the beginning of Jesus’ life. Sometimes we celebrate the lesser festival of Name of Jesus and read the story in the gospel of Luke when Jesus is dedicated in the temple and given his name. Mary and Joseph didn’t agonize over what to call their baby – an angel told Joseph to name him Jesus.

In today’s gospel reading, we get a naming story of a different kind. This is the story of Jesus’ baptism, and we have two main characters in the story who are considering their identity and role. First, John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin, doesn’t think himself worthy to baptize Jesus. But Jesus convinces John that this is his role to play in fulfilling the prophecy. John baptizes Jesus, the sky opens, and a dove comes down (do you have a dive-bombing dove symbolic of the Holy Spirit depicted in your church?).

Jesus is baptized by John as an adult, and he’s had his name for a long time already. But in his baptism, “a voice from heaven” gives Jesus another name. The voice of God says, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” In a way, this is God’s name for Jesus – and for each of us in our baptisms.

Considering Levitt’s research, what God the parent calls Jesus tells us not only about Jesus, but about the parent. This reminds me that God’s identity is loving parent, pleased with us children, proud of us, and claiming us in our baptisms. Jesus’ name, in Hebrew Yeshua or Joshua, means “he will save.” This name, and the name that came from heaven at his baptism, “[God’s] son, the beloved,” would certainly make people biased – in a good way – about what Jesus would be and become.

For both Jesus and John, that day at the river gave them an identity, a name and a calling, that they would live into. John is named/called worthy to baptize, and Jesus is called the beloved son. At your baptism, you are called this too, beloved child of God. I believe these names shape who we become.

Discussion Questions

Besides your given name, what have you been called that has shaped who you have become?
Do you know anyone who has a name which is an adjective, attribute, or title? It’s more common in some cultures or places – names like: Grace, Prince, or even, like in the Scripture – Beloved. Do you think naming someone this makes them more likely to embody their name?
How would your view of people change if you called them (even in your mind), “_(name)_” beloved child of God?

Activity Suggestions

On a sheet of paper, make a big “Hello, my name is _____” nametag. Write all the things you’ve called yourself or been called by others. Then pair up with someone or in a small group exchange your sheets and add things – what would you call each other? Consider how those nice things that others add shape your view of yourself. If you can get some stick-on nametags, make everyone a “name”tag that says “Beloved child of God,” and one to take with you to give someone else or share with them as a surprise.

Closing Praye

God our loving parent, you called Jesus your beloved son at his baptism, and you call us the same at each of ours. Help us to reserve judgment based on people’s names, and instead call and see every person as a beloved child of God. Amen.

Kris Litman-Koon, Isle of Palms, SC

Warm-up Question

Have you ever known someone who has experienced a loss of permanent housing, even if just temporarily?

In the World, but Not Known

December 21 is the winter solstice, the date when the northern hemisphere receives its longest night. The winter solstice has been marked in various ways by countless cultures throughout the ages, yet a more recent observance is Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day. It is a day for local communities to come together to remember those in their midst who died during the previous year while experiencing homelessness. These local observances are coordinated through the National Coalition for the Homeless. The winter solstice is an apt date for these observances because brutal weather is often linked to these individuals’ deaths and because the long night symbolizes the fact that unhoused residents are often relegated to life in the shadows of society.

By having a Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, one might assume that we know the number of annual deaths or that we know the names of those being memorialized. The truth is that we don’t know those things for certain (here are some statistics). There is no standard in this country for reporting these deaths, and in some circumstances the person’s identity is never known. Similarly nebulous are the reasons why families or individuals have lost stable housing. Too often society treats homelessness as a personal failing, even though it is commonly the result of an unexpected job loss, exorbitant medical bills, poor health (injury, illness, or disability), other factors, or a combination of these.

Discussion Questions

Does your local community have an observance of Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day? (A search of your local news’ websites may yield the answer.) Is this observance something you might attend or help lead?
On a single night in 2018, there were an estimated 552,830 individuals who were experiencing homelessness in the United States. That number is very close to the total population of Wyoming (estimated population 577,737). Had you ever thought that the number of unhoused people on a given night is equivalent to a state’s population? Considering the temporary nature of some homelessness, try to imagine how many people living today in the United States have ever experienced homelessness.

Second Sunday of Christmas

Jeremiah 31:7-14

Ephesians 1:3-14

John 1:[1-9] 10-18

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

Gospel Reflection

In verse ten of today’s gospel passage, it says, “He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him.” Without giving thought to who the “he” is, try to visualize what each phrase of that verse says. To put it lightly, this verse of scripture is a paradox. When we consider the verse’s implied birthing imagery, it would be as if the mother is located in her own child. That’s paradoxical enough, but the final phrase adds to that paradox by saying that the child did not even know the mother in her.

The paradox takes on a different light when we consider the subject: the Word of God made flesh, Jesus Christ. Various faiths have a belief that the physical universe came into being as a result of divine action, yet Christianity clings to this paradox: the divine then entered the physical universe. To top it off, the physical universe did not fully know that it was the divine who took on physical flesh. The world overlooked this individual, who is the one through whom the world came into being.

The Incarnation (the belief of God taking on flesh) is a paradox, yet it is also central to our Christian faith. We shouldn’t, however, leave the Incarnation as an interesting concept for us to ponder. Note that verse 10 finishes with “yet the world did not know him.” This should remind us that the incarnate Word identifies with those whom the world does not know. Namely, those whose humanity often goes overlooked, like unhoused individuals. Centuries ago, Christians saw beggars as those who were closest to God, hence the mendicant response upon receiving gifts of food or money — “God bless you” — was something that Christians actively sought to hear. Although that viewpoint has been lost in time (see Fear of Beggars by Kelly Johnson for why this happened in the church), perhaps finding the incarnate God in unhoused individuals is something inherent to our Christian faith.

Discussion Questions

How do you respond to the idea that the phrase “God bless you” bears more authority when it comes from the lips of someone who is poor and marginalized than when it comes from the lips of a pastor or bishop?
John’s gospel doesn’t present a story of Jesus’ birth, although it presents a story of the world’s birth through the Word. In the traditional Nativity story (i.e. Luke’s gospel), what are some elements that depict God’s openness to the poor and marginalized?
“Yet the world did not know him.” What is it like to be overlooked and not known? Do you find solace in knowing that God is present with you in that experience?

Activity Suggestions

If your community has an observance of Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, discuss how you might become involved with it in the future.
If your community does not have an observance, what organizations or agencies might you turn to for names of those neighbors who’ve died while unhoused? How might you or your congregation honor their lives?

Closing Praye

Almighty and gracious God, help us to see the needs of the people on our street, in our community, and throughout the world. Kindle in our hearts a love that radiates sympathy, kindness, concern, and generosity to all humans. Amen.

Amy Martinell, Sioux Falls, SD

Warm-up Question

If you or your parents decided to move to another country, how would you feel? To where would you like to move?

Seeking Safety

Our Bible reading centers on the story of a family having to flee their homes to find safety in another land. This is still a familiar story for many families today. Those of us living in the United States are aware of the crisis at our southern border as migrants travel here seeking safety, but all around the world

people are forced to leave their homes hoping to find safety in a foreign land. The UN reports that in 2019 the number of international migrants reached 272 million. It is hard to imagine a number that large, let alone realize that large number represents real people, all in need of a safe place to live. This number has almost doubled in the last ten years and about one in seven or 38 million of these refugees are children under the age of twenty.

Of course, there are many reasons that people flee from their homes—war, persecution, and violence—being among the top reasons, but in one way all people leave their homes for the same reason. They are risking their lives for the desperate hope that they may find a place to be safe. It is almost impossible for a child to feel safe without having a place to call home, so in our world right now there are at least 38 million children who are unable to feel safe.

Discussion Questions

What helps you feel safe in times of fear and worry?
What emotions do you feel when you think of the migrant crisis? Guilt? Anger? Confusion? Helplessness?
Why do you think it is so important to have a place to call home? When you have been away what do you miss most about your home?
What makes your home special?

First Sunday of Christmas

Isaiah 63:7-9

Hebrews 2:10-18

Matthew 2:13-23

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

Gospel Reflection

We have moved quickly from Christmas night and the innocent scene we often imagine when we think of Jesus’ birth. Jesus is not yet two and he is already facing death threats. When King Herod meets with the magi and hears they have come to visit the baby born King of the Jews, he is greatly disturbed. Who is this baby who threatens to take his title of king? Herod was a ruthless leader who would do anything to keep his power and he became determined to kill baby Jesus before he can be a threat.

An angel directs Joseph, Mary, and Jesus to flee their home and find refuge in Egypt. The rest of the the male babies in Bethlehem were not as lucky. Herod orders that all male babies under two be put to death in hope of wiping out this baby who may someday become King of the Jews.

During this joyous Christmas season, this story reminds us that things might have been otherwise. Had it not been for God’s divine protection, fear and violence may have been the end of the story.

There are so many reflections of our world today in this story. In Jesus’ family traveling to Egypt we see the story of so many displaced people searching for safety. In Herod’s violent actions, we see the story of so many of our world leaders who are led by fear and make decisions out of self interest that hurt others. In the death of the innocents, we see the story of so many children who have lost their lives to war and violence. Yet, in Jesus’ survival and return to Nazareth we see the beginning of hope for a new story. We continue to put our hope in our Savior who changes the stories we know: lifting up those who are marginalized and bringing down those who rule with fear.

Discussion Questions

Why do you think Herod is threatened by Jesus even though he is only a baby?
When have you made decisions out of fear? How did that situation go? When have you made decisions based on hope, how were the results different than decisions made in fear?
In this story we see God actively taking care of Jesus and his family. When in your life have you been aware of God’s activity?

Activity Suggestions

Watch the documentary Warehoused together. The movie gives an intimate look at the plight long-term refugees face.
Every community has children who don’t have a safe place to call home. Look into the services your community offers for children in need of shelter and find ways you can support the work they are doing.

Closing Praye

Loving God, We give you thanks for the safety and comfort you provide for us. Empower us to share Christ’s comfort with others. Amen.

John Wertz, Blacksburg, VA

Warm-up

Tell the group that today they are going to learn a magic trick. Pick one of the simple tricks from these websites or share one you know.

https://www.care.com/c/stories/4051/easy-magic-tricks-for-kids/

https://www.lifehack.org/323348/8-easy-magic-tricks-for-you-show-off-parties

When the Impossible Happens

When the men’s basketball team from Stephen F. Austin arrived in Durham, NC on November 26, 2019 to play the number one ranked Duke Blue Devils, no one outside of Stephen F. Austin’s players and fans expected the game to be close. According to the experts, Duke was a 27.5 point favorite in the game. For the Duke fans gathering that night, it was supposed to be an opportunity to see their team extend their 150-game winning streak at home against non-conference opponents. For the Stephen F. Austin fans, it was supposed to be an opportunity to see their team play in a historic arena. What fans of both teams witnessed, however, was far from what they expected.

From the opening tip, the older, more experienced team from Stephen F. Austin played with confidence. Each time that Duke got a lead, Stephen F. Austin’s team rallied to keep the game close. Duke held a five-point lead at halftime, but as the second half began, it quickly became obvious that the young Duke players were feeling the pressure. Missed shots and missed free throws came in bunches. The teams traded baskets and with 19 seconds left in the game, Gavin Kemsmil from Stephen F. Austin made a basket to send the game into overtime. In overtime, both teams struggled to score, but with the game tied 83 to 83 and 15 seconds left, Duke had the ball and a chance to win the game. In the previous 150 straight games at home against non-conference foes like Stephen F. Austin, Duke had always made that shot that they needed and won the game. On this night, the shot bounced off the rim. The rebound slipped onto the floor and rolled to a Stephen F. Austin player who threw it to Matthew Bain. Bain raced the length of the court and laid the ball in the basket right in front of the Stephen F. Austin bench just before the clock struck zero.

As the final score appeared on the scoreboard, Duke fans stood in stunned silence and the small group of Stephen F. Austin fans and players erupted with joy and amazement. This team of junior college transfers and players most people had never heard of pulled off the biggest statistical upset in NCAA basketball in the last 15 years. They defeated the number one team in college basketball. They ended Duke’s 150-game home winning streak, a streak which began in 2000 when Duke beat Stephen F. Austin. As the season continues, both teams will have their share of wins and losses, but on that night in Durham, NC, the players from Stephen F. Austin proved to themselves and to others that sometimes the impossible really is possible.

Discussion Questions

How do you think you would have felt if you had been on Stephen F. Austin’s team at the end of game?
Share a time that you were able to accomplish something that you didn’t think you’d be able to do.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 7:10-16

Romans 1:1-7

Matthew 1:18-25

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

Gospel Reflection

For Joseph, the news that Jesus was to be born of Mary was not particularly good news. Since Joseph wasn’t the father of the baby, you can imagine that he might be hurt and upset by the news. The Gospel of Matthew says that Joseph was a good man and that he decided to handle things quietly and make this uncomfortable mess go away. A dream, however, changed his mind.

Many folks today ignore their dreams or at best find their dreams to be a curiosity that provides reflection on their life, but when an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, he didn’t ignore it. The angel said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Mt 1:20-21). Joseph heard God’s Word revealed in this dream and he listened. “Joseph awoke from sleep, [and] he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him” (Mt 1:24).

Joseph listened. Joseph believed the unbelievable. Joseph heard the angel speak to him in a dream and accepted this unexpected news about Mary. He couldn’t prove what the angel told him was true. He couldn’t double-check or verify the information. With the help of the Holy Spirit, he believed, based on his experience of God that night, on his knowledge of what God had done in the past, and on his understanding of what God was doing and had promised to do in the future.

Now to be sure, there are folks in this world who will say the whole story of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus is impossible to believe, but sometimes what seems impossible and unbelievable is in fact possible and believable. Sometimes the 27.5 point underdog wins the game. Sometimes there isn’t a logical explanation for what happens and sometimes God speaks to us in unexpected ways.

In our world where it can be hard to know what is true and what isn’t true, Joseph’s faithfulness offers a helpful example of what it looks like to believe when believing is hard. We may not receive a visit by an angel in a dream, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, we, like Joseph, can respond to God’s Word with belief. We, like Joseph, can draw on the stories of God’s presence with God’s people in the past as examples of God’s enduring faithfulness to us. We, like Joseph, can take a leap of faith and believe that God is active in our lives and in the world.

Discussion Questions

How do you think you would have responded if you were in Joseph’s place?
Other than the story of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, what other Bible stories help you to see that God loves and cares for God’s people?
Where have you seen God active in your life or your community this week?

Activity Suggestions

Invite someone from the congregation or community to share their faith story with the group.
As a group, talk about Joseph’s response to his dream and his openness to listening to God in his dream. Work together to write an evening prayer the group can use before going to sleep. Share the prayer with the congregation.

Closing Praye

Open our hearts, O God, to experience your love for us. Open our eyes to see the ways you are active in the world around us. Open our ears to hear your call to be your heart, hands and voices in the world. Helps us to know that you are with us in all that is and all that will be. Amen.

January 19, 2020–Saying It Forward

January 12, 2020–Power of Names

January 5, 2020–In the World, but Not Known

Second Sunday of Christmas

December 29, 2019–Seeking Safety

December 22, 2019–When the Impossible Happens