Temptation. Artist: Riley Atwood (click image to enlarge)
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
'I Hated Sunday School!'
by The Rev. Virginia L. Bennett, D.Min.
Photos courtesy Virginia Bennett. (Click images to enlarge slideshow)
I was raised in the 2nd largest Lutheran Church (not Missouri Synod) in the country. It had 6000 baptized members. So my first impression of church/religion was something that awed me, made me feel as though this must be about something 'enormous'. A picture of the nave and sanctuary is in my office at church. I remember being so small that the top of the pews were taller than me, and walking with my mother down that aisle I remember the sun coming through the stained glass window behind the altar of the risen Christ and it was just overwhelming; breathtaking; something that affected me on a visceral level, but I could not explain.
I hated Sunday School and before that my mother always told me that when she could hear babies and small children screaming in the nursery she was sure I was the loudest. (read more...)
I was raised in the 2nd largest Lutheran Church (not Missouri Synod) in the country. It had 6000 baptized members. So my first impression of church/religion was something that awed me, made me feel as though this must be about something 'enormous'. A picture of the nave and sanctuary is in my office at church. I remember being so small that the top of the pews were taller than me, and walking with my mother down that aisle I remember the sun coming through the stained glass window behind the altar of the risen Christ and it was just overwhelming; breathtaking; something that affected me on a visceral level, but I could not explain.
I hated Sunday School and before that my mother always told me that when she could hear babies and small children screaming in the nursery she was sure I was the loudest. (read more...)
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Messages from Journey
This is the first in a series of messages from members of Journey. The messages--short essays, really--are being written during Lent, and will be posted on this website. The messages are intended not only for parishioners at St. Andrew's, but for anyone on the planet with access to the Internet. The topics are random. However, one thing the writers (ages 11 - 18) have been asked to do is to think about where God fits in, regardless of the topic. Or, if God doesn't seem to fit in, to think about why not. Where is God?
The first messages are from Olivia Hopkins, Aaron Huggins, Devon Dudding, Ellen Atwood, and Zach Banning. Those who read these messages are encouraged to respond in the comments section below each essay. Our hope is to create a dialogue with the older (sorry!) members of St. Andrew's.
What Scares Me About the World Today...
by Olivia Hopkins
What scares me about the world today is losing my self, or being affected by others so much that I am drawn to that point. I find myself lost or flustered by the differences between myself and the people surrounding me at school. I mean some of those people at school are crazy, and I know that I will never be like them. But I'm scared that I will be affected by them.
How will I find myself? I will use God's help to guide me back to my inner self.
The first messages are from Olivia Hopkins, Aaron Huggins, Devon Dudding, Ellen Atwood, and Zach Banning. Those who read these messages are encouraged to respond in the comments section below each essay. Our hope is to create a dialogue with the older (sorry!) members of St. Andrew's.
What Scares Me About the World Today...
by Olivia Hopkins
What scares me about the world today is losing my self, or being affected by others so much that I am drawn to that point. I find myself lost or flustered by the differences between myself and the people surrounding me at school. I mean some of those people at school are crazy, and I know that I will never be like them. But I'm scared that I will be affected by them.
How will I find myself? I will use God's help to guide me back to my inner self.
What St. Andrew's Has Meant...
by Aaron HugginsWhat St. Andrew's has meant in my life is a leg to stand on. St. Andrew's has been a place where I can feel safe and welcomed. It's a place where I can learn and have fun, worship, and just be with others like me. I can grow and come alive at St. Andrew's, and be with people who support and help. It's like being with a second family, with all the love and care of one, and it makes me feel truly happy.
The Most Difficult Part About Being a Teen...
by Devon Dudding
The most difficult part about being a teenager today is the expectations. It is very difficult to balance the goals and responsibilities of friends, family, and school. I no longer have the comfort of always living in the moment. Slowly it seems that I must place my thoughts on the rapidly approaching future. With looming thoughts of college, it's hard to balance time with friends and family.
Many nights and weekends I have had to choose between what I want to do, and what I have to do to ensure my happiness in the future.
In My Life, I Am Most Grateful For...
by Ellen Atwood
In my life, I am most grateful for my parents. They have always been there for me. My mom and dad have always provided me with everything I need. Clothes, food, and most importantly, opening me up to believing in God. Without my parents I would not be as close to God as I am right now. They did a really great job bringing me to church each Sunday. My life would be incomplete without God, and I have my parents to thank for completing it.
I Am Most Grateful For My Laugh...
by Zach BanningIn my life I am most grateful for my laugh. Because I laugh at everything, and it is awesome. And it is contagious. Sometimes it annoys people, but some people like it. And, it is funny (and some people could really use a good laugh sometimes if they are bitter). It is great. And that is why I am grateful for my laugh.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Scripture for today's Journey
Nicodemus Visits Jesus (John 3:1-17)
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Super Bowl Pre-empts Journey
Since the Super Bowl was played at the same time that Journey was scheduled on Sunday, I decided to cancel Journey, since the Super Bowl has become almost like a national holiday. We will meet again on Sunday, February 17, at 5:30 pm. See you then.
-- Tom
-- Tom
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