St Luke's Memorial Episcopal Church, Tacoma WA

St. Luke’s Lenten Program 2012

2012-03-03T21:18:00.000-08:00

From Our Rector:

In my article this month I want to tell you about the Lenten program we have planned for the month of March.

Sallie and I will be offering the program this year. It is called, “Festivals of Redemption: An Interfaith Study of Passover and Easter.” Here is the schedule:

Wednesday, March 14: 5:30 PM Soup Supper followed by the program at 6:45 PM

This first session will discuss the history of both the Jewish festival of Passover and the history of the Christian celebration of Easter. Sallie will lead a study on the Biblical texts which tell the story of the Exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt. We will see that the Bible commands that the Festival of Passover be celebrated by all future generations. Fr. Paul will teach on the origins of Holy Week and Easter in early Church history. We will look at Scripture passages in the Gospels which speak of the Last Supper, Jesus’ death on the cross and his resurrection.

Wednesday, March 21: 6:45 PM Lenten program (no Soup Supper)

Our second session will focus upon the theological and spiritual meanings of Passover and Easter. Passover is a major festival in Judaism which celebrates freedom, hope and God’s gift of redemption. We will then study how Holy Week and Easter have their theological roots in the Jewish festival of Passover. Easter celebrates freedom and the redemption which comes to all those who put their faith in Christ. We will prepare for next week’s Seder meal by taking a look at the Haggadah.

Wednesday, March 28: 6:00 PM Celebration of the Passover Seder

On this final session of our series we are in for a real treat. Sallie and I will lead us through the celebration of an authentic Jewish Passover Seder meal. This ancient ritual meal will include symbolic foods, readings, prayers, questions and a nice dinner for all. It is imperative that everyone please RSVP for the Passover Seder by Friday, March 23. We will need to know exactly how many people will participate. Children 10 years old and above are invited to attend the Seder with their parents. By joining together in the Passover Seder we will discover the deep spiritual connections shared by Judaism and Christianity.

Everyone is invited to participate in our Lenten Quiet Morning on Saturday, March 17th. This mini-retreat is sponsored by our St. Luke’s Chapter of the Daughters of the King. We will gather in St. Mark’s Chapel at 9:00 AM for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. We will then move upstairs into the main church for the offering of the Stations of the Cross. Come enjoy this quiet and peaceful time for prayer and meditation. It is a great way to find spiritual renewal during the season of Lent.

My prayers are with all of you for a meaningful and renewing Lenten season. Fr. Paul +

Amahl and the Night Visitors: An Epiphany Gift to Remember

2012-01-24T13:56:00.000-08:00

What an amazing celebration of the Epiphany we had at St. Luke’s this year. Our production of Amahl and the Night Visitors was a beautiful and moving experience that people will never forget. I remember sitting there in our parish hall feeling totally amazed and blessed. I was in awe of the wondrous gifts and talents of all who participated in our performances. I was blessed by the powerful way Amahl communicates the story of the coming of the Wise Men to visit the Christ child. The offering of this beautiful opera was a remarkable gift and blessing to our parish and the wider community.

There is a rousing chorus in Amahl where the Wise Men sing, “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” to the people of the village. Well, I want to say “thank you” to all of the people who gave us the gift of Amahl and the Night Visitors. There isn’t room here to thank everyone by name, but I want to thank a few individual people:

First of all, a special thank you to Barry Johnson for his vision of offering Amahl at St. Luke’s. Last spring, Barry knew the time was right for presenting this one act opera. And after over six months of hard work and fun Amahl became a beautiful reality.

I want to thank Linda Johnson, our musical director, for her dedication and leadership on this project. Linda did an amazing job involving our Chancel Choir, the Choristers, the dancers and our other musicians.

Thank you to Rosemary Ponnekanti for providing the music for Amahl. She worked countless hours with the soloists and choirs as they learned their parts. And thank you to Moriah Rees for playing the harp. She added a special magical quality to the lovely music.

And then there are the three Wise Men played by Barry Johnson, Dave Olson and Brian Trunk. They, along with their page, Jim Stangl, all did an amazing job. It felt as if the original Wise Men were walking right into our parish hall.

A very big thank you to our very talented Bianca Ponnekanti and Alice Hawthorne for playing the lead roles of Amahl and his mother. They had a touching chemistry as they acted and sang together. I can still hear Alice calling Amahl in for dinner, and Amahl singing, “I’m coming mother.”

At its heart the story of the Epiphany is about the giving and receiving of gifts. First, the gift that God has given us in his Son, Jesus Christ. Second, the gifts that the Wise Men offered the baby Jesus. And then there is the gift of our production of Amahl and the Night Visitors, which has been such a blessing to our parish community. We are blessed here at St. Luke’s with so many talented people, who generously share their gifts in order to further the mission of our parish. Amahl and the Night Visitors is a gift that has transformed our parish community with the love and light of Christ. For these precious gifts we offer God our heartfelt thanks.

Father Paul +

Christmas 2011

2011-12-18T21:25:00.000-08:00

Dear St. Luke’s Parish Family:

There is a tiny little verse of Scripture tucked away in the Christmas story in Luke’s Gospel. After Jesus is born and the shepherds have visited the manger, Luke writes the following about the Blessed Virgin Mary: “Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19 KJB) There in the midst of all the wondrous, miraculous activity, Mary takes time to ponder the birth of her son.

It is interesting that “Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” She didn’t just think them over in her mind. She experienced the birth of her son on a deeply heart-felt level. Mary contemplated the meaning of Jesus’ birth in the depths of her soul.

I am thinking that Mary is a great spiritual role model for us during the celebration of Christmas. Mary shows us what we can do to integrate the meaning and significance of Jesus’ birth more deeply into our lives. We, too, can treasure the birth of Jesus in our hearts. We can meditate and pray on the Nativity. We can consider what difference the birth of Jesus makes in our lives and in our world.

The Bible teaches that the birth of Jesus makes all of the difference. It is the turning point of human history. Jesus is our Savior. Jesus is the Light of the world. Through him we receive the gift of salvation, and we come to know the loving, peaceful presence of Emmanuel, God with us.

I want to invite all of you to come celebrate the birth of Christ at St. Luke’s this Christmas. Come enjoy our beautiful worship services with your family and friends. And may each one of us follow the example of Mary by treasuring the birth of Jesus in our hearts.

Sallie and I wish all of you the blessings and peace of Christmas.

The Rev. Paul D. Rietmann, Rector

The King James Bible at 400 Conference

2011-11-01T21:26:00.000-07:00

When I graduated from High School my Mother and Father gave me a beautiful leather covered edition of the Bible. I still have it to this day. Of course, this most treasured Bible is a King James Bible. Many of us grew up hearing the King James Bible read in Church or at home. Most of the familiar quotations from the Bible that we know are taken from the King James Bible. Here are just a few examples:

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. Psalm 23:1-3a

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:33-34

In celebration of the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible in 1611 we are co-hosting a conference this month with University Place Presbyterian Church. The two-day conference is called, "The King James Bible at 400." Dr. Gary Hansen, Professor of Church History at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, will be with us to teach about the fascinating history and amazing influence of the King James Bible. Those who attended our John Calvin at 500 conference two years ago know that Gary is a very gifted, interesting and challenging teacher. We will learn how this great translation of the Bible came to be under the reign of King James I. We will learn how the King James Bible has influenced Church history, Church life and the evolution of the English language for 400 years.

The schedule for this exciting conference is as follows:

Friday, November 18, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, Evening Prayer and Lecture at St. Luke's Church

Saturday, November 19, 9:30-11:30 AM, Seminar, University Place Presbyterian Church

At both gatherings we will have time for worship and hearing Scriptures being read from the King James Bible. There will also be plenty of time for questions and discussion.

If you are a lover of Holy Scripture and a fan of Church history, please plan to attend our King James Bible at 400 Conference. There is no charge for admission. This will be an excellent opportunity to bring your friends and family members to learn about Church history, the Bible and spiritual formation.

Blessings to all of you during this season of Thanksgiving.

Fr. Paul +

The Parable of Our Apple Tree

2011-10-01T21:27:00.000-07:00

On the edge of our church parking lot in the memorial garden stands a beautiful old apple tree. I don't know how long it has been there. I don't even know what kind of apple tree it is. However, over the years I have grown quite fond of our apple tree. Each spring it produces beautiful blossoms. And then the tree fills out with its lovely leaves and small green apples begin to appear on its branches. About this time every fall, our apple tree is filled with reddish golden apples. It produces an abundant crop each year.

When the apples get ripe several of our neighbors and some of our parishioners drop by and say, "Can I have a few apples off of St. Luke's apple tree?" I always say "yes" and sometimes offer to pick the apples for them. And very often someone will stop back by the office or catch me outside and say, "Thanks for the apples." I am always touched by their heartfelt expression of gratitude. Each fall I look forward to the ripening and picking of the apples. They are such a blessing to us and to the people of our neighborhood. Our apple tree and its delicious apples make me think of God. Like the apple tree, God is continually showering us with his blessings. God blesses us with abundant gifts such as the gift of life, health, family, friends, food, shelter, community and our life in Christ. God is totally reliable and trustworthy to provide for our needs and much more.

What shall our response be to God's abundant blessings? We can take a lesson from the people who stop by nd say, "Thanks for the apples." In this fall season of the harvest and through our parish stewardship campaign, we can say to God something very akin to "thanks for the apples." We can say thank you to God for the abundant blessings he gives us each day and each year. God is like our apple tree. He keeps blessing us year after year. He keeps providing for both our physical and spiritual needs.

I would like to invite everyone in our parish to count their blessings this fall and to participate in our annual stewardship campaign. Giving back to God and supporting the mission of St. Luke's is a tangible way to say,

"Thanks for the blessings."

Let the peoples praise you, O God;

Let all the peoples praise you.

The earth has brought forth her increase;

may God, our own God, give us his blessing.

May God give us his blessing,

and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him. Psalm 67:5-7

With gratitude in Christ,

Fr. Paul +

Dear St. Luke’s Parish Family

2011-09-01T21:27:00.000-07:00

I hope all of you have had a good summer and that you were able to enjoy some fun, relaxing time. It is hard to believe that September is almost here when all the activities of the fall season begin. For my article this month I want to highlight a few of the events and activities that will be taking place at St. Luke’s this fall. We have many wonderful things to observe and celebrate.

Sunday, September 11: On this special Sunday we will have our Annual Parish Picnic. This is also the 10th anniversary of the tragedy of September 11, 2001. We will have special 9/11 remembrance prayers, hymns and music in our two services. We will also gather to ring our church bell in honor of those who lost their lives ten years ago. This will also be the first day of Sunday School and mark the return of our Chancel Choir.

Interfaith Bible Study: Back by popular demand, our Interfaith Bible Study series resumes on Monday evening, September 19, in St. Luke’s parish hall. The class will meet from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. (Childcare will be provided upon request.) This fall we will be studying Wisdom literature from the Bible. For our first session in September we will study the Song of Songs. Our plan is to have monthly Interfaith Bible Study gatherings in

September, October and November.

St. Luke’s Sunday: We will celebrate our patronal festival on Sunday, October 16th. This is a favorite day in the life of our parish. We will have a festive choral Eucharist with combined choirs at the 10:00 a.m. service. After church we will enjoy a meal together in the parish hall.

Bishop’s Visitation: Bishop Rickel will make his visitation to St. Luke’s on Sunday, November 13th. The Bishop will preach at both the 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. services. Members of St. Luke’s will be presented for confirmation and reception into the Episcopal Church. The Bishop’s Visitation is a very important part of our parish life that affirms our relationship with the Bishop and the Diocese of Olympia.

The King James Bible at 400 Conference: Did you know that 2011 marks the 400th anniversary of the publication of the original King James Bible in the year 1611? To honor this great edition of the Bible, Dr. Gary Hansen from Dubuque Theological Seminary will offer a Friday evening lecture and a Saturday morning seminar on the history and influence of the King James Bible. St. Luke’s will be hosting and sponsoring this conference with University Place Presbyterian Church. The dates are Friday, November 18 and Saturday, November 19.

This is just a partial list of the many wonderful activities which will be taking place at St. Luke’s this fall. We are blessed to be members of such an active parish with so many dedicated and talented people. May God bless all of us with a sense of peace and true mission as we seek to

serve and glorify our Lord Jesus Christ.

Faithfully yours,

Fr. Paul +

I was glad when they said unto me, “We will go into the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1

2011-07-01T21:28:00.000-07:00

During the month of May St. Luke’s Preschool had this Bible verse as part of our Christian curriculum. To help the children experience first-hand this wonderful piece of Scripture, Julie and I took the classes on a tour of St. Luke’s. It was a powerful experience for all of us. On the way over to the church, the children had their usual conversations, chatting and giggling along the way. However, when we stepped through the front door into the darkened church, I noticed that everyone quickly became very quiet. A hush fell over each one of us. I marveled as I watched the children’s faces looking up at the beautiful stained glass windows and the vaulted ceiling high above. It was obvious that they were all moved by the beauty of this house of the Lord and that they were filled with wonder, awe and amazement.

I tell this story because it helps illustrate the importance of worship in our religious and spiritual lives. Worshipping God in the house of the Lord is one of the primary ways we sustain our faith and strengthen our relationship with God.

This summer I am going to offer a series of sermons on worship at St. Luke’s and in the Episcopal Church. I will talk about some of the basics of worship; things like kneeling, bowing, making the sign of the cross and navigating through the Prayer Book. But more importantly, I want to explore some of the key parts of the two worship services we offer on Sunday mornings: the Holy Eucharist and Morning Prayer. Both of these services embody the spiritual power and majesty of our Anglican liturgical tradition.

I like to think of worship as a way we set our spiritual compasses. When we worship God we are orienting our lives toward “true North,” toward the love and service of God. With our hectic lives and our tendency to be distracted we need this reorientation toward God on a regular basis. We need the structure and reliable spiritual renewal that worship provides. Worship also keeps us connected with one another as a community. Corporate prayer and worship is the “glue” that holds us together as the Body of Christ.

I hope you will enjoy the series of sermons on worship I will be offering this summer. My prayer is that they will serve to deepen and enrich our worship life together. With the children of St. Luke’s Preschool we can joyfully say: “I was glad when they said unto me, “We will go into the house of the Lord!”

Blessings to all of you for a wonderful and renewing summer.

Fr. Paul +

A Mid-Lent Spiritual Check-Up

2011-04-01T21:29:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that very soon we will be passing the mid-point of our 40 day Lenten journey. How quickly the days have passed since we received the Imposition of Ashes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday. We may have begun the observance of a holy Lent with enthusiasm and the best of intentions for following certain spiritual disciplines. We may have committed ourselves to things like prayer, fasting, almsgiving, selfexamination, repentance and the study of God’s Word. But with our busy schedules and demanding lives, we may discover today that we have neglected or even forgotten our plans for a holy Lent.

Not to worry! It is never too late to focus once again on our Lenten disciplines. Our need for spiritual renewal is just as great today as it was on Ash Wednesday. The important thing is that we carve out some time for God and for the care of our souls. There is still plenty of time left before Easter to renew our relationship with God.

Even if you pick just one spiritual practice it can enrich your spiritual journey this Lent. Don’t try to do too many things; just focus upon one. Here are a few possibilities: Spend a little time each week with yourself, reflecting on your life, your relationships with people, and your connection with God. Even just 15 minutes of silence and solitude can reap rich spiritual benefits. God’s voice is heard in the quietest moments. Meditate upon Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God.”

Choose a good spiritual book or book of the Bible to read during these remaining weeks of Lent. Let the spiritual practice of study feed your soul and stimulate your mind. I highly recommend one of my favorite books. It is Life of the Beloved by Henri Houwen. It will totally change your view of what it means to be a beloved child of God.

Experiment with the practice of fasting. This can mean giving up a meal or some particular kind of food. But also consider fasting from electronic media for a period of time. Turn off your television, cell phone and computer for a morning or evening, and spend that time with your family without distraction. One of the benefits of fasting is that it reveals the things that control us and gives us the freedom to enjoy life in new ways.

Concentrate on the practice of gratitude. One of the most renewing spiritual things we can ever do is to pause, count our blessings, and then offer thanks to God for all of our blessings. With the expression of gratitude you will immediately sense a change in your perspective on life. Your heart will be filled with the joy of thanksgiving.

So don’t give up on the observance of a holy Lent. With at least three full weeks remaining before Easter, you can still make this a wonderful season of spiritual renewal. Share in the blessings that God has in store for you this holy season.

Blessings in Christ,

Fr. Paul +

Spring Training, Lent and the Spiritual Discipline of Fasting

2011-03-03T21:30:00.000-08:00

Every year about this time professional baseball players around the country report for spring training. All of the teams gather in some warm, sunny part of the nation and there they go about getting in shape for the new baseball season. An essential part of spring training is practicing the fundamentals of baseball: throwing, fielding, batting, base running and a good review of the rules of the game. During spring training the players and the coaches get to know each other and begin to function as a team. Every spring hopes run high that this will be a great season.

I often think of Lent as our Christian version of spring training. During Lent the Church calls us to a profound season of spiritual renewal. We are exhorted to return to the fundamental disciplines of our faith: prayer, fasting, alms giving, Bible study and penitence. During Lent we are called to get in shape spiritually so that we will be able to embrace the new life that comes to us at Easter through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This year we are reading Richard Foster’s classic book, Celebration of Discipline. In that book Foster teaches us about 12 of the basic spiritual disciplines of the Christian faith. For the month of the March we are studying chapter 4 which is on “fasting.” How appropriate that fasting has come up as we begin the season of Lent. What is fasting? Fasting is decreasing our intake of food for spiritual purposes. The discipline of fasting serves to help us focus our hearts and minds upon God for a period of time. Fasting is often accompanied by prayer, meditation and Scripture study.

To our modern way of life, fasting seems very outdated and old fashioned. It seems like a practice that was done mostly in Biblical times and by the saints of old. Fasting also seems foreign to our culture which encourages us to consume as much as we can, including food. However, fasting is one of the tried and true spiritual disciplines which have sustained the people of God throughout the ages. I hope those of you who feel called to fast will give it a try this Lent. Please keep in mind that if you have any concerns about your health or physical ability to fast, please consult with your physician. People with significant health concerns should not fast.

Here are some practical tips on fasting. First, remember to start your practice of fasting with a small fast, perhaps only giving up one meal on a specific day. When you fast always remember to drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated. If you feel comfortable with skipping one meal for a day, you can then try skipping two meals on your next fast day. Richard Foster recommends fasting from just after lunch one day until just before lunch the next day. And always break your period of fasting by drinking some fruit juice and eating a light meal.

I want to remind everyone that fasting is taught in The Book of Common Prayer. The Prayer Book teaches that Lent is a particularly important time to practice fasting. The Exhortation to a Holy Lent in the Ash Wednesday Liturgy lists fasting as one of the primary Lenten spiritual disciplines. In fact the Prayer Book prescribes two holy days as fast days of the Church: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (BCP p. 17.) By ancient custom the Church also recommends Wednesdays and Fridays during Lent to be good days for fasting. So if you feel called to practice fasting and are physically able, Lent is a very good time to take up this spiritual discipline. Fasting is a form of selfdenial which helps us focus our hearts and minds upon God. Combined with the other Lenten disciplines such as prayer and meditation upon God’s Word, fasting is an excellent way to get in spiritual shape this spring.

Blessings to all for a holy Lent,

Fr. Paul +

Prayer: Our Spiritual Discipline for February

2011-02-01T21:31:00.000-08:00

Dear St. Luke’s Parish Family,

One of the things I hear frequently from people is that they would like to learn more about prayer. We seem

to have a deep longing to connect with God through the practice of prayer. Yet, at times we feel inadequate

or that we are not praying in the right way. In this article I would like to make a few comments about prayer in

order to guide and deepen our experience of prayer.

Back in the 1970's I read a little book by Archbishop Anthony Bloom entitled, Beginning to Pray. The first

thing that the Archbishop said in the opening sentences of the book is that "we are always beginners in the

life of prayer." I remember being astounded by this comment. Here, a leading Archbishop of the Russian

Orthodox Church was saying that he is still a beginner in the life of prayer. I found that very comforting back

then and I still find it comforting today. It told me that my fumbling and stumbling in learning to pray is actually

quite normal. In fact, when we begin to think we are becoming proficient or experts in prayer, we are

probably kidding ourselves. Humility is an essential quality in the practice of prayer.

A Biblical quote that has spoken to me over the years about prayer is as follows:

"Morning by morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; morning by morning I lay my requests before you

and wait in expectation." (Psalm 5:3 NIV).

I love this verse because it encourages us in the life of prayer. It says that it is good for us to lay our requests

before God and to expect him to speak to us and answer our prayers. We don't have to be bashful or hold

ourselves back when we pray to God. I also like the way it emphasizes the day to day nature of prayer. We

pray morning by morning, day after day. God never gets tired of listening to our prayers. The important thing

is that we regularly offer our prayers to God with an expectant heart.

Another quote that I really like about prayer comes from Soren Kierkegaard, the great Danish theologian of

the 19th century. Kierkegaard said:

"A man prayed, and at first he thought that prayer was talking. But he became more and more quiet

until in the end he realized that prayer is listening."

Now for most people prayer is actually having a conversation with God -- speaking and listening. But

Kierkegaard after years of practice made the important observation that the deeper we go into the life of

prayer the more we learn to listen to God. We do less speaking and more listening. I find this to be true in

my own prayer life. I often begin by reading a short passage of Scripture or by reading a Collect from the

Prayer Book, but then I sit back and listen. I allow God to speak to me through the words of Scripture or

simply through the silence. Prayer is a way to open ourselves up to God's presence and to allow his grace

and peace to flow into our souls.

I hope that you find these quotes and comments on prayer to be helpful. We all need encouragement

and guidance in the life of prayer. The important thing is that we actually find time to pray,

even if it is just for a few minutes each day. To learn more about the life of prayer, you can attend

one of our video forums with Richard Foster this month, or read chapter three in Celebration of Discipline.

Finally, I offer these words from the last verse of the great old hymn, "Prayer is the soul's sincere

desire." They remind us that Jesus is always present to teach us how to pray.

O Thou by Whom we come to God,

The Life, the Truth, the Way,

The path of prayer Thyself hast trod:

Lord, teach us how to pray.

The Hymnal 1940 #419

Fr. Paul +

Advent: Preparing for the Coming of Emmanuel, “God with Us”

2011-02-01T21:26:00.000-08:00

There is a tendency in the life of the Church today to skip right over the season of Advent. We too easily

follow the spirit of the secular holiday season and jump from Thanksgiving Day immediately into the

celebration of Christmas. With this approach there is no waiting and little time for prayer and reflection.

Consequently, we miss a profound opportunity for spiritual renewal.

Advent is an ancient season of the Church Year dating back to the fourth century. The word Advent means

“coming.” During this season we prepare our hearts both for the coming of Jesus at Christmas but also for

His Second Coming at the end of the age. Our ancestors in the faith believed that the coming of Christ is

such an important spiritual reality that it requires a focused time of spiritual preparation. The season of

Advent, with its rich tapestry of Scripture readings, prayers and music, is designed to help us slow down and

to open our souls to God. Rather than rushing around all during the month of December, the Church invites

us to pause, reflect and pray.

During the season of Advent, I would like to encourage all of us to take time for God and the care of our

souls. Here are some questions to ponder and some practices to consider:

¨ Find some quiet time for your self. Listen to your soul and listen to God. What does your soul long for at

this point in time? Where is God in your life right now? What would make you feel more connected with

God?

¨ Participate in our Advent Quiet Morning on Saturday, December 3nd. Make this morning into a mini-retreat

for your soul, a time for spiritual renewal.

¨ Use an Advent Wreath in your home to count the four weeks leading up to Christmas. The simple

practice of pausing to light a candle and offering a prayer is a profound spiritual moment that the whole

family can enjoy.

¨ Listen to some of the great sacred music written for the season of Advent. Hymns such as “O come, O

come, Emmanuel” awaken our hearts to welcome the coming of Christ.

¨ Read and study some of the great Scripture readings for Advent. A rewarding practice would be to read

the Revised Common Lectionary Year B readings for each of the four Sundays of Advent. (You can find

them at www.lectionarypage.net.)

As we begin the awe-inspiring season of Advent and prepare for the celebration of Christmas, I encourage all

of us to take advantage of this holy season of spiritual renewal. God is coming into our world. Christ is

coming into your life with grace and power. Don’t miss His coming. Open your heart to the wonders of God’s

love!

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

Fr. Paul +

You are Blessed to be a Blessing

2011-01-06T21:29:00.000-08:00

For the last session of our Interfaith Bible Study we studied the Biblical concept and practice of blessing. We studied the call of Abraham when God said to him, “You are blessed to be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2) The blessing of Abraham marked the beginning of the blessing that God intends to bestow upon the human race: first, through the people of Israel, and then ultimately through the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. The whole Biblical story can be understood as the process through which God extends his blessing upon his people. Blessing is at the heart of who God is and how he cares for us. Blessing is at the heart of how we are to relate to one another. What God said to Abraham he says to each one of us, “You are blessed to be a blessing.” That is good news!

What does it mean to be blessed by God? It means that God has freely bestowed his favor and grace upon us. Blessings come in many shapes and sizes; in all kinds of circumstances; through many different people. The Old Testament teaches that God's blessings often bring prosperity and a sense of well-being to our lives. The New Testament expands this notion by saying that God's blessings come to us in spiritual ways even in the midst of suffering and hardship. For example, Jesus said in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)

We are continually the recipients of God‟s blessings, both material and spiritual. What shall be our response to this outpouring of divine blessings? The first is gratitude. Thanking God for the abundant blessings in our lives is a foundational spiritual practice. When we give thanks to God his blessings sink even more deeply into our souls.

Our next response can be found in the words God spoke to Abraham: “You are blessed to be a blessing.” God has blessed each one of us so that we might extend his blessings to others. We don't just hold on to God's blessings and keep them to ourselves. No, we share our blessings with the people around us. When I think of each one of you, I see the uniqueness of who you are. I can see the blessing that you are to me, to your family, and to our community here at St. Luke's.

A final thought. We can all benefit from being intentional in the ways we bless other people. For example, parents can bless their children when they put them to bed at night. Spouses can bless one another through their love, affection and words of affirmation.

At meal times we can ask God to bless our food as well as our conversations. One of the best ways we can bless one another is by giving others our undivided attention and by being good listeners. We can be creative in thinking of small ways to bless the various people in our lives.

And always remember: you are blessed to be a blessing!

Fr. Paul +

January 2011

2011-01-01T21:32:00.000-08:00

Dear St. Luke's Parish Family,

I want to begin by thanking everyone for making Christmas such a wonderful celebration at St.

Luke's again this year. We had a joyous spirit and excellent participation at all of our events and

services. The Christmas pageant was extraordinary with our Sunday School children filling us with

the Christmas spirit. Our Christmas Eve services were just beautiful with glorious music provided by

our Choristers and Chancel Choir. The Altar Guild and their helpers did a fantastic job decorating

the church for the Christmas season. We had many visitors at our Christmas services this year.

Most of them told me that they found St. Luke's by visiting our parish website -

www.stlukestacoma.org. Thanks to Amy Savage for doing a wonderful job creating and maintaining

our beautiful website.

Sallie and I want to thank all of you for your thoughtful cards, gifts, goodies, and warm wishes at

Hanukah and Christmas time. We greatly appreciate the love and kindness of our parish family.

As we begin the New Year of 2011 I want to tell you about a couple of new Adult Education

opportunities which will begin in January. The first is an Interfaith Bible Study entitled, "Jews and

Christians Studying Scripture Together". This exciting Bible study series will be for members of St.

Luke's, Bethany Presbyterian Church and Temple Beth El. It will meet one evening per month

between January and June. The first meeting is Wednesday, January 19, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, at

Temple Beth El. The topic for our first Bible study is "Creation." We will study Genesis 1 - 3.

Later sessions are as follows:

February 2 - St. Luke's Episcopal (Genesis 22 - The Binding of Isaac)

March 2 - Bethany Presbyterian (Grace in Christian Scriptures)

April 6 - Temple Beth El (Ruth - The Outsider)

May 4 - St. Luke's Episcopal (Isaiah 53 - the Suffering Servant)

June 1 - Bethany Presbyterian

Please call the St. Luke's parish office to sign-up for this exciting new class. We need to know how

many people plan to attend. To prepare for Session #1 please read Genesis 1 - 3 and bring your

Bible to each study session.

The second new Adult Education opportunity will be a year-long study of Richard Foster's classic

book on spiritual transformation, entitled Celebration of Discipline. Each month we will study and

put into practice one of the 12 spiritual practices Foster discusses in his book. We will also gather

to watch a video presentation by Richard Foster on each of the spiritual disciplines. (All forums will

meet in the parish library.) Our schedule for January is as follows:

Session #1: "Introduction to Spiritual Disciplines"

◊ Sunday, January 9, after church at 11:45 AM

◊ Thursday, January 13, 2:00 - 3:30 PM

Session #2: "Meditation”

◊ Sunday, January 23, after church at 11:45 AM

◊ Thursday, January 27, 2:00 - 3:30 PM

Participants are encouraged to buy their own copy of Celebration of Discipline. (It is available at local

bookstores and online.) Please call the parish office to sign up for this class so we will know how

many study guides to order.

Needless to say, I am very excited about both of these new Adult Education offerings. They are a

wonderful compliment to our ongoing small group Bible studies and will be a great way to deepen

our walk with Christ. May these words from St. Paul's Epistle to the Philippians guide us as we

begin the New Year:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever

is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—

think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in

me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)

May the blessings of Christ be with you throughout

the New Year.

Fr. Paul +

Jesus: An Ancient and Modern Religious Operating System (Adapted from Fr. Paul’s Christmas Eve homily.)

2011-01-01T21:24:00.001-08:00

In mid-December I read an interesting article in the New York Times. It was entitled, “Americans: Undecided about God?” The author, Eric Weiner, described how many Americans today are undecided about God and religion. People who claim no religious affiliation are a rapidly growing group in America. When asked on a survey if they practice a specific faith or belong to a religious organization, these people mark “NONE.” The “Nones”, as they are known, believe in God but do not chose to participate in organized religion.

Why is this segment of the American population growing so fast? Although the reasons are many and complex, the article sites research by David Campbell and Robert Putnam that shows many Americans are turned off by the increased mixing of religion, God and politics. This leads many people to opt out of both religion and politics.

I find this analysis of the American religious scene very interesting. It helps us understand why so many people chose not to come to church today. It also helps us understand some of our own spiritual and religious struggles. However, as a pastor I find another growing segment of people both inside and outside the Church. Many people today report that they feel disconnected from God, that God is absent from their lives, or that God doesn’t care about them. Many people experience God as being remote and distant from their real life struggles. They long for a deeper, more life-giving relationship with God. All of us can relate to these kinds of thoughts and feelings as part of our religious and spiritual lives.

The author of the New York Times article had a creative idea about how to reach people today. Weiner said that what we need is a new kind of religious operating system. He said that someone needs to do for religion what Steve Jobs did for technology. We need a more accessible and intuitive approach to religion. We need an interface with God that is user friendly. We need an operating system that allows for the fact that people are seeking and searching and that they don’t have all the answers. We need a system that appreciates people’s doubts and questions. We need an approach to religion where we can easily interact with God.

I have thought quite a bit about the idea of a new religious operating system. And I believe that is exactly what we celebrate on Christmas. We find it in the birth of Jesus, Emmanuel, “God with us.” In Jesus God gives us a religious operating system that is very ancient, yet at the same time, ever new. In our Psalm for this evening we say, “Sing to the Lord a new song!” (Psalm 96:1) Why? We sing a new song on Christmas Eve because in Christ God is making all things new.

If we read the whole of Scripture we see that all through history God has been trying to reveal himself to us. God wants us to know who he is. God wants us to know him in a personal and human way. What does God do? He becomes one of us! God becomes a real human being in the person of Jesus Christ. God doesn’t want us to feel that he is absent. God doesn’t want us to feel abandoned and alone. No, God wants us to recognize him and know him. God wants to walk with us each & every day. And he does this by revealing himself to us through his Son, Jesus Christ.

The challenge I put before us this Christmas is that we walk out of church tonight with a renewed operating system for our religious and spiritual lives. This operating system is very easy to use; it is user friendly. We don’t even need a computer, a cell phone or internet access. This operating system tells us that Jesus is with us all of the time. He is with us as a friend who happens to be God; a friend who is the Good Shepherd; a friend who deeply cares about us and gives us strength and courage to live each day. All we have to do is put our faith and trust in Jesus and learn to communicate with him in prayer.

When you come up to the altar to receive your Christmas communion, come forward to receive Jesus Christ anew. Come forward to receive in your heart the greatest Christmas present you will ever receive. It isn’t an IPod, an IPhone or an IPad Touch. It is something far better. Borrowing a phrase from Martin Buber, the great Jewish theologian, we can call it an “I-Thou”: an I-Thou relationship with God in Jesus Christ. In Jesus we have the most forgiving, the most reliable, the most life-giving and life-changing religious operating system the world has ever known. Come receive your gift. Come renew your faith in Jesus Christ.

Fr. Paul +

Rector

January 2010: Blessings in the New Year

2010-01-01T21:23:00.000-08:00

Dear St. Luke's Parish Family,

I want to begin this month by thanking everyone for making Christmas such a wonderful celebration at St. Luke's again this year. We had excellent spirit and participation at all of our events and services. The Christmas pageant was a joyous gathering with over 50 children participating. Our Christmas Eve services were inspiring with glorious music provided by our Choristers and Chancel Choir. The Altar Guild and their helpers did a beautiful job decorating the church for the Christmas season. Sallie and I want to thank all of you for your thoughtful cards, gifts, goodies and warm wishes at Chanukah and Christmas time. We greatly appreciate the love and support of our parish family.

As we begin the new year of 2010, I want to mention some important events and changes which are coming up. Bishop Nedi Rivera will be at St. Luke's on Sunday, January 17, for the Bishop's visitation. This will be one of Bishop Rivera's last visitations in the Diocese as she will be retiring at the end of January. Please come enjoy Bishop Rivera's visit to St. Luke's that Sunday. Nedi is an excellent preacher, and it will be fun to have her with us over the Martin Luther King weekend.

Also, I want to announce that our sexton, Jerry Squier, is retiring as the new year begins. He has been our sexton for the past 10 years and has done an excellent job serving our parish. Jerry has kept our buildings in tip top condition and has made several improvements to our property. Top on this list would be the beautiful stained-glass windows he has hand crafted for St. Luke's. We are going to miss Jerry. He has been a faithful servant to our parish community and a beloved friend. We wish him God's blessings as he begins his retirement. We will be recognizing Jerry's work and ministry at St. Luke's at our Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, February 7.

For the past several months Jerry has been training his son, Dana, on how to perform the sexton duties at St. Luke's. Dana has been working very hard to learn all of the ropes in cleaning and maintaining our three church buildings. Our plan is to hire Dana on a trial basis for the next six months to see how the work goes. We wish Dana all the best as he begins his new position.

Finally, as we begin a new year in our Lord, I want to encourage all of you in your Christian lives and ministries. We are blessed at St. Luke's with a whole congregation full of very talented, dedicated and faithful people. Your ongoing lives of stewardship and service are what make St. Luke's the vibrant parish that it is.

These words from St. Paul express my appreciation and love for you:

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:3-6 (New Living Translation)

Blessings in the New Year,

Fr. Paul +

October 2009: John Calvin at 500: A Conference with Dr. Gary Hansen

2009-10-01T21:22:00.000-07:00

This past July millions of Christians around the world celebrated the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin. Who was John Calvin? Calvin was one of the greatest theologians of the Protestant Reformation and is considered to be one of the most influential figures in Church history. In order to learn more about John Calvin, his theology and his relevance for today, we are in for a real treat this coming November. St. Luke’s and University Place Presbyterian Church are presenting a conference on John Calvin. Our guest speaker and teacher for this conference is Dr. Gary Hansen, the son of Jane and Walt Hansen. Gary is the Assistant Professor of Church History at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. He received his Ph.D. in Church History from Princeton Theological Seminary. His research and writing have focused on John Calvin, the history of biblical interpretation, and the history of prayer. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), Gary speaks frequently at church-related conferences and in adult education classes.

On Friday evening, November 20th, Dr. Hansen will present a lecture at St. Luke’s entitled, “Calvin at 500.” John Calvin was born 500 years ago this past summer. There have been celebrations of the event around the world. What is all the fuss about? This presentation will look at the life, thought, and influence of this quiet scholar who shook the world. And he needs a closer look: Some revere him as the founder of "Calvinism"--but he would not recognize much of what Calvinists have done in his name. Some revile him as a tyrant--but he made Geneva a haven of refugees in an era of persecution. Some assume his thinking is outdated--but his way of exploring faith and the Scriptures continue to bring life and renewal to Christians around the globe. Come and sift the myth from the reality, and see whether he might still have something to offer.

On Saturday morning, November 21, Gary will offer a workshop at University Place Presbyterian Church on "Calvin and the Bible". Calvin was one of the greatest biblical scholars in a century where the study of the Bible was of the utmost importance. His commentaries cover almost all of the New Testament, and the greater part of the Old Testament too. He still has vital lessons to teach us. Calvin approached the Bible as a deeply spiritual activity, prayerfully seeking to hear what God is saying today through these inspired texts. Come and explore a 500 year old approach to Scripture which can help overcome contemporary stumbling blocks.

I am very excited about our upcoming conference on the life and theology of John Calvin. It will be a great honor to welcome Dr. Gary Hansen back home to Tacoma and to hear what he shares with us from his extensive research, study and teaching on John Calvin. I hope all of you will mark these dates on your calendars and plan to attend our Calvin at 500 Conference. Childcare will be provided at both events.

Faithfully yours in Christ,

Fr. Paul +

September 2009: St. Luke’s Reaches Out to Childre

2009-09-01T21:22:00.000-07:00

Jesus said, "Don't push these children away. Don't ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom.” Mark 10:14, The Message We all know that there are great needs in our local community. The recent economic recession has caused great hardship for many, many people. We all feel a calling to reach out to our neighbors in need. Our Vestry has decided that a good place for us to focus our energies at this crucial time is reaching out to needy children in our area. Hence, this fall we are starting a new children’s outreach ministry at St. Luke’s. We hope to provide opportunities for all of our members to get involved in this outreach project. The need is enormous for providing support, mentoring and tutoring to children. So far our emerging plan consists of the following:

August-September:

We have started the new outreach project by gathering school supplies. The school supplies we receive from your donations are going to Baker Middle School in Tacoma and to children in the Phoenix Housing Network for homeless families. We are also starting a school supply bank at our parish. On Sunday, September 20th, we are going to have a forum in the parish hall during coffee hour. At this forum a list of outreach activities in support of children will be presented. You will have an opportunity to sign-up to help meet various needs. This list of approximately 30 items and activities will be similar to what we do with our Lenten Adopt-a-Family program. I hope that all of you will plan to attend this forum and that you will sign-up to help meet the needs of area children.

October and beyond:

We will be working with area teachers and principals to identify ways we can help support children in our area schools. Activities may include things like volunteering in a classroom, helping with homework or reading to a student. We will also be working with the Phoenix Housing Network to find ways that we can be supportive of the children of the families in their program. These may include mentoring, tutoring and organizing activities for the children.

I am very excited about this new outreach initiative to children. The possibilities and opportunities for service are unlimited at this point. We know that the needs are great. We know that the people of St. Luke’s want to help and are incredibly generous in reaching out to others. I invite and encourage you and your family to get involved in this outreach project. Bring your energy and ideas to the forum on September 20th. Address your questions to a member of the Vestry. Let’s move forward as a parish. The Lord is calling us to make a difference in the lives of children.

Blessings in Christ to all of you as we begin the fall season.

Fr. Paul +

July 2009: LIFE PLANNING IS GOOD STEWARDSHIP

2009-07-01T21:20:00.000-07:00

There is a very interesting and important rubric in The Book of Common Prayer that doesn’t get the attention it deserves. This rubric is found at the end of a pastoral service entitled, “A Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child.” It reads as follows:

The Minister of the Congregation is directed to instruct the people, from time to time, about the

duty of Christian parents to make prudent provision for the well being of their families, and of all

persons to make wills, while they are in health, arranging for the disposal of their temporal goods, not neglecting, if they are able, to leave bequests for religious and charitable uses. (BCP p. 445)

This pastoral advice, directed to parents, offers valuable guidance for all Christian adults. We need to have a life plan to provide for ourselves and our loved ones through out the course of our lives and in the event of our deaths. Even though it is hard to think and talk about death, we need to be prepared for these last things.

Having a life plan that includes an up to date will is an important element of Christian stewardship. We all need to be sure that we provide for our families in a responsible way. It is also good stewardship to leave bequests to the Church and other charitable organizations through estate planning.

On Sunday, July 12th, we will have the pleasure of welcoming Carl Knirk to St. Luke’s. Carl is the Canon for Planned Giving and Stewardship for the Diocese of Olympia. Carl will preach at both the 8:00 and 10:00 AM services. After each service he will offer a workshop or seminar on Life Planning. Carl offered a similar workshop at St. Luke’s several years ago. All who heard Carl speak left feeling inspired and filled with some good practical knowledge. I know from personal experience how reassuring and strengthening it is to have an up to date will and a life plan. It will bring you peace of mind.

I hope that everyone will plan to be in church on Sunday, July 12th, to hear Carl speak. He is a real gift to our Diocese and to the national Church. We are fortunate that he can join us for the entire Sunday morning. I cannot recommend Carl’s workshop more highly. As your parish priest, my hope and prayer is that every individual and family will take action to put their life plans in place.

Blessings to each of you in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Fr. Paul +

June 2009: Graduation, Baptism and Commissioning

2009-06-01T21:19:00.000-07:00

Early in May Sallie and I had the honor of attending my nephews’ college graduation. Kirk and Kyle who are identical twins, both graduated from Concordia Lutheran University in Portland. It was a proud moment for our entire family to see them walk across the stage and receive their diplomas. In addition, I am very proud of my sister and brother-in-law for this accomplishment. They had to make great sacrifices to support two children in college simultaneously over the past four years. I know they will be glad not to have to write those

tuition checks.

The Concordia graduation was an inspiring gathering. One of the speakers was a young woman graduate who had come to Concordia from New Orleans right after Hurricane Katrina. She spoke of how God had guided her to Portland during a time of terrible crisis. She also thanked the University for making her undergraduate education possible. Another inspiring aspect of the graduation was that a young Jewish man received the award for the student who best embodies the spirit of Concordia. How interesting that a Jewish student would live out the values of a Lutheran/Christian institution with such passion and clarity.

But what impressed me most about this graduation was that it was not just a graduation ceremony. It was a commissioning. The students were actually commissioned by the president of the University to go out and transform the world for Jesus Christ. Through arts, science, business, teaching, communications, engineering, ministry, whatever their field, each student was challenged to use their education and gifts for the spread of God’s Kingdom. Now that is impressive! Sending college graduates out to transform the world for God is certainly a sign of hope.

During this season of graduations, I want to congratulate all of our St. Luke’s people who are graduating from educational institutions. You have accomplished something very valuable and commendable. I am very proud of all of you. Your education is a key to your future success. Please remember that God is counting on you to make a difference in our world. By virtue of your baptisms, you are commissioned to use your gifts to transform the world for Jesus Christ. You are a sign of hope in a world that desperately needs people like you.

I offer you these words from St. Paul as a source of inspiration as you graduate. They are taken from The Message, a contemporary Bible translation.

My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.

Colossians 2:6-7

Blessings to all in the Holy Spirit,

Fr. Paul +

May 2009: Living as Easter People

2009-05-01T21:18:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite notions about the Christian life is that we are called to be Easter people. Through our faith in Christ and by virtue of our baptisms, we are people who live in the power of Jesus’ resurrection. St. Paul emphasized this point when he wrote these words to the Church in Philippi: “I want to know nothing more than Christ, and live in the power of his resurrection.” (Philippians 3:10) St. Paul believed that dying and rising with Christ, and living in the power of Jesus’ resurrection is the central focus of the Christian life.

Hence, the resurrection is not just something that happened 2,000 years ago. The resurrection is not just something that will happen when Jesus returns at the end of time. The resurrection is something we experience and live out each day in our Christian lives.

What does it mean for us to live as Easter people? Here are a few ideas to ponder:

Easter people live their lives in relationship with the Risen Christ. They stay in touch with Jesus on a regular ongoing basis through prayer, worship, and Scripture study.

Easter people live with a sense of awe and wonder. They celebrate the goodness and beauty of life.

Easter people believe in the healing power of God’s love. We know that God’s love is the most powerful force in the entire universe, even stronger than death.

Easter people live with an abiding sense of hope. We have faith that God can bring about change and transformation through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Easter people share their faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ with others. (We all have our own styles of evangelism or sharing the Good News of God’s love in Christ.)

Easter people reach out to the poor and needy. They live out Jesus’ words, “When you did it to one of these least of these who are members of my family, you did it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40)

This Easter season I want to underscore that we are empowered to be Easter people. Consequently, we live with a new perspective on life. We see the world through the eyes of the Risen Christ. We celebrate the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection as a spiritual force that is continually transforming our lives and our world. St. Peter articulated this Easter perspective when he wrote these words:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3

I wish all of you a joyous and blessed Easter season. Remember that we are Easter people – people who live in the awesome power of Jesus’ resurrection.

In the joy of the Risen Christ,

Fr. Paul +

April 2009: John 3:16 - The Greatest Love Story Ever Told

2009-04-01T21:17:00.000-07:00

Does anybody remember the movie, Love Story? It came out a long time ago while I was a senior in high school. I can remember only one thing about this amazingly popular film. It had a funny line in it that said, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” I could never understand what that saying means. It seemed rather corny at the time and still does.

While Love Story was playing in the local theaters, the radio station in my home town decided to hold a contest. Listeners were invited to send in their favorite love stories. The hope of the contest was to discover the “greatest love story ever told.” In those days I was beginning to read the Gospels for the first time, especially The Gospel of John.

And it dawned on me that the greatest love story every told is found in John 3:16. “For God so

loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not

perish, but have everlasting life.” So I wrote into the radio station and told them that

in my view John 3:16 is the greatest love story ever told, the amazing story of God’s love given

through Jesus Christ. And lo and behold, my entry won second place in the contest! To this

day I can’t remember anything about the story that won first place. But ever since that time, I have remembered, memorized, and taken to heart John 3:16.

I tell this story about John 3:16 because it makes me think of the meaning of Holy Week and Easter. It seems clear that the meaning of this most solemn week in the liturgical year is about communicating to us the Greatest Love Story Ever Told – the story of God giving his Son, Jesus Christ, on the Cross and then raising him up from

the grave for our salvation. This is the most powerful and amazing love story! Martin Luther was so impressed with John 3:16 that he called it “the Gospel in a nutshell.”

As week celebrate the divine drama of Holy Week and Easter this year, let’s keep John 3:16 at the center of our hearts and minds. Why did Jesus die on the Cross? Why did God raise his Son from the dead? John 3:16 gives us the answer:

God gave his only begotten Son because he loves us and wants us to enjoy eternal life with him. That is the

Good News of Holy Week and Easter! That is the Good News of John 3:16!

May you be blessed by the wonders of God’s love this Holy Week and Easter.

Fr. Paul +

Jan 2009: Practicing Radical Hospitality in 2009

2009-01-01T21:16:00.000-08:00

I must be getting old. Time is going faster and faster. It is hard to believe that we are beginning the year 2009. It seems like it was just a couple of years ago that we celebrated the year 2000 and the coming of the new millennium.

Looking ahead into the New Year, I want to hold up a powerful theme for the mission of our parish. That theme is the practice of radical hospitality. We heard about this practice at our Diocesan Convention back in November. All of the representatives to convention participated in Bible studies on this topic and heard some inspiring presentations by the keynote speaker. Here are just a few of things that we learned about the practice of radical hospitality:

• Hospitality is at the core of the mission of the Church. As the Body of Christ, the Church is to be the welcoming presence of God in this world.

• Every person who comes to our local congregation has been sent to us by God. Each person should be treated as a guest and is to be given a warm, grace-filled welcome into our community.

• The ministry of hospitality is the work of every member in our congregation. It is not just the responsibility of the priest, the ushers and the greeters. Every person has a calling and a responsibility to be the welcoming presence of Christ to people who come to St. Luke’s.

During the upcoming year, we are going to be exploring the ministry of radical hospitality. For example, we plan to have an all parish forum or a series of Bibles studies on this topic. By living into a deeper vision of hospitality and getting excited about its practice, the Holy Spirit can transform our lives and the life of our congregation. We can more gracefully share the love of God with others. What an inspiring vision to guide us in the upcoming year!

With love and blessings for the New Year.

Paul +

June 2008 Getting to Know the Holy Spirit

2008-06-01T21:16:00.000-07:00

On Pentecost Sunday, I mentioned in my sermon that the Holy Spirit is for many Christians the most neglected person of the Holy Trinity. We worship and pray regularly to God the Father. We read the Gospels each week and focus upon the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, God the Son. However, as Episcopalians we tend to shy away from God the Holy Spirit. Perhaps we are afraid of getting caught up in the Spirit and filled with too much enthusiasm. This is really quite a shame and leads to an impoverishment of our relationship with our Triune God.

I’d like to offer some basic teaching about the Holy Spirit as a way to help us better get to know this dynamic member of the Holy Trinity. I encourage you to use your imagination in prayer and reflection to tap into the ongoing wisdom, guidance, comfort and strength given to us by the Holy Spirit.

It is helpful to look at the Biblical words for Spirit. The word used most often for “spirit” in the Old Testament is “ruah.” This beautiful Hebrew word can be translated in three basic ways as “spirit,” ‘wind,” and “breath.” The same is true for the Greek word “pneuma” which is used in the New Testament. Jesus picked up on this imagery in his famous conversation with Nicodemus in John chapter 3 when he described the Spirit as being like the wind: “The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit.” I find it very helpful to imagine the work of the Holy Spirit as being like breath and wind. The Holy Spirit is as close to us as our breath, and works in mysterious invisible ways just like the wind.

In the 14th chapter of John’s Gospel Jesus uses another interesting word when referring to the Holy Spirit. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the “paraclete.” Paraclete is often translated as “counselor,” “helper,” or “comforter.” In fact, Jesus says I will send you “another counselor”, indicating that the Holy Spirit can be understood as the Spirit of Jesus dwelling within the heart of the believer. Viewing the Holy Spirit as the Comforter and as Counselor can be of great assistance in our daily lives. Jesus has not left us as orphans. The Lord is with us to guide us and comfort us through the abiding work of the Holy Spirit.

Another important function of the Holy Spirit is that of teacher or instructor. Jesus says in John 14:26, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to remembrance all that I have said to you.” And later in John 16:13 Jesus says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.” Thus we see that the Holy Spirit has a teaching function within the life of the Church and in the life of every Christian believer. At a time when the Church is filled with great confusion and controversy, it is important that we continually seek the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit in discerning the truth and the will of God for our lives.

Finally, I want to mention one the great ways St. Paul talks about the Holy Spirit. In Romans chapter eight St. Paul describes how we sometimes don’t know how to pray to God. We just can’t seem to find the words to express what is on our hearts. Paul then gives these amazing words of comfort and guidance: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26) Thus, we can trust the Holy Spirit to pray with us and through and for us even when we do not know how to pray.

As we begin this brand new season of Pentecost, I invite all of us to spend more time getting to know God the Holy Spirit. Each one of us has been filled with the Holy Spirit in baptism. We are Spirit-filled people. The Holy Spirit dwells within us and is always there to lend a helping hand.

The words of this simple yet inspiring contemporary hymn serve as a beautiful prayer to God the Holy Spirit.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me

Break me, melt me, mould me, fill me

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me

In the Name of God, the Holy Spirit,

Paul +

May 2008: A Tribute to Albert Plum: Doorkeeper in the House of the Lord

2008-05-01T21:15:00.000-07:00

I imagine most of us can remember the first time we met Albert Plum. For me it was in the fall of 1990 – St. Luke’s Sunday. I was serving as the new chaplain at The Annie Wright School, and Father King invited me to be the guest preacher for St. Luke’s Day. I arrived at the church at 7:30 a.m. and when I walked up the stairs to the front door, there was Albert Plum. He greeted me with his bright smile, welcomed me to St. Luke’s, and handed me a Sunday bulletin. Little did I know that nine years later, I would become the priest here at St. Luke’s and Albert would be greeting me every Sunday morning. I know that many of you have a similar memory of the first time you met Albert Plum at the front door of St. Luke’s.

Albert has had a very remarkable presence and ministry here at St. Luke’s. With his parents, Frank and Kitty Plum, he became a member of our congregation in 1939, and served as our resident caretaker for the past 24 years. Albert served as a “doorkeeper in the house of the Lord”, taking care of God’s house and welcoming everyone who came to worship here.

I chose our first Scripture reading this morning because it makes me think of Albert. (I Samuel 3:1-10) It is the familiar story of the boy Samuel growing up in the temple in Jerusalem. He lived and served there under Eli, the priest. He slept by the altar of the Lord. And when the Lord called Samuel in the middle of the night, Samuel said, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

The story of Samuel reminds me of Albert. Albert lived here in the house of the Lord.

Living here had a very profound effect upon Albert’s soul. Albert lived like a monk, a contemplative existence, continually experiencing God’s presence here in this place. No wonder, Albert had such a powerful ministry of hospitality. He knew the powerful affects of what happens to people when they step into God’s presence in the house of the Lord.

Our Psalm for today, Psalm 84, also reminds me of Albert. Hear once again a couple of verses from that beautiful Psalm:

1 How dear to me is your dwelling, O LORD of hosts! *

My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the LORD;

my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.

9 For one day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

This Psalm speaks of Albert’s incredible experience here at St. Luke’s. Albert found a home here; a place where he belonged and was loved. He literally became a “doorkeeper” in the house of the Lord. I can imagine Albert is now serving up in heaven, standing at the door of God’s house, welcoming the saints who come to worship, and handing out bulletins.

I believe Albert represents what we all long for and aspire to here at St. Luke’s. We long to find a place we can call our spiritual home. We long to find a community where we belong and know that we are loved. We long to find a place where we can serve God, offering our gifts for ministry. Albert represents the best of our St. Luke’s parish family. Through his kind, gentle, humble presence Albert has shown us what it means to live as a member of the Body of Christ.

I want to mention a couple of things that I have learned from Albert Plum. First, Albert taught me to slow down and to appreciate the small things in life. Albert taught me to notice the natural world - the weather, the moon, the sun, and stars. Albert taught me to notice the birds, especially the seagulls, which roost upon St. Luke’s steeple and cross.

Albert loved the small pleasures of life. For example, he loved to go out for coffee. Late in the afternoon Albert and I would often go over to Starbucks in Westgate. I would have a tall, decaf, non-fat latte. Albert would have his grande mocha with extra chocolate and extra whipped cream. After taking his first sip, Albert would say with a big grin on his face, “Now, that hits the spot!” Albert taught me to slow down and to smell the roses. God is found in slowing down and contemplating his presence in the little details of life.

Second, Albert taught me that you don’t have to be a superstar or a celebrity to make a difference in people’s lives. Our world teaches us that you have to be a celebrity today: a CEO, a Rock Star, a professional athlete or a contestant on American Idol in order to really be somebody. Albert’s life teaches us that this simply is not true. Albert teaches us that you can make an incredible difference in peoples’ lives just by being yourself, by showing up each day, by greeting people with a smile, by remembering peoples’ names, by doing your job with dignity, and by treating people with love and kindness. We are all here today because Albert Plum has touched our lives. He touched our lives not as a celebrity or a superstar, but as a humble man who loved God and loved his neighbor as himself. That is a life worth pondering. That is a life worth living.

Finally, I chose the Gospel reading for today because it also reminds me of Albert. (John 21:15-19) It is the familiar story about how Jesus, after his resurrection, re-affirms Peter as his disciple. On the night Jesus was betrayed and arrested, Peter denied Jesus three times. Now this time, the Risen Jesus, out of his love for Peter, re-instates Peter as a disciple. Jesus asks Peter the same question three times: “Simon, Son of John, do you love me?” Each time Peter responds each time, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” And Jesus gives Peter essentially the same command each time: “Feed my sheep.” In a powerful way Jesus communicates to Peter and to the rest of us that the heart of the Christian life is about feeding sheep -- feeding, loving and nurturing God’s people.

That is what Albert did for us. By being here every Sunday morning and greeting us with his smile, Albert fed the sheep of St. Luke’s Church. By being himself and loving us, Albert fed us with the love of Christ. What a powerful gift Albert has given us. A gift we shall never forget and shall always cherish.

Albert would want all of us to continue to do the same -- to feed sheep, to love each other, the welcome others into the house of the Lord. Albert’s life beautifully exemplified our Parish Mission Statement: “Worshipping God, Serving Christ, Loving One Another.” In thanksgiving for the life of Albert Plum, we are called to continue to live out this mission through acts of humble love and service. What an honor and a privilege it has been to know and to love this beautiful, faithful “doorkeeper in the house of the Lord.”

One last thing. As you can imagine, Albert loved to worship here at St. Luke’s. He loved all of our services, but he especially loved Morning Prayer. And his favorite part of the Morning Prayer service was the singing of Hymn 694: “God be in my head and in my understanding.” I would like us to kneel down and sing this hymn in honor and in memory of Albert. Albert lived and breathed these words, and would want us to do the same.

God be in my head

And in my understanding

God be in my eyes

And in my looking

God be in my mouth

And in my speaking

God be in my heart

And in my thinking

God be at my end

And at my departing. Amen.

April 2008: The Resurrection Leads to the Great Commission

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After reading and contemplating the stories of Jesus’ resurrection this Easter, I am convinced more and more that Easter is a call to ACTION. Sure, the women and the disciples were initially filled with fear when they discovered the empty tomb and first met the risen Christ. Many were filled with fear and disbelief. However, if we look more deeply into these amazing stories we see that the Resurrection is a call to action. For example, hear these words from the angel to the women at the empty tomb as found in Matthew’s Gospel:

But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. Lo, I have told you." Matthew 28:5-7

After hearing the report of the women, the disciples soon respond in faith and go to meet Jesus on the mountain in Galilee. There Jesus appears to them and delivers these famous words known as the Great Commission:

And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

Notice the action words in these final words from Jesus: “Go,” “make disciples,” “baptize,” and “teach.” The resurrection of Jesus leads the Church into mission, ministry and evangelism.

Too often the Church has taught us that the meaning of Jesus’ Resurrection only has to do with eternal life in heaven. We have been taught things like the Resurrection proves that there is life after death and that if you believe in Christ you will go to heaven when you die. These things are certainly true. However, the message of the Gospel is much more radical than that. The Risen Christ offers us new and eternal life beginning right here and now. Jesus commissions us to go forth and spread the Good News of salvation to all nations. We are called to be co-workers with Christ in the building of God’s Kingdom. Through the resurrection of Jesus God has begun his New Creation. We are called to participate in that New Creation and contribute toward its fulfillment here on earth.

So as we celebrate the Great Fifty Days of Easter, let us be mindful that the Resurrection is a call to action. Like the early disciples we are called to obey the Great Commission and to go forth into the world sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are to share with others the wonders of God’s love, bringing them into the grace and goodness of God’s Kingdom. By continuing Jesus’ ministry we will be bearers of peace and hope.

And may we always be inspired, comforted and strengthened by these words of the Risen Jesus at the conclusion of Matthew’s Gospel: “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

With joy in the Risen Christ,

Paul +

Jan 2008: Celebrating 125 Years of St. Luke’s History

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2008 is going to be an exciting year for St. Luke’s. We will be celebrating the 125 th anniversary since our church building was first constructed. Our beautiful stone church was consecrated on August 22, 1883, by The Rt. Rev. John Adams Paddock, missionary Bishop of the Washington Territory. This was a great and glorious day for Tacoma and for the Episcopal Church in our region. In 2008 we want to celebrate this wonderful anniversary and enrich our knowledge of the history of our parish. We are all very fortunate and blessed to be part of the rich legacy of St. Luke’s Memorial Church.

We are planning to have a couple special events and gatherings throughout the year. Our major day of celebration will be Sunday, August 31 st. On that day The Rt. Rev. Gregory Rickel, our new Bishop, will be making his first visitation to St. Luke’s. Bishop Greg will be here for confirmation and to take part in our 125 th anniversary celebration. I want everyone to mark that date on your new calendar so that our entire congregation will be present on this historic and joyful day.

The Vestry is making additional plans for our 125 th anniversary celebration. Ruth Anderson is working on a new edition of our church history book. We hope to have the book available for people to purchase in the early summer. We have also invited Ruth to do a talk on two of our founders, Charles Wright and Bishop Wells. Ruth has been doing some interesting research on both of these historic figures.

Other plans include moving the original church monument back up to our property on 36 th and Gove. This 700 pound stone marker has been stored in the boiler room of Christ Church for many decades. It is about time this historic marker finds its way back home to St. Luke’s. We are also beginning the process of seeking state and national historic designation for our church building. Once accomplished, this historic designation will help us preserve and celebrate the rich history of our parish.

I want to invite everyone who is interested in being confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church to please contact me or the parish office. I will be offering classes this year for both youth and adults to prepare for confirmation when Bishop Rickel visits on August 31 st. Our Adult Inquirers Class meets once per month after the 10:00 a.m. service in the downstairs lounge. There will be an informational meeting for youth and their parents after church on Sunday, January 20 th, to discuss plans for the Youth Confirmation Class. You are invited to join these interesting and informative classes.

I always look forward to beginning a New Year with all of its opportunities for growth, learning and service in our Lord Jesus Christ. 2008 looks to be another exciting year for all of us at St. Luke’s as we continue our mission together:

Worshipping God, Serving Christ, Loving One Another.

May each of you be blessed with God’s peace and love in the New Year.

Paul +