​Written By :Chaplain Chris Belfield
I wasn’t there, but Cathy was. The long-anticipated return of Grandma’s Marathon. This was the first national marathon event held since the pandemic took hold last year.  I imagine you would have to be there to take it all in.  Well, the next best thing is to watch a video that the Two Harbors Chamber of Commerce posted regarding the start of this momentous occasion.  Let’s see there was the train that brought the runners and others up from Duluth.  There was an almost virtual sea of humanity as the runners gathered on the scenic highway at the starting line and extended several hundred yards back. Then the moment I waited for. No, not the start.  As the camera panned around to take in the vista view, there was a group of lime green-clad individuals standing together like a miraculous growth of new vegetation.  These were the Lake County Community Emergency Response Team volunteers, who were
there to assist the marathon organizers and runners.  There was Cathy in her lime green vest. Shortly afterward the sea of humanity began an ebb and flow that slowly and inexorably made its exodus from Two Harbors towards the final destination in Duluth.  It was a perfect day with sunshine, a gentle breeze, and temperatures in the 60s.  What could be better?  This observation from a former runner of many decades ago.
The day following the marathon was the official first day of summer.  True to the North Shore, it had to start memorably and uniquely: that being 47 degrees at sunrise. Nonetheless, it was the start and everything else that goes along with summer commenced with determined vigor.  All of the parks are full of visitors.  The campgrounds abound with vehicles and tents of every description. Businesses are thriving again, and children are playing on almost every street. Plans are being made to maximize the time available for vacations, visiting, new projects to be planned, and old ones to be completed.
I have heard it said by wise sages of the past, that you can't finish what you don't start.  And so it is that it seems that more time is often spent in planning to start than in actually starting the event and finishing. I look at all of the new construction throughout the north shore area and marvel at all of the meticulous planning that goes into some of these projects.  Of course, there is always the possibility that experience has provided a good guide for future endeavors.  I imagine that this also applies to road and building construction projects.  Still, they are wonderful to see in operation.  We have a new front patio going in at this time.  The ground, rocks, and uneven lay of the yard made this seem like a daunting challenge.  Trust the professionals, they know what they are doing.  Within a few short hours, the ground was cleared and leveled with the forms for the patio set.  The rocks were all gone and had been
re-purposed as a natural foundation border.  Who would have thought? Another start greatly anticipated is the start of school with no restrictions, so children can complete their return journey to normalcy. Many may chastise me for even mentioning school at the start of summer, but trust me, plans are already being made on the start-up procedures.  There are also new starts where there is a hoped-for outcome, but you’re never quite sure as you go along day-to-day.  Starting a new business, a new
family, or even a life change such as retirement. Then there are those times when a re-start may be required.  The pandemic affected so much of the economy that many had to start with new jobs, new
careers in new locations.  Health issues can also affect when we may need to start new life patterns.  Even the loss of a loved one may necessitate a re-start in living a new life. God has always allowed us to start a new life with him.  Be assured that he will watch over us and provide what we need and also to know that no matter what happens in our lives, he is always with us, and will always love us.
Our encouragement verse for this week is:
 
Romans 6:4  (NIV) “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
May you be blessed by God's word.     Chris

First Reading: Job 38:1-11
Responsive Reading Psalm 124
​Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Gospel: Mark 4:35-41

There are storms in life. Sometimes actual weather related storms and sometimes the storm can be circumstances in life that are chaotic and overwhelming. It can be a broken relationship, a serious illness, a serious accident or death. I know that some of you have had those kinds of storms and I would guess that most of you have.  We have good friends from India – their names are Neeraj and Nijer – they came to the US to study at the seminary. After receiving their PhDs from seminary and the Univ of Minn they returned to India and started a training center for Indian pastors and missionaries. They came back to the US to get their kids settled in school. So they were in the US when Covid hit India. And it hit their friends and family hard.  In just a 2 week period in May of this year they lost 25 people who were either immediate family extended family or dear friends. They were praying for the whole situation and each day they would receive news that a father brother brother in law or close friend had died from Covid – sometimes 2 or 3 a day. They have been blessed with tremendous faith and that faith and trust in God is what has been sustaining them. But circumstances like these bring many people to ask those hard questions – are you there God? Don’t you care God? Why in the world do you let this happen Lord?
Jesus had been teaching the people of Israel and showing what the Kingdom of God is like. At the end of a long day he and his disciples are in a boat and head across the Galilean sea and over to non Jewish territory. The Sea of Galilee is hundreds of feet below sea level and surrounded by hills and mountains. So the wind can come rushing down the hillsides and cause a windstorm. And there was quite a windstorm that night. Remember that some of the disciples were experienced fishermen. They had been out in boats on this lake for years. Surely this was not their first windstorm on the Sea of Galilee. But even they were scared. Mark records that it is a GREAT storm. In the original language a mega storm. The waves were coming in over the top of the boat. It was filling with water and there was a real danger of the boat swamping and sinking. And yet with all the pitching and rolling with all the spray of water Jesus is conked out in the back of the boat.  And what do the disciples do? They wake up Jesus and ask him – don’t you care that we are going to die? Don’t you care Jesus? When faced with a storm in life many people ask Are you there Lord? do you really exist – and do you care? 
These can be faith shaking events. An event that shook the faith of Europe was the 1755 earthquake that struck Lisbon Portugal. An over 8 Magnitude lasted 5minutes. It caused cracks in the earth 16 ft wide right through the center of town Survivors rushed to the open space of the docks for safety – but then 40 min later a tsunami hit the harbor and downtown area, There were Candles lit in homes and churches all around the city for All Saints' Day They were knocked over, starting a fire that developed into a firestorm which burned for hours in the city, The blaze was so intense it used so much oxygen that it suffocated people up to 100 ft away from the flames. Earthquake then flood then fire – the death toll was between 30 – 50,000 in Lisbon alone plus all the death and destruction to the surrounding area. All across Europe people were wondering why a loving God would allow such destruction. 
Are you there God? Do you care? The disciples wake Jesus up saying don’t you care that we are dying. Jesus responds by rebuking the wind and the waves – peace be still. This is the response we’re hoping for – we want Jesus to rebuke the wind and the waves – to rebuke the break in the relationship, rebuke the disease, rebuke the suffering and death. We want him to speak the words Peace be still.  Sometimes he calms the raging sea  and sometimes He doesn’t Sometimes the cure comes – maybe even in a miraculous way – and sometimes it doesn’t Sometimes life is spared – and sometimes it isn’t Sometimes the relationship is restored - and sometimes it isn’t Jesus doesn’t always give us the answer we are looking for – Sometimes it seems that He doesn’t give us an answer at all. 
The Lisbon earthquake shook the faith of people all across Europe. In that crisis of faith people either turned to God or away from God. Thousands turned from God and became atheists and yet thousands turned to God and their faith grew.  With modern science we have a much better understanding of the how and what of natural disasters. With modern medicine we have a better understanding of how and what of diseases. But we are still left with the question why. Are you there God, do you care, God? Throughout the Old Testament Yahweh demonstrated that he controlled creation. That He controlled the sea. In Exodus he parts the waters and the nation of Israel walks across the sea on dry land. The psalmists write of Yahweh’s power over the sea many times as in Psalm 89.9 You rule the swelling of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them. So when Jesus stands up and rebukes the wind and the waves the disciples really become afraid. They were fearing for their lives in the storm but now they were terrified. In the original language it says they were fearing with great fear. Yahweh was the only one who did those things. "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" Throughout his ministry Jesus is demonstrating that he is Lord over creation, Lord over demons and evil, Lord over disease and death. He is revealing that He is indeed Yahweh in the flesh.  AND as Yahweh in the flesh he is using his awesome power FOR others. He calms the storm For the disciples he heals FOR the sick he casts out demons FOR the demon possessed He raises the dead FOR them and their family.  And we know the end of the story. We see Jesus bruised and bloody hanging on a cross taking on the sin of the world for you and me we see him rising from the grave for you and me. 
There is no easy answer to the question why. Why Lord if you are good and you are powerful – why didn’t you calm the storm for me. Are you there Lord? don’t you care? Why didn’t you stop Covid from killing those 25 people in India. Why did you allow tens of thousands to die in the Lisbon earthquake. Why are you allowing millions to die from the pandemic we are facing? Yes we know there is sin in this fallen world. Apart from that there are no easy and pat answers to our whys. But in faith we look to God’s promises – and trust that this one who bled and died on a cross – knows our suffering knows our pain – that He is with us and for us. And he keeps giving himself to us – by way of His Holy Word and His body and blood.
His is there and he cares. Amen
Pr.Tom
 

Sermon : June 13th 2021 

I don’t get a chance to do much recreational reading anymore. But when I do I like a good adventure mystery – David Baldacci is one of my favorite writers. Do you like a good mystery? Once in a while I’ll join Arianna and Laurie while they watch Teagarden mysteries on hallmark. I used to enjoy an episode of Father Brown from time to time. Usually mysteries are who dun its – where you try to guess who it is that committed the crime – which is usually murder. The first part of today’s passage is not so much a who done it – but a how’d he do it The sower casts the seed – and low and behold it grows – it describes how it grows first the blade, then the head, then the mature grain in the head. Nowadays we can give an even greater and immensely more detailed picture of what happens, and we even have an understanding of the processes that are involved – but the how are why are still a bit of a mystery. And yet Jesus says the KOG is like the seed – it grows and it’s a mystery. The sower casts the seed – and it happens – it grows Our faith is rational, it is historical – there really was a nation of Israel – there really was a Jesus of Nazareth – and a whole host of people witnessed his miracles, teaching, death and resurrection – these are some of the best attested events in history. And yet there is mystery to God and His Kingdom. We sow seeds as we proclaim God’s word – not only when we do that on Sunday morning. There is mystery when God comes to us by way of His Word and Spirit in the waters of baptism and in the bread and wine – his body and blood. And yet by way of these real elements God’s Kingdom grows.  We get glimpses of it sometimes – often when we look back we can see how God was with us and how He was working in and through us. How he brought certain people across our path that shared God’s love and God’s word with us. Since father’s day is coming up I’ve been thinking about my dad a bit. He was a pretty good athlete – fast, strong and athletic. And like most athletes they have athletic aspirations for their kids. When I was playing football in high school I was plagued with injuries – I was always tearing up my ankles. So on one of those nights when I got banged up my dad was driving home from the game and really feeling sorry for me – kind of having a conversation with God and wondering why God would let this happen to me over and over again. And even in the midst of all the big and important things that God deals with caring for the world – he had time to speak to my dad’s heart about something as trivial as his son’s sprained ankle. Almost 30 years later my dad finally told me that God spoke to his heart as clear as could be that night and God’s phrase to my dad was “o ye of little faith.”  Since my dad didn’t spend much time reading or studying the Bible he thought that God was condemning him and punishing me because of my Dad’s lack of faith. Now by the time my dad finally got around to admitting to me that God had spoke to his heart that Friday night long ago - I had completed a year of Bible school – by then I had learned enough to look at the whole passage when considering a phrase or a verse. There are several references to little faith in Matthew’s gospel but probably the most remarkable is this whole section of Matthew ch 6 – Matt 6:27  And who of you by being worried can add a single [q]hour to his [r]life? 28 And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But [s]seek first [t]His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be [u]added to you. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will [v]care for itself. [w]Each day has enough trouble of its own. Now we have to be careful when God speaks to our heart – we have to be convinced that it’s really God – and the main thing we are concerned about – is it in line with God’s word? – and was it in my Dad’s case? – yes it was – word for word from Matthew’s gospel.              And what was God saying to my Dad? 
It was a little seed that the Lord sowed – a word of comfort – telling him not to worry – letting him know that God was watching over me, my dad and our family. And God utilized a whole set of circumstances to cause that seed to bear fruit 30 years later – in my life, in my dad’s life and in our family’s life and now 50 years later as I share it with you. You see that little snippet of God’s word – is like the seed that was sown – and grew somehow – like a little mustard seed – growing and spreading out and touching lives – encouraging faith and trust in this God that delights in showing His love for us – even if it’s just, when a dad is worried about his kid’s sprained ankle.  Amen 
 
Written By : Pr.Tom
​

​
 Written by : Chaplain Chris Belfield
In a previous encouragement, specifically last week, the subject was signs of the season.  This is almost a natural follow-on. A sure sign of summer is a good rain, followed by an uncomfortable hot spell and suddenly the world is a distinct and lustrous green.  How did that happen so quickly? Regardless, there is now new growth everywhere.  Another one of the sure signs of new life is the unique presence of motorists stopping in front of our house to take pictures.  Now, I'd like to think it's because Cathy and I are so photogenic, but the truth of the matter is that it's our foliage, and we had absolutely nothing to do with it.  It's the lupines.  This year they are everywhere, even where we don't want them.  The front of the property is covered with so many purple, and a few pink lupines that people stop to take pictures.  In years past, a few even stopped to assist us in culling the abundant harvest, without our consent.  I think this year I will put out a free-will donation box and see what happens.  Maybe not as I may have to declare the proceeds as earned income. Last year, Cathy spent many hours toiling to produce a beautiful tiered garden that promised a wide variety of colorful plant growth for this year. To quote a familiar line from the movie,  Christmas Vacation, "Cathy, I can see it in my mind." That's what was said all winter.  Then the lupines showed up and had a family reunion in Cathy's garden.  They have sealed their fate and will soon be a historical footnote. As though lupines were not enough, there were the other not-so-welcome signs of new life.  The state bird, the mosquito, has declared our property to be the convention gathering site for this season.  I’ll guess you are hosting them as well.  I prefer to give my blood donation to a worthy source, and a mosquito does not qualify, but still manages to extract a sample…multiple times. And then there are those small gnats that seem impervious to any man-made repellants.  Just remember that all winter we anxiously waited for this time. Last fall we spent lots of hours and sweat equity clearing undergrowth and brush to make passable trails through the woods.  We should have taken pictures. You guessed it – new growth has once again reclaimed its natural domain.  We are just interlopers battling nature.  Then of course there is the lawn.  Didn't we just cut it last week?  No matter as it is due again. There is something almost Zen-like about cutting the lawn, trimming, and admiring the finished product. It almost seems appropriate to stand on top of the hill and proclaim, "Yep, we did that!" Another sign of new life is new construction to make life better and safer.  We were impressed to read about the new road change proposal for the Stewart River at Betty’s Pies beginning this fall: New turn lanes to enhance safety and still let through traffic proceed with minimal delay. There are also new sidewalks being put in along South Avenue in town. And finally, there is the emerging new life for the community as we continue the steady exodus from COVID-19 restrictions.  This is a testament to what can be done when a community pulls together for the mutual benefit of all.  Now is a great opportunity to support our local businesses as they come back up to full capacity operations. It is also the perfect time, as is every day, to appreciate and thank God for the new life that he has given us through his Son, Jesus.  Any time is a great time to just say, thank you, father. Our encouragement verse for this week is: Lamentations 3:22-23  (ESV)  “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” May you be blessed by God's word. ~Chris

First Lesson: Genesis3: 8-15
Responsive Reading: Psalm  130: 1-8
Second Lesson.2 Corinthians 4 :13- 5
Gospel: Mark 3:20-35
 

​Signs of the Season
Written By Chaplain Chris Belfield
 
Well, here we are at the unofficial beginning of summer.  I say unofficial because there has been the misnomer that Memorial Day weekend begins summer.  Forgive me, but summer does not officially commence until Sunday, June 20th – which also just happens to be Father’s Day this year. However, that being said, Minnesotans do not acknowledge summer but only the two certain seasons of the year: winter and road construction.  It is for certain that road construction season has begun as the presence of orange is becoming prevalent along roadways in the form of cautionary signs and cones intruding at the most inconvenient locations.  At least it's inconvenient when I am at the same location and my otherwise trusty cellphone GPS has failed to appraise me of the delays. In addition to road construction, there is the construction of a different type – building construction.  This is good news as it signifies a returning economy with new, or updated business opportunities.  Three noteworthy items are worth mentioning.  There has been the anticipated grand opening of the Burlington Depot and Callie’s Sweet’s shop on the eastern edge of town.  A Facebook posting even showed an impressive tour inside the new business which highlighted a sparkling interior and friendly staff. Up the shore on Highway 61, in Castle Danger, the new owners of the Rustic Inn have already begun new modifications to the building to enhance your dining experience.  And finally, ground has been broken for the new Black Beach Mini-Golf Course in Silver Bay, which is anticipated to open later this summer. I am sure that there are many more local community events to be enjoyed, in addition to those mentioned here. Of course, there are other signs as well.  There is the ever-popular and free semi-annual Two Harbors RV and Boat Show, otherwise known as Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.  The traffic through towns sometimes is of almost historical proportions, but also a sure sign of a return to some semblance of normalcy. It is also a time of significant transition for high school seniors graduating.  The photo banners around town are a great way to know who these proud graduates are.  The local Dairy Queen is doing a brisk business dispensing a vast array of delights to meet the needs of ice cream aficionados.  I am partial to strawberry sundaes, almost as much as the strawberry pie at Judy’s Café, which has also been enjoying a full parking lot. In amongst all of these noteworthy and appreciated signs is one that is a little more subtle, but ppreciated.  There are fewer and fewer masking requirements.  Patience, vigilance, and practicing sound safety precautions have brought us to this way station towards the conclusion of the pandemic. To be sure – we are not at the finish line yet, but so very close that we know we will hopefully celebrate it soon. With all of the signs of the season already considered, what is left? Plenty!  Just a short preview of some of the exciting events we can look forward to including Grandma's Marathon is back and being held June 22nd. The Duluth Airshow is June 26-27 featuring the U.S. Navy aerial demonstration team, the Blue Angels.  Closer to home we have our own Two Harbors Heritage Days, July 8-11, and the companion Silver Bay Days, July 9-11.  Among these notable events is the season for camping, hiking fishing, traveling throughout the area,  excursions on Lake Superior, and memories to be made with family and friends. It is also a season to take time and be thankful for what we currently have and the ability to share with others.  A shared meal. A kind word of appreciation.  A friendship rekindled after a long absence. Even just being present during difficult times, all go towards sharing the blessings that we have been allowed. Our encouragement verse for this week is: Psalm 146: 5-6    (NIV)  “Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.  He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them- he remains faithful forever.”
 
May you be blessed by God's word.    
 
Chris

 Written and Shared by: Chaplain Chris Belfield
​
One of the inevitable signs of getting older is forgetfulness. Well, at least that's my excuse and I am going to stick to it.  I readily admit that there are times that I need help remembering upcoming tasks and events. Years ago I developed the habit of putting down all the important events on a desk calendar so that I could refer to it as a memory jogger and also help with scheduling my time.  I reasoned that if it was not written down in the calendar, I was not responsible as I didn't know about it.  You can already imagine how well that flawed logic train worked.  Now. With the technological advances over the years, it is easy to add events and tasks to home computers, tablets, and even cell phones so that there should be no excuses. There are programmed reminders when these devices are turned on.
What could be easier?  Well, you have to take the time to enter the information first.  I am old school and find it much easier to write it down on the paper desk calendar.  I like the convenience (at least to me) of being able to flip through weeks and months at a time to see what I have done, am doing, and will be doing. There have been times, few thankfully, here I was supposed to do something or be somewhere and missed it. I checked the calendar and it was not there.  Turns out I forgot to write it down.
Before you ask – I will already state that I am not so old school that I still have and use a Rolodex.  I have made the leap to the 21st century and readily appreciate and embrace the use of the computer and phone to store all of my contact information.  The only deficit noted is when there is a severed internet connection, which happened recently.  Both the computer and home phone were disabled.  Thank goodness the cell phone still worked. What did people do 50 years ago before all of this advanced technology? Oh, that's right – I was there, and we somehow managed to do just fine.
That brings us to the present and this week in particular.  It is marked on my desk calendar that Monday is Memorial Day, so I don't have to write that down.  If there was any doubt about it, the TV and radio have been extolling the great bargains that can be realized during this holiday weekend.  Advertisements are telling us to have a happy Memorial Day.  Why? Memorial Day is not a national holiday.  It is a national day of remembrance.  It is to pause and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice that so many men and women in uniform made while serving to protect our country –you and me.  One of the regrets due to COVID-19, and there have been many, was the activities we could not do publicly. In 2019, the students at the Minnehaha Elementary School hosted a Veterans Day Program for the area's veterans.  It was one of the most moving and appreciated programs I have ever attended.  Among my fellow veterans and myself, there was hardly a dry eye when done.  These children were sincere in their appreciation and visibly showed it. As veterans, we will never forget their service to us.
Now it is Memorial Day weekend.  How will you visibly show your support for those who died in service to our country?  What will you be telling your children and grandchildren about this solemn day?  The local newspaper last week listed the different activities occurring around the county on Monday.  Do you have time to attend one?  On Friday morning, volunteers will be placing small American flags at the graves of veterans.  What a great way to pay respect.  We have plenty of flags and can always use the help.  This is a time not to forget what so many others have given to us through their sacrifice.  It seems little enough for us to take the time to honor them appropriately.  See you on Monday. Our encouragement verse for this week is:  John 15:13  (NIV)  “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”  May you be blessed by God's word.    
Chris

First Lesson Ezekiel 37: 1-14
Psalm 139” 1-12
Second Lesson: Acts2: 1-21

Isn’t spring wonderful. It is busting out all around us. It seems that one day the trees were bare and the next they had leaves. There’s all the shades of green signifying new life. Things have been dry for a while and so the outpouring of rain from above is welcome.
Rain brings life – it is necessary for life. Much of the Middle East – including Israel is arid. it was particularly dependent on the outpourings of heaven. The Bible talks about a different kind of outpouring of heaven – the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  The rain pours down from the sky and gives new life to the land. It causes even the arid land to be fruitful. Likewise, the Holy Spirit is poured out giving new life that causes us to be fruitful. This is the outpouring that we celebrate today – Pentecost.
We think of Pentecost as the birthday of the church. But it wasn’t the first Pentecost. The Jewish people started celebrating Pentecost long before the Spirit was poured out on the disciples. Pentecost or in Hebrew Shavuot was one of the three annual festivals when people would make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. Shavuot was known as the feast of weeks – (or a week of weeks) starting 7 weeks after the second day of Passover. It was also known as the festival of first fruits.
It began as an agricultural festival as noted in Ex 23 and Deut 26. So that when the Israelites entered the promised land – the land promised to Abraham they would bring the first fruits of their harvest and offer them to the Lord – saying ‘I declare today to the Lord our God that I have come to the country which the Lord swore to our fathers to give us.’ and then they would pray a prayer describing the bondage of their ancestors in Egypt, their deliverance and their dependence on God, who brought them to “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Deuteronomy 26:9). Jews were also required to give of their harvest to any poor dependents on Shavuot (“the Levite, the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow”), so that the holiday served as an occasion for mercy and social equality. (https://jewsforjesus.org/jewish-resources/jewish-holidays/shavuot/)
Celebrated God’s faithfulness God’s deliverance and acknowledged their ongoing dependence on God. As they celebrated God’s blessing of fruitfulness – they recognized that the blessings were not just for themselves They were to share those blessings with those that couldn’t provide for themselves
Later there was less agricultural emphasis and more a celebration of the giving of the law – that time when the Lord had led them out of Egypt and gave them the law on Mt Sinai. Even though there is no clear biblical basis for the association of Shavuot. a number of rabbis calculated and believed that that was when the Law was given.
With time there was more and more Jews living outside of Israel in Greek speaking regions. In those areas Shavuot became known as the feast of the fiftieth day and the way you say fiftieth in Greek is pentecoste (pen-tay-kos-tay') 
You may remember that the people got impatient with God and Moses during the giving of the Law and decided to make their own god – a golden calf. Moses came down the mountain and told them to repent and return to the Lord. 3000 refused and as a result died.
Over a thousand years after Moses - God poured out the Holy Spirit on the disciples while Jews from all over were in Jerusalem celebrating Pentecost/ Shavuot. The scene was wild – there was the sound of a rushing wind the Holy Spirit descended and filled Jesus’ followers. It appeared like tongues of fire were on each one. A crowd gathered - they were from many different places and spoke many different languages. And each one heard the disciples speaking in their own language. Even though it was morning they thought the disciples were drunk. Peter explained that that which the prophet Joel prophesied was happening right before their eyes. Peter’s Spirit filled words convicted them of sin and 3000 were given salvation – new life -on that day.
On Shavuot – Pentecost - ages apart the Law was given and 3000 died and the Holy Spirit was given and 3000 came to new life. Pentecost links the old and new covenants. Death and life. Law and Spirit.
Pul writes in 2 Cor 3  the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
All of our texts highlight the Holy Spirit bringing about new life. Ezekiel speaks God’s Word over a lifeless bunch of dry bones and by the power of the Spirit those dry bones come together – they take on flesh and then God breathes life into them He speaks To Israelites in exile God is the God of the God of the impossible –  death -> life – fools -> children Word has power to re-create Eph 2.1 – dead in trespasses and sins. Dead ppl cannot do anything to make themselves live. Breathes life God brings life through His Word in the power of the Spirit. Preached word – Water n word – bread n wine.
Who’s doing the verbs in Ez I have spoken n I will do it. We too can experience drought despair
No matter how far we have strayed God is in the business of bringing us back to life – regenerating. NO one is too far gone Dead -> new life. The impossible being brought back. Eph 2.4 – 10  4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead [i]in our wrongdoings, made us alive together [j]with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the [k]boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and [l]this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Skeletons when brought to life didn’t say look what I did. God alone doing the saving the regenerating the renewing Law we r hopeless in a dreadful condition dry bones w no hope of regenerating ourselves God is in business of bringing about New life God is the God of the impossible. Don’t trust what we see – don’t see whole picture what we feel.
Trust that God by His word and Spirit is creating new life
Word Spirit and Water - Word Spirit Bread n Wine -   Preached word and Spirit
God is giving new life this morning Amen
​Pastor Tom Summerfield

Written and Shared by: Chaplain Chris Belfield

I readily admit that I have always had a fondness for instructions and checklists.  I mean, they give direction and purpose and at the completion, there is peace and harmony within the cosmos.  OK, maybe not that grandiose, but they do help us complete a task in a specified order.  I remember as a youth building model airplanes from the included instructions.  Somehow mine never came out looking like the box art.  My first real accomplishment with instructions was in 1974 when I installed air shocks on my 1967 Plymouth Fury Commander. Bright yellow with a black hardtop, 4-speed, and 318 engine.  It was so cool.  So cool that a Maryland State Trooper noted that my rear bumper was eight inches too high.  That took the air out of my shocks real-quick.

A few short years later I learned of the military’s love affair with checklists for almost every facet of life that can occur from sunup to sundown.  However, to be fair – the checklists ensured not only the proper
functioning of multi-million-dollar systems, but also personnel safety. Think about the last time you were on a commercial aircraft and watched the crew go through their pre-flight and safety checklists.  Checklists are good.  Checklists are our friends.

So it is that my penchant for checklists has carried over to the present time.  Last Fall was a perfect example.  I had recounted in a previous encouragement all of the steps taken to prepare for the inevitable Winter and highly anticipated Spring.  This included meticulous preparation of the veteran snowblower for another season of conquests and the lawn tractor for the Spring Beautification Program. And then reality reared its ugly head. Sure enough, the snowblower, after 18+ years of faithful service decided it was time for eternal rest as it was coming to the point of diminishing returns to keep it operational.  The good news was we supported our local merchants with the purchase of a new blower, which got used a total of three times.  Never fails.  But there was the assurance that the preparations for Spring would prove fruitful.  Wrong.  Here comes reality again.  The lawn tractor fired right up on Monday so that on Tuesday, I could vanquish the miscreant grass and weeds that detract from an otherwise beautiful landscape.  Full of anticipation for a successful foray into the yard, I climbed aboard my trusty 18-year-old John Deere and engaged the starter.  Nothing.  Dead as the proverbial doornail (never quite understood that one.) After over an hour of multiple attempts and YouTube searches, nothing. Never fails.  We spent the next three hours with a push mower taking care of the lawn. This unexpected physical exercise was instrumental in convincing us to once again support the economy with a new purchase.  We
also supported our local economy through purchases of incredibly cold and delicious strawberry and pineapple sundaes.  We ordered a new machine from the big box store with an orange roof but were surprised to learn that the new machine won’t arrive for 3-5 weeks due to an acute shortage as a result of COVID-19 limited production for the past year.  Never fails. 

Well, OK, checklists are great for planning but don't take into account the unexpected.  That's a fact of life.  Sixteen months ago, we were just at the threshold of learning about COVID-19 and what the possible impacts could be.  Instructions and checklists were developed as we learned more each passing day.  And along the way, we learned to not only adapt and carry on but in some circumstances, to even excel beyond our expectations. We did not give up or lose hope. And now we are eagerly anticipating the gradual changes that will permit us a return to a semblance of the normal activities that existed in 2019.  We are so close, but not quite there yet. It reminds me of running track in high school.  A distance runner knows how many laps are required to complete the event.  The hardest lap is not the last lap, but the next-to-last lap because the desire is to just finish now.  Here’s the insight from that experience: the end is in sight and just
requires the disciple that training  has taught us to see this race through to the finish.

Our encouragement verse for this week is: 
Deuteronomy 31:8  (NIV)
 “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” May you be blessed by God's word.     

Chris

Last evening as I was finishing up the sermon, I got a call from Brazil. It was my friend and brother in Christ Kevin Brinkman. He is on our prayers for the sheep. His family were missionaries to India and his wife had a severe and sudden bout of MS. They are in Brazil to be with his wife’s family so they can help with the care and support of her and their three children. His wife is making some progress, but it is slow. It was fun because I told him I would be preaching on John 17 and he said wow Tom I was just praying and meditating on John 17 a half hour before I called you. It got me to thinking how he would answer the question - where’s your home. He grew up in Iowa lived for many years in India. Married a woman from India whose mother still lives in India and father lives in Brazil. Where is home for Kevin. How about his children – how would they answer the question – where’s your home?

Children of missionaries aren’t ever truly at home in their missionary country nor are they truly at home in their “home” country. They are called “third culture kids.” Often the only place they feel at home is among other missionary kids. 

Our ancestors were immigrants and often the first and second generation of immigrants would talk about the home country. My mom’s family had been in the US for many generations and yet she always dreamed of going to her homeland of Norway

The nation of Israel lived in Egypt for hundreds of years. Generation after generation was born and raised there and yet they never considered Egypt their home. Their homeland was the land that God promised to Abraham. 

These missionary kids, our immigrant ancestors and the Israelites who lived in Egypt all had a sense that where they were living was not their home. Do you ever get that sense? We’re born into this world and we’ve never been anywhere else. And yet we never really feel at home here. We’re never at home with the pain and sorrows, with the growing old and dying, with all the losses, imperfections, darkness and evil. Nothing lasts here - everything is decaying and passing away. Even in the best of circumstances we have this sense deep down inside that something is not quite right in this world - that something’s missing. This place, as wonderful and beautiful as it can be – is not our home.

Chapter 1 through 12 in John’s gospel records Jesus public ministry John 13 through 17 records his ministry to his disciples during the evening of the Last Supper. Chapter 17 records Jesus’ prayer for his disciples. Jesus prays to God the Father and the disciples get to listen in on it. It gives them comfort, hope and assurance as Jesus prepares them for his betrayal, crucifixion, and departure. 

Jesus prays 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from [e]the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 Just as You sent Me into the world, I also sent them into the world.  

We are not of this world. But we are not to live apart or away from the world. For hundreds of years some Christians were so fed up with the evil in society and the evil even in the church that they set up separate places and communities to live holier lives. That’s how monasteries were formed. And guess what – the evil isn’t just out there it’s in here. You can’t run away from it no matter how hard you try. Monasteries just invented new ways to sin – namely trying to attain righteousness – trying to earn salvation by their own efforts. 

Jesus prays to the Father for those whom the Father had given Him, 
Out of all the people in the world you and I are the ones that the Father has chosen to give to Jesus. We are each special and unique creations of God and at the same time ordinary sinners – just like the fishermen and tax collectors that God the Father chose to give to Jesus 2000 years ago. God gave them faith He gave them the Holy Spirit and He gave them His Word. Jesus prayed that the Father would keep them from the evil one and then sends them out. God gives us those very same things - the same faith, the same Holy Spirit the same Word and just like the original apostles - he sends us into the world –  We have been entrusted with God’s Word and God’s message of good news. And God empowers us to proclaim this good news with our words and deeds – all for the sake of this world that God loves so much. 

We are in the world not of the world. God picked you and me out of this world and gave us a new home. And one fine day we’ll join Pr Stew and all the saints that have gone before us. We’ll no longer be missionaries in this strange land. We’ll be home. Amen


​Pastor Tom


​

First lesson Acts 10 34-48
Responsive Reading Psalm 98
Second Lesson 1 John 5 1-8
​Gospel Lesson John 15 9-17

​Written and Shared by: Chaplain Chris Belfield

Where has the time gone?  An often-heard phrase but for some over a certain age, it has more meaning to reflect on just how quickly the years have passed.  Well, at least it seems that way.  True, there are still 24
hours in a day and 365 days in a year, give or take a day courtesy of leap year. It seems just like yesterday that I was taking my driver's license test in a 1968 Ford Fairlane fastback. No, the car was not brand new and I am not quite that old…yet. And then in what seems a very quick succession, two full careers, a family, a lifetime of experiences, and now into the leisure of retirement. Retirement is probably more active than during the working years. One of the regrets, and there have been many, is that I did not take the time to find out about relatives near and distant as I was growing up.

Both sets of grandparents, paternal and maternal, had been born either in the 19th century or shortly after the new century began.  I have no memory of ever meeting my maternal grandparents and know so little about them.  I never gave it much thought.  I know that my grandfather was career Army, served during World War II, and is buried in Arlington Cemetery.  I know nothing about my grandmother. My paternal grandparents raised me so there was much more connection.  One of my cherished possessions is an old photo of them in the early 1920s as they were on a date.  What is so interesting is that they are in a horse-drawn buggy.  In the early 1920s, very few people had automobiles.  Now I am curious as to what life was like for them before I was born.  How did they react to all of the local and world events that occurred during their lifetimes?  I can’t ask as they have been gone for several decades.  I just didn't make the time and then it became too late.

Fast forward to 2021 and the Autumn years of life and to enjoying the grandeur that is the North Shore and being part of the local community.  It is not hard getting to know people here as generally everyone is friendly and always up for a good conversation. Unfortunately, getting to know about some of them has been through helping with the Friday morning Memorials radio segment, and also by attending funerals as part of an Honor Guard. It is too late then.  However, there are sometimes unique opportunities not to be passed over.  You may have heard about a special lady who had a special birthday on Wednesday.  It was a special birthday for Alice because she celebrated her 101st.  She is a special lady because she is a World War II Marine veteran.  Think about that for a moment.  We did not draft women in WW II, and she volunteered…to be a Marine.  Happy birthday again Alice, and Semper Fidelis.

Alice is not the only neighbor available with a wealth of history and life experiences to share.  There is also Robert.  Robert is a resident of a local care facility. Robert started working with lumberjacks when just a
young teen and did that for 20 years, to be followed by a 30-year career working for Reserve Mining on their locomotives.  Just imagine the stories he probably has. These neighbors and many more are all about us.  They are in the various nursing home facilities, neighbors we may not have really gotten to know over the years, and even relatives, near and far that we have sort of taken for granted.

If we want to know what it was really like, we will have to take the time and initiative to ask the questions and have those conversations.  If we don’t then we risk having revisionists, who were not there, and did not
live those experiences, tell us what it was like and what happened.  Two other observations I have made.  There are several excellent eateries in our local communities where people love to share a cup of coffee and a story or an opinion.  And I have yet to go to someone's house where an offer for coffee and something to wash it down with, i.e. cookies or cake wasn't offered. It's understood that that kitchen chair is being offered for an opportunity to share and get to know each other a little bit better. Ready to meet new friends and share experiences?  I certainly am.

Our encouragement verse for this week is: 

Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”

May you be blessed by God's word.     
Chris

First Lesson: Acts 4: 32-53
Responsive Reading: Psalm 148
Second Lesson: 1 John 1:1 - 2:2
Gospel Lesson: John 20: 19-31