The 2008 Summer Olympics seems to be capturing everyone’s attention lately. Some people are even loosing sleep staying up late or getting up early to watch events on the television, something they wouldn’t do otherwise.

New heroes are being recognized such as swimmer, Michael Phelps. World records are broken each day. Gold metals are tallied and reported daily. Yes, the 2008 Summer Olympics is an event that is the topic of conversation these days.

I am reminded of the writer of Hebrews as to a reference to athleticism in Hebrews 12:1b  ”… let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us …” How fast do you think Michael Phelps would be if he were to strap a bag of rocks to his trunks? Not very fast, I imagine. In fact, every aspect of gliding through the water without any hindrance is exhaustively calculated. No possible hindrance goes unnoticed.

The writer of Hebrews, in like fashion, reminds us that sin keeps us from running the race of life as we might otherwise. “… Lay aside every weight and sin that clings so closely …” In other words, consider those things that hinder us. There are a multitude of sins which keep us from being our best. We cannot rid ourselves entirely of all sin, yet, we can make efforts to lay aside those things that keep us in the back of the pack.

Michael Phelps is fast. In fact, he is considered to be the fastest ever. I’m sure this is due, in part, to the fact that he has “layed aside” everything that might hinder his progression. So should we consider those things that hinder us in the race of life.

The adult Sunday School class will not meet August 17th due to the Heritage Days Worship Service which OSLC is leading this year. We will meet next on August 24th.  Great discussion during our last class! We really get into some deep stuff sometimes.

We will continue our study beginning Romans 15:7.

Sermon Title: God Always Changes the Picture
Preacher: Pastor Kristin Thvedt
Date & Day: August 10, 2008 (Lectionary 19 RCL / 13 Pentecost)
Bible Text: 1 Kings 19: 11-13a “He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by’.  Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence.  When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.” 
Summary: The story of Elijah’s meeting God at Mount Horeb is a testament to the power of God to change the lives of His people.   Elijah went into the wilderness broken and afraid.  In meeting God he was changed and renewed in his life and in his mission.  The same is true for you today.  God does come to meet you in prayer, reading the Bible, in the sacraments, and in other Christians.  And as God meets you, you will be changed.   (to listen click on the triangle)

Sermon Title: When We Do Our Best, God Will Do the Rest. Preacher: Pastor Ron Nichols
Date & Day: August 3, 2008 (Lectionary 18 RCL / 12 Pentecost)
Bible Text: Matthew 14:16 - 18 (NRSV) 16Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them
something to eat.” 17They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” 18And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 
Summary: Jesus performs the miracle of feeding the 5000 plus women and children with only five loaves of bread and two fish. Note first Jesus sees the people’s needs and has compassion on them. Jesus always knows what we need and always has compassion for us. Second He takes what is offered, five loaves and two fish, and multiplies these to feed all the people. So it often is as Jesus takes what we give, perhaps seemingly inadequate, and makes it work. When we give God our best, God will do the rest! Lastly, note Jesus works through others to provide His miracles. So it is even today. We are often the vessels of God’s handiwork.  (to listen click on the triangle)

Sermon Title: Treasure Seekers
Preacher: Pr. Ron Nichols
Date & Day:July 27, 2008 (Lectionary 17 RCL / 11 Pentecost)
Bible Text: Matthew 13:44-46 ⁴⁴“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. ⁴⁵“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; ⁴⁶on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. (NRSV)
Summary:The farmer and the merchant stumbled upon great treasure. They recognized its great value and made every effort to obtain the great prize. It is similar with our faith. Someone points us to Jesus; we recognize the immense value. We give all of ourselves to Jesus because we recognize the immense value and the treasure is ours. (to listen click on the triangle)

Sermon Title: Pre-existing Conditions
Preacher: Pr. Ron Nichols
Date & Day: July 15, 2008 (Lectionary 11 RCL / 5 Pentecost)
Bible Text: Romans 5:6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (NRSV)
Summary: Pre-existing conditions prohibit us from receiving new health benefits from insurance companies. It seems we are not unconditionally accepted for whom we are. However, when it comes to God’s love, we are accepted with the pre-existing condition of sin. Indeed, God has shown great love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
(to listen click on the triangle)

On July 27th we begin the final major section in the book of Romans entitled “Ethical Teachings: God’s Will is Love” beginning in Chapter 12.

Paul discusses our relationship to others in the church and humankind in general. He also addresses special concerns about how Christians are to get along within a non-Christian society.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

The psalmist David reflects that common fear of darkness when he writes, “The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?” Fear of the dark is often times a fear we get over as we get older. However, we don’t get over all our childhood fears. In fact, we can be pretty fearful people at times if not at least a little anxious.

Continuing a series of articles about Healthy Congregations, our Bishop Larry Wohlrabe writes about how healthy congregations respond to anxiety. Bishop Wohlrabe reminds us that a few anxious moments and situations in the church are normal. However, ongoing fear and anxiety can cause deep sorrow in the church.

It is no surprise to understand that change is the number one anxiety promoter! Bishop Wohlrabe writes, “The crucial question before us is: will we mindlessly, automatically react to anxiety? Or will we reflectively, thoughtfully respond to anxiety?”

We don’t choose to be afraid or anxious. We don’t always choose change, either, however we can choose to respond to change reflectively and thoughtfully.

I realize that recent changes in our office personal have caused some anxiety. We have a fairly new associate pastor as well. For that matter, I am only a resident of E. Grand for two years. You often tell me you have experienced change in staff over and over during the last ten years or so. I well imagine that this constant change has caused some fear and anxiety.

However, I must truthfully tell you that I have a great deal of confidence in our present staff. Clarence V. has stepped up to the plate to work on our finances in a very thorough manner. Julie V., who has church secretary experience, has joined us part time in the office. You will find that she is a very friendly and competent secretary. Pastor Kristin and I continue to share the pastoral duties with a truly deep sense of shared commitment. I can’t say enough about how I find Pastor Kristin’s partnership so very helpful. Chris L. is as busy as ever providing a youth group that any church can be proud of. Plus, our church has never looked cleaner due to the excellent efforts of our custodians Gary A. and Elsa F.    

Yes, some of the faces around here have changed, however, I believe God can help us make these changes a very positive thing for the future of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. “The Lord is (our) my light and (our) my salvation - whom shall (we) I fear?”

Lately, we have had wonderful conversation during our Adult Sunday School surrounding the issues of “Choosing Jesus or Deciding to Follow Jesus.” I’m sure it has been rather confusing at times, however, this issue is one of importance and well worth our time and frustration.

If I am understanding the conversation correctly, we are talking about how one is saved! We all agree that it is by faith (see Ephesians 2:8). We are all on the same page here. However, when we begin to talk about how we get this faith, the opinions seem to become divided. I hear three answers to the question “How does one believe and therefore get saved?”

1) The first answer is “accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.” Proponents of this understanding often state Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus in John 3:1-24. Disagreement occurs, however, as to what is meant by “You must be born again. (Jn 3:3)” Some understand this to mean a kind of confession is necessary which then brings about salvation. Others understand “to be Born Again” refers to water baptism.

2) Decide to Follow Jesus. This understanding has long been the theme of great preachers like Billy Graham. The “altar call” is often the time for sinners to make this decission. Critics of this understanding say a decission comes from the head (and perhaps the heart) which then excludes the work of the Holy Spirit to inspire faith. Some critics say that if I can decide for Jesus, I save myself. There is no need for the Spirit’s work.

3) Lutheran’s often understand the answer to be the following: The Holy Spirit Inspires faith in me through the hearing of God’s Word. The explanation of the Third Article of the Apostle’s Creed (Luther’s Small Catechism) reads as follows: “I believe that by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him, but instead the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, made me holy, and kept me in the true faith ….” The invitation to follow Christ is the power of God in the Gospel that creates faith in the human heart.

I hope this has helped to put things into perspective just a little bit better. You will also find some verses listed below to read while pondering this question.

• John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

• John 6:65 “And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.”

• John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

• John 15:16″ Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you”,

• John 15:19 “I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

• Romans 8:29 “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

In summary, to say I “choose” or have “decided” to follow Christ is problematic. It places the human will above the Holy Spirit instead of the Holy Spirit working through the Gospel to inspire faith.

However, as I have said many times, we are “splitting hairs” here. The whole point is this: Jesus died to save us! Believe in him and be saved!

I forget where I heard this but it has to do with the rule of threes. It goes like this: “You can only survive three minutes without air, three days without water, or three weeks without food.” The rule of threes seems to define what we cannot live without and for how long.

It’s interesting that Jesus refers to himself as something so basic as water. He says in John 4:14 “… those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty.” That’s some water, isn’t it? And, yet, we know Jesus is talking about himself. Jesus is as basic to our daily needs as water.

How long would we last without Jesus? Well, we know that without Jesus we are lost in eternity, but what about our daily life? How long can one last without Jesus daily? Is Jesus really as basic to our existence as water?

This is the very point that I believe Jesus is trying to get at as he converses with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-42). Jesus is as necessary to our daily health as water. And, should we drink in this life giving water that only he offers, it will become in us a spring of water gushing up to eternal life!