Jane 18, 1998
Faith Lutheran FAMILY
WLDS.. Vachel.. Charlie Menese
Julie asked me to come here tonight. I’ve known her for a long time. Ever since our first production of JCSS.. For Julie, that would have been four houses and six churches ago.
Met with her at the Star Café in Beardstown.. the place where dreams are born. I’d been warned: Your two personalities are too strong. You’ll never be able to work together.. I studied her… especially her husband, Steve. How does he do it? I found out. And I’ve followed his example and we’ve had a beautiful relationship. I agree with everything she says.
Julie e-mail. Two congregations.. a workshop session.. a complete surprise to me. Better get somebody bigger than me to get Lutherans talking to each other. So Before my message… a short seminar in finding common ground
… a little compatibility test Things we have in common: HOLD UP YOUR HAND.. IF ---Take one long step before bed. ---cover up everything but a hole to breathe ---panic of wake up and find one bare foot sticking out. ---used to stay overnight and wakeup wondering where you are? ---Often lose your Christianity when supper’s interrupted by someone calling to sell you something over the phone. ---When the pastor gives a three-point sermon, secretly check your watch as he finishes #1 and heads toward #2, then add 2-3rds? ---Has at least one hymn you cannot stand? Julie: be honest. What is it? (Our organist: A Mighty Fortress.. She calls it, “A Mighty Fortress Has Extra Beats”) ---Get tired of Christmas carols before the season’s over? ---Gets tired of bell choirs real quickly?
Until I moved to Arenzville, hadn’t actually met a real Lutheran. Perry: Pres, Meth, Church of Christ… Two Catholics. Then I moved to Arenzville… baby I have met Lutherans. I went to a Missouri Synod church on Communion Sunday. New subject.
I’ve never had a very intellectual faith. My grandma had two simple rules: Be nice and pray. I heard you lost a lady much like my grandma. Your saint: Esther Folkers… like my grandma… Loved music, put her love in the form of a hug, believed in a discipleship of cookies and cards. Two rules: Be nice, and pray.
I have no degree to preach so I’ll just talk. About being nice and praying.
Only one story about being nice. The puppy story.
Now that I’ve made everyone mad, let me talk about prayer.
Billy Graham
Daniel Priest.. Zebco 22
Col 4, 2-6
Marty-Kenny
A church that prays for each other is the most precious gift God can give us. Little Joehl girl.
Mothers in Touch.. every Thursday.. lifts up each teacher individually.
Let me tell you a wonderful story about prayer. Fidel Cashero
No church programs will ever have the power and effect of a church which prays for each other.
Our little community of Arenzville. 90% Lutheran, several Methodists, some Catholics and 4 Presbyterians. Many unsuccessful attempts over the years to come together… --- men’s breakfasts.. folded quickly --- joint sunrise service … rained out.. never tried it again. --- baccalaureate.. finally excluded clergy altogether.. now: kids But something very wonderful and very small happened two years ago. Some Methodist had the nerve to put a Lutheran on the prayer chain. And then another.. and another.. intersect in several places.. . something’s happening…
You have, in effect, two congregations.. If you would have one, please make prayer your link.
The highest points of my life have been when praying. ----Children at Green Pastures, praying the first heart-felt prayer of their life. ----Holding Julie Hood’s hand on opening night, sold out, Sophie Leschin air-conditioning broken. ----I pray every week with a lady who once couldn’t stand me. When I began teaching at Triopia… “Well…” Then .. asked to play piano.. saw the organist. It was her!
Be creative… put some fun into your prayers… Striking Clock Coonridge prayer ride… “No Problem”
Pray. Pray. Pray. Pray for each other. Pray, simply asking God “What would you have me pray for?”