Muslim, Jewish, Christian Prayer for Peace

In these anxious times where walls of suspicion are erected more easily than razed, I offer you the following prayer for peace I found outside our sanctuary today:

O God, you are the source of life and peace. Praised by your name forever. We know it is you who turn our minds to thoughts of peace. Hear our prayer in this time of war.

Your power changes hearts. Muslims, Christians and Jews remember, and profoundly affirm, that they are followers of the one God, children of Abraham, brothers and sisters; enemies begin to speak to one another; those who are estranged join hands in friendship; nations seek the way of peace together.

Strengthen our resolve to give witness to these truths by the way we live.

Give to us:
Understanding that puts an end to strife;
Mercy that quenches hatred, and
Forgiveness that overcomes vengeance.

Empower all people to live in your law of love.
Amen.

NLM Congregational Letter

Dear Friends in Christ,

It is with a great deal of sadness that we share with you the news that on Sunday, August 29, 2010, the Nile Lutheran Mission voted unanimously to leave our denomination, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Though financially the NLM was almost out of money, we are told the ELCA’s vote on human sexuality in August 2009, was the cause.

As you may have already heard, the Nile Lutheran Mission is no longer utilizing our facilities here at Incarnate Word. Unfortunately, there has been misinformation and outright lies circulating among some Lutherans in our area claiming that NLM was asked to leave Incarnate Word over its theological disagreements with the ELCA and that the ELCA is requiring NLM to repay over $200,000 in grant monies. Neither has been the case. Back in March of this year, denominational leaders in Chicago and Syracuse agreed to forgive the debt of any and all grant monies should NLM decide to leave the ELCA.

Let us be clear on the other lie: The termination of our building-use agreement with the Nile Lutheran Mission had nothing to do with any theological disagreements. Rather, our decision to go our separate ways came from growing concerns over increased abuse and neglect of our facilities on Sunday afternoons. Moreover, in their vote to leave the ELCA, it has come to light that Pastor Jordan and the Nile Lutheran Mission no longer have ELCA sponsored insurance coverage which stands in direct contradiction to our congregational policy of requiring certificates of insurance from all outside groups which use our building.

In no way do we want for any of these events to diminish the partnership we have enjoyed with Jordan and the NLM for the past sixteen years. Over those many years, there have been joys and tears, celebrations and disappointments, but through it all, both faith communities have proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ. And we have learned from one another as well. The NLM has learned from us what it is to be a stable church and we have learned from them how to trust in times of scarcity and know joy in the midst of adversity. Over the past decade and-a-half, blessings between our congregations have flowed in abundance both here and in Africa. Here in the city, African refugees have been re-settled and in Gambela, Ethiopia, thanks to total funding from our congregation, drinking water now brings the hope of new life to 20,000 people, all because God placed us together in ministry. And for that, how can we not say, “thanks be to God”?

Doubtless this parting of the ways will feel like a death to some. And it is a death. For any dreams we may have had of further integrating our faith communities in ministry have come to an end. But as people of faith who live our lives under the cross of Jesus Christ, we also know something of resurrection. As the bonds of death could not keep Jesus in the grave, so too will the bonds of this death not stop our communities from proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. And though we do so in separate venues, we do so together as brothers and sisters in the one body of Christ.

These are painful times for many people, especially Jordan and his community of faith. What is needed now more than ever is prayer and love. Let us continue to be the people of grace that God has called us to be as we do all we can to ensure that this time of transition goes as smoothly as possible not only for us but for our beloved sisters and brothers of the Nile Lutheran Mission.

Peace in Christ,
Pastors Doug and Joanne

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 9 Sunday, July 4, 2010

Prayer of the Day

O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


Isaiah 66:10–14

Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her,
all you who love her;
rejoice with her in joy,
all you who mourn over her —
that you may nurse and be satisfied
from her consoling breast;
that you may drink deeply with delight
from her glorious bosom.
For thus says the LORD:
I will extend prosperity to her like a river,
and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream;
and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm,
and dandled on her knees.
As a mother comforts her child,
so I will comfort you;
you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice;
your bodies shall flourish like the grass;
and it shall be known that the hand of the LORD is with his servants,
and his indignation is against his enemies.


Galatians 6: [1–6] 7–16

My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor's work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads.
Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.
Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.
See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised — only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule — peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.


Luke 10:1–11, 16–20

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house!' And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.' Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.
The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" He said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."


Reflection


"The precise style of the mission of the seventy-two is probably not the same as mission in most of our twenty-first-century congregations. Generally most congregations do not send out itinerant preachers/healers in pairs who go from town to town, staying in one particular house for a short period of time before moving to another town. Nevertheless, this text does provide some important mission insights for us today. First, this text reminds us that it is the Lord's mission first, last, and always. Because we are called by the Lord to participate in his mission, a key question we should be asking is not really, "What is our mission?" but, "What is the Lord's mission, and how is the Lord empowering and sending us to participate in that larger mission?" Second, this is a mission call for faithfulness that does not necessarily guarantee success. What we see here and throughout Luke—Acts is that God's mission in Jesus Christ brings forth both positive and negative responses. We should not judge the importance and value of our mission endeavors on quantifiable rates of success/failure but on faithfulness to Jesus and his saving mission. Third, this is a mission of dependence not of independence. It is the Lord's mission, and he (not we) remains in charge. We do not always know where that will take us. We go not by ourselves but in community (here exemplified in the two by two of v. 2). We do not always provide for ourselves but are somewhat dependent on the kindness of strangers who turn out to be children of peace (vv. 5-6). The goal of mission is not the elevation of power or status of those sent by Jesus but the joy that comes in participating in Jesus' mission of life now and life eternal both for us and for those who receive the fruits of our mission labors" (Dr. Richard P. Carlson, Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg).


Bulletin Announcements for July 4, 2010

This year's Summer Sunday Book Series continues today at 10:45 for both Incarnate Word and 3rd Presbyterian members in the Auditorium by the stage area.


This Week: The church office is closed tomorrow (July 5th); Friday –
Wellness Center at 10 a.m.


The Prayer Chain is available to pray for those who need and want it. Call
Helen Coleman (544-4450) with your request.


The youth of Incarnate Word will be leaving next week on their mission trip to Luther Place in Washington, D.C. – You are invited to be a part of their trip by donating granola bars, bars of soap, and
especially men’s white socks to hand out to the homeless in Washington, D.C. Look for specially marked boxes at the entrances and in the auditorium. If you would like to donate money, please make checks out to Incarnate Word and
put ‘LYO Homeless Donations’ on the memo line. We will be collecting these items through next Sunday, July 11th. Thanks for your support!


Please donate your old eyeglasses and empty pill bottles – Joanne Peterson
can use them in the Dominican Republic Health Care Project. We plan to give them to her when she's here in July. Any donation is greatly appreciated.


You are invited to be a part of Incarnate Word’s summer musical, Joseph and
the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Both kids and adults of all ages are invited to perform, help with scenery and costumes. We will rehearse throughout the summer following worship on Sundays, and will present the
musical on September 12, Rally Day. Please see Michael Unger or Pastor Joanne if you would like to be a part of this exciting project (there is no rehearsal today).

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time/Proper 8 - 5th Sunday after Pentecost

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.




Readings

1 Kings 19:15–16, 19–21

Then the LORD said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. So he set out from there, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was plowing. There were twelve yoke of oxen ahead of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle over him. He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you." Then Elijah said to him, "Go back again; for what have I done to you?" He returned from following him, took the yoke of oxen, and slaughtered them; using the equipment from the oxen, he boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.


Galatians 5:1, 13–25

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.


Luke 9:51–62

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they ented a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." To another he said, "Follow me." But he said, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."


Reflection

"Following Jesus is not a part-time job. It is not something we fit into our crammed schedules. It is not one obligation among several others in our hurried, multitasking lives. Following Jesus involves a radical reorientation and redirecting of ourselves, our obligations, and our loyalties. Following Jesus is not the key to having it all but involves leaving it all behind. Following Jesus is not even the top priority in our lives but is a way of living and relating to others that permeates every aspect of our lives including vocation, family, finances, and relaxation. Jesus' journey to Jerusalem in obedience to God's salvific goals patterns the way for those who follow him, those who remove themselves from the center of their existence and pick up their cross on a daily basis. Whether the analogy is plowing or perhaps driving a car on a busy interstate highway, the point is the same. One cannot move forward by setting one's focus backwards. Following Jesus means looking forward. And what do we see in such a forward-looking vision? We see Jesus who is leading the way to his own death; Jesus who is drawing us out of ourselves and even beyond ourselves to ventures we cannot fully plan or always anticipate. In this text James and John thought that loyal following meant destroying those who did not respond positively to Jesus and his mission. Jesus, however, operates with the big picture of God's salvific plan for all humanity so that raining fire on the Samaritans would only have burned up a future field for the mission of the gospel. Thus following Jesus does not mean that we can always calculate where we are going on the expedition of faith or even when we are going to get there. Rather, it entails trusting that Jesus is leading to places, people, and ways that God's grace, gifts, and salvation will blossom through our journey of discipleship" (Dr. Richard P. Carlson, Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg).


Announcements from Bulletin of June 27, 2010


This year's Summer Sunday Book Series begins today at 10:45 for both Incarnate Word and 3rd Presbyterian members in the Auditorium by the stage area. Today's book will be The Great Emergence by Phyllis Tickle, led by John Wilkinson.

The Bereavement Group will meet at 11 am in the Conference Room with Pastor Doug.

Outdoor Worship - Please join us next Sunday, July 4th, for an outdoor service of Holy Communion at 8:15 am. You are invited to bring blankets or lawn chairs and gather on the lawn. In the event of bad weather, we will worship in the Sanctuary.

As the LYO continues to prepare for its mission trip to Luther Place in Washington, D.C., you are invited to donate granola bars, toiletry items and new packages of white sox which the youth will hand out to those in need. Look for specially marked boxes at the sanctuary entrances and in the auditorium. If you would like to donate money, please make checks payable to "Incarnate Word" and put "LYO Homeless Donations" on the memo line. We will be collecting these items through Sunday, July 11 at which time we will ask God's blessings upon our youth and those who will be recipients of your generosity.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be coming to Incarnate Word! Both kids and adults of all ages are invited to perform, help with scenery or costumes. We will rehearse throughout the summer months following worship on Sundays and will present the musical as part of the worship service on Sunday, September 12th (Rally Day). Please see Michael Unger or Pastor Joanne if you would like to be part of this exciting project.

Why go to church?

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. John 13:34

John tells us about Jesus preparing his disciples to carry on their work after he returns to the Father. Jesus tells them that it is his commandment that they love one another–Jesus knows that they will need the support and love of each other in order to spread the Gospel and face the trials that the world has in store. Jesus' commandment to love one another–to be there for each other and hold each other up–is his message to us also.


A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him.

It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.

Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and waited. The pastor made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the play of the flames around the burning logs.

After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet fascination.

As the one lone ember's flame diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and "dead as a doornail." Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting.

Just before the pastor was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host Said, "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday."

Pastor Doug

Second Sunday after Pentecost, 2010

Prayer of the Day

O God, the strength of those who hope in you: Be present and hear our prayers and, because in the weakness of our mortal nature we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, so that in keeping your commandments we may please you in will and deed; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Readings

1 Kings 17:17–24

After this the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became ill; his illness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. She then said to Elijah, "What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to cause the death of my son!" But he said to her, "Give me your son." He took him from her bosom, carried him up into the upper chamber where he was lodging, and laid him on his own bed. He cried out to the LORD, "O LORD my God, have you brought calamity even upon the widow with whom I am staying, by killing her son?" Then he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried out to the LORD, "O LORD my God, let this child's life come into him again." The LORD listened to the voice of Elijah; the life of the child came into him again, and he revived. Elijah took the child, brought him down from the upper chamber into the house, and gave him to his mother; then Elijah said, "See, your son is alive." So the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth."

Galatians 1:11–24

For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus.

Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days; but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord's brother. In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only heard it said, "The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy." And they glorified God because of me.

Luke 7:11–17

Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother's only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, "Do not weep." Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, rise!" The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen among us!" and "God has looked favorably on his people!" This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.

Reflection

How do you respond when you meet misfortune? In a number of places the gospel records that Jesus was "moved to the depths of his heart." Our English word "compassion" is a weak translation of the Hebrew word for "sympathy". Why was Jesus so moved on this occasion? Jesus not only grieved the untimely death of a youth, but he showed the depth of his concern for a woman who lost not only a husband, but an only child as well. The scriptures make clear that God takes no pleasure in the death of anyone (see Ezekiel 33:11); he desires life, not death. Jesus not only had compassion, he also had power -- the ability to restore life and make whole again. Jesus, however, incurred grave risk by approaching the bier, since contact with a dead body made one ritually impure. His touch not only restored life but brought freedom and wholeness to soul as well as body. This miracle took place near the spot where the prophet Elisha raised another mother's son (see 2 Kings 4:18-37). Jesus claimed as his own one whom death had seized as its prey. By his word of power he restored life for a child marked for death. Jesus is Lord not only of the living but of the dead as well. Jesus triumphed over the grave and he promises that because he lives, we also shall live in him (John 14:19). Do you trust in the Lord's power to give life and hope in the face of misfortune and despair?

"Lord, your presence brings life and restores us to wholeness of mind, body, and spirit. Speak your word to me and give me renewed hope, strength and courage to follow you in all things and to eagerly serve others with a glad and generous heart."


Calendar of Events

Tuesday, June 1

7:00 p.m. Music Series Board Meeting

Wednesday, June 2

12:00 p.m. Appeal Advisory Team
7:30 p.m. IW/3rd Pres joint Evensong Choir rehearsal

Thursday, June 3

6:30 p.m. Crossways Bible Study

Friday, June 4

10:00 a.m. Wellness Center for older adults

Saturday, June 5

11:30 a.m. 3rd Pres. Dining Room Ministry

Sunday, June 6

8:15 a.m. LYO Pancake Breakfast - freewill offering to benefit youth mission trip to Washington
9:30 a.m. Service of Word and Sacrament
Incarnate Word Appeal Sunday Celebration

11:15 a.m. 3rd Presbyterian worship
3:30 p.m. Nile Lutheran worship at 3rd Presbyterian chapel
4:00 p.m. Incarnate Word/3rd Presbyterian Evensong Service at Incarnate Word
6:00 p.m. Upstate New York Synod Assembly at Rochester Convention Center through 6/8/10

Pastor Doug's reflections on ordination of gays and lesbians

One of my dearest friends from my college days was a religion and philosophy professor of mine, Dr. Robert Benne. Dr. Benne not only introduced me to the Lutheran Church but helped me to see and appreciate a church which embodies the acceptance and love of a God who became flesh and dwelled among us. So imagine my hurt when I read the following excerpt from an article he wrote concerning last summer's vote by our Churchwide Assembly to allow for gays and lesbians in committed relationships to be ordained.

"The decision to allow the blessing and ordination of gays and lesbians in partnered relationships was the flash point for those who had observed these deep-running liberationalist trends operating in the church for many years. That flash point, however, illuminated the deeper problem of authority in the church. Scripture and its Lutheran confessional interpretation seemed to have been cast aside for the voting process of a Churchwide Assembly that was shaped more by contemporary experience, highly-organized interest groups, and the scarcely veiled agenda of ELCA headquarters".

According to Robert Benne, if you are in support of last summer's vote, you are neither Biblical nor confessional. Instead your faith is reduced to the whims of contemporary culture, politically-minded interest groups and hidden agendas of the Holy Mother Church in Chicago.

With all due respect Dr. Benne, you are wrong. You, my friend, are making assertions based not on fact, but on your own intolerance of those who would challenge the system with Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions. A system, which in my lifetime did not allow for blacks or women to be ordained. And all the while claiming Scripture and tradition in its corner.

A long time ago, the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to a congregation in Rome that was caught up in the question of who is in and who is out. Who is righteous and who is not. In the first chapter of Romans, Paul lays out a laundry list of who is on the "outs" with God. I can just picture some self-righteous pillars of that Roman congregation exclaiming with glee, "You see, I told you those people were out!"

And who's on the list? Folks who covet and are envious. Those who like to fight. Those who murder. Those who lie. Those who rebel against parents (I like that one). Those who are crafty. The foolish. Those who are boastful. Those who gossip. (Darn, why did Paul have to include the fun one?). The heartless, the ruthless and the faithless and even those who "applaud others who practice them". Oh and that part about men committing shameless acts with other men? I cannot help but believe that Paul is condemning the practice of sexual orgies that were extremely prevalent in the Greco-Roman world of his day. For those orgies, much like pornography of today, exploited and dehumanized and promoted worshipping the creature instead of the Creator.

But Paul doesn't stop here. For on the heels of the "sin" list comes Romans chapter 2 verse 1: "Therefore, you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things." Paul is not saying "anything goes". Rather he is telling the Roman church, stop trying to be God. All of us are on the list. Deal with it. But that's okay for God has taken care of things. If you are on the list in chapter 1, which all of us are, then chapter 3 of Romans applies to you:

"Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith." And by the way, in the original Greek that final word "faith" may indeed be translated as God's faith. Come on Paul, can't I take credit for anything?

Oh and about that part where you suggest that those who favor last summer's vote are not in keeping with the Lutheran Confessions. I know folks who are passionately in favor of that vote who still confess that redemption comes through the atoning death of Christ on the cross; it is God who calls, gathers and enlightens; Christ is truly present in the Sacraments of Holy Baptiism and Holy Communion and that we are justified by grace through faith.

So Dr. Benne, the next time you make such unwarranted statements about those who stand on the opposite side of the aisle from you, please try to acknowledge that life in Christ is not black and white. That life is lived in the tension of paradox. That all of us are both saint and sinner. And that in Christ there is no longer Greek or Jew; slave or free; male and female.

So maybe it is possible to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions while at the same time advocating for radical inclusion, which the last time I checked was pretty important to Jesus.