August 2006

From the Pastor

Dear Co-laborers with Christ,

As I write this pastor’s letter, it is not yet officially summer. But the weather is hot and humid, the pace of daily life has slowed a bit, and many of us are looking forward to a bit of vacation or time away from our regular routines. Many of you are planning trips to the shore or to mountain retreats, or, perhaps, a cruise or foreign travel. For many, a quiet time on the porch or under the shade tree in the back yard will suffice. Whatever plans we may have, it is important, as Jesus recognized, to find some time to get away from time to time – to relax, to unwind, to pray and meditate, to refocus.

I was looking over book shelves at home and pulled down several books that I think would make great summer reading. None of them are newly published; some of them I had read before; others I had somehow overlooked; all of them are to some degree classic literature, and are worth reading for the first time or the second, third, or fourth time. And, all of them are available at the local library.

 Elmer Gantry, by Sinclair Lewis. Originally published in 1927, this “preacher novel” was both highly anticipated and highly controversial at the time. It is the story of the Reverend Dr. Elmer Gantry from his conversion during wild college days, through theological seminary, his curious adventures with a woman evangelist, and his first country congregation, to the day when he stands out as a Big City Pastor. While Lewis is never afraid to show reverence before what he sees as real religion, Gantry’s story exposes the hypocrisy that so often infects the church and people of faith. The book slashes into every aspect of the organized church and steps on any toes that look interesting. It forces Christians to look at ourselves as the world sees us, and, in so doing, perhaps be reminded how God sees us. Whether Sinclair Lewis intended it or not, this novel is in many ways a call to repentance.

East of Eden, by John Steinbeck. This is another American classic that is worth a re-read. It is a novel intentionally biblical in scope, with a timeless and resonant theme of moral ambiguity in the midst of a primal family conflict. The saga of the settling of California’s fertile Salinas Valley is told as the history of Adam Trask and his family, unfolding as a drama of repeated personal choices between good and evil, and the tragic failure of good intentions. It is a symbolic retelling of the biblical tale of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, and the burden of living out the consequences of our actions.

Cry, The Beloved Country, by Alan Paton. First published in 1948, with new editions in 1959 and 1987, this beautiful novel, set in South Africa under apartheid, is a compelling story about a black man’s country under white man’s law. With its searing indictment of colonialism, racial injustice, and the clash of cultures, this soaring, noble story is finally a hymn to human dignity, borne up by hope, courage and endurance. Much in South Africa has changed politically since this novel was first written, but its themes are as relevant today as they ever were.

Be sure to include in your summer reading daily passages from scripture. Reading ahead to the designated lessons for the approaching Sunday is a good place to start. Or, try reading the four Gospels in this order: Mark, Matthew, Luke, John. God’s Word will speak to you and your spirit will be enriched by it. All in all, not a bad program of summer reading. See you in church! 

Faithfully, your pastor,

B. Penrose Hoover

From the Associate Pastor

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

What do Ace Frehley (guitarist of KISS), Sally Struthers (played Gloria in “All in the Family”), Albert Schweitzer (humanitarian, organist, and medical doctor), Johann Sebastian Bach organist and composer), Steve Jobs (CEO of Apple Computer), Dana Carvey (comedian and actor), and Troy Aikman (Superbowl quarterback) all have in common?  They are all Lutherans.  Now, I don’t know if they are all practicing Lutherans.  But, they have all been baptized (and maybe confirmed) Lutheran.

Now, the list of famous Lutherans is much more extensive than this, but this list is a place to start talking about LUTHERAN PRIDE.  There have been and still are a lot of Lutherans out there in the world.  According to one source, there are presently 9 million Lutherans (ELCA, LCMS, and others) in the United States, making it the fourth largest Christian denomination in the U.S. behind the Catholic, Baptist, and Methodist/Weslyan faiths.  Worldwide, there are about 58.5 million Lutherans (1993).  Among that number there are many well-known people, including those mentioned above.  It is kind of neat to see a person on television or hear about some individual from history or in music and then say, “Hey, that person is Lutheran.”

The point being is that there is a lot for which we can be proud as Lutheran Christians.  Not only can we be proud of our association with other famous Lutherans, but we can be proud of our heritage as Lutherans.  Martin Luther was himself not born or even baptized Lutheran.  Surprised???  Nonetheless the Lutheran denomination blossomed because of Martin Luther’s teachings.  Yet, we think of Luther’s impact not only on the church but also on the wider world.  For instance, Martin Luther is credited for standardizing the modern German language.  He is credited with having standardized the rules for bowling.  He is credited with shaping the Protestant Bible, namely which books were included.  When we talk about the books of the Protestant Bible, or bowling, or the German language, we have to remember Luther.  Of course, when we think of Luther, we remember the Reformation and how that event reshaped the Christian landscape.

The question though needs to be asked of us, we who confess to be Lutheran Christians:  Can we explain what a Lutheran is and what we believe?  What if we were talking to a neighbor, or a colleague at work, or a friend at school, and they asked us about our church, would we be able to tell them about our Lutheran faith?  It is an important question and something to think about.  We should be proud to be Lutheran Christians.  We are people who like to sit in back rows, enjoy potluck suppers, and sing “A Mighty Fortress” (written and composed by Martin Luther).  Furthermore, we are people with a rich theology of grace.  That message about Lutherans is most important for us to share proudly. 

I pray that your summer is filled with blessings.  As a suggestion, maybe pick up a book to read over these summer weeks about Martin Luther and the Lutheran Church.  Or, maybe even consider re-reading the Small Catechism. 

                                                                                    In Christ,

                                                                                     Pastor Joel                    

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