Jesus Is Counting On Us
Stories
Object:
StoryShare
Edited by John Sumwalt and Jo Perry-Sumwalt
Christ the King (Proper 29) / Thanksgiving (Cycle C), November 21, 2004
Based on Revised Common Lectionary Texts:
Christ the King (Proper 29)
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Luke 1:68-79
Colossians 1:11-20
Luke 23:33-43
Thanksgiving
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Psalm 100
Philippians 4:4-9
John 6:25-35
Contents
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Jesus Is Counting on Us"
Shining Moments: "I Clearly Saw Jesus" by Linda Nafziger-Meiser
Good Stories: "Sheep Without a Shepherd" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: "A Thanksgiving Sermon" by Paul Larsen
What's Up This Week
Have you ever seen Jesus? It is amazing how many people have. We have collected several of these accounts for the three books in the vision series. Linda Nafziger-Meiser tells of a deeply moving personal encounter with Jesus in this week's Shining Moments. Another remarkable personal testimony can be found in Tilda Norberg's wonderful book Ashes Transformed. ( Click here to view an excerpt from the Cycle B Proper 12 edition of StoryShare.)
For more Thanksgiving stories and Christ the King stories, see last year's Christ the King edition of StoryShare.
A Story to Live By
Jesus Is Counting on Us
He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1:17-20
There is a legend which has been told by preachers for generations. It tells how Jesus went back to heaven after his time on earth. Even in heaven he bore upon him the marks of the Cross. The angels were talking to him, and Gabriel said, "Master, you must have suffered terribly for men down there."
"I did," said Jesus.
"And," said Gabriel, "do they know about how you loved them and what you did for them?"
"Oh no," said Jesus, "not yet. Just now only a few people in Palestine know."
"What have you done," said Gabriel, "to let everyone know about it?"
Jesus said, "I have asked Peter and James and John and a few others to make it the business of their lives to tell others about me, and the others still others, and yet others, until the farthest man on the widest circle knows what I have done."
Gabriel looked very doubtful, for he knew well what poor stuff men were made of. "Yes," he said, "but what if Peter and James and John grow tired? What if the people who come after them forget? What if away down in the 21st century people just don't tell others about you? Haven't you made any other plans?"
And Jesus answered: "I haven't made any other plans. I'm counting on them."
Shining Moments
I Clearly Saw Jesus
by Linda Nafziger-Meiser
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers -- all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:15-17
From 1982-86, my husband and I lived in the Shenandoah Valley near Harrisonburg, Virginia. One fall day I spontaneously decided to use my time off from work to make applesauce, so I headed out of town to the apple orchards in the countryside, driving our little VW camper van. I was headed west in the left lane of a one-way street, coming up on an out-of-state vehicle in the right lane. When my front wheels were about even with their rear wheels, they started to turn right across my lane into a business on the left side of the street -- right in my path. There was no time to hit the brakes; they were right there, which in a camper van is "very" close. I screamed, and as I braced for the crash I clearly saw Jesus in the passenger seat flinging out his arms to shield me from the impact. Irrationally, I thought, "Of course! He's going to die instead of me, once again." But there was no crash.
Somehow, unbelievably, their car had crossed in front of my VW without any contact. The other driver started yelling, furious at me for nearly causing an accident. I wordlessly pointed at the one-way street sign, and he and his passenger promptly turned even whiter. We stared at one another, shaking our heads in disbelief that we hadn't crashed, utterly shaken.
When my legs quit shaking, I got back into my van and drove off -- and Jesus was still sitting in the passenger seat. I could turn my head and look right at him, and then he seemed fainter, like looking at a dim star right on. But when I looked straight ahead and saw him with my peripheral vision, he was quite clear. When I spoke to him, he did not respond verbally or audibly, but his body language was clear, giving me a profound sense of peace and compassionate love.
He didn't leave for several weeks, although the impressions grew fainter. During that time I could always sense or see precisely where he was, never invasive but always nearby with that gentle, powerful grace and love and peace flowing from him directly into the desolate, shame-filled places within me.
At that time I was a young wife struggling with the poisonous after-effects of childhood sexual abuse. While I had already experienced much healing, there was still much more to go, and would continue to be for many more years. But so much of my steady transformation into health since then has built on that experience -- the tangible sense of Jesus' vital connection and care and concern for me. The suicidal depressions that had shaped so much of my adolescent and young adult life ended at that point.
Now, as a pastor, I take special joy in doing spiritual direction with women who have experienced sexual abuse or other childhood trauma. When we begin meeting, I tell them that one of my primary aims in working with them in this way is to help make God's overwhelming love and care for them real and tangible. And this is as transforming for them as it has been for me.
Linda Nafziger-Meiser is pastor of the Hyde Park Mennonite Fellowship in Boise, Idaho. She is the mother of two daughters, and has been married to her best friend for more than 25 years. You may contact her by e-mail at lindanm@mindspring.com.
Good Stories
Sheep Without a Shepherd
by John Sumwalt
Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them.... I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord.
Jeremiah 23:1-2, 4
Christ Community Church was without a pastor for the third time within four years. Dr. Albert Faithful had died after a long illness, just before he was to retire from a 19-year-long pastorate. The church had flourished under his leadership and he was much loved by everyone in the congregation. It was understood that Pastor Jillian Balm was to be with them on an interim basis for 18 months. Many people came to love her in that brief time and it was difficult to bid her good-bye. But Pastor Balm had done her work well; the congregation had grieved for Dr. Faithful and was ready to welcome a new spiritual leader.
The Reverend Elsworth Worthy came to the church with the highest recommendations from the bishop. He and his family were warmly received, and his ministry with Christ Church got off to a fast start. The Reverend Worthy was a dynamic preacher. Soon the pews were packed every Sunday and a second service had to be added in the chapel. Over a hundred new members joined the church during the first year. A longtime drive to purchase a new organ, which had been slowed after Dr. Faithful's death, was completed, and a magnificent new pipe organ was installed in the sanctuary. There was talk of building on to the educational wing, for the Sunday School program was also growing by leaps and bounds. Everyone had great praise for Reverend Worthy. "You have awakened a sleeping giant," they told him. They bragged about their new pastor to friends and business associates. "How lucky we are to have him," they said. "You must come and hear him preach some Sunday."
It was near the end of Reverend Worthy's second year when a rumor began to circulate about something going on between the pastor and one of the women in the choir. The leaders on the personnel committee quietly investigated and reported that the pastor had done nothing inappropriate. But the rumor persisted. Factions began to form. The largest group, the adamant supporters of Reverend Worthy, insisted that nothing was wrong, that a few naysayers were trying to destroy the unity of the church. A smaller but very vocal group of longtime members who had expressed opposition to some of the changes Reverend Worthy had made maintained that "where there is smoke there must be fire." But even they were shocked when Reverend Worthy announced from the pulpit on the Sunday before Easter that he was not only leaving the congregation, he was giving up pastoral ministry. The pastor offered no explanation for his sudden decision, but the next day it was revealed that six women from the congregation had filed sexual harassment charges against the Reverend Worthy. Within a week, several women from two previous congregations served by Reverend Worthy had filed similar charges.
The congregation was devastated. Everyone was shocked. At first many of Reverend Worthy's supporters refused to believe what they had heard. Some blamed the women. Others asserted that the pastor was a victim of the pressures and strains of his position. They implied that the naysaying faction had been responsible for pushing him over the edge. The naysayers tossed the blame right back, complaining that if certain church leaders had been more vigilant, the whole mess could have been avoided.
The bishop sent another interim pastor, and though well-qualified, he was coolly received. Worship attendance plummeted. Many of the newer members left the church. The service in the chapel was discontinued. The building committee, which had recently been formed to draw up plans for the addition to the education wing, was disbanded. The choir director and the secretary resigned. Sunday offerings were so low that the congregation began to default on some of its bills.
The chairperson of the board called an emergency congregational meeting. About 90 of the longtime members were in attendance. Various proposals for actions to heal the congregation were put forth and debated. Some were in favor of calling a new pastor immediately: "Let's put the past behind us and get on with our ministry," they said. "What's done is done, we can't undo it." Others expressed feelings of hopelessness and despair. They didn't see how the congregation could ever recover from the betrayal they had suffered. Some who were quite vocal about their anger said they should hire a lawyer and sue Reverend Worthy, or perhaps the bishop who recommended him.
The meeting was apparently going to end without an agreement on a plan of action when Ellen Faithful rose to speak. Ellen was the daughter of the late Dr. Faithful and was held in high regard by most members of the congregation. She commented on the deep sadness and hurt they all shared as the result of the weakness of their spiritual leader. "I wish Dad were here," she said. "I am sure he would know what to do." There were many sympathetic and knowing nods all around the room. Everyone became quite still as they waited for Ellen to continue. It was clear that the Spirit had at last found a voice. "Nevertheless," Ellen went on, "we need not despair. We know Christ is with us, and we can be sure that Christ will show us the way out of this unfortunate dilemma."
Ellen's words were followed by a long, deliberative silence. It was the new interim pastor who spoke first, with a suggestion that they all bow in prayer and ask for guidance. After his quiet "amen," the discussion resumed in a new, positive tone. It was suggested that the congregation might hire a consultant to help them express their grief and anger, and give guidance as they explored options for the future. Everyone agreed that this would be a good place to start. The healing of Christ Church had begun.
(This story also appears in the Proper 11 [Cycle B] edition of StoryShare for July 20, 2003.)
Resources for Hurting Congregations
Congregations in which clergy misconduct has occurred are in need of special care. In an article titled "The Congregation is also a Victim" (from Clergy Sexual Misconduct: A Systems Perspective, The Alban Institute, 1993), Nancy Meyers Hopkins observes that "some congregations end up depressed with anger turned inward" (pg. 20). She says, "Successors of clergy who act out sexually are at great risk... of angry projections from their parishioners"(pg. 6).
David Brubaker tells about the anger and frustration experienced when pastoral misconduct is disclosed: "There may be feelings of abandonment, rage, and shock, similar to a family which experiences incest.... They may blame or suspect the victim(s). It is not uncommon for the congregation to be divided into factions as persons try to sort out their own feelings. In one sense the congregation itself has been raped.... Whether or not the congregation can recover depends on its ability to work through the issue with openness and care. An outside consultant, someone trained in conflict resolution or pastoral counseling, can be very helpful. Failure to implement an adequate process can let a situation fester for years and drain a congregation of its spiritual and emotional energy." ("An Intervention Paradigm," MCS Conciliation Quarterly, Spring 1991, pg. 9.)
See also:
Marie Fortune, Is Nothing Sacred?: When Sex Invades the Pastoral Relationship (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1987).
Lloyd Rediger, Ministry & Sexuality: Cases, Counseling and Care (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1990).
Scrap Pile
A Thanksgiving Sermon
by Paul Larsen
Philippians 4:4-7, 12-13
St. Paul's letter to the Philippians has been called the "epistle of joy." In our text he calls us to rejoice and give thanks. He encourages us not to worry. He tells us God's presence will give us peace, and that we can be at peace in any and all circumstances. He reminds us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
The man who is saying these things has not had an easy life. St. Paul has faced all kinds of troubles, and more hardships are on the horizon. In his second letter to the Corinthians he recounts some of the trouble he has seen, saying, "Five times I have received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I have been beaten with rods; once I was stoned. Three times I have been shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brethren; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure upon me of my anxiety for all the churches" (2 Corinthians 11:24-28).
Even as he writes this letter to the Philippians he is in prison and is expecting to be executed. He has some unknown problem that he calls a "thorn in his flesh." His life is not easy. But still he says, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice." How can he say that? With all of those troubles, dangers, and hardships, it seems strange that he could be so joyful.
I think the key is a little phrase in this text that often gets overlooked. Paul says, "The Lord in near." The King James Version reads, "The Lord is at hand." St. Paul is able to rejoice in any and all circumstances because he knows God is with him. He knows that God will never abandon him. He knows that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him.
St. Paul is at peace because God's presence, God's nearness, offers him a peace that defies understanding. God is with us also. The Lord is at hand in our lives as well. Therefore, we can let go of our worries. We can have God's peace, which surpasses all understanding. We can rejoice and give thanks in any and all circumstances.
There are many things in life that confront us and may make us wonder what we have to be thankful about. Some of you have illnesses that keep you in pain or restrict your life. Some are mourning the death of a family member or friend. Some are struggling with unemployment, divorce, or loneliness. Some of you are having a difficult time dealing with your parents or your children. Some of you are overwhelmed at work and you are wondering how much longer you can stand the stress of it all. Others are working long after you had hoped to retire because the current economy makes retirement impossible. We may not have experienced the physical torments St. Paul faced, but we have felt like we have been beaten, shipwrecked, adrift at sea, facing dangers all around us. But also like St. Paul, we can rejoice and give thanks because the Lord is at hand. God is with us, surrounding us and supporting us, giving us the strength we need.
Senator Joseph Biden was elected to the U.S. Senate at the age of 29. Shortly after his election, he lost his wife and his daughter in an automobile accident. His two sons were also in the car, but they survived. He chose to live in Delaware and commute every day to Washington so that he could remain home and be a parent to his two boys. Then he remarried and his career took off and began to soar. At one point in 1987, he was leading the polls as a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. He was an attractive candidate for many people, until it was disclosed that in his speeches he had used material written by others without attribution. That's called plagiarism. Senator Biden had to suffer the consequences of that mistake. And he did. He withdrew from the race and went back to Delaware.
Then he began to experience excruciating headaches. The doctor discovered an aneurysm in the artery supplying blood to the brain. It was leaking, which means it was ready to burst. They rushed him to Walter Reed Hospital, where he had eight hours of surgery, a surgery many people don't survive. He survived it, but then developed a potentially fatal blood clot lodged in his lung. He had to go back to the operating room to have the clot removed. A few months after that, he developed another aneurysm and had to go back a third time into surgery. He almost died several times. His health and his career were devastated. Many people said he had a terrible time. But he doesn't say that. In fact, he jokes about it. He once told a group of well-wishers, "The good news is I can do anything I did before. The bad news is that I can't do it any better."
Senator Biden sees it as a blessing. He talks about how these experiences have enriched his life. His family has become much more precious to him than they were before. He has a new perspective on life. In fact, he said, "I'm glad it happened. I thank God it happened. It gave me back my life. I wake up now in the morning thankful to be alive. And I'm grateful that I am well, and I'm grateful that my family is happy, and that I have meaningful work to do." Like St. Paul, Senator Biden is able to rejoice and give thanks in any and all circumstances. We are able to do that also. We are able to rejoice and give thanks because the Lord is at hand. God is with us and will help us.
We have a choice when bad things happen to us. We can get bitter or we can get better. We can be overwhelmed with disappointment, anger, and grief, or we can discover God's peace, which passes all understanding. We can let these things defeat us or we can claim victory over our adversity in Christ, who gives us all the strength we need. The Lord is at hand. The Lord is with us. We can rejoice and give thanks in any and all circumstances.
Bob Perks tells of overhearing a father and daughter in their last moments together. The public address system had just announced that the daughter's plane was ready to depart. They stood near the security gate and hugged. Finally the father said, "I love you. I wish you enough."
She replied, "Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Dad." They kissed and she left.
The father walked over toward the area where Perks was seated. It was obvious that the old man wanted and needed to cry. Perks tried not to intrude on his privacy, but the old man welcomed him in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?"
"Yes, I have," Perks replied, as he remembered saying good-bye to his dying father. Then Perks said, "Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?"
The man said, "I am old and she lives much too far away. I have cancer and her next trip back will be for my funeral."
Perks asked, "When you were saying good-bye I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?"
The old man began to smile, saying, "It is a family blessing that has been handed down for generations. When we said, 'I wish you enough,' we were saying we want the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them." Then reciting from memory he said:
"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye."
Then he began to cry and he walked away.
This thanksgiving "I wish you enough." I wish for you that, like St. Paul, the presence of God will give you God's peace which passes all understanding, and that his peace will be enough. I wish you enough faith in the fact that the Lord is at hand so that you will be able to rejoice and give thanks in any and all circumstances. I wish you enough trust in God's promises so that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Amen.
Let us pray: O God, we give you thanks for all of your blessings. Most of all we thank you for your presence in our lives. You have shown your boundless love for us by sending Jesus to be our savior. With the resurrection you have demonstrated your power over sin, death, and the devil. You have promised that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Grant us enough faith to trust in that promise, so that we are able to rejoice and give thanks in any and all circumstances. Amen.
(For more of Senator Joseph Biden's story, click on http://www.udel.edu/PR/UpDate/02/2/dont.html and http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Joe_Biden)
(Excerpts from "I Wish You Enough," written by Bob Perks. For the full story, click on http://www.webtechu.com/news/story/0106story.html and http://www.IWishYouEnough.com)
Paul Larsen is pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church in New Brighton, Minnesota.
**********************************************
How to Share Stories
You have good stories to share, probably more than you know: personal stories as well as stories from others that you have used over the years. If you have a story you like, whether fictional or "really happened ," authored by you or a brief excerpt from a favorite book, send it to StoryShare for review. Simply click here share-a-story@csspub.com and e-mail the story to us.
How do I get a free sample of StoryShare?
Discover for yourself the real value of StoryShare. Click here http://www.csspub.com/storysample1.lasso to see two of our weekly editions.
How do I subscribe to StoryShare?
Subscribing online is convenient using our secure server -- or you can all CSS toll-free at (800) 537-1030 Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM (Eastern Time) or send an e-mail to orders@csspub.com, and our customer service team will be happy to assist you. Subscribers receive weekly installments of StoryShare -- plus full access to the StoryShare archives -- for an annual subscription rate of only $19.95. A two-year subscription is available for only $34.95. We think this is the best value in preaching, teaching, and devotional resources available anywhere. If you don't agree we will refund the balance of your subscription payment. To subscribe online, click here http://www.csspub.com/css-secure/storysubscribe.lasso.
We invite you to forward this offer to all of your friends who are looking for good stories.
**************
New Book
The third book in the vision series, Shining Moments: Visions of the Holy in Ordinary Lives (edited by John Sumwalt), is now available from CSS Publishing Company. Among the 60 contributing authors of these Chicken Soup for the Soul-like vignettes are Ralph Milton, Sandra Herrmann, Pamela J. Tinnin, Richard H. Gentzler Jr., David Michael Smith, Jodie Felton, Nancy Nichols, William Lee Rand, Gail Ingle, and Rosmarie Trapp, whose family story was told in the classic movie The Sound of Music. Click on the title above for information about how to order. The stories follow the lectionary for Cycle A, which begins next week.
Other Books by John & Jo Sumwalt
Sharing Visions: Divine Revelations, Angels, and Holy Coincidences
Vision Stories: True Accounts of Visions, Angels, and Healing Miracles
Life Stories: A Study in Christian Decision Making
Lectionary Stories: Forty Tellable Tales for Cycle A
Lectionary Stories: Forty Tellable Tales for Cycle B
Lectionary Stories: Forty Tellable Tales for Cycle C
Lectionary Tales for the Pulpit: 62 Stories for Cycle B
You can order any of our books on the CSS website; they are also available from www.amazon.com and at many Christian bookstores. Or simply e-mail your order to orders@csspub.com or phone 1-800-241-4056. (If you live outside the U.S., phone 419-227-1818.)
**************
About the Editors
John E. Sumwalt is the pastor of Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church in Milwaukee, and is the author of eight books for CSS. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary (UDTS), John received the Herbert Manning Jr. award for Parish Ministry from UDTS in 1997. John is known in the Milwaukee area for his one-minute radio spots which always include a brief story. He concludes each spot by saying, "I'm John Sumwalt with 'A Story to Live By' from Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church."
John has done numerous storytelling events for civic, school, and church groups, as well as on radio and television. He has performed at a number of fundraisers for the homeless, the hungry, Habitat for Humanity, and women's shelters. Since the fall of 1999, when he began working on the Vision Stories series, he has led seminars and retreats around the themes "A Safe Place to Tell Visions" and "Vision Stories in the Bible and Today." To schedule a seminar or a retreat, write to jsumwalt@naspa.net or phone 414-257-1228.
Joanne Perry-Sumwalt is director of Christian Education at Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church in Milwaukee. Jo is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, with a degree in English and writing. She has co-authored two books with John, Life Stories: A Study In Christian Decision Making and Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit: 62 Stories For Cycle B. Jo writes original curriculum for church classes. She also serves as the secretary of the Wisconsin chapter of the Christian Educators Fellowship (CEF), and is a member of the National CEF.
Jo and John have been married since 1975. They have two grown children, Kathryn and Orrin. They both love reading, movies, long walks with Chloe (their West Highland Terrier), and working on their old farmhouse in southwest Wisconsin.
**********************************************
StoryShare, November 21, 2004, issue.
Copyright 2004 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., P.O. Box 4503, Lima, Ohio 45802-4503.
Edited by John Sumwalt and Jo Perry-Sumwalt
Christ the King (Proper 29) / Thanksgiving (Cycle C), November 21, 2004
Based on Revised Common Lectionary Texts:
Christ the King (Proper 29)
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Luke 1:68-79
Colossians 1:11-20
Luke 23:33-43
Thanksgiving
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Psalm 100
Philippians 4:4-9
John 6:25-35
Contents
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Jesus Is Counting on Us"
Shining Moments: "I Clearly Saw Jesus" by Linda Nafziger-Meiser
Good Stories: "Sheep Without a Shepherd" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: "A Thanksgiving Sermon" by Paul Larsen
What's Up This Week
Have you ever seen Jesus? It is amazing how many people have. We have collected several of these accounts for the three books in the vision series. Linda Nafziger-Meiser tells of a deeply moving personal encounter with Jesus in this week's Shining Moments. Another remarkable personal testimony can be found in Tilda Norberg's wonderful book Ashes Transformed. ( Click here to view an excerpt from the Cycle B Proper 12 edition of StoryShare.)
For more Thanksgiving stories and Christ the King stories, see last year's Christ the King edition of StoryShare.
A Story to Live By
Jesus Is Counting on Us
He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1:17-20
There is a legend which has been told by preachers for generations. It tells how Jesus went back to heaven after his time on earth. Even in heaven he bore upon him the marks of the Cross. The angels were talking to him, and Gabriel said, "Master, you must have suffered terribly for men down there."
"I did," said Jesus.
"And," said Gabriel, "do they know about how you loved them and what you did for them?"
"Oh no," said Jesus, "not yet. Just now only a few people in Palestine know."
"What have you done," said Gabriel, "to let everyone know about it?"
Jesus said, "I have asked Peter and James and John and a few others to make it the business of their lives to tell others about me, and the others still others, and yet others, until the farthest man on the widest circle knows what I have done."
Gabriel looked very doubtful, for he knew well what poor stuff men were made of. "Yes," he said, "but what if Peter and James and John grow tired? What if the people who come after them forget? What if away down in the 21st century people just don't tell others about you? Haven't you made any other plans?"
And Jesus answered: "I haven't made any other plans. I'm counting on them."
Shining Moments
I Clearly Saw Jesus
by Linda Nafziger-Meiser
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers -- all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:15-17
From 1982-86, my husband and I lived in the Shenandoah Valley near Harrisonburg, Virginia. One fall day I spontaneously decided to use my time off from work to make applesauce, so I headed out of town to the apple orchards in the countryside, driving our little VW camper van. I was headed west in the left lane of a one-way street, coming up on an out-of-state vehicle in the right lane. When my front wheels were about even with their rear wheels, they started to turn right across my lane into a business on the left side of the street -- right in my path. There was no time to hit the brakes; they were right there, which in a camper van is "very" close. I screamed, and as I braced for the crash I clearly saw Jesus in the passenger seat flinging out his arms to shield me from the impact. Irrationally, I thought, "Of course! He's going to die instead of me, once again." But there was no crash.
Somehow, unbelievably, their car had crossed in front of my VW without any contact. The other driver started yelling, furious at me for nearly causing an accident. I wordlessly pointed at the one-way street sign, and he and his passenger promptly turned even whiter. We stared at one another, shaking our heads in disbelief that we hadn't crashed, utterly shaken.
When my legs quit shaking, I got back into my van and drove off -- and Jesus was still sitting in the passenger seat. I could turn my head and look right at him, and then he seemed fainter, like looking at a dim star right on. But when I looked straight ahead and saw him with my peripheral vision, he was quite clear. When I spoke to him, he did not respond verbally or audibly, but his body language was clear, giving me a profound sense of peace and compassionate love.
He didn't leave for several weeks, although the impressions grew fainter. During that time I could always sense or see precisely where he was, never invasive but always nearby with that gentle, powerful grace and love and peace flowing from him directly into the desolate, shame-filled places within me.
At that time I was a young wife struggling with the poisonous after-effects of childhood sexual abuse. While I had already experienced much healing, there was still much more to go, and would continue to be for many more years. But so much of my steady transformation into health since then has built on that experience -- the tangible sense of Jesus' vital connection and care and concern for me. The suicidal depressions that had shaped so much of my adolescent and young adult life ended at that point.
Now, as a pastor, I take special joy in doing spiritual direction with women who have experienced sexual abuse or other childhood trauma. When we begin meeting, I tell them that one of my primary aims in working with them in this way is to help make God's overwhelming love and care for them real and tangible. And this is as transforming for them as it has been for me.
Linda Nafziger-Meiser is pastor of the Hyde Park Mennonite Fellowship in Boise, Idaho. She is the mother of two daughters, and has been married to her best friend for more than 25 years. You may contact her by e-mail at lindanm@mindspring.com.
Good Stories
Sheep Without a Shepherd
by John Sumwalt
Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them.... I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord.
Jeremiah 23:1-2, 4
Christ Community Church was without a pastor for the third time within four years. Dr. Albert Faithful had died after a long illness, just before he was to retire from a 19-year-long pastorate. The church had flourished under his leadership and he was much loved by everyone in the congregation. It was understood that Pastor Jillian Balm was to be with them on an interim basis for 18 months. Many people came to love her in that brief time and it was difficult to bid her good-bye. But Pastor Balm had done her work well; the congregation had grieved for Dr. Faithful and was ready to welcome a new spiritual leader.
The Reverend Elsworth Worthy came to the church with the highest recommendations from the bishop. He and his family were warmly received, and his ministry with Christ Church got off to a fast start. The Reverend Worthy was a dynamic preacher. Soon the pews were packed every Sunday and a second service had to be added in the chapel. Over a hundred new members joined the church during the first year. A longtime drive to purchase a new organ, which had been slowed after Dr. Faithful's death, was completed, and a magnificent new pipe organ was installed in the sanctuary. There was talk of building on to the educational wing, for the Sunday School program was also growing by leaps and bounds. Everyone had great praise for Reverend Worthy. "You have awakened a sleeping giant," they told him. They bragged about their new pastor to friends and business associates. "How lucky we are to have him," they said. "You must come and hear him preach some Sunday."
It was near the end of Reverend Worthy's second year when a rumor began to circulate about something going on between the pastor and one of the women in the choir. The leaders on the personnel committee quietly investigated and reported that the pastor had done nothing inappropriate. But the rumor persisted. Factions began to form. The largest group, the adamant supporters of Reverend Worthy, insisted that nothing was wrong, that a few naysayers were trying to destroy the unity of the church. A smaller but very vocal group of longtime members who had expressed opposition to some of the changes Reverend Worthy had made maintained that "where there is smoke there must be fire." But even they were shocked when Reverend Worthy announced from the pulpit on the Sunday before Easter that he was not only leaving the congregation, he was giving up pastoral ministry. The pastor offered no explanation for his sudden decision, but the next day it was revealed that six women from the congregation had filed sexual harassment charges against the Reverend Worthy. Within a week, several women from two previous congregations served by Reverend Worthy had filed similar charges.
The congregation was devastated. Everyone was shocked. At first many of Reverend Worthy's supporters refused to believe what they had heard. Some blamed the women. Others asserted that the pastor was a victim of the pressures and strains of his position. They implied that the naysaying faction had been responsible for pushing him over the edge. The naysayers tossed the blame right back, complaining that if certain church leaders had been more vigilant, the whole mess could have been avoided.
The bishop sent another interim pastor, and though well-qualified, he was coolly received. Worship attendance plummeted. Many of the newer members left the church. The service in the chapel was discontinued. The building committee, which had recently been formed to draw up plans for the addition to the education wing, was disbanded. The choir director and the secretary resigned. Sunday offerings were so low that the congregation began to default on some of its bills.
The chairperson of the board called an emergency congregational meeting. About 90 of the longtime members were in attendance. Various proposals for actions to heal the congregation were put forth and debated. Some were in favor of calling a new pastor immediately: "Let's put the past behind us and get on with our ministry," they said. "What's done is done, we can't undo it." Others expressed feelings of hopelessness and despair. They didn't see how the congregation could ever recover from the betrayal they had suffered. Some who were quite vocal about their anger said they should hire a lawyer and sue Reverend Worthy, or perhaps the bishop who recommended him.
The meeting was apparently going to end without an agreement on a plan of action when Ellen Faithful rose to speak. Ellen was the daughter of the late Dr. Faithful and was held in high regard by most members of the congregation. She commented on the deep sadness and hurt they all shared as the result of the weakness of their spiritual leader. "I wish Dad were here," she said. "I am sure he would know what to do." There were many sympathetic and knowing nods all around the room. Everyone became quite still as they waited for Ellen to continue. It was clear that the Spirit had at last found a voice. "Nevertheless," Ellen went on, "we need not despair. We know Christ is with us, and we can be sure that Christ will show us the way out of this unfortunate dilemma."
Ellen's words were followed by a long, deliberative silence. It was the new interim pastor who spoke first, with a suggestion that they all bow in prayer and ask for guidance. After his quiet "amen," the discussion resumed in a new, positive tone. It was suggested that the congregation might hire a consultant to help them express their grief and anger, and give guidance as they explored options for the future. Everyone agreed that this would be a good place to start. The healing of Christ Church had begun.
(This story also appears in the Proper 11 [Cycle B] edition of StoryShare for July 20, 2003.)
Resources for Hurting Congregations
Congregations in which clergy misconduct has occurred are in need of special care. In an article titled "The Congregation is also a Victim" (from Clergy Sexual Misconduct: A Systems Perspective, The Alban Institute, 1993), Nancy Meyers Hopkins observes that "some congregations end up depressed with anger turned inward" (pg. 20). She says, "Successors of clergy who act out sexually are at great risk... of angry projections from their parishioners"(pg. 6).
David Brubaker tells about the anger and frustration experienced when pastoral misconduct is disclosed: "There may be feelings of abandonment, rage, and shock, similar to a family which experiences incest.... They may blame or suspect the victim(s). It is not uncommon for the congregation to be divided into factions as persons try to sort out their own feelings. In one sense the congregation itself has been raped.... Whether or not the congregation can recover depends on its ability to work through the issue with openness and care. An outside consultant, someone trained in conflict resolution or pastoral counseling, can be very helpful. Failure to implement an adequate process can let a situation fester for years and drain a congregation of its spiritual and emotional energy." ("An Intervention Paradigm," MCS Conciliation Quarterly, Spring 1991, pg. 9.)
See also:
Marie Fortune, Is Nothing Sacred?: When Sex Invades the Pastoral Relationship (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1987).
Lloyd Rediger, Ministry & Sexuality: Cases, Counseling and Care (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1990).
Scrap Pile
A Thanksgiving Sermon
by Paul Larsen
Philippians 4:4-7, 12-13
St. Paul's letter to the Philippians has been called the "epistle of joy." In our text he calls us to rejoice and give thanks. He encourages us not to worry. He tells us God's presence will give us peace, and that we can be at peace in any and all circumstances. He reminds us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
The man who is saying these things has not had an easy life. St. Paul has faced all kinds of troubles, and more hardships are on the horizon. In his second letter to the Corinthians he recounts some of the trouble he has seen, saying, "Five times I have received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I have been beaten with rods; once I was stoned. Three times I have been shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brethren; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure upon me of my anxiety for all the churches" (2 Corinthians 11:24-28).
Even as he writes this letter to the Philippians he is in prison and is expecting to be executed. He has some unknown problem that he calls a "thorn in his flesh." His life is not easy. But still he says, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice." How can he say that? With all of those troubles, dangers, and hardships, it seems strange that he could be so joyful.
I think the key is a little phrase in this text that often gets overlooked. Paul says, "The Lord in near." The King James Version reads, "The Lord is at hand." St. Paul is able to rejoice in any and all circumstances because he knows God is with him. He knows that God will never abandon him. He knows that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him.
St. Paul is at peace because God's presence, God's nearness, offers him a peace that defies understanding. God is with us also. The Lord is at hand in our lives as well. Therefore, we can let go of our worries. We can have God's peace, which surpasses all understanding. We can rejoice and give thanks in any and all circumstances.
There are many things in life that confront us and may make us wonder what we have to be thankful about. Some of you have illnesses that keep you in pain or restrict your life. Some are mourning the death of a family member or friend. Some are struggling with unemployment, divorce, or loneliness. Some of you are having a difficult time dealing with your parents or your children. Some of you are overwhelmed at work and you are wondering how much longer you can stand the stress of it all. Others are working long after you had hoped to retire because the current economy makes retirement impossible. We may not have experienced the physical torments St. Paul faced, but we have felt like we have been beaten, shipwrecked, adrift at sea, facing dangers all around us. But also like St. Paul, we can rejoice and give thanks because the Lord is at hand. God is with us, surrounding us and supporting us, giving us the strength we need.
Senator Joseph Biden was elected to the U.S. Senate at the age of 29. Shortly after his election, he lost his wife and his daughter in an automobile accident. His two sons were also in the car, but they survived. He chose to live in Delaware and commute every day to Washington so that he could remain home and be a parent to his two boys. Then he remarried and his career took off and began to soar. At one point in 1987, he was leading the polls as a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. He was an attractive candidate for many people, until it was disclosed that in his speeches he had used material written by others without attribution. That's called plagiarism. Senator Biden had to suffer the consequences of that mistake. And he did. He withdrew from the race and went back to Delaware.
Then he began to experience excruciating headaches. The doctor discovered an aneurysm in the artery supplying blood to the brain. It was leaking, which means it was ready to burst. They rushed him to Walter Reed Hospital, where he had eight hours of surgery, a surgery many people don't survive. He survived it, but then developed a potentially fatal blood clot lodged in his lung. He had to go back to the operating room to have the clot removed. A few months after that, he developed another aneurysm and had to go back a third time into surgery. He almost died several times. His health and his career were devastated. Many people said he had a terrible time. But he doesn't say that. In fact, he jokes about it. He once told a group of well-wishers, "The good news is I can do anything I did before. The bad news is that I can't do it any better."
Senator Biden sees it as a blessing. He talks about how these experiences have enriched his life. His family has become much more precious to him than they were before. He has a new perspective on life. In fact, he said, "I'm glad it happened. I thank God it happened. It gave me back my life. I wake up now in the morning thankful to be alive. And I'm grateful that I am well, and I'm grateful that my family is happy, and that I have meaningful work to do." Like St. Paul, Senator Biden is able to rejoice and give thanks in any and all circumstances. We are able to do that also. We are able to rejoice and give thanks because the Lord is at hand. God is with us and will help us.
We have a choice when bad things happen to us. We can get bitter or we can get better. We can be overwhelmed with disappointment, anger, and grief, or we can discover God's peace, which passes all understanding. We can let these things defeat us or we can claim victory over our adversity in Christ, who gives us all the strength we need. The Lord is at hand. The Lord is with us. We can rejoice and give thanks in any and all circumstances.
Bob Perks tells of overhearing a father and daughter in their last moments together. The public address system had just announced that the daughter's plane was ready to depart. They stood near the security gate and hugged. Finally the father said, "I love you. I wish you enough."
She replied, "Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Dad." They kissed and she left.
The father walked over toward the area where Perks was seated. It was obvious that the old man wanted and needed to cry. Perks tried not to intrude on his privacy, but the old man welcomed him in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?"
"Yes, I have," Perks replied, as he remembered saying good-bye to his dying father. Then Perks said, "Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?"
The man said, "I am old and she lives much too far away. I have cancer and her next trip back will be for my funeral."
Perks asked, "When you were saying good-bye I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?"
The old man began to smile, saying, "It is a family blessing that has been handed down for generations. When we said, 'I wish you enough,' we were saying we want the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them." Then reciting from memory he said:
"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye."
Then he began to cry and he walked away.
This thanksgiving "I wish you enough." I wish for you that, like St. Paul, the presence of God will give you God's peace which passes all understanding, and that his peace will be enough. I wish you enough faith in the fact that the Lord is at hand so that you will be able to rejoice and give thanks in any and all circumstances. I wish you enough trust in God's promises so that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Amen.
Let us pray: O God, we give you thanks for all of your blessings. Most of all we thank you for your presence in our lives. You have shown your boundless love for us by sending Jesus to be our savior. With the resurrection you have demonstrated your power over sin, death, and the devil. You have promised that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Grant us enough faith to trust in that promise, so that we are able to rejoice and give thanks in any and all circumstances. Amen.
(For more of Senator Joseph Biden's story, click on http://www.udel.edu/PR/UpDate/02/2/dont.html and http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Joe_Biden)
(Excerpts from "I Wish You Enough," written by Bob Perks. For the full story, click on http://www.webtechu.com/news/story/0106story.html and http://www.IWishYouEnough.com)
Paul Larsen is pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church in New Brighton, Minnesota.
**********************************************
How to Share Stories
You have good stories to share, probably more than you know: personal stories as well as stories from others that you have used over the years. If you have a story you like, whether fictional or "really happened ," authored by you or a brief excerpt from a favorite book, send it to StoryShare for review. Simply click here share-a-story@csspub.com and e-mail the story to us.
How do I get a free sample of StoryShare?
Discover for yourself the real value of StoryShare. Click here http://www.csspub.com/storysample1.lasso to see two of our weekly editions.
How do I subscribe to StoryShare?
Subscribing online is convenient using our secure server -- or you can all CSS toll-free at (800) 537-1030 Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM (Eastern Time) or send an e-mail to orders@csspub.com, and our customer service team will be happy to assist you. Subscribers receive weekly installments of StoryShare -- plus full access to the StoryShare archives -- for an annual subscription rate of only $19.95. A two-year subscription is available for only $34.95. We think this is the best value in preaching, teaching, and devotional resources available anywhere. If you don't agree we will refund the balance of your subscription payment. To subscribe online, click here http://www.csspub.com/css-secure/storysubscribe.lasso.
We invite you to forward this offer to all of your friends who are looking for good stories.
**************
New Book
The third book in the vision series, Shining Moments: Visions of the Holy in Ordinary Lives (edited by John Sumwalt), is now available from CSS Publishing Company. Among the 60 contributing authors of these Chicken Soup for the Soul-like vignettes are Ralph Milton, Sandra Herrmann, Pamela J. Tinnin, Richard H. Gentzler Jr., David Michael Smith, Jodie Felton, Nancy Nichols, William Lee Rand, Gail Ingle, and Rosmarie Trapp, whose family story was told in the classic movie The Sound of Music. Click on the title above for information about how to order. The stories follow the lectionary for Cycle A, which begins next week.
Other Books by John & Jo Sumwalt
Sharing Visions: Divine Revelations, Angels, and Holy Coincidences
Vision Stories: True Accounts of Visions, Angels, and Healing Miracles
Life Stories: A Study in Christian Decision Making
Lectionary Stories: Forty Tellable Tales for Cycle A
Lectionary Stories: Forty Tellable Tales for Cycle B
Lectionary Stories: Forty Tellable Tales for Cycle C
Lectionary Tales for the Pulpit: 62 Stories for Cycle B
You can order any of our books on the CSS website; they are also available from www.amazon.com and at many Christian bookstores. Or simply e-mail your order to orders@csspub.com or phone 1-800-241-4056. (If you live outside the U.S., phone 419-227-1818.)
**************
About the Editors
John E. Sumwalt is the pastor of Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church in Milwaukee, and is the author of eight books for CSS. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary (UDTS), John received the Herbert Manning Jr. award for Parish Ministry from UDTS in 1997. John is known in the Milwaukee area for his one-minute radio spots which always include a brief story. He concludes each spot by saying, "I'm John Sumwalt with 'A Story to Live By' from Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church."
John has done numerous storytelling events for civic, school, and church groups, as well as on radio and television. He has performed at a number of fundraisers for the homeless, the hungry, Habitat for Humanity, and women's shelters. Since the fall of 1999, when he began working on the Vision Stories series, he has led seminars and retreats around the themes "A Safe Place to Tell Visions" and "Vision Stories in the Bible and Today." To schedule a seminar or a retreat, write to jsumwalt@naspa.net or phone 414-257-1228.
Joanne Perry-Sumwalt is director of Christian Education at Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church in Milwaukee. Jo is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, with a degree in English and writing. She has co-authored two books with John, Life Stories: A Study In Christian Decision Making and Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit: 62 Stories For Cycle B. Jo writes original curriculum for church classes. She also serves as the secretary of the Wisconsin chapter of the Christian Educators Fellowship (CEF), and is a member of the National CEF.
Jo and John have been married since 1975. They have two grown children, Kathryn and Orrin. They both love reading, movies, long walks with Chloe (their West Highland Terrier), and working on their old farmhouse in southwest Wisconsin.
**********************************************
StoryShare, November 21, 2004, issue.
Copyright 2004 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., P.O. Box 4503, Lima, Ohio 45802-4503.
