Serve and be fed . . .

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "On the Road" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.  

This week on the road, Jesus isn't too far from home, and so neither are we.  We're looking ahead to Luke 10:38-42.  Jesus is at Mary and Martha's house, where he feels quite at home.  There's a meal being prepared, and it seems Jesus is quite relaxed, talking with Mary.  So it made us think about (and broadcast from) our very own Muhlenberg Activities Center (the MAC), where each Wednesday night during the school year a devoted, faithful group prepare a meal for our community to enjoy.
There is something holy about a meal that sustains.  Around tables on Wednesday nights . . .
As we recorded the podcast, another meal was being set up, lunch for the daycare students . . .
We are blessed to offer other sustenance in this place too - in the form of People Helping People, and the Community Resource Center . . . 
Wednesday nights are a blessing to see families, college students, older adults, gather around dinner that has been so faithfully prepared - and then we move over to the chapel and gather around another meal - Holy Communion.  There is something holy about a meal, in serving and preparing it and receiving it as gift.  How have you experienced this?

So often we hear this text as a judgment on Martha, too busy with preparing the meal.  But Jesus points us to the real issue, "you are worried and distracted by many things."  How are distractions a struggle in your life?  Have you been able to set apart holy time for listening?  Have you experienced life without distractions?  How did it affect you?

On the Road with the "Good Samaritan"

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "On the Road" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio. 

You'll immediately notice something different about today's episode!  Just in from Muhlenberg member, talented musician and composer, Paul Heitsch we have a little music to accompany our episodes!  He has cleverly named the tune "A Mighty Podcast" and recorded it for our use!  Thank so much Paul! 

We're looking ahead to a very familiar gospel text for Sunday, Luke 10:25-37, the "Good Samaritan" parable.

Pastor Brett is joined by her husband, and soon-to-be pastor, Evan Davis as the guest on the podcast this week.  As this parable happens on the side of the road, we decided to record from a rest stop on I-81, a place where in fact people are occasionally seen in need and asking for help. 

We're reflecting on when we choose to stop and help someone, and why.  In the podcast a study is mentioned which found that seminarians are much less likely to stop and help someone if they are in a hurry, even if they have just been talking about this very story!  You can read the details here.

What is your reaction when you see someone on the road in need?  Where do you draw the line?  What are healthy boundaries of giving? 
How does this relate to the larger context of eternal life and what Jesus seems to refer to - really living?  We welcome your thoughts, comments, and feedback.  We'll see where this week takes us on the road!

On the road - on a mission . . .

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "On the Road" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio. 

This week, we're looking ahead to the scripture from Luke 10:1-11, 16-20.  In this text, Jesus appoints and sends 70 people out in mission. 

This week isn't so much about where we recorded the conversation, but I (Pastor Brett) have been having some great conversations with missionaries in our midst.  So as Pastor Bob is on vacation, I invited Fred Gibson, member of Muhlenberg and retired pastor (though in the podcast you'll hear his thoughts on whether one can retire from being a missionary).  Fred and Mary Ella and their children spent many years in Singapore, where Fred served a congregation there as pastor until transitioning into focusing on serving the leper community there in Singapore. 

In our conversation, Fred mentions that his best friend and partner in ministry there in Singapore was a Jesuit priest.  In the scripture we are looking at, Jesus sends the missionaries out in pairs.  It seems to say something about the importance of having a partner, not being alone, building a community.  As we discuss in the podcast, whether you have the title "missionary" or not, all Christians are called.  Who have you found to be a (possibly unexpected) partner in what God calls you to?

In this week's scripture, Jesus sends people out into unknown towns and homes, it's not to assert or colonize them.  He gives them a way of living that is humble and hospitable as they are guests in someones home.  Jesus specifically tells them that when they are welcomed in a home, they are to "eat whatever is set before you."  Can you imagine this?  Have you ever been a dinner guest and really struggled at eating what is in front of you?  Are you a gracious guest?  How does our faith call us to be guests - and to be hospitable to others?

Also this week I got the chance to catch Robin Strickler, ELCA missionary and member of the Muhlenberg community, whose work has called her to the Rwamagana Lutheran School in eastern Rwanda.  You can check out the school here or like them on Facebook for regular updates!  We had a great conversation and she shared her insights on being guest and host, and how we are called to be hospitable as Christians.  Looking forward to sharing a bit of that in the sermon on Sunday!

On the Road Week 5 - Guess Where?

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "On the Road" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio. 

Where are we?

The scripture we're discussing this week is Luke 9:51-62, as well as 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21 and Galatians 5:1, 13-25.
This week's scripture finds us with a lot to discuss . . .

This summer's theme for the podcasts and our sermon series, "On the Road" was inspired by Jesus' travels in each week's reading, and also ones like this week's, where Jesus talks about being on the journey itself.

Do you think of your faith as a "journey?"  How does this metaphor work/not work for you?  Where are you on the journey?  Certainly everyone who has been on a family car trip knows that some journeys are better than others and that they have their highlights and low points as well...   

How does this scripture impact your view of Jesus' journey - he "set his face to go to Jerusalem," and there seems to be a great urgency in his invitation to follow - saying to the disciples that they can't even wait to bury their father or say goodbye!  It seems to imply that following Jesus means dropping everything else - how do you hear these verses?

In the Galatians reading we have the powerful verse "For freedom Christ has set us free."  This passage speaks volumes about what freedom in Christ is - not so much a freedom from but a freedom for . . .  These two texts taken together make me think of the spiritual "Ain't Got Time to Die" which often gets stuck in my head while going about my day.  Have you experienced ways in which your faith calls you to serve such that you don't have time for anything negative - as the song here goes "keep so busy workin' for the kingdom, when I'm feeding the poor, I ain't got time to die."

Enjoy the podcast?  Share it!

As always, we welcome your thoughts, feedback, questions, conversation!

On the Road Week 4

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "On the Road" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.




The sign for Western State Hospital (above) - have you noticed
this faded sign on your way into Staunton?

This week, we're discussing Luke 8:26-39, the story of Jesus healing the man suffering from demons in the land of the Gerasenes.

Listen in as we discuss some powerful concepts Christ encounters on the road - isolation, recovery, and fear.  How have you encountered these on your road this week?

How have you encountered healing?

Have you ever had a transformative experience, and then found it hard to go home and talk about it?  Would you have rather simply stayed away, like this man Jesus heals who wants to follow him - but Jesus sends him home, to tell about what God has done.

The man Jesus encounters suffered and clearly was in mental distress.  We don't have to go far from this powerful story to find ways it might strike us in our real world - in our real lives...
Take the anonymous poll below:

I know someone who struggles with: (check all that apply)
	Depression
	Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
	Addiction
	Any (other) Mental Illness
	None of the Above
pollcode.com free polls

On the Road Week 3

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "On the Road" title in yellow in the box above, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

Read the text first or as you listen, by clicking here, Luke 7:36-8:3.
Where's the fanciest place you've ever eaten dinner?  What would happen if someone uninvited, someone unsavory came and waltzed right past the host and made a beeline to your table, pulling up a chair right next to you?
Who have you glanced past in life or made a snap judgment about, only to realize upon an encounter with them that you really didn't see the man or woman for who they are, like Jesus says to Simon, "Do you see this woman?"
In this text we an amazing contrast of women - one, unnamed, "a sinner" who has nothing to offer in response for her forgiveness but gives all that she has - her tears, her appreciation.  Others, at the beginning of chapter 8, who are named.  These women were disciples, who in thanksgiving response to what Christ has done for them, support the ministries of Jesus financially.  (Funny to think that even Jesus' ministry wasn't free and needed supporters - did Jesus have an annual meeting and budget?)
It seems that these provide a balance - each giving out of what she has.

On the Road Week 2

To play the audio, just click the play button above at left.  To download, click the "On the Road" title in yellow, which will take you to a site where you can download it as an mp3 file.  If you see no image above or the audio will not play, click here for audio.

Where have you been on the road this week?  The scripture for this week is Luke 7:11-17 - click to read it in another window while you listen.


On the Road at Woodbine Cemetery

When you're on the road, every now and then you'll pass a long line of cars, lights on, led by a police officer.  It's clear from the hearse and maybe the placards on the cars that this a funeral procession.  What do you think when you see this?
This is the closest parallel to where today's scripture takes place. 
So leave us a comment, let us know what questions this text raises for you.

And - we're curious - right now, hearing this story, with whom do you most identify?  Take a moment and vote anonymously:

Who do you identify with in this text?
	the grieving widow
	the young man - you feel new life
	the disciples - that's just what Jesus does
	the widow - rejoicing that her son has been raised
	the crowd - amazed, seeing blessing in this
	the crowd - wondering why Jesus doesn't do this all the time
pollcode.com free polls

Join us Sunday for worship as we continue this discussion in preaching and worship and see where God leads us, on the road!