Bishop Hoover's Advent/Christmas 2011 Message

Greetings from Bishop Hoover Advent/Christmas 2011 Dear Co-laborers with Christ, We stood at the side of the dusty road waiting to see what would happen next. The mid day sun promised that the day would get hotter and the occasional passing vehicle only churned up more dust in the warm air. We had been on the road for more than three hours when the Land Rover broke down. This was on our recent visit to the Konde Diocese. Bishop Israel-Peter, my wife Sharon, and my assistant, Cliff Eshbach, had loaded our luggage into the Land Rover at 7:30 that morning and left Tukuyu, site of the Diocesan headquarters, to begin the long cross-country drive to Dar Es Salaam, a distance of over 500 miles. We anticipated that the trip on two-lane highway would take about thirteen hours. We planned to spend the night at the Luther House in Dar and catch a 7:30 a.m. flight the next morning to begin the trip home. Now, however, everything had become very uncertain. Some 100 kilometers west of the city of Iringa, with about another ten hours of driving ahead, we were now stuck at the side of the road. Our driver, a man named Job, had raised the hood and inspected the engine. It was clear that some belt had slipped, but the extent of the trouble could not be immediately determined. While local Tanzanian women approached us with produce and trinkets to sell, and school children waved as they trooped by, three or four young men joined Job and clustered around the disabled vehicle. Animated conversation ensued in Swahili. One of the men ran off and returned shortly with some tools. It seemed that a decision had been made that the best means of addressing the situation was to disassemble everything. The hood came off and was laid on the dusty shoulder of the road. Then followed the fan, housing, and various wheels and clamps. The radiator was drained, removed, and joined the other engine parts along the road. Hoses, couplings, whatever, all became part of the growing collection. It was clear that we would not be going anywhere any time soon. The Bishop, meanwhile, paced along the shoulder with his cell phone at his ear. He was trying to reach the bishop of the local diocese to see about the possibility of hiring another car. Success was elusive. Time passed without a clear solution in sight. All we could do was wait. After a while, a car stopped along the road in front of us and a young man got out. He and the Bishop spoke together and the next thing we knew, our luggage was being loaded in the back of the young man's hatchback. "He has agreed to take us as far as Iringa," the Bishop told me. This was good news. There was at least a hotel in Iringa where we might stay, if need be, to wait for the next developments. We began the drive but had not gotten far when the Bishop told me more. "He says he has a meeting at the university in Iringa this afternoon," he explained. "If we are willing to wait for him for an hour or so, he says he will take us the rest of the way to Dar Es Salaam today." The young man's name was Peter. As it turned out, his father is a prominent lay person in the congregation at Tukuyu and Peter stopped his car because he recognized Bishop Israel-Peter at the side of the road. He had not planned to drive to Dar Es Salaam that day, but was willing to rearrange his life to rescue us in our stranded situation. We arrived at the Luther House at 10:30 that night. After a few hours sleep, we made our departure in the morning, as planned. What Peter did was a huge gift. It is as though you had started to drive from Harrisburg to Chicago (on two-lane roads) and had broken down near Pittsburgh. Then, someone stopped and offered to take you to Youngstown, and if you were willing to wait until a meeting concluded there, to drive on to Chicago, all in the same day! And all of this is done out of sheer generosity and grace. On the long flight home it occurred to me that Advent is like that. It is a time of waiting, stranded along a dusty road of life, sensing a total loss of control of events, waiting to see what will happen next. Saint Paul writes about sin being beyond our control: For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing. ... (Romans 7). Our spiritual engines are broken. We cannot reach our intended destination on our own. We need to be rescued from our helplessness of sin. All we can do is wait to see what will happen next. And in the fullness of time, God sent his Son, our savior Jesus Christ into the world to bring about that rescue. To make the greatest sacrifice for our own sakes precisely at the point where we cannot save ourselves. The Child of Bethlehem is the beginning of that rescue that takes us along on a journey to Calvary's cross. And all of this is done by the sheer grace of God. The magnificence of this gift of grace cannot be grasped in all its fullness this side of heaven's line, but sometimes we see flashes of it in the way we treat each other; in the action of a young man named Peter on a remote Tanzanian highway. May the richness of this season give you renewed assurance of God's rescue breaking into the world. Faithfully, your bishop, +B. Penrose Hoover Carings and Sharings is the e-newsletter of the Lower Susquehanna Synod. Its purpose is the sharing of news and events which raise up the mission and ministry of the synod and ELCA in our congregations, our synod, and the broader church. It is not intended to be an endorsement of every activity. Comments about this newsletter may be sent to Pam Drenner, editor, pdrenner@lss-elca.org.

Zion Nursery School Students Bring New Light to the Christmas Story

During the Zion Nursery School 3-yr-old Class Christmas program, “One Night in Bethlehem,” the audience was asked to imagine what it would have been like to be in Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus.  All the traditional characters of the Christmas story were played by the children: Mary, Joseph, Angels, Shepherds, Star and Wise Men.  Also included were the animals that may have been present at the manger: a cow and a sheep. 
After each of the characters was introduced in the story, the actor “traveled” around the group ending up at the manger where he or she knelt in an attitude of prayer. Throughout the program, we sang Christmas songs and carols that related to the characters in the story.   

The final character in the Nursery School program was not a traditional one.  Mrs. Fry asked the question, “What if St. Nick was in Bethlehem that night?” At that point, the child dressed as “Santa Claus” came to the manger carrying a gift which he placed beside the manger as he knelt down in adoration and prayer.  The program ended with “Silent Night.” 

It was such a joy to see the reactions of the large group of parents, grandparents and siblings that had come for the program.  Even more wonderful was the message that the children and their teachers brought as their Christmas witness.  Jesus is the true and only reason for the season!  The commercial powers of Santa Claus are worthless in comparison to the treasure of the “Word made flesh.”   “O Come Let us Adore Him!”

The Church that Feeds the Community

Last Thursday, Bob (my husband), and I helped to prepare and serve the Zion weekly community meal.  Since it was Thanksgiving Day, I was concerned that there wouldn't be enough people to help with the set-up, serving, and clean-up.  As usual, the good folks of Zion reminded me of their commitment to being "the church that feeds the community." 

The buffet table was filled with delicious dishes including all the traditonal ones.  There were plenty of people to do all the tasks required to serve the community friends that came.  In fact, there were so  many helpers that some didn't have a lot to do.  Wow!  When I think of how many hands were involved in doing God's work that day and for all of our food ministries, I am overwhelmed with gratitude to God for gifting this congregation with these gifts of service. 

Tonight, the Congregation Council members have prepared and will serve the community meal.  It's time for me to go over to the church and help out.  My contribution of cornbread was baked last evening.  Chili, salad and desserts were prepared by other Zion leaders.  We'll be working side by side to feed all who come for a hot, delicious meal.  What a blessing it is to be part of this community of faith and service!  I am humbled to be serving as pastor with the people of Zion.  Pastor JMe

A Letter of Hope from Bishop Hoover

REFLECTIONS AS WE REMEMBER THE EVENTS OF 9/11 September 7, 2011

Dear Co-laborers with Christ, For those of us beyond a certain age, the events of September 11, 2001, are seared into our conscious memories. That day was a defining, or re-defining, moment in our lives. We remember exactly where we were when we first became aware of what was happening, we remember our feelings, our confusion, our fear, our outrage. Many, perhaps most, of us know someone who was directly affected by the events of that day, whether in New York City, Washington, D.C., or western Pennsylvania. But we know that even if we do not know someone who was present or directly involved, we are all involved, for our lives and our view of the world were on that day profoundly changed. In the days following the attacks, there was a genuine sense of being together. A sharing of what was truly bad became the ground for commitment to the common good. Many lined up at blood banks to donate blood, though it soon became clear that there would be few victims who would be saved by transfusions. Churches opened their doors, some around the clock, for prayer, and a sense of common experience was reflected in flags being flown from homes and cars, and displayed in office windows. While some with extreme views denounced any and all persons of the Islamic faith or persons with the speech, dress, and look associated with Islam, others spoke for calm and reason in a spirit of Christian grace. Calm largely became the state of our deep sorrow, rather than violence. Above all, there was a sense of needing to be together and to work together for the good of all. Some months after the attacks, I was asked to participate in a public panel discussion to reflect on the events and the aftermath. One person in the audience asked me: "where was God on 9/11?" I responded that God was where God chooses to be: in the stairwells of the collapsing World Trade Center Towers, in the dark and smoky halls of the Pentagon, in the cabin of Flight 93, in the homes of the bereaved, in the streets of New York, with the children waiting at school to be picked up by a parent who would not arrive at the end of the day. Our crucified God walks with us and shares our sufferings and our sorrow. As Bishop Roy Riley of the New Jersey Synod of the ELCA has written: Remember this: all the days of our lives - the best days and the worst days - are lived in God's precious presence, because God chooses to be present and promises to be with us to the end of time. A cross that was lifted up on a hill outside of Jerusalem makes a cross that emerges from the ruins of the World Trade Center Towers mean something to us. We know that we and all those who lost their lives on 9/11/01 mean something to God, something very precious. This gospel holds us in common and bids us to hold one another in love and in mercy - the common good born out of a most uncommon, unfathomable grace. Remember. Faithfully, your bishop, +B. Penrose Hoover

Shining the Light on the Body of Christ

This video was a light for my day and a reminder of the importance of our Zion community.  Take a moment to watch it.  Remember that as a member of the Body of Christ, you are salt and light for all your sisters and brothers at Zion.  We need each other in order to be the healthy, vibrant, joy-filled congregation that Christ wants us to be.  Each person's gift is important to the community.

http://christianitytoday.imirus.com/Mpowered/imirus.jsp?volume=kyria11&issue=5&page=34

Are you salt and light when you're online?

This article reminds us that we are called to be followers of Jesus in whatever we do---even when surfing the web.

5 questions Christians should ask themselves before logging on

  

Nations will come to your Light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. - Isaiah 60:3

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ~John 14:12

by Toni Birdsong
We are God’s beloved. We are heaven’s people; the blood-bought, Calvary claimed sons and daughters of the Most High King. We are the rescued ones empowered by the Holy Spirit to cover even greater earthly ground for the gospel than Christ himself.
But do we really get what that means? Better yet: Do believe it? If so, we should log online each day with the untamable expectation that through our words, ideas, and interactions, Jesus Christ will be seen. When we truly believe and live out Jesus’ words in John 14:12, then The Great Commission stops being an ideal and becomes a personal, burning, reachable charge.
5 questions to consider before you log on today:

1. What’s my plan and purpose for being online? Are you wandering around aimlessly, casually posting minus a biblical filter? Are you chatting on and on without a point? Stop. Be quiet. Pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to anoint you with a purpose and lead you in a plan for your online time.
2. Am I majoring in the minors? Do you spark conflict, whine, complain, judge, make sarcastic comments, post random nothings, or criticize others? If so, you you’ve lost sight The Great Commission and the amazing opportunity to share the gospel in the online space. Log off. Get into the word. Ask God to anoint your thoughts, eyes, and words.
3. Would Jesus approve of how I spend my online time? Not every click needs to be about sharing your faith, however, every click does need to align with the teachings of Christ. Please—be interesting, funny, creative, diverse, and opinionated—just don’t allow the “you” to clash with holiness and majesty of your King. Yes, the temptation is great so ask God for help.
4. Am I influencing culture or is culture influencing me? Are you fixed in your purpose and standing your ground or are you easily (or subtly) swayed by the cultural banter, music, opinions, news stories, and assortment of morals swirling around you? If you’re confused about the biblical view of a controversial issue or idea—or if you are emotionally charged—don’t post! Log off. Breathe. Search the scriptures. Pray.
5. Does my digital footprint point others toward heaven? If you added up your posts, comments, photos, profiles, tweets and “likes,” would they point others toward heaven or confuse them about who Jesus is and why He came?

Remember, you can’t make a difference in this world unless you are different. Your Sunday worship doesn’t need to end abruptly when you show up in the world on Monday. Don’t hoard the Love that saved your life. Be brave. Stand apart. Be the light in the darkness so that others will be able to recognize and encounter the person of Jesus Christ.
Do you struggle with any of the above questions? Can you add a question/s to our list?
Post/tweet this today:Don’t hoard the Love that saved your life. Be brave. Stand apart. Be a light in the darkness. #LiveSticky


Don’t stop here! Learn how to lead, influence, engage, and share your faith on social networks—like Jesus. Purchase @stickyJesus: how to live out your faith online, today! Check out the buzz on @stickyJesus, here!

Nursery School Graduations

After offering an opening prayer, I watched our Zion Nursery School teachers and helpers line up the children at the ceremonies on Monday evening and this morning.  Each child had a little mortar board on his or her head that threatened to fall off.  It was so cute!

 I couldn't help but wonder what these precious little ones will be like when they line up for their high school graduations.  We can be thankful that they are getting a good start on their educational journey right here at Zion.  The Nursery School is certainly a blessing for the children and their families.  A testimony to the excellent reputation of the school is that many of the siblings of the children celebrating their "graduations" this week have been students or will be students in the future. As we experienced on Sunday, May 15, when the graduates visited worship, the school is, also, a blessing for Zion congregation. 

At today's graduation event, the children of Mrs. Fry's and Mrs. Stone's two-day class provided a musical program reviewing the activities of the past year.  Each child had a speaking part to introduce months and the appropriate songs.  The program ended with several patriotic songs sung in front of a large American flag displayed behind the children.  Monday night, the children of Mrs. Carr's and Mrs. Moore's three-day class also provided a musical program about colors and a photo slide show of their activities throughout the year.  Although I was attending the Planning Council Meeting by then, I was told that there wasn't a dry eye in the nave during the slide show.

The children seemed so proud of their achievements.  It was such a joy to see how much they enjoyed participating with their classes.  At both ceremonies, parents, siblings, grandparents and friends were present, many with video cameras and all with smiles of love and appreciation. 

Let us  pray that the spirit of love and concern for others, of joy in learning, and of curiosity about God's creation being instilled in the children will continue to grow.  May these beautiful children of God continue to be shining lights in our world.  We, also, ask God's continued blessing upon the ministry of education provided through Zion Nurser School, its teachers and staff.