mtzionelca

Pastor Craig - April 2022

Sat, 02 Apr 2022 03:04:01 GMT

What If I Was There?

It is a question that I have often preached about and wondered about. If I would have been alive in the time that Jesus, the Son of God lived; "What would I have experienced?" "What would I have believed?" "What would I have seen?" "How would I have reacted to events in that last week of Jesus' earthly life?" "Would I even have notice that God sent his Son into the world?"

At Christmas time, I set out my Bethlehem village at our house. One of the attractions for me is that life in Bethlehem was still going on with shopkeepers selling their products, shepherds taking care of sheep, people getting their water from the well and tradesmen working on bricks or cloth or working the vineyards. All of them oblivious to the birth of God's Son.

This Lenten season we have heard from "witnesses" about their feelings and observations about that fateful week. Hopefully you have journeyed with the presenters in gaining a slightly different perspective then what we are accustomed to. The wonder is that we can easily put ourselves into the story.

In the 70's, Walter Cronkite renewed the series "You Are There". It aired on Saturday morning and it was so unique that it always grabbed my attention. Cronkite opened with an introduction of a time and place in history and then it would be acted out. Events like signing of the Declaration of Independence, Hindenburg disaster, or the Alamo were brought to life before my child like eyes. He would always sign off with "AND YOU WERE THERE!" It felt that you had witnessed history and it put you in the midst of it.

The wonder about history is that "hindsight is 20/20". We unlike the disciples and the people of Jesus' time have an advantage that they did not. We could see and experience the whole story of Jesus. To be able to look back over his life and see and truly hear the message that Jesus was trying so desperately for the people to hear. To see the miracles not as ends of themselves, but leading all of us to a sense of wellness and wholeness. To hear his confrontations with the leaders of the day and even his own disciples, as opportunities for us to get insight into Jesus' teachings and purpose for his life.

My own question which can never be answered is "Would I even have known the Son of God had been sent or would I have missed the whole thing by just taking care of all of those other responsibilities that are just part of our day to day living?"

I find great comfort in the words that Jesus spoke to Thomas after he appeared to him and Thomas declared "My Lord and My God!" Jesus said, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." (John 20:28-29)

Believe that even though we were not physically present at the events of Jesus' life, we can find comfort in knowing through God's Holy Spirit that we get to share in the hearing of the words "AND YOU WERE THERE!"

HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN, INDEED!

Pastor Craig

Pastor Dan -April

Sat, 02 Apr 2022 02:46:31 GMT

The Lenten season shatters this month like a delicate crystal Christmas ornament meeting the tile floor at high impact. The season suddenly ends. Lent’s purpose of shedding new light into the darker corners of our being disappears as the heavy cold morning stone of a tomb is removed and the Risen Lord shakes of death to walk among those frozen by the events of His brutal crucifixion. The Almighty’s promise of New Covenant life now seeks out others to share in such resurrection hope and a God-given life coming to those in which the breath of the Resurrected One ignites new life to all who inhale in the Lord’s giving.

There will be celebrations galore throughout the world as family and friends gather to bask in the new light of eternal glory as this glory dwells within and among the faithful. The traditions of cultures will be on display for all to see and hear as the story of Christ is shared with word and deed. Baskets and flowers, hams and lambs, eggs and sweets stir delight in the hearts and souls of the gathered faithful. It is in the gatherings in which an eternal hope and a brighter path are manifest.

Can any of us, those called by the Eternal Christ, live a life in which resurrection is but a whimsical wish? As St. Paul writes to the churches in Corinth: “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:13-14). It is in verse 20 in which St. Paul affirms and proclaims, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.” The “but in fact” expresses not a desire of the human heart and a dream and vision of a better world but expresses the very heart and core of God of whom has acted in such a way to fulfill and make whole the Lord’s promise of eternal relationship.

May we continue to walk in the truth and fact that God Almighty continues to engage this world and the people of this world and those who are faithful to Christ in this world in such a manner that the Almighty’s love, grace, care and hope fill us to the brim and then overflow to the lives around us. May your Easter day and Easter life blossom as a fragrant praise to our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Risen Christ of God.

In Christ’s Love and Service,

Pastor Dan

Pastor Craig - March 2022

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 03:14:40 GMT

“I know worrying works, because none of the stuff I worried about ever happened!” Will Rogers

Will Rogers for those of you who don’t know was quite a force and one who was not to be ignored. He said that he made fun of every prominent person of his day. He was born in 1879 and died in 1935. As an entertainer and humorist, he traveled around the world three times, made 71 films. By the mid-1930s, Rogers was hugely popular in the United States for his leading political wit and was the highest paid actor in Hollywood. Rogers also had a weekly column that reached around the globe. He died in 1935 with aviator Willy Post when their small airplane crashed in northern Alaska. One of Rogers's most famous sayings was "I never met a man I didn't like”.

What made Rogers so popular is that he gave you his wisdom in short bursts that went right to the heart of the matter. In his folksy way, you could picture him sitting in a rocking chair on the porch and giving you those little nuggets that you will remember. I came across this one a few months ago and put it in my computer for this month’s article.

It is too simple to tell people of all ages “Not to Worry.” I believe it is part of our human condition. Everyone worries about something. You wake up in the morning and you start to worry about what you should wear, what is the weather like, will such and such happen, will I get an “A” on my homework, will the appointment at the doctor go OK, will my car start, or something more like as we get older “Will I remember my friends and kids names?” The worst thing you can do is to allow worry to paralyze you.

Worrying is nothing new. In Luke 12 Jesus addresses it head-on when he gives his “lilies of the valley” speech. He goes on to say, “And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of Life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest?” (vs 25 and 26) “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (vs 32)

Several years ago, I heard our national ELCA Bishop speak and he was asked about how he could sleep at night with all of the turmoil and issues surround the 10000 plus congregations under his care as well as all of the international situations that he dealt with on a daily basis. His words were simple. As I remember he said something like; “Before I close my eyes, I prayed that God would give me the strength to trust that God would take care of all of these things. So that I could sleep and wake refreshed for another day.”

In a nutshell, it is trust. God knows what we are dealing with and sometimes what is a crisis or worry in the moment when we look back on it we see how foolish it was to worry. I always feel sorry for those who are in their 20s-40s that have not had the life experience to be able to look back and see how God is operating in their lives, what seemed a worry perhaps turned into a blessing.

God did not promise a “worry free” life. He did promise that he would be with us always.

In Christ

Pastor Craig

Pastor Dan - March 2022

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 03:09:51 GMT

March 2 ^nd is Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of a special season in the Church. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season. Lent is an intentional time given to us to spend devoted to considering the life-giving relationship with the Risen Lord as we journey to Jerusalem and to the cross as God’s people. (This year it is March 2 – April 16. We speak of 40 days of Lent PLUS the Sunday’s which are always Resurrection Celebrations.) To make this time special and to help us focus on our own relationship with the Lord, many people will give up, or sacrifice” some routine or “craving” (such as chocolate) to help us enter a mindset in which we consider our personal relationship with Christ Jesus.

May I share with you some of my own personal observations and insights as these thoughts swirl around my mind. I have walked a Lenten path in which I gave something up as a “tradition”. I have also walked a Lenten path in which I did not practice the tradition of giving something up. I have learned, in my case, that when I give something up it opens avenues for a more profound and meaningful walk. When I desire and crave for the “thing” I have given up, it is a powerful reminder of the season as I am joining many around the world as walking together Lenten walk. It is a reminder that I do not journey alone, not just in the season of Lent, but through the journey of life. It is a reminder of the discipline of the Lord Jesus to sacrifice Godhood and give of Himself on the cross. In these moments of thoughtfulness, my faith is strengthened.

This month of March, we will walk the entire month on the Lenten path. It is a great opportunity to strengthen your faith life and to strengthen the faith of the Church. You don’t have to give up anything or you may choose to give something up as we walk together. There are many other opportunities during Lent to consider your relationship with the Lord. We will have Sunday worship focused on the journey. We will have mid-week Lenten offerings to help shape the walk in Lent. (See the article in this newsletter.) We will have a Holy Week which will focus on the Lord’s activity in the world and in our lives as the Lord walks with us. There are devotions on-line to help. Find one that speaks to you. Take advantage of the intentional time given to you and to all as we walk through Lent.

I do pray that the love and grace of our Lord is experience in new and profound ways through the month of March. And as April rolls around and we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord, that you experience the power of resurrection and life in Christ in new, holy, divine and powerful ways.

In Christ’s Love and Service,

Pastor Dan

Pastor Dan - March 2021

Sun, 28 Feb 2021 07:05:50 GMT

I went and did it. I FINALLY got my hair cut. I had not cut my hair since late April of 2020. I had stated that I would get my hair cut once a vaccine was available and in my arm. The vaccine is available, but I’m not sure when I will get vaccinated. My hair never got long enough to put it in a ponytail and that disappointed me. I was thinking of continuing to let it grow until I could, but then Lent came along. So, the day before Ash Wednesday, I gave up for Lent my vision and dream of having a ponytail in my 60’s. The thing that convinced me to get it cut was my word. Getting my hair cut when a vaccine became available is my word. As a leader in the church, but more importantly being a disciple of Christ, our word should mean something. Even if that word, or maybe knowing keeping God’s Word will involve sacrifice.

In my sixty-three years of living in this world, it seems that I have watched word and words become a widespread commodity to manipulate, to “spin”, to deceive, to cheapen and to flat out lie and deny truth. I am very disappointed and even frustrated in watching the slow decline of integrity and honor regarding word and words. When I was younger, there was a phrase that I used and the phrased was used by others much more frequently than I hear today and that phrase is, “You have my word.” When is the last time you heard this phrase spoken in our society or in our neighbors and even in and from our own mouth?

As I read this morning’s scriptures, what struck me today were these words, “Blessed are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” (Psalm 32:1-2). These words are more than pure wisdom and truth. They are God’s Word spoken in a manner that it happens and will always happen without modifications, spins, altering or reconstruction. They say and do what they say. Read these words again and know that the Lord had them written down for you… you and you alone. Read them and know that you are blessed by the God of Grace and Glory.

These words are spoken by the Lord who says, “You have my Word”. Take a moment to consider this statement, “You have MY Word.” We have God’s Word written for us. We have God’s Word delivered to us. We have God’s Word dwelling in our very being by the shear and explosive grace of God who desires nothing but blessedness and fullness of life for you. We hear this in the words spoken by the Christ who informs His disciples that He will go to Jerusalem to die and rise. This is His Word. This is the Word He gives to the world. And being God’s Word, it happens.

During this unique time as Church and nation and humanity, I spend time in earnest prayer praying that you take advantage of hearing God’s Word and having His Word bless you in these difficult days. There are very few venues in our world today to hear Words which are pure and true. To hear words with no agenda, no spin, no manipulation is a rare commodity, but so easily available. I pray you hear God’s Word which strike a chord in your very core which speak of pure divine love and grace for you. You have His Word.

In Christ’s Love and Service,

Pastor Dan

Pastor Craig - March 2021

Sun, 28 Feb 2021 06:59:07 GMT

“The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God”
Mark 1:1

This is how Mark opens up his Gospel. In this one statement, we know what is going to unfold. The chapters within will tell the story of how God sent his Son into the world. In other words, this is the “purpose statement”. It is the reason that he is writing this book. There may be some surprises, but ultimately this is all about the Good News.

A few weeks ago, a group of us got together and on a Wednesday night we took turns reading the whole Gospel of Mark. Most were online, but some of us were in the church so we could make sure all the technical stuff worked. As I followed along it occurred to me that Mark in place of putting Jesus’s name all the time just put the word “He”. If you look at the Gospel it is if “He” is Mark’s favorite word. I don’t think you can go for a few sentences before “He” shows up. I will confess to you a habit I have gotten into perhaps you have noticed it. When I have read aloud from the Bible during the worship service and I come across a pronoun like He or She, I will often substitute it with the name of the person being talked about. I do this so that everyone is reminded about who these verses are about. Mark does not have such a hang ups.

The Gospel of Mark is only about ONE man. For Mark his “He” can only be Jesus. It is the reason that Mark put all of this together. One does not have to be reminded about who this book is about. Simply put, this is the story of the ministry of Jesus the Son of God.

There is one more element to the opening of the gospel. Mark declares that this is the “beginning” of the good news. There is a lot that will be happening in the gospel such as teachings, healings, and disciple problems. But for Mark everything leads to the Cross. He cannot wait to get there. The Cross for Mark is the most important message of the Good News of God. We are entering into the Lenten Season of the church. Where we get to focus on the Cross and Jesus’ sacrifice for our sake. It is in that Cross, that we find our forgiveness and our hope in everlasting life. It is fitting that we get to hear Mark this year as he takes us to and through the Cross of our Lord.

The other element that I don’t want you to miss is that this is the “beginning” of the good news of Jesus Christ. Mark begins us on the journey through the ministry and to Jesus’ death on the cross and the empty tomb. Mark does not say, at the end of the gospel, “Here ends the reading of the gospel.” I believe that that is intentional. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is ongoing. As children of God, we are part of the story. We are participants in the good news that Jesus began. It is exciting to know that we are part of God’s plan.

As we journey through this season of Lent, may we always know the God that gives us the hope that we have in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Our Lord.

In Christ,

Pastor Craig

Updates & Prayers

mountzionelca@gmail.com (Nichole Burke) — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 23:10:58 GMT

We will post updates about the church, people, and events. Check back often for updates.

Please share prayer requests, comments, and updates of your own below.

Weekly Update:

WOW-It is already Memorial Day Weekend. It is easy to get confused about what day it is,

when our sense of orderliness has been shaken. As a kid this was the time to look forward to

summer and not having to sit in a classroom. Summer vacations were officially starting, with

some of those travel plans being in place for months. Today, what do we look forward to?

How can we make plans, when we don’t know what we will be able to do or see or even be able

to go? What do you tell your kids or grandkids? It has been a joy to see how parents are giving

their kids “vacations” at home. One family was supposed to go to the beach. Well, they created

the beach in their bathroom. Brought in sand in plastic container, filled the tub so they could

“swim”, brought in the pails and shovels, decorated the walls with sea scenes and dressed the

kids in their swimsuits. The mom said the kids were in there for hours. Just because you can’t

go someplace does not mean you can’t go on “vacation”.

Church Stuff:

The Church Council actually met this past week. It was good to get together. We met in the

sanctuary where we could maintain the physical distancing. It was good to see Toni Joyce. We

continue to pray for her. In this time, the council was updated on where we are and the plans that

we are putting in place to gather together safely. Thank you for the adaptability that you have

shown in doing church.

WORSHIP SERVICE—Pentecost Sunday—May 31 st —8:00am

Here is the plan—We are going to do a DRIVE-IN worship service in the parking lot. The cars

will all be facing South towards the buildings. The pastors will be on the sidewalk and the sound

system will be broadcasting through the parking lot. You can stay in your car or bring lawn

chairs to sit in front of. We are asking that you maintain the physical distancing as best as you

can. We are still working on some of the details about the specifics of the service, but know that

we are worshiping with the goal of gathering and keeping everyone as safe as possible.

Continue to take advantage of the Video Sermons and Pastor Dan’s Thursday Bible Studies.

Know that we continue to be in the office, answering phones, receiving mail and checking our

emails. As far as we know, no one from the congregation has been infected by the virus. There

are number of people who are dealing with extended family and friends in the country who have

been infected and we continue to pray for them as well as all of those who are giving care and

comfort.

PARISH HEALTH:

Do you just need to talk to get you through this time? Know that Bonnie is still here, working

and sending out prayer requests. More than that she is that listening ear that we all need.

FACEBOOK NEWS:

Direct link is https://www.facebook.com/ajowaytucson

You can also go to Facebook and type in Mount Zion Lutheran Church Tucson

Please LIKE the page and you will receive updates automatically.

Mount Zion Church Office—(520) 883-0627

Pastor Craig - April 2020

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 20:31:21 GMT

“Where Two Or Three Are Gathered In My Name There Am I In The Midst Of Them”Matthew 18:20

Does this mean that as I am alone and “trapped” in my house God is not listening to my prayers? Does it mean that if I am not able to go to my house of worship, I am not following my Lord’s commands? Does it mean. . . . ? This is an unsettling time for Christians as well as the church. We are trying so many different ways to stay connected to our church community and to our friends. We are using the internet in ways that may or may not be familiar to you. My prayer always is that you know that God is with you.

We recognize this month as the time when we go through Holy Week. We remember the procession of Palm Sunday, when our Lord enters the city of Jerusalem in triumph with shouts of Hallelujah. We live through the day of Maundy Thursday, the Last Supper with his disciples and arrest in the garden of Gethsemane. We are stunned and grief-stricken to watch our Savior arrested, punished and crucified. Jesus is taken off the cross and with a sense of finality, the stone is rolled and the tomb is closed.

I think of those disciples gathered together in that room. They are afraid to go out, wondering if they will be arrested and also killed. They did not know what the future was going to have in store for them. Were they going to disband and go back to what they were doing before Jesus called them? It was a time of great fear and uncertainty. Through the years, our sermons have not lingered long on this fear because a few verses later the risen Lord appears in the midst of them and all are happy again. However, the disciples concerns were real. Their questions were honestly put to each other. They were seeking answers to what they were to do now. They needed certainty where none existed. Are we so different?

Unlike the disciples, we do know the rest of the story. For some of us, we have heard and have shared in this story of Easter for decades. It has become a part of the fabric of our lives. It is so deep that nothing can remove it. Even if we are not able to gather with a large community of faith and hear a preacher proclaiming this word live, we can look in the mirror and give the sermon to ourselves because we know the story WELL.

I believe that while we have heard the scripture at the top of the page all our lives Jesus did not intend those words to be a “unless” phase. In other words, if you have don’t have two people together, I am not there. I believe that we are never alone. We are always in the company of the saints that have gone before us and the Holy Spirit that dwells in and around us at all times.

If you need something more visible; then do this. I want you to think of that cat or dog or plant or fish or whatever else depends on you as your “plus one”.

In Christ,

Pastor Craig

Pastor Dan - April 2020

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 20:29:29 GMT

“Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew in midheaven, ‘Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!’” (Revelation 8:13)

The scripture above was written around 2,000 years ago and we can see that “Woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth” is nothing new. It seems that every generation experiences the effect of sin with some major impact to their lives. It seems that the ripples of sin gather to form a powerful wave to wash over humanity in devastating and jarring ways. In the scripture above, that generation of faith was facing persecution and death by cruel and unusual ways. Think of the plaques, the wars, the droughts, the floods, the fires, etc. We are like every generation before us and within each generation, those who walk by faith have its members rise to provide care and hope, to share words which light and comfort as we have been transformed to be and to provide by the very Spirit of God.

The ability to rise up and radiate hope is at the very core of being the people in and of our Lord. This time of year we are ever mindful of the twelve apostles whose lives were crushed under the weight of death and fear. They were filled with hopes and dreams of God’s promises of a king and restoration under this king’s glorious rule. They followed this King as He entered Jerusalem triumphantly. Can you imagine how heavy the darkness and despair took hold of these disciples as they saw this One placed in a tomb and sealed? Woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth!

In the midst of this despairing and crushed group of lost souls appears the Risen Christ Jesus. This event continues as every generation of faith carries this very event, which occurred in the upper room, and this event continues to shape every heart, voice and hand of every disciple and apostle of Christ to this day! It is at the core of who we are. In the midst of darkness and woe the light of the Risen Christ comes. This happens again and again and again through every generation, as God continues to call and empower the faithful in Christ to stand in the darkness and proclaim life.

What we carry within us and that which shapes us is the Easter story and the Word which works for all the inhabitants of the earth. Yes, there is “Woe, woe” and we come to know that the Lord has entered into the “Woe, woe”. We see how deeply the Christ enters into the “Woe, woe” in the events of Holy Week. We see how glorious God’s light and life is in the event of Easter and the Lord’s resurrected presence to shape the lives of those who have faith and believe. We see that eternal life has the final word and always will have the final word in any woe which comes.

We may not know what Easter Worship will look like this Easter but one thing we do know for sure is that, Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

In Christ’s love and service,

Pastor Dan

Pastor Craig - February 2020

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 03:20:30 GMT

“What Gives You Joy?”

For two weeks this has been a question Suzanne and I have been asking ourselves over and over again. Let me say it is not that we are lacking in “joy” in our lives. It is a way to access what is important in our stuff. Like you, we have accumulation of things that we just don’t use anymore. Like clothes that don’t fit or we will never wear again. Things that have been stuck in the back of a closet to be used “someday”. Who I have to thank for this is Marie Kondo. She is a self-proclaimed “tiding expert”. In other words, Suzanne read her book and saw some of her interviews and her podcasts and has really gotten excited about the process. I have to admit, it is a fun exercise for me as well.

I have to say: THIS IS NOT A COMMERCIAL FOR THE UPCOMING RUMMAGE SALE SETTING UP MARCH 9-14TH.

The main idea is to surround yourselves with items and things that make you feel good. Walking into your house and feeling at home and at peace. She is quick to say, you don’t have to get rid of everything. Memories are important. In the case of clothes, you can let them go and let them find another home through donating them.

We are soon to be entering into the season of Lent. For some it is just dates on a calendar, a season to get through and get on with one’s life. For some it has been reduced to the season to “give up something.” Last year, Suzanne and others took this giving up seriously. They pledged to give away one item a day. So at the end of the season, they had donated at least 40 items.

This does fit into the Season of Lent. The church has used the Season of Lent as a time of teaching and in re-evaluating priorities in your life. It has always been a time of reflecting, remembering and preparing your heart and your life to embrace the sacrifice that our Lord and Savior did for us on the cross and rejoicing in Jesus’ conquering death on Easter. On the flip side, it has also been used as a time to get rid of the obstacles that stand in the way of that relationship. Maybe your stuff is one of those obstacles.

This year, I pray that you are able to rekindle, renew, and refresh your relationship with a God that loves you so much that he sent his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord so that everyone, including you, who believe in him will not parish but will have your life renewed.

May you find your “joy”.

Pastor Craig

Pastor Dan - February 2020

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 03:17:48 GMT

I felt a little “bad” for my daughter when she came down from Flagstaff to attend a concert with her parents, aunt, uncle and cousins only to have her cousins “back out” at the last minute. My daughter ended up going with a bunch of old people. There’s something about music, when it’s done well, that transcends age, time, ethnicity and culture. The group we saw brought back some of the original folks and the group itself is a mix of young and old. One of my favorite members of the group is Salvador Duran who is 60+. I don’t know how he keeps up with some of the youngsters. We all had such a wonderful evening of incredible music and musicians.

There are some in the congregation of Mount Zion who are aware that my taste in music is not typical. Throughout my life I’ve listened to music of all genres and have stayed pretty much outside of mainstream music. My wife, son and daughter know that some of the musicians we go hear can be on the abstract side. Some of the artists are very abstract with composition and lyrics and some even in their stage appearance. Over the years, I have seen some very abstract acts and in the middle of some of the more abstract performers, there have been several times where they will tone it back and actually sing/perform some of the old gospel songs which have had a strong influence in their lives.

I can still remember one of the more abstract performers who plays rather abstract music took a break. When he returned, he and several other members of the band began a gospel medley which began with the hymn, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”. It was so down to earth and simple yet in its simplicity it spoke volumes. This hymn has always been one of my favorites and I wish I had a recording of this performance because it was done in a minor key. But what came forth was pure in voice, rhythm and in heart. Two other gospel hymns followed, as the contrast of style and volume from the preceding music prior to the break, set a strong contrast as the simple hymns flowed. When the medley was finished there was such an eruption of applause and lights being held up in appreciation of the music and the performers. The gospel was felt in a place that many weren’t expecting it.

I share this because it’s one of those reminders in my life that the gospel knows no boundaries. The gospel can show up, can be experienced, can be heard, can be shared by anyone at any time in any place. I think I’m fairly opened to the gospel’s working in strange, on the fringe and odd places and yet, I am constantly reminded as to how narrow my mind actually can be. I am often reminded as to how I think I’ve got God wrapped up and under control and there’s no surprises left for my Lord to spring upon me. And then… surprise. The word of the Lord coming into my ear and heart from the least, the last, the lost and the lacking.

I pray that in 2020 our openness to the Good News draws us to places that are new and different, refreshing and awesome. For we indeed are children of a very holy, refreshing and awesome God.

In Christ’s love and service,

Pastor Dan

Pastor Craig - January 2020

Sat, 28 Dec 2019 22:58:28 GMT

“Wednesday A Holiday”

How do you celebrate Christmas Day and New Year’s Day on a Wednesday??? It is not convenient. For those of you who work Monday through Friday jobs, what do you do? It is not like it is a Monday or a Friday where you can have an extended weekend. Even the Malls are trying to decide where and how you are to shop. At this writing you have already figured out how to celebrate Christmas and now here comes New Years.

This year one of the things that I have been thinking about is how much we take the reasons of the celebrations for granted. We get caught up in the “to do list” and realize that we have lost sight of these special days in the year. One of the benefits of having them on a Wednesday is that we really have to THINK about them. Our plans take on new meaning. The interruption of our week forces us to reevaluate what is our normal routine. Nothing is as it should be. If family are coming, is the plan for before or after. If you are planning on going out for New Year’s Eve it is funny think of going to a party on a Tuesday night.

Here is the thing…God lives in the interruptions…. When I was at seminary a professor once told the class not to be frustrated with all of the things that weren’t getting done because all of those other people, issues, and things were getting in the way. He reminded us that those interruptions were what God intended for you to do that day. It is the interruptions that are your calling.

Some of us have already begun to make plans for what we will be accomplishing in 2020. You know, planning trips to see grand kids, perhaps a vacation, maybe even a house project or 2. You get the idea. And who knows it may actually happen. Someone once said, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans!”

One of the great things about living in the love and family of God is that we know that whatever happens we are not going through this life alone. We don’t know what the coming year will bring. None of us have a crystal ball. But we are walking hand in hand with someone who does. Years ago, I came to understand that we do not know what our futures will hold, but we know the one who holds our futures.

Have a great year of Our Lord, 2020!!

In Christ,

Pastor Craig

Pastor Dan - January 2020

Sat, 28 Dec 2019 22:55:35 GMT

In writing this article in the month of December, I find my mind jumping ahead to December 31st. This is the day in which many will stay up late and wait. As midnight approaches, there is anticipation being stirred within our hearts and souls as the clock ticks toward midnight. Then the moment arrives, the second hand on the clock goes from 11:59 and 59 seconds ticking one tiny tick, and a total new day and a new year is upon us. It’s a new day, it’s a new year and we carry within this tradition a sense of a new opportunity for new attitudes, new habits and maybe even some new promises for a new you. This emotion filled tick of the clock is celebrated around the world as most of humanity hopes and prays for a better world in the new year. May all the goodness of the new year bless you throughout 2020 and may the Lord continue to bless you and all your loved ones throughout this new year of 2020.

I do know that many people, throughout the nation, wait for and watch the Times Square Ball drop. Even I , in the past, have stayed up to watch this event unfold. I have absolutely no interest at all in going to Times Square to participate in this event live. I prefer to stay in my nice warm home to watch and wait. Sometimes, I watch it at 10:00pm so I can go to sleep before midnight. (In my younger days I called that cheating, but now I call it wisdom.) It’s not until recent years that I have found the “Ball Drop” to carry any significance to the New Year experience.

I have come to appreciate the symbolism of the event. Just think about it. Here is this incredible light, a light magnified with crystal panes working together to bring the most intense light possible. This light is fixed in the sky, radiating above everyone who have gathered to marvel in a meaningful event. The light begins to descend into a crowd of rowdy, boisterous and many intoxicated people. The light is coming down to radiate the symbol of newness it represents and share its’ glory among this unique gathering of humanity. As the crowd revels in the darkness, the light travels closer to the masses and its light begins to shine upon them and they are no longer in the dark.

Our celebrating of the New Year falls within the days of Christmas. This “Ball Drop” event has come to remind me of the Christ Light entering the world. It has become a living symbol and reminder of what God gives up and what God enters into as the Christ. The Christ of God enters into the world and into our lives radiating God’s love and grace throughout and within. I pray that this One continues to shape your days and your ways as the new year of 2020 unfolds.

In Christ’s love and service,

Pastor Dan

Pastor Craig - November 2019

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 02:09:14 GMT

“Great-Full-Ness”

First of all I know how to spell gratefulness. I know that it comes from the word gratitude. OK having said that for all of you English teachers out there here goes. As a kid this spelling did not make any sense to me especially when I knew that a grater was used to cut vegetables such as carrots for relish trays, potatoes for “Julian” French Fries as well as a whole bunch of other things. As I said I believe that we have messed up the spelling for centuries.

Hang on to what follows. Have you ever noticed that those who are the most thankful are the people that have a sense of “Full-ness” in their life? I don’t mean having a lot of money or possessions or a fancy car or any of the other “things” that sometimes we end up listing for what we are thankful for. They have come to understand that the life that we have been given is one that does go beyond ourselves. There is a purpose that cannot be measured by any statistical means. As I say this immediately someone has come into your mind that you know or have known that has or had “Great-Full-Ness” in the sense that I am talking about.

The person that I think about was a woman who lived up in the Turtle Mountains on the North Dakota/Canadian border. She and her husband took over the family farm from his parents who had settled there. They lived in a nice house when I met them, because her husband had over the years learned how to be a carpenter. She showed me the place one time where she first lived with him on his parent’s land and it really was that one room tar paper shack that had a wood stove. I could only imagine what the winters were like, living and sleeping in this cramped room. She really embodied to me a sense of being “Full-Ness”. It was contagious. Her attitude was never “What can I get.” It was “What can I give.”

It is sometimes hard to be around people who are celebrating Thanksgiving, if you have a sense of being empty. This could be caused by life situations, depression, or the remembering of someone who has died and that chair is newly vacant or has been vacant for a long time. Here is the thing, even if it is torture to be around “Thank-Full” people, we need them to remind ourselves of all that we have to really be thankful for.

God knows who we are and yet God loves us anyway. God gives us things that we cannot live without. He gives us bodies that miraculously function. God gives the very breath that we breathe. God gives us forgiveness and grace when we need it the most. God gives us people that reflect God’s promises in our life.

My prayer for you is that you have “Great-Full-Ness”. For when you are “Full” there is no need to feel empty.

In Christ,

Pastor Craig

Pastor Dan - November 2019

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 02:05:26 GMT

The month of November tends to stir my mind to remembering. Many of the memories draw on family gatherings from yester-year. I was recently remembering Thanksgiving meals with the Valasakos clan in San Diego. Early in my life, I do remember gathering at our home, but as the clan grew, we would gather at my Uncle Spiro or Uncle Lou’s home because they had homes designed for entertaining.

I can still remember gathering at my Uncle Spiro and Aunt Charlene’s home. I must have been five or six years old. This was the first time I came across furniture that had a heavy plastic covering it. To this day, I can walk into a store, or down an isle of a store and catch of whiff of that plastic smell and it brings me back to the orange shag carpeted living room of my uncle and aunt’s home. As I was confronted by these plastic coverings, I was wondering what are you supposed to do with the plastic on the couch? Do you lay down on it? Do you remove it? Why would anyone have plastic on their nice, soft couch? And as I started to climb upon it to lay down, I was immediately shooshed away and banished from the plastic covered living room.

I’ve been wondering if congregations around the nation and over the years have put a heavy plastic covering over the Christ. The Christ needs to be protected from the grimy paws of curious people who really don’t know just how precious and special Jesus is when you get to know Him. The Church leaves the plastic cover over Jesus and the cover keeps others from touching and finding comfort and rest in the caring arms of the Christ who stands as the only true comfort in a wearying and whirling world. The Church seems to say, “Look” but don’t touch. The Church tends to say things like, “We’re here with Jesus and if you want to get to know Jesus, you have to be a member of this particular denomination, or this particular congregation. Jesus is protected from the outsiders so that the insiders can reap the full benefits of the gift of the Christ.

As my memories continue to bubble up, particularly in this month, I do recall that as years passed, the plastic covers disappeared and the living room became a place that hold some of my fondest memories. I remember that this space became a place in which the family clan danced traditional Greek dances with traditional Greek music. It became a place of story sharing and some of the most fantastic candy dishes with some of my favorite candies. Candies and kids produce danger for furniture, but the furniture became merely a vehicle to develop family, friends and memories.

I pray that Christ’s Body, the Church, may always be a faithful vehicle for the development of family, friends and memories. And especially a place for ALL people to be touched by the comforting and gracious hands of our Lord and Savior.

In Christ’s love and service,

Pastor Dan

Pastor Craig - September 2019

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 00:30:03 GMT

“Football Realities?”

Every time I went, they asked me for money. The people with who I had to sit didn’t seem very friendly. The seats were too hard and not comfortable. The coach never came to call on me. The referee made a decision with which I could not agree. I was sitting with some hypocrites—they came only to see what others were wearing.

Some games went into overtime, and I was late getting home. The band played some numbers that I had never heard before. The games are scheduled when I want to do other things. My parents took me to too many games when I was growing up. Since I read a book on sports, I feel that I know more than the coaches anyhow. I don’t want to take my children, because I want them to choose for themselves what sport they like best. “With apologies to those who use the same excuses for not coming to church.”

(I found this comparison and I didn’t want to lose it so I created this file several months ago. Imagine my surprise when I tried to save my new article and it wouldn’t let because I had already started it.)

When something is worthwhile we strive to make it happen. I know that when the Vikings schedule comes out I take a look at the dates and times when it could be possible for me to actually see a game. Some of you might be in that same position. Living away from our “home” teams we know that we look to see if they are playing on Sunday night, or Monday night or Thursday night or just by chance they are playing that team from Glendale.

September for me has always been the start of the new church year. Sunday School, confirmation, Bible Studies, choir practice, community meal and all the rest of the activities of the church start to appear on the calendar. We start looking at things we want to do and figure out times that are open to do it. What I have come to know is that there needs to be many opportunities to come together as God’s people. Pastor Dan and I understand that together we are able to do amazing and wonderful things in the name of God. But it does take you. Seeing and believing and caring for one another. Worshipping, praising and praying to a God who empowers us all.

As you read this, take a moment, and pray a quick prayer giving thanks for God’s amazing presence in your life.

In Christ,

Pastor Craig

Pastor Dan - September 2019

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 00:24:32 GMT

My wife and I have had a goal that has spanned the time of the last couple of years. The goal has been to reclaim our garage in order that my wife may park her car in the garage. Isn’t that what a garage is designed for? We have been slowly getting things that have been in our garage into the hands they need to be in. The hands may be the hands of our daughter or our son or Paula for the rummage sale or the recycle bin. With the remaining things, we’ve had to go thorough to determine if there are any hands that would like to hold onto and claim such items as their own. The items remaining were then attempted to be organized and shelved. This required additional shelving. Finally, after the long, arduous and emotional journey of reclaiming the garage, we pulled the car into the garage. What a moment!! Too bad that it didn’t fit. With the refrigerator at the far end, the bumper of the car just missed clearing the garage door.

We had to move the shelving to move the refrigerator, which called for moving boxes and repacking some items into new boxes, etc. This was most pleasant because it was only 105 degrees outside with no wind. I think I lost several pounds. But finally, the car came gliding in and fit!!

It's amazing how many things we felt were important enough to hold onto and fill our garage. Some of it was very meaningful. Some of it we wondered, “Do you know where this came from, or “Why were we keeping this?” We would open a box and find surprises. But most of what was being saved really wasn’t all too important after all and it found its way to a proper place outside the garage. We went through two years of this process so that we could fit a car in our garage.

I was thinking about this two year process and it was all too easy to relate it to my faith life. I find myself praying in the morning and figuring out how to shuffle the day and arrange the times in order to have some time to fit Jesus into my day. I’ve spent my life arranging and shuffling my heart to make room for Jesus. I’ve been tossing around mindsets and perspectives and perceptions and giving things over in order to make room for the Holy spirit to move around in my life. I’ve spent too many years telling Jesus, “Just wait a moment and I can move that out and give you a little more room. “Just give me a little more time and I will get to it.”

And Jesus looks at me and shakes His head. It’s at this point I realize that I have this backwards. It is a good thing to try to make room for Jesus in my heart, mind and in my day, but I’m learning it is more appealing to our Lord if I consider how I might fit my life into Jesus’ day. In His eyes is the invitation to fit my life, with all the things I have and bring, into His life. To spend my day in His ways and in His presence rather than try to fit Him into my life.

When you wake up tomorrow morning, immediately ask the Lord, “Gracious Lord, how might I serve you today? I place my life in Your ways and Your care.”

In Christ’s love and service,

Pastor Dan

Pastor Craig - August 2019

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 20:59:17 GMT

“Life Is Short. Stay Awake For It”

We are surrounded by signs. Every time you go into a store there is a spot where a number of signs are displayed that you stop look at and read. Some you laugh at and some you roll your eyes. The saying in the title was on my cardboard wrap on my paper coffee cup. It really hit a chord with my currant thought process. I had received this cup of coffee at the Minot Airport coming back from my High School Class Reunion. I had spent the weekend back in High School and like some of you, I could not believe how long ago it had been.

Time is one of those things that we cannot control. We can’t make it stop. We can’t even slow it down. I have turned into my grandparents. I find myself saying things like “I remember when. . .” and I just laugh at myself. I am sure that you do the same thing.

With the start of each school year, I think back on the excitement and the uncertainty that I had as a kid. About 3 weeks before school started, they would post on the window of the school the list of the classroom teachers and who was in each class. So you would know who was in your classroom for the year. By noon of the day of the posting, most of the kids had heard and had raced their bikes to see where and who they were going to have in their class.

As an adult, I have to admit that when the school year started in 1988 I did not know what to do. Between Elementary, Jr High, High School, College, and Seminary, this was the first time in 20 years that I did not get to go shopping for school supplies. Thank heavens my girls got old enough to go to school so I could again go shopping for supplies.

This year we are again supporting Valencia Middle School. If you are like me, it gives us the chance to go “school shopping” again. It is a time to relive those memories and perhaps experience for the first time picking out your own supplies. Knowing that some kid is going to benefit gives us that feeling that we are doing something.

In your world today, there are always opportunities to make a difference. God places in our path people and events that allow us to cause someone to smile. All we need to do today is “stay awake for it”.

Have a cup of coffee and see what God has in store for you.

In Christ,

Pastor Craig

Pastor Dan - August 2019

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 20:56:35 GMT

How’s the summertime going for you? I hope your summertime “standards and usuals” have occurred, or at least are still on the schedule. It seems that we enter summer with some expectations and anticipations of experiencing a summer routine by participating in reoccurring events that happen just about every summer. There are some events, or occasions which unfold every summer which really makes summer, summer. I look forward to the “standard” monsoons of the southwest. The thunder and lightening and wind and rain are really something to see and experience. So far, this summer, it’s been the “non-soon”. The weather forecasters continue to preach hope with all their radar and high-tech equipment and charts and graphs, but each day is just another hot, muggy and long day with no rain.

We did get one storm to dump rain upon us at Mount Zion. It came during last Saturday’s worship. Jim Meissner had planned to play a song called, “Beyond the Rain”. It’s a song about the clouds building and the rain pouring down and then the aftermath of such a storm. Several ladies in attendance were wondering if it was going to rain and when, if ever. I told them that Jim had planned to sing a song about rain and that we were waiting for that part of the service in which special music is offered to the Lord by a member of members of the congregation for the rain to arrive. The service began and proceeded. We got to the point of the worship service in which “Special Music” was to be offered and sure enough, on the metal roof of the sanctuary, we could hear the rain begin to fall Within a minute, Jim began to offer the song and it turned out to be a beautiful duet between God and Jim as God provided some distant thunder and some moving rain. The ladies clapped as we were all moved in a very special and holy way. (On a side note: By the time Pastor Craig began to preach, the storm was extremely intense and the pounding rain on the roof made it impossible to hear a word he was saying. It was the best sermon he ever offered of which no one got to hear!!) Even though this summer has been the season of the “non-soon”, the Lord will still provide and keep us in the Lord’s grace.

I have some “usuals” which occur during the summer which are not going to happen this summer. I usually get out to the coast and spend some time with God at the beach and in the ocean. I get up to Flagstaff and relax, doing nothing with no schedule of “have-to’s” on my agenda. (I did get up to Flagstaff to spend time with my daughter and her fiancé’ but I had some “assigned reading” and I also had “Brandy, my father-in-law’s dog. Brandy is not really a dog which promotes “relaxing”. But it was good to spend time with family.) I usually get over to Vegas to place some wagers for our family regarding the upcoming NFL season, but this too is not happening. My summer usuals are just not happening this year. I am not disappointed or dejected about this at all. This summer has been filled with Godly activity and the Lord continues to manifest newness in unimaginable ways.

The Lord knows how to care for all of us. We may have some expectations about what lies ahead, and yet, no matter what may unfold, we have been blessed and graced by God’s eternal hand that we may find real hope in God’s ongoing love and care for our lives. Thanks be to God.

In Christ’s love and service,

Pastor Dan

Pastor Craig - July 2019

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 23:05:03 GMT

“Joy To The World”

JOY –a very glad feeling; happiness great pleasure; delight. Anything causing this feeling; the expression of this feeling; to be full of joy; to make joyful; gladden; to enjoy. So says, Webster’s Dictionary definition of joy. What is yours?

As I write this, we have just come back from the Synod Assembly. The Assembly is a time to do the necessary “business” of elections, of budgets, of reports from ministries and anything else that is part of the running of the Synod. But more importantly, it is a chance to support one another through the challenges of church and to remind one another in a real way of the hope that we do have through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Sometimes, we need to be reminded of the “Joy” that we have living our lives with the one who loves us unconditionally. Pastor Dan and I are able to share the true “joy” that comes from serving our Lord, at Mount Zion.

On July 22-26th, we will be celebrating “Joy” at Mount Zion by having our Vacation Bible School. Our theme is “Shipwrecked; Rescued By Jesus”. Thank you already for those who have come to me and volunteered. Let me just say, it is fun. If you are bored that week or need just a dose of “joy” come through the church any evening that week and you will see kids celebrating and knowing that this is a place where they belong. For some of these kids, they have been coming for years and have grown up knowing how we do VBS here. It was not intended to be a big deal, but the kids come to me and ask “Where are we doing rocks this year?” They care about this church because it is theirs and they want to make a difference.

The feeling and message of “Joy” is not limited to Christmas Carols. It is a state of mind in knowing the promise that we have as children of God have. When we gather as church, there is a sense of “joy” and happiness that comes as we enter into this place. We all know our troubles and our fears, our illnesses and our anxieties, and the challenges that we face. Yet, when we approach the church building, see that coffee pot, and enter the doors and are greeted with a handshake and a bulletin the “world” seems to fall away and we are able to see the “joy” of a Christian community.

My prayer always is that we can approach life as joy-filled not joy-less people. I believe our God wants us to appreciate and celebrate the creation that he has given to us. To recognize and revel in that we are a forgiven people and in that mode to share and support one another through those challenging times that we all face.

May you always know the “JOY”, which has given you.

In Christ,

Pastor Craig

Pastor Dan - July 2019

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 23:02:31 GMT

Here in Tucson, the month of July is generally the month in which the skies light up. The skies will be the curtain for Fourth of July fireworks and the month of July also often carries with it the lightening of the monsoon season. One of these events I don’t mind getting up close and personal and the other, I don’t want to be up close and personal. I have experienced both. It’s a blessing to be a part of a Fourth of July fireworks gathering. To be close enough to see the colors of the sky reflect on the faces of your neighbor and to actually feel the “boom” of each color display is to experience this celebration of Liberty and Freedom in splendor and awe. Often times, these events create memories that last a lifetime. To experience the monsoon by having the hair stand up all over your body or to have the tree in your backyard catch fire is to experience the monsoon in a way that is a little too close for my liking; but this too creates memories that last a lifetime.

The earliest Fourth of July memory I hold is of a Fourth of July celebration at Kimball Park in San Diego. I’m not sure how old I was, but I do remember darkness and crowds of people and then bright sparkling skies with incredibly loud booms which caused me to cover my ears. I remember being uncomfortable with each boom. The next Fourth of July I remember, we spent on an empty lot overlooking the distance of our neighborhood to the bay. We were able to see several shows from that spot. We did this because it was difficult for my dad to walk, especially in crowds, and so the neighbors and us thought this was the best way to celebrate. I really don’t remember another Fourth of July after that until I was in college. I spent the summer working in Salt Lake City and spent that Fourth of July with a roommate from college and his family at a park. Here, I saw family and was moved in many ways that night.

The next several Fourth of July celebrations I remember involved our children. I remember the Fourth of July in Williams, AZ. The air was thick because of a monsoon storm previously passing thorough and the fireworks were very up close and personal. I remember another Fourth of July standing on the roof of the “Dove” house, here in Tucson, with my kids and friends and watching four or five shows from that roof. This night was special for me because here too, I saw and was family.

These Fourth of July memories obviously have made a lasting impression upon my life. It wasn’t the shows or weather or music or sounds I remember that make these particular celebrations memorable; it is the people. The relationships that the Lord has blessed us with are that which create the lasting memories. Yes, there were some spectacular shows, and as impressive as they were, I don’t remember many of the Fourth of July fireworks shows I’ve seen. I have spent these memorable Fourth of July celebrations in the relationship of family and friends given by God. It is the memory of spending time with these saints, standing together in the darkness, in anticipation of knowing the powerful light will dispel the darkness and bring awe and joy into our hearts which make these nights memorable.

I pray that we remember the power of being in relationship and how our presence and words can impact the life of the people around us. All people. This July, foster relationship and continue to create memories that last a lifetime.

In Christ’s love and service,

Pastor Dan

Pastor Craig - June 2019

Sun, 02 Jun 2019 03:53:58 GMT

“Running To Church”

I just witnessed excitement about coming to church. Stepping out of the parish hall and I saw this streak of black running to the sanctuary church doors. It was so fast I did not know what it was at first. I went out and here it was Marley, a black lab that comes with Ley and Fred Hall to church. He is a “helper” dog. You might know Marley when he has served as a greeter. Ley had just thrown a ball for him to fetch and what I saw was him running after the ball. He is always excited to come to church because he knows this place. Ley comes every week to straighten the information in the chairs and Marley lays down in the sanctuary. He knows he is safe and belongs in this place.

This month we are celebrating the Day of Pentecost. The day when the God’s Spirit came into the world. You know the story. The disciples are in the room having celebrated the Festival of Pentecost, which is 50 days after the celebrating of their last Passover with their Lord, Jesus. When “suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them” (Acts 2:2-3). The Spirit drove the disciples out into the street.

“And at this sound the crowd gathered” (Acts 2:6a). It was because of the “noise”, people came running out of their homes and ran down the street to see what had happened. Was it an earthquake, was it a tornado, did it cause any damage, are we needed to dig out any survivors? Imagine what they saw and experienced. There was no damage. They came upon a group of disciples who they knew followed Jesus, the one that was crucified just a few weeks ago standing as if they were expecting the crowd to come. The crowd was “Bewildered, because each one heard them speaking the native language of each.” (Acts 2:6b)

Sometimes when we hear the Pentecost Story, we get so caught up in the fireworks and the noise that we forget the real miracle of that day. The disciples were probably still trying to figure out what to do. Was it even safe to go on with the message that Jesus gave them? Did they dare even go out and admit they were his disciples? You can just imagine the disagreements and the discussions that they were having on what to do next. In an instant all of their questions were answered in a big way. It was God’s Spirit that gave them the courage to go outside and proclaim that message of Jesus so that all could hear and understand.

Marley is so excited to come to church and he is not the only one. To watch young people get out of their cars and run to the Narthex or even the playground, they know that God is here in the people that surround them with that love and acceptance. But here is the truth, I know how many people are excited to enter into the church to experience God’s love and care and be surrounded by a group of people who know and love them. Granted we may not be running, but to witness the determination of people coming with walkers, wheelchairs, canes, and persistent footsteps is in itself a miracle to behold.

We celebrate the Day of Pentecost on June 8 & 9 (wear red), but we recognize the Holy Spirit every moment of our lives.

In Christ,

Pastor Craig

Pastor Dan - June 2019

Sun, 02 Jun 2019 03:50:37 GMT

Last week, I UPDATED my Chromebook which I use at home. As I looked at the details of this update, it was listed in the “critical” category as it pertained to Word and PowerPoint functions. It didn’t take long for this valuable UPDATE to download and install. This was easy, quick and all well and good. I did not realize that this UPDATE effected my computer I use for church work. This UPDATE did NOT effect my computer for the good . As a matter of fact, it ruined every Word and PowerPoint document I had done for the last three years!!! All the information was there, but it was format was useless. The update no longer had the font that I had used for every document since 2016. I spent the next three days recovering and restoring my computer. Some UPDATE.

As many congregations and Christian bodies dwindle and struggle in the age of internet and self-reliance, it becomes prudent for the Body of Christ to consider an UPDATE. Over the last thirty to forty years, we have seen within Christendom attempts to bring about renewal and revision, creativity and faithfulness in hopes of UPDATING the Body of Christ. The danger which has become manifest over the years is that in attempts to UPDATE, that which we have been built upon is ruined or altered beyond recognition.

The foundation of which will build upon is the Living Christ of God. As human beings have attempted to alter the Christ and His Holy Word, Christ remains unchanged. We, as humans, have no power to change, alter or modify what the Lord has done in the Christ. What God has done, God has done. We have been given faith by the Lord to set us on a journey in this life to discover and share what God has done and what God is doing. This faith is a gift and perhaps how we share our faith is that which is in need of an UPDATE. This is to say that an UPDATE may be necessary and maybe not. Perhaps faith sharing requires clarification and instruction to be reviewed. There are many, many questions and considerations around the question of, “What does it look like to live by faith in Christ Jesus for this day and in this age?”

Mount Zion will begin a project this summer and the fruits of this project will bear in the Fall. We are designing a course to assist in living a fruitful faith journey for this day and in this age. We want to start with the basics of faith in Christ; what is this faith and what this faith is not. We will have gatherings for your input and insights. We will have gatherings for lecture and question and answer. We will struggle and grow together in what is important about faith in Christ and why faith in Christ is important for our lives and for our living as disciples, as congregations and as humanity.

As the month of June meanders its way, please take time to consider your faith in Christ Jesus. Make some notes, write down some of the inspirational materials and inspirational events in your living in which your faith was sparked and set aflame. May the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart be pleasing and acceptable in the sight of our gracious Lord.

In Christ’s love and service,

Pastor Dan

Pastor Craig - May 2019

Fri, 26 Apr 2019 03:48:29 GMT

“Going From Here to There”

Roads, paths, sidewalks, streets, and gravel roads all take us places. They allow us to find our way quickly and efficiently. Sometimes it is a straight path and sometimes it is a curvy one. But who created the original path? When I was in college, they had just remodeled the men’s dormitory and had created an updated courtyard. When we moved in, the courtyard to all appearances had not been finished. Well it looked like a dirt lot that we had to walk through to get to the rooms. After a month or two, I understood the genius of the plan. They looked where we had walked the most and it was there that they installed the sidewalks. They waited for us to decide where we would use them.

We all know our wonderful intersection of Ajo and Kinney. We know the confusion and the time that it took to plan and finally build. We have gotten used to how it works and which lane we should be in. The builders even must have thought that we finally got it because a couple of weeks ago they repainted the same lines. I am still looking for a left turn into my street but that is selfish. With all of the months/years of planning involved. I want to commend the first person who figured out the gravel road “shortcut” off of Kinney to get us to Tiny’s. So much for the planning.

How do we determine our directions in the roads that we travel? This past week was the fire at the Notre Dame Cathedral. It is so hard to even put the significance of that into words or thoughts. One of the reports that I read, stated something to the effect that all of Paris’ directions, measurements, and roadways are all told in relation to the cathedral. Saying things like, “We are only 2 kilometers N.W. of the ‘church’.” or “You cant’s miss it. Go up two and over 3 from the cathedral.” More than the Spiritual place, it is the landmark where for centuries people have compared their road to.

One of the beauties of Tucson is that for the most part there are many different ways to get wherever you are going. Yet we all have our own ways and use our own landmarks. For the most part, I have wrote about physical roads and how “we” can determine our path. There is also the path that our Lord and Savior has set us upon. From the moment we are born, God watches over us and is our cheerleader encouraging us in every way possible to follow on his path. When we wander, God steers us gently or not so gently back on the road welcoming us again no matter how far we have strayed. That is God’s Grace.

The month of May is that time of year when we celebrate endings and beginnings. We have our Confirmations, High School and College Graduations. Young people setting off on paths, sometimes of their own making, but many times well-worn paths from those who have made the journey before. It is important to pray for them as they make their own way.

Know that whatever road that you have been on, you have not been alone for it is God who has created, sustained, and yes even filled the potholes of your life with his unending love.

In Christ,

Pr Craig

Pastor Dan - May 2019

Fri, 26 Apr 2019 03:45:18 GMT

I was listening to a song the other night as I drove home and I share a stanza with just a little freedom in paraphrasing:

“And the world's got me dizzy again
You think after 41 years I'd be used to the spin
And it only feels worse when I stay in one place
So I'm always pacing around or walking away.”

For 41 years of my life, it seems that every three or four years, I was moving or pacing around and living a life of walking away. Along the journey in those first 41 years, I found myself to be blessed with a wife and family and they too joined in the three to four year moving ritual. We moved so much that my wife and I made a commitment to our son and that commitment was that we would not move until he finished High School. We felt it was important that he stay in one place for four years. That promise became difficult because at an early point in my son’s High School career, the bishop informed me that I was looking for a new call.

In May of 1999 my family and I were blessed to start that new call here at Mount Zion. The world was still “dizzying” but it didn’t feel as if it were “worse” if I were stay in one place. As a matter of fact, to stay in one place, this place, continues to bring peace among the dizzying world as you, the people of Mount Zion, have become an anchor in a spinning and broken world. The community of faithful who gather at Mount Zion have also become an anchor to the community around us as we continue to be a source of hope, grace and assistance in assuring the hope of fullness of life in Christ to many, many people in our neighborhoods.

I thank the Lord for all the Lord has done through His faithful people and His ministries at Mount Zion. In many ways, Mount Zion has transformed over the last 20 years living in change and newness. In other ways, some important qualities and core beliefs have remained constant and strong within Mount Zion. And over the last 20 years, much has changed and transformed in my home life and faith life. The events and relationships have waxed and waned, confused and blessed, drained and sustained, strengthened and convicted all seemingly at a dizzying pace. I would not be the man, nor the pastor I am without all of you daring to care, pray, teach, share, listen, encourage and dream with me and my family and with others as to maintaining Godly activity in our dizzying world.

In our culture and society, the month of May is a month of transitioning for many. For our young people, it is a time of transitioning to summer and to new grade levels. It is time for graduations and the beginning of new life styles for many. Our membership transitions to summer homes and a summer living. The month of May will always be a month of transitioning and newness and I will always remember this month, the month of May, as the month in which I settled down in my life and in my living that I grow in faith, love and hope with an incredible body of faithful people: the congregation of Mount Zion. Thank you one and all.

In Christ’s love and service,

Pastor Dan

Pastor Craig - April 2019

Fri, 05 Apr 2019 23:14:57 GMT

“The Cross”

I remember as a young camper at Bible Camp, the director explained the cross in a very simple straight forward way. He stood in front of the group with a 1 by 4 board. He held it up, pointed to the top of the board moved his hand to the bottom and said “This was Jesus coming down from heaven to us.” You could not see it but there was a nail with a board behind this one that he then moved, so that it formed a cross. He went on to say that “This was how much God loved us, that he stretched out his hands for our forgiveness, so that we would not have to suffer.”

I grew up looking at the cross. At my home congregation, there it was. I had been looking at it since I was 3 years old. It was just part of the front of the church, placed above the altar. It was plain looking. Nothing fancy, it looked, as I think about it like two 6in by 10in planks that had been fastened together many years ago. (at that point the congregation was 80 years old) Yet, did I really know what it meant or was it just part of the furnishings.

Down through the years, I have come to rely on that cross in the front of Bethany Lutheran Church. I have grown up with and have grown older with it. In front of that cross, my family has had 4 baptisms, 6 confirmations, 3 weddings, 3 funerals and 1 ordination. That is just my family, think of the countless others who have through the decades experienced God’s grace and presence through that simply cross and it boggles the mind.

As I write this article, I can so visualize that symbol and sign of God’s tremendous love for his children.

Each of us have those memories of church. Perhaps the cross at your congregation was ornate, made of wood or metal, sculptured or plain, large or not so large, maybe it was just on cloth on the altar or emblazoned on a pulpit, perhaps it was placed in a stained glass window, maybe it had Jesus on it or was empty. The one thing I have come to know is that whatever it looked like, it meant one thing. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, God’s Son, died so that we might know forgiveness, love and the gift of everlasting life.

When the newsletter comes out, we have over 3 weeks before we are able to announce and proclaim that He is Risen. So I won’t, short change our contemplation of the cross and race to the empty tomb. We need to see and experience the cross. To sit at its foot and remember.

It was a simple illustration that the camp director made. It was not complicated. He did not use big theological words. But his words touched me. For me, I was able to look a little bit differently at this cross that did and continues to be so important in my life.

I share this so that as you gaze on the cross next to the altar in the front of Mount Zion, you are able to know that it more than just one of the church furnishing. It is there for you.

In Christ,

Pastor Craig

Pastor Dan - April 2019

Fri, 05 Apr 2019 23:11:52 GMT

Last Friday, on my day off, I was sitting on the patio in the morning. I had moved one of the patio chairs to sit out in the sun. It was a windy day and one of those “Action” days according to one of the weather persons on TV. It was partly cloudy and as I sat stationary, the clouds above were moving rapidly and I was going in and out of sunshine. I could see on the ground ahead of me the shadow of the cloud approach and then it would wash over me taking the sunlight away. But I knew, if I was patient, the cloud would pass and the warmth of the glorious sun would once again begin to warm me to my core. As I was drinking my coffee, this sun/cloud game reminded me of an event from my youth.

I spent the summer following my High School graduation with a friend in Hawaii. He had family there and we stayed with his family on the west side of Oahu. There was a famous surf spot about two miles down the road. One day, we were heading home from a morning of surfing this spot when a storm came over the mountains. We could see it approaching from behind us. We were in sunshine and there was a curtain of water and darkness slowly catching up to us. We spent the next mile and half trying to stay in the sunshine until we just gave up and watched the sun disappear ahead of us as we were overcome by the rain and darkness.

As I sat drinking my coffee, in and out of the sun, I realized that following my Hawaiian” experience, I spent the next 10 years running in and out of the Son. At times, it would seem that I was trying to catch up to Jesus, or I was just hiding in the dark and rain avoiding Jesus. As my faith journey continued, I slowly began to realize that Jesus was in the dark and the rain as well as being the warmth of our soul in His light and grace. Actually, it seem that the light and grace experienced in the rain and darkness revealed the true power and nature of the Savior.

Mount Zion offers Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services that we may share in the understanding that even as the darkness continues to catch us and wash over us throughout our days, Christ is in the darkness with us. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are vivid experiences to remind us. We enter into the darkness of Christ’s passion and just when we think the darkness is victorious and the warmth of God’s Light will never shine in the world again, we experience Easter and resurrection: a new life and a new hope. This new life and new hope is lived in the knowledge that there is nothing in this realm of time and space which will be able to keep us from the eternal warmth of God’s love and grace for us.

This new life, new hope and new way of covenant living with God, forged by God’s own Son is expressed quite clearly in the call and response of…

He is Risen! He is Risen indeed!

In Christ’s love and service,

Pastor Dan

Pastor Craig - March 2019

Thu, 28 Feb 2019 05:11:31 GMT

“How FAR we have come???”

“I’m really excited about some software called Word Search. It puts the entire Bible (NIV) on my hard disk. It takes about 2.5 megabytes. And it is FAST. The regular price is $189.00. If you write your sermons on a computer and have a hard disk---this if for you! Order your copy through Saratoga Press now for only $139.00. Send your check or charge card number. It comes with a demo disk. Try it out with the book of Genesis before you break the seal on the total package. If you don’t like what you see in the demo, return the package (with the seals unbroken) and get a full refund. Send your check or charge number to …………”

This was part of a mailing sent to pastors that I found written 30 years ago. The author was so excited to share this “newfound” resource with his fellow pastors. He knew that it would help in looking up critical and illustrative verses in the Bible to be used for sermons because of course it was FAST. Imagine, instead of flipping through the Bible and wondering where a verse was all you had to do was type in a few words and immediately you were sent to that particular verse with its notation of book and chapter in the Bible and all for the incredible price of only $139.00. It’s a MIRACLE!

I would bet that the author had no idea how technology would change over the next 30 years. The idea that we could do this same thing from a device that we could hold in our hands and that it would be FREE would not have entered into his thought process at all. What we consider commonplace would and did sound like Science Fiction 30 years ago. On a side note, it was said that the design of the original flip cell phones were modeled after the “communicators” on the series Star Trek.

The Church is about to enter into the Season of Lent, 40 days, (not counting Sundays). It is that time where we can get a chance to understand the significance of the cross and the death of our Lord, Jesus Christ for our sin and for our sake. Year after year, the Lenten season rolls around. It becomes predictable. We know the story. We know the outcome. We have lived this season for some of us all our lives.

Even as a child, I always thought it was strange to come to a church service that was in the middle of the week and was at night. It was almost eerie to sit in the sanctuary without the light coming through the beautiful stain glass windows. It gave off the feeling of foreboding. As if the light had already been sucked out of the world.

Yet, year after year, we need to be reminded of the sacrifice and the reason we gather. The technology of the world continues to change around us. The latest and the greatest “thing”, is only a footnote in the life that God has provided for us through the love, hope, death, and resurrection of his beloved Son.

I wonder how many people ordered this great computer program and realized that the Bible on their desk was all the “technology” they needed.

In Christ,

Pastor Craig

Pastor Dan - March 2019

Thu, 28 Feb 2019 05:07:32 GMT

March 6th will be Ash Wednesday. It is a day in which we are reminded of the nature of being human and the mortality associated with being human. It is also a day which many will begin a “Lenten journey”. Some will give up a routine “pleasurable” item such as chocolate, or cookies, or ice cream or donuts. Some will “add” a discipline such as additional prayer time, or read a daily devotion or commit time to a worthy cause. Some will carry a heightened sense about Jesus’ own journey as God’s promised Messiah and the events which led to his death on a cross seemingly closer and more accessible in their day to day awareness. For some, all the above seem to apply, not to please an angry God, but because this is what we do as disciples of Christ.

The reason for such practices come about through the encouragement and stirring of the faith we have been given. A life lived in and through faith is to honor the Almighty who has bestowed something of the eternal realm into our hearts and souls: faith. Disciples tend to their faith. This time of year offers a variety of ways to be intentional in spending quality time with our Lord. Whatever works for you and how ever the Spirit is moving you, you are encouraged to follow and draw closer to the Lord who is journeying with you.

During the Lenten season, at our midweek Lenten services, we will look at some of the parables Jesus employs to instruct His disciples about living in the faith we are given to know Christ as Lord and Savior. Parables are unique and often are rooted in the common and day to day. It seems that by using parables, Jesus draws us in, and then there is a twist or turn or unexpected outcome and we find ourselves stunned, or confused or surprised. We learn something new about God or we learn something new about ourselves. Parables seem to have the power to speak to the now, both in the world and in our lives no matter how often we’ve heard the parable. These unique ways of teaching seem to be alive and can get into us in a way that nothing else can.

The season of Lent is not a time of inner reflection alone. Parables and our faith speak to our actions in a world and a humanity that is in need of saving and hope. We live in a world in which a woman is suing her parents for $2 million because they passed their “ugly” genes on to her. Her ugly “genes” have caused the failure of three marriages, depression and anxiety all of which require extensive costs. We live in a world in which insanity has a valid place and voice. We live in a world in which value of your own life has little to no concern and the value of life and living erodes away in our societies. We live in a world in which children are being kidnapped for their organs and those organs are sold on the black market. As humanity seems to move forward unchecked with any sense of holiness or reverence in regard to a benevolent and Gracious Creator, we, as disciples, are constantly seeking opportunities to spend quality time with the Lord and seek ways and means to be a voice and a presence to restore a sense of value, respect and reverence for the life we have been given and the lives around us. We seek ways to live faithfully and restore a sense of “righteousness” about humanity, life and living through our word and deed.

May this Lenten season bring about an awareness of God’s holy activity in, with and through you. And may the month of March be a month of faithful meditation and holy deed.

In Christ’s love and service,

Pastor Dan

Pastor Dan - February 2019

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 23:33:20 GMT

As a child growing up, there was celebrations associated with the months. Of course, December was Christmas, January was New Year, February was Valentine’s Day, March was St. Patrick’s Day, April was Easter, etc. To this day, I still associate February with St. Valentine and Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day has deep roots in the Christian Church. Several legends surround Saint Valentine.

Saint Valentine was the priest of Rome when Emperor Claudius II reigned. Legend has it that Claudius II was engaged in some bloody campaigns and the campaigns were not popular among the empire. The young men didn’t want to fight and because they were married, they were able to opt out of serving. Unable to close this loophole, Claudius forbade and cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome. Saint Valentine did not heed this order and married young couples anyway. What some will do for love! Saint Valentine met an unusually cruel death on February 14, 270 AD.

Other legend has it that when he was in prison, the jailer’s daughter and he fell in love. Before he met his death, he wrote a letter expressing his love and the power of love in the world. He signed it, “From your Valentine”. This became a very popular saying for the love struck and young people in love.

I have received some beautiful and meaningful Valentine’s cards over the years. In grade school, we had those little cards that we HAD to pass among our classmates and the one’s that meant the most were those with candy attached to them. And as I grew in years, the words took on more meaning, but still meant a great deal more if candy was attached with the card. But the words, the words of some of the cards I’ve received have meaning and are meaningful because of the actions associated with the words. The loving, caring and thoughtful acts of my wife, or son, or daughter are what bring meaning to the words of any card received.

Now… take in these words:

“But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—” Ephesians 2:4-5

“ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Roman 8:37-39

These words have a great deal of meaning and even a great power to inspire action. These words are a source of identity and are like an endless wellspring of hope which shapes our being and our doing. These words are beautiful and the weight of these words rest in the One who’s actions are associated with them. The actions of a Gracious, Merciful, Caring, Compassionate and Loving Lord Almighty. Now, go and do likewise.

In Christ’s love and service,

Pastor Dan

Pastor Craig - February 2019

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 23:30:00 GMT

“Love in the 21st Century”

A prosperous young Wall Street broker met, fell in love with and was frequently seen escorting about town a rising actress who was beautiful, compassionate and kind. He wanted to marry her, but being a cautious man he decided that before proposing marriage he should have a private investigating agency check her background and present activities. After all, he reminded himself, I have both a growing fortune and my reputation to protect against marrying the wrong sort of girl.

The young man requested that the agency was not to reveal his identity to the investigator requesting a report on the actress. In due time the investigator’s report came back. It said the actress had an unblemished past, a spotless reputation, and her friends and associates were of the highest quality. The report concluded, “The only shadow is that she is often seen around town in the company of a young stockbroker of questionable business practices and principles.”

Making sure. . . .How hard it is to “find” someone to love and care for in this world? I think about how much easier it was in the “old” days. People did not move around as much and so you really did get to know your neighbors and their families. You grew up with kids your own age and love seemed to bloom as you got older. There was no such thing as Match.com, or eharmony, or farmers.com or any other of the sites which helped you in the search for “true love”. But the old days, still had their issues. You knew each other too well.

My mom and dad lived about 6 miles from each other in the country. They were in the same grade, went out in High School and as far as I can tell were one of those “it” couples that were involved in many different activities. So that later in life they led and organized one of their class reunions. Mom tells the story that Dad had to ask her to marry her 3 times over a period of months. Mom said she finally said yes because she did not know if he would ask again. Sometimes you know each other too well.

Each of us have our own stories. I believe that the common aspect is that one or the other of you decided to put yourself out there. Risking rejection. Figuring out that the pain was worth taking the chance for happiness and love.

Here is the message. When it comes to our relationship with Jesus, we don’t have to worry about rejection. We don’t have to contemplate the pros and the cons of following him. We don’t have to wonder what the future will hold with our decisions. We don’t have to wonder what our parent’s will think. We can just know what it is to be loved by one who knows all our faults.

This month is the time when Valentine’s Day shows up. The time when the stores are filled with red hearts and red roses. I join the countless men, who stand in front of the many Valentine’s cards finding that ONE card that captures the emotions and the feelings and that will touch her heart.

Today, know and believe that Love is Real and God through his Son has shown us how.

In Christ,

Pastor Craig

Pastor Dan - January 2019

Thu, 27 Dec 2018 20:03:08 GMT

Happy New Year!!! Yahooo!! Well… that’s my celebration for the New Year. I’ll just go to sleep at my regular time now that I’ve gotten that out of my system. I never have been one to stay up late and watch the clock click over to a second pass midnight. I don’t intent to be a New Year’s Grinch, but there’s just too much newness throughout the entire year ahead to focus energy on that one second. I would rather continue to keep the spirit of Advent preparation in envisioning newness ahead than to spend time on the inevitable, in this case the inevitable is that the year 2019 will be upon us.

May 1st, 2019 will mark 20 years of my serving as a pastor for the people of Mount Zion. I can’t help but reflect upon the “state of the congregation” in 1999 and the “state of the congregation” today. One memory which comes to mind is the second or third Easter Sunrise service I led here. We used to have the service in the “dirt” lot in the back of the church. It was really cold that morning and several members drove into the back of the church and remained in their cars. We brought Communion to them in their cars. The first drive through Communion service at Mount Zion!! That “dirt” lot is now our parking lot and the back of the church has now become the front of the church. Like many of us, we have seen so much newness visit Mount Zion and in that newness, we have seen the Lord’s hand and presence at work in and with this congregation.

I do wonder what newness will visit my life in 2019. I also wonder and pray about newness at Mount Zion for 2019 and who will introduce Spirit led newness into our lives as a congregation? I do know that newness, if fact, will visit and I must ask, “Will I be ready to embrace it or be a hinderance to what may unfold?” Over the years, I have noted in the life of a congregation that newness seldom comes from committees and five year visioning plans, but most often comes from the spark and the imagination of one Spirit filled voice. That one voice shares with another and then those two share with others and then, seemingly out of nowhere, a ministry and outreach comes forth in a new way.

When the calendar turns from one year to the next, we all seem to carry a hope that our lives can be different. We may want to read more, or eat healthier or exercise more, get out more, take better care of ourselves, be more gracious to others, etc. I pray the hope of better lives and living is most powerful when we wake with each new day. We may fail one day, but that doesn’t determine the outcome of the next day, especially with Christ nudging us to new ways of seeing and living for our lives and the lives around us.

May the Lord bless you every day in this new year of 2019.

In Christ’s love and service,

Pastor Dan

Pastor Craig - January 2019

Thu, 27 Dec 2018 19:53:55 GMT

“I Remember When. . . .”

When I was a kid, my grandpa or great grandma would start a sentence like this and I would know two things. One; that it was going to be a story of sometime when something happened. Two; that I would listen politely and then go back to what I was doing. It is humbling to know that those words have come out of my mouth. Even when I hear them coming out, I think of Grandpa Jones on Hee Haw sitting on the porch in his rocking chair giving out words of wisdom to all that would listen.

In that moment of welcoming the New Year, we are called to look back on what the old year meant. What were the significant ways that God acted in our lives? What were the ups and downs? What do we want to remember about 2018, 10 years from now?

This year truly is the year for Suzanne and me of tremendous ups and significant change. In January, our 2nd grandchild Natalie was born. In November, Suzanne’s mom Alma died. In a nutshell there it is. The beginning of earthly life and the end of earthly life. It is the newborn baby contrasting with old father time. It is the Alpha and the Omega.

As we become more “chronologically gifted” (old), I believe that we are able to see connections with our pasts that cause us to try and share the bits of wisdom and understanding that we have gained through our experiences to those who are younger. Trying in our small way to help them along to better understand their lives and what they are going through. More and more to know that they are not alone and there is a light at the end of their tunnel.

In the midst of our life’s changes there is one constant and that is the love that God has for us. We all need that assurance of God’s care. I can’t tell you how many times, when people find out who I am and that I am a pastor of a church, they talk about the desire for God in their life. It happens under the strangest of circumstances. The most recent was at the DMV. A young man missed going to church. He asked what our church was like, I told him and invited him. If he comes or not it is not my job but God’s Spirit. But what I did give him was hope. Hope that there are places where God’s love and grace exist.

I believe that it is a gift to share our knowledge. But at a point, one needs to let them live and be responsible for their own lives. For sometimes it is in making those mistakes they are able to learn that God is there even through the difficult time.

As we enter this year of our Lord 2019, we don’t know what is going to cause us to say, “I remember when...?”. What I do know is that God is the constant. Through his love, we will again share the Good News of Christ to all who are so desperate to hear it.

Happy New Year,

Pastor Craig

Pastor Craig - December

Sat, 01 Dec 2018 20:59:37 GMT

“Christmas Music Memories”

Confession, I have been listening to Christmas music since the Hallmark Christmas Radio was activated on Sirius on November 1st. There is something about it that draws a person into the Spirit and memories of Christmas past.

I was around 6 years old when Mom got gas, went into pay, and came out with a Christmas Album. It had a blue cover with a big red bow printed on the cover. I came to know that it was put out by Firestone. Perhaps some of you have one in your collection. I thought it was funny to get a record at the gas station. We went home, and I realized that it was filled with Christmas songs some of which I had never heard as many of them were not “church” hymns.

This time of year, I think about the impact that singers like, Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, Gene Autry, Tony Bennet, Perry Como, and yes Bing Crosby singing White Christmas have made on my feelings of Christmas. They are the sound track that makes up the Christmas season. Can you image Christmas without Burl Ives singing Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer or Eartha Kitt belting out Santa Baby?

Christmas music whether it is “religious” or “secular” inspire us and give us that warm toasty feeling that I believe that the birth of Christ represents at this time of year. Even Manheim Steamroller and Trans-Siberian Orchestra evoke the joy as the heavens opened to hear the angels sing with hearts filled with joy about the new birth.

During the Mid-week Advent services, the messages of the evening are focusing on what you need to have happen in this Christmas season to make your “joy” complete. Who knows what it is that makes Christmas for you? I am guessing that some will say things like Christmas trees, lights, special food preparation, a drive in the car with Hot Chocolate to see the Christmas lights of Winterhaven, or even just to place the angel on the top of the tree. I hope that whatever it is that you are able to do it.

This Christmas will be a difficult one for Suzanne and me. Suzanne’s mom Alma died on November 13th. Like many of you, that first Christmas without your Mom or Dad is a hard one. Her 97th birthday would have been December 18th. I want to thank all of you that have kept us in your prayers during this time.

Like the singers mentioned before, their legacy and their singing of these timeless songs remind us all that the love and meaning of Christmas can never ever go away. It is everlasting! Because, yes, we celebrate God’s amazing love for us in sending us his Son.

Joy to the Word!!!

Pastor Craig

Pastor Dan - December

Sat, 01 Dec 2018 20:56:21 GMT

Advent is a season of discovery. In our preparations for celebrating the birth of the Savior of the world, we discover joy in finding just the right Christmas tree or just the right gift. We discover a smile on our face when we discover new ornaments or a new store to shop. We may even discover redeeming when we find a spirit alive in us, one we considered long lost. We may discover ways in which God’s faithfulness has had the power to shape our way of thinking and how our hands are used to build up rather than tear down. At times, we even discover a stillness within ourselves which in the midst of the hustle and bustle we experience a sense a peace washes over us. In the season of Advent, I pray we may even discover a little more about who we are and who this God is Who has claimed as His own. When we take advantage of our quiet time in this season of discovery (which is rare), we find that a great deal of discovery swirls around our Advent days which seems to draw us closer to the manger.

We can hardly imagine the discovery swirling within Mary’s mind. Her youth has been invaded with a seismic shift from betrothed girl to mother of our Lord. Can you imagine the pressures and anxieties and questions and doubts not just around the considerations of a prearranged marriage, but also to be with child: God incarnate? Her thoughts were not just consumed in regard to what type of man Joseph may be, but what of this child she carries. What kind of man is Joseph? Is he kind, thoughtful or does he just expect blind obedience no matter what he says or does. Will he care about the child? Does He care about me? What is my life worth in this arrangement as new wife and at the same time, mother of God as Son. Who am I in all this advent activity?

The words from Gabriel must have sent waves of peace and trust throughout Mary’s very being, “Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God.” This Mary, lost in the mass of humanity, with no voice to shape her life, to be hidden among God’s people is found by God and not only found by God, but found to be in God’s favor. Note the personal touch of Mary’s name in the sentence. Yes, God knows you Mary. You are not lost, but found by a God who searches for you, Mary.

In this Advent and Christmas season, may you hear these words as well. For these words, “Do not be afraid child , for you have found favor with God” are given to you. God knows you too as His grace has come to dwell in your soul and transforms you as a child of His eternal family. May His Peace be with you and may you have a very Blessed and Merry Christmas.

In Christ’s love and service,

Pastor Dan

Pastor Craig - November 2018

Fri, 02 Nov 2018 22:28:30 GMT

“Black Friday. Because only in America people trample each other for sales exactly one day after being thankful for what they already have.”

Suzanne forwarded this to me back in August. It was the saying that someone had put with a minion on it. I kept it so that we can always have a perspective on what we have and who we are as people of God. For those of us that have experienced the “fun” of a Black Friday shopping experience, we all know that it is just nuts or in many ways to watch people who are willing to spend the night before “camped out” to save a few dollars on a Flat Screen-TV that will be going for the same price later in the month. It is the experience. It is the thrill. My Ex-Father-In-Law referred to looking at the ads on Thanksgiving Day as preparing for the BIG GAME.

Here’s the thing. We have all lived with the “must have toys for Christmas”, like the Cabbage Patch Dolls, Beanie Babies, Tickle Me Elmo, remember Furbies. All of which sooner or later end up at the Rummage Sale.

As people of God, we need to always appreciate what God has already given us. Thanksgiving is that time when we as a nation come together to realize the good things that surround us. In our families, we get a chance just to bow our heads and give thanks for making it through another year. Yet, the reminder is to appreciate and give thanks the year round so we don’t get sucked into a “gotta-have” in order to be happy mentality.

God gives us gifts every single day. He never tires from giving and continues to give all that he has which included his son. The challenge for us is to not to take the gifts for granted. My prayer is that this gift will become so much a part of your life that it will cause you to live a life of gratitude not of accumulation.

In the coming days, we will be surrounded with the pictures of turkeys and pilgrims, and children will draw and hear of that first Thanksgiving in school. But the challenge remains, for us to give thanks constantly and continuously. In our world, it is easy to become discouraged. Yet, when we think about our lives and look for something to be thankful for it will come. So today as you read this take a moment to think of one thing you are thankful for and say THANK YOU to God.

In Christ,

Pastor Craig

Pastor Dan - November

Fri, 02 Nov 2018 22:24:29 GMT

As I have been praying and reflecting about this message for the month of November, I have come to realize that November is a rather spiritual season in my yearly cycle of faith formation-ing. (I know formation-ing isn’t an official word, but it’s still a good “made-up” word.) The first Sunday of the month is a celebration of all the saint’s whom have walked this terrestrial sphere in faith. The more popular celebration of November is a day of Thanksgiving. Many gather throughout the year to give thanks and praise to our Lord on Sunday, but on this day, we gather as a nation rooted in a tradition to give thanks for the many blessings in our lives.

Why I find the month of November a rather “spiritual” month is because I find myself giving thanks and praise to the Lord for the many saints, living and passed, who have been influential in the on-going process of faith development in my life. There are saints in which our faith lives who have crossed paths for just a moment and then there are other saints in which we continually encounter each other for years and years; seemingly a life time. Some saints spoke just a word at the right time, never to be seen again. Others, seem to become a consistent model in their day-to-day whom we get to witness as we journey together to live more like our Master, Jesus the Christ. But as I give thanks to the Lord for all of them, I feel very blessed because there are just way too many to recall and remember. The Lord is the Lord of abundance.

The other side of the coin in this month of November is to also reflect upon those people perhaps I’ve been able to touch along the way of our faith journeying in this realm. The past month of October with its expressions of appreciation for living out the office of pastor, also touches my heart in deep and profound ways. With all the positive expressions I can’t’ help but think of those in which I did not live out the office of pastor in which the Lord was able to work through my efforts to minister. I am human and my filters and lenses get plugged or foggy and yet, despite the failures the Lord is able to cause me to grow fuller and richer as a pastor and faith matures. I regret that this painful growth may come at the expense of being a stumbling block to the other. Yet, in a strange sense, I still have to thank the Lord for my failures. Granted it is with a very heavy heart this thankfulness comes.

All the thanks that comes forth from our hearts and minds and souls and strength is rooted in something awesome. It comes from the understanding that the Lord actually cares for us and shows that by being at work in our lives. The Lord is the one who allows us to share together in our faith journeys. The Lord is able to sow seeds of joy and expressions of care. The Lord is able to build up faith from ashes and sorrow. The Lord is able to cause and deliver growth in faith for faith is a gift which comes from the Lord. Thank you Lord and Almighty Savior.

In Christ’s love and service,

Pastor Dan

Pastor Craig - October 2018

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 05:26:17 GMT

"What is Your Image of God?"

"Children of the heavenly Father, safely in his bosom gather. Nestling bird or star in heaven, such a refuge ne'er was given. God his own doth tend and nourish, in his holy courts they flourish. From all evil things he spares them, in his mighty arms he bears them. Neither life nor death shall ever from the Lord his children sever, unto them his grace he showeth and their Sorrows all he knoweth. Though he giveth or he taketh, God his children ne'er forsaketh. His the loving purpose solely to preserve them pure and holy." ("Children of the Heavenly Father" LBW #474)

This year in confirmation class we are learning about Martin Luther and the Small Catechism. I have always tried to figure out what is the best approach to explaining Luther's ideas to the kids and parents. It has come to me to think about what "image" of God did that the people of Luther's time have. Once you understand their notion of God as the angry judge the rest follows.

Each of us has a picture or an image of God. How you understand God to be and act will determine how you respond to God. If you have an image of God as a judge sitting at the bench looking at you, the guilty one on trial, words of a loving and caring will not make real sense to you. If your image of God is of a loving and caring God, you may question the existence of evil or other such events that happen in the world. Our relationship with God is shaped by our images.

The first 3 Sunday afternoons in November, I will be offering classes that I have called "The Crash Course in Church". It will be a time to look at the Bible, Martin Luther, and the church. It will be a time for you to ask questions and deepen our understanding of the church. We are using these classes as a form of Adult Confirmation, if you so desire. It can also be a membership class, but more than that it is a way to deepen your image of God and how he works through His Son, Jesus Christ.

For you see, Jesus tries over and over again to help the disciples and us see who God is. I came across this quote concerning a wife admiring her husband playing with the children. She said in loving tones, "It takes a BIG man to be LITTLE with his children." Out of love, we, as parents, are called to get down with our children, to participate in their lives, to find what is important to them, and to make them know that they are not alone, but are loved. I was struck with this quote because isn't that what God did and does for us. Did not God come to this earth as a human being expressly to save us and so that we might again know and believe in him?

Again I ask, "What is your image of God?" Maybe the best answer is that God is whatever we need God to be at a given moment in our life. Whether that image is one who guides us, or one who picks us up when we fall. Maybe that image could be of a parent crawling and playing making us know we are cared for. Whatever the image, know that God knows you and loves you more than any simple image will ever tell you.

In Christ,

Pastor Craig

Pastor Dan - October 2018

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 04:21:18 GMT

On September 8, 2018, the Rev. Deborah K. Hutterer was installed as the sixth bishop of the Grand Canyon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She is the first female bishop of Region 2 of the ELCA. Region 2 comprises California, Hawaii, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and a portion of Texas. And, as being the first female, the speakers and the theme of the service carried with it a sense of the Lord is doing something new in our synod and region.

Newness. What a great subject to consider as we enter into the month of October. Near the end of this month, we celebrate the Reformation. Reformation Sunday is October 28th and I remind you that one of the Lutheran traditions is to wear red on that Sunday. Indeed, the Reformation infused the Church with a sense of newness which was necessary for the church to experience. For many in the Western Church, fear seemed to dominate the lives of the masses and grace seemed to come at a cost.

The speaking of newness a the installation of the bishop is not something new. Many within the Church have heard many lips speak the necessity of an infusion of newness within the Christian Body, especially in particular nations and continents. We are ever mindful in the month of October and the Reformation that newness does not come without consequence. Martin Luther had a price on his head and was wanted dead or alive, preferably dead. The newness Luther proposed wasn’t so much new as it was essential: justified by grace through faith. This wasn’t and isn’t new. It is truth.

I tend to agree with many voices which call for newness. I also pray that some things never change. I pray in all the calls and attempts to bring an infusion of newness, the cross of Christ remains not just the center of our congregations, but more importantly remains center in our lives, in our living and in our discipleship. To be centered in the cross is to be centered in the life-giving sacrificial love of the Almighty. To be centered in the cross is to be willing to care and show true hospitality to our neighbor with a desire to build them up rather than tear them down. To be centered in the cross is to be willing to speak a word of forgiveness. To be centered in the cross is to be willing to deny ourselves and follow the Lord.

In all honesty, there are times I seek glory rather than cross and too often it is more about my well-being than the neighbor sitting next to me. I can all too easily relate to St. Paul when he states in 1 Timothy 1:15, “The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the foremost.” (NRSV) This holds true for all disciples in our Risen Lord. This is our cross to bear. This is not to stir fear, but to recognize that at the same time, we bear this cross knowing the mercy and grace of God will prevail. There is nothing in his world which can keep the love of God in Christ Jesus, revealed in the cross, from holding us and continually shaping the hearts, the minds and the souls of faith disciples and faithful congregations. This is most certainly true. Thanks be to God.

In Christ’s love and service,

Pastor Dan

Pastor Craig - September 2018

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 22:00:13 GMT

“Knowing the Game???”

“Coach Darrell Royal who was a former coach of Texas tells of one of
those great football battles between Texas and Oklahoma. Oklahoma had
Texas down on their own 2-yard line. Texas had 98 yards to go to score.
As the situation was hopeless, and to be safe the Texas coach called his
quarterback over and gave him these instructions. He said, “Listen, when
you get back out there, first, I want you to run a quarterback sneak. I want
you to really hold on to that ball. Then second, I want you to have another
quarterback sneak. I want you to hold onto that ball. Then third, I want
you to have another quarterback sneak. I want you to hold onto that ball.
Now lastly, now get this, I want you to punt. Now let’s review it. I want
you to do it exactly the way I told you. What do you do first?
“Quarterback sneak.” That’s right! What do you do second?
“Quarterback sneak.” “That’s right! What do you do third? “Quarterback
sneak.” What do you do last? “Punt”. The coach said, “You’ve got it!
Now son, I want you to get out there and play as you’ve never played
before.”

The quarterback went running out, kicking up the turf. They had their first
play. He held onto the ball, and he went clear down to the middle of the
field. They did their second play and went to 20 more yards down the
field. They did their third play and made it to the two-yard line. Only two
yards to go to score the touchdown. They were only one point behind.
The quarterback lined the guys up and “punted”. Coach Royal called him
over and said, “What were you thinking?” The quarterback replied, “I was
thinking what a crazy coach to have me punt on the two-yard line!”
“But that is what you told me to do!!!” Have you ever heard this and your
response might have been something like, “but that is not what I meant”.
All one has to do is go through the Bible and hear God, the prophets, the
disciples and yes even Jesus correct the hearers and say, “You didn’t
understand what I was trying to say to you.” The Gospel of John is
probably the gospel that points this out the most. Remember it is difficult
for us, who know that Jesus is the Son of God, to try and figure out what
Jesus is showing and teaching us. Think of those who are hearing it for
the first time.

I have learned over the years not to take the Spirit of God for granted.
There is a reason that the Holy Spirit is represented by the flames. Like a
campfire, the flames are continually moving. That is the Spirit. For us,
like the football player, we need to know the basics and the purpose of the
game which is the foundational belief in God’s loving, caring, presence in
our life. Once we know that, we can allow ourselves the freedom to see
the wonder that God has done and is doing in our lives. Not as a set of
laws and rules to obey, but a deeper understanding that we are able to
reflect with confidence and mirror our actions to those that the Holy Spirit
has called us to do.

Soon, we will be starting again the Bible Studies, confirmation, Sunday
School etc. All for the purpose of hearing and learning and trying figure
out what this means in our own lives.

It is a privilege to try and determine God’s message to us all.

In Christ,

Pr. Craig

Pastor Dan - September 2018

Fri, 24 Aug 2018 06:43:11 GMT

This flower jumped out at me as we strolled around Encinitas, a beach side community in San Diego’s north county. The flower was probably six to seven inches across. Perhaps it is the deep red center contrasted by all the green surrounding it which drew my attention to it. But as I looked at it, the flower reminded me of Luther’s Rose. It’s obviously not a rose, but this flower was a certain reminder of some of the theology behind the rose Luther depicted to symbolize a theology of grace. The deep crimson at the center reminded me of Christ’s blood and as it radiates out, it turns into this pure soft white reminding us of a cleanliness which comes to us in forgiveness through His blood. The petals overlap reminding us of our daily need as our lives unfold in various stages and seasons. This particular flower has a golden stigma which looks like a golden crown lifted above the flower: the King of kings.

This picture, along with several others, was taken at the San Diego Botanical Garden. The garden is located in Encinitas and has been evolving since before 1917. It now consists of four miles of trail and various gardens of plants gathered from around the world. There were waterfalls, a beautiful gazebo (for weddings), guided and self-tours and so many different plants, it was just too much to do in one trip. It was truly an amazing walk and one of my favorite plants was the flower called “the flaming sword” from South America.

The other thing that caused me to pause and consider was that this garden has been “officially” developing for a century in San Diego County. I was raised in San Diego. I have spent my whole life visiting family in San Diego. I used to surf Encinitas. I have loved that area since I can remember. I NEVER knew this garden existed. This incredible treasure and amazing wonder has been among my living for my entire life and I had no clue it was there.

Jesus has and is among us and at times, it seems, that we’re not aware of His presence among us. We tend to get caught up in the work and business of the world and we forget about the faith given for us to call and see the Christ presence among us. There are daily reminders (like the flower above) that we speed by and fail to observe God’s speaking and God’s care to remind us of His presence in our day to day. I thank all of you for the opportunity to slow my life down for several weeks and spend time employing eyes of faith to see God’s daily wonders among us. For in our life of faith in Christ we definitely are blessed with the fullness of life and living.

In Christ’s love and service,

Pastor Dan

Pastor Craig - August 2018

Mon, 30 Jul 2018 16:41:37 GMT

“The Lord Be With You…..”

And Also With You!!! Came the reply from 32,000 voices. The Lutheran Youth of the ELCA had arrived. How do you answer the question “How was the Gathering?” How do you put into words what you did and what you felt and what you thought? I know that the young people who attended will share with you their thoughts and their stories so I am trying not to mess up and tell things that they might. For me, it is always the celebration of the church. It is to see the faithfulness and determination of young people throughout the country who believe and proclaim the power of God’s love and the Spirit that flows out of his grace and mercy.

The Gathering is a time especially for our youth to see that they are part of a large church. You can say the numbers of 9000 plus congregations in the United States, but how do you grasp that knowledge when you in your own area only have 90 in the state of Arizona and Las Vegas. It was important that one of our days at the Gathering is dedicated to meeting with the youth from the Grand Canyon Synod. I believe there were about 330 of us in one of the ballrooms. What struck me this time is how easily our kids mixed with the other kids. Part of it was that we were housed in the same hotel so we were running to each at breakfast each morning, but I think more than that our young people know that they are in a caring place. On a side note, 4 of the final 7 of our Bishop candidates were there with their youth groups.

I will try not to say too much about the Service Day so the kids can share with you what they did. For me that is the one day that I have no idea what we are going to do. It is always that big question mark about God has instore for us. Other leaders stress about that, I have learned that whatever it is it is exactly what God had planned. Apparently we were scheduled to help at a halfway house. We arrived. The person got off the bus to check in. The contact person was not there nor were they expecting us. She got on the phone with the gathering staff and we were redirected to Betsy Ross Elementary School. We were the 3rd bus. This was on Saturday morning. We found out that on Thursday of that week the principal had tweeted for someone to paint an outdoor gathering space. The tweet was picked up by a woman who was running for Houston City Council who knew we were in town. She tweeted the principal back and said that she could have 50 High School Youth there on Saturday if she could find them something to do. Needless to say she was overjoyed and overwhelmed. The school was built in 1926 with a addition in 1967 and according to another teacher nothing had been touched in the last 9 years. Imagine the facelift 150 energetic people could do to a place. At least 3 classrooms, 3 bathrooms and library were painted. Flowers were planted and yes that outdoor area got fixed up. Two thoughts, I wished I could see the 2 janitors faces when they came on Monday and the kids who were going to be at the school in the Fall, knowing that High School kids did this for them.

Over the years, I have been asked by other youth leaders “Is It Worth the Cost?” Absolutely!! This time I could not help but think of Syd Bye who was a youth leader who took kids to New Orleans back in 1976. We talked a lot about that gathering, because that was my first gathering. I was 14. I knew that Syd’s Spirit was with us leading guiding and working things out. I want to thank you the congregation for your prayers and for your continued support of the youth at Mount Zion. We are raising an amazing group of kids, who will make a difference.

The 2021 Youth Gathering will be going to Minneapolis. They must figure if they can host a Super Bowl they can certainly handle a bunch of Lutherans.

In Christ,

Pastor Craig

Pastor Dan - August 2018

Mon, 30 Jul 2018 16:38:03 GMT

It was nice to get to the beach in Southern California. I had not been for some time and to just stand in the ocean, knee high, was a blessing. I eventually went out farther, but for about fifteen minutes, standing in the ebb and flow of the tide was sufficient to get reacquainted with this old friend of mine. It may seem odd that considering something so vast and expansive as seemingly a personal friend who has touched me in personal ways, but I have so many memories of being with the ocean, the ocean seems to be a friend to me. I found myself still talking to be honest, in a differing language, the ocean seems to communicate back. As I tried to keep my upper torso dry, my old friend ocean wanted to fully embrace me with its welcoming and so a wave came and made sure I experienced the full welcome of the ocean. (I did see the wave coming and thought about turning and running back to shallower water like a sissy, but I stood and took it and it was very refreshing.) It was as if the ocean was saying to me, “Welcome back my friend! Good to have you in my presence.” I thought a gentle pat on the back would have sufficed.

Can something so vast and expansive actually know us personally? Can something so deep and wide, that of which we can never see its fullness, actually care for us as a friend? I’m going out on a limb here and say… Yes! We have a great example in our midst. In the mystery of the Christ, we hear the Lord say, “I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father.” (John 15:15; NRSV) Doesn’t that just blow you away? The One who created all things, including the vast and expansive ocean, chose us, you and me, to be friends of the Almighty Lord!! I do hope you are spending time listening and talking with your friend and Savior, the Lord Jesus.

As I said above, the ocean seemed to speak to me in a differing language as I spent time swimming, surfing and fishing in her waters. And just as the ocean speaks in a differing language, I have learned that the Lord speaks in a differing language as well. It is a language the comes forth from truth and this language is understood as we live together in faith. The language of God is rooted in the mystery of our faith. It is not coming forth from the realms of this world, but comes forth to shape the world as One who deeply cares for humanity and creation and shares in holiness and salvation for all. Our faith is a unique gift to ourselves, but it is also a unique gift given to us that we may share with all. “You did not chose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.” (John 15:16)

Please, please…. Keep the faith.

In Christ’s love and service,

Pastor Dan

Pastor Craig - July 2018

Fri, 22 Jun 2018 05:13:31 GMT

July 24, 1988

The day was a Sunday morning. On that day I kneeled at the altar rail at Bethany Lutheran Church in Minot, North Dakota made confession and promises to God, received a cross, a Bible, the stole was placed on my shoulders by my parents, a representative of the church that had called me confirmed that I was to be their pastor, the Bishop’s representative (my hometown pastor) as well as other pastors laid their hands on me with a blessing and when I stood I had become a Called and Ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

First of all, I have trouble believing that it has been 30 years since that day. I don’t feel that old. It is only in looking back and seeing where God has led me and the people that have touched me and hopefully those through God’s grace I have made a difference in their life. I know that some pastor’s keep a “tally” card. On that card they keep track of their “pastoral” acts. They record, how many baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and funerals they have done up to this point. I know that there is a reason for it, but I have not seen that as part of my calling. My calling is to keep doing what I do in planting and nurturing seeds and let God figure out the harvest.

One of the rewards is that every once in a while, God lets me see some of the growing of the seeds. It has happened now a few times, where I have officiated at the baptism of the child of one who I had done the wedding for and who I had confirmed. I have had the privilege to witness former youth group members, become youth group leaders in their own congregations. I even had the honor of laying hands on a young person as he too confessed and promised to be an ordained pastor in the Lutheran church.

One of the highlights has been sharing the ELCA Youth Gathering with kids. Watching them gain an understanding of how large the Lutheran church is and that they are a part of this family of God that extends around the world. As you read this, we are in or have just come back from the National Gathering in Houston. I still remember the first time that I went in the summer of 1976 between my 9th and 10th grade year. To stand with 32,000 people, more than my hometown, and recite the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer was powerful.

Who would have guessed where God would take me in answering the Call to serve these past 30 years. I really thought that I would be a pastor serving congregations in the Midwest. It made sense for that is where the most Lutheran churches are. Yet, God had other plans.

I feel so privileged to be a part of the people here at Mount Zion. To have a partner in ministry like Pastor Dan, who lets me be me, and yes we do really get along. To have Suzanne by my side, supporting me in more ways than I can count. And to you, for we are called to do ministry together.

Here’s to another 30 years.

In Christ,

Pastor Craig

Pastor Dan - July 2018

Fri, 22 Jun 2018 05:07:42 GMT

The Grand Canyon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America elected Deborah Hutterer as the sixth bishop of the synod. Before being elected, Deborah was the Chief Development Officer of the Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest. Since taking this leadership position with LSS-SW in 2013, the development budget has grown by 260% and flourished into a community of thousands consisting of congregational partners, volunteers, donors and staff working as a body to create healthy communities through God’s vision for Arizona and all people. Deborah has a passion for Jesus, in creating healthy faith communities and discerning the moving of the Holy Spirit. She has been in just about every congregation in our synod, knows the pastors and the leaders and still had the sense of God’s calling to serve this synod as its bishop.

As the nominees for bishop continued to dwindle with each new ballot, we got to hear more from those who remained open to the call. As Deborah continued to make the cut, there were several times I heard her conviction that ministry is a team activity, a team effort, a team together. The common goal was not brining in more revenues, or getting more people into our congregations or even social justice. The vision to which the “Team Christ” works toward is sharing the gospel and sharing the presence of the Christ. Sharing the promises of God with all people in a way in which our congregations find health in mission, vision and values of discipleship in our risen Lord. A team which is invitational welcoming others to come and join in serving all people as Christ continues to provide.

To hear the final three nominees for bishop was a pleasure as was to hear from our National Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. All spoke from a mindset of mission and passion for Christ’s ongoing activity in our congregations. The language was non-divisive, filled with hospitality which naturally flowed from their hearts. Their words came forth in a manner reflecting of a genuine desire to make Christ known. I am not saying that this is new or foreign to the election process, but it was noticeable that the language of sharing Christ has become a natural way to speak not just among the leadership within the ELCA, but also among the people of the ELCA.

We are people of the “Word”. Words a very important and carry weight. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” may be true in some realms, but does not hold truth in regard to words which flow from the hearts of God’s people. Why this consideration is shared is because in a world in which words can be quoted, taken out of context or just flat out be used in abusive ways, it is good to know that there is leadership who don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of time seeking to find the right words, but trust that God is providing words to speak reflective of truth and righteousness. There are leaders and disciples of Christ whose faith is so well grounded in their being that words of God’s grace, of Christian hospitality and welcome-ness dominate the mindset so much that it is from this God given well their words gush forth and give hope and refreshment.

Will you please keep Bishop Deborah in your prayers and may your words come from the faith and grace God has put into the center of your heart.

In Christ’s love and service,

Pastor Dan

June 2018 - Pastor Dan

Fri, 01 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

"The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. 2 Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money." (1 Timothy 3:1-3)

"The election of the bishop is a spiritual process in which both the nominees and voting members seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to understand the needs of the synod and discern who God is calling to leadership. Please pray for our synod as we prepare to take this important action." (Grand Canyon Synod Bishop Information Page)

This month, the Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA will elect a bishop to lead the synod for the next six years. This synod has 89 congregations within a geography of 153,781 square miles. It has just under 45,000 baptized members with over 50% of its congregations are in decline. Sixty percent of its pastors are over 55 years old and 7% are under 40. My question has always been, "Who in their right mind would want to take on such an office and call?" It is an overwhelming, daunting and seemingly impossible position to maintain. It's no wonder that at the beginning of the Installation service of a bishop, the first portion of scripture reads: "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. " "Receive the Holy Spirit." (John 20:21-22) The office of bishop requires the activity of the Holy Spirit as this truth holds true with any disciple and follower of Christ Jesus our Lord.

The synod, its pastors, delegates, visitors and speakers will gather at Resurrection Lutheran church in Tucson beginning Thursday June 14 and will continue until June 16. I do ask you to pray for this process. Please begin at the beginning of the week and continue through Saturday. And then, on Sunday, offer prayers of thanks and praise. But more importantly, please pray for the newly elect bishop. The newly elect bishop is a person and child of God and will need prayer throughout their journey as bishop. But please, please at least form a foundation of prayer for this one to be carried.

"Come, Holy Spirit! Guide our hearts and minds that we may receive a faithful servant who will care for God's people and equip us for our ministry, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord." Amen.

Paul Gryniewicz, - Vice President
Grand Canyon Synod Council

In Christ's love and service, Pastor Dan

Contact Pastor Dan at: psyeyeon@aol.com

June 2018 - Pastor Craig

Fri, 01 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

"Jesus Had Two Dads and He Turned Out Fine."

I had come across this quote a few months ago and wanted to make sure that I could use it for Father's Day this June. We do not know much about Jesus' early life with Joseph. Frankly we do not have much about what Jesus was like growing up. Much of what we know is based on guessing what it would have been like to be the oldest boy in the family of a Jewish carpenter. For us today, we can perhaps make some assumptions. One is that Jesus was raised with a knowledge of the Jewish faith and traditions. In going to school, he was educated with the necessary knowledge of the history of God's relationship to his chosen people. As family was important, he knew that he was a descendant of King David. The other thing that we can reasonable assume is that he worked with Joseph.

In my office, there hangs a picture of Joseph teaching his son, Jesus to smooth a piece of wood. As the oldest son, it was expected that Jesus would work with his father and would himself become a worker with wood. It would not be too much of a stretch to picture as Jesus got older that he would go with his father to places where the jobs took him. In that experience, Jesus perhaps began to see the value of different cultures, traditions, and people. As we ourselves know that early exposure in our own lives shape our thoughts and our ideas. As I said at the beginning, this is just suppositions, because for us and the writers of the Gospels, frankly, it did not matter. They were more concerned with the "adult" Jesus, the one who was influenced by his second father. The one who helped him realize his true calling.

Statics have shown that the average child needs 5-7 non-related adults to help them to grow. Think of those who have influenced you. It could have been a teacher, a boss, a neighbor, camp director, or yes, even a pastor. Over the years, I hope that in some ways I have been one of those caring adults that have helped in developing some amazing adults.

In a world filled with divorces and other family situations, more and more we find kids that have more than one Dad. My own daughter at one time, said that she was going to have "both" of her Dad's walk her down the aisle. I have no problem with that. He cares for her and loves her as I do. Both of us want only the best for her.

Father's Day can be a confusing time. What if you have that strained or non-existent relationship? What do you do with that feeling? I think that one has to look to Jesus for some thoughts on the subject. To all accounts, the assumption is that Joseph died and was not able to see or experience what his "special" child was to become. Jesus lived a portion of his life without a "physical" father who watched over him. Yet, Jesus knew that he had a heavenly Father who cared deeply for his child. Through Jesus Christ, we have this same Father who has always watched over us and has cheered our successes and has had an arm around us when we have needed one. There is much more to be said, but I pray that you can fill in your own words and emotions, as we all live in the comfort of our heavenly Father's loving arms.

In Christ,

Pastor Craig

Contact Pastor Craig at: prcraig@yahoo.com

Pastor Dan - July 2016

Wed, 02 May 2018 18:09:32 GMT

I am reminded of a song recorded by Glenn Frye entitled, "The Heat is On". Oh my brothers and sisters, the heat is definitely on. Summer is here in the Old Pueblo. It took only one day to go from tolerable to "in your face" summer heat. And with the summer heat comes the unpredictable rains that will visit Tucson in the summer. I try to stay indoors as much as possible but duties do call that I go outside. I went out the other evening after the day had reached 113 degrees and saw clouds building over the Catalina mountains. It was a vision of possible relief from the heat. It was a reminder that with the heat also come the monsoon rains.

Every summer it seems that I write about the monsoons. I will keep that tradition alive One thing that is associated with the monsoon storms is the wind. It's a unique experience to walk between the buildings of downtown Tucson with blistering heat slowing your pace and in the midst of sweltering sweat one can feel just the slightest of breeze carrying with it the faint aroma of moisture. This faint smell brings hope of rain, along with winds, that will bring change to the temperature of the day. Within hours, the slight breeze of hope becomes a monsoon of reality. Winds so strong that one time, those winds lifted a shed we had in our backyard over the fence and wedged into our neighbor's patio. With the strong winds comes an abundance of rains which at times is so heavy it fill arroyos and washes and overflows their banks to bring destruction and mayhem into the property and lives of many a Tucsonan.

Whenever we see clouds begin to tower up over the Catalina's and the sky begins to darken, we wonder as to which direction they're going to roll. Once we catch that breeze carrying the smell of moisture, we begin to prepare for some strong winds. We'll bring indoors those things we don't want wet. We'll weight down things so that they don't fly away. We do our best to anchor that which needs an anchor. We prepare for the strong winds associated with the refreshing rains.

In the last couple of years, that faint breeze of moisture has been seemingly wafting from within the Body of Christ. There' been a faint stirring of God' Holy Spirit carrying with it the promise of something new; something that will bring change to the current temperature of the Church. My prayer is that when the Spirit comes in full force, we are anchored well enough to marvel at the power and lightning and thunder that will usher in a fresh appearance and presence of Christ into the many congregations and ministries the Lord empowers in order that the Lord may touch lives. Will we see this in our lifetime? I pray Amen' so be it.

Here at Mount Zion, over the years, leadership has caught the Spiris moving and has been preparing us for the strong winds that will drive away that which is not anchored. We have tried to stay anchored in the Risen Christ knowing that with and in the Christ all things become new. I pray that we continue to not only to smell the change that' on the horizon, but also be faithful witnesses in what it means to be anchored and ready for the Spirit's power.

In Christ' love and service,

Pastor Dan

Contact Pastor Dan at: psyeyeon@aol.com

Pastor Craig - May 2018

Tue, 01 May 2018 03:27:49 GMT

"April Showers Bring May Flowers"

This phrase has been a part of my life growing up in North Dakota. The snow had gone. (except for that last snow storm that seemed to show up in April) As kids we could not wait to get outside and play and not have to wear snow suits. Our bikes had been waiting for us to ride up and down the hills since the Fall. The Saturday would come and then it would rain and rain and rain some more. Then Mom would utter that familiar phrase, "April Showers Bring May Flowers" in that sing songy voice.

To say we are spoiled in Tucson is an understatement. Flowers and budding plants happen here all year long. There are unique times when the citrus blossoms happen and other cactus and trees bloom, but for the most part we can have evidence of God's growing miracle all year long. As such, guess what, we can and do take it for granted. Unless something so unusual happens to draw our attention to it.

Many years ago, I had a next-door neighbor who I did not know well come knocking on my door at about 10:00pm. I immediately was in "pastor mode" and wondering what was wrong. She said, "You have got to see this!" She took us to the front of her house and there underneath the light was her cactus. (I know as you read this you will know what flavor of cactus this was.) It was that variety that only blooms at night and only for a short time. It was fabulous. It was so impressive that she had to share it with someone and we were the lucky ones.

The church is still in the season of Easter. Our scripture lessons are still recounting the various appearances of Jesus to the disciples and to the people and what their reactions were. The various people that went and saw the empty tomb needed to share the experience. The men on the road to Emmaus could not wait to get back to the disciples to tell them of what they had seen. Even the disciples, received a renewed sense of hope when the risen Lord appeared to them.

As long as I remember that Easter Lilly was always the flower of the resurrection. I remember even as a kid thinking that the trumpet shape of the flower was a fitting way to announce the empty tomb.

In many ways, the act of planting is an illustration of Jesus' death and resurrection. One takes the seed and puts it into the dark soil, you cover it up and you just wait and hope that something happens. I am sure that someone has figured out the "force" needed to have a plant "burst" through the ground to grow into the plant that it was always meant to be. Think of Jesus as that one that in his death has "burst" forth from the tomb so that he can be who he has always been, the Son of God.

My prayer always is that today you are able to see the blossoms that God has provided in your life and not be trapped in only seeing the weeds.

In Christ,

Pastor Craig

Contact Pastor Craig at: prcraig@yahoo.com

Pastor Dan - May 2018

Tue, 01 May 2018 03:20:02 GMT

I learn so much from the young children who come each week to be a part of the Mount Zion congregation. Their attitude toward life and faith and family is displayed like a pure crystal flowing stream. And like a pure flowing crystal mountain snow melt stream, for just a few moments, as I watch them scurry and dance, run and laugh, my being is refreshed as if I was drinking from that cool, cold, clear stream. The other day, I saw a couple of the little one's skipping. Remember skipping? No, I'm not talking about skipping out or skipping school, I'm talking about stepping from one foot to the other with a hop or bounce. Skipping. I had to take a moment and think about the last time I skipped. Sadly, I couldn't remember.

This May, it seems that there is so much going on in Mount Zion, in our lives together, in my life and in the world. Personally, I have my son and daughter-in-law coming out from PA, I have a concert in Flagstaff with my daughter and future son-in-law, it will be the 10th anniversary of my mom's passing to remember this Mother's Day, there are graduations and promotions, baptisms and Pentecost, there's people coming and going in the congregation and an upcoming commitment to Valencia Middle School. There's so much happening and you know what I'm going to do? I'm going to skip. No, not skip over or out, but skip with one foot to the other with a hop or bounce from one event to the other.

I wonder if Jesus skipped. When Jesus informed His disciples that He was going off to pray, did He skip off into the wilderness? Did He walk soberly or did He rush off? Was He in a hurry from one thing to the next? As I move about my day to day from one event to another, I see many folks (sometimes including myself) who seemingly rush by, or rush through or push and force their way through the day. The rushing and pushing seem to create tension and unnecessary motions and words which put down and create ugliness among us. "Skipping" seems it would lend itself more to a lightness and joy in our day to day moving from one event to the other.

I have always had a thick head and I am slow to learn, but many years back I began to realize that where I grow in faith, love and hope isn't so much at the events I participate in but in the journeying to get there. Those times I travel by myself and I am not accountable of word or deed other than to myself and my Lord, I have learned, are seemingly more important to growth in discipleship. This is something I have learned from Christ.

Jesus began the journey to the cross in Galilee and as He made His journey to Jerusalem, He didn't push and shove and run and rush and be rude. He healed, He taught and He expressed His care for the world and for all the people He came in contact along His journeying. Yes, the cross was the most important meeting anyone in this world ever had to attend, but He journeyed to the cross as only the Christ could. I would like to think, that somewhere along the way, Jesus skipped.

In Christ's love and service, Pastor Dan

Contact Pastor Dan at: psyeyeon@aol.com

April 2018 - Pastor Craig

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 22:26:22 GMT

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF THE RISEN LORD!!!

About 1930, the Bolshevik Bukharin, journeyed from Moscow to Kiev. His mission was to address a huge assembly. His subject, atheism. For a solid hour he aimed his heavy artillery at Christianity, an hour-long argument and ridicule. At last he was finished and viewed what seemed to be the smoldering ashes of a people's faith.

"Are there any questions?" Bukharin demanded.

A solitary man arose and asked permission to speak. He mounted the platform and moved close to the communist. The audience was breathlessly silent as the man surveyed them first to the right, then to the left. At last he shouted the ancient Orthodox greeting, "CHRIST IS RISEN!"

The vast assembly arose as one and the response came crashing like the sound of an avalanche, "HE IS RISEN, INDEED!"

The power of the Risen Lord can never be stamped out. In Jesus, we find our hope and our life. In God's Son, we find our forgiveness and the strength to struggle in the midst of adversity. The Resurrection means victory. Victory over death and over human cruelty.

The bonus is that Jesus tells us that "He goes to prepare a place for us." Even in the midst of death he declared, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." How about this word of hope, "I am the way the truth and the live no one comes to the Father, but by me."

Jesus was no stranger to pain and suffering. Yet, through his pain and sacrifice, we have the spoils of his battles. His battles were with temptation, greed, power, obedience and the final battle with death.

Jesus Christ is indeed active in the world. Listening to a radio program, they recounted the fact that 3 years before the "fall" of communism a large wooden cross was allowed to be displayed in Red Square during the great parade. In the trip of Pope John Paul II to Cuba, Castro displayed a portrait of Christ that was many stores high. Who knows the power and purposes of God?

I pray that as we have come to the cross and to the tomb that God's Spirit would empower you to find the victory and encouragement that you need in your life. How is this accomplished? Because; CHRIST IS RISEN, HE IS RISEN, INDEED!!!

In Christ,

Pastor Craig

Contact Pastor Craig at: prcraig@yahoo.com

April 2018

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 05:03:55 GMT

April 1st brings us Easter and the celebration of resurrection in the lives of God's faithful people. Resurrection becomes a part of our very being and this life of promise takes hold of us and influences the way our living unfolds in this world. There is a sense of newness each and every morning we rise. At least, there is the potential for newness each morning we rise. As I continue to mature in faith and in life, I'm not so sure I'm on board with this newness each and every morning. At this stage of the journey, I am realizing that newness isn't for sissy's.

I recently officiated a wedding in Driftwood, TX and though the ceremony was in Driftwood, we were staying in Wimberley, TX. These are towns south of Austin, TX. I was in a totally new setting. I was in a place I had never been before. I was brought to a totally new place in my life. I usually have no problems with this. I actually like new experiences and places. The problem was that I never got my bearings straight. I had no sense of direction.

We flew into Austin TX, and we rented a car at the airport. I had directions printed out and that's what we had to trust. I do not have a smart phone or a GPS device. My thought is, "I don't need no stinking directions." So, we get in the car and begin to head south toward the area of the state in which all the festivities were going to take place. It was soon after turning off the interstate that my problem began to manifest itself. I had lost all sense of north and south, east and west. The directions we had printed out stated things like, "At FM 2326/PR 156 go east". OK. Is east on my left or on my right? Are we heading north or south when we get to FM2326/PR 156? .I had lost my bearings and I did not have a GPS to straighten me out. And this wasn't just going to the airport to Wimberley, this was the WHOLE time I was there. Even going back to the airport I got lost. I spent half the time on the road being lost. I never got my bearings and directions correct. The long rolling hills and trees kept my bearing from focusing on an anchor to keep me from being lost. Driving in newness was frustrating and downright just sucking the life right out of me partn'r. Newness definitely isn't what it's always cracked up to be!

Newness can be frustrating. Especially the newness the world has to offer us each and every day. We wake every morning to newness. We hear of events in the world which change our perspective of life for that day. We have a new law passed. We need a new law passed. Prices are new when we go to the store. The price of gas seems to be new every day. A new face is in the news and it's usually not good. A new life erupts upon us because we, or someone in our lives is diagnosed with a disease. This newness each and every day is tiring and it wears us down. We are all realizing that newness isn't for sissy's.

For us who are in Christ, this newness each and every day takes on a new shape. The newness of the world is met by the newness of resurrection and the hope that comes in knowing that our Savior, Jesus the Christ, isn't going away. The Lord is present and is our bearing. The Lord is not just an anchor, a point in our lives to keep our bearings straight and on course, the Lord isn't just a quaint fairy tale which teaches us about life. No, the Lord is the way, the truth and the life. And the life the Lord brings and bestows is an eternal life for He is Risen! He is Risen indeed.

In Christ's love and service, Pastor Dan

Contact Pastor Dan at: psyeyeon@aol.com

March 2018

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT

"Just When You Think You Have Figured It Out"

A group of four-year-olds were gathered together in a Sunday School Class. The teacher looked at the class and asked this question: "Does anyone know what today is?" A little four-year-old girl held up her hand and said, "Yes, today is Palm Sunday." The teacher exclaimed, "That's fantastic, that's wonderful. Now does anyone know what next Sunday is?" The same little girl held up her hand. She said, "Yes, next Sunday is Easter Sunday." Once again the teacher said "That's fantastic. Now, does anyone know what makes next Sunday Easter?" Same little girl responded and said, "Yes, next Sunday is Easter because Jesus rose from the grave" and before the teacher could congratulate her, she kept on talking and said, "But if he sees his shadow. . .he has to go back in for seven weeks."

Just When You Think You Have Figured It Out! The child knew all the basics. She knew what she knew. For her, it all made perfect sense. She knew that Jesus came out of a dark place, just like the groundhog. The logical progression in her mind drew the connection. As adults we can laugh because we know more of the story. We have lived the story. We have heard it repeated over and over again and have claimed it as OUR story. Every time we gather together, we experience the story as it relates to us today. It is that reason that we believe in Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of the World.

Yet, God knew that we would never figure the story out totally. What I mean is there is still mystery in how God operates. As humans we love asking the questions that don't really matter but are fascinating to think about. I won't be able to list all of them here. However, here is the short answer to the question "Why?" Because, God loves us.

The season of Lent more than any other allows us to examine our hearts and simply realize that all we can do is be grateful and receive this awesome gift of his death on the cross for us. That's it, nothing more on that end. However, what do we do with that knowledge? Jesus said it simply to the disciples of John the Baptist when they came to find out who he was, "tell what you have seen and heard". Is it really that simple?

I believe that it is. Lent and Easter help us define who we are as followers of Jesus in the light of his death on the cross and his resurrection. It is the lessons, we hear and songs that are sung that surround us with the life-giving message that allows us to embrace our Lord. Like the child, we get a chance to wonder again and retell the story. An old story that we know, but it remains new and fresh as our life is lived with it's new challenges.

In Christ,

Pr Craig

Contact Pastor Craig at: prcraig@yahoo.com

March Madness

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT

March is upon us and as I tend to state just about every time March rolls around, "I love the month of March. The main reason being is that I grew up with basketball. My mom played collegiate basketball at Rhode Island. We had a basketball hoop in our backyard and for literally years, the neighborhood played there seemingly daily. I love college basketball and "March Madness". I love the drama of the whole NCAA Men's Basketball tournament. Even though I fill out a bracket and that bracket is blown to pieces within the first day, I still enjoy watching and rooting for the underdog to snatch a victory where victory is seemingly impossible.

Over the years of watching the Men's tournament, I have mellowed out in my viewing demeanor. In my earlier years of viewing, I would root for the lower seeded, less known, small market team to bring down the major team. And I would yell at the refs, and the players and the coaches when I felt they were not playing or officiating the game in an appropriate "fair" manner. I would get so involved in the drama of the game that my heart rate would increase and I would be emotionally invested siding with the underdog every time. The feeling of joy would be so overwhelming when the underdog won and the sour grapes in my teeth was very, very sour when they lost a close one. But now a days, as I watch, I am less invested (except when it comes to the Wildcats), and I can truly find a sense of joy in the fact that these young men had the chance to play on this type of stage.

The March of 2018 lends itself to a sense of "Madness of March" in our Lenten and faith journey. The calendar shows that Holy Week and the final day of darkness in the Lenten journey will find its completion on March 31. (That's right, Easter is on April 1st!) The themes of Midweek worship, the unfolding of Holy Week opportunities calling us to consider the events which lead up to the death of our Savior, the feeling of the light of the world surrounded in the darkness of a tomb will find its culmination on March 31st.

Do we dare take the time to become involved in the movement of the "Madness of March"? Do we dare enter into the "Madness" of the events of Holy Week? To enter into the madness of Judas, the Pharisees, the disciples, Caiaphas, Pilate, the soldiers, the madness of the jeering crowd? Do we dare vest our complete selves to immerse our very being into the unfolding events of the "Madness of March?" If I could invest myself for years in the Men's NCAA basketball tournament I sure can do it for my Lord.

When we participate as a community of faithful disciples in the events of the life and death of our Lord, we open ourselves up to experience the entirety of the possibilities of Easter Morning and resurrection. The lone Jesus seemingly defeated lays in the tomb, seemingly no time on the clock. But the Lord of time cannot be bound by the elements of the world. Jesus doesn't operate solely on the clock, but solely as the Eternal One who has taken on flesh to transform all of creation, including you and me. I pray your March is filled with "Madness" in order to know the Peace which surpasses ALL HUMAN understanding coming in the salvation Christ fulfills on Easter Sunrise morning.

In Christ's love and service, Pastor Dan

Contact Pastor Dan at: psyeyeon@aol.com

March 2017 - Pastor Dan

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT

During the Miracles Concert on the afternoon of February 12, I was moved to tears on several occasions. They were tears that welled up because of Gods unfolding awe. It was as if God had a vision for Mount Zion before time began and some of us got to see a firsthand glimpse of Gods vision and dream for Mount Zion. I don't often get to sit in the sanctuary where I get to look out the picture window and see Cat mountain, but that's where I was seated for the concert. It was a mostly cloudy day. At one point in the concert, Grace DePuit was in the chancel area and was performing an outstanding rendition of The Gift, (with Joey Feek as back-up). As she sang, the clouds parted enough for the sun to hit Cat Mountain as a bird flew by in the distance, soaking up some of the suns rays as well. It was one of the most awe inspiring and humbling moments for me, as one of the pastors serving the faithful people who congregate at Mount Zion.

I have had dreams and visions for the congregation of Mount Zion ever since I arrived in May 1999. I used to go onto the vacant property to the east of us and I would walk that property praying for the land as I envisioned a new sanctuary, with a cry room filled with children. I envision a place where people would come and learn about living with Jesus the Christ and come to love Jesus in new and awesome ways. I envisioned and prayed for Mount Zion to be a place of serving our neighbors with our hearts and our love of God and neighbor. And you know what?? Not a one of those visions and dreams have come about in the manner in which I saw them in my mind. God has indeed surpassed the dreams and visions I have dreamed and envisioned. And the Lord has done it in amazing and awesome ways in which only the Lord can do. Thanks be and praise to the Lord.

Since none of the pictures and images of the visions and dreams I once held for the people and campus of Mount Zion have come to fruition, maybe I should just give up and stop dreaming. Maybe I should no longer attempt to envision a future for the people and campus of Mount Zion. Currently, my batting average is 0 for about 936. A few things that I've learned over the years is that I will never stop dreaming and envisioning a future for Gods people who gather at Mount Zion. I will never stop dreaming on behalf of Gods people everywhere. And neither should you. Because, another thing I have become certain about is that when we stop dreaming and envisioning a better future, we stop being alive, we stop being human, we top being faithful, we stop loving God, self and neighbor.

I encourage all of us to continue to dream and envision for a better life ahead. What God does with those dreams and visions as they all come together in Christ is amazing. God brings those dreams and visions to be seen and made known in our worldly realm in ways far more awesome and amazing than any one person could dream or envision. God takes our thoughts and dreams makes things happen in Gods ways and in Gods times. I could never have envisioned Grace singing in such a beautiful setting, but God took all our dreams and visions and fulfills our dreams and visions in ways that bring complete humbleness and tears of joy and awe. Such moments as these bring fullness of life and living faithfully in the comfort of Lord. Thank you all for your dreams and visions and prayers for the people and campus of Mount Zion and for all of Gods people throughout the world.

In Christs love and service,

Pastor Dan

Contact Pastor Dan at: psyeyeon@aol.com

February 2018

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 00:00:00 GMT

"Hearts and Ashes"

To say this has been a strange calendar year is an understatement. It started for me when we had an "extra" Thursday in November after Thanksgiving. Then we celebrated both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve on Sunday and we are not done yet. This year the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday is Valentine's Day and Easter Sunday is April Fool's Day. Think of the preaching possibilities.

Having Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day in the same sentence is complicated. It causes one to think and reflect on what it means to actually love someone and what does that involve. Love is a complicated word. Right off the bat is it an action or is it a feeling or is it both. Think of the many different Country Western songs that speak of love found, love lost, or somewhere in between. Has Hallmark between its romantic cards and movies cornered the market on what our idea of love is? Can one sing the words to "Jesus Loves Me" and feel the same emotion as a tear-jerker ending of a love story?

The Season of Lent is that ultimate love story. It is a story between God and us. As with any good love story there are things that get in the way. In this case, we have the people who question is this the Son of God or is he the Son of the Devil. There were those, like the Jewish leaders, who thought that the true relationship between God and the church/people was just fine it was that "true" love found in the traditions and laws. Even people not "part of the family" got involved in the story like Pontius Pilate or the Roman soldiers. We even ended with the Romeo/Juliet moment of the ending of a life for love's sake. True to form, the death cannot be the end. There has to be that moment when Love triumphs over all obstacles. Simplistic, I know but isn't that what the love of God is all about?

It is actually more than that. We can speak of a love that is temporary or short lived. The first crush on a school classmate or that first date, or the one that Garth Brooks sings about in his song "Thank God for Unanswered Prayer". God's love or true love is one that endures all things. . You see God's love is the standard by which all other loves are compared to and pale in the light of. We can see however what it means to be love and not in love.

Ash Wednesday is that day when we look for that rebirth and newness in our own lives. We acknowledge our sinful self and bow down and acknowledge our imperfections. We use the ashes placed on our foreheads as a sign and an enduring symbol of the lengths in which our God is willing to go to show and demonstrate his love for us.

This year as we celebrate Valentine's Day by giving out cards, flowers, candy and other things to the ones we love may you always know that the greatest gift that you can give the one you love is you. That's what God did, he gave himself for us.

In Christian Love

Pr Craig

Contact Pastor Craig at: prcraig@yahoo.com

February 2018

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 00:00:00 GMT

As I write this message, I am still in the process of "Putting away Christmas." You know, all those things that we have gathered over the years need a proper place. Those things that carry so much meaning, those lovely delicate and not so lovely, nor delicate decorations that we've collected and brought out to add to the Advent and Christmas season need a precious place to rest. The tree, the lights, the manger scenes, the advent candles and all the new gifts need to find a home before their anticipated return for the joy of the next Advent and Christmas season. On top of this, my sister is moving and sent out some "family heirlooms" which she doesn't want to throw out before I get a look at them. With my limited storage space, it seems I either have to create more space, be more efficient with the current space or find another option. I have had two primary questions swirling around my brain (it too has limited storage space) as I pack and place. These two questions are, "Why am I hanging on to this?" and "Do I really need to hang on to this?" Other questions I have had to ask are, "What is this?" and "Where did this come from?"

As the season of Lent quickly approaches, I find that these questions are now applying to my faith journey. I find myself asking, "Why am I hanging on to a sense of "superiority?" We all know that Mount Zion is the only Lutheran congregation that does Church correctly and in so, there is also a sense of humility which goes to the wayside. Of course, I speak in jest and yet, there is an awareness that superiority and a lack of humility do exist and can easily invade the way we think when approaching and engaging with the stranger, the neighbor and the faithful in Christ. I hope that I can shed this sneaky little attitude from my very being so that Christ may truly shine through my words and deeds. But chances are, in being human, these attitudes will require an awareness and honesty to keep them at bay.

As disciples of our Risen and Living Lord, many of us have come to realize that despite our human-ness, our human tendencies and our human ways, the power of God's Holy Spirit at work in us and through us has a power to overcome all obstacles. God is aware of our human-ness and that's why The Almighty has sent His Son and continues to send the Holy Spirit to reveal the Lord's love and redeeming at work in ourselves and in the world. Yes, we are broken vessels. God is aware of this.

The season of Lent is a time to journey with the Lord and with brothers and sisters in Christ to the cross. This Lenten season, Mount Zion will offer opportunities to examine the broken-ness of being a human as we have one foot in the eternal realm of God. These opportunities are not being offered to beat ourselves up and to make us feel worthless and guilty. They are being offered in a way in which we can take inventory of our own personal human tendencies. And in recognizing our own human tendencies, we can ask ourselves, "Do I really need to hang on to this?" We can ask ourselves within the realm of faith, "What is this?" and "Where did this come from?" It is from within the asking of these questions, we can continue to see just how the Lord has been at work in our hearts and how the Lord's love is shaping our souls.

I pray that your Lenten journey is one in which the Lord's divine presence is experienced and formative in your life and in your living.

In Christ's love and service, Pastor Dan

Contact Pastor Dan at: psyeyeon@aol.com

January 2018

Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT

"Possibilities"

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." Albert Einstein

I often wonder when I hear a quote from a famous person who heard it and thought enough of it to write it down. My guess is that the author was in need of hearing what Mr. Einstein was saying. Human emotions I believe are common to all people though out all the centuries. The specific issues might have changed. We don't have the stress of hoping that we will find our food for the day in the forest, but we wonder about paying bills and providing for our families. We might not have to worry about dying from the common cold, but we recognize our own mortality and struggling with our bodies betraying us. We can so easily become trapped in our own worlds that we fail to see the miracles that surround us.

I think of the ministry of Jesus. He walked, and he talked. He healed and gave comfort and the people remembered his words because they needed them. Aren't we lucky that they did? We know because we have heard about the blessings that God has given us through his Son. The blessings of love, of forgiveness, of grace, of community, and of his being always willing to listen. The one blessing that seems to get lost is the crowd is the blessing of HOPE.

Hope is a simple word. It does not need an explanation. It is not a complicated word. Most kids can spell it at an early age. Yet, it is an important word. It is the foundational word that drives us through our day and gives purpose to our life. It is more than "I hope the traffic won't be too bad today." It is the word that allows us to embrace who we are as God most amazing creation.

This time of year we are able to start fresh. For some the act of hanging a new calendar on the wall is a therapeutic action that says goodbye to the old year and replaces it with the hello, of the New Year. The truth is that because we do live in the grace of God, each moment in his presence is like a fresh start.

Every morning God gives us a choice on how we are to view the day. Sometimes all it takes is to step outside and hear the birds, see the cactus/trees, look at the mountains and wonder in the creation that God has provided for you to see.

My prayer for all of us is that we don't lose sight of the miracles that God provides for us each day. That our vision does not become blurred by the world that seems to press itself upon us and causes us to despair and to lose heart. It is a continuous battle that is worth the fighting to live in the miraculous world God through his love has created for his children.

Here's hoping that you have a miraculous New Year of our Lord, 2018!!!

Pastor Craig

Contact Pastor Craig at: prcraig@yahoo.com

January 2018

Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT

January 2018 is upon us and in its arrival there is a sense of newness which is reinforced when it comes to writing out checks and other documents which require us to write in the date. In the newness of the first few weeks, I generally am on top of the change and there is even a sense of pride as I remember to write the correct digits of the new year. But after about two or three weeks, if I am pushed for time and running on autopilot, I find that the newness hasn't replaced the habit reinforced over the previous twelve months. I find the date of the previous year, without any effort, flows onto the check and the incorrect year is written. Some newness takes time to sink in and become a part of our day to day.

Often times I find myself making some sort of new commitment as the New Year comes about. I often seek to add a new discipline or try to commit to giving something up, or express the desire to shed a few pounds or maybe quit a certain habit such as whining. Some years, I make a commitment to add something like reading a new devotional, or commit to spending more time doing this or that. These commitments are good and healthy and well. I don't think I will ever give up the mindset of establishing newness in my routine as the New Year steamrolls me whether I like it or not.

In the month of December as I write this, with 2018 closing in, I was pondering about the things I would like to leave in 2017. You know, those "just let 2017 hold onto them for eternity and I can move on without them" type of things. The things that I considered gladly leaving behind, I soon realized that when I wake up on January 01, they'd still be there; following me like my shadow. Within moments, with the help of God's working, I then began to consider those things that I'd like to bring with me into the New Year. And this process, of thinking about the things I would like to carry with me into the New Year proved to be a very rewarding process.

Some of the things I would like to bring with me into this New Year are rooted in what God has given to me. These are the gifts of faith, of love, of care, of hope, of the things that warm my heart and soul, the things that inspire and bring wonder, the things that can bring a smile to my face when I am not feeling the joy and the realization that these gifts come to fruition because of and through the relationships the Lord has established in my life and living. As such, some of the other things that I truly desire to carry with me into the New Year are those relationships. The family God has given, with all its ups and downs, the family of congregation, all of you who MOST of the time bring such joy and inspiration, as well as the relationship of community, and most definitely the relationship that God has given in His coming to us in the Christ.

The "things" I desire to carry with me are those things that have "sunk in" my life and they are the things that make life the richest and fullest I can know. These are things which have shaped my life in the most wonderful of ways. These are the things which keep the light alive when the darkness seems to be beckoning to overwhelm and devour. These are the things God has given knowing that these are the things I need to know what life in Christ is all about.

May the Lord Bless you this New Year and give you Peace.

In Christ's love and service, Pastor Dan

Contact Pastor Dan at: psyeyeon@aol.com

December 2017

Fri, 01 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT

I saw the seven day forecast for Tucson last night. There wasn't a day in the 70's in that forecast and it looks like Tucson will be the warmest spot in the nation for two days in a row. I also saw, in the newscast Fall foliage, snow and cold weather as it appears to be winter in many parts of the nation. As I write this, it is the latter half of November and I still am using the AC unit in the window to cool down the laundry room. To be honest, I am struggling to grasp that this is the Advent/Christmas time of year. Though I am ever mindful that the Advent/Christmas mindset has nothing to do with weather, but some hot cocoa on a brisk evening can go a long way toward setting a holiday mood. I'm not asking for snow, but a sniff of Fall would be nice.

Speaking of snow, I have learned that many people spend time watching the Hallmark Channel this time of year for its Christmas shows and movies. If you are one who watches, you may have noticed, in many of the movies, that just at that "moving" moment of the movie, the moment when love is experienced in heart changing ways for someone or for many, it begins to snow. When it begins to snow in a Hallmark Christmas movie, love has come to dwell in the hearts and souls of those who need it most in a new and life changing way. Pastor Craig has informed me that "the snow moment" happens exactly three-quarters into the movie. There is a lot of ups and downs, twists and turns, joy and sorrow that builds up to the "snow moment." The "snow moment" is pretty much meaningless if you don't see the first three-quarters of the show.

I do pray that all of us take time this Advent season to prepare our hearts for that incredible "snow moment" of God Almighty in the birth of the Christ. I pray that we find moments to reflect upon all of that which has happened to the relationship between God and His people; the ups and the downs, the entering into the promised land to only worship idols, to the beauty of the temple and the praise offered to the destruction of that temple as sin corrupted all that we as humans take as our own. The Almighty Lord exhausted every means by sending prophets and leaders to turn hearts back to God so that all hearts may experience the "snow moment" with our loving and gracious God. God loves us beyond measure and God wants us to know and experience that love. Everything God tried, seemingly failed to penetrate our heads of mortar and our hearts of stone. This is part of the build up to God's "snow moment" which we celebrate this time of year.

And just at the right moment, God does something that many refuse to believe. God comes to make the relationship right by entering our world and our lives as a newborn infant born in the harshest of conditions. Though there are many throughout history and many among us who think this story to be rubbish, we have come to experience the Almighty's grace and love for us through this One called Jesus. Jesus, God's eternal "snow moment" in our lives and in the world.

I pray you and all your loved ones have safe travels, joyous moments and a very Blessed Advent and Christmas season.

In Christ's love and service, Pastor Dan

Contact Pastor Dan at: psyeyeon@aol.com

Decmber 2017 - Pastor Craig

Fri, 01 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT

"Following the Light of the Star"

"The wise men set out and there, ahead of them went the star that they had seen at its rising until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother. They knelt down and paid him homage. (Matthew 2:9-11)

This is a part of the story of the wise men coming to see the baby Jesus. It is a story that we have grown up with and that still warms our hearts. The thought that "wise men" would also come and recognize Jesus as the Savior of the World. Over the years much has been made of Matthew's account. People have wondered about who were these wise men. For the sake of this article, I want to focus on the faith that it took to follow a star.

For many of us, we need to have a map. We need to know where we are going. G.P.S has been an incredible invention, but you need to know your final destination. In other words, the wise men couldn't use it. They simply had to follow and trust that it was not a wild goose chase. They had to believe that they would be helped along the journey and encouraged to get to the right place. In Matthew, they even, contrary to the male ego, stop to ask directions. Yet, King Herod didn't really know. Instead they headed out again following the star until they found the child.

The idea of trust and belief is one that is so difficult sometimes for us to grasp. We all know the challenges of our wonderful intersection of Ajo and Kinney. It is always an adventure in travel and in following directions. We never know what changes we will encounter when we get there. Yet, the builders of the intersection try everything they can to lead us and guide us through the maze of pylons and lights. But we can't ever take for granted that we know where we should go on our own, because the signs are constantly changing. In the beginning of the construction, we were initially confused because for years, we had been making that left hand turn from that particular turning lane. Over the past weeks, all of us now approach the intersection with the awareness of wonderment of where should I go today. One of the results is that we have become more tolerant and aware that people will make mistakes as collectively we try to figure out how to get through the intersection.

I am sure that the wise men had to sell the idea that they were going to be guided by a star. Think of the trust and the faith of those who were part of the caravan. Yet day after day or should I say night after night as they traveled the star became part of their identity and so it did not seems so strange of an idea as when they had started out.

This year treat this Christmas Season as an adventurous journey that has a wonderful surprise at the end. Not as a road that has been traveled many times before, but a new path that leads to the infant child that touches your heart.

Merry Christmas

Pr Craig

Contact Pastor Craig at: prcraig@yahoo.com

November 2017

Wed, 01 Nov 2017 00:00:00 GMT

In late September, our son Tony wed Laura Raczkowski in Strawberry, AZ. Strawberry is located about 25 miles north of Payson, AZ. The ceremony took place in the woods and it was a lovely evening for the ceremony. During the wedding meal, friends and family began to speak about the couple. What struck me the most, at that point, were the people who had gathered to celebrate the wedding. Their friends, some of whom began friendships in Jr. High, were really outstanding and unique people. The friends that Tony and Laura have made over the years are really caring and loving people. I was so thankful to God that this couple has such an incredible support system of friends and family. I am so thankful to God for some of the decisions we made as a family to help foster these friendships as our children grew. I am so thankful to God for our son and Laura coming together to mutually grow in faith, love and hope.

During the month of November, maybe you're like me in that my sense of gratitude and thankfulness is heightened. I spend a little more time, seeing through the lens of being thankful to the Lord for the little and the big things that happen on a day to day basis. I am more aware of the butterfly floating by, the little blossom that has sprung up from the crack in the sidewalk, the sunset, the kindness of a stranger. The Lord seems to speak in ways un-noticed most often, but in November, it seems, I tend to be more sensitive to the Lord's speaking and presence among us.

On the Sunday of October 15, Pastor Craig spoke about truly being thankful for the fact that someone showed up to worship. In reality, there is no guarantee that anyone would show up. There is no mandatory attendance and when you do attend, I pray you are blessed and touched by the Lord because otherwise, all you get is a bright yellow smiley face on the attendance chart in my office. (When you don't show up, you get a red frowny face stuck by your name.) But when Pastor Craig shared his gratefulness that you follow the moving of the Spirit and do worship, I couldn't help but think about all of you who do gather at Mount Zion. What outstanding and awesome people all of you are. I am so thankful to God Almighty for calling and choosing you to gather around His table and gather in His name to serve at Mount Zion. I truly mean this from my heart. The Spirit and gifts that the Lord has brought and continues to bring to this place is a testimony to the awesomeness of our Lord. I will go out on a limb and speak for Pastor Craig and for myself that we do give heartfelt thanks and are truly grateful to the Lord that He continues to provide such faithful disciples for this congregation and for His Church.

I pray that you will be able to join us for a Thanksgiving Eve service on Wednesday November 22 at 7:00pm. I also hope that you'll stay after the service to join some great and awesome people for pie and fellowship. But most of all, I do hope you are able to experience the grace and blessings of an abundant God and that you are able to give heartfelt thanks for all of God's activity in your life and in the world.

In Christ's love and service, Pastor Dan

Contact Pastor Dan at: psyeyeon@aol.com

November 2017 - Pastor Craig

Wed, 01 Nov 2017 00:00:00 GMT

"The Fifth Thursday"

Sounds like a perfect title for a suspense spy thriller. It is in fact what is happening to us this month of November. We are all creatures of habit. This month I know that I am going to be messed up when there is still a whole week of November left after Thanksgiving Day. If that was not confusing enough, this is the first time in a very long time that the First Sunday of Advent is not held on the weekend of Thanksgiving. Can this somehow be a blessing???

For those of you who really know me and Suzanne, you know we make a practice of joining the crowds shopping on "Black Friday". Most of the time we have had to cut our day short, because of having (getting the privilege) to decorate the church on that same day, perhaps later in the afternoon because it had to be ready for that beginning of Advent which of course happens most of the time right after Thanksgiving. This year as mentioned is different. Decorating the church for Christmas is going to be happening on the Fifth Thursday, November 30th at about 11:00am.

What are we going to do with that "extra" time? In thinking about it, we can finally focus a whole four days on giving THANKS. Think of that possibility for a moment. Instead of one hectic day, filled with traditions, family, football, and food, (which happens anyway), when the people go home, we get a chance for the rest of the time to focus on Thanksgiving and not having to jump right in to Christmas.

This is an opportunity for us. It so rarely happens that I know it will seem unnatural to come to church that weekend following Thanksgiving and not see an Advent wreath, Christmas trees, or even a wreath hanging on a wall. We get a chance to continue that message of giving thanks what was started at the service on Thanksgiving Eve and bring it through the 3 worship services for the weekend.

We talk about that feeling of a thankful heart and of giving God our thanks and praise. This Thanksgiving, God and the calendar have given us a wonderful gift. An extended time to give thanks in a meaningful, non-hectic way.

It is my prayer that you take advantage and allow yourself that time to reflect on the blessings that God has given you. The blessings may be great. The blessings may be small. But the blessings are all signs of a God who knows who you are and cares about you and your needs.

Take heart, give thanks, rejoice, and praise the one who has given us the ultimate blessing of God's Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

In His Name,

Pastor Craig

Contact Pastor Craig at: prcraig@yahoo.com

October 2017

Sun, 01 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMT

It's finally here!! The month of October and that means within this month stands October 31, 2017 marking the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther initiating desired discussion within his Roman Catholic tradition, heritage and church with 95 pointed statements. We have come to know these statements as the 95 Theses which were made public in Wittenberg on this date in 1517. The actions of Martin Luther began the Reformation and from these roots come much of our modern day understandings of health, education, politics and religion.

In my college days, I used to spend time on the potter's wheel. To re-form a piece of pottery on a potter's wheel forced one to resign to the fact that this particular vessel will not suffice. It's walls are not even, or it's lopsided, or by the shear nature of the pottery piece wanting to move outward from the force of spinning, sometimes the vessel would move beyond control. In each of these cases, in order to reform the vessel, one would smash it back down into a mound of solid wet clay, re-center the clay and then start reforming the anticipated vessel anew. When looking at this particular instance of reforming, one can understand why REFORM is not something that goes well in our lives and in our living.

From personal experience, in introducing something new within the Church Body, I really do have a strong admiration for Martin Luther. To bring new ways and new ideas to the Church Body often is met with resistance, odd looks, the moniker of "he's out there", and "you can't do church like that" are all very common. The good thing is that the bishop has not put out a bounty on Pastor Craig or my head yet. But in the days when Martin was seeking new ways of being church and receiving God's grace and hearing God's word through means which seemed to reflect scripture in a manner flowing from the grace of God, leadership was not happy. His way of thinking did indeed bring a price upon his head. To bring Luther in dead, or alive, was an order which came from the highest ranks. Despite this death sentence, Luther continued his writings and his work. Was it fortitude and faith, or was it just some hot and thick headed young German priest (probably a bit of both) living out that which may be necessary in not just introducing reform, but also seeing reform actually take shape in the world.

It is some 500 years later and through my eyes and in my study of scripture, I do have to question if major reform is necessary in the Church Body of today. Is the Gospel going forth in truth and raw power or is it being corrupted through means of works and salesmanship? A recent study indicated that over half of those who profess to follow Christ thought that living a good and moral life was enough to get one into heaven. Have congregations become businesses effectively or ineffectively making Christ available in models that the consumer can accept in their busy and compartmentalized lives? Is the power and presence of Christ in our lives, in our congregations and in this world enough, or do we need to help out using the modern intellect, since Jesus came and went over 2000 years ago and doesn't know much about the internet. Maybe we can pay someone to help us through a 1-year process to determine if faith and Christ are alive in our congregation.

My prayer is that we, as the Body of Christ, have not come to the point of being in the potter's hands and the potter finding it necessary to squash the current vessel in order that the Lord may receive new hands and voices. It wouldn't be the first time in the history of God's people. I pray for hearts that are true and faithful to the moving of God's Spirit and the power to have faithful ministries in the congregations of our Lord as reform continues to happen in those congregations who have their roots in the reforming tradition.

In Christ's love and service, Pastor Dan

Contact Pastor Dan at: psyeyeon@aol.com

October 2017 - Pastor Craig

Sun, 01 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMT

"500 Years!!!"

This is it. October 31, 2017. The 500th Anniversary of Martin Luther wanting to have a discussion. The event caused CHANGE. Depending on what side of the fence you were on, you either saw it as a blessing or a curse. For many of the time, it was a breath of air breathed into a church that had become disconnected with the people whom God created. For the leaders of the church, it had to address some of their own feelings but did not have the framework or the confidence to proceed.

Change is never easy. A new idea or way of looking at something is difficult at best to get across. Statements such as, "Things are going fine." "This is how it has been and we are comfortable with it." "I know the church is not perfect, but we can live with that." "We don't know what will happen or what will be the consequences of this new thing'." The Reformation was not easy. While Luther was the focus, there were others, who challenged, who prayed, who risked and at times lost their lives for the understandings of scripture that Martin Luther brought forth.

For me, Luther's understanding of the Priesthood of All Believers has been the driving force of my ministry. The feeling and understanding during Martin Luther's time was that the priesthood was a profession. As such the average person in the congregation was very content to "let the professionals do it." The feeling was that the priests of course knew the right way to do things and as such we would hate to worship God in a manner that would be displeasing to God. So everyone was content with this arrangement. It removed the chore of having to read, study, or even think about God in their everyday situations, because the priests would take care of it.

The changing of this feeling of letting the professionals do it, is what I believe Luther's greatest gift was to the children of God. To this end, Luther made God accessible to the average person. The ability to worship in one's one language. The ability to sing hymns as a congregation. Moreover, the ability to read the Bible, the actual word of God, and to study and to ask questions. This is what Luther did. He helped us see our role as God's children in an active way and not a passive one. He gave us permission to worship and to be children of God and not worry about doing it perfectly.

Luther's explanation to the 3rd article of the Apostles' Creed gives us the confidence we need to know we are God's children. Here is a portion of the words which Luther wrote; "I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or effort believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and kept me in true faith.. . . This is most certainly true!"

This focus on the 500th Anniversary allows us to have a chance to renew our commitment and our understanding of where we have come from and with this foundation where we continue to go in God's blessed name.

In Christ,

Pastor Craig

Contact Pastor Craig at: prcraig@yahoo.com

September 2017

Fri, 01 Sep 2017 00:00:00 GMT

The month of September is upon us and this means that summer is already fading into memory and our eyes begin to focus upon the fall. At Mount Zion, fall marks the unfolding of many events and a return of established ministries such as Bible Study, Confirmation, Choirs, weekly meals and Food Pantry activity. In the midst of returning to a more patterned day to day week, (as opposed to the less than patterned weeks of summer), I've come to realize that we are a month away of a major celebration in the Lutheran Churches. The celebration of 500 years since that day (October 31, 1517) accredited to the starting of Reformation history.

This is quite a big deal for many Lutheran bodies throughout the world. There are many "extra-curricular" speakers, events and celebrations planned in Tucson. There will be major events throughout the world, some of which will be brought into the media on a global level. I have ordered a fog machine and lightening to re-enact the storm that brought Luther to his knees and commit his life to serving the Lord! (NOT). How will we celebrate this event at Mount Zion? I'm not really very sure.

Mount Zion is not a congregation steeped in the Lutheran traditions. We are a Lutheran church, shaped by the traditions of the last 500 years of Lutheranism, but we are not a congregation which emphasizes a presence of reflecting Lutheran traditions. >We tend to be a congregation which lives out the theology of Martin Luther, which is solely focused on Christ as God incarnate: the fullness of God pleased to dwell in the flesh.

I offer a few quotes from Martin Luther in regard to the doctrine of his theology:

(From a sermon offered July 1, 1531 on John 7:16-18,) "I say: This is my doctrine, the doctrine of Luther; and yet I also say: It is not my doctrine; it is not in my hand, but it is the gift of God. For, dear Lord God, I have not invented it in my head; it did not grow in my garden nor gush from my spring, nor did I give it birth. It is God's gift and not a human invention. And so both statements are true: It is mine, and yet it is not mine at all" Here lies the paradox of Christian discipleship.

Luther's doctrine is rooted and finds prominence in one article which is spoken of in the preface which Luther wrote in the commentary on Galatians in 1535, which follows: " In my heart reigns this one article: faith in Christ . [Emboldened is my emphasis] From Him, through Him, and to Him all my theological thinking is flowing and re-flowing by day and by night. And yet I find that I have grasped nothing beyond a few meager rudiments and fragments of a wisdom that is so high, so broad, and so profound."

Martin Luther's writings flow from a relationship with the Lord Jesus. This is the God of whom Luther knew; God in the historical Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ of God Almighty. Perhaps the best way to celebrate Luther and the Reformation is to spend intentional time continuing to grow in our relationship with the Lord through our prayers, our readings, our worship and our serving.

In Christ's love and service, Pastor Dan

Contact Pastor Dan at: psyeyeon@aol.com

mtzionelca

Pastor Craig - April 2022

What If I Was There?

Pastor Dan -April

Pastor Craig - March 2022

“I know worrying works, because none of the stuff I worried about ever happened!” Will Rogers

Pastor Dan - March 2022

Pastor Dan - March 2021

Pastor Craig - March 2021

“The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” Mark 1:1

Updates & Prayers

Pastor Craig - April 2020

“Where Two Or Three Are Gathered In My Name There Am I In The Midst Of Them”Matthew 18:20

Pastor Dan - April 2020

Pastor Craig - February 2020

“What Gives You Joy?”

Pastor Dan - February 2020

Pastor Craig - January 2020

“Wednesday A Holiday”

Pastor Dan - January 2020

Pastor Craig - November 2019

“Great-Full-Ness”

Pastor Dan - November 2019

Pastor Craig - September 2019

“Football Realities?”

Pastor Dan - September 2019

Pastor Craig - August 2019

“Life Is Short. Stay Awake For It”

Pastor Dan - August 2019

Pastor Craig - July 2019

“Joy To The World”

Pastor Dan - July 2019

Pastor Craig - June 2019

“Running To Church”

Pastor Dan - June 2019

Pastor Craig - May 2019

“Going From Here to There”

Pastor Dan - May 2019

Pastor Craig - April 2019

“The Cross”

Pastor Dan - April 2019

Pastor Craig - March 2019

“How FAR we have come???”

Pastor Dan - March 2019

Pastor Dan - February 2019

Pastor Craig - February 2019

“Love in the 21st Century”

Pastor Dan - January 2019

Pastor Craig - January 2019

“I Remember When. . . .”

Pastor Craig - December

“Christmas Music Memories”

Pastor Dan - December

Pastor Craig - November 2018

“Black Friday. Because only in America people trample each other for sales exactly one day after being thankful for what they already have.”

Pastor Dan - November

Pastor Craig - October 2018

"What is Your Image of God?"

Pastor Dan - October 2018

Pastor Craig - September 2018

“Knowing the Game???”

Pastor Dan - September 2018

Pastor Craig - August 2018

“The Lord Be With You…..”

Pastor Dan - August 2018

Pastor Craig - July 2018

July 24, 1988

Pastor Dan - July 2018

June 2018 - Pastor Dan

June 2018 - Pastor Craig

"Jesus Had Two Dads and He Turned Out Fine."

Pastor Dan - July 2016

Pastor Craig - May 2018

"April Showers Bring May Flowers"

Pastor Dan - May 2018

April 2018 - Pastor Craig

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF THE RISEN LORD!!!

April 2018

March 2018

"Just When You Think You Have Figured It Out"

“The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God”
Mark 1:1