Author: Pastor Aleese Kenitzer

Growing up, dandelions (though a weed!) were a favorite “flower” to pick.  My mother and grandmother were often the recipients of such bouquets. Later on, I learned that, to many, dandelions are nothing but a nuisance. But as a child, I saw them differently: I saw them as something special, something worthy of admiration. 

This past Sunday, we heard Jesus’ parables of the growing seed and the mustard seed. Within that, we were challenged to consider how God’s kingdom, breaking into our midst, isn’t always something that is domesticated, neat, and pristine. Instead, God’s kingdom is like a weed – relentlessly invading every square inch.  So do we mow down the “weeds” of God’s kingdom, trying to eradicate them? Or, do we take the time to gather a bouquet of “weeds” – seeing them as something worthy of admiration?

If you missed worship with us, check out our recording on our YouTube channel, and, as you continue through your week, keep your eyes open for the beauty of God’s kingdom among you…even if it seems a bit weed-y. 

Have you ever had someone exclaim to you, “You’re crazy!”? It might be because of something you said, something you did, or something you’re thinking. Sometimes the exclamation is justified (at least, I’ll own that for myself!) And other times, the exclamation is a result of another person not quite understanding why you are choosing to say, do, or think that you’re saying, doing, or thinking. 

In that same vein, this weekend in our Gospel lesson, Jesus is labeled as being “crazy” – or more literally, “out of his mind.” What Jesus has been saying and doing hasn’t alligned with what people expect of him, and the religious leaders of the day couldn’t understand where he was getting all his power. So, the logical conclusion they make is that Jesus must be possessed by a demon. We know that’s not the case; Jesus is possessed by God’s Holy Spirit. But it is that Spirit at work in him that is leading him to say and do the things that those around him are labeling as crazy.

Two-thousand years ago, the people around Jesus had every logical reason to call Jesus crazy because what Jesus was proclaiming and enacting as a part of the Kingdom of God was different than what people were used to, and different than what people expected. And yet, what Jesus was pointing to was the truth of God’s Kingdom on earth. 

So today, as we claim the name of Jesus for ourselves,  it very well may be that we too may be called crazy. Following the values of God’s Kingdom, we might be called crazy for building bridges, and we might be labeled idealists. We might be called crazy for striving for inclusion, diversity, and equity for all people. And we might be called crazy for giving ourselves, fully, to God and God’s will. 

Point being: to follow after Jesus is kind of crazy. But in union with Christ, it is there that we will be caught up in the work of restoring the world according to God’s vision, and we will be caught up in the crazy, crazy love of our God for us. 

So this week, lean into the crazy love of Jesus for you. And consider how Jesus is calling you to live into his crazy love in what you say, what you do, and in who you are. 

I recently had a friend tell me, “May is a month full of beginnings and endings.”

It’s true, isn’t it? For many, May is a busy month. But May is also a month in which a school year ends, and summer begins. May is a month we celebrate the graduation of high school and college seniors, and we look ahead to new beginnings. And, May is a month where the school year rhythm ends and a summer pace sets in. 

Perhaps for yourself you’ve been experiencing other beginnings and endings, too. Our lives are full of ’em. On the whole, those beginnings and endings may bring excitement. But they may also bring apprehension, uncertainty, and even grief. Though it may seem strange to think of a beginning as yeilding such emotions, it’s true. Talk to any grief counselor and they’ll tell you that any shift – an ending or a beginning – is something that impacts us. 

This past weekend in worship we heard from the prophet Isaiah, encouraging the Israelites not to look to the past, but to free themselves from what they expected in order to percieve what God was doing. To be clear – there are times that it is helpful to look to what has come before us. And, there are times in which we need to grieve something that is coming to a close. But, if we hold onto those “things” (whatever it may be) it may keep us from perceiving what God is already doing in us and around us. 

So as you continue into the summer, consider the beginnings and endings that you’ve been experiencing. And, consider if there is something that you’ve been holding onto that might be keeping you from recognizing what God is laying before you, or even before the church. All the time, God is doing something. Now, it’s up to us to join in what what God has already started.

After celebrating Holy Trinity Sunday this past weekend, we begin almost six months of time in the season of Pentecost. From now until November, the gospel readings will move chronologically through Matthew.

Sometimes, this time is referred to as “Ordinary Time.” Which, can be misinterpreted. “Ordinary Time” seems to suggest that it is nothing special, and something that is humdrum. But in the context of the church year, the word “ordinary” comes from the root “ordinal” meaning “related to a series.”

So instead of thinking of the next few months as “nothing special,” think of Ordinary Time as an ordered, deliberate, six-month step-by-step pilgrimage through the story of Jesus’ life with Mark as our guide. We may not have high holidays like Christmas and Easter to celebrate in the coming months. But each and every week, we have the opportunity to gather together for worship, to hear the story of Christ’s life, to grow in faith, and to be sent forth into service with the Spirit leading us. 

We hope to see you around this summer as we dive into “Ordinary Time” together, and we look forward to where our pilgrimage takes us…together!

This past Sunday we celebrated the coming of the Spirit by commemorating the day of Pentecost. When the Spirit came upon the people gathered in Jerusalem (see Acts 2:1-21), it came like the rush of a violent wind, filling the whole house. This was no “calm” Spirit that came in like a gentle breeze. This was a forceful Spirit that interrupted everything going on. Given the intensity of this moment, it would’ve been challenging for anyone present to not pay attention. And given the momentum of this moment, it would’ve been challenging for this interruption to not interrupt – and change – everyone involved. 

Looking back on the story, it might be easy to recognize that this was a significant moment for those people, signaling the birth of the church. But when we bring this story to ourselves, and when we think about the coming of the Spirit in our lives, and in the world today, I have to wonder how we’d respond to the Spirit working in us, and through us, in the same way.  For when we think of ourselves, are we willing to be interrupted by the Spirit? And, are we willing to be transformed by the Spirit? 

Plain and simple: the Spirit has the power to change our lives, our world, and our church. But that change is not just for change sake. Rather, the power of the Spirit that comes among us interrupts us to foster growth, flourishing, and life. 

Think of those little plant seedlings you see at greenhouses this time of year. Once you purchase those seedlings, it’s likely those little guys have already been exposed to extra wind in the greenhouse, making ’em bend. Now, if I were those plants, I’m sure that wouldn’t feel great. But all that wind causes the seedlings to establish deeper and broader root systems, and it causes the seedlings to grow a thicker, stronger base rather than being thin and spindly. 

In the same way, when the Spirit interrupts us, while it may feel as though it’s making us bend this way and that, that wind of the Spirit is for our growth, our flourishing, and our life. 

So as we go forth from the Day of Pentecost into the long season of Pentecost, consider for yourself: are you willing to be surprised – even interrupted – by the Spirit? It might feel a bit uncomfortable at times, but it is that wind of the Spirit that longs to blow through you – filling you with life, and ushering you forth to live in the hope of God’s Kingdom. 

Whether as a kid, youth, or adult, you’ve likely experienced a relay in some fashion. The point of a relay is to complete a task (often a race) by involving multiple people. Though it may be possible for one person to complete the entire task on his/her own, a relay demands the involvement of multiple people, and a relay demands that the “baton” (whether literal or figurative) needs to be passed off. 

So with that analogy in mind, what would you say if I were to suggest that you – as the living body of Christ today – have received the baton from Christ to continue his work in the world?

At first, it might sound like a pretty important handoff. And, it might sound like a very, very valuable baton that you wouldn’t want to drop. But why would Jesus hand off something so important to people like us? Couldn’t Jesus just run the entire race of God’s mission in the world and keep us out of it? 

Jesus could. But upon Jesus’ return after his resurrection, virtually every documented appearance to his disciples was preparing them to take up the baton of his mission in the world. So when Jesus ascended to his Father, it was then that Jesus gave his disciples one final handoff, promising them that they wouldn’t have to run the race on their own. Instead, the Holy Spirit would come upon them, giving them all they needed to continue the race. 

From generation to generation, this baton of continuing Christ’s work in the world has been passed along…being passed all the way down to you. And now you, dear Shepherds, are the ones holding this valuable charge in your hands to further God’s Kingdom on earth. So how might you do so this week? For some insight, listen in to the sermon from this past weekend to get some pointed guidance. And even more than that, take some time in prayer, to listen that what and where God may be leading you to continue Christ’s work in the world. Each and every day, we have the opportunity to be agents of God’s redemption in the world, making all things new. In small ways and big ways, the Spirit is ever moving through us to accomplish God’s purposes. 

So this week, will you take up the baton? And, will you join the race?