If You’re Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands

“Good morning!” In his intro remarks Pastor Brad stated that for four months he has been returning to a familiar text, I Corinthians 13. Today, he will be focusing on a little word in verse 6.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
~ Wednesday evening we are packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Join us for a meal and help pack our boxes. Pick an age bracket and bring gifts. Financial donations are welcome to defray cost of shipping the boxes.
~ Gwen announced the Christmas program planned for this year, and on Wednesdays (after next week) there will be rehearsals here after the meals.
~ Friday, Nov. 16 will be our Fall Bazaar with Crafts and Bake Sale at the Swamp Sisters, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tell your friends.
~ Saturday, also at the Swamp Sisters, there will be a Ladies Pre-Holiday Brunch
~ Covenant World Relief soup can labels were handed out to raise money for a range needs. Covenant World Relief is the humanitarian aid ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church
~ Leonard is once again making a Thanksgiving Dinner for those who have no place to go for Thanksgiving. We also sang “Happy Birthday for Paula whose birthday was this weekend.
~ Men as Peacemakers will be here in December to talk about domestic violence.

Joe Stapleton passed from our midst yesterday. He was ready and looking forward to be with the Lord, so we sang one of his favorite songs together to begin our worship: “Soon and Very Soon.”

An offering was taken and then the children dismissed for children’s church as Brad read to us from Mark 12:38-44, the story of the widow’s mite.

We prayed for needs both within our church family and in other places.

If You’re Happy and You Know It, 
Clap Your Hands

We've been hovering around I Corinthians 13 this year, and today Pastor Brad's message zeroes in on one particular phrase. Verse 6: Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.

In John’s first letter to the churches, the apostle writes:

9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

And a little further on John makes it clear that whereas God is invisible, He makes Himself known by our actions, specifically the love we show one another.

"I was trying to think back over my life," Brad said, "and I have never heard it quite applied this way. 'Since God has loved us, we should so love one another.'”

This passage says the invisible God is made visible through the love His people show to one another. His love for us prompts us to love others.

Brad shared a little background about the Amish to set up a story he was going to share. There are Amish communities in a number of areas around the country.  They came from Europe as part of a larger family called Mennonites. They are famous for their simple living, plain attire and reluctance to adapt with the times. It's as if they were determined to maintain a lifestyle from the 18th century.

On October 4, 2006, in the village of Nickel Mines in Lancaster County, Amish country, a man named Charles Carl Roberts went into the school with guns. After sending out the men and boys, he tied up ten young girls, firing 18 shots into their heads and then taking his own life. The response of the community shocked the media that covered the shooting. The response was forgiveness. Two of the elders from the community went to the shooters wife… told her he was forgiven, and they also helped with funeral expenses. Media did not understand the Amish response.

One scholar who knew the Amish explained it. "The Amish believe God told them to forgive. They acted on their belief. Their emotions would follow after.”

How do you do that? You just do it.

In I Corinthians 13 Paul wrote: Love does not delight in evil. 

He is talking about the delight some people have when other people do evil. Love is not happy when other people go wrong. This is the heart of gossip, isn’t it? We talk about other peoples’ failures. One reason we do this is that when we compare ourselves to others, it makes us feel better about ourselves.

A former prime minister of England once said, “The mistakes of the great are the consolation of fools.” Taking consolation in others’ failures is not loving. Yet this is so pervasive in our culture today. Rumors are the poison fruit of politics. This recent political campaign exemplifies how we focus on the failures of our leaders.

The Apostle Paul had ample opportunity to let his detractors get him distracted. Paul bore in his body the marks of many beatings, stonings and more. Ten years after he wrote I Corinthians he found himself writing letters to the churches he founded while in prison in Rome. In the first chapter of his letter to the Philippians he wrote about his chains, and his observations that some people who were preaching the gospel out of wrong motivations, some out of rivalry or selfish ambition. Notice that he doesn't focus on their malfeasance, rather he states, “But what does it matter, … in every way Christ is preached, and I rejoice.”

Can we rejoice when truth prevails? When truth advances wherever it is proclaimed.”

Brad concluded with an illustration of his point with. People like to show him photos of their grandchildren, and he enjoys the connections from this sharing. They love to show pictures. They usually beam with joy at how cute this one is and how this one is now in college and this one is a star in basketball. But sometimes their voices soften, and they say “Pastor, I’d appreciate you praying for my grandson Larry…”

Brad recognizes this reaction for what it is. Larry has made bad decisions, is not going the right path. But it's a reaction of love. They don't say mean things, rather they care and bear it. Love doesn’t delight when people go wrong.

But we’re gladdened by truth, wherever it is found.

You Are Welcome At The Table

“Is it not incredible that God makes Himself known?” So began the service as Pastor Shannon welcomed us on this chilly Sunday morning. Not only has God made Himself known, He has invited us to fellowship with Him. Today, on this second Sunday in advent, our theme revolved around the Lord’s table.

Announcements
1) Be sure to bring your soup cans for Covenant World Relief next week
2) The Christmas Program will be next Sunday at 4:00 p.m. Practice, for all involved in the program, will be Saturday morning from ten till noon at the church.
3) All were invited to an Open House at Brad & Brooke Shannons after the service.

As we entered into worship, Chuck read us a passage from Mark 14, about the Last Supper, an intro to the song In the Upper Room with Jesus by the quartet. The Borndal family lit the advent candle this week, and after a time of worship, Joanne read Scriptures from Isa. 64:1-9 and Mark 1:1-8.

There are many needs among us and we entered a time of prayer reminded of the reality that when we are struggling, this is a place where one can find hope.

You Are Welcome at the Table

Pastor Brad began his message by asking a simple question. Who is welcome at this table. By this he is referring to the communion table where we celebrate the Lord’s Supper.

To make his points he began my mentioning that last week we had Cyber Monday, possibly the big day of the year for online shopping. Catalog shopping, however, is not obsolete. In point of fact, more than 10,000 companies sell products via direct mail catalogs. 13.5 billion catalogs are mailed each year and 55% of buy something from one of these catalogs, spending more than 51 billion dollars this past year.

He cited a number of these catalogs many of us receive such as Land’s End, L.L. Bean, Eddie Bauer, etc. In a light hearted manner he made observations like this one, that the images portrayed in catalogs from different companies are like different neighborhoods. One catalog might be filled with scenes from Hermantown, another from East End neighborhoods, etc. One catalog conveys a look of stylish but not stuck up. Another projects that elitist chic that appeals to some.

But in all of them, what you see are people generally in perfect weather, perfect clothes, perfect health. There are no sick or elderly people or broken people. The kids are perfect, and there is no hint of death, disease, or personal problems.

Perhaps some of you aspire to live in one of these catalog neighborhoods, Brad suggested. But then he cited the well known passages from Ecclesiastes in which all is summed up as vanity and a meaningless chasing after wind.

The theme today, then, had to do with outlining the path to the Lord’s table. L.L. Bean is a nice catalog, but not the path to this place. In point of fact, despite the apparent inequities we see in monetary terms, life ultimately is a great leveler. It has been said that “the ground beneath the cross is level.” When we come to Christ is it because of our universal need for hope and for a Savior.

In the presence of Christ’s brokenness, we see real blood on His face, His back, His body, real wounds in His hands, His feet, His side.

Our privilege at being able to come to Him is not because we have a 4WD vehicle and come from a perfect neighborhood. We come to the table because we know we are not perfect, but broken.

We were reminded that some may not feel the need, but the truth is that in this world there will be trouble for all of us sooner or later.

Some Christians, some church, have become skilled at drawing lines. If you’re not perfect, if you’re don’t look you come from Catalog America, you might be excluded.

Christ comes to this table and invited people like you and me, with their grief, with their broken dreams…. as they are. And as Isaiah notes, “By His stripes we are healed.”

The great miracle is that Jesus did not exclude. Pastor Brad illustrated this point vividly in retelling the story of the dinner at Levi’s house where there were tax collectors, sinners and even a prostitute. Jesus was confronted about this, but replied, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor…”

Pastor Brad proposed the idea that too often the church excludes people from fellowship until they meet some kind of criteria making them worthy. Jesus, as illustrated in the story above, turned this Pharisaical notion on its head. Fellowship is first, and there is room for you at the table. Come as you are.

Essentially, Jesus sets the rules. Heaven is portrayed as a banquet. His invitation stands. Come. Come as you are. There is a seat here with your name on it.

After the message we shared the Lord’s Supper in a very special way. The Lord is good.

We're All Part of a Team

In spite of the chilly November morn, we were welcomed warmly by Pastor Brad Shannon as we gathered to worship and honor our Lord Jesus Christ. The service seemed quite special as even the announcements dovetailed with the message delivered by today's guest speaker, the Rev. Jim Fretheim, Conference Superintendent. Brad reminded us that we are not an isolated church, but part of something much larger. As it turns out, these comments pointed to the heart of today's message.


Announcements today included...

1. Joanne W. reminded us that there will be a break after Dec. 7 for Sunday school.
2. Women's Bible Study will begin in January.
3. Next Sunday evening there will be a special Thanksgiving Sunday evening service in Brookston.
4. We were reminded to continue filling our soup cans for Covenant World Relief.
5. The Pastie Sale to raise money for CHIC is taking place now. Order yours from Eric Borndal... They will be delivered to the church.

Jim Fretheim was then introduced, and presented with a framed drawing and a mug, both portraying themes pertaining to hunting, of which he is fond. Pastor Brad thanked him for being with us today. Early in his ministry, Brad served as youth minister in Jim's church, an experience in which they developed a mutual respect.


Darlene played a creative Shine Jesus Shine as introduction to worship, which was led by Brad, Elle and Pearl. After the offering was taken Ed Newman sang "I Need Thee Every Hour" with Darlene as accompaniment. The hymn, which has been comforting to Christians for more than 150 years, served nicely as a lead in to the message.


We're All Part of a Team


Rev. Fretheim began by drawing attention to a passage in Ecclesiastes. "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Eccles. 4:12)


Using this text as a springboard, he noted that a hockey team has six player, basketball teams have five and it takes eleven to make a football team. How many does it take to make a church? According to Matthew 18:20, it only takes two, for as Jesus said, "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of them."


In Christianity, spiritual maturity is based on interdependence, not independence. This interdependence is important.


New Life Covenant is linked to the Northwest Conference of the Covenant Church is part of a global church family. Our denomination itself is part of the large family of God that spans the globe. As Superintendent of the Northwest Conference, their small staff meets daily for prayer, seeking to help those that are hurting. Every day they ask, "How can we help?"


We're all part of a team. There are others who care about us even when we don't know it. When life gets hard, we especially need to be on a team.


This was not a theory Jim learned from text books. At age 22 he lost his wife to cancer while in Seminary. Drawing from this experience he stated, "Unless we're part of a team we won't get through the hard times."


Hard times are inevitable. Hence the relevance of Harvey Mackey's book titled, "Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty."


In Chicago, Jim said there's a saying on the street: "Who's got your back?" We don't go it alone.


He also thanks us for the generosity of our church. A portion of the money in our offerings goes to feed the hungry, bring the gospel to prisoners, band aids to Third World hospitals and more. All this is a team effort. "You are part of a larger family. There are Covenant churches everywhere."


He also talked briefly about the key to healthy churches and shared a story about John Wesley. Wesley and his brother were evangelists who planted churches throughout 18th century England. Wherever there had been a revival, Wesley would write letters a few years later as a follow up to determine what had become of the experience. In his letters he asked three questions.


1. Where's the faith?
2. Where's the fire?
3. Where's the fruit?


In the opening passage from Ecclesiastes, it was noted that two are better than one. In addition, three strands are stronger than two. The Good News of the Gospel is that we don't have to do it on our own. We're part of a team.

Saints In The Making

Despite the somewhat grey November weather, there was nary a spare seat in the pews and a warmth throughout the sanctuary. In his welcoming remarks Pastor Brad Shannon noted that there’s a lot going on, that it’s something akin to Sweeps Week on television. The key announcements were as follows.

1. After church today there was a meal prepared by the Armstrongs to be served at the Swamp Sisters a mile or so from here. Donations for the meal were contributed to the building fund. It was reported that there was plenty of food.

2. Soup can labels are again available for Covenant World Relief. Pastor Brad outlined the manner in which contributions are distributed: 40% to meet immediate needs in crisis situations, 30% for ongoing needs afterwards, and 40% for development costs to sustain the ministry and pave the way to meet needs as they arise.

3. New Life Covenant is also participating in Operation Christmas Child again this year. The ministry donates gifts and supplies to children around the world. On Wednesday evening, November 5, 6:00 p.m. we’ll gather at the church to decorate and prepare shoe boxes for this purpose.

4. Paula Saxin shared that everyone is invited to the church on November 15 at 1:00 p.m. to learn how to do etched glass ornaments.

The opening music was performed by Ellie on the violin, accompanied by Darlene on keyboards, in a beautiful rendition of Rock of Ages.

Today was All Saints Sunday, and for the occasion Pastor Brad had us take a few minutes to remember the saints who had gone before us. He noted that the unseen world is more real than the seen, and we can call this to mind to give us encouragement as we strive to follow after God. Citing Hebrews 12:1-2 we were encouraged to remember those who are awaiting us in heaven.

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

At this we entered into a time of worship.

Today’s Scripture readings:
Romans 8:9-11
Colossians 3:1-4

After a time of prayer Pastor Brad began his message.

Disclaimer: The notes you read here are only a faint reflection of the content, style and enjoyment one receives from the pastor’s messages. His passion is unflagging, but what is especially difficult to convey is the humorous element, the witty turn of phrase that frequently seasons his preaching. Today was such a day where the trusted scribe is aware of his inadequacy, and will simply do the best he can under the circumstances.

Saints In The Making

“We’re all saints in the making. Your greatest value is not in what you can do but in what you are. And in Christ, you are a saint.”

Thus began today’s message as Pastor Brad introduced his overview of the story of Esther as recorded in the Book of Esther in the Old Testament.

The first character in this story that Brad introduced was a Jewish man named Mordecai. The time frame for this story was at the end of the Babylonian Captivity, approximately 500 B.C. Many of the Jewish peoples had returned to Israel. But some remained in Persia, among them Mordecai, a man of courage and integrity.

A second character in this story was Esther, whose original name meant “dazzling beauty.” Her parents had died and rather than leave her an orphan she had been adopted by Mordecai.

The third main character in this drama was King Xerxes. Xerxes was not just a king, but was a ruler at a time when kings were considered gods.

Xerxes, perhaps in an effort to impress his peers, decided to demonstrate how great he was by hosting a six month party. When you’re a king who rules the mightiest empire on earth, putting on the dog takes on new meaning. After this six month celebration of his greatness, he went on to throw an encore party for seven days. In this latter party he requested that his wife, the queen, strut her stuff. But she wouldn’t have anything to do with it.

As a consequence of this lack of subservience, Queen Vashti was removed from her throne. In addition, Xerxes took the advice of his lead council, who advised that dispatches be sent throughout the kingdom that “a man should be ruler over his own household.”

Afterwards a search went out to find a suitable (as in beautiful) young virgin to become replacement queen. A beauty contest was conducted and lo, Esther’s natural beauty.

In scene three of this drama, Mordecai overhears a plot to overthrow the king. He finds a way to report it to the authorities and when the bad guys have been dealt with, his good deed is recorded for posterity in the presence of the king.

The next character introduced is Haman, the true villain in this tale, as will soon be seen.

Haman, whose stature had been enhanced by an appointment from King Xerxes to a high command, conducts himself like a big shot and expects everyone else to treat him that way as well. The king even made a decree as such. But Mordecai, a man of convictions, will not bow down to a mere man, especially the kind of man Haman is. Haman is incensed, and inwardly vows revenge on Mordecai. The idea he conceives is to encourage the king to make a decree to wipe out all Jews.

Pastor Brad interjected here that crisis reveals the character that is within us. Character is caught, not taught, he said. This is especially so in the home. Brad shared what he “caught” from his day… an attitude of treating everyone with respect and dignity. “What are your kids catching from you?” he asked.

From Mordecai Esther caught courage.

It is a perilous time, with a potentially dark outcome for all the Jews. Mordecai encourages Esther to step up and not let the moment pass. “You might have been born for a time as this,” he said.

In chapter 5 Esther put on her finest robes with the aim of catching the king’s eye, which she succeeded in doing. Xerxes offers her anything, up to half his kingdom, and she says she’d like the king and Haman to come to a party she has prepared. At the party she says she’d like the king and Haman to come to another party the next day.

Haman is atop the world with joy as he leaves the first banquet, knowing he is an insider now, partying with the king and queen. He is a “somebody” and is eating it up.

But then, when he gets outside to take his limo back home, he notes that Mordecai is out there, still showing no respect, not even afraid of him. Haman is furious, and orders 75 foot gallows to be built.

As it turns out, in another plot twist the king has indigestion and can’t sleep that night after the first banquet. So he stays up and reads some of the record books. It just so happens he reads about how Mordecai saved his life on that earlier occasion, and he is curious what was done to honor the man.

Chapter 6 continues thus…

3 "What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?" the king asked.
"Nothing has been done for him," his attendants answered.
4 The king said, "Who is in the court?" Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows he had erected for him.
5 His attendants answered, "Haman is standing in the court."
"Bring him in," the king ordered.
6 When Haman entered, the king asked him, "What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?"
Now Haman thought to himself, "Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?" 7 So he answered the king, "For the man the king delights to honor, 8 have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. 9 Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king's most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, 'This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!' "
10 "Go at once," the king commanded Haman. "Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended."
11 So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, "This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!"
12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king's gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, 13 and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him.
His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, "Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!" 14 While they were still talking with him, the king's eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.


As the reader can guess, the gallows prepared by Haman for Mordecai end up being Haman’s own gallows when Esther reveals to the king Haman’s plot to wipe out Esther and her people.

Pastor Brad’s closing points quickly followed.

1. Don’t underestimate the Providence of God.
You may have a Haman in your life, or circumstances that seem impossible. Don’t get discouraged. Don’t give up. The story is not over. The story can change.

2. Don’t underestimate the power of good parents.
Your love can make a difference. Your values, wisdom and things you say will go into their hearts and help them later.

3. Never underestimate the power of a simple believer.
Esther was an obscure Jewish girl in a foreign land, yet God orchestrated circumstances and she saved her people.

In closing Pastor Brad picked up the earlier theme he began with. Your greatest worth is not based on what you have done or can do, but who you are in Christ.

You don’t know what God is up to, but He is at work. Your task is to be consistent. Just keep showing up and being there.

With these thoughts, we celebrated the Sacrament of Communion.

If there is someone you know who needs to hear this message or with whom you would like

to share the good things happening at New Life Covenant, please forward.