The gospel on this day is, to be honest, a little confusing. But Jesus is praying that his disciples, as he will soon be leaving, will be protected by God, because they will be carrying on his work.

And today, as we celebrate confirmation, it’s a very appropriate text. Because today we hear the “adult affirmation” of faith from 13 young people. People who are beginning (not ending—BEGINNING) a journey of faith that will be life-long.

Jesus is praying for those who will carry on his work. And so, the question is only natural, if we are to carry on his work, exactly what does that work look like?

Joe was homeless. In another era we would have called him a “hobo.” One of those men who can never quite settle down, never quite have the patience to hold a job, never have the skills it takes to “fit” into a difficult world. One of those men who takes to wandering, who depends on the kindness of others to survive.

And Joe, well, he had had a bad run. He was traveling, and the train he had hitched a ride on dropped him in a new place, a place where he knew no one. It was actually a small city where people were passing by. People who were not at all interested in one more homeless man who hadn’t eaten anything that hadn’t come out of a garbage can for days.

And, as luck would have it, as Joe sat on a curb watching the traffic pass, feeling the hunger grab at his gut, Minnie, a member of First English Church of the Calvinist Reformation walked by.

Now Minnie was on her way to the Ladies Auxillary, and she saw Joe…actually she made the mistake of looking his way just as he lifted his begging cup and held it towards her. Minnie felt a twinge of pity for Joe as she saw his fate, even as she supposed Joe had never really tried to make a success of himself. And, she suspected, if she gave him money, he would use it for booze. (She was partly right). So she pushed aside and walked by. She walked by and right into her church…thinking that she should talk to the pastor to see if the outreach committee was doing something about these problems. Something that hopefully included keeping folks like Joe from hanging out so close to the church.

And Joe sat…hungrier…sadder…wishing his train had gone to its usual stop…

And that’s when Preacher Matt happened by. Preacher Matt, now he was something. He had the biggest church in three counties (and we all know bigger is better). And he was deep in thought…he had been thinking about the deal he was negotiating with the local television station. A deal that said, “Pastor, if you do this, they’ll be listening to you in three states, and that new wing? It will be in the bag.”

And the preacher, he’d always wanted to do big things for Jesus. He wanted to do world-changing, life-changing things, soul winning things with and for Jesus that would really make a difference. He wanted to feel like, when his life ended, he would really, really deserve to hear those words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

And, dreaming about all that, he stepped right around Joe and his begging cup and headed down the street.

Sarah was walking home when she saw Joe. Honestly? She hadn’t seen too many people like him before. The police force, strongly encouraged by folks like Minnie, did a good job of moving them along (Sarah didn’t know that, of course. She was just a kid.)

Joe only nodded a little at her. He knew better. She was wouldn’t have any money. He also knew that, in this day and age, a homeless man who looked the way of a young girl, even innocently, could land in hot water very quickly. So he nodded and stared ahead.

Sarah didn’t have any money. But she did have one thing. Her lunch. She had already, and unfortunately, developed the habit some young girls have at her age—she didn’t want to eat in front of other girls. Even though she was rail thin. She usually would suffer through school and then, in the twenty minutes she’d have before mom got home, scarf down everything in her box.

The thought of her lunch hit her as she walked by Joe. He looked so sad. So hungry. She couldn’t talk to him (she knew that). He was a stranger and a strange looking man. But her heart ached for him and she found herself slowing down as she passed behind him.

And then, she stopped. And in a flurry, tossed her lunch box at his feet…and ran.

An hour later, when Mom was quizzing her on the location of her lunch box, there was a knock at the door. When Mom got the door, there was Sarah’s lunchbox sitting on the stoop. And when Mom opened the box she saw Sarah’s name and address on the inside, where that address had been since the day they had bought the box. But there was also a piece of crumpled paper. And on that paper, written in something of a scrawl, were the words: “When you have done it for the least of these…”

The next day Joe got another visit. Mom and daughter came together. This gift even included dessert. It was the last time Joe visited that town…but it was a happy memory for all.

Some would call it a taste of the kingdom.

What does the work of God look like? Doing the work of God means we don’t just walk by.

We all know we can’t touch every life. We will walk by the homeless at times…we will not be able to address every injustice. But the point of being a Christian is wrapped up in this notion: that we will make life better for those we meet in life, and especially for those in need. We will make life better by bringing the mercy and love of God to them. And sometimes? God comes in a sandwich, or a hug, or a listening ear.

Some people look at confirmation as the end. Graduation. The last day you have to go to Sunday School. Confirmands, if this is how you look at it, we will have failed you. We have failed you as pastors, teachers and leaders. The world, frankly, doesn’t need any more Christians who figure that they’re saved and so, there’s really not much else to do but enjoy it. That kind of Christianity was never what Jesus taught, and it’s frankly done a lot of damage in the world.

No. Confirmation is not the end. And if you see it that way, I apologize. We’ve failed you.

There is a world that is hurting out there. There are people at our workplaces, schools, and clubs who are hurting. Look at the destruction we wreak on the planet in the name of profit. Look at the way society crushes those who can’t find a helping hand so that they can stand. The world needs Christ—but because Christ has largely handed the mission off to us—the world needs followers of Christ just as much.

So here’s what Jesus really prays for, along with his plea for our protection: That we will see our neighbors and do for our neighbors and he did. Feeding the hungry. Clothing the naked. Sheltering the homeless. Listening to the brokenhearted. Befriending the outcast.

That’s what our confirmands are signing on for. That’s what we are all signing on for. Today for them is no more the end of the Christian journey than baptism is the end. It’s just another beginning.

And here is the little secret. If you do these things, if you act for the least of these, for your friends and neighbors in need, if you respond to the world with the love of Jesus, life will be, at times, inconvenient. But life will be far more fulfilling than a life spent chasing your own whims in your brief time on this planet.

Live like Jesus, and the blessing you bring others will allow you—far more often than you would guess—a taste of the kingdom.

Camping Dates and Locations

June 15-17, 2012, French Creek State Park

July 20-22, 2012, Gifford Pinchot State Park

Aug 17-19, 2012, Codorus State Park

Oct 19-21, 2012, Gifford Pinchot State Park

Schedule for the day

8:30am- Traditional worship at Trinity

10:30am- Service and picnic at Chiques Park. Fellowship will provide hot dogs, buns, and drinks. Everyone is asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share. Don’t forget to bring your utensils, cups, plates, and a chair. Games will be held following the picnic.

Please sign up for the picnic in the back of the sanctuary.

THE SCHEDULE….The camp will start at 9 a.m. and conclude by 1:30 p.m. each day. There will be crafts, costuming, blocking of scenes, scene creation, choreography, snacks and a time of worship each day.  There is a cost of $25 per child to cover program materials. This camp is open to children from Kindergarten through 5th grade.  The musical will be performed two times on Sunday, August 12.

AUDITIONS…There will be auditions for the parts (singing and speaking).  Three judges will listen to the children sing and speak parts of the musical in audition. These auditions will take place one evening during the first week of June.  Musical books are available for interested children, and CD’s of the musical will also be available

REGISTRATION FORMS…for this choir camp will be placed in a pocket on the music ministries bulletin board and distributed during the summer VBS.  For more information, please speak with Mark Herr  This is our fifth annual Choir Camp!  Children who have sung in Children’s choir as well as friends of the children, and the children of members who are unable to participate in the weekly choir program that takes place on Wednesday evenings during the school year are all invited to register for this fun week.

“…This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

In an episode of the original Star Trek Series, James T. Kirk comes in contact with an alien people. A people who, for some reason, had to abandon their own bodies and, in response, copied, and then occupied, the bodies of humans.

One of the aliens, a woman—who not surprisingly has acquired the body of a Hollywood starlet, says to him: “Love. You humans seem inordinately fascinated by it.”

(Sung)
The water is wide, I can’t cross o’re,
And neither have, I wings to fly,
Bring me a boat, that can carry two,
And forth shall row, my love and I…
And forth shall row, my love and I…

(Sung)
Peggy Sue, Peggy Sue,
Oh how my heart yearns for you
My Peggy, Oh! My Peggy Sue…ooh, eh ooh eh ooh,
Oh I love you girl, yes I do, Peggy Sue!

Fascination with love.  Yes, I’d say we are fascinated by it, but, of course, when we talk about love we usually are talking about romantic love; that love that brings about that “ain’t no mountain high enough feeling,” that makes you ready to run through stone walls or jump off cliffs for the sake of the beloved.

But there are other kinds of love, of course…

(Sung)
America, America, God shed his grace on thee…
And crown thy good, with brotherhood,
From sea to shining sea!

(Sung)
Though death and darkness gather all around me
And my ship be torn apart upon the seas,
I will smell again the fragrance of these islands
On the mighty waves that brought me once to thee
And if I should return again to England
I shall watch the English mist roll through the dell
For you are, beautiful
And I have loved you dearly,
more dearly than the spoken word can tell,
For you are, beautiful
And I have loved you dearly,
more dearly than the spoken word can tell…

Of course, a really good patriotic tune, like that one, can manage to work in a girl…

We believe, as Christians, that all love in human life is an expression, in one way or another of the love of God. But the love Jesus is talking about is different than romantic love or the love of one’s country—it’s more like this love:

(Sung)
If I have not charity,
If love does not flow through me,
I am nothing,
Jesus reduce me to love.
Jesus reduce me to love…

I was at a conference this week—just for a day, and I heard some things that echo this kind of love.

Jim Wallis was there with his family. Jim is, frankly, a Christian pastor and troublemaker. He’s married to the female Episcopalian priest the British Comedy “The Vicar of Digby” is based upon. You likely would not like his politics.

But he was there with his wife and sons, and he described his son’s prayer one night at the dinner table. He said his son prayed: “Dear God, be with the 30,000 children who will die tomorrow…keep it from happening.” Then the boy paused and said, “Well, if it has to happen, let those kids have their best day ever…” Another pause, and the boy said, under his breath, “that can’t be…” And then he said, “Please God, help us to stop this.”

Please, help us stop this. But why can’t we?

Because the truth is, in this world: Love of self tends to reign supreme.

God designed us to survive, but I believe that, once we weren’t running from lions and tigers every five minutes, this instinct turned into selfishness.

Don’t we care about what’s happening to others? We do—of course we do, but as human beings we also tend to see our own problems as the worst problems in the world. The problems, hopes and dreams we tend to write our songs about.

I have started to think that it was perhaps for this reason, more than any other, that Jesus was sent into the world. To get us to see beyond ourselves.

Tony Campolo was also at the conference. He talked about how, as he has journeyed his Christian life, he has come to see God in others. Not just “Christian” others, mind you. But others who are atheists, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, anyone! He talked about the pain he feels when these “others,” in whom he sees God, are abused, forgotten or killed. He admitted that he can’t spend too much time dwelling on these thoughts, because he will become frozen in pain.

I know how he feels. I suspect that many of YOU know how he feels. But we also know, even as we cannot allow ourselves to become immobilized by pain, we can’t answer the call of Christ without speaking for those in need.

The economy. Homosexuality. Abortion. That’s the talk that will likely dominate the next election.

The poor? Do you think either candidate will talk about them? Not a chance. Unless we force them to. Politicians have learned, talking about the poor equals NOT getting elected.

Something to think about. The bible says quite little about sexual orientation. Jesus said nothing about it. But the incarnation of God, the one we proclaim as savior, said countless things about poverty…and now? Thirty thousand children in our world die every day due to hunger and illness related to hunger or inadequate drinking water.

(Sung)
If I have not charity
If love does not flow through me
I am nothing
Jesus reduce me to love.

Something else was brought up, repeatedly, at this conference.

We are dying.

Mainline churches, like Lutherans, are dying.

And yet, Trinity is not.

Why?

I’d like to think that it’s because we are united. We worship somewhat differently in terms of style, we certainly don’t all agree on everything, but we are united in the idea that Christ is Lord, the world is hurting, and we are called to help.

And so? We do the little thing God asks us to do.

We give a darn. And we try. Even as it hurts. And I dare to think that God works with us precisely for that reason. Faithfulness is exchanged for faithfulness.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Can we do even better? Can we take the next steps? Can we go even further in mission?

Of course we can.

After all, God walks with us.

And Jesus will, in the end, reduce us to love.

On May 20th during the 11:00AM service we will rejoice with them as they make their public profession of their faith and assume a great responsibility in the life of our Christian Community and its mission in the world.  We will continue by asking them to profess their faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the Church, the faith in which we baptize. After the assembly confesses the words of the Apostles Creed, the Confirmands make their promise to: live among God’s faithful people, to hear his Word and share in his supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of our Lord Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth. In making this promise they ask for God’s help and guidance.

Then Pastor Mike and I with their parents will place our hands on their heads and pray for God to stir up the gift of God’s Holy Spirit, confirm their faith, empower them in their serving, give them patience of suffering, and bring them to everlasting life.

After the service we will rejoice with the Confirmands as they continue on their journey of faith, taking on their baptismal promises and become adults  in the church.  So save the date and worship with us on the 20th as we celebrate with the Confirmands as they affirm their faith!

If you missed last month’s newsletter, feel free to journey back through our website and catch up on the beginning of the interview.

Peace! And have a wonderful spring…

BOZO: We’re back here with Pastor Mike Martine…thanks sir, for joining    us again.

PM: You’re welcome.

BOZO: Are you ready for a few more questions?

PM: I think so.

B1: Good! Your answers have been surprising so far!

P1: OK…

B1: A good mix between mono-syllabic and dreadfully long and dull.

P1: I’m…glad you approve?

B1: So, moving right along, “What exactly is it that you do all day?”

P1: Ah…finally a question I was expecting.

B1: Really?

P1: Sure. I think it’s a natural question to ask.

B1: You mean with the jokes about clergy only working on Sundays and so forth?

P1: Well, yes. But also because I think it’s almost impossible in life to know what anyone does in  their job without actually walking with them and doing the job.

B1: I see…the mile in the moccasins, so to speak.

P1: Sure.

B1: So what do you do?

P1: Well, in my job, it’s often what I DON’T do.

B1: Sorry?

P1: Before I took my first church position, I worked in training and development for Ricoh  Corporation…

B1: The Japanese copier and camera company?

P1: Right—fax machines, copiers, cameras and so on. And in that job, I was part of the team that  brought “time management training” to the company. And we did that using the “Franklin”  system, which was probably the best system in the industry at that time. All paper, of course,  this was before electronic organizers.

B1: This surprises me!

P1: OK, why?

B1: No offense, but “time management” has never been considered your forte.

P1: Oh. Well, those who can’t, you know.

B1: So you admit it?

P1:  (LAUGHS) Actually, no. I think I do a good job managing my time. The thing is, when you are a  pastor, sometimes managing your time is impossible.

B1: Now you’ve lost me.

P1: In the Franklin System, you sit down and plan your tasks for every day. Then you prioritize  them against your goals. And I do try to do that as a pastor. But, most days? I come into the  office and spend 80% of my time reacting to needs in the church. Needs that can’t be antici pated—except for the fact that, given that we’re a fairly large church, those needs will be  there.

B1: Go on.

P1: Often it’s people in crisis—hospitalized, or needing to talk. Sometimes it’s stuff in the office  that  has hit a snag and some of us have to chip in to make sure that what needs to happen  “happens.”

B1: OK…

P1: Then there’s the stuff they don’t tell you about in seminary. Clogged toilets. Clean up from  leaky roofs. Shoveling snow (not this year, obviously). Fixing stuff that’s broken, creating  “contingency plans” when volunteers can’t do what they had hoped to do. Dealing with  contracts and contractors. Technological and electronic issues affecting worship. And now, as senior pastor, helping staff as need arises. All of this gets balanced with the “pastor stuff” of  writing sermons, lessons, articles, visitation, and so on.

B1: So do you ever, at the end of the day, look back and say: “I got done what I wanted to do    today”?

P1: Usually, no. I usually end the day, like I said before, thinking, “I wish I could’ve done this or  that.” At the same time, you are always grateful—as a pastor—for the chance to help others  when the need arises.  The tough thing about being in the church is that you never feel “done.” Because, honestly,  your job never is done. I used to say there was one time a year when I really felt like my work  was complete.

B1: And when would that be?

P1: One o’clock a.m. Christmas morning. All the services done. All the visits done. Presents under  the tree.

B1: That’s the only time?

P1: Pretty much. I don’t know how other pastors feel. But, for me? One o’clock Christmas  morning is pretty much the best feeling in the world.

B1: Was your sabbatical like that?

P1: Well played, Bozo!

B1: If you think about it, the responsibility stopped then as well—Christmas morning went on  for…well, twelve weeks.

P1: It was a wondrous feeling. Like the weight of the world lifted from my shoulders. Rejuvenating  doesn’t even begin to cover it. I’m endlessly thankful that Trinity allowed me that time away.

B1: And you wrote…quite a bit, actually. P1: Yes. More than I was really supposed to. I had promised Freda to do a little more around the  house than I ended up doing. But I wouldn’t change it.

B1: What did your sabbatical teach you about ministry?

P1: I’m not sure it taught me this, but it demonstrated to me how important “balance” is.

B1: Go on.

P1: To be a good minister you need personal balance. You need to do the things your spirit  requires of you. For me, that’s time away, writing, and a bit of fun.

B1: And if you don’t do those things?

P1: I become less effective. Oh, I might be able to impress others with the “hours” I am  logging…but if someone needs help? I’ll be less insightful. If a situation requires patience? I’ll  have less to offer. If it’s time to write a sermon? The well will be a little more dry.

B1:  So did the sabbatical teach you how to retain that balance?

P1: Yes and no. It’s like time management. Sometimes you can have the best intentions but the job requires that you do your best to  meet the needs of others…even when you are tired and need refreshment.

B1: And, of course, even on sabbatical, you were at Trinity on Sundays.

P1: Yes, and I kept in contact with the staff.

B1: A little too controlling on your part?

P1: Some might say that. But that’s not really why.  In terms of Sundays, it’s a struggle to have enough musicians to play the services in the summer. People are away and so forth. So  there was need and Trinity was already supporting my sabbatical—I didn’t think folks should have to suffer for it.  And I didn’t want to burn out our volunteers in the band—or the staff, for that matter. A lot of pastors go on sabbatical and come  back to a mess because people are burned out from covering for them. I didn’t want to do that to anyone. I also, selfishly, didn’t  want to come back to that situation.

B1: When you were much younger, you played some songs for members of your home church…and one of the women there said some thing. Do you remember what it was?

P1: Not really…

B1: She said, “Michael, I’m afraid you’re going to give up the ministry and go write songs.”

P1: OK. So?

B1: What if, all of a sudden, one of your songs made you a lot of money…

P1: Ooh! You know something I don’t know?

B1: Sorry, this is hypothetical.

P1: Figures.

B1: But what if, say, all of a sudden you got a million dollars…be it from a song, or the lottery, or a long lost uncle…

P1: Long lost? Do you have a name?

B1: Would you keep doing what you are doing? Would you keep being a pastor?

P1: Wow. B1: Think if you have to…

P1: Well, it’s probably not going to happen anytime soon.

B1: You don’t play the lottery?

P1: Never have. I don’t think much of it…wouldn’t mind winning, of course…

B1: And you’re not answering the question.

P1: It’s a silly question, but also a good one. (SIGHS) It’s really one of those things where you don’t know what you would do until it  actually happens. I could say that I’d keep doing what I do, but to make such a claim wouldn’t be realistic. I do know, however, that I  would feel pulled to keep doing this ministry.

B1: Because?

P1: Because it is what I do. It’s my life’s work. The people of this place, the gospel. That’s what I do. Would I look at maybe a few less  hours in exchange for working for free…?

B1: Oh, council would like that!

P1: Well, we will just have to wait and see…

More of Pastor Mike’s interview continues next month!

It’s the story of a righteous Israelite named Tobit living in Ninevah after the deportation of the northern tribes of Israel to Assyria in 721 BC under Sargon II.  Filled with the makings of a good movie with demonic and angelic characters, we hope that you will be curious enough about this deuterocanonical text to join our study.