Seeds for Serving and Sharing

“We are just seeds in God’s hands,
We start the same, but where we land
Is sometimes fertile soil, sometime sand
We’re all just seeds in God’s hands.” By Pat Alger

Oh this song has talked to me for a long time, so when our Natural Church Development team agreed to hand out Seeds for Serving and Sharing it immediately came to my mind. Yes we’re going to hand out seed money of $10 to each family or individual to turn it into a loving project of serving and sharing. While a goal would be to reap a harvest for many of our service ministries we have going through out the church a month later; the real mission is working within a group with that is hopefully crossed generational to nurture the gift. As the song reminds us, we are the fertile soil that our gifts and children have landed.

Cash, so the church is going to give ME cash? Yes, we are looking for you to join groups and create FUNdraising ideas that for say the cost of the ingredients or supplies you reap the harvest of say a bake sale, a work project, or event. Feel free to start organizing teams and pooling your seed money together. The money will be handed out the weekends of September 13 & 20, and we’ll have more to say about it the two weeks prior. This joint project between our NCD group and the Mission Support team will then recap the stories as the money plus as it returned in late October, in a service updates thru October and on the weekend of November 8th.

We willl add more ways to foster passionate Spirituality & loving relationships within small groups to this blog as time goes on. We hope you find ways to do God’s Work with Your Hands.

Ellie & Leela Grace

I saw this tonight... and just had to add the Grace Sisters dancing to the blog.... Maybe next time




Here's the original post....


So I am officially old, when I remember first meeting Leela and Ellie Grace, they were some where around 9-13 and they touring with their parents. Five years ago I had a wild Idea when they were scheduled to play at the Great River Folk Fest, I invited them to play at our church. Oh they are not known as Christian artists, but the love, peace, and traditional hymn like sound that they bring; I knew the congregation would love them. They did, and when they came back to the Festival... I threw out the invitation again. Wow... no preparation of which song they would play, they were all wonderfully PERFECT. I couldn't let them leave without a photo op.

You shouldn't let them leave without checking out the beautiful harmonies, and rich traditional sound in their many originals.



or Leela's bouncing video with her rich song of healing "This is my Family"

Seeds by Pat Alger

I so love this song... I believe I first heard it covered by Nanci Griffith but I did end getting Pat's version on a CD of a songwriters behind the songs. I wanted to put a video of the song on our church blog, but there wasn't a version of it in YouTube... now there is... run out and get Nanci's cover... nothing beats a pretty voice and and a pretty lady over this old fool... either way the song rings out as tops.

The official video... watch this one.

and if you are really serious about us placing a good showing... go sign up to comment. http://www.godsworkourhands.org/login.php

Plus once you are there vote for this one... Tim Kolek's parents Don & Sue put an excellent video together and it's a wonderful ministry too.

ELCA is running a contest:

Did you get a chance to see one of the ELCA's television ads? Over the past few months, they aired on national cable channels and local networks. I'm delighted to report that we received many positive responses from people all across the country.

Each ad featured a ministry of this church and the ELCA's new tagline: "God's work. Our hands." But these are just two stories, and this church is filled with thousands more.

Now it's your turn. How is God at work in this world through your congregation?

Do you run a local soup kitchen or a food pantry? Do you have a youth group that mows lawns and fixes neighborhood park benches? Do you have a women’s circle that knits prayer shawls?

What is your congregation doing today to minister in
your community?

http://www.elca.org/videocontest

Tell us about a ministry that excites you. Use your creativity to tell a story that inspires you—a story that will inspire

So with the help of Ed's pictures, I found our service outreach of Trick or Treat for others to Eat was a great ministry to highlight. Plus it is uniquely Holmen Lutheran wrapping in our Mission Statement and a song I wrote to it several years ago. "Where your heart is" I captured Tim and Paula singing it at a Christmas program and went back to add the mandolin and banjo.

Enjoy our little commercial...Comment and watch multiple times, it's part of how the contest works.

Dave

Becky Schlegel Friday July 17th

If I didn't have the passion for music, I wouldn't be hosting the 7th concert...

Please print it out and share it! Thanks

Boy you have to have passion

To teach Vacation Bible School for 5 days, but you will be renewed and refreshed in the Holy Spirit.

What a great year... this was just a taste ... stop in and ask Lori to see all the fun pictures.

Button idea 2...

Aw... as Jen asked about a simple T-Shirt design, this idea came up for a square button.

Holy Now =

A cover of a Peter Mayer song from a house concert featuring Peter Ostroushko at the Acoustic View in Byron, MN. Mike Sinner on 12 string and vocals, mandolin god Peter Ostroushko, cool guitar licks by Danny Gotham and help from Tom Campbell. This was a song once that Tim wanted ACTS to cover. I've forgotten all about it; it is a song about growing Roman Catholic.

He Knows My Name

For the last 5 years, our praise band (ACTS) has ended up playing the baccalaurette service at church, and when we did the first one, I wanted so desperately to cover He Knows My Name by Tommy Walker while a slide show displayed current and old senior high pics. The idea is that without names, God knows, and when you look back at parents and friends in church and see them young... we turned out and with the help of the Holy Spirit and friends you will too. This video collects pictures used during the last three years.

ELCA Youth Gathering- New Orleans

In July, fifteen youth from Holmen Lutheran will be going to New Orleans for cool youth gathering put together by ELCA. Click Here to read about the event. Great service opportunities, great music, and a great way to have the Holy Spirit help shape our faith's future.

During the event, the group will take some buttons to hand out as souvenirs... I'm not sure which art we should put on the buttons yet...
With our Youth Director Jen?


















Or with our Bell Tower Silhouette?

Introducing Angela Josephine

I was introduced to Angela Josephine by my friend Mark a while back, and while I haven't really taken the time to explore her music, I have always noted that she writes with a love and a passion for life. Now she has moved into BlogSpot. I'm going to make a point of reading her blogs... you should too at http://thesimplesacred.blogspot.com/

And of course everyone has a YouTube.... so enjoy her outside with a little wind and a little inspirational talk. Divine is divine. Does make me wonder since she's out of Michigan if I someday will host her in a house concert.

Two videos inspired from sharing my gifts

I'm not shy about most things as I've hit the over 50 mark, but a one on one teacher student relationship was a step I was very apprehensive about. I did put my card out at church and thank goodness I haven't been buried with students. I'm still learning myself who to teach. I love it though because I'm cheap, I don't want to do it each week, and if the student doesn't have the passion to play... why am I here, we'll cut it off. Ok this isn't an advertisement, it's to show a little thing like putting yourself out there as vulnerable to talk about what you yourself are passionate about is ok. And it's ok to be apprehensive, just try it, it inspired me to re-learn in detail and tape these two songs.

Enjoy

Dave

p.s. as always my eternal apologies that God didn't bless me with a good voice while he took away my shyness... HA

People get ready... Allison is touring

Now while I've been making a big deal about getting a mid week stop between the Twin Cities and Chicago, I just want to scream from the cliff tops, "People you just don't know what you're missing not to stop by..."

So ... stop over to www.myspace.com/bluffview or email me at dave@theroseriverband.com ... just do it already.



Her tour stops are at www.myspace.com/allisonsattinger

Go with God

You know my sister has great tastes and a long time she turned me on to Carolyn Arends, and can you believe it... Shepherd's Voice has never stocked a single CD of hers. Thanks Carol, I can forgive you for laughing at my voice most of my life, LITTLE sister. HA...




This is a great sending song that ACTS covers sometimes....

Tis a gift to be simple

Boy I resemble that remark while being comfortable in all today's internet savvy conversation about pinging or bandwidth... I do think if you don't reach inside and grab the simple melody of life you are missing something.



This is my special Mother's day gift... you are all simply the best.

Billy the Bum...

So what does a blog title like this belong in a Passionate Spirituality blog for? Well it's been a new favorite, but the song has to be about thirty years old. Recently a fine song writer and singer from Milwaukee, put out a cover CD of one of my favorite artists, John Prine. John is one of the best writers, Hello in There can touch a nerve, but he'll never be known as a Christian song writer... maybe Christ helps us see through the eyes of people who don't always market themselves under that title. Again, this song really touched me. I some how missed really knowing John's Diamonds in the Rough LP, and when I heard Jeffrey cover this song it was like, NEW.. ;-) The last verse is really why it belongs in this blog.

God does like to hit you softly with the same message until you really say, you yeah... now I get it... First I run into the song from Jeffrey, then I run into the real vinyl LP from John at the Antique Center, and then I read this blog about the Pastor doing what Dave Woggen did at one of our NCD weekends. I do feel the passion burning to help people at our church, but we all need to understand that God's uses his two by four on our thick heads, and it still sometimes doesn't get through.



Billy The Bum

Billy the bum lived by the thumb
And sang of the hobo’s delight
He’d prove he could run
Twice as fast as the sun
By losing his shadow at night
Now he loved every girl
In this curly headed world
But no one will know it seems
For two twisted legs and a childhood disease
Left billy just a bum in his dreams

Chorus:
And he was just a gentle boy
A real florescent light
Cried pennies on sunday morning
Laughs nickels on saturday night
And your bullets they can’t harm him
Nor your knives tear him apart
Humiliation killed him
God bless his little heart

Now he lived all alone
In a run down home
Near the side of the old railroad track
Where the trains used to run
Carrying freight by the ton
And blow the whistle as billy’d wave back
But the children around billy’s home town
Seemed to have nothin’ better to do
Then run around his house
With their tongues from their mouth
And make fun of that cripped old fool

(repeat chorus)

Now some folks they wait
And some folks they pray
For jesus to rise up again
But none of these folks
In their holy cloaks
Ever took billy on as a friend
For pity’s a crime
And it ain’t worth a dime
To a person who’s really in need
Just treat ’em the same
As you would your own name
Next time that your heart starts to bleed

(repeat chorus)

So Much Grace

So I'm into trying to learn new techniques with both videos and slide shows, why? Well besides, why not... I do want to make a real cool one for my son's graduation and I made one in iMovie, why not one within iPhoto until I learn what I'm up to? Besides no good.. HA HA...

Last Saturday night ACTS covered So Much Grace during prelude of Saturday night's service, so I was thinking about putting pictures to our cover. So I emailed Allison of my intentions. My lucky day, I got permission from Allison Sattinger to use her So Much Grace as long as I kept it secular because really that was her inspiration and she really is far from wanting to be known as the genre of Christian music artist. The song came from when she had taken a hike in some beautiful mountain pass in Colorado and the song wrote itself; or at least that's what I remember the story from her blog. Simply this is a wonderful song... enjoy the images, most of them come from Allison or me... a few are free photos so I think I have my copy writes in order. ;-)

Dave

Little Brown Church in the Vale.

"Oh come" the song says, and Sue Heyman's parents did, and they were married there a long time ago. Recently, my bandmate in Saints and Sinners shared that news with us, and then the song and the website. I thought I would return the favor.









Part of the song:

The Church in the Wildwood

by Dr. William S. Pitts

There's a church in the valley by the wildwood,
No lovelier spot in the dale;
No place is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the vale.

Chorus

Oh, come, come, come, come,

Come to the church in the wildwood,

Oh, come to the church in the vale;

No spot is so dear to my childhood

As the little brown church in the vale.

The Website:

http://www.littlebrownchurch.org/

Part of the story:

The first settlers came to the Bradford area in 1848 and with an abundant water supply and virgin timber, the town grew. By 1855 the first members of the Puritan-Congregational Church had begun holding meetings. By 1856, Bradford had 500 residents and was the first town in this part of Iowa.

A young music teacher named William Pitts was traveling by stagecoach from Wisconsin to Iowa to visit his future wife. While waiting for the stagecoach horses to be changed, he walked down Cedar Street and saw the empty lot where the church now stands. Being a romantic young man, the thought came to him of what a charming setting the spot would make for a church. Returning home, he wrote the poem “Church in the Wildwood,” and later set it to music. He put it away in a drawer and forgot it. ... the rest...

Isn't church history wonderful, are you making it today for the next generation? I'm guessing that you are in ways you don't even consider.

They have enough

I received this great devotional from a friend I met thru MySpace. He actually got off of myspace for lent. Ha. The daily devotional comes from Luther Seminary.

Monday, 4/13/2009
The risen Christ creates abundance
Acts 4:32-35 (Click to view Bible text below.)

In Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge peeks into the lives of the Cratchett family and is amazed by the joy he witnesses, despite the family's great poverty. The Ghost of Christmas Present responds to Scrooge saying simply, "They have enough." In a recent production of this play, the actor portraying the Ghost then turns directly to the audience and says, "It's a wonderful word: enough."

In the resurrection of Jesus there is enough for all. When death and fear no longer control us, we need not worry about how much we have (like Scrooge) and can instead share what we have been given (like the Cratchetts). Though it may seem strange to those "peeking in," the abundance of Jesus' love fills us to overflowing, until there is no longer a needy person among us.

Risen Jesus, in your resurrection there is enough for all. Fill us up with your joy and love so that we cannot help but share it with those around us. Amen
Zebulon Highben
Adjunct Faculty, Church Music, Luther Seminary
Master of Sacred Music, 2005

Acts 4:32-35 (NRSV)

32 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.

33 With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold.

35 They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

A new blog

Surprise... I've started yet another blog... this one will be strictly news and postings about the house concert series that I run called Bluff View Concerts. I just have been inkling to do this, and creating Allison's poster pushed me to jump at it. Allison is the author of So Much Grace that our ACTS band covers, and while that's probably the only song of hers that you would consider Christian... She's married to a good Lutheran who is showing her the way, but one of the things that is deep passion of hers... she exudes love. She jokingly called herself the Love Ninja because she would try to smile at everyone in her daily walk.

The Calling (post 2)

I am a creature of playing to learn things. Yes I resemble an 50 year old goof ball sometimes, but when you get my age you stop worrying a lot about what people think. The following video was an experiment to see how to blend messages on top of a video track. I'd like to still figure out how to slow things down and change transitions better, but I thought I still would share it.

Now the song is based on a new song in our hymnal, but the melody is an old melody in public domain. The new song "Praise the one who breaks the darkness" is also an incredible song; and how appropriate for the Easter season. I found this great blog about the hymn, and I can't wait to follow this blog a little more. ENJOY it by clicking here.

While the lyrics slowed down to blog post (Ha) are still in the blog, right here; I did repost them so you can scroll down and sign while I play two verses.

Now I have to tell you when that melody was planted in my head. I was early for Sunday School at 9:00ish and the first service was running late. So I sat in the hallway on one of the pew chairs removed for the bell choir. The sending song started and it was "Praise the one..." so I got our my guitar and played along. I always love to find which capo fret I can play the chords I like.... Capo 2 C was found quickly. Funny that would make it in my favorite key of D but I like C too. (TMI right) Ever after that the melody stuck until our NCD group started planning our service, and the Spirit took hold of me and said, "Write"....

Here's the video... Enjoy



For by grace we have been saved
Not by works, no one will boast.
We are God’s fine workmanship
Baptized in the Holy Ghost
All the gifts we have been blessed with
Are to share with one and all.
Now we all should heed his will
Look inside us and see our call

As we walk our daily journey
We bring with us all our gifts
Every trait we were endowed with
From our laughter to our wit
All the things that bring us pleasure
Were put right there from the start.
Now we all must heed our calling
Learn to share right from our heart

Daily tools which make our living
Are the ones the Lord approves
From every hammer , every keyboard
Bring a passion with Christ’s love
All the things that serve the Lord
At your fingertips each day
Now we all must heed our calling
Praise the Lord, whom we adore.

David Schipper © 2009 Rose Riversongs

Are all victims innocent?

Well...I have at least one right-wing "friend" who believes that there is no such thnng as an innocent victim. At least that seems to his postion most days.

And I certainly know that the position of the Calvinist is that God has created the vast majority of human beings to suffer in this word and the next.

Me?

I believe that while we are all "sinners" - that is we fail to live up to the standards God has set for "us" - there are more of "us" who are innocent than "we'd" be able to comprehend.

Are All Victims Innocent?

Excerpt from Isaiah 42:3
"A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench: he will faithfully bring forth justice."

Reflection by Donna Schaper

An email came in announcing that a sheriff in Tennessee had raided a puppy mill and saved 250 "innocent" puppies from being sold or killed if they were not sold. I was to write the sheriff and congratulate him about his salvation of innocence. All I could think of was to wonder what a guilty puppy might look like. Is there such a thing?

Going back to Isaiah, is there a way for a human being to be responsible for being broken? Are all victims innocent or are some also guilty?

Bad habits surely steer some toward bruises and breaks. Spiritual laziness can result in our brighter lights going dim. Silence in the face of malicious gossip, or racial slurs, or hate speech on the radio, can result in serious damage to real people, especially those already poor. There is such a thing as responsibility. Sins of commission as well as sins of omission come to mind.

Thank God, therefore, that no matter the sources of our bruises and our breaks, we will not be quenched. God intends justice, no matter what, anyway, anyhow.

Prayer
We give you thanks, O God, for your fidelity to justice and pray that you will change us from those who burn dimly to those who are on fire with our own fidelities. Amen.

About the Author
Donna Schaper is Senior Minister, Judson Memorial Church, New York, New York, and the author of Living Well While Doing Good.

Blog written by Pastor Ninure

Love 'til you Love it away...

"What can you do with your days but work & hope
Let your dreams bind your work to your play
What can you do with each moment of your life
But love til you've loved it away
Love til you've loved it away"

These beautiful passionate words were written by Bob Franke for a wedding, and it's been a favorite song of mine for a long time. Here is a link for the whole song. This song truly speaks to living your passion. If you can not tie your dreams with your daily job, then do it in the other hours. Those dreams are not mere wishes... they are passions that have been placed in your being as a gift. Use them and you will find love and happiness.

I tagged the song with the Wabash Cannonball in a medley that goes back over thirty years to when I heard Art Theime do it up in folk festival in the U.P. He was a routine artist over at the Golden Ring Folklore Center in my hometown of Manitowoc.

Here it is in the key of D... the key that is the easiest on my paltry voice.

On Eagle's Wings

This was basically my sister's request to keep posting instrumental guitar playing... yes the same one that sang at our church a few times and the one that said a song (sung by Joe Hickerson) that I love was "Painful" to listen to.... ok so maybe I can tolerate my own voice because my expectations are low. HA...

Birth Pangs by A.C. Horvath

Have you been keeping up with Tony Horvath or former Director of Education? Tony has kindled his passion for writing into two novels within the Birth Pangs series, Fidelis and Spero. I think he orchestrated this trailer because I told him I'd wait for the movie. (truly I don't really read much... HA)

Here's part of a review on the first book: Fidelis follows the path of a man waking up in a broken world that is pockmarked from nuclear strikes and still coping with the lingering effects of a terrible disease. In discovering the new landscape of America, he discovers the equally new landscape of his own soul. Filled with adventure and warfare, as equally compelling is its attempt to explore concepts of truth, valor, manhood, and destiny. In Fidelis the crutches of society have collapsed. In this setting, the intangible characteristics that make the human race indomitable are permitted expression. Indeed, they are encouraged.
Jean Heimann at the Catholic Fire blog says, “In his clear, easy to read writing style, Horvath presents us with a story that grabs our attention from the first page and holds it until the very end. He introduces us to an interesting array of characters, which he describes in picturesque terms, [who] “speak” for themselves..” Read the balance and get the remaining links at www.birthpangs.com

Meet Tim Thompsen

Tim is a Lutheran pastor in the ELCA, currently serving as the Interim Associate Pastor at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Maplewood, MN. His primary interest is in small expressions of Church, typically called house or cell churches. He's working to transition out of conventional parish ministry into... something that he thinks will be a kind of coaching or church-planting ministry for those who want to be Church and be missional in a house-church mode.

On his blog, FeralPastor.blogspot.com he had posted an interesting about house churches. Now I love House Concerts so I read on:

Most of the people I talk with about house churches are Lutherans. One of my favorite things to do is to find out whether they know that Luther himself proposed house churches as the natural, even preferred context for people who were serious about following Jesus. (He calls these people the ones who are "desirous of being Christians in earnest and are ready to profess the Gospel with hand and mouth.") It's great fun to see the look of surprise on their faces - especially the ones who went to seminary and, amazingly, somehow never encountered this fact!

I've got the relevant section from Luther's writings uploaded in my "document vault" but I've neglected to post it here so now's the time to fix that. Here is the key excerpt, with citations at the end. Friends, and Lutherans especially, you'll want to take note of the following:



Self-organized

Home-based

Lay led

Full sacramental life

Stewardship and social ministry

Simple catechetical instruction

Ideal context for loving accountability after Matthew 18

"Form and Order" are not imported but emerge spontaneously from community life.

He goes on to have Martin's words on the subject.... Click here to stop over and finish reading the blog.

Questions

Boy aren't we all a little restless. You could say worried, but I would claim that word carries more of a panic to it, so I would put out that we're restless for answers. If our faith is strong, we're restless for God to explain. If we're doubting, we're restless for proof. Then aren't we all restless to know how our life will turn out. That's where I found myself this morning reading a friend's blog who is moving from one city to another and thought they had a renter for their house while they move to another. That renter wasn't the answer, and it fell thru.... so now they are restless. But this couple is so in love they calmly discussed it and love bound them together to know it will work out. On the way to work, this wrote itself. Christ is that healing love in our lives, and he works thru each of us to touch one another. Peace.... Dave

Don’t we all grow restless?
Like waiting for Santa,
Love, jobs, hope; it’s ageless.

I am waiting also
For answers in my life
Then the questions will slow.

Ok, that’s a pipedream.
Life is a puzzlement
No hard answers to gleen.

Should I be frustrated?
Feel lost in a quagmire?
Or just be comforted.

The sun will rise and set.
Love will answer it all,
And questions? I forget.

Dave Schipper © 2009 Rose Riversongs

Divorce Care

This last weekend Stacy interviewed Sue Haymen on her passion for serving others. Here are thoughts that Sue wrote on facilitating our community wide Divorce Care program being held at Holmen Lutheran.

When I was approached to begin DivorceCare, I felt I had healed from my own divorce and that by my experience I could help others. I had good friends that were also going divorce and separation, and hoped I would be able to help them through their loss.

As in any type of grief, trying to find God in the midst of your pain is the only way to truly heal. Divorce can be a very difficult situation because of its unique type of grief. A person can feel guilt, shame, a profound sense of loss, as well as a feeling of failure. Although I felt I had moved on, there were times that I would have overwhelming feelings of anger and bitterness. Just when I felt I was over it, something would trigger those feeling and once again and I was back in that dark place all over again.

By facilitating Divorce Care, I once again had the realization that when you give of yourself, you receive so much more. One of the hardest things to do is to forgive yourself and your spouse for all of the sorrow that results in a divorce. Even though I did turn to God, I was not truly healed. In DivoreCare I realized that forgiveness is the only way to be in true communion with God and to be whole once again. I also realized that it is not in our power to forgive without the help of God.

I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to serve others with my experience, and in turn live the life God created me for.


And Sue we are thankful for you too.

Kevin Baird's art in the Sunday School area

Thank you again Kevin for all the help you are at church, and when you contribute your art passion, we are blessed for so long.

Dying to live

This song has always touched me since my youth. Edgar Winter was with his band called White Trash at the time, now this wasn't likely written to be Christian, but it ends on such on such good note.... we do believe in the hope of resurrection, but God didn't intend us to twiddle our thumbs while we wait. I do love the poster of the video shows the cross that I believe at Cornerstone in Illinois. If someone know better, please post a comment.

Here are the lyrics.

You know I've heard it said there's beauty in distortion.
By some people who've withdrawn to find their heads
Now they say that there is humor in misfortune
You know I wonder if they'll laugh when I am dead

Why am I fighting to live if I 'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live if I'm just living to die?

Hey, you know some people say that values are subjective,
But they're just speaking words that someone else has said.
And so they live and fight and kill with no objective.
Sometimes it's hard to tell the living from the dead.

Why am I fighting to live if I 'm just living to fight?
Why am I trying to see when there ain't nothing in sight?
Why am I trying to give when no one gives me a try?
Why am I dying to live if I'm just living to die?

Yeah, you know I used to weave my words into confusion.
And so I hope you'll understand me when I 'm through
You know I used to live my life as an illusion,
But reality will make my dreams come true.

So I'll keep fighting to live till there's no reason to fight
And I'll keep trying to see until the end is in sight
You know I'm trying to give so c'mon give me a try
You know I'm dying to live until I'm ready
'til I'm ready to die

Dave's testimonial sermon

Workmanship? Are we truly God’s workmanship, masterpiece as our 2nd lesson said?

How can we tell? Are we born with these talents, these passions?

Are we really predestined to be one thing or another, or do we have choices?

And choices, boy don’t we choose the wrong ones way too often.

Yes as Lutherans we believe are simultaneously Saint & Sinner.

I am not a theologian, so let’s today Stacey and I offer you some real examples of God’s workmanship and how we answer our call.

First up, let me give a little testimonial on my life so briefly I’ll take you through 50 years.

When I was born in 1958, I was already blessed with two sisters 1 and 6 years old, and three brothers 8. 9, and 10. Suffice to say, my parents were Saints as well as Sinners. As they put all of us thru Roman Catholic school for eight years, with mass at least once a week in school. It was in one of those services when I was in second grade that the third grade teacher, Mrs Clement came up to me afterward and told me that she tells her students to watch how I sing during church, they all should. Where did that come from, the singing that is… My mom, sure she sang; and Dad mumbled the songs, and I had an Aunt who at clear loud voice would recite “Lamp of God” instead of Lamb and we kids would all giggle.

Fast forward to Eight grade when I graduated I was the second shortest in a huge class. Being that height, you either learn to be tough, or to get along with everyone. I choose to get along.

Next up Middle School, I made friends with Kent Aubry. The star halfback of the football team, and I was no jock. So while he beat me routinely on the tennis court, he taught me my first chords on a cheap guitar I landed somehow. Even those tough up the neck chords, and boy they sounded bad.

High school was a blur, but my English teacher Steve Gibson has stuck with me forever. I later found out he was an ELCA Lutheran but when I knew him he was a chunky round face jovial person who lit a fire in me to write… oh did I write… journal upon journal of intensely personal searching that was sometimes very dark. I love the story he told of his old house that had full size windows in his bedroom that he accidentally had the blind zip up and have him expose himself naked. Maybe that’s why his image is burned into my memory. HA.

Teen years brought more questioning of my faith. My dad always inspired me “if you’re going to do a job, Do it right” He also never missed a weekend mass, and he made sure he routinely visited his mother in the nursing home… but he was one incredible racist. This plus other adults made me think church was full of hypocrites, but I never lost my relationship to God. I prayed continually for a girl friend.

Donna & I started dating late my Junior year, and it was an interesting three year run that even included her trying to commit suicide over her low self esteem created by her mother. Well about that time, Lori showed up in my life, and She was the one God had intended.

I could go on and on about the old phrase behind every good man is an excellent woman, and it would be true. And from a faith view point her and I were on the same page for different reasons with organized church. We even were married by a lawyer in a house; radical eh? We had a great life as a couple of dinks… (dual income no children)… but one day we decided to try and Poof over night we had a wonderful healthy talkative boy named Dustin.

It was the birth of Dustin that brought us back to church, and we easily made a home at HLC. Barry Bertleson than noticed us as regular attenders and asked that I join the counsel. It took three years of asking and I said yes. Well the rest of the history most of you know, so what’s up with workmanship or call?

Well I could go on, but how did God bring me here… Predisposition to a call?… I think not, I think he used teachers like Mrs Clement and Steve Gibson, friends like Kent and Donna, members of the faith like Barry, and my family Dad, Lori, and Dustin to form my person and my desire to share my gifts. So is your call to enable, or maybe someone has been talking to you?

Something is happening here...

Something is happening here, so the song said, so both Pastor’s recently quoted the very unbiblical Stephen Stills in his song titled, “For what it’s worth” ... .Just for the record, Christ knows what you’re worth, and what gifts that you have been blessed with, but do you? What really is your call?

So there is something happening here at Holmen Lutheran Church, so please join our Natural Church Development group at worship the weekend of March 21 & 22 as we carry on our minor tradition started by Pastor Borreson , sermon interviews. It is such a joy to listen to our members share how Christ is working through their life, and we have plans to schedule these sermons through the year.

Photo credits

Forgiving isn't easy.

A dear internet friend of mine in MySpace, Ninure da Hippie is a Pastor in Chicago. She has a wonderful MySpace blog, and the following is from today's post.

I tell people whenever I say the Lord's Prayer I cannot say it the way others do.

Im particular, I cannot say "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors". If God were to answer that prayer for me I would be "damned to hell".

Try as might, I am not very good at forgiving. But i do TRY.


SHOULD I FORGIVE THAT PERSON?

The following story comes from Glenn E. Schaeffer via Christian Reader ("Kids of the Kingdom;" September/October 1997):

During a childrens sermon one Sunday morning, I held up an ugly-looking summer shirt that I wore occasionally around the house. I explained to the children that someone said the shirt was ugly and should be thrown away.

"This really hurt me," I explained. "I'm having trouble forgiving the person who said those mean things. Do you think I should forgive that person?" I asked the children.

Immediately, my six-year-old daughter, Alicia, raised her hand. "Yes, you should," she said without hesitation. "But why? The person hurt my feelings," I responded.

To which Alicia wisely answered, "Because you're married to her."

We live in a society that doesn't care much at all about forgiveness. Our culture exalts those TV and movie heroes who take vengeance on others. Those who are willing to forgive are portrayed as weak, and those who refuse to forgive are strong. The result is a society filled with bitterness, vengeance, anger, hate and hostility. Marriages suffer because grudges are held and nobody's willing to forgive. Crimes of retaliation and ridiculously excessive lawsuits are rampantly common as people seek vengeance both inside or outside the law.

But Jesus emphasized the importance of forgiving others. In fact, he doesn't give us any other option, if we are to be his disciples. He said, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14-15). That's strong language!

Again in Mark 11:25-26, Jesus said, "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

When Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" (Matthew 18:21), Jesus responds by telling a parable about a master who forgave a servant's huge debt, but that servant refused to forgive another servant who owed him a small amount. The story ends with an angry master turning over the unforgiving servant to the jailers for torture and torment. And then Jesus made the application in one of the harshest statements in all the gospels: "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses." (Matthew 18:35).

Jesus makes it painfully clear that forgiving others is directly related to our being forgiven by God, and our unwillingness to forgive destroys the bridge over which God's forgiveness comes to us. Before you ask for God to forgive you, is there someone who needs your forgiveness today?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina




People often say with pride, “I’m not interested in politics.” They might as well say, “I’m not interested in my standard of living, my health, my job, my rights, my freedoms, my future, or any future.”
— Martha Gellhorn, writer/journalist (1908-1998)

Live simply. Love generously.
Care deeply. Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.

'God does not share his love between all of his creatures; He gives *all* of his love to *each* of His creatures!' (Hugh of St. Victor).

A Prayer of St. Patrick

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.


I bind unto myself the name,
The strong name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same.
The Three in One, and One in Three,
Of whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
salvation is of Christ the Lord.



The following is the Wikipedia account of St Patrick, Click here for all the active links.

Saint Patrick (c. 390 - 460)[2] (Latin: Patricius,[3] Irish: Naomh Pádraig) was a Roman Britain-born Christian missionary and is the patron saint of Ireland, along with Brigid of Kildare and Columba. He was educated at a monastery and school of divinity founded by Illtud (now Llantwit Major).
When he was about 16 he was captured by Irish raiders and taken from his native Wales as a slave to Ireland, where he lived for six years before escaping and returning to his family. After entering the Church, he later returned to Ireland as a missionary in the north and west of the island, but little is known about the places where he worked and no link can be made between Patrick and any church.
By the eighth century he had come to be revered as the patron saint of Ireland. The Irish monastery system evolved after the time of Patrick and the Irish church did not develop the diocesan model that Patrick and the other early missionaries had tried to establish.
The available body of evidence does not allow the dates of Patrick's life to be fixed with certainty, but it appears that he was active as a missionary in Ireland during the second half of the fifth century. Two letters from him survive, along with later hagiographies from the seventh century onwards. Many of these works cannot be taken as authentic traditions. Uncritical acceptance of the Annals of Ulster would imply that he lived from 340 to 460, and ministered in what is modern day northern Ireland from 428 onwards.
Saint Patrick's Day (17 March) is celebrated both in and outside of Ireland, as both a liturgical and non-liturgical holiday. Outside of Ireland, it can be a celebration of Ireland itself. In the universal Roman Catholic Church it is an optional memorial, though in the dioceses of Ireland it is a both a solemnity and a holy day of obligation.

I was there to hear your borning cry

Tonight after the service Joan Benson asked for the music for this song. Here Joan... now you have a way to know how I add the extra melody parts for the song. This is one I can play at any given time to stretch and I love the melody that John Ylvisaker wrote.



Here sing along.

John Ylvisaker


"I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.

I was there when you were but a child,
with a faith to suit you well;
In a blaze of light you wandered off
to find where demons dwell."

"When you heard the wonder of the Word
I was there to cheer you on;
You were raised to praise the living Lord,
to whom you now belong.

If you find someone to share your time
and you join your hearts as one,
I'll be there to make your verses rhyme
from dusk 'till rising sun."
In the middle ages of your life,
not too old, no longer young,

I'll be there to guide you through the night,
complete what I've begun.
When the evening gently closes in,
and you shut your weary eyes,
I'll be there as I have always been
with just one more surprise."

"I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold."

Gracious... Still alive and now with Jesus

Tonight I ended up bouncing thru a few you tubes of my old Rock and Roll fav's Johnny Winter, Rick Derringer, and Edgar Winter and was totally surprised to see Rick singing a new versus about Jesus in his Still Alive and Well

Thought I'd share it.... Rock on Jesus... should ACTS cover it?

New (Old) Rules from God... 2009

Ok there is a time for levity, Gospel, and laws.... here's something Paul Leithold shared with me that I thought everyone would enjoy. Consider it a small Bible Study.

Rules from God for 2009
1. Wake Up !! Decide to have a good day.
"Today is the day the Lord hath made ; let us rejoice and be glad in it" Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up !! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart."
I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up!! Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "He who guards his lips guards his soul."Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!!... For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything.. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up !!... To the Lord.
"I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up !!... For something higher. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path."
Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up !!... Your Prayers.
"Do not worry about anything;
Instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING."
Philippians 4:6

So what's your passion?

Boy mine is laid out for everyone to see though for the longest time I was fine playing guitar in the basement or on my deck all by myself. I'm pretty sure God was a little patient with me as I honed my skills, but boy these last 5 years he's put me to test. Ok.. I get humble watching real good players, but I've been pushed to be Mr. Dave at Sunday School, and now I'm recognized at Festival.... Here's me with a fan...

Then there is this little thing that I started with Lori's ok... Bluff View House concerts. This week Norah Rendell and Brian Miller put on a wonderful show. Pastor Dan & Lynn and John and Nancy made it, just ask them about it. But oh meeting people is so much fun. A great group of Catholic and Free church members were there and it's so much fun not to talk about barriers of faith but to enjoy each other. Then there was the conversation after the concert about visiting Ireland where the F-word is a normal adjective, even with friendly grey hair ladies who want to share a glass a milk with a child. Sure bet that won't be a norm at Holmen any time soon. HA...

Centennial Plaque

Dick Mannstedt put his retirement and his new laser to a wonderful contribution. What a beautiful piece and it incorporates a cross layout of the last supper. It is loosely based on a design by Tom Zieg that Pastor Glenn would do with his woodworking.

Storytelling Room

There is a group of mothers who decided that the kids needed to be taught the lessons of the Bible without feeling that they were in little concrete prison cells strapped to tiny chairs. The transformation is ongoing, but here is one room that is where they have story telling. The setting is a desert tent.... sure feels that way. Job well done ladies.

The tent had served it's outside life, and the veils were a great touch. The desert scene was many hours of painting, and conversation. Plus it even comes with a donated palm tree oasis. Yes... put those things you want to get rid of to good use. HA!

Our Calling

Please listen to the melody of hymn 843 which this song is based. This song will be the song after our sermon March 21/22 weekend.









For by grace we have been saved
Not by works, no one will boast.
We are God’s fine workmanship
Baptized in the Holy Ghost
All the gifts we have been blessed with
Are to share with one and all.
Now we all should heed his will
Look inside us and see our call

As we walk our daily journey
We bring with us all our gifts
Every trait we were endowed with
From our laughter to our wit
All the things that bring us pleasure
Were put right there from the start.
Now we all must heed our calling
Learn to share right from our heart

Daily tools which make our living
Are the ones the Lord approves
From every hammer , every keyboard
Bring a passion with Christ’s love
All the things that serve the Lord
At your fingertips each day
Now we all must heed our calling
Praise the Lord, whom we adore.

David Schipper © 2009 Rose Riversongs

Lenten Lutheran Paradox

I loved last nights Ash Wednesday Gospel, and it made me reflect and I'm heavily paraphrasing:

Jesus said give alms silently and joyfully. Ok check Simply Giving.

Jesus said pray in silent. Ok check you don't see me raising my arms and swaying in my prayers, music now that's different.

Jesus said don't suffer openly when are fasting. Again check..(Hey it's a personal message between you and I, God, right?)

Oh... but Jesus said don't be boastful. Ouch that's what a good blogger does sometime if not all the time; and most know I've overcome my bout of youthful shyness.

Aw, but we are all sinners so we're saved by God's gift of Grace, ......SOOOO....return to the top and start over.

HA..

Hope you enjoyed my twist to the classic Lutheran Paradox loosely based on Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 and Pastor Dan's sermon which emphasized our Lenten journey should focus on Truth, Proof, and Grace. 40 more days to go; hope to see you all at church. Feel free to remind me Lent is for solemn thinking so cut the jokes.

Peace be with you too. Dave


p.s. just in case you are confused the picture is Martin Luther... and not what Dan looks like since Pastor Glenn has retired.

A great blog on the Lectionary

The lectionary is the pattern of reading during the church year. I was looking for a resource to explain text we were going to use on March 21/22, and found this great blog, Join The Feast. What a great way to study the bible and bring the texts read during the weekend to life. Who knows, maybe you could surprise the Pastor and ask them a question of why they didn't compare the text to "___" That'll get them going. HA.

We are Blessed.

As I looked out on the new snowfall and before the calm was broken to get me to rise up and shovel. I thought snow is such a wonderfully beautiful way God nourishes the Earth. We are blessed. So here's the Celtic Blessing sung to you by an angel named Allison Sattinger. She is the person who wrote "So Much Grace" that ACTS covers with Shelly Pederson on lead. Allison is coming to Holmen Wednesday May 27th... details to follow.

"May God hold you in the palm of his Hands." Dave

Prayer meditation

Passionate Spirituality is as much about the solitude of prayer and the conversation with God. Here is a video that you can put on in the background, look down, look up and read a verse, look down, or just meditate to the soothing music.

Passionate Spirituality?

Ok some of you know that we have a committee called the "Natural Church Development Health Team" working on improving our "Passionate Spirituality". Now I'm pretty sure if the founders of this great church wouldn't think we're NUTS, they would be convinced of it if they knew that the other trait we talked about was "Loving Relationships." So are we nuts, or is the Holy Spirit guiding us to really evaluate how we put our feet to our faith?

There are other ways of describing these traits like "Enthusiastically living your faith", "Witnessing Christ in you life during the week", or "Keeping the fire that God lit in your heart alive". During the last year, the Pastors have asked several members to witness their faith during the sermon. While I've shared how the kids help me wake up on a Sunday for praise time, we've heard Ken Damashke talk of being an example for his children, Dick Mannstedt spoke about his faith through health issues, Tony Hart related his witness with the children he teaches, Lou Pertzsch wrapped us in her prayer shawl ministry and there were many others.

Martin Luther recounted how we should witness & serve in our every day life, "The same is true for shoemaker, tailor, scribe, or reader. If he is a Christian tailor, he will say: I make these clothes because God has bidden me do so, so that I can earn a living, so that I can help and serve my neighbor. When a Christian does not serve the other, God is not present; that is not Christian living."

So where will our passion fire take us? We believe we have kindled a flame put in our hearts at baptism, and many more of us could and should be a witness to each other. We build our own faith thru our community, so let's spread the good news. If anyone wants to share their faith or recommend someone, please talk to Glen or a member of the NCD Health team.

Prayerfully yours,

Dave Schipper
photo credits

Congregation Connection

The late Kate Wolf penned a song that said, “Outside a country store, there’s a board on the wall, that’s filled with cards of every size…Everybody’s looking for the same thing…an old Chevy, a bass player, a country house on three acres, three bedrooms ABSOLUTELY Free.” While only God’s Grace is free and that old country store is gone, we still have a need to connect with each other on what we have or what we need. Were you ever looking for a sitter and didn’t know who to ask? Did you have extra zucchini and didn’t know who to give it too? How about telling people that you are willing to sew? How can you let people know that your hobby is scrap booking or that your business is landscaping? What if you have a dead tree? Maybe you heat with wood and want some free wood? What if you might have a need for some extra dishes for a college student starting an apartment life? Finally would you would rather spend your money with a HLC family member than a stranger? Well our NCD Health Team was looking over the many gifts that were shared through the simple questions, what are you good at, and what do you enjoy doing; and brainstormed an idea to make our bulletin board in the narthex get to work making connections. We’ll start with half the board, keep the notes to business card size, and pray that you make a connection that gives you just what you need.

Opening the Book of Faith

Show your passionate spirituality by opening the Book of Faith. This spring about 30 people have started the ELCA initiative, and as Bishop Hanson describes it as joyful; with exception of the infamous bat coffee so far. (That second part is an inside joke... look me up for the rest of the story.)

Where your heart is...

So one way you might show your passion is to write. This song is one of ACTS (Accentuating Christ Thru Song) original. It always brings me peace to hear the whole congregation sing it. It was loosely based on the Stewardship theme the year it was penned, which I think was 2005, it could be 2004. I do have a recording of Tim and Paula singing it that I went back and added a banjo to; if you would like a copy just email me at Dave@TheRoseRiverBand.com. I should put a co-author on this because Lori has tweaked nearly every section... ha.



Where your Heart Is… by ACTS

Chorus:
Where your Heart is, there your peace be
Friends and family loving Christ
Worship, Serve your loving Savior
Grow with Grace, Seize your Prize

When demands pack every hour
‘til the worries dim your view
Lift your voice upward in worship
Let God’s peace fall on you.

Repeat Chorus

We live our lives as hidden strangers
Looking past the ones in need
But when we turn and follow Jesus
Our eyes grow clear to his lead

Repeat Chorus

There is one Body, and one Spirit
To one Hope, We are called
Listen for your special message
Let your life answer your call

by Dave Schipper (c) 2005 I think... HA.