Lessons and Carols - Year A (Matthew)

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24 Dec 2022 | 5:30 PM | Christmas Eve “Lessons and Carols”

Opening Prayer 

Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread And forgive us our debts As we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory Forever and ever. Amen.

Assurance 

Lighting the Christ candle.

Hymn 132 (NCH) / 270 (Celebration): Joy to the World.

First Lesson: Creation - Genesis 1:1-5 

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, ² the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. ³ Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. ⁴ And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. ⁵ God called the light Day, and the darkness God called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Hymn 116 (NCH): O Come O Come Emmanuel (2 verses). 

Second Lesson: Covenant - Genesis 9:12-16

¹² God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: ¹³ I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. ¹⁴ When I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow is seen in the clouds, ¹⁵ I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. ¹⁶ When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.”

Reflection for Genesis 1,9 – Creation and Covenant

Hymn: O Come O Come Emmanuel (refrain). 

Third Lesson: Compassionate and Forgiving God – Psalm 103: 1-8

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. ² Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all awesome benefits— ³ who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, ⁴ who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, ⁵ who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. ⁶ The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. ⁷ The Lord made known divine ways to Moses, and gracious acts to the people of Israel.⁸ The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Hymn 133 (NCH)/250 (Celebration): O Little Town of Bethlehem. 

Fourth Lesson: God of Peace and Justice – Micah 5:2-5; 6:6,8

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,   who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me  one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,    from ancient days. ³ Therefore he shall give them up until the time  when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return   to the people of Israel. ⁴ And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,   in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great  to the ends of the earth; ⁵ and he shall be the one of peace. 

⁶ With what shall I come before the Lord and bow myself before God on high? ⁸ Listen here mortal: God has told you what is good, And what YHWH requires of you; to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God; Then your name will achieve wisdom.”

Reflection for Micah and Psalm 103 - God of Peace and Justice.

Hymn 131 (NCH) / 251 (Celebration): It Came upon the Midnight Clear.

Fifth Lesson: Birth – Matthew 1: 18-25 

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. ²⁰ But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” ²² All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ²³ “Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” ²⁴ When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife ²⁵ but had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus.

Reflection for Matthew 1: 18-25 - Birth

Hymn 148 (NCH) /281 (Celebration): What Child Is This. 

Sixth Lesson: Shepherds Visit – Luke 2:8-16 

⁸ In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹ to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.

Offertory:

Hymn 125 (NCH) / 278 (Celebration): Angels We Have Heard on High.

Seventh Lesson: Foreigners Visit – Matthew 2:1-11 

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise ones from the East came to Jerusalem, ² asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” ³ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; ⁴ and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. ⁵ They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

⁶ ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

⁷ Then Herod secretly called for the wise ones  and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. ⁸ Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” ⁹ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. ¹¹ On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Reflection for Luke 2:8-16 and Matthew 2:1-11 - Shepherds and Foreigners.

Hymn 139 (NCH) / 265 (Celebration): The First Noel.

Eighth Lesson: God’s Promise Through Jesus - Hebrews 1:1-4 

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, ² but in these last days he has spoken to us by the Promised One, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. ³ He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, ⁴ having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Hymn 132 (NCH) / 249 (Celebration): O Come All Ye Faithful. 

Ninth Lesson: Word Made Flesh - John 1: 1-5 (Inclusive version)

In the beginning, there was the Word, and the Word was in God’s presence, and the Word was God. ² The Word was present to God from the beginning. ³ Through the Word, all things came into being, and apart from the Word, nothing came into being that has come into being. ⁴ In the Word was life, and the life was our light-- ⁵ Light that shines in the darkness, Light that the darkness did not overcome.

Reflection for John 1:1-5 – God’s Promise Made Flesh.

**Lighting the Candles 

Hymn 134 (NCH) / 253 (Celebration): Silent Night.

Benediction:

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* Please rise as you are able spirit and body. 

** Please make you way to perimeter of the Church for lighting the candles, sharing the light of Christ, and singing of Silent Night.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, ©1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Priests for Equality. 2007. The Inclusive Bible: The First Egalitarian Translation. Sheed & Ward: Lantham, MD.

Wren, B. 2008. Advent Christmas and Epiphany, Liturgies and Prayers for Public Worship. Westminster John Knox Press: Louisville. Reproduced with permission.

An Unexpected Hour - Matthew 24 - Advent 1A

An Unexpected Hour

Tony E Dillon Hansen

Reflection based upon Isaiah 2: 1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44, 

Happy new church year and happy Advent!  May your journey through these next few weeks be inspiring and uplifting as we prepare for the celebration of birth.

Advent typically follows some theme for each other weeks as we light candles around the wreath. Today’s candle theme is meant to be “hope”

Today’s lesson however feels a little more ominous than hopeful. Yet if we look deeper there is hope captured in these texts. What does Jesus mean by “you must be ready … for… an unexpected hour."

Maybe the word, for today, is not ominous but readiness - in other words preparation and watchfulness. Why do we prepare ? Who needs to be prepared and what does that give us?

It should come as no surprise to any of us that some day, we will just stop breathing and meet our maker. For all of us are mortal and all of us who are born into this life, will, one day, leave this life. The question then is for us, how do we prepare for what is inevitable?

When we say before worship, “let us prepare our hearts and mind”, there is a reason for this.  We are not just saying rhetorical phrases just to hear them from our mouths, but preparing our hearts and minds to hear and witness the Word made flesh. We prepare to transcend with that Word and spirit in our hearts. We prepare our hearts and minds and our bodies to call upon the spirit and to receive the spirit. 

When we do this, we can witness that Spirit and the Word become what we need to hear and feel in our bodies. When we offer food or clothes to the needy, are we preparing our gift for ourselves or for them and God.

That is preparation that is different than planning to make a cake or dinner for Thanksgiving because it is preparing ourselves to be open to the potential because yes as Jesus says, the unexpected hour is always near.  

So readiness is not just out of fear, but preparing to receive something - something so spectacular and amazing, you will be moved, minds will change as the spirit pours out upon you.

Isn’t that something that feels like hope?  Readiness for surprises is to be prepared for the day when things are going south. Readiness is for us to be prepared for the day after another shooting at a queer club or a Walmart or a mall, or when one country provokes war and violence like how Russia illegally invades Ukraine. Preparing is not making sure we are packing when we go out, but that our hearts and minds are ready for the coming of our Lord.

As well, this preparation is not just for us to anticipate all the materials, wrapping paper and pretty bows we see on Christmas, for we have plenty of reminders of the consumerism in our culture regardless of inflation before, during and well after the season.  

The season of Advent is for us to prepare our hearts and minds to receive the spirit in our celebrations so when that unexpected hour arrives, we won’t have to wonder if we did enough to be good with God.

The answers to our broken world ways are not more government or more toys around the tree, or more guns in pockets, but the answer for us can be found in the promise that God has given to us, the rainbow as a reminder of that promise and Word of the Lord that teaches and gives life - the Word made flesh in Jesus.

So let us discern the spirit among us this Advent, and let us find what we really need and want. Find healing, home and grace in the message given to us through the Gospel of Matthew, and let Jesus show you a way beyond our world’s divisions. 

So beloved, for Advent, let us walk in the light of the Lord and prepare our hearts with the hope of God’s promise and peace guiding us. 

Beloved, “Peace be within you.”

Thanks Be to God.

Worthy of Repentance - Matthew 3 - Advent 2A

Worthy of Repentance 

Tony E Dillon Hansen

Sermon based upon Matthew 3:1-12, Psalm 72, Romans 15:4-13, Isaiah 11:1-10

Opening prayer

Happy second Sunday of Advent.

When reading our texts, a few things came to mind. Particularly, I am drawn to Matthew where John tells us to be “Bear fruit worthy of repentance.” What does it mean to be “worthy of repentance?”

When walking the trail with Reno in early autumn, it was a great day - some leaves on the side, leaves in the tree still and Reno checking all the wonderful smells along the trail until..

Something moved in the grass ahead of us.  The dog and I were startled. We came upon a snake slithering away from us towards the creek. I didn’t want to go any further, but Reno was curious and wanted to check it out.  

I have always been uncomfortable around snakes.

I know they have purpose, but I am like Indiana Jones when it comes to snakes. (And why do websites have clickbait featuring these in my news feed?)

I think however that part of Isaiah’s message to us is precisely a vision of peace that endures and surpasses natural fears of things like this.. where wolf is living with lamb, cow with a bear or a person sitting next to a snake without fright.

How is this vision possible (a vision of a “zoo,” as one commentator called it, where no cage is needed and no one gets hurt or scared) and how do we get to that state of things?

That is an interesting analogy because a zoo has many animals in artificial settings divided away from each other under captivity that causes anxiety in the animals. Eventually, the captivity changes the animals and numbs their wild senses. 

Doesn’t that sound a bit like our world? Hmm our world - a zoo! 

Our worldly “zoo”: where we divide ourselves between have and have-not, borders between cultures and unequal judgments that bread hostility. We are captive to fear and fear-mongering leaders. We are in our own artificial designs with artificial flavorings and virtual escapes that placate and divide us even more. We have created a wilderness of this artificial way so that we become numb to reality and truths around us. People become hostile to the truth and to each other.

We read, in Matthew, John the Baptist delivering this sermon to people from the wilderness.  

There is something about wildernesses that force us to recognize truths, and John delivers truths that need to be heard (even if those who hear it don’t want to.) Know anyone that has refused to hear or acknowledge truths - “Oh, I don’t need to hear that?” 

Funny how each of us can envision someone - that is not us…

Matthew is particular in describing John’s diet and clothing, but what is Matthew doing here ?  

Matthew is setting the stage for the message by distinguishing those in power from those on the fringe: Those in the comforts of life and status versus those without.  

Think about who were “all” people going to - Not  to those in comfort but to the person in the wilderness that looks like this. They go because he speaks the truth, and does not pull punches - does not sugarcoat truth with ignorance, tradition, or “plausible deniability.” 

John quotes from Isaiah 40 to remind people from where they and their community have come. He reminds people of their rich history: reminding that they have come from a wilderness in captivity as well. John reminds us that judgment is best left to God like the Psalmist writes because God’s judgement is with justice, deliverance and wonderfulness in all things, instead of the divisive “zoo” with creepy snakes we live.

John calls the leaders, those, who are to help people follow this God, "brood of vipers” because they have gained at the expense of others. John isn’t here to make friends but to bring the truth, and the truth is his message. 

They respond to John’s challenge with their claim, “we have Abraham…” Yet, what does it mean for them and for us here today? What does it mean for you and I who claim our heritage? Where is my good practice that acknowledges that heritage - You and I, who live in relative comfort? We and our leaders who claim lineages of great nations, what are we doing to keep and perhaps earn that privilege? What are we doing to make our nation, our world, (our zoo) be welcoming and a place that transcends differences, divisions and borders?

Heritage is mere rhetoric if we, who today are gifted from the efforts and grace of that lineage, do not recognize that all people are children of Abraham, of God.

This, Beloved, is the start of being worthy of repentance in our world that is our zoo because in the difference in God’s truth/realm, there are people of differences and heritages where fear does not need to rule and people have no need to be scared of one another. 

Being worthy of repentance is thus a call to confession for people of power and for us, individually. This is a challenge with what we do with our time and our responsibility. It is a challenge for us to be the forgiveness as much as to be forgiven.

Do we just go each day: put on our nice clothes, in our comfortable homes, and mouth the prayers we have been given?  For what purpose do we have these, if forget those around us? For what purpose do we live, if not for our Creator? 

Be the forgiveness that God wants you to be and witness how God’s zoo doesn’t need cages or borders but gives opportunities to have wolf lay with lamb because judgement belongs to God, not us.

Acknowledge that and be with all people in the community - help those who need food to eat, who need clothes on their backs or who need a place to live - lest you are a viper.

If you are a viper, know that I walk with the strength and courage that God gives to go beyond fear. Let God remind you, be with you, teach you and help you be who you ought to be.  If I am one, may God’s justice reveal to me, to us. May God transform me and heal as needed. May you forgive me for my ignorance.

Beloved, we live in a broken world and we have to face the wildernesses, the tests, of our lives to find the truths -to recognize where we have been, what we have done and what we ought to be doing.  

That is truly an “agile retrospective” to recognize our mistakes and where we can improve. that is the start of redemption. Dont let it end there. In that recognition, we can see the possible of and be the peace of Christ - in God’s realm where child can play (or this child can walk) near the snake and not be afraid because God has blessed us and continues to bless us. 

Be worthy of repentance and live in that peace.

That Beloved is …

Thanks Be to God

What is Salvation - Luke 23

What is Salvation

Tony E Dillon Hansen

Reflection based upon Luke 23:33-43, Psalm 46, Jeremiah 23:1-6

Opening prayer

Its Pie Sunday and I hope you get to enjoy a favorite slice (maybe al little taste of heaven) today! 

It is also Christ the King (or Reign of Christ) Sunday so Happy Reign of Christ Sunday!

What does that mean? What does the reign of Christ look like and why do we say that?

Why is it so remarkable and touching that Jesus, who is hanging on a cross - bleeding, beaten and brutalized, says to a fellow also hanging on a cross that “you will be with me in paradise”?  

How is that reign, that power so transcending that a church rises to meet this and nations have knelt before Christ?

How quickly we, in our broken society and world, forget this powered turn instead to violence.

Salvation is what we come to church to find, but what is salvation anyway and why do we seek it? 

What in our lives is so deprived that we find something from some teachings, some person, some good spirit, passed down to us from so long ago?

This isnt some aloof concept that one cannot measure, because it is something that we know and feel our hearts and in our souls.  

This isn’t a cup of grace will keep the doctor away, but it is a measure of what we can do today (and everyday) to make this world be the place that we want it to be - not just for myself but those around me, even for those I don’t necessarily agree. 

This is grace that spills over dams and breaks locks to bring life to people who desperately need a way beyond the violence and hate the consumes our world. 

This, Beloved, is the love and grace that is freely given yet is for us to demonstrate that and to be that in our world.  When we do this, this, that is lacking in our world, will suddenly have fulfillment because that is the power and the reign of Christ.

Why because the power of Christ, the realm, isn’t adorned by fanciful robes and ornate crowns or the pageantry that we see in places like the UK. As beautiful as those ceremonies are, the kind of righteous power that Christ is one that saves individually and collectively.  This power touches our souls and lifts our hearts to be more than just the solitary person inside.

Thus, the reign is here to save - to bring salvation. Salvation is deliverance and redemption - the redemption that started Luke’s Gospel. That is deliverance from all that binds us to sin. That is something you and I desperately needs and something we don’t get on our own. That is why we come to God and Jesus, our shepherd, who teaches how to get there.

Yet salvation is a practice at the same time because we know we fail and we fail more often than we would like to admit. Yet each time we recognize that is a chance a possibility to turn back, to repent and feel the forgiveness and redemption lead us and be us into exuberance.  

That is almost as exuberant as watching Ukraine liberating Kherson, but it is more. It is life itself and breaking the chains of sin, worry and brokenness. This is the excitement that finds possibility even in the midst of worst calamity. This is the door opening to sober vision and living. This is a door - the gate that is Jesus - open for you this day, this hour and every hour.

This Beloved, is the practice of you and me being in the community and sharing that vision and those possibilities because God’s work is not just for us but all God’s children.  So share the sandwich, the burrito, and the smile. Give clothes, tools to work and learn, and toys for the kids because all children need to be able to imagine the possibilities that are around us.

We don’t do this because it is cute or just because Tony said so.  We do it because we know what it is like to be without or to witness the world of struggle in front of us.  We recognize that our struggle is not just our own, but a collective struggle.  Thus, we offer of ourselves, our tithes, and our material - to give others and our community - our church, a chance to find salvation, deliverance and redemption as well.

Then Beloved, our world will truly be the vision and reign of Christ because we do the work and we lift people. We lift hearts and feel our own hearts lifted - we feel the gifts of Christ. Through Christ, we are more than our sin and we are more than burdens. We walk with the blessings , the forgiveness of hearts, and the love poured out to all of us.

That, Beloved, is..

Thanks be to God.

When Calamity Strikes - Luke 21

When Calamity Strikes

Tony E Dillon Hansen

Reflection based upon Luke 21: 5-19, Isaiah 65:17-25

Opening Prayer

When I read this lesson, for some reason it invokes memories of scenes from Ghostbusters (1980s version) when the guys are trying to make the case to the mayor about what was unleashed onto New York by predicting end of times biblical disaster. All we need is Bill Murray to chime in with “Cats and dogs living together! Mass hysteria!”

Still the question is, What happens when…?  Why are we waiting for catastrophes and disasters to break loose on Earth?  What are you waiting for?

This isn’t just a warning but a reminder to be ready.  

This lesson is difficult to hear or read because it reminds us that calamity is mere moments away. 

Question for us should not be ”what happens when” but instead “what are we doing to prepare for that day, that hour, that minute when our breath is no more?” 

My dad in his last days would raise the question of whether he did all he could - to be in the good graces of God, family and friends.

Why would we wait until our last hours before doing the good work, the preparations, the loving, the welcoming?  It seems to me those last hours are kind of too late, and at that point, we are asking the wrong questions.

So yes this reads like an ominous warning, but if we wait to know the signs or what to the hour of our death, then we have wasted so much time that could be used for the good stuff that God calls us to do.  

Then, Jesus lays out the life of love and religious discipline is not an easy path, but instead one that invites challenges, arguments, and even betrayal. Something that Jesus would was all too familiar with. Is Jesus speaking about himself or telling us the wisdom of fickle people, destructive  politicians, and hypocritical religious leaders (the truth of our broken world.) 

It is true that people tend to think about themselves selfishly - that is when are left to our own devices and desires. When people vote in elections, they see taxes as a personal cost rather than a way to collectively pay for roads, schools or help the poor.

Not that paying taxes is fun and nor do I want to pay more than my fair share. Same thing with giving to the church.  It is not a cost but a way that we collectively care for people in the community, how we collectively teach and grow with the community as church. 

Yet, if we only think about ourselves, if we only hold our personal interests as important, then we miss so much that God wants for us - that for us to be the church - to do church. 

God wants us to be in community - teaching and growing with people.  There, we will witness the good dimensions of people, in the lives that are born with us and our hearts, and the life inside us gifted by God.

That life, that love of Christ, that peace does divide communities because there are people that want to take advantage of others and want to hoard money and property. They operate on the idea of scarcity - there isn’t enough to go around, so I have to get as much as I can and then I will be in a better position to dictate terms. How Christian is that?

That isn’t want God wants for us.  Yes God wants us to be successful and to prosper, but God does not want us to ignore those around us - those we agree and those we disagree.  Why? Because we are all God’s children at heart. 

That, beloved, is how we prepare ourselves for the end times.  We prepare by living these times , today, this hour, this breath - with God’s people here on Earth. We bring that welcome, that love, that faith, that hope and peace. 

That is why I could answer my dad and say yes that he had done enough because he served in the community and brought life to people - even to those in prison. 

When we do that, we don’t have to worry about having done enough or saying the right things.  When we do that today and every day of our lives, we give from ourselves back to the realm that God has given to us. We give back because we get so much - because we have been given so much - and yes there is enough of God’s love to go around. There is enough peace, hope, faith, and love to fuel us and everyone we meet.  

That, beloved, is…

Thanks Be to God.

Why I Fly Military Flags commentary

Why I Fly a Military Flag

Tony E Dillon Hansen

A raw reflection for Veterans Day 2022

When I grew up, my dad talked that he served in Thailand during the Vietnam war in the mid 1960s. His service as far as I could understand was as part of the United States Air Force support F105 fighter-bombers flying mission. He was proud of serving. So on days like this, that celebrate veterans, I fly flags in remembrance of service. 

My dad was proud of his service, but he pointed out the treatment received when he and colleagues would return from tours to find derision and spit upon the men and women who wore uniforms. 

Still, he would speak about service with reverence, and  I looked up to the sky those days and wondered if I might also serve. He would speak lovingly about Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, seeing Bob Hope and the sights around Thailand.  He would speak about the jets and how some would come back with barely flyable airplanes. He however would leave out many details of things he saw - “for my own being.” 

During this time, he was exposed to something called Agent Orange, which impacted him later in life, I learned from people who have studied and been in the field with this substance how it caused many issues with service people and their offspring. This would be the part of the prognosis for his cancer and ultimate death. It took the military and government administrations gross amounts of time to actively treat and care for this substance spread throughout Southeast Asia - never mind what it did to friends and foe alike in those areas. 

Looking back, I wish my dad would have let me (us) into some of those memories, the experiences, the questions, the misery and even some of the horrors that he witnessed. I remember when some people would start to explain some detail about Vietnam, that he would shoo us kids away.  He rarely would watch films that depicted Vietnam like Platoon because these invoked emotions and stresses inside of him. Yet he never told us any of those emotions or stresses. 

As a minister today, I have learned how these are telltale episodes of trauma and are worth exploring even if we don’t think so  or would rather “just forget.” I did not have the training then to ask - , to listen to what would come out or to help roll back some of the angst that was surely more.  I do know today that emotions like these, left to rot, inside a person are as devastating as the original trauma. Things is, that I and our whole family were willing to listen because we were there for each other.

I encourage all who have trauma to seek help and be willing to talk. If you know someone struggling, be there, be present and walk with them. We cannot solve all of yesterday’s problems and experiences, but we can take steps today to heal and grow. 

Being queer 

As a queer person, I have experienced a version of this. Hiding from social pariah to coming to terms with the self was a struggle itself. Learning to deal with the social stigma, actual social and spiritual abuse and also watching folks literally get beat up just because they identified differently was (to say the least) difficult.. Of this community, I have witnessed countless honorable veterans who served despite the hostile prejudices against their orientation. 

My dad did not approve of my queerness but still loved me. He grew and learned. I know that because when I married Bret, my dad read at our wedding and welcomed him into the family. They bring more inspiration to my cause. They are another reason I fly the flags.

My son grew up with a difficult life, but he persevered and became immensely successful in athletics, academics and job. I am forever grateful to have been a part of his life even though so much pushed against us. For him and all our children, I fly the flags.

Perhaps, my dad was right not to share the horrors with us, but not hearing this, I missed so much of what made my dad who he was and why. Perhaps, he was right not to share because he didn’t want to teach us that violence was acceptable or what violence does to a society. Why have a conversation when I can reach for a rifle or pistol to solve the issue? We are seeing that today unfold with people attacking each other simply for different beliefs. Maybe, war is not a good teacher after all. 

I have to wonder if it was partly because of how people treated folks returning to the US from tours. Of the treatment of those people coming back, I have to question motivations of the poor welcoming committees. That isn’t to say all people serving in uniforms are perfect because after all, we are human.  Anyone who puts themselves in the line of danger to serve, protect and defend is subjected to enumerable stresses and conflicts. That does something.

Even when people came back from the “first” Persian Gulf war and then later from Afghanistan and Iraq wars after September 11, 2001.  People were not treated with same admonishment that Vietnam vets had, thankfully, but they did come back from something gruesome, difficult and stressing - If not downright traumatic for many (whether they wish to admit this or not). 

Heroes 

Yet they came back to something that regarded them as heroes, like gladiators who just scored a good win. They witnessed, however, parts of humanity that evoke horror and question. For some, they found solace in religion, for others it was  other places. For some, they never found solace. Yet they witnessed and like my father,  there is little desire to be forthcoming about the experiences or the emotions around them. 

Some turned their military service into community service and leadership (some badly needed). Some turned to help others coming home, and some were not sure what to do. For all those wounded, may God be with you and yes another reason why I fly the flags.

They appreciated the welcome home, but home felt different now and there are many things lurking around the corner that never existed before. I guess the devil does show in our world in more ways than we can imagine. 

I talk with veterans  who do not want to be called “hero” because of their experiences. They don’t want to spit on or taunted for their experiences Yet, if for no other reason than how war changes people, we owe proper care of flags and respect where due.  

Hero is not the Marvel/DC comic variety with fanciful powers and healing capabilities, but hero is someone who steps up and serves.  Hero is someone that makes a difference, no matter what questions they had or have in their hearts. They weren’t perfect or perfectly implemented, but they serve. That is my dad, my friends that have served as veterans, and that is the many who never made it back. That is those who serve as first responders and those who serve because our community needs it. 

We can question and laugh at the stupidity of politicians, but service is worth respect. May our politicians be worth our service. May the flag I fly today have the same meaning for our kids and their kids.

My youth and ministry 

Military is allowed to those who reach age of 17, when they are not even granted the right to vote. Before I gained this crisp age , I knew with whole heart and mind that I wanted to serve. I wanted to serve in the USAF, but because medical issues as a 12 year old, I was not allowed. I tried different avenues via application to the Air Force Academy, AFROTC and enlistment. Each time, I was given a barrier instead. 

I wondered how I could serve with honor like my dad before me. I wondered what I could do. I found ways to serve today to speak to the struggle of equality, fairness or even just living in a society willing to look the other way. I have made my life an institution of service to our community whether in the church, for the homeless, for equality, for social justice or to honor those who have served in uniform. These I believe were ideas that my dad served to protect here. 

I became a martial artist - learning, teaching and competing.  (Funny how the medical issues from my youth didn’t stop me there.) I learned different traditions and capabilities. I learned ways of health and fitness. With this and education, I served with people  and learning what brings people together. I fly flags for my father and all those who ought to be recognized.

I struggled with church because of tension with my own queerness, but I served congregations - teaching, preaching and leading with honor.  I warmed hearts, healed souls, and changed minds to find another way beyond the violence that encapsulates so much of our world. Those good people changed me to be better person in myself. I fly a flag for you, beloved, and thank you so much.  

When I started ministry, I looked at ways that I might serve those who came back from these experiences.  I want to serve those because they serve us.  I trained to listen and to hear what was in peoples hearts because it helped to teach me about myself. I trained to listen and to find peace not just for me but others.  

Hope

I hope to bring a measure of peace into lives - the peace of Christ.

May the peace of Christ be with all of us and may we honor the sacrifice of those who serve with our hearts and minds. May we witness the peace of Christ in our world.

May all those who serve feel the witness of Christ in their lives. God be with you!

May I and my service be worthy of my dad and all those those who serve. 

What is Resurrection - Luke 20

What is the resurrection to you?

Tony E Dillon-Hansen

Sermon based upon Luke 20: 27-38: Psalm 98

Opening prayer

Beloved, todays text is not an easy one to lift. As one commentator suggests (and I agree) this isn’t one of those Bible passages that we run to read to find solace and comfort. 

We could talk about traditions that are raised in this lesson where a poor woman lives through marriage arrangements of seven brothers.  Who is the unlucky one in this? What does this say about the brothers or the woman? And my, how this shows how patriarchy and tradition are willing to use people as pawns - to pass some person from one to the next like a second-hand garment.

Yes we could spend time talking about tradition, and I suggest to you, who dislike this type of broken tradition, remember that when you go to the ballot box.  Ask good questions of who gives choice and dignity versus who hold people to ridiculous notions, unfair traditions or broken institutions or even ugly church hierarchies? 

Still, if we look at verse 27, we see the Sadducees questioning Jesus, as many religious scholar and elders would do in those days.  This is, however, a familiar question to us today where some don’t believe in resurrection. We have doubters and Thomas among us. That questioning or non-belief challenges us because it tests our belief in Easter. It tests our faith and belief in resurrection, in the afterlife and what we call everlasting life.  

This is a good question for us here today in our life. 

So when people talk about the resurrection and the afterlife, what does that look like to you? Is resurrection and everlasting life just a continuation of what we know today in our world or is it something more?

For many who think of afterlife is to meet lost spouse, parents, friends, or relatives, but you think those people, that person is really just waiting for your arrival? What will they look like? How will you see them? How will they see you?

For those who are disabled, disfigured, blind, mute, deaf - what will these conditions be like or will there be something more? For the all of us, does this “life” mean no pain, suffering or otherwise? 

That last one might have you reconsider the idea about people “waiting” in want for us in the afterlife.

Beloved, I believe it is something much more. I submit to you that resurrection and everlasting life are not just concepts of endless living because God offers us more than just living in the same shell, the same situation, or the same old anything…

God offers for us a way to see dimensions, to be with people with pure amazement, to be the shine in all of our splendor, and to use all of our gifts - those divine gifts, beautiful body, beautiful thoughts, and amazing spirits (not the ones from the liquor store). You need nothing of the sort in this realm of God because you have all you need, and you , beloved, are amazing before God.

Thus again the question to consider is what does resurrection and everlasting life mean to you or to us as a community?  What does afterlife mean to us when we get that news from the doctor telling us we have months left? What do we hear when we survive an accident, a tornado, only to be without house, or worse without our beloved spouse or friend or mother?  

We, in this life, long for many things and long to be with people we love and cherish, but the resurrection, everlasting life, is more than just an extension of who we are today.

It is living in the realm of God as a spiritual wonder where want and need are satisfied, and love is all around, and grace is always accessible.  Is that not a pleasant thought? 

Let your imagination, your heart and your soul be filled with that for just a moment, and you will find a bit of that everlasting life here and now. 

That is truly a miracle and worth our faith, hope and love. That is truly our purpose - to bring some of that life into our world, into our spaces and into the hearts around us - one burrito at a time - one smile at a time.  That is because when we believe it, when we live that love and grace, when we serve that love and grace, others will want to be a part of that.  Then together, we find an amazing way of being that goes far beyond tradition and far beyond our imaginations.

This beloved is why we do church and why we believe in Jesus.  This is why we say that Jesus transcends tradition, generations, or weird social behaviors. Our God is much more than Christmas trees, fancy robes, Easter bunnies and symbols. This everlasting life is a way of living with hope, faith and love in our hearts. So that whatever is in the afterlife - whatever is beyond our last physical breath, we are ready for it with those we love and cherish - with no worries or wonder if we did all that we needed to do. 

This is not just service because we have to or are commanded but we serve because we love, we have faith and hope. We serve because there is life for more than just me.

Why ? because we do church, we do everlasting life in our world and bring some of that hope and love to those who need it. That beloved, is no fiction, but truth, life andGod.

Thanks be to God!