Word from Wiese

Good News

Good News

15 February 2023

Good NewsEvangelical = Good News.

COS is part of the ELCA, or the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Today, perhaps most Americans think of evangelicals as judgmental Christians. But Lutherans back in 1988 chose “evangelical” as the very first term in our new church’s name. Why? Perhaps to ensure that all future ELCA Lutherans were constantly reminded that we are Jesus followers constantly centered in God’s Good News. Good News that God’s love in Christ always triumphs over hate. Good News that joy and life always triumph over despair and death. You see, the Greek εὐαγγέλιον “euangelion” or “evangelical” means good news. (You can see the term “angel” right in the middle since angels so often announce good news to various biblical characters). So, we are the “Good News Lutheran Church in America.”

In that spirit, it’s my pleasure to announce some really, really Good News! Larry Peterson has accepted our offer (after unanimous approval votes from Search Team, Personnel Team and Council) to serve as our Director of Worship and Music Ministries at COS. Larry will begin May 1, giving him time to faithfully conclude his leadership duties throughout the Easter season at his church in Iowa.

Thanks to so many of you who attended the “Meet & Greet” for Larry and April last month or one of the choir and bell rehearsals. We learned the Petersons are joyful and compassionate folks: enjoying children from both their first marriages, April and Larry then adopted four more when they met, and now are starting to enjoy grandchildren. A life-long Lutheran, Larry attended one of the best organ schools in America, Eastman School of Music, and has spent his career leading worship, bell and choral ensembles in both Lutheran congregations and Lutheran college campuses. Larry enjoys traditional and contemporary music alike. April will most likely be looking for a part-time job, ideally with a veterinarian, while Larry enjoys riding his motorcycle and home-improvement projects in his free time.

While we continue to pray for the Petersons in all the stressful challenges ahead (packing and selling one house while looking for a new one here, saying goodbye to friends at his current church and community, etc.), we would like to thank all the COS folks who have made this “good news” day possible:

  • Everyone who held this process in their prayers. Our bishop told us “good luck!” in finding a new dynamic worship leader in today’s culture where fewer people play organ. Indeed, at times we felt we were looking for a needle in a haystack. We found the needle!
  • Karl Dietmeyer, Ben McCumber, and our Search Team who persevered through this nationwide search and networking effort.
  • Richard and Cinda King who hosted and highly impressed the Petersons during their January visit.
  • All those who sent Petersons personal letters of encouragement, which the Petersons shared meant so much.
  • David Beecher, our retired Minister of Music, who has made it clear that he will be the #1 champion of any new hire, supporting this new person who inevitably will have a different personality and style.
  • Minka Fulton who showed the Petersons housing possibilities.
  • All who showed up at any of the special events last month during which time the Petersons developed such a positive feeling about COS, our staff, and our community.
  • All of you who made it clear that you understand securing and enjoying top-notch congregational leaders requires continually financially resourcing our congregation in a commensurate fashion.
  • And certainly, Karl and Cheryl Dietmeyer, who work with our pastors and Joni Siebert in either serving as or organizing musicians to carry us through these months of “interim” between two sensational full-time worship leaders.

While there will certainly be more “good news” about Larry Peterson’s arrival, let me wrap up today with a few comments about the “He Gets Us” commercials, two of which were featured in the Superbowl. (Thanks again for all the terrific comments you’ve passed on the last two weeks!)

According to Ad Meter Rankings, the two ads grabbed the #8 and #15 spots. So apparently on Sunday night, Jesus was more popular than Disney, Jeep, Pringles & TurboTax but fell just behind Dunkin’ Donuts and Farmer’s Dog dog food.  (I gotta admit, the dog commercial, as usual, was a tear-jerker). Conservative Christians are upset that that Jesus is being portrayed as too progressive, overly sympathetic to immigrants and unwed mothers. Conservatives are upset the commercials don’t call sinners to repent of sins for which Jesus came to die. In articles about the other end of the social/political spectrum, some wonder if the dark truth of the He Gets Us campaign is an effort of “rebranding pro-Trump evangelicals.”

But I saw Good News! It was Good News to see in one commercial a little white boy and a little white boy run to each other to hug as friends, pointing to Jesus’ invitation that we embrace life and each other with childlike trust and goodwill. It was Good News to be reminded that “Jesus loved the people we hate” and that we are invited to “love our enemies.”

We’ll have to keep our eyes wide open about where the He Gets Us commercials go. But as I preached in my sermon, for the moment, I’m glad to see some euangelion–Good New–on the TV these days, especially when so often in shows church leaders are portrayed as creepy or irrelevant. I’m glad that Jesus was part of the night and that I get a chance to react to that. How about you?

A closing challenge for reflection:

  • It’s Good News that the world viewed the He Gets Us commercials about Jesus. But what do others learn about Jesus from YOU?
  • It’s Good News that Larry Peterson is coming this May to help make COS a strong and vibrant faith community. But what are YOU doing to make COS a special place?
  • Just like Valentine’s Day is about EACH OF US sharing love directly with the folks we love, so too the Jesus Movement is about EACH OF US doing our part to share the love and Good News!

Let us pray.

Dear Lord, thanks for Good News! Remind us that it’s not just the angels who are called announce the euangelion/good news, but each of us. Remind us that it’s not only leaders like David Beecher or Larry Peterson who ensure dynamic worship, but each of us. Remind us it’s not just those who pay for commercials who share the name of Jesus, but each of us. Remind us it’s not just those who make Valentine’s cards, who creatively share the message of “I love you,” but each of us. Help me, in the name of Jesus, be a daily messenger of Good News. Amen.