Word from Wiese

Your Choice

Your Choice!

January 13, 2021

I was amazed when the waiter on the cruise ship told me at dinner, “You can have steak or lobster . . . . or both.” Wow! For today’s Word from Wiese, I’m offering you two options. You can read the first or second . . . or both if really motivated.

The first is a fantastic list describing our identity in Christ. My GIFT Group discussed it this past Sunday in our regular Zoom meeting. I appreciate author Rebekah Lyons putting it together. Since on Sunday we celebrated how in baptism we’re called to claim God’s definition of us over the world’s, I thought you’d enjoy reading it too.

Secondly, I offer the text of my sermon last week, “When Both Heaven & the Capital are Torn Apart.” Some of you have asked for a written copy; here it is.

So happy choosing and reading. Enjoy the terrific day God has in store for you!

=Pastor Fritz


Who Does God Say You Are?

I am a child of God. John 1.12
I am a new creation. 2 Cor. 5.17
I am a friend of Jesus. John 15.15
I am created by God to do good. Ephesians 2.10
I am free in Christ. Galatians 5.1
I am chosen and loved. 1 Thessalonians 1.4
I am the light of the world. Matthew 5.14
I am not ruled by fear. 2 Timothy 1.7
I am forgiven. Colossians 2.13
I am God’s possession. Titus 2.14
I am secure in him. 1 Peter 1.3-5
I am loved by God. 1 John 4.10


When Heaven and the Capitol Both are “Torn Apart.”

Baptism of Our Lord. Pastor Fritz Wiese. 10 January 2021

John 3.28-30 & Mark 1.9-10

Pastor Fritz delivering his sermonMay the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer. Amen.

We had hoped 2021 would be a much better year than last, but our country’s off to a bumpy start, huh? This past Wednesday was Epiphany—the day Christians remember the gift-bearing magi traveling to Jesus’ house in a spirit of joy and hope. But on that very day, we saw some of our fellow citizens travel to and storm the “people’s house” in a spirit of anger and lawlessness. What a contrast. Today we celebrate Jesus’ baptism. In verse 10, we hear that the heavens are “torn apart” so that the Father could announce: “this is my boy, with whom I am well-pleased.” On Wednesday, our capitol was “torn apart” by people not inspired by words of love but incited by lies of demagoguery and pettiness.

After weeks like this, don’t you feel torn about what we need to say at church? Jesus said, “render unto God what is God’s and Caesar what is Caesar’s”. So, Jesus told us we are to be reflective and engaged in the political system. We can’t do faith in a beauty bubble impervious to what’s happening in the world. And Lutherans bear social statements about our responsibility to be faithful, engaged citizens. Yet, after such an unsettling week, sometimes I crave turning off the news, so to speak, on Sunday morning and re-centering with timeless liturgy. And this tension is just in my head. I wonder how you are feeling.

But this story of baptism offers some guidance. Let’s start with the transformational power of hearing that you’re loved. I remember 2nd grade when it came time for recess, we all had to line up in alphabetical order. And with a name like Wiese, I’m stuck toward the back of the line. Right behind me was a girl; sort of one of the class bullies. And every day, as I was finally coming close to the door, she would cut in front of me—sometimes with her elbow–so SHE could get out sooner. On one hand understandable—this is RECESS and we all want to get out there. But after 3 weeks, I had finally had it. So, when she cut in front of me again, I reached out, grabbed the back of her shirt and yanked her back. Well, not only did I yank her shirt, I yanked a really nice birthday necklace she was wearing and it broke.

Well, down to the principal’s office I went. My mom was called and when I got home, we had a conversation. I don’t remember the specific words. But here were my take-aways. #1. Fritz, tell the truth. What really happened? We’ll work it out, but shoot straight with me, don’t try to twist the story. Tell the truth. Lesson #2. Fritz, we all face moments of frustration, when we feel we’ve been wronged and get angry. But there’s a right way to handle it and it’s never violence. Lesson 3. You’re loved, and your family has your back whatever happens. Ups-downs, your successes or failures, you are loved. And we want you to remember that.

There is power in hearing that you’re loved. And it’s what baptism is all about. It’s astounding. Jesus, born in a manger, is now ready to start in his ministry. People will try to throw him off a cliff, he’ll be rejected by his own faith, eventually convicted unjustly, thrown in jail, beaten, mocked and executed. But throughout it all, Jesus never responds in violence or rallies the troops. How does he keep centered? Aha. Jesus remembers his baptism, the day he heard God’s voice from heaven: “This is my son. I love him! With him I am well-pleased.”

Friends, I delight reminding YOU that in YOUR baptisms–and for those who will be baptized–God declares that same love and pride for you. Just like Jesus, you and I will face some dark days. Amid all your triumphs, you will make mistakes. You might fail a class, lose an election, (as Mitt Romney says, it’s no fun, we all get it.) At some point, you’ll get bypassed for the promotion, dumped by the girlfriend, receive the negative diagnosis, bear the personal attacks, which might have merit or not. The question is do we react with shifting blame, anger and even violence like that which sickened us this Wednesday? Or is there a better way?

Like Jesus, can we remember the Father’s baptismal declaration, “we are loved”? We don’t have to create chaos by proving ourselves. It was so freeing for Martin Luther to let go of the fear and judging and embrace the freedom of grace. Just accept that you are accepted. Just love the promise that you are loved. Nationally, locally, we’ll be much happier.

(At the end of the service, we’re going to show just a few pictures of various baptisms. And in them, you see the love, joy, and pride of the parents, who symbolize the never-ending love, joy and pride of the heavenly Father. I hope today, all of you will talk about the when, the where, and the wonder of your family’s baptisms. These are celebrations of God’s love. If you haven’t been baptized, give us a call!)

For me, a second help from Scripture in processing our national events comes from John the Baptist. Let’s remember, John is the Rockstar. People from city and country alike are flocking out to his wilderness rallies of repentance and baptism. But as Jesus arrives and is ready for his ministry, John makes this incredible statement: “I must decrease, and Jesus must increase.” And John offers no sense of bitterness about this transition. John actually declares chapter 3 verse 29 that “his joy is filled” because God’s salvation story is unfolding as planned.

We’ve heard often what astounds the world is our country’s regular peaceful transition of leadership. Our elected presidents and other officials might serve longer or shorter than they expected, but they can hold their heads high, because for a season they got to do their best of fostering not their story but the nation’s story. In the church too, bishops, pastors, council members, we too, are honored with seasons of serving, doing our best to lift up not our OWN reputation, but serving the larger story of God’s love. It’s true for all of us.

This is why in every baptism we present a lit candle, and quote Matthew 5.16 “Let your light shine!” Why? So everyone can see how great you are? No! You’ve already been told in baptism, you’re loved, you’re forgiven, you’re a part of the family, you’re good to go. “Let your light shine so others in seeing your good works give glory to your Father in heaven.” So, others can experience the love and joy you already know and hopefully become part of the wonderful story. You let your light shine for the greater good.

I assume it’s in that spirit that Ronald Reagan talked about our nation as a shining city on a hill, quoting Scripture, that our purpose was to offer a hopeful and helpful light to anyone struggling in the darkness.
Indeed, our nation and world face challenging days ahead. But especially as baptized children of God, let’s remember that shining God’s LIGHT will be the most effective pathway forward. One of our new senators is fond of quoting Dr. King who quotes St. Augustine who quotes scripture with the conviction:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

I know I’m quoting more politicians than normal, but after the legislators safely reconvened after the heinous storming of the capitol, I was taken with the words of Republican senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska as illustrative of this point. “America wants to shine light and do big things. But You can’t do big things if you hate your neighbors. You can’t do big things if you look at others as the enemy. We’ve got to love our neighbor. Visit the widower down the street who’s lonely. Shovel somebody’s driveway. (It’s cold today in Georgia, but we don’t have to shovel! J) You can’t hate somebody who just shoveled your driveway. The heart of life is about community and neighborhood, and we’re supposed to be servant leaders.”

Boy, talking about SERVANT leadership, did you see this picture? After midnight, US Representative Andy Kim of New Jersey, son of immigrants, after the capitol invasion, got down on his knees by himself for 1.5 hours to pick up trash from the rioters. 6 bags worth. Not a bad example of our baptismal calling. Marked with the cross of Christ, the Savior who got down on his knees to wash the feet of his friends, can we too do whatever we see needs to be done to make this a cleaner world, ready for a fresh start?

Finally, friends, here’s my third and final tie between Christian baptism and making sense of this week. What I heard Wednesday night from Democrats and Republicans, is boy, do we get in trouble if we ignore the wonderful gift of the Constitution. It’s the document the cradles our values of liberty and justice for all. Likewise, Christians, part of baptism is to never forget the documents that also cradle, as the Christmas manger did, the hope, love and gospel of Jesus Christ.

Many of you know the Great Commission in Matthew 28 captures Jesus “commissioning” his followers to baptize all nations. And right after that, Jesus says, “instruct them in the practice of all that I’ve commanded you.” So, part and parcel of baptism is studying and learning how to do life the way Jesus told and showed us. But if we ignore the documents, how do we learn?

Legend has it that there a time centuries ago, when Roman Catholics were persecuted. Some worried, how are our young people going to know what documents they should study learn about the way of Christ. Legends are legends, but this one suggests that someone said, “Aha, let’s write a song that will also be a secret code.” And that’s how we got the “12 Days of Christmas.” Not only fun song to sing, but each verse reminded Christians, young and old alike, what to embrace about faith.

For instance, “on the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me.” The Christian’s true love, of course, is not any king or corporation. Our true love is God. For God is the gift-giver of all that is truly important. And the song teaches Christians of old and today, if this new year will be a good one, it’s because we prioritize the gifts GOD offers us, not only 12 days in a row, but on and on.

If you want to see the entire “secret code” that explains our baptismal identity in the 12 Days of Christmas, go to this past Wednesday’s Word from Wiese email. For now, let me jump to 9 ladies dancing, representing the 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit listed in Galatians 5. How will we fare in the new year? I tell you what? It’s gonna be a better place if we don’t have just 9 ladies, but all of us dancing. What if all of us committed to never MARCH in violence, but DANCE with these Spirit fruits of baptism?: A dance of love, joy, and peace. You and me dancing with patience, kindness, and generosity. A dance of faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I tell you what—we start dancing out our baptism each day with those Spirit fruits following Jesus’ lead, 2021 will be a much brighter year for our nation, the world, and you and me. Let’s do it.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.