John Updike - Longing for Lutheranism?

A great American Novelist died yesterday, John Updike. I have enjoyed many of his works, particularly the "Rabbit" series. The protagonist is "Rabbit" Angstrom. OK, so Updike does kind of hit you over the head with the character's unimportance. The pastor of his youth was the German Pastor Kruppenbach. And how do you resolve the military Germany (Krupp) with the artistic (Bach)? Anyway, aside from the names, I followed "Rabbit"'s angst (Quit it!) through the subsequent novels. I was struck by the longing of Rabbit for the certainty of the Pennsylvania Lutheran faith of his youth. For Updike, it seems, the modern person abandons faith as prerequisite for realism, but then longs for something, for the assurance and hope that has also been abandoned. In "Rabbit Is Rich" (I think.), Rabbit listens to the church bells on Sunday, and you can almost feel his desire to go across the street and reenter that childhood faith. I think Updike was on to something there. How many people share that longing for something outside their pursuit of success, wealth, personal fulfillment? How can they cross the street and reenter the world of the holy?

Messy Wax Build-up!

I have been rearranging office furniture as part of my settling in process. I decided to move the massive office desk closer to another wall, only to discover it did not want to move. Yes, it is heavy, but mostly the desk was stuck, embedded in floor wax build-up that almost glued it in place. I shoved and shoved, and finally the desk broke free. But after it was moved, I discovered a perfect outline of the desk still on the floor. After my diligent razor blade work removed much of the ancient wax, I left the balance to the office clean-up crew. And then I covered up what they left with a rug.
I have to admit, my pastor mind wondered how many things in my life are like that stuck desk. I have important things in place that get stuck because they have not been moved around, thought about, or reevaluated. I may not get rid of the desk, but I dare not just leave it in place because it has been that way so long. Here early in the new year it is a good time to reevaluate where things are in my life and perhaps shove them around a bit for fresher, renewed use.

"On this day ..." Obama's Inauguration

Early in President Obama's Inaugural Address, one phrase that caught my attention was: "On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord." These are such hopeful words for the nation, a nation many declare divided, a nation many experience as economically declining. The historian in me likens his words to the memorable phrases of Franklin Roosevelt, the cynic in me wonders about the promises of politicians, the faithful person in me indeed hopes for unity and peace for our nation and God's created world. And we can continue to have hope as the Bible found its way in the Invocation, Benediction (wasn't that engaging), Swearing-In, and the Inaugural Address itself.
And by the way, those aren't bad words for Sunday morning worship: "On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord."

Hosting Mount Vernon Music

We were honored to host Mount Vernon Music last night for a concert of Beethoven and Brahms music performed by Steven Harlos (piano), Mark Miller (violin), Ute Miller (viola), and Carol Harlos (cello). What a beautiful way to end the day! Mount Vernon Music also provides professional concerts for residents of nursing homes, senior centers, and schools-- reaching out to adults and kids of all ages. What talented musicians, what a meaningful outreach! I hope we can have them back for another concert soon.

Installed

It's official! I've been installed as Pastor of First United Lutheran Church in Dallas, TX. Come visit! For more info, look here! More Pastor postings to come soon...