There comes a time when every relationship gets personal, when we have to put up or shut up. There comes a time when we have to figure out for ourselves just who that other person is to us; what he or she means to us? There will come a time in our life when we have to answer the same question about Jesus. Who do we say that He is? When we identify ourselves with Jesus we must be prepared to pay the cost of discipleship. How do we see Jesus? What is our relationship with Jesus? What are we willing to do on Jesus’ behalf? As we prepare our journey this week, let us give some thought to these questions. Are we able to live up to the cost of discipleship? The expression, “following Jesus;’ is one we frequently use in songs but are we able to do what is involved? There are difficult decisions to make in following Jesus? Do we remember Jesus’ words to the rich young ruler? “Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me” (Matthew 19:21). These words indicate that following Jesus involves supplying the needs of the poor.

Our journey with Jesus is not only an adventure, it is a relationship. We are not just following a set of laws or doctrines. We are walking with Jesus. It is a relationship. We do not always know what turns a relationship may take us. Who knows where life will lead us? How people will change? We commit ourselves to be on a journey with another human being, no matter where that journey leads us, even though “sickness or health, for better for worse”. Do we make that same promise with our church? Do we know where our journey with our church will lead us? Are we committed to stay on our journey, even through sickness, worse times, new leadership, loss of a job, divorce, separation? Are we committed to stay on our journey through all of the challenges of life that may come our way? As our journey moves from here to there, it may be a long process. We should get ready for growth, get ready for excitement, and get ready for obstacles. Are we ready for the journey?

There may be times when we wonder if the journey is worth it; tempers flare; people are not always at their best. On the other hand, we have to make a sacrifice. We have to be kind. We have to be considerate. When we are a family, over time, we may experience each other at our best and our worst. We learn about ourselves and others, sometimes we get tired, and sometimes it is difficult. On this journey there will be peaks and there will be valleys, but we have to keep on walking. The journey may require certain disciplines in order for one to persevere.

In Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, Marcus Borg gives us insight on journeying with Jesus. To journey with Jesus means listening to his teaching and putting the lessons into practice as they are learned. The learning and the doing are a lifelong process.

• To journey with Jesus means being his companion on the road. It means being fed and nourished by him. It also means sharing our food with others. It is an ever-widening table of fellowship.
• To journey with Jesus means breaking down the barriers that divide us and accepting others without judgment. It means welcoming and mixing with the unclean, the profane, and the diseased.
• To journey with Jesus means living in community sometimes the church can be that community. The kingdom of God is much larger than the church. Discipleship is not an individual path, but a journey in the company of other disciples. We need community to sustain us.
• To journey with Jesus means being compassionate. “Be compassionate as God is compassionate” (Luke 6:36) is the defining mark of the follower of Jesus. Compassion is the fruit of life in the Spirit and the ethos of the community of Jesus.
• To journey with Jesus means opening our eyes to the needs of others. Compassion leads us to service – meeting fundamental human needs of food, clothing, and shelter.
• To journey with Jesus means sharing with others. Over and over again, Jesus calls on us to give freely, to lend without thought of return, to be generous and gracious.
• To journey with Jesus means seeking justice. We are called to speak on behalf of those who have no voice – the poor and oppressed of every land.
• To journey with Jesus means embracing nonviolence—to absorb hostility and to replace revenge with forgiveness. It involves loving our enemies and praying for their transformation. It involves breaking the cycle of reciprocation, not only of evil for evil, but also good for good.
• To journey with Jesus means a willingness to die for the sake of the kingdom. The journey of Jesus led to the cross. That is where Jesus calls us to follow today—the way of the cross. This is not some inward spiritual journey. This is a confrontation with power, violence and death. But we are not alone. Jesus walks ahead. He leads the way. And he bids us to come and join him.

Remember Jesus’ words to the rich young ruler? “…go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:21).

Pastor Earnest E. Tate
Peace Lutheran Church
Milwaukee

On Sunday, April 29, 2012, the Greater Milwaukee Synod of the ELCA will celebrate Lutheran Campus Ministry! Take a look and see what is happening in LCM on the campus of Marquette University and University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee.

Click here to download a copy of this video to present at your church »

Earlier in the day I managed to pick almost ALL of the beautiful flowers blooming in front of her house. It’s nice to consider the relative innocence of a four year old. Whether I really understood what I was doing is anyone’s guess. What I know for sure is that my mother’s reaction to being presented with a bouquet of flowers was not at all what I would have suspected – a gasp, a phone call, followed by a journey three doors down with my hand in hers. Amid relative innocence I knew for sure that the world was suddenly amiss and that I was definitely complicit.

It’s the first memory I have of sin which had passed out of the realm of adorable infancy and into the realm of serious business. Jessie Hancock was not pleased with what had transpired. That was apparent. At the same time, I remember my shame being met, not with need for revenge or restitution, but with exceeding compassion. I remember also that after the confessions were made, after the solemn promise “never to do that again” was uttered, Jessie Hancock offered me a gift to give to my mother – a bouquet of flowers, cut from whatever was left of her garden.

It’s a funny thing. Since that time so much has changed. I realize now I was dealing with only the tip of the iceberg in terms of human sinfulness. I have seen a world which cannot always claim youthful ignorance as the root of the problem. Self-centeredness, pride, prejudice, sometimes even outright hatred have seriously complicated the issue. What has remained clear are two things- the POWER OF FORGIVENESS and the INVITATION TO BEGIN AGAIN.

Holy Week offers us the opportunity to experience those things all over again. In the trial, the death, the sacrifice of Jesus on a cross, we stand perhaps in shame, perhaps in awe, perhaps in wondering amazement as did the Centurion, beholding the depth and breadth of God’s forgiving love in the face of human sin. Of course all of that prepares us for the amazing news of Resurrection, the amazing invitation to to follow the risen Christ, to find for our own selves a new beginning.

I pray that these days be all of that for you, a time of being amazed by God’s love, a time of beginning to live as never before. I pray that they will be gifts to be treasured for a lifetime.

Bishop Jeff

What better time than this to ask the question “What is it that brings us together in this place?” Without airports, or miles of travel on crowded freeways, we can discover what is right here within the Synod.: “On Earth As It Is in Heaven.”

The Assembly theme “Holy Ground” connects urban and rural, small towns and cities, the banks of the Milwaukee River and the shore of the Great Lake, growing power for people and plants, basic ways to survive more simply, the need to sing and play,to discover balance and the flow of life that runs through us.

Check out the “New Wind Folk School” event details here. Christ the King Lutheran congregation, home of the New Wind Folk School, cordially invites you to participate in their model of outreach in partnership with surrounding resources in the area. The Registration Form is included in the brochure. Send it in early. Limited enrollment.

Note: Separate morning classes K-8th available.

There are many ways to observe this day of prayer.

• Include the people, pastors and congregations of Meru in the prayers of the people. Pray specifically for the people who are hungry, the children who need school fees, the pastors who minister to so many.
• Take a special offering for the Diocese of Meru. This year’s appeal has been designated for pastoral education.
• Invite from the Meru partnership committee to speak — to the Sunday school, an adult education group, or for a ministry moment.
• Organize a prayer vigil for the people of Meru.
• Like Partners with Meru on facebook
• Learn more about medical missions, education initiatives and development projects that the synod through the Meru partnership committee is involved in.
• Watch for the new Mt. Meru Partnership web-site, at partnerswithmeru.intuitwebsites.com.
• Buy Mt. Meru coffee for friends and family.

Thank you for the ongoing spiritual and financial support you offer to our global partners. For more information or worship resources for the Meru Day of Prayer, Sunday, April 22, contact Walt Chossek, Partnership Communications Coordinator, awchossek@sbcglobal.net or 414-510-1178.

Featured photo CC DavidDennisPhotos.com

It’s not too early to start thinking about our Synod Assembly, May 31 – June 2 at the Country Springs Hotel and Conference Center in Waukesha, and our theme is Holy Ground.  This year, our Ministry Fair BEGINS our assembly on Thursday, May 31 from 3:30 – 6:00 pm in the Grand Salon and foyer.   It is not a pre-assembly event.  (Registration opens at 1 pm on Thursday so you can register before you attend the ministry fair).

This is your opportunity to staff a table, share displays and information, and exchange stories about your ministry.  During this time, you will have a chance to share an ethnic meal together in the same space so that meet & greet assembly participants and cover a lot of Holy Ground together!  Please confirm your Ministry Fair space with Diane Roznowski by contacting her at her home number, 414-258-8893 or by email – diane.roznowski@gmail.com.

If you wish to sign up for a regular display table, there is a form on our website to do that (please visit the Synod Assembly page)  – in the Meadowbrook and Somerset rooms at the conference center.  Those display tables will be available throughout the assembly.  You may also contact Mary Meyer at the synod office at 414-671-1212.  We look forward to your presence and participation in our assembly and at our Ministry Fair.

Peace in Christ,

Diane Roznowski,                                                                   Sandy Chrostowski,
Chair, Greater Milwaukee Synod Diakonia                     Director for Evangelical Mission

If you have ELCA-primary health benefits please plan to take 30 minutes to complete the assessment. Completing the assessment earns you a $150 credit in your personal wellness account to offset out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Completing the assessment is an act of stewardship for you and this church. Learn more about the assessment or take the assessment now. You can also view our progress toward the 65% goal here.