April 1, 2001

Today is April 1^st, I hope you have been fooled this morning.

But here at Church we will not play tricks on anyone.

The calendar shows today to be the first day of Daylight Savings Time, and that is very true. Now we are approaching the Spring Season with more daylight, that is no joke. We are expecting lots of sun and hot weather.

A man said to his friend: "I will not go to church anymore because there is the same program each Sunday and Pastor’s sermon focuses on the same thing all the time".

His friend responded: "I am eating the same bread each day, which is always made of the same recipe. There is no change. If you really like it, it does not matter".

Of course, you can always argue about what is good and bad.

But it is hardly true they are the same words in Church every Sunday.

For two or three reasons:

1. The most important is not what is said, but what happens during the Service. Baptism and Holy Communion are great events. As Pastor I like to speak, I am paid for that, but when I am ministering the sacraments, I have a feeling of great things going on. Those of you that have brought your child and grandchild to Baptism do know how moving it is. It is usually so quiet in the sanctuary when I am saying:" I baptize you in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit".

You should always keep in mind your day of Baptism!

It is told about Dr. Martin Luther, each morning when washing his face he said to himself:" Memento Baptisma Sum: Martin, Remember today, you are baptized!

2. Last Sunday I told you about the confirmand in Ringsaker who said: The most important thing to me in Church is who is sitting next to me in the pew!

The meeting with other people at church, meeting with family and friends, people I know and do not know, is an important part of our Sunday morning fellowship.

Today we say "Thank You" and "Farewell" to the Consul General and his wife, something that does touch our congregation and the entire Norwegian-American community as well.

After many farewell parties, here at church and in our worship service, the life and well doing of the two people, is related to something greater. As we express our thanks to them, we give thanks to God and pray that His blessing be with them.

The visit of Skogn Folkehøyskole today is another illustration of the variety of what is going on in our church fellowship. We really enjoy their visit.

3. The same thing is to be underlined concerning the variety of the liturgy and the sermons.

This is the last Sunday in Lent. During the Lenten Season the liturgy is different and the Pastor does not sing the Gloria and instead of the Prayer of the Church, the Congregation is singing the long Kyrie. Next Sunday is Palm Sunday, which is the beginning of the Holy Week with Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Day.

Similar, the entire year covers a great variation with the three Holy Seasons and the in-between periods with its particular themes.

Each Worship Service has a significant message about God and our life!

The entire Church Year is like a journey through a huge and changing landscape. It offers new discoveries and experiences.

Now I have already spent lot of time with my sermon, although I have not brought the main message of today. This is a challenge for me and for you.

A Norwegian Pastor colleague happened to be in the same spot, and his authoritative wife shouted to him from the pew: "Hans, sit down, your sermon today is already wasted".

I think it was what she said that would be remembered from that sermon!

I have heard nothing from the pew yet, but I actually intend to sit down in a couple of minutes.

But from the Gospel for today I want to say one particular thing:

"Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair."

She was complained about. The money could rather be given to the poor.

But Mary had to do this. She did it because of her love. No words were said. This was an expression of heart. She was forced by love. Mary was deeply devoted to Jesus. This is something in Christianity we do not pay much attention to as we focus on high speed and counting results!

It is said: The Gospel needs to be proclaimed, if necessary with words!

Mary did understand one important thing: This man went through the suffering for the human race and for her. He did it because of love.

What is true is: If there is true love it is pain and suffering.

That is the great mystery of Christ!

"Beautiful Savior, King of creation, Son of God and Son of Man!

Truly I’d love thee, Truly I’d serve thee, Light of my soul, my joy, my crown".

Amen

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church ·  924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 ·  (612)874-0716