Where Do We Go From Here?

I’ve Been Meaning to Ask… | June 27, 2021

Ruth 1:1-22

Acts 10

 We’re coming full circle this month with the question “Where do we go from here?” because we can’t identify where we’re going without recognizing where we’ve been. Which bring us back to our first question: “Where are you from?” It’s poetic, don’t you think? And I couldn’t imagine a better day for this to fall than on the day we celebrate the anniversary of our congregation.

 Established as a Danish congregation in 1882, the first church building was erected at 23rd & M St., only to move a block south to N when the city expanded Antelope Park. Services were held in Danish until 1934. In 1950, we began the move to our present location—not without some pretty severe financial challenges. Over the years, multiple renovations and additions took place, including the latest expansion and new Sanctuary in 2002. That came as a decision to stay in the neighborhood and serve those around us, even though so many of our members were no longer living close by.

 We’ve experimented with various outreach ministries. Our FEAST prison ministry began with Pastor Bud Christensen bringing 6 inmates to worship. At its numerical height, we were serving 40-50 inmates. Thanks to COVID and shifts in volunteers, we’re back to 6, and we get to re-envision how to serve those in prison.

 We tried a ministry downtown called The Table, providing soup and bread to anyone who wanted it. We said that everyone is welcome at the table and only asked that they take what they need and give what they can. When we couldn’t get enough volunteers to help, we let it die and focused our energy and vision elsewhere.

 We’ve held community picnics and we currently have community meals and are working on a community garden. We sponsored immigrants and have listened to those of other backgrounds and beliefs share their stories and express their love for God in their own unique ways.

 We’ve gone from Communion for baptized members to God’s love and invitation to ALL at the Lord’s Table. We’ve grappled with conversations on sexuality and vocation, marriage and intimacy. We mourned the tragic death of an intern, topped by the death of a recent pastor’s wife, topped by the loss of membership over conversations on sexuality. (I lovingly refer to that as the ‘year from hell.’) We’ve tackled difficult conversations head-on, always trying to stay connected to the love of God for all people. We’ve struggled—like everyone else—with protocols and connections during the year of COVID. And now, we get to ask: Where do we go from here? What comes next?

 Especially after this past year, we recognize the question posed to Orpah and Ruth as they consider what comes next. Their husbands and father-in-law dead; their mother-in-law returning to her home; their opportunities for stability few and far between. Orpah chooses to return to her family—to her home and her gods. She chooses to go back to where she came from. To try again. To start over.

 Ruth, on the other hand, chooses a more difficult path—one with even fewer possibilities. She goes to Naomi’s home. She worships Naomi’s God. She stays as part of Naomi’s family. She ventures into the unknown. She steps out of the boat—to mix metaphors—and waits to see if she will walk on water.

 Similarly, Peter journeyed into wilderness territory when he accepted Cornelius’ request. As he pointed out, Jews weren’t allowed to interact with Gentiles—let alone visit one in their home. It didn’t matter that Cornelius was God-fearing or good to the Jewish people under his Roman rule. It wasn’t personal—it was religious. God had set out some pretty clear and strict rules when the Hebrews entered to Promised Land. And Peter knew what could happen if God’s rules weren’t followed—things like exile.

 And yet, God had switched things up on him. God had changed the rules. God had widened the playing field and removed the boundaries. And God was asking Peter to take a step in faith toward a new horizon. God had opened the way for Peter to spread the good news of Jesus to the world. No one would be beyond God’s scope. No one.

 Peter was faced with a decision—to trust this new way and do what he’d never done before; or continue on the path he had laid. He went. Without hesitation. Because God had changed the rules. God had opened the door to all. No one was unfit. No one was unclean. No one was an abomination. No one could be considered too different to be part of God’s new mission.

 So, where do we go from here?

 Many of you knew Margaret Nelson. She was a member here for many decades, confirmed into the Lutheran faith when she married. She taught Sunday School and helped with VBS; she served funeral luncheons out of the little kitchenette off of the Fellowship Hall before the old kitchen was even built. She stuffed bulletins and newsletters. She served this congregation tirelessly.

 When she died a few months ago, her daughter found a poem she wrote about Our Saviour’s. Those of you who’ve been here longer will recognize many names. But even those of you newer to us will recognize the heart of the congregation which she loved.

 “Ode to Our Saviour’s” by Margaret Nelson

 Standing on the corner

Of 40th and C,

Is a stone building

For everyone to see.

Oh! It’s a church – they say

But little do they know

Our Saviour’s isn’t a building

But people “on the go.”

There’s Pastors Larry, Liz, and Harold

And that’s not even enough,

We call on our retirees

So they can do their stuff.

There’s counseling and visits

And sermons to preach

And weddings and funerals

And classes to teach.

Then there’s Kathy and Jan

And the volunteers

When the Tidings are finished

It’s nothing but cheers.

There’s letters to write

And bulletins too.

Copies to make

And phone calls to you.

Next comes the choir

With Roger to play

And John and his singing

To make a great day.

And Carole and her bells

With perfection they ring.

And Cris and her kids

Superbly they sing.

Bruce and his help

With a mop and a broom

Takes out the garbage

Leaves a clean room.

And last but not least,

There’s music man, Ken,

And our nursery attendant,

Little Miss Jen.

The Council, the Teachers,

The Committee Chairs,

Even the members

Contribute with prayers.

Did I get them all?

I don’t seem to remember.

But it takes everybody

From December to December.

These people are great

You’ll surely agree,

They “make this Church” special

For you and for me.

So let us give thanks

To the good Lord above

For the people of Our Saviour’s

Their work and their love.

So, where do we go from here? Well, some things we should never lose—like the good news for all people; the ministries that serve those outside and inside this community; the work to teach generations to come; and the drive to continue to grow as disciples of Christ. And some things will never be the same—like having an online presence and YouTube gathering; like the broadening scope of members and welcome; like the new and creative ways we continue to work to connect with those who haven’t heard God’s message of liberation and life and those who have been rejected by their churches and their families.

 Where we go from here is our response to God’s call to take new steps in faith. To not abandon where we’ve been but learn from our past and grow into our future. Like Ruth, we stay rooted to our commitment more than our location. Like Peter, we receive new insight and understanding. Like Margaret, we celebrate who we’ve been and look excitedly to who we will become.

Pastor Tobi White

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church

Lincoln, NE