March 2010 Newsletter - St. Paul Lutheran Church - Anamosa, Iowa

As we journey together this Lenten season I can't help but be reminded of last year. The
journey through Lent was very moving for me. Together we followed the path with Jesus as
we read the stories each week. We met Bible characters each Wednesday to help us better
understand the impact God had and continues to have on the world. The worship committee
continues to work hard to help each of us in the journey of Lent. This year we will see some
things a little differently from what we saw last year; we will hear some new stories each week,
and we will be moved by the amazing grace which is God's love.
Sunday during adult Sunday School (everyone is invited to this tremendous event) we
talked a bit about God's love. That love, given to us through Jesus, is an action not a feeling.
God chooses to love us... to do for us... to be emptied for our sakes. It isn't a feeling for God.
We are fortunate. If the level of love we received was determined by God's feeling for us we
might be in a bit of trouble. Every time we mess up, every time we turn away from God, every
time we elevate ourselves above others, we disappoint God. I'm afraid my actions give God
more reason to not love me than to love me.
But God chooses to give that love to each of us. God chose to create humans. God
chose to come to us in Jesus. God chose to die on the cross. God chose to love us! In spite of
what we do or say God loves US. Think about that for a minute. No matter how much we
disappoint God there is still love. I wish it was true, but it isn't that way for us humans. We
judge others by how they live, what they do (or don't do) and by how they treat us. It's easy for
us to turn away from others because they are so different, so mean, so selfish, so... fill in the
blank. But God never turns away from us when we do those very things. God continues to
love us.
Here is the proof. None of us has ever been banished from the kingdom because we find
other things than God to worship. We worship our cars and God loves US. We worship our
houses and God loves US. We worship our intelligence, power, prestige and God loves US. I
don't think that love exists because we are so awesome and impress God. I know if that was
the reason for God's love I would fall way short of any deserving of love. No.... God chooses
to love me because he can. God chooses to love me because to not love me just doesn't fit into
the way God is. Sad as it is, we don't have that same attitude. We think of love only in terms
of feelings.... If we like someone we might love them. If we don't like someone, there is no
way we will love them. But each of us is a creature of God's kingdom, so God chooses to love
each of us. That is hard for us, because that means God loves the people we don't love.
So as we take the journey this year to the cross and the tomb, I hope we also experience
as a part of that journey the amazing love God chooses to give each of us; not because we
deserve it, not because we are so wonderful, but because God just does... God loves us. So as
you gaze at the cross up front, as you see the image of Jesus with a crown of thorns, as you
come to the table for communion, may each of you experience that amazing love that only God
can give.
Pastor Bill
Yes, I'm growing my hair to donate to Locks of Love! Thanks for your support!
ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH 103 E. CEDAR ST. ANAMOSA, IA 52205 (319) 462-4841
EMAIL: stpaulanamosa@gmail.com PASTOR’S EMAIL: pastorbill.nielsen@gmail.com