One beef I have with the Bible is that Jesus’ encounters with many of our favorite people were short. I’m left wondering, “What next?” · How did the formerly demon-possessed man live after Jesus removed his demons and he moved out of the cemetery, and returned to his family and his town? · How did Lazarus live once Jesus raised him to life? · What was Zacchaeus’s life like after he became a follower of Jesus and, against the advice of his friends and started giving back money to those he'd robbed? What happened to his business? · What happened after the woman at the well confessed Jesus as the Messiah? What did her live-in boyfriend think? What happened next? We know that something happened next, because Jesus changes people. They become disciples. Pr. Kay and I were privileged to attend the 25th Annual Gathering of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC). We revisited the history of the past 25 years. We heard from some of the “founders” of LCMC. Many of you remember Pr. Mark Vander Tuig – a man to whom God gave a lot of personality. He shared the struggles of the struggles in defining the focus of what would become our shared vision to be “in Mission” for Jesus. LCMC holds true to its founding principles that the local congregation, not a central office, is the front line of mission. God’s purpose is to save the human race. And His strength accompanies all who embrace their part in His purpose. · We were encouraged to “chase failure.” We accomplish more when we’re not afraid to fail – when we’re willing to break out of the way we’ve always done things to pursue a new approach. · We were challenged in workshops on how to “neighbor”, as our culture tends to encourage rigorous independence which leads to isolation and often fosters loneliness. · We were reminded that “busyness” in our culture is killing us, and that we need to take steps to reclaim the Third Commandment to keep the Sabbath. This keeps us in tune with God’s purposes at work especially when everything around us may seem dark and forbidding. The mission focus of LCMC continues to captivate followers of Jesus around the world as LCMC surpasses the benchmark of 1,000 member congregations. What next? The mission focus of making disciples is alive and well. That brings us to the “what next” of Gloria Dei. We’re celebrating our 80th year of God’s blessing. I invite you to take note of a particular feature to our building: When you enter the church building, you’ll discover a tree. That tree is a joint work of several people. It demonstrates our longstanding rootedness in God’s Story and in the “what next” of God’s purpose. This tree is made up of a slab of redwood that is estimated to be 1,200 to 2,000 years old. The metalwork demonstrates a variety of textures and cloudlike shapes that illustrate the amazing variety of the branches of God’s people. If you look closely, you’ll find the face of Jesus embedded in the trunk (Yes, it’s really there! Look for it!) Beside it is a Bible passage from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians – which is also so appropriate to us. The whole passage had to be shortened, so I’ve bolded the excerpt on our wall and have included the full context of what Paul wrote: “For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthen in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14b-19) Note all the references to growth in his words: “Rooted and grounded”, “to comprehend”, “to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge”, “be filled with all the fullness of God.” These words describe the constant change that happens in those who follow Christ. So, “What’s next?” It is rewarding to see so many of you digging into the Bible. It’s rewarding to see teachers involved in teaching our kids and adults mentoring our Confirmation students. This year, we sent more quilts, school kits, baby kits and personal care kits than ever! And we have room to develop more women’s circles and small groups. This leads to an open invitation to the “what next” of our neighbor: We have so many opportunities to bring someone with us. When you come to worship, when you’re working, helping, teaching, quilting, cooking, praying, bring someone with you. You have no idea what doors a little connection might open. You and they will grow in ways not possible by any other activity. And you’ll have the amazing experience of seeing others grow as well. Remember, God’s purpose is to save the human race. He’s given you a part in it. This church is rooted in it. So, “what next?” I can’t wait.  Keep and Live the Faith. -Pr. Dave Dahl