I had a few 'it's a small world' moments last week.

No, not the ride at Disney, but those times when you run into somebody that you know, or with whom you have something in common.  This can especially happen to me within the larger Lutheran family.  I find that when I venture out to other churches or other communities, or over to Luther Seminary, I sometimes run into somebody from my past, somebody from the 'Lutheran Universe' who's path I may have crossed before.  My son Leif was scheduled to visit Luther Seminary as that is one of the destinations he is contemplating for this coming fall.  He was assigned an upper-class-woman named Eliza who was to accompany him to a "Scripture and Witness" class (they studied Ruth and the Song of Solomon that day) plus give him a tour of the campus.  Turns out she is the first person from my brother and sister-in-law's church in Hutchinson to attend seminary, and she once was my nephew's sponsor in Confirmation.  So we enjoyed making some wonderful connections, sharing our mutual things-in-common, and yes, it definitely is a small world.

 

At Chapel that morning the Seminary was hosting a unique event with a special guest.  In attendance was an artist from Wisconsin there to paint during the worship service, to create a commissioned piece on the resurrection.  This was none other than Paul Oman, yes, the artist who created our three paintings of the Good Samaritan during our anniversary worship in September, 2015.  I had the opportunity to talk with him awhile before worship, and snapped candid picture of him shown above. And pictured below is his wonderful painting, created on the spot.  As he likes to do, he began the painting upside down, and the average person had no idea what he was creating.  When he spun it around, the student congregation audibly gasped and the beauty of the resurrection story suddenly burst into focus.  Once again, for me, a small world moment.  A small Lutheran world moment.

 

Lastly, at lunch we were dining with a few students and Leif and I had lots of questions for them about housing, and food, and contextual education, and CPE and more.  Who should sit down at our table but an elderly couple that I spent twenty seconds trying to recognize.  I was sure I knew that guy!  We shared names around the table and it was Dave Olson and his wife - Dave had been the ELCA Bishop of the Mpls Area Synod the first time I was called to serve Family of Christ in the 90s.  So he had once been my bishop, and we had an enjoyable chance to reconnect.  He and his wife have lived out east for 15 years, but were back that day for a visit.  It's a small world after all. 

 

Making connections with people is sure a warm and wonderful experience.  The ebbs and flows of our life can bring us to such sentiment and joy.  Plus, when the veil is lifted, and we find our memories jogged or connection points revealed, then we sure discover enjoyment in the rhythm and flow of our lives.  Do you remember the Emmaus story from Luke 24 when the travelers were so gripped in their despair that they didn't even recognize Jesus at first, until he was suddenly made known to them in the breaking of the bread?  (This will be our Gospel text this Sunday.)  That 'ah ha' moment of recognition is such an emotional release, and such a lovely way to reconnect with the love of God and the warmth of our communion.  The travelers to Emmaus said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while we met him on the road." 

 

So let's make sure to get on the road to church, and enjoy this Easter season as we meet the resurrected Christ all over again.  And this week, we celebrate the music of John Ylvisaker as we sing "Borning Cry" at every service. 

See you in church,

Pastor Josh