Digging My Way Out

No better way to start your first day of work back from vacation then to have an dentist appointment. I had a filling replaced this morning. It's always fun to try and talk to people when you can't move half of your mouth.

I was later than usual to my Tabor offer hours, but when I arrived my new desk had been placed in my office :-). I moved in a few chairs for meetings. I moved the phone into the office. It's becoming a nice workspace.

This afternoon, I am trying to finish things for Confirmation Sunday. I just purchased the gifts and I will be working with the Confirmands tonight as we do a walk through of the service. Pizza and soda for everyone!

There is a lot left to do, but I am making progress. It's good to be back!

Photo Highlights

Christa and I got back from Seattle, Washington yesterday afternoon. We woke up at 4:00 AM on Monday to begin the journey back to Oakfield. We are both pretty exhausted, and are not quite adjusted to Central time again. I had an all-day clergy conference that did not allow me to get the sleep I would have liked.

It is going to be a busy week catching up, but it was a much appreciated vacation.

I have a few selected photos to show from the trip:




This is Christa at the Science Fiction Museum.










This is a picture that we took on one of the scenic overlooks as you make your way up Mt. Rainier.






This is Christa being choked by a octopus at the Seattle Aquarium.








This was the view of the Seattle skyline as we were taking the Bainbridge ferry.

Easter Celebration

On Sunday, we celebrate the most important holiday of the year. We gather together as members of Christ's church to celebrate his triumph over death. We gather to thank him, for it was in his death that he took away our sins. It was in his resurrection that our bondage to sin was broken, and we are put in a right relationship with God. I hope you will be able to come celebrate Easter with us.

At Tabor, we will start with a 6:30AM sunrise service led by the young of the Tabor church. After the worship service, there will be a breakfast At 7:30AM. At 9:00AM we will celebrate with a Service of Light in which we will review of baptismal vow as well as partake in Holy Communion.

At Oakfield, we will start a 6:30AM with a Service of Light in which we will review of baptismal vow as well as partake in Holy Communion. At 7:30AM we will have a potluck breakfast. Bring a dish to pass! At 8:30AM we will have an Easter Egg hunt at the church.

The scripture lessons for the Youth service are: Psalm 118:14-29, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 and John 20:1-18.

The scripture lessons for the Service of Light are:

• Genesis 7:1-5, 11-18; 8:6-18; 9:8-13
• Isaiah 55:1-11
• Ezekiel 36:24-28
• Romans 6:3-11
• Luke 24:1-12

Maundy Thursday

Today's entry comes to you from the confines of the Oakfield UMC pastor's office. The warmer weather allows me to have the office window. In addition to some fresh air, I also get a much stronger wireless signal.

It is wonderful to look outside and see the sun, see green grass, see birds and see new life beginning. I get so caught up in the excitement of warmer weather that I forget where we are in our Christian calendar.

Tonight at 7:00PM at the Oakfield church we will be having a Maundy Thursday service. Communion will be a part of the service. We will be using a musical setting for the Communion liturgy. I thought it might be helpful to do something different for Communion so that it might break us of the routine. As we celebrate the Last Supper, I think it is important for us to concentrate on the words that Jesus said to his disciples.

My sermon this evening will focus on John's account of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. Unlike Mark, Matthew and Luke, who focus on the Last Supper, John focuses on the washing of the feet. There is much that Jesus is trying to tell us in this act. I hope you are able to attend tonight's service to learn more about it.

The warmer weather makes us happy. Easter is coming! But, let us not forget what had to happen for us to be able to celebrate Easter. See you in church!

True Worship

My daily devotional asked a good question: What does true worship look like? Here is what they had to say:

Asking what true worship looks like is sort of like asking what true love looks like. Like love, worship is an issue of the heart, not just of the mind. Worship may involve music, prayers, and religious symbols, but if your heart is not engaged in what you are doing, your worship will be empty.

I agree! Why do we come to worship each week? Do you feel as though you have to? Do you feel as though it's a requirement? Are you enjoying worship? Are you worshiping with your heart and your mind? Are you engaged in what is going on?

These are questions that we should ask ourselves before we come to worship. We shouldn't come out of obligation. We should come because we are excited for the opportunity we have to worship God. We should come because we are excited for the opportunity to thank God for all that he has done for us. We should come because we want to lift up our prayers and concerns to God.

Especially during Holy Week, let us think about why we worship. Let us come prepared for worship: body, mind and heart.

Some Changes

My mom asked what was going on with all the changes to the blog. Most of you look at this blog through Facebook. The posts from my blog are forwarded there. You all may not see any changes. If you are curious to see what the actual blog looks like, you can check it out at: http://pastordroste.blogspot.com/.

I received an E-mail from Blogger about some new layout options for the blog. I took advantage of them.

There may not be too many updates to the blog this week. In preparations for Holy Week and Easter services, I'm not sure how much time I'll have to blog. I'm also not sure of how many ideas might pop into my head.

Another Transition

Christa left this morning at 7:05AM for her last day as a long-term substitute teacher at Fond du Lac High School. She has been looking forward to this day for a long time. She has worked with some difficult students, dealt with some difficult situations and sometimes came away disillusioned with the teaching experience.

I am proud of Christa for sticking with it. Even though there were some pretty trying days and frustrating moments in this experience, she made her way through it. She toughed it out. She gained some valuable experience! She will get to celebrate with some buffalo wings from BW3s! :-D

Tomorrow, she meets with the owners of Settler's Mill to begin her job as supervisor for the mini-golf course in Oshkosh. She will be stepping out of one position and into another, but this is a position that she is looking forward to. She will be the supervisor for all of the employees of the facility. She will have a greater role in how the operation is run. I can see this being a wonderful new opportunity for her.

I know Weaver will appreciate having Christa home more often. Leaving at 7:00AM and not returning until close to have caused some separation issues ;). It will also give me the necessary time to be able to run in the morning. Christa and I will also be able to see each other more often. And...we'll both be less crabby because we don't have to get up so early!