May 14, 2017. On this Mother’s Day, Pastor Keith reminds us that the best gifts that parents can give their children are roots and wings. We strive to create strong relationships with our children, share our values with them, and give them a solid foundation to grow, mature, and eventually fly away on their own. It’s the same thing as the church grows and changes. Jesus calls us not just to gather, but to be looking outward, to reach out as a congregation, to live actively in love and service to those around us.
*** [Keywords: 2017 50 to 80 years later Christian groups Easter season Family Systems God is present Gospel of John Holy Communion I am the way the truth and the life Jerusalem Jesus is at the heart Jesus is present Jesus is with us in Holy Communion Jesus replies Judas Last Supper Martin Luther Mother’s Day Pastor Keith Holste Thomas Virginia about him account of last meal actively in love and service adage after the resurrection all the disciples answering questions ascend to the Father before crucifixion being one with Him best gifts parents give children betray body and blood of Christ bread and wine bring Jesus to neighborhood around us call him Lord calls us to have wings can’t huddle together change always brings complexity congregation connections we have days before Easter different beliefs different direction different philosophies direction that really matters following him discussed early days in Christian church early disciples facts not so important families eating together family leader family meal family values fellowship focus inwardly follow him for life foundation function well go along with him go out to all the world going someplace good balance good gifts good strong roots goodbyes grounded groups splitting off grow older hard questions hard tension hard time for them he and the Father are one he is about the Father he is the key hear the call heavy conversation not light holy meal how can we know the way how can we know the way to the Father issues plans dreams brought up keep probing last known gathering leader in church leaving the nest life without physical Jesus live in his name live on their own live their lives lively tension looking outward love our children mature may we be rooted in him meal table meals together mission in different ways places mission plan mom in family motivations move around a lot needing to leave them normal family transitions not just to gather on their own other theories our friend Jesus particularly hard meal persecuted persevere in hard situations phrase stuck with me questions aren’t so important raised from the dead reaching out to others relationship with Jesus relationship with him roots and wings roots and wings seek sermon share values shared shares significant discussions skills and preparation smother solid base swayed easily symbols take him with us teach the faith temptation theologies things falling apart things hard to hear times getting tense to be a Christian to follow Jesus toppled trouble with Roman authorities trouble with the Jews varying opinions we don’t know where you are going we receive him and God well prepared to live what do these things mean what was going on what we believe what’s going on whats who has come before us whole world why is all this happening why is this happening why when where whys will not thrive young ones]