The Burr in the Burbs

Below is the message I just wrote to be included in our new upcoming church directory.

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. – 2 Corinthians 4:6

This is our congregation’s pictorial directory for 2010.  It’s got all of our names with our contact information.  But more importantly, it’s got pictures of our faces.  Sometimes, directories like this one are even called “face books.”

Faces are interesting things.  Your face reveals a great deal about you.  If I am perceptive, I can look at your face and tell if you’ve had enough sleep recently, whether you’ve spent a lot of time outdoors, if your cheek’s been kissed, whether you’ve been crying, maybe even clues about where you are from, and so forth.

Our faces communicate a lot of data.  Aside from the relatively superficial information mentioned above, I can look at you, looking at me, and tell how you feel toward me.  If you are angry with me, there will be daggers in your eyes.  If you are pleased with me, you will be smiling.

Certainly, some people’s faces are more expressive than others and poker players train their faces to conceal their thoughts from their companions.  But that’s not typical.  Nor is my face-reading infallible.  I might totally misread your expression at times.  Nevertheless, faces are designed to convey on the outside what is going on within.

We often describe a person’s facial expression in terms of light and dark.  “Her face lit up when she saw him walking toward her.”  Or “We knew Tommy had lost the game when we saw his dark expression as he entered the room.”

The Bible talks about God’s face.  Many passages talk about God’s face shining on us as a sign of His approval of us.  Psalm 4:6 says: “Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.” God’s most majestic expression of His glory comes not in scowls of judgment, but a smile of acceptance.  And we are acceptable to God, not in and of ourselves, but in Christ.

God is alive and active in Elmhurst and our neighboring communities.  He is pulling desperate people back from the edge.  Human beings everywhere get up everyday to face sickness, loneliness, and sorrow.  But the light of God’s love will put a smile in your heart, if not your face.

Redeemer Lutheran Church is a place where we bask in the radiance of Jesus Christ, His mercy and everlasting kindness received through His Word and Sacraments.  And by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are committed to presenting a face of Divine compassion to all.

Yours truly,

Pastor Scott Stiegemeyer