I wish I had known then what I should know now
Today, I led worship for our mid-day chapel service. Most of the audience was made up of the Summer Greek students, but there were other guests. I targeted my message toward the Summer Greek students, but I think it is broad enough to reach others. The lesson for today is Romans 11:13-24 (Paul writing about the Gentiles being grafted onto the olive tree that is Israel.) These are the notes I worked off of.
♥ These are things I wish I would someone would have told me 370 days ago before I started summer Greek. Just a disclaimer, that the opinions expressed by me may not reflect those of LTSG, the ELCA or most anyone else. Another disclaimer, there will be NO references to THAT language during this service.
♥ The No seminarian left behind program really works. Summer Greek is survivable.
♥ There are 2 good places for Chinese food in Gettysburg. The May Flower buffet is your choice if you prefer quantity over quality. Ping’s is your choice if you want quality food and don’t mind waiting for an hour for it.
♥ Usually, the cheapest place for gas in town is Tom’s, just a bit west of the Seminary on 116.
♥ In my opinion, the best pizza place is La Bella Italia. Others prefer Tommy’s & Pizza House.
♥ If you take Middle Street, you can get out to Walmart and everything out there faster than if you take 30 and go through the heart of town.
♥ You have been called here. You – have been called to be – here. You maybe doubting that the call was for you. Being here for 2 plus weeks trying to learn a new language with new people in a new environment will do that to you. Think of this as your 40 days in the desert. Don’t feel that you are alone in your anxiety. In an informal survey of my classmates, last August we had an average of 1.6 freakouts per student. Mine included hauling all of my boxes from my storage cage back into my room so I was ready. On another day, walking outside of Baughman and screaming at the top of my lungs for a minute, then going back in to finish my translations.
♥ I think that it is often true that people who most doubt their own call have gifts that are the most obvious to others. If and when you can, tell someone you see their gifts, you think they will be a good (or great) pastor. Tell them you appreciate them.
♥ The person who you can and should turn to for help and pastoral support is sitting around you. During your time here, when you become completely stressed out and are beginning to pack up, your classmates are the people to whom you can turn to.
♥ Be a blessing to others. When you ask “How are you doing,” mean it. It is no longer a social nicety. It is providing care. It is an inquiry and way to show you care. Now, when you are asked “How are you doing,” assume the person really wants to know and really cares. If they don’t, when you unload and bare your soul to them, you will teach them to either care, or don’t ask.
♥ During the next year, you are going to be pushed to your limits by something. It maybe Greek, it maybe something else. Talk to someone, share your concerns. Also, be willing to accept those concerns. Don’t try to solve the problem, but let them share the problem and burden.
♥ You are being added to the body of this institution. You are being grafted onto the body of this institution. As with anytime there is grafting of one part onto a new body, there is some pain involved. There is also some time needed for healing. There is some possible rejection. There is a time of adjustment, for both the new branch and the old body.
♥ You will hurt. Your feelings will be hurt. It may come from a classmate or other student. It may come from someone in your “real life” back home. Someone may say or do something, or not say or not do something. They may not mean it. They may not have even realized they did something. On the other hand, you may wind up doing the same. During the process of discernment, people’s nerves are raw, on edge and are hypersensitive. When you feel hurt, forgive them. If you feel it was intentional, tell them. If you want to proclaim the Gospel, you can proclaim your feelings. But if you feel you’ve been hurt, let it go and forgive them, as you hope they will forgive you.
♥ This is an emotional rollercoaster you have jumped on. The thrills and highs are incredible. So are the plummets and lows. Hang on and hold onto one another.
♥ Welcome to the olive tree. Trust in the one who lived and loved us enough to be nailed to a cross for us.
♥ These are things I wish I would someone would have told me 370 days ago before I started summer Greek. Just a disclaimer, that the opinions expressed by me may not reflect those of LTSG, the ELCA or most anyone else. Another disclaimer, there will be NO references to THAT language during this service.
♥ The No seminarian left behind program really works. Summer Greek is survivable.
♥ There are 2 good places for Chinese food in Gettysburg. The May Flower buffet is your choice if you prefer quantity over quality. Ping’s is your choice if you want quality food and don’t mind waiting for an hour for it.
♥ Usually, the cheapest place for gas in town is Tom’s, just a bit west of the Seminary on 116.
♥ In my opinion, the best pizza place is La Bella Italia. Others prefer Tommy’s & Pizza House.
♥ If you take Middle Street, you can get out to Walmart and everything out there faster than if you take 30 and go through the heart of town.
♥ You have been called here. You – have been called to be – here. You maybe doubting that the call was for you. Being here for 2 plus weeks trying to learn a new language with new people in a new environment will do that to you. Think of this as your 40 days in the desert. Don’t feel that you are alone in your anxiety. In an informal survey of my classmates, last August we had an average of 1.6 freakouts per student. Mine included hauling all of my boxes from my storage cage back into my room so I was ready. On another day, walking outside of Baughman and screaming at the top of my lungs for a minute, then going back in to finish my translations.
♥ I think that it is often true that people who most doubt their own call have gifts that are the most obvious to others. If and when you can, tell someone you see their gifts, you think they will be a good (or great) pastor. Tell them you appreciate them.
♥ The person who you can and should turn to for help and pastoral support is sitting around you. During your time here, when you become completely stressed out and are beginning to pack up, your classmates are the people to whom you can turn to.
♥ Be a blessing to others. When you ask “How are you doing,” mean it. It is no longer a social nicety. It is providing care. It is an inquiry and way to show you care. Now, when you are asked “How are you doing,” assume the person really wants to know and really cares. If they don’t, when you unload and bare your soul to them, you will teach them to either care, or don’t ask.
♥ During the next year, you are going to be pushed to your limits by something. It maybe Greek, it maybe something else. Talk to someone, share your concerns. Also, be willing to accept those concerns. Don’t try to solve the problem, but let them share the problem and burden.
♥ You are being added to the body of this institution. You are being grafted onto the body of this institution. As with anytime there is grafting of one part onto a new body, there is some pain involved. There is also some time needed for healing. There is some possible rejection. There is a time of adjustment, for both the new branch and the old body.
♥ You will hurt. Your feelings will be hurt. It may come from a classmate or other student. It may come from someone in your “real life” back home. Someone may say or do something, or not say or not do something. They may not mean it. They may not have even realized they did something. On the other hand, you may wind up doing the same. During the process of discernment, people’s nerves are raw, on edge and are hypersensitive. When you feel hurt, forgive them. If you feel it was intentional, tell them. If you want to proclaim the Gospel, you can proclaim your feelings. But if you feel you’ve been hurt, let it go and forgive them, as you hope they will forgive you.
♥ This is an emotional rollercoaster you have jumped on. The thrills and highs are incredible. So are the plummets and lows. Hang on and hold onto one another.
♥ Welcome to the olive tree. Trust in the one who lived and loved us enough to be nailed to a cross for us.
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