Sure Foundation

Woodside Street Festival is on. Booth is up. We are waiting for you to stop by!! Come join us on Woodside Ave and meet the neighborhood.

- September 20, 2024

I’ve seen superstition play out in sports. It seems to me baseball is the worst here. I say this even though I love watching baseball. I’ve heard the strangest, and sometimes, some pretty gross superstitions. I even heard of baseball players wearing the same socks for weeks on end while they continue to get a hit every game. I’ve seen pitchers shave their beards thinking that what they need for a better ERA is a new look. Charitably, some of it might be the need for a mental shift. However, some of it is simply outright superstitious. It is not based on anything tangible or real.

Believers like to think that we are immune to this kind of thinking, but the narrative arch of Genesis 29-31 would lead us to believe otherwise. One of the major motifs is that of magic or superstition. The wives fight over Jacob and magically believe that the mandrake plant, a known aphrodisiac, will fix their infertility. Or, it’s Jacob, the patriarch himself, getting out his pen knife to make stripped wood. Magically, he thought that the wood would produce stripped lambs or goats because the parents mated in front of the wood. To put it bluntly, it’s comical, weird, and superstitious.

It turns out that Jesus later sets Jacob straight about the cause of his abundance and wealth. The call here is for us to understand that superstitious acts are never the cause of our success or failure. Instead, our Savior Jesus rules graciously over it all. We can make barber choices based on what our wives think of our beards instead of our hitting streak.

- September 6, 2024

We human beings have been fascinated with our dreams since the first human had one. In the 300s BC, mesopotamian kings wrote down their dreams in wax alongside an interpretation. Ancient Egyptians wrote a whole book on the matter. They listed common dreams with their interpretation. If I was totally honest with you, I’ve had dreams too. In my curiosity, I googled it. What could they mean? What is the cause of them? While theories have been advanced, they remain just theories. No one really knowns much about dreams and their origin.

As people of faith, we must insist that sometimes dreams come from God. Not always. In fact, we might even posit rarely are they from God. More on this Sunday. Yet, we will take a look at Jacob’s dream. We will find that his dream moment was transformative for his life. I’m telling you this not so that you become more of a dreamer, but so that Jacob’s dream world illuminate our darkness with a truer vision/revelation of what life as a pilgrim really is.

My heart is singing for joy, waiting to share more with you in our sermon based on Genesis 28:10-17.

Labor Day weekend is upon us. The last few days of summer break for our kids before returning to school. For those that are not joining us in the Berkshire Mountains for the WELS Labor Day Retreat, we will have a service at the church at 10:30 on Sunday. We hope to see you there if your plans have you in the city this weekend.

- August 9, 2024

Already in the late 1500s, the phrase "sold for a mess of pottage" had already become proverbial. The phrase originated, of course, in our lesson for this Sunday, specifically in Genesis 25:32-34. I shared the KJV so that you can feel the resonances of the proverbial phrase. The basic storyline is that Esau, under an ambiguous amount of distress, strikes a deal with his brother Jacob to hand over his birthright for a cup of soup or mess of pottage. It's hard to think of a worse deal ever made in the history of mankind.

Since the original story and its translation into the English, the phrase became almost colloquial. Henry David Thoreau, perhaps, used the phrase most famously with the edge that he would never ever let making a living take away his leisurely afternoons, quipping, "If I should sell both my forenoons and afternoons to society, as most appear to do, I am sure that for me there would be nothing left worth living for. I trust that I shall never thus sell my birthright for a mess of pottage." Certainly, his take was a perversion of the biblical teaching in the story, but it does zero in on a certain truth that human beings far too easily will sell out for immediate, concrete, perceived needs instead of pursuing the intangible, the spiritual, and the divine.

All of this is to get us back on track and constantly asking the question, 'Am I selling God's good spiritual gifts in exchange for what is nothing but mist?' If you are, God's grace covers you and invites you back to receive what is greater.

- August 3, 2024

If we were to rate the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Isaac might get the bronze. We know little about his life, and what we do know doesn't always paint him in the best light. Some commentators absolutely blast him right out of the gates. They call him fools gold because he goes on to amount to almost nothing as a patriarch.

While some of the criticism of this man of faith is justified, I cannot get out of my head the very first scene the Bible gives us as we enter Isaac's adult story. We're told that his wife is barren, but he doesn't pull an Abraham by bringing in a third party to the marriage. In fact, Isaac is faithful to one wife his whole life. Instead, he leads with his faith. He takes the hand of Rebekah, and he prays with her and for her. He entreated God, and God was entreated. I don't want to leave this moment behind too quickly.

They say that the family that prays together stays together. What is it that stops us husbands and wives, dads and moms and children, from doing this? It cannot be time. It only takes a minute. It cannot be that God’s promises have failed. They never once have. Perhaps, we just need to see it modeled, and blessed by God. And now we have seen it in Isaac and Rebekah. We’ve seen what it means for a husband to become a priest for his wife and to get through twenty years of waiting together.

I've got so much more on Isaac's story as we begin our new sermon series on Genesis 25-36. Join me Sunday as we start into Genesis and install our new vicar!

Vicar Jonah Schulz and Tatum arrived last night and have already experienced what we might call NYC fun!

As you get to know them, ask them about their trip as the moved into the city.

Welcome Schulz’s and blessings on your year ahead.

Blessings on your ministry Ben Bitter! May God use you to reach the community in Florida.

- July 27, 2024

Paul Spaude (2015-16), Yaffet and Emma Gabayehu (2019-20). Jacob Schlomer (2020-21). Justin and Laura Steinke (2021-22). Ben and Emmalie Bitter (2022-23). Samuel and Annika Boeder (2023-24).

For the vast majority of New Yorkers, this list would be just about meaningless, but not for us. For us, each of these people evokes memories and even moves us to prayer. Paul Spaude serves a church in the Chicago area. Yaffet and Emma are now in the Twin Cities where Yaffet pastors a church. Jacob Schlomer serves in a Hispanic community in Southern MN. Justin and Laura are in the Philippines. Ben and Emmalie, they are headed to a mission congregation near Tampa Bay, Florida. Sam and Annika, well, they are headed back to the seminary for one more year.

Just starting to think about each of these dear people shows the impact of the vicar program not only in our lives but also in theirs. Our program uniquely pushed ministry into their hearts and prepared them in ways no other church could. We give thanks to God.

This Sunday, we say farewell to the Boeder family. We give thanks that our bonds and shared faith continue on, even as physically we remain while they leave.

Please join me Sunday as we rejoice in the work of the Spirit in the lives of the Boeder family!

10:30 am - Worship
11:30 am - Roast and Presentation
11:45 pm - Potluck and Karaoke

Our week of soccer camp is over. A great group of kids came out and gave their heart this week. We loved teaching them about soccer, teamwork, and most importantly about Jesus.

A great highlight was when the kids scrimmaged the parents, a delight for all involved.

First day of soccer camp is on the books. Great start with wonderful kids pushing through the heat and excited to learn and play soccer and of course make some friends!

Our Soccer camp is back this year! Beginning July 8th, we will host our camp at Big Bush Park for kids ages 5-10.

If you have not been able to register yet, there is still time. Also, we are looking for volunteers to help teach these young kids. Reach out and sign up today.

July 8-11, 2024
9am-12pm
Big Bush Park

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sure-foundation-soccer-camp-tickets-900562626057

Our strategy champion has been crowned. VicarSamuel Boeder navigated his way through the Battleship waters to beat Pastor in our second event.

A huge thank you to all the participants who made this such a successful event. Thank you to all of you who have donated and supported our Vicar program.

The battle lines are drawn. Battleship is set up and now we just need our captains, Pastor and Vicar, to strategically place their ships and see who can sink their opponents battleship!

Don’t miss our last Beat the Pastor event tomorrow at 10:30am. Find out who is our strategic champion.

This event is part of our fundraising efforts to support our vicar program. Donations can be made via Zelle or Faithstreet. Visit our website now.

Our ESL classes are back. So great to see the returning faces and well as meet some new neighbors. Thanks to those who are volunteering their time to help.

- June 8, 2024

Psalm 119 places on our hearts a verse that is transformative in its power. "Your Word is a lamp for my feet" (Psalm 119:105a).

You can see this power at work in history. The Lutheran Reformers picked up this verse during their epoch changing movement. They wrote for all posterity, "We believe, teach, and confess that the only rule and guiding principle according to which all teachings and teachers are to be evaluated and judged are the prophetic and apostolic writings of the Old and New Testaments alone as it is written, "Your word is a lamp for my feet" (FOC 1.1). Do you see the verse standing there as the bedrock of Christian faith and teaching? What strength! What power to shine!

That same Word, so much maligned in our day, is still our lamp and light. It's not just an historical book. It still does what it promises to do. It presently lights the way with its teachings of both law and gospel, transforming our hearts and giving joy.

I invite you to come and bask in its light this Sunday as I bring you this Word from Psalm 119 on our Youth Confirmation Sunday.

Our Beat the Pastor Skills Challenge was a great success. Pastor’s team came away with the win with his Hot Honey Chicken recipe!

Thanks to those that cooked, judged and have supported our vicar program.

Our next event will be on June 30th, more details yet to come. You can support our vicar program anytime by donating at our site.

Another successful street festival today. Perfect weather, a great crew and good contacts from the neighborhood.

On Wednesday, the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary held its Vicar Call Service. During that service, Jonah Schulz was assigned as our vicar for the upcoming year. In August he and his wife,Tatum, will make the transition to NYC.

On Sunday, after the service, Vicar Boeder will do a little interview with him to introduce him to our congregation. Join us for a warm virtual welcome.

Finally, our last judge for our Beat the Pastor cook-off competition.

Meet our next judge for the Beat the Pastor cook-off.

Read about Trevor below!

Meet our first judge of the Beat the Pastor Cook-Off!!

These meals better be magnificent to get a good score from Alfredo!!!

Meet you teams now! You can read a little about the team Pastor and Vicar each assembled below.

Our cook-off event begins this Sunday around noon, following the bilingual worship service. Come to enjoy food and stay to catch up with friends.

This Sunday we are not only celebrating Pentecost but are starting our Beat the Pastor competition. You don’t want to miss it!!! Watch the video below and find out all the details.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3FonlGdWXI

- May 10, 2024

The Apostle Peter says something that should make any godly man's ears perk up, especially around Mother's Day. After teaching men how to love and honor their wives he says, "so that nothing can hinder your prayers" (1 Peter 3:7). This really is a stunning thing to say. Peter is saying that the way men treat women can either help or hinder their prayers.

It's difficult to discern exactly what Peter means, but I'll offer three possibilities (1) Because you use or even abuse your wife, as one under God's wrath, God refuses to hear you when you call to him. (2) Since your relationship with your wife is conflicted, you struggle to quiet your heart in prayer. We all know how a struggling marital relationship impacts our work life and also our spiritual life. Or, (3) because, frankly, you do not honor your wife, you and your wife no longer pray together jointly. In other words, husbands no longer lovingly take the hand of their wives to pray together to the God who made them and redeemed them. Any of those possibilities for the hindered prayer life is devastating and to be avoided at all costs.

I see here an earnest call for Christian men. According to Peter, we owe our mothers and our wives the same exact thing: honor. Love and honor these women as Jesus has loved and honored you unless you want your prayers hindered (which none of us do). I also see here an opportunity for encouragement. The blood of Jesus brings us into the throne room of the Father. Men, take the hands of your wives and visit that throne room often. It'll be proof that you are loving God and your wife well. Afterall, you are both joint heirs of Jesus' resurrected life.