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And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (Acts 16:10 ESV) Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! The good news of the resurrection of Jesus continues to spread. Today at International Lutheran Church, we celebrate how God’s mission continues even through us in this congregation.

Three years ago here at International Lutheran Church, we began a year-long celebration of 60 years of ministry as a congregation - From Lutheran Service Center to Service to All. Looking at the pictures of this place in 1960 and 1961, you get a sense of the emptiness of these hillsides. There was literally nothing here, no buildings, no roads, no embankments or retaining walls – just empty hillsides. Not even any trees that I can see needed to be cleared in the construction of this site, just leveling and terracing the empty space. But for some this was not an empty space. They could see and envision the needs of a whole community of US military personnel and their dependents. They could also see the civilian population that did not speak Korea or would want to learn English. Even the missionaries from the Lutheran church themselves could “see” the impact that this center and later this congregation would make here in Korea and supported it personally. Peter Dorow, a missionary kid from another generation, shared a short note with me during our celebration of the early Sunday morning routine their family had that included a trip to English services at ILC and then a Korea congregation afterwards. He said he especially enjoyed the opportunity for a quick game of pool and hamburger cooked up by Mr. Kim.

Anniversaries are a time for sharing these kind of memories as well as giving thanks to God for His provision in all things. It is also a time to recall the vision that caught the attention of perhaps just one person or a small group of people that now has become a tidal wave of thanks for many different people. Of course, this is also the story of Acts, and especially our reading today from chapter 16. This is THE pivotal moment where the breakup of Barnabas and Paul (Acts 15:38-41) leads to some pretty disappointing attempts to share the good news of Jesus in Western Turkey (Asia by their standards) in Acts 16:1-8, yet finally ends with Paul together with Timothy and eventually Luke himself. Acts 16:10 is the very verse when and where “they” become “we.” And from Luke’s perspective, as well as the others, this is the work of the Holy Spirit to shape our lives of faith individually and to move us and encourage us to work together to share this Good News with others.

Years ago, I had the chance to travel and work with another amazing missionary teacher – Dr. Allan Schmidt. After starting no less than five Lutheran schools on the East Coast of the United States, Dr. Schmidt was asked to lead the team that would become Concordia International School – Shanghai and later again Concordia International School – Hanoi. To hear him tell the story about how the government officials revealed at the end of months of negotiations on a piece of land in Puxi that the school was actually going to be in Pudong was truly a Macedonian moment. While there was nothing there in Pudong at the time except empty rice fields and frogs, Al was in fact only following a long line of others who saw the need, the people, and families that would be changed not only because of an international school, but by the Good News of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection for all.

No doubt we sometimes wonder, “What is God’s will for my life?” We long for a “vision” from God to tell us what to do, but actually Luke describes the events in the same way in which you and I live each day of our lives – by faith. Yes, they had the vision – but in faith they concluded that it was God who was calling them. Each day, God is calling you and me to live in the reality of the Resurrection. God is creating faith within us from the emptiness of our own selves. He is the One who is filling and fulfilling His purpose in working through you and me. He is bringing others to faith, perhaps sometimes through a “vision,” but more often through the things you and I say and do each day as we live in the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus.

As we continue to celebrate the Good News of Jesus – His life, death, and resurrection for us, we remember that this Good News was meant to be shared with all. In the Spirit of Jesus, we have a clear direction for our life – making known the wonders of His grace to others. Alleluia! Jesus is risen! He is risen, indeed!

Pastor Carl