From Pastor Rod - From June 2025 Newsletter

Let Them Eat Cake

Most of you are aware of my penchant for a good dessert.  And a clear reason why I have diabetes!  A while back, I was at our Food For The Soul brunch, and I happened to see a man (I won’t say exactly who it was, but it’s a pretty sure bet his name was Bob) who was thoroughly enjoying a clearly delicious piece of chocolate cake.  It was later in the meal, and several people had already left, so he was all by himself at a table, but he was so completely focused on that cake that it didn’t matter.  Slowly, as he put each bite in his mouth, you could see him savoring its goodness.  In that very moment, life was good.

 It occurred to me as I watched him that God would be pleased at this man’s enjoyment of a good piece of cake.  God made the earth good so that we could enjoy its abundance and benefits.  It was intended for our use and enjoyment (but not for our abuse of it.)

 At this moment in history, it is so easy to get caught up in all that is wrong in this world. We see all the ways that humans deny others the right to enjoy their lives, that we easily forget this fact.  I sometimes find myself feeling guilty for enjoying life, when I know so many others aren’t.  Of course we need to care about others, and we need to strive every day of our lives to make sure everyone enjoys the bounty of the Lord.  But that doesn’t mean we aren’t allowed to stop and savor what God has provided for us, including chocolate cake!

 Let us be like that man at the church dinner.  Let us stop and savor what God has given us each day, and let us thank God for the simple pleasures of life. 

Let us stop to taste and see that the Lord is indeed good.

 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.

From Psalm 34

Pastor Rod

From Pastor Rod - From May 2025 Newsletter

The Power of Grace

In conversations with many of you recently, I’ve heard a common theme.  How much it seems that cruelty and hurting others seems to be so commonplace in our world today.  What if we could imagine a world where every mistake is met with kindness, every failure with understanding, and every hurt with forgiveness. That world seems far off these days, but this is exactly the kind of life we are called to live—one rooted in grace.

Grace is often defined as unmerited favor—a kindness given freely, without expectation of repayment. It’s the ability to see beyond a person’s flaws and extend love despite them. Grace acknowledges that we all fall short, but love and forgiveness can bridge the gap.

In Ephesians 4:32, we are reminded: "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

To me, this verse captures the essence of grace. It calls us to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving—because we ourselves have received forgiveness and God’s grace.

It seems like so many people we encounter today are highly critical and angry about things.  Like there’s a “bottled up” hatred inside that they just have to get out.  And I’ve even caught myself falling into this trap at times as well. 

I think that as part of a community of Christ, we must remember to give each other plenty of grace.  Just think of how Jesus might react to our own failings, if he didn’t extend his grace to each of us. We would be wise to do the same with others we encounter. We must remember that we are all just trying to walk through this difficult world as we journey towards Home.  We should do it together, and with grace.

Giving grace isn’t always easy. When someone disappoints us, hurts us, or fails in a way that affects us, our natural response is often frustration or resentment. We want fairness, accountability, justice and sometimes even revenge. But God’s grace operates differently.

Grace chooses restoration over retaliation.

Think about how Jesus responded when He encountered sinners—He didn’t turn them away, shame them, or demand they prove their worthiness. Instead, He extended compassion. When the woman caught in adultery was dragged before Jesus by accusers, He did not condemn her but instead told her to “go and sin no more” (John 8:11). Grace did not ignore her mistakes, but it invited her into a better way of living.

Grace is one of the most profound gifts we can offer each other. It is an act of love that doesn’t wait for perfection, a mercy extended not because it’s earned but because it’s needed. The Bible speaks often about grace, and when we embrace it in our relationships, our communities, and our everyday lives, we reflect God’s heart in a way that transforms the world around us.

Here are some ways we can live out grace daily:

• Grace in relationships: When loved ones fall short, instead of focusing on their faults, we can choose understanding. We can recognize that just as we need forgiveness, so do they.

• Grace in workplaces: Mistakes happen. Instead of responding with criticism, offering support and encouragement creates an environment where people can grow.

• Grace in disagreements: Differences in opinions can be frustrating, but responding with grace allows for healthy dialogue instead of division.

• Grace with ourselves: Sometimes, the hardest person to extend grace to is ourselves. We must remember that God’s grace covers our failures too, and we don’t need to live in shame.

When we choose grace, we reflect God’s love. We show people that they are valued, not for their perfection but simply for who they are.

So today, as you interact with others, ask yourself: Am I responding with grace? Am I choosing kindness over criticism, understanding over judgment, and forgiveness over resentment?

Grace has the power to change lives. Let’s be people who live it out every day.

God’s Blessings

Pastor Rod

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves…Live in harmony with one another.” –  Romans 12

From Pastor Rod - From April 2025 Newsletter

As I write this, we are preparing to enter Palm Sunday, Holy Week, then Easter Sunday, it’s a good time to reflect on renewal.

I’ve been spending a lot of my days lately back and forth to Manhattan, through the Flint Hills. It’s been burning season, and much of the Flint Hills has been burnt off over the past two weeks. It’s an amazing site at night, driving through the hills all aglow with these controlled burns to help renew the grasses of the prairie.

The first few days, the hills were black from the burning, a few here and there, and soon, almost the entire prairie had been burned. During these few days, the prairie looked dead, bare and desolate. Like it had been killed.

But in nature’s amazing way, within just a few days, you can now see new growth sprouting from the dark, burnt ground. The prairie will just survive. It will be renewed with new growth. And because of the burning, the tallgrass will grow back. Thicker. Stronger. And in better shape than before.

That’s what Lent and Holy Week can be for us. A time of renewal. A time to burn off the old, to cut back some of our nastier habits, our unkind comments, our prejudices, and negative thoughts. Lent should be a time to reflect. A time we take annually to get ourselves square with God, and to look forward to a Spring and Summer of resurrection and new growth. If we “burn off the old” every year, we give ourselves a chance to grow back even better in future years.

I hope you’ll join me in these last few days of Lent, to do just that.

God’s blessings to you all,

Pastor Rod

From Pastor Rod - From June 2019 Newsletter

As a small church, we often find ourselves stewing over all the problems that a small church may have.  But what if we spent some time thinking about the advantages of a small church?

            There are many reasons to be grateful for our small church, and its unexpected benefits and opportunities that are specifically related to its smallness.

            I recently read an article that outlined nine ways in which small churches can thrive:

1.   Small churches are particularly authentic.

2.   Small churches stay connected to the community around them.

3.   There’s always time for “Prayers of the People.”

4.   People can build genuinely loving relationships

5.   Lay leaders are active and ready to help out.

6.   Small churches give the biggest welcomes

7.   People keep believing in their ministries, even with small numbers

8.   People are in touch with each other’s spirits and with the Holy Spirit.

9.   Small churches aren’t afraid to break the rules.

            What do you think of these? How many of them apply to Auburn Presbyterian?

            Sure, there are disadvantages to being small.  We’d all like a few more people to draw from to help with the daily duties of a church.  A few more people might mean a few more dollars in the plate to help with operation of the church.

            But people experience community in a smaller church, and that’s important. A smaller church can provide that. A small church can be a place where “everybody knows your name.” Smaller churches that do a good job of offering community to people will grow.

            People also have more of an opportunity to serve in a small church. Smaller churches never have enough volunteers – so they are places where you can serve and truly make a difference in people’s lives. Where people feel needed, ministries can expand.

            People also share common experiences easier in a small church. It is much easier to build relationships with people who share common experiences.

            People are more important than programs or performances.  Smaller churches put more emphasis on people.  Again, it’s about relationships and community.

            Remember these things next time you feel disheartened about being part of a small church.

God’s blessings,

Rod      

From Pastor Rod - From May 2019 Newsletter

Over the past few months, I have been attending a series of programs in Manhattan called Project Regeneration.  These programs are offered through the Presbytery, with the assistance of the Presbyterian Foundation.  The primary message of these programs has been methods to help small churches succeed in today’s new church environment.

 Perhaps the most common term used for small churches is “small and struggling.”  But not all small churches are struggling.  Do you consider Auburn to be a “small and struggling” church?

 There are still small churches who are strong, dynamic, effective and have an impact far bigger than their footprint.  There are things we can do and ways we can work toward being part of this group.  One of the ways we can do this is to be aware of the “lifecycle of a church,” and how to move from the “plateau” stage back into the “growth” stage, before hitting the “declining” stage.

 A recent survey of American churches found that:

·         28 percent of churches declined by 6 percent or more

·         33 percent stayed within 5 percent of their previous size

·         39 percent of churches grew by 6 percent or more

 6 in 10 Protestant churches are plateaued or declining in attendance.

Small doesn’t necessarily have to mean struggling or plateaued. But when we habitually use those words to refer to our own small church, we don’t become inspired, we become discouraged.  We begin to believe that we are dying, even when we’re not. Assuming the worst of a church because they’re not adding to their attendance roster every year isn’t helpful or kind.  It hurts.  We can do better than this.

 When our small church is celebrated and encouraged instead of ignored, pitied or demeaned, it’s better for all of us. We are a small church, there is no denying.  But though we are small, we can still be a strong and effective church.  Even a dynamic church.  Much of this starts with how we see ourselves.  Let’s be sure we are seeing our own best traits, and presenting our best outward face to all we encounter as the body of Christ at Auburn Presbyterian Church.

 Rod Seel       

From Pastor Rod - From April 2019 Newsletter

As we enter the last days of Lent, and Holy Week, then Easter Sunday, it’s a good time to reflect on renewal.  For many Presbyterians, Lent has not always been a significant time in the church year.  Many might even say “it’s a Catholic thing.”  But Lent should be a beautiful time of

renewal for us as well.

A couple of weeks ago, we had one nice day in the midst of this prolonged winter, so I decided to tackle some much-needed yard work.  We have a couple of “burning bush” shrubs by the front porch.  I’ve always been told you need to cut these back before they start budding in the Spring, but the last couple of years, I’ve not been able to get that done, and the bushes were well over ten feet tall.

These bushes had grown so tall, they were out of control, and I was determined to get them cut back this year.  I got the clippers out, and started to cut them, but I realized, they had already started to green up, and were very near to budding.  I wasn’t sure what to do, but decided to go ahead and cut them back.

Well, I cut a couple of feet off of them, but because I had missed cutting them in previous seasons, I actually had to get the chain saw out, because the branches had gotten so thick, and so tough that the clippers were no match for them.  I could tell each season of growth in the branches, because they got thicker, tougher, and harder to cut every foot or two.

I hated to cut all the growth off of them, but at the same time, I knew that I had to cut them down, almost to the ground to get them to grow back properly.  When I was done, there was only a stump of four or five thick branches, about two feet high.  They looked terrible. They looked dead.  And the house looked bare without the two huge bushes we had grown accustomed to.  I was sure I had probably killed them by butchering them so bad.

That was two weeks ago.  This morning, I checked these bushes, and already, I can see new growth sprouting from the thick, remaining branches.  They will survive.  And because they have been pruned, they will grow back.  Thicker.  Stronger.  And in better shape than before.

That’s what Lent can be for us.  A time of renewal.  A time to prune ourselves, to cut back some of our nastier habits, our unkind comments, our prejudices, and negative thoughts.  Lent should be a time to reflect.  A time we take annually to get ourselves square with God, and look forward to a Spring and Summer of resurrection and new growth.  If we “prune ourselves” every year, we won’t develop the thick, tough, gnarly branches that can be so hard to cut back in future years.

I hope you’ll join me in these last few days of Lent, to do just that.

God’s blessings to you all,

Rod Seel

From Pastor Rod - From March 2019 Newsletter

As we head into the season of Lent, we as Presbyterians may be a bit unsure of what to do with this time.  Lent is the period of 40 days which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar.  Lent should be used as a season of reflection and preparation before the celebration of the Resurrection at Easter.  By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ's sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days.

The following prayer might be helpful as you begin to reflect on Lent this season:

A Prayer for the Beginning of Lent

Today we sit

between the season of light

and the season of darkness.

Today we revel

in the beauty of new life

and await the darkness that comes from death.

The season of Lent

will greet us this week

and walk with us towards the cross.

The lengthening days remind us

to keep reaching for the light

and trusting the glimpses of new life.

Help us to settle into the darkness

so we can see your light breaking through.

Teach us to open our eyes to suffering

so our hands can be instruments of healing.

Be with us in the breaking of our hearts

so we can find joy in you once again.

Create space in us to feel your presence

and to listen to your words.

Create space in our homes

to see all we do as worship.

Create space in our churches

to welcome the stranger and outcast as friends.

This season we will walk in darkness

trusting the light’s presence.

When we hear words about prayer and repentance and service

may they seep into our minds and hearts

and call us to a new way of being.

This is Lent –

darkness leaning towards light,

suffering turning to healing,

uncertainty coming to peace,

death bringing life.

Amen.           

God’s blessings,

Rod

From Pastor Rod - From February 2019 Newsletter

             One of the tensions we wrestle with as a small church is the question of growth.  Now, fairly often, I hear comments about how nice it would be if our little church could grow.

            Often times, the comment goes like this: “I want our church to grow.  I just don’t want it to change.”

            Change is hard, there’s no doubt.  We all like things to be comfortably the same, even when we say we’d like to grow.  But isn’t wanting to grow, but not really change actually like saying “I want to lose weight, but I really want to eat bacon cheeseburgers all day”?  Well, yes, it’s exactly like that.

            Let’s remember two things.  Our job as a church is not necessarily to grow.  Our job is to be the body of Christ in this community at whatever size we are.  That’s not to say that growth is a bad thing, it’s just not the main thing.

            Secondly, growth is possible in our church.  But, it will most likely require some change.  Now, the problem with change is that 10 people or 100 people will never agree on everything.  The truth is, your patterns, habits and level of effectiveness as a church got you to where you are now. If you want to maintain the status quo, keep doing what you’re doing right now.  If you don’t want your current level of effectiveness, this will require some change.  It’s really not any more complicated than that.

            As a congregation, we can plot our growth.  If we continue doing what we’re doing today, where will we be 1 year, 2 years and 5 years from now?  If we change X, where will we be 1 year, 2 years and 5 years from now?  Sure, we don’t know for sure where we’ll end up, but if we start asking the important questions, we’ll be amazed at what we can discover.            

            Most changes are really small, but we feel like they are large, because “we’ve always done it this way.”  For instance, if we started singing one song out of a different hymnal each week, that would be a very small change.  If we completely changed hymnals, that would be a slightly larger change.  If we brought in a praise band every week, that would be a big change.  But how many would come unglued at a small change such as just singing a couple of different hymns?  To learn to deal with change, we must keep things in perspective.

            Soon, we will begin discussions about our future vision and mission as a church.  I hope you will all keep an open mind and consider where we are going as a church.  I’m not promoting major changes, but some small, incremental changes over time may be necessary to keep our church vital and growing.  If you decide as a church that you are content with the status quo, then we will not change.  But that decision means that we will live with the possible consequences – stagnation, decline and decay, over time.

            Let’s keep an open mind to what new possibilities might be awaiting our congregation if we work together to have a vision, and a stated mission for where we are going.

God’s blessings,