We are Changed for Good

We’re in the midst of a three-week series, Generously Living as Disciples. Yes, that would be the fall stewardship emphasis; but I have to say that this is anything but a typical “stewardship emphasis.” This week, the sermon took the form of a chancel drama, written by my colleague, Pastor Steve Cook. “The Day Love Came Home” is a delightful, powerful, and humorous telling of the story of Zacchaeus. Ed & Solveig Krafnik portrayed Zac Zacchaeus and his wife, Betty, and gave us a glimpse into what the conversation might have been like the night Zacchaeus repented, gave away half of their possessions, settled fourfold with anyone with whom he had a issue, and welcomed to their house Jesus and the disciples! Following the drama, Roger Fink, Dave Kvaas, and Brenda Handel-Johnson offered the following song by Ken Medema:

Changed for Good
1. No more watching from the top of a tree; no more watching from a distance to see;
love is here and love is calling to me; I’m being changed for good.

2. Light the lamps and let the party begin; open doors and let the people come in.
I am miles away from where I have been. I’m being changed for good.

Refrain:
Here’s my promise, here’s my vow: things are changing, starting now;
I was lost, now I’m found, go and tell everybody in town.

3. Time to break the chains that bound me so long.
There’s no way that I can right all my wrongs.
Here I start and if it takes my life long, I’m being changed for good.

The song’s been going through my mind all week., also reminding me of what Luther says about the significance of Baptism for daily life: “It signifies that the old person in us with all its sins and evil desires is to be drowned and die through daily sorrow for sin and through repentance, and on the other hand that daily a new person is to come forth and rise up to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.” ELW, p. 1165.

Welcome to a new day, friends!


Changed for Good, Words & Music by Ken Medema. Copyright ã2007, Ken Medema Music/ASCAP/Brier Patch Music. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Member CCLI. This song is included in a CD called “Stories to Tell & Gifts to Share.”