There was a different sermon up until Friday night. I decided to stick with the scripture text, though. Somehow, lectionary texts have a way of speaking to our absolute moment lately. The poignancy of a sermon title chosen in August: Signs of the Times. Back in August, the preaching theme for Advent seemed to be the Signs of the Times, and today's sign was urgency. That's what our banner proclaims--urgency. It's just that the urgency seems a whole lot more personal after Friday and the loss of Elwin.

Today we hear, Wake up! Be alert! Get ready! Things are closer than you think! The urgent call isn't so much to scare us as it is to focus. The focus is salvation. The disciples, perhaps thinking of politics, ask Jesus "when," and he answers "no one knows when, and besides, it doesn't matter."

Jesus is thinking about salvation as the culmination of God's plan, so fundamentally, it doesn't matter "when." No matter how we define salvation, we are living in an in-between time. This in-between time is as if we've elected our new president, but inauguration day is still a couple of months away. How eagerly you anticipate that inauguration day depends on how convinced you are that the right person has been elected. As far as salvation goes, our candidate has won. The leader of our hopes and dreams is getting ready to take office, is setting up the inaugural balls, is putting in place the programs that will bring into being peace and prosperity for all. We heard about it when the advent candle was lighted this morning. "He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore."

Now, I know that theologians regularly wrangle about whether "salvation" is what happens when we die or whether "salvation" is what happens throughout our lifetimes as we mature in our discipleship or whether "salvation" is when God's kingdom is finally established. As your pastor, I'm here to tell you that defining that isn't quite so important as talking about "how." How do we "do" our salvations - no matter "when" we think it is.

How? This urgency asks us to "do" our salvation the same way we get ready for much-loved out-of-town guests. This time of year we know a lot about that. I get a kick out of hearing people say, "My folks are coming next week, and I'm almost done cleaning the kitchen cupboards and the closets, but I've still got the attic to do." Paul recommends a similar type of housecleaning for those of us awaiting the arrival of the day of salvation. "Scrub out the arguing. Clean and straighten the jealousies and envies. Throw out the naughty jokes and calling people bad names." It's more than picking up loose stuff and speed-vacuuming. Rid yourself of addictions and abuse. Stop breaking rules to get your own way. Go in the drawers and match the socks, throw out the ones with holes and without a mate. And the windows--! Let the light in! There are few things in the world more beautiful than a sparkling clean window. The glass as if it isn't there, the sills cleaned of spider webs and dead flies. Paul says, "lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. . . put on the Lord Jesus Christ." That's it! Get rid of the trash and the dirt and the mess, and let the light in! Jesus Christ is the light of the world, the light that no darkness can overcome. Get rid of whatever it is that obscures the view and just soak in the warmth of the light. Music. Worship. Prayer. Service. Being-with others of a like mind.

The point of the housecleaning, the preparation, the expectant, hopeful urgency isn't so that we avoid punishment. It's so that we're ready, so that we don't miss out on a minute of the good stuff. It's about God present to us, and our being present to God.

We're probably all sick of hearing people say, "Well, since September 11 things have been different." Folks here at Springwater will be saying, "Since Elwin left, things are different." And there are some things that should be different - here, just as in our whole country. The ways in which things are different depend on us.

The stories on the inside front of The Oregonian of lives interrupted are so sad. Story after story of people who were making plans, relationships blossoming, events about to take place. And then everything changed, when airplanes became bombs. That has happened to us this weekend. There are so many unfinished details to Elwin's story - and ours. So many parts of our stories that will no longer have that particular character in it. The "how" of today's question about urgency, as it applies to Springwater is not just a matter of "big shoes to fill" or others doing jobs that this particular elder did. The "how" of today's question of urgency is about redemption. Letting God redeem even this tragic, senseless accident. Hearing the prompting of the Holy Spirit in living out the ministry of this church with our time and talent commitments. Deciding what our priorities are and whether these priorities are God's priorities.

The message of urgency today, the sign of the times today, is a matter of life and death. "Ready" is a matter of life and death. But hear me, please. Do not go through life wondering whether you might suddenly die. That is a negative way to live. What I'm talking about is faith and life.

I am disconcerted when I read or hear articles about Ramadan and the Islamic faith. What I find disconcerting is the reflection I see of my faith. Profile after profile of pious Muslims taking thirty days to discipline themselves in the five pillars of their faith. Not eating or drinking during the daylight hours. Not indulging themselves in anything during these thirty days. And in addition to fasting, doing works of charity and service. Giving alms. Reading the Koran. Pious Muslims being intentional about living their faith during Ramadan and letting those disciplines and insights impact the rest of the year.

And what do we see from Christians during our "holy days" of Advent and Lent? It's not that I want the congregation to give up food during Advent. But I would like people to commit to spend time reading even five minutes of scripture every day. To commit to pray through the church directory every week. Note-taking during joys and concerns. Other people continuing some of the commitments to children that were made by Elwin. Living your faith.

It's a matter of urgency. After all, even Jesus says "about that day and hour no one knows." Paul says, "now is the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now that when we became believers." The urgency is not about avoiding punishment. The urgency is so that we don't miss out on a minute of the good stuff. It's not so much a matter of life and death. It's a matter of life.