In the Deep Water of 2020

In the Deep Water of 2020

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase…
‘in deep water’?
It usually means you are in a bad situation;
something dangerous,
being overwhelmed,
or in a vulnerable position.
This year of 2020; you and I have felt these emotions.
We have certainly been in the deep water.
Fear of being in deep water is quite common:
your boat can sink,
you may drown,
and you never know what is lurking in the deep.

A year ago, we had no idea what was lurking
in the deep waters of 2020.

Throughout the Bible, the scriptures remind us
the dangers of the sea:
the Red Sea parts for Moses and the Israelites and
then covers the Egyptians;
Jonah is cast into the sea and swallowed by a whale;
Isaiah 43 reassures us of God’s presence
when we pass through the waters;
and in Matthew’s Gospel,
when Jesus walks upon the water,
Peter leaps into to the sea to meet him.

Fishermen have a fear and respect for the waters where they fish;
they know the power of the sea.
Here are a few facts about fishing in Biblical times:
Those who made their living by fishing did not work alone;
they had fishing co-operatives
that allowed multiple families to work together
and thus, share the risks and the burdens of the sea.
There were at least 2 boats working together and these were big boats!
How big?
According to the Archeological Study Bible:
When a boat from Jesus’ time was discovered on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee,
it was measured as 26.5 feet long and 7.5 feet wide.
It was a strong boat too,made of cedar and oak,
and could hold up to a ton, around 15 people or 5 crew and a catch of fish.
The boat was their security against the power of the sea.

Where do you and I find security against the ongoing waves we face today?
When community needs to social distance?
When peaceful protests for justice turn to anger and violence?
When fear overshadows our daily lives?
God.

God is present with us.
God has a call for each of us.
Jesus’ call to the fishermen to become disciples has meaning for you and me today.
These fishermen, Simon Peter, James, John and the others, knew the sea was something to respect,
it could take your life or provide you a living.
That was what was happening when Jesus came to them.
It was the usual daily routine;
they had been out all-night fishing, however, they returned with nothing.
Jesus gives them the instruction…
“Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”
This simple command was to do something ordinary;
Jesus was not commanding the fish to jump in the boat or the sea to bring forth the fish,
simply
“…let down your nets...”

They had fished all night, with nothing to show for it.
What about the command from Jesus made Simon Peter give it one more try?
Was he humoring him? Thinking what can it hurt?
Had he been inspired by what he had heard Jesus teaching?
Or was it something deep inside Peter, a belief,
a true faith that he knew it was what must be done.

Do you and I have that same belief as Peter, knowing that if we give it one more try, good will come…
even after we have failed or been disappointed,
one more try may be all that is needed.
Peter obeyed.
“…they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break.”
It was not just a catch of fish,
it was an abundant catch,
super-abundance!
Scarcity had become abundance through
an extraordinary act of grace.

Yet, there is more to the story than this example of abundance provided to the fishermen by God’s grace through Jesus.
This is a call story.
Jesus calling the disciples:
“Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.”
I like the reassuring words Jesus begins with
Do not be afraid.
Jesus is about to ask them to do something extra-ordinary, something new.

What new things have come our way?
A new way of worship, fellowship, staying connected to God and neighbor.
Could the events of 2020 that have overwhelmed us,actually be the path to abundance?
Super-abundance?
Might these events be the push you and I and the church needs to go from ordinary routine
to something new and extra-ordinary?
For the fishermen, catching fish is what they know how to do,catching people?
What might that even mean?
In the Old Testament fishing was a metaphor for gathering people for judgment.
In the New Testament, fishing has a different meaning…
gathering women and men for the Kingdom of God; not gathering for judgment,
catching people is rescuing them from death.
Like many call stories throughout the Bible,
Jesus approaching the disciples follows a familiar pattern:
~there is a moment of divine epiphany,
God’s grace revealed through the abundance of the catch;
~a response of unworthiness,
Simon Peter responds with humility …fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying,
“Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!”
~reassurance is given…
Do not be afraid.
~then a commission is given…
you will be catching people.
~and finally, obedience…
When they had brought their boats to shore,they left everything and followed him.

You and I have our times of doubt; many times, we get stuck at the feeling of unworthiness.
What we need to remember is the re-assurance,
Do not be afraid.
We know God can part the sea,
catch us when we are cast overboard,
calm the storm,
and guide us above the waters.
God has a call on each and every one of our lives;
from the simple and ordinary to the extra-ordinary.
What you and I need to embrace is the knowledge
that God is with us as we follow the commission we are given.

The disciples had the courage, the faith, to leave everything behind and follow Jesus.
Those words ‘left everything’ brings up a question or two of concern for me…
they had brought in a super-abundant catch of fish…
did they leave it behind and go?
This great abundant blessing could not be meant to go to waste or rot on the shore;
The fish too are God’s creation and they too have a purpose in God’s plan beyond exhibiting abundance.
What I understand,
these fishermen could leave everything behind because of the abundance of the catch;
Yes, we are told Simon Peter, James and John go and follow Jesus,
but remember they are not lone fishermen, they are part of a family co-operative.
The families they leave behind will be taken care of; such an abundant catch will provide for them.
God’s grace.

The fishermen themselves are ‘caught’ by Jesus.
He has not only caught them, he has reeled them in!
Back to the idea of the deep water…
perhaps, when you and I are in daily life situations,
when we feel overwhelmed, in over our heads, and ‘in deep water’,
we can look at the situation differently.
You and I look to the future with hope,
with faith,
with the knowledge that God is with us!

What is lurking underneath may lead to abundance;
you and I may be discouraged,
yet, we can find the faith to give it one more try.
As disciples of Jesus we have been caught, reeled in by God!
Each ‘fish’ caught by the disciples will become a witness,
a fisherman to catch more people and the cycle will go on and on.
There is a hymn called Will You Come and Follow Me
Christ asking a simple question with lyrics that include…
‘Will you go where you don’t know?’
‘Will you leave yourself behind?’
‘Will you quell the fear inside?’
You and I have answered yes Lord!
In the deep water?
Cast your net…discover abundance…
embrace humility…be courageous…
have faith…follow…witness…GO Fishing!

Emptying the Box 2020

While at seminary, one summer, I did a directed study on brokenness. What came from this directed study is a way to address brokenness through sermons to a congregation. It does not matter what the issue might be, whether it is chronic illness, grief, loss, family concerns, or something unspoken, everyone is broken in some way.

The 5- part sermon series will deal with different forms of brokenness. The goal is to have each sermon be a message that speaks to the hope, to possibilities, and God’s grace in these difficult aspects of life.

Week 4: Gief & Loss,  Scriptures are Psalm 137:1-2 and Mathew 5:1-12.  Additional scripture is Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

Emptying the Box 2020

I am sure you noticed there is a Kleenex box here beside me.

No, I don’t have a cold or plan to get teary;

it does have a purpose that ties to today’s message,

so, for now, here it sits.

Psalm 137 is a song of lament;

the Israelites have suffered,

they have dealt with separation, injustice, loss, and fear:

   ‘we hung up our harps’

No singing or joy.

The Israelites have been in exile in Babylon,

  far from Jerusalem,

  far from home.

Now some have returned to a city in ruins.

They cling to their memories

of what Jerusalem once was,

before.

The Israelites lament as a community,

  sharing their pain,

their torment.

They are grieving their loss.

Grieving a loss….

Loss can be defined in so many ways:

loss of a loved one whether

  from death,

  from someone moving away,

  from a relationship ending,

loss of something that makes us feel secure

  a job,

  a home,

  a routine,

 loss of health,

independence,

time,

ability,

even a loss of faith.

A loss is felt in so many ways:

  sadness,

  anger,

  confusion,

  bewilderment,

  despair.

Where can you and I turn for comfort?

How can we find hope in times of despair?

Comfort for those who mourn is addressed in the Old Testament

in Isaiah 61:

³ to provide for those who mourn in Zion—
    to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
    the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.

It is the work of the Spirit of the Lord.

God’s presence with those in a time of need.

For the Israelites who returned to the ruins of Jerusalem,

Isaiah knows what can be done:

⁴ They shall build up the ancient ruins,
     they shall raise up the former devastations.

God gives hope to those in despair.

In Matthew’s scripture Jesus gives hope.

“Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.”

Comfort, reassurance, solace.

This is just one of the beatitudes mentioned

as part of his Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus addresses issues that cloud hope.

Even in the worst of circumstances, there are blessings:

“Blessed are…

the poor in spirit

the meek

those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

those who are persecuted.”

For every woe, there is a blessing:

  comfort and mercy.

For every separation and isolation, there is presence:

  God is with us.

For every uncertainty, there is assurance:

  children of God.

For every wrong, there is justice:

  a path of forgiveness.

For every doubt, there is hope:

  the kingdom of heaven.

However, when one is in the midst of

discomfort, despair, or doubt,

pandemic, injustice, and fear,

it is hard to see the promise of something better.

That can be when the Kleenex box comes out. {~}

All you and I may want to do is cry.

A few years ago

I spent a fall working as a chaplain.

By the second week, I learned to always have tissues

in my coat pocket.

They were usually for the patients, {~}

who might suddenly tear up

and could not find their tissue box.

Sometimes for a family member, {~}

  who would take the tissue and then wring it in their hands.

And on more than occasion, I needed them. {~}

  I would try not to tear up in a patient’s room,

  but hold myself together

until I could disappear into a stairwell to let it all out.

It is okay to cry. {~}

Jesus wept for his friend Lazarus. {~}

Jesus felt pain and anguish and loss

and reacted in a very human way.

There is

a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Like the beatitudes,

  these words in Ecclesiastes speak of contrast.

They are not phrased as good versus bad,

  not as a solution to a concern,

  only as every day circumstances that are encountered by us.

It does not say if you and I mourn, we will never laugh or

  if one hates, one cannot also love or

  if we are separated from each other,

that we will not again come together or

  if we choose silence,

there are not times when you and I must speak up,

especially in the face of injustice.

Circumstances, whether good or bad,

easy or challenging,

sad or happy

are all part of our lives.

You and I do not laugh at the same time we weep.

There are appropriate times for each;

  each feeling,

  each emotion,

  each moment makes us who we are,

  who God has made us to be.

There are times when you and I feel better after a good cry.

The tension is released,

  the fear is faced,

  the body can give a sigh of relief.

We are assured that during these times we are not alone.

God weeps with us.

God is saddened by what saddens us…

  -a child killed by a random gunfire {~}

  -a young person who died of an overdose {~}

  -an elder separated from family and dying alone {~}

  -those living on the margins {~}

  -anyone in despair. {~}

God weeps with us.

For God is love, grace, and mercy.

For God so loved the world…

On a daily basis we hear so much bad news:

           virus statistics {~}

riots {~}

businesses closing {~}

a shooting, {~}

an act of terrorism, {~}

          abuse, {~}

         injustice, {~}

         loss. {~}

You and I feel these pains as individuals,

we also lament as a community,

gathering together

(even when it can only be via phone, text, or zoom)

we are there to comfort one another,

to share our pain.

We weep. {~} {~} {~} {~}

Even amongst our tears you and I have hope.

God gives comfort,

  presence in our times of distress,

  God does not social distance from us.

Jesus’ example shows us

  the humanity of emotions and the divinity of God’s love.

The Holy Spirit is with us as we gather together in prayer.

In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians he reminds us:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,

give thanks in all circumstances…¹

You and I face difficult times and we live in hope:

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

There will be a point when weeping will be no more:

when there is a new heaven and a new earth,

from Revelations 21:

“See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them;

 he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.”²

{hold up empty Kleenex box}

The box is empty.

It has been useful.

Another box like it will be needed at another time.

Weep when you need to,

laugh when you need to;

know that both are blessings from God.

{~} a Kleenex is pulled from the box.

1 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a

2 Revelations 21:3-4

Benediction:

Philippians 4:4-7

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

⁵ Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.

⁶ Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Faith Journey painting

The question I have been asked most through my discernment of my call to ministry is tell us about your faith journey...


There is a lot to tell, however, I thought it would be interesting to do a painting to represent my faith journey.


Step 1: the labyrinth path.
God's plan which one may not know but God does. A faithful and faith filled path.

Step 2 and 3: The wandering path I always thought I was on (before understanding God's path) and the tree with deep roots grounding and supporting me.

Step 4 and finishing touches: 
A few more details added...a cat (Penny) in the tree, a dog (Beau), branches: both healthy and growing and broken branches (loss, grief, betrayals, disappointments, and sadness).
Some broken branches are on the ground. Others have been placed into a fire.
The Holy Spirit at work. Prayers rise as smoke, lightens in color as it heads heavenward.

To Live in Hope, Not in Fear

Some of the most comforting words from the Bible are: Do not be Afraid.


To Live in Hope, Not in Fear

I choose to live in hope, not in fear.
Hope that shines in the darkness,
  that lights a path;
Hope for what is to come, 
  because of what has been conquered and defeated;
Hope in life for opportunities,
  dreams to be followed.


I choose to live in hope, not in fear.
Caution, common sense, and taking care are good,
  yet, life cannot simply stop.


I choose to live in hope, not in fear.
Hope of face to face encounters
  as distances fade away;
Hope of travel and adventures,
  and scencery beyond our windows;
Hope of going and doing,
  working and worshiping together.


I choose to live in hope, not in fear.
Life on pause may be needed for a moment,
  yet, not to where it damages lives.


I choose to live in hope, not in fear.
Hope for small businesses opening again,
  opportunities for growth amid lessons learned;
Hope for gatherings conferences, reunions,
  enjoying a meal with friends again;
Hope for freedoms, life, liberty,
  and pursuit of happiness.


I choose to live in hope, not in fear.

At Dawn

Easter Sunday April 12, 2020

At Dawn     

Alleluia, Christ is Risen, Alleluia

Three years ago, I was blessed to lead worship on Easter Sunday

at a church in Richmond, VA. 

That sermon was titled With Fear and Great Joy,

and recalled the emotions of the women who arrived at the tomb at dawn.

The women’s emotions were a mix of fear and joy. 

You and I have all felt these same emotions, feeling overwhelmed,

          not knowing whether to run towards something or away from it.

In our current challenging times, we are overwhelmed with emotions.

This Holy Week has been different from all past ones.

However, in an effort to gather in community on this Easter Day,

I have included liturgy of a worship service

(in the reformed tradition of PCUSA).

          The hymns listed are from the Glory to God Hymnal

(Westminster John Know Press © 2013).

Gathering in response to God’s call

Call to Worship                   Psalm 118

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

    his love endures forever.

The Lord is my strength and my defense

    he has become my salvation.

Shouts of joy and victory

    resound in the tents of the righteous:

“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!

I will give you thanks, for you answered me;

    you have become my salvation.

The Lord has done it this very day;

    let us rejoice today and be glad.

Invocation

Almighty God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ you broke the power of death and opened the way to eternal life.

As the empty tomb stands witness to his triumph over death,

make your church to be a bold testimony to his enduring victory in life,

that all we do may proclaim to the world, “He is risen, indeed!”

Through Christ, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit

now and forever. Amen

Hymn        Jesus Christ is Risen Today                    Glory to God #232

Call to Confession

God has opened to us the gates of righteousness that we may enter through them. Confident in God’s love, let us confess our sin.

Prayer of Confession

Lord Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit we have been raised from the waters of baptism to share in your glorious resurrection.

Yet we have not lived as Easter people.

We are unsure of your promise, confused about your will, and afraid in the face of danger. 

Whenever we are tempted to fear death, give us courage to confess your Easter victory.

Whenever we are distracted by petty conflicts, keep our minds on your reconciling love.

Whenever we are overwhelmed by the power of evil, reveal again to us your triumph over the destructive powers of oppression.

Forgive us our sin and let our lives be a testimony to your salvation

through the love of God and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Listen, church:

God who raised Jesus from the dead has not given us over to death.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

The Word proclaimed

Prayer of Illumination

Almighty God, by the power of your Spirit roll away the stone and reveal to us the Word of Life. Amen.

Jeremiah 31:1-6

31 At that time, says the Lord, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.

² Thus says the Lord:
The people who survived the sword
    found grace in the wilderness;
when Israel sought for rest,
³     the Lord appeared to him from far away.
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
    therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
⁴ Again I will build you, and you shall be built,
    O virgin Israel!
Again you shall take your tambourines,
    and go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.
⁵ Again you shall plant vineyards
    on the mountains of Samaria;
the planters shall plant,
    and shall enjoy the fruit.
⁶ For there shall be a day when sentinels will call
    in the hill country of Ephraim:
“Come, let us go up to Zion,
    to the Lord our God.”

Matthew 28:1-10

28 After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. ² And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. ⁴ For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. ⁵ But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” ⁸ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Sermon:     At Dawn

Alleluia, Christ has risen! Alleluia!

Today we celebrate the risen Christ!

Yet, you and I are celebrating differently today:

no sunrise service,

no Easter egg hunts,

no gathering in the church for worship.

All our recent celebrations are being done differently:

          birthdays, graduations, weddings.

Social distancing means no community picnics,

no fellowship lunch, no hugs or passing of the peace.

Some days it can be hard to find reasons for joy, for celebrating;

fear has taken over our lives.

So, let us talk about fear…you and I have our fears;

          snakes, spiders,

loss, illness,

conflict, loneliness,

our fears are plentiful.

Fear is a belief that someone or something is dangerous.

You and I become overwhelmed, anxious, apprehensive;

we yearn to find safety and be protected.

We long to hear the words: Do not be afraid.

What calms us, what comforts us, what makes you and I feel secure?

What can change fear to joy?

Faith, faith in God’s eternal love,

love that did not end with death on a cross,

Jesus risen, resurrected,

Alleluia, Christ has risen! Alleluia!

The 2 Marys began their day with loss and grief,

they were overwhelmed with awe, uncertainty, and fear,

and then the calming words Do not be afraid,

brought amazement and joy and celebration.

A new day was dawning, light was coming into the world,

renewal, revitalization, rejuvenation, restoration.

What had been dark,

what had lurked in the shadows,

where there had been sadness, loss, grief, and fear

was illuminated by God’s love,

God’s risen Son,

Jesus our Savior, conqueror of death and fear.

There may have not been a sunrise service this morning,

but the sun did rise (as we remember the risen Son of God).

The Son who said:

          “I am the light of the world. 

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness

but will have the light of life.”  -John 8:12

Light, dawns, sunrises remind us daily of Easter morning.

What memories do you have of sunrises?

Views from a mountain top, the dawn appearing over the ocean,

          light growing brighter in your own backyard.

The sun awakens us to a new day, new possibilities,

new challenges and opportunities.

Each day brings light into our lives,

light to make things grow,

light to show us the path to follow,

light to shine in our hearts,

light that proclaims the good news of resurrection.

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning,

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.

Up early, the sun slowly dawning,

they not knowing the miracle that was about to happen,

the promised fulfilled.

Jesus’ words lightened their hearts and

they were told to share the message:

          Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid;

go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

The women were the first proclaimers of the good news,

passing on light to the disciples.

As disciples we too can pass on this light.

The good news of God’s love is that we as Christians

must share with others.

God’s eternal love,

love’s own crucified risen light shines.

The tomb is empty!

Jesus has risen!

The light dawns,

Jesus has gone ahead, and his light will lead our way.

Alleluia, Christ has risen! Alleluia!

Affirmation of Faith           from The Confession of 1967 9.53-6[1]

God’s redeeming work in Jesus Christ embraces the whole of man’s life: social and cultural, economic and political, scientific and technological, individual and corporate. It includes man’s natural environment as exploited and despoiled by sin. It is the will of God that his purpose for human life shall be fulfilled under the rule of Christ and all evil be banished from his creation.  Biblical visions and images of the rule of Christ, such as a heavenly city, a father’s house, a new heaven and earth, a marriage feast, and an unending day culminate in the image of the kingdom. The kingdom represents the triumph of God over all that resists his will and disrupts his creation. Already God’s reign is present as a ferment in the world, stirring hope in men and preparing the world to receive its ultimate judgment and redemption.  With an urgency born of this hope, the church applies itself to present tasks and strives for a better world. It does not identify limited progress with the kingdom of God on earth, nor does it despair in the face of disappointment and defeat. In steadfast hope, the church looks beyond all partial achievement to the final triumph of God.   “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Hymn        Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty           Glory to God #35

Lord’s Prayer

Sending forth to serve in the World

Hymn        Be Not Afraid (x3)                                   Glory to God #243

Charge and Blessing

Receive the good news: Christ is risen from the dead.

Tell the good news: the power of death shall no more oppress us.

Live the good news: we are free to love as he has loved us.

May God who raised Jesus from the dead bless you and by the power of the Holy Spirit raise you with him in glory.

Amen.

Beautiful Egg painted 3/28/20

Liturgy from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion Year A

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[1] PCUSA Book of Confessions