Ritual for the New Year

Philippians 4:6

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

1. Start with a 10 - 15 minute time of meditation and prayer in which you set your attention on releasing the old and opening to the new.

2. On a piece of paper, hand write a list of all the things in 2014 that you'd like to let go of. This can include old patterns that don't serve you, grudges or resentments you're hanging on to, fears that hold you back, or circumstances that you'd like to change. It can also include not-useful habits such as eating too much sugar or not exercising. Make sure your list is as complete as possible with everything that didn't work for you in 2014.

3. If it's easy for you to burn the list, then you can do that. If not, you can
tear the list up in many pieces. As you release this list, imagine letting go of the energies that are represented on your list.  Give these worries over to God.

4. Now, on to creation. Make a list of all that you wish to create for yourself in 2015. Include the habits you'd like to embrace, the external circumstances you'd like to create, and the internal experiences you'd like to have (joy, freedom, ease, love, peace, acceptance of all that is, etc.). Be as specific as possible.

5. Read the list aloud (whether you're alone or with others). Speaking it out adds more energy to it. Feel each item as though it's actually happened.  You can also read it as a form of prayer (see #6).

6.  Pray.  And remember the scripture from Philippians 4:6

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

7. Put the list in a special place.

Notice how you feel after doing this ritual

cleansed, lighter, renewed,
 excited about what's ahead.

Merciful God,

We have a desire to let things go,

To give our worries, doubts, and fears over to you.

Let it be as if we have placed them on a stone

which sinks to the bottom of a pond.

Lead us from:    Loneliness to solitude,

  Hostility to hospitality.

  Illusion of control to prayer.

Guide us on our path

and let us embrace the joys you bring our way.

Let it be as a flowing stream,

 always bringing the new possibilities to us.

Thank you Lord.

As we rejoice and pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.






*the 3 movements mentioned in the prayer -Loneliness to solitude, Hostility to hospitality, Illusion of control to prayer, are topics discussed in Henri Nouuwen's book: Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life.

GPS -God Positioning System

Sermon preached at Lake City Presbyterian on December 28, 2014. 
Scripture is Luke 2:22-40.


GPS –God Positioning System

I am someone who is a little behind on technology:

I have no smart phone,
and it took me a little while to relent to needing a laptop,
(which I finally found was necessary in seminary.)

So I am a little behind on technology, which is fine…..

One thing I do have is a GPS
-a global positioning system,
Which has been very helpful when I travel and especially as I navigate Richmond. –it is a good thing.

A Global Positioning System tells you
-where you are,
-where you are going,
-and how to get there.
That is a wonderful thing!

But the GPS I want to talk about today is a little different…
How about the God Positioning System?

God getting you
-where you need to be,
-when you need to be there…….
That is amazing!

The traditional GPS, the one that gets you where you need to go, may occasionally lead you in the wrong direction.
I have accused mine of lying to me……
It will say turn left, when it means turn right…..
It will say destination ahead on right, when I actually passed it in the block behind me….

However, about a year ago, my GPS acted not as a Global Positioning System but as a God Positioning System.

I had a friend, a fellow seminary student, Shannel, who needed to get to the ER.
Another friend, Linda, drove and I grabbed my GPS to navigate.
We knew the large hospital downtown would be crowded and busy and so I looked up hospitals on the GPS…..
I chose one and started directing Linda where to go.

We had gone to one with an un-crowded ER,
We had gone to one where they took Shannel back immediately.
Later, we found out, we had gone to a hospital with one of the best neurosurgeons in Virginia.
We had gone to one that could help Shannel.

So that night,
I knew the GPS satellites that directed us were not in charge…..God was!    

And in our passage today from Luke,
You and I can see that again……
God putting
-the right people
-in the right place
-at the right time.

Mary and Joseph bring the baby Jesus to the temple where they meet Simeon and Anna.

Let us back up just a little, why had Mary and Joseph traveled to the temple in Jerusalem?

They had 2 purposes:
First to redeem Jesus, to present him to the Lord….
"…as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"
It was also the proper time for Mary’s purification, 40 days after giving birth, she can be made clean again.

These tasks were what was expected of them by the law of Moses;
Mary and Joseph were faithful Jews who observed these laws.
Jesus was nurtured in his Jewish tradition.
In this way, Jesus was prepared for his later life,
knowing the laws,
he was able to oppose flawed and hollowed practices in the name of the law of Moses.

In other words, think of the many times
Jesus was able to challenge the Pharisees and scribes because of his knowledge of scripture and law.

So, Mary and Joseph are in the temple doing what is prescribed by law.  This is when the unexpected happens:
"Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple…"
Simeon came by direction of the Spirit.

He is someone described as righteous and devout,
someone who can give honorable testimony.
Simeon recognizes Jesus as and witnesses to Jesus as the long awaited Messiah.

One commentary even suggests that Simeon may have been a priest and perhaps as he took Jesus in his arms,
he took part in the presentation of Jesus to the priests of the temple.
A happy introduction of the priests into acquaintance with the Savior.  

Simeon was not the only one to be placed in a position of witness that day.
There was also the prophetess Anna.

Anna was an elderly widow.
Varying theories says either 84 was her age or 84 years was the amount of time she had been a widow, this would put here at an age above 100;
Either way, Anna was elderly.

She was also pious, she fasted, prayed, and worshiped in the temple and she was knowledgeable in the scriptures,
perhaps even instructing younger women in the things of God.
She praised God and prayed to God,
always in hope of the ‘redemption of Jerusalem’.

Anna was not directed to the temple as Simeon had been; she was always at the temple.
However, she comes to the scene precisely
where and when Jesus is being presented.

Anna’s witness, her testimony is in harmony with that of Simeon’s,
They are both representatives of Israel at its best:
-devout and obedient,
-always in prayer,
-at home in the temple,
-longing and hoping for the fulfillment of God’s promises,
-and being willing to be led by the Holy Spirit.

These two aged saints’ testimonies are for all people to know Jesus.
A testimony from a man and a woman,
so both men and women are invited to believe and that they may be saved.

Simeon speaks of Jesus as not only for the Jews, but for the Gentiles as well:
     "for my eyes have seen your salvation,
       which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
       a light for revelation to the Gentiles and
       for glory to the people of Israel."
Jesus is for all people.
  
As minister Fred Cradock writes in his comentary on Luke, quote…
"Anna and Simeon are a portrait of the Israel
that accepted Jesus;
Those who rejected him misunderstood their own tradition and therefore were not capable of recognizing him
as the continuation of their own best memory and hope."   

For the Israelites hope is joined to memory and God keeping an old promise.
From Luke 24 verse 44, Jesus says
　"Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled."

God put Anna and Simeon where they needed to be, when they needed to be there,
to be able to be witnesses,
to be able to proclaim the good news.

Mary and Joseph were the right people at the right time as well.
They were devout Jews who raised Jesus in the tradions and following the laws of Moses.
Mary and Joseph were not wealthy
or important or powerful……
they returned to rural Nazareth and God’s plan continued:
"The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him."

God puts you and I
       where we need to be,      when we need to be there.
He knows the need:
whether it is to help, to witness, to proclaim….
God is in control.
You and I are part of God’s plan.

And that is true for this church.
Lake City Presbyterian Church is a blessed church.
In Sunday school this morning, several 'saints of the church' were mentioned.....
people who were part of this church family;
those people who God had placed into this fellowship,
to be here  -right place  -tight time,
for reasons to help,
                   to proclaim,
                   to witness.
And the joy of the journey of Lake City Presbyterian Church continues today.

As a faithful people you are going through a transition in searching for a new pastor.
There is hope and faith that God will lead the right person to this place at the right time for both them and for you.   

You are here at this place, at this time
for reasons only God knows……

We are all witnesses to the love of God.
You and I trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
And we proclaim to others by sharing the joy
and spreading the good news of salvation that God brought to us in Jesus Christ.

So as Simeon and Anna were brought to the right place at the right time,
trust that the Holy Spirit is leading you,
with the remarkable God Positioning System.

Harvest of Joy

Sermon for 3rd Sunday of Advent at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville, NC.

A Harvest of Joy

We are here on the 3^rd Sunday of Advent to celebrate joy.                     

Joy is one of my favorite words;

I believe we are all on a joyful journey,

full of surprises, celebrations, challenges, and adventures. 

The journey is filled with love, grace, mercy, and faith, All of it being guided by God.                                                        

The Psalm today is Psalm 126.                

It is referred to as a Harvest of Joy.           

What a place to start the conversation….

The Book of Psalms is a prime place to find joy and thanksgiving,   

                              rejoicing and giving thanks.

Of course, the Book of Psalms also contains psalms of

lament, sadness, and prayers asking for help.

At first glance, Psalm 126 seems to be a very straightforward psalm of praise. 

So let us see how Psalm 126 may lead us into thanksgiving.

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion
we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us,
and we rejoiced.

The Israelites are celebrating their return from captivity in Babylon. 

It seems too good to be true...they are home!

God has ‘restored their fortunes’, they are more than happy, they are joyous!

This is right in line with the dictionary definition of joy:

Intense and especially ecstatic happiness.

Yes, that is a good definition of how the Israelites must have felt. 

Amazed –like being in a dream. 

Filled with Laughter!            Shouting with Joy!

They were ready to praise God and proclaim to all what God had done for them.

 Have you ever experienced that intense feeling? That level of joy?

Let us stop and think a moment about that overwhelming joy….

            This is more than being happy, more than having a good day….this is

            wanting to shout from rooftops, or mountaintops,

            laugh ‘til your side hurts, and

            a desire to share this feeling with everyone you meet.

What makes us joyful? 

How do you and I show joy?

How can we embrace joy?              

We each find joy in our own unique way;

what makes me joyful may be different from what brings you joy.                                     

Let us look at a few ideas:

Joy: may be found with family,

in friendships,

            In celebrating new life,

whether it is a newborn child,

a tail-wagging puppy,

or being surrounded by God’s creation,

In learning, teaching, or discovering,

            In exploring or embarking on an adventure,

In silence,

            In prayer, in solitude, in meditation,

In celebration,

In laughter, in fellowship, in worship.

Joy can be anywhere and anything!                                    ~~~

 However, what about the question of embracing joy?

Do you ever feel guilty when you are happy?

I know I have felt that way sometime…

            How can I be enjoying this gathering when my friend had to work? 

How can I be having a nice evening when a family member is dealing with an illness? 

How can I celebrate while another may be suffering?                            

Let us go back to the Psalm…

The Israelites are overjoyed to have been returned from exile.  But there is more….

Only some of them have returned,

others are still in Babylon, still in exile. 

Those who have returned cannot believe their good fortune,

but they also remember their friends and families who are not yet home.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
    like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears
    reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
    bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
    carrying their sheaves. 

This is a prayer for God to again do great things; restore those who are not there, who are still suffering.

They know God can and will do this! 

They know the power of God!

They have seen how the dry river Negev overflows when the seasonal rains come,

refreshing the waters, giving life anew.                                 

They have experienced the sowing of seeds

in hope of the coming harvest,

and seen the results

in a harvest of sheaves of plenty,

an abundance of blessings.                                  

The Israelites are praying for those who are still suffering;

they know of no other way to help, so they pray.

The people of Israel have seen and experienced God’s blessings on them time after time…

            God’s promises to Jacob when he dreamed at Bethel…

            God being with Moses as he led the Israelites out of Egypt…

            God guiding them through their wanderings in the wilderness…           

They have their faith!

They know what God has done, what he will do!

What are you and I doing in our faith, with our blessings, to show our joy and to help those who are suffering?

Yes, we pray. 

As individuals

            –silently with God, as we are driving to work, when we need a moment in our busy day, 

or when we come here into this sanctuary to pray prayers from the prayer box.                    

As a congregation

            –together with each other, with the prayer of confession, in the prayers of the people, including  the list in the bulletin of those who are in need.                                        

And there is doing.

This congregation does for others. 

The church’s local and global missions aid those in need in our community and those far away. 

            Giving a ‘can when you can’ for Interfaith Assistance Ministry, helping with scholarships to students at Fuenta de Vida in Guatemala, and giving financially to countless local organizations.

As individuals, there are always volunteers.  So many of you work with local organizations –Hospice, The Free Clinics, the Rescue Mission, IAM, Council on Aging, Mainstay, and the list goes on….         

We as the church universal proclaim our joy and our faith in what God has done for us.

            With praise and worship,

            With singing and laughter,

            By praying and  by doing.

We are all blessed.

You and I know the Joy of the Harvest.                             

We are on our journey through Advent.

Psalm 126 is found in the lectionary for both Advent and Lent.  Both are seasons of preparation heading to a time of fulfillment:

            -Advent to Christmas, preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth.

            -Lent to Easter, preparation for the celebration of the resurrection.

The sowing/ the preparation

in the anticipation of hope of the harvest / of  God’s blessings.

And in this journey, when we celebrate Jesus’ birth, we are also looking forward to the fulfillment of Jesus’ life –the resurrection of Easter morning.                       

This is where you and I live now, on this journey,

In this harvest;

            living in the knowledge of what is to come and living in the joy of discipleship.

The joy

Of what God has done for us in the past,

Of our salvation through Christ,

Our doing for others guided by the Holy Spirit,

and we look to the future with joy of what is to come.

Christ is our Harvest of Joy!                

In the Potter's Hands

 This sermon was preached at Lake City Presbyterian Church in Lake City, SC 
   on November 30.2014.
 The scripture passage was Isaiah 64:1-9.


In the Potter’s Hands

Today begins the season of Advent,
    A season of preparation,       
    A season of hope.           
And we have lit the first candle of Advent,
the candle of hope.

This little spark of light is what I want us to ponder today.

    This little spark of light is a beginning, a hope.  

When a little spark is taken
and is passed from candle to candle,
the glow grows…                        
    until…
    there is one bright shining light.               
That bright light begins with one spark,
    one small glow of hope.
           
In our scripture today, we find hope.
The scripture is part of a prayer to God which begins in the previous chapter of Isaiah.
It is a psalter,
    a communal lament,
and we are picking it up in the middle.
In chapter 63, the prayer begins with remembrance of the great things God has done:
    Isaiah 63:7:
“I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord,
    the praiseworthy acts of the Lord,
because of all that the Lord has done for us,
    and the great favor to the house of Israel
that he has shown them according to his mercy,
    according to the abundance of his steadfast love.”

Then Isaiah brings in the Israelite’s current situation.
The Israelites are in despair; they are in exile in Babylon.
God’s people had to sit down and think and pray and imagine in a new way that they could be faithful in their circumstances of the exile.
They know what great deeds God has done for them in the past and they know what He can do for them in their present situation and in the future.
They put their hope in God. 

The people of Israel wanted God to show His power and His might.
“O that you would tear open the heavens and come down,
    so that the mountains would quake at your presence—as when fire kindles brushwood
    and the fire causes water to boil—
to make your name known to your adversaries,
    so that the nations might tremble at your presence!”

In Isaiah’s time, the Israelites were looking for a divine warrior to ‘come down’.
They wanted someone to save them;
    “….so the nations might tremble at your presence!”

God’s response is in the following chapters of Isaiah:
    Isaiah 65:17-19
“For I am about to create new heavens
    and a new earth;
the former things shall not be remembered
    or come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever
    in what I am creating;
for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy,
    and its people as a delight.
 I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
    and delight in my people;
no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it,
    or the cry of distress.”
The Lord responded. 
The Israelites went home to Jerusalem.

In Jesus’ time, the people were again looking
for a divine warrior,
a Messiah,
someone to take charge,
to fight Rome,
to bring vengeance on their enemies,
someone to save them.

But who did God send?  
  
Not a warrior, yet, a savior. 
Not a king to make war against Rome,
but a prince of peace.
God sent a light into the darkness of their lives;
a spark of hope.

One light, breaking through the darkness;
the brightest spark shinning from the deepest darkness.

As we read in the first few verses of The Gospel of John:
“What has come into being in him was life,and the life was the light of all people.  
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”

So why was this God’s response?
    -back to Isaiah:
“Yet, O Lord, you are our Father;
    we are the clay, and you are our potter;
    we are all the work of your hand.”

You and I are God’s creation!

God is our caring and loving parent.
Our creator.
Let us look at this image of God, Isaiah uses –the potter.
Have you seen a potter crafting an object,
a vase, perhaps?
The lump of clay is taken
        and centered, on a wheel.
Water is slowly added
        as strong hands guide the clay,
                    molding the clay,
                shaping it.
The clay is stretched and grown as it builds up,
into a form.
There is careful guidance,
    there is patience,
    there is love,
and a form, a vase, is created.

God is our potter:

“the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground,
and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;
and the man became a living being”

God is our creator.
You and I have a caring and merciful God.
We have a God who loves us.
This is why God sent to us a prince of peace, a savior.

God responded to the Israelites in exile…
God responded to the people in Jesus’ time…
And God responds to us today.

There have been the occasions when you and I
have prayed with hope in our hearts asking something of God.
Also you and I have learned,
    yes, God answers all prayers,
    however, His answer is not always yes.
        Sometimes it is no.
        Sometimes it is not now.
    And sometimes it is God has a better plan.
So no, no divine warrior to answer Israel’s pleas;
    No, no one king to make war against Rome.
Yes, a savior.

God sent hope.
Not a conqueror, but a teacher.
God’s love and mercy for His creation is shown
    in the spark of light of Jesus Christ.
The hope in the darkness –the light to shine,
    the little spark that begins renewal, salvation, and
    the bright light of hope.

We have welcomed Advent, a time of expectant watching. 
We are watching and we are waiting. 
In this time of anticipation and preparation,
be alert to God’s presence among us.   
Watch as the light as it grows brighter each week. 
Embrace the hope, peace, joy and love of the season. 
Shine your light to others.            
And look to the fulfillment of the hope
of the birth of God’s son,
who is our Redeemer and our Savior.
Through his, resurrection, light has overcome all darkness.

Amen.                                       

As we mourn....for my friend Shannel

As we mourn….


Hold her in your hand, O Lord.
Put your hand upon our shoulder,
Let us weep and mourn our friend;
A friend of generous heart and faith,
Who touched the lives of all she knew.


Let tears flow as memories come
Of smiles, laughter, and sunny days,
Of hugs, support, and crying times,
Of hope and faith.


Hold her in your heart, O God.
Help wipe our tears away,
Let us celebrate the joy of our friend;
One whose light shines anew,
And watches what we now do.


Let faith and hope appear again
In plans that only you do know,
And in the grace and peace you give,
Guide us in our journeys onward still.


Bless Shannel, O Father, as we mourn.
We know, she is in your light.


And once again in time to come,
We will see our friend again.


We pray in your Son’s name, Jesus Christ,
The resurrection and the light.


Amen.

It is not about the Food

These are a few thoughts that came to me this morning as I was thinking about what the joy of fellowship and the gift of hospitality looks like, specifically in the context of seminary life.

An alternate title could be 'Why I think potlucks are Good'.

It’s not about the food:

We have fellowship as a community when we share communion in chapel on Wednesday.  We are sharing our faith as disciples.

As we are to become ministers, pastors, chaplains, and teachers, we need to know fellowship with others who are also on this journey.  Our fellow students will be part of our support system as we journey beyond these walls and into our individual ministries.

Therefore we need opportunities of time to gather together.  These are times to meet and join with others beyond who we are in class with, who our study buddy is, and who you and I always hang out with everyday.  These are opportunities for growth of individual self, of new friendships, and growth in our pastoral skills.

Everyone needs to eat.  And potlucks that may seem old fashioned, are a great way to gather and share hospitality.  There is generosity in the act of cooking more than you as individual needs.  There is greeting each other in a casual setting and learning something new about our neighbors.

A way to enliven conversations may be to have 3 unique questions placed on each table; questions that could motivate fun discussions or new ways of learning about each other.  Encourage people not to sit with only the people they know (if you brought dessert tonight sit at table 2/is your name has an ‘m’ in it sit at table 4).

It is not about the food, it is about building community through fun, fellowship, and faith.

Hebrews 13:2

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.

The First Step

The First Step

To begin a journey, there are always those first steps. We all have seen a baby take her first steps. Usually a little wobbly 2 or 3 steps are taken, followed by a sudden sit down. After trying a few times, before you know it there is a toddler walking then running and a new world has opened up to them.
Today’s scripture is about taking a first step. Peter, the disciple who was always curious and eager, wanted to walk on the water to Jesus. When Peter gets out of the boat he can be seen

as impulsive,
as a risk taker,
as crazy or brave, or
as someone having faith in Jesus.
So why did Peter get out of the boat? In Matthew 14:28-29 Peter says "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said "Come."  Was peter looking for proof that it was Jesus coming towards then and not a 'ghost'?

There are a few things we need to look at in context and with a viewpoint of the times.

The disciples were in the boat alone, in the night with the wind against them. This was a frightening situation. The disciples who had always been with Jesus, were separated from him. Emanuel, ‘God with us’ was not with them. In Biblical thought the sea is a force of chaos which is held at bay in the creative act of God. The sea is an image of death that threatens the goodness of life. And in this case it is the sea that separates the disciples from Jesus; Jesus representing the presence of God.

But then Jesus comes in the latest and darkest part of the night, walking on the sea. Can you see this image? The disciples in the dark, alone, and afraid. And then they see Jesus walking on the sea and they are terrified, thinking it is a ghost.
The word used here for ghost is fantasma phantom) meaning an apparition or specter. The disciples feared because in their minds it could be a demon, a spirit, or a trickster. For how could it be Jesus? That is why Peter says "Lord, if it is you".

It is not a ghost. It is Him! Jesus is the one who overcomes the power of chaos! Peter got out of the boat because he obeyed Jesus’ summons "Come". Peter trusted Jesus.
 So why did he sink? Was it doubt or fear? Or was it that Peter’s focus shifted from Jesus to his circumstances?
Peter noticed the wind and became frightened. He had a moment of doubt. But what did Peter do in his moment of fear? He cried out, "Lord, save me!"
And Jesus responded. "Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him". Jesus was there. Peter knew he could depend on Jesus. Peter knew Jesus would save him. Peter’s moment of doubt was in his circumstances, not in Jesus’ power. Peter exercised his faith by calling out for Jesus’ saving help even as he was falling.

So the amazing part of this story for me is not that Jesus walked on the water or that Peter walked on the water; it is that Peter knew he could cry out for help and knew Jesus was there to help.
Jesus has authority over all creation so what can hurt us without His permission. As we venture out in faith, we can trust that Jesus will be with us. As you and I walk through this world, we need not fear, because He walks with us.
Peter’s life long story emphasizes for us the astonishing grace and gentle restoring power available in Jesus. You and I know none of us have failed so many times that God cannot use us for His purposes.
So what keeps us ‘in the boat’ or causes us to ‘sink’? Are there doubts,

is it fear of failure, or
fear of standing alone, or
a sense of inadequacy?
What can keep you and I from taking a first step? The toddler learning to walk, keeps trying for that first step. That first step can lead
to adventure,
to change,
to new discoveries, or
to the beginning of a joyful journey.

I have experienced a few frightening first steps in my joyful journey. A few years ago I did a zip line for the first time. This was a line higher in the air than I am usually comfortable with, that stretched out over a lake. As I took that step off the platform onto nothing, every part of me was screaming ‘this is wrong" and "what are you doing". And for the first half of the trip across the lake you could hear me scream. But then I realized I was safe, I had an incredible view, and it was going to be over way too quickly.
 It was an adventure. It was a risky first step.  But it led to joy.
The other big first step I had only 2years ago.

I responded to God’s call. I had been praying for direction and guidance to know if seminary was the path I should take. It wasn’t Jesus summoning saying ‘come’, it was more of a whisper of God saying ‘yes’. It was a first step, I had to respond; it was my first step on this joyful journey.
Where can a first step lead? Where is God leading you as an individual and as a congregation to step out of your comfort zone and walk with Him? God is with us on our journeys. Jesus will never leave you, no matter your circumstances.
In our Old Testament reading Elijah is called to take a first step and return to the wilderness of Damascus. He has to take that first step because even though he has run to Horeb to escape possible death, he needs to return to his journey, his path, his service to God. And God shall guide him and send others to help.
God was with Elijah. Just as Jesus reached out to save Peter. And as you and I know we are not alone on our journeys. All we need to do is take that first step.

Let us pray...
God, we thank you for your guidance.

Let us be open to listen to your call, to know that we are not alone on our joyous journey.

Give us the courage to take the first steps in the opportunities you put before us.

In your son’s Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

Benediction:
May JOY and nothing less guide you on your way.
May you be blessed; may you be a blessing.
May light, love's own crucified risen light,
guide you and countless others out of every darkness
all the way home.
(Thanks to Professor Carson Brisson for the words of benediction.)

An Invitation to Praise

 
This is the text of the sermon from this morning.  The sermon came from Psalm 105:1-11, 45b.  Supporting scripture included Psalm 100, Romans 8:26-39, and Luke 1:46-55.


"An Invitation to Praise"

I have not heard a lot of sermons preached on the Psalms. I wanted to preach from one to learn more about the Book of Psalms. For many people Psalms is a favorite book of the Bible. Every child learns the 23^rd Psalm and can easily recite it. People have favorite Psalms:

Psalm 24:9 "Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in."
Psalm 100:1 "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth."
Psalm 121:1-2 "I lift up my eyes to the hills—　from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."
Those are a few of my favorites.

A few things you may already know about the psalms. Many of them are psalms of David. This was David’s way of praising God.
Psalms were sung, and we have hymns today based on the psalms.
Various psalms were written before, during, or after the time of Exile in Babylon.

So some psalms give thanks and praise,
other psalms recount a story, usually an event of importance,
some psalms were used as part of liturgy as we use a psalm for our call to worship,
and some were psalms of lament and asking for God’s mercy.

Let’s look at Psalm 105. This is a historical psalm, it is retelling Israel’s story. It is a hymn used to educate. This is a wonderful way of passing along the knowledge of what has come before, a way of defining who the people of Israel have been, who they are, and who they will be. It tells of God’s faithfulness to Israel.

Psalm 105 is a song of praise. The first verses are an invitation to praise and the following verses give the reasons God should be praised. So the first 6 verses of this psalm are the invitation to praise.

In the scripture from Luke, Mary is in celebration and using a psalm-like song of praise. She is expressing her joy and praising God. If we look at Mary's magnificat, the first 2 verses can be seen as an invitation to praise, and then in the following verses she is giving her reasons for praise. She recalls the same covenant that God made with Abraham.
"... the promise He made to our ancestors,
　　　　to Abraham and to his descendants forever."

And Jesus is the new covenant who is not only for Israel, but for all people. God is faithful!

In verse 10 of Psalm 105 it refers to the covenant as an everlasting covenant. God is faithful!

Those first 6 verses in Psalm 105 as I mentioned were the invitation to praise. And our call to worship is our way of entering into a holy time. A time not to be worried about the concerns of life. Worship is a time to give thanks for what God has done for us, what He is doing through us, and knowing in our faith what God will continue to do in his loving mercy.

Think for a moment on how you and I give our thanks and praise to God.                                                                          (pause)

Praising God can be done through so many different ways:
-in our everyday lives
            as we drive down the road in our cars and have                                       conversations with God
           or through meditations and spiritual practices
-in worship
            as we sing and read scriptures.
-when we are in prayer
            whether alone or praying together with one voice.
-when we are in fellowship with others
            whether in a church or somewhere together doing
                    God's work.
  
All of this can be done no matter where we are.

The 3 things I brought up in the children’s sermon:

being in God’s creation
sharing your happiness
knowing God I gave simple examples for the children, but what could be the adult actions?

1) being in God’s creation
-enjoying life
-letting go of worry
-noticing the little things and knowing God will take care of the big things

2) sharing your happiness / sharing your faith with others
-reaching out to your neighbor
-reaching out to those in need
-being a volunteer or involved in mission

3) knowing God
-studying scripture
-devotionals and prayer
-being part of a community of fellowship

In Shirley Guthrie's book Christian Doctrine there is a quote which relates to this community of fellowship. And it has stuck with me from the first time I read it a few years ago.
'The Bible was written for a community of people -Israel in the Old Testament and the church in the New Testament. You cannot be a Christian by yourself, you can only be a Christian together with other Christians who serve God in the world.'
Think about what this community of fellowship can mean. What is together?

Things done when churches come together through organizations like Essex Churches Together.
And things that are discussed in an individual congregation as it discerns how to reach out to the un-churched of the local community?

The people of Israel were given an invitation to praise God. In some translations of Psalm 105 verse 4 says "to seek His face"; the NRSV has "seek His presence continually". I like them both but the wording of 'seek his face' seems to me a more personal relationship to God.
The commentaries say this means a way to approach God in worship. And to seek God is to trust one's existence to God. It's faith.

The invitation to praise God is the opportunity being given to join in as public witness of God's deeds. There is a song by a friend of mine, Anne Trufant. The song is called 'We Will Stand' and the lyrics I want to share with you are:
We will pray and do whatever we are called to do,
And we will stand for what is right and hold to what is true.
We will set our face like flint to do His will.
We will move when Jesus moves us,
or we will praise him standing still.

So I am going to end with an invitation to praise. An invitation of opportunity. Give glory to God and praise Him by doing anything that brings more
happiness,
celebration,
abundance,
grace,
self-esteem,
courage,
spontaneity,
beauty, and peace to others.

Amen.


audio:  https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108288011/Leah_Sermon_7_27_2014.mp3

Celebrating being a Child of God -a children's sermon

This children's sermon was inspired by a 'certificate' I got when I was a camp counselor at Camp Glen Arden in North Carolina back in the summer of 1990.  "A Certificate to the Right to Play" and officially be a member of "The Society of Child-like Persons".


As I was working on the adult sermon "An Invitation to Praise", I was looking at the ways we praise God.  Then thinking about how children praise God, I found wonderful insights in this piece of paper from so many summers ago.


How we all can celebrate being a child of God.

1) being in God’s creation -enjoying the outdoors

  -walk in the rain/look for rainbows

  -smell the flowers

  -watch the butterflies, squirrels, or chipmunks

2) share your happiness

  -dance   -sing   -laugh

  -make friends

3) knowing God –like having a friendship with God

  -hear the Bible stories

  -pray to God –talking to God and God listens

  -learn about Jesus
     (Luke 18:16) But Jesus called for them and said, "Let the little children come to me,
        and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs."


Prayer
Dear God, Thank you for the good things you give us. We love our family and friends, we enjoy the beautiful world you created with all the animals, trees, and flowers. We gives thanks to you as we play, laugh, and sing. And thank you God for sending us Jesus and we are so happy to be a child of God.
     Amen

The Inescapable God

Prayer of Confession

Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob forgive us. We confess our brokenness to you.We try and fail in our everyday lives in living up to the promises you have given us. In our hearts we know you are always with us, but our actions do not always proclaim it. Grant us your forgiveness and guide us in your mercy to live a life of joy that leads us to be in your eternal presence. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.


This is the text of the sermon from this morning.  The sermon came from Genesis 28:10-19a.  Supporting scripture included Psalm 139:1-12, Hebrews 11:1-3,8-12, and Luke 15:25-32.


"The Inescapable God" 


When I first read a scripture, especially a familiar one, I see a topic and think that is what I want to preach on. But then I study the scripture, read some commentaries, and change directions a little. "Oh, that is the real message of the scripture!" Then there is digging just a little deeper and other scriptures come into play. Finally I am at a completely unforeseen idea for the sermon.

I love this process, because I am discovering something new to me and I can’t wait to share that with you. So I am going to briefly take you on my journey with this Genesis passage.
 
What is going on? Why is Jacob on the road to Haran? 
What comes before this passage? Jacob has stolen his older brother’s birthright and blessing and is on the run from big brother Esau. Family conflict or maybe sibling rivalry -that could be the topic. Problems between siblings are all through the Bible from Cain and Abel to the prodigal son story. 
That must be the topic. 
But wait, no, what is happening in these specific verses?
Jacob’s dream, dream interpretation, what is the meaning of his dream? What symbols and hidden meanings can be discovered? 
No –not the direction to go. You may ask why not? It is because the dream, the fact that Jacob is dreaming, is not the important point. God is communicating with Jacob.
Yes, God communicates through many different ways and dreams are one of those ways, but the focus should not be the how, but what is being said, being promised. 
The angels, the ladder to heaven are all background, God appearing to Jacob and what he says is the focus.
First we do need to review Jacob’s current situation. 

He has deceived his father Isaac, stolen his brother Esau’s birthright and blessing, and has been encouraged to go on the run by his mother. Now instead of enjoying his newly acquired blessing, leading the family, and having his inheritance, Jacob is homeless and alone. 
He is in trouble and God can help; however, Jacob does not go seeking God. God comes to Jacob.
God does not abandon Jacob or withdraw the covenant made with Jacob’s family through Abraham because of Jacob’s less than honorable conduct. Instead God comes to Jacob in the dream. God is there! 
God addresses all of Jacob’s anxieties he carries in his heart.

Jacob is homeless and lonely; he will possess land and have numerous offspring.

Jacob is estranged from his family; he will not only have a family but will be the source of blessings for all families.

Jacob is on the run, from his family and from the consequences of his actions but he cannot run from God.

Jacob caries uncertainty of his tenuous status in the eyes of God. Yet there is assurance that God will be with him.


As we look at Psalm 139 which we read in our Call to Worship, you and I know God knows us!
"You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away."
Jacob may be on the run, but he cannot escape God. God knows Jacob.

"You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways."God knows what Jacob has done; He knows Jacob is a trickster, a deceiver. Just as God knows we are sinners. Yet, God is always with us. Wherever we go God is there!

"Where can I go from your spirit?  Or where can I flee from your presence?"
God is inescapable. We do not hide from God, you and I are always in the presence of God.
In verses 13-15 in Genesis, God gives to Jacob an unconditional promise which includes 8 things:

-land "the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring;"

-many descendants "and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth,"

-generations spread throughout the land "and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south;"

-extension of blessings to others through him "and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring."

-God’s presence "Know that I am with you"

-God’s keeping "and will keep you wherever you go,"

-homecoming "and will bring you back to this land;"

-not leaving. "for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

This is God’s unconditional promise to Jacob. God is not asking something of Jacob. He is not putting restrictions or requirements on this promise. God made this merciful and gracious action toward Jacob. God spoke to Jacob!
The father in the parable of the prodigal son is an example of God’s love for us. God forgives and rejoices. Our brokenness is taken by God and with unconditional love, promises are given.
Even when you and I feel separated from God, that is us, because God is always with us. ‘Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go.’
When Jacob awakens from the dream, the scripture says he was afraid, but he was also in awe, he was amazed and joyous.
"Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!"
God was there!God can be counted on to be faithful. Jacob need no longer wonder about God. God is a promise keeper and Jacob must be also.
God was with Jacob.  
God is with you and me. Wherever we go, whatever the situation, God is there! He does not abandon us,
desert us,
or leave us. God is there!
Through loneliness, despair, illness, challenges, and trials –God is there!
God knows us!
God loves us!
You and I are always in God’s presence!  And knowing this I feel (and hope you feel as well) as amazed and joyous as Jacob when he awoke from his dream at Bethel.
Amen.


audio:  https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108288011/Leah_Sermon_7_20_2014.mp3