Saturday, December 27, 2014

Christmas Eve Worship

We had a beautiful worship service on Wednesday evening, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.  There was plenty of music, candles, and decorations to mark the occasion.  Also, drawing on the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 (and on a couple of themes we have explored this fall in Godsway 66), I suggested one of the identities of Jesus as a "Son of David, Son of Abraham."

You can listen to the meditation here.  You can also listen to the related Communion meditation and the closing benediction.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

December 14 Worship - "2 Kings - The Decline and Fall of the House of David"

On Sunday, we gathered for a beautiful Advent service on a warm and cloudy December morning.  We also continued our journey along Godsway 66, focusing on the final years of the Jewish monarchy described in 2 Kings.  While this is a book filled with examples of the kings and leaders consistently disappointing God and demonstrating repeated faithlessness, there are a couple of examples of faithful leadership.

In particular, I focused on the reforms instituted by King Josiah in the southern kingdom of Judah.  He banished all worship of false gods from the kingdom and commanded that Passover be celebrated for the first time in centuries.  These actions were not enough to stop the ultimate conquest of Judah by the Babylonian empire, but they laid the groundwork for the survival of Jewish faith even after the kingdom's demise by emphasizing study of the holy writings and keeping specific religious festivals.  These have been the hallmark of faith for 2500 years since, and through Jesus are key pieces of our faith too.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to the Communion meditation and the closing benediction.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

December 7 Worship - "1 Kings - A Tale of Two Kingdoms"

On Sunday, we enjoyed a beautiful Advent worship service, complete with a special solo.  Then we continued the Godsway 66 trip through the Bible, considering the book of 1 Kings.  There are three main things to consider in this book: the construction of the Temple, the division of Israel into two kingdoms, and the prominence of prophets as moral authorities in place of a line of disappointing kings.

Of the most lasting significance is the Temple, dedicated by King Solomon, who recognized that it could not be the earthly dwelling place of God but hoped it could be a focal point for faith in God.  Particularly, he prayed that the people could return to the Temple and pray to God after a period of time in which they had strayed from faith in God.  The Temple gave the people an identity that has remained for 2500 years, through even the hardest times.

On the other hand, the northern kingdom of Israel lacked such a strong piece of identity as the Temple (though they tried to establish a religious center at Shechem).  Instead, their strongest identity seemed to be negative -- they weren't Judah (the prominent tribe around Jerusalem).  However, they lacked other strong positive things about which to share an identity.  It is not a coincidence that the northern kingdom was captured decades before Judah and that the people had no way to regroup after their defeat.  The northern tribes were scattered and lost.  The southern tribes in Judah managed to create a new identity as Jews during and after their exile in Babylon.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to the Communion meditation and the closing benediction.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Prayer for Mission in Mozambique

This week we pray for Kim and Erik Free, our missionaries to Mozambique.  Kim provides medical training and support for women's empowerment projects, and Erik serves as a local pastor and teaches agricultural skills.

You can read more about the mission to Mozambique here, including a reminder of the important role of the church in a poverty-stricken country that is rebuilding after war.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

A Church to Believe In

Part of our current church culture is dealing with membership decline in the majority of congregations.  While some congregations are growing, most people arrive for worship on Sunday morning (or another time) and wonder where all of the people are.  And most eventually wonder if we should do something different to attract more people.

As a pastor, I am aware of this.  My colleagues talk about it; religious magazines offer huge numbers of articles about it.  What can we do -- what should we do -- to attract more people and spread the Gospel.

Frankly, I've gotten tired of it.  I know I can't avoid the issue, but I think we are focusing on the wrong thing.  I am less interested in how to raise numbers than in how to impact the lives of the people already in the pews AND how a congregation can impact the lives of people not in the pews.  To me, this is the most important ministry of the church always, and it is how I measure our success as a congregation, rather than obsessively worrying about weekly attendance numbers.

So, I was delighted to read an article this week about a rural congregation that is having a large impact on the lives of people in their community and on the lives of the people in the pews.  While small in number (in fact, some people would suggest that this congregation consider closing or merging with another), they have a vibrant ministry.  We need more congregations like this, rather than more that are worried about attendance (in my humble opinion).

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

November 30 Worship - "2 Samuel - Bless This House"

On Sunday, we resumed our Godsway 66 adventure, focusing on the reign of King David.  In particular, we focused on a couple of issues that have huge impacts on the legacy of David's leadership for Jewish history thereafter (even through the present day).

One of the most important images of 2 Samuel is of "house" -- David wants to build God a house (the Temple) and God, in return, blesses David by establishing a dynasty of rulers over Israel (the House of David).  Eventually, David's son Solomon would build the Temple and David's heirs would be kings, but not everything worked out "happily ever after."  David's successors proved a mixed lot, and they also inherited some of his lesser tendencies, which ultimately led to the failure of the kingdom (actually kingdoms, but that is a story for 1 and 2 Kings).

In some ways, David's story is one of dreams and hard realities.  Some of David's dreams were passionate and faithful, but they were balanced by the lesser parts of his character (his tendency to violence and his relationship with Bathsheba).  And both of these things had a large impact on Jewish history after him.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to the related Communion meditation and the closing benediction.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

November 9 Worship: "1 Samuel - Kings and Princes"

On Sunday, we continued our journey along Godsway 66 into 1 Samuel, the beginning of the history of the Jewish monarchy.  The first part tells how the Israelites demanded a king, likely after the chaos of the period of the Judges, especially in figuring out who would take power after a tribal leader died.

However, the prophet Samuel gives God's response to this request -- you don't really understand what you're asking for.  A king would place huge demands on the people, money and manpower needed to provide for both the military and the royal household.  Still, God accepts the Israelites' desire and guides Samuel to a man who looks and acts like a king, Saul.

After some initial success, Saul falls short.  He becomes too enamored with power -- thinking himself almost a god.  And he becomes desperate to maintain that power, even to the point of seeing potential threats everywhere.  Interestingly, Saul's successor will not be one of his sons, but will be another man hand-chosen by God -- David.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to the Communion meditation and the closing benediction.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

November 2 Worship: "Ruth - Gaming the System"

On Sunday, we continued our Godsway 66 journey through the beautiful book of Ruth, which tells the story of King David's great-grandmother.  I focused on the three main characters: the widow Naomi, her now-widowed daughter-in-law Ruth, and Naomi's distant relative Boaz.  Eventually, Ruth and Boaz will marry; however, all three people have to work outside of social customs for this to occur.  Ruth has to stay with her mother-in-law, rather than return to her family.  Both women have to throw themselves on the mercy of a distant relative to survive.  Ruth has to use her feminine wiles to attract Boaz' attentions.  Boaz has to maneuver in order to be able to marry Ruth.

Usually, we have a bad image of people "gaming the system" -- thinking that they are just looking for unfair and undeserved advantages.  However, in Ruth, these three people are trying to work around the system for good reasons.  As Christians, living in a sinful world, we too have to find ways to work around some of the broken systems around us too -- even if some of our systems are less awful than those of the ancient world.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to the Communion meditation and the closing benediction.

Also, you can listen to the a cappella version of "Poor Wayfaring Stranger" that I sang during Sunday's offering.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

October 26 Worship: "Judges - A Wondrous Jawbone"

On Sunday, we concluded our celebration of the Month of the Ministry by honoring our worship greeters and our Director of Music, Renee Zimmerman.  There also was a time of appreciation for my ministry, which was touching.  I am so grateful for my ministry at Eastgate, where we are serious about growing in our faith, about loving each other, and about serving beyond ourselves.

In the sermon, we continued our Godsway 66 journey, entering the time of the Judges in Israel -- between the leadership of Moses and Joshua and the first king, Saul.  This was a period of charismatic leadership, when influential tribal leaders rose to prominence and authority in the entire nation.  A couple of these people's names still echo through the centuries -- Gideon and Samson.  Samson is especially famous for his strength, which made people eager to follow him.

The problem with charismatic leadership is that there is no check on where these people might lead, which created problems for the Israelites (as such leadership still creates today, even with our systems of checks and balances).  The opportunity, though, is that these people could get certain things done quickly, with no established system to get in the way.  However, relying on such leadership can be disorienting, especially when the leader dies and leaves a vacuum -- which is why the Israelites demanded a king.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to the related communion meditation and the closing benediction.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

October 19 Worship - "Joshua - ... One Step Back"

On Sunday, we continued our Month of the Ministry by publicly thanking those who serve in administrative leadership at Eastgate: our board officers, ministry and committee chairs, and those who account for financial giving.  We also highlighted some of our current giving campaigns, including the special collection to "Re-leave Tall Oaks," our regional camp and conference center.

We also entered a new leg of our Godsway 66 journey, beginning our study of the Jewish histories with the story of Joshua and the conquest of the Promised Land.  From the famous battle of Jericho on, the Israelites cross the Jordan River (miraculously) and capture and take possession of city after city.  Despite all of this success, though, the Israelites seem to have been distracted from God -- sometimes even worshiping other gods.  At the end of his life, Joshua pleads with the Hebrews to keep the faith by not getting distracted.

Of course, we have not witnessed all of the miracles that these Israelites did.  But many of us have benefited from a lifetime of blessings -- and yet as a culture we seem to have lost our faith.  As Joshua urged the Hebrews, we need to stop turning away from God, but reclaim and proclaim our faith in God.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to the related Communion meditation and the closing benediction.

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Prayer for Mission in Kenya

This week we pray for Joel Cooper, our missionary to Kenya.  Joel serves as a Global Mission Intern with Church World Service in East Africa.

You can read more about the mission to Kenya here, including stories of people who are determined to survive even in overwhelmingly difficult circumstances.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

October 12 Worship - "Deuteronomy - With All Your Might"

On Sunday, we continued our Month of the Ministry celebration by honoring those who serve as nursery assistants, Sunday School teachers, Children Worship & Wonder storytellers and greeters, and our large group of property, maintenance, and lawn care volunteers.  We also promoted our "Re-Leaving Tall Oaks" collection to provide additional support to the camp and conference center of the Christian Church in Greater Kansas City.

We also continued our journey along Godsway 66, concluding five weeks reading the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.  With Deuteronomy, we discover a retelling of the story of the time of the Israelites during the wilderness years after slavery in Egypt.  While Exodus seems more interested in presenting God's miraculous liberation of the Hebrews from slavery, Deuteronomy focuses more on the inner salvation that the Hebrews need to experience before inhabiting the Promised Land.  Part of this faith in God is to be exhibited in love and devotion, as described in the 6th chapter.

In some ways, the people needed to learn how not to be slaves.  But God worries that without a proper relationship with God (which would include having some appreciation for God's perspective on human life), the Israelites would start thinking that their good fortune in the Promised Land was about their work and not about God's providing it.  Worse, losing sight of this would allow them to start mistreating other people around them too, because they would think too highly of themselves.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to the closing benediction here.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

October 5 Worship - "Numbers - The Complaint Department"

We celebrated World Communion Sunday at Eastgate over the weekend, joining with other congregations around the world in gathering at the Lord's Table and celebrating the wideness of Christian expression and influence throughout the world.  Also, Rev. Sara Wilcox was visiting with us this weekend, and it was exciting for her to serve at the communion table as part of this celebration (which gave me the happy excuse to sing during communion too).  We also began our month-long celebration of ministry by publicly thanking the elders, deacons, and leaders of the Disciples Women for their service this year.

In the sermon, we continued our journey along Godsway 66, exploring the book of Numbers.  This book, which details a complete census of the tribes of Israel, also offers insight into a time of frustration for the Hebrews while they are still in the wilderness, waiting to enter the Promised Land.  In particular, the group complains about the lack of food -- only manna to eat, nothing else -- and even imagines it would be worth being slaves in Egypt again, just for some other food to eat.

I suggested that these were the teenage years for the Israelites, when they were experiencing some growing pains.  In particular, I said that while their frustrations were valid, they still had things to learn -- or unlearn -- before they would be ready to claim the Promised Land.  They had to stop thinking of themselves as slaves, and they needed to learn how to live together freely and peacefully.  This can make us wonder what we might have to learn in times when we just seem to be waiting anxiously for the next thing in our lives.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

September 28 Worship - "Leviticus - Holy People"

On Sunday, we continued our Godsway 66 journey into the book of Leviticus.  Filled with detailed laws about ritual sacrifice and descriptions of things ritually clean and unclean, this book of Torah can seem long and unnecessary.  Certainly, many of its instructions are out of date -- but the underlying lesson is still vital to our faith.  The point of the instructions seems to be made explicit at the opening of Leviticus 19 -- the Israelites are to be a holy people, living in ways pleasing to God, who is holy.

This is a radical idea.  So often we believe that our faith is meant only to point out our sinfulness -- how many mistakes we make and how far we fall short of God's expectations.  But the purpose of learning about our imperfection is not to make us feel guilty, but to point us toward a different way of living and being -- to point us too toward a life that is holy.  We may not worry about the finer points of unclean foods and ritual sacrifice, but God wants us to make deep commitments to our faith and to live in ways that make us more like God's co-workers than God's lowly subjects.

If you missed the sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to Sunday's communion meditation and closing benediction.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Prayer for Mission in Jordan

This week we pray for Ariel Royer, our missionary to Jordan.  Ariel is a Global Mission Intern who serves as an assistant for refugee response and communications with the Orthodox Initiative, Jordan.

You can read more about the mission to Jordan here, including a reflection on the dreams of children that point toward a better future in troubled communities.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

September 21 Worship: "Exodus - Behold God's Mighty Hand"

On Sunday, we continued our journey along Godsway 66 focusing on the second book of Torah, Exodus.  After opening with God speaking to Moses from the holy ground of a burning bush, we focused on God's power to save and protect through our songs, prayers, and the sermon.

The sermon drew its main inspiration from the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground.  The theme of God's miraculous power to save resounds throughout Exodus, in both dramatic and subtle ways as the chosen people are transformed from slaves in Egypt to God's free people traveling toward the Promised Land.  The challenge is to see God's salvation, especially subtle and patient salvation, in our own lives.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to Sunday's Communion meditation and closing meditation.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Prayer for Mission in Hungary

This week we pray for Zoltan and Barbara Szucs, our missionaries to Hungary.  Zoltan serves as a practical theology professor at Karoli Gaspar University in Budapest.  Barbara serves with the Roma (Gypsy) Ministry of the Reformed Church in Hungary.

You can read more about the mission to Hungary here, including a reflection on the joys and challenges of being teachers for preachers overseas.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

September 14 Worship: "Genesis - First Things"

On Sunday, we completed the first week of Godsway 66 with the sermon on Genesis.  Focusing on the covenant between God and Abraham (and through Abraham, with all of humankind), we considered that the first lesson of the Bible is that God wants to be in relationship with the created world, particularly the humans who are made in God's image (per Genesis 1).

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to Sunday's communion meditation and the closing benediction.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Prayer for Mission in the Philippines

This week we pray for Eleazar Fernandez, our missionary to the Philippines.  He serves as President of Union Theological Seminary in the Philippines.

You can read more about the mission to the Philippines here, including a bit about expanding theological education in southeast Asia.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

September 7 Worship: "Godsway 66 - Planning and Packing"

On Sunday, we enjoyed the promise of Autumn, with a beautiful September morning and the choir singing in worship.  We also began Godsway 66, with a preview sermon on the upcoming trip through all 66 books of the Bible.  The sermon drew on the promise of Jeremiah's letter to the exiled Jews in Babylon, one of many reminders that God is present to those who seek.  This is the ultimate promise of our upcoming journey through the Bible.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to Sunday's communion meditation.

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Prayer for Mission in Israel/Palestine

This week we pray for Victor and Sara Makari, our missionaries to Israel and Palestine.  Both serve with the Diyar Consortium, an ecumenical mission serving Palestinian Christians, especially youth, women, and the elderly.

You can read more about the mission to Israel/Palestine here, including the difficulties that the church faces amid the violence and mistrust of the area.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

August 24 Worship: "Star Wars"

We concluded this year's Summer Blockbuster Sermon Series with one of the all-time great blockbusters, the original Star Wars, from 1977.  We considered the spiritual meaning of the Force in George Lucas' space opera, comparing it with the armor of God that Paul describes in Ephesians.

If you missed the sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to the Communion meditation.

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Prayer for Mission in Chile

This week we pray for Elena Huegel, our missionary to Chile.  She serves as an environmental and Christian education specialist with the Pentecostal Church of Chile.

You can read more about the mission to Chile here, including a reminder of women who are becoming professionals and seeking to improve life in their communities.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

August 17 Worship: "Auntie Mame"

Again on Sunday the weather looked ominous, but no rain fell from the dark morning clouds.  But there was plenty going on at Eastgate, including a number of concerns weighing on various people, as well as many joys to share.  Needless to say, there were plenty of reasons to pray to God and to praise God as we gathered together.

We again continued the Summer Blockbuster Sermon Series, considering the boisterous comedy Auntie Mame.  This tale of an irrepressible woman seeking to suck the marrow out of life (played by the also irrepressible Rosalind Russell), seemed the perfect story to consider the teaching of Qoheleth in Ecclesiastes, that the best way to live is to eat, drink, and find joy in one's labor.  If there is wisdom in Qoheleth's approach to life, with its many seasons, the question seems to be why it is so hard to live such a life?

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to the Communion meditation and the closing benediction.

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Prayer for Mission in Lesotho

This week we pray for Mark Behle, our missionary to Lesotho.  He serves in the planning office of the Lesotho Evangelical Church of South Africa.

You can read more about the mission to Lesotho here, including the story of one man's call to ordained ministry.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

August 10 Worship: "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance"

For the second week in a row, we worshiped on a rainy Sunday morning -- certainly something unexpected in August.  But our time together with God was filled with joy and praise, brightening the day.

We continued our Summer Blockbuster Sermon Series, turning our attention to the classic John Ford western, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.  Considering the story of a lie that enabled a long political career, where one man stood aside for another to play the role he was born to play, we compared it to the situation faced by the apostles Peter and Paul when they met in Jerusalem.  Drawing on both the historical account found in Acts of the Apostles and the personal remembrance Paul told the Galatian churches, we talked about how the official history cleaned up what was a more contentious dispute about who would bring the Gospel to the Gentiles.  And about how the right man -- God's chosen representative -- took up the task and lived out his calling.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to Sunday's communion meditation and closing benediction.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

August 3 Worship: "Casablanca"

It has been a long time since we had such a wet Sunday morning, which perhaps persuaded some to just roll over in bed and go back to sleep.  But those who gathered at Eastgate for worship enjoyed several things, including celebrating the baptism of John Scott.  It is always an exciting privilege to be a part of such a special day in someone's life.

We also continued our Summer Blockbuster Sermon Series, focusing on the timeless romance, Casablanca.  We explored the parallels between this modern story and a familiar incident in Jesus' life, where he was confronted by opponents who asked whether faithful Jews should pay taxes to the emperor.  Carefully, Jesus mostly avoided that question, implicitly recognizing both the non-religious character of the Roman Empire and the impossibility for Jews to avoid the empire.  We considered how we are also confronted with the issue of how devoted we can be to God, living in our modern culture, which places demands on us that are far from perfect -- at least in God's eyes.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to the closing benediction.

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Prayer for Mission in Hong Kong

This week we pray for Bruce Van Voorhis, our missionary to Hong Kong.  He coordinates interfaith programs for the Asian and Pacific YMCA in Hong Kong.

You can read more about the mission to Hong Kong here, including how the church is trying to build interfaith understanding among young people in several Asian countries.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

July 27 Worship: "The Wizard of Oz"

We ended July with the beginning of the annual Summer Blockbuster Sermon Series, considering religious themes in popular movies.  This year the focus is on classic movies across the decades, starting with the Golden Age of Hollywood -- 1939 and The Wizard of Oz.

There is an oddly similar story in the Bible, without the Scarecrow, Tin Man, or Cowardly Lion, of a person seeking wisdom from a mysterious, perhaps magical, person.  Toward the end of his reign, King Saul journeyed into the wilderness to consult the Witch of Endor -- specifically, to have her contact the spirit of the dead prophet, Samuel.  This story, and the classic movie, raise the timeless question, "Where is wisdom to be found?"  Who should we listen to?  Who should we not listen to?

If you missed the sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to the related Communion meditation.

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Prayer for Mission in Swaziland

This week we pray for Diane and Terry Hutter, our missionaries to Swaziland.  They serve as coordinators of development programs with the Khukhany'Okusha Zion Church.

You can read more about the mission to Swaziland here, including how the church is trying to cope with the ongoing challenges for orphans of parents who die from AIDS as they grow into adulthood.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

July 20 Worship: "Hold Fast to What Is Good"

Sunday's worship was bright and pleasant, followed by the wonderful Asian luau.  Happy faces were everywhere -- a wonderful sight on a sunny July morning.

Sunday's worship marked the end of our six week sermon series on Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians.  We concluded our reading of the joyful letter by focusing on Paul's closing words of encouragement and advice.  During the sermon, several people shared how people had encouraged them and their faith over the years, which was a wonderful reminder of how we do not live as Christians alone.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to the communion meditation and the closing benediction.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Prayer for Mission in Fiji

This week we pray for Niko Tapaeko, our missionary to Fiji.  He serves as pastor of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Suva.

You can read more about the mission to Fiji here, including the story of tentative steps toward mutual work between different denominations in the island nation.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

July 13 Worship: "Let Us Not Fall Asleep as Others"

Frankly, I'm still a little overwhelmed by Sunday's worship service, especially the sermon, which was meaningful as I prepared it, as I preached it, and as I listened to it again.  The Holy Spirit was at work in our midst, and the hand of God was noticeable.

We continued our study of Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians by considering the issue of death and salvation.  After briefly exploring Paul's response to the Christians worried that those who died before Christ's return might miss out on heaven, we considered the type of salvation that Paul describes.  We considered the types of lives that God made us for, how we glimpse them today before living them fully in heaven.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to the related communion meditation and the closing benediction.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

How Should We Live?

Here's an interesting recent story from Religion and Ethics Newsweekly related to questions of integrity and ethics in the business world.  This explores an issue raised by last Sunday's sermon, which admitted that we live in communities with conflicting values -- our Christian church and the wider culture.  How should we live and act in our wider community as Christians?  This piece considers that question specifically in the workplace.

Click here for the story and video.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

July 6 Worship: "Do So More and More"

On Sunday, we concluded the Independence Day weekend with a spirited worship.  As part of the service, we continued our study of Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, focusing on the apostle's encouragement for the new Christians not to backslide, but to hold onto their new faith.  In particular, Paul reminded them not to turn back to certain actions that were considered appropriate by the wider culture, but disrespectful through the eyes of faith.

In focusing on this text, we considered how we face a similar challenge today.  There is a certain way of life that is strongly encouraged by our surrounding culture -- what might be called "looking out for #1" -- and our Christian faith suggests different priorities and a different understanding of the value and integrity of each person.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can listen to it here.

You can also listen to the communion meditation and the concluding benediction.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

June 29 Worship: "The Good News of Your Faith"

On Sunday, we continued our study of Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, focusing on the end of Paul's extensive opening section.  In it, the apostle writes of how he longs to see them, but how happy he is to hear Timothy's glowing report about them.  Paul seems to focus on their response to persecution and their ability to encourage each other through such challenges.

In my sermon, I emphasized two things.  First, it is also necessary for us to encourage each other through life's challenges.  More than this, though, Christians need to be willing to face challenges in order to live out their faith.  One cannot be a peacemaker unless one tries to make peace, for example, but doing so opens a person up to criticism from multiple sources.  In the afternoon, I amused myself by imagining that the sermon's subtitle should have been: "In Defense of Christian Meddling."

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, of if you'd like to share it with other, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to the related Communion meditation.


Saturday, June 28, 2014

Prayer for Mission in the Philippines

This week we pray for Matthew Fehse, our missionary to the Philippines.  He is a Global Missions intern who serves with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines working on issues of typhoon relief and human rights.

You can read more about the mission to the Philippines here, including a reflection on the dilemma faced over energy policies that may benefit the environment but take away jobs and money from some of the poorest families.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

June 22 Worship: "So Deeply Do We Care"

Evidently, I've been slightly oblivious since my recent vacation.  While I've uploaded my recent sermons, I've forgotten to post them here.  We've had a couple of joyous worship services recently, encouraged by some beautiful Sunday weather.  We've also begun a study of one of the Bible's happiest books, Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians.

On Father's Day, we began by considering how Paul approaches this new congregation, bursting with pride.  Focusing on his initial greeting, filled with thanksgiving, we considered how Paul and the Thessalonian church mutually benefited each other by sharing three years of ministry together.

If you missed that sermon titled "For All of You," would like to listen to it again, or would like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

This past Sunday, we continued into the letter, where Paul describes the mutual affection that they shared together: "So Deeply Do We Care."

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can listen to an audio recording here.

You can also listen to Sunday's Communion meditation.

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Prayer for Mission in Japan

This week we pray for Jeffrey Mensendiek, our missionary to Japan.  He serves as a chaplain with the Center for Religious Activities at Kwansai Gakuin University in Kobe, Japan.

You can read more about the mission to Japan here, including a reflection on how the church is struggling to offer a path toward healing and wholeness in the aftermath of the nuclear catastrophe in Fukushima.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

May 25 Worship: "A Worshiping Community"

We gathered for a special Memorial Day weekend worship service, which included a moment of memory lighting candles in honor of those who have passed away in the last year.  Also, Renee gave a rousing performance of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" during the offering.

We also continued our sermon series on our Christian identity by considering what our worship practices reveal about our identity -- how our values and beliefs are embedded in our worship service.  Drawing on Paul's instructions for worship to the Corinthian church, I explored how those principles are still evident in our worship service, even looking piece by piece at our regular Sunday morning worship.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Prayer for Mission in Israel/Palestine

This week we pray for Loren McGrail, our missionary to Israel and Palestine.  She serves with the YMCA of Palestine.

You can read more about the mission to Israel/Palestine here, including a prayer from Palestinian refugees.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

May 18 Worship: "The Lord's Table, Where God Has Welcomed Us"

Sunday morning was so beautiful that I was tempted to offer a great sermon featured in the Disney movie, Pollyanna.  Rev. Ford, known for preaching hellfire and brimstone, steps into the pulpit, looks over the congregation, closes his Bible, and says: "It's a beautiful day.  Let's go out and enjoy it.  And while you're enjoying it, give a thought to who's sending it down to you."  (Perhaps he says something slightly different, if my memory is off.)  And then he ends the service.

Instead, we gathered in God's name and worshiped as the sun shone through the windows.  We celebrated our ongoing commitment to mission in Haiti, including Eastgate's support of a doctor's salary in a clinic in Carrefour, Haiti.  And before we gathered at the Lord's Table, we considered the meaning of the Lord's Supper for our Christian identity, particularly as part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Perhaps now I can confess that I found it a bit intimidating, the closer we got to Sunday, to try to sum up our central beliefs about communion.  Partially, this is because I very much agree that the nature of a sacrament is it's inexhaustible meaning for our lives -- so anyone who tries to sum the sacrament up is doomed to fail.  Partially, though, I just felt unequal to the task for some reason.  Still, I think we faithfully considered Paul's teaching about the Lord's Supper and its importance for our lives.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Prayer for Mission in Lesotho

This week we pray for Mark Behle, our missionary to Lesotho.  He works in the planning office of the Lesotho Evangelical Church in Southern Africa.

You can read more about the mission to Lesotho here, including a word about our mission dollars providing textbooks for a local seminary.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Finding Where Jesus Was Baptized

One of the pleasant consequences of the "Pope Francis Effect" is that various actions and statements by the Catholic leader draw increased attention.  In anticipation of the Pope's planned trip to the Holy Lands later this month, Religion and Ethics Newsweekly offered a story about the location thought by many to be the spot where John baptized Jesus.

The five-minute piece offers the historic evidence for this site, as well as the challenges that wars have posed, keeping researchers from conducting archaeological excavations and limiting visits to the location until recently.

Click here to see the report.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

May 11 Worship: "As Part of the One Body of Christ, We Welcome All"

We enjoyed a happy Mother's Day worship service, including a special tribute to mothers.  David Rebecchi gave his mom a treat when he sang, "Arise, My Love" during the service.  We also highlighted one of our current outreach projects, to collect baby food to share through local food pantries.

In the sermon, we continued our focus on our Christian identity, considering the issue of welcome: "As Part of the One Body of Christ, We Welcome All."  I suggested that our tendency toward inclusion reflects our roots on the American frontier -- where everyone needed to pitch in -- and ties into Christian teachings, including those of Paul to the church in Ephesus.  As is often the case, later on Sunday, I realized some things that I left out.  Usually, this is not that big of a deal -- you cannot cover everything in any single sermon.

I neglected to share some of the key supporting evidence to my interpretation of Paul's teaching -- the example of Jesus Christ.  Jesus came to change the world.  But how did Jesus go about doing this?  He didn't dictate what people had to believe or how they should live -- aside from saying that they needed to follow him.  Instead, he developed nurturing relationships with everyone he met.  He didn't look for the prime Christian prospects -- he realized that anyone who deepened their relationship with God could help do God's work.  We should be about the developing the same relationships, and living them out, in Christ's church.

If you missed the sermon, if you want to share it with others, of if you want to figure out how the life of Jesus makes Paul's argument stronger, you can listen to an audio recording here.

You can also listen to the related communion meditation and the benediction.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Prayer for Mission in Costa Rica

This week we pray for Rebecca and Scott Hardin-Nieri, our missionaries to Costa Rica.  They serve as volunteers with the Quaker Community in Costa Rica.

You can read more about the mission to Costa Rica here, including a reminder of how children are sometimes the best models for emerging faith.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

May 4 Worship: "Wholeness in a Fragmented World"

Sunday was a beautiful spring day that felt like a summer day.  The weather certainly brightened our worship experience, brightening everyone's mood.  In addition, the Bell Choir finished out their season by ringing three selections during the service, which was wonderful.

We continued our consideration of our Christian identity in our series, "Who We Are."  We looked at the second part of the first sentence in the Disciples of Christ identity statement: We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.  We paid particular attention to the key issues of fragmentation -- and the role sin plays in our brokenness -- and attempts to offer healing and point to wholeness.  I particularly pointed to how our individual efforts can be gathered together to do big things, in the name of wholeness, pointing to a recent study on how Christians are unaware in the per capita decline of extreme poverty in the world in the past 30 years, based on the combination of millions of efforts (including the giving and work of many Christian organizations).

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can listen to an audio recording here.

You can also listen to Sunday's communion meditation and the benediction.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Prayer for Mission in Germany

This week we pray for Rosalind Gnatt, our missionary to Germany.  She serves in a pastoral position with the Evangelical Church of Hesse-Nassau.

You can read more about the mission to Germany here, including details of how the church is part of an ongoing reconciliation effort.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

April 27 Worship: "We Are Disciples of Christ, a Movement"

We had a spirited worship service on a rainy Sunday morning, highlighted by the baptism of Ashlee Heavener.  Even the rain could not dampen the celebration of someone publicly declaring their faith in Jesus.  It also served as a good reminder of our own baptisms, and perhaps a moment of reflection on what has happened in our lives since our baptisms.

The sermon was a beginning a consideration of "Who We Are" as Christians, especially with our context as Eastgate Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  For the first four weeks, we are exploring the identity of our denomination, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), based on an identity statement developed a few years ago.  Drawing upon Jesus' teaching about the impossibility of putting new wine into old wineskins, we considered some of the history of the denomination, especially its roots on the American frontier, in "We Are Disciples of Christ, a Movement."

In preparation for the General Assembly last year, the Council on Christian Unity developed some videos that go along with the identity statement.  Below is the video on "Movement."



If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can listen to an audio recording here.

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Prayer for Mission in Laos

This week we pray for Xuyen Dangers, our missionary to Laos.  She is a social work supervisor for student interns.

You can read more about the mission to Laos here, including information about a recent volunteer who developed a course in child safety that could be shared through hospitals.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Holy Week Recap

It was an eventful Holy Week, with several emotional worship services at Eastgate.  I thought that it was a meaningful period, following in Jesus' footsteps through his passion and resurrection.  It was a mix of old and new, with traditional scripture readings and services alongside Palm Sunday's radio play, "The Second Day" -- a very untraditional way of considering Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.  And there was plenty of music -- wonderful music all week long.

During the week, we also finished up the series of sermons considering "God's Promises in Hard Times."  On Maundy Thursday, we balanced Peter's denial of Jesus with Jesus' prayer in the garden of Gethsemane.  Click here to listen to that evening's meditation.  On Easter, we explored the meaning of Jesus' resurrection through the risen Christ's appearance to two disciples on the road to Emmaus.

If you missed the Easter sermon, would like to listen to it again, or would like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.  You can also listen to the communion meditation from Sunday's service.

Friday, April 18, 2014

Reflecting on Singing "Gethsemane" in Worship

There will probably come a day when I am too old (or, God forbid, don't have the singing chops) to share "Gethsemane" from Jesus Christ Superstar on Maundy Thursday.  That will be hard.

I remember the first time I sang it in worship.  I was anxious that I couldn't do it well (classically trained singers do not learn how to sing rock ballads) and terrified that I would offend someone (a rock ballad on one of the holiest nights of the year?).

I'm glad I sang it 13 years ago.  I'm grateful I worked so hard on it that first year, so that's it's been easy to revisit in the years since.  And I'm grateful that no has taken offense (or, at least, has made that known to me).

By my (perhaps suspect) count, tonight was the 8th Maundy Thursday worship service where I've sung "Gethsemane."  It was the first time where my pastoral meditation touched directly upon Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane, which has caused me to reflect on why I sing this song on this night.  The first couple of times, I felt like I should, but it still felt like an experiment in some ways.  In recent years, I've known that I should sing it, but tonight, more than ever, I've come to understand why.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's music has an emotional truth that resonates with the Gospel text, particularly as it is told in the Gospel of Luke.  I identify with other characters in parts of the passion story -- with Judas who betrays, with Peter who denies, with Thomas who doubts, with several who hide in fear.  In small ways, I can identify with Jesus too -- the Jesus who wants to share something special with his closest friends before he leaves, and the Jesus who prays so honestly and even desperately in the garden.  But there's also a part of Jesus at Gethsemane that just mesmerizes me.  I find the empty tomb as confusing as it is hopeful, and standing at the foot of the cross mostly makes me feel guilty.  But I watch in awe at Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane.

Please understand.  When I sing "Gethsemane," I know that I cannot convey most of this.  But usually, there is a fleeting moment in the music when I glimpse this awe-inspiring Jesus amid the otherwise very human Jesus of the song.  When I first started singing "Gethsemane," I was hoping for this glimpse -- even when I didn't know it.  Now, I expectantly hope for this glimpse, and I hope to offer it to others in worship.

One day my physical appearance will get in the way, I suppose.  One day, people will smile at the wrinkled old man who is trying to sing, but won't be able to imagine he might offer a glimpse of Jesus.  I'm a few years from wrinkled and old, but I'm already older than Jesus ever was.  In my 20s, I thought I could reasonably sing "Gethsemane" until I was 33 (traditionally Jesus' age at the time of his crucifixion).  At 30, I thought 35; at 33, I figured I could sing it until I was 40.  Now I'm 37 and tonight I wonder if maybe I could sing it until age 45....

Anyway, what I'm really pondering tonight is that there will come a day when I'm too old to sing "Gethsemane."  That will be a hard day.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Prayer for Mission in South Korea

This week we pray for Daniel Lee, our missionary to South Korea.  He serves as missionary in residence at Hanshin University Graduate School of Theology.

You can read more about the mission to South Korea here, including information about recovery from the powerful tropical storm in the region last year.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

April 6 Worship: "In Times of Loneliness, Adoption"

This week we enjoyed our final Sunday worship service before Holy Week.  The warmer and more cooperative weather has allowed more people to attend, so there were more people to see and plenty of friendly conversations.

We continued our study of "God's Promises in Hard Times" by considering the meaning of Jesus' directions from to his mother and the disciple that he loved: "Here is your son... here is your mother."  I suggested that it was the first example of adoption that has long been the hallmark of strong Christian communities.  Most of us struggle with loneliness at various points in our lives; the promise is that God has surrounded us with people who will reach out and adopt us -- claim us and care for us -- if we will recognize and accept it.  In addition, God has placed us near people who need such love and care from us, as well.  While such adoption does not prevent loneliness completely, it usually offers wonderful and loving support.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Prayer for Mission in Venezuela

This week we pray for Carmelo Alvarez, our missionary to Venezuela.  He serves as a consultant to both the Latin American Evangelical  Pentecostal Commission and the Evangelical Pentecostal Union of Venezuela.

You can read more about the mission to Venezuela here, including a note about how the church works for human rights and peace.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

March 30 Worship: "In Times of Grief, a Birth"

Sometimes pastors get a weird view of things.  On Sunday, I hesitated to step up to the microphone and start worship because it was obvious that almost everyone was happily chatting with someone else.  Maybe it was the warm weather and the sunshine.  All I know is that I hated to interrupt what I found to be a joyful and beautiful noise.

Still, I did step up to the microphone and we turned our attention to God -- and our worship was rather joyful.  The bell choir rang during the offering and then we turned our attention to one of Jesus' promises to his disciples, recorded in John 16, about the consequences of Jesus being gone for "a little while" before returning "again a little while.  In a brief sermon, I suggested that Jesus' promise was a hard one, at least in some ways.  There will be things in our lives that cannot be made right and which will cause us grief; however, God has a future for us where our joy will be so great that it will dwarf the hard times in our lives now.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Pray for Mission in India

This week we pray for Teresa and Anil Henry, our missionaries to India.  The are medical professionals who serve on staff at Christian Hospital in Mungeli.

You can read more about the mission to India here, including a reminder of how a century-old medical legacy is still touching lives today.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Online Worship: Curse or Blessing?

If two or three (or more) gather in Jesus' name by going to the same Internet site at the same time and watching the same livestream program, is Jesus in their midst?  This, inevitably, is the challenging question about whether watching a worship service on TV or joining a worship service online is an act of worship.  To be sure, there is something qualitatively different about wearing a bathrobe and slippers and logging on to the computer than putting on presentable clothes and driving to a common place.  But if people seem to be able to "telecommute" to work without it affecting their workload, why can't people "telechurch" to worship?  After all, if God is everywhere present, that must include a divine presence in cyberspace too.

Personally, I prefer to worship in a common space with other people, but I also know that the experience greatly depends on what you bring to it.  This means that for certain people, at certain times, online worship might work better.  At the very least, there usually is greater flexibility of when to worship online (yes, like Cable TV offers, it's 'worship on-demand').  More to the point, though, if you feel safer and more accepted online (because of the anonymity that the Internet can offer), you are more likely to have a deep faith experience than if you come to a church anxious and defensive, afraid to talk to anybody and doubting that anyone there (including the pastor) has anything of value to share with you.  (On the other hand, over time you hopefully would be able to develop relationships with others who gather in the same place with you, which is much more difficult, though not impossible, online.)

I mention this because I recently came across an online article about one of the more well-known online worship services, called "Darkwood Brew."  It suggests a very serious question: is this one direction that the church will take moving into the next 20 years?  I certainly know that some people will try it -- actually, many are already doing online worship in one form or another.

Then again, I wonder if the centrality of jazz music for Darkwood Brew suggests a path that American Christian worship has inexplicably not taken.  Given the cultural importance of jazz music, I find it rather inconceivable that there is very little Christian jazz worship music.  Certain churches sought to use new technologies rather quickly, such as radio, television, and the Internet, to varying success.  There is no similar appropriation of jazz music, even after a century.


Wednesday, March 26, 2014

The Jewish Celebration of Purim

Over the weekend, Jews held their annual celebration of Purim, which celebrates the preservation of the Jews recorded in the book of Esther.  It is one of the most joyful religious holidays.  Interestingly, it is also one of the few where a woman has the central role.  Some Jews have run with the celebration in the past couple of generations to also celebrate the faithfulness and gifts of religious women.

Religion and Ethics Newsweekly had a story last weekend about this holiday and the recent trend of women taking the lead in its celebration.  If you don't know much about this holiday, or this Biblical story, I encourage you to take five minutes and learn more about it.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

March 23 Worship: "In Times of Punishment, a Vision of Paradise"

Several people told me after worship that they enjoyed the service and my sermon.  I'll be honest -- this worries me a little bit.  Certainly I'm happy when people are happy with a worship service -- enjoying worship usually means that people have found it important, relevant to their lives, and meaningful.  However, I was "leaning in" a bit with the sermon, challenging one of our most cherished notions of heaven as fantasy.  Usually when I step on toes -- which pastors sometimes need to do -- I try to do it delicately and lovingly; but I never imagine anyone will "enjoy" it.

Then again, there's certainly something uplifting about telling the truth (or at least something closer to the truth) in our culture that celebrates so many false things in our lives.  What was the sermon about?  Using Jesus' promise from the cross to a thief, "Today you will be with me in paradise," I explored what paradise Jesus is promising.  In general, I think that the paradise Jesus means is different from the one that we usually imagine.  And it is a paradise that will require us to behave differently, if it is to actually be paradise when we're there.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to the related communion meditation and the concluding benediction.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

March 16 Worship: "In Times of Financial Hardship, a Reward"

On Sunday, despite the sudden cold snap, we enjoyed a warm worship service together at Eastgate.  In the sermon, I continued a sermon on "God's Promises in Hard Times," considering financial challenges.  Focusing on the story of the widow's mite -- that is, a woman who is singled out by Jesus because of the importance of her small gift, I explored why the woman made the gift.

Unfortunately, I made a mistake with my new digital recorder, and I did not record Sunday's sermon.  But here is what I think was the most important lesson: we live in a world that tells us, constantly, that we do not have enough.  Even in the church, we constantly think of all that we cannot do (especially when compared with other larger and/or richer congregations).  I think that the widow found great comfort in what she could give, despite how small it seemed in comparison to the gifts of others.  To highlight this, I pointed to the story of Oseola McCarty, a washerwoman who donated the bulk of her life savings to fund college scholarships.  (You can read more about her on her Wikipedia page or in the press release from the university announcing her gift in 1995.)  A woman with only a 6th grade education, who worked in a menial job, managed to save about $250,000 over the years, and then, facing the end of her life, decided how to give it to others.  She didn't do it for praise (though she received a lot of attention for her gift), but to make a difference in someone else's life.  And she did it living out a simple Christian belief -- God had blessed her with more than she needed.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Prayer for Mission in South Africa

This week we pray for Scott Couper and Susan Valiquette, our missionaries to South Africa.  Scott is a development manager for Inanda Seminary and is a pastor of a Congregational Church of South Africa church.  Susan is a chaplain and instructor at Inanda Seminary.

You can read more about the mission to South Africa here, including a reminder of how education can slowly change the world through each student.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Friday, March 14, 2014

March 9 Worship: "In Times of Betrayal, a Sanctuary"

Evidently, I forgot to post my sermon on this blog earlier this week.  My apologies for this oversight.  This past Sunday, I considered how Jesus' cleaning the Temple could teach us one of "God's Promises in Hard Times" -- the preservation of sanctuary.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to the communion meditation.

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Pray for Mission in Hong Kong

This week we pray for Judy Chan, our missionary to Hong Kong, who serves as a communication specialist in radio and English publications with the Hong Kong Christian Council.

You can read more about the mission to Hong Kong here, including ways the ecumenical church honors human dignity.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Ash Wednesday Worship: "In Times of Futility, a Gardener"

Many of us gathered for a special service at the start of the Lenten season -- though, true to this winter, there were a dusting of snow on our cars when the service was over.  It was a time of reflection and confession.  In addition to the ashes, there was some special music -- the choir sang a wonderful arrangement of "In the Garden" by Mark Hayes and I sang an arrangement of the spiritual "Give Me Jesus," which I find to be particularly fitting for Ash Wednesday.

The meditation was the beginning of a Lenten series on God's promises in hard times.  I suggested that Jesus' teaching in John 15, "I am the true vine," offered a reminder that God is actively working to help us become better and more productive, but that it can require some cleaning away of unhelpful things -- "In Time of Futility, a Gardener."

If you missed the meditation, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday.  For Roman Catholics, it is day of obligation, when they are expected to attend mass and receive ashes on their foreheads as a sign of penitence and mortality.  Because Catholics do attend mass and receive ashes in large numbers, many Christians think that it is a particularly Catholic tradition -- which, for generations, led many Protestants to have nothing to do with the observance of this day.

However, the tradition is ancient, dating back many centuries before the theological conflict between Catholics and Protestants developed.  In recent years, more Protestant congregations have gathered for worship on this day, also receiving ashes as a sign of penitence and mortality.  This day marks the beginning of the holy season of Lent, which is a time of preparation for Easter.  Before we focus on the happier topics of resurrection, rebirth, and renewal, we prepare by studying (again) things like death, sacrifice, and the judgment of sins.

At Eastgate, we will gather for a special service this evening, at 6:30, which will include ashes, a meditation, special music, and the Lord's Supper.  It is a time to admit that none of us is perfect, and some of our imperfections hurt us, others around us, and even damage our relationships with God.  It is a time to hear again, with the ashes, "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Is it important?  I think so.  Partially, I believe that confession is good for the soul and can be the start of healing.  Mostly, though, I think it is half of the essential dichotomy that Paul described of our existence as imperfect humans and as redeemed Christians: in the words of the King James (which were memorably set to music in by Handel in Messiah), "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."  Today (and during this Lenten season) we focus on how we, like Adam, have sinned and will die; in Eastertide, we focus on the promise of faith that there is life beyond death.

Monday, March 3, 2014

Book Review: "Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith"

Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott (Riverhead Books, 2005), hardcover, 336 pages

"The devil is in the details," a common saying goes, but for people of faith, it is often true that God is in the details – or at least that God is revealed in the details. With Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith, best-selling author Anne Lamott offers another book filled with knowing details that illuminate some of the big issues of faith: parenting, politics, divorce, and death, among others.  As in her wonderful Traveling Mercies, the essays and stories are sprinkled with her trademark humor, much of it ironic and self-deprecating; they also are sprinkled with straightforward comments on adult issues and no shortage of adult language, which may startle some readers.

Published in 2005, there is a recurrent theme of extreme frustration with the presidency of George W. Bush and especially with the war in Iraq.  Several times Lamott mentions protesting against the war and praying for peace, a not uncommon theme of the period from many liberal American Christian activists.  Few, though, have the chops to describe trying to love the person who stands for everything you hate, as Christians are supposed to do, and as Lamott does in the ridiculously droll essay, "loving your president: day 2."

While the issue of politics and faith may be emphasized, though, I think the more powerful theme of the book is Lamott's deepening relationship with her son Sam, just entering his teenage years.  Aside from the understandable friction raised by some of Sam's inexplicable behavior, Lamott explores the introduction of Sam's father into his life around age 10, writing honestly about the pain this sometimes causes her, but also being surprisingly open to moments of joy and grace.  This is most obvious when she shares the story of Sam meeting him much older half-brother.

Probably due to Sam's presence and importance, these essays have a much different feel than many of the essays in Traveling Mercies.  Partially, this may be that none are as memorable as Lamott's blunt, and hysterical, description of her conversion.  Mostly, though, I think they reflect a deepening of Lamott's Christian faith, which she more confidently and comfortably claims as part of her identity in Plan B.

There is a wealth of wisdom and observation here, especially about daily life outside of the comforts of a church sanctuary.  Unlike some Christians, Lamott freely admits some of her hypocrisy.  For example, even as she can testify to the hand of God at the bedside of a woman dying from cancer, she struggles to cope with her broken relationship with her own mother, even after her death, and finds mostly pain and anger there.  Then again, Lamott exhibits a patience with God – and even with herself – that also is uncommon and refreshing, and which suggests an openness to continued growth and change which may lessen such hypocrisy.

Overall, Lamott offers an inviting vision of lived faith in these essays, coping with challenging political times, raising a son as a single mother, and coming to terms with her own aging.  While I do not always agree with her, I admire her, and I appreciate her honesty, her earthiness, and her humor as she shares these stories of her faith.  Needless to say, I also admire the skill with which she writes, which makes her books easy and enjoyable to read.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Prayer for Mission in Nicaragua

This week we pray for Magyolene Rodriguez, our missionary to Nicaragua, who serves with the Convention of Churches Christian Mission of Nicaragua on issues of environmental education, food security, and conflict transformation.

You can read more about the mission to Nicaragua here, including learning opportunities the church provides youth.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

February 23 Worship: "Treating Others as Equals"

Aside from a couple of technical glitches on Sunday, we enjoyed a wonderful worship service, including a rousing arrangement of "He's Not Heavy, He's My Brother" sung by the choir.  This -- along with some of the other music -- tied in nicely to the day's theme, "Treating Others as Equals."  In a lesson drawn from Paul's letter to Philemon, I suggested that we can improve our faith and our lives if we learn to worry less about status and more about how we treat others.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can listen to an audio recording here.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Prayer for Mission in Botswana

This week we pray for Jayanthi and Jim Wilson, our missionaries to Botswana.  Both serve at Kgolagano Theological College in Gaborone; Jayanthi is a librarian and Jim is an instructor.

You can read more about the mission to Botswana here, including a description of how elections may change the countries fortunes.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Prayer for Mission in Guatemala

This week we pray for Gloria Vincente, our missionary to Guatemala, who is serving as a consultant in communication and women's issues for the Ecumenical Christian Council of Guatemala.

You can read more about the mission to Guatemala here, including stories of the challenges of peace.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

February 9 Worship: "Then It Will Be My Duty: Abraham Lincoln and the 1864 Election"

Some of us braved the cold (and after the service began, snow) for the annual Lincoln Sunday worship service.  Despite the rather dreary morning, the music was spirited -- especially the choir's anthem, an arrangement of a spiritual, "New Born Again" and the closing "Battle Hymn of the Republic."

In between, the heart of the service was the Lincoln sermon, an examination of leadership in times of crisis.  The first half of the sermon wove together two stories: Lincoln's fear in the summer of 1864 that he might lose reelection that fall and the prophet Elijah's emotional confrontations with the evil King Ahab and Queen Jezebel.  The second half considered what the lessons of this prophetic leadership might be for the significant challenges of our time, especially in the church.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Prayer for Mission in the Dominican Republic

This week we pray for Ashley Holst, our missionary to the Dominican Republic, who works with street children through Proyecto Caminante in Boca Chica.

You can read more about the mission to Dominican Republic here, including stories of how the ministry is trying to offer protections for children forced to work as street vendors.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Prayer for Mission in Armenia

This week we pray for Gabrielle Worley, our missionary to Armenia, who teaches English to middle school students, young adults, and pastors in Yerevan, Armenia.

You can read more about the mission to Armenia here, including the work of churches to provide educational opportunities for some of the poorest children.

There are Christian missionaries serving on our behalf in many countries around the world.  Each week, Global Missions highlights the work in one of these countries and asks the wider church to pray for its continued vitality in spreading the Gospel.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

January 26 Worship: "Giving with Purpose"

After our below freezing, slick start to January, the subsequent Sundays have all been sunny and unseasonably warm.  It certainly has created a warm feeling in worship, and that seemed especially obvious this week.

This week's sermon focused on the ways that giving can improve our lives -- partially because it reminds us that we already have more than we realize, and mostly because giving strengthens relationships and builds community.  Drawing upon two pieces of Proverbs 3 (here and here), I encouraged us to think about how making a commitment to share from our money, our time, our talents, and our attention can make our lives more meaningful.  Listening to the sermon again, I wish I could have added one thing -- I stressed how giving builds community, but I wish that I had offered a little bit more on how giving strengthens one-on-one relationships.  In fact, usually our deepest friendships have many examples of such giving and receiving.

If you missed Sunday's sermon, if you'd like to listen to it again, or if you'd like to share it with others, you can find an audio recording here.

You can also listen to the benediction here.