Summer Blockbuster Sermon Series: "Cowboys & Aliens"

This Sunday, as we wrap up this year's "Summer Blockbuster Sermon Series," we turn to the ridiculous "Cowboys & Aliens."  This big budget science fiction thriller, directed by Jon Favreau who had hits with both of the "Iron Man" movies, stars Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford as cowboys in the Wild West who much protect others from an alien invasion.  Here is the trailer:

We will compare this story to the unexpected intrusion of the Amalekites in the story of the Exodus.  Just after crossing the Red Sea, and struggling with being low on food and water in the middle of the desert, the Hebrews were attacked by a tribe, known as Amalek, likely from northern Edom.  According to Exodus 17, the children of Israel fought all day, gaining when Moses raised his arms over his head and losing when he lowered his arms.  Ultimately, the Hebrews defeated Amalek, when two men held Moses' arms over his head.

This raises question for our lives.  What can we learn from completely unexpected situations?  How can we survive them and move on from them?

Summer Blockbuster Sermon Series: "Larry Crowne"

This Sunday, we consider the first 'flop' of the three "Summer Blockbuster" series, "Larry Crowne," starring Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks, who also directed and co-wrote the screenplay.  (As of last count, the movie had only grossed around $36 million, a disappointment to be sure.)  The movie focuses on a man (Tom Hanks) who is fired from a box store retailer (like Wal-Mart) and enrolls in community college, where one of his professors -- in Speech class -- is Julia Roberts.

In some ways, this movie is a victim of its limited goals.  Instead of being escapist, it is true to life, in which ordinary people are struggling to find their way in challenging economic times.  Despite a great cast and a script that finds both humor and anxiety in the situation, the movie has not found an audience.

This situation, and the story of the film, are similar to the situation of the church at Ephesus, which receives one of the letters sent to seven churches in Revelation 2-3.  In terrible and oppressive times, the church is barely hanging on, but is trying to remain true to its calling.  The advice of the scriptures, and the story of "Larry Crowne" offer ideas how we might keep true to our callings in difficult times.

Summer Blockbuster Sermon Series: "Cars 2"

This week, we turn our attention to the latest movie from Pixar, "Cars 2."  In this light-hearted family film, Lightning McQueen takes his racing talents onto the world stage, bringing along his trusted -- and a bit rusted -- tow truck friend Tow Mater.  The racing turns out to be secondary in this story after British intelligence agents believe that Mater is an American spy.

The movie includes some rather beautiful animated renderings of world cities, including Tokyo and London.  Given the international theme, I thought we would look at Psalm 137, which includes the great Hebrew lament from the time of the exile: "How can we worship the Lord in a foreign land?"  This scripture, and this movie, again ask us to consider how we maintain and develop our relationships when the context in which we find ourselves changes.

Summer Blockbuster Sermon Series: "The Hangover Part II"

Once again it is time for the "Summer Blockbuster Sermon Series," where the sermons will be drawn from issues of faith that appeared in some of this summer's notable movies.  First up this Sunday is the sequel to the smash hit adult comedy, "The Hangover."  The same cast (and much of the same story) returns, but this time the bachelor party that no one can remember is in Bangkok.

Here's a TV commercial for "The Hangover Part II":

Although it will not seem at all relevant at first glance, the Biblical passage that I will be preaching on comes from Mark 8, which is the story of Jesus feeding the 4000.  The similarity comes in the fact that both this film and that story are instances of "deja vu all over again."  What do we do when we see/hear/find the same story again, told mostly the same?  How do we react?  What do we learn, if anything?  These questions affect how we watch movie sequels and how we live out our faith.

Good Friday Service Tonight

This evening, we will remember Christ's crucifixion in a worship service offering reflections on Christ's seven statements from the cross.  (Perhaps some of you read about our service in this morning's top story in the Times West Virginian.)

After an opening hymn, "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded," and the reading of the Man of Sorrows prophecy from Isaiah, seven people from our congregation will each offer meditations on the different statements, such as "I thirst," and "Today you will be with me in paradise."

During tonight's service, we will also join with other congregations in the Fairmont Council of Churches in taking an offering to support The Connecting Link, which provides emergency financial assistance to people in our community.

Maundy Thursday Service Tonight

Tonight begins the Holy Triduum, the series of services from Maundy Thursday through Easter, commemorating the Passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We begin with the Maundy Thursday service, which remembers two things.  First, it is a celebration of the anniversary of Christ's gift of the Lord's Supper to his disciples.  On this night, Jesus gathered to share the Passover meal and gave new meaning to the ancient symbolism of the bread and wine.

Second, we will have a service of Tenebrae, which recalls the terrible details of Christ's arrest, trial, and crucifixion.  This series of readings and special music, which comes after we strip the sanctuary of all its decorations to prepare for Good Friday, is accompanied by the extinguishing of light, representing the darkness of those events.

The service begins at 7:30.

"This Season"

A colleague and friend has a fitting post for this second day of Lent, centering on the wisdom of a poem called "This Season."  As you journey along further into this Lenten season, I hope you will find opportunities to share you good gifts with others and to develop new gifts through a growing relationship with God.