September is upon us, and that means the school year begins again. I was thinking about my elementary school days which included music lessons. I used to play clarinet. Some of you might remember a children’s sermon where I brought in my instrument and struggled through Amazing Grace. I was preaching on the Parable of the Talents and how we are gifted reminding the children that if we fail to use our gifts, we lose them. Since I stopped playing my clarinet in 5th grade, I lost the ability. Ask any musician or athlete or artist what is the most important aspect of getting better and they will respond “practice”. Our lives of faith are the same way. If we get out of the habit of weekly worship, we lose aspects of our faith. Yes God still loves us, yes Jesus is still our savior, but we lose living the life God calls us to live. Jesus came that we might have life abundant, but when we do not practice the spiritual disciplines; we do not have that life. By skipping church, we weaken one of the disciplines, and that only leads to weakening of the rest of our spiritual lives. Other than shut-ins, I rarely meet people who do not attend worship on a regular basis but continue to pray with others, read the word with others, sing praises to God with others, give part of their time, talent and treasure to God’s church, and go forth making disciples. The truth is church attendance is important for a well-rounded Christian life. Missing weekly worship means we miss the opportunity to stand together as a covenant community of faith. You are a part of the covenant and you are both wanted and needed. It’s not about money; it’s not about worship attendance numbers. It is about building up the body of Christ. You cannot build your muscles without some form of exercise and you cannot build your faith muscles without the church.
Worship attendance is an important step to firm up our faith. And September is a great time to return to church. Sunday’s will be busier as Sunday school begins for all ages. The choir and bell choir will return to the sanctuary and I am looking at some other ways to enhance our worship service. The healing service will begin in October, bringing us another outreach to the community. If you have fallen away recently, if you are trying to figure out your own faith, if you are seeking a greater relationship with God, then I urge you to start this Sunday and commit yourselves to weekly worship.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

It began back in May. Some members who had been struggling with health began to worsen. Then there was a death and funeral. Then another. And two more after that. Plus emergency room visits, hospitalizations, nursing home placements and hospice care, and it is not over. My congregation is again in the cycle of multiple illnesses and funerals. It happened last year as well, beginning early in the spring and going through the summer.
And as I reflected on all this, as I looked over some notes from years past, I’ve come to realize just how much this congregation has faced. We are a heavy “pastoral care needs” congregation. This is in part to the aging of the church, we, like so many small congregations, are aging. We do have some young families, but we are older. On the other hand, we have also had health crisis with the younger members as well. To be truthful, most churches go through the same things. We just tend to do it in clumps.
And so as I looked over pages of notes, plans and ideas that never came to fruition because of crisis ministry, as I sat down thoroughly exhausted trying to put together the weekly bible study, as I discussed the situation with my best friend and guide – my wife, I realized just how much this church needs God. And yes I realize how silly that statement sounds, but hear me out. Churches so often go through the motions of ministry, tending to the needs of the institution. Yes we worship and pray but there is something missing.
So this past Wednesday instead of studying chapter 17 of Revelation like we were scheduled to do, we stopped. I looked around the room and saw people who were grieving the sudden loss of loved ones. I saw someone whose husband was facing surgery. I saw someone with an ongoing family situation. I saw someone missing from the group – due to illness in her family. And I’ve seen these things before, but on this day, I saw through the eyes of Jesus.
I said “you cannot bear your burdens alone. I cannot bear my burdens alone. So today we are going to bear each others burdens and lift them up to God.” And suddenly, every eye filled with tears. We began with silence, just experiencing God’s presence. Then we acknowledged those gifts from God for which we are thankful. We turned to the word, reading a psalm and a gospel lesson, and just sat listening for God to speak to us. And then we lifted up our prayer requests. I began to pray and just asked for names of those we need to remember. The list grew and grew. It expanded beyond our congregation, into our extended families, into our community and even the world. We prayed for the sick. We prayed for the grieving. We prayed for the lonely. We prayed for those who have no one else to pray for them. And we prayed some more.
After prayer, we talked. We told stories, we shared burdens, and we supported each other. We were bearing one another’s burdens. It was, without a doubt, one of the most powerful ministry experiences I have ever been a part of. We were surrounded by the Holy Spirit, we were looking into the eyes of Jesus, we were being held in the hands of the Father. It was the church at its best.
The great mystic Teresa of Avila said these words: “Christ has no body but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours, yours are the eyes with which he looks compassion on this world, yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.” And when this happens, the church is a beautiful thing indeed.

What started as a grass roots effort became an incredible event – a Father Daughter dance was held in our community. The people who put it together worked very hard to make this a special night for the dads and daughters. Thank you so much to all of you who created this event. Thank you to all the sponsors for your commitment to our community. It was a wonderful evening. Thanks also to all the fathers who brought their daughters (and all the moms who helped with hair, dresses, ties and corsages – we would be lost without you).

Besides the great food and treats there was, of course, dancing. The D.J. knew his audience – and asked for their help singing a song he hoped they “knew”, and the room was filled with “Let It Go”. Then he asked the girls to go get their fathers, grandfathers, uncles or whatever man brought them to come onto the dance floor. He played one of those smaltzy songs usually reserved for the Father Daughter dance at the wedding reception and every dad looked into his daughter’s eyes with incredible love. I looked around and saw more than a few misty eyes, mine included.

As I looked around at all the beautiful young ladies and their fathers, and I felt my daughter hugging me, I was reminded of something. I love my daughter. I love her with an incredible love. I know that nothing can separate me from that love – that no matter what she does in the future, whatever mistakes she will make, whatever choices she may make against my wishes, I will always love her without question, for my daughter is a gift from my Loving Father, who loves me with the same kind of love.
Dads (and moms) – as you tuck your daughters (or sons) in tonight, look at them. Look at the precious miracles they are. And give God thanks.

Bill

This past Sunday I wore my clerical collar at worship.  I don’t usually do that, but was heading out to a hospital visit right after worship.  I like to wear my collar on hospital visits as it serves an important purpose – identifying me as clergy. 

Today this seems to be a controversial topic.  Many of my colleagues do not wear clericals, with the reason cited that we do not need to be identified as something special.  But that is not the reason I wear mine.  I wear it just as a security guard or nurse wears specific clothing to their profession.  It is about quick identification.

This started during my Clinical Pastoral Education in seminary.  For a summer I was stationed in a hospital setting learning pastoral care skills.  This hospital had a policy that every discipline had a specific uniform for identification purposes.  Chaplains wore a blue sweater.  It made total sense one night when I was called to the Emergency Room.   I walked in and even before identifying myself to the charge nurse, she said “Chaplain, room 5.  The man wants no treatment.”  I immediately knew what to do – go and pray as this man died.

Upon ordination and my call as pastor I began to wear the collar on hospital calls.  I can approach the desk at an emergency room and quickly get a lot of information on the sick congregation member.  Or when I am with a member, the staff gives me some time and space for prayer. 

But there is one more reason.  The collar gives strangers permission to approach me.  Because people recognize the collar as clergy, I have been asked to pray many times.  Most recent was this past Sunday when I was walking back to my car.  A couple exited their truck and asked me to pray for someone who just had an operation.  We stood there, hand in hand in the parking lot of the hospital praying.  It was one of those powerful Holy Spirit moments.  Had I been wearing an ordinary dress shirt and tie, nobody would have prayed with two people who really needed the peace of God which passes all understanding.

So yes I will continue to wear my collar.  And I will continue to get comments (some downright rude and nasty) from people, including my colleagues, because it announces to people that I serve Christ.  And that is far more important.

 Peace be with you,

 Bill

Brothers and Sisters, may God bless you this Resurrection Sunday,

Bill

*SPOILER ALERT* Don’t read any further if you have not seen Frozen and plan to.

In the blockbuster movie Frozen, Princess Anna throws herself in front of the sword as Hans is about to kill Elsa. 

 Elsa “You sacrificed yourself for me?”

Anna “Of course, I love you.”

Olaf “An act of true love will thaw a frozen heart”

And this is the heart of Christianity.  Jesus willingly takes the sin of the world upon himself – he sacrifices himself because he loves us.  And that act of true love has thawed frozen hearts for over 2000 years. 

As we travel through this Holy Week, approaching the Cross of Good Friday and then the Resurrection on Easter Sunday, always know that God loves you and may you know the deep, deep love of Jesus and may your heart be filled with His warmth.

Happy Easter,

Pastor Bill

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.  Genesis 5:20

             On Sunday 3/9 I preached the first sermon in our Lenten series entitled “Giving up Control”.  On Monday, I lived that sermon.

            We left home and arrived at Philadelphia International Airport in plenty of time for me to make my goodbyes and go through security.  Now to be honest, this was my third commercial flight, and I have not flown since before 9/11, so this was pretty new territory for me.  I uncharacteristically asked the man in front of me (who had the appearance of a seasoned traveler) about the security screening and he helped me.  I proceeded to the correct gate and waited for boarding.  So far so good. 

            As I handed my ticket over to the USAir staff, there was an ominous beep.  They stopped me and explained that my flight was oversold and I did not have a guaranteed seat.  The woman explained how USAir would take care of me and book me on another flight.  She searched and ultimately found a flight to Charlotte, NC, and from there a flight to New Orleans.  So here I am, not really fully understanding the situation.  I could have lost my cool and yelled, screamed and ranted.  But deep down I knew that would do no good.  I politely asked how this happened as the flight was booked through a travel agent.  She explained again that basically, the flight was oversold.  At this point my gut reaction was to say forget this, call Manisha to pick me up and go home.  But I decided to give up control.  I accepted the flight to Charlotte.  And during the two hours of waiting in Philly, I made the call to the Board of Pensions, explaining what happened and asking for them to arrange transport from New Orleans to Loranger when I arrive.  Then I (again uncharacteristically) asked the boarding agent at the gate what I do when I arrived at Charlotte (remember, third commercial flight, first time with a stopover). 

            I boarded the flight and off I was to Charlotte.  Upon arrival, again I would have a couple of hours of wait, and so I found a nice place to sit and just hung out.  I boarded the second flight and arrived in New Orleans around 8:30 PM (with another hour drive ahead of me to the retreat center).  I arrived at the retreat center 6 hours later than scheduled, missing the opening orientation, introductions, dinner and chapel.  As I walked into the main area, the entire group was enjoying a time of refreshments.  The faculty immediately greeted me, asked if I had food, and offered me a beverage.  Truly all I wanted was to go to my room and rest, but again I decided to give up control.  I met with many of the faculty and my colleagues. Finally I found my room and went to bed.

            So here is the situation.  Truly I believed God wanted me at this place.  God had something in mind for me and therefore opposing forces kept trying to stop me (hospitalization, stress test, getting bumped from the flight).  But I listened to the sermon preached on 3/9 and gave up the control I never really had.  I accepted what was happening with grace and dignity.  And in doing so, I heard God speak to me this entire week.

            Brothers and sisters, sometimes we do need to give up control.  Sometimes there are situations that cause us anger or frustration, and we want to fight or give up, but God might have a blessing for us on the other end.  And isn’t that the point of Easter?  Jesus gave up his control so that we might live.  Let’s keep seeking that blessing.

Snow.  Need I say more?  We’ve been hit with so much snow this winter it is enough to throw your hands up and surrender.  Personally, my muscles are aching, I am tired, yet restless.  Like the rest of us, my work schedule has been messed up, and I’m desperately trying to figure out what needs to be done, and what needs to be rescheduled.  And in the middle of all of this, I’m trying to remind a congregation (and myself) to “be still and know that I am God.” 

While shoveling this morning, I had a conversation with a neighbor.  We were talking about the blessings of all of this.  Yes, blessings.  Our neighborhood is great. The kids play together; the parents hang out together – mostly in the spring, summer and fall.  But once winter hits, everyone goes into their “caves” and hides out; except for this winter.  With all the snow and school closings we’ve gotten together with the kids to go sledding, and drink hot chocolate.  Even the parents hang out and talk.  The snow forced us to take down time (after the shoveling, of course), but the needs of relationship brought us together.  That is a blessing.  My daughter and I have made snow people in our yard.  That is a blessing.  My wife baked fresh cookies and served them to three guys in the kitchen talking about superhero movies.  That is certainly a blessing! 

There are blessings in every day life.  There are blessings in the good, and there are blessings in times of crisis.  God is constantly blessing us, no matter what the situation is.  Even in the bad, God will make things good.

So how have you been blessed this winter?  How has this disruption to the “normal” life been touched by God’s hand?

 May we always seek God’s blessings in our lives,

Bill

Matthew 5:13-20

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. ¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Our gospel lesson today is a portion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.  For two thousand years, Christians have pointed to this sermon as the penultimate in Jesus’ teaching.  It is not a sermon that gives us five points to a better lifestyle.  It does not offer us three ways to be better husbands or fathers or mothers or wives.  It is not designed to show us four Godly principles on building a business.  This sermon does more.  This sermon tells us how we are to live as followers of Jesus Christ. This sermon tells us how to live and act in the Kingdom of God.  And as citizens of the Kingdom of God, we are to be salt and light.

Last Saturday I took our cars to the car wash.  Frankly we were tired of getting our clothes dirty brushing up against the salt.  With this brutal winter, we have all had enough salt – on our streets, on our cars, in our garages and then tracked through the house, no matter how hard we try to keep things clean.  Add to that the dietary sodium restrictions some people have for health purposes and we don’t get such a good view of salt do we?  But let’s look at salt.  In the times of Jesus, salt was a very rare and valuable commodity.  Since salt was highly desirable, it was used as currency and for trade.  It was used to pay Roman soldiers – the “salarium argentums” where we get the word “salary.”  Salt was even used as a price for slaves and servants.  A servant who was not worth their salt meant they were not worth the cost.  Nearly every ancient religion has used salt in some ritual including Judaism.  As today, salt was used to preserve and flavor food – and when used appropriately, does a great job.  And so salt was a great metaphor for Jesus to use – something useful that increases the value of what it is added to.  Salt – we are the salt of the world.  We add value to the world – we add flavor as in we change the world for the better.  At least we do when we accept the call to be salt and light.

Which brings us to light.  Think about the importance of light.  The sun gives us just the right amount of light and heat. Any hotter and life would not be possible.  Any colder and light would not be possible.  Plants and animals need light to grow.  Light is as essential to life as oxygen, which would not exist without light.  Light, as salt, changes things for the better.  I love that line “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.”  Just think how ridiculous that is!  Go to all the trouble of setting up a lamp, whether it is an oil lamp or a fancy electric chandelier, light it and then cover it up.  What purpose does that serve?  Not only does it cover up the light, rendering it useless, but it wastes the source of energy – whether a candle, oil or electricity.  Covering up the light is completely at odds with light itself.  And yet, that is what we do.  Christians are gifted by the Holy Spirit and many just cover those gifts up, by choosing not to use them or to NOT participate in the Missio Dei – the Mission of God.

Last week I laid out my dream for this congregation.  That was not just a sermon filler point.  I truly believe that is the congregation we are called to be.  And one way to become a community of faith that practices hospitality, healing, hope, love, repentance and forgiveness is by being salt and light. We then went on to pray for our community, after a series of tragic happenings in the weekend.  The communities where we live need salt and light.  They need the good news of Jesus Christ.  They need hope.  And we are called to deliver that hope for we are supposed to be connected to that hope.  Isaiah said “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  These were not idle words we get to read on December 24^th and move on.  These are the prophetic words that the Light of the World was coming.  And we, as followers of Jesus, know that He has come and He is that light. And if Jesus resides within us, then His light is within us.  And so we are to carry His light around – and to show that light everywhere we go.  And when we do, great changes can happen.

Disney’s latest hit movie, in the theaters now, is Frozen.  In that movie a princess is born with a power to create ice and snow.  She loses control of the power and she freezes her kingdom.  But her sister is able to break the curse through her love.  That is our role – we are to use love to break those things that freeze our world – to break the bonds of pain people feel, to break the cycle of violence in our communities, to shed light – warming light – onto the frozen hearts we encounter.  It is not enough to claim membership in a church.  It is not enough to say “I am a Christian, I believe in Jesus Christ” and then sit down and allow our communities to be in pain.  We must do what Jesus calls us to do. His sermon on the mount was not a message to fulfill his preaching time.  Jesus gave these words for us to follow.  Matthew’s gospel ends the Sermon on the Mount in chapter seven where Jesus says these words:  ²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”  Jesus doesn’t just want us to hear His words, say “Thanks be to God” and move on to something else. It is not enough for us to hear these words of Jesus; to study them; to be inspired by them; to have hopes, aspirations and dreams based on them. We must ACT on them; practice them; live them in our everyday lives.  That is the essence of discipleship – to become more like Jesus Christ.  And that is why we are here.  Jesus is calling us to be salt and light.  He is calling each one of us to let our light shine before others.  He is calling us to be His disciples. And so I ask; is your light shining?