So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  Acts 1:6-8

This week begins our church’s Mission Week, where we have projects within our community.  Some will be done at the church, others at the ministry locations.  We will help clean up and paint a house for emergency housing, sort clothing for another church’s clothing drive, make blankets for people in a nursing home, and provide meals for both those in need and some of our shut-in members.  Overall, we have an ambitious few days ahead of us.

In the passage from Acts, the apostles are all concerned with power structures – “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?”  This is often one of the ways we deny our calling as well. “Isn’t it the job of (insert some excuse here) to feed the hungry?”  “Can’t the government help?”  “Shouldn’t the church do more (often said by non-church goers)?” and the list goes on. 

 But that is not the way of the Lord.  He reminds them (and us) of the mission – to go out and witness, to show, to teach, to do.

Whether you are a part of our Mission Week, or you have your own mission projects this week, remember it is about doing what Jesus calls us to do. 

As you journey through this week, go with one of my favorite prayers, attributed to Francis of Assisi.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

And you shall be my people, and I will be your God. Jeremiah 30:22

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. Revelation 21:3

The eternal promise.  It is all through the Hebrew Scriptures, the Gospels and the Epistles.  No matter what happens in this life, God is with us; “though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea” we need not fear for God is with us.

Our nation is having a lot of difficulties right now.  There is too much violence in the world today.  There are too many little issues that prevent people from coming together in community, even within a church congregation, there is just far too much toxic negativity in our world. 

Be still and know that God is God, and God is with us.

As you journey through this week, hold onto this basic promise; And you shall be my people, and I will be your God.  No matter what happens, we can always pray, we can always turn to God, we can rely on Him.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

The end of all things is near; therefore, be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:7-11

Love covers a multitude of sins.  If only that were true in our “secular” lives.  Too often we are judged by what we do for a living, or how much we earn, or what we do for others (not for “others” but for the one judging).  Yet when we serve in love, it does not go unnoticed.

While serving the homeless at our last mission meal, I watched as everyone stood at the serving line, offering food to the guests without judgment.  It did not matter what they looked like, or how they were dressed, we gave them what they needed (and extra in many cases).  This was done with love, and the serving was done with the strength that God supplies.

This is the case when the church is at its best, serving those in need, loving those whom God has created, speaking the word for everyone’s benefit. 

As you journey through this new week, do so with love, for love covers a multitude of sins.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

It is Monday morning, so may of us are hurrying to get up, get dressed, eat and get out the door to work or school.  Sometimes Mondays can be the hardest day of the week.

This morning as I was making breakfast and packing lunches, checking emails and getting ready, I thought about the day, all that needs to be done, all that should get done, all that I’d like to do to take things beyond the status quo, and it hit me; a deep “Monday melancholy”.

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

Perhaps your day started off like this, or perhaps your day started out wonderfully and you charge into this new week energized.  Either way be strong and take heart for He is still risen and walks with you this day.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

On Thursday, a school administrator told the students that after they turned in a survey, they were free to begin their “long weekend”. 

On Thursday, Clergy and church servants were getting ready for a special service, the second of Holy Week as well as thinking towards Good Friday and the Easter service.

Church servants have been arranging flowers, creating extra bulletins, and in many cases, putting up with their frenetic pastors who kept saying “I’m working on it”, while the emails were filled with special sales from the various retailers expecting a long weekend of business.

Clergy have been planning multiple services and events trying to present the greatest story ever told in new and captivating ways. 

And for some, it was just a long weekend off, but we must remember Jesus died for them as well. His sacrifice is for all to know that God is alive and active in our lives for Jesus is risen and that makes all the difference.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.  Mark 11:15-18

This passage always sounds shocking, as “Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild” loses his temper and goes on a rampage in the temple.  It is righteous anger, as the temple system was unjust and cheating many people.  The high costs of the animals for sacrifice and the currency exchange was oppressive, especially upon those who could least afford it.

Sometimes righteous anger is justified for us as well.  While I do not advocate turning tables and whipping people, we do need to get united when injustice is present.  Martin Luther King, Jr. said “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” and God calls us to fight injustice.  The prophet Jeremiah says Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place (Jeremiah 22:3).

As we walk through this Holy Week, let us all pick up our crosses and walk with justice.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Luke 9:51

Where is your mind right now?  Are you prepared to enter into Holy Week or are you still concerned with so many earthly things?

Yes a lot is going on right now, there is (still) political turmoil, (still) wars and rumors of wars, (still) economic upheaval, (still) people that care more about their own gain no matter who it hurts, (still) … need I go on?

We all have things going on in our lives that truly need our attention, we have personal issues that need attention as well as family, job, school, church and societal issues.  A lot is happening right now, but how much can be put aside for a moment?  Can we take that moment to face Jerusalem with Jesus as He approaches the final week of His earthly ministry? 

Throughout Lent we have traveled with Jesus and now we face the place where His journey leads, the cross.  Are you ready?

As you travel through this week, as you deal with the earthly things placed in front of you, turn your head towards Jerusalem, towards Golgotha, towards the cross.  Gain strength from the one who walked the via Dolorosa for you, the one who suffered for you.  Know that God is with you in this week and no matter what comes, walk with Jesus.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: “Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.

Then the word of the LORD came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the LORD. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.  Jeremiah 18:1-6

Just as the potter molds the clay, God is molding us.  We are incomplete, still forming and being formed.  Each step of our spiritual journey is a step closer to the whole person God calls us to be.

During this Lenten journey, do not consider the “failures” or lack of spiritual discipline, rather continue forward knowing that everything you do in God’s name is part of your formation.

May you allow this Lenten journey to be the Potter’s Hands,

Peace,

Pastor Bill

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:  ²a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, ³a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, ⁴a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, ⁵a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, ⁶a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, ⁷a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸ a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

A Philadelphia Icon has closed.  The Macy’s department store in Philadelphia shut its doors on Sunday, but the bigger part was Saturday.  Macy’s was located in the John Wanamaker building, home of a legendary organ (and, of course, the Eagle statue).  On Saturday, a day long concert was held, with the various organists performing. 

The place was packed as people came to see the organ for what will hopefully not be the last time (the new owners of the building are still working on plans), yet it seemed important to be there.

With all the things we had to do on Saturday, we decided to go to the concert.  Sometimes you have to lay aside what you have on the “to-do” list and experience something.  For us, it was a time to enjoy something we may never enjoy again, and that was far more important than the tasks.

As you travel through this Lenten season, make sure you truly contemplate some of the times you are presented.  Often the last time to do something may be in front of you, grab it and enjoy.

Peace,

Pastor Bill