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?

I have been preaching a sermon series called “Resolutions to Keep” where we looked at the concept of always seeking God in our lives, giving God our “First Fruits” (the first and best of us) and treating others with respect. Sunday Feb 2^nd I finished that series with Dreaming Big.  Here is an excerpt of that sermon regarding my vision for the church community.

Imagine this type of church community:  a place where people know, not just in their head, but in their heart that God loves them.  Really, truly loves them.  A love that is far more deep and wide than we can ever imagine.  I see a place where not only God’s love is known, but the peoples love as well.  And not just for their friends in the church, but for everyone who steps foot in the door, and everyone in the community.  I dream of a church where growth happens – both spiritual growth of the existing members and numerical growth of the overall body of Christ – not just transferring members from another church, but baptizing new believers – and then nurturing those new believers so they can realize their own gifts and everyone can live their fullest God-given potential.  I envision a church where non-believers can come and inquire about God without fear of being condemned, or shut down, rather they are able to express their doubts, fears and even deepest needs, knowing they are in a safe environment.  I see a community of faith where those non-believers can experience for themselves the love of God, and come to believe in Him.  I see a church where believers believe-and share their beliefs with love and respect.  I dream of a church where healing takes place – healing of the body, the mind and the soul, and where prayer happens.  I dream of a church where worship is in spirit and truth, a time of sharing the experience of God with each other, respecting all of our stylistic and worship music choices.  I can see a church where there are multiple services, not to segregate the congregation but to reach multiple people.  I have a dream that the church is such an integral part of the community that its loss would not only be noticed, but would be devastating.  I dream of a community of faith that practices hospitality, healing, hope, love, repentance and forgiveness, for members and visitors and people who just happen to walk by.  That is my dream, my vision for this congregation.  Because this is where God has called me to be.  This is where God has repeatedly confirmed my ministry.  And we can be that congregation.

So what is your vision of the church?

Bill

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Eph 3:20-21)

We have just completed the Christmas season, and now have entered the unknown territory that is 2014. Happy New Year to all of you.  And now, after having to look beyond November and into the Advent season, and looking beyond Advent to plan Christmas, and looking beyond Christmas to plan the New Year sermons, I must look back.  You see, I am a pastor, and a lot of what we do is in advance of what we deliver.  While I am writing a sermon for the first Sunday of Advent, I am thinking about Christmas Eve.  On any given Monday, my parishioners are thinking about the sermon I delivered Sunday, but I am busy researching scripture and writing the sermon for the following Sunday.  But once January hits, I need to reverse that thinking.  I have to consider the previous year to complete an annual report for the congregation and the dreaded statistical analysis for the denomination. 

This analysis, while important (membership numbers, average attendance, age, gender, average congregational shoe size, baptisms, deaths, etc.) fails to tell a story.  It says nothing about the year we had, nothing about the trials and tribulations, nothing about the successes, nothing about the joy, nothing about the pain, nothing about why we do what we do.  It is just numbers without narrative. 

So here is why we do what we do.  Last night we held our Shepherd’s Kitchen meal.  This is offered to anyone in the community who needs a meal.  Our volunteers have a lot of fun serving our guests, and our guests get a great meal filled with lots of fellowship and love.  Last night, as I held open the door to invite some guests in, one woman came up to me, gave me a hug and a holy kiss and said “Praise the Lord!  I get a cooked meal tonight!”  She didn’t care about statistical analysis of how many guests we were feeding.  She didn’t care about the average attendance of the congregation or of the ratio between meat and vegetables in the chili.  She didn’t care about seeing a chart of accounts.  She just wanted to eat a good meal in a place where she was accepted.  Pretty simple, isn’t it?  Jesus said to feed the hungry and that is what we do and why we do it.

May God bless you abundantly in this New Year.

God Bless us Everyone!

The wait is almost over.  But what exactly are we waiting for anyway?  Jesus came 2000 years ago, and for many of us, he has entered into our hearts.  Of course, we are waiting for the day when he will “come again to judge the quick and the dead”.  But this season of Advent, this time of preparation and waiting is more than stating a church doctrine.  And it is more than a period of time before the Christmas celebration.

I had some time to reflect on this the other day.  My wife, a hospice chaplain, often leads Christian services at nursing homes.  Last week she held one for Christian residents of a predominately Jewish retirement community.  But the religious service was not the only part of the day – immediately following the service would be a time of Christmas carols and the surprise arrival of the icon of Christmas, Santa (portrayed by yours truly).

So I was waiting outside the room as the Old Testament readings of the promise of the Messiah were read, and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” was sung.  I was outside the room as the scriptures of anticipation were proclaimed.  Then the New Testament readings – the birth of Jesus, the visit of the shepherds and the Wise Men were read.  And more carols proclaiming that great birth.  And all the while, I stood outside the room, hearing these great words, the word of God, reflecting on the importance of the incarnation, reflecting on my own wait for God, and at the same time, waiting for my cue following the benediction. 

Christmas is certainly a holiday that is split between a religious and secular celebration.  On one hand we hold candles and sing “Silent Night” and on the other hand we celebrate a “right jolly old elf” as he brings toys to good little boys and girls.  And both are wonderful.

Celebration is necessary – and celebration is godly.  God wants us to celebrate the gifts of life, the gifts of the creation that He has given us.  And He wants us to celebrate the most important gift – the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

So, on this final Sunday of Advent, as we approach the fun, festive Christmas holiday, and we approach the holy night when the Word became flesh, consider your own relationship with the Christ Child.  This is a great time to make the holiday more meaningful.  Perhaps your wait is over – and Jesus will rekindle the love of God in your heart.

May God bless you this Advent, and may He enter your heart once again.

Bill