If you are reading this, then presumably you are lucky enough to still have power during what has been termed a 'snowpocalypse' by The Watershed Post. In the hopes that we will all have dug ourselves out by Saturday, here is a listing of family friendly events:
Step into Seuss: Sat Feb 27th at 10am, enjoy Seuss stories at The Green Toad in Oneonta (www.greentoadbookstore.com), then go to Southside Mall from 2-6pm (http://www.shopsouthsidemall.com/) for more Dr. Seuss. Rumor has it that there is a 7 foot tall Horton the Elephant stomping about town.
Also Saturday: "Heat Up the Night" at the Farmer's Muesum in Cooperstown from 6-9pm (http://www.farmersmuseum.org)
Looking ahead:
Tues Mar 2: St. Mary's School, Rt. 7, Oneonta will be hosting a life size Dr. Seuss event open to the community from 5 to 8pm. Come with your family to celebrate the silly and sensational stories of Dr. Seuss. Children are invited to step into their favorite Seuss story, literally by stepping into one of eleven selected Seuss stories. That evening, St. Mary's is also hosting a ham dinner from 4:30pm to 7pm. (http://www.stmarysoneonta.org/school/index.php)
Also, Sugaring Off Saturdays begin March 7th at the Farmer's Museum!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Sermon (February 21, 2010)
“Land and Shelter” Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Luke 4:1-13 2/21/10
The scriptural theme today is most clearly “temptation.” Deuteronomy, as always, is clear that once the people get out of the desert and into the promised land, they'll lose sight of God. The giving of tithes and the first produce of the land, along with the liturgical repetition that means, “I once was a foreigner in a foreign land, it is only by God's grace that I now can grow food on land God entrusts to me” is an attempt to resist temptation. Even in Hebrew Bible times, people were tempted to believe they'd gotten to a good place by their own doing, and could forget to thank God for God's help. Even back then, 4 thousand years ago, there was a temptation to forget God.
There are three named temptations in the Gospel lesson this morning. First, to transform stones into bread; second to have power over the whole world; third to test God.
After a long fast, there is reasonable fear. Mortality itself is faced. Additionally, there is hunger and pain and delusion. The temptation Jesus faced was to use his power to respond to the fear. That should sound more familiar than the temptation to make stones into bread! To use power to respond to fear. Now that's a common temptation in human life. We are so afraid of fear that we'll do just about anything to make it go away. Including, I'm convinced, keeping our lives busy and our ears full of gibberish to avoid having time to think (or pray.) When face to face with fear, we most often use our power to throw things at it, and or ignore it with all our might.
Jesus, instead, stayed face to face with the Tempter and the Temptation. Throughout this passage, take note, the temptations come from Scripture itself! Its always good to remember that the large themes of the Bible take precedence over any individual passage. There are many stories of God speaking to people through words/phrases/verses/stories from the Bible, and they have been great blessings. BUT, its easy to get pulled aside by a passage that seems to tell us what we want to hear. In the United Methodist tradition we learn to read scripture with our church tradition, all of our reason and logic, and the experiences we've had in life informing it. We try NOT to be pulled aside by one bit of Scripture. Like Jesus does, we can find responses in the Scripture itself to temptation. He responds to the Tempter from the same text that the Tempter tempts him.
So, he stays face to face with temptation, and says NO while looking at the temptation. He refuses us to use his power to reduce his body's fear of death. He maintains that life and death are not the most important thing. He asserts that God is more than bread, and God is what he needs, and God will provide – or not – and he'll stick with what he is given.
Temptation one: fear and responding to it with our own power, eliminated. Jesus faces down fear with God-trust.
Temptation two, to take over all the kingdoms of earth, is the temptation of power. For Jesus it is in the most extreme case. He is offered power over the whole world. Our power temptations tend to be a bit smaller in comparison. Sort of like, “I am tempted to have the power over the blue crayon” in comparison. But they're the same temptation. Do we take power that will harm people? Do we take what will harm ourselves? Do we take what isn't ours? Do we want to!?!?!?!
Or, can we respond as our life-example does, and say in the face of any temptation to be in power over others “All Power is God's. It is not mine to take.” Phew. Good for him on that one!
The final temptation, in a distorted way, is idolatry. Brueggmann has said that idolatry is an attempt to control God. He points out that when little idols are made, a person can move them around! Any form of trying to contain God into something smaller than God is (i.e. anything) or to be more controllable than God is (i.e. any control at all) is an extension of the idea of making a little idol to worship. That makes a WHOLE LOT of sense to me. In the third temptation, the Tempter suggests that Jesus fling himself off the tower because God will take care of him. That is, to fling himself off the tower with the expectation of what God's response will be. To jump, and thus MAKE GOD catch him. That is, to control God's action in the world!!!! To jump would be to try to control God. Controlling God, that's a form of idolatry. Jesus' answer is deceptively simple. He simply says its wrong to test God. But the underlying truth is that its wrong to try to control God. (We can ASK, but that's about it.)
Others have faced these temptations as well. In concentration camps during the Holocaust, people were being slowly killed off by starvation as well as everything else. There was not enough bread to survive. Yet, there were people in the camps who took their own bread and shared it with the more sick or more hungry. They choose not to focus on the fear of their own death, to focus on the goodness of every bite EVEN WHEN STARVING, but choose live on God and share their bread.
In occupied France at the same time, a group of French Protestants in a border village, chose to refuse the power offered to them. They were told to comply, to name the Jews among them, and to report any they met. In their faith conviction, they refused what protection they could have received by complying. Instead they worked quietly and quickly and saved THOUSANDS of Jewish children and adults. They paid prices too, the death of the child of their leader and others, and imprisonment for many. They were all threatened with death and destruction. They could have yielded, and taken the “kingdom” of peace. They refused, saying that only God had power over them, and only God would the yield to. They saved others at risk of themselves because they believed it was God's will, and they needed to follow God's power.
Like Jesus at the pinnacle of the temple refusing to test God, there are many who have chosen NOT to test God. Specifically I think of St. Francis, and Mother Teresa, and Sam Dixon (the UMCOR leader who died in Haiti). There is a temptation, in response to the pain of the world, and especially to extreme poverty, to TEST GOD by saying, “God will provide.” Yet people have chosen, over and over again, not to test God, but to offer themselves as Gods hands and feet and hearts in the world. They care for the uncared for and love the unloved and feed the unfed because they're not testing God to do it for them. They act for God, instead of asking God to act for them.
There are real temptations in life. We face them throughout our days. Many fit well into these categories: fear that motivates us to self-protect; power that tempts us towards self-importance; and idolatry that makes us try to control God. We are much like the people who have entered the land -we need the reminders that we are not alive or well by our own power. We need God to be our shelter. We seek God to counter our fear. We need God to be in control. We need to offer ourselves to God rather than ask God to act for us.
May we, as we face our Tempters, be brave enough to stand face to face and trust in God to guide us through.
The scriptural theme today is most clearly “temptation.” Deuteronomy, as always, is clear that once the people get out of the desert and into the promised land, they'll lose sight of God. The giving of tithes and the first produce of the land, along with the liturgical repetition that means, “I once was a foreigner in a foreign land, it is only by God's grace that I now can grow food on land God entrusts to me” is an attempt to resist temptation. Even in Hebrew Bible times, people were tempted to believe they'd gotten to a good place by their own doing, and could forget to thank God for God's help. Even back then, 4 thousand years ago, there was a temptation to forget God.
There are three named temptations in the Gospel lesson this morning. First, to transform stones into bread; second to have power over the whole world; third to test God.
After a long fast, there is reasonable fear. Mortality itself is faced. Additionally, there is hunger and pain and delusion. The temptation Jesus faced was to use his power to respond to the fear. That should sound more familiar than the temptation to make stones into bread! To use power to respond to fear. Now that's a common temptation in human life. We are so afraid of fear that we'll do just about anything to make it go away. Including, I'm convinced, keeping our lives busy and our ears full of gibberish to avoid having time to think (or pray.) When face to face with fear, we most often use our power to throw things at it, and or ignore it with all our might.
Jesus, instead, stayed face to face with the Tempter and the Temptation. Throughout this passage, take note, the temptations come from Scripture itself! Its always good to remember that the large themes of the Bible take precedence over any individual passage. There are many stories of God speaking to people through words/phrases/verses/stories from the Bible, and they have been great blessings. BUT, its easy to get pulled aside by a passage that seems to tell us what we want to hear. In the United Methodist tradition we learn to read scripture with our church tradition, all of our reason and logic, and the experiences we've had in life informing it. We try NOT to be pulled aside by one bit of Scripture. Like Jesus does, we can find responses in the Scripture itself to temptation. He responds to the Tempter from the same text that the Tempter tempts him.
So, he stays face to face with temptation, and says NO while looking at the temptation. He refuses us to use his power to reduce his body's fear of death. He maintains that life and death are not the most important thing. He asserts that God is more than bread, and God is what he needs, and God will provide – or not – and he'll stick with what he is given.
Temptation one: fear and responding to it with our own power, eliminated. Jesus faces down fear with God-trust.
Temptation two, to take over all the kingdoms of earth, is the temptation of power. For Jesus it is in the most extreme case. He is offered power over the whole world. Our power temptations tend to be a bit smaller in comparison. Sort of like, “I am tempted to have the power over the blue crayon” in comparison. But they're the same temptation. Do we take power that will harm people? Do we take what will harm ourselves? Do we take what isn't ours? Do we want to!?!?!?!
Or, can we respond as our life-example does, and say in the face of any temptation to be in power over others “All Power is God's. It is not mine to take.” Phew. Good for him on that one!
The final temptation, in a distorted way, is idolatry. Brueggmann has said that idolatry is an attempt to control God. He points out that when little idols are made, a person can move them around! Any form of trying to contain God into something smaller than God is (i.e. anything) or to be more controllable than God is (i.e. any control at all) is an extension of the idea of making a little idol to worship. That makes a WHOLE LOT of sense to me. In the third temptation, the Tempter suggests that Jesus fling himself off the tower because God will take care of him. That is, to fling himself off the tower with the expectation of what God's response will be. To jump, and thus MAKE GOD catch him. That is, to control God's action in the world!!!! To jump would be to try to control God. Controlling God, that's a form of idolatry. Jesus' answer is deceptively simple. He simply says its wrong to test God. But the underlying truth is that its wrong to try to control God. (We can ASK, but that's about it.)
Others have faced these temptations as well. In concentration camps during the Holocaust, people were being slowly killed off by starvation as well as everything else. There was not enough bread to survive. Yet, there were people in the camps who took their own bread and shared it with the more sick or more hungry. They choose not to focus on the fear of their own death, to focus on the goodness of every bite EVEN WHEN STARVING, but choose live on God and share their bread.
In occupied France at the same time, a group of French Protestants in a border village, chose to refuse the power offered to them. They were told to comply, to name the Jews among them, and to report any they met. In their faith conviction, they refused what protection they could have received by complying. Instead they worked quietly and quickly and saved THOUSANDS of Jewish children and adults. They paid prices too, the death of the child of their leader and others, and imprisonment for many. They were all threatened with death and destruction. They could have yielded, and taken the “kingdom” of peace. They refused, saying that only God had power over them, and only God would the yield to. They saved others at risk of themselves because they believed it was God's will, and they needed to follow God's power.
Like Jesus at the pinnacle of the temple refusing to test God, there are many who have chosen NOT to test God. Specifically I think of St. Francis, and Mother Teresa, and Sam Dixon (the UMCOR leader who died in Haiti). There is a temptation, in response to the pain of the world, and especially to extreme poverty, to TEST GOD by saying, “God will provide.” Yet people have chosen, over and over again, not to test God, but to offer themselves as Gods hands and feet and hearts in the world. They care for the uncared for and love the unloved and feed the unfed because they're not testing God to do it for them. They act for God, instead of asking God to act for them.
There are real temptations in life. We face them throughout our days. Many fit well into these categories: fear that motivates us to self-protect; power that tempts us towards self-importance; and idolatry that makes us try to control God. We are much like the people who have entered the land -we need the reminders that we are not alive or well by our own power. We need God to be our shelter. We seek God to counter our fear. We need God to be in control. We need to offer ourselves to God rather than ask God to act for us.
May we, as we face our Tempters, be brave enough to stand face to face and trust in God to guide us through.
Announcements, February 21, 2010
Our youth group is going to New Hampshire from July 4-10, and you are invited to be in mission with us. Talk to Sara for more information!
Adult studies (in Lent): Death and Resurrection! Starting Feb. 23rd. Tuesdays in Lent: A Lent Communion Worship Service. 6 to 6:30 PM. Come to one or both!
On March 21st we'll have Turkey and Biscuit for lunch, a talent show, and a chinese auction! Its time to get talents ready and auction items considered!
Lay Speaking School - April 10th & 17th @ Greene UMC - Basic course is being taught by Pastor Sara Baron. See Pastor Sara or any of our lay speakers for info (Barb S, Barb V, Steve M, Patty H). Registration deadline is March 10th.
We are still looking for Pancake Breakfast workers and coordinators!
Does anyone have a button making machine we could use?
April 24th – Habitat Day. Mark your calendars!!
We need a coordinator for Local Church. Can you do it?
The Lenten Devotional Booklets are here! Feel free to grab one to share! (Or read here)
There is no one signed up for fellowship time for the next two weeks!
Do you want to work on our new community meal? Talk to Mike Virgil or Sara.
Adult studies (in Lent): Death and Resurrection! Starting Feb. 23rd. Tuesdays in Lent: A Lent Communion Worship Service. 6 to 6:30 PM. Come to one or both!
On March 21st we'll have Turkey and Biscuit for lunch, a talent show, and a chinese auction! Its time to get talents ready and auction items considered!
Lay Speaking School - April 10th & 17th @ Greene UMC - Basic course is being taught by Pastor Sara Baron. See Pastor Sara or any of our lay speakers for info (Barb S, Barb V, Steve M, Patty H). Registration deadline is March 10th.
We are still looking for Pancake Breakfast workers and coordinators!
Does anyone have a button making machine we could use?
April 24th – Habitat Day. Mark your calendars!!
We need a coordinator for Local Church. Can you do it?
The Lenten Devotional Booklets are here! Feel free to grab one to share! (Or read here)
There is no one signed up for fellowship time for the next two weeks!
Do you want to work on our new community meal? Talk to Mike Virgil or Sara.
February 23rd
February 23rd
Jonah 3:1-10
Steve McWilliams
Jonah ran away from God, but was given a second chance. His second chance was not one he would have chosen; a message of doom to the most powerful city in the world. The message was not one that was prepared, but one that God would tell him what to say. His audience was not one that one would have chosen, the people of Nineveh who also needed a second chance for they had been condemned by God for their ways.
As I read the text, I though about how many second chances that I have had; times when I did not have a second chance or times when I had a second chance in some way but did not take advantage of it. Probably most people do think back on their lives and have wishes of situations where they would have made a different choice, but our lives and our lives with God are not about yesterday. Our lives are about today and what we do today may have an affect on tomorrow. One day at a time and we live in the present. Yesterday may help us or hurt us, but we cannot live in it.
Jonah’s past must have influenced his decision to follow God, for he did not try to run form God a second time. When the king of Nineveh heard of this, he had the people and other parts of creation to not drink, feed, and to be covered with sackcloth for repentance. It is not always our hearing God’s word that pleases him, but our response to it. Like Jonah and the people of Nineveh, repentance has to be one of sincerity from the heart, and not superficial words of the mouth.
God is always there to show compassion to anyone willing to seek him. The purpose of God’s judgment is correction, not revenge. One of the most meaningful words to me is grace, for even on second chances I may not get it right. Thanks be to God.
Jonah 3:1-10
Steve McWilliams
Jonah ran away from God, but was given a second chance. His second chance was not one he would have chosen; a message of doom to the most powerful city in the world. The message was not one that was prepared, but one that God would tell him what to say. His audience was not one that one would have chosen, the people of Nineveh who also needed a second chance for they had been condemned by God for their ways.
As I read the text, I though about how many second chances that I have had; times when I did not have a second chance or times when I had a second chance in some way but did not take advantage of it. Probably most people do think back on their lives and have wishes of situations where they would have made a different choice, but our lives and our lives with God are not about yesterday. Our lives are about today and what we do today may have an affect on tomorrow. One day at a time and we live in the present. Yesterday may help us or hurt us, but we cannot live in it.
Jonah’s past must have influenced his decision to follow God, for he did not try to run form God a second time. When the king of Nineveh heard of this, he had the people and other parts of creation to not drink, feed, and to be covered with sackcloth for repentance. It is not always our hearing God’s word that pleases him, but our response to it. Like Jonah and the people of Nineveh, repentance has to be one of sincerity from the heart, and not superficial words of the mouth.
God is always there to show compassion to anyone willing to seek him. The purpose of God’s judgment is correction, not revenge. One of the most meaningful words to me is grace, for even on second chances I may not get it right. Thanks be to God.
February 22nd
February 22nd
Isaiah 55:10-11
Anne Posey
As a Methodist by choice and a Catholic from birth, I was raised to give things up for Lent rather than to offer something up, so here goes. This passage seems to reassure us that God’s words have potential energy. God’s words once shared become kinetic energy that fuels the body and soul to drives us to accomplish a goal. That accomplished goal then fills the tank for the next task. This passage seems to offer a never-ending cycle of kinetic energy for life through Jesus. God’s word is recycled over and over again to feed us. How green!
Isaiah 55:10-11
Anne Posey
As a Methodist by choice and a Catholic from birth, I was raised to give things up for Lent rather than to offer something up, so here goes. This passage seems to reassure us that God’s words have potential energy. God’s words once shared become kinetic energy that fuels the body and soul to drives us to accomplish a goal. That accomplished goal then fills the tank for the next task. This passage seems to offer a never-ending cycle of kinetic energy for life through Jesus. God’s word is recycled over and over again to feed us. How green!
February 20th
February 20th
Matthew 4:1-11
Linda Hillis
This is the very familiar story of Jesus in the wilderness being tempted by the devil. The wilderness is a place of struggle, temptation and testing. Just as Israel came out of Egypt and for forty years was tested in the wilderness, so now Jesus experiences his own exodus, passing through the waters of baptism, and into the desert to be tested for forty days, as Israel was for forty years. The first temptation could not have been better timed. Jesus had been fasting for forty days. He was entitled to eat. Even Israel in the Old Testament was miraculously fed by manna. Why not the Son of God? “Turn these stones into loaves of bread. Use your power to satisfy your physical needs. You are entitled to food after a forty-day fast.” Jesus was hungry and of course needed something to eat. Why not turn the stones to bread? The temptation was that Jesus use his miraculous powers to provide for himself. Jesus chose a pattern of life where he would always use his God-given powers for others, never for himself. He healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind and raised the dead. His powers were always for others, not himself. That tells us something profound about the Christian life. Do I seek my own advantage? Do I want things for myself that others cannot have? Am I more concerned about the well being of others, or just myself? The second temptation was the devil’s attempt to get Jesus to doubt God by asking Jesus to put God to the test. Sometimes we are angry at God because we have attempted to test God and we are disappointed. If my loved one is healed of cancer, then I’ll know God loves me. If my boy comes back safely from an overseas mission, then I’ll know God is on my side. If I get the job that I’ve been praying for, then I’ll know that God cares for me. But what if my loved one dies of cancer? What if my boy is killed overseas? What if I don’t get the job? Will I still love and serve God regardless of the outcome, as Jesus does? In the final temptation Jesus is tempted to win the world by worshipping the devil. Jesus flatly refuses. The price that Jesus would pay for his unwavering obedience to God was incredibly high. It would ultimately cost him his life. We are continuously tempted today by the ways of society. How do we respond? Are we prepared to follow the ways of Christ, even unto death?
Matthew 4:1-11
Linda Hillis
This is the very familiar story of Jesus in the wilderness being tempted by the devil. The wilderness is a place of struggle, temptation and testing. Just as Israel came out of Egypt and for forty years was tested in the wilderness, so now Jesus experiences his own exodus, passing through the waters of baptism, and into the desert to be tested for forty days, as Israel was for forty years. The first temptation could not have been better timed. Jesus had been fasting for forty days. He was entitled to eat. Even Israel in the Old Testament was miraculously fed by manna. Why not the Son of God? “Turn these stones into loaves of bread. Use your power to satisfy your physical needs. You are entitled to food after a forty-day fast.” Jesus was hungry and of course needed something to eat. Why not turn the stones to bread? The temptation was that Jesus use his miraculous powers to provide for himself. Jesus chose a pattern of life where he would always use his God-given powers for others, never for himself. He healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind and raised the dead. His powers were always for others, not himself. That tells us something profound about the Christian life. Do I seek my own advantage? Do I want things for myself that others cannot have? Am I more concerned about the well being of others, or just myself? The second temptation was the devil’s attempt to get Jesus to doubt God by asking Jesus to put God to the test. Sometimes we are angry at God because we have attempted to test God and we are disappointed. If my loved one is healed of cancer, then I’ll know God loves me. If my boy comes back safely from an overseas mission, then I’ll know God is on my side. If I get the job that I’ve been praying for, then I’ll know that God cares for me. But what if my loved one dies of cancer? What if my boy is killed overseas? What if I don’t get the job? Will I still love and serve God regardless of the outcome, as Jesus does? In the final temptation Jesus is tempted to win the world by worshipping the devil. Jesus flatly refuses. The price that Jesus would pay for his unwavering obedience to God was incredibly high. It would ultimately cost him his life. We are continuously tempted today by the ways of society. How do we respond? Are we prepared to follow the ways of Christ, even unto death?
February 19th
February 19th
Luke 5:27-32
Barbara Virgil
Jesus Calls Levi
Levi, a tax collector, is at work in the tax booth when Jesus approaches him and says “follow me.” Levi immediately leaves everything and follows Jesus. Later, Levi hosts a great banquet for Jesus, where many tax collectors and other “sinners” are present. The Pharisees and their scribes question the disciples about why they eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners, and Jesus is the one to answer…“those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
From the beginning, (after Adam and Eve’s original sin in the Garden of Eden), God understood how prone we humans would be to poor decision-making, making false judgments and assuming things we shouldn’t assume, so he provides a way for us to repent. He provides a second chance. He says, “follow me.”
It is not up to us to judge who is acceptable in God’s eyes, or who has need of his leading and healing. It is only necessary for us, as individuals, to recognize His call and to follow Him.
Luke 5:27-32
Barbara Virgil
Jesus Calls Levi
Levi, a tax collector, is at work in the tax booth when Jesus approaches him and says “follow me.” Levi immediately leaves everything and follows Jesus. Later, Levi hosts a great banquet for Jesus, where many tax collectors and other “sinners” are present. The Pharisees and their scribes question the disciples about why they eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners, and Jesus is the one to answer…“those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
From the beginning, (after Adam and Eve’s original sin in the Garden of Eden), God understood how prone we humans would be to poor decision-making, making false judgments and assuming things we shouldn’t assume, so he provides a way for us to repent. He provides a second chance. He says, “follow me.”
It is not up to us to judge who is acceptable in God’s eyes, or who has need of his leading and healing. It is only necessary for us, as individuals, to recognize His call and to follow Him.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
February 18th
February 18th
Isaiah 58:1-9
Mike Virgil
In essence this scripture talks about fasting to serve the needy in our community, and then in turn receiving God’s grace. It also talks about actually serving neighbors in need not just talking about it, or doing it half heartedly then wondering why God doesn’t respond in a positive way to our efforts.
I see this scripture play out in the efforts of the humanitarian aid workers in Haiti; and in those in our community reaching out to help people who have suffered a catastrophic loss in their lives or who are struggling to make ends meet. These organizations and individuals are selfless when it comes to doing for others in their time of need. Unfortunately, there are also those that disguise their motives as helping others for their own personal gain.
As humans, we are sometimes fooled by what we see or hear. A true believer in God acts in a selfless and caring manner without concern for, “What’s in for me?” God knows your true intentions. I am thankful for those in our community that are selfless givers.
Isaiah 58:1-9
Mike Virgil
In essence this scripture talks about fasting to serve the needy in our community, and then in turn receiving God’s grace. It also talks about actually serving neighbors in need not just talking about it, or doing it half heartedly then wondering why God doesn’t respond in a positive way to our efforts.
I see this scripture play out in the efforts of the humanitarian aid workers in Haiti; and in those in our community reaching out to help people who have suffered a catastrophic loss in their lives or who are struggling to make ends meet. These organizations and individuals are selfless when it comes to doing for others in their time of need. Unfortunately, there are also those that disguise their motives as helping others for their own personal gain.
As humans, we are sometimes fooled by what we see or hear. A true believer in God acts in a selfless and caring manner without concern for, “What’s in for me?” God knows your true intentions. I am thankful for those in our community that are selfless givers.
February 17th, Ash Wendesday
February 17th
Joel 2: 12-18
Patti Pulara
Where is God? In Hope. I think that the book of Joel uses the symbol of locusts devouring land and enemy armies destroying Jerusalem to compare the destruction of the human spirit that is without the awareness of God. This led me to think about where one finds God amongst the daily grind of life or amidst disaster and ruin? I can look at Haiti as an example and see what they are doing. Where are they finding God? It can be summed up in one word...."HOPE". As one Haitian musician sang to his people; "Don't get discouraged, go inside yourself where you can find your spirit..." It is there that we find god and the hope to live another day.
Joel 2: 12-18
Patti Pulara
Where is God? In Hope. I think that the book of Joel uses the symbol of locusts devouring land and enemy armies destroying Jerusalem to compare the destruction of the human spirit that is without the awareness of God. This led me to think about where one finds God amongst the daily grind of life or amidst disaster and ruin? I can look at Haiti as an example and see what they are doing. Where are they finding God? It can be summed up in one word...."HOPE". As one Haitian musician sang to his people; "Don't get discouraged, go inside yourself where you can find your spirit..." It is there that we find god and the hope to live another day.
Lenten Devotional Booklet
Morris United Methodist Church
2010
Lenten Mediation Booklet, Online
Welcome to the Morris Lenten Meditation Booklet of 2010. This is our church's third creation, and it is a delightful one. Our youngest contributer this year is 7 years old! We had a nearly perfect return rate on the reflections. The theme this year is “Where is God at work?” You'll see some great answers in these pages.
Sundays are excluded from this booklet because Sundays are not a part of Lent. But, to keep ourselves attentive to God at work during every day, there will be Sunday reflections as well. They'll just be done verbally in worship! So, come to worship and year your brothers and sisters in faith share their scriptural reflections as well!
Instructions:
Take a moment to breath/pray/center.
Pull out your Bible (or borrow one from the church if you have one of those versions that makes no sense.
Read the assigned scripture.
Read the reflection offered in this booklet.
Rest with it for a few.
Repeat the following day.
The hope is that this booklet will be a blessing to all- those who wrote and those who get to receive the gifts of the mediations.
Pastor Sara Baron
Lessons
While on vacation I had the chance to take a ski lesson. Its been quite a while since I took a ski lesson, 10 years maybe, but I've been skiing for 17, and usually I don't think I need them. My parents and I had gone to Jay Peak though, and Jay Peak has amazing glades. I've been playing in glades for a few years, but without any training. Jay has lessons for people to teach them how to ski in the glades! So I signed up for a lesson!
Well, then I got nervous. "What if the instructor is mean? What if the instructor asks me to do something I can't do? What if the skiing is too hard? What if I make a fool of myself?" Now, if you think about it, someone you pay to teach you to ski isn't very likely to be mean. Further, I know how to ski!
So why was I so scared?
Because taking a lesson of any sort is putting yourself in someone else's care for a bit. I'm used to being in control, and it was scary to let it go! I know that taking a class or showing up to a new event at church can be similarly scary. Afterall, the pastor may ask you something you don't know, and you could be embarrassed.
My ski lesson was great, I learned a great tip on how to use poles. Sometimes foregoing control and being a bit out of sorts is worth it. For the record though, I know how it feels.
Announcements, February 14, 2010
Sign ups available: cleaning the church, Hour with Sara, Fellowship, and pancake breakfast coordinators, volunteers, and for food.
Our youth group is going to New Hampshire from July 4-10, and you are invited to be in mission with us. Talk to Sara for more information!
Adult studies (in Lent): Death and Resurrection! Starting Feb. 23rd at 6:30 PM.
Tuesdays in Lent: A Lent Communion Worship Service at 6 PM.
On March 21st we'll have Turkey and Biscuit for lunch, a talent show, and a chinese auction! (All after worship) Its time to get talents ready and auction items considered!
We are looking for a group of people to work on creating a Community Meal at our church. Talk to Pastor Sara or Mike Virgil if you have interest.
Lay Speaking School- April 10th & 17th @ Greene UMC - Basic course is being taught by Pastor Sara Baron. See Pastor Sara or any of our lay speakers for info (Barb S, Barb V, Steve M, Patty H). Registration deadline is March 10th.
We have a great idea, but we need a button making machine. Before we run out and buy one, does anyone have one we could use?
April 24th – Habitat Day. Mark your calendars!!
Habitat Day
We have signed up for a work day with Habitat for Humanity of Otsego County!
We're going on April 24th and we need two teams: one to work and one to feed the workers! Can you go? Sign up by commenting on the blog, answering an e-mail, or telling Pastor Sara.
We're going on April 24th and we need two teams: one to work and one to feed the workers! Can you go? Sign up by commenting on the blog, answering an e-mail, or telling Pastor Sara.
Lay Speaking School
ONEONTA DISTRICT
LAY SPEAKING SCHOOL
“Leading, Caring &
Communicating”
at
Greene United Methodist Church
Greene, NY
April 10 & 17, 2010
Please Share this form with any who might be interested
Questions?
Call/e-mail
George Gallandorm (607) 674-2552 revgeorge@frontiernet.net
or
Richard Hanson (315) 858-3731
Basic Lay Speaking
Led by
Rev. Sara Baron and Tom Blake
Looking for inspired and inspiring leadership skills and personal growth? Laity attending lay speaker school for the first time (or after a long absence from the school) need to enroll in “Lay Speakers Ministry: Basic” This course helps students develop personal faith and life styles that proclaim the gospel. The course helps students grow in their abilities to witness, teach, lead, serve, and preach (revised course will not require you to prepare and present a devotional). Increase your skills, enjoy meeting and sharing with others, reinforce your faith journey.
Lay Speakers Tell Stories
Led by
Rev. Joyce Allen
Lay speakers will learn what makes a good story, discover their own style as a storyteller, learn and practice creating stories from their own experiences during their faith journey.
Sharing Your Faith - One-on-One
Led by
Rev. Benjamin Shaw
The purpose of this course is to provide some tools for sharing your faith with other individuals in a one-on-one basis. This course has been up-dated to reflect the new word “witness” in our membership vows. Also, there will be a segment on boundary and misconduct issues. All are invited to audit the course. Those who have completed the Basic Lay Speaker course will receive Advanced Lay Speaker Certificates.
Hymnody
Led by
Rev. George Gallandorm
This course is not only for the musically gifted, but the musically interested. The course will spend sometime on the history of music in the church. The major emphasis will however be the use of hymns and music in worship. Also developing worship services that integrate music as a vital and lively spiritual component. Time will be spent on use of the United Methodist hymnal and other resources available.
Daily Schedule
April 10
8:15-8:45 - Registration
8:45-9:00 - Worship
9-12 – Class time (w/break)
12-12:45 Lunch available
1-4 – Class time (w/break)
April 17
8:30-12 – Class Time (w/break)
12-1 – Lunch available
1-3 Class Time (w/break)
3-4 – Closing Worship
Registrar:
E.Elaine Gates
48 Pleasant Valley Road
Port Crane, NY 13833
Phone:607-226-7219 (day)
607-648-9790 (after 6 p.m.)
Send completed form and registration fee ($30 made out to Wyoming Annual Conference) to the registrar.
Cost of school is $30 – Lunch extra
Words about the School
All churches in the United Methodist connection require inspired, capable and trained leadership of both clergy and laity. It is our goal to assist and empower laity to lead, care and communicate with confidence and ability. Courses are provided for laity who are interested in expanding their faith journey and/or developing their skills as leaders.
THIS SCHOOL IS NOT ONLY FOR LAITY WHO DESIRE TO PREACH OR LEAD PUBLIC WORSHIP. Lay speakers throughout the Wyoming Annual Conference, and entire United Methodist connection have historically filled this role in obedience to God’s call on their lives. But God’s call is different to each of His created, and God has given each of us our own special gifts and graces, as the Apostle Paul so often mentioned. Lay Speaking Classes are developed to help individuals pursue their call, whatever it may be –teaching, caring, mission, evangelism, worship or preaching.
Deadline – March 10, 2010
Registration Form
(Deadline – March 10, 2010)
Name: __________________________
Address: ________________________
______________________________
Phone #: _________________
e-mail: _________________________
Local Church/District: _____________
COURSE SELECTION – Choose 1
Basic Lay Speaking* ____
Sharing Your Faith ___
Hymnody ___
Story Telling ___
Lunch will be available at the church each day for $ TBD
Lunch 4/10 ___ Lunch 4/17___
Reservation only for lunch. Money will be collected the days of classes.
Basic students need signature of your pastor and Church Council
Chairperson.
Pastor: _____________________
Chair: _____________________
Pancake Breakfast
Somehow or another, I'm told it started with an intention to "feed the hungry," we've ended up with a tradition of having Pancake Breakfasts during Lent. Each week a person or couple signs up to be the "coordinators" and they make sure that there are enough volunteers, plenty of food, and the coffee gets started really early! Others sign up to bring food or volunteers. As a team, pancakes and french toast, eggs, bacon, and sausage, are made, apple sause and drinks are served, and dishes get washed. The kitchen is always full of fun, and many people come to enjoy the good food and atmosphere.
This runs from the first Saturday after Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before Palm Sunday because, really, we don't want the Sanctuary to smell like pancakes on Easter. At least we're honest!
This runs from the first Saturday after Ash Wednesday to the Saturday before Palm Sunday because, really, we don't want the Sanctuary to smell like pancakes on Easter. At least we're honest!
Sermon (February 14, 2010)
"Shining" based on Transfiguration – Exodus 34: 29-35, Luke 9:28-36
Moses comes off the mountain with his face shining. By the narratives in the Bible, Moses is the ONLY one who gets to speak face to face with God (whatever that means). However, the experience of being close to the Divine Presence changed him – physically even. The rest of the people, in fact, couldn't handle it. Being close to Moses when he'd been transformed by being close to God was too much for them. They made him cover his face so he wouldn't freak them out. My guess is that they didn't want to be reminded that profoundly of the mystery and power of God.
The key here is to remember that we aren't all the same, and that connecting to God takes on MANY forms. BUT – you are responsible for finding the ways that work for you and using them! And for finding the time to do so!
Moses comes off the mountain with his face shining. By the narratives in the Bible, Moses is the ONLY one who gets to speak face to face with God (whatever that means). However, the experience of being close to the Divine Presence changed him – physically even. The rest of the people, in fact, couldn't handle it. Being close to Moses when he'd been transformed by being close to God was too much for them. They made him cover his face so he wouldn't freak them out. My guess is that they didn't want to be reminded that profoundly of the mystery and power of God.
Peter, James and John had a similar experience. They were SLEEPING when it started, but were woken to a vision of Jesus shining with God's light, standing between Moses and Elijah. What a way to wake up! And, in addition to seeing the glory of God they also heard God's voice. Which, as the scripture says, terrified them. Peter had been on his understandable kick about “let's memorialize this moment” when the voice spoke with “This is my child, the beloved, listen to him!” Even Peter was stunned into silence.
Its intentional, in the Gospel, to mention that the disciples were sleeping. It is meant both as “sleeping” AND as “failing to be attentive to what God is doing.” The Gospels are often contrasting FULL LIFE with God to spiritual sleep-walking through life without seeing what God is doing. The disciples were, as it all started, not noticing what God was doing, but they woke up to it. And, yes, good job if you noticed it – this stands in contrast to the sleep FILLED night for them in the Garden of Gethsemane. This time they notice. That night they lose the battle.
The battle to stay awake to God's Presence and work in the world is one of the primary challenges of faith life. Just like its easy to forget how nice it is to move around freely until you twist and ankle, or how great it is to have opposable thumbs until one is hurt, or how much you really do love a family member until that person goes away for a week, or how much you have in life until you see a homeless person beg for pennies; its possible to tune out the extraordinary Presence of God.
Bruce Epperly, in the Process and Faith Lectionary for this week says that “the church is called to be a laboratory for spiritual experiences, a place where persons expect God to “show up” in their lives in life-changing ways.”1 That is, we're not meant to take the experiences of Moses and Jesus as cool moments that show how faithful they are – we're supposed to follow in their footsteps, walk up to the mountaintop and open ourselves to God's presence like they did. And then watch and see what God does with us.
This leads us to some very important questions: where is your mountaintop? I've asked a lot of you that question, and many of you have great answers. I've even gotten to see some of the places. However, some are a bit less accessible at this time of year ;) Let me ask again, for those of you who haven't answered, and for those who know but may need to consider: Where is your mountaintop? That is, where is your holy place? That is, where can you go to let God change you from the inside out? I know of: a fishing pond. A fallen tree by a steam. The garden. Hilltops with views. A quiet place under the hickory trees. But it isn't always about place.
In the book “The Five Love Languages, “ Gary Chapman2 suggests that each human being “speaks” one of 5 love languages. That language is the primary way that the person experiences love, and because of it, is the primary way that person tries to express love. His point is that each person in a partnered relationship needs to speak to their loved one in the language of the loved one – not the language they wish to receive in.
The 5 are: Being Present; Acts of Service, Words of Affirmation; Physical Touch; and Giving Gifts. It occurs to me that these are also a key to our Holy Places. For some, it will be place – probably those (like me) who respond most to BEING PRESENT. We just wanna hang out with God. Many of you tell me that you feel most connected to God when you are in service to the church – cleaning the pews or polishing the brass or teaching Sunday School. That should be an ah-ha about what you need to do when you need closeness to God. I suspect that people for whom love is best known in words of affirmation, worship is KEY to connecting to God. Perhaps writing poems to God, or a valentine, or just singing praise songs throughout the week helps. I'm not QUITE sure how those who speak physical touch best seek God, but I have a few guesses – perhaps there is something more positional for you in how you pray – like the vision I used to have lying in a church pew and thinking of myself as lying on God's lap for prayer. Also, perhaps, physical connection with others – a partner or a family member or a friend – or just holding a baby – is the best way to feel God's closeness. Finally, for those who know love through Gifts, perhaps giving your offering, or buying the flowers for the church, or donating to the trustees project, leaving some pens downstairs for the rest of us, or giving to the graduates each year, is important to your connection to God.
The key here is to remember that we aren't all the same, and that connecting to God takes on MANY forms. BUT – you are responsible for finding the ways that work for you and using them! And for finding the time to do so!
Now, my dear brother is the best skier in the family – sorry Mom and Dad. He operates under the theory that if you aren't falling while skiing, you aren't trying hard enough. And, because of that theory I'm convinced, he has pushed himself further and gotten better than I really even dream of. But we actually all keep his rule in mind on the mountains.
This week I stood in a glade at Jay Peak, on top of a mound of snow which was on top of a small tree trunk and looked down the mountain. To get off of that mound of snow was going to require a super tight turn that I was pretty sure I couldn't make that would land me going too fast for the next turn. And, to be honest, there wasn't any better way out of my situation. So, I took a breath (which is ALWAYS a form of prayer), and told myself, “OK. You are going to try this turn. And you are going to fall. And that's OK. You won't get hurt, you'll just fall.”
Now, before you think I'm being arrogant, I'll let you know that I had plenty of falls this week, and I have a bruise on the INSIDE of my upper arm from one of them to prove it. But, after that little pep talk to myself, I planted my pole, and took the turn. And I got it around without a problem and continued down the rest of the trail without a fall.
The fear of falling had stopped me in my tracks, but once I remembered that it wasn't such a bad thing if I did, I could continue on. And once I wasn't afraid of the fall, I didn't even have to do it – I was more able than I knew! Seek God with a willingness to risk – a willingness to fall! Because you never know when you'll be surprised at how close God is and how willing God is to shine through you!
It is scary to be face to face with God. And its hard to even seek God because closeness to God also brings you face to face with yourself. Those are the risks.
Knowing them, are you willing to risk to get closer to God?
That is, are you willing to really see yourself, and the world, and deep truth? Are you willing to take a class (Death and Resurrection) and see where it takes you? Are you willing to give up some time in service? Are you willing to come talk to me about forms of prayer that may get you out of a rut? Or to ask someone to be your prayer partner? Or to give more to Haiti because God's heart is broken with the people's pain? It won't hurt, at least not in the long run, but it will change you!! Are you willing to try new ways, seek old ways that worked, look for God in all you do?
And then, if you go to a holy place and find the time to tune in to God, are you open to the changes that may come? How might prayer move you to act in the world? How might more God in your being make you more loving, and thus worried for others? How does your spirituality impact your living?
Here we end– with the questions to answer, with the knowledge that God DOES change people into Shining out with love, and with the affirmation that you have to be willing to fall to move forward sometimes – ESPECIALLY in spiritual life. May you find space, time, and willingness to risk.
Amen
1Bruce G. Epperly, "February 14, 2010
6th Sunday after Epiphany
Transfiguration Sunday" http://www.processandfaith.org/lectionary/YearC/2009-2010/2010-02-14.shtml, accessed on 2/13/210
2Gary Chapman, Five Languages of Love. (Northfield Publishing, 1995).
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Announcements, February 7, 2010
Sign ups: cleaning the church, Hour with Sara, Fellowship, and the Lent Booklets!
Our youth group is going to New Hampshire from July 4-10, and you are invited to be in mission with us. Talk to Sara for more information!
Adult studies (in Lent): Death and Resurrection! Starting Feb. 23rd.
Mark your calendars for the Ash Wednesday service this year at 7 PM on Feb. 17th. Start the season of Lent with a time to remember and let go!
Tuesdays in Lent: A Lent Communion Worship Service.
On March 21st we'll have Turkey and Biscuit for lunch, a talent show, and a chinese auction! (All after worship) Its time to get talents ready and auction items considered!
Pastor Sara is going skiing! If you need a pastor, please call Rev. Allyson Ellis of the New Berlin UMC at 847-6350. Sara will be back for Sunday worship.
We are still looking for people to be coordinators for the Pancake Breakfasts - sign-up sheets are in the Narthex. If you have questions or need more information, please talk with Elaine M. or Elaine F. after Church. (Saturday mornings in Lent)
We are looking for a group of people to work on creating a Community Meal at our church. Talk to Pastor Sara or Mike Virgil if you have interest.
Our youth group is going to New Hampshire from July 4-10, and you are invited to be in mission with us. Talk to Sara for more information!
Adult studies (in Lent): Death and Resurrection! Starting Feb. 23rd.
Mark your calendars for the Ash Wednesday service this year at 7 PM on Feb. 17th. Start the season of Lent with a time to remember and let go!
Tuesdays in Lent: A Lent Communion Worship Service.
On March 21st we'll have Turkey and Biscuit for lunch, a talent show, and a chinese auction! (All after worship) Its time to get talents ready and auction items considered!
Pastor Sara is going skiing! If you need a pastor, please call Rev. Allyson Ellis of the New Berlin UMC at 847-6350. Sara will be back for Sunday worship.
We are still looking for people to be coordinators for the Pancake Breakfasts - sign-up sheets are in the Narthex. If you have questions or need more information, please talk with Elaine M. or Elaine F. after Church. (Saturday mornings in Lent)
We are looking for a group of people to work on creating a Community Meal at our church. Talk to Pastor Sara or Mike Virgil if you have interest.
Sermon (February 7, 2010)
“Here We Are – For Better or Worse”
Isaiah 6:1-8 and Luke 5:1-11
Our readings this week are both call stories. Which is church language for “a story in which God calls on someone, and that person's life is changed by responding.” These stories are particularly important, because they speak to us about how God has been heard in the past – which is meant to inform us about how God may be heard in the present.
God uses a lot of means of communication, and with all the ones in the Bible -and some of them are WEIRD – they're still just a small set of examples of God's work. We still learn a lot from them though.
Isaiah's call, by our best guess, happened when he was in worship at the Temple. He has a vision of God sitting on a throne, and the hem of the robe of the Lord is so big that it fills the whole Temple. A fabulous point here: God sometimes speaks during worship! Further, God speaks sometimes to just one of the people who are present, and in a unique way, and not always from the worship itself. This vision was Isaiah's alone. God spoke while Isaiah was present and seeking God, but others who were doing the same were not called that day.
A second point: it appears that experiences of God are awe-striking. Pretty much everyone in the Bible, when they get close to the Divine One, responds “AHHHHHHHH!!!! I'm not Good Enough!” Isaiah is no different. He responds that he is unclean. EVEN THOUGH he would have cleaned himself in order to enter the Temple. God's response, however, is to symbolically remove objections. The uncleanness is made clean. Isaiah doesn't get out of the work. And, once God has acted to both call and remove the barriers, THEN Isaiah speaks the words “Here I am, send me.” I rather like it that God does all the acting! We often sing the hymn, but its good to notice that Isaiah speaks his faith and his willingness – AFTER God has prepared him. We don't have to be ready for what hasn't happened yet, and we will be prepared for what we are asked to do. God isn't calling everyone to the same work, or at the same time, or even at the same rate. BUT, God is faithful to prepare us. Phew – that's some pressure off!
Peter's experience is VERY similar to Isaiah's. At first there is just frustration, then Jesus comes and there is a sign of God's power and goodness. Then, when Peter is overwhelmed by God's closeness, Peter also responds with his unworthiness, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" And the response is still the same as well. “Do not be afraid.” We humans apparently need to hear that a lot! But then, as well, the sinfulness is not a barrier. Jesus changes Peter's life by calling on him to leave the fish and seek out people. Its rather amusing really: The fisherman can't get any fish, so Jesus has him pull in a HUGE catch as a way to tell him that his fishing days are over. God's sense of humor, as per usual.
These call stories are profound, the men who experienced them had radically different lives afterward. Isaiah became a prophet – going around sharing God's desire for justice with the people as a full time “job.” Peter left all that he knew and followed Jesus. His house, his friends, his family, his profession, his possessions – they all stayed behind.
I suspect, although the Gospels don't mention it, that as hard as that seems, it was really a blessing for Peter. He was totally free! A fisherman who fished all night without a catch would be worrying about having enough for the family and for the market – worried about well being for that day and that week. But those worries were left behind. The care for the nets (which occupied a lot of the land time of fisherman) and the stability of the boat, and …. all the work that has to be done to maintain possessions got left behind as well.
I think about it sometimes. My car, which serves me so well to get me from one place to another, also has its own hold on me. I pay its insurance bill, and for gas, and maintenance. I always have thoughts in the back of my head about when I'll need to get gas, when it next needs an oil change, “was that a weird noise?”, and a mild fear that I'll get a flat. I've gotten a lot of inconvenient flats. That is, m car occupies a bit of worry and organizational space in my mind as well as taking some of my income to maintain. To be honest, all my possessions do! This may be more relevant to some people than others, but, for example, a new shirt can be pretty fun. But has it ever happened that a new shirt doesn't quite match any of your pants? And then you buy new pants? And then the pants are too long and you need other shoes? And then the shoes are perfect, but you need.....
Each possession comes with its own demands. I'm done harping on it, but I notice that Peter in leaving it all behind and following Jesus might well have been very blessed to walk away from having possessions. He isn't the only one who followed God that way, and he isn't the only one to be blessed by it. I will note that we we might all be happier if we had less things tying us down, but most of us are probably still not called to give it all away – at least not yet! Apparently, if God is going to ask that, God will at least prepare us and respond to our objections first!
In any case, God is calling people. The calls are to different things and in different ways, but they're around. I hope you'll be open to noticing when they happen in your life. Moreso, I hope you'll let go of any fear you have of what God might ask. It is true that God isn't afraid to ask beyond what we deem reasonable or easy, but its also true that God will prepare us for what we're asked to do. So there is no need to be afraid, and probably the only barrier to your call is your fear that keeps God away.
Like Peter was blessed to walk away from all he knew, and like that's really a very strange form of blessing, may God ask of you what is best for you – and may you be open to respond.
Amen
Isaiah 6:1-8 and Luke 5:1-11
Our readings this week are both call stories. Which is church language for “a story in which God calls on someone, and that person's life is changed by responding.” These stories are particularly important, because they speak to us about how God has been heard in the past – which is meant to inform us about how God may be heard in the present.
God uses a lot of means of communication, and with all the ones in the Bible -and some of them are WEIRD – they're still just a small set of examples of God's work. We still learn a lot from them though.
Isaiah's call, by our best guess, happened when he was in worship at the Temple. He has a vision of God sitting on a throne, and the hem of the robe of the Lord is so big that it fills the whole Temple. A fabulous point here: God sometimes speaks during worship! Further, God speaks sometimes to just one of the people who are present, and in a unique way, and not always from the worship itself. This vision was Isaiah's alone. God spoke while Isaiah was present and seeking God, but others who were doing the same were not called that day.
A second point: it appears that experiences of God are awe-striking. Pretty much everyone in the Bible, when they get close to the Divine One, responds “AHHHHHHHH!!!! I'm not Good Enough!” Isaiah is no different. He responds that he is unclean. EVEN THOUGH he would have cleaned himself in order to enter the Temple. God's response, however, is to symbolically remove objections. The uncleanness is made clean. Isaiah doesn't get out of the work. And, once God has acted to both call and remove the barriers, THEN Isaiah speaks the words “Here I am, send me.” I rather like it that God does all the acting! We often sing the hymn, but its good to notice that Isaiah speaks his faith and his willingness – AFTER God has prepared him. We don't have to be ready for what hasn't happened yet, and we will be prepared for what we are asked to do. God isn't calling everyone to the same work, or at the same time, or even at the same rate. BUT, God is faithful to prepare us. Phew – that's some pressure off!
Peter's experience is VERY similar to Isaiah's. At first there is just frustration, then Jesus comes and there is a sign of God's power and goodness. Then, when Peter is overwhelmed by God's closeness, Peter also responds with his unworthiness, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" And the response is still the same as well. “Do not be afraid.” We humans apparently need to hear that a lot! But then, as well, the sinfulness is not a barrier. Jesus changes Peter's life by calling on him to leave the fish and seek out people. Its rather amusing really: The fisherman can't get any fish, so Jesus has him pull in a HUGE catch as a way to tell him that his fishing days are over. God's sense of humor, as per usual.
These call stories are profound, the men who experienced them had radically different lives afterward. Isaiah became a prophet – going around sharing God's desire for justice with the people as a full time “job.” Peter left all that he knew and followed Jesus. His house, his friends, his family, his profession, his possessions – they all stayed behind.
I suspect, although the Gospels don't mention it, that as hard as that seems, it was really a blessing for Peter. He was totally free! A fisherman who fished all night without a catch would be worrying about having enough for the family and for the market – worried about well being for that day and that week. But those worries were left behind. The care for the nets (which occupied a lot of the land time of fisherman) and the stability of the boat, and …. all the work that has to be done to maintain possessions got left behind as well.
I think about it sometimes. My car, which serves me so well to get me from one place to another, also has its own hold on me. I pay its insurance bill, and for gas, and maintenance. I always have thoughts in the back of my head about when I'll need to get gas, when it next needs an oil change, “was that a weird noise?”, and a mild fear that I'll get a flat. I've gotten a lot of inconvenient flats. That is, m car occupies a bit of worry and organizational space in my mind as well as taking some of my income to maintain. To be honest, all my possessions do! This may be more relevant to some people than others, but, for example, a new shirt can be pretty fun. But has it ever happened that a new shirt doesn't quite match any of your pants? And then you buy new pants? And then the pants are too long and you need other shoes? And then the shoes are perfect, but you need.....
Each possession comes with its own demands. I'm done harping on it, but I notice that Peter in leaving it all behind and following Jesus might well have been very blessed to walk away from having possessions. He isn't the only one who followed God that way, and he isn't the only one to be blessed by it. I will note that we we might all be happier if we had less things tying us down, but most of us are probably still not called to give it all away – at least not yet! Apparently, if God is going to ask that, God will at least prepare us and respond to our objections first!
In any case, God is calling people. The calls are to different things and in different ways, but they're around. I hope you'll be open to noticing when they happen in your life. Moreso, I hope you'll let go of any fear you have of what God might ask. It is true that God isn't afraid to ask beyond what we deem reasonable or easy, but its also true that God will prepare us for what we're asked to do. So there is no need to be afraid, and probably the only barrier to your call is your fear that keeps God away.
Like Peter was blessed to walk away from all he knew, and like that's really a very strange form of blessing, may God ask of you what is best for you – and may you be open to respond.
Amen
Haiti Relief
Given the news about what other churches are doing, or trying to do in Haiti, it seems to be time to inform ourselves about what the United Methodist Church is doing. A whole lot of information can be found here: http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.5719935/k.E27B/Earthquake_in_Haiti_The_Church_Responds.htm
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