Gather the Outcast
The reading today comes from Zephaniah. Zephaniah was a contemporary of the prophet Jeremiah, in fact, Jeremiah at one point asks Zephaniah to take a message to the king. The book Zephaniah is written in response to raids by a group called the “Scythians” who were nomadic raiders originating out of the southwestern Russia. Zephaniah sees these raiders as a warning of more troubles to come if the people do not change their ways.
This by now has become a common theme of the prophets. Destruction is at hand, the people must change their ways, God will save.
Disparity of Wealth and caring for the poor is not only an ancient problem. Consider the following:
“average pay for corporate chief executive officers rose to 369 times that of the average worker last year, said finance professor Kevin Murphy of the University of Southern California; that compares with 131 times in 1993 and 36 times in 1976.”
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/295840_polleconomy14.html?source=mypi
In fact, the disparity of wealth between the richest 1% of our country and the rest of us is becoming as dramatic as it was in 1929 preceding the great depression. The best year was 1976 when the wealthiest 1% owned 20%, the wealthiest 1% today own about 38% of the nations wealth.
http://sociology.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/wealth.html
The “brood of vipers” become citizens of the kingdom of God when they begin to live in the recognition that all people are of worth and valued by God. They become citizens when they don’t make judgments about the poor but they begin to do something with the poor.
The people of LUMC have done much to live this vision. This past year through the “Pastor’s Love Fund” we have distributed nearly $1,000 to those in need. We have purchased food, gas and clothing. We have helped with rent, electric and water bills. We have purchased medications, and helped with doctor bills.
This year we will continue to live as people of the kingdom as we continue to name and do the work of helping our neighbors. We will continue to help those who ask for assistance and we will find more ways to bring help to those in need. As we help our neighbors, as we look for signs of the kingdom, we are making the way ready for the Messiah’s reign.
Devotions for the fourth week of Advent
Monday Read Zephaniah 1:7-13
The prophet describes God’s judgment as separating the rich from the objects of their wealth. How might it be a good thing to be separated from objects of wealth, what would the benefit be?
Pray for those holding on to possessions.
Tuesday Read Zephaniah 2:1-4
The people are called to gather together before God’s judgment comes and the people are scattered by God’s hand. How might we find strength in community? How can you participate in building community in your neighborhood, or your church?
Pray for those who are isolated and vulnerable.
Wednesday Read Zephaniah 3:14-20
This is a song of joy, for the community is restored as the outcast are gathered together. What prayers, time or money can you give for a mission of the church this next year?
Pray for the Mission opportunities of the church where we might feed, house, teach, build up the people of God.
Thursday Read Luke 3:1-6
John the Baptist quotes Isaiah, that to prepare for the Messiah we need to make straight paths, lift valleys, lower mountains, smooth over the rough places. How does this image fit your life today? Its December 21st, only a few days now until Christmas, what do you need to change so you can receive the Christ child?
Pray for your life with God, any rough places that you and God need to work on together?
Friday Read Luke 3:7-14
John seemingly turns on the people calling them a “brood of vipers.” Then addresses their questions about living a life with God, with answers like, tax collectors don’t take too much and soldiers respect the people. How might John the Baptist lead you in your work or life so you can live according to God’s kingdom?
Pray for those who are oppressing others and justify it by saying, “I’m only doing my job.”
Monday, December 18, 2006
Thursday, December 14, 2006
O Christmas Tree
Last Night we finally got the tree up. We had a bit of a family discussion about the tree this year, Kendra and I with our newly refinished oak wood floor, wanted to get a simple “fake” tree. Brianna was disappointed. She likes how the “real” ones smell. Finally we agreed, Brianna could have another tree in her room, and that seemed to satisfy her.
There has been a lot of hubbub about trees this week. I received an e-mail from “The American Family Association” who is all upset that Senator Murray refused to say “Christmas” tree instead calling it a “holiday” tree. Ugh. I don’t know why she didn’t call it a Christmas tree. The AMA seems to take this as an attack on Christmas. Politically I think it is silly to try to call a Christmas Tree a holiday tree instead. Have people of other religions all the sudden wanted to claim the Christmas Tree as a symbol? IS a “Christmas Tree" a Christian symbol at all, or is it simply a popular thing to do from the Victorian era? What “holiday” is the tree representing if not Christmas? Are evergreen trees part of Hanukah?
Then there is the well known story about Sea-Tac Airport and its removal and eventual un-removal of said trees. Sea-Tac officials, when asked to display a menorah, decided instead to remove all the Christmas Trees from the airport. Ugh. You have to love the overreaction. Apparently, now all is good and the tree are back as is a menorah.
Here’s the thing. There are a number of Christians who complain about the “commercialization” of Christmas. I too become annoyed when the Christmas decorations and store advertisements appear on November 1st. So why do some of those same people have a problem when “Christmas” trees become “holiday” trees? Wouldn’t it be good for the Christian faith if those who are not followers of Jesus, those who are not professing Christians, stopped celebrating Christmas? What if Christmas was a time set apart for Christians and everyone else went about their normal business?
Of course that isn’t going to happen. Christmas has become a national holiday along the lines of 4th of July. Atheist and Agnostics don’t go to work on December 25th, they don’t refuse Christmas presents, or tell their children that Santa is a Christian Saint and so there will be no presents from Santa this year. So we will continue to struggle with the separation of church and state, Christmas trees and holiday trees, until the Christian faith reclaims Christ’s Mass is its own unique time.
I propose that Christians reclaim the 12 days of Christmas. So that when everyone else has packed up the decorations, stopped playing the songs, returned the unwanted gifts, there will be Christians who are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Let the Senator call the tree whatever she wants to call the tree. Let the airport decorate its halls however it chooses (or not) to do. Let us give thanks to God for sending the light of Jesus Christ into this dark and troubled world.
There has been a lot of hubbub about trees this week. I received an e-mail from “The American Family Association” who is all upset that Senator Murray refused to say “Christmas” tree instead calling it a “holiday” tree. Ugh. I don’t know why she didn’t call it a Christmas tree. The AMA seems to take this as an attack on Christmas. Politically I think it is silly to try to call a Christmas Tree a holiday tree instead. Have people of other religions all the sudden wanted to claim the Christmas Tree as a symbol? IS a “Christmas Tree" a Christian symbol at all, or is it simply a popular thing to do from the Victorian era? What “holiday” is the tree representing if not Christmas? Are evergreen trees part of Hanukah?
Then there is the well known story about Sea-Tac Airport and its removal and eventual un-removal of said trees. Sea-Tac officials, when asked to display a menorah, decided instead to remove all the Christmas Trees from the airport. Ugh. You have to love the overreaction. Apparently, now all is good and the tree are back as is a menorah.
Here’s the thing. There are a number of Christians who complain about the “commercialization” of Christmas. I too become annoyed when the Christmas decorations and store advertisements appear on November 1st. So why do some of those same people have a problem when “Christmas” trees become “holiday” trees? Wouldn’t it be good for the Christian faith if those who are not followers of Jesus, those who are not professing Christians, stopped celebrating Christmas? What if Christmas was a time set apart for Christians and everyone else went about their normal business?
Of course that isn’t going to happen. Christmas has become a national holiday along the lines of 4th of July. Atheist and Agnostics don’t go to work on December 25th, they don’t refuse Christmas presents, or tell their children that Santa is a Christian Saint and so there will be no presents from Santa this year. So we will continue to struggle with the separation of church and state, Christmas trees and holiday trees, until the Christian faith reclaims Christ’s Mass is its own unique time.
I propose that Christians reclaim the 12 days of Christmas. So that when everyone else has packed up the decorations, stopped playing the songs, returned the unwanted gifts, there will be Christians who are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Let the Senator call the tree whatever she wants to call the tree. Let the airport decorate its halls however it chooses (or not) to do. Let us give thanks to God for sending the light of Jesus Christ into this dark and troubled world.
2nd Sunday of Advent
Who Can Endure?
The prophets we most often read and hear about such as Elijah, Isaiah or Jeremiah were preaching in a time of disaster for Israel. They spoke of the doom coming to the nation state as foreign armies would take control of the land. Then we have prophets like Malachi. The book is perhaps most notable to Sunday School students for being the last book of the Old Testament. It is written in a later time than those prophets (although it is not the newest of the “Old Testament” books.)
Malachi was written during the time of the Persian empire about 450 years before Christ. The crisis that Malachi faces is not foreign rule (although Israel is under Persian control) it is the failure of the Messiah to come. Contemporary people in Malachi’s time had expected that sometime soon after the temple was rebuilt, the Messiah would come. The temple was rebuilt about 100 years before the writing of Malachi. The rebuilding has become a fond, but distant memory for the living generation and yet, no Messiah.
Malachi’s concern is that the people having let go of their hope for the return of the Messiah have now become lackadaisical in their religious life. The people and their leaders no longer give their best for God.
Malachi’s question is also John the Baptist’s question. Who can endure? For John the Baptist and for Malachi those who endure are those who turn their life toward God instead of themselves. Malachi calls the people and the priests to once again put their hope in God. John the Baptist invites all to come and accept the sign of repentance in the waters of the Jordan River.
When we make our path straight we are preparing for the Messiah. We make our path straight, when we give our best for God. We make our path straight, when we find meaning in the traditions of the faith. We make our path straight, when we tend to the needs of our neighbor.
Daily Devotions for the 2nd week of Advent
Monday Malachi 1:2-5
God proclaims his love but the people ask questions, why do the wicked prosper? How do you respond to this inequality today?
Pray for those who are prosperous.
Tuesday Malachi 1:6-2:9
The prophet bemoans the church leaders who have forgotten to give God their best. How can you help the church give its best for God?
Pray for church leaders, our Bishop Rev. Ed Paup, our District Superintendent Rev. Mike Graef, and our Pastor Rev. Bruce Smith.
Wednesday Malachi 2:10-16
Malachi’s strong words against divorce are a call for men to be faithful husbands and to not leave their wives vulnerable and in need. Faithfulness in relationships is a sign of living in covenant with God. What can you do today to tend to your family relationships?
Pray for your family.
Thursday Malachi 2:17-3:5
The prophet describes the coming of the Messiah as a time of judgment.
Pray for the oppressed, the vulnerable, the foreigners.
Friday Malachi 3:6-12
The people are accused of robbing God by holding back their tithes. When do you hold back something in your life from God?
Pray for your life of faith and spiritual guidance.
The prophets we most often read and hear about such as Elijah, Isaiah or Jeremiah were preaching in a time of disaster for Israel. They spoke of the doom coming to the nation state as foreign armies would take control of the land. Then we have prophets like Malachi. The book is perhaps most notable to Sunday School students for being the last book of the Old Testament. It is written in a later time than those prophets (although it is not the newest of the “Old Testament” books.)
Malachi was written during the time of the Persian empire about 450 years before Christ. The crisis that Malachi faces is not foreign rule (although Israel is under Persian control) it is the failure of the Messiah to come. Contemporary people in Malachi’s time had expected that sometime soon after the temple was rebuilt, the Messiah would come. The temple was rebuilt about 100 years before the writing of Malachi. The rebuilding has become a fond, but distant memory for the living generation and yet, no Messiah.
Malachi’s concern is that the people having let go of their hope for the return of the Messiah have now become lackadaisical in their religious life. The people and their leaders no longer give their best for God.
Malachi’s question is also John the Baptist’s question. Who can endure? For John the Baptist and for Malachi those who endure are those who turn their life toward God instead of themselves. Malachi calls the people and the priests to once again put their hope in God. John the Baptist invites all to come and accept the sign of repentance in the waters of the Jordan River.
When we make our path straight we are preparing for the Messiah. We make our path straight, when we give our best for God. We make our path straight, when we find meaning in the traditions of the faith. We make our path straight, when we tend to the needs of our neighbor.
Daily Devotions for the 2nd week of Advent
Monday Malachi 1:2-5
God proclaims his love but the people ask questions, why do the wicked prosper? How do you respond to this inequality today?
Pray for those who are prosperous.
Tuesday Malachi 1:6-2:9
The prophet bemoans the church leaders who have forgotten to give God their best. How can you help the church give its best for God?
Pray for church leaders, our Bishop Rev. Ed Paup, our District Superintendent Rev. Mike Graef, and our Pastor Rev. Bruce Smith.
Wednesday Malachi 2:10-16
Malachi’s strong words against divorce are a call for men to be faithful husbands and to not leave their wives vulnerable and in need. Faithfulness in relationships is a sign of living in covenant with God. What can you do today to tend to your family relationships?
Pray for your family.
Thursday Malachi 2:17-3:5
The prophet describes the coming of the Messiah as a time of judgment.
Pray for the oppressed, the vulnerable, the foreigners.
Friday Malachi 3:6-12
The people are accused of robbing God by holding back their tithes. When do you hold back something in your life from God?
Pray for your life of faith and spiritual guidance.
1st Sunday of Advent
The Lord is our Righteousness
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Jeremiah was a prophet in Israel preceding the defeat of Israel at the hands of the Babylonian empire. Under the threat of the invasion the King of Israel is considering alliances with Egypt and other foreign powers. Jeremiah decries these efforts and implores the King to return to faithfulness of God. The common message of the prophet is that corruption has led to Israel’s downfall.
Once the Babylonians began their attack the prophet speaks not only of the impending doom but he brings a message of Hope. The most dramatic image of hope comes as he purchases land during the Babylonian siege on Jerusalem as a way to say to the people, God will bring us back!
Jeremiah talks about the people returning to God, not because they are righteous but because God will make a new covenant and write it on their hearts. It will be God’s action to restore the relationship.
In today’s reading, the prophet brings a message of the future for Israel. Not only will God restore the covenant but God will bring a new leader. This leader will be from the family of David, Israel’s greatest king. This leader will be known not for military victories but for doing what is right and just. Because the people follow this leader their capital city will be called, “The Lord is our Righteousness.”
The Lord is the way of righteousness, not politicians, not empires, nor armies. The Lord is the way of righteousness, not economic systems, not political parties, nor “the perfect Christmas.” Righteousness comes only from God, and we are called to be agents of God’s righteousness.
Today’s advent message is one of hope for a future with the people following a great leader. A leader who is perfect in following God’s law, a leader who is concerned about the condition of the world, a leader who brings the people into a relationship with God so that they know that their salvation comes only from the Lord.
As we anticipate the coming of the Christ child, we are called to proclaim, “The Lord is our righteousness.” The beginning is simple, the rest takes a lifetime.
Monday December 4 Read Jeremiah 1:3-8
The Lord promises to be present with Jeremiah as he delivers the message. God’s presence is a constant theme in Jeremiah.
Be attentive to the presence of God. Has God’s presence given you some security in the past few days?
Pray for those who are afraid.
Tuesday December 5 Read Jeremiah 14:19-22
This passage comes in the midst of a dialogue between God and the prophet, who is speaking for the people. The people make a confession of their wrong doing and then conclude, “We set our hope in you.”
How have you set your hope in God today?
Pray for those who are in depression, grief and despair.
Wednesday December 6 Read Jeremiah 32:1-15
The prophet in making this purchase of land declares that God will restore the land to the people of Israel. It is a message of confident hope.
When did someone make a bold statement of their love or their confidence in you?
Pray for those stuck in military conflict.
Thursday December 7 Read Jeremiah 29:10-14
God promises the people will return. It will take a long time, but God will restore Israel.
God hears our prayers. Looking back can you see when there was a time it was good that you had to wait for an answered prayer?
Pray for those who are impatient.
Friday December 8 Read Jeremiah 31:31-34
This passage is the heart of the book of Jeremiah. As Christians we know the new covenant in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
What can you do to help someone know the Lord today?
Pray for those who do not yet, “know the Lord.”
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Jeremiah was a prophet in Israel preceding the defeat of Israel at the hands of the Babylonian empire. Under the threat of the invasion the King of Israel is considering alliances with Egypt and other foreign powers. Jeremiah decries these efforts and implores the King to return to faithfulness of God. The common message of the prophet is that corruption has led to Israel’s downfall.
Once the Babylonians began their attack the prophet speaks not only of the impending doom but he brings a message of Hope. The most dramatic image of hope comes as he purchases land during the Babylonian siege on Jerusalem as a way to say to the people, God will bring us back!
Jeremiah talks about the people returning to God, not because they are righteous but because God will make a new covenant and write it on their hearts. It will be God’s action to restore the relationship.
In today’s reading, the prophet brings a message of the future for Israel. Not only will God restore the covenant but God will bring a new leader. This leader will be from the family of David, Israel’s greatest king. This leader will be known not for military victories but for doing what is right and just. Because the people follow this leader their capital city will be called, “The Lord is our Righteousness.”
The Lord is the way of righteousness, not politicians, not empires, nor armies. The Lord is the way of righteousness, not economic systems, not political parties, nor “the perfect Christmas.” Righteousness comes only from God, and we are called to be agents of God’s righteousness.
Today’s advent message is one of hope for a future with the people following a great leader. A leader who is perfect in following God’s law, a leader who is concerned about the condition of the world, a leader who brings the people into a relationship with God so that they know that their salvation comes only from the Lord.
As we anticipate the coming of the Christ child, we are called to proclaim, “The Lord is our righteousness.” The beginning is simple, the rest takes a lifetime.
Monday December 4 Read Jeremiah 1:3-8
The Lord promises to be present with Jeremiah as he delivers the message. God’s presence is a constant theme in Jeremiah.
Be attentive to the presence of God. Has God’s presence given you some security in the past few days?
Pray for those who are afraid.
Tuesday December 5 Read Jeremiah 14:19-22
This passage comes in the midst of a dialogue between God and the prophet, who is speaking for the people. The people make a confession of their wrong doing and then conclude, “We set our hope in you.”
How have you set your hope in God today?
Pray for those who are in depression, grief and despair.
Wednesday December 6 Read Jeremiah 32:1-15
The prophet in making this purchase of land declares that God will restore the land to the people of Israel. It is a message of confident hope.
When did someone make a bold statement of their love or their confidence in you?
Pray for those stuck in military conflict.
Thursday December 7 Read Jeremiah 29:10-14
God promises the people will return. It will take a long time, but God will restore Israel.
God hears our prayers. Looking back can you see when there was a time it was good that you had to wait for an answered prayer?
Pray for those who are impatient.
Friday December 8 Read Jeremiah 31:31-34
This passage is the heart of the book of Jeremiah. As Christians we know the new covenant in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
What can you do to help someone know the Lord today?
Pray for those who do not yet, “know the Lord.”
Monday, October 23, 2006
Sermon Notes October 22, 2006
A long time with God
I don’t know all the reasons that have brought you here this morning. Perhaps some of you have come out of habit. Perhaps it was to see some friends. Maybe you want to spend some time with God here is this sanctuary.
When the prophets of old spoke to Israel their deep desire was that the people would remember who they were and spend some time with God. The prophets complained about the ways in which the people demonstrated that they were lost. They ignored the poor, and they overindulged their desires.
The prophet reminds them of their roots, that it was God who led them for forty years in the wilderness and that while the people believe that they can go their own way, without being God’s people they will find that their life becomes heavy. Their self reliance, the strength that they depend on will do them no good.
Forty is an important number in the Bible. It represents a generation, it represents a time of change. Forty is a long time and it is the time that God desires.
Not only does God desire that time, I believe we desire that time with God. Our problem most often is that we fail to recognize our time with God. God is with us in every moment, every breath, every sunrise, every love song, is a moment spent with God. We often fail to recognize that which we really need. We worry about the bills, about politics, we worry about all sorts of things that are not life giving. Sometimes in our worry we create false ideas of strength. We might believe more money will solve our problems, or voting for a different political party will make everything better. When what the prophet is really telling us is that we simply need to spend more time with God.
Monday Read Exodus 34:27
Moses spent 40 days with God on the mountain as God gave the law of the covenant. Are there moments you can remember that you spent with God where you were given some wisdom in a difficult situation?
Tuesday Moses spent a lot of time with God on Mt. Sinai. Where do you like to spend time with God? Do you have a sanctuary in your home? Create a sacred space in your home today.
Wednesday Read Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus goes to the wilderness for 40 days following his baptism. There in the wilderness he is tempted with bread, arguments about faith, and power. What temptations do you live with? How do you answer the tempter?
Thursday We all face temptations. What is your hearts desire in for your relationship with God? What do you need to let go of to make room for a deeper relationship. Write down something you must give up for that relationship. How will you give it up?
Friday I Kings 19:4-14
Elijah runs away. His life is at risk so he seeks shelter. An angel of the Lord ministers to him for 40 days. As he waits for God, a great wind, an earthquake and fire come by but Elijah doesn’t find God in these forces. Where Does Elijah find God?
Saturday Is there a place, a time when you can experience true silence and be with God? How much time will you give to God in that time of silence?
Sunday Attend worship at LUMC
Read Amos 2:4-16
I don’t know all the reasons that have brought you here this morning. Perhaps some of you have come out of habit. Perhaps it was to see some friends. Maybe you want to spend some time with God here is this sanctuary.
When the prophets of old spoke to Israel their deep desire was that the people would remember who they were and spend some time with God. The prophets complained about the ways in which the people demonstrated that they were lost. They ignored the poor, and they overindulged their desires.
The prophet reminds them of their roots, that it was God who led them for forty years in the wilderness and that while the people believe that they can go their own way, without being God’s people they will find that their life becomes heavy. Their self reliance, the strength that they depend on will do them no good.
Forty is an important number in the Bible. It represents a generation, it represents a time of change. Forty is a long time and it is the time that God desires.
Not only does God desire that time, I believe we desire that time with God. Our problem most often is that we fail to recognize our time with God. God is with us in every moment, every breath, every sunrise, every love song, is a moment spent with God. We often fail to recognize that which we really need. We worry about the bills, about politics, we worry about all sorts of things that are not life giving. Sometimes in our worry we create false ideas of strength. We might believe more money will solve our problems, or voting for a different political party will make everything better. When what the prophet is really telling us is that we simply need to spend more time with God.
Monday Read Exodus 34:27
Moses spent 40 days with God on the mountain as God gave the law of the covenant. Are there moments you can remember that you spent with God where you were given some wisdom in a difficult situation?
Tuesday Moses spent a lot of time with God on Mt. Sinai. Where do you like to spend time with God? Do you have a sanctuary in your home? Create a sacred space in your home today.
Wednesday Read Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus goes to the wilderness for 40 days following his baptism. There in the wilderness he is tempted with bread, arguments about faith, and power. What temptations do you live with? How do you answer the tempter?
Thursday We all face temptations. What is your hearts desire in for your relationship with God? What do you need to let go of to make room for a deeper relationship. Write down something you must give up for that relationship. How will you give it up?
Friday I Kings 19:4-14
Elijah runs away. His life is at risk so he seeks shelter. An angel of the Lord ministers to him for 40 days. As he waits for God, a great wind, an earthquake and fire come by but Elijah doesn’t find God in these forces. Where Does Elijah find God?
Saturday Is there a place, a time when you can experience true silence and be with God? How much time will you give to God in that time of silence?
Sunday Attend worship at LUMC
Making Room
LUMC has been great in the past three years in making room for others. We have reclaimed three rooms that were being used for storage so that they are now available for classes, youth meetings and choir practices. This meant that some groups had to surrender this space. I think it is fantastic how graceful we have been in making these and other physical changes to make room for others to participate in the ministry of LUMC.
I believe that we are being called to continue making room for others not only in physical space but also in how we relate with one another. A year and a half ago I attended a seminar led by Alice Mann who wrote a book about congregations in transition. The following notes come from her book “Raising the Roof.”
Between sizes, churches that have been growing steadily tend to hit an attendance plateau. Often they notice a mismatch between their flat year to year attendance chart and their other measures of growth – the number of visitors, members, or dollars contributed may keep increasing while attendance remains stuck.
The movement from family size to pastoral size involves a change in the way a system centers its life. . . . When attendance exceeds 50, the congregation encounters a crisis – the unbroken circle of members no longer works well as the defining constellation of the congregation’s life. Members experience distress because they can no longer keep track of all the relationships. . . . In order to grow further, the system must allow the development of two or three different networks of family and fellowship
We are facing significant change in how we create space for others. The reality is that most folks will not know everyone at the church. Our challenge is to continue to build relationships with one another as we continue on our spiritual journeys.
One sign of this change is that instead of one Sunday evening class we now have two. Instead of One Bible study group we have three groups meeting on two different days. The networks are developing. While we continue to grow I encourage you to find ways that you can build new relationships and to make room for others.
I believe that we are being called to continue making room for others not only in physical space but also in how we relate with one another. A year and a half ago I attended a seminar led by Alice Mann who wrote a book about congregations in transition. The following notes come from her book “Raising the Roof.”
Between sizes, churches that have been growing steadily tend to hit an attendance plateau. Often they notice a mismatch between their flat year to year attendance chart and their other measures of growth – the number of visitors, members, or dollars contributed may keep increasing while attendance remains stuck.
The movement from family size to pastoral size involves a change in the way a system centers its life. . . . When attendance exceeds 50, the congregation encounters a crisis – the unbroken circle of members no longer works well as the defining constellation of the congregation’s life. Members experience distress because they can no longer keep track of all the relationships. . . . In order to grow further, the system must allow the development of two or three different networks of family and fellowship
We are facing significant change in how we create space for others. The reality is that most folks will not know everyone at the church. Our challenge is to continue to build relationships with one another as we continue on our spiritual journeys.
One sign of this change is that instead of one Sunday evening class we now have two. Instead of One Bible study group we have three groups meeting on two different days. The networks are developing. While we continue to grow I encourage you to find ways that you can build new relationships and to make room for others.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Sermon Notes October 8
Earth, Sea, and Sky
All creation is the Lord’s, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it. Water, air, soil, minerals, energy resources, plants, animal life, and space are to be valued and conserved because they are God’s creation and not solely because they are useful to human beings. God has granted us stewardship of creation. We should meet these stewardship duties through acts of loving care and respect. Economic, political, social, and technological developments have increased our human numbers, and lengthened and enriched our lives. However, these developments have led to regional defoliation, dramatic extinction of species, massive human suffering, overpopulation, and misuse and overconsumption of natural and nonrenewable resources, particularly by industrialized societies. This continued course of action jeopardizes the natural heritage that God has entrusted to all generations. Therefore, let us recognize the responsibility of the church and its members to place a high priority on changes in economic, political, social, and technological lifestyles to support a more ecologically equitable and sustainable world leading to a higher quality of life for all of God’s creation.
2004 Book of Discipline, Social Principles ¶160
A few years ago I went on a mission trip with the Bishop and other clergy from the PNW to Mexico. We spent a few days in Mexico City. The city is one of the largest in the world with an estimated population of about 17 million people and it is generally regarded as one of the most polluted cities in the world as well. The city is surrounded by mountain range’s that trap the air around it. The congestion of cars and people can be overwhelming. What became abundantly clear to me is that Mexico (and the world) needs the United States to create solutions for many of our environmental problems. We have the scientific and economic resources. We have the ability, but do we have the will?
The writer of the Psalm knew that our health our life depended upon worship and our spiritual health. We are called to live in balance and recognition that all that we have belongs first to God.
Our failure to live in harmony with our environment is a spiritual problem.
One Factor of this spiritual problem is our devotion to individualism, personal freedom and in the church an emphasis on personal salvation. We have taken individualism to extraordinary heights. We don’t attend concerts to listen to music, we download music on “ipods.” You can’t travel in our population areas without a car. Can you imagine being a tourist in Los Angeles without a car? You couldn’t get anywhere. There is no subway to Disneyland, no one WALKS in LA.
Many churches have shifted the emphasis of the great commission to “Make disciples of all nations,” and we have turned it into a commission of “Make disciples of some people.” We must be more than a collection of individuals who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. We must be about the creating of that helpful phrase that Rev. Dan Gerhard brought to our attention a few weeks ago, “The Blessed Community.” We must recognize that our salvation is the discovery that God’s Kingdom is not a place where we live in isolation. God’s Kingdom is a place of community.
This community needs our recognition that all that we have is ours for just a little while. Yet, while we are here for just a little while the impact we have on creation lasts for generations. I have some possesions that I have inherited from my grandfather and I appreciate having that continued connection with him. I have some ties that are his and some books for my own research. I really love running across notes that he made in a Bible commentary or little papers he stuck in the pages. That connection means a great deal to me. I hope that Brianna will have the same appreciation of connection to her past. Through that connection we may come to realize the truth of living in community with others. Our impact on the environment is physical as well as spiritual.
Our worship is not isolated to the hour (or more) we spend together at Longview UMC on Sunday mornings. Our worship is our life. The Psalmist knew that our worship is connected to our recognition that our life is dependent upon God and the wholeness of the creation we live in.
Continue the Sermon
Read Psalm 24: What does this Psalm call the faithful to do?
Take a walk, what do you notice about the environment around you?
Walk at least once this week on a journey that you would normally have driven in your car to do.
Connect with someone you haven’t connected with in a while. Write a note, make a phone call, make a visit. What is valuable to you in connecting with this person?
Spend some time in your yard or your neighbor’s yard. Consider and pray for all that lives in that ecosystem, the plants, the insects, and the pets.
Psalm 8
"The Natural World" from the United Methodist Book of DisciplineAll creation is the Lord’s, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it. Water, air, soil, minerals, energy resources, plants, animal life, and space are to be valued and conserved because they are God’s creation and not solely because they are useful to human beings. God has granted us stewardship of creation. We should meet these stewardship duties through acts of loving care and respect. Economic, political, social, and technological developments have increased our human numbers, and lengthened and enriched our lives. However, these developments have led to regional defoliation, dramatic extinction of species, massive human suffering, overpopulation, and misuse and overconsumption of natural and nonrenewable resources, particularly by industrialized societies. This continued course of action jeopardizes the natural heritage that God has entrusted to all generations. Therefore, let us recognize the responsibility of the church and its members to place a high priority on changes in economic, political, social, and technological lifestyles to support a more ecologically equitable and sustainable world leading to a higher quality of life for all of God’s creation.
2004 Book of Discipline, Social Principles ¶160
A few years ago I went on a mission trip with the Bishop and other clergy from the PNW to Mexico. We spent a few days in Mexico City. The city is one of the largest in the world with an estimated population of about 17 million people and it is generally regarded as one of the most polluted cities in the world as well. The city is surrounded by mountain range’s that trap the air around it. The congestion of cars and people can be overwhelming. What became abundantly clear to me is that Mexico (and the world) needs the United States to create solutions for many of our environmental problems. We have the scientific and economic resources. We have the ability, but do we have the will?
The writer of the Psalm knew that our health our life depended upon worship and our spiritual health. We are called to live in balance and recognition that all that we have belongs first to God.
Our failure to live in harmony with our environment is a spiritual problem.
One Factor of this spiritual problem is our devotion to individualism, personal freedom and in the church an emphasis on personal salvation. We have taken individualism to extraordinary heights. We don’t attend concerts to listen to music, we download music on “ipods.” You can’t travel in our population areas without a car. Can you imagine being a tourist in Los Angeles without a car? You couldn’t get anywhere. There is no subway to Disneyland, no one WALKS in LA.
Many churches have shifted the emphasis of the great commission to “Make disciples of all nations,” and we have turned it into a commission of “Make disciples of some people.” We must be more than a collection of individuals who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. We must be about the creating of that helpful phrase that Rev. Dan Gerhard brought to our attention a few weeks ago, “The Blessed Community.” We must recognize that our salvation is the discovery that God’s Kingdom is not a place where we live in isolation. God’s Kingdom is a place of community.
This community needs our recognition that all that we have is ours for just a little while. Yet, while we are here for just a little while the impact we have on creation lasts for generations. I have some possesions that I have inherited from my grandfather and I appreciate having that continued connection with him. I have some ties that are his and some books for my own research. I really love running across notes that he made in a Bible commentary or little papers he stuck in the pages. That connection means a great deal to me. I hope that Brianna will have the same appreciation of connection to her past. Through that connection we may come to realize the truth of living in community with others. Our impact on the environment is physical as well as spiritual.
Our worship is not isolated to the hour (or more) we spend together at Longview UMC on Sunday mornings. Our worship is our life. The Psalmist knew that our worship is connected to our recognition that our life is dependent upon God and the wholeness of the creation we live in.
Continue the Sermon
Read Psalm 24: What does this Psalm call the faithful to do?
Take a walk, what do you notice about the environment around you?
Walk at least once this week on a journey that you would normally have driven in your car to do.
Connect with someone you haven’t connected with in a while. Write a note, make a phone call, make a visit. What is valuable to you in connecting with this person?
Spend some time in your yard or your neighbor’s yard. Consider and pray for all that lives in that ecosystem, the plants, the insects, and the pets.
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