Last Summer Take Away

August 26, 2012

Friends, thank you for the opportunity this summer in providing  for  you some thoughts on our scripture readings and how God teaches us how to apply God’s word in our every day living. 

 Look on the STW website:  www.stthomaswhitemarsh.org under Sunday School to follow along with the Sunday School teachings beginning September 16^th.  Each Sunday School lesson will have a take away for our households as well.

 We’ll see you in worship and in Sunday School.  Enjoy these last weeks of Summer.

 Blessings, Hillary

 Theme:  Be Prepared

School begins in just a short while.  What do you need to prepare yourself for the best year ever?  GET JESUS ON YOUR SIDE!!  BRING YOUR BACKPACK TO FAMILY WORSHIP SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2^ND FOR BLESSING OF BACKPACKS AND KNOW YOU’RE CARRYING JESUS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO!!

 The First Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20

Put on the whole armor of God.

The first Christians practiced in secret, always battling the forces of the Roman Empire which reigned and ruled in the first 300 years of the faith.  Christianity was illegal until 313.  Christians spent their days defending the faith.  In fact, in Ephesus, these first Christians may well have been forced to worship in the temple of Emperor Domitian, rather bowing down to our Lord God in Jesus Christ.  It’s no wonder these first Christians got confused about how to practice following Jesus.  All too often they mixed up the Greco-Roman pagan religion with their new found freedom in Christ. 

 It’s easy to get ourselves mixed up in what we’re supposed to believe.  The temptations for the Ephesians are great.  They are great for us as well.  Think of all the enemies we struggle with every day who disguise themselves as our friends:  too much caffeine, too much t.v., too much Facebook and television; not enough sleep; not enough leisure and family time; too much work; all our vices; what the letter writer calls, “enemies of God”.  Then, the author comes along and says, get ready, get dressed up in all the armor that’s going to help us keep Jesus in our life and fight against those enemies.

  C.S. Lewis said, “if you want religion to make you comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.”  From the get go, practicing truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation, has not been easy.  And, the writer of the letter to the church of Ephesus knows these folks have a real uphill battle in front of them. In fact, practicing our faith as Christians has never been as easy as simply defying those obvious evil temptations. 

 Once Christianity was legalized, then Christians persecuted other Christians according to what they believe.  While trying to solidify what we believe in the councils of Nicea and Chalcedonia, “orthodox” Christians refused to tolerate more moderate Christians, calling them heretics.  For hundreds of years, in the name of God, Christians have found ways to persecute one another.  Even today, with our presidential race, right and left winged extremists are prepared to do battle every chance they get. 

 A history of persecution teaches Christians that we’re fighters for what is just and right.  The author of Ephesus, however, cautions us to fight with love in our hearts and peace on our minds.  In so doing, we prepare ourselves.  We wear the armor of God to protect us from the arrows of hate, and jealousy and revenge, known as spiritual forces of evil, We are to prepare ourselves to do battle arming ourselves with truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation.   

Let’s be clear, the writer of the letter to the church of Ephesus, is talking about falling prey to the current trend of the time; or dismissing wrong because we live in a culture of instant gratification and anything goes; conforming to whatever is the current trend, regardless of the consequences.  Practicing our faith is counter cultural.  We bend the other way.  We do not flow with the stream.  We are Christians and we’re armed in the Spirit of God in Christ.  To keep strong in the faith, we need to practice.  We stay in our faith community.  We come to worship, every week.  We stay in the Word and read our Bible every day.  We saturate ourselves in prayer for strength and courage.  We share our gifts of service remembering that as Christ’s own, we care for one another.  Practicing our faith prepares us for the tough stuff and keeps us out of trouble! 

 Practice this week:  give kids an opportunity to put on the armor of God.  Create your own warrior with the necessary attributes below.

Name your forces in our world that stand in the way of you practicing your faith.  How do you want to armor yourself with:

TRUTH

RIGHTEOUSNESS

PEACE

FAITH

SALVATION

PRAYER

Let us pray:

Spirit of God, we confess that we put on airs more often than we put on the armor of God.  We are guilty of girding ourselves with lies instead of the truth.  We try to protect ourselves with arrogance, superstition, and self-reliance instead of righteousness, faith, and your gift of salvation.  Our footsteps do not follow your path of peace.  And we are quick to use your Word to attack one another, instead of striking out against the sins we personally commit.  Forgive us, Holy God.  Prepare us with the wisdom and strength to change our ways, so that we may live as your faithful ambassadors of the Good News.

The Gospel Reading:  John 6:56-69

Do you also wish to go away?

This is the final of five “bread of life” readings mentioned in our lectionary.  This bread of life discourse is set in the context of the impending Passover Feast and the miracles of Jesus Feeding the 5,000 and Jesus Walking on the Water.  In these miracles and teaches of Jesus we learn Jesus is not just another Moses who talks with God to have a miracle meal.  Nor is Jesus just a prophetically phenomenal teacher.  He is God in the flesh; God incarnate.  In him, we may feed on our one true God and dwell eternally in God.  Jesus is the living bread who comes from heaven to give us a life of hope, love, mercy, protection and promise.  Our God dwells among us and with us in the person of Jesus Christ,

 “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in that person.”  Jesus’ words draw for us the picture of Holy Communion.  But, there is a mystery to this meal. The Spirit moves throughout the community gathered.  The power of God is cooked into the bread and distilled into the wine, not because of us, but, because, Jesus says so.  So, while, just like the many followers, the eye witnesses of Jesus, the teaching is difficult and disturbing.  And Jesus knows how difficult the teaching is.  Knowing God through the person of Jesus, dead, risen and risen again, in the holy meal of bread and wine, is difficult.  Right there, in front of Jesus, many turn away.

 Jesus wants us to believe.  We want to believe.  We want to believe in our God who rescues us from pain, who loves us beyond comprehension; so much so he’s willing to die for us.  We want to follow our God who forever gives us life in him that is everlasting, hope and glory.  This promise is in Jesus Christ.  Can we believe?  Jesus says, practice.

 Practice sharing in the holy meal of bread and wine.  Practice spending time with others who want to practice a life following Jesus.  We might need to get new friends.  Others did.  Not all could follow Jesus.  Many turned away.  But, not the twelve.  They are prepared for a life in following Christ.  Only here in verse 67 of John’s gospel does Jesus name his closest, “the twelve”.  The twelve will not turn away.  They are committed.  They’re in for the long haul.  The journey will not be easy.  The writer of Ephesians has already shown us that followers of Christ must prepare themselves for the journey. 

 Practice:  prepare ourselves for a life with Christ by connecting with others who follow Christ.  Get prepared through DOCC (Disciples of Christ in Community), a teaching and small group reflection time that befriends us as followers of Christ and is known to transform our lives.

Get prepared by matching up as a mentor to a Confirmand in sharing your faith journey, agreeing to pray with one another, supporting this young person as they prepare to make a mature commitment to their faith next June.

Prepare yourself for a life with Christ through service:  sign up to help in Second Saturday Sales and see the face of God in all those in your path; when Harvest Fest comes ‘round, come, share a snack or a light meal and sit with moms and some dads; people who want to prepare themselves for a life with Christ and need folks like St. Thomasers to show them the way.  Prepare to be Jesus in the world by showing up for worship, wearing a name tag and saying hi to the stranger. St. Thomas’ does this really well.

Get prepared to be Jesus an help others get prepared.  It will change our lives.

Thanks, my friends, for preparing me for a life with Jesus.  I’m grateful.

Let’s pray:  Living Lord, Source of life, you feed us with the spiritual bread and cup of your love and deliver us from darkness to light. Encompass us in the circle of your protection, that, secure in your sustaining power, we will be prepared in your wisdom and strength to challenge the evils of our time. Amen.

Summer Take Away  August 19, 2012

Theme:  Wisdom

The First Lesson:  1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14

“Earlier this week, I heard the story of a Texas high school lacrosse player who jumped the line to get a better seat during the boarding of his team’s flight. When his coach found out about his player’s cut in front of others, he asked flight officials if he could use the moment to teach his player a lesson. The coach had flight attendants call the line jumper to the front of the plane to issue a formal apology. The teen took the embarrassing punishment well, saying, “My coaches taught me a valuable lesson in life in a very creative way. Just be patient.” (Children’s Ministry August 17, 2012)

 In its research, the Barna Institute has found that the moral development of our children is complete by age nine.  Kids have decided what is right and wrong.  How they understand themselves as God’s is well formed at a young age. Who do want to surround our kids as they grow?  How do we want our kids to be molded to walk in God’s wisdom? 

 David Jennings of Children’s Ministry reminds us:

*to seize the moment; to be teacher; find mentors to mold

*to be a model of wise choices and share stories of others who make wise choices;

*to give clear boundaries and consequences for choices and may the consequences help not shame our kids.

*to trust in who are children are as God’s and surround ourselves with others who trust in God

This week’s first lesson is the fantastic story of young Solomon, son to King David, heir to the throne and the gift of wisdom he receives from God in a dream. 

First, Solomon has a good role model in his dad, David.  David, just before his death, advises young Solomon:  “be strong; show what you’re made of!  Do what God tells you.  Walk in the paths he shows you…” (1 Kings 2:3-4).   

 Second, he gets confused about how best to honor God and worships God in “high places”.  In other words, he’s looking for God in other things.  This is a question we want to ask ourselves:  are we making substitutes for God?  Do we look for God in ‘things’ rather than trusting in God’s promise to love and care for us?

 Third, Solomon seeks God’s wisdom.  He’s young, and unskilled in his leadership.  Solomon is not secure in his ability to make the right choices.  He loves God and desires to follow God’s commandments. In a dream, God tells Solomon to ask for what he wants from God.  Rather than ask for wealth, glory and fame, Solomon asks God to give him a heart to understand.

He asks God to show him how to choose between good and evil. 

God is so pleased with Solomon’s choice, he gives him wisdom that no one has ever had.  And, God is so pleased with Solomon’s request, God promises Solomon a long life, riches and glory too! 

Solomon became known as the king who possesses divine wisdom and he reigned for forty years. 

 King Solomon surrounded himself with wise and helpful people to help him in making his decisions for God. 

 Practice this week:

What important decisions must you make this week? 

Who will surround you and help you in making your decisions? 

 The Second Reading:  Ephesians 5:15-20 

In the letter to the church of Ephesus, some main themes are pointed out to these new followers of Jesus Christ.  Christians, led by the Spirit, are to use their time wisely, make intelligent choices, keep healthy boundaries and maintain themselves as a faithful worshiping community. 

 We’re called to make the best of the present time; actually the words translate as:  to redeem the present time.  We’re reminded of a shopper who is urgently grabbing the best deal.  Now is the time to grab the Christian life; to live a life surrounded by the Spirit and resting in Jesus Christ.

 As faithful Christians, we make wise choices.  We’re not called to be careless, thoughtless and negligent.

 This week, I spent some time with a family member who I’ve not seen in years.  He’s now an adult.  During our visit, he shared many stories about the choices he’s made in his short adult life.  Some are wise, thoughtful and promising choices.  He’s become a reservist in the Coast Guard.  He’s aiming to start an organic farm.  He strives to live a “green” life heating his home through a wood stove.  He loves to learn and is an avid reader.  He’s also made some shallow choices in life.  He’s addicted to cigarettes.  He spends too much free time not filled with the Spirit but filled with alcoholic beverages. Too often he fails to recognize all he has for which to be thankful.  At the end of our time together, I came to realize, he’s looking for a way to turn to a path of wisdom, of faithfulness, and of thanksgiving with the Spirit surrounding him.

Wise bishop, Paul Marshall explains that this passage is about Christians putting “ourselves where the wisdom is, to court the experience of the Spirit through abstention from what dulls the senses and through disciplined courting of…song and thanksgiving.  For the overwhelming majority of the world’s Christians,” this courting is known through our corporate act of thanksgiving in our worship known as Holy Eucharist.  

 Ephesians is about the Church, a group of people practicing our faith through worship, giving thanks, growing, learning, formed to serve as responders to God’s wisdom, intentionally turning away from a world of indulgences and misuse.  To the unbeliever, God’s wisdom may seem foolish.  To us, the faithful, God’s wisdom is essential to seeing through the clouds and the muck to clarity and rightness.  As the Church, we gather regularly and often to be reminded of God’s wisdom working in us, helping us sort out the good from the not so good.

Practice this week:  Come to worship and give thanks for God working wise wonders in the life of the Church. 

 Let us pray:  Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom:  enlighten us by your Holy Spirit, that, rejoicing in the knowledge of your truth, we may worship you and serve you from generation to generation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever.  Amen.     

Summer Take Away – August 12, 2012

The Gospel:  John 6:35, 41-51

Theme:  What do we know?

In today’s passage, once again, Jesus is challenged by those who fail to believe.

We remember in the gospel of John that the author gives us many “I am” statements” as images for Jesus: “I am,” the Way, the truth, and the life, the Good Shepherd, the Vine, the Light of the World and the Bread of Life.

We all know bread.  We can all relate to bread and how it sustains us.  Bread is the staple of most diets.  In Jesus’ time, bread was a necessary part of each meal taken in as a sustenance for energy and to fill hungry, empty bellies.  When Jesus tells us, he is the bread of life, he means, with him, we’ll always have enough, and we’ll not go hungry in want.  Jesus wants us to know God, through him.  Often, we “know” things through what is already a sure and certain thing.  Jesus’ followers know bread is a sure and certain nourisher.  Jesus wants us to know he is our nourisher, our sustainer, our food for life.

Two things happen with the folks and knowing Jesus:

1. they think they already know all there is to know
2. they will be “drawn” by the father

The story opens with Jews complaining about what they know.  Jews oppose Jesus and Jews follow Jesus.  Those who follow Jesus, and claim him to be the Messiah, the long awaited savior of the world,  are to be put out of the synagogue (9:22).  The complainers are those who fail to know Jesus as the one eternal God, come from heaven, to be among God’s people, here and now and in eternal life to come.  These complainers are holding their ground inside the walls of the synagogue. What they do know, is the traditional teaching of a God in heaven; not a God as man, who comes to live as one of them.

They know the tradition of father and mother.  In fact, they know Jesus’ father and mother.  Hence, this identifies Jesus as a son, a man, born of a mother; what scholars term as the “historical Jesus”.  They also know of heaven..  How can this man, a son, be the savior, and come from heaven?  Ancient theologian, Augustine states of the complainers, “they had weak jaws of the heart, there were deaf with open ears, they saw and stood blind”.  They fail to recognize the gift of God in their midst.  How can they know God?

Ask:  when have you been blind to knowing God?  How will you know Jesus?
“No one can come unless drawn by the Father who sent me,” says Jesus.  Today, Ryan Januzelli and Dylan Pizarro will be baptized.  In our baptism, the gift of the Holy Spirit that comes down from heaven, given from God, brings us at least three things:

1. Our sins are forgiven; not just sometimes, always.
2. We’re welcomed into the body of Christ, the community of those who seek to know Jesus, the Church.
3. We’re given God’s grace, unearned, freely given, because God has chosen us.

Because of God’s grace, it is God’s greatest pleasure to draw us to God.  In our baptism, we’re called to respond to God’s grace, God’s favor upon us, God’s love and mercy for us.  We live lives enfolded in the Holy Spirit, forever drawing closer to God.

Let’s face it, to know God is a mystery.  Knowing God was a mystery to those Jews who encountered Jesus face to face and knowing God is a mystery to us today.  So, God, in God’s infinite wisdom, love and mercy, comes to us from heaven, as Jesus Christ.  We cannot make Jesus known.  God makes Jesus known.  Our job is to respond to the Jesus within us, surrounding us, in front of us, and behind us.  Preacher Will Willimon says “whatever we need in order to comprehend Jesus must come as a gift, insight not of our own devising.  It must ‘come down from heaven.’”

If we want to know God as a living, breathing, joyful, playful, intentional, prayerful, compassionate, purposeful, tender, loving, sacrificing, forgiving,  human being, we want to know Jesus.  The mystery of God is known to us in the story of Jesus Christ.

Practice this week:  Often, we look to know what is holy, true, just and loving in those places where the answers cannot be revealed.  Give consideration to what sustains us each week.  What is our bread of life?  Is it God from heaven?  What gets in the way of us knowing God?

God draws us near.  Give thanks this week for the nearness of God and look for it.

Check out the food pyramid:  http://www.sermons4kids.com/food_pyramid_kids.pdf

What foods do we need to grow and to know?

What foods do we not need to grow and to know?

Practice knowing our growing foods this week.

What do we need to help us grow in knowing Jesus?

Practice knowing Jesus this week.  Read the gospel of John and look for how the mystery of God is revealed in Jesus Christ.

July 29, 2012 – 9^th Sunday following Pentecost

                                               Proper 12

Theme:  Abundance

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.

The FirstReading:  Ephesians 3:14-21

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. ¹⁶I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, ¹⁷and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. ¹⁸I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. ²⁰Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Say our prayers, my friends and give thanks for God’s work in us; give thanks for the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ; trust in the miracle of God’s abundant saving love. This is the apostle’s prayer for the people of Ephesusas they struggle in their persecution following Jesus Christ as the first Christians.  Give this prayer a pray around your dinner table this week and ask:  What will I ask Jesus to help me accomplish this week? 

The SecondReading:  John 6:1:21

“the people ate all they wanted…”

Jesus crossed LakeGalilee, which was also known as Lake Tiberias. ² A large crowd had seen him work miracles to heal the sick, and those people went with him. ^3-4 It was almost time for the Jewish festival of Passover, and Jesus went up on a mountain with his disciples and sat down.^[a]

⁵ When Jesus saw the large crowd coming toward him, he asked Philip, “Where will we get enough food to feed all these people?” ⁶ He said this to test Philip, since he already knew what he was going to do.

⁷ Philip answered, “Don’t you know that it would take almost a year’s wages^[b] just to buy only a little bread for each of these people?”

⁸ Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the disciples. He spoke up and said, ⁹ “There is a boy here who has five small loaves^[c] of barley bread and two fish. But what good is that with all these people?”

¹⁰ The ground was covered with grass, and Jesus told his disciples to have everyone sit down. About five thousand men were in the crowd. ¹¹ Jesus took the bread in his hands and gave thanks to God. Then he passed the bread to the people, and he did the same with the fish, until everyone had plenty to eat.

¹² The people ate all they wanted, and Jesus told his disciples to gather up the leftovers, so that nothing would be wasted. ¹³ The disciples gathered them up and filled twelve large baskets with what was left over from the five barley loaves.

¹⁴ After the people had seen Jesus work this miracle,^[d] they began saying, “This must be the Prophet^[e] who is to come into the world!” ¹⁵ Jesus realized that they would try to force him to be their king. So he went up on a mountain, where he could be alone.

Jesus Walks on the Water

¹⁶ That evening, Jesus’ disciples went down to the lake. ¹⁷ They got into a boat and started across for Capernaum. Later that evening Jesus had still not come to them, ¹⁸ and a strong wind was making the water rough.

¹⁹ When the disciples had rowed for three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the water. He kept coming closer to the boat, and they were terrified. ²⁰ But he said, “I am Jesus!^[f] Don’t be afraid!” ²¹ The disciples wanted to take him into the boat, but suddenly the boat reached the shore where they were headed.

This is one of our all time favorite stories about Jesus and it’s such a favorite it is the only story all four writers submit in their respective gospels.  John’s is the only one who identifies Philip and Andrew as two of the disciples worrying about how to feed the crowds.  It’s the only of the four gospels who tells of a young boy supplying the loaves and the fishes.  The synoptic gospels tell of the four-fold:  taking, thanking, breaking and giving.  John’s writer chooses to not include the breaking of the bread.  Is this our first sign of the Lord’s Supper?  Jesus is yet to travel toJerusalemto share in the Last Supper with his disciples.  Finally, it’s the only of the four stories where Jesus distributes the meal, not the disciples.

But, in all the stories, we walk away clearly knowing who Jesus is.  He is the one from God who teaches with authority, heals miraculously and brings us into the abundance of God’s promise to live transformed lives, trusting in God’s great mercy.

Many interpret this famous miracle story as a sign of the crowd’s willingness to let go of their stash, share what they have, not hold back.  So, when a boy emerges with his meager five loaves and two fish, and humbly, eagerly offers it up, all, not to be shamed,  pull out their lunch boxes and suddenly there is enough.  Let’s not be mistaken.

Our God is a God of enormous wonder, magnificent greatness, abundant love.  May we not minimize the power of God in Jesus Christ.  May we never under estimate or minimize God in Christ, given for us.  Jesus miraculously feeds the people on the sea side.  In fact, there is a miraculous abundance. 

The story helps us remember of the abundant good in our universe.  In 1976 Millard and Linda Fuller, along with a few volunteers and a handful of tools, saw a need to provide affordable, decent housing for the working poor.  I imagine many stood back watching and said, “what is this among so many?”  Today, Habitat for Humanity numbers 500.000 homes across the globe, sheltering more than 2.5 million people. 

God doesn’t just give us what we need.  God, in Jesus Christ, gives us more than enough.  In Christ, we are given an abundance and nothing is wasted. 

Just after Jesus feeds the 5,000, he retreats to escape the crowds capturing him to be King.  That night, the disciples become frightened on the sea as the winds kick up and rock their boat.  Jesus, walking upon the water, calms their fears, cautioning them to not be afraid. 

This week, practice how little can become much.  What can you share with others?  Together, think of ways to give…make a list…assign one item on the list to each member of your household…Watch how the little you share grows into an abundance of grace, mercy and love.  Be not afraid and be bold in giving…then, check on one another…tell your stories of abundance…

Let us pray:  Dear Jesus. Please help us to share what we have and would you then use it in a special way. Thank you that nothing we bring is ever too small for you to use.  Amen. 

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve:  Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen. 

July 22, 2012

Theme:  God is Near!

 The First Reading:  2 Samuel 7:1-14a

God said to David, “I have been with you wherever you went.”

King David, we remember, has joined both the northern and southern kingdoms of Judah and Israel, naming Jerusalem the capital of God’s kingdom of all of Israel.  (Don’t get confused…the people of God are called the nation of Israel and the land of God is named Israel also.)  God makes a promise with David that he will never leave him.  This covenant promise establishes for God’s people, that any descendent of David will always be known as present with God.  Jesus is often referred to as a descendent of King David.

God is near!  Now, David, in his glory, wants to put God in a new box.  David has now built for himself a beautiful new home of cedar, an expensive and valuable wood.  He’s come a long way from being a shepherd in the fields to king of all God’s people.  He doesn’t feel right about living in such splendor when God is still in a box.  Plus, David’s no fool.  If he elevates God, it’s going to make him look a lot better.  Remember, God has never been contained. 

Since God commanded Moses to lead the people from slavery in Egypt to the promise land, God has traveled with God’s people, lived in a tent, camping out with God’s people, always close by.  The prophet Nathan, who keeps watch over David for God, has a dream.  God speaks to Nathan.  David and the Israelites have been carrying God around in a box, an ark. God doesn’t need for David to built God a permanent house.  That’s not his job.  David’s job is to lead God’s people and keep them faithful to God in their new land God has provided for them.  David’s son, Solomon will build the great temple to house God.  David doesn’t need to contain God.  God has been with David wherever he has gone and he will be with him always, to the end of time. 

The story teaches us of God’s constant presence in our lives, on God’s terms, not on our terms. We frame a house for God believing that we’re the keepers of God.  Our God is so much greater than any church or house or container can keep.  Nathan’s dream is a reminder for us all that our God is always with us and we need not worry about how we will keep God.  Instead, may our buildings serve as places where we come to be equipped to be God’s people in the world.  May our church buildings serve as fueling stations to be the hands and feet of Jesus to all in our path.  And, may we never forget, wherever we go, God is near.

Practice This Week:  Ask, when do we know best that God is near?  For many of us we come to worship to experience the nearness of God.  That’s true.  God teaches us in his message to King David, that God is always near; when we’re gathered together in worship.  What other times do we know the nearness of God?  Give thanks for the many times this week you experience the nearness of God. 

(For the children:  if you could put God in a box, what would it look like?  Draw or make a special house for God.)

The Gospel Reading:  Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Mark’s gospel, we remember, is a hurried message.  There is always a sense of urgency in the gospel of Mark.  Perhaps this is a reflection of the author experiencing the oppressive stronghold of the Roman empire and the soon to be demise of the glorious temple and fall of Jerusalem, sending Christians into a tailspin.  Several things are happening in today’s lesson..

*the twelve return from mission

*Jesus and the twelve withdraw to a deserted place to rest

*crowds continue to gather and Jesus shows compassion

*we skip over the miracles of the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus walking on the water in the appointed lectionary reading

*crowds of sick are healed by Jesus’ healing touch.

Just earlier, before the news of John the Baptist’s beheading, (6:17-29) Jesus sends out the twelve.  Now they are returning, rejoicing at their ministry.  Mark’s writer calls the twelve, “apostles” which means, to go out.  Earlier (4:34) they are referred to as “disciples” those who follow.  Apostles are about the work of Jesus Christ, bringing change with the planting of God’s kingdom, curing the sick, casting out devils. 

We see a very compassionate, nurturing side of Jesus.  He wants his apostles to rest before continuing with their ministry. This is a typical pattern with Jesus.  He ministers, then retreats to spend some intentional prayer time with God before performing more miracles.  

They go to a deserted place, a lonely place, a secluded place.  In the Greek, the words are:  eremos topos.  The deserted place harkens back to John’s wilderness place (1:3-5) where we’re called to repentance, to search for a changed life.  Wilderness is where God meets Moses and the Israelites and provides miraculously for them.  Wilderness is where Jesus conquers the temptations of the devil (1:12-13).

The crowds come and Jesus shows compassion.  In other words, the very core of Jesus, his most inner parts are moved to love and care for the flock.  They are like sheep without a shepherd.  In the Old Testament reading from 2 Samuel, referred to above, we’re reminded that God calls David, the shepherd boy, to serve as the shepherd of God’s people.  Jesus, in John’s gospel especially, (John 10:1-18) is referred to as the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.  Right away, Jesus draws near to the crowd, reassuring them with extensive teaching, only to be coupled with the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 to follow.  Again, Jesus retreats after sending his disciples out into the boat to cross to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

They land in the fertile countryside of the region of Gennesaret.  Mark’s writer has this mixed up as Gennesaret is not actually across the Sea.  Jesus is immediately recognized.  The sick and the broken hurry to him in every village, town or farm, begging for his healing touch.  The word “beg” actually means, “call to the side of”.  It stems from the same word used in John’s gospel as the “Paraclete” (John 14-16) or comforter, defender, advocate.  Jesus’ touch saves them from their suffering.  In Matthew’s gospel (14:34-36) the people go out praising God in Christ. 

Practice this week:  resting, recognizing, rejoicing in the nearness of God in Christ. 

Rest:  Jesus invites us to rest with God.  Jesus doesn’t say isolate ourselves on a constant basis to know God’s presence.  But, his practice is to find the healthy balance of rest and activity.  God is in both places.  Take some time to be with God in a quiet place.  Perhaps it’s the beach, the mountains, our own backyard.  This is vacation time.  Rest with Jesus. 

Recognize:  Look for Jesus’ love and compassion wherever you are this week.  Last week, driving home through Chestnut Hill, I observed a young girl walking with a man, probably her father.  She was talking away, delighted to be in his presence.  The father’s attention was completely on the young girl, not overly attentive, but clearly giving her what she needed.  Then, walking just behind her, I noticed a man sitting outside a restaurant enjoying his meal.  He arose, walked a few steps to the edge of the sidewalk, bent over, picked up a piece of paper littering the walk and placed it in the trash can.  I gave thanks that I recognized Jesus along the way in Chestnut Hill. 

Rejoice:  the apostles, the crowds, those touched by Jesus all give thanks for Jesus’ ever present nearness in their lives.  This week, share your thankfulness for the miracle of Jesus in your life. 

Let us pray:  Loving Lord, draw us near, rest in us that we may rest in you.  Help us to see your healing touch with all in our path.  Equip us to be your most faithful servants, and send us out rejoicing in your nearness.  Amen. 

July 8, 2012

Theme:  Who Are We At Home?

The FirstReading:  2 Samuel 5:1-10, 9-10

Don’t underestimate the power of God’s blessing, especially upon our children.  We remember David is the youngest of Jesse’s sons and serving as a simple shepherd in the fields.  God calls him to serve as the next king of the Israelites; where he is anointed by the prophet Samuel.

He’s just 30 years old now and has conquered the armies of king Saul, defeated the giant Goliath as well as revealing himself to be a gifted musician and poet, believed to have authored most of the 150 psalms.  Now, the people of northernIsrael, turn away from king Saul to David.

David, with the spirit of God upon him, covenants with the people ofHebron, where upon he is reminded he is their bone and flesh.  They are kinfolk, related, family.  Anointed as king of all ofIsrael, David promises to strive for justice, righteousness, protection for the meek and lowly, feeding the hungry and remembering the lost and forgotten.  Attacking ruthlessly through the water system, David seeks vengeance on the Jebusites and takes the city ofJerusalem.  He renamesJerusalemthe City ofDavid.  He’s a gifted son of God in leadership, insight, and vision.  We want to paint a glorious picture of David in his 40 year reign.  But, the truth is, he’s brutal in his pursuit for God.  David, we learn is a flawed human being.  He kills the blind and the lame.  He connives and schemes.  He commits adulterous acts.  And yet, David becomes greater and greater in his reign for the Lord God is with him.

David goes down in biblical history as a great king.  And yet, he is a flawed human being, striving to respond to the God who is with him and within him, favored by God. 

What does God want us to learn in this difficult passage about the character of great King David?

When do we need to hold accountable those we love who are closest? 

God is with David and God is with each of us.  How do you see God working in our lives?  How has Jesus Christ served as an example of God’s favor upon us?

The GospelReading:  Mark 6:1-13

It’s summer.  Often in the summer, we make a point to gather extended family.  For many of us, it’s that time when we make the commitment to go home.  In case your wondering about that old adage, “you can’t go home again,” it comes straight out of scripture:  Mark 6:1-6, and again in Matthew 13-53-58 and Luke 4:16-30. 

Jesus is traveling about and returns to his home town ofNazareth.  He teaches with such authority and wisdom that his family, friends and neighbors are astonished.  After all, he’s just a carpenter, just the son of Mary and the brother of James and Joset, Jude and Simon and some sisters. 

I remember the first time I read this passage years ago while in an EFM class (Education for Ministry).  I was astounded at the familiarity of Jesus…that he went home to tension…that he has this big family who seemingly knows him so well they’re not ready to believe.  Like most of our siblings, they want to support us and encourage us in our endeavors.  Jesus was a great teacher, a fine rabbi.  But, here are some challenges…

There’s no indication Jesus has been formally educated.  So, how does he speak with such authority?  All that aside, he’s teaching a different message:  not so much about rabbinic Law and that God’s kingdom will come should we obey God’s Law.  Rather, he’s teaching theKingdomofGodis come, now and it is present in the son of God, Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of the Law who will free us from want and worry, sin and hurt, through his journey to the cross and his resurrection.  No wonder those closest didn’t believe him.

Doubt and unbelief don’t thwart Jesus.  He teaches and heals, brushes the dust off his feet and moves along only to summon his twelve disciples, instruct them in their mission and send them out to do God’s work.  Are they rejected and doubted?  You bet.  In Mark’s gospel, especially, we learn the road of discipleship is not an easy road. 

But, don’t under estimate the power of God’s love and mercy working in us to bring the kingdom; even within our own households.

History tells us that relatives of Jesus, great nephews, were brought up on charges in the first century, (90) before Emperor Domitian being accused of falsely identifying themselves as members of a royal kingdom.  Showing their worn hands as a sign of farm labor got them off the hook.  James, presumably Jesus’ brother, came to serve as the anchor of the Christian Church (1 Corinthians 15:7) while the apostles Paul and Peter were out furiously planting new churches along the way.  While Jesus clearly is the shining star in the family, it is not his desire to upstage.  In fact, Jesus often tells those closest to keep silent about his miraculous ministry. 

Curing a few in the neighborhood, Jesus lays hands on them and then departs, astonished at the lack of faith they have in the home town boy.  The miracles happen again.  But, not in the context of family and neighbors.  Instead, it’s his disciples he singles out to carry on the mission of spreading God’s kingdom.

After all, Jesus reminds us, “prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” 

Jesus’ mighty work was largely minimized inNazarethbecause of the unbelief of those closest.  May we not under estimate the power of Jesus working in us, especially in our very household.

Who in your household/neighborhood is most likely to make a difference in the world?  Look deeper.  How does that person exhibit the characteristics of Jesus:  honesty, forthrightness, truth telling, perseverance, determination, authority and love? 

How does Jesus’ role with his family match up with your family?  What is your role in the family? 

Practice this week:  Think about changing your routine at home.  Make a list of the regular weekly chores done in your household.  Now, divide them up.  Put a name next to each chore on the list.  As the week goes along, remind, encourage and help one another in getting the chores done.  Celebrate as each chore is accomplished.  Then, discuss how you would like chores to be done next week.

Let us pray:  Dear Jesus, thanks for reminding us that there are things that need to be done; for the trust you have in our ability to do what needs to be done and for friends and family to help us do what we need to do.  You give us strength and courage and we give you thanks.  Amen.

Summer Take Away – July 1, 2012

Happy 4^th of July!!!

Theme:  Do Not Be Afraid!!!
The First Reading:  Lamentations 3:21-33
Lamentations is a short book of laments, or woes, probably written in Palestine after the fall of Jerusalem in 587.  Lastly, it reveals complete trust in God and our desire to turn in the direction of God (repentance), bringing light into darkness. 

William Butler Yeats, in his famous post World War I poem, “The Second Coming”, wrote of the fear if the center cannot hold.   It is the same fear known to those revolutionary war soldiers, I imagine, as they fought so courageously for our freedom those hundreds of years ago.  It is the same fear God’s chose, the Israelites knew, when their beloved home for God, Jerusalem, collapsed and they were sent into exile.

Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

Will God’s mercies endured?  Is God’s faithful love exhausted?  Not likely.  But, this doesn’t mean we don’t have times when we feel helpless, deserted, alone, and incapable of holding on.  Left to our own devices, the centre cannot hold and fear creeps in.  So, we search for the Lord, who sometimes seems so distant, so far away. Our God is a good God.  We search, we wait and the Lord comes.  The Lord does not reject. Our God enters in and disarms our fears.  Instead, may we trust in God.  Put our hope in our good God. 

The Gospel:  Mark 5:21-43
This is a rich story, with Jesus active in teaching, preaching, and miraculously healing that evokes anxiety, desperation, deep hope, belief, fear and the possibility that in Christ all will be well.

Jesus is ministering along the Sea of Galilee, where he practices most of his ministry.  In the crowds approaches a desperate leader, the president of the synagogue (most like our senior warden or a seasoned verger).  His name is Jairus. 

As is typical of Mark’s writer, suddenly Jesus is interrupted. A woman, who has been suffering from a bleeding disorder for 12 years, scared for her life, now at the end of her rope and ready to try anything, reaches out in the crowd.  She believes if she can just touch Jesus’ robe, she will be saved.  Reaching out in faith, she touches Jesus’ robe.

We’re reminded that her salvation is restoration to society, inclusion in her community where a woman, alone, suffering from illness is ostracized and excluded.  Her touch brings about immediate healing. 

Jesus is always in our interruptions.  Have faith in our fears.  Believe in the power of Jesus touching our lives. 

Now, we’re not certain if Jairus is an interruption.  But, Jesus is in a huge crowd and stopping to make individual interviews could well be considered an interruption, or a saving act.  Jairus’ daughter is dying.  In fact, while Jesus is ministering to the woman, we learn that Jairus’ daughter is dead. 

Jesus says, “do not be afraid; only have faith.”

Withdrawing from the crowd, fully emerging himself in Jairus’ grief, Jesus brings hope.  He journey’s to the house, and enduring ridicule and disbelief, taking the hand of the child, he restores her to life.  Immediately, she is up and about the business of a 12 year old girl.  They are not seeing a ghost.  Rather, they are witnessing the miracle of Jesus saving.

The word for “save” in Greek, is often the same word used for “make well”.  In Christ, we are made free of fear, made well, called to live in “shalom”, to go in peace.

This week, may we ask:  How do our fears stop us from having faith?  What does faith mean?

This week, practice letting Jesus interrupt you.  Practice interrupting Jesus.  Reach out to Jesus.  Trust in the miracle of his healing.

Let us pray:  Loving Lord, how good you are.  Lord, how near you are to us – so near that we may always reach out to touch your strength and love – so near that we may always talk with you, be comforted by you, breathe through you, be enlightened by you, find peace in you, and gain spiritual nourishment from you.  Grant that we may belong wholly to you.  Thank you, Lord.  Amen. 

Theme: seeing

This week, our readings lend themselves to how God calls us to do God’s work in the world with all that we have. God’s ability to see in us what we don’t see in ourselves is what gives us the strength to do all God needs us to do.

We celebrate Whitney Altopp’s call to serve with St. Stephen’s, Ridgefield, Connecticut and give thanks for her valuable ministry with the life of St. Thomas’. We will miss Whitney a great deal. And, we are sad to say goodbye to someone we hold so deeply in our heart. But, God has called her to go and use the gifts she has learned with St. Thomas’. We are a better people because of Whitney. God has strengthened us through Whitney’s ministry.

The First Reading: 1 Samuel 15:34 – 16:13

“God does not see as human beings see; they look at appearance but Yahweh looks at the heart.”

Well, clearly God has something else in mind rather than the kingly image we tend to hold. Earlier in the reading we’re reminded of great king Saul, the first king of Israel, a great military leader. Saul looked kingly. He was a handsome man, in the prime of his life and he stood head and shoulders taller than anyone else (1 Samuel 9:2).

Eventually, however, Saul failed to listen to God, failed to honor God’s commands as instructed through the prophet Samuel. So, Samuel was sent by God to find another king. Today’s lesson is the story of David’s anointing.

Jesse is a father of eight sons. Samuel is introduced to each and every son. God looks upon every one and rejects the first seven. David, the youngest, a sheep herder, gentle, with ruddy cheeks, fine eyes and attractive, a gifted musician, and said to have written many of our Psalms.

God sees past David’s outward appearance to what was truly in his heart. We learn of David’s great kingship. David does not rule without difficulty. His reign, however, is made strong through the Spirit of God which seized him, gripped him, on the moment of his anointing (1 Samuel 16:13).

God sees in us what we do not always see in ourselves. God looks at our heart.

This week, ask: What does our world tell us about how to see one another? What does God see about us? What do I want others to see about me?

This week, practice: How do you want to reveal to others the Spirit of God that is within your heart.