August 27, 2020

19 They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, “Surely, not I?” – Mark 14:19

Jesus spent three years with his closest disciples.  Not every disciple of Jesus is called out by name, but there are twelve that we know were specifically asked to follow Jesus, to learn from him, to be his disciples.  These twelve men (except Judas Iscariot) would go on after the resurrection to proclaim the great news of the gospel, however we should note that getting to that point would not be easy; nor would it be easy to share this wonderful message of hope found in the resurrection.

The disciples, at this moment before Jesus arrest, have just celebrated the Passover meal with the one whom they know to be the Messiah. This year, the celebrated in Jerusalem, the city of the promise. For them, every bit of prophecy that they had learned from an early age was coming to fruition right in front of their eyes. Though there were some things that Jesus said along the way that confounded them. Things like the prediction of his death, the destruction of the temple, the building again in three days, their denials of him.

Ok, let’s be honest the disciples were confused by Jesus a lot, and truthfully so are we.  We want to believe in the words of the Bible, the we want to believe that it is God’s Word to us, to help us through times of hardship, and that these words would give us instruction on how we can build community and be the people of God. There is a good basis for these things in the Bible, but there are also things that leave us scratching our heads. Like the Levitical law about types of clothing, bodily purification, and many of the various laws that simply don’t make much sense in our society today.

Being good ‘Christians’ we think means obeying the law of God, and that we would never disobey God’s words found in the Bible. However, Jesus teaches us that there is much more than simply obeying various rules. Jesus teaches that all of the law and the prophets are built on this – Love God, love neighbor. In a world that seems so divided on so many issues, I wonder if it is time to stop reading so much of the fine print looking for some kind of ammunition against another, and simply ask: am I doing my part to share my love for God? And secondly, does this help me show love for my neighbor? If the answer is “no,” we may be making a far greater mistake than we realize.

If we believe Jesus to be our Lord, who tells us to, above all else, love one another; perhaps when we don’t act out of love, could we be denying our Lord? I would hope understanding how quickly the disciples lashed back at Jesus for saying that they would deny him after the last supper would help us to stop and think, meditate on the what Jesus is saying to us as an individual, and calling us ever deeper unto him, and ever broader into community.

The kingdom of God may be near, but we need to understand that it is built on those who love God and love neighbor as they would wish to be loved.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

August 26, 2020

9 Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” – Mark 14:9

Before Judas leaves to go and sell the information of Jesus whereabouts to the Jewish authorities for thirty pieces of silver, there is this scene in a house near Bethany where Jesus is spending some time with his disciples before preparing for the Passover meal in Jerusalem. 

We have probably heard this story before. It is where Jesus is teaching his disciples, an unnamed woman (whom many believe to be Mary Magdalen) comes and breaks an alabaster jar of expensive ointment and anoints Jesus head. 

There is a great deal of significance to this act, and the response of those other guests and even the disciples who are with Jesus at the time, however, let’s take a moment and focus on Jesus response, and how it relates to the whole story of salvation.  Jesus acknowledges that there are those who object to this act yet applauds the woman for doing what she is able as a service done for him. He tells those who believe that this money could be used for the poor, that it is little in comparison to the number of poor they will encounter during their ministry. Jesus accepts this gift of gratitude from this woman, and then makes a wonderful statement. This unnamed woman is added to the story.  For Jesus says, “whenever the good news is proclaimed what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” Jesus tells his disciples, that this is something that they should remember. This woman is a part of the story, and she should be remembered for her kindness, her generosity, her love.

So often in the holy week chronicles, we see Jesus say ‘in remembrance of me.’ However, in this act, Jesus says in remembrance of her. His is pointing to someone other than himself, and saying she gets it, she understands. To me, this is a call to all faithful who get it, who know that there are things everyone can do to share love, generosity, and kindness, and in doing so, we proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

August 25, 2020

11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
    let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
    so that those who love your name may exult in you.
12 For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
    you cover them with favor as with a shield. – Psalm 5:11-12

We absolutely know that God is with us. God has been with us through so much if we stop and take note.  Each of those moments is what the Bible would call and Ebenezer marker. For most of us when we think of ‘Ebenezer’ we either think of that other church down the road, or around Christmas time we might think of the scrooge character.  However, the word itself is a reminder that ‘God has been with us thus far.’ It is that reminder to look back and see the markers of our live when our faith was strong, or rattled, and we made it through by the grace of God. 

Therefore, we can rejoice even more now, because if God has seen us through thus far, God will continue to see us through the life that is ahead. Every day we have reason to sing, to rejoice, to know that God’s name is exalted because God is with us, and has never left us, and will never abandon nor forsake us.

I believe it is for this reason of knowing God’s everlasting presence, and the joy of His amazing grace that a twenty-two year old, Robert Robinson penned the words: “Come, thou fount of every blessing. Tune my heart to sing Thy grace…”  We may remember that the second stanza of that beloved hymn begins by saying: “Here I raise my Ebenezer, here by thy great help I’ve come; and I hope by thy good pleasure safely to arrive at home.”

The truth is Robinson like many others had found what the psalmists speaks of. They had found the One to whom they could take refuge, and they had reason to rejoice all the way to their eternal home.

I hope that we find reason to rejoice today, and everyday in the shelter of God’s loving embrace.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

August 24, 2020

August 24, 2020

I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand and I tell you, “Don’t be afraid, I will help you.” – Isaiah 41:13.

Fear grips us, and keeps us from believing we can do the hard things in life.  As we have progressed through the weeks of life this year, we have had to overcome many fears, we have listened to the guidance of the experts and we have tried to take extra care in the way we have interacted with others. However, for those sending children to school this week, and for those teaching children in school this week, there is a great fear that we are learning to live with, and hoping doesn’t become a reality.

We continue to have faith that God will see us through, and offer guidance as schools resume. I’m reminded by the verse above, though that even in our fears, God is with us, and will offer us help.  We might remember, as well, that Jesus’ disciples, after his death, were full of fear, but they were given a task to share the message of hope. Before they became the stained-glassed saints that we see in the windows of churches and cathedrals, they were simple people, who lived in community, and worked and raised a family. They weren’t great leaders, trained in all the theological understandings of the day. They were followers of Jesus, and because of the resurrection they had just a little more devoted hope than fear. As a result, these ordinary people, did extraordinary things, and we remember them.

Our fears are very real, they are based on something we know exists, and have seen even people we know affected by it. However, we remain hopeful in a God that can overcome fear, and overcome disease, and believe is an ever-present help in our time of need. 

May God hold our hand, today, and always as seek the better days ahead.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

August 23, 2020

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1 Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
    in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the Lord,
    studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of honor and majesty is his work,
    and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds;
    the Lord is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
    he is ever mindful of his covenant.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
    in giving them the heritage of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
    all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established forever and ever,
    to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people;
    he has commanded his covenant forever.
    Holy and awesome is his name.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all those who practice it have a good understanding.
    His praise endures forever. – Psalm 111

We give praise to God, for God is good, and his love endures forever!

I remain hopeful that things will continue to get better, but like many have great fear of what could be as schools begin this week.  I hope you will join me in praying and giving praise to God as we allow hope to fill our hearts and minds that God will keep our community safe and healthy.

God, you are the great and mighty one, we know that you have done wonderful deeds for your people in the past, you have brought healing, and blessings, and we seek you to do the same even now. We pray in faith that our days would continue to get brighter, and that case numbers of COVID-10 would diminish every day. We pray that we would have the good understanding proclaimed in the psalm; that we would look on you in awe and wonder, and know you are faithful and just.

Help us in our doubts and fears, Lord, keep us focused on the kindness and love of your kingdom, and ways we can offer them to others every day. Keep our children, our teachers, our leaders safe as they go back to school. Protect them, and us, and help us to keep watch for redemption to come to all people through your mighty hand. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

August 22, 2020

Then He stooped down again and continued writing on the ground.  When they heard this, they left one by one, starting with the older men. Only He was left, with the woman in the center. When Jesus stood up, He said to her, " Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one, Lord," she answered. "Neither do I condemn you," said Jesus. "Go, and from now on do not sin anymore."
- John 8:8-11

Among scholars, there is the ongoing dispute over what Jesus may or may not have written in the sand in this moment.  We also are left wondering what Jesus wrote or said that would have all of this woman’s accusers drop their stones and walk away.

I don’t know that it really matters much what was written or said; because there is a much more important lesson in this story. Those who accused this woman, didn’t have the authority to do so, because they were only half-following the law anyway. The law would have said that both this woman and the man would have been put on trial, judged and stoned. But the man is not present. Furthermore, this whole thing is said to be a trap to accuse Jesus of some kind of blasphemy or false teaching. However, the acts of Jesus was to show mercy, and in mercy there is no need of judgement.

The kindness that Jesus shows to the unnamed woman shows us the deep nature of God’s mercy and kindness for the world. Jesus doesn’t say a word in this entire scene until all the accusers leave, then he simply asks this woman if anyone still condemns her.  Since no one else does, Jesus says “neither do I condemn…go and sin no more.”

I love this kind of mercy, it’s like the mercy we offer to a child, when they do something wrong. We sit them on our lap, talk about what happened, and then after drying remorseful tears we say, “it’s ok, don’t do it again.” If Jesus does not bring condemnation, but mercy, grace, and kindness instead, then that should be our response to others as well.  For we believe that God took care of all of it on the cross, so that we might be free, forgiven to show that kind of loving kindness to others in Jesus name.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

August 21, 2020

If you do nothing in a difficult time, your strength is limited – Proverbs 24:10

No doubt that difficult times have fallen on all of us these past many months, and some of that time, we have truly felt like we could do nothing. But I’m reminded of one of those praise songs we have sung in worship – strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord. Of course this is repeated several times throughout the song, however, the truth is waiting, though it seems like doing ‘nothing’ is truly something.

Waiting, in prayer and petition is knowing that we do not have the strength to make it on our own, but we also know who does have the strength we need – it comes from God. Even in those times that we become weary in our waiting, we need to have hope that God will carry us through.

The other day, my four-year-old niece asked – “why hasn’t God gotten rid of this virus yet?” In that moment I got to teach her about patience and persistence in prayer, I got to tell her about a hope that many people have, and in which we cannot give up. Waiting on God is hard, but there are many times that the people of God have waited, and have been called to have strength in their waiting. Nehemiah exclaimed that the Joy of the Lord is our strength (8:9). Isaiah said that God gives strength to the powerless (40:29). Many knew that true strength comes in waiting and hoping in God.

When we draw closer to God, we know that better days are ahead. However, we can more easily allow our waiting to turn into wallowing, doubt, and despair. The proverb reminds us that we do not have a limited strength because God is faithful, and we know that all the blessings we have seen thus far, and all that are still to come will come as continue to praise God even in difficult times.  Therefore, let us continue to rejoice, give thanks, and find time each day to praise God and pray with persistence for the unlimited strength to make it through.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

August 20, 2020

Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them – this is the Law and the Prophets. – Matthew 7:12

The golden rule, it has been called, the summing up of everything we need to know about living in community in one little verse.  So why is it so hard?

The King James version of this verse is what many of us know at heart – “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” But for whatever reason we don’t look to the last clause. We simply take that statement and run with it, or honestly, humanity has tried to tweak these words for their own pious boasting.

What Jesus is teaching, in this, however, is a way of thinking that seems contrary to the way the world thinks. The world would have us put ourselves first, take care of self, first, and worry about ourselves. The truth found in Jesus teachings is to think about ourselves only in how we treat others. “whatever you want done for you, do the same for others.” So how do we want to be treated? And Are we treating others in that same way?

It is a selfless act to love and to be kind to others when they know they can do nothing in return, when we give to those in need, when we listen to those seeking counsel, when we seek to understand a situation that is not our own. However, it is in these seemingly selfless acts that we find the greater truth of Jesus words, because truthfully, this is how we would want to be treated if we were in their situation.

Acts of kindness and love go a long way in this world, words of appreciation and praise are so hardly spoken, yet if this is how we would want to be treated, than perhaps we should offer without thought of reward or reciprocation, and we might find that they come back to us anyways. In do so, we might even find our love for God and neighbor grow.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

August 19, 2020

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered. – Psalm 130:3-4

Why is forgiveness so important? When we look at the scriptures we see forgiveness as a theme throughout. Early on, forgiveness comes after some kind of reconciled punishment or sacrifice.  As we progress, however, forgiveness is something that we must offer in order to receive, and finally, we come to an understanding that Jesus would be the final word, that his love, in death and in resurrection would offer forgiveness through faith to all.

Forgiveness, to some, is the beginning of faith. However, as we grow in our faith we find that forgiveness is something that happens throughout this journey in life. Understanding that forgiveness is part of the divine image that we attain through our faith in Christ, helps us to realize that when we do forgive others, we are acting as beacons of hope for our world.  We also find that the hardest persons to forgive are those closest to us, and in some cases, it is that ability to forgive oneself for things that have been pressed deep down within.

When we see the song of ascent prayed as one draws closer to a place of worship, the psalmists is reminded of their own sin, and questions that if God marked all iniquity (all sin) none could stand in worship. I see this as a reflection of the hurt one bears within, as they go to worship an almighty God, knowing their failures. Yet, the psalmist reminds us, in God there is forgiveness, and in forgiveness we are perhaps the most free we can be on this earth.

Our faith in the forgiveness offered by God, through Christ, allows our hearts to rejoice, our spirits to be lifted, and our minds to be at peace. For in forgiveness we know a love that surpasses what we deserve, and learn that we can offer the hope of peace to others in the name of the Lord.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

August 18, 2020

So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9

I wonder if you have seen this phrase before, “in a world where you can be anything, be kind.”

I have come across it a number of times, and I always take a moment to be thankful for those who are so kind to me, and then ask forgiveness for the times I could have been kinder to someone else.  I find this little saying to be a reminder that we have what it takes to offer kindness to others, but like in so many other places in life, there are days we fall short.

There are those days that we are so overwhelmed by doubt, stress, and the hardships of the world, that we take it out of someone else.  It might be someone close to us, a spouse or a child, whom we can later ask forgiveness, and apologize.  Sometimes, however, it’s someone we don’t even really know. It’s the clerk at the supermarket, or the waiter at a restaurant. We are having a bad day, and we take it out on them – the one just trying to do their job. It’s hard to go back and apologize when we may or may not ever see that person again. 

We aren’t perfect, but Paul reminds us that we are called to do what is right to bear the burdens of this world, and even bear the burdens of others in community.  It is for this reason we should not give up on doing what is right, or what is kind.  There are plenty of people in this world who won’t give a second thought about the harsh words or actions that they laid on another person; so we should be kind.

Kindness doesn’t have to be hard or a struggle, and doesn’t take much effort at all, it simply takes an awareness that we have the opportunity and the ability to make someone else’s day brighter. And in the process, we might find our cup a little fuller as well.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

August 17, 2020

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
- Romans 15:7

Could it really be that simple?  Can praise come to God simply by accepting one another? 

Yes, it can. This is the fulfillment of the law, to love our neighbor as ourselves. Thus, we must accept them in order to love them, treating one another with equality. The hard part is, getting past everything that keeps us from accepting one another.

We are human, and because we are fallible, we often, don’t like one another. Our dislike rises from conflicts of interests, hurts that have been caused, or even something from previous generations that we know nothing about other than “we don’t like those people.”  When we get down to the root of our dislike, we might realize that the reason we don’t get along with someone is because of our own selfishness. We might find in our thinking that it’s “not our fault things fell apart,” or “we didn’t do anything to them.”  These feelings are at their base, selfish.

To truly know the love of God, is to understand that God knows our selfish thoughts, our personal biases, and chooses to love us anyway; in hope that we would overcome ourselves and focus on others. God’s grace and mercy looks on us in all our selfish sin, and says, “You are forgiven, now go and sin no more.”  Unfortunately we have short memories, and we probably need to hear those words every day, and every day I confess, I will fail at the latter part, “go and sin no more.” 

No one is perfect, right?  Well, there is someone who is perfect, and we are called to be just like him – that is Christ.  We have been made in His image, we have been redeemed by His blood, and we are called to “Be holy, because I am holy.”  Therefore, we don’t have any excuses; we just simply fail day after day, after day. However, our failure does not need to keep us down, because as we turn to Christ, as we ask for forgiveness, it is offered again and again; making each day a new day, that the Lord has made, that we might rejoice and be glad.  

So if you have been forgiven, live and sin no more, accept that brother or sister whom you have been holding a grudge against and let the grace of our Lord fall upon that relationship as it is restored and renewed.  Let the forgiveness you offer one another bring a smile to God’s face as He looks on you with joy and blesses you with His presence and His love!

Grace & Peace,
Sam

August 16, 2020

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The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.   There are shouts of joy and victory in the tents of the righteous… I will not die, but will live and proclaim what the LORD has done. - Psalm 118:14-17

The Lord is risen! Christ has the victory!   the Lord has become our strength, our song, and our salvation.  We have become resurrection people, living in the grace mercy and good will of our Lord and Savior. We rejoice because of the great things God has done.  This is the hope that we have as resurrection people, people who belive in the one who rose from the dead to give us life.  We continue with the wonderful celebration of Easter each and every day, and especially on Sunday. Even when we aren’t in the ‘Easter season;’ being Easter people make every Sunday a ‘little Easter.’  The joy of a resurrection life is that each and every day we have a life that we can share with others, we have joy that overflows to the nations, and we have a love that needs to be expressed in everything that we do, to everyone we meet.  Because of this love, we do not and, will not die, but we will live for all eternity praising God for the great things He has done. 

I wonder how many of us really sit back and think about how many blessings we receive each day? Instead, we usually find the few things that we have to complain about and dwell on those.  I wonder what it would mean for us to be righteous, not self-righteous, but truly righteous in the sense of Christ and the resurrection. If we are resurrection people, who have been raised with Christ to new life, then we should take on the righteousness of Christ within us.

I find that this idea is mostly equal to what John Wesley called ‘sanctification.’  Also known as Christian perfection, sanctification is having an insight as to what “it” is that makes some people seem different. The kind of different that makes you wonder, what’s so great about their life?   It’s the realization that God has complete control, and deciding that we prefer it that way. We give over our will to the perfect will of God. It’s the knowledge that you have a love that will never grow cold, and it’s the affirmation of the joy of eternal life in the glorious kingdom of heaven.  The righteousness of Christ, is our very ability to praise God through all the rough and trying times in life, as much, or more than the good times.  This is why there are “shouts of joy in the tents of the righteous,” because the righteous are less concerned with the worries and complaints of this would, but driven by the glorious life that is to come in the complete presence of our Savior, our LORD and our God.

Praise be to God for his strength and song, sung in us. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

August 15, 2020

1 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
    I will sing and make melody.
    Awake, my soul!
2 Awake, O harp and lyre!
    I will awake the dawn.
3 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples,
    and I will sing praises to you among the nations.
4 For your steadfast love is higher than the heavens,
    and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. – Psalm 108:1-4

Give thanks to God, for another week as come to a close, and we are again blessed to be God’s people.  God has seen us through the ups and the downs of this week. God continued to be steadfast in divine love, and God remains by our side.

The psalm of praise reminds our hearts of the steadfast love of God that is eternal and reaches higher, and further than we could ever imagine.  God’s grace is made manifest in the goodness of God to provide the rain and the sun, the love of those who surround us, and the prayers of those who continue to uplift us.  We are made better because God does not reject us, but is with us, ever present in our times of need, as we remember and give thanks.

Today, let us simply give thank, rejoice, sing, and praise God for God’s steadfast love for us. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

August 14, 2020

18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come,
    so that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord:
19 that he looked down from his holy height,
    from heaven the Lord looked at the earth,
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners,
    to set free those who were doomed to die;
21 so that the name of the Lord may be declared in Zion,
    and his praise in Jerusalem,
22 when peoples gather together,
    and kingdoms, to worship the Lord. – Psalm 102:18-22

I have read many of the lamenting psalms during this time apart from one another.  There have been some days, more than others, that I truly felt the pain and anguish in the voice of the one lamenting to God. 

Today’s psalm is another lament, praying to God for help in a time of affliction. In the heart of the psalmist we find feelings of loneliness, abandonment, and anguish.  However, the psalmist has a hope of a king that is eternal that will one day offer help.  I am particularly drawn today to the section posted above.  The psalmist, in his own anguish, hopes for the future generations, that they would praise the Lord.

This is perhaps one of the greatest hopes that we can have. Even though the psalmists is feeling abandoned by God, even though the opening words of the psalm are a cry for help from God, whom they do not feel present in their lives at that moment, the plea is that future generations would praise the God who is eternal.

It is amazing to think of a faith that looks beyond ourselves, it is the faith that we profess as Christians today. That we would serve a God who binds us together as one, who holds us a sheep unto his fold, and who calls us to be equal heirs to the kingdom of his only son.  Yet, this God for many is distant, is absent, is not there in their greatest struggle.  However, for those who have faith, they know it is not God who has strayed, but themselves.  Even if God doesn’t answer their prayers, or give an answer that they desire, they will continue to praise God, for God’s ways are above our ways.  Even more, we seek that others who come after us would know that hope of God’s eternal love, to know the salvation that awaits those who trust in God’s grace, and believe in God’s mercy.

May we so order our lives that even if God doesn’t answer us, we would desire for the generations yet unborn to believe with greater faith, in the one who is, and was, and is to come.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

August 13, 2020

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually. Remember the wonderful works he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he has uttered… - Psalm 105:4-5

I know I have often talked about the unique way in which Israel remembers God. How they remember not only the good that God has brought, but also the struggle.  They remind one another of the struggles they have had as a collective people, when they did not obey God’s law, and rebelled from God’s ways. In doing so, they are reminded that the greater times in when God is with them, and God is with them, when they remember God’s ways.

It is for this reason, that the psalmist finds it fit to remind the people of God’s faithfulness at all times, and call the congregation to seek God’s presence continually.  It would be a wonderful thing for us to remember God with us at all times, but often we lose sight of this, and if we think about the exile of the people of God, it is even harder to keep our thoughts on God when we are separated from our people, especially those who remind us of God’s mighty works.

It is evident, that through we are not exiled like those in Israel have been, we are a church in exile.  We have not been able to gather, and the longer we are apart, the harder it becomes for some to remember God’s presence with them. I find this psalm comforting in its telling of the story of the Exodus out of Egypt.  The psalmist reminds us that God is faithful to God’s promises, yet it also calls us to remember his judgements.  We are called to remember a time when God’s people were not able to gather, and began to lose hope in who they were as God’s people. Yet, there is always a remnant. There are always the few, who will remember God, and remain faithful. It is from these few that God does mighty and wonderful works. 

I hope and pray that, we in our prayers seek God, continually; that we would remain part of the faithful remnant until these days of exile are over, and that God would again gather his people and lead them to the promised land.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Outdoor Service Announcement

Exciting News!

We all know that life has been disrupted in many ways these last several months. Among several others things we have been anxious to gather again as the body of Christ, the people of faith, and now we have been given approval to start.

This of course comes with great caution as we continue to want to show love from a safe distance to our neighbors and friends. 

The latest news from the Conference office is that churches are now allowed to hold in-person worship, but it must be an outdoor service. We are not yet in the place where the conference feels comfortable opening our doors and gathering inside our buildings. In addition we still must keep each family unit socially distanced at 6 feet apart, and masks when that distance cannot be kept, per the CDC guidelines.

Therefore, on Sunday’s beginning August 16, will be offering worship “Under the Oak Tree.”

Our Under the Oak Tree service will begin at 10 a.m.

We invite you to bring a lawn chair, blanket, quilt, whatever might allow you to sit comfortably under the shade of the mighty oak.  This will be a shortened service of Music, Scripture and Sermon – but it will be good for those who desire to gather together.

As a note, if you still feel uncomfortable gathering, or the idea of an outdoor service does not appeal to you, you may still worship with us online (which will be posted at the usual 9 o’clock hour).

I hope you will come join us Under the Oak Tree as we gather to worship our God.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

August 12, 2020

Better is the end of a thing than its beginning; the patient in spirit are better than the proud in spirit – Ecclesiastes 7:8

The book of wisdom known as “Ecclesiastes” takes on many of the aspects of life that we consider common to the human experience.  The book looks at what it is to have wealth, love, knowledge, wisdom, yet finds that they all fall short.  The book can sometimes be seen as a discouragement to people who place all of their hope and thoughts into the things above, however, if we follow through, what we find is that the most important thing is to have a reverent fear, and deep love, in God.

Only God can right what is wrong, make straight what is crooked, and give life that is abundant and eternal.  So, as we look at what it is be patient, as we have all been trying so hard to learn, we come to this verse that starts with what I could jokingly consider the understatement of the year with respects to this on-going pandemic: “better is the end of a thing than it’s beginning.”

As we consider how abruptly life stopped in early March, and how much fear and concern was shared by all, we hoped for an abrupt end, and for life to resume.  I remember being hopeful for the church to gather and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord at Easter. However, as spring gave way to summer, and now we are on the cusp of a fall semester beginning, we still are left wondering when the end shall come.  All this has made the virtue of patience a common point of learning for many of us.

Many years ago, during a small group discussion on Ecclesiastes, we took a long hard look at what it means to be patient.  One of the great ideas that came out of that discussion was this;  No one should ever pray for patience.  The rational is that when we pray and ask God for virtues to build our character, God doesn’t just grant them. God does, however, gives us many opportunities in which to grow into the qualities or virtues.  Therefore, when we pray for patience, we don’t get patience, but opportunities to be patient.  As we learn patience, we find that we have more and more of it… or sometimes we are made very aware of how we have not yet learned that lesson.

Regardless, the greater hope is to remember that God is with us, and with our spirits, and therefore we can find the strength to continue this learning opportunity as we wait with patience, anticipation, and hope that life will seem normal once more.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

August 11, 2020

Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer – Romans 12:12

As we enter into another week, waiting, watching, wondering, and hoping for what the future holds; I am reminded of what normal looks like. In places outside of Knox County, schools are starting back, and friends are posting pictures of their child’s first day of whatever grade.  Of course there is the disclaimer of reality in that many of them are starting school virtually.  However, what I find hopeful about these pictures is that they show a perseverance in the way life should be, that time marches on, and though things are not the normal we want, life continues.

Deep down we all knew that life would continue on, those in the working world have been back to a ‘normal’ for many months now, and some things seem to have never closed or changed at all.  Routines continue, they have simply been tweaked to work within a new reality.  I know that we continue to pray for the virus to be stifled, for a working vaccine to be produced, and for life to resume as it did before this pandemic.  Yet, at the same time, I think we might hope for something different, and dare I say it, better.

I am beginning to pray and dream for what it will be like when the congregation gathers. I am hopeful that we might be more grateful for opportunities to be together. I am hopeful that we will have a greater since of importance to being together, and I am hopeful that some patterns of deep conversations, and time well-spent with loved ones would continue. 

I know we are not out of the difficult times yet, and it will take time and patients to navigate back to what is hoped for.  There may still be setbacks, we may have to wait even longer before that first gathering, however, as Paul reminds us we need to be “patient in suffering,” knowing that our time exiled from one another has been difficult, and remains as such.  But if we look at the ‘bookend’ statements to that call to patients, what we see is opportunity to rejoice in hope, and persevere in prayer.  These surrounding phrases give us understanding that even in the most difficult of times, we often need to renew our focus on the positive, and from there, know that we can and will make it through, perhaps stronger in our faith because of the difficulty.

My hope for today, is that no matter what new news may come, we would rejoice and persevere for God is our hope, and in him we rejoice. Therefore, to God we pray for guidance, an extra outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit, and the love to bind us together until we are able to gather in-person again.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

August 10, 2020

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen - Hebrews 11:1

So we have a proverbial cup in front of us, the cup is filled/emptied to the half way point.  I know you have already decided how you feel today based on the optimism/pessimism of your cup being empty/full.  However, in much of life we are not at the half-way point, but we are at some other point in the cup all together. For those whom life is at a seeming standstill, we are just happy there is a cup.  At this point, who really knows. With people who are constantly on the go, the point is almost moot, because they have been running on the drops at the bottom for quite some time now.  So, where do we turn when our cup (if still present) is completely empty?

Faith:  Faith is the answer to the question, when all else fails and we are running on the fumes, beyond empty, we need to have faith.  Our faith, is best understood in what the writer of Hebrews gives as the definition of faith.  “Faith is the reality of what is hoped for…”

At first glance, this statement almost seems oxymoronic; how can something that is a hope be a reality?  The proof is in the promises that we have from God.  “Come to me… and I will give you rest” (Matt  11:28); “The Lord will wipe away the tears from every face…” (Isaiah 25:8); “The Lord gives his people strength” (Psalm 29:11).  And we are only getting started with these few verses. There is a vast library to understand the complete promise of God. 

When we increase our faith, through study if these promises, or through prayer, or through enduring hope; we find there is so much more of a hope for this life and for the one still to come, than we first imagined.  Though we cannot see it now, we can still know that God is bringing about His Kingdom and it is rising with us, as we have faith to believe.  It helps us to look inside our hearts and answer; How is God real to you?  What promises do you stand upon?  Where do you see the proof, the reality of hope? 

I hope It is found in the faith you have in your relationship with Jesus, the Son of Man, and with His Holy Spirit. When we find our faith in him strengthened in Him who has been sent from an Almighty God; then we find our cup runneth over.  We might even find that our cup no longer matters because we are filled to overflowing in His matchless, steadfast love, and we may just choose to stay there and rest for a little while.

May God fill you up, lift you up, and may your faith be filled with hope, today and always.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

August 9, 2020

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Psalm 67

1 May God be gracious to us and bless us
    and make his face to shine upon us,           Selah
2 that your way may be known upon earth,
    your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
    let all the peoples praise you.

4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you judge the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations upon earth.              Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
    let all the peoples praise you.

6 The earth has yielded its increase;
    God, our God, has blessed us.
7 May God continue to bless us;
    let all the ends of the earth revere him.

We ‘gather’ again for worship, while remaining distant from one another.  We come together in the sanctuary of our hearts and minds as we join them in praise to God.  We come, knowing that we are still in exile, that each day is difficult, that we long to truly be gathered as God’s people in one place.  However, we remember that God is faithful. God continues to pour blessing upon blessing for his people. We, God’s people, are grateful for God’s faithfulness.

I hope you will join me in singing praise to God today, from wherever we are, distant from one another. I know that God is still in control, that God is binding us together in love, and I hope that we would allow our hearts to give praise that we can continue to worship together through the technology of our day.  Praise be to God for his continued blessings. Amen!

Grace & Peace,
Sam