January 12, 2021

January 12, 2021

Sharing from the congregation – Edward Pierce

9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. 10 And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” - Matthew 9:9-13

I know this will come as a great shock to all of you: a lot of my life has been driven by music. Music of all kinds, too: classical, religious, historical, world music, folk, pop, rock, blues, jazz, Broadway, and everything in between. However, it may surprise you that as a music worship leader, it isn't the beautiful melody or harmony or accompaniment that matter most to me; it is the text. Without good, deep, scripturally sound text, a song may be pretty but doesn't really work for me as a worship song.

For our service on Sunday, January 3, 2021, Sam said a few things that really struck me. During the pastoral prayer, he said, "We recognize that there are many in our world who do not experience the love of a church family, the comfort and joy of a faith community. May our witness to your love increase itself in hospitality towards them and with them. Nudge us on to greater acts of faithfulness as we learn to trust you more and more. Entice us to be those who offer the invitation of your love for all."  In his sermon, he mentioned that our scripture of Jesus' response as a twelve-year-old at the temple could be translated, "Did you not know that I must be about my father's business?"

He also introduced me to a song called "I Will Go." I was especially hit by the second verse:

Let me not be blind with privilege; / Give me eyes to see the pain.
Let the blessing You've poured out on me / Not be spent on me in vain.
Let this life be used for change.

This all called to mind another song I ran into when I was the pianist at Salem Baptist Church, a song titled "This Must Be the Place" by Steve Amerson. The song describes situations in life where people run into difficulty, strife, sin, and despair, where they are the outcasts. The end of the verses say,

"They doubt the church could have / The answers necessary, / And fear they'd find rejection
Rather than a sanctuary."

Then the chorus stunned me with this rending text:

"This must be a place / Where the broken heart can mend. / This must be a place
Where the outcast finds a friend. / For we cannot lift the fallen / If our hand still holds a stone,
And their sin that seems so great to us / Is no greater than our own. / There must be a point
Where shame meets grace, / And this must be the place."

It is the New Year, and tradition holds that we make resolutions for ways in which we will improve and live better lives. I've done the "I'll exercise more" and "I'll lose weight this year" resolutions before, and I could certainly use to make another stab at them. However, the words of Sam's prayer and message and these songs place me squarely at an uncomfortable crossroad: do I sit in church all comfortable in my faith, or do I remember that Christ asked me to "be about my Father's business?" Am I the one who needs to work to bring peace and healing to a hurting world? And face it, there is a lot of hurt right now. There is a lot of need. What am I doing about it? Are the blessings that have been poured out on me spent in vain? I need to be the hands and feet of Christ -- not dragging people into the church -- but going and meeting them where they are.

The has to be, there simply MUST be a point --

- where shame meets grace
- where despair meets grace
- where pain meets grace
- where addiction meets grace
- where poverty meets grace
- where hunger meets grace
- where brokenness meets grace
- where anger meets grace
- where defeat meets grace
- where alienation meets grace
- where rejection meets grace
- where hopelessness meets grace ...

and this, THIS must be the place. WE must be the place. I must be the place.

Dear Lord, I resolve this year to be the place where those in need meet grace, and I resolve to make my church, St. Mark, the place where they find and know your grace and love. Amen.

Gracefully Submitted,
Edward Pierce

January 11, 2021

January 11, 2021

3 A voice cries out:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
    make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be lifted up,
    and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
    and the rough places a plain.
5 Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
    and all people shall see it together,
    for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” – Isaiah 40:3-5

Yesterday we say this passage withing the context of Luke’s gospel as John the baptizer being the one who is the voice crying out of the wilderness. However, the text comes from a much older time. The prophet Isaiah says these words to speak about he comfort that is coming for the people of God. 

Many scholars looks at the entirety of Isaiah’s 40th chapter speaking of the coming Christ who will make all things right and usher in the true kingdom of God. And while this is the traditional Christian view of these verse, let us look deeper into what is said in verse 3-5 above.

Isaiah speaks about when the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and for that to happen he says: “paths are made straight,” “valleys lifted up,” “mountains and hills made low,” and “uneven ground made level” With these words there is a sense that in order for the revealing of the Lord’s glory there must first be an equity of sorts.  This equity is that all would be on the same level, or at the same level. It might make us wonderful about what such level might be; yet, I think at a certain point we are all there.  The one things that is equivalent across the board is our humanity, and with it the fleetingness of the human life.  While we wish for it to last as long as possible, and be a good as possible, life for all of us will one day end. It’s been said that death is the great equalizer.  All suffer it, and no one (aside from The One) overcomes it. 

Therefore, the glory of the Lord is revealed, and all people see it together at death. This death doesn’t come as a fear, though, it comes for the Christian as a great relief, and for many who understand baptism as a dying to self, and rising with Christ; death has already occurred.  It is perhaps why this passage comes in conjunction with Jesus baptism in the Jordan river.  Jesus leads us to death; that is, the equalizer which allow us to see the glory of life.  For as we arise from the waters of baptism we are made a part of a new creation, the old is gone and the new has come.

We in this new life can move forward, seeing the glory of God around every turn, and perhaps will do the work to help other come to see this equitable place where all are at the same level, and all might become sons and daughters of God, co-heirs with Christ in this kingdom that has begun, but is not quite yet.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

January 10, 2021

January 10, 2021

To join the online service at 9 a.m. or anytime after please visit: stmarkknox.org/sermons

John son of Zechariah went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled,
    and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
    and the rough ways made smooth;
6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” – Luke 3:3-6

Today, is the celebration of the Baptism of our Lord. I love this Sunday, as it is usually a great time to gather in the Sanctuary and renew our baptismal commitments to: renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of the is world, and earnestly repent of our sin. We remember, and take up the charge again to: accept the freedom and power God gives us to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.

With these vows we confess Jesus Christ as our Savior, and put our whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as Lord, in union with the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races. In addition, we promise to live by his grace, and remain faithful as Christ’s representatives in this world.

These words which remind us of our promise lead us again to a greater understanding of Christ’s promise to be with us always, to lead us to love one another as he first loved us. We live into this sign of baptismal washing because our Lord was baptized in the Jordan river by John. We believe in the repentance and forgiveness of sin, and by the grace of God, we know that we can share in the kingdom that has already begun, and it yet to come.  May we reflect, today, on our baptism, and renew within our hearts the promise we make to be Christ’s hands and feet in this world.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

January 9, 2021

January 9, 2021

Now that day was a sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who had been cured, “It is the sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your mat and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take it up and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had disappeared in the crowd that was there… - John 5:9b-13

There are a number of healing miracles performed by Jesus in the gospels. However, there are only a few that occur on the day called the Sabbath.  For the Jews the Sabbath is supposed to be a day of rest, to reflect on God’s blessings and refrain from work for their religious observance.  Sabbath, traditionally starts at sunset on Friday, and remains in place until the evening dark on Saturday. 

During this approximately 24 hour period, the Jews were to do no work. Of course in an agricultural society there are some things that simply must be done, and over time certain acts were allowed, while others deemed for abstention. In the more populated places, like Jerusalem the religious adherence to the law would have been a little more strict, thus, the man called out for doing the simple task of carrying his bed mat. 

What is notable here, however, is that the Jewish teacher of the law saw this man with a bed roll (literally carrying his sick bed) and did not ask him about his healing or wellness, but questioned his inability to follow the rules, thus believer in this sickness (sin against God). 

One might ask, what is more important; a person’s wellness or their sickness? Too often the church (Christians) focus on the things that are wrong with a person, group, etc. We see the sickness of the world (aside from the pandemic), and want for someone, or for God to ‘fix it.’ Most people believe the fixing comes from all people ‘following the rules.’ In this, I fear that we stray too closely to those who are often seen as at odds with Jesus.

Jesus’ focus is, instead, on wellness.  Jesus sought to make people well, to build and restore relationships, to see to it that the life of people (especially those on the outside of society) would feel that they belong, are cherished, and loved by God and by him. When we truly do the work of Jesus, it is beyond religious regulation that we do such work.  We become relational ambassadors of heaven; seeking to share the peace, hope, and love of God and Christ with others.  When we really understand this work, then we are ready to focus not on all that is wrong (the sickness) in the world, but are prepared to work alongside Jesus for the world’s healing (the wellness) towards a kingdom founded on God’s love and grace.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

January 8, 2021

January 8, 2021

Sharing from the congregation – David Petty

... he asked Jesus, “and who is my neighbor?” —Luke 10:29

Which is bigger, Nashville or Atlanta?  Well, the population within the city limits of Nashville is about 694,000, and Atlanta is only about 507,000.  On the other hand Nashville’s urban area population, or “greater Nashville,” is around 1.9 million, whereas for “greater Atlanta” it’s around 6.7 million.  To answer the question it matters what constitutes Nashville or Atlanta.

To get closer to home, what constitutes Knoxville?  Most of us, I think, would include Farragut and Powell in “greater Knoxville.”  How about Oak Ridge and Maryville?  Lenoir City?  Oliver Springs?

Part of the answer is that it depends on the situation.  If you’re measuring, say, the increasing or decreasing crime rate, you’ll have to draw lines somewhere, such as the city limits or the boundaries of the county.  On the other hand, if you’re dong long-range urban planning, you’ve got to consider the geography, economies, growth patterns, etc. of nearby suburbs and even distant suburbs or “exurbs.”

I’d like to suggest that there are parallels to our church.  We might think of our 300 or so members as “Downtown St. Mark.”  Perhaps nonmembers who attend regularly, or even irregularly, are the near suburbs (as well as former members and close family of members).  Residents of Rocky Hill and beyond could be the distant suburbs/ exurbs.

What about denominational lines?  Are nearby Baptists, Catholics, Presbyterians, and even Jews and Muslims part of “greater St. Mark?”  Are we simultaneously part of their communities?  And as if that’s not complicated enough, consider the impact of the new technology and its virtual communities.

Again, part of the answer is that it depends.  We may need to draw some temporary lines If we’re going to look at church growth, finances, etc.; but when we finish doing that we may need to erase those lines.

Having asked these questions, I ought to have some decent answers, but I don’t.  I do feel that it is not in the church’s best interests to think in terms of us vs. them.  “Us” is all of us.

Gracefully submitted,
David Petty

January 7, 2021

January 7, 2021

For thus says the Lord: you were sold for nothing and you shall be redeemed without money. – Isaiah 52:3

I hope we all know about grace by now.  For by grace we have been saved through faith, and are redeemed in Christ forevermore. 

As I come across this little verse in Isaiah, though, I follow Isaiah mention of how Israel came to be oppressed long ago in Egypt. By the time the writer of Isaiah is recording this, thousands of years have passed. Isaiah might be able to reflect on the loss of the northern kingdom of Israel to the Assyrians, and how Israelites from there were taken into captivity. Yet, at the same time would know nothing of being captive himself. 

Still, as he listens and records an oracle of God, Isaiah notes that something new is coming, and the people of God should “break forth together into singing…for the Lord has comforted his people” (Is 52:9).  

With this, I began to think how it is we as humans fall away from God. Truth is falling away is rarely intentional or intended. We simply stray from God by getting distracted by other things. We get distracted by politics, or news, or sports, or the pursuit of wealth; none of which are wrong or evil in and of themselves, but when we become overly devoted to anything aside from our relationship with God, we strain or even sever that relationship.

Thus, we hear Isaiah’s words; “you were sold for nothing…” We don’t become slaves to the world, or sin by it buying us, but we go willingly down that road, and find ourselves, sometimes, feeling as though something is missing or askew in our lives.  Too often, when this is the case and things are out of sorts, we try to fix it with all the wrong things. We add things that might bring temporary pleasure or happiness, but find that it is fleeting.

The great wisdom of Scripture tells us, however, that just as we sold ourselves over to sin for nothing, without any money, we shall be redeemed.  The price paid for our redemption if found in returning to or having true faith.  In understanding that God forgives all sin, and gives us a better life, one abundant and eternal in Christ.  All of this is free grace.

Though it is free grace, however, it is not cheap.  This free grace came at the cost of Christ, of everything that God had to offer, that we might allow our lives to be lived for God’s glory, sharing in the peace and love we have received, and working that such kingdom would be shared, and would grow that others, too, would be redeemed by grace, without monetary price.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

January 6, 2021

January 6, 2021

10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.  – Matthew 2:10-12

Here we are at Epiphany, still the first week of a new year, hoping for change. Still, we know that the previous year still has a grip on us.  Not just the ongoing pandemic, but all of the years we have lived before. The habits we have formed, the ways we have acted and interacted, all of it impacts how we live now; unless, we strive for change.

Change is something that happens very slowly and over a great deal of time.  In order for something to truly change for the better we must be intentional about such change. 

If we need help understanding this, I think we turn to the story of Epiphany.  Jesus has been born in Bethlehem as has been foretold.  Some time has passed, despite what our old Christmas pageants might have indicated, and wise men from the East have made their way to honor a new born king.  This knowledge of a new king takes the current, Romans appointed King, by surprise. No one has told him that his reign, or his family’s reign would end any time soon.  After looking into the situation, this human appointed king decides in his heart that his reign would not end, even if it was foretold by the prophets of old.  He would make his own future. 

Thus, Herod the tyrant, asks the wise men to reveal the location of the child, and secretly wishes to have this child destroyed. The wise men do not adhere to the king’s wishes, instead they leave by another route, in hopes to save this new born king.  Herod then, in his furry, has all the male children in and around Bethlehem two and under killed.

We know that Jesus remains safe; his earthly father, Joseph, has a dream and flees with his family to Egypt for safety.  However, for the hundred’s or more children that Herod did kill, we mourn, and understand how harsh and cruel is our world and its people. 

Even though a new king, one of peace and promise had come, the world did not change immediately. Even when we think of how the world treated Jesus when he did come into his own, we find cruelty and hatred. Even now, thousands of years later, we wonder if the world will ever find the peace that Christ offers us.

Change must be intentional, it happens slowly and over time. If we want to see change happen in our world, we must first understand that change, first, happens in our hearts as we open ourselves to the love that is poured out by God for our forgiveness.  Then we must begin to offer that forgiveness to others, which with hope and kindness will spread as we nurture the change. 

Friends, I want to see a change in our world. A change for the better, a change that will lift spirits, and share the love of God. I pray that God’s love would change each of us, to make us more like Christ, offering peace and forgiveness, living into hope, and always urging us to live the commandment to love one another.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

January 5, 2021

January 5, 2021

Sharing from the Congregation – Sue Biggerstaff

The following appeared a few years ago in a St. Mark bulletin.    

The Work of Christmas by Howard Thurman

When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone, 
When the kings and princes are home, 
When the shepherds are back with their flock, 
The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner, 
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among people, 
To make music in the heart. 

Our church, this year as every year, was beautifully decorated for Christmas.  Our thanks go out to the altar guild for their hard work not knowing if the congregation would be allowed inside to see it.  But during Sam's services we were able to enjoy some of its beauty.  Soon they will come back and carefully pack away the nativity set, take down the Chrismon tree, and store the advent wreath. As we reflect back on the meaning of the candles that will be put away, we need to remember what they symbolize throughout the year.

Hope:  Put your hope in the Lord.
Peace:  I leave with you my peace.
Joy:  You clothe me with happiness.
Love:  Love one another as I have loved you. 
Christ Candle:  For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son.

May we all keep doing the work of Christmas.

Gracefully Submitted,
Sue Biggerstaff

January 4, 2021

Sharing from the congregation – David Petty

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the son of God  — Mark 1:1

When you started the first grade, or maybe kindergarten, one of the adults in your family went out and bought a bunch of school supplies: pencils., paper, crayons, maybe a safe pair of scissors, a notebook, or one of those little plastic pencil sharpeners that don’t work very well.  They may have gotten a list of supplies from the school, or maybe they made their own list.  Either way, it was good to have those things with you.  Sometime during the school year you undoubtedly needed to get some other items, but at least this was a good start.

When you started high school, you may have done some comparable shopping for yourself.  There were probably some different items on the list this time — maybe, for example, a calculator.  (If you’re my age, you might even remember something called a slide rule.)  You might have made a similar shopping trip when you started college, or, depending on your occupation, perhaps when you started a new job. 

With as many things as we have to think about at this time of year, we probably need to keep reminding ourselves that Advent means “a beginning.”  Each week of Advent we focus on a different theme — hope, peace, joy, love, and Christ.  A great deal has been said and can be said about each of these topics.  However, I‘d like to suggest one additional way of thinking about them.

As we the church start a new “term,” it’s wise to have the right “supplies” with us.  I think these five items — hope, peace, and so forth — constitute a good set of supplies.  If we have them in our backpacks during the term we’ll be better prepared to do our assignments.  From time to time we may need to pick up some more items, but at least we’ve made a good start.

Gracefully submitted,
David Petty

January 3, 2021

January 3, 2021

To join our online worship at 9 am or after please visit: stmarkknox.org/sermons

And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.  – Luke 2:47

I’ll confess, when one of my children is telling me a story, especially about something that excites them, I listen, but probably don’t share their enthusiasm.  If the story goes long, I probably nod along, but my listening becomes inactive.

I’m sure I’m not alone in this. I do truly love and care for and about my children, I just often have other things on my mind. We all do.  Though every once in a while when we actually listen to them, especially to the answers they give to questions, they can say some very profound things.

Children are truly a wealth of wisdom despite their sometimes misplaced excitement. Their responses are sometimes witty, sometimes insightful, but always honest. My children especially impress me when they pick up on the notions of God’s forgiveness, mercy, and grace.  When they say things about how at the cross Jesus saved us. Or that he rose again so that we can too. Even our youngest has reminded us that God loves everyone.

In those days when patience is worn thin, or anxiety is high, when we look out at the world and see nothing but darkness. Let us remember the light of a child. The child who amazed the elders in the temple, and shines into the darkness of our own lives. Let us see His light in all God’s children, and remember that we are one too.

May the light and love of Christ lead you to listen, and to be astonished by the words of Christ spoke around you, even if by a child.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

January 2, 2021

January 2, 2021

Sharing from the Congregation – David Petty

I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. —Joshua 1:9

You probably know this story better than I do.  Here’s a short version:

A horrible dragon was terrorizing the land, flying through the air, blowing fire, and gobbling up knights like they were chicken nuggets.  On the advice of his wizard, the king picked a mere lad, still in his teens, to go out and fight the dragon.  The lad assembled all the usual dragon-fighting tools — lance, sword, shield, magic amulets and potions, and a suit of armor.  He practiced and practiced his fighting technique.  One day, as the time for the fight grew near, the wizard came to see him.

The young man showed the wizard all the things he had laid out, explaining all in great detail.  Then he said, “Sir, I’m afraid.  The dragon will surely kill me as it has the knights that have fought it.”

“Young friend,” answered the wizard, “you are missing a tool.  Think about it.  I will come back again.”  With that he left.

The lad thought and thought.  He checked and rechecked his equipment.  He could find nothing missing.  Finally on the day that he was to fight the dragon, the wizard returned. “Sir,” he said to the wizard, “I have checked and checked and can find nothing missing.  Oh, sir, who will save the kingdom after the dragon kills me?”

“My friend, you are still missing the most important tool,” said the wizard, “... courage.”

“Ah!” said the lad.  Then he frowned.   “But sir, where do I find courage?”

“You don’t,“ replied the wizard. “You ask for it and it finds you.  Now go slay the dragon.”

After a tumultuous year, we are entering a new one that promises to be challenging.  The pandemic still rages and there are uncertainties about the vaccines.  Economic and military troubles threaten around the world.   Political changes are about to occur in Washington.

All this presents both dangers and opportunities.  In order to take advantage of the opportunities, we need to use all our tools — including that most important tool, courage.  As in the story, courage is not something that we find.  We pray for it and believe that it will find us.

Now go slay the dragon.

Gracefully submitted,
David Petty

January 1, 2021

January 1, 2021

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen… By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. – Hebrews 11:1,3

Happy New Year!

I wonder what does this new year hold instore for you? Many of us may not know the complete answer to that question, we may only have our hopes for what it might bring. However I invite you to contemplate on how faith will guide you this year, and offer this New Year’s Prayer.

God, Creator of all things, including the new heart in me,

I pray that we meet this year with gladness and rejoicing.  Even as we feel the impact of a pandemic continue in our lives, we pray for a new hope that things will get better this year.  We give thanks for the lessons learned from the past. Our hearts are glad for the ways you have forgiven our mistakes, and led us on the right path.

Lord, in your mercy and grace we ask that the coming year be much better than the last. We pray for a year filled with laughter, joy, and peace.  We ask that you guide us to look within to find these things in you, and that we may begin in our households and let the joy or your presence spread to those around us.  

Keep us alive in our faith, active in our work, and hopeful for the future. Lead us every close to you and to your people, Lord, as we seek to know your blessings, to share your blessings, and to be a blessing to others in your name.  Amen.

Grace, Peace, and a Blessed New Year to all of you!
Sam

December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020

O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things… - Psalm 98

New Year’s Eve, or as the old Christians church has called it “watch night.” In modern times it has been a time for gathering and celebrating the end of a year and the dawning of a new one.  With all that has happened in 2020, we might be celebrating even more that this historically hard year is over.  Though for many of us, we know that just because the calendar changes over, doesn’t mean very much changes.

Yes, each new year has new possibilities, new hopes, new dreams. And for those willing to put in the work, these possibilities can certainly be realities. But one thing remains true, any change, starts from within.  The psalmist reminds us that we are to “sing to the Lord a new song..” it is a reminder that in the Lord, we have been changed from the inside.  We rejoice in the great things that God has done in our lives, and we allow those great things that God has done for us to shape and define how we choose to live from this point on.  This reminder does not erase our past, but helps us to remember that we are not our past, but we are who God has and is shaping us to be in His image.

There’s an old Scot’s hymn, Auld Lang Syne, we often sing on this day, and while not recorded until sometime in the early 1700’s it is believed to from a more ancient time among the Scots people to cherish the ‘old times’ but to remember to ‘take a cup of kindness yet’ The song imparts to us to remember old friendships, and cherish the memories of times past, but at the same time we live in a present moment.

And surely you'll buy your pint cup!
and surely I'll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

For a past year we may not soon forget, and for the blessings to a new year coming with a new song and new hope. Cheers to you and yours.  Happy New Year.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

December 30, 2020

December 30, 2020

Sharing from the congregation – David Petty

It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever,
who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
O give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
— Psalm 136:23-26

I heard once that the English word with the greatest number of meanings is “run.”  I don’t know what’s second or third, but I would guess that “love” must be in the top ten.  It can mean anything from how we feel about food (Christmas cookies?  red velvet cake?)  to something profound, not to mention tennis.  The Bible covers many of these meanings in one place or another, from romantic or physical love to divine love.  At the top of the range of meanings is hesed. 

Hesed is a great Old Testament word that is difficult to pronounce and even more difficult to translate.  Some versions of the Bible translate it as “steadfast love.”  Often when you see the word “mercy” in the New Testament, it represents an attempt by the original writer to translate hesed into Greek.  I would suggest “unchanging and unchangeable love.”  But that doesn’t really get it either.  Some words, it seems, have to be translated with the heart rather than with a dictionary.

Hesed occupies roughly the same place in Old Testament theology that grace occupies in New Testament theology.

I don’t think that the Pharisees, for the most part, intended harm.  I think they believed that following all those rules were necessary in order to change God’s love in their favor.  What they failed to understand is that they didn’t need to try to change God’s love, just as you don’t need to fix what’s not broken.

A vast amount of ink has been consumed over the question of whether God can change. There is a whole area of theology called “process theology” about this, and the issue of predestination is tied to it as well.  I’ve come to believe that God can, and sometimes does, change God’s actions in response to prayer.  But I don’t believe God’s power changes and I don’t believe God’s love changes.

This week we celebrate love of all sorts: of food, family, friends, and the Lord’s faithfulness.  Thanks be to God.

Gracefully submitted,
David Petty

December 29, 2020

December 29, 2020

And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning—you must walk in it. – 2 John 6

The second epistle of John is an interesting and short little thing.  It is written to “the elect lady” whom many believed to be the sister or sister-in-law of the apostle John.  Unlike so many of the letters or epistles we find in scripture that are shared among the churches, this letter (while it most certainly was shared) is personal in nature. 

John expresses the love that he has for this family (the elect and her children). He writes to them with great encouragement of the faith she has imparted to her children. Word has come to John letting him know of the great grace, mercy, and truth that has been seen in them.  With this, John sends a reminder to her and to all of us of what is truly expected.

“and this is love, that we walk according to his commandment”

We might ask, and which commandment is John referring? However, we should realize it is the one given by Jesus, to love the Lord our God, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Or more concisely, love one another as He first loved us. 

John’s gentle encouragement is to remind the elect, and us, that as we make our way in this world, the greatest joy and grace we can show is to love one another, for in doing so, we are abiding in the teachings of Christ.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

December 28, 2020

December 28, 2020

Sharing from the congregation – David Petty

At that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord ... the remnant of Israel: they have shall do no wrong and utter no lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths.  Then they will pasture and lie down, and no one shall make them afraid. — Zephaniah 3: 9,13

Although Zephaniah is one of the shortest books in the Bible (53 verses), I won’t try to reproduce much of it here.  Instead, I have just cited two verses that I think are important to understanding the movement of the book.

Unlike some of the other books of prophecy which move back and forth between hope and complaint or despair, Zephaniah has a simple structure.  Much of the book filled with death and devastation, but at about three fourths of the way through there is a turning point to hope and peace.

That turning point occurs exactly at verse 3:9. 

I think it’s significant that the turn begins with a change of speech.  Verse 13 re-emphasizes the importance of speech.  This is consistent with a common theme in the Bible, the power of speech itself to achieve things.  It goes back to the first chapter of Genesis, where God speaks the world and the cosmos into being. The Word of God is necessary for life (Deuteronomy 8:3, a verse cited by Jesus during his wilderness temptation) and can kill (Hosea 6:5).  Human speech is not like the Word of God, but still can be very powerful.

We have to decide for ourselves whether we believe this.  Maybe the idea of transformative speech is just magical thinking, rooted in ancient Middle Eastern superstition. 

Maybe it’s an enduring truth.

After a year of pandemic, unrest at home and abroad, a record number of hurricanes, new splintering of the Methodist church, and capped by a bitter election season, we could all stand a turning point.  Can we bring that about with speech alone? 

Of course we know that changed speech usually occurs along with with changed attitudes. The logical assumption would be that the attitude change effects the speech change.  Some studies, however, indicate that the reverse can be the case.  Simply changing our speech can apparently alter our thinking.

Maybe what the Bible says about this could apply to us.  Maybe in this new year we could turn the world around with our speech.  Maybe we should at least give it a try.

Gracefully submitted,
David Petty

December 27, 2020

December 27, 2020

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When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. – Luke 2:39-40

Another Christmas has come and gone. This year, I think we shared a little more the hope of a salvation to come to us that others.  We had a great hope that with the end of the year coming, there would be a pathway for us to overcome this pandemic, and life would get back to normal. We do have great hope in the vaccines that are rolling out, but we also know it could still be several months before many of us will have our chance to get one.

Even with hope, we still have the waiting.

At the end of Luke 2, after the glorious pronouncement from the angles, after the birth of the savior, after the earthly parents did what was required of them by the Jewish law, Luke tells us they simply went home.  Even though so much had already be told about this child born in Bethlehem, Jesus was still a baby, he needed time and a place to grow up.  Jesus needed the loving care of an earthly mother, and the tender support of an earthly father just as any of us. 

It’s hard to imagine simply going home after something as spectacular as what these parents experienced, but home is also where Mary and Joseph wanted to be.  It’s true, after a long journey there is no place like home.

For many of us home is where we have been since March, and at this point, we might actually think it’s be nice to get away from home for a bit. However, we remain there for now, waiting, hoping, and remembering – home is where the child grew, became strong, and was filled with wisdom.

As we turn our attention away from Christmas and towards a new year, let us work towards a deeper faith filled with the knowledge and wisdom of Christ, and find new ways to share in Christ’s love for all.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

December 26, 2020

December 26, 2020

Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and we may walk in his paths… - Micah 4:2

It’s the morning after Christmas, so what now? I know that some families may have traditions that stretch out the twelve days of Christmas of which this is day two, by the way. In my experience, this is a good time to relax and be a bit lazy. 

There are usually plenty of leftovers from the great Christmas feast, there may be some new present which requires assembly, or installation. There might be a new movie or book we would like to enjoy.  The day should seem simple and relaxed.  Yet, as I turn the page and begin to look ahead to a new year, I come across these words form Micah, and think about all that might be as we seek the presence of God in the days ahead.

During Advent we talk about awaiting Emmanuel, God walking with us. So, often, that thought disappears after Christmas. At Christmas we say God is here in the babe born in Bethlehem. Truth is God was there in that manger bed, but God is also here now. The days that we walk of Christmas and beyond should lead us to know Christ more intimately, to live more intently on God’s call on our lives. We celebrate that love is with us. Now, let us walk in that love, walk in the ways of His path, learning to celebrate the presence of Christ with us not just at Christmas, but always and forever.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

December 25, 2020

December 25, 2020

But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. – Luke 2:19

            Advent Lighting – Light the Christ Candle

Merry Christmas!

I hope this day meets you with light and love.  On this great day of celebration, I share one of my favorite verse from the Christmas story.  In the midst of the spectacle that is the Angels singing, and the shepherds visiting the place where Jesus lay, we have this small verse that I think very much speaks to us on this Christmas morning.

Mary treasured all that was said and pondered it in her heart. Mary knew before she ever became pregnant what the angel Gabriel has said about this child she would bring into the world.  Yet in the quiet after the visitors had left, hearing their story she cherishes what she has heard. 

I wonder what things we will cherish this year? I know it may seem hard, we may not be with those whom we would usually celebrate. Yet, at the same time it is a perfect year to reflect on what is most important – the love of Christ. A love that connects us with family and friends, and makes those whom we love worth treasuring in our hearts.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Christmas Eve, December 24, 2020

Christmas Eve, December 24, 2020

To join our online Christmas Eve service please visit: stmarkumc.org/sermons

And the Word became flesh and lived among us… - John 1:14

            Advent Lighting – Light the Christ Candle

God is with us. God came to be among us. Our Emmanuel is here.

Even now, even here, though we are displaced from the time of his birth, we are reminded that these ancient words have great meaning. The One who was, and is, and is to come, the ever-loving God who created and is creating is revealed to us, most precisely, and most preciously in the babe born in Bethlehem. 

When John says the Word become flesh, he isn’t simply saying that the Word was an ambassador of heaven, but that the Word is fully God, was there at the beginning, and will be long after the end.  It was the fullness of God that loved us so much that he became flesh to create a personal connection between the human and he diving, grounded in a loving grace that would meet us where we are.

The grace made evident in the word made flesh is a grace that is willing to live out the human experience, to show us a more perfect way, to interact with the problems and difficulties of our world, and help to know more fully the love God has for us. Grace that gives us a light that blots out the darkness we see in this world, blots out the darkness found in our own hearts and calls us to follow in Christ love in all that we say and do.  This love humbles us, and in humility we bow before a baby in a manger, and rise to reflect the true light of love to those around us, bringing peace, joy, and hope to those around us.

Merry Christmas! May Christ’s light shine in you!

Grace & Peace,
Sam