Sunday, August 30, 2020

13th Sunday after Pentecost Sermon Stumbling block or a Rock?

Live Service Video         



Let’s start with three deep breaths and relax….

This is a 6 minute video prayer for our centering and gathering time today

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TascsWZPj8U

 

 

Opening Prayer

Ritual of Welcome for Virtual Worship

 Taken from the book emergence  blessings and rituals for unsheltering.

 

God is good! All the time! Welcome to the church in Diaspora on this blessed Blursday the 30th day of the 8th month of the year of coronavirus 2020! But who’s counting?

 

Welcome if your watching in hi-def, low-fi, or have to keep rebooting your screen or your soul because it’s so worn out. When glitches and hiccups happen, remember God dwells in the interruptions, too.

 

Welcome to you if you are Old or young, or a little bit of each; queer or straight, or  a little bit of each; doubting or believing, saint or sinner, or a little bit of each. Welcome to people of all colors, all genders, all body shapes and sizes, all physical, mental and emotional abilities and moments.

Because we are here and there and everywhere, yet somehow still together as One today, this Body of Christ is whole and a little more perfect.

 

Now remember you have a whole body even though it sometimes seems-staring into screens-that you are nothing but eyes and brains. Welcome all of yourself to this moment, with a hand on your heart, and one on your belly, breathing more deeply, remembering that in many languages ‘breath’ and ‘spirit’ are the same word.

 

Now reach out your blessing hands in every direction.

Welcome the creatures you are sharing space with, then your neighbors, the strangers afar to this moment of peace and worship. Send out peace with your body, and feel it echo back.

 

 

let us begin today’s worship

 

 

Call to Worship #1:


L: Give thanks to the Lord!
P: We will sing God’s praises!
L: Seek the Lord and God’s strength.
P: We continually seek God’s presence in our lives.
L: Remember all the wonderful things that God has done.
P: Praise the Lord! AMEN.

The God of Abraham Praise # 24  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNY73KVSY_8

 

(All candles lit.)

 

Matthew 16:21-28

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

The Cross and Self-Denial

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

27 “For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. 28 Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”


The word of God for the people of God!

 

P:        Thanks be to God

 

 

Sermon   Stumbling Block or Rock?

 

Peter has just proclaimed who the disciples say Jesus is “the Messiah the Son of the living God!” but then Jesus swears them to secrecy…why? Well today’s Gospel gives us a hint.  The disciples do not fully comprehend what it means to proclaim such a truth. The disciples do not comprehend the full weight of what is about to occur.

 

And Peter who had everything right just a few lines ago now gets everything wrong…there is much work to do.

 

“Peter acts like a spokesperson for the other disciples, but in another sense he speaks for himself. It is he alone to whom the divine revelation has been given; he is the only one about whom the special beatitude is spoken. (“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by the Creator in heaven.” Matt. 16:17) He is singled out as distinctive, honored by being the peculiar recipient of a heavenly gift.

            Then something drastic happens in the narrative. Jesus begins to talk to the disciples about the immediate future, the journey to Jerusalem, his suffering, death, and resurrection. Peter again becomes a participant in the conversation, in fact an aggressive participant. He feels strongly that he must dissuade Jesus from going to Jerusalem and meeting such a dire fate.”[1]

 

You’re Not in the Driver’s Seat

21-22 Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Peter took him in hand, protesting, “Impossible, Master! That can never be!”

23 But Jesus didn’t swerve. “Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works.”

 

“Security. Influence. Power. It is hard to resist their glorious lure.

 

Perhaps that is Peter’s challenge. He cannot help thinking that his close association with the Messiah will right all that is wrong about the world.

 

But Jesus’ announcement of the death-dealing events about to unfold in Jerusalem point to anything but the glory of security, influence, or power. What about the new church, and its authority to bind and to lose? What about withstanding the power of death (“the gates of Hades”)? How can these things happen if God’s own anointed one is to be tortured and executed?!

 

No wonder Peter protests. “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you!” Jesus’ response is swift and to the point: “Get behind me, Satan!”

 

Even in translation, the similarity to Jesus’ command to the devil in the wilderness is clear: “Away with you, Satan!” (Matthew 4:10). Could it be that Peter’s fervent wish, that God would prevent the horrors about to be visited upon Jesus, is something like the Tempter’s offerings in the wilderness?”[2]

 

Here is an interesting play on words in the Gospel…In the desert, with the tempter, Jesus says go away the word he uses is hypage. But to Peter Jesus adds opiso mou, hypage opismo mou. Behind me or after me…when Jesus called the disciple he said literally come opismo mou, come follow me.

 

Jesus is reminding Peter that he is getting ahead of himself and he needs to follow.  Jesus is basically saying know your place man you still have much to learn.

 

“This is not the first time Peter falters, nor will it be the last. To be sure, Peter is the first to follow Jesus when called (Matthew 4:18-19) and he gets top billing whenever disciples’ names are listed in Matthew (for example, Matthew 10:2; 17:1; 26:37). He is an eager student, unafraid to ask for an interpretation after Jesus tells yet another enigmatic parable (Matthew 15:15). Nonetheless, Jesus calls him out for his “little faith” when fear gets the best of him as he steps out of a boat into stormy waters. Peter-the-Rock sinks like a stone (Matthew 14:28-33).

 

Later, Peter bravely vows to stick with Jesus no matter what happens, boasting that even the threat of death could never cause him to deny his Lord (Matthew 26:33, 35). He fails miserably in fulfilling both promises, staying far away when Jesus is arrested (26:58) and denying him repeatedly while Jesus faces trial and torture. He is nowhere to be found at the crucifixion, while the power of government-sanctioned violence is inflicted upon the Messiah.

 

The soaring height of Peter’s commitment is matched by the depth of his failure to follow.”[3]

 

I love Peter, Peter is my middle name. I am proud to say that I have, many times, lived up to Peters reputation.  I have failed my proclaimed faith many times and I will again. It is what it means to be human and a follower of Christ.

 

24-26 Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?

 

Mitzi J Smith professor of new testament reflects on this passage…

 

“Returning to addressing all of his disciples, Jesus admonishes them: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” This is a new teaching in light of Jesus’ imminent death. If Jesus’ disciples choose to continue following him, they must be willing to deny themselves (and not Jesus, as Peter will do in Matthew 26) and be able to envision the fate of the cross. Judas had it backwards; he thought he could pursue money and power and then follow in Jesus’ steps. Judas didn’t believe that Jesus would really lead them to the cross (Matthew 26:14-16, 47; 27:3-10). Jesus taught that “the one who wants to save his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit him if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what will he give in return for his life?” (Matthew 16:25-26). These words are reminiscent of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness: The devil dared Jesus to save his life (by turning stones into bread so that he could eat), lose his life (to cast himself down off the highest point of the Temple mount and God’s angels would save him), and to gain the world while forfeiting his life (to acquire all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worshiping the Satan). Before beginning his public ministry Jesus settled the question of his priorities; he sided with the poor who do not have the power to turn stones into bread; he refused to trivialize life and sided with those who are defenseless from the daily onslaught of violence; and he turned down ill-gotten material prosperity and power predicated on allegiances and partnerships with evil and oppressive forces.

 

Perhaps Jesus is also saying that if one thinks she has it all figured out (like Peter), she does not; that when we think our theology and faith is tight, right, and infallible, it just might be oppressive and death-dealing.”[4]

 

Wow I heard that! I am happy to admit I do not have it all figured out.  I am happy to admit that what I do have figured out today may be wrong tomorrow. If anyone preaches otherwise run! If someone says they have the absolute truth…Run!  Look at our history and how we have understood what Jesus and the bible has taught us.

 

Romans 13 alone has been used by “European royalty, going back as far as the Holy Roman Empire, to remain in power.

— Loyalists used it to promote obedience to King George and to counter the American Revolution.

— Southern slave owners used it to justify the subjugation of fellow human beings.

— Adolf Hitler used it to manipulate Christians and to sustain his power.”[5] Jeff Sessions used it to justify the policy of separating parents from Children

Ephesians has been used to justify spousal abuse

Politicians use Mathew 26:11 “The poor you will always have with you as a justification for cutting social programs.

 

David Gowler from Emory university explains it is because of the invisible gorilla in the room…

“Emory's Gowler cites a famous experiment that shows how people's perceptions can be easily skewed.

Researchers asked participants to watch a brief video of six people passing basketballs to each other. Three of the people are wearing white shirts, and three are wearing black shirts. The white shirted people pass one ball among themselves; the black shirted people do the same.

Viewers were asked to count the number of passes the people in white shirts made to each other. In the middle of the video, a person in a gorilla suit walks slowly into the middle of the frame, faces the camera and beats his chest before walking off.

 

Almost half the viewers did not see the gorilla because they were focused on counting the number of passes made by the people in white shirts, Gowler says. He's shown the video to his classes, and they miss the gorilla by a similar percentage. By focusing on the white shirts, their brains filter out the black shirts -- and the gorilla along with them.

 

People say they want to know what the Bible means, but they often miss the meaning because they're so focused on "what they expect -- or want -- to find," he says.”[6]

 

That is one factor, people are focused on what they want to find, the other is the bible is a living document.  As we grow and live into its revelations, as we learn what the challenges of Christ’s teachings are we can see more clearly what our call is. Just as Peter grew into understanding what his call was. And though Peter learns for every two steps forward, much as all of humanity, he seems to take one step back.

 

 “Peter declares that his loyalty to Jesus will withstand the threat of death; that though the crowds forsake Jesus, he will not. We sometimes prefer to see Peter as weak, rather than as human. Perhaps Peter saw himself as superhuman. I don’t think Jesus calls us to deny our humanity but to commit to following him while fully accepting how vulnerable our humanity will be if we choose to be revolutionaries. Jesus was willing to be God’s revolutionary Messiah knowing the violence that could be done to his body as a consequence of pursuing justice, love and peace instead of the privileges of empire.”[7]

 

This what Jesus means by take up your cross, but for many of us, the concept of taking up the cross has become boring and inconsequential.

 

Clayton Schmit from Lutheran theological states;

 

“We have heard that we should take up our cross. To some degree, we followers of Jesus do this gladly. We especially do those things that are not too dear. We serve on boring church committees, bearing our cross without complaint. We give more than we think is financially prudent and hope it doesn't put a dent in our lifestyle. We help out those people who annoy us, thinking we are bearing a burden. The list of little crosses is endless. But, the passage pushes--and so the preacher must push--deeper. To take up the cross is to deny oneself, not to safeguard one's way of life by chastening it with little taxations. This leads only to "forfeiture" of life. Jesus demands more. The Messiah requires more.

 

The problem is we are pretty poor at cross bearing. The disciples wouldn't have thought themselves any better. They had seen crosses and knew how life-crushing they were. For them, the thought of carrying a cross was a life and death matter. In the end, many of them did die because they followed the Messiah. For us, to bear a cross is a metaphorical idea. No one really expects to die in the process. But, even to deny ourselves seems too much to ask. We aren't much good at that either. Here is both the challenge and the good news in this text: If we follow Jesus, we will be seriously called to bear certain crosses and lose hold of our lifestyle, if not our life. Yet, in all our weakness and human mindedness, it is Jesus' own death on the cross that enables us to do what we cannot.

 

God's power is revealed not in walks through the porticos of power, but through the dusty alleys of weakness and misery. That is where Jesus walked. That is where he leads us to walk. That is where he strengthens us to bear the burdens of discipleship. It is his burden we take upon our shoulders. It is his strength that bears the weight. We do nothing on our own, but he can do much through us. Without him, Peter was no rock, but a stumbling block. With him, Peter was the church. With him, we are not powerless to deny ourselves but able to bear all he may give us. Lloyd Ogilvie once put it this way: "We say, 'But, Lord, I cannot.' And God says, 'I'm glad to hear you say that. Through you, I can.'"[8]

 

When it comes down to the day to day we are nothing but copies of Peter. We are mere mortals. We are human.  We sometimes get our understandings of the Gospel wrong.  We feel there are tasks so great we cannot make a difference. We feel the task is too great and we are powerless especially when confronting empire.

 

Yet if we pause…if we pray…if we boldly step into the true messiness of ministry, we too can be Peter.  Not stumbling blocks but Rocks upon which a church is continuing to be built.

Amen.

 

           

 

A call to prayer

 

 

God of All,
gather us into a time of prayer
for our family.
Expand our vision
to understand each human being
as our sister or brother;
and enlarge our hearts
to offer love for each other,
even as you love each of us.
Be with us now as we pray for members of your family.

.

 

 

 

 

 

God of Grace and God of Glory #436

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV2SSM6MD8I

 

Let us pray the prayer Jesus taught us

 

Our Creator, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kin-dom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kin-dom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen

 

 

 

Invitation to the Offering

 

Offering our gifts to God is a holy act. In this sacred moment, let us offer our gifts and our lives to the holy work of God.

 

Donate Here!

 

Doxology #778 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9My-_5s6bBQ

 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God for all that love has done;

Creator, Christ, and Spirit, one.

 

Offering Prayer

 

In gratitude for your amazing works in the world,
     we offer our gifts to further your work, Holy One.

Bless us as you blessed Moses before us,
     that we may be a blessing of your holy work.

Guide our steps, and bless the offerings we bring,
     that the world may be touched by your holy love.

Amen.

 

 

 

 

The office is open for regular hours

We are accepting donations for the kidz cupboard and the food pantry

 

 

 

I am available for one on one virtual visits or phone calls if you need any prayer we will be together again one day, but until then remember you are the hands and the feet of our lord in this world and in this world of no physical contact we can still smile, wave, chat, check in

 

Take My Life, God let It Be #448

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfNq1LXGmSA

   

 

Benediction/sending forth

Go into the world with peace and joy, delighting in the diversity

and blessings that God has lavished upon each one. Celebrate

the good news of the love of God with all people and offer peace

and blessing to each one. Go in peace. AMEN.

 

Just a note Bible study is on summer leave…

 

Keep an eye out for a bookstudy this fall with Rev. Dr. Robert Shore-Goss and Kathleen Oliver

 



 

 

 

 

Sunday, August 23, 2020

12th Sunday after Pentecost Who do you say that I am?

  Facebook live

Let’s start with three deep breaths and relax….

 

 

Opening Prayer

 

Opening Prayer (Romans 12)

Loving God,
call us together as your people;
transform us with your love.
Transform our hearts,
that we may love generously.
Transform our eyes,
that we may see your grace.
Transform our hands,
that we may serve others.
Transform our spirits,
that we may be the body of Christ,
gathered to worship
and sent out to serve. Amen.

 

let us begin today’s worship


Call to Worship (Psalm 124)

L: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

P: We belong to God.

L: When we feel overwhelmed,

P: God is on our side.

L: `When we are afraid,

P: God will keep us safe.

L: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

P: Blessed be the Lord!

 

Oh God our help in ages past #25

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=210670516645378

 

(All candles lit.)

 

 Matthew 16:13-20 Peters Declaration about Jesus

Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.


The word of God for the people of God!

 

P:        Thanks be to God

 

Sermon        who do you say that I am? 


A fourth-grade teacher was giving her pupils a lesson in logic.

 

"Here is the situation," she said.

 

"A man is standing up in a boat in the middle of a river, fishing.

 

He loses his balance, falls in, and begins splashing and yelling for help.

 

His wife hears the commotion, knows he can’t swim,

 

and runs down to the bank.

 

Why do you think she ran to the bank?"

 

A girl raised her hand and asked, "To draw out all his savings?"[1]

 

So today the disciples are faced with a similar situation –like being in class when the teacher asks a very important question. They want to seem intelligent so they blurt out an answer –not always the right one –but an answer none the less.

 

Well this morning Peter blurts out an answer that is both correct and amazing which is pretty good for Peter but don’t worry he messes it up in the next passage.

 

We are familiar with all the miracle stories.  We have heard of the wedding at Cana, feeding the people, healing the Canaanite woman’s daughter. Great things have been happening everywhere that Jesus and the disciples have gone.

 

So today Jesus asks two essential questions first he asks who do the people say I am.  What rumors or understanding of what has been happening around them is going on?  Christ is asking the disciples for a summary of the crowds. All of them regarded him as some kind of prophet or of one sent by God, But the answers  never really hold much conviction. The disciples in verse 14 tell Him many people think He is John the Baptist or one of the great prophets. And, this is where it gets interesting this is when the story gets personal. Jesus asks “What about you?  Who do you say I am?”

 

Jesus asked this of His closest followers and yet only one of them had any kind of an answer. “The rest just stood there and looked at him. They flat out didn’t know what to say. You know, the fact that these were his closest followers and friends That didn’t know how to answer such a direct question makes me wonder, what if I he were to ask us that same question today?”

 

What would you say? Does the answer come quickly or would it be difficult in today’s secular climate to make such a bold answer?

 

If we look at Jesus’ actions, if he were here today doing many of the things he did then how would you answer?  A Methodist Minister named John Nadasi had some pretty interesting insight to this he states people would see him as a criminal.

 

“Why?

 

Well, he would have everyone mad at him.

 

the FDA for turning water into wine without a license,

 

the EPA for killing fig trees,

 

the AMA for practicing medicine without a license,

 

the Dept. of Health for asking people to open graves,

 

for raising the dead and for feeding 5,000 people in the wilderness,

 

the NEA for teaching without a certificate,

 

OSHA for walking on water without a lifejacket

 

and for flying without an airplane,

 

the SPCA for driving hogs into the sea,

 

the NATIONAL BOARD of PSYCHIATRISTS for giving advice

 

on how to live a guilt free life,

 

the NOW for not choosing a female apostle,

 

the ABORTION RIGHTS LEAGUE for saying that whoever harms

 

children, it is better that they had never been born,

 

the INTERFAITH MOVEMENT for condemning all other religions,

 

and by the ZONING DEPT for building heavenly mansions without a building permit.”[2]

 

I am sure if we tried we could think of even a few more to add to that list and I admit I take exception to the statement that he didn’t name a female apostle for I believe they were named and then washed out by male hierarchy.  But that is just my suspicion considering the prominent role women had in certain aspects of the Gospel they are not just women in passing but named.  That is another sermon.

 

One interesting aspect of this is the apostles first response to Jesus’ Question. “The disciples answer by naming people who are dead. John the Baptist, a contemporary of Jesus; Elijah, a harbinger of the messiah and of the role John the Baptist plays in the gospel stories; Jeremiah (a favorite in Matthew), or one of the prophets.

 

Perhaps John represents the spirit of a movement that Herod could not kill despite John's beheading. Elijah represents the hope of divine activity for Israel's sake. The prophets delivered God's word with its creative power. The disciples' answer implies the perception that divine creative power is stirring that the imperial powers of Rome cannot kill.”[3] But I would venture to say that a clear understanding what Messiah is or would be is not there yet.

 

This is why Peter’s response is so amazing. Jesus even tells us it is amazing basically saying wow there is no way this came to you through your own process for “Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood did not reveal this to you but my Father in heaven!”  This concept of being the Son of the Living God and Messiah is a concept beyond the Jewish people of Jesus time, beyond the apostles standing there. and it may even be beyond us still today.

 

This reading today challenges us to our soul.  To our core of Christian belief…How?  Well the question Jesus asks of Peter is one still being asked to us today and I bet each one of our responses is a little different.

 

According to the UCC statement of faith this is our calling;

 

We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, who is made known to us in Jesus our brother, and to whose deeds we testify:

 

 so we are called to testify to the works of Christ …to testify to his mission of reaching out to the marginalized, the oppressed, to all people with love and empathy and compassion…

 

God calls the worlds into being, creates humankind in the divine image, and sets before us the ways of life and death.

 

 Before us are choices and we are free to make choices that lead to full lives in God or lives that are selfish and isolating but more importantly each one of us is an image of the creator an image of the divine and such this is how we are called to respect and care for each other… there are no exceptions everyone is an image of God.

 

God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.

 

This statement means that God is active, seeking us out.  This is not a passive inert God but a god moving in this world in our lives walking besides us and engaging us in something bigger and beyond ourselves and beyond this world towards the reality of the kin-dom of God.

 

God judges all humanity and all nations by that will of righteousness declared through prophets and apostles.

 

God Judges all humanity…sounds harsh but by that will of righteousness that is declared through the prophets and the apostles I interpret that to mean God created us just as we are and in his Judgement, he calls us to be better.  God knows we are human and knows we are not perfect and knows we will stray from the path but his judgement is not one of shame or punishment but one of love that calls us and challenges us to grow in God’s love to be better because we can be, we can always be better as individuals and especially as one people created in the image of God.

 

In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, God has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the whole creation to its Creator.

 

 Jesus was born to deliver us from our sins and in dying destroyed death as it once was, opening Gods experience to our human experience. “reconciling the whole of creation to its creator” … In many ways, this was the beginning of centuries of a healing process, for human kind had chosen to so alienated itself from God and that we are still working toward that goal of bringing us all back to the loving creator.

 

God bestows upon us the Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.

 

Through us here today the holy spirit is doing something. The Holy Spirit is moving something that is a part of the process of renewing the church through the faithful. Now I will say something here that many may not like but there are many faithful Christians and each one of us have had a glimpse at the truth, and none of us have got it all right.  But that is the miracle and the glory of the church each one of us moved by the Holy Spirit to do the best we can and hopefully the world will be better for it. This is why we hold the Christian church in prayer for we are often at odds with one another and our call is to find common ground in caring for the poor, the marginalized and the disposed, to do the best we can and pray that the spirit of God will continue to draw us closer together as we work towards being the kin-dom of God here on earth.

 

God calls us into the church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be servants in the service of the whole human family, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.

 

This statement sums up what I have been saying. This is hard but it is what we are called to be as the Federated church of Marlborough God calls us into the church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, there is a cost to discipleship and part of that is actually saying who Christ is and be bold in a world that may challenge us. to be servants in the service of the whole human family, we do not get to pick who we serve, we do not get to say I’ll pray for you but not you, we do not get to say there is only one way and a best way or an easy way to serve Christ. We just don’t! We are called to serve the whole human family,  to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, now just because we are called to serve the whole family does not mean we are complacent after all resistance is a spiritual practice… but when we show our opposition and our resistance, spiritually, this means no harm shall come to another by my hand…  This is hard stuff…to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory. This is the gift of the hard work, we get to take rest at Christs table, we get to share in Christ’s victory over death, but in the mean time we are called to all this other stuff …all this work…but in the end the profession of faith says this

 

God promises to all who trust in the gospel forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, the presence of the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in that kingdom which has no end.[4]

 

So, when all this is said and done who do you say that I am is not an easy question and in this day and age it is challenging. I know many have been wounded and abused by the church and I see Christian bashing all the time.  You see we all get lumped into the same boat.  Most people who are not active in a church or a Christian community do not know the difference between Pat Robertson from the 700 club or Patrick Rogers a UCC minister in Ft Lauderdale.

 

Many times, it is the one who has the most money that gets the airplay and that is what defines Christianity for many people.  So many times, before we can answer the question “Who do you say that I am?” We, as the United Church of Christ; a United and Uniting Church, we as the federated church of Marlborough that is UCC, Methodist and UUA, a Church that loudly and proudly proclaims No matter who you are or where you are in life’s Journey you are welcome, A Church that believes in a truly extravagant welcome and a Loving God, we get lumped in as Christian and all the baggage that comes with that. That is hard and harsh at times.

 

Many times I have had to say, or write because a lot of this comes out in social media, that I am not that kind of Christian.  I say who I believe Jesus is by relating my experience of a Church that works to heal division. A Church that seeks out injustice and works to correct that. 

 

These denominations that make up this Church claim have a history of many first.

 

Our past includes the first churches to speak out against slavery, the first ordained African American Pastor, the first foreign mission society, and the first woman pastor.  I think this partially answers the question “who do you say I am?”[5]

 

United Church of Christ has many mission projects we partner with and this may answer the question as well.  Such as we currently as a denomination work with Border links in Arizona, heifer international, Habitat for Humanity, the fuller center for housing in Macon Georgia, and “The Appalachia Service Project (ASP) which repairs homes for the poorest families in Central Appalachia with the vision that substandard housing in Central Appalachia might be eradicated and everyone who comes into contact with this ministry will be transformed.”

 

Globally we have many projects including  the Southern Asian Initiative. “The Global Ministries Southern Asia Initiative invites you to walk together in hope with partners in the Southern Asia region as we discover what it means to live faithfully.

Despite a complex history of cultures, spiritual traditions, growing economies, and emerging technology, Asia has also been home to the largest number of the poor in the world. Of late, the region has become more susceptible to violent conflicts, terrorism, fundamentalism, bigotry, human rights’ violations, and caste-based violence.

However, Asian churches, mostly minority communities, find themselves at the crossroads of being rooted and relevant while also remaining connected with their faith traditions. Amidst human suffering, need, and injustice, churches in the region aim to stand together in faith and hope. We in Global Ministries stand with them as we receive and share good news together!”

 

Southern Asia Initiative

 

 

As I have been exploring and rambling on it has come to me that maybe the Answer to who do you say I am is no longer a vocal proclamation.  Perhaps we need to be more than that, we need to be proclamation in action.  Such as our food pantry or kidz cupboard. Our blood drive and our Christmas toy efforts. The practice of sending cards, reaching out to each other and just checking in. I believe that may answer the question of “who do you say I am?” Much louder than any proclamation can.

 

When we work to live the best lives, we can.  When we choose to struggle to grow together as community, when we reach out to those who are marginalized, abandoned and scorned by society, when we live as blessed and beloved children of an all loving all welcoming God that is when we best answer the Question!

 

So in light of all this, in the light of all we have heard to day I’ll repeat the question.  Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?”  I am wondering in what unique and new ways we might be called to expand our answer?

 

 

 




[1] John Nadasi, Who do oyu say that I am?, July 24, 2002, accessed July 23, 2017, https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/who-do-you-say-that-i-am-john-nadasi-sermon-on-confession-of-sin-49631.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Marilyn Salmon, Commentary on Mathew 16:13-20, August 24, 2008, accessed August 23, 2017, http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=134.

[4] Robert V. Moss, United Church of Christ Statement of Faith, 2017, accessed August 23, 2017, http://ucc.org/about-us_what-we-believe.

[5] United Church of Christ, UCC Firsts, accessed August 23, 2017, http://www.ucc.org/about-us_ucc-firsts.

[6] https://www.globalministries.org/southernasiainitiative

 

           

 

A call to prayer

 

 

God of All,
gather us into a time of prayer
for our family.
Expand our vision
to understand each human being
as our sister or brother;
and enlarge our hearts
to offer love for each other,
even as you love each of us.
Be with us now as we pray for members of your family.

.

 

 

 

 

 

There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy #23

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOZMzkzCs0E

 

 

Let us pray the prayer Jesus taught us

 

Our Creator, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kin-dom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kin-dom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen

 

 

 

Invitation to the Offering

 

God has blessed us with an abundance of gifts. We are called to offer all that we are to God—our bodies, our spirits, our minds, our time, and our money. As the body of Christ, we are called to be in ministry with others. With true generosity, let us give of ourselves this morning.

 

Donate Here!

 

Doxology #778 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9My-_5s6bBQ

 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God for all that love has done;

Creator, Christ, and Spirit, one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Offering Prayer (Romans 12)

 

Generous God,
you have given us many gifts
and drawn us together into Christ’s body,
the church.
You have blessed us
with generous and cheerful spirits.
May the gifts of our money, time, and talents
support the ministry of your church. Amen.

 

 

 

 

The office is open for regular hours

We are accepting donations for the kidz cupboard and the food pantry

 

 

 

I am available for one on one virtual visits or phone calls if you need any prayer we will be together again one day, but until then remember you are the hands and the feet of our lord in this world and in this world of no physical contact we can still smile, wave, chat, check in

 

The Church of Christ, in every age #306

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHRl-wez1DY

 

 

 

Benediction/sending forth

Go into the world with peace and joy, delighting in the diversity

and blessings that God has lavished upon each one. Celebrate

the good news of the love of God with all people and offer peace

and blessing to each one. Go in peace. AMEN.

 

Just a note Bible study is on summer leave…

 

Keep an eye out for a bookstudy this fall with Rev. Dr. Robert Shore-Goss and Kathleen Oliver