Sermon Blog

Living Spiritually, Spiritual Liberation

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 16:43:39 GMT

A sermon about crises, knowing who saves us, and having spiritual intimacy with God.

Matthew 21: 1-11 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Palm Sunday March 29, 2026

“Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Prayer: O blessed one who comes in the name of the Lord, we worship you. Please help us, we pray, to lift you up in our lives to the highest position, for you are the Christ, the Messiah, our Savior. Amen.

Today is a day of wonderful celebration, rightly so! It’s the beginning of Holy Week. And we celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem which of course, is the day that we commemorate his arrival for the purpose of establishing God’s new covenant. Everything within us tingles with the idea of divine holy love outlasting any power and principalities of hate and destruction. So, yeah, we shout out “Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Amen!

But we know, Holy Week is not without its dangers. We know that the cries of joy can quickly morph into cries of anguish. We know that the crises still loom large.

Like I know how hard it is sometimes for us to apply our faith... to the crisis of long lines at our airports due to a partial government shutdown. To armed ICE officers going into our airports, this time without masks. To gas prices going above $4 / gallon because of the war in Iran and the struggle over the Strait of Hormuz. To the search for Nancy Guthrie and the attention given to thousands of families who have missing loved ones. These are some of our crises.

And it’s tempting to think quick fix. That if Congress passed this law or that act, or if the President is like the savior and took this tact or signed that executive order, all these crises would all be fixed. Which may or may not be true. Probably not!

But, I don’t think applying our faith goes through the quick fix doors. Applying our faith sees through the lens of the one who is blessed and comes in the name of the Lord. We look to Jesus in crisis. We learn from his life. His way. But his way is different.

If we glance at the crises of Jesus’ day, oh my. Maybe we can imagine what it was like. I mean the Roman government was in control. It was an aggressive, oppressive government, with armed soldiers walking the streets. With threats that people could be arrested for disagreeing or killed without provocation. With taxes to Caesar so high that the poor people of Jerusalem and Judea only got poorer.

And Herod Antipas was the tetrarch, appointed to the position by Caesar Augustus. Herod Antipas was a tyrant. He had John the Baptist arrested and killed because John protested Antipas’ marriage to Herodias, the wife of his brother Phillip! Yeah. It was a real Peyton Place in the halls of religious leadership back then!

So, maybe it was tempting for Jesus’ followers to think that all the people of Judea needed was someone from God, someone coming in the name of the Lord whom the prophets foretold, someone to lead them in putting up a resistance. Someone to lead them in the fight, and break Judea and Israel free from Roman control.

So, the people surrounding Jesus on that Palm Sunday, were shouting “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Which roughly means in Hebrew, “Save us with heaven’s power!” What they meant was, save us from Rome with God’s mighty power. Save us from tyranny! From police brutality. From an oppressive regime. Save us from the bottom to the top!

But, following Jesus doesn’t take them or us through those doors. As I said, he’s on a different kind of mission. We learn from his life. We follow in his way. But his way is different. His mission is different. He enters Jerusalem as a humble teacher riding on a beast of burden. Not a tyrannical leader on a war horse. His followers were waving palm fronds and cut branches. Not soldiers waving swords and shields.

He came to preach about and establish a new way of life that God wants—not a kingdom per say that dominated others, but a kindom where everyone is seen as a kin in God’s family. Where love and respect for others are lived out. A kindom established with God-centered relationships that are freeing and supportive, not controlling. Lifestyles built on a new life-giving covenant with God. His way called for spiritual liberation!

This is way different from what the people expected. Maybe way different from what some of today’s Christians expect, too? I mean are there ideas in some Christian circles that are totally contrary to what Jesus taught and what he was about?

That’s why I started thinking that maybe living spiritually means there are some things we have to be spiritually liberated from. Ideas that are simply in the way of Jesus being the blessed one who comes in the name of the Lord. Ideas obscuring Jesus being the one to save us.

And the usual suspects come to mind. That Jesus is the warrior king who is coming again to defeat the powers of evil and establish God’s reign on earth. And the US is to be a Christian nation leading the way. Yeah, Christian nationalism is totally in the way of seeing Jesus as the one blessed by God. He came as a humble servant to save us, not a warrior to defeat all evil by the sword. Or by guns. Or bombs. Spiritual liberation from that idea is needed right there, I think.

The other one is the mindset that everything in the Bible is about how to be good—how to be righteous, so that God will love you. Liberation is needed from that one, for sure. God loves you. Period. There’s nothing you can do to earn that.

But I think there is another idea that may be in the way. And it’s even more profound than those two things. And that is—hold on to your hats—ourselves. Spiritually liberated from ourselves, you say? Yeah. A lot of what I studied this past week, what my devotional time pointed out for me, was that maybe we need liberating from thinking that my faith is all about me . Making me a better person. That my faith is private. With it, I can increase my own goodness, deepen my own holiness. Establish my own moral center.

And, the result might be that someone might say about us, “What fine character that man has”. Or “That woman is a wonderful person.” Or, “See how good of a preacher that pastor is!” Mm-hmm. Yeah. I get the same scrutiny.

But having faith is not all about me. It’s not all about you. I have to get over myself. You have to get over yourselves. We decrease in attention and focus. And the blessed one who comes in the name of the Lord has to increase in attention and focus. Because when Christ increases, we develop sustained spiritual intimacy with God. Then we are at Christ’s service. We are about his ways. His mission. We emulate his love for others. We have to help others see Jesus. Christ has to increase.

Of course, you might say my being a good person is showing Christ to others. Yes, that is true. It’s like the old saying that you may be the only way someone sees Jesus. Or you may be the only Bible someone reads. All that is good. But just be sure the person is not dependent upon you to have faith. I know that I sometimes have to get out of the way so that the person can have Jesus Christ in their life, too. To know, really know the blessed one who comes in the name of the Lord to save us.

That might mean inviting a person to come to church to worship because God is present. Try that for this Thursday or next Sunday. It may mean exalting others, affirming, complimenting them. Possibly sacrificing something for others to enjoy life so that our dynamic God whose presence pulsates through the whole human family can be felt by all.

So, I think living spiritually in part means liberating ourselves from anything that impedes us knowing that our faith is all about God. For others. It’s all about the blessed one who comes in the name of the Lord to save us, right up to the highest heaven. And God promises that the spiritual yoke is easy, the burden light. God promises light for the path, and strength for the day. But seek God first; and all these things shall be added unto you. Amen.

Living Spiritually, Walk in God's Life

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 17:08:01 GMT

A sermon about death and life, raising Lazarus, and aligning with God’s Spirit.

Ezekiel 37: 1-14 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

John 11:1-45 March 22, 2026

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Prayer: Holy Spirit of God, we open ourselves to your Divine Presence, seeking your life within us. Amen.

“Hey, did you hear Chuck Norris died?” That’s what Barb asked me just as I was beginning to write this sermon on Friday. No, at that moment, I didn’t know that. Walker Texas Ranger. The man who was an accomplished ator and expert at martial arts and won competitively. The man who promoted nutritional supplements and health foods. Chuck Norris was 86 years old.

Ever since early February, in our church we’ve faced a lot of death. Charlie Wells, Janice Heberlig, Arlene Trimmer. Now Lynn Marsh is on Hospice care. So yeah, it’s been kind of a heavy six weeks.

But watch this! In our bible readings there are dead, dry bones in the valley. But, God said, “I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live.” And we saw and heard that Lazarus was dead in the grave for four days! But, Jesus said, “I AM the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” Do you believe this?

Here we are, deep in the heart of Lent, striving to live spiritual lives, one week before Holy Week, almost two weeks before Good Friday’s stories of death, and we’re getting what feels to be precursors to Easter’s resurrection. Like God is just teasing us with some resurrection moments, prior to Easter, in the midst of the heaviness of death.

Now as modern Christians, it’s difficult to take these bible stories as true literally. We don’t see bones coming together to form living human beings. It was Ezekiel’s vision. It’s clear in the text that Ezekiel’s dry bones is a metaphor for the nation of Israel. That even though the nation became like dismembered corpses, God would once again breathe life-giving spirit into it and reassemble it again. I can’t help but wonder if that isn’t a powerful metaphor for the nation of Israel today. And our nation as well, maybe becoming like dismembered spiritual corpses. I pray to God that this war stops and soon.

And we don’t see dead people coming back to life, especially after four days. Just doesn’t happen. But, I don’t totally throw out the possibility of the miracle being true, though. Because in this universe with billions upon billions of galaxies, with so much that we don’t know, there just may be deeper laws such that the dead can be revived, even after four days. I don’t know But for now, I think it’s more important to discern meaning from this story on our faith journeys of learning more about living spiritually from it.

So I was trying to figure out what struck me most about Lazarus being made alive again. And one thing that hit me was that his death was temporary. That he would presumably, later on, die again, this time permanently. And also, Martha and Mary, if they lived long enough, would one day grieve his death all over again.

But it’s the temporary nature of death that spoke to me. Because Lazarus got a new lease on life, as we say. And Mary and Martha got second chances to be with him. More memories and life experiences. More opportunities to say the things that they may not have said while he was sick.

Which makes me say—there is no better time than the present to say the things that matter to our loved ones, while there still is time. While they are near you. Tell those whom you love that you love them. Now. Speak words from your heart. Right away. Like the song “The Living Years” by Mike and the Mechanics says, “Say it loud, say it clear, you can listen as well as you hear. It’s too late when we die to admit we don’ see eye to eye.”

And all of us face deaths of all types in our lives. And I dare say, all those deaths are temporary in nature. Sometimes for some, it takes a short period of time before life returns, sometimes for others, it’s longer. But, life does return. We find ways to recover. Our human spirit is resilient. It is enmeshed with God’s spirit of life, and we can walk in God’s life, if we choose.

Notice I said, “walk in God’s life.” I was tempted to say “walk in God’s light.” Which may be expected. Because we often ask God to shed light upon our paths, so we can see. The psalmist wrote a long time ago “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). We often ask God for blessings, comfort, healing, acceptance. We pray to God for answers, for guidance, for things, for prosperity, for justice. For ways out of tricky spots, for good grades. We pray for God to DO great things in our lives.

But, turning Jesus’ phrase “I am the resurrection and the life” over in my mind made me wonder if we should pray for God to simply have the Holy Spirit of Christ’s life BE in our lives. Is it the life of Christ in my life that is the most important? Not just believing that he is the resurrection and the life, but having a personal relationship with the living Christ in my life. Is that the crux of the whole journey of living spiritually? Maybe we focus too much on what God can Do for us, and less on having God’s life Be in us. What if a part of what living spiritually means is flipping that around? That we focus more on God’s life in us and less on what we want God to do for us?

You’ve heard, haven’t you, that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit? I think that means we are the places where God’s Holy Spirit lives. The Holy Spirit that lived in Jesus lives in us. The Holy Spirit of God and God’s Son is part of our spirit. So, as we walk in God’s life, I think we have the responsibility of keeping our spirit and our bodies in alignment with the Son of God’s Spirit within us.

Which means, I think in part, that maybe we have to evaluate some things that we’re doing to our bodies that may clearly not be in the best interest of taking care of the temple where God lives. Just sayin.’ This is for me with needing more sleep and exercise. It may be for you something to do with what you’re eating or drinking or other habits.

I think it also means that we may have to evaluate what we’re doing or not doing in our spirit which may detract from the life of the Holy Spirit prospering in us. Like focusing on dominating others, individualism, or win-lose dynamics. These can cut us off from the divine spirit.

Like this past week, I was blown away that the Pew Research Center said 34% of people say they don’t pray or seldom pray at all in their lives. Which I don’t believe, by the way. Because even the most rudimentary, the most guttural thought of “help” in a difficult situation is a prayer. So, I think everybody prays—whether you know it or not.

But, as people of faith, who are practicing living spiritually, having an intentional prayer life, in some way, is I think is walking in God’s life. Carving out devotional time, is a way of walking on life’s journey in God’s life and tending and nourishing the life of Christ within you. Its not going to grow and thrive unless you tend to your relationship with God in Christ in you.

And the really good news is that as we walk in God’s life, God’s presence brings a breath of life that even in the deepest grieving we may face, can make us say, “It is well with my soul.” When we walk in God’s life, that brings a peace that upholds us each day, and can cause us to say, “It is well with my soul.” When sorrows come in our lives, even as we walk in God’s life, we will be able to say, [say it with me] “It is well with my soul.”

When we are in the Spirit, and our cells and souls are animated, and we awaken to divine energy with every breath, we can say, “It is well with my soul.” Though evil can tempt us, though trials can come, though death in its variety of temporary ways can make us feel like it has won, we still can recover. Life finds a way, and we will be able to say, “It is well with my soul.”

And oh my, when we feel sinful, or helpless, or guilty, or shame, or despair, when we walk in God’s life, we still can proclaim, “ It is well, it is well with my soul!!” Amen.

Living Spiritually, Under Spiritual Influence

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 20:19:20 GMT

A sermon on seeing God’s influence in our blessings and our tragedies

John 9 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

March 15, 2026

Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see and those who do see may become blind.”

My thanks to all who helped with today’s long dramatic reading! Interesting way to read scripture.

Prayer: Lord, please help us see. Amen.

All during this season of Lent we’ve been exploring what it means to be “Living Spiritually.” And after I came up with today’s sermon title “Under Spiritual Influence,” I realized that this entire worship series is about being under the Holy Spirit’s influence. That every sermon and every worship service in this series is designed to help us choose to be under God’s spiritual influence. Our thoughts. Our words. Our actions. All of it. All of who we are—under spiritual influence.

And assuming that we are gaining some traction on being under the spirit’s influence, I’ve been thinking about how that affects our vison. Our understanding. Like if we see something more than we thought because we’re influenced by the Spirit.

Yesterday, a group of pastors and lay folk and I from the Committees on Ministry for the Lancaster, Lebanon, and York Associations met here at Christ Church. And our workshop started with each person introducing themselves by sharing a way they were blessed during this past week. I was intrigued by how many said they were blessed by family, mostly grandkids, or by people close to them, supporting them, helping them in some way. And yeah, some saw blessings in nature, in the dew on the leaves, in the previous warm days, which allowed some to get out of the house, clean the garage, and then take the golf clubs for a walk, which is fair.

These were all good things, and to see them as blessings is right to do, I think. And I wondered if that’s one way that we know we’re under spiritual influence—when we see the good things in our lives and in the world around us as blessings.

Yes, of course, all true. But, maybe it’s not the whole truth. Because not one person lifted up a tragedy as a blessing. No one shared a trouble spot in their lives as a place where God’s blessings occurred. And to be honest, I didn’t think that way, either. Because I get it. We’re wired to see the good things in life as blessings and the not-so-good as, well, not blessings.

But, this week’s bible reading gave me pause on that thinking. Because the man’s blindness since birth was the not-so-good place where Jesus worked God’s blessing of giving sight for the man.

And I wondered that if we’re under the Spirit’s influence, might we see some of our tragic and difficult situations as places where God can work blessings? Places where we pray God will work healing into the tragedy. We ask that peace be infused into the violence. We pour out our heart and soul asking God to comfort those who mourn, fill those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. We may not see the answers to those prayers the way that we’d like, or when we’d like, but we pray them on faith, under spiritual influence, trusting God hears our prayers.

But one thing that struck me this week, if we are under the Spirit’s influence, and if the God of Jesus and the disciples is our God and the God we know, then we might have trouble with John’s gospel depicting God causing life-long suffering of blindness in the man just to show off a divine purpose. You think?

This is the text: ““Neither this man nor his parents sinned. He was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day.” I don’t believe the way that reads; that God purposely made him blind.

So I started digging into this a little bit. One of the biblical commentators took me back to New Testament Greek 101 back in seminary. And one of the first things I learned in Greek class was that NT Greek manuscripts had no punctuation marks. And translators had to make decisions on where sentences began, paused, and ended. Several biblical scholars suggest that it’s possible the translators made some punctuation errors in this text. Because commas and periods matter—where they’re placed.

Check these out: “Crocodiles Do Not Swim Here.” If our brains didn’t put in the comma after crocodiles, we’d think that water is safe. Or, how about this actual church marquee: “Hanging of the Green Family Worship.” Without the comma, I feel bad for the Green family.

All joking aside, with the blind man story, what if the periods and commas were placed differently? Like this alternative reading; “Neither this man nor his parents sinned. He was born blind. So that God’s works might be revealed in him, we must work the works of him who sent me while it is day.” You see the difference? This translation breaks the assumed cause and effect link. In this version, the blindness is not explained and is not the focus. It is not an effect of sin. It just is just a fact of the man’s life. The focus is that the man’s blindness is the occasion for God to act. The emphasis is on what God does in his suffering. God does not cause our suffering, but is with us in it, and can work blessings in it.

So, perhaps one takeaway is that under spiritual influence, might we be able to see our sufferings, our tragedies, our crises as places where God can act? And if not our sufferings because we are such a privileged people, then to see the sufferings of others?

Like where maybe, under the Spirit’s influence, we might name and resist antisemitism? Push for justice and peace for Jewish people who have been maligned for centuries by antisemitism?

My heart breaks for Jewish people everywhere in our world who face bigotry largely stemming from misinterpretations of scripture, like from this passage. John’s usage of “the Jews” is not a blanket reference to the Jewish people as a whole. Parenthetically, here we encounter the seeds that led to the Holocaust. Rather, John refers to the Jewish Temple leaders who were in cahoots with the Roman government. Tragically, people over the centuries have expanded this narrow focus to a total indictment of all Jews, fueling centuries of Christian antisemitism. Which led toward the tragic act of terrorism when a car plowed into a Jewish synagogue this past week near Detroit, MI.

I think it’s time for us who are under the influence of the Holy Spirit, to stand up against any antisemitic bigotry against Jewish people. And not just Jewish people, but also bigotry against Muslim people who are persecuted in the world. And bigotry against Christian people who are oppressed by tyrannies in the world. Religism in the world is rampant. And I don’t know about you, but if I went the rest of my life without hearing one more religious-based act of terror, or any act of terror, I still would have heard too many.

I invite your prayers, my friends, that we may be under the influence of the Holy Spirit. And under that spiritual influence, can we ask God to help us not be blind to the fact that every one of us on this planet is a human being? And everyone of us is loved by God?

Under the influence of the spirit, can we ask God to judge where our blindness is with respect to others, where we first try to blame others when we think we’re right? And ask God to put mud on our eyes so that we and others around us may be healed from these blindnesses.

Under spiritual influence, can we ask God to help heal our desire to be superior over others through legalism, biblical or otherwise, through war and violence, so that we can see the healing of the soul that takes place right in front of our eyes? And, see how the healing of God is.

So, may God help us choose to be under God’s spiritual influence. Our thoughts. Our words. Our actions. All of it. All of who we are—under spiritual influence. Amen.

Living Spiritually, The Spirit Sees You

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 20:26:31 GMT

A sermon about the war with Iran, the woman at the well, and how we must leave old water jars behind

Romans 5: 1-11 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

John 4: 5-42 March 8, 2026

“But the hour is coming and is now here, when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him.”

Prayer: [Thank you, dramatic readers] O God of living water, help us to drink of your life-giving water and live by your word, in Christ. Amen.

Ever since last Saturday, I’ve had a struggle within my spirit. I know many of you had one, too. The fact that the US and Israel started a war with Iran is bad enough. I mean whatever happened to “Do not fire unless fired upon.” That’s how I was raised.

But adding insult to injury, Christians everywhere, in my opinion, Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Independents should be appalled that we’re in war, but instead, many are cheering. We, as followers of Jesus, I believe, should be questioning the reasons, the process, and the morality of starting a war, and standing up against it, but many are buying into the rhetoric, calling the aggressive, violent attacks a necessity, and normalizing the immorality.

Now, I/we know we may not have all the facts. I know this is a complex situation with many moving parts. And let’s be honest about the fact that Iran is a dangerous nation with a horrible human rights record. I get it that the regime has kept the Iranian people under an oppressive thumb, especially women and marginalized people. I understand that people in opposition to Iran’s leadership are often incarcerated or worse, killed off.

I know Iran was trying to develop a nuclear weapon, and back in June we supposedly obliterated their nuclear capacities. And there’s no evidence they’ve recovered from that. And, it feels like to me, their impatience with diplomacy, and worry, and pressure from other global leaders made for war.

And some of you listening to me may not agree with me on any of this, and that’s OK. Let’s keep talking...some will not like me bringing in political worlds here. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to offend. But, my job is in part, to help us live faithful lives and navigate as Christians in the face of this war. To help us live spiritually in a day where living spiritually seems lost, especially among our leaders.

Which takes me back to being in spiritual turmoil. Because I listened to a press conference and video clips where leaders of our government approach Middle East crisis with braggadocios pride and bullying arrogance that a preemptive strike was necessary to knock the enemy down. That we hit them while they were down. That we showed no mercy. And this was coming from Christian people! Who supposedly then went back to the White House West Wing and were singing worship songs. Isaiah wrote, and Jesus once quoted him, “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Isaiah 29: 13). So, yeah, this past week I was in spiritual turmoil.

Because that is a far cry from worshiping the God I know, the God of Jesus Christ. The God who teaches us to love our enemies, not be unmerciful to them. The God who calls for us to turn the other cheek when struck, not to be the one doing the striking. The God who calls us to be peacemakers, not preemptively knocking enemies down.

This is the God that I know, the God who says we are blessed if we hunger and thirst for righteousness. The God who says we are saved and reconciled to God through the death of God’s son Jesus Christ, and having been reconciled, how much more will we be saved by Christ’s life. This is the God I know.

This is the God who says “I know you. I know your strengths and weaknesses. I know your vulnerabilities and your thick protective walls. I see who you are. I know everything you’ve ever done!”

This is the God who sees our frailty and our glory. This is the God who offers proof of holy love, because even when we don’t measure up, God creates saving grace through Christ without us having to make ourselves worthy to receive that grace first. This is the God I know.

This is the God who invites us, I think, to know that the Spirit sees us. And the Spirit is looking for people who are not caught up in striving for peace through strength that comes by starting a war and bombing the smithereens out of enemies. That kind of peace is like a water jar that must always be refilled of water.

Instead, the Spirit is looking for people who understand that peace through strength comes by worshiping God in spirit and truth. This is the living water that never runs out. It never fails in satisfying our need for God. Never fails in slaking our spiritual thirst. God seeks people who worship in spirit and truth.

Jesus said to the woman at the well, I give you living water, the kind of water that gushes up into eternal life. The kind that leaves you never wanting more because you always will be filled. You’ll be deeply satisfied. This is the God I know, who sees us and knows what we need in our lives.

One preaching commentary suggested that Christ’s living water, just like regular flowing water, always flows to the lowest point. You know that’s a law of physics, don’t you? Water always flows to the lowest point due to the earth’s gravity. In the spiritual realm, it is the same. The living water Christ gives flows to the lowest places of our lives. It can flow to where we have the greatest spiritual pain. To the greatest emotional wounds. To the deepest hurt. To the most secret guilt. It can flow to the most profoundly misguided thinking, or ideologies, or behaviors.

So many times we try to relieve the pain or our innermost trauma with water from jars that just never satisfy and are simply insufficient. Oh there may be a quick spike of satisfaction, but it is never permanent. Some go on binges shopping, drinking, eating, or watching TV or online to meet the deepest needs, and it may be fun for a moment, but these never satisfy and often times make deeper wounds. Being impatient with diplomacy, then starting a war with a nation, bombing them mercilessly will not ultimately satisfy and creates profound wounds.

With the Samaritan woman, Jesus saw her deeply and went right to where her pain was most acute. Think of it—five marriages? Five divorces? Five cultural faux pas. Five times rejected. Women back in those biblical days were already low on the totem pole of status, but add all that. Whew! What pain! But Jesus’ living water found her, did not despise her. Accepted her. The Spirit saw her and gave her living water.

And what did the woman do? She left her old water jar behind. The old water jar is a metaphor representing all the things in this life that we think will fill us. Everything that we try out to see if it will give us meaning. That will restore our souls. Will make us happy again. That will relieve our pain. That will give us strength.

With Christ, we can leave all those old water jars behind. When the Spirit sees you, you can choose to go forward trusting in Christ’s way. And in the middle of the suffering that we experience, God will give you the living water which will find your lowest point, and give you the water of love, compassion, grace, forgiveness, healing, and the wisdom to go forward. Comforting our inner spiritual turmoil.

God sees us, down at our deepest level my beloved ones, and desires to restore our lives with living water that never runs out. God desires that we worship in spirit and in truth. God wants us to be real in God’s divine presence, truthful about our spiritual frailties, and honest about our need for living water. I don’t know why this way works best for God. I just know that it does. Amen.

Prayer: O God of the living water, You are the God we know. Please see us deeply. Send your Spirit upon us. Give us a drink of your living water which is the only thing that can satisfy our deepest thirst and heal our wounds and pain. May we live spiritually by worshiping you in spirit and in truth, navigating through these tumultuous days trusting you. Amen.

Living Spiritually, You Are Born of What?

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 20:47:26 GMT

A sermon about things being born, staying in the dark, or not, and living spiritually balanced

Genesis 12: 1-4a Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

John 3: 1-17 March 1, 2026

“Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.”

Prayer: As you broaden our minds, Holy Spirit, may we be open to your Spirit being born and growing in us. Amen.

How many of you have ever witnessed something being born? [show of hands]. Some women I know wanted to watch their children being born either from a mirror or on the screen. For some, a birth Animal Planet is the only thing that came close.

I remember when I was about 8 years old one Sunday morning, pre-dawn, our cat decided to give birth on the bed with me! I’ve never forgotten that moment. As a young boy, it was weird and beautiful and interesting and gross, all at the same time.

But now that I’m older, I look back on the experience and marvel. Because it’s the miracle of life that touches my soul. And it’s amazing to me!

And everyone of us understands the physicality of birth, right? It happens. It’s a part of life. And the reality is, I think, that the physical birth always involves a death of some sort. I mean the baby in a mother’s womb has grown there, lived there, was nourished there for the whole gestation period. All needs were met there. It is warm and safe inside.

And then comes the moment, when all that must change. And the comfort of the womb dies. And oxygenated water is gone. The food supply is cut off. And the cold air of the world hits that baby. Is it any wonder the baby cries? Because that other stuff dies. But the baby’s born. New life. New growth.

Nicodemus, the Pharisee, knows the physicality of life. He gets what birth is, and I assume, what death is, too. His perspective is what he’s experienced. That was his reality.

So when he gets in touch with Jesus under the cover of darkness, which is a metaphor all by itself—and I’ll come back to that in a minute, he remarks to Jesus, the Rabbi, which means “Teacher,” about the authority that must be established in him considering all the physical signs of Jesus’ works which indicate that he must have come from God.

Jesus responds by saying that you can’t see God’s realm unless you’ve been born from above. This blows Nick’s mind. He challenges Jesus’ teaching and focuses on the physical birth and growth process of the human being.

But Jesus broadened Nicodemus’ perspective by saying that “No one can enter the realm of God without being born of water and Spirit.” In other words, you need both.

Without physical birth from water and physical growth, you can’t experience life in this world. The same is true of the Spirit. Without a spiritual birth and spiritual growth, you can’t experience God’s life in this world, either.

So I’ve been turning over in my mind this week the idea of being born of water and being born of the Spirit. And the difference between the two, and why both are needed. And why both are important for us to live spiritually.

And the first thing I noticed is that being born of water seems to be mostly about our external lives. Our bodies. Our physical growth. This also applies to ideas that are external to our lives. Political persuasions, logical arguments, decisions to go to war, church-related dogmas and doctrines. All these are external. They impact us but they are external to us.

Not much faith is required or very useful here. Because you have facts and figures and knowledge. Who needs faith?

And sometimes I get in a defensive mode with this perspective. Because it’s what I know firsthand. And I trust that. And will defend that at times. Nicodemus was in the defensive mode, arguing against Jesus’ teaching. “How can this be?” he asked Jesus.

So, when your perspective is strongly situated on this physical side, the side represented being born of water, it’s all about ‘seeing is believing.’

But, let’s look at the flipside. Being born of the Spirit seems to represent all that is, well, spiritual in our lives. The stuff that is on the inside. The internal. It’s about being aware of our inner conscience, about being external and moral, about having imagination and creativity, about feeling and emotions, about mental and spiritual growth and wellness.

Faith is required and very useful here. Because for stuff on the inside, often you can’t see results, or the next step, or the blessings of relationship.

And sometimes I find myself in a discovery mode with this perspective. Because you’re not bogged down by the way things are. Instead you discover the possibilities of the way things can be. The Spirit blows where it chooses, says Jesus, right beyond our political persuasions, logical arguments, decisions to go to war, and church dogma and doctrine. Jesus invited Nicodemus to venture forth into the discovery mode.

So, when your perspective is strongly situated on this spiritual side, the side represented by being born of the Spirit, it’s all about ‘believing is seeing.’

Living spiritually means, I think, to be born of water and the Spirit. Because we need both to experience the beauty, energy of God’s realm all around us. Being born of water means we grow in and celebrate what we can see, but we always trust that we need to be born of the Spirit and grow in what we cannot see. We have to be in defense mode on some things, but be loose and flexible enough to be in discovery mode on some other things.

Which takes me back to Nicodemus coming to Jesus under the cover of darkness. Who knows why he decided to approach Jesus at night. Maybe he doesn’t want to be seen. Maybe he’s fearful of getting questioned by his friends and colleagues as to whose side he’s on. Their side or Jesus’ side.

Or maybe the metaphor is about Nicodemus being in the dark. I think Jesus is calling into question whether Nicodemus actually does want to see, as in become enlightened by God’s new realm, or if he really prefers to stay in the dark. Stuck with the way things have been forever. Good or bad. Not wanting to grow. Not wanting the adventure of discovering something new on his faith journey. Keep things status quo.

I know some of you subscribe to our Stillspeaking writers daily devotional email. So, this will sound familiar to you. On February 24th, Molly Baskette wrote a devotional entitled “Shallows” in which she referred to the Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper song from the movie “A Star is Born.” The lyrics from the first line of “Shallow” are “Tell me something, girl. Are you happy in this modern world? Or do you need more? Is there something else you’re searching for?” Molly Baskette’s message was that being in the shallows is easy. Stay safe and sunny. To be born of water, trust what you know. It’s safe and God is there.

But do we need more? Going out into the deep is being born of the Spirit, sometimes it’s not as easy. It’s dark and murky. Dangerous, unpopular. And God is there, too. To be in the shallows is to “know only half of God,” she wrote. To go out into the deep is where profound things happen. “Where good art comes from, where the guttural cry of birth and death occur” (“Shallows,” Molly Baskette, Stillspeaking Daily Devotional, February 24, 2026, personal email).

Jesus calls Nicodemus and us to trust him in the shallow water on earthly things AND to go out in the deep water and trust him on heavenly things. To be born of water AND to be born of the Spirit. To defend the need to live in the shallow water sometimes AND to discover the joy and new life of the deep waster in the Spirit sometimes.

So, for us to live spiritually, I invite us to be born of water by knowing God’s love extends to us and our peeps like us. All who think like us, who live near us, who have political persuasions and religious beliefs like us. We can defend that all the time.

But, I also invite us to be born of the Spirit by knowing that God loves others very much who are not like us at all. To discover with surprise and intrigue that “others” are part of the world that God sent Jesus to save. Because, you know, God so loved “the world,” not just our little corner of it. Amen.

Living Spiritually "Where to Focus"

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 17:16:13 GMT

A sermon about the devil, evil personified, and focusing on God during our Lenten and life journeys.

Gen. 2: 15-17, 3: 1-7 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Matthew 4: 1-11 February 22, 2026

“Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”

Prayer: Do not let us fall into temptation, O Lord, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

I know many of you may not get this reference, but those of you around my age will remember comedian Flip Wilson’s alter-ego character named “Geraldine.” Yeah, I know… I’m dating myself! ‘Tis folly to get old! One of Geraldine’s catchphrases was, “The devil made me do it.” Whatever “it” was, when it wasn’t good, “The devil made me do it.” Remember that? Some of us do.

And some us like to think that the devil is someone out there, roaming around in the world, causing us to do bad things, or causing bad things to happen. But really, a scapegoat for all that goes wrong in life. The devil caused this. It’s the Evil One’s fault. The devil made me do it.

But, you know, I kind of dread this first Sunday in Lent because every year, the text from Matthew is about the devil tempting Jesus. And every year, I wrestle with my own beliefs about the devil. Because this story makes the devil seem like a physical figure. Like a human gone bad, or an angel condemned to wander the earth. And Jesus had to face him.

But for many of us modern day Christians, and you may disagree with me on this, which is totally fine… it’s good to share different perspectives…many of us do not believe in the devil as a physical being. But, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t believe that the devil is someone walking around the world, trying to trip you up whenever the opportunity presents itself. I don’t believe that it’s a male figure, dressed in red, with horns, and carrying a pitchfork. And I don’t believe that serpents can talk, either. There, I said it!

But, I do believe in evil personified. And that’s a totally different thing. The devil may not exist in the literal person of Satan roaming the earth, but evil? Evil I think, exists in varying degrees, in all of us, and is in a whole lot of places. It’s mean-spiritedness.

Evil can take over our thinking, our hearts, our lives, businesses, institutions, governments. It’s the darker side of us that we have to hold at bay. It’s the dark side of the force. And we all have it. Like the song by INXS says, (again, dating myself), “every single one of us has the devil inside.”

I think it may be time to honest about all that. Because evil is destructive. And divisive. And seductive. And if we’re not aware and are not careful, it can sneak in there, anywhere, and we don’t even know it. It can show up in disguise with false promises and fake news. It shows up and distorts our perspectives, and tempts us to shift our view away from God and God’s word.

The serpent in the Genesis story doesn’t care if Adam and Eve eats the fruit or not. Seems to me the serpent really wants is the couple to shift their attention from God and to ignore what God said.

I remember in 1988, when I was an Associate Pastor in SLC, Utah, Martin Scorsese’s film The Last Temptation of Christ came out. A bit of a spoiler alert here, (but since I’m dating myself again, oh well). Christ is crucified on the cross, and this sweet young girl walks up to the cross says to him something like, “God is very pleased with you. You’ve done everything asked of you. You can come down from there now. God decided not to punish you anymore.” And somehow, she helps Jesus off the cross.

Turns out that sweet young girl is the devil personified. The last temptation of Christ is to not to go through the passion. She tempts him to trust in things that are of interest in human life… like getting married, having kids, having money, being self-sufficient, privileged, powerful. She tempts him to not keep God and God’s word, God’s plan for him as number one in his life. She shifts Jesus’ focus away from God.

The devil in the temptation story doesn’t necessarily try to trip Jesus up. The devil is trying to distract Jesus’s attention away from God and the applicability of God’s word in his life.

Jesus’ three temptations are all worldly ones. Human ones. And they’re our temptations, too.

The temptation of sustenance—make bread out of these stones. Be self-sustaining. We’re tempted to say, “I don’t need God. I can just be a good person and work hard. Even if it’s tough, I’ll provide for my family. It’ll be all right.”

The temptation of security—don’t worry if you put yourself in danger because, you know, God loves you. God will send angels to protect you. You can be reckless, if you want, because you can call to God to save and protect you making you secure.

Temptation of power—you can have power over others. You can decide who goes and who stays. Who’s important and who isn’t. You can rule the church. Some think they can rule the world. They think they can make laws that will get rid of all the bad apples, the people not in the mainstream, or the religious opposition or political opposition. Some people have bowed down to worship at the altar of power.

Sustenance, security, and power—all worldly parts of our lives, and to a degree, all are needed. But all of which can destroy us if we turn from God and God’s word and God’s ways.

Jesus’s response to those temptations is all about keeping focused on God and the Word of God. He quotes from Deuteronomy. What he says is quite simple, really. First, for the temptation to be self-sufficient—stick with the written word of God in addition to having the bread that you need. Check out Deuteronomy 8:3. You’ll find great spiritual nourishment in God’s word. And God knows what you need even before you ask. Live spiritually– stay in God’s word.

Second, for the temptation of security, take heed of God’s word that says “Don’t put God to the test.” That’s from Deuteronomy 6: 16. Don’t demand that God makes you secure when you mess up. Instead in humility acknowledge to God when and where you’ve misplaced your trust, and have faith in God’s understanding of you. God knows what you’ve got going on in your life. Live spiritually by trusting God’s word and wisdom.

Third, for the temptation to have power, again, keep focused on the scriptures. Deuteronomy 6:13 says, “Worship God and serve God only.” Don’t worship power. Don’t take power into your own hands. Don’t have a love of power, instead, have the power of love. Use the power of love that comes from knowing God in your heart. Live spiritually. In secret. In worship.

So, here we are, at the beginning of our “Living Spiritually” Lenten season. And I think that it’s a vital beginning step to spot the places where we are tempted to shift our focus off of God and onto our own stuff. Which can lead us to the sinful evil of making all this other stuff—sustenance, security, power—more important than God in our lives. That’s what sin is. And that’s what Jesus succeeds in repelling.

All the more reason why the phrase in our Lord’s Prayer is so significant. “Do not let us fall into temptation but deliver us from evil.” I try to pray this phrase as one sentence, with no break. Because the two are intricately connected. To not fall into temptation leads to being delivered from evil. I think that means discerning, for all things in life, where to focus—on God—living spiritually during the Lenten journeys and or life-long journeys.

Ultimately, I think, it’s all about hearing Jesus’ words “Follow me.” We are summoned by Christ Jesus to follow him by loving God, by zeroing in on God’s word, by caring for the least of these, by acting with love and peace for our neighbors and loving ourselves. Then we can say, “The Spirit made me do it.” And mean it. Amen.

ASH WEDNESDAY Living Spiritually, Secret Prayers, Public Faith

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 14:31:53 GMT

An Ash Wednesday sermon on God’s secret knowledge of us, prayer, and our public faith lives.

Isaiah 58: 1-12 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Matthew 6: 1-6 February 18, 2026

Ash Wednesday

“But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Prayer: Help us grow in faith, O God. May our spiritual lives be acceptable and pleasing to you, O God. Amen.

Many of us have been watching the Winter Olympics. They’re on during the day, repeated on prime time. And of course, with that comes all the commercials, too! There’s an ad for the Olympics that Video | Facebook ) has fans of major sports teams, teams that are rivals against each other, coming together and scoffing at each other when they meet. In the gym, or in the restaurant, or wherever. But, when the Olympics, come on, they turn off the rivalry.

They show respect for each other. They all join in cheering for Team USA. All the while the song by Captain and Teniel, “Love, Will Keep Us Together,” is playing in the background. And the kicker punch line at the end is this: “For two weeks, we’re all on the same team.”

I’m like-And of course, in my head, I’m going, “Why only two weeks?” Why not All. The. Time. Why can’t we turn off rivalries and the hatred? Put aside the scoffing and dissing each other? Why can’t we practice respect and kindness, and be on the same human team? All. The. Time. Why can’t we decide to have love keep us together. All. The. Time?

Yeah, I know… it takes work. Effort. It takes an inner spiritual desire. We have to work at having Love keep us together. Push to live spiritually.

Tonight we kick off Lent, our 40+ day season where we are working and pushing to live spiritually. I want to help us focus and concentrate on our relationship with God this season of Lent, perhaps more so than other time of the year.

And we started it off by ashes being smeared on our foreheads or our hands reminding us that we will all die. That our lives are temporary. We heard the words that remind us that we’re far from perfect. That we’re actually, dare I say it, sinful.

And yes, even though this all sounds very Debbie Downer-ish, I invite you to consider that in order to live spiritually, we have to start here. Aware of our mortality. Aware of our capacity for wallow in the negative. In our ability to not love.

Aware of our sinfulness. Aware of our capability to make anything in our lives, especially ourselves more important than God. That, to my understanding, is one of the best definitions of sin. It’s our capacity to enthrone something other than God in our lives. Ourselves. Our vices. Habits. Loves. It’s our human nature to be this way. So, sin is not as much wrong-doing as it is wrong-being. It’s part of who we are. Our human nature.

So why is it so important that we start here? Aware of our frailties, imperfections, not measuring up? I think it’s necessary, otherwise we couldn’t know God’s new life. We have to experience the lows in order to share in the highs. To live in the valleys so as to know the mountains. As human beings we have to experience our mortality, our negativity, and our sinfulness, otherwise we would not be alive.

And if we weren’t alive, we wouldn’t know the exaltation of Easter’s new life without Good Friday. We wouldn’t know the inspiration of a healthy relationship with God without spiritual strife. We won’t be able to know what living spiritually is all about.

I think it starts with prayer. The kind of prayer that is deliberate. The kind that takes you to that secret place with God. Jesus teaches us to find a physical place. A room. A time alone. A place on the mountain, which is where he often went. Or it could be in a valley somewhere. Wherever that is, that’s your room. Shut the door. Pray to God who knows you, who sees your heart. Who loves you and listens to you in the quiet. Take a break from life. Spend time with God. Grow in faith. Renew your love.

Sounds simple and easy, yes? It is. But I warn you. It’s not without its dangers. Our sinful nature has a way of creeping in. I mean that the things that we love to do, and find spiritually meaningful, can almost sneakily become more significant than our relationship with God.

Like how I try to start each day in the office with my prayer time. I have a habit of spending up to an hour focused on God and my relationship with God. And I used to get annoyed on the days that I couldn’t do that for whatever reason. Maybe I was late, or maybe someone came in unexpectedly. And I would be all in a huff.

And one day, I realized that I wasn’t in love with God nearly as much as I was in love with my habit!

So, over the years, I’ve learned to give up being rigid about my prayer and devotional time. Gave up being annoyed. It’s what’s in my heart with God that counts. So what if I miss a morning? So what if someone comes in unexpectedly? I’ve learned that God is always in the interruptions. God is always calling for us to renew and reconcile with the Divine.

But this does speak about giving things up for Lent, or taking things up for Lent, like living spiritually. If you have to give something up for Lent, choose something that hinders your relationship with God. What have you prioritized over God? Discern what that is. And let your life grow closer to God without that thing or things. Be without for a long enough period that when Lent is over, and you’ve practiced being close to God, you will have the exaltation of Easter, and God and your relationship with God will be in the top spot of your life. And then you start to live your best spiritual life, I think.

And your life on the inside starts to affect your life on the outside. Your actions and words are affected by the prayer life you’ve cultivated in the secret room with God.

And you get the inspiration to do justice, to love kindness and, to walk humbly with God. You share the joy of loosening the bonds of someone else's injustice. The power of sharing resources with those in need. Your faith becomes shareable. Publicly. Faith is not a privatized thing.

God I don’t believe wants you to be a perfect specimen of faith. I don’t believe God wants you as an exhibit on the shelf in the Faith Hall of Fame. God, I think, wants us to be centered spiritually, secretly at first, then out there living faith publicly. Share your faith. Share your results of living a spiritual life in secret.

Which takes me back to another Olympic ad I noticed. Eli Lilly and Company’s 2026 Winter Olympics ad campaign, “ Never Over ,” uses the scientific method—observe, question, hypothesize, experiment, test, test, test, test, test, test, test…them, share results. Observe. Question. Test. Again. Share results.

When we share results of the prayer time in secret by offering food for the spiritually hungry, satisfying the needs of the afflicted, “then your light share rise in the darkness and your gloom like the noonday sun. And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in the parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water that will never fail.”

Amen.

SmartFaith

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 16:29:48 GMT

A sermon on using smart technology, the wisdom of God, and the intersection of faith and culture.

Matthew 5: 13-20 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

1 Corinthians 2: 1-13 February 8, 2026

“My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.”

Prayer: May we seek your wisdom, O God always. Amen.

There’s a whole lot of smart things in our world. Smart TVs, smart phones, smart refrigerators, smart houses, complete with smart hubs and smart video ring doorbells. There are smart pillows and smart sleep noise makers, which sounds like an oxymoron to me. We have smart cars, smart washing machines, smart dryers. Smart security systems, smart light bulbs and smart light switches. Smart air conditioners, smart vacuums, and smart toilets! We’re so smart with our technology that we even have smart robots that for all the world look like real human beings that talk to us, too. Oh, we’re so smart! But are we wise? Have we over-rated, over-trusted, over-indulged all our smart stuff?

In a world where our whole nation practically is engaged in a hunt for the missing mom of NBC’s Savannah Guthrie, all the smart stuff in the world still has not found Nancy Guthrie.

In a world where people who are indigenous, native to this land, are detained, suspected of being here in our nation illegally based on the bigotry skin color and language, all the smart stuff in the world has not been able to show ICE and the powers that be how utterly and inherently ridiculous that is.

So, are we wise?

So, yeah, this is another sermon on the wisdom of God. And if we’re wise enough to know that there is a difference between being smart and being wise.

In fact, when Paul was in Corinth, Greece, he was in the “smart” culture of his day. Most everyone was sophisticated, educated, culturally astute. If they would’ve had cell phones back then, I bet everyone would have an iPhone 18 Pro Max or an Samsung Galaxy S25 Smartphone. And each one would have all the apps—Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, you know, the works.

But Paul needed to teach them about God’s wisdom, and it doesn’t come from being smart. It doesn't come from having knowledge.

It comes from trusting in the Spirit of God, which is often paradoxical to human wisdom. It comes from believing the teachings of God’s prophets. It comes from having faith in the word of God as it was shown and spoken in the life, ministry, teachings, death and resurrection of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Paul wanted his listeners to have what I’m calling “SmartFaith.” That is faith which opens up God’s wisdom, not human wisdom, and it is revealed by the Spirit to those who love God.

So, Paul, just to teach them about the wisdom of God, used simplicity as his main tool. It’s like he is saying something like, “I could have come to you using PowerPoint slides, OBS software, AI, and YouTube videos to teach you. But I didn’t. I didn’t use lofty words of wisdom. All I did was draw a cross on the board and speak about Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And let the Spirit do the rest on your hearts. Your faith then, rests totally on God’s power and not on the fancy-schmanzy stuff.

Paul wants faith in God and Jesus Christ to grow in people’s hearts totally by the power of God! It’s never flashy. Hardly ever clever. It will never go viral based on an ingenious sermon, or a wonderful TED talk, or a pithy tweet, or snippets and sound bites.

Of course, the irony is, we’re using PowerPoint slides, OBS software, AI, and YouTube videos and a whole lot more to preach and teach about Jesus Christ. We’re using ZOOM for our Annual meeting. But, these are tools. We can use the highest, most sophisticated tools, techniques, and technology to convey a simple message— that is Jesus Christ was God’s Son who lived on this earth, who taught of God’s love and ways, who died by crucifixion, who was resurrected by God to new life, and continues to make his new life through God’s saving grace available to anyone, no matter what. That's the gospel message. The Good News! We let God work on your hearts with that message.

So, as we grow in our faith, I encourage us to have a SmartFaith, one that relies on the sometimes paradoxical, topsy-turvy, upside-down faith in God. Which so often goes against the wisdom of the world. But it is the wisdom of God.

Here’s where I could stop. But I can’t. Because having SmartFaith needs to be taken out into life. It needs to stir our consciences at the intersection where religion and faith meet culture and society. It needs to shine a light on the places of our lives which prove to be saltless. Which prove to have baseless understandings of God.

I mean we humans can easily get caught up in the traps of the world’s wisdom. Traps that say bigger is better. Power over others makes us great again. More money makes you more valuable. Having the most up-to-date stuff makes you relevant and worthwhile. Silencing objectors makes you more successful. Gathering up and detaining groups of people suspected of being criminals makes you more secure. Eliminating other religions in our country and making us a “Christian nation” makes us more favored by God.

These and other statements like them are traps of worldly wisdom, I think. They are traps because they fail. They fail us. They don’t have salt. They don’t have the light of Christ. Saltless in the sense that they are ultimately empty and incapable of making life permanently joyful, meaningful, and deep for people.

We humans can easily place our trust in things that will fail us. We easily can give pieces of our heart to things that simply cannot provide the greatness, cannot love us back, cannot give us meaning in life that we’re looking for, that God intends us to have.

Some people do this frequently by buying into the rhetoric of arrogant politicians and normalize their attitudes and behaviors. Some buy into the totally reprehensible videos out there. Some easily give their heart away to vices of the world, drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc. Some try to find meaning in their lives through food, and other such ways we think hold answers for us. These all will fail ultimately, I think. That makes us, feel worthwhile.

So, I turn us to simplicity again. Jesus once said, “I have come that they (meaning us) may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). SmartFaith simply says turn to Christ. SmartFaith says trust that what Jesus says is true, that he has come to fulfill God’s law of love. SmartFaith says that you abandon total self-interest and cultivate a spiritual life and an empathetic mindset with people.

SmartFaith says every time we get caught in the traps of the world, God is there. Every time we place our trust in the smart gadgets of the world, Christ is offering a way of life and a peace that passes our own understanding. Smart faith says, every time we experience our own version of loss, or unfair treatment, Christ is there loving us back to life.

SmartFaith says that the Divine foolishness of God is deeper than our best wisdom. It means that God can give new life where death occurs. It means that love and mercy are stronger than control and hate. It means that if you try to save your life, you’ll lose it, and if you lose your life for Christ’s sake, you’ll find it. What kind of worldly wisdom is that? It isn’t. But it is SmartFaith.

SmartFaith says religion and faith become real not only as you feel better about yourself and find permanent meaning and joy, but also when you loosen the bonds of injustice that grip people. When you undo the burdensome yoke some people face. When you share your resources and assist those in need. That’s when your light really shines!

So, I preach today of SmartFaith. I’m preaching of the foolishness of God. It may not be very smart in this world, but I think it is wise. It certainly is not anything that comes from human power. It’s totally on God’s power in the Spirit. Because in God’s world, that’s how things work. Thanks be to God! Amen.

A Topsy-Turvy Faith

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 21:41:18 GMT

A sermon about Minneapolis’ protests and the paradox of trusting God’s foolishness with faith.

Micah 6: 1-8 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Matthew 5: 1-12 February 1, 2026

1 Corinthians 1; 18-31

“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.”

Prayer: Holy One, may we trust and have faith in the foolishness of your words and your Spirit, even if it goes against our world’s wisdom. In Christ we pray, Amen.

It’s a topsy-turvy world out there, isn’t it? I mean so much goes on that seems completely the opposite of what should be, perhaps, There’s confusion and disorder in the streets of America. There’s flippant disregard for normalcy, good morals, solid ethics, or faith-filled values, it seems to me.

Honestly, I find myself struggling with the social upheaval in Minneapolis. On the one hand, There’s the obvious brutality exhibited by ICE officers against the protestors. Violent arrests, and some were killed. And on the other hand, there’s the obvious antagonism by some protestors who do things like kicking out the lights of the law enforcement vehicles.

On one hand, There’s the Gestapo-like tactics being normalized by some federal officers, fueled by inflammatory and false claims without evidence rhetoric coming from top government officials. And there’s violent damage being done as some protestors are hurling items at people inside hotels where federal officers were staying, smashing windows, and graffitiing vulgarities across the building’s façade.

Someone said last week, “God must be having a tough time dealing with his people these days.”

Heck, I’m having a tough time dealing with some of God’s people these days! Make no mistake, peaceful protesting against injustice, unmoral, and unethical practices are not only necessary, but it is also vital.

But so many circumstances in and around our nation show people behaving badly no matter what side you are on. People forgetting what God requires of us. People disregarding who is supposed to come first in our lives. People ignoring what Jesus teaches.

Where’s the basic, straightforward understanding of our faith that God has shown us, again and again? God has shown us, O people, what is good and what is required. What is valuable in life, and who is valuable in life. How we are to live which supports these values. And not just supporting them but normalizing them!

Our liturgy hints at it. It’s quite simple—do what is fair and just, love and practice mercy and kindness with all neighbors, and walk humbly with God.

Jesus puts it this way—love God, love others, as you love yourself. Let’s normalize that! Shall we?

And normalizing what God requires I think means that we are the ones who have to resist the trends. Perhaps we should speak about Christian values? And not just to speak, but to live these more robustly than ever before? For Minnesotans to flip on its head the polarizing bad behavior shown by aggressive politicians, brutal ICE officers, and violent protestors by showing something akin to God’s life.

All of this I think says we are called to be examples of people living with a topsy-turvy faith. A faith that goes against the trends of our culture and the world. A faith that embraces that the gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news of God’s saving power.

This is revealed through the tragedy of Jesus Christ’s death on a cross. The tragedy of the cross—Jesus’ death—is really dumb for those who are embedded in culture. Or who are non-spiritual. Or who are not interested in faith. To people of the world, the death of Jesus is very foolish on God’s part.

But God’s foolishness is way wiser than human wisdom. In the cross, God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise. God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.

You see, God isn’t impressed with what impresses people. You know, like success and power in life, business, or even in the church. Like royalty. Like having academic degrees, or even the right nationality. You don’t have to be wise, always doing good, a highly evolved person. You don’t have to have all your debts paid. You don’t have to be a sinless person, which is impossible anyway. Not that these are bad—they just carry no weight with God. You can’t earn God’s love, grace, and salvation.

All that’s required is a topsy-turvy faith in God’s love and grace. Love and grace that aren’t earned but are given. For those coming before God aware of their flaws, you find God’s love. For those poor in spirit, you find God’s kindom. For those who die in Christ, it means finding new life.

For those who see that the cross is God’s way to a redeemed life, the cross shows where the power of God made our new lives possible. God is to be praised for this. We can’t boast that we did it.

And our consciences can be stirred. And our lives might become topsy-turvy. There are lots of stories like this one... in the news these days, but I read on Friday that a woman named Laura Wittmann was on the leadership track at the office supply company called Uline. Last week she resigned from her position because the company’s owners were huge supporters of the current Whtie House administration. It is Ms. Wittmann’s opinion that she could no longer work for a company that she believes is contributing to America’s downward spiral towards fascism. Her conscience was stirred as events unfolded in Minneapolis, and she submitted her 2-page resignation email to the entire company sharing her opinions. The email was removed 40 minutes later by the company’s management ( A resignation and call to conscience at company owned by MAGA billionaires , retrieved January 30, 2026).

But her conscience was stirred. What she saw in the company was in conflict with her values. Ms. Wittmann’s life got upended, yes. But something deep within her conscience spoke to her. And perhaps her conscience is clear now.

Jesus’ words can do that. Because his words are often paradoxical opposite from the world, different from what much of the world lives by. And if we’re truthful about it, “Blessed are the poor in spirit” doesn’t work so well from our human point of view. Neither does “Blessed are the meek.” And most of the other Beatitudes.

But when the Spirit of God gets in us, these little statements reach an inner part of our souls, turning things upside down. These little statements can reveal the power of God. The poor in spirit receive God’s kin-dom. The meek inherit the earth. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled. The pure in heart see God and God’s power.

And I don’t know about you, but I need the power of God to help us in this crisis right now. I pray for the power of God to touch the hearts and lives of people like us, people who are formed by the word of God, people who are fashioned into the image of God, people who know that God is the source of our life in Christ.

And I believe that if the power of God has enough power to give new life to Jesus after the tragedy of the cross, I have to believe that this power of God is strong enough to overpower hate. Fervent enough to counteract despair. Resilient enough to endure people behaving badly.

But it won’t be unless we let God work through us. If we let God flip our lives upside down, help us to live with a topsy-turvy faith, then all the best parts of Jesus can live in us. Become normal in us. His spirit, (which is the Holy Spirit), his love, faith, compassion, kindness, justice, patience, and godliness. All of it.

Let us pray. Thank you, God, that you have given us the vision of what is good, what is required of us. May we turn to you and your power to give us hope and a vision for your future to be made through us. In Christ we pray, Amen.

Agree to Disagree, On That We Are Agreed

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 14:04:39 GMT

A sermon about Bad Bunny, finding unity in loving relationships

Agree to Disagree, On That We Are Agreed

Matthew 4: 12-23 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

1 Corinthians 1: 10-18 January 25, 2026

“...that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.”

Prayer: O God of light, may we see your light shining off each other and ourselves emphasizing that we are much more alike than we are different. Please strengthen our faith. Amen.

As I thought about my sermon title, Bad Bunny came to mind. Not sure why, I had never heard of Bad Bunny before the start of the NFL season, but shortly after that, he was announced as the Super Bowl half time entertainment. And one third of the world went nuts, and one third were angry, and the last third, were like “Who’s Bad Bunny?” I’m in that group.

Turns out, he’s an Latino rapper musician from Puerto Rico, who’s won three Grammys, who’s concerts have boosted Puerto Rico’s economy by $400 million, and through his “Good Bunny” foundation, annually delivers thousands of Christmas gifts to Puerto Rican children—even though it would be far more on point if he did that at Easter! Just sayin’!

But still, conservatives and Christian nationalists were outraged. Maybe that’s why I thought of Bad Bunny. They want a Christian, American “faith, family, freedom” halftime show, not some unknown, secular, Puerto Rican show. They were saying that he’s not an American...why would they get a non-American citizen to be the entertainment?

Well folks, don’t buy into that! Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio is an American citizen, as are virtually 100% of Puerto Rico’s population. Because Puerto Rico is an American territory. And, of all the states and territories of the United States, Puerto Rico is, by far, the most Christian of them all. But these details didn’t make a difference to those who wanted to pick a fight with whatever group chose Bad Bunny!

To which I kept asking, “Why can’t we all just get along? Why can’t we just agree to disagree?” Wouldn’t that be OK?

You know, back in the ancient day of scripture, if someone publicly disagreed with powers that be, jail time was likely, as happened to John the Baptist. Sometimes death, as also happened to John and Jesus. Seems we’ve reverted back to that, huh?

Quarrels and dissension within the church in Corinth had grown so bad that Paul felt like he needed to address the situation. Well, it seems these people were arguing about who was baptized by whom, who was more influential than the other. Who’s more important. Feels like there was like this dirty competition going on. Who’s in. Who’s out. Who’s baptism was more valid. Who’s right. Who’s wrong. And it was breaking them up.

Kind of reminds me of the old story where two Christians are sitting at a bar discussing theology. And one says firmly, “I believe the Bible is the ultimate authority.” “As do I,” the second man said. The first man continued, “And I hold that salvation is by grace alone through faith,” “Amen to that!” the second man exclaimed. Then the second guy continued, “I also believe in the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” The first man nodded enthusiastically, “Yes, exactly! Leaning in closer, the second said, “And I believe sacraments are vital symbols of our faith.” “I agree!” the first man said. But, the first man continued, “Although I lean toward the view that they are more than just symbols—that they convey real spiritual presence.”

The second man’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Wait... do you mean the actual body and blood, or just a spiritual presence?” “Well, I believe it’s a spiritual presence,” the first replied cautiously. The second guy stood up and shouted, “Die, you heretic!”

Two guys, so alike in their shared convictions, were suddenly worlds apart. The smallest of differences can sometimes lead to the deepest of divides.

The church gets divided again and again, getting broken down into smaller and smaller groups with each schism. People sometimes ask me, “What religion are you?” And of course, the answer is “I’m a Christian.” But what they really mean is, are you Protestant or Catholic? Or something else.

Yeah, we’re Protestants. But Protestants have more divisions than anything! There are a few major “denominations,” and then there’s tens of thousands of individual denominations, and smaller churches. Quite the opposite of Jesus’ prayer “That they may all be one” (John 17:21), Paul’s hopes for being united in the same mind and purpose.

Paul wants unity in Christ. He knows all agreeing on ideas won’t work. When has that ever happened?

Paul wants everyone to have unity in Christ without uniformity of ideas. He wants everyone to be of the same mind that the power of God through the cross is what saves us. And that was proven by God when Christ died on a criminal’s cross, and God raised him to new life afterwards. Signifying that God’s power and truth are not found in being right while others are wrong. God’s power and truth are found in God’s reconciling love, and us reflecting that love in our loving relationships.

This is the light of our salvation. This does not divide us into smaller groups. This actually moves us the opposite way—toward oneness in Christ. Loving relationships are the glue that hold to body of Christ together. This is the same purpose Paul has in mind. I believe.

And it may sound stupid to our modern day ears, but it sure feels like good news to me, that we are more alike than we are different. That our same purpose in Christ is to have loving, respectful, caring relationships with one another, in all areas of our lives and a willingness by everyone to agree that it’s OK to disagree with each other.

Agreeing to disagree means working to understand each other. To listen to each other. To become aware of each other’s ideas, thoughts, and feelings. To say “I respect you and your ideas knowing that respect me and mine.” Many of us in marriages and meaningful relationships know this to be true. It’s impossible to agree on everything with your spouse or partner. You agree to disagree. But, you work together in love. You don’t force the other to follow your way. There’s no coercion. You work together for the greater good. You agree to disagree at times.

And disagreements can be good. Because out of that point of tension, with open minds, dialogue can happen. Out of disagreements you can work out agreeable compromises for the greater good, finding ways to love and care for others. Agreeing to disagree means we embrace the deep Christian belief of finding commonality along the lines of difference.

A few weeks ago, New York City inaugurated Zohran Mamdani as its first Democratic Socialist, Muslim mayor. Now, It’s fair to question his initiatives, and policies, or approach to governing the city. There are some obviously who are terribly concerned. But if people agree to disagree, perhaps one place we see this commonality amid the differences is in Mamdani’s focus on affordability and quality of life of working-class people. This reflects something close to the heart of Islam and Christianity and Judaism—caring for the most vulnerable people among us (“New York’s Muslim Mayor,” From the editors, The Christian Century, January, 2026, p. 9).

And at last, I think agreeing to disagree can help to put away the “us” verses “them” mentality. It’s tempting to misplace our loyalties only on those who agree with us—which is happening a lot these days. It’s best I think, to place our loyalty in Christ, which helps us see that those who disagree with us are still our kin in Christ as God’s beloved children. In their darkness and in ours, God in Christ is the source of inner light for all of us. God is the springboard of love for everyone.

So, I think Jesus’ call upon his disciples, his call to you and me, and Paul’s call is a call for unity in Christ, even in our diversity, by sharing in loving relationships. God’s light and love, I believe, are on our paths when we do. Because God’s light is come. Because God’s love is come, for the purpose of healing the entire world. If agreeing to disagree is part of that, then maybe on that we are agreed. Amen.

An Open Invitation

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 17:10:36 GMT

A sermon about our response to God’s open invitation to come and see and follow Jesus.

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Someday, When I Grow Up

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 17:09:19 GMT

A sermon about maturing on the Christian journey of faith.

Matthew 3: 13-17 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Isaiah 42: 1-9 January 11, 2026

“Thus says God, the Lord… who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it.”

Prayer: O God of breath and spirit may each of us feel you guiding us on our journeys of faith. Amen.

What do you want to be when you grow up? That’s mostly a question asked to little kids, right?. I remember when I was a little guy I wanted to be a baker when I grew up because the lines on the icing on the cake made by Mom’s spatula were offensive to me. So, I was going to be a baker to fix that! And of course, that dream went away. And for a while in 7th grade, I wanted to be a professional football player because I played in JFL.

And then in 8th grade, I encountered God. A thing called the Lay Witness Mission was a movement in the UCC, and a group of lay people came to our church. And I felt the peace and love of God in a way I’ve never felt before.

And a year and a half later, as a counselor in training at summer camp, by myself, around the late-night campfire, I sensed God wanted something from me in my life. So, I asked God if I was to be a minister, and I heard within my spirit and all around me, “Yes, you are. Go and do my work.” And all bets for a professional football career were off, and a new life trajectory began through high school, college, seminary, and right into the church. Boom, boom, boom, boom.

See, I was baptized as an infant. But it was 13 years later when I started to learn about what baptism meant. About what Jesus meant when he said the words that I spoke in our Baptism Renewal ceremony, You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name” (John 15: 16 NRSVUE).

And granted, I’m still growing up on this journey, learning what these words mean because it’s a lifetime process. But, I’m here today to say that I think it means, in parts, God decided to choose you and me. To accept you. It’s totally God’s choice to make a covenant of love and grace with you. It’s God’s desire to give breath to you as you walk on this earth, and to give you a divine Spirit as you walk in the earth, sharing the spirit of life, journeying in and among earth’s people, surrounded by earth’s beauty.

It’s all God’s decision. And seeing and feeling that God chooses you can be a life-changing insight. It’s equivalent, I think, to the meaning of baptism—which is our practice of affirming God’s decision to be in covenant with us.. Saying “yes” to God’s promise to love and grace you. It’s the powerful, personal, primary experience of being accepted and welcomed by God that starts and continuously fuels a life of faith, and a lifelong relationship with the Divine.

I think the moment you realize that this is all God’s doing, that you literally have nothing to do with being loved and accepted, that’s the beginning of you growing up. Maturing spiritually.

It’s the beginning of you saying, “This is all God. God names and claims me as God’s own child. I belong to God.” Not ‘God belongs to me.’ Not ‘God chose me because I did the right things.’ Or I said the right words. No. You and I belong to God. We are chosen by God. To receive God’s gift of the breath of life and the life-giving power of the Spirit.

Because it’s part of God’s unconditional love and grace, deliberately proven by God’s redemptive action through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A love and grace for you and me that persists through any resistance, border, difficulty, bad attitude, sin, even death. God proved that life and love, breath and spirit rise through all that when Jesus was made alive on Easter.

That’s the crux of our faith. That’s who we are. People chosen to receive God’s breath of life and spirit, God’s grace and love because Jesus was made alive by God on Easter. And because God made Jesus alive, it stands to reason that God makes us alive now and when it’s our time.

As I said, I’m still learning what these words mean. Because it’s a lifetime process. But, someday, as you grow up, I invite you—remember who you are. A child of God. Remember whose you are—God’s chosen children. And the integrity and character that comes with being who you are as God’s children I think needs to shine through our lives.

Retired Presbyterian pastor Jim Lowry tells of how in his late teenage years, he would go out on a date. And just before he left, his dad would look him square in the eye and say, “Son, remember who you are.” Which meant it wasn’t about money, or education or anything else. It was about character. What Jim did, how he behaved, reflected on Jim, and on his family, and his family’s name. Jim had a responsibility to bear the Lowry name with honor (Chakoian, Christine, “Baptism of the Lord,” The Christian Century, January 2026, p. 27).

As a Christian, I believe God’s words through Isaiah were meant to describe who Jesus was as God’s chosen one. And I believe Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s words with honor when God said, “Here is my servant. My spirit is on him. He will bring forth justice to the nations.”

And when God spoke to the Anointed One saying, “I have called you in righteousness… to be a light to the nations, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners who sit in darkness,” I believe God spoke of Jesus and Jesus did those words honor.

So, it was no accident that Jesus chose the passage from Isaiah 61 when he read scripture in Nazareth which said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because God has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. God has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4: 18-19).

So, as Jesus grew into his public ministry, I believe God named and claimed him which was demonstrated in his baptism. He started his ministry with his identity given to him by the Spirit—“This is my Son, the Beloved.”

Of course, by now you can guess that when we combine that we are chosen by God to receive God’s life and spirit with the revelation that Jesus is God’s Son, the Beloved, it becomes a part of our faith journey as followers of Christ, to live out with honor the continuation and extension of Jesus’ ministry by being God’s light to others. Of bringing forth justice. Of opening the eyes of those without insight. Of freeing prisoners from oppressive chains. But it is so challenging!

With Mom being with us for the last three weeks, I heard many of her colloquialisms. One thing she said, frequently, in response to rowdy or fussy great-grandchildren, was a quote from one of her ancestors who said, “Someday you children will grow up, but in the meantime, it’s very trying!”

Which sadly, seems to capture what I’m feeling today. I often feel like there are too many in our society who are like children who haven’t grown up. Someday, maybe they will grow up, but in the meantime, it’s very trying! Right now, too many are missing the boat! I think. Whether it’s people behaving badly in front of law enforcement, or politicians and dictators abusing power and privilege, bombing other countries, or kidnapping leaders, without compassion destroying the already bruised reed and laughing about it. Quenching the already dimly burning wick, whether it’s a person who was detained illegally, or shot and killed by ICE without provocation, or deported without evidence… whatever. What is happening in our nation? When will our people grow up? Way too much bad behavior is becoming normalized. I think.

So, what do you want to be when you grow up? Someday, when we grow up, maybe we will treat everyone as chosen by God to receive God’s breath of life and love and grace and spirit. And we will see that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Beloved. And as his followers, we will extend what he was about, doing honor to fulfill our call as Christians. Followers of Christ. In relationship with our holy God. Declaring new things to come. May it be so. May God help us. Amen.

See the Light

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 18:25:01 GMT

A sermon about choosing God's light in our lives.

Ephesians 1: 3-14 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

John 1: 6-18 January 4, 2026

“He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.”

Prayer: May your light so shine in our hearts, O God, so that we may choose you and be your children, enlightening others. Amen.

I love Christmas. It’s my favorite time of the year. I love Christmas Eve worship. I love standing in the dark sanctuary staring at the one Christ candle aglow in the Advent wreath. I love inviting every one of us to focus on that one candle. To see its light. To know that amazingly, no matter how deep the darkness, no matter how inky black the night can get, that one light, pierces the darkness.

As a metaphor about God’s love, it’s a pretty spectacular one; perhaps there is none greater. Because God’s love can pierce whatever darkness we may have in our lives. God’s presence can dispel whatever hopelessness and fear we may experience like the way a drop of good dish detergent can dispel grease in greasy water. Ever see that happen? Drop. Whoosh.

This is the work of God. God sends the One light into our world so that everyone may have God’s light. The One light is Christ, and everyone, no matter who you are or what you are, or where you are, everyone can have God’s light which dispels darkness. Which means God sent Christ into the world so that God’s wisdom can be incorporated into the wisdom people have. So that God’s insightfulness can be fused into our insights. So that God’s love and grace can be embedded into our ability to love and grace others.

But it means you and I have to be willing to live as redeemed, forgiven people, with God’s wisdom and insight apart of us, loved and graced by God. We have to want to receive God’s spiritual blessings.

Because I believe that while God sent Christ for the entire world—to the Jew, Muslim, Christian, atheist, agnostic, pagans, tree worshipers, prevaricating politicians, good civic leaders, Christian nationalists, Christian progressives—all of us, and while God makes all these blessings available to everyone, God still gives us the ability to choose to receive these blessings or not. We have to want to choose the light of Christ. On our own, choose God’s light. God will not make this choice for us.

The gospel of John tells us that some chose not to accept God’s gift of Christ. But to those who did, those who did see the light and received it by believing, God makes them children of God. Which means renouncing the ways of darkness and living in the light.

All the Star Wars movies were being run again. And this theme of choosing the Force runs through all the movies, which also implies renouncing the dark side of the Force. Notably, one of the Storm Troopers from the First Order chooses to defect when he sees the First Order’s brutality. As a trooper he was FN 2187. After he defects, he becomes Finn, a resistance fighter against the First Order who eventually helps restore peace in the galaxy.

In scripture, Moses chose to renounce being an Egyptian Prince when he sees Pharaoh’s brutality against the Hebrews. And he becomes the great liberator of the Hebrew people taking them out of Egypt’s slavery.

Later Joshua tells the people to choose on this day whom they will serve, inviting them to renounce serving false gods. And Joshua takes the people into the promised land.

Saul had to renounce being the hired assassin commissioned by the high priests to kill any Christians. And he becomes Paul, the greatest missionary spreading true good news that Christ is God’s light come for the world.

Jesus himself asked his disciples “Who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” Which means you are the light which God sent into the world.

And that’s a question for each of us. Who do you say Jesus is? Is he God’s light coming into the world, or not? We get to choose. Is he the Son of God who is close to God’s heart? We get to accept him or reject him in that way. To see him as God’s light, or not.

But whether you choose the light of Christ or not doesn’t nullify God’s work in him. God’s work is still done through Christ. It’s like saying that gravity doesn’t exist. Or believing that the world is flat. Well, it doesn’t matter if you think gravity doesn’t exist, or if you believe that the world is flat. Gravity still exists and the world still is round.

So, not believing doesn’t change anything about God’s work. But by believing, by receiving, by accepting, by seeing the light, our understandings increase. Our faith grows. Our lives have deeper meaning. Hope in God strengthens. And we can live in God’s light even when darkness is all around.

Now that I am “Bapu” to my grandkids, which in Hindi means “revered father,” I get a chance to watch some children’s videos on YouTube and such. And one children’s educator named Ms. Rachel. Ms. Rachel became famous for her YouTube videos, walked the red carpet at Glamour’s 2025 Women of the Year Awards wearing an upcycled dress embroidered with a variety of cartoon images, all based on art from children in Gaza. The drawings ranged from a dove covered in flowers to a young girl hugging a large watermelon. Glamour magazine honored Ms. Rachel for her activism, including her advocacy for children suffering in the Gaza war. She said, “My love and care for children doesn’t stop at my own children, and I don’t think that our love should end at religion or skin color or where people are born” (Harper’s Bazaar, November 5).

Now that’s what I’m talking about. Choosing Christ, seeing Christ as God’s light means knowing that love doesn’t stop where we might stop. It doesn’t end at our own affinities. It does not end at blood relatives. It’s not just for those who do good. Love does not end where we think it should, Because God’s love goes well beyond where we might go.

When we see the light of Christ, and choose it, we become powerhouses as children of God. Powerhouses of God’s healing and grace, God’s love and mercy, God’s forgiveness and kindness. God’s wisdom and insights. And we get glimpses of the glory of God. No one has ever seen God, but when we see God’s light, we become children of God. When we choose God’s love, we become living examples of people aligned with God’s vision for the world. For the new year. For our church. For the way ahead as God’s own people, to the praise of God’s glory. Amen.

A sermon about letting the salvation of God which arrives with Jesus’ birth change us.

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:46:22 GMT

A sermon about letting the salvation of God which arrives with Jesus’ birth change us.

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A sermon about listening deeply through the messages we hear to God’s good news in Jesus’ birth.

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:39:24 GMT

A sermon about listening deeply through the messages we hear to God’s good news in Jesus’ birth.

Luke 2: 1-20 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Matthew 1: 18-25 December 24, 2025

Christmas Eve 7:00 p.m.

“But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream...”

Prayer: We are listening, Lord. Please tell us of your birth in our lives. Amen.

In the United Church of Christ, we love our catch phrases, and one of them is “God is Stillspeaking,” And when we’ve said that, sometimes you’ll hear the tag line afterwards, “Are we still listening?” Which is a good question to ask, I think, because there are so many voices, and noises, and sounds in our world that overwhelm God’s voice. And it takes a fairly good amount of effort to listen through all the noise to discern what God might be saying.

It’s kind of like the tinnitus condition I’ve had ever since I was a kid. There’s a constant ringing in my ears that is 2-toned, and very high pitched—like off the piano keyboard high-pitched. My right ear is slightly higher in pitch and more piercing than my left, so the ringing in my right ear’s more dominant. And if I’m in silence, OMG! The ringing is unbelievably loud!

But I’ve learned how to live with this condition. I’ve learned to discriminate the ringing from actual sounds. Basically, when I hear real sounds, I’ve learned to listen more deeply and ignore the high-pitched ringing in my ears. Now Barb might say something different about me listening more deeply, but that’s a whole ’nother subject! But, when I do listen through the ringing, it’s almost like the ringing in my ears isn’t there anymore. But as soon as I focus on it, I hear it. ’Cause the ringing’s always there.

This made me think that Advent gives us the chance to listen through all the noise to discern what God might be saying. Listening deeply through the noise is one of those things I think we can do to get things ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus tonight and tomorrow.

Joseph had to listen deeply through all the noise. What noise? You ask? He heard they laid Hebrew laws that said because teenaged Mary was pregnant before she was married, she committed adultery, and she was to be condemned. Perhaps he heard the loud judgmental voices of his community wanting Mary to be put shame for perceived infidelity. Because you know, we humans love to make perception our reality, often without evidence, which we see a lot of today, it seems. Maybe he even heard the noisy concerns for his own reputation among his peers.

But I think Joseph, a righteous, faithful man, a spiritual man, had to listen through all that noise, and get to the deeper truth. Because while he was a man who understood the biblical law, he also I believe, understood God as a God of goodness and love. And maybe he understood that God’s law was there to help people live out that goodness and love and not be condemning. So, after deliberation, Joseph resolved to quietly divorce Mary without the public shame of a trial for adultery. That was the best, most gracious option he could hope for and keep integrity in a bad situation.

But then something incredible happened! Did you catch that? Joseph went to sleep! Because you know, sometimes when you have a big decision to make you say, “Let me sleep on it…” Which means to take some time before enacting a decision. To think and pray and feel what’s the right thing to do. To listen deeply. And when Joseph did that, God’s angel spoke to him in a dream.

And the physical, mental, emotional, and the spiritual elements of his life all kind of came into alignment, and he awoke in a completely different place of thinking. He awoke trusting in the Lord with all his heart. He awoke not relying on his own insight (Proverbs 3: 5). He awoke willing to surrender his own plans to divorce Mary and, for the good of others’ salvation, he was willing to embark on God’s plan, a new direction in his life. A direction that acknowledged God and God’s ways.

I commend Joseph. Because he had to discriminate against all the noisy messages pounding in his heart and mind and listen through all that noise to discern the meaning of Mary’s pregnancy.

That is my prayer for all of us tonight as we celebrate our Savior’s birth. That we deliberately align our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual lives so as to discriminate against all the noise we hear in our lives. That we remember that our perceptions aren’t necessarily our total reality, and that we listen deeply to the holy messages God wants us to hear: That our Savior is born. That God is with us. That we are loved. That we can have a new life.

So, this Christmas, remember that God is Stillspeaking, that God spoke through prophets, and also through Jesus, God’s son. And God continues to speak to us, through the noise, which is there all the time. But God’s message to us and to the entire world is that Christ, our Savior is born. Christ our Savior is born. For all. Thanks be to God! Merry Christmas! Amen.

May the Lord be with you.

Christmas Prayers and the Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And do not let us fall into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever! Amen.

A sermon about seeing the differences between earthly realm and God’s realm.

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 20:16:22 GMT

A sermon about seeing the differences between earthly realm and God’s realm.

James 5: 7-11 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Matthew 11: 2-11 December 14, 2025

“Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.”

Prayer: Holy, Ancient One, may the lessons of these texts be a part of what it means for us to get things ready for you once again this Advent season. Amen.

My Facebook page has all these stereograms showing up. Yours? I must have clicked on one, and now they’re on my Facebook feed all the time. A few years ago, I showed one to you as part of my sermon, and given my sermon title this morning, “Look in the Right Places,” I thought I’d show you one again. This one is a Christmas one. Now the key to seeing the 3D object is to relax, don’t look at the picture, but look through it. Then wait for it. Wait for it… A 3D image usually pops into view.

Did it work? Anyone see the image? Anyone see an image of a Christmas tree and some dogs playing around it? [see if anyone can see the image.]

Sometimes 3D images come easily, others not so much. Well, this season of Advent we’re getting things ready for Christmas, which means that we’re getting ready to celebrate the beginning of God’s new covenantal realm on earth, starting with the birth of Jesus. So, one of the things I think we can do to get things ready is to look for God’s realm popping into view.

But do we know where to look? Are we looking in the right places? Are we relaxed enough? Looking through some stuff? Sometimes we see God’s realm easily, and other times, it doesn’t come clear.

The thing that struck me though, is that every year at Christmas time, every Advent, we start talking about the arrival of God’s realm. We try to focus on this arrival, fit it into our schedules and our calendars. It’s amazing how linear we make it. How chronological. I mean every Advent in December; we put up our decorations. We go see the lights on houses. We take train rides with the kids and grandkids. We sing Christmas carols. Every Christmas, in late December and into the New Year, we celebrate the holidays with family, friends, football and movies. It all follows nicely in a line.

Even our “We’re Getting Things Ready…” theme has a chronological feel to it. I mean the first Sunday, we’re getting things ready by cleaning out. Last Sunday, we heard about repenting and bearing good fruit. Today, we’re getting things ready by looking in the right places for God’s realm to arrive.

But the thing is God’s realm is ALWAYS arriving. Not just in December. It is not so much linear and chronological. God’s realm is much more, I think, spiritual and transcendent. It pays no attention to our time frames, our expectations, our chronologies. God’s realm has a non-linear, dynamic quality about it. It’s unmeasurable, unpredictable. It shows up in real time and makes an impact on us.

And all that was speaking to me this past week. The divine Presence, which is always breaking into our world, invites us to get things ready by seeing where God’s new covenantal realm is taking place. Where it can be both real and disruptive. Where it calls us to look in certain places and not others.

So, what stood out for me is that John the Baptist was preaching, baptizing, gaining converts, telling people to repent because the kingdom of heaven was near. But that message was in direct opposition to the kingdom (or empire) of Rome, which already was at hand. And of course, the message calling for opposition to the Roman Empire, landed John in jail. You can’t be critical of the empire, or sound like you’re opposing it, and expect to get away unscathed!

But many, many people in John and Jesus’ day wanted the overthrow of the oppressive, vindictive, controlling Roman Empire. Many believed that the interpretation of the prophet’s words from ancient days meant that God would do this amazing power shift. And the Messiah (or the Christ) would come, overthrow Rome, establish God’s new kingdom on earth with the Christ as its new king!

So, John, sensing that the kingdom of heaven was at hand, looks to Jesus and asks, “Are you the one? Are you the Messiah, the one we’ve been patiently waiting for, or should we keep on waiting for another?” The kingdom John wanted was in a linear construct. He saw it as the next in line on earth.

But the kingdom of heaven Jesus wants is not linear or chronological. His was spiritual. It’s a new covenant where metaphorically, the blind can see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, the sick healed, the dead raised, and the poor get good news.

John the Baptist’s kingdom was mostly linear. Here on earth. Finite. It ends. Jesus wanted God’s "kindom", also here on earth and in heaven, but it’s spiritual and transcendent. Infinite. There is no end.

So, I think we can compare and contrast a little. I hope this chart helps. Not only do kingdoms become "kindoms", but typical earthly realms are based on a love of power, ruling and controlling people. God’s transcendent covenantal "kindom" is based on the power of love and empowers people by sharing leadership gifts.

In earthly realms, marginalized people lose recognition and rights. In God’s realm, they’re recognized, accepted, and welcomed as part of the community. In earthly realms justice is getting revenge, getting even. In God’s realm, justice is fairness and equality for all.

In earthly realms, peace is the absence of war and acquired by showing strength and making threats. In God’s realm peace is acquired by faith and a desire for everyone’s well-being and taking steps to ensure the safety of all people planetwide.

In earthly realms swords are used for war and violence. In God’s realm, swords are turned into plowshares and spears are turned into pruning hooks.

In our earthly realm, the meaning of Christ’s birth is ever-lessening and getting lost in secularism. The commercial Christmas. In God’s realm the meaning of Christ’s birth is ever-deepening providing life-long faith growth. Obviously, I could go on, but you get the point.

So, if we’re getting things ready, and we want to look in the right place for God’s realm, look on the spiritual, transcendent side of the chart. Look for the places where the birth of Christ means that God’s realm can touch someone’s life and make it new.

I think that means look into people’s lives where the good news of God can make a difference. Look for someone whose life is need of the power of love. Do you know someone who is crying out for love? Christmas is for them. Look for someone on our prayer list patiently waiting for a medical condition to lighten up or the next steps in treatment.

Look for someone in a toxic work environment, or someone waiting patiently for a promotion or job change. While enduring toxicity. The kindom of God has come for them. Look for someone who is standing in the food line waiting for their next meal. Look to see where the good news of God’s spiritual realm, which is always arriving, can make a difference. Where light needs to shine. The kindom of God has come for them. Christ is born for them.

Look in the right places, and you will find something priceless, something more valuable, more meaningful, more life-giving than anything you can imagine.

It’s like that extraordinary moment in September 2024, in Camden, ME when an estate sale took place for the belongings of an elderly woman. And believe it or not, an original Rembrandt painting, “Portrait of a Girl” was found in her attic. It sold for $1.4 million dollars.

Friends, God’s realm is incarnated at every level of life. Let’s look in the right places for it. God’s good news of the kindom becoming real happens because Christ’s birth happens. It speaks of having hope when hope seems hopeless.

And the amazing thing is, as we get things ready by looking in the right places, guess what? We’ll find out that God is looking for us! Giving us what our souls truly long for. That’s the beauty of Christ’s birth. It’s the start of God’s new covenantal realm becoming our reality.

It comes in real time. We don’t have to wait for it. Jesus is the One we’re waiting for… what the world’s waiting for. It is now becoming clear. So, let’s celebrate! Amen.

Advent calendars, repentance, and producing good things.

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:01:14 GMT

A sermon about Advent calendars, repentance, and producing good things.

Romans 15: 4-13 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Matthew 3: 1-12 December 7, 2025

“Bear fruit worthy of repentance.”

Prayer: O God of Advent, please help us get ready for you to arrive in our lives at any time. Amen.

Yesterday, was the Elizabethtown Holiday Parade. Thanks to our Marketing and Evangelism Team took who had the task of preparing our float. They designed it based on the assigned theme of ‘holiday traditions’ and included Christmas caroling and our tradition of lighting Advent candles.

There’s another holiday tradition that intrigues me. Do you remember doing Advent calendars? Back in the day, we used to open the little door to whatever day it was, and see part of the Jesus nativity story, and we got a piece of chocolate! Memba that?

Nowadays, you can find Advent calendars with the nativity story and chocolate, but there are all kinds of Advent calendars. There are some with toys for the kids. There are some with different kinds of beauty creams. Last year a good friend and I enjoyed a whisky Advent calendar, with different types of whisky. And, I read that Trader Joes even sells an Advent calendar for dogs! With doggy treats!

I guess I’m intrigued because Advent these days is made out to be fun with toys and sweet with candy. Our culture uses Advent to sedate us with sweet treats and smooth skin, enjoyable spirits, and satiated dogs as we count down the days before Christmas.

But when our reading from Matthew has John the Baptist as a wild and crazy man shouting out “Repent!” and “You brood of vipers!” Advent is anything but sweet and sedate. John spotted the Pharisees and Sadducees coming a mile away. Not because they wanted to change lifestyles! And he saw that they came out because it was trendy. And, maybe because they thought they were favored by God and got extra credit or something. But, John has nothing to do with that! He sees right through them and shakes them up!

See, I think Advent is a time that can really shake things up. It calls us to move away from the trendy. It can get things ready for the coming of God’s realm by first cleaning out the junk (from last Sunday), and then engaging in repentance. I know. Not crazy and quiet time.

I remind us that to repent means to turn around. And come to God and to embrace God’s ways. It means turning away from anything that harms our spiritual life with God, our neighbors, or ourselves. It does NOT mean ‘stop being bad and start being good or else God will kick you to the curb.’ No, that’s not repentance. That sounds more like a threat to me instead of good news.

To repent is to change one’s heart and mind. To discipline ourselves to recognize what is detrimental to God’s values. And then, stand firm with God. I wish people could repent from getting sucked into what is trendy in our political and religious circle society these days, which is the mentality, “If you don’t agree with me, you’re my enemy.” Repentance means turning away from religious bullying toward others as role modeled by some of our national leaders’ writings and rhetoric. I mean it’s really sad, I think, that we’re living through a time when political and evangelical leaders integrate militant language into their understanding of Christianity, label those who disagree as needing to be crushed, and then calling that righteousness, and list the brutality of the medieval Crusades as a righteous example!

Repentance turns us away from that. Repentance calls us to be better than that. Repentance points us to embrace new thoughts. New considerations that lead us toward God’s vision becoming our reality.

It’s the vision that Isaiah had, that John the Baptist had, that Jesus had, that Paul had. It’s the dream of God’s extravagant welcome and inclusivity. This vision has pluralism in it, where Christ is God’s gift for the Jew and non-Jew. Where God’s righteousness and peace flow through everything. And we’re influenced by God’s steadfast love. We strive to live in harmony with each other. Live with diversity, equity, and inclusion, and justice. That’s the vision, and everyone is welcome to share the deep joy that comes with God’s realm. That’s the good news God has for the world at Jesus’ birth.

How do we get to that joy? How do we help the vision become real? John the Baptist shouts out: “Bear fruit worthy of repentance.” I wrestled with the meaning of that phrase this week. I think it means that repentance is a good thing—so let’s make repentance worth our while. It’s spiritually disciplining ourselves to align with God’s values, to do good for others, and strive for more of that good growth. It’s changing hearts and minds to produce more goodness, and that goodness justifies the spiritual repentance.

So the sometimes difficult act of turning away from the negative stuff, or the misguided stuff? When the result is a new peace within, or a new sense of value for others, or new ideas on what can become traditional, repentance becomes worth the effort. That’s what I think this phrase means. Bear fruits that are worthy of the task of repentance.

An easy example I think is the trend of hanging up the tree ornament or slapping on the bumper sticker that says, “Keep Christ in Christmas” and calling it a day. Of course, “Keep Christ in Christmas” is intended to be the Christian’s response to the commercial Christmas. Which sounds good and all.

But what good does it do if we simply go along with the cultural trend, say we’re keeping Christ in Christmas, and not let the realm of God that Christ brings shape our values? Create a transformation within us?

A more tricky example might be to discern how we are role models of God’s ways for others. Which means our actions which often reflect our inner spirit can produce either good fruit in others or not so good fruit in others. I mean there’s no question that there’s good and bad fruit.

Barb and I have eight grandchildren, and three of those families have two or more kids. I can’t tell you how many times the oldest boy does something, and the second child does, it or tries to do exactly the same thing. Now, when that is a good thing, it’s like bearing good fruit. But, when it’s not a good thing, the duplication is like bearing not so good fruit. So I, Bapu, [that’s my name my grandkids call me] have said to the oldest boys on several occasions, “Now your sister or your brother is watching you, following you. So when you do good things, your sister will do good things, but if you do bad things, she will do the same bad thing. So do the good thing so she can learn from you.” Sometimes the oldest one listens and does the good thing, producing good fruit… and sometimes… not so much. It’s all a work in progress.

And of course, all of us are works in progress, aren’t we? All of us have wheat in us and chaff in us. All of us have good fruit which produces more good, and we have the not so good that produces not so good fruit.

But, our wild and crazy brother John the Baptist tells us that while he baptizes with water for repentance, Jesus is coming and will baptize with the Holy Spirit. And John says that Jesus will keep what is the good fruit in us and winnow out our bad fruit, our regrets, our missteps, our mistakes, our sins.

So, Jesus will create a new way, a new transformation that can produce a fresh good fruit for us that John’s baptism can never produce. So, repent, and bear good fruit, friends. That’s much more than a holiday tradition. That’s a way of life, for every day. Amen.

"Celebrate All the Bounty"

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 21:46:20 GMT

"Celebrate All the Bounty"

Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service

John 6: 25-35 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Deut. 26: 1-11 November 26, 2025

“Then you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house.”

Happy Thanksgiving! It’s a joy and an honor to be here. Thank you.

Prayer: O holy God, you are Lord of the planting, growing, and the harvest. Will you please speak to our hearts as we praise you, thank you, and let your word impact our lives. We pray in the name of Christ Jesus, who is the Lord of the harvest. Amen.

Tomorrow’s a big day, isn’t it? How many of you love this holiday the best of all? [raise hands] Several hands. How many of you are going to watch football? Yep, me too. How many of you are going to eat yourself silly? Me, too. No doubt.

If you’re cooking, you get to smell all the wonderful smells from the foods being prepared. If you’re going to someone’s home, when you walk in, ah, all those wonderful smells!

The best smell of all is the smell of bread, I think. Fresh bread from the oven. My son loves baking bread, and every Thanksgiving, he brings bread right from the Dutch oven pot. And there’s other kinds of breads, too… if you have stuffing, it’s all bread cubes. Or croutons on your salad. If you have pies, pie crusts are basically bread. Some crusts top and bottom. Apple pie. Pumpkin pie. Ah…. Salivating yet?

It’s good to salivate a little. It’s good to get ourselves ready to celebrate a little. We are privileged to have food for our bodies. Let’s celebrate that bounty tonight and tomorrow.

Jesus teaches, however, that on the spiritual journey, it’s not salivating for worldly bread that’s important. He wants us to salivate for God. He wants us to crave God. Jesus wants us to believe that he is the One whom God sends. The one who is the bread of life, who is the true bread from heaven. The one who gives life to the world. He wants us, I believe, to desire the spiritual food that endures for eternal life, which is God’s realm, right here and now. Because we know that all other all other worldly food for the body will fail spiritually.

So, I know sometimes it’s a challenge for us to distinguish between craving Jesus and God when our humanity makes it so easy to crave worldly things. I mean Jesus saw right through the crowd when they were searching for him. He was like, “I know why you are searching for me. It’s because your bellies got full when you and thousands of others got fed from just from a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish!” You’re not searching for me because you saw a work of God!

And he goes on to teach them that back in the day of the ancient Israelites, it was not Moses who gave them bread, the manna from heaven, it was God. And God provided for them with worldly food that filled their bellies, sustaining them in the wilderness.

They all knew that story. The story of Moses, the Great Liberator of the Israelite people. Those who knew the Jacob and Joseph story, who led them from the bondage of Egyptian slavery, who stood on the precipice of eternity and the promised land of abundant resources, and gave them instructions to give God the first offering of this new land. It was to be an offering of worldly fruits of the ground, fruit that would be grown and harvested, fruits that contain seeds to grow new plants and produce new fruit.

And then, did you notice this? That all the Israelites AND the “aliens” were to celebrate together! Because it was God who gave all the bounty to everyone.

So I did some research—the “aliens” among them probably refers to all the non-Israelites, foreigners, probably some Egyptians, probably others who believed in idols and false gods, probably some pagans—those were the “aliens” living among the Israelites. They were a mixed bag! And God told them to celebrate together.

And to be honest, that really got my attention this past week as I prepared this sermon. Because in our mixed bag of people of faith, of who we are as people in our community of Elizabethtown, each of us can affirm that God is the one who gives new life to the world. And Jesus is the One whom God gives to the world as the bread of life. Bread that never runs out. Bread that satisfies all spiritual hunger, all spiritual thirst. Jesus, the living bread, the Christ, gives life to the world.

So, people of God, people of this mixed bag living in Elizabethtown, and I know you know this, but it’s worth repeating—especially on Thanksgiving Eve—Christ is our huge bounty. From God. Christ is God’s huge spiritual bounty given for the world. The spiritual gift from God is for everyone. The entire mixed bag of us! God works Christ into our lives. Let’s thank God for that. Let’s celebrate that!

And then, let’s work out what God works into us. Because I think we’re on the precipice of something really important here. I mean we’re past the elections. We’re past the first school board meeting since the elections. We’re past the first Borough Council meetings since the elections.

And all the worldly bounty we have—whether it’s the goodness of our town and its people, or our great land with its abundant resources, or our privilege, or our government which is intended to be of the people, by the people, for the people—all this bounty we have I think is fruit, filled with seeds that can very possibly produce more good fruit. If we work it out.

What if we combine those worldly fruits within our community with the spiritual fruits that God works into us? And we know God works Christ into us what the fruits of the Spirit are from Galatians 5—gifts that are God-centered: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control… what if we combine just one tenth of the fruits of the Spirit that God works in with our worldly fruits of God’s bounty? What do you think might happen?

I think that could make us a shining community on the hill. A community that shows a mixed bag of God’s people working together. A community that views differences not as obstacles but as opportunities for the Holy Spirit to create something new, something more in us. More bounty to share.

This new growth that can come from working together and celebrating our differences, I think is the bounty that we are invited to celebrate this year.

So, tonight and tomorrow, we give an offering of thanks and praise to God for all the bounty we have.

But it’s the next days, the days after that I think God encourages us to live into. Live into God’s bountiful gift of Christ—when you’re shopping for gifts on Black Friday. Live into God’s gifts of Christ’s Spirit—on Saturday, when you’re putting up your tree, the day before Advent begins. Live into the Advent season on Sunday—as we begin again to prepare for the birth of Christ, God’s great gift of life-giving bread for the world. Living into God’s bounty is not a test of faith. Living into what God has worked into us IS faith.

It mirrors God’s faithfulness because God gives us the bounty of Christ. The presence of God in all our circumstances. Can you see how faithful God is? Great is God’s faithfulness. Morning by morning new mercies we see. All we need, God provides. Great is God’s faithfulness. Let us stand and sing. Amen.

A sermon about preparing for Christ’s birth by first doing some spiritual clean up on the journey.

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 21:35:22 GMT

A sermon about preparing for Christ’s birth by first doing some spiritual clean up on the journey.

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Standing Firm, Holding Fast

Sun, 09 Nov 2025 16:41:07 GMT

A sermon about AI, elections, and holding fast to what the gospel teaches

Luke 20: 27-38 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

2 Thess. 2: 1-5, 13-17 November 9, 2025

“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.”

Prayer: Holy God, please grant us courage in the struggle for justice and peace, and your presence in trial and rejoicing. In Christ we pray, Amen.

I was talking with some folks about AI recently. Of course, you knew that as AI becomes more and more a part of our lives, I would say something about it. One person said quite frankly, “AI is going to make us stupid.” And I get what he means. Because AI can keep us from using our brains. One person said that he heard a person read a beautifully crafted poem that fit an occasion perfectly. But then, he found out that ChatGPT wrote the poem. And all of a sudden, the poem felt hollow. No brain power used.

The third person asked me if I ever used AI to help write my sermons. I shot back faster than a millisecond, “No! Never!” And he said, “Why not?” I said that it felt a little like cheating. And he said, “Cheating? Naaaahhh. It’s just another tool.” He said, “You know, like in your workshop. There’s a time and a place for hand tools, and then there’s a time a place for power tools. AI is a power tool. Just tell Gemini you want an example of this idea, or that situation, and under a second, you have thousands of what you’re looking for.” Hmm… maybe I’ll use AI.

Perhaps though a bigger concern with AI is that sometimes you don’t know what is real and what isn’t. What is fake and what’s not. I mean I watched a woman news reporter telling us all about AI and how its shaping the way of the future. What’s good and bad about it. And it turns out, she was AI generated! Couldn’t tell. Barb looked at me and said, “That is scary.”

Back in Paul’s day, they didn’t have AI, but they did have false teachers. Some people misunderstood Paul’s words and were sure that Jesus was coming back very soon. Some even stopped working and were just waiting for Christ’s return!

In fact, both 1 and 2 Thessalonians deal extensively with these false teachings about Christ’s return. It was all fake news, said Paul. Don’t buy into the scams. Don’t freak out. Don’t get deceived as if those words came from us. They did not. Besides, Paul believed a bunch of things will happen before Christ’s return.

But when Christ comes again is not the most important thing. What is most important and what Paul does want them to hang on to is this: That, by listening to and believing the truth of the good news that God chose to give people the gift of saving grace, everyone can know new life in Christ.

And, that by believing that God wills for people to know that they are made holy (sanctified) by the Spirit, everyone could obtain the glory of Christ, which is the new life that Christ obtained. Paul says, that’s what we’ve taught you in words and in letters. Stand firm in that tradition. Hold fast to that. No matter what.

This is what I’ve been thinking about this past week. These two truths I believe are vital for us to stand firm and hold fast to as well. Because if God intends for everyone to know new life, and to be made holy, then everyone can share in the qualities of this holy, new life. Qualities like welcome, acceptance, justice, fairness, kindness, tolerance, patience, love! You know… all the fruits of the spirit.

I communicated with both of our church members who were candidates in this year’s local elections. While both were defeated, I think during their campaigns, each stood firm and held fast to the values and qualities that our faith calls us to hold on to. Both were a voice for the well-being of our children and our community. And in the final results, I think both, along with their running mates, made a difference in increasing awareness, planting the seeds of God-qualities, and being an instrument that God could use. I commend them. And, there’s still more work to be done.

I guess I want all of us to feel and understand this—that our faith journeys are not just a matter of saying yes to living in God’s grace, of letting God make us holy, of sharing the fruits of the spirit. Our journeys are also a matter of us saying no, too. Putting up some resistance to what I think our faith calls us to understand are false and/or misleading teachings or messages offered by the loudest voices in our world. It’s a matter of standing firm and holding fast to what Jesus teaches, what God advocates, and what God loves.

So, I’ve been thinking about some of the world’s loudest messages and about our faith messages. Let me throw some out here, and some faith counterpoints to hang on to, and you can think and pray about these.

¨ Easy one first. November is here. There’s a chill in the air. The leaves are falling one by one. Trees and shrubs are going into barebones existence. The wind is howling bringing on the onset of winter’s dormancy with longer and darker nights. Feels like death, right?

Stand firm and hold fast to our faith. Just remember that where we see death, God sees life. God says death no longer has a hold on us. That death has no victory here. Our faith says dry bones can live. Death loses its sting when we know death is a part of life. It’s actually a birth. This is across the board.

¨ Which leads me to the point of the gospel reading today. Like the Sadducees in Jesus’ day, there are some in our day who say that there is no resurrection. That once our bodies die, it’s like unplugging the lamp. It just goes out. There is no more. Full stop. Total blackness. The end.

But be resilient against that idea. Stand firm. Hold fast to your faith. Just remember what Jesus taught—this is the counterpoint—that God is a God of the living, not of the dead. Which means that God remains in relationship with the living, even though our bodies die. Our identity as people of God stems from God’s divine kinship with us and not on our kinship with others or what we’ve done in this life. It’s all about God’s grace and the living power of God.

¨ And speaking of God’s divine kinship with us, there are those who say that you and I are just human beings. Flesh and blood. Water and cells. Nothing more. There is no trace of the Divine spark in any of us.

OK, let’s knock that false narrative off right now. Stand firm. Hold fast. Just remember that Christ became a human being so that we could have his Divinity. That when you look into the face of another person, you are really seeing the Divine spark in that person. And that person can see the Divine spark in you. It’s called being made in the image of God. It’s also called Namaste. The Holy Spirit of God in me, sees the Holy Spirit of God in you. And we are always learning and needing to learn more of what this means in our lives. Learning how to see and treat others. Remember the movie Avatar. One of the best lines in that movie is, “I see you.” Not physically looking at you, but I see who you are, I see you, your inner spirit, I see you and understand where you are.

¨ Last one… Of course, we hear the false and misleading messages that empathy is a made-up word. That treating others with empathy and compassion are signs of weakness.

Refuse to go along with these false messages. Stand firm, hold fast to your faith which says that having empathy and compassion is a way of emulating God having empathy and compassion for us. Just remember having empathy and compassion are actually modeling resurrection power—bringing possible new life, as best as we can, by acting to alleviate the suffering of the poor, marginalized, and the exploited. It’s expressing divine holy love which can start something new in someone’s heart and life.

And there are many other messages we hear which we need to defy because we are people of faith. Do not be deceived by these messages people of the world speak. The gospel can put them to shame and to death. So stand firm in the faith of our ancestors. Hold fast to the teachings of Jesus. In death. In life. Because God is our God. And God is the God of the living.

So let us be valiant in following our God. Let us live as people of faith, standing firm. Holding fast in our journeys, as pilgrims. Let us stand and sing. Amen.

God using the most unlikely of us to share holy love.

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 18:47:10 GMT

"Gifts From Unlikely Places"

A sermon about God using the most unlikely of us to share holy love.

Isaiah 1: 10-18 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Luke 19: 1-10 November 2, 2025

“Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.”

Prayer: Please come into our hearts, O God, so that we may we be the ones to share your gifts. Amen.

I love “Christmas in November” Sunday. It never fails to blow me away about how the gifts keep coming and coming. Wasn’t that great? All the kids! The gifts! So, permit me to toot our own horn a little… because I’d never heard of “Christmas in November” until I came here to Christ Church. And over the years, this project simply has touched my heart. I’m so glad to be a part of such a wonderful outreach endeavor. Thank you to all of you who contributed to this project.

I don’t know who ever came up with the idea, but kudos to that person or that group of people. Because the project itself is thinking large. It gives us a chance to go big, to be a part of a larger vision. To help many people all at once. This year it’s the residents at Our Home of Hope. Last year it was helping to help supply Pennsylvania Furniture Mission. The year before that was Habitat for Humanity. Next year it will be another place where there is need.

Now, some would say, “Well, you’re church people. You’re supposed to help the needy. Give to the poor. Do good. And all that.” And they would be right. Charitable giving is most likely to come from church people. People who understand that God desires to use us by tending to those in need. To seek justice. To rescue the oppressed. Defend the orphan as Isaish says. Plead for the widow. God as a soft heart for anyone in need.

But what stood out for me this week from the Zaccheus story was how he was perhaps the most unlikely person to be helping someone else. How it seemed totally implausible for Zaccheus to give half of his possessions to the poor. How paying someone back four times as much as he ripped off that person would blow people away. I mean I think they’d be like, What? Zaccheus, you mean the rich guy whose fortune was acquired by exploiting the poor and profiting even during the government shutdown? The chief tax collector who’s an agent for the Roman Empire’s IRS and skimmed off the top of other’s people’s income taxes? That Zacchaeus is giving away half his possessions? That Zacchaeus is paying people back? I think I’d be like to Zacchaeus, who are you? And what have you done with the real Zacchaeus? So obviously, something happened to Zacchaeus. Well, I’ll tell you what happened. He encountered God in human form, that’s what happened. Zacchaeus, whose small physical stature I think metaphorically reflects his small spiritual stature, encountered Jesus whose spiritual stature was large.

Such a large spiritual statue, a spiritual capacity allows Jesus to have a big soul. To think big. To see with a wide berth. It allows for Jesus to be inclusive, to see and welcome those who are deemed as lost by the rest of the world. To be broad-minded with grace to those who are frowned upon by the rest of society.

So, I think Jesus’ large soul, his large spiritual stature allowed him to see Zacchaeus for who he was, to welcome him and eat with him, and recognize him as a child of God, part of the family.

And a spiritual transformation begins. Oh my! Jesus sees him. Zacchaeus grows. Jesus invites himself over to Zaccheus house. Zacchaeus spiritual capacity deepens. He moves from a small spiritual state of being that doesn’t see the unjust financial impact he’s had on people’s lives, he doesn’t see his privilege might be a problem, to a larger spiritual stature that inspires him to act responsibly and make restitution. His transformation changes him from an unlikely source of grace and benevolence to a very likely one. He acts and makes amends, paying people back, after ripping them off. It reminds me of steps 8 and 9 of AA’s 12 steps. 8) Make a list of who you’ve harmed and 9), willingly make amends. I know some of you know how difficult those two steps are. But you’re growing spiritually when you do them.

Even the people who grumbled because Jesus went to Zacchaeus’ house I think demonstrates a small spiritual stature. Maybe that’s why they saw Zacchaeus as a sinner? Maybe a small spiritual stature is what pushed them to think that it was unconscionable for Jesus to have dinner at someone’s home whom they hated so much? Small spiritual stature, small scope of view? Perhaps.

But here’s the thing… this story feels like a reminder that God invites us to have large spiritual capacity. That God can transform any of us to have bigger souls. That God can take anyone of us, no matter how far off the faith-path we may have wandered, and see us, up in our tree, on matter how far we’ve distanced ourselves from God, and touch us so deeply that we want to come out of our tree, make things right where we went wrong. To make amends.

So, Maybe, that looks like in our privilege, we may see someone else not as the enemy, but as a child of God. That even though we may not have measured up, God sees us. And we grow. God wants to enter our house and will make our lives new, if we desire to be new. “Even though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow,” is the way Isaiah says it. Even though sometimes we may be unlikely people where grace comes forth, but grace still come forth from us.

In light of yesterday being All Saints Day, I became aware that Pope Leo XIV already canonized a person as a saint. Even though this is a something we protestants don’t practice, it is interesting to see what kinds of people become saints in the Catholic Church. So, Pope Leo’s first person’s name was Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old computer whiz kid who died of leukemia in 2006. Carlo was known in social media as a “God Influencer” because of his savvy use of information technology to spread the Catholic faith (“Seen and Heard,” The Christian Century , November 2025, pp. 11-12). Very Interesting!

So, I wonder can we be God Influencers because we’ve grown in spiritual stature? I have to believe, my dear friends, that the Holy Spirit of God is using more people than we can imagine, sinners and righteous ones alike. All of us are both. Because when we encounter God each day, when God sees us and wants to come into our lives, we are invited to enlarge our spiritual stature. To have bigger souls. Which can increase the likelihood that God’s spiritual gifts can come from us. Making us a conduit for God’s love to flow to others. To our world.

In our tradition, we won’t get sainthood status from the church for letting God’s love flow from us. Heck, we won’t get sainthood status from the church because we do things like “Christmas in November.”

But I’m willing to bet we get sainthood status in God’s sight because when God comes into our spiritual house, when salvation comes to us, when God transforms us, changes our sedateness to action, enlarges our spiritual capacity, we become the conduit God’s looking for. Because we are the ones God can use. We are the grace practitioners, the sharers of holy love, the God-Influencers, no matter how unlikely. We are the saints of the Christian scriptures that say anyone who has Christ in their hearts is a saint. Anyone whom God’s light shines through. Like the symbolism of stained-glass windows.

Let’s let God’s light shine through us. Because the world needs us. Now. God’s gifts come from unlikely places, Likely. Amen.

A sermon about comparing, competing, and justifying ourselves, and humbling ourselves before God

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 15:38:30 GMT

A sermon about comparing, competing, and justifying ourselves, and humbling ourselves before God.

2 Tim. 4: 6-8, 16-18 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Luke 18: 9-14 October 26, 2025

“He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt.”

Prayer: O God, with your help, please stir our hearts to trust you, to seek your grace and mercy, and to love you more than life itself. Amen.

We all know what dopamine is, right? It’s that wonderful neurotransmitter and hormone that our brain makes when we experience joy. It’s known as the “feel-good” hormone. It gives you a sense of pleasure. It also can motivate you to do something when you’re feeling pleasure.

I read that dopamine is part of our reward system. As humans, our brains are hard-wired to seek out behaviors that release dopamine as a reward. So, when you’re doing something pleasurable, your brain releases a large amount of dopamine. And your blood vessels widen. You feel good, and you seek more of that feeling. And most of the time, that’s all pretty good. It’s natural to have that good feeling. And we want more of it.

But, dopamine flows from the brain for the not-so-good things, that we like, too. And we seek more of those experiences, as well. This is why junk food and sugar, drugs and alcohol, and gambling and some other things are so addictive. They trigger the release of dopamine in your brain, which gives you the feeling that you’re on top of the world, and you want to repeat that experience. Have more of it. It’s the dopamine bump.

Even being smug and self-righteous, feeling superior and know-it-all can produce bigtime quantities of dopamine. Feeling smug is pleasurable, especially when I compare myself to someone else, and I think I come out on top. Feeling superior is a feeling that I want to repeat especially when I compete with others, and I feel like I’m better than someone else. Making my self-righteousness justifiable when I trust in my own understanding and rely on my own insight. That’s a dopamine bump as well.

And I think if the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable was a real person, his brain would be producing lots of dopamine. Because he is comparing himself to the tax collector and feels that he is better than that tax collector. The Pharisee seems to be in competition with the tax collector in terms of doing the right things and justifying his righteousness. Mr. Goodie-two-shoes Pharisee is a self-righteous exceptionalist and supremacist.

I think that helps explain a little more of what we’ve witnessed during these last two decades or so. The cultural trend, led by some of our political and religious leaders, is that we are addicted to our own exceptionalism. Some people need to feel good about themselves and supreme by acting all superior over others. My Facebook feed has posts and re-posts that slam one side or the other make people feel powerful. Tweets and retweets often have fake news that put others down.

Preacher Nadia Bolz Weber wrote that “Our drug of choice right now is knowing who we’re better than” ( Our drug of choice right now is knowing who we’re better than retrieved October 24, 2025.) Which feels good, in a weird, perverse way. Because the dopamine flows.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to get a cup of coffee, and I pulled out a mug from the cupboard in the workroom. It happened to be the mug I got at my 20th class high school reunion, way back in 1998. And for that brief moment I reminisced about my reunion, back then, about how I noticed my classmates, for many of them, their bodies changed over the years. And I thought to myself, “Oh thank you, Lord, that I’m not like any of them!” HAH!

And to be honest, I felt smug. But then I quickly realized that it’s just not true. I have no room to talk. I’ve changed, too, in different ways. I have no hair now, for one. For two, [grab your stomach] oh… it’s catching up with me. And, of course, for three, my ticker is not as good.

But here’s the thing. Comparing myself to others took away the joy of that reunion. It robbed me of seeing the beauty of who my classmates are as people. And in light of today’s scripture, it taught me that exceptionalism and supremacy that come by way of comparison are thieves. They steal goodness and joy. Which I mentioned before. Where’s the joy when the Pharisee is so consumed with trusting his own self-righteousness that the tax collector is regarded with contempt?

Where’s the joy when Democrats and Republicans compete against each other to the point of hating each other? Where’s the beauty when people regard other different people as the enemy? Healthy competition is a one thing. But, unhealthy competition can cause us to lose our humanity.

Where’s the strength and integrity of spirit when political leaders and religious leaders think that their only perspectives are correct, and everyone else has to be wrong? Where’s the art of compromise, for the good of the whole? I mean I like to think that I have thought things through. I want to trust that I’m rational. I want my political beliefs to be right. I want to trust my theology. That my way of thinking is good. That I’m justifiably righteous.

However, all of us could, and perhaps all of us should, understand that no one is totally justifiably righteous. Only God is totally justifiably righteous. All of us, for whatever reason, have to approach God, maybe from far off like the tax collector, bow our heads before God, beat our breast and pray, “God, please be merciful to me, a sinner!” And Jesus asks, “Who went back home in a right relationship with God?”

This past Wednesday night at our Bible Study class, I was speaking about how God’s grace is inclusive, that the prophet Amos declared that, even in all it’s sinfulness, God still had a plan to restore Judah and Israel. Jesus came to teach that. To show that and to make that happen. That the overarching message of the Bible story, from the front cover to the back cover, is that God is in relationship with humanity, and out of deep grace and love, God wants to bring us, humanity, even in our sinfulness, back into a fully restored relationship. Back into a right relationship with God.

And one of our participants said to me something like, “Galen you’re the only pastor I know who believes in the love and grace of God that is inclusive and unconditional, where 95% of other Christian pastors don’t preach what you preach.” I was stunned. I asked, “Do you think it’s really that high?” 95%? I mean, am I among the few pastors who believes this?

But, you know, I don’t believe I have it totally right. Maybe God is trying to break down my way of thinking. Trying to get me closer to what God wants. Trying to help me and all of us realize that human understandings of righteousness are the opposite of God’s understanding. To help us all realize that God doesn’t love us more when we get things right, nor does God love us less when we get things wrong.

We might think that we have to be exceptional. To be superior. To be extraordinary. To do all the right things. To be a marvelous specimen Christian who fasts and tithes, lead Faith Formation, coordinates potlucks, goes on mission trips, sings in the choir, and does it all. We imagine that God is on our side and not on the side of others. We might think that our faith journey’s goal is to get to that kind of mountaintop experience. And we get our dopamine fix when we do all that.

But we don’t have to do or be any of those things. In fact, instead of God being on our side, is God deliberately shifting us away from our side? Wiping out our old prejudices, in order to keep helping us learn God’s ways?

Perhaps. Perhaps not. But, I think God wants us to work at faithfulness. For the every day journey. God wants to be with us in each moment. God wants to have our hearts. We are encouraged to be humble when we don’t measure up, and thankful when we do. And the Lord will stand by us and give us strength. May it be so. Amen.

A sermon about our present circumstances and still living with faith and trust in God.

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 20:26:03 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

Luke 17: 5-10 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Hab. 1: 1-4, 2: 1-4 October 5, 2025

“...but the righteous live by their faith.”

Prayer: Thank you, O God, for listening to our hearts and our concerns. As we wait for your response, may we listen. Amen.

It’s not often we hear a word of the Lord from Habakkuk! There’s so much of the Bible we haven’t heard. Charles Swindol once took a poll when he asked the question what is referred to by the word ‘Habakkuk?’ The answers people gave were comical. Some thought it was a word spelled backwards. That would be Kuk-ka-bah. Is that a weird pronunciation of cuckoo bird? I don’t know. Some thought it was a Jewish holiday. Sounds Yiddish. Others said it was a village in Viet Nam. Some people thought it was a new game. Wanna play some Habakkuk? Last, some people thought it was a lower back problem ( Preventing Pearl Harbor | Homiletics Online , retrieved October 3, 2025). Oh, my aching Habakkuk!

Of course, Habakkuk was none of those things. He was a prophet living in turbulent 600s BCE when (south) Babylon was violently destroying Judah and later (north) Israel. He was very concerned about moral and spiritual decline (people losing sight of God and God’s word) as he watched another nation preparing to come and destroy their temples and synagogues. And take over their land. And harm his people.

And I feel like history is repeating itself. Because moral and spiritual decline are everywhere as Israel and the Palestinians are at war. There is violence and destruction every day. A two-state solution might be the only sound approach but is resisted by Israel and Netanyahu and by the Palestinians and Hamas. Israel wants all the land, and Hamas wants the total destruction of Israel. All the Jews gone.

And some of us, like Habakkuk have complained to God. Are you listening, God? We cry to you because there is so much violence, so much hatred, so much division, throughout the world, and in our country. And you seem not to listen. You seem not to care. There’s so much tribalism, blind passion for party allegiance, and the ‘might makes right mentality.’ And you do nothing.

And as a result, some of us do not believe that you will ever act. That you are a human creation, non-existent except as a figment of our imagination, quite limited in your ability to respond to our needs.

Whew! That’s quite a complaint, isn’t it? But I gotta hand it to Habakkuk. Because at least he comes to God with his complaint. He has at least a mustard seed size faith to believe that God will hear his complaint in spite of the obvious ways it feels like God is uninvolved. The obvious ways the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer.

And that’s a key thing, I think. Have faith and live faithfully even though it feels like there’s so much that can push us the other way. The disciples said to Jesus, “Increase our faith.” But Jesus says that an inkling of faith is all you need to rise up and face the present moment with all its challenges.

Because having faith is what we’re supposed to have, says Jesus. It’s what God’s people have. Faith. Living faithfully is what God’s people are supposed to be doing. There’s nothing over-the-top special about it. It’s supposed to be what we’re about. So, we’re not entitled to anything special because we have faith.

But we are to use faith every day, especially when it’s tough going. When it feels like God isn’t there. Or listening. We are to come to God when our hearts break as shootings occur again, sometimes close to home, like in York this past week. Or when the government shuts down and people are forced out of their jobs or are working for the government without paychecks. We can come unto God when hate speech appears as normal and violence is considered as OK collateral damage.

We can come unto God with the things that hurt us. When comments are made that penetrate our defenses and wound us. When we hear messages that our opinions are too right, or too left, or our faith practices are too inclusive or too exclusive, or too tight, too loose. Too this. Too that. When we’re told we don’t measure up, we don’t fit in the ‘normal’ or that we’re not part of the ‘true’ religion.

I think living with faith means coming unto God with everything and then listen actively to discern what God might speak to your inner spirit. When some of come and ask about what to do, lay it out before God-wait-its [waiting at the watch post]

For Habakkuk, God said basically “I see what is coming. It’s a vision of goodness. Wait for it.” It’s a vision where those who desire to live in good and right relationships with others and with our earth, those who have spiritual and religious, moral and ethical centers—these will live, with and by faith.

Then isn’t it up to us to be about God’s vision? Aren’t we supposed to have those centers in our lives and faith and engage in good efforts for others and for the world? (I think we are to trust God to work with us to build a better future.) To be a part of anything that promotes the greater good. For all.

I read about a company called Glass Half Full. CEO Franziska Trautmann started the company in New Orleans when she and her boyfriend finished a bottle of wine, but New Orleans doesn’t recycle. So, they raised funds to purchase a machine that turns bottles into sand and set it up at a fraternity house. Ms. Trautmann soon won a grant to figure out how to use the sand to help with Louisiana’s costal erosion, making biodegradable sandbags and planting native grasses to build back the marshes (“Back to Sand,” The Christian Century, October 2025, pg. 10).

Living faithfully, I think also means we begin to see the vision of a just world for all. A world where there is peace and win/win situations. For all.

The Philadelphia Phillies played what was called a “Rust Game’ last Wednesday night. This was a win-win. Because their first NLDS game was last night, (more rust to scuff off) the Phillies played an intra-squad game to “keep the rust off” before playing again. That’s a win. The game was affordable—$10 per person—so families who usually can’t afford going to a game could do so. Another win. And all proceeds, over $31,000 went to Phillies charities. A big win. It was Win/win. For all.

I invite us to live faithfully by spreading this vision in whatever way we can. I think on this World Communion Sunday, God might be urging us to speak messages of peace and respect. This means refusing to demonize people, even though they may demonize us. It means looking for win-win solutions to problems, instead of win-lose solutions. It means approaching people with a generosity of spirit, instead of with suspicion and distrust. It means making compromises for the good of the whole.

It means living faithfully by seeing people from all over the world in a relationship with the creative God of the universe, instead of thinking that God is only in relationship with people of your same belief structures.

After all, doesn’t living faithfully mean that we trust God to be involved in every aspect of life?

And God is present. Listening. Caring. Acting. Always. Amen.

Call to Commune

World Communion Sunday offers us a distinctive opportunity to experience Holy Communion in the context of the global community of faith. The first Sunday of October is when Christians in every culture break bread and pour the cup to remember and affirm Christ as the Head of the Church. We recognize that we are part of the whole body of believers. Whether shared in a grand cathedral, a mud hut, outside on a hilltop, sanctuary, meetinghouse or a storefront, Christians celebrate the communion liturgy in as many ways as there are congregations. World Communion Sunday can be both a profound worship experience and a time for learning more about our wider community of faith.

"Learning from Shrewdness"

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 18:02:08 GMT

"Learning From Shrewdness"

1 Timothy 2: 1-7 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Luke 16: 1-13 September 21, 2025

“… for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.”

Prayer: Eternal One, may your words inspire my words. May your teaching help us to be and to become your children, children of light. Amen.

You know, sometimes the lectionary Bible readings cannot be more perfectly timed with the current events of the day, don’t you think? I mean last week it seems everyone was talking about ABC canceling Jimmy Kimmel’s late night talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” And a couple of months ago, CBS announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert would be cancelled in May. Some say these cancellations are totally business decisions. Others say they are flat out government censorship with pressure coming from the Federal Communications Commission and maybe higher up.

But, in any event, these guys lost or are losing their jobs. I caught Jimmy Fallon’s monologue Thursday night, and he joked that his dad sent him 100 texts saying, “I’m sorry you lost your job!” And Jimmy was like, “It’s not me, Dad. It’s Jimmy Kimmel.” And here at Christ Church, we had to let go our facilities manager over a week ago, so that position is open again.

So, connect the dots. In Luke’s gospel we read Jesus’ parable about a manager who is getting fired! I mean, how does that happen? Of course, you know, that today’s worship service was planned a month ago. Oooh! No, you haven’t entered “The Twilight Zone.” Just call it perfect timing.

This parable of Jesus though, the way Luke has Jesus telling it, the meaning is often misleading. For instance, even though it feels like it at first, Jesus does not commend the manager’s dishonesty, he instead recognizes and calls out the manager’s shrewdness. Call it his ability to use all his resources when he realizes he’s getting canned for embezzling the rich owner’s money.

But this manager figured out a way to come out of getting fired in pretty good shape. Discounts. He’s like, “You owe the rich owner hundred jugs of olive oil? Quick, make it 50. You’re good to go. Just remember me tomorrow when I have no job.” The manager is counting on the goodwill he hopes he gets from the people he gave discounts to. Which he thinks will serve him well later when he’s out on the street with no job.

So, if we were to insert Stephen Colbert into our parable today, it would be like Stephen calling up his advertisers and saying, “You owe CBS $100 million bucks? Quick. Sit down. Make it $50. Just remember me when May comes along and my contract runs out with CBS,” ok?

And though the owner of the company knows he is getting ripped off, he commends the manager, not for ripping him off, but for his resourcefulness. “Even though you’re ripping me off, I gotta hand it to ya… you found a way to get what you needed… a good place to land, another chance, some new friends who benefited from your discounts.”

On the surface the discounts sound like a good thing. But the manager is still acting corruptly.

And then comes one of the several punch lines of this Bible story. Like the ‘moral of the story’ type lines. And one of the morals of this story I think is that the children of this age are more shrewd, more resourceful, more clever in dealing with the way the world is than are children of light. Ouch.

And I’m assuming that we desire to be or would classify ourselves as children of light. Followers of God in Christ. So, do you think that Jesus might be saying that as children of light, we need to be as shrewd, resourceful, and clever as possible in dealing with the way the world is? Using everything at our disposal to speak, share, and give God’s love?

Not for our benefit, but for God’s? Not for our sake, but for the sake of Christ, who came into the world to save humanity, and that through Christ’s death and resurrection, forgiveness of sins and eternal life are available to every person. What a treasure children of light have to give! Are we shrewd in finding ways to give it?

Because the world needs our voice. The world needs God’s light and love. The world needs us, children of light, I think, to affirm the power of love, not the love of power. The world needs us, the progressive leaning church, to stand up and call for the full inclusion of all people into the body of Christ. To keep speaking God’s truths to the powerful, and to hold them accountable of making the values God loves come to real life.

The other day I listened to Vice-President JD Vance’s speech at the Claremont Institute on July 5th. And I read the transcript to really understand what he was saying. At one point he spoke about why tariffs and the “one big beautiful” had to be passed.

He said “We want to make it easier to save and invest in the United States of America. We want to make it easier to build a business in the United States of America. But most of all, we want to make it easier to work a dignified job in the United States of America and build the kind of life and have the kind of wage that can support a family in comfort. That is our goal” ( Transcript: JD Vance’s Speech At The Claremont Institute’s Statesmanship Award Event – The Singju Post , retrieved September 19, 2025).

On the surface, these sound like admirable goals. Ideas we value and can support. But I ask are these goals for all Americans? Are they for Black Americans? Latino, Asian, Native Americans? Are they for LGBTQ+ Americans? Are they for Muslim, Bundist, the Hindu, Sikh Americans? Are they for all kinds of American families? With all kinds of combinations—in endless varieties? In theory people say yes. In reality, it’s not there.

Because if all people can’t have the same rights and opportunities, living with the same justice and fairness for everyone, then perhaps this is a place where the church needs to use all its resources available and preach and teach and practice what Jesus taught us to preach, teach and practice.

If we are children of light, wouldn’t we practice what Jesus taught? Valuing God in our lives more than ourselves? Loving what God loves, the poor, the marginalized, the oppressed, the unjustly treated? Jesus calls us to value justice and fairness, fidelity and faithfulness. To be humble, not haughty. To be children of light who derive our behavior from the God of light.

I think Jesus means that the children of light are not to be like the manager, looking out only for himself, but instead are the ones who have grown skilled at honesty, not dishonesty. Cooperation and collaboration. Not manipulation and coercion. Empathy and compassion, not arrogance and bullying.

Children of this age easily derive their behavior from the problems of this age. The parable shows us this. Embezzling. Dishonest discounts. Injustice.

Our nation’s malaise also shows this, I think. Too many people old leaders have gone back to and are accepting banal, animal instincts, it feels to me. Having hatred for people on the “other side.” And calling that normal. Reversing the ways of God that Jesus taught us to have. And saying that this is OK. That this is the way we can find meaning and purpose in life. We have to be better than this. We are better than this!

The American progressive leaning church I think can learn from the shrewd manager, not to practice what he did, but to learn from what he did. Church leaders are called upon to organize ourselves and utilize what we have. We have our voice. Our message. Our truth about God as taught by Jesus and the prophets. Our truth about the God of light who loves. All our truth about what God values.

We are children of light. Our message is from the God of light. If we are faithful with this seemingly very little bit, we will also be faithful in greater matters. Like helping our world, our society move toward a peaceful, just world, derived from the values of the God of light. Like praying for our leaders to be children of the God of light. And make war and violence no longer a thing. And make the loss of a child’s life no longer viewed as ‘collateral damage” or “worth it.” When the earth is renewed by the whole human family becoming a steward of it. When all that divides us is eclipsed by all that can unite us. We can build on what unites us. We are children of light, dear Church. We have our voice. Let’s use it. Now is the time approaching. Let us stand and sing. Amen.

"The Christian's Privileged Viewpoint"

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 14:19:17 GMT

A sermon on being a privileged Christian, being humble and doing good

Heb. 13: 1-3, 7-8, 15-16 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Luke 14: 1, 7-14 August 31, 2025

“But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, “Friend move up higher,” then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you.”

Prayer: O Lord, please enrich our lives with your presence and your word, so that we may humbly serve you and do the good you call us to do. Amen.

Some of you may know that I enjoy doing weddings. I’ve done hundreds. I have one coming up next month with two of our church members Erin Miller and Greg Gerhart. I’m looking forward to that.

Jesus’ parable brought back two memories of weddings, no… specifically wedding receptions. I remember one time I got to the reception and was looking for my seat card on a table where all the guest’s seat cards were. My card wasn’t there. So, thinking that I was seated with all the other guests, I asked where was I sitting? Oh! You’re not seated among the guests. You’re seated at the “help” table. [wah, wah] So, I sat with the DJ, the photographers, the wedding planner. Which was fine—the company was good, and we got the same meal. But, I had humble pie for dessert. But yeah, to be honest, that was weird.

On the other occasion, I got to the reception and was looking for my seat card on a table where all the guest’s seat cards were. My card wasn’t there. So, thinking that I was seated with all the other guests, I asked where was I sitting? Oh! You’re not seated among the guests. You’re seated at the head table, with the bride and groom, the bridal party, and the parents! Which was great. The company was good, and we got the same meal. But honestly,

I thought that was a weird experience, too. True stories, both of these.

But which of those two experiences would you prefer? Far better to move up than to be sent down, right? Better to start with humility than with perceived entitlement. With being among the common guests than to assume you’re a privileged guest.

So when the religious leaders were watching Jesus closely trying to snag him, turns out Jesus was watching the guests closely, too. He took the opportunity to teach them about having God living in your heart. His parable effectively said something like, “Look at you, all scrambling to display your status and privilege, claiming the best seats in the house. You guys look ridiculous.”

Then he undoubtedly remembered Proverbs 25: 6-7, which he basically quotes saying to them, “But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’…” Because a major piece of Christ’s wisdom about having God living in your heart is to be humble about it. Don’t lift yourself up—you’ll likely be humbled and brought down. [wah, wah] Instead, humble yourself first—and you’ll likely be lifted up.

Because a Christian is a person who knows a little something about imperfection. And acknowledges that. A Christian has a sense of not having measured up. Has an honest awareness of one’s frailties and weaknesses and mistakes. Can feel guilt and deep shame. And STILL… is loved and graced and forgiven and made new by God, even though caught up in waywardness and imperfections. “Christ died while we were yet sinners” is the way Paul puts it (Romans 5:8).

One of our Stillspeaking writers Bob Thompson told of a massive, wooden arch in Hickory, NC, that was 60 feet tall and spanned 178 feet over a roadway. Well, in 2022, due to an engineering defect, the thing splintered and collapsed right onto the highway leaving a pile of pick-up sticks. Bob Thompson said he thought the huge splintered mess of sticks should be removed and placed on the church lawn as a reminder of what a church actually is. “We prefer to see ourselves represented by our tall steeple, granite veneer, and manicured lawn. [But] if we are brutally honest, we are a community of splintered wood. Only by the love of God are we being changed. Only by the grace of Christ do we find dignity and possibility. Only by the power of the Spirit are we able to stay in close enough proximity to let mercy transform us” (Stillspeaking Daily Devotional, “Splintered Wood,” Bob Thompson, August 25, 2025, personal email subscription).

Each of us has defects. Paul emphasizes God’s sacrificial love, highlighting that Christ’s death was an act of love and grace, even while we have our defects. Even when we’re like a splintered pile of wood.

But, when we receive God in our lives, we become spiritually privileged people. We become endowed. We become recipients of a grace that is sufficient for all our needs, and a peace that passes all understanding. This is, I think, the view point a Christian has. This is our viewpoint, our reality we have, as we look at life.

Even so, we are to be humble about it, doing good for others because God’s grace is always doing good for us. It’s always lifting us up. It’s always privileging us. Our response is not reciprocal, as in doing good back to God. It is multilateral. As in doing good to multiples of others in multiples settings.

I love the fact that in the second part of Jesus’ teaching, he addresses the rich, privileged leader who is putting on the meal. He teaches how much better it is from God’s viewpoint to invite those to the meal who can’t repay you back. You will be blessed in the end by God, if not right away. God’s grace is like that.

I can’t help but think—that’s us! We’re the rich, privileged leader. And we’re the ones in the position to put on the meal. We’re the ones endowed with God in our hearts. We’re in the position to give to those who don’t have. To do good for multiples of others. We may not see the blessing right away, but God promises it is there. Or it at least it will be there. We may have to wait for it. Delayed gratification, But, that’s ok.

We love God best when we love what God loves, other people, other creatures of the earth. Heck, even the earth itself. We love God best when we love the justice that God loves. When we love the poor people God loves, we are loving God. When the hungry, the crippled, the lame, the blind and deaf whom God loves are spoken for, are cared for, are given a voice, we’re speaking from the privileged viewpoint of having God living in our hearts. When we make sacrifices to help others in need, doing good, speaking truth to power, these sacrifices actually offer praise to God.

I think the author of Hebrews means that a sacrifice of praise in God’s eyes is doing good to others and for others. Those who have God and Christ in the heart have this fruit, this endowed privilege as the way we see life, and do the difficult work. So others can have the same spiritually endowed life.

When we absorb the magnitude of another mass shooting, this time in a Minneapolis Catholic Church, I think it is time to make a sacrifice of praise. Two children were killed, 17 other children and adults were injured. They were shot while praying in church! And politicians said “We’re keeping them in our prayers.”

Well, thoughts and prayers are not enough! In my humble opinion, we are privileged to have God’s presence and love and word in our lives and our hearts, so in addition to praying, it is time to do the good, the right, the sacrificial thing. At the very least, get assault weapons banned in our nation. We don’t need them. We are not nearly as safe with them around. It’s time for politicians to do the hard, sacrificial work that gets this done. This would be a sacrifice of praise. It’s time for churches to be a voice of truth to power. This would be a sacrifice of praise.

The Christian’s privileged viewpoint is not concerned about status or entitlement or the love of guns. It is concerned about a life of integrity and faith. For all people. Especially our children. That is what is demanded here. We cannot love our guns and our 2nd Amendment more than we love our kids. Because when we’re helping them, we might as well be entertaining angels without us knowing it.

I know some of you may disagree with me. And that’s OK. I do hope I help us think. And apply faith to what Jesus teaches. And make it real.

Because the Christian’s privileged viewpoint may turn upside down what we think is important.

Do you remember the scene from “The Guardian” when Master Sargeant Ben Randall is asked by Jake Fischer, the trainee for Coast Guards uses, repeatedly what his real number was, implying how many lives he saved? Finally Ben gives a ridiculously low number: “22.” And the Jake tries not to be critical saying, “Well, that’s not bad. It’s not 200, but…” And Ben interrupts and humbly says, “22 is the number of people I lost, Jake. The only number I kept track of” (The Guardian quote, retrieved August 29, 2025). That’s what was important.

We are privileged Christians. Endowed with God and God’s grace. So, Be humble about it. Do good because of it. Live the gospel. This is the viewpoint that is important. Amen.

Holy Sabbath Power

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 14:46:14 GMT

A sermon about life-giving worship and woman bent over for 18 years.

Hebrews 12: 18-29 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Luke 13: 10-17 August 24, 2025

“When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God.”

Prayer: Holy Spirit, may we feel your Divine Presence as we listen to your word as we worship you. Amen.

I’ve worshiped God all my life. I’ve been around worshiping people all my life. Right from day one. I didn’t have much of a choice, though. I come by it honestly. Many of you know this about me anyway… my grandfather Galen, Sr. was a pastor. My dad, Galen Jr. was a pastor. My Uncle David is a retired pastor. My daughter Cydney is a pastor serving in Connecticut. My mom, both my grandmothers, and my grandfather on my mother’s side all served God in the church in some way and in other settings. So, yeah. Worshiping God is in my blood. My DNA. I love to worship God in Christ.

But I wasn’t always this way. I remember when I was maybe 10 or 11, my brothers and I were crazy bored. And we sat up at the top of the balcony of our church and made spit wads from the bulletin and tried to roll them down the banister. The one that made it to the bottom without falling off was the winner! So, yeah. We broke the rules. And from then on, we were relegated to the first pew—right in front of Dad, the senior pastor! To watch us. For both services!

But I take it seriously now. I design our services with intentionality and love. Conner and I go over each Sunday’s worship service to make sure the flow of our worship moves well and weaves in word and music appropriately. The Worship Commission and I meet monthly to review and design worship themes.

So, we come unto to God to worship. Some of my most spiritually moving moments have come in worship. Sacramental moments. Holy Communion in the sanctuary. And in old folk’s homes who can’t come to church. And even outside the box moments. I remember as a youth doing a version of Holy Communion we called a love feast. And we had potato chips and Coco-Cola as our communion food. I always kind of wondered—was that breaking the rules? I felt God’s presence, though.

And baptisms… Oh my! I’ve felt the Spirit most profoundly when holding a baby. Or one year when I baptized a high school youth, again outside the box. I was an Associate Pastor, and Bevan, a high school youth didn’t want to get confirmed at Pentecost. But that fall, at a youth event, he came to me and said he wanted to be baptized and to confirm his faith. We talked about it, prayed about it, and that Saturday night, during the closing worship service, all the youth gathered around Bevan, laid hands on him as I baptized him with water. Oooh...And the Spirit was present. And it was life-giving for him. And for me, too, truthfully.

I got into trouble for that one with my Lead Pastor. He basically said I didn’t follow the rules. But even he couldn’t deny the Spirit’s power and presence in and over Bevan when he returned to church.

Which takes me to the story about Jesus and the bent-over woman. Who knows what modern day answer we might have as to what caused her to be bent over. But she’s been stuck that way for 18 years. And healing couldn’t come soon enough. She was also a kinswoman to Jesus, a fellow Jew, a daughter of Abraham, a sister in faith and family. When Jesus laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. And this took place on the Sabbath day.

But there are rules about Sabbath days, and at least one synagogue leader got irate that Jesus didn’t follow them. His whole argument was this—that healing the woman was the right thing to do, but the wrong time to do it. He was like, “There are six other days to do the good thing for the woman, just don’t do it on the Sabbath day.”

And Jesus was like, “Shame on you, man. Your fixation on the rules have made you lose sight of what Sabbath really means. Every one of you breaks Sabbath rules when you lead your ox or donkey to the life-giving water that it needs on the Sabbath day. And why shouldn’t this woman, a child of God, who is infinitely more important than a donkey, know life-giving freedom from her ailment on the Sabbath?”

I mean really. What better day is there than the Sabbath day to have this woman be set free and be given new life? Because Sabbath is a day of rest from our burdens, right? Worshiping God and Sabbath-keeping are times for spiritual renewal, and rejuvenation, and restoration of life and energy. It’s life-giving. So here, on Sunday mornings, holy sabbath power means the Spirit can re-charge your spiritual batteries and get you started on going through the rest of your week.

Do you see what’s happening here? We come to God to worship, to give God our attention and our praise, and we can feel God responding with the Spirit’s presence. Renewing us. It is far from a one-way direction only. It’s a time of sharing. We come unto God; God shares the Spirit’s power with us. We worship God and God is in it with us.

And I think it pleases God to give us that life-giving water. It pleases God to heal our souls, whether it’s Sabbath day or not. To heal us, to unburden our hearts, to straighten us up from what bends us over and prevents us from growing as a child of God.

And we know what can bend us over. We can do a list of ABCs. Anxiety. Being bullied. Cancer. Discrimination. Envy. Fear Guilt. Shame. Poverty. Loss of a loved one. Restricted movement. And so forth.

And there are plenty of things that try to keep people bent over and under the thumb of the powerful. Like unjust laws, and redistricting voting maps, and calcifying inequities, and Christian nationalism, and dogmatizing and weaponizing the Bible to exclude people from God’s grace and love. And so forth.

I think it’s a needed, practical thing to challenge the rules and unjust laws when those rules are bending people over and keeping them bent over.

It’s a needed, spiritual thing to come unto God, to practice Sabbath day worship, to share in the Spirit’s power that can straighten us up against the things that prevent us from growing as children of God.

Whenever someone’s in need, dealing with pain and suffering and things that bend that person over, like Jesus, we can embody the meaning of Sabbath—to rest, rejuvenate, renew, and receive life-giving water—by showing care, compassion, and hospitality. Being inclusive with God’s love. And we can show that person that God’s presence and love and life-giving water are receivable. And these can straighten us up. And make us stand up. And praise God! That’s holy Sabbath power.

And it’s a power that can be felt when we worship God. And it can come to any of us at any time. It can come beautifully during our regular worship services.

And it can come in our outside the box worship services. Like when we did Flicks and Faith on three Sundays this summer. Or when we worship with Praise! songs like we are doing today. With a band. And contemporary music. Loud music! And clapping your hands. And Ava dancing! And freedom to call out. And me not wearing a robe. Or preaching from the pulpit. Are we breaking the rules?

No, we are celebrating our God who has immeasurable power to unbend us. And strengthen us. And straighten us up. We are giving thanks to God who makes our lives righteous in God’s sight. Who empowers the new covenant of grace and love in us. And through us. Who shares with us the eternal gifts that make our lives complete. This is what the God of holy sabbath power can do, and these cannot be shaken!

So, we offer to God our thanks and praise. It is an acceptable form of worship with reverence and awe. Let’s stand and sing, “Shout to the Lord!” Amen!

All the earth let us sing, Power and majesty Praise’s we bring!

"God's Sheer Delight"

Sun, 10 Aug 2025 18:44:11 GMT

A sermon about God's delight when we have faith, not fear.

Hebrews 11: 1-3, 8-16 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Luke 12: 32-40 August 10, 2025

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Prayer: For all that gives you sheer delight, and for all that we don’t need to be afraid of, thank you, Lord. Great is your faithfulness. Amen.

Recently Barb and I went to Florentino’s Restaurant at the Lancaster Airport, and a beautiful, privately owned $4 million Cessna Citation was sitting on the tarmac. OMG! And when that thing took off, I was like in heaven! Then we drove through a pretty upscale neighborhood, with big houses and fancy cars. And we asked each other, “How do people have so much money?” And later I saw the lottery billboard which said that the Powerball and the Mega Millions are up to $482 million and $182 million respectively. Of course, that’s not how people have money.

The old joke goes that the person who dies with the most toys wins—which sort of portrays a contest that you “win” not by being fulfilled in your spirit, but by accumulating material possessions. The irony is that when you die, none of your material possessions are worth anything to you at all anymore.

But, sometimes it’s like our possessions define us. And, I think we often fear that we won’t have enough. Or, we could always use more. You know, the old saying that money isn’t everything, but it sure does help.

So I guess that leads to the point of Jesus’ teaching in Luke 12. Prior to our passage today, Someone in the large crowd said to Jesus, “Tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me” (v. 13). Which led Jesus to teach about greed, saying that one’s life does not consist of the abundance of possessions. Then he told the story of the rich fool who filled his barns but then died that night. Punch line: he was rich in things, but not rich toward God.

Jesus then goes on to say again that life is more than food, or what you wear, or what you have. God knows that you need these things, he says. Instead seek first God and God’s kingdom, and all the things you need will be added to you.

And that’s when Jesus says, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

‘Do not be afraid.’ This is one of the most repeated statements throughout the Bible and gospels. ‘Do not be afraid’—of what? Sometimes when Jesus said that, he meant do not be afraid that God will reject you. Not going to happen. Ever. Or that you don’t measure up. Or you don’t qualify for God’s love and grace. Or that somehow you won’t make it into heaven. Do not fear these, he says. They are not Reality from God’s viewpoint.

Now in the context of possessions, Jesus teaches, ‘do not be afraid’ of scarcity: of material possessions or of money. Because it is God’s sheer delight to give you what really matters—and it ain’t possessions. Jesus even says, “Sell your possessions. Give away what you don’t need.” Because what you do need is God. God’s life. God’s Spirit. The risen presence of Jesus. With you. Living in you. So have faith, not fear. Faith that God takes good pleasure in giving you what you need.

Brian Wilson, founder of the Beach Boys, in 1966 wrote the first pop song with the word God in the title—“God Only Knows.” But, he was advised not to title the song that way because it was too risky. It might offend the uber-religious and the non-religious alike. And in fact, the song was banned by many radio stations causing lack of wide publicity and lack of revenue.

But years later, after the song and the album were mega hits, Wilson commented about the role of faith in his songwriting saying, “We believe in God, and we believe we were [God’s] messengers. I did have a dream about a halo over my head but people couldn’t see it. So, God was with us the whole time were doing this record,” Brian Wilson died last June ( The Christian Century , August 2025, pg. 10).

That’s God giving what Brian needed, God. That’s God, giving God. I think it is God’s sheer delight to give us God’s divine Presence. To live in us. I believe that is what Jesus means by ‘the kingdom.’ It’s having God’s presence in your inner spirit. It’s not about our earthy connotations that come with ‘kings’ and hierarchy. It’s more about kinship, like healthy family relationships. It’s having eternal love. Deep joy within. That is why I think it’s God’s sheer delight to give us the ‘kingdom.’ That is what really matters in life. This is God’s promise, God’s blessing. God is faithful. Great is God’s faithfulness .

So, when Jesus says do not be afraid, I think he knows that fear often is directly related to a lack of faith. Perhaps the more fear we may have, the less faith we may have? Sometimes, I think this is so true.

And sometimes I think the converse is equally true. Faith often is directly related to a lack of fear. Perhaps the more faith we may have, the less fear we may have? Of course, that sounds very simplified. Because sometimes imminent fear has nothing to do with faith. It's the way our bodies process some imminent threat. But, there are other points of fear connected to faith. So, this past week I’ve been experimenting with this idea faith with fear.

It’s scary to trust God when we cannot see what is ahead or what God is after through us. It’s frightening to let God take us to challenging places in favor of being a part of what God has in mind. Without seeing it.

Just read Hebrews 11. I mean it’s like a montage of some biblical people who had fear, but who had more faith than fear. Like Abraham and Sarah who set out not knowing where they were going—they had fear, but they had more faith than fear. They were old and couldn’t have any children. They had fear, but they had more faith than fear that God would give them many descendants. They were immigrants and strangers in a foreign land seeking a homeland. They had fear, but they had more faith than fear that God would fulfill the promise to give them a new covenant and a land.

Fear I think is thievery. It can rob us from receiving the divine Holy Spirit. It totally gets in the way of God giving us God’s Presence which is what I think is God’s sheer delight to give us.

Faith is trusting God to give us the Spirit, even when the way forward is unseen and murky. It’s having the assurance and the conviction that a hoped for better life is possible with God’s Spirit involved. I think it is God’s sheer delight when we have that kind of faith and can enjoy life with full, glad, and grateful hearts. No matter what happens.

So let me give some current day possibilities. Fear can stop us from loving others and sharing our land and its resources. When you boil it down, bigotry and prejudice based on the fear of others is what is driving building a wall at the southern border, I think.

Faith in God’s vision of shalom for all humanity is what I think our politicians should have in order to drive forward fixing our broken immigration system, I think. It’s God’s sheer delight when we have faith.

Fear seems to be the main basis of ICE raids and the prevention of foreign students attending our colleges and universities. Fear says that all undocumented people are thugs, criminals, and a danger to society.

Faith says that all people deserve God’s blessings, promises, and equity which God envisions, the kind which our great land and country and democracy are supposed to offer to everyone. Faith says that it’s possible for God to be involved in people of faith taking steps toward God’s vision becoming, little by little, a reality. It’s God’s sheer delight when we have faith.

Fear of losing political power is at the heart of gerrymandering in Texas and other states. Faith says that our democracy, flawed as it may be, is when all people are created equal and the voting districts should not be shifted to favor one political party over the other.

Even, here at home, fear can stop us dead in our tracks. When we were discerning whether or not Christ Church should be an Open and Affirming church, some of us had some fear that our building would be vandalized. Or that we would be known as the ‘gay church.’ Or that we would be overrun with marginalized people.

But we didn’t let the fears stop us. It turns out that we did have some vandalism, but it was minimal. And we are known as the ‘gay church’ in Elizabethtown, but our ONA status has brought in some of the highest quality people, some of whom are marginalized, but all of us are one in our whole faith family. It’s God’s sheer delight when we have faith.

And we faced a lot of fear that we wouldn’t have enough for our church to build an elevator and ADA bathrooms. “We can’t afford it,” we heard. It will hurt our financial reserves, some feared. But, look where we are now! When it seemed like there was no way, by faith there’s a way! We’re almost ready to turn on the green light. It’s God’s sheer delight when we have faith.

And God is faithful. It’s God’s sheer delight to give us God’s presence right here. Great is your faithfulness. great is your faithfulness. Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed your hand has provided. Great is your faithfulness, God unto me. Amen.

Faith Mountain Climbing: Facing Death... Then Life

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 13:33:50 GMT

Maundy Thursday / Good Friday sermon about facing death that always leads to new life

John 13: 31-38 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Maundy Thursday / Good Friday April 17, 2025

“Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterward.”

Prayer: Encourage us, O God. Challenge us to keep our faith growing, ever deepening. Amen.

Tonight is the culmination of our “Faith Mountain Climbing” Lenten worship series. Lent is always a time for faith growth. A time of introspection. It’s more serious. More contemplative. A time to dig deeper into our relationship with God.

This year we dug into facing some of our own spiritual mountains triggered by the Jesus-stories we read and studied. All these mountains can impede our relationship with God. But doing some faith mountain climbing with them I think helps us deepen our relationship with God which is, you know, life-giving and hope-giving for each of us, I think. Because who doesn't’ need life and hope in this world today?

So, I put the “mountains” we hiked up during Lent on the screen, starting with the mountain of Self-Interest and then Temptations. We heard about the mountains of distractions as we try to Follow God’s Call, Or not, and about some false beliefs about God that can cause a mountain of Spiritual Leakage.

Next we explored the mountain of a Guilty Conscience followed by the challenge of climbing the mountain of choosing God’s Priorities over our own. Last Sunday, we were pushed to climb the mountain of apathy by saying “I Pledge Allegiance to” God and what God values. My thanks to Rev. Dr. Nora Foust who assisted me by preaching the messages on two of those mountains, the one about distractions and priorities.

Now of course, you and I, on our faith journeys, we will always have some faith mountain climbing to do. So this is an ongoing spiritual discipline, not just for Lent. And my guess is that each of our faith journeys will give us all kinds of mountains to climb along the way. Most of yours will be different from mine and from each others, and mine different from yours.

However, there is one mountain that each of us will climb at some point in time. That is facing death. Death is the last of the mountains, perhaps the ultimate one? None of us, in all probability, I hope, will experience death in the near future, but all of us, with 100% certainty, will—at some point in time. Generally speaking, ours is not to choose the time of our death, is it? But, you never know. So, on this holy night, perhaps it’s good to talk about death.

Because Jesus is facing his death tonight. He knows it’s imminent. Judas had already gone out to betray him, so now, it was just a matter of time. The processes leading to Jesus’ inevitable crucifixion had begun. And there was no stopping it now.

So knowing that his death is within the next day or two, Jesus tries to help his disciples face it. He indirectly tells them he’s going to die by saying that he won’t be with them very much longer, that where he’s going, they won’t be able to follow initially. And he gives them one last commandment, that they love one another, just like he loved them.

But facing death is hard to do sometimes, and on the surface, Peter doesn’t appear to get it. But, I wonder if he totally gets it. I’m guessing he understood exactly what Jesus meant, but he didn’t want to face it. He doesn’t want Jesus to climb up the mountain of death. And he doesn’t want to do it for himself, either. Maybe it’s all too unbearable for him. So, he almost denies the impending reality with futile, mis-directed questions of ‘Where are you going?’ and ‘Why can’t I follow you now?’ “You can’t follow me now, but you will afterwards facing death can be difficult thing.

So, all of us get it, I think, that someday we will have to face our death. Whether we want to or not. But, if we do some faith mountain climbing on the mountain of facing our death, there may be a few things we can consider along the way.

For one, it seems to me that there are certain ways that we often rehearse our deaths. Because death occurs in our lives all the time. And new possibilities come after it.

Some of us have to face death when we made the transition from one job to another. Or when a loved one dies. Or when a divorce occurs. Or when someone gets sober. All of these feature a type of death, and all carry with them the potential of new life. Even deep sleep at night is a rehearsal of facing death, says the late theologian Frederick Buechner. Because you’re not aware of much in those moments, but when you awaken, you are aware of your life. He says it’s a precursor to dying to this world and being born into new life in God’s world, so sleep is a rehearsal to the real thing.

And speaking of being born into God’s world, that’s the second consideration I offer for us tonight. That we, like Peter can’t follow Jesus to his death, nor do we need to. Jesus did that already for all of us. But we can follow him into his new life. Because Christ made it clear and so did Paul that nothing, no one thing, no sin, no human barrier, not the worst humanity can do to another person, not even death itself, can separate us from God’s love and grace through our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ made a way for every person to get into union with God. Christ is forever holding open the doors to God’s eternal realm so that we can easily traverse into it when the time comes for our bodies to die.

And we can easily experience God’s eternal realm now coming to us before our bodies die. Because the power of the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives sharing God’s love and grace all the time.

Which leads me to offer one more consideration for us. That as we do faith mountain climbing up the mountain of death, what really helps us know God’s love and grace is if we identify ourselves with Christ’s death. If we connect ourselves with his efforts to stamp out sin in our lives.

Because guess what? We can ask for God’s help to put sin to death in us. Yeah we can do that! You bet we can! Ask God to help put hatred of others to death. Put bullying to death. Crucify bigotry, and racism, and religism and sexism, and homophobia, and apathy… all of it. We can ask for God’s help in putting all of it to death in us. So we can live life to the fullest right now.

So let me end this worship and sermon series with this thought—that contrary to what Woody Allen famously said “I’m not afraid of death, I just don’t want to be there when it happens,” my thought is, I do want to be there when it happens! Because I want to have life. When we face death, we also face life and new hope. Death is really a birth.

And when we do faith mountain climbing, we can be born to a new life because we grow closer to God. When we hike up the sometimes tricky terrain of any of our mountains on the journey, we always find Christ’s Holy Spirit is with us. And Christ is always helping us find new life. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Faith Mountain Climbing, I Pledge Allegiance To...

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 16:23:54 GMT

A Palm Sunday sermon about pledging our highest allegiance to God.

Phil. 2: 5-11 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Luke 19: 28-40 April 13, 2025

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Prayer: We wave our palms, O God. We love a parade. But, help us see more deeply Jesus’ meaning. Amen.

Do you remember back in the end of February when our own Corty Byron organized a benefit concert at Tellus 360 in Lancaster? Corty got several individual artists and local bands together for an afternoon concert that benefited Church World Service. The reason? Because government funds were stripped away from CWS and nine other resettlement agencies due to a presidential executive order.

And the reasons for that? Because some of our nation’s top leaders and spokespersons said without evidence that these agencies are involved with money laundering, that they were receiving “illegal payments” from the federal government. Some said that cutting off funding was combatting “wokeness,” that refugees were considered “illegal immigrants,” and that the agencies were only looking out for their bottom line (“A stop-work order for compassion,” from the editors, The Christian Century , April 2025, pg. 9).

Yeah, right now we are facing some troubling times, to say the least. And I’m not going to lie… the mountains of recent tariffs and the reactions of the stock markets and watching our retirement resources dwindle away and our endowment funds get reduced, puts the meaning of “Faith Mountain Climbing” to the test, doesn’t it? To be honest, I’m trying to look at the bigger picture, to see what the positive end result is. But, God help me, that is difficult to see.

But truthfully, I’m even more troubled by something else. And that is what appears to be an utter lack of empathy from our nation’s leaders. And somehow, that’s OK! That somehow, the practice of God-centered Christian values like empathy and compassion, of caring for the refugee, the needy and vulnerable are deemed “the fundamental weakness of western civilization,” according to Elon Musk. And that caring for the refugee and the immigrant, the poor and the vulnerable is committing “civilizational suicide” ( Loathe thy neighbor: Elon Musk and the Christian right are waging war on empathy | Far right (US) | The Guardian , retrieved April 11, 2025).

And worse, the implication is that stopping funding for refugee resettlement work somehow represents Christian values? There’s a growing allegiance to this apathy from the far Christian right! Wow! We have a strange god in Washington D.C. right now, and that’s a god with a small “g.” What a mountain to climb for people of faith!

When Jesus and his followers were preparing their march on Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday, I think Jesus was aware that a strange god lived in Jerusalem. It wasn’t the God of his ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses, who were refugees and immigrants. It wasn’t the God of covenant, which created for us a holy relationship with God.

No, instead it was the god of legalism. The god of wealth and power and apathy for the poor, the refugee and the immigrant.

It was the god of misappropriated divinity who demanded allegiance. In fact, Caesar was Emperor Tiberius, and he proclaimed himself to be a god, and worse, everyone was to worship him as such. And all of his governors, satraps, even appointed religious leaders like the Pharisees were extensions of Caesar’s divinity.

I know years ago I shared this with you in another Palm Sunday sermon, but let me remind you about what New Testament scholars Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan’s biblical research showed. That on or near the day Jesus’ march on Jerusalem took place, another march was taking place at another entry gate into the city. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor was coming into the city and a big parade was held in his honor.

So, keep this question in the back of your mind—which march would you pledge your allegiance to? Because the contrast between the two marches couldn’t be more like night and day.

For one, Pilate entered powerfully with full military regalia, probably got up on a big mighty warhorse, with garrisons of soldiers marching precisely. Jesus entered humbly on a young colt, never having been ridden. He was set up there by a small group of people, who started throwing their cloaks on the ground.

Pilate shows off Rome’s military aggression and dominance. Jesus shows humility and peace.

Pilate rules by coercion, forcing allegiance. Jesus rules by love, inviting people to allegiance.

Pilate has a love of power. Jesus shows the power of love.

Pilate is exalted above the people; Christ is one of the people.

Bowing before Pilate (and Caesar) is motivated by fear; bowing before Christ is motivated by love of God.

Caesar’s power excludes, dominates, and cares only about what happens to the top 1 % and cuts funding to programs that care for the poor and underprivileged. Jesus’ power is relational, is empathetic and compassionate, caring for others and uplifts everyone for the greater good. while creating ways to tend to the needy.

Pilate was an extension of the emperor thinking he was the son of God. Jesus emphasized that only God is God, Holy and divine!

The Pharisees demand that Jesus order his followers to stop protesting the Emperor’s divinity—that’s what they were doing by saying “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.” Pointing at Jesus. Jesus says that if they were to stop saying that, the rocks and stones themselves would start to sing the same message!

So which way would you pledge your allegiance to? Surely, Jesus’ followers saw the difference. They were part of the Jesus movement called “The Way.” And most of them followed Jesus right up to the very edge.

I hope Paul’s word’s to the Philippians helped them know which path to follow as well to be faithful to the way of Jesus and God’s vision for their community. They were the next generation of followers on The Way.

And don’t you think that we, many generations later, that we would know the path of faithfulness, too? That we know what way to pledge our allegiance to? To give our highest of level of devotion to?

You know when we say, “I pledge allegiance to…” we automatically say, “… the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands.” That’s because it’s been drilled into our heads ever since kindergarten.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love my country which has given me and all of us so much opportunity and privilege. And I know, countless lives have been lost in the effort to preserve the fundamental human right that people are to live free. But my country is not at the top of my “I pledge allegiance to…” list. Neither is the flag. Both get some allegiance and devotion, but they’re not at the top.

Neither can I say I pledge total allegiance to Christianity or to the Church, especially in our nation. That’s called Christian nationalism, another clear form of idolatry. And I can’t say that I pledge my allegiance to the Bible as the inerrant word of God. That’s called bibliolatry. Christianity, the Church, the Bible all get some allegiance, but they’re not at the top of my list.

Each of us has to decide if we are willing to pledge our allegiance to God. To have the highest level of devotion to God. To be on The Way with Christ, or not. Each of us has to decide if we believe in living and practicing God-values, like empathy and compassion, love and mercy, justice and peace for others.

Because building a community that works together for the well-being of others is the key, I think, to living spiritually intelligent lives. Being a faith community that pledges allegiance to Christ on The Way, and does some faith mountain climbing to get there helps resist the condoning of apathy shown by our current leaders.

So saying “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord” today—I think that is the first step of faith mountain climbing. Because “Hosanna’ means “Lord save us!” That is faith, like on a basic level. We turn to God for God’s help and saving grace. We pledge allegiance to God in Christ. And we can get on “The Way” toward a new future with God leading the way, if we decide to do so. May God help us do so. Amen.

Same-Mindedness in a Diverse World

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 15:12:21 GMT

A sermon about finding unity following some tense, divisive moments in our community.

Romans 15: 1-6 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Philippians 2: 4-11 April 2, 2025

“Let the same mind be in your that was in Christ Jesus.”

Prayer: O God who is my strength, please be the foundation of our lives and our faith, as we worship you. May we cherish and live your wisdom. Amen.

Here in the United Church of Christ, we love our slogans. Ever since 1957 when our church began, the first slogan was Jesus’ words from his prayer found in John 16 “That they may all be one.” That phrase was part of the original logo of the UCC. Other phrases gained traction and have staying power. Like “There’s unity in diversity,” and “more recently, “God is still speaking.” “Our faith is over 2000 years old; our thinking is not.” And “Never place a period where God has placed a comma,” a phrased co-opted from the late actress Gracie Allen.

But the one phrase that speaks to me and to many of us is this one: “No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”

We say that. We believe that. We have a deep abiding sense that God’s love for humanity calls us to practice that.

And I think it is in the spirit of that phrase that we worship here tonight. It’s a spirit of welcome and openness to everyone who comes here to worship the living God. Coming to worship the Holy Spirit that can bind us together in love.

And this Holy Spirit can unify us in a spirit of ecumenical ministry. Many people from our E-town churches and the surrounding area have diverse beliefs and practices—and look at us now! All of us here, for such a time as this, worshiping God in Christ together. This is our common ground—we have Christ as our Savior and each of us, no matter who we are, or where we are on life's journey, is loved, accepted, and welcomed by God.

I have such deep hope and faith that what we are doing here tonight is a step in a positive direction. That through these moments, we can sit together, stand together, pray together, sing together, listen together. Worship together. These are positive things that work for the betterment of our wider faith community.

Not fighting. Not zeroing in on our differences. Not digging in our heels. Not looking at the other person sitting next to us with disdain or hatred. All of that is thievery, I think. All that steals from the good of our wider faith community. All that swipes from us the joy of having Christ’s mind formed in us, and the joy of having the common ground that Christ is our Savior.

Our scripture text tonight encourages us to have the same mind that was in Christ be formed in us. His mindset was about being a servant to others. He was committed to God’s interest in people.

He was so dedicated to God’s love for humanity that he was willing to die for that love. And he did. But because he went that far, and beyond, the doors for every person to experience God’s saving grace are forever open. It was an incredible revelation of the mind of God, I think, showing the extravagant love of God who welcomes lost younger sons and daughters as much as older righteous brothers and sisters.

Christ’s example of being a servant shows us, and Paul teaches us that our life as Christians is not about pleasing ourselves but is about pleasing God by tending to others around us. By building up our neighbors. By finding ways to live in harmony even in the middle of the reality that we are diverse people who live in a diverse world. And maybe God might push us at times to go to the far edges in order to do that. To really, really show extravagant love.

So, when we reach across the aisle, I think this pleases God, and by proxy, can be said to be the mind of Christ. Do you think that when we come together in solidarity, letting that which unites us be more meaningful than that which divides us, do you think that can be said to be the mind of Christ?

Many of us know about the Threads and Treads project that took place last year. This project benefits the needy kids in our school district. It’s a beautiful thing! And one of the beautiful things about this project in addition to the kids benefiting, is that our community came together. Local businesses, local churches, people of all different beliefs, political persuasions, backgrounds, we were as diverse as the day is long. But everyone had the same mindset. To ensure the well-being of our kids. And yet, here we are… a diverse community.

I get it that the divisions are deep and wide. But I believe there is no wideness in our lives that God’s grace cannot bridge. There is no division in our thinking that the power of love cannot overcome.

I was told this past week that the divisions in our community are too wide, and the hatred is too deep to have an embracing welcome, a forgiving attitude. I categorically reject that.

I was reminded tonight that Martin Luther King Jr. said, “An eye for an eye just makes the whole world blind.” This is a two-way street. Everyone on all sides has to make up their mind that hatred cannot be fought with hatred. Only love can fight hatred. Everyone has to, I believe, choose the power of love and not the love of power, to share God’s grace with one another and to live and practice the mind of Christ in our diverse world.

So that the slogan “No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here” can become a truthful form of servanthood helping us to welcome each other as God welcomes us. May God help us. Amen.

Fath Mountain Climbing: Mountain of a Guilty Conscience

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 14:44:55 GMT

A sermon about climbing the mountain of our guilty conscience and recognizing our need for forgiveness and grace.

2 Cor. 5: 16-21 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32 March 30, 2025

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare…’”

Prayer: May we listen to your voice in our inner spirit, O Holy One, to know your grace and wisdom. Amen.

You know, sometimes we run across a bible story that we’ve heard a million times, so much so that I wonder what could possibly be said that hasn’t been said about the Parable of the Prodigal Son? Or, as some call it, the Parable of the Lost Son? Or the Parable of the Two Brothers? Or, the one I like the best, the Parable of the Loving Father?

But whatever we call it… it’s a timeless story that still provides deep meaning and lessons on our spiritual journeys, I believe. And, in light of our Faith Mountain Climbing theme, it dawned on me that the parable could shed light on a pretty big mountain that all of us face every now and then—the mountain of a guilty conscience. I never considered that approach before with this parable.

But here it is… because maybe when the younger son got all his inheritance money and went out and squandered all of it... maybe he lost sight of his conscience. Maybe right from the start he was way off his moral center. Kind of like the tax collectors and the sinners Jesus was sitting with… the unclean, the unacceptable, those morally off-center.

And in the dissolute living, in the spending of the entire inheritance, he continued with abandon and let his appetite for all the seedy stuff in the world run amuck. To obey our strongest appetites for drink, sex, power, revenge, or whatever leaves us like an animal taking what we want when we want it, effectively shutting out the voice of our conscience. Effectively keeping us off our moral center.

So, when the young son “came to himself, or come to his senses,” which I think can mean that his conscience finally got through to him, only now it’s a guilty conscience. It’s regret, wishing that he had done things differently. In his heart and spirit, he says, “I really messed up this time. I am not worthy to be the son of my father. So the best I can do is to go back to my father fess up and come clean. And hope for the worst, that he’ll at least treat me not as his son, but as a regular worker. Which is way better than my life as it is now.” Way better than living among the hogs and eating and sleeping with the hogs! That young man was doing some faith mountain climbing right there.

So, I wonder if all of us have at a time or two carried a guilty conscience that may require us to do some faith mountain climbing. I mean some of us carry some regret because we missed an opportunity to respond to a neighbor’s need and our guilty conscience bothers us. Some of us have dreams at night that take us to a place in our lives where we’re doing something that mat not be right.

Some people carry guilty consciences along for the rest of their lives. Several hospital workers were asked what were some deathbed regrets they’ve heard from their dying patients. One worker said that a man “wished he had been a better father to his daughter. He wished that they would have reconnected.” Whatever happened, I don't know. But, I wonder what his life would have been like if he climbed the mountain of his guilty conscience right there and turned back to his daughter.

Another worker said that her grandmother was a nurse, and she would say “I’ve seen a lot of people through their last days and heard a lot of regrets, but I have never heard anyone coming up to the end wishing they had spent more time working” Hospital Workers Share 26 Deathbed Regrets They’ve Heard That Changed Their Lives , retrieved March 28, 2025.)

Yeah, among the common regrets and guilty conscience statements were too little time spent with family and loved ones, missed opportunities, and broken relationships. Like the song says, “It’s too late when we die, to admit we don’t see eye to eye” (“The Living Years,” by Mike and the Mechanics, https://genius.com/Mike-the-mechanics-the-living-years-lyrics, retrieved March 28, 2025).

But, as soon as we start climbing the mountain of our guilty conscience, we start to recognize our need for forgiveness and grace. As soon as we decide to be reconciled, brought back into relationship, the guilty conscience can pass away. As soon as we decide to turn back to God, a new creation begins, and as soon as we admit our powerlessness over our vices, a new future opens up. Because we can never blunt God’s desire to forgive us, to receive us, to welcome us. God’s Grace is always greater than our sin. Always. Love always builds bridges. Always. God always welcomes without condemnation. Always.

Then, there’s the older brother in the parable. If he has a mountain of a guilty conscience to climb, what do you think that’s about? I mean he’s the loyal one. The obedient one. He acts righteously, living by the rules and standards of society and religion, not unlike the Pharisees and scribes the way they thought of themselves. They are angry because Jesus is hanging out with the riffraff of society who aren’t obedient to the rules of society and religion.

And now the older son is grumbling, caught up in his righteousness. Maybe even obsessed with it. For many of us, we would say he makes a fair point. Being obedient is a good thing.

But being the good child can be a burden, too. While it feels like it’s stable, righteous, and a solid foundation, being the good child can be its own prison, especially if you depend on your own goodness to earn grace for you. There is no grace in goodness that must earn its status. And anyone who receives that grace but is not aligned with your thinking, that makes you mad.

This is where I think the challenge in the conscience shows up. Because of the perception that ‘I’m right, everyone else must wrong.’ And others who are wrong make me mad. And if unchecked, the ire and anger can make the differences irreconcilable. The river becomes too wide to even think about reaching out to the person on the other side, let alone building a bridge to that person. As I’ve told us before, people are lonely because we build walls instead of bridges.

The older brother may be like the congressional representative hellbent on punishing drag queens, transgender youth, and deporting undocumented residents. Or the school board member intent on banning books that honestly look at American history.

But to be fair, on the flip side, the older brother may also be progressives like many of us who can easily see the MAGA hat wearing man and others representing them as lost and unredeemable, as demeaning and dangerous, and are not welcome anywhere near us. Does that give us a guilty conscience? Maybe, but probably not. Not yet, anyway. It’s coming.

Because when the younger unacceptable son, the unredeemable one, receives grace, gets a party thrown by the loving father who kills the fatted calf saved for a special occasion, the older brother, the loyal one, the good one, stands outside the party.

And here it comes… the loving father comes out and pleads with his older son to come in. Grace and celebration and all that the father has are intended for him as well. There is always a celebration for the older son. But, the fact is, the loving father loves and graces and welcomes both him and his younger brother who once was lost and is now found, thought dead but now is alive.

There it is. The extravagant love and grace and compassion of God can produce a guilty conscience if we feel otherwise. If we are too busy with our righteous anger to accept it. But, we’re called to accept God’s grace—for our younger brother, or sister and for ourselves.

To be honest, I wish Jesus’ parable would have ended with how the older son responded to his dad. Did he go in and celebrate? Did he stay outside? Did he leave and distance himself from his father and his house? Did his father’s words give him a guilty conscience enough to do some faith mountain climbing? Enough to grow in faith and make a change? We don’t know… I guess that’s for us to answer for ourselves in our own lives.

I know I’ve shared this story with you before, but it’s worth repeating. Do you remember back in 2015 when Pope Francis came to speak to our US Congress? He spoke of God’s grace, of human dignity, of seeing the likeness of God in every person, of caring for the stranger and the immigrant. And while he spoke, Speaker of the House at that time, Rep. John Boehner openly wept. And the next day, Rep. Boehner resigned from Congress. Of course, we were told that it was a case of party politics, but I have to wonder if he was doing some faith mountain climbing...all while the mountain of a guilty conscience ( A Sermon On The Matrix, The Gospel And The US Congress | Nadia Bolz Weber , retrieved March 27, 2025). And in so doing, made a change. Because only then could his healing begin? Only then could he have peace in his spirit?

God is always calling each of us to peace, healing, and wholeness. Calling us to do faith mountain climbing. I encourage each of us to “come to ourselves,” be reconciled to God. Accept that we are loved. And welcomed, and welcome all in God’s presence. Amen.

Faith Mountain Climbing- The Mountain of Spiritual Leakage

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 14:28:38 GMT

A sermon about helping us to change thinking and beliefs from leaky, faulty theology.

1 Corinthians 10: 1-13 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Luke 13: 1-9 March 23, 2025

“For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down!”

Prayer: Holy God, ever-merciful, please guide us as we climb this mountain on our faith journeys. Amen.

The aviation industry has been in the news lately. Ever since January, it seems like there was one airplane crash after another. On January 29th, a CRJ commuter jet for American Airlines collided with a US Army Blackhawk helicopter over the Potomac River near Washington DC’s Reagan International Airport. A total of 67 people died in that crash.

Two days later, a Learjet operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, crashed shortly after takeoff from Northeast Philadelphia Airport killing everyone on board and one person on the ground. 7 total fatalities.

Two and a half weeks after that, on February 17th, a Delta airlines jet attempted to land in Toronto, and just as the wheels touched down, one landing gear collapsed causing the plane to flip over and catch fire. Amazingly all 80 people survived the crash.

And then, on March 3rd, right here in our own backyard, a small Beechcraft Bonanza, a single engine airplane, took off from Lancaster Airport and crashed landed in the parking lot of the Brethren Village right across the street. No one died in that crash, either.

The first two crashes had catastrophic fatalities. The last two had no fatalities. Do you think that the people killed in the first two crashes were punished by God because they were worst sinners than those others who flew and made it safely to their destinations?

Or, do you think that the people whose lives were spared in the last two crashes were somehow not as sinful as others, and that’s why their lives were spared?

No, I tell you. Because my faith journey has taught me that both of those kinds of ideas are theologically faulty! Full of holes. Leaky as a sieve. Because lives lost or lives spared has nothing to do with sin. Tragedy and chance and happenstance and good things happen in life to the faithful and the unfaithful, the sinful and the less sinful.

But, God is faithful. And present. And God provides a way for us to endure life’s tragedies and accidents. Not to believe that I think causes spiritual leakage and takes you away from having faith in God who is above all tender and just, full of mercy, grace, love and forgiveness.

Jesus heard of tragic news stories of his day, too. And he asked those people if they really thought that those Galileans who were killed by Pilates’s armed guards were worse sinners than all other Galileans?

Or, how about those poor victims who died when the tower of Siloam fell on them? A terrible accident. Killing 18 people. Were they worse offenders than everyone else living in Jerusalem?

“No, I tell you,” said Jesus. “But, unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”

Now I know… on the surface doesn’t that sound like a threat? That these people had better repent from their sins or else God is going to bring disaster upon them?

Yes, threats can change behavior, but they don’t always turn your thinking. They don’t change hearts and minds. That’s what the word ‘repent’ means. Jesus is about helping us turn, or to repent, perhaps changing hearts and minds from leaky beliefs to life-giving beliefs.

That may be a reason why Jesus tells this parable right after that. It’s is an allegory. Meaning that the story’s parts represent things in real life. So, the man is God, the vineyard is God’s kingdom, the fig tree is knowing and having God’s covenantal life, taught by religious leaders of the temple for the people of God, the figs are the fruits of growing God. Love, justice, joy, grace, and forgiveness are to be found in God’s people, And the gardener is Jesus.

So, the parable goes like this: the fig tree of God’s covenantal life is not producing the fruits of love and grace and the justice of God in the people and hasn’t for years. They were unfruitful, unfaithful, an unrepentant people of God. God, the owner, kept looking for the fruits of God’s life in people, but always found nothing. So, God had enough, and orders that the fig tree be cut down.

But the gardener, Jesus, intervenes and asks for another year. A second chance. And with some fertilizer, some TLC, some mercy, perhaps God’s people will turn to back to God and show the fruits of God’s covenantal way of life, in their lives.

And that’s our good news, friends. That Jesus is forever intervening on our behalf. Forever helping us to do some faith mountain climbing, helping us climb the mountain of spiritual leakage. Helping us to change thinking and beliefs from leaky theology.

But, sometimes changing hearts and thinking is a big ask. With the arrival of baseball, I’m reminded that last fall Pete Rose died, one of the greatest baseball players ever. He never got inducted into the Hall of Fame because he gambled on his own team. Pete Rose denied it forever, until he wrote his book when he finally admitted it. He thought that admitting it, saying the magic words that he was sorry, people could move on and let bygones be bygones. And he’d be in the Hall of Fame. That didn’t happen. And he was bitter to the end of his life. Pete Rose never grasped honest repentance. He didn’t want to climb that mountain. He never wanted a change of heart. He never desired forgiveness. What he wanted was forgetfulness (Long, Thomas, “ Preaching Toward True Repentance ,” Journal for Preachers, Lent 2025, pg. 14). I would guess he suffered from spiritual leakage. Believing in faulty ideas.

So, I wondered, what do we tend to say and believe that might actually be faulty beliefs causing spiritual leakage? That might be huge mountain-sized obstacles to our faith growth that we have to do some faith mountain climbing in order to repent from them?

I thought of a few… hold on to your hats… Think that the idea of God’s punishment occurring in natural disasters doesn’t apply to our day? Remember Hurricane Katrina? It was all the talk among conservative religious talk show hosts that God was wiping out the sinfulness of the people in New Orleans.

Or back in the 80s, the AIDS epidemic, it was said that this was God’s wrath carried out on the gay community. People still believe that nonsense.

There are some favorite sayings that many people believe and say partly because they don’t know what else to say in light of tragedy. Or if may help themselves feel good. And these are not biblical, either. Like, “Everything happens for a reason.” Not biblical. Causes spiritual leakage, too. Because for some tragedies, there simply is no reason. Sometimes stuff just happens, you know? God doesn’t cause it. Accidents occur. But God is with us in the tragedy, in the accident, and maybe we learn something from the aftermath. But sometimes things just happen, y’ know.

Or, how about, “God helps those who help themselves.” Or “God is in control” Or “God will not give you more than you can handle.” All three of those statements are not biblical. And detract from true faith. Well, that last one is a distortion of Paul’s words that “God will not let you be tested beyond your strength” which we heard today in our reading.

Here’s one; “You have to be saved before you can enter heaven.” Or “Following all the rules earns you God’s favor.” Or “If you really love Jesus, you would want more than anything in the world to be good enough for him to love you back.” OMG, you guys! Leaky, Faulty theology—in my book! All of these!

Because God’s grace and mercy are what saves us. God’s promise is that we are saved not because of sin, but because we are loved. Not because we got our act together, but because God sent Jesus while our act wasn’t together, while we were still sinners!

How about “God will bless you with success and wealth if you just trust God more and have enough faith.” Oy! A huge trap called the prosperity gospel. If you are successful, give thanks for your blessings. But have faith no matter what comes in life, whether you have success and blessings or challenges and struggles.

Oswald Chambers says, “Living a life of faith means trusting but never knowing what is coming or where you are being led. But it does mean loving and knowing the One who is leading” ( The Way Of Abraham In Faith , retrieved March 22, 2025).

So, during Lent this year, let’s climb up the mountains that cause spiritual leakage.

Remember that true repentance, a turning of heart and mind to the ways of God, is one of the best tools we can use. With faith, we turn to God’s light and love and away from anything that lets those leak those out. Because we know God’s light and love, God’s mercy and truth, forgiveness and grace always hold their spiritual water. Amen.

Faith Mountain Climbing; Temptation

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 14:14:05 GMT

A sermon about climbing the mountain of temptation when we're tempted to believe that we are less than what God says we are.

Romans 10: 8b-13 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Matthew 4: 1-11 March 9, 2025

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”

Prayer: O God, may we feel your presence tending to us as we do some faith mountain climbing. Amen.

WGAL News 8 reporter Brian Roche has a segment called “8 On Your Side.” He often tells the public about the different scams that are out there. I’m blown away at how often scammers tempt people with false promises, or sneaky phrasing designed to lure you into a trap. They feed you a line, tempt you to take the bait, and if you’re not careful, they’ve gotcha! I mean Brian Roche is on at least once or twice a week telling us to be diligent. Be on your guard. Don’t be tempted. I just wish all that scammer energy could be used for something productive and productive!

Well friends, truth is, we are all tempted. It’s not a sin to be tempted. It’s part of being human. We are going to experience temptation. We get enticed by worldly things. We get tempted to love some worldly things like alcohol, substances, excessive Internet time, money, power, physical pleasure. Because, let’s face it, we want to enjoy stuff. We are always tempted to make ourselves our top priority, and therefore, we want to meet our needs, and get deep satisfaction, and often we want the quickest way to make that happen.

It’s not that any of those things are sinful per se. It’s when we love those things, and when that love gets so strong that we manipulate, or find short cuts, or walk over others, just to satisfy our love and our cravings, that we have gone down the rabbit hole.

That’s why I think it’s important to call out temptation as one of the mountains we face requiring us to do some faith mountain climbing on our journeys.

Lent is the season when we think about how things are within our souls, and how we are with God. And I found myself asking this past week, how is my soul with God? And I want to ask you, How is yours? Or are you tempted to find it somewhere else? Do you find your deepest satisfaction in God? Do you know that your identity is more than your name, and where you’re from, and what you do for a living? That mostly your identity is that you are a child of God? And God is the source of your deepest satisfaction?

When we believe– right there, my beloved ones, is where some of our deepest temptations come, I think. We are tempted to downplay who we truly are. Tempted to believe something else. I don’t think that we are tempted to indulge in some worldly things nearly as much as we are tempted to believe that we are less than what God says we are. What the world says we should be. These are temptations at a deeper level, I think.

It’s like a young woman named Emily who grew up as an overachiever in an affluent community. Her parents pushed her to have high expectations, to be successful. Her identity was wrapped up in how well she achieved worldly success. But she grew up with no personal faith. Then, at age 19, she experienced chronic health problems, and her life became unglued. Talking to a friend of hers who had always had to struggle academically, Emily asked her friend how she coped with disappointed expectations. The friend said that she knew she was a child of God and that was all that mattered. She was loved.

Emily found that response different from anything she ever heard. It set her on a journey of spiritual discovery that ultimately led to her becoming a Christian and later being ordained as a Presbyterian minister. She is now a chaplain at a children’s hospital ( Child Of God | Homiletics Online , retrieved March 8, 2025).

See? When we open ourselves to the way God sees you and me, God can transform us on the inside, take up residency in our spirit, and we become one with God. And the things of the world don’t have nearly the allure they once had. Then the mountain of temptation is at a deeper level. We call out and resist anything that takes us away from finding our deepest satisfaction in God. Our deepest needs being met in God alone. And yeah, some of those things are likely things of the world, but we trust in God’s presence and aid as we resist them.

This I think is the deeper level where Jesus was tempted. Because our man Jesus was taken by the Spirit right after his baptism, right after the voice from heaven declared His identity-that he was God’s beloved Son. And it’s that identity that the Tempter was trying to get Jesus to prove—by tempting him to not trust in God, but instead to trust in his inherent power as the Son of God to do some fantastic things.

Like take care of his physical needs. Just ease your hunger, Jesus, and turn these stones into a Panera Bread bowl. Or Sal’s Chicken Cheese steak! No need to trust God to provide what you need; do it yourself.

Jesus said, nope. One doesn’t live on bread alone.

No? Well, how about proving your identity by ensuring your own survival? Take a risk. Jump off the cliff. You’ll be fine. Drink the Kool-Aid. No worries. Put God to the test. See if God’s angels will protect you. Because the Bible says they will. When they do, Bingo! No doubt, you’re the Son of God.

Jesus said, nope. Do not put the Lord your God to the test.

So, you won’t do that either? Hmph. Well, how about engaging worldly power that I can give you? You like power, don’t you, Jesus? Just worship me, and I will give you control of all the world’s kingdoms, play stock options, incentives, authority to dismantle organizations in the name of government efficiency. You can become a social media influencer and make videos and do podcasts. Just take the short cut of worshipping me, and all the power in the world can be yours.

Jesus said, nope. Worship the Lord your God. Serve only God. And get out of here!

I think Jesus recognized the scam. He saw all the short cuts, the sneaky phrasing, the false promises for what they were—a bunch of baloney. Because he knew God, and trusted in God, and understood what God called him to be—the Son of God—and to do—bear the sins of the world. It’s when we have God in our heats that we can face temptations on a deeper level. But trust in God, and the deepest satisfaction we can know will be ours.

One last thing I want to say for us today. Many of you have asked, a few have complained, others are just plain curious, why I encouraged our Worship committee to endorse an updated version of the Lord’s Prayer. Some of our youth were like, “Why did we change that? I mean I’ve been saying ‘debts and debtors’ and ‘Lead us not into temptation’ my whole life!” Some of our college students came back to worship after not worshiping for a while and stumbled over the phrases while the rest of us were saying “sins and sin against us” and “Do not let us fall into temptation.”

Well, two quick answers. One is that theologically speaking, I believe God never leads us into temptation; we do that all by ourselves. The second is to become more accurate with the Greek language. The Greek uses the word ‘sin,’ and also words that nuance a request to not let us be brought into temptation. And then a few years ago Pope Francis authorized the phrase “Do not let us fall into temptation,” capturing that nuance.

So, we adopted our current version after trying several forms of the Lord’s Prayer in our worship gatherings. Because we sin more frequently than we are in debt to someone. And God doesn’t lead us into temptation but can help us not fall into it.

And we can trust that God aids us when we do.

And God will help us do our faith mountain climbing so that we can truly find our deepest satisfaction in our God in whom we trust and whose word is near to our hearts and on our lips. Whose word calls us a beloved child of God, and whose love saves us.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Faith Mountain Climbing; The Mountain of Self-Serving Interest

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 13:55:57 GMT

An Ash Wednesday sermon beginning the "Faith Mountain Climbing" worship series. Get over the mountain of self-serving interest of how others see you and zero in on how God sees you.

Isaiah 58: 1-12 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-21 March 5, 2025

“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, as we begin our Lenten season, as we climb different mountains on our faith journeys, may we turn to you always, because you see us, and know us, and take care of our needs. Amen.

When I was growing up, I used to look forward to Wednesday night Lenten worship services at my dad’s church in Illinois primarily because those worship services used to feature something different. Like one year they did a movie series for the church. Another year they had musicians come in and do concerts. And, then afterwards, there was always milk and cookies for refreshments. Of course, those reasons for looking forward to Lent have all changed.

But, you know, it’s funny how my perceptions of why Lent is important have changed over the years. It used to be that you were supposed to give up something. Now, I’m at the place on my faith journey of realizing that Lent is a truth-telling season. That speaks truth more plainly than we may want to hear. That our faith is not all about “rah-rah,” boost up your confidence, feel the energy of the Spirit, come to worship to be uplifted.

Yeah, there may be some of that during the year, but Lent invites something different. Lent is a season to be genuinely honest with ourselves and with God. To be honest about our frailties. To speak truthfully about our sometimes-unhealthy attitudes that buzz annoyingly around our consciences. About the “ashes” that we’ve created along the way. About the mountains we might face that require some spiritual work.

So, for this year’s Lenten season, all of our worship experiences leading up to Easter, are designed to help us explore some of these mountains. So, I’m inviting all of us to do some Faith Mountain Climbing as our focus during Lent.

And starting us off tonight is the mountain of self-serving interest. And I don’t have to tell you… we all know people who do certain things or act certain ways for self-serving purposes. Because it makes them look good in the eyes of others. Because they want attention. They’re the grand-standers. The show-offs. The loudmouths. The ones who always wants the limelight.

And in religious circles, it’s the person who comes across as having artificial piety. Who shows up faithfully in church and loves what people are saying, about that, but doesn’t put faith into practice outside of church. When at work. Or at home. Or when making decisions about the issues in our culture. What goes on in church stays in church kind of thing.

Isaiah yelled that the people came to synagogue, fasting faithfully. But it was only to serve their own interest. Because after fasting, they still were unscrupulous in their business practices. They still treated people unfairly. They didn’t bother following God’s ways at all. And yet they want God to act righteously toward them. And Isaiah says, “You call that acceptable?” It is not.

Jesus is concerned about the same thing. He’s calls out the so-called “religious” people who make effort to look good in the eyes of others. To look devout and faithful. To practice religion in order to be seen. To give offerings to impress others. To pray loudly to show how prayerful you are. To fast to show others how much you have to sacrifice. You call that acceptable?

Jesus says that yeah, you’ll get rewarded when other people praise you. You’ll get the good feelings. But that’s all you’ll get. And those feelings are fleeting. They won’t last, and they won’t provide you deep spiritual reward.

That’s God’s department. But God does not reward phony religious practice.

God calls us to get over ourselves and do some faith mountain climbing. Get over the mountain of self-serving interest of how others see you and zero in on how God sees you. Do in private what would likely be seen as self-serving in public.

For giving? Jesus says to give to God in secret—there’s no one to reward you there except God. I remember the last church I served, Chapel Hill UCC, had a policy that no names could be put on plaques, or on wall hangings or on stained glass windows when gifts were given to the church. Because it’s too easy to slide down the slope of saying “Look at how much I gave.”

For prayer? Jesus says to pray to God in the solitude of your own room—there’s no one to recognize your inner life other than God. And God who is in secret will reward you.

For rituals and spiritual practices? Like fasting? Do your spiritual practices in such a way that doesn’t call attention to the fact that you’ve done it.

Then practice living life that resembles what your faith practice is in private is all about.

That is what is acceptable to God.

And the good news is that God sees us totally. We don’t need to pretend in God’s presence. We can say to God, “Please see me. I am here. Please help me climb and get over the mountain of self-serving interest so that my conscience may be stirred to know what you call me to be and do.”

And God rewards. God is there. I think God is more than delighted to guide us continually. To satisfy our needs in parched places. To make us strong and healthy spiritually. To make us like a well-watered garden. To rebuild us where we may be broken.

We have a God who will strengthen us on our faith journeys, each day, when we continually seek out the one who gives us new life on our journeys.

And there are more mountains to climb. May God bless you. Amen.

The Freedom of Seeing Spiritually

Sun, 02 Mar 2025 13:36:37 GMT

A sermon about our minds being free to see the world and everything in it the way God sees it.

Exodus 34: 29-35 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

2 Corinthians 3: 12-18 March 2, 2025

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

Prayer: May we shine like the sun, O Lord, because we are free in your spirit. Amen.

Do you recall a few months ago I told you about life-like images of Jesus produced by AI, and these were being tried out in some Catholic church’s confession booths?

Well, as if that wasn’t enough, guess what I read about this past week? Apparently models who look like Jesus are in high demand. Not AI produced images. Real human beings. People hire these Jesus look-alikes to pose in family portraits, family photos or engagement pics, and wedding announcements. They are long-haired, bearded, and not surprisingly white men who make between $100—$200 an hour! Are you kidding me? They walk through the park with a newly engaged couple, or play with children on the play ground, or cram in with the family for their Christmas card photo. OMG!

But wait! There’s more. Some clients pressure the models to embody Jesus in more than just appearance. One person told a model to be the “most Christ-like” he could be, or… get this… “or people will be able to tell through the photos that it’s not real” (Seen and Heard, The Christian Century, March 2025, pg. 12, from the Wall Street Journal, December 18).

And I was like, What? No, duh! Of course it’s not real! Hate to break it to ya, but people are going to know that these Jesus-posers are not really Jesus! Just sayin’! Hello!

Christianity has lost its integrity and value if it boils down to some kind of make-believe ruse, which tries to make it look like Jesus is in your life and family.

Depending on how thick the proverbial veil is over your eyes, you either recognize that the real Jesus spiritually is in your life and family, or you don’t.

Because our faith is about the real Jesus’ spirit being alive and among us spiritually. Our faith is about God deciding to come into the world through human beings, mostly notably and demonstrably through Jesus whom we know to be the Christ, God’s Son, God’s Anointed One. It’s about God going to ridiculous lengths to love us, be with us. And grace us. And forgive us. And reconcile with us. No matter who we are. And help free us spiritually from whatever stops us from knowing God in Christ.

That’s what I think Paul means when he uses the veil as a metaphor. It represents anything that stops us from spiritually knowing God through Christ.

In Paul’s day, the thick veil that stopped people from knowing God was believing that following all the Jewish laws to a tee was the only way to know God. It was the only way to earn God’s love which might allow you to get to heaven. It was the old covenant. And to be honest, this is the thing, the veil, that stops many of us in our day, too.

Because basically a lot of people think that God is in reward and punishment business. You do good in life, you get to heaven. You do poorly in life, you get to somewhere else. Paul said that this thinking is bogus and is like a veil over the eyes which prevents you from seeing the glory of God’s saving grace and love.

Over the years in ministry, I’ve had conversations with many elderly folks, most of whom trusted in the grace of God at the end of their earthly days as a life-giving, resurrective power.

But, some were terrified to die. Because they thought that God might be angry with them and that they would be denied access to the eternal realm. They bought into the reward / punishment system of a false religion. So faith at the end of their lives was like a thick veil and a source of torment and fear.

But for others who trusted in the grace of God? Faith in the end was like a thin veil and was a source of comfort and freedom. Paul says when one turns to the Lord, even the thin veil gets dissolved and there is spiritual freedom. No guilt. No fear. Only grace, light and love.

All of this, of course, is connected to the transfiguration of Jesus. Where Jesus, like Moses before him, was in God’s presence and was all lit up. And the disciples, Peter, James and John, had the “veil” over their perceptions lifted from their eyes. They saw the heavenly realm permeate into the earthly realm. They saw Moses and Elijah from the heavenly realm talking with Jesus. A blending of the spiritual with the temporal.

And I have to wonder, is this story a metaphor of the way the world truly is? That the heavenly realm is right here in our earthly realm, only our veils are too thick that we don’t see the world as it truly is?

Because God’s presence is everywhere. God’s Spirit is interactive with us. It’s part of every existing thing. Can we see it? If we don’t, maybe our veils are too thick.

If we do see it, then maybe our veils are thinner and we become free to see our world spiritually. Do you see God in nature? Beautiful mountains. Exquisite plant and animal life. Watch The Americas with Tom Hanks tonight. Ask God to let you be free to see the world as God sees it.

Can we see the divine in ourselves? Look in the mirror. Do you see God’s light radiating from you? Paul believes you do. He writes all of us with unveiled faces see the glory of the Lord as if looking in the mirror. Ask God to free you so that you can see spiritually. Maybe you can get your glow going.

Do you see the divine in others? A pregnant woman, or an athlete who’s just won sometimes is said to be glowing. Of course, that’s a figurative way to express the joy on one’s face, but could it be literally true? Yes. According to one source, “the human body literally glows, emitting a visible light in extremely small quantities at levels that rise and fall with the day. Past research has shown that the body emits visible light 1,000 times less intense than the levels to which our naked eyes are sensitive.” Use the search words, “Can people glow?” You will find many articles about this subject ( Listening to Jesus | Homiletics Online , retrieved March 1, 2025 from Reputable Resources).

Are you moved by acts of love and kindness? Moments of worship? Like when a baby is baptized? Or when Holy Communion makes us feel the presence of the Lord? Or when you realize a deeper insight that makes you go “Aha!”

Or when music moves you to tears. A couple of weeks ago, Barb and I went to a concert of love songs for Valentine’s Day, and those songs simply were beautiful and moved us to tears. Or, every time I hear Celine Dion and Andre Bocelli sing The Prayer , I mean….wow! I can’t help it. It just moves me.

When those kinds of moments happen, I think it’s a thin veil. In Celtic mysticism, it’s called a “thin place.” Thin places are where the space between heaven and earth, the distance between the spiritual and the temporal grow thin, and even the veil between divinity and humanity sometimes can dissolve and the two can permeate one another. I have to wonder if this is the way the world truly is.

So, if there’s one thing I encourage you to take away today, it’s this: that God is spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Because when the spirit of the Lord is in our hearts, there is freedom from faith-debilitating ideas like God is in the reward / punishment business. That’s not the God I know. And it’s not the God revealed through Jesus Christ.

There is freedom from seeing our world and everything within it only from a temporal vantage point. There is freedom from prejudice and biases and the love of money that makes for cuts in programs that benefit the disadvantage. We support the thickness of our veils that cover our spiritual eyes when we resign ourselves to our own limitations and vision.

Maybe we also end up stifling God? Because maybe God is at it all the time trying to help see holistically. Always trying to help us our minds be free to see the world and everything in it the way God sees it. Always helping us to not just look like God’s spirit is in us, but to really have it in us. And our faces will shine! Let us pray for the freedom to see spiritually. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Christian Common Sense

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 20:06:10 GMT

A sermon about how life may be lived with God in your heart.

Genesis 45: 3-11, 15 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Luke 6: 27-38 February 23, 2025

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Prayer: May we feel the spiritual freedom that comes when we follow you. In Christ we pray, Amen.

We know what ‘common sense’ is, yes? Some of us have learned a good, deep understanding of everyday knowledge about the world, and some of us not so much. There are plenty of internet memes about the lack of common sense—like this one—“I’m guessing whoever decided to call it common sense didn’t know that many people.”

Common sense is what is practical, basic, sound judgement and wisdom for daily living, right? It’s the stuff that’s almost too obvious to say. Kind of like what should be second nature, or what is generally understood and accepted by a large group of people regardless of their backgrounds. Common sense tells you not to touch a hot stove to avoid getting burned. Or to look both ways before crossing the street. That’s common sense.

Today’s Bible reading from Luke has the Golden Rule—“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” And I wondered, is this common sense? Maybe. It is, in the sense that a lot of people know the rule. But, is it practiced? I found it interesting that of all the definitions for common sense that I spotted on the internet, only one came close to including practicing common sense: “Common sense is everyday knowledge about the world… and the ability to use it easily when appropriate.” So, is the Golden Rule practiced? Is it used easily?

Sadly, I think most of us, most of our businesses, most of our governments rumble along without paying much attention to the Golden Rule. Sometimes it only gets lip service.

Sometimes the inverse, the negative version of it is preferred—“Don’t do anything to others that you don’t want done to you.” Which is OK, but it sounds like common sense. Because common sense says watch out for yourself first, and don’t do to others what you wouldn’t want them to do to you.

But that’s different from what Jesus taught. It’s not as demanding. It doesn’t involve us doing anything. It’s easier for us to not do something for others than it is to do something for others. So, when Jesus said “Do to others,” I think he means we have to involve ourselves in another person’s welfare first, just as we hope that the other person involve themselves in our welfare first.

When I was in 6th grade, I was all about football. Played it. Watched it. Watched movies about it. Shortly after I watched “Brian’s Song,” a movie about football players Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers, one of my youth advisors from church gave me the book “I Am Third” written by Gale Sayers. And I read it right away. And it had a lasting impact on my life. Because it’s Gale Sayers’ autobiography about how he learned that the best order to balance life’s priorities was this: God is first, others are second, and I am third.

Yeah, that’s not common sense. But that may be Christian common sense. Christian common sense is what you get when you have God living in your heart first. And then you open yourself to the love of Christ as the dominant influence in your life which stirs you to do to others as you would have them do to you. I am third. And you build faith that God has your best interest at heart while you are third. That’s Christian common sense, and it reaches far more deeply than common sense could ever reach.

Because Christian common sense is what we can learn. It’s spiritual wisdom for everyday living.

So, it makes me think that a real test of being Christian is not being nice, or doing devotions, or going to church, or giving money to the church. It’s not preaching the gospel. It’s not even loving those who love you. Or blessing those who bless you. Even the worst people can do that! It’s not giving to those who can reciprocate. Or getting mad when you give and there is no reciprocation. I’ve seen that happen a few times.

No, I wonder if the real test of being a Christian is how deeply we desire to let Christian common sense become like second nature in us. How deeply we do to others because we’re followers of Christ.

Christian common sense goes directly to what God values— the sacredness of life all around us. The power of seeing every person first and foremost as loved by God and a place where God lives. The beauty of the God/human relationship that is grounded in a sacred partnership with God. And the trajectory of that partnership that is always arcing toward harmony. Toward reconciliation. Toward love and grace.

Which is why this story of Joseph revealing himself to his brothers is like one of my favorite Hebrew scripture stories. What a beautiful story of reconciliation. Of love and grace of transformation.

It reminded me of another story of a man who required major surgery, and on the evening of the surgery, his one son Ed arrived at the hospital to spend time with his dad and mom. As he approached the room, he heard laughter from both dad and mom, and a third voice mixed in. When Ed entered the room, he was shocked to see his older brother Gary, who five years ago, had a falling out with his dad. They had not spoken since. They were like enemies. But his father’s illness brought them back together and the beginnings of forgiveness and reconciliation started. Just like when Joseph spoke those words to his brothers, “I am your brother, Joseph,” Ed wrote that maybe his brother Gary, when he first saw dad after all those years, said “I am your son, Gary” (Horstman, Ed, “In the Lectionary,” The Christian Century , Feb. 2025, p. 27). And maybe God’s grace penetrated through all the years of separation. And transformed them and their relationship.

See? Forgiveness. Reconciliation. Love and grace. These values are Christian common sense. It seems to me that Gary and his dad practiced Christian common sense when they practiced the Golden Rule. Gary visited his dad, as he would like, as if Gary was having surgery.

But, they had to choose to follow the Golden Rule. God is not going to push us to follow it. We have to take that first step, almost as if God wasn’t there at all. But immediately we do, we find God was always there. As soon as we do to others what we know we would value if done to us, God’s light comes on it and transforms it. It becomes a holy moment.

This past week the electrician came to my house to finish up some work for me he started a while back, and while he was there, he asked me what I was preaching about today. I told him my sermon was called “Christian common sense,” and it was about making the Golden Rule common sense in our lives and about loving your enemies. And he said, “Hmmm… I don’t do that. I don’t love my enemies. I tolerate them.” I laughed and said, “Yeah, I think a lot of people are in the same boat.” But, then I said that Jesus didn’t teach us to tolerate our enemies. He didn’t even teach us to like them. He taught us to love our enemies as we would want them to love us

Well, he didn’t respond, and I don’t know him well enough, so the conversation turned to electrical matters. A few hours later, when he was done, I came back with the check book, and I said, “What do I owe you?” And he said, “Well, since you called me back a few weeks ago, the amount is $150 more than what we previously agreed upon. Ok, But, I want you to take that $150 that you saved, and give it to someone who needs it in your church.” WOW! I felt the holiness of that moment I gave that money away as soon as I could.

What do you think? Do you think that the Holy Spirit got into his heart a little bit there? I’d like to think so God. So maybe as soon as we do to others what we know we would value if done to us, God’s light comes on the moment and can transform it. Making it sacred.

That’s nothing but Christian common sense. And it can free us when common sense doesn’t take us far enough. May we have God’s wisdom and strength to make Christian common sense second nature in our lives, for everyday living. Amen.

Holy Fall, Holy Call

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 19:42:44 GMT

A sermon about hearing God's call even after going through a fall.

Isaiah 6: 1-8 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Luke 5: 1-11 February 9, 2025

But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!”

Prayer: Help us to hear your call, O Lord, so that we may be about your work in our lives. Amen.

Rev. Diane Roth is a Lutheran pastor in Texas who tells a story about a couple in her church named Harold and Alice. Harold walked permanently stooped over. And Alice was confined to a wheel chair. Turns out Alice contracted polio early on in their marriage, and Harold became stooped over because of all the years of lifting her in and out of her wheelchair. He carried her, not just for worship, but for the plays and concerts, and a variety of other events they attended together.

Harold even had to give up his career as a university professor to take on a corporate position because he needed a larger salary to pay for Alice’s medical bills.

They saw none of this coming down the road when they first got married. Back then life was rich and full. Things they counted on were in place. It was an exciting time. Their whole future was in front of them.

And then, all that they relied on changed when Alice’s polio hit.

But if you were to ask Harold if he got a bum rap in life, he would say absolutely not. He’d say he was living his best life, despite the dreams that were left behind. He’d say that Alice made his life better (Roth, Diane, “In the Lectionary,” The Christian Century , February 2025, p. 25).

This story made me wonder how Simon Peter might have answered if he was asked if he got a bum rap in life for choosing to follow Jesus. I mean fishing was Peter’s life. His job. His source of income. Everything he counted on.

But on that day after Peter let Jesus teach the crowd from his boat, Jesus provided an abundant catch. And it was so abundant that the nets started to break, and the boats started to sink because of all the fish.

We might look at this story and say, “Wow, God! You did a fantastic miracle right there!” But I began to wonder if the miracle actually served to teach a very important lesson. I mean yes, I think that it shows God’s provisions are marvelous, but it also shows that everything Peter counted on in life can break, sink, tear, or fall away. The nets, vital for fishing, were breaking. The boats were sinking. The fish were so abundant they didn’t know what to do with all of them.

Then Jesus basically invited Peter to give up his job, his family, his community… give up everything, in order to follow him.

So, I’m thinking that maybe Peter had what I’m calling a holy fall, a moment when he realized that the pillars he normally counted on may not hold forever. That God was undoing things that were secure in his life and was moving Peter onto a different faith journey. A holy call. A call which would find Peter, instead of catching fish, would be catching people. A call that would take him to places unknown. A call that, for all intents and purposes, would lead him to become one of the first martyrs in the Church. Indeed, Peter was crucified upside down. Because he didn’t want to be crucified in the same way as his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was.

But, if you were to ask Peter if he got a bum rap, my guess is that he would say absolutely not. He lived his best life for Christ. That life with Christ, even if it took him to martyrdom, was better than a life without Christ. That a holy fall Peter went through would make him weak in the knees, and fall before Jesus, but it would take him to a holy call to new life in Christ.

So, my friends, I’ve been thinking about what’s in our lives that God may have to set up a holy fall so that we may hear the holy call of God. Because, let’s face it, some of the pillars that we rely on in our lives are sketchy at best in terms of helping us live our best life.

I know for me, one of the pillars that makes me similar to Peter is that I think I know what’s going on.

I trust my perspectives. I mean when Jesus gives the pretty crazy instruction to go out into the deeper water, Peter was pretty confident that they did all they could to catch fish, but they caught nothing. Peter was at first like, “Um, Master, we worked all night. Caught nothing. There’s no fish in this part of the lake. Trust me. I know.” That’s just like me. Maybe like many of us.

But, to his credit, Peter was willing to stretch forward, trusting a little bit. And when the big catch of fish comes true, Peter is aware of how far off his perspective really is. He’s aware that he’s trusting in only what his eyes can see. And he fell down at Jesus’ knees saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” Meaning I didn’t trust in you and I haven't trusted in God.

Kind of like Isaiah, too. In the presence of such a holy God, Isaiah recognizes just how unholy he and all of Jerusalem with him are unholy. In God’s presence he cried out, “I am a man of unclean lips!”

But God works beyond what the eye can see. And maybe God is trying to create a holy fall in our lives, especially when we might trust in our own perspectives more than we trust in what God is doing beyond our perspectives.

Because with God, there is more to us and to the world than we can imagine. Because with God, there might be a holy fall, but there is always a holy call afterwards.

For Peter, it was to stop fishing for fish, and start a new call of fishing for people. God is for us, it might be to start sharing the good news that God is here, in our presence, at work in our lives and in the world.

For Harold, as Rev. Roth says, “It was something else. It was love. It was his love for his wife, and her love for him, that made him see differently. What mattered was being together.” And he lived out his holy call to love and care for Alice all his days. And she for him.

For the 65,000 + federal employees put on notice this past week? I just hope and pray that many of them will know that God is in their midst, and that the sudden fall from having a job may be a God-guided, holy fall. So that they may listen to a new call upon their lives, and follow it wherever that may take them.

And what about for you? Where might God be setting up a holy fall in your life? What might God be trying to dismantle in you so that you can listen for and respond to God’s holy call? So that you can live your best life with Christ Jesus in your heart taking you to the other seas God has in mind. And then let the consequences be what they may, no matter what God chooses to call you to. Let us think, reflect, and pray about these questions. Amen.

Under the Truth that Hurts

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 18:04:00 GMT

Under a painful truth in your life is a powerful love of God that is patient and kind.

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We're So Different, But Whatever!

Sun, 26 Jan 2025 17:21:02 GMT

A sermon about diversity and seeing all colors of people.

Luke 4: 14-21 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

1 Corinthians 12: 12-31a January 26, 2025

“Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

As it is, there are many members, yet one body.

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Prayer: May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you, O Lord, our rock and our Redeemer. Amen.

It’s been a long time since my youth ministry days, but back in the day, I taught a high school Faith Formation class called “Sounds of Faith Today.” One song I used was by En Vogue called “Free Your Mind.” The first verse calls out stereotyping and racism and the way people pre-judge others. Which led to the words of the chorus “Why, oh why must it be this way? Before you can read me, you got to learn how to see me. Free your mind, and the rest will follow. Be colorblind, don’t be so shallow.”

I really liked those words back then. Be colorblind. They spoke a faith message to me. They still do in certain respects. Because acceptance of people should not be based on the color of their skin. We’re invited to see everyone as the same without color’s influence.

But colorblindness also has its weaknesses. It can stop us from seeing the beauty of people in the infinite amount of colors and shapes and sizes we come in. It can lead us to devalue diversity. It prevents us from seeing the uniqueness that each person brings. It’s difficult to see the beauty of the kaleidoscope or the mandala of humanity if you’re color blind.

So I wonder if we can combat racism and stereotyping and prejudice and bigotry not by being colorblind, but by seeing all the colors! By accepting, welcoming, embracing all the nuances and shades and tones of people. Saying We’re so different, but so what? Or Who cares? Or We’re so different, but whatever!

All that is to say that this passage by Paul to the Corinthians if taken by itself is meaningful because he’s basically saying that God’s plan is to have everyone be part of the body of Christ. But to me I think it has even more meaning when you know that Paul wrote these words as a response to the intense dissension they faced. They argued. They were mad at each other.

Some people loved the idea that Christ was a Jew and came for the Jewish people, and everyone who believed in Christ had to be the same. A Jew. That’s called faith homogeneity. You had to first be a Jew or become one, and follow Jewish laws to have God’s grace. You could not be part of God’s salvation or part of the body of Christ unless you were a Jew. Everyone the same. I’ll circle back to faith homogeneity in a minute. But Paul said No to faith homogeneity. He said you didn’t have to be a Jew or follow Jewish laws to be a part of God’s salvation. You could be part of the body of Christ even if you came to Christ from different paths. You have to be blind to a homogenous faith.

That’s why Paul used the body parts as a metaphor in this passage. Just as the hand, or eye, or foot are part of the body and has a purpose, so every member of Christ’s body is included and has a purpose.

What he meant I think was that the body of Christ is full of many members baptized and touched by the one Spirit. All belong, especially because of the differences. Everyone brings many gifts. Each has purpose. Every member cares for one another. Every member suffers when one suffers and all rejoice when one rejoices. As it is, there are many members, yet one body. That’s called faith heterogeneity.

It’s like the toolbox I have in my workshop. Can you imagine if every one of my tools was a some kind of wrench? Or if I had all screwdrivers? Or all saws? My tool box would be almost useless. As it is, my toolbox has many tools, but it’s one tool box.

Or can you imagine if the Philadelphia Eagles was made up of only quarterbacks? Where would Saquon Barkley be? Or Dallas Goedert? The team certainly wouldn’t be in the playoffs! As it is, there are eleven positions, but one team. Go Birds!

Or the full beauty of an orchestra would be lost if the trumpets were not a part of it. Or if the violinist said to the flautist, “You’re not needed in the orchestra.” Even different instruments in the orchestra read a different musical language. The sheet music for percussion instruments looks totally different from the music the piano player reads. I remember back when I was in high school, as a singer, I only knew treble clef and bass clef. I was totally astounded to find out that there is an alto clef and a tenor clef for the violins and cellos. Which I can’t read. As it is, the orchestra has many instruments, many musical languages, but it’s one orchestra. With one conductor. Our annual meeting shows we have lots of ministries in our church, but as it is, we are one church.

You see where I’m going with this? Push it further and we see that our nation is full of diverse people. Natural born citizens. And immigrants. Documented and undocumented. There are literally hundreds of nationalities, ethnicities, cultures and lifestyles. Many languages are spoken. Many ancestral roots are the bases for rich and vibrant heritages. Many are contributors to our society. We are many, but one nation.

That is why, my dear loved ones in Christ, it is the opposite of unexciting religiosity that causes me to speak against the deportation of undocumented immigrants from our country, especially on the grounds that they are committing violent crimes in our neighborhoods. The fact is most of the violent crimes committed in our neighborhoods are committed by our citizens according to the National Institute of Justice, Undocumented Immigrant Offending Rate Lower Than U.S.-Born Citizen Rate | National Institute of Justice .

It is not vapid faith to speak against the removal of restrictions for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE now has nothing to stop them from raiding our children’s schools, or hospitals, or churches in search of villainous immigrants, according to ABC News 'Nothing is off limits': Public school communities brace for ICE raids - ABC News . It’s a vibrant, exciting faith that causes me to speak. It’s faith heterogeneity that influences us in all areas of our lives, including our political and cultural issues.

And it’s our heterogeneous faith that causes us to say that you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. That we’re so different, but whatever!

So, maybe with vibrant faith we can stop believing the rhetoric that only the accepted people can be part of the body of Christ. Only the pure. Only the contributor. Only the faithful. Only those living socially acceptable lifestyles.

Because the truth of the gospel is that Jesus had the Spirit of the Lord come upon him. And that he fulfilled the ancient words from Isaiah—that God desires to embody a new covenant. Jesus embodied that new covenant. That Jesus is the one who brings good news to the poor, release to the captives, sight to the blind, freedom for those oppressed.

Today, this scripture is fulfilled in our hearing because if we’re honest, everyone one of us is poor in spirit at times. I am. Every one of us can get caught up by our guilt that comes from our mistakes. You know what I mean? Each is blind sometimes in our understanding of things. Some of us know the oppression by systemic injustices and methods of unfairness.

But right here is where faith homogeneity comes in. It still speaks a faith message that is profound especially when we feel guilt, or stress, or oppressed, etc. So, what’s the part of our faith that is homogenous, that stays the same?

It’s the part that is the greater gift that Paul refers to right at the end of our 1 Corinthians passage. And the end of our passage is the end of chapter 12. And what is chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians about? We know it mostly from wedding ceremonies. The 13th chapter of Corinthians is called the “Love Chapter.” Love is the greater gift. Love is the basis for a homogenous faith. It’s the basis for grace. And when we care for one another. Love is the foundation for showing mercy, and practicing forgiveness.

If there is any place on our journeys where we ought to be the same, faithfully homogenized, it is when we practice love. When love filters into all our decisions and influences all our actions. Love is the bond that holds all of us in the body of Christ. It’s the way of Christ. We are one in the body of Christ through love. So, when we walk with each other, hand in hand, when we work with each other, side by side, do so in love. And we’ll know and lots of other people will know that we are Christians by our love. Amen.

“They’ll Know We are Christians By Our Love”

Two Different Kinds of Fire

Sun, 12 Jan 2025 15:43:48 GMT

A sermon about the spiritual fires of God that make us grow stronger.

Isaiah 43: 1-7 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22 January 12, 2024

“His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Prayer: May the fire of your Spirit burn within our hearts, O living God, that we may reflect your glory in all we say and do. Amen.

You know, it’s uncanny sometimes as to how connected the Bible readings are to current events of the day. I mean the wildfires in Los Angeles are going full tilt, and in both scripture passages today the word ‘fire’ or fire-related words come up. From Isaiah… “You walk through Fire .” “When you shall not be burned .” “The flame shall not consume you.” From Luke “Baptize you with the Holy Spirit and FIRE!” And “the chaff he will burn with unquenchable FIRE!” So, I thought, “I better preach about fire.”

Well, as I thought about the connections, I began to think that there are at least two kinds of fires. One is the bad kind of fire that burns hot. Indiscriminately. Devastatingly. It’s destructive to life and property.

Most often these kinds of fires have human causes, some of which are possibly aided by the lack of preventative social policies and/or legislation. The LA fires, I think, fit these criteria for the bad kind of fire. At least ten people died. Thousands of people lost home and property. Entire neighborhoods, businesses, churches including at least two UCC churches, are destroyed to the tune of 10,000+ buildings. My mom and my cousin live in southern California. I’m so glad they’re outside of the fire zones right now.

The LA fires cause fear more than life. Fear of the loss of loved ones. Loss of possessions and property. Loss of lifestyle. Now I just can’t imagine what those folks are feeling out there, but I’m guessing they fear serious loss, and pain, and worse, the threat that the fire could take their own lives. How terrifying is that? I’m sure they value our prayers and contributions.

So bad kinds of fire produce more fear than life. And fear can easily get in the way of hearing what God has to say whenever we go through such trauma.

The second kind of fire is the good kind of fire, that still burns hot. But it’s the kind of fire that causes more life than fear, I think. It’s the kind of fire that, especially in a controlled state, can promote the growth of seeds in forests, can control plant diseases, improves rangeland. It can cleanse the land. Yellowstone fires long thought to be avoided at all costs are now understood as vital to the ecology of the natural wilderness.

The good kind of fire is needed for survival, too. It’s needed for life, heat, and cooking. Just last week, I was movie-watching and Cast Away with Tom Hanks was on. Remember the scene when Tom starring as Chuck Nolan, successfully created fire and was thrilled! “I have made fire!” he shouted as he jumped up and down around his bonfire.

The truth is, both bad and good fire can bring life, even in the most devastating of circumstances. Because life always finds a way. That is a truth we see frequently with life on this planet. A flower emerges from the ashes of Mount St. Helen’s. A neighborhood rebuilds after a terrible fire, for example.

As I’ve told us before hundreds of times, it’s no different in the spiritual life. Some of us know the spiritual fires that can burn hot. These can cause more fear than life within our inner lives. That can cause much devastation. Much inner turmoil and conflict, quite often due to the church’s messages over the years.

Like I know sometimes it’s hard for us to get out of the mindset that somehow God is keeping a ledger book on our lives. That God is like Santa of the Christmas song: “He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake. He knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake!”

OMG! How did we ever get like that? Some folks live life like that—walking on eggshells with God. Some believe fearfully in a divine, cosmic God who is going to put our lives on the winnowing fork, and shake us up and down, dumping out the junk and debris. And there’s a fear that God will judge harshly and say that we’re not worthy of being loved. Let alone worthy of getting into heaven. There’s an underlying fear that our lives are going to be deemed as chaff because of our wrongdoing and sent for the furnace. Sadly, the church throughout its history promoted such terrifying messages. And caused some people to have what I call PTCD—Post Traumatic Church Disorder!

But the image of the Christ that John portrays with a winnowing fork is not all bad. Because I think God can light a spiritual fire that can burn hot, and it can be terrifying, and it can cause emotional pain, but it’s a fire that causes more life than fear. It causes God’s love to touch more deeply than fear of God’s judgment. Because some spiritual fires do cause us to get rid of the junk within us. And those moments of crisis can make us grow stronger. Grow more in tune with God, and the deep, fierce, complete love of God can cast out all fear, and take us to where God wants.

Way back in my seminary days, in Berkeley, CA, barely in my 20’s, I was self-confident as a pastor to be. After all, my dad was a pastor, my grandfather was a pastor, my uncle was a pastor. I had pastors all around me growing up. I knew what I was doing entering seminary. And when I got to CPE, which for me was a clinical pastoral education program at University of San Francisco Medical Center with a bunch of other chaplains, I was confident. I wanted everyone to like me, and I wanted them to know that I was ready.

Until one Friday afternoon when I was shown that I wasn’t. I met with my other chaplains, I shared my experiences I had with the patients that day and was told that I was only in ministry for myself. To meet my own needs. They told me that I said all the right things to the patients so that they would say how good I was in ministry, how good my pastoral skills were. And I used them to boost my own ego.

That afternoon I fought with my fellow chaplains. To be honest, I got mad. I got defensive. Raised my voice. I went home that Friday evening and sobbed because I was in spiritual crisis. The truth hurt. And I knew it. I was like “How dare they speak the truth to me so bluntly, ruthlessly, and relentlessly.” But, God knew, and I knew that I needed to hear the tough love, the painful truth.

I was on God’s winnowing fork that day. I was terrified that the familiar cocky self had to go, and an unfamiliar, and genuine self needed to emerge.

And I’ll never forget this…. on Monday morning, when I returned, one of my fellow chaplains said to me, “I didn’t think you would come back today. You had a baptism by fire!” It sure was.

But if there ever was a time when Isaiah’s words stood out for me it was on that weekend. Because the power of our God says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned. I love you so much that I will give up the very best I have for you just so that you will have my name on your heart. You are my beloved. And I will bring to you to me, so that where I am, you will be with me, and where you are, I will always be with you. And I will gather the new life growing in you into my granary for my purposes.” We have these words as a promise of God!

So it tells me that the spiritual fire can hurt, but it can open the door to a new life. A kernel of wheat can start to grow. And yes, fears get in the way. But trust me, the fierce, complete love of God casts out all fear.

So I believe at times God will let us enter into a spiritual crisis. But let us go into it with faith. God is likely going to use the fire to start burning away what is not useful to God, in your life, so that God can use us for God’s purposes.

Which makes me think that maybe there’s a third kind of fire. The kind of fire that burns deep within our bones. A fire that burns within us for what God loves. Justice. Grace. Peace. Love for all and for the earth.

In the wake of Jimmy Carter’s funeral services, and all the stories that were shared about him, I can’t help but wonder if he had a fire burning deep within his soul for what God loves. I mean he went through terribly stressful times and situations, like being President, but it seems to me he let those experiences strengthen his faith and deepen his convictions. Granted Jimmy Carter possessed faith all his life, but I think it was after his presidency that his life really showed that he loved what God loves. He had a fire within his bones. And God used him.

So, let us pray that the fires in LA will make people stronger knowing that they are beloved of God, that God is with them. And let us truly let the kernels of wheat emerge through whatever spiritual fires we go through. So that the fire within our bones enables God to use us. Thanks be to God. Amen.

What Did You Get for Christmas?

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 18:43:16 GMT

A sermon about receiving God's gift of grace upon grace at Christmas.

Ephesians 3: 1-12 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

John 1: 10-18 January 5, 2025

“From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

Prayer: May we have a deep Epiphany, O God. Please help us see your light in our lives and let it shine from us today and all through the new year. Amen.

Well, today is day number 12 of the Twelve Days of Christmas, right? And the 12th day’s gift is 12 drummers drumming. You know, according to USA Today, if you were to buy each of the 12 gifts, the cost would be $49,263. That’s a 5.4% over last year. And if you were to buy the gifts repeatedly, like how you would sing the song with each line repeated, the total cost this year would be $209,272! (“Inflation hits the ‘12 Days of Christmas’ in 2024: A Visual Guide, USAToday.com, retrieved January 3, 2025). Mind blown! Obviously, none of us would go to such an extreme. But in conversation someone will likely ask you, “What’dya get for Christmas?” And especially little kids, like our grand kids, they are quick to show and tell you what cool gifts they got. And how you have to help them put those gifts together. Which is what makes Christmas special.

Of course, giving gifts is a tradition throughout the 12 days of Christmas. Even the Magi brought the 2-year-old Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. To which Mary probably said, “Um, thanks guys, but we sure could use some more big boy pants!” Despite what little kids will say, despite the material gifts which are given, that is not the point. Because Paul and the gospel writers are not interested in worldly gifts. They are interested in what God gives the world. Because God is the original gift giver. The original Source of all gift-giving.

Which makes me think it’s important to distinguish between what is the Source and what reflects the Source.

It’s like when you look up into the night sky and you see the moon. It’s a beautiful sight. And on a clear night with a full moon, there is an astonishing amount of light at night. I used to love it when at Hartman Center, I could go on a night hike without a flashlight because of the full moon.

But you know, the moon only reflects the light of the sun. No one would say that the moon itself is a source of light. Because it doesn’t generate light at all. If there is no sunlight shining on it, the moon would look like a big, dark hole in the night sky. The sun is the source of light, and the moon merely reflects that light which is what we see.

Same sort of idea with Paul. Paul was like a moon. He was emphatic that even though he was the worst among Jesus’ followers, but as a converted apostle, he still only reflected light of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the main source of spiritual enlightenment. When he shared the gospel message to the newly converted Gentiles in Ephesus, he knew he was not the Source. God in Christ was the Source.

Same thing with John the Baptist, John the Baptist was like a moon. He reflected the light of God.

The gospel of John clearly states that John the Baptist was not the true Source of Light. Instead he came to testify to the Light coming into the world. His ministry was great, but it reflected the God’s light.

So, I wonder if we would do well to remember that whenever we give gifts to each other. We are reflecting the true Source of gift-giving—God gifting us and the rest of the world. Maybe that’s an epiphany moment?

Now in all fairness, God started out by giving the Hebrew people, the Israelites a law and a land through Moses. That was a covenantal agreement. The law through Moses was supposed to lead and guide people to a healthy relationship with God, and to a compassionate and just society. A role model nation for other nations to look at and follow. For all time.

But, the people were confounded by their idols and lies, and their worship of false gods. They couldn’t keep their part of the Covenant. So, God put together a new Covenant in Jesus Christ, one that didn’t replace the old, but instead fulfilled the old covenant.

And Paul, and Peter, and other apostle’s great insight into all this was that the new covenant was not just for the Hebrew people, but for Gentiles, too. All the non-Jewish people of the world! It’s like this new covenant made everyone a part of the body of Christ.

So, in other words, the law from Moses was like a moon. It reflected God, the Source, the sun! It partially shone lights for the way. The true new Covenant fulfilled in Jesus Christ is like the sun, or the Son! And this new covenant was God giving light to the world that previously was like a mystery. So now, at Christmastime, we affirm that God is gifting the world! And so, I’m here to ask all of us the question—What did you get for Christmas? —and to remind us and myself of the answer: we get grace upon grace. We get grace and truth that enlightens the heart and mind. Grace that gives us bold access to God, something even following the law precisely could not do.

Grace and truth that helps us see what the plan of God is—that the Word became flesh and lived among us, and preached forgiveness of sins and also fed the hungry and healed the sick and raised the dead.

Pastor Nadia Bolz Weber wrote that the Word of God in human form showed us “what God looks like, not in some ethereal alternate spiritual plane, but right here in the midst of our physical, embodied earthling reality. Jesus said here’s what being born of water and spirit looks like… it looks like not worrying about what we’re to eat or drink; it looks like loving other people who, like us, will die; it looks like touching human flesh as if it’s holy instead of worrying that it’s unclean, and it looks like what we are about to do: like breaking bread and drinking wine with all the wrong people [and all the right ones, too, italics mine] ” (“In The Beginning”: A Sermon On The Occasion Of Paula’s Baptism | Nadia Bolz Weber, retrieved January 3, 2025). God is for the world.

I take this to mean that there is grace in knowing that our missteps and mistakes do not define us. And there is truth in that we are defined as children of God.

There is grace in knowing that we are not held accountable for our inherent ability to make something, anything, especially ourselves more important than God in our lives. The new covenantal truth of grace says we are forgiven for that ability and are born anew by the will of God, held accountable by each other to live a new life. We are, as Jesus told the woman who was spared from being stoned, to go and sin no more.

There is grace in knowing that God is accessible to all. As I was writing this sermon, I looked outside and saw that it was snowing pretty much. And it occurred to me there is grace in believing that the love of Christ is not dolled out in small amounts, like a small piece of bread only to sinners. Because the truth is that the love of God is shed broadly, like the snowflakes falling everywhere, or like the seeds the Sower sows extravagantly, or like the manna from heaven that fell and provided food for everyone.

These are spiritual gifts God gives each of us. This is what God gives the world. I think this is really what we got for Christmas, and what we continue to receive well past Christmas.

And maybe that’s the best news of all... that you and I are the receivers of such grace and truths!

So, the next question is: Can we be God’s agents of what we got or Christmas? God’s agent of grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love? Can we be like the moon that reflects the light of the Son?

So I encourage us—as God’s agents, let’s keep on giving God’s Christmas gifts. On the 12th day. Into Epiphany, and beyond. What a great way to start the new year. Amen.

The Chicken and The Cross

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 14:48:44 GMT

Some of you may remember that in 2016 the UCC Board of Directors endorsed a boycott of Wendy’s Restaurants due to the chain’s failure to join the Fair Food Program that protected its workers from unfair practices for their labors. These workers were enduring difficult and dangerous conditions in the fields, very low pay, and few benefits, and many were dealing with sexual harassment, racial discrimination and even slavery. Bruce and I joined the thousands of UCC members who felt strongly that this is part of what BE-ing the Church is all about. The Be The Church Sign that we have recently posted on our front lawn here at Christ Church shows the many ways we strive to live up to the vision of the UCC: “United in Christ’s love, a just world for all.”

Recently I was surprised to learn of another boycott being proposed by podcaster Joey Mannarino. Mannarino took a poll on whether to boycott Chick-fil-A Restaurants. He accused the chicken sandwich chain of pushing an offensive political agenda. More than 110,000 people responded to his poll and almost half of them clicked, “Yes, boycott!”

The response was nothing new. Chick-fil-A has been shunned repeatedly since 2012, originally by progressives for their position with LGTBQ+ individuals, and now, interestingly enough, by conservatives.

According to Fast Company magazine, “Chick-fil-A now has the unenviable distinction of being perhaps the only major U.S. brand to be simultaneously boycotted by the left and the right.”

The fast-food chain is drawing fierce criticism by conservatives for hiring a vice-president of DEI, (which stands for Diversity, Equality and Inclusion) and adopting a corporate policy on its website that details the company’s focus on “ensuring equal access,” “valuing differences,” and “creating a culture of belonging,” under the title, “Committed to being Better Together.”

If you are a fan of Chick-fil-A, you probably know the company’s story. The Atlanta based chain invented the fast-food chicken sandwich in 1967, using a business philosophy based on the Bible. One of the core principles is that they are closed on Sundays. According to the chain’s website, the founder knew the “importance of closing Sundays so that he and his employees could set aside one day to rest and worship if they chose.”

Not being open for business is a way to keep the Sabbath, as the Bible commands, and it probably cuts into profits. But despite being closed one day a week, Chick-fil-A has recently out earned every fast-food competitor except McDonald’s and Starbucks.

Maybe you think the company deserves a boycott for its politics. Maybe you don’t. That’s not really the point. Chick-fil-A has discovered that it cannot please everyone, nor should it.

What’s the saying: “You can never please all of the people all of the time.”

I propose there is a connection between the chicken and the cross.

In the eighth chapter of Mark’s gospel, Jesus is traveling with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi, politically dangerous territory in a Gentile region north of the Sea of Galilee. On the way, Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They give a variety of answers, and then Jesus makes it personal by asking, “But who do you say that I am?”

Peter offers the correct answer: “You are the Messiah,” the Christ. But Jesus tells them “not to tell everyone about him,” because he is not convinced that they know what being the Messiah is really all about.

As they continue to walk along, Jesus begins to teach them that he must: “undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes and be killed and after three days rise again.” He knows that the Messiah is going to get criticism from both the left and the right and be subjected to a punishment far worse than a chicken sandwich boycott. In fact, he is going to be killed.

Peter finds these words to be outrageous, so he takes Jesus aside and rebukes him. But then Jesus turns the tables by sharply criticizing Peter with the words, “Get behind me Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things!” Peter cannot imagine that the Messiah should ever have to undergo suffering. He sees the Messiah as being so close to God and God would surely protect him from any pain or distress. We get this, don’t we?

According to New Testament professor Pheme Perkins, “Christians frequently think that if we pray enough God will remove all trials from our lives.” Some think that prayer alone can cure a drug-addicted teenager or prevent an asthmatic child from having an allergic reaction. “Prayer is important in healing,” Perkins says, “but prayer is an opening up of ourselves to what God wills, not an exercise in FORCING God to do our will.”

Sometimes the will of God includes time in a drug treatment center or a trip to the hospital. Sometimes, the will of God involves the suffering of the Messiah.

Fast Company magazine reports that Chick-fil-A’s greatest periods of growth have come out of times of crisis. Back in 1982, the economy was tanking, and the company’s annual sales were in decline.

Instead of focusing on a corporate turnaround plan, the executive committee adopted its official mission statement. It said that the company would “glorify God by being a faithful steward” and that it would “have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.” The next year, the company experienced growth of almost 30%.

A quarter of a century later, during another terrible economic slump, the president of the company saw that they needed a “radical service makeover.” He drew inspiration from the challenge of Jesus to love your enemies and serve them. Having some fun with the Scriptures, he joked that “Jesus also said in this same chapter, ‘Let your light so shine among [people] that they may see your clean parking lots and taste those hot waffle fries.’”

Those changes made during the pain of the Great Recession, led to four years of double-digit sales increases.

The point is NOT that God always rewards faithfulness with economic success. No, that would make God into a cosmic drive-through restaurant, one in which you say a prayer into a speaker and then receive a delicious blessing. No, the lesson is that suffering is a part of life, and that even the most faithful among us will face undeserved pain and anguish. Our challenge is always to remain faithful in time of suffering, and to believe that even death is followed by new life.

Remember: Jesus predicted that he would undergo great suffering, and be rejected, and be killed. But after three days he would rise again. (vs. 31)

At this point in our text, Jesus tells what it means to set our minds on divine things, instead of human things. Speaking to the crowd and the disciples, he says, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.”

All throughout history, people have denied themselves, taken up their cross, and followed Jesus. They have offered courageous service to others, with some even losing their lives in the process. David Rhoads, professor of New Testament, speaks of the countless “missionaries who have left home and country to bring the gospel to remote parts of the world.” Their numbers “include those who risked their lives to rescue Jews in Nazi Germany,” as well as people “who joined Martin Luther King Jr. in the struggle for civil rights.” In all nations, they are found “where people take courageous risks to bring life to others in the face of persecution.”

They are not chicken. Far from it. No, they take courageous risks when they pick up their cross and follow Jesus.

Such followers of Christ know that there is really no profit in gaining the world and forfeiting their lives. They would rather risk for others than take actions to save themselves. And while their sacrifices strike us an extraordinary, they are in line with the sacrifices that we are asked to make each day. When we give up status to help another person, we are taking up our cross. When we sacrifice money to make a charitable contribution, we are taking up our cross. When we turn down a position of power to serve our family, our church, or our community, we are taking up our cross. Any loss of status or wealth or power can feel like a step on the path to the cross.

Professor David Rhoads says, “These are the ‘death-like experiences of everyday life. They cause us to ask ourselves: “How often do we avoid speaking up because we wish to avoid embarrassment? How many actions do we avoid taking because we wish to avoid rejection or loss? In what ways do we fail to give to the needy because we will not risk financial insecurity?”

Don’t be chicken, says Jesus. Instead pick up your cross.

The stakes are very high, according to this passage from Mark. Jesus says, in conclusion, “Those who are ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

So, do not be ashamed to sacrifice status or money or power as you walk behind Jesus on the path to the cross. It is better to feel badly about your generosity than ashamed that you did not sacrifice enough.

Jesus tells us what kind of Messiah he has come to be and therefore what kind of life we are called to live: A life of service and sacrifice. Discipleship is not for the faint-hearted!

Here at Christ Church we’ve committed to “take up our cross” by living out what is stated on the BE THE CHURCH banner we have posted outside. Each of the statements is backed by a scripture reference.

*Protect the Environment: Psalm 21:1 – “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it;”

*Care for the Poor: Matthew 25:35-36 – “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.”

Forgive Often (or live into Forgiveness): Matthew 6:12 – “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

Reject Racism (or dismantle racism): Romans 10:12 – “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him.”

Fight for the Powerless (or fight with the Marginalized/confront the powers): Psalm 82:3-4 – “Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

Share Earthly and Spiritual Resources: Luke 3:11 – “In reply he (Jesus) said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.”

Embrace Diversity: Genesis 1:27 – “So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Love God: Luke 10:27 – “Jesus answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.’”

Enjoy this Life: Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice.”

A life of following Jesus is certainly going to lead to criticism from others. Jesus’ question to his disciples is still appropriate for us today, “who do YOU say that I am?” It’s a question each one of us must answer in our lives. Once we, like Peter have made our confession of faith (whatever that may be), we have only taken the first step. The second step is the lifelong journey of living our confession fully and authentically.

Jesus tells us what kind of Messiah he has come to be and therefore what kind of life we are called to live: a life of service and sacrifice. Discipleship is not for the faint hearted! But disciples who “take up their cross” and follow Jesus will find that Jesus’ words in verses 34 & 35 of our text are true: “Those who lose their life for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.”

Yes, your life will be saved by taking up your cross. Not by being chicken. Amen.

Be Opened

galenrussell@etownucc.org (Galen E. Russell III) — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 14:43:09 GMT

Spirit Sunday, September 8, 2024

Isaiah 35: 1-7

Mark 7: 24-37

Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”

Prayer: Help us catch your Holy Spirit today, O God of new life and grace. In the Spirit of Christ we pray, Amen.

So what the heck is going on today? Balloons? Beach balls? Bouncing around the congregation? Being caught and then batted away? Streamers blown from a fan? The person behind you tickling you with ribbons on a stick? Tambourine style ribbon catchers? A brand new banner?

It’s all about our Spirit Sunday theme, “Catching the Spirit!” Who said worship is dry and boring?

Of course, I’m well aware that some of you are bristling going, “Seriously? For cryin’ out loud, Pastor G, worship is supposed to be serious. And sedate. And ponderous. It’s not supposed to be fun and joyous. Spunky and spontaneous.”

On the contrary. Worship is supposed to give God our unbridled praise for God’s power of renewal. For celebrating God’s grace that opens doors. Blessing God for the forgiveness that frees us, and for the love that throws out fear of others.

So, I encourage us. Today, be opened.

Be opened by the power of the Holy Spirit’s presence as we celebrate Spirit Sunday! Amen!

But, more importantly, in worship, we rejoice in God’s good news of spiritual freedom. Which can open minds that seem impossibly narrow. It can warm up those who are cynical. It can release those who struggle with their own human brokenness, frailty, and guilty consciences. And melt hearts that are ice cold and soften the ones hard as stone.

That’s what I imagine the people of Isaiah’s day were experiencing. They were hardened. They were in Babylonian captivity for the past 70+ years of their lives, and Isaiah’s word comes to them saying that the wilderness experience of their captivity will soon be over. And they were probably like, “Yeah, right.”

But God pushed through their cynicism. Isaiah basically tells the people to “Be opened” to what God can do. Because their lives will soon be like the desert that blooms. Their nation will be like weak hands that get firm. Knees that get strengthened. Their faith will be like blind eyes that get opened, deaf ears that get unstopped, lame legs that can leap. And people will say, “YES! Here is our God! God comes and saves you!” Be opened to what God does.

I mention this because Jesus has a “be opened” experience with the Syro-Phoenician woman. This story is amazing to me—it shows Jesus actually growing! Who knew that the Holy Spirit would use a non-Jewish woman to actually help Jesus broaden his horizons? Because Jesus being fully human, he had fully human feelings, human thoughts, human opinions. And he was of the opinion that his first calling and priority was to the Jewish people. And he was emphatic about it, even sounding harsh when he slams the woman, likening her to street dogs. Saying that the children’s food shouldn’t go to the dogs. Whoa.

To which the woman was like, “Oh yeah? Well, too bad. My daughter is in need.” Boom! Of course, she didn’t actually say that. What she did say was a bit more respectful: “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

Which I have to believe sent Jesus into a creative pause. One where he had to listen deeply to her words. One where he had to be opened from one perspective to a broader perspective of what God’s purposes were. God’s intention through Christ was to redeem the whole world. Because the whole world is in need, Jesus! She fit under God’s tent of salvation just as easily as the children of Israel fit under that tent. Her needs were just as great. It was like Syro-Phoenician lives matter! Jesus grew and was opened to God’s deeper truth.

Then comes the story of the deaf man with a speech impediment in the Decapolis, a Roman city. With the new insight of God’s wider purpose firmly in place, Jesus puts his fingers in the man’s ears, does this weird thing with spit and touched the man’s tongue, (something that would never fly today given our clergy boundary training and all—just sayin’). He looks to heaven, sighs, and says “Be opened.” And the man’s ears were opened, and his tongue was released. He could hear and his speech impediment was gone.

Be opened. Those words had a profound impact on me this past week. It was the first week without an Associate Pastor with all its challenges. And I’m hearing God say, “Be opened to what I’m doing at Christ Church.”

It was a week where there was another fatal, mass shooting in GA, and a shooting on a highway in KY, and I heard myself looking to heaven, sighing within my inner spirit, and praying that Jesus would speak the words “Be opened” to the log jam in Washington DC, that is keeping our country from having stronger gun laws in place.

So, I wonder if we can look to God, and sigh deeply in prayer, and say “be opened” to the plaguing attitudes, prejudices, and bigotry that stops us from seeing the image of God in other person, the immigrant, the politician, the person of a different faith?

Can we look to Jesus, and sigh from the depths of our being, and say “Ephphatha” to the confining walls that make me think that God’s grace and love are only for me and for those who are like me? Who think like me? And worship like me?

Can we look to God and say “be opened” directly to the deafness, the wall of disbelief we have of God’s incredible message of resurrection power?

Say “Be opened” to the tomb that keeps my inner spirit on lock down, to the grave that tries to keep my authentic self from emerging. Pray “be opened” that this whole gospel of Jesus Christ thing is actually very, very, very REAL. And it is very REAL for each one of us. That the spiritual freedom we have comes when our ears and our hearts are opened and we hear God’s message that we are really, really loved. Say “Be opened” to the walls that prevent us from hearing all that.

Pray “be opened” to whatever spiritually gets us dried up, clogged up, backed up, blocked up, stopped up, closed up, dammed up, hardened up, freezed up, caked up, gummed up, and clotted up!

And watch what God will do!

So, send those beach balls a-flyin’! Get those balloons in the air and let those ribbons blow in the wind! Because we’re catching God’s Spirit! We’re being opened by our spiritual freedom, opened by God’s grace and love, opened by the Spirit’s forgiveness and renewal as we worship and as our new church program year begins.

And we will say, “Here is our God!”

Thanks be to God! Amen.

Ready for the Journey

Sun, 25 Aug 2024 14:17:54 GMT

I like the way today’s lectionary readings has the people of God assembling before the altar of the Lord lifting up praises and remembering their covenant with God. And, the second reading where the Apostle Paul, charges those assembled in Ephesus to clothe themselves in God qualities: truth, justice, peace and faithfulness, a mind for liberty and the passion for God’s word as their weapon of choice. Recall that they were to pray in the Spirit of God’s Word and be alert as they continually plea for all the saints. That’s advice for us too. Please pray with me.

Over the almost four year I’ve been with you, there have been times when we lived into these threads and treads. Times when we stepped into our workboots and gardening gloves, our aprons and kitchen gloves. We’ve had conversations where truth was required, and hurdles were crossed because we spoke the truth in love. We had to be patient and gentle while insisting on justice and creating room for peace. We were required to trust in God’s salvation, for liberty from what oppressed us, what depressed us, what incensed us on behalf of other. We had to hold on to the shield of faith that God would work things out when we couldn’t see the way.

I have many memories and feelings that go along with them. Events and tasks, conversations and worship times that has brought us together. I hope that you’ll write your memories in that book to help me when my new ministry needs some encouragement or a good belly laugh. These memories help us remember that God is in the mix of things. As one of the woodworkers (who wishes to be anonymous) explained about working on a piece of wood, through all the phases you have to do, ““God has created this world we live in step by step to give it life as a finished item.”

Doing his woodworking step by step put him in mind of the Master Creator. As I see it, this step by step process is what we do in our various ministry outlets. Each fund raiser, each donation of clothing, each meal at First Reformed UCC in Lancaster, each youth Lock-In, each workday at Wittel Farm, or Fire Pit, or Sunday class or prayer time is a step along your faith journey. It also includes different ways fun gatherings and casual spending time with one another. Can I share some with you now?

_____________

When a pastor leaves a church, the Committee on Ministry asks “who or what blessed your ministry here?” Let me use a more poetic phrase: How do I love thee, Christ Church, let me count the ways.

I remember the way 100 people showed up at a large tent out on the lawn, the congregation in folding chairs and camping chairs for my candidating weekend, Sept. 20, Pastor Galen’s birthday. I recall meeting people on Zoom and as you drove through the portico to greet me, and sitting in a circle with an imaginary campfire under that portico as people peppered me with questions, including little Henry Walsh, asking 20 questions.

But, even before I met you, I was drawn to the lovely Memorial garden and especially the fountain of flowing water that made music in my ears. I would sit in the garden to hear the voice of the one who knows us organically as well as spiritually. Remember to tend your spiritual garden with prayer, study and discernment, and don’t shy away from challenges that build spiritual fortitude. In the garden we unplug for a minute to listen for the Spirit’s bidding.

I remember that when I first started, it was during covid, when no one was coming into the church building, not for meetings nor for worship. But I had Galen, Tracey and Nadinne to keep the office lively. I recall with fondness the first Sunday I led the whole service and Galen was on vacation. Tana Parrett, Wes Runnells and his boys, Carol Bubacz and Carol Hunter provided such kind support as I nervously went through the stage directions of the service and my first sermon. Remember how there were only four singers allowed in the choir loft?…six feet apart, except for Ann and Cris. I remember how we all spoke and sang through cloth masks and wiped down the pews with antiseptic wipes after each worship.

We didn’t know what we were dealing with, but it was lethal. It seems like ages ago, with the loss of loved ones, a gap in church activities and moderated worship attendance controlled for safety

But, Covid didn’t keep this church from being creative and doing what could be done. That first October, when outside activities were still ok, we held our first Trunk or Treat in the parking lot…with masks, of course, both he tfirst and second years.

In November, the Green Team did litter pick up. Dave and I stay about 6 feet from Ken and Mary per Covid protocol. I am grateful to Dave and Mardi, Ann, Amy, Allison and Chris Eurich for continuing the work of the Green Team after the chairperson, Missy Stevens moved away. We did trash pick-up days wearing masks and yellow vests to keep safe. We participated in the Earth to Etown Celebration with a table to teach people about composting and the good work of Wittel Farm.

Janie Kaelberer accepted my invitation to play with paints and make very tall puppets which we used in the sanctuary the first Christmas as Wisemen; they also blessed the Holiday Parade in 2021 where we won first place! Did you know? Rich made the wooden stands for them and the signs for the wagon. Mike Foust stepped up with his truck to pull the wagon and play music on his sound system.

In January we heard the presidential invitation to hold prayers for victims of covid and their families and loved ones. Amy Dickinson can tell you about that event that she just ‘happened’ to walk by.

That first Easter we held the egg hunt activities outside in the park. We held an after dark Easter Egg hunt for the Youth group and Amy Addams brought plastic eggs with lights in them so we could see them in the dark.

The five youth in Confirmation class, God bless them, four of whom just graduated, did class by Zoom with Pastor Galen. We were able to hold the retreat at Wittel Farm because the guest rooms worked out just right for our small group.

As the weather warmed up we were able to find more outside activities to do, like a drum circle in May, Bible and Brew and Fire Pit Fellowship evenings.

I’m glad we were able to find an outdoor mission opportunity at Wittel Farm after retired pastor Bill Wealand, Jan’s dad, and I attended Wittel Farm’s one day Lenten retreat. We learned of the farm’s Growing Project to grow produce for food distribution sites in Lancaster County. That summer we volunteered and have been at it ever since with many of our members giving their time and sweat to this ministry.

The Church also welcomed first year students from Etown College with water bottles and good vibes, as they ventured on the Blue Jay Walk visiting merchants in their new hometown. We have ministered to and made friends with young adults, some without homes to cover them, some LGBTQ+ who were looking for a place of kindness and support. I think the first year, we expected 250 college students (it was just after the Covid hiatus.) Each year it’s increased…this year it was 540.

In all these things and more, the Auction, Mission trips to Cradles to Crayons, Corty’s Johnny Cash concerts, a week in Philadelphia doing things to help the houseless population, a Cornhole Tournament to fund mission trips, feeding the homeless in Lancaster on a quarterly basis,

a Trivia game night, going to the Phillies/Orioles game, or raising money for several ministries - supporting Communities That Care, PA Furniture Mission, Masonic Village’s Hospice program, or funds for clothing and shoes for Etown students…so many good things that, in my opinion, show that you, Christ Church are strong in the Lord.

These ministries are the evidence that we gather weekly for worship at the altar as is says in 1 ^st Kings, to assemble for prayer and to commit ourselves to keeping our covenant with God with all our heart.

The Apostle, Paul, encourages us to “Put on the whole armor of God”, that you may be able to stand against the tough days, the hard decisions, the disappointments and the losses. We are not to struggle against our neighbors but against the darkness that threatens joy and peace.

Stand with your belt of truth on your waist and the breastplate of righteousness, acting according to God’s moral law. Lace up your sandals, your Jordan sneakers, slip on your flip flops, step into your high heals and be prepared to spread the gospel of peace. Take the shield of faith, the helmet to preserve your life, the sword of the Spirit – which is the Word of God. Pray in (and with) the Spirit at all times. Keep alert and persevere in the way of the saints, our ancestors in faith. Be ready for the journey.

Finally, as Paul asks, I ask: Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.

I am taking a new position in a new town but, as e.e. cummings penned “I carry your heart with me. I carry it in my heart.”

Reflection Time Prayer:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. Amen.

Food For A New World

galenrussell@etownucc.org (Galen E. Russell III) — Sun, 11 Aug 2024 21:06:55 GMT

A sermon about God's Spirit feeding our inner lives and helping us bring God's world to reality.

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Surrendering to the Artist's Heart

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 18:29:27 GMT

Surrendering to the Artist's Heart

This is our second in a four-part series of Celebrating the Arts in Worship. I’ve had the pleasure of hearing from two more artisans from our congregation about how their artform informs their journey in faith. From each of them today I gather, you have to be willing to try something without knowing what the end results will be.

I have given you items to explore being creative during the sermon, to play with. Let your mind wander into the spiritual realm and your faith journey. Let your hands create whatever the Spirit suggests. No judgement.

For the past few days, I was at Hartman Center for a women’s retreat. Nora led us in activities to helped us slip away from the human realities of life to spend time with God. We had meals with the younger campers but also engaged in activities with our small group of mature women, doing devotions and having discussions.

Nora invited us to try different spiritual disciplines while we were there. We prayed while walking a very large canvas labyrinth and also with meditative coloring. I tried my hand at poetry. I gazed upon the local knob topped with morning fog and listened to the cicadas at night to see, hear and sense God’s presence. It was nice. Once I finally got out of task mode and into a more spiritual mode.

It took walking the labyrinth mid-afternoon for me to finally get into the spiritual space. Before that, I was doing the motions, but I hadn’t really let down to be really present.

When I walk a prayer labyrinth, I tend to focus on a question or a hope and let my feet find the path, putting one foot in front of the other without thinking of others who are there. The lady before me seemed to be stopping mid path frequently as well as in those switchback curves. So, I paused frequently too.

The curves nudged me on, but the stopping was useful too. I waited for a friend to pass by again. I realized that it can take a little time to fully allow ourselves to get away, to stop to listen, to leave our “to do” list “undone”, to release control and to be fully present to a mystery beating in the Artist’s heart - that impulse in me to create. It is from the Master Artist? The spiritual mode is not just telling God my problems but also listening for what truths the Spirit might whisper to my ear, to my heart.

Clergy often hear this phrase: “I’m spiritual, but not religious.” By religious, they usually mean they don’t aspire to go to church, have institutionalized creeds or confessions, or even sing hymns. But what does being spiritual mean? Barbara Brown Taylor thinks it’s a way of saying that “they have a sense of the divine depth of things; they would like to ‘feel closer to God’ . . .they have a longing for more meaning, more feeling, more connection, more life.”

Working with an art form can be a way of exposing more meaning, more connection, to access the mystery that is God. It’s a spiritual experience that we can’t explain but rather sense. It’s like playing; it’s not about doing it right, it’s about allowing and following all the curves and changes, rough valleys and mountain highs that might come along.

I’ve invited Brooke Bensinger to share her experience with tie-dying and the daring to start a project with an unknowable finish. I’ve asked her to share how that activity helps her spiritual development. Brooke's reflections follow:

“There is a saying in the tie-dye world….a saying I am sure you have heard before….”trust the process.” For tie-dying it means “it may look like a mess now but wait until you see the finished product.”

Sometimes dye goes in places I did not intend it to go. Sometimes my faith journey leads me down paths I did not expect or want to do, but God led me there.

Trust the process.

Sometimes the rubber bands are too tight and create more white in the shirt than I wanted. Sometimes life's hardships and challenges keep me bound to stress and I do not notice God's presence in my life but the white reminds me of the light of Christ.

Trust the process.

The Bible is filled with stories about individuals who had faith and trusted the process.

Michelle de Toit (toy) of South Africa describes in an article entitled Trust God in the Process. She describes the process as a time of testing, a time of breaking, a time of shaping, and a time of gratitude. This concludes Brooke's reflections.

Michele Smith, one of our newer members, has a hobby of working with clay making pottery. She shared with me that the relationship of making pottery and her spirituality was much different than she expected. In her spirituality she learned to practice awareness.

Having trained in Gestalt Pastoral Care, she learned to listen to the direction of the Spirit. She wrote that “One of our practices was to walk in nature and practice awareness of all that was around us. It doesn't sound like much, but it had an impact.”

While throwing a pot, there is an awareness of the state of the clay. Working on a potter's wheel the clay must always be centered, be perfectly round, or the centrifugal forces of the spinning potters wheel will pull it off center and the clay will be pulled into a flat tire kind of shape. Completely unworkable.

Using pressure between the fingers the potter forces the clay into its intended shape. Again, awareness of the state of the clay is necessary. If the clay becomes too dry it will be thrown off center, too wet and the clay sags and cannot rise. There is a sensation of weakness in the clay when the walls are pulled too tall. Learning to sense that limitation is important.

Forming a pot which can withstand the rigors of the kiln firing to near white hot temperatures and becoming a functional work of art entirely relies on my ability to sense what is happening in the clay and move it into beautiful and useful shapes.

My spiritual life requires my awareness and my willingness to be shaped into someone who can withstand the rigors of life and become functional if not beautiful. That part is far more difficult.

In the Ephesians passage, Paul explained in (4:11) that God granted that some in the church are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teacher 4:12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. We could substitute those roles with art practitioners: some are musicians, painters, potters and those who work with fabric.

Maybe an art practice in your own home and on your own time would allow you to see what is in your inward being, where God teaches you wisdom in your secret heart.

Take a prompting question and doodle on a blank page or work a piece of clay or playdough as you pray. Use movement, or dance to pound out your frustrations until you can give them up in a prayer of petition. Let your secret fears and negative talk come to the canvas surface and allow God’s truth about you be revealed.

May we all see the gift that creativity gives us, the gift in the communication between us and the heart of the Master Artist. Amen.

Did You Know You Had It In You?

Sun, 28 Jul 2024 16:42:18 GMT

A sermon about God who provides enough for us to make it through.

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III | July 28, 2024
John 6:1-21; Ephesians 3:12-21

“Now to [God] who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine...”

Let me set the context of this reading from Ephesians. Paul is describing his powerful, spiritual understanding about what God did in Christ. It’s the mystery of God’s plan revealed for people of the world and carried out by Christ Jesus… and the mystery is that Christ’s living Holy Spirit lives in us… that the risen Christ has the ability to put into any person who wants it, the same living Holy Spirit that lived in him. So any person, regardless of race, clan, background, or creed, Jew or non-Jew, slave or free, male or female or trans, gay or straight, conervative or liberal, Republican or Democrat, any person can be a temple where God lives. Paul wants that all the world would know that there is inclusivity and acceptance in God. There is freedom from sin’s hold on our lives, and there is direct access to God—all this is in the boundless riches of having Christ’s spirit living within. And all this is huge for us. Because life becomes rich and good and meaningful. God wants to exist in the lives of those God created in the image of God so that God could be here in our lives.

Prayer: You live in us, O God. May we call on you in our spirit as we share our lives and work together. Amen.

Ok. Here we go… what do Samuel Jackson, Jennifer Garner, Alec Baldwin, Taylor Swift, Charles Barkley, Spike Lee, John Travolta, and even regular, non-celebrity folk like John and Kendall Antonelli all have in common? They’ve all said to us, “What’s in your wallet?” Yep. It’s Capital One’s ad campaign that has been running for… are you ready for this? 24 years! I was like WOW! [mind-blown gesture] Blown away that it’s been that long!

Now, to be honest, I’ve always struggled with the ads because they put the finger on what our society and what Capital One says should be nearest and dearest to our hearts… our money. Our credit cards. Our flight miles. And the struggle comes because God always says that what needs to be nearest and dearest to our hearts is not our money, or our love of money, but God. And our love of God. It’s the whole “No slave can serve two masters; you cannot serve God and wealth” thing that Jesus says (Matthew 6:24).

And the message in today’s Bible readings is certainly not “What’s in your wallet,” but instead screams “What’s in your spirit?” What’s in your inner being? What’s nearest and dearest to your heart?

And Paul shares his prayers that the answer would be Christ living in our inner beings. That we would be a place where God dwells. That Christ’s living Holy Spirit would be in our inner lives, strengthening us with power through his Holy Spirit. That we would be rooted and grounded in love and have a deep understanding of the love of Christ. And that we might be filled with all the fullness of God! Wow! All who come to believe, and follow, and accept Christ as Savior receive all that on the inside! “Holy Cow! Who knew! I didn’t know I had all that in me!” Did you know you had all that in you?”

If the answer’s no, it’s because, I would guess, that we don’t think that way, hmm? We don’t perceive the impact of what it means to have a spiritual life with God alive in us, with the Holy Spirit’s presence that is vibrant, and influential, and powerful enough to shape who we are and the choices we make and give us the energy and wisdom to get through.

Because often we see the world only in a certain way, and it’s hard to undo those perspectives, right? I mean we feel the stress in our lives. Sometimes, the metaphorical ‘crowd’ all that goes on in our lives, is too large. Like managing our professional lives with personal lives sometimes feels like a monumental challenge.

Lots of times, lots of things go on all at once in our lives. Like feeding a relationship with our spouses, or partners and significant others that is happy and promotes well-being takes an ongoing supply of energy and at times feels like feeding the 5000! And we know that the five barley loaves and two fish in our wallets are waaaaay short of what we need. In other words, we can’t do it on our own. There’s never enough of our own resources to keep things spinning, it feels like sometimes. That’s the perspective of scarcity.

It can feel like the circus entertainer who puts plates on a stick and starts them spinning. Years ago, Barb and I went to a worship service while on vacation, and in the sermon, the pastor had a guy do the act of spinning plates to illustrate the point. He went running from plate to plate trying to keep each one going enough so as not to fall and crash.

And I got to thinking, that feels very familiar right about now. As you know, these last two weeks at Christ Church have felt like the crowd (all the ministries at Christ Church) look VERY LARGE, and our resources (our pastoral and office staff) all of a sudden look VERY MEAGER. And still the plates of ministry keep on spinning.

And Jesus asks tongue in cheek… “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” Like he doesn’t know! Hah!

He does know! And Jesus wants his disciples to know. And he wants us to know. That we can and need to turn to God who lives in us for all our needs. And have faith in God. And see things not through a perspective of scarcity, but abundance.

Because God, who is THE power alive and at work IN our inner spirit is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine. Did you know that you had God in you? All along. To help you with the spinning plates in your life. To give you hope. To say to you in the middle of what feels like scarce resources, in the middle of strong winds and rough waves of a complicated, sometimes painful and fearful life, “It is I. Don’t be afraid. I am with you.” Did you know that God walks on top of all those fearful things? The rough seas in our lives?

And God provides enough for us to make it through. You find that you have friends and fellow church members and support and lots of love and all that that gets multiplied.

Did you know we had God in our church? All along! To help us. To give us hope. To say to us in the middle of what feels like scarcity of staff and resources, in the middle of strong winds and the rough waves of all our ministries including making our Accessibility Vision of an elevator and ADA bathrooms a reality, “It is I. Don’t be afraid. I am with you.” Did you know that God walks on top of those these things in the life of our church?

And we get enough to make it through. We find that we have volunteers and financial support and love and all that gets multiplied.

So, the bottom line is this: God lives in each of us. And turning to God in faith in all circumstances creates the possibility of all the resources you need getting multiplied. Because God, who is THE power alive and at work IN US, is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine.

So, what’s in your spirit? Let it be God’s life. Did you know you had it in you? You do now. Thanks be to God! Amen.

Our Creative God

Sun, 21 Jul 2024 16:40:06 GMT

A sermon about God's creativity in us.

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III | July 21, 2024
2 Samuel 7:1-14a; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

“Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest awhile.”

Prayer: May we come to you and rest, O God, so that we may feel the replenishment of your Spirit, but also so that you may do new things through us. In Christ we pray, Amen.

One of the more challenging things for me to do is to not be so busy all the time. I mean, really! I often feel like I don’t have time to sit and relax and play my guitar. Or be quiet enough or centered enough to create lyrics and compose music. Which I used to do. Do any of you find that you’re so busy that it’s hard to find that time where you can be centered enough to create?

Now of course, the relaxation I’m talking about is not sitting in front of the TV watching mindless television in the evening, although that is, to be honest, quite relaxing and enjoyable, and to a certain extent, rejuvenating for me. And, I’m not talking about my daily spiritual practice of taking the first 45 minutes to an hour most days in the office as devotional time… even though that’s really good and important to me, too. I mean I read the Bible, I study other books, I pray, I meditate during that time.

See, most of the time, daily devotions are my ‘get spiritually fed’ time. It’s my ‘grow in faith’ time. That’s not creative time. Which is different.

For me, creative time is when I’m not distracted, and I take the spiritual nourishment and faith growth I’ve done, and I ask God to bless it, use it, and help me express it for someone else’s gain. Devotional time takes it in. Creative sends it out. I mean most artists often will create something for personal reasons AND will do so, with some level of realization, that someone else will see or hear or experience or benefit from their created work in some way. That’s creative time, often done during a time of rest. Not sleep. Rest as in no distractions.

All that is to emphasize what both our Bible readings today point to. The power of taking a break. Getting spiritual rest. Going away to a deserted place and resting awhile. Relaxing in God’s presence. Because our creative God can speak and be heard more readily when we are not so distracted, but instead are centered in God.

David was settled in his house and was enjoying a break from all the wars that the Israelites were fighting. I bet Nathan the prophet heard God’s voice better without all the distractions, too. So, in the restful time, David discerned that he wanted to build God a permanent house—a temple.

But I think that God, ever the creative God, took advantage of the quiet, restful moment, and used the same metaphor of a house and said that David himself will be made a house, referring, of course, to a new dynasty, one which we Christians believe came true in the coming of Jesus Christ. A spiritual dynasty for all time.

Of course, the point being that nothing can be discerned when war, and violence, and strife take center stage.

Or exhaustion. Or busyness. Which takes us to Jesus and his disciples just returning from their own little mission trip that Jesus sent them on. And they were pushed to the limit out there. Mark throws in a curious little detail saying that they were so busy that they didn’t even have time to eat!

So Jesus knows that they need to take a break. For spiritual rest. For relaxation. For renewal and recuperation. Maybe he needed a break, too, because Mark’s gospel has this story coming right after the death of John the Baptist. So Jesus says, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest awhile.” (Mk 6:30-34, 53-56) It’s then that Jesus fed 5000 people. He also calmed the storm. And his healing ministry was energized. Through Jesus our creative God went to work after rest. I think Gerald and Andy’s artist’s perceptions allude to the power of this truth. That, for Gerald, it took being out in the natural world, in a place all by himself. It’s there that our Creative Artist went to work in Gerald and cultivated in him the sacredness of all of life, the love of the mountains and animals.

That for Andy, our creative God went to work and helped him develop empathy. He tries to immerse himself in someone else’s rough situation, and then tries to tell that person’s story through song, while referencing how trust in God can help pull that person through.

Both of our artists know, it seems to me, that coming to a spiritual place by themselves, a place of limited distractions, a place of spiritual resting, helps our creative God foster within them these kinds of deeper awarenesses.

So, here’s the thing. Amazing things happen when we rest in God. The artistic expressions can come much more readily when we spend time with God. When we come away to a deserted place awhile.

If not the artist expression in you, then just simply the sustenance of God’s presence. Which can be rejuvenating.

So, I encourage you. Pause awhile. Come away to a spiritually deserted place where there are few distractions. By yourselves. And rest awhile. Because even though the demands of our professional and personal lives will continue, we can find wholeness when we pause and rest and are open to our creative God’s renewing presence.

And if you’re so moved, create. Compose. Conjure. Because our creative God is working through you, often for the benefit of others—which we may or may not see. But, trust that it’s happening. Amen.

The Artist's Perspective: Andy Fausnacht

Faith has always been a part of my songwriting. When I look back over the last 25 years and all the different bands or projects I’ve been a part of, songwriting has always been a main focus.

Whether it’s writing by myself or with a group of individuals, who I am as a person and my faith in God has a direct impact on that writing session and what comes out of that session.

I’ve never considered the music I write to be classified as “Christian Music” or have a “Christian Message.” However, my faith and trust in God plays into that.

I love telling stories through music. Often, I’ll be moved by a story I hear of someone who fell on hard times, and I try to place myself into that situation and write a song about how that individual works through that difficult time.

As the song develops and the story unfolds, I’ll reference how trust in God helps pull that individual through. How perhaps because of that trust in faith, they can continue to move forward even when times are tough.

Generally, it’s fairly subtle, and it’s always there and part of the story. It’s a direct reflection of who I am, and regardless if the story is fictitious or not, how I handle myself, and my trust in God is a part of that.

The Artist's Perspective: Gerald Heilner, Sr.

Our first featured artist is Gerald Heilner, Sr. Four of his paintings are on display up front here in the sanctuary.

Gerald was born as the “baby” of eleven children and is the last one remaining. Their family always had property near the woods, and they owned cabins in the woods, too.

As a child, Gerald, his parents, and his siblings would often visit their cabin in the mountains which is where Gerald cultivated a love of God, nature, and a deep appreciation for animals. Many of his art works of the mountains and forests have depictions of animals in them.

Gerald grew up learning how to hunt. He hunted not for sport, but mostly for sustenance. He developed an awareness of God’s wonderful creation. The sacredness of life. A deep appreciation for the animal that was killed so that it could feed others. So, when he painted, his love of God and creation translated onto the canvas. When he painted animals in his paintings, he was paying homage to his deep love for them and his awareness of the sacrificial element that is part of life and part of his faith.

As I spoke to Gerald about how he paints in connection to his faith, he remarked that in his paintings, he always worked from the background forward. “You start with the sky,” he said. “Then you paint the mountains in the distance. Then you work your way forward with the woods, streams, and trees. Next, you add in the animals, the cabin, the things that are right in front. These get painted in last.”

Such it is with faith. You always start somewhere, but you always build on it, going forward. Each day. What you started with early on becomes the background. What you face every day are the things that are right in front of you. Faith from the beginning impacts the things that are right now.

The Powers that Really Are

Sun, 14 Jul 2024 18:49:29 GMT

A sermon about the power of God's "kindom"

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III | July 14, 2024
Mark 6:12-18; Ephesians 1:3-14

“With all wisdom and insight, God has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ...”

Prayer: Gracious, life-giving God, may we continuously grow in faith and trust in you. Amen.

AI, or artificial intelligence is quite the thing right now. It’s been around for years, but recently, the technology has improved. With AI, you can generate just about anything you want. I was at a wedding reception several months ago, and the best man told me AI helped him write his “Best Man” speech. I was like, “Really?” You needed AI for that? You couldn’t write it from your heart?” Then I thought, “Really. Sermons?” Nah!

Or, a man named Freddie DeBoer asked six different AI text-to-image generators to produce images of Jesus washing the disciple’s feet. Not one of them were able to do that. Because most of the images produced depicted Jesus having his feet washed, not Jesus doing the washing. Jesus was being served, as in having a higher social status, not being a servant, with a lower social status.

Which is very interesting, isn’t it? Because, you know, the whole thing about Jesus was that he was a humble servant of God. And he often taught his followers not to be interested in “worldly concerns about status.” He also taught that if you want to be great in God’s kingdom, you must learn to be a servant of all (Luke 22:26).

Which made Freddie DeBoer wonder if the program’s protocols against offensive content might prohibit Jesus from appearing in a subservient position ( Freddie DeBoer newsletter , April 30, from “Seen and Heard,” The Christian Century , July 2024, pg. 12). Really? Jesus as a servant, offensive? Which is also very interesting because AI is only programmed based on the way people program it. And the people programming it apparently were not theologians or biblically literate. They were not clued in that Jesus was subservient to God. That Jesus took on the role of servant: teaching, healing, and helping others.

And they weren’t clued in about God’s power in Jesus, either, which is way different from the way the world perceives power, isn’t it? It seems like much of the Christian world today likes to perceive Jesus as the mighty victorious warrior king riding a big white steed, who leads the charge against Satan, all evil, and all unbelievers. And this Jesus, the conqueror, is waited on by others, not the other way around. Is that what’s going on with AI? I don’t know.

But, we have to be honest, the world perceives power mostly by conquest. This has happened again and again throughout history, right? Powerful empires and emperors overtake the less powerful. Kingdoms get established, often by violent means, and those conquered have to live under the rules of the conquerors who often occupy the conquered lands.

We see it in Christianity. Jesus and Paul and John lived in an age when the Roman Empire was in charge and Romans occupied Judea.

We see it happening in the world today. Russia is trying to overtake Ukraine. Hamas tried overtake Israel in Gaza in October 2023. Israel had to defend herself. And Israel and Hamas keep bombing the heck out of each other trying to wipe each other off the face of the earth. Neither group is ready to negotiate.

And empires and their emperors often are demanding and tyrannical. Anything or anyone who challenges emperors or threatens their control of this power often are dealt with harshly. The empire is always annoyed and waves off people who understand God’s power as life-giving, and healing, and is based on love and service to others. The empire always tries to quell and silence those who motivate people to stand up for what God values, like justice and equity and freedom for all. These are the powers that really are, folks.

So these kinds of people, like John the Baptist, like Jesus, like Paul who advocated for God’s power were a real threat to those in power, like King Herod, like Caesar. Because when John and Jesus said that the kingdom of God is at hand? That sounded like a real threat to King Herod. When Paul wrote “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” it clearly was a statement that said Jesus is our divine Lord, not Caesar, who thought that he was a god. Like Rev. Dietrich Bonhoeffer in the 20th century who stood up to Adolf Hitler and resisted the Third Reich (translated “third empire”) and said that God is the God of this world, not the Third Reich. And John, Jesus, Paul and Dietrich were all executed by the empire.

But the empires have all come and gone. Their power in the grand scheme of things is fleeting. Temporary. They are but a footnote in the historical record, because Jesus is the main text of history.

The powers that really are—are what Jesus taught. They are what Paul wrote about. And these powers are still around today. Paul said basically that the powers that really are all about being in Christ. In Christ, God chose humanity to be holy and blameless, and those of the human race who believed this would know what it’s like to be adopted as children of God. It pleases God to do this and reflects God’s gracious will freely given and set forth in Christ. In Christ we see God’s power to redeem and to forgive—which are both the results of God’s lavish grace which lasts forever.

And, this is totally God’s wisdom and insight at work, which was a mystery at first, but now, in Christ, we see God’s power to redeem, to forgive, to sanctify, and to regenerate new life in us forever! Mystery revealed!

So, the powers that really are—redemptive love and forgiving grace, sanctification and new life—these powers outlast any empirical power. These powers are stronger than the evil that tried to assassinate former President Trump yesterday. The evil that prevents gun control from becoming a vital part of a healthy future for our nation. The powers of God that really are, are forever.

The powers that be try to manipulate and control power. They try to hang on to power at all costs. Squelch out any threat to that power.

But, the powers that really are happen when we accept that God is God, and we are not. That the earth is the Lord’s and not ours. When we come to the humble place of pleasing God by letting God’s power of love and grace, forgiveness and mercy, justice and peace be at work in us. When we do this, it’s the kingdom of God happening right now. These are the powers that really are.

Jesus himself spoke of his kingdom being not of this world. But his kingdom of love and grace is most assuredly for this world. These are the powers that really are.

And I like to call it God’s kindom because the word ‘kindom’ moves us away from the language of empires. And I think kindom has a nod toward what God values. God’s kindom is about kin. About people. It’s about relationship. We are kin. With God, with Jesus, and each other. And God’s kindom comes through love, not hate. Through humility, not haughtiness. Through justice, not revenge and retribution. Through the imagery of the Lamb of God, not the Lion of Judah. Through the Spirit’s life-giving power, not through the brutal, takeover power of empires or governments.

There is conquest, but not through violence, but through the power of love. There is power, but not through making us great again in the way of the empire, but through compromise and shared vision. There is a kindom, but not through dominance over others, but through acceptance of diversity and self-giving for others. This powerful kindom does not arise from within our world, but arises from within believers of God. And as it advances, it can help dispel the powers of evil and darkness.

Kindom comes when we deliberately decide that the powers that really are, are worth living in, are worth sharing with others, are worth working for. The powers that really are help us be better, authentic, and good humans with each other. And God knows we need to be good humans with each other. Barb sent me this Facebook meme that says:

When a flashlight grows dim or quits working,
do you just throw it away? Of course not.
You change the batteries.
When a person messes up or finds themselves in a dark place,
do you cast them aside?
Of course not! You help them charge their batteries.
Some need AA… Attention and Affection
Some need AAA… Attention, Affection, and Acceptance.
Some need C… Compassion
Some need D… Direction
And if they still don’t seem to shine…
Simply sit with them quietly and share your light.

That meme I think reflects God’s powers that really are. The kindom that really is and can be.

I don’t know, maybe AI generated that meme. Regardless, it leads us to God’s kindom. Which, says Paul, is God’s word of truth, the gospel of salvation. And it’s not just for us personally, but it’s for the world.

And God redeemed and redeems the world. And God is victorious and will be victorious as everything becomes connected to God’s power of redemption, grace, and love. Forever. To the praise of God’s glory! Amen.

Giving Away Your Power

Sun, 07 Jul 2024 18:25:04 GMT

A sermon about the choice to be humble.

Rev. Fa Lane | July 7, 2024
1 S amuel 5:1-5; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Prayer: Lord, it is an odd thing to say that weakness is a strength, except through the grace of Jesus Christ, when we are able to admit our weaknesses and accept your will which is perfect and better than ours. When we are able to admit that we are wrong or don’t have the answers, help us to see that your grace is sufficient for us, Lord. Amen.

I confess that this week’s sermon on accepting our weaknesses and faults is in sharp contrast to the celebrations of the 4 ^th of July with their bravado and pride. I hope you had a good holiday, honoring our autonomy and strength as a nation and paying tribute to those who gave their lives for our liberties. This past week people have watched parades, looked skyward to enjoy fireworks and salute the flag that we pledge our allegiance to and under which we all live as one people.

Today and each week we gather as a congregation to thank God for all the blessings we have. We commit ourselves to service in Christ’s name to improve the world we live in so that it aligns with God’s better vision for the world. It is a vision written in Isaiah 61 that speaks of good news to the poor, care for the broken-hearted and the value of freedom for all.

In two weeks, Christ Church will serve through the new and exciting venture called Threads and Treads - a Saturday full of activities for families with food trucks and games. We pray that the proceeds raised will provide good news to the school kids who will be given new shoes or clothes that fit. May our collective efforts encourage the broken-hearted parents who are doing their best to provide for their children but need a little help.

Prophets, like Isaiah, spoke the words God had given them, words of warning to kings and words of inspiration to a nation’s people to provide justice and liberty, hope and peace for the world. Lord, help us to hear your words today too and do your bidding.

At the end of the time of Judges, when the Israelites favored wanting a king like other nations had, they clamored for Saul, and later for David to be crowned King. The people turned from the judges and prophets who spoke of living according to God’s word. They exchanged their unique relationship with God for a government led by a king who would rule their lives. It was the choice of the people to give away their power to a monarchy.

We read in the history books of the Bible of the Kings’ victories and of their sins, of the stability they achieved and the terrible wars and quests for domination of neighboring tribes.

You can trace through the Bible the thread of selfishness in the tapestry of coveted grandeur that tore apart and threw together people of different cultures and traditions. Religion and Politics have been strange bedfellows ever since Constantine put the cross on his warrior’s shields beginning a pattern of using Christianity to inspire Nationalism.

Constantine, whose mother was Christian, had a super-natural vision on the out skirts of Rome just before a great battle. The story goes that in the vision he was told to put the sign of the Christian cross on his soldier’s shields. One historian said it was a vision of a fiery cross with the words meaning “in this sign you shall conquer.” Visions can be very powerful encouragement.

The Apostle Paul, too, could tell of the vision he experienced on the Damascus Road. In our reading today he says: “ I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows.” He speaks of himself and his conversion on the road to Damascus. ^“ And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows— was caught up into paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat.”

The reason he writes of this to the church at Corinth, is that at this point in his ministry, Paul has to contend with false apostles who were speaking to the Corinthians to whom he had ministered. They tried to smear his reputation among the Corinthians and out maneuver him. He goes on the defense and accuses them of treating the Corinthians as fools. In verse 20, he writes, “For you put up with it when someone makes slaves of you or preys upon you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or gives you a slap in the face.”

This all sounds oddly familiar, in this election cycle, does it not?

Paul accuses these ‘fake-apostles’ who opposed him of misleading the people with insinuations and bragging too much. But unlike some blustery, charismatic personalities with no decorum or boundaries, Paul is reticent to repeat the tale of his dramatic religious experience. He could boast but chooses the better path of giving the victory to God. ^“ On behalf of such a one who was “raptured right up to paradise” I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses .

Paul contested these imposters who were preaching quite another Jesus than the one Paul preached. He called these scam artists money-grubbing preachers giving themselves special status as Christ’s agents.

Paul knew his witness to Christ was strong and valid. He had shared with the Corinthians his experience of being ‘raptured right up to paradise in the ‘third heaven’. But, in his letter he chose not to boast of his own abilities to withstand imprisonment, illness, shipwrecks, being stoned and so on.

In the previous chapter, Paul writes that he could have picked up the habit of bragging like those charlatans, but they didn’t have anything on him. Paul had worked harder and endured more than they had He could have bragged about all that he had suffered, but he chose, instead, to turn the focus on the grace of Jesus Christ. “I’ll brag about the humiliations that make me like Jesus”. He reveals his brokenness, his faults and weaknesses. All because he had learned that God’s grace was sufficient in his failures.

Paul gave away his right to brag choosing instead to be humble and give God glory. The Christian community sometimes forgets that Christ’s grace is sufficient for it every time it seeks to secure its existence in the world by means of its own strength and influence, every time it allies itself with worldly power rather than allowing Christ to be revealed in its weakness.

It goes against our nature to show no weakness. It’s a message we get from all sectors of life. From high school football games to courtroom proceedings to closed-door arguments with people we love, we’re taught explicitly and subconsciously to show no weakness, no cracks in our armor, no sign that we’re limited or incapable. But Paul writes, “So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”

Humility is a sign of Christ in your life. But, our society has been practicing the self-sufficiency model for so long and hardening our hearts and minds against one another. Some see humility as unbecoming. Some have become indifferent to the plight of other or hostile for fear of losing something. We can not bear the unintended slight. We do not have grace for mistakes, or perceived weakness. We bully or make pre-emptive moves to stay in a position of power. We’ve forgotten the way we taught our children to play nice, to share, to forgive. Do you remember Robert Fulghum’s book All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten ?

It's one of those Facebook quotes that gets picked up and sent again and again. It’s a poem, a proverbial reminder to keep life simple and kind. There are ideas like “Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things that aren't yours. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.”

I hope these are still being taught in school. These are ways to share the power of humility. When we humble ourselves before God and confess our times of needs, our temptations and weaknesses, we learn more about God’s love.

The children who will receive clothes and shoes from the funds raised at the Threads and Treads event will hear of an experience where people shared out of love.

Our strength is not in our jobs or possessions or titles. Our strength is not ever ‘our’ strength, it’s God’s gift of love. Humility is the strength needed when everything is going wrong, when you’re scared, when you’re desperate. It’s the strength to leave your ego behind and submit to the power that is in the love of God which knows best.

As a prayer practice using paper hearts you received at the door, I invite you to consider how God is calling you to recognize your weaknesses. Write your answers on a heart and place them in the offering plate on the worship table after the service. Let us er God our weaknesses, knowing that God loves us in our weakness —not in spite of —but even in our weaknesses.

We are united through the love of God and the grace of Christ to be one. No matter who we are or where we are on life’s journey.

A Little Goes a Long Way

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 18:58:59 GMT

A sermon about the love of God that goes a long way.

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III | June 30, 2024
Lamentations 3:22-26; Mark 5:21-43

She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.”

Prayer: May the energy of your Spirit, O God, synchronize with our spirit and our faith so that we may know you your mercies and healing. Amen.

Way back in junior high and high school, I had hair! I know! Hard to believe! It’s true. And I used Brylcreem, which is a hair conditioner for men. Which is still available at CVS or Walgreens or whatever. If you’re as old as I am, or older, Brylcreem used a catch phrase for their TV ads. Remember that phrase? “A little dab will do ya!” That stuck with me ever since. And, it was true. A little dab went a long way for my hair. Gave me good control. My hair felt soft, manageable. Ah… the distant memories. I sound like a commercial.

Of course, Brylcreem had nothing to do with my baldness. That is completely due to the fact that I chose my grandparents carefully, as my grandmother used to say.

But that phrase “A little dab will do ya” is the feeling I got when I studied our scripture from Mark today. Because here’s Jairus, a wealthy, privileged Jewish synagogue leader, with all kinds of resources, desperate to get to Jesus. I imagine his associates walking in front of Jairus parting the crowd shouting, “Make way. Make way! VIP synagogue leader comin’ through!” And he easily walked right up to Jesus, right through the crowd.

But Jairus, even with all his resources, was helpless to keep death away from his daughter. And all he wanted was for Jesus to just lay his hands on her. That’s all. Nothing really over-the-top crazy. Just lay hands on her, Jesus, so that she may be well. Because somehow Jairus had a little bit of faith, a little bit of hope that Jesus laying hands on his daughter would go a long way toward healing her. A little goes a long way.

Meanwhile, an unnamed woman, a woman I imagine who fought her way through the crowd, an impoverished, unprivileged woman. A woman, like many people today, whose health care costs exceeded her means as she fought this chronic hemorrhaging. A woman, because of her condition, was shunned by her family and friends, and was told by the religious establishment that she was “unclean” and couldn’t be around others… this woman was desperate to get to Jesus, too, y’know? Because she was at the end of her rope. The end of her abilities. No more resources for premiums, deductibles, co-payments. No more medical help.

And somehow, in the midst of her desperation, she had just a little bit of hope that if she could just somehow get close enough to just touch Jesus’ clothes. That’s all. Nothing over-the-top crazy. Just touch his clothes. Because somehow, she believed that little bit of contact would go a long way toward healing her of her hemorrhaging.

So, I’m 100% convinced that God loves it when people have even a little bit of faith. The Bible is filled with stories of how a little bit of faith goes a long way. Remember how Joshua and the Israelites were told that God would deliver the city of Jericho to them if they marched around it blowing their horns? Because a little faith goes a long way, and the walls of Jericho came tumbling down (Joshua 6).

Remember how Hannah could not have children, how she was in prayer before the Lord, crying her eyes out, again and again, day after day. Her persistence was viewed as faithfulness. Because a little faith goes a long way, and she conceived and gave birth to Samuel. (1 Samuel 1).

We heard last week of the how the young, small, out-matched David faced the enormous Goliath. David trusted in God when no one else would. A little faith goes a long way with God, and David felled Goliath with a single stone (1 Samuel 17).

Remember how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace because they refused to worship Babylonian idols? Because a little faith goes a long way with God, and they were not consumed (Daniel 3). Or when Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den because of his refusal to disown and disassociate from God? A little faith goes a long way with God, and the lions didn’t eat him (Daniel 6).

Recall the centurion who came to Jesus and said, “Just say the word, Jesus, and my servant will be made well!” Just say the word! Because a little faith goes a long way with God! Jesus marveled and said, “Never have I seen such faith in all of Israel,” and his servant was healed (Matthew 8).

And think of Jesus himself, who was one man carrying God’s salvation on his shoulders, and went to his death on a cross. But a little faith in God goes a long way. And God resurrected Jesus and gave him new life and shares his Holy Spirit among us today.

Because a little faith and hope go a long way with God.

Now I’m the first one to say that each one of those stories has all kinds of circumstances that came together alongside the faith of those biblical characters. So, it wasn’t just the faith of the woman who touched Jesus’ clothes that made her well. It wasn’t just Jairus’ faith that healed his daughter. It was their situations and circumstances and their faith, but it was God’s power that did the rest, that made the healing possible, that made the restoration of life possible.

So, just to be clear, another way of saying it is that these healing stories are not about following a formula. It’s not about how much faith Jairus had or the woman had. Remember a little faith goes a long way with God.

In fact, it’s never about “If I had just a little more faith, then my problems would be fixed, or my prayers would be answered.” I struggle with what some Christians and some churches say today. Well, you didn’t get well because you didn’t have enough faith. Or your family member died because you didn’t pray hard enough. And I’m sorry… I just gotta say it… that’s just a bunch of baloney. There. I said it.

Our hope can never be in a formula. Our faith is never grounded in saying the right words, or believing the right things. Or if you have the correct sexual orientation. Or if you’re in the right political party. My hope that God will love me can never be based on whether I have done enough good for others. Never. Our hope is not ever in our ability to get anything right whatsoever. Our salvation, now and later when our bodies die, is not based on our good deeds or our privilege. Or if we’re politically correct. Or if we’ve got more on the good side of our ledger than the bad. More credits than debits. More righteousness than sinfulness. In God’s economy, it doesn’t work that way.

Our hope can only be in the God of Jesus who understood that the steadfast love of God never ceases. Our faith can only be grounded in the God of Jeremiah who proclaimed that God’s mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Our hope and faith can only be in God who adopts us and calls us children of God. In God who promises us salvation and loves us no matter what. Because that’s the way God is. Because that is the nature of God! Because a little of God’s love goes a long way! Period.

On this Open and Affirming Sunday, I truly believe that we are ONA because we know that a little of God’s love goes a long way. And when it is coming through us, it goes an even longer way. Because we know that there are people in our community who long for a place where they are welcome. Where they are not shunned or ashamed or rejected for being authentically who they are. Where every person can come and worship God in safety and without judgment. We know that we are one of two churches in our entire area who have formally adopted a wide-berth stance of inclusivity. Why? Because a little of God’s love coming from us goes a long way.

We know that there are people in our church who long to have access to all parts of our building so as to participate in all parts of our ministries. We know that some of our active participants can’t get up and down the stairs. So, we are seriously considering our Accessibility Vision which can open new doors of access to all areas of our church facility. Our Accessibility Vision also makes bathrooms accessible for all, even for those in wheelchairs. Why? Because a little of God’s love coming through us can go a long way!

And everyone who comes here—rich or poor, strong or weak, faith-filled or faith-less; everyone who comes, no matter where life has taken us, no matter what decisions have brought us to this place; everyone who comes is welcome here. Everyone can know new faith and hope and the love of God.

Why? Because a little of God’s love goes a long way. Because a little dab will do ya! Thanks be to God! Amen.

Trust

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 20:15:15 GMT

A sermon about trusting the God who rebukes the waves and calms the sea.

Rev. Fa Lane | June 23, 2024
1 Samuel 17:32-37; Mark 4:35-41

Prayer: O Lord, we come with thankful hearts over the times that you have overcome the troubles that we face. Thank you for scripture that reminds us of your power over our fears. May we return to you again and again with thankful hearts and emboldened trust. Amen.

I compared these two stories and saw two possible ways of facing our troubles. One is to be like David; the other is like the skeptical men in the boat. David came to the front line in the battle that was setting up between Saul’s kingdom of Israelites and the Philistines. The text preceding today’s reading describes Goliath, the Philistine champion who challenged the ranks of Israel to a fight.

The story says he was six cubits tall and a span. If that’s accurate, it’s about 9.5 ft. – way taller than Galen, or young Josh or Abe. He had a helmet of bronze, a coat of mail weighing about 125 lbs. This was a garment of metal scales or chain mail rings worn as armor. The point being to describe an imposing, large, unbeatable foe as opposed to a young David, the former shepherd.

Maybe you’ve felt that imbalance in times of trouble in your life. The Bible tells us plenty of times with some variations ‘Fear Not’ or ‘Don’t be afraid’. But the world gives us plenty of reasons to be fearful.

Those men in the boat, in the gospel of Mark, faced a sudden storm that overwhelmed them and threatened their lives. We sometimes get into situations that threaten our security, our lives. Situations like when your paycheck doesn’t cover all your bills, when legislators vote to eliminate a healthcare benefit that you rely on, when your wife or husband is ready to walk out the door of your marriage, or your child is having a mental health crisis. It may be a cycle of addiction to gambling, to alcohol or narcotics that you can’t break on your own. There are many situations where feel like crying out at some point: Jesus, do you not care that we are perishing?! We feel swamped and don’t know which way to turn.

I read in yesterday’s Lancaster newspaper of nearly 40 hunting dogs who found themselves exhausted and swimming in circles in deep water because they chased a deer into the Mississippi River. Fortunately, some men in a fishing boat saw them and after making three trips to the shore brought all the dogs back to their concerned owners.

There was a picture on page 9 of the Nation and World section, of a boat full of calm rescued dogs, no longer trying to keep their heads above water, no longer swimming in circles directionless. I know I’ve had times when I felt that way and wished I was in a rescue boat. Those are the moments we turn to God and cry for mercy. We don’t feel we have it within us to overcome our troubles or we don’t feel we can rely on anyone else. We cry for God to notice us and send some help.

David, at this time in his story, is still a young man just running errands for the army of Saul. He responds to Saul’s doubt in David’s abilities to battle with the Philistine by saying that as a shepherd, he fought and killed lions and bears to protect his flock. He puts his trust in God, who saved him from the wild animals to make him victorious against this imposing Philistine. That history gave David courage to trust in God’s help again.

Conversely, the men in the boat in Mark turned to Jesus who had just saved them from a shipwreck and said, “Who is this that even the wind and the sea obey him?” They questioned the power of Jesus. Perhaps they just cocked their head in dismay “how did that happen?” We do that when things turn out well, ‘ooh, Oh good, that worked out’ without giving thought that it might have been a God moment.

The men clearly didn’t think of Jesus as being God’s son and couldn’t give Jesus any credit for having power over the elements. Did they just go on with their boat trip glad that the storm was over with no gratitude to God? The text doesn’t indicate that they gave thanks.

Maybe their question was more from being spooked than dismissive. Who is this man that the winds and the sea obey him? Jesus demonstrates that God has power over the elements that threaten us and will give us aid, when we call out for Jesus’ help.

Which character do I want to be David or a scared fisherman? Ok, David, but which one am I initially? When I’m nervous about important decisions or fretting about challenges that frighten me, I want to have that inner sense of trust that God will rebuke the threatening winds that are rattling me.

We want to be confident like David. So, like David, let us look back to recount the times that God has been with us through tough times. Let us learn to trust those experiences, like David did. This is a spiritual discipline. One that requires us to remember and give thanks.

I’ve encouraged people to list at the end of the day or in the morning before getting out of bed, to list three things they are grateful for. It’s a spiritual discipline to recount your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God has done.

Some of our troubles feel as big as “six cubits tall and a span”. Sometimes we have a small bundle of concerns that skeeter around like waterbugs but are no less worrisome. Talking about your troubles with your pastors or faith family helps put them in perspective. It can make them manageable.

Voicing concerns like sending our child on a mission trip for the first time without us. Then hearing that the other adults on the trip are watching out for the kids; AND that those young people stepped up to be good helpers. We count our blessings, sharing the good news in our stories. Telling how God showed up in the mix of it all is the seed of evangelism.

As a congregation, when we are comfortable talking together about our faith, God moments are seen more readily. The church’s work is to be a boat where stories are shared, where aid is provided and comfort is given to those facing turbulent times. This is the boat where Jesus is present offering peace within for what is frightening us. It’s a congregation willing to be with one another, sharing stories at potluck meals and Bible study classes, at Holiday parades and National Nights Out. This is the boat of the congregation that holds a Threads and Treads event to raise money for clothing and shoes for local school children. This boat is where people learn they can trust that Jesus is with them through thick and thin.

Listen, the psalmist paints a pretty accurate description of the ups and downs of life:
“The swelling waters mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their calamity; they reeled and staggered like drunkards and were at their wits’ end. ²⁸ Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble.

We get disoriented and lost in our troubles sometimes. We cry out for help and trust that God will be there for us. Maybe that looks like a church member arriving with a casserole dish at your door. Or it’s a card or phone call of encouragement. Maybe it’s being invited to join in singing so you feel that you are welcomed.

The miraculous God moments might come in an unexpected deposit in your account; or a group of advocates changing the minds of legislators toward the arc of justice, or finding just the right therapist. a ll are God moments.

After he calms the wind and waters, after the emergent danger was over, do you notice that Jesus looked deeper into the hearts of the bewildered men. These experienced fishermen would have known how to handle turbulent seas, but this storm he speaks to has struck deep beyond the surface. “Have you still no faith?”

Is that the question Jesus would ask us?

I invite you to review, to do a life scan of the times God has been there for you and to build your trust in God upon those events. Let them be the foundation of your faith in Jesus Christ who has the power to rebuke the winds and calm the seas.

Please join me in prayer: Forgive us Lord, for losing sight of your power and your love for us. Forgive us for not trusting in you to make a way when there seems to be no way. Amen.

Things May Not Be As You See Them

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 20:19:23 GMT

A sermon about the things that could be.

Rev. Fa Lane | June 16, 2024
1 Samuel 16:4-7; Mark 4:26-34

O Lord, we come as your children thankful to share worship on this Father’s day, with men who are good dads and caring uncles, protective brothers and watchful friends. Men who demonstrate your love here on earth through their care for their families and one another’s families. Open our hearts and minds to your Word this day. Teach us, O Christ, for your lessons are needed just as they were so long ago. Reveal to us the meanings of your parables that we might better understand the Kingdom of God. Come, Holy Spirit, be with us. Amen.

What is the Kingdom of God like? To what should we compare it? What image comes to mind for you? Some would say, not like the end of the Phillies Orioles game, my condolences. The Kingdom of God is like the ocean tide rising on the beach.

Or, new Dads might say the Kingdom of God is that satisfying moment you hold your newborn and feel totally connected and in love.

In this pericope, Jesus tries to explain that the Kingdom of God is like seeds that just sprout up by themselves. In other words, we can’t make the Kingdom; God makes it and we try to be part of it. Slide 3 A little later Jesus says the kingdom of God is big but it can start with the smallest seed, just a small gesture.

I would suggest it can start with something as timid as a willingness. The tiny mustard seed imagery indicates that the tiniest of sparks, a small effort toward generosity, the simplest kindness can grow into something that is world changing. With God’s help, our thoughts and humble prayers can initiate actions that inspire us to be advocates and be involved, to build shelters and homes, to provide safety where there is unease and establish a sense of belonging where there is discord.

It starts with a willingness to see what might not yet be but could be.

We certainly see in the story of Samuel that God saw something in David who at the time of his anointing was a young boy herding sheep. He wasn’t even called to come with his older brothers when Samuel was looking for the one whom God had in mind to be king. God chided Samuel for looking at things through society’s values. Within this young boy were the makings of a King.

I like that idea, that small gestures can bloom into bigger efforts. I like knowing that our modest table of hand-picked mint from Ann’s garden has people sharing stories about meadow tea and talking as new friends at our garden-share table at Etown’s Farmer’s Market while young children giggle at the bubbles we give them. OFF Maybe the Kingdom of God is like that. Come see this Wednesday. Maybe we need to open our eyes to better see where the Kingdom of God is already around us.

I like the idea that our mission team is going to Pipestem WV to blossom and grow in their love of God and neighbor, to share stories with one another (and maybe enjoy some mountain music too). It’s heartening to know that our small gestures of hammering, or sweeping, those little seeds of care and kindness make a big difference to people who need help. Maybe the Kingdom of God looks like a band of 16 visiting strangers who help senior citizens and low-income families with their home repairs for free.

Small gestures can be like sitting beside a friend who is having a rotten day. They might not want to talk about it, but the fact that you’ll stay with them to help absorb the hurt or disappointment is huge. Your willingness is a small crack in our barrier of seeing the Kingdom of God. That will contribute to a great sense of love that we know comes from God.

Thanks be to God.

Imagine the words from Elizabeth Barrett Browning as if they were from God encouraging us to see all the love that we are loved.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.

God loves us, beyond any boundary we might impose, any blinder that might keep us from seeing. A father knows this kind of love for his child. Father-figures guide us, nurture our abilities - inelegant and clumsy in little children, but as we grow they encourage us to develop, to mature and serve the world for the good of all.

As we send the mission team out into the world, remember that God knows each of us; plants seeds of grace and abilities with us and gives us opportunities to try things, learn about our hidden reserves waiting to be discovered. David had hidden reserves. David, a young shepherd among his father’s sons, was the least likely to be king as his family saw him. Samuel kept selecting his older brothers but God rejected them one by one until only David was left. When do we doubt or discount the abilities of others or our own abilities simply because we just haven’t seen them yet. There may be more than meets the eye.
____

I challenge the mission team to bring back some stories at the end of the week to share with us. Tell us some parables of what you saw. Don’t assign this to Pastor Galen. Each team member can pay attention to where you think you see the Kingdom of God; what was happening in real situations with real people? What was happening that it felt like the God was present?

It starts with a willingness to look at things like Jesus did, to see what might not yet be but could be.

In your week at Pipestem, I invite you to take some time to see things as Jesus might; in addition to figuring out the work to be done, which I know you will do well - boldly and efficiently, look for the relationships, listen for the personal stories, observe the social dynamics and family structures. And look for the ways God is present and changing things in subtle ways. When you get there, what is seen on the surface may not be the whole story.

And for those of us who stay in Etown, let us look for parables here and talk about them with friends, maybe at the church’s farm share table on Wednesday. Let us all look at our neighbor with the heart of God to see the Kingdom of God.

Holy Defiance

Sun, 02 Jun 2024 17:08:06 GMT

A sermon about the Holy Spirit, who bursts forth where it wants.

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III | June 2, 2024
2 Corinthians 4:5-12; Mark 2:23-3:6

Then [Jesus] said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?”

Prayer: May we feel your Spirit moving us so that we may be servants of Jesus Christ, for your light to shine from us and your good to be done by us. In Christ we pray, Amen.

So, a couple of weeks ago, as I read our gospel text from Mark, I was trying to get the meaning of these two Sabbath stories. And, I kept getting the feeling that Jesus was kind of like the Bad Boy of the Bible right here. And that song kept popping into my head. “Bad boy, bad boy, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when they come for you?” So, I thought, “What a cool title for my sermon! ‘Bad Boy, Bad Boy, Whatcha Gonna Do?’” But, somehow it felt mildly inappropriate to call Jesus a ‘Bad Boy,’ so I changed the title to “Holy Defiance.”

And then come to find out there is a new Bad Boys movie with Wil Smith and Martin Lawrence coming out this week called “Bad Boys: Ride or Die!” And I was like, “Dang! Should’ve kept my original title!” Oh well.

But, it’s true, isn’t it? Jesus sort of has a defiant bad boy attitude when he goes up against the religious leaders. In these two Sabbath stories, Jesus got into what the late representative John Lewis called “good trouble.” Because in the first Sabbath story, with the holy wisdom of God flowing from him, Jesus openly defied the Pharisee’s love of the power that comes with exacting the law. And after citing an example from 1 Samuel 21 of how even the soon-to-be-king David didn’t follow the law precisely, Jesus taught that the Sabbath was made for people, not the other way around.

In the second Sabbath story, plain and simply, Jesus got mad because of the hardness of their hearts. He knows the religious folk are trying to find reasons to accuse him. To hook him into trouble. He knows that they are obsessed with having control over people. He knows that they have weaponized Sabbath-keeping and use it to clobber people. He knows that their obsession has withered their faith.

But most of all, he knows that exacting of the law prevents them from this basic understanding—that doing good on the Sabbath actually is keeping Sabbath. Because just as practicing keeping the Sabbath is supposed to restore one’s faith and renew a relationship with God, healing the man’s withered hand would restore and renew him and his life.

So, it seems to me that with a holy defiance of all that the religious folk thought was important, with a disrespect of all of the ways that the Sabbath was misused, with a rebelliousness of the way scripture was used to beat people up, with a bad boy attitude, Jesus healed the man’s hand.

And the man, who before had a chronic deformity, was reformed. The man who at one time had fingers all gnarled up, now was able to stretch out his hand. So, do you see the metaphor here? I think this means that Jesus is absolutely defiant against anything in life—ailments, deformities, bogus religious practices, habits, ideas, obsessions—anything that withers faith. Jesus has holy defiance against it.

Ideally, the religious leaders would see that their withered faith could be restored, that their gnarled up understanding of scripture and Sabbath-keeping could be stretched out so that these could fulfill their real purpose. Faith, scripture, and Sabbath are there for people to have a meaningful relationship with God and spiritual needs fulfilled their whole life long. Ideally, that would be great.

But, we don’t live in an “ideally” kind of world. There are plenty of people who continue to misuse scripture. There are plenty of people who can’t let go of judging others because of what specially picked out Bible readings say. Plenty of people who love the power that is used to lord over others, to control others.

And I struggle with that. Because part of me feels defiant against such scriptural rigidity and misuse of the Bible. And to be honest, another part of me knows that God is at work in the lives of people who feel that way. So, I don’t know.

But, here’s what I do know at this point: that no matter how much importance people give to the Bible as a rule book, the Spirit of God seems to pay little mind to that. It seems to me that the Spirit doesn’t confine itself to our societal norms, or biblical rules, or our political ideologies, or our words and wishes.

The Spirit will burst forth where it wants.

It will heal when it’s not supposed to. It will restore our withered spirits with a holy defiance against what our accusers might say. Social media is a terrible place for accusations. It will help us bear the unbearable just when we think the lessons in patience are too much.

And more, the Spirit of God redeems those thought to be unredeemable by the self-righteous. It loves those considered un-loveable by others. It accepts those called unacceptable. It welcomes those determined to be un-welcome-able. It pushes for justice and fairness for those who don’t have these in life. This is the work of the Spirit. Because God is about redemption, love, welcome, and justice.

And our job, it seems to me, as a church filled with redeemed people, is to pay as much attention to the work of the Spirit as we can.

And, to practice being servants of our Bad Boy, Jesus Christ in holy defiance of and resistance to any allegiances in this world. Because we who were at one time spiritually withered and gnarled up and in the dark are now made new in Christ. And even though imperfect, it’s clear God still uses us. As servants made new, the Spirit empowers us to be at work for Christ.

And yes, being at work for Bad Boy Christ will at times mean having holy defiance against some ongoing religious practices and beliefs, some ideologies that hold people under the thumb. And we may likely find that we will have offended somebody along the way.

But take heart. Have courage. Because like Paul writes, while we may get afflicted, we are not crushed. Perplexed, but not in despair. Struck down, but not destroyed. We may have to get into good trouble, but we are alive, and Bad Boy Christ alive in us. Thanks be to God. Amen.

A Change of Perspective Can Change Everything

Sun, 26 May 2024 17:10:38 GMT

A sermon about seeing life from different perspectives.

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III | May 26, 2024
Romans 8:12-17; John 3:1-17

Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”

Prayer: O Spirit of God, please bear witness in our spirits, that we may live and breathe as your children. Amen.

One of the more fun parts about my job as a pastor is that I get to work with couples who want to get married. Now, I know some of my colleagues would disagree with me on this, saying that weddings are a pain in the butt part of the job, but I enjoy it. And this year, I’ve had the good fortune of working with two couples so far, and have two more scheduled for later in the year.

In the premarital work that I do with the couple, I often give a little quiz. Some of you have done this quiz with me. It’s a true/false quiz. And almost immediately when I say that I’m giving them a quiz, they go “oh, no.” Fear sets in. Memories of getting bad grades at school come back. Maybe they wonder if the quiz will show some incompatibility.

And I have to say, “Fear not. It’s true/false, yes, but there are no wrong answers. Go with your first impression. It’s just a matter of perspectives.” Then we talk about the differences.

For example, the first statement on the quiz is true or false… “There is only one right person who will be your best marriage partner.” One person will say that statement is true for a variety of reasons. And the other person will say it’s false for a bunch of different reasons. And it’s like, “Wait. What?” Then they talk to each other sharing their perspectives. They practice the art of honoring and listening to and understanding each other, giving credence to each one’s perspective, without judging it. Just accepting it. And that helps them learn more about each other. It’s an “aha!” moment! They can “see” each other more deeply.

And that’s what I think Jesus’ response to Nicodemus is partly about… to see the realm of God more deeply. I mean Nicodemus sees on the surface, right? He sees with his eyes the marvelous things Jesus has done, and he figures that God must be with him. But Jesus invites Nicodemus to see more deeply. He must see beyond the surface of good deeds to down deep where the Spirit is at work in those good deeds.

And in order to see down deep, Jesus teaches that one must have an inner willingness. A desire to open your heart to God and let the Spirit of God be born in you. God gets established in your life. And moves you deep within. You feel new life. You gain new insights, new perspectives.

That’s what I think it means to be born from above. Don’t think spatially. It’s not up and down, or left and right. The Spirit doesn’t literally come from above you. It comes into you. From all around you. Then the Holy Spirit living in you becomes the lens through which you can see the realm of God. The Spirit of God alters what you see, how you see the world around you. And that perspective can change everything. It helps you see more deeply.

So, instead of seeing just another human being, regardless of race or nationality, through the lens of the Holy Spirit, you see a child of God. Someone whom God loves deeply and is an heir to all God’s blessings, just like you and me.

Instead of seeing just another plant or tree or animal, we see the energy of God’s Spirit on this wonderful planet.

Instead of eating a broken piece of bread and drinking a small thimble-full of juice during Communion, we see and feel the power of God that can nourish our inner spirit in the context of remembering God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

You see? Being born from above means the Spirit can change your perspective. You can see God’s kingdom here. Be heavenly minded, but also see the earthly good.

The Spirit plays an interesting role in this story of Nicodemus and Jesus because it has sort of has a freeing feel to it, don’t you think? I mean Jesus teaches that the Spirit blows where it will. It is unshackled. Always free. Always moving. Always the creative energetic force of God.

And Jesus teaches that people born of the Spirit are the same way. Free. Unshackled. Not bound up by one perspective. Open-minded.

We get shackled when we get stuck on one perspective, I think. Hopelessly caught up in the trap of thinking and believing our way is the only way. And worse, not letting any other perspectives be moments of learning shackles people even more. To stop learning and growing by the Spirit is a very grave sin.

That’s what feels like is going on in the world. Global political leaders are absolutely refusing to see any perspectives other than their own, it seems to me. Absolutely repudiating any efforts toward a cease-fire. Absolutely rejecting an end to the hostile take over. And war continues. And death and destruction, too. And the global situation is hopelessly caught in this trap and will never get out.

Because war never brings peace. Only a willingness to come to the table to converse and negotiate can do that. Hatred of others can never bring healthy relationships. Only letting go of those hatreds and letting love transform from within can do that.

So, those three things—1) a willingness to be open to different perspectives, and 2) letting go of the past hatreds, and 3) letting love transform I think might be key ways of unshackling ourselves from the trap.

Because a willing and open mind acknowledges that there is always a fuller perspective. It’s like the old preacher parable of blind people who’ve never seen an elephant before. And one blind person is standing at the elephant’s leg and says, “Oh! An elephant is like a big tree trunk.” And the next blind person has a hand on the elephant’s side and says, “No, that’s not it. An elephant must be like a wall.” And a third blind person is holding the elephant’s trunk and says, “You’re both wrong. An elephant has to be like a snake.” The last one holds the tail and says, “You’re all crazy. It’s clear an elephant is like a rope.”

Well, obviously all are wrong, and all are partially right, too. But it’s only when the heart and mind are willing to broaden their perspectives from the others’ perspectives are they able to “see” more fully what an elephant truly is.

So what does that mean? It means that my way does not have to be the universal default. It means that sometimes I must step into someone else’s shoes for a new perspective. It means don’t stop “seeing” from other points of view. Hear each other out. It means at times I have to be humble enough to be partially wrong, astute enough to be partially right, and wise enough to let the change in perspective help me see more fully what God wants me to see.

And it means letting go of the past hatreds and fear and prejudices. It means letting go of stubbornness and snarky-ness and smart-alec-y-ness. Letting all that go, so that the Spirit can help us shape a new normal. A new normal that is not content with what once was. A new normal that isn’t shackled to the past with its partially right perspectives that are also partially wrong.

Instead, a new normal where the Spirit helps love transform us from within. Where we dare to let that holy love be the lens we look through to see people. Where we let love color the way we make decisions… big ones and every day ones. In our lives, our relationships, our church. Where we let love be the key ingredient of our new normal.

Because love is the perspective that changes everything. Because out of love, God sent Jesus into the world, not to condemn us, but to save us. Not to give us false hope, but to lead us to eternal life by simply believing. In our hearts.

So, let the Spirit adopt us, and lead us, to be children of God, Christians in our heart. To be more loving. To be more holy.

Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord I want to be a Christian in my heart.

Lord I want to be more loving, in my heart, in my heart…

Lord, want to be more holy, in my heart, in my heart.

Amen.

I Hear What You're Saying...Do You Hear What I'm Saying?

Sun, 19 May 2024 18:07:26 GMT

A sermon about the power of language.

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III | May 19, 2024

John 15:26-27, 16:4b-11; Acts 2:1-21

“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.”

Prayer: Eternal Spirit, help us feel the power of your Spirit to understand more deeply what you are speaking. Amen.

In a world filled with different languages, it’s no wonder that we don’t understand them. Most of us only understand English with a smattering of knowledge of other languages. And because of that, sometimes, things can get lost in translation.

The story goes that soon after his presidency was over, Jimmy Carter found himself at a Japanese college giving a speech. He had an interpreter assisting him. So, as a way of an introduction to his remarks, to get everyone onboard, he decided to tell a joke—not a very funny one, mind you, and not too long, but just long enough. To his surprise, the Japanese interpreter translated the joke much faster than the former president told it, and the entire audience burst out laughing.

And Mr. Carter was like, “Really?” After the speech was over, Carter was curious how the Japanese interpreter translated his joke because it was waaay shorter than it should have been, and people laughed much harder than normal. Finally, after much coaxing, the interpreter fessed up. He said that he told the audience, “Mr. Carter told a funny story. Everyone must laugh.” And they did.

Ah, yes… trying to understand different languages can be a funny thing. And people have been struggling with it ever since biblical days. Check out Genesis 11 for the story about the Tower of Babel. In that story, the slaves building a city and a tower to the heavens were using their ingenuity. They were making a name for themselves, the Bible says. And the empire of the day tried to force one language upon them, in efforts to keep this large slave group under control. So, God confused the slave’s languages. That’s what the root word for “Babel” means in Hebrew, to confuse. Ironically, there’s a software program and an app for your phone called “Babble” that is designed to help you learn a foreign language. Go figure.

So, when the day of Pentecost took place for the disciples, it was like a big reversal of the Genesis story. It was like God was saying that the way of Babel would not be the way of the Church. Because the disciples of Jesus were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. I imagine they were all praising God in loud voices, united in the truth of God, what God did in the life and message and ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

And passersby from different nations overheard all the commotion. And you know how when you hear a large crowd noise, you can get drawn to it to see what’s going on. I can picture it. The passersby heard the noise, were curious, and looked in and saw and heard the Galilean disciples speaking in different languages. The language the passersby understood! And they were like, “Wow! I hear what you’re saying! I understand your words in my native language! How that’s possible, I don’t know. But, it’s AMAZING!”

So, if I was Japanese living in Jerusalem at that moment, I might have heard a disciple of Jesus speaking Japanese to me! Speaking the good news of God. Sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Which would be amazing for a Galilean Jew!

It means that language wasn’t a confusing stumbling block anymore. In fact, language wasn’t a barrier at all. Because the Spirit of God transcends all barriers. The power of the gospel, the good news of God has no boundaries.

So, let me use my words, my language to express the power of God’s good news.

1. When you are in the middle of suffering or pain or a struggle, it’s easy to think that God is not present or able to help you. You can feel lost and alone. But, with God there are no barriers. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Ps. 46:1). God says I am with you. I will never forsake you. Do not be afraid. Good news!

2. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by guilt if you’ve made mistakes in life. God knows this. God knows you. So, no matter who you are or what you’ve done, God offers forgiveness and grace, mercy and redemption. Not even your guilt is a barrier to God’s perpetual, eternal love.

3. If you’ve felt powerless, when the empires of our day tell you that you don’t measure up, when the systems of society try to force you into conformity of who they think you are supposed to be, when social media tells you don’t look right, when Wall Street tells you that you don’t have enough… Fear not. Not even these can hold back the power of the Spirit in your life.

Because the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, the Spirit of truth Jesus promised to send comes and proves the world wrong about these things. Because “It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). A kindom where you are accepted, and welcomed, and loved, and given a safe place to be your authentic self without judgment. Where you are held accountable in love by others in the community of faith to be the best version of yourself that you can be. Where you are free to grow and love. You see, there is nothing that will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord! (Romans 8: 39b). Amen?

Do you hear what I am saying, Church?

Those are some words I use to express the gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s the tip of the iceberg. That’s the language I speak to share God’s well-worn, time-tested good news and truths of the gospel.

And what I hope for each Sunday is this… that you, at some point, will say to yourself or to me, if you like, “I hear what you are saying, Galen! Preach it! Praise God!

But, language is powerful. To be used carefully. Because the problem is I often try to get people to understand the gospel as “I” understand it. My point of view. My way of thinking. And that can restrict the movement of the Spirit.

Because while I want you to say, “I hear what you’re saying!” the thing that stood out for me is that it’s not mostly about me, the speaker. It’s not about the disciples doing the speaking in different languages. It is mostly about the listener! What the LISTENER understood. In their own language. The disciples, and me, and I think any preacher worth their salt, know that it’s not all about them. It’s all about being a vessel… about each of us being an instrument the Spirit can use to share the good news of what God has done and is doing in our lives and our circumstances.

This I think makes for healthy dialogue. For conversations that give room for God. If the listener is more of the focus, then maybe we are more free to say, “I hear what you’re saying… do you hear what I am saying?” Which means respect you and I value your opinion. And I trust and hope that you will do the same for me. Then I think, with the help of the Holy Spirit we are given the ability to speak truthfully, we have a much better chance of understanding each other, and can come to a place of respect and mutuality.

Sadly, that is counter to where our culture is these days. In conversations, especially about politics, the speaker rules. For both sides. And one speaker tries to convince the other speaker. The message is “I’m right. And, you’re wrong. And if you don’t see my point of view, then you are my enemy. And I will not relate with you anymore.” Which means there’s no room for growth. No listening. No compromise. No breaking bread together. No imagination, or creativity. Or worse, I might try to hurt you by weaponizing things like the Bible, or your own words to throw back in your face. I might even sabotage something we both care about. So, it’s my way or the highway. That’s it. End of story. Period.

As Christians, we are encouraged not to be that way. I know that kind of makes us sort of an odd people, people who are encouraged not to put a period on things, but to put a comma on things because the story of God working in our lives, even in spite of our obstinacy, is never done. “Never place a period where God has put a comma,” says our UCC slogan. God can pour out the Spirit upon us, and we can dream dreams of what the Spirit is calling us to be and do.

The way of Babel would not be the way of the church. And we can hear what we are saying to each other, with mutuality and respect.

So, as a church, in these next couple of weeks especially, and beyond, let us be open to the Spirit and to each other, as we endeavor to be the best version of the vessel God can use Christ Church, praising God and sharing the great things God has done and is doing in our lives and in our world.

I hear what you’re saying...do you hear what I’m saying? Amen.

Prayer for the Children

Sun, 12 May 2024 18:04:17 GMT

A sermon - a prayer - for children all over our world.

Rev. Fa Lane | May 12, 2024

Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; John 17:6-19

O Lord, we pray for the mothers who are loving and courageous, hardworking, and patient; mothers who seem tireless even when they are exhausted. We give thanks also for fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, aunts and uncles who sometimes play the mothering role when necessary. We are grateful for the nurturing example of Jesus, who taught us how to care for one another. He called everyone his brother or sister. Holy Spirit, open our minds and our hearts that we shall do the same. Amen.

As we observe Mother’s Day today, and honor the Christian Home, today’s lectionary story is about Jesus being concerned for the welfare of those he’ll leave behind when he is taken by the Romans.

When he is crucified, his followers will be left without his leadership or his protection. Jesus, like a good parent is worried about those who have been in his care.

The disciples have grown from the original foursome of Simon, Andrew, James, and John whom he recruited while they were fishing. It’s not really clear just how many were in the band of Jesus followers all told, only a few men are named, and women were not often recognized in the Writings. In the Acts passage it counts 120 at that particular event.

In the John passage Jesus is speaking to God about pre-Acts people he knows well. He has taught them, traveled with them, seen to it that they were fed, argued for them, and ministered to and with them.

He states that they were God’s responsibility before, but now his, and knowing he is to leave earth soon, Jesus pleas for God to protect them after he’s gone. Jesus says “What’s yours are mine. I have made your name known to them.” He wants his followers to have the same relationship that he and God have… a oneness that is secure, a relationship that is tight, safe, and dependable. He is having what we call anticipatory grief.

The parents of these graduating seniors know this feeling acutely. Over 18 years, a mother morphs from being a baby’s center of the universe, to one day seeing them live in another home or some other town to start the next phase of their life, not under her watchful eye. Moms, Dads, and grandparents will hope and pray for the child’s success, for a steady job, good income, recognition, a proud standing in the community and loving relationships.

The data is clear that the single-biggest factor in determining happiness is not money, social class, or IQ. It’s strong relationships. We teach our children about making friends: Make new friends but keep the old. Parents trust that their kids are likeable and able to make friends because having strong ties to a community can help us live longer, protect memory and language function, and diminish stress and depression.

So, we parents pray as we drive away and hold back tears that they’ll have good, healthy relationships under God’s watchful eye. Jesus prays that for his disciples, that their relationship with one another would keep them connected to God like Jesus was … as one. We are going to follow his lead today and pray for the children. I ask you to think of the names of the children in your own family to say aloud in a minute.

As a mother, when I rocked my children to sleep, I prayed they would stay healthy, be happy, feel safe and find it easy to love; to laugh often and find surprising moments of joy.

Let us pray that young people develop the ability to problem solve, to gather friends who will encourage them and celebrate with them. Let us pray that they are self-assured, smart, confident in choosing their field of work or service.

When Jesus realizes his time on earth is short, he begs God to watch over the disciples, to keep them safe when he can’t be there to intervene, to redirect them, to feed and protect them and to love them in person.

I invite us to pray for the children whom we have been given in our families, all ages infants to graduate. I invite you to name them aloud now. There are some sitting right here this morning.

Lord, we pray that you will watch over our babies. May they be held in loving arms as they grow -leaving from our arms and into the arms of the ones with whom they will share their life. May there also be strong arms of community members to guide them, to protect and respect them. With love and truth may they be taught their own worth. May they be bold in your name to take risks as they learn about the edges of their own abilities and the needs of a hurting world. May they develop characters bearing the likeness of Christ in their hearts and minds. Amen.

As I read the passage in John, I couldn’t help but wonder if there are others whom God has given to me? I met Reuben in 2007 and care about his family. We don’t even live on the same continent. If we’re to be like Jesus, then perhaps God asks us to care for young people who are not our offspring. God places these relationships in our lives, bends our hearts toward certain people. It’s a holy invitation to look beyond myself.

For whom shall I live my life in ways that protect the environment for them? For which children do we elect leaders with their future in mind? Are we able to help create, administrate, and advocate for fair school systems, for adequate medical care, for experiences that stretch a child’s mind and deepen respect and empathy within their heart? Am I able, like Jesus, to accept the responsibility, to nurture younger people who are new to me, unknown to me, from different towns and cultures, like when I moved here and met Abe and Josie, Hayden, and Alexis four years ago?

Remember in days gone by, when neighborhood children would go out to play together all day running the neighborhood from house to house all adults keeping a watchful eye for them?

Let us pray for the children in our neighborhoods or apartment complexes. If you know their names, say them aloud now. Let’s make a commitment to learn more of their names and pray for them each day.

Lord, we pray for the children of our own neighborhoods. May they be safe. May we show them your love by creating a safe community with them, no matter whom they love, or what sports they play or what books they read. May our schools and buses be places to strengthen bonds and to be excited about learning and exploring. May we encourage curiosity and shared understandings. May we celebrate their victories and bear up together in times of disappointment or grief. May we take care of one another as Jesus did his disciples, and strangers and the outcasts whom he met. Amen .

Can we pray for the children of Gaza and Kenya or the Sudans, Myanmar and Ukraine and Venezuela who are living in war-torn or gang-controlled countries or outrunning flood waters fleeing their homes, leaving their schools, their friends and other family members, desperately searching for safety and shelter.

Can we pray for the 40% of Etown school children who are on free or reduced lunch because their families aren’t able to provide food security? There are homeless children in Etown schools as many as could fill two full classrooms. Children and their families are “doubling up,” either living with other family or friends on a temporary basis, or in a shelter, a hotel or a car.

Homeless families are ones who do not have a stable location to go home to each evening. Some because of poverty, others because of a housefire or an emergent problem. Our school system is required to get these children the things they need: clothing, shoes, meals, mental health services, and bus transportation to school and back to wherever they are staying.

Let us pray for the children.

Lord, we are humbled out of our comfort zone to know there are children suffering because of storms, wars, poverty, or poor adult decisions. We pray these children find not only safety, security, and love but also educational support that helps them pursue their hopes and dreams. Lord, show us where we can help. We confess that we often think it’s someone else’s job. Help us open our eyes to serve the world’s children because whoever are yours are ours. Amen.

We pray with Jesus for the ones who will be left when we are gone. I believe God has given us a responsibility to risk caring about the children, the newborns, the young adult fledglings, and those transitioning out of college and into their adult life, no matter what age or where they are on life’s journey, they can use our prayers.

It might be a big fishbowl to gaze into, but Christ called fishermen. He said that his followers would go after people who needed to hear that God loves them. So, in honor of Mother’s Day, let us take good care of whomever God gives us.

Raise the Song!

Sun, 05 May 2024 18:52:28 GMT

A reflection for Music Celebration Sunday!

2 Chronicles 5: 11-14

Music Celebration Sunday

May 5, 2024

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“When the song was raised… the house of the Lord was filled.”

Prayer: Holy One, may our house be filled with your Spirit. Amen.

What a great day this is! A day to celebrate our music program, our singers, our musicians, and our directors! What a great day to acknowledge just how much worshiping God is enhanced Sunday after Sunday with music that stirs our hearts. And we believe stirs God’s heart, too. What a great day to say, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!” Amen? Amen!

You know, back in ancient Israel, King Solomon spoke those words when he dedicated the newly built temple in Jerusalem. The story in 2nd Chronicles 5 goes that all the priests and all the singers and musicians with all their instruments came forward. Everyone was dressed to the nines, in full regalia, in their finest ceremonial dress clothing made out of linen, so the Bible says. I picture something like the Penn State band and flag-bearers in their finest dress uniforms coming onto the field at the beginning of a game. Wow! What energy!

And I quote from 2 Chronicles 5:13 “it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord…” And when they did that… “when the song was raised... the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud…” 2nd Chronicles tells us that it was so amazing and glorifying that even the priests were so mesmerized they couldn’t perform their priestly functions. The energy of the Spirit filled the space of the temple and the space of their hearts.

And that’s when King Solomon spoke those words, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel.”

What our music program does, I think, is open us to the energy of God’s Holy Spirit. When we raise the song to God, the presence of God can fill this place. We feel God’s energy! It can make our faces glow with smiles and warmth. It can make our feet tap to the beat, or our necks bob giving a hint that we’re really dancing on the inside. Or we sit and listen, in awe by how we can feel God through the song. As we felt when our kids sang… or when we prayed the Lord’s Prayer in song. And there’s more music to come!

I, for one, need that to happen in our worship space and in the space of my heart. I want to raise the song to God. Because somehow this creative, life-building force binds us together. Somehow everything on this earth, maybe even in the universe, is connected to the Holy One.

I need to feel that connection with God. Because it’s a connection with the life-giving power that satiates our spiritual hunger. That quenches our spiritual thirst.

So let us to raise the song! Raise the song to the One who calls us children of God. Who says we are relatives. Part of the family. Loved ones.

Raise the song to the One who gathers us together not because we’ve been good, but because we are loved.

Raise the song because God dances with us… even in the rain.

Raise the song because God shouts with us, for peace, justice, equity, acceptance, and harmony among the people.

Raise the song because God sings love songs to us and to this sacred planet earth.

Raise the song because God prays with us as we pray, blessing us as we are blessed. Prayers that come from the depths, uttered as whispers from our inner being.

Raise the song because God walks with us. For the long haul. For every day. Because we walk together children. Because we know that the secret to life is being in tune with God all the time.

Thank you, everyone in our music program, for helping us raise the song, and for helping this sanctuary space and our hearts be filled.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Then all the people said, “Amen!” Amen! Praise the Lord!

Interconnectedness

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 20:29:44 GMT

A sermon about love that casts out fear.

1 John 4: 7-21

John 15: 1-8

April 28, 2024

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit.”

Prayer: Holy One, may we always feel our connection with you, and may others feel you through us as well. Amen.

Do you remember what you were doing on Monday, April 8th? Chances are, some of you, maybe a lot of you, at one point in the day, glanced up in the sky a few times. Maybe a lot of times. Right! We were paying attention to the eclipse! What a cool event! I loved it!

I know most of us were around here when we saw 90% of the sun eclipsed. A few of you went to Dallas, or Indianapolis, or Erie to see 100% of the sun blacked out. Several of my neighbors and I gathered for an impromptu neighborhood block party. Snacks were served. Adult beverages brought out. Really dark sunglasses were passed around giving everyone a chance to see the eclipse. My one neighbor even sang an impromptu version of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” at the top of his lungs. Which I had to miss because I had an appointment. I was bummed.

When it was all over at the end of the day, TV reporters were highlighting the eclipse’s highlights, and I was struck by one reporter who astutely said something like, “For a few hours, collectively, we as a nation, put aside our differences long enough to look to the heavens and be unified by one of our solar system’s true wonders.”

I was struck by how true those words felt to me. That there are moments when we realize that we are all connected to each other. Unified in this case by looking into the heavens and watching that amazing extraterrestrial event.

But when I thought about it, the thing that impacted me the most was the fact that being interconnected as a people and feeling that unity with everyone are such rare things these days. I don’t think we see or feel that often enough.

But, I believe God wants us to feel and see that interconnection a lot! With God and with each other.

Jesus put it this way. “I am the true vine. God is the vinegrower. You [meaning his disciples and by extension, us] are the branches of the vine.” Jesus applies basic gardening principles here. A branch by itself cannot survive, let alone produce fruit for more branches unless it is connected to the main vine. In the same way, we cannot bear the fruits of God unless we are connected to God, to Christ, the main vine.

Some friends came to visit last month, and knowing that Barb loves flowers, they brought a forsythia branch that had lots of flower buds on it. Barb stuck the branch in some water, and sure enough, a few days later, the yellow flowers came bloomed out. And they were beautiful. But, a few days atter that, the whole thing started to die. The flower petals fell off. And pretty soon the entire branch had to be thrown away. Because it wasn’t connected to its life source.

Another basic gardening principle Jesus applies is pruning. If we are connected to the vine of Jesus, it means sometimes doing some cleaning out of the parts of our lives that don’t bear fruit for God. By the way, the Greek word for ‘pruning’ and ‘cleansing’ come from the same root word.

And pruning at times can be painful. Because it means addressing our broken parts. Cutting out stuff that’s not productive, the dead stuff. The stuff that doesn’t give life to us or others. The stuff that contradicts the interconnectedness we have with God and each other.

Stuff like fear. Fear is a thief. It takes away a sense that we are connected to each other.

There’s fear that moves us toward isolationism. That’s lonely place of thinking that we are separate from each other. Independent operators. Not accountable to each other, or each other’s needs. Everyone for themselves! We can easily turn our backs on each other. We guard our stuff protectively. We’re open to others only if they are part of our inner circle. All because we fear the other. Can we prune that out? It’s not productive a lot of the time.

Barb and I own some property in Schuylkill Haven, and recently we’ve been going there to maintain it. And the lawn needed to be mowed. But, my lawn mower is too big to fit in our car. I made some arrangements to borrow an electric one from across town which I still would have to get into our car. But when I got there, I saw the neighbor across the street was mowing his lawn. I’d never met him before, but… I’m just brazen enough sometimes… So, I went and asked him if I could borrow his lawnmower when he was done. I told him I’d pay for the gas and take care of the cleanup. Well… he was hesitant. I mean I get it. I’m a stranger. And it’s his shiny new lawnmower. He said, “OKaaaay, but… it would be a little while.” No problem, I said. I had leaves to rake. But, when he was done, I gave him an out. “If you are uncomfortable, I can work something else out.” “It’s OK,” he said. “Just don’t go over any roots. I’m pretty fussy about my blades. I just had them sharpened.” I said OK. He took my $3, and I mowed the lawn. It was a win, win.

And I thought, I think I just experienced a little sliver of God’s shalom. The way God wants us to be with one another. Interconnected with each other. Bearing the fruit of neighborliness. And peace. And trust. And love. Love for our fellow human beings. That’s abiding in the vine.

Because with God, there is no separateness in God’s vision of shalom. It’s there for all people. There’s no isolation of God’s love. No one is “outside” this love. Love is the glue that connects us to each other. And God is love.

And love is what casts out the fear that we may have of “the other.” Love transcends isolationism. Love eclipses being afraid that we won’t have enough resources. Love surpasses the fear that we may get hurt or our things may get damaged or we won’t have enough for ourselves if we bear the fruits of God, spending money to express God’s love. Or if we make choices that leads us to share the vision God has for us all.

Yes, there’s a risk that some of that can happen. And we have to think and act responsibly. But, we’re talking about God here. God who reveals to us that we are all interconnected with each other spiritually. That everyone is connected by God’s love.

And we are encouraged to have faith in God. Faith that God will keep and tend to what produces fruit in us...what produces love in us. Faith that our values and commitments, our hopes and dreams will be stirred in our hearts by God.

And I think all of this might be related to what we ask God for in prayer. When we’re interconnected with God, when we abide in God, which is the same as abiding in Christ, chances are much more likely that what we ask God for is not necessarily what we want, but for what God wants. What God has stirred in our hearts because we’re connected to the vine. What God wants of us that helps shape the flow of God’s love through us to others. Jesus says ask for whatever God has stirred in your heart because you’ve abided in God, because you’re interconnected with God, and it will be done for you.

But it must be based on love. If it isn’t. It must be pruned out.

Because love bears much fruit to others. God tends to that love. And God invites us and encourages us to tend to it as well. As much as we can. And maybe, just maybe, being interconnected with God and each other, unified by love may become not such a rare things these days, but the norm. May it be so. Amen.

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 20:33:35 GMT

A sermon for Earth Day Sunday.

Psalm 65: 5-13

Romans 8: 18-25

April 21, 2024

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves...”

Prayer: Please stir our hearts and minds, O God, so that we may see everything our earth offers as gifts for us to use and share wisely. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Today is the Sunday before Earth Day, which is tomorrow, and this scene from Dances With Wolves kept coming back to my mind. By the way, this is a really good movie and takes place during the Civil War era. The scene is when Lt. John Dunbar finds himself as the only soldier at an abandoned fort on the extreme edge of the frontier. He needs fresh, clean drinking water, and thankfully, there is a water hole. But, the water is stagnant, contaminated, and foul because of a large, decaying horse carcass stuck in the water along with garbage that the soldiers before him left. Kevin Costner, who stars as Lt. Dunbar, has to haul the dead horse out of the water, and burn it, along with the junk left by the careless soldiers who didn’t think twice about polluting the water. Only after he took steps forward to clean out the waterhole would the water be restored and that small area of the earth be renewed and habitable and healthy again.

Even though somewhat gruesome, I think that little scene reflects the bigger story of how human beings have to take steps forward to care for the well-being of our planet. Like Lt. Dunbar had to do in order for the water to become clean, fresh, and good.

But it also illustrates, I think, humanity’s reckless inattentiveness to the earth and its resources. Privileged people will forever and a day take for granted that there will always be more resources available to us. More waterholes when we need it. Always clean water somewhere. So there’s no big push to tend to the water hole we’ve got. And that ‘take it for granted’ attitude actually takes us a step backward away from healthy best practices in caring for the earth.

Spiritually speaking, it is the same. Paul’s words in Romans 8 are all about how God’s ways had become contaminated by entropy. Entropy, philosophically speaking, basically says that all things on the earth are born or come into existence. Initially they grow into vitality and reach a peak. And then for the rest of their existence, it’s a long process of decay. And then all things die. This is the way of the physical creation. The way of flesh. Paul says that this entropy is the bondage that creation has. And it doesn’t need God. Or faith. It’s just the way life is.

But, Paul says that is not all there is to our existence. Entropy contaminates God’s presence, yes. But people can take two steps forward on faith. And anyone who does that will find that the Spirit of Christ lives in them, making them children of God. And children of God are led by the Spirit of God, not contaminated by spiritual entropy anymore. We have hope for a future. The past is over and done. New life has begun. Two steps forward.

But, there’s a problem even with the children of God who have the Spirit of Christ. Because, you know, some Christians say that the children of God are supposedly focused on the great hereafter, on eternal life. On God’s salvation. Escaping from earth and getting into heaven. Paul even says it himself: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.”

And so, it becomes easy to take for granted what we have on earth without cultivating a deep attention to the earth, its seas, soil, and its resources. Some even say that Christianity licenses the unbridled exploitation of our planet and its resources. That take is a step backwards.

What I think Paul truly is saying here is that the children of God are the ones to help care for this planet. We are the ones that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains for. We are the ones to help this earth produce healthy and habitable environments. We are the ones to live out the Bible’s commands for stewardship of the earth’s resources. God gave humanity dominion over all the earth (Gen. 1). Which I think means we’re entrusted by God with the care of this planet . If we embrace our role as earth’s caretakers, that’s taking two steps forward, I think.

So as caretakers, I began to wonder: why are our culture and some of our politicians and more conservatively minded brothers and sisters slow to accept the fact that our earth is changing? That’s taking a step backward, it seems to me.

I was watching NOVA about earth’s origins. Did you know that where New York City is now there used to be mountains as big or even bigger than the Rocky Mountains? Who knew? Over the millions of years, erosion wore down those mountains and the movements of tectonic plates changed the landscape. Did you know that the Rocky Mountains we see today are really a 2nd or 3rd version of themselves? Worn down by erosion, they rise again by tectonic movement.

And our climate is changing and always has. Fossilized tropical palm tree fronds can be found in Alaska. Go figure.

So, yes, our climate is changing. It always has. But humanity’s presence and often insensitive use of our resources and the ‘take it for granted’ attitude actually accelerates this change, despite what our conservatively minded folks say. Not to mention that focus on profit over sustainability and countries making war also aids this acceleration. And this rapid acceleration affects everything on earth.

Because everything ecological is interconnected together. What we do as a mass of humanity affects all the climate zones of the earth. Our gaseous emissions raise our air and sea temperatures. Which causes fiercer storms and melting ice caps at the poles. Which raises sea levels at our shores and displaces people, which becomes an issue of justice. That’s just a snapshot of the interconnectedness we have with the earth.

However, let us remember that we serve a God who adopts us and makes us children of God which can help us take two steps forward. And just the way we may groan in our inner spirit awaiting with hope that the power of God will transform us and help us give birth to a new version of our selves, so our earth groans as it awaits our efforts to take steps forward to help it renew itself.

There are literally hundreds of ways to take two steps forward, but I want to suggest these two ideas as maybe a foundation for best practices going forward. The first is to adopt an awareness of sacred mutuality. Meaning that we coexist with other people and other species and other forms of life on this planet, all of which is sacred. We are neighbors to each other. Adopting a sense of mutuality should motivate our ethics and our actions, our sense of justice and equity for those marginalized, and the sooner the better. That’s taking two steps forward. It’s better for future generations.

And secondly, as I’ve suggested before, I suggest we work on how we can aspire to be the best people we can be, helping God create a better healthy, renewable world, not so much for our benefit, but for our children’s benefit. For the future generations of tomorrow. Because our aspirations today are built on the aspirations of our ancestors. And theirs before them. So, our children and future generations will continue to aspire for the best world they can have, but they build on what we built for them in our desire for a better world. Two steps forward for our kids. One step back to recognize the shoulders we stand on. Those who’ve gone before us.

These two ideas are alluded to in our Creation Justice Covenant which we adopted as a church in November of 2018. I’d like to close my remarks by inviting us as one voice to affirm our faith and recite our Creation Justice Covenant:

We believe in the sacred story of origin that speaks of our common connection to God, to each other, to all of creation, and to the world in which we live, work and play;

We understand that it is our responsibility, as individuals and as a church, to not only care for but also to help heal and restore creation. We desire that this deeply felt commitment be reflected, with an urgent sense of calling, in all aspects of our congregation’s life and that we lead, by example, beyond the walls of our church into our community and our world,

We recognize that the impacts of environmental exploitation, degradation, and global climate change disproportionately impact historically marginalized communities, especially people of color, and that we have a calling and a responsibility, as human beings, to work on behalf of all those who face issues of social injustice and oppression.

Amen.

We Are to Be Witnesses

Sun, 14 Apr 2024 18:22:57 GMT

A sermon about the mysterious, transforming power of God.

Rev. Fa Lane | April 14, 2024

Acts 3:12-19; Luke 24:36b-48

“ Repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations. You are witnesses of these things.”

Both of the New Testament readings today highlight the importance of being a witness. Like the phrase we’ve seen on buses or trains: “if you see something, say something. Jesus reveals himself to the disciples after his resurrection as a way of saying, See me! See how God’s powerful love overcame even death! All so that we could understand nothing is impossible with God. And, when we see the miraculous happen, tell someone, give God the glory for it.

Peter tells those whom he is with on Solomon’s porch at the Temple, that the healing they had just seen was because God had glorified Jesus in whose name the man was healed. They had just witnessed the power of God to change a man’s life. Peter made sure they understood the credit belonged firmly to God.

In the Luke story, Jesus appears to the disciples in Jerusalem after his resurrection and it frightens them. They don’t understand and think they’re seeing a ghost. Jesus said to the disciples look at me, touch me! He even asked for food. Would a ghost ask for food?

We sometimes struggle to understand when Jesus shows up, why things work out the way they do. The Bible doesn’t say they actually touched Jesus but rather that they wondered what was happening. It was beyond their comprehension. I think Jesus wanted them (and he wants us) to realize that God has the ability to do what we think can’t be done.

I think it’s ok to allow ourselves some bewilderment when God does things in our lives. We don’t have to figure out meaning or devise explanations. We can acknowledge our modern understandings of science, and brilliant philosophical arguments. And, yet there may still be occurrences where we allow our minds to be blown, where we might be open and consider that we’re witnessing God at work.

I have had conversations with patients in the hospital that, in hindsight, I believe God was speaking through that person. Those individuals spoke to me in a way that wasn’t the normal course of a patient/chaplain conversation. At the time, I couldn’t understand it and now I wish I could remember it better. But I remember how I felt: like I was in a holy moment. Time stopped and my mind searched for understanding as the Holy Spirit held me captive. It was as though the words came from a different realm…not to sound too extraterrestrial. It took me a minute back then to realize what a unique encounter it was.

I’m telling you this because I think there are two sides of the coin with witnessing. We witness the opportunity. We identify a need. But we also witness how God is at work addressing that need. And we tell that story.

Let me share with you other holy moments that happen in our every day course of life. One close to home for example, is our beloved Sue VanSkiver, in her hasty move to Florida., She needed to get rid of all her furniture and furnishings. She wasn’t taking them with her. Her family has everything she needs.

The day after making the decision to move, a friend from the apartment complex came with her young daughter to sell Girl Scout cookies which Sue bought. In their conversation, Sue asked the lady if she knew of anyone who would want her furniture. This lady, who has very little, was deeply grateful as she said she would take everything Sue didn’t want. Sue didn’t have to parcel it out. It was taken care of in one request. I think that was God showing up!

Let me put in a plug and mention that next month, our outreach focus will be on PA Furniture Mission where you can donate furniture you no longer want or need. So, God can redistribute to the wider community where there is need, just like in the Acts community in the Bible.

Here’s a story about an organization in St. Louis that helps fill in gaps for people in need and works on justice issues. The non-profit group is called PotBangerz. Their work is to fight injustice by uplifting the community leaders, meeting nutritional needs, helping unhoused families navigate their way to permanent housing, and advocating for them when they need it the most.

They honor all lives with the mindset that when they have rebuilt and transformed the lives of their unhoused families, then they can say their mission is accomplished.

We can see this need here in Lancaster County too. Just pay attention as you walk in Etown, you’ll see our siblings who are unhoused. I remind you that the Emergency Winter Shelter has closed now. But, many of those who were cared for in the shelter still need a safe place to live. There’s an opportunity. How can we help?

We live this out when we feed the homeless at First Reformed UCC in Lancaster. We’ll be serving in June, please go to see how God shows up in the sharing of kindness and a meal.

We see God showing up in our Habitat for Humanity workdays. Working alongside with potential future homeowners who give their sweat equity, we learn about people with different situations, experiences and backgrounds. Ariana told me that everyone who helps prepare a home gets excited about the chance to make a difference. This is where God’s power to overcome adversity is evident.

There is more we can do. There are more ways to make a difference through our Teams of Service: our very active Mission Team, the Social Justice Team who can focus our energies on any number of issues such as eliminating inequity, providing mental health care for all, or advocating for civil rights; through the Green Team, we do Trash Pick Up days (there’s one next Saturday morning at 9am starting at the church) and in developing our relationship with Wittel Farm. The Outreach Committee encourages helping others through our giving and spiritual support.

I hope that each one of you will consider how God is nudging you to see a need and help meet it. This is how we can bear witness for people are hurting AND then share the story of God’s presence, the God-incidences that we see. If you see something; say something.

Next weekend, the Messy Church families are going to learn more about God’s miraculous work in creation. How the earth transforms leftover fruits, vegetables and brown materials into rich heathy soil. We will also plant seeds. I hope over weeks and into late summer, the children will visit the gardens to witness the miracle of plant growth and generation of delicious produce that we can eat and share. What a way to witness God showing up miraculously!

These vegetables are donated to food distribution sites all throughout Lancaster County so that families who struggle to afford fresh food can get them. One distribution site is the Community Cupboard on Washington St. We have friends in this church who are blessed by this outreach ministry. I hope that some of you might cover some of their volunteer positions and learn just how powerful God’s love is when we decide to be present with our neighbors.

I believe it is the mysterious, transforming power of God that brings volunteers, caretakers, organizers together where there is need. Holy moments are all around us if we look for them; if we let them catch our attention. Opportunities are abundant if we have the heart to seek them. Sometimes we shy away; we don’t let God show us where we could make a difference. But, God pursues us, warms our heart, bothers our conscious, gives us ideas. When that happens, please say yes to the Holy Invitation and be a witness for God’s work in the world. Amen.

Believing Is Seeing

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 20:46:47 GMT

A sermon about spiritual intelligence.

1 John 1: 1-2:2

John 20: 19-31

April 7, 2024

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

Prayer: O God who raised Jesus from the grave, may we believe. May we see. May we grow. Amen.

On occasion, over the last almost 40 years of ministry, I unintentionally have missed one or two important events. Gasp! [I know!] One time, Saturday night, mid-December, my former spouse and I were sitting at home watching TV. The next morning, Harvey, the Lead Pastor at Holladay UCC says to me, “So, where were you last night?” Home, watching TV. Why? “Well, you missed the church office staff Christmas party!” [GASP!!] OMG! Totally spaced it! Have you been there? Do you feel me?

On another occasion, I totally missed a three-day Clergy Convocation in Hershey. I registered early. Thought I put it on my calendar. [shake head] Wasn’t on my calendar. Had no clue. My friend Bruce has never let me forget it!

And you know when you miss something like that, you often can’t go back and make it up. I mean, the Christmas party was done. The Convocation, over with. No way to go back. Often there are no second chances for something like that. Often. But, not always.

On that first Easter evening, after their horrible weekend, the disciples gathered, probably in the Upper Room. And that’s not at all surprising. People who go through tragedy often have to be together. At least to support each other. To feel each other’s grief.

When 9/11 happened on a Tuesday, I was at Chapel Hill UCC in Camp Hill. On Thursday, we opened up our sanctuary over the lunch hour for a time of prayer and reflection. And the church was packed! There was not one seat left in the sanctuary. Some were standing out in the hallway. And for several Sunday’s afterward, churches everywhere were packed. Trying to make sense of the horror of that day.

Well, I think the disciples got together to try and make sense of the horror of Good Friday. To be with one another in the midst of unspeakable tragedy. To love and support one another. To maybe figure out where they would go from there.

Thomas missed all that. We don’t know why. Maybe he forgot. Maybe he didn’t get the memo. Maybe he wasn’t in on the discussion that the group would meet back at the Upper Room the day after the Sabbath. Maybe it was just too dangerous for him to be out in public. You know… guilt by association with Jesus. Maybe, and this is what I personally think was mostly going on, he was overcome with grief and depression since he lost his close friend and leader. Couldn’t get out of the house, maybe even the bed. Or, maybe all of the above.

But whatever. All we know is that he wasn’t there. And he missed the love and support. He missed the comfort of friends. And he missed Jesus. And his peace. And the other disciples were like, “Where were you, man? We missed you last night, because We Saw The Lord!”

Yeah, right. Thomas just can’t buy it. He might’ve been like, “That’s not even funny. Stop joking around.” No, really, we saw the Lord! [shake head no] Thomas was going to need a lot more than just their words. He demanded proof. “Unless I see the wounds in his hands, unless I touch his hands and his side, I will not believe.” Thomas was in the place of “seeing is believing” and touching is believing. Only certain physical, empirical, factual evidence would do.

And I guess, if I’m honest, I would like be in Thomas shoes, if I were him. And I’d wager that’s probably true for the vast majority of us, too. Because we’ve all learned how to be skeptical about wild, outlandish claims. We all know the “if it’s too good to be true, it probably isn’t” statement. And in that place, I, too, find it difficult to just accept the disciple’s word without any kind of proof.

But, the story goes, a week later, Thomas was present with his fellow disciples, and Jesus shows up again! And Jesus offers Thomas what he wanted, to see and touch, but as it turns out, that’s not needed anymore. Because did you notice that the text never says Thomas touched Jesus at all! That really struck me! Because Thomas sees Jesus, all the physical, empirical, the factual are important, but these are not the end all. These are not the total package. Throw faith in there. Throw creative possibility in there. Mix in God’s mysterious power to bring life from death in there. And all of it together, I think makes Thomas exclaim with newfound faith and belief, “My Lord and my God!” And he received Jesus’ peace.

I think Jesus invited Thomas to put aside the old way of ‘seeing is believing’ and engage in a new way of ‘believing is seeing.’ To move from disbelief and doubt and total reliance on facts, to a new reality of belief and faith which enabled him to see spiritually.

And Jesus asks him, “You believe because you’ve seen me?” But blessed are those who have not seen me physically and have come to believe in me spiritually.

And that’s what I find so amazing! Such a piece of good news! We are blessed not because we see Jesus physically, but because we believe in him spiritually. So, I feel a lot of hope for all my loved ones who want the facts, who love science, of which I am one—there’s a place for all of us at God’s table. And, while we live with facts, we also can live with the power of the Spirit.

We’re invited to put aside having only the ‘seeing is believing’ attitude and take in the ‘believing is seeing’ attitude. Call it having an IQ and an SIQ (spiritual intelligence). I think there’s a balance between the two simultaneously. Because when you see through the eyes of faith, I think you can to see the power of a creative God who loves us, and is constantly bringing the power of Easter to our awareness.

So Easter dares to say that there is something more beyond the hard evidence. That Easter is our reality everywhere. Because somehow, someway the mystery of God’s Easter power is at work. Believing is seeing.

Take a look with me of how believing with faith is seeing Easter power at work. Look at this—we can see the power of Easter and God’s new life when we do the hard work of forgiveness and reconciliation in a broken relationship. Believing is seeing means there is something better than living with grudges and distance and separation in relationships. But sometimes that takes a lot of work. Being vulnerable. Saying I’m sorry. Make the effort. Let God do the rest in the person’s heart.

Or, we can see the power of Easter when the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. When health concerns rock our world. When the glorious immortality feeling of youth gives way to the shocking reality of mortality and getting older. Many of us know this.

Believing is seeing increases our spiritual IQ and says that while we live with the facts of health concerns, there still is something more. That somehow God’s Easter power is at work, and the Holy Spirit promises to be with you, to help you endure health concerns often showing in the people around us. Offering comfort, love, care, support. Easter’s power can open your eyes to spiritual new life, even in death.

Look at this one—believing is seeing means that somehow, the power of God binds us together in fellowship with one another. We, who are as diverse as the day is long, can find unity as we baptize these two little ones this morning, as we promise our spiritual help on their journeys. That’s Christian fellowship with one another. When we have that, we have fellowship with God and Christ, too. Believing this is seeing this, and raises our spiritual intelligence.

Friends, we are the ones who have not seen physically but can come to believe spiritually. So, I thank God for Jesus’ blessing.

And thank God, because don’t we all live on the same continuum between having factual evidence and faith, between skepticism and belief? So, why not open yourself to the Spirit at work? Because believing is seeing. So that we don’t miss God’s resurrection power of Easter. So we don’t miss Jesus, or his peace.

Start, or restart your journey again, at the font of baptism. In the Easter faith baptized. Amen.

Let us stand and sing as we conclude our time of worship today.

Already Done, Before We Knew It

Sun, 31 Mar 2024 18:38:14 GMT

A message for Easter Sunrise about rolling away the stone.

Mark 16: 1-8

Easter Sunrise

March 31, 2024

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back.”

Prayer: Thank you, Lord for your spiritual life-force that is always giving us new life. Amen.

Some of you may recall, back in 2019 right after Christmas, I had a heart attack. One of my descending arteries was 100% plugged up. They call it “The Widow-maker.” An ominous title. Thankfully, doctors put in a stent that opened up the artery and blood got to flowing again.

One of the amazing things I discovered was that the heart, when there’s a obstacle like that, starts to grow smaller ancillary arteries around the blockage. Nature’s way of survival. That was already happening in my heart, and it blew me away! The power of the life-force, the relentless ability of the human body to move toward health and wholeness is astonishing to me!

And it made me realize that any doctor worth their salt will practice medicine with a deeper sense of humility because they know that they don’t have the power to heal. What they have the power to do is to create conditions that are conducive for healing to occur. They have the power to remove the obstacles that are blocking the life-force from working.

I thought of that because it seems to me that the women heading to Jesus’ tomb early on Easter morning were aware that they had a problem. There was an obstacle in their way. That big ol’ stone weighed a ton. Who was going to roll that thing out of the way? They needed it out of the way so that they could get at Jesus’ corpse and finish anointing it with spices preparing it for decomposition. This perspective is the world as they knew it. It was what they expected.

When they arrived at the tomb, what they saw blew them away! The large stone was already rolled back! The obstacle was removed, the job already done, before they knew it.

And I’m thinking what a marvelous metaphor for us to consider on this Easter Sunday morning. Because with that stone out of the way, only then can the true power of resurrection be made known. If the stone is still there, no one will know anything about God’s resurrection power. With the stone out of the way, God’s grace and power of new life can flow. With the stone still in place, no one ever understands God’s power over death, and Jesus is just a footnote in history. But with the stone rolled away, death loses its victory. Death loses its sting. And Jesus becomes the Christ. Our savior! For the world.

All that’s good, but the wonderful thing that is that the stone, the obstacle to resurrection power was rolled away before we knew it. Before we did anything to make it happen. We did nothing to coerce God. We did nothing to convince God that we deserve the stone to be removed. It was already removed. Before we knew it, God did it. And God’s saving grace, forgiveness, and love can flow freely.

The trouble is, in certain ways, we’re still stuck in our worldly way of seeing things. We often put stones in the way that are of our own making.

Like I know people who live by society’s rulebook when it comes to who’s acceptable and who isn’t. Social media often is terrible about this. You have to look a certain way, be the right body build, wear the correct clothes, have the acceptable political ideas in order to fit in. If you happen not to look a certain way, or be a certain way, or think a certain way, the bullying that goes on in social media can be terrible.

Well guess what? The stone in front of the new life has already been rolled away. But it takes putting an end to worldly wisdom’s exclusivity, and intolerance, and bigotry, and relying on spiritual wisdom that arcs toward inclusivity, tolerance, acceptance, and diversity.

I know several people who believe strongly in the “Look, when you die, you’re dead.” mentality. “Dead is dead. There’s nothing more” they say. That’s a worldly perspective and wisdom.

But, the spiritual perspective, the faith perspective says that God’s new life, God’s new world, God’s new grace broke forth. Jesus was alive, in whatever way people perceive his aliveness. Which means that the stone covering the entrance to the place where new life is born out of death has already been rolled away. It was done ahead of time. And life comes forth from it, life that is everlasting. Life that is for everyone. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

Our job is not only to perceive that, but to believe it. Not only to believe it, but to trust it. Not only to trust it, but to live it. Live it, not as if it were true, but because it is true. May God bless you because the stone is rolled away! Amen.

Voice Recognition

Sun, 31 Mar 2024 16:54:18 GMT

A sermon about hearing our name being called by God.

1 Corinthians 15: 1-11

John 20: 1-18

Easter, March 31, 2024

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!”

Prayer: O holy, life-giving God, will you please bless us with your Easter power, so that we may hear and see your great work of making all things new, of bringing life from death. In the name of the risen Christ we pray, Amen.

Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!

That’s wonderful news we proclaim! That news has spread throughout the world today at the speed of light. Because we live in the “instantaneous news” era, with the help of technology like AI and voice recognition software.

AI is big stuff these days. But, voice recognition software has been around a long time. Lots of us use it regularly to dictate our text messages. Some of use it to activate Siri. Or Alexa. Which can be amusing at times. Try this at home; Ask “Siri, do you believe in God?” Siri: “My policy is the separation of spirit and silicon.” “Siri, do you have a boyfriend?” Siri; “There once was a Roomba that followed me around everywhere.”

If you’re like me, you might use Google and Alexa. I had to record my voice 3 times giving Alexa a digital rendering of my voice. And our voices are as unique as our fingerprints. So, I went over to my Echo and asked, “Alexa, who am I?” Alexa said, “I think you’re Galen. This is Galen’s account.” Oddly enough—there was something strange, but kind of sweetly satisfying—Alexa knew who I was.

Of course, on the first Easter, there was no such thing as AI or Siri or Alexa. But, there was voice recognition. And it happened when Mary, maybe at the lowest point in her entire life, heard Jesus’ voice. I mean it’s hard to imagine her personal trauma. But I’ll hazard a guess and say she was pretty distraught. Bewildered. Sorrowful. Angry. Frustrated. Because first, the dominant power arrests Jesus and tears him away from Mary and her friends, the disciples. Then they torture, abuse, and violate him. Then they crucify and kill him. And now this! The tomb’s empty! Maybe she was like, “Haven’t you done enough? You already killed him. Now you’ve gone and taken him! Why can’t you just leave us alone and let us bury our dead!?!”

And in that lowest moment, that deepest despair, the risen Jesus speaks to Mary. At first, she doesn’t recognize his voice. She assumes it’s the gardener talking to her.

And I get that. It’s understandable. Because in our lowest moments, when things are really bad, our viewpoints can easily get distorted. We sometimes hear and see things only the way we expect them to be. We sometimes resign ourselves to the permanency of our conditions. We think our problems will last. Our illnesses and diseases will never go away. I’ve talked to so many people over the years who absolutely believe that a busted relationship with a family member that happened years ago is totally permanent.

But it absolutely doesn’t have to be. Because God is in the business of resurrection and restoration. God can bring new life out of the lowest despairing moments. After all, God brought the Israelites out of the despair and bondage of Egypt, and their new reality began in the Promised land. God saw David, a lowly runt shepherd boy and made him Israel’s greatest king. God brought Jonah out from the proverbial belly of the great fish, and he preached the word of God that changed a wayward people. God saw the worst persecutor of the church named Saul and made him into the church’s greatest apostle named Paul.

So, thank God that Jesus sees Mary, calls her by name at her lowest point, and transformed her life. She becomes the first apostle to spread the news that Jesus is risen. The risen Christ was ready to open a whole new future for her.

And that’s when she recognized his voice. She turned and called him by his informal, intimate name, “Rabbouni.” She acknowledged him. He was alive to her!

Do you remember when protesters chanted “Say her name,” to President Biden before and during the State of Union speech? And when the President did say “Laken Riley,” it was a way of acknowledging Laken. Acknowledging the life and death of a real person.

So, when Mary heard her name, she recognized Jesus. She acknowledged him. She turned and her heart and soul were awakened. She turned away from living in the old life of despair. She turned toward a new life of following Christ. She actually didn’t need that old life anymore. It was now obsolete. The risen Christ invited her to participate in this new future. And that was, I think the beginning of her personal resurrection.

See that’s the crazy thing about Easter… even the entire Christian faith. Resurrection can’t be confined to one definition. The Holy Spirit will move where it will. It is unconfined to human ideas. Who knows what actually happened on thar first Easter? But, that isn’t important.

What is important is that the Easter story is our story. It’s about our personal resurrections.

So just as Mary recognized Jesus’ voice in the lowest of her lows, which began a new reality for her, God is calling our names, all the time, even in the lowest of our lows. And in the highest of our highs. Calling us to a new life. Calling us to turn away from an old life that is now obsolete. Calling us to participate in a new reality.

In her recognition of Jesus’ voice, the new perspective was taking hold. Mary’s hope was resurrected. Hope that God was making all things new, as Jesus promised. Hope that her old life was over and done. Her new life had begun.

Our hope can be resurrected, too, on this glorious day. Hope that death never has the last word. Hope that in recognizing Jesus’ voice, there is something strangely, yet sweetly satisfying about that. Hope that, through our living out this new life, others in our families, our community of friends, our church acquaintances, our networks of relationships, others in our culture will recognize God calling their names, too. And their hope can be resurrected. Their lives can be refreshed, and the old life will be obsolete.

Activist and preacher William Barber, II learned how to be an Easter Christian in his teenage years by watching his grandmother. Every Sunday afternoon after church, his grandmother would visit someone who was ill and suffering, “We’ll be back shortly,” she would tell all the family. “We’ve got to go and hope somebody.”

For a long time, young William thought his grandmother, in her North Carolina accent, was mispronouncing the word “help,” and that what she meant to say was that she was going out to “help somebody.” Gradually, though, he realized that she meant just what she said. In a time of suffering, she was going to hurting people, people who were despised by the white society around them, downtrodden by the forces of poverty, and in the name of the risen Christ she was “hoping” them, bearing witness to the Lord who can make life come out of death. Who can renew hope even in the most hopeless of circumstances. Who can call each of us and raise us from the dead graves we might find ourselves in from time to time (Long, Tom, “The Shock of Easter,” Journal for Preachers , Easter, 2024, vol. XLVII, No. 3, p. 12).

That’s the faith we proclaim today. Because each of us can know the hope that comes with Christ’s new life alive within us.

That’s the faith we share today. Because we can recognize God’s voice calling us. God knows us. And knows who we are.

That’s the faith we live today. That’s the faith everyone of us can live. And it needs to spread like wildfire. In our families. In our church. In our community. In our culture. Our culture has to change for the better. And we are the ones to do it.

Because Christ is risen. Because he is risen in me. Christ is risen in you. And we can live. A whole new future begins. Thanks be to God! Amen.

The Next Step

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 18:28:58 GMT

A sermon for Maundy Thursday/Good Friday about following Jesus.

John 13: 31b-35

Maundy Thursday/Good Friday

March 28, 2024

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.”

Prayer: May we keep following you, O Lord. Amen.

This Lenten season we’ve been exploring what it means to follow Jesus ever since Ash Wednesday. Here’s a brief recap of where we’ve been on this journey. On Ash Wednesday, we first followed Jesus into our secret rooms. Then the first Sunday in Lent, we followed him out into the wilderness. And next we followed him by carrying our cross.

Then we followed Jesus by cleaning our spiritual houses, and by seeing that darkness and light both are of God. Two Sundays ago, we examined following Jesus into humble servanthood, and last Sunday, we learned that following Jesus means preparing to receive him and his life.

Whew! It’s been quite Lenten journey filled with learning about following Jesus. By the way, all those sermons are online for your further spiritual growth and reflection.

And tonight we come to the last part of this worship series. And some of you might be going “Yay!” Or, “Got that out of the way.” I had a friend once who said that whenever he really didn’t want to do something, but had to do it. Like when his wife told him they were going to see his niece and nephew’s concert. When the concert was over, he was like, “Well, got that out of the way.”

We’ve focused on following Jesus all during Lent. Do we say, OK, got that out of the way? Been there. Done that?

I think that for a lot of people Lent has become something like that. Something to get done and over with. Some say “Lent is something that I challenge myself with. To see if I can give up candy, or cursing, or eating unhealthy, or whatever for six weeks. It almost is like a game. I just want to see if I can be disciplined enough to fight off temptation.”

And you may have done well for the most part, if you challenged yourself during Lent, but now, it’s like “I just want Lent over with.” Because as soon as Lent is over, it’s like, “I did it! I’m free! Free to go back to eating chocolate! Free to go back to old habits.”

Honestly, if that’s what Lent means, then I want little to nothing to do with it. Because there are a million things in our lives that we can rise to the challenge to for six weeks. And if those things don’t change us, then our time would have been better spent on something more useful. At least more fun anyway.

So, here’s the thing. I assume that we all follow Jesus to a degree, even before Lent started. Even though it sounds a bit trite, every one of us follows Jesus. We’re Christians after all.

But applying the idea of Following Jesus more deeply in our lives can help us deepen our faith in God. Enrich our spiritual journeys. Start a process of inner change that leads to a more meaningful life for each and every day.

And it doesn’t stop after tonight. Or after Good Friday. Or, after Easter Sunday. There is no ‘been there. Done that.’

Which beg the questions: So then, now what? What is the next step? Where do we go from here? What does following Jesus look like after Easter?

My friends, my loved ones, I think the answers are connected to “identifying with Jesus.” Something I’ve been thinking about. We’ve said we’re following Jesus, but I feel like that means he is ahead of us, and we are behind him. A degree of separation. Which has some theological truth to it, don’t get me wrong.

But identifying with Jesus I think means that he is with us where we are. And we are with him. His life is in us. We are his body and each of us is a part of it.

So, can we identify with what he was about? In the same way he identified his life with God, can we identify our life with his? His life with God showed up how he went about doing good just to please God. How he shared God’s love because God is love. How he responded to unfairness and injustice and religious hypocrisy. So I think when he said “Love one another, as I have loved you,” that was an invitation for us to identify with his life and love in the same way he shared God’s love with others.

So, when’s the last time you did something simply for the sheer fact that you knew it would please God? Like if you see someone walking along the road. What if you asked if that person could use a ride, not because you’re a good person, which you are, but just because you love God and you want to please God by sharing the love that’s in your heart? And so, you circle back to that person?

Or, what if you know someone who could really use a kind word, or a show of support, or a quick “pick-me-up?”. And you send that person an email or pop a card in the mail just because you identify with Jesus’ love? Just because you can please God by sharing God’s love. That’s identifying with Christ’s love.

To me, one of the most revealing things about Jesus is that, in his most desperate hour, under tremendous pressure, knowing that his arrest was imminent, and his death was coming shortly after that, Jesus does the opposite of what you would expect. Instead of getting ready to defend himself, he teaches that if we identify with him in his life and in his love, everyone will know that we are his disciples. If we have love for one another. That’s the tell-tale, revealing sign.

Like one of my favorite songs I love to sing is “They’ll Know We are Christians by our Love,’ by our love, yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” As followers of Jesus, we continue his legacy of love. And others see him in us.

As followers of Jesus we continue his legacy of sharing in the last supper he shared with his disciples. We identify with his practice of breaking and eating bread, pouring and drinking from the cup, like he did. In so doing, we become a part of what he was about. Bringing God’s saving grace to the world, for every individual.

I love that scene from the 1996 movie “Phenomenon” when John Travolta, who plays George Malley, tells the two kids in his life about what it means to eat an apple. George says that if you set the apple down, and sits for a few days, it would spoil and soon be gone. But if you eat the apple, [he takes a bite] it becomes part of you, and you take the apple with you forever. And both kids share the apple with George.

That’s what I’m talking about. When we identify with Jesus in his last supper with his disciples, when we eat the bread and drink the cup, we symbolically take part in Jesus’ life. And he becomes a part of us, and we have him with us in our spiritual lives forever.

Lastly, as followers of Jesus, we can continue his legacy of new life, but that means we can identify with him in his death first. I know that might sound super weird and paradoxical, but here’s how I see it. It’s not a physical death. Thank God we don’t have to go through the insane torture, abuse, and physical trauma that took place for Jesus during his passion. That part is finished.

I think that when we identify with Jesus in his death, when we truly follow Jesus, it means that our old selves of bad habits, of unhealthy physical, emotional, spiritual practices, of being consumed by self-interest, by greed, by vices, etc.—all those can die off.

And what is born, what emerges is our new self, our new life, our new perspectives of following Jesus. A new life of living out forgiveness and grace. Of genuine care for fellow human beings. A new life in Christ that frees us.

We are free to go on from here. Because we’re free in Christ. Free from the shackles of guilt and shame. Unburdened from the weight of impossible societal standards.

Yeah, we may backtrack,. Yeah, we may like our old selves too much. Yeah, we may rekindle bad habits. Yeah, we may guilt-trip ourselves for not letting the life of Jesus influence us.

But, the next step in following Jesus is to identify with him in his love, in his life, and in his death, so that the Holy Spirit can keep renewing us. And God will keep forgiving us. And keep empowering us to love one another. Because following Jesus means we ARE renewed in spirit. We are alive. And not just us. Christ Jesus is alive in us.

Which leads us, my loved ones in Christ, to another sermon you’ll likely hear a few days from now.

But for now and always, keep following Jesus. Amen.

Is Everything Ready?

Sun, 24 Mar 2024 18:51:47 GMT

A sermon for Palm Sunday.

Rev. Fa Lane | March 24, 2024

Isaiah 50:4-9; Mark 11:1-11

“Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.”

Boy, Mark knows how to write a cliff-hanger doesn’t he? We’ve seen Jesus traveling the region gathering followers, preaching and teaching, doing miracles of healing and feeding thousands.

He’s also been arguing with scribes, the Pharisees and challenging the temple priests and lawyers. Each episode gets a little more intense, a little closer to the bone.

Here Mark shows Jesus taking his message of God’s Salvation to the heart of the Temple. The showdown between him and the powerful will change the whole world for all time. He has been establishing his message and trying to prepare his followers for what will happen.

They have no idea what’s coming; but we do. We know about Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and Holy Saturday’s time of waiting for the Resurrection on Sunday. We know that death does not win and hope is rewarded. And, still we need to go through this week of questions and darkness in order to understand what we celebrate.

We have several groups of people involved in this story of the triumphant entry into Jerusalem. See if you can find yourself among them somewhere.

There’s a crowd of people who meet him as he tries to go to Jerusalem. They greet him with such high hopes that the political structure will change and life will be better for them.

Today a change in the political structure might help the people trying to get approved for disability and being denied repeatedly. Think of our friends applying to rent an apartment and worrying about how their background hampers them each time. Think of the returning citizen trying to rebuild their life after serving time in prison. Jobs are hard to find for someone who’s been in jail. Education is limited. They are ineligible for public benefits, housing or student loans; and they cannot vote.

Some in the crowd reached to touch Jesus’ hands as he passed. Some bowed at his feet excited to be in the presence of a mighty warrior. The citizens of Ukraine come to mind or of Palestine or Haiti. They are looking for police or military support in those countries that are overrun with warring factions. Perhaps they are in your prayers.

Some in Jesus day were people of strong faith excited to see the day that the Lord’s Messiah would overwhelm the Roman Empire so that their religion would set the priorities. Maybe you’ve been in this kind of conversation on the spectrum of faith traditions we have today. Each believes their perspective is the one that should influence policies and lawmakers.

Others that day felt oppressed not only by the Romans, but by their own Temple leaders who created a second surrounding system that prospered their connected constituents. We know that with each high office there are hundreds of people in positions that undergird them and enable them, that write policies, pass laws and otherwise regulate daily life.

I’m sure some in the crowd wept, overcome with relief that finally someone who had compassion would see their plight and help. Some sang songs of praise. Some waved their hands with palm branches and perhaps small flags in joy that the promised Messiah, the Savior, had finally come.

The Jerusalem Temple is where Jesus would meet his adversaries and stand up on behalf of hurting people. I think it was really the chief priests and scribes of his own religious tradition that he was trying to reach. Rome’s authority was not something Jesus worried about. The germane issue was the primacy of God’s Word, God’s Salvation. So, he went directly to the temple.

We have this tremendous pregnant pause from Mark. “Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.” Did he think “uh, the traffic was so bad it took too long to get here and I missed everyone today.” Or, had he wanted to see the place where it would all happen and mentally/spiritually prepare for the next day.? Then he went to Bethany with his friends for one more night, one more meal.

I invite us all to take this week and look around before we eat the bread and drink the cup in our Maundy Thursday service. This is the final stretch in our Lenten season where we look back on our life, clear out old bad habits and the clutter that keeps us from connecting with and following Jesus.

This week especially, we ask for forgiveness where it is needed and make new commitments to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

In chapter 14 there are more details about what happened during the Passover festival that Jesus was attending. I get the impression from the writings that Jesus had a sense of what was going to happen and even so, he followed God’s Will. Let’s read it together:

He sat at Simon the leper’s table. A woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard. “She broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head.” Curious, isn’t it, that ointment of nard, an herb which battles infection and inflammation, is brought into this house at this time, as if in preparation for what would happen to Jesus’ body. My question is: Where do we apply ointments and balms today that heal bruised and broken bodies?

Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests in order to disclose Jesus to them. They were pleased and promised to pay him. “So, he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.” Later Jesus will tell Judas to do his business quickly. Jesus was ready for it to happen. Let us confess there have been times when we have not done what Jesus would do. We have betrayed him.

Jesus tells two disciples to go into town and ask about where they will take the Passover Meal. They are to follow a man carrying a water jar in to a house and ask the owner where the room is that Jesus can eat the Passover meal with his disciples. “He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” They found everything as he had told them. The room was ready for the meal yet to be prepared. The Lord is always ready for us. Are we able to approach the table?

We are now poised on Palm Sunday knowing that next Sunday is the big celebration day. But the next six days are filled with trials for Jesus. We might get ready with Easter dinner plans and maybe the egg hunt with our little ones, but before there is an Easter resurrection we have to get through the trials of this week.

I started Lent with Henri Nouwen’s book titled “Can You Drink the Cup?” in which the author considers Jesus’ question to the sons of Zebedee and their mother. You might recall they had wanted to sit on either side of Jesus in Glory.

Henri suggests that the cup is a review of our whole life of actions and opinions. Can we live our life, whatever joys and sorrows it will bring, and still courageously hold it with grace, lift it for affirmation and drink of it saying yes, this is who I am as a faithful child of God?

Henri asked his L’Arche Community and through the book he asks us all, can we hold the cup that is our life. Can we confess what we do, what we have done and what we have not done.

Can we honestly see ourselves?

Can we lift the cup, evaluate our life, share it with others, ask for forgiveness and for affirmation, and celebrate the life that we live together in the name of Jesus?

Can we drink the cup that is our blessed and messy life, in the presence of others, knowing God loves each of us, just as we are. Thanks be to God.

Drinking the cup of life is a hopeful and courageous act where we meet the risen Christ. Jesus faced this week being obedient to God’s call and so must we with whatever gifts and abilities we have.

Before you set

your plans for Easter’s celebration, take this week to look at your cup. Prepare yourself to follow Jesus so that when he, our high priest, invites you to the table, you are ready.

Amen.

Into Humble Servanthood

Sun, 17 Mar 2024 20:34:57 GMT

A sermon about yielding to God.

Hebrews 5: 5-10

John 12: 20-33

March 17, 2024

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.”

Prayer: As we deepen our insights into following you, O Lord, may we find our way into serving you with humility and joy. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

People love seeing celebrities. I was reminded of just that this week. Paparazzi went crazy this week trying to “see” Kate Middleton coming out of the hospital after surgery. And when people did see the princess and her kids in a doctored picture, all kinds of conspiracy theories started to fly. Or, I think of adoring fans and screaming teenagers waiting for hours, sometimes days just to see Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce walking hand in hand after a concert or a football game.

Nowadays if you can’t “see” someone in person, you can simply “follow” someone on social media, like Instagram or Tik Tok. Because you can ‘see’ them on your phone or computer screen. Well, maybe not Tik Tok, if that gets banned. That would affect a lot of people’s livelihoods.

Now, I’m the first one to say that I know very little of how this works, but as I understand it, celebrities and so-called “influencers” and micro influencers can make lots money when people follow them on social media. For example, if an “Influencer” has over 100,000 followers on Tik Tok, that person is part of Tik Tok’s “Creativity Program.” So when someone out there watches and “likes” a video or a post created by an influencer in , Tik Tok pays the influencer cash. That’s one way to make money on social media.

So, I’m thinking that we’re Following Jesus (our Lenten theme), and Jesus has over 100,000 followers, and he’s a pretty big INFLUENCER. So, those of you on YouTube and Facebook, be sure to click your “Like” button right now, and the money will come pouring in to Christ Church! What? You’re saying it doesn’t work that way? Oy! Sigh.

Well, at this point in his ministry, Jesus, was a celebrity. A rock star! He had many followers. He had organized this movement called “The Way,” and it brought him to Jerusalem right before the last week of his life. Most of the people wanted him to lead a military and political revolt against Rome and bring back Israel as a nation. That was dangerous stuff.

But, Jesus discerned God’s call differently. His was a spiritual call to bring God’s eternal salvation. To establish a new covenant that God wanted with people. A binding covenant that is everlasting and is based on God’s love, not God’s law. God’s grace, not God’s wrath. But that was equally as dangerous. Because this would revolt against the religious establishment in Jerusalem that had lost its way. So, Jesus knew that his time in Jerusalem could end disastrously.

John tells us that Jesus’ soul was troubled about the likelihood of his death. He was human. He didn’t want to die. And I believe that God didn’t want him to die, either.

Just parenthetically, Jesus teaches what feels very counterintuitive to me—that any attempt to hold onto life is the quickest way to lose it. But to die for God’s cause is the quickest way to truly find life.

I think it’s important to say that Jesus could’ve held onto his life and avoided Jerusalem. He had choices. He could’ve walked away. But, he would have been no better than a grain of wheat that sits out and is only good for show and simply atrophies. What good is a grain of wheat if it isn’t crushed and made into flour and then into bread? Or, what good is it if it doesn’t get planted in the earth to bear more wheat? So, if Jesus walked away, he would have been no more than a footnote in history, only good for show, would have atrophied, and be nothing to us.

And worse, perhaps, more importantly, he would have died on the inside of his heart.

So, it was better for him to follow God’s will, take his chances, and trust that God, who has authority to give life and death, would lead him to true, eternal life. Death was a risk Jesus was willing to take in order to be faithful to God’s call to bring about God’s eternal salvation for the world. I think that’s the way he understood it. And that glorifies God.

So, when the non-Jewish Greek folk want to “see” Jesus, he responds rather indirectly and says that the hour has come when everyone will “see” him glorified. Everyone inclusively will see that Jesus is God’s humble, devoted servant, willing to let go of his self-interests, and seek values greater than his own. Dedicated to God’s new covenant that salvation is to come to all people, Jew and Greek alike. Those in the center and on the margins, alike. You and me, alike.

And Jesus, like that grain of wheat that must die in the earth to bear many more grains of wheat, glorifies God not by a life cut short, but by the new life that grows from him. God’s full, wide-reaching, everlasting, new covenant comes from him. So more people to follow and serve him, come from him. More people God can use to share the good news of God’s saving grace. More humble servants like him. Which is where we come in.

Here we are deep in the heart of Lent, we come to this question about following Jesus: Are we willing to follow Jesus into humble servanthood? Are we willing to let go of our own self-interests and seek values greater than our own for the greater good? Are we willing to yield to God and God’s ways?

Yielding is an interesting concept. When we yield to something, we let it influence us. It’s a choice in our inner spirit. We let it place demands on us. We give that thing energy and power in our lives. And we end up serving it.

Sometimes it can dominate our lives. In the negative sense, it can become habit-forming. Some people have yielded to the power of substances, or money, or laziness, or apathy, or convenience, or the love of privilege, or most commonly, we’ve yielded to the power of ourselves. Me first. Look out for number one. And, these can be the most enchaining tyrannies we ever face. That’s why some habits are so hard to break. Because we’ve yielded to them in our inner spirit.

When we yield to God, though, the same thing happens. Only it’s in the positive sense. We give God energy, and dominance, and the highest influence in our lives. We let God’s demands affect our conscience. We decide to follow Jesus, and it takes us into humble servanthood. Where we let go of our self-interests and these get balanced out with God’s greater good. We serve Jesus. Jesus says “Whoever serves me, God will honor.”

I have to believe Jesus totally yielded to God. And to be honest, I don’t know if I can, or any of us can totally yield like Jesus did, but I think that following Jesus into humble servanthood includes the promise that not one bit of our efforts will go wasted. I think, people who’ve yielded to God can stand up against injustice, even though there could be painful resistance and consequences from even close friends and family.

I think of parents who instill good ethics and morals in their kids even though it’s so tempting to cut the corners when no one is looking, and let self-interest rule the day.

Dave Andrick offered a devotional story at our Consistory meeting last Thursday night. The abbreviated version of the story is that a dad took his young son fishing at a family pond just before the fishing season opened up. And sure enough the young boy caught the biggest, most beautiful bass he had ever seen. But, he caught it an hour before the season officially opened. And his dad said, “We must put him back.” The boy protested. “It’s our pond. No one’s around. Who’s going to notice?” But, the dad insisted. And the fish was put back and swam free.

Years later, that boy still comes and fishes at the family pond with his young son. And every once in a while he’ll see that big fish swim by, and he’ll re-tell the story of how his dad instilled a good ethical and moral base within him, how he chose the greater good of ethical and moral learning over and above self-interest.

Those are just a couple of ways others can see how you decided to yield to God in your life. How you can choose to be a humble servant of Jesus striving for God’s greater good.

So my guess is that each of us may wish to see Jesus. But, thanks be to God that we can walk our life’s journeys with Christ, following him. Serving him. And whatever comes next, he sees us. And we can see him in us as his humble servant for God’s greater good.

Let’s be quiet and think and pray. Amen.

Light Lovers

Sun, 10 Mar 2024 19:11:52 GMT

A sermon about being a people who love God, in all God's fullness.

Ephesians 2: 1-10

John 3: 11-21

March 10, 2024

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“… the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light...”

Prayer: Let your light so shine, O Lord, in our hearts, in our lives, in our world, as we follow you. Amen.

Everyone OK this morning? Little tired? Little sleepy? That lost hour of sleep for some people really messes them up. One woman said it takes her two weeks to get her circadian rhythm back in sync when daylight savings time starts. Another woman cherished DST. She was like, “Oh yes, more daylight. Longer days. Hallelujah!” How many of you like daylight savings time? How many of your find it messes with you?

Well, experts know that light is critical for good brain health. Some people, in the dead of winter suffer from SAD (seasonal affect disorder) when the days have the least amount of daylight, which can cause depression. So, when DST starts and the days get longer, that is good for them.

But, darkness is needed, too. One year in late May, Barb and I went to Iceland. And it was still daylight at 2 a.m.! Talk about messing with you! All the hotel curtains had to be the room darkening kind in order to sleep. So, all of us need darkness and light in a healthy, balanced way.

The gospel of John frequently refers to Jesus as Light. Light as in God’s truth. Specifically, in Jesus, God’s light came into the world. As John wrote “The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world” (John 1: 9). So we see emitting from Jesus the truth of God. John wants us to understand that light is a metaphor for God’s way, God’s presence, God’s influence, God’s power, God’s love, God’s truth in our lives and in our world. Nothing new here.

But the thing that struck me this week was the negativity surrounding the metaphor of darkness in the scripture. How it is bad. And represents untruth and evil and hatred. How it leads to condemnation.

And very unfortunately, this negativity spills into how we judge people. Antisemitism, racism and bigotry are fueled if there isn’t a critical review of this passage and the metaphor of darkness. Christian superiority and exceptionalism bubble up out of the negative use of darkness. All of which must be denounced as unworthy of following Jesus, unworthy of reflecting God’s truth and light.

I think it’s important for us to understand that light and darkness are equal parts of God’s truth. They’re the ying and yang of God. The complete circle of God’s nature. When John says ‘the light of God,’ he means the fullness of God’s truth in Jesus, light and darkness together.

Because some pretty important God-things happen in darkness, wouldn’t you say? I mean our universe started out in the void of darkness. And then in the Big Bang, it was like, “Let there be light!” Darkness and daylight are necessary. Night turns to day, and day turns to night. Babies are formed in the womb of darkness. And then in birth, light enters their eyes. At Christmastime, poinsettias need 8 weeks of darkness in order to bloom, something I could never get to happen. Even Nicodemus came to Jesus under the cover of darkness and learned God’s truth that one must be born of the Spirit, which is essentially living in God’s light.

So, it almost goes without saying that this light of God, this fullness of God-light and God-darkness in our lives is absolutely critical for good, balanced, spiritual health.

So, as we follow Jesus, I invite us to be Light Lovers, people who love God, in all of God’s fullness. People who believe God, which is more important than believing in God. To believe God implies relationship. With trust, faith. To believe in God often is no more than just a thought. Let us be people who believe Jesus, which likewise, is better than just believing in Jesus. Can we be people who love Jesus, believe Jesus, and follow Jesus as the light of the world?

And not the things of the earth. Which, let’s be honest, are usually our things and not God-things. I mean I take the words “people loved the darkness rather than the light” to mean that we often love our stuff, our ways, our desires, more than we love God or God’s ways. Our pride, our egos, our selfishness, our snarky attitudes, our deeply embedded biases, our desires… we love these and often don’t want to give them up. But these can get in the way of God’s light.

Back in 1986, a Catholic-Lutheran ecumenical community called Spirit of Grace was established in Beaverton, Oregon. It had the backing of both Lutheran and Catholic church leaders, including the three previous Archbishops of the Catholic diocese. The community has long celebrated a joint liturgy of the word with a Lutheran pastor and Catholic priest both presiding. Lutherans and Catholics would then separate into two different areas for the liturgy of mass, aka Holy Communion, which I find weird and dis-unifying, but whatever. But then along comes a new Archbishop, who finds out that on the Spirit of Grace website there is language about being all-inclusive and welcoming. So, the new Archbishop barred all priests from celebrating mass at the Spirit of Grace church causing much shock and grief within their faith community. The love of ideas can easily get in the way of God’s light.

See, we can lean into our own religious understandings and get out of the intimate light of God. Or, we can lean into God’s light and walk in that light, be part of what God is doing to bring people together. We have the power to choose God’s light in our lives, or to choose the darkness of our own making. We can love Jesus as the fullness of God’s light in the world and be Light Lovers, or we can love our own darkness rather than light.

But know this, dear Church, my beloved ones, God’s light, in all its fullness, God’s love in all its radiance is so expansive that it is not dependent upon our choices, our perfection, even our love of the darkness we choose and don’t want to give up.

No, God’s light and love are gifts from God. Because it is God’s good pleasure to give these gifts. Because God, it seems to me, wants to show us the immeasurable riches God’s abundant grace. God wants us to see the extraordinary path to a life that is whole and lasting and meaningful.

That path takes us through the sacrifice that God makes in the darkness of the cross so that we might walk in the light of God’s deep healing and saving grace. That we might love the light of God in all its fullness and clearly live our lives emitting God’s love and light from us.

Let us follow Jesus, lift high the cross, and proclaim the love of God in Christ. Please stand as we conclude our worship of God in Christ today. Amen.

Cleaning House

Sun, 03 Mar 2024 20:10:10 GMT

A sermon about stripping away what is unnecessary.

Exodus 20:1-17

John 2:13-22

March 3, 2024

Pastor Fa Lane

Today we look at the giving of the laws of Moses meant as instructions for a wandering people so that they would have an ordered life rooted in God’s will. We read of Jesus’ anger in the Temple courtyard because, it would seem, the Temple managers were allowing God’s house to be defiled. It’s sacredness was sullied with merchants and animals in the courtyard. Going against the first commands given. It may also be cautioning against replacing devotion with religiosity.

One of the central convictions of Jewish and Christian faith is that human life is to be lived within God’s eyesight. There are expectations of us within our covenant with God. Our Creator is aware of our behavior, habits and tendencies. The commandments teach us how to show respect for God and commit to living in ways that honor all of God’s creation.

From the lesson in John, we learn that the people in the Temple were doing what they thought would be acceptable to God. But, perhaps the daily business of selling sacrificial animals to arriving worshippers and having a money exchange table was too commercial and tarnished the esteem of the Temple. Maybe they got too casual with how they handled the business IN the Temple courtyard ignoring the purpose OF the Temple. Jesus got angry and cleaned out the marketplace of animals and money changers saying, “Take these things out of here!”

If Jesus were to speak with us today, would he admonish us for how negligent we’ve been in our devotional acts? What things that distract us would he advise us to take out? How do we follow Jesus’ zeal for cleaning out the things that impede us from worshipping God?

We have a history of being in a covenantal arrangement with God. Its foundational document are commandments given at Mt. Sinai. There are three covenants God initiates in Genesis and Exodus. One with Noah, one with Abraham and one with Moses.

From the days of Moses, God provided teachings for nations on how to live in alignment with God and with one another; ways that recognize and respect what is holy. These inscriptions on stone tablets provided a binding agreement for a moral social structure based on honoring God first and loving our neighbor.

Generations later, Jesus said he did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Another way to say it is that he affirmed it or completes it.

So, in following Jesus’ ways, we also affirm God’s faultless decrees that they stand forever. Psalm 19 explains that God’s clear commands sharpen our vision. God’s perfect law revives the soul. God, whose glory is proclaimed by the heavens, whose handiwork is seen in the firmament, is an ever-present Source of Goodness. The eternal law will be with us and is within the very code of nature to the end of the world.

The first seven verses of Exodus 20 include God’s expectations that we will honor God’s sovereignty and keep true to our part of this covenant. So, what was going on in the Temple in the Gospel of John that made Jesus angry? Did he perceive that God’s expectations were not being honored?

What was he protesting about when he took a whip and cleared the marketplace set up to ensure people had the proper sacrificial animals to give as offerings? And do we find ourselves in that uncomfortable place? Would Jesus take a whip to the things we put in front of our worship and devotion to God? Maybe we are targets of his judgement too.

Like those from John’s time, maybe we’ve settled into a routine that is more ritualistic and commercial than penitential and grace seeking. We can say that, at times, we excuse ourselves and maybe even tee up our institutions to be gatekeepers when we could do more to deliver good news to the oppressed, the broken-hearted and captives.

The Christian season of Lent invites us to strip away what isn’t necessary, It’s time for some spring cleaning including cleaning up the areas we don’t get to very often like beneath the rug.

Who are we trampling on with our mindless actions? While many of us stayed home during the pandemic, the ‘essential personnel” were in harm’s way. Have we offered condolences and asked for forgiveness for the burden and grief they bore?

How heavy are our footsteps in the environment? Are we reducing waste and not filling our land with litter that takes hundreds of years to break down, if at all.

Have we made amends, supported laws and policies, chosen energy sources in order to be good caretakers of the earth which houses us and feeds us?

Rev. Bruce Epperly, in his reflection on spiritual decluttering, speaks of dispensing with stuff that would be cumbersome to moving forward. Do we dare peak at that top layer of dust on the shelves we keep shoving books into, the ones that we intend to read some day.

How many of us have a closet we know we need to clear out of all the things that we’ve shoved into it. We tell ourselves we haven’t the energy or the heart to donate them or throw things out or hand on to another person who might enjoy them.

Are we able to untether ourselves from old decisions, detach from grudges and hurt feelings that color our language? OFF Can we spend the remaining weeks of Lent rooting out all the tired excuses that keep us from hearing clearly the voice of God?

As the choir anthem sang: In our hearts’ sequestered chambers (there) lie truths stripped of poet’s gloss.” Truths that we cover with denial, or aversion, or platitudes. Are our own “Words…vain and vacant, and [our] heart mute?”

Lent asks us to go there, to be honest and real in where we have sinned against God and clear out with zeal our heart where God is trying to live.

Have we been hungry for a Word from God but unable to find room from all the other input from the web, the news, the advertisers? I am aware that facing the decision to purge may cause some of us unhappy and sad emotions.

I know the grief of releasing old cards from friends and family that I can’t visit any longer. I recognize the clutter of magazines, books and even old papers I want to read…someday... so I hang onto them… another year.

If we follow the actions of Jesus, we will renounce the things that veil our vision and hone in on our spiritual connection with God. The first of the commandments are focused on our relationship with God. First thing God said was “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me.” Can we let God bring us out of our slavery to ‘stuff’? Oof, that’s a sore spot for some of us.

You might notice that the Gospel of John portrays the world as a hostile environment and Jesus sends his followers into the world but makes it clear they do not belong to the world. We are to be in the world but not of it, he says later in John chapter 17.

The writer and community of John believed we are to be protected from the world’s dangers and sanctified against its corruption. John’s perspective is evident with Jesus getting angry with the merchants who’ve set up shop for those who would be coming to the temple to offer their required sacrifices. Having the sacrificial animals there, rather than having to herd sheep or carry a birdcage would certainly be easier on the faithful who came to do their duty, wouldn’t it?

So why did Jesus get angry about it?

Your money does not gain you access to God. Money helps us feel good; it buys comforts and pleasures. Money is a tool of commerce that gets things. It’s important to spend your money intentionally –instead of losing your hard-earned income on things that will eventually be shoved in the back of a closet, never to see the light of day again. Those emotional purchases of retail therapy are where we might be avoiding something we should deal with instead.

Notice that the Jews who were running the Temple asked him, “what sign can you give for doing all this?” They were questioning his authority over and against the Roman Empirical system. Through his answer Jesus challenged them crying out in protest against profaning of the temple, against debasing the worship of the Lord, against substituting ritual for devotion.

This pericope gives us a chance to look at our own practices and hone them. Jesus’ cleansing of the temple raises the question of the cleansing of our hearts, and maybe cleansing or reforming of the church. There is a 17 th century motto “ ecclesia reformata semper reformanda secundum verbum Dei ” – the church reformed is always to be reformed according to the word of God. We do not reform by our own design but are to be reformed, to be acted upon by God.

That’s why study of God’s word, in conversation with others, seeped in prayer and practiced in life is important. Lent calls us back to dust off our Bibles, to return to daily prayer even if it’s the same prayer repeated daily. Lent asks us to review our commitments to serve in Jesus’ name, to bring what we have, to come as we are. I think we could join Rev. Ted Loder in this prayer from his book Guerrillas of Grace:

O Eternal One, it would be easier for me to pray if I were clear and of a single mind and a pure heart; if I could be done hiding from myself and from you, even in my prayers.

But I am who I am, mixture of motives and excuses, blur of memories, quiver of hopes, knot of fears; tangle of confusion, and restless with love, for love.

I wander somewhere between gratitude and grievance, wonder and routine, high resolve, and undone dreams, generous impulses and unpaid bills.

Come, find me, Lord.

Be with me exactly as I am.

Help me find me, Lord. Help me accept what I am, so I can begin to be yours.

Make of me something small enough to snuggle,

young enough to question, simple enough to giggle,

old enough to forget, foolish enough to act for peace;

skeptical enough to doubt the sufficiency of any but you, and attentive enough to listen as you call me out of the tomb of my timidity into the chancy glory of

my possibilities and the power of your presence.

The origin of reform is God, not ourselves. Be willing to be reformed. Try as we might to remake ourselves or design new programs for youth, improve creative worship, or mission our way into God’s graces, these are actually the result of returning to God. Lest we are the targets of Christ’s judgement, we need to look at which side of the tables we’re standing on and ask the sobering question: what do I need to clean out of my life, my attitude, my language, my avoidant behavior, my habits in order to be at one with God?

Be encouraged to clear out the clutter that keeps you from hearing, seeing and being with God. Amen.

Cross-Carrying Christians

Sun, 25 Feb 2024 19:21:37 GMT

A sermon about taking up our cross and following Jesus.

Romans 4: 13-25

Mark 8: 31-38

February 25, 2024

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

Prayer: May we ever keep learning, O God. May we ever keep growing. May we ever keep following you. In Christ we pray, Amen.

Quick question… how many of you are cross-carrying Christians? How many of you have a cross with you right now? [show of hands] Are you wearing one around your neck? Maybe it’s on your earrings? Or a broach? Or a pin? Do you have one in your pocket? Do you remember those little cross in your pocket? Or in your purse or wallet? It was made out of metal. Any pictures of a cross hanging on your walls at home? I have cross wood carvings in my office.

I think you know that I wear a cross around my neck. It means a lot to me. Once, I even wrote a song about it. It’s a sterling silver cross given to me when I was 15 years old by my paternal grandmother. She told me that my grandfather, Galen Russell Sr. (who also was a pastor) used to wear this cross whenever he put on his robe for worship. So, it’s a cherished piece of jewelry that I have. I wear it all the time.

One summer, in between college and seminary, I was a camp director in Illinois. And one day my cross went missing. I was distraught. I organized all the kids and counselors, side by side, to sweep the grassy field where I thought I might have lost it. To no avail. But evidently, my misery and my efforts to find it convinced the kid that STOLE it to come forward and return it to me. I’ve worn it ever since.

So, I guess I can say I’m a cross-carrying Christian. And evidently, some of you are, too.

So, I was thinking this week and asking myself, what does cross-carrying Christian really mean? I mean Jesus said to deny ourself and take up our cross and follow him. But, I get the impression that people have romanticized those words. That somehow, following Jesus and having his saving grace are sweet things, the winning things, and are only available for the privileged few who have been saved by Jesus. That somehow, we should be spared any kind of struggle! God forbid that something bad happens!

Or how about, if we have a cross to bear, we have to bear it with a smile. That if you have to, you fake it until you make it. That you deny yourself and passively endure difficulty or mistreatment or injustice or illness because as Christians, you know, you’re supposed to be kind, and loving and forgiving and accepting! So we put up with all kinds of stuff. All that, my dear loved ones, is a bunch of malarky and not what I think Jesus means here.

Because wearing a cross was not a thing in Jesus’ day. It was not sweet or nice or anything like that. In Jesus’ day, the cross was the form of the death penalty instituted by the political power. Which was Rome. Carried out by orders of the Emperor on anyone who threatened Rome’s power. Or resisted the status quo of Rome’s oppressive taxation where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Or were zealous to fight against the injustice done against the enslaved people Rome conquered. Or, on anyone who challenged the Pax Romana—the peace of Rome. The cross was the way to silence the opposition, to put to death any thing or any one or any uprising. The cross was meant to keep people in line. Or else, be made an example. Do I hear Jesus of Nazareth? Hello.

So, I think when Jesus teaches the disciples to deny themselves and take up their cross, he meant that to follow him, they will have deny their instinct to avoid conflict and struggle and face the cross the Emperor uses as a weapon to kill people who oppose him. To silence political insurgents and hostile critics. Can you say Alexei Navalny?

Jesus was trying to tell his disciples that following him meant they will be found resisting the empire. They will end up pushing back against Caesar’s claim to be God. They will be up against the great inequalities and disparities between the Jews and the Romans. Because following Jesus meant not following anything that is NOT grounded in God.

So, I heard Jesus’ words much differently than I’ve ever heard them before. I heard that if we want to become a follower of Jesus, perhaps we will need to deny our desire for the easy way of faith, the sweet, romanticized, winning faith that’s exclusively for the privileged few.

I heard we may have to deny our natural tendency to want entitlement and to protect our privileged friends saying, “God forbid! Bad things should never happen to you!” Do I hear our politicians with legal troubles scattered throughout our governments?

Following Jesus I think means denying anything that feeds us empty lies . Like what I’ve said before about the lies we hear that say you have to be a certain body type and weight in order to be appealing to others or successful in the world. Can you say shaming and bullying on social media?

Or denying anything that feeds us false promises. Do I hear scamming the elderly and vulnerable? I was talking with one of our members at home, and she said she was getting calls from a guy who wanted her to go to Walmart to buy $200 worth of gift cards. I told her it’s a scam. Happens all the time.

And perhaps by following Jesus, we will find ourselves taking up our crosses, facing and challenging the things in our lives that try to inflict death on us or others. Or try have power over us.

What tries to have power over you that feels inescapable? What tries to inflict death on you or others? Some say that anxiety is a biggie. Anxiety about the future.

I remember in the 80’s, the seminary culture I lived in was fearful of nuclear war. People were protesting at Lawrence Livermore Labs regularly. Now people have the same anxious feeling about the wars in Gaza and Ukraine and Yemen and on the Red Sea—that these are leading to WWIII. It’s anxiety about war because war inflicts death.

Some said they are fearful that AI (artificial intelligence) will some day take over the world and have power over us. And will lead to the death of jobs held by human beings. Which will lead to economic despair.

And some said that alcohol and drugs, even potato chips and ice cream have power over them. Which I think is probably fair.

I heard in Jesus’ words that following him means we can take up and face and carry the crosses that have power over us, and deny them of that power. Because these are not God-centered. When we center ourselves in Christ, we take up and carry these crosses. We hold firm against them. And, we give them to God. Which I think means we can ask for God’s help in resisting the power these crosses have and the fear they can generate.

And God promises new life as we center in Christ. And the covenant with God made by faith becomes real in our awareness. And those who might lose their life because they were centered and grounded in God while resisting the crosses that deny life, will find life.

So I guess that is what I really heard in today’s passage. That we can find life in Christ. That we can trust in God’s resurrection power. That what Jesus said is true—that those who want to save their life by believing in the false promises and lies of the world will indeed lose their life. There’s no life or meaning there.

But those focused on God who might lose their life because they trusted in God when they carried their cross and resisted the empire, they will find life. Or those who spoke out against the false lies of the world, and lifted up the gospel’s good news of life in Christ—these will find God’s divine presence. This is God’s new covenant made with us. This is God’s resurrection power at work.

So yeah, of course, wearing a cross around our necks, or displaying it, or having a cross smeared on our foreheads or our hands on Ash Wednesday etc., these are supposed to send messages to others and ourselves that we believe Jesus is the Christ, yes? That he was God’s Son. Our Savior.

That’s why we call ourselves Christians. We’re self-deniers, cross-carrying followers of Christ Jesus. Energized to resist that which takes life from us. And not lost ever again. Only found in Christ. In whom we have life. Amen.

Into the Wilderness

Sun, 18 Feb 2024 19:40:14 GMT

A sermon about God's presence in the wilderness.

1 Peter 3: 18-22

Mark 1: 9-15

February 18, 2024

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days...”

Prayer: O Holy God, please let us settle our minds and open our hearts that we may be inspired by your Spirit to follow you. We pray in Christ’s Spirit. Amen.

So, last Sunday Peter, James, and John followed Jesus up the mountain. Weird stuff happened as his clothes became dazzling white. And we found out that, as we follow Jesus, our hearts can be light, and we can shine bright. That’s good. That’s nice.

Last Wednesday in our Ash Wednesday worship service, we kicked off our Lenten season of FOLLOWING JESUS by being encouraged to follow his teaching—to first go to God in secret where only God can see us, and there in secret God can reward us with spiritual energy, with deeper faith and new insights. That’s good. That’s nice.

Today we read of Jesus’ holy moment when he was baptized by John. Because the Holy Spirit showed up! And came upon him as he came up out of the water. God spoke in that moment calling Jesus “Beloved” and said that God was pleased with him. Aw, that’s good. That’s nice. Powerful moment!

But then, the Holy Spirit, in Mark’s straight forward, no nonsense approach to telling the Jesus story, immediately drove Jesus out into the wilderness.

To be honest, that doesn’t sound so good or nice to me. So, let’s talk about wildernesses. I mean I sometimes tend to try and avoid the wilderness. Do you? The places in life where nothing’s familiar. Where there aren’t many well-traveled roads. Where figurative wild animals and angry beasts can reign and can wreak havoc and terror.

Perhaps there is nothing more wilderness-y than the early days of Covid. And wow! We were immediately driven into the wilderness of Covid where the wild animals were running amuck because we were in uncharted territory. No one had ever gone through a pandemic before. We really didn’t know quite what to make of it, honestly. The Covid virus was like a wild animal with no vaccine to stop it. It was killing people right and left, globally. Family members were outside talking to their elderly loved ones through the windows at nursing homes and retirement communities. Sadly, ome of those aged folks died alone. The sweet animal of what was familiar and comfortable and normal was now gone. And the wild animal called the “new normal” was like the plague. Wearing masks or not wearing masks became a wild beast as that question got politicized. Some got mad because wearing masks they believed was a choice. And others believed it was mandatory for the health and safety of others. And that’s just the tip of an enormous iceberg! What a wilderness we were in!

Thank God we’re past Covid’s big stuff. Thank God we are healing and in recovery. And thank God that we didn’t go through that wilderness alone. God was with us. Guiding us. Helping us use our collective wisdom and resources.

So, sometimes there are wildernesses we avoid. And sometimes there are wilderness that are thrust upon us, and we are driven into them. We have to make the best of them.

But I wondered what if there is a third option. What if there are some times when the Spirit drives us into a wilderness because that is exactly what we need? The very thing we might try to avoid or defend ourselves against might be the essential thing required for that moment?

Like maybe that is true for Jesus. What if the wilderness is the thing he needed right at that moment? Because after that powerful moment of his baptism, after being called “My son, the Beloved,” I think God knew that Jesus needed time alone in dangerous territory. Where discernment is required. Where trust in God was mandatory. Where the wild animal of temptation lived.

Jesus was tempted, the other gospels tell us, to misuse his “beloved-ness.” To make his divine “My Son” status something he could use for his own purposes. If he was hungry, he could turn stones into bread, for example. Or, if he was in danger, he could call on the angels to help him. You know, all that would do is make him more than human and less reachable to us.

In any case. the Spirit that drove him out into the wilderness because I think it was what Jesus needed. To learn the meaning of his beloved-ness. To grow through and put aside the temptations. To have his conscience quickened in response to the moral and spiritual concerns of his day. You noticed...he came back from his wilderness experience, picked up where John left off, and proclaimed the good news of God’s realm had come!

So, hold onto your hats… here we go… because if we’re following Jesus, sometimes we may need to follow him into our wildernesses. Driven by the Spirit to learn more about the beloved-ness of every person. To grow through the temptations to disregard that beloved-ness in others, which too many succumb to. To have our conscience quickened in response to the moral and spiritual concerns of our day. Our wildernesses.

I don’t know if the Spirit has led us or if we find ourselves forced here, or maybe it’s both. But, we are in the wilderness of gun violence in our nation. The Gun Violence Archive reports that in the 49 days of this year counting today, 50+ mass shootings have occurred. The math is grim… that’s more than one per day. Just look at Kansas City at the Super Bowl parade. Or, in Houston at Joel Osteen’s church. Or in Harrisburg. Gun violence is ripping our communities apart ( Gun Violence Archive .)

So because we’re following Jesus, considering this wilderness, maybe it’s time for all people of faith to go to our secret places of prayer, and feel the energy of the Spirit. To have the Spirit of God push us to discern the meaning of God’s beloved-ness status given to every person. To push us to the place of this struggle, and do something about it. To push us to the place of a conscientious / moral response. Which is to say that as baptized people of faith, maybe we need to appeal to God for a good collective conscience in response to this terrible social wilderness that we are in. And responsible actions to follow.

I know some of us, myself included, feel that this is out of our control. What can I do about it? We can do some things. We can sign petitions. We can contact our legislators. We can, as a church, speak to our community of God’s steadfast love and grace with conflicts with gun violence.

And while we’re in the wilderness, maybe our collective conscience needs to be quickened as a response to injustice done, or any justice delayed, or any indignity toward another person that is practiced.

Maybe the isolating pain we experienced in the wilderness of Covid can cause us to discern and rethink how we view the pain of refugees, of exiles, or immigrants?

Maybe our quickened conscience from God should shed light on how we view and vote for Presidential candidates?

Maybe our voice needs to be lifted up when the almighty dollar has the most influence on decisions made in society or in government instead of the power of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness?

These are some of the ways I think we can make faith application in real life… in life’s real wildernesses.

But the decision to follow Jesus into the wilderness is strictly our own. I encourage you to decide to follow Jesus. Into the wilderness.

And remember, the Holy Spirit that lived in Jesus may be the One leading you into the wilderness you’re facing or you are in right now. If it is the Holy Spirit leading you into your particular wilderness at this time, trust that it is God-inspired. And maybe exactly what you need right now.

And decide to follow Jesus. For Christ is with you. Pray for discernment and the Spirit’s energy to quicken your conscience. And for God to provide you the grace and wisdom to go forward.

If you find yourself in a wilderness not of God’s origination, still trust that God is with you in it. That Jesus got into that wilderness with you before you ever got there.

So, decide to follow Jesus, no turnin’ back. Let’s sing. Amen.

Secret Rewards

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 19:45:02 GMT

An Ash Wednesday sermon about finding God in our secret place.

2 Corinthians 5: 20b-6:10

Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-21

February 14, 2024

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“… your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Prayer: May we follow you, O Christ, in secret, so that our faith becomes something you can use in your wisdom, as you desire, out in the open. In Christ we pray, Amen.

Today is a curious day. As you probably have heard by now, Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day have lined up on the same day. Which is really quite the anomaly because the last time this occurred was in 1945. And it has only happened only two other times in this century. It’s kind of a weird juxtaposition. Mortality and sinfulness on the one hand. And love and romance on the other.

And what is also weird is that if you look around, you see all the people sitting with you with smudged crosses on their foreheads or on the top of their hands. The irony is that the cross used to be an executioner’s symbol, but now it’s a symbol of God’s new life in us shown by what Christ went through. So we smudge the cross on our bodies. It’s a practice we do once a year to remind ourselves and others that we are Christians, that we follow Jesus.

Which is fine… but the ironic juxtaposition is that Jesus teaches us to not call attention to ourselves regarding our piety. We’re much better off going to God in secret and humbly nurturing our faith behind closed doors where no one else can see. Only God alone. The crosses on our foreheads sort of blatantly defies the humility that Jesus teaches us to practice, doesn’t it?

Guideposts writer Jon Sweeney wrote that he went to an Ash Wednesday service at noon time. A cross from ashes was smudged on his forehead. And when he came out of the church and went walking down the street, he knew that he was visibly expressing his faith to everyone who saw him, that he was a follower of Jesus. But after a few minutes, he grew self conscious about it. Until he couldn’t take it anymore… he could not reconcile the ashes on his forehead speaking a truth about himself with the humility Jesus asks. The secrecy of faith. And he wiped away the smudged cross from his forehead while walking down the street ( Walking in Grace , 2024, Jon Sweeney, Guideposts, February 14, 2024, pg. 49).

We are followers of Jesus, more or less, to varying degrees. And we have crosses on our foreheads or hands to show this. Some of us wear crosses around our necks. Not for the purposes of others seeing how pious we are, but for us to know we’re on a spiritual journey. A journey where we can grow closer to God by learning from Jesus, following his ways, and seeing what “Following Jesus” means for our life of faith. For our relationship with God. And others.

So, I was thinking that this Jesus-teaching about being with God in secret is a great place to start because maybe an important part of following Jesus is to first zero in on God if for no other reason than just to know God. To have God in your life. That know that God is totally knock-down crazy about you. To know that God welcomes you when you’re in your secret place.

You know our mantra “No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey you are welcome here?” We say that and mean it—that anyone is welcome in our church. No matter what. But, what if God is saying the same thing when we come to God in our secret place? Think of it. You go to your room, your quiet place, and God speaks to your inner spirit saying, “Oh my child, no matter who you are, or where you are on your life’s journey, you are welcome here, where I AM, in your secret space.”

Wow! You are welcome in God’s place, your secret space. To nurture your relationship with God. To work on it in your quiet place when no one else knows your even there. Jesus teaches that God who is in this secret place sees you and rewards you.

So, what is this reward? What is the good of knowing God personally? What possible difference could following Jesus make in our lives?

To be honest, I often think that it’s the difference between life and death. Because knowing God can be as simple as finding some spiritual contentment in a world of discontentment. Some inner peace when life’s circumstances are in turmoil. Which is huge when you’re trying to cope with everything going on in life. But spiritual contentment, inner peace, relationship with God gives life for the next moment, the next hour, the next day. Like the song says, “One day at a time, sweet Jesus!” And it helps live instead of dying.

It’s like the reward is a spiritual energy, especially with so much going on in the world tries to downplay, distract, or even deny our need for spiritual energy. But the reward is that no matter how much the world tries to dishonor knowing God, God honors our effort to have God in our lives. To know God. We may gain ill repute from others who don’t know God. But with God, we have good repute. The reward we get from God is the energy to face the trials and difficulties that come when living by faith.

I love Paul’s words. In his day, he was aware of how much resistance people were feeling for being followers of Jesus. How much torture they experienced. How much persecution they endured. Much more than what we face today in our culture.

But remember there are Christians around the world who are persecuted to this day for following Jesus. And to varying degrees, there are marginalized Christians in our own country who are persecuted to this day.

But Paul wrote words of encouragement. They were treated as imposters, but God knows their truth. They were unknown, but are well known by God. They were dying for their beliefs at the hands of the authorities of the day, but their secret reward of spiritual energy made them alive. The world punished them, but they were resilient. The world wanted them sorrowful, and poor, and wanted them to amount to nothing. But their spiritual reward was that in God, they could rejoice, and were rich, and had everything!

Our spiritual rewards are the same. Being with God in our secret place rewards us with the spiritual energy to face all kinds of circumstances we find ourselves in.

So, I encourage you to start this Lenten journey of Following Jesus first by practicing what Jesus teaches. Go to God in your secret place. Be there. Know God. Live in God’s Presence. Feel God’s welcome. And God, who is crazy about you, in secret, will reward you.

So decide to follow Jesus. Make that your choice. Don’t turn back. Go forward with God following Jesus.

Heart Light, Shine Bright

Sun, 11 Feb 2024 17:33:32 GMT

A sermon about the holiness of God shining through us.

Mark 9:2-9

2 Corinthians 4:3-6

February 11, 2024

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Transfiguring God, may we feel and see the power of your presence deep within our hearts. Amen.

There was a young woman at Chapel Hill UCC who came with her parents most every Sunday. But, she never participated in any of our youth events, never went to Faith Formation classes. I invited her to participate in Confirmation, but she always blew me off. She just came to worship when her parents came. Eventually, she graduated from high school and went into nursing school. I soon went on from that church, but shortly after that, I heard that she dropped out of nursing school because she met a man who was a “flat earther.” Which is someone who believes the earth is flat. And, I was like, “What?” And I wondered how she could believe such nonsense and be duped like that.

Do you know people who, despite irrefutable evidence and advice from friends or family, cling to irrational and false beliefs? It is as though there’s a veil over their eyes and minds that prevents them from seeing reality.

I mean we hear of some of these things… like there never was anyone who landed on the moon. It was all a big hoax. One big conspiracy theory. Minds are veiled.

Or, for religious people, some hang on to the idea that God is an old white man in the sky somewhere, with a white beard dressed in a long white robe. Like Michealangelo’s Sistine Chapel painting. Maybe there’s a veil over the eyes if God is understood only in this way?

To be honest, when it comes to God, I guess all of us have a veil over our eyes, don’t you think? I mean none of us has the definitive answer when it comes to understanding the fullness of God.

But, according to Paul, God has enlightened our hearts with an awareness of God’s glory which, remarkably, is seen in Jesus. That is to say, that God came to us in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. I mean everything about him, how he lived and died, what he taught and said, where he laughed and cried,—everything, even how he was transfigured on the mountain—everything about Jesus showed God’s light shining through him.

Now for sure, Jesus’ transfiguration is one of the weirdest stories ever. That’s because we don’t see anything like it in our lives. When we get a story like that, maybe it’s best to dig around for the meaning of the story. To see it more as a parable and less as fact. So, as I dug around, I began to wonder if the story’s message has something to do with seeing God’s light, maybe through the eyes of our hearts.

Because Jesus was just as human as we are—his feet were dirty. His muscles were tired from walking. His robe was dusty. He probably could have used a shower. And yet, Jesus was also filled with the divine. He was the Christ, and he reflected God’s glory in life and on that mountain. God’s light shone through his humanness. His face and clothing lit up so much that it nearly blinded the disciples.

So, I tried to see God’s light through the eyes of my heart shining through our humanity. And it didn’t take long to spot. I saw the glowing faces of Barb, my sister-in-law and her son Jim the groom and Mindy the bride as they got married last week.

I saw it last Thursday at George Heberlig’s funeral. The family had pictures of George on television screen, and several of them were of George babysitting his first granddaughter Erin. Which is significant because one reason George retried at age 57 was because Erin had arrived in the his world. And the heart light from George’s face shone brightly as he held that baby.

So I bet all of us can spot moments like that. In people. In special moments. But, you have to lift the veil. You have to be willing with faith to consider the idea that God’s light is shining everywhere.

So, maybe you might try a simple little exercise this week? Ask God to help you lift the veil and give you new eyes to see. See with your heart where God’s light shines brightly in different situations in your life.

You may see it during Ash Wednesday’s worship in the eyes of someone with a cross smudged on his or her face. You may see it in the face of a dad walking with his child holding hands. I saw it in a now grown Erin comforting her grandmother Janice Heberlig, as Jan said her good-byes to George. Or just look at the faces of your family and friends this evening if you happen to be watching the Super Bowl together. Family time can make you glow. Look in your life. Listen to your life. It doesn’t have to be much, but every once in a while, something so touching, something alive transfigures the human face that makes the heart light shine so bright that it’s almost beyond description. But, you have to lift the veil to see it.

And while we’re at it, maybe we should ask God to help us lift the veil in our understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because it’s easy to let the ways of the world cloud our minds. It’s easy to think that the truth of God’s good news in Jesus Christ doesn’t apply to the circumstances in our lives. To all people in our world.

I can get so dissuaded by the gods of convenience and instant gratification and self-absorption and ‘my way is the right way’ that I fail to see that the light of God’s saving grace is like the air we breathe. Always around us and within us. Always giving us life. I often fail to really let the truth sink in that it is God’s right and choice to make saving grace available to everyone. And Paul’s constant message was that God was and is justified in making that grace real for anyone choosing to believe it as truth.

So, by looking to Jesus and seeing God in him, I begin the process of lifting the veil that diminishes God’s light. It’s a practiced thing. A work in progress. We work at it on our faith journeys. Faith is a deeply ingrained condition formed through steady habits of worship, disciplined practices of prayer and study, and conversations with others on the faith journey that take shape over long stretches of time. It’s a way of life that acquires its layers developing ever so gradually and often imperceptibly. And, little by little the veil is lifted.

And you never know when it may occur, but at just the right moment, in deep need, with the accumulation of faith practices, the heart light of God’s presence and love will shine brightly from you when someone else needs it most.

Rev. Peter Marty, editor of the Christian Century tells the story of a 44 year old man named Jason who was facing his mother’s death. A well-employed techie, Jason considered faith and religion superfluous to the good life that he lived. When Rev. Marty sat with him in the hospital room, he said that it felt like he was peering into a lost soul—a grown man with no idea of where to turn next, or what to do the with death of his mother. To someone of unbelief, how do you describe the power of faith, the significance of hope, or the meaning of life? How do you realistically acquaint them with the riches or comfort of faith during a 20-minute sit-down? You can’t (Marty, Peter, “Accumulated Faith,” The Christian Century , February 2024, pg. 1).

But, the mystery of God’s power is that in some way, just by being present, God’s heart light shone bright for Jason through Rev. Marty, if Jason was willing to have the veil lifted from his own eyes to see it.

The holiness of God can shine through our humanity. Our lives get transfigured. And God’s heart light can shine bright through us. If we decide to have the veil lifted to see this truth. May it be so. Amen.

This Is What I Came to Do

Sun, 04 Feb 2024 17:39:09 GMT

A sermon about slowing down and taking in something spiritual.

Rev. Fa Lane

February 4, 2024

Isaiah 40:21-31

Mark 1:29-39

Isaiah 40 draws a clear distinction between the One who sits above the earth and those who inhabit the earth.

When I am at Wittel Farm, I know that I am not the one who caused even one potato plant to grow. I may have cut an old potato into pieces and put it in the ground but the wonderful interactions of photosynthesis are beyond my abilities.

I did not engineer the acorn tree to grow nor put together the right elements for a flowing river but I am thankful that God’s extraordinary nature works without my help. To God be the glory. That’s what Isaiah is saying, don’t forget what God can do.

The first hearers of this poem in Isaiah were people exiled in Babylon who were powerless. They didn’t think that God was aware of or care about them at all. But the poet rebuffs that saying God gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless. Those who rely on the Lord shall have their strength renewed. I think about that when I consider Simon’s mother-in-law in the Mark passage. Her strength was renewed by Jesus.

That is our hope, isn’t it? If you think your plight is hidden from God or disregarded by others; for the times when we’re going through a rough patch; we want to believe that God’s power will work for us, that relief will come, that things will get better.

Have you not known that God has been with you through your hard times? Have you not heard words of wisdom, words that brought you courage or insight, words that soothed your hurting heart? Isn’t it possible that it was God being present in those conversations and acts of kindness? How is it that we forget that God is in the mix of things?

Ordained Pastor and Poet, Layton Williams, contributes a poem to the book The Words of Her Mouth. It’s a compilation of modern psalms by Martha Spong. She reminds me, in this world of confusion and chaos, that there is a higher power at work in the universe and we can witness it.

There is something in the sun and stars

that makes me believe in you:

their vastness, yes, but also their steadfastness, their constant presence,

whether I can see the shape of them or not.

She goes on in this meditation which is based on Psalm 19:1,

In these most ordinary, everyday realities of your creation,

made also astounding,

I am reminded that you are at work in all things-

and in me. Even in me.

I’m going to ask you for a moment of reflection. I’d like you to take a minute to remember a time when you saw an ordinary thing that spoke to your spirit. Or a God-moment, where something happened, someone said something that changed the energy in the room, or changed the words you were about to say, or made you have a change of heart and therefore the outcome changed for the better.

You know God is looking out for you when you have medical issues or life complications and neighbors offered to walk your dog, or friends drive your kids to soccer practice for you. Like when you’re not getting enough work hours, but then a part-time gig comes through, and you can cover your budget. Maybe your elderly parent needs your full attention, but your gifts are not in medical care. That’s when we thank God for visiting nurses or hospice workers who can help when needed. I believe those are gifts from God.

The words at the beginning of Isaiah are not an reproach: Have you not known? Have you not heard? Rather, they are words that call us together to remember what God has done. Imagine God’s invitation, ushering us to draw near with this tone: Have you not known? It piques your curiosity…what should I have known? Did you hear? What was it that I might have missed?

With all the bad things happening in the world today. Disappointments, the violence, and insecurity that make us worry, we might automatically go to negative images or words. You might assume a posture of anger, dread and doubts. And that’s why joining conversations, like they have in the adult Faith Formation groups here is a good thing. Those exchanges help us to know, help us to hear, help us to remember that God is in the mix of things with us. We leave those gatherings feeling a little better, more hopeful and less alone against the world.

Through months of listening together, reflecting, questioning and discussing things together, we learn about our relationship with God, and we change. We get through this life together, sharing our faith through hospitality, learning about forgiveness, sharing our money, serving in the community and praying for one another. We begin to know and trust God more fully. Parker Palmer in his book titled “Let Your Life Speak”, asks this question: Is the life I am living the same as the life that wants to live in me?

I’m interested in hearing how God is at work in all things and through people’s lives. I’d love to have conversations with you about how and where you encounter God in your daily living. They happen every day. Consider the God-moment between Jesus and Simon’s mother-in-law.

In Mark, we read about this unnamed woman whom Jesus went to, held her hand, ministered to her at her bedside. And she was restored then began to care for him in return. Remember that Mark sets a fast pace for reading about Jesus’ life, everything seems to happen quickly.

“As soon as they left the synagogue”, Mark says , they (the people who were with him in the Synagogue) entered the house. They told Jesus about Simon’s Mother-in-law at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

Mark doesn’t give many details, so the story reads quickly. If you’re an inquiring mind who wants to know details, Mark will be a frustrating read. It sounds like the house was right next to the synagogue –“As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house…” probably not. It may have taken a minute to get to his doorstep, but Mark doesn’t give us any juicy bits of detail to fill that out. We aren’t told who else was in the house, thank you Mark for no names. They told Jesus about Simon’s mother-in-law… can we give her a name? Refaela means "God has healed. "Let’s call her Rafaela for today.

The text says Jesus went to her and lifted her up. It specifies he took her by the hand. Now, in that time and culture, women were not well regarded and for Jesus to take her hand was counter cultural. The fever left her, and she began to serve them.

There was something in that touch, wasn’t there? In that God-moment the fever left her. The verb for ‘left her’ is the same one used for resurrection. Jesus resurrected her from her fevered sick bed by coming to her in person, bringing healing in that touch.

Imagine Rafaela’s response to the questions in the Isaiah passage: Have you not known the power of God? She experienced that God-moment power and then began to serve the ones around her.

In that moment of healing, we only see Jesus and Rafaela. Can we let the tempo slow down a little bit for this is intimate moment between Jesus the Healer and Rafaela the woman? Let us give some attention to the God-moment that changes everything for her.

I wonder if you have ever experienced a moment when time seems to slow down and you have the opportunity to take in something special, miraculous even? Or have you overlooked some God-moments in your life? Like, silently watching your young grandchild figure out a toy, the wonder, the curiosity, the joy of it. Or the moment you’re sitting across from someone you don’t know and your eyes meet. If you take a moment, maybe you can allow your wonder, your curiosity to create a kindness or compassion for them that changes the dynamics between you?

Writing the essay, The Luminous Darkness in the mid 1960’s, African American theologian and poet Howard Thurman advises those of us who often remain silent when compassion is required that “when a word must be spoken to further a good cause, and those whom it behooves to speak remain silent, anybody ought to raise his voice, and break a silence which may be fraught with evil.” For me, to break a silence with compassion, changes the tenor of the statement “See something, Say something.”

Imagine being Rafaela and what she might say at that moment when Jesus takes her hand and something immediately, miraculously changes. The fever drops. She is able to rise up and keep going. She kept doing what she could to bear witness to God’s healing by getting up and serving. She let her life speak. Her life was her offering, her thanks.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. advised in his speech, How to Design Your Life's Blueprint that w e must make a commitment to the eternal principles of Beauty, Love and Justice, he says, and keep moving; being the best that we can be.

Tell your story. Bring what you have to the playing fields. Give what you have. Share what you know. For that is what we have come to do. Amen.

Spiritual Authority

Sun, 28 Jan 2024 17:43:28 GMT

A sermon about receiving God's authority to speak.

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

January 28, 2024

Deuteronomy 18:15-20

Mark 1:21-28

But Jesus rebuked him saying, “Be silent, and come out of him.”

Prayer: May your word speak to us and empower us, O living Christ. In your name we pray. Amen.

I’ve been pondering the word ‘authority’ in the last couple of weeks. Do you know how often situations and circumstances come up that are all about who has authority in some way or another? All the time!

I mean there’s the individual authority that comes with being the head honcho. The head of the family. The boss in the office. The president of the organization.

We have governmental authority, as in the Supreme Court being the highest court in the land, for example. On Monday SCOTUS gave US Border Patrol Agents the authority to remove the razor wire installed by the state of Texas at the US Mexico border.

There’s institutional authority. I attended the Board of Directors meeting for the UCC Homes last Thursday, and one of the motions we voted on was to give authority to the CFO, empowering him to execute documents requesting financial assistance in case there was an emergency.

Yesterday morning, I went to the Ecclesiastical Council for Jonathan Paredos, a candidate for ordained ministry in the United Church of Christ. He now has ecclesiastical endorsement for ordination. “That sounds like a disease!” That’s what my friend and colleague Rev. Dr. Harvey Buer used to say.

But, that’s what we do in the UCC. If someone discerns a call by God to serve God in a setting of ministry, we nurture them, train them, guide them, test and evaluate them. And then with a yes vote and a pending call, we ordain them, setting them apart giving them the authority to share God’s good news, celebrate the sacraments, lead a church, guide our spiritual lives, and provide comfort and guidance in the transition from this life to the next. That’s ecclesiastical authority—or authority given from Church people.

There’s also biblical authority. Which some pastors place great emphasis on by believing in the inerrancy of the Bible. Last October, when Hamas attacked Israel, Greg Laurie, senior pastor at Harvest Riverside Fellowship in California, framed the violence in terms of end times prophecy: “The Bible tells us in the End Times that Israel will be scattered and regathered,” Laurie said, adding, “If you get up in the morning and read ... ‘Russia Attacks Israel,’ fasten your seatbelt because you’re seeing Bible prophecy fulfilled in your lifetime” 012024.pdf (christiancentury.org) .

It’s difficult to place emphasis on inerrant biblical authority when so much of the Bible is filled with errors! And taken out of context. And cherry-picked to suit one’s biases. Biblical authority can possibly turn into biblical tyranny at that point.

Which brings us to spiritual authority. This is the kind of authority that Mark says Jesus had… which was different from the kind of authority that the scribes had. I used to wonder what that meant. Was Jesus’ authority different because he spoke with a firm voice? Or was he authoritative because of his charisma… a compelling speaker? Maybe.

But perhaps understanding Jesus’ world helps us see the difference. The authority of the religious leaders was given to them by the Roman Empire since Judea was a vassal state of Rome. Rome basically infiltrated into the sacred Jewish religious culture. Emperor Caesar Augustus appointed Herod Antipas as tetrarch over Galilee, and Antipas appointed the religious scribes, Pharisees, the Sanhedrin Council, the High Priest—and all of them answered to Herod and to Caesar Augustus.

So, the religious authority of the scribes was always held in check. They knew not to say anything that would provoke Rome into canceling their permission to exist.

And the worst thing was—they were complicit! They liked the power given to them. They took part in the oppression, corruption, and injustice against the Jewish people. They were beholden to Rome and not to God.

But here’s the difference. Jesus didn’t answer to the Roman empire. He spoke and acted without permission from Rome or from Herod. He taught from a higher authority—authority that came from God. And the scribes weren’t used to that!

Jesus told the people to repent from allegiance to Rome and have allegiance to God. Jesus said that the realm of God is at hand, not the empire of Rome. He was the fulfillment of Deuteronomy’s prophecy that God will raise up a prophet who spoke God’s word. Who would be empowered to act on God’s authority. Jesus had spiritual authority—from God—the highest authority that there is.

And Jesus backed it up with action. The symbolism of the man with an unclean spirit now becomes very clear. Just as Rome, with all its uncleanliness, its oppression, its pagan ways infiltrated into the sacred Jewish religious culture, so this unclean man entered the sacred synagogue on a sacred Sabbath day. And just as the gods of complicity and acquiescing to Rome possessed and occupied the religious leaders, so the demons possessed and occupied this man.

And in the same way Jesus had the spiritual authority to exorcise a demon from the man, he also had the spiritual authority to lead a movement that would exorcise the demons of Rome’s systemic corruption that “possessed” his religious culture.

So, for Mark’s gospel, Jesus came to rebuke demons, both in people and in his religious culture. He came to bring in God’s just future, God’s coming rule, or, as the gospels name it, “the kingdom” where everyone is included and everyone has enough to thrive (see Exorcism Of A Man With An Unclean Spirit, Part 3 (patheos.com) . And the people were amazed! This was a new teaching. A new authority. Nothing to do with Rome Any wonder that Jesus’ fame began to spread.

Now that may have sounded like a lot of theology talk. But let’s make it real. I wonder who has spiritual authority in our day? Who will stand up in the name of God and rebuke what possesses us? Who will speak boldly on God’s spiritual authority? Who has God’s words that reveal God’s true nature of grace and love, of life and light, of justice and peace? Of forgiveness, reconciliation and wholeness?

Of course. It’s us. People of faith. People who spend time with God in prayer discerning the meaning of scripture both on the surface and under the surface of the text. It’s the church. It’s pastors and teachers. It’s elders and deacons and trustees on Consistory. It’s lay people. It’s those serving on commissions, committees, groups and teams of our church. It’s those who repeatedly go to God in worship and prayer and abide in God’s presence. And then do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8).

I believe We are the ones who have the spiritual authority to speak to a world that is filled with demons. Violence. People are getting shot and killed over parking tickets, or over $50. Hatred, of Jews. People of color. Different religions. A world that has intense celebrity worship. You know we will see Taylor Swift jumping up and down every time Travis Kelce makes a good play this afternoon.

And speaking of sports, we live in a world where sports mania thrives. This afternoon is an afternoon of worship and the stadiums are the sanctuaries. And two weeks from today will be like Easter Sunday in the sports world. Where fans and players alike will be in tears when the national anthem is sung. And the halftime air is filled with sweet perfume—of pyrotechnics. Where us being entertained with football is king. And where being wooed to buy material things from a 30 second ad that costs an unconscionable $7 million dollars is queen. Am I right?

We have God’s spiritual authority to speak to a world that has political rock stars. A world where different political parties have infiltrated parts of the Church. This is happening on both right and left sides of the political spectrum. The evangelical right is filled with conservative politics. The progressive left is filled wit liberal politics. People of faith, conservative or liberal, should never let themselves be overtaken or possessed by a political party, in my opinion. We have to be filled with God!

Because we are the ones who have God’s words. So, can we speak, at least some of the time, on God’s spiritual authority, to our world? To speak words of a life of meaning when other voices can lead astray. To share messages of God which inspire us to love our broken world so much that we are willing to help it become whole. To call out that which possesses us, and feel real grace, the kind we could never deserve and can never actually live without.

We have this spiritual authority, I believe. We are empowered by God to share God’s truth with our world, in our time and place. Thanks be to God. May we have courage! Amen.

A Voice the World Needs to Hear

Sun, 21 Jan 2024 20:04:16 GMT

A sermon about the voice of grace and forgiveness.

Jonah 3: 1-5, 10

Mark 1: 14-20

January 21, 2024

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news.”

Prayer: Open our hearts and our minds, O God, to hear your voice speaking of timeless and time-filled words. Amen.

My family and I finally got a chance to see Oppenheimer last week. And if you can handle a three-hour movie with lots of jumping around in time, you’ll be fine. I liked it because of the historical aspect, but mostly I guess because of the social and environmental concerns that Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer wrestled with. Even though he researched the power of the atom and was appointed to lead the top-secret Manhattan Project which developed the world’s first atomic bomb, a bomb which would end World War II, he warned people about unleashing the power of the atom. He spoke about its dangers, and worse, about what horror that could happen if other countries were to develop an A-Bomb or a dreaded, super H-bomb. The whole planet would be endangered if nuclear bombs were used when war broke out.

His voice at the time was a voice that the whole world needed to hear. His prophetic words of warning intersected with the historical context of his day. And I, for one, am glad he sounded the alarm. Because the world needed to listen Oppenheimer’s voice back then, and it still needs to listen to it today. God forbid if the war in the Ukraine or in Gaza, or in Yemen ever escalates into using nuclear weapons. Our planet would be in big trouble. And so would we.

So, maybe Oppenheimer’s prophetic warning was not in vain? Maybe people of our day are listening—even if the fingers of some world leaders are close to the trigger. Maybe our need to survive and have a good world for our descendants is powerful incentive? Maybe the spiritual language that “the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” (Psalm 24: 1) and the sacred truth that God loves its people has taken hold? I sure hope so.

I’ve been thinking about those ideas this past week. Because spiritual language and sacred truth are what prophets bring to our inner consciousness, even if their words speak of destruction. Jonah’s words spoke of destruction to Ninevah, this non-Jewish city, the capitol of Assyria, a dreaded, feared, and despised enemy of Israel and Judah. And Jonah, this Jewish man had to go into the stronghold of the enemy and preach the word of the Lord. Sounds terrifying!

And, Jonah’s words were enough. The people of Ninevah listened to his voice. They willfully repented and changed. And God didn’t do the disaster that was planned.

Do you hear some sacred truths that pop out right there? Of course, there’s the truth that God can change the original plans at anytime, choosing to align with grace and forgiveness. I’m glad for that! I need that truth. Because it’s harder for me to hold onto resentment, or grudges, or my stubbornness when I know that God doesn’t do that. I can choose to align with grace and forgiveness, following God’s example.

How about the truth that God has tender mercy far beyond Israel to all the people of the earth? That God loves even the archenemy, the pagan people of Assyria! Wow! That’s a truth that Jewish people of our world would live and practice.

Also, the truth that with God, there still is time. I love that truth. Jonah yelled “Forty days more, and Ninevah shall be overthrown!” Maybe that made them scared.

Or maybe they got energized. Maybe they were like, “We’ve got time—40 days—a grace period to get our act together!” Maybe they heard words of doom and gloom and time was short, but maybe God flipped over the hour glass. Because the truth is that God always provides time and space for spiritual second chances. For people to get it right. That had to be a piece of good news, I think. So, the world of Jonah’s day needed to hear his prophetic voice speaking these truths of God.

John the Baptist preached about repentance, turning from non-God stuff in life to believing in the good news that the realm of God has come near. And when he was arrested, Jesus picked up where John left off. Both their voices spoke about repentance and belief in the good news that God has tender mercy for anyone who desires to know God. To know grace. To know holy love. That the kingdom has come near.

And with God, there still is time. Time for renewal. Time to willfully get their act together. God gives spiritual second chances. The world of John and Jesus’ day needed to hear their voices speaking those sacred truths about God.

So when Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James and John as his disciples, and when he called the rest of them, too, it was so that they could learn the truths of God. It was so that they can understand the good news that God’s kindom has come near. Because they would eventually make the transition from being disciples to being apostles. Men and women who moved from being learners of sacred truths to being sent forth sharing those sacred truths picking up where Jesus left off. The world they lived in needed to hear the voices of the disciples turned apostles, sharing the spiritual language and sacred truths of God that span over all time.

Are you sensing a progressive movement here? So where does that leave us?

The world needed Jonah’s voice during his moment in history. The world needed John’s voice and Jesus’ voice during their moment in history. The world needed the disciples turned apostles voices during their moment of history. And over the past umpteen generations, the world still needs to hear a voice that speaks a spiritual language. A voice that reveals sacred truths to our inner consciousness.

You got it. The world really needs our voice. In our time. In this, our moment in history. Now more than ever. Sharing sacred truth.

And not just for us, the people of our day, but for people in the world of the future. Our descendants. Our children are depending on us. And their children. We have to think of them. I wonder what our children of the future will thank us for.

Because I think humanity has to aspire to build a good world with these timeless sacred truths for today and for future generations. It’s not all about us. I think our voice has to reclaim the spiritual language saying God’s saving grace and mercy for everyone who wants it has not stopped. And that can bring about a good world for us and our kids.

So I wonder if we can leave behind the old nets of untruthful voices. And there’s a cacophony of those voices from the world. Like the voice that says God’s grace is earned. That somehow you have to measure up to be loved by God. You have to fix yourself or get fixed in order for you to be worthy of God’s love. Or, if you pray hard enough, God will fix you. Yeah, leave that one behind. Because the world needs to hear our voice speaking the spiritual language of God’s love and grace that are unearned and abundant. Because God’s real voice says, “I love you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31: 3). And, “I will never forsake you” (see Deuteronomy 31: 6-8). And those truths are revealed by Jesus throughout his ministry. Those are sacred, timeless truths of God kindom. Our kids will thank us for teaching them that.

Leave behind the voice that says God’s love is only for those who have said the “right” words, done the right things, gone to the right church, are part of the right religion. You can leave that one behind, too. Because God’s voice always calls for expanding our ethical consideration of who God loves. Our understandings are always too limited.

Other voices from the world, like the voice of the almighty dollar, or the voices of terror, violence, and ruthless power, or the voices of political candidates, caucuses and primaries, or the voices of those who would deny the same rights to people of different race, religion, sex and sexuality that they want for themselves, or the voices of those who call us a demonic church because we believe in God’s all-inclusive, all-encompassing grace (yeah, that really happened), I wonder if maybe we are quiet and tilt our heads a certain direction, if we can again hear the word of the Lord—whose voice can drown out all those voices, if we let it, and cause us to willfully speak the timeless sacred truths of God to others.

Because with God there is always time. Because God’s voice speaks of spiritual second chances for everyone. Because God’s grace and forgiveness has no boundaries. This is the way I think the kindom of God comes near. And these God’s truths, by the power of the spirit, get embedded in our consciousness. These always intersect with the challenges of the day, in the moment in history.

Let us our voice be the one the world needs to hear—a voice of love, grace, forgiveness, inclusion, justice, and even warning, if necessary. For a better world, for us and our kids. Amen.

Are You a Samuel or an Eli?

Sun, 14 Jan 2024 20:13:32 GMT

A sermon about finding our pathways in life.

1 Samuel 3:1-10, 15-17

John 1:43-51

January 14, 2024

Rev. Fa Lane

I love thinking of Psalm 139 through the lens of the Runaway Bunny. As Psalm 139 tells us, we can’t hide from or outrun God. We see that in the tenacity of the bunny’s mother.

Eli who had a long relationship with the Lord, knew he couldn’t escape God’s watchful eye when he scolded Samuel to tell him what God had told the boy. Eli was ready to hear the Word of the Lord even if it was bad news. The Runaway Bunny learned he couldn’t get away from the one who loved him, who kept him safe and nurtured him. She would always find him, and slip right into the situation, to be with him. Like God becoming human in Jesus Christ to know what it’s like and and to be with us. Such knowledge is too great, the psalmist says, ”I can’t fully grasp it.”

Have we noticed the times that God is with us? is challenging us or comforting us, or urging us to hear a calling?

Like the folks who went to Cradles to Crayons yesterday. Or the folks who help with the First Reformed Church dinner in Lancaster, or the people who help with the emergency homeless shelter, the next street up.

Which character are you likely to be: the one who may be inexperienced but eager? Or the person that says go back to bed?

I like to do character studies every once in a while for Bible study, to see what is similar or familiar between Bible people and every day people today.

I tried to sketch together a profile on Samuel and Eli. Two males at opposites end of life. Both living in the Temple, dedicated to God’s service. One teacher and mentor; one without knowledge of God. One who braves hearing the hard truth; the other who must speak it. One who is in the priestly family lineage, ordained by God. One who will need to hear God’s voice or calling for himself.

Do you identify with any of those descriptors? What about Hannah, Elkanah or the scoundrel sons of Eli? What do they teach us? What is God saying to us through them? Some people that this idea that God calls someone only into ordained ministry and a pastor’s role. But, God can call you to service from you accounting desk to help kids with their math homework or to coach a soccer team. God might draw your heart and hands toward advocating for earth and environmental care. Sometimes God taps an unlikely soul, someone you wouldn’t expect for a particular area of need. God looks into our hearts and sometimes calls us into surprising ministries.

If we look at Eli and Samuel in the ancient world, this is during a time called the Deuteronomic History, when the tribes of Israel were living in the promised land, early 1400 BC. Joshua had secured the land of Canaan for their settlement. God ordained priests from the family of Levi to oversee worship and the honorable giving of erings. The selection of Samuel, who was not a Levi, but an Ephraimite, introduces a transition from the hereditary succession of priests to an appointment of an individual who hears God’s call for themselves and accepts that authority. Consider this is a precursor to what we will see in the birth of Jesus. A child called into a new priestly lineage.

We learn in Samuel Chapter 1& 2 that Eli, a priest in Shiloh, was very old. He had two sons who were also priests but corrupt ones. He tried to correct them, but they wouldn’t listen to him. So, you might say old man Eli was a disrespected dad, even if he was the priest.

Everyone knew about Eli’s boys and what greedy bullies they were. Eli had received a warning shot from “A man of God” that God was displeased with Eli’s behavior and his sons disregard for what was holy. God was going to cut him and his whole family from the promise made to his ancestors. His family members would die by the sword, except for one who would be spared to weep and grieve. In this revelation from the man of God, it was foretold that a new priest would be raised up who would do according to what was in God’s heart and mind.

For poor Eli, things just got worse and worse and YET he was charged with being the priest for the community. No matter who he was, a bedraggled dad, or where he was on his life’s journey, a man of many years, God had called him, his family, to go up to the Lord’s altar to er sacrifices in the proper way on behalf of the people.

Then we hear about Samuel who had been dedicated to the Lord’s service by his mother Hannah.

She had been barren and was taunted by her rival, her husband’s other wife who had several children. Yearly as Hannah went up to the house of the Lord to worship, she prayed for God’s favor, to be given a child. She grew deeply distressed and wept bitterly as she prayed. Eli saw her and thought she was drunk because he saw her lips moving but he couldn’t hear her prayer. Prayers were not usually silent. But she explained that she was speaking out of her great anxiety pouring out her soul to the Lord.

I invite you to try this exercise of a character study in your Bible reading. Have you ever known seasons in your life where you can identify with Eli or with Hannah? Have you had periods in your life where you just get pounded with disappointments or grief, insurmountable emotional hurdles or the temptation to self-medicate or steal or lie? Have you been that parent or grandparent who just doesn’t know how to make things right in your family? Have you been the one who felt abandoned, unseen, and uncared for? Do you think God can’t use the pain and longing in your own life for ministry? God can call us to come beyond those challenges and grief to help someone else.

What can we imagine about Philip and Nathanael? What clues are in the script? Philip is all excited about Jesus the fulfillment of the prophets! Nathanael says of Jesus, ‘can anything good come out of Nazareth? “Here I Am” – “Go Back to Bed” Are you a Samuel or an Eli character?

The turn in the story with Nathanel comes when Jesus says to him “I know you.” You are a man with no deceit. Can you allow the possibility that Jesus knows us and speaks into our hearts: “I know the gifts and graces you have to do ministry here.”

He asks will you “Follow Me”? Is that hopeful to you that the Son of God searches for you? That Jesus says ‘look up from the darkness that you’re walking around in.’ The light, the great epiphany light has come.

God has an intimate way of knowing our hearts. Beneath our disbelief that God pays any attention to us. God pursues us and woos us into a relationship of trust and care.

These relationships form as you grow in faith through church Bible study groups, book discussions and prayer groups. This is why being part of a church is important, it’s where these trusting relationships give you the chance to test your ideas and step out of your comfort zone. To try different things and develop a strong trust of God’s care. Faith is developed within the church body and extended beyond our little group to others in the world through our outreach, our prayers, our donations, advocacy and missions.

If you’re a Samuel you’re being nurtured and mentored in faith. Scripture says Samuel didn’t know the word of the Lord… in other words God hadn’t spoken to him directly… yet. His role as a prophet had not YET been established.

If you an Eli, you’re saying Go back to bed, Eli knew Samuel was young. He was inexperienced. But Eli was faithful and paid attention. Eventually he realized that God was calling Samuel. He had to trust what God was doing, even if it different that what he was used to.

If you’re running away, like the psalmist or the Runaway Bunny, can you see where God keeps showing up in your life, no matter where you go? The bunny’s mom watches over him like Hannah watched over Samuel, even as she promised him to the Lord. She “lent” him; as a Nazarite to serve for a set period of time. Even as she let her son go, Hannah would visit the Temple each year with a robe she’d made for her growing son.

As much as this pericope is usually about Samuel’s calling and Eli’s role as mentor, maybe there are other characters here that we identify with. Are you an Eli or a Samuel, or Hannah? Or maybe you’re like Nathanael and can’t believe God is aware of you.

I believe that God calls us from our varied places in life. God seeks us when our life is in an uproar, when we’re challenged with school work, when we’re raising families. God called me from my cancer bed. No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, hear this. God loves you, died for you, rose for you, and calls you. Amen.

Making the Shift

Sun, 07 Jan 2024 20:01:45 GMT

A sermon about a desire to tap into something deeper.

Mark 1: 4-11

Acts 19: 1-7

January 7, 2024

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“On hearing this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Prayer: Ever-present God, please help us live in your light that we may be your people and share your light. Amen.

Here we are, one week into the New Year. Lots of people have started something new. Anyone make a New Year’s resolution? I asked the same question last year and was blown away that not one person raised their hand! Well, maybe you didn’t make a specific resolution, but did you at least think about making a change in your life? Something for the better? Turn over a new leaf? Make a fresh start? Get to the gym? At least walk to work off the extra pounds from the holidays?

My stomach and my heart have been talking with each other. My stomach says “We’ve had a good time these last two weeks—don’t blow it now!” My heart says, “All that extra weight is not good. Get walking. Get to the gym!”

I hear gyms are packed right now. But, I wouldn’t know. Because honestly, I haven’t been there yet. I have not yet resolved to get there. Because making a resolution is a matter of willpower. It’s an internal decision. One that involves the inner spirit. The heart and mind have to collaborate with the body.

That’s the problem with New Year resolutions. We can make the shift initially. We can gear up. We can have good intentions. We can even convince ourselves that it’s a spiritual decision. Determination from within. We have willpower! And it’s enough for the moment. And, it’s all good. We are on the right track.

But after the initial energy burst wears off, after a few days of the gym’s brutal reality, we realize that the inner willpower we started with is fleeting. That it is incomplete. And we realize that have to dig for deeper resolve, for renewed willpower, and so often, we don’t. That’s why come February, most gyms are no longer packed.

I think there are times on our faith journeys when we realize that what we started with was good for that moment but that’s not all there is. We are on the right track, but there’s more that we have to have desire to tap into.

This is illustrated by our two bible stories today. Because when Paul comes across some believers in Ephesus, he finds out that they were on the right track. They were baptized by John who proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

So the awareness of forgiveness is good, but it was not the end all. It wasn’t complete. Things that are good can be cherished. But don’t stop there. There’s more to tap into.

Even John knew this. John prepared people. He was like—repent! Be forgiven! And change your lives. Repentance means change. And changes takes willpower. The other gospel stories say that some people asked John, “What shall we do?” And John said shift away from self-centeredness. Help each other. If someone is in need of a coat, give the person one of yours (see Luke 3: 1-18).

Lots of people were inspired by John. They wanted God’s forgiveness, and got baptized. Some even became his disciples. But, John clearly told the people—don’t stop your faith journey here with me. Get ready to make the shift from me to one more powerful than me. Get ready to move from a baptism by water to baptism by the Spirit. Baptism by water was good but not the end all.

So, Paul invited John’s disciples to make the shift from being followers of John to being followers of Jesus. To move from knowing nothing about the Holy Spirit to actually experiencing it. To grow from a baptism by water for repentance for forgiveness to a baptism by the Holy Spirit that brings renewal of faith and willful responsibility.

Because, dear Church, having Christ in our hearts, having faith in God, is never and has never been solely a personal proposition. So much of the Christian messaging I hear on the radio or Christian memes I read on Facebook are about having a personal faith in God. Personally knowing God and God’s forgiveness. Cherishing the Holy Spirit’s voice that says I am God’s beloved. And all that’s good. And all that’s needed. Powerful!

But it is not complete. Yes, being a disciple of Jesus I think means having personal relationship with God which heals us on the inside, but it also calls for a renewal of faith. And willfully being responsible to help God bring God’s light into someone else’s life. In other words, we are never a Christian solely for personal reasons. We are Christians in community with others so that God can work through us to reach those who long to know the Holy Spirit’s presence and power, grace, and forgiveness.

This is one of the basic principles of AA or AL Anon, or other support groups for those suffering from addictions. When addicts hit bottom and come to the brutal reality that they are powerless to fix their addiction and that only a Higher Power can help, that’s when the desire to tap into the Higher Power pushes forward. And God, the Higher Power acts. With enough spiritual energy for the moment. And it’s good. And life-saving.

But, the Higher Power’s energy must be renewed. And it gets renewed when two addicts talk to each other, and call upon the Higher Power again. They support each other with their stories, and give each other encouragement to not abuse alcohol, drugs, or whatever again. And that’s how AA meetings are born. Two drunks talking with each other.

And dare I say it, that’s how the Christian community is born. When imperfect people who know God’s saving grace and forgiveness make the shift from that personal experience to willfully being responsible to serve God by serving others in the community.

So I think AA and other support groups are splendid examples of what it means to be the church. Even if they aren’t church in the conventional way of understanding church. Because recovering alcoholics know the grace of the Higher Power, even in the midst of all their sinfulness, but they also know the responsibility they have for each other’s sobriety.

Isn’t that like the church? I mean each of us imperfect people knows the grace of God and can know God’s light in our lives by knowing Christ. And each one of us is called to share the light of God with those who need it.

When I was in seminary in the 80’s I went to AA meetings as part of my seminary education. I found those meetings amazing because of the stories. The help given to each other. And at the end of those meetings, everyone said the “Serenity Prayer” originally written by the late theologian Reinhold Niebuhr:

God grant me the Serenity

to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things I can,

And the Wisdom to know the difference.

And, at the AA meetings I attended and I suspect many other AA meetings, one of the last things AA members say to each other is “Keep coming back. It works!”

And I say to us in this new year, “Keep coming back to Christ Church. Because God works!” Let us resolve to come to church this year. Make an internal decision. Involve the Spirit. Dig deep for willpower. For determination from within. Share the journey with each other. Love and serve God. Amen.

Speak of Being Adopted

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 20:09:41 GMT

A sermon about God claiming us.

Numbers 6:22-27

Galatians 4:4-7

Rev. Fa Lane

December 31, 2023

Prayer: O God of ancient blessing, your servant Mary pondered in her heart the treasured words spoken about her Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Prepare our hearts to receive his Spirit, that our tongues may confess him Lord. Amen.

It is still the Christmas season. We are done waiting for the baby to arrive in the manger, so, Good Christian folk, Rejoice, Christ is born.

The light of the world which we desperately need has come to shine upon those who walk in darkness and that’s good news.

In the carol that we just sang, that God has opened heaven’s door and we are blessed for ever more. That’s good news to speak about.

In the Luke passage for today, we learn of two old wise people, Simeon and Anna, who speak words of insight about Jesus foretelling what they see in him. It was important that they spoke the words of truth into his life. We would all benefit from hearing what others see in us, our strengths and qualities given by God. These can be good news too.

The talent and character within us, if we were to let our lives speak, share God’s good news to the world. Can we enter the invitation that Oriah Mountain Dream writes of to share our hearts’ longing, to declare through actions what god-given dreams we have for fulfilling lives. Can we confess what makes our hearts swell with joy and pride without cautioning ourselves to be realistic or careful lest we are judged.

Can we find the words to speak of our faith with candor and humility, with curiosity for the other person and without judgement or fear that our listener may have a different experience and our’s might somehow be ‘wrong’?

We’ve just celebrated that God has come to us with wonderful Christmas eve services. Now, we find ourselves at that awkward time in the year, today being News Year’s Eve. We hardly really know what day it is with time off from school and work, and the store hours have been different. Next week, we’ll have the procession of the Kings, those Magi from the area we now called Turkey.

But this week, Mary and Joseph are taking Jesus to the Temple for the rite of purification (for the mother) and presentation (of the baby). They were looking to the future, as are we on the brink of a new year. The tender young boy will be circumcised as was expected of all Jewish boys in the Abrahamic tradition. This was one of the ways that the Jews identified themselves as God’s people. I wonder what resolutions we might tonight that will help identify us as God’s people.

As in the poem we sent out this week in the newsletter, how do we live out the Christmas story of good news?

Can you imagine being Mary or Joseph, regular people, who did not have wealth, but were tending to all that was expected of them under the law. They were actually under two kinds of law; the law of Moses which required them to take their eight-day old baby boy from Bethlehem to the temple in Jerusalem. And, remember why they were in Bethlehem, because the law of Rome had required them to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be registered as citizens.

The lectionary readings for today include Luke’s continuation of the birth story; but there is also a reading from Galatians where Paul makes an argument that Gentile followers of Jesus are adopted, similar to how minor children were adopted and cared for, and through this adoption the Gentiles become heirs of God’s blessings. This is good news.

But, how were they to be identified as believers of this Jewish Messiah if not to follow Jewish law? That must have been the question in Luke’s day as we recall Jesus came to the Jews first and the Law of Moses is what they knew to establish their identity as God’s people.

As Christians we celebrate the nativity story where God comes to us in the form of a baby and is a gift to all. That’s what the angels said, the babe will be a savior for all. We speak of this gift with wonder and amazement. Lest there is any doubt, Paul speaks of the gift of adoption where we are receivers of the Abrahamic promise too.

The gift of God’s grace liberates us to be fully a child of God. God is with us, within us, and surrounding us at all times. There is nothing we can do to separate ourselves from the love of God. This is good news to speak about.

This week’s Sunday is often thought of as a low “Sunday, But, hear this good news: Paul reminds us that we are all covered by the grace of God. No one is overlooked, deterred or denied. We rejoice that Christ who would be our savior, our teacher and who would sacrifice his life for us, was God who came to be with us. Let us give thanks for God claiming us Gentiles in an adoption through grace.

The question remains about how we identify as God’s people without following Jewish Law? Can we live a life of devotion as seen in Simeon who longed to see the Lord’s Messiah before he died? Or live like Anna, the prophet who never left the temple but worshipped there day and night? No, probably not.

When you believe that God has claimed you, is within you, informing and transforming you for the better. When you feel connected to the source of Light, the power that innervates all things, you are compelled to witness to the light of Christ in our world which is often a dark and scary place for some of us.

If you accept this gift of God’s grace, God redemption, will you demonstrate your adoption through Christ in the way you live? As Parker Palmer has titled his book “Let Your Life Speak”. Listen to the voice of vocation within you, let it direct you to the places you serve and share God’s love.

God sends a son to be with us, so we don’t have to journey alone. Simeon and Anna spoke about this baby Jesus as though they already knew him; God had revealed it to them. It is such a blessing to have people like Simeon and Anna in your life. People who see gifts in you that you may be unaware of. People who can share light where you may only see a void of darkness. And, you may be a ‘seer’ for someone else.

I encourage you to speak into someone’s life the God given gifts that you see in them. Help them to be seen for who they are, not labeled by cultural norms but seen with a deeper gaze into their God given talents and purpose. Enlighten them to their belovedness.

Simeon and Anna did this for Jesus and his parents. They met him as an infant and foretold of his greatness. If you have this gift of seeing, share it with a loving and generous heart. The world needs for each of us to hear words of blessing and promise, so please speak them whenever you can.

Paul wrote to the church in Galatia to say, people don’t have to assimilate to another law or culture. You don’t have to follow others’ customs or expectations. There is no nationality, or gender, nor age or physical challenge that can separate us from God. We are God’s people because we believe in God who calls us.

God draws you in and places a call upon your life to action, to pastoral care, to advocacy, to ministry. Who are we to place limitations on one another? Female clergy have heard God’s call for generations and been denied leadership in the church for centuries. African Americans and the LGBTQIA community and people who are differently abled have also experienced discrimination limiting their God given gifts.

I am grateful to the Rev. Yvonne Delk — a renowned leader within the UCC who traces her heritage through the Afro-Christian Convention, the fifth stream of the UCC. She was the first Black female ordained in the UCC for the witness she gave of God in her life.

Sadly, many denominations have barred or spurned gay people from gaining access to the church and even more discrimination when seeking ecclesiastical ordination. But, what they might not have seen is that we have denied tremendous gifts and leadership in the Church because cultural norms set the limits with disregard for God’s call on someone’s life.

But Paul reminds us of the grounds for spiritual freedom and equality among God’s people. God is the Redeemer. No human can deny you what God gives you freely.

We are encouraged to live with a new birth in our spirit at Christmas. Listen for God in your life just as a newborn becomes familiar with her parents’ voices and trusts their guiding words. Listen for the prophecies spoken into your life, by the wizened Simeons and Annas of our time.

We are at liberty to commune with God and be called by God to bear the fruit of the Spirit in our work among thes people on earth. We have the continuous task of extending a gracious invitation of acceptance and freedom to the ones who might be considered as outsiders, unacceptable, or impure. Let us not establish barriers or criterion that would keep anyone from knowing that God loves them. Rather, treat them as siblings, adopted into the family of God. The only criteria to meet is to accept this Divine grace and live as if in the image of Gods’ love.

Birthing a Promise

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 17:36:56 GMT

A sermon about redemption in the midst of dust and dirt.

2 Samuel 7: 1-11, 16

Luke 1: 26-38

December 24, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David.”

Prayer: Holy Most High God, we are anticipating the birth of your Son once again. May your promise be born in us. In the name of the Christ-child we pray, Amen.

You may recall, I have a workshop in the basement of our house. Last week, I finished a toy chest for our one grandson Hayden who lives in Pittsburgh. But, try as I might, every time I work on a project, I cannot, for the life of me, keep the dust from getting everywhere! I used to think, well, dust comes with the territory. It’s a workshop. It’s a basement.

But, Barb has spoken… when you finish this toy chest, before you do another project, you must build walls to enclose your workshop. I know. I need to do it. So, I made a promise to Barb and myself. I will get it done. Sometime. Walls will be built because of the dirt and dust. And, in the midst of the dirt and dust.

So I started designing. Making plans. Envisioning where the walls would go. Where the doors will be. Do I need a window? What about lighting? Must I update the electrical? What about the space on the other side of the workshop? Walls? I need to consider that for potentially finishing the basement altogether in the future. Holy schmoly! It’s a lot! And, it’s going to take a long time! But, I can picture it. I promised it. And someday, it will be done, God-willing.

My basement promise reminded me of our Bible passages for this morning. From 2 Samuel we read that instead of David promising to build God a physical house, which God doesn’t need at all, God instead promised to make David into a figurative house, which means a dynasty, or a realm that would “last forever.” In other words, God promised that a king from David’s bloodline would eventually rule forever.

And back in those days, kings were “anointed” with oil in a sacred ceremony. Which is echoed even today when King Charles was anointed with oil as King of England last May in a sacred ceremony that’s part of the coronation, but is not aired on public television.

Anyway, sadly, not too many kings following David were good kings like David was. David was considered a good king, because he was after the heart of God. Most of his bloodline descendants as kings, however, failed miserably in the God department. And, when Israel was conquered by Assyria three centuries later, and Judah later was conquered by Babylon almost 135 years after Israel fell, no king ruled over Israel or Judah after that.

So, for the next 570 years, generation after generation, people held on to the hope that God’s promised “Anointed One” would come. And watch this—the word for “anointed one” in Hebrew is “Messiah.” In Greek, it is “Christ.”

And while I’m on translations, the name “Jesus” or “Yeshua” in Hebrew translates into English as “One who saves.” So, connecting the dots, when we say Jesus Christ, or Jesus Messiah, we are saying that Jesus is God’s promised Anointed One, the One who saves us spiritually. The One who can make all things new in our hearts.

So, on the one hand, when Jesus was born, God was birthing a long ago promise that a bloodline descendant from the house of David would someday rule God’s realm.

We have that in Jesus. And on the other hand, in Jesus, God was also birthing another promise that Jesus, the Anointed One, would reveal the spiritual saving grace of God that has no end. This is the new realm of God. This is the house of Davide that lasts forever. This is our unending new reality. It’s is the water we swim in. It’s the air we breathe in. And the love we share.

So, as we’ve been anticipating a new birth in our lives this Christmas, I’ve been thinking about how this reality of unending saving grace that we live in … this reality of redemption, is a powerful force that is birthing God’s promise right now. How things that can keep us from getting at God can be forgiven, or reconciled, or removed right now. And if they can’t be forgiven just yet, or reconciled or removed right away, how God gives birth to the promise that there will be strength to face each day, each hour, each minute as we live with those things, waiting for the day when they are not a burden on our hearts anymore. That day will come. That’s so God.

The reality where Jesus, as God’s Anointed, invites everyone to be part of God’s spiritual family, if desired. In this redeemed reality, everyone can find that God is engaged with us every step of the way in our lives. God is our Emmanuel—God with us. That’s so God.

If the way that God seems to favor prostitutes, or tax collectors, or the lowly who have faith, like Mary, or the outcast like the Samaritans, or the blind, deaf, or lame is any indication, then God welcomes each of us. With all of our imperfections. With our hangups. With all our mistakes and missteps. God’s grace is the promise that is birthed. That’s so God.

All of that is amazing. But what struck me so deeply this week was how Gabriel said that Mary will conceive in her womb and bear a son named ‘the One who saves.’ Because here’s what I believe. I believe God promises to conceive and give birth in the barest of places of our lives, in the womb of humanity’s brokenness, in the muck of our human existence, in the accumulating dirt and dust of our lives, the One who saves you and me. The Son of the Most High. God wants to be born mostly in those kinds of places in our lives, I think. The promise of the One who saves can be born in any one of our trouble spots, for nothing will be impossible with God. That’s so God.

So, as we get ready for tonight’s celebration of Jesus’ birth, I invite you to anticipate a new birth. Can you picture it? The birth of God’s promise to have the One who saves be born in you right now. And celebrate it tonight. And may we, like Mary say, “Let it be with me according to your word.” Amen.

Messengers of Hope

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 21:49:25 GMT

A sermon about holy, life-giving love.

Mark 1: 1-8

Isaiah 40: 1-11

December 10, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings.”

Prayer: Holy and ever-present God, may these words from scripture prepare the way for your birth in our lives once again. May we always have hope in you. In Christ we pray,
Amen.

This past Tuesday, Pastor Fa told me that there were five reviews about our Christ Church on Google. Four of them were from a long way back, all five stars and were from some of you. So, thank you for that, those of you who reviewed us. But, an anonymous one from two weeks ago made me start fussing. The person basically said that we were not a true Christian church or a Church of God because of our Open and Affirming stance. We were not biblically correct, the reviewer wrote, among other things. I was disappointed and hurt. No, I lie. I was ticked off. I was ready to write a terse rebuttal! If only I knew who to write to. And I wondered how one goes about getting a bad review expunged!

And I carried all that fussing stuff into our staff meeting. I said someone bad-mouthed us in a review, which sounded and felt like bad news to me. But, Melissa gently reminded me that this bad news review may sound like good news to the person who feels other churches have left them out. Someone out there looking for a church home that accepts people for who they are. Good point! Thank you, Melissa! Bad news is only bad news… until it isn’t, right? I mean negative publicity can be as good or better than positive publicity.

So, I have to wonder if Isaiah’s words to Israel were received as good news or bad news. Because remember, this is a people from two nations (Israel and Judah) that were held captive—70+ years! That’s practically a whole life time for us! And for them life expectancy was maybe thirty years. That means probably most if not all the people originally captured were now gone. And their descendants got settled in Babylon, raising families, establishing lives for themselves.

And, they got used to the oppression of captivity. They got adjusted to constant enslavement. So, uprooting and going back to Jerusalem, the time in the penalty box being over—that may not have sounded like good news to some of them.

But, eventually, Cyrus the Persian General and his military came, freed the Jews, and they got to go back to their homeland. So, Isaiah’s words were good news in the long run. He was a messenger of hope for the Jews. You will have a new life soon. And when it happens, you and others will be able to say, “Here is your God! This is what God can do!”

He basically tells Zion, which refers to the nation of Israel, and Jerusalem, which refers to the nation of Judah, to broadcast this good news. But, it’s not any one person. It’s all of them. It’s the whole people. And, it’s the religious leadership of both nations—they were to spread the good news about God’s love and tenderness, God’s care and reward. God making amends. God bringing them home. “Here is God!”

So, here’s the thing… spiritually speaking, Isaiah’s words ARE good news for us, too! Because when we connect Mark’s words to Isaiah’s words, and we have the benefit of knowing that Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah has already come, then we see that it’s the Church that is being asked to broadcast the news of God’s tenderness and love. It isn’t any one person, it’s all of us people of faith. The priesthood of all believers in Jesus. The Church, its people, its leaders are to be the messengers of hope for a needy world. Get up on the high mountains and be the herald of good tidings.

So all week long I’ve been thinking about what we are to broadcast that grows hope. “What shall we cry out?” I think there are at least three good news messages the Church has. The first is that God is accessible to everyone. Spiritually speaking, God is no longer aloof, or accessible only when you do the right thing. When you are God’s exhibition piece on the shelf. You don’t have to be of a certain pedigree, or lifestyle, or a any kind of religious person. No matter who you are, you can access God. God is available for you. Give you hope?

And living with God fully accessible is like living on an wide open field. There is no uphill climb that taxes your strength. There’s nodownhill trail that makes your knees ache or produces a fear of falling. There’s spiritual freedom on the wide open plain knowing that God moves with you on the journey. Wherever you may go.

Not like when Barb and I went out to find our Christmas tree at Miller’s Tree farm. I told Ryan, one of Scott’s sons-in-law that I was going to search down the hill for our tree. And he said, “That’s fine, but just remember, finding one down there also means hauling it back up.” Oh yeah, I know. Whoa! Let’s just say I was reminded of how out of shape I am! Had to stop a few times to catch my breath and settle my heart down.

So, there is no spiritual uphill climb or downhill fear with God. Because God’s power and guidance are always available for your inner spirit, no matter what you’re going through. This is a message of good news the Church has, and this message can give anyone a deeper sense of hope.

The second good news message of hope the Church has is that the word of God’s tenderness and love, God’s grace and mercy are forever! No matter what!

None of us gets to keep everything we have now or at the same level we have them. The stuff we have will all be gone someday. The people in our lives, same. Our bodies. Our energy levels. I’ve discovered that there’s a reason why parents in their twenties and thirties are best suited for raising babies and toddlers. It’s hard to keep up with those little ones. The energy level I once had? Way less.. Our able-bodiedness we take for granted is not forever. And most of us don’t get to keep the pant sizes we have now.

But what is forever is the word about God’s saving grace. About holy, life-giving love. About the promise of resurrection... that Christ opened the doorway to new life, for us today, and for new life that follows death. A promise to forgive us for the way we hurt one another. These forever words are the spiritual food that gives life meaning, which is like finding calm in the middle of the storm or a treasure of great price found in a field. This is the word of God that is timeless. The Church has this good news message to proclaim. And my hope is that this message of good news gives you hope right now, going forward.

The last hope-inspiring good news message the Church can give voice to is that God desires that justice, fairness, equality, and no foul play be a way of life for all people.

A few years ago, a decision was made to remove the stained glass windows at the Washington National Cathedral that honored Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. An artist named Kerry James Marshall was commissioned to design the replacement windows. What are called the “Now and Forever Windows” capture the resilience, faith and endurance of African Americans and our nation’s struggle with the original sins of racism, slavery, and injustice ( New National Cathedral windows focus on racial justice | The Christian Century , retrieved December 9, 2023). One window says “Fairness.” The other “No Foul Play.” What a message! The church is a place to give voice that God desires fairness and no foul play for all!

I can’t read Isaiah’s words and not hear a call for justice and fairness. Make straight in the desert of Gaza or Tel Aviv a highway for God. Every valley of mass shootings needs to be lifted up and solutions found. Every mountain of Wall Street and economic injustice brought low and evened out. The uneven ground of the Rio Grande border with undocumented people, and immigration issues shall be leveled out. The rough places of political debate shall be smoothed over and what’s best for the country, not political party be brought to bear upon our nation’s direction. God is the great equalizer.

So as we anticipate a new birth in this season of watchfulness and preparation, let us, as part of the church, proclaim these messages of good news that inspires a lasting hope. May we proclaim God’s good news message that someone feeling hopeless may need to hear.

And may each of us receive Christ and know that these messages of hope are pleasing and welcome in God’s sight. Let us stand and sing, “How shall I Receive You.” Amen.

Where Are You, God?

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 20:13:30 GMT

A sermon about searching for God as we cry out for help.

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

December 3, 2023

Mark 13:24-37

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

“Stir up your might and come to save us!”

Prayer: As we anticipate a new birth in our lives, may we come to know how much we need you first. May we watch, wait, listen, and step forward in faith. Amen.

Well, the first Sunday of Advent finally is here. Our church is decorated. Looks good. We lit the first Advent candle. Our Advent/Christmas season officially has begun. But truthfully, I feel like the holiday season got started a long time ago. I mean Home Depot, Lowes, Hostetter’s and a bunch of other stores were all decked out for Christmas before Halloween! Radio stations were playing wall to wall Christmas music before Thanksgiving. And a lot of people took advantage of warm November temps to get decorated outside. I know this is the first time ever that Barb and I got our decorations up BEFORE the first Sunday of Advent! Unheard of!

I don’t know… it’s like people needed to get to Christmas as soon as possible. Get to the joy of the season. The anticipation of a new birth. Baby Jesus. Santa Claus. The decorations. The parties, food, and fun. Get it all together. All that can be a pleasant distraction from the struggles we’ve gone through this year, right?

You know. The stress of war that weighs on us. Leads to the persistence of racism and hatred and violence—all of which break my heart. Anxiety about inflation—rising food and gas prices impact the poor struggling to make ends meet while the rich get richer. The political corruption and dysfunction makes my head spin. Legislators can’t legislate on major issues like gun violence, immigration, climate change and others. Covid has never really left us. Each year a new variant becomes dominant and people die.

Not to mention any of the personal struggles each of us sometimes goes through. The struggles in our relationships. Our jobs. Our families. Getting the kids off to school in the morning. Getting them to their activities after school. Getting them to choir on Wednesday evening. Getting their homework done. Getting them to bed. Having time for yourself. Do it all over again the next day. It is stressful.

Others face difficult decisions related to health concerns. Or, future endeavors. Or spending money. Or developing discipline to hold off addictive habits. It’s a lot.

Sometimes even faithful people find themselves asking, “Where are you, God? Don’t you know what we’re going through?” We might pray the words of David, the psalmist, “Stir up your might and come to save us!” Fix our problems, God! Rescue us! Restore us! Send the one whom you have made strong for yourself! Give us life! We may not say all those things, but we feel it sometimes.

And as soon as we crave God’s involvement, as soon as we ask, “Where are you God?” as soon as we cry out for help, we discern our need for God. And God uses those kinds of moments of spiritual need or spiritual destitution as fodder for the Holy Spirit to work. God works much better when we know we need God. Spiritual impoverishment can be a good thing.

So, while it might be tempting to get to Christmas right away, Advent I think helps us recognize that the places we struggle… the stress and anxieties we feel, our difficulties, our challenges, our upheavals, our disruptions, the signs of the times, the troubling events we witness—these are the moments when the Holy Spirit can create a new birth in us. Jesus asks us to keep alert to see how God might do that.

Last week Barb and I rented the movie “I Heard the Bells.” It tells the story of how Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “Christmas Bells” was written over a long period of time. It was inspired by Longfellow’s struggle and pain in his life when he lost his wife and when the Civil War was raging. He questioned his faith. He wondered if God was dead, and if not dead, then asleep. Where is the peace? The good will?

And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

But still, he knew that when the Christmas bells rang, as they had for centuries, they sounded out a message of peace on earth and good will toward everyone. And finally, when his son came home from the Civil War, injured, but alive, Longfellow knew that God had not forgotten, God was not dead nor asleep. He wrote:

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep,
“God is not dead, nor does God sleep.
The Wrong shall fail
The right prevail
With peace on earth, good-will to men!”

So, as my friend and colleague Bob Sorozan reminded me a few years ago to “never to let a good crisis go to waste,” I encourage us—let’s be watchful as we begin Advent. In our crises and stress, look for God to grow the kindom around and within us. Anticipate a new birth. God, who promises faithfulness and steadfast love through the crisis, through the breaking and healing of our lives, through the beginnings and endings—God is at work. These are excellent places to anticipate new birth. If you’re attentive and awake, you’ll see it. If you’re distracted or asleep, you’ll miss it. So, let’s keep spiritually awake. Amen.

Deeper Gifts

Sun, 26 Nov 2023 21:46:51 GMT

A sermon about the gifts that give us hope.

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

November 26, 2023

Ezekiel 34:11-16; Ephesians 1:15-23

“I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know God...”

Prayer: As you search for us and as we search for you, may we come to know you more fully in our lives, O God in whom we have all our hope. Amen.

Isn’t “Christmas in November” one of our very favorite mission projects to do? I love it when our kids parade in bringing the gifts we’ve purchased for people in need. And as you know, all the gifts we received for this year’s project are going to Habitat for Humanity’s new home owners. It warms the heart. It’s a good thing we do here at Christ Church.

Those are material gifts. Physical items we’ve purchased and offered to God. And, of course, as we head into Advent and eventually Christmas, for many of us and many in our world, this upcoming season is about giving material gifts to our friends and loved ones. And it’s good.

But with one glance at today’s Bible readings, it’s clear that God is inviting us to receive deeper gifts. Right now. In our lives. Gifts that are spiritual. Gifts that are not seen nearly as much as they are felt.

In Ezekiel the prophet writes about God who is passionate about people. God, like a shepherd searching for a lost sheep, seeks us when we spiritually lose our way. When we can’t find God. We’ve all been there before. When we struggle to find meaning in life. When we suffer from anxiety or depression. When money, power, sex, drugs, alcohol, food, sports, anger, material things, whatever… when these don’t fill our lives anymore, God promises to find us, love us, grace us, and bring us back. Take us to a new place where life is as a level plain, not as a constant uphill battle. God will feed us with spiritual food that nourishes our inner lives and brings peace.

So, God finding us. Loving us. Gracing us. Bringing us back. These are deeper gifts. These give us hope, especially with faith in Jesus as God’s son.

I believe there’s more...God desires to be present and tend to our injured spirit when life is cruel. When people who are close to us hurt us the most. When the holidays bring about a deep sadness or loneliness because of the loss of a loved one. God will speak words of comfort to us in the middle of what sounds like God’s silence. Spiritual food and water for hungry and thirsty souls. These are deeper gifts and are part of God’s riches we inherit from God to us, with faith in Jesus as our Savior.

God promises to bring about justice and fairness when hatred and evil in the world, a lot of it showing up in warring countries, in violence on our streets, and even in the church, puts people in danger, or causes hurt, mistreatment. So, God’s Presence. Comfort. Justice. These are the deeper gifts. And are reflective of God’s glorious power for those who believe in Jesus Christ as our Redeemer.

But watch it here. In the same way that life’s difficulties can take us away from God, life’s goodness and fatness can do the same thing. I mean when life is good, well, that can make us feel spiritually great. But, the danger is independence. Because when things are going well, we can easily be seduced into thinking we don’t need God. In our abundance we can be insulated from noticing the despair around us. Life’s goodness can put blinders on us, so to speak, so as not to see, or respect, or value others who are different from us. We can be shielded off in our own little world thinking “our way is the way everyone should be.”

So, I think it’s in life’s struggles and sometimes life’s goodness when God invites us to receive the deeper spiritual gifts. And Ephesians tells us the deeper gifts are the spirit of wisdom and revelation. And both of these deeper gifts are given to us by the Spirit as we come to know God.

And I think these are key words. As we come to know God. God doesn’t fill us with divine wisdom instantly when we say yes to God. God doesn’t show us all that God has planned for our lives when we have faith in Jesus Christ. I wish God would do that sometimes, but God doesn’t work that way. No, divine wisdom comes as we come to know God more and more on our journeys. As we grow closer to God. It’s a process. We have to practice at it.

The more we come to know God personally through the practices of prayerful discernment, or study of scripture, or through talking faith with others, or a little of all three, the more the spiritual energy of God gives us divine wisdom to live by. The more we desire to know Jesus Christ through prayer, or reading his stories and studying his teachings, or talking faith with others, or about Christ, or a little of all three, the more God’s spiritual energy reveals to us what we need to see.

I’ve come to understand that God will only enlighten us with what we need to know or reveal to us what we need to see for that particular moment we are in. And God, I think, invites us to have faith in God for everything else beyond that. To have hope in the deeper gift that God knows what’s going on much better than I do. To believe that Holy Spirit is at work in ways I can’t possibly imagine—in the conscious realm, which is what I experience in life, and in the unconscious realm, which is what I can’t know about.

I mean all of us have something that befuddles us in our lives, don’t we? So much is unclear. Why we are going through what we’re going through. We ask, “why did that have to happen?” Or “why isn’t this going through?” Things get obscure sometimes, don’t they? So much is beyond our understanding. This happens in our lives, our church, our community, our world.

I think God understands how obscure things are to us. But, the relevant question I think is this—do I believe that God understands what I can’t possibly understand? Do I have faith that God’s spiritual energy is at work in all things beyond my comprehension?

It’s like in the days before we had GPS in our cars and on our phones. I remember having maps in my car. Remember those days? I love reading maps. But, sometimes, even the map didn’t help. And in those moments I had to stop and ask for directions from a local. And I didn’t know the person from Adam, but I trusted that person to get me on the right path to my destination. Because I had faith that the person knew the area much better that I did. I trusted in that person’s word even more so than the map I held in my hand.

Having faith in God like that is a deeper gift. Believing that God is the force who is ever present, always available, always accessible is a deeper gift. To follow Jesus is to approach our lives and our world, which are both messy and full of challenges, with faith in God’s spiritual energy behind it all.

As people of faith, I invite you to trust in God’s deeper gift of spiritual energy that is always at work. That spiritual energy constantly seeks and saves those who are lost, no matter how far they’ve strayed. God cares about lost sheep, those who may veer from the path, and those who feel unworthy to return home. Let us stand on the promises of deeper gifts from the one who seeks out the lost, brings back the scattered, and finds and binds the broken. We are never so far lost that the grace of God can’t find us. Such is the deeper gift. And those deeper gifts come with faith in G, in Christ, who was born to us. Thanks be to God! Amen.

What Do I Do with My Talent?

Sun, 19 Nov 2023 21:53:16 GMT

A sermon about going where God is leading us.

Rev. Fa Lane

November 19, 2023

Judges 4:1-7; Matthew 25:14-30

Lord, we are grateful to be in your presence as a body of people who seek your Word. Who are curious about how scriptures from ancient cultures relate to us today. We commit ourselves again, despite how many times we stumble, to follow you, O Source of All that is. Be with us, O Holy Spirit. Amen.

The book of Judges, in today’s readings, is a cyclical book of Israel’s history. It’s rather like the instructions on the back of your shampoo bottle. Shampoo, lather, rinse, repeat. We see that Israel repeats a cycle of sinning, turning to other gods, turning away from the God who liberated them and promised to be with them through thick and thin.

The cycle goes like this. Israel sins. God becomes angry and Israel suffers. Israel cries out to God who provides a solution. Things go along well for a while… and then the infighting starts. They become divided and do wrong in the sight of God…and they suffer...and they cry out to God. Lather, rinse, repeat.

We’ve probably had our own versions of this cyclical nature in life. I say I’m only spending this amount at the grocery store. But I transgress and go over budget. I make adjustments the rest of the week grumbling as I go. I pray for resolve to not do that again. God provides - money again in the form of my paycheck…then I go online, and I say I’m only going to spend this much money…. Lather, rinse, repeat.

This habit happens in church too. It’s a cycle of avoidance. For three years some of us have chosen to turn on the computer or engage in other activities on Sunday morning. We have avoided the effort of getting out of pjs, driving to church; we avoided being asked to help somewhere or be on a committee. We’ve turned away from the instructions God placed in our hearts on how to be a reflection of great love in the world.

But in those decisions to stay away, we’ve also missed the conversations at cookie time, seeing the kids grow taller in person, singing in a room full of people, and we’ve missed those real in-person smiles and embraces and laughter. Like Israel’s fractured community, we lost track of our relationship to one another and to God.

Matthew’s story is frequently heard at stewardship time. While the writer uses the word talent, which was an ancient currency and later adapted to mean our skills, abilities and such. The point is really about investing in relationships, especially our relationship with God.

Matthew’s concern is less about finances and more about the end time, the “eschaton”, and the judgements that will come with the return of the bridegroom or king or master – these are characters in the parables we’ve heard the last few weeks. Notice the slaves in this one who invest for the boss ‘enter the joy of the master’; they don’t get a financial reward. They enter the good graces of, the blessings of, the joy of the one who is in control of their lives.

And, so we look at these two scriptures and see that when people lose sight of their relationship with God, things start to go awry and if asked, God intervenes on their behalf. And don’t lose sight of the commitment that is requested in return. What God has provided, we are to use it to increase its benefit and share in the joy.

We often focus on church finances with this passage, especially at the end of a stewardship season such as we have been. Stewardship has theological ties to what God has already done for us. What God has given us to steward, to invest. The boss in this story gave the third slave the least amount to take care of, one talent. But understand its value; a talent was equivalent to more than 15 years of wages. Multiply your own salary by 15; or to make it easier, multiply $10,000 a year by 15 years. $150,000, so it’s not insignificant.

The workers were given according to what the owner thought they could manage and then trusted them. He went away. There is a parallel here to Jesus giving of himself, healing, teaching, and then trusting his disciples when he went to Jerusalem and to his death on the cross. And, when he returns, what will he discover we’ve done with our talents?

Christ Church is a blessed congregation with musical talent, financial resources, visions for mission, leadership groups and creativity abounding. The possibilities within this community are exciting!

When I came to Christ Church it was basically on lockdown out of fear because of the Covid pandemic. But I was given the impression, an image, of a congregation that was vibrant, involved in mission, had a strong music program, liked being together, worked hard, played loud and joked and jostled but was serious in service to others, generous, and excited to be with each other in worship, and meals and on workdays.

And, I invested my energy any way I could to be part of that. I’ve entered the joy of new friendships, have had meaningful personal conversations, shared some tears and joys. I’ve made new connections like with Wittel Farm and celebrated all that in the Holiday Parade and National Night Out. It’s like I entered into the joy one can receive by investing in what matters, in our relationship with Christ and with one another.

The pandemic tempted us to be fearful and cautious and wistful for the past. But this is the year that I’ve seen groups trying to look forward. How do we position ourselves for the future? What classes would be relevant? What ways shall we reach out to help others? What are the ministry priorities now? What money do we need and how will we raise it?

It's important in the church that we have a clear view of where God is leading us. To keep our eyes upon God’s priorities and not be like the ancient Israelites who went their own ways sometimes. There’s an opportunity for a group conversation about going forward at the Congregational Meeting after worship today. Please stay in person and join the Zoom online. In this week of Thanksgiving, we have much to praise God for! We have many talents to invest.

Today we’ll look at our ministry spending plan, the budget, and identify our priorities. We know that Christ Church UCC offers ministries that reach where other churches don’t. It’s a good thing to respond to different issues we’re sensitive to, or different groups we are called upon to help. Therefore, it’s crucial that the members and leaders discuss and discern together frequently what we will do, where we will spend our money and who Christ Church will be in the community. What will we do with our talent? Will you be invested in its future?

While we’re thinking about the future that God calls the church to, it’s also important that we consider how I invest my talent in the journey with God. Individually we need to take inventory of what we will do with our talents. Ask yourself, where are my interests for service? What are my capabilities? What will I financially support? What am I curious about? Where is God asking me to place my abilities? How do I work for justice? How do I love my neighbor? Who is my neighbor?

Our understanding of God’s vision is reflected in how we live and serve together as disciples of Christ. It’s in our cycles of giving, in our doing and in our being. Let’s repeat that. Let the instructions within our hearts govern what we give, what we do and how we are a reflection of God’s love.

As I listened to the choir rehearse on Wednesday, I listened to the words to see what they would contribute to the direction for my sermon. The words “tell ol Pharoah to let my people go” had such emphasis, such an urgency about them. I wondered who is our pharaoh or what is our pharaoh? What is holding us back? What dampens our spirit? What keeps me from being authentic and using my talents?

What is holding me back from giving of myself to help others, like at the winter shelter, or a leadership role in the community or at church. What keeps me from reaching out to relate to others with whatever abilities or resources I have? Is it pride? Am I trying to hold onto power? Or is it fear?

I believe fear is our pharaoh most of the time. We’re afraid we won’t have enough money, we’re afraid no one will like our opinion and maybe even turn on us. We’re afraid we’ll be taken advantage of or get behind the wrong leader. We’re afraid we’ll offend someone or be embarrassed by a mistake we’ve made!

But when we listen for the voice of God in prayer and supplication, as the Israelites who cried out to God, what we hear from deep inside is our truest calling. What goes along with that calling is God’s promise to be with us. When we live, so God can use us, using our gifts and talents “anywhere, anytime”- with faith, have faith and trust that God will go with us! Amen.

Let me suggest that if you don’t know what your talent is, just experiment a little. Lend your voice to one of the choirs, try ringing a handbell, volunteer to help set up tables or clean up after a meal. Increase your giving a little. Take nursery duty sometime. Help at the winter shelter or make food for the homeless. Choose what you are willing to try, but at least, Jesus said, Do something.

Jesus summons us, entrusts us, and watches for how we respond.

Let's Get It Right

Sun, 12 Nov 2023 20:06:27 GMT

A sermon about the day when justice and fairness rule.

Matthew 25: 1-13

Amos 5: 18-24

November 12, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

Prayer: God of righteousness and mercy, may we receive both as gifts from you. In Christ we pray, Amen.

Let me share a couple of things I’ve observed, that kind of fits the title of my sermon.

Another government shutdown is looming. Which is basically a postponement of the one a month or so ago. And, I’m like “let’s get it right already.”

It took the House of Representatives 15 times of voting this past January to elect California Republican Kevin McCarthy to the Speaker of the House position in Washington DC, only to have him voted out in October. Which led to four failed candidates and many more failed votes, to which America was saying “Let’s just get it right.” Finally Mike Johnson was elected a couple of weeks ago. We’ll see if the House got it right.

For a little while since September, we tried one worship service on Sunday morning instead of two. And, we found out that maybe this wasn’t the right choice. “Let’s get it right,” is what some of our people said.

Sometimes things like that bug us, don’t they? And we get tired of them. Sometimes we get upset and angry that the same mistakes get made repeatedly. And we want to say, “Let’s just get it right!”

I think Amos fits into that category. Only much more seriously. His words can be divided into two parts. For the first part, Amos was sick and tired of the lack of faithfulness and integrity from the religious leaders of his day. He was sick and tired of the religious culture placing emphasis on the “day of the Lord” thinking that God would smite all their enemies. And Israel would be vindicated. And Israel could sit back, and smack their lips, and clap their hands, and say that God is on their side as they wait with cynical anticipation of how God destroys the other nations.

And Amos will have none of it! Because he said the same standard that God uses on those other nations will be held for Israel as well. If there is anything that God desires, it is to have the day come when justice and fairness rule. Where righteousness is as abundant as the waters of a river.

So, “let’s get it right,” Amos says. Don’t desire the day of the Lord! It’s not all rosy, like you think. It’s a day of darkness when God judges all the nations of the earth. It’s a day of danger when you, Israel, will be judged just like all the rest of them.

So here we go… applying this to today, Hamas and Israel are fighting it out. Russia and Ukraine are fighting it out. Iran is in there somewhere, too, aiding and abetting, and so is China, and probably North Korea, too.

And if there’s anything our past history should teach us it is this. We’ve had two major world wars. We had a conflict (a war really) in Korea. We’ve had wars in Viet Nam, the Persian Gulf, Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia, Syria, and now Israel and Hamas. We’ve also had war on terror. Hundreds of thousands, nay, millions, of people have died in the last 120 years, in our country alone. Tens of millions in other countries.

It’s time to get it right. We cannot keep killing each other. We need cease-fires. Diplomacy. Negotiations. We need the day of the Lord where justice and fairness roll down as powerfully as the waters that roll off Niagara Falls. Where righteousness is as abundant as the endless waters of the Susquehanna River. We need this day of the Lord in faraway lands, and just as importantly, we need it here in our own country. So, let’s get it right. Because we, and every nation in the world, ultimately are held to God’s standard.

That’s the first part of Amos. And then, in the second part, Amos uses God’s voice and gets specific about Israel, which we easily can extrapolate and apply to the church in America and the church around the world. Amos quotes God saying don’t be thinking that you can engage in meaningless worship, and spiritually thoughtless rituals believing that I, God will be pleased with your sanctimonious piety. Truth is, I despise your festivals. I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. I won’t accept your offerings, for they are not from your heart. I will not listen to your songs, for they lack credibility. Your actions, or lack thereof, don’t match your words or your religious practices. You say one thing and do another. Or you don’t do the thing you say.

This part always feels a bit convicting to me. As much as we strive to share in high-quality worship, I often have a little nudge in the back of my mind and in the pit of my gut hoping and praying that God is pleased with our efforts to give God worship and praise with integrity, to speak God’s word humbly and faithfully. But, when it comes right down to it, the proof is in the pudding, yes?

Because Amos thundered in response to trite and ‘going-through-the-motions’ type of worship: “Let’s get it right! Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream!” Instead of singing about love, let’s get it right and go out and be the love you sing about. Instead of hearing about messages about justice in worship, let’s get it right and make the justice and love the strongest influences in your life. Instead of being ill-prepared for the arrival of a person or a situation sent by God, let’s get it right and see the arrival of God’s servants in everyone we meet, in every situation we find ourselves in.

Instead of cherry-picking Bible verses to support your way of thinking, instead of weaponizing the Bible, let’s get it right. The Bible’s overall message is of God’s eternal, abundant, and steadfast love for the human race, and God’s justice is the way God’s economy of fairness works for every person, every living creature, even the earth itself. Together those two, love and justice, point to the path of God’s peace. You can always find Bible passages to bash someone over the head with. But, let’s get it right and find the passages that reveal the overall message of the Bible, and put the love on the people with those passages.

So, instead of building walls to keep people out, let’s get it right and build bridges and have people meet in the center. Create programs that help everyone to see the goodness of others. Instead of holding hatred in the heart toward your neighbor, let’s get it right and reach out and get to know our neighbors. Instead of despising someone for the color of their skin, or the religion that they practice, let’s get it right and allow them the freedom to be who they are just as you expect them to give you the same freedom to be who you are.

But above all, let’s get it right by first coming unto God. Come unto God with the honesty that we are never really going to get it totally right. Come as the imperfect, mis-guided, ill-prepared people that we are to the God who loves us madly. God who cherishes all of us as God’s children. God who engages with us, day after day, week after week, as we seek God’s justice, live God’s love, ever moving toward God’s peace-filled world. Let’s get it right. Amen.

Optics

Sun, 05 Nov 2023 21:14:38 GMT

A sermon about living a God-worthy life.

Thessalonians 2: 9-13

Matthew 23: 1-12

November 5, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“… therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it, but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach… They do all their deeds to be seen by others.”

Prayer: May all that we say and do be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, our rock and our Redeemer. Amen.

Like it or not, the concept of optics is huge in our lives, in our society, and in our world. It has been since the beginning of time. There are a couple of definitions of the word, but the one I am focused on today is this: optics is the way our decisions, or events, or courses of action are viewed or perceived by others. “How does that look?” is the question we ask. Or, “How will it look to others in the outside world if this happens, or that decision is made?” It’s being concerned about the way something may reflect back on us. The optics of the situation.

And that’s what gives optics some persuasive power in varying degrees, right? I mean sometimes some people don’t care about the optics at all. It has very little persuasive power. They just make up their minds about something, and they do it. Bam! They don’t care what others think or say about it. They don’t care how it reflects back on them. They’ll deal with optics later, if at all.

Like when Hamas did a surprise attack on Israel in early October. They didn’t care about the optics of global opinion. They just let hatred drive their decision to attack. Optics had little if any persuasion. More on the Israel-Hamas war in a moment.

Other times, optics have lots of persuasive power. I mean Congress, or the President, or politicians, or governors, or corporate CEOs, or community leaders, or organizations, companies, schools, churches, etc., at times, these all can care a great deal about the way others perceive them. Will the decision to do something win favorable public opinion? If not, bad optics can stop something from happening right in its tracks. If the optics are good, that can help a decision go forward. Which might translate into good profits. Or a good reputation. And it’s done.

On October 26th, for example, the Maryland Supreme Court posthumously admitted Edward Garrison Draper, a Black man, to the Maryland Bar, 166 years later, making him the first Black lawyer in the state’s history. Draper “was qualified in all respects” except for the color of his skin, according to Court transcripts. Was that the right thing for the Supreme Court to do? Absolutely! Was it restorative justice? You bet! Did the optics have some play into the decision? There’s no way it didn’t! ( Maryland Supreme Court posthumously admits Black man to bar, 166 years after rejecting him - ABC News (go.com)

But whether or not optics are given persuasive power… Jesus seems to say that may not be the important thing. The important thing is related to integrity. He says that the law is good—the Torah—that’s given to the people by God.

And, the teachers who are teaching you the law, do what they say. But, don’t follow their example because they don’t do as they teach. Because they lack integrity. They are quick to impose the law on the people, but are unwilling to help someone who is burdened by the laws. The religious leaders are mostly, “Do what I say, not what I do.”

And they love the perks and privileges that come with being religious leaders. They love to be seen this way, too. Jesus says they are more concerned about optics instead of being true down deep. That’s a huge disparity and a lack of integrity. They look good on the outside. They teach the right stuff. But they don’t practice what they teach or preach. The outside doesn’t match the inside, Jesus says.

And I realized that this story of Jesus at first sounded to me more like bad news than it did good news. Partly because I’m a pastor, and there are times when Jesus’ words feel terribly convicting to me. Because sometimes I am inconsistent with what I believe compared to how I act. I don’t want to help sometimes. I get self-centered at times.

But, it’s also convicting because as human beings, I don’t think it’s avoidable. In the last couple of Melodies and Discoveries Bible study classes we’ve talked about how Paul had this war going on within himself. He says, “I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do!” (c.f. Romans 7: 15-20). Because for all of us some of the time, we are inconsistent with living out our faith, if we’re honest. We are hypocritical at times. We choose to say the right things and present ourselves as having a handle on the right things, but as soon as the shoe is on the other foot, all bets are off!

I can identify with the cute video featuring the dad who says to his kids, “No snacks before bed.” Then as soon as the kids are in bed asleep, what happens? Dad sits down in front of the TV with a plate full of nachos! With melted cheese! And a glass of beer!

There is good news, though, and it is Jesus’ main point. That even in our inconsistency, the important optic is not what other people see but what God sees in us. Remember, God looks on our heart. No matter what the world thinks, the optic that looks good to God is when our spiritual heart on the inside informs our physical conduct on the outside. When we strive to live humbly. And when we screw that up. When we don’t exalt ourselves like the way the world wants us to. Instead, when we let God exalt us for living with integrity, aligning ourselves with the faith we affirm.

The key is to let God be the one who exalts you. No one else. When we make efforts to live a God-worthy life, no matter what others see or what they think. When we put the well-being of others equal to our own. Jesus says God in secret will exalt you.

We are invited to not watch and learn from slick presenters of the faith who claim a special position in relationship with God and assume that God is on their side only. And who believe they have authority that is beyond human reach and excludes all others.

Instead, we are invited to learn from one teacher—that is Jesus. We are to have one God—that is God of our lives who emerges more and more in relationship with us as we grow more and more in faith. And we are urged to lead a life worthy of God as followers of Jesus, loving our neighbors and figuring out ways to coexist and get along with others.

Which takes me to the war between Israel and Hamas. As a follower of Jesus, I can’t support Hamas surprise attack on Israel. I can’t support Israel’s retaliation that slaughters the innocents, either. If we are followers of Jesus, I can’t see how we and leaders of our nation don’t call for a cease-fire. Calling for a humanitarian pause is just not good enough, unless it’s indefinite. I can’t see how we don’t use our immense power and resources to broker a diplomatic, two-state peace-treaty and not stop until it’s done. United States supporting only Israel is all about political optics, it seems to me. If we follow Jesus, our concern is about how God sees us, so we must help get the hostages out, and get these two religious states to come to peace and avoid another world-wide war.

If we follow Jesus, I can’t see how we do not call for the violence and hatred to cease and desist here in our own country. Acts of hatred toward students on campuses, children and families in our towns and cities must stop. But, it’s not enough to call for it to stop. I think we need to have a conversation about the history of racism and racist comments, of antisemitism, and Islamophobia. Conversations about how social media can radicalize extremist points of view.

As followers of Jesus, I can’t see how we don’t call for care and tenderness to people in our nation here at home who experience the ripple effects of the war in the Middle East.

There are people who say that makes us look weak. That love and care and tenderness and peace and justice is all “Kum-Bah-Yah” stuff and doesn’t carry enough force. That’s just optics, friends. Because we know we are not weak. But, we do have to use our resources and our power carefully, in God-worthy ways.

As followers of Jesus, the most concerning optic I think is how God sees us. God-worthy, faithful to God’s way of love, justice, and peace. Helping others to lead God-worthy, faithful lives. Helping others be good people.

The late Elie Wiesel, a Jewish Holocaust survivor once wrote, “By being a good Jew I am helping Christians be good Christians, and other people to be better adherents to whatever faith they profess” ( Don't Just Sit There! | Homiletics Online , retrieved November 3, 2023). Now that’s the optic that looks best to God. People being good as God intended. Because in the world according to God, that’s how things work best. Amen.

How Can We Be Holy?

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 18:39:18 GMT

A sermon about holiness - God's and ours.

Matthew 22:34-46

Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-19

October 29, 2023

Rev. Fa Lane

In the Leviticus passage, God has Moses tell the people to be holy because the Lord, their God, is Holy. The history is that the people God addresses through Moses were being led out of Egypt, out of slavery and were now identified as God’s people, separate from all the other Canaanite people on the Sinai Peninsula. God set them apart to claim them, to hold them dearly, to protect them and to expect certain behaviors of them. They were given Commandments to help them order their life together, to know how to live together righteously, differently from the other Canaanite tribes.

While the ancient formerly enslaved were walking through the wilderness, under Moses’ leadership they built a moveable tabernacle, a tent of meeting or the tent of the congregation where they would gather for worship when they stopped. In addition to this, they developed a holiness code, not only for the priestly caste but for daily practices at home to remind them of the holiness of God who made them holy too.

I was drawn to one of Walter Bruggeman’s prayers which sets a clear distinction between God and humans. God is to be praised. Yet Bruggeman also acknowledges that we are of God. As George Fox, the founder of Quakerism would say, “there is that of God in everyone.”

I liked the way it not only identified who God is, but also what God does in holiness and then says “and therefore us” as in, therefore we who are called by God must mirror God’s holiness.

Listen to part of the prayer by Walter Bruggeman.

The day demands that we begin in praise of you,
for the day is yours and we are yours;
we could not live the day without reference to you,
without your gifts,
without your commands.

We begin with praise,
for the gift of life,
for the gift of life in your world
with all your beloved creatures
for the gift of life in your church
with your steady recital of wonders.
You, you alone, only you,
You who made and makes and remakes heaven and earth,
You who executes justice and gives food we know not how,
You who sets prisoners free and sights the blind,
You who lifts up and watches and upholds,
You who reins forever,

You… and therefore us.

The prayer draws a line from a single Creator God to a created people. Bruggeman writes “and therefore ‘us’, reminding me that we are made in the image of God. If we are holy as God claims us, then we should respond to the world’s troubles as God would - executing justice, feeding the hungry, and so on. Jesus emphasized this understanding in the Matthew passage when he combined the Shema prayer and the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves.

I asked this on my Facebook feed, what is holy? How do we hold it or be in it? Someone wrote: Moments when you breathe deeply knowing there is more and you are connected to all of life. A couple people referred to Rabbi Heschel’s comment: "Just to be is blessing. Just to live is holy." - Abraham Joshua Heschel.

Someone described it as a connection with God, others or yourself. Another identified moments in life that feel holy, such as birth or death, a rising or setting sun, a beautiful piece of music or an animal sighting in nature. Some mentioned purity in our living. Some would say following God’s law. How would you describe holy?

Being holy does require adhering to the Commandments that we read in Exodus or the Holiness Code from Leviticus in chapters that surround today’s reading. But it’s not just about the letter of the law; it’s about the intent of the law. God invites us into a sense of holiness in verses 15-17 with the caution to not render an unjust judgement, not to be partial to the poor or the great, to not slander or profit from someone’s demise. You shall not take revenge or hold a grudge but love our neighbor as ourselves.

What does holiness mean? How do we get holy? What is required in order to be holy as God is holy?

I think that the way you answer that colors how you see the world and relate to God and to your neighbor. Here we are - in our own version of wilderness after a pandemic with chaotic world politics, unsettling economic pressures, emotional unrest, medical concerns, and relationship challenges. What helps us remember God’s presence and respond as though we live within God’s image? How do we spend time in God’s holiness?

Leviticus contains regulations to govern daily activities and keep civic matters rightly ordered. We have scripture study, prayers, alms and offerings, works of justice and mercy to help us experience God’s presence. One perspective on how to be holy is to maintain purity as given in the Old Testament – realizing that the laws given to the people in the wilderness were for an ancient times civilization, like when they thought the world was flat and science hadn’t identified gravity yet.

Another perspective to consider is the ethical obligation to set wrongs aright even if it means transgressing boundaries but doing so in order to move toward right relationship with one another and with God. You recall that Jesus argued for doing work on the Sabbath if it was to save a life. It is ethical to question a law that is harmful.

In the image of God, we link Holy Living with Justice Making and also the mandate to love our neighbor as ourselves. Loving, that is to say honoring and not harming your neighbor, goes with loving and honoring God. On these two points hang all the other laws.

Jesus used the Levitical verse when discussing with the Pharisee lawyer which commandment is the greatest. He combined the understanding that the Commandments and Holiness Code are not just identity-shaping for the people liberated from slavery, but they are also an injunction to consider how to treat other people with justice and compassion.

There are questions we can ask of today’s social systems. In the community at large, do our rules and regulations benefit individuals or also the underserved population? Do they respect and show proper regard for the people with the least power, the least resources, the least social standing, the least upward mobility. Would we trade places with any of them for a month? If not, then perhaps our systems aren’t really as just as God would have it. The church stands in the gap when our systems fall short. John Pavlovitz says the church at it’s best is Christ reflecting, barrier destroying, table expanding.

It takes boldness to reflect Christ, to mirror the holiness of God. Members of a faithful congregation will look beyond their own individual needs to see where the world is hurting and engage there. The practices given to us help us discern as a church what we should be doing, where we send our mission team, what the next outreach will be, how we make ourselves accessible to others, how we get the word into the community that Christ Church is a safe welcoming congregation. The hymn “Take Time to be Holy”, reminds us of ways to be in the presence of God. Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord; Abide in God always, and feed on God’s Word.

Jesus demonstrated that God’s Word is to be interpreted and performed out of love for God and one's neighbor. This is how we are holy.

If you hear the words given to Moses as an offer and an invitation to be a people gathered under God’s identity, perhaps Khalil Gibran’s poem, Fear , will sound good to you. Like the small streams that become rivers, we step from our individual-ness and join in a congregation of rivers that submerge into the ocean, from a single to a congregation of holiness. The river serves as a metaphor for the human experience of facing fears and embracing transformation into something other. We face the fears we have as a congregation and quell them in the ocean of holiness.

“The river needs to take the risk
of entering the ocean
because only then will fear disappear,
because that’s where the river will know
it’s not about disappearing into the ocean,
but of becoming the ocean.”

God is simply inviting us to remember we already belong in the image of God. You shall be holy for I the Lord your God am holy. And so are others made in God’s image: those who feel left out, the ones who lack compassion, the ones who are trying hard and need encouragement, the ones who are in trouble, those who are seeking a community where they can pray in safety and the ones left out by judgement and prejudice. Let’s extend ourselves to them, out of our understanding that Jesus would.

Pastor John Pavlovitz suggests that “There's a tangible sense of shared purpose and mutual affection that comes with being part of a local Faith community, a feeling of belonging that really does transcend almost anything one can experience.” I’ll add, including a pandemic. I invite those who have not returned to worship in person to come back and be present with us here.

God calls us together for good reasons: to have conversations, to pray together, to live in peace, to share in the goodness of life and support each other through hard times. There is some divine alchemy that happens when we gather together and we experience holiness. It is for all, even those we haven’t met yet, to know that God’s welcomes all into the presence of holiness. We are all made in God’s image. The Lord, our God is holy, and therefore us.

Ask God for More, But Not Too Much

Sun, 22 Oct 2023 18:55:23 GMT

A sermon about having faith - not certainty.

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

October 22, 2023

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Exodus 33:11-23

Intro to the Exodus Bible passage

Today’s reading from Exodus follows up from last Sunday’s reading. Remember—

Moses went up the mountain for a long time, and the people built a golden calf and worshiped it instead.
God knows the people are stubborn and “stiff-necked” and wants to destroy them, but Moses intercedes.
God relents on the destruction. Then Moses comes down the mountain and invites the people to either follow God and be with Moses or not.
Those who remain with Moses are promised by God that an angel will lead them, but God said, “I will not go with you…” Exodus 33: 3.
Moses intercedes again asking God to forgive the people. And to go with them anyway. It is against this backdrop of Isarel’s sin and the Lord’s anger that we read this text.

Moses said, “Show me your glory, I pray.” And God said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you...” But, he said, “You cannot see my face...”

Prayer: May we grow faith in you, O God, and ever discern your call into ministry. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Wednesday a week ago, The Powerball Lottery drawing was held that evening. So, I said to our retirees at breakfast with a touch of pseudo-sincerity, “Don’t forget to buy your Powerball tickets. The jackpot is $1.73 billion! And remember, if you win, 10% goes to the church!”

Well, a very lucky someone in Frazier, California won the lottery that night. And while it’s life-changing, it also has to be stressful. I mean newscasters laughingly tell us what to do if you win the lottery. First of all—zip your lips! Keep silent! 2nd, get an attorney. 3rd, establish a trust. And 4th, get ready for the IRS to come a-knockin’! And some long lost, never-before-heard-of relatives, too. As well as plenty of wishful visitors. Winning the lottery requires discipline. And some without discipline have lost all their winnings. So, it’s no wonder some say “I wouldn’t wish winning the lottery on anyone.” Well, I don’t know if I would go that far, but be careful what you wish for. Or pray for.

So, I think that Moses had a ‘be-careful-what-you-pray-for” kind of moment with God. Because when Moses’ intercedes asking God to go with the people even though they are sinful and stiff-necked and stubborn, God says OK. For you, Moses? I’ll do it.

But Moses, y’know, given all the times God threatened to destroy the people, well, Moses wants reassurance. So he asks God for more. “Show me your glory,” he says, which a little like asking a volcano to reveal all the lava underneath the crater! It’s much too magnificent and much too terrifying to behold. And if you get too close, it’ll kill you. Be careful what you pray for.

But, God again says “OK. Here’s what I will do. All my goodness will pass before you, my name will be proclaimed, and my graciousness and mercy will pass before you, as well. But, you can’t see all of me. You can’t see my face. Because if you do see all of me, it’ll kill you. When my total glory passes by, I will shield you from seeing my fullness. And after I pass by, then you will be able to see my back.”

Wow! Obviously, we need to see this text metaphorically, one that has deeper meaning for us. And to be honest, I struggled to get there, but here’s what I think it can mean for us… we can ask God for more, like Moses did, to see God in all of God’s fullness, to see God’s face, God’s front, God’s back. But, be careful what we pray for. Because I think to see God in all of God’s fullness means to see and understand God completely. Which means that any sense of the mystery about God is gone.

All our questions about God? Answered. How God is present. How God can allow bad things to happen? Why isn’t God doing something to stop the evil and violence in the world? And our questions go on and on… And if we have ALL our questions answered, well, that means we know what God wants. What God’s will is. Our viewpoint becomes the right one. And we become certain.

And, certainty, as I’ve shared with you before, is the opposite of faith. Certainty stops faith in God. It arrests development, which Christian educator Thomas Groome says is the greatest sin we can have. With certainty, there’s no room for alternatives. Or differing opinions. Or tolerance. Certainty of God and God’s will can create spiritual rigidity. And spiritual pride, and a feeling of superiority and even arrogance.

I know this just touches the surface of these issues, but we see this in the extreme Christian right that tries to say God is on our side and influence the political atmosphere on school boards and government levels with a Christian nationalistic ideology.

We see this in the extreme Christian left that tries to say that God is on our side and all people and ideologies are acceptable without a sense of accountability to one another in the community. Like recently I became aware that some children are being told that it’s OK to identify as a cat in school. They can act like a cat, meow like a cat, dress like a cat, and so on, in the classroom. What’s up with that? There’s no accountability to other kids or to the teachers in the school when these child fantasies become distractive and disruptive to the purposes of educating our kids.

Being certain of God also can create a sense of superiority over people of other religions. We see this in Hamas’ God is on our side so will do an evil surprise attack on Israel trying to wipe Israel and Judaism off the map. We see it in Israel’s taking its revenge out on the innocents and children among the Palestinians. And the certainty of political ideology can create tyrannical attempts to destroy and takeover countries which we see in Russian aggression against Ukraine.

So, maybe metaphorically, God doesn’t reveal God’s face fully to Moses or to us on account of us becoming too certain about God. On account of us claiming to have all the right answers. Or the right faith. Or the right theology, or ideology. Because no one has the corner on the market of God or God’s will.

And, think about it…the more certain we are about things, the less we need faith in God. And with less faith, we need God less. The less we need God, the less in touch we are with God, our Source of life. And the less we are in touch with our Source of life, little by little, we can die spiritually.

So folks, God asks us to have faith in God, not certainty about God or about the things going on in our lives. Keeping the mystery of God is good. Leaving some guesswork on the journey is good. Not seeing the fullness of God is good. And having questions is good. And needed. Because these all promote faith. So, ask God for more faith, but not too much certainty.

You may be going through a particularly challenging time in your life right now, and maybe some answers would be nice. But ask God for more faith, but not too much certainty. You may feel some lifelessness in your marriage, some exasperation in raising children, some heartbreak in the loss of a loved one or the loss of a job, some pain from ridicule of persecution, bullying, or societal exclusion—ask God for more… to see the back of Jesus who promised to go on ahead of us, preparing the way. Trust with faith that God already knows what’s going on in our lives, that God is with us now, that God is already there in our near future, leading us into what God sees that we can become. Pray for more faith and trust, but not too much on having answers.

Certainty and having answers are good, but no too much because we are asked to live by faith. Because we Christians base our hope not on certainty, not on answers, not on the Dow Jones, not on our righteousness, not on how good we’ve lived, not on how good we look. We base our hope on the steadfast love of God shown in our Lord Jesus Christ. And shows up in our lives too. We base our deep spiritual joy inspired by the Holy Spirit who knows us as a friend. Who knows we need salvation that comes from faith. Like the faith of Jesus Christ.

To use the familiar lyrics of George Michael’s song, “Cause I gotta have faith, faith, faith. I gotta have faith, faith, faith!”

And you’ll feel like you just won the spiritual lottery!

Amen.

A God Who Reconsiders

Sun, 15 Oct 2023 16:51:26 GMT

A sermon about the love of God shining through.

Philippians 4: 1-9

Exodus 32: 1-14

October 15, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“And the Lord changed his mind about the disaster that he planned...”

Prayer: Please remember your tender mercy and grace, O God, as you look upon us here, see us fully, and invite us into a new relationship with you. Amen.

When’s the last time you changed your mind about something? Anything. It might have been to wear the blue tie instead of the salmon tie this morning. Or maybe you decided to have toast and cereal when at first you thought you were going to make eggs and bacon.

Each of us has the ability to change our minds, right on the spot. Or, after long periods of time. It’s called neuroplasticity. Yeah. That’s a 50 cent word which means the capacity of the brain to change and adapt. Instantly. Or especially when we consider wider points of view.

Several weeks ago, Barb and I were discussing giving a gag gift to one of our friends turning 60 years old. The gift was a book called, “I’m Dead. Now What?” Initially I/we thought it would be funny and taken well by our friend. But, then… on the day before the 60th birthday this weekend, after consideration of extenuating circumstances, like recent surgeries, changes in the job status, a spouse who had already retired… well, we did some neuroplasticity. We changed our minds. Adapted. Reconsidered. And we decided that the gag gift will wait until a more opportune time.

In just the same way that we have the ability to change our minds, so does God. And, it’s a good thing, too, because on a few notable occasions in scripture, God was supposedly mad enough to destroy people because of humanity’s wickedness. I think of the story of Noah, where God considered destroying the entire human race, but then reconsidered, and instead saved Noah, and his family. Or, Jonah as we heard two Sundays ago, where God threatened to destroy the people of Ninevah, but when they repented, so did God, and God did not do the destruction that God planned at first. Which made Jonah mad! But that’s for another sermon you can read online from two weeks ago.

Today we have the Israelite people growing terribly anxious because Moses has disappeared up the mountain. Who knows what happened to him up there! The golden calf they make from their combined resources happens because of their anxiety about the future, their impatience, their lack of trust, even their frustration that God seems too distant and too abstract. So they objectified God, made a physical thing, that golden calf, and worshiped that! And sacrificed to it.

And that’s not good. God becomes aware of the people’s apostacy and idolatry. And God gets mad. In a fit of rage, God wants to destroy the people, start over, and make Moses the new originator of the Hebrew nation. “These are your people.”

But I imagine Moses was like, “Wait. What? Hold on a minute, God.” Moses stood in the breach between God and a sinful people. He intercedes and implores God to acknowledge the extenuating circumstances, like the optics, for one. How will this look to the Egyptians if you destroy your people? You rescued them just to kill them? Doesn’t look good. You’ll be perceived as an evil God.

For two, Moses points out that God’s integrity is also at stake. Remember the promise made to Abraham and his descendants? Many descendants and all that land? Well, if you destroy them now, you’ll be known as a God who makes promises but can’t keep them. Just sayin.’

And God reconsidered the disaster that was planned for the people.

God is a God who reconsiders, which is a good thing for us because God knows we have our fair share of golden calves. I mean, there’s celebrity worship… like when the media zeroes in on celebrities like Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. Every move they make is watched. Evaluated. Scrutinized.

There’s object worship, like when people get headstrong about guns which are so sacred that no meaningful laws restricting their usage or how you get them can be legislated. Some theologians say guns are America’s golden calf that is worshipped.

There’s ideology worship. Is today’s Christian nationalism a golden calf? This desire to make our nation a Christian nation, and Christianity the state religion? Do we worship our political parties or our own politicians?

What about making the bible so sacred that it becomes God? It’s God’s Word! It’s the “God said it. I believe it. That settles it” mentality. That happens in people’s hearts all the time and consequently happens in our churches.

What about the rejection of God and religion in favor science? Is that a Calf of gold?

There’s worship of hatred. Hatred of people who desire to live authentic lives. Homophobia and all forms of hatred toward people of the LGBTQ+ community and others on the margins of society are golden calves.

There’s worship of the hatred of people practicing other religions. That is religism, and it’s a golden calf. Religism is the basis of Hamas attacking Israel just over a week ago, forcing Israel to defend itself. Hatred is the driving force that is trapping people in the Gaza strip with nowhere to go to escape the harm from hatred.

And maybe the biggest golden calf of them all is me. The object of my worship is me. It’s all about me. Look out for number 1. Me before anything. I am my own god. I don’t need God. I have a right to myself. If something doesn’t go my way, I can just up and leave. Someone does me wrong, I can do wrong to them. I am my own person.

Oy! We have our fair share of golden calves. When Hamas attacked Israel and now Israel has retaliated, and people were warning about bad things happening at our mosques and synagogues because of the war in the middle east, the words someone once said to me came flooding back to my mind, “Don’t you think that God sometimes just gets tired of us? What’s to stop God from destroying us right now for such terrible behavior?” I mean I get what that person meant. Because the fact is, these golden calves won’t get destroyed because we keep building them. And I am so tired of them! Maybe God is, too.

But people of God, here are my faith-facts. I believe God reconsiders. I believe God shows mercy to undeserving people. Because ours is not a world where God destroys sinful people… ours is a world where sinful people are reconciled to God because someone stood in the breach between us and God. Someone interceded on behalf of the human race.

I believe that someone is Jesus. I call him the Christ because I believe he is God’s Anointed One who redeemed the human race. I believe he bridges the gap between us and God. Jesus binds the two of us together. Heals and repairs injury. He upholds God’s covenant. Which is to say, dear Church, that I believe God had some neuroplasticity! God made good on a promise to bring humanity [us] and God into a new, healthy, peace-filled, reconciled, a ‘by-gones be by-gones’ kind of relationship together. Now and forever!

And all those golden calves? Well, they’re still with us. But, I think it’s good to remember that the healthy, peace-filled, reconciled relationship we are now in with God means that can have some neuroplasticity of our own. I mean in the same space where all those golden calves exist, there also exists ordinary events, ordinary people, that if we change our minds about them, we might see extraordinary examples of how God is present in this reconciled relationship.

Like when babies are born… a common occurrence. But isn’t it one that can reflect the most profound love human beings can have for one another? That’s like God’s love in us shining through in this reconciled relationship.

Like when someone put an old lady’s shopping cart back for her? Or when someone paid the coffee of the person behind them in the line? That’s paying it backwards! Or when gentleness of heart was known when the flowers of worship were donated to the local nursing home? Or when a small crown made of glittery pipe-cleaners and lace was given to Pastor Fa? We are invited to see others as God sees them. That in our church, it’s not about me. It’s about “we.” It’s about what’s best for us as a church! And God’s reconciled relationship with us comes shining through.

These ordinary examples of life and faith that with a little reconsideration can be seen as extraordinary moments when God’s love comes shining through. Like when whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, worthy of praise causes rejoicing in the Lord… God’s reconciled relationship with us comes shining through!

Like whenever we struggle in the work of the gospel, confronting those golden calves, facing what is wrong and practicing what is right, God’s reconciled relationship with us comes shining through.

Let our minds never change about that. And the God of peace and reconciliation will be with us. Amen.

Are We a Bunch of Sour Grapes?

Sun, 08 Oct 2023 16:16:56 GMT

A sermon about tending the vineyard in which we live.

Matthew 21:33-46

Isaiah 5:1-7

October 8, 2023

Rev. Fa Lane

“ “Are We a Bunch of Sour Grapes?”
“What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done?”

First, I’d like to thank the ladies who have come to meditation time on Wednesdays. This past week, for our time of practice, we paid attention to how the season of change, autumn, is nudging us to change.

To change something: to release something or move toward something, to make new habits, give up left over, static energy built up from summer that is not effective anymore. Have you felt that shift in the air? Fall is the season of cleansing and restoration balance after the heightened activity of summer.

I went on a decluttering rampage at my apartment this week. Autumn invites us to clear out our cabinets, thin out our closets, reassess our physical practices, re-engage with learning activities and check in on those relationships that might have slipped a little during summer. Today’s psalm starts with the word restore. Maybe we’ve gotten a little lax in our connection to God, so we ask to be restored.

It’s timely that we have two vineyard stories or garden stories today from each the Old and New Testaments. Since we’re in a harvest season and we just spent a Saturday morning at Wittel Farm, we can sense the vineyard as a place God has created for our benefit. But these passages made me a little squeamish because they were about people who were not measuring up to God’s expectations of living together. I wondered what those inhabitants did that rendered God’s ire. I felt a little insecure that I might be one of those wild grapes. One who thinks of “me, me, me” and not the consequences for someone else.

We live in a world surrounded by stresses of competition, to be first, to be the top in the class, to be higher up on the organizational chart, to be chosen for a leadership role. In today’s world these achievements often come at the expense of someone else. We’ll get ours and others can fight for their own piece of the vineyard. I have a job with fair hours and a healthcare plan. I’m not concerned about how others get their needs met. I’m not responsible for everyone else. Maybe it was that kind of thinking that angered God in the Isaiah passage. I think that kin-dom living requires less competition, less “me-first” and more balance and concern for others.

Then, add to my Real-world challenges meeting God’s expectations so I can go to heaven, so that after this life is done, I get the eternal life God promised. But, I’m required, in our Sacred Covenant, to follow God’s rules for living equitably and civilly, caring for the needs of others. We resolve to care for one another and trust God’s vision. Every day I am in the process of learning to trust God and see the evidence of God that inspires me to trust God more.

Well, it’s just a tall order! I am to consider the needs of someone I might not agree with or approve of - the person the EMT revived with Narcan? I’m to consider whether it is just for a prisoner to spend months in solitary confinement? These were some of the resolutions we discussed at Synod this summer and I’d love to talk with you about them. Concerns like, in a just world, I’m to consider pregnant people and their family’s needs with the healthcare issue of abortion, as well as making amends for/making reparations for our country’s grossly unfair system of enslavement or the colonializing of native peoples and taking their lands, all of which helped build this country. It just goes on and on, the need for justice. And, I was reminded by Matt Laney’s devotional yesterday that Jesus said “Just as you did (or didn’t do) to one of the least of these, you did it to me.”

In neither the Old nor New Testament do the inhabitants of the land seem to be doing the right stuff. Their vineyard is taken over by rogue inhabitants, wild grapes, who according to the Isaiah passage, don’t provide justice or live with righteousness – they don’t strengthen a steady relationship with God.

They seemed to have lost their spiritual connection with the Holy One who created the vineyard for them. This can happen when we let our human egos drive us to want more for ourselves and to share less with others. We look out for ourselves and stop looking for God in everything. We forget the generosity of the Creator who provides for us each year. We forget our offerings of thanks and of sacrifice to honor the Lord. The tenants in the Matthew passage turned their hands against everyone who tried to hold them accountable for a fair exchange, going so far as to kill even the owner’ son– clearly that’s a reference to Jesus and his death on the cross.

If we look at the ending of both narratives, it doesn’t seem to go too well for the inhabitants of the vineyard. In Isaiah, God seems to say, ok you want to do things your way? Fine! I’ll remove the barriers that keep the vineyard running well. Go on with your free will and we’ll see how things will get out of hand.

God had provided an environment for joy and fulfillment, but it yielded wild grapes. In verses 3 and 4, God asks the inhabitants of that time, the people of Jerusalem and of Judah, who by time travel becomes us, what more could have been done to ensure success? All had been lovingly provided for them, the pericope starts out with a love song for God’s beloved. God is singing to us the beloved community.

Later God pointedly asks, was it the creator or the inhabitants who didn’t do enough to have success and sweet grapes rather than sour?

Well, I mean… uh, let’s look at our current day civic and corporate behaviors for a clue. I’m guessing it was probably the inhabitants who didn’t do enough… In gardening there are things you have to do like weeding and watering, tying up some plants, putting down straw so that vegetables don’t sit on the dirt and rot. When I go to Wittel Farm there’s always a teachable moment that applies to our spiritual life.

What happens to us spiritually when we don’t tend the vineyard where we live? When we don’t weed out our grudges, when we don’t water our sense of gratitude, when we don’t secure our relationships with God through regular conversation time, regularly tending to devotional study and prayer? What happens when we enable environments and systems that delay, ignore or defer people who need attention, people who are waiting for a medical procedure or food stamps or a work visa, waiting like a tomato rotting in the dirt? What happens when running from work to school to soccer to music lessons to meetings crowds out our time for communing with God?

Ted Loder has written a book of prayers, Guerillas of Grace, that I just love because they are so “real”, the truths in his life are laid bare – and man, they are recognizable in my own!

Listen to this prayer entitled “There Is Something I Wanted to Tell You.”

Holy One,

There is something I wanted to tell you,
But there have been errands to run, bills to pay,
arrangements to make, meetings to attend,
friends to entertain, washing to do…

And I forget what it is I wanted to say to you,
and mostly I forget what I’m about, or why.
O God, don’t forget me, please, for the sake of Jesus Christ.

There it is. “O God, don’t forget me”. Can God forget us? Who are the ones who let all those other things get in the way of being with God? The prayer continues…

Eternal One,
there is something I wanted to tell you,
but my mind races with worrying and watching,
with weighing and planning,
with rutted slights and pothole grievances
with leaky dreams and leaky plumbing
and leaky relationships I keep trying to plug up;
and my attention is preoccupied with loneliness,
with doubt, and with things I covet:
and I forget what it is I wanted to say to you,
and how to say it honestly or how to do much of anything.
O God, don’t forget me, please, for the sake of Jesus Christ.

I like Ted’s writings because he can create the picture of our lives and our strivings so well. I can see myself in so many of the lines he has penned and I’m grateful that I’m not the only who had those thoughts and fears and shortcomings and wishes. Maybe you see yourself in them too.

Almighty One,
there is something I wanted to ask you,
but I stumble along the edge of a nameless rage,
haunted by a hundred floating fears
of terrorists of all kinds,
of losing my job,
of failing,
of getting sick and old,
of having loved ones die,
of dying,
Of having no one love me,
Not even myself,
and of not being sure who I am or
that I’m worth very much, and…

I forget what the real question is that I wanted to ask,
and I forget to listen anyway
because you seem unreal and far away,
and I forget what it is I have forgotten
O God, don’t forget me, please, for the sake of Jesus Christ.

The beautiful vineyard is what Jesus believed in, taught about and died for. So, for Jesus’ sake, let us stay clear out old habits and attitudes, change for the better so all can enjoy the vineyard.

Let me conclude Rev. Loder’s prayer:

O Father and Mother in Heaven,
perhaps you’ve already heard what I wanted to tell you.
What I wanted to ask is
forgive me,
heal me,
increase my courage, please.
Renew in me a little of love and faith,
and a sense of confidence,
and a vision of what it might mean
to live as though you were real,
and I mattered,
and everyone was sister and brother.
What I wanted to ask in my blundering way is
don’t give up on me,
don’t become too sad about me,
but laugh with me,
and try again with me
and I will with you, too.

What I wanted to ask is
for peace enough to want and work for more,
for joy enough to share,
and for awareness that is keen enough
to sense your presence here, now
there, then, always.

Amen.

One World

Sun, 01 Oct 2023 16:37:51 GMT

A sermon about living in communion with God.

Matthew 21: 23-32 Rev.

Philippians 2: 1-13

October 1, 2023

Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“… make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”

Prayer: Open the eyes of our hearts, Lord, so that we can see you and others in our world as your children. In Christ we offer our prayers. Amen.

Today is World Communion Sunday. It’s good to ponder the oneness, the unity the world experiences today. Because all kinds of diverse people are remembering Jesus and his Last Supper. For a 24 hour period, maybe we are just a little bit closer to the one world Jesus, and Paul, and much of the New Testament envisions. A world where believers in Jesus may all be one (John 17: 20-24), sharing in the same meal.

But does oneness mean sameness? Does one world mean that everyone is the same? Has the same interests? Does the same things? Has the same political beliefs? Does sameness mean there’s no one on the margins? Where everyone’s the same in the middle? Where everyone has the same sexual orientation? Does the one world God that envisions mean that everyone has the same religious beliefs? Goes to the same church? BOR-RING!

And totally unrealistic. Because there no way everyone in the world abandons their own religious practices in favor of one overall “right” religion. In the end all Muslims are not becoming Christians. Or, vice-versa. Nor the Buddhist, or the Hindu. There’s no way people trying to live authentic lives will stop doing that, nor should they be asked to. That’s just not reality. Nor is it fair.

Maybe that’s why I think that’s not what Jesus wanted, or Paul, or any other New Testament writer. Because we have diversity. It’s with us. It’s our human condition.

No, if there’s any sameness, if there’s any being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord, it’s not about shutting down diversity. Or about believing in one correct religion. I think Jesus and Paul and others envisioned that one world comes when we live in communion with God. And that’s when God-qualities come out. Love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, patience, generosity, acceptance, humility… you know them. Living these God-qualities in our lives makes God’s energy come alive in us and we become God’s will. And even the most messed up among us can experience life with God, the kindom of God.

Which is why I think Jesus was so scandalous in his day. Because he had the preposterous idea that common, ordinary, broken, screwed-up people are acceptable in God’s realm just by living in communion with God, being influenced by God-qualities, and by being and doing God’s will! What drove Jesus’ enemies crazy was his criticism of perfect religious people who said they would do God’s will, didn’t, and his acceptance of the imperfect nonreligious people who did! Not only acceptance, but Jesus said they will experience God’s kingdom way before the perfect ones!

Last Wednesday evening at our Melodies and Discoveries Bible Study class on Romans we discovered that for Paul, the truly authentic Jew or Christian was not one who followed all the laws of the Torah, but one who does God’s will, no matter if a Jew or non-Jew. No matter if one professes a certain religion, or certain brand of Christianity, or not. Living in communion with God enables us live out God-qualities and be the will of God. This is acceptable to God. This is having the same mind that Paul writes about.

Makes me wonder if ecumenism and inter-faith projects will grow in strength over the next decades. People ask me if the church will be here in twenty years. Without a doubt it will still be here. It may be different. There may be more inter-faith events going on. More cooperative faith partnerships surrounding some of the critical issues of our planet. But it’ll be here.

Like last August when the Parliament of the World’s Religions was held in Chicago. More than 6,500 religious leaders from 95 countries registered for the parliament. As part of the parliament, a water ceremony took place on Lake Michigan. Water from different parts of the world was combined and poured into the lake in a symbolic ceremony highlighting the need to be good stewards of the fresh water on the planet for all people all over the world (from Religious News Service, August 14, retrieved from Seen and Heard, The Christian Century , October 2023, pg. 13). The religious leaders got together and experiencedo ne world around a planetary concern.

So, if there is to be one world, maybe it comes about by people living in communion with God. When decisions are based on love and grace, mercy and forgiveness of others. When God-qualities of patience and generosity, acceptance and humility are powerfully at work in our lives. When we see life not through political spectrums, not through our ideologies, not through the rules found in the Bible, but we see issues through the eyes of faith, we see life through the eyes of our hearts. Hearts of faith. Hearts of grace. Because when we see right into our circumstances through the eyes of the heart, people worlds apart can come together to be one world.

There is a man named Mike who worships on and off at the Lutheran church where Rev. Peter Marty is the pastor. When Mike walks in, you can’t miss him. He comes in making his way tapping with a cane. A friend is often with him making sure that Mike knows about uneven sidewalks and other obstacles because Mike has been blind since birth.

After worship one day, Mike came through the receiving line to greet Peter. And without even thinking, Peter said, “Hi Mike, it’s great to see you today.” The second Peter said that, he wished he could have taken it back and offered another greeting. Because Peter spoke from the place of being privileged with sight to a guy who can’t see. His world was completely different.

But Mike beautifully disarmed the whole situation. “Well,” he said with his usual warmth and genuineness, “It’s great to see you, too, Pastor” (Marty, Peter, “Eyes of the heart,” The Christian Century, October 2023, pg. 1).

I absolutely love that story! Because here are two men who live in different worlds. One lives in a world of light. The other, darkness. One lives with relative ease because he can see. The other with relative hardship because he is blind. One sees the world as it is, through eyes in his head giving him actual images of real things. The other sees the world in his mind’s eye, through the eyes of his heart and his other senses helping him to see images of real things, sometimes his visual acuity is sharper than most of ours.

Two worlds. And yet, with one comment… one remark offered with warmth and sincerity, with genuineness and love and humility, not to mention with a wonderful sense of humor… with one comment, their different worlds became one world.

May it be that way for us, too, as we remember Jesus. Because with his one act on the cross, all of us in our own different little worlds can become part of one world. God’s world. In communion with God. Doing the will of God. In community with others. Amen.

Concerned for What God Loves

Sun, 24 Sep 2023 17:46:23 GMT

A sermon about the things that concern God.

Matthew 20: 1-16

Jonah 3: 10-4: 11

September 24, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“And should I not be concerned about Ninevah, that great city...”

Prayer: Ever faithful God, may we deepen our understandings of who and what you love on our journeys as your servants. In Christ Jesus we pray, Amen.

If we didn’t already know but were asked to guess what kinds of things concern God the most, we might be tempted to guess that God is concerned mostly about us being good people in one way or another. Doing good in the world, right? Living morally and spiritually upright lives. If so, judging by the laborers in the vineyard story and the Jonah story, we would be wrong. Because these two stories show what does concern God, and it ain’t always what concerns us. God’s ways are not our ways.

First, Jonah is ridiculous. I mean he’s a drama king! He gets mad and is sulking because God was merciful to the people of Ninevah. Which is ridiculous. It’s because he sadistically wanted to see them pay for their idolatrous ways. He wanted God not to have the slightest bit of forgiveness even after they turned and made amends. Even after they confessed and apologized.

We see a lot of that today. Some public figure screws up, confesses and apologizes, but still is raked over the coals, or loses their job, or is shunned forever. Lots of times people sadistically love seeing the guilty punished. And lots of times, in our society, people don’t know how to forgive. And plus, that’s boring right? If everyone forgave all the time. We’d have no news. Sorry. I know, I’m being sarcastic.

So God teaches Jonah a lesson about what concerns God. God causes a bush to grow which provides Jonah shade from the hot sun. Which Jonah likes. But just like that, overnight, because of a worm, the bush withers and dies, which makes Jonah mad. And God makes the point— just like the way Jonah is concerned for a measly bush, God is concerned for the wayward people of Ninevah. Even if they aren’t Jewish. Even if they don’t know their right hand from their left. God encourages Jonah to be concerned for what God loves. And a big one is people.

When thinking about Jesus’ parable, I struggle with it sometimes. I know a lot of us do. I mean it’s border line absurd and ridiculous. It offends our work ethic, our capitalistic way of thinking… exact payment for the exact amount of hours worked. That’s the way we see it.

That capitalistic way overlaps into our thinking about heaven, too. So much of today’s understanding of Christianity is that heaven is achieved. Eternal life with God is earned. Heaven is based on what we do here.

Any Tik-Tok users here? Oh… OK. Well, I’m not one. Never used it. But, if you have… maybe you’ve seen Denise the Heaven Receptionist. Anyone? Taryn Smith, is the creator of this Tik Tok program, and she made up “Denise,” who is heaven’s receptionist. Denise takes phone calls and video chats from guest callers here on earth. She responds with wisecracks and skits to get people to laugh.

Taryn Smith’s understanding of God’s heaven favors those who are kind over those who are cruel. One time a guest caller wanted to upgrade to the Angel Premium Plus package, and Denise said that it costs 7,899 good deeds, “and you’re short about seventy-eight ninety-nine good deeds.” When the caller protested saying that he went to church every Sunday, Denise responded, “That’s so great you went every Sunday, but you did make 48 Starbucks baristas cry, and that does ding your credit up here.” What?

Another time Denise refused to upgrade a megachurch pastor who used church donations to finance his private jet. The offense is so obvious that Denise complains to her invisible office sidekick, “That’s one of those calls that could have been an email” (Thomason, Kristen, “ Meet Denise, Tik Tok’s Heaven Receptionist, The Christian Century , September 2023, p. 22-23).

I mean it’s funny and a lot of it is facetious, but it reflects what people seem to be concerned about… how we think that God’s love is earned. How we see heaven being granted based on what we do on earth.

But that’s not the way God sees it. Because the thing that concerns God in Jesus’ parable is that everyone who desires it receives God’s grace in full. God loves equality. Whether you come to God early or late in life, God’s generosity is incessant. No matter whether you paid your dues or not. No matter if you were a longtime member of the church or brand new. No matter if you have good or bad history. Or baggage that weighs you down, or if you’re light and free. God’s grace is offered in full. God continues to be faithful even when our obvious faithlessness exists everywhere.

That’s the gospel, friends. God’s grace is offered in full, equally, generously, to all.

Years ago, when I was in my first years in ministry, I was working with Sam, the President of Consistory, thinking about who might be good candidates from the congregation to serve on Consistory. He mentioned a name of someone who was only at the church for a little while, and I suggested that maybe this person shouldn’t serve just yet because she “hadn’t paid her dues, so to speak.” And Sam said “I’m really surprised to hear you say that.”

And that stopped me in my tracks. Because I was concerned about what I knew, what I was used to… at the time, I thought people should be experienced in the church before taking on leadership roles. That was the economy I knew. But Sam knew—that’s not necessarily God’s economy. He thought the gifts the new member had more than qualified her for leadership. And I was like, Oh my God, you’re right. The thing that concerns God is to have somebody using their gifts.

All of this takes us to this question—can we become concerned for what God loves? I think this is a question at the growing edge of our faith. Because when we accept God in our lives, when we have ongoing communion with God, God lives in us. And, with God alive in our hearts, I wonder if God invites us to shift from focusing on what we love to being concerned for what God loves. To be God’s servant in the service to others. Can we identify with God’s interests in others?

See, I believe God can use you and me for someone else’s benefit the way God used Jonah to reach the people of Ninevah who were lost, who didn’t know that they were loved. God can use you and me the way the workers in Jesus’ parable were used by the landowner in the vineyard which is a symbol of the people of Israel. And God loves the people of Israel. And God loves all of us who are grafted onto that vine.

God can use us to share the message that everyone is worth receiving the fullness of God’s realm. That God, the Generous One, cares and loves those who feel slighted and those who feel privileged. That God loves equality and justice and fairness. So again...can we be people who mostly identify with God’s interests in others? I feel like that’s what God loves the most.

So, let our lives NOT be mostly concerned about trying to do good so as to get in God’s good graces. God’s good grace doesn’t work that way. Instead, let us be mostly concerned about being a servant of God, a tool God can use. And God’s good grace and love become known that much more deeply within us.

Like we said in our opening prayer of praise—let us join our will to God’s will, to make God’s purpose our purpose, and God’s love our love. Let us share that with others, so they too, can get God in their hearts, like God is in ours. So that they, too, can know grace abundant, just like we know it. Let us be concerned for what God loves. Amen.

Remember, Restore, Renew

Sun, 10 Sep 2023 19:33:48 GMT

A sermon for Spirit Sunday, celebrating what God does through us.

Exodus 12: 1-14

Romans 13: 8-14

September 10, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep.”

Prayer: As we remember you and your works, O God, may we also find our faith restored and our desire to serve you renewed. We offer our prayer in your name. Amen.

Hearing Paul’s words, “… you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep,” I thought, “Yeah, that’s good for Spirit Sunday. We have to wake up from the slow-down and sleepiness of summer-time worship habits, and get back into the full swing of stuff here at church.” Aaaaand...here we go.

But then I was asked, “What’s so important about Spirit Sunday?” And honestly, I had to think about it. I mean yeah, we’re rallying around getting back at church again. And yeah, we’re sharing in Holy Communion, and yeah, we have six people joining our church. And there’s the picnic after worship. All that’s cool and exciting!

But is that what’s so important about Spirit Sunday? When I wrestled with the question this past couple of weeks, I kept getting the feeling that there’s something more than all that.

Considering our texts for today, when put together, I realized the ‘something more’ was starting to get clearer for me. Because both texts invite us to awaken and remember what God has done, restore some spiritual practices, that help us renew our baptisms awakening us for what God may do through us.

In Exodus, it’s all about remembering. God passed over the houses of the Israelites that had blood on the doorposts, thus saving the firstborn from the plague of death. This event forced Pharaoh to free the Israelites from the bondage of slavery and let them go back to their homeland.

This was huge in Israelite history. So huge that their entire calendar changed. The month of the Passover became the first month of their year. And they were to remember the Passover meal, restore the spiritual practice of celebrating it in perpetuity, and let it renew them and their faith. Remember the Passover.

In Paul’s letter, he encourages people, in effect, to remember what God did in Jesus Christ, that God’s plan of saving grace reaches its fulfillment through Christ.

And when you open your heart to discern the truth of that, it’s a pretty huge deal. So huge that it changes you on the inside, and restores a spiritual desire to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Which fulfills all the laws found in the Bible.

So huge that people, restored by love, can renew their baptisms, our perpetual reminder of who we are and whose we are. Of how we are God’s own beloved. How we are loved. Graced. Forgiven. How we are empowered to serve God by letting God work through us. So Jesus Christ is a pretty huge deal… and yeah, the calendar for the whole world changed and now is based on Jesus Christ’s place in history.

So, in the past couple of weeks I was remembering some of the things God did in our lives and in our church. I remembered the people whose pathways crossed mine, and my pathway crossed theirs. You know the saying that God brings people into our lives. Some are with us for a short periods of time, others a longer periods of time.

In either case, it is good to remember that people aligned with God love others and are loved by others. People in God’s light support others in faith and are supported by others in faith. Just before vacation, I saw four of our church people whom I haven’t seen in a long time. I felt their love. I heard of their faith. I shared my love for them and my faith with them, as well.

I also remember that God inspired our church to grow into and continue emerging as a place of total acceptance. Complete inclusion. God is doing that through us.

The day we approved our ONA Covenant was a huge day. Why? Because God is a God of total inclusion. God’s plan of salvation is the light of acceptance of every person. Jesus Christ reflects God’s total acceptance, and God’s glory shines through him. That’s one reason we call him Savior. Not just of our lives. But of the world.

So today, on Spirit Sunday, and all Sundays, for that matter, let’s remember what God has done. Bringing people to us, bringing us to people, and helping us emerge as an all-inclusive ONA church.

It’s also important I think to restore some spiritual practices that deepen our faith in God as Christians. Take the spiritual practice of communing with God. Our ordinary view of communing with God is mostly when sharing in Holy Communion during worship. And it is that, to be sure.

But it is so much more. It is prayer. It is meditation. It is seeking the divine in nature. In others. Or with your family. Or both. This past week I got another chance to go fishing with my brother in Ohio. I communed with God, with nature, with my brother, and with the fish! See? A 2 lb. largemouth! He was fun to catch and then release!

Communing with God is feeling the divine presence when listening to beautiful music like Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion singing “The Prayer.” Or Amy Grant singing “Breath of Heaven” at Christmas time. Oh my! Touches my heart!

Communing with God means soaking and taking in God’s holiness for one reason and one reason only: to be close to God. And closer still than that. To nourish the life of the Son of God in you. Communing with God is living in relationship with God. In all kinds of ways. We restore spiritual practices.

OK. Homestretch. Today on this Spirit Sunday, what an excellent time to renew our baptism! To recall the fact that God speaks words of love to the inner soul of who we are. Where the Spirit of Christ lives in us. To remember that God calls out to each of us and says, “I love you with an everlasting love. You did not first choose me, but I have chosen you to be a recipient of my love.”

We have people joining our congregation today. This ceremony is not just standing up and saying, Yeah, I want to be a member of this church. It is that, but again, it is so much more. Joining our church involves first of all, an affirmation of baptism. Each person proclaims their faith in God who names and claims them, who chooses to love them. Each person proclaims faith in God’s Son who redeems them, and in the Holy Spirit which sustains them.

But it’s not just the new members who are affirming faith, but each one of us does this as well. As our new members proclaim their faith, we do the same all over again. We affirm our baptisms by proclaiming that we are named and claimed by the God who chooses to love us, who walks where we walk. The God who goes with us in the deserts where we are thirsty, and in the places where we have an over abundance. And everywhere in between. The God who sees us as we are in all our glory and when we are one hot mess. And God’s love graces us. And nourishes us. And empowers us to be at it for God.

When we renew our baptisms, we renew our calling of God. The Spirit living within us awakens us to God at work through us. So, next Sunday we’ll hear from our Mission Trip crew. We don’t need to rejoice in a successful mission trip. We rejoice that God worked through us on our mission trip. We were at it for God out there.

We don’t celebrate what we did for God when we decided to become an all-inclusive church. We celebrate what God does through us by bringing more and more people to God through our church of all-inclusive welcome and hospitality. We renew our baptism!

So what’s so important about Spirit Sunday? I think it has something to do with realizing that now is the moment to remember what God has done, restore some spiritual practices, that help us renew our baptisms awakening us for what God may do through us.

Aaaand, here we go.

Amen.

A Moses Moment

Sun, 03 Sep 2023 20:23:45 GMT

A sermon about the things that capture our attention.

Exodus 3:1-15

Matthew 16:21-28

Sept. 3, 2023

Rev. Fa Lane

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

I saw a connection between the Exodus passage and the Gospel lesson in that God sends people to help end oppression and tyranny and God promises that we will have Divine help—if only we see, like Moses or acknowledge that it’s there, like Peter.

Did you notice how many times God called for Moses’ attention? I found God to be patient and, I’d call it curious about the humans on earth. Will you have a relationship with me? God seems to be asking. In verse two, God bursts out of flaming fire on a burning bush. The bush isn’t consumed - tuck that detail away for a minute. It’s as if God were trying to get Moses’ attention—tap, tap “Hey, would you notice me over here?”

God waits until Moses turns aside to look, to give attention to this great sight, to think about why the bush is not being incinerated. Clearly this was an attention-grabbing moment.

I find it interesting that God waited for Moses to approach before calling Moses’ name. And, only after Moses has investigated and talked with God does God give him instructions. Only after we’ve spent time in relationship with God, does God give us clearer idea of our calling.

I wonder how many times I could have spent a little more time investigating a headline or concern, praying about it, turning prayer into some kind of action.

Have you had that experience where you learn about something that bothers you a bit? One example for me would be teens that are dying from drug use. Many teens are dying because the drugs  they’re taking are laced with illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF).

One report I saw said that between 2016 and 2020 drug use went up 61% among 8th graders. 8th Graders! 50% of teens have misused a drug at least once. Wow, one out of our two kids...why? That’s a sad Moses Moment for me.

Some try them out of curiosity; some because they just want to escape from what they’re experiencing. Could this be a Moses Moment where we turn our attention to ask what’s going on that our kids are turning to drugs? It’s a dangerous experiment with fentanyl possibly in the one drug the one time they try it. If I were Moses, I might ask why do they use street drugs?

The Resolution I was assigned to at General Synod in July addresses the healthcare issue of drug abuse. NBC reported on Friday that the majority of drug-related deaths among people younger than 35, were individuals who were taking what they thought was oxycodone or Xanax, but they were counterfeit pills from the street or an not legitimate online pharmacy. In recognition of the International Overdose Awareness Day, which was on August 31st, let us raise a silent prayer for those who have died, those who are permanently physically impacted and their families.

Thank you. I feel like we just had a Moses Moment to hear God saying “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings.”

The kicker in this Exodus passage comes next when God directs Moses in verse 10: “Now Go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”  And Moses protests “Hold it! Hold it! Hold it! Who am I to go into Egypt?”

We say that when we learn about victims of domestic violence or LGBTQ kids who’ve been kicked out of their homes or individuals who simply need housing. “I don’t know anything about taking care of those needs” we say. “I don’t have time.” “I don’t want to help in the shelter.”

In Columbia, a half an hour away, the Rivertown Pride Center, run by UCC pastor  Mark Harris, is an affiliate of the LGBT Center of Greater Reading. They need volunteers. Or how about helping with the winter shelter at ECHOS just here on Washington St? They can use help organizing supplies, preparing a meal, or cleaning up.

If you’re feeling a Moses Moment look at their sites to see how you can support this work of bringing people out of their own “Egypts” in our county.

Did you notice that Moses and Peter are both expected to overcome their limitations, their flaws, to look beyond their own selves and address issues that matter to God? God has to assure Moses that he won’t be alone when he goes back to Egypt in order to release those who are captive to injustice. Remember the bush that was not consumed— Moses’ life will not end by going back to Egypt. God will help him.

In the Matthew passage, Jesus thinks that Peter understands that God is with them because in  answer to his question, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter responds “You are the Messiah! The Son of the Living God.” God, through Jesus was with them.

After Peter confesses this, which Jesus is happy to confirm it saying God must have revealed that to Peter, not flesh and bone, then Jesus turns his sight on the cross.

He says, ‘now they’ve got it, and I can do what is required of me in Jerusalem.’ They finally get it after years of living through experiences with Jesus. God is with us through Christ. Thanks be to God!

Do you believe that? Are we listening to what God is telling us, not flesh and bone.

Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering. But Peter says, God forbid it! Peter was looking forward to the people finally having the upper hand. To them, the promised Messiah, whom they thought would be a military conqueror, would turn things around politically and socially. Peter didn’t hear or didn’t understand the part about Jesus’ resurrection from the cross he bore. But it was necessary.

It’s only in knowing Jesus as the Son of the living God, that we have hope as we bear our crosses.

“Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asked the disciples that were with him. Who is Jesus to us when we are carrying worries, troubles, and pain? When we see our own Egypts of injustice, oppression, violence, and fear, will we call upon the Son of the Living God?

Jesus knew that they would have troubles in the days ahead: political turmoil, hopelessness, prejudice, violence, mass shootings. The 6th Resolution passed at General Synod in July affirms the vision of Isaiah to beat swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.

The burning bushes that get our attention ask something of us. Are we going to turn our words into actions, or will we only see the obstacles in the way? The resolutions from General Synod concern issues that impact thousands of people and feel rather daunting just like when God asked Moses to go back to face Pharoah and convince thousands to follow him. It was daunting when Jesus told the disciples to feed the people on the mountainside.

With God’s help we can work on big problems today, individually and as a church that joins with others to make a difference, to address the places of oppression —help me name some. As a church body we can dream of our future ministries. Jesus said anyone who wants to be my follower must take up their cross. What is your cross?

And, let us consider this; while there are the crosses out there, they’re really within ourselves. I know for me my cross, my deep down, personal cross is fear. I think we all have to admit that our resistance to doing ministry for and with others is founded in fear.

Fear caused Moses to beg off going back to Egypt. Why would they follow him? They saw him as aligned with Egypt. He wasn’t really raised as a Hebrew. He said he couldn’t even speak well. He didn’t have standing to be considered their leader. Herod was powerful. Moses would possibly be arrested. Oh, yeah. Jesus knew that one.

But Jesus, and Moses, and we ourselves have God’s promise to be with us. With this understanding we carry our cross; we can wrestle with our challenges. Jesus demonstrated that it’s by going through the cross that resurrection is possible. The cross is not the end. Resurrection is. So, what is your personal cross to bear, not alone, but within the community of faith, with God’s help?

You are encouraged to meet your challenges, to take up your cross, but not alone. Your pastors and your sojourners in faith in this congregation can support you. Come talk with us. Talk about them in a Bible study or group discussion class.

Let’s begin those conversations next week in the Sunday morning classes. We will have three, including a new one with topics for several weeks to discuss. We’ll begin with three weeks on how LGBTQ people live as Christians. What are the crosses they bear and what does the Bible says about homosexuality.

There’s a burning bush waiting for you to look. When your Moses Moment comes /, God is asking, will you be in relationship with me? Let us be able to answer. Yes, with God’s help. Amen.

A Deeper Understanding of Who We Are

Sun, 27 Aug 2023 18:30:50 GMT

A sermon about who we are becoming.

Romans 12: 1-8

Matthew 16: 13-20

August 27, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church...”

Prayer: May we know you living in us, O living God! Amen.

Barb and I are awaiting the arrival of our newest grandchild probably in the next two weeks or so. We know it’s a boy, but the name of this little one, so far, is only known to his parents. A little guessing game of what the boy’s name will be has been going on for the last several months. But mom and dad are mum. I’ll be sure to let you know what the child’s name is when he arrives in the world.

Names are significant, right? When we get our name, it’s our identity. When our names change, or we get a new one, that’s significant, too. When our grandkids started arriving, my name changed. I’m Bapu, now. Or, “Bop” for short. Barb is now Babs. Even our own children call us Bop and Babs. So, if you call me Bapu or Bop, I’ll respond!

Last Sunday, I went to a memorial service for one of my colleagues, a pastor whom I knew growing up as a youth in Illinois. Rev. Dr. Ron Christenson. Fifty years ago, I hung out with his four kids, all of whom are around my age. It was great seeing them after fifty years. I found out, however, that the oldest son Keith, who followed his father’s footsteps in ministry, changed his name to Joshua. When I asked why, he said, “It was on a mission trip shortly after I was called into ministry that some people just started calling me Joshua. And the name stuck.”

Interesting. Because generally speaking, ‘Joshua’ is derived from the name “Yeshua” which is the Hebrew name for Jesus. Which translates to English as “One who saves.”

So, our text today is about names and identity. Jesus, the one who saves, asks his disciples about what people are saying who the Son of Man is [by the way, the term ‘Son of Man’ refers to someone God-anointed who represents all humanity]. And the disciple’s answers don’t initially connect Jesus as this person because they first say, “Well, some thought the Son, the representative of Humanity was John the Baptist.” And some others thought that some of the big names from Israel’s history, Elijah, Jeremiah, or some prophet might be that person.

But Peter, who was still known as Simon at this point, didn’t equate the Son of all Humanity to people of the past. When Jesus asked him “But, who do you say that I am?” Simon declares “You are the Messiah!” Peter declares that Jesus (Yeshua) is not to be identified with people of the past, but he is the Messiah, or the Christ (translation: the anointed one), the Son of the living God!”

You see, that’s a new identity for Jesus right there. Simon discerned a deeper understanding of who Jesus was. He saw Jesus as God’s Son. God who is living now, eclipsing all time and space. Not for just the past. Or the present. But the future, too. God is the great “I AM.” And Jesus exclaimed that God revealed this deeper insight to him.

Then Jesus changes Simon’s name to Peter. I know some of you know this, but the name change is a witty word-play. Because Jesus says, “You are Peter,” or “petros” in Greek, which translates to “rock.” “And on this ‘petra’ or ‘rock’ I will build my church.” An easy way to remember this is to think of the Petrified Forest out in Arizona. This prehistoric tree turned into “petri” fied rock. So, suddenly Simon gains a deeper understanding of who he is. Or, at least of who he is through Christ’s eyes. Jesus says he is Peter, the rock upon which Christ will build his church.

And Peter, with all his flaws, his slowness to understand—I mean half the time he misunderstood what Jesus was teaching—with all his imperfections, even with the fact that he denied Jesus three times, and after Jesus renewed him three times, he slowly transformed into one of the main spiritual leaders of Christ’s church in Jerusalem and later in Antioch, and some scholars say, eventually in Rome.

So, Peter’s deeper understanding of who he was emerged. He became capable of becoming something totally different from what he started out as. He was bumbling. He then became a rock, a solid foundation of Christ’s church. He was impetuous and wanted Jesus to lead the charge against the Roman empire. He then became one who resembled the renewing, transformative, regenerative, restorative, reconciliatory, forgiving, and graceful power of God. Because such grace, forgiveness, reconciliation, renewal, transformation and regeneration happened to him.

And it can happen to us.

I wonder if when we wrestle with Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” and we discern by God’s spirit that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, do we gain a deeper understanding of who we are? I believe so. Because instantly we know God gave us a new identity—that each of us is a child of God. Meaning that we see ourselves as one who bears Christ’s image. That we have Christ’s spirit regenerated within us. That we are capable of becoming something totally different from what we started out as. That we are, by the mercies of God, able to not be conformed to the ways of this world, but be transformed in our minds and hearts, discerning God’s will.

Recently an 87-year-old woman named Marjorie Perkins woke up to a teenage intruder in her home at 2 a.m. When he tried to harm her, she fought back. He struck her twice, and she kicked and punched. Then he seemed to get tired, and suddenly, he stopped. He said he was “awfully hungry” and headed toward the kitchen! Perkins followed him to the kitchen and fed him peanut butter and honey crackers, two protein drinks, and two tangerines! I’m not kidding. I can’t make this stuff up! While he was eating, she called 911. The young intruder left. When the police arrived, they figured out which way he went, and with the help of some police dogs, they found and arrested him ( 87-year-old Maine woman fends off burglar, then offers him snacks - The Washington Post retrieved August 4, 2023).

And I ask… what made Marjorie Perkins follow the young intruder to the kitchen? God only knows, but perhaps it had something to do with her inner spirit? Maybe by chance, at some point in her life, she knew something about not conforming to the ways of the world, but by the renewal of her mind, she discerned the will of God? Possibly. Maybe she, even without conscious awareness, embodied the living spirit of Christ regenerated in her?

And because we are capable of becoming something totally different from what we started out as, by the grace of God, we are the rocks upon which Christ can continue building his church. We’re not just followers of Christ. A deeper understanding is that we have a new identity because the living spirit of Christ is regenerated us, in the Church. We become the extensions of Christ’s ministry. When our mission team shares their experiences on Mission Sunday, September 17th, I hope that point will be made clear.

God’s answer to the prayers of the world is all of our lives that have the regenerated spirit of Christ within gathered together to be the church. And the church, marked by extravagant love, humility, forgiveness, and service is God’s tool to use to help heal the world.

So, dear church, my faith family, beloved of God, today let us, like Peter, who received a new identity, listen and more deeply understand who we are—children of God. Loved. Graced. Forgiven. Renewed. Transformed. Let us absolutely luxuriate in our new identity. Let us celebrate that we are capable of becoming more that what we started out as. Amen.

The Extravagant Welcome of God

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 19:46:41 GMT

A sermon about God's ever-expanding umbrella.

Matthew 15: 10-28

Romans 11: 1-2a, 29-36

August 20, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that God may be merciful to all. O, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!”

Prayer: May we grow in our understanding of your riches and wisdom, O Holy God, that we may receive your gifts. Amen.

When we were at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, I found it interesting that there were restrictions on the size of the umbrellas that were allowed on the beach. Nothing over 7 ½ feet in diameter was allowed. And no non-umbrellas, like canopies or side-less tents of any kind are permitted between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Which I thought was odd because I’m pretty sure I saw some set up.

Anyway. Because we flew to Myrtle Beach and couldn’t take an umbrella or beach chairs, we had to rent those things. And of course, the largest umbrella we rented was under 7 ½ feet, so getting Barb and our two friends and me under the umbrella… well, you can tell who was outside the umbrella for most of the time! I used a lot of sunscreen!

Anyway, I got to thinking about beach umbrella, how it provided a cool shade from the hot sun, how there was some protection from ultraviolet radiation, how it was inviting, and how just about everyone on the beach desired to have one. And how the size the umbrella matters. Because the larger the umbrella, the more people could get under it.

As a metaphor for God’s extravagant welcome, the umbrella is a pretty good one. Because God’s welcome, God’s salvation, God’s grace, God’s inclusivity extends outward and invites the entire human race to fit under it. We can know God’s spiritual protection when things get hot. We can feel how inviting God’s grace is when we feel excluded. I believe each of us has a desire to live with God in our hearts.

And as our understanding increases, as we grow in faith, as we mature spiritually, we can see how God’s umbrella is ever-expanding in our consciousness. Ever-widening as we apply God’s inclusive love to everyone.

That’s what our two Bible passages for today have in common, I think. Both give us glimpses of God’s ever-widening extravagant welcome of love and grace. Everyone fits under God’s umbrella.

In Matthew, it’s pretty obvious. I mean Jesus has just made the Pharisees mad because they have a love of the Moses’s laws instead of a love of God. He then taught that what’s in your heart is most important to God. And what comes out of your mouth proceeds from the heart. So, yeah, all those bad things come out of our hearts, like Jesus said. But all the good things, too. Love, kindness, mercy, grace, forgiveness. Following Moses’ dietary laws is just not as important as having God in your heart and living by that.

And then, with God in the heart, he shows that God’s ever-expanding umbrella means that even the Canaanite woman (a non-Jew) and her tormented daughter are under the umbrella of God’s welcome, love, grace, and healing power.

I love it that Jesus was able to not worry about the bunch of Jewish laws he was breaking by just talking to the Canaanite woman. I mean religiously speaking, she was unclean. And, she was not part of his intended mission. Culturally speaking, she didn’t have a right to talk to the men in a demanding way, non-subservient way Let alone approach Jesus, the teacher, and kneel before him, asking for his help.

But I think Jesus recognized that she also didn’t worry about what was socially taboo or care about religious law. Instead, he saw her great faith. Because she hoped for the long shot that the umbrella of God’s extravagant welcome and love would be wide enough for her daughter. That’s when, praise be to God, I think Jesus saw his own conscience and understanding growing about who he is and who is under God’s extravagant umbrella.

And that’s exactly what I think Paul is trying to get his Roman audience to grow and learn, too, that God’s extravagant welcome is expansive. Only with Paul, it’s not that obvious. You see, Paul, a Jewish convert, wrote his letter maybe 25 years after Jesus’ death to mostly non-Jewish Roman people who became Christians. In an effort to reveal God’s ever-expansive extravagant welcome, Paul makes what I think is a bazaar circular theological argument which goes something like this:

God’s covenant and law were made with and given to the Jewish people through Abraham and Moses. These are irrevocable. Once given, God never takes it back. But the leaders and therefore, the people were disobedient to the covenant. Still, God did not reject them. But because of that disobedience, God opened the new covenant up to everyone—to the non-Jews through Jesus Christ. So God extravagantly extended a new covenant of welcome and love to the Gentiles, or to other nations. Extending all the way to us, in other words!

Now, given the fact that the Gentiles were disobedient from the git-go, and God gave them mercy and welcome and grace, well, their disobedience gives God the right to circle back and include the Jews in God’s new covenant through Jesus Christ! So everyone is disobedient. Everyone falls short of the glory of God. And that gives God the right to be merciful—to everyone. God doesn’t reject the Jews; I had a professor once who said, “The Jews are still God’s chosen people.” God is lavishly welcoming everyone into relationship! Not just Christians! How extravagant is that! Now no one can boast that God favors one over another. O, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!

And that’s something that we are invited to learn today. That the main thrust of Jesus life and ministry, his death and resurrection and Paul’s teaching in his letters is that God’s extravagant welcome is open to all. We are invited to expand our consciousness, our understanding, our faith and get on board with that. To catch up to that. To include all people. Regardless of qualifications.

I was reminded of that when I listened to a portion of Tom Hanks’ commencement speech that he gave to the graduates of Harvard University this past spring. Tom never went to Harvard. Here’s what he had to say to the graduating class:

“Now listen. It’s not fair. But please don’t be embittered by this fact. That without having done a lick of work, without having spent anytime in class, without once walking into that library, in order to have anything to do with the graduating class of Harvard, its faculty, or its distinguished alumni, I make a dang good living playing someone who did! It’s the way of the world, kids! I don’t know much about Latin. I don’t have a passion for enzymes. And public global policy is something I scan in the newspaper just before I do the Wordle. And yet, here I am…” (82) Tom Hanks delivers the Commencement Address | Harvard Commencement 2023 - YouTube , retrieved August 19, 2023). Thanks, Tom Hanks!

And I say, it’s the way of God, kids! God’s extravagant welcome is ours. It is offered to all people. Qualifications don’t matter. And here we are! We could be a saint in one hour, and be a sinner in the next. One minute we can be law-followers and thank God that we’re not like those in the other church who are all screwed up. And the next minute we can be humbly asking God for forgiveness because we see the log in our own eye after pointing out the speck in someone else’s. And God’s extravagant welcome, with all its mercies, and grace, it’s love and joy are still offered for us to savor… to soak in… to live in. The extravagant welcome from God is ours.

It’s not about earning this welcome. It’s about knowing the welcome is already there. It’s not about following specific laws, doing what the bible says, in effort to have God justify being welcoming to you. It’s about having God in the heart. And following God. Because sometimes the laws in place are just not as important as following God’s way.

In 2015, a woman named Maria Chavalan Sut fled her native home in Guatemala after her house was burned in an attempt to force her to relinquish her land. She sought asylum in our country. Always fearful of being deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), she was undocumented moving from one place to the next.

In 2018, she found her way to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Charlottsville, Virginia. There she found sanctuary because this small church of 30 or so people expressed interest in the sanctuary movement. And, they believed that the reconciling, extravagant welcome of God was more important than immigration laws. And they housed Maria in a small room of the educational wing of their church for three years. They delivered her food and anything else that she needed.

In 2021, the government issued her a stay of removal that protects her from deportation which expires this coming March, 2024. In the past couple of years, she was reunited with her family, is getting her driver’s license, has established a microenterprise that sells tamales at the Charlottesville City Market enabling her to rent a house and to stand on her own feet.

Maria says that this little United Methodist Church saved her life. “They gave me connection and liberation,” she said. And guess what? This little UMC has doubled in membership since Maria Chavalan Sut became a part of their lives. The pastor says that he’s ecstatic to become part of a congregation that doesn’t just talk, but does” (Richard Lord, “Woman builds life after three years in sanctuary at Charlottesville church, The Christian Century , August 2023, pp. 22-23).

Because God’s extravagant welcome is expansive. God’s umbrella is wide. It’s about having God in the heart. To know that. O, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! To God be the glory forever. Amen!

Rough Water Walkers

Sun, 13 Aug 2023 18:14:44 GMT

A sermon about getting out of the boat of status quo.

1 Kings 19: 9-18

Matthew 14: 22-33

August 13, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Prayer: May we hear your voice in the silence and the storms, O God, and place our utmost faith in you. Amen.

The late M. Scott Peck famously wrote “Life is difficult” as the first words to his best-selling book, The Road Less Traveled. Many of you probably have read the book, yes? If not, I recommend you do… it has lots of good insights and wisdom. But, Peck is right. Life is difficult. Sometimes terribly so. It can be rough out there.

At the height of the Covid pandemic, doctors, nurses, medical technicians, chaplains, music therapists, first responders, all of them, were all saying, “It’s rough out there.”

Financial people watch stock markets go down more than up, interest rates that are on the rise, and we all know about gas and food prices doing the same. So we can say, “It’s rough out there” when it comes to the economy.

As a pastor for almost 40 years, I see and hear people’s pain much of the time. Folks struggling with family crises, mental illness issues, loss of loved ones, poor decision-making, anger management, substance abuse, and so on—yeah, we can all say, “It’s rough out there.”

We all have rough days. It was pretty rough out there for Elijah. He was literally running for his life. When he called upon God to wipe out the prophets of Baal, and God obliged, well, that ticked off King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Because they worshiped the god of Baal more than the God of Israel. And their soldiers literally chased Elijah out of town and pursued him to take him out!

So, yeah, Elijah feels that everyone is against him because of his faithfulness to God. And he finds himself alone in a dark cave. And after some incredible natural phenomena, he’s alone in the silence. But, that’s when he hears God’s still small voice in the sound of silence. And he complains, but God doesn’t answer his complaint. Instead, God gives him his next instructions. That gives him hope.

It was pretty rough out there for Peter and his fellow disciples, too. As they were heading toward the opposite shore, the storm they were in battered them all about. They couldn’t keep the boat under control. The strong wind kept them from getting to the shore. The waves lifted them way up… and way down again. And huge deluges of water pounded the small boat, crashing onto the bow and the stern.

But even in the rough seas, guess who comes to them walking on the sea? Jesus, the rough water walker. That gives them hope.

Now of course, we’re much better off using these stories metaphorically, looking beneath a literal interpretation to one that gives us deeper meaning. Perhaps Matthew did the same thing when writing the story. I find it helpful to remember that Matthew wrote his gospel after the Jewish-Roman War, when Jerusalem was conquered in 70 AD by Rome. So the early Christians living in Jerusalem, all converts from Judaism, these poor people were battered and tortured by the storm of Roman persecution. So, it stands to reason that Matthew wrote the story to give hope to his fellow Christian believers… to come out to Jesus, who is in the political storm with them, to put faith in God, in spite of the hardships.

I think that’s a huge takeaway for us from this story. Christ gives us the encouragement to come to him in our stormy seas. To put our trust in God when navigation in life’s storms is difficult, when the waters are rough, when resistance is great. To hope to God that who we see coming toward us on the rough water is not a figment of our imagination, but truly is God in Christ, the rough water walker coming to us in the midst of our storms.

And God knows we’re living through some pretty stormy seas. Not long ago, two teenaged youth spraypainted obscenities against the LGBTQ+ Community on our church parking lot. Thankfully, the two confessed and wrote us letters of apology. That gives me hope.

We hear of a few people in local school districts who want to ban books (as in Texas), even burn some (as in Tennessee). In Utah, the Bible is banned from one school district because of its risqué stories.

And the rough waters of social injustice are raging when we experience the wind and the waves of racism, White supremacy, Christian nationalism, misogyny, patriarchy, homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, economic elitism, classism, and so many more.

Even within the church there are storms raging. The Southern Baptist Convention recently upheld its doctrine that women can’t be pastors, even though some of them are. Seriously? And the United Methodist Church has upheld their doctrine that gay people cannot be pastors, even though some of them are. O Lord, save us!

And God knows what rough waters each of us has. Which of course, differs from one person to the next.

But another takeaway is that with a focus on God in the middle of our storms, we have the strongest asset ever when we go through those rough waters. Because Christ says to us, “Take heart! I AM [here]. Don’t be afraid.” That’s a little interesting side note that Matthew uses to make his point. In the actual Greek, Jesus literally says, “Take heart! I AM.” Matthew is connecting Jesus to the Divine name of God found in Exodus (I AM WHO I AM). Adding the word ‘here,’ or rephrasing it to read “It is I,” are the translators attempts for better flow in English. But that misses Matthew’s point that God in Christ is with them. It’s God who is with us in our rough seas. Which is the best we could ever ask for.

But, we’re skeptical, right? I mean I can identify with Peter, asking, “Is that really you, Jesus?” If it’s really you, God, prove it to me. Command me to come out. Come out of the safety of boat. Tell me to walk with you.

And Christ, the rough water walker says, “Come on! Be a rough water walker with me!” In other words, come out of the boat of status quo, of safety and comfort. Come out from the familiar and complacent place. Come out to God in Christ, follow Jesus, even when it feels like it’s impossible, like walking on water. Come out and find a source of healing and life in our world when facing those things that do harm.

And Peter gets out of the boat. He becomes a rough water walker. Because when you focus on God and not the storm, you can stand in the midst of rough waters with Jesus.

But, when the focus is on the storm and not on God, on our problems, our worries, and the rough waters, then we lose focus on God and start to sink. Then our inner peace, our spiritual confidence begins to fade. I wonder if our inner spirit of confidence and peace shrinks or expands in proportion to our faith in God. Do you think?

For example, we all know of the mental illness storm our nation is experiencing for the last two decades or so. Of course, as more and more mass shootings occur, mental illness is often a key contributor. And for many of us, the quiet confidence of faith is fading as this terrible storm rages on.

But, thank God for those in Durham, North Carolina who were inspired to create a program called HEART which stands for Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Teams and is tied to the 911 system. These teams of people are unarmed mental health and social work professionals, working within the new Community Safety Department and are responding to 911 calls that are of a nonviolent nature. Through HEART, mental health clinicians are available on the phone for people in crisis, and three person response teams are dispatched to provide compassionate care. They are also trained to de-escalate social disturbances before the need for law enforcement (Villegas, Isaac, “Nonviolent Crisis Response in my City,” The Christian Century , August 2023, pg. 32).

Just when faith was fading, Christ reaches out through people on the HEARTeams rebuilding hope that the rough waters of mental illness will not be with us forever. That the people on those teams are rough water walkers in the middle of that storm.

My beloved in faith, we’re so much like Peter sometimes, it’s scary.

But this is one of those times that it’s a good thing. Because we can be rough water walkers. Because Peter got off the boat in faith. So can we. He became a rough water walker by focusing on Jesus in the middle of the storm. So can we. Like him, we also notice the strong wind, pounding waves, and we get scared. And we sink. And he prayed desperately—“Lord, save me.” So do we.

But thanks be to God that God can reach out to grab us, catching us even in our fear, even when we are sinking. Thanks be to God that with faith in God, we are rough water walkers, for God is with us through any of our crises.

And eventually we’re back in the boat, and waves are calm, and the wind has ceased. Amen.

After the Wrestling, a Blessing

Sun, 06 Aug 2023 16:41:42 GMT

A sermon about "coming home."

Matthew 14:13–21

Genesis 32:22–31

August 6, 2023

Rev. Fa Lane

“ “After the Wrestling, a Blessing”
“I will not let you go, unless you bless me.”

Jacob has an enviable relationship with God who seems so unknowable to most of us. He is visited in dreams and given insights and instructions from the great mysterious realm beyond us. One of my favorite writers is a poet, and counselor, who explores this Sacred Mystery we named God. She tells stories of personal journeys and yet her writings lay bare universal truths and longings common to us all. The story of Jacob displays a longing many of us pursue… our own identity. Remember Jacob was a twin.

He was looking for his own sense of place in his community. He and his mother sought to establish him as Isaac’s heir of the Abrahamic lineage. At her insistence, he moved to another region in search of a wife and a good life that suited him.

Aren’t we all looking for that sense of belonging, to have a person to share our life with - a spouse or a good companion, and a community where we feel safe and respected and allowed to be who we are? It’s part of the growing up process. You leave home and establish your own life, your own sense of home.

Jacob’s coming of age story shows that he didn’t know who he was; or more to the point, he didn’t know whom God had made him to be. In his pursuit of standing, of wealth, and honor among his peers, Jacob ran into relationship troubles. He tried to control things and have things the way he wanted them, when he wanted them. He did not know yet that God would bless him with his heart’s desire. It’s as though Jacob was mindlessly going about life, work-work-work, taking care of family, satisfying his boss. It all feels familiar to us. The striving. Where is God in that? Maybe God is right there waiting for us to notice.

In this Genesis story, Jacob tries to make his own way on his own terms for living and serving his Uncle Laban. When he was younger, in his father’s home, he wanted his father’s blessing and took things into his own hands with the help of his mother. They orchestrated a deceitful transfer of power from Isaac to Jacob not to Esau.

In the Matthew passage, the disciples want to manage things too and wanted the crowds to go get food on their own. They didn’t want to be responsible for feeding so many people. But they didn’t know the miraculous thing Jesus was about to do. The disciples were seeing things through human eyes like we do. Taking care of other people may not our first impulse, but it is an act of Christian love required of us if we’re to follow Jesus.

In the Old Testament story, Jacob has tricked his slightly older twin brother out of his rightful birthright inheritance and has run away from Esau’s resulting anger. After 20 years of service, Jacob comes back full circle now to return home. He returns with wives and herds and servants to display his wealth, his stature, his success. But he is nervous about facing his brother. He is leaving his old life behind. He doesn’t know what’s coming.

We run into similar identity crisis for every day we don’t know what God has in mind for us and what we’ll think of it. What will it ask of us when we see need or injustice. We live and make decisions sometimes without good information or without clarity of mind or assurances of success. As Oriah Mountain Dreamer writes in her poem, The Call. “ [we] are walking asleep. She writes: “Remember what you are and let this knowing take you home to the Beloved with every breath.” In other words, seek the peace of mind and assurance that comes from God.

The challenge is to remember we are each God’s child, one of Jesus’ siblings, heir to a throne, a people called away from sin and darkness and into eternal light, where our eternal home is. We are to be like Jesus, one with God.

Some days that transformation seems so far way, nigh to impossible with all the bad things that are happening in our world. There are lots of troubles in the world. But a Black Gospel song inspires us, “Soon Ah will be done with the troubles of the world. I want to be like Jesus.”

The disciples said the people were hungry. Feed them, Jesus said.
The poor are sick and struggling. Provide healthcare, Jesus says.
The immigrants are homeless. Find them housing, Jesus says.
There are people languishing in prison. Release them, Jesus says.
There’s too much violence and anger. Bring peace, Jesus says.

See to it that you do what is right. Do what Jesus would do.

Jacob did what was right in God’s sight. But he still had to do some work to come home to his spiritual home with God. In our confessional prayer, the spiritual work of coming home is acknowledging our sin and asking the Lord to forgive us, to remove what separates us from God. Lord, have mercy, we say. Christ have mercy. And, in our humility we can hear that softly and tenderly Jesus is calling – Come home. Come home.

Jacob’s life story of wrestling with humans and with God, is our story too. We have skirmishes over territory (Ukraine and Russia), wrangling for states’ rights and parental rights, arguments over social justice issues. We’ve reneged on treaties and turned a blind eye from acts of oppression.

We wrestle with humans and with God. But all of these, for Christians, have a foundational question, popularized on bracelets – What Would Jesus Do?

Jacob heard God call him home. Jacob who wore his brother’s clothes and tricked his poor-sighted father into believing he was Esau. Jacob who had to flee from Esau’s anger after losing that inheritance. Jacob who worked for Laban, not as his own boss, but as a servant for an uncle who changed the rules on him several times to keep Jacob from succeeding. Oh, how he wrestled with humans.

Then God told him to come home. Stop striving after the world and come home. Where was God during Jacob’s striving? Waiting for him; and I believe God is waiting for us also.

Jacob wanted to live in peace, in his own body, with the ones he loved, with his extended family, among his own people. But, because of his earlier plotting and manipulative behavior when he was younger, he was not at peace. He sent hundreds and hundreds of goats and rams and camels and cows and donkeys to his brother as a peace offering. Jacob thinks that will do it, but, it’s not until he wrestles and reconciles with God that he gets the blessing he has longed for, his own identity with a new name. Israel.

We often long for home and family and safety. We long to be called a child of God and to feel that sense of being home in our own being. Confessing our sins and asking for forgiveness reconciles us with the Beloved so we can be our true selves and one with God.

Confession doesn’t add to the weight of guilt but rather, confession relieves it. Confession to God leads to peace with God and leaves us with the assurance that we are forgiven, cleansed, and free! That’s a blessing.

I leave you with the beginning of Oriah Mountain Dreamer’s poem, “The Call”.

The Call

“I have heard it all my life, A voice calling a name I recognized as my own. Sometimes it comes as a soft-bellied whisper.

Sometimes it holds an edge of urgency. But always it says: Wake up my love. You are walking asleep. There's no safety in that! Remember what you are and let this knowing take you home to the Beloved with every breath.”

Weaving the Future

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 20:27:24 GMT

A sermon about being God's change agents.

Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52

Romans 8: 26-39

July 30, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God who are called according to his purpose.”

Prayer: May our partnership with you grow stronger each day, O God, so that our future with you unfolds. Amen.

A few weeks ago, Pastor Fa shared with us that the origin story of the United Church of Christ that most of us know is not the full story. What we used to know is that the Congregational Church merged with the Christian Church. And the Reformed Church merged with the Evangelical Church forming two churches.

And then in 1957, the Congregational Christian Church merged with the Evangelical Reformed Church to form the United Church of Christ. The four churches converged. We were known as a historically “white” church that was united and uniting, committed to social justice and inclusivity.

But, there is a fifth church—the Afro-Christian Convention—did you know that? It’s a faith tradition rooted in African people and culture that formed in 1892. And when the UCC formed in 1957, people from the Afro-Christian Convention were part of the discussions to create the UCC.

But there was pressure to integrate. So, the folks representing the Afro-Christian Convention, believing in inclusivity, decided that all their conferences, their churches, and their pastors would be integrated into the new UCC structure that we currently have today. But the trouble is that the history, the ministries, the missions of the Afro-Christian Convention started to move toward obscurity. And for almost 66 years, not much of their histories or their ministries were known.

But not anymore. Because this past July, at the 33rd General Synod of the UCC, the fifth stream of the Afro-Christian Convention was finally recognized and woven into the fabric of our history. Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, president of the United Church of Christ made an apology for that grave omission. And I, for one, am delighted to weave this updated origin story of the UCC into what I teach to Confirmation youth and prospective new members. Because weaving the future means first recovering and valuing the wisdom of the past. Its people. History. Integrity.

And the past is vital. I mean we say ‘hindsight is 20-20,’ right? We learn from our past mistakes. And sometimes we keep repeating the same mistake over and over again until we learn the lesson. And other times the lesson is ‘out of sight, out of mind,’ and we forget the lesson learned, only to screw it up again. One step forward, two steps back. And to be honest, that feels like a point of weakness on our journeys, doesn’t it?

But here’s where the grace of God shines like the sun! Because in our weakness, the Spirit of God helps us. In our lowest moments, when we don’t even know what to say to God, all is not lost, because the Spirit intercedes on our behalf. And that gives us hope. Because for those who love God, like you and me, for those who have 1% faith as small as a mustard seed, like all of us sometimes and some of us all the time, through us, God is working things together for good. Weaving goodness into a new future with a sometimes dubious and messy past.

Now, this phrase “We know that all things work together for good” is one of the most misused phrases in all of scripture. Sometimes it’s used to justify evil occurrences. Another mass shooting occurs… “Oh, God’s working all things together for good.” No! God never justifies evil. God can use evil when it occurs, but God never justifies evil. Nor should we. The problems is people justify evil. Way too much. But God never justifies it from what I can see.

Other times the phrase is used to placate someone who’s going through a rough spot. “Just bear with it… God’s working all things together for good.” That’s an insulting dismissal of pain and suffering. It’s better to say nothing.

No, the feeling I get from Paul’s words is that God is at work for good through the people who love God, and who discern that God’s purposes are happening through them. And the future being woven together with God using imperfect people is always a work in progress.

The other evening, I was flipping though the channels like I usually do, winding down, and I came across the ending of the movie “Back to the Future III.” Doctor Emmet Brown just arrived in a locomotive-turned-time machine, and Marty and Jennifer greet him. Jennifer says that the message on this paper that she brought back from the future got erased away, and she wondered what that meant. And Doc says, “It means your future hasn’t been written yet. No one’s has. Your future is what you make of it. So make it a good one.”

Weaving the future with God means it is woven, but not fully woven yet. It’s in the works with God working for good through us. We are united and uniting. We as people of faith are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it. So, with God’s help, make it a good future by weaving in all part of ourselves and our past.

And then, with God’s presence and guidance, can we become God’s agents of change for good in the world? To weave together a future for healing and fulfillment?

Why are you afraid? Have you no faith? is a book that collects some of the words from the Pope Francis’ daily messages when the world was in isolation during the “long Lent” in the spring of 2020, as well as the prayers he delivered. In this book, Pope Francis shares his uplifting messages of wisdom, hope, healing and love with those who have suffered in pain, loneliness, and fear.

But, here’s what I thought was really interesting. Even though you can buy the book at almost any bookstore, in June, a small satellite carrying a nano version of the book was launched into orbit aboard a Space X rocket from Vandenberg Space Force base in California. The project is called Spei Satelles, guardian—or satellite—of hope. And I’m like, Wow! The Vatican’s spokesperson said that the “satellite of hope is also a guardian” because “it carries Pope Francis’ message of hope for humanity” ( The Christian Century, July 2003, pg. 11). This satellite is to transmit the Pope’s messages of hope and peace in English, Italian and Spanish that any amateur radio receiver should be able to pick up anywhere in the world. Pretty cool, huh? That’s weaving the future with strands of God’s hope and healing, love and grace all woven together with microtechnology to be God’s change agent for good in the world.

And you and me? And our church? Can we be God’s change agents called by God in the world around us? Can we who love God be the ones God uses to work all things together for good? We can. By weaving God and the truths about God into our thinking and into the circumstances of our lives. We can. So, I thought of some God-truths and God promises I believe in. Try putting some of these truths and promises onto your spiritual loom and weave them into the tapestry of your life:

God’s Presence is strewn all over the place, and we’re invited to see it.
God’s saving grace (aka salvation), known through Jesus Christ, is offered for everyone.
God’s Life-Force is infused into every living thing, giving life and renewing life again and again.
God’s ubiquitous wisdom is available for everyone to discern, to draw upon for life’s decisions.
God’s Spirit lives in your spirit; God’s heart in your heart.
God’s love is inseparable from your love, and nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God’s energy moves in all things awakening us to the diversity of all the goodness in life and helps us keep evil at bay.
God’s peace passes all understanding guiding us through all life’s inevitable beginnings and endings, tragedies and celebrations.
God can weave all our gifts and abilities, our strengths and weaknesses into the tapestry of our lives for good in a future we make with God.
God’s Spirit helps us every step of the way in the present day helping to shape the next day, weaving a new future, working all things together for good.

Jesus asks, “Have you understood these things?” If you do, you’ve found the treasure hidden in the field. Or better, if you have faith that these things are true, then the pearl of great price is yours, and the mustard seed of God’s realm is growing in you.

And God, the Weaver, weaves our lives into a fine tapestry, richer still than we can understand.

Let us stand and sing Hymn no. 464.

Amen.

Seeing Ahead of Time

Sun, 23 Jul 2023 16:58:28 GMT

A sermon about seeing with a larger perspective.

Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43

Romans 13: 12-25

July 23, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God.”

Prayer: Holy God, please help us to live and practice what you see in us. In Christ we pray, Amen.

As most of you know, eight of us from Christ Church went to an area just north of New York City for the first half of last week. We worked on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at four different sites where there was need.

Now, our Mission Team will share a lot of their reflections and stories at an upcoming worship service, so I’m not going to say anything more about the trip except this one thing. On Monday, we were split up at two sites, an old Quaker Meeting House at Chappaqua, NY and the other, a house at Millwood, NY. Both buildings are getting rehabbed for low income families. Both have an architect’s rendering of what the building will look like once it’s done. But doggone it… I only failed to get a picture of the house in Millwood, NY. But here’s a picture of the actual house in Millwood. Note the boarded up windows… a depiction of where the windows likely will be when all is said and done in the future.

And that’s the connection I want to make. Whether it’s an architect’s rendering or fake window depictions, both are examples of seeing ahead of time of what could be . What isn’t now but has the potential. It’s imagining the future!

And Jesus, like Moses, and Joshua and the prophets, and Paul, they had the uncanny ability to see ahead of time. They all had a fire in their bones for the kind of world God desired for people to live in. The kind of world it could be. A world of peace and prosperity, of justice and equity, of health and wholeness.

Jesus saw ahead of him the potential of the realm of God. If it is to be a condition of life where goodness is supposed to grow vibrantly and evil is to be kept at bay. His parable about the weeds and wheat shows that good and evil exist simultaneously, which I think is a major takeaway from this parable. I mean injustice, inequities, intolerance of other religions (aka religism), are all weeds growing among the goodness that exists in the world. We’ve got bigotry and hatred growing right alongside the love for others that people share. We’ve got violence and wars mixed in with the good done for those in need. We see human rights get denied in the midst of the fight for justice. We see complacency alive and well as care and compassion are offered for those who are desperate.

And if we’re honest, we know that each of us has weeds and wheat growing in us. A mixture of righteousness and unrighteousness within us. I mean we are holy but God knows we are wholly inconsistent about living our faith. We are saints but also sinners. We are indebted to the Spirit who makes us new, but like INXS song says, “Every single one of us has the devil inside.” It’s the suffering of the present times, as Paul says.

One morning a few weeks ago I came to the church and found a homeless man sleeping on our steps. And I thought, “Oh great. What’s he doing here? Is he dangerous? Is he hungry? He’s going to want money. He’s going to disrupt my whole day.” Whine, whine, whine. But, God was like, “He’s one of my children.” Oh, alright. When he woke up, I took care of him in spite of myself. And God love him, he was mentally unstable, thought that the cops were chasing him, and he told me he was one of God’s prophets in the world sent to declare that now is the time that the book of Revelation is coming true. Y’Ok. Maybe he is a prophet of God. I don’t know. He stayed for the morning then decided to move on.

A week later, I came to the church and there was another homeless man sleeping on our steps! And, I was like, “Oh God, not again!” And God was like, “Get over yourself. Take care of him, too.”

You see, creation is unfinished. We are unfinished. I am unfinished. We have the good and not so good living inside us. But, we are all interdependent with one another in this life seeking to embrace the whole of our lives in light of God’s grace, even with our weeds, the inconsistencies of faith that grow inside us.

But, here’s the beautiful thing… God searches us and knows our hearts. God understands where the wheat is growing and where the weeds are growing in us. And lo and behold, God is not out to get us with such knowledge, but instead God desires to love us, to grace us, to give us new life! I think God sees us ahead of time, ahead of who we are right now to who we can be. God’s desires to make us children of God with the Spirit alive in us. God desires that we feel the joy of being known, graced and loved.

And then, as children of God, we get the gift of seeing ahead of time, if we choose to see it. The sufferings of the present day are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed, says Paul. We see ahead of time. We can step back and see the bigger picture. We can view a just world for all. And then we come to see and believe that we are part of God’s larger work.

Sometimes when we’re in the thick of things, in the middle of countless decisions, it’s good to step out of the minutia and get to a larger vantage point. To “go to the balcony and look over the top” as my neighbor used to say, for a larger perspective. To see how we are part of God’s larger work.

Last Sunday I was reminded by Jim Kondras that the Notre Dame Cathedral is still under construction after the devastating fire in April of 2019. It will not be finished for several years. There’s so much that needs to be done. There are timbers to be cut and built into support beams. There are bricks that need to be laid. There are stones for the flying buttresses that need to be installed. Artisans are working to restore damaged artifacts and paintings Each worker is doing their job cutting wood, laying bricks, installing stones, restoring paintings. But the wise worker is the one that sees ahead of time to the finished product and says, “My work is rebuilding Notre Dame Cathedral.”

I encourage each of us to see ahead of time, visualizing who God wants you to be, and live toward that end in your life. That whatever you’re going through, have faith and hope that it’s part of God’s bigger picture. That God can use what you’re going through for God’s bigger picture and purpose.

I also welcome you to imagine our future ahead of time to see what it looks like for us to be an all-inclusive church. Our building accessible to all. Our mission and ministry deepened. I invite you to come and see today’s Imagine the Future Dream team’s updated presentation.

But above all, have hope that God’s overall work is happening through your small part and our small part in the world. Have hope that we are God’s children in the world, for the world around us waits with eager longing for us, as children of God, to live out God’s dream of a just world.

Remember Bryan Sirchio’s song we’ve sung here several times? “Dream God’s Dream?”

Dream God’s dream, Holy Spirit help us dream

Of a world where there is justice and everyone’s is free

To live and move and love, and to simply have enough

The world will change when we dream God’s dream.

Well, with all due respect to my friend Bryan, I wonder if changing the word from “Dream” God’s dream to “Live” God’s dream helps makes the point. That as we live God’s dream of a just world, we move ever-closer to what we see ahead of time becoming a reality. May it be so. Amen.

Sowing, and Plowing, and Building

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 16:52:32 GMT

A sermon about "blooming where we are planted."

Isaiah 55”10-13

Matthew 13:1-9;18-23

July 16, 2023

Rev. Fa Lane

“ Sowing, and Plowing, and Building
“ A sower went out to sow.”

“Listen”, Jesus starts.

“A sower went out to sow.”

He could have said, a farmer went out to tend to his herd or a seamstress went out to buy some cloth. Each of them using their different gifts to enhance their lives and those around them. But Jesus chose to tell a story about spreading seeds on soil.

In 2021, I attended a Lenten Day of reflection at Wittel Farm, our first connection with the farm. I was there with Bill Wealand, Jan’s dad, where we reflected on this passage. Pastor Matt taught this lesson by having us literally go out into the garden that brisk spring morning and throw rye seeds in an open part of the field.

It was odd, at first, not have a particular row or patch to place the seeds. But, there was a liberty about being able to just let the seeds fall where they may, with no judgement, no need to control or correct. They were to become ground cover replacing nutrients in the soil.

I wonder if we might consider people in sort of the same way, similarly scattered, on all kinds of soil -in many places and situations, among ethnicities and with individual synchronicities, habits and preferences and traditions. Sometimes we get kind of “judgey” about people’s circumstances but that’s not part of Jesus’ commissioning. He told us to love God and love our neighbor when he sends us.

You’ve heard the catch phrase, the humble challenge to “bloom where you are planted.” So, wherever God scatters us or wherever God sends us out on the winds into the world, we are to bloom, to grow in the blessings of sun and rain, to take care of one another and to tend the soil, the community, where we’re planted - whether it’s a lifetime, or a year or a week.

Today, we will send out our mission team to care for others on behalf of Christ Church and in the name of Jesus Christ. We will expect them to tend the soil of that community with kind words, with patience for one another, with generosity towards those with whom they work.

In my study of this passage, I learned about the ancient Palestinian farming practice to simply toss the seeds wherever they may land and then go back to till the soil. It sounds backward now, but that was the practice then. And, so we go to where people are, where they’ve been planted; and help in any way we can, tending the soil in God’s name.

Earlier this month, I attended the 34 ^th General Synod and I have a new view of what it means to be called by the Divine Heart of Love as a laborer. I was invited to be a substitute clergy delegate and I’m grateful for the opportunity. Did any of you watch it online?

The next one will be in Kansas City in 2025. I ask you to consider going as a visitor. I saw the diversity of this denomination, fully on display. I experienced the sensitivity of the United Church of Christ for those whom we would serve. Hearing about it and seeing it on a larger scale, the humility of leaders and the determination that we show God’s love to everyone, is really informative and transformative.

It’s hard to put into words succinctly, so I invite you to consider going. It’s a great way to learn about YOUR church’s historic work in repairing injustices and following Jesus.

It’s a place where I got to see a larger glimpse of what God’s world could be like. It’s where I felt a sense of “Yes, God is still speaking!” and also that humbly “I’m enough, just as I am, to be sent in Jesus’ name.” Even as I worry about how others judge me., God loves me. That’s an epiphany for others to know about too. To know that people might discriminate against them, or fear them or turn them away, but God loves them, sees them and cares about them. That is God’s nature.

The resolutions brought before the 34 ^th General Synod taught me the importance of seeing people not in categories but as individuals with desires and challenges in their lives. People who want to be loved for who they are, even with their problems. And God does love them.

God, the Sower, has scattered people on the earth,. Some may be in good communities, and some may have fallen on hard times. We know from the past few weeks of lectionary readings that God sends us into the fields to labor for and with those in need, and side note: the laborers are scarce,

In the language: of making resolutions, may I suggest that whereas there is need for laborers, and whereas we are able, let it therefore, be it resolved that we shall go in Christ’s name to care for people, to tend to their needs as we find them. We are called to go to whoever needs to hear of God’s love, withholding any judgement and offering life changing compassion.

I was randomly selected to work on the Resolution calling for advocacy and healing of individuals impacted by substance use. This Resolution calling for harm reduction measures was overwhelmingly approved by the delegates on Monday morning.

It calls on UCC congregations to adopt covenants to commit to harm reduction practices and build communities of care in partnership with people who have lived and are living with the experience of substance use. It calls on us to see the devastation that addiction creates in someone’s life and to reach out with actions and words that say, “Hold on! God loves you. Please live another day so you can know this for yourself.”

As we say, “No matter who you are, or where you are on your life’s journey”, the good news is that God sees you. God knows your name. God yearns for you as their dearly beloved child.

That’s why the mission team is going to help at the Fuller Center in New York this week. Without questioning who will receive the work of our hands, we go. I’d like to invite Jason Henry to share his thoughts on his experiences going out into the world as a youth and why it’s important to your own faith journey.

[Jason Henry’s testimony.]

To embody Christ’s love, we use what means we have: our prayers, our money, our writing and the physical work needed to care for others. Let me end with this poem:

________________

Bless This Body

Bless these feet Lord, so that as they walk me into my work, I do not trample, kick or crush.

Bless my legs Lord, so that they carry me into the world with courage, a sense of purpose and endurance.

Bless my hips, Beloved, that I may sway and dance, rise and work, press and love to the fullest.

Caress my spine, O God, to strengthen it with patience and flexibility, with stamina and compassion.

Cradle my shoulders, Divine Yoke, so that the burdens I carry are light.

Help me to reach up and over and out and then fold in on those who need protection and comfort.

Make my arms long enough to extend an invitation to someone who is hurting.

Bless the work of my hands

In the cupping of fingers,

In the stroking of hair,

In the threading of needles

Multiply the fruits of my hands

While listening to others and providing comfort

While opening doors and building homes

While earning money to support families

Oh Divine Presence, be in my head, my mouth and my heart so that I live from out of a higher dimension while I am incorporated in this human body. And, for my part, I will release this body to your service. Amen.

The Enticement of the Spirit

Sun, 09 Jul 2023 20:30:15 GMT

A sermon about being enticed by our faithful, vulnerable, humble, covenant-making God.

Song of Solomon 2: 8-13

Matthew 11: 16-19, 25-30

July 9, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me.”

Prayer: May each of us choose to live a new life in you, O God, so that we may find courage and energy, res and peace. Amen.

A couple of weeks ago, Barb and I went to Illinois to celebrate my brother JD’s retirement from the police force. The next day, as sort of a symbol of his new freedom, we went fishing. We both were using lures; his simulated a small fish with a flashy tail, and mine was a fake worm. Both of us could see the largemouth bass that were swimming near the reeds in the water. Both of us kept trying to entice those big boys to get a quick meal. And both of us caught two fish. But only JD landed his. Both of mine got off before I reeled them in. I failed to set the hook well enough, the drag on my reel was set improperly, and I was out of practice… blah, blah, blah. Sounds like a bunch of excuses, doesn’t it? Well, they are... More on making excuses in a minute… But JD’s 2nd fish was a beautiful 3+ pound largey, good enough for a pic!

I started thinking about how we tried to entice those fish using lures, and the thought occurred to me that maybe God tries to entice us, too. Only God’s enticement is not intended to mislead us and get a hook stuck in our mouths. No, God’s enticement is intended to lead us to real life. The Spirit entices and calls us to a life of meaning and authenticity. To a life of real covenantal relationship.

And this covenantal relationship God started with human beings long ago with Abraham and Sarah. God promised to be their God, and they were to be God’s people. That covenant was upgraded with Moses (call it Covenant 2.0) when God promised to provide laws for the people to live by, and if they obeyed, life would go well, and the people would prosper. If not, then the consequences could be dire.

And God steadfastly was their God, and loved them, and faithfully kept God’s part of the covenant. But people being people, regularly broke covenant. The faithlessness of self-centered kings of Israel and Judah and false prophets led people astray to worship false gods. The voices of God’s real prophets to Israel were dismissed, or worse, silenced.

But always, God’s Spirit was tried to entice Israel back. Trying to coax the nation back into love. To claim their God-given “beloved-ness.” That, I think, is a beautiful way to understand the Song of Solomon. As a love song between God and the people of Israel. In this case, “My beloved” is God. “My love” is Israel. You can insert God where we read “My beloved” and Israel where we read “my love.’ God comes, leaping, bounding. God looks and speaks saying, “Arise, my love, Israel, my fair one. Come away with me.” Can you feel the enticement of the Spirit?

But, Israel consistently broke covenant. And still, God was consistent with faithfulness. Then in a new level of faithfulness, God comes to Israel and the entire human race in Jesus Christ. And Christ continues to entice people to a new life. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me.”

Do you feel the enticement of the Spirit in Jesus’ words “Come to me?” Because many of our circumstances or decisions create difficulties in our lives, and our hearts can get worn out or heavy. When you get like this, I invite you to heed the enticement of the Spirit and come to Jesus.

Because you can sub in your name where the Song says “my love” or “my fair one.” “The voice of my beloved, God, says to me, ‘Arise [and put your name in here], my love, my fair one, for the time of your difficulty, a time of stagnancy in your life is over. A time of new life, a time of singing has come. Arise, my love [your name]. Come away. Take my yoke upon you. Learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart. “Walk with me. Work with me. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me, and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 29-30, from The Message). Do you feel the enticement of the Spirit to renew the covenant with God? To come to Jesus? God is inviting you to come.

Which is a far cry from other enticements we face. I mean we want to lose weight, but we easily get enticed to enjoy a coffee roll or piece of cake. Barb tells me, “These things call out to me!” We want to exercise, but are enticed by the extra half hour of sleep instead of getting up a half hour earlier each morning. We want to stay sober or virtuous, but the lure of alcohol or inappropriate Internet sites or illicit relationships can be overwhelming. We want to be non-anxious in our leadership, but we succumb to fear. We want to spend time with our children or spouse, but the enticement of feeling worthy through our jobs entraps us, and we immerse ourselves in our work neglecting ones who need us most. We want to reach out to the poor and vulnerable, but worry that “Go Fund Me” efforts are a scam enticing us to part with our money, ripping us off (based on Epperly, Bruce, The Adventurous Lectionary – Fifth Sunday after Pentecost – July 9, 2023 | Bruce Epperly (patheos.com) retrieved July 7, 2023).

We want something done about gun violence, but we feel helpless because politicians are reluctant and ghost guns are on the rise as we saw in Philly last week, and we are enticed not to do anything.

Even some Christians and some churches now are enticed by the “Warrior Christ,” the powerful conquering king who is victorious over Satan. Christ will lead the U.S. into becoming a Christian nation, they say. And all laws in our land should be based on Christian laws found in the Bible and Christianity should be found in the public square.

The “Warrior Christ” is a far cry from the Christ who says “Learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart.” Or from the prophet Zechariah who says, “’Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).

It seems we are enticed by everything BUT the Spirit of our faithful, vulnerable, humble, covenant-making God.

And Jesus lamented that in his day. The enticement of the Spirit was ignored. He says that it was like they attended a dance and the music played the Electric Slide, but everyone was like wall flowers and just continued talking! How is that possible? It’s the Electric Slide! (You promise to still love me on Monday knowing I enjoy the Electric Slide?)

Or worse, Jesus said that they raised their voices, wailing in protest at the oppression of people or at injustice, but there was no mourning, no rising up, no response from religious leadership. Just silence. Kind of like when the church in Nazi Germany in WWII had 17,000 pastors, and 3,000 of them sided with the Nazis, and 3,000 put up resistance against Hitler. But that meant that 11,000 pastors were silent and did nothing! They carried on with their Sunday worship services as usual. I mean I get it. Uninvolved is easy. And safer.

Like I said last Sunday, following Jesus can be rough business.

And excuses were made as to why they wouldn’t listen to the Spirit’s enticement. Jesus uses John the Baptist and himself as examples. John spoke of God’s realm. He observed kosher laws and didn’t get drunk. But, his words got too close to the nerve, so the excuse not to listen to him was that they said he had a demon.

Jesus, the Son of Man also came and spoke of God’s realm. But, he did NOT observe kosher laws and he was out drinking! [Gasp!] Some people called Jesus a glutton and a drunk! Which was the excuse the religious leadership made not to listen to him!

But regardless of any excuses made, God continues in faithfulness to the covenant. And God made the new covenant made through Jesus. He IS the new covenant for new life. And God continues to entice us by Jesus’ invitation to come to him. No excuses. Just come.

And God continues to entice the Church to renew our part of the new covenant with God. That’s another way to understand the Love Song of Solomon. That Jesus Christ is “My beloved” and the Church is “my love, my fair one.” You can insert Christ as “my beloved” who is lovingly gazing in the windows of the Church, speaking to the Church: “Arise, my love, my Christ Church UCC, my fair one. Come away. Learn from me. Be enticed by my Spirit. Take my yoke upon you. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

The Spirit entices us to be the Church. To be Christ’s representatives in the world. To be about his mission and ministry. To role model for all to see God’s way of love and forgiveness, the way of mercy and grace, the way of justice and peace, the way of freedom and accountability, the way of inclusion and welcome. That’s living in covenantal love.

So, let us be enticed by the Spirit. For real life. For keeping our part of the covenant with God. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Christ's Representatives

Sun, 02 Jul 2023 15:26:22 GMT

A sermon about Christ acting through us.

Jeremiah 28: 5-9

Matthew 10: 40-42

July 2, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”

Prayer: O God of our world, God of our hearts, may we be a blessing to you as we live and serve you in our world. Amen.

On the Sunday before July 4th, I think it’s appropriate to give a brief nod to one part of the way our democratic government works. We have, as everyone knows, a representational style of government. Congress is made up of elected politicians who represent their constituencies. They are supposed to speak/vote on behalf of the people they represent. Additionally, senators are elected from among the people. These two groups of representatives and senators combine to make up Congress which is of course, the legislative branch of our government.

So, a few weeks ago, when I read our Bible text for today, I saw the obvious connection… Jesus is sending out his disciples as apostles (‘apostles’ means ‘sent out’). They were his representatives on a mission trip, as it were. In fact, the entire 10th chapter of Matthew is Jesus giving the disciples their instructions as apostles when they are out there. They were given authority to cure the sick, to heal diseases, to preach the good news that the kingdom of God has come near, to trust in God to provide for their needs, all that.

Jesus even forewarns them that they will find resistance and rejection to his message and to themselves as well. Following Jesus can be rough business. But not to worry… the Spirit will give them the words to say. For even if they experience rejection, God who knows and cares for the sparrows will surely care for them, for they are so much more valuable than sparrows.

Then the chapter 10 concludes all Jesus’ instructions with his representational idea. Only it’s not the same as in our government where representatives speak and vote on behalf of the people. In Jesus’ day, being his representative meant something more… “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me,” he says. In other words, welcoming an apostle is equivalent to welcoming the apostle’s master who sent the apostle in the first place. So, when a disciple was welcomed on their mission trip, it was like welcoming Jesus himself. And when the message was spoken, it was if Jesus himself was speaking it. And simultaneously, when Jesus and his message were welcomed, it’s equivalent to welcoming God and hearing God’s message who sent Jesus in the first place.

You see? It’s not like when we say, “Don’t shoot the messenger!” I’ve said that before! Have you? That implies that the messenger has nothing to do with the message except to carry it. It also implies the messenger has nothing to do with the sender. Which is rarely the case, by the way. That’s like saying the messenger is not connected with the sender and should not be blamed or praised for the message. Like some of our media outlets that say we’re just the bearer of the news, which is hardly ever the case.

But, as representatives of Jesus, the apostles are connected with Jesus just as Jesus is connected with God. Jesus’ good news message of health and wholeness, of inclusivity and welcome, of life for anyone who wants it IS their message, and it’s God’s message, too. And they are intricately connected. The apostles were bound up with that message and with Jesus himself, and with God, too.

Same thing with a prophet. In the ancient days, when a prophet predicted something, if it came true, then it will be known that the Lord truly sent that prophet. The prophet is God’s representative. When a prophet speaks God’s message, it’s like God is actually speaking the message. So the integrity of God and the integrity of the prophet are bound up together. That’s the prophet’s reward.

A righteous person is right in God’s sight. So, the honorable character of God is bound up with the honorable character of a righteous person. So when a person does even a simple act like giving a cup of cold water to someone in need, the honorable character of God is bound up with the person giving the cup of water and the person in need of the water. Because God is caught up in this covenantal relationship with humanity. So, it’s like God is giving the cup of water. And Jesus tells us that even the simplest acts of kindness reap the great rewards of heaven.

That means when you bake brownies, or make mac and cheese, or serve food at First Reformed Church that feeds the hungry, all of heaven starts to tingle! Because you are God’s representative which means it’s like God is feeding the hungry through you. Does that start to make you tingle?

When you participate at Wittel Farm helping to grow food for the food insecure, or when you support our upcoming mission trip to New York which will have Christ’s representatives building houses for the unhoused, you are Christ’s reps in this covenantal relationship with God and with others. Christ is acting through you. And believe me, you may be the only Christ a person ever experiences. But, that is enough. Because our covenantal God works through us. And that’s rewarding!

Check this out. Last week I read about a father and daughter architectural team who have designed and built energy-efficient tiny homes for unhoused people in Seattle. Those tiny houses are placed in the back yards of willing residents. How about that? The tiny homes cost $75,000 each to build. And those residents have to be willing to give up some of their back yard for someone in need. Of the 20 homes built so far, 19 residents have either stayed in their homes or have gone on to other permanent housing (“Build It Small,” The Christian Century , July 2023, pg. 10).

I’d say the father and daughter and the willing residents could easily be called Christ’s representatives. Because Christ is acting through those people.

Our actions of comfort and kindness to others, of justice, fairness and equity, especially toward the vulnerable and the short-changed—these touch the very heart of God. And God’s presence is increased in our world through us when we do these things and live and act as Christ’s representatives.

Which is so needed! And this takes us back to another part of the way our God works. And you know me, I find help us apply our faith and these ideas with what’s going on in our world. So, I mean this past week, I was dismayed with some of the decisions made by the Supreme Court. Several of those decisions undo laws that were designed to help grant human rights all across the board. To all.

To be honest, I found myself wishing that the justices on the United States Supreme Court had a deeper sense of what it means to be Christ’s representatives. I mean affirmative action laws were helping to lead our society toward a colorblind world. Statistics bear that out. And, ideally we would live in a colorblind world, where a person can enter college or get a job not based on the color of their skin but on the content of their character and their gifts and abilities.

But, the truth is, we are not there yet. There still is systemic bias toward the privileged. Tailwinds still power large segments of people with privilege while persistent headwinds thwart the advancement of people with less privilege. So I think that keeping those affirmative action laws is still necessary until privilege evens out across the board.

Which I think means that we as people of faith, as Christ’s representatives, are encouraged to support actions of comfort and kindness, of justice, fairness, and equity. Big or small. We are to live our lives in ways that show we are indeed God’s people, covenantal partners with the God of love, justice and peace. Because Christ is acting through us. Because Christ’s ministry is extended through us. Because blessings to God and others in the world around us can happen through us.

And that may be, at the bottom line, friends,our enduring task as Christ’s representatives. To be a blessing to God and others in the world around us. Not to get others to conform to our way of thinking. Not to convince others to agree with our opinions. Not to get people to convert to our side of the issues. Nah. Just be a blessing to God and to others in the world around us. Because that is a place where God is doing the blessing though us.

And maybe, just maybe, such blessings will lead us as people on the earth toward a more harmonious and just world for all. May it be so, and may God help us. Amen.

Faith at What Cost?

Sun, 25 Jun 2023 20:11:24 GMT

A sermon about the cost of standing up on behalf of others.

Genesis 21:8-21

Matthew 10:24-39

June 25, 2023

Rev. Fa Lane

Faith at What Cost?

Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”

If the Genesis passage was in conversation with the Matthew passage, what would we overhear? To me, these two passages demonstrate that having faith in God requires something from us. In our modern life, we naturally want things to be easy to manage, not angst ridden, easy to schedule and not costing too much. We want to make decisions that don’t come with friction, jealousy or bring judgement. We want our journey for justice and liberty for all to be without sacrifices.

But it rarely happens that way – transformation. By definition it means shedding something old and changing things. The butterfly struggles to emerge and HAS to struggle. That’s how it develops the strength to free itself from its cocoon and fly. You remember last week that the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. This week, we look at what being a laborer for God looks like, what it costs us.

Sarah laughed when she was told she would have a child in her old age. She doubted God’s ability to provide her a son – doubting God was dangerous. When she was caught laughing at what God had promised, she denied it. You can sense her discomfort and worry that God would punish her for doubting.

Abraham was required to sacrifice Isaac, the son he had with Sarah. But he was spared that task at the last minute after an angst ridden walk to the top of the mountain holding the hand of that dear son.

And, Hagar, banished because of a jealous Sarah, suffered in the desert with her young son Ishmael, also Abraham’s offspring. She placed him a distance from her, the text says, after the water in her skin pouch had run out. She couldn’t bear to watch her dear son die a slow death from dehydration.

These very personal tests of their faith in God, out in the desert, where they were in a land of strangers, having no army or government to protect them, relying solely on God’s provisions and their own wit – these tests were utter anguish and awful. Each of these characters heard from God, a voice, a whisper, something said by a stranger, or an angel that would transform their lives, and that of the world to come. Hagar and Sarah were both mothers of nations. Two nations of the Abrahamic lineage.

We applaud Abraham’s trust in God. I think Hagar and Sarah should also be studied, for their responses are often ours—disbelief or resignation. And yet, we see that God does not forget them.

The Matthew passage holds some of my least favorite lines from Jesus. Verse 34 says: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword”. Wait, what?

I thought Jesus was the Prince of Peace.

The Gospel of Luke says “division” instead of “sword.” Daniel Harrington, in his commentary on Matthew, explains that the saying was just meant to bring attention to the cost of the decision to be for or against the gospel. Division among Matthew’s contemporaries would be a consequence of that decision. Oh. Is that all? The word ‘sword’ is just a poetic choice to show opposite of peace. I see.

What about verse 35? “For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother (and so on).” This gospel was constructed by Matthew from material found in Mark, believed to be the first gospel account written, and an ancient original source called “Q”. The words of Jesus here are known as the missionary discourse with instructions for the missionaries who would go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

The reference to division of the family was an apocalyptic saying based on a Micah passage about end times. You see, Matthew takes source materials texts from the prophet Micah, from Mark, an earlier gospel and from the “Q” source and heightens their impact for his 1 ^st century church who is going out on a mission. That’s why some of the sentences seem a little disjointed. His editorial skill colors the mission with eschatological significance. He stresses that their behavior would be reckoned for or against them at the end of time.

Let’s make the mission to be clear. This is what I tried to do this past Thursday night at the Youth Lock In. I mentioned to them that at the beginning of his ministry, according to Luke 4, Jesus read the scroll of the prophet Isaiah where it said that the mission is to bring good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives and sight to the blind, to let the oppressed be free and proclaim a year of the Lord’s favor.”

But Jesus forewarns us. It’s going to cost you something to do this work. But he, also says, “don’t fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul”. Uh, Jesus, I’d really like to not end my life for spreading your Good News. Just for the record.

The danger involved with standing up for your faith, standing up on behalf of others is real. Pointing out unjust laws, bringing the light of insight and asking for personal transformation often doesn’t go over too well. We don’t like to be told we’re wrong – there is a lot at stake to my reputation, to my honor, to my sense of self if I’m wrong . We’re so caught up in being in favor with our culture and not our creator that we can’t see how loyalty to the first one offends the other.

When we pray, telling Jesus about the troubles we see, his ministry becomes our mission. Jesus says don’t be afraid to proclaim during the day what I whisper to you in the dark—in your heart, in your dreams.

We don’t have to do this alone, like we’re in a desert among strangers. The United Church of Christ’s conferences and the national settings have stories to share with us and encourage us. The work of standing up for your faith in Christ’s love is being done in other communities across the state of PA and across the nation. We share values, in the name of Jesus, that seek to accomplish what he did - the mission points found in Isaiah.

Let me tell you that, in the upcoming Synod next weekend, resolutions to help bring in God’s light are being brought forward for discussion. They include but are not limited to discussions on reparations, gun violence, reproductive rights, trans and nonbinary people, white supremacy, green energy, use and disposal of plastics and concerns for public schools.

While there will be discussion, maybe disagreement, maybe some amended language offered for consideration, none of those will rise to ugliness, like we have seen and heard in our own community – even on our own property. Being a faithful follower of Christ may sometimes get you yelled at or threatened, made fun of, or shut out. But we’re told that what God speaks into our heart, in that secret place, we must tell it in the light. We are to proclaim what we have learned from Jesus, calling out hypocrisy, injustice, racism, phobias as in homophobia (fear of queerness), avoiding idolatry (that is seeking more of financial gain than of God’s favor). We are to choose to respect differences and love others because of our faith, not hate them with name calling or withholding opportunities or privileges.

Christ’s entry into the world was to initiate a transformation among its inhabitants that would bring about peace. But, transformation, as we see in the butterfly, will cost you something. That’s what the Resolutions of Witness at Synod suggest. As our witness to faith in Christ’s ministry, we resolve to behave differently, or allocate our money differently, or to make sacrifices when necessary. The butterfly gives up its caterpillar existence to be able to fly in the warm light of the sun.

May you also live well in the light of God’s Son.

Amen.

The Harvest

Sun, 18 Jun 2023 19:36:11 GMT

A sermon about Jesus's care for the leaderless.

Romans 5:1-8

Matthew 9:35-10:8

June 18, 2023

Rev. Fa Lane

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

When we listen to the scripture readings, our minds might envision 1st century Palestinian cities and town that Jesus and his disciples would have walked to. But, could we suspend our thinking that Matthew’s Gospel was written by a disciple of Jesus in the first in ancient Syria. Let’s bring it forward, as through a time traveling wormhole to cities and towns we know today, 2023. I suggest we might read it this way:

When Jesus went about all the cities and villages of Ukraine, teaching and proclaiming the good news that God would provide for them, would send doctors and medicines to cure every disease and every sickness. He saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless.

Here’s another way to read it: When a man, experiencing a psychotic break in a park in the French Alps, is a suspect in the stabbing of four toddlers and two adults, might this be a field where Jesus could say that more helpers are needed?

He gave his twelve disciples authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of sickness and disease. Mental illness makes us uneasy and our dis-ease with it often inhibits us from knowing how to help. We need more workers in this field, not violent interventions. I suggest we see ourselves as in the apostolic lineage of gifts and authority given from Jesus.

Jesus said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; They are like sheep without a shepherd.” Could he be referring to the incessant aggression by individuals, systems and policies against people of color? The world needs more leaders who recognize micro aggressions - such as repeatedly mis-pronouncing names, and leaders who condemn red-lining neighborhoods against people of color.

Redlining, the term for a series of maps that the federal government commissioned in the 1930s, recommended areas that were most prime for investment (outlined in green), and other areas where money should not be loaned (outlined in red). This form of lending discriminates against people who do not appear to be Caucasian. Though no longer legal, biased lending still happens today.

Men, in the 1930’s who were white, could buy a home for their family in a safe neighborhood with good schools and amenities, where grocery stores, medical care and banking services were easy to access. Married white women not until the 1900s. But fathers of black children could not buy a home in a redlined neighborhood. Scholars who study housing discrimination point to redlining as one factor behind the disparity of wealth between blacks and whites in the U.S.

I wonder what kind of workers Jesus would have sent to the children and teens who are frightened of expressing their queerness because of all the violence threatened on our air waves, in their communities and from their school boards? Where are the ones who will stop the name calling, the book banning. Where is the outcry for secure employment our housing for gay and transgender adults? I’m grateful that the UCC encourages leadership in this field.

I think that Jesus would have us look at our systems that are meant to help people and demand equity and compassion for the ones who have been harassed and hindered from living life with autonomy, personal and financial security.

Tomorrow we celebrate Juneteenth, meaning June 19th, 1865, when the Emancipation Proclamation was finally brought to all enslaved people throughout the Union of States. While the federal proclamation had been issued 2.5 years earlier, it was not allowed in the Confederate-aligned state of Texas until 1965. It took Federal Forces marching into Texas to compel its compliance with the law of the land. The Emancipation Proclamation became the 13 ^th Amendment to our Constitution. And, it took until 2021 for the date to be recognized as a federal holiday – way too long. Yes, the workers who proclaim the good news to all the cities and villages are few. Lord help us! And, may God be pleased that our historic ones were persistent.

To be willing helpers, we should remember that God’s vision, as Jesus taught us, is to see that establishing justice and tranquility, promoting general welfare for all citizens and securing liberty for each family is a a noble, even sacred act. Today on Father’s Day, we honor Dads who for generations have worked for what is right, what is fair and loving for their families—all families, no matter what their make-up is.

Matthew shows us Jesus’ concern for the leaderless people of Israel. Our mission field, are the places where people need of care, support and opportunities to live well. We have some leaders going on our mission trip in July to help provide adequate housing through the Fuller Center in NY.

You are invited to spend a Saturday morning at Wittel Farm, a one-day field of mission. The farm grows nutritious food that is donated to individuals and families in need through a partnership with Hunger-Free Lancaster County. Chris, Ariana and Chris can attest to the fact that the workers were few, but we did what we could yesterday to help.

Behind the scene, the workers include you who check on your neighbors and friends by sending cards, buying groceries and traveling to appointments. But, the need is great. Our community is hurting, its hard for some to navigate safely. Our world can be a scary and violent place if you don’t fit the white, hetero-normative social box.

The Social Justice Committee has been providing educational articles in the NET and invites more workers to help bring awareness to issues where injustice exists today.

We have a team of people who provide a meal for the homeless quarterly at First Reformed UCC in Lancaster. You could help serve with our siblings in Christ. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

There are students in our own communities in need of tutors, understanding mentors, advocates, and safe friends. Ask the Lord to send more workers.

If you can, use the headlines from the newspaper or online news to fill my prayer time. What headlines have you heard that sadden your heart, that caused you to pray for helpers? What headlines have you see recently that made your sad...or mad?

Let us pray for more workers in the fields that provide a good life for all. Surely the Lord knows we need these people. But prayer is as much for our own clarity of mind and sense of purpose as it is about asking for help. Prayer isn’t so much about what you get out of it as what decisions and actions it points out for you to do.

Give us courage, Lord. Give us clarity of thought and kindness to show up for one another. Amen.

Spiritual Expectations

Sun, 11 Jun 2023 17:53:27 GMT

A sermon about love, justice, mercy, and grace - God's gifts to us and one another.

Hosea 5: 15-6: 6

Matthew 9: 9-13, 18-26

June 11, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”

Prayer: Inspire our inner spirit, O God, to take the risk of following you, trusting in your grace and mercy. Amen.

As a pastor, over the years, I’ve been privileged to co-officiate in three Catholic/Protestant weddings, all within my family. The priest and I collaboratively performed during the ceremonies. And each one was lovely and beautiful, and I was privileged and glad to be there.

There was this one thing though. I was unable to participate in the sharing of Holy Communion with the couple. And in the very first of the three ceremonies, years ago in the 80’s, Holy Communion was offered, but only to the Catholics people sitting in the pews. Which was really weird. Because there I stood , as an ordained Christian pastor, in my finest robe and my finest wedding stole, unable to share in Holy Communion like everyone one else because Catholic Church law prohibits non-Catholics from sharing in Holy Communion.

So sometimes church law can get in the way of what God expects of us, I think. We’ve all seen this, yes? More than Holy Communion, too. I mean over the last several years, we’ve seen that some Protestant churches still prohibit the ordination of women into Christian ministry—because they are women. Some people are denied ordination into because they fall outside the church’s dogma regarding sexual orientation. We know that some churches say they are ‘welcoming to all’ but deny membership and full participation in church life to those in the LGBTQ++ community, who often are told they can’t serve in the life of the church or teach children unless they change. All in the name of lawful righteousness.

Which is why Jesus sometimes can be so captivating for me. Because he had some chutzpah! Some audacity. I mean when Jesus faced the choice of being with people in need of God verses obeying Jewish law restricting who he could be with, Jesus tended to disregard the religious law.

When he called Matthew, the tax collector, to be his disciple, that was a violation of Jewish purity laws. Because tax collectors were considered unclean primarily because they dealt with the Gentiles, and they worked for the Roman Empire! And the empire was oppressive that caused so much suffering and economic hardship for the people. So, it felt like the tax collectors were traitors. And yet, here is Jesus calling Matthew, the tax-collector, to be his disciple. Go figure.

And when Jesus and his disciples went to Matthew’s house, Matthew invited all his tax collector friends and God knows who all else to have a party with Jesus. Which seems all well and good, but it sent some of the religious leaders into a tizzy. Because they saw Jesus was hanging out those “sinners” and social outcasts and misfits. Jesus should not be in their company, they said.

But Jesus says that he is doing what God expects of him—to reach out to the sinners and the tax collectors of the world. They are the ones who need God. And then Jesus encourages the religious leaders to go back and learn what Hosea meant when he wrote, “For I desire mercy and steadfast love, not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, not burnt offerings” (Hosea 6: 6).

Which I take to mean that God expects people to NOT make religious law, church dogma, and or ritual practices the end all! Instead, God expects us to be in a covenantal relationship with each other. Meaning that we are merciful and loving with others, always growing in knowledge of God.

Penn Central Conference Annual Meeting was held Friday and Saturday. The theme was “Renewing Our Shared Covenant.” I got a lot from our speakers about living in covenant. Sticking to religious laws is not as important as gaining knowledge of God and learning God’s ways of love and mercy, of justice and equality. Who gets communion, who can serve on committees, who can teach our kids, who you can love and be with are not as important as being in a covenantal relationship with God... as being empowered to show love, justice, mercy and grace to others, regardless if you’re in church, or not.

Love, justice, mercy and grace. These I think are some of God’s greatest spiritual gifts given to us. But, we are not just the beneficiaries of these gifts. We are also the stewards of them. We are not to keep them for ourselves. Instead, because we live in a sacred, mutual covenantal relationship with God and each other, I wonder if God expects us to be living examples of these spiritual gifts.

So, I found some simple definitions for love, justice, mercy and grace that I modified into some spiritual expectations that God might have of us. They are not the end all of spiritual expectations, but I think they’re a place where we can start to think about how living in a covenantal relationship with God can help us express God’s gifts to each other.

Love— is giving what a person needs, unrelated to whether love is deserved or not . God has given us love. It’s unconditional. God first loved us. And Jesus instructs us to love one another. Also unconditional.

He role modeled this. When the synagogue leader asked Jesus to come and lay his hands on his already dead daughter, Jesus didn’t bat an eye. He turned and went. Don’t you think he did that out of love? And, on his way, Jesus knew somebody touched him. He interrupted his journey to the dead girl, and spoke to the woman who touched him. Out of God’s love for her, he tells her that it’s her faith in God that made her well. So Jesus gave the synagogue leader, the woman with the hemorrhage, and the dead girl what they needed—love, regardless if it was needed or not.

You know, I think if humanity even had a little bit more love for one another, a little more respect, a little more desire to understand differences, maybe there would be a dramatic drop of fear of others, hatred and violence within our society. Because God wants something different than what the world wants. God’s love can transcend the world of division. As scripture says, “Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). So, perhaps love is a spiritual expectation that God has for people living in God’s covenant?

Justice— is giving what a person deserves . Justice is most often associated when someone does something wrong. Someone getting their just desserts. Punishment meted out by our court system is called justice.

But, I think God’s justice is mostly about giving a person fairness in the world, and the right to authenticity. It’s about everyone, including the marginalized, receiving full rights and full access to things and places that everyone else receives. So might justice practiced and lived out by people living in a covenantal relationship be a spiritual expectation God has of us?

Mercy— is not giving what a person deserves . Mercy is what we give when we could be harsh, but choose not to be. When someone makes their mistake against us, we have the power to hold it against them, to bear a grudge, or give the silent treatment, or we could be merciful and extend kindness. We could open doors for dialogue. The person may not deserve a merciful reaction, but mercy happens when we do it anyway.

Or the flip side...when we make our mistakes and fess up, we pray that the person is merciful. Sadly, in our culture, even when a confession is offered, mercy is still hard to come by. People often are out for blood and want their form of justice.

Also, mercy comes when we choose not to be judgmental of others. And more hospitable. Welcoming. Then maybe our lives could demonstrate that mercy actually does triumph over judgment. I think this is a truth that’s completely missing from most discussions about the immigration crisis on our southern borders. That mercy triumphs over judgment. That mercy is an act of hospitality.

So perhaps God expects people living in a covenantal relationship with God to be merciful? It’s no surprise that Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5: 7).

And lastly, Grace— is giving better than what a person deserves . Grace is the cousin to mercy, only better. We’ve seen extreme examples of grace right here in Pennsylvania with the West Nickel Mine shooting back in 2006. The Amish community did a lot better than what was deserved when they forgave the shooter. But, not only the shooter, they also reached out to the shooter’s family, too, and took food to them, and ministered to them knowing that their burden was extremely great. This was grace, and it happened simply because the Amish people believed in God’s sacred covenant of grace.

Each of us receives better from God than what we deserve, each of us is first graced by God, which can enable us to be full of grace towards others. God always has enough grace. And in a covenantal relationship, so do we.

And yes, when grace is offered because it reveals the covenantal relationship, it is a form of love. So, what God expects of us spiritually comes full circle.

I encourage us to keep learning what it means to follow Jesus Christ, to participate in God’s covenantal relationship with us by practicing God’s gifts of love, justice, mercy and grace. For living out these spiritual expectations I think are much more important than any religious laws we are asked to follow. May it be so. Amen.

A New Language

Sun, 28 May 2023 14:53:49 GMT

A sermon about the new language God speaks through the Holy Spirit.

John 7: 37-39
Acts 2: 1-21

May 28, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“… in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.”

Prayer: Holy Spirit of fire and power, of word and wisdom, may we hear and understand your language and become obedient to your call. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Two Sundays ago, we heard Jesus promise that he would ask God to send the Holy Spirit, to be with the disciples. Jesus promised that he would not leave them orphaned, without a spiritual guide after he was gone.

Well, Pentecost is the day when Jesus first made good on his promise. And something amazing and fantastical, mysterious and miraculous, if not mythological happened. The Holy Spirit came when the disciples and other international Jews living in Jerusalem gathered together in one place. The fire of the Spirit came on Jesus’ disciples and close followers, and they spoke in different languages. Each international listener understood the disciple’s words in their own language!

To get a feel for this, picture a meeting of the United Nations. We’ve all see an image like this one where ambassadors from almost every country on the planet get together to address concerns of the world. And most ambassadors wear a headset to hear a person translating what speaker is saying into their own language. For every speaker there is a translator which is a logistical nightmare, especially if there are multiple speakers!

Well, maybe Pentecost was like that, only without the translator or the headsets! Because the Spirit enabled the disciples of Jesus to speak in the language of each listener. So, that meant that when a disciple of Jesus stood up to speak, like Peter did, the Jewish person from Parthia, Medes and Mesopotamia heard Peter speaking in Greek. The Arab Jews heard it in Arabic. The Jews from Rome and the Asian Jews from what we know as Turkey, part of the Roman empire, probably heard Peter’s sermon in Latin. So all the words of the disciples were understood by the international Jews living in Jerusalem.

Now, there’s a difference between hearing and understanding, isn’t there? I mean I can hear Greek language all day long, but do I understand it? No. It’s Greek to me. So, both hearing and understanding are needed for all of us.

I was quite surprised two Sundays ago when our Chancel Choir sang Baba Yetu . Because I loved the music that I heard, but I couldn’t understand a word that they sang! Because they sang in an African language. But, right at the very beginning, I looked up at the screen to see if we had the translation on the screen. In fact, some of you remarked that it would have been good to have the words on the screen. But, I quickly realized that the words were to the Lord's Prayer! And all of a sudden I was understanding! And the music moved me deeply in my spirit. I had a Pentecost moment when Chancel Choir sang that anthem. I got all choked up and could barely get the Joys and Concerns out after they sang! Thank you again, Chancel Choir! And thank you Holy Spirit.

So maybe how those international Jews heard Peter and the apostle’s words was not as important was what they understood. What message they got.

And the message was a new language not of words. What they got was about God’s deeds of power in the life of Jesus Christ as prophesied by the ancient prophets and psalmists. If you read the rest of Peter’s sermon in chapter 2 of the book of Acts, he says that Jesus did good deeds of power, wonder, and signs in the world. He said the ancient prophets knew Christ would come. They spoke God’s language, but Jesus made it a reality.

And Jesus’ language pointed people and their hearts and their highest allegiance to God through him. “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me,” he said. “And let the one who believes in me drink.” That’s a new language. Drink of God’s water found in Jesus. Give your heart to God by receiving Jesus. Don’t give your heart to the law. Not to those in power. Not to King Herod. Not to the Roman Emperor. Not to politicians. Not to the Republican Party or the Democratic Party. Come to Jesus and give your heart to God.

And those in political power couldn’t handle the language Jesus spoke. And they had to get rid of him. And they tortured and crucified him and buried him. And normally, that would be the end. Death has such finality.

But there’s more! Peter tells of God’s deed of power when God raised Jesus from the grave. How he was alive again. How they were all witnesses to that.

And there’s even more after that. Peter says God exalted Jesus. And having received the promise of the Holy Spirit, the risen Christ poured out his Holy Spirit upon them. And he promised he would return. And he did—on Pentecost. The Holy Spirit of the risen Christ came and moved them.

It was like they got spiritual CPR, something not lost on me Saturday a week ago when I went through our CPR training. We were getting trained how to restart a heart if it stopped, and how to keep it going. How to use an AED machine. Well, on Pentecost, it was like the apostles and the Jewish crowd got a new spiritual heartbeat. The Spirit was like an AED machine! No matter what their lives looked like up to that moment, something stronger, deeper was awakened in them, moving among them, sweeping them up into God’s story. Helping them speak God’s new language.

And that’s the beautiful thing about the Christian faith. With God, there is always something more. Because God speaks a new language through the Spirit that comes to us. It’s a language not necessarily of words, but more of the heart. It’s also of mind and conscience, reflecting what God values. Imagining what God loves. Revealing God’s deeds of power. God speaks a new language in our circumstances.

I visited several of you in the past couple of weeks and listened to God’s deeds of power in your lives. One of our members at home said that she is convinced that God’s deed of power was at work by creating pathways along the way for her to follow. But it was up to her to turn to God, make a choice, and have faith that God was at work in her decisions. It’s been happening that way all her life, right up to the point where she is today. And she looks back on her life and says, “Thank you, God for being with me through all the changing experiences of life, as decisions were made to follow your pathways.”

Another one of our members at home shared with me that she worships every Sunday online with a small group of 28 people or so. They celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday by receiving Jesus. Each one holds the bread and the cup and remembering Christ. And it’s beautiful. And meaningful. And it feeds her inner spirit. She said she feels the Holy Spirit binding them together even though it’s an online worship setting. You see? God is speaking a new language that invites the Spirit to bind us together in any of our of circumstances.

So Pentecost reminds us that God is speaking a new language that is mostly translated in the heart when we receive Jesus. And, new possibilities can emerge out of life’s most challenging limitations. So, come, Holy Spirit! Come! Let us hear and understand your new language. Amen.

Devotion

Sun, 21 May 2023 15:01:20 GMT

A sermon about different ways to connect with God.

John 17:6-11

Acts 1:6-14

May 21, 2023

Rev. Fa Lane

Acts 1:14 All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

One thing about the new community of Jesus’ followers, is that they tried to stick together. They had just seen Jesus’ bold ascension and were undoubtedly perplexed, but they knew they needed to be together. Paul was constantly teaching in the newly formed house churches and casual groups who gathered about the way to be the church – Christ’s body. In Ephesians 5:21 he admonishes those who would be the church to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

Jesus said in John 13:34-35 for us to love one another is to prove that we are Christ’s disciples. So, caring for one another, being in touch with one another, taking meals to families, helping with daily living activities for the frail or injured, praying for each other, are ways we show that we love one another.

In the Acts passage for today, Jesus has instructed the disciples to stay in Jerusalem until God had sent to them the promised advocate, the Holy Spirit. They were not to be bound to his physical being. They would soon know him a different way after they were baptized by the Holy Spirit. But, inquiring minds want to know and before long they asked questions.

They started asking him about the details of when God would restore the Kingdom of Israel. He explained that only God who set the timing would know. In the meantime, his followers would receive the Holy Spirit from God to help them bear witness to Christ’s ministry all over the earth. Then he ascended from their sight.

As they’re watching this perplexing event, some men in white clothing appeared assuring them that Jesus would come again in the same way. He ascended to leave this earthly life and to return to God trusting the disciples to remember and act with God’s love like he’d taught them. He promised the Holy Spirit, their advocate, would lead them.

With no more explanation than that, the disciples walked back to Jerusalem (as Jesus had told them to do) and into the Upper Room - where Jesus had instituted the communion sacrament; and they committed themselves to prayer, to be of one mind out of devotion to Jesus.

Jesus had taught them to value the importance of prayer. So, that is the first thing they turned to together. We collectively pray for one another in worship each week. Some of you have a vivid personal devotion prayer time. Some of us use devotional books, like the UCC’s Daily Devotional, which you can access online. You can sign up for an email that comes each day. There are probably thousands of devotional books on the market that you can buy to use at home and in a small group of friends.

So, what IS devotion? According to the Merriam Webster dictionary it means the act of prayer or a private time of worship. It’s an exercise (it says) or practice other than the regular corporate worship of a congregation. May I ask for a show of hands if you do some regular devotion time? You dedicate yourself to a cause or activity, Webster says. It’s the state of being ardently dedicated and loyal.

We have this word, that only shows up in Acts, koinonia , meaning to hold all things in common. It’s a sharing in life, interconnectedness, having unity, loyal to one another’s care. It’s a way of checks and balances when needed in the community. One way we do this is through our acts of prayer, to hold onto one another spiritually speaking, to ask for healing, for someone’s comfort, for their success, and well-being, to ask for and to offer forgiveness.

In the John passage, Jesus prays for the disciples, for all the ones whom God had given to Jesus to teach, to coach and to model God’s ways. Here in John, he prays for them (by extension for us) that God would continue to keep them in God’s presence so that they might be one just as Jesus was one with God. So, I suggest that when we pray for one another we are humbly keeping one another, holding on to each other, in God’s name; guarding them from harm, desiring for them full joy in Christ’s name.

And, so let us pray, right now, together. We pray with spoken words, with hymn singing, with the meditations of our hearts, with the acts of our hands. Let us join with the Holy Spirit right now, regardless of age or ability, our gender or social status, no matter whom you love, or where we are on life’s journey, all are welcome into this prayer circle.

We often use a format called the prayer of intercession, where we ask on behalf of others. It frequently uses a repeated phrase after the petition like “Lord, hear our prayer” or “Lord,, have mercy.” For example, the petition prayer might be like this, as we pray together now:

O Divine Healer who works through the hands of surgeons and nurses, dentists and physical therapists, be with all who spend their lives as channels of healing. Strengthen them to be sensitive to the needs of those whom they are treating: O Lord, Hear our prayer. When I say, “O Lord”, you say, “Hear our Prayer.”

Let us continue in prayer. O God of mercy and comfort, we bring before you our friends who have mending wounds, our loved ones recovering from surgery, those who have heart issues and those who are suffering from depression or dementia. We bring before you our loved one enduring chronic illness or neurological problems: O Lord, Hear our prayer.

Lord, please be with our loved ones and friends in the neighborhood who are having physical difficulties. We pray for newborn babies who are developing tongue and throat muscles to eat. We ask, O Lord, that you mend broken limbs and broken hearts, and that you cool burned skin and raging tempers. O Lord, hear our prayer.

O God of Justice and Truth, we pray for the people who have no one to stand with them as they live with mental illness, for individuals who are homeless, for people who seek immigrant status and are alone, also the people recently released from hospitals with nowhere to go, and for people in prison: O Lord, Hear our prayer.

Lord, we pray for those legal and social advocates who work for the ones who are in need, give them strength of voice, vision that is unclouded, determination that will not be dampened. O Lord, hear our prayer. Amen.

Another way to pray uses our ability to bring to mind a situation, a person with a specific injury. Visualization can help a great deal to power your prayer. I carry you in my heart while in prayer. I see you in my mind’s eye. Some people pray with the picture directory to help visualize for whom they’re praying or they hold a memento given to them.

Try this practice of healing prayer: close your eyes and bring to mind someone for whom you’d like to pray. Visualize their wound or place of illness. Now, zero in on the location of their hurt; maybe a left heel like for our friend Rich. Imagine your open hands just above that spot and that you are a channel for God’s spirit to bring about healing.

Just see it, ask God for healing energy, comfort, and peace of mind as you breathe softly with a loving heart focused on them.

Amen.

Singing has a palpable sense of togetherness. And, it’s one that you can carry with you even when you’re not with the group. I can still feel the intake of breath together as one, when I was singing in a professional choir. When someone’s voice was missing, I felt their absence and would look for them.

Singing has been spoken of as “praying twice.” You may know songs that initiate a time of prayer such as “In the Garden.” “I come to the garden alone while the due is still on the roses.// And, he walks with me and he talks with me.” You may like a song that reminds you that God is as close as your own breath: “This is the Air I breathe, Your holy presence living in me. This is my daily prayer Your very word spoken to me.”

Or when we want to affirm our identity in Christ who overcame death, we sing of him, “Fear is not my future; You Are. Sickness is not my story; You Are.”

Our hymns, as my friend Greg wrote, takes our theology from our heads to our hearts. You may not remember words of every sermon you’ve heard when you’re going through troubles, but you might find a hymn that helps. My mother’s choice was often “Rock of Ages”. “Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.” Another is “Guide me now, Oh Great Redeemer, pilgrim through this barren land.”

When you’re amazed at how a bad situation turns out well, you might sing “O Lord My God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds your hands have made, //Then sings my soul How Great Thou Art.”

We say prayers of thanks for the beauty of artisans, like Ray who has made us several beautiful and meaningful banners. He changed the anniversary from 275 to 280 for our upcoming celebration. You may see cairns as you walk in the woods, like what is on the worship table. It’s a place where someone has stopped to pray and built for themselves an altar of stone.

Let everything you do be an act of prayer. Walk in the forests taking in a sense of God’s healing spirit and say a prayer of thanks. When you are cleaning your house, let it be a time of prayer as you declutter your heart too. When you work in the garden or go grocery shopping, pray that food be provided for families with limited resources. When you see that car accident, pray for their well-being and for those who are first responders.

In these ways we devote ourselves to one another as an expression of God’s love. I ask that you continue to pray for one another. Pray for the Church at large, pray for our elected leaders, pray for people living in poor conditions, and those with illness. Lift up those who need better income, the ones who are suffering from oppression and invisibility, and the young ones cut off from family because of an argument.

Be devoted to one another in prayer, please. Let us pray together the prayer that Jesus taught us.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

Can You Feel Me Now?

Sun, 14 May 2023 14:57:01 GMT

A sermon about feeling the presence of God with us.

Acts 17: 22-31

John 14: 15-21

May 14, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.”

Prayer: Holy One, in you we live and move and have our being. We are always in your Presence. May we feel you as you feel us. In Christ we pray, Amen.

I think we’ve all heard the slang expression, “I feel you,” or the question-version, “Do you feel me?” It means basically ‘I get what you’re saying.’ Or, ‘I understand where you’re coming from.’ Or in the question-version, ‘Do you relate to what I’m saying?” It can be about agreement. Having the same understanding. Or depending on the context, it could even be about empathy. Someone who has a lot going on, like moving, and starting a new job, while saying good-bye to familiar places and relationships. If you’ve done that before, to say “I feel you,” means I empathize with you. I know what you’re going through.

As I was researching this, I ran across a song that I’ve never heard before called “Do You Feel Me?” by Anthony Hamilton from the soundtrack of the movie American Gangster.” The song is about a person in a relationship who is not really sure what level of commitment the other person has in the relationship. And the chorus has these lyrics:

Do you feel me? Do you read me?

Tell me am I gettin’ through to you

I wanna know, are you with me?

Are you listening?

Baby, is my message gettin’ through?

Do you feel me baby, oh babe, cause I can feel you.

Several years ago I used to teach a Faith Formation class called “Sounds of Faith Today.” The class was about listening for the way God is Stillspeaking, through lyrics of songs on the radio heard outside of church. So, if we re-focus the lyrics of the song to a God-focus, I bet some of us can see ourselves in that chorus… like when we sometimes feel that God is not present? Like how many of us have said in our prayers a some point on the journey, Do you feel me, God? Do you read me? Am I getting through to you? Are you listening? In other words, are you there? God, can you feel me now?

And I wonder if the reverse is also true? That God might be asking the same thing to us? My children, my beloved, can you feel me now? Do you read me? Am I gettin’ through to you? Are you listening? Do you feel me, cause I can feel you. What if God is saying those same things to us? “Can you feel me now?” God asks.

Because God sends the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised to ask God to send another Advocate, the Holy Spirit of God’s Truth to be with his disciples (and us) forever after he was gone. Jesus promises not to leave us stranded. Orphaned. Abandoned. Without a guide in life. Instead the Holy Spirit that lived in Jesus not only would be with us but is promised to be IN us!

And believe me, I think we need the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, the Advocate, the Helper, the Comforter to be in us. Because we need help keeping what Jesus taught. Jesus commanded people to love one another. He taught justice and fairness for all. That peacemakers are blessed. So are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. He taught that we should care for the earth. And a whole bunch of other things. It’s a sure sign that we love Jesus—when we work hard at keeping what Jesus taught.

But that’s difficult. Because the world doesn’t feel God. We’re surrounded by people of the world whom I think don’t get God. We see that in big government. In big business. In our broken immigration system. In racism. In growing homophobia. In school boards that pass laws against transgendered people trying to live with authenticity. These are just some of the places where people of the world often disregard the truths of God that Jesus taught.

And I’m willing to bet that these kinds of problems would be much less severe if most people of the world knew God and lived by God’s ways and practiced keeping what Jesus taught. If that happened, I wonder if God would then say, “How about it? Yeah! Can you feel me now?”

I think we also need the Advocate, the Holy Spirit to be in us so that we can become the ones whom God can use to help another person in need. Last Wednesday, in our Melodies and Discoveries class, we were examining the phrase “God helps those who help themselves.” And we discovered that the phrase has a stronger biblical foundation if it is re-worded to say “God helps those who cannot help themselves.” Which is all of us at some point in time, right?

The author Adam Hamilton tells a story of a couple who lost their 35-year old son and were caught in the deep despair of grief. They tried helping themselves for a long period of time. Finally, they went to their pastor, who rallied others in the church family to reach out to them. It was those other people who visited with them, who sat with them, who brought them meals, who ate with them, who empathized with them. God worked through those other people and brought that couple through the crisis. The couple now wonders how people manage without a faith community.

And God I think said, “I have come to you. Can you feel me now?”

Here’s another idea. There are times on our journeys through life when we know that a “Come to Jesus” moment is coming. Sometimes when negativity builds up in the workplace, or when an intervention is the only way to address an alcoholic’s problem. Or when tough love is needed. Parents need to do that with youth sometimes. Adult children need to do that with aging parents sometimes, when difficult decisions need to be made. In those moments, I think God is saying, “I’m reaching out to you. Can you feel me now in these tough moments?”

Or how about when sometimes we feel like we made a mistake and someone got hurt or offended? Or we reacted adversely and our guilty conscience sounds the alarm in our hearts. I think it quite likely that God is Stillspeaking through our guilty conscience saying, “Can you feel me now? Is my message getting through?” It’s then time to listen and revert back to what Jesus taught and practiced. Make amends. Seek forgiveness. Learn and grow.

So, in our world there are so many things going on all at once, so many places to get waylaid off the faith journey. But, no matter what we face day in and day out, God is always sending us the Holy Spirit. Indeed, God is not far from each one of us. And through God in Christ we live and move and have our being.

And God asks, “Can you feel me now?” May it be yes. For every one of us. Amen.

A Song for the Ages

Sun, 07 May 2023 17:00:04 GMT

A sermon/reflection for Music Celebration Sunday.

Psalm 98

Music Celebration Sunday

May 7, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“[God] has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.”

Prayer: The music of the spheres sings your song, O God! Thank you for breathing that song into us. It delights us to worship you through the music you composed for us. It is a beautiful and profound gift. Thank you. Amen.

We are enjoying such music, such joyful sounds, even the power of God’s Presence through the music offered today by all our musicians—vocalists, instrumentalists, directors. Every single one. And the grand finale is yet to come! How cool is that!

Every person who participates in our music ministry is offering something to God. Some part of themselves. Some gift endowed to them. Maybe it’s a singing voice. Could be the talent needed to play an instrument. Even the ability to arrange music. I would say that the love of music is offered to God today. Because each person singing a new song is doing it from their heart and soul. It goes one way; out from them to God. And, it goes out from them to us.

Those of us not directly involved in the music ministries. You see, we too, are involved in the gift-giving to God, because we sing the songs of our hearts right along side our musicians. We also are actively listening. We’re taking in their music. We’re tapping out feet and clapping our hands. We’re participating.

So, we celebrate and thank God for each person in our music ministry and for all of us. We’re making our own joyful noises, singing our new songs together. And it all goes out from us to God. It is all for God.

And all that is right and good. Because I believe God loves it when we give God our praise through music. I think God enjoys our best efforts to shower our holy God with the blessings of the songs in our hearts, the joyful noises on our lips.

But here’s the thing I encourage you to remember today. That this is not a one way street! While we’re singing our songs to God, God always is singing a new song to us! And it’s a song God has sung throughout all generations, throughout all our lives, and continues to sing to each of us today.

It’s a song that has a melody with the lyrics “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you” (Jeremiah 31: 3) And “Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered” (Romans 4: 7). And “I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 20:16). And “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). You see? God remembers to give us and all people holy love. Love that is incessant. Presence that is constant. Steadfast. Faithfulness that is rich with God’s fidelity and loyalty. No matter what.

That’s God’s song for the ages. For all time. It’s a song God sings to every single one of us. It’s a song about the victory God won for us and all people through our Lord, Jesus Christ. God’s resurrection power sings that song!

It’s up to us to hear that song. To take it in. Let its power of unconditional love move us. Stir our heart and conscience to love God more. To love one another. More. To love ourselves. More.

I hope that’s a profound reason why every single one of us sings to God. Because God’s song of love and faithfulness sings to us.

And we sing back to God. We’re on that two-way street. God sings to us. We sing back to God. God and people. People and God. We’re singing God’s song for the ages. Together. Thanks be to God. Amen.

It's Not a Reflection - It's a Resemblance

Sun, 30 Apr 2023 18:41:11 GMT

A sermon about growing to resemble Jesus.

John 10: 1-10

1 Peter 2: 19-25

April 30, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his footsteps.”

Prayer: May we learn to follow you, O Christ; I mean really follow you. Amen.

As many of you know, Barb and I are experiencing the joy of having grandchildren, now going on three years. We have four from three families and one more is on the way! Whoo hoo!

When they are that little, most of us look at the baby and try and see which parent the child looks like, right? I mean we say, “Oh, I see her mother in her.” Or “He’s a spitting image of his dad!” Or, “She has her granddad’s nose” (poor thing!) Or, “He has his mother’s eyes,” and so on.

On some occasions, as in the case of my youngest granddaughter, I was having a hard time seeing which parent she favored… until I saw a picture of her mom when she was a baby! Oh my! Now there’s the family resemblance! Our 6 month old granddaughter is not a mirror reflection, but she bears a striking close resemblance to her mom.

And as I was thinking about that, I began to wonder if this is similar to what it means to be a Christian. What it means to be a follower of Christ. I mean obviously, we don’t look like Jesus (that would be weird), but with an ever-deepening, ever-ongoing, ever-developing relationship with God, a practiced spiritual life, maybe we too can develop a strong family likeness to Jesus. Transforming into Christlikeness. Resembling his values, loving what he loves, listening for and following his voice, walking in his footsteps.

You remember a few years ago an age-old question became popular again. It was the WWJD question—What Would Jesus Do? Every once in a while you might see a billboard or a makeshift WWJD sign on the highway. It was used sort of as a formulaic guide. If you had a perplexing question, just ask yourself ‘What Would Jesus Do?’ Or you were wondering what to do in a particular circumstance? WWJD. And yes, it can be a nice sentiment, a good question to ask. And it could guide you. Because it does point us to the central idea that Jesus Christ is the norm of the entire Christian Bible. Which, of course, is why we are called Christians. And all that is good. Up to a point.

Until you realize that Jesus was totally under the influence of the Holy Spirit all his life. And he responded to his circumstances and situations from that inspiration.

Which I think is the greater point for us. That as Christians, we are also under the influence of the Holy Spirit. I don’t think we are supposed to do what Jesus did (our circumstances are totally different). We’re not called to imitate him, to be a mirror image reflection of Jesus. Instead I think we are inspired to resemble him and what he practiced. To emulate his trust in God. To discern the Holy Spirit that lived in Jesus also lives in us and is influencing our lives the way the Spirit influenced Jesus’ life. He got all his energy from his ongoing relationship with God. His ever-developing spiritual life with the Holy One. That’s the example he left for us, that we should follow in his footsteps. And we are to practice that all through our lives.

But Jesus’ example for us goes even deeper. That in the midst of being influenced by God and God’s ways, the principalities and powers of the world didn’t like his call to return to God’s ways. To repent. To reform. To be renewed. To resemble him. His call was to have a strong likeness to him, to listen to his voice and bring God’s good news to the poor, to do justice by proclaiming release to the captives, to love kindness. And these ways of God showed up in his political viewpoints. In his circumstances. And Jesus suffered for that and was put to death. But, because he suffered for what was right and just, Jesus had God’s approval.

Which is very likely what we can expect. Jesus’ example, to resemble him I think means that we can expect a struggle for following what God loves and values in our most vexing and challenging of circumstances. And this has God’s approval. Even when some of our neighbors, or friends, or colleagues in our society appear to go in a different direction. Who listen to a different voice. Who kowtow to the false gods of this world.

I’m reminded of a “Far Side” cartoon by Gary Larson that has a huge flock of penguins all just existing, doing what penguins do on the ice cap. All except one. This one penguin is above all the rest singing “I gotta be me, Oh! I just gotta be me!” Someone once circled that penguin and wrote underneath “Be that guy!”

Well, when it comes to something innocuous, it’s not too difficult to stand up and sing, “I gotta be me.” But honestly, in matters of resisting the worship of the false gods of this world, to be that guy, it’s a whole lot more difficult. To resemble Jesus, to be critical thinkers that discern what God loves and values, to understand what Jesus stood for, to trust the Holy Spirit’s influence in our spiritual lives, well, that takes a lot more.

Consider the three politicians banned from the House of Representatives in Tennessee in early April because they took part in a protest on gun control on the floor of the house just after the horrific Nashville shooting that killed six people. I don’t know if those three led the protest based on faith principles, but I do know that God loves each person, and God values human life. And our society is being torn apart by gun violence.

The irresponsible love of guns is a thief and a bandit. It steals life. It kills and destroys. It is a false god of this world, the golden calf of our society and is totally opposite of what God values. And these three representatives, Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson are now in good trouble, with Jones and Pearson getting expelled, and Gloria Johnson barely keeping her seat by one vote. Sometimes resembling Jesus means being morally courageous, and has God’s approval, even if suffering comes with it. Thankfully, both Justin Jones and Justin Pearson were reinstated one week later.

So, my prayer for us this week is that we come unto God often. All the time. Let God be your life. Living and breathing. Work that spiritual relationship. So that you’ll be able to frequently refocus on the shepherd and guardian of our souls. This will help you develop a strong family likeness to Jesus. You can discern Jesus’ Holy Spirit living in you.

And I believe that the powerful and holy presence of God will strengthen each of us as we follow in his footsteps, living the example that he showed for us. And hang on to this: that even if you suffer for following Jesus, you will have life and have it abundantly. With God’s approval. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Let Us Bless the Waters

Sun, 23 Apr 2023 20:23:19 GMT

A sermon about the blessing of water.

Luke 24:13-35

Acts 2:14a, 36-41

April 23, 2023

Rev. Fa Lane

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven.”

I love that hymn, God of the Sparrow God of the Whale. I like imagining the animal sounds that are an expression of excited joy, revelry, of praising God! Like the song of the bowhead whale as the creature says “Awe! (audio clip)

I am amused thinking of the chatter of high flying monkeys or morning birds vocalizing a morning praise! If I anthropomorphize just a bit, I like to think that their hearts are excited at life created by God; like the men in Emmaus, who said to one another of Jesus, “Were not our hearts burning within us when he was talking to us? How magnificent is it to think that we and a redwing blackbird and a grey squirrel and a black bear are created by the same God and can all be influenced by God’s presence to exclaim an amen in our own language.

The two men with whom Jesus walked on the road to Emmaus were part of a new band of men and women who’d just been on an emotional rollercoaster celebrating with the Passover meal, crying on Crucifixion Friday and stunned breathless on Resurrection Sunday. I suspect these two men were confused, fearful, maybe a little angry and wistful, if not hopeful for restoration after all as they talked together commiserating about what had happened in Jerusalem.

Those same men may have been present during the Acts story when Peter coalesces those who would follow Jesus to become a body, a church, that professes Christ as Lord. Peter incites an ancient Jewish practice of being immersed in water to be ritually purified. If someone had touched a dead body or been ill and unclean in some way, they needed to be restored. It is what he knows to do to reinstate one into the worshipping congregation. This immersion represented a change in status in regard to their qualification for full religious participation in the life of the community. So, when Peter insisted that everyone be baptized in Jesus’ name, it was an act of saying, I will participate in the community of Jesus. It was (and is) an acknowledgment of Christ’s exalted nature and promise to practice how Jesus had taught them to live. In Luke’s perception, this uniting act makes clear that a person is not a solitary disciple but one of an identified group, the “people of God” who live in a manner consistent with God’s Will.

Luke is the writer of both this Gospel account and the book of the Acts of the Apostles – that’s it’s full tile. In the Acts of the Apostles Luke develops the theme of “hope” for redemption and restoration. It is Israel’s hopes for liberation and restoration. It is in the acts done, such as being baptized, that we are gathered into a people of hope So, when we remember our baptism, we are restoring ourselves to a right relationship, drawing near to God.

Through baptism we join the universal church, the body of Christ. Whether the waters be in a basin, a country creek or the ocean, the words and act, the very water speaks to Christ’s burial – as when we are submerged in water – and then resurrected with Christ coming out of the water. Have any of you been submerged at baptism and came up out of the water? It is through water and the Holy Spirit that we are brought into union with Christ, with each other and with the universal church of every time and place.

Something miraculous happens when we submit to God’s will in baptism. Throughout Luke’s gospel he reminds us that miracles happen. The men in Emmaus encourage us to look for God in our every day encounters. We pray for the Holy Spirit be present in the water and upon the candidate asking God to initiate the sacrament. In this way, baptism is both God’s gift and our human response to that gift. We let our hearts be shifted as we walk in the woods, and come upon a spring God is all around us in nature.

Water is God’s gift in the natural world. It’s properties are able to purify and rejuvenate us. Remember, the Lord restores our souls and leads us beside still waters. Who doesn’t enjoy a swim or a bathtub at the end of a hard day? Even just soaking your feet takes stress away.

It is important that we not waste or spoil this precious resource but bless it. The Green Team, youth of this church and friends were been busy cleaning up the creek behind the church. That water is respite, a home and a food source for many birds and small animals. It’s also a treasure for those of us who walk by it.

Ensuring clean water for citizens of every town and village is a good and noble act. Many villages or small rural community do not have adequate safe water systems. I know that Reuben, in Nairobi, frequently tells me there have been no rains, the land is parched; there are no crops to eat. Less than 10 years ago Flint MI had a water crisis. Native American tribes have to litigate for their water rights where water levels have declined dramatically and growing demand for water plus climate change have reduced river sources. Organizations like the Water Project helps communities gain access to clean, safe water. You can help them.

Peter encourages us to repent to yield to God’s will, and accept baptized in Christ’s name. In yielding, we repent of our past sins and errors.

Let us repent of closing our minds and hearts to the ones in need; those whom we don’t see; the migrant workers on farms living in bad conditions and away from their families; the soil that is damaged from over farming, mining, or floods and chemical spills; the “essential workers” who during the pandemic put their lives and their family’s health at risk; the gay and transgender people who simply want to love whom their heart desires, have secure jobs and homes; the single parents trying to raise children on not enough sleep and not enough support; farmers, especially African American farmers who jump through bureaucratic hoops to produce crops that feed us all. Lord Have Mercy.

Let us repent of uncharitable thoughts, or doubting someone’s integrity, of harboring fear because of skin color, of anger and withholding love for LGBTQ individuals. Let us not curse them but bless them as the water of baptism reintegrate us into Christ’s Church, thankful for Christ’s body and work in the world on behalf of all of us. Let us bless the waters that clears our souls and remind us we are all siblings in God’s world. God’s beautiful and bountiful world.

As you leave worship, or later when you’re washing your hands or taking a glass of cool water. Thank God for the blessing of water.

Amen.

Open Our Doors

Sun, 16 Apr 2023 20:30:36 GMT

A sermon about the opening of doors that have been closed to us.

1 Peter 1: 3-9

John 20: 19-31

April 16, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

Prayer: Holy God of life and new life, help us grow in our belief. Amen.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! And all the people said, “Amen!” AMEN!

Christ is risen! CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED! Yay! One week later, you remembered from last Sunday!

You know, one of the things that makes me mad is that so often we live with a limelight mentality. I mean when something is in the lime light, we focus on it. But as soon as its out of the limelight, it fades into the background pretty quickly.

So last Sunday, we celebrated Easter. We shouted “Christ is Risen” with enthusiasm. I mean we had trumpets! We touted our faith that the darkness of death still wasn’t dark enough for resurrection’s light. That Christ helps us see in the darkness of the graves we find ourselves in sometimes. Did I mention that we had trumpets?

But I know some of you are thinking “that was so last week. C’mon, Dr. G. Easter is over already. Move on!” Half of you are not here this Sunday. Maybe you’re online. It’s one of the lowest attended Sundays of the year. The Sunday after Easter.

But you know what? Easter is not over! It’s never behind us. Because God’s resurrection power still is at work! Because God is still shedding light into our tombs, still rolling stones away. Helping us see in the dark.

And did you know that Easter is a season of fifty days! Not a one day thing. We call it Eastertide. So, we celebrate the joy of Christ being alive right up to the day when we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit that Christ promised. The day of Pentecost! As we in the UCC are fond of saying, “Never place a period where God has placed a comma. God is Stillspeaking,” with a comma on the end of that phrase. So, resurrection continues!

All that is because we know how the Easter story turned out. But transport yourselves back in time to the moment the disciples first encountered the risen Christ. There weren’t any trumpets. No shouts of Christ is risen. Nope. Just the horror and grief of all that had happened. Tragic torture, 2 trials, crucifixion, death, burial.

And that first Easter evening, the disciples were so terrified that they locked the doors of the Upper Room where they last met with Jesus. They were fearful that they were the next ones to be arrested, since they were part of the movement that Jesus started. They figured his death and crucifixion would likely would be their fate as well. So they closed the doors trying to keep out any hostile threats, fearing repercussions for their faith. Period.

But the resurrected Jesus showed up! He entered the place behind the doors they closed. He showed up in their turmoil. He showed up and gave them evidence that he is alive. For them, they saw Jesus and believed. Seeing is believing. And Jesus gave them his peace. Which is the peace of God. The peace that passes all understanding. And he breathed on them and gave them the Holy Spirit. His Spirit. Which is God’s Spirit. And so, Jesus, being alive, changed that period to a comma, because there was more to come.

Most of them got all that anyway. But not Thomas. He wasn’t with them that first Easter. But, a week later, Thomas was there. Now Thomas for sure was a ‘seeing is believing’ kind of guy, which can close doors to faith growth. He was sort of a negative nelson: “Unless I see the mark of the nails and the wound in his side, I will not believe.”

But again, one week later, Jesus showed up behind the doors they closed. And again Jesus gave them the blessing of his peace. Thomas sees Jesus and believes because he sees him. And Jesus is glad. But then Jesus blesses those who live with the idea that ‘believing is seeing.’

Who, of course, are the readers and listeners of Peter’s letter. I love words in the letter, “Although you have not seen him, you love him (that’s you and me); and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice (yes!) with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith—the salvation of our souls!” Praise God! That’s believing is seeing and, those words are certainly for all of us.

But here’s the thing about ‘believing is seeing.’ Having faith without physically seeing leads to the opening of doors we may have closed, or the world closed on us. And there are a lot of them! Like holding on to racism, or religism, or homophobia. Or like labeling people. Or like churches who say they’re welcoming, but then refuse to welcome people of the LGBTQ community into membership. These all close doors.

But faith in Christ means that Christ can come in behind those closed doors, into the places where we feel most vulnerable, where we feel stuck, or where we made poor decisions, and can transform us with his peace. With his presence. With his new life. When we’re trying to figure out what to do next, when we are uncertain, when you had a setback, trying to regroup, the good news is that with faith in Christ, we can receive his living spirit, and share in his resurrection, and experience the way Christ can open our doors. In our hearts. In our situations. Places that say God is still speaking.

So this past week I was looking for places where open doors reveal the Stillspeaking God’s voice. And I read an article about a Lutheran church in one of Norway’s northern islands that is adapting to a changing population. It’s actually the northern most church on the planet. It used to be only coal miners who lived there, but now many multi-national climatologists and short term tourism workers now live there. Among the people worshiping at this Lutheran church is a Hindu family with an 18-month old daughter. “God is God, it doesn’t matter which religion,” said the girl’s father, an environmental chemist. Pastor Siv Limstrand says this is the kind of church she wants to pastor, one that is shared, not guarded” (The Christian Century, “Artic Ministry,” April 2023 pg. 10). Doors are opening.

I also saw an ad on TV that captured my attention. I think you’ve seen it, too. It features a blue box on a black screen that takes up 2.4% of your screen, which surprisingly is the same size of the Jewish population in the United States. Yet Jewish people are victims of 55% of all hate crimes in our country. The blue square is part of a $25 million “Stand Up to Jewish Hate” campaign launched by Robert Kraft, the 81-year-old billionaire through his Foundation to Combat Antisemitism” ( Blue square emoji symbolizes fight against antisemitism - JNS.org retrieved April 14, 2023). Christ is helping open our doors.

And, I was reminded this week that our sister church, Trinity United Church of Christ, Waynesboro, have several doors on the church’s front lawn, each one painted a color of the rainbow, and each one helping to make the phrase “Our Doors are Open to All.” The Holy Spirit is helping open our doors.

So, as we move into Eastertide, don’t assume that Easter is over, friends. Don’t figure that you know the end of the story. Because the gospel of John begs us to respond to Jesus’ resurrection story. Be surprised at how Christ is opening our doors where we may have lived with them closed. Be filled with wonder at how God is putting a comma where you might have put period behind your closed doors.

This is how the God of resurrection is wanting to be known all around us. It’s happening everywhere. Faith just lets us recognize the surprise of Jesus standing among us helping us to open our doors. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Seeing in the Dark

Sun, 09 Apr 2023 13:54:16 GMT

A sermon for Easter Sunday 2023

Jeremiah 31: 10-14

John 20: 1-18

Easter, April 9, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher.”

Prayer: God, you make resurrection power real for us. May we know it, and see it, and feel it, and live it. Amen.

Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!

A couple of weeks ago, I was talking with a few of you in the workroom about eyesight, and night vision, and night driving and colorblindness. All that. And one person said—(and you know who you are)—she said, “I can’t see in the dark. My husband doesn’t believe me because he can see in the dark. But I can’t see in the dark.”

Well, I did a little research. Scientists at the University of Rochester and Vanderbilt University did an extensive experiments with computers and eye equipment. Turns out that she’s right… and he’s right. Because the results suggest that in pitch blackness at least 50% of all people can see in the dark, but only when it’s their own hand that they are moving in front of their faces! Lol! That sounds funny, but it means that our brains are attuned to our self-movements and our familiar experiences. So, half of us can have real visual perceptions in the brain without a lot of optical input. Half of us can see what we’re used to seeing, like even in the dark, like driving at night ( Around 50% of people can 'see in the dark,' study shows (medicalnewstoday.com) . And the other half, not as much.

Suffice it to say that as the gospel of John tells the story, Mary could not see early that first Easter morning because it was dark. Nor could she see because of the darkness in her soul. I mean she had to be sleep-deprived. Probably without her morning cup of coffee. Probably hangry. Definitely grieving deeply. In despair. She had to be stressed out! Her tears were probably non-stop ever since Friday afternoon.

And, she was totally not expecting to find an empty tomb and two angels, let alone seeing Jesus himself. In the murky darkness of early morning, the shadowy figure standing there when she turned around she thought was the gardener!

It was only when Jesus called her by name that a lot of things began to change. For one, her ability to see leapt forward. Not only because maybe the sun was starting to rise up and shed more light on the world, but mostly because the Son of God had risen and shed more of God’s light on the world. Bottom line is that Mary began to see in the dark of the morning and in the darkness of her soul.

Because when Mary recognized Jesus was alive, that meant he was present in her darkness. He was alive in her grief and sadness, her depression, her stress and anxiety. He was alive in her crisis. He was alive in the deepest of all tragedies that she and the rest of the human race could ever face.

Which is the good news of the gospel for us! Because Jesus Christ is alive in our darkness, whatever those may be. He’s alive in our crises, our stress and anxiety. He’s alive in our greatest triumphs and disappointments. Christ is alive in our decisions we need to make and the transitions we go through. Whatever you’re struggling with right now in your life, whatever hopes that were dashed, or hopes of things to come—remember—Christ is alive in it. Amen?!

That’s what I think resurrection means… that God makes Christ alive. And Christ has power to convey his risen life into you and me. And believe it or not, your life is worth Jesus rising into it. No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, your life is worth something to God as Christ rises into it. Because the spirit of the risen Christ will help each of us see in the dark, I think. That is what enables your real life to emerge.

It’s like this story about a man named Sandy who started to lose his eyesight in his late teens due to severe glaucoma. His world went into darkness and so did his soul as he went into a deep depression. One of his best friends named Art decided to help Sandy out promising to be with him as he made his way through life. Art convinced Sandy to go to college and went to classes with Sandy. He read books to him. Art even started calling himself “Darkness” to help Sandy feel that he was never alone. He’d say things like, “Darkness is going to read to you now.” Or “Darkness is walking with you.” That sounded weird to me, but OK. Anyhow, Art organized his life around helping Sandy.

One day though, Art knew that Sandy was becoming too dependent upon him, and while guiding Sandy through Grand Central Station in NYC, Art suddenly said that he had to go. He left his friend alone. Petrified. Sandy stumbled and bumped into people. He fell cutting a gash in his shin. After a couple of terrifying hours, Sandy got on the right train, and got home when he bumped into someone who quickly apologized. Sandy immediately recognized Art’s voice. Turns out Art had followed him all the way home, making sure he was safe and giving him the priceless gift of independence. That he could do it. Sandy later said, “That moment was the spark that caused me to live a completely different life, without fear, without doubt. For that I am tremendously grateful to my friend.” Sandy went on to get married and become a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist. On account of Art, Sandy’s real life emerged. And on account of Sandy, Art’s real life emerged. Art said, “I became a better guy in my own eyes, and began to see who I was: somebody who gives to a friend.”

I think that’s what Christ alive in our lives is like. We get new life, and our real lives can emerge. Lives touched by grace and grace shared with one another. Resurrection means we can help one another see in the dark with a living faith. Which means, I think, believing that God is actively shedding light on the world through us. We may not see how at first. But a living faith means less about being certain and more about keeping our eyes open.

Oh! Guess what? Sandy and Art’s story didn’t stop there. Shortly after Sandy was on his own and married, he got a call from Art who was the one in need this time. Art formed a folk music duo with a high-school friend, and they desperately needed $400 to record their first album. Sandy and his wife Sue only had $404 in their bank account, but Sandy gave his old friend what he needed.

Art and Paul’s first record album wasn’t a success at first, but one of the songs had the opening line “Hello Darkness, my old friend” echoing the way Sandy always greeted Art Garfunkel. Simon and Garfunkel’s song “The Sounds of Silence,” shot up to #1 on the pop charts, and the rest is history.

So, dear Church, my beloved in Christ, let us come to this table today with a living faith that Christ is alive in you. That Christ is alive and helps us see in our darkness. Amen.

One to Another to Others

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 13:51:04 GMT

A sermon for Maundy Thursday

John 13: 1-17, 31b-35

Maundy Thursday April 6, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”

Prayer: Holy One, may we love and serve you by loving and serving others in your power and strength. Amen.

We are wrapping up our Lenten worship and sermon series RUNNING FROM EMPTY this evening. Way back in February, on Ash Wednesday, I shared with us that the whole series was about us running from empty and misleading things that pretend to give us meaning in life. And in each worship service and sermon, we were encouraged through the practices of surrender, emptying, and letting go, to run to God who alone is the One who gives us meaningful life—life for real. To have faith in God for the spiritual sustenance that we need for real life.

Now we explored a bunch of topics that don’t have the power to give us real life, and we’ve only scratched the surface. Because there are many more. But for tonight, I’d like to explore one more topic—and it’s a biggie—it’s ourselves, our self interests. Excessive looking out for number one. Seeing only what’s good for me. What I want to do. What I’d like to have happen. Trusting in only my perspective. Believing only in what I see. Hanging on to only my opinions.

What makes this tricky is that we have to have a degree of selfishness. We have to take care of ourselves. Self care is strongly encouraged especially for those who are in the helping others professions. So, having a balanced dosage of selfishness is good. And needed. You know, like the oxygen masks on the airplane—the flight attendant instructs you in an emergency to put the mask on yourself first. Then you have a supply of oxygen to help those around you.

And that’s what Jesus teaches. Run to God first. Get your supply from God first. Make your self care with God primary. Have faith that God will give you what you need. Know that God will wash your feet figuratively, cleansing you. Making you whole and holy. Believe that God loves you, and in fact, has loved you first. Take all that in. Fill up on the living water of that spiritual fountain.

Then you’re ready and able to turn to others. Then you’re supplied with God’s energy and love so as to pay it forward as it were. Jesus was like an ancient pay it forward person. He said to his disciples, “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” Pay it forward. He said, “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” Pay it forward.

In our day, pay it forward became a thing. Back in 2014, eight-year-old Myles Eckert found a $20 bill in a Cracker Barrel parking lot. Instead of pocketing it, he paid it forward by handing it to a nearby customer. As it turns out, the customer Myles gave the money to was veteran Lt. Col. Frank Dailey. The colonel reminded Myles of his father he never knew because Myles’ dad died in Iraq. So, he handed the $20 to the soldier with this note attached: “Dear Soldier—my dad was a soldier. He's in heaven now. I found this 20 dollars in the parking lot when we got here. We like to pay it forward in my family. It’s your lucky day! Thank you for your service. Myles Eckert, a gold star kid.”

Well, Lt. Col. Dailey told the story about Myles giving him $20, and soon it went viral on social media. Myles was invited to be on “Ellen” and also at former president George W. Bush’s Presidential Library. Years later, Myles and his family created the “Power of 20” campaign with the intention to help other veterans and their families. Little did Myles know that his “pay it forward” gesture would ultimately touch millions of lives ( 30 Real Life “Pay it Forward” Stories That Will Warm Your Heart — Best Life (bestlifeonline.com) retrieved April 6, 2023).

When we love one another because we’ve first been loved, we touch lives. It’s one to another to others. When we pay love forward, we are following Jesus’ instruction.

I hope we realize the impact of what tonight means on our spiritual lives, that God decided to live among human beings in Christ and taught about paying love forward. That Christ died a horrible death clinging to God’s love for humanity and the world, and descended to the dead. And then God defeated death for once and for all in the resurrection. God then promises that we too will rise from death—any kind of death, that death indeed, in any spiritual eternal way, has no sting to it whatsoever on our lives.

This is our God for you! This is what our God does! This is the God who brings us to new life. This is the God who loved us first. Who washed our spiritual feet first. It’s God, giving love to another—each of us.

And we disciples are encouraged to give love to others. This is why we as a church are engaged in mission and outreach. This is why we seek to respond to the needs of others—because our needs were tended to by our loving God first. Everyone of us can engage in helping others. Our Outreach Committee regularly creates opportunities for us to love and serve God by loving and serving others. I am inviting your help on this committee.

We’ve often said that mission is the backbone of our church. It is. We’ve been going on mission trips every year for over 40 years. There’s another one this summer. It’s our way of practicing paying love forward, one to another to others.

But, did you know that our Outreach committee also engages in projects that feed other people? That provides emergency food bags for those in need when they come to our church? That puts diapers on baby’s bottoms? That supports mission organizations every year to the tune of 10% of our operating budget? That’s over $40K!

You see? Everyone of us has first been loved by God. We can pay it forward by loving others. Please let the Holy Spirit stir your hearts, and let us know that you can love and serve others because you’ve first been loved and served by God.

Lastly, not conclude, I want to say what I said as we began back in February. The spiritual practice of running to God is an ongoing thing. It takes us way past tonight. Way past the season of Lent. Whenever we find ourselves wanting something so bad, or believing that if this particular thing happened, we would be deeply happy—those are the moments to run from the emptiness of those ideas and to turn toward God who alone offers true happiness, who alone makes our lives full and rich. So, keep focused on the true fullness that God offers. All the time. Amen.

Palm/Passion Sunday Messages

Sun, 02 Apr 2023 19:05:27 GMT

A mini Holy Week Sermon from each of our pastors.

Matthew 21: 1-11

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Palm Sunday

April 2, 2023

“Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey... They brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them.”

Prayer: May we see your realm, O God, coming into our reality and becoming our reality. Amen.

Today’s time of worship has a rollercoaster feel to it, doesn’t it? We start out joyously, waving palms, tickling your neighbors, celebrating Jesus entry into Jerusalem! It’s Palm Sunday. Then the mood shifts. We end worship today with Jesus dying on the cross. It’s Passion Sunday. We began singing “All Glory, Laud and Honor,” and we will end by singing, “O Sacred Head Now Wounded.” We heard the word “Hosanna!” which means “Save us!” in Hebrew. So it’s no wonder that the crowd surrounding Jesus was shouting “Hosanna!” to him because in Hebrew Jesus’ name is “Yeshua” which translates “One who saves.” But by the end of the week, the joyous crowd was coerced into shouting “Crucify him!” Huge contrast.

Two months ago, Professor of New Testament Dr. Greg Carey asked our Lancaster Ministerium clergy group which one do you focus on? Palm Sunday? Or, Passion Sunday? Some of our colleagues said Palm Sunday. Others said Passion Sunday. I said both! And Dr. Carey said, “Whoa! People will be really ready for lunch!” Maybe.

But, I think both perspectives I think are necessary as we begin Holy Week. Because that first Holy Week was marked by the same contrasts. Matthew has Jesus taking his cue from Zechariah 9 describing the king using a donkey as his ride to enter into Jerusalem. Jesus came in protesting Roman imperial rule. This totally contrasts the way Pilate and other Roman big wigs would have ridden into Jerusalem riding a big, powerful military war horse followed by the military parading Roman banners. The Romans loved their parades. Lots of pomp and circumstance. Lots of showing off their military conquests. Lots of affirmation of greatness.

By contrast, Jesus comes into Jerusalem, the center of religious and political life of ancient Palestine, not showing military power, but instead power in the people’s voice as they engaged in a non-violent peaceful protest. He shows allegiance not to the Roman empire, whose citizens thought that the Emperor was a god, but he showed allegiance to God, the one real and true God. By riding on a donkey and by hosting this parade, Jesus had the temerity to send a message to the imperial culture that it’s God’s rule in life that matters. God’s ways are what living in God’s realm is supposed to be all about.

God’s realm is not about strength as in power over others. It is real strength that is demonstrable by humility and kindness. It’s not about making God great again through coercion and dominance. It’s about making God great through love and service. It’s not about making Jesus the warrior/king ruler over all the forces of evil. Nope. It’s about living in relationship with others under the rulership of God. It’s about being on the opposite side of pride, arrogance, and an inflated sense of our importance and talents. It is based fundamentally on a caring and compassionate attitude toward others without calling attention to oneself.

We have to take our cues from these values. Indeed these four people, heroes of faith in my book, took their cues from having demonstrable humility. Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, and Martin Luther King Jr. All of them heroically dedicated their energies and time to serving their ideals and tirelessly worked to improve the living conditions for other people. Yet they remained modest and unpretentious about their astounding achievements and never tied them to their own personalities. They humbly served not their egos, but instead a greater external cause. Each of them, I believe, was under the rulership of God.

And the rulership of God is life with God. Influenced by God. Touched by God. It is dominated by love, grace, humility, forgiveness, justice, laughter, and sheer joy. Not arrogance and pride and self-preoccupation.

The terrible, sad irony is that Jesus came to Jerusalem wanting to show the powers that be—the religious leadership, the Roman government—this is how to live life with God. How to live a life of love and grace, justice and righteousness, humility and kindness. But instead those leaders showed not only that they didn’t know how to live that kind of life, they only knew how to kill it and take it away.

So, my encouragement for us on this Palm Sunday is to run from the emptiness of power, arrogance, and dominance over others to the beauty and fullness of life that is full of God, and free to lift others up, and help create a more just world for all. May God help us on our journeys this week. Amen.

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Matthew 27:11-49 (selected verses)

Rev. Fa Lane

Passion Sunday

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Jesus’ cry to God is a familiar one for us as we wonder about tragic or deeply disappointing things that happen to us. Children are gunned down, relationship ends; a good friend or a loved one dies suddenly; or you received a ghastly diagnosis. The news is repetitive about lives torn upside down, financial burdens, and wars that disrupt our community life. Why, is the question we ask. Why?

Jesus asks for God to not forsake him as he is abandoned by his followers, interrogated by politicians and religious leaders, and beaten. As his situation turns more dire and dark as the week progresses, it is understandable that he feels abandoned. He has tried to prove his own faithfulness first, by overcoming the temptations in the wilderness.

He recruited disciples to teach and to develop as leaders who would proclaim the good news of God’s kingdom. He taught crowds on the mountain, in homes and the synagogue. His life’s work, his call, as revealed by God was to help people understand God’s ways and to be at peace with God and one another.

If you recall Jesus’ temptations, you might see where we have similar temptations for wealth, for power to override someone, or control the outcomes. Jesus rebuked his listeners to not practice pious showmanship, but to give alms humbly; to pray privately; to provide for others’ without concern for reimbursement. He healed the sick, shared meals with sinners, and challenged the cultural rules that created division among people.

This is the work he did as God’s anointed son. This is the work that brings him to this week before us where he will provoke the powers that be in Jerusalem. We have the benefit of knowing that Easter is coming. But, as we go through the week, I invite you to slow down to be mindful of the trials, the disappointments and the tears of the days prior to Easter.

In fairness, I can understand why Jesus would question God about abandoning him. He had been doing God’s will all along.—Don’t we get discouraged when we are carrying heavy burdens and face our own inability to fix bad things that happen. We are familiar- to some small degree- with what Jesus went through. To feel so hopeless and misunderstood is frightening and lonely.

For Jesus, and ultimately for us, the cross becomes the proving ground of whether God is faithful to the promise of being with us or not. Would Jesus be spared or not? Would death on the cross be the end of the story, or not?

How does Jesus get to the other side of this cross he must bear? Jesus would have known the psalms by heart. I suspect he may have silently recited the 23 ^rd Psalm with particular emphasis on the lines “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me.”

I wonder if we can hold onto that same verse during our own trials? How do we remind ourselves, as Pastor Galen said last week, that God always has the last word? Love Wins!

We travel this week with Jesus to remember there is more to his story (and ours) than the work and the trials and tears, to trust that God will make a way when there seems to be no way.

If you recall the ending of Psalm 23, let us recite it as Jesus might have. It’s our reminder that the still speaking God isn’t finished with our story yet. Let us share it together: “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me” all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Amen.

Unbound from Death

Sun, 26 Mar 2023 18:58:59 GMT

A sermon about hope in the resurrection power of God.

Romans 8: 6-11

John 11: 1-45

March 26, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Prayer: Gracious God, how life-giving you are! May each of us find that our lives are renewed in the you, in your presence, and in the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

They say that nothing’s for certain in life except death and taxes! I know this to be true—right now! I’ve been doing my taxes during the last week. Still not done. Ugh! And, like several of you, I’ve been dealing with death in its variety of forms in the last several months, actually. This past Friday a very good friend of ours lost her 57 year-old brother due to a heart attack. Earlier in the week my former brother-in-law passed away from cancer. He was just a few years older than me. And Barb’s mother’s funeral was just shy of two weeks ago. I know some of you have faced the deaths of loved ones… mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, cousins in the first part of this year. So yeah, death is for certain and surrounds us all the time. Always has. Always will.

No different for Jesus, honestly. If anything, death was more frequent in Jesus’ day. Life expectancy was way lower than it is today. People were more barbaric, too. And medical knowledge and practices were practically non-existent, and what they did practice was in the stone age of medicine if you could even call it that.

But, the sadness and grief are the same when someone dies. So is death’s emptiness. So, when Jesus’ friend Lazarus was dying, Jesus is summoned. Long story short, Jesus delays. Four days. Lazarus dies. Jesus arrives. Gets scolded by grieving Martha: “You know, you could’ve stopped his death, Jesus. You let us down.” “Your brother will rise again.” “Yeah, I know he will—in the resurrection on the last day.” Martha believes “in” the resurrection. But Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life.” And that’s different. It’s an invitation to faith and belief.

Everyone, I don’t want you to miss what John, the Gospel writer is trying to do here. So, I’m going to get a little theological with us. When Jesus says, “I AM the resurrection…” it’s one of many “I Am” statements he makes. I am the vine. I am the gate. I am the Good Shepherd, which is what I preached on last Wednesday night. And so forth.

But the thing is, “I AM” is the beginning of the divine name of God! God told Moses that at Mt. Sinai. In Exodus 3, God says “I AM WHO I AM.” Or, YHWH which translates to LORD in Hebrew (see Exodus 3: 13-15). So, the author John is helping us, the readers, understand that when Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life,” he really is claiming that God and Jesus are one. And in both God and Jesus there is resurrection to eternal life. And remember what I think eternal life is? It’s life with God—and eternal life can happen while we live physically. And it’s promised when our bodies die into the new spiritual life of God’s realm.

So the next question is about belief. Jesus talks of two types of people—first, anyone living physically will certainly die, right? We know that. Its part of life. But with belief in God in Christ as resurrection—that person will live spiritually. The Spirit is life and lives within you. Or, as Paul says, “You are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you.”

Which progresses you to the second type of person. Jesus says that anyone living spiritually with belief in God in Christ as the resurrection and life will never die spiritually. That’s because the ENERGY of the Holy Spirit brings eternal life to you, right away, in the moment of belief. Whether it’s in this life or in the next. So when you believe it, you’re instantly aware of how real eternal life always is and always has been. There’s theology for you!

So, then comes Jesus’ penetrating question to Martha and to us: “Do you believe this?” Having belief is the common denominator with both types of people. With belief that God in Christ is the resurrection to eternal life, you can move from emptiness of death in all its forms to confident and certain hope of the resurrection.

That means that you and I have hope and belief that new life will come from any kind of death we face. Could be the death of a loved one. Could be the death of a pet. Could be getting fired. Could be a divorce. Could be the huge explosion in West Reading. Or, Barb’s alma mater Exeter High School getting blown out in the state championship basketball game Friday, or having your March Madness brackets being blown to smithereens!

Whatever kind of death it is… have hope and belief that the spirit of God, which is the resurrection power of life, can unbind us from death. God will always have the last word. Death does not have life enough to give the last word. Have belief that life always finds a way. God’s word of life is always the last word.

Did any of you see the movie with Tom Hanks A Man Called Otto ? Any movie that Tom Hanks stars in is bound to be good, if just for his acting alone… just sayin’. In A Man Called Otto, Tom stars as a curmudgeonly old man named Otto whose life is reviewed. I’ll try not to spoil the whole movie for you, so suffice it to say that Otto has given up on life following the loss of his wife. He binds himself to death and tries to end his life… on several occasions. But he fails every time. Because life gets in the way. Someone asks a favor of him right when he tries to commit the deed. Someone calls on him for something. Or, the neighborhood kids need his help… and so on. All of which, plus some other things makes him even grumpier. But, eventually Otto realizes that life getting in the way is actually unbinding him from death, making him move from death’s emptiness into the fullness of new life with his neighbors and their children.

So death never has the last word. Only God does. And deep in the heart of Lent, this I think is our spiritual training. To believe that even in our most challenging circumstances God in Christ has the last word of life for us. We have to train ourselves to be Easter people. Because God in Christ is the resurrection and life.

Which makes me ask, can we look into the places where we have bound ourselves to death? To look at what strips of cloth are binding our hands and feet and are covering our eyes from seeing the death we’ve created?

Like being caught in the vicious circle of substance abuse. Remember that God is there. God is there in the detox as your rock and salvation, loving you back to life.

Like struggling through the emptiness of destructive, illicit, or failed relationships. Train yourself to believe in faith that God is there as your light and love and can unbind you from death that comes in those types of relationships.

Like living an inauthentic life in the closet which is slowly killing you. Discipline yourself to believe that in the pain and emptiness of that kind of death, remember that God resurrects the dead.

In order to encounter resurrection, perhaps we have to train ourselves to peer into the tombs we’ve created, and believe that God is calling us to “Come out!” That God says “come out” of your grave, even if you think you can’t. Come out from whatever tomb you’re in. Come out from the cave that blocks light. From whatever binds us to death, come out, even if it feels impossible, and God’s love will raise you back to life, if you’re willing. That’s the good news.

And one last piece of good news I share with you—Jesus said to those standing there, staring at the risen Lazarus, blown away by him being alive, he said to them “Unbind him, and let him go.” He didn’t say to Lazarus unbind yourself. He told the people whom Lazarus loved and who loved Lazarus to unbind him and let him go. I take that to mean that we are the ones to help each other unbind someone from the death bands that constrict their hands and feet. We’re to assist each other in removing the cloths from their faces and our faces to help all of us see life more clearly.

I know in some AA groups, when new person comes and for the first time admits that they are an alcoholic and life has become unmanageable, that person is given a sponsor. And that sponsor sometimes will give the new person an AA sobriety chip that they can carry in their pocket. Receiving that chip is like a pledge and promise to be there for that newbie during the first year of sobriety. The chip is a reminder that help is always nearby in that other person.

You see? We can bind ourselves to each other to help us have faith in God to be the resurrection and life in our lives. So, all of us are the ones now unbound from death and are sharing in new life.

So, be sure to give thanks that the two things that are certain in life are not death and taxes, but instead are God and God’s resurrection power to unbind us from death, and takes us into life eternal. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Coming Out of Blindness

Sun, 19 Mar 2023 15:56:15 GMT

A sermon about coming to see and know our inner strengths.

1 Samuel 16:1-8, 10-12

John 9:1-11a, 13-15a, 24-25

March 19, 2023

Rev. Fa Lane

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him..”

When the Bible stories talk about blindness, it is a hint that the people in the story are not exhibiting faith. They are blind to the work of God in their lives and through their lives. It’s a metaphor. In last week’s Gospel story, Jesus and a woman from Samaria had a conversation about water. We might have been tempted to go with the cultural taboos of a Jewish man speaking with a Samaritan woman, but the writer uses the imagery for a point. Jesus says: “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” He was speaking metaphorically about the life sustaining spiritual water from God.

This week the metaphor is blindness. Being unable to see something, someone’s gifts, insights or hidden strengths: like David, the Shepherd boy, one day being a great King though no one could see it at the time. As I was reading “Silent Lives; How High a Price” the author Sara Boesser, observed that when we are unable to see someone’s real person, what’s inside their heart, if they hide the truth about their whole person, then we can’t benefit from all that they bring to the party of Life.

Will you join me in prayer for that blindness to be lifted from us.

Prayer: Oh God of our yesterdays, our todays, and our tomorrows, we are too prone to live unaware, ignoring or blind to the ways you work in our world. We let our emotions, and other people’s opinions rule our choices and not you. We second guess our intuition, which comes from you, and begin to believe what others want us to believe about ourselves. And so, we pray for your vision, to see all that you have for us, to see all that you’ve placed in us to share and to use as faithful followers of Christ. May we be attentive to see and hear you, O God of our Hearts. Amen.

The idea of blindness in this pericope is about how people were unable to see God at work in this blind man’s life. In those days, blind people were less likely to work and more likely to be a beggar. People with what we now call ’handicapping abilities’, were overlooked; not much was expected of them. Some of us go through life without expectations of being great. We may be on the trajectory of following the world’s marching orders: go to school, get a job, get married, have a family. The startling realization that it’s not what you want can be sobering – and frightening. What if we have limitations. Or what if we just don’t trust that God can work through us?

Sometimes we do that. We don’t see what possibilities are inside people er or even God’s gifts that are inside us. Or we’re afraid that if people did see what we keep hidden: that we’re gay, or don’t want to go into the family business, that we’re dyslexic, or have a chronic condition impacting their energy and ability to work, or that we’re carrying scars of domestic abuse under long sleeves; if others knew, they would shun us. But God sees what’s in our hearts and says “If you knew the gifts of God” inside you, you would rise up, my love, into God’s dream for you.

We may be blind to the ways God speaks in and through each of us to reveal God’s truth, to live in harmony and help create God’s dream for the world.

Let me reveal the way I think I was blind. All my life I have been in the church. My dad was a pastor. I attended summer church camp. I’ve worked in several church positions since college. But, I didn’t really see myself as being in ministry. With no feminine pastors in my past, I couldn’t see me getting in the pulpit. I didn’t see what God had placed in my heart until I was in a real crucible moment in my life. I won’t say I bargained with God… You know the phrase, “if you let me live, I’ll…(do whatever you ask)”.

My question was more like: What am I supposed to do with this? What am I supposed to learn? God, what do you want me to do?

I remember when I first felt called to ministry. It was many years before I actually said yes because I didn’t think I had what was needed. But, I had this inexplicable drawing for a deeper relationship with God., to be helpful to God... Have you felt that?

As I explored what pastoral care was about, first in a children’s hospital chaplaincy program and later with adults, I was exposed to people who spoke into my life about what they saw in me. For example, one mentioned I have a healing presence. I didn’t see it. To me, I was just sitting with patients in the hospital.

A few mentioned how I encouraged them… I thought, well yeah, I’ve been called a positive Pollyanna. So, there I was exploring chaplaincy but was that preparation for ministry? I didn’t see it then, it certainly was. I was blind to it. Have your heard people speaking into your life? It’s very helpful to have people who lovingly will speak about what they see you. Speaking God’s truths about you nudges something deep inside you even if you may be not be able to see what God’s dream is for you.

I think that many of us are blind to the sense that, by our very genesis in God, we are gifted and being prepared for the work of ministry in some way, for some outlet. But, answering this call is a profound experience. It might not be leading a church. It very well might be guiding an outreach team, or stewarding a building project to serve others well. It may be taking immigrant families under wing to help them acclimate to their new home town. It might be providing safe harbor for gay or transgender people. It might be ensuring that families have food, or adequate housing, or medical attention. You might be drawn to be a volunteer first responder and take a CPR class.

God is preparing you so look at what’s in your heart. What news items bother you? What age group are you tender toward? Where do you want to see helpers? God places these desires in your heart. Don’t turn a blind eye to it—trust God’s leading.

God knows you by heart and calls you by heart. That’s how God selected David to be the next King even though he was just a young shepherd at the time. No one knew David’s plethora of gifts, but God.

I believe that, unbeknownst to us perhaps, we have good contributions to make to the world. We might not be able to see what God has given us: our talents, our sensibilities, our preferences and how they contribute to make the world a good and safe place for all of us. Isn’t it time we come out of that blindness and step into God’s calling?

In our hearts, I believe, there is a sacred narrative about us, the story God planted in us. It is like a current pulsing from the Center of God to you, that holds more of the truth about you than the world might see.

You may feel inadequate. You may think your ideas are not good, or your skills are not enough or you’re just too young or too old But, we are not to look at things the way the world does. We are encouraged to trust that still small voice inside as being from God. Our prayer is in the song: “Open the eyes of my heart Lord. I want to see you”. Let us say with the psalmist “The Lord is my Shepherd”, intending to place our trust in God for the dream and the way to realize it.

Pray with me: Lord, I want to no longer be blind to the spark of your divine light inside of me. May I see it when I read your Word. May I be attentive when others affirm my gifts. May I honor the talents and perspectives you’ve given me. May I step forward out of my blindness and into the dream you have placed in my heart so thy Kingdom is realiized. Amen.

Never Thirsty Again

Sun, 12 Mar 2023 20:48:08 GMT

A sermon about overcoming spiritual dehydration.

Exodus 17: 1-7

John 4: 5-42

March 12, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

This Bible story of Jesus and the woman at the well takes place in Samaria. Did you know that Jewish people thought that the Samaritans were unclean, and Samaria was considered a foreign country? Yep. And women in both countries were lower class citizens.

Well, Jesus breaks down the barriers that imprison persons and communities—he breaks down the barriers of sex, ethnicity, ethics, marital status, and religion. The woman at the well could just as easily be seen as someone marginalized in our day, like a drug addict, or an AIDS patient, or a transgendered person, or an undocumented immigrant, or as a person “living in sin,” and so on.

The passage is full of theological meaning with metaphors like living water, God is spirit, food to eat, sowing/reaping. The gospel writer John even alludes to the Messiahship of Jesus in a variety of ways.

But notice how the woman starts out thinking about water she can drink, but then she moves toward understanding that living water is for your inner spirit. And Jesus also teaches that food for the body is a metaphor for food for the soul. Let’s listen! Follow along in the bulletin. It’s long!

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.”

Prayer: May your Spirit wash over us, O God, and fill us with your water of life. Amen.

Of course, we all know that water is a basic necessity of life. Everything that lives and breathes has water in it, and some things that don’t live and breathe also. For us humans, we need to be in the Goldilocks Zone with water. Too much of it can kill you. You can drown in your own water. Too little of it will kill you, too. You can die of dehydration. With water, need to be in the “just right” zone.

Water is huge in the bible. Verse 1 of our opening hymn had us singing about the water at Creation. There’s just the right amount of water to have life start on our planet. Our astrophysicists tell us that if a planet has water on it, then life very likely has begun there.

In verse 2 we sang of Moses parting of the Red Sea (aka Sea of Reeds). And next let’s remember that a little later in the Genesis story, the great flood comes, and the story goes that everything died except for Noah, his family, and all the living things on the ark. So yeah, too much water can kill you.

In our Exodus reading, when Moses led the people out of the bondage of Egypt, they get out into the wilderness and begin to complain and quarrel with Moses about not having enough water. So, Moses strikes the rock and water comes out giving everyone enough to drink.

Now there’s a parallel story found in Numbers that Bible nerds will tell you are two different accounts of the same event. But there’s a difference—in Numbers, Moses is told by God to speak to the rock and water will come out. But, Moses strikes the rock, twice, and water comes out. But that doesn’t make God happy, and for lack of faith in God, or for disobedience, or not calling on God’s power, or all three, Moses is banished from entering the Promised Land.

All of which leads me to ask, “What do Moses and Wil Smith have in common? They both hit rocks instead of talking to them” ( The 104+ Best Moses Jokes - ↑UPJOKE↑ retrieved March 10, 2023). And, now they both are caught between a rock and a hard place! Ok, admittedly, that was low hanging fruit!

But, let’s move on. Water is super important in Jesus’ day, too. Verse 3 of our opening hymn reminded us of Jordan River’s water at the baptism of Jesus.

And of course, John chapter 4 brings the metaphorical meaning of water. The woman at the well in the foreign country of Samaria is thirsty for something. And at first she didn’t even know she was thirsty.

I think she was like what we get on a hot summer day, particularly when we’re on the mission trips. We often warn everyone working in the heat to drink all day long, because you may feel fine, but you don’t even know you’re getting dehydrated.

So, I think Jesus senses that the woman is spiritually dehydrated even though she may not know it. And as Jesus is talking, she soon realizes that Jesus is speaking metaphorically, that he really means the water of life is spiritual and will fill her heart. Living water is the power of the Holy Spirit in her life and will lead her to a relationship with God. It will lead her to eternal life—which as I’ve said before, is life with God. It will lead her to a transformed life that is filled with God’s grace and forgiveness, a life that is loving, bountiful, and authentic. In short, anyone who receives the living water Jesus offers will never be thirsty again.

So, all week long, among other things occupying my mind, I was trying to see where we might be dealing with some spiritual dehydration. What metaphorical “foreign country” do we find ourselves in that spiritually wipes us out?

I mean how many times have we seen something on the news, and we say, “Oh, not this again. I’m so tired of this or that.” Like that pic of Wil Smith slapping Chris Rock! Or, like practically all last year, for example, I got so spiritually dehydrated by all the political ads that were everywhere. All the vindictive jabs at other candidates. All the false promises. All the violence that was incited.

And for some of the more hellacious crises, we’ve grown complacent. Mass shootings I fear are becoming just another part of life. Almost second nature. Hatred of others, power over others, dependency on things, passing judgment over others. Thes are becoming so common that we’re beginning to think nothing of them anymore. We’re beginning to not be aware of how spiritually dehydrated and empty they make us.

We’re supposed to be people of God’s promise. We’re meant to be people filled with God’s living water. We’re intended to be people of God’s grace. Yes, life has its ambiguities and imperfections, but we are designed to be people who are in a life-giving, loving relationship with God. We’re meant to never be spiritually thirsty again.

So you know how I think we begin to know that we’re not spiritually thirsty? It’s when in the imperfectness of life, we don’t forget that God is faithful. In the crises that come upon us, we don’t overlook that God is already there, standing in front of us at the rock of our crisis, cracking open the rock and gushing the living water upon us. Don’t forget that God is Full of Grace, already standing at the wells of what we once thought were deep and fulfilling, but are really shallow and empty.

So, run from the emptiness of forgetfulness and complacency. Because God is standing there opening up those rocks. And living water fills eternal life within you.

Because don’t forget that before we can earn God’s living water, God’s grace satisfies our thirst with it. Just ask God for this living water. Before we can confess our need for thirst-quenching redemption, God already redeemed us. Just decide you need to live in God’s redemption. While we were still sinners, Christ died that we might live. Just reach to God for this life-changing grace for spiritual new life.

And guess what? You body gets new life, too. Study after study shows that people in a life-giving, loving relationship with God live longer. There’s better emotional stability. Crises are faced with less anxiety. There’s a calmness and a genuine spirit of peace. According to a Washington Post analysis of data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, religious or spiritual activities and relationships do more to make people happier and add meaning to their lives than any other category of activity.

So the depth of truth in verse 4 of our opening hymn stands out:

Living water, never ending,

Quench the thirst and flood the soul.

Well-spring, Source of life eternal,

Drench our dryness, make us whole.

Indeed, Holy God, let us never thirst again, drench our dryness and make us whole. Amen.

From Earthly Things to Heavenly Things

Sun, 05 Mar 2023 19:16:47 GMT

A sermon about a faith that expands us beyond what we know.

Romans 4: 1-5,13-17

John 3: 1-17

March 5, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell about heavenly things?”

Prayer: Eternal God, may we open ourselves up to you and let you prod us and move us to the deeper truths you desire us to know. Amen.

About three weeks ago, I saw an ad on TV that I could trade my old phone in for a new one. Just go to AT&T and get started. And, Barb got an email that offered her a new iPhone that if purchased in the store was cheaper per month than if she ordered it online. So, off to AT&T we went. And I got a new phone to replace my old

phone which I got in 2018, and Barb got her new iPhone to replace the one we got her in 2016!

And, no surprise here, phone technology has really changed over that period of time! Not to mention that the phone plans we were on really changed as well, as in, they weren’t offered any more. And the prices for the new plans were considerably LESS than what we were paying on the old plan. Plus, my phone came with a new watch for half price! So, win-win all around!

And I was like, what’s the catch? Well, the catch is that the technology and how to use it is new. I’m still on the learning curve with what buttons to push to get my clock back on display. And for both Barb’s new phone and mine, what I’m calling the “Home” button, which was a real button, on our old phones is gone! Oh, the button is there, it’s just not a real “button” anymore. It’s part of the icons.

I’ll get the hang of it, of course, with practice and usage, but I have to expand my mindset. I have to learn new techniques. Because the old stuff no longer applies.

Nicodemus shows up one night where Jesus is staying, maybe as a representative of a group of Pharisees. He says to Jesus that they’ve been impressed by the works, the “signs” that Jesus was doing. You must be from God in order to do such amazing things, he says. No one can do them without God’s Presence. That’s Nicodemus’ pinpoint focus. He and his Pharisee friends basically only see the amazing signs Jesus was doing.

But Jesus invites Nicodemus to expand his mindset from that pinpoint to a much wider focus. Jesus says you can’t see God’s realm unless you’re born from above, which I take to mean, “You think these signs you see are because of the Presence of God? Yeah, but not just these signs. You have to be born from above to see the entire realm of God all around you because of the Presence of God.” Mind blown.

But, the trouble is, expanding your mindset is not an easy thing sometimes. Change is not always a walk in the park. It’s hard for Nicodemus to get his head around the ‘born from above’ part. He doesn’t get that Jesus’ earthly example—when you’re born into this world, you’re born in the flesh and of water—speaks of heavenly truth—when you’re born spiritually, you’re born in the Spirit. And that spiritual rebirth, that infusion of God’s Presence into your life is like the wind—you can’t see it, but you sure can feel the effects of it.

Nicodemus though, still stuck in the earthly realm, still dependent upon what he thinks he knows asks, How can these things be? How is this possible?

And Jesus is like, “What? You’re a teacher of Israel, and you don’t get it? We’ve been telling everyone what we know about God, and God’s realm and God’s Spirit, and you reject what we’re saying. I’ve been using earthly examples to help you believe, but you don’t. If I have told you earthly things and you don’t believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?”

So, here’s the thing, dear Church. Jesus’ words are for us. Jesus is teaching us heavenly things. Can we use Jesus’ words to help us move from earthly things and ideas to heavenly ones?

On our spiritual journey this Lenten season, I’m encouraging us to expand and open our hearts and our minds to run from what you think you know already, which 99% of the time is what gets in the way of us expanding and growing. And run toward the heavenly truths that God invites us to absorb and live in.

But, it takes faith. It takes faith to help us expand beyond what we think we know. Faith, like the faith of Abraham. Faith that uses the head and the heart. Faith that God will stretch you. And expand you into new heavenly things.

It’s kind of like having faith that God is singing a love song to you in your inner life. Because God has incredible love for you. And for the world. It’s a song that sings of eternal life coming within you. That’s God in you. That’s Love in you. Right now. God sings, we hum along. And life begins. We’re often think that eternal life happens when life ends. I think we’re better off believing that eternal life is when life begins. It’s God’s song in you right now. Life going forward begins right now in a new way for you.

And when you choose to have that song play in your heart and your mind now, you begin to see things differently. Earthly things, like having the newest and best-est stuff—that doesn’t have as much pull anymore. Because, ultimately, having stuff can’t fill us. It’s empty. Earthly concepts like relying on your own common sense as the main guide for your life, or following all the rules and regulations to justify your actions, even if it means others are unjustly treated, or sticking with the age-old idea that you have to earn God’s love—all these, in the end are empty and lose their validity when you let God’s love song sing in you.

And yet we continue to make our own music and move with our own rhythms apart from God’s song. Our earthly songs of power and domination, greed and violence, racism and religism, and all other songs like it—these are our songs sung in a different key. We think these are forever a part of us. We think we can’t do much about them. But in truth, they are all hollow, empty, meaningless and are off-key from God’s song.

And we can do something about them. We can run from these earthly things that are empty. But, it takes our choice. It takes our discipline. It takes our desire to expand and sing God’s song in our hearts. Because God’s love is on the move, inviting us to expand with God constructing ever larger and more expansive circles of love to others. Ever-widening expressions of justice and fairness, grace and forgiveness.

Paul asks his readers to understand that God’s Promise is not dependent upon doing good works. Instead it is dependent upon having faith in God. Because things of the earth do not have the ability to give us God’s Promise. Only love for God does that. Earthly concepts do not renew our inner spirit. Only grace does that. So then God’s Promise rests on the love and grace of God, not on our good works that we do, not on our wealth or riches, not on our smarts or our privilege, not on our fine-tuned abilities. It takes love, grace, and faith.

On Thursday, my brother visited me, and we were working in my workshop because he loves wood working, too. And as he was putting some wood putty in the corner gap of a cabinet door frame I made that didn’t quite fit right, which is par for the course, he laughed and said, “Heh, shims, caulk, and paint will make a carpenter what he ain’t.” I laughed. “Where’d you get that?” He said, “Off a Home Depot video or something.”

But, I thought about that… and it’s true. Shims, caulk and paint will cover up the mistakes and make a not-so-good carpenter look good. And, the more I thought about that, I realized that the earthly things of shims, caulk and paint are speaking a heavenly truth. So with just a little tweaking of the words, listen to God’s truth: “Love, grace, and faith will make every saint what they ain’t.” See?

The only difference is—it’s not a cover-up. Our sins, our mistakes are not covered up. From God’s point of view, they’re seen, forgiven, then gone. When you said that bad word. When you ignored that person in need. When you failed in whatever. Expand your faith to believe that from God’s perspective they’re gone. Because it’s God’s love. And your love. Combined. God’s grace. Your grace. God’s faith. Your faith. All of it combined makes you a saint through and through. Completely. From God’ s point of view, because of Christ, our sins are gone. From there, we’ve been set free. Now we live differently.

It’s God’s promise made true because of love, grace, and faith. And the promise is life with God. Redemption and grace from God. Light and wisdom by God. Strength and courage in God.

Faith that God’s promise is for all. You perceive that promise is true when you have faith.

We can expand on that promise when we follow Jesus, even when it takes us to the cross of emptying of ourselves of earthly things. But it moves us to heavenly things—living eternal life now. Being with God now, as Christ is with God now. Being with each other now as Christ is with us. Now.

Let us stand and sing of the new life in Christ that fills us now and the promise of new life “beyond the river.” Amen.

You Can Have It All

Sun, 26 Feb 2023 15:02:56 GMT

A sermon about being filled with life, meaning, and spiritual depth.

Genesis 2: 15-17, 3: 1-7

Matthew 4: 1-11

February 26, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“Away with you Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”

Prayer: O God of mercy and grace, lead us toward you, we humbly pray, for spiritual sustenance, nurture, and grace. Amen.

When I chose this title “You Can Have it All” for today’s sermon, I kept hearing Adele’s song “Rolling in the Deep” in my head. The song’s about a couple whose relationship fell apart, and Adele sings that they could’ve had it all…

We could’ve had it all

Rolling in the deep

You had my heart inside of your hand

And you played it to the beat .

That’s like I think the Tempter is saying. “You could have it all, Jesus. You’re rolling in the deep of humanity. Just show your power. You’re hungry? Do some fancy stuff. Use your power to change stones into bread. It’s self-serving and all, but it will put the hearts of people inside your hand, proving to them that you are God.”

Changing stones into bread might fulfill Jesus’ personal hunger, but that would be misusing God’s power. It might give him a flash of physical sustenance, but three hours later, he’ll be hungry again. Jesus says that real sustenance doesn’t come from bread alone. It comes from God.

So, of course, he needs to eat. We all need to eat. But Jesus is role-modeling that food for your soul is just as important as food for your body. And real sustenance for your inner spirit comes from God.

The trouble is that our culture constantly is messaging something different to us. I mean sometimes I go into my SPAM folder to check if something important got stuck there. And oh my gosh! There are literally hundreds of email about this sure-fire pill to lose weight, or that award you’ve won that is sure to change your life. Just click on this link and eat the fruit of that tree. Change that stone into bread.

You can have it all! Because you don’t have it all now. Because you’re not good enough the way you are. You need to change this about yourself. I hear that all over the place. That’s the messaging we get. And it’s all empty lies. God loves you as you are. You might lose some weight in the beginning of a diet plan, but keeping the weight off is the hard part. You might get that reward from COSTCO or Southwest Airlines or whatever, but you run the risk of getting malware on your computer. God loves you and claims you as you are. So, you want to know what running from empty looks like? Just look at your SPAM folder. And RUN!

Again, the second time the Tempter said, “You could have it all, Jesus. Given that you are the Son of God, you are endowed with much power and energy to do whatever you like… and it will be fine. Heck, you can even make a reckless decision, like throwing yourself off a cliff just to prove you’re the Son of God, and it’ll be all good. So, go ahead—throw yourself down. Because God will command angels to come and protect you. Again, it’s a bit self-serving, showing off and testing God like that, but you have the power, Jesus. You could have it all.”

And I think how we test God for our safety and security sometimes. For God to help us handle our stress. ike how often have we heard “God will not give you more than you can handle?” Which by the way, is not biblical. So we’re told to buckle down, force yourself through the tough crisis, believing the false empty lie that God is not going to give you more than you can handle. I've heard plenty of people say, “Thank you God, I think I’ve got enough.” Meanwhile sometimes irreparable harm is being done.

Or, for a while on my faith journey some years ago, I thought I could go along in life trusting that God would lead me in the way God wanted me to go, and if I got off the track, God would do something to help me put on the brakes, (maybe send angels to protect me, I don’t know) and maybe, hopefully, I would change course. So, I would go along without thinking, or without critically evaluating, or without taking time to pray, research, ask questions and engage in conversations with others.

God gave us a brain and expects us to use it. Remember Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Using our brains with discipline, curiosity, and a hunger for truth is indispensable to the practice of loving God. It’s vital as we run from empty things toward God who is not to be tested but desires our love and collaboration. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not rely on your own insight” (Proverbs 3: 5) means a lot to me, and I know to many of you, too.

And lastly, the Tempter said, “Assuming you are the Son of God, you have the power to give up your vocation, your calling as the Son of God. Just worship me, and I will, in return, give you all the kingdoms of the world, with all their splendor and glory, with all their riches and power. Just give up being the Son of God and worship me. Again, somewhat a selfish power-grab, but you can have all it all, Jesus.”

You want to know who I think has succumbed to this temptation? Vladimir Putin. I’m guessing he pretty much never had an inkling that he is a child of God and is loved by God. Or, if he did ever hear that in his life, he turned his back on such a status. And he listened to the Tempter’s voice, which is a form of worship, isn’t it? I mean worship in part means to ascribe worth to something. Putin gave worth to the evil thought that he could have Ukraine with all its splendor and glory, gaining its riches, while seizing power for himself. It’s basically a selfish power-grab that worships evil.

Putin and other power-hungry tyrants over the millennia have shown that the power of evil is real and destructive. It promotes chaos and death. It threatens the well-being of others, including other nations of the world, especially now that the use of nuclear weapons is a real possibility in the war in Ukraine.

The temptation to take power is easily recognized on the world scene, but it’s just as dangerous in many close to home places. Because hasn’t the Church over the millennia tried to usurp power over people? Lord it over people’s lives with rules and regulations? Telling people who’s in God’s grace and who’s out? Who’s allowed to share in Holy Communion, and who can’t? It’s all empty.

But Jesus, in response to the Tempter’s seductive hiss for selfish power and worship, says “Away with you, Satan, you Tempter! Worship is only reserved for God! Serve only God!” Give worth and value only to God.

In other words, dear church, you can have it all—for life and meaning, for fullness of spiritual needs, when we are aware of the need to put first things first. And the first thing is God. You can have it all for spiritual health and wellness when you have God.

Our season of Lent helps us run from empty things in life toward the God of our ancestors. God who is with us now. So worship God. Serve God. Love God. Love whom God loves. Love what God loves. Justice. We’re rolling in the deep of humanity when we practice love for others. Peace. Liberty. When we collaborate with God for the liberty of others, we have their hearts in our hands. So “Lift every voice and sing, ‘till earth and heaven ring, ring with the harmonies of liberty. Let our rejoicing rise, high as the listening skies; let it resound loud as the rolling sea.” Amen.

Life for Real - Real for Life

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 19:54:06 GMT

A Sermon for Ash Wednesday

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An Encounter with God

Sun, 19 Feb 2023 19:35:07 GMT

A sermon on waiting, that we may connect more deeply with God.

Luke 21:5-19

Isaiah 65:17-25

February 19, 2023

Rev. Fa Lane

“Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there.”

For any confirmands listening today, I challenge you to identify the hymns that I refer to in my sermon. I’ll talk to you later. For the rest of us, you know that Moses and Joshua, his assistant, were really excited that they were being instructed to come up the mountain. This was a big deal! They were selected from all the Israelites, invited to traverse this chasm between the human environment and the holy realm, to be in God’s presence. The Bible describes them as going into “the glory of the Lord that had settled on Mount Sinai.” This invitation to holiness is what we sing about in the hymn “Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult” (#171). Henri Nouwen, revered spiritual leader, was convinced that “prayer is not so much based on our desire for God as on God’s desire for us.” So we get invited to have an encounter with God.

We understand that the language of the ancient world uses the idea of “ascending” to represent the leaving our human context and aspiring to God-consciousness, leaving our human ways and living a more holy life, speaking with more loving words, acting with more patience and generosity, being more like Christ. Perhaps the spiritual transfiguration of prayer results in God’s presence in our actions and attitudes rather than a changed physical appearance.

Prayer: Lord, may we approach you, as going up on a holy mountain. Whenever we pray, rather than ask you to fix things or change other people, may our prayer be that we are changed for the better. Enable us to live more synchronous holy lives based in Your love and serving as Jesus served wherever there is need. O Holy Spirit, be present with us in worship today. Amen.

For most people of the ancient world, being in God’s presence was actually something to fear, if one saw God’s face it was believed they would die because you couldn’t be in the presence of that kind of power and not yield to such a superior Source.

Moses was called into God’s presence twice. He waited at the top of the mountain for the cloud with God’s glory to settle on it. It was after 6 days of waiting that God then called Moses into the cloud, into God’s presence.

When I read this account from Exodus I thought of that picture of a dog with a biscuit on her nose. God tells Moses to “Come Up to me” and “wait there’.

Did you notice that Moses in turn tells the elders of the tribe “wait here for us.” Waiting is such a hard thing to do, especially when you want God to answer your prayers. Heck we get impatient with simple things like at the grocery store.

Think about it, it takes weeks to months for plants to mature and produce vegetables and fruits. Someone brings those harvested crops to the market. We pick out those yummy carrots or strawberries and apples in less than 5 minutes. But we get impatient when there are long lines or only 2 or 3 lanes open.

I confess that impatience shows up in my prayer time some mornings. I peek at the clock and think “Uh, God, I’ve got 5 more minutes till I have to go to work, can we get this done? It takes me a while to get out of my own way. Am I alone in this? Can you relate, thinking, “I don’t have enough time to pray.”?

Let’s look at the ‘hike’ that Moses and also Jesus and his friends, embarked on up a mountain. I see them as getting away from human concerns and getting closer to God. I noticed that there is no mention of taking along provisions. I mean, Moses knew he was going to be gone for awhile; he told the men who were at the plateau with him to stay there so people could bring complaints and arguments to them while Moses was gone.

Likewise, there’s no mention of the disciples sitting down to eat with Jesus on this mountain. Its not like they’d taken a picnic lunch or fishes and loaves. They’d been in Caesarea Philippi, on the Mediterranean Sea and he simply “led them up a high mountain, by themselves.”

So, God calls us away sometimes, maybe mid-workday and we’re to leave things behind to spend time with God. God invites you -and me to come “Just As I Am” (#207). In the Matthew narrative, it was after they were with Jesus that he led them up a high mountain by themselves for an encounter they wouldn’t forget! Imagine getting up from your desk to have an encounter with God like that.

Jesus in this story was transfigured, his face shone and his clothes became dazzling. To be transfigured is to have a change in appearance: a glorifying, spiritual change. The voice of God spoke a blessing over Jesus, “this is my son, the Beloved.” and the voice gave a directive: “Listen to him.” So, when Jesus call us, we are to follow him, follow him wherever he may go. (Ok, that’s not a church hymn).

The scriptures make it sound so easy to just pull away from whatever you’re doing and spend time in prayer. But we all know it’s not easy to steal away to Jesus (#599). However, it’s important that we do so. Jesus see our troubles, our bruises, our grief and coos to us an invitation. Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, come home.(#449) Come up to me and be with me.

Especially during Lent, there is value in waiting with Jesus, knowing the end of the story, but being in the ‘not yet’ space. I’m trying to imagine a sequestered prayer time with Jesus during Lent and experiencing a spiritual change that feels “glorious.” Remember, we’re praying for ’God change us.’ So, my prayer is “Transfigure me so I shine with Your love, O God.” Change me so I have insight and courage to make a difference for families in need. Change me so I stop wasting time and money on frivolous things. Change me with the spirit to stand up, speak truth and lead with humility.

First, that would require that I not go into my prayer time with my ’honey-do list’ of requests. Oh Lord, please heal so-n-so; please help so-n-so find a better job; please provide peace to the people of such-n-such city or country. Rather, Oh Lord, break open my heart. Open my eyes, my ears to see and hear what you see and hear.

It also requires that I stop what I’m doing…texting; emails, reading, munching on breakfast. Prayer invites us to get in the zone with God then wait…but my mind goes over all over the place! “Oh I gotta send a reminder to someone; mmm, let me text this idea real quick so it’s off my plate…”

So, instead of being drawn away to a sweet hour of prayer (#505) that calls me from a world of care, I’ve cluttered up my mind with tasks of this world. Rather than purifying my thoughts to ascend the mountain to be with God, I’ve brought along all this baggage from my human thinking that hinders me.

We have to be intentional to have an encounter with God and not let the usual things hold us back. As we head into Lent, we’re provided a 40-day opportunity to clear out the muddiness of our minds. We’re given 6 weeks to be transformed, to establish some new habits of clean living, purifying our bodies, excavating our old attitudes, re-thinking how we respond to certain situations. Henri Nouwen explains, “The invitation to a life of prayer is the invitation to live in the midst of this world without being caught in the net of wounds and needs.”

When God calls us out of our ordinary day and whispers “Come up to me on the mountain; and wait,” may we do just that. The early fathers and mothers in the faith would spend time in their monastery cells in prayer doing the penitential work of confessing sins, repenting of them and finding forgiveness.

Amma Syncletica, one of the Desert Mothers, used the image of a mother hen tending to her eggs when describing the importance of sitting still in one’s cell (waiting). She used the nest as a metaphor for our prayer time and the eggs as a metaphor for the virtues we are cultivating through prayer: patience, truth, generosity, humility, etc. If the mother hen leaves her eggs to wander about, the eggs will grow cold and never hatch.

May our prayers cultivate the virtues that would have us see the poor and homeless that walk the alleys and streets of Etown. May an encounter with Jesus give us a directive that helps the world be a safer place for LGBTQ people. We might encounter the Holy One when we to sit with someone for a few minutes, and that conversation transfigures both of us, giving us new insight.

God can be present with us on a mission team trip, or hiking or joining a social justice rally, a prayer circle, or a study group. The invitation has been extended to encounter God: “Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there."

God of making

and unmaking,

Of tearing down

And re-creating,

You are my home

and habitation,

My refuge

And place of dwelling.

In your hollows

I am re-formed,

Given welcome

And benediction,

Beckoned to rest

And rise again,

made ready

and sent forth.

- Jan Richardson, Night Visions, 1998. Wanton Gospeller Press. Orlando, FL

God's Big Project - YOU!

Sun, 12 Feb 2023 17:37:54 GMT

A sermon about the call to keep maturing in the Christian faith - without stopping!

Matthew 5: 21-26

1 Corinthians 3: 1-9

February 12, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“You are God’s field, God’s building.”

Prayer: Help us mature in faith, O God, so that we can be about the changes you bring for tomorrow. Amen.

The Opening Words in the bulletin as we began were in part based Deuteronomy 30. I want to share with you the story behind Deuteronomy 30. Moses and all the Israelites who have been led out of Egypt are right at the edge of the Promised Land waiting to go in. In Deuteronomy, Moses summarizes all of the Israelites 40 years in the wilderness since the exodus out of Egypt in three big long speeches.

So. at the end of the last speech, Moses tells the people that the ways of God are laid out before them, the way life and prosperity, death and adversity, blessings and curses. But, they must choose. Moses tells them to “Choose life, so that you and your descendants may live in the land by loving the Lord your God (see Deuteronomy 30: 15-20).

In other words, you’ve come this far, but don’t stop there. Go into the Promised land and choose life. The journey as God’s people is not complete. No, it’s only just begun.

A few years ago, when we went through our 2-year + process of becoming an Open and Affirming Church, we finally got to the point of voting to adopt our ONA Covenant. And we did! You! But some were like, “OK. Good. We did that. Don’t have to think about that ONA stuff anymore.” But, several of us said, “Don’t stop there! The journey as an ONA church has just begun!”

I have 5 youth in Confirmation this year. So many of our previously confirmed youth have the mentality that confirmation was like graduation, “OK, I got confirmed. Now I’m done.” But, I’m like, “No! Don’t stop there! Getting confirmed is a beginning of a personal faith journey with God and engagement with others in the church’s ministries. Confirmation isn’t an end, you’re just getting started!

Last Sunday in my sermon I told you to breathe in and savor two essences of who you are: 1) that you are Beloved by God and 2) that you are Light-filled. I told us that we live in the ocean of God’s love. Our reality is love and redemption. Humanity lives in the reality of God’s everflowing Love and Redemption. When we accept Christ Jesus as our Savior and Redeemer, we are aware of that great gift of God. And all that is great and wonderful and good!

But, don’t stop there! I have too much love and respect for you guys as people on the faith journey, as people who think critically and thoughtfully to have you stop there. Because to stop there I think means stopping short of God reaching the goal that God has for you and me.

And, what is God’s goal for us? Well, I don’t believe God’s goal for us is to save or redeem us. Jesus already did that. We ARE saved, redeemed, and loved, every single one of us… every single person of the human race.

I also don’t believe God’s goal is to make us better people, to have us live by the golden rule, doing unto others, and all that. We can choose to do that on our own. The golden rule exists in several other religions and cultures.

No, I keep thinking that God’s goal is to have you… that’s it… to simply have you. You, with all your strengths, gifts, and abilities. You… with all your humanness, weaknesses and missteps. You… with every part of you under God’s full influence of love and grace so that God can help herself to you and your gifts, and use you all the time...to have you become the will of God... at any time. Anywhere.

So, I wonder if God’s big project—is you. Paul says you are God’s field in which God wants to work. You are God’s building. You are God’s big project. God is working on your heart, to have you… to have you be a place where God lives. To have you be the words that God wants to speak. To have you be God’s light to the world.

And God uses some others in your life, too, using their gifts for that common purpose, whether they know it or not. While each person brings something unique, each of their many perspectives can lead you to God. God causes the growth on your heart so that you choose to say, “God, I’m yours. You had me at ‘ever-flowing Love and Redemption.’ Use me as you will.” Then God has you. You are God’s big project.

I think God delights in knowing that “I have blank as my faithful servant, to serve me, and my purposes in the world,” and fill in the blank with your name.

Now lest some of you think that that sounds too simple, let me just say that it is much more challenging than it sounds. Think of last Sunday’s message that our true essence as Beloved and Light-filled is Part A. The spiritual milk part. But don’t stop there. Today is Part B. The solid food of faith part.

Because yes, humanity lives in the reality of God’s everflowing Love and Redemption. But, I think if God is going to have you and me, as Christians, we have to continue maturing in the Christian faith. And honestly, that requires a good long look at how we embrace, incorporate, and follow the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, or not.

I mean if you or I choose not to let God’s grace and redeeming love change us on the inside… if you or I enjoy and savor God’s presence and love only for ourselves without sharing it with others, then who cares if someone has something against me when I come to worship… it’s my religion, it’s my private faith, it’s basically for me whenever I need and want it… That’s what a lot of Christian people believe nowadays.

But, that’s not what Jesus taught. Jesus taught that before you come and worship and offer your gift at the altar, go and make good with the person who has some grudge against you; then come and worship. He taught that way before you judge someone because of their grievous crime, remember that even the little things of your lives are judged, too! So be careful about judging the insignificant flaws that someone has when you haven’t really examined the big ones of your own!

Or if God has us, might we need to apply the teachings of Jesus, say, to our thinking on gun control, or capital punishment, or immigration, or Christian nationalism, and other hot button topics…? Jesus said, “Turn the other cheek,” and “blessed are the peacemakers,” but many Christians in America favor the death penalty more often than atheists. And many Christian politicians resist deeper gun control laws for several reasons, some of which are because they are beholden to the NRA. And mass shootings continue without ceasing in our nation.

In Paul’s day they had the good news of God’s redemptive action in Jesus Christ. But many didn’t mature from that point. There was in-church fighting about who was to receive God’s grace and who was not. There was jealously and quarreling about who belonged to whom. Who did they align with? All of which revealed that they had not matured in faith; they did not choose to have God’s grace and redeeming love change them on the inside.

So, the call for us today is to receive God’s grace and redeeming love. But don’t stop there! Keep maturing in the Christian faith. To have our belief and behavior flow together. To keep opening ourselves up to God saying, “God, here I am. I’m yours. Cause your Spirit to live and grow in me so that I may be useful to you.”

And you know what happens when one person of faith whom God has comes together with another person God has, and another person, and another, and another? What we have is—church. God’s big project is you, and together God’s big project is us. Together.

We as the Church can become an instrument that God can use to be God’s words of love and grace and do God’s will of justice and peace in our world. To help us and others awaken to Jesus’ teachings, and live by them, and apply them in our world. To be a beacon of love and total acceptance for any person trying to make their way through life.

To awaken and keep awakening ourselves to the places where God can use us. To open ourselves up to God so that God’s will is enacted through us. To awaken to social injustice. To open our eyes to the ways those living on the margins are ridiculed and systemically oppressed.

If that’s what it means to be part of the “woke” culture, then I’m proud to be that. The woke culture has been given a bad rap, these days, used as a weapon for those waking up to injustice. But I think it’s part of maturing in faith. It’s part of the solid food of faith. Because we are God’s field. We are God’s building. We are God’s big project. But, don’t stop there. Amen.

Salty, Light-Filled, and Healthy!

Sun, 05 Feb 2023 14:31:37 GMT

A sermon about living as beloved and light-filled people of God.

1 Corinthians 2: 1-14

Matthew 5: 13-20

February 5, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”

Prayer: Please turn to us as we turn to you, O Living God, so that your light may shine in us and out from us. Amen.

Very typically on Fridays when I write my sermons, I am doing laundry at the same time. This past Friday, as I took out a freshly dried load from the dryer, I was like, “Ugh! I did it again!’ I saw a clumped up, very white receipt that I forgot to take out of my pocket before putting my shirt though the wash! Bah! You’ve done that before yes? I’ve done it more times than I want to count. But, I need to save some receipts for IRS tax purposes, and if it’s in my pocket, then it’s supposed to be saved. So, I took the clump and tried deftly to pull it apart, but it practically crumbled in my fingers. And a piece tore off. But it didn’t matter anyway because when I got it apart, I couldn’t read it whatsoever! Every letter and number was gone! Completely! Every nano-drop of ink was washed out. And the receipt lost its essential value to me. It was absolutely good for nothing anymore. So I threw it away.

And then it hit me! Or, should I say the Spir-it hit me! This is what Jesus is teaching about salt and light! Salt has its saltiness. That’s its intrinsic value. That’s its essence. If salt looses its intrinsic value, its very essence, then it’s no longer good for anything and is thrown out.

So, if salt is a metaphor, and you and I are like the salt of the earth, then from God’s perspective, the very essence of who we are is connected to the way God sees us. And God sees our intrinsic value. God sees us as Beloved children. That’s part of the very essence of who we are—that we are loved. We are in a constant state of being loved… we’re always in the ocean of God’s ever-flowing love. So, if we are worth our salt, the essence of who we are is love. We soak in God’s love. We reflect God’s love. We are God’s love. At least we should be.

I was moved when I read about a new portrait of Matthew Shepherd that was commissioned at the Washington National Cathedral last December. You may recall that in 1998 Matthew Shepherd, a college student, was brutally murdered because he was gay and sparked greater awareness of hate crimes against people within the LGBTQ community. The portrait was done by iconographer Kelly Latimore who typically does his paintings depicting a halo around the ancient biblical characters, but this work was different. Instead of a golden halo, Shepherd is surrounded by a multi-colored tapestry of written prayers and letters of love and support Matthew’s parents received over the years, making a halo of light all by itself (see Millard, Egan, “National Cathedral Unveils Portrait of Matthew Shepherd,” The Christian Century, February 2023, pg. 15). Which I think symbolizes the constant state of love that God sees as an intrinsic part of all of us. This constant state of God’s love is what all the law of scripture and the words of the prophets point to ever since the ancient days.

And the painting also symbolizes that light is a metaphor, too. When Jesus says, “You are the light of the world,” again, he’s talking about the way God sees us. God sees us, I think as light-filled people. That’s another part of the essence of who we are. Obviously not light as in photons or light rays with wavelengths and all that. But, light as in people who discern God’s gifts of the Spirit. Light as in people of faith who have the capacity to share God’s love with others. Light as in people who reflect God’s ways, showing respect and honor and recognition of the intrinsic value of others in the human family.

I want to show you another piece of art called a bulto, which is defined as an image of a saint carved in wood and polychromed made in the southwestern U.S and Latin America. This bulto is of Mary standing on a bridge done by artists Doreen and Ronald Martinez. It is located at the United Church of Santa Fe, pastored by one of our Stillspeaking writers, Rev. Talitha Arnold. The bulto bears the words in Spanish translated to mean “Build a bridge, not a wall.” It’s a message of peace and protection—hidden within Mary’s cloak are children of different ethnic origins, gathered and protected. It’s a message that speaks profoundly to this sanctuary church in a sanctuary city in a border state. You see, the spiritual traditions of the local desert support a broader message of ecumenism, bridging divides, safety, and welcome (see Copan, Lil, “On Art” The Christian Century, January 2023, pg. 96). All of which I think are results of being light-filled people. Which reflects our very essence.

So, to be spiritually healthy I think means we live best with our full essence, our full intrinsic value as God sees us—as Beloved and Light-filled people of God. Which is what the ancient laws of Moses were supposed to lead people to be and do.

Jesus was often criticized by the Pharisees and Scribes for encouraging his disciples to abandon or not practice, even to abolish the laws of Moses. You know, plucking grain or healing on the Sabbath. Those kinds of things.

But Jesus clearly states that he came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. The Torah often called the first five books of the Bible is really a Hebrew word meaning “the way” or “finger pointing the way” to God. All of Moses’ laws are intended to lead a person to God. The law is not to become a god unto itself. That’s called bibliolatry, and to those churches that make the Bible god, I say, “Stop it!” Those churches which make the Bible their weapon, I say, “Stop it.”

Religious practices also are supposed to lead us to a deeper relationship with God, a connectedness to God who loves us. Not to be a scare tactic to get us to fly right. Churches and its leaders are to help all of us know our intrinsic value, our worth, and our freedom that comes with knowing God through Jesus Christ. Church is not a place where one gets traumatized by religious bullying with messages like Pray that God will fix you . Or, Stop being bad and start being good or else God’s gonna be so mad at you that you’re going to be sent to you know where! Again, I say stop it! Those ways reflect the wisdom of the world. But I’m speaking of God’s wisdom, which is from the ancient day. God’s wisdom which the Spirit helps us discern. God’s truth as spoken by Jesus.

So, church, look to Jesus for your intrinsic value. It’s like God is saying to us, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus.” Look full into God’s face, not literally, but symbolically, to know of your beloved-ness and your light-filled quality. Think of how Jesus came to share God with us, how he taught us what God cares about. That’s you and me, beloved, and this world we live in. And our interest in things of the world will strangely diminish as we absorb and reflect God’s love and light.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in his wonderful face.

And things of the earth will go strangely dim

In the light of his glory and grace.

Amen.

Jesus Sees You As You Are and Blesses You

Sun, 29 Jan 2023 17:41:50 GMT

A sermon about the Holy Spirit giving us courage to be vulnerable, and strengthening our spirits.

Micah 6:1-8

Matthew 5:1-12

January 29, 2023

Rev. Fa Lane

With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high?”

I am frequently amused at the juxtaposition of the lectionary readings. Today we have Micah, and the well-known question and response: “What does the Lord require of you? Do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with the Lord.” It’s paired with Jesus most famous Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes. The other narrative option for today would have been Paul’s letter to the Corinthians where he speaks of the Holy Spirit’s work of molding a united community advising them that the gifts of the Spirit are not meant for self-promotion, but to bless and build up the whole Body of Christ. His words have given us a sense of what happens in a congregation, people tend to one another, and use their gifts in ministry for the larger community.

As I considered these texts and prayed about which to focus on, I found the coupling of the Old and New Testaments intriguing. What would Micah say to the human conditions presented in Matthew? What would he say to the poor in spirit, the ones who are in mourning, the meek people enduring their trauma. What would he say to us in view of the trauma from Covid, current civic turmoil and natural disasters and deaths from violence?

The prophet Micah lived in tumultuous times in the 8 ^th century BCE. You can find that history in 2 ^nd Kings if you’re interested There were leadership changes, oppression, loss of connection in the community, immigration, isolation, fear and death – That would preach in our time given the last three years. We really just want to put it all behind us and move on! But, we’re finding it’s not that easy, is it?

The truth is we’ve lived through trauma that we haven’t processed yet as a congregation or a society. We can’t move on if we are shell shocked and guarded. Like the widow in 1 ^st Kings, whom Elijah met, our jars are nearly empty and we’re exhausted. I’m sure their society in Judah was stunned and weary like our’s is - so we can turn to Micah for some consolation that despite the dizzying events in the world we can trust in God for restoration. In the text, God speaks to the survivors of Jerusalem’s demolition, who felt hallowed out and broken, “O my people, I brought you up from the land of Egypt, redeemed you from slavery and sent you leaders to guide you. We are reminded of the history of God’s people. “You, O Israel”, -can we hear that as ‘You O people of Christ Church’?“ You know the saving acts of the Lord.’ As the choir sang, God is holding our hand!

The choir’s anthem pleads for God to hold onto us while we run this race. Be with us, guide us, keep us, because we don’t want to feel left on our own. Yet, that’s where the pandemic has dumped many of us– scraped and bruised from isolation. We’ve become used to staying home - including Sunday mornings. We’ve become used to withdrawing from helping others.

We had to live without visiting family and friends. We avoided our neighbors for fear of spreading the Corona virus. We’ve had to go to school online and many grew to hate Zoom and other video applications. We’ve gotten used to the more sterile communication environment and; we may have forgotten how good it feels to be in the same room with living, breathing, souls. We miss those friendly casual conversations of sharing life stories, laughing, getting advice, falling in love.

I invite you to come back to the relationships that were meaningful to you! Be safe but not distant, not absent. We have lived in a type of silence that has stunted our ability to feel, and dampened our ability to share the truth about our lives and our faith, serving God and neighbor.

But, Micah says ‘do justice, love kindness and live humbly with your God’. That’s hard to do if you’ve cordoned off your life from others. We’re meant to be in relationships. You don’t want to run this race in vain. I invite you to come back to church and be united with the Body of Christ sharing our burdens and the addressing the world’s needs. Jesus spoke to our human feelings and said you don’t have to bare those alone. He taught his disciples on the hillside to care for others, to reach out in ministry and bless those who’ve gone through a hard time. That’s what the church does. The answer to our loneliness, to our sense of loss is to reach out to one another again. To share life with one another again. So, please come back!

This congregation has been caring and compassionate with me in the past month, in a way I haven’t experienced since I move here during the pandemic. I am so grateful and touched by the tenderness and kindness that I had been missing. I received get well cards but also condolences on the loss of my furry companion. That’s the kind of compassion Jesus encouraged his disciples to have. He said ‘Blessed’ are those who live with sadness, those who grieve, those who show patience, the ones who seek justice.

He doesn’t shy away from the emotions in life and neither should we. Can we talk about them now? As a pastor, I’m curious about what life has been like for you during the past three years. With all that we’ve gone through, how are your doing? What have you been missing?

We have managed our expectations and resolved to keep ourselves and others safe from a pandemic that killed over 6 million beloved ones. We pivoted to work at home and shifted schedules. Parents had to figure out who would stay home with children who coped with online schooling. Adult children ached to visit with elderly parents in nursing facilities. Medicals staffs comforted patients who didn’t understand why their families didn’t come to see them. And, we are still holding our breath against the fear and weariness that has overwhelmed us.

We don’t want to run this race alone. But out of caution, we’ve chosen to distance ourselves from others. We’ve spent three years hiding behind masks, those of cloth and those hiding our emotions. But, we’re off balance and paying a terrible price that effects our health and our well being as a community. Many of us are emotionally and spiritually running on empty. Christ asks us to care for one another.

Can we be united in prayer, to invoke the Holy Spirit as a community for the community. Remember how good it feels when the church gathers as the body of Christ, in ministry with one another and out to the world.

What if we were to take off the emotional masks and tell one another (confess to one another) how much we have missed each other? If we let the Holy Spirit give us courage to be vulnerable in that way, it can actually strengthen our spirits. What a liberation to step from behind our masks!

You see, I’m convinced that we can not move forward as a congregation until we process the trauma we have experienced. If we are willing to live humbly and honestly with God, what shall we bring when we come before the Lord but to come with our confessions and desire for restoration. What happens to us individually impacts the whole community. Are we able to trust in Jesus’s blessings of compassion from the Matthew text? Can we provide that type of blessing to the people whom we love and whom we have missed as well as those beyond our doors? This kind of confession can bring healing. Healing can only come when you address the wound.

So, let me ask you: after three years of living with restrictions and barriers to the life you loved, what have you missed?

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus acknowledges feelings of depression, grief, and humility. He sees the human condition and offers his blessing. He sees us, as we are and blesses us. May we offer one another and those beyond our doors blessings from our many gifts.

Let us take a moment of reflection. I invite you to a time of silent prayer for God’s guidance and renewal of your commitment to Christ. Let us also claim God’s promises heard through Christ’s teachings, sealed through his love for us as he went to the Cross. The love of God can strengthen our hearts, mend our brokenness and renew us as we come back together as a community.

Let us pray.

EM-pha-sis on the right SYL-la-ble

Sun, 22 Jan 2023 16:51:22 GMT

A sermon about placing our emphasis on God's reconciling love.

Matthew 4: 12-23

1 Corinthians 1: 10-18

January 22, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross might not be emptied of its power.”

Prayer: O God, as our light and our salvation, please won’t you shine your light on our paths that we may see your way and follow in your footsteps. In Christ, we pray, Amen.

Are any of you Philadelphia Eagle fans? [raise your hands]. Yeah, that’s me. Or New York Giant fans? Well, too bad for you that the Eagles beat the Giants last night. And, great for you if you’re an Eagle fan. Are any of you Pittsburgh Steeler fans? Or Baltimore Raven fans? Only Baltimore is in the playoffs still. But, it’s all NFL football, right?

Lots of Philadelphia fans are here, yes? [raise your hands]. Yeah, that’s me. Some Yankee fans? Yes? Boston Red Sox? Pittsburgh Pirates? Baltimore Orioles? [raise hands] But, its all Major League Baseball.

We might consider different churches in the same way. We have lots of different Protestant churches right here in E-town. Of course, we belong to the UCC. But, others in town belong to the United Methodist, Church of God, Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and a variety of Brethren churches. There’s Mennonite and Episcopalian, Quakers, Moravians, Seventh Day Adventists, and Jehovah Witnesses. And that’s just for starters. There are different denominations of churches all over the US. But, we’re all Christians.

And, there are non-denominational churches like LifeGate, LCBC, Grace Chapel, Mount Calvary Church, and more. And, of course there’s the Catholic Church which is a branch all by itself, and it has a bunch of divisions as well. There are literally hundreds, maybe thousands of churches and denominations that make up the Christian Church, but we’re all Christians. There’s been squabbles and quarrels on this and that subject, and one group will split off and make a new church, while others see similarities and join together. But, we’re all Christians.

I like what Frederick Buechner wrote about the Christian Church: “There’s no reason why everyone should be Christian in the same way and every reason to leave room for differences, but if all the competing factions of Christendom were to give as much of themselves to the high calling and holy hope that unite them as they do now to the relative inconsequentialities that divide them, the church would look more like the Kingdom of God for a change and less like an ungodly mess (Buechner, Frederick, Whistling in the Dark, A Doubter’s Dictionary , HarperCollins, San Francisco, 1993, pgs. 37-8). Well said, Rev. Buechner! What I hear him saying is that the em-PHA-sis is on the wrong sy-LA-ble!

Even though Jesus prayed for the church “that they may all be one,” (John 17: 21) that unity is elusive. It’s like the rabbit out in front of the racing greyhounds. Never quite able to reach it. It’s because of the human-factor. Human nature allows for choice. And of course that brings in agreements and disagreements, which have happened ever since the beginning of the Christian Church.

Paul became aware of the quarrels and divisions within the newly established church in Corinth. Back in those days, because of the culture where different leaders and teachers had disciples (like John the Baptist had his, Jesus had his, etc.), those followers aligned themselves with those leaders. It created a sense of belonging and allegiance. Which is what our human nature makes us prone to do sometimes.

However, it can divide us. Make us competitive. And it can start arguments. And it’s easy to get caught in the ‘if you don’t agree with me, I’m done with you,’ mentality. There’s a lot of that today. Or worse, ‘I will insist on my own way, even violently if necessary,’ which is totally outside of God’s way shown in Christ.

But Paul appeals for unity in Christ. Has Christ been divided? No. Christ is one. Was Paul crucified for you? No. It was Christ who died for you. Were you baptized in the name of Paul? No. You were baptized in the name of Christ. Paul ways saying the em-PHA-sis is on the wrong sy-LA-ble!

Paul then says he’s grateful that he baptized only a few people so this ‘allegiance to Paul’ thing can’t get much traction. He makes it clear that allegiance is to God, not to who baptized you. Put the emphasis on the right thing. Because Paul did not come to baptize people. Instead, he came to preach gospel of Jesus Christ. Not with fancy words or flashy PowerPoint slides. Just preach the good news of what God did in Christ for humanity, and let the Spirit of God go to work in the listener.

And the Good News of Christ for everyone is this: that Christ’s death on the cross reveals God’s power to break the power of sin, evil, and spiritual death because God raised Christ from death into life. So to believe he is the Christ, or to be baptized in his name, or to follow in his ways means we can live a new way of life. Believe in Christ, have new life. Sounds like a mantra! Believe in Christ, have a new way of life. And that new way of life is the realm of God coming into existence within you and me.

Which is exactly what Jesus was talking about when he started his ministry. He told people to repent—which means to turn around from ways that are not God’s ways and turn toward the way of life called the realm of God which has come near.

Call it the realm of God, the kingdom of God, the kindom of heaven, call it life after death, call it whatever you like, it is not a place, but instead it’s the effect of God reigning in our lives. Remember that Jesus said that “my kingdom is not of this world (John 18: 36). That’s because it’s when God has the highest influence of love, holiness, justice and peace upon us. It’s realizing that the way we see the world has changed. We see it from God’s perspective with new insights.

Which I think means, among other things, understanding that in God’s realm the poor, the lost, the unwelcomed, the marginalized of society are given dignity and importance and full rights just as everyone else here in our world. It means that the powerful and privileged of society can in the name of Jesus give up entitlements and stretch to lift up others who are not so advantaged. It means people of faith speaking and acting in the name of Jesus to dismantle the structures and systems that support the divisions of society.

It means people of faith making diligent efforts to not silence voices of opposition, but instead call for dialogue and openness to hear each other out. To believe and practice that everyone has a place at the table. That every voice at the table is important. The conservative and the liberal are to converse together. The Christian nationalist and the Christian Realm-ist are to hear each other out. And then come to a place of reconciliation and mutual acceptance.

Can we put the emphasis on the power of loving relationships, not in rightness or wrongness of faith, theology, or even cultural understanding? Can we put our interests, our allegiances, our perspectives, even our differences and conflicts in the context of God’s reconciling love and Jesus’ way which reveals God’s vision of Shalom? And then act?

What I’m saying is like a legendary story of Queen Victoria of England way back in the late 1800s, hosting a state dinner for a visiting King of Africa. Everything elegant was set. The finest china, crystal, long tables, guests all dressed up, the whole nine yards. In front of each guest, the was a finger bowl: a tiny container filled with water, with a piece of lemon rind floating in it so the guests could cleanse their fingers before eating. The African King, however, was from a totally different culture, and not knowing what to do, picked up the finger bowl and drank the water! GASP! The room fell silent. Everyone saw what the king did, but nobody knew what to do about it. There seemed no way to recover gracefully, without the king being publicly embarrassed. Except what Queen Victoria did next didn’t miss a beat. Reaching for her own finger bowl, she lifted it to her lips and swiftly drank the water. And everyone else did the same. An embarrassing moment was averted, and the honored guest was made to feel at home ( Healing Divisions over Dinner | Homiletics Online , retrieved January 21, 2023).

That’s what I’m talking about. Can we emphasize doing things in the context of God’s reconciling love and Jesus’ way, to help another person feel at home? Can we place emphasis on working toward a world that is safe and just for all? A place where each of us can feel at home? A place where there is room enough for our differences and big enough for everyone? That’s emphasis on the right syllable.

Because we’re all Christians. We’re all invited to be part of God’s realm. People all over the world. Every tribe, every tongue, every nation. It’s all God’s people singing glory, glory, hallelujah, God reigns. God reigns.

I’d like to close by sharing a song from the Newsboys called “He Reigns.” Please look past the non-inclusive God language in the title of this song and place the emphasis on the message of God and God’s realm reigning in our lives, and in the lives of Christians everywhere. Amen.

On Seeing More

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 16:48:34 GMT

A sermon about finding what we are looking for in life and discovering a life worth living.

1 Corinthians 1: 1-9

John 1: 29-42

January 15, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day.

Prayer: Descend upon us, O God, and call us. And may we follow you with open minds and hearts ready to receive what you offer. Amen.

Tomorrow is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. And I can’t help but be reminded that this prophet of God was able to see more than what was seen on the surface. He envisioned a day that is not yet here when he preached his “I Have A Dream” speech. In that speech he said, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘ We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all [people] are created equal .’” He said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.”

Even though Martin Luther King, Jr. actually lived with the hatred and bigotry, police brutality and segregation, a lot of which we still see today, he was still able to see more. He was still able to envision that one day… “little Black boys and Black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today” he said ( Transcript of Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech : NPR , retrieved January 13, 2023).

To be able to see more in our current circumstances, to dream of a new day coming is I think crucial for our spiritual journeys of faith. It takes deliberate effort. Because it’s so easy to get caught by spiritual blindness. Sometimes I see only what I want to see. Sometimes I see only what is going on around me at the moment. Sometimes what I think I understand is only what I see. And then it’s hard to see anything else. That’s called tunnel vision. And you’re blind to everything outside the tunnel.

And sometimes, if I’m honest, I don’t want to see another viewpoint. Because I like to know stuff. I like having the right answers. I like to think I know what I’m talking about. I like to think I know what to look for in life. I like to feel confident. Sure of myself. And I want to believe that that’s OK… and it is...

But… everything in balance, right? Too much of certainty and too much over-confidence can be a problem. Because when you get like that, stubbornness is right around the corner. And ignorance of fresh insights is not far behind. And on the journey of faith? Locked in on certain faith beliefs? I think that’s the start of a slow spiritual decline. Because being locked in stops you from growing. From seeing more. It can trap you.

That’s what struck me when I studied the gospel reading for today. John the Baptist had some disciples who were listening to him, learning from him, who were baptized with water by him. But as soon as John saw Jesus and confirmed that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, that he was the One who would baptize with the Holy Spirit, well, two of John’s disciples turned and left John and followed Jesus. Just like that. They weren’t locked in, stubbornly clinging to loyalty to John. If they would have done that, they would have missed sharing in the Anointed One, God’s Messiah. No, they wanted to grow more. They wanted to see more. And they felt called to follow Jesus.

So, I wonder if some of us have certain faith ideas that are locked in? Like some people I know believe that God doesn’t answer prayer. Nothing I can say can change their minds. I have a feeling that being locked in on that one drastically limits the ‘seeing more’ of what God can do.

I know some people who like to believe that God has a hand only in the good events of life and not the difficult ones. I know of others who won’t let go of the idea that God can’t possibly love them because of what they’ve done… or how about people who insist on believing that Jesus saved only people similar to their beliefs. Such certainty about those kinds of beliefs is almost always perilous. Because that kind of certainty means faith stagnation. And faith stagnation means you can’t hear God say, “Come and see more of what I have in store for you in your life.”

I read about a pastor who got three speeding tickets and was told by the state to go to Driving School or else lose his license. No, it’s not me! Although I can relate because I went to driving school in California in order to not pay a speeding ticket. But I digress… this pastor was asked by the instructor, “Why are you here?” I got three speeding tickets. “No, really, why are you here?” Oh. It was a deeper level question. The pastor didn’t know what to say. “Where are you going in such a hurry?” Well, the first time I was going to… “ No, where are you going in such a hurry?” Oh. He meant ‘going in life.’ Again, the pastor had no words. “Life is short,” the instructor said. “Take your time and enjoy it. There is a grave waiting for you down that other road.” Then the instructor said, “What are you looking for?” Got it. A deeper level question again. It meant ‘what are you looking for in life that makes you drive so frantically through the world?’ Answering that question helped the pastor see more deeply into a place for spiritual growth (Rinehart, Michael, The Christian Century, January 2023, pg. 25).

When Jesus saw the two of John’s disciples now following him, he turns and asks them, “What are you looking for?” It’s a ‘see more deeply into a spiritual place’ question.

It’s a good question for us to ponder. On occasion, I’ve had a couple with a baby who don’t go to church ask me if I would baptize their baby. And, I often will ask the “What are you looking for?” question. Or something similar. Sometimes a couple is just looking for some pastor to “get ’er done!” Talk about an opportunity to help the couple see more deeply! Other times the couple want to be reminded of a sacred connection. Or to affirm and renew God’s love and light for their child. To feel what makes life worth living.

And so I encourage us to go to God for help answering this question. What are we looking for in life? Indeed, what makes life worth living?

You’ve come to worship today. What are you looking for here that will make your life worth living? To be entertained? To laugh? To cry? To renew friendships? To find the abundant, no boundaries grace of God given to us in Christ Jesus? To be enriched in Christ’s grace, in speech and knowledge of every kind? Or, all of the above? And more?

The two disciples came and saw more deeply. They asked where he was staying. Which literally translates “Where do you abide?’ It’s a deeper question. “Come and see,” Jesus said. They came and saw that Jesus was abiding in God’s love. And a whole new world of divine possibilities opened up for them. They changed from being fishermen to being fishers of people. Even Simon’s name changed to Peter reflecting the huge shift in what it means to be called into the fellowship of God’s Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Whatever you’re looking for, be ready for God’s Divine possibilities! Forget what you thought you knew that makes your life worth living. Hear Jesus words, “Come and see!” Don’t be locked in. Tune in to the new thing God is doing in your life. God is always doing a new thing. God is always inviting us to “Come and see.” And the dream of what God sees ahead of time can become a reality through us. Amen.

We Have a Lot to Say

Sun, 08 Jan 2023 14:43:46 GMT

A sermon about living out our faith with our actions.

Matthew 3: 13-17

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Preface to the Acts reading:

In this passage from Acts, it’s really helpful to know the bigger story. Just before what I’m about to read, a devout Roman centurion, a non-Jew (a Gentile, for you confirmation youth) named Cornelius had a vision with an angel telling him to send some of his soldiers to a small town called Joppa to find Peter and bring him back to Cornelius.

So, as the soldiers approached Joppa, Peter also had a vision. He was shown a large sheet coming down from above filled with animals against Jewish dietary laws. A voice told him to eat. Peter said he couldn’t because it was against his religion. But, the voice said it was OK for him to eat these non-kosher foods. This happened 3 times. He’s amazed by the vision, pondering what it meant.

Just then Cornelius’ soldiers show up, and the Spirit told Peter to go with the men. When they all arrive at Cornelius’ house, there were a bunch of people there. Cornelius then tells Peter about the vision he had and says basically, we now want to listen to you, Peter, to hear what God wants you to say. And Peter puts it all together in his head:

Acts 10: 34-43

“He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead.”

Peter had a lot to say right there! That ends our reading, but what happened next is part of the story, too. While Peter was speaking those words, the Holy Spirit poured out upon all of them who heard Peter’s words. And they started speaking in tongues, and they were extolling God. It was the Gentile equivalent of the Jewish Pentecost experience we read about in Acts 2. And Peter knew that God’s gift of Jesus Christ was for Jew and Gentile alike and ordered them all to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: O God, let your light shine in us and your love flow through us today! And ,may we speak of you and our faith in God. Amen.

We have a lot to say these days, don’t we? I mean with Facebook and Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, and a bunch of other social media platforms, people are sharing information right and left. Some of it is profound, some of it not so much… like “I got out of the house and went for a walk today.” Or, “Topped off the day with a drink.” Really? I don’t mean to disparage any of you who post comments like that. I’m just more amused by it than anything.

Sometimes info sharing is good though, like when NFL player Damar Hamlin had a heart attack on the field and was taken to the hospital. Word got out about that instantly. And right away word got out about his $2,500 goal for his children’s toy fundraiser project on GoFundMe—which was quickly eclipsed and soared up past $3.5 million dollars! And rising. That’s crazy, isn’t it? I guess we do have a lot to say, and money talks.

In the UCC we like to say God is Still Speaking, and Wow! In today’s Bible readings, God has a lot to say! In our Responsive Opening Words, Isaiah’s words has some of what God has to say… like the message that God puts within us—it’s the spirit of justice and a call to righteousness. God calls us in covenant to participate in God’s mission—which means to be a light to EVERYONE, not just those whom we like, not just those in our networks or circles of friends, but to everyone. We help free those stuck in prisons of darkness. Because the light of God’s glory is given! That’s what Epiphany Sunday means– God’s light is showing forth.

We didn’t have this reading today, but we watched and sang of the non-Jewish magi coming from faraway nations to worship and offer gifts to a Jewish toddler proclaimed to be the king of the Jews. The Messiah. Christ, the Lord.

What’s God saying here? Again, nothing short of God’s love, presence, grace, and power being not just for the Jewish people, but for everyone! The believer and non-believer. The religious and non-religious. The faithful and unfaithful. The young and old, the dark and light, the queer and straight, the rich and poor. The Republican and the Democrat. Everyone!

What is God saying to us in the Baptism story of Jesus? Maybe that customary hierarchies don’t matter much to God? Because it’s odd that Jesus, who is greater than John, is asking John to baptize him. John wants to stick with accepted protocol. But, Jesus throws accepted protocol out the window and says no, you are to baptize me because this will fulfill all righteousness. Which is a way of saying that regardless of hierarchies, God has a passionate commitment to set right things that are wrong, to make just things that are unjust.

So, when Jesus gets baptized by John, Jesus was really joining John in the effort to manifest God’s righteousness for everyone in the world, encouraging everyone to repent and embrace God’s realm and God’s way of love. It was a new movement. It became political. And it was revolutionary because it affected personal lives AND unjust societal systems.

Lastly, in our passage from Acts, as I explained earlier, our reading is couched in between the Cornelius story and the Gentile Pentecost story. God has a lot to say here, too. In fact, this little portion of Acts is called the “Gospel in a nutshell.” First there’s the “God shows no partiality” message. Everyone’s included. Then there’s the message that anyone who has awe and respect, aka fear of God, and does what God considers as righteous pleases God.

And then, here comes the gospel message—that God’s message of peace was preached by Jesus Christ. And God anointed Jesus with power, and he went about doing good and healing people. His was a message of God’s inclusive saving grace and love.

However, the powers that be were threatened by Jesus and this revolutionary new movement he was engaged in. They felt it caused public uprisings, and they feared society’s stability would be upset. So, they arrested Jesus for causing a societal ruckus and found a way to put him to death. But, God raised him on the third day and Jesus appeared to several of his followers. And in those appearances, Jesus commanded them to proclaim and testify that Jesus is the one ordained by God as the Savior, the Messiah, the judge of the living and the dead. And, here’s the clincher… everyone who believes in Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah receives forgiveness of sins through his name.

All that is what God has to say. All those are the messages of faith to us. But, did you hear a little shift just a second ago? Not only are these the messages of faith God has to say, but Jesus commands us to proclaim those same messages to others. So, I guess we have a lot to say, too!

We have God’s message of inclusivity to proclaim. Everyone’s included in the wealth of God’s love. We have God’s message of welcome and acceptance.

We have God’s message of acting for justice where injustice exists. Ours is a message of good news—that in Jesus Christ everyone can know relief from guilt and sin. Each person can know God’s saving grace and the freedom that comes with experiencing God’s forgiveness.

We do have a lot to say! Now, I don’t expect you to go our and start preaching on the street corners, or anything. I’m called to be a preacher, using words and images, not on the street, but here in our sanctuary and other settings. But, we are all called to proclaim God’s messages, and I invite all of us do this. Through our actions. It was Saint Francis of Assisi I believe who told the younger monks under his tutelage to go up and down the streets of Assisi and preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.

And you know what? All that is part of what it means to be baptized Christians.

I mean as baptized Christians, we have a lot to say to our friends, family, people in our networks and circles, through our words, yes, but mostly through our actions.

So, here’s what I think baptism means for each of us. As we live out our faith through our actions. I wrote this acronym for us. Baptism...

B egins a lifetime journey of faith in God

A ffirms that God’s saving grace and forgiveness revealed by Christ touches everyone

P erceives God’s Presence through water and word by the work of the Spirit

T ells the truth that all are ‘Beloved Children of God’

I nvites repentance toward God’s way of love in the world

S piritually connects us with all others as family members

M anifests God’s justice through us as we help God set right what is wrong.

Renew our baptism and hopefully that helps us understand more of what it means to be baptized Christians.

And here’s the last thing I invite you to take with you today… that as baptized Christians, we have a lot to say about God’s love and grace, about God’s call to justice and righteousness. And the way we say it is mostly through love. Repent from unloveliness and turn toward God’s way of Love. Let love influence everything you think, say, and do. Think loving thoughts. Say loving worlds. Do the loving thing. Be love. To God. Be love to each other. Be love to yourself. Beloved, be Love. Love is the greatest thing we can say. This is the greatest message from God we have. Say it always. Hear what you say. Speak our faith in action. Love at all times.

Let’s pray… O God of Love, God of grace, God of peace… Amen

Dream Responder

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 14:47:13 GMT

A sermon about the dreams that move us to action.

Isaiah 63: 7-9

Matthew 2: 13-23

January 1, 2023

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“...an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother...”

Prayer: O God of new birth and new life, may we be granted both as we hear and ponder your word to us today. Amen.

Dreams. All of us dream. Some of us can’t remember our dreams at all the next morning. Some of us have dreams that are so vivid that it’s like the dream was for real. Some of our dreams are crazy weird, right?. Because you know, in your dreams you can do anything . Meet anybody.

I remember one of the homebound members at home at Community Church in Reading. 96-year-old Herman Landis. Herman used to tell me about the famous people he met in his dreams. He met Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter. He met Queen Elizabeth. Muhammed Ali. All in his dreams.

Evidently, some people meet God’s angels in their dreams. The Bible has numerous dream stories where God speaks in the dream or an angel of God speaks on God’s behalf. The Christmas Nativity story has Zachariah meeting the angel Gabriel who said that Elizabeth would give birth to John the Baptist. And Gabriel, of course, also came to Mary and announced the birth of Jesus. There’s also the magi who were told in a dream by an angel to go home by another way so that they would avoid telling King Herod where the baby Jesus was born. Which infuriated Herod.

And of course, there’s Joseph. Like his namesake thousand years before him, Joseph was a dreamer. First he dreams an angel told him not to be alarmed that Mary, his fiancé, was pregnant and not by him, which is alarming all by itself. And, he was to marry her anyway! If that was me, I think when I woke up in the morning I’d be like, “Whew! Thank God that was only a dream!” But, it wasn’t.

Then, in today’s reading, Joseph experiences not one, not two, but three dreams where angels tell him what to do and what not to do!

I love the way Matthew describes how Joseph responded. He didn’t go to his brother or his friends the next morning saying, “Whoa! I had the weirdest dream last night…” Nope. Matthew’s story says simply, “Then Joseph got up.” The dream was vivid enough. Real enough that he got up. He discerned it’s importance. He felt the urgency. He responded. He got up right away and took the child and Mary and got out of Dodge by night and went to Egypt.

Then after being in Egypt for a while, when the monster Herod died, and the threat to toddler Jesus’ life was over, another angelic dream takes place. And Matthew again simply says, “Then Joseph got up… took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.” And later, when Joseph is afraid that Herod’s son is now in power and is just as much of a threat, Joseph was warned in the third dream not to go near Jerusalem but to Nazareth in Galilee. And Matthew says, “He went… to the district of Galilee.”

In response to his dreams, Joseph got up. Joseph went. There was very little debate, it appears. Very little second guessing. Just a lot of trust and faith and discernment. Joseph was willing to bet everything that God’s word was right. There was no time to talk; only time to get up. Only time to act.

So, here’s what I think is important for us as we celebrate Christ’s birth and as we begin 2023. I feel like we have to have a lot of faith, trust, and discernment. And be willing to get up. Be willing to act.

Because God’s energy is constantly and abundantly present in our lives. We’ve affirmed that Christ is born as our Emmanuel, our God with us, right? Well, as such, God is always speaking to us, providing hints and clues as to God’s Presence, offering revelations and dreams that sometimes invites us to protect God’s interest, and other times are visions that help us see into God’s heart. I think God is doing this all the time.

Like Bryan Sirchio’s song that we’ve sung several times (I wish I would’ve had us sing it today…) These lyrics of Dream God’s Dream , give us a glimpse of God’s heart of a world where there is justice, and where everyone is free to build and grow and love and to simply have enough; the world will change when we dream God’s dream. Remember that? That’s a view of God’s heart.

Or how about the Christmas song I only heard a couple of times this year, My Grown Up Christmas List by David Foster (music) and Linda Thompson-Jenner (lyrics) where the lyrics envision God’s dreamworld ahead of time… no more lives torn apart, then wars would never start, and time would heal all hearts. And everyone would have a friend, and right will always win and love would never end. This is my grown-up Christmas list.

Don’t think for one second that God wasn’t intertwined in the hearts and minds of those composers when they were composing those songs. These are pictures of God’s heart, I believe. I think God’s energy was flowing through them whether they knew it or not.

God’s energy is flowing through all things all the time. It’s flowing through us. It’s flowing through our church. It’s intertwined in the things we’re involved with. It inspires us to praise God, to see and hear God’s wisdom being spoken.

And God’s flowing energy shares God’s dream, this vision ahead of time, of what our world is supposed to be like. Not only a world of justice and peace, but also a world of God’s salvation, where God and each one of us, and each one of everybody are connected with God and each other, where God and sinner are reconciled, as the carol sings. God’s clues to this are always there!

The question is do we notice? Perhaps we have to train our senses to discern the dream that God is sharing with us?

And then can we be a dream responder?

Kind of like being a first responder. First responders are trained to act immediately to crisis situations. Being a dream responder means acting immediately not just to crises but to any situation—in prayer, in thought, word, and deed. Asking how is God’s energy flowing through my current circumstances? Like if I receive an end of the year bonus, how might I be a dream responder and act to help make God’s dream a reality? Or, if I’m facing a personal crisis, or a stressful situation, how can I be a dream responder that reflects God’s dream of health and wholeness through me?

So, in order to be a dream responder, we have to have trust and faith and discernment. And then get up. And act.

And yeah, I get that there is evil in the world. I, too, question about how God can be intertwined in all things, even the destructive things. I believe God is Present, yes, but the powers that be are strongly resistant to God’s vision.

Even still, we have to be the ones to get up. With trust in God, faith and discernment in believing in and knowing God’s dream, we can act. We are the dream responders working in partnership with God’s Presence.

The powers that be do not want either a prophet or Christ/Messiah, whose message threatens their power. For people addicted to power, nothing has changed from the time of Herod sacrificing hundreds of children. Because the powers that be are always trying to have the most power for themselves, and at all costs, will try to stop any threat. Even now millions are being sacrificed to maintain the status quo as powerful countries think about barring the door to refugees, for example. Still, God is at work. Through us. People of faith. By acting. By opening our doors and hearts and welcoming everyone, and making every part of our ministry inclusive and accessible to everyone.

Isaiah speaks of a new age in which salvation will come through the presence of God’s Beloved who became our Savior. Presence and relationship—the touch of God—will save the people. Yes, we must mend our ways, but our hope is not solely in our own efforts but also in the wondrous grace of God who dwells with us and within us and brings forth marvels out of the messiness of our lives. There is hope because God is working to make God’s dream a reality on earth, good will to all, and salvation lived by all.

Whaddya say we get up, and act, and help make God’s dream become a reality in this new year? Amen.

For God Comes in Music

Sun, 18 Dec 2022 18:39:34 GMT

An introduction to the 2023 Christmas Cantata by Camille Saint-Saens.

Romans 1: 1-7

Introduction to Christmas Cantata

December 18, 2022

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“The gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Prayer: O come, O come Emmanuel! We know you are with us. May we feel your Presence in the music we sing and hear. Please be born in us again. We ask in the Spirit of the Christ-child. Amen.

I love Christmas music! Lot’s of it is uplifting. Some of it moves me profoundly. The best Christmas carols tell the real stories of Christmas. The message of Christ coming into the world. God taking on human form. A holy incarnation.

Without the real story of Christmas, nothing of God’s salvation comes to us. It’s the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s plan to redeem the human race and bring us into God’s real of love, light, and life.

I usually start listening to and singing Christmas carols right after Thanksgiving. It helps get me into the spirit of Christmas. I can just feel that God comes in the music of Christmas. Ah… if only “Sounds of the Season” on the music channels and WARM 103.3 would play more sacred Christmas music less secular, then Christ’s birth story would be told more often… but, maybe that’s just me.

Christmas music is so vital to the story of Christmas. Which starts with Christ being born in the world in that little town of Bethlehem. But, it goes back much earlier … back to the days when God spoke through the prophets recorded in holy scriptures. Paul’s opening words in his letter to the Roman Christians tells the gospel story in brief, almost bullet statements:

The good news of God was promised through the prophets.
This good news was about the coming of God’s son Jesus, in the flesh from King David’s royal ancestry.
People declared that this Jesus was the Christ, the anointed one, the Son of God with power in the Spirit of holiness.
That holiness was shown as Jesus Christ was raised from the dead by God.
And we, by the risen Christ, have received grace through faith, and are called to bring others to faith and obedience to Jesus Christ.

That’s the story of God’s good news—briefly stated.

Even though a couple thousand years have gone by, I can’t help but feel like Paul’s words are written to us. That in that simple bullet-statement story that opens Paul’s letter, his words invite us to receive Christ’s grace through faith. His words invite us to share the message of God’s good news about Christ in any way we can to others. Because those stories are preciouis. And were told. And protected. And were eventually compiled and bound together in a book. And retold. And read. And retold. And read. And shared.

That’s what we’re doing today. We’re sharing this message. The Christmas message of Christ being born according to the flesh and according to the Spirit is what our Christmas music is all about. That’s what the Christmas season is about. That’s what our Christmas carols are about. That’s what Camille Saint-Saëns was all about when he wrote this oratorio which our choir is ready to sing.

And we begin to realize that God is present deeply in our lives, and in our music. And God comes again. In the music.

So, as we listen to this Christmas music, let us rejoice in God, our Savior, for God comes in the Music! Amen.

For Justice

Sun, 11 Dec 2022 17:36:33 GMT

A sermon about the work of equalization: about bringing down and raising up.

Isaiah 35: 1-10

Luke 1: 46-55

December 11, 2022

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.”

Prayer: As we prepare for the birth of your Son, O God, may we prepare mostly for you to enter and impact our lives once again. We ask this in the name of Christ-child. Amen.

Hey everyone, how’s your Advent going? [raise hands or shout outs] Are you almost done getting ready for Christmas? Getting all your shopping and shipping done? Your decorations are up? Your extra baking in the works? Christmas cards out? Are you rejoicing in God, your Savior? Yes!!!

That’s what I’m hoping you’re doing. Along with doing everything else, I’m hoping that you’re rejoicing in God, our Savior. Because the birth of God’s Son gives us plenty of reasons to rejoice. On Nov. 27th, we said, “Let Us Rejoice in God our Savior, for the Light—born in our world and in us. Pastor Fa encouraged us to kindle that light.

Last Sunday, we said “Let us rejoice in God our Savior—for the bridge of peace—that’s us—when we go deep into Jesus, God can use us in sharing God’s peace. Making a bridge to one another.

And today, we say, “Let Us Rejoice in God, Our Savior—for Justice.” Now before we can get into rejoicing in God for justice, I think first we have to address a couple of myths about justice that I think can get in the way of God’s justice. One myth is that justice is mostly when a guilty person is convicted and receives comeuppance. When a sentence of judgment rendered that pays for the crime, as in Friday’s news that former Minneapolis police officer J. Alexander Keung was convicted of aiding and abetting the killing of George Floyd. “Justice was served,” a family member of George Floyd might say at that conviction.

Or “justice was not served today,” as in when someone acquitted of a crime seems to have gotten away scot-free, like OJ Simpson famously did several years ago.

Yes, this form of justice has merit, but it is rarely that simple, cut and dried. Justice like that always depends on one’s viewpoint and opinion. Depending on your perspective, you may or may not say justice was served in a particular case. So, justice understood only as someone getting their just desserts is just one small spoke in the much larger wheel of what I think God’s justice looks like.

The other myth to dispel is that justice is simply a reversal of the injustices that exist. It’s tempting to buy into that myth when you read the words of Mary’s song. The powerful are brought down and the lowly are lifted up. That’s a reversal. The hungry are filled with good things, and the rich are sent away empty. Reversal. When the powerful are brought down and the lowly are lifted up, that simply means that the powerful are now lowly, and the lowly are now powerful. Which is just as tragic as the first because the same problems exist. The reversal does not address the systemic issues as to the reasons why those conditions exist.

So, if we get away from those two myths, then what does God’s justice look like? I think it is mostly about fairness. Equal rights for all. Equal opportunities for all. I think God’s justice can be restoration of what is broken. Reconciliation of what was separated. Inclusion of those marginalized by systems and by attitudes. Comfort offered to those afflicted. Those are all forms of God’s justice. Dignity given to those portrayed as worthless.

The imagery is rich. Isaiah was on a roll! Last Sunday, the wolf shall lie down with the lamb, he said. Today, deserts and dry land shall have water, and flowers shall bloom and mountains shall sing. The weak become strong. Tongues of the dumb shall sing for joy. These images aren’t to be taken literally—but, we are to discern and perceive God’s justice in these stunning images.

So, what if it’s not a complete reversal but instead a meeting of both sides? What if Mary’s song is about God’s justice in the sense of equalization? About bringing down AND raising up? A coming to middle ground. Was Britney Griner held in Russia unjustly? Some would say yes, others no. Was her release in a prisoner swap an act of justice? Some would say yes, others no. But, right or wrong, it was a negotiated deal with both sides coming to some middle ground. Now, if only some negotiations can be had to release Paul Whelan held in Russia!

Well, Mary’s words speak, on the one hand, of the justice God will do through Jesus. But, on the other hand, I wonder if God is inviting us to participate in the work of justice through equalization? Addressing systemic issues. The proud have their thoughts scattered. Why would the proud need to have their thoughts scattered? Unless their pride prevents them from seeing how their selfish actions subjugate others. So selfish pride perhaps has to equalize with sensitivity and thoughtfulness to the needs of others. When we do the work of equalization, God’s justice gets done.

Mary says the powerful are brought down from their thrones. Why would the powerful need to be brought down from their thrones? Unless those in power abuse their power and go to great lengths to keep the systems in place which oppress and control others who don’t have power.

So what if people caught up in systemic power can equalize by coming down from their powerful places, give up controlling people, and work with those not in power to develop human freedom? That’s equalization.

The rich are sent away empty. Why would the rich need to be sent away empty? Unless they were so caught up in their consumerism that they totally could not care less about the poor. So might God’s justice call for those who are hungry for a better way of life be filled with that life? While those who are rich can also have enough? That way everyone has what they need, right? This is also God’s justice.

But most of all, I think God’s justice is way of loving one’s neighbor. I think God is inviting people of faith to, as blogger Herb Montgomery says, “couple the message of universal love with a concern for the concrete needs of those we love: their liberation, justice, wellbeing, and thriving. All of our material lives matter, and concern for the material needs of others is part of loving our neighbor as ourselves. This type of God’s justice is what love looks like in public” (Herb Montgomery, The Love and Justice of Advent (Part 3 of 3) | Social Jesus (patheos.com) retrieved December 9, 2022).

This Advent, we are invited to rejoice in God our Savior because Jesus brings God’s justice. Because it’s love on display in public.

Once Jesus was asked by John the Baptist if he was the Messiah. Or, should they wait for another. Jesus responded, “The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them” (Luke 7:22). In other words, “Yeah! God’s justice is at work. Love is on display. And the Messiah is the one to come and do this.”

Well, we follow this Messiah, this Jesus, the Christ. And if we go deep into Jesus, we will hear the voices from those who suffer from injustice. Let us respond with equalization. Let us respond with love on display. Because when God’s justice is practiced and accomplished, it’s an example of God’s salvation at work, for everyone. God hears the cries of the poor and responds with liberating intentionality through our actions of justice. And everyone is saved.

Let us prepare for Christ’s birth by rejoicing in God our Savior—because our Savior comes bringing justice—love on display—through us! Amen.

For the Bridge of Peace

Sun, 04 Dec 2022 18:00:01 GMT

An Advent sermon about finding God's peaceable kin-dom here on earth.

Isaiah 11: 1-10

Romans 15: 4-13

December 4, 2022

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Prayer: O Holy God of Light and Love, please return to our hearts and minds as we rejoice in you, our Savior, our Peace. In Christ we pray, Amen.

Way back in December 1969, my family and I left the sunny, warm, beautiful skies of Hawaii and headed to Pekin, Illinois, in the middle of winter. I was barely 9 years old, and my brothers and sister and I were the darkest skinned kids in the entire school. And I’m pretty sure that my mom was the darkest woman in the entire town! All that came back to my mind this past week when Barb and I were sitting at a lunch bar in a restaurant at Chicago’s Midway Airport. We had a three hour layover and were having some lunch while we watched the USA Men’s soccer team play against Iran.

Of course, there were a lot of other people were there, too, eating, drinking, and watching soccer. And you know Barb and me… we talk to anybody! So, on my left was a white American man from Oklahoma on his way to Massachusetts, drinking a beer. The man sitting next to Barb was a young guy, an Asian American who was from Naperville, Illinois (in the Chicago area), and next to him a Black American man with his wife who looked every bit Iranian. You see where this is going, yeah?

So, in conversation with the Asian American man, I said I used to live in Pekin, and the Black American man overheard us and said, “We live in Pekin!” Get out! Turns out he and his wife live in Pekin’s Country Club Estates, which way back in the 70’s was Lilly White. And I was thinking, “Wow! How times have changed! How beautiful is the color of diversity!” I almost said, “I paved the way for you…” but I didn’t go there.

And right about that moment, Christian Pulisic scored USA’s only goal, sacrificing his body for the team. And the whole restaurant—everybody—all types of people, all makes and sizes, all colors of skin, even people out in the concourse—everybody erupted in cheers and applause! And a little while later, one of the waitresses started chanting, “USA! USA! USA!!” And everyone joined in.

And I was like, “OMG! Here’s the peaceable kindom! Right here! At a lunch bar in a restaurant at Chicago’s Midway Airport!” Because amid all our diversity, we were united in peace. Amid all our differences, we were held together as one. I gotta trust and believe that God saw all that and was pleased. And, I gotta trust and believe, that whether anyone noticed or not, I think God and God’s vision for humanity was glorified in those moments.

I can see God’s vision for humanity in this passage from Isaiah when you perceive the symbolism. It’s when mortal enemies find a way to co-exist. When polar opposites put aside differences. Where diversity is a good thing, and there’s no danger in being different. Where no one is hurt or destroyed or left out or marginalized due to differences.

It’s where those in power and privilege are willing to tone down and not abuse their power in favor of living in peace, assisting those who have less power and privilege. And where those who have less power and privilege are willing to step up responsibly without abusing their new responsibility by turning it into a sense of entitlement.

It’s when justice, fairness and equity for all are sought after, practiced, and lived. Where there is well-being for each person. Where there is an abundance of prosperity for everyone. Where harmonious relationships are commonplace. Where righteousness and faithfulness meet.

It’s when, in Paul’s day, Jew and Gentile are encouraged to welcome each other. When Jew and Gentile can eat with each other, and worship peaceably together. Because each person is precious in God’s sight. Paul prays for this type of harmony because this peaceful togetherness, this acceptance of each other glorifies God.

I see it in a variety of places in our day as well, this peaceful existence with each other… To be honest, I wish I would see it in more places…this harmonious living that glorifies God—by the way, this peaceful, harmonious living, this sense of well-being for everyone is called God’s Shalom. Shalom is the Hebrew rod for peace. In our day, we can see God’s Shalom at a lunch bar in an airport, as I said earlier. We can see God’s Shalom in the church where literally anyone can be a part of the church, where everyone is welcome, not just in description only. Where anyone can be who they are. Without qualifications.

I saw God’s Shalom in an article I read. Remember back in September when Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis used Florida’s tax payer money to fly 48 migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts? It totally surprised the people of Martha’s Vineyard—they had no idea these folks were coming. The whole thing was a political scheme to show the problems with the immigration system.

Well, it ended up showing something else. People who follow Jesus making peace. Because church leaders and the people of St. Andrews Episcopalian Church jumped into action. The church’s homeless shelter normally used during the winter was opened up. Food and meals were provided. Donations of supplies and services poured in—including legal counsel, language interpreters, even dental services.

But, here’s the thing that caught my attention. The migrants had no idea where they were going, and most spoke no English. They were only told that something was waiting for them when they got off the plane. Well, that something was the Jesus-believing people of St. Andrews church, showing God’s Shalom, making God’s peace, helping to make a little bridge of peace in the traumatic lives of people trying their hardest to survive (Millard, Egan, “Church on Martha’s Vineyard takes in migrants flown in without warning,” The Christian Century , November, 2022, pg. 18).

And it occurred to me that this is what Advent is about—it’s not really about preparing for the Christmas holiday and the gifts and the food and the lights. It is some of that, but what if Advent is really about us deciding to go in deep as Jesus-believing people? What if preparing for the birth of Jesus is really preparing for him to lead us in what he wants?

Because going in deep as Jesus-believing people opens us to the great possibility that God will go deep into us, and fill us, and make us know saving grace, and engage us in God’s interests…and God is usually interested in the needs of others. Which for some is a tough nut to swallow sometimes… because if we’re honest, we want God to tend to our needs first. We want God to be our provider, the answer to our problems. To take care of our stuff.

But, God says something different, I think. I think God says, “I love you. I saved you. You are mine. Put aside your personal needs. Have faith that they are covered. Because right now, I need you to be about my interests in other people whom I love. Sometimes I need you to be a bridge of peace, helping to bring a little comfort in someone’s chaotic life. Other times I need you to bring peace using a sword cutting out injustice, inequity and unfairness and any unloving stuff. Whatever. Just be about my business.”

And God’s business is always about finding ways for us to love one another. Making us a bridge to people who are waiting for something, not quite sure what. Something better in life than the way things are now. Some peace in the midst of chaos. Some love they didn’t know before. Some semblance of life the way God envisions it’s supposed to be.

With Christ deep in us, we are the ones those beloved of God are waiting for. With Christ as our peace, we are the bridge for God’s Shalom to be real in others. Then all of us, saint and sinner, Jew and Gentile, wolves and lambs, privileged and under-privileged, all of us with heart, mind, and soul, in one voice, may glorify God, singing out our praise saying “Let us rejoice in God, our Savior, for the Bridge of Peace.” Amen.

Sojourning the Wilderness Part 2

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 20:55:28 GMT

"Stop Squirrelin'. Stay Focused!"

Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Luke 4:1-13

“Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him”

“The devil departed from him until an opportune time.” So, just like us, the troubles Jesus had to deal with in his life were not over once he came out of that wilderness. But we can take a page from his playbook. “Stay Focused on God.”

Pastor Galen began our Lenten season Wednesday night reminding us to go over a check list of items needed for a journey suggesting it’s best to begin with prayer and to stay in prayer for the 40 days of Lent. Lent is a sojourn, a temporary stay in the wilderness, a temporary halt to our regular practices. It’s only forty days, not counting Sundays, which are not officially part of Lent. Surely, we can stay focused to pray for 40 days. There is certainly enough going on in our world to pray for 40 days.

Let’s start together now. Prayer

The season of Lent is one of introspection and turning again to God, to work out again what our relationship is with God. I have a new sensitivity this year for walking through my own ashes of Lent. When I consider the Ukrainians being bombed from the sky, run over by tanks, greatly wounded by words of a man seeking dominion over them, it gives me a visceral sensation for Lent.

In this time of personal humility where we mine our hearts and attitudes for where we may have caused harm, or where our choices and our actions may have withheld comfort, we ask for forgiveness; we commit to live according to Christ’s model, and make amends where needed.

I think of people walking around the ashes of burned-out building and cars, even the remains trees and playgrounds, their neighbors and their pets all suffering, and it resembles an iconic parallel to the heartache of people personal lives.

I feel the weight of responsibility of holding someone’s hand through a divorce, of coaching someone through a difficult life-changing diagnosis and care plan, of accompanying the grief of one who is slowly losing their partner to disease or holding the candle of hope against someone’s blurry vision of their future with associated panic attacks and tears; these burdens came to me on Wednesday night during our Ash Wednesday service as the grit of burned palm leaves scratched across my forehead. As I read the text of Amos those words seemed an eerie mirror of what’s happening now. I also heard God tell us: I’m with you. Stay focused on me. We’ll get through.

My imagination hears the footsteps of the marching army that Amos describes, and they become the pounding on the door in an unannounced police search that ends in death for the resident who was usually sleeping and disoriented when the attack occurred. I shutter at the thought of young children and their parents who have to move and move again because housing is unaffordable, or their LGBTQ parents have been evicted or lost their jobs. Of course, all this is against a background of more complex, more virulent, more polarizing conspiracy theories, planting mistrust and hate. It’s a wilderness out there. It’s a wilderness in our minds and hearts sometimes, but God says: I’m with you. Stay with me!

The wilderness of our lives can be dry and barren like a desert, or equally overwhelming like a jungle wilderness. That Lent begins with ashes would seem to say that we’ve already lost our way… there’s nothing left by ashes. But Jesus modeled for us to not let the temptations and the negativity of the world pull us away from the goodness of God.

If you’re feeling burned out from life, you may succumb to thoughts of lack, as if our God isn’t able to make a way for you. We are reminded that God is able and right beside us – within us. Our innate fortitude and desire to thrive, our desire to live in harmony comes from that Central Eternal Source that will not, cannot leave us. We are one with God. We will get through the wilderness.

It is tempting to turn to escaping mechanisms or perhaps to coping mechanisms that gloss over true solutions, because we’re tired. We think the effort needed for change, to transform ourselves and our world is just too expensive. We see the deficiency. We see the less than perfect, the incomplete, the lies, the bait and switch, the harm and destruction. The troubles look bigger than we are. We can’t succeed; it’s too far for us to stretch.

I think we frequently look at this story of Jesus in the wilderness and think, “Well, of course he’s going to make it through the wilderness. He’s the son of God for Pete’s sake! He won’t have any trouble with the rough patches in life. He’s got this!” He and God are of one mind. He’s got it!

It’s like when you’re playing baseball or softball, the ball has been hit high and hard, in your direction and you get ready to catch it. You’re getting lined up to catch it, assuring your teammates “I got it! I got it!” And, then you see that you miscalculated the height and speed of the ball, that it’s over your head and you say, “I don’t got it!” Sometimes in our troubles, we feel like “I can’t do this!”

When we feel flummoxed, out of our league, not sure and not in control, our mind starts squirrelin’ all over the place and is not (in the moment) one with God’s. We reach for a comfort food, or decide to a vacation, or try to explain away our inadequacies, our abilities, our miscalculations.

But Jesus speaks to our devils saying we don’t live on bread alone, don’t let our creature comforts influence the decisions about where you get involved or where you donate your money. Stay focused on God’s purpose. Worship and serve the Lord. Don’t test to see whether God is with you. Trust and stay focused for the Great I AM says I AM with you.

Prayer helps us stay focused. There are many ways to pray that are helpful. There are the ones we usually use in church, prayers of confession, prayers of intercession, reflective meditation. But, there are more physical and deliberate acts of prayer too, such as writing in journals, praying in color – that is drawing or doodling with markers which encourages the free association of thoughts to draw out what’s bothering us. There are body prayers as in yoga or dance that open up locked joints and muscles as well as the fears and anger, the emotions we’re holding onto. And, of course, there’s singing our prayers through the hymns or short chants.

The two scriptures today remind us to stay focused on God. Luke’s story of trials and temptations brings home the mantra God is there and will provide. The Deuteronomy text says when you get through sojourning the wilderness, give God the glory for making it through.

If we start our Lenten weeks with some spiritual tools at hand, they will remind us that we’re not alone in this time of deeper reflection, this exercising of piety and humility, this 40-day season of reconciling to gain God’s favor

I’d like to recommend a tactile, kinesthetic way of praying. We’ve put some squares of burlap in a basket here to represent the rough times in life. If you’ll take one after worship today, in your prayer time you can rub your hands over it as you lift up the things that are hard for you, the people who are going through difficulties, for the things that make you angry or really sad. As you feel the material’s scratchiness, be assured that God feels your discomfort and wants to make things smooth and comfortable.

The Deuteronomy section instructs us: “When” you come into the land that God is giving you (when you’ve come through your wilderness), “take” some of the first fruits of the ground as the expected “offering payment”. “Declare” in front of the priest, as you give your offering basket, who you are. “Declare” that when you were treated badly and cried for God’s help, God heard your cry. Stand in your own “I Am” moment – I made it through and give your thanks.

At home, after you’ve rubbed your hands on the course fabric in prayer, turn your hands upward to allow the irritation to subside. Notice that the discomfort goes away and stay in prayer turning it into a prayer of gratitude.

Place this square on your nightstand or the table you sit at in the evening. As you run your fingers over it pray for people who are having hard times. Lift up your gratitude for the ways God has helped. Keep a running list each week of the things you’re grateful for. Check it at the end of the week, like on Sundays which are ‘mini-Easters’; days for celebration.

We reciprocate in the sacred exchange of giving and receiving when we surrender everything to God’s purpose. God provides; we say thanks; and then turn to generously enable others through our giving. Everything we have comes from a generous God who is with us. Yep, there are even gifts within the rough patches of life. Let us declare what we’re grateful for at the end of each day.

Don’t let the negativity that is present in our world pull you off balance or draw your focus away from what is possible with God’s help. Don’t let your mind squirrel to the sense of scarcity, doubt and fear! Keep focused on God, where God is at work, on the beauty and power that God provides to transform us and our world. Then tell others

So be it. Amen.

Kindle the Light

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 16:27:01 GMT

A sermon about lighting a light against the places of darkness we face in the world.

Matthew 24:36-44

Isaiah 2:1-5

November 27, 2022

Rev. Fa Lane

“Kindle the Light”

“ O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD! ”

It is good for us to enter the first season of the Christian year thankful and rejoicing in God our Savior. Advent is nestled within a season of thanks. It is wonderful to spend a day or two simply remembering all that you are grateful for then turning with glad and hopeful hearts to prepare for the coming of Christ fully into the world. Did you know that long ago, between the 4th and 6th century, “Advent” developed primarily to provide an alternative time of preparation of candidates who were to be baptized – Confirmands we call them.

In the late 300s AD, the Roman Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the legal religion of the Roman Empire. With the vast majority of citizens now seeking to be Christian, a single season could not accommodate all of those who had to prepare for baptism. So baptism, which usually followed the instruction time of Lent and was celebrated at Easter, would have instruction in what we now call Advent with baptism at Epiphany when Christians remember the coming of the Magi and celebrate the baptism of Jesus. The focus of Advent now is on the Christian life and preparing our hearts for Christ’s returning, his rebirth in our lives.

We decorate our houses, make extra food, receive guests who are visiting and exchange gifts with those we love. It is a jubilant time of rejoicing in God’s goodness and grace for us. At church we decorate too and use the four candles of the Advent wreath to remember Christ’s messages of hope, joy, peace and love. We light one each week, maybe you do this at home too. We are to consider each of those desires for the week until a new candle is lighted. One way we kindle the candle’s light is with our prayers for the world all week.

In most temples and churches you will find candles. The energy that quickens the flame inspires our passion for faith in Christ. Many houses of worship have the eternal flame, also called the Sanctuary lamp or chancel lamp that is never doused. It never goes out. We hold a light against the darkness we face. It is God saying “I am the light of the world.”

When in olden days the faithful people of Israel would take pilgrimage, they would carry candles in lanterns as they prayed and walked with God.

The Old Testament lesson in Isaiah instructed them to go up to the mountain of the Lord, so that they might be taught God’s ways. The mountain is a metaphor; it is a reference to Jerusalem in Ancient Near East literature; just as a temple was referred to as a house where a god lived. This oracle in Isaiah 2:2-4 speaks of people making pilgrimage to Zion, meaning the site of the Jerusalem Temple. This temple still stands in Jerusalem and people travel in pilgrimage to see it every week. I saw the Temple Mount, what we were allowed to see, when I visited in 2014 with my seminary class.

As we go through these next 4 weeks, starting with this Sunday and ending on Christmas Sunday, I invite you on a pilgrimage to consider Isaiah 2 verse 5 with the question: How do we walk in the light of the Lord? First, we must be willing to turn instruments of war and violence into means for feeding the nations and be at peace. When we no longer seek to conquer and weaken others but seek contentment we walk in the light of the Lord.

I’ve created a sheet of four bookmarks to help you on this pilgrimage. At the entrances where you picked up your bulletin, I’ve placed a small stack of cardstock with four bookmarks. You can use them to reflect each week on how we kindle the light of God in our lives. Each individual bookmark has a different question—one for each week. I caution you against working ahead and doing all four at once. That would thwart the joy of discovery; and you’d miss the richness of noticing things one week at a time, even praying one day at a time. This is not something to get done and check off your list. It’s a time of noticing and appreciating in the moment where you see the light of God.

So you can cut them apart, light one candle each week, think upon one of these desires for the whole week. You can color it in; you can write on the back; maybe it will spur your prayers through the week, or inspire you to some action that brings about hope, joy, peace and love.

For this week of hope, you can write the answer that you used two weeks ago when I asked you to talk with your neighbor in the pew about where you see hope. Then expand it by adding what you’ve notice since Nov. 13. Consider what things you can do to bring hope to others, like our gifts for the Cradles to Crayons children. Write those ideas on the back and pray about them over this whole week.

You could also scan the newspaper and web sources of news for instances that bring hope or need hope for God’s light. The Matthew scripture indicates that as we are going about our everyday lives, working, eating meals, getting married, raising families, making a living, that someday the Son of Man will come. We need to be watching, alert for those acts that reveal God’s light in the world, watching for Christ’s return.

In a few minutes we will participate in communion with one another which is an uplifting act of faithful people, bringing all of us to the table. When we gather at the God’s table I feel the light of Holy Love. Here we all share in God’s grace and the transformation it can bring from knowing Jesus Christ.

The prophet Isaiah spoke a message of hope more than 500 years before the birth of Jesus. He spoke of God promises that we will emerge from a land of deep darkness, and enter into a new world filled with the light of God’s encompassing love. That is what we celebrate in communion, Christ’s love for us, the way he provides light for our dark days. Let us prepare a place for the Christ-child to be born in our lives and kindle the love we find there. Let us be renewed at the table of grace and walk rejoicing in the light of the Lord.

Amen.

Divine Restoration

Sun, 20 Nov 2022 18:40:54 GMT

A sermon about God helping us reacquire the hope, the joy, the blessings that comes with knowing the Lord.

Colossians 1: 9-20

Jeremiah 23: 1-6

November 20, 2022

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply.”

Prayer: O Divine One, we are blessed by so much in this world, but the most blessed thing is to have you in our lives. Please restore us when we walk away from that blessing. In Christ we pray, Amen.

A few weeks ago when Pastor Fa was leading worship, I went upstairs to be in the Faith Formation class with our younger faith sojourners. And boy, were they ready for me!! They had prepared questions written up on a big board for me to answer, right on the spot! I loved it! It was a “Go Ask Galen” session (a GAG session! which I find amusing all by itself).

It’s so important for our little ones to grow in faith and understanding, and it’s important that all of us engage in their faith development. Anyway, one of their questions was, “What does the word ‘Pastor’ mean?” And I thought, well, that’s easy… and I explained that pastor is an old word for shepherd. And we talked together about what a shepherd does… how a shepherd guards and protects the sheep. How a shepherd finds good pastures to feed the sheep, and all that. We discussed the importance of the shepherd’s staff to ward off the wolves, and the hook of the staff can rescue a sheep which might be in trouble, too close to a cliff.

Then, finally I got to the part “and a pastor is like a shepherd and the people of the church are like sheep.” And sure enough one girl said, “But, I don’t want to be a sheep. They’re animals. And smelly. And they have to live outside.” Aaaand, we’re done! Can’t argue with that.

But, I get it. Some days, I don’t want to be a sheep either. Because sheep tend sometimes to be so docile as to be easily manipulated. They can get rebellious and butt heads with other sheep usually to get food. And sheep can be so focused on the ground, nibbling and nibbling, without lifting their heads, that they nibble themselves lost.

And if I’m really honest about it, some days I don’t want to be a shepherd, either. I mean Jeremiah’s words remind me that if shepherds don’t do their job right, God is none too happy about it. If spiritual leaders drive people away from God, or destroy faith, Jeremiah points a finger at them and says that God will attend to them for their evil doings. So, Jeremiah’s words are like a pastor’s ‘wake up’ call showing what “NOT” to do as one of God’s shepherds.

In Jeremiah’s day, God calls out the political and religious leaders (which are one and the same) for their reckless shepherding. These leaders allowed the worship of Baal, a god of the Canaanites. And, instead of trusting God to be their God, these leaders succumbed to outside pharaohs and kings and emperors and conquerors who thought that they themselves were gods. And as gods, those enemies of Israel and Judah used abusive force, threats, and oppressive policies to get people to comply. So Jeremiah promised on God’s word—God will have a divine response for endangering the spiritual lives of the people, for destroying faith, and for undermining the well-being of Israel and Judah.

It doesn’t take much to see where this continues in our world. Vladimir Putin, for one, is carrying out an abusive use of power in Ukraine destroying lives and faith. Kim Jong Un in North Korea, for two, is making threatening gestures by test-firing missiles that have the potential to reach our mainland thus threatening our lives and the well-being of our nation.

And even within our nation, there are Christian pastors and leaders who have made Christianity a god [with a small “g”] by believing that our nation is ordained by God to only be a Christian nation, and that all government levels should be empowered to enforce Christianity as our national religion. And Jesus is the King of God’s warriors ready to go to battle for this cause. And if you don’t believe that, you’re of the devil and are to be resisted, with force, if necessary. All that is garbage and endangers the spiritual lives of people and is destroying faith in God, I believe.

Now, I don’t know what divine response God might have to all this in our day, but in the biblical day, God’s divine response was to say that the days are coming when God will raise up a Righteous Branch for David. Which is a total dis of the pharaohs and kings and emperors being gods. Those guys suffered from delusions of grandeur. Big time.

In Jesus’ day, asserting that Jesus is the Christ and his reign is the only one that will last forever—well, that is a total dis of the Roman Emperor and the empire, too. In other words, no matter one’s nation of citizenship, the first identity and allegiance of a Christian is to Jesus Christ.

That’s for us, too, calling on this Christ Jesus... not the warlord Jesus, but the Peace-Lord Jesus, the Love-Lord Jesus, the Saving Shepherd-Lord Jesus… the image of the visible God-Jesus… calling on this Jesus is calling on the God who, after pointing the finger at sinfulness, says, “I’ll do it myself. I’ll be their Shepherd. And I’ll circle back and reach out to those who were driven away. I’ll gather those in who were left out, marginalized. Those who are oppressed and wounded, I will help them reacquire the hope, the joy, the blessings that comes with knowing the Lord. They won’t be afraid anymore, or dismayed. And not one will be missing or neglected. Not one shunned in churches will be shunned anymore. They will be rescued from the power of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of light. They will know redemption. They will know forgiveness and love. They will know healthy growth in their spirit on the journey of faith They will know divine restoration.” And they will walk in a new way of life and faith.

It’s like this—imagine this young father who has a 1 year old daughter. Quite unexpectedly he develops a life-limiting condition. His wrist starts to swell. The next day his knee can’t bend. Within days he’s in the hospital with autoimmune arthritis: his immune system is attacking his joint tissue. After a month his condition stabilizes, and he starts to build his life again. But, he needs rehab and physical therapy. He has to learn to walk again over the next year.

Meanwhile, his baby girl is growing and soon is learning to walk at the same time. The dad thought his job was to teach her, but now she’s teaching him. It’s humiliating, but beautiful. He cherishes those moments. He also is so grateful for those who care for him and walk with him. He says, “Thank you for walking with me… “ and he means it, literally.” But, what he really notices is that what’s happening faster for him than learning to walk is a much more profound sense of being a better person. He’s being restored in his spirit (Wells, Samuel, the Better Part of Faith,” The Christian Century, November 2022, pg. 34).

Divine restoration is such a powerful, restorative gift. It’s for the sheep and the shepherd alike. It’s for pastor and people. It is for the crucified robber and the soldiers at the foot of the cross. It is for the privileged and the under-privileged. It’s for father and daughter. It’s for those who are learning to walk in a new life of faith and those who need to relearn faith. It’s for children of God, young and old. It’s for you. It’s for me. Amen.

A Vision of Faithfulness

Sun, 13 Nov 2022 18:39:07 GMT

A sermon about the places where we find hope.

Luke 21:5-19

Isaiah 65:17-25

November 13, 2022

Rev. Fa Lane

“For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.”

What beautiful imagery in Psalm 85. God restoring the fortunes of Jacob, those who felt God had abandoned them, punished them. There is God forgiving iniquity/the injustice done by people; pardoning all their sin, their willful transgressions. God withdrawing from wrath and turning away from anger to become a safe harbor, a father reaching for his children, a mother comforting her own. If you’re able to imagine yourself as one of those, take a big breath and let that image of redemption and restoration settle in your bones. Oh, God, that feels good; let it be so.

Both Luke and Isaiah talk about dark and troubling days, and both point to God’s salvation as a reversal so that God’ salvation is the opposite of wars and insurrections, earthquakes and plagues. We are living with many of those things occurring right now. It’s troubling. But our hope is that God’s intention for peace and harmony will be the new things that makes things better.

Let’s review the promises of God’s salvation in those images from psalm 85 we just sang: God will speak peace. God will show steadfast love. There will be righteousness and good. The Old Testament gives us stories and prayers that speak of God’s fidelity and goodness, especially the psalms which were foundational scripts of the Hebrew people. Jesus knew these texts well, its reports and forewarnings of destruction and glimpses of hope. In Luke 21 he reminds his followers that there will be days of trouble but we are to endure with the hope of God’s authority even so, just as our foremothers and forefathers in faith did. We should put that prayer on repeat.

The book of Isaiah, which is a compilation of writings spanning several centuries, weaves together stories of judgement and salvation, ending and beginnings. It shows the struggles of the prophets through the centuries as they tried to make sense of God and the world in which they lived. In our time, we also try to figure out how to be devoted to God and how world events fit into God’s larger purpose. I don’t know if the world is any more overwhelming now than in Isaiah’s times, but I know it is overwhelming for me.

We pray for God’s intervention, for God’s protection, for people to put away thoughts of greed and violence, supremacy and retribution, for God’s new heaven and earth to be. The people of Israel who have been forcibly deported also prayed for that. The detainees in 8 ^th century and 9 ^th century BC, and those in the 21 ^st century in the Palestinian Refugee camps like Aida, in Bethlehem are still praying for that.

I find comfort in the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” When we read prophetic writings and observe the parallels in our own time, we look for the hopeful arc toward justice and peace.

So, if we must go through grief and agitation as Jesus tells us, where do we look for hope? Scripture tells us that God is able and will be faithful to their own Vision of a better world. Are we faithfully watching for the ways God is moving among us, attentive to where we see hope? Are we faithful to see where God is faithful? Does that bring us hope for our times?

Through the ages, Jewish and Christian people have added their own interpretations of the prophets’ words, for better or worse. Some have been emboldened by their interpretations to strive for power and influence in an effort to make the ancient prophecies come true. Others have taken a more reflective and patient responsive tactic waiting for God’s intervention.

In the last few months of political ads and message spinning, well - maybe more than a few months, I have heard a sort of parallel to today’s Isaiah reading. Basically, each politician tries to show us their vision of a better life and tries to get us to align with their vision of the future and vote for them. As long as it squares with God’s vision, we can entertain their ideas.

With a background of scripture, such as the beautiful imagery in Isaiah 65, I look for where policies and actions lead our nation to that vision. I read of God’s desire for fairness, generosity, and truth in the psalms. I am aware of the primacy in Jesus’ ministry of Isaiah 61, the script he read and began his ministry. I pray that our leaders announce good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, free those who are captives, or pardon prisoners. As people of faith, we yearn for leaders whose policies might reveal a year of grace, those whose governance will bring comfort and care for all, and messages of joy instead of news of doom. Regardless of one’s political affiliation, we pray for our leaders and hope for God’s new creation.

It is a challenge to be faithful to God’s ideas of new creation because we’re all trying to figure out what that means in a multi-cultural world with diverse economic realities and scattered ethnicities, uneven distribution of wealth and healthcare and educational opportunities. Hope in a newly married couple. Hope is when your child enters school for the first time. Hope is when modern medicine is able to remedy your illness. Hope is a safe and affordable home you can live in. Hope is a family that receives you with love. I’d like for you to talk together for a few minutes about where you see hope.

I’d like for you to talk together for a few minutes about where you see hope.

So, turn to someone in your pew, and fill in the blank This is where I see hope for God’s vision of peace and harmony. What brings me hope is_________________.

Seeing and following God’s will requires careful study and reflecting time of self-examination. When we read the prophetic literature of Isaiah and see parallels to our own day, if we think that we will get a clear sense of cause and effect and what God would have us do, we must be aware of the literature’s history. Reading the historical books has its challenges. For example, the Book of Isaiah isn’t a linear story from a historical point A to and ending point.

Today’s Isaiah passage comes from what Bible scholars call the third Isaiah. Modern scholarship, for at least 200 years, has known that some parts of Isaiah could not have originated with the prophet who lived in the 8 ^th century BC. You have to be careful about reading the Bible literally because there are discrepancies, for example, there are persons identified in some chapters, such as Cyrus, the Persian King, who simply did not live in the 8 ^th century when the man Isaiah lived. So, it is clear that the book of Isaiah contains some content that benefitted from a later writer looking backward in time, writing with the knowledge of the actual history and spinning the details a bit to fit their purpose, to explain events in the way they wanted it to be heard, to teach a lesson they felt important. I’m not saying that was deceitful. They were interpreting for the learner based on what they knew happened. And, they were telling a cautionary tale so events of destruction, mass deportation, and oppression would not happen again.

The prophet Isaiah, or I should really say prophet s , because scholars believe the book is a compilation of multiple writers over several centuries, they remind us of God’s faithfulness to us. There will be bad times, there will be good times, God will be with us; there is hope even in dark times if we look for it.

Christ’s wisdom in Luke instructs us to be ever ready to look for what new thing God is doing, what new insight is provided, to look for solutions that draw us into a new beam of God’s enlightenment. God is still speaking to us today. Isaiah tells us that the former things, our former “GoTo” answers won’t even come to mind.

(Sometimes, I jokingly wonder how that fits my experience. I often get chances to wonder what new thing God is creating when I walk into a room and can’t remember what I went for…)

This past Tuesday, Pastor Galen and I attended a Lancaster Association meeting and were privileged to listen to Hebrew Bible/Old Testament scholar Dr. Julia O’Brien from Lancaster Theological Seminary bring insights for preaching on the words of Isaiah in Advent.

In the season of Advent that starts on Nov. 27 ^th , we listen to old prophecies for what is to come. But, prophets also describe what is happening, like a news report. A prophet would speak truthfully about conditions of the time and then share what God told them of what would come. We have to be cautious of whom we listen to as Jesus says in Luke 21:8, “beware that you are not led astray for many will come in my name and say ‘I am he!’

How do we know if the message is from God? Some we listen to on the news or at rallies have well-crafted talking points or ads. For me, messages that align with God’s heart speak of peace, justice, equanimity and establish policies that raise up the poor and forgotten; and tend to the sick.

As Dr. O’Brien explained, the prophetic book of Isaiah is replete with woeful times, times to lament and hopeful times, times to rejoice. This pattern has gone on since we’ve been keeping track of history, and it will go on. So, we pray for God’s vision to come: God’s will be done. In Isaiah 65, we hear of the day of God’s reversing salvation that makes the direction forward clear and smooth like a highway. God’s salvation will level every uphill battle for justice, every tumultuous climb for fairness; God’s salvation will reverse the gaps and valleys that divide us.

If you scan the previous chapters in Isaiah, you will read of God’s promises, God’s faithfulness to those God loves: Chapter 59 The Lord’s hand is not too short to save. Chapter 60 Arise, shine, for your light has come. Chapter 61 The Lord has anointed me to bring good news. Chapter 62 for Zion’s sake I will not keep silent until her vindication shines out. Chapter 63 Who comes from Eden…it is I announcing vindication might to save. Chapter 64 is a direct appeal to God to intervene and make things new.

Jesus speaks of a reversal too, in Luke 21 for today’s reading. He says the world’s turmoil will happen, don’t let it turn your eyes from God, for it’s just part of life. God is faithful. Look for God’s reversal. Hope for God’s salvation. Pray for God’s new creation. Endure in God’s love. Look for the light that pierces the darkness.

As a small example, I admit that when I voted on Tuesday, I was nervous about what I would see or hear at the polling station, based on a lot of concern for voter safety. But, I decided to be the best version of me I could muster as I participated in the election process. I greeted everyone at the polling station with a smile and genuine sense of appreciation for their presence. I tried to let my little light shine.

In life, I invite you to see the pendulum swing from despair to hope. May we choose to live faithful in hopes that God’s vision will prevail.

Truthful Expectations

Sun, 06 Nov 2022 17:18:00 GMT

A sermon about a love that can bring about the expectation of new life.

2 Thess. 2: 1-5, 13-17

Luke 20: 27-38

November 6, 2022

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

“And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”

Prayer: May your truths, O God, and your Word, touch us deeply in our souls this day, as we worship you. Amen.

Halloween was this past Monday, and on Wednesday, I read this really weird story about archaeologists excavating a 17th century graveyard in Poland. They discovered a woman buried with an iron sickle over her neck and a padlock on her big toe! I can’t make this stuff up! Weird. Apparently, several bodies were discovered buried in similar ways back in 2015.

Archaeologists speculated that the woman was probably buried that way to “prevent her from rising from the dead.” No kidding! Because back in those days, people were really quite superstitious. Belief in vampires was common, despite no evidence.

But, archaeologists think that they had lots of reasons to fear someone coming back from the dead. Maybe the dead woman was mistreated in her life, and it was feared that she would come back and exact her revenge. That’s sounds very Halloween-ey, doesn’t it? Or, more likely, maybe the woman had a terrible disease, and they were afraid that she would return continuing the spread of the disease (‘ Vampire’ Skeleton Found Pinned to Ground with Sickle Around Neck (newsweek.com) retrieved November 2, 2022). Well, whatever the reason, the message was that this woman’s life was over, and there would be no chance that she would return.

Weird and creepy, right?

Oh, what some people will do when an idea gets stuck in their heads, isn’t? I mean even without evidence, they tenaciously hung onto the belief that the woman might come back. Regardless of the truth, they were willing to go to extreme measures. This kind of stuff is what zombie movies are made of. Or election results. Did I say that?

But the truth is that the resurrection of the dead is a question most of us ponder once in a while. We wonder what will actually happen in that hour, if anything at all. And it comes right in that little sweet spot where religious belief and rational skepticism meet.

And I know that some of you are in the camp that nothing happens at all. You die, and that’s that. You just cease to exist. Maybe so. I hope not. And some of you are in the other camp—your body dies and you will see a light, and your spirit rises into God’s eternal realm. Maybe so. I hope so.

In Jesus’ day, the people and the religious leaders asked the same questions. The religious leaders were Pharisees and Sadducees. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead, in the spiritual world and the spirit’s life within.

The Sadducees did not. They basically said, ‘Don’t ever expect anything beyond this life right now.’ In fact, the Sadducees were so adamant in their belief that nothing happens after you die, that they went to a weird place. They devised a little scheme to try and trap Jesus. Using the laws of Moses found in Leviticus, they came up with a hypothetical, very improbable situation that raised a question about married couples in heaven. Obviously, since they didn’t believe in life after death, this was a trick question. One filled with malice and ill-will. Intended to be a “Gotcha, Jesus!” question with a hook. “Ha! Jesus’ll never be able to answer this, thus proving that there is no resurrection of the dead, and thereby discrediting his ministry.”

But, Jesus doesn’t fall into their trap. He knows they’re malicious. And he knows that questions of faith and spirit have multiple nuances and variations. So, he puts the answer where it belongs, in the context of the TRUTH of God’s gracious love. A love that can bring about the EXPECTATION of new life, even when the body dies.

See, that’s how I understand Jesus’ answer to the Sadducees. His answer creates truthful expectations . Truthful as in Jesus’ word is full of God’s truth. Which we are always trying to discern. No one has the corner on the market of God’s truth. It’s always developing.

Expectation as in realistic outcomes on the faith journey. What can we count on? What can we trust in? Just this: that God is faithful and just. We can expect that God IS the God of the deceased because God sees life in death. God IS the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God is the God of Sharon Blough, Tom Drybred, Donald Stauffer, Lloyd Byers, Denny Fackler, Marlin Uhrich, Christine Wells, LGBTQ people whose lives have been cut short, relatives in our lives, and all the saints we named and spoke of today. God is the God of the living, for to God, all of them are alive.

And this precious gift of aliveness in God is not mainly for when our bodies die, when we go on as children of God living in the light. No, it is mainly for us who live right now. For us to be sanctified children of God now.

Sanctification, a marvelous theological word that we don’t speak of often enough, which is being made holy by God, is a truthful expectation fulfilled for you and me today. Because when we believe, God chooses to make us aware of God’s saving grace. And as Paul says, we can obtain and receive the same sanctification, the same new life, the same glory, the same resurrection, the same eternal comfort and hope that Christ received. We can receive that now. Today. That’s the truth.

Because with saving grace, God can bring about rebirth in stagnancy. Because all kinds of injuries can be healed. Hope can be restored. Forgiveness can be given and received. Love can emerge out of hate. Goodness can come out of chaos and turmoil. That’s the expectation. There’s truth...and expectation.

One of our Stillspeaking Writers, Rev. Molly Baskette recently posted her experience with a man named Mali Watkins. Rev. Baskette writes, “Two days before George Floyd died, Mali Watkins was dancing in the streets of Alameda, CA. He is a Black man, dapper and dear. He is also on the autism spectrum. He dances in the street every day: in his words, it’s how he gives “wholeness to the world.” The neighbors see him and wave and smile.

But one day in May, someone who didn’t know him called the police, concerned that he would get hit by a car. Eight cops showed up. They cuffed him, put him on the ground, kneeled on him, and Mali broke five teeth in the struggle. The arrest spawned huge dance parties by protestors, neighbors, and friends, with every hue of humans rocking out in the streets. Over the course of the next month, one Mali became many.”

Molly Baskette wrote, “I met Mali at one of those dance parties, and we ended up talking for half an hour. I was moved by his beautiful spirituality, and felt I was in the presence of someone anointed by God. I told him how sorry I was that he had suffered. His answer surprised me.

Mali shared with me about what he believed was the larger purpose that this arc of injustice [against him] brought about. Every day for months BEFORE his arrest, a man drove by him as he danced. This man was a city employee, and even in his official role and public uniform, [he shouted out racial and vulgar slurs toward Mali.]

Well, after Mali’s arrest, when the news and video went viral, the man sought him out at one of the dance parties. The man begged Mali’s forgiveness. They fell onto each other’s necks, weeping. Mali’s humanity had never been in question. But his own suffering, made more visible, had unearthed the other man’s humanity (personal email, “The Liberating Word: Dancing in the Streets,” Baskette, Molly, Lead Pastor, First UCC, Berkeley, CA, subbing in for Rev. Michael Piazza, received October 28, 2022). How about that?

Another truthful expectation: God can bring our goodness to the surface, that’s the truth. Even in the middle of the suffering and the dancing of life—that’s the expectation.

So, I hope that by the end of Tuesday night, no, by the end of next week, we will live in this truthful expectation. Because probably will feel the divisions in our nation once again. Some will be celebrating election victories; others mad at the loss, not accepting defeat very easily. But, even so, in life and in death, in victory and defeat, keep focused on God’s truth that we are loved by God with an everlasting love. And expect that with God as our partner, together the goodness of humanity will rise. The love of God will influence all. The resurrection of life after deadness does happen and will happen.

And we will find that to God, we are alive in Christ more than ever before. May it be so. Amen.

Transformed by Love

Sun, 30 Oct 2022 20:28:00 GMT

A sermon about the transformation that happens when Jesus "comes to stay at our house."

Isiaah 1: 19-18

Luke 19: 1-10

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

October 30, 2022

“Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him.

Prayer: Transform us, O God, by your love, so that we may be brought to your new life again, and become what you want us to be. May these words be acceptable to you, O God, my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen.

As I said in the Joys and Concerns today, I was privileged to officiate and celebrate the wedding of one of the sons of our church, Grant Andrick and Kyleigh Meyers. I love doing weddings. A lot of pastors I know can’t stand doing them. A necessary annoyance in the life of a pastor, they say. But, not me. What a great time to celebrate the power of love! What a great time to speak the truth that God is love! And I often get a chance to offer a 2-3 minute shpiel on God’s love in the ceremony. So, for Kyleigh and Grant, I told them to keep first things first in their marriage. Put God and love—which are one and the same—into their marriage, and saturate it with the Holy Spirit, and their lives will be full.

But, let’s be honest. Sometimes it’s easy, I think, NOT to put God into our marriages, our lives, our work, our daily doings. It’s easy to NOT submit to God’s way of love as shown by Jesus. It’s like we get caught up in our regular stuff so much so that God and Love are taken for granted and fade away from being the top influencers in our lives. And the longer we go on like that, the more we don’t need God. The more we get distanced from God. The more we rely on our own insights. And the more we get spiritually small. Diminished.

Which is what happened to Zacchaeus, I think. Luke tells us that he was short in stature, which, in his case, mirrored his shortness of spirit. He was small spiritually. He focused primarily on prosperity and property to the exclusion of healthy relationships within his community. His small spirit allowed him to deny the pain he inflicted on others. Clearly, as a vile tax collector, the chief of tax collectors, complicit with the oppressive, corrupt Roman system, he totally got lost. He forsook his Jewish heritage. He all but abandoned the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God who lovingly wants to transform sinful lives into lives white as snow and hearts soft as wool.

But, Jesus was on approach. Jesus’ reputation preceded him, and the large crowd followed him. Which probably piqued Zacchaeus’ interest as well. So, being small in stature and small in spirit, Zacchaeus, trying to see who Jesus was, climbs a sycamore tree. He just wants to get a look-see, not necessarily be engaged with Jesus. He wants a view from a perch above, not to be among Jesus’ followers, or anything. To get close enough, but not too close. He just wants to see without being involved.

And I’m thinking, geez, this sounds familiar. How many of us come here into this house of worship just to see what’s going on? Because its part of our social life? Without really wanting to get involved? I see it at weddings and funerals all the time. People ask me… several did Friday night, where’s your church? I should like to come. I tell them, and I say “You are more than welcome to be with us. Would love to see you.” Rarely, if ever do they come. If they do, it’s only for a look-see. Never intending to get engaged in the mission and ministry of our church.

I also see the same thing in some of the biggest society issues we face. Climate change. Racial injustice. Voting rights. Economic disparity and marginalization. Politicians are seemingly just getting a look-see into these big issues, but not really wanting to get too deeply engaged. Paying lip-service. Going through the motions. Seemingly not influenced by God who is the Creator of Love.

Gun violence. Do you know that since last Sunday, 1 week, there were 10 mass shootings in our nation. Ten! It breaks my heart. All total, 23 people were killed and 29 were injured, according to the ( Mass Shootings in 2022 | Gun Violence Archive , retrieved October 29, 2022). Yes, there was a gun bill passed in August, and it was the most politics would allow, but it is not enough. Politicians only got a look-see on this issue, with this bill, not getting serious about gun control. Not one candidate running for public office these days, that I’ve heard anyway, has said anything about gun violence or better gun control in our nation. Not one.

But even in our complicity and complacency, God never tires of calling out to us, never ceases to come to the places where we are, always inviting herself into our lives, into our societal issues, into our relationships, into our churches, and out of love says to us “learn to do good, seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” Don’t just go through the motions. Don’t just pay lip-service. Engage with God.

Jesus sees Zacchaeus getting his look-see from his perch and says to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house—today!” I suspect Zacchaeus never intended that he would be seen by Jesus! But Jesus does see him, and invites himself into Zacchaeus’ life. He says he “must stay in your house,” which says to me that Jesus must reside in Zacchaeus’ inner spirit. God must take up residency in his inner heart.

So, this week I wondered if Jesus could be saying ‘I must stay’ in your spiritual lives. And, not just there, but in our world’s issues, too. Because if Jesus stays only in our spiritual lives but not in our issues, then we’re still up in the sycamore tree. Jesus is close, but not too close.

But I hear Jesus saying ‘I must be a part of your life, your issues, your church, your concerns; every bit of it.’ I hear that God and God’s Love must be in residence spiritually so that we can respond to gun violence in the world. We can address racial injustice. Climate change. Economic inequalities. So that we can be about the church’s mission and ministry. So that we can be an all-inclusive church and accessible to all. So that love can overpower the powers of the world.

When we hear that Jesus must stay in our house, I think that is a ‘come to Jesus’ moment. We have to come to Jesus and decide—do we hurry down from the close, but not too close spot and are happy to welcome him, or not? Do we get out off our aloof perches, our standoffish places, and engage with Jesus in the ministry in the world? Or not?

In Zacchaeus’ ‘come to Jesus’ moment, he decided come to open himself to the transforming love of God. As soon as he did that, his world changed. He moved from the corrupt by-stander in the tree to one who wanted to welcome Jesus into his home and his spiritual life. He got transformed into one who positively exhibited God’s qualities.

That’s what happens when God and God’s Love become tops in your life. You get transformed by that love. You start to exhibit God qualities. You seek restoration. You push for reconciliation. You do a complete moral inventory, and you make amends with those you’ve wronged. You do good. You practice justice. You forgive. You love.

Here’s where the Spirit of Love shown through Jesus did an amazing thing in Zacchaeus—it revealed to him his shortcomings. His failures. Out of Love, the Spirit convicted him. Because of that, I think Zacchaeus saw his complicity. He recognized his own contribution to the corrupt revenue system and how damaging and oppressive it was for his fellow Jews. And he made reparations. He made pay back.

So finally, for the love of God, he could come out from under the burden of being a sinful tax collector. Finally he could identify the guilt he’s carried and do something about it. Finally, he could come down from his lofty, out of touch perch, make a moral inventory, do the hard work of making amends, and engage in a new life spiritually.

See, you can come out from under the burden you might be carrying. You can be transformed, again, by the powerful Love of God that lovingly convicts us. And you can trust that the Spirit will show you in your inner spiritual conscience where you might need to make amends. Where you can be enlarged spiritually. Listen to the Spirit. Trust God can transform you with love.

And God celebrates! Jesus affirmed Zacchaeus’ transformation. “Salvation has come to this house…” he said. Not salvation as in new life when his body dies, but salvation as in the power of Love that overcomes the powers of the world. That’s salvation! And that is for this moment! Today! It’s salvation as in the saving grace of Love that transforms us into new life, no matter how far away we might perceive ourselves to be from God.

What a great day—today—to put God and God’s Love into our lives. As I said to Grant and Kyleigh so I say to us, put first things first. Put God and love—which are one and the same—into our lives, and saturate it with the Holy Spirit, and our lives will be full, transformed by Love. Amen.

Where Do We Stand?

Sun, 23 Oct 2022 15:56:56 GMT

A sermon about where we stand as we come into God's presence.

2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 16-18

Luke 18: 9-14

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

October 23, 2022

“The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying… But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven...”

Prayer: Holy God, I thank you that your grace pours out on all of us, sinner and saint alike. Pour out on us, I pray. Amen.

I am so ready for the mid-term elections to be over! I know, I complain about this every two years in October. But, I mean it! Because the political ads on TV and radio and social media are relentless. Like I’m tired of hearing where the candidates stand on the issues anymore. You hear one ad that identifies where a candidate stands, and you hear another one right afterwards contradicting the first. And then you need fact checker ads to see which ad was telling the truth!

And honestly, I am at the point of disgust with hearing “I approve this message” ad nauseum. Do you feel me on this? I am also burned out with ads that are ‘ad hominem’—which means ads that bash the opposing candidate’s personal character while not addressing the issues. Ads that make one candidate seem lesser as a person by using black and white images with harsh music while the other candidate seems greater as a person with color images and sweet music. I get it. I know it’s all advertising strategy.

All this to get your vote. All this to get you to stand with the candidate. Thank God, November 2nd is coming soon. So, get out and vote! Then maybe we’ll have peace for a month, or so.

Seems to me that Jesus’ parable has one person, the Pharisee, thinking that he’s superior as a religious person over bad people, including the tax collector. The Pharisee in Jesus’ day, as you know, is considered to be the righteous one, the one who faithfully follows Moses’ law, the one who is among the religious elite, who is rich and tithes, believes in his exceptionalism, and stands inside the tent of God’s salvation.

The tax collector, on the other hand, is considered to be, first of all, a sinner! Because this is a Jewish person who seemingly betrayed his Jewish heritage and sided with the occupying, oppressing power—the Romans—by collecting money from the Jews for Rome ! And has become rich because of it! Talk about a betrayal of God and people! And so, by Jewish law, the tax collector is considered to be inferior, religiously unclean, and stands outside God’s tent of salvation.

But, leave it to Jesus to scramble up the ways people think and act! Notice that in the parable both went up to the temple to pray. It’s like both coming to our church. Both wanted to be in the presence of God. Both decided that God was important in their lives. I think both needed God at a certain level. So kudos go to both of them.

That’s important for us, too, I think. We can go along in life not really wanting God’s Presence, not really seeking it out, not really feeling like we need God in our lives. That’s easy to do. And chances are we won’t really feel God too deeply. We likely won’t come to cherish God’s mercy and grace, God’s Presence and love as spiritual staples throughout our lives unless we realize we need it.

But, I don’t think God holds that against us. God creates moments for us to notice God’s gifts. And if we don’t notice God or God’s Presence in one moment, then God creates another one for us in our circumstances. So, I think we can know God and God’s gifts best if we come to realize that we need them. So, just like the Pharisee and the tax collector, we have to decide to come into God’s Presence.

But, where do we stand? We can walk right in and stand in the sanctuary, like the Pharisee in the temple… which isn’t wrong at all. In fact, it’s good. Because standing in the sanctuary is a great place to experience the presence of the living God! It’s a beautiful place to pray, to listen, and to sing and offer praises to God! To re-align ourselves with what God values.

Or we can stand far off, like the tax collector did, way over there near our pavilion, which also isn’t wrong. It’s actually good. Because God is in our far-off places, too. God is out on the margins, in the in-between zone. Like the psalmist says, “Where can I flee from God’s presence?” You can’t. Its like the air we breathe. God hears all our prayers, our inner spirit’s voice from the far-off places we find ourselves, from the lonely painful areas of life. Perhaps wherever you find yourself now?

The difference between the Pharisee and the tax collector is a matter of comparison, I think. The Pharisee, standing in the zone of God’s Presence, thinks he is all that. He compares his actions to other’s actions and uses that as his guideline. So he, with his ego working, gets an attitude of exceptionalism when compared to all those “lesser” people, even the nearby tax collector. The Pharisee trusts in his self-righteousness and cultivates contempt for other people. Which are exactly what become barriers between him and God. Don’t do that!

The tax collector, standing out on the edges in God’s Presence, humbly compares his actions to God’s standards, not human standards. To which he clearly doesn’t measure up… and he knows it! He’s a sinner! And he beats his chest saying so. He can’t even lift his eyes upward because he is so aware of his human frailties. He empties out his heart before God out in the parking lot near the pavilion. Which is exactly what opens the doors between him and God. Do that!

Jesus says that God is justified in giving the tax collector God’s divine Presence, the mercy he asked for, love and strength, wisdom and all the other spiritual staples needed for the faith journey in life.

And then Jesus drives it all home with the punch line: “all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

You see, God knows that exalting ourselves can give us something like a sugar high. We like a good bit of exalting ourselves. And it feels good for awhile. It feels powerful for awhile. We feel exceptional, greater than others for awhile. “Yeah, I’m better than that person. I’m better than my neighbor. I thank God I am better than others.”

But like all sugar highs, there comes the moment when it all comes crashing down, and we realize that the sugar high was a bunch of empty calories. And we’re longing for something more. We’re hungry for something real. Something that is life-sustaining. Jesus says that standing in God’s Presence with humility is what is real.

Because God’s Presence causes our spiritual transformation. Then the effects of that transformation show up as humble righteousness, doing spiritual things.

I encourage us not to mix up the cause and the effect, like the Pharisee did. He thought that fasting and tithing would bring about God’s Presence and God’s spiritual staples. But standing in God’s Presence is the cause. When you’re standing in it, the effects are—you do spiritual things like fasting, tithing, praying.

You know how I often say that worship is the fountainhead of everything else we do in our ministries? This is the reason why. Because when we stand in God’s Presence humbly in worship, both here and online, we can confess that we hang on to certain sins some times. That at times our closed mindedness is real, and so is our sense that we are exceptional. We even can confess that sometimes our sense of exceptionalism infects our seats of government. God hears our prayers, is gracious and good and promises that all who call on God’s name will be forgiven. In the presence of God, outside or in worship.

Then we do our ministries. Then we give our dollars and make our pledges to support our ministries. Then we help one another. We visit each other. We keep in touch with each other. We do auctions - we raise money for mission trips. We do our mission trips. We do Bible Study and SHARE our faith and connect it to current events. We teach our kids about faith in God. We sing and play our music to give praise to God. Doing all those things do not cause God’s Presence. Those are the effects of humbly standing in God’s Presence.

And no matter what happens, I believe God stands by us, and gives us strength in our worship and our daily lives. God has deep interest in you and me, and in our church. Because we are worthy and loved in God’s sight. Everyone is. No one is exempt from God’s Presence, from God’s blessings of spiritual staples. We make the barriers that limit our perception of God’s blessings. But, no one is left out. No one is lesser or greater. Because the tent of God’s salvation is universal: all who call upon the name of God are saved, and that includes Pharisees and tax collectors. Republicans, Democrats, independents. Those in the center. Those on the margins. Even the sparrow finds a home near the altars of God!

So come, let us humbly stand in God’s Presence knowing that God stands with us. Come as individuals. Come as a community of faith. Come saying, “I need you, holy God. I empty myself before you.” Come acknowledging with humility, that we need God’s mercy and grace. We’re standing in the need of prayer. We’re standing in the need of grace. Like the African American spiritual sings:

It’s-a me, it’s-a me, it’s-a me, O God,

standing in the need of prayer.

It’s-a me, it’s-a me, it’s-a me, O God

Standing in the need of prayer.

It’s-a me, it’s-a me, it’s-a me, O God,

standing in the need of grace.

It’s-a me, it’s-a me, it’s-a me, O God

Standing in the need of grace.

Amen.

Act Boldly, Live Justly

Sun, 16 Oct 2022 16:31:24 GMT

“ And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? ”

Jeremiah 31:27-34
Luke 18:1-8

What do we learn in the story of the widow? In Luke’s way of depicting salvation as a reversal, the widow, who has no advocate and no affluence is seen going up against a powerful judge who isn’t influenced by anything or anyone. Skipping to the end, she gets the justice she seeks, eventually. She gets the reversal, the salvation, she needed to be at peace.

Jesus tells his listeners that we will have extended periods with suffering and rejection, and we will long for the Son of Man (Christ) to bring comfort and change/reversal. And, he says, God will provide justice for the faithful but we have to keep crying out for it day and night.

The Jeremiah passage starts with the word “Someday” indicating there will be a passage of time before God will make things right. The phrase “No longer will sour grapes eaten by parents leave a sour taste in the mouths of their children.” - means there will be no more passing along punishment or scapegoating onto others; but that justice will be meted out appropriately in that day.

Further, “in those days a new agreement will be made with the people of Israel and Judah; God’s laws will be written on our hearts and minds. We will obey God who will forgive our sins. God will forget the evil things we have done.” Let us remember, my friends, that judgement belongs to God. Our job in this human life is to explore, to love, enjoy life and be at peace while being faithful to God. All the while, we are to seek justice and mercy repeatedly for ourselves and for others.

Jeremiah’s contrasting themes of catastrophe and survival, destruction and rebuilding, grief and joy are a fitting counterpoint to the story of the widow in Luke; and there are plenty of stories of women in Jeremiah reflecting society’s treatment of “the gentler sex”. But the adversity of the widow... ah, can we give this poor woman a name?

I did a little research and I’d like to name her “Necha” which means Comfort/Rest from Anguish which seems fitting for this woman’s plight. So Necha is not portrayed as gentle in her reoccurring audience with this judge. Some readings would have her being a real pain in the neck. The judge says she embarrasses him with her constant demands for justice. She persists.

Most interpretations say something about the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. Being a nudge can get us what we want because people just give in so we’ll be quiet and go away. Being persistent pays off. My mother –in-law, God rest her soul, was that woman who wrote letters of complaint if the Time Share wasn’t up to par and; she received “consolations gifts” from the management offices.

What this story shows me, is that Necha, as I named her, knew her own value and what was fair. She didn’t have an inflated sense of justice. Jesus shows her standing up for yourself but not being ugly or over the top seeking revenge. She boldly took her case before a judge even though she was a widow, a person of little status in Jesus’ day. She didn’t lose heart when she had to return over and over to plead her case. She simply honored her own needs for justice. She kept seeking what she needed to be at peace.

I wish that more of us would turn to self reflection to recognize what we really need to have peace within ourselves. I wish that when we’ve been slighted or threatened, we could put ourselves in time out to cool down before acting. It would be good for us to have someone to talk us back from a dangerous ledge. I have friends who’ve done that for me. Too many people are turning to violent acts when they feel put out, as if that solves anything. We, the survivors and witnesses of mass shootings and hate-filled assaults know that violence makes things worse for everyone.

I hear Jesus saying that people of faith need to return, again and again, like Necha to the ONE ’judge’ who can help us find peace. We do this in our prayer time. In that quiet time of reflection and reconnecting with God. When we remember what was said and think about what was done. This is where to turn to hear God’s new covenant message written on our hearts and minds.

We can acknowledge our emotional responses to things that happen to us- for our feelings are real and give us information; then we choose responses born out of God’s love and respect not the visceral responses born out of fear. But, even in the heated moment, heck, we can just have to remember self-discipline to not hurt someone! We’re too stressed and wearing our emotional nerves so close to the surface that we need help to pull back from the edge of evil.

Prayer does that, so let us pray! This is something the church teaches. We encourage peace within and peace among us. I personally seek peace and sacred wisdom from God using yoga, prayer and meditation to do that. Christ Church has renewed the online prayer time on Tuesday mornings via zoom. The info is in the Weekly NET and the bulletin if you’d like to join in. But, whatever outlet you use, I encourage you to keep returning to it. As I told the kids last Sunday, prayer isn’t a one and done thing. There is much to pray about in our hurting world.

________

On Oct 6 (Reuters) in Thailand, a former policeman did the unthinkable. He killed 34 people, including 23 children, during a knife and gun rampage at a daycare center in northeast Thailand. Then he shot dead his own wife and child at home before turning his weapon on himself.

I heard the news on the radio as I drove into work. I was stunned and shocked that someone mercilessly acted out against our babies! I couldn’t breathe as I sat listening in my car! This person took out their frustration and anger or their psychotic rampage on little children between 2-4 years old while they napped in nursery care.

I sat in the sanctuary weeping and wondered why. Why do we let ourselves get overtaken by our anger and so outraged that we enact violence on others? Does it help the situation? Why do we lose our sense of self-discipline and self-care to the point where we harm others? Make no mistake, it does harm to the one who is enacting the brutality as well.

I wonder if we feel that we are SO invisible that no one knows of our emotional pain, no one sees us, that no one notices our hurt, our anger, depression, or frustrations? Do we see the signs of stress and trauma in our friends and family members? And, do we just keep stuffing it down, or learn from Necha’s story - why are we not reaching out to people who can help us? Are we embarrassed about our anger or feelings?

Lest I sound more like a counselor than a pastor, my final question always comes back to the church of Jesus Christ.

I asked Pastor Galen, what is the church supposed to do with this? I truly believe the church is part of the solution. What can we do to help our hurting world? The grieved widow in Luke, shows us how to seek help and honor our own sacred value so that we maintain a good relationship with God and neighbor. Ensuring that we treat others with respect and dignity is important. Teaching this, making opportunities to practice it, will help us live justly together.

The church who follows Jesus Christ, through word and deed, teaches how to honor each other’s lives. First, we begin with faith in a loving God and finding peace within our own heart and mind. Then we extend that to others—living justly together.

—————-

Because she stood up for herself; because Necha kept petitioning this unjust judge (as Jesus identified him); because she kept coming to him, I think the widow understood that living with justice is an important component of self care. The unjust judge is a metaphor for our every day life with it’s daily micro-aggressions, taunts and injustices. Daily self care is grounded in justice. They are reciprocal. Take good care my friends, tend to your woundedness and generate grace and peace for others.

I suggest that those who turn to violence are not doing good self care. When your emotions get the best of you and you act with rage, your whole body and mind are in chaos! Your heart rate shoots up, your blood pressure spikes, and your brain is flooded with adrenaline, the “fight-or-flight” hormone that prepares a person for conflict or danger. We can’t live like that very long without serious consequences, both personally and communally. Good self care involves the self reflection needed for justice. We tend to our own wounds, get the help we need, so we don’t wound others.

Jesus says, come back again and again in prayer seeking what we need for peace. Ask boldly. Seek to have peace within yourself first and then peace between us can happen. Bring yourself back into equilibrium—to live justly.

__________

A modern day version of this seeking justice and equity was reported in the website “Upworthy” on March 10, 2020. Amy Jo Hutchison, a single mother of two living in West Virginia, and a community organizer, spoke before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Ms. Hutchison wanted them to hear what poverty really looks like for working families. And, she even called them out for being completely out of touch with what it takes for a family to live on noting the political leaders were each budgeted $40,000 a year just for office furniture.

Like the widow, we just named Necha, Ms. Hutchison trusted in the idea of justice and worked through her own angst about appealing to those who had the power to judge her case.

I think also of the women living in Puerto Rico where Hurricane Fiona tore across their homes last month, even while their communities were still rebuilding from Hurricane Maria, now five years past. They are also in need of justice as natural disasters exacerbate hardships suffered by the poor and particularly women heads of households.

Oxfam, a global organization that fights inequality to end poverty and injustice, is holding a webinar this Wednesday at 12:30p. I invite you to listen to their stories and how they are seeking justice from world leaders. The link is in the bulletin, and the WEEKLY NET. These women, like the widow in Jesus’ day are boldly taking responsibility to be sure they and their families are treated with respect and justice as any child of God should be treated.

Peace on earth requires justice. Let us come before God in prayer, as Jesus invites us, repeatedly, individually and communally, to ask for what we need so we can live, explore, love, enjoy life and be at peace while being faithful to God.

Preferred Network Provider - Ours or God's?

Sun, 09 Oct 2022 14:47:12 GMT

A sermon about our interdependent relationship with God as our Principle Network Provider.

Luke 17: 11-19

2 Kings 5: 1-3, 7-15c

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

October 9, 2022

“Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?

Prayer: Holy One, in these stories of scripture, may we find renewal for our faith and healing for our spirit. Amen.

I had a medically challenging year in 2011. A lot was going on… stomach ulcers, swollen knees, spinal stenosis requiring back injections, a blood infection, a heart murmur, and eventually I had open heart surgery. When I visited my heart surgeon in early December, he was concerned enough that he said he wanted me on his “first available” list for open heart surgery. And the first available was December 20th. I said, “OK, but could it wait until after Christmas? I mean I’m a pastor, and you know, I have Christmas Eve worship services.” It was just out of the realm of possibility to me that I, as a pastor, would miss Christmas Eve. I mean c’mon now! He just looked at me and said, “No.” You’re a ticking time bomb.” If you want to live, you’ll be on my first available. So, December 20th it was, and I missed Christmas Eve.

That humbling conversation came back to my mind as I studied the story of Naaman. Sometimes there are moments in life when we realize that our sense of self-importance just gets in the way. You know what I mean? It got in the way for me like it got in the way for Naaman.

Here’s Naaman, the General of the Assyrian army afflicted with leprosy. And he gets word that there’s a prophet in the enemy territory of Israel who might be able to cure him. Not quite in Naaman’s preferred network of providers, but OK. So, the King of Israel and the King of Aram halt the war for a little while to help Naaman.

And I was like, “What?” That would be like Vladimir Putin sending a note to Volodymir Zelenskyy, “Um, one of my generals is sick, and I hear that you can cure him. Here’s a bunch of gold and silver and clothing. Let’s stop the war for a while so that my guy can be healed from one of your guys.” Doesn’t that sound crazy? But, anyway. Naaman shows up at Elisha’s house with all his horses and chariots… y’know showing off his greatness and self-importance.

And Mr. Big-General Naaman expects Elisha, Israel’s main prophet, to come out to meet him. But, what did he get? Not the prophet himself, but a measly messenger. I mean c’mon now!

Naaman also expected some grand dramatic healing ceremony—y’know, where Elisha would call on God’s name, wave his hand over the leprosy, say the magic words, and voilà! Be healed!

What did he get? Nothing like that. Some simple obscure instruction to go to the Jordan River, wash 7 times, and be healed. The small, muddy Jordan. Which amounts to nothing much more than our Little Chiques Creek! And Naaman got ticked off! “Aren’t the big, beautiful Abana and Pharpar rivers of Damascus totally better than that? I mean c’mon now!” That’s like asking “Isn’t the Susquehanna River totally better than the Conewago Creek?”

So, here’s the deal, Naaman. You either let go of your ego and pride, do the simple thing, follow the words of God’s prophet (in other words let God be your preferred network provider, your PNP) and be healed. Or, you hang on to your ego and pride and your wisdom of what you think is best, and remain leprous. Your choice. Basically, you want to be healed? Get over yourself. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, don’t rely on your own wisdom (Proverbs 3:5)

Sometimes I think we just need to get over ourselves. And thank God for the servants in the story because they help us do just that. They teach us that God sometimes uses the least likely, the nobodies, the nameless, those without status or standing to teach God’s truth. Like the Samaritan who returned to Jesus praising God. He was the least likely to do that, but here he was giving thanks to God and teaching us about God’s desire to include everyone, Jew and Gentile alike, as recipients of God’s gifts.

Like the captured Israelite girl serving Mrs. Naaman who is nothing more than the spoils of war. Like the nameless messenger Elisha sends—probably a young apprentice. Even Naaman’s servants who talked sense into the General’s head helped him to get over his big ego, his rage, and his reliance on his own wisdom. Instead, he needed to rely upon God’s word spoken by Elisha.

I think that’s the thing about having faith in God. We first are invited to get over ourselves and then turn to God. Because as I understand God and God’s ways, I think God is ever-seeking be our PNP. And, not just our preferred network provider, but the Principle Provider in all our networks. Our relationship networks. Our office and business networks. Our political networks. School networks. Networks that connect our families together. Our neighbors together. Our church together. Our community together. God wants, I believe, to be our main source for help, guidance, wisdom, instruction, and healing where it’s needed in every one of our everyday circumstances.

It’s an interdependent relationship, I think… one where we get over our spiritual independence thinking that we’re all that. Thinking that we know best. But instead, we re-work our relationship with God into a mutually engaged relationship, one where we work with God together, and God works with us, interdependently with each other. With this most likely, I think we will be pointed toward good spiritual health and wholeness in our lives.

In this interdependent relationship with God as our Principle Network Provider, it’s on us to develop practices that enrich our spiritual connection with God. Which I think can lead us toward healing and good spiritual health. I think this means worshiping God in community with each other. You can worship God online, which is fine, but doing that all the time makes you miss the community, the connections to other people on the journey of faith with you.

So, I encourage those of you who love to sip coffee with your slippers on while watching us on YouTube and Facebook, that’s fine… but please consider making worshiping together in person, in community your mainstay. We have coffee and refreshments here, too. And, you can come in your slippers, if you like!

But, it’s more than that, too. Good spiritual health also means prayer time throughout your week in any way you see fit. Could be meditation, devotions, study, conversing with others about current matters, relating those to faith. Could be helping those in need because you recall when God helped you, or even healed your inner spirit at some point in the past.

How about in our families? Good spiritual health in our families with God as our Principle Network Provider may mean simply being present. Consistently. Not just trying to make up for the lack of presence on a big family vacation. It may mean being loving and supporting each other. Consistently. Not just when a crisis occurs.

Good spiritual health in our marriages with God as our PNP may mean spouses and partners communicating more, sharing one’s feelings, events of the day. Spending quality time, working together, sharing responsibilities. It likely means more than fancy dinners, date nights, weekend getaways, or giving jewelry or fancy gifts. Now that Barb’s retired, I’m learning more and more about what it means to have good spiritual health in our marriage. I’m learning where healing is needed and where growth can occur. So, this message is for me as much as it is for you in our significant relationships.

And let me take us one step further… with God as the Principle Network Provider in a mutual, interdependent relationship with human beings, especially those in leadership positions of government and business, we stand a much better chance, I believe, at helping heal the leprous and cancerous situations in our world.

If we remain spiritually independent from God, relying on our own insights, we will spin our wheels incessantly.

I’m not saying that we will solve in one fell swoop gun violence, racism, religism, political divisiveness, the exclusion of people on the margins (which is, by the way, where the lepers lived in Jesus’ day), and other issues. I am saying that we and our leaders stand a better chance at helping to heal these societal conundrums with God as our PNP than we would without God. We likely will fair better addressing these leprous situations by working interdependently with God’s Presence, God’s wisdom, values, and instruction from scripture than we would by relying on our own self-importance, exceptionalism, and worldly wisdom.

And on the way, healing can occur. On the journey, God’s power can make us whole, spiritually and socially healthy. And we come back to God like the Samaritan did and Naaman did. Because we know whom to thank, and we know we do have God working for us. Thanks be to God! Amen.

Unchained Word and a Chained World

Sun, 02 Oct 2022 16:44:14 GMT

A sermon about freedom from the chains we've made by God's word in our lives.

Luke 17: 5-10

2 Timothy 2: 8-14

“But the word of God is not chained.”

Prayer: O word of God, speak. Pour on us like rain, that we may have you in our hearts, and be made new. Amen.

As I was researching for today’s sermon I ran across this story. I don’t know how true it is… but I liked it. A group of new recruits assigned to the U.S. Army Airborne School at Fort Benning were attending a class on how to operate a parachute. Their instructor was a seasoned parachuter, one well-practiced and full of wisdom about jumping out of an airplane. So here he was, passing on some vital information to the recruits, confidently explaining what to do in the event of a parachute malfunction. Understandably, every recruit was all ears.

“If your main parachute should fail to open, don’t panic—pull the handle of your auxiliary parachute. Should your auxiliary parachute fail to open and fill with air, don’t panic—pull it in toward your body and then vigorously throw it away from yourself. Should your auxiliary chute again fail to deploy, don’t panic—vigorously repeat this process.”

The sergeant paused for dramatic effect. Then, with a mischievous grin, he went on: “Should this also fail, don’t panic. You’ll have the rest of your life to get your parachute to open” ( Single-tasking the Spiritual Life | Homiletics Online , retrieved September 30, 2022). You think those recruits were listening to every single word passed on to them? You betcha!

Passing on the word. That’s the feeling I get when I read this passage from 2 Timothy. It’s about Paul’s message to Pastor Timothy, asking him to remember Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead, who was a descendant of King David. Not only remember him, but to pass on to anyone who has heard about Jesus the message that in Jesus Christ salvation is found. In Christ there is eternal life. And if our old lives die with him, then surely, we will have new life with him. And God is faithful through any and all of it. This is the good news that has just got to be shared. Handed down. From believer to believer. From believer to non-believers. From parent to child. From teacher to student. From generation to generation. That’s on us now.

Paul was impassioned about handing down this word. He kept at it diligently, through thick and thin. Even when he got whipped and beaten, he persisted in faith. Even when he got arrested and was in chains, he persisted in faith.

And Paul often used his situation to make a bigger point with a metaphor. Which was that even though he was in chains, the word of God was not. Even though the powers that be held him back and would try to silence him, the Word of God would not be silenced. Even though the authorities thought by restricting his movements and curtailing his freedoms, that the message of Jesus Christ would go away. But, the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ was and is unchained! And has blasting power. Power to break apart the chains people of the world make.

And boy o boy… do we make a bunch of chains! I mean I know some people in our church who are chained by the “If onlys.” You know, “If only I had been there, this tragedy wouldn’t have happened.” “If only I had acted a little sooner, my loved one wouldn’t have died.” If only we’d responded to that last voicemail or said the right thing or showed up at the right time.” If only this… if only that. Those are chains. They restrain us. And they play loudly in some people’s heads, sometimes for years.

On the flip side, our political society, our consumeristic culture, our social media platforms, even some churches constantly send toxic messages that chain people. If you’re a gun owner, then you're my enemy. And vice-versa. If you don’t share my political viewpoint, you’re ignorant and not worthy of listening to. Those are chains imposed on people in our world.

A friend of mine was talking with me the other day, and he told me that in a conversation his daughter was having with another person, that conversation started to get political. At which point my friend’s daughter said, “Don’t tell me your political point of view because I want to like you.” That’s an imposed chain.

We hear accusatory messages like “Your not good enough, or you don’t have enough money. Or, your body is too big. Your body’s too small. You’re not pretty enough, handsome enough, tall enough. You aren’t welcome because you don’t fit in with what we think is acceptable. You’re not forgivable because the Bible says this and the Bible says that.” These are all chains imposed upon people.

And I could go on and on. And you know what chains are on you. You know what old tapes play in your heads. And chances are, they are a pack of lies.

But, I’m here to preach the message, to spread the word, to anyone who is listening that God’s unchained word, God’s good news in the gospel of Jesus Christ means that there is freedom from the chains that we’ve made. The gospel of God’s love, and forgiving, amazing grace, when believed, even believed in with the smallest amount of faith, has the power to lift up those who are bone-weary of carrying around the baggage of false truths, dragging around the chains that keep us down.

Because the gospel truth is that you’re beautiful as you are. God loves you as you are. Yes, we’re not perfect. We make our mistakes. We impose chains on others and on ourselves. But, God doesn’t condemn us for it.

But God, I believe, does expect us to keep growing, and to grow authentically, and to let the power of God’s unchained word creatively speak new life into us. If we have faith, even a little bit, in the power of God’s unchained word, we will find that we’re always good enough to receive God and God’s love. We’re always lovable by God. We’re always worthy in God’s sight, no matter who you are. Because God is faithful in loving us. That’s God’s nature.

So, I think we need to reclaim this powerful and abiding truth. Not for just ourselves. But for others, too. For once we break free from the chains we have, we can see how God’s unchained word comes through our words for other people. Henri Nouwen once wrote, “What we say is very important. When we say, ‘I love you,’ and say it from the heart, we can give another person new life, new hope, new courage. When we say, ‘I hate you,’ we can destroy another person. Let’s watch our words” Unnecessary Chatter | Homiletics Online , retrieved September 30, 2022.

And I say, let’s listen to the word passed on to us. And let’s pass God’s truth on to others. Our grandkids, our kids, and ourselves—we are the latest generations of Christians to pass on the unchained gospel to others. God’s unchained word is to be shared to those who are chained up. So, it’s not so much about getting the gospel for one’s personal edification; it’s more about getting the gospel to others. It’s not so much about getting the gospel right; it’s more about getting the gospel lived. Let’s live God’s amazing grace. Because our chains are gone. We’ve been set free.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now am found

Was blind but now I see.

My chains are gone, I’ve been set free.

My God my savior has rescued me.

And like a flood, God’s mercy reigns

Unending love, amazing grace.

Amen.

Content with True Life

Sun, 25 Sep 2022 19:46:53 GMT

A sermon preached on September 25th about living a content spiritual life with others even when we have much abundance.

Luke 16: 19-31 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

1 Timothy 6: 6-19 September 25, 2022

“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.”

Prayer: Show us, O Lord, what is right and true. Feed us, O Lord, with food that endures. Challenge us, O Lord, to love you as our first priority. Humbly we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

When we went to Philly on our Mission trip, we knew going in that 1st Reformed UCC was front and center as a mission-oriented church, helping the homeless, reaching out to those in need. As soon as we got there, we noticed a homeless man in the church’s courtyard with all his belongings. We found out his name is Ramone. At least while we were there. he stayed in the courtyard all the time. We walked by him everyday, twice a day, sometimes more. We were told not to talk with him due to his mental instability, and because he caused some problems in the past for the church. So, we just let him be. And he let us be. He just kept to himself.

But, I gotta tell you though, more than once when I walked by Ramone, I thought of Jesus’ parable. Was Ramone a modern-day version of Lazarus? Was I/we a modern-day versions of the rich man who feasted sumptuously every day? And when this passage from Luke came up in the lectionary for today, I thought of Ramone all over again (actually, I couldn’t remember his name—I knew it began with an “R,” so thank you to our Mission Trip participants and Devan at 1st Reformed for helping me out there.)

But honestly, every time I think about Jesus’ parable, I’m aware of how convicting it feels. I mean I find myself asking am I doing enough to help poor people? Are we, as a church? How often do we see the poor? How often do we walk by? We who are privileged. Mentally fit. Rich by most standards. We who have quadruple of just about everything. It’s easy not to see the poor. We can have blinders on or something. And when we do see them, it feels awkward and weird.

So, clearly the parable speaks to us. There are several takeaways from Jesus’ parable, and one of them is that those who have an abundance, those who are rich by most standards are asked not just to see the poor, but to share the abundance with them, and do it presently. And not only that, it’s good to listen to the voices from scripture that tells us to do that. Moses, the prophets, the proverbs, and mostly Jesus’ words teach what God wants from those like us who have an abundance.

In our reading today from 1 Timothy, the words in this letter are directed to young Pastor Timothy. The author, likely a person representing Paul, is instructing Timothy on 1) how he needs to live as a pastor, and 2) what he needs to say as a pastor to those who are wealthy, or desire to be wealthy in the present day. Those who have an abundance. Those with privilege. And he says, Don’t be snobby. Don’t be thinking you’re all that. Don’t set high hopes on gaining wealth because there could be perils and temptations and ruin and destruction attached to all that. We know that money isn’t bad. Money isn’t the problem. It’s the love of money that brings trouble. So don’t love money so much that you forget to love God! Because in eagerness to be rich in money, some people have wandered away from true life, the letter to Timothy says.

For us, we can add that in contentment with life—when things are going well, some have decided that they don’t need God. Or, in the ease of privilege and materialism, many say the church is irrelevant. In enjoyment of the personal comforts and conveniences, especially on Sunday mornings, many say they are “spiritual, not religious” and stay away from church. In the satisfaction of being powerful and within societal norms, there are those who say that my way is the right way, and if you don’t agree with my way, then you’re my enemy. And that gives me the right to oppose you, to try and silence you, even with violence, if necessary. I hear all that out there. Don’t you? We see that out there.

But none of that is where true life is. Instead, you who are people of God, you who already are rich, set your hopes on God who richly provides everything for our enjoyment. With humility, set your heart and mind and inner spirit on God in Christ. Be content with this because this is true life. Proverbs tells us that the reward for humility and fear of the Lord, which is having respect and awe of God, is riches and honor and life (Proverbs 22: 4).

So, 1 Timothy tells us to take hold of the life that REALLY is life. Live with godliness that comes when your life is influenced by God’s Divine Presence. I think what this means is that we can conduct ourselves not as if God lives in our hearts, but because God lives in our hearts. We can live our lives, not us acting with God-like behavior—but really God is living and acting through our behavior. Do you hear the difference? Taking hold of true life means God’s nature is in our nature.

And because God’s nature is in our nature, we who are rich are called by God to share the abundance. Instructed to do good works. Implored to be generous, ready to share. Directed to pursue righteousness and justice. Step into the world of true life and be content with God’s Presence being made known to others through you. Sharing in the abundance of what we have with others is God working through you for God’s purposes for that other person or persons. It’s God’s eternal life coming through all that you do.

Of course all of us are aware that Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8th. There is so much that can be said and has been said about her that I won’t go into much of that here. Her funeral took place this past week with such grand pomp and circumstance, with solemnity, and with care, and rightly so. She was loved the world over and was very dignified in her 70 years of public service.

But no one heard about the death and funeral of a homeless man who lived in Northampton of the United Kingdom. His name was George Murray. George died on Wednesday last week. Several people in Northampton knew and helped George, served him meals, gave him clothing and through efforts via social media, enough money was cobbled together for his funeral ( Tributes paid to well-known Northampton homeless man who sadly died this week | Northampton Chronicle and Echo , retrieved September 23, 2022).

It was like Jesus’ parable coming to life, only with a different outcome. I’m sure the Queen was unaware of George’s presence, in this life, but from what I can tell, she was very determined to live her life as a follower of Christ. At one point in 2000, Queen Elizabeth II said, “For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example.” And that premise, that framework to lead her life with the teachings of Christ, it seems to me, led the Queen to live graciously. And philanthropically. She and many of the royal family use some of their vast wealth often supporting charitable causes, efforts to do some good in the world. So, by God’s blessing and equalizing grace, both Queen Elizabeth and George Murray, I can picture sharing tea and crumpets in God’s eternal life, side by side.

Again Proverbs 22 is helpful… “The rich and poor have this in common: the Lord is the maker of them all.” And, “Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor. (Proverbs 22: 2 and 9). And I believe God is pleased.

Not only does sharing the abundance please God, I think it’s also an expression of kinship we have with other humans. We are asked to be generous not so much because we have more and are supposed to share, but because we share with others who are in our human family. We share generously because you’re my sister. Because you’re my brother. Because you’re my fellow sojourner on this life’s journey.

In Africa there is a word that captures this idea. It’s “Ubuntu.” It means in simple terms, “You’re human. So am I. I am because you are. I am because we are. I see you.”

With God’s true life in us, can we see others through “ubuntu?” Can we share holy love from the divine goodness and love we’ve already received? I say “yes!” We can open our hearts to those we are tempted to neglect, judge, or forget, or not see or walk on by. There is great gain in godliness combined with contentment—we can take hold of life that REALLY is life! Now and the next day, and in the eternal day to come.

Praise be to God! Amen!

Introduction to the Mission Trip video

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 16:17:14 GMT

An Introduction to the Philadelphia Mission Trip video

Luke 14: 1, 7-14 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

August 28, 2022

“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you.”

All summer long our worship theme has been “Caring Neighbors.” Each worship service had a little bit of that theme sprinkled within, but in three of those worship services, our theme has been featured. The last worship service where “Caring Neighbors” was featured was on July 17th, when we commissioned our Mission Trip Participants:

¨ to go to Philadelphia,

¨ to love and serve the Lord,

¨ to be Christ Church’s Caring Neighbors,

¨ to reach out to the needy,

¨ to engage in work that helps organizations reach their goals of helping the poor,

¨ and to grow in faith,

¨ deepen our love for God and each other,

¨ and to share in worship, good fun, meals, games, and some of what Philadelphia has to offer.

Our Mission Trip team went to Philly, and did all that and more.

Today is the last Sunday where the theme “Caring Neighbors” is featured. And as we’re about to see, each of our team members had a particular experience in Philly that made them a “Caring Neighbor” to many others in need.

Before we watch this extraordinary video, I invite you to watch it in the context of what Jesus teaches us in this Bible passage from Luke. Jesus teaches that each of us has a metaphorical banquet that we live with here on earth. Our banquet that we live in is our excellent lifestyle. The resources we have at our disposal. The privilege that comes from being born into our world of abundance and blessing.

And at any time we can have people over to our homes to share in the abundance. To take part in our banquet. And they can turn around and invite us into their homes the next time around.

We also have a banquet of God. God’s ever-present Spirit. God’s over-flowing love. God’s marvelous and never-ending, unmerited grace and mercy. All of us have a spiritual banquet.

And we experience God and God’s grace most powerfully, I believe, when we, even with all our abundance available to us, humble ourselves and invite others to the banquet we have. But not just any others, but mostly those who cannot repay us. Those who don’t have two pennies to rub together. Those who are poor, crippled, lame, blind, hungry, thirsty, addicted, in need of clothing, in need of food. Those who are lost in their worlds, lost on the streets, lost spiritually. Jesus says that it is to those people who cannot repay us… they are the ones we are to share our abundance with, our banquet with.

Our Mission Trip was our attempt to not only be Caring Neighbors, but to share the banquet and help fulfill what Jesus teaches us to do. Let’s watch. Amen.

It's the Little Things You Do

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 14:54:52 GMT

A sermon about small, meaningful gestures.

Amos 8:4-7
Luke 16:1-23

Rev. Fa Lane

September 18, 2022

" One who is faithful in the smallest matters is also faithful in much. ”

For the Sunday when we commission our Faith Formation teachers and ask a commitment from our learners, I am heartened by the wisdom of Jesus that says, “If we can be faithful in the small matters, we will be faithful in much”. I’m not hinting that the class sizes will be small. What I mean is that we will be using small building blocks to strengthen and grow. They are each a gem on their own: exploring spiritual depth, acts of service and the value of social interactions. Put together they will create a meaningful experience at Christ Church as we serve God and our neighbors and have fun doing it.

Today’s scriptures bring us the prophet Amos and his concern for the performance of religious rituals. He doesn’t want people to just go through the motions but to infuse them with righteousness. Sometimes we too sort of quickly get through a prayer or toss whatever we have in the offering basket, so Amos’s warning is relevant today too. The challenge the church faces in providing instruction and learning experiences is the competition among other necessary and enjoyable things in life. There’s only so much time but Amos would instruct us to keep as a priority our fidelity to God.

Like Amos, the New Testament Gospel writer, Luke was concerned with the suffering of the economically and legally exploited masses. The Old and New Testaments are texts we study in faith formation because together they reveal how God has related to people from the beginning of time as we know it. For those who study these texts, the challenge is not only to understand what they meant to the original audiences, but what do that mean for us today?

The first few times I read this Luke lesson, I heard it - as I always had – from the perspective of commerce because Jesus couched it in a story about a business manager. But, finally I came to see that Jesus didn’t indicate that the reward of faithfulness would be in economic terms. He just says, if we are faithful in small matters, that they add up to be significant in a larger context- notice he leaves the specifics out. Perhaps he assumes we understand that the larger context is that of living as a reflection of God’ love. So, for the teachers among us, remember: “If we train up the child in the way that they should go,” Proverbs tells us, “then when they are grown, they will not stray from it.” This is where we take a hand-mirror in front of us and say: We will not stray from what we learned in church.

There are four small things, that are not too complicated, I would ask of our teachers and learners to help us be successful.

· The first small act is to show up.

· The second is to be active in what’s going on.

· The third is to reflect on what you experience.

· The fourth is to pray for one another.

I was remembering when I was a young girl and our small church offerings in Sunday school class, the dimes and quarters we brought 50 years ago. We were helping the church do God’s work in the world. Learning that early engenders hearts that look for ways to help others in need. It’s a small act but it leads to generosity of spirit that can help many others.

Hear this story of Sojourners’ UCC in Charlottesville VA. It’s a small church that I have worshipped with. It doesn’t have a settled pastor, but they decided to do a fundraising campaign to forgive medical debt in the neighboring state of West Virginia. They worked with RIP Medical Debt, a New York based non-profit that purchases debt for pennies on the dollar. Sojourners joined with UCC churches in Maryland and West Virginia to raise $24,660. Multiply that by 10 from RIP Medical Debt. They abolished nearly $2.5M ($2,466,445.45) of medical debt for people in nearly all of the counties in WV.

They were faithful in contributing what they could and God multiplied their efforts so they were faithful in much.

It’s the little things you do that can turn the world upside down in a good way. Do you know the story about a young man who, upon seeing hundreds of starfish left behind in the receding tide, began to toss them one by one back into the ocean? Another person came along, looked at the magnitude of the job and said, “there are 100s of them! What difference will it make if you throw one back in.” Giving the next one a toss, he said “It makes a difference to that one!”

The moral and ethical foundation of our faith is developed not only in the church classroom but also on the beach saving animals, giving way while driving on the streets, and how we cheer at football games. What we study and discuss here should help us be better people out there. How we use our resources and our relationships should reflect our connection with God. And, our relationship with God shows up in our world view.

When I look at the world’s demeanor right now, at the levels of depression, anger, and self-righteousness, I mostly feel heavy, sad, worried, and exhausted. It feels insurmountable. I wish it was easy. I pray. I hope for things to get better.

But, I am concerned that financial burdens, political polarity, lies and disillusionment, housing situations, rising food costs, emotional isolation, depression, (the list can go on) will dampen our spark. Will we throw up our hands and claim defeat? Will we stop doing small acts of faith in God’s love and let negativity take over? I’m not willing to give up. But, I’m concerned that we will forego our commit to peace in the world. Peace within us and peace among us.

So, rather than admit defeat, what do we teach the children? Go back to those basics: Don’t give up, show up. Pay attention; be involved. Reflect on what you learn. Pray to see more clearly where God is at work in your life and making things better.

The chaos of the world seems like a big ball of wax with few exposed edges to tug on to unravel it That’s when I turn to the spiritual practices that I’ve learned in my own faith formation. That’s when I commit to act in the best way that I can to help someone. That’s when I want to be with others because the church taught me that salvation comes from life shared together in God’s love. I believe the power of love triumphs in the end. This is the hope I live with and so I stay faithful in the little things like daily prayer, daily times of silence, self care, generosity of spirit and truthfulness. For me, they make a big difference.

Amos seemed to rail against the empty performance of religious ritual. Some scholars even go so far as to say Amos is a voice against institutional religion. But, Dr. Julia O’Brien, with whom I studied at the Lancaster Theological Seminary, highlights in her commentary on Amos, that the Reformation of the Church sprang from Protestants who protesting practices in Roman Catholicism. The goal was not to eliminate religion, but to reformed it.

Indeed, theological scholar Phyllis Tickle suggested in her book Emergence Christianity, What it is, Where it is Going, and Why it Matters : that the church has these 500-year swings and we are in one now. She writes, “about every five hundred years the empowered structures of institutionalized Christianity, whatever they may be at that time, become an intolerable carapace (a shell) that must be shattered in order that renewal and new growth may occur.

For some, the idea of the church shattering in to a new order is frightening. It threatens they way of being church. They think it’s dying; but it’s just being reformed again. And, behind the re-ordering is new growth. That is what we can look forward to, for God is always making a new thing. Our own denomination has lived this re-ordering in its growing pains. In confirmation class the youth will learn about the success and the beauty of this larger tent that they are part of and see how it serves God and neighbor, regionally and nationally.

Let the new reformation commence with Christ Church initiating a new way of speaking truth and use nice words with civil rhetoric that brings out the best in us all. Let us extend kind generosity that is quick to forgive and offer grace when there is misunderstanding. It was the little things that Jesus did that made a big difference and actually set about a revolution. So, never underestimate the value of your words or a genuine act of caring for another.

Let me tell you how a small gesture can mean so much. In 2008, when I was battling breast cancer there was a low day when I was going for my infusion. I walked into the elevator of the medical center and removed my winter cap, revealing my bald-chemo head. Two women looked at me and smiled. One found something nice to say, complimenting my dangling earrings and the shape of my head. That brightened my whole countenance. That was a small matter, but it made a big difference. Sister Theresa would call that doing “Small things with Great Love”.

As we live through the weeks and months (maybe even years) of transition into that new thing that God is doing at Christ Church, keep doing the little things you do that make a big difference and helps our world feel more loving and more safe. Each day take your shot at reflecting God’s Love.

Be kind the child who is having a terrible, horrible no good, very bad day, even if they are acting “ugly”. Your compassion can turn the emotional tidal wave so they can maneuver better through the next one.

When a college student is negotiating a world different from the one they grew up in, listen to them over cups of tea as they unpack what they’re feeling. There are 100s of small ways you can make a difference and reflect God’s love to someone. Christ plays in a thousand places.

Thank you for showing up. Amen.

Recover! Renew! Rejoice!

Sun, 11 Sep 2022 16:48:34 GMT

A sermon about recovering from Covid, renewing faith in God, and rejoicing in God's Power and Presence in our lives.

Luke 15: 1-10 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

1 Timothy 1: 12-17 September 11, 2022

"Recover! Renew! Rejoice!"

“I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence.”

Prayer: O living Christ, thank you for searching for and finding us, for making us new again. We rejoice in the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

I think it’s fair to say that we’ve come through the most significant, the most turbulent 2½ year storm in our history, wouldn’t you say?. Covid killed over a million people in our nation alone and millions more worldwide. And the months before any vaccine was ready were pretty scary. People were panicking and freaking out. Can you imagine how much more magnified that would be if we didn’t have a vaccine yet? Oh, I can’t even imagine!

But, 2½ years later, we came through it, right? We recovered from the massive hit we took. And, we’re still recovering. Covid is still with us. Bob Sorozan has Covid now and can’t be here today. So do some other church members. Even this past month, some people got infected and are recovering. It is endemic now. Covid will always be with us, I think for the rest of our lives. But, honestly, once a year vaccines are on the way. What a storm this has been!

Christian people back in the 1 ^st century didn’t have a pandemic storm like this, not that I’m aware of anyway, but they were dealing with a totally different kind of storm. It was a religious/political/spiritual storm that took years, even centuries for the Christian Church to recover from.

Because back in the day when Paul was still Saul, at the time when the first letter to Timothy was written, it was not safe to be a Christian. In fact, Paul was the beginning of the storm. And you know what? We have NO IDEA of how bad it was for Christians. They could not let their faith in Jesus be known. They could not be associated with the religious/political movement called “the Way” attributed to Jesus as its founder. Because if anyone was found out as followers of The Way, they would be arrested and jailed. “The Way” was considered by the religious authorities to be a subversive movement emboldened by its leader Jesus who was crucified and believed, by the believers, to be resurrected.

So, Christians lived in the closet. Underground, all the time. That’s why they used symbols that were a secret code, like the fish. You could draw a fish on the ground as a secret code telling someone else that you are Christian. The word for fish is ICTHUS. Each Greek letter stands for (I C TH U S Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior).

Or, the SATOR Square. Have you seen this? This is thought to be a secret code, too. Because when you unscramble the anagrams and palindromes in this 1st century Roman word puzzle, you have in Latin “PATERNOSTER” in the shape of a cross with Alpha and Omega in the corners. PATERNOSTER translates to “Our Father” from the Lord’s Prayer, and Alpha and Omega reference God as the beginning and the end (Rev. 21: 6). Amazing isn’t that?

Well, Saul, a Pharisee was commissioned by the Pharisee Sanhedrin Council to find followers of The Way, arrest them, and throw them in jail. And he could use lethal force if necessary.

Go read Chapter 9 of the Book of Acts which describes how Saul was literally knocked off his high horse by Christ. And the letter to Timothy describes how Christ was merciful to Paul, even though Paul called himself the worst of the worst sinners! And still, Christ called him to serve.

That’s a big takeaway for us from this letter to Timothy. Because if Christ can forgive Paul, the worst of the worst, then there’s hope for the rest of us. Paul is an example of how Christ can enable recovery from a wayward life to a renewal of heart and mind filled with The Way of Christ for anyone who believes. So, yeah, using the imagery of Jesus’ parable, Paul was one of the lost sheep that was found. But, Paul first had to recover from his murderous ways. And that recovery opened the door to Paul’s renewal as a person.

As we recover from Covid with our faith and trust in God, the door is open for our renewal. Let the grace of our God overflow on us we are strengthened and appointed to Christ’s service, with all of who we are as people… with all of the resources available to us as a church, with our spiritual energy, with everything we have to offer.

And I do mean everything we have to offer… Wherever you are on your life’s journey, you can offer your renewed gifts, your talents. your resources. your abilities. You’ve got a renewed passion for your neighbors around you, especially someone struggling with some loss due to Covid? God can use your renewed compassion. You’ve got a renewed desire to share the music in your soul that you can feel down to your bones? God can use your musical gifts. You’ve got a renewed awareness that you have a love for youth and children and would love to be a mentor for youth in our Confirmation class or teach faith formation? God can use your mentorship. And so on. What gifts can you offer?

But offering everything also includes our mistakes. Our mess-ups. Our failures. Because in each mistake there’s a learning moment, yes? In each mess-up there is a place to build. Each moment of failure there can be a graceful bloom. When you fall down, that’s when a new discovery can be made, and you find something within to get back up again.

So, offer the mistakes you’ve made. Offer the decisions that you may regret. Offer the choices that made you lose something precious. Offer to God the mess-ups. God can use those. And, you will find the Spirit giving you new life.

To be honest, as we recover and renew from Covid, I have to acknowledge that we lost some precious people along the way. Some were among million plus in our nation that died. Some left us in disagreement over the way we handled our church life going through Covid. Some struggled with little things that built up over time. And honestly, I would love to get those precious members back, each one.

But, more profoundly, I wonder if the struggle points, if each mess-up and failure, if each person departing from us, I wonder can each of those be moments of grace? Can each moment be for new life? For learning something new? Even moments of rejoicing?

Now that’s sounds odd, doesn’t it? But, follow me here… If it’s true what Jesus says—that when a shepherd finds the one sheep that is lost, or the woman finds the one coin buried in the couch, or when the Spirit finds Saul and turns him into Paul… that these are reasons for heaven to rejoice, then how much more warranted is the rejoicing when the Spirit finds us and renews our spiritual energy? When we find grace in our worst moments, and we engage as a servant God with renewed vigor? When we engage in Christ Church’s ministries with a fresh start? If it’s true that the worst of the worst can recover, receive grace, and be renewed, then how much more justified is heaven’s rejoicing when we’ve come through Covid and have new beginnings at Christ Church?

We are recovering from the struggle. God renews our faith and spiritual energy. We can rejoice in God’s power and presence, God’s greatness and love to make all things new. This is true for us as people. This is true for us as a church. God in Christ makes All Things New. Let’s celebrate this today, on Spirit Sunday—a day to recover, renew, and rejoice!

I invite you to help me end this sermon by praying again the Prayer of Affirmation we did in the beginning of worship. Only this time, I encourage you to pray the prayer in the context of us as people and a church recovering from Covid, renewing our gifts in ministry, and rejoicing in God’s grace we live in. Let’s pray together:

Everlasting God of all the years, you have been companion through all the mysteries of the past, upholding us when we didn’t know the way. You took our spiritual hands and guided us through the days of the pandemic. You didn’t let us fall; you gave us wisdom and courage.

Please take our spiritual hands now and open us to the new life you have in store. May we grow deeply in your love and wisdom, trusting in your light, and rejoicing in the power of your Holy Spirit! Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Let all God’s people shout Amen!

Chose Life! Choose Christ!

Sun, 04 Sep 2022 16:29:25 GMT

A sermon about when we choose life, we choose Christ, and even with the sacrifice, even with the strenuous rigors, we discover that we really are living.

Luke 14: 25-33 Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

The whole book of Deuteronomy basically is three speeches Moses delivers to the people of Israel. They were right on the edge of the land God promised to give Abraham, but they haven’t entered it yet. And since Moses can’t go into the Promised Land (that’s a whole ‘nother story), he recaps what happened from when God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, led them through the wilderness, and brought them to this point at the Jordan River. And now, right before his death, Moses admonishes the people to make a deliberate choice to remain faithful to God and God’s covenant made with them and the consequences of doing that or not.

Deuteronomy 30: 15-20 September 4, 2022

"Choose Life! Choose Christ!"

“Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days...”

Prayer: Life-giving God, life isn’t about us; it’s all about you, and what you want to do through us. Please help us to choose you to find deep joy in the same communion Jesus had with you. Amen.

Back in the day when I just got my driver’s license, at age 16, we lived on the corner of Park Street and South 4th Street in Pekin, Illinois. South 4th Street was a one way street with the traffic going south. Well, one day, I got into my car, backed out of the driveway onto Park Street, and headed to down to the corner. I was going to my friend’s house one block to the north on South 4th Street. Being young and dumb, I was too lazy to go down to 3rd street, go 2 blocks north, and come up to my friend’s house. So, I looked around, saw no cars, and nobody watching (or so I thought), and I turned NORTH on South 4th Street—the wrong way on a one-way street! It was just one block! And I hurried!

Well, guess who was working in the garden? Dad! And first thing out of his mouth when he saw me later was, “Did I see you going the wrong way on 4th street?” Gulp. I admitted it. And he said to me, “Don’t you EVER do that again! That’s choosing a death sentence! And, gimme your keys. You’re grounded from driving for a week.” Ugh! I look back on that now, and I guess the punishment fit the crime, yah?

The thing that stuck out for me was remembering dad’s statement “That’s choosing a death sentence!” Exactly the opposite of what Moses admonished the people of Israel to do. He told them to choose a life sentence opposite what that means today.

Moses said that life and prosperity AND death and adversity are set before them. Both are givens in life. We have the same in our lives, don’t we? We have good and bad. Prosperity and adversity. Life and death. Well, Moses said that if they obey God’s commandments and everything, they will survive and thrive amid the good and bad, prosperity and adversity, life and death. If they chose not to obey, if their hearts turn away from God, Moses warns them that they will face destruction. They won’t survive in the new land they are about to enter.

So, people of God, choose life! So that you and your descendants may live. Choose God! Love God. Love neighbor. Love yourself. Follow in God’s ways. Hold fast to God. Be loyal to God above all loyalties! Live by God’s way of justice, (which is not revenge justice) it’s fairness and equality, loving one another, caring for the poor and needy. Do this and you will live.

So, how’s that working out for us? I mean so many times people don’t choose life and figuratively decide to go down the wrong way on a one way street. Like this past Thursday, on my drive to Reading, a motorcycle was ahead of me cruising along at 70 mph. The driver wasn’t wearing a helmet because it was strapped to the rack behind him. A lot of good it’s doing back there!

Or worse, literally, thousands of youth pick up smoking cigarettes every day when they know that it could kill them. Perhaps even more get hooked onto drugs and alcohol every day.

Or even worse than that, there are literally thousands of irresponsible gun owners who make the choice that violence is the only way to solve their problems. And there are literally tens of thousands of military grade guns in the hands of irresponsible gun owners. These guns are designed to mow down as many people as possible in one fell swoop.

And maybe the worst of all are the churches that advocate our nation as only a Christian nation when we clearly are not. People in America practice many religions, but we’re all Americans. And those churches often deny entrance and involvement to people trying to authentic lives just because they don’t fit into societal constructs of what is considered “normal.” How is that choosing life? How is that choosing to love God, neighbor and self?

Now, I know some of you may have concern that I raise such flash points in a sermon. But I do so believing that we, as people of God, are to see every bit of our lives—the physical, the moral, the spiritual, cultural, political, the controversial, our finances, relationships, schoolwork, jobs—all of it through the influence of God and God’s Divine Spirit. Through the after-affect of us choosing God and choosing life and blessings instead of death and curses.

Because you see, God loves and cares for each of us deeply. I believe what we do matters to God. The choices we make matter to God. As people. As a church. As a community. As a nation. God is Stillspeaking saying, “Choose life!” Life that is restorative. And beautiful. Life-giving. And holy.

Jesus is Stillspeaking and saying to us, “Follow me,” because he knows that following him and his ways is also following God and God’s ways.

But, Jesus is very clear this ain’t the easiest choice in the world to make—to follow him and be his disciple. Jesus’ words may be hard to hear, but they are what we need to hear, I think. Because choosing Christ has its demands. It’s a decision that requires thinking it through. It involves loyalty to God and God’s covenant made with us. And sacrifice at times. It means carrying the cross.

Choosing Christ may mean at times giving up stuff, like what’s familiar to us, what’s comfortable, the love of our affinities, carrying our cross so that others may live. It may also mean making amends so that healing can take place. So that long overdue restoration can begin. Like what happened in July when a delegation of African American scholar-activists traveled to Rome to meet with Catholic bishop Paul Tighe, secretary of the Pontifical Council of Culture. They started dialoguing about how the Catholic Church sanctioned and benefited from the transatlantic slave trade in the 15th century. The delegation is calling for the Church to officially rescind various decrees made by the Pope centuries ago that led to the enslavement and bondage of millions of African people. Honestly, I can’t believe the Church hasn’t done that yet! The call is also out to support local reparation efforts in areas affected by the church’s slavery practices, including in the United States. Rev. Tighe says that the Catholic Church has never apologized to African Americans, but the time for such considerations is “ripe” ( The Christian Century , September 2022, pg. 10, taken from Black Catholic Messenger, July 20, 2022 ).

But make no mistake. When we choose life, we choose Christ, and even with the sacrifice, even with the strenuous rigors, we discover that we really are living. More alive than even before! Choosing Christ is discovering God’s Promised Land for us, for our church, our community, even for our nation and world. It’s spiritually a bountiful place, full of life and abundance for us, for everyone, right now. It’s the balance between the love of God with love of neighbor with love of ourselves, and the interplay between all three.

So Choose life—a life sentence, so that we may live.

Choose Christ, that we may share in the spiritual bounty of this Promised Land that God swore to give to our spiritual ancestors, which is broadened by Christ and which doors are opened up for everyone. Thanks be to God! Amen.

Whose Voice Do We Listen To?

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 19:12:26 GMT

"Whose Voice Do We Listen To?"

A sermon on listening to God's voice above all other oppressing voices

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Jeremiah 1: 4-10

Luke 13: 10-17

Preached on August 21, 2022

“When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant...”

Prayer: As we long for your voice, O God, help us not just to hear it, but to let it move us, to let it live in us, that we may experience your voice as a way to experience you, even through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

I was in Pittsburgh on Thursday evening visiting our daughter, son, and a 5 month old grandson. And after the little lad was in bed, Barb and I watched a movie: The Tiger Rising . It just came out, so I’m not going to spoil the main stuff about the movie. But, let me give you some basics: it’s about a young boy and girl who discover a large, caged Bengal tiger in the woods. And they soon begin discussing whether or not it should be freed from its cage. The girl wants it to be freed, but the boy is not so sure. She’s thinking about what she thinks is best for the tiger. He’s worried that once it’s freed, it could be disastrous, like it might eat them! They try to sort out which voice to listen to. Which direction to take.

The movie plays on the metaphor that everyone has something that cages us in, something that restrains us, something that keeps us from being or becoming fully healthy, fully authentic. The boy holds onto a deep sorrow because his mother died a few months ago, and it was showing up as a bad rash on his legs. That sorrow caged him in. The girl has deep anger because her father left her and her over-bearing mother causing the girl to have a nasty, snobby attitude about everyone and everything. She was ostracized by her friends. Her anger caged her in.

Perhaps everyone of us has something that tends to cage us, to weigh us down, to bend us over, either emotionally or physically. Some false word, some negative voice that we bought into, and it takes life from us. What bends you over?

It seems to me that in both our Bible stories today, there is a weight, something that prevents growth, something that stunts faith, a distorted perspective, a negative voice… like Jeremiah’s certainty that God could not be calling him—because he’s young and inexperienced. God couldn’t possibly want him to be God’s mouthpiece to the land of Judah, right? But God saw Jeremiah differently. Because Jeremiah’s certainty was not faith. Certainty is the opposite of faith. If your faith becomes so certain of its rightness, then it’s no longer faith. God challenged Jeremiah’s certainty: “You shall go, and you shall speak (and God touched his lips) and I will be with you,” said God. And, Jeremiah listened to God’s voice.

Luke writes that the woman in front of Jesus has a spirit that is weighing her down, crippling her, taking her strength away, preventing her from standing up straight and it’s been happening for 18 years. That’s a long time! And when Jesus perceives ahead of time that it is spiritual disease that showed up in her body, he says to her, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.”

Now, watch this everyone—the Greek word for ‘set free’ is the same word used for “loosened, or released, or unbound, even disintegrated.” And the word for ‘ailment’ literally means “strengthlessness.” So, in other words, Jesus said that the grip that the spirit had on the woman, that sapped her strength and energy, was loosened, released, even disintegrated. And with Jesus’ words and then his touch, she was made straight and upright again, not only physically, but her uprightness meant her dignity was restored. She stood tall and praised God. She listened to Jesus’ voice of release and her strength was restored.

Now, the woman is not the only one bent over in this story. The ruler of the synagogue also was bent over with a disease, but I’m thinking he didn’t know he had the disease of legalism. You know, the kind that makes a person so dang certain about the rules and regs that he would rather have the woman remain in her state of strengthlessness, staying quiet, not disrupting the status quo and social norms, and especially not disrupting the law of God!

So, don’t even think about doing a healing on the Sabbath day Jesus, because the rules about the Sabbath prevent such things. That’s the voice of legalism. So, when Jesus healed the woman on the Sabbath day, it made the synagogue ruler mad. Indignant.

But, Jesus not only heals the woman, he also takes the synagogue leader to task about his legalism. Whose voice are you going to listen to, Mr. Synagogue leader? The voice of the law or God’s voice coming from the spirit of Judaism? Judaism has always justified temporarily setting aside Sabbath rules for any condition that was life-threatening or strength-sapping. Whatever people needed to do to survive and thrive was always permitted on the Sabbath.

And if you’re going to be upset about something, Mr. Synagogue leader, why don’t you get upset about pitting people’s needs for surviving and thriving against the demands of Sabbath observance? Why don’t you get upset at choosing the voice of the law and social norms over the love that God has for people, no matter who they are, or where they are on life’s journey?

To be honest, that’s what makes me upset sometimes. When people take the words of this book literally [hold up the Bible] and often out of context, and weaponize the words, using them to keep someone bent over! Crippled. Hushed up. Marginalized. Using these words to keep someone from living an authentic life. Using these words to promote hatred. Instead of using these words to restore, heal, and reconcile which is the overall message of God’s good news– the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Whose voice are you going to listen to, Mr. and Mrs. and Ms. Righteous Church leader? Whose voice are you going to listen to, Mr. and Mrs. and Ms. Politician? The voice of the law? The voice of Constitutional literalism? The voice of biblical literalism?

Or the voice of God? The voice of Jesus Christ that says it’s never wrong to restore, heal, reconcile on the Sabbath or any other day? The voice of interpretive scripture that says God is a God of love and grace, a God of forgiveness and mercy. The voice that says God is a God of acceptance and welcome!

Jesus’ thinking and this gospel message is not just for today. It’s for tomorrow, too. And Tuesday. And Wednesday. All week long. It’s for next Sunday, too.

Obviously, we can come to church on Sunday to worship God and hear that message of good news. But, I believe God’s voice is Still speaking outside the church’s walls on all days of the week. I encourage us to tune our ears and sharpen the focus of our eyes. Let’s take note where and when God’s voice is speaking, inviting us to listen.

So, check this out—are you familiar with the Japanese style poetry called senryu? It’s a haiku-style poem with the first line being 5 syllables, the second line is 7, and the third line is 5 again, all unrhymed. And instead of being about nature, these poems examine human nature.

So, during the pandemic, an anonymous artist began traveling the country, installing highway signs featuring senryu poems. The artist made them in standard issue highway sign format—cobalt blue, with a white border and white letters. All in all, 23 of these signs were installed in various cities, all unauthorized, I might add. Some were taken down because of legalities and vandalism, etc. Here are some examples—now tell me that you don’t hear God’s voice in these:

When you were still young

Did you ever dream about

Being who you are —Memphis, Tennessee

Here’s another:

I hope that in both

Love and compassion

You can be brutal —Doral, Florida

I liked this one:

I really needed

To remember feeling that

I was love able —Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida

And my favorite:

Foolish to hold back

For love is giving and

Love is forgiving— Mount Prospect, Illinois

Do you hear God’s voice?

roadside senryū (roadsidesenryu.com)

They’re kind of like those God-billboards we’ve seen every now and then. The anonymous artist was finally tracked down and asked why he or she did these signs. The answer was a need to feel connected. “Roadside Senryu sought to provide levity and remind people that human connection runs deeper than divisions. The artist said, “I wanted to let people know that no one was going through any of this [pandemic] alone” ( The Story Behind the Whimsical Road-Sign Poems Popping Up Along America’s Highways - Outside Online , retrieved August 20, 2022). Check out the website.

So, people of God, whose voice do we listen to? Let’s listen for a voice that calls for a different lifestyle for us to live. I don’t want to say it’s a new lifestyle for us to live, because it’s not new. It’s been around for-evuh! It’s the voice that calls us to Jesus’ way of life. It calls us to live out what God values. It’s a voice that releases us from being bent over. To stand tall. It’s a voice that calls us to speak of God’s good news of love and grace, forgiveness and mercy, acceptance and welcome for everyone.

Let’s rejoice in the wonderful things God does and continues to do with us and for us. Listen to God’s voice. Amen.

Hold On to Jesus--Not Your Stuff

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 16:08:16 GMT

"Hold On To Jesus--Not Your Stuff"

Rev. Fa Lane

Ecclesiastes 1:12-14, 2:18-23

Luke 12: 13-21

A sermon preached on July 31 st

“Be on your guard against all kind of greed:
life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

Peace be with you. First, I want to note that Jesus, in the Luke text, doesn’t say you shouldn’t have wealth as much as he rebukes those who put it ahead of their relationship with God. I believe that our peace of mind and indeed our peace between one another and between nations is reliant upon seeking and finding a relationship with God, that honors Here’s an exercise in being too full and completely empty : Full breath and hold; release empty and hold. Notice that both are uncomfortable and that it’s best when it’s balanced, an even exchange of what comes in and what goes out that is better.

Jesus, and later in the book of Colossians, advises us to not get wrapped up in our stuff but to step back from that burden of acquiring, holding, guarding and, rather to seek to be in God’s presence assured that our needs will be met. If we have produced abundantly in our life, it is prudent and caring to share it so that others can live well in the kin-dom also. It’s the sacred exchange of give and take; inhaling and exhaling. Otherwise, the parable indicates that your very life may be required of you.

You might not die from having too much but what about the quality of being content in your life? Is that not valuable? If you’re always seeking more then you’re not content. This behavior of holding to onto stuff is based out of fear and indicates our need for control. It doesn’t allow much room for seeing where God is at work, allowing God’s answers to provide our needs rather than our humanistic market-based striving and controlling that we practice.

(Show movie clip: Wall Street movie (Greed is good)

In this 1987 movie Wall Street , Michael Douglas portrays Gordon Gekko, a legendary Wall Street player who refers to Darwinian theory of the ‘survival of the fittest.” But, in our modern era, quantum physics observes that transformation is a result of from timing and managing with finesse and skill, working with what you’ve got to maximize their benefit… for all , I think Jesus would add. In this model, we detach from insisting on a desired result and surrender to these ease of God’s way; God’s answers.

Another way to consider it is that striving for more stuff, or the wrong stuff, gets in the way of our relationship with Jesus. We often don’t see what’s going on in the bigger picture beyond our home or church or nation. What’s worse is when we don't care. But, if we live and walk with one another -not just in our neighborhood but across the world, across races, gender, economic status, across languages then we can choose to act as if we’re in walking in step with Jesus, balancing for one another, grounded in the Word and generous through the Love of God.

I’d like to invite Chris Eurich and Grace Wells to share with us the ways that Christ Church is walking with Christ through the ministry outlets they are involved with.

Our peace of mind comes from staying in step with the Spirit of God, letting go of control and letting our efforts be grounded in an underlying sense of God’s plan.

This spiritual practice of not holding on gets a little harder when I think about transforming the way I interact in the world. It’s one thing for me to stand in front of my two closets and select clothes to give away. It’s a whole different ballgame when I am turn away from harmful the sacredness of all things. And, when we pursue other aversions, distractions, shiny things, and bigger bank accounts, we slowly replace that security of the sacred bond with temporary handholds on worldly security that can break away and get lost.

Will you pray with me?

Ecclesiastes, from the 4 ^th century ancient Jewish Writings, is one of three undisputed Wisdom writings. You may have noticed that the lectionary readings for today - which you can find easily online - were ‘wisdom’ writings. Even the New Testament selections, I would suggest, appear to be disseminating knowledge of what is true coupled with just judgment (or moral/fair judgement) which in turn implies that wisdom helps us lean toward right action.

Wisdom if frequently debatable; and the Colossians 3 text employs a debate argument beginning with the word “Since” in v1 . “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” In other words, it would be wise to: v8 “rid yourselves of all earthly things like carnal temptations but also emotional and spiritual wounding. ⁹ Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” The writer, it may have been Paul, but some think it was one of his students, says, since we’re taking on the image of Christ, we give up our old ways.

Today's devotional texts has me considering the usual ways we stress ourselves and place undue burdens up ourselves and neighbors because we don’t “rid ourselves” of things we’re holding onto. We’ve not set our hearts on things above, but rather, we run with the fools who pull down barns. We find places to disguise or hide our indiscretions.

At the beginning of the pandemic, we saw the fear and greed and gluttony as people over purchased toilet paper and paper towels and such. It was embarrassing to witness the sense of entitlement of people who had the means and the opportunity to over-purchase. I think about the parents who were working 2 and 3 jobs, usually at personal risk early on in the pandemic, who at the end of a shift, would find empty shelves at the grocery store. Remember those ugly images of overfilled shopping carts against the backdrop of caskets in refrigerated trailer trucks?

Here’s an exercise in being too full and completely empty : Full breath and hold; release empty and hold. Notice that both are uncomfortable and that it’s best when it’s balanced, an even exchange of what comes in and what goes out that is better.

(Show movie clip: Wall Street movie (Greed is good)

I’d like to invite Chris Eurich and Grace Wells to share with us the ways that Christ Church is walking with Christ through the ministry outlets they are involved with.

Our peace of mind comes from staying in step with the Spirit of God, letting go of control and letting our efforts be grounded in an underlying sense of God’s plan.

This spiritual practice of not holding on gets a little harder when I think about transforming the way I interact in the world. It’s one thing for me to stand in front of my two closets and select clothes to give away. It’s a whole different ballgame when I am turn away from harmful thinking and emotional responses like jealousy, doubt, holding grudges, being angry. Releasing those responses takes a lot of self observation! But doing so brings me peace.

Recall our breath holding and breath emptying exercise. Breathe in -this is your irritation at someone’s comment that ticked you off. Hold it. Now Release that lump in your throat. Give it to Jesus.

Exhale: Be completely empty, as when you lose it and rage spills out all over the inside of your car when someone does something “stupid” in traffic. Take a breath in, and surrender it to God.

Inhale and hold it for this one: Avoid getting into triangular conversations, where you’re trying to hold on to other people’s “stuff”, as if it’s your’s. Exhale. Be careful not to slander someone, even if you were teasing, and meant as a joke – “Oh, I didn’t mean it that way”. Let’s be mindful of speaking a “soft” negative comment but act all smiles, that’s a form of lying.

Jesus says don’t hold onto those things that keep us from our relationship with him. So, I invite you to a moment of silent self-reflection and confession. Give yourself over to Christ. Breathe in God’s permission to let go, but first, bring to mind what you need to release. And, exhale a data dump of the burdens you want Christ to remove. Breathe in remember all the gifts that God has given you. Exhale and allow them to bless others, to make a way for others, to not hold you captive any longer. Amen.

It's Never Too Late to Have Faith

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 14:46:49 GMT

"It's Never Too Late to Have Faith"

A sermon on having faith which is God's main goal for us in life.

Rev. Dr. Galen E. Russell III

Preached on August 7, 2022

Luke 12: 32-40

Hebrews 11: 1-3, 8-16

“Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”

P rayer: God of infinite possibilities, help us have faith in you. Amen.

Did you hear recently that the monarch butterfly was back in the news? For our area, I guess there’s a shortage of milkweed, which is the monarch’s main source of food. I know we used to have milkweed growing on the edge of our church property by the sheds and pavilion. I’m not sure that we still do. But anyway, despite the shortage, each year the butterflies take part in a migration that amazes me. It starts about March in Mexico or Florida and heads north. Then in mid-summer, the migration goes south and ends about November, back in Mexico or Florida.

The amazing thing is that “no individual butterfly completes the entire round trip. Female monarchs lay eggs for a subsequent generation during the northward migration. Four generations are involved in the annual cycle, and the generation undertaking the southbound migration live eight times longer than their parents and grandparents” ( Monarch butterfly migration - Wikipedia , retrieved August 5, 2022). And last generation stays in the warm climate over the winter months, and the whole migration starts all over again in March.

That’s the power of instinct in nature, right? I mean they just do what they do. No one butterfly sees the migration as a whole, but nevertheless, each butterfly is part of the bigger picture.

The monarchs are what came to mind when I read the Hebrews text for today. And I keep thinking about the bigger picture. Abraham didn’t live long enough on earth to see God’s whole plan come to fruition, but unlike the monarch butterfly, he heard God’s promise about the bigger picture ahead of time. That somehow, even though he and Sarah were childless, they would have a son. Some way, even though they were elderly, in their upper 90’s—even though they were as good as dead, as Hebrews says—descendants would come from Abraham and Sarah, more numerous than the stars of heaven and grains of sand on the beach. That’s God’s bigger picture for Abraham. So, even with the limitations they faced, Abraham became an Israelite faith hero because he had faith in God’s promise.

So, it’s never too late to have faith. No matter how old you are. You could be on your death bed, and you can come to faith and God would honor it. No matter how young you are. No matter what you’ve done in the past, or didn’t do. No matter what you think are the limiting factors in your life. No matter what circumstances you find yourself in… the urgent ones where something must be done now. The copacetic ones where things are status quo. The difficult ones where you don’t know what to do and you can’t make a decision. The long-term ones where you must live with a constant struggle or condition. It’s never too late to have faith because God wants us to trust in God now. Presently.

I think God always takes delight when you or I trust God in the chaos of our lives or our world. I mean a couple of people I know recently lost their jobs. I became aware of others who are Covid long-haulers. A woman came to my office last week in need of temporary housing. Another was taken to the ER unexpectedly last weekend. Even in our church office, we find ourselves without a permanent office staff person. What is the chaos in your life?

God loves it, I believe, when we depend on God presently in our life’s circumstances. God wants us, I think, to have faith in the moment, no matter what the moment is. If I can stay in the middle of the turmoil calm and unperplexed with faith that God knows what is going on. If I can accept that what is happening in my life as part of a bigger picture that God sees and invites me to trust in what God sees, even if I am blind to it. With faith, we become part of God’s future and not our own.

God loves that, I think. But it’s a matter of perspective, I think. When we, through faith, allow a difficult moment to possibly be a “blessing in disguise.” When we trust that God is at work in every one of our circumstances. Using our circumstances, step by step, to further God’s future, God’s intentions in our lives.

During the Mission trip a couple of weeks ago, I had the chance to play a game of checkers with one of our youth. I haven’t played checkers probably since grade school. But you know how you try to make small moves that will set up a bigger move of jumping two or three checkers all at once? It struck me that could be what God’s workings are like… We’re invited, I think, to have faith that God is at work in the regular stuff of our lives with bigger picture in mind. Sometimes things happen step by step, and other times large things happen all at once.

I would even bet that having faith in God IS God’s main goal for us in life. This is where we have to be careful in our understanding, though. So much of the Christian faith today has the idea that if I have faith in God and in Jesus, then I will reach my end goal of being successful in life. God will answer all my prayers. My dreams will be realized. If I have enough faith, God will bless me with abundance. This is what is called the prosperity gospel. And the end-all of the prosperity gospel is that if I live right, I will get to my end-all destination, heaven, eternal life.

Hate to break it to us, folks, but I seriously question if those are God’s main goals for us in life. The fact is that God may not answer our prayers the way we want. God may lead us to the opposite of what the world calls success. Just look at Jesus. God led Jesus to Jerusalem to accomplish God’s purposes for eternal life to be a grace-filled gift of God for everyone. It happened through the faith of Jesus that he clung to even in the face of torture and death. Hardly an example of a success-story by our standards.

But to God, us having faith IS the success. To God, us using the faith of Abraham and Jesus as our role-models for faith IS God’s end-all goal.

So, in other words, I think we often experience a disconnect. Because what many Christians today call the end-goals in life, God calls those just part of the journey. What God calls the end-goal of having faith, we call part of the journey. It’s never too late, I think, to get on the same page as God’s end-all goal. To strive for faith in God in all our circumstances; and God is trying to move heaven and earth just so we have this faith on our journeys.

And the possibilities of God’s bigger picture start to unfold. We cannot see God’s entire viewpoint. And God doesn’t tell us what we are aiming at. God didn’t tell Abraham either. But with faith in God, so much more than we can ask for or imagine can open up before us. It’s never too late for faith because faith helps us be alert to the possibilities that the “realist” says are impossible. Faith in God helps us be ready for action, a responsiveness to God’s world, a just world, a loving world, becoming a reality. It’s never too late for faith because God’s possibilities for our lives and God’s world abound.

So, what possibility is God calling you to? What new possibility is God calling our church to? Whatever it is, God’s never too late to have faith in. Whatever it is, take Jesus’ words to heart: “Do not be afraid.” Those words by themselves call for faith, don’t they? Because “It is God’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” And we give God deep pleasure by having faith. It is never too late to have faith. Amen.

Carrying the Fire of God's Love

Sun, 14 Aug 2022 17:14:26 GMT

"Carrying the Fire of God's Love"

Rev. Fa Lane

Hebrews 11: 29-12: 2

Luke 12: 49-56

Preached on August 14, 2022

" I came to bring fire to the earth,
and how I wish it were already kindled! ”

When I first read this Luke scripture I thought, this doesn’t sound like the Jesus we usually talk about. Luke says Jesus is bringing fire and he admits feeling stressed out! He’s also talking about creating division among us. Then Jesus basically says we’re thick headed and can’t even read signs of the times.

I was thinking, wait a minute is this a parody? I thought he was the Prince of Peace. The docile one, the sweet Jesus, where’s the kind guy? the patient Jesus? Where’s the savior we anticipate in December with our advent candles, love, peace, hope and joy?

Then I went to the commentary books in my study time. It’s very helpful to consult with scholars because they give insight to word use and context. I found Wesley Allen’s commentary that reminded me that when Jesus had set his gaze, he had set his eyes toward Jerusalem, it meant that he was going to the political center to aim at the power structure of his day. Jesus anticipated strong resistance by those in leadership - those who did not help the poor or homeless, and made life very difficult for many people. He certainly was aware that his rhetoric and his actions were likely to get him arrested and probably executed. He knew that some people weren’t going to like it; some would put their own spin on his message and others argue over it. But he was inspired by a holy fire, Luke says, by a sense of righteousness, to care for people of his time, in this vineyard, as Isaiah calls it.

John Carroll comments that Jesus’ didn’t mean to create division but expected that some would resist his message and there would be division. People have different opinions, different perspectives, but the ire that was raised so high that it became deadly for him. He came seeking to spread God’s love, and it got him killed.

We know that Jesus was concerned with contemporary issues of his century, the bitter “wild grapes” growing amidst this lovely vineyard. I have little doubt that this “fire” in your belly, this passion for God’s shalom, is still needed today. And, that the church is to carry this fire for a peaceable kingdom. We’re to be ignited like matches for peaceable kingdom living. It’s not an easy task given our modern-day scenarios of discord. It probably never has been. Some days I fear that the negativity, the strong emotions, the arguing, a harsh language is going to overwhelm us. But we serve a mighty God who is able to make things happen when all we see is discouraging. So, keep your faith. Keep your focus on God’s Shalom.

Shalom means more than peace, more than the absence of conflict. It’s a peace with deeper qualities that reach into our foundation and impacts every facet of our life. Shalom is not an individual state, but a life sustaining bond between us. It is similar to the covenant between the churches in the United Church of Christ who have differences but exist in a relationship respectfully honoring those differences. It is peace within yourself, but also between us and among us. Shalom is about living into God’s image of you, your highest potential, serving out of love and living with contentment, wholeness, well-being, that he had for God’s shalom to be ignited all over.

What would that look like? It’s when you see the uniqueness of another person and extend a generous spirit, expect good interactions and seek camaraderie. It’s when we’re able to live as neighbors without judging their difference as bad, or aberrant or something to be feared.

I think it’s sad to see how divisive we’ve become. It’s sad to me how quickly we turn to alienate and sow disruption rather than seek clarity and understanding. I think Jesus would be concerned at how hateful and mean-spirited our language is in our everyday discourse. Not just the name calling, the petty and snarky comments but also the wider divide in our income strata; and the acceptance that poverty, for some, is just an unfortunate consequence of free markets. (Published by Statista Research Department , Jun 21, 2022).

I don’t think of Jesus as an impatient man. But I wonder if some days, he doesn’t look out over us and just wants to do a face palm. “Didn’t we just go over how to care for your neighbors a few weeks ago?” Jesus was headed to Jerusalem and was in a hurry for people to learn about God’s salvation before he had to face the cross. He wanted them (us) to have God’s liberation in their lives, like “ right now ”!

The stress Jesus refers to, like for us today, resulted from heated exchanges and the persecution he experienced as he talked the talk and walked the walk on that fated journey to Jerusalem. He proclaimed God’s reign and provoked opposition even as he offered peace. When we run into opposition, we don’t have to let that douse the fire of God’s shalom within us.

We have a cloud of witnesses, as Paul writes. We’re not alone in this struggle. Our ancestors in faith have provided stories of witness and encouragement. Our siblings in faith around the world are providing opportunities and resources. Peace and justice can be elusive. They can evade our earnest prayers and our calls to local, state and national representatives to fix things. But, we keep standing up with others in faith, nudged on by God’s holy fire in our bellies. We insist that all people be treated with dignity and respect, as if they too are part of God’s lovely vineyard. This is how we walk in the faith of Jesus Christ.

It's an endless struggle because there is resistance and because the need is great. It doesn’t happen if we wait for someone else or for a convenient time or just hope it’ll all work out. Families need help with housing and food, right now . Some child will face being bullied each school day. Domestic abusers have had 2 years of covid isolation to harm their partners, their children and their pets. Jesus asks us to kindle the fire of God’s love for them, right now .

As a young girl, my church sang hymns that looked for a peace deferred, a peace beyond this world. We sang: “Lord I’m tired and so weary but I must go along till the Lord call me away.” We were comforted by the ideas that “there will be peace in the valley for me someday”.

We sang of being call up to heaven “when the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time will be no more. When roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.” We sang those songs and we envisioned someday being on the other side of this world’s turmoil, sleeping peacefully in “Canaan’s Happy Land”.

But I listen to the news and I ask “what about right now, Lord!?” What am I supposed to do now? How can I make a difference right now!?

I fear that if not curtailed, young bullies will take that behavior into their adult years; and no one wants a neighbor or bosses or leaders who harbor anger and retribution. For who know whom will be their next victim? We know that when adults respond quickly and consistently to bullying behavior, we send a message that it’s not acceptable. This is a way to carry the fire of God’s love. I’m thankful there are strong partnerships to stop and prevent bullying among school-aged children.

I am grateful to know that the Etown School district has a program called the Leader In Me program to address the social and emotional well-being of students. We’re the only district in PA to be using this program K-12. It teaches lessons on self-control, self-awareness, how to interact well with others, and how to think more strategically about your own life. This sounds, to me, like a program encouraging shalom, right now .

I have an idea: maybe the church universal could do more in our communities to encourage civil conversations and respectful sharing of opinions and discourage harmful language and violence. I was reminded this past week, that faith formation is the work of the whole congregation. I invite you to attend or maybe lead conversations to form your faith and form faith for other people this fall. Be assured that cross generational conversations are helpful; and they help us Carry God’s Love. Let us be known that the church, maybe this church, is a place of good dialog!

What we do and say right now is where I see the teachings of Christ as instructive. I still believe that the church is part of the solution. As we remember the Lord’s prayer each week, may we hear it as a request, maybe even an imperative from Christ, to see that God’s kingdom of justice and liberation for all is a reality, right now .

Let me end with what I’m grateful for - the ways I see us carrying the fire of God’s love:

I am grateful for the ways our denomination is working to help with disaster relief, with financial donations and volunteer labor, both at the national level and in our local communities through the Penn Central Conference’s Disaster Readiness and Response Ministry Team . I’m grateful for the work of the UCC’s Justice and Peace Action Network, an advocacy network that educates and engages its members in shaping public policy in keeping with God’s vision of a just and loving society.

I’m grateful for our Open and Affirming designations for churches with public covenants of welcome for persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. I appreciate the commitment of PCC Creation Justice Team and our own Green Team’s work for environmental justice and creation care.

These are just some ways to carry the fire of God’s love. I pray that we carry it in our bellies with a desire to see God’s kingdom come, God’s will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

It Pays to Persist in Prayer

Sun, 24 Jul 2022 14:37:34 GMT

"It Pays To Persist in Prayer"

Gen. 18: 20-32

Luke 11: 1-13

“I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.”

Prayer: O God, good and gracious, by your Spirit, may both our faith and our understanding of prayer be enriched today. Amen.

We live in a sound byte world, don’t we? Snippets of the news come to us on TV, or on our news feed. I know I often scroll through the headlines, just to see what’s going on, and only click on a link to open an article if I’m interested in it. You can get a fairly good idea of what’s going on in the world just by scrolling through sound bytes and headlines.

The problem is that all too often, some sound byte, some headline is taken out of context. And, we get the wrong idea, or an inaccurate takeaway, and we get led astray. Like one writer quipped, “Separate the word ‘text’ from ‘context’ and all that remains is a ‘con’” (Stewart Stafford, https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/out-of-context ) ).

Well, I’ve been part of many conversations about prayer, and if there’s one Bible passage people almost always take out of context and get led astray, it’s verse 10 where Jesus says “Everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Maybe a close second is the one where Jesus says “If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it (see John 14: 13-14).

Taken out of context, we’re in trouble, because neither of those are true most of the time. They’re too formulaic. It’s too linear, two dimensional. X + Y will = Z. Or say the right words, and God will answer your prayers the way you want. Which is another way of saying we want God to sign-on to our own desires, our whims, our projects. We want God to agree with us on our own hang-ups, stereotypes, prejudices, or our own perspectives because, you know, we think our understanding is best. Our take on things is accurate.

And we feel deceived when we try to follow the formula of those two bible verses taken out of context, and it doesn’t work out. Which leaves a bad taste in some mouths. Then I hear the mutterings that prayer doesn’t work. And some lose faith because of that.

But, in the broader context of Jesus’ teaching on prayer, he emphasizes that by far, the most significant thing about prayer is to keep at it. To persist at it.

Jesus tells this parable about a friend in need to make the point about being persistent in prayer, but he just as easily could have reminded his disciples about Abraham’s story in Genesis. Abraham was considered a friend of God who showed persistence in prayer, by asking again and again for God to do what was just. Abraham did not give up. He persistently talked God down from 50 to 45, to 40, 30, 20 and then 10! If 10 righteous people could be found in Sodom and Gomorrah, God would spare the cities. Abraham was persistent in his prayer, in his communication with God.

I was talking with our neighbor last Friday, and she asked me what my sermon was about for today. I told her my title: “It Pays to Persist in Prayer.” It triggered a memory for her. She told me that at her daughter’s baby shower, everyone was asked to write something for the baby that they wished the baby could have. My neighbor wrote that she would like to give that baby a sense of grit and tenacity and stick-to-it-tive-ness. A gift of not giving up, even in the most challenging of circumstances. She said that we should never give up on prayer. Exactly!

So, back to the parable, Jesus says God is like a Friend you go to at midnight asking for help. And God, the Friend basically says, “Buzz off… don’t bother me. I am unavailable. I’m busy. I’m in bed, so are my kids. And whatever other excuse could be thought up. Besides you know how to get the help you need. So, do it yourself.” And I was like, “Whoa! If that’s the kind of friend God is, who needs enemies?”

To be sure, the Friend in Jesus’ parable is not nice. But, the man went on knocking anyway. Because he knows something about the Friend… that the Friend may not be nice all the time, but he knows know the Friend is good. As Christina Villa, one of our Stillspeaking writers offered this past week, there is a difference between being nice and being good (Stillspeaking Daily Devotional, July 19, 2022).

I was reminded of the scene in the Chronicles of Narnia, the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S.Lewis when Lucy finds out that Aslan, the King of Narnia is really a lion (who represents Jesus). Lucy has some fear about Aslan the lion as she asks “Is he quite safe?” And the response is, “Safe? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he is good. He’s the King, I tell you.” God is not nice all the time. God is not safe all the time. But God is good all the time.

Jesus says that if we, who are imperfect and prone to evil and mean-spiritedness at times, know how to be good with our own families and loved ones; how much more then will God, because God is good, give us what we need, not always what we want, to those who ask! We keep going to God in prayer persistently because we have faith in God’s goodness. In all our circumstances.

So, I think that means we are encouraged to get out of the linear, two-dimensional, formula-style of prayer—to what though?

My ideas and faith are still developing. I don’t have all the answers by any stretch. There are a lot of “I don’t know’s” to many questions. But I want to share a little of what I’ve learned on the journey. I strongly lean toward the idea that prayer is actually a relationship. God relating to you. You relating to God. We are connected to God. Like the way a fish is connected to the water it swims in. The water all around and in the fish gives it life. So, God is part of us. We are part of God. Prayer is the life. Like breathing…breathing is always giving life to our bodies, whether we are aware we are breathing or not. Prayer as a relationship is always happening, always giving life to us spiritually. Prayer is like your heart pumping, giving you life all the time, whether you’re aware of it or not.

And I think prayer is multi-dimensional. In this ongoing relationship you can communicate with God, sometimes with words, but most of the time without them. Words come on the conscious plain, but non-verbal prayer comes mostly on the sub-conscious and unconscious plains, where the spirituality of life mostly is. Where feelings and sighs too deep for words emerge. When sounds of silence or profound music move us to tears. When joy comes because someone is celebrating something like when a baby is born. When compassion comes because someone is in pain or is struggling, like when we know a loved one or friend has died or is dying. When our hearts feel called to activism in the face of injustice, like when hear the voices of millions of refugees at our borders, or the voices of the homeless on the streets, or the voices of the Ukrainian people suffering under Russia’s assault. Like when we hear the cries of the parents who feel the intense agony of burying their children killed by an assailant with a gun.

Maybe those kinds of situations, and more, are the “friends who arrive in the middle of the night” and come to us in need?

And our sighs, our guttural sounds, our heart-felt emotion, our tears, our words in a deep way all become prayers for them. Because we communicate about all these and more with God multi-dimensionally, relationally in prayer.

So, yeah, prayer I think is constant contact with God. I think that’s what Paul means when he encouraged “unceasing prayer” in 1 Thessalonians 5. On the two-dimensional plain, we can’t pray unceasingly. But, in the multi-dimensional, well-rounded understanding of prayer, we can.

Prayer as constant contact with God is shown in the way Jesus was in constant contact with God. He was one with God. He desires the same of us.

And it pays to persist in prayer because it helps bring about a world that is defined by God’s love, not hatred. By healing, not harm. By hope, not futility. By goodness, not necessarily niceness.

It pays for us to persist in prayer. Let us do so in the context of Holy Communion in a few minutes. Amen.

Caring Neighbors: Who Are They? Who Are We?

Sun, 17 Jul 2022 15:10:41 GMT

"Caring Neighbors--Who Are They? Who Are We?"

Gen. 18: 1-8

Luke 10: 25-37

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Prayer: O God, help us to see you in each other, so that we may care for you as we care for our neighbors. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I may have shared this story with you before, but it impacted me profoundly. So forgive the déjà vu moment if it sounds familiar. I was practically a brand new pastor, only three years in. I, along with Rev. Curt Miner, organized a mission trip from Salt Lake City to Ventura, California, about 60 miles west of LA. Our job was to glean the Oxnard Plain fields of produce not picked by the professional pickers. The harvested food went to a nearby homeless shelter and food pantries in Ventura County.

One day we were called in to glean an orange grove sold to a developer who did not want to harvest the fruit. The grove was not tended either, so it was dry and dusty and overgrown with weeds. And, each of trees were filled with hundreds of ripe oranges. We soon discovered that the best way to harvest the oranges was to get one strong person into the tree and shake the bejeebers out of it. And everyone else would scurry around picking up the fallen oranges.

One man named Ron… a very big man, got up into the trees, and all day long, he shook those trees like crazy. At the end of the day, we went to the homeless shelter to help serve those hungry people. And Ron was filthy… covered head to toe with orange grove dirt.

He got in line for one of the three outdoor showers. He stood there among other dirty homeless people. Right then, the lines blurred for Ron. “For a while, I was one of them. Dirty. Standing in line. Just like them.” But, when his shower was done, that’s when it hit him. Yes, he was clean and so were the homeless people that took showers. But, he could go back to his life of privilege and ease, a life where he could get a shower or food anytime he wanted. They could not. The “us” and “them” reality hit him hard.

The “us” and “them” reality is always a part of our lives. It was part of Jesus’ life as well. He was living in a society were there were elite, rich, religious people and vast amounts of poor people.

The lawyer is among the elite. He and Jesus have this verbal sparring match. He wants to test Jesus, to see how well Jesus knows the law of Moses but really trying to discredit Jesus. Because the lawyer thinks he’s all that when it comes to knowing the law. The law for him is the end all. And when Jesus flips things around and tests the lawyer, the lawyer proves his knowledge quoting (maybe somewhat smugly) the Shema from Deuteronomy 6:5 and a passage from Leviticus 19: 18 about loving neighbor as oneself. It was a technical, biblical, legal response. And I imagine Jesus was like yada, yada, yada. “Yeah, OK. You got the right words. But, DO this… and you will live.” DO this. Hold that thought for a moment… I’ll come back to it.

The lawyer, not to be outdone, flips it back to Jesus. He was like “OK then, to verify that the law is supreme, answer this: Who is my neighbor? Who are they?” Clearly the “they” are separate from “us.” The “us” are the privileged. “They” are not.

And Jesus tells his famous parable. Which has a fair amount of “us” and “them” in it. Did you notice? It’s easy to see who are in the “us” group. First of all, everybody gathered with Jesus are all Jews. The priest and the Levite are not only Jews, but they are among privileged of Jesus’ Jewish society. They are people with power and authority in that culture. The “us” group gets to be over those in the “them” group.

I guess in that sense, even the robbers who overpower over the man are akin to those in the “us” group. Because the “us” group has power. The “us” group sets up the system for those in the “them” group. The “us” group makes the rules… kind of like who in our society sets the rules for receiving a mortgage for houses, or a car loan, or who can receive health care. The “us” group sets up the lines for voting districts and feels those can change them at any time. Some in the religious “us” group says that if you pray hard enough, God will fix what the religious leaders say is your problem, and only then you can be one of the “us” group.

Now, the hero of the story, the Caring Neighbor of the parable, of course, is a Samaritan who is not in the “us” group. He is one of “them.” The Samaritan is one of those looked down upon in Jesus’ society. Even rejected. One who was thought of as dirty, a non-Jew, less than an acceptable human. One who lived with xenophobia, which is an intense fear, dislike, and distrust from those in the “us” group. One who was marginalized. One who was told by those in the “us” group where it was acceptable to live—on the outskirts of town, on the other side of the Jordan, away from the center. One who had to live with the system that defined where it was OK to work, preferably doing the grunt work for those in the “us” group.

The hero, the Caring Neighbor, the Good Samaritan is the undocumented resident who cares for our aging parents. It’s the custodian working at a church who sends most of the money he makes back to his family in Columbia. It’s the lesbian couple who dare to adopt children in need of a family. The church that openly states that it is open and affirming and practices Christ’s mercy, hospitality, and grace.

The more I think about it, the more I wonder if we are living Jesus’ parable? Because back in Jesus’ day and now in our day, we’re living with “us” and “them” situations. We’re living with robbery of all kinds, where the powerful clamp down on the neck of the powerless creating “I can’t breathe” situations. Where powerful lobbyists say that sacrificing the lives of the innocents is the price to pay for having the right to bear arms. Where social injustice is made worse by prevaricating, always judging politicians. We’re living with tremendous need and injustice in our world.

And who are our neighbors? And who are we?

But the big takeaway, of course, is that the answer to the question of who are our neighbors is simple—it’s anyone in need. Anyone experiencing injustice of any sort. Anyone struggling to be accepted in community, striving to live authentic lives but are told that’s not acceptable.

And, a neighbor is anyone who shows mercy as a response to the need. Who shows activism as a response to the injustice. Those who exhibit grace and hospitality, who welcome the stranger, who tends to the woundedness, who shows kindness and acceptance. Who exhibit the integrity of Christ living in our inner lives. That’s the answer to the question “Who are we?”

Since we are both in need sometimes and show love and kindness at other times, then everyone is our neighbor. It’s not “them.” There is only us. In Jesus’ way, there is no “us” and “them.” There are no insider or outsiders. All of us are on the inside of God’s love and grace. Choose this path today and we will live. Do show God-qualities, and we will live. DO this today, and we will live.

Like the song “No Day But Today” from the musical “Rent” says,

There’s only us

There’s only this

Forget regret, or life is yours to miss

No other road

No other way

No day but today.

There’s only now

There’s only here

Give in to love

Or live in fear

No other path

No other way

No day but today.

The key is to love God and love your neighbor as you love yourself. Do this today and you will live. Those who show mercy and love, hospitality and grace today will live. Amen.

The Center Point

Sun, 10 Jul 2022 19:44:02 GMT

"The Center Point"

Deut. 30: 9-14

Luke 10: 38-42

“She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying.”

Prayer: Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days, for the living of these days. Amen.

The Mary / Martha story can evoke many thoughts, feelings, questions and are you a Mary? Are you a Martha? Even memories for a lot of us. For me, one memory came to my mind this past week… from way back in my college fraternity days. Our Theta Chi fraternity had just built a new house, and I was the Vice President in charge of making the move from the old house to the new. Well, in the transition, we became in need of a cook. Long story short, I took on the job cooking for my 40 brothers. [I know… you’re learning a lot about me right now… fraternity brother, VP of a frat house (don’t hold that against me), love to cook…]

Well, after three months or so of living in the new house, we had a weekend celebration to officially commission the new house, and we invited the national President of Theta Chi to be our guest of honor. Mr. George Killivus, I think his name was. [don’t quote me!] it’s been a long time! He graciously came and spent the weekend with us. As I remember it, the main event was a picnic Saturday afternoon, and I made all the food. Y’know… the usual stuff… baked beans, mac n cheese, macaroni salad, hamburgers, hotdogs, etc. I had everything ready about a half hour beforehand.

And, right about then, Mr. Killivus went to the living room, sat down, and was chatting with some of my brothers. I stayed in the kitchen. One of my brothers, the President, Mark Collins, came to me and said, “What are you doing? The national President is here, and you’re puttering in the kitchen! You got the picnic ready. Go listen to him. But, I get it… you wouldn’t be anywhere else, would you?” A loving rebuke. But, he was right. I was at a less mature place in life and thought that it was expected of me to be “puttering in the kitchen.” I was the cook, after all. And, I missed the really important stuff.

Culturally, in Jesus’ day, Martha was expected to be puttering in the kitchen while Jesus was their houseguest. That’s what women were supposed to do in that culture. Women certainly were not the ones to be seated at the feet of the rabbi, the teacher. That was for men folk only. Men were the learned ones. Not so for women in that culture.

So, when Martha asks, “Don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work,” she really is complaining that by sitting around, Mary is not only making Martha do everything, but Mary is also bucking against cultural norms… It’s not her place. She was defying the role women were supposed to have. And, when Jesus says Mary has chosen the better part, he not only is also bucking cultural norms, but he also elevated women and approved of women being learned and taking part in what typically was reserved for men. He challenged cultural stereotypes.

Leave it to Jesus to point out what really is important and what easily can distract from that important stuff. Because he lovingly he rebuked Martha, and taught that what’s really important is being in God’s Presence. That’s the center point. Center on God first and keeping distractions at bay. Jesus doesn’t say that Martha should not do the chores, but if there’s an opportunity to be in God’s Presence, then dusting is a distraction cultural norms are a distraction and must give way to devotion.

I think when it comes to the spiritual life, when it comes to the journey in a life of faith, we live in a Martha world. There’s so much that we think we have to do that can distract us from the center point. I mean you name it… so many people are worried and distracted by many things: the economy, crime in our neighborhoods, the environment, places in society where things are just not fair. Paying off debt, finding a new job, what will retirement be like, one’s physique, wrinkles, or aging appearance, diet issues, meeting goals, whether they are good parents, broken relationships—those are just some of the top worries taken from a 2019 survey.

And those things act on our lives like they have centrifugal force. That’s the apparent reactionary force we feel when we’re in a car, and if the car swerves quickly to the left, we feel like we’re being pushed to the right, in the opposite direction. Distractions do that. They push us away from the center point. They distract us from what really matters in life.

Conversely, what really matters in life acts like it has centripetal force. This is a real force that pulls everything toward the center. Like water in a whirlpool, everything in the water is constantly being drawn to the center. Focusing on God first constantly draws us into the center point of being in God’s Presence. So does taking time to nurture faith with devotions and daily prayer. Choosing to be like Mary and sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to what he is saying makes you feel the centripetal force of faith. It draws you toward what’s really important. Worshipping on Sundays or any day draws you into what's really important.

And, I think that centripetal energy of faith might be related to what Moses is saying in Deuteronomy… that being drawn into the center point of a life with God means for one, you learn to follow God’s ways. Moses was big on being obedient to God and following God’s ways. But, for two, if you read the entire book, you realize that Moses was also all about people having faith and trust in God, especially in difficulty, or crisis, or decision-making. And, for three, he emphasized focusing on God, as in being in relationship with the Divine, turning to God with all your heart.

The centripetal energy of faith draws us in to the center point and we realize that all three —following and obeying God’s ways, having faith and trust in God, and focusing on being in relationship with God—are best when all three happen in tandem. When all three are in sync, amazing possibilities of God’s divine involvement happens.

You may recall that two Sundays ago, I was besieged with a sudden, nasty case of vertigo. Which rendered me useless to lead worship, much less preach a sermon. But, the centripetal energy of faith drew in our very capable leaders who stepped up and followed in Gods’ ways by leading worship. Joanne and Bob and Amy and Brooke and Conner and Corty and Dale all stepped up in faith and trust and were focused on God’s divine Presence, whether they were aware of it consciously or not. Who cares if worship didn’t go as originally planned? Such is the way of the Spirit sometimes.

The point is… it’s not the amount of time we spend doing God-things that makes us God-centered—it’s whether or not God is at the center of the things we do. Let the greatest influence in our everyday lives be God, in all we do. (based on Steven Case. Everything Counts, Zondervan, Youth Specialties, 2003, pg. 167). That’s what our leaders did that Sunday.

And the chores we need to do, the dusting, and the cleaning, the cooking, and the taking care of this and that, these are not done begrudgingly, but with the centripetal energy of faith, zeroing in on the center point, the drudge work is transformed into holy work. Because Martha’s work must be done. Getting down and dirty must be done. Driving me home must be done. Preaching a sermon must be done. Welcoming a new member must be done.

And as a church, seeking justice and fairness must be done. Responding to social issues must be done. Forgiving each other, loving even the unlovely all must be done. But, it all gets transformed into holy moments, when God is first, when God is the center point, and God is in it.

And you know what the really cool part is? That this life with God as our center point is doable. It is not out of reach. It’s not far off! Feeling the centripetal energy of faith is not beyond our capacity. And it certainly is not dependent upon how good we are, or how well we’ve lived, or if we’ve made amends of our mistakes, or if we’ve prayed enough, or gone to church enough, ore read the bible enough. No, none of that. That is not the way it works.

It works by God’s grace. Jesus came for all the Mary’s and the Martha’s of the world—that’s all of us are some of the time, and some of us all of the time. All we have to do is decide to have God be the center point of everything we do. And God’s Presence and grace are there! And we won’t miss the important stuff. Thanks be to God. Amen.

What Do We Do with Our Thoughts and Prayers?

Sun, 03 Jul 2022 14:17:26 GMT

"What Do We Do With Our Thoughts and Prayers?"

Rev. Fa Lane

2 Kings 5:1-14

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

“ The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers.”

Just before today’s scripture reference in Luke 10, we see the phrase a couple of times that Jesus had ‘set his face to go to Jerusalem’. It was a phrase meaning, he was determined to go to confront oppressive leaders. We see over time, that while Jesus had his face set toward Jerusalem, his feet however, strayed all over Palestine, not making a direct but rather circuitous journey. Sometimes bad things happen and we are compelled away from our usual tasks to go and help.

This is our life of responsive discipleship. It is a journey that has high points and celebrations, joy and promise but also tragedies and rough patches.

Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem despite the rough patches to come – a decision many Christians have tried to emulate for centuries now, which is to say, to confront the powers of destruction and harm.

This Lukan section is the calling of the 70 people to a mission. This is a wider mission area than that of the initial 12 apostles. So, this wasn’t just the Consistory of Christ Church in Elizabethtown. It’s the other 70 other people who sit in the pews each week. Jesus turns his face toward Jerusalem because he’s determined to do something about oppressive practices that are harming people and keeping them from living their best lives. Then he summons: “there’s lots of work to do, but not a lot of workers. Come on! And, while you’re at it, ask God to send more helpers!”

Mr. Rogers used to say when bad things were happening, “look for the helpers”. When tragedies strike, we say, “our thoughts and prayers are with them” and we hope help comes. Who’s going to help? You may have heard the response: “we’re the ones we’ve been waiting for”. We’re the ones Jesus has in mind when he issues the plea: "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; (I can see his head fading out of sight as he runs ahead) He turns back and yells: - ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers. We’re getting tagged into the wrestling match in 2022.

Luke identifies a group of 70 that Jesus is talking to but it’s whoever is in earshot. There’s a few of us here today, and that’s who he’s talking to . In Luke 10:3 He encouraged us: “Go on your way. See, I am sending you out. Be assured, that “I have given you authority and power” to do the work ahead of you. I’m asking you to be faithful. Jesus insisted on caring for outcasts, victims of oppression and those at a disadvantage. The good news gospel proclaimed in Jesus’ name had to be a message of hope for all people. Jesus knew too well that the poor and disenfranchised get the short end of the stick. They get the leftovers, if there are any. Watch for people in power who are shifty and selfish and write bad laws. We want to live according to the social Gospel that cares about everyone.

If you were to close your eyes and imagine a future Christ Church, what would we be doing? We have the Imagine the Future Dream Team – and you’re all on it, you just have to show up to a meeting.

When you imagine Christ Church as a servant congregation, who are our partners? Whom are we serving? What are the skills we already have among us that could utilized?

As I see it, we are social gospel-ists – that’s not a word in the dictionary (gospelist) but there IS such a thing; just google it. As Social Gospel-ists, we believe the better life is for everyone, the better it is for me, the individual. (All boats rise on the same tide) Many have learned that the other way around: let me be in the boat first, then what’s leftover can be disbursed among everyone else. It used to be called “trickle down economics”… we all know it doesn’t really work.

There’s too much greed and fear in our systems, hedging our bets; strategy we call it, planning – you can call it fiscal responsibility. But, when the planning leaves out some people, when the decisions of the system, benefit the top, say, 20-30% of us and 70-80% are left juggling our dollars, does it really meet the definition of being responsible for all? Tomorrow we celebrate July 4, our Independence Day. You all know the pledge of allegiance where we say “with liberty and justice for all”; all means all.

The world that Jesus would have us build is one where neighbor cares for neighbor, (here, read my wrist, it says so right there). We are caring neighbors even when their need is greater than our own. It’s why we don’t over-water our lawns or leave the faucet running while we brush our teeth so everyone can have a strong water source. You think about that, right?

It’s why we eat more veggies than beef to cut down on greenhouse gases because beefy creature release a lot of methane, we really know about that here in Lancaster County.

It’s why we keep an eye on the rising costs of rental properties, rental practices and usury fees. The cost of an apt goes up when you need the flexibility of a month-to-month lease. But, in today’s housing market, are those extra fees really necessary when you can turn around an empty apt as soon as you can clean it up? Watching for oppressive practices and arguing against them, is like Jesus setting his face to Jerusalem.

He asks us to join him in the effort of caring that people are fed, are provided good healthcare and affordable housing, that people have a way to rebuild their lives after a devastating blow or being incarcerated. This is living in the Social Gospel’s shadow; something I believe that Jesus would approve of because it’s more than lip service.

You know, every time we hear a headline about a tragedy, there’s someone who offers “Our thoughts and prayers.” I am sure it’s true, even as we are beginning to get used to hearing it and even numb to it. Our prayers are powerful and can summon the laborers into the field. In fact, it may be where you are being sent. Where your gifts meet the world’s needs is where ministry happens.

Which of the world’s needs is drawing you to it? There are different levels of involvement and different ways to serve. If you’re not sure how to get started, let me introduce you to The POWERInterfaith organization of Central PA. The website is in announcements. It has different campaigns where you could give of your abilities. Since early 2017, POWER has been convening faith leaders from across Lancaster, York, Lebanon and Dauphin Counties to envision a new way of carrying out faith in the public sphere. Please pray for more helpers, as Jesus requested, for this and other organizations who are working on mediating the world’s woes.

Look at PowerInterfaith’s website and you’ll find ways to engage in various social justice concerns such as 1) improving Education. They help organize public school parents, teachers, people of faith and their allies to address public education across the state. If you can’t go to a meeting, pray for the other helpers.

There’s a campaign to work on economic dignity that organizes people of faith, low-wage workers, and their allies, to promote living wage policies and workers’ rights. With the labor shortage in our country, maybe you can add your thoughts and prayers to this action?

POWERInterfaith has a Climate Justice Campaign organizes faith leaders like our Green Team to promote transitioning to a sustainable economy creating “green jobs”, especially in communities that need jobs the most.

You might be interested in Civic Engagement organizing voters from across all of Central Pennsylvania, to have a voice in government. We have government officials making all kinds of decisions about our personal lives, as recent as last Friday when the Supreme Court overruled a 50-year precedent on women’s health.

Remember the OT reading? I wonder what Naaman would have done if the care he sought had been denied? But, his employer, his government, didn’t deny him. He had learned, from a young woman, about a place he could go for the intervention he needed. He had a choice in how he took care of his body.

His access was easy. It is not always so for couples or women or transgender people who likewise seek medical help. If you have an opinion about that, you can speak your mind through civic engagement. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray for the helpers.

In a world, where 70 are sent out, I want to be among the other 69 others who come back and tell campfire stories about where we saw God’s justice and lives improved. I want to be among you in the social hall or at the pavilion sharing a meal and telling great stories of how we’ve experienced God’s love being shared.

When I asked you to imagine the future, what did the Christ Church of your imagination do? Did we provide housing for formerly homeless families? Did we open a pop-up farmers market right here in our parking lot with produce from Wittel Farm? Did we convince our legislators to work for safe gun and mental health support? What new gospel stories will we share?

I remind you, telling your story of where you’ve seen God at work in your life or through your life is the best marketing and evangelism tool we’ve got. You are the living document of Christ’s love. If you want to see this congregation grow in faith and numbers, be one of the 70 and turn your thoughts and prayers into action. Let us be in prayer together.

At the end of the story, when the 70 returned they were radiant with triumphs in Jesus’ name. They shared their stories with Jesus who said he saw evil fall and be defeated.

May it be so. May it be so. May it be so. Amen.

Parting the Waters

Sun, 26 Jun 2022 17:45:03 GMT

Gal. 5: 1, 13-25

2 Ki. 2: 1-2, 6-14

“He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, an struck the water saying, ‘Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?’ When he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.”

Prayer: We are strengthened by you, O God, to be about your will and work. May we participate in what you are about and what you’re doing. Amen.

Last Sunday, I talked a lot about how Elijah got refocused on God’s more pressing concerns instead of his own fears. I mentioned also how God was going to make some changes… first in the political world—two new kings were coming. And, second in the spiritual world—Elisha was going to become Elijah’s protégé and eventually make the transition to replace him.

Funny how today’s story of Elisha replacing Elijah, this transition of divine power, coincides with the hearings on Capitol Hill these past two weeks. Uncanny, isn’t it? These hearings are rehashing and revealing all the sordid details of January 6, 2020 in what was supposed to be a peaceful transition of power from one President to the next. But, as we know, it didn’t happen that way.

It almost didn’t happen that way for Elisha either. Transitions of power can be tricky things. I mean sometimes they go smoothly, other times not so much. Elijah had God’s power. He just would say a word. The story goes that he was able to roll up his mantle, his cloak, strike the Jordan River, and reminiscent of Moses at the Sea of Reeds, the waters parted so he and Elisha could cross over.

Now, when Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah’s power, it wasn’t a done deal. There were conditions attached. If Elisha saw Elijah being taken away, then a double portion of divine power would indeed be convened upon Elisha. If not, oh well. And, of course, Elisha did see his mentor get taken up in the whirlwind. And, Elisha verifies that he does have God’s power by parting the waters of the Jordan river as he returns to the other prophets waiting for him.

It’s a amazing story that most of us would have a difficult time taking literally. But, as always, I like to look for the metaphors that teach us in such a legendary story.

And there are a couple worth talking about… the first of which is the way that God’s divine power that was in Elijah, the mentor, is now regenerated in the student Elisha. I think of Jesus’ disciples seeing the resurrected Jesus who breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” When they believe, the Spirit that lived in Jesus is regenerated in their hearts and minds. And, it happens again on Pentecost when the Spirit falls on Jesus’ followers who were Jewish and again on Jesus’ followers who were Gentiles.

And how about for us? When we believe it, we receive the same Spirit that lived in Jesus. It is regenerated in us as we receive Christ’s Spirit into our inner spirit. As we come to know God in our hearts. That’s one possible meaning of ‘Atonement.’ Or, at-one-ment with Christ. Christ’s prayer, “that we may all be one” becomes our reality. Totally. We are at one with God and God’s presence and love. We know God’s forgiveness and grace.

Paul says we have freedom from anything that gets in the way from us having God. Our guilt. Our mistakes. Our anger. Our lack of faith. The evils that come with broken relationships. None of it can separate us from at-one-ment with God when we believe. God’s holiness is within us.

I encourage you, as Christians, everything we do and say, how we see the world, how we make our choices, how we form our opinions, how we see and relate to others, how we work and conduct ourselves… all of our lives are lived in the context of Atonement. That we are one in Christ. One in the Spirit. Can we say to ourselves, “I am One with Christ?” Say it with me, “I am one with Christ.” Can we believe, “I am one with God in the Spirit?” Say it with me, “I am one with God in the Spirit.” If you believe it and will it, then by God’s grace, it is so.

And I proclaim it with you because it is such good news! At-one-ment with God is not a partial thing. It is through and through. The Holy Spirit spreads into every part of our being. Our conscious life. Our sub-conscious life. Our unconscious life. It helps us realize that we have picked up and are wearing the mantle of Christ’s Spirit.

That’s the second metaphor. The mantle that parts the waters is the cloak that Elijah wears and is left behind as he departs. Elisha picks up that mantle, accepts it as his own. As he receives it, he takes on the divine qualities that are of the Spirit. He is able to part the waters of the Jordan as he returns.

We figuratively pick up the mantle of Christ’s living Spirit and have atonement with God. We accept his living Spirit as our own.

And as we receive Christ’s Spirit, I think we also receive the fruits of the Spirit. The divine qualities of the Spirit. Remember what they are? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, just to name a few! We might be able to add being just, and humble, and inclusive, and tolerant of diversity, and hospitable, and open and affirming. Just to name a few more!

With God’s holiness in us, together, with the fruits of the Spirit, I started to wonder if this means we have a role to play—could we help part the waters, the obstacles to God and God’s ways? Seemingly insurmountable forces such as conspiracy theories, election fraud, white supremacy, gun violence, systemic injustice (like the elephant stepping on the mouse)—are these all waters that can be parted if people of faith everywhere would wear the mantle of Christ and practice fruits of the Spirit?

Because love parts the waters of hatred. Joy and peace are what can turn enemies into friends, and if not friends, then at the very least, caring neighbors, recognizing that every person is a human being and is made in God’s image. Generosity can part the waters of stinginess and greed and self-centeredness. Faithfulness and patience can part the waters of religious superiority (that’s religism) and religious certainty, narrowmindedness, and one dimensional viewpoints, whether in religion or cultural issues.

I chuckled at this cartoon that I know several of you saw. It shows the January 6th hearings on the TV in a living room and the man says, “Turn that off! I won’t let facts and truths get in the way of my opinion...” I know… some of you may not like that cartoon. But, you get the point.

Self-control can part the waters of slacktivism and complacency. Gentleness and kindness helps part the waters of hostility and intolerance and resistance toward marginalized people.

Today we are recognizing Pride month. And I proclaim that our Open and Affirming Covenant invites us to practice the fruits of the Spirit. Because love, and gentleness and kindness and faithfulness all can part the waters of homophobia and intolerance. Our Covenant also invites us to welcome and express hospitality not just to people of the LGBTQ+ community, but people of all communities that experience discrimination and bias, segregation and ostracization.

So, I invite your help in ending this sermon by saying with me our Open and Affirming Covenant:

We, Christ Church United Church of Christ of Elizabethtown seek to grow extravagant love, hospitality and inclusion. We are an Open and Affirming (ONA) church that believes everyone is created in God’s image. If you are widowed, single, married, separated, partnered, young or young-at-heart, we embrace and affirm you. However you identify through ethnicity/race, culture, family configurations, sexual orientation and gender identities and expressions, we welcome and affirm you. Regardless of your experiences, economic circumstances, physical abilities, or cognitive and emotional abilities, we support and affirm you.

Everyone is welcome to participate fully in the life, leadership, ministry, and mission of Christ Church as we walk together to become a safe, nurturing community of faith, a home to visit and share. No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.

Indeed. Let’s be quiet and pray.

Holy God, fair and just, as you are one with us and we are one with you, please empower us to practice the fruits of the Spirit that you develop in us, so that together we may help part the waters that prohibit your world from becoming fair and just. In Christ we pray. Amen.

When Faith Refocuses You

Sun, 19 Jun 2022 14:31:05 GMT

Gal. 3: 23-29

1 Kings 19: 1-16

“When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.”

Prayer: May our faith be moved, O God, as we listen for your voice in the sound of silence. Amen.

Rarely is it a bad thing to dig around some history when we recognize as day such as Juneteenth. Last year at this time, President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. The day is now a federal holiday commemorating June 19th, 1865 as the day when the last enslaved African American people in Galveston, Texas were told that they were free by order of the “Emancipation Proclamation.”

Amazing though… the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Lincoln on September 22, 1862 and became effective on January 1, 1863. So if you do the math… from the January 1, 1863 to June 19, 1865 is 2.5 years! And if you start from the day of signing, that was almost three years! Three years before the word “freedom” was enacted and made known for those black Americans. Three years they continued in slavery! Three years! Too bad they didn’t have social media or the Internet! That would have been instantaneous freedom! But as it was, the word finally was put into practice for those last remaining slaves in Texas.

Interesting though, the Proclamation wasn’t for every slave throughout the US. It was only for those slaves in the Confederate states. It would take the 13th Amendment to apply freedom for every slave in the US finally ratified in December of 1865.

I read that President Lincoln believed so strongly in the slaves’ freedom that if there was only one thing he wanted to be remembered for in his Presidency, it was that he issued the Emancipation Proclamation. He was zealous for it to become law. He was energized by the idea that not only would slaves be free, but such freedom, Lincoln believed, was absolutely necessary to keep the United States of America, well, united. He wanted to preserve the union.

And even though there was enormous resistance from the southern states, including a plot to kill him, Lincoln knew that abolishing slavery in the Confederate states was the only way to keep the union in tact. So, little bit of history.

So, I see some parallels to the Elijah story. Elijah was energized for God. He was zealous for the Lord believing in God’s power over any of the prophets of god Baal. And when Elijah calls on God to consume the burnt offering, God complies. Elijah then kills all of Baal’s prophets! But that makes King Ahab and Queen Jezebel super mad. They were ardent followers of Baal. Jezebel in particular wants Elijah dead and threatens his life.

So, the once zealous prophet, Elijah, the once energized voice box for the Lord, now is in fear for his life. He feels all alone. And he knows that in all likelihood, the power of the state, with its army and resources, led by the evil Ahab and Jezebel, eventually will catch up to him and kill him. So, he asks God to get it over with quickly. “Kill me now.”

It’s easy to do, isn’t it? To get caught up in what just happened, to let the past paralyze you? There seems to be no indication that that was what happened to President Lincoln, but it sure seems like it happened to Elijah. Even though he was God’s prophet, fear froze him. He couldn’t see the way ahead. He’s like whining about his predicament. So, he lay down to sleep, literally to die.

God had different ideas. But God always sees the bigger picture. The whole picture. The fear Elijah has and the ‘poor me’ attitude are not the most pressing things from God’s viewpoint. The inability for Elijah to see the way ahead doesn’t mean that God is done with him. Not by any stretch.

So, God has to refocus him. Not through big, dramatic, mountain-top experiences, not through powerful winds, or earthquakes, or devastating fire… No, God has to refocus Elijah (and us) through silence. Through the undramatic. Through the basic moments of time alone with God.

God wants our utmost trust and faith in what God is doing in our lives, even when we feel overwhelmed or paralyzed. When the obstacles are too much. You felt that way lately?

Some bemoan that racism is engrained in our human nature, that there is no way we can ever eliminate it, and that there will always be violence and criminal activity because of it. It’s almost too much.

I hear complaining that the NRA is too big, and too many politicians are in bed with the NRA for smart, new gun laws to come into being. It’s overwhelming.

Some gripe that the state legislatures and Supreme Court Justices are too ideologically stacked against the LGBTQ+ community, so much so that it’s almost impossible to have fair, just laws on the books. It feels so defeating at times.

Some whine that the stock market is losing big, and inflation is gaining big, and a recession seems to be imminent, and there isn’t much any one person or agency can do to stop any of that. And we throw up our hands.

Some grumble that we don’t have enough money to support what our church’s ministries need and that we are always running on a deficit budget, and that we should be a self-sustaining church, giving to all those in need.

And, make no mistake. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t be whining and complaining and demanding change and justice and fairness and faithfulness in any of these and any other overwhelming situations we face. We should be speaking up. And, I get it that I’m speaking as a privileged person living in privileged times.

I’m just preaching that I believe we first have to come unto God. I believe God wants our utmost trust and faith in what God is doing in our lives, in any and all our circumstances. When we feel overwhelmed. When life is difficult. When I’ve run out of my own abilities, my own devices, when words fail me. When memory is fleeting. God simply says, “Come. Come into the silence. Come. Refocus on me,” says God. In the easy and privileged circumstances… “Come,” says God.

It’s easier to come unto God when we face difficult circumstances, isn't it? We need God. It’s more difficult to come unto God when things are good because we believe we ’re doing ok. But, difficult or easy. It doesn’t matter. God wants us to come unto God for everything. When we place our trust and faith in God for everything, when our faith refocuses us on God, then we start to understand that God is at work in all our circumstances.

And we can whine and complain in God’s presence about our current situations. Our frustrations. Our complete bafflement about what we may perceive as God’s silence. All of which is OK. Because God wants all of us—our full self.

But don’t be surprised if God says, “I hear you. But, I have more at stake then what you perceive. Get up. Eat. You will need my strength for I what I will do through you for others. The time is now, not so much to react to what has happened, but to be proactive as to what new thing I am doing.”

So, I think the message to Elijah and to us is, “You’re not alone. There is more work to be done. And I want you at my beckon call to help get it done. You’re going through tough stuff right now? I know it. Speak your complaint. But trust me. Refocus on me. Obey my ways. For I am with you. There is more for me to do through you for others.”

So, for Elijah...with his faith refocused on God, the proactive new thing God was doing through Elijah was to anoint new kings in his political world, new leaders. And on the spiritual front, Elijah was to anoint his successor Elisha in his place.

When your faith in God refocuses you, ask yourself, what new thing is God proactively doing through you? Breaking down walls? Building spiritual bridges? Understanding that refocusing on God makes us clothed with Christ? That in Christ there is no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, black or white, or red or yellow, or lesbian, gay, straight, bi, trans, queer, rich or poor? That all of us are one in Christ? When faith refocuses you God does things through you for others.

One quick story… then I’ll stop. My friend and colleague, Professor of New Testament, Rev. Dr. Greg Carey tells the story of one of his “faith heroes” Clarence Jordan, founder of the Koinonia Farm, an intentional farming community in Georgia from which Habitat for Humanity emerged. Clarence founded the farm in the 40’s amid complaints that he encouraged white and black people to share covered dish dinners together. His white colleagues shared the table with black employees. The complaints grew into ire, then ire turned into violence, and the Koinonia roadside stand that sold farm produce was burned down one night. Not deterred, Clarence built another one that was soon blown up by dynamite. o, they gave up the roadside stand, and started selling pecans through the mail, with Jordan’s advertising slogan, “Help Us Ship the Nuts Out of Georgia!”

But Clarence Jordan was a faithful Christian, and when the KKK found out that he was eating with his black employees, a Klan representative confronted him, warning him that they would not let the sun set on a white man who shared table with black people. Clarence paused (I think that was a listening to God in the sheer silence moment). He breathed deeply, offered a broad smile, and began shaking the man’s hand. He said with a lilt in his voice, “I’m a Baptist preacher, and I just graduated from Southern Baptist Seminary. I’ve heard about people who had power over the sun, but I never hoped to meet one.”

After a long pause, the man replied, “I’m a son of a—-I’m a son of a Baptist preacher myself.” As the story goes, “they talked and laughed, and the old sun went right on down.” If only it always worked out like that (Carey, Greg, Sinners: Jesus and His Earliest Followers , Baylor University Press, Waco Texas, 2009, pgs. 183-4).

So, let’s refocus, and with faith, come unto God, and listen for God’s voice in the sound of sheer silence, and discover what new, proactive thing God will do through you for others. What new proactive thing God is doing through the recognition and celebrations of Juneteenth. What new proactive thing God is doing through us at Christ Church. All this likely echoes in the sounds of silence. Amen.

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An Ash Wednesday sermon beginning the "Faith Mountain Climbing" worship series. Get over the mountain of self-serving interest of how others see you and zero in on how God sees you.

The Freedom of Seeing Spiritually

A sermon about our minds being free to see the world and everything in it the way God sees it.

Christian Common Sense

A sermon about how life may be lived with God in your heart.

Holy Fall, Holy Call

A sermon about hearing God's call even after going through a fall.

Under the Truth that Hurts

Under a painful truth in your life is a powerful love of God that is patient and kind.

We're So Different, But Whatever!