A Holy Handshake

Sermon given Oct. 11, 2015 at United Church of Beloit

Genesis 18:1-8

The Three Visitors

18  The  Lord  appeared to Abraham  near the great trees of Mamre  while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent  in the heat of the day.  2  Abraham looked up  and saw three men  standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

3  He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes,  my lord, do not pass your servant by.  4  Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet  and rest under this tree.  5  Let me get you something to eat,  so you can be refreshed and then go on your way―now that you have come to your servant.”

“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”

6  So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”

7  Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf  and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.  8  He then brought some curds  and milk  and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them.  While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

12  Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord  and who admonish you.  13  Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.14  And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle  and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,  be patient with everyone.  15  Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong,  but always strive to do what is good for each other  and for everyone else.

16  Rejoice always,  17  pray continually,  18  give thanks in all circumstances;  for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19  Do not quench the Spirit.  20  Do not treat prophecies  with contempt  21  but test them all;  hold on to what is good,  22  reject every kind of evil.

23  May God himself, the God of peace,  sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul  and body be kept blameless  at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  24  The one who calls  you is faithful,  and he will do it.

25  Brothers and sisters, pray for us.  26  Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.  27  I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

28  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

A Holy Handshake

We are discussing the various aspects of the worship service, why we do them and how. This week we are discussing the “Greeting time” or “Passing of the Peace.”

what is a holy kiss?? NOT like on tv!! more of a peck on the cheek or even an 'air kiss' a way to greet –showed utmost respect and affection. (among equals)

In our OT lesson,

Abraham showed perfect hospitality to his visitors. Striving to be sure they were cared for and comfortable. And standing by just in case they needed anything else! What a great host. He did not at that time know this was a visitation from the Lord.

Yesterday I was blessed to conduct a wedding for a wonderful young couple. They had planned a year ago to have their wedding in another church, but staffing changes happened and that fell through. So last spring the bride and her parents were in Beloit checking out churches, and drove by here. It was the day of our work party so the first folks they met included Steve and Martin who were grubby from digging up shrubs....... then they came in here, where I was supervising the cleaning of pew cushions LOL. The parents and grandparents have attended here a few times, even tho they do have a church home. But they have felt welcomed here and they have found that family feeling here.

Holy handshake...

Our NT lesson tells how to live well in community!! acknowledge those who work hard, encourage those who need it, help those who need help. Yes admonish those who need it also –in love, not in a mean way! Strive to do what is good for each other and everyone else....

or put another way...

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!!

and our text goes on, Rejoice always, pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances! And then, finally...greet each other with a holy kiss!

Greeting one another is part of our worship of God. “I wish you the peace of Christ.” It is part of our life of faith, it goes along with prayer! Reading this whole passage again really brought that home to me. This is why it is important to read the bible not just a few verses at a time. Because the context matters too.

Not all churches do 'passing of the peace' or greeting each other. And it we are coming into flu season!! if you choose not to shake hands that's fine! But...there is hand sanitizer in the back. There's some here...most of gals have it in our handbags and I think most of us would share!

So why do we say “Peace be with you?” this is a tradition that goes back to the very earliest church. The first Christians were Jewish followers of Jesus. And Jesus greeted people by saying Shalom! Peace be with you! Shalom does indeed mean peace. And even much more.   To English speakers, peace is the absence of conflict. It is the state of calm or serenity. Shalom however is “well being,” “health,” or “flourishing.” “wholeness”

So Jewish people to this day greet each other with Shalom. Saying I pray that you have peace and well-being.

as I said not all churches do a greeting time...

I've been in several other churches....

Some churches IF they do a greeting time... do it very briefly, very formally-A nod or stiff handshake to one side. some churches do a quick but friendly handshake, maybe even reaching across pews.

And then there are churches where it's a family reunion! And it is a vital part of the worship. I have been in many churches with a variety of greeting time, or none, and I believe that the ones where it feels like a reunion is a healthy church! The congregation care about each other!

Good hospitality, living out our faith, is all about putting yourself in the other person's shoes, so to speak. Imagine how YOU would feel and treat others the way you would want to be treated.

Imagine you went to a church for the first time. You may not know anyone inside, you aren't sure which door to go in or where to sit. And so you go in and no one says hello. If you offer your hand, one may say “I'm not shaking hands because its flu season.' but that person then turns and shakes hands with someone they greet by name. How would you feel? I know someone that happened to. This woman is looking for a church home and that 1 person refusing to shake her hand, but then did shake others....well needless to say that church will not be the new home for this gal. Unfortunately, it was this church. I am not trying to point fingers –it could have been any one of us!

The vast majority of the time we do a good job here. But one slip and it could have been any one of us!! one little slip up is all it might take for hurt feelings.

When we greet one another in a caring compassionate manner, we are not just saying Hi, we are sharing our wish of a good morning or peace for them. It's actually a form of prayer. We are building community.

This can be carried on outside of church too! And that may be even more important!

the greeting time is part of our worship experience and greeting each other is part of our life of faith-just as much as prayer and scripture! One of our parishioners has recently moved into assisted living. Now that is often a hard transition for folks. This gal tho is making the absolute best of it. Since she moved in, she is very deliberate about always greeting others, good morning or good afternoon. Whether she is in her doorway, or in the common areas or on the way to physical therapy, she always greets others. At first, Some people looked surprised, or looked away. It was unexpected and they were a tad uncomfortable with it! But she's kept it up, and now she gets responses, and other folks are greeting others. Her good will is spreading outward and is making this facility a bit better place to be.

This is how we live our faith. We let the Light of Christ shine when we greet each other, whether we say good morning or peace be with you. We live our faith when we greet everyone as a child of God.

Shalom!  

I took this photo during a lovely peaceful moment  at a local park. 

World Communion Day sermon "As a Little Child"

Psalm 8, Mark 10, As a Little Child (Sun Valley Presbyterian)

Sunset over Rock River Beloit a few weeks ago 

October 4, 2015 World Communion Sunday Pastor Carol P. Taylor

Psalm 8 (NRSV)

Divine Majesty and Human Dignity

To the leader: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David.

1  O  Lord, our Sovereign,
        how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.
2          Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
        to silence the enemy and the avenger.

3  When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
        the moon and the stars that you have established;
4  what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
        mortals  that you care for them?

5  Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
        and crowned them with glory and honor.
6  You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
        you have put all things under their feet,
7  all sheep and oxen,
        and also the beasts of the field,
8  the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
        whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

9  O  Lord, our Sovereign,
        how majestic is your name in all the earth!

{Thanks for warm welcome etc... enjoyed working together with VBS and etc}

Psalm 8 is a psalm of David, great king of Jewish people. He lived about 1000 years before the time of Christ.

Sense of majesty of God's creation. We seem small in comparison, yet God cares for us, for each of us! How can that be? That we humans were created especially for relationship with God and with one another and yet our mere fragile bodies seem to be nothing in comparison to the wonders of creation. Out of the mouths of babes...Jesus quotes this verse in Matthew's gospel ch 21,

15But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant.

  16"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him.
            "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read,
      " 'From the lips of children and infants
            you have ordained praise'?"

Jesus loved children. The Gospels tell us several times that Jesus welcomed children and something very special to say about them. Let's look at one of those passages..

Mark chapter 10, vs 13-16 NRSV

Jesus Blesses Little Children

13  People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them.  14  But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.  15  Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”16  And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

Context is important here!

In the preceding chapter, we see the disciples arguing about which of them is the greatest. Jesus tells them, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

and “for whoever is not against us is for us.”

Then comes Jesus' teaching on Marriage and Divorce.

this section about the children, is immediately followed by the story of the Rich young ruler, whom Jesus tells him to sell all he has, and the young man walks away, downcast. He treasures his possessions too much. This whole section of the Gospel is about the value of people and relationships. Not possessions. Remember in this time period the societal view of the value of men was their ability to produce goods and services, and the value of women and children was to help that process. Children were very much thought of as “should be seen and not heard” this is why the disciples were shushing and shooing the children away.

Jesus' seems to be telling us here that society has it backwards. That people -all people- have value, the people viewed as 'lowest on the totem pole' so to speak are the most valued. In fact he says adults need to be more like children...

15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it."  Those are Strong words!!

Childlike, or childish! --there's a big difference :D

Children's Letters to God

Dear God,
Thank you for the baby brother but what I asked for was a puppy. Joyce

Dear God,
my Grandpa says you were around when he was a little boy. How far back do you go? Love, Dennis

Dear God,
is it true Daddy won't get in Heaven if he uses his golf words in the house?
Anita

Dear God,
maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they each had their own rooms. It works out OK with me and my brother. Larry

Dear God,
I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday night. That was really cool. Thomas

This is the kind of enthusiastic delight that kids have. Did you ever go on a walk with a toddler? “look a bug!” “Look a leaf!” “Another bug!” “ Look a stick!” Every single thing is new and exciting! Tiny things that we take for granted or even consider to be an annoyance is a source of delight to a young child. That is what we see in the letter about the “Cool” purple and orange sunset. That is what we see in our Psalm reading! A pure delight and sense of wonder in God's creation. And a sense of awe that God who made such a variety of creation, should care about individual people, you and me. This is a child-like sense that I believe Jesus wants us to have. It is child LIKE, not childish. There is a big difference!

Childish is immature, emotionally driven behavior. Childlike - loving and appreciative!

Childish is most of what we see on TV Reality shows! And some of the politics....but I really don't want to go there …

Child-like is enthusiasm and enjoyment of what's around us.

Enthusiasm is what small children seem to have in abundance! Did you know the word enthusiasm literally means, God within?

I believe Jesus is telling us to allow to come out...that Joy & appreciation that we have when we have God within us. The Joy that we feel in a good, family feeling church :D the joy of a job well done, for its own sake, not for any praise it may bring us. When we have prayed to take Jesus Christ to be our lord and savior, we literally have God within, through the gift of the Holy spirit. And we can pray today and every day, to remember that joy, that enthusiasm. God LOVES to answer prayers like that!

There was an article in the NY Times online a while back about “the Right way to pray?” it is written by a man ZEV CHAFETS who describes himself as a Jewish Agnostic..raised in the Jewish traditions, but not sure whether there is truly a God or not. For this article, he wanted to experience various traditions. He went to a class where Protestant seminary students are being taught to pray. He interviewed (and was interviewed by) a spiritual trainer, who spoke about finding silent time and seeking the Presence of the Divine. He met with a Rabbi, and a Catholic priest. Both talked about the changes occurring in the past decades, the broadening of worship and prayer practices, and the influence of Eastern religions.

...

But what really spoke to this writer was his experience on Easter Sunday at a small church in a small town, Berkeley Springs, WV. As the choir rehearsed before worship, he sat in a pew jotting notes. He noticed a young girl writing in a notebook and she told him she wants to be a reporter too. As he talked with her and showed her how to write her name in Hebrew other kids came over as well. And they talked about their prayers.

He wrote: “They didn’t need R...prayer techniques, or the high-tech mantras... Their prayers weren’t..offered to whom it may concern. They didn’t pray to de-center their egos or find transcendence or to set off on a lifelong therapeutic spiritual journey. They prayed to a God with whom they were on a first-name basis, and they believed their prayers gave them power, which they used on behalf of their asthmatic sisters and infirm grandparents and a kid they knew with burns on his body. (Zev continued) Sitting in church on Easter morning, I realized that I was probably never going to become a praying man. But if, by some miracle, I ever do, I hope my prayers will be like the prayers of the kids I met at the Love church in Berkeley Springs. Straight up{prayers} on behalf of people who really need the help.”

My friends, we live in a world that needs straight up Prayers. We may not comprehend how this world works, any more than a little child comprehends where the bugs and sticks come from!

This week a mass murderer in Oregon targeted Christians. It's appalling. We may never know what was in the mind of this man, or how he was unable to have the kind of psychiatric care he needed. Certainly we pray for his loved ones, who grieve his death along with his actions. We pray for the families of those who were murdered. But there is violence happening every day. People do not have enough to eat, a safe place to sleep. People act as if no one else matters and “SELF” must get ahead at any cost. And Jesus weeps. I believe Jesus weeps every single day, over this country as He wept over Jerusalem. Because Jesus came to show us the Kingdom of God. God's kingdom is a place of Shalom. Peace. The perfect peace of God, which is no violence of any sort, everlasting peace! But Shalom is also safety and protection, well-being for all of God's creation, completeness and harmony, perfect harmony. That is what Jesus came to earth to bring. And we can approach this shalom when we live our faith, in childlike wonder. We live in hard times, violence, divisiveness and anger everywhere. If we do everything WE can to live our faith, we shine a light into the darkness and the darkness can not comprehend that light. So we keep on living in the Light. Look! I have faith! I bring you a meal. I bring you a Vacation Bible school lesson. I bring you back packs filled with school supplies by volunteers from 12 churches in Beloit! Look! Its God's kingdom breaking out here in Beloit!!

We are about to take communion today, on a day when Christians all over the world are partaking. It may be called The Eucharist or Lord's Supper, depending on tradition. It may be served with wine or grape juice, with a flat bread, a loaf, or wafers. But no matter how it is done, it all based on a tradition instituted by Jesus at a meal commemorating the Passover.

Author Henri Nouwen wrote:

The two disciples whom Jesus joined on the road to Emmaus recognised him in the breaking of the bread. What is a more common, ordinary gesture than breaking bread? It may be the most human of all human gestures: a gesture of hospitality, friendship, care, and the desire to be together. Taking a loaf of bread, blessing it, breaking it, and giving it to those seated around the table signifies unity, community, and peace. When Jesus does this he does the most ordinary as well as the most extraordinary. It is the most human as well as the most divine gesture.

The great mystery is that this daily and most human gesture is the way we recognise the presence of Christ among us. God becomes most present when we are most human.

When we recognize God's presence, especially when we are most in need of it, then we in turn want to share it with others. We do this reaching out to one another in prayer in gratitude. Take a moment each day to enjoy God's wonder. The color of the leaves, the stunning blue sky, the purple and orange of the sunset! We can bring our prayers for ourselves and each other and for the world to Him, as a little child. Because of the Love of God expressed through the Life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have God within. We can ask, as a little child, for more appreciation and joy in all of God's creation. Take a moment to thank God for Shalom and ask help in bringing it to others, With a smile, with the Love of Christ. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with US! 

Losing 10 in 10 weeks :)

Losing 10 pounds in 10 weeks! 

My apologies for not posting for several days. As you may know, my weekend was rudely interrupted when I fell on Sunday and had to get some stitches on my forehead. There were no initial signs of concussion, but I am having to rest and recoup for a few days.

One of the most important aspects of a healthier lifestyle is balance! What I mean is keeping a balance between all the areas of our lives. --yes balance as in not falling down is good too....clearly I need to work on that! ;)

We were created us as physical, intellectual, and spiritual beings, so all aspects of our humanity need to be nurtured. This is especially true if we are caring for others. The human body needs rest, good nutrition, and adequate hydration in order to function well physically. When we are busy or stressed, we may take shortcuts, using fast meals or caffeine drinks to recharge. It works in the short term, but medical science reminds us that these choices may do more harm than good. Following a healthy plan is much better for the body. It takes a commitment to a plan, but we feel better, look better and function better in the long run! (and recover better when things go awry!)  

Last week i worked out 3 days and made an effort to walk more, even if it's a few steps by parking further from the door. I admit the sweet tooth is challenging me! But by watching portions and moving more, i did lose 1 pound during the first week! 

How are you doing? Take good care of YOU this week! 

My photo of the flag atop the Phoenix Building downtown Beloit. 

Inspiration

Need some inspiration for your healthy lifestyle? This story from last fall is a great reminder that age is no barrier to fitness. Ms Willie Murphy is self-taught power lifting champion-- at the age of 77!  'It's about life- L-I-F-E" she says!

USA Today story about Ms Willie Murphy

10 lbs in 10 weeks...day 2!

My goal is to lose 10 pounds in 10 weeks! this is Day 2. thank you for joining me!

My intention is to post 3 times a week. As we are starting, it will be a bit more frequent, to help get us into a routine. I will not post a “Diet”. If following a specific diet helps you, then by all means follow it! But remember, a “diet” is usually a short term solution. When the diet is over, we may fall back into old patterns and regain the weight and lose some healthy muscle tone if we stop exercising too! We are in this for the long term! The goal is more than losing a few pounds! The goal is to work towards a healthy balance of good food, moving more, and feeling better!

We will discuss choices. We can choose to have fruit and veggies at each and every meal. After all it's mid summer, and lots of goodies are in season here in the Midwest! It's a perfect time to try new foods and new ideas for old faves. We will choose lean protein and whole grains. We may even enjoy chocolate, or ice cream or frozen custard, in moderation! Because we all enjoy a treat sometimes and learning to enjoy good quality food, savoring the aroma and texture and flavor, is an important step on this journey.  

We may even discover that a beautifully balanced meal is a treat. and a balanced lifestyle is definitely a treat. 

getting better all the time!

Today is Monday, July 27. It's been a busy summer so far, with LOTS of ups and downs, like most of the rest of life! But today is also 10 weeks until my birthday, and 90 days until Lisa Rambo, former Biggest Loser contestant and dear friend, comes to Beloit! Lisa will tell her story at a public event at my church to help others be the BEST they can be!

Today, I commit to ROCK my program...healthy food choices, more exercise. And I commit to lose 10 lbs on or before my birthday. And I commit to ENJOY the journey.

Want to join me? A few times a week I will post tips and ideas that have helped me, and we will make this a positive effort. This is not just about weight loss, but about a lifestyle that promotes well being.  

This is not a competition. This is about supporting each other and being positive. Who's with me?  

Laura Sue Schackelman Eddy 

My cousin Laura is the gorgeous gal in the white dress. this pic is about 21 years ago. She is holding her daughter Amanda, who was 4 then, to her right is her niece Holly and the young man is Laura's son Mario, when he was about 16.  This is how i remember her, with that bright smile and loving her family. She died last week at the age of 56, of metastatic breast cancer. Here is what I said at her Memorial Service on Saturday July 25. 

One of the bright lights our lives has gone out. Laura and I were cousins, our dads were brothers. She and her sister Diane and I have always been very close, though we lived in different cities. We played Barbies together as kids, giggled together at a movie as teens, shopped together, and raised our kids at the same time. We vacationed together, playing cards, hiking, shopping, watched our kids catch fish and learn to swim. And we ate. And cooked, and ate...our conversations always went back to food, whether in person or on the phone.

Laura was a remarkable woman. She was one of the most generous, thoughtful people ever. She loved to cook and make sure people were well cared for. She had an incredible gift for listening, and remembering. She used that gift to help all of us feel better about ourselves.

She loved to be out in nature, in her yard, or in a park, or in the beautiful north woods of Wisconsin. She, as so many of us, found incredible beauty and peace in nature. There were some times it wasn't quite so peaceful, though, like when she drove that old Jeep like a bat out of....you know where!

Laura loved to go camping-- for night or two or longer. Now camping for Laura was NOT 'roughing it'! Yes they were in a tent, but she had her electric blanket, her coffee maker and toaster too! (Amanda added "and her air conditioner!) Camping never meant going without the comforts of home.

And Laura's home was always comfortable-for her and for everyone who stopped by. The couch may not be new, but it was great to sit on, and sleep on! And there was good food...Laura was a great cook. And nothing made her happier than to share a meal or dessert...especially dessert-- with people she cared about.

I remember when we spent a weekend with them in Crivitz, she fixed up an aero-bed for us, and put the electric blanket on the mattress, since we'd been hiking all day and she knew we'd be achy. That kind of thoughtfulness was so typical!

She remembered little details about who liked what...or disliked!

She loved music, all different kinds...especially Pink Floyd. She played the piano well. She played REALLY well when she was mad. I remember when she was a teen I got to their house and Laura was crashing out Beethoven on the piano, her mom was in the kitchen banging around pots and pans...they had had a fight.

Their fights often included her mom saying, “I hope someday you have a daughter and she's JUST LIKE YOU!” …..Well, Amanda...

Amanda posted on FB once aobut her mom pounding out Pink Floyd's Shine on You Crazy Diamond, ..and every year they went to see PINK FLOYD tribute band together. What great times that must have been for you both!

Laura never had much materially...but she was quick to share what she had, she would almost give you the shirt off her back! She loved to give, she loved birthdays and Christmas and gifts for no reason...just to reach out. She gave the PERFECT gifts―because she listened and paid attention and remembered so well. One of her final gifts, was given through the Rainbow Hospice connection to a Make-a Wish program. When Laura was asked what she would like, she, as always, thought of others first...she wanted to take Amanda and Mason to the Wisconsin Dells...so they got to go.

As Diane put it, for being one person in a small town, Laura lived a big life of loving everyone she encountered...whether an elderly neighbor, her daughter's friend, customers at the bakery and of course all of her family and friends.

She also had a remarkable knack for being able to take a step back and see the absurdity and humor in life, especially life in a small town- and share it with us. She loved to laugh, and would make a comment or tell a story...and we could laugh and laugh together. And you might find yourself weeks later remembering that and start laughing all over again! Even in her final illness..I had taken some chocolate cake to her house...this was about a week before she died. She ate some and we were sitting together. she said she was having some double vision. She said, "yes i see 2 of everything." Then she said, "at least i have 2 pieces of cake!" 

In 1993, both Laura's Mom Shirley and my Dad had cancer and died eight weeks apart. That was an intense year, and we girls ran up some hellacious long distance phone bills. Those phone talks got us through the rough days of the illnesses and grief afterwards.

Over the years, sometimes life got in the way and we didn't talk or get together enough. But we knew the other was there and deeply loved. Even when it had been a long time, when we talked, the time melted away as though it had been a few days.

Laura was probably sick for long time without knowing..or admitting it. She was always caring for others... She was so busy caring for others, she forgot to take care of herself. Had she done so, would she still be here? It's hard to say. Doctors still don't know nearly enough about cancer. Her mother, Shirley, was diligent about check ups, but her diagnosis was missed until it was basically too late. And it would seem that Laura's was a pretty aggressive cancer. So we won't second guess. But please do remember to take care of yourself..not selfishly. But in the sense of putting on your own oxygen mask first, so that you can then put on your loved one's. Do things that promote your health, so you can care for others as well as Laura cared for us.

And do care for others, that's the best way to honor her life. Take time to listen, to the older neighbor, he may have the best story you will hear all week! Or the young friend of your child...she may be need to hear that you care. This is what Laura did for us, and how we can honor her life and her memory.

Today is only one step in our journey together. We will share more memories and some tears and laugh together.

Laura was a remarkable woman, one who left an impression on everyone she knew. There's a quote by Helen Keller “What we have once enjoyed we can never lose; All that we love deeply, becomes a part of us.” Laura became a part of all of us, by her love, her generosity, and enjoyment of life. When we honor her by sharing her love and caring, we help her continue to be part of our lives and those of others.

Our family has a lot of stories about odd things that happen, that could be interpreted as hearing from a loved one who has passed away. There is a powerful story of our grandmother, Uncle Joe's mother, when she was a young girl and was quite ill with Spanish Influenza during the devastating epidemic, saw 2 doves land on the windowsill, and she knew that her mother and brother had died. Other stories are less powerful, lots of finding pennies from heaven. While Diane and I were talking about this the other day, she found a penny! Laura and Diane's grampa Fritz always thought those stories were silly, until one day in his NEW car, a tie clip that had been a gift, that he mislaid years before, fell out of the visor of his NEW car, right onto his lap.....Our Aunt Fran has a lamp that belonged to her sister Joan before she died. from time to time, that lamp will light up, randomly, often on a birthday or anniversary of some sort. a couple years ago I got a phone call Aunt Fran saying, "Joan lit her lamp yesterday to remind me of your dad's and your birthdays!"

The other night, I was uploading photos of Laura to be printed out, and thinking about today's service. I had windows open, this was just about sunset, and birds were singing, but I really wasn't paying attention, I was trying hard to get a good quality print and cropping...and finally I noticed a persistent sound outside, a Cardinal, even though it was now past sunset was close by outside my window, whistling and singing. And I wondered if Laura sent him to me? And then I couldn't remember if Laura knew how much I love Cardinals, but Aunt Joan knew...and I think maybe Aunt Joan was showing Laura, “here honey, this is how you do it...”

Those moments of hearing from loved ones, or maybe it's coincidence...it doesn't matter what the “REAL” explanation is right now. Those moments bring us some comfort. They remind us that there is something after this life is over.

Life is not easy, Laura had some hard times. but she was grateful for what she had and she enjoyed her life because she enjoyed the people around her... And she enjoyed her family. She loved you all SO much. She especially loved being a Mom and Grandma. Mason, hang onto that love. It can help get you through a lot. It can help ALL of us get through a lot! And remember, she knew the Source of that love, of all Love. Laura knew and loved so well, she was SO filled with love, because she had the love of God in her heart-the truest love of all. God is Love and those who love Know God...

God so Loved the world, God gave his only begotten son....God loved, and God gave....Love inspires giving. Love inspires action. Laura knew this, she loved and gave so much! God gave us His Son Jesus to help us to know exactly how to love and live, and yes, to die. Because there is something more.

The Bible describes heaven this way:

Revelation 21:3b-4 ESV

…..“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man(kind). He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Amen.

God will personally wipe every tear away...what a beautiful image that is. It's an image of a perfect, intimate love. That is what Laura is experiencing right now! There is NO more pain, or grief or tears. Only love and light and peace. And one day, by God's grace, through our Lord Jesus, we will all be together in that beautiful place of love and light and perfect peace.   

Let us join together in singing Amazing Grace.  

Psalm 98 Mark 4, Joys and Concerns

Sermon given at United Church of Beloit July 19, 2015

Psalm 98

A psalm.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
2 The Lord has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
3 He has remembered his love
and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.

4 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
5 make music to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn―
shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;
9 let them sing before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity.

This psalm, specifically verse 8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;

was the theme for our NACCC Annual meeting in June. Held in Salt Lake City, Utah, in a hotel with a great view of mountains surrounding the city, it was fitting. A couple of evenings, Martin and I watched the mountains at sunset..how the colors on the mountains and the sky changed from golden hue to pinkish and purple...yes the mountains were singing..not audibly but there was profound beauty there.

I was originally not planning to attend the meeting this year, as Laura Erickson's our elected delegate. But I was asked to fill out the term of someone on the leadership team. So I am now serving on the Growth Ministry Council. In the new structure of the NA, there is an executive council, a board of directors and under them 3 ministry councils, one for Missions, one called Vitality and the Growth Ministries Council, which handles everything that doesn't fall into either of the other 2 categories :) those of us on the council enjoy that and refer to ourselves as the Merry Band of Misfits. During the pre-meeting we finished up writing a Policy and Procedure manual..which was actually more interesting than it sounds. I've never done much of that sort of thing but I am a good proofreader. And,it wasn't long before I could easily dictate “this team will assist churches and individuals, by seeking out, or developing, and providing Bible-based resources to assist in worship, education, etc, etc...”

The Growth Ministry Council had a display with our resources, and contact information, and we presented 2 workshops, which were well received. One of our group also did a workshop herself on worship for people with intellectual disabilities.

(Link below) I have samples of the resources, including the one that I did write, worship resources for lay leaders to use when the Sr Minister is away...which incorporates a variety of sources and theologies, and actually some Sr Ministers were interested in the list for their own use.

So that's the work that I did at the Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City. At the Sunday morning worship service, the texts were this Psalm and the Gospel lesson was from Mark chap 4...

this is in a section where Jesus is doing a LOT of teaching to crowds of people, telling parables, his stories that teach about the Kingdom of Heaven, and immediately following this story he does several miracles and healings. SO here is our Gospel lesson...

Mark 4:35-41

Jesus Calms the Storm

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

what a great story. This one is told in the 3 of the 4 gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. Mark's version adds the details of “they took him into the boat just as he was” and that he was sound asleep in the rear of the boat. Now this was not a luxury craft...this was an open fishing boat, probably no more than 30 feet long, if that. Jesus, fully divine, AND fully human, was TIRED. Exhausted, bone-weary. He was ASLEEP while the boat was being tossed by wind and waves, with water was coming into the boat.

And the disciples woke him saying, “Jesus don't you care if we drown?” (how can you sleep at a time like this!?) and Jesus got up, and calmed the storm with a word.

Have you ever felt like asking Jesus 'don't you care that I am about to go under?” “Sometimes I feel like a Motherless Child....”

I'm feeling that way lately as someone I love dearly is dying from cancer. As I pray for friends who have lost loved ones, or have someone in hospice care. But when I come here with you all, when I was at the meeting in SLC, when I am in a Book Bag Bash meeting with folks from 7 or 8 other churches....i know that Jesus cares. Because of the Bible. Because there are folks who are praying for us, for each of us, for this church, for Beloit. I know Jesus cares because there is joy in our worship. Even in our own griefs and losses, when we come together there is Joy, the joy of being together -that deep-down assurance that ultimately all will be well. because we have the Love of God through Jesus. Joy is that assurance that no matter how many storms, how rocky things get, God loves...So loved...that He sent Jesus, who came to live as a human being, able to live and love and even laugh with his very own creation! He lived as One of us, so he knew the joys and troubles of being a human being. And the weariness! Jesus did this to bring us that joy, that assurance. That comfort.

That assurance and joy comes from the peace of God, that Shalom. God's perfect peace which is also protection and wholeness. We may not experience the whole of Shalom every single day of our lives, but we will- on the other side, in heaven.

We have this knowledge when we come together because we are better together than apart. Like the USA Women's Soccer Team, Strong Alone, Unstoppable Together! That is us, as individuals, strong alone, unstoppable as a church! And as churches come together in our community, working with Caritas, Hands of Faith, other missions, and our Book Bag Bash, we are strong alone, and unstoppable together!

Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;
let them sing before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity.

Did you catch that? God will judge with equity...not harshness, but fairly. Yes we will be judged, but we have an advocate..the Spirit of God given by Jesus, who will stand by our side –because Jesus took our sin, our failings, onto His very self...on the cross.

let's pray--

Holy God, With a word you created all that is, and your word still has power to deliver us from storms of doubt and fear. Help us remember to always call upon you, our Lord and savior. Help our faith and trust, and so help us to live out your Love in our families and in this community. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.

* Resources from Growth Ministry Council

I could look at the mountains all day! The light changes, revealing new details of the range, and there is a slight haze that drifts over and away and comes back at sunset. The mountains surrounding Salt Lake City make for a beautiful vista.

I am in SLC for a church conference. My husband and I drove here from Southern Wisconsin. We had never been to Wyoming or here in SLC before. We have so enjoyed the natural beauty we saw all along the way. There were the rolling green hills of Iowa and the lush agriculture of Nebraska. In Western Nebraska and Wyoming we were climbing, some gradual climbs and some fairly steep! There were stunning bluffs rising up out of the high plains. And then we could see mountains, still capped with snow in June. We drove through part of Medicine Bow National Forest, stopping many times to walk, take photos, to enjoy the aroma of the cedar trees, and yes, to play in that snow! The natural beauty was jaw-dropping.

And then we drove through western WY into Utah and SLC. And again we were awe-struck by the beauty of it all.

One of my favorite scriptures is this:

Psalm 121

A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

The majesty of the mountains and all the natural beauty and wonders we have seen on this trip can not begin to compare with the majesty of God. God who, over and over, throughout the Bible reminds us that God is always with us, caring for us, weeping with us when life is hard, laughing with us when we are filled with joy. But we are so often not with God. We take things for granted, we may forget to give thanks for what we have and what we see.

God is even with those whose hearts are filled with hate. I can not fathom how...but that is because God is infinite and we are finite. No human, even the most creative, the most intelligent, the most spiritual, can truly comprehend God. And that's where the problems begin. If only each of us spent a few more moments each day looking up, figuratively if not actually, and spent time each day with the Bible and in prayer; and if we would ponder with gratitude the beauty around us, we could begin to draw a bit closer to the Loving God who made each of us to be in relationship with God and with each other. That is how we can help make the world a better place. 

Friday Five,- Ready to Go!

On your blog or in the comments tell us about five things you do to get ready to go. What do you do to prepare yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually to be away?

Well, this is timely, Hubby and I will soon be on the road! We are going (from home in southern Wisconsin) to Salt Lake City Utah, for our church's National Annual Meeting. This was not in our plans until just a few months ago-I was offered a leadership position! It's volunteer but my conference registration and half the hotel is paid for. So I have scrambled a bit to get the travel money, and plan the vacation that we 'wrap around" the conference.

So 5 ways I get ready to go?

LISTS! Written, and in Evernote, accessible from computer or tablet. (I don't have a smartphone..i use tablet instead) And since I keep my tablet next to the bed at night, I can update during the night if that's when I remember! And the inevitable written grocery list-- since we are driving we pack 'road snacks'. And my mental list of “today grocery store, tomorrow gas up the car...”

2) Google...maps, google search for parks, motels, restaurants on the way. Hubby & I have both spent a LOT of time doing this! He's been checking out Salt Lake City, as he is on vacation while I will be “stuck” in the hotel for the meetings :) 

I am checking out possible stops along the road there and back.

3) Packing and repacking...my clothes are folded and ready. And since we leave Sunday afternoon (after church, the Deacons meeting, a potluck and handing out VBS door knockers...) I have what I will wear to church ready to go too. When we get home we will change, pack toothbrushes and the cooler...and OFF we go!

4) Getting a pizza from our fave place at home...because we rarely find a great pizza while traveling. And we will get one from our other fave place when we get home...for the same reason :) 

5) Preparing myself spiritually is the hardest right now...a person dear to me (who is only 56!) has stage 4 cancer and is getting hospice care. She lives about 45 min from us, and we will see her before we leave, and again on our way home. It is possible that she could pass away while we are gone. I probably would NOT be leaving if I had known she was terminally ill before I got the offer for the leadership position. I admit to telling God I am pretty upset right now!!

So this trip especially, I have to be open to having my plans change. That's the hardest for me, I LOVE making plans. And I can be flexible-I can change at the last minute. I may grumble, but I can do it. But I have to have that plan to start off with-- a plan from which to deviate! And I suspect that our Loving Lord has a good laugh at all my planning...as there is a much bigger plan than I or any of us, can possibly envision.

I am humbled and honored to now be part of our denominational leadership. I never planned that! And to be able to travel to new places is icing on a really great cake. I appreciate the support of my family and church to help us make this trip! I appreciate your prayers for travel mercies. And I crave prayers for comfort for our family as we face the untimely loss of a loved one, especially for her, for her children, and grandchildren.

So my biggest “plan” is savor the moment, even the planning and the re-planning. To make sure I savor the day-even a cloudy rainy day, because we are only here a short time. I will take a lot of photos on the trip, as that's how I savor, and capture those moments for remembering later on. I  love to capture images of the beauty in nature and all around us, and hopefully help others see God's beauty through my photos. 

This photo is a duck family on the river at sunset. -part of my planning the other day was to take a walk! 

May 24, 2015 Dreams & Visions of Excellence

Dreams & Visions of Excellence 

Sermon given at United Church of Beloit, May 24, 2015-Pentecost Sunday

Romans 8:22-27 (NIV)

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Acts 2:1-21 (NIV)

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs―we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 “‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Pentecost in Jewish tradition...

there are 3 big festivals -Pasach or Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot.

Shavuot (Shah vu aht) Hebrew name. Pentecost in Greek, which was the common language in Jesus' time.

Shavout or Pentecost in the Jewish tradition, is counted 50 days, 7 weeks, or 7 sabbaths, from Passover.

This is a festival of first fruits. -given to the Lord, because God deserves the very best!

50 days after passover. Historically, it celebrates the giving of the Torah  at Mount Sinai―the giving of the word of God to the people...

Passover freed us physically from bondage, but the giving of the Torah on Shavu'ot redeemed us spiritually from our bondage to idolatry and immorality

So the people were gathered in Jerusalem for this special holiday! The reason for the emphasis on all the places the people came from is to say that the people had indeed come from far and wide, from north and south, east and west of Jerusalem, even from as far away as Rome!

Giving the first fruits....as Steve reminded us last week God is a God of excellence who expects that we give excellence as well. And our gifts should be right off the top...the first fruits..this is what this festival was about..harvesting, giving and enjoying the first harvest!

dreaming of excellence...visions and dreams...

Peter quotes prophet Joel.

Joel was a prophet about 800 years before the time of Jesus. His prophecies came when there was a terrible plague of locusts, causing a famine. And he reminded the people that God was indeed still with them, but they needed to shape up! This plague was not the final judgment, but it was symbolic of the end...and that in the end times, ALL kinds of people -not just men in positions of authority in the Temple...would have visions and prophesy. Peter reminds the people there that this prophecy- that the Holy Scriptures state clearly that the Spirit of God would be poured out on all people....

and Peter reminds the people of this prophecy!

Good old Peter, who only 7 weeks before, said oh Hey Jesus I am with you all the way....and hours later said, Nope not me, I don't know him....But later Jesus reinstated Peter..specifically saying to him, Tend my sheep! And then 7 weeks later, suddenly Peter is preaching with power!

As the Romans passage says, God's power helps us in our weakness!

Now...elsewhere in the Hebrew scriptures was a story about how to hear the voice of God. Elijah, one of the great Hebrew prophets was fleeing for his life and the Lord spoke to him...not in a torrent of fire, NOT in a rushing wind...but in a gentle whisper...a “still small voice.”

and here, we see God's presence in rushing wind, with tongues of flame?! How can this be?

Could it be that God needs to remind us that God is not bound by OUR our expectations? That God exceeds our expectations? We may get comfy and think we 'Know” about God but then something completely unexpected happens! And I think God wants to challenge us, to help us grow and to dream . To think 'outside the box'..to dream big...God-sized dreams.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” Often it seems that God is far away, judgmental, but over and over scripture says something like this...Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. The word in the original Greek for Saved is a great word....it means to be saved for all eternity, it also means to be rescued from danger and to be healed, to be made WHOLE...

Finally, there were certain celebrations and sacrifices and offerings which were prescribed in the Law for the day of Pentecost. On Pentecost, the High Priest was to take two loaves of freshly baked bread was made from the newly harvested wheat. The priest would take this bread and offer them before the Lord..

As the High Priest would hold up that bread-imagine the disciples and Jesus' followers there.. They would envision Him take a few loaves of bread, giving thanks and then hand them out to to feed thousands of people! They would hear again Jesus say I am the Bread of Life! They would remember that night just 7 weeks before as He said, Take and eat, this is my body given for you...do this in remembrance of me....'

Dreams and visions can honor the past while looking ahead to the future. Dreams and visions that are from the Holy Spirit remember..and Honor our Lord while moving forward to a bright future.

It's no coincidence that our churches came together when we did. It's no coincidence that during our merger process, both of denominations did a vision process and began to implement a new structure with a new vision for the future! A future in which people from far and wide, from west and east and north and south see and experience the Love of Christ, because we in this church and our sister churches.. care for others in His name. Because WE have called upon the Name of Our Lord Jesus and we have found Saving Grace. Because of this, we reach out to our community, to all of our community in His name. Because we serve God to the very best of our ability to honor God's excellence.