Psalm 8

Psalm 8

Praise God For Life’s Extras

January 31, 2010

Psalm 8 is a significant Psalm and a significant reminder to us of what life is all about. It’s the first “hymn of praise” in the Psalter, interrupting a string of Psalms asking God for help from distress or from enemies.

How easy it is for us to cry out to God for help when we feel under attack from real life enemies or from problems that seem to daunt us!

Psalm 8 is significant because it reminds us that there are times in our lives when we need to interrupt our laments and our cries to God for help – and give God praise for all God has done for us!

There are times in our lives when we need to interrupt our complaints to God and our moanings and groanings about how bad things are in our lives and see how great God is – how greatly God has blessed us – and praise God for His greatness and His blessings.

We truly need Psalms like Psalm 8!

Can’t you just picture young David sitting on a hillside outside of Bethlehem, gazing up at the moon and stars, and his heart filling with the wonder of it all?

Can’t you just imagine him taking out his harp and beginning to sing some of these words:

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

You have set your glory above the heavens.

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise. . .
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels and  crowned him with glory and  honor.
“You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the sea.
“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

Wow!

What beautiful words!

What a beautiful creation!

What a beautiful, powerful God!

Yea – we need Psalms like Psalm 8 to remind us that God has blessed us with so much, and we need to give praise to God for all His gifts to us!

Some of you know that I am blessed to be a part of a Prayer Group that meets every morning at Gregg’s Store.  We enjoy each other’s fellowship and share the good and bad things that happen in our lives, catch up on the community news, swap jokes, and most of all read a devotional and pray for each other and others we know are in need in the community.  A lot of good tings have come out of that group – a lot of people in the community have been helped as we have discussed ways that we can reach out to them, those of us who have gone through very hard times in our lives have been prayed for and strengthened and have felt God in our lives as we have shared with each other, and if we could just send some our ideas to someone who could do something about them many of the world’s problems would be solved!

What you may not know is that this group is also a book club!  Some of us read and passed around copies of The Shack and discussed what it meant to us when it first came out.  Back in December I was enjoying a day off and doing some things around the house when one of the members of the group knocked on the door.

“Pastor” he said – “this is a book one of the guys at the store found and let me borrow.  I read it last night – and I want you to read it.  I know there’s a sermon in there!”

I thanked him and took the book – but must admit I was somewhat skeptical.  My sermons and material for my sermons have been the butt of many jokes in that group!

I glanced at the title – Life’s Extras – and noted that it was written by Archibald Rutledge, who I knew was the Poet Laureate of South Carolina. I hated to admit that I could not remember reading anything he had written, and looked forward to reading this book.

A few days after that Mom fell and broke her hip – and Sally and I began making weekly trips to Rock Hill to check on her.  On one of the first of these trips I took the book, and as Sally drove I became absorbed in the wonder of Archibald Rutledge’s understanding of nature – and of God.

Rutledge writes that God’s gifts to us can be put into two categories – the things that are necessary and the extras.  Under the things that are necessary Rutledge lists sunlight, air, water, food and shelter – what he calls the bare necessities for living.  Under the things that are extras he lists music, the perfumes, and flowers.  He then writes that the wind might be necessary, but – as he writes –“the song that it croons through the morning pines is a different thing”.

What truth is in these words!

God has blessed us with things that we need for living – the things that are necessary – but God has also blessed us with “extras” – things that may not be necessary but without which life would be dull and without much joy.

Rutledge’s book made me start thinking about the “extras” God has blessed me with.

What are some of the “extras” – some of the things not necessary but that fill your life with joy?

Sally’s love, care, and support may not be completely necessary for my survival, although I hate to think where I would be without her in my life.

Friends and family are indeed some of the “extras” in my life that God has blessed me with. Without them, my life would truly be devoid of much of the joy it is filled with.

A loving congregation to serve is definitely one of “life’s extras” for me – as is the Prayer Group I mentioned a few minutes ago.

I can’t forget our dogs – Hallie and Buster.  They provide much joy and companionship for both Sally and me.

God has blessed me with an ability to communicate His love to others and I don’t take that lightly.  I volunteer my time at Carolinas’ Hospital, and find that I am blessed when I do this. That blessing may not be something that is necessary for my survival, but it is truly an “extra” for me that makes my life much richer. I find being on the Board of the House of Hope and the Presbytery committees I serve on are part of “life’s extras” for me, as is the times of fellowship I enjoy with fellow pastors.

These are just some of the “extras” God has blessed me with – just some of the things that cause me to pause and say to God:

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

What about for you?

What are some of “life’s extras” for you that cause you to pause and say:

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

Hopewell is a rural Church – in a rural setting – so maybe you are very familiar with the things Rutledge lists in Life’s Extras as being some of the “extra things” God has blessed him with that give meaning and beauty to his life. He lists things like the sound of the wind, the songs of the birds, the moonlight on a path in the woods, the stars, and beautiful flowers.

He relates one experience where the beauty of a moonlit night, the smell of the salt air over the marsh, and the song of a mockingbird cheered his spirit as he walked to visit a sick friend, and how these were the things that were giving his friend joy and even healing.

Another experience he relates was how, on visiting the family of a man in the mountains of North Carolina who had died, he noticed a rhododendron on the mantle next to the man’s picture. The man’s sister told him:

“To have it there helps me. It reminds me of God.”

The “extra” things in life can indeed help us find joy and healing – and can even remind us of God.

That’s what David discovered and wrote about it Psalm 8.

That’s what Archibald Rutledge knew and wrote about in Life’s Extras.

That’s what we can know and live our lives realizing as we give praise to God for the “extras” He graciously blesses us with.

The problem is that too many times we become so busy with our lives that we don’t take the time to realize – or give praise to God for – the “extras” He gives us in our lives. Too many times we overlook the beauty God blesses us with that is all around us – and we fail to look to God and say:

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

We tend to take things for granted.

We become so busy with our lives that we overlook our loved ones – our families and friends – or when we do pay attention to them it’s to yell at them because of something that we feel they have done wrong. Words and phrases like “how can you be so stupid?” come more easily to us at times than words like: “I love you”. “I appreciate you.” “Thank you for what you do for me”. “Thank you for what you mean to me”.  We overlook the “extras” God has blessed us with instead of letting them know what they mean to us – and fail to look to God in praise and say:

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

We tend to take things for granted.

We might drive by beautiful scenery – or have a beautiful sunrise of sunset right before our eyes – and not pay attention.

We might have the most beautiful flowers right before our eyes – and not pay attention to them or give praise to God for them.

We might take the “extras” in life that are all around us for granted – and not look to God and say:

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

We’ve got to do better, friends!

We need to be more thankful people.

We need to be more thankful to God for the “extras” He blesses us with – more aware of the “extras” God gives us – and express our thanks and appreciation to the people God blesses us with all around us.

We need to realize that everything we have is from God – and see God’s handiwork in all the things in life – whether it be a flower or a sunrise or sunset or a shining star or the moon on a beautiful moonlit night or a beautiful snowfall – or a person we know and love. All these things – and so much more – are God’s extras to us – and should cause us to stop and give praise to God.

You know – the Apostle Paul was right when – in the first chapter of Romans – he wrote that people can’t say they do not know about God because they can look at all of creation and know that God created it and is in it.  They may not take the time to realize it – but they can.

God is in all things – and gives us all things as “extras” for us to enjoy.

Do you see God in all things – enjoy what God has given you — and give Him praise – or do you just overlook the fact that God is there?

Frank Borman was commander of Apollo 8 space craft and had the thrill of looking down on the earth from 250,000 miles away. He radioed a message back to Houston in which he and his fellow astronauts took turns quoting the opening verses of Genesis 1:

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…”

He later explained: “I had an enormous feeling that there had to be a power greater that any of us, that there was a God, that there was indeed a beginning.”

John Glenn said one of his missions: “To look out at this kind of creation and not believe in God is to me impossible.”

We need to learn to realize the “extras” God has blessed us with – and say to God:

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

Of course, the greatest thing God has blessed us with is salvation through Christ. If you have never realized that God loves you and provides for your salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, you need to realize it. In fact, you should not let another minute go by without letting Jesus enter your heart and change your life.

Friends – God loves you and blesses you.

He blesses you with salvation.

He blesses you with all the things you need to live – all the “necessities” of life.

He also blesses you with so many “extras” in life – things that may not be exactly necessities but without which your life would be dull and joyless.

Learn to appreciate and praise God for “life’s extras”.

Let the people who are the “extras” in life for you know how much you love and appreciate them – and do your best to be an “extra” in life for them.

Learn to look at nature – the world around you – and give praise to God for it’s beauty.

Learn to give praise to God for the greatest gift He has given you – your salvation – and live a life in joyful praise to God for it.

Learn to be like David in the Psalms – who knew how to cry out to God for help – but also knew how to cry to God:

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

Learn to give praise to God for “life’s extras”.

Amen.

Luke 4:14-30

Luke 4:14-30

God’s Spirit Can Be On Us!

January 24, 2010

The Spirit of the Lord is on me,   because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18-19)

“Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing!” (Luke 4:21)

What exciting words these must have been to the worshippers in Nazareth that day!  These words were words filled with promise for the worshippers in Nazareth that day.  They were hearing that the promises of God — the kingdom of peace and healing that Isaiah and so many others had promised — were finally coming true — and it was going to be one of their own who would bring it into fruition!

Exciting words indeed!

But — for us to really understand what they might have meant for them to hear these words — and to hear them from Jesus, who had grown up in their own town — maybe we need to imagine that we are in that Synagogue that day — hearing those words.

Imagine with me that you are one of the townspeople worshipping on that Sabbath.

You hear Jesus say:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,   because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”  – and

“Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing!”

— and you wonder if these words will ever mean the same to you again.

What power Jesus seems to have as He speaks them!

It seems as if these words from Isaiah are taking on a whole new meaning for you and the others listening to Jesus — Joseph and Mary’s boy — speak these words.

He seems to have such authority.

Maybe you aren’t sure of what all His words mean — but it seems to you that He is saying that He is going to be doing the things Isaiah had written of centuries before.  Maybe He is going to be the one to bring the good news to the poor — proclaim release to the captives — proclaim recovery of sight to the blind — let the oppressed go free – and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Maybe He was especially chosen — even anointed by God — to fulfill these promises God had made so many years before.

He seemed to be saying that His mission in life was going to be fulfilling the promises of God.

You believe Him when He says that the Spirit of God was upon Him.

But – still – you wonder.

You wonder why this particular person – why Jesus – is the one with God’s Spirit on Him – and how Jesus  will do all these things He seems to be saying that it’s Him mission to do.

You see — you’ve known Jesus all his life.

His father — Joseph — was a good friend of yours.  You are a brick mason — and you and Joseph worked together on many a house in Nazareth.  You had been in and out of his shop many times — and he yours.  Like everyone else in Nazareth, you rejoiced when Joseph and Mary became engaged and married.  You remember when they returned from the census with their son — Jesus.  You had watched Jesus grow.  You watched Him learn to be a carpenter like Joseph.   You watched Him attend school in the Synagogue like the other boys His age.  You watched Him play with other children his age in the streets of Nazareth.  You watched Him on the Sabbath as a young adult as He participated in the worship in the Synagogue.

He seemed to be a normal boy — but then — all that changed.

He left town one day.

Some said He had joined with the followers of John the Baptist.

Others said — no — He was baptized by John — but He had begun His own ministry — traveling around the countryside — performing miracles — and teaching about God.

He had stirred up a great deal of attention — the reports of what He was doing had reached Nazareth long before He did.

But then — one day — He came to town.

How happy you and all His friends were to see Him!

How excited everyone was!

Maybe He would do some of those great things here in Nazareth that you had heard He had done in other places!

Sure enough — on the Sabbath He entered the Synagogue — and was invited to take part in the service. He stood to read the Scripture — and turned to Isaiah.

Everyone beamed with pride as Jesus stood to read:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,   because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Then — all eyes were on Him as He sat in the special chair reserved for the one who was to interpret the Scripture.  You and everyone else sit in anticipation to hear what Jesus would say about this Scripture — and He looked up and said:

“Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing!”

“Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing!”

It becomes so silent in the Synagogue that you could hear a pin drop. For a moment — no one says a word.  Everyone is in shock.  But — you were rejoicing!

Finally — you think to yourself — God’s promise is going to be fulfilled.

Finally — someone has God’s Spirit on them to bring good news to the poor  — proclaim release to the captives — proclaim recovery of sight to the blind — let the oppressed go free – and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor!

You are not at all sure how Jesus — the son of Mary and Joseph — was going to do this — but you felt that — somehow — it would be done — and you even felt a strong desire to be a part of it.

At least that’s your initial reaction.

Somehow — God was in Jesus — and Jesus was going to make it His mission in life to fulfill the promises of God.

I hope this somewhat imaginative look at how someone in the Synagogue in Nazareth that day may have felt about and even initially reacted to what Jesus said makes you feel like you were there and listening to Jesus — because what Jesus said was not just for those people in that at that time and in that place — what Jesus said to those folks in that place and at that time Jesus says to us in this place and at this time, also.

The Spirit of the Lord is on me,   because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18-19)

“Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing!” (Luke 4:21)

God’s Spirit was indeed upon Jesus.

God’s Spirit also can be upon us.

Jesus used the passage from Isaiah to describe how His ministry was going to be.  He was going to be the one who would bring good news to the poor  — proclaim release to the captives — proclaim recovery of sight to the blind — let the oppressed go free – and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor!

God’s word through Isaiah would indeed finally be fulfilled.

God’s promise to the people would finally be fulfilled.

God’s will for healing — justice — and peace was coming into the world — through Jesus Christ.

But – here’s the thing — just as the folks in Nazareth needed to hear that God’s promises were being fulfilled — we need to hear that, also. God’s promises of good news to the poor — release to the captives — recovery of sight to the blind – freedom for the oppressed — and the Lord’s favor was being fulfilled that day by Christ — but it can also needs to be fulfilled by us — here — and now.

Just as God’s Sprit was on Jesus – God’s Spirit can be on us!

Jesus said: “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing!”

Today — Jesus still says — the Scripture is still being fulfilled.

Not just that day in Nazareth – but today!

Commenting on this passage Fred Craddock writs:

“By reading Isaiah 61:1-2 Jesus not only announced that prophecy was fulfilled (vs. 21) but was also defining His role in the world. The passage says that Christ is God’s servant who will bring to reality God’s fulfillment of the longings of the poor, oppressed, and imprisoned.  Jesus says “today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing”.  The ministry of Jesus and the early Church showed that today God is active.  The Church today needs to show others that God is active in the world – not just in a vague “someday” and “sometimes” but today – here – and now!”

Indeed, God is active in the world – here and now!

The Spirit of God can be on us – here and now!

The Spirit of God can be on us as we take God’s message into the community and the world through words and actions that show God’s love and care to all who are in need.

It can be on us as we spread good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, proclaim recovery of sight to the blind and freedom for the oppressed and proclaim the Lord’s favor is available for all. It is on us as we reach out with power and bring God’s Good News into the world!

It can be on us as we support the work of the Lighthouse Ministries or Thornwell – or so many other ways we reach out those in need.

It can on us as we share a smile or a kind word with someone who may need to see that smile or hear that word at that time.

It can be on us as we make a phone call to someone just to let them know we are thinking about them – or stop by just to say “hello”.

It can be on us in so many ways — large and small.  There are so many ways we all can fulfill God’s promises of love and healing and peace in our world.

I don’t think Jesus was only referring to folks who were poor economically or physically captives or blind or actually oppressed by a government. While He was certainly talking about these things in the literal sense, He was also talking about those “poor in spirit” – captive to disease or addictions – blind to God’s love – or oppressed to financial situations such as job loss or abuse or any of the other situations in life that can torment us and keep us from realizing God’s love and favor that is available to us.  It’s up to the Church – up to us – to show God’s love and favor to all in need – regardless of the need.  It’s up to us to let them know that God is active – as Craddock writes – not just someday or sometimes or somewhere but today – here—and now!

But – here is something we need to pay attention to.

Jesus proclaimed that God’s Spirit was on Him as He did God’s will in the world – and it was. Jesus had a powerful ministry as He did the things that showed God’s will to others.

God’s Spirit can be on us also – but only as we do the things that show God’s will to others and live in God’s ways ourselves.

The wonderful reaction Jesus got from the folks in the Synagogue in Nazareth did not last long – did it?

No – when Jesus began telling them what it meant to have God’s Spirit on Him and on them they began to react violently.

It was going to mean doing things they did not want to do – reaching out to those they did not want to reach out to – and showing God’s love to those who they preferred to stay away from.

In other words, it was going to mean changing who they were – and becoming who God wanted them to be. It was going to mean changing their attitudes and getting the attitudes God wanted them to have. It was going to mean letting God change them so they could do God’s things in the world and not their own things.

God’s Spirit can be on us – truly on us – as we let God change us.

God’s Spirit is only on us as we begin to let God change who we are and make us who He wants us to be. God’s Spirit is only on us as we pray for God to change us – then share the change God is making in our lives with others. God’s Spirit is only on us as we get busy and do the things God is calling us to do.

When we met to celebrate our Prayer Groups two weeks ago and look at what God might be calling us to be doing, one topic that continued to be brought up was that we at Hopewell seemed to need to have a greater commitment to God and to letting God change us. Some suggested that we needed to pray for God’s Spirit to anoint us and build a fire of excitement in us.  I could not agree more. We need God’s Spirit with us here at Hopewell – and we need God’s Spirit with us in our personal lives.  It really doesn’t matter what the Session does or what I do – unless each of us are willing to pray for God’s Spirit to anoint and change us personally we will not be the Church or the people God is calling us to be.

Each of us have to pray for God’s Spirit to bless us – to come upon us – and change us – before we can truthfully say “God’s Spirit  is on us!”

God’s Spirit was at work in Jesus as He spread good news to the poor, proclaimed release to the captives, proclaimed recovery of sight to the blind and freedom for the oppressed and proclaimed that the Lord’s favor was available for all.  God’s Spirit can be at work in us – and upon us – as we pray for it and give ourselves to God and let Him change our lives and our Church and do the things that show God to the world.  If each of us would pray for God’s Spirit, God will send it – will changes us — and glorious things will happen.

Pray for God’s Spirit to truly be on us.

Pray for a changed attitude among us.

Pray for an attitude of being willing to get involved in the things of the Church and the things of God.

Pray that we will be – as Craddock writes – people who show to our community and the world that God is at work – not just someday or somewhere but here and now.

That’s the only way God can truly make a difference in our lives, our Church, our community, and our world.

But – here’s the promise God gives us – if we pray for His Spirit to change us and through us make a difference in our Church, our community, and our world – it will happen. God wants it to happen – if we want it to happen. God wants it to happen – if you want it to happen.

Pray.

Then it can be true that God’s Spirit is on us – and we can be God’s people showing others that God is active in our lives – our Church – and the world – as Craddock writes: “not just in a vague “someday” and “sometimes” but today – here – and now!”

Then it can be said that God’s Spirit is on us! Amen

John 2:1-11

John 2: 1-11

God Can Change Us

January 17, 2010

(Celebration of ideas from Prayer Groups and how God can call us to new things)

Wow!

What a powerful passage we have before us today!

Jesus – who as John relates the story of His ministry has just begun to travel throughout the land teaching healing, and calling on others to follow – attends a wedding at Cana – and  “saves the day” with a wonderful miracle of changing water into wine.

Jesus saw the wedding is going badly after the wine gave out – or maybe it’s Mary’s bringing the problem to His attention that makes Him become concerned about the situation – and changes the water that is available into wine.

The party had come to a grinding halt when the wine gave out – but Jesus provided more wine – in fact much better wine than at first – and the party was saved.

Wow!

Wasn’t that really nice of Jesus to save the party – and provide wine?

Pretty neat – don’t you think?

Maybe Jesus would be a pretty good person to have around.  He sure does know how to keep a party going!

But – that’s not what’s really going on here – is it?

Of course not!

Jesus did not change the water into wine just to keep the party going!

I don’t believe that Jesus was all that concerned about the party.

I think Jesus was concerned with people realizing that He could create changes in the very nature of things and make things different.

I don’t think Jesus was interested in the people at the party having a good time – I believe He was interested in grabbing their attention so He could show them how to have the best time – indeed the best life — possible.

That’s what I think this story before us today is all about.

God can take us – change us – and give us the best life possible.

God can change us!

How can God change us?

Last Sunday morning we looked at God’s word to the captives in Babylon as Isaiah 43 records it and the Baptism of Jesus and saw how God has a future for us that is much more glorious than our present. Last Sunday afternoon we celebrated the Prayer Groups we had last fall and shared ideas of things God might be calling us to do in our future as individual Christians and a Church. Today I want to give all of us a chance to look at some of the things we discussed last Sunday afternoon – because I believe that these are ways that God can change us – – just as Jesus changed the water into wine – and give us the best life – and the best Church – possible.

I’m going to ask some of you to help me hand out these sheets as we look at how God might change us.

At our Prayer Group celebration last Sunday, we shared ideas of what we felt God was calling us to be doing as a Church.  A list  was  made of things we are already doing that we wanted to celebrate and continue doing and lists were made of new things we felt God might be calling us to be doing.

Hopewell’s Mission Statement gives us a good way to consider what we are doing and what we might be called to do. The Mission Statement is:

We at Hopewell Presbyterian strive to live out three basic commands of  Christ:

1. 1. Love God and others (Matthew 22:34-38)
2. 2. Serve others (Matthew 25:34-46)
3. 3. Tell others about Christ (Matthew 28:16-20)

We believe that, as we worship, study, fellowship, and serve we show our love for God, each other, and others.

Things discussed last Sunday that we are doing now to show our love for God and others, serve others, and tell others about Christ that we want to celebrate included:

1. 1. Outreach
2. 2. New members and “friends” who are not members but very active — showing some growth
3. 3. Youth
4. 4. Wednesday nights (fellowship, youth, young adults, Dave Ramsey, Bible Study)
5. 5. Active Session
6. 6. Christmas outreach
7. 7. Reaching members in times of need
8. 8. Youth to work camps
9. 9. Fundraisers for missions and other activities always supported well

10. “Community Clean Up Days”

What are some other things we are doing and want to celebrate and continue doing?

Ideas for things God might be calling us to do that would help us do a better job at showing  our love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ were divided into different areas. Things the entire congregation can do was one area. Other areas included things Session Committees would oversee.  Things the Session as a whole can do was another area, and things the Pastor could do was another area

Congregation

1. Each member needs to hold himself/herself accountable for his/her own personal relationship with Christ. (This was returned to several times and in several different ways of expressing the same thought – such as we all need to pray for God’s Spirit to anoint us, we all need to work on our own excitement about the Church and serving God, each member needs to “step up and do what they can”, etc. This is the one thing that – if implemented – would make the biggest difference in the Church.
2. Need to be ministers to each other
3. Need to be committed to spreading the Gospel
4. Should support missions, local, national, and international
5. Need to support church members and others who are having personal difficulties and rejoice with them in their blessings.
6. Need to develop an atmosphere of “family” within the church.

What are some other things the entire congregation can be doing that would help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ?

Things Session Committees can oversee that will help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ:

Christian Education:

1. Have a plan for presenting certificates and pins for attendance, etc
2. Program of memorizing scripture passages
3. Find ways to encourage people to bring their Bibles to Sunday School and Church
4. Sponsor or promote workshops for teachers that Presbytery sponsors
5. Encourage congregation members to “use their gifts” as far as being teachers and Christian Education volunteers
6. Look into small group studies in people’s homes, etc.
7. Encourage great commitment of teachers
8. Review materials for classes – children, youth, and adults
9. Continue to look for new ideas for Wednesday nights and new people to assist with teaching and leading activities on Wednesday nights
10. Look at ways to reach the college age young people in Church and community  (Francis Marion University, etc.)

What are some other things we can be doing as far as Christian Education  that would help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ?

Congregational Care

1. Help nurture feelings of nurturing each other in the congregation (prayer chain, etc. – maybe meals to those in need.  The “new” e-mail Prayer Chain list and the way it is being used was praised!)
2. Help devise ways to support church members and others who are having personal difficulties and rejoice with them in their blessings.
3. Help develop an atmosphere of “family” within the church.
4. Continue: cards to sick, anniversaries, and birthdays – Communion to members who are  Homebound and in Nursing Homes,  gifts to  members who are  Homebound and in Nursing Homes.

What are some other things we can be doing as far as Congregational Care   that would help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ?

Fellowship

1.  Find ways to promote activities, outings, meals, etc. that get us together so we can share our lives and our faith together

2. Help Congregational Care Committee in working to develop a “family atmosphere” within the Church

3. Plan a church wide retreat one weekend in the fall or spring—not summer.

What are some other things we can be doing as far as Fellowship that would help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ?

Mission and Evangelism

1. Help nurture a commitment to spreading the Gospel among the members
2. Help support and promote Missions
3. Provide transportation for those who are unable to drive at night or for those who have no means of transportation.
4. Identify and invite the un-churched in the community to attend church programs
5. Arrange transportation for the children in Sunnyfield and other residential areas near the church
6. Look into being involved in Gospel Clubs at public schools
7. Consider buying a church van to use for youth and senior retreats
8. Continue offerings to Church supported agencies, collections for Thornwell and others missions, and suppers at FMU

What are some other things we can be doing as far as Fellowship that would help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ?

Finance and Stewardship

1. Promote finance and Stewardship concerns

2. Promote ways to get congregation more committed to being good steards of their gifts and talents

What are some other things we can be doing as far as Finance and Stewardship that would help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ?

Worship and Music

1. More upbeat or spirited service particularly music
2. Have a revival in October on the years we don’t have Homecoming which we used to do.
3. Have a children’s choir if enough are interested.
4. Try a worship service one Sunday night a month.
5. “Fifth Sunday Night Hymn Sing”

What are some other things we  can be doing as far as Worship and Music hat would help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ?

Youth

1. 1. More support and encouragement for those working with youth
2. 2. Continue wonderful job with Sunday night and Wednesday night programs and Mission trips

What are some other things we can be doing as far as Youth that would help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ?

Things the Pastor can do to help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ was also a category.  The following ideas were shared:

1. More “meat and potatoes” and “fire” in sermons
2. Less repetition in sermons
3. Sermons should challenge the congregation
4. Sermons should teach Scripture, refer to Bible commentaries and esteemed authors.
5. Sermons should be spiritual and expound on the scripture chosen for the service
6. Children’s sermons should be geared more to the learning levels of the children involved.
7. Announcements that are in the bulletin should not be read to the congregation.
8. Needs to visit every member of the church
9. Needs to be a strong leader who leads by doing things
10. Needs to talk less and listen more to suggestions of others
11. Needs to prepare more challenging, scholarly sermons
12. Be respectful to all members of the congregation
13. Visit in the community in order to interest new members

What are some other things the Pastor can be doing that would help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ?

Things the Session as a whole can do to help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ was also a category.  The following ideas were shared:

1. Be prayerful in all actions they undertake
2. Remember they are serving God, not themselves
3. Listen to members of the congregation when suggestions are made and take them seriously
4. Treat all members of the congregation with love and respect
5. Be good stewards in the management of church affairs and money.
6. Be conscientious about fulfilling duties they undertake
7. Try to attend all Session meetings
8. Treat each other with respect – let everyone speak their minds – even if you disagree
9. Agree to disagree (Disagree without being disagreeable)
10. Try to support programs of the Church – attend functions
11. Follow through on ideas and things have agreed to do

What are some other things the Session can be doing that would help us do a better job at showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ?

Last Sunday afternoon – and today — we have looked at where we are – and shared ideas on what God might be leading us to do so we can do a better job at   showing love for God and others, serving others, and telling others about Christ. We have looked at some ways God might be able to “make us new”.

What will be done with these ideas and suggestions?

The Session is having a planning retreat the first Saturday in February where we will begin looking at these ideas and suggestions — and how we can implement them. Every idea might not be done this year — every idea will be considered.

As for the things I might need to work on – I will consider them and pray for ways to implement them.  I want each of you to know that I am very approachable and that I will listen to your ideas and suggestions and take them under consideration – for I firmly believe that God speaks to us through each other.

Let’s all do the first thing under what the congregation as a whole can do – be accountable for our own personal relationship with Christ and pray for God’s Spirit to anoint us, work on our own excitement about the Church and serving God, and “step up and do what we can”. This is the one thing that would make the biggest difference in the Church – and be the instrument God can use to change us. As we pray –worship – and work together we can all be changed – and the Church can be changed.

Just as Jesus changed the water into wine – God can change us – and give us the best life – and best Church – possible. Amen.

Isaiah 43:1-7, Luke 3:15-17,21-22

Isaiah 43:1-7

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

“Are You Listening To God?”

January 10, 2010

Baptism of the Lord

Communion

What joyful — wonderful – promised filled — and appropriate – passages we have before us today!

These are joyful passages that proclaim God’s love and promise to God’s people.

Isaiah proclaims God’s love and promise of a brighter future for a people in captivity far away from their homeland who probably saw very little reason to rejoice and hope for the future –  and Luke declares God’s love for Jesus – God’s Son – the hope and joy of the world – as He is being baptized and beginning His ministry.

Joyful – wonderful – promise filled passages indeed!

And appropriate.

What do these passages have in common?

In both passages God is speaking God’s word to God’s people – and God’s word is a word of love and hope and promise. .

In our OT passage Isaiah is writing to the Israelites who were in captivity in Babylon – and maybe wondering if God still cared for them.

Can you imagine what it must have been like for them?

Over 60 years in captivity in a land that was not the land God had promised to their ancestors.  Many of them had never seen Jerusalem – and the stories of the beautiful land and the beautiful temple – and maybe even the stories of God and His love and care and freeing past captives – may have seemed like fairy tales to them.

Where was God now?

Why wasn’t God freeing them?

They may have felt that God had abandoned them – and their future was nothing more than serving their Babylonian masters.

And then – Isaiah brings a word from God.

God speaks – and God’s word to them is:

rejoice – have courage – God is going to save you – God will bring you back to Jerusalem and the land He promised your ancestors.

Fear not  – God says

Why?

Because God is going to do something new!

God is going to gather your people – and bring you back to Jerusalem

God will gather your people —

“from the east and west – north and south”

God will do something!

You have reason to rejoice – and your  future will be glorious – if you will listen to God!

Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann writes that this passage is one of the greatest examples in the Old Testament of God’s gracious choice of God’s people – what we call the Doctrine of Election — writing that —

“A tiny, miserable and insignificant band of uprooted men and women are assured that they – precisely they! – are the people to whom God has turned in love; they, just as they are, are dear and precious in his sight”

Regardless of how things may have looked to them in the present – regardless of their present condition – Isaiah brings God’s word to them — and that word was that He loved them – had a great future planned for them – and that He wanted them to look to His future – listen to His plan for them — and trust Him.

God wanted them to listen to His plan for their future – and follow it.

Isaiah proclaims that God has a plan for His people – and He wants them to listen to His plan – and follow it!

Amazing when you think of it – is it not?

To these captives – these “tiny, miserable, and uprooted men and women” — God spoke words of hope and words of encouragement – and told them to not worry so much about their present situation – but to listen to His plan for their future – and to follow Him!

To these captives — these “tiny, miserable, and uprooted men and women” — God spoke – and called them to listen.

And – you know what?

God’s word came true.

God’s vision for the future for these people became reality!

God was speaking to them – and they needed to listen!

So – let’s fast-forward some 500 years or so.

In our passage from Luke the people have returned to Jerusalem and the rest of the land of promise – just as God said they would —  and now John the Baptist is preaching and baptizing and telling the people that salvation is near – and Jesus – God’s Son – the one who will bring salvation — comes to him and is baptized.

And what happens?

We see the rare occurrence of the Trinity – God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – all acting at the same time.

God the Son is baptized and begins His ministry.

God the Sprit comes in the form of a dove to confirm and bless what God the Son is doing

And God the Father speaks.

Jesus begins His ministry – and the Father speaks words of love and encouragement

“you are my Son, whom I love.  With you I am well pleased.”

Can you imagine how that experience must have been for Jesus?

It must have confirmed for Him that He was God’s Son – loved by God –and called to do God’s work and saving will in the world.

Jesus heard God’s voice – and went into the future God had planned for Him.

Another wonderful – joyful – and promised filled passage.

Yea – these are 2 joyful — wonderful – promised filled — and appropriate – passages we have before us today!

They are joyful passages that proclaim God’s love and promise.

In Isaiah we see God’s love and promise and choice of a captive people in a faraway country who saw very little reason to rejoice and hope – and in Luke we see God’s love for Jesus – God’s Son – the hope and joy of the world – as He is being baptized and beginning His ministry.

Joyful – wonderful – promise filled passages indeed!

Passages filled with promise and hope for the future God has planned for His people!

And appropriate passages also.

Why do I say they are appropriate?

Well – I say this because I believe that they are appropriate for us – here at Hopewell Presbyterian Church on January 10, 2010.

I believe that — just as God spoke to the captives in Babylon of His plans for their future – a future of love and hope and redemption – a future filled with His plans for great and wonderful things – I believe that God speaks to us of a future filled with His plans for great and wonderful things for us.

I believe that — just as God spoke to Jesus and the crowd around Him at His baptism that Jesus was His Son – and that He was well pleased with Him – God speaks to us – calls us His people – tells us He is well pleased with us – if we will listen to Him and follow Him.

Just as Jesus listened to God – and went into the future God had planned for Him – we need to listen to God – and go into the future God has planned for us.

I believe that God has a “future plan” for us here at Hopewell – just as He had a “future plan” for the exiles in Babylon – a plan for a future that is filled with His promise and filled with great things. Regardless of how things may looked to us here and now — God has a word for us  – and that word is that He loves us– has a great future planned for us – and wants us to look to His future and His plan  –trust Him – and follow Him.

I believe that God is speaking to us of His plan for us – His plan for our future — and that we need to listen to Him.

But – I know that listening to God is not an easy thing to do.  Listening to God and following God is not easy at all.

We might look at how things are for the Church and in our lives and wonder if God really has a plan for us.

I’m sure some of the exiles in Babylon might have laughed at Isaiah and the word of God he brought to the people.

“What do you mean God is going to bring us back to Jerusalem and give us a future that is filled with great things? Are you crazy?”

That’s how some of them may have reacted to Isaiah’s word from God.

But God was speaking – and calling on His people to listen.

I’m sure that some of the crowd at Jesus’ baptism found it hard to believe that God was truly speaking.

“This is just a peasant from Nazareth! What do you mean He’s God’s Son?”

But God was speaking – and calling on His people to listen.

God is speaking to us here and now – and calling on us to listen.

Are you listening?

Are you listening to God?

Are you willing to listen to God’s plan for us – and follow God’s plan for us?

God has spoken to us – and continues to speak to us.

Are we listening?

Are we listening to God?

This past fall we gathered in prayer groups and prayed for God to give us His vision for Hopewell. We prayed for God to speak to us. This afternoon we are going to gather and share some of the ideas that were shared in our prayer groups.

Friends – I believe that God has spoken to us. I believe that when we come together as we have done and pray for God’s will for us and the Church – God speaks to us.

I also believe we need to listen.

I pray that you will come and join me this afternoon as we share what we feel has been God’s word to us. Even if you have not been involved in a prayer group, I pray you will come and share.

I believe that in the sharing we will hear God’s word to us.

I believe that in the sharing God will speak – and we will need to listen.

I don’t fool myself and I won’t try to fool you into thinking that we’ll leave this afternoon with a clear cut plan for how to do what we feel God is calling us to do – but I do believe that we might leave with a sense of what direction God is calling us to go in – maybe some general ideas – and some things to work on and do.

I believe that God will speak.

I believe we need to listen.

After this afternoon it will take commitment from each of us to put the plans we feel God is laying before us into motion – but if we will listen to God’s plans for us and do them – we will move into the future God has planned for us.

As we have partaken of the Sacrament this morning we have been strengthened to go into the glorious future God plans for us.

As we gather this afternoon we will continue to discover what that future is.

Let’s listen to God.

Are you listening to God?

Let’s look at the glorious future plans God has for us – just as He had a glorious future planned for the exiles in Babylon and just as He had a glorious plans for us all in Jesus.

Let’s listen to God – and do the work it will take to move into the glorious future He has planned for us. Amen

Jeremiah 31:7-14, 1 Peter 2:1-10, John 1:1-18

Jeremiah 31:7-14

1 Peter 2:1-10

John 1:1-18

We Are All Called

January 3, 2010

Christmas 2

Officer Ordination / Installation

Happy New Year!

It is indeed a new year – a year filled with new possibilities – new potential – – and new opportunities.

But we have to let it be that for us.

We have to let ourselves take advantage of the new possibilities – new potential – – and new opportunities that God may be laying before us — or this year will not be any different than any other.

You may remember my story about when I was young I used to want to stay up until midnight on New Years Eve and “see the New Year in”.  When I was 4 I decided that I was going to stay up and “see the New  Year in” – for it was not just a new year – but a new decade.  When the clock struck midnight it was no longer going to the 1959 – but 1960 – not the 1950’s – but the 1960’s!  I was sure that this was going to bring great changes – and things were going to suddenly look different.

I was excited! I was ready to stay up to “see the New Year in” – to “see the new decade in” but around 10:30 my tiredness caught up with my excitement. I decided I would lie down for awhile – but slept through the whole thing. On the morning of January 1, 1960 I awoke – disappointed that I had missed the New Year – the new decade — coming in – but raced outside to see how the New Year looked. I expected things to look different. Surely things would look different. Of course, nothing looked different. I told my parents that I did not know what the big deal was – everything looked the same to me.

Is that how the new year will be for us – just the same?

Or – will we see and take advantage of the new possibilities – new potential – – and new opportunities that lie before us?

For us here at Hopewell, today is not only a time for celebrating and thinking about the new possibilities and new opportunities God may be presenting us in our personal lives this new year – but it is also a time for celebrating and thinking about new possibilities  and new opportunities God may presenting us as a Church. Dresden Tucker and Sonny Sandifer have heard God’s call to serve Him and the Church — have responded by saying “Here I am” – and we have ordained them as Elders and installed them to active service on the Session.  Jay Gregg and Jimmy Gregg have also heard God’s call to serve Him and the Church – have responded again by saying “Here I am” – and we have installed them to active service on the Session.

God is laying new possibilities – new potential – – and new opportunities before us. But – – here’s the thing — we can grasp these new possibilities – new potential – – and new opportunities – and with God’s strength can do new and greater things for Him in the Church, the community, and the world — or we can just keep doing same old things in the same old ways and it can be “business as usual” – the same thing as always – and wonder why things remain the same.

It’s up to us.

Actually, it’s up to you.

It’s up to you to make the new year – with the new opportunities that lay before us – what you will make of them.

We can take advantage of the new possibilities – new potential – – and new opportunities God is laying before us – and truly be changed as individuals and as a Church – or we can just keep doing the same old things the same old ways and wonder why things never change.

You remember that Joshua told the people of Israel that they had to choose who they would serve – but as for him – he was going to serve the Lord.

In the same way, you have to choose if you are going to take advantage of the  new possibilities – new potential – – and new opportunities God is laying before us – and truly be changed as an individual – and if we will be changed as a Church.  But, as Joshua – I want to go on record as saying that – as for me – I want to take advantage of the new possibilities God is laying before us.  I want Hopewell to be the Church God would have us be.  I want us all to say – when God calls us – “Here I am – tell me what You want me to do”.

Anybody with me?

Anybody else want to listen for God’s call to us – and say to God:

“Here I am  – tell me what You want me to do”

Some of you may remember John Belushi’s stirring speech in the movie “Animal House” – and although he got his facts very confused – he ended with charging out the door – by himself.  He then returned and – with the typical Belushi raised eyebrow – looked around the room to see why no one else was following him.

I don’t want to go charging into the year by myself.

I pray that you will follow me – and together we will hear God’s call – and together we will be willing to respond to God:

“Here I am – tell me what You want me to do”

But – here’s another question.

After you choose that you want to take advantage of the  new possibilities – new potential – – and new opportunities God is laying before us – and truly be changed as an individual – and want to work for a change in the Church – after you decide that you want to respond to God’s call:

“Here I am  – tell me what You want me to do”

How do you do it?

How can you really take advantage of the new possibilities – new potential – – and new opportunities God is laying before you – and truly be changed?

How can you act on that commitment you make when you say to God:

“Here I am – tell me what You want me to do”

The passage from 1 Peter I read a few moments ago gives us an idea of what God thinks of us:

you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light

We are a chosen n race — a royal priesthood — a holy nation — God’s own people

That’s who we are as a community of Christians.

You are a chosen n race — a royal priesthood — a holy nation — God’s own person.

That’s who you are as an individual.

Chosen – royal – and holy

Holy – the Greek word is haggios — which means different – or set apart

That is who we are!

As a Christian, that’s who you are!

Regardless of what we might think about ourselves — regardless of what our opinions of ourselves might be —  this is what God thinks – and what God’s opinion is.

Regardless of what you might think about yourself  — regardless of what your opinion  of yourself might be —  this is what God thinks of you – and what God’s opinion is.

And it is God’s opinion that counts here!

And – God has a purpose for us – a purpose for you — as Peter writes –

to proclaim the mighty acts of him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

So – now you know what God thinks of you – and what God is calling you to do. We are the glorious people of God – called to show to the world the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You are a glorious person of God – called to show to the world the glory of your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That is who we are – and what we are to be doing. That’s who you are – and what you are to be doing.

A glorious person of God – called to show to the world the glory of your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When you say to God:

“Here I am – tell me what You want me to do”

You are saying –

“I’m willing to be live as Your glorious person – and I’m willing to do what I can to show the world Your glory.”

Yea – it is a new year. A year filled with new possibilities – new potential – – and new opportunities that God is laying before us. Yea – starting today we have a new Session – this particular group has never served and lead before.

It’s up to us to decide what we are going to do with the new things God lays before us.

It’s up to the members of the Session to decide what they are going to do  with the new things God lays before them and before us.

But – it’s up to each of you to decide if you are willing to truly say to God:

“I’m willing to be live as Your glorious person – and I’m willing to do what I can to show the world Your glory.”

It’s up to you to decide if you are going to say to God:

“Here I am – tell me what You want me to do”

God is calling.

God is calling each of us.

God is calling you.

We like to talk about how members of the Session are “called by God”
— but the truth is we are all called.

We are all called to take advantage of each and every opportunity God lays before us – and to let God truly make this year different – for us as individuals – and for us at Hopewell Presbyterian Church.

We are all called.

How will we respond?

How will you respond?

It’s up to us to decide what we are going to do with the opportunities God is giving us. It’s up to us to decide if we are going to let God bless us – and truly live out our calling to be glorious people – called to show to the world our glorious God

It’s up to you to decide what you are going to do with the opportunities God is giving you. It’s up to you to decide if you are going to let God bless you – and truly live out your calling to be a glorious person of God – and show your glorious God to the world.

One opportunity each of us are going to have take part in what God is doing here at Hopewell will occur next Sunday.  We are going to have a very special day here next Sunday as we gather around God’s Table for the Sacrament of Communion during worship – then gather next Sunday afternoon at 3:00 to share some of the ideas God gave us as we spent last fall in our Prayer Groups. I look forward to seeing each of you at Worship and at the sharing time next Sunday as together we strive to listen to God respond to His call to us.

You heard Dresden, Sonny, Jay and Jimmy respond in the affirmative to the Ordination questions earlier. That’s a way of their responding to God’s call by saying:

“Here I am. Tell me what you want me to do”.

“I want to be Your glorious person – show me how I can show Your glorious will to the world”.

What about you?

How do you respond?

If we truly want this year to be different for us as individuals and as a Church, it’s up to each of us to respond to God by saying – in our own way:

“Here I am. Tell me what you want me to do”.

“I want to be Your glorious person – show me how I can show Your glorious will to the world”.

The members of the Session are called by God.

We are all called by God.

We are all called.

How do we respond?

How do you respond?

I urge you to decide that this year will not be “business as usual” or “just the same” for you – and for us as a Church.

I urge you to commit to making it different.

I urge you to let God change you.

I urge you to let God change us — so we can indeed take advantage of all the new possibilities – new potential – – and new opportunities that God is laying before us – and become God’s glorious people – called to show to the world our glorious God. Amen.