Guía de la iglesia

https://disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013JusticeDevotional.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1kQyM7mSrfukz4iEflfMeNpoPP8R-wBuQ3LDw_pWNR9HA4nfv6hLfOcpU When Jesus Comes Back Let’s Be Sure the Earth is Clean and Green! Genesis 2:5-17 Way back in 1979 my wife Julie and I attended a lecture by a very popular Pentecostal preacher from Southern California. He was there to tell us exactly when Jesus was going to return to earth. At that time in my life I was beginning to question the sort of theology that tried to predict the second coming. After all, Jesus himself says that “no one knows” when that will happen. If Jesus doesn’t care about the date why should we? What I really learned from that night was in the question and answer period after the lecture. The preacher had just predicted that Jesus was coming back, sometime in 1981. The first question was about the environment. “If Jesus is coming back then we don’t have to worry about care for the earth, right?” Many similar questions and comments followed. I don’t remember the preacher’s answers but I have never forgotten how quickly the audience decided that the earth was no big deal. Isn’t that surprising? At the beginning of the Bible we have a marvelous image of humankind being placed in the middle of the garden where the humans are given the command to “till it and keep it.” Another way to translate that phrase is to “serve and protect.” Maybe you’ve seen that on the side of a police car. The Genesis author seems to be saying that we are the police force that oversees care for the Earth! I thought about our experience in that lecture when I read NT Wright’s, essay in The Green Bible titled, “Jesus is Coming — Plant a Tree.” As the title of his essay implies he believes that the idea of Jesus’ return is a call to Christians to care even more deeply for the environment. Wright gets this conclusion from the Bible. He quotes the Apostle Paul who wrote in Romans 8 that the creation will be “set free from the slavery that consists in corruption.” This is the promise that the creatures who bear God’s image, that is you and me and every other human being, will one day Devotion to Justice, Fall 2013, page 47 live in harmony with the garden in the way that God has always intended. This ancient idea seems to have been forgotten. However, a basic reading of the Bible reveals that this teaching is central to the biblical story. The Bible teaches that Creation will be redeemed. All of creation, the Bible promises, is under the care and nurture of God and we are called to be God’s coworkers in this work. The second chapter of Genesis is an intense theological presentation on creation and humanity’s interaction with it. This story is a reflection on power and control, on anxiety and the way we respond to it. When we lay this story over the top of our world today we see that these issues have not gone away. Power? Control? Anxiety? When it comes to the environment we have all too often eaten the forbidden fruit while failing to serve and protect the garden of the earth itself. Perhaps what we need is a reminder of the simple fact that we have come from the dust and to the dust we will return. When our Genesis story teller relates this story of creation he uses a play on words. When humankind is created the word for human is adam. It can be translated as man or humankind. We think of it as the name of the first male, Adam, but it is not a proper name; it’s just a regular word for humankind. The adam, humanity as it were, was created from the soil. The word in Hebrew for soil is adamah. Do you hear the word play at work here? Adam has come from adamah. Humans are soil. We are basically lumps of clay. This implies that our lives are interwoven with the life of the soil, of the dirt. The health of our bodies depends on the health of our soil. Ellen Davis, a professor at Duke and a contributor to The Green Bible, has helped me remember all of this. Our health depends on the health of the food we receive from the soil. If the soil goes bad, the food goes bad, and, well, you can fill in the blanks can’t you? The first human sin is connected to eating. God sets a boundary and says, “Stay away from here.” We don’t know why. We don’t know what is wrong about this forbidden fruit. All we know is that the boundaries are clear. “Do not cross this line. It will be bad for you.” And like we so often want to do today Adam refuses to take the responsibility for his sin. Have you ever noticed this? Whenever I teach on this text I always ask the class, “Who does Adam blame for his sin?” They almost always say, with one voice, “Eve!” But, no. The story is clear. Adam is asked about his sin and he says, Devotion to Justice, Fall 2013, page 48 “The woman that YOU gave me, caused me to sin.” He points his finger at God and says, “It’s your fault.” We do the same thing don’t we? We see the city of New Orleans destroyed by a hurricane and we call it an act of God. Then, to make things worse we avoid the deeper issues at work in the city, things like racism and poverty and crime and unemployment and we turn it into a political football while all the time failing to face our sin, our weakness and our refusal to care for the environment and the people therein. This reminds us that when we fail to care for the earth the first ones to experience the pain of the soil are the poorest of the poor. Check your political concerns at the door for a moment. We should, every one of us, fall on our knees in prayer asking for the forgiveness of our sins and the way we have abused the planet and its resources at the price of the poor. The first result of sin in the Bible is the ruination of the ground. The soil is affected. The ground is cursed. It is filled with thorns and thistles. It will now be a labor to till and work. Professor Davis read this text with a group of farmers and asked them to interpret it. They said: “It is obvious. When humans are disconnected from God, the soil will be the first to suffer.” They had not been to seminary but they helped her, and us, see something that any Hebrew would have already recognized: the degradation of the land is a sign that humans (the adams) have turned away from God. When the land is flourishing it is sign that humans have returned to God. In other words, the single greatest indicator as to whether or not we are in good relationship with God is the condition of the land! As Professor Wright proclaims, “Jesus is Coming — Plant a Tree” Dr. R. Glen Miles: Senior Minister, Country Club Christian Church, Kansas City, MO Creation Care

https://disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013JusticeDevotional.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1kQyM7mSrfukz4iEflfMeNpoPP8R-wBuQ3LDw_pWNR9HA4nfv6hLfOcpU Child Nutrition Matthew 18:10 Babies! Whether it is mom, dad, grandparents, aunts or uncles, we get so excited about babies. When we hear the news of expectant parents we throw parties and buy gifts and start planning what the life of this child will look like. We think about bright eyes and chubby cheeks and smiling, happy faces. I planned all of those for my first pregnancy, too. At 7 months I began to have problems with my health. In spite of the blizzard outside I was sent to the hospital for tests. A quick x-ray (before the day of sonograms) showed that there were, in fact, two babies. “Oh no! I need a second crib and a second car seat and twice as many clothes and bottles and diapers…..” Well, at least I had two months to get all the plans made. Regardless, the snow was still falling and we were told to double up in houses in case the grid couldn’t handle the demand of heating everyone’s home. Ten hours after my x-ray, in the midst of the blizzard, I went into labor. The doctor said not to delay…to get to the hospital immediately because they were coming too soon and we needed to be certain to be there before they were delivered. They arrived two hours later. They lost weight, had breathing problems, had to be fed intravenously. It was 16 days before I was permitted to hold them in my arms. Scary? Challenging? Yes. But within a year they had gone from a weight of three pounds up to within normal development range. After those initial challenges they grew and developed normally and there were no residual difficulties. How can preemie babies thrive so well? How is it that some babies go full term and still struggle? The truth is there are a whole host of reasons. One of those reasons can be addressed: nutrition for the child for the first 1,000 days from conception to her second birthday. I was blessed to have proper food, vitamins and medical care during my pregnancy. When this Devotion to Justice, Fall 2013, page 45 unexpected challenge came along my daughters were healthy enough to be able to overcome those early difficulties. How different might the outcome have been without that safety net? If they survived, they might still have had emotional or learning challenges. Full term babies without the proper care face those same challenges. As we face the challenge of child nutrition, may we recognize the hope that lies in the fact that WE CAN DO something about it. Rev. Dr. Patricia Donahoo Disciples Women Indianapolis, IN Women and Children

https://disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013JusticeDevotional.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1kQyM7mSrfukz4iEflfMeNpoPP8R-wBuQ3LDw_pWNR9HA4nfv6hLfOcpU Connectedness Galatians 5:13-14 I always held a keen interest for geography, specifically the interrelationship between places and people. The relationship between a given landscape and how its inhabitants interact with it continues to intrigue me. The first law of geography states that, “everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than distant things” (Tobler, 1970). As a graduate student in geospatial sciences, I began to see beyond statistical relationships. I became increasingly aware of how we are connected to one another more than we realize. People are connected to each other because of their proximity to one another. Faith communities are connected to each other because of our willingness to listen deeply and compassionately to one another’s stories. Our relationship to one another is bridged as a result of connectedness. For many geographers, connectedness is difficult to quantify. Yet, somehow the depth of our connectedness is correlated to our proximity in distance we have with one another. Connectedness can be experienced as we laugh, mourn, rejoice, worship and fellowship with each other. Connectedness is found in appreciating diversity without expecting conformity or homogeneity. Connectedness is never done instantaneously neither is it an easy passive task. While connectedness takes time to foster, connectedness isn’t weakened overnight. When we trivialize another human being’s experiences, we distance ourselves. When our social sphere has a price of admission or appears inclusive to individuals of similar culture, education, and socio-economics, we distance ourselves. When issues like poverty, marginalization and disenfranchisement are articulated as “THE poor,” “THE marginalized,” and “THE disenfranchised,” we distance ourselves. Little by little the distance causes disconnection. As a people of faith, we value connectedness. Where do we start? Perhaps a good way is to Devotion to Justice, Fall 2013, page 43 prepare our hearts and have room for others. Let us go forth prayerfully and faithfully as we seek to establish connectedness and meaningful relationships. May we continue to seek the Holy Spirit help guide us into deeper fellowship with one another. In the process, let us awaken our senses to God’s loving compassion for all humanity and creation. With Jesus our prime example of our faith, may we go forth! Lynette Li: Seminarian at Phillips Theological, Oklahoma Region Worked with General Youth Council on GA programming Immigration and Refugees

https://disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013JusticeDevotional.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1kQyM7mSrfukz4iEflfMeNpoPP8R-wBuQ3LDw_pWNR9HA4nfv6hLfOcpU Advocates for the Poor Proverbs 31:8-9 Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all those who are destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the right of those who are poor and in need. (Proverbs 31:8-9). As people of faith and conscience, we are called by God to be advocates for the poor and needy. This we must do among our friends and colleagues, within our families, within our congregations, within our communities, and within our democratic system of government. Sovereign God, with great joy and hearts full of thanksgiving, we thank you for all your many blessings. Forgive us, we pray, for our selfishness and our blindness, open our eyes, ears, hearts and hands to our suffering and struggling sisters and brothers, and empower us humbly yet boldly to advocate for those whose voices go unheard and whose needs go unmet. This we pray in your Holy Name. Amen. Rev. Dr. Ken Brooker Langston Executive Director, Disciples Center for Public Witness, DOC Justice Advocacy Consultant and Public Policy Advisor, Office of the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (DOC) Director, Disciples Justice Action Network (DJAN) Hunger and Poverty

https://disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013JusticeDevotional.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1kQyM7mSrfukz4iEflfMeNpoPP8R-wBuQ3LDw_pWNR9HA4nfv6hLfOcpU Greatness of a Nation Psalm 72:11-14 Make other rulers bow down and all other nations serve him. Do this because the king rescues the homeless when they cry out, and he helps everyone who is poor and in need. The king has pity on the weak and the helpless and protects those in need. He cares when they suffer, and he saves them from cruel and violent deaths. (Psalm 72:11-14, Contemporary English Version). This Scripture teaches us two things: (1) that the greatness of a nation depends on how it treats the poor, vulnerable and needy; and (2) that the government (here represented by the king as sovereign) has a God-given responsibility for the life, health and well-being of all who suffer and are in need. In a democratic society where the people are sovereign, it is now our responsibility to work together through our government to fulfill this sacred obligation for political leaders in all nations. Just and merciful God, you are the Giver of all good things and the Judge of all nations. Have mercy on the nations of the world, including our own, bless us with good and wise and compassionate leaders, and help us always to remember that the greatest among nations is the one that does the most to lift up the least of its people, especially those who are poor and hungry. In your Holy Name we pray. Amen. Rev. Dr. Ken Brooker Langston Executive Director, Disciples Center for Public Witness, DOC Justice Advocacy Consultant and Public Policy Advisor, Office of the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (DOC) Director, Disciples Justice Action Network (DJAN) Hunger and Poverty

https://disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013JusticeDevotional.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1kQyM7mSrfukz4iEflfMeNpoPP8R-wBuQ3LDw_pWNR9HA4nfv6hLfOcpU God Gives Freely 2 Corinthians 9:9-11 God freely gives his gifts to the poor and always does right. God gives seed to the farmer and provides everyone with food. He will increase what you have so that you can give even more to those in need. You will be blessed in every way, and will be able to keep on being generous. (2 Corinthians 9: 9-11, Contemporary English Version). In God’s good creation, God has provided enough for everybody to have their basic needs met. If we have been blessed with stewardship over a part of God’s abundance for all, then we, as people of faith and conscience, have both the responsibility and the privilege to share these blessings with others, especially those most in need, through our personal giving, our community involvement, and our advocacy for public policies consistent with this understanding of God’s purposes. O God of abundance, you have blessed your children with enough and more than enough to meet all of our needs. So fill us, we pray, with such an abundance of gratitude that we will freely share our blessings with others and do our part to ensure that, in all areas of life, your abundance is more equally shared, leaving no one poor or hungry or homeless. This we pray in your Holy Name. Amen. Rev. Dr. Ken Brooker Langston Executive Director, Disciples Center for Public Witness, DOC Justice Advocacy Consultant and Public Policy Advisor, Office of the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (DOC) Director, Disciples Justice Action Network (DJAN) Hunger and Poverty

https://disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013JusticeDevotional.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1kQyM7mSrfukz4iEflfMeNpoPP8R-wBuQ3LDw_pWNR9HA4nfv6hLfOcpU Taking Faith Seriously 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 On World Refugee Day this year, I was at the courthouse supporting a man from my church as he became a U.S. Citizen. His people, the indigenous Bunong people — also among the handful of tribes known as Montagnard — are refugees for many reasons. There is racism, there is the political lashing out against those who fought alongside the Americans during the Vietnam War, there is the Christian faith that now defines life for so many Montagnard people, and there is the inconvenience of these hill tribes of indigenous people living for generations on mineral rich soil that can be harvested and exploited for profit if only all these people would disappear. Most refugees have left their homeland for a few of these reasons. Montagnards are in the unique position of being refugees for ALL the reasons persons might become refugees. The one that has hurt the deepest, they tell me, is that they are hunted for their faith. When their churches burned down, they have gathered for worship in homes; when they were told that celebrating Christmas would be a punishable offense, they have gathered for Christmas anyway and endured the resulting beatings and torture; when they were told that public gatherings like baptisms would get them fined and arrested, they have baptized in rivers under cover of darkness. These are a people who take their faith seriously. I am awed by what they have lived through for their faith in Jesus. The man who now pledged allegiance to the flag had passed through the waters, through the fires, through the floods. Now he decided to put his lot in with the country that had become his home. As it turns out, wherever he has gone, he has carried Jesus with him. In this land or that one, living in a traditional Bunong village, or in a suburban Charlotte home, he and others like him have carried hope in Christ like a light to show them the way. I marvel that, on the Sundays when it's too rainy to go out and people stay home from church; on the Sundays when it is too lovely to be inside and people opt to do something other than church; on the holidays when all the Devotion to Justice, Fall 2013, page 38 extra family and celebrations crowd out church; Montagnards in Vietnam and persecuted people around the world are risking their lives to gather together, to worship, to share a little of the light they have found that will, one day, lead them to their true home. Rev. Jolin Wilks McElroy: Pastor First Christian Church, Charlotte, NC Immigration and Refugees

https://disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013JusticeDevotional.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1kQyM7mSrfukz4iEflfMeNpoPP8R-wBuQ3LDw_pWNR9HA4nfv6hLfOcpU Moses’ Mother and Strategic Decisions for Placement Exodus 2:1-10 My recent life feels like it has been all about movement. A move from California to Washington, D.C., from a city condo to a neighborhood house, from a community office to a church site, from a single life to marriage. In every change, I have been struck by the number of decisions about placement that have been required: Where should we look for a home? In what new locations will we put items from all those boxes? What living arrangement will best allow my husband’s future to now fit with my own? They are strategic decisions, each one small but building upon another, working together to form a new life. In chapter two of Exodus, Moses’ mother Jochebed made strategic placement decisions far more complex than these. Aware she had given birth to a son the Pharaoh wanted to kill because he was afraid of her people; she traded in a certain future of trauma by making a decision to use a little bit of tar. She bravely opted to use a basket for life instead of becoming a basket case of fear. Rather than drowning in panic, she protected her son amid the papyrus — and strategically floated him into the arms of the Pharaoh’s princess. Each one was a small decision. But building together, they formed a remarkable future for their Hebrew family — as the princess eventually paid Jochebed to nurse and care for her beloved baby she had protected. All around us are immigrant neighbors also making their own strategic placement decisions to try to build a solid new home in this country for their families. There’s the single mother who walked her children to school every day because she was not allowed to get a license. There’s the young woman “DREAMer” who was raised here most of her life but not allowed to accept a scholarship because she was brought to this country without documents as a young child. And there’s the father recruited to produce food in America’s fields, who now is laid off and must choose to leave his family now settled here or risk being caught and deported. Devotion to Justice, Fall 2013, page 36 As people of faith, we also have the chance to make strategic decisions to build just policies for compassionate immigration reform to help refugees and immigrants in our midst build more firm futures. Pastor Natalie Chamberlain from Fresno, CA. shared stories with her congressmen this week of two church children impacted by recent ICE roundups at the end of the recent growing season in the fertile San Joaquin Valley. One was a little boy in her church’s pen pal program who broke down crying to his pal because of his dad’s deportation. Another child’s family had been attending church, but is now gone because they could no longer pay the rent. As we work in partnership with our denomination’s Refugee & Immigration Ministries to welcome newcomers, let us remember the courage of Moses’ mother Jochebed and likewise make decisions that help build stronger and faith filled futures for our neighbors, our churches, ourselves. God who granted Moses’ mother with the courage to float a basket that led to the Promised Land and extended the journeys of your Hebrew people, let us listen to the courage of those seeking futures around us, and share our love to build family unity and hope. AMEN. Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea Director of Refugee & Immigration Ministries, Disciples Home Missions Immigration and Refugees

A&M Graduate and true American hero, David Eubank, will be speaking at First Christian Church on Sunday, March 31 at 10:45. Please come hear David's special story and how he has lived out his faith helping people all around the world.

https://disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013JusticeDevotional.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1kQyM7mSrfukz4iEflfMeNpoPP8R-wBuQ3LDw_pWNR9HA4nfv6hLfOcpU Citizenship Matthew 20:9-12 Since we were little kids, most of us had a well-developed sense of what was fair. When our brother or sister got away with something, we were quick to say, “That’s not fair!” Maybe our parents told us the old adage, “Life isn’t fair.” But deep down, we still cling to the belief that it should be. That’s one reason we’re so incensed when someone doesn’t follow the rules. For many, the thought of people entering the United States by crossing the border illegally evokes the same outrage: “Who do you think you are? You think you’re so special that the rules don’t apply to you? That’s not fair!” But that’s just it: it’s not fair. It’s not fair that I was born on U.S. soil, thereby becoming a U.S. citizen. Because of that fact, I have lived my life free from genocide, political dictatorship, civil war, religious persecution and famine. And then there’s my other citizenship: While I was still a sinner, Christ died for me, making me a citizen in the kingdom of heaven. If ever I should exclaim, “That’s not fair!” it’s because I have received so much more than I deserved. Immigration is not a simple issue with simple answers. In fact, the more I learn, the more I appreciate the complexity of it all. But I have also found that starting the discussion with recognition that I do not deserve my citizenship — either of them — is a lot more productive than starting it by crying foul. Can we set our indignation aside, or at least hold it lightly, while we learn about immigration? Because if we do, I believe we’ll find new understanding. And most importantly, I believe we’ll open ourselves to the ways God is working in the Church. Gracious God, thank you for giving me so much more than I deserve. Help me to live into my citizenship in your kingdom. Devotion to Justice, Fall 2013, page 34 Tana Liu-Beers: Immigration Legal Counsel, Disciples Home Missions Durham, North Carolina Immigration and Refugees

https://disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013JusticeDevotional.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1kQyM7mSrfukz4iEflfMeNpoPP8R-wBuQ3LDw_pWNR9HA4nfv6hLfOcpU The Problem with Names Revelation 21:22-27 Life as a refugee is a hard life. There is the indignity of losing one's home. And then add to that the displacing of an entire family, a resettling in a land with different language and different customs and different expectations. Whatever you were in the prior land — a doctor, a teacher, a farmer — very likely bears no relationship on what you are allowed to do in the new place. On top of all this, there is the problem with names. Many refugees lose their given names when they leave their home and settle in a new place. A few families in our congregation lost their last names when they traveled to Cambodia to a refugee camp. Men were given the initial Y as a last name and women were given a letter H. The US Government had drawn up paperwork to correspond to the legal names Cambodia had given people when they resettled. In a great irony, the process of becoming an American Citizen allows refugees to reclaim those lost names, that lost heritage. By becoming American, they are allowed (finally!) to be called by their names. Our Lord knows us beyond the names and the labels we wear. Our Lord prepares a place for the faithful even if no other place in the world provides them a welcome. Our Lord finds a way. And with the Lamb, with Jesus the Christ, we are known deeply and completely. With the Lamb, we are home. Personal experience and panic prompted some of our teenagers to ask a Bible Study teacher about the scripture where the Lamb's book has everyone's name. "How will we know if we're welcome in the new Jerusalem? How will we know if Jesus calls us? Which name will the Lamb use?" The answer the teacher gave was the only answer that mattered. "You'll just know." Rev. Jolin Wilks McElroy: Pastor First Christian Church, Charlotte, NC Immigration and Refugees

Last Sunday’s Sermon Isaiah 55:1-9; Luke 13:1-9 People are careful about what they say to preachers. But occasionally there are unguarded moments. One of those unfolded many years ago after worship. Isaiah 55 had been featured in that service and the reading offended one man enough to prompt a frank exchange on his way out of the sanctuary. Though retired, the man’s career had been in the financial industry. Give that set of competing ideas, Isaiah 55:1.2 set him off: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost...His bottom line was placed in clear language: “That should be removed from the Bible.” His unspoken declaration was equally plain. God should not interfere in earthly business matters. Though grace is a key part of New Testament theology, it is not a New Testament invention. Allusions to grace are scattered throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. Psalm 103:8-10 is only one reference: “The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in love. God will not always accuse, nor will God harbor anger forever; God does not treat us as our sins deserve...” It is curious indeed that today’s reading from Isaiah is paired in the Lectionary with Luke 13:1-9. Both deal with grace and both use language with economic overtones. But in the Lukan parable, grace comes with a twist. “Leave it alone for one more year… If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.” Though Paul never lays it out quite that openly, there is enough evidence to suggest that he would not disagree. The traditional theological phrase would be conditional grace, but I prefer a different word – accountability. Grace and accountability are on opposite side of the same coin. Grace and accountability are inseparable. God’s love and mercy are freely given. Forgiveness and salvation are unmerited gifts. But grace does not release us from our obligations to God!

https://disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013JusticeDevotional.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1kQyM7mSrfukz4iEflfMeNpoPP8R-wBuQ3LDw_pWNR9HA4nfv6hLfOcpU Worth Being Spent Isaiah 58:10 Injustice is a prevailing and ever present ill of society not to be ignored, disregarded or averted. It gives way to economic inequality, human trafficking, environmental degradation, the prison industrial complex, systemic racism and more woes than can be counted resulting in a burdensome list seemingly too great to fight. Yet, we are called to seek justice in the midst of this reality. To spend ourselves for those who hunger and satisfy the needs of those who are oppressed. No matter how daunting this call may be, we have the power to make a difference in the lives of any who suffer. We are not being set up to fail. We are being invited to join with God in transforming the precious life of another, who is made in the image of God. A meal, a donation, a coat or a protest have the capacity to shine light into the dark situations that are faced during times of oppression and trial. May we be faithful enough to help, strong enough to stand and bold enough to illuminate that darkness. Most benevolent Creator, forgive our hesitation to seek justice. Bring back to the forefront of our minds how significant changing one moment in one person’s life can truly be. Mature us out of attitudes that oppress our compassion and smother the light of Christ within us. May You mature in us the notion that only our needs are critical. Restore us when the work feels endless and burdensome. We submit ourselves to be bearers of justice and barriers of injustice. May Your grace, mercy and love abound. Amen. Rev. Lashaundra Smith: Pastor First Christian Church (DOC), Gulfport, MS Hunger and Poverty

https://disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013JusticeDevotional.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1kQyM7mSrfukz4iEflfMeNpoPP8R-wBuQ3LDw_pWNR9HA4nfv6hLfOcpU Forbidden Fruit Genesis 2:15-17 Controversy has surrounded the Adam and Eve story through the years. The story leaves us with many questions. However, controversy aside, the eating of the forbidden fruit is the first sin in the Bible. That sin came to be known for Christians as “original sin,” the fragmentation of God’s perfect world. The eating of the forbidden fruit is where everything started to go wrong. Speaking to Adam and Eve today, God might say, “You can enjoy fruits and vegetables, breads and beans, cheeses and nuts. Enjoy meat from grazing cows, scratching chickens, foraging hogs and swimming fish.”But what foods would God forbid us to eat? Food with ingredients we cannot pronounce? Meat from confined animals that never feel rain, wind, or sun on their backs? Adam and Eve and the generations that followed them suffered the consequences of their decision to eat the forbidden fruit. And we suffer the consequences when we eat forbidden foods through our health and wellbeing and so do our neighbors and creation. We are blessed to live in places that can grow good food. Our local farmers grow foods that are healthy and tasty and raise animals with compassion and love. Food artisans put their hearts into their craft to give us breads, cheeses, pastas, and more. Good food is grown, harvested, and prepared in a way that connects us to each other, to the earth, and to God. When we eat good food in community, we partake of communion, we remember Christ, and we bring a bit of wholeness to our fragmented world. Gracious God, May our dining tables be “Justice Tables” and may the food we eat bring wholeness to our community. In Christ we pray, Amen Devotion to Justice, Fall 2013, page 30 Rev. Carol Devine: Minister Green Chalice Providence Christian Church (DOC), Nicholasville, KY Creation Care

https://disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013JusticeDevotional.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1kQyM7mSrfukz4iEflfMeNpoPP8R-wBuQ3LDw_pWNR9HA4nfv6hLfOcpU What’s In a Name? Acts 4:36 The custom of modifying a person’s name to more appropriately represent God’s work in their life accompanied God’s relationship with God’s servants throughout the bible. The intriguing piece, however, is found in how this change of name always reflected the individual according to how God himself saw them, rather than they themselves or even others. Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel; and even Jesus himself changed Simon to Peter demonstrating in this way the transforming work of the Spirit, which would move him from being an insignificant fisherman to a rock within the church. Along with this was a change of location, a time of moving. As Abram began his journey away from his family and from his land, he was a foreigner. He was an undocumented illegal alien. But he was only this in the eyes of those suggesting he didn’t look the same, talk the same or believe the same. In the eyes of the Lord, he was already Abraham! Seeking a better life, not for himself, but for his descendants that did not yet exist! Times have not changed so much that this custom is not represented in our ever changing world today. But let us wonder if this was at the center of God’s intention as we compare in contrast this biblical custom, with the custom of man today where “nicknames” are placed on individuals, usually based solely on circumstances or physical characteristics. We live in a society that is divided on issues surrounding immigration and at the center of this we hear names such as “Wetback,” “illegal,” “alien,” “unwanted,” and “criminal” among other, many times worse names, used in a derogatory manner to degrade and minimize the value of another human being. Our world is full of inequalities. Countries prosper while countries perish. People hunger while others indulge in excess. While these inequalities exist there will always be a fleeing people seeking a better life. Let us strive to see others through the eyes of our Lord and Creator. Let us look and listen for the characteristics in others that reflect the name that Devotion to Justice, Fall 2013, page 28 most appropriately represents God’s relationship to God’s child and purpose. Could we possibly begin to comprehend the name our Lord would place on another individual? Do we understand the circumstances surrounding this life? Do we have this right to judge? After all, we are ALL part of a bigger Kingdom. Pastor Lori Tapia: Iglesia Alas de Salvacion, Gilbert, Arizona Immigration and Refugees

https://disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013JusticeDevotional.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1kQyM7mSrfukz4iEflfMeNpoPP8R-wBuQ3LDw_pWNR9HA4nfv6hLfOcpU Strawberry Fields Forever Matthew 20:1-16 In California, Kate and I would from time to time buy strawberries from a roadside stand. The stand was located within the limits of Los Angeles County where nearly ten million people reside. We never found a stand selling corn or tomatoes but there were several next to strawberry fields. As we admired the baskets of strawberries we had just purchased, we could almost hear over our heads the melody of “Strawberry Fields Forever” and the question of how long would the growers of strawberries hold out. How long could the offers made by developers of new housing projects be resisted? Of course the real defenders of the strawberry fields in Los Angeles County, those who keep the fields flourishing and financially viable, are not the growers. Those of us who buy the strawberries don’t ask the cashier if they are cultivated and picked by “legal” workers. We don’t ask if they earn the $8 minimum hourly wage in Los Angeles County. We breathe in the scent of fresh strawberries and are lifted by gratitude that the fields are still there. But we know that they wouldn’t be if the workers, the brown skinned men and women, earned a wage above the poverty level for a family. It’s the same in the fields seen on the drive along California’s U.S. 1 up the coast. How can those fields be farmed on some of the country’s most valuable real estate? If their workers have been at it for more than five years, don’t they deserve to be considered “legal”? Do we really want to continue to punish them through our immigration system? Doug Smith and Kate Moyer, ordained DOC ministers Long Term Volunteer Missionaries with Global Ministries Mesa Conjunta "Roundtable" in San Luis Potosi, Mexico Immigration and Refugees Devotion to Justice, Fall 2013, page 25 A Victim of Her Circumstances

https://disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013JusticeDevotional.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1kQyM7mSrfukz4iEflfMeNpoPP8R-wBuQ3LDw_pWNR9HA4nfv6hLfOcpU Excuse me… Matthew 25:40 “I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me — you did it to me.” As a former teacher, I could write a book about the interesting excuses my students (both the children and adults) gave me for not completing assignments. There are always exceptions and believe me, there’s no excuse that a teacher hasn’t heard. The common denominator to the excuses was that most of the time they blamed everyone else but themselves. My sister Luz Amanda and her women’s network have opened up a daycare, job training center and support ministry for the women. My sister Rosette and her sisters have started a soap making business. Another group of sisters have established a microcredit union that supports women to allow them to become self-sufficient entrepreneurs. This isn’t unusual, but let me add the rest of the story. Luz Amanda and her network are located in Colombia. Rosette and her sisters founded the soap making business and the microcredit union in the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. All of these women are in the midst of poverty, war torn countries, violence against women and danger on a regular basis. These factors would serve as valid excuses or reasons not to be able to complete their assignments. Yet in the midst of what appears to be no material resources, they have resurrected successful ventures with faith, perseverance and resilience. No excuses. I will never forget the words of wisdom from one of my Colombian sisters in Christ during my visit. “Whenever you’re frustrated and feel that you can’t do something, remember your Colombian sisters and then you’ll realize if we can do it, you can too.” Devotion to Justice, Fall 2013, page 23 No excuses. Years later, her words and actions resonate continually within my spirit. Her simple, yet profound wisdom remains a bit unsettling because it places the responsibility on….me. There are no excuses. As I thought about my goals and desires, I was literally embarrassed at the excuses I had for delaying them. Even though I had access to far more resources than my sisters, they were accomplishing life-changing ventures. These brave Congolese and Colombian women are ministering to populations that are overlooked and ignored by others. The importance of the call diminishes their excuses. We are not called to make excuses, but to make good. No excuses. Sheila Spencer Director of Christian Education/Faith Formation – Disciples Home Missions Light of the World Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Indianapolis, IN Women and Children

https://disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013JusticeDevotional.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1kQyM7mSrfukz4iEflfMeNpoPP8R-wBuQ3LDw_pWNR9HA4nfv6hLfOcpU Creation Care “Who has let the wild ass go free?” Job 39:5-8 The last several chapters of the book of Job offer an incredible window into God’s love of creation and of the varied, wonderful creatures God placed on the earth. Most of us are familiar with the overall storyline of Job. He thought he had lost everything, pitied himself, declared himself righteous and cursed God. Granted, Job had experienced great suffering and the entire text is, in many ways, terrifying (though one must recall that for the rest of his family and his animals, who were dead, Job was at least still alive). God responds to Job with the powerful voice of the whirlwind. And in this divine answer, human beings are, not so subtly, reminded that we are not the center of the universe. God asks Job, and through him all humanity, a series of questions — where were you when the earth was formed? Did you create the rain? Did you give the horse strength? And as God lists the beautiful traits of myriad creatures, Job’s self-centered world begins to melt away. But something else happens as well, God’s other creatures are elevated. They do not exist for humans, they exist for the glory of God and for themselves — the other animals have inherent value, they are complete without any humans around at all. The wild ass is free, and God is the one who loosed the bonds of the ass. The ass ignores the driver (the human) and ranges the mountains. The wild ox cannot be bound. The horse laughs at fear and divine wisdom fills the wings of the hawk. Job 39 is a divine hymn to the beauty, independence and self-worth of the animals God created. It is a reminder that humans are just one of the many amazing parts of God’s creation. If we open our eyes and ears to the beauty and richness of all of God’s creatures, we, like Job, will begin to understand things too wonderful, which we did not know. Dr. Laura Hobgood-Oster: Professor of Religion and Environmental Studies Bethany Beach Christian Church, DE and Southwestern University, TX Creation Care

https://disciples.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013JusticeDevotional.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1kQyM7mSrfukz4iEflfMeNpoPP8R-wBuQ3LDw_pWNR9HA4nfv6hLfOcpU God’s Love Song Luke 5:16 Jesus’ prayer life was honed in the wilderness among the wild beasts during the temptation and in the wilderness he was most at home. As the Incarnate Word through which all Creation was called, Jesus had an affinity for the wild like a Seagull has for the ocean breeze or a dolphin for the waves. There he drew close to God and in God he discovered himself. To draw close to Jesus is to be drawn close to the Creation he loved. There we come into contact with the Word in ways nowhere else available and learn lessons nowhere else taught. The Psalmist sings, “The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they reveal knowledge (19:1-2). Creation is a love song between the Creator and the Word. Are you listening? Creation is a window into the wonder of God’s Love. Are you looking? The birds, animals, plants, and even the earth itself, are sacred words speaking the wonder of God; if we but pay attention and listen. Clearly, the author of Job listened to Creation speak as he concluded Job’s demand for a reckoning with the Lord of Life. Chapter after chapter of the best of human argument failed to convince Job of the mystery of life before God. He is finally silenced in the ashes and dust of repentance by the immensity of the Master’s wisdom inescapably displayed by one wonder of Creation after another. Where human argument and reason fail; Creation succeeds. Perhaps the humbleness before the Master of Creation this sacred text teaches is something we can learn more easily than Job. We will if we enter into the wild places and there listen to the Word of Life speaking. Rev. Frits Haverkamp: Northside Christian Church, Knoxville, TN Green Chalice Congregation

Sermon - March 17, 2019 Genesis 15:1-6; Philippians 3:17-4:1 “Abram believed the Lord, and God credited it to him as righteousness.” (Gen. 15:6) That statement a is key element in Paul’s theology of grace. The line appears directly in Romans 4 where Paul writes at length about both Abraham and justification by faith. (See 4:9) So believe in Jesus Christ with all your heart., but that is only half of the catchphrase I began with. For the rest turn to Hebrew 11. There Abraham’s is listed among the Old Testament heroes of faith. Though Genesis 15:6 is not quoted directly, it remains in the background as the extent of Abraham’s belief in God’s promises is emphasized. “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out… “ (11:8) “By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised…” (11:9) “By faith he received power of procreation [had a son], even though he was too old…” (11:11) “By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac.” (11:17) And here is the point we must remember, Abraham believed and acted in the absence of proof. Neither he nor any of the others named had anything more than faith to which to cling “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance.” (11:13) The modern world thrives on science, on the testing of hypotheses and the proofs upon which theories are built. Science has its place, but faith and science are worlds apart and meant for different things. So, stand firm and let faith guide you. And the materialistic culture we live in sharpens our desire for instant gratification, but faith pulls us in another direction: “be still and know that I am God... wait for the Lord.” (Ps. 46:10) So stand firm and believe! Hebrews 11:1 offers the most compelling definition of faith I know: “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” In John 20, Thomas, disciple of Jesus and one of the 12, demanded proof. He received it but was criticized by the Risen Lord. Faith does not stand on proof, not then and not now; it is laid on one’s heart by God. So, turn to God, believe, and stand firm! Amen.

Last Sunday’s Sermon Isaiah 55:1-9; Luke 13:1-9 People are careful about what they say to preachers. But occasionally there are unguarded moments. One of those unfolded many years ago after worship. Isaiah 55 had been featured in that service and the reading offended one man enough to prompt a frank exchange on his way out of the sanctuary. Though retired, the man’s career had been in the financial industry. Give that set of competing ideas, Isaiah 55:1.2 set him off: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost...His bottom line was placed in clear language: “That should be removed from the Bible.” His unspoken declaration was equally plain. God should not interfere in earthly business matters. Though grace is a key part of New Testament theology, it is not a New Testament invention. Allusions to grace are scattered throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. Psalm 103:8-10 is only one reference: “The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in love. God will not always accuse, nor will God harbor anger forever; God does not treat us as our sins deserve...” It is curious indeed that today’s reading from Isaiah is paired in the Lectionary with Luke 13:1-9. Both deal with grace and both use language with economic overtones. But in the Lukan parable, grace comes with a twist. “Leave it alone for one more year… If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.” Though Paul never lays it out quite that openly, there is enough evidence to suggest that he would not disagree. The traditional theological phrase would be conditional grace, but I prefer a different word – accountability. Grace and accountability are on opposite side of the same coin. Grace and accountability are inseparable. God’s love and mercy are freely given. Forgiveness and salvation are unmerited gifts. But grace does not release us from our obligations to God!

Sermon - March 17, 2019 Genesis 15:1-6; Philippians 3:17-4:1 “Abram believed the Lord, and God credited it to him as righteousness.” (Gen. 15:6) That statement a is key element in Paul’s theology of grace. The line appears directly in Romans 4 where Paul writes at length about both Abraham and justification by faith. (See 4:9) So believe in Jesus Christ with all your heart., but that is only half of the catchphrase I began with. For the rest turn to Hebrew 11. There Abraham’s is listed among the Old Testament heroes of faith. Though Genesis 15:6 is not quoted directly, it remains in the background as the extent of Abraham’s belief in God’s promises is emphasized. “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out… “ (11:8) “By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised…” (11:9) “By faith he received power of procreation [had a son], even though he was too old…” (11:11) “By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac.” (11:17) And here is the point we must remember, Abraham believed and acted in the absence of proof. Neither he nor any of the others named had anything more than faith to which to cling “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance.” (11:13) The modern world thrives on science, on the testing of hypotheses and the proofs upon which theories are built. Science has its place, but faith and science are worlds apart and meant for different things. So, stand firm and let faith guide you. And the materialistic culture we live in sharpens our desire for instant gratification, but faith pulls us in another direction: “be still and know that I am God... wait for the Lord.” (Ps. 46:10) So stand firm and believe! Hebrews 11:1 offers the most compelling definition of faith I know: “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” In John 20, Thomas, disciple of Jesus and one of the 12, demanded proof. He received it but was criticized by the Risen Lord. Faith does not stand on proof, not then and not now; it is laid on one’s heart by God. So, turn to God, believe, and stand firm! Amen.

Sermon - March 10, 20-19 Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Luke 4:1-13 Though the words of Joel are old his prophecy still rings true: “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your clothes. So, return turn to the Lord with all your heart and not just scattered bits of it, “for God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love…” (Joel 2:12-13) It is truly hard to miss the connection between Joel’s dark and dreadful day of the Lord and the revelation shared by John. But I tell you this, we misread and misunderstand so much. In our part of Christian tradition, we openly dismiss Revelation as nothing more than self-serving righteous indignation from the pious that is wholly at odds with the gospels. I say we misread Revelation but mostly we will not engage it enough hear that its message is consistent with the rest of the New Testament. From the gospels to Revelation, our faith lifts two clear values: grace is granted by God through Jesus Christ; and that we accountable to the Lord of creation. In Revelation we see, but write off, the message of accountability. We dismiss it as nothing more than self-serving Christian vengeance. What we miss is that Christian or not, the same standard is applied to all. Grace or not, Christian or not, we are accountable to God. The greater mistake we make is our failure to see the grace that is offered repeatedly. Over and over both the righteous and the wicked are offered the chance to repent and enter the salvation of God. That continues virtually up to the shores of the sulfur lake that churns and burns in Revelation 20. The week before last at the House Church, we sought to discern the difference between sin and evil, but in Revelation God makes no distinction when it comes to grace. Even those who are evil are given chance after chance to repent. As Jesus did at the beginning of his ministry, we do in the season of Lent. We submit to a time of reflection. Let us enter the Lenten wilderness that our hearts might be tested.

Sermon - February 24, 2019 Genesis 45:3-9; Luke 6:27-36 “To those who listen, I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other, as well.” (Luke 6:27) Though the word love does not appear anywhere in Genesis 45, that is precisely what we are talking about. Love, agape in the Greek used by Luke, goes far beyond what is required. This kind of love has nothing to do with emotions. It does not matter what you feel. Instead, it is love that is lived out as a conscious choice. What Joseph chose to do in Genesis 45 is exactly what Jesus spoke of in Luke 6. We need not feel guilty about the things we feel. Mostly, emotions come to us unbidden. God does not judge us for these. It is what we choose to do that matters. And as was the case in the Joseph story, we can make a positive difference, even if only in small ways, by refusing to return evil for evil. Our nation certainly would be a better place today if more people actually listened to the words of Jesus. Amen

Sermon - February 17, 2019 Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1 Jeremiah’s prophecy in chapter 17 finds its echo in Psalm 1. Both offer a black and white, either-or framework for life. God rewards the good (those who are steadfast) and punishes the wicked (those whose hearts are wayward.). Unfortunately, life tends to be lived out in shades of gray. No one is entirely good. (No one is completely steadfast.) Beyond that divine justice is not always apparent. Sometimes good people suffer despite their faithfulness, and often the wicked seem to prosper no matter what they do. Jeremiah seems content to ignore the issues raised by his words. The Psalms, however, wrestle with this nettlesome problem and are open and honest about it. The psalmist stands on faith but also presents questions, doubts and struggles when they arise. At the book’s midpoint, the psalmist makes this declaration: Truly God is good… to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled… For I was envious of the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (73:1,2) The words are startling because they contradict the black and white framework presented in Psalm 1. Psalm 145 finally ends the debate. These words are characteristic of the whole psalm: “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is and his compassion is over all that he has made.” After that the final five psalms are filled with nothing but praise. Jeremiah’s prophecy makes our dilemma visible, but never presents a viable answer. So, I’ll turn to its echo in Psalm 1 and follow that book to its ultimate end. Lord, you know my heart. You know that sometimes I’m good and sometimes I’m not. You know that sometimes I’m steadfast and sometimes I’m not. You know that sometimes my faith is strong and sometimes it’s not. Lord be gracious to me for I just a gnarled old shrub in the desert. In your mercy give me better than I deserve. Amen.

Sermon – February 10, 2019 Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 5:1-11 When Peter beached his boat and followed Jesus, he was not thinking deep thoughts. There was no vision from God, no voice calling out from heaven, and no leading by the Holy Spirit. In basic survival mode, he was more than willing to connect himself to Jesus for practical reasons. People turn to Jesus for many reasons, some are good, others less so, and many are practical. Regardless of the motivation, few if any could claim to have known the heart of Jesus when they accepted him as Lord. And who can foresee where he will lead in the future? Our understanding changes over time. The Apostle Paul spoke of three things in 1 Corinthians 13: faith, hope, and love. Faith is rooted in God, revealed by God, and given by God. It is a gift we receive; unfortunately, as was the case with that family I mentioned at the beginning of this message, faith can be distorted. And hope, though necessary, is only as strong as the human heart it is lodged within. Hope can fail. So, Paul declared: “Now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. Let love be the face we show to the world. Let his love be seen in us. For good or bad, our walk with Christ is seen by others. And for those with little or no knowledge of our faith, our conduct has a great impact on their understanding of Jesus Christ. Many things bring people to Jesus, but love is the reason for following Jesus Christ. I pray that others may see that in us.

Sermon - February 3, 2019 Isaiah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Picture Isaiah’s vision as beyond even the most vivid dream you have ever experienced. Awesome, and more than a little intimidating, and that is before God’s dragons, those seraph’s, speak. Place yourself in Isaiah’s shoes. What other reaction is possible? Could you remain unmoved by it? Not likely! Awaken, unchanged by God presence? Absolutely not! Sit the fence as if unimpressed by divine power? No way! Not with God’s dragons (seraphs) screaming their thunderous message. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is [filled by] his glory.” God’s power of love and acceptance comes to all, but the call to become a disciple of Jesus Christ is urgent. It is meant to be disorienting. It is supposed to be life changing. Place yourself in Paul’s shoes. Christ’s call and promise came to him dramatically changing his life. The gospel is urgent. The call to new life and newness of life is urgent. Could you remain unmoved by it? In the face of it can you sit the fence as if unimpressed by divine power? No way! Not with God’s dragons screaming their thunderous message. And not with Christ crucified. And Paul’s recitation of our faith’s core truth is both an invitation to faith and discipleship and an urgent call to action. Will we go boldly into the world to share the story of God’s awesome power and unshakeable love.

Sermon - January 27, 2019 “Grace Brings Obligation” Luke 4:14-21; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 All of this is biblical history (not fake news), and there can be no doubt about Jesus’ understanding of its details, and no question about where he stood. For not only did Jesus define his earthly ministry with the words of Isaiah, he also demonstrated his understanding after the reading had ended. For when questions were raised Jesus cited two pointed examples of those covered by God’s love. In verses 25-26, Jesus said: “I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time… and there was a severe famine… Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in… Sidon.” And then in verse 27: “And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.” It was after those words that the good people of Nazareth, former neighbors and friends, tried to throw him off a cliff. Why? Because he offered a faithful answer instead of the mainstream viewpoint. I am a follower of Jesus Christ. He is my master, no one else has authority. If the Apostle Paul’s teaching departs from those of Christ, who has authority? Jesus Christ has authority! If the doctrines of the New Testament Church run counter to those of Christ, who has authority? Jesus Christ has authority. If contemporary Christians turn a deaf ear toward our Lord, who has authority? Jesus Christ. I have little regard for the politics practiced on either side of the divide in our nation. I follow Jesus Christ. He is my master and no one else has authority. In Nazareth near the beginning of his ministry, Jesus made a clear declaration. Who is included in God’s love, who is encompassed by God’s concern, and who is covered by God’s desire for justice? If you listen to Jesus, a great many more are included by God than most would suppose.

Sermon - January 20, 2019 John 2:1-11; Exodus 14:31; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 The final line in John's narrative tells us: “Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” That summary statement contains an element used elsewhere. At the end of the Exodus narrative, when the people had crossed the sea, we are told: “Israel saw the great work that the Lord did against the Egyptians. So, the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord...” Background message: seeing the signs of divine power, sensing God’s presence, is an important part of coming to faith... Even today, perhaps especially today, the signs of divine power, the signs of God’s presence, are an important part of faith, both coming to faith and bringing it to maturity. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus put it this way: “…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Using Paul’s insight into spiritual gifts, it’s not your light that people see when you use your spiritual gifts. Whether they recognize it at first sight or not, they see God working through you. So, let God’s light be seen in us and in our Lord’s Church. And let us do so with boldness. If we are content to let God remain in the background, then God’s power and presence might not be recognized by those who need to see and believe.

Sermon - January 13, 2019 Luke 3:15-22; Acts 8:14-17 Faith is not complete without a connection to God, without a spark to ignite it, without wisdom to guide it, without understanding to correct it, without God’s Holy Spirit to power it. It takes more than water! The early Church was filled with and led by the Holy Spirit! In our modern, enlightenment world, a great many people seem not to not understand the limits and failings that come with of our humanity. Many try to live as Christians and be the Church without divine assistance. Well, it takes more than water. Just as Peter and John prayed for those Samaritan Christians, we too must pray that the Spirit will come and complete our faith as we work to build our Lord’s Church!