Monday, August 30, 2010

Sermon August 29, 2010

Feasting with the Poor
Scripture Psalm 112 and Luke 14: 7-14
Preached by Linda Jo Peters ~ August 29, 2010
INTRODUCTION TO SCRIPTURE
Psalm 112 is constructed as an acrostic poetic text. Each line begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. But it is more than a simple ten-verse poem set in an acrostic form for memorization. It is poem that lays out something of the distinctive qualities of those who would ascribe to the law of God and endeavor to live their lives by it. It breathes with an ethic that says there is a right course and a wrong path for human living.

1Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord, who greatly delight in his commandments.
2Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.
4They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright; they are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
5It is well with those who deal generously and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice.
6For the righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered forever.
7They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.
8Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
9They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor; their righteousness endures forever; their horn is exalted in honor.
10The wicked see it and are angry; they gnash their teeth and melt away; the desire of the wicked comes to nothing.

Luke 14: 7-14
The social matrix of first-century life is on display in this passage, and we hear Jesus speak into this matrix both with communal wisdom and unexpected, even astonishing, advice… There is a theological truth that undergirds this passage and its very tangible social networks and exhortations: as God's people humble themselves and seek to live by a different social system marked by radical inclusion.

7When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. 8“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 9and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 12He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

SERMON
My mother-in-law, Nina, could set a wonderful table. Not only was the food great but the table was elegant. Crystal and real silverware, china from England: it was a joy to clean up. No, it really is true. I loved that time with her and my sister-in-laws. Talking over our days as these beautiful items were prepared for the next family event, which was often the following Sunday. Now we all live far apart and family meals are once a year event if then. What kind of table would we set if Jesus was coming to dinner? Who would we invite to attend? Well guest what? Next Sunday is communion and we are all invited to eat with Jesus. Who will you invite?

In this parable Jesus tells his host to invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. This is not just to make sure they eat, but to invite them to a banquet – a feast. Jesus is teaching us Kingdom behavior. In the Kingdom of God everyone is welcome. Today the Mission Committee has invited us to a party at Younity House. Younity House was created to provide permanent housing for people who have experienced homelessness do to mental health issues. It has ten apartments and was the dream of Rev. Don Mullens retired pastor of First Congregational Church. Last year was our first time in feasting with them. We all had fun together, but what was important was that we were their guests in their own backyard.

Children of God need to look for ways that turn the expected upside down. The wealthy feast with the poor, the comfortable make a place for the frightened and a little child will lead them. ( Isaiah 11:6)  Get out the best china that you have not used for years and invited your friend who lost her husband last year to a high tea. The neighbor who lost his job, the child who broke your window, the family with too much furniture of the front porch invite out for a picnic. Perhaps they will join you at the Rally Day event on September 12. Jesus is saying stop worrying about what you need and want and be concerned about what others want and need. The surprise gift of a generous spirit is that your concerns will fade into the background. Be generous, be extravagantly generous and feast with the poor: the financially poor, the physically and mentally poor, and the spiritually poor. That covers about everyone!

Jesus looked at the behavior of the guests and pointed out “Whoa! That is not right and not good for you.” Then he said, “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” In all humility make all of life a feast with God. Invite the new kid to lunch with you and your friends at school. Take the office complainer out after work and ask what is really going on in their lives. Offer to pray for him/her. And follow through, after a week in pray ask again how his/her life is now. Let your fear go, and welcome the stranger. “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (See: Hebrews 13:2)

Georgy Joseph shares this story in his blog:

It was fifty years ago, on a hot summer day, in the deep south. We lived on a dirt road, on a sand lot. We were, what was known as “dirt poor”. I had been playing outside all morning in the sand.

Suddenly, I heard a sharp clanking sound behind me and looking over my shoulder, my eyes were drawn to a strange sight! Across the dirt road were two rows of men, dressed in black and white, striped, baggy uniforms. Their faces were covered with dust and sweat. They looked so weary, and they were chained together with huge, black, iron chains. Hanging from the end of each chained row was a big, black, iron ball.

They were, as polite people said in those days, a “Chain Gang,” guarded by two, heavily armed, white guards. I stared at the prisoners as they settled uncomfortably down in the dirt, under the shade of some straggly trees. One of the guards walked towards me. Nodding as he passed, he went up to our front door and knocked. My mother appeared at the door, and I heard the guard ask if he could have permission to get water from the pump, in the backyard, so that “his men” could “have a drink”. My mother agreed, but I saw a look of concern on her face, as she called me inside.

I stared through the window as each prisoner was unchained from the line, to hobble over to the pump and drink his fill from a small tin cup, while a guard watched vigilantly. It wasn’t long before they were all chained back up again, with prisoners and guards retreating into the shade, away from an unrelenting sun.

I heard my mother call me into the kitchen, and I entered, to see her bustling around with tins of tuna fish, mayonnaise, our last loaf of bread, and two, big, pitchers of lemonade. In what seemed “a blink of an eye”, she had made a tray of sandwiches using all the tuna we were to have had for that night’s supper.

My mother was smiling as she handed me one of the pitchers of lemonade, cautioning me to carry it carefully” and to “not spill a drop.” Then, lifting the tray in one hand and holding a pitcher in her other hand, she marched me to the door, deftly opening it with her foot, and trotted me across the street.

She approached the guards, flashing them with a brilliant smile. “We had some leftovers from lunch,” she said, “and I was wondering if we could share with you and your men.” She smiled at each of the men, searching their dark eyes with her own eyes of “robin’s egg blue.”

Everyone started to their feet. “Oh no!” she said. “Stay where you are! I’ll just serve you!” Calling me to her side, she went from guard to guard, then from prisoner to prisoner, filling each tin cup with lemonade, and giving each man a sandwich.

It was very quiet, except for a “thank you, ma’am,” and the clanking of the chains. Very soon we were at the end of the line, my mother’s eyes softly scanning each face.

The last prisoner was a big man, his dark skin pouring with sweat, and streaked with dust. Suddenly, his face broke into a wonderful smile, as he looked up into my mother’s eyes, and he said, “Ma’am, I’ve wondered all my life if I’d ever see an angel, and now I have! Thank you!”

Again, my mother’s smile took in the whole group. “You’re all welcome!” she said. “God bless you.” Then we walked across to the house, with empty tray and pitchers, and back inside. Soon, the men moved on, and I never saw them again. The only explanation my mother ever gave me, for that strange and wonderful day, was that I “remember, always, to entertain strangers, for by doing so, you may entertain angels, without knowing.”  Then, with a mysterious smile, she went about the rest of the day. I don’t remember what we ate for supper, that night. I just know it was served by an angel.

What a great example of generosity this woman gave her child while she was feasting with the poor. May God provide amazing encounters for each of you and may you be unafraid to feast with the poor. Amen.

Resources:
Commentary on Psalm by Paul O. Myhre

Commentary on Gospel by Jeannine K. Brown
www.turnbacktogod.com/story-entertaining-angels/

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Sermon August 15, 2010

Family Conflict
Scripture Isaiah 5:1-7 and Luke 12: 49-56
Preached by Linda Jo Peters ~ August 15 2010

INTRODUCTION TO SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 5:1-7
This passage begins as a love song which becomes a trial. It contains a sophisticated play on words using 'mispat' (justice) with 'mispah' (bloodshed) and 'sedaqa' (righeousness) with 'se'aqa' (a cry). Time and again in prophetic writings the reader will be lead along one path before there is a sharp turnabout and then one finds oneself challenged or accused. God had ensured that his chosen people would have all the goodness and protection they needed so they could embody justice and righteousness, instead they choose violence and oppression.

1Let me sing for my beloved my love-song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill.
2He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; he expected it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.
3And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. 4What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have not done in it? When I expected it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes?
5And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down.
6I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and it shall be overgrown with briers and thorns; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
7For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his pleasant planting; he expected justice, but saw bloodshed; righteousness, but heard a cry!

Luke 12: 49-56
In this lectionary reading for today, we see Jesus pressing on toward Jerusalem and the cross, or as he calls it, his “baptism.” For Jesus, his death is a divine judgment upon guilt, not his own guilt, but Israel's guilt. It is the same guilt that Isaiah wrote about 800 years earlier. Jesus brings a message of hope and redemption in the face of our guilt. Some are even healed by his touch or his words, and the one healed is sent away rejoicing. But while the person is rejoicing, another group will be muttering to itself, deciding how best to get rid of Jesus. “He expected justice, but saw bloodshed; righteousness, but heard a cry!” The result is that an abiding conflict seems to be ongoing as a back drop of the Gospel of Jesus the Christ. Is it any different today?

“I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

54He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; and so it happens. 55And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. 56You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

Sermon
The fire of Jesus’ sacrifice creates a new community, a community not based on physical or genetic relationships but on spiritual ties of kinship. Jesus knew that his true mother, brothers and sisters were those who heard the word of God and followed it. But even a very close family can have conflict. From the disciples through the early church we see conflict arise from Jerusalem to Rome. Some of us get frustrated when churches are in conflict. It seems to be a poor representation of the Prince of Peace. How do we reconcile the angels’ herald of "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" with Jesus saying, “Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!”

Summer is the season of weddings. When two people get married they create a new family, but more than that, the connections with their families of origin change. This very ordinary change can cause conflict. Generally, we don’t like conflict. At least most of us put a lot of effort into avoiding conflict even to the detriment our relationships. Honest speaking and listening to one another can strengthen all relationships. But it can get heated, especially in a family. So why was Jesus so passionate to engage in this up and coming conflict? This was a family conflict that had been brewing for hundreds of years. It was much worse than The Hatfield–McCoy feud of West Virginia and Kentucky. It was closer to the divisions over race and gender that segregate people who have been considered unclean and unwelcome in worship. These restrictions had so divided God’s people so deeply that Isaiah would later write:

To the eunuchs who keep my sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, I will give, in my house and within my walls, a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off. (Isaiah 56: 4&5)

But by the time of Jesus the restrictions were even more stringent and detailed. Many believers focused their time, talent, energy and money to caring for the Temple, worship and right behaviors in living. Jesus wanted to challenge the source of this shift from justice issues such as care of “widows and orphans” which was God’s priority.

Let’s go back to the wedding. I often try to get couples to spend their efforts on their marriage rather than the wedding.
On average, couples that live (in the) Terre Haute (area) spend between $13,000 and $23,000 for their wedding.
I cannot even imagine how much time is put into a wedding. But the cost was surprising, even to me. If we go with the lower figure of $13,000, think what a young couple could do with that money. Buy a car, down payment on a home, set up a retirement plan?
Another draining event is the death of a family member. On top of grieving the loss the average cost of a funeral can run between $12 -15,000. And we know better than to think children are free! All these events, happy and sad, in the life of a family produce stress which can produce conflict.

There is a cable show called “Say Yes to the Dress.” Some of the hateful behaviors between the bride and her family members is shameful. They have lost their focus. They look like the cover of the bulletin with the Simpsons fighting. God is concerned about how we deal with conflict. Conflict is often generated because of limited resources: money, time, oil, food… God is very concerned about how we spend our resources. In Jesus’ life we are shown that wrestling with difficult decisions is valuable for our spiritual growth and our relationship with God.

Orderliness and harmony were great Stoic themes. At worst it meant everyone in their place, an unchanged and unchallenged status quo. For many people Christian peace is still seen as that kind of harmony, if not achievable outwardly, then at least achievable inwardly. The gospel then takes up its place beside all the others who promise serenity of life and ‘feel good’ spiritualities. But peace in the teachings of Jesus is found in unity with God and what God is doing in the world and a sense of solidarity with those travelling that path.

From last Sunday’s Mission Yearbook of Prayer reading I was struck with how challenging Rev. Kim’s message was. He wrote:
Many people who have lost their jobs and homes fall into homelessness. An estimated 3.5 million people are homeless each year. One out of every fifty children is homeless, one third of homeless people are veterans, and 1.5 million teens experience homelessness each year. Many seniors live out their final years in vehicles because they can’t afford rent.

What would you do if Jesus told you to sell your possessions and give to the poor (Luke 12:33), invite the homeless into your home (Matt. 25:35), or open rooms in our church and invite them in. If he were here with us today, wouldn’t he do ALL of the above?

Isaiah 1:10–17 shocks us by disqualifying our worship service, offering, and prayers unless we learn to do good: to seek justice, rescue the oppressed, and share with needy neighbors.

What can we do? (Rev. Kim) suggests that our churches include the issue of homelessness in pastoral prayers, Bible studies, and sermons. Churches could be a shelter for the homeless. They could offer community meals for the poor and open our parking lots and host a tent city. Or with this heat we could be a cooling spot. We could offer rental assistance for the homeless, build low-income homes in partnership with banks, builders, and other churches, and get involved with public policy advocacy to have an impact on policies related to poverty. What he doesn’t mention is the conflict that will rise up when we take seriously the challenge to serve God’s will over our own. The good news is this is family conflict. We love one another and we have worked hard to make our worship inclusive of a very diverse population of this family of God. The bad news is this is family conflict. It can be bitter and divisive, especially when we lose our focus, our purpose for being a family of God to “Love God and one another and make disciples.”

This is true for our own families as well. Family conflict can help us make good choices by challenging our thinking. Whether we are planning a wedding or dealing with the loss of a loved one, whether we are welcoming a new life among us our sending them off to college, conflict will be a part of our family dynamics. To suppress conflict to appear harmonious is not healthy for families or churches. If we are to challenge the ruts we get ourselves into, we will need to listen to others critique our choices, and offer our own critique of theirs. Sparks may fly. Jesus said, “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” His passion for the fire of the Holy Spirit to come among us still lives in each of us today. We want families that expect the very best of our us and we want churches that give the very best that others may know the love of Jesus Christ. Amen.

RESOURCES
Pentecost 12C, Commentary, Background, Insights from Literary Structure, Theological Message, Ways to Present the Text. Anna Grant-Henderson, Uniting Church in Australia.

www.articlesnatch.com/Article/The-Average-Cost-Of-A-Funeral-In-The-United-States/490478

Pentecost 12, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia

Minute for Mission by The Rev. Dr. Jean Kim, organizer/adviser of national and local homeless networks, educator, preacher, seminar leader, and writer on homeless issues for August 8, 2010, Mission Yearbook of Prayer published by the Presbyterian Church USA.

Sermon August 5, 2010

God’s Heart
Scripture Hosea 11:1-11and Colossians 3:1-11
Psalter of Psalm 47 #194 “Peoples, Clap Your Hands”
Celebration of Our Lord’s Supper and Reception of New Members
Preached by Linda Jo Peters ~ August 1, 2010

INTRODUCTION TO SCRIPTURE
Hosea 11:1-11,
Throughout this passage, we sense the deep tides of God’s compassion surging against the rock of a justly-deserved punishment for the people’s faithlessness. There is here no cheap grace, no easily won indulgent love. Rather we glimpse the pain of a parent’s heart, torn by the thoughtless straying of a wayward child, yet God continues to loves us still. Here in the words of the prophet Hosea, we glimpse the hope for the future of the child lies not in a change within the child but in the “turning” within the heart of the parent. Here we are shown the Holy One who is beyond our ways, whose steadfast love outlasts all betrayal.

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols. 3Yet it was I who taught Ephraim (ēf•rah'•yim) to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. 4I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them. 5They shall return to the land of Egypt, and Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me. 6The sword rages in their cities, it consumes their oracle-priests, and devours because of their schemes. 7My people are bent on turning away from me. To the Most High they call, but he does not raise them up at all.

8How can I give you up, Ephraim (ēf•rah'•yim)? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah (ad•mä')? How can I treat you like Zeboiim (Tsĕbo'iym)? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. 9I will not execute my fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and no mortal, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath. 10They shall go after the Lord, who roars like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west. 11They shall come trembling like birds from Egypt, and like doves from the land of Assyria; and I will return them to their homes, says the Lord.

Colossians 3:1-11
Commentator, William Loader writes:
Setting one's focus on something creates its own dynamic, like when two people set their hearts on a marriage. Many actions follow from that single goal, most of them spontaneous and all of them motivated by this single aim. In the same way, to set one's focus on God, is to create a dynamic with consequences which touch every part of life. There is an element of the automatic, but there is also the need to keep focused. The writer (of Colossians) is aware of this (need to be focused) and therefore gives this exhortation. We need, he is arguing, to be what we have become, to realize our potential. Turning to Christ meant changing our focus, indeed, changing the goal or god of our lives. That meant dying to the old life and beginning anew. The newness is not as simple as a new resolution. It is a new relationship.

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

5Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). 6On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. 7These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life.

8But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices 10and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. 11In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!

Sermon
In Hosea we hear the words of a parent looking back at the pictures of an innocent child as the young adult goes off on their own, full of independent ambition and pride and unaware of the pitfalls that lie ahead. Our Parenting God watches as we like the people of Israel become more and more distant. Hosea says: “The sword rages in their cities, it consumes their priests, it devours because of their schemes." Pastor Mimi Walker writes:

These aren't words of punishment; rather, they are the recognition of the consequences that follow the choices of a headstrong and wayward people. And how many parents have watched as their children are being swept up into the world of addictions and its companion crime? Like our loving God, a loving parent waits in anguish for their children to return. God does not enable our behavior but there are terrible consequences of the choices we make. It can even seem like God is punishing us. But God’s tough love is found in the cross of Jesus. It is revealed in sacrifice not punishment.

I ask our confirmands to write a statement of faith. Putting into words what we believe is part of the Reformed Tradition. In Christopher’s statement of faith he wrote:
God loves everyone equally.
Jesus is the son of God and gave his life to forgive everyone of their sins.
Jesus is gentle. He would not tolerate bloodshed even to keep himself from being crucified.

We all have a place in God’s heart. Christopher and Aaron’s parents sought from the very beginning to place their children within the body and being of Christ which seeks to reach out with love into the world. There is almost a sense of security in the statement that we are hidden in Christ. Being in and part of the church keeps us safe and protected, but not from disease, disaster, persecution, or any of the ills of this world. Being part of the body of Christ places us in an environment with a different set of priorities. At some point children must chose who will be in charge of their life. When they chose to be a part of the family of God to dwell in God’s heart, they are choosing all that is good and beautiful and true. In God’s heart we are like dinner guests invited to partake of the finest food freshly prepared and displayed. To turn from God is like eating the same food after it has been dumped in the garbage. It just is not the same. What parent does not want the very best for their children? Libby and John want the very best for Christopher and Aaron, just as all of us want the best for our children and grandchildren. In fact, we want all children welcomed to the feast of God. At table with God we learn and grow in relationship with God. We learn we are precious and discover our gifts and talents and we hear our call to service.

I have designed our confirmation study around the Biblical nature of being called by God. We learned that often the one called would try to find some way out of the responsibility. But God was persistent. I asked Christopher what he understood about the nature of his call and he wrote:
"I believe God wants the church to help the less fortunate, teach His word, and to make the world a better place. I believe my call is to help the needy." Sounds like a young man who is dwelling in the heart of God. May you too hear God’s call for your life. Amen.

RESOURCES
Pentecost 10, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia. See: http://wwwstaff.murdoch.edu.au


See: http://day1.org/2108-broken_hearted_god