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October 4 Worship

9/28/2015

I stand in awe of the magnificent photos of the dwarf planet Pluto sent back by the New Horizons spacecraft. We were given a close-up view of this heavenly body. We are able to see what people thousands of years ago could not see. Yet, those who lived centuries before the time of Christ stood in awe of God's creation and especially human beings as the psalmist proclaimed.

My message for this Sunday will be based on Psalm 8, appointed for this Sunday. We have these words:

"When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?
Yet, you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor." Psalm 8:3-4.

The psalmist was concerned about the place of human beings in the whole scheme of creation. Are we but specks in this vast universe? How can we really rate with God? Is God even mindful of us?

The psalmist affirms that we have been crowned with honor and glory. We are significant before God. Moreover,we have been given dominion over the Earth - as the psalmist would later assert. This responsibility is for care of our planet as opposed to exploitation. While we can look at the destruction of the natural order through pollution and waste, each of us must also look at how we are caring for the place in which we live. It is a matter of being responsible for the next generation.

The big question for us today is: How am I in my own way caring for the planet? Am I a good manager of God's creation?

I would invite you to read through the entirety of Psalm 8 in preparation for Sunday's worship May God's blessing be upon your contemplation of this psalm and your worship.

Pastor Marty

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September 27 Worship

9/21/2015

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Communicating the gospel to others can have its hazards. We might not speak about the good news in a way that others can understand. Think here of any kind of theological jargon that is incomprehensible to others. So okay, maybe you feel this isn't a problem for you. But how approachable do you appear to others in terms of talking about your faith? Do others perceive you in a way where it is safe to speak to you? As you talk about your own faith, is there an air of self-righteousness that seems to appear?

In this Sunday's Gospel lesson, Jesus calls upon us to be attentive to what we say or do that might be a stumbling block to others. Here is part of the text taken from our Gospel reading which is Mark 9:38 - 50.

"If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire." Mark 9:42

This is rather strong language, isn't it? Of course, Jesus didn't mean it literally. It is hyperbole. He does indicate that we need to eliminate whatever might get in the way of presenting the gospel for others to understand.

May God's blessing be upon your meditation of these words and on your worship this Sunday.

Discipleship Questions for Reflection

What stumbling blocks might you be putting in the way of others?

What is it that other Christians do that you feel might be a stumbling block to people considering Christianity?

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September 20 Worship

9/14/2015

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The book of James is about seeking to develop a good community of believers living in harmony and peace with one another. It's all about seeking the good life that God wants for us. It involves seeking the wisdom that comes from God.

James is quick to note that there are ways in which this type of community can get derailed. I mention here part of the text (full text is James 3:13 - 4:3)

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy." James 3:13 - 17

Don't we get envious of others at times? We want to be like others or achieve what they have achieved. Our cravings can carry us to do ungodly things to obtain our wishes. It is better to be just who we are and how God has made us. It's to consider our own giftedness.

I believe we all need to take stock of how we are living out these good qualities that James mentions here. It is in this way that we will experience "the good life."

I would ask you to reflect on these words and may God's blessing being upon your contemplation and also on your worship this coming Sunday.

Pastor Marty

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September 13 Worship

9/7/2015

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This Sunday is joint worship with Moraine Valley Community Church as well as enjoying a picnic together. The theme for worship is "Table Fellowship." Certainly, the two congregations will be enjoying table fellowship with the picnic, but this idea extends even to our worship and beyond. In worship we will be enjoying table fellowship around the sacrament of Holy Communion. Let me have you think further....

Here is a passages for reflection"

"And as he sat at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were sitting with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, 'Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?' And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.'" Mark 2:15 - 17

Table fellowship becomes important for us as we consider its implications beyond church. Are we willing to gather around the table with people we might not have seen for a while? Are we willing to gather around the table with people in our communities in order to get to know them better and hear their stories?

I would invite to you attend worship this Sunday and the picnic and may God's blessing be upon you as you reflect on this theme.

Pastor Marty

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October 4 Worship

September 27 Worship

September 20 Worship

September 13 Worship

I invite you to reflect on these words of Scripture in preparing for worship.

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