Pastor’s Corner - June 3, 2021

A good reason to be a member of Friedens United Church of Christ is to be part of something bigger than oneself. Many of us humans want to make a difference that endures, and a community of disciples is a great way to do that. Jesus taught this truth when he said: those who want to save their life will lose it and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the good news of God’s grace, will save it (Mark 8:35). Following Jesus requires serving God by serving others. A life of generosity and kindness is a life that matters.

In a church like ours, we join with other disciples to amplify our impact in the community. In a denomination like ours, we join with partners across the country and around the globe to be generous and kind, further amplifying the impact.

Thanks to these connections we can make a positive difference near and far: when disaster strikes, to support health and well-being, to welcome refugees, to advocate for just policies and equal treatment, and to learn and grow in an enriching diversity of faith partners cutting across all sorts of human-made boundaries.

Of course, the church is a work in process that is strengthened when folks like you get involved. To have a conversation about discipleship and church membership, you can reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com.

~Marc

Pastor’s Corner - May 27, 2021

This past Sunday we celebrated Pentecost. Pentecost is one of my two most favorite holidays! On Pentecost I am reminded of God’s Spirit in all times, all places, all creatures, and all people. I love thinking about God’s Spirit – too mysterious and wonderful for my comprehension and offering comfort, companionship, consolation, conviction of my sins, correction, guidance, direction, hope…. I love the story of people from many different places gathered together speaking different languages while at the same time understanding one another… I love the energy, the movement, the divine flow…. Pentecost reminds me to give God thanks for my parents who offered me many opportunities to meet people of many languages, shades, beliefs, and experiences. It causes me to give thanks for my growing up years with classmates and teammates of many languages, shades, beliefs, and experiences. It brings me humility when I think of all the many people who have shared their stories and their lives with me. I am grateful that we live in a community with relatives who speak many languages – we are blessed by the opportunities to live with the many gifts of God’s vision of diversity – for God made us all unique in so many, many ways – how amazing. Thanks be to God!

What gifts does the celebration of Pentecost offer you? How would you describe your favorite holidays? Are there ways you hope to be more mindful and connected to the Spirit of God moving in your life this summer? Are there neighbors near and far that are helping you grow and learn? I pray that you feel encouraged and uplifted by the many ways God’s Spirit is at work in each of our lives, in the faith community of Friedens United Church of Christ, and in the global and local world God’s made and so dearly loves.

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”

Acts 2:1-11

Pastor’s Corner - May 20, 2021

As we head into the summer, I am sharing some reasons to consider church membership. My first reason had to do with the way church membership supports discipleship. Today I want to lift-up the way discipleship supports community. Mark 2:13-17 tells the story of Jesus’ call of discipleship to Levi, a tax collector (then and now not the most widely appreciated and loved profession). Mark tells the story with brevity: As Jesus was walking along, he saw Levi sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And Levi got up and followed Jesus.

After this decision to follow Jesus, what does Levi do? Mark goes on to tell that Levi hosted a dinner party so that his tax collector friends could meet Jesus. The life of graceful acceptance that Jesus offered to Levi was too good to keep to himself, he invited others to join the community.

Just as a community of faith provides the necessary instruction, practice, and encouragement to be a disciple, so too discipleship supports community by inviting others to come and experience the graceful acceptance of Jesus. At Friedens Church we want to be more and more like Levi, eagerly inviting folks into community. To make clear the inclusive welcome we have an Open and Affirming Covenant.

Check out the covenant at https://www.friedensucc.org/beliefs. If you like what you read come and make it real in community.

~Marc

Pastor’s Corner - May 13, 2021

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your prayers for more than over two years now! I give thanks to God for the opportunities we have received through the Engaging Young Adults initiative with the Center for Congregations. After applying for and participating in the pilot program, we applied for and received the grant to continue engaging young adults for the official program that goes through April 2022.

During the next year, we will continue to engage young adults (20-35 year olds) through what we have learned by listening to and learning with the young adults. We continue developing programs and cultivating community through the three areas of social justice, wellness, and creativity which are intricately interconnected. The grant provides opportunities for young adults to facilitate workshops and connect with each other. We are participating in service learning/community outreach opportunities. If you would like to connect with the young adults, all ages are invited to participate in these volunteer opportunities. All ages will also be invited to some of the workshops facilitated by the young adults.

The next volunteer opportunity for all ages is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Flanner Farms www.flannerhouse.org on Saturday, May 15th. Please contact me ASAP to sign up for this pastorsarah.friedensucc@outlook.com or 317-709-5857.

The next wellness opportunity is on Sunday, May 23rd over zoom with Fatimaeliza Gonzalez. Please be in touch to sign up.

If you would like to join the young adults in the ministry of advocacy, the focus right now is on maternal health, racial justice, and environmental justice. If you’d like to be involved, please be in touch. Thank you for your continued prayers and for welcoming young adults in worship and on ministry teams.

With gratitude,

Sarah

Let us come into God’s presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to God with songs of praise!

Psalm 95:2

Pastor’s Coner - May 6, 2021

The past four months I shared some of the reasons I follow the way of Jesus. In case you missed those you may read them at https://www.friedensucc.org/pastors-corner.

I hope my thoughts on the importance of discipleship encouraged you to consider making Jesus your leader.

Beginning this month, I am sharing about why I choose to be a member of Friedens United Church of Christ. Reason number one: church membership supports discipleship.

Following the way of Jesus is demanding, after all it requires the love of God, self, and others. To meet the demand of love it is necessary to have instruction, encouragement, support, and accountability. This is exactly why Jesus established a team, which over time became known as the church. Discipleship happens in community.

So, if you are interested in making Jesus your leader, consider becoming a member of Friedens Church. The community at Friedens Church provides: meaningful worship to connect with the Divine, spiritual guidance through pastoral care, studies and discussions that relate our ancient tradition to issues in contemporary life, a community of inclusion, and opportunities to practice justice-doing and peace-seeking. Please let me know if you would like to learn more about being a disciple in community.

~Marc

Pastor’s Corner - April 29, 2021

Dear Friends,

Have you ever received a course correction? I am not sure what training program or class used “course correction” as a way of describing when something needs adjusted but it comes to mind for me sometimes. I had one of those experiences in worship the Sunday after Easter. Pastor Marc helped me remember the importance that the Risen One is also still the Crucified One. I realized that after the season of Lent focused on confession and repentance, I often shift my language very much to resurrection language. I am ready for hope – ready for spring – ready for new life, but as I shared a few weeks ago, life is non-binary. Life is both and. Life is full of suffering and healing. Life is full of tears of pain and tears of joy. Life is full of songs of mourning and songs of celebration.

How do we hold the ministry, mission, and passion of Jesus our Leader and our Liberator who is the Crucified One and the Risen One in our beings? For me, prayer and being in community allow me to both continue to follow Jesus as he asks us to be people who listen to and be with those who are hurting in any way that we may understand how to be good neighbors while also giving thanks and praise for the guidance, grace, strength, power, and wisdom we receive when being open to the healing and hope of the Crucified and Risen One. We are loved and directed by the indwelling of Jesus and the Spirit he breathed upon his first disciples and that we continue to be filled with. We are created for relationship with God, one another, and all creation. We are not alone. You are not alone. You are beloved and treasured. You are created with gifts, experiences, and interests. I am grateful to be part of the community of Friedens with you as we each listen to God’s call to share the love of Jesus with others in the unique ways for which we were created. I thank God for you! Please be in touch if there ways we can be of encouragement to you on this journey of life or if you’d like to learn more about the ministry teams of Friedens and how you can partner with others.

With deep gratitude,

Sarah

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

Pastor’s Corner - April 22, 2021

Since the beginning of the year, I have been using these paragraphs to share some of the reasons I follow Jesus. It starts, I suppose, from his gracious invitation to follow and be part of something that adds meaning, purpose, and joy to life. I have not found a more faithful leader than Jesus, who is a humble, forgiving, and kind companion who is always with me. Jesus understands and accepts me. Jesus casts a winsome vision for a life of ultimate well-being and unity in all of creation. Jesus shoulders the heavy lifting for the fulfillment of this vision but makes room for me to be a part of his ministry. Jesus calls us into community so that we can worship, learn, grow, help and serve together.

Today, I offer one more reason I’m a disciple—Jesus brings out the best in me. We all have many roles to fill in our earthly journey. I am a brother, husband, father, grandfather, friend, neighbor, and pastor. Sometimes it feels a little overwhelming to meet the responsibilities of daily life, especially when we are all dealing with global challenges like a pandemic and racial injustice. Sometimes there are so many concerns, needs and distractions that I feel spread too thin and lack focus. That is where having Jesus as a leader has been so helpful. Jesus helps me to keep my priorities straight, so I can stay focused on what matters most. Jesus was very clear: love of God, self and others is what really matters. As a result, I do my best to enter each role and take on each responsibility with a commitment to do what is most loving. I have noticed that when I keep Jesus as my leader and his way of love as my focus everything else has a way of falling into place.

I hope my reasons encourage you to consider why Jesus might be the right leader for you. If you would enjoy a conversation partner on discipleship, please reach out to me.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

~Marc

Pastor’s Corner - April 15, 2021

Dear Friends,

How are you? I am grateful that God is with us, loving us, guiding us, and encouraging us through all our experiences and emotions. God journeys with us through all the phases and seasons of life. I am grateful that God creates us and gives us the capacity to experience more than we can put into words. Who or what encourages you when your heart or spirit is heavy? Who or what supports you when we feel weary? Who or what helps you when you feel called to respond in a new or different way to a situation or when you hear God calling to you and inviting you into God’s transforming grace or into a new or different opportunity? Who or what celebrates with you in your joy?

As we move into spring and the church season of Eastertide, I’m feeling encouraged by many things. I am grateful for much and wanted to offer you a few thoughts on what is giving me a sense of hope even in the midst of much heaviness that I also feel. Maybe one of the ideas will be of encouragement to you, or maybe you’d like to share one of your own.

1. Taking time to breathe and be still even for a short time outside while noticing the signs of springtime and new life, refreshes me and offers renewal and hope.

2. I had been feeling a deep desire to connect more deeply with scripture. Then a friend texted a few mutual friends reminding us of the goodness of God’s word. Maybe you’d like to take time to chat with a friend about what they are pondering or reflecting on from the Bible. Maybe you’d like to try journaling about a passage that you read or hear, or maybe you’d like to take time to re-read the passage from Sunday morning a few times each week.

3. During Holy Week, a friend texted a prayer that she said for me. It was a tremendous gift. Maybe you’d like to write a prayer for a friend and then send it to them.

Whoever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey, and whatever you are feeling, you are a loved and loving child of the Maker of the heavens and the earth. May you feel much hope and peace in this good news. We thank God for you!

With gratitude for the opportunity to serve with you,

Sarah

5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he[a] lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead,[b] and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8 So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Matthew 28:5-10

Pastor’s Corner - April 8, 2021

I follow Jesus because he is “the Resurrection and the Life” (John 11:25). This bold statement does not deny death. Like Jesus and everyone else who was and is and will be born in this world, mortality is inevitable and unavoidable. Death is scary. We don’t know when or how it will come to us. We do not know what it will be like and we do not know all the details of the life on the other side of death. This uncertainty can create anxiety about and fear of death. This fear is understandable, and this anxiety is universally experienced. But fear and anxiety need not have the last word on death.

Both living and dying are to be done with God. Living and dying with God can be meaningful and purposeful. Jesus shows us how to live well and to die well.

• Jesus had some fear and anxiety about death. In prayer he asked God to provide another way besides the cross but no matter what he was determined to be faithful to God’s intentions.

• When the way of the cross was shown to be necessary, Jesus followed with resolve and faith. He even used his dying to bless others, offering forgiveness with his waning strength and energy.

• Jesus was open about the way he was feeling while dying. He felt abandoned by God in the midst of the pain. He voiced that feeling and in doing so moved through that feeling to a renewal of trust in God, so that when his final breath was near at hand, he was able to say, “into your hands I commit my spirit”.

I want to follow Jesus’ good example in the days of my earthly journey, through the transition we call death, and moving into life everlasting that Jesus’ promises. My trust in Jesus supports my life and my death. Knowing he will be with me in every moment, to live and to die well, strengthens my commitment to Jesus’ leadership.

How about you? Who do you trust? Can your leader carry you through all of life’s transitions

Pastor’s Corner - April 1, 2021

Dear Beloved,

You are in my thoughts. Whether gathered or scattered, we are united by the creative energy of our Maker, the love of Jesus, and the movement of the Spirit. My being is filled with so much, that I’ve written a number of drafts to you recently, and I’ve been led to offer a simple prayer for this reflection. The stories of Holy Week are filled with many emotions. How wonderful to know that God is with us through them all and in them all and holds us with multiple feelings and experiences all at once. May you have a meaning-filled Holy Week and a joy-filled Resurrection Day celebration~

God of glory and grace, God of mercy and might, I praise you. I give you thanks for Friedens United Church of Christ and communities of compassion and faith near and far. Thank you for the stories of Holy Week. Thank you for loving us through all suffering and pain. Please forgive us when we fail to love you, one another, your world, and ourselves. Please forgive us when we turn away out of fear. Please help us to abide with you. Please help us to grow as people of peace and wellness for all. Thank you for the darkness of the tomb. Thank you for the darkness of the early morn. Thank you for the many varied responses of your first followers. Thank you for being a God who makes a way when there seems to be no way - a God who rolls the heaviest stones away. Thank you for being a living God. Please fill us and lead us with your Spirit that we may follow in the ways of liberating hope, transforming peace, collective wellness, and unbounded love by the Risen One.

Amen.

Pastor’s Corner - March 25, 2021

I am committed to the way of Jesus because it not only makes my individual life meaningful, but it also brings me together with other disciples to influence the world God loves. Matthew records Jesus commission to followers in the final verses of his final chapter. The Risen Jesus calls us “to make disciples of all people”. This way of life is too good to keep to ourselves, we are instructed to welcome all others to Jesus’ way of grace and peace.

This commission has inspired the community of disciples or the church ever since. Each new disciple to the way of Jesus brings a God-given gift that adds to the diverse beauty and usefulness of the church directed to the world we serve in Christ’s Spirit. St. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 12, described the church like a body. Jesus is the head that directs the action. Disciples are the various parts of the body; each part respected and cared for with a valuable purpose to fulfill. When the many and gifted members of the church follow Jesus’ instructions and work together cooperatively and faithfully, the world can be changed for the better.

I love being part of something that makes a big difference in my family, neighborhood, and world. How about you? Are you a difference-maker?

-Pastor Marc

P.S.:

Like you I am so sad and disturbed by the mass shootings that have claimed 18 lives in the last two weeks. These senseless acts targeting innocent people are so unsettling because deep down we know it could have just as easily been us or our loved ones victimized. This terrible phenomenon of American life is frustrating because it seems we have made little headway toward ending it.

As a person of faith and a follower of Jesus I am responsible to take action that reflects Christ’s humble and non-violent way of peace-making and justice-doing. For me that always begins with prayer, the most important action I can take. I have experienced prayer as the way God changes my heart and my mind. I know the difference it makes to be prayed for. So I will keep praying.

I am dedicated to listening and learning. Complex problems require many voices at the table to produce multi-faceted solutions. The older I get the more I realize the wisdom of listening and broadening the circle.

I will also embrace the role I have as a disciple and as a citizen. I advocate with my elected representatives on behalf of legislation I deem to be reflective of peace with justice.

This is what I am doing. What are you doing? How can we work together to help?

Pastor’s Corner - March 18, 2021

Learning from others is a tremendous blessing! All of you have taught me so much!!!! Thank you!

Something that I learned from Adam Hayden years ago when we met to work on ideas for the Christian Education Ministry Team and the Equipping Ministry Team, was the power of using “and” more frequently than “but.” Around the same time, a colleague often said, “and also” or “and yet.” These faithful leaders helped me to see things and say things as non-binary. Life is rarely “this or that”. Rather it is often “and also.” Life is complex. We as uniquely created people created in the image of a loving and gracious God are complex. Being in community is complex, and complex is not bad. In the many different facets of who each of us is and how we exist in relationship with God, one another, and all of creation, there is wonder and splendor and delight. At times, there is also hurt and suffering because we misunderstand ourselves, one another, and God.

We are all on this journey of life together. I’m grateful to be journeying with you. I’m grateful to be growing with you. As we continue in this season of Lent, may we take time to reflect on the complexity of life in the midst of the many simple gifts of life. In this season, we are invited to focus on our humanity and our need for God. We are invited to confess our failure to love. We are invited to repent and turn back to God who is always there and always seeking us with compassion and mercy. We are broken, AND we are beautiful. We are weak, AND we have strengths to share with others. We are unique, AND we are dependent on one another and all of creation. We live, AND we die. We can lament, AND rejoice at the very same time. We can doubt, AND we can believe at one moment.

May you know that you are treasured. You are loved. May you breathe in God’s Spirit. May you rest in the peace of Jesus. May we grow and serve as Jesus’ disciples in his ways of wellness and equity for all. May we live out our God-given call as beloved and loving children. Blessings upon you as we journey together, dear friends~

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God,
“who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:8

Pastor’s Corner - March 11, 2021

I have been sharing my reasons for following Jesus; things like Jesus’ servant leadership, his abiding presence and graceful qualities expressed by the image of a Good Shepherd. Another reason I am committed to Jesus as my Leader is the purpose he gives my life.

It seems to me we humans need to make a contribution and a positive difference; it is what makes life worthwhile. In a word the purpose Jesus offers is discipleship. Jesus is still extending the invitation, “Follow me.” We are to follow in Jesus’ footsteps.

Discipleship is a way of life aligned with Jesus’ values. Values like: faithfulness, forgiveness, kindness, helpfulness, humility, integrity, and love. You will see these values expressed powerfully in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7.

Living these values is demanding. Jesus described discipleship as the narrow and difficult way that few choose. Thankfully, Jesus gives us his Spirit to empower our discipleship, reminding us that the effort leads to purposeful and joyful life.

Jesus gives me a life worth living. How about you? Are you fulfilling a meaningful purpose in your life?

Pastor’s Corner - March 4, 2021

Dear Beloved Friends,

How is it with your being? Lately I’ve heard a number of people talk about lack of physical movement due to being inside with the cold and snow. I hear you. I love being able to be outside to move my body in big ways. Perhaps I can share with you an idea that I learned from my dad when I was a kid that can allow us to move inside even within a small space. When I was a kid, I had never heard about yoga, but I knew about prayer exercises – moving through stretches with breath and prayers. My dad did them very regularly, and sometimes I would join him. We did them standing up and laying down, but they could be modified and adapted to do when seated.

Here are a few ideas to try –

Reach up towards the heavens lifting your arms in praise – breathe in God’s spirit and breathe out a song, sound, or word of rejoicing!

Reach down and thank God for coming into the world to lead and guide us in the person of Jesus – breathe in God’s grace and breathe out hope.

Reach to the right and reach to the left – breathe in God’s forgiveness and mercy, God who casts our sins from us far as the east is from the west and breathe out gratitude that God’s love is freely given.

Twist to the right and twist to the left – breathe in God’s presence with us through all the twists and turns of life and breathe out the good news of God’s steadfast faithfulness.

Lift your left knee up towards your chest and back down then lift your right knee up towards your chest and back down – ask God how we can continue to follow in paths of his Son, Jesus our leader?

Wiggle your toes and plant them back on the ground (perhaps also make some rotations with your ankles), breathe in thanks to God for the earth and the waters that nourish us, and breathe out thanks for all the relationships and all the ways we are connected to those who moved upon the land in the past, present, and future.

For more movement you can repeat these and/or add your own movements and breath prayers. If you repeat the movements, you can change the speed or the words/prayers.

When we move even a bit of our body and think about the movement and the beath, we are changing. Energy and life are moving through us. In this season of Lent when we are invited to focus on confession and repentance, we can listen and respond if God is calling us to allow something to move through us to be released or something to move into us to redirect or inspire us. May you know you are not alone. We live and move and breathe and have our being in God!

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Psalm 150:6

Pastor’s Corner - February 25, 2021

In recent weeks I have shared two reasons I follow Jesus. He is humble and obedient to God and he is a trustworthy and constant companion. Another reason I follow is because Jesus invites me (and you too!).

Throughout the gospels Jesus calls with simplicity and sincerity: Follow me! Jesus knew that we humans were made to follow not lead. Yes, of course, we exercise an influence on others and that is a form of leadership. But the truth is, we are not equipped to handle all the challenges and opportunities we will face in life. There are far too many variables that are far too beyond our control to be in charge. When we try to be in charge it will inevitably result in failure and disappointment. The sooner we realize that the better.

We need a leader who is equipped to handle all the variables and circumstances beyond our control. Jesus is the one for the job! Jesus, revealed by John in the opening of his gospel, is the Word (the Wisdom of God and the agency of Creation) who was with God and was God. The word is the source of light and life and grace and truth. The Word has the power to make us the children of God. When we embrace our identity, we are humble enough to be followers instead of pretending to be leaders. This prepares us to celebrate with John’s proclamation: From the Word’s fullness we have all received grace upon grace.

It is liberating and comforting to know we do not have to lead the way and be in charge. We are invited to follow, faithfully and responsibly, the One who is perfectly equipped to do what we cannot.

I follow because I was born to be a follower and Jesus was born to be my Leader.

Who are you following?

Pastor’s Corner - February 18, 2021

Dear Friends,

Holy week last year was something so foreign to me. I can imagine that some of you may have felt unusual and many emotions as well. Holy week might be my favorite week of the year. Growing up as a pastor’s kid, the whole week was spent in preparation for Maundy Thursday, Holy Friday, Saturday’s stories/crafts/egg hunt, and Sunday’s joyous celebrations, and it was spent in a church building – not always the same church building but in a building. As I got older, I also tried to meditate out in a garden at some point, but not being in a church building bothered me more than expected because in general I like to be outside and on the move out in the community more than inside a building. At that time, I had not expected for us to pass through all the days that our faith tradition tends to name as especially important or special in the church/liturgical year, but we have. We have one final holy day within the faith practices that I have grown up with that I will experience for the first time in my life not physically gathered with a church community in a church building – Ash Wednesday. As I write this, we are approaching Ash Wednesday. By the time you read it, Ash Wednesday will have passed but it still felt relative to share.

This change has caused me to reflect on ashes in a very deep way, perhaps more deeply than other years. I remember the first year that I realized that the scripture verse that I had grown up hearing with the application of the ashes didn’t actually use the word ashes but dust. That actually brought me a bit of a laugh this year when first experiencing sadness that we would not be together in the physical way that I have known it. I may not have access to ashes, but I have plenty of dust. My life is full of dust. I am dust. From dust I have come, and to dust I will return (Genesis 3:19). How will I allow God to use the dust that makes up me in the space in between – the space where I am dust filled with breath? How will I connect with the dust that I tread upon? How will I express my appreciation for it? How will I honor the relatives who have walked on it before me and who will walk on it after me? In what ways will I listen and follow God in order to be a loving neighbor to the other creatures breathed out of dust, those whom I know and those whom I will never meet this side of dust?

I think I’ll be reflecting on dust, dirt, and ashes throughout this season of Lent – this season of preparation and repentance – this time of turning away from ego and towards Jesus our Leader and Liberator – this opportunity to be drawn more closely to our Creator. Would you like to join me in this journey? You are in my prayers, and if there are ways that we can be of support to you in your journey of life, please be in touch. It is a blessing to travel paths of discipleship in the faith of Jesus with you. May you feel the grace of the Maker of the heavens and the earth, the grace of Jesus, and the direction of God’s Spirit this day and in the days to come~ Sarah

“Then the Lord God formed a human from the dust of the ground and breathed into the nostrils the breath of life, and the human became a living being.”

Genesis 2:7

Pastor’s Paragraph - February 11, 2021

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.

So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

(John 10:14-16)

The image of Christ as the Good Shepherd is beloved for many disciples, including me. It is one of the reasons I follow the way of Jesus. The care and protection of a shepherd helps to define the qualities of Christ as a constant companion. It is reassuring, comforting, and strengthening to remember we are never alone. Christ is with us, not rescuing us from adversity but guiding and helping us along as we travel the ups and downs and the twists and turns of this earthly journey. Christ’s abiding presence makes all the difference.

John adds another important truth in the passage I’ve selected. Christ is not just my Good Shepherd but our Good Shepherd. The protective care of Christ reaches far and wide, connecting me to one flock that circles the globe and spans the ages.

What image of Christ speaks to your heart and mind?

Pastor’s Paragraph - February 6, 2021

A few weekends ago, I was doing dishes and enjoying the wonder of God’s world out the kitchen window. These amazing creatures came into view….Oh God, I thirst for you. As I stood with quiet gratitude, I was filled with multiple emotions as so often in the case in these days. Seeing God’s creatures out the window usually fills me with wonder. At the same time, I felt concerned that a group of six deer has been in our yard so often this winter – where are they getting enough food? How will they stay safe on such busy roads?

Later in the day, I went to look up Psalm 42. I wanted to read the passage that came to mind in context. I was surprised by what I found. I expected a psalm of pure joy and praise. Psalm 42 is filled with many emotions – a soul that is downcast and feelings of being forgotten, memories of times of worship, a profound and intense longing for God, and commitment to hope and worshipping in the waiting, a trust that God will help…. Do you hear other emotions coming through? Are there aspects of this psalm that you resonate with?

If you would like to try meditating on photos of God’s creation and exploring scripture passages that they might bring to mind, we have two more virtual gatherings. These conversations are designed for adults, but if children and teens are home as virtual students, they are always welcome. Babies and pets are always wonderful to see during zooms as well. Hope you can join us at noon on Friday, Feb. 12th and Feb., 26th. Please feel free to invite others to join you as well.

May you know God loves you in all the emotions. May a peek out your window at trees, neighbors, birds, clouds, sunshine you remind you that you are a precious child of the Maker of the heavens and the earth.

With prayers and gratitude,

Sarah

1 As a deer longs for flowing streams,

so my soul longs for you, O God
2 My soul thirsts for God,

for the living God

When shall I come and behold

the face of God?..
.

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise God,

my help and my God.

Psalm 42:1,2-11

Pastor’s Paragraph - January 28, 2021

Today I begin a series of reflections on the reasons I follow the way of Jesus. I hope my thoughts will not only stimulate your own thinking but will also warm your hearts and increase your loyalty to the way of love, the way of Jesus.

One of the oldest expressions of commitment to Christ is the hymn St. Paul borrowed and included in his letter to the church in Philippi. Pre-dating Paul’s letters and the gospels themselves, this hymn sings:

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.

It is quite the understatement to say that Jesus is a different kind of leader. Most leaders exploit power while Jesus emptied himself of power. Jesus traded power for humility and obedience before God. It was certainly a costly decision, requiring Jesus’ life, though the end result for us was the revelation of Divine grace that forgives sin and overcomes evil and death with trust in God’s everlasting goodness and life.

This “emptying” through humble obedience to God that benefits others is sometimes called the downward way of Jesus. Rather than a posture of dominance over others, we follow Jesus by getting on our knees in prayer and worship to God and in service to others. The downward way is counter-intuitive and counter-cultural. The downward way values humility over exaltation. The downward way leads to meaningful, purposeful and joyful life.

I have not found a more trustworthy and faithful leader than Jesus. How about you?

Pastor’s Paragraph - January 21, 2021

Dear Beloved Siblings,

How are you? As I write, I hold you in my heart and look forward to worshipping together in-person when it is safe to do so. Please be in touch if there are ways we can be of support to you as we continue this journey of life.

As I prayed about what to share with you this week, I thought about being in Haiti this time of the year twenty-one years ago. I went with a group that one of my professors from Eastern Kentucky University knew. I was supposedly going to offer occupational therapy services, but I was not ready. I was a new graduate and not prepared for any settings outside of where I had done internships. At that time, I had not yet served on the board of Global Ministries or taken any classes on missiology (the theology of mission) to understand the ideas of partnership in mission. I did not offer much, but I learned a lot, and for that I humbly give thanks.

I still remember many things vividly. One precious gift that I still carry with me was a walk up and down a mountain with a little boy. I remember that he asked about my watch, my shoes, and my Bible. He shared that his favorite verse was Psalm 121. He recited it. It sounded different walking in the mountains of Haiti rather than the flat lands of where I had grown up. In these days of pandemics, this little boy still offers me a gift – a gift of hope and help. Much may be unknown and uncertain, but I know my help comes from the maker of the hills, the sun, and the moon. God our ever-present Help offers us eternal love and grace and invites us to share this love and grace with others. May these words offered and echoed for thousands of years all around the world offer you blessings this day, dear ones.

With gratitude and prayers,

Sarah

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
from where will my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
3 The Lord will not let your foot be moved;
the Lord who keeps you will not slumber.
4 The Lord who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
the Lord will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and forevermore.

Psalm 121