Pastor’s Corner – May 11, 2023

Dear Beloved,

Worshipping God with you together in the same physical or virtual space on Sunday mornings is something that I greatly look forward to each Sunday. Pastor Marc’s messages always challenge and inspire me. Hearing the lay reader share the scripture passage brings it to life differently than when I read it by myself. The shared responsive reading bring me hope. 

As someone with no musical talents, I’m very grateful to have a weekly opportunity to join my voice in songs of praise and adoration to God with each of you. Dwight, Kristin, the chancel choir, the cantors, and the AV ministry leaders use their gifts so beautifully to glorify and honor God. I appreciate all their time, energy, and dedication.

I appreciate and give thanks for each of you who take time to join us for worship experiences virtually or in person. Thank you! This week I’ve been wondering what your favorite hymns are. I really enjoyed hearing your favorite Bible stories. If you’d email me your favorite hymns and/or Bible stories, I would be very grateful. Pastorsarah.friedensucc@outlook.com I appreciate getting to know each of you better. I thank God for you and the ways God brings us together with different perspectives, talents, personalities, and experiences. Thank you for being the unique you whom God made. 

With gratitude for you and hope and trust in our Good Shepherd who leads us and carries us~



Sarah

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord and pray to the Lord,” they sang.
“Tell the peoples of the world About God’s mighty doings.
Sing to God; yes, sing the Lord’s praises
And tell of God’s marvelous works.
Glory in God’s holy name; Let all rejoice who seek the Lord.

   1Chronicles 16:8-10

Pastor’s Corner – May 4, 2023

Sightings 2

Only Luke recounts a familiar story of another sighting of the Risen Jesus—the walk to Emmaus (24:13-35). Two followers were on a seven mile journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus when they were joined on this walk by the Risen One himself, though they didn’t recognize him. Luke tells that the unrecognized Jesus began a lengthy interpretation of the books of Moses and the Prophets and the way Jesus of Nazareth was a fulfillment of the scriptures.

When the destination was reached, the two invited the stranger to stay with them and share a meal. When the stranger blessed and broke the bread to give it to them “their eyes were opened, and they recognized him and he vanished out of their sight. Then they said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road’” (24:31,32).

This sighting of the Risen One was characterized by sudden insight and the warm feeling of a graceful Presence. Have you ever experienced the feeling of suddenly understanding a deep mystery? Have you ever felt your heart strangely and unexpectedly warmed, maybe in worship, or in the presence of beauty, or when loved and accepted?

Maybe it is coincidence or maybe it is the Risen One?!

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner - April 27, 2023

Dear Beloved,

Do you have formation childhood or teen memories that acted as crystalizers of foundational themes or frameworks in your life?  As a child of the 80s and 90s, banners were a big thing in the congregations who raised me.  Each time there was a baptism, I watched my mom carefully cut out a red flower with a green stem from felt.  Then she’d write the name of the person being baptized on the flower in bright yellow puff paint.  As a child, I remember how important it was to be patient to let it dry before transporting it or the whole process began again.  When completely dry it was hung on a banner that had part of a passage from Isaiah, “I have called you by name.  You are mine.”  When I was old enough, it became my job to take the flower down after the baptism and give it to the person or family of the person who had been baptized.  As one who has always loved babies, this was a very special job if the person being baptized was a baby. 

I did not know then, but looking back, I believe those experiences were placing in my heart a firm belief that God knows each of us by name and calls us.  God loves each of us as unique beings created in the image of God’s all-loving and mightily-merciful self.  The idea that any other human would know me intimately enough to know all the hairs on my head or all the unpleasant thoughts in my head would terrify me, but knowing that God knows each of us that well and accepts us anyways and patiently guides us to grow and be transformed by the indwelling of Jesus and power of the Holy Spirit gives me abundant hope and peace.

Recently I learned about deadnaming.  Deadnaming is the act of referring to a transgender or non-binary person by a name they used prior to transitioning, such as their birth name. Deadnaming may be unintentional, or a deliberate attempt to deny, mock or invalidate a person's gender identity.  Maybe the power of God calling us by name is why I find the act of deadnaming heart-breaking.  I want to honor a person fully, and I am praying that God will keep helping me learn and understand how to be attentive and open to understanding what that means for each person.  I am grateful for people who are willing to teach me and help me learn.  We have an opportunity to learn a little more about honoring all people through a presentation/conversation with Emma from GenderNexus between worship services from 9:30 to 10:20 on Sunday, May 7th in the chapel.  It is a special day with a bake sale in the narthex for Love Lucas and a film about hunger with Friedens Moving Outward in Hayden Hall after the 10:30 a.m. worship service.  I hope you will be able to be part of these special opportunities for learning and growing together as disciples and followers of Jesus.  I thank God for you and the blessings of serving with each of you!

With gratitude for you and hope and joy in our Creator in this season of Eastertide~ 

     Sarah

  But now thus says the Lord,
    he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name; you are mine.  Isaiah 43:1

Pastor’s Corner – April 20, 2023

Sightings 1

According to Matthew (28:1-10) and John (20:11-18) the first sighting of the Risen Jesus is by Mary of Magdala and another Mary (though John does not mention the other Mary). It was early in the morning of the first day of the week that these two Mary’s, these two faithful disciples, went to visit the tomb of and pay their respects for their beloved Leader. It is fair to say, that the last thing they expected was to see alive the one they witnessed dead and buried. Surprise, shock and even fear are descriptive of their emotions at the sighting. In each telling, they bow in worship before the Risen One who greets them and gives them a job to do. They are to tell the others.

We are included among those who have heard this shocking good news from the women at the tomb who first saw the Risen Jesus. What do you make of their story? Do you trust their witness?

I do. Their account rings true. If I were with them, I would have felt the very same way they did. Plus, it fits with Jesus own repeated prediction that in Jerusalem “the Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again” (Mark 9:31).

I also find it convincing that Jesus gave the women a job to do—to tell others. The gospel writers share a common view that reflects Jesus’ commission to followers: “go and make disciples of all people” (Matthew 28:19).

We are the living body of Christ, the church! Christ is alive in us when we tell others of the difference Jesus has made in our lives and invite others to follow too. Do you see the Risen One at work in the disciples at Friedens Church?

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – April 13, 2023

Dear Beloved,

This morning, I was thanking God for you and thanking God for the offerings of letters which we participate in at least once a year. I can remember glancing around one year and seeing a five-year-old writing a letter to advocate for healthy food for all and food security next to an eighty-year-old. The moment was beautiful and glorious and turned me to total praises to God!!! The memory of it still does. Thank you for those memories. Thank you for your commitment to equity, justice, and shalom in the ways of Jesus our Leader!

As I thanked God for you, I praised God who is our Nourisher of body, mind, and spirit. What is your favorite story or memory of nourishment of body, mind, and spirit? This time of year, I begin to think of picnics with friends at parks and my heart feels happy. I think of Jesus feeding people and eating with people who others would not dare eat with. The stories of God’s provision of manna and daily bread overwhelm and humble me. I am excited to explore the story of the woman and child who shared with Elijah and the passages about gleaning this summer during Vacation Bible School and as we enjoy a visit from a leader of Society of St. Andrew who helps extra Indiana produce find a place to become food for people. I write this with Maundy Thursday still ahead of us – a time when we remember Jesus’ last meal with his disciples before his death and resurrection, and by the time you read this we may be exploring the meals the resurrected Jesus had with people as he shared hope and the good news of God’s Spirit and peace with them. 

Thank you for journeying through these memories with me! I’d love to hear or read your stories and memories of nourishment or meals shared if you’d like to chat or send them. I hope you’ll be joining in writing letters for the Bread for World offering of letters either virtually or in person on Sunday, April 16. If you have more questions please connect with me or our Friedens Moving Outward Ministry Team.

With much gratitude for you and praises to our Nourisher, Bread of Life, and Spirit of peace~

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on.  But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them.  When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 

Luke 24:28-30

Pastor’s Corner – April 6, 2023

Questions Jesus Asks on the Way to the Cross

He came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Mark 14:41

In his hour of need those closest to Jesus failed him. One betrayed, another denied, and the rest ran away. They couldn’t even stay awake to pray with Jesus. This part of the story makes us sad, not only because of the way Jesus’ disciples let him down but also because it reminds us of the way we let Jesus down. We are no better. We too have betrayed, denied, and run away. We too have trouble staying awake and alert to opportunities to serve Jesus and advance his way of love.

It is a sad part of our story of discipleship. It is important for us to be honest. It is necessary for us to seek forgiveness and invite Christ’s living Spirit to help us do better. The good news is that Jesus does forgive us and remains with us so we can do better. When the Risen One returned to the disciples his first words were, peace be with you.

Jesus always comes to us with peace, understanding, forgiveness, healing, and a fresh start. Jesus never asked us to be perfect just willing. Jesus always invites with the words, follow me. We just have to be willing to dust ourselves off and get back on the path of loving service. We are never alone on the journey. Jesus is always there to encourage, teach, forgive, and empower us to learn and grow.

As we move with Jesus toward the cross and on to the empty tomb let us wake up to the new possibilities Jesus’ resurrection offers imperfect but willing disciples.



Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – March 30, 2023

Dear Beloved,

How are you as we move towards Holy Week? I hope you can join us virtually or in person for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Holy Friday worship services. Some of us may never have been part of any Holy Week worship experiences or traditions. Some of us may have negative or hurtful memories. Some of us may have mixed memories. No matter who you, what questions you have, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome. We are always welcome to come to worship and any other Friedens gatherings with whatever we are feeling or aren’t feeling, with whatever we are or aren’t remembering, with all our questions, with all our doubts, with all of our being. You are loved and affirmed for the unique being God created you to be. 

For my childhood self, Maundy Thursday was my favorite worship experience of the year. Holy Friday worship service was the most painful and frightening. Palm Sunday and Easter were fun. As an adult, my feelings run together, and I have so many more questions. The whole season of Eastertide has become more meaningful to me as I age as well, but that is for another time. 

It is a blessing to be on this journey with you – a journey where we can keep growing, receiving and extending God’s grace and love, and being still together that we may listen to God’s call upon our lives to share the mercy and compassion of Jesus our Leader and Liberator. Please feel free to reach out with questions before, during, or after Holy Week. You may find it interesting to take time reading, studying, or meditating with some of the different Holy Week stories from the Bible. I will share just a few possibilities below. May you know you are dearly cared for with the unconditional, unstoppable love of the Creator of the heavens and the earth this moment and each moment.

With deep gratitude for you and hope in God’s Spirit~

Sarah

Pastor’s Corner – March 22, 2023

Questions Jesus Asks on the Way to the Cross

But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. Mark 14:6

Maybe it was jealousy. Maybe it was a genuine concern about the use of resources. Maybe it was anger about a woman serving Jesus. It is not clear what caused the outrage over the anointing of Jesus with an extravagant gift of a fragrant and soothing ointment. But Jesus didn’t mind. In fact, Jesus was grateful for this offering of love that brought some peace and care just before his arrest and execution, prompting Jesus to ask: Why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me.

Of course, being good stewards of resources matters. But so too do extravagant expressions of love for our Lord and Savior. Jesus was walking a path of obedience for Shalom that led to a cross. Jesus gave his life to demonstrate the power of Divine grace and peace to reconcile Creator with creation. Jesus, who died and was risen, is worthy of our praise, worship, and very best gifts. In heartfelt gratitude we should all perform a good service for Jesus every day.

It doesn’t stop at Jesus. Mother Teresa is one who shows us how to extend extravagant actions of love to others. Asked over and again how she was able to serve the poorest of the poor, her response was consistent: she saw Christ in others, she served Christ in others.

May we be inspired by these two faithful women. May we be remembered for our love of Christ, by our sincere praise and worship of our Leader and Savior, and in our kindness and care for others.

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – March 16, 2023

Dear Beloved,

How is it with your being? I often feel like that is a very complex question because there are so many facets and aspects of each of us, but I want to share one experience my being has had lately. I have told several people that my heart in constantly feeling like it is going to bubble over with gratitude. I am so grateful for much and one of the blessings for which I give thanks is the way the Spirit is at work within Friedens United Church of Christ as a community of people seeking to follow Jesus and his way of grace, love, and welcome.     

There are countless ways the Spirit is at work! The one that I want to give thanks about today is Friedens new mental health team. From the time that I was two, I knew that I wanted to be a mom and work with kids. I’m grateful that my church family nurtured this hope and dream by letting me help with children who were younger than me when I was eight (or at least that is how my childhood self experienced it). At age 5, I decided that I wanted to be a child psychologist when I grew up. That plan lasted until my junior year in high school when a math class led me to look for a different path. When I learned that I could work in the area of mental health as an occupational therapist, that became my path. Different experiences throughout my life have continued to keep mental health and wellness central in my heart. I’m excited and grateful that early this winter the Lifelong Spiritual Formation Ministry Team felt like it was time for Friedens to be even more intentional in raising awareness about mental health concerns, in reaching out to help people learn more about mental health services and resources, and in advocating for access and equity. The team is still forming and developing next steps, so if you have ideas or questions, please feel free to let us know. We are grateful that we have already been able to offer a few programs this year to help us continue to learn and grow. We hope you’ll participate in and/or spread the word about a wonderful upcoming opportunity to join Melissa Atlas for a program after the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday, April 23 called The Whole Truth: Beyond “Just Say No.” This will be a fun, open, and positive conversation about commonly used substances. Melissa is a talented and experienced mental health professional, leader, and advocate in our community. We hope you’ll share this good news with others! 

I thank God for the whole you! We are called to love God with our whole heart, mind, body, and soul. We are called to love one another as we love ourselves. I pray for wellness and shalom of heart, body, mind, and soul for each and all of God’s beloved children. May you know you are precious! You are not alone. God is with us and offers us communities of care. 

 With hope for the journey together in the hands of our Good Shepherd,

  Sarah

“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”  (Matthew 22:36-40)

Pastor’s Corner – March 9, 2023

Questions Jesus Asks on the Way to the Cross

Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.” Mark 13:2

There is something about an awareness of our mortality that helps us clarify what really matters. Jesus had that kind of clarity as he approached his death on a Roman cross. Coming out of the Temple, Jesus’ disciples could not help but be impressed with the sheer size and elaborate beauty of the Temple in Jerusalem.

At about the time of Jesus’ birth, Herod was finishing an expansion and beautification of the Temple. Ancient reports describe it as a true wonder. Herod’s expansion was not to glorify God. His construction projects were intended to show off his greatness and to bring revenue to his kingdom as wealthy Romans came for holidays at the port and luxurious city he built on the Mediterranean called Caesarea Maritima and then on to Jerusalem to see the impressive architecture of his palace, fortresses, and the Temple. Need I mention that his ambitious building projects were built upon the backs of the common people?

We can understand why Jesus’ disciples marveled at these great buildings and imagined they would stand forever. Jesus knew the truth: human efforts at greatness and immortality built from a place of arrogance and injustice will always fall short. Not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down. Jesus was right. In just a little over three decades from the time of Jesus’s crucifixion, Herod’s Temple was destroyed. And yet, Jesus who spent just a couple of years teaching and healing from village to village, and who only ever built a team of disciples from among common folks, continues to be a living presence that changes lives with the indomitable force of Divine grace and peace.

What do you find impressive? Are you giving your life to something that really matters and will endure?



Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – March 2, 2023

Dear Beloved,

Have you had any songs in your spirit this week? I have had many lately – maybe inspired by the fun opportunity that Kristin and the music ministry team are sharing with us. I’ve never been part of any bracket experiences before, but I am looking forward to this one. Hope you can participate and enjoy! (Read about Hymn Mania in "Staying Connected" for more details)

There are two songs that are both energizing and calming my soul at the same time today. The first is, “In the Bulb there is a Flower” from our Chalice Hymnal. The second is a song that says, “I will worship you in the waiting.” I really thought that I’d be able to find all the lyrics to share with you, but I haven’t figured them out yet. I know that was a song that I enjoyed in my college days and then would hear in the YMCA locker room as a young adult when I felt like I was waiting on a lot. I suppose that the phrase “worship in the waiting” has carried me through many years now. Sometimes when waiting on a diagnosis for oneself or a loved one, waiting can be very scary, and you are in my prayers right now and in the days to come. I believe God is with us in very deep ways in those times. At the same time, what has been on my mind this week is the waiting of certain seasons – those times when we feel God’s Spirit working and doing things not yet seen. 

I am grateful for all the people who are witnesses of worshipping in the waiting, for all the people who pray with us and for us in times of waiting and uncertainty, and for the Spirit who is moving and growing deep beneath the dirt and dust…. If you are in a particular season of waiting for something that feels fearful, you are not alone. God is with you. If you are waiting for something joyful, you are not alone. God is with you. If you are waiting on something extremely uncertain, you are not alone. God is with you. If you aren’t in a season of waiting, you are not alone. God is with us, and by God’s grace and strength we are part of communities of care. Please feel free to reach out. You are appreciated and cared for you. You are a loved and loving child of God! Grateful to be serving, worshipping, waiting, singing, listening, praying, learning, growing, and connecting with you. 

“My soul waits in hope for the Lord more than a watchperson for the morning. Yes, more than a watchperson for the morning….” 

Psalm 130:6

Pastor’s Corner – February 23, 2023

Questions Jesus Asks on the Way to the Cross

Jesus said to them, “Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? Mark 12:24

Jesus offered these words in response to a ridiculous question whose sole purpose was an attempt to trap Jesus and make him look foolish. Jesus saw through the ruse and got to the heart of the source of all that is ridiculous and harmful in our world—a failure to think, speak, and act from the wisdom of our ancient, sacred texts and the truth of God’s powerful presence. Jesus understood that scripture and the Divine presence are essential to wise and faithful living.

Scriptures require interpretation. Our sacred texts are inspired by God but are written and interpreted by humans. For example, in the time of testing in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), Jesus encountered the personification of evil tempting him using verses of scripture. This was not the first time nor was it the last that the Bible was used for evil purposes.

This is why Jesus also calls for knowing the powerful presence of God. We must always test Biblical interpretations against the grace, goodness, and righteousness of God. Interpretations outside of these essential characteristics of the Divine should immediately raise a red flag of warning. Scriptural interpretations that are harmful, self-serving, and divisive are not of God.

Faith seeking understanding through knowledge of the scriptures and the living presence of a graceful, good, and righteous God will be rewarded with thoughts, words, and actions that reflect Divine grace, goodness, and righteousness. Knowing the scriptures and the power of God keeps us faithful to the way of Jesus and his love.

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – February 16, 2023

Dear Beloved,

When you hear or see the word Lent, how do you feel? Does it leave you with mixed feelings, positive memories, negative energy, questions, confusion, excitement, curiosity?

I am grateful that I grew up with parents who offered me opportunities to experience the special liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent in very meaningful ways that invited reflection and confession without leaving me full of a guilt or shame that caused me to doubt God’s unconditional love and grace. 

On Sunday, Feb. 19 after the 10:30 a.m. worship service, all are welcome to join in an informal conversation about Lent and spiritual practices that you might like to try during this special season which goes from Ash Wednesday through Holy Week (the week of Maundy Thursday and Holy Friday) to Easter/Resurrection Sunday. 

All liturgical seasons can offer us a time to be more intentional about our connection with God, one another, and all of creation. One resource that you might like to try this year is the Creation Justice Ministries calendar you can see at the end of this note. Just click on the image, and you will be able to see the whole document. It will be one of the resources that we can explore together on this Sunday. If you aren’t free to join us on Sunday, please feel free to reach out with questions or ideas you have. 

You are in my prayers this Lenten Season. Through Lent and beyond, may you remember that you are a loved and loving child of God. 

With gratitude,

Sarah 

Pastor’s Corner – February 9, 2023

Questions Jesus Asks on the Way to the Cross

Jesus was teaching and saying, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” Mark 11:17

Only days before his crucifixion, Jesus is teaching in the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus’ righteous indignation shows as he responds to the monetization of God’s house. Certain collaborators with Rome were using the Temple as a place to hide schemes that were enriching the empire while oppressing God’s people. In the spirit of the ancient prophets Jesus symbolized his commitment to justice by an act of civil disobedience and raising the rhetorical question: “Is it not written that, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations?’”

Might Jesus engage in the same civil disobedience in the halls of power and worship in our place and time? Might his question convict us of our greedy and callous policies? Jesus’ words lift up two spiritual truths. First, God’s presence among us should prioritize prayer. Prayer keeps us close to God and empowered to live God’s values. We know what the Lord requires: to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). Prayer makes these requirements possible to fulfill.  Second, Jesus’ words remind us that God’s intention for Shalom is “for all the nations”. Everyone is included in the reign of grace and peace for which Jesus is prepared to give his life.

Is prayer at the heart of our discipleship? Are we giving our lives for self-interest, or have we caught the vision of justice for all?

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – February 2, 2023

Dear Beloved,

I often say there are only a few things that I'm always sure will be the same. I am sure that God always loves us and that God is always with us. Recently, I realized that there is something else that I know for sure. Prayer is a powerful gift that is always with us. 

We can pray anywhere at any time. We can pray with or without words, with or without movements. We can pray with God alone or with others. We can pray with any and every emotion. I am always extremely grateful to know people are praying with and for me. I am grateful that we can pray for each other. Sometimes we feel completely helpless when we see people going through difficulties. We can pray about how to respond - how to be loving neighbors and relatives one to another. We can pray that those who are going through difficult times will know they aren’t alone. We can pray for healing and peace. Giving thanks to God in prayer can also remind us that we are not alone. Praising God can lift our spirits and open our perspectives. Breathing in and out and being still with God can calm us and reassure us. Remembering that Jesus intercedes for us and God’s Spirit is our constant companion, can give us the peace of our Creator that surpasses all human understanding. 

Thank you for your prayers. If you’d like to join with others in prayer, there is a weekly virtual prayer gathering every Monday from 4 to 4:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Sharon Hedegard at sharonhedegard@gmail.com.  

With gratitude,

Sarah

The Lord has heard our supplications; the Lord accepts our prayers.       

Psalm 6:9 

Pastor’s Corner – January 26, 2023

In Exile: Serve the Lord No Matter What

Almost six hundred years before the time of Jesus, his people, the Israelites, were in crisis. Their capital, Jerusalem, and the surrounding region, Judea, were destroyed and occupied by the invading force of Babylon. Many had been injured, killed, made homeless, and the rest forced into exile from their homeland. Could the people of God survive?

Into this crisis a prophet named Jeremiah spoke-up on behalf of God. Jeremiah offered words of encouragement to the exiles. With the movement away from faith and religious affiliation in our time, plus the suffering of those who lack employment, education, housing, healthcare, and enough to eat, along with our own personal challenges, we may be feeling like exiles too.

This series concludes after paying attention to Jeremiah’s encouragement to trust God, seek the welfare of others, keep praying, trust God’s promise of restoration, and focus on faith instead of fear. I hope you might jot these words of encouragement down and refer to them regularly as a helpful reminder and a boost to your faith.

The final lesson comes from Jeremiah 30:9, a straight forward statement about what matters most: Serve the Lord your God. We are here on purpose, to serve God by serving others. We were created to be helpers. Studies and personal experience have revealed the positive impact for our well-being when we lend a helping hand. This is not why we help but it is a benefit of helping. So, serve God with the gift you’ve been given. Gifts come in all shapes and sizes. Each gift is important and makes a positive difference. Remember, you are not the Messiah just one of his representatives; no need to take on the weight of the world. When more and more of us do our part, it is amazing what God can do to make big changes. Just maybe with a concerted effort as a community of disciples in this new year we will see some signs of the restoration God is planning?!

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – January 19, 2023

Dear Beloved,

Who and what are you thanking God for today? One of the many blessings for which I’m giving thanks today is the for storytellers (and the stories they tell). Thank you God for all the people courageous and vulnerable enough to tell their stories. 

I’m especially grateful right now for the storytellers who were the panelists for our first Disability Justice virtual experience. I’m also especially grateful for people who have told me and continue to tell me the stories of God’s work in the world. Some of those stories happened last week. Some have been passed down for thousands of years. When I think of the stories of the Bible, some infuriate me. Some confuse me. Some sadden me. The ones which travel with me are like part of my heart – blessing me with life, like part of my mind – guiding me, like a close friend – offering me encouragement….

As I’ve been thinking about stories, I’ve wondered what Bible stories are your favorites and why? If you would be willing to share them with me, I would be very honored and grateful. I hope to hear from you at pastorsarah.friedensucc@outlook.com. 

With gratitude and hope~

Sarah

Give thanks to the Lord, for the LORD is good;
    the LORD’s love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story

Psalm 107:1-2

Pastor’s Corner – January 12, 2023

In Exile: Do Not Fear

Almost six hundred years before the time of Jesus, his people, the Israelites, were in crisis. Their capital, Jerusalem, and the surrounding region, Judea, were destroyed and occupied by the invading force of Babylon. Many had been injured, killed, made homeless, and the rest forced into exile from their homeland. Could the people of God survive?

Into this crisis a prophet named Jeremiah spoke-up on behalf of God. Jeremiah offered words of encouragement to the exiles. With the movement away from faith and religious affiliation in our time, plus the violence that disrupts life in places near and far, along with our own personal challenges, we may be feeling like exiles too.

This series of articles seeks to offer you some encouragement by tapping into this ancient wisdom. In the last article we were encouraged to trust God’s promise of ultimate restoration.

In this article we turn to Jeremiah 30:10, where we find one of the most common commands of God for God’s people: Have no fear…and do not be dismayed. Adversity can rob us of courage and joy. It is so easy in suffering to feel alone, afraid, and distraught. We have all been there and it is important to honestly acknowledge those feelings but we do not want to stay in those emotions. That is where faith is so valuable! To remember that the God who created the universe is also with and cares about us. God’s power of love overcomes all. With that in mind we can discover encouragement and hope even in the midst of adversity. That’s good news for beginning a new year!

Blessings in 2023,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – January 5, 2023

Dear Beloved,

Are you a resolutions person? A dreamer? A goal setter? A hoper? I know folx who are totally opposed to New Year’s resolutions. I appreciate New Year’s for a variety of reasons. It is a holiday that always invites me to take a little extra time for meditation, contemplation, confession, and the ancient practice of examen. In some ways, all days are holidays (holy days) for me as I understand our Holy God to be with us every day. Yet there are specific days named by particular countries, calendars, traditions, groups, cultures, communities…. that offer space for more intentionality for something. (As I write this, I have a deep desire to pause and research a holiday that I’m not familiar with in order to learn a little more, but that will need to wait until another day as deadlines are coming  

What does New Year’s offer you? Does a change in the numerical year on the calendar invite you to a fresh start? For me, I feel the liturgical words experienced during our corporate worship words of assurance – God makes all this fresh and new!!!! Does the change invite you to make amends for or release something that happened in the closing year that was unloving and unkind? For me, it offers me space to open myself a little bit more, a little bit further to where God is asking me to grow. Does the newness of the year whisper to you or nudge you to try something new? Maybe you want to try to do less. Maybe you want to free yourself from the expectations of social media. Maybe you want to take a new class, be part of a ministry team, try a different spiritual practice. For me, there are always so many new things that I want to try or do, so the new year is a time of being still, quiet, and trying to discern where God is saying move/go/now/yes and where God is saying stay/wait/not now/no. I’d appreciate your prayers as we begin God’s new year of 2023, and you are in mine. If you want to chat about ministry teams or new studies groups which you can connect with as part of Friedens United Church of Christ, please be in touch. I’d be excited and honored to talk and pray with you. I thank God for you and pray you know that you are loved and appreciated. 

From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation;

2 Corinthians 5:16-18

Pastor’s Corner – December 29, 2022

In Exile: Trust the Promise

Almost six hundred years before the time of Jesus, his people, the Israelites, were in crisis. Their capital, Jerusalem, and the surrounding region, Judea, were destroyed and occupied by the invading force of Babylon. Many had been injured, killed, made homeless, and the rest forced into exile from their homeland. Could the people of God survive?

Into this crisis a prophet named Jeremiah spoke-up on behalf of God. Jeremiah offered words of encouragement to the exiles. With the movement away from faith and religious affiliation in our time, plus the degradation of our earth home, along with our own personal challenges, we may be feeling like exiles too.

This series of articles seeks to offer you some encouragement by tapping into this ancient wisdom. We continue in this series today with the words of Jeremiah 29:11, which offers hope that reverberates through the centuries: For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. God is the source of all that is good. When we trust God, we open ourselves to the hope of God’s promised restoration.

This is not a yearning for the way things used to be, this is the hope of things being better than they ever have been. We hope and pray for the fulfillment of God’s vision of Shalom, of comprehensive well-being for all of creation. We get to work today and every day to do our part to make that vision real. Together as a community of disciples, we trust the promise of renewal and we encourage one another to share the love of Christ in every relationship and interaction. It is a simple, daily focus with a profound Divine potential. It is also a wonderful way to celebrate the rebirth of Christ in our hearts, carrying Christmas right into the New Year!

Joyous Christmastide,



Marc