tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13712446066836663002024-03-18T05:00:31.794-04:00Nikos(Nee'-kos)
Biblical Greek Word for "Victory"Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02932047276335921100noreply@blogger.comBlogger2977125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-38461954989283819252024-03-18T05:00:00.000-04:002024-03-18T05:00:00.141-04:00Sermon (March 17/Lent) “Crosses of Jesus: The Celtic Cross” by Rev. Robert McDowell<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_d915_aab2_94a_6830" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1QGuSVIaMWarJbEp6kLtSs75Pcj3BNL9z" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 381px; height: auto;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>March 17, 2023 Sermon (Lent)</b></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>“Crosses of Jesus: The Celtic Cross”</b></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>Rev. Robert McDowell</b></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b><br></b></font></div><p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Times New Roman" style="font-size: 24px;"> </font><font face="Arial"> During the Season of Lent, we’re spending this time focusing on six different types of crosses which have been used throughout Christian history to help people have a deeper understanding and appreciation for the meaning of Jesus’ cross.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial"> So far, we have focused on the Latin cross, the Jerusalem cross, and last Sunday, we were going to focus on the St. Andrew’s cross but that didn’t happen because I was sick. Thank you for your prayers, by the way!</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial"> Before we look at today’s cross, here are a couple of highlights about the significance of the St. Andrew’s Cross. Primarily, it is a cross that emphasizes the importance of humility because it is named after the disciple, Andrew who died for his faith.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial"> Interesting to note is that all of the disciples ended up being killed for their faith except two of the twelve, Judas who killed himself because of his betrayal of Jesus, and John who was able to live to an old age. </font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial"> Instead of being crucified in the same manner as his Lord, St. Andrew asked to be crucified upside down which is why this shape of cross looks like the letter, “X.” Here’s what is what this shape of cross looks like.</font></span></p><p style="text-align: center; margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><img id="id_c36b_c46f_a156_f1cd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/173LQvoEnhapUlsi2JfijuP33to76ABVX" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 267px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial"> St. Andrew’s cross reminds us that humility is at the heart of what it means to be followers of Jesus. Jesus is the ultimate example of what it means to be God’s humble people.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial"><span style="font-kerning: none;"> The verse that was used for last Sunday is about humility. James 4:10 says, </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-kerning: none;">“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial"><span style="font-style: italic; font-kerning: none;"> </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">In this Season of Lent, the St. Andrew’s Cross reminds us that just as Jesus emptied himself for the sake of others, so we are called to love and serve others.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial"> And just this last thing about St. Andrew’s Cross, which is really interesting. It is the flag of Scotland because several centuries after Andrew died for his faith, tradition tells us that his relics were brought to Scotland by a missionary, and he became the Patron Saint of Scotland.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial"> For this fourth Sunday in Lent and on this St. Patrick’s Day, we turn to the Celtic cross. And as you can see, the Celtic cross is pretty much the Latin style of cross which we talked about on the first Sunday of this series, only there’s also a circle surrounding the middle of the cross tying the four parts of the cross together.</font></span></p><div><br></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"><img id="id_b262_4900_a296_11e1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1566KzgOGyMym0m11wS1Ls328qCLy6l0p" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 191px; height: auto;"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> In preparing for this sermon today, I have been reminded of just how important the shape of the circle is for people from the Celtic faith. And by Celtic Christianity, I’m referring to the Christian Church of the British Isles which dates all the way back to the 2<sup>nd</sup> or 3<sup>rd</sup> century and continues to be an important expression of our Christian faith today. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> In a few moments I want to share some brief highlights of the history of Celtic Christianity, but for now, I want to say a quick word about the powerful symbol of the circle for people who are from the Celtic Christian faith.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> In Celtic Christianity, there’s a wonderful traditional prayer that goes like this: <i>Circle us Lord, keep love within, keep hatred out. Keep joy within, keep fear out. Keep peace within, keep worry out. Keep light within, keep darkness out. May you stand in the circle with us, today and always.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"><i> </i>This prayer and the image of a circle are meant to help Christians remember that God is always with us no matter what we may be facing in life. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> We’ll get back to the meaning of the circle in a little bit, but for now, I want to briefly sketch a little of the history of Celtic Christianity to help us better understand this unique shape of the cross of Jesus and how this cross can help us prepare for Holy Week and Easter.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> A lot of people don’t realize that Christianity originated in the British Isles as early as the 2<sup>nd</sup> century – less than 200 years after the time of Jesus. Christianity first arrived in that area because of missionaries who had been sent there from the Church in Rome. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Christianity grew and grew in this region thanks to three Christian saints in particular – St. Ninian in Scotland, St. Dyfrig in Wales, and St. Patrick in Ireland.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Before we talk more about the Celtic cross, here are some unique features of Celtic Christianity in general which I think are really helpful for us to know. I’ll share these rather quickly.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Celtic Christianity emphasizes love of nature and of God’s creation. They have a love and respect for art and poetry. They are orthodox in their Christian beliefs with a heavy emphasis on the Trinity; God who is known as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And they also have a special focus on the importance of liturgy and prayers.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Celtic Christianity has been influenced more by the Christian faith in the Eastern part of the church rather than the Western part of the church.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> And maybe that’s why people today are so intrigued by Celtic Christianity because we have become so accustomed to the Western branch of Christianity, that we are just now beginning to reclaim the wonderful tradition of the more Eastern dimension of our Christian faith. Celtic Christianity helps us to reclaim this less familiar side of our Christian history and tradition.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Also in Celtic Christianity, women were given a more prominent role in the life of the church than in other Christian faith traditions.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Celtic Christianity emphasizes the need for each Christian to have a spiritual guide and to not try to be a follower of Jesus Christ on your own. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Celtic Christians tend to be great story tellers because of their wonderful oral culture tradition.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> They are really big into offering Christian hospitality and they emphasize the importance of family and kinship ties.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> And they also have their share of some of the greatest Christian saints who have ever lived over the course of Christian history. </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Saints such as Patrick who had a huge hand in preaching the gospel in Ireland. Aidan who in the 7<sup>th</sup> century, restored Christianity in Northumbria after unsuccessful attempts by previous leaders; Columba, a faithful and determined monk who in the 6<sup>th</sup> century converted pagan kings and traveled on vigorous missionary journeys throughout his seventy-six years of life. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Other Celtic Christians saints include Cuthbert, from the 7<sup>th</sup> century, who traveled by horseback all over England sharing the gospel with people who were scattered in outlying and sparsely settled areas encouraging them to not rely on their charms or amulets, but to pray to God and to put their trust in Jesus Christ, alone.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Brigid was another wonderful Celtic saint. She lived in Ireland during the 5<sup>th</sup>century, left her pagan religion, and was baptized in the Christian faith at the age of fourteen. Thanks to her sensitive and respectful approach, many of the Druid people accepted the Christian faith through her ministry. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> And then of course, another saint from the Celtic Christian faith is St. Robert McDowell of Scotland. You might have read about him. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Now, back to the Celtic Cross which I mentioned briefly at the beginning of the sermon. The Celtic Cross is basically a Latin cross, which is the most popular shape of cross but this cross also has a circle in the top middle of it connecting all four points of the cross.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> As the story goes, St. Patrick, who lived during the 5<sup>th</sup> century, is the one who came up with this particular style of cross. During St. Patrick’s time, the circle represented a pagan moon goddess, and by incorporating a symbol from the pagan faith with the Christian cross, it showed those he was converting to Christianity how the Christian faith connected to their religious symbols. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Consequently, St. Patrick ended up ordaining many Druids to serve as Christian priests which is pretty remarkable if you think about it.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Another symbolism of the Celtic cross also comes from the circle. The circle is a symbol of eternity that emphasizes the endlessness of God’s love as shown through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. The circle reminds us that there is no end to God’s immeasurable love. And I think this particular meaning is worth stopping for a moment and giving some thought.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> This means that no matter how much we have failed God in the past or in the present, or how much we will fail God in the future, that God’s love for us is always the same. As a friend of mine likes to put it, <i>“God loves you and there’s nothing you can do about it.” </i>I find this circle of love to be a great thought for us during this Season of Lent, that God’s love has no end.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> When I think of Celtic Christianity’s emphasis on God’s unconditional love, I think of the story of the Prodigal Son. We’ve heard this story. It’s one of Jesus most famous parables and it’s about a father and two sons and how the youngest son demanded his share of the inheritance, left home, and squandered the money in loose living.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> This son had done the unthinkable. Not only did he disrespect is father by asking for his inheritance, but he also turned his back on his own family.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> After he spends all of the money on wild living, he finally comes to his senses and decides to return home to become one of his father’s servants. At least then, he would be able to eat real food and not the food of the pigs which he had been eating just to survive.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Imagine this scene as this youngest son returns home. All the way home, he is going over his apology for what he had done to bring shame to the family, knowing that his father might not even allow him to be his servant, let alone his son.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> And then, picture in your mind, the way this parable ends. When the father sees his son off in the distance, this father is filled with compassion and begins running toward him. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> We have lost the shock of this story because in Jesus’ day, adults never ran outside like that in public. That would have been a disgrace.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> So, here’s this father, going against social protocol, throwing caution to the wind by running in public, all because he is overjoyed that his son who was lost has now come home. And he was willing to go to these great lengths even though his son had hurt him deeply.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> After he embraces his son, he throws a huge welcome home party and spares no expense. And Jesus told this story because he wants us to know of God’s immeasurable love for us. The circle that is in the middle of the Celtic cross is to always remind us of God’s eternal love. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> There is nothing we can do to make God love us more and there is nothing we can do to make God love us any less. God loves us unconditionally, and there’s nothing we can do about it. It’s just the way it is.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Celtic Christians often use the phrase, “Thin Place” to convey how the spiritual and natural world often intersect and overlap. These thin places are the moments when we experience a deep sense of God’s presence in our everyday, ordinary, and even mundane living. Thin places represent the razor thin distance between heaven and earth and all we need to do is to be open to these everyday holy moments.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> And this is why we call so many of the Celtic Christians, saints. Because of their deep sense of God’s presence and of God’s overflowing love for all people, that’s why Celtic saints like St. Patrick were willing to travel on dangerous missionary journeys. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> They believed each place to be a place of one’s resurrection where only God could bring new life and it was their task to pray, preach, care, worship, and wait till the resurrection would most certainly come.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> And as we wait upon the celebration of Easter and the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, like our Celtic brothers and sisters, it is our primary task to pray, preach, care, and worship wherever we travel.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> For this all to be said about us, we need a circle in the middle of Jesus’ cross reminding us of God’s eternal and never-ending love. </font><font face="Times New Roman, serif" style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></font></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-91916383397716736642024-03-18T04:45:00.000-04:002024-03-18T04:45:00.134-04:00Sunday (March 17) Pastoral Prayer<div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_bdcd_5cd7_59e1_aff0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/162lNiIR64zGkJeEg9M189--X33knT8gL" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 190px; height: auto;"></div><br></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><font face="Arial" size="4">March 17, 2024</font></b></div></b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><font face="Arial" size="4">Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC</font></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial">Thank you for the Celtic cross, O God and for it’s powerful symbol representing the endless circle of just how much you love us by sending us Jesus who lived, died, and rose again.</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial">Just as your circle of love welcomed the Prodigal Son back home, may we also always know that we can come home to you because you are our loving father. And so today, we especially pray for those who feel far off from you and unworthy to return home to you.</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial">On this St. Patrick’s Day, help us to reclaim the more creative and poetic side of our faith as expressed so beautifully through Celtic Christianity.</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial">Be thou our vision to see your beauty displayed through your creation for this is our Father’s world.</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial">Be thou our vision as we share the love of Jesus wherever we go and to whosoever we visit.</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial">Be thou our vision when we are feeling lost and confused and in need of direction.</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial">Be thou our vision when we feel alone and separated from you for you are ready to run out and welcome us home.</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial">Be thou are vision when our own vision prevents us from seeing your goodness and beauty in others.</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial">Be thou are vision so that we might recognize those “Thin Place” moments that occur in our day-to-day living, reminding us of your holy and mysterious presence.</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial">Be thou our vision, as we pray this prayer that you taught us to say together…</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial"> </font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-kerning: none;"><font face="Arial">Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.</font></span></p><div><span style="font-weight: bold; font-kerning: none;"><br></span></div></div>Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-54229673968672792622024-03-11T05:00:00.000-04:002024-03-11T05:00:00.155-04:00Sermon (March 10/Lent) “Crosses of Jesus: St. Andrew’s Cross” by Rev. Robert McDowell<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_d75c_733f_7114_f617" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/17O3GP3yZgJvw_zRZhtTvgKDLxLSPWA1J" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 342px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>March 10, 2024 (Lent)</b></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC</b></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>Rev. Robert McDowell</b></font></span><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> During the Season of Lent, these six Sundays leading up to Easter, we are focusing on the different crosses of Jesus and how each one of these crosses offers a unique perspective on the meaning of our faith. Let’s briefly review the first three crosses that we have already covered.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> We began this series by looking at the significance of the Latin cross. This particular cross helped us to see the simplicity of the cross. This is the cross shape that the Romans most likely used to crucify Jesus. It’s just a horizontal piece of wood with another vertical piece of wood near the top, about two thirds high. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And I think this particular cross has a way of helping us to remember the basic truth of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. To know that Jesus died for the world and on the third day rose again. It doesn’t get any more basic than this simple but profound message.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> The following Sunday, we focused on the particular meaning of the Jerusalem Cross which consists of a large cross in the middle with four small crosses in each corner. And the whole point of the Jerusalem Cross is to remind us that the good news of the cross of Jesus Christ didn’t just stay in Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified and rose again but has also been extended throughout the whole world.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Last Sunday, we learned more about the Tau cross which is a symbol of how God offers us physical, emotional, mental, relational, and spiritual healing. God cares about our mind, body, and soul.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And this brings us to today and our focus on the St. Andrew’s cross. This cross is shaped in a unique way to help us appreciate the importance of humility in our walk with Christ. And here’s the reason why it reminds us of humility.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_fdfa_afb5_1a31_a799" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1K3X-xETiP0aeYxwzxyXSCOzKW6Jw3eHr" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 297px; height: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Church tradition tells us that Andrew, who was one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus, ended up being put to death for his faith. And by the way, this was true with all twelve of the disciples with the exception of just two, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus, and the disciple, John, who as far as we know, lived into his 90s and died of natural causes. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Here’s the brief story about the disciple, Andrew, the person connected with our cross for today. His name appears only fourteen times in the New Testament with only one of those references being outside of the four Gospels and that is in the Book of Acts. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And of those fourteen references where Andrew’s name appears, three of them are simply where he’s included in a listing with the other twelve disciples.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> But whenever Andrew’s name appears outside of those lists, there’s a common thread – he’s always bringing people to meet Jesus. If you remember, it’s Andrew who brought his brother, Simon Peter to Jesus for the first time.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And it’s Andrew who brings a little boy to Jesus who happens to have five loaves and two fish. And with those five loaves and two fish, Jesus miraculously fed five thousand people with that little bit of food.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> It’s Andrew, who with the help of the disciple, Phillip, tells Jesus about some people outside of the Jewish faith who wanted to meet Jesus.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And so, every time Andrew’s name is mentioned, he is about bringing people to Jesus and that’s why he is primarily known for evangelism. But the particular type of cross that bears his name is not primarily about his evangelism, but about his humility.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> You will notice that the St. Andrew’s cross is really an “X” shape which is very different from any of the other crosses. Church tradition tells us that following the time of the New Testament period, Andrew was crucified for his faith. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And because of his tremendous humility, he chose not to be crucified in the same way as Jesus. Instead, he was crucified upside down and that’s why we have this particular shaped cross.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Incidentally, Andrew’s brother, Simon Peter, also chose to be crucified in a similar way, but the shape of St. Peter’s cross is an upside down Latin cross. Both the cross of St. Peter and the cross of St. Andrew are symbols of their example of humility as followers of Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And if you’re into history, you might be interested in this. Several centuries after Andrew died for his faith, tradition tells us that his relics were brought to Scotland by a missionary which is why Andrew is known as the Patron Saint of Scotland.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Even today people continue to make pilgrimages to this location in Scotland that is named after this saint. These modern day religious pilgrims are also known as golfers. Of course, I’m referring to the world-famous St. Andrew’s golf course in Scotland. Come to think of it, golf is a great way to keep a person humble.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> One of my favorite scriptures comes from James 4:10. <i>“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” </i>Humble yourselves.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> St. Augustine, one of the most well known of all the Christian saints who lived in the 4<sup>th</sup> century once said, <i>“Should you ask me: What is the first thing in religion? I should reply: the first, second, and third thing therein is humility.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>Maybe you heard of the famous conductor who was once asked which instrument he considered the most difficult to play. He thought for a moment and then he said, <i>“Second fiddle.”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Being humble isn’t an easy thing. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> But I think the St. Andrew’s Cross might offer us an important way for us to be a humble person. The reason that church tradition tells us that Andrew chose not to be crucified in the same manner as his Lord, was because his focus was totally on his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> It’s by keeping our focus on Christ that allows us to be humble people whose main priority is to be the most faithful disciples of Jesus Christ that God is calling us to be.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> James says, <i>“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Mark Feldmeier, who has written the book, “Stirred, Not Shaken,” tells of a time when he was visiting Washington D.C. and he was sitting on a bench in front of the White house. And while he was sitting there and eating a hot dog, he was thinking about all of the monuments that were around him, monuments of famous people who have done great things. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And he began to wonder why at age 35, he still hadn’t done anything all that great in his life.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> As he thought about this, a stranger came up to him and asked if he could have a drink of his coke. Mark said that this man had fire in his eyes with the sour smell of the city all over him.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Here, Mark had been daydreaming about doing something great in his life that would make an impact on the world. And perhaps even something so great that a limestone monument would be erected in his memory someday. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And now, all that God seemed to want from him was to give this guy some of his coke drink. He watched him raise the bottle to his cracked lips, tip his head back, and take a hard long swallow. When he finally came up for air, the man tried to give the bottle back to him, but Mark insisted that the man just keep it and drink the rest of it.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> While it’s not a bad thing to want to do something great and awesome for the world and maybe even have a monument named after us, the cross of St. Andrew reminds us that it’s really serving others in the little ways that matter the most to God. The small humble ways like giving a stranger something to drink on a hot day.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I remember a while back reading a heartwarming story from the Chicken Soup for the Soul website about a very humble thing that a grandfather did for his granddaughter’s 16<sup>th</sup> birthday.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> This grandfather gave his granddaughter three notebooks that chronicled every moment they had spent together when she was between the ages of 2 and 5. The notes include times like when they went to the zoo, spent time shopping together, and their visits to pumpkin patches. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> He knew that this would be something she would appreciate later in her life, and he thought that her 16<sup>th</sup> birthday would be the best time to give this gift to her.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> His granddaughter, Lauren was so moved by this humble gesture on the part of her grandfather. She commented, <i>“He’s actually really shy until you get to know him. He’s always been a considerate person for me especially.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Ok, I don’t admit this very often. I read this article this past week, and when I read the granddaughter’s response I got really choked up because it reminded me that it’s often the little humble things that we do that make the biggest difference in people’s lives.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Sometimes, we are so focused on doing something great and noteworthy that we take our eyes off Jesus, and we miss those moment-to-moment opportunities to serve others in the name of Christ. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And those moments are right there in front of us. All we need to do is see others through the eyes of Christ.<i><o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> In just two weeks, we will be celebrating Palm Sunday when Jesus’ came into Jerusalem riding a donkey while a large crowd of people waved palm branches as he went by.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> You know, I wonder if that donkey who carried Jesus that day, ever thought to himself that they were waving those branches for him instead of for the one who was riding on his back. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> The cross that is in the shape of an “X” reminds us that those palm branches were meant for Jesus, the one who would die on a cross for the sins of the world, the one who gave everything to rescue us from sin and death.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4"><i><font face="Arial"> </font></i><font face="Arial">To him be all honor, glory, and power now and forevermore. </font></font><font face="Times New Roman, serif" style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></font></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-78840665311670155892024-03-11T04:45:00.000-04:002024-03-11T04:45:00.131-04:00Sunday (March 10/Lent) Pastoral Prayer<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></p><div style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><img id="id_e1f_5a2_ea81_1f07" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/12IMjXCITdsNrS1FK8ELJLjgX6_Po2VK_" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="font-size: 11pt; width: 220px; height: auto;"></div><font face="Arial" size="4"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Sunday, March 10, 2024 </b></div></font><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><b>Pastoral Prayer</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><b>Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">Lord, it’s hard to be humble. Even when we want to do great things for you, we sometimes make it more about us than about you. We talk more than we listen. We stand more than we kneel. We argue more than we seek peace. We react more than we reflect. We indulge more than we serve. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">And so, we join our prayer hymn in praying, <i>“Pass me not, O gentle Savior, hear my humble cry.”</i> Hear our humble cry as we continue to explore the meaning of your cross and how you emptied yourself for the sake of the world. May we empty ourselves, die to ourselves, and humble ourselves so that we may become more like You; loving, gracious, forgiving, kind, peace-making, good, and holy. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">As we seek to be your humble servants, we lift up to you people who are also praying today, <i>“Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior.”</i> We pray for those who are grieving and have heavy hearts, for those who are in pain and in need of healing, for those who are feeling alone, discouraged, and without hope, for those who are in parts of the world where there are wars, famine, and extreme poverty. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">Lord, there are so many people offering their humble cries to you this day. Help us to hear their cries and to not overlook the needs that are all around us. And even if it’s sometimes as simple as giving somebody a cold drink on a hot day or gradually putting together a family album to eventually give to a loved one, may every good deed, whether great or small be to your honor and glory. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">Even in these next few quiet moments of silence, we offer to you other humble cries that are on our hearts and minds this morning. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">In humility, we join now to pray the words that Jesus taught us to pray together…<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><font face="Arial">Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.</font></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-26806910121868478792024-03-04T05:00:00.000-05:002024-03-04T05:00:00.136-05:00Sermon (March 3/Lent) “Crosses of Jesus: The Tau Cross” by Rev. Robert McDowell<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_8b44_e8f2_6a00_52f1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1p63iyaVC8Qa78M81Zuj2rnuQUEEBD6z2" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 357px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>March 3/Lent, 2024 Sermon</b></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>Rev. Robert McDowell</b></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC<br></b></font></span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I was standing in the elevator of a hospital when a woman, noticing that I was wearing a suit and tie with an ID badge clipped to my suit jacket asked me, <i>“What kind of doctor are you, if you don’t mind me asking?”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>Now, I just can’t let these kinds of questions go by without having a little fun. I’m sorry, but you gotta have fun in life once in a while. Like the time when I was in a home improvement store and I was wearing khaki pants and a blue oxford shirt, the exact same thing that the employees of the store were wearing. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> A customer came up to me and asked me where the power tools were. And of course, I couldn’t resist, so I said, <i>“That would be aisle 23, across from the light bulbs.”</i> I had no clue.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> As this person started to walk away, I said, <i>“Actually, the man over there will be able to help you.” <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> So anyway, I’m on this hospital elevator and this woman asks me what kind of doctor I am. And I said, <i>“I’m a spiritual surgeon and I operate on sinners.”</i> She actually thought that was kind of funny. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> But truth be told, I think pastors are kind of like doctors, because in a way we’re both in the health profession, and we both care about the well-being of the people we see.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Think of all of the people that Jesus healed during his ministry. It seems like he was constantly laying hands on people who had infirmities and diseases so that they would be healed. You can imagine how the crowds were drawn to Jesus because of his ability to bring healing.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Today, as part of our sermon series on the crosses of Jesus, we focus on the Tau cross. Tau, spelled, “T-A-U.” And the particular meaning of this cross is that it is commonly associated with God’s gift of healing based on our scripture readings this morning. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_be4b_b12f_3d0e_4fd7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1Of8WUaCn8eAoHfpBIxNPfNfYKF1UZqLv" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 161px; height: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> In our Old Testament reading from the Book of Numbers we have this strange story, at least I think it’s kind of strange. Moses is leading the people of Israel through the wilderness toward the Promised Land, but along the way, they complain, and they begin to stop trusting in God and Moses, their leader. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And it’s to a point where there is a real possibility that the people who God had rescued from Egypt will turn back. As it becomes apparent to God that the people might totally give up on following Moses through the wilderness, God sends poisonous snakes which end up killing some of the Israelites. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> But God also provides Moses with a remedy for these poisonous snake bites by having Moses make a bronze serpent, which he then wraps around a pole, and he tells the people to look up at the serpent so they can be healed.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Now, if you’re like me, that might sound like a really strange way for someone to be healed from a snake bite, but this is the image that various medical organizations use even today as their symbol. It’s the symbol of serpents wrapped around a pole.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> But it wasn’t the bronze serpent itself that brought healing to the people. The point of this story is that it was the power of God through the symbol of the bronze serpent wrapped around the pole that brought healing. This just goes to show the power of symbols. Just by looking at this serpent on the pole, the people were healed.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> During the time of the bible, it was believed that the type of pole that Moses used to bring healing to the people was in the shape of the Greek letter, “tau.” This is why it’s called the “tau” cross because the shape of it resembles this Greek letter. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Just like the medical profession has picked up on this symbol to represent healing, the Tau cross also reminds us that God wants to offer each one of us physical, emotional, mental and spiritual healing.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> The Tau cross also reminds us of how Jesus healed people during his ministry. In the Book of James, we are told that we are to anoint those who are sick so that they can be healed. The anointing of oil has a long and rich history of being a means of grace by which God offers us healing.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Also, worth noting about this particular kind of cross, is that the Tau cross is often associated with St. Francis of Assisi who lived during the Middle Ages. St. Francis was known for ministering to those who were sick and especially to those who suffered from the skin disease of leprosy.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> St. Francis chose the Tau cross as his emblem because it represented life-time fidelity in being a servant of Jesus Christ for the sake of others. It was a reminder of his pledge to offer God’s healing to the outcasts of his day. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> St. Francis even had a special habit or robe made so that every time he would stretch out his arms, his body would take the shape of the tau cross. It served to remind him that he was called to be the hands and feet of Christ for everyone around him.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> A little later in our worship service, an invitation will be extended to come forward to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> In addition to the two people who will be holding the bread and the cup of grape juice, I will be available off next to them for anyone who would like to receive the anointing of oil. I’ll simply put a small amount of anointing oil in the sign of the cross on the back of your hand as a symbol of God’s healing presence in your life.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> There is also a direct connect between our Old and New Testament readings this morning. Nicodemus, a religious leader came to Jesus to ask him some questions and Jesus ended up talking to Nicodemus about our need for spiritual healing. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Jesus said to Nicodemus, <i>“No one can see the Kingdom of God without being born again.”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>And Nicodemus is confused by all of this, thinking that it’s impossible to go through a second birth when you’ve already been born. To help Nicodemus understand what he is saying, he refers to the story about the poisonous snakes and the bronze serpent being put on a pole to bring healing to the people. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Jesus says, <i>“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”</i> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Jesus is referring to the time when he will be lifted on a pole. More specifically, he will be lifted on a cross to save us from our sins. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And right after Jesus uses this analogy of comparing his death on the cross with the serpent on the pole story, we get this wonderful verse that many of us know by heart.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <i>“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” </i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> This is the good news of our faith that we can be born again just by looking at the cross, turning from our sins, and trusting in Christ. All we need to do is look at the cross and we can be born again. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> As C.S. Lewis, the great Christian thinker of the last century once said, <i>“It can happen today, if you’d like.”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> The story is told of three men in France who were walking through the countryside together. And the one man kept going on and on how the problems of the country could be blamed on the church and the Christian faith.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Every time they would see a church, this man would point to it and say, <i>“That’s the problem with our world today. Religion.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>As they were walking by a cathedral, the man started complaining about the Christian faith again as he pointed toward the building in disgust.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> One of the men said, <i>“Well, if you feel that way, why don’t you just go into that cathedral and tell the priest what you’ve been telling us?” </i>And the man said, <i>“Alright, I will.” <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>So he went inside the cathedral, found the priest and told him what he had been telling his friends all day long, that the Christian faith was just a bunch of superstitions and that the church was the reason the country was in such bad shape.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> The priest listened patiently as the man went on and on with his complaints. When the man was finally done, the priest said, <i>“Before you leave here today, I want to offer a challenge to you. I challenge you to go into the sanctuary and look up at the large crucifix with Jesus hanging on the cross, and I want you to say these words, ‘Jesus Christ died on the cross for me and it doesn’t mean a thing to me.’”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>And the man said, <i>“Sure, I’ll take up that challenge.” </i>And so he went into the sanctuary as the priest instructed him to do, and he went up the full length of the aisle until he made it to the large crucifix. And after he stared at it for a few moments he said, <i>“Jesus Christ died on the cross for me and it doesn’t mean a thing to me.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>He went back to the priest and told him that he did exactly what he had told him to do. As he was about to leave the cathedral, this wise priest said, <i>“I dare you to do it again.” </i>And the man shrugged his shoulders and said, <i>“Sure, why not?”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Like the first time, this man slowly walked up the long middle aisle and when he finally made it to the foot of the crucifix, he stared into the face of the crucified Jesus again. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And as his eyes were fixed on the face of Jesus with the crown of thorns and his pierced body, he began to say those same words, <i>“Jesus Christ died on the cross for me.” <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>He stopped for a moment and then he started over. <i>“Jesus Christ died on the cross…for me. And, and it doesn’t…” </i>He couldn’t continue.<i> </i>He stood there motionless and then he slowly knelt down there in that huge cathedral, and he began to cry. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> By looking at the cross of Jesus, he was able to see just how much God loved him. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> As the old hymn says, <i>“There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole; there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> We are all invited to look at the cross of Jesus and receive God’s healing and saving love anew. </font><font face="Times New Roman, serif" style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></font></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-47923911226442556592024-03-04T04:45:00.000-05:002024-03-04T04:45:00.140-05:00Sunday (March 3/Lent) Pastoral Prayer<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><img id="id_7a3e_9e37_9133_8728" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1w_Sm5_EYPMheB778oy53OWYQhhcGved3" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="font-size: 11pt; width: 178px; height: auto;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><font face="Arial" size="4">Sunday, March 3, 2024</font></b></div></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><font face="Arial" size="4">Pastoral Prayer</font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><font face="Arial" size="4">Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC</font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">Thank you, O God, that there is a balm in Gilead that can make the wounded whole and that can bring healing to our sin-sick soul. When we look at the cross of Jesus, we can see what you have done for us when you allowed yourself to be wounded for our sake. Open our hearts and minds this day to receive your saving grace and your healing presence in our lives. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">Today, we pray for those who are in need of healing, whether it be physical, mental, emotional, relational, or spiritual. Thank you that you are a God who cares about all of who we are, including our mind, bodies, and souls. You love us so much that you gave your only Son, that whosever believes in him may not perish but have everlasting life. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">On this day that we focus on the Tau shaped cross which reminds us that you are a God of healing, we also lift up to you doctors, nurses, caregivers, medical technicians, mental health counselors, and EMT responders. Bless and guide them in their work as they serve as instruments of your healing. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">As we prepare to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion this morning, we come to you with our brokenness. Thank you for your cross which has made this holy meal possible for us to receive, a meal in which we can actually taste your goodness and your healing love.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">May your healing presence surround each one of us this day as we pray these words that Jesus taught us to pray together…<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><font face="Arial">Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.</font></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-65717009470609581232024-02-26T05:00:00.000-05:002024-02-26T05:00:00.145-05:00Sermon (Feb. 25/Lent) “Crosses of Jesus: The Jerusalem Cross” by Rev. Robert McDowell<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_725c_c05c_4b04_5515" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1dMRk7Mm-ezzFRfzTNZQBYNChMaMEcvoH" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 329px; height: auto;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>February 25/Lent, 2024</b></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>Rev. Robert McDowell</b></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC</b></font></div><br><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Of all the different symbolic crosses of Jesus, perhaps the Jerusalem cross is the most important one for the church.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Of course, all of the variety of crosses that we are looking at each Sunday during this sermon series, have a common thread – that Jesus Christ died on a cross for the sins of the world. That, in and of itself is wonderful news! It’s why we refer to our faith as “good news,” to know that the God of all creation has sent Jesus Christ to be our redeemer, our deliverer, and our Savior.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> But the particular cross that we are looking at today, the Jerusalem Cross, is in my estimation, the most significant one of all even as important as they all are. The reason for this is because the Jerusalem cross that reminds us that the good news of our faith is not meant to be kept to ourselves but is meant to be shared and celebrated with the entire world.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> You will notice that the Jerusalem cross consists of a large cross in the middle with four smaller crosses surrounding it. In this particular style of cross, the large middle cross symbolizes the presence of Jesus Christ, while the four smaller crosses symbolize the task of the church to share the good news of Jesus Christ to the four corners of the world.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_187a_5a23_3c32_b667" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1mt4YLCdjUpP_gSLW0-ZO4t5dw-ULw-_F" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 211px; height: auto;"><br><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And this is why this particular type of cross is called the Jerusalem cross. The Christian faith began in Jerusalem since that is where Jesus was crucified on a cross and was resurrected to new life. But then Christianity gradually extended to the whole world through the faithful witness of the early church.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> This cross is also called the Jerusalem Cross because it was used on the flags of the Crusaders during the Middle Ages when they left Europe to try and recapture Jerusalem and the Holy Land and put it under Christian control again.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> The Jerusalem cross is important for us to think about during the Season of Lent, because it reminds us that our faith in Jesus Christ is too wonderful to be kept to ourselves.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Have you ever had something to say that was so wonderful that you couldn’t keep it to yourself? Have you ever wanted to shout at perfect strangers some great news?<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> A friend told me about a time when he stopped by the grocery store to pick up a few things. As he was heading toward the aisle where soups are sold, he noticed a man going up to strangers and talking to them. He thought to himself, <i>“Oh, I hope he doesn’t say anything to me.” <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> But, sure enough, he started heading right toward him!<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> He thought to himself, <i>“What would cause this man, who looked to be somewhere in his mid to late 20s, to be OK with going up to complete strangers, and telling them about something without knowing what their reaction might be? What was his urgent message that he just had to share with everyone shopping at the grocery store that morning?”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Well, it turned out that he was representing a new business that had just opened in town. And this young man told him how this new business could really be helpful to him, and that if he would go to that business later in the day, he would get a free pizza!! He then handed him a piece of paper with the name of the business the address of the business, and the free pizza coupon.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> My friend said that he didn’t take him up on his offer of the free pizza, but the important thing about that day for him wasn’t that he chose not to visit that new pizza business in town. The important thing for him was that this guy was willing to share something that was so important to him with complete strangers.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I see lots of people like that. How about the guy who is willing to dress up like the statue of liberty and stand outside in bone chilling wind to get you to come in and get your taxes done there? That’s dedication!<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Or sometimes I see a person standing near a busy intersection, wearing a costume like a banana suit, or a big chili pepper, trying to get my attention to come and check out the store they’re representing.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Someone told me that near where he lives, one of these costume-wearing-guys stands near a road waving to the cars going by, dressed up as a large drink cup with a huge straw coming out of his head!<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Now, I know, they’re not doing this for free. But you couldn’t pay me enough to do what they’re doing.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><font face="Arial" size="4"> <o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>You have to respect someone who is willing to wave his arms around while wearing a hamburger suit. I mean, that takes some courage and boldness.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And all of this reminds me of what people must have thought of those early Christians when they first started going around the city of Jerusalem telling people about a Messiah who was crucified, dead, and then raised from the dead. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> In my mind, there’s no comparison between a person wearing a hamburger suit, and the early Christian on the streets of Jerusalem telling people about a crucified and risen Messiah. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> The disciples of Jesus had it a lot harder in my opinion. I mean, we’ve all seen a hamburger, and most of us eat them from time to time. But not many people in the history of this world have even seen someone who was dead and is now alive again.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> But this is the news that those early Christians wanted to tell everyone they could, and this is what the early church did. They boldly shared the good news to all who would listen that the God of all creation had defeated sin and death at a particular time in history by sending Jesus who died on a cross, rose to new life, and ascended to heaven to rule as King over all of creation.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And of course, just like cars speeding by people wearing costumes, or shoppers who walk past people trying to get you to try a new perfume at the mall, not everyone responded to the good news that those early Christians were sharing. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Some people totally ignored them and dismissed them. Other people laughed them off. Some even reacted with insults, and in some cases, physical violence. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> But some – -- some responded and believed.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Why would people respond favorably to news like this? Our Gospel reading this morning tells us why. This passage is one of the few New Testament passages where we are told that there was an actual, audible voice from heaven. And this voice says, <i>“I have glorified it, (meaning God’s name) and I will glorify it again.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><font face="Arial" size="4"> <o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>And the way that Jesus would glorify God’s name would be through his death on the cross. Knowing that he was about to give his life in order to glorify God’s name, the Gospel writer John tells us that Jesus’ soul was troubled, which shows us Jesus’ humanity as he anticipated what was about to happen to him.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> This passage of scripture helps us have a deeper glimpse of who God is. Here we see a God who is willing to go to great lengths, indeed, the greatest length, even sending his own Son to experience death on a cross, for the sake of the world.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And because Jesus was determined to do whatever it took to glorify God’s name, even if that would mean a painful death on the cross, Jesus says in our scripture reading, <i>“Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out.”</i> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Jesus’ death on the cross would mean that the powers which had usurped the world and laid it to waste --- those evil forces that have trampled on the poor, and have exalted themselves as kings, lords and even as gods – all of them would be judged, condemned, and driven out. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Not because Jesus would pick up a sword and use violent means against them, but through Christ’s sacrificial death and victory over death on the cross, they would be defeated!<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> This is why Jesus says in our Gospel reading for today, <i>“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> If that’s not worth sharing with the people around us, I don’t know what is. If that’s not worth telling complete strangers, I don’t know what is. If that’s not worth going to the four corners of the world to proclaim, I don’t know what is.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> It’s through the cross, that people are drawn to Christ. It’s through the good news of the cross, that death and sin have been defeated. The cross is the good news of our faith. And it’s meant to be shared.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> One of the many reasons why I am proud to be a part of the United Methodist Church is that our denomination is presently sharing the good news of the cross of Jesus Christ in more than 125 countries around the world through our General Board of Global Ministries. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Thanks to your generous support each year throughout our denominational apportionment giving, we support missionaries all over the world, including many right here in the United States. These missionaries are sharing the good news of the cross of Jesus Christ, and thanks to your generous support, people are being drawn to Him.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> As we journey through this Season of Lent and think about what Jesus Christ did not only for us, but for the whole world by dying on a cross, think of some ways that God might be calling us to share this good news with others. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> One of those ways is very simple but also so meaningful. It’s by sharing with others those times in our lives when we have experienced God’s presence in a very real way. Where have you send God at work? Share those moments with the people around you.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> As William Temple, archbishop of the Church of England once said, <i>“The church exists for the people who are not already in it.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> This is why we have the Jerusalem cross. So that we will never forget that the message of the cross is not meant to be kept to ourselves, but to be shared with the whole world - all four corners of the world: North, South, East, and West.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Thankfully, this cross that has four crosses around it, won’t let us forget.</font><font face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></font></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-62181017475919280742024-02-26T04:45:00.000-05:002024-02-26T04:45:00.139-05:00Sunday (Feb. 25/Lent) Pastoral Prayer<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><img id="id_be79_dea1_9247_8f97" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1VotMd31GjI580YmHPEKm7E9BeLPeYYeP" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="font-size: 11pt; width: 203px; height: auto;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><b>Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024</b></font></div></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><b>Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">Gracious God, just as the cross of Jesus has been our morning star shedding beams around us, lead us to share that same love and mercy with the people we encounter. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">May the same self-giving love of Jesus lead us to be witnesses of your good news stretching out to the four corners of the world, the four corners of our nation, the four corners of our local community, and the four corners of our homes. Wherever we go, remind us to share the love of Jesus with others, through our words, and even more importantly, through our actions. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">Today, we are especially grateful for those who have shared the good news of Jesus’ love with us; Sunday School teachers, pastors, parents, grandparents, and friends. Thank you for your cross which always reminds us that your love is too wonderful to keep to ourselves. It’s meant to be shared. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">As we think about spreading your love throughout the world, we are even more mindful of United Methodist missionaries who are serving in more than 125 countries. May they know of our love and prayers for them as they share the good news of Jesus in a variety of cultures, languages, and nationalities. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">We also lift up to you those who are in need of your love this day; the people on our church’s prayer list, those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, friends and family members who have health concerns, and so many other people who are on our hearts and minds this day. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">In this season of Lent, keep us near your cross for it truly is a precious fountain free to all, a healing stream flowing from Calvary’s mountain. We pray this in the name of Jesus who died on the cross for the sake of the world and who invites us to pray together…<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><font face="Arial">Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.</font></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-44522712697000811402024-02-19T05:00:00.000-05:002024-02-19T05:00:00.171-05:00Sermon (Feb. 18/Lent) “Crosses of Jesus: The Latin Cross” by Rev. Robert McDowell <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_7caa_208f_6a14_867e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1vLD5hw73DMhwET7-q-EXirKsYsNnawxK" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 374px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>February 18/Lent, 2024 Sermon</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>Rev. Robert McDowell</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> At seventy-eight years of age, a well-known woman goes on one of the greatest journeys of all time. Her destination? The Holy Land. Her mission? To find the actual cross upon which Jesus was crucified. <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> After many setbacks and disappointments along the way, she at last arrives at a spot where legend has it, she discovers three crosses upon which two thieves and Jesus himself were believed to have been crucified approximately three hundred years earlier. She is aided in her search by pagan shrines which had been erected on top of Christian holy sites back in the 2<sup>nd</sup> century.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> As the story goes, she was able to figure out which of those three crosses was Jesus’ cross in a most interesting and unusual way. She had all three crosses placed on a girl who had recently died and was on her way to be buried. Once the cross of the Lord touched her, she was raised from the dead. According to this story from Christian tradition, this woman who had journeyed a great distance, had discovered the cross on which Jesus was crucified.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> On September 14, the year 326, the church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, built where Jesus had been crucified and where what was believed to be the true cross of Jesus was discovered, was officially dedicated thanks to this woman’s brave pilgrimage. To this day, on the Christian calendar, September 14 is known as Holy Cross Day.</i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> Unlike Good Friday which is a day to reflect on Jesus’ suffering and death on that horrible instrument of execution, Holy Cross Day on September 14 is a day for Christians to see the cross as a symbol of triumph, as a sign of Christ’s victory over sin and death, and a reminder of his promise, “And when I am lifted up, I will draw all people unto me.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> That seventy-eight-year-old woman who made the long and dangerous pilgrimage to find Jesus’ cross was Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine who was the first Roman Emperor to confess the Christian faith.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> During these next several weeks leading up to Easter Sunday, like Helena back in the 4<sup>th</sup> century, we too are invited to take a long journey during this Season of Lent to explore the meaning and symbolism of the cross of Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> And to do that, I have put together a sermon series that focuses on six different looking crosses of Jesus which have been widely used over the course of Christian history. My goal in this sermon series is deepen our understanding of what Jesus did for us when he died on the cross and then rose again. <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> This morning, I’m wearing what is probably the most common looking cross of Jesus – the Latin cross. It’s also the type of cross that is often used on church altars and necklaces.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> Next Sunday, we’ll focus on the Jerusalem Cross. And for the remaining four Sundays in the Season of Lent, we’ll turn our attention to the Tau Cross, the Celtic Cross, St. Andrew’s Cross, and on Palm/Passion Sunday, the Sunday before Easter, we’ll conclude our series by reflecting on the meaning of the Crucifix.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> So, let’s get started by thinking about the cross I’m wearing today – the Latin cross. I have a hunch that many of us own a Latin cross and some of you are wearing one of these crosses even as we worship this morning. This is probably the most common of all the crosses we will be focusing on during these six weeks. <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> It’s known as the Latin cross, but it’s also referred to as the Roman cross. And it’s very appropriate that this is the most popular cross today since it was also the most popular shape of cross during the first three centuries of Christianity. <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> We know this because this particular type of cross has been found on ancient coins, medals, and ornaments and there are descriptions of this type of cross in Christian writings dating all the way back to the 2<sup>nd</sup> century.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> If you look closely at this cross, there are a couple of other things that probably stand out. We notice that the two side arms are of equal length while the lower arm is twice as long as the other three.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_6dd_76b5_8525_4956" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1GzvY7MBW0_txvSDb8L1jKIOovnsbo1F2" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 167px; height: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i><br></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> Most scholars believe that it was on a cross that looked just like this Latin cross as far as its proportional dimensions go, that helps us to get a mental picture in our minds of the cross upon which Jesus was crucified.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> The Romans would force their prisoners who were to be executed to carry the cross-beam part of the cross to the place of their crucifixion, while the vertical pole would be ahead of them waiting for the prisoner to arrive after that long and difficult walk.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> And most likely, it was on a cross like this that Jesus was crucified on the day that we now call Good Friday.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> The Romans used this cruel crucifixion method of having a criminal die a slow death on a cross as a way of deterring people from upsetting the status-quo of the Roman Empire. It was savage. It was brutal. And it was long and painful. <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> As we picture the shape of this Latin cross which we believe to be the shape of the cross upon which Jesus was crucified, it might also be helpful for us to picture a sign that was put on the cross above Jesus’ head by the Roman soldiers. <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> And the whole point of that sign was to state the reason for the crucifixion. In Jesus’ case, the sign that was placed above him read, “Jesus, the Nazarene, King of the Jews.” This inscription was written in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> If we fast forward about a thousand years after Jesus’ crucifixion, we find that the primary language of the church was Latin, and because people were very familiar with the Latin part of the phrase, “Jesus, the Nazarene, King of the Jews” it became customary for artists to abbreviate that rather lengthy Latin phrase to simply include the letters, INRI. <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> So, when you see those letters on the cross, that’s the shortened version of “Jesus, the Nazarene, King of the Jews.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> Because the Latin cross is the most proportional shape of the cross on which Jesus was crucified, there are many churches which have sanctuaries built in the shape of the Latin cross. </i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> I remember officiating at a wedding in a church located in Indiana which was built in the shape of the Latin cross. And it was very moving for me to think of how that congregation is shaped by Jesus’ cross every time they gather for worship.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> As we continue to think about the powerful symbolism of the Latin cross and how the shape of it is the closest resemblance of the actual cross of Jesus, I want to say a brief word about the meaning behind why many Christians find it helpful to make the sign of the cross.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> It’s been my experience that a lot of Protestant churches, including our own United Methodist denomination, have kind of distanced themselves from this ancient and very meaningful practice, which is very common among Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Episcopalian, Roman Catholic, as well as other Christian faith traditions.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> But even if we might not use this practice on a regular basis or even at all, the symbolism behind it is very meaningful. If you might not be accustomed to this practice, I invite you to try it with me right there in your seat. <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> Open your right hand, and with your right hand open, have your thumb, and your next two fingers touch together at their tips. And after you have those three fingertips come together, simply have your last two fingers, fold down onto your palm.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> The three fingers that come together at their fingertips remind us of the doctrine of the trinity, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And the last two fingers that get folded down onto your palm represent the two natures of Christ – his divine nature and his human nature because we believe Jesus was both fully divine and fully human.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> And to make the sign of the cross, you put your right hand in that position which I just mentioned. First three fingers together at their fingertips and the last two fingers folded down on your palm. <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> And from there, you simply take your right hand and touch your forehead and you think to yourself, “in the name of the Father,” and then you touch your sternum in the middle of your chest, and you think to yourself, “in the name of the Son.” <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> And then you touch your left shoulder and say, “in the name of the Holy Spirit.” And then you touch your right shoulder and say, “Amen.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> So you get something like this…(DEMONSTRATE)<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> Now, you might have learned how to sign the cross a little differently and that’s OK since there’s variations to this, but it basically has the same meaning. You’re making the sign of the cross and it can help you remember that Jesus died on the cross for you.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> Now if you’re a little uncomfortable with making the sign of the cross because it wasn’t how you were raised or whatever, it might be helpful to remember that we use the sign of the cross more often than we might think.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> For example, at our Ash Wednesday service which we held this past week, when people come forward to receive the imposition of ashes on their foreheads, its in the sign of the cross as a reminder of our mortality but also as a reminder that through the cross of Jesus Christ and what Jesus has done for us, God offers us forgiveness of our sins and eternal life.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> Another time that we might receive the sign of the cross on our foreheads is when we have a renewal of our baptismal vows. In our theology of baptism which we share with several denominations of the Christian faith, we believe that baptism is primarily about God’s faithfulness toward us. And since God never breaks his promise of being faithful, we believe that it’s not necessary to be rebaptized.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> Instead, we offer opportunities to renew our baptismal vows. And sometimes, pastors will invite people in a worship service to come forward to a bowl of water and the sign of the cross is marked on our foreheads and we hear the words, “Remember your baptism and be thankful.” <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> The anointing of oil for those who are ill will also often include the sign of the cross on the person’s skin, helping us to remember that the healing presence of Jesus Christ is with us during our times of need.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> So, that’s some information about the first two meanings of the Latin cross – that is, it’s the most popular shape of all the crosses and it’s the closest resemblance to the cross on which Jesus died.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> But I just want to point out that this Latin cross, as you notice, is empty. Jesus isn’t on the cross. If we know the ending of the Gospels, we know that Jesus died on the cross, but that wasn’t the end of the story. We believe that after he died, he was placed in a tomb and on the third day, he was resurrected, and was given a new body that would never experience death again.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> The Latin cross reminds us that we worship a risen Lord, but it also reminds us that it came with a price – the price was Jesus’ own death to take away our sins so that we might receive God’s salvation and be made whole.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> In I Corinthians chapter 1, the Apostle Paul writes, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.” And the reason that the cross can make a difference in our lives is because Jesus was raised three days later on that first Easter Sunday.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> Several years ago, a man is getting ready to head off for work. He is anxious about many things and on top of that, he’s late for work. <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> And as he stands in front of the mirror in his bedroom and puts on his necktie, he can’t help but notice, as he looks over at his closet, that his little three-year-old daughter has taken the shoestrings out from several of his shoes. <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> All he can think about is how this will make him even more late for work. As he continues to put on his tie, he feels a tug on his pant leg. Annoyed and still in a hurry, he says, “Sweetie, daddy doesn’t have time for this. We’re going to be late getting you to day-care.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> She tugs again at his pant leg and again he says, “Please, not now, honey.” She taps him on the leg yet again, and this time, she points toward the middle of the bedroom floor and with her eyes beaming, she says, “Daddy, look! I made Jesus’ cross!” <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> And sure enough, there in the middle of the floor were two of the shoestrings she had taken out of a pair of his shoes. She had one over top of the other, forming the shape of Jesus’ cross.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> Thanks to a little girl who reminded her daddy of the importance of Jesus’ cross, somehow, all of those many distractions and worries didn’t seem as important anymore. In that unexpected holy moment, that shoestring cross reminded him that Jesus Christ was his Lord and Savior.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> And you know what? That day ended up being one of the best days of my life.</i></font><font face="Times New Roman, serif" style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></font></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-86133107836892957562024-02-19T04:45:00.000-05:002024-02-19T04:45:00.135-05:00Sunday (Feb. 18/Lent) Pastoral Prayer<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><img id="id_8a73_e39e_c2b_68c7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1wMXL1phVD0wnvVtMyiZnugTKpeR3yOp_" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="font-size: 11pt; width: 216px; height: auto;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><font face="Arial" size="4">Sunday, Feb. 18 (Lent) Pastoral Prayer</font></b></div></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><font face="Arial" size="4">Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC</font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">O God, as we begin the Season of Lent, thank you for your cross in which we glory because it shall never fail or forsake us. Lo! It glows with peace and joy. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">We pray that our focus on your cross during these 40 days will lead us into a deeper appreciation for what you have done for us when you offered your life for the sake of the world. As our hymn writer, John Bowring so beautifully expresses, may we each glory in the cross of Christ. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">Your cross is what reminds us that you gave your all for us. Your cross is what reminds us that we are each a blessed, beloved, and beautiful child of God and there are no exceptions, asterisks, fine print, or loopholes. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">May all of the different shapes of crosses that we focus on during these six Sundays of Lent; the Latin Cross, the Jerusalem Cross, the Tau Cross, the St. Andrew’s Cross, the Celtic Cross and the Crucifix, remind and reassure us that there is nothing that can ever separate us from your great love for us through Christ Jesus our Lord.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">Today, we lift high the cross because it is the supreme symbol of your redemptive love for the world. We lift high the cross on behalf of those who are on our hearts and minds this day; those on our prayer list, those we have named, those who are in need of healing, those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, those who are feeling alone, those who are in need of guidance, those who have overdrawn bank accounts, those who are without hope. We pray that your cross which glows with peace and joy would remind all who see it of just how much you love them and care about their needs.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">We pray all of this in the name of Christ who died on the cross, who rose again, and who invites us to pray together…<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><font face="Arial">Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.</font></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-46618606850300510032024-02-15T05:00:00.000-05:002024-02-15T05:00:00.145-05:00Sermon (Feb. 14/Ash Wednesday) “Oh, Bless Your Heart!” by Rev. Robert McDowell<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_bdb7_ca8e_4810_452f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1STo5niWlyBDVDACqYoOu9DX2pEZ6Av0Z" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 376px; height: auto;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>February 14, 2024 (Ash Wednesday Sermon)</b></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>“Oh, Bless Your Heart”</b></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>Rev. Robert McDowell</b></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> One of the things that I love about living in the south is in all the different meanings of the phrase, <i>“O bless your heart!”</i> And of course, each meaning is based on your tone of voice and what you emphasize when you say this phrase.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> In the north, it only had one meaning when we used it. It’s used as a way of showing empathy and concern for another person. <i>“Oh… bless…your…heart.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> But I have learned that this phrase can also be a way to express your amazement at how someone can be so incredibly out of touch with reality. When you say the phrase with this meaning in mind, you have to add a sarcastic grin when you say it, something like this… <i>“Oh, bless your heart.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>These different meanings in how we use this phrase reminds me of all the different meanings when we refer to the word, <i>“heart.”</i> The way we can use the word <i>“heart”</i> in everyday language can also be problematic. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> For example, when a cardiologist is talking about your heart, he or she is probably referring to the organ in your chest that pumps blood throughout your body. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> When a therapist is referring to your heart, he or she probably is using that word to refer to your deep-seated emotions, as in the question, <i>“what is your heart telling you to do?”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>Another meaning of the word, <i>“heart,”</i> is when you might be going through a difficult time and a good friend of yours says, <i>“Take heart and stay strong. You’ll get through this.”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> So, when we hear a scripture reading like the one that was just read for us from Jeremiah, chapter 17 where it says, <i>“The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse – who can understand it,” </i>we need to ask ourselves what the person meant by referring to the heart.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> When we hear or read scripture passages like this Jeremiah passage, we always run the danger of taking these verses out of their original context. And when we do that, it’s like the different meanings that are possible when someone says, <i>“Bless your heart.”</i> Did that person mean it in a genuine way where they have empathy and sympathy, or did they say it in a sarcastic way?<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> So, what did Jeremiah mean when he says in verse 9 of our scripture reading that <i>“the heart is devious above all else; it is perverse, who can understand it?” </i>In the biblical world, the word, “heart” didn’t just refer to our feelings like we tend to mean it today. The word, “heart” referred to someone’s actions, intentions, and motivations. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And Jeremiah was also saying these words during a specific context when the Babylonian Empire was threatening to invade Israel. There were some people in Israel who weren’t heeding the warnings of the prophets during this national crisis, and they wanted to take matters into their own hands instead.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> So, what does this scripture mean for you and for me? Well, as we begin this Season of Lent, this is a time for us to examine our hearts, meaning our actions, intentions, and motivations, and to see if they are helping or hurting us to trust God in a deeper way. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> We are invited to ask some tough questions of ourselves like, <i>“what are some bad habits that are unhealthy and preventing me from reaching my fullest potential in living out who God has called me to be?”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><font face="Arial" size="4"> “What are some spiritual disciplines of my faith that I have been neglecting to practice in my daily routine, like spending time in prayer, reflecting on scripture, attending worship, and serving others?”<o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><font face="Arial" size="4"> “Have I hit a plateau in my faith where I am no longer open to other peoples’ perspectives and unique experiences in how they see God and seek to live out being a disciple of Jesus? Have I become too tunnel visioned in how I approach my faith?”<o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><font face="Arial" size="4"> “What are some things in my life that I need to let go like resentment, past regrets, impatience, control issues, stubbornness, closed-mindedness, a quick temper?” <o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>And then of course, as good Methodists, we always need to be asking this question that John Wesley encouraged his early Methodists to think about often and that question is <i>“How is it with my soul?” </i>Or on this Valentine’s Day, we might change that a little bit to <i>“How is it with my heart” </i>in the way that Jeremiah is meaning it from our Old Testament reading. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And again, that would include not just our feelings, but also our actions, intentions, and motivations, and do they line up with who God is calling me to be?<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I believe these are the questions that Jeremiah would have us ask about our hearts as we begin this holy season of self-examination. Notice that just after Jeremiah refers to the people’s hearts as being devious, he then says, <i>“I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>This verse from Jeremiah is a wonderful description of the importance of observing the Season of Lent. It’s to allow the Lord to test our minds and search our hearts according to the fruit that we are producing.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> When we read about the people of Israel throughout the Old Testament, we can see how sometimes their hearts were right with God and at other times, they were not lined up with God’s desires and purposes. Just like the people of Israel, we also experience the ebb and flow in our faith. Sometimes our hearts can be producing wonderful fruit and at other times, they can deceive us to the point where we are no longer placing our whole trust in God. In other words, we are all a work in progress. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> So, the issue isn’t if our hearts are always bad and deceitful, or if our hearts are always good and fruitful. It’s more about what is my heart like right now, in this very moment and in this season of my life. Is my heart humble, loving, gracious, generous, and open to who God is calling me to be?<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I think it’s great that Valentines Day and Ash Wednesday fall on the same day this year because it reminds us of why Jesus died on the cross for our sins and for the sins of the world. Listen again to these words from our Gospel reading. <i>“For God so loved the world that he gave us his only Son that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> God’s love was displayed most fully through Jesus’ death on the cross for the sake of the world. The cross is the ultimate symbol of our faith because it reveals to us the great lengths that Jesus was willing to go on our behalf. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> OK, commercial time. For our Sunday worship services during the Season of Lent, we will be looking at 6 different crosses of Jesus and how each of these crosses help us to see just how much God loves us. Beginning this Sunday, we will focus on the Latin Cross, which is the most common shape of all of the crosses. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"><font size="5"> </font><font size="4"> For the remaining Sundays in Lent, we’ll be looking at the Jerusalem Cross, the Tau Cross, the St. Andrew’s Cross, the Celtic Cross, </font></font><font face="Arial" size="4">and then on Palm Sunday, we’ll conclude this series by focusing on the Crucifix. I hope you will appreciate this series on the 6 different crosses of Jesus as much as I have enjoyed preparing for this sermon series. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> My prayer for all of us during this Season of Lent is that this series will help us to examine our hearts in light of the cross of Jesus. May God truly bless each of our hearts. And in case you’re wondering, I really do mean that. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> May God bless your heart. </font><font face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></font></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-58023939117532293792024-02-12T05:00:00.000-05:002024-02-14T06:44:04.929-05:00Sermon (Feb. 11/Transfiguration Sunday) “Glimpses” by Rev. Robert McDowell<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_5177_2c07_f4a2_a2d9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1Sfy-xBaq_IYpQMUzc7S4Ze_kMtLnzr4a" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 379px; height: auto;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>February 11, 2024 Sermon</b></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>“Glimpses” by Rev. Robert McDowell</b></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>Transfiguration Sunday</b></font></div><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt;"> </font><font face="Arial">Transfiguration Sunday is one of the more significant Sundays on the church calendar and is known as a high holy day. White and gold are the colors for this day which means that it is a really important day for us to recognize and celebrate. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> I think it’s great that people are getting together later today for Transfiguration parties. People will be having chicken wings, subs, chili, and all kinds of snacks just to celebrate the occasion. It’s become so popular that a lot of people even refer to it as a Super Sunday!<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Today really is super because today we remember when Jesus took the disciples up a mountain, and he was transfigured right in front of them. His clothes became dazzling white. And then out of nowhere, Moses and Elijah, these two ancient biblical heroes appeared next to him. That must have been an amazing scene and a super experience!</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> James, Peter, and John don’t know how to react to all of this. It catches them off guard. </font></p><font face="Arial"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span></font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Think about it. Peter, James and John were able to experience this very holy moment and they didn’t know how to respond or what to do in that situation. And then we’re told that Jesus didn’t want them to tell the other disciples about what had happened.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> So, we’re left with the question why Jesus didn’t want the disciples to tell anyone about that incredible experience that they witnessed on the mountain. Why would Jesus put a damper on this experience?</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> I can’t imagine keeping something as incredible as this to myself. How did Peter, James, and John manage to keep a straight face when they came down from that mountain.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> <i>“Hey, how did it go up there? Why did Jesus want you to go with him?”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><font face="Arial"> “Oh, it was no big deal. He just wanted to show us something.”<o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><font face="Arial"> “What did he show you?”<o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"><i> “Oh, just this spot on the mountain where the light can get really bright. He wanted us to see it. That’s all.”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> I don’t know how they were able to not tell the other disciples especially since they were still trying to figure out what just happened.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Peter, James, and John got a glimpse of heaven on that mountain. They actually were able to see two Old Testament heroes standing there next to Jesus. I would have been asking for their autographs and I know for sure that I would have tried to get a group photo. This would have definitely been posted on Facebook and Instagram.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> It’s not easy for me to live in the moment. I want to capture it with a photo or be able to record beautiful music at a concert. And I think the reason for this is because I want to share these special experiences and moments with others. They are too wonderful to keep to myself.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> But on the other hand, while I’m reaching for my smartphone to take the picture, I run the risk of missing that experience for myself. And sometimes, that heavenly moment is already over as I fumble around for my camera app. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> I don’t know how long this heavenly transfiguration on the mountain lasted. The way that it’s described, it doesn’t seem like it lasted more than a minute and maybe not even that. </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Every so often, we experience heavenly glimpses in our day-to-day living. These are holy moments when it feels like heaven opens up and shines upon us. We don’t know what exactly to do. Peter wondered if they should build booths to mark the spot where this took place. And just like that, it was all over.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> But what wasn’t over was the memory of this experience that they would be able to take with them. Even though they received just a small glimpse of God’s light shining upon them with these ancient figures from the past, that powerful moment reassured them that Jesus was truly God’s own Son. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> I’ve had people ask me why God doesn’t make it easier for us to know for sure that God is real. That’s a question I sometimes ask as well, especially during those times in my life where I am in need of some reassurance in my faith. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> I guess there’s two ways of looking at this. We can either be disappointed that these moments don’t happen nearly enough or, or … maybe it can motivate us to become even more alert and ready to be open to these holy moments in our lives. And maybe they happen more often than we realize, and we end up missing them. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Maybe we’ve been conditioned to not see them. There’s a thought for us to ponder. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Now, for sure, Peter, James, and John, couldn’t have missed that transfiguration moment because it was so dramatic. Yes, it was brief, but the shining light, the appearance of Moses and Elijah next to Jesus, and that voice from heaven all made this impossible for them to miss. But the truth is that we also have those mysterious holy moments that are sometimes dramatic and sometimes not as dramatic. </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Or maybe that’s not a good way of putting it because any glimpse of heaven, any holy moment, whether it be dramatic or not so dramatic is a special gift reminding us that God is present in our day-to-day living. And maybe we shouldn’t worry too much about categorizing which of these glimpses of heaven have been more meaningful. In other words, let’s not rate them and make a top ten list. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> They all are unique and sacred opportunities for us to know that God is not only real but is also actively present in our daily lives offering to us these holy moments.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> I was conducting a graveside service on a chilly and overcast spring day. The ten or so people who were there were bundled up, protecting themselves from the cold chill that was sweeping over us on the top of that cemetery hill.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> I was using the graveside ritual that I always use. The prayer had the line,<i> “Give to us now your grace, that as we shrink before the mystery of death, we may see the light of eternity.” <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"><i> </i>I then concluded with a benediction and when the service was over, the widower, a soft-spoken elderly gentleman, was sitting in the front row of chairs there by his wife’s grave. And right after that benediction, he slowly looked up at me and it was obvious by the look on his face that he wanted to tell me something important.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> After a few seconds of collecting his thoughts he pointed above me and said, <i>“The sun. The sun came out from behind you just when you were saying the closing prayer. It was so bright and warm.”</i> After saying this, he stared ahead processing what he had just told me.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> He then very carefully stood up, grabbed his cane, and as he was walking away, I could hear him repeating, <i>“It was the strangest thing. It was the strangest thing.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> I will never ever forget the look on this man’s face. He had experienced a transfiguration moment and I’m not sure that any of us who were there at that graveside experienced it in the same way that he did. Maybe we weren’t as spiritually alert in that moment as we could have been or maybe, that holy moment was specifically meant for him only and because he shared it with us, it left a lasting impression on us as well. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> This is why it’s important for us to share these God moments with others. And sometimes we need others to point us to the presence of God’s heavenly light especially when we are turned the other way. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> These holy moments often come to each of us in brief glimpses and when we do recognize them, it seems like time stands still.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> During the early part of the pandemic when many of our churches weren’t not able to have in-person worship, Sunday mornings were just not the same. I totally understand why we needed to do it from a health perspective, but it was so weird for many of us to not be able to be in church together. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Early one Sunday morning, I remember driving into the town where my church was located to buy a cup of coffee at a nearby coffee shop. I remember feeling down and discouraged. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> I went in, bought my coffee and got back into my car. And as I started to drive out of my parking space, I looked in my rear-view mirror and saw the most beautiful sight behind me. There in my mirror I could see the early Sunday morning sunlight shining so brightly behind our church steeple which was just a block away. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> And of course, I just had to pull over in the next parking space, get out of the car, and take a picture of that moment which ended up being a picture that I would later share with the congregation. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> You might thing this is a little weird, but it was like my church building was saying to me in that transfiguration moment, <i>“Robert, the light of Christ and his church is still shining brightly.”</i> And as I stared down at our church, I actually said out loud, <i>“Amen, church building, Amen!”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> And after I took the picture, I just stood there staring at that glorious light shining through our building. I remember thinking how I was probably the only one taking in that holy moment.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> I felt a little bit like the disciples who didn’t know exactly what to do. Peter wanted to build booths. I wanted to take a picture. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> That moment of transfiguration led me to pray for my congregation as I drove home that morning. My discouragement gave way to a sense of peace because of that little glimpse of heaven, God’s light shining through the darkness of a global pandemic. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> Looking back on that God moment, I’m wondering how many of these moments I might be missing just because I’m not paying attention.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> So, on this Transfiguration Sunday, let’s give thanks to God for the many little and not so little ways that God is shining in our lives, especially when we are least expecting it. May these holy glimpses of heaven shine upon you as you go throughout your week. And whenever we do notice them, may they lead us to say with Peter, </font><i><font face="Arial">“It is good for us to be here.”</font><font face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></font></i></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-19882731085922585102024-02-12T04:45:00.000-05:002024-02-12T04:45:00.138-05:00Transfiguration Sunday (Feb. 11) Pastoral Prayer<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_40a2_b48e_f736_6821" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1-Pg1egZf0hX8Jbu1bzJ3SnG43hzx9PbO" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 219px; height: auto;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><b>Sunday Pastoral Prayer</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><b>Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><b>February 11, 2024 </b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">O God, thank you for that first verse of our prayer hymn to help us to express that which is many times inexpressible. <i>“How can we name a Love that wakens heart and mind, in dwelling all we know or think of do or seek or find? Within our daily world, in every human face, Love’s echoes sound and God is found, hid in the common place.”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">Glimpses of your heavenly light shine brightly upon us just like it did for Peter, James, and John on that mountain so long ago. Thank you for awaking our hearts and minds to catch a glimpse of your light even when coming out of that coffee shop. Thank you for awaking our hearts and minds through the unexpected breaking of the clouds at the top of a cold cemetery hill. Thank you for awaking our hearts and minds when your light shines through a friend who is takes the time to listen to you share your heavy heart of grief. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">You are a God who is more than able to shine brightly through any darkness, challenge, or sadness we may be facing. You are a God who is able to hear the joys and concerns that are on our hearts and minds today and offer healing, guidance and comfort. You are a God who knows just the right amount of heavenly light we need that will awaken our souls and draw us closer with you. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">On this bridge Sunday in which the past several weeks of the cold winter season is about to give way to the new season of Lent, awaken us to become even more aware of your glimpses of heaven that are all around us. Continue to awaken our hearts and minds to see your presence at work, at home, or in the street.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">We pray this in the name of Jesus, the Light of the world who taught us to pray together saying…<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><font face="Arial">Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.</font></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-62664280780695264652024-02-05T05:00:00.000-05:002024-02-14T06:43:31.159-05:00Sermon (February 4) “A Voluntold Calling” by Rev. Robert McDowell (Beulah UMC &amp; Oak Grove UMC)<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_1e95_bd77_d969_e45f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1qR-3C-DfoWNELxgMBQws2ebNKRPfktSg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 363px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>February 4, 2024 Sermon</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>“A Voluntold Calling”</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>Rev. Robert McDowell</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Maybe you’ve heard of the story about the man who told his wife that he didn’t want to go to church that morning. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> She asked him why he didn’t want to go, and he said, <i>“well, it’s kind of boring and there’s some things I can get done here at the house if I don’t go.” </i>And his wife said, <i>“No, I think you should go to church with me today.” </i>He said, <i>“Give me one good reason why I should go?”</i> And she said, <i>“Because you’re the preacher!” </i>I thought of that joke when I was reading our I Corinthians scripture reading for today. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I get it. As a pastor, I’m supposed to be here. I have a responsibility. We Methodist preachers serve under the appointment of a Bishop. <i><o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Our job description includes working on Sundays and holidays. Those are non-negotiable. It’s what we preachers do. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I think this is what Paul means when he writes in verse 16 of our I Corinthians scripture reading this morning; <i>“I’m obligated and would be in trouble if I don’t preach the gospel.”</i> Notice that Paul also uses words like being <i>“forced”</i> to do it and being <i>“charged with a responsibility.”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> But I don’t think that Paul is only referring to the obligation he has in being an apostle. I think that he is writing to the Corinthians to have them think about their own individual callings to follow Jesus as well. When Jesus calls someone to be one of his disciples, this means that we have an obligation, an obligation to live out each of our unique callings. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Have you ever volunteered to serve in some kind of ministry in the church? And let me ask you this; have you ever been “voluntold” to serve in some kind of ministry? You know, where someone tells you to serve because you weren’t at the meeting. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Now, this is tricky because while it can be good that someone wants you to get involved, if you don’t have a passion to serve in that ministry or some of the gifts needed for that ministry, that could end up being a stressful experience. Or, who knows, serving in that ministry might reveal a passion and gifts that you didn’t know you even had!<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Being voluntold isn’t always a bad thing. It can be the beginning of a fruitful and fulfilling ministry that you may have never experienced without someone coaxing you to serve in that way.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I remember the first time I served on a committee in the church. It was in my home church during my teenage years. After I was confirmed and joined the church, somebody from the Nominations Committee called me to see if I would serve on the Health and Welfare Committee. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> They said that this committee was in charge of providing congregational care for those members of the church who were homebound or in nursing homes. My mom was also on the committee, and she probably had something to do with me getting that call.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> At the first meeting, we were all given names of people to visit and send cards to during the year. I was paired up with my mom and we went together to visit the people on our list. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I was surprised at how much I enjoyed those visits. They also appreciated knowing that the church was reaching out to them. Looking back on that experience, I really think that this was an early seed that God planted in me that would lead to a calling in my college years to become a pastor. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> That voluntold experience was an important part of my calling to become a pastor but also in what it means to be a follower of Jesus. It doesn’t always work out this way when we are voluntold and that’s OK. For example please don’t volunteer me to make crafts or to do any home improvements. I’m probably not your guy. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Even though Paul uses words like “responsibility” and “obligation” in writing about his calling as an apostle, that doesn’t mean that it’s not fulfilling or meaningful for him. It very much was!<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And what made it meaningful for him is that God had entrusted him to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. This is what makes Paul’s ministry a “voluntold” ministry. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> He had voluntarily responded to God’s calling because the gospel changes lives, including his own. The gospel is what frees us from our sins. The gospel is what leads to a life that is filled with peace and hope. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> What a wonderful reminder this is for each one of us to remember why we do what we do. Our ministries, as unique as they each may be, are all meant to help the church to share the good news of Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Ministry in the church can be both an obligation and rewarding at the same time because it is through our sharing of the good news of Jesus that we can be part of the building of God’s kingdom here on earth. And what a wonderful mission to have in life, to be a partner in making our communities and our world a better place. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Joni Mitchell, the 1960s folk singer and songwriter tells the story of a clarinet player she had noticed who was standing by the side of the road in a busy city. She says that he wasn’t like the others who played music in a mediocre and bored sort of way just to get some change from people who walked by. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> She said this clarinet player was a brilliant and very gifted player. He would stand there on that busy street pouring out this beautiful music that you could tell was coming from his very soul. And he wasn’t collecting any money. He was doing it for free. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Joni Mitchell says that this experience humbled her because as a professional musician, she has been used to singing in big concert halls that comes with a large car to take her back and forth as well as all the money people pay when purchasing tickets to hear her perform.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Seeing that very musically gifted clarinet player playing beautiful music without any intention of earning a reward showed her an authenticity which she fears, her own work had been starting to lack. Here, he was playing for free and and she noticed that maybe his music was echoing, embodying, and celebrating a deeper freedom as a result. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I believe this is a little of what the Apostle Paul is describing when he writes about being free in order to share the good news of Jesus with others. His work as an apostle wasn’t just an ought and a should. His work as an apostle was deeply meaningful and purposeful. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Paul’s ministry can be described as a wonderful blend of both responsibility and freedom where like the violinist, his ministry was echoing, embodying, and celebrating a deeper freedom as a result. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> This freedom in living out his calling is why Paul writes in verse 19, <i>“Although I’m free from all people, I make myself a slave to all people, to recruit more of them. I act like a Jew to the Jews, so I can recruit Jews. I act like I’m under the Law to those under the Law, so I can recruit those who are under the Law.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>Paul calls his ministry to both Jew and Gentile“recruiting” but maybe we can also call it “voluntelling,” because Paul was wanting as many people as possible to know, embrace, and live out the good news of Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Maybe this is why we sometimes find it difficult to find enough volunteers to serve. We’re good at volunteering people, but not so good at helping people to see how serving in ministry that matches your particular gifts and passions is one of the most fulfilling things we can ever do.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I remember hearing about a church that was in need of a new Holy Communion steward at their church. Their current communion steward had served in this ministry for the past several years and she felt led by God to move onto a new ministry in the church. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Her job was to fill those little cups with grape juice and prepare the communion bread by cutting it into several bite-size pieces. And since this was a large church, this project took a couple of hours because of all of the cups and pieces of bread she needed to prepare each time they had communion. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> The church put an announcement in the newsletter about their need for a new communion steward but there was no response. They ran it again with still no response. After the 3<sup>rd</sup> time without a response, they had the pastor announce this need during worship and still no volunteers. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> The pastor then thought of a great idea. Holy Communion is too important to not have this role filled so he asked the current steward if she would write a little personal article about what preparing for the Sacrament of Holy Communion has meant to her over these years.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Here is what she wrote: <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><font face="Arial" size="4"> “For the past ten years, I have had the privilege to prepare the Sacrament of Holy Communion for our congregation to receive each time it is available during Sunday worship. This ministry involves coming to the church the day before to fill up all of the little communion glasses and slice several bite size pieces of communion bread so it’s ready for Sunday morning.<o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><font face="Arial" size="4"> It has been a joy to do this all of these years because I can’t think of a better way to serve God and the church then by preparing this holy meal that will help the people who receive it to know that Jesus died on the cross for them. I love seeing the smiles on the faces of the people as they receive the Sacrament. And to think that I had an important role in helping to make this possible has been an incredible blessing to me.<o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> Contact me if you are interested in serving in this ministry.”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> That week after her article appeared, several people volunteered to be the new communion steward. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Sometimes, all we need to do is to share the why behind the ministries that we do. And how wonderful it is when new ministries get started. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I’ve heard something similar from volunteers who cook meals for the needy, tutor children in schools, take a meal to someone who is grieving, send out cards to people just to remind them the church is praying for them, trim bushes around the church building, make worship banners for the sanctuary. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> A voluntold calling is when we find a ministry that matches our gifts and passions and enables us to serve in such a way that we know, embrace, and live out the good news of Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> While cajoling, elbow twisting, and even pleading, might lead us to say yes to serving the Lord, what’s even better is when we experience a freedom in living out the unique calling that God has placed on our hearts. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> It’s a freedom that led Paul to write these words in verse 23 of our I Corinthians reading: <i>“All the things I do are for the sake of the gospel, so I can be a partner with it.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4"><i><font face="Arial"> </font></i><font face="Arial">What a joy it is to be a partner for the sake of the gospel. </font></font><font face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></font></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-90164140659302851562024-02-05T04:45:00.000-05:002024-02-05T04:45:00.136-05:00Sunday (Feb. 4) Pastoral Prayer <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_2c73_e59c_cfb2_3fee" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1BehxLBRCUuuYFK_ubbOqdhpIFRL5Xx51" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 218px; height: auto;"></div></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><b>Pastoral Prayer</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><b>February 4, 2024</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><b>Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">O God, thank you for this sweet hour of prayer that calls us from a world of care. We are so blessed to have this hour together every week where we can find relief from our seasons of distress and grief as our hymn writer so beautifully expresses. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">We lift up to you those who are experiencing a season of distress and grief even now. You know their needs and we know you to be a God of healing, comfort, and protection. Surround them in this moment and may they know that they are not alone because you are with them. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">Thank you for this sweet hour of prayer and for all of the ways that people are serving you through our church. And today, we especially thank you for our communion stewards who have taken the time to prepare this holy meal for us this morning in which we are invited to celebrate what you have done for us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Thank you for the privilege it is for us to receive this holy meal. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">Thank you for this sweet hour of prayer in which we can be our true selves and where we don’t need to pretend to be somebody that we’re not. You love us for who we are and you have given to each of us particular spiritual gifts, abilities, and passions to share your love with the people we encounter. Only you can bring together such a diverse group of people on a Sunday morning to help bring about your kingdom here on earth.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial">Thank you for this sweet hour of prayer that reminds us we are family and that we belong to you. We pray this in the name of Jesus who invites us to pray together…<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><font face="Arial">Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.</font></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-68562487411793345292024-01-29T05:00:00.000-05:002024-01-29T06:00:11.814-05:00Sermon (Jan. 28) “Teacher Man” by Rev. Robert McDowell<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_4bac_95d6_3048_ae6e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTqvM3aApak9KsEsqm-5c1eks1GQA4xtcfrpr2kYw3vIBOXKdHCfeuvCDAYxtxcAYwENmqxcqmgMGrx2bAEstigf3TSqw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 356px; height: auto;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>January 28, 2024</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Times New Roman, serif" style="font-size: 18pt;"> </font><font face="Arial" size="4">How can one ever underestimate the influence of a good teacher?</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Who was your 1<sup>st</sup> grade teacher? I’ll start. My first-grade teacher was Mrs. Maddox. Go ahead and turn to someone near you and tell that person the name of your 1<sup>st</sup> grade teacher.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Just in case you were traumatized by your 1<sup>st</sup> grade teacher and have blocked that person out of your mind, turn to a different person this time and share the name of your 5<sup>th</sup> grade teacher. Go ahead.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> My 5<sup>th</sup> grade teacher was Mr. Smith. The first male teacher I ever had. Besides wearing more cologne than any man should ever be allowed to wear, Mr. Smith taught me that you should be excited about learning new things. Of all the teachers I had in elementary school, he seemed like the one who had the most passion for teaching. I remember wanting to be just like Mr. Smith. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> How can we ever underestimate the influence of a good teacher?<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Frank McCourt, who wrote the book, Angela’s Ashes and then his second book, “Teacher Man,” had a 30-year teaching career in New York City’s public high schools beginning in the late 1950s.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Frank McCourt became a great teacher and had a positive influence on his students because he was able to find ingenious ways to motivate them to learn. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> To help students appreciate writing in all forms, he had them read cookbook recipes while other students played music in the background. To help them to be better writers, he had them write critiques about the school cafeteria as well as restaurants in New York City.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> He tells of his second day teaching in 1958 when a fight broke out and one of the students threw a sandwich in anger. To calm the situation, he simply picked the sandwich off the floor and started eating it much to the surprise of his students.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> In one of his chapters, he writes about a time that he took 20 to 30 rowdy teenagers to a play there in New York City. He writes that it was one of the most challenging things that he ever had to do to get those teenagers safely to the play and back to the school.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> One of those girls, who was one of the more difficult young students on this field trip, ended up having such a positive experience, that it later changed her life. All because of a teacher who was willing to go above and beyond his duties to help students explore and learn new things.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> In his book, Frank McCourt makes the observation that in America we don’t value teachers like people do in the countries of Europe. I think he’s on to something. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Never underestimate the influence of a good teacher.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> So, it shouldn’t surprise us in the least to read in our Gospel Lesson this morning that one of Jesus’ first miracles happened to be while he was teaching in a synagogue.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Jesus wasn’t known as a Priest or a Reverend. People called him “Rabbi” or “Teacher.”<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And there he was one day, early in his ministry, teaching away right there in the middle of a worship service. Wouldn’t you have loved to be a fly on one of those walls that day? <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> What was he teaching? What did Jesus tell the people?<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I don’t know, but it must have been really good, since Mark tells us that the people were astounded at his teaching, because he didn’t teach like the scribes taught. Jesus taught with authority.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> At a farmhouse retreat center in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in the spring of 1984, I sat in utter astonishment, as Dr. Paul Schaeffer was teaching on the Book of Acts.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Dr. Schaeffer, or Paul as we often called him, was leading a spring retreat for the college students of the Philadelphia area. I already knew that he was a brilliant man who could speak a thousand words a minute, but it was at that moment of his teaching, that I really began to feel a tug on my heart about entering the pastoral ministry.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Here was a man who had a doctorate in the History of the Reformation and who knew the Bible backwards and forwards, but who also had the wonderful ability to teach the Bible to college students in ways that we would understand and apply it to our lives.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I was drawn to him. And I felt God calling me into some kind of teaching ministry.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Ten to fifteen years ago, I got motivated to track down this wonderful teacher, pastor, and scholar. Figuring that he was no longer at the same church in Philadelphia, I discovered that he was now the Chairman of Religious Studies at Grove City College located in western Pennsylvania.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I must have caught him in between classes when I called him on the phone that day, because he indicated that he was in a bit of a hurry. But I had just enough time to tell him that he was one of the reasons that I felt a calling into the pastoral ministry. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> How can we ever underestimate the influence of a good teacher?<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> About thirteen years ago in Maumee, Ohio, which is a suburb of Toledo, I was sitting in the bleachers during a baseball game, minding my own business when these two giggly girls who looked to be somewhere in their early teens sat a few rows down from me.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> After about an inning, one of the girls happens to turn back to get my attention, and she says in this giggly voice, <i>“Are you Mr. McDowell? Are you Mrs. McDowell’s husband?”</i> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> By the look on her face, I could just tell that my peaceful late afternoon was about to change dramatically.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>And the one girl says, <i>“Oh goody.” </i>And immediately, both of them moved on up a few rows to sit next to me. I was afraid that was going to happen.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And the one girl says, <i>“Oh my gosh. Mrs. McDowell is our teacher. And we just love Mrs. McDowell. We just love how she is so organized. She has a container for everything. For paper clips. For books. For pens and pencils. We want to be just like Mrs. McDowell. What is it like to be her husband? Is she the same way at home? Does she keep everything in its place there too? <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>(Oh kid, you have no idea. You have no idea!) <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <i>We just love Mrs. McDowell. She loves to read. She’s like read every book ever written! We love to read, too. We love Mrs. McDowell. Tell her we said hi. Tell her we’ll see her tomorrow in school.”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And these two girls proceeded to talk to me non-stop for the rest of the baseball game. They wouldn’t even pause to take a breath.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> How can we ever underestimate the influence of a good teacher?<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I think of so many people who have taught me the Bible from a very early age, from Sunday School teachers to my grandmother who gave me bible quizzes after school each day. Thanks to their teachings, I became very familiar with the stories in the Bible.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> When I went to seminary, the professors helped me to understand the Bible in an even deeper way. They taught me the importance of understanding the historical context when reading the bible, knowing a little about Hebrew and Greek, the original languages of the Bible and how it’s not always easy to translate it into the English language because words can have a variety of meanings.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> They taught me the different kinds of literature that we find in the Bible, why there are two back-to-back creation stories in the Book of Genesis that are very different from each other, why there are four gospels and not just one, why the same story appears in different books of the Bible and sometimes have conflicting details.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And to be honest, at first, a lot of this was unsettling to me because it wasn’t quite the way my grandmother taught me the Bible or the way my Sunday School teachers taught me the Bible. </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I’ll never forget what one of my seminary professors said to all of us during student orientation. He said, <i>“Think of yourself as a brick building. During seminary, you may feel like you are exploding, and bricks are flying everywhere because you are going to be intellectually and spiritually challenged, but eventually, those bricks are going to be put back and you are going to have a much stronger and well-rounded faith as a result of it.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> He was so right. I am extremely thankful for my parents, my grandmother and my Sunday School teachers who taught me the stories of the Bible at an early age. Without them, I wouldn’t have had a spiritual foundation on which to build. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And I’m equally grateful to teachers and professors later in my life who have challenged me to dig under the surface of those scriptures that I knew by heart. Some of those scripture passages have taken on a whole new meaning for me and I’m still seeing things in new ways.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I think as we mature and grow, we begin asking questions about the Bible like how do we reconcile all of the violence that we find in the pages of this book where in some cases, even God’s own people are commanded to wipe out a whole group of people? <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And other questions like, where does our modern understanding of science fit into how we read the Bible and how do we decide on what commandments are meant for today, and what commandments were meant for that time period?<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> While it may be tempting to duck from these complex questions about the Bible and our faith, my experience is that these questions can lead to a deeper and more meaningful faith. When we remain in our own theological bubbles in how we interpret the Bible, it can lead to spiritual atrophy and complacency. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I have always said that if you ever need to be reminded that there is more to learn about the Bible and your faith, all you have to do is teach a confirmation class where junior high youth will ask you all kinds of uncomfortable questions about the Bible and the Christian faith. That can be an opportunity for the teacher and the student to learn together. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> But what’s the point of all of this again? It’s important to never underestimate the influence of a good teacher. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Mark says that things got even more interesting while Jesus was teaching in the synagogue. He says that <i>“Just then, there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?’”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>Worship got interrupted and the real test of Jesus, the Teacher Man is on the line. Is this man truly a teacher sent by God? Can this man truly back up what he has been teaching?<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Jesus, not one to back down from an opportunity to bring healing, commands the unclean spirit to come out of this man and after a few cries, the unclean spirit leaves him. And just like that, he was healed.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Now, remember, that even before this miraculous healing, the people were astonished at Jesus’ teaching. Imagine what they think of Jesus now. And we are told that they were all amazed. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> This Teacher Man is something other. This Teacher Man brings healing. And as you read through the Gospel of Mark, you see many more moments like this, where Jesus heals people and makes them whole again.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I wonder if this isn’t the whole point of teaching, of studying, and of not settling for easy answers. Good teachers are like good dieticians who help us to have a healthy spiritual life in which we are always growing, always learning, and always receptive in being the people God has called us to be. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Perhaps St. Mark is calling us to lift up special prayers this week for those who are involved in the wonderful and exciting ministry of teaching.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> It’s a ministry that astounds us and can even usher in healing and new life. Allow your life to be changed and transformed by this Teacher Man, this Son of the Living God.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Why? Because you just can’t underestimate the influence of a good teacher. </font><font face="Times New Roman, serif" style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></font></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-65228655002074241562024-01-29T04:45:00.000-05:002024-01-29T04:45:00.133-05:00Sunday Pastoral Prayer (Jan. 28)<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_f663_fdc_cb52_317a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1d5LiEOsOQEFslYD2lMbqBCTnWnb08wFd" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 214px; height: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b><br></b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>January 28, 2024 Pastoral Prayer</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">God of wisdom and knowledge, thank you for teachers and professors who have been a positive influence in our lives. Thank you for parents, grandparents, Sunday School and bible study teachers, youth leaders, and pastors who have not only imparted information to us, but who have also challenged us to be open to perspectives and understandings that are very different than our own. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Bless our schools, colleges, and places of learning as they seek to prepare their students to use their skills and abilities to help make this world a better place. May the seeds of knowledge that they plant today, lead to even greater blessings in the years to come. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Forgive us for whenever we fall prey to the illusion that we have nothing left to learn and help us to become more like the people who were listening to Jesus and were astounded by what he had to say. May we each have those moments when we are astounded to learn something new about ourselves, about others, and about the issues that we are facing today. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">We also pray today for those who are in need of your wisdom as they are seeking your guidance in making an important decision, as they are going through a time of transition, as they are preparing for a future job and career, as they are wondering how best to use their time in retirement, and as they may be discerning how best to respond in a situation where there has been a broken relationship and conflict. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">O God, we are never done learning and growing in our faith especially as we face the many complexities of life. And whenever we can’t find the words to pray, remind us of these words that you taught your disciples to pray…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><font face="Arial" size="4">Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.</font></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-3079672278506408252024-01-22T05:00:00.000-05:002024-01-22T07:53:19.410-05:00Sermon (January 21) “The Good News of the Good News” by Rev. Robert McDowell<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_fbb7_993a_7484_395c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTiQcvSvBmiLS17QowvhfHRdgKVGYlFufot0HPg6AObrP_8_a_Cn7Sd2oNXoTULFXit5klwvD7_nsc8mCgylLus1Fmx" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 341px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><font size="5"><b>January 21, 2024 Sermon</b></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Times New Roman, serif" size="5"><b>“The Good News of the Good News”</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Times New Roman, serif" size="5"><b>Rev. Robert McDowell</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> A family had twin boys whose only resemblance to each other was their looks. If one felt it was too hot, the other thought it was too cold. If one said the TV was too loud, the other claimed the volume needed to be turned up. Opposite in every way, one was an eternal optimist, the other a doom and gloom pessimist. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Just to see what would happen, on the twins' birthday, their father loaded the pessimist's room with every imaginable toy and game. The optimist's room, he loaded with horse manure.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <br> That night the father passed by the pessimist's room and found him sitting amidst his new gifts and crying bitterly. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br><i> "Why are you crying?"</i> the father asked. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br> <i>"Because my friends will be jealous, I'll have to read all these instructions before I can do anything with this stuff, I'll constantly need batteries, and my toys will eventually get broken."</i> answered the pessimist twin. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br> Passing the optimist twin's room, the father found him dancing for joy in the pile of manure. <i>"What are you so happy about?"</i> he asked.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <br> To which his optimist twin replied, <i>"There's got to be a pony in here somewhere!"<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Some people can be positive in any situation!<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I think it’s interesting that the first four books of the New Testament that tell the story of Jesus are called, “Gospels.” The word, “gospel” literally means, “good news.” The story of Jesus is a story of good news. Our faith is a good news faith.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And really, the entire bible is one big story of how a loving God who created this world is bound and determined to rescue it from sin and death. The bible is a story of good news.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> In our Gospel reading for today, Jesus begins his ministry by proclaiming this good news. And notice that Jesus isn’t saying that this good news is something that will only be for the future. This good news has already been launched in the here and now. Listen to the past and present tenses from this verse. Jesus says, <i>“The time <b><u>IS</u></b> fulfilled, and the kingdom of God <b><u>HAS</u></b> come near.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> This is the good news of the good news! The good news is that the good news is already happening! And it has been happening because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Can you think of any gooder news than that? J Pardon my grammar! The good news is that the good news is already happening!<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Where do you see the good news of the good news at work? Where do you see the good news of the good news in your day-to-day living?</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> We live during a time where there seems like there’s nothing but bad news. Mass shootings seem like a common occurrence, increasing poverty, negativity abounds in politics, the threat of nuclear war – the list goes on and on. You can see why somebody would choose to be a pessimist instead of an optimist.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> But the good news of the good news is that God’s kingdom has already come near. The signs of God’s grace surround us in any given moment even in the midst of the struggles, pain, and difficult transitions that we face in our daily living.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Jesus certainly knew how difficult life can be sometimes. Mark tells us that just before Jesus began to announce the good news of God’s kingdom, that John the Baptist had been arrested. By referring to this sad event, Mark wants us to know that in the midst of life’s struggles and disappointments, there is hope. The kingdom of God has come near.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Speaking of transitions, just think about Jesus calling those first disciples. They were fishermen. In Israel, fishing was often a family business going back several generations, even centuries. And Jesus called these two fishermen to leave not just a hobby, but their livelihood, their family business of being fishermen in order to follow him.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> When you have a family business that has any history to it, there’s an expectation that this will carry on with the next generation if possible. And here, these disciples were willing to say goodbye to the world as they knew it. I can’t think of a more daring step of faith.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> When you read this scripture, you wonder if Mark wasn’t also thinking about Abraham from the Old Testament. Like the fishermen in Mark’s Gospel, God called Abraham to leave what he was doing, his home, his whole way of living in order to follow God into an unknown future. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Over the years, I have had young people from my various congregations serve in the Peace Corps. Stephanie was one of those young adults and her assignment took her to Botswana, Africa. I think it’s incredible for young people like Stephanie to make this huge commitment and help others in a foreign land. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> In her work in the Peace Corps, Stephanie was helping to stop the spread of AIDS through the medical clinic in her village. I remember meeting Stephanie when I first became pastor of her church. She was teaching Sunday School for the High School youth.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Stephanie shared with me about her decision to leave the comforts of her home and her familiar way of life. She said that there were times when she questioned if she made the right decision to serve in this way. But then she said, <i>“You only have one life to live so you better make sure you are living it to the fullest.”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> When she shared those thoughts, it reminded me so much of the disciples and how Jesus called them to leave everything and follow Him. The good news isn’t just something that’s way out there in the future. It’s also breaking into this present time. As Jesus said, <i>“The kingdom of God is at hand.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Even in the midst of life’s transitions, God is with us. This is the good news of the good news.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Several years ago, I received a text message on a Saturday night from someone who was a member of a previous church I had served. He wanted to know our worship times because he wanted to attend worship the next morning at the church I was serving. And so, I responded with our worship times and gave him directions.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Just before our service that next morning, I met Mike at the front entrance of the church. You just couldn’t miss Mike because he was wearing a very bright pink polo shirt that morning. Mike always wears something pink because it was his wife’s favorite color.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> They’re house was decorated in pink. They even had beautiful pink plants all around the front of their house.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Mike’s wife died during my time at that church. In fact, that was my last funeral before moving to my new church. I’ll never forget that funeral because Mike wore a bright pink blazer to his wife’s service.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> During my sermon at his wife’s funeral, I said that because of Mike and Wanda’s strong faith during Wanda’s fight with cancer, in my mind, pink was now the new color to symbolize the good news of our faith. In fact, this is the pink tie that I bought the day before the funeral to wear in loving memory of Wanda. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And so, it was not surprising at all when I spotted Mike wearing a pink polo shirt when he attended worship at my new church that Sunday morning. We hugged and had a brief conversation before the worship service began. </font><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I said, <i>“Mike, since today is All Saints’ Sunday, I’m thinking of your wife, Wanda and her strong faith.”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Mike was taken aback. He said, <i>“Today is All Saints’ Sunday? I didn’t know that.”</i> Tears welled up in his eyes. He looked at me again and said, <i>“All Saints’ Sunday. Hmm.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>I could tell that Mike was experiencing a God moment. It just so happened that he picked that Sunday out of the blue and it ended up being the perfect Sunday for us to reconnect and for him to remember and give thanks for Wanda’s life and receive Christ’s healing love in an unexpected and holy way. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> The good news is that the good news isn’t just something for us to receive in the future. It’s always available to us in the present moment, especially when we have a heavy heart and we are in need of comfort.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Several year ago, I pastored a church that got hit by a tornado. When I arrived as their new pastor, they were still in the rebuilding phase and holding their Sunday worship at the local High School.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> It was a very difficult time for that congregation. Before the tornado hit the church, they had just completed a one million dollar building expansion. The tornado destroyed a lot of the new addition. And the congregation was faced with yet another stressful rebuilding project.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> A member of that church wrote this journal entry about her experience during that difficult time in the life of our church. Here is what she wrote about that time when her church was going through that difficult and stressful time:<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <i>“I am discouraged and sad. Our church was hit by a tornado several months ago. Much of the building was destroyed; the rest was badly damaged. It will take a year to rebuild. Everyone pulled together through the clean-up and the start of the rebuilding. <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><font face="Arial" size="4"> Now, six months later, the weariness of living with construction has hit. We’ve had flat tires from nails in the parking lot, and the strains of meeting in a dozen places around town have worn our spirits thin.<o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><font face="Arial" size="4"> We are caught in a conflict over the reconstruction – should we rebuild what we had or redesign for future needs? We have differing hopes, a deep sense of loss, and competition for inadequate space. <o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><font face="Arial" size="4"> Fierce disagreements among people who hold different priorities make this a tense and ragged time. I am beset by ugliness and conflict. I find myself in tears, wanting to run away from it all. I desperately want God to gather me up like a sobbing child, hold me against his shoulder and comfort me.<o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><font face="Arial" size="4"> As I sit in the living room, the cat climbs onto my shoulder, snuggles down and purrs. I let go of fears and strife and I settle into the peaceful joy of cat-cuddling.<o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><font face="Arial" size="4"> God gently whispers into my ear, ‘This is how I love you.’<o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><font face="Arial" size="4"> My anguish diminishes as I understand; as painful as this is, it will pass. I am not alone. I am in the embrace of God.”<o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> For Barb, she was able to embrace the good news of the good news even in the midst of the rubble and the chaos. She was reminded of God’s love for her in a moment when she needed it the most.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Barb eventually included this entry in a book she wrote called “Road Grace.” And the wonderful outcome of that rebuilding process while I was there as their pastor was that not only was the church able to rebuild, they ended up having enough insurance funds leftover which they ended up donating to a neighboring church that had also been hit by that same tornado. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Our Gospel reading tells us that as Jesus begins to share this good news that the kingdom of God has come near, he calls on some fisherman to drop what they’re doing and follow him. <i>“Repent and believe in the good news,”</i> he tells them. And they followed.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Jesus’ announcement of the good news isn’t only for those fishermen. It’s also for the woman whose church had been hit by a tornado and was facing the stress of rebuilding. It’s for the widower who wears pink polo shirts and who misses his wife. It’s for the young woman serving in the Peace Corp. It’s for the optimist AND the pessimist.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> It’s for anybody who needs to hear these words, </font><i><font face="Arial" size="4">“Now is the time! The Kingdom of God is here.”</font><font face="Times New Roman, serif" style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></font></i></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-49540128178048153912024-01-22T04:45:00.000-05:002024-01-22T07:54:22.627-05:00Sunday Pastoral Prayer (Jan. 21)<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_d4ae_5149_606d_eaa2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/15IT-0MaAQhSVki1PQpKz62NODvJmpGzp" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 240px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; margin: 0in;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>Sunday Pastoral Prayer</b></font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>January 21, 2024</b></font></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Gracious God, thank you for the good news of the good news. You invite us to receive the good news of your salvation right now, in this moment. Not tomorrow. Not next year. But right now! Now is the time!<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4">And so, we take these next moments to receive anew the good news of Jesus’ saving grace and redeeming love. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4">We receive anew your forgiveness because we don’t need to allow regrets to define us. We receive anew your hope because cynicism has been getting us nowhere. We receive anew your joy because sorrow has been weighing us down. We receive anew your direction and guidance because we have run out of energy in following dead ends. We receive anew your gift of salvation because this alone is what breaks the power of sin and death. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4">O God, thank you for the good news of Jesus and for this moment when we are invited to say, “yes” to you! <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Today, we pray for those who for those who are in need of some good news in this moment. Those who are facing health and medical challenges. Those who have recently lost loved ones. Those who are facing a time of transition in their lives. Those who are feeling discouraged and wondering what the future holds. Those who have been waiting and waiting and waiting for their prayers to be answered. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Thank you for reminding us today of the good news of the good news. Your heavenly kingdom of love, justice, and mercy isn’t just something for us to look forward to in the future, but it has already begun through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus!<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4">It is through his name, that we pray together…<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><font face="Arial" size="4">Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.</font></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-77901854456453581022024-01-15T05:00:00.000-05:002024-01-15T06:24:41.558-05:00Sermon (January 14) “Name Calling” by Rev. Robert McDowell (Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC)<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_dc3_b930_b0d4_46d8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRyVhKjEUTPyXne1NX_ORMjHK0ls-qQOipeIc6g5K09gD-XKzqWQ2a5xtvu_A7irkR0jClK305G9vkJkD-Z9Ptz98bo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 330px; height: auto;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>Sermon by Rev. Robert McDowell</b></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>“Name Calling”</b></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>January 14, 2024</b></font></div><br><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Another pastor and I were at the airport and sitting at the gate waiting to board our plane when I think I heard these words over the loudspeaker: <i>“Robert McDowell, please come to the desk.”</i> Since it was noisy in our gate area, it was difficult to hear the words clearly. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> My friend was seated next to me and so I asked him, <i>“Did my name just get mentioned over the speaker?” </i>And he said, <i>“Yeah, I’m pretty sure they said your name.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Just then, there it was again, but it was still kind of difficult to hear. I looked at my friend and I said, <i>“I think I heard my name again.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>So, I went over to the person behind the desk and asked her if she called my name. And she said, <i>“No sir. It wasn’t me.” </i>And I said, <i>“But I think someone called my name and I just want to make sure that everything is ok.” </i>She again assured me that my name wasn’t announced. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> She told me to check with security which wasn’t that far from our gate, which I did. And they said they hadn’t called my name either. I checked to make sure that I still had my wallet and my car keys which I did.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> When I got back to the gate and sat down next to my friend, I said, <i>“I’m positive that someone was calling my name.” </i>And he said, <i>“Yeah, I know. That’s really strange.”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I never did find out why I heard my name called in that airport. It’s still a mystery to me.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Does it make you a little nervous to think about the possibility that right now, even in this very moment, God just might be calling out your name? It can be a little unsettling when we think our name was called and we’re not entirely sure who called for us or why. <i><o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I say this because of our scripture readings for this morning. In the Old Testament, we read about the young boy, Samuel who was under the care of Eli. One night, Samuel hears his name. I wonder if when he heard this voice that he didn't just pull up the covers and hide under the sheets.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> But then he thought. <i>"Hey wait a minute. Maybe Eli called my name. Maybe that voice that sounded like it was right above my head was really Eli.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> When we're scared, that's what we do, don't we? Look for a good reason why we're hearing voices. So, Samuel jumps out of bed and runs as fast as he can down the hallway hoping that Eli will say to him, <i>"Yes. That was me you heard.”</i> But no. Eli says, <i>"What are you talking about Samuel? I didn't call you. Go back to bed.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I'm guessing that Samuel didn't like that answer from Eli. Can you imagine poor little Samuel? I don’t think I’d want to go back into that room after hearing voices!<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Maybe you heard of the story about the little boy who couldn't sleep because of the loud thunderstorm one night. He woke up crying in the middle of the night and his mom came to his bedroom. And he was holding the covers close to his chin and with his voice shaking, he said, <i>"I want you to sleep with me tonight, mommy.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And his mom said, <i>"Oh, you'll be alright sweetheart. I need to sleep with your daddy."</i> After a short pause, the little boy said, <i>"The big sissy!”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> If I would have been Samuel in that situation, I would have said to Eli, <i>"Let's see you go into that room and see how you like hearing your name called in the middle of the dark night with all of the other spooky sounds.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> But Eli just sends Samuel back to his room. And when he gets to his room, and probably just praying that he wouldn’t hear anymore voices, there it was again! <i>“Samuel. Samuel.”</i> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> So he jumps out of his bed again, runs down to Eli’s room, and Eli tells him for the 2<sup>nd</sup> time, <i>“Little Sam, go back to your room. It wasn’t me. Just go to sleep.”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Well, as we’ve already heard from our scripture reading, Samuel went back to his room after hearing his name called out for the 2<sup>nd</sup> time & then a 3<sup>rd</sup> time. And it was after this 3<sup>rd</sup> time that the wise elderly man of God, Eli, realized what was going on. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> God was calling Samuel’s name. And so, this time, Eli does a very wise thing. He simply tells Samuel to go back to bed and this time, if he hears that voice again, to say, <i>“Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Isn’t this one of the best things that we can do for one another in the church? To help each other not only hear God’s calling, but to respond to God’s calling. We need each other to listen for God’s voice because hearing our name called out in the middle of the night can be a scary thing.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Listening and responding to God’s call might cost us something. Later on in Samuel’s life, he will realize the high stakes that are involved in saying yes to God. Such is the life of a prophet of God.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I think of the twelve disciples of Jesus and how they responded to his call to come and follow him. Little did they know that the road of discipleship would lead them to a wooden cross on a hill called Golgotha on which the one who had called their names to follow him would die, but it would also lead them to an empty tomb of victory.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> When Martin Luther King Jr., heard God call his name to become a leader in the Civil Rights Movement, I wonder just how much he realized the danger he would face in responding to this call. Here he was with a wife and a young family. So much to lose. And how much would be gained? <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> In his pursuit of nonviolent means to bring racial equality to all of our country, he was arrested, his home was bombed, and he was subjected to personal abuse. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Over an eleven-year span from 1957 to 1968, Dr. King traveled over 6 million miles and spoke over 2,500 times, appearing wherever there was injustice, protest, and action. He also led massive protests in Birmingham, Alabama, that caught the attention of the entire world providing what he called a coalition of conscience.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> He is perhaps most remembered for the peaceful march which he directed to Washington, D.C. which consisted of a quarter of a million people and at the end of that march he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> During the evening of April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed in Memphis, Tennessee. Even though Dr. King was killed by a bullet that night, his dream for equality lives on. His dream for a just America and a just world lives on. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Did you know that Dr. King’s dream is rooted in God’s dream? A world where there is no hatred. A world where there is no hunger, no injustice. A world where all people are treated with respect. A world where medicine is available to all people. A world of hope. A world of promise. A world of God’s love.A world of forgiveness. A world where all things are made new. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Can you imagine such a world? This is the world that God has intended from the very beginning. This is the world that God is calling you and me to build and reclaim for God.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And God does this by calling each of us by name. It might not be an audible voice in the middle of the night as it was for Samuel, but God does call out our names to come and follow Him and make a difference in the world. To bring hope where there is no hope. To bring light to where there is darkness. To build a better world. A just world.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Several years ago, I had a conversation with a young man who was visiting a friend in the hospital. The person he was visiting was in the same hospital room of the church member that I was visiting. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I noticed that he was reading a bible and so I said to him, <i>“It looks like you’re a person of faith.” </i>And his eyes lit up as he told me a little of his faith journey and how he had been baptized in his early teens.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> He said that when he got older, he kind of let his faith slide, but now he was really close with the Lord. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And then he told me something really interesting. He said, <i>“You won’t believe what happened to me this past summer.” </i>He went on to say that he was driving down the road when he said that he felt that God was calling out his name. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> He said, <i>“It was the strangest thing. I could tell that God was trying to get my attention. It was like God wanted me to stop at a church somewhere. But I kind of shrugged it off and kept driving. And I drove past this little church. But the more I drove, the more it became clear to me that I should have stopped at that church. And so, I turned the car around and went back to that little church, but the only person that was there was this painter. He was painting the outside of the church building. And I asked him if the pastor was available.” </i> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And he said,<i>“You just missed him. He left.”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <i>“And so, I was pretty down because I felt like I missed out on something big that God wanted me to do. I got in my car and kept on driving down the road when I felt God calling me again. And this time, I could sense that God wanted me to cash a check that I had in my wallet and give $20 of that check to somebody who really needed it.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> You should have seen this man’s eyes light up as he continued his story. He said, <i>“I know this all sounds far-fetched, but honest to God, this is exactly what happened to me that day. After I cashed my check, I got in my car and started to leave when I noticed this handicapped woman and her son on the sidewalk along the road. And I could tell that God wanted me to help them.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> “And so, I stopped at the next parking lot and parked my car. As soon as I got out of my car, this little boy had already run up to me. Without even saying a word, this little boy gives me this big hug and says…He says to me… ‘Thank you for helping us. Thank you for helping us.’”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <i>“As I was being hugged by this little boy, I kept asking myself, ‘How did this little boy know that I was going to help them?’</i> <i>And I gave this boy’s mother the $20 and I said to her,‘I believe God wanted me to give this to you. God bless you.’”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> After he told me this incredible story, this man paused, looked right into my eyes and said, <i>“If that isn’t strange enough, after I got in my car and drove away, I felt that the Lord was telling me to tell a pastor about what had just happened. I felt it so strongly. And come to think of it, you are the first pastor that I have told this story. I think you’re that pastor.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I just kind of smiled and nodded. And I thought to myself, <i>“Here’s someone who truly believes that God called his name, and somehow I got drawn into his story.” </i>And now, guess what? You have all just been included in this guy’s amazing story. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>But isn’t it true, that we often become part of each other’s stories as we listen and respond to God’s calling in our lives? <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> We all get swept into this story of God calling Samuel’s name. Our name is called. We’re nervous and we’re scared. The stakes seem so high. And we’re left with a choice. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4"><font face="Arial"> Do we dare follow this God or do we hide under the covers?</font><font face="Arial"> </font></font><font face="Times New Roman, serif" style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></font></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-46423888139284622152024-01-15T04:45:00.000-05:002024-01-15T14:40:03.146-05:00Sunday Pastoral Prayer (January 14) Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_9793_9868_7fdb_a9fe" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYReMMA5ezuG-wMywP-sIBbROF3BHXE9SsCV2ZvI776ouq6tYYZv2z8QqDCZ4RONG15hvP0CzhLeIni-vAsqu3vAXf9vYQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 250px; height: auto;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>Sunday Pastoral Prayer</b></font></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>January 14, 2024</b></font></span></div><br><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4">God of surprises, open our ears to hear you call our name. Whether it be in the middle of the night like Samuel or in the middle of the day, teach us what it means to hear your voice. And when you do call our name, remind us that you are inviting us to be included in your story where you are drawing people into a closer relationship with you.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Today, we lift up to you the people and situations that are in need of your love, your healing, your guidance, your wisdom, and your strength. You know what each person needs far more than what our limited understanding allows. Even in this very moment, may those who are in need of you this day, hear you speak their name, reminding them that your grace is more than sufficient to care for their needs. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4">Just as you called upon young Samuel to respond to your calling so long ago, we also lift up to you the young people of today. We pray for our schools and our teachers in the important work of providing a safe place for them to grow in knowledge and in the skills that are needed to help them reach their potential. </font><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In this unsteady and confusing world, may your joy and hope be kept alive in them. Reassure them that they truly are your blessed, beloved, and beautiful children of God. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4">And on this Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, may we all respond to your call to actively work for peace, justice, and equality for all. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4">O God, lead all of us to respond to your calling in our lives by saying, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” We pray this in the name of Jesus who calls us by name and who invites us to pray these words together…<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><font face="Arial" size="4">Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.</font></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-14871745171105948102024-01-08T05:00:00.000-05:002024-01-08T05:00:00.136-05:00Sermon (January 7/Baptism of the Lord Sunday) “Who Am I?” by Rev. Robert McDowell<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_62e8_91da_d45_17b2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRoqmOntO95kph8UuXcKtmYVVvGsWKRiiP4XAaUrZauLpO2ONxquDEuksfj_31wRoxdMJ9RZQUtpilJj59MNiRZjS8eRA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 324px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>January 7, 2023 Sermon</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>“Who Am I?”</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> One of my favorite movies is “Bourne Identity,” starring Matt Damon. It’s a fictional story about a secretive military project of our government in which government officials change the identity of selected individuals without their full consent so that the government can use them to accomplish their military purposes.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> One of these individuals is Jason Bourne who begins to have flashbacks of who he really is. When the government discovers that he is beginning to remember his past identity, they do everything in their power to kill him to protect their highly secretive project from being leaked to the public.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> It’s one of my favorite movies because not only is it filled with action and suspense, but it also deals with a very basic question of life that we all struggle to understand. That question is, “Who am I?”<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Someone once said that if you don’t know who you are, someone will tell you. That’s why it’s important that we know who we are. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Comedian Lily Tomlin once said, <i>“I’ve always wanted to be somebody, but I see now I should have been more specific.”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> In the book, <u>The Mask Behind the Mask</u>, biographer Peter Evans says that actor Peter Sellers played so many roles he sometimes was not sure of his own identity. Approached once by a fan who asked him, <i>“Are you Peter Sellers?”</i> Sellers answered briskly, <i>“Not today.”</i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> When God created human beings, we were created in the image of God. And when Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River to begin his ministry, a voice from heaven said, <i>“This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Whenever we celebrate a baptism, it’s God’s way of reminding us that we have a very special identity. We belong to God. We are God’s sons and daughters.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Regardless of how bad of a day you had, the good news of our faith is that we can know our identity. We belong to God!<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> This is why Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. It wasn’t because he sinned and needed to be forgiven by God. Jesus’ baptism confirmed his identity as God’s Son. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I wonder how many times Jesus thought back to his baptism especially when he faced adversity and challenges. Right after Jesus was baptized, Matthew tells us that Jesus was sent into the wilderness for forty days and forty nights. It was in the wilderness where he faced the temptation to accept a different identity.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Since Jesus knew who he was and what God had called him to accomplish, he made it through that wilderness experience. If anything, it provided even more confirmation of his true identity.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> During the week before his death, the leaders of the temple challenged Jesus. They demanded to know by what authority he was doing these things. Do you remember how Jesus answered them? He indirectly referred to his baptism and he told them, <i>“This is why I do what I do.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And when Jesus cried out from the cross, <i>“It is finished,”</i> I believe that he had his baptism in mind because he knew that he had totally lived out his identity and fulfilled the mission that God had given him to do. Jesus was able to be who he was and do what he did because God had claimed him for this special purpose at his baptism.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> If that’s true for Jesus, then I think that’s true for us as well. As we go through our day to day living, we can be pulled in so many different ways. Our culture is more than willing to tell us who we are if we don’t already know who we are.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Tara Woodard Lehman is a Christian blogger who has many thought provoking articles. She’s also a Presbyterian pastor and former chaplain at Princeton University. In one of her articles, she tells about a conversation she had with a college student who was spiritual but was very suspicious of organized religion.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> He asked, <i>“I mean, I get why you’re into being spiritual and helping people and everything, but why bother with church? I just don’t get that part. Do you really think you need it?”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> He went on to describe how irrelevant the Church was. In his view, all the Church once provided can be found elsewhere in secular life. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> From community service projects to book clubs; from outreach to the poor to potlucks; from meditation groups to support groups; he described the many other places that provide much of what the Church used to and occasionally still does provide.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> As Tara reflected on this student’s honest question about why bother with church since you can do pretty much the same types of things in other places, she offers this thoughtful response.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <i>“After giving it much consideration, I’ve decided that there is at least one very good reason why I need Church: I have a really bad memory.<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><font face="Arial" size="4"> It’s true. I have a terrible memory. Especially when it comes to remembering who I am as a child of God. Especially when it comes to remembering what God has done, and continues to do, in and through Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><font face="Arial" size="4"> I forget who I am. I forget who God is. I forget God’s epic story of redemption and liberation and renewal and beauty and hope.<o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><font face="Arial" size="4"> I forget. A lot.<o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><font face="Arial" size="4"> On top of that, there are a gazillion other demands and voices that are vying for my attention all the time.</font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><font face="Arial" size="4"> So, I admit it. I get tired. And I get distracted. And more often than not, I forget.<o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><font face="Arial" size="4"> I need church, because church reminds me of everything that’s important.”<o:p></o:p></font></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>I love Tara’s response. It’s through the church that the Sacrament of Baptism reminds us of who we are since we can so easily forget. Baptism is one of those events in life that can mean more to us long after the event than when it actually took place.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> The day of our baptism is like the day we go to the bookstore to buy a travel book about a city we will be visiting while on vacation. The book can tell us all about the places we should go and eat, but eventually we have to take the trip and find our way around.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Our whole life is a journey that first begins at our baptism. Baptism is just the beginning of the long journey. And like most journeys, there will be challenges and struggles along the way. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> We will need to discern when to play it safe and when to get out of our comfort zones and step out in complete faith. We will wrestle with what is right and what is wrong and what’s important and what’s not important. We will experience temptations that are very enticing and there will be times that we will question if we really are who God claims us to be.</font><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Regardless of what age we may have been baptized; as an infant, as a teenager, or as an adult, baptism increases in meaning as we journey through life. God’s claim on our lives through baptism will guide us along the way especially during those times when we experience self-doubt and confusion.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> It has been said that whenever the great 16<sup>th</sup> century Reformation leader, Martin Luther was going through a challenging time in his life that he would place his hand on his head and say to himself, <i>“I am baptized.”</i> <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Whenever I go running along a path that follows a stream or a river, often times, the sound of the water going over the rocks prompts me to remember my baptism and of who I am in Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> In the movie, “The Help,” a black maid named Aibee cares for a little white girl whose name is Mae Mobley Leefort. Aibee witnesses the child being hurt over and over again by the child’s mother. Aibee decides to do something about it.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Every day, she tells the young child in her care something good about herself. Several scenes in the movie bring us to Aibee holding baby girl, Mae Mobley, and sharing these words to her. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> <i>“You a smart girl. You a kind girl, Mae Mobley. You hear me? You is kind, you is smart, you is important!”</i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> As soon as Mae Mobley learns to talk, Aibee is having her repeat this self-affirmation. When Aibee is forced to leave the household, she reminds Mae Mobley of these words one last time. She didn’t want her to ever forget her true identity.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> The words that Jesus heard at his baptism, <i>“This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased,”</i> were words that stayed with him throughout his ministry. These were the words that sustained him when he felt alone. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> These were the words that helped him face opposition and adversity. These were the words that reminded him of his mission and purpose in the world.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> When we hear the words, <i>“Remember your baptism and be thankful</i>,” that’s how we remember who we are. We belong to Christ.</font><font face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></font></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-41955891978268679472024-01-08T04:45:00.000-05:002024-01-08T05:46:20.462-05:00Sunday Pastoral Prayer (January 7/Baptism of the Lord Sunday) Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></p><div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;"><img id="id_5589_6924_7a0b_841e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYROOjDiYHOw4m9DFZvWehQMQgKyOE_7Y825N8wDnys6b7fKtrrgHrxjKQj964xHGLUnHpyhCxmDwnuhx1Fl38E0NkCT6w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="font-size: 11pt; width: 302px; height: auto;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><b>Sunday, January 7, 2024 </b></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><b>(Baptism of the Lord Sunday)</b></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><b>Pastoral Prayer</b></font></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">O God, on this Sunday of new beginnings, be with us as we renew our baptisms and receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Thank you for this wonderful way for us to begin 2024.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Grant each of us a fresh start in being reminded that we are your beloved children. Whenever we forget this basic truth of who we are, may the sound of water, whether it be by a lake, a river, a stream, or even simply drawing water from the sink remind us of our baptism and that we are cleansed from our sins and we belong to you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">As Christmas decorations are put away, may we never put away your light that shines brightly in our lives. May the same light that led the Wise Men to the Christ Child in Bethlehem also be our light in this new year ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Be our light in the midst of any darkness we may face. Shine brightly upon the people on our church’s prayer list as well as the many others who are on our hearts and minds this day. Shine upon those who are facing health problems, those with heavy hearts, those who feel alone, those who have been waiting a long time for a prayer to be answered, those who are in need of a listening ear, those who are discouraged and in need of a new direction in life. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">O God, be our Epiphany light throughout this new year. We pray this in the name of Jesus, the light of the world who taught us to pray together saying…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-1227053780604197952024-01-01T04:45:00.000-05:002024-01-04T06:22:25.211-05:00Sunday Pastoral Prayer (Dec. 31) Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 12.75pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_fc84_3733_48e2_bb1c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSCaGtyZOPFDZ92hcFah21Wqz_VdtwSmMeaU4EttL83_V--QKxffLbyr2iSwchnLjSIjT-uLj6tbadCfQxCDyHvCYTPYw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 311px; height: auto;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 12.75pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>Pastoral Prayer</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 12.75pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>Sunday, December 31, 2023</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; margin: 0in 0in 12.75pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Faithful God, as we reflect on this past year, we are grateful for your light of hope that guided us through the difficult, uncertain, and challenging times; your light of love that reminded us that nothing can ever separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord; your light of joy where we experienced your presence just when we needed it the most; and your light of peace that calmed us during our times of anxiety and fear. Thank you for each of these Advent Candles of hope, love, joy, and peace.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12.75pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><font face="Arial" size="4">God of new beginnings, we also thank you for the Christ Candle for when the carols have been stilled, when the star-topped tree is taken down, when family and friends are gone home, when we are back to our schedules, remind us that this is when the real work of Christmas begins: To be welcoming to all, To help bring healing a world of so much need, To feed the hungry, To build bridges of trust, To share our gifts, To seek justice and peace for all people, and To bring Christ’s light to the world.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12.75pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><font face="Arial" size="4">Hear our prayers this day for all who are on our hearts and minds and with those on our prayer list. We pray that your healing, guiding, restoring, and strengthening presence will be with them this day and into the new year. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12.75pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><font face="Arial" size="4">As we travel with the Wise Men to Bethlehem this week in celebration of Epiphany, may your star of wonder, star of light, guide us to your perfect light. We pray this in the name of the newborn King, Christ Jesus our Lord.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12.75pt; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><font face="Arial" size="4">It is in his name, that we pray together…<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><font face="Arial" size="4">Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.</font></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1371244606683666300.post-75802637403212944362023-12-25T05:00:00.000-05:002023-12-28T14:51:24.630-05:00Sermon (Dec. 24/Christmas Eve) “Light the Christ Candle!” by Rev. Robert McDowell<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_46d2_814c_e4f5_abf5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYS61JLoBLzxiya3MeWBNRdmMmIyBdWvNwUPzZ3CRUlgW5nx5y7OOvK8wtVjRYQEZWiEO2KwKpHNorwr1dkBtUvVtgPXjg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 249px; height: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b><br></b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="5"><b>Christmas Eve Sermon</b></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b style="font-family: Arial;"><font size="5">December 24, 2023</font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b style="font-family: Arial;"><font size="5">Rev. Robert McDowell</font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> According to an NBC news affiliate which aired a few years ago leading up to the Christmas season, well over half of us prefer an artificial Christian tree instead of a real one. According to this report, only 18% of us are old school when it comes to our Christmas trees.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> My brother happens to part of that 18% and he proudly reminds me of this every single Christmas. He knows that Penny and I sold out a long time ago when it comes to buying real Christmas trees. We think we have a very beautiful Christmas tree, but all he can see are the metal tubes and the fake pine needles.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I must admit that I’m envious every time I see his 12-foot-tall authentic Christmas tree that has been freshly cut down and always includes the delightful smell of pine throughout his house. That’s something you just don’t get with an artificial tree that gets stored in a box year-round.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> In one of the churches I pastored, the young adult Sunday School class invited me to a Christmas decorating party that was held in their classroom where they met at the church. When I arrived, they had punch and cookies and after about ten minutes, somebody said, <i>“Let’s start decorating.” </i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I watched as a couple of the class members walked to a nearby storage closet and carried out an artificial Christmas tree that still had the lights and the decorations on it from the previous year. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> They stood up the tree in the corner of their classroom, plugged in the lights, and someone yelled out, <i>“That should take care of it! Help yourself to some more punch and cookies.” <o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"><i> </i>The decorating took a total of 3 minutes! I guess there is something to be said for real Christmas trees.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Whether you have a real Christmas tree or an artificial one isn’t really the point. The real question is if our faith is real or not. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> The Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke is all about keeping it real. The gospel writer reminds us that God risked everything by sending us Jesus. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> The one who would be given the title the King of Kings was first born in the shadow of the mighty Roman Emperor Augustus who claimed this title for himself. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> The one who would go on to heal the sick, calm the storm, and feed the multitude would first be placed in a feeding trough upon his birth. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And the one who would face rejection and betrayal, would be turned away at his birth because there was no room in the inn.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Yes, the Christmas story itself is a story that helps us to keep it real. It doesn’t get any more real than this. Real people. Real animals. Real fear. Real risk.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Over the past several Sundays here in church, we have been lighting the Advent Candles. Traditionally, these candles stand for hope, love, joy, and peace. When we shine these lights, it helps us to keep Christmas real. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> During the first Sunday of Advent, we looked at how we can keep Christmas real by lighting the candle of hope. George Iles once said, <i>“Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark.”</i> I love that thought. <i>“Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark.” </i>We light the candle of hope.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> On the 2<sup>nd</sup> Sunday of Advent, we lit the candle of love. It’s when we share the love of Jesus that we experience the deepest kind of love there is. This love is an unconditional love that accepts us for who we are and loves us just the way we are.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Morrie Schwartz once said, <i>“The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love and let it come in.”</i> We light the candle of love.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> On the third Sunday of Advent which was last Sunday, we lit the candle of joy. The church refers to this Sunday of Advent as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is a Latin word that means “Rejoice.”</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> That’s why one of the candles around the Advent wreath is pink and not purple like all the others. Purple reminds us to patiently wait for the coming of Christmas, but the color pink reminds us that we can experience joy along the journey.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Helen Keller once said, <i>“Joy is the holy fire that keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow.”</i> If you want to keep Christmas real, just look around at how God is at work in your life and the situations that come your way.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> These God moments will lead you to a Gaudete moment of rejoicing even during the more challenging times. We light the candle of joy.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And today on this 4<sup>th</sup> Sunday of Advent, we lit the candle of peace. When we put our focus on Christ, rather than only on the sentimental surface meaning of Christmas, we experience a deeper sense of God’s peace in our lives. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, <i>“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.”</i> One of the ways we can keep it real this Christmas is by seeking peace rather than division. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> We will discover that it’s when we are actively seeking peace, that we will experience a peace that passes all understanding. We light the candle of peace.</font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> If you are looking to keep Christmas real this year, just remember to always light the candles of Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace. These four Advent Candles remind us of how we can keep it real this Christmas and beyond.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> I was on the phone with my insurance company a couple days before Christmas one year. As the person on the other end of the line was pulling up my policy, she noticed that I was a minister. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> So, she said, <i>“So Rob, are you ready for your Christmas Eve services? I mean, this is a really busy time of year for you.”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Now, this happens occasionally when someone calls me Rob or Bob even though I go by Robert. I didn’t think too much of it. And so, I told her that I was close to being ready. And she said, <i>“Well, that’s great, Rob.”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Since her computer was slow in pulling up my information, she asked me another question just to pass the time. <i>“So, I imagine it would be really hard to preach on Christmas Eve? Don’t you ever run out of something new to say?”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Now, up until that very moment, I had been feeling pretty good about my Christmas Eve sermon. All of the sudden, I wasn’t so sure anymore. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> This insurance person on the other end of the line was reminding me that it really is a challenge to think of something new to say about something we have already heard many, many times.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> So, I said to her, <i>“Yeah, it’s a challenge, but I think I’m ready again this year.”</i> She said,<i> “Well, that’s good to hear, Rob.”<o:p></o:p></i></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> As I think back to that conversation, she’s totally right. Never mind that she didn’t call me by my real name during that long and drawn-out conversation, but she was so right when she said to me, <i>“So, it must be really hard to preach on Christmas Eve. Don’t you ever run out of something new to say?”</i><o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And the truth is, we preachers are uneasy about Christmas Eve. What can we possibly say that is new and insightful and memorable? What can I possibly say to all of you even though you have probably already heard your share of Christmas Eve sermons?<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> And then it dawned on me. I actually do have a fresh message to share with you today even though you have probably heard the story of Christmas a zillion times. <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Here’s my super insightful and genius thought to leave with you today. Are you ready for this? This is going to totally blow you away. Here’s my genius thought for you to remember, fresh from the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Are you ready for this? Are you sure? <o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> Ok, here is my super insightful thought fresh from the Holy Spirit. This Christmas, keep it real.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0in; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Arial" size="4"> That’s it.</font><font face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></font></p> Robert McDowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13199826073062391787noreply@blogger.com0