April 4th Easter Sermon "The Story of Three Gardens"

Sermon by Pastor Robert McDowell

Are We Really that Hyper-Sensitive?

I'm all for tolerance and respect for not pushing anyone's religion on anyone, but are we really this hyper-sensitive?

Check out this article about a public school superintendent in the state of Washington who recently banned students from an instrumental performance of Ave Maria at a graduation ceremony. The US Supreme Court has decided to not intervene.

Latvia, Lithuania, & Stewartstown, PA?

What a weekend! My church at Lancaster First UMC just got done hosting the Latvia/Lithuania mission partnership weekend seminar sponsored by the General Board of Global Ministry of the UMC. During the weekend, we were able to hear how our mission partnership is making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Coinciding with the Latvia/Lithuania seminar, our church also hosted forty-eight members of the Company of Praise youth choir from the Stewartstown UMC in Stewartstown, PA, my home church and where my brother serves as the Director of Music. The group was able to sing for our Latvia/Lithuania guests for the closing session of the seminar on Saturday night and then again for Sunday worship which included several of our mission partnership guests.

As the two groups mingled around dinner tables Saturday evneing and then following the Sunday worship services along with members of the congregation, it was special to see the unity that we all have in Jesus Christ, regardless of our language barriers and geographical distances.

When the youth choir from PA shouted out "OH" and then had the congregation respond with "IO," during worship, I knew that only the Holy Spirit could pull off such a display of courtesy!

Latvia, Lithuania, and Stewartstown, PA all present in one place of worship singing "How Great Thou Art" - that sounds like the way church was always meant to be.

Sunday Worship Preview - May 2

May 2 - (8:15 A.M. & 11:00 A.M. Traditional Services & 9:45 A.M. Praise Service) & Wednesday, May 5 (6:30 P.M. Casual Service @ Crossroads, 2095 Fair Avenue)

Sermon - "Big Questions - Why Do Bad Things Happen?"

Features - 5th Sunday of Easter & Holy Communion

Scripture - Job 1:13-22; Romans 3:10-26; & John 16:31-33

Theme - Today is the final part of a four part sermon series on “Big Questions.” On this Sunday, our focus is on the important question, “Why Do Bad Things Happen?”
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A United Methodist NFL First Round Draft Pick

University of Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, a member of United Methodist Church of the Servant in Oklahoma City, was selected as the first draft pick in this year's NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams. Check out this video interview in which Sam speaks about his faith.

Final Thoughts on "Mainline or Methodist" by Scott Kisker

For my initial review of "Mainline or Methodist," by Scott Kisker read my earlier post. So here's my thought on this book. To be honest, it didn't start out well for me since he views the word, "mainline" in a negative way whereas I view it in a positive light.

For Scott, the label "mainline" as in mainline denominations like United Methodists, Presbyterians, and Lutherans, means that we have chosen an established path rather than a revolutionary path of living out our faith. For sure, mainline denominations have too often gone down that lazy status-quo path. However, for me, the label of mainline correctly identifies denominations such as the United Methodist Church as Christian communities that are willing to bring together a variety of points of views (left vs. right, democrat vs. republican, Michigan vs. Ohio State, etc.) and through scripture, reason, experience, and tradition, we can listen and help each other to discern God's voice.

But putting that aside for the moment, I have very high marks for what Scott has done through this book. He wants us to reclaim the counter-cultural movement that once marked those early 18th and 19th century Methodists.

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Scott reminds us that Wesley's true conversion was when he decided to begin preaching in the fields on April 2, 1739 rather than the date of his heart warming experience at a prayer meeting on May 24, 1738. The Methodist movement really took off once Wesley offered the good news of Christ to where the people were. Wesley preached outside to the people twice a day!

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But Scott reminds us (and this is why I really like the book a lot!) that it wasn't just about Wesley being a street preacher. Wesley was creative, disciplined, and attentive enough to make sure that Methodists were planted out in the crowd who would then notice anyone who was stirred by the message. They would then invite the people who were moved by the sermon to join their weekly Methodist class meeting and that's where many of the conversions happened. They happened in these small group meetings!

Toward the end of his book, Scott makes the point that we United Methodists today need to get back to our roots by spending more time with people in our community and find creative ways of helping people to be part of a small group where they can grow in what it means to be fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

The exciting part of the book is that Scott invites us to think about what this might look like in the church we attend. In what ways can we become less mainline (less status-quo) and more Methodist (revolutionary for Jesus) in our churches?

And if I may, I would add, and at the same time, how can we continue to be even more mainline in the way I define the word mainline (open to different points of view/less judgmental?)

Bible Study Summary - Upcoming Sunday's Scriptures

Here at Lancaster First UMC, I am privileged to be part of two weekly bible study groups that study the scriptures for the upcoming Sunday.

Here are some of the questions/insights from the two groups:

II Timothy 3:10-17

• II Timothy is considered “Paul’s last will and testament” for Timothy. Paul encourages a timid yet gifted pastor to live out his calling. I Timothy defines a faithful congregation. II Timothy defines a faithful pastor.
• The bible is a complex book and can be frustrating to read. But we also see how it can bring new life. Reason it brings life is that it is inspired or “God-breathed.” See v. 16. Translated as “inspired” because of a Latin word.
• Three problems with using the word “inspired” with today’s meaning: 1) Many things can “inspire” us like a good play or movie. This word has a much deeper meaning! 2) Inspired might lead us to believe that the biblical authors were merely dictating machines of conveying God’s words. 3) Inspired denotes a particular theological understanding of the Christian faith.
• V. 15 – scripture can make us wise and have us think differently as it helps us to know through stories, poetry, proverbs, symbolism, and history, that through God’s rescuing love for the world in the person of Jesus Christ, we are part of God’s salvation story.
• V. 16 shows us how this is done. Teaching, rebuking, training, and transforming.
• V. 17 the goal of all of this is to help us be fully human in living out our true identity in Jesus Christ, reflecting God’s image.

Luke 24:13-27

• One of my favorite passages of scripture because it combines a retelling of the scriptural story and concludes with a reference to the Sacrament of Holy Communion combining Word & Sacrament.
• Has been used by people who are going through a difficult time.
• Who is the couple on the road? Cleopas and his companion. Maybe referring to John 19:25 and the married couple, Mary and Clopas. Couples have used this story to help them through marital difficulties.
• The stranger might have caused fear with the couple since the authorities might be looking for Jesus’ disciples.
• The couple is down because they believe that Jesus’ ministry had failed because of his death on the cross.
• The stranger (Jesus) tells the story of the Old Testament to the couple to help them see that in order to rescue Israel from their suffering, God would have to suffer on their behalf.
• Why didn’t the couple recognize that the stranger was Jesus? Jesus’ resurrected body. But also because they didn’t understand the full story of where the scriptures were pointing and how Jesus fit into that story.
• This passages reminds us that in order to study and understand the scriptures, we need Jesus by our side. Only then will our hearts burn within us (v. 32.)

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