Upcoming Book of Psalms Sermon Series Reflections

Beginning this Sunday, (June 19) I will be preaching a three-part sermon series on the Book of Psalms.  The title of the series is "Expressions of the Heart" to help emphasize that the Psalms provide a wide range of emotions and experiences along our faith journey.

Here are some preliminary thoughts about this incredible book of the Bible:

• The 150 psalms can be categorized. There are a variety of thoughts on how they should be grouped but here are some examples: psalms of lament, psalms of thanksgiving, psalms of ascent, and psalms of enthronement.
• The variety of categories is what makes the psalms so appealing to help us express ourselves as we live out our faith. For this sermon series, we'll focus on three of the categories: 1) psalms of lament - when we are disoriented in our faith 2) psalms of ascent - to help us worship and praise God, and 3) psalms of enthronement - to help us celebrate God's kingship and just/righteous rule over all creation.
• I've entitled the sermon series, "Expressions of the Heart" to emphasize how the psalms can help us express our deepest longings.  The psalms give experession to our feelings and emotions depending on what we are experiencing in our faith journey such as joy, happiness, confusion, grief, thanksgiving, etc.  From an emotional health perspective, the psalms give us permission to give voice to our feelings.  Even the darkest of psalms typically end on a positive note since the prayer itself has helped the psalmist to "unload on God."
• When I visit patients at the hospital, I often use a book entitled, "Psalms for Healing" which provides appropriate psalms depending on the situation.  There are psalms for pre-surgery, post-surgery, while waiting for test results, when wanting to thank God for healing, etc.  After each brief psalm reading, there is a personalized prayer corresponding with the theme/image of the psalm that was read.  This is one of my favorite pastoral resources that I use on a frequent basis.  I even had a church member request to borrow this book when he was in the hospital since the psalm and the prayer I offered to him really connected to where he was spiritually in that moment.  
• In liturgical worship, a psalm is read each Sunday and it always follows the Old Testament reading to serve as a response to that scripture's theme.
• In the Anglican/Episcopal daily office readings, you read every Psalm each month.  Also, on every Wednesday, you read a portion of Psalm 119 since this psalm is focused on the importance of meditating on God's Word.

Here are some psalms to read before each Sunday's sermon on the psalms.  May these psalms help us to express our heart to God.

Week before June 19 - Psalms of Lament: 55, 130, & 77
Week before June 26 - Psalms of Ascent: 122 & 121
Week before July 3 - Psalms of Enthronement: 72 & 96
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Pastoral Prayer @ Lancaster First UMC - Sunday, June 12 (Pentecost)

God of fire, new life, and transformation, send your Holy Spirit upon your church yet again.  Kindle within us a desire to serve you and to boldly proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in our community and throughout the world.  Through your Holy Spirit, you have given each of us spiritual gifts to be a blessing through your church.  Help us to offer our gifts in humility and in love.

Thank you for this day on our church calendar when we celebrate Pentecost and the gift of your Holy Spirit.  We long for renewal and to be a people of transformation.  Remind us on this day that all things are possible thanks to the gift of your Holy Spirit working in and through us.  Whenever we become discouraged, keep us mindful that we are not alone.  You are with us, guiding and empowering us along each step of our walk with you.

All around us are signs of your kingdom.  As we see the color, red prominent in our sanctuary reminding us of the fire of the Holy Spirit on this Pentecost Sunday, we think of yesterday’s Second Saturday outreach and the many people we were able to help in our community.

Thank you for the signs of renewal.

We think of a wedding that was held here yesterday in which two people made a covenant to one another and to you.

Thank you for signs of renewal.

We think of the baptism in our church today of a young lady who has been attending our church and who wants to grow in her relationship with Jesus Christ and receive support from our church family.

Thank you for signs of renewal.

We think of how your church has provided money, resources, and volunteers to help with the clean-up efforts of the many places that were  hit by tornadoes this Spring, providing hope and support to people who have lost their homes and who have experienced the loss of loved ones.

Thank you for signs of renewal.

We think of small groups, bible studies, and Sunday School classes through our church who meet on a regular basis to provide encouragement and new understandings of our faith.

Thank you for signs of renewal.

We think of these summer Sundays of worship in which we will be studying the Psalms, the Book of Romans, and the Book of Genesis, to help us grow in our faith.

Thank you for signs of renewal.  As your people who have been gifted with the Holy Spirit, teach us to pray the words you taught your disciples and now teach to us, “Our Father…”

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Pentecost Sunday

 

 

Pentecost Sunday Collect (Prayer)

O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Sunday Worship Preview - June 19

Sunday, June 19 - (8:15 A.M. & 11:00 A.M. Traditional Services & 9:45 A.M. Praise Service) & Wednesday, June 22 (6:30 P.M. Casual Service @ Crossroads, 2095 Fair Avenue)
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Sermon – "Expressions of the Heart: Psalms of Lament"

Features - Trinity Sunday

Scripture - Psalm 101:1-12; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; & John 11:20-36

Theme - Psalms of lament are Psalms that help us to express our heart whenever we experience a loss, the pain of sin, or are in need of direction and guidance. On this Trinity Sunday, we are reminded that in the midst of our times of lament, God who is known as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, promises to always be with us in the midst of life’s challenges and uncertainties.
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First UMC Community Lunches

Our church serves weekly lunches for those in need every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.  We have different teams helping on each day.  When I have the opportunity, I enjoy serving the meals and eating with the people. 

The local paper ran a story this past week on what it's like to be homeless and how our community lunches are making a difference.  A big thanks to all our servants who provide this wonderful outreach to our community.
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Christmas in July?

Dear Friends,

     Someone at church recently asked me, “Are we going to celebrate ‘Christmas in July’ again this year?  I hope so because it was a lot of fun!”  I explained that this was a one-time deal but that we might consider it again whenever July 25 falls on a Sunday.

     We did have a lot of fun celebrating Christmas last summer, didn’t we?  Around this time last year, we were making plans for our Santa’s sleigh float for the July 4^th parade to invite people to attend our “Christmas in July” Sunday.  And it worked!  Our worship attendance on Sunday, July 25 was higher for that time of year.  We also received a Christmas in July special offering totaling $10,000 to go toward our district and conference apportionments.

      Even though we won’t be celebrating a summer yuletide this July, it’s still a great time for us to invite friends and neighbors to worship with us at FUMC.  There are many people in our community who have no church affiliation and they’re just waiting for a personal invitation.  If they have children, tell them about our Vacation Bible School which will be held at our Crossroads facility July 11-15, 6:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.

     Every personal invitation has the potential to help someone grow in their faith and connect with a church family.

     Thank you for reaching out.  Have a happy summer!

Pastor Robert
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2011 West Ohio Annual Conference - Lakeside, Ohio

For video highlights, photos, and daily blog information related to the 2011 West Ohio Annual Conference (June 5 - 9), go to this site on the West Ohio website.
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