Sermon (February 2) “Do Not Be Afraid” by Rev. Robert McDowell

February 2, 2025

Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC

     Bible quiz time. What is the most repeated commandment in the Bible?

     There are a lot of bible commands like love your neighbor, love God, be thankful, but there is one that gets repeated more than any other command. If you answered, “Do not be afraid,” I have a blue ribbon to give to you. To claim your ribbon, see me after worship.

     Of all the commands that we find in the Bible and there are many, why is “do not be afraid” the most repeated one? Well, let’s look at one of those times it is repeated. We heard that command just a little bit ago during our Old Testament reading from the Book of Jeremiah.

     “Do not be afraid of them,” the Lord tells young Jeremiah.

     Young Jeremiah. I say that because when Jeremiah is called upon by God to become a prophet, he is reluctant to do so because in his words, “he’s only a boy.”

     My heart goes out to the youth of today. So much fear. So much anxiety.

     In all my years of pastoral ministry, I don’t think I’ve ever been more concerned about the anxiety and fear among youth than I do today.

     According to the National Institute of Health, 1 in 3 of all adolescents, which would include the ages of 13 to 18, will experience an anxiety disorder. 1 in 3! And this study was released just before the Covid pandemic!

     The three top reasons they give for this rise in anxiety disorders are because of higher expectations and pressures to succeed, the world is becoming scarier and more threatening, and the negative consequences associated with social media platforms.

     Anxieties and fears are something in which we all struggle in varying degrees. A few years ago, a Chapman University survey was conducted which said that our biggest fears as adults are public speaking, heights, and snakes and bugs.

     I am totally fine with speaking in public but please do not ask me to get on the roof of your house. I do not like heights. We paid someone to clean out our gutters one year and as I was watching this person heading to the top of our roof, I could feel the palms of my hands getting sweaty by the second. Not a fan of snakes either!

     No wonder that the command, “Do not be afraid” shows up more than any other command in the Bible. So much fear that we face in our day to day living.

     So back to Jeremiah. Why did he need to hear those words from the Lord, “Do not be afraid?”

     Short answer. The Lord called him. Whenever the Lord calls us to do something, it’s understandable that fear will set in. We often do not know if we will be able to meet the challenges ahead. We wonder if we will have what it takes to succeed. We’re afraid of letting God down. We wonder if the Lord might have gotten our email address mixed up with someone else’s.

     In our scripture reading, the Lord has spoken directly to Jeremiah so that’s not really the issue in this situation. What this text is inviting us to ponder is how will we respond when the Lord does indeed call us to a certain task?

 

     I actually really respect Jeremiah’s response when the Lord called him. There is a lot of humility on the part of Jeremiah. He knows that he’s young and experienced. He is also very much aware that there are probably other people who would be able to accomplish what the Lord wants him to do. But of course, the Lord responded to Jeremiah to reassure him, “no, you’re the one.”

     Here’s a thought that we sometimes forget as people of faith and today seems like a good opportunity to be reminded of it. Our baptism at whatever age that might have been, is to always remind us that the Lord has called each one of us to be ministers. And because of our baptism, God has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower and equip us for any task we are given.

    All of those who are baptized are ministers of God. This reminds me of the sign in front of a church that reads, “Pastor – And then it has the name of the pastor.” And underneath that line, it has the words, “Ministers – Every Church Member.”

     Every person in the church is a minister. God has called each one of us to live out our faith and help to build God’s kingdom on earth.

     In our United Methodist Book of Discipline, it describes each of our callings in this way. “The heart of Christian ministry is Christ’s ministry of outreaching love. Christian ministry is the expression of the mind and mission of Christ by a community of Christians that demonstrates a common life of gratitude and devotion, witness and service, celebration and discipleship.”

     Now, listen carefully to this next part. “All Christians are called through their baptism to this ministry of servanthood in the world to the glory of God and for human fulfillment. This means that all Christians are called to ministry wherever Christ would have them serve and witness in deeds and words that heal and free.”

     All of the baptized are ministers and called by God to minister in the name of Jesus Christ.

     There are no exceptions, asterisks, or loopholes. God calls each one of us into ministry.

     So, this scripture from Jeremiah chapter one has particular meaning for me. If it wasn’t for this scripture, I would not be with you here today. I don’t know what I would be doing, but I would not be standing here.

     When I was in college, I attended a spiritual retreat. And the leader of the retreat invited each person to take their bible and go and spend some time outside alone with God just to listen for God’s voice.

     There was no agenda. We were to just take our bible and open it to whatever scripture passage that looked interesting and read and reflect on it.

     I opened my bible and it just so happened to open to this very scripture reading from Jeremiah. And as I read how the Lord called on Jeremiah and Jeremiah’s response to the Lord’s calling, that’s when I finally realized that the Lord was calling me into the pastoral ministry.

     Other people had told me that they thought God was calling me to become a pastor, but I didn’t think that God was calling me, until that day I read this scripture at that retreat.

 

    I read those words silently to myself, and here is what I was mumbling, “Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

     Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak for I am only a youth.”

     That’s when I stopped reading because I said to God in that moment, “Ok, I see what you’re doing here, God. The reason you wanted me at this retreat was so that I would read this one little scripture passage.”

     “Nice try, God, but I don’t see myself as a pastor.”

     But then I kept reading, “Do not say that I am only a youth for you shall go to all to whom I send you and you shall speak whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.”

     “Ok, God, like I was trying to tell you. There’s no way that I can see myself speaking in your name week after week. Just no way. I don’t see it.”

     And then here was the clincher. I kept reading. “Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, Now I have put my words in your mouth.”

     “Oh…. You mean, that you will write my sermons?”

     Yes, I will speak through you. Do not be afraid.”

     It was in that very moment, that I finally got it through my thick skull, that God was calling me to be a pastor. Watch out for retreats. They can change the course of your life!

     And I am so thankful that the Lord spoke to me so clearly during that time away in the mountains so long ago. Like Jeremiah, all that the two of us needed to know was, will you give us the words to speak?

     Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid.

     Thankfully, the Lord has continued to remind me to not be afraid. Three of four years ago, I was meeting with other pastors about how we can equip, educate, and empower our churches to overcome the sin of racism in our communities.

     And in the course of the conversation, I said something like, “You know, I am just this white pastor who is still feeling really clumsy in how to approach this topic. I’ve become more aware of just how ignorant I am regarding black history and how pervasive racism is in our country.”

     Another pastor in the group stopped me mid-sentence and she said, “Robert, find your voice and speak God’s truth. Your perspective is important. God will use you.”

     That comment hit me like a ton of bricks.

 

     Her comment reminded me of something my Bishop back in Ohio used to say a lot in his sermons, “Just get over yourself.” We often get in our own way when God calls us to live out our faith.

     This scripture from Jeremiah, chapter one reminds me “again and again and again and again and again,” to just get over myself. Just use your voice.

     Get over yourself. You think you’re the only white pastor who feels clumsy about calling out racism? You think you’re the only one who feels ignorant and inexperienced on this topic? You think you’re the only one who is feeling fearful, anxious, humbled, scared, ill-equipped, and tongue-tied?”

     “Well, baptized Christian, I’m here to remind you, just in case you have forgotten which it sounds like you have. Just get over yourself because I have put my words in your mouth.”

     Do not be afraid.

Sunday (Feb. 2) Pastoral Prayer

February 2, 2025

Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC

O God, just as you have reminded us to not be afraid, may the people who are on our hearts and minds this day also know that they need not be afraid because you will take care of them, through everyday, o’er all the way. Thank you for taking care of the family of Katie Starnes during their time of grief at the passing of Katie this past week. May they not be afraid as they hold onto the good news of our faith that nothing can ever separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

 

We need not be afraid because you sent us Jesus who lived, who died, and who rose again. We need not be afraid because you have given us everything we need to overcome any challenges that come our way.

 

Whether we are facing a medical challenge, going through a time of transition in our lives, worried about what the future may bring, feeling insecure in stepping out in faith, or waiting for an answer to prayer, remind us to not be afraid. 

Lord, we were afraid this past week with the news of the plane and helicopter crash in DC as well as the plane that crashed in Philadelphia. We’ve been thinking about the unbearable grief that the families of the passengers have been experiencing. As we continue to pray for them, replace our fear with an assurance that you are a God of healing and comfort whenever we experience these tragic moments in life.

 

As we spend time in prayer with you now, we pause to thank you for sending people in our lives, like today’s hymn writer who remind us that God will take care of us. Just as they reassure us that all that we need you will provide, may we also offer your reassuring word to the people we encounter in our daily lives.

 

Thank you for my Bishop who constantly reminded pastors and laity alike to just get over ourselves and to get out of our own way in facing the fears of our lives. Today, we lay our fears at your altar and we replace those fears with your reassuring words, “Do not be afraid.”

 

Do not be afraid for I will put my words in your mouth. Do not be afraid for I will be with you to deliver you. Do not be afraid because you will take care of us through everyday, o’er all the way.

 

Do not be afraid, Christian because I am with you. We pray this in the name of Jesus who taught us to pray this bold prayer together…

 

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.

Funeral Sermon (January 30) by Rev. Robert McDowell (In Loving Memory of Katie Starnes)

Family & Friends Gather for Katie Starnes Service

January 30, 2025

Memorial Gardens of Columbia, SC

When I was looking over the II Corinthians scripture reading in preparing for this service, I was struck by what the Apostle Paul says in verse 11of this passage. He says, “so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our mortal flesh.” Katie lived out this verse in the many ways that she blessed us with her love, with her kindness, and with her faithfulness to Christ and the church.

 

Jesus was made visible through the life of Katie Starnes. What a great way to be remembered. And what a great reminder for all of us to be more like Christ in all that we say and do. I’m so thankful for Katie and Bill’s faithfulness to Christ and the church.

 

 During one of my visits with Katie, it was a little more challenging to communicate with her and I was trying to think how I could connect with her in a better way. And that’s when I remembered that I had recently taken a video of some yellow butterflies that were flying from plant to plant in the garden at my house. After I opened the video on my smartphone I asked her, “Katie, do you like butterflies?” Her eyes lit up and she said that she likes butterflies.”

 

I said, “look at these butterflies in our garden at my house.” She loved seeing those butterflies. It made me so happy that we were connecting. You know, sometimes just the beauty of God’s creation is all we need to connect with someone. And then that led to a conversation about plants and flowers. After my visit with her, I remember thanking God for that connection we were able to make. Sometimes, dementia doesn’t win.

Speaking of butterflies, the early Christians were known to explain the Christian faith by referring to the Chrysalis process. It’s that beautiful process that allows a worm to eventually become a beautiful butterfly. In a similar way, as we faithfully live out our faith through Christ and the church, we also experience transformation as we allow Jesus to be made visible in and through us.

 

And that mysterious transformation continues even beyond the grave as we join that great cloud of witnesses in worship and praise forever and ever. Heaven is that place, where as Isaiah told us from our other scripture reading, we shall mount up with wings like eagles. We shall run and not be weary. We shall walk and not be faint.

 

And for all of us who no longer see our loved ones and who are going through this time of grief and morning, Paul reminds us to not lose hope “because we know that the one who raised Jesus will also raise us with Jesus.”

 

Maybe this is why Bill and Katie appreciated reciting the Apostles’ Creed and why they wanted it to be included in each of their funeral services. We believe in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Let’s recite this ancient creed of faith together…

 

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Sermon (January 26) “Being Introduced to God” by Rev. Robert McDowell

January 26, 2025

Beulah UMC & Oak Grove UMC

     Hi everyone. There’s someone I’d like you to meet who goes by the name of God.

     Actually, this is what I feel should be on my business card. My job is to introduce people to God.

     “God, this is Bill. Bill, this is God.” “Jane, this is God, God this is Jane.”

     Our call to worship responsive reading which begins our worship service is kind of like our weekly introduction or re-introduction to God. One of the many psalmists get to do this each week for us.

     Today, the psalmist from Psalm 19 introduces us to God. The first thing that this psalmist wants us to know about God is that God can be experienced through creation.

     “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork,” the Psalmist tells us.

     Do you want to know who God is? Just look around at the breathtaking beauty from sunrises to sunsets, to mountain peaks, to green valleys, to waterfalls, to vivid rainbows.

     Our smart TV comes with screen saver photos which are displayed when the TV goes into sleep mode. They are photos of breath-taking scenes of creation.

     I’ve always thought it would be funny if I would show these same images to someone and say, “Hey, what do your think of our recent vacation photos that I took?”

 

     Yeah, I was taking a walk one day and thought this might be a nice picture…

 

     Yeah, this one turned out OK when I stumbled upon this waterfall during a hike…

     I don’t know if this was the best lighting, but this picture turned out OK…

 

     I’ve seen more colorful plants than this, but I took this picture anyway…

 

     I know that these are just a bunch of rocks, but not bad, I guess…

     Now, our TV does offer us the choice to put up our photos instead of these stock photos, but there’s just no way that my vacation pictures can compete with their photos, although, although, I do love these two pictures that I have taken while on vacation. I just caught these moments at just the right time while walking on two different occasions in the same park.

     Today’s psalmist is doing something similar to introduce us to God. This Psalmist is saying, “Just look around you because the heavens are telling the glory of God.”

     Theologians call this approach to introducing people to God as “general revelation.” We can know God in a general way through a beautiful sunrise and sunset, through the Milky Way blazing a bright trail across the dark sky, through the sound of a babbling brook or a rushing waterfall, through falling autumn leaves, and in the sound of crashing ocean waves.

     In the first five verses of Psalm 19, the Psalmist taps into two of our five senses – sight and sound. And then in verse 6, the psalmist taps into a third sense – touch. We are told how nothing escapes the sun’s heat which of course includes us who can feel its rays on our skin. We not only can see God’s handiwork, we can also feel it!

     Every year when I was growing up, my dad loved to go deer hunting in the Central Pennsylvania mountains. He often brought home a deer, but later in his life, he decided to not shoot anymore because it was just as satisfying for him to to be out in the woods and the beauty and quiet of nature.

     Someone took this picture of my previous church during an early morning sunrise. Just incredible!

     We get to know God through the beauty of God’s creation.

     But the Psalmist also wants us to know about another very important way that God’s presence is revealed to us. In addition to general revelation, God also is introduced to us through what theologians refer to as “special revelation.”

     In verse 7, the psalmist shifts from “general revelation” to “special revelation.” Special revelation refers primarily to how God is revealed to us through the scriptures. The psalmist doesn’t use the word, “scripture” but does refer to other words like instruction, law, regulations, commands, and judgements which all are included in what we know as the scriptures, the Bible.

     While those descriptive words might sound a little intimidating, the Psalmist goes on to offer these positive phrases in describing what scripture can do for us. In verse 7, the Psalmist speaks of scripture as “reviving one’s being” and then in verse 8 as “gladdening one’s heart” and “giving light to our eyes.”

     Jesus who came on the scene centuries after this Psalm was written began his ministry by opening the scriptures to the Book of Isaiah that speak about God’s good news in freeing people from oppression and bringing sight to the blind.

     The psalmist knows that while creation tells us of God and even identifies God’s glorious nature, scripture gives specificity to who God is. This in turn gives specificity to who we are in relation to God, particularly when it comes to how we are to live and conduct ourselves in support of God’s desire to make this world new again.

     I know that there are many negative stereotypes where people believe that churches are overly judgmental, but this Psalmist sees scripture very differently. Scripture is life-giving and life-transforming.

     To be introduced to God is to be introduced to both God’s general revelation through the beauty of creation as well as through special revelation, the holy scriptures.

     Both are vitally important if we want to be properly introduced to God. I’ve heard many people say that their personal sanctuary is a walk through the park or a hike through the woods. And that’s fine, but nature will only take you so far in knowing about God’s saving love for the world through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

     It’s not an either/or. It’s a both/and. The Psalmist celebrates both general revelation and special revelation.

     Our scripture reading from Nehemiah tells of how the people of Israel gathered to hear the scriptures read aloud. They were being reintroduced to the God who had saved them and who invited them to renew their relationship with God.

     I love how this scripture passage concludes. After they read the scriptures aloud for all the people to hear, Ezra and Nehemiah say, “and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” When we are introduced to God through special revelation, we experience joy and strength.

     One of my favorite preachers was the late Fred Craddock. He was from the Disciples of Christ denomination. Not only was he an extremely gifted preacher, he also wrote a book about preaching which I used when I was in seminary. I also had the privilege to hear him preach during a seminar when he was in Ohio.

     In one of his sermons, Craddock tells the story of a young woman who approached him one day. She explained that during her first year at college, she felt like a failure. She wasn’t doing well in her classes, she couldn’t get many dates, and she didn’t have as much money as the other students did.

     Then one Sunday afternoon, she decided to end it all by taking her own life. She went to the river near the campus, climbed on on the rail, and was looking into the dark water below.

     But just before she jumped, she remembered the words of scripture that she had heard in church, “Throw all your anxiety onto him, because he cares about you.” I Peter 5:7.

     It was at that point that she climbed down from the rail and decided to not take her own life. Those words reminded that young college woman that there was a God in heaven who cared for her. Consequently, her life had meaning and purpose.

     So, when introducing someone to God, by all means, share your best vacation photos with them, those photos of beautiful sunsets, mountain peaks, and lush meadows. That’s what the Psalmist would do. “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork,” the psalmist says.

     But also, don’t forget to point them to the scriptures, God’s special revelation that offer hope, joy, forgiveness, new life, and the good news of God’s saving love for the world. This is the God I want everyone to know.