Dave's Deep Thoughts - A "Grand" Birthday

Here's Pastor Dave McDowell's weekly devotional that he sends out to members of his church. Dave is my brother and serves as the Music Minister at Stewartstown UMC in PA.

Most people wish for a happy birthday.

I would have to call my 2014 birthday grand.

Baby, was it grand!

It was 1979 when I graduated with a music degree

from undergraduate school.

When I returned to my parent’s home after graduation,

there in the family room was a brand new studio piano complete with a bow.

It wasn’t just any piano…

It was a piano of one of my favorite brands.

It was an amazing graduation gift,

one that would do me well for many years to come.

It was also an extravagant gift.

My parents were of modest means.

We were a farming family with 4 children.

This gift was a budget buster.

It was also a well thought out gift.

I did not normally have conversations with my parents

regarding piano brands.

But they did their research.

With the help of my high school piano teacher,

they purchased a piano that I would have picked.

I remember my parents saying,

“We know it’s not a grand piano,

but we hope this will do until you are able to get one.”

Typical response from parents who wanted the best for their children.

For 35 years, that piano has followed me to many different places.

It has been used in many recitals,

in teaching many private lessons,

and in countless hours of personal pleasure.

It has served me well.

Now that both parents have left this life,

it has been a constant reminder of the love they had for me.

Last week, I received a letter from a local college.

They were having a piano sale.

All pianos in their music department needed to be sold.

All less than one year old.

All at very favorable prices.

And they were the same brand that I loved.

I was being invited to their private sale.

On a whim and

remembering my parent’s comment from 35 years ago,

I decided to check it out.

The pianos had been moved to the instrumental hall.

The school had 57 pianos to sell.

I was about to celebrate my 57^th birthday the next day,

and I was born in 1957.

Suddenly, it didn’t seem like a whim any more.

I felt my parent’s presence with me in the instrumental hall,

much like I did 35 years ago in the family room after graduation.

  

Within minutes, 52 pianos were eliminated from consideration.

5 pianos remained.

I played all types of pieces to test the instruments…..

Bach Inventions, Brahms Rhapsodies, Debussy Arabesques,

Mozart Sonatas…….even some Joplin Ragtime.

An hour later,

(if I had looked at my watch, it probably would have had been exactly 57 minutes)

I knew which piano was to be mine.

I realize that I have been blessed with the type of parents that I had.

I had parents that disciplined me,

that raised me to appreciate what I had been given,

that taught me to value people more than things,

and to love God more than this world.

Not everyone is given that.

When you are given parents like that,

you realize that their influence is just as great,

if not greater when they are gone.

In their absence,

I have daily sensed their presence even more in my life.

And so, on my 57^th birthday,

the piano movers brought a baby grand,

complete with a birthday bow, into my home.

Because of my parents

my home is even more filled with music and joy.

I believe that is how God intends it to be.

It is not His intention to abandon us,

nor to leave us to figure life out on our own,

nor to leave us without His joy and peace.

We have been given the written Word,

we have been given the incarnate Word in Jesus,

and we have been given the indwelling Word in the Holy Spirit….

“These things I have spoken to you, While I am still with you.

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send

in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance

all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you;

my peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

                                                                           John 14:25-26

What is true for all who claim Him…….

is that no one is left bereft of love,

no one is abandoned,

no one is left to wander through life alone,

no one is left without peace,

and no one is left without the music of life.

No one.

And for the believer,

that is a grandest gift of all,

complete with the biggest bow.

Oh, the last two digits in the cost of the piano…

57 of course.

Upcoming Sunday Scripture Commentary - October 19

October 19 Sermon - "Living Generously: Trust Issues"

Proverbs 18:1-12

In verse 10, the "righteous" refers to God's people.

Our reading from the Book of Proverbs offers an image of God as our strong tower. In the ancient world, a strong tower was a central place located in a particular territory or city where people could go if they felt threatened. It was a defensible place of protection and security.   

Verse 2 - This verse talks about being foolish and only focusing on one's personal opinions. In today's world, it seems like debates are only shouting matches to prove our point. How can we learn to be more concerned with "understanding" rather than in simply "winning an argument?"

Proverbs is considered one of the Wisdom Books in the Bible. What do you think the writer means by the first and second parts of verse 4? Do you think "deep waters" refer to danger and isolation whereas a "gushing stream" refers more positively to abundance and new perspectives?

Verse 7 - This verse shows the difference between trusting in our own wisdom vs. following the wisdom of God.


John 14:23-31a

This passage is part of the "Farewell Discourse" of Jesus in John's Gospel.  Jesus is preparing them for when he would be leaving them to not lose heart even though the "world" will not always receive their message in a positive way.

Verse 27 - When Jesus refers to the "world" in this passage, he is referring to it in a negative and threatening way. Sometimes, the world is used in a more positive way such as John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son..."

Even though the world is seen as negative in this passage, we need to remember that God also loves the world and wants to see it rescued from sin and death.

Verse 27 - By staying faithful to Christ, the disciples were be given the gift of peace as they face the world's adversities.

Verse 30 - Who is the "ruler of this world?" In one sense it refers to the emperor of Rome and in a more general sense, it refers to the world in general that does not embrace God's loving rule.

Verse 31 - Jesus' healings, miracles, and his eventual death and resurrection show the world that he is the true ruler of the world bringing hope and good news.   The implication is that even after Jesus leaves the disciples that they are to continue to be signs of God's kingdom so that the world will take notice and embrace God's healing love and salvation.


[Note: The resources used for these scripture reading commentaries are based on the Everyone series by NT Wright, Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, The Wesley Study Bible, and the “Montreal-Anglican”lectionary commentaries.]

Join the Spoon Challenge!

This past Sunday as part of our church-wide "Living Generously" focus, I challenged our congregation to intentionally serve three different people this week. Here's the link for the sermon. Throughout Jesus' ministry, he went out of his way to show God's love to people. This was Jesus' way of pointing people to God's in-breaking kingdom.

"Spoons are for feeding ourselves but ladles are for serving others."

To remind us of this serving challenge, each worshipper was given a white plastic spoon. The spoon was supposed to be a ladle but I wasn't able to find an inexpensive bulk supply of plastic ladles to hand out to everyone. As the saying goes, spoons are for feeding ourselves but ladles are for serving others.

Don't be like this guy who used his spoon to stuff himself with tons of ice cream.

Be more like  this person who used her ladle to serve others.

We want to hear how God prompted you to go out of your way to serve somebody in the name of Christ this week. You can share your stories on our Lancaster First UMC Facebook page or send me an email at robertmcdowell@lancasterfumc.org.

"Lord bless our congregation as we seek to be open to the promptings of your Holy Spirit to serve the needs of others this week. Teach us what it means to live generously. Amen."

Sunday Worship Preview - October 19

Sunday, October 19 - (9:00 am & 10:30 Services) & Wednesday, October 22  (6:30 pm Casual Service @ Crossroads, 2095 Fair Avenue)

Features - 19th Sunday After Pentecost & Living Generously Church-Wide Focus

Scripture - Proverbs 18:1-12 & John 14:23-31a

Sermon - "Living Generously: Trust Issues"

Theme - Living generously involves a theological test. Is God our security? To live generously means that we see things from God's perspective.

A Pastor's Appreciation from an Appreciative Pastor - A Tribute to Rev. Ed Zeiders

When I was in the ninth grade. a new pastor was introduced to my home church in Stewartstown, PA. Thirty-six years have gone by and I can still remember his first sermon. It had something to do with a scarecrow.

Scarecrows are meant to keep unwanted creatures out of the garden. Pastor Ed had the opposite mission. He was always inviting us to come into the garden and to get our hands dirty by using our gifts in ministry and service.

"I'll never forget his words to me that day."

When I was in the ninth or tenth grade, he came up to me during a church meeting and said, "God might be calling you to become a pastor someday." What did he see in me to say something like that? I'll never forget his words to me that day. Even though I had dismissed them, they echoed in my mind from time to time.

During my junior year at Temple University in Philadelphia, I finally sensed God's calling for me to enter the pastoral ministry. When I came home during a semester break, I made an appointment to tell Pastor Ed that I had finally said, yes to God's calling. He was holding some papers in his hands at the time and when I told him, he threw them into the air like confetti at a parade and said, "Alright! It's about time!"

He immediately told me about the thirteen United Methodist seminaries and that I should probably go to United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio since that was where he had received his Master of Divinity degree. Little did we know at the time that several years later, he would become president of that same seminary!

After graduating from college the following year, Penny and I were married by Pastor Ed. He provided us with pre-marital counseling to help us prepare for our new covenant together. From there, we packed our Ford Escort and headed west to Dayton, Ohio.

Since Ed and his wife, Joan would later return to Ohio to become the President of the seminary, I had the privilege of hosting Ed for a Holy Week spiritual renewal at a church I was serving at the time. It was a wonderful week with him!

When he accepted an appointment to serve St. Paul's UMC in State College, PA, I stopped by to visit and reminisce with him one summer. He graciously showed me around the church and took me out to lunch.

"Through our baptism, God calls each one of us to use our gifts and bless others."

Under Ed's pastoral leadership  the Stewartstown UMC, several people in the congregation ended up responding to God's calling to enter pastoral ministry. I believe this was due to Ed's uncanny ability to encourage us to listen to God's voice and calling in our lives. It's not always a calling to pastoral ministry. Through our baptism, God calls each one of us to use our gifts and bless others.

Ed has now retired from pastoral ministry and resides in Stewartstown, PA where he is active in the church and sings in the choir. And yes, this is the same church where a ninth grader heard him preach a sermon about a scarecrow thirty-six years ago.

Happy pastor's appreciation month and thanks for being my pastor, Rev. Ed Zeiders!

Dave's Deep Thoughts - Begin & End with a Bang!

Here's Pastor Dave McDowell's weekly devotional that he sends out to members of his church. Dave is my brother and serves as the Music Minister at Stewartstown UMC in PA.

Some like to begin with a bang.

Personally, I prefer to end with a bang.

Just check to see if it is legal in your local municipality.

I love officiating weddings.

It is one of my favorite things to do as a pastor,

especially if I have a close relationship to the families involved.

There is quite a checklist for all the details of a wedding…..

premarital counseling, planning the service,

preparing a message for the couple,

making sure the building is ready to receive all the guests,

setting off illegal fireworks……..

It was a May wedding

that involved a family with whom I am close friends.

The wedding was to be in the sanctuary,

but the reception was to be held at a pastoral setting in the country

overlooking a pond.

Fine farm folk.

In a covert meeting to plan the reception,

it was decided that a surprise fireworks show at dusk over the pond

would be a great touch to the reception.

The cousins were to be in charge of the unauthorized fireworks display.

This involved the purchase of out-of-state fireworks

that would be transported across state lines.

As the resident pastor,

I volunteered to only pray for this operation,

as I felt it would be difficult to officiate a wedding from behind bars.

Three days before the wedding,

a trial run at dusk was planned to perfect the black market operation.

Of the 4 cousins in charge, only three showed up.

Unfortunately, the absentee was the commander in chief.

Having served in the military, he was the obvious choice to

lead the civilian forces in illegal wedding reception fireworks maneuvers.

His absence necessitated a change in the pecking order.

Originally, I was designated as the assistant to the assistant inventory manager.

But the absence of the commander in chief

forced my promotion to assistant to the assistant of  ignitions.

I gasped as I realized the consequences of this fallout.

I would now be touching the fireworks.

As a pianist who values having all ten fingers,

I absorbed the reality of such a risk.

I resigned that sometimes being a pastor just puts you in the line of fire.

The wedding day arrived, a gorgeous spring day.

The wedding service went flawlessly.

The reception ensued.

There was great merriment among all the guests

as food, drink, and dance celebrated the newlyweds.

As dusk approached,

I did what any self-respecting pastor would do…..

I went home and changed into my all black combat fatigues.

When I arrived at the launch pad,

I was immediately spotted by several folks in the reception.

Evidently wearing all black at a wedding draws MORE attention

than not wearing all black.

It was then that I realized the folly of my planning.

If it had been fireworks at a funeral,

I would have easily blended into the crowd.

I made a mental note for future illegal fireworks events

The three responsible cousins were all present and accounted for.

Lacking the cousin who actually knew how to set off fireworks,

we scrambled to plan our assault upon the reception.

I found that this is made more difficult when it is nighttime

you can’t see anything, and you realize you should have brought a flashlight.

Just as we were ready to launch the visual assault upon the reception,

the former commander in chief approached……

shirtless and smoking a large stogie.

The General Patton cousin had arrived.

As a humble assistant to the assistant of ignitions,

I questioned the wisdom of having a lit cigar while lighting fireworks,

but since I didn’t take that class in seminary, I remained quiet.

General Patton was not pleased that in his absence

he had been demoted to assistant to the assistant inventory manager.

He quickly usurped his role as commander in chief

and called for ignition.

I have never been in a foxhole,

and after this wedding I know I never want to be.

Under pressure, I confessed that I did not know what I was doing.

This was likely not a shock to any of the cousins.

I was then given one piece of advice…..

when you light the mortar, run away as quickly as you can.

In moments, the sky was consumed with parachutes, flying spinners,

roman candles, firecrackers, and go getters.

The bride and groom, surrounded by friends and family oooed and awwwed

as the sky lit up illegally announcing their marriage.

General Patton barked out orders,

I, the assistant to the assistant of  ignitions manager, simply ignited and ran.

Sometimes you begin your journey with a bang,

but how much better it is to end it with a bang.

For each couple that I marry,

I pray that their love will be the richest in their last days, not their first days.

For those I encounter who are new and young in the faith,

I pray that through the years

they will dig a deep spiritual well from which to draw.

For those who are lost and wandering through life,

I pray that they find the One who is the answer to all of life’s questions.

That is what life is for,

to discover who we are in Christ,

and to live out the purposes that He has for us.

Colossians1:16b puts it this way….

“Everything got started in Him

and finds its purpose in Him”

                                  (The Message version)

It’s great to start with a bang,

but how much better it is to end with a bang.

Make sure you are headed for a big bang.

And don’t forget during the journey

to grab some cake along the way,

even if you are in black fatigues.

Upcoming Sunday Scripture Commentary - October 12

October 12 Sermon - "Living Generously: Ladles & Spoons"

II Corinthians 8:8-15
The Apostle Paul is encouraging the Corinthian Church to fulfill a financial commitment they had made to help out the church in Jerusalem as they were experiencing a severe famine.

The church was to set aside money each Sunday so that a fund would be gradually built up to offer this church. Since the Corinthian Church and Paul had past disagreements, the Corinthian Church had not been continuing to collect this offering. Paul is encouraging them to complete what they had started.

Verse 9 - Paul refers to incarnational theology (God becoming a person in Jesus Christ) to remind the Corinthians that our faith is meant to be lived out in the practical everyday needs of life like offering gifts to help out another congregation in desperate need. This verse also reminds us of Philippians 2:6-11 which is another incarnational passage. Paul wants the church to be like Jesus and give generously to be a blessing to others.

Paul is reminding us that as we die to ourselves and offer our gifts to others, we are living out the gospel and unleashing God's grace to the world just as Jesus has done through his death and resurrection.

Luke 8:40-48

As we read this passage, it might be helpful to note that Luke who wrote it was a physician (Colossians 4:14) Notice verse 43 where he goes into detail about a person's medical situation. Luke most likely treated people like this.

Notice the creative combines this story of the woman with a medical problem for 12 years with the story of the 12 year old girl.  This is a literary device that connects the two stories.

In the first century, you were not to touch certain people at the risk of getting their disease. In this scripture, Jesus breaks this expected ritual twice by touching both of them!  Notice that in Luke's gospel, he emphasizes the importance of how God is breaking down barriers between men and women.

Jesus was willing to take a risk and offer generosity toward these "unclean" people. Are we willing to be like Jesus, get our hands dirty, and participate in the in-breaking kingdom of God?


[Note: The resources used for these scripture reading commentaries are based on the Everyone series by NT Wright, Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, The Wesley Study Bible, and the “Montreal-Anglican”lectionary commentaries.]