"Anxiety: Get Over It" Sermon for January 4, 2009
There are two basic aspects of life that make us anxious. It doesn't take much living to know that it happens to us; it happens to all of us.
1. There are things that happen to us that take us by surprise and it is difficult to know what to do with them when they happen. Unfortunate things happen. Accidents happen. Misunderstandings happen. Mistakes are made. Sometimes life is just basically unfair and we don't know what to do with what happens.
2. Compounding that is the realization that some of the things that happen have a cause and a reason. We are the victims of our own bad decisions. We are responsible for our misfortune. Maybe we didn't see it coming but when it came we used bad judgment. We can learn from this.
Sometimes things happen to us for no apparent reason at all. We don't understand why it happens; or how to deal with it now that it has happened.
What do we do with the things that happen when we don't have a good answer to the question "Why?"
I have come up with a basic truth and I think it is universally true.
We must never run from life. We must always face up to the things that happen. We have to say "yes" to life and the only way to say "yes" to life is to find the courage to stand up to life when it comes to us in ways we didn't expect and in ways we don't understand.
I think of David facing Goliath; we all have a shot at Goliath.
I think of Mary and Joseph facing their unknown future.
I think of Jesus walking into Jerusalem.
I think of all kinds of people who have learned that they must not run away but must stand up to the problems and to the unexpected.
What is the most difficult thing you have had to face? How did you face it? Did you want to run from it?
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
By the way, Happy New Year!
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Monday's thoughts
Sermon for Sunday, January 4th 2009
"Anxiety; Get Over It"
I wanted to have us begin the year looking at the kinds of things that cause us problems internally. I wanted to have us consider what makes us anxious.
The economy makes us anxious; and the potential loss of our jobs and loss of income. For some it isn't a threat it is a present reality. How do we deal with the unknown future?
Interpersonal relationships make us anxious. Why can't people just get along? Why can't people stand face to face and see eye to eye?
For some of us it is our health. There are medical issues that are unresolved and the signs are not good for a positive resolution.
For some of us life itself makes us anxious. Just being is a problem. Paul Tillich was one theologian who believed there was an existential anxiety. It comes from just being alive and the way to face it is to lean into it.
I tend to think Tillich is right about that. The best way to face our anxiety is to face it straight and deal with it directly.
Jesus said, "Do not be anxious about tomorrow."
How do we avoid anxiety? How do we face the future with confidence and hope?
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
"Anxiety; Get Over It"
I wanted to have us begin the year looking at the kinds of things that cause us problems internally. I wanted to have us consider what makes us anxious.
The economy makes us anxious; and the potential loss of our jobs and loss of income. For some it isn't a threat it is a present reality. How do we deal with the unknown future?
Interpersonal relationships make us anxious. Why can't people just get along? Why can't people stand face to face and see eye to eye?
For some of us it is our health. There are medical issues that are unresolved and the signs are not good for a positive resolution.
For some of us life itself makes us anxious. Just being is a problem. Paul Tillich was one theologian who believed there was an existential anxiety. It comes from just being alive and the way to face it is to lean into it.
I tend to think Tillich is right about that. The best way to face our anxiety is to face it straight and deal with it directly.
Jesus said, "Do not be anxious about tomorrow."
How do we avoid anxiety? How do we face the future with confidence and hope?
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Christmas Eve Thoughts
"An Email from Emmanuel"
On Christmas Eve I have responsibility for preaching at the 5 and 7 o'clock worship hours. Our adult choir will be singing and our bell choir will be playing. I should be a service full of beautiful music. At the end of the service we will turn off all our lights, light our candles, and sing "Silent Night". In the middle of the service we will be asked to ring our bells. If you have a bell bring it to the service.
The sermon is going off in two directions. I plan to look at two different aspects of the Christmas theme.
1. Why did we come? We came to see the Christ Child.
The implications of that fact are huge. It is symbolic of the fact that we, as human beings, seek new life and hope and a future. Coming to see the child is an activity we find ourselves doing frequently. Children are interesting to us. We travel great distances to see our first grandchild. We are intrigued with children. Christmas is a time to acknowledge the meaning of the search for the child.
2. Like the Magi we discover ourselves going home a different way. We may actually travel the same path but it will be different to us. Christmas will make us see things in a new way. We will leave on Sunday seeing things anew. We will go back home a new way and we will be new people as we return. We will be renewed if Christmas has the power is has the potential to possess.
I want us to think about why we have come and how we will return on Christmas Eve.
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Merry Christmas.
Charles Schuster
The services on Christmas Eve:
3:00 Children and family service. Joel Kershaw preaching and his sermon title, "Angels We Have Heard On High"
5:00 and 7:00
11:00 Music by the Bellacordia String Quartet
On Christmas Eve I have responsibility for preaching at the 5 and 7 o'clock worship hours. Our adult choir will be singing and our bell choir will be playing. I should be a service full of beautiful music. At the end of the service we will turn off all our lights, light our candles, and sing "Silent Night". In the middle of the service we will be asked to ring our bells. If you have a bell bring it to the service.
The sermon is going off in two directions. I plan to look at two different aspects of the Christmas theme.
1. Why did we come? We came to see the Christ Child.
The implications of that fact are huge. It is symbolic of the fact that we, as human beings, seek new life and hope and a future. Coming to see the child is an activity we find ourselves doing frequently. Children are interesting to us. We travel great distances to see our first grandchild. We are intrigued with children. Christmas is a time to acknowledge the meaning of the search for the child.
2. Like the Magi we discover ourselves going home a different way. We may actually travel the same path but it will be different to us. Christmas will make us see things in a new way. We will leave on Sunday seeing things anew. We will go back home a new way and we will be new people as we return. We will be renewed if Christmas has the power is has the potential to possess.
I want us to think about why we have come and how we will return on Christmas Eve.
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Merry Christmas.
Charles Schuster
The services on Christmas Eve:
3:00 Children and family service. Joel Kershaw preaching and his sermon title, "Angels We Have Heard On High"
5:00 and 7:00
11:00 Music by the Bellacordia String Quartet
Friday, December 19, 2008
Friday's thoughts
"What Color is a White Christmas?"
There are two parts to the meaning of Christmas and both are important. The first is the human part of Christmas. That involves all the stories and myths we create; all the extravagance we engage to try to make the season joyous. It involves the lights we put up and the Santa Claus and the parties and presents and shopping and opening presents. That part is an effort on our part to face the darkness with the light of joy and hope.
The second part of the meaning of Christmas is the God part. It's not about white/light it's about the Glow of God and the warmth that the deep meaning of the Christmas brings. It is subtle and quiet. It is slow and it is a glow. It brings us to the point where we realize we are part of something more important than words can say; more dramatic than the colors can convey.
There are two parts of Christmas;
1. The human part of Christmas -- the bright lights
2. The divine part of Christmas -- the warm glow
I hope you have experienced or will experience both.
Do you have thoughts on this subject?
Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to share your thoughts with others click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
There are two parts to the meaning of Christmas and both are important. The first is the human part of Christmas. That involves all the stories and myths we create; all the extravagance we engage to try to make the season joyous. It involves the lights we put up and the Santa Claus and the parties and presents and shopping and opening presents. That part is an effort on our part to face the darkness with the light of joy and hope.
The second part of the meaning of Christmas is the God part. It's not about white/light it's about the Glow of God and the warmth that the deep meaning of the Christmas brings. It is subtle and quiet. It is slow and it is a glow. It brings us to the point where we realize we are part of something more important than words can say; more dramatic than the colors can convey.
There are two parts of Christmas;
1. The human part of Christmas -- the bright lights
2. The divine part of Christmas -- the warm glow
I hope you have experienced or will experience both.
Do you have thoughts on this subject?
Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to share your thoughts with others click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday's thoughts
"What Color is a White Christmas?"
You can't avoid it if you look around you see it. Lights are on the houses and it appears to be more this year than any other year. On the street where we live the only way you could pick out house out from the others is the fact that there are so many lights on the other houses, our house is dark in comparison.
What's going on here? Why, when we are in a recession, are people willing to be extravagant in the era of Christmas lights?
I think it is wrapped around the whole idea of the romance of a White Christmas. I think the lights are part of our human impulse to fix what is broken. We have a need to brighten up the dark areas in the world with the light of the world.
We have a need to shed light on the problems and to help make things better.
If it's broken relationships we want to repair them and we make our homes as inviting as possible.
If it's a broken economy we want to brighten up the neighborhood so that the spirits of the people who travel through them can see that things that are broken can be fixed.
What drove the shepherds and the magi to the manger to see the Christ Child if not a human hope that this child could make things better?
How have you decorated your home and, when you think about it, what is your motivation to do it? If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others see your responses click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
You can't avoid it if you look around you see it. Lights are on the houses and it appears to be more this year than any other year. On the street where we live the only way you could pick out house out from the others is the fact that there are so many lights on the other houses, our house is dark in comparison.
What's going on here? Why, when we are in a recession, are people willing to be extravagant in the era of Christmas lights?
I think it is wrapped around the whole idea of the romance of a White Christmas. I think the lights are part of our human impulse to fix what is broken. We have a need to brighten up the dark areas in the world with the light of the world.
We have a need to shed light on the problems and to help make things better.
If it's broken relationships we want to repair them and we make our homes as inviting as possible.
If it's a broken economy we want to brighten up the neighborhood so that the spirits of the people who travel through them can see that things that are broken can be fixed.
What drove the shepherds and the magi to the manger to see the Christ Child if not a human hope that this child could make things better?
How have you decorated your home and, when you think about it, what is your motivation to do it? If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others see your responses click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Monday's thoughts
"What Color is a White Christmas?"
Talk about picking the right theme for the wrong Sunday; this is an example of it.
It's Sunday morning, December 14Th, and it's snowing like hard and we have cancelled the van that picks up Retirement Home residents for church and we have cancelled the bus trip to see the lights. It is a "white out" and if this were Christmas Eve we would have the potential of a "White Christmas".
The sermon I have in mind to preach next Sunday deals with the idealistic expectations that Christmas puts upon us. I intend to explore the positive and negative aspects of that Christmas factor.
There is something wonderful in the expectations that build toward Christmas day. The idea of a "White Christmas" is appealing and exciting. We all remember when there was a big snow at Christmas a few years ago. It was the year Christmas Eve was Sunday and we had our services in the morning and our Candle lighting services in the evening. There was a spirit of fun that day as people gathered. Somehow we didn't mind the cold and the snow. There is a kind of romantic aspect of Christmas that seems to be evidenced in our wish that there be snow on Christmas.
But the high expectations of Christmas also lead to its downfall. The romanticism gives was to the realism of Christmas and to the understanding that, whatever it was, it will end, and life will pretty much get back to what it was with very little change.
People build their expectations and then are down caste when Christmas doesn't live up.
I want to do a sermon on Christmas expectations.
What are your expectations for Christmas?
How has Christmas let you down in the past?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to have others read your response click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Talk about picking the right theme for the wrong Sunday; this is an example of it.
It's Sunday morning, December 14Th, and it's snowing like hard and we have cancelled the van that picks up Retirement Home residents for church and we have cancelled the bus trip to see the lights. It is a "white out" and if this were Christmas Eve we would have the potential of a "White Christmas".
The sermon I have in mind to preach next Sunday deals with the idealistic expectations that Christmas puts upon us. I intend to explore the positive and negative aspects of that Christmas factor.
There is something wonderful in the expectations that build toward Christmas day. The idea of a "White Christmas" is appealing and exciting. We all remember when there was a big snow at Christmas a few years ago. It was the year Christmas Eve was Sunday and we had our services in the morning and our Candle lighting services in the evening. There was a spirit of fun that day as people gathered. Somehow we didn't mind the cold and the snow. There is a kind of romantic aspect of Christmas that seems to be evidenced in our wish that there be snow on Christmas.
But the high expectations of Christmas also lead to its downfall. The romanticism gives was to the realism of Christmas and to the understanding that, whatever it was, it will end, and life will pretty much get back to what it was with very little change.
People build their expectations and then are down caste when Christmas doesn't live up.
I want to do a sermon on Christmas expectations.
What are your expectations for Christmas?
How has Christmas let you down in the past?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to have others read your response click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Friday, December 12, 2008
Friday's thoughts
Sunday at 9:15 and 10:45 the adult choir is singing the "Gloria" by John Rutter. My short sermon will be designed to lead into that wonderful piece of music. At 8 and 11:30 we will not have the adult choir singing and I have written two sermons for Sunday morning.
One of the sermons exposes the peculiarities of each of the sections of an adult choir (especially ours), and the other sermon is directed to the struggle for meaning through the illness and death of a child as grief yields to glory.
I have done some research on John Rutter. He was born in 1945 and is still living. He was an only child for the first 10 years of his life. He is ten years older than his sister.
His father was a scientist and his grandfather was an engineer. I haven't read much about his mother except that she introduced him to the piano which was in their home in England. He had little formal training on the piano and mainly picked out melodies by himself. Thus, he learned to play for the ear and not follow the dictates of a highly structured technique.
He struggled the talent he had to compose music and his need to direct it. I think he found the need to do both.
I have listened to our choir practicing the "Gloria". It is lively, and powerful and I hope to be able to do something in a sermon that will add meaning to their work so that it is an appropriate compliment.
If you have thoughts about the church, the economy, Rutter's music, or anything else write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your response click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
One of the sermons exposes the peculiarities of each of the sections of an adult choir (especially ours), and the other sermon is directed to the struggle for meaning through the illness and death of a child as grief yields to glory.
I have done some research on John Rutter. He was born in 1945 and is still living. He was an only child for the first 10 years of his life. He is ten years older than his sister.
His father was a scientist and his grandfather was an engineer. I haven't read much about his mother except that she introduced him to the piano which was in their home in England. He had little formal training on the piano and mainly picked out melodies by himself. Thus, he learned to play for the ear and not follow the dictates of a highly structured technique.
He struggled the talent he had to compose music and his need to direct it. I think he found the need to do both.
I have listened to our choir practicing the "Gloria". It is lively, and powerful and I hope to be able to do something in a sermon that will add meaning to their work so that it is an appropriate compliment.
If you have thoughts about the church, the economy, Rutter's music, or anything else write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your response click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Wednesday's thoughts
"Gloria's God"
Short sermons are more difficult than long ones to write. Probably the reverse is true in terms of which are easiest for the hearer, but for the writer and preacher a short sermon is hard.
I am writing a short sermon this week. That means it will be 13 minutes rather than the usual 20. The candle we light Sunday is the Candle of Joy. The choir will sing John Rutter's "Gloria".
I am picking up on two themes that, I hope, will bring together the beauty and meaning of the music and the significance of the Advent season.
Our choir, and we, ourselves, seek to find ways to give God glory, but how do we do that? What does it mean to glorify God in a world like this? Is this an activity that is alien to the way we live our lives or the work we do or the way we do it?
Is giving God glory more than just living right or doing the right thing?
I think it begins with ethics but it moves beyond that. It move from ethics to aesthetics. It moves from lifestyle to art. We give glory to God when we learn to make our lives "a statement" of what we believe and who we are. We give God glory when what we do and how we do it evolves into style and class, and that becomes something we don't have to think about; we just do it. It comes so naturally that we cannot help ourselves and it becomes a part of our identity.
There are several manifestations of giving glory to God.
1. It looks beyond ourselves
2. It sees beyond our furthest vision
3. It reaches beyond our immediate concern
4. It defines us as human but puts us in touch with the eternal.
5. It is never overt but always subtle. It is never done for show but always a natural expression of faith.
Advent is a time to hear the angels sing and to figure a way to give God glory. It isn't just a religious activity; it's more than that.
What does it mean to you to give God glory? If that isn't the way you would say it (and frankly, it isn't the way I talk) what alternative description might be used. If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your response click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Short sermons are more difficult than long ones to write. Probably the reverse is true in terms of which are easiest for the hearer, but for the writer and preacher a short sermon is hard.
I am writing a short sermon this week. That means it will be 13 minutes rather than the usual 20. The candle we light Sunday is the Candle of Joy. The choir will sing John Rutter's "Gloria".
I am picking up on two themes that, I hope, will bring together the beauty and meaning of the music and the significance of the Advent season.
Our choir, and we, ourselves, seek to find ways to give God glory, but how do we do that? What does it mean to glorify God in a world like this? Is this an activity that is alien to the way we live our lives or the work we do or the way we do it?
Is giving God glory more than just living right or doing the right thing?
I think it begins with ethics but it moves beyond that. It move from ethics to aesthetics. It moves from lifestyle to art. We give glory to God when we learn to make our lives "a statement" of what we believe and who we are. We give God glory when what we do and how we do it evolves into style and class, and that becomes something we don't have to think about; we just do it. It comes so naturally that we cannot help ourselves and it becomes a part of our identity.
There are several manifestations of giving glory to God.
1. It looks beyond ourselves
2. It sees beyond our furthest vision
3. It reaches beyond our immediate concern
4. It defines us as human but puts us in touch with the eternal.
5. It is never overt but always subtle. It is never done for show but always a natural expression of faith.
Advent is a time to hear the angels sing and to figure a way to give God glory. It isn't just a religious activity; it's more than that.
What does it mean to you to give God glory? If that isn't the way you would say it (and frankly, it isn't the way I talk) what alternative description might be used. If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your response click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Monday's thoughts
"Gloria's God"
Sunday the adult choir will sing Rutter's Gloria. It takes 17 minutes and that gives me about 12 minutes to share a message with you for the third Sunday of Advent.
The third Sunday the Advent Candle that we light is pink and the theme is joy. What better way to express our joy than with an expression that includes "glory to God"!
For now, what I'm thinking I want to do with my time is to take a look at each of the sections in the adult choir and to consider what they bring and which character in the Christmas story they each represent. As a choir requires all the voices to bring the harmony, so, with the Christmas story, it takes all the characters to get the truth conveyed.
The Christmas story is one that is filled with villains and heroes and there is question as to which is which. For example, is the Inn Keeper a hero or a villain? He did provide a place for Mary and Joseph but it was in the back of the Inn in the stable. Was Herod a villain? Were the Magi, in their strangeness, aware of the importance of the birth of the Christ Child?
Did Mary and Joseph realize what was happening to them and through them.
Where are we in the Christmas story? What would our script say? Would we play the part of the angels or the shepherds?
Each of us will want to find our place in the drama. Are we sopranos, altos, bass, tenors?
Where do we find ourselves?
Are we in the play at all?
If not, it's not too late?
Do you have thoughts on this subject? If so write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Sunday the adult choir will sing Rutter's Gloria. It takes 17 minutes and that gives me about 12 minutes to share a message with you for the third Sunday of Advent.
The third Sunday the Advent Candle that we light is pink and the theme is joy. What better way to express our joy than with an expression that includes "glory to God"!
For now, what I'm thinking I want to do with my time is to take a look at each of the sections in the adult choir and to consider what they bring and which character in the Christmas story they each represent. As a choir requires all the voices to bring the harmony, so, with the Christmas story, it takes all the characters to get the truth conveyed.
The Christmas story is one that is filled with villains and heroes and there is question as to which is which. For example, is the Inn Keeper a hero or a villain? He did provide a place for Mary and Joseph but it was in the back of the Inn in the stable. Was Herod a villain? Were the Magi, in their strangeness, aware of the importance of the birth of the Christ Child?
Did Mary and Joseph realize what was happening to them and through them.
Where are we in the Christmas story? What would our script say? Would we play the part of the angels or the shepherds?
Each of us will want to find our place in the drama. Are we sopranos, altos, bass, tenors?
Where do we find ourselves?
Are we in the play at all?
If not, it's not too late?
Do you have thoughts on this subject? If so write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Friday's thoughts (On Saturday)
All week I have tried to come to terms with the problem of history and text. I find very few scholars who can verify some of the facts as presented by Luke in the story. The census is a problem. Having Mary and Joseph have to make the trip to Bethlehem is a problem. If a trip had to be made the idea that a pregnant woman would be required to come is a problem. That is just the beginning of the various problems posed by the Christmas story.
I have determined that Luke is using some historical events transposed into the time of the birth of Jesus to convey to us the conditions in which this birth happened. That it didn't happen exactly as suggested does not deflect the general point that is being made; points that are being made.
Luke is telling us three things:
1. Jesus' birth was surrounded by chaos. There was much in those days that was not the way it was supposed to be.
2. Jesus' birth was punctuated by signs that were above and beyond what most people knew and the 'God element' of the story was the realization of the cosmos of the story; or the way it was supposed to be.
3. The implication of the story of Jesus' birth and the implication of Jesus' life and teaching is this; when cosmos confronts chaos, there is the potential of catharsis. The pointing to catharsis happened at the table and we celebrate communion every month, but, in a more dramatic way, it is evident in the prayer Jesus prayed when he said, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
That part of the Lord's Prayer is not just a bit of Christian spirituality it is the imperative that calls us to our mission. Our job as Christians is to take things that are not as they should be and make them what they must become.
How do we do it? What does it mean?
It is central to our faith and our mission. If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others see and respond to you as well click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
I have determined that Luke is using some historical events transposed into the time of the birth of Jesus to convey to us the conditions in which this birth happened. That it didn't happen exactly as suggested does not deflect the general point that is being made; points that are being made.
Luke is telling us three things:
1. Jesus' birth was surrounded by chaos. There was much in those days that was not the way it was supposed to be.
2. Jesus' birth was punctuated by signs that were above and beyond what most people knew and the 'God element' of the story was the realization of the cosmos of the story; or the way it was supposed to be.
3. The implication of the story of Jesus' birth and the implication of Jesus' life and teaching is this; when cosmos confronts chaos, there is the potential of catharsis. The pointing to catharsis happened at the table and we celebrate communion every month, but, in a more dramatic way, it is evident in the prayer Jesus prayed when he said, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
That part of the Lord's Prayer is not just a bit of Christian spirituality it is the imperative that calls us to our mission. Our job as Christians is to take things that are not as they should be and make them what they must become.
How do we do it? What does it mean?
It is central to our faith and our mission. If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others see and respond to you as well click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Wednesday's thoughts
"Why Did Joseph Have to Take a Number?"
It seems clear to me that we have a historical problem but we have a theological solution. Most scholars do not accept the idea that a census happened the way Luke 2 suggests it happened.
Raymond Brown, in his book, Introduction to the New Testament, writes:
"The setting for the birth of Jesus is supplied by the decree of Caesar Augustus for a census of the whole world, the first enrollment when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Historically this description is fraught with problems: There never was a census of the whole Empire under Augustus (but a number of local census), and the census of Judea (not of Galilee) under Quirinius, the governor of Syria, took place in AD 6-7, probably at least ten years too late for the birth of Jesus. The best explanation is that, although Luke likes to set his Christian drama in the context of well-known events from antiquity, sometimes he does so inaccurately. Theologically, by associating Jesus' birth with the decree of Augustus, Luke is introducing a divine plan that will culminate when Paul proclaims the Gospel in Rome (Acts 28). The events Luke will describe actually took place in a small town in Palestine, but by calling them Bethlehem the city of David and setting them in a Roman census, Luke symbolizes the importance of those events for the royal heritage of Israel and ultimately for the world Empire. The announcement of angels, "To you this day is born in the city of David a Savior who is Messiah and Lord" (Luke 2:11), is imitative of an imperial proclamation. If Augustus is portrayed in inscriptions as a great savior and benefactor, Luke is portraying Jesus as even a greater one. This is an event on the cosmic stage, as the angelic multitude underlines by affirming glory to God in heaven and peace on earth."
There is a cosmic quality to the story and that is more important than the historical accuracy. There is a God quality to the story. Christmas is a heavenly event more than it is historical. It is a theological event and not a documental circumstance.
As strange as this seems to us we, too, live on this level from time to time. It is the area of intuition, of meditative introspection. It is a higher kind of logic than we usually employ. It is the logic of the heart.
Part of the reason Christmas has such appeal to us is the Cosmic Christmas; and what can be seen above and beyond the earth. Christmas is a heaven thing.
I expect we all look at Christmas this way. There are aspects of our experience that defy logic; elements of the story that transcend our understanding. Andrew Greeley wrote, 'Christmas is the surprise of light coming back, Easter the surprise of spring returning. Our faith is the ability to be open to surprises."
What do you think the surprises will be this year? How does the cosmic Christmas speak to you?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to let others read and respond to your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
It seems clear to me that we have a historical problem but we have a theological solution. Most scholars do not accept the idea that a census happened the way Luke 2 suggests it happened.
Raymond Brown, in his book, Introduction to the New Testament, writes:
"The setting for the birth of Jesus is supplied by the decree of Caesar Augustus for a census of the whole world, the first enrollment when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Historically this description is fraught with problems: There never was a census of the whole Empire under Augustus (but a number of local census), and the census of Judea (not of Galilee) under Quirinius, the governor of Syria, took place in AD 6-7, probably at least ten years too late for the birth of Jesus. The best explanation is that, although Luke likes to set his Christian drama in the context of well-known events from antiquity, sometimes he does so inaccurately. Theologically, by associating Jesus' birth with the decree of Augustus, Luke is introducing a divine plan that will culminate when Paul proclaims the Gospel in Rome (Acts 28). The events Luke will describe actually took place in a small town in Palestine, but by calling them Bethlehem the city of David and setting them in a Roman census, Luke symbolizes the importance of those events for the royal heritage of Israel and ultimately for the world Empire. The announcement of angels, "To you this day is born in the city of David a Savior who is Messiah and Lord" (Luke 2:11), is imitative of an imperial proclamation. If Augustus is portrayed in inscriptions as a great savior and benefactor, Luke is portraying Jesus as even a greater one. This is an event on the cosmic stage, as the angelic multitude underlines by affirming glory to God in heaven and peace on earth."
There is a cosmic quality to the story and that is more important than the historical accuracy. There is a God quality to the story. Christmas is a heavenly event more than it is historical. It is a theological event and not a documental circumstance.
As strange as this seems to us we, too, live on this level from time to time. It is the area of intuition, of meditative introspection. It is a higher kind of logic than we usually employ. It is the logic of the heart.
Part of the reason Christmas has such appeal to us is the Cosmic Christmas; and what can be seen above and beyond the earth. Christmas is a heaven thing.
I expect we all look at Christmas this way. There are aspects of our experience that defy logic; elements of the story that transcend our understanding. Andrew Greeley wrote, 'Christmas is the surprise of light coming back, Easter the surprise of spring returning. Our faith is the ability to be open to surprises."
What do you think the surprises will be this year? How does the cosmic Christmas speak to you?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to let others read and respond to your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Monday's thoughts
"Why Did Joseph Have To Take a Number?"
I don't like to stand in line. It's assumed that is a universal feeling. I have always wondered what was going on in Bethlehem that Joseph would have to come to register. Why would that have been necessary? What was going on in the country at the time?
Some scholars scoff at the idea that there was a census. Some scholars make the assumption that it was all fiction. Truth is, it is hard to document, historically, that there would have been such a thing at that time. Maybe there was some kind of registration that was required. Maybe there was some aggravating event that led to this unfortunate trip to Bethlehem.
Some scholars suggest that Jesus wasn't really born in Bethlehem. They say it was fiction. It was told symbolically so that it could be said that Jesus came from the same city as David. I have never resolved some of this to my satisfaction and I intend to explore it during the week.
The relevance to our lives is evident. There are times of inconvenience and some of those times are the most trying and the most productive.
Christmas season and Advent is full of registrations and census and consensus and going places we would rather not be and doing things we're not sure we have the time to accomplish.
What is the Bethlehem in your life?
How do we comply without becoming comatose?
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your responses click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
I don't like to stand in line. It's assumed that is a universal feeling. I have always wondered what was going on in Bethlehem that Joseph would have to come to register. Why would that have been necessary? What was going on in the country at the time?
Some scholars scoff at the idea that there was a census. Some scholars make the assumption that it was all fiction. Truth is, it is hard to document, historically, that there would have been such a thing at that time. Maybe there was some kind of registration that was required. Maybe there was some aggravating event that led to this unfortunate trip to Bethlehem.
Some scholars suggest that Jesus wasn't really born in Bethlehem. They say it was fiction. It was told symbolically so that it could be said that Jesus came from the same city as David. I have never resolved some of this to my satisfaction and I intend to explore it during the week.
The relevance to our lives is evident. There are times of inconvenience and some of those times are the most trying and the most productive.
Christmas season and Advent is full of registrations and census and consensus and going places we would rather not be and doing things we're not sure we have the time to accomplish.
What is the Bethlehem in your life?
How do we comply without becoming comatose?
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your responses click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Friday, November 28, 2008
Friday's thoughts
What would cause a person to be silenced? What might be the reason someone would stop talking and take everything into themselves?
What evokes silence in our lives?
What makes us take stock of ourselves; take inventory of where we are and what we are doing with our time on earth?
Three things come to mind. Are they universally true or is it something particular or peculiar to me?
Zechariah, John's father came to realize that the son he and Elizabeth were going to have was one who prepared the way for the Messiah.
What, in our lives makes us realize we are preparing the way for something important? Three things:
1. When we realize we are preparing the way by giving from the heart. No gift is small when it is given from the heart.
2. When we realize we are preparing the way by living from the heart. No loss is a loss when we are living from the heart and doing the right thing no matter what the consequences.
3. When we realize we are preparing the way by loving beyond our life. Death has no victory when we realize we have participated in the love that death cannot squelch.
In the sermon Sunday we are going to consider what it means to live our lives in a manner that "prepares the way" for something beyond us. The primary way to enable Christmas to come; the Christ Child to be born in us; is to make straight the way; to see ourselves are going before that which is coming after us.
It's all about hope. It's all about seeing what isn't there yet, and bringing about what is yet to be.
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to have other read your thoughts click on the box below. In either case I will receive your email and I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
What evokes silence in our lives?
What makes us take stock of ourselves; take inventory of where we are and what we are doing with our time on earth?
Three things come to mind. Are they universally true or is it something particular or peculiar to me?
Zechariah, John's father came to realize that the son he and Elizabeth were going to have was one who prepared the way for the Messiah.
What, in our lives makes us realize we are preparing the way for something important? Three things:
1. When we realize we are preparing the way by giving from the heart. No gift is small when it is given from the heart.
2. When we realize we are preparing the way by living from the heart. No loss is a loss when we are living from the heart and doing the right thing no matter what the consequences.
3. When we realize we are preparing the way by loving beyond our life. Death has no victory when we realize we have participated in the love that death cannot squelch.
In the sermon Sunday we are going to consider what it means to live our lives in a manner that "prepares the way" for something beyond us. The primary way to enable Christmas to come; the Christ Child to be born in us; is to make straight the way; to see ourselves are going before that which is coming after us.
It's all about hope. It's all about seeing what isn't there yet, and bringing about what is yet to be.
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to have other read your thoughts click on the box below. In either case I will receive your email and I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Wednesday's thoughts
"What Zechariah Said When He Didn't Speak"
The father of John the Baptist was a priest. He was given the responsibility to conduct worship. This is what Biblical scholar Martin Noth has to say:
"
the father of John the Baptist was a righteous priest of the division of Abijah. At one time, when this division assembled for duty in the temple, the lot fell to him to burn incense. While he was performing this service, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and announced that his old supplication for a son would be answered. The son, to be called John, would be filled with the Holy Spirit and would prepare the people for God's rule."
What is interesting about the flow of this text (Luke 1:5-23) is the indication that Zechariah was reduced to silence. He was so taken and shaken by the news that he couldn't speak.
The other thing that is interesting about this text is the supposition that the people who were waiting to come into the sanctuary were held out of the sanctuary until the old priest got himself together.
The invitation to burn the incense and lead in worship would have been a highlight in his life. For a preacher to be reduced to silence; for a worship leader to be so paralyzed that he held up the beginning of worship indicates that something unusually special was happening.
It was the beginning of a new hope. It was the fulfillment of an old promise.
Advent is a time to stand and sit in silence. It is a time to learn to lift up the most important things as most important.
In the sermon I will try to do that.
In following up Dr. Kelly's concern about the importance and the impossibility of a "tithe" I have discovered some interesting research on the subject.
Dr. Kelly is right to suggest that a tithe is really about the people who lived outside Israel and the 10% they were asked to give came in the form of food or livestock.
The Biblical scholar Eissfeldt has this observation concerning "Tithing in Later Judaism"
"In line with the tendency to regard the entire Law as binding, two tithes were required in later times. In accord with the Priestly Code, the tithe for the Levites was collected, and was the chief source of their income. The Mishna stipulated that everything used for food, that was cultivated and grew from the earth, was subject to the tithe. How strictly this could be observed is seen by Jesus' condemnation of the Pharisees for their lack of a sense of proportion with regard to what was important in religious observances. In addition to the tithe for the Levites, a second tithe, which was consumed by the offerer in accord with the provisions of Deuteronomy, was required. The cattle tithe was thought of as a second tithe. the charity tithe, in effect, a third tithe, was also levied annually for the relief of the poor."
Dr. Kelly, who has responded to the 'Build a sermon' has objected to the way the word 'tithe' was applied by our bishop. Kelly is a scholar whose doctoral work has been focused on this very subject, and his observations, which can be found in the "comments" section below, have provoked interesting thoughts.
We can all agree with his basic conclusion that giving should never be arbitrary or forced, but must be freely given and given with a sense of joy and grace.
I thank him for his observations.
What are your thoughts about tithes or the importance of silence? I'd like to hear from you. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to participate in dialogue with others who read this column click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
The father of John the Baptist was a priest. He was given the responsibility to conduct worship. This is what Biblical scholar Martin Noth has to say:
"
the father of John the Baptist was a righteous priest of the division of Abijah. At one time, when this division assembled for duty in the temple, the lot fell to him to burn incense. While he was performing this service, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and announced that his old supplication for a son would be answered. The son, to be called John, would be filled with the Holy Spirit and would prepare the people for God's rule."
What is interesting about the flow of this text (Luke 1:5-23) is the indication that Zechariah was reduced to silence. He was so taken and shaken by the news that he couldn't speak.
The other thing that is interesting about this text is the supposition that the people who were waiting to come into the sanctuary were held out of the sanctuary until the old priest got himself together.
The invitation to burn the incense and lead in worship would have been a highlight in his life. For a preacher to be reduced to silence; for a worship leader to be so paralyzed that he held up the beginning of worship indicates that something unusually special was happening.
It was the beginning of a new hope. It was the fulfillment of an old promise.
Advent is a time to stand and sit in silence. It is a time to learn to lift up the most important things as most important.
In the sermon I will try to do that.
In following up Dr. Kelly's concern about the importance and the impossibility of a "tithe" I have discovered some interesting research on the subject.
Dr. Kelly is right to suggest that a tithe is really about the people who lived outside Israel and the 10% they were asked to give came in the form of food or livestock.
The Biblical scholar Eissfeldt has this observation concerning "Tithing in Later Judaism"
"In line with the tendency to regard the entire Law as binding, two tithes were required in later times. In accord with the Priestly Code, the tithe for the Levites was collected, and was the chief source of their income. The Mishna stipulated that everything used for food, that was cultivated and grew from the earth, was subject to the tithe. How strictly this could be observed is seen by Jesus' condemnation of the Pharisees for their lack of a sense of proportion with regard to what was important in religious observances. In addition to the tithe for the Levites, a second tithe, which was consumed by the offerer in accord with the provisions of Deuteronomy, was required. The cattle tithe was thought of as a second tithe. the charity tithe, in effect, a third tithe, was also levied annually for the relief of the poor."
Dr. Kelly, who has responded to the 'Build a sermon' has objected to the way the word 'tithe' was applied by our bishop. Kelly is a scholar whose doctoral work has been focused on this very subject, and his observations, which can be found in the "comments" section below, have provoked interesting thoughts.
We can all agree with his basic conclusion that giving should never be arbitrary or forced, but must be freely given and given with a sense of joy and grace.
I thank him for his observations.
What are your thoughts about tithes or the importance of silence? I'd like to hear from you. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to participate in dialogue with others who read this column click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Monday's thoughts
"What He Said When He Didn't Speak"
Sermon for November 30th
Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. Sunday begins our four week preparation for Christmas. I have been interested in what happened to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist.
Zechariah was a priest. It was his responsibility to set up the format for worship while the people waited outside the sanctuary. While he was setting up the altar a voice spoke to him, and he was so moved by the voice that he couldn't speak.
Zechariah's preparation for the coming of the Christ Child, the coming of his own child, was silence.
That may be the best response for us this year. Perhaps this is the year that it finally comes to us; the true meaning of Christmas.
I found this quote from a source most of us will recognize:
“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes and bags. And he puzzled ‘till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” --Dr. Seuss
This week Bishop Elaine Stanovsky sent out the following message to us. I think she is on to something important:
Next week Christians enters the season of Advent, a time when we spiritually wait in
darkness for the birth of Jesus. There are times in our lives when we aren’t certain that God
is with us, and like the ancient star-gazers, we look into the night sky for a sign of hope and
of assurance.
Day after day we hear reports of “economic downturn” and “global warming.” These
are frightening words. It’s easy to feel powerless in their wake. What are Christians to do?
How can a prayer group affect global weather patterns? How can one church turn scarcity
into plenty?
Our faith has prepared us for such a time as this. It is our faith that teaches us to
look for the good news when all the news seems bad. It is the bible that tells of people
who, despite being uprooted, defeated and transplanted, irrationally followed God through
faith and hope to an unimaginable and incredible future of hope. In deepest darkness we
are called to live with hope!
INVITATION: extravagant generosity
Set apart a tithe of all the yield of your seed that is brought in yearly
from the field. Deuteronomy 14:22
I heard an economic analyst this week say that it’s time to dig a hole in the back yard
and double bag your money. There is no hope in a hole in the ground.
A different response to hardship is generosity. If you haven’t lost your house or your
job, and if you still have a steady flow of income, you are among the blessed right now. You
have a choice to live in fear or to live in gratitude. Fear would lead you to hoard what you
have. Gratitude would lead you to share. Faith invites us into generosity.
The bible teaches that one tenth of all we receive belongs to God: a tithe. That
means we return to God a tenth of our salary and income on our investments. I expect this
of myself.
I invite you, in a time of economic uncertainty to join me in an experiment. What if,
just during Advent, just for the month of December, you and your family gave one tenth of
your income to the church or to other charitable causes? If you already give a tenth, God
bless you! If we all did this, for one month, the financial uncertainty within the church
would disappear and every church would have the ability to share abundantly beyond its
doors. Just maybe we would learn that tithing isn’t so difficult after all.
I invite you to discover the abundance that comes from sharing.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
Those who lived in a land of deep darkness –
On them light has shined.
God bless you with great light and abundant hope in Jesus Christ this holy season,
Bishop Elaine J. W. Stanovsky
Perhaps, our best approach to Advent; especially at the beginning of Advent, is silence.
It's a time to stop and listen to the voices of reason; to hear the abundance we have; to know the important things are still important and the important things cannot be taken, or devalued.
When you listen what do you hear?
If you have some insights on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
AND BY THE WAY; "HAPPY THANKSGIVING"
Charles
Sermon for November 30th
Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. Sunday begins our four week preparation for Christmas. I have been interested in what happened to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist.
Zechariah was a priest. It was his responsibility to set up the format for worship while the people waited outside the sanctuary. While he was setting up the altar a voice spoke to him, and he was so moved by the voice that he couldn't speak.
Zechariah's preparation for the coming of the Christ Child, the coming of his own child, was silence.
That may be the best response for us this year. Perhaps this is the year that it finally comes to us; the true meaning of Christmas.
I found this quote from a source most of us will recognize:
“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes and bags. And he puzzled ‘till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” --Dr. Seuss
This week Bishop Elaine Stanovsky sent out the following message to us. I think she is on to something important:
Next week Christians enters the season of Advent, a time when we spiritually wait in
darkness for the birth of Jesus. There are times in our lives when we aren’t certain that God
is with us, and like the ancient star-gazers, we look into the night sky for a sign of hope and
of assurance.
Day after day we hear reports of “economic downturn” and “global warming.” These
are frightening words. It’s easy to feel powerless in their wake. What are Christians to do?
How can a prayer group affect global weather patterns? How can one church turn scarcity
into plenty?
Our faith has prepared us for such a time as this. It is our faith that teaches us to
look for the good news when all the news seems bad. It is the bible that tells of people
who, despite being uprooted, defeated and transplanted, irrationally followed God through
faith and hope to an unimaginable and incredible future of hope. In deepest darkness we
are called to live with hope!
INVITATION: extravagant generosity
Set apart a tithe of all the yield of your seed that is brought in yearly
from the field. Deuteronomy 14:22
I heard an economic analyst this week say that it’s time to dig a hole in the back yard
and double bag your money. There is no hope in a hole in the ground.
A different response to hardship is generosity. If you haven’t lost your house or your
job, and if you still have a steady flow of income, you are among the blessed right now. You
have a choice to live in fear or to live in gratitude. Fear would lead you to hoard what you
have. Gratitude would lead you to share. Faith invites us into generosity.
The bible teaches that one tenth of all we receive belongs to God: a tithe. That
means we return to God a tenth of our salary and income on our investments. I expect this
of myself.
I invite you, in a time of economic uncertainty to join me in an experiment. What if,
just during Advent, just for the month of December, you and your family gave one tenth of
your income to the church or to other charitable causes? If you already give a tenth, God
bless you! If we all did this, for one month, the financial uncertainty within the church
would disappear and every church would have the ability to share abundantly beyond its
doors. Just maybe we would learn that tithing isn’t so difficult after all.
I invite you to discover the abundance that comes from sharing.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
Those who lived in a land of deep darkness –
On them light has shined.
God bless you with great light and abundant hope in Jesus Christ this holy season,
Bishop Elaine J. W. Stanovsky
Perhaps, our best approach to Advent; especially at the beginning of Advent, is silence.
It's a time to stop and listen to the voices of reason; to hear the abundance we have; to know the important things are still important and the important things cannot be taken, or devalued.
When you listen what do you hear?
If you have some insights on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
AND BY THE WAY; "HAPPY THANKSGIVING"
Charles
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Monday's Thoughts
This week is Senior Sunday . . . and Thanksgiving Sunday . . . and Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of the Christian calendar . . . and we are dedicating the shoeboxes. That's a lot to fit in one service, but it all fits together nicely, actually.
The scripture for the week is Matthew 25:31-46. Jesus is telling the people that whenever they fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick and in prison, they did that for him, because he is with the hungry, sick, etc. The famous line is "whenever you did that for one of the least of these your brothers, you did it to me."
I am focusing mostly on seniors in my sermon. The seniors who are with us in the pews and in our committee work are fabulous people, very dedicated to the ministries of the church. And we certainly join together around our collective Thanksgiving table and thank them and bless them. But we are called, says Matthew, to move beyond ourselves to search for the least of these. In terms of seniors, it would be those who are mostly at home, shut in due to health or caregiving for a spouse. It would be those in skilled nursing care. Those who need more care and attention around the clock and so their families make the painful decision to move them to a care facility.
These people are part of our family. How do we care for them? How do we make sure we 'invite' them into our family fold? What do we do to include all of our church family? What can you do?
I welcome your responses at pameverhart@fcfumc.net or click the response button on this site.
Peace,
Pam
The scripture for the week is Matthew 25:31-46. Jesus is telling the people that whenever they fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick and in prison, they did that for him, because he is with the hungry, sick, etc. The famous line is "whenever you did that for one of the least of these your brothers, you did it to me."
I am focusing mostly on seniors in my sermon. The seniors who are with us in the pews and in our committee work are fabulous people, very dedicated to the ministries of the church. And we certainly join together around our collective Thanksgiving table and thank them and bless them. But we are called, says Matthew, to move beyond ourselves to search for the least of these. In terms of seniors, it would be those who are mostly at home, shut in due to health or caregiving for a spouse. It would be those in skilled nursing care. Those who need more care and attention around the clock and so their families make the painful decision to move them to a care facility.
These people are part of our family. How do we care for them? How do we make sure we 'invite' them into our family fold? What do we do to include all of our church family? What can you do?
I welcome your responses at pameverhart@fcfumc.net or click the response button on this site.
Peace,
Pam
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Wednesday's thoughts
My Disciple Class is responsible for the sermon this week. They told me I should use what we had been talking about in class as the basis of my sermon, hence it uses the prophets. Micah 6:6-8 and Amos 5:21-24 are major passages with some from Jeremiah 1:1-19.
First, I want to celebrate the great gift we have been given in our land, the USA. This is a country unlike any other, a melting pot of all races, nations, ethnicities, etc. A nation of great beauty, of rich farmland and abundant resources of all kinds. A land founded with a vision symbolized in the Statue of Liberty.
But any nation is called to fulfill its divine destiny, and as Jesus said, "To whom much is given, of them will much be required."
The vision seems to have gotten lost amid all kinds of 'idols' and skewed priorities.
The prophet's message speaks to our day: "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God." And, "let justice roll down like waters and righteousness as an everflowing stream." The prophets and Jesus were not just, nor even primarily talking about individual justice, but always about the corporate, the community, the nation, the people. They are talking to the nation of the USA,not just to us as individuals. So we all, as a people, are to let justice roll down, to do justice to the whole family of humankind.
How do we serve as the people of faith to call our nation back to this vision of being the melting pot, of being a people who care for the 'homeless, tempest tossed...?
Anything you have to share will be much appreciated. Write me at raym@lpbroadband.net
If you are willing to have others read your response click on the box below.
Ray Miller
Ray Miller
First, I want to celebrate the great gift we have been given in our land, the USA. This is a country unlike any other, a melting pot of all races, nations, ethnicities, etc. A nation of great beauty, of rich farmland and abundant resources of all kinds. A land founded with a vision symbolized in the Statue of Liberty.
But any nation is called to fulfill its divine destiny, and as Jesus said, "To whom much is given, of them will much be required."
The vision seems to have gotten lost amid all kinds of 'idols' and skewed priorities.
The prophet's message speaks to our day: "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God." And, "let justice roll down like waters and righteousness as an everflowing stream." The prophets and Jesus were not just, nor even primarily talking about individual justice, but always about the corporate, the community, the nation, the people. They are talking to the nation of the USA,not just to us as individuals. So we all, as a people, are to let justice roll down, to do justice to the whole family of humankind.
How do we serve as the people of faith to call our nation back to this vision of being the melting pot, of being a people who care for the 'homeless, tempest tossed...?
Anything you have to share will be much appreciated. Write me at raym@lpbroadband.net
If you are willing to have others read your response click on the box below.
Ray Miller
Ray Miller
Friday, November 7, 2008
Friday's thoughts
"The Only Vote That Counts"
The decision to "follow God" is suggested as the only vote that counts and we, clergy, tend to speak more about the importance of that then we spend time trying to explain what it means. It is relatively easy to say but it is very difficult to accomplish. This sermon will attempt to explore what it means "to follow God".
First of all I think "to follow God" means we try to live with a sense of intensity and integrity about everything we do. We know what matters and what makes little difference. We understand that the implications of little things are well beyond our understanding. We are required to live the little things as if they were large; because they are. If we follow God then we strive to live all aspects of our lives with the same sense of witness to the reality that we know is ultimate but which we understand as intimate. God is "the wholeness principle" and is the unifying and organizing structure that permeates everything we know and everything we barely understand.
Secondly, if we decide to "follow God" that means we come to believe that things are basically all right even when we sense they are not. There develops within us a sense of trust. We learn to lose our fear of the future. We move beyond guilt for the past to a sense of healing for the present. We give up trying to please everyone and realize our own sense of wellness; even as we strive to live through our sense of unwellness. We are what we are becoming and when we "miss the mark" we understand that we can try again.
When we are humbled by life we can sense a cause that led to the humiliation that, through it all, leads to a sense of being exalted.
When we have decided to follow God there is a triumphant sense of living and an abundance of spirit and joy that every day brings and every waking moment provides.
The decision to "follow God" is the most important decision we make. It is the only vote that counts.
What are the implications of such a decision as you understand them for such a decision? Have you made that decision and what does it mean to you?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have other people read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
The decision to "follow God" is suggested as the only vote that counts and we, clergy, tend to speak more about the importance of that then we spend time trying to explain what it means. It is relatively easy to say but it is very difficult to accomplish. This sermon will attempt to explore what it means "to follow God".
First of all I think "to follow God" means we try to live with a sense of intensity and integrity about everything we do. We know what matters and what makes little difference. We understand that the implications of little things are well beyond our understanding. We are required to live the little things as if they were large; because they are. If we follow God then we strive to live all aspects of our lives with the same sense of witness to the reality that we know is ultimate but which we understand as intimate. God is "the wholeness principle" and is the unifying and organizing structure that permeates everything we know and everything we barely understand.
Secondly, if we decide to "follow God" that means we come to believe that things are basically all right even when we sense they are not. There develops within us a sense of trust. We learn to lose our fear of the future. We move beyond guilt for the past to a sense of healing for the present. We give up trying to please everyone and realize our own sense of wellness; even as we strive to live through our sense of unwellness. We are what we are becoming and when we "miss the mark" we understand that we can try again.
When we are humbled by life we can sense a cause that led to the humiliation that, through it all, leads to a sense of being exalted.
When we have decided to follow God there is a triumphant sense of living and an abundance of spirit and joy that every day brings and every waking moment provides.
The decision to "follow God" is the most important decision we make. It is the only vote that counts.
What are the implications of such a decision as you understand them for such a decision? Have you made that decision and what does it mean to you?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have other people read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Wednesday's thoughts
"The Only Vote That Counts"
In the 24th Chapter of Joshua we find the "Covenant at Shechem". In that section of Old Testament we find Joshua confronting his people with the need for understand it was time for them to decide to worship God. He told them they were not to worship the God of their fathers and mothers. He told them it was time for them to decide and Joshua told them, "as for me and my family, we have decided to follow God."
I thought it was interesting how Joshua told his people not to worship the God of their parents. That is strange but true advice. We each must come to a time in our lives when we have to make a decision. The God we worship must not be one we inherited from our folks. Clearly, their influence is important to us as we struggle to come to terms with what and who God is to us. Certainly, there will be vast similarities between the God we worship and the God they worship, but we have to spend time with ourselves and have to come to understand what it means to believe in God for ourselves.
Theology is important and personal. When we talk about belief in a personal God what we are truly addressing is the importance of coming to terms with God ourselves. Our God is not something of our own construct. The God we worship does not specifically address to us in the manner of a servant. The God we worship is not our slave, but we have to come to terms with God in a profoundly personal way.
There are no ancestors when it comes to faith. There are not multiple generations of the faithful; it is all first generation and first person.
What is it about God that is personal to you? How do you relate to a personal God and how do you relate to God personally?
If you have thoughts on this email me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to have others to read it and respond to it click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
In the 24th Chapter of Joshua we find the "Covenant at Shechem". In that section of Old Testament we find Joshua confronting his people with the need for understand it was time for them to decide to worship God. He told them they were not to worship the God of their fathers and mothers. He told them it was time for them to decide and Joshua told them, "as for me and my family, we have decided to follow God."
I thought it was interesting how Joshua told his people not to worship the God of their parents. That is strange but true advice. We each must come to a time in our lives when we have to make a decision. The God we worship must not be one we inherited from our folks. Clearly, their influence is important to us as we struggle to come to terms with what and who God is to us. Certainly, there will be vast similarities between the God we worship and the God they worship, but we have to spend time with ourselves and have to come to understand what it means to believe in God for ourselves.
Theology is important and personal. When we talk about belief in a personal God what we are truly addressing is the importance of coming to terms with God ourselves. Our God is not something of our own construct. The God we worship does not specifically address to us in the manner of a servant. The God we worship is not our slave, but we have to come to terms with God in a profoundly personal way.
There are no ancestors when it comes to faith. There are not multiple generations of the faithful; it is all first generation and first person.
What is it about God that is personal to you? How do you relate to a personal God and how do you relate to God personally?
If you have thoughts on this email me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to have others to read it and respond to it click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Monday's thoughts
"The Only Vote that Counts"
The Sunday after the election is the Sunday when we make our commitment to the church for the coming year. This is an important day for us for a number of reasons.
Ultimately, whatever we decide about the elections will have an importance we can measure, but, in the long view of things, it is of relative significance. "In view of the cosmos" whether it is John or Obama matters not so much. Both are good people. Either will do the best they can for our country.
In the light of the major issues of life and death; of war and peace; of good or evil the pledge me make to the church will drift into unimportance as the years advance. We give what we can give and the church takes what we give and does something important with it. We empower the church in the measure in which we feel it is important to us and to the world in which we live.
The most important vote is the vote each of us makes every morning we awaken to greet the dawn. Every day we are asked to vote on what will happen to us and how we will respond to it. We cannot choose to withdraw because that leads to a lapsing of responsibility and other factors will determine what we do and who we become.
Sunday is a reminder that we have the privilege of standing up and being counted. We count by the way we vote, and we count by the influence we have over the things that are important to us.
The most important vote is the continual self- assertion of our will into the mix of wills and ways.
Our best hope is that we will choose well; and that our choice is consistent with the God we worship and the faith that informs us.
How will you vote?
What is your stand on the following?
1. Poverty
2. War
3. Inclusion
4. Kindness
5. Joy
6. Hope
7. Love
I'd like to invite you to weigh in on this topic. If you have thoughts email me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
The Sunday after the election is the Sunday when we make our commitment to the church for the coming year. This is an important day for us for a number of reasons.
Ultimately, whatever we decide about the elections will have an importance we can measure, but, in the long view of things, it is of relative significance. "In view of the cosmos" whether it is John or Obama matters not so much. Both are good people. Either will do the best they can for our country.
In the light of the major issues of life and death; of war and peace; of good or evil the pledge me make to the church will drift into unimportance as the years advance. We give what we can give and the church takes what we give and does something important with it. We empower the church in the measure in which we feel it is important to us and to the world in which we live.
The most important vote is the vote each of us makes every morning we awaken to greet the dawn. Every day we are asked to vote on what will happen to us and how we will respond to it. We cannot choose to withdraw because that leads to a lapsing of responsibility and other factors will determine what we do and who we become.
Sunday is a reminder that we have the privilege of standing up and being counted. We count by the way we vote, and we count by the influence we have over the things that are important to us.
The most important vote is the continual self- assertion of our will into the mix of wills and ways.
Our best hope is that we will choose well; and that our choice is consistent with the God we worship and the faith that informs us.
How will you vote?
What is your stand on the following?
1. Poverty
2. War
3. Inclusion
4. Kindness
5. Joy
6. Hope
7. Love
I'd like to invite you to weigh in on this topic. If you have thoughts email me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, October 31, 2008
Friday's thoughts
This sermon has helped me look at what it takes to be exalted and how that is preceded by being humbled. I'm beginning to wonder if you can be exalted without first being humbled.
In the class Dr. Jansen and I are teaching we are looking at the theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer writes, "The offence caused by Jesus Christ is not his incarnation -- that indeed is revelation -- but his humiliation. The humanity of Christ and his humiliation should be carefully distinguished. Jesus Christ is human both as the Humiliated One and as the Exalted One. Only the humiliation is the stumbling block.
Christianity brings us a very different point of view. It reminds us if we are in Christ and if Christ is in us we are subject to humiliation and that humiliation leads to our exaltation.
Life will put us down but that's how God lifts us up. We are confronted with disappointment, but through the disappointment our character develops. We are face to face with the reality of death, but, as we face it, we have the possibility of conquering it.
When you and I think about the darkest time in our lives; did we not find the light that shone in the darkness at that very moment?
When we come to understand that we will die, isn't that the time we began to realize the fullness of being alive in those moments, or days before our death?
Is this what you have found? Do you have some thoughts on this subject? If so write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
In the class Dr. Jansen and I are teaching we are looking at the theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer writes, "The offence caused by Jesus Christ is not his incarnation -- that indeed is revelation -- but his humiliation. The humanity of Christ and his humiliation should be carefully distinguished. Jesus Christ is human both as the Humiliated One and as the Exalted One. Only the humiliation is the stumbling block.
Christianity brings us a very different point of view. It reminds us if we are in Christ and if Christ is in us we are subject to humiliation and that humiliation leads to our exaltation.
Life will put us down but that's how God lifts us up. We are confronted with disappointment, but through the disappointment our character develops. We are face to face with the reality of death, but, as we face it, we have the possibility of conquering it.
When you and I think about the darkest time in our lives; did we not find the light that shone in the darkness at that very moment?
When we come to understand that we will die, isn't that the time we began to realize the fullness of being alive in those moments, or days before our death?
Is this what you have found? Do you have some thoughts on this subject? If so write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wednesday's thoughts
"Joe, the Plumber's Pledge"
It's been on my mind a great deal lately when John McCain and Barack Obama continue to struggle with each other over Joe "the plumber's" vote. How important this anonymous man has become. The election could be decided on what people determine to be his worth and on the basis of whose economic recovery and health insurance plan would fit him best.
In the Gospel of Matthew we find words that seem so foundational to the Christian message. Jesus is quoted as saying, "The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts themselves will be humbled; and whoever humbles themselves will be exalted."
It almost sounds as if we are being told that we are most put down when we are lifted up. It seems to imply that the measure of our greatness comes in the way in which we serve.
In Sunday's sermon I want to have us look at the least among us and the most among us. I want to consider the way in which we are to serve and, having lived a life of service, how our lives are exalted.
There are people we all know whose importance is not measured by the money the make, nor the fame they acquire. It is not the power they amass nor the importance they are given by other people.
The greatest people are they who realize they are put here on earth to make a difference and the end of the day goes not to those who have accumulated but to those who have invested wisest.
The best investment is not in stock, or gold, or real estate, or bonds, or corporations, or knowledge. The best investment is in people. It comes in our ability to look at the potential of people to rise above all the things that put us down and to lend a hand to all those things that promote goodness and mercy.
Joe, "the plumber" has influenced the presidential election in ways nobody, not even Joe, could imagine. He has entered the conversation as a representative of all of us. What is his pledge to the future? What is our pledge?
That is something we will resolve on November 2nd.
What do you have to invest in the future? Who are the truly great people? What makes them great?
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your responses click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
It's been on my mind a great deal lately when John McCain and Barack Obama continue to struggle with each other over Joe "the plumber's" vote. How important this anonymous man has become. The election could be decided on what people determine to be his worth and on the basis of whose economic recovery and health insurance plan would fit him best.
In the Gospel of Matthew we find words that seem so foundational to the Christian message. Jesus is quoted as saying, "The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts themselves will be humbled; and whoever humbles themselves will be exalted."
It almost sounds as if we are being told that we are most put down when we are lifted up. It seems to imply that the measure of our greatness comes in the way in which we serve.
In Sunday's sermon I want to have us look at the least among us and the most among us. I want to consider the way in which we are to serve and, having lived a life of service, how our lives are exalted.
There are people we all know whose importance is not measured by the money the make, nor the fame they acquire. It is not the power they amass nor the importance they are given by other people.
The greatest people are they who realize they are put here on earth to make a difference and the end of the day goes not to those who have accumulated but to those who have invested wisest.
The best investment is not in stock, or gold, or real estate, or bonds, or corporations, or knowledge. The best investment is in people. It comes in our ability to look at the potential of people to rise above all the things that put us down and to lend a hand to all those things that promote goodness and mercy.
Joe, "the plumber" has influenced the presidential election in ways nobody, not even Joe, could imagine. He has entered the conversation as a representative of all of us. What is his pledge to the future? What is our pledge?
That is something we will resolve on November 2nd.
What do you have to invest in the future? Who are the truly great people? What makes them great?
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your responses click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Monday's thoughts
"Joe the Plumber's Pledge"
We are in this time of year when we are looking at our support for the church's program and future. We have had the Bishop preach in our sanctuary and we have had our celebration lunch and we filled the Hilton assembly room with over 500 people.
A large number of those who attended made a financial commitment to the church and some who attended have made a pledge to the church for the next three years. I don' t have the figures or totals so I cannot include that in this venue.
I wanted to spend a little time thinking through with you the nature of the way we extend ourselves and the consequence to that help.
John McCain was the Presidential candidate who mentioned "Joe the Plumber". He wanted to make concrete the ramifications of his opponent on Joe's life should Obama be elected and his tax plan be put into use.
I want to have us consider the consequence to all of us whose life seems to have such little impact and I want to have us look for the ways our little actions create big results and our pledges, which may seem a small matter will turn the course of history in ways we might never imagine.
I want to help us look at the financial situation in the world and I want us to take charge of our future; not become victimized by it.
On Sunday we turn the clocks back. For one night time stands still and we are given an extra hour. What we do with the time we have now is important and that extra hour lines up as an additional blessing. It couldn't have come at a better time.
How much do we give to the church in a time that seems uncertain? What should Joe the Plumber pledge? What should any of us pledge?
The church expects no more than the best we can do, and no less than the most we can give. Christianity is a faith that was born on Easter. United Methodism is a denomination that is unafraid of the future.
We pledge with a sense of hope for the future and a quiet confidence that there is much good in our world.
What do you think Joe the plumber ought to pledge? Why do you think he should pledge it?
If you have thoughts on this matter write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net
If you would be willing to have others read your response click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
We are in this time of year when we are looking at our support for the church's program and future. We have had the Bishop preach in our sanctuary and we have had our celebration lunch and we filled the Hilton assembly room with over 500 people.
A large number of those who attended made a financial commitment to the church and some who attended have made a pledge to the church for the next three years. I don' t have the figures or totals so I cannot include that in this venue.
I wanted to spend a little time thinking through with you the nature of the way we extend ourselves and the consequence to that help.
John McCain was the Presidential candidate who mentioned "Joe the Plumber". He wanted to make concrete the ramifications of his opponent on Joe's life should Obama be elected and his tax plan be put into use.
I want to have us consider the consequence to all of us whose life seems to have such little impact and I want to have us look for the ways our little actions create big results and our pledges, which may seem a small matter will turn the course of history in ways we might never imagine.
I want to help us look at the financial situation in the world and I want us to take charge of our future; not become victimized by it.
On Sunday we turn the clocks back. For one night time stands still and we are given an extra hour. What we do with the time we have now is important and that extra hour lines up as an additional blessing. It couldn't have come at a better time.
How much do we give to the church in a time that seems uncertain? What should Joe the Plumber pledge? What should any of us pledge?
The church expects no more than the best we can do, and no less than the most we can give. Christianity is a faith that was born on Easter. United Methodism is a denomination that is unafraid of the future.
We pledge with a sense of hope for the future and a quiet confidence that there is much good in our world.
What do you think Joe the plumber ought to pledge? Why do you think he should pledge it?
If you have thoughts on this matter write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net
If you would be willing to have others read your response click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Monday's thoughts
Worship services for Sunday, October 16Th
We will have only two services on Sunday. The 8 and 9:15 worship hours will both happen in the sanctuary. Bishop Elaine Stanovsky will preach. Elaine is new to our area. She was elected in Portland this past July. She had been appointed as a District Superintendent in the Seattle area.
For build a sermon I would like to invite you to send me an email and I will send it on to Elaine. I'd like her to know what you think about our congregation. What do you most appreciate? What areas have you most enjoyed? How does our church reflect the best that can be in a local church?
What would you like to hear Elaine help us with? What could we work on? How could we become a stronger church; a more effective ministry setting?
Please consider doing that. I know she would love hearing from you. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing for the congregation to read your thoughts click on the box below.
Bishop Elaine and I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
We will have only two services on Sunday. The 8 and 9:15 worship hours will both happen in the sanctuary. Bishop Elaine Stanovsky will preach. Elaine is new to our area. She was elected in Portland this past July. She had been appointed as a District Superintendent in the Seattle area.
For build a sermon I would like to invite you to send me an email and I will send it on to Elaine. I'd like her to know what you think about our congregation. What do you most appreciate? What areas have you most enjoyed? How does our church reflect the best that can be in a local church?
What would you like to hear Elaine help us with? What could we work on? How could we become a stronger church; a more effective ministry setting?
Please consider doing that. I know she would love hearing from you. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing for the congregation to read your thoughts click on the box below.
Bishop Elaine and I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Tuesday's Thoughts
Dear friends,
For this Sunday, the sermon will focus on PASSIONATE WORSHIP, with the title being, "Put Your Pencil Down".
The scriptures will be: Psalm 100 and John 4:27-30.
For your information, whoever preaches on a given Sunday, is also responsible for preparing the bulletin. There is liturgy, music, scripture, prayers, the preached Word, and it is all based on this question: "Are folks feeling connected to God through authentic, alive, creative and challenging worship experiences?" Or, another way to look at it - THE SCRIPTURES CALL US TO WORSHIP - TO PASSIONATE WORSHIP.
Two main points will be addressed. First, we all experience passionate worship in our own way. Secondly, to passionately worship God is to "let go" of something and acknowledge there is a force in this world greater than ourselves. That is always a challenge, and has been for hundreds of years before our time.
Come to worship...to passionately worship...this Sunday. Somehow we will all pull together for a meaningfully authentic time of celebration.
David
For this Sunday, the sermon will focus on PASSIONATE WORSHIP, with the title being, "Put Your Pencil Down".
The scriptures will be: Psalm 100 and John 4:27-30.
For your information, whoever preaches on a given Sunday, is also responsible for preparing the bulletin. There is liturgy, music, scripture, prayers, the preached Word, and it is all based on this question: "Are folks feeling connected to God through authentic, alive, creative and challenging worship experiences?" Or, another way to look at it - THE SCRIPTURES CALL US TO WORSHIP - TO PASSIONATE WORSHIP.
Two main points will be addressed. First, we all experience passionate worship in our own way. Secondly, to passionately worship God is to "let go" of something and acknowledge there is a force in this world greater than ourselves. That is always a challenge, and has been for hundreds of years before our time.
Come to worship...to passionately worship...this Sunday. Somehow we will all pull together for a meaningfully authentic time of celebration.
David
Friday, October 10, 2008
Friday's thoughts
"Go for the Gold"
This is a great theme when we are thinking about our children and the role of the church. We have asked them to bring their trophies to church Sunday. We want to acknowledge their accomplishments.
What we provide our children through our church is the following:
1. A sense of confidence so that they will know they are "number one"; so that they will have the assurance to try to do incredible things and, if they fail, to know they can try again.
2. A sense of character so that they will have the internal stability to do what they must do to do the right thing and stand up against the crowd.
3. A sense of God. The sense of God provides a balance to life and a perspective. The sense of God helps us make certain that our "trophies never become idols" and "our character never becomes egotism".
Go for the Gold
Your character is good as gold
Find God in your life
There is balance and hope in a world of financial crisis and tragic violence.
Confidence, character, and God. Is there anything more important than that? If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
This is a great theme when we are thinking about our children and the role of the church. We have asked them to bring their trophies to church Sunday. We want to acknowledge their accomplishments.
What we provide our children through our church is the following:
1. A sense of confidence so that they will know they are "number one"; so that they will have the assurance to try to do incredible things and, if they fail, to know they can try again.
2. A sense of character so that they will have the internal stability to do what they must do to do the right thing and stand up against the crowd.
3. A sense of God. The sense of God provides a balance to life and a perspective. The sense of God helps us make certain that our "trophies never become idols" and "our character never becomes egotism".
Go for the Gold
Your character is good as gold
Find God in your life
There is balance and hope in a world of financial crisis and tragic violence.
Confidence, character, and God. Is there anything more important than that? If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Wednesday's thoughts
"Go For the Gold"
Children's Sabbath calls for us to consider what we do with children here at the church and why we do it. The implications for our doing what we do are obvious. Our involvement with the children is a confirmation of our future. It is an investment in the values we hold and in the continuance of the faith that holds us.
There are many, many ways we like to influence the children here. These two strike me as two of the most important;
1. Go for the Gold
We want our children to understand that they are "number one" as far as we are concerned. We want them to have confidence to try to do some things they might be reluctant to try; to take some risk in life and to push toward excellence in all they do. We celebrate their victories and lament with them when they are defeated. We encourage them to strive and we are supportive when they fail. There are lessons learned and it is more important to be a good loser than it is to be a good winner. "Go for the gold" implies doing the best they can do and feeling that they are "number one" in our eyes.
2. Our children are more precious than gold. We lift up the importance of character. We want our children to be characters who have character. We want them to be able to express themselves and to use what they have been given to do good things in the world. We want to reinforce the importance of character.
How important is this for our church and its future? How important is this for the world and its future?
What do you think we ought to be doing for and with our children? How does the focus on our children at this time and place put the current election and the financial crisis into perspective?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your responses click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Children's Sabbath calls for us to consider what we do with children here at the church and why we do it. The implications for our doing what we do are obvious. Our involvement with the children is a confirmation of our future. It is an investment in the values we hold and in the continuance of the faith that holds us.
There are many, many ways we like to influence the children here. These two strike me as two of the most important;
1. Go for the Gold
We want our children to understand that they are "number one" as far as we are concerned. We want them to have confidence to try to do some things they might be reluctant to try; to take some risk in life and to push toward excellence in all they do. We celebrate their victories and lament with them when they are defeated. We encourage them to strive and we are supportive when they fail. There are lessons learned and it is more important to be a good loser than it is to be a good winner. "Go for the gold" implies doing the best they can do and feeling that they are "number one" in our eyes.
2. Our children are more precious than gold. We lift up the importance of character. We want our children to be characters who have character. We want them to be able to express themselves and to use what they have been given to do good things in the world. We want to reinforce the importance of character.
How important is this for our church and its future? How important is this for the world and its future?
What do you think we ought to be doing for and with our children? How does the focus on our children at this time and place put the current election and the financial crisis into perspective?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your responses click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Monday's thoughts
"Children's Sabbath"
October 12th is a great Sunday for our church. Our children help us conduct the service and take up the offering and participate in many, many important ways.
The Children and Family Council determined the theme. They wanted us to do something with the Olympic theme and "Go for the Gold". I will be working with that theme this week.
Here are some preliminary thoughts for children of all ages:
How do you become a winner in a world that is as competitive as our world has become?
Isn't there something about 'the first shall be last and the last shall be first' in the faith tradition? Does that mean our children should be encouraged to lose? Does that kind of thinking inspire an attitude of defeat?
How do you win and allow others to win in a competitive world like our world and what do we tell our children?
The church is encouraged to practice "radical hospitality". What does that say about winning and losing?
I am going to work with this theme and would appreciate some help. If you have suggestions email me your ideas at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net and if you are willing to have others read your responses click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
October 12th is a great Sunday for our church. Our children help us conduct the service and take up the offering and participate in many, many important ways.
The Children and Family Council determined the theme. They wanted us to do something with the Olympic theme and "Go for the Gold". I will be working with that theme this week.
Here are some preliminary thoughts for children of all ages:
How do you become a winner in a world that is as competitive as our world has become?
Isn't there something about 'the first shall be last and the last shall be first' in the faith tradition? Does that mean our children should be encouraged to lose? Does that kind of thinking inspire an attitude of defeat?
How do you win and allow others to win in a competitive world like our world and what do we tell our children?
The church is encouraged to practice "radical hospitality". What does that say about winning and losing?
I am going to work with this theme and would appreciate some help. If you have suggestions email me your ideas at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net and if you are willing to have others read your responses click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
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