"Crumbs on the carpet; who cleaned up the Last Supper?"
The text I will be using comes from Matthew 14 and it's the story of the feeding of the multitude as Jesus was confronted by the throng. There is something about the Christian faith that calls to us to take the disruptions as a part of the most important thing.
The Last Supper was a time for the disciples to think about what a Passover Meal was and what it was supposed to be. When Jesus broke the bread and offered the wine I really doubt he spoke of his body and blood except, possibility, in a metaphorical sense. It was the church that claimed the bread actually was his body and the wine actually was his blood. The church took the meaning of the meal to the ultimate point of making something seem literal that was meant to by symbolic because the church got the point Jesus was trying to make. The church was simply suggesting there was more to that meal than anyone knew was there. There was more to that meal than anyone realized and, thus, there is more to everything than it appears.
The genius of Christianity is what is does for and with our common life. It suggests there is nothing common about our common life and it invites us to look far beyond what is obvious to see what is incredible.
What in your common life has uncommon meaning? If you have some thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your observations click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Monday's thoughts
"Cleaning Up the Table"
It has never been a particular interest of mine and I really never thought of it before. Someone had to set the table for the Last Supper and someone had to clean it up. I have preached numerous sermons on the set up for the Passover Meal. I have spoken about the owner of the Upper Room. I have given time in sermons to the Disciples who fetched the room owner as he was carrying water in the town. I have reflected on the generosity of the Upper Room owner. I have wondered if we would have been willing to open our homes to Jesus and his friends.
What I am looking at this week is the clean up of the Upper Room after the Passover Meal and I am more interested in what the meal symbolizes than I am concerned about who cleared off the table. I am wanting to reflect upon the nature of the sacrament and the way in which it intersects with our lives.
Communion is messy. Anyone who doubts that might want to take a look at the kitchen at the church on a Sunday after we have served communion. Communion is messy. It is a sacrament that takes a clean up committee. Grape juice on the floor and broken pieces of bread along with the chalices or the little cups all bring the need of a level of administration. Someone has to clean it up.
Life and communion have this in common. The Last Supper is not unlike any supper. The sacrament is not unlike life. Life is messy. We have all these loose ends and unfinished projects. We have moments of awkwardness and strangeness. We pick things up and then we drop things. We build things and then we break them.
Interesting to me is the parallel between the way life is and the meaning of the sacrament.
Where is life especially messy for you? How does life break and how do we pick up what is broken? This Sunday I want us to look at life the way it really is, and I want to see how our faith helps us deal with 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.
Charles
It has never been a particular interest of mine and I really never thought of it before. Someone had to set the table for the Last Supper and someone had to clean it up. I have preached numerous sermons on the set up for the Passover Meal. I have spoken about the owner of the Upper Room. I have given time in sermons to the Disciples who fetched the room owner as he was carrying water in the town. I have reflected on the generosity of the Upper Room owner. I have wondered if we would have been willing to open our homes to Jesus and his friends.
What I am looking at this week is the clean up of the Upper Room after the Passover Meal and I am more interested in what the meal symbolizes than I am concerned about who cleared off the table. I am wanting to reflect upon the nature of the sacrament and the way in which it intersects with our lives.
Communion is messy. Anyone who doubts that might want to take a look at the kitchen at the church on a Sunday after we have served communion. Communion is messy. It is a sacrament that takes a clean up committee. Grape juice on the floor and broken pieces of bread along with the chalices or the little cups all bring the need of a level of administration. Someone has to clean it up.
Life and communion have this in common. The Last Supper is not unlike any supper. The sacrament is not unlike life. Life is messy. We have all these loose ends and unfinished projects. We have moments of awkwardness and strangeness. We pick things up and then we drop things. We build things and then we break them.
Interesting to me is the parallel between the way life is and the meaning of the sacrament.
Where is life especially messy for you? How does life break and how do we pick up what is broken? This Sunday I want us to look at life the way it really is, and I want to see how our faith helps us deal with 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.
Charles
Monday, July 21, 2008
Monday's thoughts
This Sunday I will be drawing on two passages of scripture, one in I Peter and the other in the Gospel according to Luke. The emphasis will be on making plans in our lives, but not carrying them out. Most of the time it feels good to plan. At least we are doing something. But, that is the first step. The second, and just as importantly, is carrying out our plans.
Three ideas for planning and building upon our plans will be: Adventure, Tolerance and Compassion. Have you ever had regrets because you were too cautious or scared or had negative fantasies about the outcome of your plans.....and, you did not carry them out? The church can be like that. Families are like that. Individuals are like that. And we miss it!
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday. Hopefully between now and then you will get your hammer and nails out and begin to build upon your plans, with happiness and no regrets.
David
To email suggestions for the sermon write me at Ddalke37@cs.com
Three ideas for planning and building upon our plans will be: Adventure, Tolerance and Compassion. Have you ever had regrets because you were too cautious or scared or had negative fantasies about the outcome of your plans.....and, you did not carry them out? The church can be like that. Families are like that. Individuals are like that. And we miss it!
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday. Hopefully between now and then you will get your hammer and nails out and begin to build upon your plans, with happiness and no regrets.
David
To email suggestions for the sermon write me at Ddalke37@cs.com
Friday, July 18, 2008
Friday's Thoughts
What about surprise endings or twists of fate? How do they affect your faith?
Sometimes things happen that are out of our control and that we least expect. You find out that your partner is having an affair, you find out that your kid is flunking out of college, you find out that your friend has been arrested and charged with a serious crime, you find out that a colleague has suddenly been killed in a tragic accident.
We often scream out, "God, why?" But, that gets us nowhere really. God isn't a master puppeteer moving us from left to right, in and out of traffic, and through life. We have human choices. And there are human consequences. And weeds enter into spaces that we thought only wheat could grow.
If you have comments please email me at pameverhart@fcfumc.net or post your comments below.
See you Sunday!
Sometimes things happen that are out of our control and that we least expect. You find out that your partner is having an affair, you find out that your kid is flunking out of college, you find out that your friend has been arrested and charged with a serious crime, you find out that a colleague has suddenly been killed in a tragic accident.
We often scream out, "God, why?" But, that gets us nowhere really. God isn't a master puppeteer moving us from left to right, in and out of traffic, and through life. We have human choices. And there are human consequences. And weeds enter into spaces that we thought only wheat could grow.
If you have comments please email me at pameverhart@fcfumc.net or post your comments below.
See you Sunday!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Wednesday's Thoughts
This sermon has been difficult for me to work on. The parable of the weeds among the wheat, Mt 13:24-30, 36-43 is bothersome. First of all, Jesus explains it which means we can't read too much into it of our own because he tells us what it means.
AND, it is an apocalyptic explanation. God will sort out all the evildoers from the righteous . . . there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. . . ugh! Troublesome.
I have chosen to focus more on those weeds that look so much like wheat. And on the fact that Jesus says we shouldn't try to 'weed them out' but instead let wheat and weeds grow together.
What happens when someone turns out to be something different than what we thought? In the film The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy puts all her hopes and dreams on the wizard. And in the end he turns out just to be a man behind a curtain running a scam.
What happens when someone turns out to be bad news? What happens when something happens that you didn't expect? What does Jesus want us to do with that?
If you have comments, please email me at pameverhart@fcfumc.net or post your comments below.
PS Heifer International will be with us Sunday at 9:15 celebrating the success of The Big Moo Canoe! We welcome Maria Franco Tapia to our service.
AND, it is an apocalyptic explanation. God will sort out all the evildoers from the righteous . . . there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. . . ugh! Troublesome.
I have chosen to focus more on those weeds that look so much like wheat. And on the fact that Jesus says we shouldn't try to 'weed them out' but instead let wheat and weeds grow together.
What happens when someone turns out to be something different than what we thought? In the film The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy puts all her hopes and dreams on the wizard. And in the end he turns out just to be a man behind a curtain running a scam.
What happens when someone turns out to be bad news? What happens when something happens that you didn't expect? What does Jesus want us to do with that?
If you have comments, please email me at pameverhart@fcfumc.net or post your comments below.
PS Heifer International will be with us Sunday at 9:15 celebrating the success of The Big Moo Canoe! We welcome Maria Franco Tapia to our service.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Friday's thoughts
The world is in such bad shape and people are discouraged. You hear the listing of all the problems and there are so many ways and so many people who let us down. The economy, gas prices, war, politics, racism, and the grim prediction of the future of almost everything bring to life a kind of fatalistic negativism.
There are two approaches we will want to take and they constitute the two points of the sermon.
1. Explore the human motivation:
We are assigned the task of seeking to know what we do and why we do it. We are given the job of awareness of ourselves and of the people with whom we work. Primarily, we seek to discover our own motivation. We cannot afford to fool ourselves. We need to know, as best we are able, what makes us tick. Part of prayer is seeking to get in touch with the truth about ourselves and the basis upon which we act. We are called to integrity.
2. Expect the holy momentum:
Once we accept the task of being true to ourselves then we will want to project what is to come and to be open to the possibilities that we cannot know, but we can expect God's surprises. Life, at its worst, opens to things beyond our comprehension. We live in hope and yet what we hope is only a shadow of what will unfold. We are called to trust.
No matter how discouraging the world is there is human motivation and we are called to live the integrity of truth, in an awareness of the holy momentum that will take us beyond our greatest dream in the surprise that comes when we are able to trust.
Are you hopeful or discouraged?
What is your motivation?
Toward what is the world moving?
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to allow others to read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
There are two approaches we will want to take and they constitute the two points of the sermon.
1. Explore the human motivation:
We are assigned the task of seeking to know what we do and why we do it. We are given the job of awareness of ourselves and of the people with whom we work. Primarily, we seek to discover our own motivation. We cannot afford to fool ourselves. We need to know, as best we are able, what makes us tick. Part of prayer is seeking to get in touch with the truth about ourselves and the basis upon which we act. We are called to integrity.
2. Expect the holy momentum:
Once we accept the task of being true to ourselves then we will want to project what is to come and to be open to the possibilities that we cannot know, but we can expect God's surprises. Life, at its worst, opens to things beyond our comprehension. We live in hope and yet what we hope is only a shadow of what will unfold. We are called to trust.
No matter how discouraging the world is there is human motivation and we are called to live the integrity of truth, in an awareness of the holy momentum that will take us beyond our greatest dream in the surprise that comes when we are able to trust.
Are you hopeful or discouraged?
What is your motivation?
Toward what is the world moving?
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to allow others to read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Wednesday's thoughts
Edith Wilson was accused of manipulating the President after he had had his stroke. She thought he ought to resign after he was incapacitated while on a tour of the country trying to win support for the League of Nations. She decided to serve as his assistant. She filtered the questions to him and tried to have him keep active and make decisions if he was able to do so. In those matters that would have been troublesome for him she made the decisions for him. She was criticized for her motives. People accused her of taking over the power of the president without the authority to do so. They called her the "petticoat President" and ridiculed her for, that appeared to be, her motives.
What about our motives? Are our motives pure? Can any of them be questioned?
Do we even know our motives? Have we fooled ourselves? Are our motives altruistic or suspect? How do we know?
The Psalmist in Psalm 139 asks God to examine our ways to help us determine our true motives.
It seems to me it is always important to ask ourselves what we are doing and why we are doing it. It is important that we explore what is behind our words and deeds.
It seems to me it is best to approach our motives apologetically. We do what we think we should do but we continue to ponder the reason behind it.
Do we have mixed or pure motives? Is there anything that is pure or are we fooling ourselves?
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
What about our motives? Are our motives pure? Can any of them be questioned?
Do we even know our motives? Have we fooled ourselves? Are our motives altruistic or suspect? How do we know?
The Psalmist in Psalm 139 asks God to examine our ways to help us determine our true motives.
It seems to me it is always important to ask ourselves what we are doing and why we are doing it. It is important that we explore what is behind our words and deeds.
It seems to me it is best to approach our motives apologetically. We do what we think we should do but we continue to ponder the reason behind it.
Do we have mixed or pure motives? Is there anything that is pure or are we fooling ourselves?
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, July 6, 2008
Monday's thoughts
"The First Woman President"
This July I wanted to look at two critical periods in American history and to think about some of the less well known elements of those periods. July 6th I wanted to have us think about the assassination plot that led to the death of Abraham Lincoln and almost killed Secretary of State William Seward. I tried to develop a parallel case for the assassination of Lincoln and the betrayal of Jesus by Judas; an event that led to Jesus' crucifixion.
Another critical period of American history in which little is known is the time immediately after the First World War. Woodrow Wilson was working hard to establish a permanent peace-keeping force called the "League of Nations". His effort was tireless and, in fact, led to a massive stroke in which the President was comatose. For a period of time (I plan to research the events as best I can) the presidency was being run by Woodrow Wilson's wife; Edith Bolling Galt Wilson.
Little is known about her but, in truth, she was the first woman president. Nothing official, of course, but Edith made decisions and ran the government while her husband was incapable of acting.
The result of all this had consequences. Since there was no provision to deal with the incapacity of the President, Edith was called upon to act in matter of national concern and issues of international consequence.
If you have knowledge of this period in American history I would appreciate your telling me where I could do some research. I think it is important to note how people, in times of extreme danger, step forward and do what has to be done.
I would like Edith to get the credit she deserves. I am looking for stories of other people; people we know about. I am looking for stories of the ways ordinary people performed extraordinary tasks when called upon.
If you have stories to tell I look forward to hearing from you. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have your thoughts read by members of the community click on the box below.
Charles Schuster
This July I wanted to look at two critical periods in American history and to think about some of the less well known elements of those periods. July 6th I wanted to have us think about the assassination plot that led to the death of Abraham Lincoln and almost killed Secretary of State William Seward. I tried to develop a parallel case for the assassination of Lincoln and the betrayal of Jesus by Judas; an event that led to Jesus' crucifixion.
Another critical period of American history in which little is known is the time immediately after the First World War. Woodrow Wilson was working hard to establish a permanent peace-keeping force called the "League of Nations". His effort was tireless and, in fact, led to a massive stroke in which the President was comatose. For a period of time (I plan to research the events as best I can) the presidency was being run by Woodrow Wilson's wife; Edith Bolling Galt Wilson.
Little is known about her but, in truth, she was the first woman president. Nothing official, of course, but Edith made decisions and ran the government while her husband was incapable of acting.
The result of all this had consequences. Since there was no provision to deal with the incapacity of the President, Edith was called upon to act in matter of national concern and issues of international consequence.
If you have knowledge of this period in American history I would appreciate your telling me where I could do some research. I think it is important to note how people, in times of extreme danger, step forward and do what has to be done.
I would like Edith to get the credit she deserves. I am looking for stories of other people; people we know about. I am looking for stories of the ways ordinary people performed extraordinary tasks when called upon.
If you have stories to tell I look forward to hearing from you. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have your thoughts read by members of the community click on the box below.
Charles Schuster
Friday, July 4, 2008
Friday's thoughts
The problem with the sermon is, I think, a problem with the Christian faith. It offers us a demand that is radical. The demand is that we love our enemies and that we pray for those who persecute us. That isn't easy. Some would say it's impossible.
The issue created by a sermon that lifts up Jesus as having invited his murderer to the table and the assumption that we are called to do the same, makes Christianity run counter to the way we are put together. Generally, we are designed to protect ourselves against those who would hurt us. There isn't a parent who wouldn't do everything possible to ensure that their child would be protected against those who would do them harm. Here comes the Christian faith, and the example of Jesus inviting us to allow those who would harm us to harm us. Jesus invited Judas to the table knowing Judas was set to betray him and that betrayal would lead to his suffering and death. What do we do with this?
Jesus, being Jesus, has less relevance to us if Jesus, being Jesus, does what is impossible for us to do. Are we expected to act as Jesus acted? Don't we lift him up as unique, divine, Son of God? He has the capacity for that kind of behavior but does that mean we have the same capacity? Are we expected to act in a like manner? Surely not!
The fact is we are expected to act in a manner that forgives those who would harm us. The fact is we are called to act in a way that does run counter to the way we are programmed or put together. We are compelled to be Christian and that means something. It means we strive to be better than we are. We work toward becoming a person who would be able to forgive; even an act that is unforgivable.
Abraham Lincoln was one who had a larger outlook on the country and the world. His greatness as President was born of his ability to look at the bigger implications of the minor contingencies. He was strong in victory and took on the authority of an absolute ruler when the union was threatened, but he evolved in his thinking to become a compassionate leader when he dealt with the Confederacy after the war. He was decisive in leading the North to victory and he was compassionate in bringing the nation together to reestablish the union after the Civil War was over.
He was a shining light in one of this nation's darkest hours and I believe he would have been able to heal the wounds created by the war had he been able to live.
Christianity calls from us a Radical Obedience. It isn't easy. It never was.
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have other readers see your response click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
The issue created by a sermon that lifts up Jesus as having invited his murderer to the table and the assumption that we are called to do the same, makes Christianity run counter to the way we are put together. Generally, we are designed to protect ourselves against those who would hurt us. There isn't a parent who wouldn't do everything possible to ensure that their child would be protected against those who would do them harm. Here comes the Christian faith, and the example of Jesus inviting us to allow those who would harm us to harm us. Jesus invited Judas to the table knowing Judas was set to betray him and that betrayal would lead to his suffering and death. What do we do with this?
Jesus, being Jesus, has less relevance to us if Jesus, being Jesus, does what is impossible for us to do. Are we expected to act as Jesus acted? Don't we lift him up as unique, divine, Son of God? He has the capacity for that kind of behavior but does that mean we have the same capacity? Are we expected to act in a like manner? Surely not!
The fact is we are expected to act in a manner that forgives those who would harm us. The fact is we are called to act in a way that does run counter to the way we are programmed or put together. We are compelled to be Christian and that means something. It means we strive to be better than we are. We work toward becoming a person who would be able to forgive; even an act that is unforgivable.
Abraham Lincoln was one who had a larger outlook on the country and the world. His greatness as President was born of his ability to look at the bigger implications of the minor contingencies. He was strong in victory and took on the authority of an absolute ruler when the union was threatened, but he evolved in his thinking to become a compassionate leader when he dealt with the Confederacy after the war. He was decisive in leading the North to victory and he was compassionate in bringing the nation together to reestablish the union after the Civil War was over.
He was a shining light in one of this nation's darkest hours and I believe he would have been able to heal the wounds created by the war had he been able to live.
Christianity calls from us a Radical Obedience. It isn't easy. It never was.
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have other readers see your response click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Wednesday's thoughts
"The Murderer Was Captured By the Flag"
I have taken a look at the Lincoln assassination and have learned several things I didn't know. I have learned there were three involved in the plot. I have discovered where John Wilkes Booth went after the assassination. I have learned what he said after he shot the president and I have discovered why he did what he did.
I didn't know Booth was present at the execution of John Brown at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Brown had initiated a slave uprising. Booth wore a militia uniform and stood guard in front of the gallows in anticipation that some of the rebels would come and try to free John Brown before his execution.
I have learned what set Booth off and put him on the path that led to the assassination. Lincoln indicated that freedom of the slaves was only the first step. The final step was granting them the right to vote.
I have learned there was a plot to kidnap the president in Richmond, Virginia, and I have learned some things about Booth's background.
What does this have to do with us? How does the assassination of Abraham Lincoln intersect our lives as Christians?
I have put in contrast the assassination of President Lincoln with the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus. It has been interesting to think how Jesus knew about the plot and he knew who was behind the plot. He was aware he was going to be betrayed and his response to that was to invite Judas to the table.
It was an act of graciousness and love but he invited Judas to the table. It was the ultimate example of "turning the other cheek" and "loving the enemy".
What do you think?
How do you compare the Lincoln assassination with Judas at the last supper?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your ideas with other who read this page click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
I have taken a look at the Lincoln assassination and have learned several things I didn't know. I have learned there were three involved in the plot. I have discovered where John Wilkes Booth went after the assassination. I have learned what he said after he shot the president and I have discovered why he did what he did.
I didn't know Booth was present at the execution of John Brown at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Brown had initiated a slave uprising. Booth wore a militia uniform and stood guard in front of the gallows in anticipation that some of the rebels would come and try to free John Brown before his execution.
I have learned what set Booth off and put him on the path that led to the assassination. Lincoln indicated that freedom of the slaves was only the first step. The final step was granting them the right to vote.
I have learned there was a plot to kidnap the president in Richmond, Virginia, and I have learned some things about Booth's background.
What does this have to do with us? How does the assassination of Abraham Lincoln intersect our lives as Christians?
I have put in contrast the assassination of President Lincoln with the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus. It has been interesting to think how Jesus knew about the plot and he knew who was behind the plot. He was aware he was going to be betrayed and his response to that was to invite Judas to the table.
It was an act of graciousness and love but he invited Judas to the table. It was the ultimate example of "turning the other cheek" and "loving the enemy".
What do you think?
How do you compare the Lincoln assassination with Judas at the last supper?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your ideas with other who read this page click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
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