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
Friday, October 31, 2008
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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