The new year gives us an opportunity to take another look at our lives and to make some changes if we need to. Some of those changes are attitudinal and some of them are behavior modification. Most of them are internal but the internal revolutions will have major consequences in terms of what we are able to accomplish and what kind of person we are able to become.
I am of the opinion that we have free will. We can make changes in our lives for the better or for the worse. The beginning of a new year is one of those times when we have a chance to make important assessments and adjustment.
John Wesley was one who was completely open to people having differing ideas. However, he was passionately opposed to two approaches to life and theology. He could not believe in a God who was distant and indifferent to what is happening to us. An indifferent God is not God according to Wesley.
He was equally contemptuous of the idea that we are predestined to be what we have become. He could not accept the idea that we have no choice in our lives. In fact he was convinced we have the capacity to "move on to perfection." He thought we have control over our destiny to a large extent.
The new year and the communion table call us to take a look at where we are and where we want to be. We can choose to "go back home by another way" (as the Magi in the Matthew Epiphany story).
Here is how we do it:
1. What we don't like about our lives we say it.
2. What we need to rid ourselves of we do it.
3. What we wish to become in our lives is determined at the table as we join with others who, as Christian people, have decided to build the kind of world described by Jesus as "the Kingdom of God". We take on an identity as problem solvers; as care givers; as agents of hope.
One of the ways it is manifest is at the table.
What will you be giving up?
What will you be taking on?
What will you be changing?
What will we become as Christian people?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Monday's thoughts
"What's Not Going to Happen in 2010?"
The story of the Magi has an interesting conclusion. It should give us some things to think about as we look toward the beginning of the new year.
The Magi went to Bethlehem. They brought their gifts. Herod had sent them to lean about the child. They returned to their own homes by another way.
As we move forward into the new year and as we think about where we have been and what has been happening to us we think about going back to work, to our routines, to what is being asked of us by another way.
What will happen next year and how will we handle it? What will happen to us if we go back into the new year another way?
What new things can we do? What new ways can we discover? What will make the new year different?
Sunday is the first Sunday of the month and we begin the year, the way we have for a long time, at the table. Coming to the table we will have an opportunity to think about the new year, and the new approach we have the opportunity to take as we move into it.
What do we resolve that will be different than last year? What changes will we be willing to make? If we go a different way what lead us forward? What can we expect? What will disappoint us and excite us?
What do you think?
If you are looking to make changes what changes will you make?
Write me at charleschuster@fcfumc.net. If you would like to share your ideas click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
The story of the Magi has an interesting conclusion. It should give us some things to think about as we look toward the beginning of the new year.
The Magi went to Bethlehem. They brought their gifts. Herod had sent them to lean about the child. They returned to their own homes by another way.
As we move forward into the new year and as we think about where we have been and what has been happening to us we think about going back to work, to our routines, to what is being asked of us by another way.
What will happen next year and how will we handle it? What will happen to us if we go back into the new year another way?
What new things can we do? What new ways can we discover? What will make the new year different?
Sunday is the first Sunday of the month and we begin the year, the way we have for a long time, at the table. Coming to the table we will have an opportunity to think about the new year, and the new approach we have the opportunity to take as we move into it.
What do we resolve that will be different than last year? What changes will we be willing to make? If we go a different way what lead us forward? What can we expect? What will disappoint us and excite us?
What do you think?
If you are looking to make changes what changes will you make?
Write me at charleschuster@fcfumc.net. If you would like to share your ideas click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Tuesday's Thoughts
Christmas Eve Sermons
Bedlam in Bethlehem
I am looking at the confusion and conflict of the Christmas season as compared to the calm of this time of year. There was a "decree" that went out. There are always decrees going out. There are voices telling us what we must do. There are imperatives and some of them are harsh and difficult. In contrast to the imperatives there is the calm that comes from the birth of the Christ Child in the city of Bethlehem. Micah addresses this carefully suggesting that "Bethlehem is 'too' small" for such a wonderful thing to happen. Micah is hoping for the birth of another leader like David who will lead the people of Israel back to the position and power they once had. David was born in Bethlehem and the home is there would come forth another leader, a Messiah, to take the people forward.
Christians have picked up this text and implied the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem was the fulfillment of the prophet's hope.
In the sermon I want us to look at the chaos of Jesus' birth and the chaos of our lives. I want us to look at the calm and quiet of the birth of the Christ Child.
The contrast between "the decree that goes out" and "the still small voice" is an important dichotomy.
5 and 7 o'clock services Charles Schuster preaching
I am looking at the confusion and conflict of the Christmas season as compared to the calm of this time of year. There was a "decree" that went out. There are always decrees going out. There are voices telling us what we must do. There are imperatives and some of them are harsh and difficult. In contrast to the imperatives there is the calm that comes from the birth of the Christ Child in the city of Bethlehem. Micah addresses this carefully suggesting that "Bethlehem is 'too' small" for such a wonderful thing to happen. Micah is hoping for the birth of another leader like David who will lead the people of Israel back to the position and power they once had. David was born in Bethlehem and the home is there would come forth another leader, a Messiah, to take the people forward.
Christians have picked up this text and implied the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem was the fulfillment of the prophet's hope.
In the sermon I want us to look at the chaos of Jesus' birth and the chaos of our lives. I want us to look at the calm and quiet of the birth of the Christ Child.
The contrast between "the decree that goes out" and "the still small voice" is an important dichotomy.
3:00 SERVICE
Joel Kewshaw preaching
Think about the people at the bottom of today's social strata. Who might that be. Well, at the time of Jesus Birth, Shepherds were those people. They were looked on a thieves and homeless poor who lived with animals. They were the lowest of the low and yet, the first thing Luke reports after the birth of Jesus was a choir of angels proclaiming Jesus birth to who? A bunch of shepherds. Jesus goes on to adopt the image of a shepherd for his own ministry to talk about how he cares for us like a shepherd for their sheep, a love that know no boundaries; that would stop at nothing to protect and rescue...us. This Christmas Eve at the 3:00 p.m. service we will experience what it might have been like to be the first to know of Jesus; Immanuel; God with us!
Join us for a living nativity, beloved carols and a dramatic sermon from a Shepherd living in the fields one night, keeping watch.
here is a summary of what I will be saying at the 11:00 p.m. service.
Jesus' birth stirred the emotions of folks from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Hopeful? Yes. Disturbing and full of wonder? Yes. The announcement that spread throughout the land created much gossip and gave thought to "is this really God's intervention at a time when peace is so needed?" And, "if that is so, why would God speak through the lives of an older man and a young girl, not married to one another?"
While Jesus' birth was Holy, so was yours and mine. There are many similarities. We will explore the pronouncement, the birth, the adoration and the mandate that has been given to not only Jesus, but to each one of us....on a Christmas night.
If you are up to it, I look forward to having you join us for a time of Scripture, Carols, Communion and Contemplation. And, at midnight, we will ring in Christmas Day, a day when we all experienced our Holy births.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Saturday's thoughts
The sermon has come together finally. I am looking at what makes Christmas so important to us and why we will come to church in record numbers. Our church is so full of people we have to set up projectors and a screen in the Fellowship Hall. Why is Christmas Eve so important?
I am looking at three things that determine the meaning of Christmas for us:
1. There is a universal need, shared by God, to have a home and to come back to it. It is the warmth of home that draws us. It is the memory of other occasions when we were together that calls us to seek out this time and place. The warmth of home, and the church is our spiritual home, calls us to come on Christmas Eve.
2. Once we arrive we are required to shine. Our candle lighting service provides a metaphor of self-discovery and expression. We light our candles and others light theirs. The darkness is defeated by the light that we shine. We could reject the idea and not light our candle but the darkness would increase. Each light has its own value as each of us makes a difference. We are compelled to shine.
3. Finally, we are given the opportunity to bask in the glow of those who have gone before us. They have established the path we are on. They have been with us in other years and when we leave the House of God on Christmas we will have thought about those who have been models for us of the Christian life; parents who showed us our values; teachers who tried to help us along the way; friends who believed in us; loved ones who brought out the best in us.
It is the warmth that brings us to church on Christmas; it is the imperative to shine that gives us our assignment; and it is the glow of the love we have known that sends us out into the world energized.
Why do you come to church on Christmas Eve? What did I miss? If you have thoughts about this important subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
I am looking at three things that determine the meaning of Christmas for us:
1. There is a universal need, shared by God, to have a home and to come back to it. It is the warmth of home that draws us. It is the memory of other occasions when we were together that calls us to seek out this time and place. The warmth of home, and the church is our spiritual home, calls us to come on Christmas Eve.
2. Once we arrive we are required to shine. Our candle lighting service provides a metaphor of self-discovery and expression. We light our candles and others light theirs. The darkness is defeated by the light that we shine. We could reject the idea and not light our candle but the darkness would increase. Each light has its own value as each of us makes a difference. We are compelled to shine.
3. Finally, we are given the opportunity to bask in the glow of those who have gone before us. They have established the path we are on. They have been with us in other years and when we leave the House of God on Christmas we will have thought about those who have been models for us of the Christian life; parents who showed us our values; teachers who tried to help us along the way; friends who believed in us; loved ones who brought out the best in us.
It is the warmth that brings us to church on Christmas; it is the imperative to shine that gives us our assignment; and it is the glow of the love we have known that sends us out into the world energized.
Why do you come to church on Christmas Eve? What did I miss? If you have thoughts about this important subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Wednesday's thoughts
The sermon for the fourth Sunday of Advent is getting kind of interesting to work on. I began thinking with Harper Lee and her book The Kill a Mockingbird and had identified, with her, the importance of wanting to be home for Christmas.
That has now taken a very different turn. One of the readings for Sunday is 2 Samuel 7 where God is telling David to build God a house. What seems to be going on here is the longing of the God we worship to be home. Abraham Heschel has written an entire theology that begins with the premise that God is not at home in the world God has created. The ethic of that theology implies that if God is not at home in the world our job is to build a world in which God is at home. We are God's stake in the universe. What we do with creation can bring the Creator into harmony with it.
When we think of the importance of Christmas and the reason so many people find themselves in churches on Christmas Eve is the impulse to find a home. Christmas Eve is a time for people to act out the need to be at home and the church is a place where we can find a home.
It could be a vestige of some past sense of security that brings us to church. We remember how it was in the past when we were children and we would like to replicate that feeling.
What brings you to church on Christmas Eve if not that? Once you are here at church on Christmas Eve what are we to do here?
What do you think? If you have some thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your ideas click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
That has now taken a very different turn. One of the readings for Sunday is 2 Samuel 7 where God is telling David to build God a house. What seems to be going on here is the longing of the God we worship to be home. Abraham Heschel has written an entire theology that begins with the premise that God is not at home in the world God has created. The ethic of that theology implies that if God is not at home in the world our job is to build a world in which God is at home. We are God's stake in the universe. What we do with creation can bring the Creator into harmony with it.
When we think of the importance of Christmas and the reason so many people find themselves in churches on Christmas Eve is the impulse to find a home. Christmas Eve is a time for people to act out the need to be at home and the church is a place where we can find a home.
It could be a vestige of some past sense of security that brings us to church. We remember how it was in the past when we were children and we would like to replicate that feeling.
What brings you to church on Christmas Eve if not that? Once you are here at church on Christmas Eve what are we to do here?
What do you think? If you have some thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your ideas click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Monday's thoughts
"Christmas"
Harper Lee wrote one great book. She wrote To Kill a Mockingbird. It's a book about a lawyer who is retained to defend a black man who is accused of murder. There is a portion of that book that is devoted to Christmas and the traditions in the Finch family.
When you look at Harper Lee's life it isn't long before you realize much of her book closely resembles her own life. Her father was a lawyer. He defended a black man who was accused of murder and he lost. The community criticized him and his family for his willingness to defend the man.
Harper Lee was a good friend of Truman Capote. In fact Truman's character is in the book. It isn't hard to find him.
The part of the story entitled "Christmas" speaks to us in many ways and on many different levels. It presents the pathos and pathology of Christmas traditions. It brings the Christmas story into a modern setting and helps us look at what we do to celebrate Christmas and why we do it.
What I will try to do in the sermon is to have us look at the Christmas story and our Christmas traditions. I want to look for the things we do that are good and the activities around Christmas that are not so helpful.
What strange Christmas traditions do you have? Why do you do them? Have you ever questioned them?
If you have thoughts on this please 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.
Also, I wish for you that your Christmas traditions will all be wholesome and healthy.
Charles Schuster
Harper Lee wrote one great book. She wrote To Kill a Mockingbird. It's a book about a lawyer who is retained to defend a black man who is accused of murder. There is a portion of that book that is devoted to Christmas and the traditions in the Finch family.
When you look at Harper Lee's life it isn't long before you realize much of her book closely resembles her own life. Her father was a lawyer. He defended a black man who was accused of murder and he lost. The community criticized him and his family for his willingness to defend the man.
Harper Lee was a good friend of Truman Capote. In fact Truman's character is in the book. It isn't hard to find him.
The part of the story entitled "Christmas" speaks to us in many ways and on many different levels. It presents the pathos and pathology of Christmas traditions. It brings the Christmas story into a modern setting and helps us look at what we do to celebrate Christmas and why we do it.
What I will try to do in the sermon is to have us look at the Christmas story and our Christmas traditions. I want to look for the things we do that are good and the activities around Christmas that are not so helpful.
What strange Christmas traditions do you have? Why do you do them? Have you ever questioned them?
If you have thoughts on this please 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.
Also, I wish for you that your Christmas traditions will all be wholesome and healthy.
Charles Schuster
Friday, December 11, 2009
Friday's Thoughts
"The Gift of the Shepherd Girl"
In December of 2005 I preached a sermon suggesting one of the shepherds had a 12 year old daughter. The shepherd is not one who went to see the Christ Child. He was one who remained behind to watch the flock.
His daughter, on hearing what the returning shepherds, had seen and heard when they returned, decided to sneak out during the night and see for herself. Since she had heard it was the Christ Child she took a lamb and gave her lamb to the Christ Child.
No one ever knew that she did it and no one realized the missing lamb.
Years later when the girl had grown up, married, had children, experience the death of her husband, she had an occasion to meet the Christ Child now grown up as Jesus.
She met him just before his death on the cross. She wondered what ever happened to the lamb. She questioned the value of her gift until, when she saw him he referred to himself as "the good shepherd". How would he know anything about sheep? He was a builder, a carpenter; not a shepherd.
She realized the reason he knew about sheep when he referred to himself that way he was affirming her gift to him. She gave him a lamb and he spoke of himself as the good shepherd.
The sermon was not well received. I think I wasn't convincing. People felt the story was not true and I had made it all up.
I think it must have been someone like that who helped Jesus know the value of children and to find the image of what he was. I think when Jesus said, "Let the children come to me and forbid them not; for to such belongs to the Kingdom of Heaven.
A child's gift was glory to God. She gave the Christ Child a lamb and he became to "good shepherd". She was just a child and Jesus said it was children who are 'fit for the Kingdom of God.
Why do you think she gave the baby Jesus a sheep? Why do you think she did not?
Why do you think Jesus referred to children as being fit for the Kingdom of God if not impressed with what children can do.
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you would like to share your thoughts with other you are encouraged to write and click on the box below.
I look forward to reading your ideas.
Charles Schuster
In December of 2005 I preached a sermon suggesting one of the shepherds had a 12 year old daughter. The shepherd is not one who went to see the Christ Child. He was one who remained behind to watch the flock.
His daughter, on hearing what the returning shepherds, had seen and heard when they returned, decided to sneak out during the night and see for herself. Since she had heard it was the Christ Child she took a lamb and gave her lamb to the Christ Child.
No one ever knew that she did it and no one realized the missing lamb.
Years later when the girl had grown up, married, had children, experience the death of her husband, she had an occasion to meet the Christ Child now grown up as Jesus.
She met him just before his death on the cross. She wondered what ever happened to the lamb. She questioned the value of her gift until, when she saw him he referred to himself as "the good shepherd". How would he know anything about sheep? He was a builder, a carpenter; not a shepherd.
She realized the reason he knew about sheep when he referred to himself that way he was affirming her gift to him. She gave him a lamb and he spoke of himself as the good shepherd.
The sermon was not well received. I think I wasn't convincing. People felt the story was not true and I had made it all up.
I think it must have been someone like that who helped Jesus know the value of children and to find the image of what he was. I think when Jesus said, "Let the children come to me and forbid them not; for to such belongs to the Kingdom of Heaven.
A child's gift was glory to God. She gave the Christ Child a lamb and he became to "good shepherd". She was just a child and Jesus said it was children who are 'fit for the Kingdom of God.
Why do you think she gave the baby Jesus a sheep? Why do you think she did not?
Why do you think Jesus referred to children as being fit for the Kingdom of God if not impressed with what children can do.
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you would like to share your thoughts with other you are encouraged to write and click on the box below.
I look forward to reading your ideas.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Wednesday's thoughts
In the posting of the Monday "Build a Sermon" I speculated what a shepherd girl might bring to the Christ Child as I issued an invitation to add to the Christmas Story.
I have received some speculation on this subject.
One person speculated the shepherd girl would have brought a blanket for the Christ Child. The child would need a blanket for warmth. This person thought the blanket would have been a blanket her mother would have given her. The Shepherd girl's mother had died and this was the most precious gift the child could give.
Another thought came from someone who imagined the shepherd girl's gift would have been a lamb. This person ponders, "Why would Mary and Joseph have offered a pair of turtle doves as burnt offerings for the purification ceremony. While this was an acceptable offering, it was a poor person's alternative to presenting a lamb as a burnt offering. Joseph was said to be a builder by trade, which would not have made him impoverished. And the Holy Family was said to be visited by shepherds. So why no lamb for the sacrifice?
I believe it was a lamb offered by the shepherd girl. It was the lamb she offered up knowing it would be used as a sacrifice. I believe they took that lamb to the temple for the purification sacrifice. At the temple, they met Simeon and Anna. Simeon and Anna knew there was something different about this child. Perhaps with Zacharias they reasoned with the presiding priest that the sacrifice of a lamb would not be necessary, that the substitution of a turtle dove would suffice. Ultimately, a lamb of God would have to suffer but not that day, and not at that time. The baby lamb would go back with the family to Galilee to be a companion to the young child, as a freely given gift from a poor shepherd girl."
The Build a Sermon has been helpful for us preachers as you can see. There is time and room for other ideas. What do you think the shepherd girl would have brought had she known about the Christ Child born in Bethlehem?
I look forward to hearing from you. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below. Thanks for your help.
Charles Schuster
I have received some speculation on this subject.
One person speculated the shepherd girl would have brought a blanket for the Christ Child. The child would need a blanket for warmth. This person thought the blanket would have been a blanket her mother would have given her. The Shepherd girl's mother had died and this was the most precious gift the child could give.
Another thought came from someone who imagined the shepherd girl's gift would have been a lamb. This person ponders, "Why would Mary and Joseph have offered a pair of turtle doves as burnt offerings for the purification ceremony. While this was an acceptable offering, it was a poor person's alternative to presenting a lamb as a burnt offering. Joseph was said to be a builder by trade, which would not have made him impoverished. And the Holy Family was said to be visited by shepherds. So why no lamb for the sacrifice?
I believe it was a lamb offered by the shepherd girl. It was the lamb she offered up knowing it would be used as a sacrifice. I believe they took that lamb to the temple for the purification sacrifice. At the temple, they met Simeon and Anna. Simeon and Anna knew there was something different about this child. Perhaps with Zacharias they reasoned with the presiding priest that the sacrifice of a lamb would not be necessary, that the substitution of a turtle dove would suffice. Ultimately, a lamb of God would have to suffer but not that day, and not at that time. The baby lamb would go back with the family to Galilee to be a companion to the young child, as a freely given gift from a poor shepherd girl."
The Build a Sermon has been helpful for us preachers as you can see. There is time and room for other ideas. What do you think the shepherd girl would have brought had she known about the Christ Child born in Bethlehem?
I look forward to hearing from you. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below. Thanks for your help.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Monday's thoughts
I have been looking at some of the short stories written about the Christmas story as fiction works with Gospel to expand the facts to the level of meaning.
In the past couple weeks we have thought with John Piper who wrote about the Innkeeper, and we have looked at O. Henry and his modern reflection on the "Gift of the Magi". On the final week of Advent I will work with Harper Lee's perspective on "Christmas".
Next Sunday I wanted to write a short story myself about the shepherds. I want to think about the implications of the visit of the shepherds to the manger and to Mary and Joseph and the Christ Child.
Luke has given us the story of the shepherds. It is Luke's way of reminding us that the Christ Child came in very ordinary circumstances and was visited by some of the most common and ordinary people on earth; shepherds. Missing from Luke's story is the story of the visit of the kings. It wasn't the Magi who came to visit. They represented royalty, and strangeness. Shepherds portray a more basic and down to earth message.
In all of the Gospel Luke is interested to reveal to us a Christ who was attentive to common ordinary people. Luke give us a Christ who was sensitive to the issues of women. Luke shows us a Jesus who continually stands up for the outcast.
Sunday, with our choir singing a major piece of music I would like to present to you, "The Gift of the Shepherd Girl". As the week progresses I will offer an update on how the story is coming.
The Christmas story is not fiction but neither is it fact. It gives us an idea of what can happen and is less concerned to tell us what exactly did happen. It lends itself to amplification and invites us to take our place in the story as we read it and tell is.
What do you think might have been a gift from a shepherd girl to the Christ Child? What do you think that might have been?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
In the past couple weeks we have thought with John Piper who wrote about the Innkeeper, and we have looked at O. Henry and his modern reflection on the "Gift of the Magi". On the final week of Advent I will work with Harper Lee's perspective on "Christmas".
Next Sunday I wanted to write a short story myself about the shepherds. I want to think about the implications of the visit of the shepherds to the manger and to Mary and Joseph and the Christ Child.
Luke has given us the story of the shepherds. It is Luke's way of reminding us that the Christ Child came in very ordinary circumstances and was visited by some of the most common and ordinary people on earth; shepherds. Missing from Luke's story is the story of the visit of the kings. It wasn't the Magi who came to visit. They represented royalty, and strangeness. Shepherds portray a more basic and down to earth message.
In all of the Gospel Luke is interested to reveal to us a Christ who was attentive to common ordinary people. Luke give us a Christ who was sensitive to the issues of women. Luke shows us a Jesus who continually stands up for the outcast.
Sunday, with our choir singing a major piece of music I would like to present to you, "The Gift of the Shepherd Girl". As the week progresses I will offer an update on how the story is coming.
The Christmas story is not fiction but neither is it fact. It gives us an idea of what can happen and is less concerned to tell us what exactly did happen. It lends itself to amplification and invites us to take our place in the story as we read it and tell is.
What do you think might have been a gift from a shepherd girl to the Christ Child? What do you think that might have been?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Friday, December 4, 2009
Friday's Thoughts
Some of the most interesting parts of the Christian story are only mentioned in a peripheral way. We are encouraged to stretch our minds and imaginations to get a better look at what's really going on in the story and what is being said to us.
For example; we are told there was an inn where Mary and Joseph stayed the night Jesus was born. We are told there was no room in the inn but they were allowed to stay in the cave behind the inn where the livestock was kept. If there was an inn then there must have been an Innkeeper who saw the Christ Child in the cradle. John Piper imagines the Innkeeper's struggles which came as a result of the fact that he had risked his own safety by housing the Messiah.
Then there was the Centurion who is mentioned as having seen Jesus on the cross and having heard the man on the cross beside him saying, "Jesus, remember me when you come to paradise". The Centurion then is to have said, "Surely, this man is a Son of God." The Centurion admired the Messiah on the cross.
Then there was the owner of the Upper Room who opened his home to Jesus and the disciples. What did he see? He saw the table and he may have heard Jesus say, "This is my body and this is my blood, take this and remember me." The owner of the upper room may have been the first to realize that Christians are not admirers, nor are they protectors of Christ, but we are carriers of Christ and we are called to be Christ to each other.
The Innkeeper, the Centurion, and the owner of the Upper Room each came to see different aspects of Jesus life. Each knew a part of it. We celebrate Christmas and we become protective of the child. We remember Good Friday and we become admirers of the Christ. We come to the table and from our vantage point we realize both the protector role and the admirer role, but we understand our primary obligation, as Christians, is to be carriers of the Christ.
We learn this by looking at the peripheral people in the story.
What do you think? How do we do this? If you have thoughts 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 Schuster
For example; we are told there was an inn where Mary and Joseph stayed the night Jesus was born. We are told there was no room in the inn but they were allowed to stay in the cave behind the inn where the livestock was kept. If there was an inn then there must have been an Innkeeper who saw the Christ Child in the cradle. John Piper imagines the Innkeeper's struggles which came as a result of the fact that he had risked his own safety by housing the Messiah.
Then there was the Centurion who is mentioned as having seen Jesus on the cross and having heard the man on the cross beside him saying, "Jesus, remember me when you come to paradise". The Centurion then is to have said, "Surely, this man is a Son of God." The Centurion admired the Messiah on the cross.
Then there was the owner of the Upper Room who opened his home to Jesus and the disciples. What did he see? He saw the table and he may have heard Jesus say, "This is my body and this is my blood, take this and remember me." The owner of the upper room may have been the first to realize that Christians are not admirers, nor are they protectors of Christ, but we are carriers of Christ and we are called to be Christ to each other.
The Innkeeper, the Centurion, and the owner of the Upper Room each came to see different aspects of Jesus life. Each knew a part of it. We celebrate Christmas and we become protective of the child. We remember Good Friday and we become admirers of the Christ. We come to the table and from our vantage point we realize both the protector role and the admirer role, but we understand our primary obligation, as Christians, is to be carriers of the Christ.
We learn this by looking at the peripheral people in the story.
What do you think? How do we do this? If you have thoughts 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 Schuster
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Wednesday's thoughts
The struggle I am having with the sermon is the problem with the Christmas story and I have it every year. There is much of the story that we know has problems historically. What do we do with the Christmas story when most scholars doubt that much of it actually happened. Consider this:
What if there is no record of the census? What if Herod was not really King when Jesus was born? What if there couldn't have been shepherds out in the field? What if there is no record of the Magi? What if there is no certainty that Jesus was born in Bethlehem? What if there is no historical documentation of the killing of children that would have caused Mary and Joseph to leave Bethlehem and go to Egypt?
What if most of the story was made up by the church wanting to give us a birth narrative because there was no birth narrative?
Is it right to tell the story as if it is factual?
Is it right to tell children the story in church and in worship?
What do you think about that? If you have some thoughts 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 Schuster
What if there is no record of the census? What if Herod was not really King when Jesus was born? What if there couldn't have been shepherds out in the field? What if there is no record of the Magi? What if there is no certainty that Jesus was born in Bethlehem? What if there is no historical documentation of the killing of children that would have caused Mary and Joseph to leave Bethlehem and go to Egypt?
What if most of the story was made up by the church wanting to give us a birth narrative because there was no birth narrative?
Is it right to tell the story as if it is factual?
Is it right to tell children the story in church and in worship?
What do you think about that? If you have some thoughts 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 Schuster
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Monday's thoughts
"The Innkeeper's Dream"
Joseph Piper has written a book entitled, the Innkeeper. I am using Christian literature this Advent as we take a look at the Christmas Story from the point of view of authors who have tried to explain the meaning of the story by expanding and applying it.
Piper has an interesting premise. He ponders what would happen if the Innkeeper that night when Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem looking for lodging had had to pay serious consequences for his providing a place for the Holy Family to stay. The Innkeeper's son was killed, his wife died, and the Innkeeper was beaten.
Piper then imagines Jesus, just before his death coming for a visit with the Innkeeper. He came to thank him for his hospitality. The book is about that visit.
What do you imagine Jesus and the Innkeeper talked about? The book assumes the Innkeeper was a hero. I think I agree with that.
Do you have some ideas about this? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Joseph Piper has written a book entitled, the Innkeeper. I am using Christian literature this Advent as we take a look at the Christmas Story from the point of view of authors who have tried to explain the meaning of the story by expanding and applying it.
Piper has an interesting premise. He ponders what would happen if the Innkeeper that night when Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem looking for lodging had had to pay serious consequences for his providing a place for the Holy Family to stay. The Innkeeper's son was killed, his wife died, and the Innkeeper was beaten.
Piper then imagines Jesus, just before his death coming for a visit with the Innkeeper. He came to thank him for his hospitality. The book is about that visit.
What do you imagine Jesus and the Innkeeper talked about? The book assumes the Innkeeper was a hero. I think I agree with that.
Do you have some ideas about this? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Friday, November 27, 2009
Friday's Thoughts
What is the best gift you ever gave? When did a gift at Christmas make a difference beyond what you expected?
When I hear people talking about this kind of thing it rarely ends up having to do with something material. References are made to those times at Christmas when the family really couldn't afford much gift giving and the gift that made a difference was something that was the result of someone's heroic effort.
Maybe it was the doll house your father made or the train set or the sand box that was the most memorable gift.
Maybe it was the Christmas your brother was able to get away from his job or the military unite and surprised the family by showing up on Christmas Eve that was the Christmas everyone can remember.
Maybe it was the year your father or mother stopped drinking and that was the last drink they ever had as they turned their lives around that was the Christmas that holds the most meaning for you as you think about it today.
It might have been the Christmas your grandmother was ill and expected to die and she rallied for Christmas and your greatest Christmas present was she was able to be with the family on Christmas Eve.
Maybe it was the last Christmas you were all together as a family and you recall how you passed the light down the row on Christmas Eve and you will never forget how important that was. You didn't realize it at the time but, looking back, it was the best Christmas ever.
What Christmas memories do you have?
If you have some thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share you thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing for you.
Charles Schuster
When I hear people talking about this kind of thing it rarely ends up having to do with something material. References are made to those times at Christmas when the family really couldn't afford much gift giving and the gift that made a difference was something that was the result of someone's heroic effort.
Maybe it was the doll house your father made or the train set or the sand box that was the most memorable gift.
Maybe it was the Christmas your brother was able to get away from his job or the military unite and surprised the family by showing up on Christmas Eve that was the Christmas everyone can remember.
Maybe it was the year your father or mother stopped drinking and that was the last drink they ever had as they turned their lives around that was the Christmas that holds the most meaning for you as you think about it today.
It might have been the Christmas your grandmother was ill and expected to die and she rallied for Christmas and your greatest Christmas present was she was able to be with the family on Christmas Eve.
Maybe it was the last Christmas you were all together as a family and you recall how you passed the light down the row on Christmas Eve and you will never forget how important that was. You didn't realize it at the time but, looking back, it was the best Christmas ever.
What Christmas memories do you have?
If you have some thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share you thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing for you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wednesday's thoughts
"Christmas Clues for Clueless Givers"
O. Henry's "Gift of the Magi" and Matthew's "Gifts of the Magi" give us important ideas regarding Christmas shopping and gift giving.
They remind us of the important things we need to know as we look at what we can give this Christmas; especially when some of us are feeling that we are not capable of giving what we would like to give.
O. Henry reminds us through his short story of the importance of giving from the heart. Dela cut her hair to buy Jim the watch he had said he lost. Jim had sold the watch so he could buy the hair brushes Dela wanted. They were fooling givers. They were the wisest givers. They gave from the heart. O. Henry judged they were the wisest of givers.
Matthew gives us the story of the Magi who brought the Christ Child gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These three gifts have, except for the gold, limited value. All three gifts had a lasting meaning when we look at the length and meaning of Jesus' life.
The Magi gave to the future.
Those two values are critical for us as we think about our gift giving and Christmas. It isn't the money that we spent that puts the ultimate value on our gifts. It isn't the immediate utility that determines the worth of our gifts.
We will want to give from the heart and to the future, and if we are able to do that they may want to call us Magi (wise).
What are you thinking to give for Christmas? Is it from the heart and does it contribute to the future?
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
O. Henry's "Gift of the Magi" and Matthew's "Gifts of the Magi" give us important ideas regarding Christmas shopping and gift giving.
They remind us of the important things we need to know as we look at what we can give this Christmas; especially when some of us are feeling that we are not capable of giving what we would like to give.
O. Henry reminds us through his short story of the importance of giving from the heart. Dela cut her hair to buy Jim the watch he had said he lost. Jim had sold the watch so he could buy the hair brushes Dela wanted. They were fooling givers. They were the wisest givers. They gave from the heart. O. Henry judged they were the wisest of givers.
Matthew gives us the story of the Magi who brought the Christ Child gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These three gifts have, except for the gold, limited value. All three gifts had a lasting meaning when we look at the length and meaning of Jesus' life.
The Magi gave to the future.
Those two values are critical for us as we think about our gift giving and Christmas. It isn't the money that we spent that puts the ultimate value on our gifts. It isn't the immediate utility that determines the worth of our gifts.
We will want to give from the heart and to the future, and if we are able to do that they may want to call us Magi (wise).
What are you thinking to give for Christmas? Is it from the heart and does it contribute to the future?
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
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Monday's thoughts
"The Giver's Gift"
O. Henry wrote this short story, "The Gift of the Magi". It will set the stage for our sermon on the first Sunday of Advent -- November 29th.
It's an interesting premise. I man sells his watch to buy his wife a set of combs for her hair. He tells her he has lost his watch. She, meanwhile, sells her hair and buys a watch to replace the watch he lost.
Were they fools?
Did they give the best gifts ever?
What is the best gift you have ever given? What is the best gift you have received.
Once I received a hub cap. The car I was driving hit a pot hole in Denver and one of the hub caps fell off. Kathy went to "Hub Cab Annie's and found the same kind of hub cap and I got it for Christmas.
When I was working on my doctorate I read the work of Henri Bergson. When my daughter went to France she was able to find a book, written in French, of one of Bergson's most famous writings.
Those two gifts were two of the best because they represented some serious searching and a knowledge of who I am.
What is the best gift you have ever given?
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
O. Henry wrote this short story, "The Gift of the Magi". It will set the stage for our sermon on the first Sunday of Advent -- November 29th.
It's an interesting premise. I man sells his watch to buy his wife a set of combs for her hair. He tells her he has lost his watch. She, meanwhile, sells her hair and buys a watch to replace the watch he lost.
Were they fools?
Did they give the best gifts ever?
What is the best gift you have ever given? What is the best gift you have received.
Once I received a hub cap. The car I was driving hit a pot hole in Denver and one of the hub caps fell off. Kathy went to "Hub Cab Annie's and found the same kind of hub cap and I got it for Christmas.
When I was working on my doctorate I read the work of Henri Bergson. When my daughter went to France she was able to find a book, written in French, of one of Bergson's most famous writings.
Those two gifts were two of the best because they represented some serious searching and a knowledge of who I am.
What is the best gift you have ever given?
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, November 20, 2009
Friday's Thoughts
"How Do We Think Thank?"
Usually, the "build a sermon" space is devoted to the sermon. I give out ideas of what the sermon is doing and I get suggestions. The sermon is about what happens to us when we approach life with a sense of gratitude.
The sermon raises an important question;
What are the two most significant days in our lives?
I have three answers to that;
1. The two most important days of our lives are the day we were born and the day we found out why.
2. The two most important days of our lives are the day we were born and the day we no longer were afraid to die.
3. The two most important days of our lives are the day we were born and the day we realized and appreciated the people around us.
In addition to the sermon Sunday we are going to be in for a treat in the 9:15 and 10:45 worship hours. We are going to hear special music from Charlene Loomis and Karen Stoody, the church bell choir, and the adult choir with brass and percussion.
In addition to that we will hear an anthem written by Zion Park who is one of the members of our choir. He is a world famous composer, and this anthem will be one you won't want to miss.
What do you think the two most important days of your life are? If you have a thought about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you wish others to read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Usually, the "build a sermon" space is devoted to the sermon. I give out ideas of what the sermon is doing and I get suggestions. The sermon is about what happens to us when we approach life with a sense of gratitude.
The sermon raises an important question;
What are the two most significant days in our lives?
I have three answers to that;
1. The two most important days of our lives are the day we were born and the day we found out why.
2. The two most important days of our lives are the day we were born and the day we no longer were afraid to die.
3. The two most important days of our lives are the day we were born and the day we realized and appreciated the people around us.
In addition to the sermon Sunday we are going to be in for a treat in the 9:15 and 10:45 worship hours. We are going to hear special music from Charlene Loomis and Karen Stoody, the church bell choir, and the adult choir with brass and percussion.
In addition to that we will hear an anthem written by Zion Park who is one of the members of our choir. He is a world famous composer, and this anthem will be one you won't want to miss.
What do you think the two most important days of your life are? If you have a thought about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you wish others to read your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Wednesday's thoughts
When It's Time To Think Thanks"
Various committees in the church have wanted to have a Sunday morning in the Sanctuary when we turn our music program loose. It will happen this coming Sunday. The adult choir will be singing two large anthems. One of the anthems has been written by Zion Park, a member of the choir, and the other anthem "A Jubilant Song".
Charlene Loomis and Karen Stoody are playing a variation on the hymn "He's got the whole world in his hands". They have put together this wonderful piece of music. The children will remain in the service for the first part of worship to hear it.
The bell choir will open our service with Prelude and Introit; "Tocatta on Holy, Holy, Holy" and "Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken".
This service will feature our talented musicians. I have 10 minutes to put together a narrative sermon on the importance of thinking thankfully.
If you have thoughts on this please write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Various committees in the church have wanted to have a Sunday morning in the Sanctuary when we turn our music program loose. It will happen this coming Sunday. The adult choir will be singing two large anthems. One of the anthems has been written by Zion Park, a member of the choir, and the other anthem "A Jubilant Song".
Charlene Loomis and Karen Stoody are playing a variation on the hymn "He's got the whole world in his hands". They have put together this wonderful piece of music. The children will remain in the service for the first part of worship to hear it.
The bell choir will open our service with Prelude and Introit; "Tocatta on Holy, Holy, Holy" and "Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken".
This service will feature our talented musicians. I have 10 minutes to put together a narrative sermon on the importance of thinking thankfully.
If you have thoughts on this please write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Monday's thoughts
"It's Time to Think Thank"
There is much in life we find disappointing. Dreams do not always come true. Friends will let us know. Family members can be a problem and there are dysfunctional aspects of our relationships on many levels. Holiday seasons play an important part in both the joy of life as well as the heartache.
What do we do with life when it lets us down?
How do we face life's disappointments?
It's about time we realize that the only way to overcome the curse we get in life is to count our blessings. The best way to handle disappointment with what has happened is to look at the best part of it and be glad in it.
The past several weeks we have been thinking of the people at the church who have worked hard to make the church the great church it is. Our congregation is full of people who generously give of their time and talent, not to mention their prayers and their service. Just thinking about the people who have given so much to the church at this time when we are in the middle of our stewardship campaign has made us realize how invested our members are in the ministry at First Church.
On an individual level when we get down on life and ourselves that is the time to "think thank" to look up at the good that has come to us and be grateful for it.
For what are you most thankful? When you "think thank" what comes to your mind? Is it your friends and loved ones who help make life worthwhile? Is it work to do that his meaningful or challenges beyond your grasp but they force you to stretch? Is it the potential of tomorrow and what it could bring to enliven today?
What are the blessings you count when you get around to adding them up?
If you have some thoughts on this important 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 Schuster
There is much in life we find disappointing. Dreams do not always come true. Friends will let us know. Family members can be a problem and there are dysfunctional aspects of our relationships on many levels. Holiday seasons play an important part in both the joy of life as well as the heartache.
What do we do with life when it lets us down?
How do we face life's disappointments?
It's about time we realize that the only way to overcome the curse we get in life is to count our blessings. The best way to handle disappointment with what has happened is to look at the best part of it and be glad in it.
The past several weeks we have been thinking of the people at the church who have worked hard to make the church the great church it is. Our congregation is full of people who generously give of their time and talent, not to mention their prayers and their service. Just thinking about the people who have given so much to the church at this time when we are in the middle of our stewardship campaign has made us realize how invested our members are in the ministry at First Church.
On an individual level when we get down on life and ourselves that is the time to "think thank" to look up at the good that has come to us and be grateful for it.
For what are you most thankful? When you "think thank" what comes to your mind? Is it your friends and loved ones who help make life worthwhile? Is it work to do that his meaningful or challenges beyond your grasp but they force you to stretch? Is it the potential of tomorrow and what it could bring to enliven today?
What are the blessings you count when you get around to adding them up?
If you have some thoughts on this important 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 Schuster
Friday, November 13, 2009
Friday's Thoughts
"Working for the Laud"
This sermon is an answer to the statement posed in Ecclesiastes 3 that says, "What gain is the worker from their toil?"
There has to be an answer to that despairing thought. What is it?
I'm not sure I have this said the way it ought to be said but I think there is a contrast between "working for the laud" and "working for the Lord".
It is concerning that that sounds like a platitude but there is something behind it that ought to be exposed.
If we are working for praise or recognition we may be disappointed. We need an agent to help us. We need a voice to speak for us that will be an advocate for us to help others see what we can do and who we are.
If we have grown to accept our situation as no better than what it is we will need a counselor to be the voice that reminds us of the latent potential we are capable of fulfilling. We need not accept a lesser place in life than what it could become. Abraham Heschel is right to say, "Something is being asked of us".
Ultimately, there can be a voice within us that knows what it is to do the right thing no matter the consequences. Working for praise will not bring satisfaction; praise is faint and fleeting. Working for something higher will linger because it is eternal.
There is a better way to say it. Jesus said to Martha, "You are worried about many things. Only one thing is necessary."
What is the one thing that is necessary?
In this sermon I will try to find it. Any ideas? If so write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others look in on your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
This sermon is an answer to the statement posed in Ecclesiastes 3 that says, "What gain is the worker from their toil?"
There has to be an answer to that despairing thought. What is it?
I'm not sure I have this said the way it ought to be said but I think there is a contrast between "working for the laud" and "working for the Lord".
It is concerning that that sounds like a platitude but there is something behind it that ought to be exposed.
If we are working for praise or recognition we may be disappointed. We need an agent to help us. We need a voice to speak for us that will be an advocate for us to help others see what we can do and who we are.
If we have grown to accept our situation as no better than what it is we will need a counselor to be the voice that reminds us of the latent potential we are capable of fulfilling. We need not accept a lesser place in life than what it could become. Abraham Heschel is right to say, "Something is being asked of us".
Ultimately, there can be a voice within us that knows what it is to do the right thing no matter the consequences. Working for praise will not bring satisfaction; praise is faint and fleeting. Working for something higher will linger because it is eternal.
There is a better way to say it. Jesus said to Martha, "You are worried about many things. Only one thing is necessary."
What is the one thing that is necessary?
In this sermon I will try to find it. Any ideas? If so write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others look in on your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Wednesday's thoughts
"Working for the Laud"
My grandmother used to say, "Self praise is half scandal" and I think that's true. If we need to blow our own horn to trumpet our own accomplishments then no one will hear us. All they will hear is our need for self-congratulations.
But what do we do about the need for recognition? How do we work around that very basic and human need?
One suggestion is to have an agent. We could find someone who would stand in front of us and other people and be assigned to tell people what we have done. What we may need is a campaign manager; an agent; a press secretary; an advocate.
Sometimes this person is a parent or a spouse or a friend or a family member. We need agents and advocates and we have them.
There are people who are doing that for us and it's important to note that and to appreciate what they do for us or what they have done for us in the past.
Who are your advocates?
Who are the people who can be counted on to be our agents to speak out for us when something needs to be said?
Sunday, in worship we are going to take some time to think about our agents. Sometimes the things they tell us about ourselves are things we would rather not hear. Sometimes they are the ones who lift our spirits when we are down and out. Sometimes they are the ones who speak up for us and we don't even know they are doing it.
In John's Gospel just before Jesus' death on the cross he said to his friend that he would provide an advocate for them. We find these words, "I will not leave you desolate" and "These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom God will send in my name will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
If we are working for the laud we are remembering we don't need to congratulate ourselves. There are people doing that for us and we can let go of the need to do it.
Who is your agent? Your advocate?
If you have thoughts on this 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 Schuster
My grandmother used to say, "Self praise is half scandal" and I think that's true. If we need to blow our own horn to trumpet our own accomplishments then no one will hear us. All they will hear is our need for self-congratulations.
But what do we do about the need for recognition? How do we work around that very basic and human need?
One suggestion is to have an agent. We could find someone who would stand in front of us and other people and be assigned to tell people what we have done. What we may need is a campaign manager; an agent; a press secretary; an advocate.
Sometimes this person is a parent or a spouse or a friend or a family member. We need agents and advocates and we have them.
There are people who are doing that for us and it's important to note that and to appreciate what they do for us or what they have done for us in the past.
Who are your advocates?
Who are the people who can be counted on to be our agents to speak out for us when something needs to be said?
Sunday, in worship we are going to take some time to think about our agents. Sometimes the things they tell us about ourselves are things we would rather not hear. Sometimes they are the ones who lift our spirits when we are down and out. Sometimes they are the ones who speak up for us and we don't even know they are doing it.
In John's Gospel just before Jesus' death on the cross he said to his friend that he would provide an advocate for them. We find these words, "I will not leave you desolate" and "These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom God will send in my name will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
If we are working for the laud we are remembering we don't need to congratulate ourselves. There are people doing that for us and we can let go of the need to do it.
Who is your agent? Your advocate?
If you have thoughts on this 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 Schuster
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Monday's thoughts
"Working for the Laud"
We are thinking about thanking just now in the church. We are taking the time to thank each group that is involved in the ministry here. Our Commitment Sunday concluded early this year and that left a number of Sundays for us to do something we had not done before; to take the time to thank people who rarely are recipients of gratitude. The fact is there are so many of our members who are working in the background doing what they do without recognition. We wanted to take some time to thank them. This will continue until November 22nd, the Sunday before Thanksgiving Day.
The sermon Sunday will look at an aspect of thankfulness. What do we do and how do we handle not being appreciated for the things we do? Does that stifle our enthusiasm for the task? How can it not?
What does it mean to work for the praise; to work for the laud? Is there a better way to engage ourselves in the important work that needs to be done than expecting to be appreciated, noticed, or thanked?
I think there is a better way. In fact, if we are working for the laud we will be disappointed. Many times we will be overlooked. People are busy with their own efforts. People don't always see what is being done and we find ourselves being bypassed and overlooked.
What is the best motivation to fulfill the important tasks? Is it in the accomplishment with the understanding of a job well done? Is it some sense divine recognition and accomplishment; our labor is not in unnoticed if it is an expression of our faith? Is there a difference between working for the Lord and working for the laud?
What do you think? What motivates you to do the good that you do? If you have some thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to allow others to read your ideas click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
We are thinking about thanking just now in the church. We are taking the time to thank each group that is involved in the ministry here. Our Commitment Sunday concluded early this year and that left a number of Sundays for us to do something we had not done before; to take the time to thank people who rarely are recipients of gratitude. The fact is there are so many of our members who are working in the background doing what they do without recognition. We wanted to take some time to thank them. This will continue until November 22nd, the Sunday before Thanksgiving Day.
The sermon Sunday will look at an aspect of thankfulness. What do we do and how do we handle not being appreciated for the things we do? Does that stifle our enthusiasm for the task? How can it not?
What does it mean to work for the praise; to work for the laud? Is there a better way to engage ourselves in the important work that needs to be done than expecting to be appreciated, noticed, or thanked?
I think there is a better way. In fact, if we are working for the laud we will be disappointed. Many times we will be overlooked. People are busy with their own efforts. People don't always see what is being done and we find ourselves being bypassed and overlooked.
What is the best motivation to fulfill the important tasks? Is it in the accomplishment with the understanding of a job well done? Is it some sense divine recognition and accomplishment; our labor is not in unnoticed if it is an expression of our faith? Is there a difference between working for the Lord and working for the laud?
What do you think? What motivates you to do the good that you do? If you have some thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to allow others to read your ideas click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, November 6, 2009
Friday's Thoughts
It has been difficult this Veteran's Day Weekend when we think of the murders that have happened at Fort Hood. What would drive someone to think killing is an act of God? How could a man of faith, an army officer, and a health care professional do what he did? What can we learn from this?
We take some consolation from the fact that it is Children's Sabbath this Sunday and we will have our children in church.
What children remind us of and why Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and forbid them not, for to such belongs the Kingdom of God."
With children they are honest.
With children there is goodness.
Children lead us from honest to goodness to God.
In a related issue Krista Tippett believes we learn to be good by being attracted by beauty. She wrote it this way in her book, Speaking of Faith, "As much as I have protested that virtue alive in the world is not about lovely platitudes, beauty is one of its defining attributes. A passion for beauty has always been at the core of human religious experience. Art, architecture, literature, and music owe everything to religion. The examples begin pouring out if you ponder this for just a second, lush and wild: not just the music of Bach, but the mandalas of Tibetan Buddhism, the calligraphy of the Qur'an and on and on and on."
Do we learn to be good through our passion for beauty?
What do you think? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
We take some consolation from the fact that it is Children's Sabbath this Sunday and we will have our children in church.
What children remind us of and why Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and forbid them not, for to such belongs the Kingdom of God."
With children they are honest.
With children there is goodness.
Children lead us from honest to goodness to God.
In a related issue Krista Tippett believes we learn to be good by being attracted by beauty. She wrote it this way in her book, Speaking of Faith, "As much as I have protested that virtue alive in the world is not about lovely platitudes, beauty is one of its defining attributes. A passion for beauty has always been at the core of human religious experience. Art, architecture, literature, and music owe everything to religion. The examples begin pouring out if you ponder this for just a second, lush and wild: not just the music of Bach, but the mandalas of Tibetan Buddhism, the calligraphy of the Qur'an and on and on and on."
Do we learn to be good through our passion for beauty?
What do you think? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Wednesday's thoughts
"Exposing Virtue; Why are We Good?"
Every year about this time we have, what we call, Children's Sabbath. It is the one time in the year when the focus is on children. We call off Sunday School classes and we build the service around children.
This will be the last Children's Sabbath we will have at First Church. From now on children will be in the Sanctuary and classes will be called off the first Sunday of every month. Why are we doing this?
We have realized something recently. We see it so clearly. If we continue to have our children in the worship service only once a year and if we continue to have them in worship only up until the time of the children's sermon and then we send them out of the Sanctuary they will never know what it means to worship.
We have determined we have been making an important mistake with our children and we are trying to make it right.
First Sunday of every month our children will be in the worship service. They will have a chance to experience worship and can participate in communion with their parents. We will do what we can to make sure the services are meaningful for the children but will not sacrifice what is meaningful for the adults.
Why are we good? We are good because we surround ourselves with those things that remind us to be and do good things.
What do you think about having the children in our worship services once a month? Is this a good idea?
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
Every year about this time we have, what we call, Children's Sabbath. It is the one time in the year when the focus is on children. We call off Sunday School classes and we build the service around children.
This will be the last Children's Sabbath we will have at First Church. From now on children will be in the Sanctuary and classes will be called off the first Sunday of every month. Why are we doing this?
We have realized something recently. We see it so clearly. If we continue to have our children in the worship service only once a year and if we continue to have them in worship only up until the time of the children's sermon and then we send them out of the Sanctuary they will never know what it means to worship.
We have determined we have been making an important mistake with our children and we are trying to make it right.
First Sunday of every month our children will be in the worship service. They will have a chance to experience worship and can participate in communion with their parents. We will do what we can to make sure the services are meaningful for the children but will not sacrifice what is meaningful for the adults.
Why are we good? We are good because we surround ourselves with those things that remind us to be and do good things.
What do you think about having the children in our worship services once a month? Is this a good idea?
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
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Monday's thoughts
"Why Are We Good?"
This is the sermon theme for Sunday November 8th. We are following one of the chapters in Krista Tippett's book trying to determine what makes us do what we should when we are fully capable of doing what we could.
There are times in our lives when we are tempted to act in a way that is to our advantage. We can realize material gain, or added power and prestige. We can come to see great advancement if we act in self interest. Most of the time we can get away with it because we may be the only one who will ever know.
There is something within us that calls us to a higher purpose; that encourages us to a greater good. Why are we good? Why do we act in a way that is to our detriment but to the greater good?
Is it conscience?
Is it upbringing?
Is it God?
I am looking for stories for when we have acted against our self-interest. I am trying to explore the reason why.
If you have thoughts please email me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
This is the sermon theme for Sunday November 8th. We are following one of the chapters in Krista Tippett's book trying to determine what makes us do what we should when we are fully capable of doing what we could.
There are times in our lives when we are tempted to act in a way that is to our advantage. We can realize material gain, or added power and prestige. We can come to see great advancement if we act in self interest. Most of the time we can get away with it because we may be the only one who will ever know.
There is something within us that calls us to a higher purpose; that encourages us to a greater good. Why are we good? Why do we act in a way that is to our detriment but to the greater good?
Is it conscience?
Is it upbringing?
Is it God?
I am looking for stories for when we have acted against our self-interest. I am trying to explore the reason why.
If you have thoughts please email me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, October 23, 2009
Friday's Thoughts
There is something about faith that takes us into the depth of life's experience and transforms us. What seems to be bad becomes tolerable. What seems tolerable can become good. What appears good can become formative and great.
It happens at every stage of life. It happens in your childhood years when we are struggling to know what we can and cannot do. It happens in our adolescent days when we battle issue of authority and identity. It happens in our adult days when we are trying to make a difference in life by using what talent and gifts we have and apply them to the world's needs. It happens in our elder hood when we are looking at end of life times.
Can we live our lives full of days?
We can do that at any stage of life and we must.
Faith requires that we come as far as we can see and then we look further. I means we read the bad news in the papers and we hear the bad news as shared and we keep listening.
There is more for us; more to do and more to see and more to experience and we live our lives full of days.
The sermon will focus on Job who lived his life until the end and was full of days. That is the greatest affirmation we can make and that is a life well lived.
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 Schuster
It happens at every stage of life. It happens in your childhood years when we are struggling to know what we can and cannot do. It happens in our adolescent days when we battle issue of authority and identity. It happens in our adult days when we are trying to make a difference in life by using what talent and gifts we have and apply them to the world's needs. It happens in our elder hood when we are looking at end of life times.
Can we live our lives full of days?
We can do that at any stage of life and we must.
Faith requires that we come as far as we can see and then we look further. I means we read the bad news in the papers and we hear the bad news as shared and we keep listening.
There is more for us; more to do and more to see and more to experience and we live our lives full of days.
The sermon will focus on Job who lived his life until the end and was full of days. That is the greatest affirmation we can make and that is a life well lived.
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 Schuster
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Wednesday's thoughts
How do we end our lives "full of days"? What does it take to live a life that isn't sheltered but is full of great experiences and wonderful possibilities?
One place to begin is with attitude. If we develop an positive attitude about the things that happen to us we will be able face what happens to us; whatever it is.
What if we looked at life as a teaching platform? What if we considered the things that happen to us as a test of our faith, of our resiliency, of our courage, or of our stamina? Is there not something in the worst of things that could bring out the best in us?
What if we looked at our lives as a privilege and every burden was a challenge and every problem could be seen as an opportunity to do something with what we have been given?
Job and others who have become visible to us by the difficulties they have had to face and the way they have overcome those difficulties remind us that when Christian people read the newspaper and the bad news that is contained, there is a difference with us. We read the bad news but we do not stop reading because we know something good can come of it; something better will result because of it.
Some how in the difficult moments of life we have to know there is something to be learned and there is something that will provide joy and laughter. We laugh or we cry. We laugh until we cry and we cry until we see through the tears to something that lifts our spirits.
How do we turn things around? How do we act on life instead of waiting for life to act upon us?
We strive to live to an old age and we strive to live our lives full of days. There are many ways to do it. How do you think it best? 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
One place to begin is with attitude. If we develop an positive attitude about the things that happen to us we will be able face what happens to us; whatever it is.
What if we looked at life as a teaching platform? What if we considered the things that happen to us as a test of our faith, of our resiliency, of our courage, or of our stamina? Is there not something in the worst of things that could bring out the best in us?
What if we looked at our lives as a privilege and every burden was a challenge and every problem could be seen as an opportunity to do something with what we have been given?
Job and others who have become visible to us by the difficulties they have had to face and the way they have overcome those difficulties remind us that when Christian people read the newspaper and the bad news that is contained, there is a difference with us. We read the bad news but we do not stop reading because we know something good can come of it; something better will result because of it.
Some how in the difficult moments of life we have to know there is something to be learned and there is something that will provide joy and laughter. We laugh or we cry. We laugh until we cry and we cry until we see through the tears to something that lifts our spirits.
How do we turn things around? How do we act on life instead of waiting for life to act upon us?
We strive to live to an old age and we strive to live our lives full of days. There are many ways to do it. How do you think it best? 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
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Monday's thoughts
Remembering Forward
Krista Tippett has this idea that the past ought to be remembered but it ought to be remembered in a particular way; it needs to be remembered forward. It needs to lead us into the future and not force us to keep looking back.
At the end of the story of Job in the bible there is an interesting statement. Job, who did nothing wrong was afflicted with bad luck. It was Job that inspired Harold Kushner to write his book When Bad Things Happen to Good People. Nothing good happened to job. His children died and his business failed. He lost everything and it got to the point that family members were giving up on him. His friends were convinced he had done something wrong because of the bad things that had happened. His best option was to confess his sin. He was so low that he was cursing God and wanting to die. Anyone who thinks of Job as patient hasn't read the whole book. He wasn't patient. He was like any of us. He had become desperate and discouraged.
His fortunes turned. If people wait long enough all bad fortune will turn. Job was a man with a hard life and he lived a long time. At the end of his life we are told, "Job lived for another one hundred forty years--long enough to see his great-grandchildren have children of their own--and when he died he was very old." The translation I like best is the RSV and it says, "And Job died, an old man, and full of days."
How do we live full of days?
How do we remember forward our lives so that when the end of life comes we have lived and loved and have made the most of our time on earth?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcufmc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Krista Tippett has this idea that the past ought to be remembered but it ought to be remembered in a particular way; it needs to be remembered forward. It needs to lead us into the future and not force us to keep looking back.
At the end of the story of Job in the bible there is an interesting statement. Job, who did nothing wrong was afflicted with bad luck. It was Job that inspired Harold Kushner to write his book When Bad Things Happen to Good People. Nothing good happened to job. His children died and his business failed. He lost everything and it got to the point that family members were giving up on him. His friends were convinced he had done something wrong because of the bad things that had happened. His best option was to confess his sin. He was so low that he was cursing God and wanting to die. Anyone who thinks of Job as patient hasn't read the whole book. He wasn't patient. He was like any of us. He had become desperate and discouraged.
His fortunes turned. If people wait long enough all bad fortune will turn. Job was a man with a hard life and he lived a long time. At the end of his life we are told, "Job lived for another one hundred forty years--long enough to see his great-grandchildren have children of their own--and when he died he was very old." The translation I like best is the RSV and it says, "And Job died, an old man, and full of days."
How do we live full of days?
How do we remember forward our lives so that when the end of life comes we have lived and loved and have made the most of our time on earth?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcufmc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Monday, October 12, 2009
Monday's thoughts
"This Sunday I am looking forward to sharing some thoughts with you about two questions....maybe the greatest ever....or maybe somewhere near the top. I'm going to keep the questions a secret, but they will be based on the following scriptures:
Leviticus 26:12, which is a blessing, and
Matthew 6:25-33, which is a self-examination.
Hopefully you will be able to sit back, take a deep breath, and receive the gifts of the morning from the Handbells, Richard's vocals, Karen's sounds of the organ and the words of liturgy.
What do you think the greatest questions are? Certainly we live in a world of curiosity. We do not have life all figured out. Someone said the only sure things are our births and our deaths. It's that stuff in between that causes us to wonder and can challenge our faith.....or, create more faithfulness inside ourselves.
Enough for now. Hope to see you this Sunday.
David Dalke"
Leviticus 26:12, which is a blessing, and
Matthew 6:25-33, which is a self-examination.
Hopefully you will be able to sit back, take a deep breath, and receive the gifts of the morning from the Handbells, Richard's vocals, Karen's sounds of the organ and the words of liturgy.
What do you think the greatest questions are? Certainly we live in a world of curiosity. We do not have life all figured out. Someone said the only sure things are our births and our deaths. It's that stuff in between that causes us to wonder and can challenge our faith.....or, create more faithfulness inside ourselves.
Enough for now. Hope to see you this Sunday.
David Dalke"
Friday, October 9, 2009
Friday's Thoughts
Our Dreams Become Us
If we dream of providing a world that is better for young people and if we work to build structures so that young people can know that they are the future. If we try to make it easy for young people to step up to the world they will inherit and to give them the confidence that they can do what needs to be done and that we believe in them then something important happens to us.
If we dream of the power of learning so that our lives become vessels for increasing knowing in the world and we do what we can to encourage people to learn on every level. We encourage children to ask questions. We encourage young adults to challenge their long established beliefs, and we encourage all people to make their lives an argument to the world on what they have come to believe.
We we redefine wealth so that we realize the difference between qualities and quantities and that requires us to look at the things that provide a depth of wealth that transcends material wealth something important happens to us.
What we dream we become. What we strive to do with our lives in the world informs us and evolves us into new people as we work to create a new world.
Our dreams become us. We change as we dream.
What are your dreams and what are they helping you become?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you would like to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
If we dream of providing a world that is better for young people and if we work to build structures so that young people can know that they are the future. If we try to make it easy for young people to step up to the world they will inherit and to give them the confidence that they can do what needs to be done and that we believe in them then something important happens to us.
If we dream of the power of learning so that our lives become vessels for increasing knowing in the world and we do what we can to encourage people to learn on every level. We encourage children to ask questions. We encourage young adults to challenge their long established beliefs, and we encourage all people to make their lives an argument to the world on what they have come to believe.
We we redefine wealth so that we realize the difference between qualities and quantities and that requires us to look at the things that provide a depth of wealth that transcends material wealth something important happens to us.
What we dream we become. What we strive to do with our lives in the world informs us and evolves us into new people as we work to create a new world.
Our dreams become us. We change as we dream.
What are your dreams and what are they helping you become?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you would like to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Wednesday's thoughts
Our Dreams Become Us
We establish our dreams. We put them out and talk about them. We line up a process by which the dreams can be accomplished and we work to see to it that they are accomplished.
Our church looks to its future. It thinks about where it is and where it needs to be. It makes decisions about its future and it makes plans to do what can be done so that the dreams come true.
Dreams are established so that we can work toward them. In a way we objectify our dreams. They are something we strive toward. They are out there in the future somewhere, somehow.
There is another aspect of our dreams; it is the effect the dream has on us. It is the way in which we are changed by the dreams we dare to have. The dream will change as we become involved with it and as our life experience dictates that we modify it. New occasions teach new duties.
The part of our dreaming that needs to be noted is the way in which we change because of the dreams we dare to have. We become our dream as we dream it. Our dream becomes us. Our striving take us into new areas of thinking and living and being.
As we look forward to the way things can be and as we think about becoming part of a future that is very much unlike the past. We dare to dream and we know that something in our state of being will change as well.
What are your dreams?
How will your dreams change you?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read and respond to your ideas click on the box below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
We establish our dreams. We put them out and talk about them. We line up a process by which the dreams can be accomplished and we work to see to it that they are accomplished.
Our church looks to its future. It thinks about where it is and where it needs to be. It makes decisions about its future and it makes plans to do what can be done so that the dreams come true.
Dreams are established so that we can work toward them. In a way we objectify our dreams. They are something we strive toward. They are out there in the future somewhere, somehow.
There is another aspect of our dreams; it is the effect the dream has on us. It is the way in which we are changed by the dreams we dare to have. The dream will change as we become involved with it and as our life experience dictates that we modify it. New occasions teach new duties.
The part of our dreaming that needs to be noted is the way in which we change because of the dreams we dare to have. We become our dream as we dream it. Our dream becomes us. Our striving take us into new areas of thinking and living and being.
As we look forward to the way things can be and as we think about becoming part of a future that is very much unlike the past. We dare to dream and we know that something in our state of being will change as well.
What are your dreams?
How will your dreams change you?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read and respond to your ideas click on the box below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Monday's thoughts
"Your Dreams Become You"
Commitment Sunday is one of the most interesting days in the year for the church. It is a renewal of membership and a reactivation of our passion for the church. It is a standing together and facing the year as a community. It is a time to see the power of the church in a collective sense.
But most of all it is very personal. What we are able to do for the church as we dream through our church says something about who we are. It says we are able to look beyond ourselves and join together with others to conquer some of the most important problems of our society, our nation, and our world.
Our dreams do become us.
What we dream and how we attempt to empower those dreams define who we are and who we are going to be.
Commitment to support the church is very personal. Only the people who need to know to keep the records straight are aware how much we give and how much we pledge to the church. The full time clergy have no idea who gives or how much they give. Ray Miller and Don Richardson are the only people in the church who know the pledge amount and they never share that information. They track our giving and our pledging and help us determine the final budget. That is based on what they predict as trends and potential totals.
Our dreams become us; they say something about us. They speak to us and define us as human beings. Each of us have a claim to the church and its ministry because the church is established to enhance the ministry of each person. It is about all of us together but it is about each of us individually.
Our dreams become us in that they define who we are and not by the amount we give. They define our ability to invest in the future through the church. Each pledge is relative. My large or small pledge can never be compared to someone else. My pledge, your pledge is only related to who we are and what we are capable of giving.
I look forward to next Sunday. There is no room for guilt in our giving. We must give because we want to and because we have a need to invest in the future and in the church. The amount is up to each of us but the power of our church will be revealed in a total that will empower us to do some great things next year and to fulfill our dreams.
Do you have some thoughts about Commitment Sunday? about pledging and the amount? About how this ought to be handled. 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
Commitment Sunday is one of the most interesting days in the year for the church. It is a renewal of membership and a reactivation of our passion for the church. It is a standing together and facing the year as a community. It is a time to see the power of the church in a collective sense.
But most of all it is very personal. What we are able to do for the church as we dream through our church says something about who we are. It says we are able to look beyond ourselves and join together with others to conquer some of the most important problems of our society, our nation, and our world.
Our dreams do become us.
What we dream and how we attempt to empower those dreams define who we are and who we are going to be.
Commitment to support the church is very personal. Only the people who need to know to keep the records straight are aware how much we give and how much we pledge to the church. The full time clergy have no idea who gives or how much they give. Ray Miller and Don Richardson are the only people in the church who know the pledge amount and they never share that information. They track our giving and our pledging and help us determine the final budget. That is based on what they predict as trends and potential totals.
Our dreams become us; they say something about us. They speak to us and define us as human beings. Each of us have a claim to the church and its ministry because the church is established to enhance the ministry of each person. It is about all of us together but it is about each of us individually.
Our dreams become us in that they define who we are and not by the amount we give. They define our ability to invest in the future through the church. Each pledge is relative. My large or small pledge can never be compared to someone else. My pledge, your pledge is only related to who we are and what we are capable of giving.
I look forward to next Sunday. There is no room for guilt in our giving. We must give because we want to and because we have a need to invest in the future and in the church. The amount is up to each of us but the power of our church will be revealed in a total that will empower us to do some great things next year and to fulfill our dreams.
Do you have some thoughts about Commitment Sunday? about pledging and the amount? About how this ought to be handled. 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
Friday, October 2, 2009
Friday's Thoughts
"When It's Time To Table Our Dreams"
The Christian faith has its own struggle with the nature of humanity. Are we sinners who have no hope; except through faith? Are we saints who are in the image of God; who can attain great things? Are we both? Are we neither? What is right with us and what is wrong?
We really can't think about fulfilling our dreams until we have some idea who we are and what we are capable of accomplishing. Our greatness and the way we often overcome our incompetence is when we realize the strength we have collectively. Facing our problems sometimes is best accomplished by living out a life that includes the assistance of other people.
Therefore, we are best as Christian people when we realize we don't have to do it all alone and when we know there are others who can help us. Where we find the strength to accomplish that is at the table. We bring our dreams to the table.
We take the bread and the cup and realize that we are the body of Christ and, not only those of us in our church, in our denomination, in our nation, but all over the world. Sunday is "World Communion Sunday". We table our dreams. We bring our dreams to the table and, at the table, we discover our strength and we begin to see our dreams in a wider and larger perspective.
Alan Jones wrote, "When we begin working on our own souls, we discover that we are not self-made. Our identity depends on Another. We cannot make ourselves...but fortunately a wild card has been announced..."
And these words from Henry David Thoreau: "I learned this, at least, by my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his or her dreams, and endeavors to live the life which has been imagined, we will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."
We table our dreams. We don't give up on them. We don't postpone them in any way. We come to the table and realize how much we can accomplish together.
Are we saints or sinners? What are we capable of doing collectively that we are not able to do privately?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Meet you at the table.
Charles Schuster
The Christian faith has its own struggle with the nature of humanity. Are we sinners who have no hope; except through faith? Are we saints who are in the image of God; who can attain great things? Are we both? Are we neither? What is right with us and what is wrong?
We really can't think about fulfilling our dreams until we have some idea who we are and what we are capable of accomplishing. Our greatness and the way we often overcome our incompetence is when we realize the strength we have collectively. Facing our problems sometimes is best accomplished by living out a life that includes the assistance of other people.
Therefore, we are best as Christian people when we realize we don't have to do it all alone and when we know there are others who can help us. Where we find the strength to accomplish that is at the table. We bring our dreams to the table.
We take the bread and the cup and realize that we are the body of Christ and, not only those of us in our church, in our denomination, in our nation, but all over the world. Sunday is "World Communion Sunday". We table our dreams. We bring our dreams to the table and, at the table, we discover our strength and we begin to see our dreams in a wider and larger perspective.
Alan Jones wrote, "When we begin working on our own souls, we discover that we are not self-made. Our identity depends on Another. We cannot make ourselves...but fortunately a wild card has been announced..."
And these words from Henry David Thoreau: "I learned this, at least, by my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his or her dreams, and endeavors to live the life which has been imagined, we will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."
We table our dreams. We don't give up on them. We don't postpone them in any way. We come to the table and realize how much we can accomplish together.
Are we saints or sinners? What are we capable of doing collectively that we are not able to do privately?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Meet you at the table.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday's thoughts
There is an interesting interchange in Luke's Gospel. Something that would be easy to overlook. Once you see it you can't fail to notice the consequences of what it says to us.
Sunday, October 4th, is World Communion Sunday.
Chapter 22: 19-23
Jesus took some bread in his hands and gave thanks for it. He broke the bread and handed it to his apostles. Then he said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Eat this as a way of remembering me."
After the meal he took another cup of wine in his hands. Then he said, "This is my blood. It is poured out for you, and with it God makes a new agreement. The one who will betray me is here at the table with me!" (In another text the disciples begin saying to him, "Is it I".)
Then the apostles started auguring about who would ever do such a thing.
The apostles got into an argument about which one of them was the greatest."
In those few verses we see Jesus' disciples/apostles doing two things; they are pondering which of them would betray him and they were debating with each other which of them was the most favored.
When we come to the table this Sunday we will come with guilt because we know we have failed to live our faith. But we will, also, come with grandiosity because we have the impression that we have fulfilled his will and way.
We, like the disciples will ask:
"Is it I? Have I betrayed him?"
"Is it I? Am I the most favored?"
We bring both grandiosity and guilt to the table this Sunday. We table our dreams.
Which is most important? Guilt or the sense of grandiosity?
What do you think?
Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, October 4th, is World Communion Sunday.
Chapter 22: 19-23
Jesus took some bread in his hands and gave thanks for it. He broke the bread and handed it to his apostles. Then he said, "This is my body, which is given for you. Eat this as a way of remembering me."
After the meal he took another cup of wine in his hands. Then he said, "This is my blood. It is poured out for you, and with it God makes a new agreement. The one who will betray me is here at the table with me!" (In another text the disciples begin saying to him, "Is it I".)
Then the apostles started auguring about who would ever do such a thing.
The apostles got into an argument about which one of them was the greatest."
In those few verses we see Jesus' disciples/apostles doing two things; they are pondering which of them would betray him and they were debating with each other which of them was the most favored.
When we come to the table this Sunday we will come with guilt because we know we have failed to live our faith. But we will, also, come with grandiosity because we have the impression that we have fulfilled his will and way.
We, like the disciples will ask:
"Is it I? Have I betrayed him?"
"Is it I? Am I the most favored?"
We bring both grandiosity and guilt to the table this Sunday. We table our dreams.
Which is most important? Guilt or the sense of grandiosity?
What do you think?
Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
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