On Sunday, December 26th Megan Ryan will be preaching.
On Sunday, January 2nd Rebecca McFee is preaching.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Wednesday's reflections on Christmas Eve sermons
The Five and Seven o'clock services;
I think the one point I want to make with this sermon is that we are most apt to get something out of Christmas if we look at Christmas with a sense of awe and wonder. The people who have determined to make it through Christmas may make it through but they will miss it altogether.
The people who look forward to Christmas as a time to find the spirit of Christmas everywhere they look are apt to find it every place they are.
The nine o'clock service;
The most important realization at Christmas time is that we are all on the road to nowhere and there isn't much we can do with our lives that will preserve our contribution. We will not make a name for ourselves and will not realize any sense of permanence unless we come to see that the measure of life is not what we accumulate but what we leave behind.
The Magi were never heard from since the birth in Bethlehem. There is little information about who they were except that they returned to their own country another way.
The only way the Wisemen would be remembered was through the gifts they gave.
We will be remembered by what we leave behind and what we pass on to others.
Do you have thoughts about this?
Are you on the road to Bethlehem or the road from Bethlehem. Are you leaving something behind? What are you giving? What are you leaving?
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.
If you would like a rough draft of either or both of these sermons write me and I will send them to you by email.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
I think the one point I want to make with this sermon is that we are most apt to get something out of Christmas if we look at Christmas with a sense of awe and wonder. The people who have determined to make it through Christmas may make it through but they will miss it altogether.
The people who look forward to Christmas as a time to find the spirit of Christmas everywhere they look are apt to find it every place they are.
The nine o'clock service;
The most important realization at Christmas time is that we are all on the road to nowhere and there isn't much we can do with our lives that will preserve our contribution. We will not make a name for ourselves and will not realize any sense of permanence unless we come to see that the measure of life is not what we accumulate but what we leave behind.
The Magi were never heard from since the birth in Bethlehem. There is little information about who they were except that they returned to their own country another way.
The only way the Wisemen would be remembered was through the gifts they gave.
We will be remembered by what we leave behind and what we pass on to others.
Do you have thoughts about this?
Are you on the road to Bethlehem or the road from Bethlehem. Are you leaving something behind? What are you giving? What are you leaving?
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.
If you would like a rough draft of either or both of these sermons write me and I will send them to you by email.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Monday, December 20, 2010
Monday's reflection on Christmas Eve sermons
Christmas Eve sermons are complex and difficult for a variety of reasons. Primarily a preacher on Christmas Eve has to be aware that the congregation will bring such a contrasting dichotomy of emotions related to the event and if the sermon goes overboard with good cheer and joy, it will be difficult for people who are having a hard time. They will be made to feel worse because they will have the feeling of being excluded by what is said and will feel guilty for not experiencing the joy that is expected and in evidence by others.
If the sermon dwells on the dark side of Christmas in an effort to address it directly it could offend the people who are working hard to express the joy and happiness of Christmas.
I will be preaching two sermons on Christmas Eve this year;
The Five and Severn O' clock services will look at the path to Bethlehem. The sermon title for those two worship hours is "Back Road To Bethlehem". I am suggesting there are two ways to get to Bethlehem. The first way is the way Mary and Joseph took. A woman pregnant and about to have a baby would want to get there and get home as soon as possible. The Boulevard to Bethlehem would be the fastest trip. It calls for "getting it over with" and many of us have experience the harried and hurried push of Christmas. We want to get it over with and the tragedy is, we may miss it.
The other road to Bethlehem is the back road; the road the shepherds took. They went the scenic route. They weren't in a hurry and they enjoyed the sights along the way. They even heard voices and saw visions and the were filled with wonder at the sight they found. Some of us are caught up in the sentimentality and beauty of Christmas. We are apt to get so involved in the beauty and artistry of Christmas that we will miss the deep meaning of "incarnation" that lies at the center of it all.
What path do you think you will take? The fastest way to Bethlehem or the scenic route? Either way, there is an opportunity to be there and understand it or to miss it altogether.
The Nine O'clock Christmas Eve sermon will take a different direction. I am going to look at the road out of Bethlehem and the Magi. What Matthew tells us is the Wisemen were told, in a dream, not to talk to Herod and not to tell him where the Christ Child is and they went back home another way.
They were "On The Road To Now Here". We don't really know where they came from and we don't know where home was. This worship service I want to think with you about what the Magi got after they gave their gifts and what they took back home.
Christmas happens in place and time. It happens "now" and it happens "here" and the measure of it is always in terms of what we have been able to give and not what we have received.
This is where the two sermons are for me on Monday morning as I am beginning to process what I want to do. When you have multiple sermons to preach at the same day/night it is helpful to look at the sermons as a continuous thread. So I am thinking about 1. The road to Bethlehem and 2. The road from Bethlehem.
If you have thoughts about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
If you would like a copy of either or both sermon is the very rough draft form they are in currently let me know and I will be happy to email them to you.
Either way I look forward to hearing from you.
May you have a Merry Christmas.
Charles Schuster
If the sermon dwells on the dark side of Christmas in an effort to address it directly it could offend the people who are working hard to express the joy and happiness of Christmas.
I will be preaching two sermons on Christmas Eve this year;
The Five and Severn O' clock services will look at the path to Bethlehem. The sermon title for those two worship hours is "Back Road To Bethlehem". I am suggesting there are two ways to get to Bethlehem. The first way is the way Mary and Joseph took. A woman pregnant and about to have a baby would want to get there and get home as soon as possible. The Boulevard to Bethlehem would be the fastest trip. It calls for "getting it over with" and many of us have experience the harried and hurried push of Christmas. We want to get it over with and the tragedy is, we may miss it.
The other road to Bethlehem is the back road; the road the shepherds took. They went the scenic route. They weren't in a hurry and they enjoyed the sights along the way. They even heard voices and saw visions and the were filled with wonder at the sight they found. Some of us are caught up in the sentimentality and beauty of Christmas. We are apt to get so involved in the beauty and artistry of Christmas that we will miss the deep meaning of "incarnation" that lies at the center of it all.
What path do you think you will take? The fastest way to Bethlehem or the scenic route? Either way, there is an opportunity to be there and understand it or to miss it altogether.
The Nine O'clock Christmas Eve sermon will take a different direction. I am going to look at the road out of Bethlehem and the Magi. What Matthew tells us is the Wisemen were told, in a dream, not to talk to Herod and not to tell him where the Christ Child is and they went back home another way.
They were "On The Road To Now Here". We don't really know where they came from and we don't know where home was. This worship service I want to think with you about what the Magi got after they gave their gifts and what they took back home.
Christmas happens in place and time. It happens "now" and it happens "here" and the measure of it is always in terms of what we have been able to give and not what we have received.
This is where the two sermons are for me on Monday morning as I am beginning to process what I want to do. When you have multiple sermons to preach at the same day/night it is helpful to look at the sermons as a continuous thread. So I am thinking about 1. The road to Bethlehem and 2. The road from Bethlehem.
If you have thoughts about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
If you would like a copy of either or both sermon is the very rough draft form they are in currently let me know and I will be happy to email them to you.
Either way I look forward to hearing from you.
May you have a Merry Christmas.
Charles Schuster
Friday, December 17, 2010
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"Who bugged the Manger"
There is so much in the story that is suspicious and scholars have questioned it to the point that they have ruined it for some of us. On the other hand there is much that is in the story that is so human and so natural that, even if you know it is a story told by a gifted writer(Luke) it is accurate because it represents what would have been said by any rational person under the same circumstances.
There are two issues that strike me as important in Luke's story:
1. That there are things that come to pass and most of those things are complicate by the decrees issued by people in power. Mary's baby was born at an inconvenient time and place. It matters not where or when has there ever been a baby born when the time was perfect and the place was what was expected. Stuff comes to pass and decrees are issued. Our job is to do something with it.
2. That Mary would keep these things in her heart is not unexpected. She and we keep many important things in our hearts because the truly important things require a long period of time (sometimes a lifetime) to determine what meaning is to be drawn from them. She had a baby she knew to be special and she kept things in her heart. Maybe she knew some of how special her baby was but she couldn't know HOW special he would be. That took her whole lifetime to realize. She had to see him at 12 debating with the theologians in the temple. She had to see him step forward into ministry at age 30. She had to hear him speak and realize the wisdom and spirituality he possessed. She had to watch him be arrested, tried, and crucified to know the humiliation and pain of his death. She had to experience his resurrected spirit to realize what it meant that Easter day when death was defeated.
It took Mary a lifetime to understand what she had to keep in her heart the day her child was born.
There isn't a mother alive who is perplexed about that. All mothers and many fathers keep these kinds of things in their hearts and then watch as they unfold.
What are the things you have kept in your heart that will take a lifetime to understand?
Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the congregation click on the 'comments' box below.
If you would like an email with a rough draft of the sermon indicate that and I will send it. There is one part of the sermon I have to get permission to use and I may leave that out if I am not permitted to use it.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
There is so much in the story that is suspicious and scholars have questioned it to the point that they have ruined it for some of us. On the other hand there is much that is in the story that is so human and so natural that, even if you know it is a story told by a gifted writer(Luke) it is accurate because it represents what would have been said by any rational person under the same circumstances.
There are two issues that strike me as important in Luke's story:
1. That there are things that come to pass and most of those things are complicate by the decrees issued by people in power. Mary's baby was born at an inconvenient time and place. It matters not where or when has there ever been a baby born when the time was perfect and the place was what was expected. Stuff comes to pass and decrees are issued. Our job is to do something with it.
2. That Mary would keep these things in her heart is not unexpected. She and we keep many important things in our hearts because the truly important things require a long period of time (sometimes a lifetime) to determine what meaning is to be drawn from them. She had a baby she knew to be special and she kept things in her heart. Maybe she knew some of how special her baby was but she couldn't know HOW special he would be. That took her whole lifetime to realize. She had to see him at 12 debating with the theologians in the temple. She had to see him step forward into ministry at age 30. She had to hear him speak and realize the wisdom and spirituality he possessed. She had to watch him be arrested, tried, and crucified to know the humiliation and pain of his death. She had to experience his resurrected spirit to realize what it meant that Easter day when death was defeated.
It took Mary a lifetime to understand what she had to keep in her heart the day her child was born.
There isn't a mother alive who is perplexed about that. All mothers and many fathers keep these kinds of things in their hearts and then watch as they unfold.
What are the things you have kept in your heart that will take a lifetime to understand?
Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the congregation click on the 'comments' box below.
If you would like an email with a rough draft of the sermon indicate that and I will send it. There is one part of the sermon I have to get permission to use and I may leave that out if I am not permitted to use it.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Wednesday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"Who Bugged the Manger?"
There is a thought that has come to mind related to Mary's position in the story of Jesus' birth.
I am struck with the fact that "it came to pass". I know how things come to pass and they come to pass when we are not prepared for them to come to pass. You lose your job when you thought you were going to get a raise. You have triplets when you were expecting one child. A loved one dies when your life seemed to have everything going for it.
Most of the monumental things are things that just "came to pass". People issue decrees to make things happen they want to happen. Caesar Augustus issued a decree that all the world should be enrolled, but, in spite of that, "it came to pass" that the child was born in Bethlehem.
They were on a road trip and they had a baby. How inconvenient! How awkward! Why did the decree have to be issued when it was and why did the baby have to come when it did? Why couldn't it have happened when they were back in Nazareth?
One of the most important things for us to realize is how things "come to pass" and there is nothing we can do to stop them.
Most of life is dealing with the things that come to pass. If we are successful in dealing with the things that come to pass we are able to face anything that comes our way and we can look toward the future with confidence and hope.
What in your life has "come to pass" and how have you dealt with it?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below. I look forward to hearing from.
Charles Schuster
There is a thought that has come to mind related to Mary's position in the story of Jesus' birth.
I am struck with the fact that "it came to pass". I know how things come to pass and they come to pass when we are not prepared for them to come to pass. You lose your job when you thought you were going to get a raise. You have triplets when you were expecting one child. A loved one dies when your life seemed to have everything going for it.
Most of the monumental things are things that just "came to pass". People issue decrees to make things happen they want to happen. Caesar Augustus issued a decree that all the world should be enrolled, but, in spite of that, "it came to pass" that the child was born in Bethlehem.
They were on a road trip and they had a baby. How inconvenient! How awkward! Why did the decree have to be issued when it was and why did the baby have to come when it did? Why couldn't it have happened when they were back in Nazareth?
One of the most important things for us to realize is how things "come to pass" and there is nothing we can do to stop them.
Most of life is dealing with the things that come to pass. If we are successful in dealing with the things that come to pass we are able to face anything that comes our way and we can look toward the future with confidence and hope.
What in your life has "come to pass" and how have you dealt with it?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below. I look forward to hearing from.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"Who Bugged the Manger?"
There are some things about the Christmas story that can only be known from inside the story itself. Of course, this is a literary technique that is employed throughout the bible. There are portions of conversation that nobody could actually have heard. They are simply assumed.
For example, when Jesus was alone in the garden before his death and he spoke how would anyone know that he said, "Let this cup pass." or "Not my will but Thy will be done."
It is a literary technique that enables us to enter into the story when there are things said that couldn't have been heard. That doesn't mean they weren't spoken. Common sense would dictate that feeling would surely have been expressed.
The Christmas story has numerous examples of this. Shepherds in the field hearing angel voices and being sore afraid and hearing the voices say, "Be not afraid for I bring good tidings to all people. Unto us in the city of David is a savior who is Christ the Lord." Now, maybe the shepherds spoke to Mary and Joseph. Otherwise, how do we know what they heard?
What is interesting to me about the Christmas story is that part that says, "Mary kept all these things in her heart." What things did she keep in her heart?
There are some things that happen to us that take a lifetime to realize the importance. Those are the kinds of things she must have "kept in her heart".
What kinds of things do you "keep in your heart"? What events in your life are so monumental that it takes a span of years to understand them?
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 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
There are some things about the Christmas story that can only be known from inside the story itself. Of course, this is a literary technique that is employed throughout the bible. There are portions of conversation that nobody could actually have heard. They are simply assumed.
For example, when Jesus was alone in the garden before his death and he spoke how would anyone know that he said, "Let this cup pass." or "Not my will but Thy will be done."
It is a literary technique that enables us to enter into the story when there are things said that couldn't have been heard. That doesn't mean they weren't spoken. Common sense would dictate that feeling would surely have been expressed.
The Christmas story has numerous examples of this. Shepherds in the field hearing angel voices and being sore afraid and hearing the voices say, "Be not afraid for I bring good tidings to all people. Unto us in the city of David is a savior who is Christ the Lord." Now, maybe the shepherds spoke to Mary and Joseph. Otherwise, how do we know what they heard?
What is interesting to me about the Christmas story is that part that says, "Mary kept all these things in her heart." What things did she keep in her heart?
There are some things that happen to us that take a lifetime to realize the importance. Those are the kinds of things she must have "kept in her heart".
What kinds of things do you "keep in your heart"? What events in your life are so monumental that it takes a span of years to understand them?
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 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Monday, December 6, 2010
Monday's thought on Sunday's worship service
Thomas Canning was a composer. He wrote hymns and anthems for church worship as well as secular music and was a professor at West Virginia University. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church and sung in our church choir. Frequently, he would write anthems for our church choir. It was always a thrill to be in the congregation when Dr. Canning's anthems would be sung by our wonderful church choir. Even as a teenager I enjoyed his music. Wesley Church was a wonderful church environment to be in. They brought in speakers from Harvard and Yale and Duke. They were on the cutting edge of the discussion on any number of topics. They were on the campus of the University and had many students attending. They had a Pastor whose primary job was to work with the college students. It was a creative and exciting environment.
Does it sound familiar? I think it does. I think that kind of church I was fortunate to grow up in is precisely the kind of church we have now at First Church. We have programs for people of all ages and there is excellence everywhere you look. Also, we have a member of our choir who is a major composer. Zion Park has written several anthems we have heard in the worship services on Sundays. Now he has written a Christmas cantata and we will get to hear it this coming Sunday in the 9:15 and 10:45 services.
When Zion's anthems are sung by our choir there is a particular "signature" that goes along with them. His music is deeply spiritual and lively and exciting. His music has a passionate reverence that is enlivening and wonderful.
I am sure you will enjoy the music next Sunday. Reverend Miller will conduct the service for us and it will feature Zion's anthem.
Meeting with the new member class this Sunday one of the people who attended said to me as he left, "This church could be called, 'The Church with no limits'.
This church makes me proud to be a United Methodist.
It's exciting to be part of it.
What do you think?
If you have thoughts about our church write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Does it sound familiar? I think it does. I think that kind of church I was fortunate to grow up in is precisely the kind of church we have now at First Church. We have programs for people of all ages and there is excellence everywhere you look. Also, we have a member of our choir who is a major composer. Zion Park has written several anthems we have heard in the worship services on Sundays. Now he has written a Christmas cantata and we will get to hear it this coming Sunday in the 9:15 and 10:45 services.
When Zion's anthems are sung by our choir there is a particular "signature" that goes along with them. His music is deeply spiritual and lively and exciting. His music has a passionate reverence that is enlivening and wonderful.
I am sure you will enjoy the music next Sunday. Reverend Miller will conduct the service for us and it will feature Zion's anthem.
Meeting with the new member class this Sunday one of the people who attended said to me as he left, "This church could be called, 'The Church with no limits'.
This church makes me proud to be a United Methodist.
It's exciting to be part of it.
What do you think?
If you have thoughts about our church write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Friday, December 3, 2010
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
There are three messages to us. John the Baptist has a word. Paul has a word. Jesus has a word for us.
John's word is "turn around" and look what you have become. That is good advice any time and for any person.
Paul's word is "live in harmony" and enjoy the life you have to the "glory of God". This is an important message for us as we struggle with the complexities of the relationships we have. Advent is a time to seek to find the harmony between people and to try to reconcile with those with whom our relationship has drifted.
Jesus' word "come and sit a while" and let us break bread together. This is an important time for us as we seek to catch our breath and allow the season and its message to help us find inner peace and joy.
Donna Schaper in her book All is Calm writes, "Calm is not something we can get from beyond us. Its source is within us. Yes, God is Beyond us. Big time! But God comes to us through our insides, through the moments when we pay attention to who and what is really happening. God's route is inner despite the fact that God is outer and beyond and always a bit out of our reach. God comes to us in mysterious ways: when God is there, we simply 'know' it. We go to deeper levels from a higher level."
Sunday we will light the candle of Hope. We will examine our preparation for Christmas and we will look forward to a time when God is present, the story has its powerful witness, and we have found calm.
What hope do you see these days?
What calm have you begun to find?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read you thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
If you would like a rough draft of the sermon indicate that to me write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net and I will send to you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
John's word is "turn around" and look what you have become. That is good advice any time and for any person.
Paul's word is "live in harmony" and enjoy the life you have to the "glory of God". This is an important message for us as we struggle with the complexities of the relationships we have. Advent is a time to seek to find the harmony between people and to try to reconcile with those with whom our relationship has drifted.
Jesus' word "come and sit a while" and let us break bread together. This is an important time for us as we seek to catch our breath and allow the season and its message to help us find inner peace and joy.
Donna Schaper in her book All is Calm writes, "Calm is not something we can get from beyond us. Its source is within us. Yes, God is Beyond us. Big time! But God comes to us through our insides, through the moments when we pay attention to who and what is really happening. God's route is inner despite the fact that God is outer and beyond and always a bit out of our reach. God comes to us in mysterious ways: when God is there, we simply 'know' it. We go to deeper levels from a higher level."
Sunday we will light the candle of Hope. We will examine our preparation for Christmas and we will look forward to a time when God is present, the story has its powerful witness, and we have found calm.
What hope do you see these days?
What calm have you begun to find?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read you thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
If you would like a rough draft of the sermon indicate that to me write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net and I will send to you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Wednesday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"Full Contact Christmas Shopping"
Something about what is happening these days makes us wonder what we have become. Looters raid a house where the owner's belongings have been put out on the street and the police have to fend off the drivers who want to stop and pick up something that doesn't belong to them makes us embarrassed to witness the greed and sad to see the breakdown of a home.
The Bronco football team has a videographer filming another team's practice session to gain advantage and potentially a victory makes us ponder what good it means to win if we have to cheat.
Someone took a bag of money that was to pay for toys for children who will have no Christmas gifts in Denver. A motorcycle group has been working all year to raise over $1200. $800 of that was lost.
A man in Buffalo, New York was almost trampled to death when he fell trying to break through the line of shoppers on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
John the Baptist called the people of his time "a brood of vipers" and he told them to repent.
The word repent is a good word for us. It means, "turn around" and it invites us to think about what we have become and who we are.
If we turn around and look at ourselves what will we find?
Are we too concerned about things that are not that important?
Are we too unconcerned about things that should garner our attention?
Have we become angry at life? or bored?
Advent is a time to turn around.
What do you think? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have other people read your thoughts click on the 'comment's box below.
If you would like an email of the sermon draft at the end of the week let me know and I am happy to send it to you.
Charles Schuster
Something about what is happening these days makes us wonder what we have become. Looters raid a house where the owner's belongings have been put out on the street and the police have to fend off the drivers who want to stop and pick up something that doesn't belong to them makes us embarrassed to witness the greed and sad to see the breakdown of a home.
The Bronco football team has a videographer filming another team's practice session to gain advantage and potentially a victory makes us ponder what good it means to win if we have to cheat.
Someone took a bag of money that was to pay for toys for children who will have no Christmas gifts in Denver. A motorcycle group has been working all year to raise over $1200. $800 of that was lost.
A man in Buffalo, New York was almost trampled to death when he fell trying to break through the line of shoppers on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
John the Baptist called the people of his time "a brood of vipers" and he told them to repent.
The word repent is a good word for us. It means, "turn around" and it invites us to think about what we have become and who we are.
If we turn around and look at ourselves what will we find?
Are we too concerned about things that are not that important?
Are we too unconcerned about things that should garner our attention?
Have we become angry at life? or bored?
Advent is a time to turn around.
What do you think? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have other people read your thoughts click on the 'comment's box below.
If you would like an email of the sermon draft at the end of the week let me know and I am happy to send it to you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"Full Contact Shopping"
Watching the crowd in Buffalo lined up to come into the store to shop on Black Friday was an appalling thing to see. One customer fell and was almost trampled. He said afterward, "I thought I was going to die there. I didn't want to die in the store that way."
What is it that makes us become competitive this time of year? What is it that allows kindness and good cheer to yield to hateful actions and the need to defeat others who are trying to get what we may want to buy?
The gift giving at Christmas is spawned by the story of the Magi who came to give the Christ Child gold frankincense and myrrh. We replicate that story with gifts we purchase for each other. If our children want something for Christmas we will fight someone else to get it for them.
It seems to me we need to take a look at what happens to us this time of year. It seems we ought to consider what we are doing and why we are doing it.
In contrast, this is a season of good will. There are acts of kindness that happen. People work hard to try to work things out with people with whom there has been differences of opinion. We try to be helpful. We bake cookies and cakes and take them to people who are having a hard time. We pay for people to have a Christmas by donating money and gifts. It is a time of good will and love.
There is the dark side of Advent and there is the kind and wonderful side.
What do you think it will be this year? How can we make certain we do not become competitive and hostile?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Watching the crowd in Buffalo lined up to come into the store to shop on Black Friday was an appalling thing to see. One customer fell and was almost trampled. He said afterward, "I thought I was going to die there. I didn't want to die in the store that way."
What is it that makes us become competitive this time of year? What is it that allows kindness and good cheer to yield to hateful actions and the need to defeat others who are trying to get what we may want to buy?
The gift giving at Christmas is spawned by the story of the Magi who came to give the Christ Child gold frankincense and myrrh. We replicate that story with gifts we purchase for each other. If our children want something for Christmas we will fight someone else to get it for them.
It seems to me we need to take a look at what happens to us this time of year. It seems we ought to consider what we are doing and why we are doing it.
In contrast, this is a season of good will. There are acts of kindness that happen. People work hard to try to work things out with people with whom there has been differences of opinion. We try to be helpful. We bake cookies and cakes and take them to people who are having a hard time. We pay for people to have a Christmas by donating money and gifts. It is a time of good will and love.
There is the dark side of Advent and there is the kind and wonderful side.
What do you think it will be this year? How can we make certain we do not become competitive and hostile?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, November 26, 2010
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
The most important thing about Christmas is finding what we're looking for. If we are looking for the wrong thing we may find it, but it won't be what Christmas really has to give us.
The myth and mystery of the birth of the Christ Child is the foundational truth behind the first Christmas. It is an event that is shrouded in uncertainty. Some scholars doubt any of the biblical history that purports to convey the story. There is no substantiation of the fact that there was a census or that Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem. There is little to suggest that the Roman king wanted to eliminate Jewish infants. There is no proof that there was a star that led the Magi to see the child and nothing about the gifts of the Wise Men that we assume to be part of a Christmas story. In fact, the Magi's journey to the manger would have happened two years after the birth of the child not at the birth of the child.
The fact that there is no substantiation of the story historically and the fact that the first Gospel (Mark) did not even mention the nativity and the fact that there is nothing other than Luke's birth story in the bible may be an important part of the story. Jesus' birth was not recognized because people were not looking for the birth of that kind of messiah. People were hoping for a military leader and looking for someone who could change the flow of history immediately. That would not be seen in the birth of a baby and it would not be evident in someone thought of as "the prince of peace".
What we are looking for and what we are hoping from Christmas is important in terms of what we are able to realize.
What we will want to be able to see and we may be able to see it; what we will want to be able to receive and we may be able to receive it depends on if we understand that Christmas will come in its own time and not on our schedule. We can best receive it to be in an attitude of surprise. Secondly, what we will get to experience is dependent upon our expectation that there is something that is incredibly good about to happen. If we think there is nothing good that will happen there will be nothing good.
So we approach Advent with the idea that something will surprise us and that will be incredibly good.
If we lack that approach we will miss it.
That's the reason children have a better chance at catching Christmas than we adults do.
What do you expect will happen?
Will it be incredibly good?
Has it happened already?
If so, what is it? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the congregation click on the "comments" box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
The myth and mystery of the birth of the Christ Child is the foundational truth behind the first Christmas. It is an event that is shrouded in uncertainty. Some scholars doubt any of the biblical history that purports to convey the story. There is no substantiation of the fact that there was a census or that Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem. There is little to suggest that the Roman king wanted to eliminate Jewish infants. There is no proof that there was a star that led the Magi to see the child and nothing about the gifts of the Wise Men that we assume to be part of a Christmas story. In fact, the Magi's journey to the manger would have happened two years after the birth of the child not at the birth of the child.
The fact that there is no substantiation of the story historically and the fact that the first Gospel (Mark) did not even mention the nativity and the fact that there is nothing other than Luke's birth story in the bible may be an important part of the story. Jesus' birth was not recognized because people were not looking for the birth of that kind of messiah. People were hoping for a military leader and looking for someone who could change the flow of history immediately. That would not be seen in the birth of a baby and it would not be evident in someone thought of as "the prince of peace".
What we are looking for and what we are hoping from Christmas is important in terms of what we are able to realize.
What we will want to be able to see and we may be able to see it; what we will want to be able to receive and we may be able to receive it depends on if we understand that Christmas will come in its own time and not on our schedule. We can best receive it to be in an attitude of surprise. Secondly, what we will get to experience is dependent upon our expectation that there is something that is incredibly good about to happen. If we think there is nothing good that will happen there will be nothing good.
So we approach Advent with the idea that something will surprise us and that will be incredibly good.
If we lack that approach we will miss it.
That's the reason children have a better chance at catching Christmas than we adults do.
What do you expect will happen?
Will it be incredibly good?
Has it happened already?
If so, what is it? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the congregation click on the "comments" box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Wednesday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"What do you want from Christmas?"
An important part of Advent is in the preparation for Christmas that involves striving to get clear in our minds what we are expecting. Whatever Christmas becomes it will achieve something important for us if we are clear about what we are hoping it can be.
The Matthew 24 text has us thinking about the coming of the Christ and the time when God's Reign happens. It is coming at a time when we least expect it. It will come as a surprise. We never know when it might happen.
The Isaiah 11 text picks up what is going on in Israel at a very dark time in their history and the prophet encourages them to think about a time when the lion will lie down with the lamb and the child will play over the hole of a snake. It is a time of peace and union. It is a time when all the hopes we have are realized. It is a time of goodness and joy.
The two aspects of our Advent thinking takes us into thinking about the coming of the unexpected and the importance of being vigilant and prepared and the arriving of the best we can hope for and we will need to be open to it when it happens.
What will it mean to be prepared and what will it mean for us to be vigilant?
How are you preparing for Christmas and how are you using this season that begins Sunday to make Christmas hold the meaning it is capable of holding?
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 'comments' box below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
An important part of Advent is in the preparation for Christmas that involves striving to get clear in our minds what we are expecting. Whatever Christmas becomes it will achieve something important for us if we are clear about what we are hoping it can be.
The Matthew 24 text has us thinking about the coming of the Christ and the time when God's Reign happens. It is coming at a time when we least expect it. It will come as a surprise. We never know when it might happen.
The Isaiah 11 text picks up what is going on in Israel at a very dark time in their history and the prophet encourages them to think about a time when the lion will lie down with the lamb and the child will play over the hole of a snake. It is a time of peace and union. It is a time when all the hopes we have are realized. It is a time of goodness and joy.
The two aspects of our Advent thinking takes us into thinking about the coming of the unexpected and the importance of being vigilant and prepared and the arriving of the best we can hope for and we will need to be open to it when it happens.
What will it mean to be prepared and what will it mean for us to be vigilant?
How are you preparing for Christmas and how are you using this season that begins Sunday to make Christmas hold the meaning it is capable of holding?
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 'comments' box below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Monday's thought on Sunday's sermon
"What Do You Want From Christmas?"
Sunday, November 28Th is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is the four week preparation the church promotes as we move toward Christmas. The word advent means "coming to". We are ad venting ourselves toward the birth of the Christ Child and Christmas.
What are you expecting? What are we waiting for?
This is an important question because throughout history the birth of the Christ Child was not a fulfillment for many who were looking for the messiah to come and save them. If we read through Hebrew scripture we notice that the messiah predicted and the Christ Child realized were not one in the same. When people were looking for a strong leader who could take over power with position and force, God sent an infant child who was born in such unassuming circumstances that most people missed it. In fact the details remain in question as to the historicity and accuracy. Our accounts are varied and contradictory in terms of figuring what happen the night Jesus was born.
What are you hoping for? What do you want from Christmas?
Is there a gift or a promise?
Is there a new way of looking at the same old thing?
Is there a hope for things to change in a positive way?
Is there a warmth that the season has brought in the past that you hope will come again?
Will you be disappointed? Have you hoped too much?
Advent is the awaiting of the birth of a child and the child is the manifestation of an idea that is as radical as any idea can be. It is the suggestion that God Almighty isn't almighty, but precious and powerless and present in the form of a child.
I wish for you that Christmas will be what you need it to be. I would appreciate knowing what that could be for you. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your ideas click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, November 28Th is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is the four week preparation the church promotes as we move toward Christmas. The word advent means "coming to". We are ad venting ourselves toward the birth of the Christ Child and Christmas.
What are you expecting? What are we waiting for?
This is an important question because throughout history the birth of the Christ Child was not a fulfillment for many who were looking for the messiah to come and save them. If we read through Hebrew scripture we notice that the messiah predicted and the Christ Child realized were not one in the same. When people were looking for a strong leader who could take over power with position and force, God sent an infant child who was born in such unassuming circumstances that most people missed it. In fact the details remain in question as to the historicity and accuracy. Our accounts are varied and contradictory in terms of figuring what happen the night Jesus was born.
What are you hoping for? What do you want from Christmas?
Is there a gift or a promise?
Is there a new way of looking at the same old thing?
Is there a hope for things to change in a positive way?
Is there a warmth that the season has brought in the past that you hope will come again?
Will you be disappointed? Have you hoped too much?
Advent is the awaiting of the birth of a child and the child is the manifestation of an idea that is as radical as any idea can be. It is the suggestion that God Almighty isn't almighty, but precious and powerless and present in the form of a child.
I wish for you that Christmas will be what you need it to be. I would appreciate knowing what that could be for you. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your ideas click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Tuesday's thoughts
Eugene Lowry is our preacher Sunday, November 21st and it is Commitment Sunday. It is a time for us to think about our church's future and to make plans to ensure our church has a future worthy of our dreams and expectations.
Dr. Lowry is one of this nations most respected theologians and most gifted preachers. Recently, he gave the Beecher Lectures at Yale School of Theology. He is one of the developers of a method of preaching called "Narrative Preaching". It is an engaging approach to sermons that enables the preacher to be a story teller and to expand on the biblical text in such a way that the listener begins to feel as if we are part of the story.
Eugene is a world class pianist who is in great demand. He is able to mix "the blues" with the Gospel.
He will give a presentation on Saturday evening at 6 on John and Charles Wesley. We will serve desert.
He will preach three services on Sunday morning at 8 in the chapel, at 9:15 and 10:45 in the Sanctuary.
Sunday evening at 7 he will play the piano and speak on the subject "Dancing the Mystery".
We are fortunate to have this opportunity to hear a great, great, preacher and a truly inspiring speaker.
Charles
Dr. Lowry is one of this nations most respected theologians and most gifted preachers. Recently, he gave the Beecher Lectures at Yale School of Theology. He is one of the developers of a method of preaching called "Narrative Preaching". It is an engaging approach to sermons that enables the preacher to be a story teller and to expand on the biblical text in such a way that the listener begins to feel as if we are part of the story.
Eugene is a world class pianist who is in great demand. He is able to mix "the blues" with the Gospel.
He will give a presentation on Saturday evening at 6 on John and Charles Wesley. We will serve desert.
He will preach three services on Sunday morning at 8 in the chapel, at 9:15 and 10:45 in the Sanctuary.
Sunday evening at 7 he will play the piano and speak on the subject "Dancing the Mystery".
We are fortunate to have this opportunity to hear a great, great, preacher and a truly inspiring speaker.
Charles
Friday, November 12, 2010
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"The Widow's Conspiracy"
Mark's version of the story of the "Widow's Mite" looks conspiratorial if we look at it in its context. Placed before that story there is the behavior of the scribes who like to waltz around in their long robes feeling like they are special and superior. Contrast that with the widow who quietly walked up to the temple treasury and put two cents into the offering plate. The humility of the widow is contrasted with the arrogant certainty of the scribes.
Then we look at the destruction of the temple and the beautiful buildings. The buildings were viewed as indestructible and yet Jesus is suggesting that they will be destroyed. What we know at the time Mark's gospel was written is that the temple had been destroyed by the Romans. It was an act of hostility and anger that caused the Romans to come in a take down the temple. Mark's readers knew that. When we look at the hatred and malice caused by the destructive act, Mark is telling us to look at the loving act of the poor widow who, by contrast, was giving what she had. As long as there are people like that who will give even though they have little, the hatred of the world is defeated. The widow's conspiracy is the contrast between her and the scribes, on the one hand, and the hatred of the Romans on the other hand.
The message is a matter of contrast.
Mark is telling us:
1. The scribes think they are special; look at the poor widow. She is special. Everyone is special.
2. The Romans have destroyed the temple with their show of power and authority. Look at the poor widow. The Roman's destructive power is contrasted with the kindness of the poor widow. There is evil in the world but there is more good than evil.
We are all special and it is all good. The message is important to hear today. We are special and it's all good.
Do you agree? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to allow others to read your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
If you would like me to send you a rough draft of the sermon tomorrow or later today indicate that and I am happy to do that.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Mark's version of the story of the "Widow's Mite" looks conspiratorial if we look at it in its context. Placed before that story there is the behavior of the scribes who like to waltz around in their long robes feeling like they are special and superior. Contrast that with the widow who quietly walked up to the temple treasury and put two cents into the offering plate. The humility of the widow is contrasted with the arrogant certainty of the scribes.
Then we look at the destruction of the temple and the beautiful buildings. The buildings were viewed as indestructible and yet Jesus is suggesting that they will be destroyed. What we know at the time Mark's gospel was written is that the temple had been destroyed by the Romans. It was an act of hostility and anger that caused the Romans to come in a take down the temple. Mark's readers knew that. When we look at the hatred and malice caused by the destructive act, Mark is telling us to look at the loving act of the poor widow who, by contrast, was giving what she had. As long as there are people like that who will give even though they have little, the hatred of the world is defeated. The widow's conspiracy is the contrast between her and the scribes, on the one hand, and the hatred of the Romans on the other hand.
The message is a matter of contrast.
Mark is telling us:
1. The scribes think they are special; look at the poor widow. She is special. Everyone is special.
2. The Romans have destroyed the temple with their show of power and authority. Look at the poor widow. The Roman's destructive power is contrasted with the kindness of the poor widow. There is evil in the world but there is more good than evil.
We are all special and it is all good. The message is important to hear today. We are special and it's all good.
Do you agree? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to allow others to read your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
If you would like me to send you a rough draft of the sermon tomorrow or later today indicate that and I am happy to do that.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Wednesday's Thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"The Widow's Conspiracy"
The placement of the story of the "widow's mite" in the text has its own message that that is what I am going to try to discover this week.
The story is found in two of the Gospels. Mark 12 and Luke 21 and both present the story in the same context.
Mark was written in 70 AD right after the Roman's destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. Luke wrote about fifteen years later.
The story of the widow's mite come in the context of the concern of both writers.
Prior to the story both Mark and Luke warn the reader of the gospel about the scribes who like to take the important places of honor. At the end of the story of the widow's mite both Luke and Mark refer to the fact that the great buildings will fall. The placement of the story is saying something we will want to notice.
What do you think it says?
A poor widow puts in two copper coins into the temple treasury. Mark and Luke want us to see that in the context of the scribes who think they are important.
A poor widow puts in two copper coins into the temple Treasury. Mark and Luke want us to see that in the context of concern that the buildings will fall down and not one stone will be left.
What does the story say to us in light of the context into which it is put?
Do you have an idea about that? I'm beginning to formulate some thoughts. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your ideas click on the "comments" box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
The placement of the story of the "widow's mite" in the text has its own message that that is what I am going to try to discover this week.
The story is found in two of the Gospels. Mark 12 and Luke 21 and both present the story in the same context.
Mark was written in 70 AD right after the Roman's destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. Luke wrote about fifteen years later.
The story of the widow's mite come in the context of the concern of both writers.
Prior to the story both Mark and Luke warn the reader of the gospel about the scribes who like to take the important places of honor. At the end of the story of the widow's mite both Luke and Mark refer to the fact that the great buildings will fall. The placement of the story is saying something we will want to notice.
What do you think it says?
A poor widow puts in two copper coins into the temple treasury. Mark and Luke want us to see that in the context of the scribes who think they are important.
A poor widow puts in two copper coins into the temple Treasury. Mark and Luke want us to see that in the context of concern that the buildings will fall down and not one stone will be left.
What does the story say to us in light of the context into which it is put?
Do you have an idea about that? I'm beginning to formulate some thoughts. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your ideas click on the "comments" box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Monday's thoughts about Sunday's sermon
"The Widow's Conspiracy"
We've been too nice when we have thought about the poor widow who put the two cents on the temple treasury. We have assumed her motives were pure. We have praised her for her altruistic motives.
Maybe Ayn Rand is correct to suggest there is no true altruism. What if she is right on when she says all motives are mixed and even pure motives have elements of selfishness in them?
I want to put the poor widow in trial. I want to suggest that she staged this whole event to be a witness to the hypocrisy of the wealthy. I want to examine what she was up to when she slipped the 2 cents in and forever became a paragon of virtue.
It could have been a huge conspiracy. It could have been designed to make us feel bad about how much we give to the poor or to the church.
By the way, we are coming up to our Finance Campaign when we are asked to give a promise or pledge to the church for the coming year. As a preacher I will use every technique I know to get the word out about what we are doing in the church and why it is important to support it. But I will not use guilt. I will not bring out the usual methods that are designed to make us feel that we aren't giving enough.
I will, however, talk about reaching out, reaching in, and reaching up. I will talk about the inner life and how we all have to make up our own minds about what is important and support what we believe in and trust. I will not try to make people feel they should be giving more than they should. The economy is tight and some of our people have lost their jobs. Lots of our members are on fixed incomes.
We should give what we are able to give, and support the church in the way we are able to support it.
But the poor widow should never be an example that can be used to embarrass us or make us feel ashamed.
What do you think is the best motivation to give? If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
We've been too nice when we have thought about the poor widow who put the two cents on the temple treasury. We have assumed her motives were pure. We have praised her for her altruistic motives.
Maybe Ayn Rand is correct to suggest there is no true altruism. What if she is right on when she says all motives are mixed and even pure motives have elements of selfishness in them?
I want to put the poor widow in trial. I want to suggest that she staged this whole event to be a witness to the hypocrisy of the wealthy. I want to examine what she was up to when she slipped the 2 cents in and forever became a paragon of virtue.
It could have been a huge conspiracy. It could have been designed to make us feel bad about how much we give to the poor or to the church.
By the way, we are coming up to our Finance Campaign when we are asked to give a promise or pledge to the church for the coming year. As a preacher I will use every technique I know to get the word out about what we are doing in the church and why it is important to support it. But I will not use guilt. I will not bring out the usual methods that are designed to make us feel that we aren't giving enough.
I will, however, talk about reaching out, reaching in, and reaching up. I will talk about the inner life and how we all have to make up our own minds about what is important and support what we believe in and trust. I will not try to make people feel they should be giving more than they should. The economy is tight and some of our people have lost their jobs. Lots of our members are on fixed incomes.
We should give what we are able to give, and support the church in the way we are able to support it.
But the poor widow should never be an example that can be used to embarrass us or make us feel ashamed.
What do you think is the best motivation to give? If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, November 5, 2010
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
The poor widow is mentioned as an example of giving. She who had little gave all she had. Others who had much gave out of their wealth very little.
The sermon is a lesson in God's economy and that economy runs counter to what we usually assume. God's economy as taught to Jesus by the poor widow is as follows:
1. Before we give a dollar we have to give a darn. The size of the gift isn't as important as the motivation behind our giving it.
2. If we want to hold onto something of value the worst thing we can do is try to save it. If we bury it we blow it. The only things we get to keep are those things we are willing to give away.
3. We have to be a cause because the cause is the only thing that will outlive us. If we wish to have any sense of sustainability we will have to find a cause in something bigger than ourselves.
In God's economy we see our purpose in this life is to find what we have and use it in service to those who need it. we are not put here to hoard, but to help.
What is the cause to which you are willing to dedicate your life?
What will you leave on earth after you're gone?
If you know what that is write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
The sermon is a lesson in God's economy and that economy runs counter to what we usually assume. God's economy as taught to Jesus by the poor widow is as follows:
1. Before we give a dollar we have to give a darn. The size of the gift isn't as important as the motivation behind our giving it.
2. If we want to hold onto something of value the worst thing we can do is try to save it. If we bury it we blow it. The only things we get to keep are those things we are willing to give away.
3. We have to be a cause because the cause is the only thing that will outlive us. If we wish to have any sense of sustainability we will have to find a cause in something bigger than ourselves.
In God's economy we see our purpose in this life is to find what we have and use it in service to those who need it. we are not put here to hoard, but to help.
What is the cause to which you are willing to dedicate your life?
What will you leave on earth after you're gone?
If you know what that is write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Wednesday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
The sermon will explore the implications of giving. The mite given by the poor widow has become a symbol for what it means to give from the heart to the point that a gift given out of love never stops giving.
More important than the size of the gift is the spirit in which it is given. More important than effect of the gift is the impact of the gift when it is received.
The Christian faith affirms that there is no such thing as an unimportant gift. it claims that our lives can make a difference; no matter how small nor how, seemingly, insignificant.
It take a little thing to turn a hard thing into something tolerable. It takes nothing at all to turn into something for sure.
Of all the gifts we have been given what do we most remember. Do you remember the picture drawn by your daughter after you have come home from a hard day at work? Do you recall the thoughtful gift of a milkshake provided by someone who thought you might like it because you might need it.
What are the most memorable gifts you've given? I imagine we all remember the picture we drew for your mother or father that was put up on the refrigerator door. I imagine we will never forget the kind letter we were sent by the friend who thought we needed some cheering up.
The most important gifts are the ones that have come when they are given by a heartfelt sense of appreciation.
What is the most important gift you have given? What gift you have given has been most appreciated?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you would like others to read your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
More important than the size of the gift is the spirit in which it is given. More important than effect of the gift is the impact of the gift when it is received.
The Christian faith affirms that there is no such thing as an unimportant gift. it claims that our lives can make a difference; no matter how small nor how, seemingly, insignificant.
It take a little thing to turn a hard thing into something tolerable. It takes nothing at all to turn into something for sure.
Of all the gifts we have been given what do we most remember. Do you remember the picture drawn by your daughter after you have come home from a hard day at work? Do you recall the thoughtful gift of a milkshake provided by someone who thought you might like it because you might need it.
What are the most memorable gifts you've given? I imagine we all remember the picture we drew for your mother or father that was put up on the refrigerator door. I imagine we will never forget the kind letter we were sent by the friend who thought we needed some cheering up.
The most important gifts are the ones that have come when they are given by a heartfelt sense of appreciation.
What is the most important gift you have given? What gift you have given has been most appreciated?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you would like others to read your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Monday's Thoughts on Sunday's Sermon
"The Widow's Might"
The title is a play on the words "might" and "mite" and the story in the 12th chapter of Mark about the woman who put two coins onto the temple altar and how Jesus viewed her gift as the largest of all because she gave from her poverty all that she had while the wealthy gave from their great riches a small portion.
Giving is relative. What we give is relative to what we have and the spirit of generosity is an attitude that always allows us to see that we have more whereas the spirit of scarcity leads us to think about what we have lost.
In the next several weeks we will be thinking about our church and its future. We will have an opportunity to think about the Widow's Mite for the next three weeks. I will be preaching the first two Sundays and Eugene Lowry will be with us on November 21st. He will be preaching on that same text.
How much do you give to the church? I don't know how much people give and I don't want to know. That's really not anything I should know. It's personal and private. Do you give from a sense of abundance or a sense of scarcity? That's the most important question.
When we live a life of abundance we will receive more than we give.
It's what is meant when Jesus said he came that we might live abundantly.
We will answer that question about abundance or scarcity on November 21st. It will be a great Sunday for the church.
Eugene will be in the church on Saturday evening speaking about John and Charles Wesley. On Sunday morning he will preach about the Widow's Mite, and on Sunday evening he will speak and play the piano and his topic will be "Dancing the Mystery".
What do you think about giving and receiving?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the congregation click on the "comments" box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
The title is a play on the words "might" and "mite" and the story in the 12th chapter of Mark about the woman who put two coins onto the temple altar and how Jesus viewed her gift as the largest of all because she gave from her poverty all that she had while the wealthy gave from their great riches a small portion.
Giving is relative. What we give is relative to what we have and the spirit of generosity is an attitude that always allows us to see that we have more whereas the spirit of scarcity leads us to think about what we have lost.
In the next several weeks we will be thinking about our church and its future. We will have an opportunity to think about the Widow's Mite for the next three weeks. I will be preaching the first two Sundays and Eugene Lowry will be with us on November 21st. He will be preaching on that same text.
How much do you give to the church? I don't know how much people give and I don't want to know. That's really not anything I should know. It's personal and private. Do you give from a sense of abundance or a sense of scarcity? That's the most important question.
When we live a life of abundance we will receive more than we give.
It's what is meant when Jesus said he came that we might live abundantly.
We will answer that question about abundance or scarcity on November 21st. It will be a great Sunday for the church.
Eugene will be in the church on Saturday evening speaking about John and Charles Wesley. On Sunday morning he will preach about the Widow's Mite, and on Sunday evening he will speak and play the piano and his topic will be "Dancing the Mystery".
What do you think about giving and receiving?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the congregation click on the "comments" box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, October 29, 2010
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
This sermon is taking an entirely different direction. I am now looking at the approach to the bible from Sandy Sasso who suggests that we fill in the spaces of the sacred texts with our imaginations to bring the text into our lives. She urges us to allow the text to interpret us.
The Gospel of Luke approaches the Risen Christ as if he were present to us in the stranger on the road to Emmaus. It's in the 24th Chapter. "That same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus...As they talked and discussed it with one another, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but something held their eyes from seeing who it was."
There are two examples in the sermon that will end with a major point. The examples from my own experience ask the question:
1. Did you ever meet a stranger and realize it was your best friend?
2. Did you ever meet a stranger and realize your stranger was a hero?
The primary point:
In the strangeness of life did you ever think it was God in the strangeness trying to tell you something?
In this sermon we attempt to find God in the strangeness and to find Christ in the stranger so that our eyes are no longer held back from seeing.
What is the strangeness you encounter that might represent something of the God you worship?
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 'comments' box below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
The Gospel of Luke approaches the Risen Christ as if he were present to us in the stranger on the road to Emmaus. It's in the 24th Chapter. "That same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus...As they talked and discussed it with one another, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but something held their eyes from seeing who it was."
There are two examples in the sermon that will end with a major point. The examples from my own experience ask the question:
1. Did you ever meet a stranger and realize it was your best friend?
2. Did you ever meet a stranger and realize your stranger was a hero?
The primary point:
In the strangeness of life did you ever think it was God in the strangeness trying to tell you something?
In this sermon we attempt to find God in the strangeness and to find Christ in the stranger so that our eyes are no longer held back from seeing.
What is the strangeness you encounter that might represent something of the God you worship?
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 'comments' box below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Wednesday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
Norman Perrin in his book Resurrection does a comparative study of the synoptic Gospels (Mark, Matthew, and Luke). We have been studying the Perrin book in the Men's Bible Study at the Egg and I restaurant on Friday mornings.
He writes:
"What actually happened on that first Easter morning, according to the evangelists, is that it became possible to know Jesus as ultimacy in the historicity of the everyday(Mark), that it became possible to live the life of a Christian within the church(Matthew), and that it became possible to imitate Jesus in a meaningful life in the world(Luke). With these claims these ancient religious texts become modern, and it is the validity of these claims that must concern us if we are to read the resurrection narratives as the evangelists who wrote them intend them to be read."
Sandy Sasso, in her book God's Echo suggests the way to understand the Biblical texts is to look at the way the sacred writings interpret us rather than concentrate on the way we interpret the sacred writings. Her approach is called "midrash". It calls for us to put ourselves into the texts and allow the writings to say something to us as we find ourselves in the middle of the flow of the sacred word.
Sunday I am going to try to do two things:
1. To discover how we find examples of Jesus in the people we know. Christ events happen all the time. Often we miss them.
2. To hear a story that seems to be merely contemporary and to find something in the story that parrots our Biblical texts.
I will share more about the story on Friday. It involves a high school reunion and a group of graduates meeting to pay tribute to one of their most important teachers.
The Biblical text comes from the Gospel of Luke. It is the story of the disciples, after the crucifixion, meeting Jesus in the stranger on the road.
Who are the Christ-characters you know?
What are their characteristics?
How do you recognize them?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your response click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
He writes:
"What actually happened on that first Easter morning, according to the evangelists, is that it became possible to know Jesus as ultimacy in the historicity of the everyday(Mark), that it became possible to live the life of a Christian within the church(Matthew), and that it became possible to imitate Jesus in a meaningful life in the world(Luke). With these claims these ancient religious texts become modern, and it is the validity of these claims that must concern us if we are to read the resurrection narratives as the evangelists who wrote them intend them to be read."
Sandy Sasso, in her book God's Echo suggests the way to understand the Biblical texts is to look at the way the sacred writings interpret us rather than concentrate on the way we interpret the sacred writings. Her approach is called "midrash". It calls for us to put ourselves into the texts and allow the writings to say something to us as we find ourselves in the middle of the flow of the sacred word.
Sunday I am going to try to do two things:
1. To discover how we find examples of Jesus in the people we know. Christ events happen all the time. Often we miss them.
2. To hear a story that seems to be merely contemporary and to find something in the story that parrots our Biblical texts.
I will share more about the story on Friday. It involves a high school reunion and a group of graduates meeting to pay tribute to one of their most important teachers.
The Biblical text comes from the Gospel of Luke. It is the story of the disciples, after the crucifixion, meeting Jesus in the stranger on the road.
Who are the Christ-characters you know?
What are their characteristics?
How do you recognize them?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your response click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
In November Rabbi Susan Eisenberg Sasso will be speaking in our church. She is the author of a book we are studying at the church entitled God's Echo. It is a book that gives us an approach to the bible called "midrash". The sermon Sunday will be my attempt to do a midrash approach to the biblical text in preparation for Rabbi Eisenberg's visit.
What is midrash?
Susan defines it this way:
"Reading midrash allows us to become more familiar with the values, problems, and theology of another generation and invites us to consider how we too might add our own voices to the biblical text so that it continues to speak to our generation...Midrash does not challenge the idea that the Bible is divinely inspired or revealed...Midrash is both a product---a body of literature written over a period of time, and a process--a way of interpreting sacred text that continues to the present day."
Sunday I will be a piece of our sacred writing from the Bible and try to retell the story in such a way that it becomes intensely present.
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.
One question: Do you think the Bible is easy or difficult to understand?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
What is midrash?
Susan defines it this way:
"Reading midrash allows us to become more familiar with the values, problems, and theology of another generation and invites us to consider how we too might add our own voices to the biblical text so that it continues to speak to our generation...Midrash does not challenge the idea that the Bible is divinely inspired or revealed...Midrash is both a product---a body of literature written over a period of time, and a process--a way of interpreting sacred text that continues to the present day."
Sunday I will be a piece of our sacred writing from the Bible and try to retell the story in such a way that it becomes intensely present.
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.
One question: Do you think the Bible is easy or difficult to understand?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, October 22, 2010
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"The Main Thing"
How do we keep the main thing the main thing?
What is the "main thing"?
The sermon will look at the importance of who we are as a moral example. We have a task to do in a world that has become increasingly cynical and despairing. What are we to do?
First of all we note that hope was something that was before there was anything else. The foundation of the universe is hope. It was from the beginning of time and before time as we know it.
Secondly, the word becomes flesh. It isn't enough to say what we believe to be the truth we have to live it. The truth become in fleshed through us.
Finally, the word becomes flesh and it dwells among us. The more we live it the more people see it the more other people live it and the more it is seen. It begins to pick up speed and it takes a life of its own.
It's in the Gospel of John. We are told "the Word became flesh, and dwells among us.
This sermon will pick up on that theme and will give us the task of making that true in our day.
What do you think? How do you think this works in your life; in life in general?
If you have thoughts about 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.
Charles Schuster
How do we keep the main thing the main thing?
What is the "main thing"?
The sermon will look at the importance of who we are as a moral example. We have a task to do in a world that has become increasingly cynical and despairing. What are we to do?
First of all we note that hope was something that was before there was anything else. The foundation of the universe is hope. It was from the beginning of time and before time as we know it.
Secondly, the word becomes flesh. It isn't enough to say what we believe to be the truth we have to live it. The truth become in fleshed through us.
Finally, the word becomes flesh and it dwells among us. The more we live it the more people see it the more other people live it and the more it is seen. It begins to pick up speed and it takes a life of its own.
It's in the Gospel of John. We are told "the Word became flesh, and dwells among us.
This sermon will pick up on that theme and will give us the task of making that true in our day.
What do you think? How do you think this works in your life; in life in general?
If you have thoughts about 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.
Charles Schuster
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Thursday's reflection on Sunday's sermon
I found this poem in one of Fred Craddock's books and I plan to use it in the sermon. It raised an important question and I'm wondering what you think about it.
"If your outlook on things has changed this is not the main thing.
If you feel like laughing at old dreams this is not the main thing.
If you recall errors of which you are now ashamed this is not the main thing.
Even if you know what you're doing now you'll regret some other time this is not the main thing.
But beware, lightheartedly, to conclude from this that there is no such thing as the main thing. This is the main thing."
What do you think the main thing is?
Is it God?
Truth?
Jesus?
Good News?
Hope?
Joy?
What do you think the main thing is?
If you have a thought on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
"If your outlook on things has changed this is not the main thing.
If you feel like laughing at old dreams this is not the main thing.
If you recall errors of which you are now ashamed this is not the main thing.
Even if you know what you're doing now you'll regret some other time this is not the main thing.
But beware, lightheartedly, to conclude from this that there is no such thing as the main thing. This is the main thing."
What do you think the main thing is?
Is it God?
Truth?
Jesus?
Good News?
Hope?
Joy?
What do you think the main thing is?
If you have a thought on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"The Main Thing"
I am putting together some thought on how we keep "the main thing" the main thing. Given the confusion in our world and the way in which people are bullied and manipulated and driven by greed we need to be reminded of some of the basic and foundational values that should motivate us.
We need role models and examples of moral behavior. We need to see ourselves as providing such direction for others. What is this world coming to? Why do we find such corruption in politics and religion and almost every aspect of life? How do we turn this tendency around?
John Miller wrote a book entitled Jesus at Thirty. He reflects on the influences and factors in Jesus life. He writes:
"Against the backdrop of his father's death and Jesus' subsequent role as breadwinner and guardian of his father's family, many another facet of his emotionality become luminous as well: his fierce battle with 'satanic' hubris (the psychological after-effects of a precocious assumption of his deceased father's role): his 'Age Thirty Transition' and baptism at the Jordan (where he humbled himself and experienced God as gracious Father); his emotional bonding with John the Baptist (a surrogate father and mentor for Jesus in this crucial transitional period of his life); his joyful creativity and courage (after John's arrest) in his new-found 'calling' as 'generative' prophet-evangelist of God's love for the 'lost' (a father now himself with a 'family' of his own, one 'born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the human will, but of God,'; his extraordinary faith and intuitively wise 'father-like' talent for relating helpfully to all types of people and situations (the fruit in part, no doubt, of an emotionally secure childhood and his years of leadership in his deceased father's family)."
Miller has raised an important question in his search for the psychological factors in Jesus' life. He has provided the means for us to reflect upon the influences on Jesus' life and the way he served as an example for us.
Who have been your mentors? What responsibility do we have to be role models for others in this time when there is concern about what it means to be ethical and honest?
What is our responsibility?
Do you have thoughts on this?
If so write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the "comments" box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
I am putting together some thought on how we keep "the main thing" the main thing. Given the confusion in our world and the way in which people are bullied and manipulated and driven by greed we need to be reminded of some of the basic and foundational values that should motivate us.
We need role models and examples of moral behavior. We need to see ourselves as providing such direction for others. What is this world coming to? Why do we find such corruption in politics and religion and almost every aspect of life? How do we turn this tendency around?
John Miller wrote a book entitled Jesus at Thirty. He reflects on the influences and factors in Jesus life. He writes:
"Against the backdrop of his father's death and Jesus' subsequent role as breadwinner and guardian of his father's family, many another facet of his emotionality become luminous as well: his fierce battle with 'satanic' hubris (the psychological after-effects of a precocious assumption of his deceased father's role): his 'Age Thirty Transition' and baptism at the Jordan (where he humbled himself and experienced God as gracious Father); his emotional bonding with John the Baptist (a surrogate father and mentor for Jesus in this crucial transitional period of his life); his joyful creativity and courage (after John's arrest) in his new-found 'calling' as 'generative' prophet-evangelist of God's love for the 'lost' (a father now himself with a 'family' of his own, one 'born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the human will, but of God,'; his extraordinary faith and intuitively wise 'father-like' talent for relating helpfully to all types of people and situations (the fruit in part, no doubt, of an emotionally secure childhood and his years of leadership in his deceased father's family)."
Miller has raised an important question in his search for the psychological factors in Jesus' life. He has provided the means for us to reflect upon the influences on Jesus' life and the way he served as an example for us.
Who have been your mentors? What responsibility do we have to be role models for others in this time when there is concern about what it means to be ethical and honest?
What is our responsibility?
Do you have thoughts on this?
If so write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the "comments" box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Tuesday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
David Dalke is the preacher for Sunday, October 17th.
The sermon will call up for us one of the primary ideas of the Christian faith. We will hear a sermon about "unconditional love". We will be reminded that we are loved and cared for and the best we can do in life is to pass that on to others.
When we make mistakes there is the opportunity to try again and the God we worship forgives our mistakes. When others have done unto us what we do not appreciate we can apply that same sense of unconditional love to them.
Who are the people most difficult to love? Are they the ones who are most like us or most unlike us? Are they the ones we know best or we know least?
When have we most felt the need of love? When we have been overlooked? When we have sinned? When we have failed to live up to our values?
David Dalke would love to hear from you. His email address is ddalke37@cs.com.
If you are willing to have others read your reflections click on the "comments" box below.
I am posting this for David.
Charles Schuster
The sermon will call up for us one of the primary ideas of the Christian faith. We will hear a sermon about "unconditional love". We will be reminded that we are loved and cared for and the best we can do in life is to pass that on to others.
When we make mistakes there is the opportunity to try again and the God we worship forgives our mistakes. When others have done unto us what we do not appreciate we can apply that same sense of unconditional love to them.
Who are the people most difficult to love? Are they the ones who are most like us or most unlike us? Are they the ones we know best or we know least?
When have we most felt the need of love? When we have been overlooked? When we have sinned? When we have failed to live up to our values?
David Dalke would love to hear from you. His email address is ddalke37@cs.com.
If you are willing to have others read your reflections click on the "comments" box below.
I am posting this for David.
Charles Schuster
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Thursday's thoughts about Sunday's sermon
It has been on our minds lately with the miners trapped in Chili and the suggestion by the President of Chili that he thinks they may be able to free them by the 15th of October.
What does it mean to be trapped?
Have you ever felt trapped?
Some of us are trapped in a job and we don't see any way out of the situation. Some of us are trapped in a situation of poverty and we cannot imagine how things we ever be resolved.
The Christian faith has a lot to say about what it means to be trapped. It encourages us to think about way of being liberated and how we can liberate ourselves. It forces us to think of God as the source of our ultimate freedom.
What do you do when you are trapped into something and see no easy way out? If you have thoughts on this email Rebecca, our preacher for Sunday. Her address is rebeccamcfee@gmail.com.
She would look forward to hearing from you.
What does it mean to be trapped?
Have you ever felt trapped?
Some of us are trapped in a job and we don't see any way out of the situation. Some of us are trapped in a situation of poverty and we cannot imagine how things we ever be resolved.
The Christian faith has a lot to say about what it means to be trapped. It encourages us to think about way of being liberated and how we can liberate ourselves. It forces us to think of God as the source of our ultimate freedom.
What do you do when you are trapped into something and see no easy way out? If you have thoughts on this email Rebecca, our preacher for Sunday. Her address is rebeccamcfee@gmail.com.
She would look forward to hearing from you.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
Rebecca McFee will be preaching this Sunday in the 8 am Chapel service and in the 9:15 and 10:45 services in the sanctuary.
The Crosswalk, alternative service at 10:45 in the Chapel will feature a group from Nashville called "The Weather Folk".
It will be another exciting Sunday at First Church.
Sunday evening's talent show was a remarkable combination of talent, and multi-generational interaction. We had young children featuring a puppet show, we had older children baton twirling and hula hooping, playing the piano. We had teenagers singing, playing violin and flute, we had college students who played cello, and carried out a humorous song "the pot luck queen", we had older people acting older than they were, and we had a tuba player who rewrote a song taken from West Side Story "Some Day A Van For Us". It all ended with a balladeer who sang "So Long, It's Been Good To Know You" and we had one church member who tried to insert herself into the event intermittently and humorously.
The food was great and significant money was raised toward the church van for the youth mission trips. There were between 150 and 200 people in attendance.
Last Sunday was Children's Sabbath and it was Communion Sunday and we had so many people we almost ran out of bread and juice. The Stover Street Stompers and the Joyful Noise Children's Choir sang and there were balloons all over the place.
At the end of the morning there were over 20 college students who met together for lunch and we had 10 people attending the membership meeting.
The church is thriving and growing and last Sunday was exciting.
I met with people from the worship services to get their ideas. If you have thoughts about worship in our church write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
Rebecca will give her "build a sermon" thoughts in this space soon but I wanted to share some of my observations about last Sunday. I have to attend a church meeting in Nashville next weekend. I am sorry to miss with is going on at the church. I'd rather be in Fort Collins.
Charles
The Crosswalk, alternative service at 10:45 in the Chapel will feature a group from Nashville called "The Weather Folk".
It will be another exciting Sunday at First Church.
Sunday evening's talent show was a remarkable combination of talent, and multi-generational interaction. We had young children featuring a puppet show, we had older children baton twirling and hula hooping, playing the piano. We had teenagers singing, playing violin and flute, we had college students who played cello, and carried out a humorous song "the pot luck queen", we had older people acting older than they were, and we had a tuba player who rewrote a song taken from West Side Story "Some Day A Van For Us". It all ended with a balladeer who sang "So Long, It's Been Good To Know You" and we had one church member who tried to insert herself into the event intermittently and humorously.
The food was great and significant money was raised toward the church van for the youth mission trips. There were between 150 and 200 people in attendance.
Last Sunday was Children's Sabbath and it was Communion Sunday and we had so many people we almost ran out of bread and juice. The Stover Street Stompers and the Joyful Noise Children's Choir sang and there were balloons all over the place.
At the end of the morning there were over 20 college students who met together for lunch and we had 10 people attending the membership meeting.
The church is thriving and growing and last Sunday was exciting.
I met with people from the worship services to get their ideas. If you have thoughts about worship in our church write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
Rebecca will give her "build a sermon" thoughts in this space soon but I wanted to share some of my observations about last Sunday. I have to attend a church meeting in Nashville next weekend. I am sorry to miss with is going on at the church. I'd rather be in Fort Collins.
Charles
Friday, October 1, 2010
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
This is how it seems to be related to who we are and how our identity is formed as Christian United Methodists.
1. Judaism has provided a sense of the profound power and awesomeness of God. Yahweh is the God is Isreal. Yahweh is "I am that I am". The Hebrew identity was formed by the understanding of that. The word Hebrew comes from the a form of a word that means "the leftovers". The people who were captive in Egypt had no sense of identity and little sense of belonging. The faith tradition that developed centered around the idea that they were a people of God; a chosen people. In fact they were the only non-chosen people and their God was the God of all people. They became the unchosen people who helped everyone realize that God was the God of all people. This is the God of justice and judgment. This is an ethical monotheism that is compelling and important. Moses is the source. Had it not been for Moses there would have been no Yahweh, no Elohim, no Adonai; no God to worship.
2. Christianity was a branch of Judaism and it came through Jesus, who was Jewish, and who gave us the idea of the God of love. For Jesus God was an eternal, caring, and supportive presence. Jesus gave us a loving God; a forgiving God; and a present God. Had the Magi and Jesus parents not protected him when he was an infant there would have been no Christian faith and we would not have the idea that at the source of creation and life there is a loving creator.
3. Methodism was brought into the world by John Wesley, an Oxford scholar who had the idea that we could and should exhibit what he called "social holiness". His brand of religion encouraged expression and emotion as well as reason. He believe that there is social action and he believed in the power and importance of grace and faith. John Wesley was a blend of the best of Judaism and the best of foundational Christianity. Had 5 year old John died in the house fire in his father's parsonage there would have been no Methodism and we would not have a way to blend the Old Testament with the New Testament in an approach that honored scripture, tradition, reason, and experience.
Each of us will have our own bias. We will lean toward the sense of the awe of God or the idea of the compassion of a loving God. We will have to find a way to allow those concepts and feelings to merge. As United Methodists we have found a good way to do just that.
Is it the Judaism that you are most attracted to? A distant God who compels justice and who requires worship? Is it a Christian God who encounters the love of God and the presence of God? Is it both at the same time? Is it the Methodist tendency that merges the variants?
How has your faith been formed?
It would be very different if Moses, or Jesus, or John Wesley had not been protected and saved when they were children.
If you have thoughts about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the "comments" box below. I look forward to hearing from you.
If you would like me to email the sermon draft to you later today or tomorrow morning let me know you would like to read it and I am happy to send that to you.
Charles Schuster
1. Judaism has provided a sense of the profound power and awesomeness of God. Yahweh is the God is Isreal. Yahweh is "I am that I am". The Hebrew identity was formed by the understanding of that. The word Hebrew comes from the a form of a word that means "the leftovers". The people who were captive in Egypt had no sense of identity and little sense of belonging. The faith tradition that developed centered around the idea that they were a people of God; a chosen people. In fact they were the only non-chosen people and their God was the God of all people. They became the unchosen people who helped everyone realize that God was the God of all people. This is the God of justice and judgment. This is an ethical monotheism that is compelling and important. Moses is the source. Had it not been for Moses there would have been no Yahweh, no Elohim, no Adonai; no God to worship.
2. Christianity was a branch of Judaism and it came through Jesus, who was Jewish, and who gave us the idea of the God of love. For Jesus God was an eternal, caring, and supportive presence. Jesus gave us a loving God; a forgiving God; and a present God. Had the Magi and Jesus parents not protected him when he was an infant there would have been no Christian faith and we would not have the idea that at the source of creation and life there is a loving creator.
3. Methodism was brought into the world by John Wesley, an Oxford scholar who had the idea that we could and should exhibit what he called "social holiness". His brand of religion encouraged expression and emotion as well as reason. He believe that there is social action and he believed in the power and importance of grace and faith. John Wesley was a blend of the best of Judaism and the best of foundational Christianity. Had 5 year old John died in the house fire in his father's parsonage there would have been no Methodism and we would not have a way to blend the Old Testament with the New Testament in an approach that honored scripture, tradition, reason, and experience.
Each of us will have our own bias. We will lean toward the sense of the awe of God or the idea of the compassion of a loving God. We will have to find a way to allow those concepts and feelings to merge. As United Methodists we have found a good way to do just that.
Is it the Judaism that you are most attracted to? A distant God who compels justice and who requires worship? Is it a Christian God who encounters the love of God and the presence of God? Is it both at the same time? Is it the Methodist tendency that merges the variants?
How has your faith been formed?
It would be very different if Moses, or Jesus, or John Wesley had not been protected and saved when they were children.
If you have thoughts about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the "comments" box below. I look forward to hearing from you.
If you would like me to email the sermon draft to you later today or tomorrow morning let me know you would like to read it and I am happy to send that to you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wednesday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
Sandy Sasso, in her book, God's Echo, writes about Miriam and Moses:
"Miriam danced. And I wonder, would I have danced? There were all those years of oppression, slavery, and nothing going right. She was the older sister, but her brother, Moses, received all the acclaim. She watched in the bulrushes to insure his safety and did everything in her power to save him, cut he took the lead in the Exodus drama. Her imagination saved a whole generation from disaster, but no one seemed to notice. Moses gave us the Torah, tradition says, and the words echo through the generations to my own day. But what about the teaching Miriam gave us?
And yet Miriam danced. And I wonder, could I have danced? Caught between nature's fury and human rage the people of Israel had to make an act of faith--or was it foolishness?--to walk through the waters. The movies make the trek to freedom look like an easy stroll. But what about all the mud and seaweed, the women in long skirts carrying babies, and everyone with the wrong shoes? Miriam's sandals couldn't have survived the crossing. I imagine she discarded them along with any other excess baggage. She kept only her tambourine--a strange choice. What use could she have imagined for a musical instrument in the desert? Better a jug of water, I think.
And still Miriam danced. And I wonder, would I have joined her? She had to have questioned God. Why allow so many years of slavery? Why harden Pharaoh's heart? She couldn't have thought it was God who ordained it all and still sing praises.
And yet Miriam danced. She might have complained about the difficulties, despaired about the unknown tomorrow. Many who made the Exodus journey did just that. 'It was better in Egypt,' they said, 'better than drowning in the sea or dying of thirst and hunger in the desert.'
Yet Miriam lifted her tambourine and made the sound of hope. And the people heard it carried in the wind, singing in the waves. So Miriam danced, and all the people joined her.
I think that I will dance with them."
Rabbi Sandy Sasso will be our featured speaker here at the church November 9th. She has written many children's books and we will be studying God's Echo beginning at noon the last Wednesday of October.
What Miriam did? She saved her younger brother. He would have been killed. She saved the life of a child.
More than the life of a child, she preserved a whole faith tradition. Had she not acted there would have been no Exodus, no 10 Commandments, no burning bush, no Promised Land, no Joshua, and no Israel. There would have been no prophets, no psalms, no Jonah, no Job.
One woman's concern for a child changed the course of history.
Sunday is Children's Sabbath. What changes have happened because someone cared about the life of a child?
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 "comments' box below.
If you would like a preliminary copy of the sermon Friday afternoon or Saturday morning indicate that and I will email it to you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
"Miriam danced. And I wonder, would I have danced? There were all those years of oppression, slavery, and nothing going right. She was the older sister, but her brother, Moses, received all the acclaim. She watched in the bulrushes to insure his safety and did everything in her power to save him, cut he took the lead in the Exodus drama. Her imagination saved a whole generation from disaster, but no one seemed to notice. Moses gave us the Torah, tradition says, and the words echo through the generations to my own day. But what about the teaching Miriam gave us?
And yet Miriam danced. And I wonder, could I have danced? Caught between nature's fury and human rage the people of Israel had to make an act of faith--or was it foolishness?--to walk through the waters. The movies make the trek to freedom look like an easy stroll. But what about all the mud and seaweed, the women in long skirts carrying babies, and everyone with the wrong shoes? Miriam's sandals couldn't have survived the crossing. I imagine she discarded them along with any other excess baggage. She kept only her tambourine--a strange choice. What use could she have imagined for a musical instrument in the desert? Better a jug of water, I think.
And still Miriam danced. And I wonder, would I have joined her? She had to have questioned God. Why allow so many years of slavery? Why harden Pharaoh's heart? She couldn't have thought it was God who ordained it all and still sing praises.
And yet Miriam danced. She might have complained about the difficulties, despaired about the unknown tomorrow. Many who made the Exodus journey did just that. 'It was better in Egypt,' they said, 'better than drowning in the sea or dying of thirst and hunger in the desert.'
Yet Miriam lifted her tambourine and made the sound of hope. And the people heard it carried in the wind, singing in the waves. So Miriam danced, and all the people joined her.
I think that I will dance with them."
Rabbi Sandy Sasso will be our featured speaker here at the church November 9th. She has written many children's books and we will be studying God's Echo beginning at noon the last Wednesday of October.
What Miriam did? She saved her younger brother. He would have been killed. She saved the life of a child.
More than the life of a child, she preserved a whole faith tradition. Had she not acted there would have been no Exodus, no 10 Commandments, no burning bush, no Promised Land, no Joshua, and no Israel. There would have been no prophets, no psalms, no Jonah, no Job.
One woman's concern for a child changed the course of history.
Sunday is Children's Sabbath. What changes have happened because someone cared about the life of a child?
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 "comments' box below.
If you would like a preliminary copy of the sermon Friday afternoon or Saturday morning indicate that and I will email it to you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
Sunday, October 3rd, is World Communion Sunday and it's also Children's Sabbath. Interesting that those two events are simultaneous this year. Appropriate that on a day when Christians all over the world are meeting at the table that we would celebrate the importance of children and remember a day that reminds us to works to build a world that is safe for the children of the world.
The sermon will look at the children who have made a difference in the world. It will take into consideration the baby Moses who was made safe when his mother put him in a basket in the bull rushes. We will think about the Christ Child and the story in Matthew and the trip his parents took with him when he was two years old when they feared for his life and they took him to Egypt.
Throughout the bible there are stories about children and how precious and vulnerable they are.
It may be that the greatest measure of our civilization is the way in which we treat the children of the world. How do we intercede when they are in trouble? What do we do to be certain they receive the nourishment and shelter to keep them safe?
One of the high moments every Sunday is the Children's Sermon. It is always an inspiration to see them trundle up to the front of the Sanctuary. It is captivating to look into their eyes as they try to interact with the questions we pose for them. It is beyond our prediction to hear the answers they give and the creativity they have.
I will be thinking of the children I have met in the church over the past 41 years. Some of them are doctors and lawyers. Some of them are teachers and poets. Some of them are musicians and several of them have become pastors.
Who are the children you have known? What responsibility does the church have to keep the children safe?
World Communion Sunday is a time to come to the table to be reminded, as we receive the bread and cup (the body and blood--symbolically of Christ) to recall that we are the body of the one who said, "Let the children come to me and forbid them not for to such belongs the Kingdom of God".
If you have thoughts about your childhood or the children you know write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thought click on the "comments" box below. If you would like me to send a rough draft of the sermon Friday or Saturday indicate that and I am happy to email that to you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
The sermon will look at the children who have made a difference in the world. It will take into consideration the baby Moses who was made safe when his mother put him in a basket in the bull rushes. We will think about the Christ Child and the story in Matthew and the trip his parents took with him when he was two years old when they feared for his life and they took him to Egypt.
Throughout the bible there are stories about children and how precious and vulnerable they are.
It may be that the greatest measure of our civilization is the way in which we treat the children of the world. How do we intercede when they are in trouble? What do we do to be certain they receive the nourishment and shelter to keep them safe?
One of the high moments every Sunday is the Children's Sermon. It is always an inspiration to see them trundle up to the front of the Sanctuary. It is captivating to look into their eyes as they try to interact with the questions we pose for them. It is beyond our prediction to hear the answers they give and the creativity they have.
I will be thinking of the children I have met in the church over the past 41 years. Some of them are doctors and lawyers. Some of them are teachers and poets. Some of them are musicians and several of them have become pastors.
Who are the children you have known? What responsibility does the church have to keep the children safe?
World Communion Sunday is a time to come to the table to be reminded, as we receive the bread and cup (the body and blood--symbolically of Christ) to recall that we are the body of the one who said, "Let the children come to me and forbid them not for to such belongs the Kingdom of God".
If you have thoughts about your childhood or the children you know write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thought click on the "comments" box below. If you would like me to send a rough draft of the sermon Friday or Saturday indicate that and I am happy to email that to you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, September 24, 2010
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
How do we act our age?
It depends on the age we are.
The sermon has three stages I'm looking at:
1. Youth and childhood
It's a time to get in the water and sometimes the water we get in is hot. It's a time to discover who we are and to think about what it means to be who we are. It's a time when it's all about "me". The world needs to revolve around me. Life needs to feed my concerns because I am learning to fly.
2. Adulthood and Mid-life
It's a time to find what I like about myself. It's about making waves; doing something that uniquely me. It's a time to try to be useful and to find ways to make my life mean something. It's less about me but it's still about me.
3. Aging and elder hood
It's a time to think about the wake in the water or the path I clear for those who will travel after me. It's a time to let go and to realize how life goes on. There is a continuity from my life to the lives of those who come after me. It's not about me but it's about something a whole lot bigger.
When asked to "act your age" you have to think about what age you are before you can begin to act it.
What age are you and how do you act your age?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your ideas with the congregation click on the "comments" box below.
I have a very rough draft of the sermon written. If you would like to have me send it to you indicate that and I am happy to email it to you today or tomorrow morning before I begin the try to perfect this sermon.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
It depends on the age we are.
The sermon has three stages I'm looking at:
1. Youth and childhood
It's a time to get in the water and sometimes the water we get in is hot. It's a time to discover who we are and to think about what it means to be who we are. It's a time when it's all about "me". The world needs to revolve around me. Life needs to feed my concerns because I am learning to fly.
2. Adulthood and Mid-life
It's a time to find what I like about myself. It's about making waves; doing something that uniquely me. It's a time to try to be useful and to find ways to make my life mean something. It's less about me but it's still about me.
3. Aging and elder hood
It's a time to think about the wake in the water or the path I clear for those who will travel after me. It's a time to let go and to realize how life goes on. There is a continuity from my life to the lives of those who come after me. It's not about me but it's about something a whole lot bigger.
When asked to "act your age" you have to think about what age you are before you can begin to act it.
What age are you and how do you act your age?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your ideas with the congregation click on the "comments" box below.
I have a very rough draft of the sermon written. If you would like to have me send it to you indicate that and I am happy to email it to you today or tomorrow morning before I begin the try to perfect this sermon.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
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