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
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