There is a tension between our idea that "children belong to the Kingdom of God" as Jesus said and "When I was a child I spoke, though, and acted as a child, but when I became adult I gave up childish things" as Paul wrote.
There is a tension between the innocence of a child and the childishness of a child; some of it we praise and some of it we try to fix.
Children are silly
Children are suggestible
Children are self-centered
Adults are realistic
Adults are rational
Adults are reducible
Children live out what it means to "take the leap of faith"
Adults live out what it means to "live through the dark night of the soul"
Soren Kierkegaard's two basic concepts were the leap of faith and the dark night of the soul.
We need our children to remind us of the leap of faith but we need adults to help us through the dark night of the soul. Both are important and on Children's Sabbath we will see both being carried out.
If you want a copy of the sermon let me know and I can send it to you. If you have suggestions for the sermon write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net . If you are willing to let your ideas be read by the readers of the blog click on the 'comments' box.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, September 30, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Wednesday's reflection on Sunday's sermon
"You Have Got To Be Kidding"
The ideas of Soren Kierkegaard lend themselves to Children's Sabbath. Kierkegaard was often called "The Dismal Great Dane". He followed closely the idea that life was basically absurd and meaning in life was to be found in the moment because the moment is all we are truly sure we have.
The text I plan to explore comes in Mark's Gospel (the 10th Chapter) where Jesus is in the midst of children and the disciples speak sternly to him about that. They really didn't want children around and Jesus said, "Let the children come to me for to such belongs the Kingdom of God."
So far my sermons on this text have attempted to defend Jesus and his, evident and right, position that children are to be honored. In this sermon, on Children's Sabbath, I am exploring the text in a completely opposite direction. I want us to understand why the disciples would want to exclude children. They have a point and it is a point that ought to be made. I will attempt to make it this Sunday on Children's Sabbath.
Do you think children should be seen and not heard? How do you feel about children in church? Is worship not a place where children should be? We have made a commitment to have children in church every first Sunday. There are many less young families coming to church and worship the first Sunday. Did we make a mistake with this decision? Are there ways we can change the worship services to make them more children friendly without making them insulting to adults who are looking for something more sophisticated?
What do you think?
Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to allow the readers of the blog to see your response click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
The ideas of Soren Kierkegaard lend themselves to Children's Sabbath. Kierkegaard was often called "The Dismal Great Dane". He followed closely the idea that life was basically absurd and meaning in life was to be found in the moment because the moment is all we are truly sure we have.
The text I plan to explore comes in Mark's Gospel (the 10th Chapter) where Jesus is in the midst of children and the disciples speak sternly to him about that. They really didn't want children around and Jesus said, "Let the children come to me for to such belongs the Kingdom of God."
So far my sermons on this text have attempted to defend Jesus and his, evident and right, position that children are to be honored. In this sermon, on Children's Sabbath, I am exploring the text in a completely opposite direction. I want us to understand why the disciples would want to exclude children. They have a point and it is a point that ought to be made. I will attempt to make it this Sunday on Children's Sabbath.
Do you think children should be seen and not heard? How do you feel about children in church? Is worship not a place where children should be? We have made a commitment to have children in church every first Sunday. There are many less young families coming to church and worship the first Sunday. Did we make a mistake with this decision? Are there ways we can change the worship services to make them more children friendly without making them insulting to adults who are looking for something more sophisticated?
What do you think?
Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to allow the readers of the blog to see your response click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
Children's Sabbath -- October 2nd
I'm going to do something that really puts preaching and worship to the test. I'm going to use a respected and pivotal theologian on a Sunday when we are celebrating the importance of our children and the importance of building a world that makes it safe for them.
Children's Sabbath is something we have had here at the church for years. It is an important day in the life of our congregation. We have made some changes in our worship structures. Actually, we have 12 Children Sabbaths. The first Sunday of every month we have our children in the sanctuary as we celebrate communion. We do this so our children can experience worship and so that families can have communion together.
What is rather bold about next Sunday is the use of the theologian Soren Kierkegaard. He is an existentialist thinker who writes about the importance of "the leap of faith" and "the dark night of the soul".
Kierkegaard is one who struggles with his soul and with what it means to be a person of faith and a Christian.
How do we merge Kierkegaard's struggle with our children's faith journey? What better approach to the issues children bring that to take a look at the absurdity of the world and the need to make our world safe for children to grow in faith!
We will look at the faith struggles of a child; the will to believe and the importance of disbelief; the confidence in the world as a place of love and the reality that sometimes the world is cruel and dangerous.
I will invite us to think about what it was to be a child and how we have evolved in our faith to the point, as Jesus said, "children; to them belongs the Kingdom of God".
What do you remember about your childhood faith? How has it changed today?
If you have thoughts about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on the 'comments' box.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
I'm going to do something that really puts preaching and worship to the test. I'm going to use a respected and pivotal theologian on a Sunday when we are celebrating the importance of our children and the importance of building a world that makes it safe for them.
Children's Sabbath is something we have had here at the church for years. It is an important day in the life of our congregation. We have made some changes in our worship structures. Actually, we have 12 Children Sabbaths. The first Sunday of every month we have our children in the sanctuary as we celebrate communion. We do this so our children can experience worship and so that families can have communion together.
What is rather bold about next Sunday is the use of the theologian Soren Kierkegaard. He is an existentialist thinker who writes about the importance of "the leap of faith" and "the dark night of the soul".
Kierkegaard is one who struggles with his soul and with what it means to be a person of faith and a Christian.
How do we merge Kierkegaard's struggle with our children's faith journey? What better approach to the issues children bring that to take a look at the absurdity of the world and the need to make our world safe for children to grow in faith!
We will look at the faith struggles of a child; the will to believe and the importance of disbelief; the confidence in the world as a place of love and the reality that sometimes the world is cruel and dangerous.
I will invite us to think about what it was to be a child and how we have evolved in our faith to the point, as Jesus said, "children; to them belongs the Kingdom of God".
What do you remember about your childhood faith? How has it changed today?
If you have thoughts about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on the 'comments' box.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, September 23, 2011
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
What leads us to excellence? How do we get to the point that what we do is reflective of the greatness in us. How do we avoid settling for less?
I think there are three approaches we have to take:
1. We have figure a way to WAKE UP!
There is something in us that requires that we realize the brevity of life and the importance of all the time we have. No matter how long or short we are not exempt. On our last day alive and in our last hour and no matter what our physical or mental condition something is being asked of us. We have to wake up to that.
2. We have to figure a way to SHAPE UP!
Preparation is the key to accomplishment and, if we are in pursuit of excellence, we have to spend our whole lives preparing for what is or will be asked of us. There are many ways to shape up and some of that is physical but most of it is spiritual. We have to hone our skills, to plot our approaches, and to prepare ourselves spiritually. We have to know what we are up against and we will want to understand what it takes to face the challenges and what is required to avoid the temptations.
3. We have to figure a way to SHOW UP!
Sometimes the most difficult thing about life is finding a way to overcome our hesitations and fears and to find a way to insert ourselves where we need to be at the time when we are required to be there.
There will be forces and factors that will want to deny us our chance to be where we need to be and to do what we need to do.
What is called upon from us in our pursuit of excellence:
Wake up --- Shape up --- Show up
If you have thoughts about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the other readers of this blog click on the 'comments' box below.
If you would like a rough draft of the sermon I will email that to you. My home email delivery system isn't working so it will have to come from the office but I am happy to do that if I receive an email direction me to send it before 4pm Friday.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
I think there are three approaches we have to take:
1. We have figure a way to WAKE UP!
There is something in us that requires that we realize the brevity of life and the importance of all the time we have. No matter how long or short we are not exempt. On our last day alive and in our last hour and no matter what our physical or mental condition something is being asked of us. We have to wake up to that.
2. We have to figure a way to SHAPE UP!
Preparation is the key to accomplishment and, if we are in pursuit of excellence, we have to spend our whole lives preparing for what is or will be asked of us. There are many ways to shape up and some of that is physical but most of it is spiritual. We have to hone our skills, to plot our approaches, and to prepare ourselves spiritually. We have to know what we are up against and we will want to understand what it takes to face the challenges and what is required to avoid the temptations.
3. We have to figure a way to SHOW UP!
Sometimes the most difficult thing about life is finding a way to overcome our hesitations and fears and to find a way to insert ourselves where we need to be at the time when we are required to be there.
There will be forces and factors that will want to deny us our chance to be where we need to be and to do what we need to do.
What is called upon from us in our pursuit of excellence:
Wake up --- Shape up --- Show up
If you have thoughts about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the other readers of this blog click on the 'comments' box below.
If you would like a rough draft of the sermon I will email that to you. My home email delivery system isn't working so it will have to come from the office but I am happy to do that if I receive an email direction me to send it before 4pm Friday.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Wednesday's reflection on Sunday's sermon
There is that about us that strives. When confronted with failed attempts we are apt to give into the less than rather than hold in the back of our minds the complete. But still there is that about us that strives.
We know we can do better than we have done and thus we try and sometimes we succeed. We understand that there is such a thing as the best that can be and when we see it we recognize it and strive to participate in it.
There is this idea in Methodism called, "moving on to perfection". It was John Wesley who spoke of it in many of his writings. He has a sermon entitled "Christian Perfection".
It is this view of the perfect that will direct my thinking as I try to put together an idea that does drive the way we live and the way we think as individuals and as a church.
The sermon will say something to any of us who understands what it means to settle for less and be disappointed by it. It will address the whole matter of striving and working to better ourselves and our world.
Are you "moving on to perfection"? If not toward what are you moving?
Are you intimidated by ideas of perfection as a goal or objective? There are people who are perfectionists whose lives are not whole or healthy.
Is the idea of Christian perfection viable today?
What do you think?
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. I look forward to hearing from you.
If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of this blog click on the 'comments' box below.
Good luck moving on to perfection.
Charles Schuster
We know we can do better than we have done and thus we try and sometimes we succeed. We understand that there is such a thing as the best that can be and when we see it we recognize it and strive to participate in it.
There is this idea in Methodism called, "moving on to perfection". It was John Wesley who spoke of it in many of his writings. He has a sermon entitled "Christian Perfection".
It is this view of the perfect that will direct my thinking as I try to put together an idea that does drive the way we live and the way we think as individuals and as a church.
The sermon will say something to any of us who understands what it means to settle for less and be disappointed by it. It will address the whole matter of striving and working to better ourselves and our world.
Are you "moving on to perfection"? If not toward what are you moving?
Are you intimidated by ideas of perfection as a goal or objective? There are people who are perfectionists whose lives are not whole or healthy.
Is the idea of Christian perfection viable today?
What do you think?
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. I look forward to hearing from you.
If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of this blog click on the 'comments' box below.
Good luck moving on to perfection.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
I welcome you to our services of celebration this Sunday. Our theme will be Opening our Doors to all who knock. Title of the message of faith will be "Welcome Home, O Wayfaring Stranger", based on the scriptures Deuteronomy 10:12-19, Matthew 25:31-46 and Romans 12:9-13.
We will look at the importance (a moral imperative) of welcoming strangers in our midst, regardless of gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Moses and Jesus will be our resources....it doesn't get any better than that!
We will also be receiving several new folks into our community of faith. I hope you will find the energy and time to worship with us this Sunday.
Please free to write me at: ddalke37@cs.com
We will look at the importance (a moral imperative) of welcoming strangers in our midst, regardless of gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Moses and Jesus will be our resources....it doesn't get any better than that!
We will also be receiving several new folks into our community of faith. I hope you will find the energy and time to worship with us this Sunday.
Please free to write me at: ddalke37@cs.com
Monday, September 12, 2011
Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
David Dalke will be preaching in the 8:00, 9:15, and 10:45 services.
Jim Gulley will be preaching in Crosswalk on Sunday, September 18th
Jim Gulley will be preaching in Crosswalk on Sunday, September 18th
Friday, September 9, 2011
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
What have we learned in the past 10 years?
What has 9/11 taught us about our world and ourselves?
Two things I think:
A. We have to be able to use our common sense. Some have gone overboard with security issues. Some have wanted to assume security wasn't at all important. We have to find some common sense. There are radical Muslims but not all Muslims are radical. There are dangers in the world but the world is not all dangerous. Common sense requires that we be able to live without bitterness and without the need for revenge.
When Joseph's brothers realized Joseph was alive, had thrived, and was in a position to rule over their lives they were fearful he would be angry with them and try to hurt them or kill them. Joseph replied that he was not God. It was not his task to judge. He forgave them. He used common sense. (Genesis 50)
B. We have learned to find a common source. We do not worship God in the same way but that doesn't mean we all have a different God. Paul urged his readers to honor all people. Some think dietary requirements are important but others do not practice them. Paul writes that gentiles and Jews worship the same God but in different ways. (Romans 14)
Maybe the most important learning of the past 10 years is how we search the commonality of our faith traditions. Islam, Judaism, and Christianity come from the same Abrahamic source. We really do have more in common than we realized.
Hopefully, in the past ten years we have learned to find our common source and we have learned to use our common sense.
How have the past ten years changed you.
Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
What has 9/11 taught us about our world and ourselves?
Two things I think:
A. We have to be able to use our common sense. Some have gone overboard with security issues. Some have wanted to assume security wasn't at all important. We have to find some common sense. There are radical Muslims but not all Muslims are radical. There are dangers in the world but the world is not all dangerous. Common sense requires that we be able to live without bitterness and without the need for revenge.
When Joseph's brothers realized Joseph was alive, had thrived, and was in a position to rule over their lives they were fearful he would be angry with them and try to hurt them or kill them. Joseph replied that he was not God. It was not his task to judge. He forgave them. He used common sense. (Genesis 50)
B. We have learned to find a common source. We do not worship God in the same way but that doesn't mean we all have a different God. Paul urged his readers to honor all people. Some think dietary requirements are important but others do not practice them. Paul writes that gentiles and Jews worship the same God but in different ways. (Romans 14)
Maybe the most important learning of the past 10 years is how we search the commonality of our faith traditions. Islam, Judaism, and Christianity come from the same Abrahamic source. We really do have more in common than we realized.
Hopefully, in the past ten years we have learned to find our common source and we have learned to use our common sense.
How have the past ten years changed you.
Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Wednesday's reflection on Sunday's sermon
It is important for us on September 11th this year to give some thought to how our lives have changed since those awful events of 10 year ago. Reliving the tragedy will not be sufficient. How have our lives been changed?
Jim Wallis suggests that we have lost our innocence as a nation and have acquired a sense of vulnerability that the rest of the world generally knows. Has that made us more suspicious or more generous? Has that caused us to withdraw or venture forth?
How have we changed in 10 years?
One of the enduring images of the original 9/11 was the sense of togetherness that we experienced as a nation. Obviously, we have lost that. Politicians play to our selfish interests and our competitive nature and have succeeded in pitting us against each other. Tragically, we view each other as much a threat as the people who wish to do us harm. That is a sad eventuality and, I think, a mockery of the sacrifices made by the heroes of 9/11.
We are put in a position to reassess who we are as we look back to the events of 10 years ago and to think about our future as a nation.
I believe we can repair relationships and we can rebuild a national sense of trust without having another tragedy to bring us together. I certainly hope that is true.
What do you think we have done in the past 10 years to honor those who died?
How do you think we have done well by them?
How do you wish we had acted differently?
I look forward to your responses. 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
Jim Wallis suggests that we have lost our innocence as a nation and have acquired a sense of vulnerability that the rest of the world generally knows. Has that made us more suspicious or more generous? Has that caused us to withdraw or venture forth?
How have we changed in 10 years?
One of the enduring images of the original 9/11 was the sense of togetherness that we experienced as a nation. Obviously, we have lost that. Politicians play to our selfish interests and our competitive nature and have succeeded in pitting us against each other. Tragically, we view each other as much a threat as the people who wish to do us harm. That is a sad eventuality and, I think, a mockery of the sacrifices made by the heroes of 9/11.
We are put in a position to reassess who we are as we look back to the events of 10 years ago and to think about our future as a nation.
I believe we can repair relationships and we can rebuild a national sense of trust without having another tragedy to bring us together. I certainly hope that is true.
What do you think we have done in the past 10 years to honor those who died?
How do you think we have done well by them?
How do you wish we had acted differently?
I look forward to your responses. 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, September 4, 2011
Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"Ten Years Later"
The images are still so vivid if we were at all connected to what was happening in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. The rising smoke and dust, the towering infernos, the frantic telephone calls, the national alarm, the tears and the questions. What happened to us ten years ago? What has happened to us since?
On Sunday, September 11th we will want to look back to what happened and there are some things we will want to remember and celebrate. I think of the courage of the police and firefighters. I don't want to forget that. I think of the bond of love between people whose last words are held in precious memory to this day. We don't want to diminish the importance of that. I think of the coming together of our nation and the dedication to overcome this overwhelming tragedy. We want to hold onto that. I think of the rise of concern about the role of religion in this sad turn. How can someone kill innocent people in the name of God? What kind of God would allow or encourage such a thing?
There is much to remember 10 years after the event at which everything changed. It is our personal task to reflect on this and to come to some conclusions but it is our corporate responsibility as well.
What does, "Ten Years Later" mean to us about who we are and how we are to live our lives? Have we invested enough in security? Too much?
Will the religions of the world ever come together?
I invite your thoughts on this. Where were you ten years ago 9-11? What did you see and how did what you saw change your life?
I really value your thoughts. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of this blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
The images are still so vivid if we were at all connected to what was happening in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. The rising smoke and dust, the towering infernos, the frantic telephone calls, the national alarm, the tears and the questions. What happened to us ten years ago? What has happened to us since?
On Sunday, September 11th we will want to look back to what happened and there are some things we will want to remember and celebrate. I think of the courage of the police and firefighters. I don't want to forget that. I think of the bond of love between people whose last words are held in precious memory to this day. We don't want to diminish the importance of that. I think of the coming together of our nation and the dedication to overcome this overwhelming tragedy. We want to hold onto that. I think of the rise of concern about the role of religion in this sad turn. How can someone kill innocent people in the name of God? What kind of God would allow or encourage such a thing?
There is much to remember 10 years after the event at which everything changed. It is our personal task to reflect on this and to come to some conclusions but it is our corporate responsibility as well.
What does, "Ten Years Later" mean to us about who we are and how we are to live our lives? Have we invested enough in security? Too much?
Will the religions of the world ever come together?
I invite your thoughts on this. Where were you ten years ago 9-11? What did you see and how did what you saw change your life?
I really value your thoughts. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of this blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, September 2, 2011
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
It seems one of the most serious problems people have in the world is a sense of low self-esteem. People put themselves down and feel negative about who they are and what they do. Despite some theological approaches that suggest we should be filled with guilt and we need a savior to rescue us from ourselves, most of Christian theology is built around the idea that we are basically filled with God likeness and we have the potential to fulfill our purpose and destiny.
Jesus spoke to us about being the "salt of the earth" and urged us not to lose our 'savor'. He spoke about how we are the light of the world and how we must not put our light under a basket.
There is great optimism in the Christian faith and a high sense of our potential and the a respect for the goodness in our hearts.
We are living in a time when many people have lost their jobs and many more are in jobs they have had to accept doing work that is not rewarding. The possibility of self-doubt and a lessening of self-worth is high.
This sermon will seek to remind us of those words of our faith that hold us to the things that are important once we realize that our work is not just what we do but how we do it, that our payment is not the amount of dollars we are given but the sense of fulfillment that comes in doing it, and out pension is living out our days in such a way that we save our soul in the process.
The sermon is about the value of work, the value of integrity, and why it is important to live a holistic and holy life.
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Jesus spoke to us about being the "salt of the earth" and urged us not to lose our 'savor'. He spoke about how we are the light of the world and how we must not put our light under a basket.
There is great optimism in the Christian faith and a high sense of our potential and the a respect for the goodness in our hearts.
We are living in a time when many people have lost their jobs and many more are in jobs they have had to accept doing work that is not rewarding. The possibility of self-doubt and a lessening of self-worth is high.
This sermon will seek to remind us of those words of our faith that hold us to the things that are important once we realize that our work is not just what we do but how we do it, that our payment is not the amount of dollars we are given but the sense of fulfillment that comes in doing it, and out pension is living out our days in such a way that we save our soul in the process.
The sermon is about the value of work, the value of integrity, and why it is important to live a holistic and holy life.
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
