What strikes me about the Christmas story in Luke is the Innkeeper and the ongoing debate as to whether he did what he could have or should have or if he had done what he would have if he had known the child of Mary and Joseph was the Christ Child.
The sermon has me moving off in two other directions and it is beginning to come together slowly.
1. The Innkeeper gave Mary and Joseph a room in the back because there was no room in the inn. Basically, Jesus was born in a stall fit for animals according to the Gospel of Luke. 'The Innkeeper only looked at the clothing of the couple and saw them as a peasant couple.
2. The owner of the stable when the disciples came to the village opposite Bethpage gave them a donkey for Jesus to ride into Jerusalem. It could have been a quality horse and it might have been a triumpal entry. Instead Jesus came into Jerusalem riding a beast of burden. The stable owner looked at their hands and the disciples were working class people.
When we look at the clothing and when we look at the hands and when we make decisions about people on the basis of these superficialities we will not feel good about what we do for them.
We must find a way to look beyond the externals this Christmas when we consider what we can do for each other. We've got to find a way to get beneith the surface or our Christmas will be filled with guilt and emptiness.
What should we consider when we think about the people in our lives and what we have to give to them? Is it the way they look or the work they do or is there something internal/essential?
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
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
To suggest there was a stable boy in Bethlehem requires a stretch or a fling into a fantasy world. We don't know there was a stable boy. If there were a stable person it might have been a girl so can we say something about someone who may or may not have been present when the Christ Child was born?
The bigger question calls for us to think about adding to the story knowing that most of the story is simply a tale told/written by a Gospel writer to explain what people needed to know; that Jesus Christ was once a child like any other child; that he was born like any of us have been born; and that there were common ordinary shepherds who attended to him.
The larger question still has to do with the kind of world Jesus was born into. Much is made about the indifference of that world and the anger of the world and the hatred of that world. Was there any kindness?
Did the Innkeeper do a kindness in welcoming the Holy Family? Was that an act of compassion that greeted the Christ Child in Bethlehem?
Some of us have made much of the fact that there was no room in the Inn. Of course, that is wrong. There was room in the Inn. It wasn't a master suite. It wasn't "business class" but the Inn Keeper allowed them to stay in the only place he had available. We don't know if there was a charge. We are not given to understand if they received acts of kindness while they were temporary residents of the Inn in Bethlehem. I assume they were treated kindly.
What do you think?
If you were to tell the story of the Innkeeper's son and how he took care of the couple and their new-born child, what would you say about it?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on the "comments box" below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
The bigger question calls for us to think about adding to the story knowing that most of the story is simply a tale told/written by a Gospel writer to explain what people needed to know; that Jesus Christ was once a child like any other child; that he was born like any of us have been born; and that there were common ordinary shepherds who attended to him.
The larger question still has to do with the kind of world Jesus was born into. Much is made about the indifference of that world and the anger of the world and the hatred of that world. Was there any kindness?
Did the Innkeeper do a kindness in welcoming the Holy Family? Was that an act of compassion that greeted the Christ Child in Bethlehem?
Some of us have made much of the fact that there was no room in the Inn. Of course, that is wrong. There was room in the Inn. It wasn't a master suite. It wasn't "business class" but the Inn Keeper allowed them to stay in the only place he had available. We don't know if there was a charge. We are not given to understand if they received acts of kindness while they were temporary residents of the Inn in Bethlehem. I assume they were treated kindly.
What do you think?
If you were to tell the story of the Innkeeper's son and how he took care of the couple and their new-born child, what would you say about it?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on the "comments box" below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, November 25, 2011
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
Just a thought I had yesterday, Thanksgiving Day, driving on the way a family event in Longmont there was a parking lot and a Best Buy Store. It was 2 o'clock in the afternoon. I think the store opened at midnight. There was a long line of people waiting to get in. Some of them had tents and obviously were planning to be there into the night.
I am preaching a sermon on "preparation" for Christmas. Advent is four weeks preparing, spiritually, for the birth of the Christ Child. I am in favor of preparation and I believe the people waiting in that line were thinking about preparation as well.
But something seemed over the top with people who were camping out and waiting to get into the store at midnight on the day when we were poised to be thankful for the what we have. Here were people on the day of thanksgiving where we were to be thankful for that we have, waiting in line to purchase gifts and items so that people could have more. That doesn't quite add up.
I know part of the preparation for Christmas involves shopping. Gift giving is a part of the season, but if that is the primary thing it is it seems to be missing the point.
The preparation we need to consider is not quantities if gifts but qualities of experiences and it seems if our focus is on the gifts to buy and the time to do it instead of the relationships we might miss because of the stress of shopping then, something is out of balance.
The Census Taker in the story and the institution that established that institution may get an absolutely accurate count of the people who come to Bethlehem, but they will not have, in any way, a true picture of the people who are there. What's one baby among thousands of citizens? One baby doesn't count for any more than one unless that one baby is the Christ Child (or your child, or your grandchild).
How do we prepare for Christmas Spiritually? This will be the focus of our worship services each Sunday in Advent.
How do you prepare for Christmas spiritually? How does that involve shopping? I believe it can involve shopping. Is there a way to shop spiritually?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward from hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
I am preaching a sermon on "preparation" for Christmas. Advent is four weeks preparing, spiritually, for the birth of the Christ Child. I am in favor of preparation and I believe the people waiting in that line were thinking about preparation as well.
But something seemed over the top with people who were camping out and waiting to get into the store at midnight on the day when we were poised to be thankful for the what we have. Here were people on the day of thanksgiving where we were to be thankful for that we have, waiting in line to purchase gifts and items so that people could have more. That doesn't quite add up.
I know part of the preparation for Christmas involves shopping. Gift giving is a part of the season, but if that is the primary thing it is it seems to be missing the point.
The preparation we need to consider is not quantities if gifts but qualities of experiences and it seems if our focus is on the gifts to buy and the time to do it instead of the relationships we might miss because of the stress of shopping then, something is out of balance.
The Census Taker in the story and the institution that established that institution may get an absolutely accurate count of the people who come to Bethlehem, but they will not have, in any way, a true picture of the people who are there. What's one baby among thousands of citizens? One baby doesn't count for any more than one unless that one baby is the Christ Child (or your child, or your grandchild).
How do we prepare for Christmas Spiritually? This will be the focus of our worship services each Sunday in Advent.
How do you prepare for Christmas spiritually? How does that involve shopping? I believe it can involve shopping. Is there a way to shop spiritually?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward from hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Wednesday's reflection on Sunday's sermon
I don't hold the Census Taker as an enemy in the Christmas Story. I don't see him or her as an evil person or a misguided soul; nothing like that. But I do see that persona as a problem for Mary and Joseph and all the poor souls who were forced to come to be counted.
Luke wants us to understand that there were extreme requirements put on the Holy Family when the Christ Child was born. Luke, the Gospel writer, continually emphasises the idea that Jesus conformed to Roman and Jewish law. Luke sees Christianity as something that fits into the structures and powers of society. Luke wants us to understand there were severe demands made and those were adhered to by the Jewish people and the Christian community that arose from it.
There is a bit of the Census Taker in each of us and that is what I wish to address with the sermon the First Sunday of Advent. Nearsightedness will often blindside the farsighted. The unwillingness to look will preclude the inability to see. In the evolution of the season of Advent one of the most important things we want to be prepared to do is look and be prepared for the unexpected.
What can we expect? What might come to us that is unexpected?
Henri Nouwen wrote, "It seems that there are more and more people in our society who have less and less influence on the decisions that affect their own existence. Therefore, it becomes increasingly important to recognize that the largest part of our existence involves waiting in the sense of being acted upon. But the life of Jesus tells us that not to be in control is part of the human condition. His vocation was fulfilled not just in action but also in passion, in waiting."
Sunday we begin the process of waiting. We take the time to look at life from the perspective of expecting the unexpected.
Census Takers reduce people to numbers; reduce situations to what can be counted upon.
The "census taker" in each of us will have to step back and take a serious look at what is happening. Otherwise, it Christmas will come and go and it will be like all others when, in fact, this year Christmas will be different.
What do you anticipate will happen this Advent? What might surprise 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
Luke wants us to understand that there were extreme requirements put on the Holy Family when the Christ Child was born. Luke, the Gospel writer, continually emphasises the idea that Jesus conformed to Roman and Jewish law. Luke sees Christianity as something that fits into the structures and powers of society. Luke wants us to understand there were severe demands made and those were adhered to by the Jewish people and the Christian community that arose from it.
There is a bit of the Census Taker in each of us and that is what I wish to address with the sermon the First Sunday of Advent. Nearsightedness will often blindside the farsighted. The unwillingness to look will preclude the inability to see. In the evolution of the season of Advent one of the most important things we want to be prepared to do is look and be prepared for the unexpected.
What can we expect? What might come to us that is unexpected?
Henri Nouwen wrote, "It seems that there are more and more people in our society who have less and less influence on the decisions that affect their own existence. Therefore, it becomes increasingly important to recognize that the largest part of our existence involves waiting in the sense of being acted upon. But the life of Jesus tells us that not to be in control is part of the human condition. His vocation was fulfilled not just in action but also in passion, in waiting."
Sunday we begin the process of waiting. We take the time to look at life from the perspective of expecting the unexpected.
Census Takers reduce people to numbers; reduce situations to what can be counted upon.
The "census taker" in each of us will have to step back and take a serious look at what is happening. Otherwise, it Christmas will come and go and it will be like all others when, in fact, this year Christmas will be different.
What do you anticipate will happen this Advent? What might surprise 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
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
Sunday, November 27th is the first Sunday of Advent
I want to take a look at the Census Taker as it says in Luke 2 there was some kind of enrollment and Mary and Joseph were forced to make the trip to Bethlehem where Mary, eventually, had a baby; Jesus.
I don't completely trust this story as historical but I do understand there are people who go around taking names and numbers. There are people who want to reduce qualities to quantity and there have always been people like that.
We will light the Candle of Preparation. Can we ever prepare for Christmas to the point that we are completely ready for it to come? Has the world ever been prepared for someone, like Jesus, who came to deliver a message of peace, and hope, and joy? Has the world ever had an easy time with people like Mother Teressa, or Martin Luther King, or Gandhi who suggested that the weak are powerful and the powerful are week?
They ignore people like that and, sometimes crucify them.
We prepare ourselves for the birth of the Christ Child as we think about the census taker who was concerned about numbers.
What does it take to prepare for Christmas?
What advice do you have for this question?
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
I want to take a look at the Census Taker as it says in Luke 2 there was some kind of enrollment and Mary and Joseph were forced to make the trip to Bethlehem where Mary, eventually, had a baby; Jesus.
I don't completely trust this story as historical but I do understand there are people who go around taking names and numbers. There are people who want to reduce qualities to quantity and there have always been people like that.
We will light the Candle of Preparation. Can we ever prepare for Christmas to the point that we are completely ready for it to come? Has the world ever been prepared for someone, like Jesus, who came to deliver a message of peace, and hope, and joy? Has the world ever had an easy time with people like Mother Teressa, or Martin Luther King, or Gandhi who suggested that the weak are powerful and the powerful are week?
They ignore people like that and, sometimes crucify them.
We prepare ourselves for the birth of the Christ Child as we think about the census taker who was concerned about numbers.
What does it take to prepare for Christmas?
What advice do you have for this question?
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
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"We Are....First Church"
It seems to me the most important thing we need to hear about our church on Commitment Sunday has nothing to do with a budget; nothing to do with our dreams; nothing to do with a sense of concern; and nothing to do with a motive driven by guilt.
I am going to try to say something about our church; its character and its essence. What is our church? Who are we at First Church?
This is what I see:
I see incredible generosity. I see people giving to the church's ministry with enthusiasm and without hesitation. We name a need in the church and before long someone meets the need. We list a problem in the church and someone steps forward to solve it.
I see an amazing sense of hope in our church. People who have suffered loss who refuse to give up typify the kind of spirit that exists at First Church. You can never count our people out. You will not see us give up the idea that tomorrow will be better than today. When our members go through some of the darkest times in their lives we witness a tenacity and strength of character to rise above adversity.
I see our people working as hard as I have seen any congregation anywhere I've been to try to reconcile differences between each other and in the world where there are so many serious problems created by misunderstanding and confusion.
I see a congregation that is willing to do the hard work it takes to improve and grow. We have witnessed progress in the past but we have the idea that there is a future for us that we can hardly imagine.
Is this a congregation that deserves our financial support? That's what we will have to determine this coming Sunday.
What do you think about First Church? What is your sense of its strength?
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.
If you would like me to send a rough draft of the sermon let me know by tomorrow afternoon and I am happy to send it to you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
It seems to me the most important thing we need to hear about our church on Commitment Sunday has nothing to do with a budget; nothing to do with our dreams; nothing to do with a sense of concern; and nothing to do with a motive driven by guilt.
I am going to try to say something about our church; its character and its essence. What is our church? Who are we at First Church?
This is what I see:
I see incredible generosity. I see people giving to the church's ministry with enthusiasm and without hesitation. We name a need in the church and before long someone meets the need. We list a problem in the church and someone steps forward to solve it.
I see an amazing sense of hope in our church. People who have suffered loss who refuse to give up typify the kind of spirit that exists at First Church. You can never count our people out. You will not see us give up the idea that tomorrow will be better than today. When our members go through some of the darkest times in their lives we witness a tenacity and strength of character to rise above adversity.
I see our people working as hard as I have seen any congregation anywhere I've been to try to reconcile differences between each other and in the world where there are so many serious problems created by misunderstanding and confusion.
I see a congregation that is willing to do the hard work it takes to improve and grow. We have witnessed progress in the past but we have the idea that there is a future for us that we can hardly imagine.
Is this a congregation that deserves our financial support? That's what we will have to determine this coming Sunday.
What do you think about First Church? What is your sense of its strength?
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.
If you would like me to send a rough draft of the sermon let me know by tomorrow afternoon and I am happy to send it to you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Wednesday's reflection on Sunday's sermon
It has seemed to me for some time that stewardship and Commitment Sunday are reflective of something deeply personal and deeply spiritual. I find the Sunday when we bring our pledges to the church to be one of the most important Sundays of the year.
Some may want to do a comparison between this year and last year to see if we have advanced; assuming if the pledge total does not exceed the previous year we have retreated. I begin with the assumption that we are getting positive responses each time we receive a pledge and the amount doesn't matter at all. Each pledge is a vote that we continue for another year; all we have to decide is how much we get to do with what we have.
The congregation is very generous. The level of giving is remarkable when considering the state of the economy. We increased last year's budget from the previous year. In fact the budgets for the past five years tell a remarkable story. This is what I mean:
2007 $893,783
2008 $957,226
2009 $962,321
2010 $938,976
2011 $1,062,200
The budget proposed for 2012 is $1,352,609.
We are...First Church.
We see our task as making a difference in the world and moving our church forward by reaching beyond our doors. In a very tight economy we have increased our budgets because we believe in the future of the church. We have ended most of the years with surpluses.
How do you see Commitment Sunday?
Is it a time of heavy pressure to pledge or is it a privilege?
What do you think about that?
If you have thoughts you'd like to share write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have the readers of the blog see your response click on the "comments" box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Some may want to do a comparison between this year and last year to see if we have advanced; assuming if the pledge total does not exceed the previous year we have retreated. I begin with the assumption that we are getting positive responses each time we receive a pledge and the amount doesn't matter at all. Each pledge is a vote that we continue for another year; all we have to decide is how much we get to do with what we have.
The congregation is very generous. The level of giving is remarkable when considering the state of the economy. We increased last year's budget from the previous year. In fact the budgets for the past five years tell a remarkable story. This is what I mean:
2007 $893,783
2008 $957,226
2009 $962,321
2010 $938,976
2011 $1,062,200
The budget proposed for 2012 is $1,352,609.
We are...First Church.
We see our task as making a difference in the world and moving our church forward by reaching beyond our doors. In a very tight economy we have increased our budgets because we believe in the future of the church. We have ended most of the years with surpluses.
How do you see Commitment Sunday?
Is it a time of heavy pressure to pledge or is it a privilege?
What do you think about that?
If you have thoughts you'd like to share write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have the readers of the blog see your response click on the "comments" box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"We Are --- First Church"
"We are the church. I am the church. You are the church. We are the church together."
I don't think there is any ministry setting I've known where that is any more true than here in Fort Collins. There is a high degree of ownership in this church and the future of the church. Put simply, people care about First Church and are invested in its ministry and future.
When our Administrative Council met a several weeks ago we thought about our dreams. What would we like to think about the future of the church? Where are we headed?
The dreams were widespread. Some wanted to be sure all the members of the staff had health insurance. Some wanted to add staff members to make our ministry more effective and efficient. Some wanted to look into pod-caste of the worship services and up-grading the technology of the church in a variety of ways. Some want to have a Kitchen Coordinator who can open up the use of the kitchen in new ways.
The dreams of our church are telling us that we haven't arrived where we want to be but that we have moved forward in good ways. The dreams do not cause us to look with despair at the basic and foundational aspects of ministry as if it were missing, but encourages us to enhance our ministry; to move it forward.
We are the church. The strengths of the ministry here are many.
There are no weak ministries in this church. The youth, children, and adult programs are as good as any church in Fort Collins. The senior ministry is one of the best in the state. The church library is award winning. The music program is powerful and the diverse. The women's ministry holds a strong United Methodist Women's ministry as well as a concern for the role and status of women in the church.
We are the church, together.
Sunday is our Commitment Sunday.
We have the privilege of supporting our church once more and ensuring its future. What good fortune we have to do that for a church that is as strong as it is and as full of potential.
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on the 'comments box" below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
"We are the church. I am the church. You are the church. We are the church together."
I don't think there is any ministry setting I've known where that is any more true than here in Fort Collins. There is a high degree of ownership in this church and the future of the church. Put simply, people care about First Church and are invested in its ministry and future.
When our Administrative Council met a several weeks ago we thought about our dreams. What would we like to think about the future of the church? Where are we headed?
The dreams were widespread. Some wanted to be sure all the members of the staff had health insurance. Some wanted to add staff members to make our ministry more effective and efficient. Some wanted to look into pod-caste of the worship services and up-grading the technology of the church in a variety of ways. Some want to have a Kitchen Coordinator who can open up the use of the kitchen in new ways.
The dreams of our church are telling us that we haven't arrived where we want to be but that we have moved forward in good ways. The dreams do not cause us to look with despair at the basic and foundational aspects of ministry as if it were missing, but encourages us to enhance our ministry; to move it forward.
We are the church. The strengths of the ministry here are many.
There are no weak ministries in this church. The youth, children, and adult programs are as good as any church in Fort Collins. The senior ministry is one of the best in the state. The church library is award winning. The music program is powerful and the diverse. The women's ministry holds a strong United Methodist Women's ministry as well as a concern for the role and status of women in the church.
We are the church, together.
Sunday is our Commitment Sunday.
We have the privilege of supporting our church once more and ensuring its future. What good fortune we have to do that for a church that is as strong as it is and as full of potential.
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of the blog click on the 'comments box" below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Tuesday's thoughts
Rebecca McFee will be the preacher Sunday, November 13th. Her sermon will focus on the theme "You Are the Church"
Monday, November 7, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"I am the Church"
There are stages we might be going through in our relationship with life and the church we love.
1. There are times when we have failed in so many ways and we feel unworthy. Peter, for example, was a joke most of his life. He was impulsive and confused and inappropriate.
2. Jesus told him he was "the rock" and upon "the rock" he would build the church and he gave him the "keys to the Kingdom". What an incredible turn of events. If Jesus would have been looking for a less obvious leader he couldn't have found one less deserving than Peter. But it gave Peter status. He didn't immediately change his life or his attitude.
3. Jesus called Peter and the other disciples to the table and he gave them the cup and the bread and he said to them, "Take this in remembrance of me". That was what Peter needed. Again, he didn't immediately change his life. He would disown that he knew Jesus after that. He would run for his life when Jesus was arrested, but, in the end, he did come to realize and remember Jesus was present to him and he died giving witness to his faith. He was one of the great leaders of the church. The church made him a Saint. The church built its largest cathedral in Rome to Peter.
What does it take for us to move from a sense of our unworthiness to a sense of our competence?
We, like Peter, can learn it at the table.
We, like Peter, can leave the church with an understanding that says, "the church isn't the leaders or the clergy, or the ushers, or the choir; the church is each of us.
And as we think about it if someone asks us, "Who is the church?" We have a good reason to think about it and to speak of it and to say in response to it, "I am the church".
To what extent are you the church?
Do you ever think to yourself, "I am the church?" The church belongs to me? You have a right and a reason to think it. The church began with one person and the church exists one believer at a time.
What are your thoughts about this? Do you feel ownership in First Church? If you have thoughts on this 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
There are stages we might be going through in our relationship with life and the church we love.
1. There are times when we have failed in so many ways and we feel unworthy. Peter, for example, was a joke most of his life. He was impulsive and confused and inappropriate.
2. Jesus told him he was "the rock" and upon "the rock" he would build the church and he gave him the "keys to the Kingdom". What an incredible turn of events. If Jesus would have been looking for a less obvious leader he couldn't have found one less deserving than Peter. But it gave Peter status. He didn't immediately change his life or his attitude.
3. Jesus called Peter and the other disciples to the table and he gave them the cup and the bread and he said to them, "Take this in remembrance of me". That was what Peter needed. Again, he didn't immediately change his life. He would disown that he knew Jesus after that. He would run for his life when Jesus was arrested, but, in the end, he did come to realize and remember Jesus was present to him and he died giving witness to his faith. He was one of the great leaders of the church. The church made him a Saint. The church built its largest cathedral in Rome to Peter.
What does it take for us to move from a sense of our unworthiness to a sense of our competence?
We, like Peter, can learn it at the table.
We, like Peter, can leave the church with an understanding that says, "the church isn't the leaders or the clergy, or the ushers, or the choir; the church is each of us.
And as we think about it if someone asks us, "Who is the church?" We have a good reason to think about it and to speak of it and to say in response to it, "I am the church".
To what extent are you the church?
Do you ever think to yourself, "I am the church?" The church belongs to me? You have a right and a reason to think it. The church began with one person and the church exists one believer at a time.
What are your thoughts about this? Do you feel ownership in First Church? If you have thoughts on this 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
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Wednesday's reflection on Sunday's sermon
When Jesus told Peter he was a rock and upon that rock he would build the church it would come as a surprise to the other disciples but not any more of a surprise than it would have come to Peter himself.
He was no rock. He was impulsive and irresponsible. He was the one who cut off a man's ear with a sword. He was the one who insisted that Jesus wash him all over when Jesus wanted to wash his feet. He was the one who said he would never deny knowing Jesus and when Jesus was arrested it was Peter who denied knowing Jesus three times.
Peter was an absolute joke when he was told by Jesus he was a rock and upon the rock Jesus would build the church.
The parallel with this is as it is with each of us. We are often given major responsibility and we are sure we cannot handle it. We know our flaws and faults and we are aware of our failures and yet we are called upon to do some things we know we cannot do.
Peter rose to the occasion and was one of the most important forces in the early church. He was not a rock when he was chosen but he became a rock and was foundational as a figure in the church to move it forward.
What are we being asked to do that we know we cannot do? We are the church each of us. The church will rise or fall depending on how we carry out our lives in relation to it.
"I am the Church" is a frightening proposition but each of us is presented with it. We each are the church and it is up to us.
What do you think you are being asked to do if you are the church?
Do you have thoughts about this? If so, write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to have the readers of this blog see your response click on the 'comments' box below.
If you would like a rough draft of the sermon on Friday let me know and I will email it to you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
He was no rock. He was impulsive and irresponsible. He was the one who cut off a man's ear with a sword. He was the one who insisted that Jesus wash him all over when Jesus wanted to wash his feet. He was the one who said he would never deny knowing Jesus and when Jesus was arrested it was Peter who denied knowing Jesus three times.
Peter was an absolute joke when he was told by Jesus he was a rock and upon the rock Jesus would build the church.
The parallel with this is as it is with each of us. We are often given major responsibility and we are sure we cannot handle it. We know our flaws and faults and we are aware of our failures and yet we are called upon to do some things we know we cannot do.
Peter rose to the occasion and was one of the most important forces in the early church. He was not a rock when he was chosen but he became a rock and was foundational as a figure in the church to move it forward.
What are we being asked to do that we know we cannot do? We are the church each of us. The church will rise or fall depending on how we carry out our lives in relation to it.
"I am the Church" is a frightening proposition but each of us is presented with it. We each are the church and it is up to us.
What do you think you are being asked to do if you are the church?
Do you have thoughts about this? If so, write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.
If you are willing to have the readers of this blog see your response click on the 'comments' box below.
If you would like a rough draft of the sermon on Friday let me know and I will email it to you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
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