The following is a rough draft of the Sunday sermon. It is in capitol letters and it needs lots of help. If you have ideas email 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. Here is the sermon that is trying to suggest "We are rejected but often we are selected for something better when we are rejected.
I HAVE BEEN AROUND THE ELECT AND THEY ARE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PEOPLE. THEY WALK IN A DIFFERENT WAY AND WITH A DIFFERENT STRIDE. THEY SPEAK WITH A SENSE OF CONFIDENCE. THEY ARE THE ELECT. THEY ARE THE ONES CALVIN THOUGHT WERE THE PRIVILEGED.
THERE ARE TIMES IN OUR LIVES WHEN WE ARE THE ELECT. MAYBE IT WAS LITTLE LEAGUE AND SOMEBODY THOUGHT WE COULD PLAY RIGHT FIELD AND WE DID AND WHEN THE TIME CAME AND THE CATCH NEEDED TO BE MADE WE MADE IT.
THERE WAS A TIME IN HIGH SCHOOL AND THERE WAS A TEACHER WHO BELIEVED THAT THE GRADE POINT AVERAGE AND THE TESTS SCORES REALLY DIDN’T MEASURE OUR ACADEMIC ABILITY AND THERE WAS SOMEONE WHO BELIEVE THAT WE COULD BE THE STUDENT THAT, FROM TIME TO TIME, WE BECAME. AND WE WERE THE ELECT.
THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A TIME WHEN WE FELT THE SUPPORT OF FRIENDS AND WE PUT OURSELVES IN LINE WITH THE STRUGGLES THAT EVERYONE FACED AND WE WERE THE ELECT AND WE HELPED MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND THE DIFFERENCE WE MAKE WAS DECISIVE AND IT FELT SO GOOD.
THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN WE FELT SO GOOD ABOUT OURSELVES LIKE WE HAD BEEN SINGLED OUT AND PUT ON A PEDISTAL; LIKE WHEN THE ROLL WAS CALLED UP YONDER WE WERE THERE; LIKE THERE WAS SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT US AND WE ROSE TO THE OCCASION.
IT’S SUCH A GOOD FEELING AND ONE WE WILL NEVER FORGET, BUT IT DOESN’T LAST.
THE BEST WE CAN HOPE FOR IS THAT WE EXPECT RESPECT. IF WE ARE NOT THE ELECT WE CAN AT LEAST EXPECT RESPECT. WE EXPECT RESPECT. WE WOULD LIKE, IF WE ARE NOT AMONG THE ELECT THAT WE WOULD FIND RESPECT.
NICE PEOPLE GET RESPECT. THEY DON’T DO SPECTACULAR THINGS AND THEY ARE NOT IN THE HEADLINES BUT THEY GET RESPECT FOR THE LITTLE THINGS THEY DO.
IT’S THE BEHIND THE SCENES KIND OF THINGS. IT’S THE SORT OF THING THAT HAS TO BE DONE AND IT DONE WELL BUT IT DOESN’T DRAW ATTENTION TO ITSELF.
SOMEONE HAD TO MODEL WHAT A GOOD SHEPHERD WAS SO WHEN JESUS THOUGHT ABOUT HIS LIFE’S MISSION HE KNEW ABOUT THE SHEPHERD WHOSE VOICE THE SHEEP RECOGNIZE; THE GOOD SHEPHERD WHO TENDS THE FLOCK GETS RESPECT FOR WHAT HE DOES.
THAT’S THE LEAST WE CAN HOPE FOR THAT WE WOULD BE THOUGHT OF AS GOOD WORKERS WHO DO THE BEST WE CAN WITH WHAT WE HAVE TO DO WHAT WE CAN.
TO BE REPECTED BY THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW US IS A GREAT THING AND IT IS SOMETHING WE ASPIRE TO.
IT IS OUR HOPE. IT IS OUR DESIRE.
SOMETIMES, HOWEVER, WE ARE DEJECTED BECAUSE WE ARE REJECTED. SOMETIMES WE DO NOT RECEIVE RESPECT AND WE EXPERIENCE REJECTION.
AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW HARD WE TRY OR HOW WELL WE DO. MAYBE IT’S SOMETHING ABOUT US THEY DON’T LIKE AND WE DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT IS. MAYBE IT’S SOMETHING WE SAID. MAYBE IT’S THE WAY YOU LOOK OR THE WAY YOU ACT. MAYBE IT’S SOME PAST HISTORY YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN OR A PRESUPPOSITION PEOPLE HAVE THAT IS BASED ON NOTHING THAT IS TRUE.
LEONARD SWEET REMEMBERS THE STORY OF A LITTLE GIRL NAMED THELMA. SHE WAS 8 YEARS OLD. SHE WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN GIRL TO ATTEND A PUBLIC SCHOOL IN MISSISSIPPI. BEFORE SHE LEFT TO GO TO SCHOOL THAT FIRST DAY HER MOTHER DRESSED HER IN A CUTE PINK DRESS. WHEN THELMA SHOWED UP AT SCHOOL THE TEACHER SAID, “THELMA, I WANT YOU TO STAND RIGHT THERE BY YOUR SEAT. YOU ARE NOT TO SIT.”
THELMA DID AS SHE WAS TOLD, SHE STOOD AS THE REST OF THE THIRD-GRADE CLASS MARCHED PAST AND SPAT IN HER SEAT. AFTER THE OTHER CHILDREN REACHED THEIR SEATS, THE TEACHER INSTRUSTED THELMA, “YOU CAN SIT DOWN NOW.”
WHEN ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL OFFERED THE RIGHTS TO THE TELEPHONE FOR $100,000 TO CARL ORTON, PRESIDENT OF WESTERN UNION, ORTON REPLIED, ‘WHAT USE WOULD THIS COMPANY MAKE OF AN ELECTRICAL TOY?”
WHEN STEPHEN KING ALMOST MADE A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR MISTAKE WHEN HE THREW IS CARRIE MANUSCRIPT IN THE GARBAGE BECAUSE HE WAS TIRED OF THE REJECTIONS, “WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN SCIENCE FICTION WHICH DEALS WITH NEGATIVE UTOPIAS. THEY DO NOT SELL.” HIS WIFE FISHED IT OUT OF THE GARBAGE.
IN 1998 SERGEY BRIN AND LARRY PAGE APPROACHED YAHOO WITH A SUGGESTED MERGER WITH THE GOOGLE WHICH THEY HAD COFOUNDED. THE YAHOO EXECUTIVES COULD HAVE SNAPPED UP THE COMPANY FOR A HANDFUL OF STOCK. BUT THEY SUGGESTED THAT THE YOUNG GOOGLERS KEEP WORKING ON THEIR LITTLE PROJECT AND COME BACK WHEN THEY HAD GROWN UP.”
WAS REJECTED FOR HIS BROTHER ABEL AND IT ENDED IN AMURDER AND A QUESTION, “AM I MY BROTHER’S KEEPER?”
THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL THOUGHT OF THEMSELVES AS THE CHOSEN PEOPLE UNTIL THE EXILE AND SOME OF THEM THOUGHT OF THEMSELVES AS THE REJECTED PEOPLE. ONE OF THEM WROTE A POEM TO THAT FACT, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?” “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU REJECTED ME?”
IT WAS JEREMIAH WHO FELT REJECTED WHO PRAYED TO GOD SAYING, “WHY DOES THE WAY OF THE WICKED PROSPER?” WHICH IS TO SAY, “WHY DO WE KEEP LOSING AND THE PEOPLE WHO DON’T DESERVE IT, WHY DO THEY KEEP WINNING?”
JOB NOT ONLY FELT REJECTED BY GOD FOR ALL THE BAD LUCK THAT HE HAD; HE LOST HIS FAMILY, HE LOST HIS HOME, HE LOST HIS CHILDREN, AND IT GOT SO BAD FOR HIM HE WAS READY TO CURSE GOD AND DIE.
WE EXPECTED TO BE RESPECTED, BUT AT TIMES WE WERE DEJECTED BECAUSE WE WERE REJECTED.
AND THEN WE CAME TO SEE IT. OUR REJECTION WAS A SELECTION. WE WERE REJECTED IN ORDER TO FIND OURSELVES AGAIN. THE STONE THAT WAS REJECTED BECAME THE CORNER STONE. JESUS WHO GAVE HIS LIFE AND WAS REJECTED BY HIS OWN PEOPLE DISCOVERED THAT HE WAS SELECTED BECAUSE HE WAS REJECTED.
HIS REJECTION LED TO HIS SELECTION AND HIS LIFE’S PURPOSE CAME BECAUSE OF HIS BEING TURNED DOWN BY THE VERY PEOPLE WHO HE THOUGHT WOULD HAVE STOOD UP FOR HIM.
MOSES WAS A MURDERER AND HE RECYCLED HIS RAGE AND BECAME THE GREATEST LEADER IN ISRAEL.
JACOB WAS A THEIF AND A SCHEEMER AND HE RECYCLED HIS CUNNING AND BECAME THE FATHER OF A GREAT NATION.
DAVID WAS AN ADULTERER AND HE RECYCLED HIS PASSION AND BECAME ISRAEL’S GREATEST KING.
PETER WAS AN IMPULSIVE BOASTFUL FISHERMAN AND HE RECYCLED HIS PRIDE AND BECAME THE ROCK UPON WHICH THE CHURCH WAS BUILT.
MARY MAGDALENE RECYCLED HER UNDICIPLINED HABITS AND BECAME A COMPASSIONATE LOVER OF GOD.
SAUL OF TARSIS WAS A PERSECUTE OF CHRISTIANS AND HE RECYCLED HIS HATRED AND BECAME A GREAT MISSIONAL LEADER.
RUTH WAS AN IDOL WORSHIPPER AND SHE RECYCLED HER PAGANISM AND BECAME ONE WHO BECAME A PROGENITOR OF JESUS THE CHRIST.
JESUS WAS A FAILED MESSIAH WHO BECAME A MESSIAH OF ANOTHER WAY.
JANE PAULEY REMEMBERS THE DAY IN HIGH SCHOOL SHE TRIED OUT AS CHEERLEADER. IT WAS THE DREAM SHE ASPIRED TO AND SHE JUST KNEW SHE WOULD BE GOOD AT IT.
THE REMEMBERS IT VIVIDLY. THE YEAR WAS 1965. SHE WRITES: “IN SEPTEMBER OF TENTH GRADE, I TRIED OUT FOR JUNIOR VARSITY CHEERLEADER IN THE GYM. SHRIEKS OF TEENAGE JUBILATION REVERBRATED AROUND THE CINDER-BLOCK WALLS WHEN THE NAMES OF THOSE CHOSEN WERE CALLED—BUT NOT MINE. NAMES WENT CARTWHEELING DOWN THE HALLS MY NAME FOLLOWING ALONG IN A WHISPTER SUMMONING THE ONE PERSON WHO WAS LISTENING FOR IT—MY SISTER, IS DISSOLVED INTO HER ARMS; SUCH A SCENE. IT WAS THE SADDEST DAY OF MY LIFE—AND THE LUCKIEST.
IT WAS MY INTRODUCTION INTO THE VAST VARSITY SISTERHOOD OF DASHED DREAMS. SINCE 6TH GRADE I HAD WORN THE COVETED SWEATER EMBLAZONED WITH A LARGE LETTER. THE WHITE PLEATED SKIRT THE TENNIS SHOES THAT PRACTICALLY GLOWED AFTER EVERY COAT OF WHITE LIQUID SHOE POLISH—THEY WERE MINE. THOUGH I COULDN’T DO FLIPS OR SPLITS OR EVEN JUMP VERY HIGH I HAD MADE NO OTHER PLAN.
THEY SAY THAT WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES ANOTHER DOOR OPENS. THE PROBLEM IS THE FIRST ONE DOESN’T CLOSE; IT SLAMS SHUT IN YOUR TEAR STREAKED FACE, WHILE THE OTHER ONE OPENS SO UNEVENTFULLY YOU DON’T KNOW YOU’VE PASSED THROUGH A GOLDEN DOOR. THAT’S HOW IT WAS FOR ME IN 1965 AND SO OFTEN SINCE. LIFE COMES OUT OF THE BLUE.
I SIGNED UP FOR A NOVICE DEBATE TOURNAMENT. THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW LIFE FOR A YOUNG WOMAN WHO BECAME DEBATE CHAMPION UNDEFEATED; GOVERNOR OF GIRL’S STATE, THE FIRST WOMAN CO-ANCHOR AT NBC, MEMBER OF THE TODAY SHOW CAST, NEWSMAGAZINE DELIVERER ON DATELINE. SHE IS AN AUTHOR WHO WROTE A BOOK DEALING WITH HER BI-POLAR DISORDER CALLED SKYWRITING, SHE HAS WON MANY AWARDS INCLUDING THE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN BROADCAST JOURNALISM.’
REJECTED BUT SELECTED BECAUSE HER REJECTION OPENED UP FOR JAME PAULEY A PATH THAT TOOK HER LIFE IN AN EXCITING DIRECTION.
WE CAN LOOK AT THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUCCEEDED AND EVERY ONE OF THEM REVEALS WHAT IT MEANS TO SEE REJECTION AS SELECTION.
ONE MAN WROTE, “WE KEEP GOING BACK, STRONGER, NOT WEAKER, BECAUSE WE WILL NOT ALLOW REJECTION TO BEAT US DOWN. IT WILL ONLY STRENGTHEN OUR RESOLVE. TO BE SUCCESSFUL THERE IS NO OTHER WAY.”
MARK HANSEN WHO PUT TOGETHER THE CHICKEN SOUP BOOKS HAS A MOTTO FOR HIS LIFE THAT IS LISTED IN THE LETTERS SWSWSWSW WHICH STANDS FOR “SOME WILL, SOME WON’T SO WHAT—SOMEONE’S WAITING.”
AND BARBARA KINSOLVER BEST SELLING AUTHOR HAS THIS ADVICE, “THIS MANUSCRIPT OF YOURS THAT HAS JUST COME BACK FROM ANOTHER EDITOR IS A PRECIOUS PACKAGE. DON’T CONSIDER IT REJECTED. CONSIDER THAT YOU’VE ADDRESSED IT TO THE EDITOR WHO CAN APPRECIATE MY WORK AND IT HAS SIMPLY COME BACK STAMPED “NOT AT THIS ADDRESS.” JUST KEEP LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT ADDRESS.”
AND SYLVESTER STALLONE WHO SAID, “I TAKE REJECTION AS SOMEONE BLOWING A BUGLE IN MY EAR TO WAKE ME UP AND GET GOING, RATHER THAN RETREAT.”
HER NAME WAS MEIP GEIS. SHE KNEW A FAMILY YEARS AGO. IN FACT IT WAS DURING A VERY DARK TIME IN HISTORY AND MEIP AND HER HUSBAND KEPT THIS FAMILY THEIR HOME SHELTERED FROM THE NAZIS BUT EVENTUALLY THEY WERE DISCOVERED AND TAKEN TO A PRISON CAMP WHERE THEY ALL DIED.
MEIP FOUND THE DIARY THAT SHE THOUGHT THE WORLD OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO READ. SHE SUBMITTED IT TO A PUBLISHER. THIS IS THE LETTER SHE RECEIVED;
THE REJECTION SLIP READ, “THE GIRL DOESN’T, IT SEEMS TO ME, HAVE A SPECIAL PERCEPTION OR FEELING WHICH WOULD LIFT THAT BOOK ABOVE THE CURIOSITY LEVEL.”
THE DIARY OF ANN FRANK IS ONE OF THE MOST UPLIFTING AND INSPIRATIONAL BOOKS EVER WRITTEN. IT CONTINUES TO GIVE HOPE TO THE WORLD AND THE BOOK HAS BECOME A PLAY AND A MOVIE.
THE NAZI’S TRIED TO SILENCE THE TRUTH. THE PUBLISHER TRIED TO LIVES AND SPEAKS THROUGH HER PROFOUND WORDS.
EVEN DEATH COULD NOT DENY ANNE FRANK THE VOICE THAT HAS SPOKEN THROUGH THE AGES UNTIL OUR DAY. IT WAS A REJECTION THAT BECAME A SELECTION AND IT ALWAYS DOES IF WE WAIT LONG ENOUGH WE CAN SEE IT.
ESTELLE FRANKL WAS RIGHT WHEN SHE WROTE IN HER BOOK SACRED THERAPY , “WHEN ADVERSITY AND ILLNESS ARE VIEWED AS AN ESSENTIAL AND VITAL FORCE IN HUMAN GROWTH AND TRANSFORMATION, NOT JUST THINGS TO BE ENDURED OR OVERCOME, THEY ARE GRANTED A SACRED ROLE IN OUR LIVES.”
EVERY TIME WE ARE REJECTED ON ONE LEVEL WE ARE SELECTED ON ANOTHER LEVEL. EVERY TIME THERE IS A INITIAL NO GIVEN TO US THERE IS AN ETERNAL YES TO FOLLOW.
EVERY TIME LIFE REDUCES US IN STATURE AND STRENTH THERE IS SOMETHING OF THE SPIRIT THAT RISES TO THE OCCASION AND HELPS US UNDERSTAND THAT MEANING COMES TO US WHEN WE LEAN INTO OUR PAIN; WHEN WE BEAR UP UNDER OPPRESSION AND CONQUOR IT BY BEING PRESENT TO AND THROUGH IT.
REMEMBERING THE PROTOTYPE OF IT ALL AND THE ONE WHO IS THE AUTHOR OF OUR FAITH, CHRIST JESUS WHO WAS “THE STONE THAT WAS REJECTED BY THE BUILDERS THAT BECAME THE HEAD OF THE CORNER.”
HIS NAME WAS JOHN; WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG MAN HE WAS CONSCRIPTED BY THE BRISTISH TO SERVE IN THE NAVY. HE ROSE TO BECOME THE CAPTAIN OF HIS SHIP. ON A PARTICULARLY STORMY NIGHT AND THE SHIP ALMOST LOST AT SEA JOHN DID SOMETHING HE HAD NEVER DONE BEFORE, HE PRAYED TO GOD. AND THEN HE DID SOMETHING ELSE THAT SURPRISE EVERYONE WHO KNEW HIM. HE STUDIED FOR THE MINISTRY. AS A PART OF A SERMON AND A WORSHIP SERVICE AND IN REFLECTING UPON HIS ROLE IN THE SLAVE TRADE HE WROTE A SONG.
HIS REJECTION, LED TO A SELECTION AND IT REMINDS ALL OF US THAT THERE ARE BAD THINGS THAT HAPPEN AND GOOD THINGS THAT COME. ALWAYS; ALWAYS; FOREVER.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Wednesday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
The sermon pushes three areas of thought.
Here are the points I plan to try to develop:
There are people and sometimes we, ourselves, feel like we are the "elect".
But...
1. Most of the time the best we can do is to expect respect. There are times when we do get respect. We may not be seen as "the elect" but we can expect respect.
2. Sometimes we are dejected because we are rejected. We are put down and singled out. We are humiliated by other people and we understand what it means to be rejected.
3. What we can achieve in life is the realization that we are selected to be rejected because there is something we can learn from being rejected. The rejected become the selected when the rejected realize that when life says, "no" something else in life says, "yes". There is never a time when we are rejected that we cannot find something alternative that leads to something more important than what we were rejected by.
When were you rejected? Jesus, was the stone that was rejected that became the "cornerstone" for the building of God's Kingdom.
We are the rejected who become the selected if we can see it.
What thoughts do you have on this? When were you rejected? How did it feel? How did you respond?
If you would like a rough draft of the sermon I can send it to you. 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 this blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Here are the points I plan to try to develop:
There are people and sometimes we, ourselves, feel like we are the "elect".
But...
1. Most of the time the best we can do is to expect respect. There are times when we do get respect. We may not be seen as "the elect" but we can expect respect.
2. Sometimes we are dejected because we are rejected. We are put down and singled out. We are humiliated by other people and we understand what it means to be rejected.
3. What we can achieve in life is the realization that we are selected to be rejected because there is something we can learn from being rejected. The rejected become the selected when the rejected realize that when life says, "no" something else in life says, "yes". There is never a time when we are rejected that we cannot find something alternative that leads to something more important than what we were rejected by.
When were you rejected? Jesus, was the stone that was rejected that became the "cornerstone" for the building of God's Kingdom.
We are the rejected who become the selected if we can see it.
What thoughts do you have on this? When were you rejected? How did it feel? How did you respond?
If you would like a rough draft of the sermon I can send it to you. 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 this blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
"Selected to Be Rejected"
In Acts 4:5-12 we discover the early Church had pointed out that Jesus was one who was rejected. The author (Luke) wrote, "This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the head of the corner."
I wanted to do a sermon on all the people who have been rejected at one time or another. In so many ways haven't we all found ourselves rejected and isn't it almost as if the our rejection was the thing that allowed us to accomplish some of the most important tasks in our lives and haven't we seen how the rejected people have been the ones, in retrospect, who have been able to make such major accomplishments?
How have you been rejected?
Was it in high school when you tried out for the basketball team and didn't make it (like Michael Jordan)?
Was it in college when a speech teacher told you you should do something in your life that would preclude public speaking (like United Methodist Bishop Robert Spain)?
Was it the realization that you had no aptitude for math that made you consider following some other discipline of study (like Albert Einstein)?
We are Judeo/Christian people. We are descendants of the Chosen People of Israel who were rejected in Egypt, rejected by Assyria/rejected by Babylon. We are Christian people who are followers of a crucified savior.
Do you have thoughts or stories about rejection and it's imperative to succeed?
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
In Acts 4:5-12 we discover the early Church had pointed out that Jesus was one who was rejected. The author (Luke) wrote, "This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the head of the corner."
I wanted to do a sermon on all the people who have been rejected at one time or another. In so many ways haven't we all found ourselves rejected and isn't it almost as if the our rejection was the thing that allowed us to accomplish some of the most important tasks in our lives and haven't we seen how the rejected people have been the ones, in retrospect, who have been able to make such major accomplishments?
How have you been rejected?
Was it in high school when you tried out for the basketball team and didn't make it (like Michael Jordan)?
Was it in college when a speech teacher told you you should do something in your life that would preclude public speaking (like United Methodist Bishop Robert Spain)?
Was it the realization that you had no aptitude for math that made you consider following some other discipline of study (like Albert Einstein)?
We are Judeo/Christian people. We are descendants of the Chosen People of Israel who were rejected in Egypt, rejected by Assyria/rejected by Babylon. We are Christian people who are followers of a crucified savior.
Do you have thoughts or stories about rejection and it's imperative to succeed?
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
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Tuesday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
This Sunday is Women's Sunday where we will celebrate the unique ministry of women in our church and beyond. Our service of worship this Sunday will be about weavers, a traditional occupation for women. Weavers are also, for our faith, those who weave pain, loss, and suffering into a community of support, hope and love. Weaving is literal and symbolic. Where do you see the weavings of our church, our community, our faith? Share a story...
If you have stories to share write Reverend McFee at rebeccamcfee@gmail.com. If you are willing to share your stories with the readers of this blog click on the 'comments' box below.
If you have stories to share write Reverend McFee at rebeccamcfee@gmail.com. If you are willing to share your stories with the readers of this blog click on the 'comments' box below.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
Sunday, April 22nd will be "Women's Ministry Sunday". This was established in the late 1980's when there were very few women in Senior Ministry positions in the Rocky Mountain Conference. The church wanted our congregations to experience the diversity and strength of women clergy and so it established the Sunday as a day to be selected by the local church to exhibit the church's ministry with and for women.
Our church has had women clergy for many, many years. We have never had a woman Senior Minister and we have celebrated "Woman's Ministry Sunday" for the past nine years.
This coming Sunday Rebecca McFee will be our preacher. In the past we have had Janet Forbes, Trudy Robinson, Joyce Curtis, Pam Everhart, Opalanda Pugh, and Carol Fox.
Our church has had women clergy for many, many years. We have never had a woman Senior Minister and we have celebrated "Woman's Ministry Sunday" for the past nine years.
This coming Sunday Rebecca McFee will be our preacher. In the past we have had Janet Forbes, Trudy Robinson, Joyce Curtis, Pam Everhart, Opalanda Pugh, and Carol Fox.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
What I'm looking for in the sermon is "Christ Events" as we read the story of the resurrection in the 20th Chapter of the Gospel of John. The story of Thomas who came into the scene after the Risen Christ appeared in the Upper Room opens up a number of important issues.
First of all Thomas claims to believe because he has been able to see and John has us understand how Jesus said, "You believe because you have seen. Happy are those who believe even though they have not seen". In effect we are looking at the power that comes when believing is seeing. What have we come to believe about Easter and when do we see the Risen Christ in our lives?
Secondly, in the story we read that there were deeds the Risen Christ performed that were not recorded. Every time we discover good deeds done for the sake of the need to have them done and not for getting credit for doing them it becomes a Christ Event.
On the Sunday after Easter we continue to affirm that "Christ the Lord is Risen Today."
If you would like a copy of a rough draft of the sermon let me know and I can email it to you. I have the ability to email that from home on Saturday as well as any time today (Friday).
If you have some thoughts on this subject 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
First of all Thomas claims to believe because he has been able to see and John has us understand how Jesus said, "You believe because you have seen. Happy are those who believe even though they have not seen". In effect we are looking at the power that comes when believing is seeing. What have we come to believe about Easter and when do we see the Risen Christ in our lives?
Secondly, in the story we read that there were deeds the Risen Christ performed that were not recorded. Every time we discover good deeds done for the sake of the need to have them done and not for getting credit for doing them it becomes a Christ Event.
On the Sunday after Easter we continue to affirm that "Christ the Lord is Risen Today."
If you would like a copy of a rough draft of the sermon let me know and I can email it to you. I have the ability to email that from home on Saturday as well as any time today (Friday).
If you have some thoughts on this subject 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, April 11, 2012
Wednesday's reflection on Sunday's sermon
The post-Easter response may be more important than all the impressive music and all the detailed build up to Easter Sunday itself.
The Easter story in John does have that interesting interaction with the "Doubting Thomas" who could not believe he was seeing the Risen Christ unless he could touch the wounds caused by the crucifixion.
It is very clear to me what the writer of the Gospel is trying to do. It was written at least 70 years after Jesus' death on the cross. That means it was written so long after the first Easter event that the people who would have heard the stories about the empty tomb and the appearances would have been long gone. Many of them were killed as Christian martyrs.
John's resurrection appearance is written for our benefit and all of us who could not have understood the precipitating events that led to the legend of Easter.
Those who have seen and believed have understood that seeing is believing. For the rest of us we have to believe before we can see because we have seen nothing.
What we believe about Easter determines what we see.
What do you believe?
What do you see?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts on the church web page so that others can read what you've written click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
The Easter story in John does have that interesting interaction with the "Doubting Thomas" who could not believe he was seeing the Risen Christ unless he could touch the wounds caused by the crucifixion.
It is very clear to me what the writer of the Gospel is trying to do. It was written at least 70 years after Jesus' death on the cross. That means it was written so long after the first Easter event that the people who would have heard the stories about the empty tomb and the appearances would have been long gone. Many of them were killed as Christian martyrs.
John's resurrection appearance is written for our benefit and all of us who could not have understood the precipitating events that led to the legend of Easter.
Those who have seen and believed have understood that seeing is believing. For the rest of us we have to believe before we can see because we have seen nothing.
What we believe about Easter determines what we see.
What do you believe?
What do you see?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts on the church web page so that others can read what you've written click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
One of the most debated subjects for Christians with regard to Easter and resurrection is the question of the form of the resurrected Christ. Was the resurrection Christ a physical presence or a spiritual form? Did he come to the disciples as a body or as a spirit?
I think it was a spiritual presence and I completely understand how that could happen. I happens in our lives all the time. There are people who have died and who continue to have a living presence with us even though they are not with us in body at all.
We know loved ones who are almost as alive to us now as when they were actually with us and interacting with us on a daily basis.
Other people see this very differently. They believe that Easter is suspension of natural law and that the Risen Christ was actually a bodily form with whom the disciples. The premise is based on the idea that God is God and God can do anything including bring back the dead in a bodily form.
The Gospel of John gives us no help. If you look at the 20th chapter beginning with the 18th verse (which is where we left off on Easter Sunday) we find Jesus appearing to the disciples in the Upper Room. John makes it very clear that the room was shut tight. The doors were closed and the windows were not open and the Risen Christ comes through the walls of the room. In other words the it is a spiritual presence that confronts the disciples that time.
I could be confident that I am right about the assumption of the spiritual presence except that John also suggests that Thomas touches the wound made by the torture of the crucifixion. That implies a physical presence for the Risen Christ.
The debate is not settled and so it continues.
What do you think?
Was the Risen Christ a spiritual presence or a physical form?
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the other readers of the blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
I think it was a spiritual presence and I completely understand how that could happen. I happens in our lives all the time. There are people who have died and who continue to have a living presence with us even though they are not with us in body at all.
We know loved ones who are almost as alive to us now as when they were actually with us and interacting with us on a daily basis.
Other people see this very differently. They believe that Easter is suspension of natural law and that the Risen Christ was actually a bodily form with whom the disciples. The premise is based on the idea that God is God and God can do anything including bring back the dead in a bodily form.
The Gospel of John gives us no help. If you look at the 20th chapter beginning with the 18th verse (which is where we left off on Easter Sunday) we find Jesus appearing to the disciples in the Upper Room. John makes it very clear that the room was shut tight. The doors were closed and the windows were not open and the Risen Christ comes through the walls of the room. In other words the it is a spiritual presence that confronts the disciples that time.
I could be confident that I am right about the assumption of the spiritual presence except that John also suggests that Thomas touches the wound made by the torture of the crucifixion. That implies a physical presence for the Risen Christ.
The debate is not settled and so it continues.
What do you think?
Was the Risen Christ a spiritual presence or a physical form?
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the other readers of the blog click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Friday, April 6, 2012
Friday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
The following is a very rough draft of the sermon. I could turn out very different than what you read here. I value your thoughts about it and suggestions. 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
Note: The capitol format is what I use in the first draft of a sermon before I hand write it for the worship service.
THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE COLOR WHITE THAT YOU FIND IN ALL THE ACCOUNTS OF EASTER. WHITE! IN THE GOSPEL OF MARK THERE IS A YOUNG MAN IN A WHITE ROBE AT THE TOMB. IN MATTHEW THERE WAS AN ANGEL WHOSE FACE SHONE LIKE LIGHTENING AND WHOSE ROBE WAS WHITE AS SNOW. IN LUKE’S GOSPEL THERE WERE TWO MEN STANDING AT THE TOMB IN DAZZELING APPAREL, AND IN JOHN’S WE READ THIS MORNING THERE WERE TWO ANGELS IN WHITE.
THE COLOR IS WHITE THIS MORNING. WE SEE THE WHITE LILIES UP HERE IN FRONT. WE SEE WHITE ON STOLES ON THE MINISTERS. THE LITURGICAL COLOR IS WHITE. WHITE ISN’T A COLOR IT IS THE PRESENCE OF ALL COLOR.
THURSDAY NIGHT OUR TEENAGERS REENACTED THE LAST SUPPER AND THEY HAD NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE AND IF YOU WATCHED THEM YOU SAW THEY HAD NO CLUE WHAT THEY WERE DOING. SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THEM WHEN THEY STUCK THE POSE OF THE DIVINCI PAINTING. THEY WERE TRANSFORMED. WE WERE ALL TRANSFORMED. ALL THE DISCIPLES WERE THERE. EVERYONE WAS THERE BUT JESUS. HE WAS PORTRAYED BY A CANDLE; A WHITE CANDLE
IF ANY OF US HAD TRIED TO REENACT THE DIVINCI LAST SUPPER WE WOULDN’T HAVE HAD A CLUE EITHER. WE WOULD HAVE WONDERED WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT.
FRIDAY WE WENT TO BLACK. WE STARTED THE SERVICE IN LIGHT AND WE GRADUATED OURSELVES DOWN TO DIM AND THEN TO DARK AND THEN WE WENT TO THE COLOR BLACK. NOW BLACK IS NOT A COLOR. BLACK IS THE ABSENCE OF COLOR.
TODAY THE COLOR IS WHITE. WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH A TIME WHEN WE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND IT WENT TO BLACK BUT TODAY THE COLOR IS WHITE AND WHITE IS THE PRESENCE OF COLOR. IT WAS A DARK AND STORY NIGHT BUT THERE IS A SIGN OF REIGN. THE REIGN OF GOD. THE POWER OF GOD. THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND THE COLOR IS WHITE.
IT HAPPENED IN A CHURCH. IT HAS HAPPENED IN OTHER CHURCHES AND IT MAY HAVE HAPPENED HERE. IT HAPPENED IN MY HOME CHURCH WHERE I GREW UP. I SAW IT HAPPEN. IT HAPPENED IN CHURCH IN A SANCTUARY ON EASTER SUNDAY. IT WAS A WOMAN DRESSED IN WHITE.
EDNA HAD SUNG IN THE CHOIR FOR YEARS. SHE HAD ALSO SUNG IN THE CONCERT HALL. HER VOICE WAS TRAINED; LIKE “JULIARD TRAINED”. HER PROFESSOR WAS A MAN NAMED BLACK BUT SHE WAS A WOMAN IN A WHITE DRESS.
WHAT A VOICE! WHAT A TREMENDOUS SOPRANO VOICE! IT WAS THE KIND OF VOICE THAT COULD RAISE THE ROOF; OR THE DEAD. IT WAS THE KIND OF VOICE THAT WOULD ALERT THE LIVING TO THE FACT THAT LIFE IS GOOD. THE WOMAN DRESSED IN WHITE.
IT HAD BEEN A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT FOR HER BUT THERE WAS A CHANCE OF REIGN; THE REIGN OF GOD.
SOMETHING HAPPENED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. SOMETHING NOT QUITE RIGHT WITH HER. SHE KNEW AT FIRST AND COVERED IT PRETTY WELL PRETENDING TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND BUT REALLY NOT QUITE GETTING IT. IT WAS FRIGHTENING AND SHE TRIED VALLIANTLY TO KEEP IT TO HERSELF BUT THERE CAME A POINT SHE COULD NO LONGER CONCEAL THE CONFUSION.
THINGS THAT ONCE CAME NATURALLY TO HER BECAME A CHALLENG SHE COULD NOT QUITE GRASP.
HER MIND, ONCE SHARP, NOW WAS BEGINNING TO DIM TO THE POINT THAT IT WAS BULENT AND THOUGHT WAS PAINFUL.
IT WAS AS IF THEE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN HER MIND, ONE BY ONE, SLOWLY YET ENEXORABLY.
ALZHEIMERS TOOK HER IN ITS GRIP AND SHE HAD TO DROP OUT OF EVERYTHING THAT WAS NEAR AND DEAR TO HER AND IT WAS A LOSS FOR ALL CONCERNED.
NO MORE VOLUNTEER WORK AT THE HOSPITAL WHERE HER HUSBAND HAD BEEN ONE OF THE SURGEONS.
NO MORE CONCERTS AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER.
NO MORE STANDING BEHIND A DESK AT THE BANK WHERE SHE WAS EMPLOYED.
NO MORE SOLOS IN THE CHURCH CHOIR.
NO MORE CHURCH UNTIL SHE GOT THE MEDICINE RIGHT.
THE WOMAN WITH THE WHITE DRESS. HER NAME WAS EDNA. THE NAME EDNA COMES FROM THE WORD EDEN. IT MEANS PARADISE.
AND EASTER SUNDAY CAME AND SHE WENT WITH HER FAMILY TO CHURCH TO WORSHIP; TO THE FAMILIAR PLACE; AND THE FAMILIAR FACES.
SHE WASN’T SURE WHERE SHE WAS BUT SHE KNEW IT WAS A PLACE SHE LIKED TO BE. AND THE PEOPLE WHO SPOKE TO HER SHD DIDN’T KNOW WHO THEY WERE BUT THEY SEEMED TO BE HAPPY TO SEE HER AND THEY WERE.
IT WAS A WARM PLACE; THE FLOWERS WERE BEAUTIFUL BUT IT WAS A BIT STRANGE FOR HER; THE WOMAN IN THE WHITE DRESS NAMED EDNA—IN PARADISE. IT WAS A STRANGE PLACE UNTIL…….
DURING THE FIRST HYMN AND THE CONGREGATION STOOD AND THE HYMNALS WERE AIMED AND LIFTED HIGH AND THE ORGAN WHEEZED AND THE CONGREGATION BEGAN TO SING, “CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN…TODAY.”
AND THE WOMAN WITH THE WHITE DRESS DID SOMETHING SHE HADN’T DONE IN MONTHS. SHE OPENED HER MOUTH AND SHE SANG.
OBLIVIOUS TO HER SURROUNDINGS; IMPERVIOUS TO THE PEOPLE LOOKING, SHE SANG WITH ALL THE POWER OF THAT MAGNIFICENT VOICE—A VOICE THAT COULD CARRY A CHOIR THROUGH A CANTATA. IT WAS POWERFUL AND MAGNIFICENT AND THE CONGREGATION BEGAN TO HEAR IT LIKE THEY REMEMBERED IT AND ONE BY ONE THEY STOPPED SINGING.
THE ORGANIST REALIZED WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND SHE SLOWED DOWN THE PACE AND THE PIPES LINED UP WITH THE CADENCE OF THE WOMAN WITH THE WHITE DRES WHO HAD NOW BECOME SOLOIST.
CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY
EARTH AND HEAVEN IN CHORUS SAY
RAISE YOUR JOYS AND TRIUMPHS HIGH
SING YE HEAVENS AND EARTH REPLY.”
THE ORGANIST FINALLY STOPPED PLAYING AND THE SOLO TURNED A COPELLA AND THE WOMAN IN WHITE FINISHED THE HYMN FROM MEMORY NOT EVEN LOOKING AT THE BOOK AND THEN IT WAS OVER AND THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN.
AND FOR A BRIEF MOMENT IN TIME WHAT WAS THOUGHT TO BE DEAD AND GONE WAS ALIVE AND PRESENT. FOR A BRIEF MOMENT IN TIME THE CHURCH HAD A GLIMPSE OF A GREATNESS THAT COULD NOT BE STIFFLED BY DEGENERATION.
DEMINTIA WAS DEFEATED FOR A MOMENT AND ONE LITTLE CHILD SAID TO HIS MOTHER AS THEY SAT IN THE PEW, “WHO IS THAT WOMAN IN THE WHITE DRESS, MOMMA AND WHY ARE PEOPLE CRYING?”
AND HIS MOTHER TURNED AND SAID TO HER SON, “THAT WOMEN IN THE WHITE DRESS IS WHAT EASTER IS ALL ABOUT.”
GOD MET THEM AT THE TOMB
GOD MEETS US AT THE TOMB OF DIMINISHMENT.
ALWAYS—ALWAYS TO SPEAK, TO WALK, TO SEIZE SOMETHING BY THE HAND AND WILL SAY TO ANYONE WHO LOOKS AT THE THINGS THAT CHANGE FOR THE WORSE AT THE WAY LIFE DISINTEGRATES AT THE DIMISHMENTS WE FACE; AGE WILL DO IT, BUT WE CAN FACE IT, GRIEF WILL DO IT, WE CAN FACE IT, NOTHING THAT WAS IS EVER GONE. EASTER IS ABOUT CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN…..NOT THEN, NOT THERE, BUT HERE AND NOW—IN US. THE WOMAN IN WHITE; EDNA; SHE WAS IN PARADISE.
IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT AND THERE WAS A CHANCE OF REIGN; THE REIGN OF GOD.
IT HAPPENED IN THE DARK RECESSES OF A BASKETBALL ARENA IN CHICAGO. THERE WAS A MAN DRESSED IN WHITE AND HE WORE SHORTS AND A SHIRT AND THERE WAS A BIG RED NUMBER ON HIS BACK. IT WAS NUMBER 23. BUT I GET AHEAD OF MYSELF.
A LITTLE CHILD NAMED CORNELIUS ABRAHAM MCGEE WAS 6 YEARS OLD WHEN HE AND HIS 4 YEAR OLD BROTHER LATTIE WERE TORTURED.
IT WAS A LONG HOT SUMMER AND THE BOYS WERE BEATEN AND STARVED AND HANGED UPSIDE DOWN IN A LOCKED CLOSET MOUTHS TAPED SHUT AND FEET TIED TO A CLOSET ROD AND BURNED WITH A HOT IRON.
NO ONE KNEW BECAUSE NO ONE HEARD AND NO ONE TOLD. LITTLE LATTIE DIED AND HIS MOTHER AND HER BOY FRIEND WENT TO TRIAL AND WERE SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON LARGELY BECAUSE OF THE TESTIMONY OFFERED BY CORNELIUS.
A WRITER FROM A CHICAGO NEWSPAPER GOT INVOLVED AND HE DID MORE THAN WRITE ABOUT THE LITTLE BOY HE TOOK AN INTEREST.
HE DISCOVERED THAT CORNELIUS LOVED BASKETBALL. HE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO TAKE HIM TO A GAME AND THAT’S WHERE HE MET THE MAN DRESSED IN WHITE WITH THE NUMBER 23 ON HIS BACK—MICHAEL JORDAN.
CORNELIUS GOT TO MEET MICHAEL JORDAN.
THE MEETING WAS DRAMATIC. IT WAS AN EVENT.
WIDE WITH FRIGHTENED EYES; EYES THAT HAD SEEN THINGS NO HUMAN SHOULD EVER SEE THE LITTLE BOY WITH THE WIDE EYES AND HE SAID NOTHING AS THEY WALKED DOWN THE STAIRWAY AND THE DOOR OPENED AND THE MAN DRESSED IN WHITE STOOD AND LEANED DOWN.
“HI CORNELIUS, I’M MICHAEL. YOU GOING TO CHEER FOR US TONIGHT. WE’RE GOING TO NEED IT. I WANT YOU TO SIT BESIDE ME ON THE BENCH.”
RIGHT NEXT TO MICHAEL JORDAN, THE GREATEST BASKETBALL PLAYER TO PLAY THE GAME.
WHEN JORDAN WAS ON THE COURT CORNELIUS WOULD BE SAVING HIS SEAT FOR HIM. NOTHING COULD BRING HIS BROTHER BACK. NOTHING COULD UNDO WHAT HAD BEEN DONE. BUT CORNELIUS WAS SITTING IN A CHAIR NEXT TO THE WORLD’S GREATEST BASKETBALL PLAYER AND HE WAS DOING SOMETHING HE HADN’T DONE IN MONTHS; HE WAS LAUGHING OUT LOUD. HE WAS LAUGHING OUT LOUD FOR THE FIRST TIME.
A LITTLE BOY WATCHES A HERO
A LITTLE BOY LEARNS TO LAUGH AGAIN
A LITTLE BOY LAUGHING OUT LOUD FOR THE FIRST TIME.
A LITTLE BOY WHO HAD LITTLE REASON TO LOOK FORWARD INTO HIS LIFE BEGINS TO SEE THAT THERE IS A FUTURE IN THE HUMAN STORY.
BUT THIS IS NOT JUST THE TALE OF A CHILD AND HIS HERO; CHARMING AS IT IS.
REMEMBER JAMES JORDAN; MICHAEL JORDAN’S FATHER? JAMES JORDAN WAS MURDERED. TWO YOUNG MEN ROBBED HIM; THEN THEY KILLED HIM. IT WAS WEEKS BEFORE THEY FOUND THE BODY. WHEN THE MAN DRESSED IN WHITE WITH THE NUMBER 23 ON HIS BACK KNELT DOWN AND LOOKED INTO THE EYES OF A LITTLE BOY AND THE TWO OF THEM LOOKED AT EACH OTHER SOMETHING HAPPENED; IT ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE HAVE THE COURAGE TO STARE VIOLENCE DOWN.
THE SCORE OF THE BASKETBALL GAME DOESN’T MATTER; WHO WON; WHO LOST. THE ADORATION OF A SUPERSTAR IS SHALLOW; TWO MEN—CORNELIUS, AGE 9, MICHAEL JORDAN AT HIS PEAK. TWO MEN LOOKED VIOLENCE IN THE EYE.
LIKE ANOTHER MAN THEY CALLED JESUS; SUPERSTAR; SAVIOR; THE CHILD; HEROIC FIGURES WHO WALKED THROUGH THE VALLEY OF VIOLENCE AND VIOLENCE DID NOT PREVAIL.
HEROIC FIGURES WHO LEARNED IF YOU TAKE AN EYE FOR AN EYE AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH ALL PEOPLE WILL BE BLIND AND WILL HAVE TO EAT WITH SORE GUMS.
HEROIC FIGURES WHO LEANED TO TURN THE OTHER CHEEK, WHO LEARNED TO TRUST THAT ALTHOUGH THERE ARE PEOPLE ON THIS EARTH WHO ARE MEAN AND HATEFUL MOST PEOPLE ARE THOUGHTFUL; MOST PEOPLE ARE KIND; MOST PEOPLE ARE FULL OF COMPASSION.
HEROIC FIGURES WHO WOULD NOT GIVE IN TO VIOLENCE BY TURNING BITTER.
HEROIC FIGURES WHO UNDERSTAND THERE IS A FUTURE TO THE STORY; THERE IS A FUTURE TO THE HUMAN STORY.
VIOLENCE IS A THREAT TO ALL OF US; IT TOOK A BROTHER; IT TOOK A FATHER; IT TOOK THE SON OF GOD; IT TAKES OUR MOTHERS AND OUR SISTERS.
AND YET ONE LITTLE AFRICAN AMERICAN BOY AND HIS FRIEND, THE ONE DRESSED IN WHITE LOOKED AT EACH OTHER FACE TO FACE AND STARING VIOLENCE DOWN A LITTLE BOY LAUGHED AND A SUPERSTAR SMILED AND THERE IS A FUTURE TO THE HUMAN STORY.
GOD MET THEM AT THE TOMB; GOD MEETS US AT THE TOMB OF VIOLENCE AND GOD IS NOT AFRAID OF VIOLENCE ALWAYS—ALWAYS TO SPEAK; TO WALK; TO SEIZE SOMETHING BY THE HAND.
GOD MET THEM AT THE TOMB AND THERE WAS SOMEONE DRESSED IN WHITE; THE PRESENCE OF ALL COLORS AND IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT BUT THERE WAS A CHANCE OF REIGN; THE REIGN OF GOD WHICH COMES WHENEVER SOMEONE REMEMBERS A SONG AND SINGS IT; WHENEVER ONE OF US OR ALL OF US STAND UP TO VIOLENCE BY REMEMBERING THAT WE WORSHIP ONE WHO WAS CRUCIFIED BUT STILL LIVES WHOM WE CALL THE PRINCE OF PEACE.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Note: The capitol format is what I use in the first draft of a sermon before I hand write it for the worship service.
THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE COLOR WHITE THAT YOU FIND IN ALL THE ACCOUNTS OF EASTER. WHITE! IN THE GOSPEL OF MARK THERE IS A YOUNG MAN IN A WHITE ROBE AT THE TOMB. IN MATTHEW THERE WAS AN ANGEL WHOSE FACE SHONE LIKE LIGHTENING AND WHOSE ROBE WAS WHITE AS SNOW. IN LUKE’S GOSPEL THERE WERE TWO MEN STANDING AT THE TOMB IN DAZZELING APPAREL, AND IN JOHN’S WE READ THIS MORNING THERE WERE TWO ANGELS IN WHITE.
THE COLOR IS WHITE THIS MORNING. WE SEE THE WHITE LILIES UP HERE IN FRONT. WE SEE WHITE ON STOLES ON THE MINISTERS. THE LITURGICAL COLOR IS WHITE. WHITE ISN’T A COLOR IT IS THE PRESENCE OF ALL COLOR.
THURSDAY NIGHT OUR TEENAGERS REENACTED THE LAST SUPPER AND THEY HAD NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE AND IF YOU WATCHED THEM YOU SAW THEY HAD NO CLUE WHAT THEY WERE DOING. SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THEM WHEN THEY STUCK THE POSE OF THE DIVINCI PAINTING. THEY WERE TRANSFORMED. WE WERE ALL TRANSFORMED. ALL THE DISCIPLES WERE THERE. EVERYONE WAS THERE BUT JESUS. HE WAS PORTRAYED BY A CANDLE; A WHITE CANDLE
IF ANY OF US HAD TRIED TO REENACT THE DIVINCI LAST SUPPER WE WOULDN’T HAVE HAD A CLUE EITHER. WE WOULD HAVE WONDERED WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT.
FRIDAY WE WENT TO BLACK. WE STARTED THE SERVICE IN LIGHT AND WE GRADUATED OURSELVES DOWN TO DIM AND THEN TO DARK AND THEN WE WENT TO THE COLOR BLACK. NOW BLACK IS NOT A COLOR. BLACK IS THE ABSENCE OF COLOR.
TODAY THE COLOR IS WHITE. WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH A TIME WHEN WE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND IT WENT TO BLACK BUT TODAY THE COLOR IS WHITE AND WHITE IS THE PRESENCE OF COLOR. IT WAS A DARK AND STORY NIGHT BUT THERE IS A SIGN OF REIGN. THE REIGN OF GOD. THE POWER OF GOD. THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND THE COLOR IS WHITE.
IT HAPPENED IN A CHURCH. IT HAS HAPPENED IN OTHER CHURCHES AND IT MAY HAVE HAPPENED HERE. IT HAPPENED IN MY HOME CHURCH WHERE I GREW UP. I SAW IT HAPPEN. IT HAPPENED IN CHURCH IN A SANCTUARY ON EASTER SUNDAY. IT WAS A WOMAN DRESSED IN WHITE.
EDNA HAD SUNG IN THE CHOIR FOR YEARS. SHE HAD ALSO SUNG IN THE CONCERT HALL. HER VOICE WAS TRAINED; LIKE “JULIARD TRAINED”. HER PROFESSOR WAS A MAN NAMED BLACK BUT SHE WAS A WOMAN IN A WHITE DRESS.
WHAT A VOICE! WHAT A TREMENDOUS SOPRANO VOICE! IT WAS THE KIND OF VOICE THAT COULD RAISE THE ROOF; OR THE DEAD. IT WAS THE KIND OF VOICE THAT WOULD ALERT THE LIVING TO THE FACT THAT LIFE IS GOOD. THE WOMAN DRESSED IN WHITE.
IT HAD BEEN A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT FOR HER BUT THERE WAS A CHANCE OF REIGN; THE REIGN OF GOD.
SOMETHING HAPPENED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. SOMETHING NOT QUITE RIGHT WITH HER. SHE KNEW AT FIRST AND COVERED IT PRETTY WELL PRETENDING TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND BUT REALLY NOT QUITE GETTING IT. IT WAS FRIGHTENING AND SHE TRIED VALLIANTLY TO KEEP IT TO HERSELF BUT THERE CAME A POINT SHE COULD NO LONGER CONCEAL THE CONFUSION.
THINGS THAT ONCE CAME NATURALLY TO HER BECAME A CHALLENG SHE COULD NOT QUITE GRASP.
HER MIND, ONCE SHARP, NOW WAS BEGINNING TO DIM TO THE POINT THAT IT WAS BULENT AND THOUGHT WAS PAINFUL.
IT WAS AS IF THEE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN HER MIND, ONE BY ONE, SLOWLY YET ENEXORABLY.
ALZHEIMERS TOOK HER IN ITS GRIP AND SHE HAD TO DROP OUT OF EVERYTHING THAT WAS NEAR AND DEAR TO HER AND IT WAS A LOSS FOR ALL CONCERNED.
NO MORE VOLUNTEER WORK AT THE HOSPITAL WHERE HER HUSBAND HAD BEEN ONE OF THE SURGEONS.
NO MORE CONCERTS AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER.
NO MORE STANDING BEHIND A DESK AT THE BANK WHERE SHE WAS EMPLOYED.
NO MORE SOLOS IN THE CHURCH CHOIR.
NO MORE CHURCH UNTIL SHE GOT THE MEDICINE RIGHT.
THE WOMAN WITH THE WHITE DRESS. HER NAME WAS EDNA. THE NAME EDNA COMES FROM THE WORD EDEN. IT MEANS PARADISE.
AND EASTER SUNDAY CAME AND SHE WENT WITH HER FAMILY TO CHURCH TO WORSHIP; TO THE FAMILIAR PLACE; AND THE FAMILIAR FACES.
SHE WASN’T SURE WHERE SHE WAS BUT SHE KNEW IT WAS A PLACE SHE LIKED TO BE. AND THE PEOPLE WHO SPOKE TO HER SHD DIDN’T KNOW WHO THEY WERE BUT THEY SEEMED TO BE HAPPY TO SEE HER AND THEY WERE.
IT WAS A WARM PLACE; THE FLOWERS WERE BEAUTIFUL BUT IT WAS A BIT STRANGE FOR HER; THE WOMAN IN THE WHITE DRESS NAMED EDNA—IN PARADISE. IT WAS A STRANGE PLACE UNTIL…….
DURING THE FIRST HYMN AND THE CONGREGATION STOOD AND THE HYMNALS WERE AIMED AND LIFTED HIGH AND THE ORGAN WHEEZED AND THE CONGREGATION BEGAN TO SING, “CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN…TODAY.”
AND THE WOMAN WITH THE WHITE DRESS DID SOMETHING SHE HADN’T DONE IN MONTHS. SHE OPENED HER MOUTH AND SHE SANG.
OBLIVIOUS TO HER SURROUNDINGS; IMPERVIOUS TO THE PEOPLE LOOKING, SHE SANG WITH ALL THE POWER OF THAT MAGNIFICENT VOICE—A VOICE THAT COULD CARRY A CHOIR THROUGH A CANTATA. IT WAS POWERFUL AND MAGNIFICENT AND THE CONGREGATION BEGAN TO HEAR IT LIKE THEY REMEMBERED IT AND ONE BY ONE THEY STOPPED SINGING.
THE ORGANIST REALIZED WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND SHE SLOWED DOWN THE PACE AND THE PIPES LINED UP WITH THE CADENCE OF THE WOMAN WITH THE WHITE DRES WHO HAD NOW BECOME SOLOIST.
CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY
EARTH AND HEAVEN IN CHORUS SAY
RAISE YOUR JOYS AND TRIUMPHS HIGH
SING YE HEAVENS AND EARTH REPLY.”
THE ORGANIST FINALLY STOPPED PLAYING AND THE SOLO TURNED A COPELLA AND THE WOMAN IN WHITE FINISHED THE HYMN FROM MEMORY NOT EVEN LOOKING AT THE BOOK AND THEN IT WAS OVER AND THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN.
AND FOR A BRIEF MOMENT IN TIME WHAT WAS THOUGHT TO BE DEAD AND GONE WAS ALIVE AND PRESENT. FOR A BRIEF MOMENT IN TIME THE CHURCH HAD A GLIMPSE OF A GREATNESS THAT COULD NOT BE STIFFLED BY DEGENERATION.
DEMINTIA WAS DEFEATED FOR A MOMENT AND ONE LITTLE CHILD SAID TO HIS MOTHER AS THEY SAT IN THE PEW, “WHO IS THAT WOMAN IN THE WHITE DRESS, MOMMA AND WHY ARE PEOPLE CRYING?”
AND HIS MOTHER TURNED AND SAID TO HER SON, “THAT WOMEN IN THE WHITE DRESS IS WHAT EASTER IS ALL ABOUT.”
GOD MET THEM AT THE TOMB
GOD MEETS US AT THE TOMB OF DIMINISHMENT.
ALWAYS—ALWAYS TO SPEAK, TO WALK, TO SEIZE SOMETHING BY THE HAND AND WILL SAY TO ANYONE WHO LOOKS AT THE THINGS THAT CHANGE FOR THE WORSE AT THE WAY LIFE DISINTEGRATES AT THE DIMISHMENTS WE FACE; AGE WILL DO IT, BUT WE CAN FACE IT, GRIEF WILL DO IT, WE CAN FACE IT, NOTHING THAT WAS IS EVER GONE. EASTER IS ABOUT CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN…..NOT THEN, NOT THERE, BUT HERE AND NOW—IN US. THE WOMAN IN WHITE; EDNA; SHE WAS IN PARADISE.
IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT AND THERE WAS A CHANCE OF REIGN; THE REIGN OF GOD.
IT HAPPENED IN THE DARK RECESSES OF A BASKETBALL ARENA IN CHICAGO. THERE WAS A MAN DRESSED IN WHITE AND HE WORE SHORTS AND A SHIRT AND THERE WAS A BIG RED NUMBER ON HIS BACK. IT WAS NUMBER 23. BUT I GET AHEAD OF MYSELF.
A LITTLE CHILD NAMED CORNELIUS ABRAHAM MCGEE WAS 6 YEARS OLD WHEN HE AND HIS 4 YEAR OLD BROTHER LATTIE WERE TORTURED.
IT WAS A LONG HOT SUMMER AND THE BOYS WERE BEATEN AND STARVED AND HANGED UPSIDE DOWN IN A LOCKED CLOSET MOUTHS TAPED SHUT AND FEET TIED TO A CLOSET ROD AND BURNED WITH A HOT IRON.
NO ONE KNEW BECAUSE NO ONE HEARD AND NO ONE TOLD. LITTLE LATTIE DIED AND HIS MOTHER AND HER BOY FRIEND WENT TO TRIAL AND WERE SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON LARGELY BECAUSE OF THE TESTIMONY OFFERED BY CORNELIUS.
A WRITER FROM A CHICAGO NEWSPAPER GOT INVOLVED AND HE DID MORE THAN WRITE ABOUT THE LITTLE BOY HE TOOK AN INTEREST.
HE DISCOVERED THAT CORNELIUS LOVED BASKETBALL. HE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO TAKE HIM TO A GAME AND THAT’S WHERE HE MET THE MAN DRESSED IN WHITE WITH THE NUMBER 23 ON HIS BACK—MICHAEL JORDAN.
CORNELIUS GOT TO MEET MICHAEL JORDAN.
THE MEETING WAS DRAMATIC. IT WAS AN EVENT.
WIDE WITH FRIGHTENED EYES; EYES THAT HAD SEEN THINGS NO HUMAN SHOULD EVER SEE THE LITTLE BOY WITH THE WIDE EYES AND HE SAID NOTHING AS THEY WALKED DOWN THE STAIRWAY AND THE DOOR OPENED AND THE MAN DRESSED IN WHITE STOOD AND LEANED DOWN.
“HI CORNELIUS, I’M MICHAEL. YOU GOING TO CHEER FOR US TONIGHT. WE’RE GOING TO NEED IT. I WANT YOU TO SIT BESIDE ME ON THE BENCH.”
RIGHT NEXT TO MICHAEL JORDAN, THE GREATEST BASKETBALL PLAYER TO PLAY THE GAME.
WHEN JORDAN WAS ON THE COURT CORNELIUS WOULD BE SAVING HIS SEAT FOR HIM. NOTHING COULD BRING HIS BROTHER BACK. NOTHING COULD UNDO WHAT HAD BEEN DONE. BUT CORNELIUS WAS SITTING IN A CHAIR NEXT TO THE WORLD’S GREATEST BASKETBALL PLAYER AND HE WAS DOING SOMETHING HE HADN’T DONE IN MONTHS; HE WAS LAUGHING OUT LOUD. HE WAS LAUGHING OUT LOUD FOR THE FIRST TIME.
A LITTLE BOY WATCHES A HERO
A LITTLE BOY LEARNS TO LAUGH AGAIN
A LITTLE BOY LAUGHING OUT LOUD FOR THE FIRST TIME.
A LITTLE BOY WHO HAD LITTLE REASON TO LOOK FORWARD INTO HIS LIFE BEGINS TO SEE THAT THERE IS A FUTURE IN THE HUMAN STORY.
BUT THIS IS NOT JUST THE TALE OF A CHILD AND HIS HERO; CHARMING AS IT IS.
REMEMBER JAMES JORDAN; MICHAEL JORDAN’S FATHER? JAMES JORDAN WAS MURDERED. TWO YOUNG MEN ROBBED HIM; THEN THEY KILLED HIM. IT WAS WEEKS BEFORE THEY FOUND THE BODY. WHEN THE MAN DRESSED IN WHITE WITH THE NUMBER 23 ON HIS BACK KNELT DOWN AND LOOKED INTO THE EYES OF A LITTLE BOY AND THE TWO OF THEM LOOKED AT EACH OTHER SOMETHING HAPPENED; IT ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE HAVE THE COURAGE TO STARE VIOLENCE DOWN.
THE SCORE OF THE BASKETBALL GAME DOESN’T MATTER; WHO WON; WHO LOST. THE ADORATION OF A SUPERSTAR IS SHALLOW; TWO MEN—CORNELIUS, AGE 9, MICHAEL JORDAN AT HIS PEAK. TWO MEN LOOKED VIOLENCE IN THE EYE.
LIKE ANOTHER MAN THEY CALLED JESUS; SUPERSTAR; SAVIOR; THE CHILD; HEROIC FIGURES WHO WALKED THROUGH THE VALLEY OF VIOLENCE AND VIOLENCE DID NOT PREVAIL.
HEROIC FIGURES WHO LEARNED IF YOU TAKE AN EYE FOR AN EYE AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH ALL PEOPLE WILL BE BLIND AND WILL HAVE TO EAT WITH SORE GUMS.
HEROIC FIGURES WHO LEANED TO TURN THE OTHER CHEEK, WHO LEARNED TO TRUST THAT ALTHOUGH THERE ARE PEOPLE ON THIS EARTH WHO ARE MEAN AND HATEFUL MOST PEOPLE ARE THOUGHTFUL; MOST PEOPLE ARE KIND; MOST PEOPLE ARE FULL OF COMPASSION.
HEROIC FIGURES WHO WOULD NOT GIVE IN TO VIOLENCE BY TURNING BITTER.
HEROIC FIGURES WHO UNDERSTAND THERE IS A FUTURE TO THE STORY; THERE IS A FUTURE TO THE HUMAN STORY.
VIOLENCE IS A THREAT TO ALL OF US; IT TOOK A BROTHER; IT TOOK A FATHER; IT TOOK THE SON OF GOD; IT TAKES OUR MOTHERS AND OUR SISTERS.
AND YET ONE LITTLE AFRICAN AMERICAN BOY AND HIS FRIEND, THE ONE DRESSED IN WHITE LOOKED AT EACH OTHER FACE TO FACE AND STARING VIOLENCE DOWN A LITTLE BOY LAUGHED AND A SUPERSTAR SMILED AND THERE IS A FUTURE TO THE HUMAN STORY.
GOD MET THEM AT THE TOMB; GOD MEETS US AT THE TOMB OF VIOLENCE AND GOD IS NOT AFRAID OF VIOLENCE ALWAYS—ALWAYS TO SPEAK; TO WALK; TO SEIZE SOMETHING BY THE HAND.
GOD MET THEM AT THE TOMB AND THERE WAS SOMEONE DRESSED IN WHITE; THE PRESENCE OF ALL COLORS AND IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT BUT THERE WAS A CHANCE OF REIGN; THE REIGN OF GOD WHICH COMES WHENEVER SOMEONE REMEMBERS A SONG AND SINGS IT; WHENEVER ONE OF US OR ALL OF US STAND UP TO VIOLENCE BY REMEMBERING THAT WE WORSHIP ONE WHO WAS CRUCIFIED BUT STILL LIVES WHOM WE CALL THE PRINCE OF PEACE.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Wednesday's reflection on Sunday's sermon
The story of Easter has so many nuances and changes and shifts that it's difficult to get a grasp of what is central. So much is central.
In John's Gospel we hear about the angels dressed in white at the tomb when Mary came. We find Mary dissolved in tears and that's an important part of the story. If we are going to understand Easter we are going to have to look at the rising of the sun and the resurrection of the hope that has lasted until this day we are going to have to see the light of God through our tears.
What hope is there beyond the despair? What life is there beyond death? What promise is there beyond the ultimate defeat?
In the end the conspiracy was set and Jesus was put on trial and sentenced to death on the cross.
In the end he had to carry his own cross and he suffered saying some things that have been remembered through the ages.
He said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do?"
He said, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
The ultimate weapon was used and they killed him. They thought they had.
Two angels dressed in white.
Mary cried at the tomb.
It was over?
It was just beginning?
Now it continues?
If you have thoughts about Easter 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
In John's Gospel we hear about the angels dressed in white at the tomb when Mary came. We find Mary dissolved in tears and that's an important part of the story. If we are going to understand Easter we are going to have to look at the rising of the sun and the resurrection of the hope that has lasted until this day we are going to have to see the light of God through our tears.
What hope is there beyond the despair? What life is there beyond death? What promise is there beyond the ultimate defeat?
In the end the conspiracy was set and Jesus was put on trial and sentenced to death on the cross.
In the end he had to carry his own cross and he suffered saying some things that have been remembered through the ages.
He said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do?"
He said, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
The ultimate weapon was used and they killed him. They thought they had.
Two angels dressed in white.
Mary cried at the tomb.
It was over?
It was just beginning?
Now it continues?
If you have thoughts about Easter 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
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Monday's thoughts on Sunday's sermon
The thing about Easter is the confusion it brings as well as the clarity. It is a time for the church to remember the resurrection of Jesus as if it understood it but to acknowledge that at the seat of the meaning of the event there is mystery.
It is a time to ponder the events in Jerusalem as if they were absolutely historical and accurate and it is a time to realize that Easter must not be left back into the ages but must be brought forward to our day and time.
On the other hand, if all we do is mention some kind of nebulous concept about how resurrection happens all the time and to us as we think about the ongoing influence of those we love, and if we fail to tie it back into some kind of biblical witness we have reduced Easter to a contemporary cult festival and that it should never be.
My job is to make Easter come alive so that the people who gather to celebrate in worship next Sunday can garner some of the excitement and fear the early disciples must have had. On the other hand my job is to tell the story in such a way that it seems new and fresh.
It is a challenge to preach on Easter Sunday and it is a privilege.
If you have thoughts on this please 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
It is a time to ponder the events in Jerusalem as if they were absolutely historical and accurate and it is a time to realize that Easter must not be left back into the ages but must be brought forward to our day and time.
On the other hand, if all we do is mention some kind of nebulous concept about how resurrection happens all the time and to us as we think about the ongoing influence of those we love, and if we fail to tie it back into some kind of biblical witness we have reduced Easter to a contemporary cult festival and that it should never be.
My job is to make Easter come alive so that the people who gather to celebrate in worship next Sunday can garner some of the excitement and fear the early disciples must have had. On the other hand my job is to tell the story in such a way that it seems new and fresh.
It is a challenge to preach on Easter Sunday and it is a privilege.
If you have thoughts on this please 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
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