Numbers 21:4b-9, I Corinthians 1:18-24 and John 3:13-17

This Sunday we will emphasize Holy Cross Day which actually falls on Monday the 14th. The scriptures that highlight the Cross of Christ for this day involve the imagery of snakes! Most people quickly react negatively and, if they don’t just run, they are ready to change the subject! I don’t blame them! A good rule of thumb for snake seeing is “don’t touch but run!”

But throughout the Bible there are strange stories that require some effort to grasp in our 21st century experience. And even Paul knew that speaking of a crucified Messiah was “a stumbling block” to many (e.g. the Jews) and “foolishness to the Greeks (Gentiles).” And bringing images of serpents lifted up on poles is not helpful either!

But there they are. And somehow, finally makes for salvation for many. Wholeness and completion and security. In a time of international insecurity over a virus with accompanying unrest politically and socially, we need to hear of salvation, that which saves us wholly and “holy.”

So, we will hear of strange images and once very unexpected means of relief and rescue for Gods people. The end result is, as always for church and world, Good News!

Join with us in person and/or on-line this Sunday! Blessings!

Pastor Barry

Amos 5:18-24, I Thessalonians 4:13-18 and Matthew 25:1-13

The main text for this Sunday will be The Parable of the Five Wise and the Five Foolish Bridesmaids. Amos and I Thessalonians will support Matthew’s focus on being ready for God’s finale. This is the first of a series of sermons our congregants have requested to specifically address certain topics.

The Bible says there will be a conclusion to all creation as we know it. God does not plan for “all that is and ever has been” to just continue indefinitely with a never ending mix of good and bad.

And it goes without saying (much!) that we each will have our own ending. Be prepared says Jesus, Amos, and Paul. And be glad in spite of the dark drama that surrounds most endings.

The parable tells us there are some who may well be foolish in their preparation for either a personal ending or the eventual apocalyptic ending of the world.

All “bad and rough” years e.g. 1914, 1929, 1939, 2020 are rehearsals for both endings and new beginnings. As a Scout knows, as an EMT knows, as families know, as a chef knows, preparation is essential.

We will “practice” preparing hearts and minds this Sunday. Let us “keep our lamps trimmed and burning!”

Pastor Barry

Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 12:9-21 and Matthew 16:21-28

Robert Deniro, famous American actor, made the remark an international expression after his performance in the movie Taxi Driver In 1976. It can be said in various ways to indicate both sarcasm or seriousness.

As we read and hear the three scriptures for this Sunday’s worship we might ask ourselves if each passage is asking us to respond “You talking to me?!”

Moses is suddenly challenged in front of an unnatural burning bush to go and lead a captive people out of oppression. Jesus bluntly addresses the attitude of his disciple Peter as that of Satan: “Get behind me Satan!” And Paul preaches to congregants how to respond to the Good News of God’s unmerited favor upon them. Go and do likewise to your neighbor and even unto your enemies.

We should be listening closely this Sunday to whom are the words addressed: Me? Us? And to what end: daily discipleship and/or a wakeup call for a particular vocational or missional path?! Moses, I want you to do this! Peter, I want you to think about what you just said! Disciples in every congregation, here are concrete ways you live out your discipleship!

I’m going to believe someone will hear this Sunday and take it to heart: “You talking to me?!”

Blessings as you live as a disciple of Jesus Christ!

Pastor Barry

Exodus 1:8-2:10, Romans 12:1-8 and Matthew 16: 13-20

Once a week, we gather in-person or on-line to worship. Before the health safety concerns of COVID19 we also could meet for Sunday School, weekly Bible study, other studies, hands on mission, multi church fellowship and meals together. It’s harder now to have these activities and will be for a while.

And on both sides of a Sunday worship, we have a total of 12 days which have a huge influence on what we see, do, believe, and act upon. In this unchosen season of limited congregational gathering, we need to step up our “spiritual reading” of those 12 other week days! By that I mean step up our paying attention to God’s daily gifts that come from our culture and society. For instance, how do we read the gift of Elvis? This past week was the anniversary of his death. How do we remember him and his gifts of music and entertainment? And other entertainers and public figures? And this past week we remember the anniversary of the Constitutional Amendment giving women the right to vote. Society and community give us numerous situations to maintain as well as change.

Add to these another hundred events that have somewhere within them a gift from God.

Our three scriptures emphasize the gifts of people in our lives especially in scripture but also in the here and now of our lives today. Exodus speaks of the midwives who obeyed God and saved Moses the infant. Paul reminds of the gifts each believer has to offer to others. And Jesus goes so far as to tell one of disciples that he (Peter and his confession) will be the initial gift that the church will be built on!

So, what can we hear and see during the week, outside our hour of group worship, that reminds us (and those we come into contact with) that God brings the gifts of others to us for blessings and for service!?

How does Elvis still bless us? And the work of another generation of women (and men) to bring forth full participation in our democracy? The gifts of God bestowed upon us are present throughout the week outside the walls of the church. Let us recognize and give thanks on all the days on each side of Sunday’s worship. We see and hear and receive so much from that which is all around us. Let us see God at work blessing us in so many ways day in and day out in the lives and gifts of others.

Sunday we will hear of ancient midwives, disciples, entertainers, church, activists, and even Elvis!

Blessings!

Pastor Barry

Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 and Matthew 15:21-28

Fifty-five years ago The Beatles released their hit song “We Can Work It Out.” A song about keeping a romantic relationship going. The list of “working it out” songs seems endless. Another song by the band Canned Heat says, “Let’s Work Together.” Probably very predictable since things go well and then….they don’t.

Our scriptures this Sunday all highlight the theme of not so much our working things out but how, when, and where GOD works things out. Who could see Joseph coming through his ordeal of betrayal, exile, and slavery to the point that he forgave his brothers and was reconciled with them? How could Jews and Gentiles ever be brought together after generations of living so differently from each other? How could a suffering Gentile woman thought of as a “dog” ever find acceptance and healing? Paul and Jesus give us answers and examples.

There is no end to scriptures confidently asserting that “God is all about Providence” or that “working things out” over time. Since we are locked into our past and present we find it hard to see the future. Our only contribution is faith and love in the present. Given how dire our human situations become it is imperative to hear what God is up to. And to hear, as we wait in our troubles and conflicts, that faith and love make a huge difference in our waiting until we arrive at God’s good future.

So, hold on since you are being held by God until that day!

Blessings as we head toward Sunday worship!

Pastor Barry

Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Romans 10:5-15 and Matthew 14:22-33

Seems like an early August sermon should be about the end of vacation and leisure and about back to school and work! More celebration than sadness! But this Summer has everything out of whack! We continue under the strain of 2020 perils. Summer routines and work and school and church and community life are way different for most of us this year.

Even so, the scriptures seem spot on. Joseph the youngest son of Jacob is done in by his own older brothers, Peter is sinking in the rough waters, and Paul points to salvation in spite of our failing efforts. Though the fallen world, our weak flesh, and many adversaries make life quite hard and troubled, we are reassured whatever “the evil intent against us, God intends to make good come out of our situation.”

That comes down to a matter of faith. Trust. When you are in the middle of feeling “no way out,” the best attitude, in spite of evidence to the contrary, is to trust that I too will climb out of the hole, come through rough storms, and arrive safe and saved!

Sometimes the best the Church can do while everyone is waiting for rescue is to repeat what it knows best: “All who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:13. Sometimes the best the Church can do is to wait out the storms……together….in the same boat.

Let’s join together in worship and service and trust this coming Sunday and week ahead.

August blessings!

Pastor Barry

Genesis 32:22-31, Romans 9:1-5 and Matthew 14:13-21

Several will note the professional wrestling reference in the sermon title. WWE (WWF) is one of the most famous wrestling corporations in US history. It struck me that all three of these Bible passages are about “wrestling” (struggling) with someone or something pertaining to the spiritual life.

Jacob wrestles with a “man” (angel?), (God) until Jacob is blessed. But he is also wounded. Paul wrestles and agonizes in Romans with his Jewish heritage, the Old Covenant, his family of origin. Jesus struggles with both the execution of John the Baptist and the demands of the crowds who now flock to Jesus the healer. He needs to be alone for a while in a remote place but the crowds unrelentingly seek him out.

These are examples of “spiritual wrestling.” Wrestling may be the oldest “sport” referred to in the Bible! But here it is not a sport but an intense soul struggle with God and Gods people in a fallen world.

So, this Sunday we will hear references to wrestling entertainment in popular culture as familiar background for far more important spiritual struggles that Jacob, Paul, and Jesus were engaged in. And before we leave worship we will be called to remember our own “soul wrestling” in both our past and in our present.

So, as you know full well John 3:16, some of you will also recall a famous wrestling catchphrase from the Nineties WWE: Austin 3:16 (!). If you are a certain age or had children growing up in that era you may have had to listen and do your best to explain the differences between the Bible passage and Stone Cold Steve Austin’s borrowing 3:16 for his wrestler image. I did!

Read these passages in preparation for worship and consider you own “spiritual wrestling.”

Blessings in your struggles!

Pastor Barry

Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25 and Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

In Genesis 13, we see the ongoing story of a scoundrel, a family member known for trickery, and having to be “on the run” as a result of his misbehavior. Yet, our text says God shows up for that son-of-a-gun Jacob!

Here one could say the world and the flesh are having a huge impact on family! The devil’s role is subtle to say the least! Jesus speaks about Satan’s work in Matthew 13. Last but not least, Paul calls us all out and says we all walk according to the flesh if we don’t walk by the Spirit.

The terrible trio: the world, the flesh, the devil. No wonder no generation under the sun escapes tribulation! Like Pogo says, “we have met the enemy and it is us!” He’s a third correct! Two thirds correct?

All the more important is the role of the Church and what it offers in contrast to the Three Big Opponents. The Church tells of what the Scriptures say and points to a Savior and to the brothers and sisters of the Savior. All the more reason to Re-examine every Sunday what we the church are all about. We are reminded of our foes and our “weapons and resources” to meet the perpetual challenges that haven’t gone away! Much weaker, yes, but still around!

Let’s show up Sunday and hear the stories of those foes and what God is still up to when we are Christ followers! Who knows….we might become a “Bethel” for ourselves and those we come into contact with!

Come to worship this Sunday either in person or on the “airwaves!” Who knows when God will show us a Jacobs ladder!

Pastor Barry