Jesus is a Great Communicator partly because he accepts questions from the audience and poses questions TO his audience. The Old Testament prophets are inclined to simply “tell it like it is!” Or better……”shout it like it is!”
Jesus CAN raise his voice but so often in the Gospels he simply enters into dialogue with those around him. Here in Luke 10, Jesus lets the learned man of laws ask questions, give a correct answer, but then will not let the “lawyer” get away with an evasive question about “then who is my neighbor?” Jesus gives a description of “neighborliness” in a most dramatic fashion while also naming names! Suddenly the most “neighborly” is a despised non-neighbor, a Samaritan! And Jesus echoes the 82nd Psalm (and numerous Prophets) by using a vivid story followed by another question to the “lawyer.” Point made!

We could learn a lot from Jesus “style” of communicating the right way at the right time to the right audience. Might take us a lifetime…..But what else are we here for??!!

“Go and do likewise…” Luke 10:37. Join together in this spirit as you are “Spirit enabled” (Colossians 1:9) this Sunday…this week….this…… lifetime!

Pastor Barry

The more dramatic the better! These two scriptures give us all the drama of sickness and healing, prophets and kings, going on exciting, tension filled missions, and…..a dig at Satan! Who doesn’t like reading the Bible!?

Sadly, few seem to read passages such as these and even fewer make the effort to study them! Partly because 1) they ARE difficult and 2) they seem so removed from our own experiences and our contemporary world.

Well….regardless of the differences between the time of Elisha, the First Century, and 2016, we today still encounter sickness, seek healing, have powerful people in governments, and have to deal with rejection from others and our own pride (Satan falling from heaven!).

So, fear not! The difficult, eye opening Bible passages still have a message for us if we but sit with them awhile, share together in study, and “go on mission” to experience their message in our 21st Century world! “All things are possible with God.” Call a neighbor today and invite them to church where Word and Sacrament are celebrated this Sunday! Dramatic in the best sense of the word!

See you there!

Pastor Barry

At whatever age, we each have someone we look up to, someone we consider an example or a mentor. Someone we might even say that, we “want to be like him or her!” Think of the golfer who wants to be the next Tiger Woods. The next Michael Jordan! The next beloved Jack Kennedy or Ronald Reagan. (It IS an election year!). Or someone as close as a parent, a teacher, a good friend, a coach, an exemplary citizen.

And then we think of the challenge to even come CLOSE to being like that person.

In young Elisha’s case….he wanted a “double portion” of the power and spirit of his mentor prophet Elijah! He came real close! In the situation, tho, of the misunderstanding but earnest disciples…..Jesus is very straight with them: follow me…but at a cost! No looking back. Hand to the plow forward. Let the dead bury the dead!

I tend to draw my hand back at that! The cost of discipleship is….well….there will be a cost. But we never have to go it alone. If we all know we each will “bear each other’s burdens,” we can endure and even transcend the cost. At least this is our prayer. Pray for one another! Be the friend of faith to another And come to worship on Sunday! That will help also!
See you there!

Bro Barry

Elijah was a mighty prophet. But he had his moments. Here in I Kings he is ready to quit. He says, “that’s enough!” “I am no better than my fathers!” v. 4 (KJV). He has doubts; he has questions.

The Psalmist echoes Elijah when in v. 5 these words haunt him: “Why am I so sad? Why am I troubled?”

Jesus, centuries later, addresses the suffering of a man possessed by demons- a “Legion” of them! More misery and the man even asks Jesus “What do you want with me?! I beg you, don’t punish me!”

And on it goes. This past week has been full of questions after a horrific mass shooting. The inexplicable killing of a talented 22 year old singer. And so many other sadness’s. Perhaps a rush to answer any of these questions of sorrow is not the way forward. Of course, if asked we will make the effort, but quick religious answers may not help.

Maybe like Elijah we sit with the questions….for a while….and hope for that “still small voice” to come to us and at least say go forward. Don’t get stuck on the question or the answer that may not satisfy. Sit…wait….listen.

Perhaps faith is the only way. On this Father’s Day we will examine ourselves only in terms of faith not so much in how good an answer any of us have come up with when we suffer, when we doubt. The step forward is in trusting God WILL be there in our questioning and promises to stay with us over “the long haul.”

That seems right when we have a God we call Abba, Father, “Daddy!” The Parent who never leaves nor forsakes.

Praise be to God…..even while we sit in silence.

See you in worship!

Pastor Barry

We are on the eve of our Methodist conferencing once again. Gathering in Annual Conferences around the world some 10 million still under the Methodist “umbrella!” 54,212 pastors and 42,195 congregations in the USA, Africa, Europe, and Asia.

Each conference will worship, ordain, send forth in service both lay and clergy, memorialize the saints triumphant, celebrate missions and outreach, and pray a lot!

However…..our common Lectionary scriptures for Sunday worship before conference remind us how BAD we can be, how fallen we are, and how great a salvation we have received! King Ahab, Jezebel, and us! Paul included! And a sinful woman in the house of a hypocritical Pharisee who invited Jesus for a meal!

The Bible stories and teaching are really about us only a few thousand years or so removed. Maybe we are not THAT bad but we do need to look In the mirror after every reading of scripture!

And so we will look in the mirror, so to speak, while at Brentwood UMC, this coming week for Annual Conference . We will see Saint and sinner, forgiven and freed people all together because of God in Christ!

Thanks be to God! See you in church being the church throughout the week!

Pastor Barry

On June 6th many will honor the memory of those who landed on the beaches in Normandy to begin the final purge of Nazism from Europe. Sacrifices were made by thousands.

On June 9th one of the greatest English writers, Charles Dickens, will be remembered in ceremonies and tributes on the anniversary of his death in 1870. He had just returned from an exhausting tour of America. He famously said in the opening line of a Tale of Two Cities, “It was the worst of times, it was the best of times.”

Just as D-Day June 6, 1944 was “the worst of times and the best of times” our scriptures reflect that very feeling. Here Elijah the prophet goes hungry, is fed by Ravens provided by God, then later fed by a poor widow. The widow’s son dies and cries out to Elijah who raises the son from death.

In Luke, Jesus acts with compassion upon a widow whose son has just died. And in Galatians, Paul tells of his highly unexpected conversion and radical transformation over a period of 3-14 years (depending on how you count!).

In these Biblical accounts we hear the echo of Dickens….”the worst of times, the best of times.” Faith is the path we take to go from Promise through Pain until we arrive at Fulfillment. Let us encourage one another this week in the Faith! The path is terribly hard at times but God will provide!

Pastor Barry

This weekend and this Monday we Americans will observe Memorial Day. We will remember and honor those in our Armed Forces who died in service to their fellow citizens.

Most of us will remember our family and friends who served and were always at risk of being “in harm’s way” for the sake of others.
So, I can’t help but remember my four uncles who served overseas during WW ll. One was wounded and bore his wounds for the rest of his life. They all four were loyal churchmen.

The United Methodist Church has always pointed to the Prince of Peace while recognizing the inevitable conflicts and necessities of living in a fallen world.

Our scriptures for Sunday worship highlight two soldiers of the occupying Roman army of first century Palestine. In fact, they are highlighted due to their faith in spite of their being initially seen as “invaders” and non-Jews. But, never are they criticized for their military role in society.

War and peace and Jesus. Jew and Gentile and Jesus. These stand before us even today as we honor so many of all faiths on Memorial Day. The church stands also to help all find their way to the Prince of Peace in a world of suffering and conflict.

†Pray unto the Lord†

Well, one week has gone by after ending last week’s sermon on an appeal to the Christian virtue of “curiosity” or the growth of the Christian by means of asking questions. Now this Sunday I take upon the task of giving a brief Summary of Christian Faith. No questions were asked for this Summary, but the timing seems right! This Sunday is Heritage Sunday followed by Aldersgate Day on Tuesday (remember when Wesley’s heart was “strangely warmed?”). Then we have a week of Laity Fellowship at Blackman (Monday night) and Pancakes at Fellowship (Saturday night).

So why not have a Summary of our Faith this Sunday?! Those inclined toward Christian curiosity will be excited! A daunting task and I plan to make it brief and to the point! Something you can remember and turn around and repeat to others!
Wish me …….no, you can’t say “luck!” You actually can’t “wish” either! Instead you pray and you say, “God help him…and us also!” And then you “step out in faith” believing you will be helped!

You have a whole week to go “stepping!”

See you Sunday!
Pastor Barry

Can you use one hand to count the number of congregations you have been a member of? Or participated in? I knew only one congregation until I was 18. Therein, was laid a foundation for me, I believe. Since 18, however, I would need 10 fingers and a few toes to count the number of congregations I have been a part of! And through 42 years of those I have NOT been a member of a congregation exactly, but rather a “clergy member” of an Annual Conference of United Methodists!

But…..back to you. How many have YOU participated in? Were you in one that was a new “mission church” or new church start?! Or were you active during a building campaign?
Were you “out” of church for a while and then “came back?”

Our spiritual journeys are as diverse as the languages spoken on the Day of Pentecost for the Church in the book of Acts chapter 2. The Spirit has been “poured out” v. 18 on you and the many and, thus, the Church still lives!

This Sunday we celebrate the birth of the Church and the very fact that “I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together, all around the world, all who follow Jesus; yes, we are the church together.” Sing! Sing! Sing!

See you Sunday!

Pastor Barry

So, Sunday is Mother’s Day in the USA. On the way there, you pass through National Day of Prayer (5th), Ascension of Our Lord (5th), Cinco de Mayo (the 5th of course!), Nurses Day (6th), and if you insist Star Wars Day known as May the Fourth Be With You!! (Believe it or not, there is a semi-religion of Followers of The Force!).

As I been known to say, there is “something” culturally, spiritually, or nationally celebrated every day of the year. This is a mixed blessing. We can give too much status to events or people such that the First Three Commandments may be slighted or ignored. So, when we Honor Our Parents on Mother’s Day we want to be sure “honor” is the right word. No “worship” of parents allowed. No human idols! And parents should keep that in mind as well!

The bottom line here is to ENJOY and give THANKS for Family, as diverse as it may be, recognizing those who gave us birth and nurture, those who were there for us whether they be our biological mother and father or rather those who “parented us,” loved us, and stood by us in times both bad and good!

Set the table for them on Mother’s Day, The Festival of Christian Family!

Better still…come with them to worship!

See you Sunday!

Pastor Barry