I want to take this opportunity to highlight two very important areas of the church. The first I have mentioned before. I realize that Covid-19 disrupted attendance at worship and caused a severe decline in Sunday School for many churches. Both are important for the life of any church and for one’s own spiritual development. But, I want to emphasize Sunday School for a moment. When I was growing up, we went to Sunday School every Sunday; but, we only stayed for worship every other Sunday. Since it was a long time ago, and I was small, I don’t remember the reason. However, I do remember the Sunday my parents made the decision to worship every Sunday. And, we did from then on: rain or snow. In fact, we were among only 8 others who made it to Sunday School and worship on the Sunday it snowed almost a foot! The reason I remember their decision to worship every Sunday is that it interrupted my television viewing on Sunday once we got home from Sunday School. At that time, there was a show on that featured “Tom Terrific.” He was my on-air hero! And, there was no way to record his show. I learned to live without him.

I benefited from both worship and Sunday School, but it was at Sunday School that I not only learned Bible; it was also the place I got to talk with friends and honored teachers. This did a lot to form my spiritual life in realistic practice. It also brought me into a group of like-minded Christians. It became a support group unlike any other I might have had. I sincerely hope you will consider either attending the Sunday School class we presently have—or attempt to form a group that will meet on Sunday mornings. I can not begin to list the blessings available to you! It is one of my favorite times of the week!

The other area I want to address is Bible Study. I have never really thought studying a book was Bible Study. I have noted across the years the groups studying the Bible actually to use a book about the Bible; or to use a book that has a biblically-related theme. I believe that Bible Study ought to study the text, the history, and the interpretation of the Bible itself. Unfortunately, many leaders of Bible Study do not have in their “tool kit” the original languages in which the Bible was written (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek). However, there are a number of good commentaries at our disposal that are written by responsible and well-educated scholars that do not take a simple, surface examination of the text. The Bible is just like other kinds of literature in that its writers used literary techniques to convey its inspired message. For example, the Old Testament prophets used symbols and illustrations that were not to be taken literally, but were employed to make a complicated message understandable by the people they were addressing.

The Bible was written over a period of about 1,100 years. Although inspired by God, it was received from God and transposed by people who had to adapt it for an audience that varied over the huge timespan from the very first words in Genesis to the mystical message of John of Patmos. At the Bible Study held at Lock’s, there have been a number of members of Kedron. We have had wonderful fellowship—and have enjoyed snacks made or purchased by some of the people attending. That brief time of fellowship is as valuable as the PowerPoint message I construct each week. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this brief moment of inspiration and fellowship.

Pastor Michael

Philippians 4:4-9.

This coming Sunday my sermon theme addresses the public attraction to gore and violence—and how I believe it affects our society.

As Paul says in Philippians, “I am thankful for our partnership in the Gospel.”

I look forward to seeing you at worship!

Blessings,

Pastor Michael

Acts 5:1-6

This Sunday’s sermon title will be The Cinderella Syndrome. The scripture is Acts 5:1-6.

This is the third in a series I have titled, “Parables from Pop Icons.”

The theme of the sermon is integrity.

I look forward to seeing you at worship!

Blessings,

Pastor Michael

Hebrews 10:23-25

This coming Sunday is the second in a series I have titled, “Parables from Pop Icons.”

The title of the sermon is “Fear This Factor.” Using an illustration from the old TV show, “Fear Factor,” I’ll be addressing the increasing demand for thrills and how it has led to the common complaint that we are constantly bored—unless something thrilling is happening.

Obviously, this has led to the complaint that “church is boring.” It’s a common but complex complaint. Not everything is intended to thrill us. Like a bow continually bent, without release from time to time so that the bow can rest, it will become permanently bent, thus losing all of its usefulness.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Blessings,

Pastor Michael

2 Peter 1:16-19

This coming Sunday, I am going to begin a new series entitled, “Parables From Pop Icons.”

The theme is centered around cultural “reality” and truth versus Biblical reality and truth.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Blessings,

Pastor Michael

James 1:19-25

On July 2nd the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, my sermon title will be Searching for Arthur in America. The scripture is James 1:19-25.

Also, since it is the first Sunday of the month, we will observance the sacrament of Holy Communion.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Blessings,

Pastor Michael

By the time you read this, I will have returned from New York City. Anne and I went up to see both granddaughters in dance recitals. In addition, the older granddaughter acted as a kind of master of ceremonies for other recitals on the same day.

While up there in NYC, Anne and I went to the Broadway play, “The Lion King.” It all started in 1997, according to the colorful booklet that is handed out to the people in attendance.

We were seated near the front, but from what I could see, the theater was packed–on a Wednesday night! For something to endure and still attract crowds after all of these years, they must be doing something right.

I am certainly no critic, but it seems to me that a part of the success has to do with the marvelously creative way in which they tell a simple story of honesty and integrity challenged by duplicity and evil.

I am always discouraged when a movie or play ends with a sad and morally dysfunctional plot and ending. The Lion King is not that. It both illustrates and celebrates what happens when goodness is tested by evil, and goodness prevails.

Nothing is new in my amateur critique: but the point is that people not only enjoy seeing evil defeated: they also affirm, rather conclusively, that goodness can and should emerge victorious.

The play reminds me, in some ways, of the situation in the Book of Job. Evil reduces Job’s life to ruin and ashes: but in the end, because of his steadfast faith, he is restored by God. That’s a story we all yearn to hear-and of which we all need to be reminded from time to time. God is good, all of the time.

Pastor Michael

Colossians 3:20-21.

Sunday, June 18, is Father’s Day. We will return to the series on the “Other Commandments” with the 10th “commandment.”

It will discuss traditional and Biblical views of Fatherhood, versus changes in our 21st Century culture.

I genuinely look forward to seeing all of you this coming Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Michael

I don’t read newspapers very often. (I stopped taking the Tennessean long ago because it kept getting stolen. I had it delivered to Belle Meade UMC so I could read it everyday. I was especially interested in the Sunday edition. However, someone kept stealing the newspaper that was often delivered to the front steps of the sanctuary!

One Sunday, I caught the person picking it up, and I told him it was my personal copy. After that, I just canceled my subscription.) In addition, I rarely watch the evening news–and really for the main reason I quit reading the newspaper. However, since I get the New York Times, NBC news, and local news through News Break via email and text, I still get bad news. That’s the reason I quit being a news hound. But, that doesn’t stop the bad news. It seems that the stories just get worse and worse.

Shootings, abductions, robberies, car jackings, fraud, sexual abuse–and all of the ugly things that go on in the name of politics: it’s all disturbing. Then, add to that the problems that originate in the church! I get a daily email about problems that arise in the church, and it most often centers around clergy missteps. And, I’m not shy about controversial subjects; but I hesitate even to mention climate, or recent discoveries that indicate too much social media is leading to mental issues among young people.

The reason I mention all of these things is that we are bombarded by troubling issues every day. No wonder people are on edge and express their frustration through increasingly angry and hostile displays of behavior, both in the home as well as in public.

Many of us are wondering how to handle such a harsh and divisive culture. I want to share with you a verse of scripture that I have found helpful for over 50 years. It includes the opening verses of Psalm 46. It says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present (the Hebrew reads, ‘well proved’) help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.”

One could read this and think, “Well, I don’t have to do anything. God will take care of it all.” That’s not what the scripture means. Instead, the scripture says that while these things are going on, God will bring calm to us. I hasten to add, while we gain some sort of calm, I believe that God expects us to partner with Him and help to bring peace to a troubled world. I hope you will join me as we face the challenges and work for bringing Christ to all.

Pastor Michael