Proverbs 22:1-2; 22-23, James 2:1-17 and Mark 7:24-37

Most of us remember our first job; the paying one! And before that, most children have assigned chores, responsibilities around the home. School becomes “work” or so it seemed! Remember “homework?!”

Most of us are not born into royalty thus being spared actual work to get things done and make a “living.” Sadly tho many have been born into poverty for multiple reasons. And even a hard working person can find themselves in sudden poverty due to illness, injury, layoffs, or conditions beyond their control.

Our scriptures address the poor, the disfavored, and the physically challenged and demon possessed. What did Jesus do? What is expected of the people called “church?”

This Labor Day Sunday, Holy Communion Sunday, and somber week leading to Remembering 9/11 twenty years out is as good as any Sunday worship to hear “what saith the Lord.” What will we hear about “work” for the good of others and even for ourselves when “bad things happen to good people?” Indeed we will get close to the heart of a “lived faith” not just a “said faith.”

And to add to the impact of these eventful days we will hear about the approach of September 12th Grandparents Day as well! And most of us that are or were around grandparents can usually testify to their examples of work for family and church!

We will have much to “absorb” in worship this September 5th!! Invite a friend or neighbor too!

Blessings “good and faithful servants!”

Pastor Barry †

Psalm 150:1-6, Ephesians 5:18-20 and Matthew 26:26-30

I think that there is music for any occasion, mood, memory, and mind set! Birthdays, anniversaries, wedding parties, ballgames, movie soundtracks, and sleep disorders all enlist music to help and to enhance the event! And people have different preferences and “tastes” in music. Some just can’t abide banjo and others nod off to classical. Within worship, churches too have preferences.

For most however, the bottom line is to make music and be glad in it! The gladness may be enthusiastic or somber but it is a response to a need or to a blessing. This Sunday is no different. We may have a bit more singing and playing but we will hear of some descriptive moments in scripture which show us the people of God responding in song as worship and response to life in the moment!

Bring your “listening ears” prepared to raise your voices unto the Lord! We all may have our struggles and stresses but music is a gift from God to help us!

Thanks be to God

Pastor Barry †

Psalm 34:15-22, Ephesians 6:10-20 and John 6:56-69

This past Sunday the Roman Catholic Church celebrated the Assumption of Mary into heaven both body and soul. This doctrine proclaims Mary was not buried at death but was received directly into glory. Most Protestant churches honor Mary but do not teach this as doctrine. However, we can see one spiritual value emphasized that we can affirm. This is the affirmation that the body is good, valuable, and has an eternal future as a “transformed body.”

Our scriptures this Sunday remind us of the hardships and difficulties we endure since we are bodily creations. The psalmist notes our afflictions. Paul tells the church at Ephesus that we have “to wrestle” against adversaries. And Jesus speaks hard to grasp words such that the disciples are tempted to abandon the Teacher.

But, we are not left to our own weakened condition to contend with afflictions and enemies, and doubt. Paul uses the language of “protective gear,” and Jesus says he is the “bread” which will nourish and sustain his disciples in this life.

This is Good News when all about us is trouble from COVID19, other diseases and injuries, natural catastrophes, and warring conflict. So, let us “put on the full armor of God” and remember who is the Bread of Life that helps our finite bodies and calls us to help others as well.

“The Lord be with you. And also with you!”

Pastor Barry †

I Kings 3:4-15, Proverbs 9:1-6 and Ephesians 5:15-20.

Between unprecedented Western fires, drought, heat, COVID19, schools difficult reopening, and one’s own personal, family, and work problems, it seems like we are in need of wise leadership and our own wise behavior! Not a time for foolishness!

Our texts for Sunday highlight the third King of Israel and his seeking God to guide his governing. Solomon is known for thousands of proverbs and wise observations on life. His 38 year reign was peaceful and prosperous. If only he had been more careful about marrying foreign wives who brought their own gods and shrines into Israel!! Less than wise behavior!

Every generation has to wrestle publicly and personally with how to live “the good life” within a nation or community of diversity. Life in the community of Church should go a long way in helping bring about peace and shared prosperity. But Church is also there for all when times are less than good, when we “mess up.”

Paul in Ephesians addresses issue and attitudes and is not far removed from the wisdom of Solomon! Paul simply points to life in Christ as the “wisest way to live!” Let us take to heart the attitude of Solomon early on: to ask for understanding and guidance from God before we ask for “riches and glory” I Kings 3:12-15.

Join together in worship as you are able this Sunday. Invite your neighbor. And pray!

Blessings,

Pastor Barry †

Psalm 103 and Matthew 22:34-40

Baker Bachman, long active at WESLEY MTSU, will bring our message this Sunday. A lifelong Methodist out of Mt Juliet, Baker is exploring a vocation in ministry. He is finishing Orientation To Ministry studies this month. Pray for him in the discernment process that continues. His experience with the MTSU Wesley fellowship has helped shape his life in faith.

He steps up to bring our sermon on the Greatest Commandment from Jesus’ response to the inquiring Pharisees, experts in the religious Law. The answer is not so surprising to our ears, but to carry through on such a Commandment requires our deepest attention to understand and find a faithful response.

God, neighbor, and yourself: how we go about loving these three goes a long way to describing the quality of life we have.

Pray for Baker and yourselves as you participate together in worship and prepare for the week ahead.

Blessings,

Pastor Barry †

II Samuel 11:26-12:13a, Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 and John 6:24-35

As good and great and anointed as he was, King David made a mess of relationships. He found a way to commit adultery, kill the husband, and see a baby die as a result! It’s a horrific Bible story but just as current as the latest celebrity crime news.

It’s amazing God puts up with our sin. It’s a good thing God’s love for us is never-ending. It certainly brings home to us the deep meaning of the hymn “Amazing Grace!”

Both in Exodus and in John, the message is highlighted that even when we sin and are empty of really doing good, our Creator will deal with us mercifully. The consequences of our bad choices and awful decisions are present but the emptiness our behavior brings upon us is overcome by the Bread of Life.

We are reminded of this unmerited favor from God every time we receive the Bread and Cup at Holy Communion. And even when we sit down for breakfast, lunch, and supper! We are fed and sustained by the Gifts of God. Even when we have had terrible “manners” toward God and neighbor before we have the Bread of life, we are meant for something better!

Think upon these things as you enter into worship this week. And also whenever you sit down for a meal!!

Thanks be to God!

Pastor Barry †

Psalm 145:10-18, Ephesians 3:14-21 and John 6:16-21

Paul the Apostle certainly uses a lot of words to describe “the riches of God” in Christ. Of course, throughout scripture God is deemed worthy of all the best words and descriptions human language has at its disposal!

Psalm 145 tells of the greatness and goodness of God. The Gospel of John passage amazes us with the compassion and power of God demonstrated in Jesus! So it’s no wonder that we are left with “unpacking” all these descriptions as best we can. And perhaps we are once again “lost in wonder and praise” at the majesty of God.

Sunday we will key in on Paul’s use of earthly “dimensions” in Ephesians 3 to help us grasp the impact of Jesus upon us, our world, and all Creation.

Buckle up for a ride into the “spaces” in which God is ever present. If you were impressed with the recent private entrepreneurs Branson and Bezos and their rocket rides into space, you should be even more impressed with the God who makes all things possible!

All glory to God!

See you in worship!

†

Pastor Barry

Jeremiah 23:1-6, Ephesians 2:11-22 and Mark 6: 30-34; 53-56

Once upon a time, Sundays, the Lord’s day, the Sabbath was much less busy, much more likely to really find people resting. Even in the small town I grew up in, during the summer, businesses closed on Wednesday afternoons! Rest, leisure. Not so today. All sorts of work continues and activities are available for everyone everyday 24/7.

So, when do people really get away from work, requirements, demands, busy days? One has to be very intentional now it seems about claiming some rest and recuperation for oneself.

Our Mark 6 passage is all about the work and ministry of the new community of disciples Jesus has started up. And here it declares Jesus compels them to rest awhile. Whether shepherds or the flock, there is great spiritual value in “getting away,” time alone, and physical rest.

Each ones needs are unique. One observes a day of rest different from others, but still……the call from Jesus remains: “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place and rest awhile.” Mark 6:31 KJV.

And remember the words of the Psalmist here: “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me besides still waters. He restoreth my soul.” (Psalm 23). As you can, make some time for Sabbath! And encourage others to do likewise.

Blessings,

Pastor Barry †

Philippians 4:1-9 and Mark 13

The coming of Christ gives those who follow the Lord a glimpse of the fullness of the Kingdom of God which shall be, and he gives us an invitation to live life now as though it has already come.

A “glimpse” is not full panoramic vision and an “invitation” requires a response. There is clearly an element of faith involved when we don’t see the Ending of the story, but only hear it proclaimed, announced, hoped for. But those steps of faith surprise us when amazingly great and good things appear which, sure enough, look like the way “things should be.”

Healings, forgiveness, mercy, justice, transformation of individuals and communities, genuine care for each other and even for strangers and enemies. Jesus said it, “Behold! The Kingdom of God is in your midst!”

Sometimes dramatic and sudden; sometimes gradual and often in a quiet way. The thing is to be attentive and inquisitive: “what IS God up to? What should I be about if a follower of the One who proclaimed God is at work!?”

On to Sunday worship and on to the week of discipleship!

Pastor Barry †