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 †

2 Samuel 5:1-5 and Mark 6:2-13

July 4th falls on a Sunday this year. And the Bible texts seem most fitting! The 2 Samuel reading is about the beginning of good King David’s attempt at nation building. What will Israel/Judah be all about?!

Mark tells us of Jesus’ ministry being all about “people building” in the Kingdom of God! Nations (and the people therein)and their relationship with God should always be shaped by Jesus’ teaching, healing, and saving presence. We will look at this idea of “two Kingdoms” and how they compare and contrast.

For sure, it is an ongoing challenge to be “in the world but not of the world.” Just ask any Christian who is elected to serve in public office!! Ask any Christian simply in their daily walk with the Lord!

Jesus knows us! He knew that his task would be for the “long haul” since he was dealing with weak, limited human beings in a Fallen World. The Mark passage emphasizes Jesus was “amazed at their lack of faith!” We are a work in progress where the old saying, “God’s not finished with me yet,” is very realistic. Just ask King David!

Happy July 4th and happier still that God saves and gives us freedom!

†

Pastor Barry

2 Samuel 1:17-27, 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 and Mark 5:21-43

One would have to be a hermit or on constant vacation to avoid bad news, stress, and woe. And even then the hermit gets sick and the vacation might have bad weather!!

The lectionary texts all present some different challenges most of us face throughout life: loss and grief, health challenges, needs of a whole community. The Bible, once again, is realistic.

Time and time again, as we read and hear from scripture, we find ourselves looking in a mirror: “That’s happening to me. I feel that way. Where can I turn for help? How can I help?” Both Paul and Jesus address the needs of many. And, in turn, we should, in our time and place, be quick to call upon the Lord as well as step up and meet the needs of others.

It seems to me, that this is the greatness and fullness of a life of faith in the community known as church. Herein we know rough things can happen. Herein, we will find help and we will offer help.

Thanks be to God!

Pastor Barry †

Psalm 103:13 and Luke 15:11-24

Father’s Day at Kedron is a family and friends day that covers the whole range of human emotions! Mostly smiles and laughter we hope!

Our scriptures emphasize compassion, patience, and what is to come home to an undeserved welcome. And who hasn’t had that “prodigal” experience at some point in life. Most of us know the meaning of “three strikes and you are out,” but just imagine multiple strikes and yet NEVER out!?

Delann Dunbar has again creatively put together our order of worship with congregational participation to highlight fathers and family and friends. We give God thanks for her talents offered to both school and church life.

Join us this Sunday for praise and thanksgiving with celebration for those in our lives who care for us and welcome us home! Play ball!!

Pastor Barry †

I Samuel 15:34-16:13, 2 Corinthians 5:6-17 and Mark 4: 26-34

June 13th honors St Anthony of Padua. One legend that accompanies this man of faith is this story: one day on Italy’s east coast, Anthony went down to the seashore and preached to the fish. They lifted their heads above the surface of the water and listened very closely! In any age, a legend that all preachers might hope would come true for at least the members (“fish”) of their congregations!

But any sermon, should help people go to the very realistic scriptures which are compelling in themselves! Just reading or hearing the Bible has the great Spirit driven potential to cause people to “listen up” to something life changing…..or at least in-the-moment changing!

That’s the way I feel about the three scriptures listed for this Sunday. We read of the replacement for a disappointing King Saul and find it to be young David soon to be the greatest of Israel’s rulers! Then Paul writes to the church some of his most powerful remarks about the change for the better for those who trust and follow Christ. “If anyone is in Christ they are a new creation!” And Mark’s gospel shows us Jesus teaching in parables about the Kingdom of God. It grows and makes a huge impact over time! And from the smallest of beginnings!

So, each Sunday the reading of and hearing scripture has the potential to open hearts, minds, and congregations to something amazing and life giving!

Listen in once more on this June 13th and believe some Good News! It can change your day if not your whole life!

Pastor Barry †

I Samuel 8:4-22, 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 and Mark 3:20-35

The sad demanding Israelites: they just have to have a King. Judges, prophets, and other leaders were just not enough. God warned them thru Samuel but gave them their request anyway. And Jesus has to contend with both Satan and the “religious” people of the day. And before the Mark passage concludes, it looks as if Jesus’ own family might be coming to ask him to “tone it down a bit.” They hear that some are saying Jesus is “out of his mind!”

So it goes: misunderstanding, conflict, struggle, and frustration. At least the scriptures are honest about how people act at both their worst and their best. And how relevant scriptures are to our current 2021. And to any generation! Struggles amongst communities, groups, families are real and require “working through.” God never gives up on sinful people and always has a word and living example of how to deal with conflict and suffering.

Sometimes we are asked “on a scale of 1-10 how bad is it?” In these scriptures it comes close to a 7-8….I think. (We haven’t reached Golgotha yet!). Yet, Paul in I Corinthians is honest about the struggle and even more affirming of blessings in the struggle and a final good outcome!

So, we should ask ourselves this week: on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most painful, where are we in our struggles both personally and in community with each other?! And are we believing God for the help we need?

A good question to bring with us to worship this June 6, 2021.

Pastor Barry †