Revelation 7:9-17, I John 3:1-3 and Matthew 5:1-12

All Hallowed Eve, Reformation Day, All Saints Day, The Day of the Dead, they all are recognized October 31-November 2. We would be hard pressed to find a stretch of days which celebrates life and death and eternal life so vividly. Holy Week with Good Friday and Easter are the ultimate expressions of our faith, but these Fall days are perhaps the most vivid in celebrations, dress, and an element of festivity!

Martin Luther nailed 95 Theses to a church door and Protestantism and ceaseless church reform was being born on October 31, 1517. Halloween developed alongside Christian emphasis on celebrating the saints in heaven. All Saints Day says the Church is finally triumphant in spite of death. And the traditional, Mexican Day of the Dead arrives on November 2. A colorful, indigenous way of acknowledging death and local customs that accompany remembrance of those gone before us.

For most of us in worship it will be a time of remembrance of those in our church family as well as loved ones and friends from previous times and other churches. We trust them all to be in the eternal embrace of a loving and forgiving God. A time for us, still the Church at Work, to be both sad with grief yet joyful in hope! The playfulness of Halloween helps all ages “indirectly” address mortality and our fears while moving on to Sunday’s celebration of those Saints who are one step beyond us in the fullness of the Kingdom of God!

So, with these 3 days so closely connected with faithfulness, come to worship on Sunday expecting to experience the “hope that is within us” and to stay “in communion” with our loved ones both here and forever.

See you on Sunday! Amen!

Pastor Barry

Deuteronomy 5:22-27 and Revelation 2:17-20a

This Sunday’s texts will try to address one of the suggested sermon topics that came up when we did the “You asked for a sermon” survey back in July/August: what about the Seven Churches in Revelation 1-3?

Such a demanding subject with many verses cries out for a good and lengthy Bible study over several weeks. A twenty minute sermon will barely touch upon it, but the effort is worth it. And another sermon, later, might be forthcoming on the subject as I work with the multiple Revelation verses this week!

At the very least we will hear of matters (that John the Revelator received in a vision) that needed to be addressed to seven congregations in a portion of Asia in the first century. What can we today, 2000 years out, receive for our edification and spiritual growth? Christ invites every community of believers to reflect and consider what a word might be for them in the here and now.

We will hear both encouragement and warnings, hope and caution, peace and calls to action for churches to take seriously but also with reassurance from the Lord of every church. We will hear about a suffering church, a dead church, a weak but obedient church. And more! Finally we will hear the knock at the door: “If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends” Revelation 3:20.

Blessings!

Pastor Barry

Isaiah 49:8-13, and Matthew 6:24-34

My next of kin, LeNoir, has graciously responded to my request to fill the pulpit and lead Kedron in worship this coming Sunday. I will be over at Locks Memorial for their Homecoming.

I will eagerly wait to hear the sermon and worship service later on-line, but I can say from reading the texts that there is restoration for spiritual Israel then and now. And pointedly directed to most of us in this troublesome year 2020 is a word about worrying: DON’T! Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is relevant in any time or place.

Easier said than done, but to at least lessen our worries or “take the edge off our worries” seems like a good word from God. Concern for multiple matters is one thing, but to constantly worry is a depletion of personal energy and a distrust in God’s present/future offering for your wellbeing.

LeNoir will hold forth on Sunday, so prepare in anticipation of a Good Word for all as we enter half way into October!

Blessings in this both awesome, beautiful season of the year as well as for whatever your struggles are in the moment! Remember this as you close out the time of worship by singing “God Will Take Care Of You!”

Pastor Barry

Exodus 32:1-14, Timothy 6:3-16 and Matthew 22:1-14

We are looking at perhaps a wordy sermon title! But there is so much going on in these three Bible passages it took some effort to keep it THAT short!

To try and keep it “manageable” though, let’s say all three scriptures deal with easily distracted people of God. In spite of Moses’ faithful leadership, Jesus’ description of the Kingdom as a wedding feast, and Paul’s reminder of the Eternal Life we are called to, we, the people, easily (it seems) get distracted to idols, arguments, laziness, and riches!

There are all too often too many competing “voices” on our faith walk. We can’t give them all equal attention and successfully find our way Home. We need to listen up and learn, choose, and be willing to stand firm as needed or…change as needed. At least that’s what Moses has to say to the Golden Calf revelers, what Jesus says about the lazy Wedding guests and what Paul reminds Timothy to not lose sight of.

It’s a lot to unpack but we have the Spirit to guide us in our hearing and in our doing during and after worship! And….God is patient and merciful. Let us be about finding our way through the Wilderness, into the Wedding Feast, and toward Eternal Life!

Pay attention, stay focused, enjoy the company of your fellow strugglers along the Way!

Pastor Barry

As you get older I think many come to value The Ten Commandments more and more. Or at least 3-4 of them! I’ll leave that to you to say which commandments have meant the most to you! And I will say the one about “not coveting” is very hard to enforce in a legal, ecclesiastical, or public way!

And Christians, whose two most central teachings we celebrate around a table, have to hold in tension the requirements of The Law upon us as well the unmerited favor of God in Christ upon us. Perhaps celebrating World Communion (as we will this Sunday) will remind us once and for all our faith is about “Christ and him crucified.” Our Philippians text has Paul with a single-minded focus on Christ although he reminds us he (Paul) was “faultless in obeying the Law” v.6.

As in most meal gatherings we don’t remember how well we kept table manners or how well we kept everything in order during the meal. But, we remember the people present, the shared stories, and the high moments of joyous fellowship with deep appreciation for the Host who opened up the house for all of us to be together.

So, yes to The Ten Commandments but even more yes to the One who lived them out completely for our sake.

See you Sunday in worship!

Pastor Barry

Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2:1-13 and Matthew 21:23-32

The scriptures this Sunday are about who has the authority and how people listen to authority. If you watch many detective or cop stories on TV, there are the innumerable scenes where the officer shows his badge to assert the authority to ask questions and to act if necessary. Authority is bestowed by state AND divine authorities which have either earned that right by vote or by virtue of truthful persuasion!

In this Matthew passage Jesus cites the authority of an executed prophet John and then tells a story of those who do what they are asked to do…..or don’t do!

What we will hear on Sunday is that God has authority but uses persuasion, example, and specific people’s lives rather than force to “get the divine will accomplished.” We will hear of those who listen and respond…..and those who don’t. It’s as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago!

Listen up all who will listen!

Prayerfully~~~†

Pastor Barry

This Sunday September 20th is Homecoming at Kedron. Unlike high school homecomings everyone who shows up is a king and queen! To be more correct we are of a “royal family,” heirs apparent, but only one Lord who is Supreme. No other gods before us and we are not God. But we are again in that “Royal” family of the one God. We are one united group of brothers and sisters in all our diversity….even at Kedron UMC!

Our scriptures reflect both the wide range of life experiences in church and in society as well as the very personable, warm greetings by name of people that Paul had ministered with over the years.

So, at Homecoming we will have a wealth of memories of people, places and things connected with Kedron (and other churches) alongside our “living in the now,” with hopes for the future. Favorite hymns and testimonies and mutual histories will have us immersed in life together. This will be good and worthy of living forward into another year with each other as God gives us time and opportunity.

As you read this, think of someone to pass the word along to about Homecoming and check on them as you can. This pandemic year 2020 has taken its toll on our being together in community and in fellowship, so the aspiration is to recommit to staying in contact and “building up the body of Christ“ which is the Church.

See you Sunday in person, on line, and in our hearts!

Pastor Barry

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