New Day, New Heart, New Way

April 3, 2022 Isaiah 43:16-21 5th Sunday of Lent Year C New Day, New Heart, New Way Opening Song Welcome Sign Attendance Pads Call to Worship #2 L: Spring is about to break forth! P: In all the land, new life is happening! L: Feel the wonder and power of God’s creative energy P: Feel the awe and joy of God’s love for us. L: Let us worship God with a full sense of joy and expectation. P: Let us open our hearts, our spirits, our souls, to God’s lavish love. AMEN. (Nancy Townley) Responsive Reading Psalm 126 UMH 847 Song When I Survey the Wondrous Cross UMH 298 Prayer for Transformation and Restoration Righteous God, you made us in your divine image and yet we often turn to the gazes of others to see ourselves. We yield to the temptation of comparison and measure ourselves according to standards not made for us. You declared us good, and we question your judgment. We turn from your truth and receive the lies of the enemy of our souls that devalue and condemn even though your grace is sufficient for us. Mend the brokenness within us. Fortify us with your love, hope, and vision. Shield us from stagnation and despair. Amen. ( Rev. Dr. Cheryl Lindsay) Assurance of Grace The God of grace sees us fully, knows us fully, and loves us fully. May our eyes be ever open to see ourselves as God sees us and restore our souls. (Rev. Dr. Cheryl Lindsay) Passing of the Peace As we resolve to follow the path that Jesus walked, let us offer one another the sustaining power of Christ’s peace. The peace of Christ be with you, always. And also with you. (Kate Cudlipp) Scripture Isaiah 43:16-21 Common English Bible 16 The LORD says—who makes a way in the sea and a path in the mighty waters, 17 who brings out chariot and horse, army and battalion; they will lie down together and will not rise; they will be extinguished, extinguished like a wick. 18 Don’t remember the prior things; don’t ponder ancient history. 19 Look! I’m doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it? I’m making a way in the desert, paths[a] in the wilderness. 20 The beasts of the field, the jackals and ostriches, will honor me, because I have put water in the desert and streams in the wilderness to give water to my people, my chosen ones, 21 this people whom I formed for myself, who will recount my praise. Sermon New Day, New Heart, New Way As we watch the Ukrainian crisis unfold everyday, I watch the post of a United Methodist women living in a bomb shelter in the capitol of Kyiv. Every day, actually twice daily she sends a post about the events in her family, her neighborhood and her church. Every Sunday she sends a post about the church service. Today she says…… As we keep the people of Ukraine in our prayers, let us also be aware of the fact that depending on who you ask are 27 active conflicts going on in the world. But war is not the only thing to force people to flee their homeland. There are other countries who are experiencing famine, drought, unsafe conditions. There are major crisis occurring in every part of the world. One of the things that go hand and hand with crisis is people who are fleeing that crisis. Within the last month of the Ukranian crisis, there have been 2.5 million to 3 million people who have fled to neighboring countries. According to the International Organization on Migration – there are over 6 million people displaced in Ukraine but are still living in the country. According to the United Nations Refugee agency there are about 84 million people in the world who have fled their countries. About half of that number is under the age of 18. Many of those people who flee the conditions in their homeland never return. They become a part of the diaspora – which is so many people in the world that no one keeps records. A diaspora are a group of people living together in one place, yet the homeland that they identify with is somewhere else. Crisis, refugees, diaspora – I start out with these words – because these are the words that are a part of our scripture for today. We know that words very well – because these words are all a part of the story of the Hebrew people. They are the theme of the Hebrew bible, you can’t tell their story without these words. But you most definitely can’t read the book of Isaiah without understanding these words. The book actually covers several crisis, their ensuing exile, and the return of some of the people to rebuild their homeland – most of the people chose to stay in diaspora – away from home. Our scripture this morning comes from the beginning of second Isaiah. We don’t know who this prophet is, and we don’t even know what crisis of many that he is even talking about. Yet we do know that his message is to the refugees. Basically he is telling them that as they are in crisis not to despair. God has been with them in the past. It is important to recount the past, remember the past, but don’t hold onto the past. God was present in the past, but God is also present in the present. God is with us on the journey – wherever we are today, wherever we are on the future. Isaiah actually tells the refugees not to hold onto to things past. Because the God of the future is greater than anything that we have ever seen. Nothing that we have seen in the past, will prepare us for the future God. As a matter of fact, God’s name – Yahweh, does not mean I was at one time. It really does not mean I am in the present. Yahweh means I will be who I will be. God is on the past, God is in the present – but the glory of God is always in the future. Every year I try to attend the Do it Yourself Messiah in Chicago. Ironically, our conductor/director is Jewish. They fly him in from Israel every year. After rehearsal he reminded us – that once the train leaves the station it is headed in one direction, and one direction only- that is forward. It doesnt backtrack to past stations – it just keeps going to its destination. That is how God is. And it is also how life goes. Which is why many people live in the diaspora and never go back home. I'm telling you it's just not possible that he is the Messiah. If anything he's an imposter. No one should be saying and doing the kinds of things he says and does. It's blasphemy. The man should be killed." Those were Eliezer's heartfelt convictions. Eliezer and his friend, Amos, were teachers of the law in the days that Jesus walked this earth. They were terribly puzzled by the appearance of this Jesus. Eliezer would have none of Jesus' ministry or of his teaching. He was convinced that whatever else Jesus was, the verdict was in and he most certainly was not the promised Messiah. Amos, on the other hand, wasn't so sure. He didn't know just what to think of this carpenter's son from Nazareth. "Oh, come on, Amos," Eliezer said to him one day. "You were there when we caught him going through the grainfields on the sabbath to feed himself and his disciples. Do you actually believe that the Messiah would break our religious laws? Be serious. He's an imposter I tell you." "And that's not all." Eliezer was warming to his topic now. His voice raised. "He also healed that man with the withered hand on the sabbath day," he bellowed at Amos. "That's work on the sabbath day. That's also against our laws. I don't know what we're going to do with this man but we've got to put a stop to him pretty quickly or he is going to mislead our people. The man has got to be stopped. He violates traditions that have been passed on to us for generations. He is not true to our past. Such a one simply cannot be the Messiah." Amos didn't respond to Eliezer's charge. He honestly didn't know just what to say. It was surely true that Jesus was shattering old religious traditions. But what did that mean? 53 Eliezer never let up in seeking to persuade his friend Amos of the danger of this man who brought so much novelty to their land. "Did you hear what he did at Joab's house?" he demanded of Amos one day. "A prostitute got into the house somehow and washed his feet with her tears and anointed them with ointment. As Joab said, 'If Jesus was really the Messiah he would have known what kind of woman this was and cast her out of the house.' Whoever heard of a Messiah who lets himself be cleansed by sinners? The very idea violates everything we hold dear." Amos kept quiet. He knew Eliezer's words were true. Jesus certainly was upsetting their religious fruitbasket. Still, Amos couldn't simply condemn Jesus. Eliezer kept the pressure on. "Look at who he associates with," Eliezer screamed at him one day. "He receives sinners and eats with them. Table fellowship is sacred, Amos. You only eat with those with whom you have the deepest ties of friendship. I say, 'If he eats with sinners, he is a sinner.' I challenge you to find one word in scripture that suggests that our long-awaited Messiah is to be in fellowship with sinners. The truth is that the Messiah comes for the faithful, comes for the law abiding, comes for those who have held fast the traditions of the past." And Amos finally spoke. He said one word, "Isaiah." "What do you mean, Isaiah?" Eliezer shot back. "Maybe it's as Isaiah wrote," Amos said. " 'Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing ...' " " CSS Publishing, Lima, Ohio, Lectionary Tales For The, by Richard A. Jensen I wonder what new thing God has in store for us this year? Not so much on a global level, but on a personal level. In our lives that we can see. As we move forward , will we still look for God along the way? Where will we seek God? In what lies ahead? Is the future beyond our expectations? This lent as we pray for the conditions of the world – let us pray for ourselves and our spirit. Let us pray…… Prayer Holy God, in this season of Lent, ready us for Easter, for the hope of restoration and new life in Christ. Called to pray for the needs of the church, the whole human family and all the world, hear us as we lift these prayers to you. That those in our community know health and safety and meaningful work, that neighbors support neighbors no matter the fences we build. That the oppressed and marginalized be empowered and encouraged, that the powerful and privileged understand their own need for liberation, Merciful God, as a potter fashions a vessel from humble clay, you form us into a new creation. Shape us, day by day, through this spiritual season of Lent and Christ’s companionship, until all our acts are loving and just. Hear us now as we pray. Amen (Terri McDowell Ott) Lord’s Prayer Hymn of Dedication America the Beautiful UMH 696 Stewardship Moment Moment for Stewardship (adapted from https://united-church.ca/sites/default/files/called_to_be_the_church_five_sundays_of_lent.pdf, pp. 52-53) The Way of Lent is a path that we travel each year, as a time for us to remember Jesus’ journey. On that journey he met many people. On that journey, he meets us: in our times of prayer, in our times of blessing, in our times of worship, in our times of sharing. So, come, siblings in Christ! Come, share all that we have, all that we are, for the love of our neighbours, for the healing of creation, for the hope of the world. (From the Center for Faith and Giving) Prayer of Thanksgiving (From the United Church of Christ Canada) What we have, we freely share, loving God. Blessed by your love, may we be a blessing in your world. May what we offer always be used in service of your grace, your peace, and your love. Amen! Communion Invitation to Communion (inspired by John 12:1-8) In all 4 Gospels we read of times Jesus gathered with friends to share a meal. Today we’ve heard how Jesus came to Bethany to enjoy dinner at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. It was Mary who extravagantly welcomed Jesus by anointing his feet with costly perfume, a gift received with gratitude by Jesus, even as he rebuked Judas Iscariot. At this table, it’s Jesus who offers a costly gift to each of us. We’re each invited to this meal – Marys, Marthas, all who have been raised up, all who have been rebuked. All are invited to share in this meal of remembrance and anticipation, with Jesus offering bread and cup, emblems of his very body and blood. Come! You are welcome here. (if you have someone who can play and sing, consider “All Are Welcome” from Chalice Praise, #159 (words & music: Hans Peterson and Larry Olson) (chorus) All are welcome, friend and stranger, at the banquet of the Savior. All are welcome. All are welcome here. (verses) From the woman who comes crying, leaving tears at Jesus’ feet, to the man who knows the right way but cannot see. From the ones who feel forgotten, those who sense their place is gone, to the ones who live in hunger, here you belong. Go into the streets and cities, to the farms and families, tell about the splendid table, God’s mercy. Communion – UMH page 13 Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook We leave this gathering, knowing that Christ Jesus has made us his own. Take the fruits of our worship into the world, bringing joy to those who weep, welcome to the outcast, and comfort to those who grieve. God is doing a new thing. Thanks be to God. ( Kate Cudlipp) Community Time Benediction As you go into the world, may the aroma of your faith fill the air around you. May your hope perfume your encounters. May your touch mend broken walls. And may the God of hope and peace, guide you, envelope you, and sustain you on the journey and in the work. (Rev. Dr. Cheryl Lindsay) Children’s Sermon Dollar Store sermon on something new Additional Illustrations I know a minister who went through a difficult time last year. His w.ife had an extended stay at a hospital that was thirty miles away from their home. It was difficult for him to take care of his three young children, drive to the hospital to be with his wife each day, and also carry out his responsibilities as a pastor. He sat alone in a rocking chair late one night. He was beginning to feel as if his difficulties were becoming insurmountable. About that time his little girl awakened. She was only two years old at the time. She wandered out to where he was sitting. She wanted to be rocked. He held her and they rocked together. In no time at all she was fast asleep. He continued to hold her that night for some time and, as he did so, healing took place. Why? Because he was reminded that he was not alone. He became acutely aware that in spite of the difficulties he faced, he was still surrounded by love and warmth. In so many ways, that can be the experience of the Church, if we will trust in God and God's providential care of us. Whatever pain we carry, whatever disappointment we have experienced, God can do a new thing in our lives. God alone can provide the healing and the renewal that will sustain our spirits. The well-known Snoopy, from Peanuts, was perched atop his dog house in the dark of the night. His thoughts and fears almost did him in: "Everything seems so hopeless at night. What am I doing here? What’s the purpose of it all? ... What if I get sick? I don’t want to get sick ... What if I get hit by a car someday and end up in a body cast? Or maybe they’d just shoot me like an old farm horse!" By daybreak Snoopy falls asleep. In the later morning sunlight, Lucy and Linus walk by and Lucy comments on the apparently sleeping dog: "It must be nice to be a dog. They don’t ever have any worries." And Snoopy the hound thinks happily, "Not as long as the sun is up." Reminded that God once shone a brilliant light into the night sky and then turned a Friday’s darkness into Easter’s sunlight, we can have the feeling of confidence that God will turn the darkness of our exile to sunlight once again. CSS Publishing Co., Inc., His Hands, by Jon L. Joyce Somewhere I read about the origin of the word "firemen." Today's firemen, or firefighters as we now call them, put out fires. Originally, though, firemen were men who started fires. The original firemen worked in coal mines, and it was their hazardous job to be the first to enter a mine each morning. They would wrap themselves in wet rags to make themselves as `fireproof' as possible and then, grabbing a long, flaming stick, they would go in and ignite any explosive methane gas that had seeped into the mine overnight. Burning off the dangerous gas thus made the workplace safe for others. (3) Perhaps if the writer of Hebrews had known about this tradition, he would have called Jesus `our fireman. n a Peanuts cartoon strip Lucy is livid at her mother. "You promised me a birthday party," she wails, "and now you say I can't have one. It's not fair!" Linus tries to intervene. "You're not using the right strategy," he counsels. "Why not go up to Mom and say to her, `I'm sorry, Dear Mother...I admit I've been bad, and you were right to cancel my party, but from now on I shall try to be good!'" Lucy has a grimace on her face as she thinks this through. Finally, in the last panel, she cries out, "I'd rather die!" Unfortunately, that is the response of many of us. God has done a new thing. He has done a new thing for the world. He has done a new thing for each of us. What is our response? Shall we continue in our same self-destructive ways? Shall we continue to hurt those who love us mo