Hear God's Call

February 15, 2025 2 Peter 1:16-21 Transfiguration Sunday Hear God’s Blessing Year A Prelude Greeting Call to Worship On this Transfiguration Sunday, we gather on the mountaintop with Jesus, wondering what we will encounter. We come to encounter God’s glory revealed. We witness the revelation of Christ’s divinity made plain before us. We come to witness God’s glory revealed. We remember that God’s glory is not about spectacle but truth, not about show but about Love made real among us. We come to remember God’s glory revealed. We follow Jesus down from the mountaintop into the valleys, as God’s glory goes before us and behind us. We come to be sent out to share God’s glory revealed. Thanks be to God! Amen. Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, July 2025 Opening Prayer Radiant God, we come to you on the mountaintop to experience your glory. You come to us in the valleys. We meet you in gladness in a place where heaven and earth collide. May our worship of you encourage us on the journey and make us aspire to reflect your kingdom in the world. Transform us and keep us near to you. Amen. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Cheryl Lindsay) Song A Sermon for All Ages Children’s Sermon: “A Little Light That Lasts” Good morning, friends! I have a question for you. Have you ever been in a room when it was really, really dark? (Wait for responses.) What happens when someone turns on just one small light? Does it help? Today I brought something with me. (Hold up a candle or a battery-powered candle.) This candle is very small. It’s not a spotlight. It’s not the sun. But if we were in a dark room, this little candle would help us see where to go. The Bible tells us that God’s Word is like a light shining in the darkness. That means when things feel scary, confusing, or hard, God’s Word helps us know what is good and right. Now here’s something important: This candle doesn’t make the darkness disappear all at once. But it helps us take the next step safely. And guess what? Jesus asks us to be lights too. When you are kind to someone who feels left out, you are shining a light. When you tell the truth, even when it’s hard, you are shining a light. When you help someone or forgive someone, you are shining a light. Now I have another question. What happens in the morning when the night is almost over? (Wait for answers.) Yes! The sun comes up! And sometimes, before the sun rises, there is a morning star in the sky. That star is a sign that night won’t last forever. The Bible says Jesus is like that morning star. That means Jesus reminds us that no matter how dark things feel, God’s light is coming. So here’s what I want you to remember: You can be a little light in the world. Jesus is the big light we follow. And God promises that the morning is coming. Let’s say this together: “I can shine God’s light!” (Let them repeat.) Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for Jesus, the light of the world. Help us shine your light by being kind, loving, and brave. Amen. Responsive Reading Psalm 99 UMH 819 Passing of the Peace Prayer of Illumination Holy Wisdom, your Word is at once ancient and brand new. As we listen together this day, enlighten our hearts and minds. May we be transformed. In Jesus’ name. Amen. (Presbyterian Outlook, Anna Owens) Scripture 2 Peter 1:16-21 Sermon Hearing God’s Call Maybe I am just speaking for myself, but it seems that voice activated personal assistants are taking over every aspect of life. You can tell Alexa to play music, or ask Siri to give you the address of a restaurant. They can find a recipe for your favorite dish. Or tell you when a certain television program is coming on. If I didn’t know any better I think that Alexa watches me when I an sleeping, because as soon as I wake up – she always says hello. Did you know that Alexa in Greek means helper of the people, names after the Greek library because of the knowledge base. And Siri is a Norwegian name meaning beautiful women who will lead you to victory. In Britain there is a male voice named Daniel, and in Australia there is a woman’s voice named Karen. I think that we can all agree that voice activated systems are helpful, but they are also intrusive. But one thing that Alexa, Siri, Daniel and Karen do very well is listen. They spend all of their time just listening for their name, to respond to whatever we are saying. Most of the time in life it is more important for us to listen, then it is for us to speak. Listening is an important part of our faith. Learning to listen is one of the messages of our scripture in 2 Peter. Paul Tillich, a famous theologian says that the First Duty of Love is to Listen. Luke Edwards is a Methodist Minister who founded the Listening Church. It is a national network of churches that encourage discipleship through listening. Edwards believes that transformation happens when we listen to God, the congregation and the surrounding community. He says that when we listen to these 3 things, we are able to hear solutions to life’s deepest issues. Unfortunately, when most of us listen, we are more concerned with how we are going to respond then what the person is actually saying to us. 2 Peter is an interesting scripture to focus on for the transfiguration. It does not tell anything of the story of Jesus or Moses going on the mountain to talk to God and coming down glowing. Usually the transfiguration is the story of what we see – God’s Glory glowing. But 2 Peter is a story about what God said and what we heard. God says This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased. That divine voice is still speaking to us today. As a disciple Peter would have heard that voice for himself and it had a profound effect in his life, his choices, his service. That voice inspired him to listen and to tell the whole world what he heard. As a matter of fact, Peter inspired the writer of this scripture to also use his voice. The writer is telling us that if we follow Jesus, we too get to speak in that voice. When we follow Jesus we are witnesses to the transfiguration story. When we serve Jesus we are witnesses – seeing and hearing the glory of God for ourselves. We may not realize it – we have all seen God’s glory and we all reflect it in our faith. There is an old story about a little girl coming from the church and questioning her mom about the sermon. "Did the preacher really say God is bigger than we are?" "Yes," her mother replied. "Did the preacher really say Jesus lives in us?" "Yes," her mother stated once again. "Well, then, if God is bigger than we are and God lives in us, why doesn't he show through?" The God who shows through is what Peter called his listeners to be attentive to. The Transfiguration was that lamp shining in a dark place, that peek-a-boo of divine glory that shows forth now at unexpected moments and from unexpected places. The Transfiguration is when the glory is revealed, when the world-saving value of Jesus was made clear, when the world-shaking value of your life is made clear. Roynell Young played professional football in the 1980s. “I retired from the game and we moved down to Houston,” he said, “where I took a job selling insurance.” As he drove through neighborhoods with aimless, hard-looking teenage boys clustered on corners, something kept nagging at him. “They reminded me of me,” he said, “or what I would have been if there hadn’t been a bunch of people looking out for me.” He wondered who was looking out for them. One day Roynell and a friend stopped and began playing basketball in one of those neighborhoods. When the youth first saw them they ran off thinking they were police officers. Three boys stayed to watch. After a few minutes Roynell challenged them to a game, “You beat us, I’ll buy you all the pizzas and soda you can handle. We beat you; you sit down and talk with us.” Even though Roynell and his friend were older they won the pick-up game and took the boys out for pizza anyway. He asked them about their family, neighborhood, and if they had considered their life’s purpose. As they were leaving one of the youth asked if they would be back the next Saturday. Before too long there were 100 youth; then 300! Roynell pooled some friends and they rented an old storefront across from the basketball court. The number of youth kept increasing, they soon ran out of space and had to move to a larger place, eventually they had enough money to open a charter middle school. Thinking of all the people who impacted his life, Roynell proudly claimed, “We’re changing lives.”[2] Our faith is alive because of the faithful witness of others. We have the testimony of the apostles who were eyewitnesses to Jesus’ teachings, miracles, and most importantly his life, death, and resurrection. We have the church where the scriptures are read and taught. And we have the Holy Spirit in our lives that prompts us to say and do things we could never say or do on our own. The Holy Spirit gives us the power we need to live out our lives as faithful modern day disciples of Jesus Christ. Amen. ________________________________________ 1. www.thisibelieve.org. 2. Roynell Young, “Game Changer,” Guidepost, March 2009, pp. 74-78 CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Christmas Grace and other Cycle A sermons for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, by Timothy J. Smith The writer of 2 Peter tells us that when we hear live according to what we hear God saying we are a shining example of love. You see in his time there were a lot of people, even Christians who did not believe in the resurrection or the power of Christ. So the writer emphasizes that God’s word is true. Those who listen to God’s voice also see Christ. He says they are a candle in a dark place, or the morning star in the dark of the morning. The can’t help but to spread the light. Nelson Mandela, in his inaugural speech in 1994, had this to say: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It's our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? "Actually, who are you not to be? "You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. You are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. "And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others the permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." --Nelson Mandela, 1994 inaugural speech, as reprinted in The African American Pulpit. "And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others the permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." --Nelson Mandela, 1994 inaugural speech, as reprinted in The African American Pulpit. One of the greatest living writers in the world today is Oscar Hijuelos. In his classic Mr. Ives' Christmas (New York: Harper Collins, 1995) It is finally warm enough for me to go back to going outside right before the sun rises to look at the starts. This is when the sky is the clearest and all of the stars have found their place. Up until last week I would look in the Eastern sky for Venus – the brightest thing in the sky by far. The morning star has this amazing sparkle – that just bursts on the horizon. Starting last week, instead of being he brightest thing in the morning, it will be the evening star for the next year. Morning or evening, 2 Peter encourages us to not be afraid to shine that brightly, or more importantly to reflect the light of Christ so that others can see. It says 9 In addition, we have a most reliable prophetic word, and you would do well to pay attention to it, just as you would to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (Biblegateway.com CEB version) And when others ask how you keep going in a dark world, you can answer simply: Because the light is real. The Word is sure. And morning is on the way. Amen. (ChatGPT 5.2) Let us pray Song Prayers of the People (Print the first sentence) Let us offer our prayers for the church and the world. When you hear “Our God is a God who hears us,” please respond, “we will not be afraid.” God of truth and light, we come before you ready for our mountaintop moment. We want to be transfixed and transfigured and transformed. We want to sit at your feet, and at the feet of the prophets, to soak up all that you have to teach us and all the love you have to share. We are grateful, O God, that you chose to live among us, that we, too, might come to know the more excellent way. Our God is a God who hears us: we will not be afraid. We remember how many people live in darkness: trapped by addiction, overwhelmed by the loneliness of grief, intoxicated by the allure of power. Turn your face toward those in need of healing this day. May they be renewed. Our God is a God who hears us: we will not be afraid. We know, O God, that there are many who suffer in mind, body and spirit because of greed or apathy. Bless those who hunger for justice and for daily bread, those who thirst for living water and for clean water, those who seek refuge from spiritual storms and the depths of winter. Illumine a way forward so that we can live in your economy of grace; stir in us the compassion to seek wholeness for all. Our God is a God who hears us: we will not be afraid. There are many places around this world in need of drastic intervention. We remember those places torn apart by warfare, violence, famine or natural disaster. We know that you grieve with us when we turn on one another, or when any of your children suffer. Sow peace and make us peacemakers. Our God is a God who hears us: we will not be afraid. God of all seasons, be with us as we traverse back down the mountain. Keep us mindful of you, and mindful of your ways, in our daily living. May we speak with kindness, lead with compassion, and practice what it is we believe with all those whom we encounter. Make us good stewards of the resources entrusted to our care. Our God is a God who hears us: we will not be afraid. (Presbyterian Outlook, Anna Owens) Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment In Matthew, Mark, and Luke’s Gospels, we hear the story of Jesus’ “transfiguration” and the appearance of Moses and Elijah. Faced with this extraordinary experience, and nearly overwhelmed by the recognition of Jesus, Moses and Elijah together on the mountain, Peter spoke up to offer what he could: to build three tents. While most of us rarely, if ever, have the experience of standing in the presence of Jesus, sometimes we, too, can be filled up with the desire to offer what we have as a gift for this One, the Beloved Son of God. Can you remember moments when you were nearly overwhelmed with your sense of connection to the holy?(Describe your own experience or use a story of someone in the congregation or someone of whom you are aware, with their permission, of course!) Bringing this moment into our awareness today, I invite you to respond with the gifts you are willing and able to offer. Prayer of Thanksgiving Ever Giving God, as we remember Peter on the Mount of Transfiguration, and recall all that you have done for us, help us celebrate our own offering of what we’ve freely given. Receive these gifts and help us use them to extend your Realm on earth, even as you know it to be in heaven. AMEN (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Announcements Closing Prayer for YouTube Saints in light, God’s beloved, go forth from this place empowered by the witness of Scripture, the truth-telling of the prophets, the teaching of our Savior, and the power of God revealed in Jesus Christ, and made manifest in one another. As we go from this place, we go knowing that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit are with us now, and will be with us always. Alleluia, and amen. (Presbyterian Outlook, Anna Owens) Community Time – Joys and Concerns Benediction Come down from the mountain with mountain-like faith. Walk on God's paths as bright, shining lights. Live in God's ways with faith, hope, and love. Go into the world transformed and renewed! From the Abingdon Worship Annual. Posted on the Cokesbury website, http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/DynamicContent.aspx?pageid=830&id=198. Additional Illustrations Alexander Pope once wrote satirically, “Lo, the poor Indian! whose untutor’d mind sees God in clouds, or hears him in the wind.” As Pope is saying, we sophisticated secular people no longer see God in clouds or hear him in the wind. We no longer see the movement of water in a pool as the special visitation of an angel as did the people beside the pool of Bethesda. We look to science, not religion, to answer most of our questions about physical reality. And it is quite natural that we should. There have been benefits from the process of secularization. The quest for scientific truth has brought us a host of technological wonders. But as Alexander Pope is saying, something has also been lost. God has become an abstract concept for many of us rather than a present reality. Intellectually we believe in God, but His existence does not seem to have much relevance to our everyday lives. Few of us know what it means to stand on holy ground. You should know that scholars debate the historicity of the scene on the Mount of Transfiguration. Was it a dream or was it reality? You and I cannot know. We were not there. We have only Simon Peter’s testimony. He reports that he and his two fellow disciples beheld the majesty of Christ. They saw the Master in the company of Moses and Elijah. They heard a voice from Heaven saying, “This is my Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear him.” Simon Peter knew what it was to stand on holy ground. The experience on the Mount of Transfiguration confirmed for Simon Peter what he already believed about Christ. It was Simon Peter who, in answer to Jesus’ question at Caesarea Philippi, “Who do men say that I am?” affirmed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Simon Peter knew in his bones that this affirmation was true. Still, like us, there were some moments when it seemed truer than it did at others. After all, it was an astounding leap of faith to say that this humble Nazarene was the Son of the living God. In 1989 the movie The Mission played in local theaters. Although not a financial blockbuster by any account, it told a powerful message. Set in South America in the year 1750, the scenery, the sound track and the story itself combine to electrify and inspire the audience. A small group of Catholic missionaries have a dream of carrying the gospel to a tribe of native Indians who live high above a magnificent waterfall, on a plateau difficult to reach. The movie begins with the Indians carrying a white man out of their jungle village tied on a cross. He is dumped into the rushing river heading for the rapids, and in a few quick moments the man hurls over the mighty thundering waterfall to his death on the rocks below. Undaunted, other missionaries go back to their work of scaling with ropes the almost perpendicular wall until they reach the plateau. This time the missionaries succeed. As the years pass by, they organize a closely-knit community of love centered in devotion to Christ. Down below, however, in the more "civilized" towns the Spanish/Portuguese government officially decides to rid themselves of "the Mission." They want the Indians for slaves. Finally, one day they make their move and brutally attack the Indians and their missionary friends. The devoted Christian community does not scatter, and a horrible massacre follows. The close of the film is memorable. After the soldiers have gone away, the fires simmer and go out. In the last scene, as we are left stunned at what has happened, four young Indian children who somehow have escaped the holocaust get into a canoe and paddle away up the river to tell the dream to others some day. As people remain in the darkened theater, for a moment the story having ended, suddenly the following words from the Gospel of John flash on the screen: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it" (John 1:5). Is this not the same light that "Peter" calls our attention to, "a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your heart"? In a word, look, the morning star! CSS Publishing Company, EMPOWERED BY THE LIGHT, by Richard Hasler , Hijuelos writes of one of his characters: "Each day he awaited a slick of light to enter the darkness". There is a world out there looking for some light slicks. Will you let your light shine? Will you be a slick of light that brightens the corner where you are, and at the same time brings light to the world? The “next best thing” in the past few years has almost always been a voice-based development. We now all routinely talk to our cars. The voice activated personal assistant comes already named, but we can change it. We’re familiar with Siri, which means in Norwegian "beautiful woman who will lead you to victory.” The British have a male voice named Daniel. The Australians have one named Karen. Microsoft's alternative to Siri is called Cortana. Who among us this morning has not “named” the voice in our GPS, the voice-activated knowledge navigator that pulls up our playlist or guides us on our way in our vehicle, telling us where to turn and how far we have to go. [Consider making this an interactive moment and ask your people what names they have given their voice-activated concierges. Tell them the name you’ve given them to prime the pump. For example, I’ve named mine “Matilda.” Why? From the song “Waltzing Matilda.” The “unofficial national anthem of Australia” is the late 19th century song “Waltzing Matilda,” a bush ballad that is so significant to the people of Australia that the song has its own museum in Queensland. Australian soldiers named their backpacks “Matilda” as they sang the song on their marches, and they sometimes danced with “Matilda” around the campfire.] Our GPS “friend” is the voice that we trust to get us to where we have to be, to where we need to go. It is the voice we trust to get us home. Today, our voice-controlled life extends beyond our vehicles. Our smart phones have apps to access Siri, the voice controlled program that lets us tell our handheld electronic devices how to talk to us and how to serve our needs, granting whatever we want — we are the commander. Our voices are suddenly all-powerful. The latest gamer technology is also “voice-powered.” X-Box 1 and X-Box Kinect have both gathered gamers and go-getter exercisers through voice-activated systems. We can all now play our video games or access our video exercise routines just by using our voices. When you say “X-box on,” your voice gives you access to whole new worlds of fantasy and fun. After the experience on the mountain, The Voice tells the disciples to "listen to Him (Jesus)". Discipleship is nothing more or less than “listening to Jesus.” To move forward in faith is to listen to Him, to recognize His voice, The Voice that is a transfiguring power, the same power that created the world out of nothingness. This is The Voice that transfigures sinners into saints, that heals the broken-hearted and makes the wounded whole human beings. The Voice is the voice of change, of transfiguration, The Voice that transfigures water into wine, and wine into blood, and death into life, and transgressive people into transfigured people. Can you hear the voice of Jesus in your life? In our culture? Do you have a hearing problem? Can we hear the voice of Jesus over the drone of voices calling you elsewhere? Listening for Jesus voice is "serious" [siri-ous] business. To “Listen to Him” we need to do four things. 1) We need to mute other voices. 2) We need to learn to listen and be silent. 3) We need to recognize The Voice. 4) We need to megaphone The Voice.

A Retreat with God

February 19, 2023 Exodus 24:12-18 A retreat with God Transfiguration Sunday Year A Prelude Welcome Call to Worship As God called to Moses from the mountain, we are called to be God’s people. As Jesus called the disciples to climb with him to the peak of another mountain, we are called to follow wherever he leads. As the disciples stood in awe at the sound of God’s voice, we are called to worship in wonder and praise. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Deborah Sokolove) Opening Prayer (Exodus 24, Matthew 17) Holy One, Light of light, God of all creation, long ago you showed yourself to the disciples in Jesus’ transfiguration— his face glowing like a field of daffodils on a bright, spring morning. Shine in us, around us, and through us, that the world may see your glory in the faces of your people— faces transfigured in the light of your love. Amen. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Deborah Sokolove) Song Every Time I Feel the Spirit UMH 404 Children’s Sermon Leader, wearing dark glasses, asks the children, "Do you know why I am wearing dark glasses?" (Pause) The Bible story for today says that Jesus took his friends Peter, James, and John up a mountain to pray. While they were praying, Jesus' face changed and his clothes became dazzling white, so bright it blinded their eyes. Then two men appeared, Moses and Elijah, and they began talking with Jesus about what would happen when Jesus went to Jerusalem. Suddenly a cloud came and covered them, and a voice said, "This is my Son, my Chosen. Listen to him." When they came down from the mountain, everything was "tranfigured." Talk together: If you saw Jesus in white robes coming down our center aisle to sit on the steps with us, what would you do? (Pause) Some of us might close our eyes, thinking this is too good to be true. Jesus here? In what way might Jesus be here with us right now? One of the ways is to use our faith imagination. Close your eyes. We are walking toward the hill where we can be alone. The sky is blue, the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, and when we reach the hillside we sit down and invite Jesus to be with us. Suddenly he is there in bright, white robes. We are silent and feel the light breeze blow. A voice says, "This is my Son. Listen to him." We listen and Jesus speaks to us. (Pause) Then we do what we need to do and return to this place, knowing we can be with Jesus in our faith imagination whenever we wish. Now open your eyes. Prayer: Dear God, thank you for hearts to love, minds to think, and faith imagination to know your presence here and now, among us. Amen. (Elaine Ward, Sermonsuite) Prayer of Confession (Exodus 24, Matthew 17) Though we want to walk with Moses and see God’s holy radiance, we hide in the mist of our own desires, unable to perceive the presence of God’s grace. While we want a world of justice and peace, we walk in clouds of selfishness, unable to share God’s loving-kindness. Though we want to follow Jesus up the mountain, we cower in fear, unable to bear the light of God. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Deborah Sokolove) Words of Assurance (Matthew 17) In the blazing light of God’s grace, Jesus touches us to say, “Get up and do not be afraid.” In the name of Christ, all is forgiven. Amen. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Deborah Sokolove) Passing the Peace of Christ Scripture Exodus 24:12-18 Sermon - A Retreat with God February is always an interesting month weatherwise – you get all four seasons of weather in one month. It’s cold, its warm. One day its snowing, the next its raining and the next day it all turns into ice and you start all over again. This year, the weather has been a little unusual. But every February there is a point when you just know that the weather has broken and spring is on the way. It was very subtle this year – but it is a time when there is more rain than snow – and it gets very foggy. It is as if the clouds have descended on the land – giving everything a very mysterious feeling. In many ancient cultures it was believed that God lived in the clouds. So many religious places where built upon a mountain in the midst of the clouds. It is said that we all have those spiritual places where we can go to feel the presence of God. Today, that place may not be in the mountains, but in a church, in fellowship with friends, in prayer, in the sanctuary, sometimes we even find God in our daily routine. One teacher remembers the day one of our students came into class late. She asked him what was going, and he said that his mother had just passed away – and he came to school because that was the place that he needed to be. Where are the places in your life that you can do and feel God’s presence? Sometimes, if there is no other place for us to find God – we can find God in our imagination. Our sanctified imagination – the place where we can picture God, our prayers, the bible in our minds. Thursday, the pastors in our district all got together to meet with the bishop. Most of us there really appreciated his honesty, transparency and willingness to address many elephants in the room. He even gave us a handout of all he had to say – I will have to share this with Debbie and with church council. His talk called Identity, Integrity and Imagination. Church history is being rewritten right before our eyes. He said that so much of the church has been disrupted by the pandemic and other things. Our church has been fairly stable. But about 1/3 of churches all over the country have had to make some serious decisions. And only about 16 churches in our conference have asked to go into discernment in order to disaffiliate with the united methodist church. Once again, nationwide there have been over 1000 who want to leave. With all of that, this is an age of transfiguration. Well, that is an obsolete word. Technically only Moses and Jesus were ever transfigured. But we all have definitely been transformed from the circumstances of our world – if not outright disrupted. In this age of disruption – people are looking for the voice of God. Bishop Scherin said that it is important for us to make sure that the church is that safe space for people to come to find the presence of God. In scripture – Moses had a long history of meeting with God, talking with God. He was the only person to get a glimpse of God. But our scripture is not a story of Moses talking with God by himself. He bought his two nephews, his protege Joshua. And 70 community leaders. It was as if he had a congregational council meeting with God as the leader of the meeting. Our scripture is a part of a bigger story – contained in chapters 19-24. The community was getting bigger, so they needed a set of guidelines to govern themselves. God tells Moses to come up to the mountain to get the laws and to bring the community to ratify the covenant. They all come up to have a meal with God. Eventually Moses and Joshua and a body guard go further up the mountain to talk with God. When it gets cloudy – Moses goes even further up and talks with God for 40 days. But the important part is that this was not the work of just one person, but of the whole congregation. After this encounter, they not only have the ten commandments, but they also start building the first house of God. Everyone had a part in creating that safe space for the people to come to meet God. What about us today? How can we work together to help others feel the presence of God? How can we make sure that God is the heart and soul of our community? The presence of God is not something that we can see or identify – but you can feel it. In Deuteronomy, when Moses first encounters God – he heard a voice, but could see no form in the fire. In others stories – Elijah, Jesus, Paul – they could hear God’s voice very clearly – but couldn’t describe what God looked like. Arthur J. Gossip, was visiting his parishioners in a working district of Glasgow. At four o'clock, after an exhausting day, Gossip stood at the bottom of a fivestory tenement building where one of his parishioners lived on the top floor. It was a long way to the top and he was tired. Promising himself that he would come back tomorrow, Gossip turned to leave. Then he saw a vision. He saw a pair of stooped grey shoulders climbing the steps. He realized it was the Master. A voice seemed to say, "Then I'll have to go alone." Gossip suddenly felt revitalized and started up the steps. "We went together," he reported later. And that is the key to a spiritual life that does not leave usthat does not fade into a distant memory. When God speaks to us – it is usually a command. We are compelled to take some action – to move forward, to call someone, to get up and do something, or to come here. In our scripture, God told Moses to come to the mountain and wait. This story parallels with the gospel of Matthew when Jesus is called to go to the mountain with his disciples. The clouds appear and God says this is my beloved son listen to him. God’s command is listen. When God speaks there is always a command, but there is also a gift. God always tells us who God is, but God also tells us who we are. We get out identity through obeying God. When we met with bishop this week his talk was entitled he told us his call story. His name is Dan Schwerin – rhymes with tangerine. He told us how he felt God speak to him when he was 17. He also reminded us who we are as United Methodist – a biblical, conventenal, grace grounded, mission driven justice seeking global movement always renewed by Identity, integrity and imagination. Most clergy really appreciated our time meeting the bishop – who is soft spoken and very new in his identity as a bishop – but very transparent and willing to address several elephants in the room. I will have to share his worksheet with Debbie and the church council. But we have to find our identity as individuals, but most importantly as the church. What If? What if the church lived out its life in such a way others could not help but see it? What if Christians were so different that society became long-neck gawkers when looking to see the working of the congregation? What if Christians were the people at which children and adults pointed their fingers and said, “Hey, look at that!”? What if we so lived the love, salvation, peace, and hope of God that we seemed out of place in the world around us? What if we were truly transformed into the very people of God? Wouldn’t it be fun, exciting and wonderful if people were lining the sidewalks around our churches just to see what makes us so odd? Stephen E. Loftis, Transfigured My last story is an old legend… There is a modern parable. In this parable Jesus goes walking one day along the streets of a big city. He roams rather aimlessly, letting his feet take him where they will--the way you or I might do when we're just out walking. On his walk, he sees many people and many things, but only three stay on his mind. When he returns home that night, God the Father asks, "Did you enjoy your walk today, My Son? Did you see anything interesting?" Jesus answers, "Oh yes, Father, I enjoyed the walk and three times I saw myself along the way. The first time, I saw myself in a priest walking along with his hands clasped and muttering to himself. He was in much anguish for his people. The second time, I saw myself in a lonely lad who used his "˜street smarts' as a means of survival. He was an accomplished pickpocket. The third time was when I saw myself in a woman with a child in each hand. Her husband had left her and she struggled to love and care for her children without the help of their father." Whereupon, the following dialogue takes place between Jesus and the Father. . . . "When will you ever learn, My Son?" the Father says with a sigh. "But I did learn, Father," Jesus replies. "Did I not send you to earth, My only Son, to tell them about My goodness, and My love?" asks the Father. "Yes, Father," Jesus says, "and I did. But I also listened, and they told Me about their pain." "Is not their pain of their own choosing?" the Father asks. Jesus answers, "Father, whatever it comes from, pain is pain." Sternly now, the Father says, "My Son, You let your human heart carry you away." "Yes Father, I did," Jesus whispers. Then the Father smiles, and reaches out and embraces His Son, happy that His son went walking in the big city streets that day. (4) Moses came down from the mountain and gave us the law; Jesus came down from the mountain and gave us himself. We have been called to create safe space for all of God’s children to come and feel the presence of God. Amen. Song Christ Whose Glory Fills the Skies UMH 173 Pastoral Prayer for Transfiguration Sunday Gracious God, God of the covenant, the cloud of your splendor and the fire of your love revealed your Son on the mountain heights. As your Son drew apart to be in prayer with you, we offer our prayers for the transformation of the world and the church. We pray that as we gather around the table we may be transformed by the grace of Christ. We pray that the food we bring will be used to show the love that you have for us and all creation. We pray that today we may be a living sacrifice for those who need to know the truth of your life-giving Gospel. Holy Father, mighty and immortal, you are beyond our knowing, yet we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ, whose compassion illumines the world. Transform us into the likeness of the love of Christ, who renewed our humanity so that we may share in his divinity. Help us to share the risk and challenge of living our faith. By your Spirit, turn our fear to courage and our confusion to confidence Sovereign Lord, Father of all in the power of the Holy Spirit, grant to us the strength to turn our face toward Jerusalem to bear our cross, so that your glory and love and mercy may be revealed. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. — posted on I’m Just Saying by mrawle2000, a United Methodist Elder in the Louisiana Conference. Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment Invitation to the Offering Can you call to mind a time in your life when you were so inspired, you wanted to move mountains? Some moment when you were so filled with gratitude you were willing to respond with super generosity? We hear of Peter’s moment on the mountain, seeing Jesus “transfigured” (changed into glory in the presence of Moses and Elijah), which led to Peter’s offer to build three dwellings; one for each of these heroes of faith. Matthew records the remarkable story of God breaking into that moment, claiming Jesus as God’s own Son and instructing the disciples to listen to Jesus. And the three disciples responded with fear! You may find fear a first response to your desire for super generosity. However, Jesus spoke into the moment, with the familiar words, “do not be afraid”. Today, I want to speak those words to you, as well. Do not be afraid to respond in gratitude, with super generosity, to your own moment of recognizing the amazing blessing we’ve received: this gift of life. It will not last forever, so I encourage you to respond with gratitude, as you offer your most generous gifts for Christ’s work here and to the ends of the earth. Prayer of Thanksgiving Loving God, we offer you the gift of our lives, recognizing all you provide for each of us. Please receive the symbols of each of our lives presented in this offering. And accept, as well, the good intentions of our hearts and minds as we offer you our time and talent, that we might live in gratitude rather than in fear. AMEN (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook May the shining radiance of God warm you. May the dazzling splendor of God surprise you. And the glory of God transform you. May you come up to the mountaintop. May you remember the experience with wonder and awe. And may you come down renewed and empowered For the glory of God and the hope of the world. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Rev. Dr. Cheryl Lindsay) Community Time Benediction (2 Peter 1, Matthew 17) Walk in light and truth. See the light of Christ in every face. Be the light of Christ to all you meet. Amen. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Deborah Sokolove) Additional Illustrations Children know that kind of exhilaration instinctively. In his book SERMON IN STONE, Mel Ellis tells of a class of geography students. They had taken a tour of the earth by book. At the end of the semester they were asked to list what they considered the Seven Wonders of the World. The top picks were the following: Egypt's Great Pyramid, the Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon, the Panama Canal, the Empire State Building, St. Peter's Basilica, and China's Great Wall. While tallying the votes, the teacher noticed that one little girl had not turned in a paper. She approached the student and asked if she was having problems with her list. The girl responded, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." The teacher replied, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help." Reluctantly, the little girl stood up and began to read her paper. "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are to touch and to taste, to see and to hear, and then to run and to laugh and to love." Can you make a better list of the seven wonders? PITY EVEN MORE THE PERSON WHO YEARNS FOR THE MOUNTAIN OF EXULTATION, BUT REFUSES THE VALLEY OF SERVICE. Once Billy Graham took part in a television show in London that included some wellknown British personalities. The host was discussing the current evangelistic crusade in Earls Court. He askedas they always do"Do all those people who come forward really `last'?" A prominent actress seated next to him didn't like the question. She commented, "What if they don't?" Everyone looked a bit startled, including Graham. She went on: "What if, in all their lives, they have just that one beautiful moment with God as they come and stand at His altar? Isn't that better than nothing?" (2) Well, perhaps. Then again, perhaps not. Some people have a mountaintop experience and they exclaim, "This is it!" And they think they have captured the essence of the Christian faith in a bottle that they can slip in their pocket and take back home with them. Later they open the bottle on Easter or Christmas eve, and they find it empty. The experience has not lasted. It is now but a pleasant, though distant memory. But, because they have been on the mountain even for a moment, they think they possess the real thing. They think they know what it is to follow Jesus. It might be better if they had never ascended the mountain if they have substituted a momentary experience for a lifetime of discipleship. The mountaintop is not enough. Christ still walks that valley today. Bear with me for a moment while I draw a parallel to the world of faith. TO SOME CHRISTIANS, FAITH THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE AN ELEMENT OF MYSTICAL EXPERIENCE IS NO FAITH AT ALL! It is like a rose that has no scent. Have you noticed that many people today seem to be hungry for some experience of the supernatural? The dramatic upswing of interest in the existence of angels, of witches, of near death experiences, etc. speak of a longing that people have to go beyond the merely rational. Francis Caponi, a Roman Catholic priest, was drawing parallels between Elvis Presley and Jesus Christ. He noted an interesting phenomenon. "Both of their figures," he said, "are discerned in billboards, refrigerator rust stains, [and] strangely shaped vegetables." (5) He was referring, of course, to those strange reports that pop up from time to time of apparitions of Mary, of Jesus, even of Elvis. Be careful. Our minds have a tendency to organize reality in a way that does not always fit the facts. John Mowery tells the story of a mountain climber who was desperate to conquer one of the world's great mountains. He initiated his climb after years of preparation. But he wanted the glory to himself; therefore, he went up alone. He started climbing and it was becoming later, and later. He did not prepare for camping but decided to keep on going. Soon it got dark . . . night fell with heaviness at a very high altitude. Visibility was zero. Everything was black. There was no moon, and the stars were blocked by clouds. As he was climbing a ridge at about 100 meters from the top, this proud climber slipped and fell. Falling rapidly he could only see blotches of darkness that passed. He felt a terrible sensation of being sucked in by gravity. He kept falling . . . and in those anguishing moments good and bad memories passed through his mind. He thought certainly he would die. But then he felt a jolt that almost tore him in half. Yes! Like any good mountain climber he had staked himself with a long rope tied to his waist. In those moments of stillness, suspended in the air he had no other choice but to shout, "HELP ME, GOD! HELP ME!" All of a sudden he heard a deep voice from heaven. "What do you want me to do?" "SAVE ME," he cried. "Do you REALLY think that I can save you?" asked the voice. "OF COURSE, MY GOD," he replied. "Then cut the rope that is holding you up," said the voice. There was another moment of silence and stillness. The man just held tighter to the rope. The rescue team says that the next day they found a frozen mountain climber hanging strongly to a rope . . . Two feet off the ground. (5) Someone today in this room is hanging two feet off the ground. You are facing a tough, uphill battle. You are lonely and you are scared. But you have not been able to let go and let God. I pray that you will let go of the rope. You are not alone in this universe. Someone has come into this world from another world. Someone knows what you are going through. He has suffered too. He is who He says He is. Won't you trust Him with your life?

A Word from God

December 10, 2017 Isaiah 40:1-11 Second Sunday of Advent A Word from God Year B Children’sTime Preparation: Read (or re-read) all or part of Psalm 85 Lesson: Can anyone tell me what a “blessing” is? . . . A blessing is something good given to us, usually from God. What blessings do you have in your life? . . . parents, homes, church, food, shelter, friends, etc. In Psalms 85, we read about some other blessings. “Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.” That sounds kind of silly, doesn’t it--righteousness and peace kiss each other”? This is the Psalmist’s way of saying that if we love God, our lives will turn out right and we can be calm trusting God. The night that Jesus was born, the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those God favors” (New Living Translation). They were telling us that God gives us peace if we love Him. How do you show your love to God? (obeying parents, reading the Bible, praying, being here in church this morning) Remember that God showed His love for us by giving us a blessing of peace. Dynamic Preaching, Children's Sermons, by King Duncan Isaiah 40:1-11Common English Bible (CEB) Comfort for God’s people 40 Comfort, comfort my people! says your God. 2 Speak compassionately to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her compulsory service has ended, that her penalty has been paid, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins! 3 A voice is crying out: “Clear the LORD’s way in the desert! Make a level highway in the wilderness for our God! 4 Every valley will be raised up, and every mountain and hill will be flattened. Uneven ground will become level, and rough terrain a valley plain. 5 The LORD’s glory will appear, and all humanity will see it together; the LORD’s mouth has commanded it.” 6 A voice was saying: “Call out!” And another[a] said, “What should I call out?” All flesh is grass; all its loyalty is like the flowers of the field. 7 The grass dries up and the flower withers when the LORD’s breath blows on it. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass dries up; the flower withers, but our God’s word will exist forever. 9 Go up on a high mountain, messenger Zion! Raise your voice and shout, messenger Jerusalem! Raise it; don’t be afraid; say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” 10 Here is the LORD God, coming with strength, with a triumphant arm, bringing his reward with him and his payment before him. 11 Like a shepherd, God will tend the flock; he will gather lambs in his arms and lift them onto his lap. He will gently guide the nursing ewes. Footnotes: a. Isaiah 40:6 MT; DSS (1QIsaa), LXX I Common English Bible (CEB) Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible In the middle of my sermon prep, I looked on my blog to see what I written 4 different sermons on Isaiah 40. I have been a solo pastor preaching every Sunday, since 2007. And as I looked back, each time this verse came up, I have preached on it. Before that time I was an Associate, pastor, so I will have to look even further to see how many time I preached on it, those sermons are not online, so I didn’t have easy access to them. But obviously, this is a very important message to me. I think that it is a very important message for advent. Besides it being the words to a song in Handel’s Messiah – it is one of the most well known verses in the bible and one of the most well quoted of all verses in the world – Comfort Ye, Comfort Ye my people. This is the first chapter in what is known as Second Isaiah. Chapters 40-55. The entire book of Isaiah is 66 chapters. But those chapters cover a timespan of over 600 years of history. So experts tend to believe that Isaiah was written by as many as three different people who were addressing three different difficult times in the history of Israel. They are amazed, that even though there are three distinct styles of writing in the book, they all seem to have one complete message and theme, that is why it is just called Isaiah. The message of Isaiah is one of love and forgiveness in the midst of sin, and hope in the midst of a dark time. Things have been rough, but it will get better. God Godself will come has heard the cries of the people and will send help, and that help will come in the form of a shepherd King – strong enough to bring justice, yet kind enough to bring mercy to all of the world. This scripture is so rich in its message, I could spend forever telling you about it. But if you read our scripture for today – you will see that it have four distinct messages, with four distinct voices. Interestingly enough, the voice bible tells you who is speaking in each part of the bible. But in these verses it does not use names – each section starts out by saying a Voice cries out. The first voice is God speaking in a court scene in heaven telling the angels to send a message of comfort to hurting people. The second voice is that of an angel who responds and says to send a message to the people to prepare the way for God coming, the third voice is a prophet who reminds that people that God is faithful, and the last voice is another prophet encouraging the people of Jerusalem to not be afraid to spread the message of the coming of God to Earth. This is the prophecy that Mark is telling the world that has been fulfilled. The One that Isaiah speaks of has really come to earth. The One who is both gentle and kind, but strong and mighty. His comfort is like the little girl who came home from a neighbor’s house where her playmate had died. "Why did you go?" questioned her father. "To comfort her mother," replied the little girl. "What could you do to comfort her?" the father continued. His daughter answered, "I climbed into her lap and cried with her." Into the Bethlehem crib God climbs to cry with us, to live with us, to suffer with us, to laugh with us, to die with us. This is the comfort that says much, much more than simply, "I care about you." This is the comfort that moves into our life and takes over, overwhelming us with His love and mercy. Jesus is coming to the world – as a little baby to transform the world. And there is so much for us to do to get ready. We are in the midst of getting ready for Christmas. But Advent tells us that there is even more for us to get ready for. We have to get ready physically, but more importantly we have to get ready spiritually. We have all heard the familiar words of Isaiah 40 - make a level highway for God. Fill in the valleys, tear down the mountains and hills, make the crooked places straight and the rough places plain so that the Lord can get through. This would have rung a familiar cord with the original audience of second Isaiah. He was writing to the Isrealites who would have been taken to Babylon as prisoners, and who longed to go home to Isreael, but they knew there was nothing to go home to. They would have watched every year as the Gods of Babylon were paraded through the streets. This parade was just as popular as the Macy’s thanksgiving parade. Every year Marduk the God of Babylon was paraded through the streets. He would start in the countryside and them come down a special highway in the capital city. He was always first in the parade throughout the land, and them the Gods of those people who were conquered would follow behind. It was mandated that the roads that he traveled on had to be perfect in order for him to pass through. Roads had to be widened, paved, straightened in order for the God’s to come through. Every time I drive down 102 – I cant help but to think – this is so not the road that Isaiah was talking about. The road is not supposed to accommodate the river, the river is supposed to accommodate the road. A straight, wide smooth road. But I digress. I am sure that every year that the Isrealites stood on the side and watched this parade they felt left out. They would not dare make an image of God to parade down the streets. And yet what would it be like, if that parade was for our God and not theirs. And here, God says – prepare the roads because I am coming – not as stone, but as a living breathing person. God is coming to town! Advent is one big construction project for us. We have some mountains to tear down, mountains of hatred, and oppression and exclusion. We have some valleys to fill in – Valleys of poverty, and sickness to. We have some crooked people who need to be straightened out. And some rough situations that need to be smoothed out – there is a lot of work that needs to be done on this world, in this church, in our lives. One of the first lines of the prophecy says a voice is crying out – prepare a way for the Lord. One of the last lines in the prophecy is do not be afraid to speak. Whenever the divine comes in contact with the people – the first thing said is always do not be afraid. Whenever God speaks, God says – do not be afraid. Just do what I tell you – it will all be okay. God knows that life is hard, God knows that we are looking for answers, God knows that people are struggling. This is why God sent his son to us – to make things better. Like a shepherd God will tend his flock. He is coming with strength. Only God can overcome all circumstances to bring love to the world. What then will be the word that we speak at Advent? It will be a word of hope. Mother Teresa related an encounter she had with an old man in Calcutta: "Who is this Christ of Mother Teresa's?" "He's our Guru, old man, our Lord and our God." "What God is this?" "He's a God of love, old man. He loves all of us -- me and you too!" "How could he love me, Mem Sahib? He doesn't even know me." "Oh, yes, he does! Didn't he reach out across the city for you? Didn't he send his Sisters to the slums of Motijhil to bring you here? Doesn't he love you then, old man?" After a pause the old man said: "Could I love him, do you think?" This advent we have a lot of work to do, this is a huge construction project and we need all hands on deck in order to prepare the King’s highway – to get the message out – that the Lord is coming right here to bring comfort to the people. Let us pray…… Additional Sermon Illustrations….. "Of course you could -- it's easy to love him -- we'll love him together, old man, but sleep now. We'll talk again in the morning. Sleep now old man."2 s like a story that Philip Yancey tells about the composer Beethoven, a man not known for social grace. Because of his deafness, Beethoven found conversation difficult and humiliating. When he heard of the death of a friend's son, Beethoven hurried to the house, overcome with grief. He had no words of comfort to offer. But he saw a piano in the room. For the next half hour he played the piano, pouring out his emotions in the most eloquent way he could. When he finished playing, he left. The friend later remarked that no one else's visit had meant so much." (2) Let me ask you a question. Which means the most in our lives presents as in gifts or presence as in someone being there for us? When we are children, we think it is the gifts that make Christmas. As we become adults, we come to see that having someone there who loves us and whom we can love is far more important. God comes to us and comforts us. People without a country. Fathers and mothers trying to hold their frustrated families together by telling and re-telling the ancient stories of the good old days in far-off Jerusalem, now lying in ruins, the smoke of her ashes still twisting to the sky. People trying to eke out the best existence possible under the thumb of their Babylonian overlords. Those are the people to whom these glorious and triumphant words of Isaiah were first shouted. If you were ever a prisoner of war, or if you were ever someone waiting for a war to be over and a loved one to come home, or if you were in the front lines when the news came, "the war is over," then you can appreciate these words more than the rest of us. One day, a letter came to his desk addressed in shaky handwriting to God. He thought he should open it to see what it was about. He opened it and read these words: Dear God, I am a 93-year-old widow, living on a very small pension. Yesterday someone stole my purse. It had $100 in it, which was all the money I had until my next pension check. Next Sunday is Christmas, and I had invited two of my friends over for dinner. Without that money, I have nothing to buy food with. I have no family to turn to, and you are my only hope. Can you please help me? Sincerely, Edna The postal worker was touched. He showed the letter to his fellow workers. Each of them dug into their wallets and came up with a few dollars. By the time he made the rounds, he had collected $96, which he put into an envelope and sent to the woman. The rest of the day, all of the workers felt a warm glow for the kind thing they had done. Christmas came and went. A few days later another letter came from the old lady addressed to God. All of the workers gathered around while the letter was opened. It read: “Dear God, How can I ever thank you enough for what you did for me? Because of your gift of love, I was able to fix a glorious dinner for my friends. We had a very nice day and I told my friends of your wonderful gift. By the way, there was $4 missing. I think it must have been those thieves at the Post Office. Sincerely, Edna.” (1) Well, the folks at the Post Office tried to help. Helping people is what life is all about, isn’t it? Which brings us to one of the most beautiful passages in the Scriptures. From Isaiah 40:1-11 we read these selected passages: Do you know who Rachel Naomi Remen is? She is Clinical Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. She is especially known for her work with cancer patients and is an outstanding writer. In her book, Kitchen Table Wisdom: Stories That Heal, she tells about an event that changed her life forever. She writes that in the beginning of December the year she turned thirteen, her father declared bankruptcy. It was a devastating thing to happen to their family just before Christmas. The result was that the family that year made homemade Christmas presents for one another instead of exchanging store-bought gifts. Rachel knit a colorful muffler for her Dad, and, using copper wire, she made a bracelet for her Mom. In spite of their financial situation, Remen says, the morning of Christmas was as lively as it had always been--the presents, though they were homemade, where just as festive as ever. Young Rachel ran her eyes over the gifts, and noticed that among them lay a small velvet box. Rachel knew that such a box was not likely to contain something homemade. She looked at it with suspicion. While she looked and wondered what could be inside, she heard her father say to her, “Open it . . . it’s your Christmas present.” Rachel unwrapped the present and found in the small box a pair of twenty four karat gold earrings. To say she was surprised is an understatement. For some 2 minutes, she ran her eyes from her present to her dad. “Come on . . . put them on . . . they’re yours,” said her father. She ran straight into the bathroom, closed the door, and put them on her ears. Cautiously she looked into the mirror. Then something sad happened. All Rachel could see was how absurd those expensive earrings looked on her homely face. With tears rushing down her cheeks, she headed straight to where she had left her father. “How could you do this?” she shrieked at her father. “Why are you making fun of me? Take them back. They look stupid. I’m too ugly to wear them. How could you waste all this money?” She flung the earrings to the floor and burst into tears. All this while, her dad said nothing. Then he came to her, cuddled her in his arms and whispered, “I know they don’t look right now. I bought them because someday they will suit you perfectly.” Rachel Naomi Remen writes, “I am truly grateful to have survived my adolescence. At some of its lowest moments, I would get out the box and look at the earrings. My father had spent a hundred dollars he did not have because he believed in the person I was becoming. It was something to hold on to.” (4) Young Rachel was comforted by those new earrings because they symbolized her father’s love for her. And, of course, that is the meaning of Christmas. “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son . . .” And that is why we exchange gifts with one another. Christ came to us not because we deserve it, nor because he approves of everything we are or have done. He came because of his Father’s great love for us. Take a few moment this Christmas to listen again to the opening lines of Handel’s Messiah. Listen as the tenor sets the mood: “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned.” Then continue to listen as he sings, “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness; prepare ye the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Then listen as moves into a brief aria: “Ev’ry valley shall be exalted, and ev’ry mountain and hill made low; the crooked straight and the rough places plain.” Then you will hear the entire choir break into that glorious refrain: “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” What good news to all those who have ever needed to be forgiven. I believe, friends, it’s good news for you and me. Eleanor Roosevelt kept a crushing schedule of appointments with good organizations, human and civil rights organizations and all sorts of charities. You remember that she got a reputation in her latter years for being a "do-gooder". She spent all of her time giving support to organizations that she felt were doing good for human kind. Even when she was old and physically frail, she kept doing it. There is a story about her coming to a meeting that was on her schedule. She was worn out, completely exhausted. Her friend begged her to forego the engagement and go home for rest. But stubborn Eleanor would not respond. A man greeted her and opened the door of her car. She said to him, "You'll have to help me out. My head is heavy." She was so frail, and had been so busy, that her energy was gone and she was dizzy; she couldn't walk on her own. She got out and stood by him and said, "You'll have to steady me as I walk." He took her arms and they walked toward the crowd. As she approached the crowd, a little black girl with her arms filled with flowers came up to Mrs. Roosevelt. Mrs. Roosevelt took the flowers and said to her friend who had scolded her for over-work, "You see, I had to come, I was expected." If a human being like Eleanor Roosevelt is that faithful, how much more faithful is the Lord Jesus Christ. He will come, if you expect Him, and you will be aware of his coming if you prepare by being hopeful and joyful, and by living patiently. I remember some years ago taking one of my first walks in San Francisco with my then three-year-old twins. I looked at the map, and it didn't seem like such a big deal to go from one place to the other. After all, it looked flat on the map! But as my wife and I began the trek we quickly realized that this was going to be no easy stroll. Shouldering backpacks filled with three-year-old paraphernalia and dragging tired twins behind, we climbed high and hiked low. We were quickly exhausted. We stood on the corner, with children crying and the two of us questioning our sanity, wondering what we would do next when a taxicab pulled up right beside us. I leaned into the window as the driver stretched across the passenger seat. We met eye-to-eye, nose to nose. "Where are you going?" he said. We didn't have much money, and I stammered as much back to him. "I didn't ask you about money," he said. "You're my free fare of the day! Every day I give one free ride, and you folks look like you could use it." He couldn't have been more right. We climbed into the cab and the steep San Francisco hills melted away as we glided to our destination. "Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low ..." (Isaiah 40:4a). That day, those words somehow began to mean a little more. I learned that the steep hills we must climb and the low places we have to navigate can be made easier with the help of human hands. I don't know about you, but I would like to know exactly what's expected here. What does it mean to "prepare the way of the Lord?" All this talk about straight highways, lowered mountains, and raised up valleys. It's like we're supposed to be some major construction company for God. It may work for some, but my own self-image doesn't involve bulldozers and highway crews. I'm more the "let's sit down and talk over a cup of coffee" kind of guy.

The Voice of God still Speaks (II)

Psalm 29 Mark 1:4-11 The Baptism of the Lord Year B The Voice of God Still Speaks The story of the drunk man and the plunge A church is at a river, some of its members are being baptized. Along walks a drunk man, which disturbs the pastor. The irritated pastor grabs the man and tells him he needs to find Jesus. He dunks him in the water, and asks if he has found Jesus. No replies the man, so the pastor dunks him again. Have you found Jesus the pastor Asks. At no, the man is dunked again and gives the same no answer. Upset, the pastor dunks him again and leaves him down there for almost a minute. Have you found Jesus yet? Asks the pastor. No says that man, are you sure this is where he fell in? That is the question of the day – Have you found Jesus? Where have you found Jesus in your life? What is the best place for you to go- and to know that Jesus will be. Jesus is found in communion and baptism In the church there are two places that we can go and know that Jesus will be there. We know that we can come here, and find Jesus in the singing, on our praying, in listening to the word. We can find Jesus in our praise. We can find Jesus in our children. We can find Jesus in the wonderful and special times and places in our lives. But for the church, there are two very special places that Jesus invites us to come. Two special sacraments – that the presence of God is with us. Communion and baptism Mark starts his story with baptism It is interesting that Mark begins with the baptism of Jesus – not the birth, not the childhood. Not even with the word. Mark chapter 1:1 says – the beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah as it it written in Isaiah the prophet. Today as we begin our journey into Mark – we hear the story of how Jesus was baptized. His cousin John is out in the wilderness, all to come and listen to him and to repent and believe in God. Jesus comes to the water, comes to baptism – because that is the place in his life where he knows he can be close to God. John says that Jesus was with God in the beginning. He was not a sinner, He did not need John’s call of repentance. And yet he needed to hear God’s voice. He needed to know that God would be with him on the journey. And as he comes out of the water – the spirit of God says you are my son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased. Jesus baptism important This has to be an important step in Jesus live and his ministry, because this event is notes in all four gospel stories. Mark is the only one that makes this a personal event. God talks to Jesus and says you are my son, not this is my beloved son. Jesus needs to hear those words of affirmation in order to go forward and start his ministry. Jesus has to come to the water in order to hear the voice of God. The voice of God is over the waters Psalm 29 says the voice of the lord is over the waters, the god of glory thunders. The lord thunders over the mighty waters. I think of looking over a still body of water, and looking and seeing the clouds hovering over the water. Before a storm hits – you can look over the waters, and see the clouds and the wind hovering over about to cause a storm. In Hebrew the spirit and the wind are the same word – ruach. When the ruach, the spirit of God blows into our lives – things start to happen, things start to change. When wind start to move the water- then a cool breeze starts to flow into our lives. In the summer, whenever I can feel a storm coming, I come out and welcome it, because it brings a fresh breeze into my life. There is something about wind storms and water, that speak God in a way that nothing else can. I go back to psalm 29 – the voice of the lord is over the waters. That is why water is the most important part of our baptism. The spirit of God is always in the water. Waters in the civil rights movement During the civil rights movement, when police aimed fire hose at protesters to discourage them, Martin Luther King said, we may not understand their motives for aiming water at us, but that is okay – as we march together in unity as Christians, we now the water. If we are Baptist, we are immersed in it, if we are Methodist, we are sprinkled in it, but as long as we are Christian, we know water, and whatever their motive for dousing us, we know that God is in the water. Clinton and repentance Even Bill Clinton understood the importance of the waters of baptism. When he was impeached, and all of the scandalous behavior that he was involved in came to light. He made a statement to the nation about repentance. About turning around and starting a new life. Clinton read this passage from the book: "Now is the time for turning. The leaves are beginning to turn from green to red to orange. The birds are beginning to turn and are heading once more toward the south. The animals are beginning to turn to storing their food for the winter. For leaves, birds and animals, turning comes instinctively. But for us, turning does not come so easily. It takes an act of will for us to make a turn. It means breaking old habits. It means admitting that we have been wrong, and this is never easy. It means losing face. It means starting all over again. And this is always painful. It means saying I am sorry. It means recognizing that we have the ability to change. These things are terribly hard to do. But unless we turn, we will be trapped forever in yesterday's ways." Clinton's quote ended with this prayer: "Lord help us to turn, from callousness to sensitivity, from hostility to love, from pettiness to purpose, from envy to contentment, from carelessness to discipline, from fear to faith. Turn us around, O Lord, and bring us back toward you. Revive our lives as at the beginning and turn us toward each other, Lord, for in isolation there is no life." That was the message that John was trying to get all to learn as he preached of one who was coming that was greater than he. That coming to God, meant turning away from yourself and your behavior. When we come to the waters of baptism it is time for us to turn around from self centeredness to community, from jealousy to understanding, from resentment to love. And the list goes on for us today. Little boy begins a new life A little boy came to his third grade Sunday school teacher after class one day. She had talked about baptism to the class, encouraging the kids to remember their baptism. He told her that all of his classmates had been baptized, but he had never been baptized. He wanted to be baptized to. But he told her, he did not want to do it in front of the church. He wanted it to be a private affair at the lake, with his best friend. Trying to help him understand the true meaning of baptism. She explained that it had to be done in front of the church. Remembering the story in Mark 1 he replied, but Jesus was baptized by his cousin. So why cant I be baptized by my best friend. But how will people know that I have changed? They will know that I have changed, when they see me acting different. When they see me being a better person, they will know that I have been baptized. Baptism is my chance for a new beginning. She realized that he may not know the true meaning of baptism, but he did understand the truth of baptism. This was not just an act to fit in, he had thought about this and been able to make a decision. And that this was his chance to start all over again, and to begin a new journey in his life. Why did Jesus come to the water? When Jesus came to the water to be baptized by John. He may not have needed to confess his sins and repent. But what he did know it that it was time to begin a new chapter in his life. That it was the time to acknowledge the power of a new start. he knew that the voice of God was hovering over the waters. And that he needed to come to the waters of baptism in order to hear God’s favor upon his life. The abc’s of baptism I want to tell you a little secret. The abc’s of baptism. Repentance, Affirmation, belonging, and continuation. The Christian alphabet starts with R. First of all when we come to the waters, we have to repent. But once we turn to god. We are given the gift of affirmation, belonging, and continuation. We too are given God’s favor, we too are baptized into god mission. We too hear God’s voice speaking to us, saying that we are all his beloved sons and daughters. We are God’s sons and daughters A famous governer talks about growing up in the 50’s without a father. Single parenthood was not so glamourous in those days. So he spent his life in shame. Whenever, he would go to church, he would always leave by the back so that he did not have to talk to the minister. He did not want to be acknowledged ever. One Christmas, it was so crowded that he could not sneak out the back. He got caught up in the crowd and had to go out the front and pass the minister. Having never seen the boy before, he asked who he was. Whose boy are you asked the minister, who is your father. The little boy was terrified, he had no idea of how to answer that. In his silence, the minister replied – oh yeah I recognize you now – you are God’s son. It was in that moment that the boy recognized the abc’s of baptism. Affirmation, belonging and continuation. No longer did he have to life in shame, he could live in God’s favor. The voice of God still hovers over the waters today. God is still creating today, every day with God is a new day with a new beginning. Every year with God brings us to a new chapter, a new journey with God. When we remember the power of our baptism, we remember the power of God in our lives. God’s voice brings with it peace, harmony, creativity, love, joy and the list goes on. Psalm 29 says the lord sits enthroned over the flood. The lord is enthroned as the lord forever. The lord gives strength to his people, the lord blesses his people with peace. When God speaks, how do you respond. I want us to continue with the commitment phase of our covenant. How will you walk with God this year. This is another tool to think and to pray and to listen with. The true meaning will unfold throughout the year. Amen.

Someone is Calling Your Name

January 10, 2010 Someone is calling your name Isaiah 43:1-7 Luke 3:15-22 Year C The Baptism of the Lord – Second Sunday of Epiphany Hearing Voices Harry Potter heard it, Joan of Arc heard it, and some say that even Jesus heard it. It being a voice that comes from beyond with a message for us. I am in the middle of reading the Harry Potter series – and in the second book the chamber of secrets – Harry Potter is able to hear a voice that no one else can hear. A voice that tells him that someone must be killed. He eventually follows the voice into the chamber of secrets to learn why someone must be killed. Joan of Arc said that she heard voices all the time. The voice of God telling her to do certain things, to fight for justice. Once again, she was the only one who heard that voice. And Jesus hears a voice, a voice which claims him and tells him the he is beloved and doing the right thing. But this time, the voice was for everyone to hear. It was the voice of affirmation. It is a voice that we all listen to today – a voice that tells us that we are also beloved. What it means to be baptized That is what it means to be baptized, to be accepted in the family and told that you are never alone. Not only is God with you, but so are all of us. The family of God. The voices of our world In a world where there is the radio, the television, the computer, the MP3 player, and all sorts of other electronic devices. We can hear a lot of voices – voices that give us lots of messages. Some in our best interest and some not. Henri Nouwen – a catholic priest who teaches spirituality says that in our world there are many voices which ask for our attention. There is a voice which says prove that you are a good person, another which says you should be ashamed of yourself, there is a voice which says nobody really cares about you, and one which says be sure to become successful popular, and powerful. But underneath there is a small still voice that calls us forward to come to the water. The story version of the baptism of Jesus People came from all over to see John. They came from all walks of life, a soldier, a civil servant, a maid. Some walked a long way. Some came because they thought it would be interesting to hear the voice of God after all of these years. Some came to be a part of the crowd. Some came because they thought he was a little weird – no one needs to wear animal clothing anymore. Some came because they were genuinely hungry for God. They felt that if they could just feel God in the water they would be okay – they would be fulfilled. No matter the reason that they came, John had a message for them all. They needed to get ready for the one – the one who was coming. He was baptizing with water, but he would baptize with fire. This one has been spoken of, but never named. John was doing this because God has called him by name to prepare the way. Even with all of the people coming out in the desert to see him – he knew that was no enough – there was something more – but he was not qualified to give it. His job was to be faithful until that one appeared. As each person came to be baptized – John prayed. He held them each under the water, and then prayed that God would fulfill them in some way. Whatever it was they were looking for they would find it, and in return they would give their lives to God. Jesus comes and prays He never expected that the one he was praying for would come to him – Jesus. Jesus came looking to be named, to be empowered, the affirmed. To be confirmed. He had been praying of what to do, and now it was time to go forward. But he wanted to be sure that it was really the voice of God that he was hearing and not the voice of his conscience, or worse yet his ego. After John dipped him into the water he stood there a long time praying. Hoping, listening and as he was praying the skies opened up. And a spirit came upon him like a dove. And there was a beautiful voice that said the words he needed to hear – you are my child, I love you and I am well pleased. Steve’s reaction For some reason when Steve heard that story he ran out of the church. He couldn’t take it. He hated that story. Those were the words that he waited his whole life to hear from his dad – and his dad never said them. And now his dad was gone. He couldn’t explain this to his family who were sitting in the pew next to him. But he talked about it with the pastor after church. The pastor told him to pretend that his dad was still here and he could still talk with him – and tell him how he felt. As he poured out his heart – he remembered the early days of his life – he saw his dad pick him up and tell him that everything was going to be alright – and then he hugged him and then said that was his boy. Steve was able to return home – and to take in the message of powerful acceptance that Jesus received. The effect of hearing the voice We all long to hear that voice of acceptance which tells us that we are loved. That we are not alone. That what we experience in life in not in vain, that we have someone who is with us no matter what. We all long to hear that voice in some way. Sometimes we hear it and sometimes we don’t. It all depends on our life circumstance. The message of baptism is that God sent Christ into our lives – so that we could know that all words that have been spoken to Jesus are intended for us to hear, and to take into our hearts. After Jesus heard the voice – he was able to go on. He was able to fulfill his call, and he knew that he was not just hearing voices – but that he was being led. When we are baptized we are called my name – literally we are called by our name. and we are told that we are loved and that we will be cared for. In calling us – God gives us each a job to do – a meaning a purpose. Through the waters of baptism we have been given to the strength to go forward. The words of Isaiah Isaiah says I have called you by name – when you walk through the waters I will be with you –when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned. And the flame shall not consume you. For I am the lord your god, your savior. Looking up instead of looking in When the people were looking to be saved – like many of us do – they looked up in the sky- waiting for miracle to come down. But the missionary told them that if they wanted to get water, that they needed to dig in the ground. Water for the crops comes from God – from the sky – what was this man doing – he knew that water was in the ground. He dug a well and the crops were saved. We are a lot like those people waiting for water to come into our lives – but for us the living water of salvation. We look in the sky waiting for a miracle to fall down – when the real miracle is down here – way down inside of us. Inside of our hearts. The miracle is in our prayers – our conversations with God. That is where we hear the voice of acceptance. In solitude, silence and a strong determination to listen – we hear that voice which tells us we are beloved. All of us are beloved children of god. The words of Isaiah 43:1-2 as a prayer Instead of saying an individual prayer – I want us to say a collective prayer – everyone needs a partner. First I want you to say the words of Isaiah 43:1 and 2. "(From the beginning).I have redeemed you, ______; I have called you by name, ______, you are mine. When you, ______, pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you, ______; when you walk through fire you, ______, shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." Now I want you to insert the name of your partner as you say each phrase. Talk to them, not to me “God says (From the beginning).I have redeemed you, ______; I have called you by name, ______, you are mine. When you, ______, pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you, ______; when you walk through fire you, ______, shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." Amen.