Thanks everyon for a great week at VBS.
Look for some of the pictures on our web site in the next week as I get them uploaded.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Holy Week, Easter and beyond
Put it on your calendar:
Prayer Vigil from Friday through Saturday.
Easter Breakfast 10am
Easter Worship 11am
Church camp clean up day! – Saturday, May 30
(you are also welcome to come on Friday and stay the night) the camp will provide meals and lodging in exchange for your service.
Holy Week:
These last days before Easter Sunday invite us to walk through the last days of Jesus life and see how the story of death and resurrection intersects with our lives.
Maundy Thursday, 7pm – The importance of service – from foot-washing to global mission.
Good Friday, 7pm – A prayer service walking that lonesome valley.Prayer Vigil from Friday through Saturday.
Easter Sunrise – 7am – Come to the Garden
Easter Worship 9am Easter Breakfast 10am
Easter Worship 11am
Matthew 28:6-8 6 He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.' This is my message for you." 8 So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Places you will NOT find Jesus (Matthew 28:6)
- Jesus is not on the cross. Suffering has been replaced by triumph and resurrection. The cross is intended to be a reminder of where Christ has been, not where Christ is.
- Jesus is not in the tomb. We do not worship a dead hero but a Risen Savior. It has often been said that there is no place we can go to view the bones of Christ.
- Jesus is no longer in Jerusalem. The Savior of the world is not bound by human geography or human limitations. Jesus goes before us in mission in our home communities.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Who Sinned?
John 9:1-2 As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
It is nice that we are past the mindset that earthquakes and floods are punishment from God for our failings. I think we are also past looking at people with physical or mental illnesses as either possessed by evil spirits or suffering the consequences of inherited sin.
We’re not past doubting ourselves, however. “What’s wrong with me? What did I do to deserve this? Why me?”
Jesus answer is the same for us: John 9:3 Neither this man [you] nor his parents sinned; he was born blind [insert your struggles here] so that God's works might be revealed in him [you].
Neither assigning blame nor holding onto the victim status is helpful. Opening ourselves to God’s healing and God’s ability to use our brokenness is the way of eternal life.
Come, worship, and have your eyes opened.
It is nice that we are past the mindset that earthquakes and floods are punishment from God for our failings. I think we are also past looking at people with physical or mental illnesses as either possessed by evil spirits or suffering the consequences of inherited sin.
We’re not past doubting ourselves, however. “What’s wrong with me? What did I do to deserve this? Why me?”
Jesus answer is the same for us: John 9:3 Neither this man [you] nor his parents sinned; he was born blind [insert your struggles here] so that God's works might be revealed in him [you].
Neither assigning blame nor holding onto the victim status is helpful. Opening ourselves to God’s healing and God’s ability to use our brokenness is the way of eternal life.
Come, worship, and have your eyes opened.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Holy Adventure
I haven't been posting her as much these last weeks because I am posting every day on our facebook group page on our Lenten Study. Here, however, is my latest post from that page.
Day 12 – letting the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.
“If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will.” - Abraham Lincoln
In maybe a subtle but important difference I think Jesus would have us say, ‘If you look for the good in people you will surely find it.’
I am aware that I consciously choose to only look at the positive aspects of the Christian church. I don’t feel it is worth my time and energy to dwell on the things I disagree with either in people or in the church at large.
The aspiration is to intentionally choose to see the best in people and life and to look past the imperfections. It's not that we are able to do it perfectly. We still worry and sometimes fixate on our troubles but how much more would the negative aspects of life control us if we didn't seek out the positive affirmations?
Day 12 – letting the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.
“If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will.” - Abraham Lincoln
In maybe a subtle but important difference I think Jesus would have us say, ‘If you look for the good in people you will surely find it.’
I am aware that I consciously choose to only look at the positive aspects of the Christian church. I don’t feel it is worth my time and energy to dwell on the things I disagree with either in people or in the church at large.
The aspiration is to intentionally choose to see the best in people and life and to look past the imperfections. It's not that we are able to do it perfectly. We still worry and sometimes fixate on our troubles but how much more would the negative aspects of life control us if we didn't seek out the positive affirmations?
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Lentent Study
As I look forward to the coming weeks I want to encourage you to get on board with our Lenten Study. Our primary book will be “Holy Adventure; 41 days of audacious living.” The book is available for sale either in paperback cover or electronic edition (which can be read with free software even if you don’t own an e-reader device)
Discussion groups will include a Facebook group (search for “Holy Adventure” under groups. Our full group title is ‘Holy Adventure; Epworth UMC Kalispell Mt.’ We will also have in person discussion groups on Monday mornings and evenings and hopefully between services on Sunday depending on interest and leadership.
This coming Sunday we wrap up the Sermon on the Mount and prepare ourselves for the Lenten season of reflection.
Discussion groups will include a Facebook group (search for “Holy Adventure” under groups. Our full group title is ‘Holy Adventure; Epworth UMC Kalispell Mt.’ We will also have in person discussion groups on Monday mornings and evenings and hopefully between services on Sunday depending on interest and leadership.
This coming Sunday we wrap up the Sermon on the Mount and prepare ourselves for the Lenten season of reflection.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Do not become the evil you resist
We continue this week working our way through the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also;
Matthew 5:44 Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Quick note: this is not ‘Be a doormat and take people’s abuse.’ We are definitely called to “resist evil injustice and oppression whatever forms they present themselves.” (baptismal vows) Paul picks up the important nuance: Romans 12:21 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
I acknowledge a bit of wistful (nostalgic?) yearning for the days of the civil rights marches. I would love to have been of an age to participate more directly in a movement both to change laws and more importantly to change people’s hearts.
It is from Jesus' words (and his exposure to the practices of Mahatma Gandhi) that Martin Luther King, Jr. developed the practice of non-violence as a means of effective protest. Just as Jesus reinterpreted the biblical laws for his day, King put into practice their relevance for his own day. For King and others, Jesus' words were meant to be taken literally. Though not all Christians have responded in this way, a plan to retaliate evil with love was central to King's mission.
I pray for the people in Egypt that they may find freedom through nonviolent resistance. If they use the violent tactics of their oppressors it will just confirm those tactics. Only love builds ‘the beloved community.’ (Kings favorite phrase for what Jesus called the Kingdom of God.)
Matthew 5:38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also;
Matthew 5:44 Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Quick note: this is not ‘Be a doormat and take people’s abuse.’ We are definitely called to “resist evil injustice and oppression whatever forms they present themselves.” (baptismal vows) Paul picks up the important nuance: Romans 12:21 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
I acknowledge a bit of wistful (nostalgic?) yearning for the days of the civil rights marches. I would love to have been of an age to participate more directly in a movement both to change laws and more importantly to change people’s hearts.
It is from Jesus' words (and his exposure to the practices of Mahatma Gandhi) that Martin Luther King, Jr. developed the practice of non-violence as a means of effective protest. Just as Jesus reinterpreted the biblical laws for his day, King put into practice their relevance for his own day. For King and others, Jesus' words were meant to be taken literally. Though not all Christians have responded in this way, a plan to retaliate evil with love was central to King's mission.
I pray for the people in Egypt that they may find freedom through nonviolent resistance. If they use the violent tactics of their oppressors it will just confirm those tactics. Only love builds ‘the beloved community.’ (Kings favorite phrase for what Jesus called the Kingdom of God.)
Monday, February 14, 2011
No Abuse Policy
Valentine’s Day is coming soon. How good are you at showing love?
Sometimes we pat ourselves on the back for not committing adultery, and yet create primary relationships with work, sports, or even the internet, rather than our spouse. Are we really morally superior to anyone else? Unless you’re better than former president Jimmy Carter you are in no place to judge others.
Matthew 5:27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Jesus has a remarkable way of holding up a zero tolerance for anger, violence and betrayal while taking away our ability to sit in moralizing judgment of others. All are in need of the Grace of God. All are called to a life of perfection in love.
The challenge in this week’s worship is not to get lost in guilt and fear of punishment but to seek that “pathway of personal integrity which joins the inner and outer life. What we think about and our emotional lives shape how we act. Small things – like anger – are in a continuum with dangerous actions such as murder. Jesus is not denying our emotional life or personal attractions, or asking us to repress our feelings, but reminding us that we need to educate our emotions and thoughts – that what we feel and think has an impact on our overall well-being. Integrity involves the integration of the inner and outer life in ways that are life-giving for us and others. We can experience a healing of memories, emotions, and thoughts that enable us to move from alienation to reconciliation and learn to live by love and not fear.” (Bruce Epperly)
Sometimes we pat ourselves on the back for not committing adultery, and yet create primary relationships with work, sports, or even the internet, rather than our spouse. Are we really morally superior to anyone else? Unless you’re better than former president Jimmy Carter you are in no place to judge others.
Matthew 5:27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Jesus has a remarkable way of holding up a zero tolerance for anger, violence and betrayal while taking away our ability to sit in moralizing judgment of others. All are in need of the Grace of God. All are called to a life of perfection in love.
The challenge in this week’s worship is not to get lost in guilt and fear of punishment but to seek that “pathway of personal integrity which joins the inner and outer life. What we think about and our emotional lives shape how we act. Small things – like anger – are in a continuum with dangerous actions such as murder. Jesus is not denying our emotional life or personal attractions, or asking us to repress our feelings, but reminding us that we need to educate our emotions and thoughts – that what we feel and think has an impact on our overall well-being. Integrity involves the integration of the inner and outer life in ways that are life-giving for us and others. We can experience a healing of memories, emotions, and thoughts that enable us to move from alienation to reconciliation and learn to live by love and not fear.” (Bruce Epperly)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Human Relations
The United Methodist Church worldwide designates this coming Sunday as “Human Relations Day.” It is one of 6 special Sundays of the year. It is timed intentionally to coincide with Martin Luther King Day but this year it seems especially relevant in light of the shootings in Arizona last week. (Also: January 11 is recognized around the world as Human Trafficking Awareness Day and “Call+Response,” a documentary film that goes undercover to expose the global slave trade, will be shown at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, at Whitefish Middle School Auditorium.)
The Sojourner’s faith community (http://www.sojo.net/) is promoting a “Peace and Civility Pledge. (see text below or follow the link)
While these national issues are extremely important they sometimes feel out of sync with the day to day issues of personal life.
Most of my time this week has been devoted to pastoral care with several people in the hospital and preparing for Arlene Barry-Fry’s Funeral this Friday at 11am. We also sent our daughter, Melissa, back to Bozeman for college and had a tense afternoon/evening waiting for news from their minor car accident along the way. (No one appears seriously injured and they did make it into Bozeman finally)
I’m not sure how these two steams of life come together or if they do. Sometimes our society objectives and our personal agendas are very different. Still, it is the journey of Life that God has given us. We just do our best to keep following God’s guiding light.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Peace and Civility Pledge
The church can offer a message of hope and reconciliation to a nation that is hurting and deeply divided. We urge those who claim the name of Christ to "put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:31-32).
We pledge to God and to each other that we will lead by example in a country where civil discourse and peacemaking are rare. We will work to model a better way in how we treat each other in our many communities, across religious and political lines. We will strive to create safe and sacred spaces for common prayer and community discussion as we come together to seek God's will for our nation and our world.
1.) We believe Jesus' teaching that "Blessed are those who make peace" (Matthew 5:9). We acknowledge that most of us have been guilty of violence in our hearts and with our tongues. We hold ourselves to the higher standard to which Christ called us: to refrain from not only physical violence but violence of the heart and tongue. "Do not commit murder. Anyone who murders will be judged for it," and "Do not be angry with your brother or sister" (Mathew 5:22-23).
2.) We commit that our dialogue with each other will reflect the spirit of the Scriptures, which tell us, in relating to each other, to be "quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry" (James 1:19).
3.) We believe that each of us, and our fellow human beings, are created in the image of God. This belief should be reflected in the honor and respect we show to each other, particularly in how we speak. "With the tongue we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God....this ought not to be so" (James 3:9,10).
4.) We pledge that when we disagree, we will do so respectfully, without falsely impugning the other's motives, attacking the other's character, or questioning the other's faith. We will be mindful of our language, being neither arrogant nor boastful in our beliefs as we strive to "be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2).
5.) We recognize that we cannot function together as citizens of the same community, whether local or national, unless we are mindful of how we treat each other. Each of us must therefore "put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body" (Ephesians 4:25).
6.) We commit to pray for our political leaders - those with whom we agree or disagree. "I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made -- for kings and all who are in high positions" (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
7.) We believe that it is more difficult to hate others, even adversaries and enemies, when we are praying for them. We commit to pray for each other, those with whom we agree and those with whom we may disagree, so that we may be faithful witnesses to our Lord, who prayed "that they may be one" (John 17:22).
Affirmed and signed by,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
The Sojourner’s faith community (http://www.sojo.net/) is promoting a “Peace and Civility Pledge. (see text below or follow the link)
While these national issues are extremely important they sometimes feel out of sync with the day to day issues of personal life.
Most of my time this week has been devoted to pastoral care with several people in the hospital and preparing for Arlene Barry-Fry’s Funeral this Friday at 11am. We also sent our daughter, Melissa, back to Bozeman for college and had a tense afternoon/evening waiting for news from their minor car accident along the way. (No one appears seriously injured and they did make it into Bozeman finally)
I’m not sure how these two steams of life come together or if they do. Sometimes our society objectives and our personal agendas are very different. Still, it is the journey of Life that God has given us. We just do our best to keep following God’s guiding light.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Peace and Civility Pledge
The church can offer a message of hope and reconciliation to a nation that is hurting and deeply divided. We urge those who claim the name of Christ to "put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:31-32).
We pledge to God and to each other that we will lead by example in a country where civil discourse and peacemaking are rare. We will work to model a better way in how we treat each other in our many communities, across religious and political lines. We will strive to create safe and sacred spaces for common prayer and community discussion as we come together to seek God's will for our nation and our world.
1.) We believe Jesus' teaching that "Blessed are those who make peace" (Matthew 5:9). We acknowledge that most of us have been guilty of violence in our hearts and with our tongues. We hold ourselves to the higher standard to which Christ called us: to refrain from not only physical violence but violence of the heart and tongue. "Do not commit murder. Anyone who murders will be judged for it," and "Do not be angry with your brother or sister" (Mathew 5:22-23).
2.) We commit that our dialogue with each other will reflect the spirit of the Scriptures, which tell us, in relating to each other, to be "quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry" (James 1:19).
3.) We believe that each of us, and our fellow human beings, are created in the image of God. This belief should be reflected in the honor and respect we show to each other, particularly in how we speak. "With the tongue we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God....this ought not to be so" (James 3:9,10).
4.) We pledge that when we disagree, we will do so respectfully, without falsely impugning the other's motives, attacking the other's character, or questioning the other's faith. We will be mindful of our language, being neither arrogant nor boastful in our beliefs as we strive to "be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2).
5.) We recognize that we cannot function together as citizens of the same community, whether local or national, unless we are mindful of how we treat each other. Each of us must therefore "put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body" (Ephesians 4:25).
6.) We commit to pray for our political leaders - those with whom we agree or disagree. "I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made -- for kings and all who are in high positions" (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
7.) We believe that it is more difficult to hate others, even adversaries and enemies, when we are praying for them. We commit to pray for each other, those with whom we agree and those with whom we may disagree, so that we may be faithful witnesses to our Lord, who prayed "that they may be one" (John 17:22).
Affirmed and signed by,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
By Another Road
Matthew 2:10-12 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
It seems the new year never fails to bring with it opportunities for generosity. Last year it was the earthquake in Haiti. This year we have already seen an earthquake in Chile, given generously to make Christmas better for many families and intensified the reality that the newly acquired properties are significantly underwater and costing a additional 15% to the church budget. These are current needs. And then a week from Sunday (Jan 16) is Human Relations Day, one of the six special Sundays with offerings in the United Methodist Church and on Jan 23rd are sponsoring a pancake breakfast to help Phil and Judy Lundquist’s grandson, Koby, have a van that is adapted to take a wheelchair.
For me the word "opportunity" is the key word. We're not called to have shakedowns on Sunday morning, nor are we called to lay a guilt trip on ourselves. On the other hand, I learned long ago that it wasn't my right to deny others the opportunity to give to these special circumstances and projects. It was my responsibility simply to tell the story and offer the invitation.
This Sunday’s worship theme will lift up the story of the magi and their gifts in response to their overwhelming joy, but the major focus will be on their insight to go along their way ‘by another road.’
By another road - Steve Hermes
I knew the way ahead.
I studied the maps.
I planned out the route.
Then I plugged in the destination into my GPS (God’s Pointing Star)
Recalculating …
How dare God suggest an alternative route!
I am in control!
I already put down a deposit on the motel along my route.
My route is quick and direct and arrives at my desired destination.
Recalculating …
How do we recognize when it is time to turn down a different road or how do we adapt when the road ahead has changed on us (at least from what we expected). Our trust is that God is the road builder. Maybe the scenic route is the point of the journey. We might end up where we thought we were going. We might end up at a surprising destination of God's choosing.
Follow that Star.
It seems the new year never fails to bring with it opportunities for generosity. Last year it was the earthquake in Haiti. This year we have already seen an earthquake in Chile, given generously to make Christmas better for many families and intensified the reality that the newly acquired properties are significantly underwater and costing a additional 15% to the church budget. These are current needs. And then a week from Sunday (Jan 16) is Human Relations Day, one of the six special Sundays with offerings in the United Methodist Church and on Jan 23rd are sponsoring a pancake breakfast to help Phil and Judy Lundquist’s grandson, Koby, have a van that is adapted to take a wheelchair.
For me the word "opportunity" is the key word. We're not called to have shakedowns on Sunday morning, nor are we called to lay a guilt trip on ourselves. On the other hand, I learned long ago that it wasn't my right to deny others the opportunity to give to these special circumstances and projects. It was my responsibility simply to tell the story and offer the invitation.
This Sunday’s worship theme will lift up the story of the magi and their gifts in response to their overwhelming joy, but the major focus will be on their insight to go along their way ‘by another road.’
By another road - Steve Hermes
I knew the way ahead.
I studied the maps.
I planned out the route.
Then I plugged in the destination into my GPS (God’s Pointing Star)
Recalculating …
How dare God suggest an alternative route!
I am in control!
I already put down a deposit on the motel along my route.
My route is quick and direct and arrives at my desired destination.
Recalculating …
How do we recognize when it is time to turn down a different road or how do we adapt when the road ahead has changed on us (at least from what we expected). Our trust is that God is the road builder. Maybe the scenic route is the point of the journey. We might end up where we thought we were going. We might end up at a surprising destination of God's choosing.
Follow that Star.
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