Greeting each day with thanks for another chance to live and to love is a very Christian thing to do.
The days are shorter, the nights are longer.
The autumnal sun dances through the colored leaves –
it’s as though God had this in mind all summer long.
It is right, and quite natural, for us to feel a certain thankfulness for all the blessings that come our way – especially at this time of year.
Thanksgiving is one of the most universal of holidays.
And, as you may have heard me say before, it may also be one of the most Christian.
Locked behind cell doors, Paul admonished his new Christian followers to be thankful in all things.
For us Christians, thanksgiving is a calling.
It is an attribute of the life we seek to live.
It is a definition of a way of seeing ourselves in relation to our God who created us, redeems us, and sustains us through the trials and tribulations that have a way of showing up on our life-journey.
Notice, the Ten Commandments do not start with “Thou shalt not...”
But, rather with, “I am the Lord God, who brought you out of Egypt, therefore . . .”
The entire Mosaic Law is to be followed as an act of thanksgiving.
The basic understanding is that because God is God and enables marvelous things to happen and continues to be involved in my life and in the world around me,
therefore, I can do nothing other than live in gratitude.
We Christians live in thanksgiving for what God has done and continues to do for us.
For us, thanksgiving is really thanks-living.
The Psalmist could sing: This is a day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! Greeting each day with thanks for another chance to live and to love is a very Christian thing to do.
There is a story told about a devout king who became disturbed by the ingratitude of his royal court.
He prepared a large banquet for them.
And when the guests were seated and the sumptuous feast brought out, a beggar appeared dressed in rags and smelling of sewer.
They watched as the brazen fellow walked right up to the table and literally pigged out.
Stuffing turkey legs in his pockets, and eating handfuls of mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie.
It happened so quickly, and yet it seemed in slow motion.
And the tramp was gone.
The quests were furious.
They asked permission from their host to pursue the man and tear him from limb to limb for his brazenness and ingratitude.
And then the King said,
“That beggar has done to an earthly king only what each of you do to God.
You sit here, day after day, eating until you are satisfied.
Then you walk away without recognizing God,
or without even expressing one word of thanks to Him.”
It is not without merit that many writers refer to ingratitude as the most basest of sins.
Even Shakespeare could write:
I hate ingratitude more than lying, vainness, babbling, drunkenness, or taint of vice.
Thanksgiving reminds us of how much we owe to forces outside of ourselves.
It behooves us to take an inventory of our blessings and offer up thanks in all things.
This year, expand your thanksgiving thoughts to thoughts about thanks-living.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Seeing Summertime as Sabbathtime
Do you remember the song?
Summertime... and the livin’ is easy...
Sometimes I think if we didn’t have summertime, we would have to invent it!
It seems to be basic to our human nature to need a time of relative quietude –
a time of slowing down a bit more than usual –
a time of reflection –
a time of contemplation –
a time of getting back in touch with the things that really matter –
a time of prayer –
a time of seeking joy –
a time of pausing —
a time of refreshment —
a time of re-creation.
The Bible seems to ordain that we need a time set aside for these things.
The fourth commandment speaks to the need for religiously observing a periodic day of rest. Other passages speak of the need for sabbaticals and times of jubilee.
For many of us, Summertime has become Sabbath-time:
a time for respite, a time for rest,
a time for relaxation, a time for restoration,
a time for rejuvenation, a time for refreshment,
a time for recess, a time for recovery,
a time for renewal, a time for revival,
a time for restoration, a time for rebirth,
a time for recovery, a time for reawakening,
a time for recuperation, a time for resurrection.
Yes, summertime can be all of these things.
Time seems to slow down in the summer.
(Perhaps, it’s the heat and humidity, but I think it’s more than that.)
Nature has a way of forcing sabbaticals on us.
As if God is reminding us that all moments are precious:
the roses need to be smelled,
the breeze needs to be felt,
the rain needs to be celebrated, the fruits need to be savored,
the relationships need to be cultivated,
the children need to be befriended,
and laughter needs to resound all around.
Of course, you don’t need me to tell you what you need.
I pray that this time will be of great benefit to you:
Do something you would just not think of doing at some other time.
Take time to smell the roses.
Write a note.
Make a call.
Get in touch with the Creator of time itself.
Do something special for someone.
Remember your church —
and your brothers and sisters in the faith here.
Sabbath times are holy times.
And, summer times are holy times —
if we remember to put first things first.
Putting first things first means to affirm the words of the Psalmist:
This is the day the Lord has made... rejoice and be glad!
My prayer is that you will find holy times this summer as you take advantage of the days given to you.
Remember to take it easy.
Remember to just slow down.
Remember to keep a Sabbath.
Remember who has given you this day.
Remember who has placed you where you are.
Remember who has given you the people you are with.
Remember whose you are.
Remember who you are.
Use your time this summer to rejuvenate.
And let us, together, gather with new resolve to help God use this church to further the Kingdom of God on earth.
Pray for one another and rejoice in the moments you have.
Summertime... and the livin’ is easy...
Sometimes I think if we didn’t have summertime, we would have to invent it!
It seems to be basic to our human nature to need a time of relative quietude –
a time of slowing down a bit more than usual –
a time of reflection –
a time of contemplation –
a time of getting back in touch with the things that really matter –
a time of prayer –
a time of seeking joy –
a time of pausing —
a time of refreshment —
a time of re-creation.
The Bible seems to ordain that we need a time set aside for these things.
The fourth commandment speaks to the need for religiously observing a periodic day of rest. Other passages speak of the need for sabbaticals and times of jubilee.
For many of us, Summertime has become Sabbath-time:
a time for respite, a time for rest,
a time for relaxation, a time for restoration,
a time for rejuvenation, a time for refreshment,
a time for recess, a time for recovery,
a time for renewal, a time for revival,
a time for restoration, a time for rebirth,
a time for recovery, a time for reawakening,
a time for recuperation, a time for resurrection.
Yes, summertime can be all of these things.
Time seems to slow down in the summer.
(Perhaps, it’s the heat and humidity, but I think it’s more than that.)
Nature has a way of forcing sabbaticals on us.
As if God is reminding us that all moments are precious:
the roses need to be smelled,
the breeze needs to be felt,
the rain needs to be celebrated, the fruits need to be savored,
the relationships need to be cultivated,
the children need to be befriended,
and laughter needs to resound all around.
Of course, you don’t need me to tell you what you need.
I pray that this time will be of great benefit to you:
Do something you would just not think of doing at some other time.
Take time to smell the roses.
Write a note.
Make a call.
Get in touch with the Creator of time itself.
Do something special for someone.
Remember your church —
and your brothers and sisters in the faith here.
Sabbath times are holy times.
And, summer times are holy times —
if we remember to put first things first.
Putting first things first means to affirm the words of the Psalmist:
This is the day the Lord has made... rejoice and be glad!
My prayer is that you will find holy times this summer as you take advantage of the days given to you.
Remember to take it easy.
Remember to just slow down.
Remember to keep a Sabbath.
Remember who has given you this day.
Remember who has placed you where you are.
Remember who has given you the people you are with.
Remember whose you are.
Remember who you are.
Use your time this summer to rejuvenate.
And let us, together, gather with new resolve to help God use this church to further the Kingdom of God on earth.
Pray for one another and rejoice in the moments you have.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Have you ever wondered why you should be in church on Sunday?
Every so often, I like to ask the question:
Have you ever wondered exactly why you should be in church on Sunday?
Of course, there are various reasons that people have given over the years, and scientific evidence even now supports many of them.
There are actually physical and mental health benefits for worshiping regularly.
Many recent studies have confirmed what most of us see on a regular basis:
folks that go to church every Sunday are healthier and live longer than those that don’t.
And, when they are ill, they tend to heal quicker and have an easier time of it than those that don’t.
We know that going to church every Sunday releases stress and tension and actually enhances coping skills needed for life in today’s world.
Other studies point out how going to church every Sunday provides needed guidance for living.
A recent study at Stanford concludes that “Children [simply] will not thrive ... unless they acquire a living sense of ... faith.”
The National Commission of Children concurs that
“For many children, religion is a major force in their moral development; for some it is the chief determinant of moral behavior.”
Others go to church regularly for inspiration – to keep in touch with the holy. They find that it cultivates the soul and enhances our ability to recognize the holy when we encounter it.
Many who go to church every Sunday find strength and support for facing and living through the difficult situations life throws at us.
Others come for forgiveness or guidance for making difficult decisions.
It may surprise you to hear that Jesus never said:
Thou shalt go to church every Sunday!
He didn’t say it.
In fact, it wasn’t until after his death and resurrection that his followers began to gather every Sunday to celebrate his resurrection and share stories of their encounters with the risen Lord.
It was a celebrative occasion and folks came much as you might go to a family celebration – not out of a sense of duty or obligation but because you want to be a part of it and wouldn’t miss it for the world.
But, the very most important main reason you should be in church Sunday is what your presence does for the others present.
When you are not there, everyone in the room knows it.
Since negativity breeds negativity, the thinking goes,
“if church us not that important to them, maybe I can get along without it too.”
When you are in church, others get a sense of how important it is to you,
and they begin to feel it, too.
A visitor takes a look around the room and sees you.
Your presence is a witness to them.
(It matters not how you are dressed.
It matters not how prepared you are.
It matters not what you may have done the night before.
It matters that you are here!)
Simply put, your presence in Church gives a message others need to see and hear.
Your presence in church actually provides inspiration to others.
So, do something important this Sunday, come to church.
Have you ever wondered exactly why you should be in church on Sunday?
Of course, there are various reasons that people have given over the years, and scientific evidence even now supports many of them.
There are actually physical and mental health benefits for worshiping regularly.
Many recent studies have confirmed what most of us see on a regular basis:
folks that go to church every Sunday are healthier and live longer than those that don’t.
And, when they are ill, they tend to heal quicker and have an easier time of it than those that don’t.
We know that going to church every Sunday releases stress and tension and actually enhances coping skills needed for life in today’s world.
Other studies point out how going to church every Sunday provides needed guidance for living.
A recent study at Stanford concludes that “Children [simply] will not thrive ... unless they acquire a living sense of ... faith.”
The National Commission of Children concurs that
“For many children, religion is a major force in their moral development; for some it is the chief determinant of moral behavior.”
Others go to church regularly for inspiration – to keep in touch with the holy. They find that it cultivates the soul and enhances our ability to recognize the holy when we encounter it.
Many who go to church every Sunday find strength and support for facing and living through the difficult situations life throws at us.
Others come for forgiveness or guidance for making difficult decisions.
It may surprise you to hear that Jesus never said:
Thou shalt go to church every Sunday!
He didn’t say it.
In fact, it wasn’t until after his death and resurrection that his followers began to gather every Sunday to celebrate his resurrection and share stories of their encounters with the risen Lord.
It was a celebrative occasion and folks came much as you might go to a family celebration – not out of a sense of duty or obligation but because you want to be a part of it and wouldn’t miss it for the world.
But, the very most important main reason you should be in church Sunday is what your presence does for the others present.
When you are not there, everyone in the room knows it.
Since negativity breeds negativity, the thinking goes,
“if church us not that important to them, maybe I can get along without it too.”
When you are in church, others get a sense of how important it is to you,
and they begin to feel it, too.
A visitor takes a look around the room and sees you.
Your presence is a witness to them.
(It matters not how you are dressed.
It matters not how prepared you are.
It matters not what you may have done the night before.
It matters that you are here!)
Simply put, your presence in Church gives a message others need to see and hear.
Your presence in church actually provides inspiration to others.
So, do something important this Sunday, come to church.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Spring Has Sprung, The Grass Has Rize . . .
May does seem to be the most miraculous month, wouldn’t you say?
We sing about the merry, merry month of May –
and it is.
May is the result of winter’s rest and April’s showers.
May is the budding time of God’s time –
the harbinger of the growing season,
the blossoming season,
the rebirthing of bulbs and seed.
From time immemorial people have been celebrating this time of new beginnings as our ancient forebearers sought to appease the fertility gods in order to assure a bountiful growing season.
For us, May can be a budding time as well –
a time of rebirth,
a time to blossom and grow in our faith
and in our relation to God and each other.
This is a season of special Sundays.
We will celebrate the Generations of Faithful People,
Mother’s Day,
Our Presbyterian Heritage,
and Pentecost (don’t forget to wear red on Pentecost – May 27).
During May, a unique celebration makes each Sunday special.
May can be special for you, too.
Take time to read the weekly Bible readings.
Begin to reflect on your prayer practice.
Reflect on the desperate need for the world around us to see us practice love.
Reflect on the new day and the new world that is both a promise and a reality that we can experience here and now.
Reflect on the refreshment we experience and can offer the world around us.
And, reflect on the spirit that fills our lives with meaning and propels us to minister to the needs of others.
Let us take a clue for how we should our lives.
Any act of caring is never forgotten.
Any thing you ever do for another is never in vain.
People remember those who have shown they care.
Such discipline this month can only be beneficial.
Results are guaranteed! Try it!
As you do, remember the rest of us in the church -
as we will remember you.
In this small way, this month of May can be a time to bud and flower.
Your soul will find nourishment and your countenance will flourish.
As we sing in church: Let them know we are Christians by our love.
Spring has sprung,
The grass has rise . . .
Is there a greater witness
That God is?
I am looking forward to this special month,
this special time,
these special Sundays.
See you in church – and bring someone with you.
We sing about the merry, merry month of May –
and it is.
May is the result of winter’s rest and April’s showers.
May is the budding time of God’s time –
the harbinger of the growing season,
the blossoming season,
the rebirthing of bulbs and seed.
From time immemorial people have been celebrating this time of new beginnings as our ancient forebearers sought to appease the fertility gods in order to assure a bountiful growing season.
For us, May can be a budding time as well –
a time of rebirth,
a time to blossom and grow in our faith
and in our relation to God and each other.
This is a season of special Sundays.
We will celebrate the Generations of Faithful People,
Mother’s Day,
Our Presbyterian Heritage,
and Pentecost (don’t forget to wear red on Pentecost – May 27).
During May, a unique celebration makes each Sunday special.
May can be special for you, too.
Take time to read the weekly Bible readings.
Begin to reflect on your prayer practice.
Reflect on the desperate need for the world around us to see us practice love.
Reflect on the new day and the new world that is both a promise and a reality that we can experience here and now.
Reflect on the refreshment we experience and can offer the world around us.
And, reflect on the spirit that fills our lives with meaning and propels us to minister to the needs of others.
Let us take a clue for how we should our lives.
Any act of caring is never forgotten.
Any thing you ever do for another is never in vain.
People remember those who have shown they care.
Such discipline this month can only be beneficial.
Results are guaranteed! Try it!
As you do, remember the rest of us in the church -
as we will remember you.
In this small way, this month of May can be a time to bud and flower.
Your soul will find nourishment and your countenance will flourish.
As we sing in church: Let them know we are Christians by our love.
Spring has sprung,
The grass has rise . . .
Is there a greater witness
That God is?
I am looking forward to this special month,
this special time,
these special Sundays.
See you in church – and bring someone with you.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
16 Reasons to Be at Christ Presbyterian Church Easter Sunday
- You will be among friends.
- Celebrations are good!
- Your spirit will be up-lifted.
- You will be accepted here - no matter what you wear.
- You will be welcomed here - no matter what you’ve done.
- You will be welcomed here - no matter where you’ve been.
- You will be accepted here - no matter what you may have said.
- There will be familiarity to the service - presented in an informal fashion with full explanation of what to do when.
- Easter breaks through religious rituals to reveal the birth of a whole new way of doing things.
- You can help CPC break out of old odes of being church and reinvent a new church model more suitable for the 21st century.
- You might find new meaning and purpose for your life.
- You won’t be as lonely as you otherwise might be.
- You certainly will be appreciated.
- You would be listened to - and heard.
- Your presence would give hope to all others present.
- Where else, besides your car or shower, will you get to sing out loud?
Be with us Sunday, April 8 at 10:00 am in the Presbyterian Chapel in Drexel Hill on Turner Avenue at State Road.
Easter!!!
The single most significant event of our faith-history will happen again this year – just like it did last year and the year before!
The poet calls it “the sun’s birthday...
the birthday of life and of love and wings! ....
(now the ears of my ears awake and now the eyes of my eyes are opened!)”
Since that first Easter morning some 2000 years ago, folks have continued to celebrate what their eyes and ears could not believe – what all of human experience told them was totally impossible.
It seems to me that it is easy to loose sight of what happened that day – and what continues to happen in our days (for that is the message and the promise and the reason, after all, for our faith).
The reality is that we are a resurrection people.
Prior to that day there were no Christians.
So we do celebrate Easter as a birthday of sorts.
The birthday of life itself – no longer confined to temporal physics – life that transcends the boundaries of space and time and even death.
So we savor symbols like the butterfly and lily and pomegranate and mustard seed which must die before they live.
For the word is out that we, too, can expect the sprouting of new life when our time comes.
And that’s good news, isn’t it?
Easter is a huge birthday party for us as we celebrate the discovery and revelation of the true nature of our God – and of ourselves.
Once a year we focus on tending the ears of our ears and the eyes of our eyes to become more awake and more open to observing and celebrating the presence of Christ in our world, in our lives, today.
We do this, because like those early disciples, we so often look for love and truth and meaning in all the wrong places.
When they found the tomb empty, God’s messenger asked “Why do you look for the living here among the dead?”
That question is asked of us, as well.
Either we don’t know where to look, or we are afraid to look in the right places.
We need to come together, hone our skills of discernment and celebrate the ultimate revelation.
This prayer is posted above my desk:
He is risen!
That through Him we may recover faith:
faith in ourselves,
faith in our world,
faith in our God.
He is risen!
That in Him we may rekindle hope:
hope for the abandoned,
hope for the despairing,
home for the dreamless.
He is risen!
That in Him we may restore love:
love to those from whom
we have kept it,
love to those who are most near us,
love to those we will never meet.
He is risen!
Easter is about discovering sparks of the Divine within ourselves and in our daily lives.
My hope is that through our celebration together, Easter will so inform your life this year that you will know with surety, that you are a child of God, no less than anyone who has ever gone before, beloved of the Center of the universe and the Creator of life itself.
This Easter let us come to thank God for this most amazing day in celebration of Christ’s continuing presence with us.
See you in church – and bring someone with you.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Thinking About Faith During Lent
Traditionally, Christians have taken time before Easter to think on things spiritual.
Taking clues from Jesus who before beginning his ministry took a 40 day hiatus, the church has set aside this amount of time during this season when the days lengthen to concentrate on how the faith we profess affects the life we lead.
Through the years, people have used different tools to encourage such thoughts.
Recalling that the Bible says that Jesus fasted for 40 days, many people choose a form of that to help place them in the proper mindset to receive and perceive spiritual thoughts.
The idea of “giving something up” for Lent became a substitute for an all-out fast for Westerners living in an increasingly secular society.
But, we all know that negative behavior in itself does little to stimulate Spiritual thoughts.
And, far more important than giving up something for Lent is a proactive behavior specifically designed to encourage thoughts about our faith and the life we lead.
And, so each of us is encouraged to do something specific during this time before Easter:
• read a book, (Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, by Marcus Borg, will certainly generate thoughts and stimulate conversation with others)
• use a daily devotional guide to help stimulate your thoughts, (if you already use one on a regular basis, add another specifically designed to stimulate new thoughts for the season. I am preparing a devotional guide to be distributed each week during our worship service. Each is designed to put into practice specific actions Jesus often spoke about – actions that will enhance your life and help you live your life to the fullest.)
• pray (set aside a certain time each day, or place a post-it-note with the word “PRAY” on your computer or in a prominent place to remind you that the proper time to pray is any time, all the time)
• do something for others you have not done before (perhaps write a note to people on your Christmas card list – just think what the recipient will think when they hear from you from “out of the blue”, so to speak)
• Come to church every Sunday until Easter as our services will be designed to explore How to Live Your Life to the Fullest.
The first week we will look at the importance of taking time to take a time out – each day – for a season.
(Through our website on the internet you can also sign up to receive daily devotional e-mails to help guide you through the daily time-outs.)
Whatever you choose to do, I encourage you to choose to do something during this season.
You will find your faith stimulated and your life enhanced.
This season, this Lent, can be of tremendous significance to you – if you let it, if you participate in it.
Between now and Easter, see you in church . . .
Taking clues from Jesus who before beginning his ministry took a 40 day hiatus, the church has set aside this amount of time during this season when the days lengthen to concentrate on how the faith we profess affects the life we lead.
Through the years, people have used different tools to encourage such thoughts.
Recalling that the Bible says that Jesus fasted for 40 days, many people choose a form of that to help place them in the proper mindset to receive and perceive spiritual thoughts.
The idea of “giving something up” for Lent became a substitute for an all-out fast for Westerners living in an increasingly secular society.
But, we all know that negative behavior in itself does little to stimulate Spiritual thoughts.
And, far more important than giving up something for Lent is a proactive behavior specifically designed to encourage thoughts about our faith and the life we lead.
And, so each of us is encouraged to do something specific during this time before Easter:
• read a book, (Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, by Marcus Borg, will certainly generate thoughts and stimulate conversation with others)
• use a daily devotional guide to help stimulate your thoughts, (if you already use one on a regular basis, add another specifically designed to stimulate new thoughts for the season. I am preparing a devotional guide to be distributed each week during our worship service. Each is designed to put into practice specific actions Jesus often spoke about – actions that will enhance your life and help you live your life to the fullest.)
• pray (set aside a certain time each day, or place a post-it-note with the word “PRAY” on your computer or in a prominent place to remind you that the proper time to pray is any time, all the time)
• do something for others you have not done before (perhaps write a note to people on your Christmas card list – just think what the recipient will think when they hear from you from “out of the blue”, so to speak)
• Come to church every Sunday until Easter as our services will be designed to explore How to Live Your Life to the Fullest.
The first week we will look at the importance of taking time to take a time out – each day – for a season.
(Through our website on the internet you can also sign up to receive daily devotional e-mails to help guide you through the daily time-outs.)
Whatever you choose to do, I encourage you to choose to do something during this season.
You will find your faith stimulated and your life enhanced.
This season, this Lent, can be of tremendous significance to you – if you let it, if you participate in it.
Between now and Easter, see you in church . . .
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Celebrating 85 Years Past - And Looking Ahead
The past 85 years have seen wars and rumors of wars, faltering economies, uncertain times, and changing populations – and through it all, the community of Christ continued and witnessed and worked and worshiped.
There is no way those 47 folks who gathered in 1927 to start a new church in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, could have foreseen all that was to befall them and their neighbors.
But, they had a vision.
They had a belief.
A church was needed.
And what about us?
85 years from now what will be said about us?
I know, there are some among us who say, “Who cares?”
Then, I think:
85 years ago, there were people who cared.
Time was, folks here had a vision.
Time was, folks here had a belief.
Time was, folks here were convinced that a church was needed in their neighborhood.
But, what about now?
The opportunity is for us to capture a vision that we can believe in:
a vision that projects out into the days and years ahead.
Oh, the church of tomorrow may not look like the church of yesterday.
The church of tomorrow may include shared ministerial leadership.
The church of tomorrow may use different space to worship in and to conduct ministry out of.
The church of tomorrow may include younger and younger people as well as older and older people.
The church of tomorrow will certainly rely on the internet more and more.
I invite you to join me in conjuring a vision of Christ Church for tomorrow:
a vision that we can believe in,
a vision that will inform our work and witness here in the days ahead.
Over the course of the past year, I have been writing and speaking about Vision 2012.
With the new year and the culmination of the sale of our building, it is time to think seriously about the future ministry of Christ Presbyterian Church:
what might it look like?
where might it be?
what might it mean (for you and me and whoever else we might be serving)?
My hope is that by the time the next new year rolls around, we would have a pretty clear vision of what this ministry (or ministries) might look like, and even be on our way implementing the new vision.
I firmly believe that our faith has a message for all of the folks around us.
People need what we have to give.
People need to hear what we have to say.
Not only do people need what we have to offer, but we have a stake in offering.
We have an obligation to enable all people to be more fully who God intends for them to be.
It’s a Christ-like thing to do.
I am reminded that when Norman Vincent Peale first went to the Marble Collegiate Church in New York City, he preached to 40 or 50 people each Sunday morning.
After about six months, he told his wife that people needed to hear what the faith has to say,
if they won’t come to hear it, he would have to get it to them in other ways.
And so he wrote, and published, and spoke in public forums at every opportunity.
Of course, a by-product of getting the word out to everyone is that more people will come.
Norman Vincent Peale realized that Marble Collegiate Church had to reinvent itself in order to continue to be in ministry.
And they did.
And the rest is history as countless millions of people all over the world have been influenced by their work.
This is our time of opportunity here at Christ Presbyterian Church.
We need everyone praying for this church and the vision that might revealed to us about what our ministry may look like in the years ahead.
Please commit yourself to take time to pray.
And as ideas come to you, jot them down and send them to your pastor.
See you in Church . . .
There is no way those 47 folks who gathered in 1927 to start a new church in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, could have foreseen all that was to befall them and their neighbors.
But, they had a vision.
They had a belief.
A church was needed.
And what about us?
85 years from now what will be said about us?
I know, there are some among us who say, “Who cares?”
Then, I think:
85 years ago, there were people who cared.
Time was, folks here had a vision.
Time was, folks here had a belief.
Time was, folks here were convinced that a church was needed in their neighborhood.
But, what about now?
The opportunity is for us to capture a vision that we can believe in:
a vision that projects out into the days and years ahead.
Oh, the church of tomorrow may not look like the church of yesterday.
The church of tomorrow may include shared ministerial leadership.
The church of tomorrow may use different space to worship in and to conduct ministry out of.
The church of tomorrow may include younger and younger people as well as older and older people.
The church of tomorrow will certainly rely on the internet more and more.
I invite you to join me in conjuring a vision of Christ Church for tomorrow:
a vision that we can believe in,
a vision that will inform our work and witness here in the days ahead.
Over the course of the past year, I have been writing and speaking about Vision 2012.
With the new year and the culmination of the sale of our building, it is time to think seriously about the future ministry of Christ Presbyterian Church:
what might it look like?
where might it be?
what might it mean (for you and me and whoever else we might be serving)?
My hope is that by the time the next new year rolls around, we would have a pretty clear vision of what this ministry (or ministries) might look like, and even be on our way implementing the new vision.
I firmly believe that our faith has a message for all of the folks around us.
People need what we have to give.
People need to hear what we have to say.
Not only do people need what we have to offer, but we have a stake in offering.
We have an obligation to enable all people to be more fully who God intends for them to be.
It’s a Christ-like thing to do.
I am reminded that when Norman Vincent Peale first went to the Marble Collegiate Church in New York City, he preached to 40 or 50 people each Sunday morning.
After about six months, he told his wife that people needed to hear what the faith has to say,
if they won’t come to hear it, he would have to get it to them in other ways.
And so he wrote, and published, and spoke in public forums at every opportunity.
Of course, a by-product of getting the word out to everyone is that more people will come.
Norman Vincent Peale realized that Marble Collegiate Church had to reinvent itself in order to continue to be in ministry.
And they did.
And the rest is history as countless millions of people all over the world have been influenced by their work.
This is our time of opportunity here at Christ Presbyterian Church.
We need everyone praying for this church and the vision that might revealed to us about what our ministry may look like in the years ahead.
Please commit yourself to take time to pray.
And as ideas come to you, jot them down and send them to your pastor.
See you in Church . . .
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Now The Work of Christmas Begins
When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with the flocks,
then the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal those broken in spirit,
to feed the hungry,
to release the oppressed,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among all peoples,
to make a little music with the heart…
And to radiate the Light of Christ,
every day, in every way, in all that we do and in all that we say.
Then the work of Christmas begins.
-- Howard Thurman, adapted
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