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 . . .
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
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
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Chirstmas Happens Each Day - Over and Over Again
Christmas is about incarnation - it is about Emmanuel - God being with us - today - each and every day.
It is not something that comes just once a year - it happens each day over and over again.
And that is something to celebrate!
Oh, sure, we may not always know how to celebrate Emmanuel in our lives each and every day,
It is not something that comes just once a year - it happens each day over and over again.
And that is something to celebrate!
Oh, sure, we may not always know how to celebrate Emmanuel in our lives each and every day,
but our task is to keep our eyes open so we
recognize it when we see it.
Usually it was said in a crowd of people -
sometimes in the check out line,
sometimes in a crowded aisle -
invariably some person with a harried look on their face would turn to me and say, "Thank goodness Christmas comes only once a year!"
I would usually offer a sympathetic smile -
perhaps a manly grunt or two -
but I never thought the setting appropriate for me to launch into a diatribe
about the benefits of considering alternative celebrations more in tune with tenets of our faith.
But, that is where my mind would go.
For Christmas is about incarnation - it is about Emmanuel - God being with us - today - each and every day.
It is not something that comes just once a year - it happens each day over and over
again.
For two or three hundred years, Protestants were so taken by this point that Christmas day was not celebrated at all.
In fact, many American colonies had laws banning the practice.
By putting all of our emphasis on one particular day commemorating a event that happened long ago, we lose an important part of our faith understanding and it is easy to get lost in the hoopla of the culture around us.
It is a little easier to keep a proper perspective by celebrating what the church calls the
Christmas Season - twelve days of Christmas: beginning December 25 and continuing until January 6.
There were periods of time in our family when we found special things to do each day of Christmas to remind us that Emmanuel is about now - not just a story about then.
Folks in some cultures exchange a gift each day during the twelve days of Christmas.
Folks in other cultures spend twelve days visiting friends and family members - ostensibly looking for the Christ child as did those wise men from the East in our sacred story.
Others spend each day during the Christmas season finding things to do for others - remembering Jesus' admonishment that we are to do for the less fortunate among us.
Whatever we do in this time before The Epiphany, we are reminded that Christmas really does not come but once a year -
but, continues to happen again and again now and into all the tomorrows to come.
And that is something to celebrate!
Oh, sure, we may not always know how to celebrate Emmanuel in our lives each and every day, but our task is to keep our eyes open so we recognize it when we see it.
This takes some training and practice, of course.
But, I am convinced, it happens.
Let one of our resolutions for the new year be to live as though Christmas was real and continues every day our lives.
That's worth celebrating, don't you think?
As for me and my house, we will continue to relate to others as though they are Christ incognito.
If you can, join us each Sunday to hone our skills at recognizing the hidden Christ around us.
If you can't join us, pray for us - as we will for you.
See you in church.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Advent: A Time of Expectancy
What are you expecting for Christmas this year?
Probably not much, huh?
Especially these days with a general malaise pervading our world,
the war drums pounding louder and louder,
the seemingly unending threats from terrorism, the economic doldrums,
and the years and years of Christmases past,
most of us will approach Christmas this year with low or no expectation.
While the world around us views these days before Christmas as a time for buying gifts and parties and entertaining, the Christian church calls this a time of Advent – a time of expectancy.
“The coming of the Lord has been the inspiration of the Christian world.
While the world around us views these days before Christmas as a time for buying gifts and parties and entertaining, the Christian church calls this a time of Advent – a time of expectancy.
“The coming of the Lord has been the inspiration of the Christian world.
The power of any life lies in its expectancy.”
These words were written some 200 years ago by Phillips Brooks,
These words were written some 200 years ago by Phillips Brooks,
who also wrote “O Little Town of Bethlehem”; but, they are pertinent today:
The power of any life lies in its expectancy.
What you expect affects what you see.
What you expect affects what you experience.
Expect the worst, and you usually find it, don’t you?
The power of any life lies in its expectancy.
What you expect affects what you see.
What you expect affects what you experience.
Expect the worst, and you usually find it, don’t you?
But, the thing is, there are always surprises, aren’t there?
During these days before Christmas, our Advent season, we will be looking at stories in our faith that are about expectancy – and surprise.
For us, Christmas is about surprise.
It is about the presence of Emmanuel – God With Us.
In the stories we remember and read and tell at Christmas, almost everyone is surprised, aren’t they?
Mary was surprised.
Joseph was surprised.
The Shepherds were surprised.
Joseph was surprised.
The Shepherds were surprised.
The folks in Bethlehem were surprised.
The political leaders of the day were surprised.
Even the wise men were surprised.
The political leaders of the day were surprised.
Even the wise men were surprised.
(Perhaps the only ones who were not surprised were Old Anna and Old Simeon who lived with the complete expectation that they would see and experience Emmanuel in their lifetimes.)
You see, we remember and celebrate Christmas because of Emmanuel – a concept so radical and so surprising that it affects our entire world-view.
Our Christmas stories confirm that God’s ways are mysterious.
You see, we remember and celebrate Christmas because of Emmanuel – a concept so radical and so surprising that it affects our entire world-view.
Our Christmas stories confirm that God’s ways are mysterious.
God really does seem to prefer to be incognito.
This seems to have been true 2000 years ago.
And it seems to be true today, doesn’t it?
For me, our primary task during Advent is to point to signs of the presence of this incognito Emmanuel in our world and lives today.
Our Advent theme song could be: “Where, O where is Emmanuel? Where, O where can he be?”
Like that children’s game, Where’s Waldo?, let us hone our discernment skills so we can see Emmanuel in these days and times of our lives.
During these Sundays ahead, we will tell the stories from our faith-history –
For me, our primary task during Advent is to point to signs of the presence of this incognito Emmanuel in our world and lives today.
Our Advent theme song could be: “Where, O where is Emmanuel? Where, O where can he be?”
Like that children’s game, Where’s Waldo?, let us hone our discernment skills so we can see Emmanuel in these days and times of our lives.
During these Sundays ahead, we will tell the stories from our faith-history –
stories you will hear no where else!
These are stories we need to hear, again and again.
These are the stories our children need to hear, and our children’s children need to hear!
These are stories that speak to what we may expect to experience –
These are stories we need to hear, again and again.
These are the stories our children need to hear, and our children’s children need to hear!
These are stories that speak to what we may expect to experience –
if we only knew where and how to look.
Where else are these stories being told today?
Not on TV.
Where else are these stories being told today?
Not on TV.
Not in school.
Not in many family gatherings.
It is so important to make church a part of our schedule –
It is so important to make church a part of our schedule –
especially at this time of year.
[Yes, I think there should be a rule: no opening of presents until after the Christmas Eve Candlelight service of stories and songs.]
The power of any life lies in its expectancy.
Expect more.
[Yes, I think there should be a rule: no opening of presents until after the Christmas Eve Candlelight service of stories and songs.]
The power of any life lies in its expectancy.
Expect more.
Expect God to be with us in our malaise.
Our God is with us!
Our God is with us!
Don’t miss his presence this year!
See you in church,
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Searching for Meaning In All the Wrong Places
It seems that folks all around us are searching for meaning in all the wrong places, doesn’t it?.
I remember when they promised the good life just by using the correct lard-substitute in your cooking -- don't you?
In fact, it seems everyone bought in to that particular promise, and we all used the phrase in our everyday lives: "Now you're cooking with Crisco."
And the good life was tied to being paged in the lobby of a grand hotel in Havana, and smoking the right cigarette.
Remember? "Call for Philip Morris."
And then, there were the penguins. Remember the penguins? I think I was an adult before I knew that penguins didn't coo.
They did on the radio and in the magazine ads.
Remember, the male voice said: "Smoke" and the penguins said, "Cools."
"Smoke Cools."
Then the good life got tied up with driving the right kind of car, wearing the right kind of clothes, hiding B.O. and smelling certain kind of ways, even using the right kind of shampoo.
I suppose it has always been this way. There have always been snake oil salesmen of some kind -- able to make a living because some people are always looking for a way to alleviate their perceived predicament -- seeking the good life, seeking relief from misery and pain and suffering.
Unfortunately for all of us consumers of snake oil, the alluring promises always turn out to be false.
And so it has always been.
Do you remember Hadacol?
Hadacol promised relief from just about whatever ailed you.
But, alas, the promises of Hadacol were false, weren't they?
As are all the promises of magic elixir that claim to fix things and make life better for you.
We've learned to be wary, haven't we?
And yet – we continue to hope – for a pill or something for a quick fix – for prince charming,
or for an angel of mercy,
or for John Bersford Tipton,
or for Ed McMahan to show up on your doorstep,
or for a miracle that could bring back the way things used to be,
or for a messiah to lead us into the land of the future.
And it is this hope that makes it easy for us to be suckered.
On the one hand we are wary and cynical about any promise,
and on the other hand we are gullible and an easy mark.
Today, people are finding out that devoting a lifetime to working for the company does not guarantee a future abundant life –
or, even devoting oneself to a spouse and raising a family does not always ensure that promises are kept –
or, so-called “secure” investments do not always yield promised abundance.
In times like these, voices like ours need to be heard.
Voices from our faith – past and present – proclaim that life can be lived fuller than ever imagined.
This is what we talk about and celebrate during our Sunday get-togethers.
Join us this Sunday.
Invite someone to come with you – or meet them here.
They will be greeted with open arms.
They will hear a message of hope.
They will find out about living life to the max.
See you in church.
I remember when they promised the good life just by using the correct lard-substitute in your cooking -- don't you?
In fact, it seems everyone bought in to that particular promise, and we all used the phrase in our everyday lives: "Now you're cooking with Crisco."
And the good life was tied to being paged in the lobby of a grand hotel in Havana, and smoking the right cigarette.
Remember? "Call for Philip Morris."
And then, there were the penguins. Remember the penguins? I think I was an adult before I knew that penguins didn't coo.
They did on the radio and in the magazine ads.
Remember, the male voice said: "Smoke" and the penguins said, "Cools."
"Smoke Cools."
Then the good life got tied up with driving the right kind of car, wearing the right kind of clothes, hiding B.O. and smelling certain kind of ways, even using the right kind of shampoo.
I suppose it has always been this way. There have always been snake oil salesmen of some kind -- able to make a living because some people are always looking for a way to alleviate their perceived predicament -- seeking the good life, seeking relief from misery and pain and suffering.
Unfortunately for all of us consumers of snake oil, the alluring promises always turn out to be false.
And so it has always been.
Do you remember Hadacol?
Hadacol promised relief from just about whatever ailed you.
But, alas, the promises of Hadacol were false, weren't they?
As are all the promises of magic elixir that claim to fix things and make life better for you.
We've learned to be wary, haven't we?
And yet – we continue to hope – for a pill or something for a quick fix – for prince charming,
or for an angel of mercy,
or for John Bersford Tipton,
or for Ed McMahan to show up on your doorstep,
or for a miracle that could bring back the way things used to be,
or for a messiah to lead us into the land of the future.
And it is this hope that makes it easy for us to be suckered.
On the one hand we are wary and cynical about any promise,
and on the other hand we are gullible and an easy mark.
Today, people are finding out that devoting a lifetime to working for the company does not guarantee a future abundant life –
or, even devoting oneself to a spouse and raising a family does not always ensure that promises are kept –
or, so-called “secure” investments do not always yield promised abundance.
In times like these, voices like ours need to be heard.
Voices from our faith – past and present – proclaim that life can be lived fuller than ever imagined.
This is what we talk about and celebrate during our Sunday get-togethers.
Join us this Sunday.
Invite someone to come with you – or meet them here.
They will be greeted with open arms.
They will hear a message of hope.
They will find out about living life to the max.
See you in church.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Summertime and Sabbath Time
Summerti-i-i-i-ime, and the livin’ is easy . . .
So goes the song that seems to capture the mood around here at this time of the year.
Everything seems to slide to a slow glide.
People’s gait seems to change.
Most of our “programmed activity” takes a hiatus.
We seek avenues of solitude and alternative amusements.
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 recovery,
a time for restoration,
a time for rebirth,
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, doesn’t it?
(Perhaps it’s the heat and the humidity, but I think it’s more than that.)
Nature has a way of forcing sabbaticals on us.
As if God were 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.
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!
These are spiritual days.
An article in one of the popular magazines this month proffers:
“Summer offers opportunities not readily available at other times to appreciate the abundance in the natural order of things and the cycle of life – verdant hues and bright colors,
sunny days and soaring temperatures,
the scent of newly cut grass and freshly turned soul,
less and lighter clothing,
trips to the shore,
a vacation or holiday,
travel, outdoor activities, weddings, gatherings of family and friends.”
In spite of all this, it is easy for us to become detached from all that keeps summer so sacred and spiritual.
So, 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.
Our services this summer should help you do these things.
Our focus is on Summer Pursuits, such as Goofing Off.
Have a good summer.
Pray for one another and rejoice in the moments you have.
See you in church,
Clyde
So goes the song that seems to capture the mood around here at this time of the year.
Everything seems to slide to a slow glide.
People’s gait seems to change.
Most of our “programmed activity” takes a hiatus.
We seek avenues of solitude and alternative amusements.
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 recovery,
a time for restoration,
a time for rebirth,
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, doesn’t it?
(Perhaps it’s the heat and the humidity, but I think it’s more than that.)
Nature has a way of forcing sabbaticals on us.
As if God were 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.
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!
These are spiritual days.
An article in one of the popular magazines this month proffers:
“Summer offers opportunities not readily available at other times to appreciate the abundance in the natural order of things and the cycle of life – verdant hues and bright colors,
sunny days and soaring temperatures,
the scent of newly cut grass and freshly turned soul,
less and lighter clothing,
trips to the shore,
a vacation or holiday,
travel, outdoor activities, weddings, gatherings of family and friends.”
In spite of all this, it is easy for us to become detached from all that keeps summer so sacred and spiritual.
So, 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.
Our services this summer should help you do these things.
Our focus is on Summer Pursuits, such as Goofing Off.
Have a good summer.
Pray for one another and rejoice in the moments you have.
See you in church,
Clyde
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Nattering Nabobs of Negativism
This is how Vice-President Spiro Agnew described the President’s critics over 40 years ago.
How else could we describe the current Republicans’ common and declared stance?
It seems that this has become a litmus test to which all Republicans have sworn.
It has informed all efforts so far to deal with Federal Budget issues and the “so-called” debt ceiling.
This constant negativism is getting so tiring.
Why would anyone elect a person to a Federal office who promises to do what he or she could to bring down the government he or she swears to uphold?
Not only are they liars, but it seems that they are treasonous as well.
Speaker “Speaks-With-Forked-Tongue” Boehner, Senator Mitchell and countless others have openly stated that their main focus during Obama’s presidency is to oppose everything that comes out of the White House.
Shameful.
How else could we describe the current Republicans’ common and declared stance?
It seems that this has become a litmus test to which all Republicans have sworn.
It has informed all efforts so far to deal with Federal Budget issues and the “so-called” debt ceiling.
This constant negativism is getting so tiring.
Why would anyone elect a person to a Federal office who promises to do what he or she could to bring down the government he or she swears to uphold?
Not only are they liars, but it seems that they are treasonous as well.
Speaker “Speaks-With-Forked-Tongue” Boehner, Senator Mitchell and countless others have openly stated that their main focus during Obama’s presidency is to oppose everything that comes out of the White House.
Shameful.
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