Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Wednesday’s Thoughts on the sermon

 “O Little Town of
Bethlehem”
 Dennis Bratcher has done some research on the town of Bethlehem. In the Harper Collins Bible Dictionary, tells us the word Bethlehem comes from the Hebrew beth lehem which means “house of bread”; and the Arabic beit lahm which means “house of meat. The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible claims that Bethlehem means “house of fighting”. Bratcher goes on to write this about Bethlehem: “It is a small town of approximately 15,000 inhabitants, about five miles south of Jerusalem. Perched 2,400 feet above sea level on the north-south ridge road along the central highlands, it looks westward to the fertile cultivated slopes around Beit Jala and eastward to the desolate wilderness of Judah, in which the ancient monastery of Mar Saba in the Wadi en-Nar. Close outside to the north is the traditional site of the tomb of Rachel. Bethlehem was first mentioned in one of the Amarna letters (letters written to Egyptian pharaohs by local kings of Palestine and Syria in the fourteenth century B.C. in which the Jerusalem ruler complained that Bit-Lahmi had deserted to the side of the Apiru people (perhaps “Hebrew people). Prior to the period of the Israelite monarchy, Bethlehem was the home of the Levite who went to act as priest for a man named Micah in Ephraim and of the unfortunate concubine, whose murder caused the tragic massacre of the people of Gibeah (Judges 19-20). Bethlehem figures prominently also in the story of Ruth, the great-grandmother of David. It was his family home and the place of his anointment as king. At one time under Philistine control Bethlehem was also home of Elhanan, one of the mighty men who formed David’s bodyguard.  After the division of the Hebrew kingdom into Israel and Judah following Solomon’s death, Bethlehem was one of the fifteen cities in Benjamin and Judah fortified by Rehoboam. Following the murder of Gedaliah the governor of Judah under the Babylonians in 582 B.C. some of the Judean refugees stayed near Bethlehem on their way to Egypt. Subsequently, over a hundred Bethlehemites were among those who returned from Babylon.” Summary:The word Bethlehem can mean a number of things. It can stand for “house of bread” or “house of fighting”. In the ancient history of the city we would include:1.      It is the place Rachel was buried.2.      It is the place where a murder occurred.3.      It is the place where people stood up to tyranny.4.      It is a point of return for the exiles.5.      It is the place where David was born and was crowned6.      It is the place where Ruth grew up  For us, as Christians, it is thought to be the place where Jesus was born, and/or the place where he spent the first two years of his life. This city has an interesting history. The sermon will explore the city’s history and its implications for us. If you have thoughts to share publicly, please leave a comment with this post as indicated where it says “comments”. For personal thoughts intended only for me write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net I look forward to hearing from you.  Charles
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Sunday, November 26, 2006

Monday’s thougths for the sermon for December 3rd

“When
Bethlehem Was a Little Town”

 Advent is a time of preparation. Some would have us sing only Advent Hymns, but I think there is a rich tradition of Christmas Carols that speak of the preparation for Christmas even as they proclaim the arrival of the Christ Child. The focus of the Advent sermons this year is Christmas Carols. The first sermon will be based upon the Hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem”. We know that the scripture writers felt that Bethlehem was important for historical reason. David was born in Bethlehem. It is know as the “City of David”. Both birth narratives imply that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Matthew suggests that Mary, Joseph, and Jesus lived in Bethlehem until Jesus was 2 years old when they fled to Egypt. Luke suggests that Mary and Joseph took their infant son back to Nazareth after his surprise birth in Bethlehem. Many people, who have visited Bethlehem recently, speak of the terror they felt in the city. It is a hotly contested place with soldiers and check points all over. It is ironic that Jesus, “the Prince of Peace” should be thought to have been born in Bethlehem (which means “The City of Fighting” or “The City of Bread”. Phillips Brooks wrote “O Little Town of Bethlehem”. I will supply more research on the town and the hymn in the Wednesday reflections. What is your impression of the city of Jesus’ birth?What are your thoughts about Advent and Christmas this year? If you have thoughts on this and would like others to read them respond where it says “comments”. If you have ideas you would like to share only with me write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net I look forward to hearing from you.  Charles

 

 

 

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Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Reflections on the Thanksgiving sermon

Wednesday at
7pm
   At Christ United Methodist Church 301 Drake RoadSermon Title:  “Thanks, But No Thanks” Thanksgiving service We have worked hard to put our two congregations together. Our feeling is that United Methodist is strong in the city of Fort Collins as long as we can join with each other. This is the second year Christ United Methodist and First United Methodist Church have joined together on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. This is the schedule: 5:30 Dinner at First Church 7:00 Worship at Christ United Methodist 8:00 desert after the service at Christ United Methodist I have been asked to preach the sermon for the service. The title of the sermon is “Thanks, But No Thanks”. The sermon will explore the meaning of gratitude and the difference between shallow reflections that centers around the idea that “we are thankful that we are not like other people”. It is an attitude Jesus confronted when there were people who said to him, “We are thankful we are not like the tax collectors and sinners”. His response was clear. There is some “thanks” that is not “thanks”. Gratitude that does not lead to a desire to spread the wealth, but only serves to hoard it, is not gratitude. It is self-centeredness put into the guise of gratitude. There are things for which we can and must be thankful. We can be thankful for people who believe in us.We can be thankful for the food we have.We can be thankful for the good that comes our way.We can be thankful for life itself. On this Thanksgiving Day what do we do with our gratitude? Do we hoard it? Do we share it with others so that something of our gratitude spills over? If you have thoughts on this subject I would love to hear from you. If you would like to allow other people to read your response leave it where it is written “comments”. Otherwise, write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net I look forward to hearing from you.  Charles
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Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Sermon for November 19th

This week we will visit a baptism. Jesus invites us to remember his baptism in the Jordan and to remember with him that he is “the beloved child of God”. When we are baptized we are also affirmed by God that “we are the beloved child of God.”
 
In his book, The Inner Voice of Love, Henri Nouwen tells us we need to accept our identity as the child of God. He writes, “Your true identity is as a child of God. This is the identity you have to accept. Once you have claimed it and settled in it, you can live in a world that gives you much joy as well as pain. You can receive the praise as well as the blame that comes to you as an opportunity for strengthening your basic identity, because the identity that makes you free is anchored beyond all human praise and blame. You belong to God, and it is as a child of God that you are sent into the world.
You need spiritual guidance; you need people who can keep you anchored in your true identity. The temptation to disconnect from that deep place in you where God dwells and to let yourself be drowned in the praise or blame of the world always remains.
Since that deep place in you where your identity as a child of God is rooted has been unknown to you for a long time, those who are able to touch you there had a sudden and often overwhelming power over you. They became part of your identity. You could no longer live without them. But they could not fulfill that divine role, so they left you, and you felt abandoned. But it is precisely that experience of abandonment that called you back to your true identity as a child of God.
Only God can fully dwell in that deepest place in you and give you a sense of safety. But the danger remains that you will let other people run away with your sacred center, thus throwing you into anguish.
It might take a great deal of time and discipline to fully reconnect your deep, hidden self and your public self, which is known, loved, and accepted but also criticized by the world. Gradually, though, you will begin feeling more connected and become more fully who you truly are—-a child of God. There lies your real freedom.”
 
Do you remember your baptism? Recall the time and the circumstances surrounding it. Perhaps you were baptized as an infant. What are the stories surrounding that baptism? Share your story with me by emailing me at joycecurtis@fcfumc.net or leaving your comments for others to read by responding to “comments”. I look forward to hearing from you.
 
Joyce Curtis
 
I
 
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Friday, November 10, 2006

Friday’s thoughts for the sermon for November 12th

 There are two thoughts that have come to mind for me this week as we honor the senior members of our church. It is important that we pay attention to people of all ages, but our society is so youth oriented that older people are often forgotten.
 The story of the woman who baked the cake for Elijah is a story of a young woman who paid tribute to someone she admired. She looked up to Elijah and was kind to him. The story of the poor widow who put the two cents on the altar is a story of an old woman who gave what she could toward what she believed. She wasn’t concerned about the size of the gift. She was focused on the importance of giving the best she had and she wasn’t concerned what others might think. Both women were widows. In some accounts a widow can be a woman whose husband has died or it can be a woman who never married. One of the widows was young and the other was old. One of the women had a child. We don’t know about the other family members of the widow who put down the two cents.  I have come to two conclusions about age and how we live it. 

  1. If we are old (in other words, if we define ourselves as old), and if we are wise we will contribute what we can toward what we believe.
  2. If we are young (in other words, if we define ourselves as young), and if we are smart, we will tribute to the people whom we admire.

 The question is not so much, “are we old or young?”If we are either young or old the more important question is “are we wise or smart” If your have thoughts you would like to share publicly respond to the “comments” below. If you have ideas you’d like to pass on to me write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net I look forward to your responses.  Charles

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Wednesday, November 8, 2006

Wednesday’s Thoughts on the sermon

The readings for Sunday’s sermon include Mark 12:38-44

 

Here are some preliminary thoughts on the sermon entitled, “How Old Are You?”

 

 

THERE IS A PART OF THE STORY WE KNOW
ALL TOO WELL. THE STORY OF THE WIDOW WHO GAVE TWO CENTS AND JESUS DETERMINED THAT SHE HAD MADE THE LARGEST GIFT THAT DAY.

 

 

If you have responses on this respond to the box marked ‘comments’. If you would like to respond to me directly write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net

 

I look forward to hearing from you.

 

 

Charles
  IT’S A GREAT TEXT FOR FINANCE CAMPAIGNS AS WE THINK ABOUT THE GIFTS AND PLEDGES WE MAKE TO THE CHURCH. WE PREACHERS WILL TAKE THAT TEXT AND WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE DO NOT GIVE THE WIDOW’S MITE TO THE CHURCH BUT WE GIVE WITH THE WIDOW’S SPIRIT. THERE IS SOMETHING THAT PRECEEDS THAT STORY THAT DIRECTS OUR THINKING THIS MORNING ON THIS SUNDAY WHEN WE HONOR THE SENIOR MEMBERS OF OUR CHURCH. IT COMES FROM JESUS. IT’S IN THE GOSPEL OF MARK, “BEWARD OF THE SCRIBES WHO LIKE TO WALK ABOUT IN THEIR LONG ROBES, TO BE GREETED OBSEQUIOUSLY IN THE MAKET SQUARES TO TAKE THE FRON SEATS IN THE CHURCHES AND PLACE OF HONOR AT BANQUETS; THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO SWALLOW THE PROPERTY OF THE OLD PEOPLE, WHILE MAKING LENGTHY PRAYERS.” WHY ARE PEOPLE MEAN TO OLD PEOPLE? THERE IS A STORY OF THE WOODEN BOWL THAT SHOWS THIS: “A FRAIL OLD MAN WENT TO LIVE WITH HIS SON, DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, AND THEIR FOUR-YEAR OLD GRANDSON. THE OLD MAN’S HANDS TREMBLED, HIS EYESIGHT WAS BLURRED, AND HIS STEP FALTERED. THE FAMILY ATE TOGETHER AT THE TABLE. BUT THE ELDERLY GRANDFATHER’S SHAKY HANDS AND FAILING SIGHT MADE EATING DIFFICULT. PEAS ROLLED OFF HIS SPOON ONTO THE FLOOR. WHEN HE GRASPED THE GLASS, MILK SPILLED ON THE TABLECLOTH. THE SON AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAW BECAME IRRITATED WITH THE MESS. “WE MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT FATHER,” SAID THE SON. “I’VE HAD ENOUGH OF HIS SPILLED MILK, NOISY EATING, AND FOOD ON THE FLOOR.” SO THE HUSBAND AND WIFE SET A SMALL TABLE IN THE CORNER. THERE, GRANDFATHER ATE ALONE WHILE THE REST OF THE FAMILY ENJOYED DINNER. SINCE GRANDFATHER HAD BROKEN A DISH OR TWO, HIS FOOD WAS SERVED IN A WOODEN BOWL. WHEN THE FAMILY GLANCED IN GRANDFATHER’S DIRECTION, SOMETIMES HE HAD A TEAR IN HIS EYE AS HE SAT ALONE. STILL, THE OLY WORDS THE COUPLE HAD FOR HIM WERE SHARP ADMONITIONS WHEN HE DROPPED A FORK OR SPILLED FOOD. THE FOUR-YEAR-OLD WATCHED IN SILENCE. ONE EVENING BEFORE SUPPER, THE FATHER NOTICED HIS SON PLAYING WITH WOOD SCRAPS ON THE FLOOR. HE ASKED THE CHILD SWEETLY, “WHAT ARE YOU MAKING?” JUST AS SWEETLY, THE BOY RESPONDED, “OH, I AM MAKING A LITTLE BOWL FOR YOU AND MAMMA TO EAT YOUR FOOD WHEN I GROW UP.” THE FOUR-YEAR-OLD SMILED AND WENT BACK TO WORK.

 

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Sunday, November 5, 2006

Sunday’s thoughts for the sermon for Sunday, November 12th

“A Time To Live”
We have a large population of older adults in our congregation. We have made the commitment to bring as many people as possible to church on Sunday morning. We have refitted our church van, we have organized cars to follow and drivers who volunteer to be sure older members of our church and older people in our community can get to church if they wish to come.That is probably the fastest growing population in our church because the ones who are coming are inviting other people. We began with five or six people. Now, on a regular basis, we bring as many as 20 to church every Sunday. They have enriched our church life in many ways. They share their wisdom and their perspectives on living. They are humorous and delightful and bring so much to our church when they can be here. Robert Raines has this to say:“While the challenge of creative aging faces us all along the adult life cycle, it becomes pressing as we approach the later years. The good new is that, because of increasing longevity, there is an elder season, which may begin around seventy or later, and continue through the rest of our lives. Specific age parameters are necessarily imprecise, because the sense of where people are in the age span is shifting and not settled. What matters is to locate one’s self within the journey and engage its tasks.” How do we locate ourselves on the journey?How do we engage its tasks? Sunday we are going to explore those two questions. Those questions are relevant to all of us regardless of our age. If you have thoughts you would like other people to see respond to “comments” at the bottom of this page. If you would like to send a message to me directly write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net I look forward to your responses Charles
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Friday, November 3, 2006

Friday’s thoughts

 It’s a New Day
 There are many ways to motivate people to give and pledge to the church that are not worthy of the church. Often we experience fear when we are told that we must give to the church because the church is of God. Whenever God is thrown into the equation there is the idea that if we don’t support the church God will get us. I’ve heard preachers suggest that giving to the church is a fulfillment of the “Will of God”.Another way in which we are encouraged to give to the church is through guilt. We are told we had better support the church or the church will die. We are reminded how the church has been there for us and how we are obligated to support the church to be there for other people. I find attempts to motive people through fear or guilt are inappropriate. We support the church not for the sake of the church because the church is a vehicle and not an end in itself. We support the church not for the sake of God because God’s concern is a whole lot larger than the mere survival of the institutional church.The only reason I can feel good about inviting support of the church is for our sake. We support the church because we have a basic belief in the church, and because we are connected in our faith in God to live out our faith journey through the church. Collectively we can do so much more, and our involvement in the church is a part of our growth in faith. Support of the church is not about how much is taken in but about how much is allowed to spill over. We give because we believe in the church and have found that church to be a place where we can express ourselves and our faith in many, many ways. That’s how I see it. What do you think? If you have thoughts to share publicly, please leave a comment with this post as indicated where it says “comments”. For personal thoughts intended only for me write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net I look forward to hearing from you.  Charles
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Wednesday, November 1, 2006

Wednesday’s Thoughts on the sermon

Stewardship is about what we do with what we have. It has to do with how we use what we’ve been given and what happens to us as we share it and what happens in the world as a result of our sharing.

 

Sunday night our youth went out into Fort Collins to collect canned goods for the area food bank. Fifty-five of our youth went on this “trick or treat” project, and twelve adults and Joel Kershaw. The result was astonishing. They collected over 1000 pounds of food. Their stewardship and outreach was remarkable.

 

Two Sundays ago in a Children’s Sermon I had a bag of coins I had brought from home. I gave each of our children a coin, and then asked them if any of them would like to trade the coin they had received for another coin I had. The other coin I had brought was dollar coins. I had seven dollar coins. Seven children were willing to trade. Then I asked who got the most out of the deal. At first they thought the people who had received the dollar coins got the best deal. Then one of the children looked at me and said he thought I got the best of the deal because I had given to them and it’s better to give than to recieve.

 

I was pretty confident that that child was correct. I had gotten the best deal. I was wrong. One of our children on the way out of the Sanctuary on the way to church school class gave the coin he had been given to one of our ushers. He who had the least had given the most like the widow who put two cents on the altar.

 

What is the most you and I have ever received because we have been willing to give?

 

If you have thoughts to share so that others may see them leave your response with this post. For responses you would like me to see privately write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net

I look forward to your ideas.

 

 

Charles

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