All Who Wander are not Lost

EASTER DAY

2011-04-24T05:41:00.000-07:00

Christ the Lord is Risen Today! John 20:1-18 (Click here to Read)

Easter Sunday is the most important day in the Christian church. The tomb is now vacated and, because of that, God has given us salvation through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection!

Ev'ry morning is Easter morning from now on!
Ev'ry day's resurrection day, the past is over and gone!
Good-bye guilt, good-bye fear, good riddance!
Hello, Lord, Hello, sun!
I am one of the Easter People! My new life has begun!
Daily news is so bad it seems the Good News seldom gets heard. Get it straight from the Easter People! God's in charge spread the word! Ev'ry morning is Easter morning from now on!
Ev'ry day's resurrection day, the past is over and gone.

~Richard Avery & Donald Marsh

As Christians, we are Easter people. We have a story to tell. A story of love and grace. A story of joy and fulfillment. A story of peace and hope. Tell the story! Tell the story so that others may come to know God’s love through our risen Savior, Jesus Christ.

Ev’ry morning is Easter morning from now on!
Ev'ry day's resurrection day, the past is over and gone!

Lent Day 40

2011-04-24T05:40:00.001-07:00

Being a Christian Matters! Luke 16:1-13 (Click here to Read)

This is a great time to be a Christian. Many churches are in trouble, and Christians are often ridiculed or more often ignored. All of that makes it a great time to be a Christian because being a Christian today really matters. The world needs us even if it doesn’t know it. We have a great story to tell and the world needs to hear that story. The world needs to hear about the birth, life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The world needs to know that we have a savior who wants to save us. The world needs to see that we care and reach out in love and concern to all people. The world is hurting and we can help, one little Christian act at a time.

Prayer: Holy God, thank you for sending us a Savior who wants to save us. Amen

~The Rev. Ed Winkler (from September 2010 Sermon entitled “Get Real”)

Lent Day 39

2011-04-22T07:48:00.000-07:00

Cross-Examination 1 Corinthians 1:18 (Click here to Read)

Remember some of those great TV courtroom dramas such as on Matlock, LA Law, or my mom’s favorite, Perry Mason? Or the climatic scene in the movie, A Few Good Men, where Tom Cruise stands toe to toe with Jack Nicholson, egging him on until Nicholson’s character is forced to shout out that iconic line, You can’t handle the truth! It’s during the grilling cross-examination that the guilty party breaks down, confesses his or her crime, and the truth is finally revealed. Case solved – well at least it is in Hollywood. As we move along our Lenten journey we realize that we can’t handle the real truth about Easter without experiencing some sort of cross examination. To reach the full joy of an empty tomb and resurrected Lord, we must first face the passion of Jesus and get through the darkness of Good Friday. Our own cross examination leads to a
confession of our guilt and need for Christ. In that climatic courtroom scene played out in our hearts and minds, we come to realize that God chose to come to us, to be humiliated and pay the debt we owe. The cross becomes the supreme image of the power of love and justice which are blended together as an expression of God’s mercy. For Paul, the cross was a symbolic representation of how God deals with sinful humanity. The notion of a Messiah who suffers may seem downright foolish to a world that still proclaims we should be able to redeem ourselves by our own wisdom or works. In the cross we see how God does for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Likewise, the message of the cross is so
transformational that we soon find ourselves making sacrifices and reaching out to those who are hurting and in trouble. The cross still has the power to change the world.

In the immortal words of George Macleod: I simply argue that the cross be raised again at the centre of the marketplace as well as on the steeple of the church. I am recovering the claim that Jesus was not crucified in a cathedral between two candles, but on a cross between two thieves, on the town garbage heap, at a crossroad so cosmopolitan they had to write his title in Hebrew, Latin and Greek. It was the kind of place where cynics talk smut, thieves curse, and soldiers gamble. That’s where he died. And that’s where Christians ought to be and what
Christians ought to be about.

Prayer: God of Love, thank you for sending your son and for reminding us through the cross the debt that was paid for our sins. Amen

~The Rev. Dr. Rob Colwell

Lent Day 36

2011-04-21T08:44:00.000-07:00

A Touch for Grace Mark 12:22-24 (Click here to Read)

We were celebrating Holy Communion. The bread, the body of Christ, we were told, was being placed in our hands. Then we were invited to dip it in a cup, announced to be the blood of Christ. As I dipped the bread in the cup and raised it to my lips, a large, red drop from the bread fell onto my hand…

Time seemed to stand still. I watched the droplet fall on my finger, then slowly make its way down between my fingers, and then onto my palm.

Suddenly, a warmth began to grow in my hand and spread to my arm and soon engulfed me – heart, head, spirit – all of me…

Staring at the red droplet, I began to see pictures, like a mystic Power Point presentation…

I saw…

the crucified hands of Christ, red but not with wine…

a crown of thorns pressed into his brow…

the wound made by the spear in his side…

A voice rang out, “It is finished!” His head fell upon his chest…

I don’t know how I made it back to the pew, as hot tears had filled my eyes. I found myself raising my own hands and offering them and all I was to Christ and His service.

Prayer: Jesus, you gave your all for me. Here is my all for you. Amen

~The Rev. Bass Mitchell

Lent Day 35

2011-04-20T13:27:00.000-07:00

Do You Know Him? Matthew 26:34-35 (Click here to Read)

We know the end of this story. A few verses later, Peter is quick to say that “I don’t know the man.” (Matthew 26:74) The rooster crows and Peter realizes what he has done—or not done. Is this the “momentary lapse of judgment” that we so often hear about in the news these days? Perhaps in Peter’s defense, I like the rhetorical question Frederick Buechner poses when he asks “does anyone really know Jesus?” I am thinking that we are more like Peter than we want to admit. Not because we are afraid of ridicule or persecution, but because we REALLY don’t know him. How well would you say you know Jesus if the question were directed straight at you? I have found that the way to get to know someone is to spend time with them, not simply hear about them from someone else. The way we get to know Jesus is through prayer, study, service, and worship. By Easter, it would be my hope that all of us would know Jesus just a little better. Maybe the ancient prayer made famous in song by the musical Godspell can help us:

Day by day, day by day,
O, dear Lord, three things I pray:
To see Thee more clearly, Love Thee more dearly,
Follow Thee more nearly, Day by day…

Prayer: Dear Lord, we pray that this journey through Lent will draw us closer to you, that we might know you better and celebrate with you the joy of your resurrection. Amen

~The Rev. Burt Brooks

Lent Day 34

2011-04-19T06:14:00.001-07:00

Lead by Example John 14:1-12 (Click here to Read)

I was very fortunate to grow up in a home and a church full of strong Christians who were quick to make sure I didn’t stray from God’s path. One of the most important was my pastor for the first 24 years of my life (this was a Presbyterian church). Dr. W.C. “Pete” Neill was a slight, studious man – I did not learn until after his death that he had been a champion wrestler in high school and a U.S. Navy officer on a combat ship during World War II – he was never what you’d call a passionate preacher. What he was really good at was modeling righteous living. In his quiet way, he was a role model for all of us. In this scripture, Jesus is preparing his disciples for his coming arrest and death with some of his most important teachings about the Kingdom of God when Philip interrupts, saying “show us the Father and we’ll be satisfied.” You can almost feel Jesus’ shoulders slump in disappointment. These clueless guys just don’t get it. They’ve had the Father there with them for many months and they just don’t understand. Jesus’ words and deeds have been showing them the Father all along. Dr. Neill knew how to “show us the Father” every day, simply by being a Godly man. I’ve tried to follow his example ever since.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you gave us the ultimate role model in sending your Son to live among us on Earth, and we are thankful. Help us to understand that by loving you and loving our neighbors we fulfill the greatest commandments. Help us to know that the life we lead can be a model for others, those who watch us to see if our actions match our Christian beliefs. And help us to lead a more Christ-like life. Amen

~Neill Caldwell

Lent Day 33

2011-04-19T06:13:00.002-07:00

My Father & my father Ephesians 3:14-19 (Click here to Read)

I grew up in church parsonages. My model for faith, and the source of my understanding of what it meant to live a life of faith, was my father. To this day, some 16 years since he was “appointed to the church eternal,” I know that he was a faithful and dedicated servant of the Lord who guided me in life and in faith. Even so, however, I chose not to follow in his footsteps. When I graduated from college I thought about attending seminary, but I did not want any part of a life that seemed to either expect too much of a pastor by placing him on a pedestal; or that wore him out with stress and abuse. It was not until much later in life that I finally responded to the calling of God to pastoral ministry. What changed? What was the difference? To be sure, part of it was within me. At age 21, I was not ready to listen. At age 35 I was. More importantly, however, my faith as a young man was based almost entirely on human models, which were clearly flawed. Only as an adult did I finally come to grasp that the calling and purpose of the Father in me was only possible through Jesus Christ. When I allowed him to dwell in my heart and to take root, I finally came to know the love and faith that surpasses all understanding.

I made it, Dad! Thank you, Father!

Prayer: According to the riches of your glory, Heavenly Father, grant me strength in my inner being through your Spirit, that Christ may always dwell in my heart through faith. Amen

~The Rev. Jeffry J. Roberts

Lent Day 32

2011-04-19T06:13:00.001-07:00

“Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” Matthew 21:1-11 (Click here to Read)

Hosanna, Loud hosanna, the little children sang; through pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang. To Jesus, who had blessed them close folded to his breast, the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best. From Olivet they followed mid an exultant crowd, the victor palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud. The Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state, nor scorned that little children should on his bidding wait. “Hosanna in the Highest!” that ancient song we sing, for Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heaven our King. O may we ever praise him with heart and life and voice, and in his blissful presence eternally rejoice!

Prayer: God of Grace and Mercy, as we wave our palm branches high today, let us remember the celebration of the events of that day and let us remember to always welcome Jesus into our hearts and into our homes. Amen

~Jeanette Threlfall, 1873

Lent Day 31

2011-04-19T06:12:00.001-07:00

The Story Continues Hebrews 10:16-25 (Click here to Read)

Because the Last Supper was celebrated during the Feast of the Passover, which is calculated on the phases of the moon, Easter is called a movable feast. Lent is scheduled backwards from Easter. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full moon after the spring equinox.

Prayer: Almighty God, you sent your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to suffer death on the cross. Grant that we may share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection. Amen

~The Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978

Lent Day 30

2011-04-15T08:00:00.001-07:00

Reflect and Cleanse Jeremiah 29:11-13 (Click here to Read)

Lent allows us a time for reflecting and cleansing, to consider what it is that Jesus’ death and resurrection mean, and where we fit into the story that God is unveiling in our world. In reflecting back over my life, there are times and places where I KNEW that God was present with me and times he felt absent. But looking back, I can see that he was with me all along. In Jeremiah 29:11-13, God tells his people, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Through Lent, I reflect on what God has done to prosper me and to keep me safe, and in that, I see the hope of the future in God’s hands. I see the way that Jesus’ death and resurrection frees me from sin and death, and liberates me to walk hand-in-hand with God. Through this time of Lent, I choose to renew my search for God with my whole heart - and know that God is there in every moment, eagerly waiting for me.

Prayer: Great God, I pray this day that you would make yourself known to me, and reveal your perfect plan. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

~The Rev. Jacob Sahms

Lent Day 29

2011-04-14T12:53:00.000-07:00

I am Weak, but He is Strong Luke 22:39-43 (Click here to Read)

Have you ever been paralyzed by fear? Have you ever been so afraid it hurts to breathe? Was Jesus feeling these emotions as he was lead to the cross? One thing that comforts me is the thought that no matter what I go through, no matter what emotions stop me in my tracks, Jesus has felt these emotions. Jesus can say to me, “I know how you feel”. As I sit here and think about what Jesus means to me, I am stumped. How can I convey just how much He means to me in this short devotional? He means everything! He is in every aspect of my life. I can’t make it on my own. But I have made it through some really tough situations. Between my three sons, I have lived through five military deployments and soon to be six. Each deployment, every single time I wonder…how can I do this again? The answer…I can’t! Only by the steady calming presence of Jesus can I stand the long separations, the missed phone calls, the daily news reports. I need the still quiet voice telling me: “I will not give you anything in this world you can’t handle…” I am weak but He is strong. Jesus is my rock. Jesus lifts me up and carries me through…day by day….and he will do the same for you. Jesus turned to His heavenly Father for courage and strength to fulfill God’s plan of salvation. Jesus knows what I go through. Jesus knows what you go through. Jesus is there for me. Jesus will be there for you, if you let Him.

Prayer: Lord, this is a scary world. Help us Lord, to turn outward and see the fears that so many live with every day. Give me the instruments to comfort those as you comfort me. Amen

~Barbara Lipford

Lent Day 28

2011-04-12T08:54:00.000-07:00

The One Philippians 2:5 (Click here to Read)

This verse is inscribed on the academic building at the seminary I attend. As I anticipate graduation, I consider with gratitude the ways in which God has taught me through peers and teachers. In our guiding scripture from Ephesians, the epistle-writer exclaims “That is not the way you learned Christ!” referring to what happens in a life apart from God: ignorance, alienation and hardness of heart. Relying solely on oneself and distancing oneself from God and others is not the way one learns Christ. How have I learned and continue to learn Christ at seminary? Delving into the theology, scripture, church history, and worship practices is crucial and marvelous, and oftentimes a means of grace – a way of encountering Christ. But sometimes I hoard the discoveries gleaned from textbooks and lectures, as if they were buried treasure. To do so, the learning is done in vain, and I have not learned Christ. Learning happens in community, through the sharing and receiving of wisdom. Learning becomes holy when it is enacted in mercy, compassion, justice and peace. Learning is not just a personal endeavor. The greatest Teacher in my faith journey is the One who turned the wisdom of the world upside down. If I am to take on the mind of Christ, I am to pattern my life after the One who lived a life of learning and teaching, whose humility and obedience was exemplified in death on a cross, and who did nothing for his own gain but always for others, so that we might share in the life-giving realm of God.

Prayer: Holy One, we confess that we gather and seek for ourselves. Forgive us. Grant us the mind of Christ so that we might live our lives in service and humility. Amen

~Meghan Roth

Lent Day 27

2011-04-12T08:53:00.002-07:00

Epic Priority Shift Psalm 37:1-9 (Click here to Read)

In verse 4 the psalmist writes “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” I once interpreted that as saying “believe in me and I’ll give you whatever you ask for.” Not anymore! For one thing, there have been enough times when I confessed faith in Christ, only to see my request denied. As my teenage son might say, “Epic Fail, Dad!” More importantly, however, I’ve grown into another interpretation of that verse. I now believe that when I willingly submit to God’s will, then God takes away my selfish desires and replaces them with righteous ones. God literally gives my heart new desires, and then (not surprisingly) proceeds to satisfy them (often in some rather surprising ways!) Since the new birth in Christ I experienced in 1997, I’ve seen a few vocational dreams fall by the wayside. Rather than lament their loss, I’ve found I no longer desire those things anymore…I actually want different things now, to follow Jesus where He leads me. I still frequently backslide, but things that were so important to me years ago no longer command my attention. And this is no mere happy-talk in the face of disappointment; this is a radical re-ordering of my priorities by Holy Spirit, who deserves all credit. Epic Success, Heavenly Father!

Prayer: Gracious Lord Jesus, help each of us every day in our respective, and collective, journeys of faith, so that our selfish pursuits might be redirected into a passionate desire to serve you alone. Amen

~The Rev. Charlie Stribula

Lent Day 26

2011-04-12T08:53:00.001-07:00

“We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations” John 11:1-45 (Click here to Read)

We’ve a Savior to show to the nations, who the path of sorrow hath trod, that all of the world’s great peoples might come to the truth of God, might come to the truth of God. For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noonday bright; and Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom of love and light. (H. Ernest Nichol, 1896)

Prayer: Holy God, thank you for a Savior that was born to bring us hope and light. We have a story to tell of a wonderful Savior, help us, O Lord, to tell that story often and openly to all who will listen. Amen

Lent Day 25

2011-04-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

The Story Continues Ezekiel 37:1-14 (Click here to Read)

During Lent we follow Jesus from His adult ministry through His suffering during Holy Week to his crucifixion and death on Good Friday. And we read the Psalms that foretold what happened during that week.

Prayer: O Lord, show me where love and hope and faith are needed, and use me to bring them to those places. Open my ears and my eyes that I may this coming day be able to do some work of peace for thee. Amen

Lent Day 24

2011-04-08T07:52:00.000-07:00

Claiming the Name Exodus 20:7 (Click here to Read)

Before we begin to take pride in the fact that we do not use the Lord’s name to curse the persons, things, or events that get under our skin, consider this. Do we call ourselves Christian? That means that we claim for ourselves the name of Christ! Have we taken that name in vain? Do we live up to the commitments we made when we accepted the salvation that is open to us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Do we live up to the commitments we made at our baptism and that we make each time we renew that commitment as others are brought into the community of faith. We committed ourselves to nurture others in the Christian faith, to proclaim the good news, and to live according to the example of Christ. What does this mean for our lives? Are we living up to what we think it means to be a Christian? Is the life of Christ our example of what our lives show to the world around us? Jesus lived a radical understanding of love, of what it means to be neighbor, and of who is included, and demonstrated special concern for the poor, the sick, and the excluded. Do we? Jesus embraced the Samaritans of His day -- the lepers, the bleeding woman, the tax collector, the cultural outsiders, and the religiously “incorrect.” Do we? If not, we are taking the name of the Lord in vain. What changes do we need to make during this Lenten season so that our claim and our lives give us the right to use the name “Christian” -- and not in vain?

Prayer: Lord, search me and know my heart. Search my life and help me to see what you see. Open me to your Holy Spirit so that I will know and have the strength and determination to make the changes I need to make so that my life is pleasing to you and I am free to claim the name “Christian.” Amen

~The Rev. Dr. Youtha Hardman-Cromwell

Lent Day 23

2011-04-07T08:15:00.001-07:00

Rejoice Romans 5:6 (Click here to Read)

For me, the major part of Lent is listening. What Paul tells me in his letter to the Romans is different from what the world tells me. The world says I can be a “self made man.” I’m told I can “pull myself up by my bootstraps.” That is quite different from Paul’s audacious claim. If I can fix myself, there was no need for Jesus to die on a cross; I have no need for a Savior, and I don’t need 40 days to meditate on God’s action in Christ. Dennis Jernigan, a Christian songwriter/performer, tells about his children who fall on playgrounds. When the children run to him with scraped knees and bloody noses, Jernigan doesn’t say, “Wait––get cleaned up, stop that bleeding, and then I will hold you.” As any father, he holds and comforts them––nose bleed, scrapes, tears and all. As we repeat in the communion liturgy, “Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. That proves God’s love for us.” We don’t need to get “cleaned up” before we are received and loved by Christ. I am not a self-made man, and I suspect you have learned that it is impossible to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps. Rejoice that we know Christ and His redeeming love. Take a moment to experience the pure joy that comes from being in the presence of the Lord, who freely gave His life for your salvation.

Prayer: God, you know better than I where I fall short; forgive me. Open my heart to your peace. Amen

~Gilbert Hanke

Lent Day 22

2011-04-07T08:13:00.000-07:00

Relying on God Jeremiah 29:11 (Click here to Read)

I recently had to write a paper on how my preaching has changed since I first stepped into the pulpit. “I never wanted to preach!” were the first words I wrote. It wasn’t until I applied for the position, and fell in love with the work and ministry of the Society of St. Andrew, that I discovered that preaching would be part of my responsibilities. I knew at that moment that once again God had different plans for my life than I did. I worked hard to overcome some insecurities and spent lots of time on exegesis (study of Jesus and the Bible) work in preparation of bringing the Good News. My preaching has certainly changed over the years. Today, instead of relying on myself and my words, I now rely fully on God.

Prayer: God of surprises, thank you for using me to share your message of love and grace with your people. Amen

~The Rev. Jennifer Vestal Moore

Lent Day 21

2011-04-05T09:40:00.002-07:00

An Uncompleted Journey Ephesians 4:15 (Click here to Read)

Lent recalls Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem. What about our own journey, spiritually? Mine is clearly unfinished. Reading Ephesians 4:14-32 makes me wish my journey had accomplished all the things I find there, such as growing “in every way into Christ”. How much have I grown into Christ? Most of us view this as a goal we continue to pursue. My faith journey story is not about how far I may have come, by grace, but how far I have to go. I talked with a young man whose home was reduced to ruins by a natural disaster. He slept in a child’s tent for weeks. Yet his faith was radiant with optimism, confident God would provide. Would mine measure up to his in similar circumstances? I wondered. A friend in a communist society had been imprisoned because he was a Christian minister. Knowing what he suffered for his faith, I questioned the depth of my own. And comparing my spiritual journey to Christ, my story may scarcely fill a pamphlet; his an encyclopedia of faith, love, and sacrifice. The story of an uncompleted spiritual journey is akin to what Paul felt when he once wrote, “The goal I pursue is the prize of God’s upward call in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

Prayer: O God, may this Lenten season help us pursue anew the goal of Christ-likeness by following him, learning from him, and relying upon him. Amen

~Bishop Hasbrouck Hughes, Jr.

Lent Day 20

2011-04-05T09:40:00.001-07:00

Defining Oneself 2 Corinthians 4:5 (Click here to Read)

When the time came to renew my license plates, I was willing to pay a little extra for vanity tags. After several failed attempts on Virginia’s DMV website, I recalled a verse. I typed in the message – 2COR45 – and it was available. Truthfully, when I purchased the plates I wanted something that defined me. You see, I was caught up in my own little world – thinking that life was about me. Without question, we are constantly bombarded with this message from our society. Just watch TV, listen to the radio, read a newspaper or magazine – the focus on “me” comes across loud and clear. We live in a culture that pressures us to preach about ourselves, and I fell into that trap. Thankfully, the Lord redeemed my choice because this verse really does not define me; it points to God. You see, 2 Corinthians 4:5 counters our societal mindset, teaching that God the Son should be the content of our preaching, not ourselves. To be sure, that is crucial for me to grasp during my sermon preparation each week. However, it is essential for anyone who follows Jesus to grapple with this challenge every day. And so, just like the two men I saw in the car behind me, writing down 2COR45, perhaps you will do the same and live by it.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, it is all about you and not about us. Help us to remember that fact during this Lenten Season. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

~The Rev. John Hemming

Lent Day 19

2011-04-05T09:39:00.001-07:00

“We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations” John 9:1-41 (Click here to Read)

We’ve a message to give to the nations, that the Lord who reigneth above hath sent us his Son to save us, and show us that God is love, and show us that God is love. For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noonday bright and Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom of love and light. (H. Ernest Nichol, 1896)

Prayer: Come, my Light. Come my Life, and revive me from death. Come, my Physician, and heal my wounds. Come, Flame of divine love, and burn up the thorns of my sins, kindling my heart with the flame of thy love. Come, my King, sit upon the throne of my heart and reign there. Amen

~Dimitri of Rostov, Russia, 17th cent.

Lent Day 18

2011-04-05T09:38:00.000-07:00

"Truth or Consequences" Ephesians 4:15 (Click here to Read)

During the 50's a television quiz show called "Truth or Consequences" made its debut. The premise of the show involved answering a trivia question. Failure to answer correctly would result in the contestant having to perform some "wacky stunt" which could lead to a great prize or, (and this is where the program guaranteed the loyalty of its audience), a "most embarrassing moment."

Ephesians 4:15 tells us to "tell the truth--in love." As a preschooler the lesson was not lost on me that failure to tell the truth might result in consequences such as a nose like Pinocchio's that increased with each deception while telling the truth might be the foretelling of presidential greatness.

What complicated this admonition to truth telling was the "in love" part. On my best day I might be able to live into truth telling couched in love, but if the truth be told (and we have already established the importance of that) I am more likely to be zealous about speaking the truth if it justifies my own opinion, diminishes my own inadequacies or promotes my own self interests. Which is probably why the verse continues..."in every way growing more and more like Christ, who is the head of the church."

Making Christ the standard of the truth and the telling of the truth rather than leaving me to my own devices is--well, down right "inspired."

Getting back to that 50's game show, sometimes the consequences would involve an emotional, heart rendering surprise for the contestant such as the reunion of a soldier (fresh from the war) with his wife and kids.

Telling the truth in love as Christ has an inherent surprise for all of us--it is called-- grace. And it is through grace (that gift we cannot earn) that we receive the power to believe, to hope and to love. Now that's a consequence I can live with!

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to get honest with You and with myself. I want to be transparent with You, but it seems I still manage to pack my pockets with lies big and small. Help me to be honest about my fear and my anger and my feelings of inadequacy. Help me to be honest about the times I don’t trust even You. And then, when I’ve come clean and all the arrogance has been washed from my own heart, help me to humbly tell the trust in love. I know each day brings its own deceptions, so remind me to get honest with you every day, taking a careful inventory to make sure nothing is being held back. I know every act has consequences. Help me to reap the consequences of truthfulness as I share my story and become part of Your story of grace. Amen

~Joy Sylvester-Johnson

Lent Day 17

2011-04-01T07:03:00.001-07:00

All Grown Up James 1:12-16 (Click here to Read)

When I was a kid, I used to get all excited about the time when I would be “all grown up”. I just knew that great things awaited me when I got there. I would be large of body, fully mature in development, wise in years, and successful in my chosen career. And when all of that happened, I knew that I would have achieved the fullness of purpose in my life. Oh, how wrong I was about all of it. Large of body? Sure. But too large, and the doctor says it isn’t healthy. Fully mature? Nah, I’m still a kid at heart and just can’t quite “put an end to childish ways”. Wise? Mostly just a wise-guy. Successful in my chosen career? Which one? My first or second career? Or my next one? I was also wrong about the whole “finding my purpose” thing. For that purpose was never to be found within me or in my works and achievements. The scripture tells us that when we are lured and enticed by our own desires and interests, it gives way only to sin and death. We are then warned, quite simply: “Do not be deceived”. Most of all, I was wrong about what it means to be “all grown up”. For it is not about being fully-grown by those worldly measures. Rather, it means growing “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). So I still have a long way to go. I still have a lot to learn. But in Christ I am growing, and I still expect one day to be all grown up!

Prayer: Loving, Gracious Lord, nurture me in my growth, guide me in your truth and teach me. Amen

~The Rev. Jim Shorts

Lent Day 16

2011-03-31T12:23:00.000-07:00

What’s Your Story? Romans 10:14-17 (Click here to Read)

With the Great Commission, Jesus sent all of us into the world to tell the story of God’s love, the story of the risen Christ. This story has not changed for over 2,000 years. But each of us has a unique story to tell of what God has done for us, with us, and through us. We all have a different story to tell of how walking with Jesus Christ has changed our lives. The Disciples each had a different story to tell of how the three years of walking with Jesus changed their lives. Some of us had a Damascus Road experience with the risen Christ. Others grew up in a Christian environment. Our stories are different. I grew up in a Christian environment and came into the faith gradually. I experienced the stories of Jesus as a child and became aware of God’s love through many experiences. Early in my youth I felt God’s call to serve Him, but like many, I wanted to go my own way. God kept calling me and giving me new opportunities and new experiences. After several careers, I finally yielded my life to serve Him full time. But throughout my careers and my experiences, I have felt Jesus walking with me and guiding me, patiently waiting for me to walk with Him. Through all these times, I have felt God’s love, the peace, and the assurance that came because Jesus Christ was walking with me.

What is your story? Won’t you share your story so that someone’s faith may be strengthened?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being patient with me as I have done my own thing. Help me to tell the story of how You have loved me, sustained me and guided me; and how walking with Jesus changed my life. Amen

~The Rev. Dr. Sam Ramirez

Lent Day 15

2011-03-30T14:01:00.001-07:00

A Pilgrimage Luke 24:13-31 (Click here to Read)

A pilgrimage is a journey undertaken in the light of a story. A great event has happened; the pilgrim hears the report and goes in search of the evidence, aspiring to be an eyewitness… As they return to ordinary life the pilgrims must tell others what they saw, recasting the story in their own terms (Paul Elie). In today’s reading, two disciples had been on a pilgrimage. They were hoping to experience Jesus; the one who they dreamed would redeem Israel. They instead are heading to Emmaus with the disappointing news that Jesus was not the One they had been hoping for. Their pilgrimage had ended in sorrow and disappointment. They had gone in hopes of witnessing God’s mercy being poured out on Israel, and instead they witnessed their hopes and dreams killed upon a cross. We have all been in their shoes; we have hoped that God would move in our situations then tragedy strikes and we feel disappointed. Their disappointment was so profound that they did not recognize God (Jesus) as He walked with them. Their disappointment and confusion, however, did not keep Jesus away; He still joined them on their journey. I take comfort in that notion. Even when I doubt God or am disappointed with Him – He still wants to lead me on the journey. He walks with us.

Prayer: Lord, help us live and trust in the fact that you are with us even when we do not recognize you. Amen

~Scott Briggs

Lent Day 15

2011-03-29T06:52:00.002-07:00

Perseverance Philippians 1:6 (Click here to Read)

Do you sometimes feel like you are not making a difference for the Kingdom of God in your everyday life? Do you often feel discouraged and wanting to quit? Paul offers words to encourage us in this life’s journey. Sometimes we may feel like giving up the struggle, then we try to persevere, only to fall once again. The Lord acknowledges the difficulties we face, with a promise to us that we will have victory in the end. Paul wrote in Romans 8:37-39 that nothing will ever separate us from His love, and God, who began the good work in you, will sustain you in His grace until His task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns. Remember, our joy, and our identity as a child of God, does not come from outward circumstances, but from inward strength to persevere. Don’t give up; continue to persevere in prayer, in obedience, and as a bond-servant to the Lord Jesus Christ!

Prayer: Father, in the name of Jesus we give you praise and thanksgiving for your tender mercy, and love for us. I pray that it is our desire to serve you out of a heart of gratitude for what you did at Calvary. Please, by your Holy Spirit cause our hearts to constantly look to you for daily strength and encouragement to persevere and not grow weary in Jesus' name. Amen

~The Rev. Joe Pasquarell

Lent Day 14

2011-03-29T06:52:00.001-07:00

What Joy When Jesus Welcomed the Children Luke 18:15-17 (Click here to Read)

Jesus made it very clear that children of all ages are a priority in God’s kingdom. He even scolded the disciples when they didn’t understand. In the Message, Jesus says…“Don’t get between them (the children) and me. These children are the kingdom’s pride and joy…” Hallelujah! That’s why this passage is especially appropriate for the season of Lent. It’s no secret that I love children. My husband and I have 3 wonderful kids and 4 very special grandchildren. Over the years, as we lived and worked in Africa, I found myself becoming a strong advocate for children there. I’ve seen too many “little ones” who are at risk, vulnerable, orphaned and
suffering due to extreme poverty, war, diseases and hunger. Children like Mate, a little Zambian boy orphaned at the age of 2 ½ and brought to
Namumu Orphanage in Siavonga at the age of 5. Now 10 and still at the orphanage, Mate goes to school, is safe and living a better life because he was welcomed in the name of Christ. He knows about Jesus’ love. The words of Jesus remind me of the great love he has for all children. He calls me as his follower to do as he did, to open my arms and embrace them, care for them, bless and pray for them. Too many children face a bleak future. Jesus wants us to do what we can to bring needy children to him, so that he can gather them in his arms and bless them, remembering that they are his “pride and joy”.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to fling open our arms daily to welcome, to pray for, care for and bless in your name the needy children everywhere. Amen

~Nancy Warlick

Lent Day 14

2011-03-29T06:51:00.001-07:00

“We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations” John 4:5-42 (Click here to Read)

We’ve a song to be sung to the nations, that shall lift their hearts to the Lord, a song that shall conquer evil and shatter the spear and sword, and shatter the spear and sword. For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noon-day bright; and Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom of love and light. (H. Ernest Nichol, 1896)

Prayer: Glorious God, enable us as redeemed and forgiven children evermore to rejoice in singing your praises. Grant that what we sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and what we believe in our hearts we may practice in our lives; so that being doers of the Word and not hearers only, we may receive everlasting life. Amen

~Fred D. Gealy, 20th cent.; L.H. Stookey, 1987

Lent Day 13

2011-03-29T06:50:00.000-07:00

The Story Continues Matthew 3:13-17 (Click here to Read)

Lent is a time of stripping down to essentials, as each Christian focuses on his or her individual relationship with God. It is a time when Christians remember our baptisms, when Jesus washed away our sins, giving us newness of life to celebrate in the triumph of Palm Sunday and the glory of Easter. Many early Christians were baptized on Easter Sunday, so Lent became a special time of study and prayer in preparation for their baptisms. Later, the entire congregation joined in the study and prayer as they looked forward to the anniversary of their baptisms of Easter. Lent is a time of letting go of the bondage of sin. It is also a time of celebrating the freedom from the bondage of slavery.

Prayer: God of the Living water, thank you for my baptism which claimed me as your beloved child. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Lent Day 12

2011-03-25T11:04:00.001-07:00

Random Acts of Kindness Matthew 25:40 (Click here to Read)

Fairly late in life I realized I have tried to use these words of our Savior as a guide on how to live. I left college unsure of my life’s direction and joined the Peace Corps. Living on an outer island in the Marshall Islands, I devoted my life to the education and betterment of my neighbors. When family wrote of their pride at my sacrifice, I brushed off their words. I was just doing a job – no big thing. The Marshallese gave me their understanding of the words of Jesus. Kindness toward others is prized in their culture. In the Marshallese language to say someone is “joij” (kind) is the highest compliment. Returning from the Peace Corps, I reentered college, majoring in elementary education, and spent my life teaching children. I taught my students the Marshallese concept of kindness as a supreme virtue and sought to pass the love for all mankind to them by teaching about “Random Acts of Kindness, Senseless Acts of Beauty.” They learned how peaceful and comforting a classroom environment could be if all practiced kindness – no bullying, no fighting, little feuding, and clique-ing. Kindness toward our fellow travelers on this planet is what Jesus called for, and has been a mission in my life.

Prayer: Lord, help us to live by Jesus’ words by doing good to the least of these who are members of His family. Amen

~ Joe Midzalkowski

Lent Day 11

2011-03-24T11:40:00.000-07:00

Unchanging Matthew 18:3 (Click here to Read)

As a child, I believed in the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and Jesus. I stopped believing in the bunny and Santa, but I never stopped believing in Jesus. My belief in Him defied all human logic. In today’s society, childhood belief in Jesus continues to defy logic in the world of believers and non-believers. Where does the belief come from? Young children can barely read or comprehend the written word of the Bible. Childhood belief is pure and simple. I believe it is a special gift given to each child by God. Thus begins the journey of faith-mine and yours. In the second stage of my journey of faith, during my teenage and adult years, I put my faith journey on hold. I still believed in Jesus but was caught up in an ever-changing world of school, marriage, family, and work. The faith journey was not a priority. Today, I thank God that Jesus did not put me on hold. I am now a senior citizen in the final stage of my journey of faith. I do not feel the need to keep up with an ever-changing world. The belief in Jesus as a young child has manifested itself in my senior years. I know my journey of faith will be ending, and a new journey will begin with Jesus in His Father’s heavenly Kingdom.

Prayer: Thank you, God, for giving the gift of belief in your Son to young children; a belief so real that they see, hear, and talk to Him. I pray that those adults who are on their journey of faith will reflect back to their childhoods and remember the time they spent with Jesus and that He is as real in their lives today as He was then. Amen

~ Jean Bartee

Lent Day 10

2011-03-23T14:03:00.000-07:00

Teach Me Psalm 25:4-7 (Click here to Read)

I was a voracious reader when I was young and very eager to learn, but my enthusiasm for learning had to be on my own terms. I only wanted to read what I wanted to read. I only wanted to study those things that intrigued me. I resisted being directed in my learning, even by teachers whom I know wanted to help me. So, I wasn’t a very good student—the word they used was “underachiever”—, but they all agreed that I was very smart (although they sometimes added the word “aleck”). As a result, I was never very well disciplined when it came to my education. Yet something amazing has happened in my life. By God’s grace through my faith, I have found that the word of Holy Scripture, the presence of the Holy Spirit, the nurturing of the community of faith, and the guiding light of Jesus Christ have been leading and teaching me more than I ever knew or could understand on my own. In other words, I am now being properly “disciplined”. “Discipline” comes from the Greek root “discipulus”, which means learner. To be discipled is to learn. (And, by the way, in the Biblical Greek it is used as a verb. I wish English could do that). I am being discipled by Jesus Christ. That is the very nature of faith: to give ourselves to the discipline, the teaching, of the Lord. What an amazing thing to learn!

Prayer: Lord God, source of all learning, remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions, but according to your steadfast love, remember me. Amen

~ The Rev. Charles Roost

Lent Day 9

2011-03-22T11:17:00.000-07:00

Easter’s Assurance Lamentations 3:18-26 (Click here to Read)

The writer is a bit depressed. Life is difficult. Life is hard. I understand. I’ve been through hard times, too. More often than not, however, I was the cause of my hard times! I have no one to blame but me. During Lent, I face the privilege of being reminded that I am human, complete with my limits and weaknesses. Too often I join with the writer, “Gone is my glory.”...as if I had glory much to start with! “But this I call to mind.”...and we remember the good news. A Lenten examination of our fragile humanity is followed by Easter’s assurance that God loves us anyway. “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases.” Even during hard times, God’s mercies never come to an end.

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust your love, even during hard times. Help me to share your love with others, especially with those who are experiencing hard times. Help me to be an instrument of your steadfast love. Amen

~ The Rev. Dr. Jeff Harlow

Lent Day 8

2011-03-22T11:14:00.002-07:00

His Eternal Embrace John 8:31-32 (Click here to Read)

When I was a little girl, I was aware of His presence. In my young mind, He was an enormous entity that watched over me from somewhere in the heavens. His presence was a deep comfort, though I didn’t understand why. I only knew that I was not afraid of Him and felt safe when He was near. As I grew into adolescence, I had few experiences with Him because I was rebellious and not looking for His kind of comfort. The world was before me and I wanted to explore its sinful diversions. As I searched for happiness in my young adult years, His quiet voice became an annoyance that I tried to ignore. Years later, the strangest thing began to happen. Biblical verses appeared in the oddest places and I became
curious about them. I began searching the Bible for these verses and then, craving more, I began reading the Bible itself. And the Word became alive to me. It caressed my soul, and it awakened my spirit. Finally, I fell into my Savior’s arms asking forgiveness for my sins that nailed Him to the cross. And the Lord Jesus Christ wrapped me in His warm embrace! Now every day is a blessed day walking hand in hand with my Lord!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank you for the power of your living Word, the truth of the cross, and the warmth of your eternal embrace. In Jesus’ name. Amen

~ Susan Bassford

Lent Day 7

2011-03-22T11:14:00.001-07:00

Pin it to the Cross Ephesians 4:22 (Click here to Read)

Twenty years ago, I was on a men’s spiritual retreat. One evening in the chapel, we had a spiritual exercise in which we were to write down our sin and pin it to the cross. Each member of our group did so and left the chapel. While some men seemed to know instantly what had held them back, I was frustrated. Some had found themselves at the bottom, where only Christ could pick up them up. I suffered from something worse – I was a decent guy. I understood the need for repentance, but did not know where to start. I could not pick one thing that held me back. I suffered instead from a plethora of shortcomings. Soon, I sat alone in the chapel. I came up to the cross and began to cry at its foot. One of the leaders came and helped me understand my sin. By being satisfied with my own merit, I had left no room for grace. I needed to let go of my “strength” of being good, and accept the way of Jesus. I needed to pin my whole self; my old self had to go. Since that day, I’ve followed the journey Jesus has guided me into ministry; a journey I could not have followed had I not surrendered to the cross.

Prayer: Dear Lord, Help us to pin our old self to the cross and never look back. Deliver us from our old ways, not by our own strength, but through the grace of Jesus. Amen

~ The Rev. Gerald Headley

Lent Day 6

2011-03-22T11:13:00.000-07:00

“We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations” John 3:1-7 (Click here to Read)

We’ve a story to tell to the nations, that shall turn their hearts to the right, a story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light, a story of peace and light. For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noon-day bright; and Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom of love and light.

Prayer: God of Peace, help us to be strong and unashamed to tell those we meet the story of your peace. Amen

~ H. Ernest Nichol

Lent Day 5

2011-03-22T11:12:00.001-07:00

The Story Continues Psalm 51:1-17 (Click here to Read)

Lent is marked by a time of prayer and preparation to celebrate Easter. Seven Sundays celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The six Sundays that occur during Lent are not counted as part of the 40 days of Lent, and are referred to as little Easters. The number 40 is connected with many biblical events, but especially with the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for His ministry by facing the temptation that could lead him to abandon his mission and calling. Christians today use this period of time for introspection, self examination, and repentance. This season of the year is equal only to the season of Advent in importance in the Christian year, and is part of the second major grouping of Christian festivals and sacred time that includes Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost.

Prayer: Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward, except that of knowing that we do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

~ Ignatius of Loyola, Spain, 16th cent.

Lent Day 4

2011-03-13T18:37:00.000-07:00

“Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days”
Matthew 4:1-21 (Click here to Read)

Lord, who throughout these forty days for us didst fast and pray, teach us with thee to mourn our sins and close by thee to stay. Abide with us, that so, this life of suffering over past, an Easter of unending joy we may attain at last. (Claudia F. Hernaman, 1873)

Prayer: O God our deliverer, you led your people of old through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land. Guide now the people of your church, that, following our Savior, we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen

~ (The Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978)

Lent Day 3

2011-03-13T18:36:00.000-07:00

The Story Continues Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 (Click here to Read)

Ash Wednesday, the seventh Wednesday before Easter Sunday, is the first day of the season of Lent. Its name comes from the ancient practice of placing ashes on worshippers’ heads or foreheads as a sign of humility before God, a symbol of mourning and sorrow at the death that sin brings into the world. It not only prefigures the mourning at the death of Jesus, but also places the worshipper is a position to realize the consequences of sin. Ash Wednesday is a somber day of reflection on what needs to change in our lives if we are to be fully Christian. In the early church, ashes were not offered to everyone, but were only used to mark the forehead of worshippers who had made public confession of sin and sought to be restored to the fellowship of the community at the Easter celebration. However, over the years, others began to show their humility and identification with the penitents by asking that they, too, be marked as sinners. Finally, the imposition of ashes was extended to the whole congregation in services similar to those that are now observed in many Christian churches on Ash Wednesday.

Prayer: Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth. Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, so that we may remember that only by your gracious gift are we given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen

~ (prayer from the UMC Book of Worship Ash Wednesday Service)

Lent Day 2

2011-03-10T09:35:00.000-08:00

Observing a Melanc-Holy Lent

Read: Psalm 22:1-5

Lent is a time for us to offer all of what is on our hearts to God, especially at the times of our deepest doubt, pain, suffering, or grief. It is a time to remember that God is with us in any and all circumstances. I didn’t learn that in the church, however. For the culture and era that I grew up in mostly taught the importance of “keeping a stiff upper lip,” of “turning your frown upside down.” It taught how to “smile though your heart is breaking, smile even though it’s aching” and to “never show weakness”. I spent many years trying to live that way and to deny what I have really felt when I have been hurt, when I have ached, and when grief has overwhelmed me. No, I don’t believe our church and culture have taught us how to deal with these things, but I believe that Jesus Christ has. He was so intimately familiar with Holy Scripture that, even at the moment of his deepest pain, he was able to use its words to express his suffering (Matt 27:46). Expressing the darkness and melancholy of life can, indeed, be holy experiences if we open our hearts to God at such times. Our current church culture is no longer what it was when I was growing up and I give thanks today that we can increasingly embrace the holiness of melancholy.

Prayer: O Lord, do not be far away! O my help, come quickly to my aid! Deliver my soul from the sword, my life from the pain that encircles me. Amen

~ The Rev. Jeffry J. Robert

Ash Wednesday

2011-03-09T12:26:00.000-08:00

The Journey Begins

Read: Matthew 6:21

Growing up in Western Pennsylvania, those of us who were United Methodists (formerly EUBs) didn’t observe Ash Wednesday and Lent. Those were mysterious, foreign observances, practiced by the Roman Catholics who were predominant in our town. We always knew that it was Ash Wednesday when our Catholic friends showed up with that black smudge on their foreheads. The Catholic kids would talk about what they were “giving up” for Lent. I never understood, and even found it all kind of unsettling. It wasn’t until I went off to seminary and began to study worship and liturgy, that I learned we United Methodists also observe Ash Wednesday and Lent. For the first time, I received the imposition of ashes; I found the practice quite meaningful. I have dutifully offered or attended Ash Wednesday services and practiced Lenten disciplines in the ensuing years. What helped me best to understand Ash Wednesday and Lent was an explanation offered by the preacher at the first Ash Wednesday service I attended. He said, “Lent is a time to increase the things of the spirit, and decrease the things of the flesh.” That pretty much sums it up, and I remember his words every year. My Lenten journey has become a time to grow spiritually by attending to my spiritual practices and lessening my attachment to the material.

Prayer: Lord, journey with me this Lent. May I grow by increasing my spiritual focus and letting go of the material things that often seem so important. Amen

~ The Rev. Jim Driscoll

Provided by the Society of Saint Andrew; www.endhunger.org

Lent Cometh

2011-03-08T07:26:00.000-08:00

So for this Lenten season, (which is my fav). I am going to be sharing devotionals provided by the Society of St Andrew. They will be focusing on the idea of poverty and hunger and why these were the people that God wanted us to care about.

I will be including something each day to help get you in the flow of the Lenten season. So I hope for a reflective and enlightening Lenten season for all and joy at the end of our 40 days together!

Snow Days in the Upstate

2011-01-12T18:33:00.000-08:00

Well hello SNOW!!!
Snow has blanketed the southeast and also the northeast at this point.
At the first EYC meeting in the new year on Sunday, the youth were all hoping that they would get a snow day because most of them did not want to return to school and get back to the routine of homework, exams etc...

So not only did they get a day they got four days! Now I am sure the days were spent sleeping, watching tv, maybe even sledding(a sport that does not happen here much). But for me I am experiencing cabin fever and need to get back to my usual routine.
Isn't it funny how we always want the opposite of what we are being offered? So I am trying to enjoy my snow time and being indoors. There will certainly be plenty other things that I will need to do later so enjoy the snow-cation.

WOW..Changes

2010-11-22T09:41:00.000-08:00

So WOW which is our group that meets after the Celtic Evening service on Wednesday night is moving along pretty well. We are averaging about 12 youth most nights. The vision of WOW was to provide a mid-week opportunity for youth that could not come on Sunday night to have a chance to see their fellow church members and learn more about the scripture and other tenets of our faith in a safe and fun environment. Now that is a mouth full! It is also really hard to maintain because eventually you will have youth that are at different places in their spiritual and physical growth, not everyone is at the same level. This makes programming difficult and you can not avoid reaching some, boring others and getting confused looks from still others.

There is no one size fits all programming model that works with all youth. It just does not exist and even though it would be nice if it did I might be bored to provide it. So where does that leave a youth minister? It leaves me feeling like I need to be ok with not reaching all of the youth all the time. It leaves me knowing that as long as I am doing my best for the good of God and truly being a servant to that cause then that is all the success I need achieve. But it also leaves me wondering if there is more that can be done or am I just wanting to do more because it is about me and not about God at all? Those are great questions and ones that I need to think about consistently as I move through this discernment about what to do with WOW and changes.

Advent Study

2010-11-22T09:36:00.000-08:00

On December 1, 2010, WOW will be embarking on a study doing Advent that focuses on the reading from the Sunday and looking at reflections on what those lessons are telling us about our lives today. Also we will be participating in some prayerful and worship-filled opportunities.

I hope that many youth will take the chance to come and see what Advent is holding for them this year. What are you waiting for?

For Better or Worse

2010-09-24T06:46:00.000-07:00

The year has already had it's ups and downs and it is just September!
As most know by now, the diocese has decided to make some changes that will and do effect the balance. The current Canon for Christian Formation, Sue Von and her position have been eliminated. Now there were other changes as well but seeing as my position deals mostly with youth and children, christian formation is pretty dear to me, and to see that a position that helps me do my job and that also allows our youth to connect to the greater diocese is being eliminated is disturbing and it saddens me.

To quote John Westerhoff, "Will our children have faith?" Well they will have faith in something but maybe not in the episcopal church to do the right thing. This for better or worse is the way right now. With budgets being cut everywhere and more people losing their jobs, unfortunately programs and people that really are making a difference are being pushed out and not replaced. Now we still have children and youth in the church and just because the position that helps connect them is gone does not mean that the youth have left but they might. That is my worse fear. Children and youth need to know that someone cares about them and their experiences and this is just another case for them to leave and not return till something major happens in their lives.

While Sue is not the only person that could do this position, she is the one that has been intimately connected to it for as long as I have been here and for as long as many of our youth have too. She is directly responsible for us having a program at all and in the near future, her work along with many committed others will begin to unravel.

I believe that the need to have someone in the position of Canon for Christian Formation is important and mandatory! What does the church do if not form Christians and children and youth are very important to that process. If anyone cares about the "future of the church", children, youth or formation, then it would be imperative that you make your voice heard and your feelings known. The diocese represents the churches and if we don't say what we need then how are they suppose to know? This is bigger than one person, what we do now affects future generations of people and programs so what are we going to do?

A New Year Begins

2010-08-26T12:18:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome back all eycers and their parents. The official start date for EYC starts September 19th. We do have some events planned prior to that start date and they are really what EYC is about to me, fun and service.

On September 4th we will be once again volunteering at Greer Soup Kitchen. We will prepare the lunch and then serve it to the community. We will also talk to the community and with one another. Many laughs while doing something good is what it is all about.

On September 11 from 8a-4p we will be rafting for our 2ND year, but at the Nantahala river. It is always a fun time to see everyone trying not to fall out of the boat! (at least not on purpose) It is a chance for us to bond on the river and on the ride up as well as work together as a cohesive team.

On September 24-26 at Gravatt will be the Diocesan Junior High Retreat. The theme is "Blinded by the light" and will tackle topics about culture and what society expects and how that is different from what God expects. If you are in the 6th-8th grade please plan to attend it will be a fun event had by all!

So as you can see the year is beginning with a bang and we are just getting started!

Summer Happenings

2010-06-11T08:44:00.000-07:00

Summer is officially here! What does that mean in the life of St James EYC programs? Well we are going to try meeting once a month at least to just check in with one another. So the plans are not set in stone by no means, so if there are suggestions for things to do June, July, August, please send them my way.

Here are few things that are definitely happening though:
VBS- Baobab Blast- June 20-24 in PLC
Come help the children play games, do crafts and sing songs about God.

Home Works Mission Project- Greenville, SC July 11-17
If you are interested please be at the meeting June 20th at the church 12:30p in Rm 222. If you are unable to make it to the meeting please contact me, anyway.

Have a great start to the summer!

Gotta have friends

2010-06-11T07:04:00.000-07:00

As I wind up my second year of youth ministry at St James, I see that it is really important to have a support network. People that do and don't know what you do for a living, but love you and want the best for you. I am very lucky to have a group of people that really understand all my little quirks and personality traits and accept me anyway.

I have been also lucky to continue to make acquaintances that might turn into friends. As you get older it becomes more difficult to make friends, real friends. So, whether these people turn into the real thing or are just there for the moment, you gotta have them, right?

Youth in the Diocese

2010-04-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

I have had the pleasure of being on staff for two events thus far in the upstate. One being Happening #64 and the other New Beginnings. These are both opportunities to hear from youth about their faith journeys and for them to have small groups where they talked to other teens about topics that might also concern them.

It was another great chance to see many talented and faithful youth in one room. People talk about the future of the church and I have been known to make that statement a few times myself but I would like to amend that and say that the future is now! These youth are making decisions that are affecting what will eventually be their futures. They are deciding to spend weekends with other faithful youth, they are deciding to not drink and go to parties, they are deciding to talk to their parents about their problems, they are deciding to do their homework and many more decisions they will continue to make.

I am thankful that I too decided to spend time with these youth and to be able to help them in their decision making process as well as be influenced by their energy and fearlessness.

Seriously Lacking

2010-03-23T10:30:00.001-07:00

I have a theory....
There seems to be a lack of accountability and of respect. Now I have been working on this theory for awhile and when I was in higher education, I thought that students had a lack of respect for what administrators like myself and other people were doing for them. I thought it was way more then they were doing for themselves. I attributed this to the acts of disrespect for roommates, assignments, facilities and the list could go on and on.

But now that I am in the realm of church I thought that this lack of accountability and respect would be less and I am noticing that it now has a different strand. Youth care about their faith, I like to believe; but they do nothing substantial to keep it going. I guess they are hoping that between their parents and me that they will just put up what is needed to remain faithful. Then there are those that just seem apathetic about the whole thing.

Now I have been through my "dry places of faith" but I believe that I was working on it and that's just it, they don't seem to be "working on it". Most things in life that you care for and have respect for, you tend to work at them. You care, you pay attention, and you respect the advice of some experienced others around you.
There are those that I have encountered in both worlds that were the exception to the rule but more often then not I am encountering the latter.

The theorizing continues, maybe it will become a dissertation.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2009-12-29T08:02:00.000-08:00

Well another Christmas service has come and gone but this year the spirit of Christmas lingers on. I am happy to be able to say that because for more Christmas' then I care to count there have been times when I didn't even feel like it was actually the Christmas season.

This year we did a different kind of Pageant that required some effort on the part of many. This year the Christmas story was learned not just in the 'acting' out of the pageant but in the lessons for the Sunday school hour for December. I, myself got to read and hear the story more times then I can remember. It was an unexpected pleasure this year that was totally foretold, that is the crazy part. We know Jesus is coming and yet we are consistently surprised when he shows up!

Come thou long expected Jesus, AMEN.
If you want to relive the pageant and catch or continue to see a little of the spirit please check out these pictures taken by Carrie Scott.
http://stjameschristmas.shutterfly.com/#:emid=site_weeklydigest&cid=SHARE3SXXXX

How do I live?

2009-11-12T07:38:00.001-08:00

Do I live like I BELIEVE that Jesus Christ rose from the dead? What would that look like in my life? What would I feel like? How might I respond to others?

These were questions that came to me recently during a session at a conference with the theme HOPE. Speaker Kenda C. Dean spoke about hope from an eschatalogical tool. She talked about our anxiety and the way we feed it even though we worry about things that are out of our general control. She brought up how the church answers anxiety and that if a church is anxious they are less likely to take risks or grow. That to me sounds like a church in hospice. It is amazing what control irrational thought caused by anxiety can have on people and organizations.

Coming Soon an Advent study so ...WAIT

2009-11-12T07:34:00.000-08:00

For the next few Wednesdays for WOW we will be exploring the themes present for advent in 'A Christmas Carol'. The movie is or has been remade with Jim Carrey and in 3D.
We will be exploring the themes of Time, Materalism and Jesus Incarnation.

Hopefully this will be an opportunity for the youth to slow down and focus on something other than school, friends, parents, tests, etc...

Kanuga-A Little Slice of Heaven

2009-11-12T07:28:00.000-08:00

So, I had the tremendous opportunity to go to the Princeton Theological Forum on Youth Ministry at Kanuga in Hendersonville, NC. It was a great few days spent on the grounds of this Episcopal retreat and conference center.
I got to pick an extended seminar for three days, and five electives for the days. I mixed it up with practical tips about Sunday School and spiritual elements for myself. I was grateful to the staff of St. James for letting me go and Princeton Theological for affording me the chance and arranging/organizing a worshipful, educated, and delightful conference.

I hope to see some of the friends made at the next one in April at Princeton!

Fall has fallen in the upstate

2009-10-02T06:46:00.000-07:00

I LOVE FALL! That is probably not a huge guess since I have lived in many cold weather places. But I just LOVE the wardrobe of fall and the crisp air. I actually started running during this time of the year and I stop once spring comes. Strange yes, true yes.
At any rate, in celebration of the fall month the EYC is going to Skytop Orchards in Hendersonville, NC. It should be a fun day of apple picking, animals, and hayrides. It is suppose to be lovely Sunday afternoon so I know that it will be awesome.

So go out and enjoy the fall weather!

Oh WOW

2009-09-09T11:40:00.000-07:00

We completed our first Wednesday night WOW (Worship on Wednesday) night program. We had 13 youth from Middle-High School talking, laughing and discussing their lives. It was a fun night and one that will continue into the spring.

Current Events

2009-08-14T11:47:00.000-07:00

A new year is almost underway and with it comes a new gathering opportunity. WOW-Worship on Wednesdays will be a program that involves the EYC (6TH-12TH Grade) to come together and worship. Once the service concludes we will proceed to the youth room in order to discuss topics that are relevant to our youth culture.
For example, one of the topics will be the usage of cell phones and issues of sexting, harassment and cheating coupled with the advantages of safety, ease of use and availability.

I hope that these evenings will be a safe and comfortable place for the youth of St. James to learn some information and to know that they are not alone in the issues that take place in their lives. How do you practice your Christian faith and be a part of things that are counter to that message? We will spend the year figuring it out.

The first WOW is September 2 at 6:30p

Year One

2009-06-25T06:32:00.000-07:00

This Friday night at 5:30p the EYC will be going to see Year One. A funny movie staring Jack Black and Micheal Cera, directed by Harold Ramis.
If you or friends are interested in coming, please meet in front of the Cherrydale Theatre at 5:15p, bring funds for movie and snacks.

Hope to see you there!

We will be doing other activities this summer as well, so if you have suggestions please make them known.

Back from a Mission

2009-06-25T06:22:00.000-07:00

So... the 14 people from St. James returned well and with only a few bumps and bruises. It was a great week of work and the opportunity to meet other people involved in making the Gulf Coast region better.
But what I want to focus on is not the work but the transformation. On trips like these my main interest is how is this impacting the youth? What are they learning about themselves? Will this have an effect on their lives? Now I know I am not the one to answer all these questions that I have, nor I am the one to affect them directly. There will be some youth that are affected right away by the sights and sounds of the region and the people and others that will just think that it was a fun trip with very little effect on their daily lives. Both of these are successes in my book because whether they know it or not, they are affected, they will be changed and their is nothing I nor they can do about it.
When you are working in God's name with others, transformation is a natural by product. Thank goodness that I don't have to be the one to decide when that product is noticed or even used, it is a gift from our Lord.

Mission Practice

2009-05-12T07:51:00.000-07:00

On May 16th at 11am, The people that are planning to attend the mission trip this summer to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Are asked to go to the Home Depot on N. Pleasantburg St. near Cherrydale and practice putting stuff together.

We will be working with tools and learning the proper way to use them. Please meet in front of the store and we will go in together.

Seeya Saturday

St. James Rotation

2009-04-28T13:27:00.000-07:00

Launching this Fall 09 will be a different way of doing Sunday School. We will be using the workshop method. With longer times on bible stories and different ways of looking at them. If you want to know more about this new format for next year the people on the committee are Boyd Cater, Al Geiger, and Becky Walters.

If you are interested in learning more or being on the committee please feel free to talk to any and all of the aforementioned people.

Grace & Peace

Mentors needed

2009-04-28T13:04:00.000-07:00

Before the new year begins, I am putting the word out for mentors to be in relationship and faith with the youth of St. James. I am looking for not only parents but ANYONE who wants to have a relationship with youth. This role can come in a variety of ways.
There is always a role to play with youth, if you want to offer yourself please let me know and there is definitely a place for a willing person.

Grace and Peace

More to come

2009-04-28T12:59:00.000-07:00

So, as the year winds up with proms, finals, spring/summer like weather, so does the year for EYC kinda. What I mean by that is that even though there will not be consistent meetings like we normally have throughout the summer, there will be opportunities to get together and hang out downtown, get ice cream, play some frisbee in the park, etc... this summer. So, be looking out for hangout dates and please feel free to suggest some activities for us to do this summer.

I look forward to a low stress summer with you all but until that time, good luck on finals and congrats to all that are moving up and on to different schools, friends, experiences.

Grace and Peace

I am Episcopalian

2009-04-02T12:44:00.000-07:00

I have discovered this site created on Ash Wednesday 2009. It is the voices of people who call themselves episcopalian. You can watch videos of what some people say about the church and their take on it.
I was surprised to see one of my former teens from the diocese of mass on the site expressing herself and talking about why she is episcopalian. It is always awesome to ask an open ended questions and just see what happens. I encourage you to go and see what others say about their faith and think about what you might say.

http://www.iamepiscopalian.org/ or http://www.episcopalchurch.org/index.htm

Faith into Action

2009-03-18T08:35:00.001-07:00

I just got back from a wonderful conference entitled Ecumenical Advocacy Days in D.C. It was an event attended by 700 other people of faith that care about issues related to climate change, domestic issues, Africa, Latin America, eco-justice, and poverty and migration. We all came together for different reasons but the core of it was that people of faith have something to say and do about the way our environment is cared for and should be cared for from a faith based perspective.

From my angle I was there to see what the episcopal church and my state of South Carolina are doing to reduce our carbon emissions and to help the most vulnerable populations that will be effected if we do not take action. It is nice to know that I am not the only one that cares about these issues and that there is something that I can do to challenge and advocate for change. So in the coming months or so I will be thinking of ways to implement and educate to these areas through my work and life. I hope that anyone that is interested in knowing more about this conference and helping to add your voice to the multitude might go to this website and join the movement!
www.advocacydays.org

Yoga Rescheduled

2009-03-03T07:05:00.000-08:00

Our Self-Care Day for Sr. EYC will be rescheduled for another meeting date. Please stay connected to find out!

Inclement weather

2009-03-03T06:55:00.000-08:00

So as you might have noticed in Greenville there was snow. Actually there was snow along the entire eastern seaboard. I was definitely a doubter. I did not believe that snow was going to come our way and there it was all of a sudden and even as I watched it fall I thought this still cannot be real.
At any rate, this got me thinking that since I was in the middle of Jr. EYC and Sr. EYC was next how was I going to tell people that we were not meeting and to please not come to the church. So basically there are a few ways I have since thought of to make this happen.
1) Call the church and press '4' for inclement weather report and that will tell you all.
2) Give me your cell number and I am signing up for a bulk texting service to alert people
3) Call me directly and I will tell you.

Hopefully these methods will prove useful to the group and others in the future. Hope you all enjoyed the snow days and were able to caught up on some reading:)

Peace & Grace

Children's Church Mtg

2009-02-23T13:58:00.000-08:00

A meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb 25th at 7:30p in the Commons Rm
The objective is to look at our current state of Children's Church and offer suggestions and actions for moving it ahead to the next phase for our children.
Is it achieving what it should? Is it still geared k-3rd graders? Should it be?
We will discuss Fr. Geoff's letter and from there figure out where we need to go.

Hope to see and hear from as many of you as possible.

Ministry in action

2009-02-17T08:32:00.000-08:00

In the next month, there will be a Children's Church meeting to discuss the present and future states of this ministry. Since the yellow card initiatives and many other "angels unaware". People have been asking to assist in this area. Please be on the lookout for other announcements.

On a Mission

2009-01-22T10:36:00.000-08:00

The upcoming month of February kicks the mission trip gathering into a full swing. We will start on Feb 8th with a meeting for youth and parents who are interested in attending the mission trip this year to Bay St Louis, MS during the week of June 14-20, 2009.

Next we will have a Parent's Night Out on Feb 13th to keep the children of church members so they might have a Valentine's night to themselves. Then we will have Pancake Supper on Shrove Tuesday on Feb 24rd. All of these activities are a fundraiser for the mission trip.

So, this month upcoming is a chance to be working toward the summer efforts to come. So please help us pursue this opportunity to be on a mission.

New Year

2009-01-05T10:51:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the new year! The amazing part of a new year is the chance to start a new. The opportunity to get a fresh start and try something new. This is a great thing and something that should not be wasted. Therefore in this new year of 2009, I am recommitting to doing my best, my personal best and trying to live the life that God has given me to the best of my ability.

Now that I no longer has a thesis to write (yay!) I have time to commit to projects that have been left on the back burner, like volunteering. I hope that with this new year brings new hope, new life, and new adventures!

Episcopal Youth Parents Newsletter

2008-12-22T11:58:00.000-08:00

Hello All,
Hopefully at this point, you have received your newsletter. If not please feel free to let me know. I wanted this newsletter to be a source of information as well as a place to share important articles or information about our youth culture.

If you have ideas about ways to make it better or if you would like to contribute to the newsletter in any way please let me know, your input is appreciated.

Thanks,
Tempest

Sunday School Teachers

2008-12-16T12:33:00.000-08:00

The first Sunday School Teacher meeting/appreciation was held on Sunday, December 14, 2008 at 9am. This meeting was a great way to share how the classes and curriculum have been used over the last few months. Also for the teachers to meet one another and share resources.

A followup meeting will be scheduled for the new year. Thanks again for volunteering and deciding to share your faith with the children.

First Semester Thoughts

2008-12-16T12:22:00.001-08:00

Well my first semester of my first official position in youth ministry is now coming to an end and it has me reminiscing of the past few months...
It is amazing that I am in this position, a dream really. This time last year I was finishing final papers and projects and getting ready to go home for Christmas. I had not even heard of St James yet.
But as I round the corner on the ending of this first chapter and am already in planning mode for the second semester I am quite excited. The excitement that was present at the manger for the baby Jesus is the same for what will happen next? What will occur? How will this all turn out? It all remains a mystery. I can have 'best laid plans' but then life happens.

So, I am grateful to the St. James family for taking me in and giving me a new home. It is a pleasure to be in ministry in this way and I hope that the anticipation and excitement can last a little longer.

Sr EYC Ski Trip

2008-12-11T13:18:00.000-08:00

We will be skiing at Appalachian Ski Mountain on Monday, (MLK DAY)January 19th from 6a-6p
The cost is $50.00 and includes lift tickets and rentals. Cost does not include food.
Deadline is January 4th to reserve your space.

Friends are welcomed but we need to know by January 4th. Please sign up on the EYC board in the main church hallway.

Any questions, please let me know.

Jr & Sr Christmas Parties

2008-12-11T13:13:00.000-08:00

The Jr EYC will be having there Christmas Party at Julie Clark's House. Pizza, gift swapping games, and much fun will take place from 4p-6p.

The Sr EYC will also be partying in the PLC! A gift exchange, games, and singing will take place. Dinner will be served. Time is 6:00-7:30p.

Friends are always welcomed at EYC and so we look forward to seeing you for our last event of the year 2008.

Blogging for the First time

2008-12-11T12:56:00.000-08:00

Well this is my first venture into the world of blogging. Hopefully this will be a way to get info out and to gain insights.
Here is to becoming more technologically advanced.