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Kuhn Memorial Presbyterian Church 955 Main Street Barboursville, West Virginia July 12, 2020 Prelude
Welcome and Announcements Call to Worship I will bless the Lord at all times; the praise of God shall ever be in my mouth. I will glory in the Lord; let the humble hear and rejoice. Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord; Let us exalt the name of God together. Prayer Almighty God, you have taught us through Christ that love fulfills the law. May we love you with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength, and may we love our neighbor as ourselves. As we gather for worship, we pray for our loved ones who are in need of your care… We pray for our new and remaining officers who have responded to your call to service. We pray for our community, our nation, and all the nations of the world, that health, freedom, peace, dignity, and security may be enjoyed by all your children, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who taught us to pray saying, “Our Father…Amen.” Congregational Meeting to Elect Officers Karen Gold, Clerk of Session Time With Young Disciples Scripture Reading Matthew 11:28-30 The Morning Message Ordination and Installation of Officers Affirmation of Faith From A Brief Statement of Faith, PCUSA, 1991 All: We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves, to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church. Women: The same Spirit, who inspired the prophets and the apostles rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church. Men: In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear voices long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. All: In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve God in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!” With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen. Presenting the Gifts of Our Lives and Labor Prayer of Dedication Lord, as wildflowers bloom on the side of the road and birds sing in the summer dawn, we rejoice in the beauty of creation, grateful that it nourishes and refreshes us even in these ever-changing, uncertain days. Receive our offerings, bless and use them, that they may be used to reveal your glory, beauty, goodness and grace, especially in those places and for those people who need it the most today. Amen. As you leave, you may deposit your offering in the place indicated. Blessing Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold onto what is good. Return no one evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, and help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord your God, rejoicing in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Postlude As we depart today, please keep visiting to minimum for everyone’s health and safety. Liturgical elements for today’s service are from The Presbyterian Outlook, Jill Duffield, Editor. The session has called a meeting of the congregation today for the purpose of electing five members to the office of Ruling Elder and one member to serve as Trustee. Those to be nominated for Ruling Elder are: Kevin Dennison, Nancy McIntosh, Jon-Tyler Roach, John R. Thomas, and Merritt True. To be nominated as Trustee is Steve Gold. Prelude
Call to Worship Luke 4:18 Jesus said: The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor and release to the captives. Opening Prayer In times of weakness and in our hour of need, your’s is the strength by which we carry on, the shoulder we rest our head upon. When our load is heavy and too much to bear, your’s are the arms stretched out to help us, the grace we depend on. In times of weakness and need, your voice is heard, “Come…find rest.” This is grace divine, the path we tread to wholeness, of body and spirit, the path that leads to you, and to whom we offer our sacrifice of praise. Amen. John Birch, Faith and Worship Hymn This Is My Song Text: Lloyd Stone, Georgia Harkness Music: Jean Sibelius This is my song, O God of all the nations. A song of peace, for lands afar and mine. This is my home, the country where my heart is; here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine. But other hearts in other lands are beating with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine. My country’s skies are bluer than the ocean, and sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine. But other lands have sunlight, too, and clover, and skies are everywhere as blue as mine. So hear my song, O God of all the nations, a song of peace for their land and for mine. This is my prayer, O Lord of all earth’s kingdoms, thy kingdom come, on earth thy will be done. Let Christ be lifted up till all shall serve him, and hearts united learn to live as one. So hear my prayer, O God of all the nations, myself I give thee; let thy will be done. Scripture Reading Ephesians 2:11-22 The Message “Walls” The world is full of walls. Everywhere we go, there are fences, gates, security check points, toll Booths - all aimed at keeping order and often to keep something or someone in and something or someone out. We need walls: walls in our homes to protect us from wind and rain and extreme temperatures; walls to assure us of privacy: fences and barn doors to keep livestock safe and predators out; walls to indicate separate spaces, define ownership and assign responsibility. In these past several months we've seen visible and invisible walls erected to protect the public from catching the Corona-virus. We’ve seen stations set up for temperature readings at the entrance to schools and hospitals. We've been advised to wear masks. Wearing a mask is a sort of wall - a barrier between one person and the next to diminish the likelihood of spreading the disease. Walls can be both literal and figurative; walls can even have a spiritual nature. Walls can be helpful and walls can lead to grief, division and violence. All walls serve a purpose; but not all walls serve the purposes of God. In this Ephesians passage, we read that ·'Christ has ·'broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. It's difficult to imagine how this can possibly happen, especially today, when hostility seems to be the bread and butter of human relating and living. Pastor G. Kevin Baker says, if we are really honest with ourselves, then we have to acknowledge that we may have contributed to this wall-building. He says we have built many walls, not out of bricks and mortar, but out of the raw material of sin and division. Then we've cemented them with the mortar of name-calling, labeling and prejudice. That's a harsh statement and it may be offensive to us. I don’t call people names and neither do you. I think we keep our prejudices to a minimum. But, let’s dig a little deeper into the text. A poor application of the Torah is what created this wall of hostility mentioned in the text. In the growing Christian community, there was hostility between the circumcised insiders against the uncircumcised outsiders. Gentile converts had less status than Jewish converts. Perspective and power shift depending on what side of the wall a person is standing. So, the circumcised probably had privileges, or had a stronger voice, than the uncircumcised, even though both groups were now part of the Christian community. This led to conflict and fracture. The Christian community should not be divided by such walls of hostility. It is an offense to God and denies the life-giving sacrifice of Jesus. I don't have to remind you of this: for months this nation has been consumed by an explosive issue: immigration. It has created great debate and angst among the citizens. Everyone here probably has a well-reasoned opinion about how it might be resolved. But, we lack one significant ingredient that should be a part of the conversation: unless I'm wrong: none of us is an immigrant and we lack the experience of being the alien, the outsider. Being an American citizen is taken for granted far too often. I learned this as a child in school and it was reinforced at home: value your citizenship. It is a gift to honor and protect and pass on to the next genera ti on. To become a citizen can be a long, complicated and expensive process. One of my daughters made it a part of her life’s work to help immigrants become naturalized American citizens. But, in the US today, it has become a controversial process. While we cannot solve the immigration situation, maybe we should examine the walls that are erected between Christians. I read an article yesterday that described the way many denominations, including ours, split over the Civil War and how long it took to reconcile and reunite. We have the benefit of hindsight and can correctly call these divisions a scandal to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, who broke down barriers and welcomed everyone to a new way of life in his kingdom. But I doubt we could be so clear-minded in the throes of that era. What about our era? There are walls still. We don’t have to look very far to find friends and families who have suffered terrible conflicts and estrangement because they interpret scripture differently, or join churches that have different standards for leadership and ordination. This can result in calling each others’ faith and practice defective. How then can this word from Ephesians help us? The unity referred to here is not manufactured by human hands busy trying to promote multiculturalism and tolerance. The peace described here is not just a ceasing of conflict or the absence of violence. The hope alluded to is not merely a hankering after international experiences or cross-cultural encounters. Here, unity, peace and hope are not things at all. They are a person. Christ is our peace. In his flesh he has broken down the dividing wall. In Christ's death on the cross, peace has been achieved and hostility has been crucified. Jesus is the singular wrecking crew that demolishes division and gifts us with unity, peace and reconciliation. What do these gifts look like for us? Well, I discovered how one community is receiving the gift and passing it on. Jeff Richards is an evangelist for the Presbytery of Sacramento. He started the Word Hose, with the intention of dismantling the things that separate the church from the rest of our lives. In other words, to present the church in a way that relates to the life of our neighbors, family and friends. He strives to reach people who may have written off the church or who have never been interested at all. The Word House meets in houses, pubs, and coffeehouses. People seek to make worship, fellowship, mission and discipleship integrated, not segmented, activities. Worship takes place in a living room or a public space and begins with people checking in with one another. Richards says "people are pretty open about their struggles and pain." They may talk about what’s important and relevant and learn to listen to fellow members and visitors. Then they look at scripture. People are encouraged to ask questions, learning from the history and the characters, and exploring how the text applies to their own lives. They are asked, '' How are we part of God's story?" Once a month, the church hosts a pot-luck meal that begins with an Invitation to the Table. Communion is literally celebrated as a meal taken together. Fellowship extends beyond the social hall. The members go out into the community together, to a restaurant or to have coffee, or hang out downtown or in the local park. As for mission, it takes place with organizations that already exist in the neighborhood. They seek places where God is already at work and join God there. Many work with children having limited resources. They also go out into the streets to take hot drinks to the homeless. They have hosted Christmas gatherings for families who don’t have homes. Discipleship is very important to Word House. It is about sharing what's going on in your life and how it relates to God. It's socializing and connecting with people and sharing God's love, inviting them into genuine faith and life. The Word House represents a trend away from the '•bigger is better'" mentality and toward smaller, deeper community. We see this trend when consumers move from patronizing big-box stores to supporting farmers' markets and microbreweries. People who long for a spiritual life are moving away from the slickly-programmed, performance-centered mega-churches they grew up in, to small, intense, and highly relational communities. As one of thousands at a mega-church, it can be difficult to have much of a voice about the direction of the church. But at Word House, the participants are part of creating each service and the vision of the ministry. They strive to live out what we call "·the priesthood of all believers:· I know you're wondering if this church without walls ministry can be sustained. Richards says he can't imagine needing a bigger space even though the church is growing. The hope is that new groups would be spun off existing ones, similar to the Church of the Savior in Washington, DC. He says there is no plan to buy or build a meeting place. Buildings often outlast their usefulness and churches sometimes exist to maintain bricks and mortar rather than ministry. Word House hopes to avoid that trouble. The Presbyterian Church is still promoting an initiative called 1001 New Worshiping Communities· Christians near and far away are reading their culture, their neighbors, and their communities, to understand their spiritual needs. There is a great deal of de-constructing barriers in order to make way for the household of God, a household built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God." May Kuhn Memorial Presbyterian Church be such a place... a holy temple ... a dwelling place for God. Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Eternal God, On this weekend, when we celebrate the founding of this nation, we come seeking your blessing. Rule the hearts of your servants and all those in authority, that they may do justice, love mercy, and walk in the ways of truth. Bless and defend all who work for our safety and protection, and shield them from danger and adversity. To all nations grant unity, peace, and concord; and provide their citizens with dignity, food, and shelter; grant abundant harvests, strength and skill to conserve earth’s resources, and wisdom to use them well. Enlighten with your Spirit those who teach and all who learn; come to the help of all who are in peril, need, or trouble; protect all travelers. Show mercy to all prisoners and captives. Strengthen and preserve those who live as families; protect all children, and comfort the aged, the bereaved and the lonely; defend the refugees and the homeless, the unemployed, and all who are in despair. Heal all those who are sick of mind, body, or spirit, and give skill and compassion to all caregivers. Instill in us a conscience that makes us aware of our sins; forgive us when we have done wrong or failed to act; strengthen us by your spirit and hold us fast in the fellowship of your Church. We boldly pray as Jesus taught us, saying, Our Father…Amen. Blessing Shine, O Lord, upon the homely mosaic of West Virginia’s land: upon her steep-hewn hills and angled draws, her maple-strewn valleys and ridges clad in mountain rhododendron. Shine, Lord, upon her citizens, armed only with freedom, scrappers all for such measure of dignity as fearlessness and faith may win. Shine, O God, into those deep recesses where Thou hast abundant riches, that those who dig in the earth, and those who watch for their return, may know the radiance of thy light and the safety of thy love, Bright be cleaning fire of Thy truth in the hearts of the people, and in the public weal of their common life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Washington National Cathedral, prayed for the week starting March 1, 2020 Announcements Worship services will resume at Kuhn Memorial Presbyterian Church, 955 Main St., Barboursville, WV, on July 12, 2020. Weather permitting, we will meet outside. Safety measures will be observed, including the wearing of masks and physical distancing. We will continue to offer worship through the church website for those who prefer to remain at home at this time. A congregational meeting will be held at the beginning of worship on July 12, for the purpose of electing the next class of Ruling Elders and a church Trustee. The nominees for Ruling Elder are Kevin Dennison, Nancy McIntosh, J.T. Roach, and John R. Thomas. The nominee for Trustee is Steve Gold. May God bless all those who graciously accept the call to Christian service Prelude
Call to worship We worship the God who inhabits our world and indwells our lives. We need not look up to find God… we need only to look around… within ourselves… beyond ourselves… into the eyes of another. We need not listen for a distant thunder to find God… we need only to listen to the music of life… the words of children… the questions of the curious… the rhythm of the heartbeat. We worship the God who inhabits our world, who indwells our lives. Hymn How Firm a Foundation Text: John Rippon; Music: American folk melody How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in God’s excellent word! What more can he say than to you he has said, to you, who for refuge, to Jesus has fled? “Fear not, I am with thee, O, be not dismayed, for I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand. When through the deep waters I cause thee to go, the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; for I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless, and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. The soul, that on Jesus, has leaned for repose, I will not. I will not, desert to its foes. That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, no, never forsake.” Prayer of Confession God, you know us better than we know ourselves. You know our thoughts, our weaknesses, our sins. and you love us still. Forgive us when we don’t believe such love is true or possible. When we wonder how you could love us just as we are, when we forget our intricate construction, that we are fearfully and wonderfully made… in Your image! Remove from our minds every thought that keeps us from You. Break down the walls, push aside the pride, and help us trust anew. You know our hearts and You love us still. Amen. Assurance of Pardon Nothing is impossible with God. There is no place you can go. No end of the earth to which you can run. There is nothing on earth or beyond death that can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. You are forgiven and freed to live in God’s infinite love, grace, and peace. Amen. Scripture Reading Genesis 28: 10-19a The Morning Message “Building Spiritual Cairns” Summer is travel and vacation season. For some, the beach beckons. For others, the great trees of the forest wave them into the respite of cool and shade and musical streams and waterfalls. For still others, it’s a time to take the kids and grandkids to historic places, landmarks where something important happened in the life of the nation or state, or family. Ed remembers the summer his parents took him to every county in the state, where they stood him by the black and white historic marker sign and snapped a picture for their photo album. A friend of mine took a trip out west recently and you could feel the sense of awe in her Facebook posts as day after day she filled it with pictures of snow in July, the magnificent Rockies and Mount Rushmore. Memories are important to us. Can you close your eyes and remember your first car? Your first date? The day you walked across the stage to receive your diploma? The feel of a newborn baby in your arms? A wave of nostalgia can wash over us at the thought. But, not all memories are good ones and we have a tendency to avoid or shove out of sight those things that remind us of painful times. One day Sarah Beth and I were driving thru Milton, and passed the old middle school. I pointed toward the building and said something like, “We’re in your old stompin’ grounds. You had a great time there.” To which she whipped her head around to face me and said something like, “Eat rocks! I hated that place!” And then there are the thin places, the holy moments of our lives, when the distance between this world and the next is as close as a whisper. We know that God is always near, but there are holy moments when the gossamer veil is lifted and we are standing in God’s presence in an intimate way. In today’s Genesis text, Jacob receives a vision, a holy visitation, following an act of cunning and cowardice. He has hurt his brother and father in his selfishness. His cover story is that his mother has sent him off to find a decent wife, but, in truth, Jacob is running scared, as if putting distance between himself and his despicable behavior will save him. On his way toward Haran, Jacob came to a place to rest for the night. Scripture says he took one of the stones of the place and put it under his head and lay down to sleep. And he dreamed there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching into heaven, and angels of God were going up and down on it. And he dreamed the Lord stood beside him and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and bring you back to this; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Then Jacob woke up and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place and I did not know it.” It frightened him. It would frighten anyone to have an experience this intense. Jacob took the stone that he had used as a pillow, and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on it. He anointed it, set it apart, and called the place Beth-el, even though the place was called Luz at the time. Kind of like re-naming 16th Street Hal Greer Blvd. or 20th Street for the victims of the tragic Marshall University plane crash. “Beth-el” means place of God in Hebrew. This was a holy place, not just to Jacob, but to his descendents and all the children of the earth forever. Jacob is no choir boy. He is narcissitic and self-serving. He has lied and cheated and schemed his way thru life. He is a scoundrel and the last person we’d think of as deserving God’s attention. But, God runs him to ground, so to speak, hotly pursuing Jacob, to tap him for holy work. Barbara Brown Taylor says Jacob is on no spiritual quest; he has simply pushed his luck too far and left town in a hurry. He is between times and places, in a limbo of his own making. He stops in a place that isn’t distinctive at all, or so he believes. And it is here that God comes to meet Jacob. Our colorful history and misdeeds matter not one bit when God decides to call, when God comes pursuing us. Taylor writes, “Jacob is nowhere, which is where the dream touches down…not where it should be, but where he is.” In this text, and in the Matthew text, God demonstrates an extraordinary capacity for grace. Here he reaches out to a man with a checkered past to set him on a path that leads to a future that will define a whole culture, race and religion. In the Matthew text, God allows the weeds to grow alongside the good wheat for a time, though they are detrimental to the crop and deserving of a bonfire. Which brings me to a couple of ideas I’d like us to take away this morning: One is the idea of nearness and distance. Jacob’s place in his family of origin is damaged thru his own sinfulness. Being in close proximity becomes dangerous for him and he runs away. He is cut off from his own family and faith community and yet, through the mighty acts of God, Jacob becomes the link between their long history and their deepest hopes for the future. Later on in Jacob’s story, he will be re-named “Israel.” No matter how alone he may have felt, and even before he knew it, Jacob belonged to something greater than himself. He tricked his brother and father to gain an undeserved birthright and is now the one through whom the entire human family will be blessed. But, let’s remember that Jacob is not an entirely new person. He is flawed and so are we have devoted our lives to love and serve the Lord, we sin. We commit acts that harm others and we fail to come to the assistance of those who need us. Day by day, I am reminded of the chorus of a little song that witnesses to that reality: “Grace grace, God’s grace. Grace that will pardon and cleanse within. Grace, grace, God’s grace. Grace that is greater than all my sin.” The other idea I want to lift up is the question of place, of the distance between God and human beings. All of our texts today testify to the very present nature of God. God is with us. Always. And everywhere. There is nowhere we can go to escape, hide or hope God forgets about us or gives up on us. This is our great good news. Sometimes the presence of God overwhelms us. These are the thin places the Celts talked about. These are the moments that shape us, that tell us who God is and who we are to God. Maybe these times are so profound that we feel compelled to do something to set them apart. We set up memorials. Like Jacob took his stone pillow and set it up as a monument. My friend, David, says the little chapel that is secreted away on the ground floor of Trinity Episcopal Church is one of those places for him. It is a place that he experienced a vivid experience of God’s presence and love. For me, it’s the moment the mountains come into view at the intersection of Black Mountain Road and Cherry Street in Black Mountain, North Carolina. It always takes my breath away. Do you know what a cairn is? It is a pile of rocks set up as a memorial to a special person or place or moment of importance. Cairn is a Scottish word. Cairns have been made since prehistoric times. In modern times, they are used as monuments, but they could also mark a burial site. They have been used for ceremonial purposes, to mark trails, or for use in astronomy. Friends of mine recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary by hiking a favorite trail, reflecting on their life and love in all its challenges. Then they built a cairn to remember this milestone, and their hopes for another forty years and to give thanks to God. How would you build your cairn? What experiences do you want to remember forever? How do you want your family and friends to remember you? Where have you encountered God…where has God run you to ground? This red brick building on the corner of Main and Park in Barboursville is a cairn of sorts. It is the testimony to the faith and vision of the first church members. A lot has changed since then. A few more stones have been added to the first pile. What are they? Where are they? Who carried them to this site and worked them into form and function? Some of us have been overwhelmed by nostalgia in recent weeks. The Beverly Hills property has come under contract and will soon be sold. There are some cairns in and around that building as well as this and every church home. Some of my favorites are the hand-painted dishes in the curio cabinet in the parlor. Some of the church women went to Fenton glass and learned to paint on china. The women have all joined the Church Triumphant since, but on the rare occasion that a relative visits, they make their way to the parlor to check and see if we still have Mother’s plate. The tears always come as they stand looking at a tangible connection to a spiritual presence. And, the gap is closed. Today, I invite you to come build a cairn. Take up a rock or more and let’s leave a memorial to this day and to our God who has been with us for over one hundred years, in our work and in our play, in our joys and in our sorrows, in our disappointments and in our dreams and in what is still to come. Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer Lord God, of heaven and earth, we praise you with thanksgiving and joy, for you create and sustain and redeem all things. We thank you for making us in your image, and sending Jesus, your Son, whose life of love and mercy is the pattern for our lives. We thank you for your energy behind all things, for your Spirit to inspire us in this season of challenge and change. Strengthen us in the days ahead, show us how to adapt to new ways of worship, service, and fellowship. We pray for those who lead this and all the nations of the world, that they may work for the well-being of the people entrusted to them, with hearts, minds, and intentions to improve the lives of all the world’s peoples; for teachers and others whose plans for the fall cannot yet be confirmed; for those in the healing professions, that they remain healthy, alert, and dedicated to their patient; for all whose incomes have been diminished or lost as a result of the pandemic; for families trying to cope with the stress of caring for restless children during a long, hot summer; for young people, that they may not be tempted by destructive activities when boredom sets in; for the poor, the hungry, those seeking shelter, the sick, the forgotten; for those we lift now, who are in need of your presence and love and care… Eternal God, keep us in the embrace of your care, that we mayserve you faithfully, with cheerful hearts, praying as Jesus taught us, saying, Our Father…Amen. *Blessing Go now, with your hope set on Christ. Let the Spirit guide you. Let your righteousness shine like the sun until darkness and light are one. And wherever you go, whether you scale the highest heavens or plunge to the depths, may God’s presence be known to you, may Christ Jesus welcome you into his embrace, and may the Spirit assure you that you are beloved. *Postlude Announcement: Worship services will resume at Kuhn Memorial Presbyterian Church, 955 Main Street, Barboursville, WV, on July 12, 2020, at 11:00AM. Weather permitting, we will meet outside. Safety precautions will be observed, including the wearing of masks and physical distancing. We will continue to offer worship through the church website for those who prefer to remain at home at this time. Prelude This Is My Father’s World Text: Maltbie D. Babcock
Music: Franklin L. Sheppard Photography: Ed Harkless Call to Worship Psalm 68 Come, sing praises to God! Rejoice in God’s presence, for he is our God: Father to the fatherless, and the defender of all who need protection; the One in whom the lonely find a home. and the prisoner finds release! Hymn His Eye is on the Sparrow Text: Civilla Durfee Martin Music:Charles H. Gabriel This hymn is based on Matthew 10:29-30 and Luke 12:6-7, inspired by a woman who had endured much illness. It was first sung in public at the Royal Albert Hall, London, during an evangelistic service in 1905. Glory to God, 2013, Westminster John Knox Press Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home? When Jesus is my portion. My constant friend is he; his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. Refrain I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. “Let not your heart be troubled,” his tender word I hear, and resting on his goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; though by the path he leadeth, but one step I may see: his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. Refrain Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, when song gives way to sighing, when hope within me dies, I draw the closer to him; from care he sets me free: his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. Refrain Old Testament Reading Proverbs 6: 20-22 Gospel Reading Matthew 10:24-39 Message Lloyd Watson was the 10th of 14 children growing up on a farm in Oklahoma. He was drafted in 1943 at age 18. His unit crossed the English Channel into France in December 1944 and he was soon thrust into combat. His unit relocated to Belgium when the Battle of the Bulge began. Sgt. Watson was a mortar platoon leader, battling the aggressive German defensive. He recalled how, under heavy shelling, he and a fellow Oklahoman began digging their foxholes, getting their first glimpse of the horrors of war in the dead lying all around them. Giving a speech at his local public library many years later, he credited growing up on the family farm for being able to survive the German attack. “My dad was a strict person, not severe, but strict. He would send us out to do a job, and we didn’t dare come back in and say this happened or that happened, or I just couldn’t get that done. We used our ingenuity to overcome the problem and see that the job got done.” Maybe you can identify with this story. I sure do. My siblings and I were always expected to help with household chores and maintenance, inside and out, in good weather and bad, and excuses weren’t tolerated. Lloyd Watson’s point about ingenuity really struck home. That was one of my dad’s favorite occupations…he loved a challenge and would study it, research it, talk to others about it, and then in exaggerated, and sometimes painfully slow detail, explain just exactly how we were going to approach the project. He had a favorite saying, which I’ll clean up for church: “Well, we can do that, but it’s gonna be a real-----!” In today’s text, Jesus prepares to send the disciples out into the mission field. He levels with them: it will be hard work. They will encounter opposition and even violence. But, regardless of the challenges, he expects them to get the job done. Matthew includes this story in his gospel to encourage the early Christian missionaries. These new believers were going out into the world and would face abuse and rejection. Matthew wants them to know that the good news is God is with them and will equip them for their work. A few months ago, we were planning a trip to England. The Coronavirus put an end to those plans. But weeks before the scheduled trip, we began to pack, laying out shoes and jackets and counting pairs of socks, and making sure we had European electric adapters. Jesus tells his trainees how to pack. They are to travel light. No bag, no money, no belt, no extras. But before he sends them on their way, he huddles with them awhile, and they share a moment of deep communion. There was, in that time, a rabbinic form of teaching called, “string of beads.” This involves the teacher giving a series of proverbial statements, admonitions, and advice, strung together along the thread of a single theme. The beads Jesus strings, in this text, are instructions about succeeding in getting the job done when the disciples carry the gospel message into the world on their own. Here are a few of those sayings. Remember, his objective was to assure them that they could fulfill their mission, even when faced with adversity or worse.
Some of these statements are rightly called “the hard sayings of Jesus.” There’s a sermon or three about those. Because it seems Jesus is saying that the disciples have to turn their backs on all they’ve known and loved and depended on, all they have worked hard to acquire or achieve, to be faithful to Jesus. Leave your family, behind. And your creature comforts, and your corner office with a view, and your platinum American Express Card. In the days of the early Church, these missionaries had a singular purpose: to announce that the kingdom of heaven, that they had expected for generations, had arrived in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. It was important that they have as few distractions and as little baggage as possible. This is the purpose, in some faith groups, in pastors, priests, and nuns taking vows of poverty.
All these statements speak to the circumstances they will encounter and how faithful people are to address them. These statements are strung together like beads on a thematic thread. Jesus wants his followers to wear these beads around their necks as they leave the community that has inspired them and strengthened them and bound them together, as they go into the hostile world. A few years ago, we lost a beloved member of our extended family. Bob Zopp. Bob was my brother-in-law’s father. Bob, or Coach Zopp, as he was better known, was well-loved and respected in the Greenbrier Valley. He coached a number of sports, but his best-loved game was football. He was head coach at Greenbrier East for many years. He loved young people, and many a testimony was shared during Bob’s lifetime that credited him with guiding one student after another into a life of faith and integrity and purpose. He loved teaching and the school environment so much that he worked as a substitute teacher well into his 80s. Bob was a devoted supporter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He worked with others to make summer sports camps available to young people. He traveled for the organization and became friends with people whose names you hear on Sunday afternoon TV in the fall. But, none of that changed Bob, or turned his head. He was a humble man. Because his identity began with a simple truth: he was a child of God and a sinner saved by grace. And his response to that grace was a full and joyful life. He laughed easily and often. He had a light countenance. At Bob’s memorial service, we opened the bulletin, and there, in Bob’s hand, were words pf instruction that he kept in his well-worn Bible. At the top was written: “How to become a Christian.”
Express sorrow, or repentance, for your sinfulness. Ask Him to forgive your sins. Invite Jesus into your life as Savior and Lord. Thank Him for entering your life. Commit yourself to live for Him. This was Bob’s string of beads. His call and his creed. His purpose. What is on your string of beads? Pastoral Prayer Concluding with the Lord’s Prayer Good and gracious God, you have reached out to us in our distress and lifted us up. You give us new life and we are thankful. For some the past week has been good, but for others, it has brought trouble, disappointment, or hardship. We ask for a sense of your loving presence to accompany all your people, dear Lord. Heal our wounded spirits, calm our troubled dreams, bring peace to the unsettled, especially in those places where there is great division and violence. This day we lift to you the names of our fathers and those who have been like fathers to us. We thank you for their faithful lives, their generous spirits, their patience and support. We pray, too, for those who have not lived up to the role of father. Help us to forgive any human failing and remind us that you are our heavenly parent, in whose image we are made and for whom we live each day. We lift to you those who are in need, in body, mind or circumstance. Bear with us, Lord, as we find our way through this difficult time in our nation and in the wider world. Guide our steps as we plan our return to the church for worship. Increase in us compassion, humility, insight and understanding, looking to the example of Jesus, our brother, who taught us to pray, Our Father…Amen. Blessing As you go from here, remember that we are sons and daughters of God. We have been adopted into God’s family, and have become God’s heirs, and joint heirs with Christ Jesus. So, go in peace and confidence, in the love of God, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and through the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.. Amen. Postlude Prelude There Is a Redeemer Text and music: Melody Green
Mark Baker Call to Worship 1 John 4:9, 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that God loved us and sent God’s Son into the world so that we might live through him. Hymn Lord, Speak to Me that I May Speak Text: Frances Ridley Havergal; Music: Robert Schumann Lord, speak to me that I may speak in living echoes of your tone. As you have sought, so let me seek, your erring children lost and lone. O teach me, Lord, that I may teach the precious truths which you impart, and wing my words that they may reach the hidden depths of many a heart. O fill me with your fullness, Lord, until my very heart overflows, in kindling thought and glowing word, your love to tell, your praise to show. Prayer of the Day Almighty God, you have called us to serve you, yet without your grace, our efforts are insufficient.. Grant that your Holy Spirit may direct our hearts in all things, and lead us in the ways of peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen. Scripture Readings Psalm 32:8 Philippians 4:9 Thessalonians 5:11 Message As we move into the summer, I am taking a brief detour from preaching from the lectionary texts. For today, I have selected some verses from the Psalms and Paul’s letters to the early Church to guide our thoughts. When I was in seminary, a long time ago, I spent some time each summer on the campus in Philadelphia. We sometimes took field trips. One day we rode the train into center city Philadelphia. One of the first things I noticed was that the other passengers were largely quiet. Many had their faces hidden from view by the morning paper. As we were walking from one place to the next, a classmate came along beside me. He was one of the international students from Romania. Very friendly. Full of energy. He made a comment that I seemed to have left my smile back in the dormitory. That was pretty much accurate. Being in such a big city is intimidating and I was trying to pay special attention to our route in case, heaven forbid, I got lost. He said, “Let’s try an experiment. When we pass the next person, we will smile and see if they smile back.” I was game and played along. On a sunny summer day in center city Philly, on a busy sidewalk, we looked into the eyes of those we passed and simply smiled. The results were mixed. No. That’s not right. It was disappointing…few people smiled in return or even acknowledged our presence. Now maybe there was a reason they were so somber and disinterested. Maybe some were not feeling well. Maybe they were under pressure at work. Maybe there was trouble at home. Maybe… We have had to adapt to changing circumstances in these past several months. You may not have found much to smile about. I’m sorry about that. Because we are not together on a weekly basis, we are all feeling a little down. Human beings, after all, are created to be together. I have done a little research this week and I want to share with you the results. Smiling can transform our outlook. Psychologists and scientists have argued for years that emotions can be regulated by behavior. We usually think the opposite to be true. That we smile in response to being happy. And that is so, but, scientists say we can also create happiness by the simple act of forming a smile. When a person smiles, it triggers physiological changes in the brain that cool the blood. This helps control our mood, and we are likely to experience a feeling of happiness or satisfaction. We can interpret this as changing our inward emotions by changing our outward expression. What we feel in our hearts comes out in our behavior, and how we act over time is what we become. Consistently reminding ourselves to smile throughout the day may eventually change our hearts. When our hearts change, the way we encounter the world changes. We see life as less intimidating and more like an opportunity that awaits us. Louis Armstrong use to sing, “When you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you.” He was onto something. Neuroscience has shown that merely seeing a smile, or a frown, activates mirror neurons in the brain that mimic the emotions. When someone smiles at us, we smile back, and vice-versa. This theory has caught on in a number of industries, including the hospitality business. I am told that at Walt Disney World, employees are to adhere to the “10/5 Rule.” When employees are within ten feet of a guest, they must make eye contact and smile. When they get within five feet of the guest, they must say, “Hello.” The guests almost always return the greeting. No wonder it’s called the “happiest place on earth.” Why do I share this today? Because for several weeks past and many more into the future, we have been wearing masks in public to help control the Coronavirus. Our smiles can be covered up, if we smile at all. Under that mask, you may be experiencing all sorts of thoughts and feelings. Anger, fear, anxiety, irritation. Masks are hot, they mess up your makeup, and the elastic bands can leave the fragile skin behind your ears abraded. But, maybe you will have an experience like Rev. Susan Sparks of New York City. When she and her husband donned masks and back-packs and set about to grocery shop one day, they passed many similarly-attired people. Most wore flat expressions. But, one young woman looked right at them and smiled. And both Susan and her husband smiled back. They didn’t even think about it. It was a natural response. Now, if the girl was wearing a mask, how did Susan know the girl smiled? Because she “Smized.” If you’ve ever watched “America’s Next Top Model,” “smize” means smiling with your eyes. And in this era of Covid 19, this era of wearing masks, and adapting to contingency plans, when we are under advice to maintain a safe distance and not engage in any public displays of affection like handshaking or hugging, what could be more important to our mental health, to our spiritual heath, than to smize? So, smize, and I will bet that the whole world will smize with you. Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer God of goodness and grace, we give you thanks for all things, especially your love that has been poured into our hearts through your Holy Spirit. Nothing is too wonderful for you. You brought the whole creation into being and set us in it. You promised your fruit to those with withered dreams. The fulfillment of your promises came in your Son, Jesus, who revealed your love and compassion for all the world, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, healing the sick and broken of all that afflicts them. In the fullness of love, he gave his life for us and made a way for us to join him in your realm. Forgive our wayward and foolish ways and turn us toward our Savior in gratitude for grace given. Today we thank you for occasions of joy in our community: for birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings. We give thanks for the smaller, quieter blessings revealed every day. We pray for the sick, the tired, the poor and helpless. Equip us, your hands, feet, and voices on earth, to help meet the needs of our neighbors near and far. Wrap you comfort around the hearts of the troubled, the bereaved, the worried and fearful ones, and assure them of your abiding presence. We pray these things in Jesus’ name and for his sake, saying, Our Father…Amen. Blessing Laughingbird.net The Lord seeks willing workers for the harvest. Therefore go out into the world; proclaim the good news of the nearness of God; call all who will hear to wholeness, to life, to God’s Shalom. And may God pour love into your hearts; may Christ Jesus open the way of grace to you; and may the Holy Spirit work through all things to build you up in endurance, character, and hope. Amen.. Postlude Though I May Speak Text: Hal Hobson; Music: Irish Melody Kuhn Memorial Presbyterian Church Barboursville, West Virginia Trinity Sunday June 7th, 20206/6/2020
Call to Worship Carmina Gadelica, Vol. III
Bless to me, O God, each thing mine eye sees; Bless to me, O God, each sound mine ear hears. Bless to me, O God, each fragrance that goes to my nostrils, the Three that seek my living soul. Bless to me, O God, each taste that goes to my lips, each note that goes to my song, each ray that guides my way, each thing I pursue, each lure that tempts my will. The zeal that seeks my living soul; the Three that seek my heart; the zeal that seeks my living soul; the Three that seek my heart. *Hymn Morning Has Broken Glory to God, Gaelic melody; Text: Eleanor Farjeon John McAlister 1 Morning has broken like the first morning; blackbird has spoken like the first bird. Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning! Praise for them springing fresh from the Word! 2 Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven, like the first dewfall on the first grass. Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden, sprung in completeness where God’s feet pass. 3 Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning! Born of the one light Eden saw play! Praise with elation! Praise every morning! God’s recreation of the new day! Scripture Reading Genesis 1: 1-2:4 Matthew 28:16-20 Message Today is Trinity Sunday, when we celebrate God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; or God the Creator, God the Redeemer, and God the Sustainer. The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the most difficult concepts to explain. So, I will simply say that God the Creator, whom some call Father, some call Mother, God the Son, Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit, have existed together from before the beginning of the created world. We can hear this in the Genesis text and in the gospel lesson. The term “Trinity” does not appear in Scripture. It is a concept that took shape in the early Church to explain the relationship of God and human beings in those three distinct ways. Today also focuses our attention on the creation story, the work of God, accomplished in the span of six days, as explained by the author of Genesis. The seasons of the year are some of our best evidence of the creative power of God. My husband is an amateur photographer. To be a good photographer, you have to have a good eye, recognizing the play of color and shape and position, dimension and all those factors that together form an image that draws attention. He likes taking pictures in nature, and loves shooting waterfalls. When I am with him on one of his adventures, if I am not cold or wet, my mind often recalls these words describing the Creation, how vast and expansive and magnificent it all is. All the elements of nature having their genesis in the mind of God. All of it. And I can’t even raise a blade of grass without the mind of God to give it its form and function and life. We try to capture it thru a camera’s lens. Did you notice as we read this text, that when God completes his work each day, leans back and considers the result, God pronounces it “good.” The day God created man and woman, God pronounced them “Very good.” In the last week or so, I have been troubled by what feels like to me, that we, the human race, have ignored the gifts that God so carefully designed, human beings, and have become adversaries of one another. Widespread restlessness, born of racial injustice, anger and pain, have come rushing like the mighty wind of Pentecost, across this nation. And I wonder what God feels when his children are at war with one another in this way? Tearing asunder what God so lovingly wrought. The creation God pronounced “good.” What has been identified as a race-based murder, has prompted a week of protests, some peaceful and inspiring, and some that erupted in grievous violence. We have heard words seldom used in our time: curfew, tear gas, rubber bullets, riot gear. What has become of our nation? Where do we turn for help, for reconciliation, for peace? A public figure being interviewed this week says she tells people to be hopeful. This world God created is good, very good. That has not changed. God still creates. God still redeems. God still comforts and sustains. We will emerge from these conflicted times and hopefully be better citizens. But, she was asked, where do we find hope? She says hope is found where it always is, between faith and charity (love.) We recognize this from the love chapter in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. “Faith, hope, love abide, these three. But the greatest of these is love.” So, with faith as our sure foundation, and acts of love our goal, where do we start to turn this around? I found these words by Rev. Stephen Bryant of the Upper Room Ministries helpful: He writes, “The call of Christ leads us to share in his life, his suffering, and his ministry, to do each day what he would do in our place. And he asks the question we are all asking, “Where do we begin?” What would Christ do in our place today? He suggests three practices:
As Ed and I watched the news this week, all 25 hours a day of it, we kept saying to each other, “We’ve been there.” Usually with students. Washington, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Atlanta, Columbia, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Raleigh, where our daughters live, and other U. S. cities all the way to Los Angeles. We prayed for the protesters, that they would be safe and not act in ugly and destructive ways. And we did the same for the law enforcement officers. We witnessed violence and we saw evidence that animosity is thinly disguised and can easily erupt with little provocation. This is no way to care for the world God created and called “good.” When our grandson visited a few weeks ago, he loved standing at our patio doors and watching for wildlife from the woods behind our home to show up. Baby bunnies, birdies, as he called them, a lizard. We don’t have a bird feeder, so we made an impromptu one for Thomas-bread crumbs scattered on the top rails of our deck. For hours, he would watch with anticipation, and when a forest friend showed up , he would jump and bounce and point and call out trying to have a conversation with them. Waving at them, hoping to coax them to come closer. Pure delight. We have a lot to learn from children. Thomas seemed to know instinctively where hope was. Right there between faith and love. And as a result, he delighted at the appearance of creatures unlike him, who navigated the world unlike him. Who didn’t speak his language. But it was all good. It was very good. Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer God of our past and our future, Trinitarian God, we come before you with grateful hearts, trusting that you will walk with us through all the seasons of our lives, including this strange time of illness and isolation, and his dreadful time of unrest, sadness, grief, and anger. You are still the God of history and God of the world you made and pronounced good. Hear us as we pray for your world and the people who dwell in it: We pray for all those who face danger and despair, those who suffer the effects of the pandemic, those who are hungry and hurting while the world is distracted, those people who have been abused and places damaged by the current unrest and violence, all who have no say, no agency, in the direction of their lives, those who will be called on to repair breaches of all kinds, We pray for those whom we hold dear to us… We pray for all those working to relieve suffering everywhere. We pray for ourselves, our eyes freshly opened, that you will forgive our sins of hatred, oppression, and injustice, and inspire within us renewed intention to seek the ways of the Prince of Peace, who taught us to pray, saying, Our Father…Amen. Blessing May God bless you this week, from morning’s waking til night’s folding. Bless your comings and your goings, the spinning of your labor and lives. May the ones you meet, even those with whom you compete, be the better for it. God bless thius week. God bless this journey God bless your work and your leisure. Amen. William John Fitzgerald, A Contemporary Celtic Prayer Book, Assisting Christians to Act, Chicago, IL, 1998. Kuhn Memorial Presbyterian Church Barboursville, West Virginia May 31, 2020 The Day of Pentecost5/29/2020
Greeting Caroline True, Elder
Call to Worship The Lord said: You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses to the ends of the earth. Come, Holy Spirit. Fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Alleluia! Prayer for Pentecost True and only Light, from whom comes every good gift, send your Spirit into our lives with the power of your wind. Open the horizons of our minds by the flame of your wisdom. Loosen our tongues to show your praise, for only in your Spirit can we voice your words of peace and acclaim Jesus as Lord. Amen. Duet It is Well With My Soul Horatio Spafford, Text Philip Bliss, Music Nancy and Katie Jackson Japanese translation by Lucah Jackson This beautiful hymn was written following a series of traumatic events in the life of Horatio Spafford and his family. In the face of grief and loss, the hymn is a stirring testimony to the healing power and presence of God. When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul. It is well, it is well, with my soul, with my soul. It is well, it is well with my soul Lord, hasten the day when our faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll. The trumpet shall sound and the Lord shall descend. Even so it is well with my soul. It is well, it is well, with my soul, with my soul. It is well, it is well, with my soul. Acts 2 :1-4 I hope you enjoy this interpretation of Acts 2, verses 1-4, as imagined by a special six-year-old. When the day of Pentecost came, they were all gathered together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Scripture Reading Acts 2:42-47 I commend to you the reading of the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2, in its entirety. I selected this passage for today as it reflects something of the life and history of this church. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the flavor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. The Word Proclaimed There Was a Knock at the Door We hope you enjoy this account of the Spirit’s gracious intervention in the early days of Kuhn Memorial Presbyterian Church, as witnessed by our first faithful members. On April 18, 1918, the five remaining members of the James I. Kuhn Memorial Presbyterian Church of Barboursville, met in the home of Mrs. P. A. Vallandingham, wife of the local banker, to draw up a declaration of dissolution. The church had been organized in 1914 with 11 members. One by one they had died or moved away, and the Rev. J. D. Coleman’s time of a night service a month in someone’s home could be better spent elsewhere. Mr. F. I. Updyke, a deacon, led in prayer. Mrs. Vallandingham sat at the table to record a motion of disbandment. But before she could write, there was a knock at the door…Mrs. Vallandingham answered to find a man and his wife and three children standing without, lately arrived in town, and hearing the Presbyterians were having a meeting at her house, had come asking to become members. They were welcomed in. Mrs. Vallandingham turned the paper of resolution over and wrote their names on the back of it- to be written into the church roll as new members. So within a matter of two or three minutes, the membership of James I. Kuhn Memorial Presbyterian Church was doubled. The meeting was dismissed and the church struggled on its way. And the new family, whose name is lost from the fields of memory, were never told of the original purpose of the meeting. Frank Ball, The Barboursville Bulletin, 1977 Pastoral Prayer Including the Lord’s Prayer Eternal God, by your Holy Spirit you have given life to this earth, and brought new life to Christ’s Church. You have blessed your people with remarkable gifts and call them to share generously with others. On this day, we thank you for those who proclaim your gospel message; those who govern and guide your Church; those who wait on others in need; those who teach in the spirit of wisdom and truth; those who provide music, art, and drama; those who work for unity in the Church; those who bravely reach across barriers to encourage peace and understanding; those who do menial tasks; those who care for children, visit the lonely, and the home-bound. Merciful God, you have called us by your grace and empower us to show your love. Help us to show that love to the poor, hungry, and homeless; to those suffering from illness, including the Coronavirus; those who live in places of strife and warfare; refugees and victims of oppression; those who are newly bereaved and sorrowing; the imprisoned or confined; the uneducated and underserved; those who are abandoned and outcast; those who are persecuted for their loyalty to Christ; and all those we name before you now… We pray as Jesus taught us, saying, Our Father…Amen. Blessing Spirit of the Living God Daniel Iverson Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us. The gifts of the Spirit are many and we extend our thanks to all those who contributed their gifts to the preparation of this service of worship. Kuhn Memorial Presbyterian Church Barboursville, West Virginia May 24, 2020 Ascension of the Lord5/22/2020
Call to Worship Revelation 5:13
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing: To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever! Prayer of the Day God of heaven and earth, We rejoice today before the throne of Christ’s power and peace, for he has put down tyrannies that would destroy us, and unmasked idols claiming our allegiance. We thank you that he alone is Lord of our lives. by your Spirit, give us freedom to love with his love, and to embrace the world with his compassion. Accept the offering of our lives, that we may obey your commands to witness and serve. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Hymn Lift High the Cross George William Kitchen; Michael Robert Newbolt, Sydney Hugo Nicholson Glory to God, Westminster John Knox Press Refrain Lift high the cross, the cross of Christ proclaim, til all the world adore his sacred name. Come, Christians follow where our Savior trod, the Lamb victorious, Christ, the Son of God. Refrain All newborn servants of the Crucified bear on their brow the seal of Christ who died. Refrain O Lord, once lifted, on the glorious tree, your death has brought us life eternally. Refrain So shall our song of triumph ever be: praise to the Crucified for victory. Refrain Scripture Reading Luke 24:44-53 The Word Proclaimed I’m not a very quantitative person, but I think it’s safe to estimate that approximately none of us has witnessed a person being taking up from earth into the clouds and vanishing from sight to be transported to the right hand of God. Which presented me with a problem this week as I considered the message I would share with you. I stumbled around my theological attic a bit until I learned that an extended family member had just that day been delivered to the entrance of a local hospital by family members, to have joint replacement surgery. No one was permitted to accompany him. I wondered how that felt on both sides of that event. What does it feel like to be a patient, or to face surgery alone, and what does it feel like to drop off a loved one and see the doors close behind him, shutting them out. When would they see each other again? Would they see each other again? I know many of you have experienced this same thing recently. And then I remembered how this scripture text connects to our life and faith. Since Advent and Christmas, I have been thinking a lot about the nature of Jesus, fully God and fully human. We celebrate his humble birth at Christmas. This is Emmanuel, God with us, a baby like we once were, who would grow and learn and experience the full range of human life. We call that “low Christology.” Here, in his ascension, we witness his divinity. Though he was born like us, he ascends to heaven, unlike us. This is high Christology. In my preparation, I was getting stuck in how we could relate to the divinity of Jesus, when all around me, and indeed, around all of us, are testimonies of his humanity, his presence with us in this time that has brought separation, mortal threat, fear, and a real “cloud of unknowing.” This is a very disquieting and discomforting time. We may not want to acknowledge it. We were raised on rugged individualism here in the mountain state. We’re strong and sturdy and nothing can shake us or shake our faith. So, dear friends, why did we strip bare the grocery shelves and fight over toilet paper? Oh, we can justify it. We needed to be prepared. I said that, too. Why? Because we had been plunged into a disaster we hadn’t anticipated. We were not in control. So, we took control in whatever way we could. This is human nature. Several weeks later, we are in a different place. We are making plans to return to church and other gatherings. We are thinking about going out to lunch or shopping at the mall for the first time in months. Maybe we will even dare to make vacation plans. I can hear the beach calling my name. But, in our efforts to get back to life as we knew it, let’s think of how we have been changed…for the better. I think one of the most important lessons we will have learned as we emerge from this Covid 19 era, is that the last time we kissed a loved one good-bye, hung up the phone, turned in an assignment, borrowed sugar from our neighbor…may well be the last time we see that person for awhile. And, those precious moments, that we probably took for granted because we couldn’t anticipate how the pandemic would interrupt life, may have been the last time we will be with that person this side of heaven. And that is sobering. The story of Jesus’ ascension is repeated in the book of Acts, which is also attributed to the writer of Luke’s gospel. In the Acts account, as Jesus disappears, a couple of angels appear to the disciples. Now, usually when angels show up in scripture, they say, “Fear not!” That’s the first message. Not here. In this text, the angels ask the disciples why they were standing still, staring at the sky. And in the Luke text, Jesus gives them their job description: repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in Jesus’ name to all the world, beginning at home right there in Jerusalem. If we take these two accounts together, we might interpret the message to be: “Shake a leg, people! There’s work to do. You will miss Jesus. You will grieve his loss. Do something with what Jesus taught you. Love people. Forgive offenses. Show people the abundant life that results from turning away from sin and turning toward God. And, that’s what I would offer to all of you who have seen a teacher for the last time, or a classmate, or a neighbor, or a loved one. Do something with what he or she taught you. It will be a tribute to their life and give purpose to yours. Pastoral Prayer Including the Lord’s Prayer God of Goodness, grace, and love, like the Apostles, we stand looking toward the sky, not fully understanding all that this day means. We fail to grasp the wonder of your ascension. Forgive the smallness of our vision, the narrowness of our outlook, the weakness of our love, the nervousness of our witness, our repeated failure to recognize the fullness of your revelation in Christ. Give us a deeper sense of wonder, a stronger faith, and a greater understanding of all you have done for us. We have many concerns on our hearts today and we lift now the names of those in need… …the sick, those in the midst of treatment, the recovering, their families and caregivers; the lost, the lonely, the confused, and the forgotten; those in the halls of government, boards of educations, and all public servants; for those who are returning to work and those who must now search for it; for all those who are given charge of family and loved ones; give us your strength, wisdom, and love that we may care for them as you have cared for us. We pray in the way Jesus taught us saying, Our Father…Amen. Blessing May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation that makes God known to you. May the eyes of your heart have enough light to see what is the hope of God’s call, what is the richness of God’s glorious inheritance among believers, and what is the overwhelming greatness of God’s power that is at work among us. Amen. Next week is Pentecost, the day we traditionally celebrate as the Birthday of the Christian Church. The church will be clothed in red. You may choose to do the same in celebration. Call to Worship Antiphon at Lauds, Saints Days
Come, mine elect one, and I will set my throne within you. Source of all creation, maker of the world and everything in it, you are never far from each one of us. We come into your presence seeking you, O giver of life and breath. Reveal yourself to us; dwell with us; abide with us. We live because of you. We hope because of you. In the name of Jesus Christ, in whom we live and move and have our being. Amen. Hymn Alleluia! Sing to Jesus! William Chatterson Dix 1866; Rowland Hugh Pritchard, 1831 Alleluia! Sing to Jesus! His the scepter, His the throne! Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone! Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion thunder like a mighty flood. Jesus out of every nation, hath redeemed us by his blood. Alleluia! Not as orphans, are we left with sorrow now. Alleluia, he is near us; faith believes nor questions how. Though the cloud from sight received him, when the forty days were over. Shall our hearts forget his promise, “I am with you evermore”? Scripture Reading Acts 17:22-31 John 14:15-21 Today’s texts lift up two important events: Paul’s speech before the Areopagus in Athens, and the ascension of Jesus. You recall that Jesus made several post-resurrection appearances. This is the final one as he is taken up into heaven. In the church year, this happens forty days after Easter and a few days before the Day of Pentecost, which we will celebrate on May 31st. I would like to turn our attention this morning to the Acts passage. My husband says when he was in officer training shortly after being elected a Ruling Elder, he was told that an elder should be ready to preach at all times. In fact, back in the day, some church elders carried a sermon in their wallets or folded up in the pocket of a suit jacket. Leaders of the Church should be ready to preach the gospel at all times. Paul was ready to preach before the Areopagus, the high court of intellectual and religious sparring, in Athens. This would not be a friendly audience. He was there to be tested. So what does he do? Well, he doesn’t start with the Westminster Catechism, or preach the importance of baptism. He doesn’t even enumerate the four spiritual laws that characterize some Christian preaching. No. Paul meets them where they are. He says he has noticed the numerous statues displayed in the temples around Athens. There were idols to everything. There was even one dedicated to the “unknown God,” in case they had forgotten one. And that’s where Paul seizes his opportunity. He tells them that he stands before them to introduce them to that unknown God. “What you worship as unknown, I now proclaim to you.” The court of the Areopagus was about the strength of reason and rhetoric. The Greeks were all about the life of the mind. Some adhered to a philosophy that the flesh, the human body, was inferior to the mind and the spirit. Some went to great lengths to deny the needs of the body or to satisfy the desires of the body. We have a more integrated understanding of life that includes body, mind, and spirit. Paul whets his audience’s intellectual appetite by saying there is more to learn. And to this body of critical thinkers, he drops a great mystery: the mystery of God in human flesh, the God who defies death by resurrection. “God calls all people to repent, to follow, for judgment in righteousness by an appointed Savior, who has given us assurance by raising the Savior from the dead.” And in his death, is the promise of ours. Willie James Jennings, professor at Yale, has written, “ To speak of the resurrection of Jesus is…speech that changes reality, reorients how we see earth and sky, water and dirt, land and animals, and even our own bodies. This is speech that evokes a decision: either laugh at it or listen to it. Either leave it or draw near to his body. It is his body or your stones.” One positive outcome from this sheltering at home era is that we have been compelled to look at our immediate surroundings. How have we spent our time? I can’t tell you how many of my friends and family members have taken the opportunity to clean out closets and attics and garages, getting rid of those things they no longer use or need or ever needed. I actually found the floor of a closet I haven’t seen in about twenty years. My husband and I just spent a week with our two year old grandson. It was great fun, at least most of the time. It was good to be reminded of the early days of our family life, when we had little ones to feed, and bathe, and dress and comfort. We heard expressions we hadn’t heard in a long time, at least in such direct language. “Mine!” Whether it was a cup, a toy, a shoe, when it seemed to Thomas that he was about to lose something, he loudly protested and claimed it as his own. Most of us outgrow that behavior. We know that hanging onto or accumulating things can be a form of idolatry. So can the unhealthy pursuit of recognition, power and wealth. They become the stones that Dr. Willie Jennings warns us about. Like the idols in Athens, their promises are empty and they may come with a high price. Friends, Jesus isn’t a stone like the idols found in Athens. He is a living Savior who paid the highest price and keeps his promise: to be at home with us on earth and to welcome us to a home with him in the world to come. I’ll take it. How about you? Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Lord of love, in the upper room, you gave us a new commandment to love one another. You have demonstrated before us the power of love to bring healing, redemption, and hope in the lives of all your people. Just as you have called us all into the ministry of grace, you have empowered us with gifts to carry out your purpose. The weeks have been long, O God, and we are weary. So many lives have been disrupted, services interrupted, and events cancelled. Illness and death have been our food day and night. We have become isolated out of necessity, and that has brought its own set of troubles. And so today, we come before you to dwell in your presence and receive the courage to be your people in this time and in these circumstances. Remind us when we bring the names of those in need before you, we also bring our own needs and concerns. Hear now the names of those who long to feel your love and grace… We celebrate with the graduates among us, for the successful completion of their academic pursuits and their optimism and goals for the future. In the words of the prayer that never fails, in gratitude for all life’s blessing, we pray, Our Father…Amen. Blessing Wherever we are, we are in God. Wherever we are, we are in Christ, and Christ is in us. We go forth in peace and hope, with the support of God’s Spirit, in faithfulness and trust. and with enough transparency that, through us, others may glimpse the Divine. Call to Worship
And Jesus said, “Come!” To all mothers and children, he said, “Come!” To the motherless and the childless, he said, “Come!” To all who longed to be mothered, he said, “Come!” “Come unto me all you who are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls.” Prayer of the Day Holy God, We come together this day celebrating the role that mothers have played in our lives. We thank you for both the present love and the memories of our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, and all those who have been like mothers to us. Keep us mindful of those for whom this day brings grief. May we be prompt to extend Christian fellowship to any who are hurting or are in need. We pray, strengthened by the example of Jesus, who honored his mother, Mary, from the cross. Amen. Special Music Scripture Philippians 1:1-11 Here we have one of Paul’s letters. His letters, or epistles, play a significant role in how we understand the Christian faith. His letters inform our theology and doctrine. For many people, Philippians is the loveliest letter Paul wrote. It has been known by two titles: The Epistle of Excellent Things and The Epistle of Joy. We will hear in this letter Paul speaking of the need to rejoice at all times and in all circumstances. The world can turn ugly. Life is unpredictable. We all experience loss, frustration, brokenness. Paul tells his friends to direct their hearts toward joy-to the joy that no one can take from us. At the time of this writing, Paul is in prison in Rome. He has a short list of purposes for his letter: It is a letter of thanks. Paul was persecuted in Philippi and unjustly imprisoned. Behind him he left a community of faith. He says he thanks God every time he thinks of them. Their faith is growing stronger, even while Paul is in prison for his faith. They have become his companions in Christ, sharing in the gift of grace and witnessing to the gospel. A second purpose for this letter is to explain why Epaphroditis was returning to Philippi. Epaphroditis had been sent by the Philippians to Paul as his personal servant. But Epaphroditis grows sick and must return home. Paul instructs the church to treat him with welcome and mercy. Not to shame him. Another purpose is to encourage the Philippians in his absence, as they, too, endure persecution. In spite of the trials they all face, Paul is fully confident about their future, declaring that “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” The final purpose of this letter is an appeal for unity. Later in the Epistle, Paul addresses the selfless humanity of Jesus (2:1-11). He exhorts the church to model the life of Jesus. All they do in thought, word, and deed, should point to the life of Jesus Christ. Arguments among the church members had erupted and according to Paul, there were false teachers in their midst who were trying to coax them away from the true path, the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this age of electronic devices, we are in contact with people all the time. It is the way we communicate now and usually our technology keeps us informed and connected. But when our courage fails, when our bodies or spirits are troubled, when someone we love asks for our wisdom and help, a personal note, card, or letter is invaluable. Maybe you have a collection of such things, personal messages with which we cannot part. I know I do. Maybe some of those messages are from our mothers or fathers, or the one who was like a parent to us. Think of a time when you needed support, or when there was something to be celebrated, or someone to be mourned…who was there for you? Think of a time when you assumed a new role, took on greater responsibility. Was there someone to be your best cheerleader, reminding you of your gifts and strengths? Have you ever received a warning from someone who was concerned for your well-being? If you do, then you have something in common with the Christians at Philippi. Putting the shoe on the other foot, when have you written a note to express your thanks, or to encourage, or to say, “I’m sorry?” Mother’s Day is one of those occasions that calls for special, personal messages between family members. Who is waiting to hear from you? Hymn For the Beauty of the Earth Text: Folliot Sanford Pierpoint; Music: Conrad Kocher For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth, over and around us lies: Lord of all, to thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise. For the wonder of each hour, of the day and of the night, hill and vale and tree and flower, sun and moon and stars of light. Lord, of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. For the joy of ear and eye, for the heart and mind’s delight, for the mystic harmony linking sense to sound and sight: Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child, friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild: Lord of all, to thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise. For thyself, best gift divine to the world so freely given, for that great, great love of thine, peace on earth and joy in heaven: Lord of all, to thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise. Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer Lord, we thank you for the gift of motherhood. We thank you for the many examples of faithful mothers in scripture: Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth, and Lois among them. We thank you for those who embraced the role of mother as a high calling. We pray for all who longed for children and children did not come; for those who parented poorly; for those who have mistreated their own parents. In this moment, we let go of any offenses that interfere with a wholesome and joy-filled family life and ask that you help us make our homes a place of peace and welcome. Hear now the names of other women who have inspired, encouraged, taught, and sacrificed for their loved ones… We are mindful this day of Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus, who had the courage to say “Yes” to your calling. May we, men and women, likewise have the courage to answer “Yes” to your call on our lives. Help us all to live more fully into your purpose. Whether we are parents or not, we are your disciples, and followers of your way, truth, and life. We lift to you all others on our minds and hearts this day… Bring hope and healing to the weary, worn, and sick; peace to all the troubled; and needs supplied to those who have little in a world that demands so much. We pray as Jesus, our brother, taught us, saying, Our Father…Amen. Blessing Go into this week knowing that you are embraced by the love of God, a love that is both tender and strong, like the arms of a mother around her child. Amen. |
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