Tuesday, February 23, 2010

DEADLINES AMUSE Me

For a long time, a sign on my desk read "Deadlines Amuse Me!" I've always loved deadline---for everyone else. I'd run for president of the Procrastinator's Club of America, but I never get around to sending in the nomination form. Give me a deadline, and I'll drag my feet until the eleventh hour. But then, stand clear, cause that's when I dive headlong into whatever it is I've had weeks to do, but have put off until the last minute. I've thought and planned, but haven't taken action. Guess I'm no different than Lot, who hung around Sodom too long. Not that much different than the foolish virgins in Jesus' story about the wedding hall doors being locked. Mom and Dad always told me, "never put off until tomorrow what you can do today." How many of us handle our faith the same way, telling ourselves "there's always tomorrow?"

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Much to Ponder

We are asked to be stewards, caretakers if you will, of this earth we share. There is much debate about natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale, and a process called "fracking." We need to learn all we can about the pros and cons of this process. The Mayor of Dish, Texas, recently visited the area, sharing his experiences in dealing with process. For more information on drilling in DISH, Texas, visit www.ogap.org or baddish.blogspot.com. For information from America’s Natural Gas Alliance, go to America’s Natural Gas Alliance go to www.netl.doe.gov.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

A Different Take on Fasting

One of the readings at our Ash Wednesday service was Isaiah 58:1-12

The Lord says, Shout as loud as you can! Tell my people Israel about their sins! They worship me every day, claiming that they are eager to know my ways and obey my laws. They say they want me to give them just laws and that they take pleasure in worshiping me. The people ask, why should we fast if the Lord never notices? Why should we go without food if he pays no attention? The Lord says to them, the truth is that at the same time you fast, you pursue your own interests and oppress your workers. Your fasting makes you violent, and you quarrel and fight. Do you think this kind of fasting will make me listen to your prayers? When you fast, you make yourselves suffer; you bow your heads low like a blade of grass and spread out sackcloth and ashes to lie on. Is that what you call fasting? Do you think I will be pleased with that? The kind of fasting I want is this: Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free. Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives. Then my favor will shine on you like the morning sun, and your wounds will be quickly healed. I will always be with you to save you; my presence will protect you on every side. When you pray, I will answer you. When you call to me, I will respond. If you put an end to oppression, to every gesture of contempt, and to every evil word; if you give food to the hungry and satisfy those who are in need, then the darkness around you will turn to the brightness of noon. And I will always guide you and satisfy you with good things.
I will keep you strong and well. You will be like a garden that has plenty of water, like a spring of water that never goes dry. Your people will rebuild what has long been in ruins, building again on the old foundations. You will be known as the people who rebuilt the walls, who restored the ruined houses.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Hunger Close to home

Some folks find it hard to believe there are hungry people in Schuyler County. If you have any doubts, or if you have trouble putting a face on hunger in your own backyard, check out the website for the Food Bank of the Southern Tier (www.foodbankst.org). It includes a link to the Hunger in America Report: 2010 and a local summary.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Lenten Adult Study Group

The focus of our Lenten study group will be “Community of Promise” by Rev. Dr. Wayne Gustafson. The book is a short novel that offers a different story of Moses in the wilderness. The story raises many social, religious, theological, political, psychological, and economic issues.” We’ll use the book as a launch pad for discussions about those issues. If you’d like to learn more about Community of Promise, visit http://www.entospress.com. The books will be “hot off the press” March 1st. If you’d like to be part of the group, talk to Dick Evans.

Ash Wednesday Service

Among other things, the Lenten season is a time for preparation. We'll mark the start of Lent with an Ash Wednesday service February 17th at 7pm. During the service, folks will be encouraged to write down on a piece of paper those things they feel are separating them from God. When they come forward for Communion, they'll be invited to burn the piece of paper, symbolizing their desire to remove that which separates them from God. Everyone is welcome to join in this worship experience.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Joyful worship participation

Let’s start with this fact: I don’t think anyone should attend Sunday worship because they feel guilty about not going to church. It’s my hope and prayer that everyone who comes each Sunday does so ready to celebrate God’s grace. I hope people come to worship with joyful hearts, eager to learn more about God as Creator, Provider and Redeemer. I hope people come to pray and sing God’s praises.

Perhaps people who regularly attend Sunday worship haven’t found time in their busy schedules, they’ve made time to join the church community as it gathers for worship.

What’s the difference between finding time for church and making time? I think when you make time for church, you are taking the initiative. You are demonstrating an intention to place the worship of God as a top priority. Making time for church is an active decision that indicates you control your schedule. Finding time for worship suggests you may be more controlled by your schedule than you are the person in control.