Vol 6 No 17 - Roll Tape

It would be much easier, I'm sure.  It might also be much more painful.  In either case, I think it would lead to a far more honest observation of the Lenten season (or for that matter, living the Christian life, period.)  Which is why I think most all of us would run for the hills if this ever happened to us.

I am, of course, talking about having yourself videoed in your natural environment.

This past week, as part of an exercise I'm doing to work with one of my colleagues on preaching, I videoed the reading of the scripture and the sermon.  An old standby of any preaching 101 class, I have to admit it was very challenging to play back that video several times over the past couple of days preparing for my meeting with my colleague today.  Watching this video, I saw some things I need to change, cringed at some things I wish I had worded differently, got some ideas for different things to do.  But it wasn't all bad - looking back at stuff from 5-10 years ago, I see a lot of which I am quite pleased.  The hardest part of all this was simply pressing play the first time.  It will be interesting to see what kind of feedback my colleague offers.

What if we had our lives videoed and could go back to review that which we have done?  What if we had to take these videos and show them to others in an environment where they could offer commentary and critique?  How would it affect your behavior to know that your every move and every word was being recorded for your own review and that of others?  Or, would it?

What if we had the opportunity to compare the tapes of today to the product from 5-10 years ago?  Would someone, including you, looking at these tapes see progress?

See, this is what Lent is all about.  During this season, we are to engage in self-examination and introspection.  We are to take time to 'look at the tape' and see things upon which to improve.

As Christians, we are to be about looking at one another's video, encouraging each other to good works, engaging in accountability for those areas in which we come up short, and to realize that God is consistently seeking to move us forward, whether we can see it or not.

Here's the thing - this can only happen as it should when we allow ourselves to be engaged fully in the life of the congregation.  It is, in essence, what being a member of the church is all about.

Roll tape.

See you Sunday (and Wednesday)!

Lamar

Vol 6 No 16 - Being a Blessing

So, to follow up with the text from worship last week (Genesis 12:1-4a), have you been a blessing this week?  Through your daily interactions with the world in which you live - home, work, community - have you taken that which God has so graciously given you and been a blessing to others?

Over 120 of you were a blessing to me and to each other this past Sunday as you joined together as the community of faith in worship.  My hope and prayer is that you also experienced God's grace and love through this sacred time we were given by God.

As a word of encouragement, let me say that in addition to leaving this place and striving to be a blessing to others beyond the walls of this church, be sure to also remember your opportunity to be a blessing to your fellow saints in the church.  

• Today at noon, we will gather to break bread and feed on the Gospel lesson over lunch, sharing together this truly sacred time of Lenten observance.

• Later today, we will gather to lift up all those God has placed on our hearts to place on our prayer list, and share in the sacred meal of the Lord's Supper.

• The youth of our church will gather after our prayer & communion service to engage in their Lenten Bible Study while our choir will prepare for our upcoming worship services as well as continue their work on the Good Friday service.

• Tomorrow, you will have the opportunity to join with our friends from Trinity Episcopal as we continue the exploration of our shared faith expressed in our common affirmation of faith, the Nicene Creed.

Be honest - how many of you feel that you either do not have the time or the interest to participate in any of our activities other than Sunday morning worship, and that only if we cannot find something else to use our time?

Be honest - how many times do we focus on what we can get out of or put into something to measure whether or not we are going to participate?

On this sacred Wednesday morning, let me encourage you to remember the calling first given to Abram to be a blessing.  I know you have a lot going on and may not think you need much more than Sunday mornings; allow me to remind you that by your very presence and your participation you have the opportunity to be a blessing to others.

Journeying through Lent, be intentional about seeking out how to be a blessing to others.  Take what God has given you and share it through your ministry of presence.

For, wherever you are, in our area or far away, the fact is God's people have been called together to be the church, and you, through the very fact you have been given life, have a blessing to provide simply by showing up.

And I pray that as we are together I may be a blessing to you.

See you Sunday (and Wednesday)!

Lamar

Vol 6 No 15 - The Lenten Tongue

By now, I hope and pray you have gotten into the Lenten Spirit.  Through prayer, fasting, and self-examination, this is truly a season to allow God to work deeper within us, showing us how much more the Divine glory can shine through us.  

This morning, our youth had a great breakfast highlighted by a lesson on the power of the tongue.  As we studied this morning, scripture is quite clear about how the actions of our tongue control us far more than we realize.

I encourage you to use this holy season of Lent as an opportunity to examine the state of your tongue.  What is it that you are doing through the words that you say and how you say them?  Are you using them to uplift one another, encouraging one another to good deeds, and strengthening one another's faith?  Are you using your words to be God's light and love in the world?  Can someone, by hearing you speak to them, hear the Good News of Christ?

When you speak, do you speak on your own, or do you seek to speak by the power of the Holy Spirit, spreading God's saving grace?

See you Sunday (and Wednesday)!

Lamar

United Methodists and the Pacific Disaster

Dear Friends,

By now, you all know of the disaster that has hit our friends in the Pacific, Japan in particular.

From our friends at UMCOR:

“In response to the Earthquake on March 10, 2011 that struck Japan, The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) will be working with local communities to rebuild. UMCOR is now better able to help when earthquakes and tsunamis or other disasters hit the area. UMCOR works in shelter and infrastructure reconstruction, water and sanitation, income generation, health and nutrition, education and community development."

For the next few weeks, we will be taking a special offering to support the work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).  Note in the memo line of your check or on the outside "UMCOR - Pacific Disaster."  You may also go to UMCOR.org to find more information about this all and of UMCOR's work throughout the world.

Remember that through our support of the church in paying our apportionments, all of UMCOR's overhead is supplied, thus allowing 100% of all donations to this effort to go to directly to assist victims.

Grace and Peace,

Lamar

Vol 6 No 14 - Not Alone

Lent, by it's very nature, is not exciting, nor glamorous, nor entertaining.  Lent is hard work.  Good thing we are not called to do it in isolation.

As you enter into the sanctuary for our 6:00PM service on Ash Wednesday, you will be greeted by a sign that encourages you to enter in silence.  As part of observing this silent time of preparation, reading through the notes found in your worship guide, take a good look around the sanctuary.  Note that as you start this season of self-examination and sacrifice, you are not in this journey alone.  

It can be very easy to find Lent a difficult time.  And it is.  Let's not make it any harder than it needs to be by going at it alone.

Come and worship as a community
on Sundays and Wednesdays.

Come and serve as a community
through our mission opportunities.

Come and fellowship as a community
through our Lenten Luncheons.

Come and study as a community
through our various study groups.

Come and be as a community
through being present
in the life of the church this season.

Through our shared life in the community, I promise you these 40 days won't be as long as you might think. Easter is coming.

See you Sunday (and Wednesday)!

Lamar

Vol 6 No 13 - A Holy Mardi Gras

I want to encourage you all to completely and fully celebrate Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday/Fat Tuesday.

Yes, that's right, I want to encourage you all to completely get into the Mardi Gras spirit.

No, I'm not kidding.  Go ahead and get into the Mardi Gras spirit.

You may be thinking: "Cool.  Preacher's telling us to go out and get completely hammered, engaging in activities that I really hope no one is going to put on YouTube later, spending money that could be better used elsewhere on dresses and beads."

C'mon.  You know me better than that.

What I want to encourage you to do as Mardi Gras comes is to take a look back at the historical context of Mardi Gras.  Take a look back to some of the practices of the day over the past few centuries.  Note that it was referred to as Fat Tuesday due to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritualistic fasting of Lent.

Yes, I want to encourage you to observe Mardi Gras fully.  Take the day to reflect upon the fact that Lent is coming, and use Mardi Gras as a time to think about all the 'fat' in your life that needs to be cut.

In other words, use Mardi Gras not as a season or day of iniquity, but as a day of preparation for observing a Holy Lent.  After all, if you are not preparing to fully participate in the 40-day season of prayer and fasting, what's the point of celebrating Mardi Gras?  If not used for joyfully anticipating a season self-denial and introspection, then Mardi Gras is simply a waste of time and money.

See you Sunday!

Lamar