Coastal Viewfinder: Recent Episodes
Coastal Community Church
A few folks have asked about the reading during our Gathering yesterday. Here ya go...
The Wide Spectrum of Mothering
To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you
To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you
To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food
stains – we appreciate you
To those who experienced loss through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with you
To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and
disappointment – we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t
mean to make this harder than it is
To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need you
To those who have warm and close relationships with your children – we celebrate with you To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children – we sit
with you
To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you
To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother – we acknowledge your
experience
To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of
motherhood – we are better for having you in our midst
To those who have aborted children - we remember them and you on this day
To those who are single and long to be married and mothering your own children - we mourn
that life has not turned out the way you longed for it to be
To those who step-parent - we walk with you on these complex paths
To those who envisioned lavishing love on grandchildren, yet that dream is not to be - we
grieve with you
To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with you To those who placed children up for adoption – we commend you for your selflessness and
remember how you hold that child in your heart
And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising –we anticipate
with you
This Mother’s Day, we walk with you. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. We remember you.
By Amy Young (http://messymiddle.com)
Last week during our Gathering, Laura and Craig shared about paying attention to God along our everyday paths - particularly as spring is springing.
Below are some of the symbols they brought to our attention:
- gardens- bouquet of theological concepts
- roses-Mary
- clover-the Trinity
- aspen- the cross
- chestnuts- chastity
- apples- the fall, evil
- cyclamen- Mary's bleeding heart/sorrowing
- fern- humility
- hyacinth- longing for heaven
- oak- strong faith and virtue
- lion- Christ
- whale- the devil (who would drag souls down to hell)
- stag- Christ, who tramples the devil
- swallow- (swallows feed in the air) theological lesson: we should have our minds set on heavenly things.
- salamander- a righteous person that (like a salamander) can withstand the fire. (also a reminder of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego)
May we have eyes to see and ears to hear.
- The Hub Team
Local Church Conference04 May 2014A Pastoral Report | State of the Heart & UnionThis past conference year has been a building block season of spiritual formation. While 2012-2013 was a deconstruction phase in the structure of Coastal, last year we began rolling up our sleeves for a long-haul apprenticeship alongside Jesus our Carpenter by rebuilding a firm, pilgrimative foundation for the next 1,3,5, and 100 years to come. As we journey forward, we believe the Architect & Guide has been establishing a brand new culture in Coastal and our Community Covenant forMay 2014-April 2015, serves as a workable blueprint/map for launching Kingdom pilgrims further into God’s redemptive mission. << 2013-2014 Building Blocks & Trail-Markers§ 2 folks began following Jesus as their Lord & Guide…while 3 others recommitted their steps in the Jesus Way…while 3 other folks (Donna, Ella Z, Don) took the transformational plunge of baptism!!!§ We celebrated our growing bond as a new kind of family through these communal ways: summer picnics in Memorial Park, a lake adventure at the Maroon camp, Adam Tibbetts’ rockin baby dedication, rallying around the Hartfords during Sarah’s crisis, the Chili Cook-off, etc.§ We continue to develop relational ties with local artists, vendors, and sojourners by hosting our annual Harvest Festival/Christmas Fair. The proceeds of this event seed future initiatives for our Women’s Ministry. The Nest (a supplemental Pocket for women) held a few gatherings that sparked other creative interests such as pottery at Glazey Days, growing an herb garden, and a couponing forum.§ The second Saturday of each month Deb H., Nancy R., and a handful of other women have provided basic needs/meals to chronically homeless women in Portland through the Florence House.§ Last July, we sent out 4 women to partner with Impact Ministries in endeavors of Kingdom justice including work in the children’s programs and serving in the Happy Tummies efforts.§ Last September, we sent out 5 men to the Paria Canyon on a Pilgrimage trip that has catalyzed spiritual formation in each participant, led to a baptism, AND sparked future Pilgrimage trips.§ We launched 5 new smaller groups (aka Pockets) during The Tangible Kingdom missional initiative and heard marvelous testimonies of God’s restoration and provision in the process.§ The Trustees maintained our facilities by addressing electrical concerns and meeting fire code (thanks to Lonny). Betsy initialized phase 1 of drainage/landscaping needs at the Parsonage.§ Pastor David & the LBA worked with the D.S./Atlantic District/Wesleyan Denomination to refinance the Building & Parsonage, thereby lowering our facility payments by over $1000 per month, allowing us to better position the church for future mission and the removal of debt.§ God has faithfully provided for our fiscal needs and Coastalites have faithfully responded to God’s provision by steadily increasing our weekly tithes and offerings over the conference year and generating one of the highest giving weeks ($5000) in our 20+ year history. All bills are paid in full (–USF).§ We deepened our FRONTLINE partnership of Kingdom justice with the Root Cellar in these ways: o Donating over $3000 in funds from the Chili Cook-off, the Advent Redistribute Campaign, 30 Hour Famine, and 1 average/weekly offering…Preparing for & overseeing the Ladies Christmas Tea for 35+ international women…the Witas group donated bikes and took the lead in a clothing/coat drive…and lastly, we sent volunteers to help with the ESL program.§ During the Pilgrimative Practices from the Shed initiative, we heard numerous stories of spiritual and relational breakthroughs during times of meditation, fasting, and tithing/generosity.§ Deb Harney and Jen Martin have spearheaded a new Hospitality Team called “360°Care” which is simply offering practical support and meals to those within our community who are sick, in the hospital, going through a crisis, or needing encouragement.§ Victoria Wood reorganized our Youth Ministry by forming a Pocket group for 10 teens and has been mentoring several young women. During the 30 Hour Famine, the group raised $2000 for Impacto/World Vision/Root Cellar while tithing 10% to Coastal. In recent weeks, Greg & Erika Walton have joined with Vic in developing a team to oversee Echo Youth Ministry.§ We celebrated the birth of Sarah Hartford and Elizabeth Backman!!!And so we shout, “Dayenu!” a Hebrew phrase meaning, “God provides…It would have been enough for us!”>> 2014-2015 Guide-Posts & Barstool OrthoticsI believe God has provided us (Zig & LBA) with a pastoral vision to further anchor Coastal Church’s 4 Legs (Bar Stool Values) during this coming conference year. How we do this???Ø We will be solidifying our current Pocket groups through 1-on-1 trainings for the shepherds AND forming at least 3 new Pocket groups based on geography/need. o LBA and music team leaders have been considering an experimental project/group/gathering called “The Dinner Party” meeting once per month on Thursdays during the summer in the Mainely Wraps Old Port location. FMI, contact Dave at coastalpastor@gmail.com o Coastalology – An as needed group led by Dave & Laura on Sundays after Gatherings for pilgrims to become familiar with vision, values, practices, covenants, history, Wesley, membership, etc.Ø We envision utilizing our Building as a missional outpost rather than as a financial liability by creating a “usage policy” and hosting more local community events. We envision the possibility of paying off up to $100,000 of debt from our Building through increased weekly giving in the range of $2750 + proactively assessing the potential of selling the parsonage + aggressively seeking a tenant or tenants to rent Building space. FMI, please contact an LBA member.Ø We will continue preaching & practicing the WORD through Pilgrimative Practices from the Shed for at least the next 2 months as we engage in the disciplines of prayer, Sabbath, and reviewing some of our common actions over the last season. Our leadership team is excited to fully unveil the Common Coastal Covenant for 2014-2015, which integrates many of the practices that have been forming us. Again, we believe this will serve as a blueprint/map for commitment to our local church body.Ø Pastor David & the LBA will continue to solidify specific roles and ministry-job-descriptions PLUS we are adding 2 LBA members and an “intern” to broaden our bandwidth of pastoral care/oversight.o Dan Gerrish, Clark Carter, and Pastor David have been commissioned by the LBA as the steering committee for Coastal Missions. This team will be responsible for prayerfully creating guidelines and structure for local/global partnerships and future pilgrimage trips. This team will be working w/ interested Coastal fam organizing various projects, events, short-term teams, etc.o Greg Walton will be working alongside Pastor David and the LBA in an “internship” style as he and Erika discern next steps in their pastoral ministry voyage and as Greg finishes his Masters program at Gordon. FMI, contact Greg at 286.5617 / gjameswalton@gmail.com Ø We will strengthen our justice leg of the barstool as we continue to deepen our FRONTLINE partnership with the Root Cellar through: a monthly financial pledge of $100, monthly prayer & fasting on behalf of the mission, Pocket group initiatives, quarterly projects & need-based opportunities for all ages.Ø In September, Mike Beeler and Dave are planning for a Pilgrimage trip in the Maine/NH Mountains.Ø In early October, Coastal will be linking arms with East Point Church to co-host a Justice-oriented Training/Equipping based on “Why The Rich and Poor Need Each Other”with guest speaker/author Greg Paul along with Zig & Kurt Holmgren.Ø The Hub Team will be launching a new website in the next week or so to help bolster communications, provide handy resources, and post the latest sermons for easy access. If you have any interest in helping us develop/manage the website, please contact us at officeofccc@gmail.com Ø Luanne and the Godly Play team will be developing the next stage of our Children’s Ministry as we seek to more accurately spiritually form our 3rd -5th grade children. For those interested in joining the conversation, contact Luanne: 252.9562 / morg310@gmail.comØ Tracy T. will be planning new initiatives for the Women’s Ministry that supplement current Pockets. Ø As we are growing in the number of musicians, our leaders, Mitch/Nick/Vic will be working to create new teams and rotating schedules for Gatherings. If you have interest in joining a team please contact: Mitch at 604.2756 / dr.mlvance@gmail.com or Nick at 698.0344 / nick.wood.33@gmail.com Ø The Trustees will be creating more user-friendly forums for seasonal work-days, lawn-mowing and snow-shoveling schedules. Projects such as replacing the floor in the Community Room & kitchen, repainting the basement, and Phase 2 of landscaping at the parsonage are on tap. If you would like to be handy with us around our Facilities please contact John Z. at 450.3360 / johndzinck@gmail.comFor King and Kingdom, Pastor David
“Know whence you came, whither you are going, and to whom you will have to render accounts.” @alanhirsch
Coastal Community Covenant :: Via Christi ::2014-2015Our Purpose (Why?): Jesus is calling together a displaced and disoriented group of Portland, Mainers to, “Come and follow me” as the guide on a common mission to love God, love each other, and love the world. Our collective response is…Coastal. So, Coastal exists to see displaced and disoriented pilgrims become…A new kind of family formed byfollowing Jesus together on everyday pilgrimageto join with God in the restoration of Greater Portland and all of creation through sacrificial love.Our Values (How?): How do we go about following Jesus as our guide? We align, center, and purpose our lives around Jesus, the Resurrection, and Kingdom values as demonstrated in the New Testament. By building our church upon the sustainable values of our Founder and Carpenter, we are establishing a sturdy Kingdom Outpost for pilgrims to find refuge and then be further launched into God’s loving mission. Our Coastal Core Values are illustrated by the barstool/bench below – each leg in dynamic tension with the other:+ WORD = Jesus guides us through the Story of God & God's redeemed people in the 66 books of Holy Scripture…We become stable people by submitting to this Logos or Reason of God…We are abiding in the vine and ingesting the nutrients from the living Word which is Jesus…We are submitting to the breathing, active Story of God being written on the tablet of our hearts and then that Word becoming flesh through the hands and feet which is the Body of Christ.+ COMMUNITY = We follow Jesus together. We are submitting to the Christian community both now and throughout the ages…Engaging with sojourners in the name of Jesus…inviting others into the brokenness and beauty of our lives in order that we may share in the story of God's redemptive love together as Romans 12:15 says, “weeping with those who weep and rejoicing with those who rejoice”…Rather than being shaped by the pattern of American individualism, we are practicing in the spirit of the African phrase: Unbuntu"I am because we are" = sharing stories, lawnmowers, sacramental meals and beverages, money, and our very lives…becoming a new kind of family formed by journeying together.+ SPIRIT = Jesus sent the Pneuma (breath/Spirit) to help reorient our steps in the rhythms and beats of God’s heart. Jesus sent the Counselor to inform our attitudes and behaviors. Jesus modeled contemplation so we too are cultivating a contemplative lifestyle by paying attention to the still voice of God…we are like kids unwrapping the gifts of the Spirit outlined in Ephesians 4 & 1 Corinthians…praying all kinds of prayers…and responding with the POWER of Jesus in us.+ JUSTICE = Jesus bled for justice which was the restoration of peace through sacrificial love. So we too are taking up our crosses by demonstrating the sacrificial love of Jesus to real people in real time in real contexts….We are embodying the Way of Jesus depicted by Isaiah 61 & Luke 4 in tangible and experimental expressions that bring freedom for the poor, oppressed, and marginalized…We are joining with God in the restoration of Greater Portland and all of creation.Our Vocation (What?): What is our ongoing mission? In Coastal we are following Jesus everyday by...v Cultivating PRACTICES -- Responses that are missional + tangible + experimental + contemplative = thereby forming us into Jesus pilgrims who sacrificially love God, each other, and the world…v Creating POCKETS -- Space for groups of pilgrims to dwell in the love of God and one other while practicing the teachings of Jesus together...v Commissioning PILGRIMAGES – Launching pilgrims on sacred journey to reclaim their own hearts unto God, to seek reconciliation with one other, and for restoring justice in Greater Portland & in all creation.Our Common Practices: Practices are pilgrimative responses of a Jesus follower. This year (May 2014-April 2015), we are following Jesus together by experimenting with these 7 Common Coastal Practices:Ø Chewing 4x7: We vow to prayerfully meditate (to chew or “hagah”) on the Word we shared together in our previous Gathering - at least 4 days x 7 minutes per day. In this way, we are practicing communion.Ø Gathering: We will prioritize our lives around the purposes of Jesus including participation in worship gatherings. We will make every effort to be consistent in our participation. We will view ourselves as a holy priesthood, a valuable part of the Body of Christ and that we come to a church gathering not only to “be fed” but to share our gifts with the community. This pocket of space is for celebrating God’s love, participating in family rhythms based on the church calendar, and remembering our common mission.Ø Redistributing: We will redistribute a portion of our individual/family income to support our new kind of Family formed in Christ. While a tithe (10%) is a common guidepost, we will prayerfully consider a financial % and then, faithfully/consistently contribute to our collective Coastal mission. As the Spirit of Jesus guides us, we will redistribute other finances for God’s redemptive purposes.Ø Pocketing: We will intentionally meet weekly/bi-weekly in a smaller group (2-12ish) of Jesus followers to become rooted and established in God’s love and practice fleshing out the teachings of Jesus together.Ø Fasting: On the 1st Wednesday of every month, we will join with our Coastal family in giving up material goods, meals, or media in order to pray on behalf of each other, Greater Portland, & our global neighbors. Ø Benevolent Partnering: At least once per quarter, we will join with Coastal pilgrims in rearranging our schedules and offering our gifts/resources to partner in benevolent action with the Root Cellar, Florence House, Impacto Ministries, Invisible Girl Project (IGP), or other tangible-Kingdom-justice endeavors. Ø 24/6-ing – We will set aside a pocket of time & space each week for REST. During this timeframe we vow not to work. As an individual, family, or smaller group, we will determine what constitutes “work” and then we will make every effort to cease doing those activities in order to enjoy the wonder of our Creator, God’s redemptive work in our own hearts, and the creation itself.Our Covenant:Our “on-boarding” process is more of a family covenant or an incarnational pact rather than a checklist of do-s and do-not-s. The baseline commitment for covenanting in Coastal is a desire to follow Jesus as the Guide to love God, neighbor, self, and creation. Jesus is primal. Jesus is hinging. Jesus is central. Love is central. After all, as the great theologian Augustine said, “For when there is a question as to whether a man is good, one does not ask what he believes…but what he loves.” We in Coastal Community love Jesus because God first loved us. In keeping with this Jesus-centered theology, we have chosen to ground our vision, values and practices in the Kingdom of God demonstrated through Christ’s sacrificial love.(Y)Our Participation: We invite you to join with us in the Coastal caravan of faith by following Jesus as our Guide to life. By signing below, I am covenanting to practice en-fleshing the above written words to the best of my ability. I am covenanting to follow in the Way of Jesus as a new kind of family in Coastal.
X _____________________________________________________________________ Date: ____/_____/________
The Panting Fire Sermon:
David Zigler - Coastal Pastor
10 March 2013
The Psalms provide vivid metaphors for drawing close to the heart of God like, "As the deer pants for streams of water so my soul longs for the living God."
Some current songs engage our hearts at the same level like this tune, "Set A Fire" by Will Reagan & The United Pursuit.
This week we pause in our Renovatus sermon series to explore these power-punched metaphors (panting & fire-setting) from the ancient worship tune of Psalm 42 & current psalm-like tune Set a Fire.
If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here
Or click this link: https://dl-web.dropbox.com/get/NoPlaceButHere.ThePanting.WAV?w=AABOZ_4hcagWRt7YFbTJbh6NZD6scU3H24Mmal4lrZk1Fg
Matthew 27:1-66; Mark 15:1-47; Luke 22:66 - 23:56; John 18:28 - 19:37
Following betrayal, arrest, desertion, false trials, denial, condemnation, beatings and mockery, Jesus was required to carry His cross to “The Place of the Skull,” where He was crucified with two other prisoners.
Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23; John 13:1-30
In an upper room Jesus prepared both Himself and His disciples for His death. He gave the Passover meal a new meaning. The loaf of bread and cup of wine represented His body soon to be sacrificed and His blood soon to be shed. And so He instituted the “Lord’s Supper.” After singing a hymn they went to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed in agony, knowing what lay ahead for Him.
Silent/Spy Wednesday
The Scriptures do not record anything specific that our Lord did on Wednesday of Passion Week. However, most scholars believe Jesus and the disciples rested in Bethany after two exhausting days in Jerusalem, and this most likely, was the day that Jesus was anointed with an expensive jar of alabaster by the woman at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper.•Matt 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-19). Some believe this is also the day when the plot for Jesus’ life took place.•Matt. 26:14-16; Mark 14-.10-11 , Luke 22:3-6)
Day Of Controversy And Parables
Tuesday - Matthew 21:23 - 24:51; Mark 11:27 - 13:37; Luke 20:1 - 21:36
In Jerusalem - Jesus evaded the traps set by the priests. On the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem - He taught in parables and warned the people against the Pharisees. He predicted the destruction of Herod’s great temple and told His disciples about future events, including His own return.
Loss Is Indeed Our Gain
The pushing and shoving of the world is endless. We are pushed and shoved. And we do our fair share of pushing and shoving In our great anxiety. And in the middle of that You have set down your beloved suffering son Who was like a sheep led to slaughter Who opened not his mouth. We seem not able, So we ask you to create the spaces in our life Where we may ponder his suffering And your summons for us to suffer with him, Suspecting that suffering is the only way to come to newness.So we pray for your church in these Lenten days, When we are driven to denial – Not to notice the suffering, Not to engage it, Not to acknowledge it.So be that way of truth among us That we should not deceive ourselves.That we shall see that loss is indeed our gain.We give you thanks for that mystery from which we live.Amen.
– Walter Brueggemann in Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth
Clearing Of The Temple
Monday - Matthew 21:10-17; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-48
The next day He returned to the temple and found the court of the Gentiles full of traders and money changers making a large profit as they gave out Jewish coins in exchange for “pagan” money. Jesus drove them out and overturned their tables. (Jesus also curses the fig tree - Matthew 21:18-19; Mark 11:12-14)
MYSTERY of CHRIST
This week's readings focus our attention on themysterious nature of Jesus: fully man and fully God.
MONDAYVery nature of God [Philippians 2:5-11]
TUESDAYMan of sorrows [Isaiah 53:1-7]
WEDNESDAYImage of the invisible God [Colossians 1:15-22]
THURSDAYRadiance of God's glory [Hebrews 1:3-13]
FRIDAYWisdom of God [1 Cor. 1:18-31]
SATURDAYLives to intercede [Hebrews 7:22-28]
HEALING POWER of JESUS
These readings focus on the great compassion of Jesus and the power of God to heal and change the lives of people.
MONDAY"Someone touched me" [Luke 8:40-48]
TUESDAYHeals blind and mute [Matt. 9:27-33]
WEDNESDAY"Unless the Lord..." [Psalm 94:17-19]
THURSDAYDo you want to get well? [John 5:1-14]
FRIDAYFaith of centurion [Matt. 8:5-13]
SATURDAY
Healing on Sabbath [Luke 13:10-17]
RESTING in GOD's PRESENCE
This week, may you be reminded that "God is here" and may you find comfort and encouragement through these readings.
MONDAYJoy in God's presence [Psalm 16:7-11]
TUESDAYLove and rest [1 John 3:11-20]
WEDNESDAY"Come to me..." [Matt. 11:28-30]
THURSDAYNo separation [Romans 8:37-39]
FRIDAYBetter is one day [Psalm 84]
SATURDAY Enter that rest [Hebrews 4:1-11]
How do we know who we are?
What are the mementos that point us toward our true identity?
In Coastal we use the metaphor of the barstool to help us remember our role in the Story of God.
The Coastal barstool represents the core values of Jesus: WORD, SPIRIT, JUSTICE, COMMUNITY.
Jesus valued the WORD. Jesus meditated on the Scriptures. Jesus withdrew in order to abide with the Father. Abiding is essential to knowing God, aligning our hearts with God's heart, and accurately loving the world.
This week we are following Jesus together in the renovation of the WORD leg of the barstool by practicing the ancient art of meditation.
Check out this clip before listening to the sermon below:
If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here
+ Sermon Notes:
Sturdying the WORD Leg on the Coastal Stool
Meditating on the Vine - John 15:1-17
Meditation is about sitting-resting-dwelling in the presence of God. Its about the mind AND the heart. To meditate is to hover over something in the mind and to ponder something in your heart. The Hebrew word for meditate is hagah. Isaiah uses the word to describe the growl of a lion feasting on its prey. In the same way, pondering something in the heart is like sucking the juicy nutrients out of an orange until it’s dry. The only trouble is that there are so many things fighting for our attention that we rarely meditate on anything.
+ Practicing the WORD: Meditate/Lectio Divina John 15:1-17 dailyIn order to create space in your heart for God’s presence, take 5-10 minutes and write down all of the noise inside your head and heart. This is sometimes called “stream of consciousness writing”. Be mindful of the fact that these noises are constantly fighting for your heart’s attention. Now read John 15:1-17 out loud. Hagah the Word. Ingest it. Read it out loud three times, allowing for a brief period of silence after each reading in order to meditate. [This practice of Word meditation is called Lectio Divina, which means “divine word”.] During the first reading, listen for a word, phrase, or idea that captures your attention. Then focus your attention on that word, phrase, or idea, repeating it to yourself quietly. During the second reading, pay attention to how the word, phrase, or idea is speaking to your life. What does it mean for you? What is it telling you about your life? During the last reading, focus on what you sense God calling you to do or to become.
+ Sources:• The Message of the Sermon on the Mount – J. Stott• Sermon on the Mount – R. Guelich• For Everyone Bible Study Matthew – N.T. Wright• Everything Must Change – B. McLaren• Who Do You Think You Are? – M. Driscoll• Storyline – D. Miller• Blue Letter Bible • Memento (film) – Nolan• Darrel Harvey – Common Ground Christian Church• Mars Hill Bible Church – Meditation
LENTEN READINGS WEEK #3OUR TEMPTATIONS
The readings this week help remind us of our own temptations
and how we might learn to respond more appropriately.
MONDAY
Common to man [1 Cor. 10:1-13]
TUESDAY
"Each one is tempted when..." [James 1:12-15]
WEDNESDAY
For a little while [1 Peter 1:3-7]
THURSDAY
Watch yourself [Gal. 6:1-5]
FRIDAY
Avoid the wicked path [Prov. 4:10-15]
SATURDAY
Pure joy [James 1:2-8]
LENTEN READINGS Week #2:THE TEMPTATIONS of JESUS
This week we concentrate on the temptations of Jesus,
observing how he responds to temptation and what we
might be able to learn from those responses.MONDAY
Temptation of Jesus [Matt. 4:1-11]
TUESDAY
Made like us [Hebrews 2:5-18]
WEDNESDAY
Tempted on the cross [Luke 23:35-43]
THURSDAY
The Great High Priest [Hebrews 4:14-5:10]
FRIDAY
"Not my will..." [Matt. 26:36-45]
SATURDAY
Draw near to God [Hebrews 10:19-25]
Renovatus: The Story of Law in Jesus
The world runs on Story.
Contrary to popular belief that the world runs on Dunkin Donuts...the world runs on Story.
Some stories are dangerous.
Some stories are weak.
Most are unfulfilled.
Only one Story has the power to renovate our hearts.
The Story of the Law only has fulfillment in Jesus.
Let's follow Jesus together in living out this Story of fullness and freedom.
(Thanks to B. Mclaren for his research and synthesizing of the 6 kind of stories mentioned in this sermon.)
If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here
LENT READINGS(Today - Saturday)
These initial readings help us focus on two major aspects of Lent:
being aware of our condition and confessing, both individually
and together.
THURSDAYSit alone in silence [Lam. 3:19-30]
FRIDAYTroubled by my sin [Psalm 38]
SATURDAYWe acknowledge our sin [Isaiah 59:9-14]
ASH WEDNESDAY
Slowly breathe in and out these prayers, Scriptures, and confessions.
Read these words as if you were worshiping with our community.
If you are able, read the bold print out loud as you would during a communal confession.
STOP. LOOK. LISTEN. REST. May the Spirit richly indwell your hearts & minds...
PRAYER of INCEPTION
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made
and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: create and make
in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our
sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth:
grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, that we may remember that it is only by your
gracious gift that we are given everlasting life; through Jesus
Christ our Savior. Amen.Read & Reflect: PSALM 51
LITANY of PENITENCE
Most holy and merciful Father: we confess to you and to one another,
and to the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth,
that we have sinned by our own fault in thought, word and deed;
by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength.
We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven.
[Have mercy on us, Lord]
We have been deaf to your call to serve, as Christ served us.
We have not been true to the mind of Christ.
We have grieved your Holy Spirit.
[Have mercy on us, Lord]
SINS against SELFWe confess to you, Lord, all our past unfaithfulness: the pride,
hypocrisy and impatience of our lives.
[We confess to you, Lord]
Our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation
of other people,
Our anger at our own frustration and our envy of those
more fortunate than ourselves,
Our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts,
and our dishonesty in daily life and work,
Our negligence in prayer and worship and our failure
to commend the faith that is in us.
SINS against OUR NEIGHBOR
Accept our repentance, Lord, for the wrongs we have done:
for our blindness to human need and suffering and
our indifference to injustice and cruelty,
[Accept our repentance, Lord]
For all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward
our neighbors and for our prejudice and contempt toward
those who differ from us.
SINS against CREATION
For our waste and pollution of your creation and our lack of
concern for those who come after us,
Restore us, good Lord, and let your anger depart from us,
[Favorably hear us, for your mercy is great.]
Accomplish in us the work of your salvation,
[That we may show your glory to the world.]
By the cross and passion of your Son our Lord,
[Bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.]
Read & Reflect: PSALM 103
The peace of God be with you.
And also with you...
We are not converted only once in our lives but many times, and this endless series of large and small conversions, inner revolutions, leads to our transformation in Christ. – Thomas Merton
“WHAT ARE YOU GIVING UP FOR LENT?”This long-established custom of giving up treats, chocolates, caffeinated or sugary beverages, alcohol, or tobacco is perhaps the way we most often think of Lenten discipline. And it makes good conversation in casual situations. But we know it is surface stuff. Choosing to give up something good for something a bit less is a play-it-safe strategy. Something tells us there is more to spiritual transformation than this. We suspect that playing it safe is not what Christ lived and died for.Thomas Merton’s view, that we must undergo a series of large and small inner revolutions, is a truer picture of Christian transformation. When we choose some exercise for Lent, daily worship, daily prayer, abstinence from one thing or another, it is not so much the practice that transforms us. It is our willingness to change. And Merton says the process is endless. It’s not about getting there, its about being on the way.Lent is our chance for a fresh start, a new page. We consciously let down our defenses against the grace of God. We admit to ourselves our need for improvement. We notice how hopeless we are. We tell God we’re doing our best but we wish we could do better. We put ourselves in God’s hands.That is what Jesus does when he goes into the desert. He puts himself completely in God’s hands. In Matthew’s Gospel we read: Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. (My first thought: don’t try this at home.) By exposing himself to hunger Jesus opens himself up to assaults from the Devil. But he isn’t just performing daredevil stunts. He makes a deliberate surrender of the will, a spiritual exercise. Jesus is placing himself in the Father’s hands.The time Jesus spends in the wilderness is a time of preparation. It is a kind of training. Jesus has a larger mission to fulfill, a ministry, a life’s work. He is preparing himself for a larger call. When we go into the wilderness with Jesus our motive is similar, surrendering ourselves as a kind of preparation.But how can we compare our little Lents to the walk Jesus takes in the wilderness? Of course the gap is huge between our holiness and his. We can hardly say our own names in his presence. But Jesus doesn’t notice this gap. or he seems to overlook it.The huge divide between our lives and his is a gap hes is constantly closing. He wants us to come into the wilderness with him, if only just to observe at first. “Watch how I do this,” he seems to be saying. “Notice these steps, this maneuver.” Practice, he is telling us. Practice, and you’ll improve, without even knowing it. Practice.One thing we can learn from Jesus in the desert is to fortify ourselves with God’s word. When the Devil tries to goad him into turning stones to bread, as a kind of power play, Jesus answers with words from Deuteronomy, Scriptures he knows by heart: It is written, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” The Devil wants him to break his fast. More important, he wants to weaken Jesus’ allegiance.What can we learn from just this little visit with Jesus in the wilderness? From watching him resist the Evil One?We know, by watching Jesus, that emptiness is the beginning of holiness.We know that we are blessed when we hunger and thirst for righteousness. We know we will be filled.We walk with Jesus to be purified. We walk with him to be fortified. Nourished by sacrament and word, we walk through the desert places more easily. We learn to deal with our own gaps, our lapses. We find that we can tolerate our hunger and our thirst.We are converted not only once in our lives but many times. And the conversion is little by little. Sometimes it is as imperceptible as grass growing. But Lent gives us a time to move the process along. Intentionally. By small surrenders.Merton says we “may have the generosity to undergo one or two such upheavals, (but) we cannot face the necessity of further and greater rendings of our inner self…”Merton says we cannot. But I think he knows we can. That is how our holiness grows, by small surrenders, without which we cannot finally become free.- Excerpt from Small Surrenders by Emilie Griffin
Jesus is behind everything essential, even the Law and the Prophets and the Psalms. The Law is fulfilled in Jesus. In other words, the Law became flesh and dwelled among us. By yoking ourselves to Jesus, we are guided into a renovation of the heart which leads to blessedness, righteousness, and an authentic expression of the Law in everyday living.
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“Samuel took a single rock and set it upright between Mizpah and Shen. He named it “Ebenezer” (Rock of Help), saying, “This marks the place where God helped us.” 1 Samuel 7:12, The Message, by Eugene PetersonCairn |ke(ə)rn|noun1 a mound of rough stones built as a memorial or landmark, typically on a hilltop or skyline.• a prehistoric burial mound made of stones.Entry from New Oxford American Dictionary.“Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I come. And I hope by thy good pleasure safely to arrive at home. Jesus sought me when a stranger wandering from the fold of God. He to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood.”“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” Originally composed by Robert Robinson.When Samuel raised the Ebenezer, he was remembering the Lord’s deliverance of the Israelites from the hand of the Philistines. “Thus far has the Lord helped us,” it is translated in the TNIV. Originating in the Gaelic tradition, a cairn is similar to the Ebenezer. It is built as a memorial of one who has passed, an event, or a landmark showing the path. A cairn also signifies a remembering like the Ebenezer, where one commemorates an accomplishment and offers thanks by way of the physical symbol. In my recent summit of the highest point in New York State, Mt. Marcy, cairns were placed to show the path up the snowy pass above the tree line. Eyes fixed on the cairns, we were led to take the most direct path up the icy rock face.We find ourselves in the season of Advent, where we remember the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. All of the stories, prophecies, and symbols of the season have been Ebenezers or cairns for 2000 plus years. They commemorate the immaculate birth and person of Jesus. They also remember the hardship surrounding this event: the shame Joseph had to work through that his 14-year-old fiancée was pregnant; Herod’s genocide of all boys Jesus’ age, therefore prompting Jesus’ parents to flee to Egypt for protection; and a stable filled with animal droppings is not the most comfortable or sanitary place to give birth to a child! Yet, as we celebrate this season, we raise an Ebenezer to remember God’s overcoming of these trials through the miraculous birth and life of Jesus.ADVENT ACTIONAs Advent prompts us to remember these events, it also prompts us to remember the happenings of the previous year of our lives. What are your cairns or Ebenezers from 2012? How have you been shaped through the events, celebratory or painful, or both? When did you feel joyful and content and when did you feel angry and despairing? Do you look back on these various events and emotional seasons with gratitude or regret? Why? How was your relationship with Jesus impacted or changed by these moments? Do you feel like you made strives forward in that relationship, stayed in the same place, or fell backward?We must take the time to answer these questions before we look ahead to the New Year. Answering these questions is placing a metaphorical cairn in our memory to remind us of the happenings of 2012. And maybe it would be beneficial for you to gather rocks from your yard and build a physical cairn and scratch 2012 into it. Whether or not you’ve come to a place of resolve with these things and their impact on your life, this cairn will remind you of the event’s significance in who you were, are, and are becoming. You can then go back to it when you face a similar moment in the future and be reminded of what happened in the past. Through this process of invoking the good and the ugly of this last year, I would hope you then can honestly sing the song mentioned earlier: “Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I come. And I hope by thy good pleasure safely to arrive at home. Jesus sought me when a stranger wandering from the fold of God. He to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood.”