THE ENCOUNTER FEBRUARY REV S RAMBLINGS E W P C

Transcription

1 E W P C THE ENCOUNTER FEBRUARY 2018 REV S RAMBLINGS A few years ago there was an advertising campaign for Quaker Oats. The TV commercials featured a wise and grandfatherly character played by actor Wilford Brimley. Brimley s tagline, as he tried to convince us to buy and eat oatmeal, was, It s the right thing to do. Those commercials always annoyed me. I always wanted to ask, Why? What is it about your oatmeal that makes you think it s so right. But they never really explained. Instead, we were supposed to accept the message simply because the wise and grandfatherly character said so. It was as though I was asking Why? And the only answer coming back was, Just because. I don t like to accept Just Because as an answer. I want to know why. I believe that acting without thinking and without understanding can get us into trouble. I think it is especially problematic to assume that tradition and rules should carry the day when it comes to Christian living. Reasoning that goes no further than It s the right thing to do or Just because can sometimes honor something that is right and good. But it is every bit as likely that such thinking will lead to stagnation and can prevent growth and progress. If Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli, and John Calvin had accepted the status quo as the right thing to do just because, would we have had the Protestant Reformation? If our own nation had accepted the status quo and had listened to the arguments of those who wanted to preserve traditions, would women have been honored and been recognized for their intelligence, their gifts, and their leadership as they are today? (Yes, that change is still ongoing and still had a ways to go, but we ve come a long way already.) If we d stuck with the assumption that what already was is what should be, we might still have slavery in our country. I tend to think about these things at the personal level and at the level of beliefs, actions, and daily life. So, rather than simply assuming that a particular belief or behavior is right or wrong because it is or isn t traditional, I ask myself questions about it. I think. I explore. I pray about it. I consider what Scripture might say In particular, I look back to a couple of principles that I believe should guide us. The first is the very nature of our faith. It is Ephesians 2:8-9 - The notion that we are made right with God by Jesus, by God s gracious and merciful love, through faith in Christ rather than through following the rules. The other is that we are to be followers of Jesus Himself, and that we, therefore, should be listening to what He says and doing as He did. So that s my starting point as I consider anything from beliefs and stances on issues to my own behavior and my reactions to the behaviors of others. As I consider these things, I think about how an attitude of Grace would apply, and I consider how Jesus Himself might have addressed a similar topic. Here are a few examples: We serve a God of truth. Jesus even described Himself as The Truth. So if we are to truly follow Him, then we cannot embrace, ignore, or discount it when people make statements or claims that are not actually true. We avoid lies in ourselves, and we avoid supporting, embracing, or defending falsehood when we see it coming from others in our world. It s not just because it s the right thing to do. It s very specifically because we re following God s commitment to truth. God made and loves all people. That includes us. It also includes those who are not us. It includes people from Canada, Uzbekistan, Paraguay, Mexico, Afghanistan, Russia, and Haiti. God made and loves us all. And God would very much like to forgive and save us all. II Peter 3:9 says so, and Jesus gave His own life to make it possible. This means that if we are to be committed to God and to following Jesus, we must view all people as those whom God made and loves and as people whom Jesus gave His life to save.

2 This understanding should have in impact on us when we think about refugees, about homeless persons, about undocumented immigrants, and even about people affiliated with that other political party. There s nothing wrong or even unexpected about having different views as to polices. But we need to be on guard against prejudice, anger, scapegoating, and blame. For that other person is always someone whom God made and loves and whom Jesus gave His life to save. Because I m in the position that I am, I tend to observe and think about the behavior of the Christian Church as a whole. And it seems to me that some in the Christian church behave in ways that resemble the stereotypical Pharisees of Jesus day more than they do actions and teaching of Jesus Himself. We see a great deal of judgment and condemnation coming from Christians, as though it is the job of Christians and the church to convince people that they are wrong in this action or that one. Jesus didn t do that, at least not in the Gospel stories as we have them today. The Pharisees did, but Jesus didn t. Jesus, instead, committed Himself to the very people whom the Pharisees would have condemned. He offered them forgiveness. And He actually broke many of the rules that the Pharisees held dear, especially with regard to the Sabbath and to ritual purity. The Pharisees could even have pointed to Scripture as their justification for their beliefs, but really they were following their traditions more than the spirit and sense of God s word. And on that basis, the Pharisees condemned many. But Jesus didn t. In fact, the only thing that Jesus really condemned was the judgment and condemnation of the Pharisees! He called them out for failing to match the spirit of God s word in Scripture. So what should we do and how should we react? I go back to that doctrine of Grace. I remember that we are not saved by adhering to any particular set of rules, that in fact we ve all already sinned and that we all need Grace, and I try not to judge. I try to resemble Jesus more than I resemble the Pharisees. I try not to judge or condemn, and I try to live by Grace and by love rather than getting too hung up on laws and rules. In ways like this, though thinking, through an understanding of Scripture, through theology, and through knowing our Lord and Savior and following Him, we can make our best decisions and can live in the best ways that we know how. We don t just stay with what s been done in the past, nor do we simply react based on our emotions, nor do we allow the voices of the world to rule in us. We follow our Lord who made us, loves us, and saves us. We do our best to love what He loves, and we seek to live for Him. May God bless us all as we think and pray about what to believe and how to live. In Christ, Rev. Jeff W. Rumble MOPS FOCUS ON THE LITTLE THINGS Here at MOPS we focus on the little things-- not just literally our preschoolers, but the small details crucial to keeping a family running. In this season of hearts and flowers and overpriced chocolate, grand gestures get all the credit. (Not that a romantic Valentine's Day dinner out isn't a sweetly appreciated treat!) "The great acts of love are done by those who are habitually performing small acts of kindness", wrote Victor Hugo. Mother Teresa and Aesop tell us that no act of compassion is ever wasted. And conventional wisdom says "sometimes the smallest acts of love take up the most space in the heart". What will your random act of little love be for February? We hope it will be to make someone's day with a few homemade goodies from our bake sale fundraiser on the 4th. Or listen as we share that same day as guests in worship about how MOPS moves Moms? Maybe you'll thank your spouse for taking out the trash or doing laundry or mowing the lawn? Maybe you'll call an old friend or visit a shut-in? Maybe hug your (grand) kids a little longer, a bit tighter-- just because. Small things done with great love create ripples that change the world!

3 Your Membership and Evangelism Committee would like to share this special message with you.

4 Presbyterian Women in the Congregation We will welcome in the season of Lent with a Lenten Supper and service on Wednesday, February 14 at 6:00 pm. Please join us for this simple meal and thoughtful service as we contemplate Christ s sacrifice for us' Presbyterian women invite one and all to our Valentine Tea which is coming up on Wednesday, February 21 at 12noon. There will be plenty of sandwiches and desserts and hot tea. We will enjoy each other s company and indulge our sweet tooth! There is no charge but we ask you to bring paper goods for the Salvation Army Transitional Living facility. Please arrive promptly at noon if you want to hear the adorable little children of the church school sing for us. P.W.C. NOTES FROM THE DEACON S BENCH FEBRUARY 2018 Well folks, it s that time of year again, you know red hearts, pink roses, balloons, cards, candy, and animals that sing songs of love. Store shelves overflow with symbols of love. They began the day after New Year s to get ready for Valentine s Day. Do you know that more roses are sold on that day than any other day in the year? All over the world, it is the day that people show their love for someone special. Most mothers and wives hope to receive a loving memento, perhaps dinner in a nice restaurant, or to have a meal cooked for them. It is a great occasion to express love and appreciation for any of your loved ones, but it is just as important to show little acts of kindness the other 364 days of the year. God tells us in His Word how much He loves us. He promises never to leave or forsake us, to answer us when we call, day or night. He never slumbers nor sleeps. We need to tell Him how much we love Him 365 das a year as well. Flowers will die, candy gets eaten, balloons will pop, but the love that is shared with one another, and God s love for us, will never pass away.. Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peach be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 May you find little ways to show some acts of kindness to those you love before and after Valentine s Day this year. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24. We love because He first loved us.

5 The Lord is The Everlasting God 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40: I love this passage from the Old Testament that happens to be most of the lesson for the first Sunday in February. On Eagle s Wings is one of my favorite songs from this passage and Ann will be singing it at the memorial for Ruth Miller on Saturday, February 3 rd. I was honored to sing it at the service for my step grandmother numerous years ago so it brings back wonderful memories of the celebration of her incredible life. Telling you Nana s story could easily take up an entire Encounter article so I ll leave that here. I m not sure if you ve noticed or not but we ve brought back the benediction responses for two Sundays a month. On the second Sunday we are singing May the Lord at the end of the service and on the fourth Sunday we are adding an Amen at the end of the service. We will do a different Amen each month to keep the choir from getting bored. It has been fun to add a bit of challenge for the Chancel Choir in January with the choir singing one anthem around the congregation and then they sang in Latin last weekend with Mozart s Ave Verum. I think you ll enjoy the spiritual we ll be sharing on the first Sunday in February as well. I was able to plan the anthems through the middle of May while I was on vacation over Christmas. Hopefully I will be able to plan ahead on praise songs and hymns during the long weekends in February. I like when I m planned throughout the school year, although that hasn t always been possible. Sometimes life gets in the way. In His Service, Jennifer Cormack

6 HAPPY FEBUARY BIRTHDAY TO: 5 Mary Coffee 13 Sheila Fewell 15 Shirley Hawkins 17 Rose Travis Lorona 23 Robin Serventi and Tim Bivens We are sadden to report the passing of long-time EWPC member Ruth Miller. A memorial service for Ruth will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 11:00 am in the church sanctuary. Please hold the family in prayer at this difficult time. REMINDERS: Session Retreat is Saturday, February 10 from 9:00 am-12noon. All current elders plan to attend. The meeting will be in Purdy Hall. Ordination and Installation of officers: during worship, Sunday, February 11. From Ellen White Thank you for all your well wishes. I m coming along and slowly improving. Sincerely, Ellen