The Dance of the Trinity

I recently visited a friend of mine to catch up on life. We shared dinner and conversation for nearly three hours. At one point in the conversation, he remarked how nice it was to actually sit with someone and have a conversation rather than simply have a series of email exchanges or electronic messages. While texting and email dominate the way we stay in touch these days, there is no substitute for face to face, one on one conversation.

On the same trip, earlier in the day I had great plans to visit an art museum in Washington DC. As it happened, the weather was spectacular. The sun emerged and the day was beautiful. Blue sky, sunshine, and warmth conspired to derail my plans. So, instead of visiting the museum, I walked around a bit and eventually took a seat on a park bench. While sitting on the bench, I had the opportunity to meet Mark. He has extended family that live in Harrisburg. He grew up in the Southeast quadrant of DC. He said it's a rough place to live anymore. So, as it turns out, he lives in this park in the Northwest quadrant of the city. It's a relative haven from the chaos of his home neighborhood. He doesn't have a cellphone. Nor does he have what most of us would consider necessities.

For the next couple hours, Mark and I and some of his friends sat there on that park bench enjoying not only the beautiful weather, but also the blessing of conversation and community. Mark told me about the time he was stabbed in the stomach while trying to break up a fight on the Metro. He lifted up his shirt and showed me the scare. He said he lost a lot of blood, but was grateful that he could get to the hospital in time for the necessary care.

Mark also told me about a friend of his that has been in jail for nearly two years for stealing a slice of pizza from a street vendor. While he admitted that stealing the pizza was the wrong thing to do, he was frustrated over such a punishment. As it turns out, the fine that was set as his initial punishment was beyond his ability to pay. So, he was locked up. While he was locked up, he lost his job. And because he lost his job, he lost the ability to pay the fine on time. The result of all this is that he has been in prison ever since.

I experienced what I can refer to as emotional whiplash. This one-on-one conversation with Mark on the park bench reminded me how much I take for granted. Not only did it open my eyes to see the fallout of racial prejudice and systematic stereotyping, it also was a pointed reminder of the blessings that are available when we take the time to encounter our neighbor where they are. At the end of our visit, Mark asked me to pray for him. I asked him to pray for me as well.  Then he gave me a hug and a handshake and invited me to visit again. (He apologized for not smiling for the picture, but he was self-conscious because he is missing most of his front upper teeth.)

This Sunday (tomorrow!) as we gather for worship, the Church celebrates the Holy Trinity. This is a reminder that God has been revealed as a community. The unity that is God is revealed as Trinity. There is much room here for acknowledging the mystery. And we appropriately consider our own invitation to participate in the dance of the Trinity.

Weather its a lofty doctrine or the ordinariness of a park-bench conversation, God shows up. Have you had any God-sightings this week? Have you allowed your own plans to be derailed long enough to recognize the ways in which The Triune God is still a God of incarnation? Blessings abound when we take the time to attend to the Christ in our midst.

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Tomorrow is a busy day.  We will also be observing Celebration Sunday. Our 2020 Vision campaign has lead us to the point where we will all be asked to consider what type of commitment we will make in support the mission before us. I'm looking forward to our time together tomorrow. Rain or shine, may our fellowship be one that is graced with the Holy Trinity as we remember our identity as baptized children of God who have every reason to grow in boldness and hope!

Priority One

I'm pretty sure that I've previously shared this story, but it is worth repeating here. The Dean of Students at my high school (Lebanon Catholic High School) also served as one of the religion teachers. His name was Hubert Conner. Mr. Connor was an intense and passionate lover of God. Flawed to be sure, yet wholly driven by a desire to serve the Lord.  He was fond of regularly pronouncing, Seek first the Kingdom! He taught me many other things, but this counsel has reverberated for decades -- sometime softly, sometimes loudly.

As we approach the Festival of Pentecost this coming Sunday, we are also mindful that we are hip deep in week-four of our capital campaign, 2020 Vision: Growing in Boldness in Hope.

Being hip deep in something means you're in it as active participant and not simply as passive observer or feckless victim. Holy Baptism was like that once.  We used to wade into the water, hip deep if you will, and both actively engage and willingly submit to being buried with Christ in the water so that we might rise with him in newness of life. (Now, we sprinkle, dribble, and pour water across the forehead -- still a viable means of God's grace -- a practical if not timid expression of God's extravagant, amazing grace!)  

Heeding the call to seek first the Kingdom of God, necessitates an examination of our priorities. Not everything and everyone can be at the top of our lists. It's of no surprise that most would rather not do this work. And it is a discipline -- a practice, not a punishment. Yet, the good news is that we don't have to do it alone. We are surrounded, empowered, and equipped to be faithful to that which God calls us. 

Practicing our principles is no exception. Pentecost is a reminder that the Holy Spirit of God is still active and alive. Maybe it needs to be stirred up on occasion, like chocolate syrup in the bottom of a cold glass of milk.

Don't let the fog get you down. The burning light of Holy Spirit fire comes upon us! May we continue to shine this light through our lives into the lives of our neighbors, seeking first the Kingdom of God!

Early Saturday Morning in May near Mercersburg

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Day of Pentecost

May 15, 2016

Prioritize: Practice our Principles

Matthew 6:19-33

Prayer of the Day

God our creator, the resurrection of your Son offers life to all the peoples of earth. 

By your Holy Spirit, kindle in us the fire of your love, 

empowering our lives for service and our tongues for praise, 

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, 

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

Relationship as Reflection

A tributary of the Susquehanna River, the Conewago Creek wraps around the town of East Berlin in eastern Adams County. Many times on my way to York Hospital over the years I have caught a glimpse of the creek on the western side of town, but never took the time to stop. This morning I did. I took the picture at the top of the post (and the one at the bottom). This image of reflection on the water on an otherwise miserable, rainy, cold morning reveals a bit of the the beauty of God's creation. Reflections are images of the original.

As children of God, we have been created in the image of God. Are we then not to be the reflections of the original? Our call is to re-present the priorities and intentions of God. A tall order in deed!

Think of the many relationships that we have. What do they say about who we are? What can we discover about ourselves (or any individual, for that matter) by the relationships that constitute our lives? What is reflected? Is the image of the original obvious, or has it by time and circumstance become distorted or even unrecognizable?

The theme for Sunday's sermon will be Relationships as Reflection. The following texts from scripture will serve as the basis for our exploration of this theme. Seen in the context of our efforts to ground our mission and ministry in the will of God for our life together, we will consider the connections we have with all that God has entrusted to us. Please take a few moments to read and meditate on the following passages:

Moses assembled all the congregation of the Israelites and said to them: These are the things that the LORD has commanded you to do: Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a holy sabbath of solemn rest to the LORD; whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. You shall kindle no fire in all your dwellings on the sabbath day. 

Moses said to all the congregation of the Israelites: This is the thing that the LORD has commanded: Take from among you an offering to the LORD; let whoever is of a generous heart bring the LORD's offering. 

Then all the congregation of the Israelites withdrew from the presence of Moses. And they came, everyone whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and brought the LORD's offering to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service...  (Exodus 35:1-5, 20-21)

And from the gospel of Matthew, Jesus' parable of the talents:

For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.  

For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance... (Matthew 25:14-15, 29a)

Assembly Required

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The next five consecutive Sundays call for your attention, participation, and presence. Please make every effort to be what we are: a congregation, an assembly of believers in the Lord.  (If we could figuratively turn over the box of the church, we would see written, assembly required.

This coming Sunday morning we will distribute our campaign handbook/magazine. Over the next weeks, I’m confident that you will take a few minutes to review this resource as an introduction to 2020 Vision: Growing in Boldness and Hope. I also ask that you bring it along with you each of the subsequent four weeks. It will serve as a reference for the sermon series and brief presentations each Sunday. 

Together over the last several years we have discerned that God is calling us to grow in our mutual ministry as a congregation for the community. Week after week we welcome new visitors. On a regular basis we experience the variety and breadth of God’s blessings. And as we look to the community around us, we see the abundant mission field to which we are sent to serve and witness to the hope that is within us.

While the goal that we most often think of is the physical construction of expanded and renovated facilities, we need to remember that Christ is also calling us to be a new creation as we stretch in our faith and willingness to cooperate with God’s will for our life together. Specifically, we envision expanding our ministry with the community.

While some of us may be hesitant to embrace this vision, we need to remind ourselves that out of a similar vision this congregation has grown over the years. This perhaps is no better exemplified than by the relocation from Scotland over 25 years ago to our current location on Luther Ridge. Taking risks and trusting God is part of the spiritual DNA of this congregation. We need to be mindful that God has a way of coming through every time, even and especially when we cooperate and participate.

There will be several opportunities to participate in gatherings for updates, encouragement, and fellowship as we look forward together. Please keep this effort in your prayers in the weeks and months ahead.

Meanwhile, may the peace of God that passes all understanding keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Yours in Christ,

Christopher Frye

Pastor

Launch Date

Sunday, April 24th will be the official launch of 2020 Vision: Growing in Boldness and Hope. It is an intentional campaign to generate, gather, and guide support for the renovation and expansion of our facilities. This project is not an end, but a means. As we increase the physical capacity of the church facilities through a two-phase approach, we are responding to God's call to share the light of Christ. Seating capacity will increase. Also, our capacity to remain an inviting and welcoming community will be broadened.

Next Sunday, April 24th, please make every effort to be in worship at 10:00 AM.  The magazine that has been produced for this campaign will be distributed. It contains information and materials that will assist us in moving forward.  Be sure to get your copy.

Meanwhile, I also would like to encourage you to participate in our first "Pray-In" on Wednesday evening, April 20, at 7:00 PM.  This sweet hour of prayer will include meditative scripture reading, responsive prayer, and periods of silence for contemplation and reflection. We need to continue to be attentive to the Holy Spirit as we look to the future that God is calling us toward together as the Body of Christ in this time and place.  

Striking a Balance

On a good day, could we all agree that we need to look out for one another? I don't mean just having the good-will of each other in mind, but actively seeking the best for each other.

What is the best? What might be enough? Is more better?

The great commandment is to love.  Here is the passage from Matthew's gospel:

When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”   (Matthew 22:34-40, NRSV)

What might we notice about this at first glance?  Well, the greatest commandment is the first, but it's not the only. There is a second like it. They are connected. In fact, do you think the first is possible without the second? Can you love your neighbor without loving God?  Striving to live up to these commandments is enough for many to be preoccupied for long periods of time. You might say, it's a work in progress.

That's not all. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we have been given something other than this Great Commandment. We have also been given the Great Commission:

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”   (Matthew 28:16-20, NRSV)

As we continue our exploration on the topic of Mission this Sunday during the Faith Formation hour, we'll contend with these passages and their implications for our life together. I invite you to read over these passages and consider how things are going. Are we doing better at one than the other? Are both equally important? What are some things that you do and practice to strike a healthy balance?

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Ability

I'd like to ask you for a moment to sit down and stop. Allow yourself a few minutes to consider something without worrying about what you must do the rest of the day.  Once you have done that, please continue reading.

When they were together for the last time they asked, "Master, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now? Is this the time?" He told them, "You don't get to know the time. Timing is the Father's business. What you'll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world." (Acts 1:6-8, The Message)

If you have continued reading this, it may be safe to assume that you consider yourself at least more than casually interested in deepening your faith.  This season of Easter is meant to be the springtime of renewal and growth. We've heard the Good News of the victory Christ has won over sin, death, and the devil.  Now what?

Yes, that's right, we are on a mission from God! We need not don our Ray Bans and wear black, but because we live, move, and have our being in the One who raised Jesus from the dead, we have been made able. We have the ability to share what has first been so freely given to us. And weather we like it or not, we are witnessing to our faith no matter what we do or say, because everything we do and say is a reflection -- an indication, a measure -- of our level of faithfulness. That should give us pause.

This Sunday, tomorrow morning, we will begin a three-week series of classes during our Faith Formation hour to consider the theme of Mission. 

If, somehow, we don't allow the Resurrection of Christ from the dead to get our attention and embrace an attitude of humility, we will necessarily fall short in being able to engage in adoration. Without that, what possibly could we have to offer a world in need of blessing and life?

Curiosity is a good thing.  Everyone is invited and welcome to gather together tomorrow and in the weeks ahead to explore the meaning of God's mission that is the Church.