Utopia

Laurent De La Hyre, Community of the first Christians

Last Monday evening with a group of engaged brothers and sisters who had gathered for a collaborative committee meeting, I shared a time of reflection on a passage from Acts of the Apostles. We listened together to Acts 2:42-47.  It recounts activity of the early church just as it was beginning to come into being following the resurrection of Jesus the Christ. From the sound of it, the church was off to a great start. Focusing on first things first, it faithfully gathered and was attentive to four core things: the Word, the Meal, fellowship, and prayer. 

After reading this passage together twice, once from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) and the other from The Message, we reflected aloud on what, in our hearing, had struck us as significant or meaningful. Here are some of the responses:

life together  

harmony 

absence of conflict

utopia

God acted

daily worship

eating joyfully 

giving

satisfaction

exuberance 

The unity and intimacy of the early church as depicted here seems almost too good to be true. Indeed, as one of the respondents noted, it appears utopian (an interesting word). Properly defined, Utopia refers to an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect. (The word was first used in the book Utopia [1516] by Sir Thomas More.) Synonyms include: paradise, heaven (on earth), Garden of Eden, nirvana, etc.

Perhaps few would use the word utopia to describe the current state of affairs which characterizes the church of the 21st century - rife as it is with scandal, misplaced priorities and the confusion of success with faithfulness. As we have lost sight of our original state of blessing in the garden that was Eden, so too have we "progressed" beyond the original blessing of the church as it came into being in its early years. If Christ is the new Adam, then when was the moment in the church that we thought we should be like God, knowing good from evil? When were our eyes opened to discover our own nakedness? 

Michelangelo

The Fall and Expulsion from Garden of Eden, 1509-10

Is there any hope of recovery? Can we return to the clarity of purpose and mission that propelled the churches at the beginning to be about the task of making Christ known?

Toward the end of this passage from Acts, we read: 

They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.  (Acts 2:46-47 The Message)

If indeed we seek to recover such exuberance and joy, we need to seek first the kingdom by doing those things which are core and basic to our identity as children of God. Entitlement won't work here where faithfulness is both prologue and postlude. God has a way of not discriminating. We were created in original blessing and we have been called to be a new creation in Christ as his body the church.

Edward Hicks, The Peaceable Kingdom, c. 1834  

One of 62 versions of The Peaceable Kingdom painted by Hicks, 

a Pennsylvania artist and preacher in the Quaker tradition.

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. ⁷ The cow and the bear shall feed; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. ⁸ The sucking child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. ⁹ They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

    Isaiah 11:6-9 (RSV)

Despair to Hope

It can be a long journey. From a place and circumstance of despair, we are hesitant or maybe even reluctant, to realize that hope is a possibility. Even if we reflect on the specifics of our own context, let alone the apparent unraveling that surrounds us, we can find our selves rather quickly encumbered and rendered still.

However, maybe it is precisely from a position or in an attitude of stillness that we need to be in order to hear. Listening to the creative and redemptive voice of God amid the noise of our world is no easy task. Discerning the bluster from the Truth takes care. Being intentional and proactive in our minding of our relationship with God is a discipline to which we are called -- summoned -- by the One whose desire is for our hearts as beloved children.

I wonder sometimes often why I hesitate to publicly speak to the confusion that I hear all around us in regard to what is clinically referred to as current events. Three days a week I spend time exercising at the gym on an elliptical machine and other instruments of torture. On the wall in front of the line of machines are multiple television monitors. Of the three television screens in my field of vision, one is tuned to ESPN, the other to HGTV, the third one -- the one in the middle -- to either FOX News or CNN. Needless to say, perhaps, it all depends on who gets there first as to what news channel prevails on that middle screen.

On a recent trip to the gym I noticed ESPN got the boot as both FOX and CNN were live, side by side, allegedly reporting on breaking news. I began my normal exercise regiment on the elliptical machine to warm up and spent the next half hour in a vortex of jabberwocky. It felt as if an alternative reality was at hand.

Polarization is convenient for those who operate with a worldview that is black and white, left and right, in or out. It's easy and, dare I say, the lazy person's fail-safe. But for the rest of God's creation functioning well within the creative tension of diversity and beauty, there is greater life to be found amidst the wideness of God's mercy.

My point here is that it would be too easy to slip into despair over the state of our world today. It simply seems too much and far gone at times. Yet, as citizens of God's Kingdom in Christ, we remind ourselves, that we do not loose hope

The reading from Ezekiel this coming Sunday, shares with us a vision of a valley of dry bones. God asks Can these bones live? Is there hope in the midst of despair? The answer is found in the realization that what the apostle Paul refers to as a slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory . . . because we look not at what can be seen, but at what cannot be seen (check out 2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

 The Vision of The Valley of The Dry Bones 

Gustave Doré 1866

FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT

April 2, 2017

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, your Son came into the world

to free us all from sin and death. 

Breathe upon us the power of your Spirit, 

that we may be raised to new life in Christ

and serve you in righteousness all our days, 

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, 

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, 

one God, now and forever. Amen.

Readings

Ezekiel 37:1-14

Psalm 130

Romans 8:6-11

John 11:1-45 

The Raising of Lazarus 

Duccio, 1310–11

Who is Worthy?

This Sunday's topic for our Faith Formation hour concerns the question: What is Worship?
The presentation and discussion will be the third in a series of four on the subject Mission and Worship. Whether you have been present for the first two or not, you are certainly welcome to attend this Sunday. I suspect the topic will be of some interest to everyone as we look to the future of our worship life as a congregation.

I didn’t get anything out of worship this week. Have you ever heard anyone say something like that? Have you ever felt that way too?  Let’s examine together what our primary purpose is when we assemble for the weekly gathering around Word and Sacrament. Is it appropriate to think of worship as a two-way street? Does God have an ulterior motive behind calling us together? Do we have any ulterior motives?

If each of us took a moment to write down an explanation or definition of worship, we would have a variety of answers and responses. While there is no doubt great diversity in perspective, I suspect there would also be common ground upon which we could all stand.

I find it interesting to note the differences in images found when I do an internet image search for worship and then liturgical worship. The first search returns results such as the following:

The latter search provides results similar to these:

What comparisons and observations do you make of this?

Keeping the broader picture in mind -- that of worship's relationship to mission -- I am anticipating a lively and thought provoking exchange as we gather together this Sunday at 8:45.

Looking ahead a bit, we can begin to anticipate the culmination of the season of Lent as Holy Week draws close and we look to the The Great Three Days.  Lent is often descried as a journey with Jesus into the wilderness, into ministry, into Jerusalem, and onto the cross. We have been on this path, leading us to Holy Week and the Great Three Days: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Vigil of Easter (These three days are also referred to as the Paschal Triduum).

Our Maundy Thursday service will be held on Thursday, April 13 at 7:00 PM.  A Good Friday afternoon meditation on the Way of the Cross will be held here at 12:00 Noon. In the evening, there will be a Good Friday Service at Scotland United Methodist Church at 7:00 PM.

New to our congregation this year will be the observance of the Vigil of Easter. This will be an ecumenical effort with our full-communion partners of the United Methodist Church and the Episcopal Church. In addition to Pastor Bruce Gowe from the Scotland-Fayetteville Charge of the UMC, we will also welcome the Deacon of Trinity Episcopal Church in Chambersburg and the District Superintendent of the UMC. The Vigil will be hosted here at St. Luke on Saturday, April 15 at 9:00 PM. We are anticipating several baptisms to be celebrated that evening as well.  This is the night!

Here are some other items of which you should be aware:

Groundbreaking Announcement:  The 2020 Vision building project will commence with a ceremonial groundbreaking immediately following worship on Palm/Passion Sunday, April 9. At the conclusion of the closing hymn we will be invited to gather outside near the bell and memorial garden for the brief rite of groundbreaking.  Please plan to be present for this important milestone in the life of the congregation.

Construction to Begin:  Barring any last minute snags, R. S. Mowery Construction will begin work on our project on Monday, April 17, the day after Easter Sunday. As work begins, please continue to check for updates on the website, Facebook, and bulletin announcements. Every effort will be made to communicate developments and progress.

Going Up

High Rock, Washington County, Maryland

Have you taken a break lately? When was the last time you intentionally stepped out of the rush and momentum of everyday life for even a few hours? If you are like most people, you have been in perpetual motion for too long. Even if your lifestyle is characterized as sedentary, you can still find yourself marking time in a largely routinized manner. While routine can be a good source of comfort, it can also foster spiritual sloth. Ouch! Yes, I do mean to prod a bit and encourage you to consider taking heed of the invitation to be intentional, proactive, and responsive to our call to retreat from the daily grind. It's for your own good.

It just so happens that this coming Sunday is the observance of the Transfiguration of our Lord.  Just days before we enter into the discipline of Lent, we hear the account from the gospel of Matthew of Jesus taking a break to go up a high mountain.  He's not alone.

Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.  (Matthew 17:1)

Mosaic in Church on Spilled Blood, 

St Petersburg, Russia, 19th century

What happens while they were there is dramatic, clarifying, and inspiring. Take some time to read the passage for yourself as you anticipate our gathering on Sunday (Matthew 17:1-9).

Maybe your inclination is to stay there, up on the high mountain. Who could blame you? It is no wonder why Peter wanted to preserve the moment and set up camp. Ultimately, however, we learn that they came down from the mountain. We do too. But then that going down, going back, the re-entry into the ordinary is a choice, a decision, an act of discipleship because we are following Jesus. We are following with a renewed sense of purpose, identity, and mission.

Have you taken a break lately? When was the last time you intentionally stepped out of the rush and momentum of everyday life for even a few hours?

Next Saturday morning, March 4, from 8:30 - noon, come away for awhile. Avail yourself of the gift of retreat. Sister Thelma and Sister Jo Ann of the Tau Hermitage will be our guests as they lead our Lenten retreat. These retreats have been a rich source of blessing and spiritual strength for those who have participated in the past. I encourage you to attend this time. You won't be disappointed. All I ask is that you let me know if you are coming so we can have enough materials prepared ahead of time.

Meanwhile, this coming week merits your attention and intentional participation. Ash Wednesday will provide the chance to gather to be encouraged for the beginning of our Lenten observance. The Ash Wednesday Liturgy will take place at 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM. I'm planning to be at the new Starbucks on Norland Avenue for Ashes on the Go and conversation from 1:00 to 3:00 PM as well.

The Transfiguration of Christ:, Middle of the 12th century. 

Part of an iconostasis: Saint Catherine's Monastery, Sinai (Egypt)

Name Change

What's in a name? 

We recognize certain ones more than others. Some carry more weight. While many are forgotten.

Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me.  (Isaiah 49:1) 

In this passage from Isaiah, naming happens not only in relationship to creation, but also in conjunction with receiving a vocation. We are called -- summoned by God. In that act and in that process we receive our identity. They go hand in hand. 

It's never too late to be named in this way. No matter what stage in life, we may find ourselves in the midst of an encounter with God -- an encounter of which we are aware, one in which we sit up and take notice. It could be an encounter that profoundly transforms our life's purpose and trajectory. At such time, as we see repeatedly throughout the biblical witness, a new name is in order. Abram becomes Abraham, Saul becomes Paul, Simon becomes Peter, etc.  Are we willing to have our name changed?  Are we willing to be transformed?

Second Sunday after the Epiphany

January 15, 2017

Readings

Isaiah 49:1-7 
Psalm 40:1-11
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
John 1:29-42

Prayer of the Day

Holy God, our strength and our redeemer, 

by your Spirit hold us forever, 

that through your grace we may worship you 

and faithfully serve you, 

follow you and joyfully find you, 

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

Nina Simone, If He Changed My Name

Experts from the last speech of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  

He delivered it on April 3, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. 

The next day, King was assassinated.

Longing

Having a craving can be a good thing. Although, I suppose it depends on what it is we crave. To crave, strictly defined, is to feel a powerful desire for something. The list is long and can become very personal and intimate. 

When our cravings encounter the object of their desire, there is a moment of fulfillment. Yet, satisfaction is short-lived and fleeting.

Both our physical and emotional desires are relatively uncomplicated, strait forward. Making a list and checking it twice becomes second nature. What's a bit more complex is discerning what comprises our spiritual appetite.

Anticipating Christmas can be a curious thing. There is perhaps no "time of year" encrusted with such a wide variety of expectations. Close to the root of these expectations are the kernels of our deepest cravings. If we can peel back the layers of desires and longings we have, we may encounter the restlessness that longs for peace.

Saint Augustine of Hippo is well known for having written the following:  

"Our Hearts are Restless Until They Rest in You"  

From the Confessions, Saint Augustine of Hippo 

Especially in the midst of the business of this week ahead, I would like to invite you to hit the pause button on a regular basis and take the time to contemplate. Engage in a bit of self-examination to discern your deeper longing. Consider the possibility (probability) that this longing is a gift. Consider that you are not the only one longing. Christ is longing for you. Christ is waiting for your Advent because the incarnation comes to fulfillment in the Body of Christ which includes you. You are necessary. God has a purpose for you.

Here is a list and description of the worship services scheduled for the week ahead. Avail yourself of these opportunities to gather in prayer and worship to be encountered by Christ in the Means of Grace and one another.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 18, 2016

Christmas Breakfast at 8:45 a.m. in Fellowship Hall

10:00 AM Holy Communion

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

11:00 AM Blue Christmas Service

This a time and place of solace during the often frenetic days surrounding the celebration of Christmas. We come together seeking healing and room to share grief, sadness, loneliness, or confusion when these emotions often feel out of place during the holidays.

7:00 PM Hanging of the Greens

A Hands-on time of prayer and blessing

Christmas Eve

Saturday, December 24, 2016

7:00 PM Candlelight Christmas with a twist

Christmas Day

Sunday, December 25, 2016

10:00 AM Holy Communion

Enduring Citizenship

Let's just acknowledge that neither major political party or its presidential candidate manifests the Christian virtue of humility very well. In your mind, perhaps one candidate stands out over the other in their ability to be self-promoting and self-absorbed. However, to focus on such possibilities is to miss a larger point, I believe.

In my mind, our present situation as citizens of this country is revelatory. What is being revealed are consequences of years (decades!) of indifference, micro-mindedness, and arrogance. While we would like to name and blame the enemy, the other side, "them" . . . we are all quickly realizing that for better or worse, we are in this together.

From within this conundrum we identify ourselves as Christians and profess allegiance to a monarch, none other than Christ the King, whose kingdom is not of this world (see John 18:36).

What do you make of that? How are we called to enact our citizenship in Christ's reign while dealing with the very visceral landscape of our political tempest?

I cling to the hope that the wind that seems to drive this current storm is the Wind par excellence: the Holy Spirit, the Breath of God. We can indeed be hopeful because when and where the Holy Spirit is operative, dry bones can live, repentance is possible, forgiveness is available, and hope can be restored . . . and it does not disappoint (see Romans 5).

All Saints Sunday

November 6, 2016

Prayer of the Day 

Almighty God, 

you have knit your people together 

in one communion 

in the mystical body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Grant us grace to follow your blessed saints 

in lives of faith and commitment, 

and to know the inexpressible joys you have prepared 

for those who love you, 

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, 

who lives and reigns with you 

and the Holy Spirit, 

one God, now and forever.   Amen

Readings 

Revelation 7:9-17 

Psalm 34:1-10, 22 

1 John 3:1-3 

Matthew 5:1-12