Sun. Mar. 27, 2011 (Ajay Caleb)

Ajay Caleb, a man with a heart for mission to those in the world with less opportunity, both to care for themselves, or to meet the Lord, led us on a journey to several places in the world where people in their daily living are hurt by lack of opportunity and breadth of vision, including himself. Of himself: a sea of black heads bobbing along the road on their way to work in India, gave him pause, and he asked “Lord, how will I help all these people?” And the answer: “One at a time.” Our task is not to meet the needs of the masses, but only those we meet. In north-east India, near the Bhutan border, Ajay met villagers realizing their vision for education and business possibilities while at war with Marxist guerrillas, and while on a morning walk, met the guerrillas themselves, realizing that though there was war, relationship of clan still held them together. The faith of others also sustains them, but may leave them empty of possibility, as told in a story of a woman whose womb remained childless. We should also not prejudge the results we get, as reminded in the story of meeting a risen Jesus along the road to Emmaus. We should not limit our vision by expecting the results we have always gotten - we should have faith and expect a new result. But we cannot start a fire in another’s heart without it burning in our own. What is our role in mission today? Do we have a burning to bring to others? Are we willing to serve as the Samaritan woman at the well did to Jesus? And will we, like Jesus, serve those deemed less deserving? We have an opportunity to minister here at home. Let us begin it now. [AP]

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Sun. Mar. 20, 2011 (J. Evan Kreider)

J. Evan Kreider spoke on John 3:1-17 enhancing our understanding of the tradition and the situation behind the story of Nicodemus’ relationship to Jesus in our touchstone passage in the Christian church “for God so loved the world...” Evan’s distinction between being “born from above” (rather than “born again,”) was an old Jewish tradition to emphasize a closer relationship with God without referring to God directly, as they were loath to do. Nicodemus also knew Gentile converts to Judaism were baptised with water, symbolizing starting over again as if being born like a child, but he never imagined that he, an observant Jew raised in the tradition, would have to do the same. It is difficult for us all to think outside our own spiritual traditions. But Jesus insisted God’s spirit washes impurities away, producing a new heart, rather than a newborn life. Jesus’ birth from above was tacitly agreed to by Nicodemus by acknowledgement of his miracle-working; thus could Nicodemus be reasonably asked to believe Jesus spoke with some authority about heaven. As Moses raised a serpent on high to save the wandering Jews who had been bitten by snakes from dying, so to was Jesus raised on the cross to save not just the righteous people of Israel, but all humanity, including Nicodemus. Mozart’s Requiem repeats this lesson as an artistic miniature; that despite obeying the law and the prophets, the young voice of a boy soprano asks how we are to face God alone with our sins along with us. John’s gospel, no matter how hard to believe, is no harder than believing a snake raised on high in the desert could save us. Give us the grace to believe. [AP]

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Sun. Mar. 13, 2011 (Hannah Dutko)

Hannah Dutko focused her message on the life of Julian of Norwich, (1342 – 1416) a medieval woman, a mystic, and a religious writer. A recluse, she lived in a small cell in as an anchoress, a type of hermit who lives in a cell attached to the church and engages in contemplative prayer. At age 30, suffering from a severe illness and believing she was on her deathbed, she had a series of intense visions of Jesus, God and the devil. She transcribed these visions in what is considered the first known autobiography by a woman. Twenty years later she wrote another series of reflections on her visions. She wrote so that people might understand the love and revelation of God. The times were difficult: the black death, the Roman church was in chaos (two popes) and Wycliffe and Hus were emerging activists. Julian, in exploring the meaning of suffering, rejects the idea of suffering caused by the devil; the devil seeks to promote despair and doubt; but Christ’s passion has overcome evil. Further, suffering is not punishment from God; Julian suggests a merciful theology and hope in God’s power. Her writings suggest confidence that God is at work. God answered her prayers by saying “I will make all things well; and you will see that yourself, that all things will be well.” The comment was made that it might be difficult to reassure people (“that all things will be well”) when they are angry or seriously ill. It is a message that should given in hope, to someone we know well. [HN] Listen to the sermon audio MP3 recording from Sunday, March 13th, 2011 using your browser's preferred media player.

Sun. Mar. 6, 2011 (Sven Eriksson)

Sven Eriksson spoke on the gospel lectionary text, Matthew 17.1-9. So much in the story of the Transfiguration is beyond our comprehension, but it celebrates the great transition from the three years of ministry to the final week of difficulties, trials and death. (Peter reported his recollections very modestly in 2 Peter 1.16-18.) Jesus went to a "mountain" (not by B.C. standards) to pray with Peter, James and John--the same three men who would accompany him for prayer in Gethsemane (falling asleep both times). Nevertheless, the experience became a beacon for them, for God had entered their lives in an unexpected way. Are we ever aware that God enters our space at specific times and places? We, too, may have had our "Holy Mountain" experiences, answered prayers, meaningful dreams, thoughts or unexpected insights, but do we--should we--tell these extraordinary experiences to each other? What are we supposed to do with them? Dismiss the unexpected? Deny that transcendence ever happened, even when experiencing it? The three disciples were not prompted to do anything, only to be there, experience the event, and it was assumed that the event would somehow transform their lives. We, like Peter, want to take action, but the profound awareness of God entering our lives may best be understood as our being granted a glimpse of God's glory which may then, somehow, become a beacon in our lives. [JEK] Listen to the sermon audio MP3 recording from Sunday, March 6th, 2011 using your browser's preferred media player.