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Advent 2011 Daily Reflection 8

The theme for this Advent season at Lakewood United Church of Christ is JOY to the World. Each day during the Advent season, a reflection on a scripture passage related to JOY will be posted. We hope these daily reflections help you to have a joy-filled Advent.

Then I’ll be able to hold my head up,
even with my enemies surrounding me.
I will offer in your Tabernacle
sacrifices of great joy –
I’ll sing and make music to you, Adonai!
Psalm 27:6

The Christmas season is a time of gift giving. The carol, “We Three Kings” celebrates gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh being brought to Jesus to honor him. Advertisements and stores entice us with gift ideas. We may encourage children (and adults!) to make Christmas lists of what they would like to receive for Christmas. Take a few moments to think about some gifts that you have received at Christmas. Is there a special one? Something that really stands out? Can you remember gifts from childhood? Do you still have special Christmas gifts from years past?

This is a season not just to receive gifts, but also to give gifts. Maybe you have a list of the gifts you are giving to others – family, neighbors, coworkers. Think back over Christmases past. Consider some of the gifts you have given. Can you remember something that took special thought or effort? Is there one that was simply perfect? Can you remember the expression on the face of the person to whom it was given? The circumstances? The reaction of others? Take time to remember some gifts you have given at Christmas.

In thinking back on Christmas gifting, did you find you remembered more about what you received or about what you you gave? What came to mind more readily? What was most memorable? Most meaningful?

As we think about joy this season, consider the joy factor associated with exchanging gifts. Do you think you felt more joyful about gifts received or gifts given? Is there truth for you in the scriptural adage, “It is more blessed to give than to receive?” [Acts 20:35]

The verse from the Psalms cited above mentions being surrounded by enemies. Yet even in those dire circumstances, the writer celebrates what he is able to give. The writer associates joy with sacrifice. Making an effort, giving, offering something is a source of joy. So as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, maybe we will experience more joy if we shift our focus from what we will get to what we are giving.

Prayer
We are blessed to live in a context of abundance in which we can give and receive gifts. While our culture lures us into consuming things, may our focus shift to what we are offering, giving, and even giving up this season. This is in keeping with the true spirit of Jesus who had few material possessions and gave of himself freely not counting the cost, but instead savoring the joy. Amen.

Advent 2011 Daily Reflection 7

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly,
and rejoice with joy and singing.

Isaiah 35:1-2a

When we think of joy, we often think of it as a feeling in the vast array of human experiences. People feel joy at the birth of a baby, or after accomplishing something significant, or in response to the beauty of nature, as well as in many other circumstances. Can you think of a time when you have experienced joy? When have you witnessed joy in someone else?

In the beautiful portrayal of a restored land, the prophet Isaiah talks about the land itself experiencing joy. The land is glad. The land rejoices with joy and singing. There is the sense that the land itself is alive; that it has feelings and that it is aware of conscious experience. This fits with the Gaia Principle today expressing the idea that the world itself is a living organism.

The idea of the land experiencing joy also reflects the belief that nature is a manifestation of God. God is revealed in the power of a storm, in lightening and thunder, in the quaking of the earth, and the churning of the seas. The ancients believed that nature was under the direct control of God, and that nature revealed God. So the land expressing joy can be understood as a way that God is showing joy to the human community. Humans may not directly see God, but they can see the land, and the land can be an expression of God.

When we look at the land today, at Creation, we can think about how we see joy in the land. How is joy revealed in the beauty of nature? In its diversity? In the amazing complexity and design? Fertile land images convey joy when everything is in balance as it should be: When there is right relationship between people, and between people and God, and between people and Creation. There are also images of the land parched, dry, and barren. This is a way of conveying pain, disappointment, and devastation. The land is barren, an expression of pain, when things are not in right relationship. When there is injustice and abuse. The barren land is an image used when humanity has departed from the Divine will.

So this season is a time to reflect on what the land and all of Creation has to teach us about joy as well as the lack of joy in the world.

Prayer
We pray for the fertility and abundance of the land which sustains us. We cannot live without a healthy environment. May Creation be a source of joy for us and may it help us to cultivate our connection to the Source of life and joy. Amen.

Advent 2011 Daily Reflection 6

You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.

Isaiah 9:3 New Revised Standard Version

This verse is from a well-known passage of the prophet Isaiah: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. . . For a child has been born for us, a son given to us: authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. . .”

This beautiful passage is a celebration of the help and hope God is sending in a child. As Christians, we see this promise fulfilled in Jesus. This passage is a celebration of peace. We are told that the authority of the Prince of Peace, “shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.” [Isaiah 9:7] Here is a promise of permanent peace with a foundation of justice.

It is interesting that in the middle of these glorious images of peace, there is the phrase, “as people exult when dividing plunder.” In another translation we read, “as warriors celebrate when dividing spoils.” This image is used as a way of expressing the extreme joy that the people feel toward God for sending this leader who will save them and bring peace. Somehow, dividing the spoils of war does not seem to fit with this vision of peace. This is especially true when we consider that the spoils of war included people, especially women who were captured, often raped, and taken as slaves.

When speaking of joy, I don’t think that we can associate joy with the pain of someone else. I don’t think joy comes at some else’s expense. I don’t think we can feel joy as a consequence of someone else’s hardship. When someone is murdered, maybe the family of the person who was killed feels relief that the perpetrator is found. At the end of the trial, they may feel closure. But can there be joy in such a circumstance? If you and a coworker are great friends and colleagues, and the company decides it must downsize one of you, do you feel joy when your friend is fired and you keep your job? No. Maybe, again, you feel relief. But I don’t think it can be joy.

Joy must be pure. It cannot be at someone’s expense. It cannot be as a result of harm done to someone. Or the oppression of someone. Or the ill-treatment of someone. It cannot be associated with ill-gotten gain.

This season, we sing, “Joy to the World.” Let that be our reminder. Joy to the whole world. To everyone. Not just to some as the expense of others.

Prayer
This season as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, may we seek the joy that comes with true peace. May we seek to do what is good and right. And may we uphold justice, as Jesus did, so that all the world may know JOY. Amen.

Advent 2011 Daily Reflection 5

God is in your midst,
a warrior who gives victory;
God will rejoice over you with gladness,
God will renew you in love;
God will exult over you with loud singing
as on a day of festival. Zephaniah 3:17

December 1 is World AIDS Day. While treatment and testing are available, and the disease is not spreading as it was in decades past in the US, AIDS is still wreaking devastation especially in Africa. Given what we have been able to learn about this disease, we could all but prevent its spread. And yet, it continues.

December 1 is also the anniversary of Rosa Parks’ bold stand, or shall we say, sit, on the bus in Montgomery, AL in 1955. She tells of that day:

“When he saw that I was still remaining in the seat, the driver said, ‘If you don’t stand up, I’m going to call the police and have you arrested.’ I said, ‘You may do that.’

“Two policemen came and wanted to know what was the trouble. One said, ‘Why don’t you stand up?’ I said, ‘I don’t think I should have to.’ At that point I asked the policemen, ‘Why do you push us around?’ He said, ‘I don’t know, but the law is the law and you’re under arrest.’” [Quoted in Imaging the Word: An Arts and Lectionary Resource, Volume 1, p, 36]

Next week we will remember Pearl Harbor Day and the terrible suffering and death that came in its wake.

There is so much trouble, suffering, and pain in this world that we as human beings are responsible for. We do harm to ourselves and to others. We devastate the natural world. We kill. We destroy. We oppress. We harm. And we neglect so much good that we could do.

Here is this beautiful world and this glorious life, and it’s hard to fathom, sometimes, how we can make such a mess of things. Yet the words of the prophet ring out and tell of God’s delight in humanity. The images speak of God’s joy in the human community. “God will rejoice over you with gladness. . . God will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival.” God is joying over humanity!

While we might be tempted to give up on ourselves, God never gives up on us. We are a source of joy to God!

Prayer
May we truly repent for all the harm that we contribute to as individuals, as the church, and as a society. May we accept God’s grace and love which can heal, transform, and reconcile. May we remember that each of us as well as each and every human being is God’s child, and brings joy and delight to God. May we also take joy in ourselves and one another! In the spirit of the one whose birth we prepare to celebrate. Amen.

Testing, Testing

Date: November 27, 2011
Scripture Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Sermon: Testing. Testing.
Pastor: Rev. Kim P. Wells

Testing. Testing. We use this phrase to see if audio equipment is functioning properly. Is everything connected and working as it should? Are the sound levels balanced. Testing. Testing.

Twenty years ago, on the first Sunday of Advent in1991, I began my tenure as pastor of Lakewood United Church of Christ. And the arrangement was set up as a test of sorts. Typically, when a pastor leaves a church, the church calls an interim pastor to serve while the church evaluates its situation and goes through the rather lengthy process of seeking and calling a new pastor. The interim pastor provides transitional leadership and is not eligible for the permanent position. A new, settled pastor is called who serves until further notice. After the brief, rather tumultuous pastorate of the my predecessor, Lakewood, in consultation with the Florida Conference, decided not to hire an interim, but instead to hire someone to serve as pastor on a contractual basis for two years. The arrangement provided for a review after 18 months to ascertain if the pastor and church wanted to continue the arrangement indefinitely, or if the church would appoint a search committee at that time to seek a new permanent pastor. Testing. Testing. Are things working in this relationship? How is the balance? The mix? Is it a good fit?

By pursuing the contractual arrangement, Lakewood was departing from the norm. And there were good reasons to do so at the time. This shows an openness to the Spirit. As for my circumstances, our family had moved to St. Petersburg in November of 1990, and after almost a year as a stay at home mom, I was ready to resume my career as a pastor. So, I informed the Florida Conference that I was interested in seeking a position right about the time that Lakewood had decided to hire someone for two years on contract. Having come from northeast Ohio, where there were roughly 100 UCC churches within an hour of our home, to Florida, where there were about 100 churches in the whole state, I figured I would just have to take what I could get. This little church coming out of several years of severe conflict, well, beggars can’t be choosers! I hasten to add that the church may have had a similar outlook. Down on its luck and finances, who could they expect to attract to the position of pastor? I was here and available. So, for two years, we’d give it a go. Testing. Testing. Was it working?

When the 18 month point came, we met, and decided by mutual agreement to continue our relationship indefinitely. I was officially called as pastor. There was a beautiful installation service and I have served as pastor ever since. When I was installed, numerous colleagues commented to me that if they had had to withstand an eighteen month trial period, they would never have gotten a call! They were impressed that I had passed the test. Hmmm. Testing. Testing.

The initial eighteen month period that I served as pastor was a time of testing. But as I look back on it, I do not think we were testing each other as much as we were testing the authenticity of this faith community. I think we were doing what Paul suggests in the verses we heard today from the letter to the Thessalonians. To this new faith community that is being persecuted, Paul advises: “Don’t stifle the Spirit. But test everything and accept only what is good. Avoid any semblance of evil.” In another translation, we’re told, “Don’t quench the Spirit.” The testing, the assessing, the evaluating, and scrutinizing is done with the expectation that the Spirit is moving in the faith community. Expect it. Don’t miss it! Be on the look out. Testing. Testing. We were testing our ministry, our mission, our life together according to the values of the Gospel to be sure that we were open to the Spirit. In our first eighteen months as pastor and people, and ever since, we have continually been testing our community, our faithfulness, our social action, and our

worship, not in judgment. Not in a spirit of condemnation. Not trying to promote

exclusivism. But trying to sort out what is good? What is needed? What is faithful? What is consistent with our concept of God? We are testing, testing to keep ourselves open to the Spirit.

When we do not question, or do not test, do not examine, do not assess, we are in danger of quenching the Spirit. Times change. We have a concept of a living God equipping us for new circumstances and challenges. When we cling to dogmatism, tradition, literalism, and fixed theological tenets, we may not be holding fast to our faith, we may be quenching the Spirit. What has always impressed me about this church is its openness. The willingness to test things according to Gospel values and see what it truly good and what is not. And then, to take action accordingly. This applies to our worship life, to our mission projects, to our hospitality, and to our life as a community. We have chosen over the years to evolve into a democratic, bottom up, community of equals because we expect the Spirit to bubble up through everyone in the congregation. We are learning and sharing and growing and testing together. Our openness shows in our receptivity to the Spirit. It also is a testimony to our faith. We are anticipating the spirit to move in our midst and to lead us in new directions and on new paths of faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As one of our UCC slogans puts it, “Our faith is 2000 years old, our thinking is not.” We are open to testing things. Seeing what is right for today, for these circumstances, for this setting. What is needed of us? Testing. Testing. What is working? What is not? What needs to be changed?

This first Sunday of Advent begins what can be seen as a time of great testing. The Holidays. It can be a time that tests our patience. Our pocketbook. Our endurance. Our good will. Our family bonds. Our ability to multi task. Shopping can seem like a test, seeking the best deal, the lowest price, the right timing. Scheduling can be like a jig saw puzzle trying to fit everything in. This lead up to Christmas can be a season that tests us!

We want to remember the testing encouraged in Thessalonians. “Test everything

and accept only what is good. Avoid any semblance of evil.” This is a time to test the authenticity and the integrity of our holiday celebrations. Is it really in keeping with the birth of the King of Peace to purchase war toys, guns, and games perpetuating violence? Is it in consistent with the story of the birth of Jesus, who was poor, to give more to those who already have too much? Is it compatible with Christian values to over indulge in the drunken revelry at the office party that’s held every year? Are we really keeping Christmas by consuming and creating garbage that is compromising the existence of the planet? This season, we are encouraged to test our traditions and observances according to the values of Jesus and the story of his birth. We are told of his humble, really homeless, beginnings. Of his family in a strange place dependent on the generosity and hospitality of others. We are told of old people whose wisdom reveals the ways of God. We are told of love that transcends human boundaries and separations. We are told of heaven and earth coming together. Testing. Testing. What are we doing to reflect that spirit in our celebrations today? What is working? What needs to be changed?

This is a time for testing. A time to be open to the Spirit. To expect something new to happen in our lives. To wait on God to birth new hopes and new dreams in us and for us. It is a time for expectation, wonder, and awe. We don’t necessarily know what the Spirit will do – for it is ever unpredictable and uncontrollable. But we must be open, so that it can work on us, lest we

stifle or quench the Spirit.

Rigidity and legalism, that quenches the Spirit. Fixed thinking that cannot receive new information, or appreciate the validity of differing views, or assess new perspectives, that quenches the spirit. It is like depriving a flame of oxygen. It goes out. But openness, questioning, seeking, and testing invites the Spirit. Engages the Spirit. Expects the Spirit. Like open air that feeds a flame. I believe it is this attitude of openness and testing and looking for the Spirit to be present among us doing new things, that has kept us together and flourishing as pastor and people for the past 20 years. We have not been testing each other, but testing our experience, testing the challenges and opportunities that we face, to see what is of God, and what is expected of us. What is true to the Gospel? This testing has kept us learning and growing together in the Spirit. It is exciting and engaging. It is not dull or boring. It is not about stagnation. It continues to be new and fresh because we are open and expectant.

Testing. Testing. Paul tells the Thessalonians, “Don’t stifle the Spirit.

Test everything and accept only what is good. Avoid any semblance of evil.” This constant assessing is not about dividing the world up into naughty and nice. It is not about judging and branding people. Those that are going to heaven and those that are not. Those who are saved and those who aren’t. Testing life according to the values of Jesus is about creating alternative communities of hope, joy, justice and peace that spread the transforming power of love in the world. Testing. Testing. It’s about, as Three Dog Night put it, bringing, “Joy to the world, all the boys and girls, joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, joy to you and to me!”

Amen!

A reasonable effort has been made to appropriately cite materials referenced in this sermon. For additional information, please contact Lakewood United Church of Christ.