Posts

Advent Devotion 14

Joseph

Yes, Mary figures much larger than Joseph in the nativity story from Luke.  But in the gospel of Matthew, Joseph has a bigger role.  As the story unfolds in Matthew, Jospeh appears to be in the dilemma of being engaged to someone who is pregnant by another man.  The idea here is that the father of the child is God/the Holy Spirit.  There is speculation that if Mary was pregnant by another man it could have been the result of rape by a Roman soldier stationed nearby while a large Roman building project was underway.

In any case, Joseph is presented as being in a fix.  And then he has a dream and in the dream he is told to take Mary as his wife, anyway, and not to divorce her, even quietly.  And Joseph follows the instruction he is given in the dream. 

Also in Matthew, after Jesus’ birth, Joseph is told in a dream to take his family and seek asylum in Egypt.  

Two dreams are given to Joseph that guide his actions as a husband and father.  And he follows through on what he is advised in the dreams.  Dreams are a way of moving the story along and giving God a channel for communicating with characters in the story.  Joseph’s dreams give him God’s direction.

Well, maybe we are not going to be given dreams that lay out our course of action so directly, but surely we are being offered the guidance that we need for the living of our days.  Surely we are being guided and directed in our behavior and our choices.  But what are we choosing to listen to?  What are we choosing to give power over our thinking and actions?  Do we let past pain control us?  Do we let our hurt feelings dictate our behavior?  Do we follow the dictates of anger?  Is vengeance our guide?  Or greed?

Joseph chose to listen to love.  He chose to trust forgiveness and reconciliation over what was legally permissible.  He chose to give up his home and livelihood to protect his family.  The way of love was difficult and costly for Joseph.   He was setting a good example for Jesus who would later choose to give up his life.

 Maybe in addition to thinking about what we are doing for others for Christmas and what gifts we are giving, we could consider what we are giving up, for love.

 Prayer Many, many people find themselves in difficult situations.  Situations where trust is needed.  Situations where forgiveness is needed.  Situations where healing is needed.  We know what that is like.  May we look for the path of love that is life-giving.  Even when it is difficult.  Amen.

Advent Devotion 13

BELIEF + DOUBT = SANITY

This phrase is painted on the wall of the Hirshhorn Art Museum in Washington, D.C.  The installation was done by the artist Barbara Kruger.  I love this image!  I think it is a wonderful expression of the best of faith.  

But this phrase is in a secular art museum.  So I don’t think it was intended only as commentary on religion.  I was talking with someone about the phrase, someone who has little use for religion.  He liked the phrase, but said he didn’t put much store in belief.  He was associating it with religion.  But I reminded him that people believe in all kinds of things – like freedom, love, an economic system, a political system, the theory of evolution, hard work, certain moral values, etc.  People believe in all kinds of things beyond the realm of religion.  

And I think whatever the belief, the equation still holds up:  BELIEF + DOUBT = SANITY.    Without doubt what you believe in becomes fanaticism, extremism, or blind obsession.  And we see plenty of that in religion.  But we also see it in other areas.  Like politics.  People these days seem so entrenched in their political views that they are losing their grounding in sanity.  “Don’t bother me with the facts.”  

As I have listened to the impeachment hearings in Washington, D. C. I have heard plenty of belief without doubt.  So, where is the sanity?  Before they vote on impeachment, the members of congress should spend some quiet moments contemplating Kruger’s phrase:  BELIEF  + DOUBT = SANITY.  We might get a little more sanity out of Congress.  

So, as Christmas approaches, and we reflect on our faith, hold on to your doubts.  Ask questions.  Expect your views on matters of faith to change.  Because that is sanity.  That is spiritual health and wholeness.  And give thanks that you are part of a church that encourages belief and doubt as well as sanity.

Prayer Reflect on what you believe in.   What is important to you?  Consider your doubts.  Give thanks for your beliefs and your doubts and how they work together to give you a solid moral, spiritual foundation for your life.  Amen.  

Advent Devotion 12

Guadalupe!

Dec. 12 is the saint day for the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico.  She may actually be the most venerated “Mary” in the Catholic Church.  And she seems to resonate even beyond Catholicism.

Just a brief encapsulation of her story:  An indigenous peasant, Juan Diego, was walking over a hill near Mexico City when he was stopped by a vision of the Virgin Mary.  After several visitations and the appearance of roses in his tunic in the dead of winter, Juan Diego convinces the local bishop to build a church where the Virgin asked for one to be built.  The church is there today, though it is not open to the public because it is no longer structurally sound.  But a beautiful new church was build nearby and today thousands of people will be at the church to venerate the Virgin of Guadalupe.

The incorporation of Guadalupe into the Catholic pantheon is important because she came through an indigenous person and appeared as an indigenous person.  She represents the incorporation of the indigenous veneration of the goddess into the Catholic faith.  Guadalupe is a beautiful example of the universalism of Christianity bringing together different cultures and traditions which all point in the same direction – a Divinity of love for all people.

 Of course this kind of syncretism is not new to the Catholic church or to any church.  Every church, in every setting, incorporates cultural practices, traditions, assumptions, and, yes, biases, into its identity.  The Christianity we know is rife with European and American influences.  Sometimes it is hard for us to see these influences because we are so familiar with them.  To us, they are like the air we breathe.  It’s easier to see them in Christian practices from other cultures like the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico or the Christian Church in Malaysia where God is referred to as Allah.

Remembering the Virgin of Guadalupe reminds us that God is present in humanity, all of humanity.  There is no human creature that is not created to be a bearer of Divine Love.  Our faith is intended to be universal.  And in order to be meaningful to all cultures and peoples, many different practices and rituals and customs and images are needed.

Our job is to make sure that our expression of Christianity is built on the solid foundation of the teachings of Jesus.  Advent is just the time to remind ourselves that “Jesus is the reason for the season.”  

Prayer We give thanks for the many expressions of Christianity around the world.  We give thanks that our faith is intended to bring light to all people in all times, all places, and all cultures.  May the universal light of God show us the way to valuing all people, treating all people with dignity, and  honoring the Divine image in each and every person.  Amen.  

Advent Devotion 11

crisis

crisis: 1 a :  the turning point for better or worse in an acute disease or fever    b : a paroxysmal attack of pain, distress, or disordered function    c : an emotionally significant event or radical change of status in a person’s life – a midlife crisis

2    : the decisive moment (as in a literary plot) – The crisis of the play occurs in Act 3.

3 a : an unstable or crucial time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is impending: especially : one with the district possibility of a highly undesirable outcome            – a financial crisis           – the nation’s energy crisis    b : a situation that has reached a critical phase            – the environmental crisis          – the unemployment crisis

This is what the Miriam – Webster Dictionary has to say about the word crisis.  It implies a temporary state of affairs, a state of transition.  Critical, yes, but a passing phase in a process.  

Recently in listening to the NPR program “Marketplace,” the commentator was talking about what is going on in the economies of Brazil and Argentina.  We were told that these two economies are experiencing “low levels of crisis.”  

A low level of crisis?  What is a low level of crisis?  Crisis by definition is an intense state of change or distress.  Low levels of crisis.  What is that?  How can crisis be at a low level when it is specifically a time that is critical?  Crisis is also a time of transition, a temporary state, and low levels of crisis somehow sounds on going.  Can there be a low level of crisis?

Well, while I can’t defend the phrase “low levels of crisis” I feel like this is what we are living.  It seems like we are in an ongoing low level of crisis.  With the natural environment unraveling around us and mass shootings an almost daily occurrence and the growing wealth gap and the escalation in hate crimes and prejudice, it seems like we are living in a continuous low level of crisis.  (I am not including the impeachment in this list because that is a genuine crisis.)

The celebration of the birth of Jesus is a reminder of a turning point, a radical change, a significant event.  With this birth we are given the way to peace, to wholeness, to joy, to meaning, to life in all its fullness and abundance.  We don’t have to live in low level crisis mode any more because Jesus has been born.  He has given us another way.  We are free to create our own reality of hope and promise.  We do not have to let ourselves be buffeted by the messages around us that seek to destabilize us and make us fearful so that we are easier to control.  May we embrace the temporary critical crisis that is Advent so that we may make the decisive change to living God’s dream of “Peace on earth, good will to all.”  

Prayer During these Advent days, may we live into God’s reality of life and blessing for all.  May we be part of dismantling the systems and power structures that diminish life.  May we give ourselves over to the way of love.  Amen. 

Weekly Update 12/11

This Sunday: Advent is a season for preparation and celebration.  The Song of Mary, the Magnificat, helps us to see what we are preparing for and what we have to celebrate.  See Luke 1:46-56.

Lakewood UCC Choir: Throughout the five Sundays of Decembers, choir rehearsals will begin at 9:40am instead of the usual 9:00am.

Advent/Christmas Season: “Come Home for the Holidays” season of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Please pick up a collection can to use for the Christmas Eve offering which will provide rent, utility, and other assistance to people in the congregation and the community.  This assistance helps people to have a home and to feel connected to others as family.  After all, we are one human family and everyone deserves a home. 

Joy of Singing: Each Sunday of Advent, the congregation is invited to join in singing favorite Christmas songs at 10:15 before morning worship. May the music of Christmas inspire joy this holy season.

Christmas Caroling: Join with others to bring the joy of the season to folks from the LUCC family who are not able to come to church. Everyone is welcome regardless of singing ability! If you aren’t feeling merry, being part of this ministry will bring joy to your heart! Please gather at the church Sunday afternoon Dec. 15 at 3:00p.m. Jim Andrews and Janet Blair will have the arrangements made and carolers will visit the homebound members of the church family.

Daily Devotions: Look for a new devotion each day in your email or at the church website to help inspire your reflection about what it means to “Come home for the holidays.” What does home mean? Where do we find it? How do we create a sense of home with others?

Sundays in Advent: Each Sunday, singing songs of the season at 10:15 and lighting the Advent wreath during worship.

Dec. 15      Christmas Caroling in the afternoon. At 3:00 followed by dinner at the Wells’ home. Dec. 22      A special intergenerational, interactive service that will end with lining the cradle in preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

Christmas Eve: 6:30      Music of the Season 7:00     Service with candlelight and communion. All ages welcome! Transportation provided. please contact the church office.

Straw Labyrinth: Come home for the holidays. There will be a straw labyrinth installed on the church grounds. This is an opportunity to reflect on what “home for the holidays” means to you through walking meditation. The walking will provide an image for making our way home to God in this holy season. The labyrinth will be open and available for use all the time. Come at your convenience. There will be printed sheets provided to guide your reflection.

During the Advent season there will be two opportunities to be part of a group-guided walk on the labyrinth. These will be held Wednesday Dec. 11th and Wednesday Dec. 18th at 3:00p.m. There will be a time for gathering, reading of scripture, reflection, and walking. All are welcome!

Maximo Elementary: Maximo Elementary’s Social worker  has  identified “sweat shirts, jackets, and leggings“ as a need  at Maximo as cooler weather arrives. This school has 80 homeless children. We can help keep them warm and healthy. Sweat shirts and jackets can be any color.  Leggings need to be navy or black.  The Education Ministry Team will begin collecting these items  or donations soon. Stay tuned!

The following expression of gratitude came today  from Ms. Jones after all the toys/gifts were delivered to the school:

Please let me start off again by saying that I am so elated and grateful for all of the toys that your church donated to the “MAX”. The scholar’s are going to be just as elated as I am once they have a chance to see all of the toys as well. Please let everyone know how much we appreciate their generosity.   

 Chelsea Jones  Family and Community Liaison Maximo Elementary

Letter Writing: A letter writing station has been set up at church. Look for opportunities to share your faith perspective on immigration, the environment, and gun safety with elected officials.

Operation Attack: Operation Attack is very much in need of clothes for men, boys, and girls as well as diapers and peanut butter and canned fruit. Donations may be placed in the shopping cart in the entryway to the sanctuary.

Operation Attack is an ecumenical effort serving families with children located at Lakeview Presbyterian Church, 1310 22nd. Ave. S., St. Petersburg. LUCC was a founding member of Operation Attack in the 1960’s!

Hearing Augmentation: Devices are available from the usher in the sanctuary during worship.

December Birthdays: Patti Cooksey 12/8, Becky Palmer 12/16, Amaiya Washington 12/18, George Diven 12/27, Melanie Moore 12/27, Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.

Circle of Concern: Tony Rogers, Sherry Santana, Jen DeGroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, Earl Waters, and Ann Rogers.

Recent Posts:

Weekly Update: If you are involved with an activity or event that you would like to share with the LUCC family, please send the information to the church office by Tuesday since the Update usually is sent out on Wednesday.