Prepared Hearts for December 22nd

Hello Friends,

Welcome back to Prepared Hearts, the online Bible study of the Wacousta Community United Methodist Church.

For this third week of Advent our texts include: Isaiah 7:10-16, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, Romans 1:1-7, and Matthew 1:18-25. I’ll be preaching from Matthew. The text is below, followed by starter thoughts.

Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’

22 All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel’, which means, ‘God is with us.’ 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

STARTER THOUGHTS

This week’s text invites us to a walk a mile in Joseph’s shoes. Imagine good ol’ law-abiding Joseph trapped between a rock and a hard place. His betrothed is pregnant, which is grounds not only for him to break off the engagement but for Mary to be stoned to death. Although he must have felt humiliated and disgraced himself, he refused to put Mary to shame and planned to “dismiss her quietly,” although it’s unclear how he’d be able to pull that one off. Marriage wasn’t an arrangement based on affection, but a legal agreement that had been worked out between their families. Nevertheless, he is resolved to do the kind thing, and then God comes and asks him to do the unthinkable thing: marry Mary anyway! What do you imagine was Joseph’s greatest challenge during this period of time? How do you think he managed to go through with what the Lord commanded of him?  

God sent an angel to Joseph in a dream, and the angel gave him very clear instructions. Unfortunately, not all of us experience such direct guidance when faced with life’s challenges. How does God communicate to you in times of crisis? When and where have you heard God’s voice, and how have you responded? If an angel of the Lord appeared to you in a dream, would you listen to the message or wonder what you ate the night before and dismiss it?

The Gospel of Matthew puts a great deal of emphasis upon how the birth of Jesus fulfills the prophecies of ancient Israel. Why do you think that this was so critical in the early stages of Christianity?  Is it still as critical today? Why or why not?

The Bible gives us very little detail about the man God chose to be Jesus’ earthly father. Yet, this short story reveals a lot about Joseph’s character. What traits does he exhibit that indicate he’s up to the challenge of raising God’s son? What impact do you think these traits had upon Jesus as he was being raised in Joseph and Mary’s home?

As always, I look forward to your thoughts and reflections. Feel free to email me directly or post a comment here. 

Peace,

Pastor Amee

Prepared Hearts for December 15th

Hello Friends,

Welcome back to Prepared Hearts, the online Bible study of the Wacousta Community United Methodist Church. I apologize for the delay! 

For this third week of Advent our texts include: Isaiah 35:1-10, Luke 1:47-55, James 5:7-10, and Matthew 11:2-11.  This week our Call to Worship will be from Luke, and I’ll be preaching from the Gospel of Matthew. The text is below, followed by starter thoughts:

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” 

Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

STARTER THOUGHTS

This week’s scripture lessons contain a variety of emotions. The passage from Luke, known as the Song of Mary or Magnificat, is one of the most joyful songs in scripture. On the other hand, the text from Matthew reflects the sadness and doubt John was experiencing. I imagine John in prison, doubting the identity of Jesus and wondering if his life’s work had been in vain. The juxtaposition of these texts reflects the hills and valleys of our Christian journey. There are times when our spirits rejoice and other times when we find ourselves asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” How do you experience the “ups” and “downs” on your journey? What pulls you through the valley? What brings you to the mountaintop?

In response to John’s question, Jesus didn’t flat out say, “I’m the Messiah.” He answered by telling them to report the work he was doing. Why do you think Jesus did that? 

The sharing of firsthand accounts of the healing of Jesus Christ (often referred to as “witnessing”) is something that has been a tradition of our faith from its very beginning. At the same time, folks can (and do) find it difficult to give voice to and/or share their faith story or stories. What is it about sharing firsthand accounts that is so powerful? What do you think keeps folks from sharing more frequently their own encounters with Christ? 

I think it’s interesting that Jesus moves directly from hearing about John’s doubts to describing him as the greatest prophet ever born. John’s insecurity about Jesus doesn’t cause Jesus a moment’s uncertainty about John’s own identity. What can we take from this about how Jesus encounters our doubts? What role has questioning played in the development of your faith? Do you think we (the church) allow enough space for folks to express questions and doubts? 

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and reflections! Email me or post a comment here. 

Peace,
Pastor Amee

Prepared Hearts for December 8th

Hello Friends,

Welcome back to Prepared Hearts, the online Bible study of the Wacousta Community United Methodist Church.

For this second week of Advent our texts include: Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19, Romans 15:4-13 and Matthew 3:1-12.  I’ll be preaching from the Gospel of Matthew this week. The text is below, followed by starter thoughts:

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”  This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’” Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.  Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

STARTER THOUGHTS

A lot of the scripture we read this time of year finds its way onto Christmas cards. I think it’s safe to say that John’s comments here won’t make that cut. Ouch! John is brutal in his understanding of the coming Messiah with his winnowing fork and fire. How does John’s idea of Jesus compare with the Jesus who actually comes among the people?

As John the Baptist prepares the way for the coming Messiah, his cry to the people is for repentance. What does “repentance” mean to? What real-life application does it have? And what relationship do you see between repentance and making the way for Christ?

Even with his bizarre wardrobe and unusual diet, John was highly popular prophet during his time. What do you think John’s appeal was? He shared such a sharp message. Why do you think so many people were drawn to him?

There’s an economic component to this scripture that can’t be overlooked. John the Baptist lived by the absolute simplest means possible. Locusts were (and still are in some parts of the world) what the poorest individuals survived on. He lived and preached repentance, service and simplicity. Of course, the Christmas season that emerges all around us has very little to do with these things. Our culture’s version of Christmas is all about indulgence and extravagance. How do we keep to the basics of John’s message of making a way for Christ?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and reflections! Email me or post a comment here. 

Peace,

Pastor Amee

Prepared Hearts for December 1st, 2013

Hello Friends,

Welcome back to Prepared Hearts, the online Bible study of the Wacousta Community United Methodist Church.

For this first week of Advent our texts include: Isaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44.  I’ll be preaching from the Gospel of Matthew this week. The text is below, followed by starter thoughts:

Matthew 24:36-44

 ‘But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

STARTER THOUGHTS

This week’s text is what is referred to as apocalyptic literature (also known as the parts of the Bible that give a lot of folks the creeps). Let’s put it this way: it’s not often chosen for bedtime reading! In the late Nineteenth and early Twentieth Centuries a lot of emphasis was placed upon the “Rapture” or Second Coming of Christ. Most of it focused on how God was going to save some and burn others. When I read this stuff, it seems (at least to me) like the church was trying to terrify folks into believing in Jesus. As Christians, we do believe that our God is the ultimate and just judge. However, I have a problem with using fear to coerce people (especially young people) into the faith. What do you think? Have there been times you’ve experienced preaching and teaching that cast God in a terrifying light? What do you think of fear as a motivator? Does the church still use it to convert folks into believers?

This passage in Matthew is ultimately about the coming of God’s Kingdom in its fullness and the return of Jesus as Lord. This brings me to a critical note on Advent, something that escaped me until I went to seminary. In all my time growing up in the church, I thought Advent was about awaiting the birth of baby Jesus. Turns out, it’s not. It’s about awaiting the final coming of Jesus and God’s complete reign on earth. Now this is something that many of you astute theologians may have picked up on years ago…but it was news to me! We aren’t waiting on a baby. God’s been there and done that. We are waiting on the completion of God’s Kingdom: that it would be on earth as it is in heaven. What do you make of this? How have you understood the season of Advent?

The text is pretty clear about the unknown timing of the parousia (Coming of the Son of Man): the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. Yet throughout church history, there have been groups who have pored over the books of Daniel and Revelation and sifted through every piece of apocalyptic literature, attempting to nail down the exact date of Christ’ return. What do you think that’s about? Is the unknown too much for us?

The theme for the first Sunday of Advent is always hope. Does this reading give you hope? Do the other lectionary texts? Why or why not?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and reflections! Email me or post a comment here. 

Peace,

Pastor Amee

Prepared Hearts for November 24th

Hello Friends,

Welcome back to Prepared Hearts, the online Bible study of the Wacousta Community United Methodist Church.

The lectionary texts for this week are as follows:  Jeremiah 23:1-6, Luke 1:68-79, Colossians 1:11-20, and Luke 23:33-43. I will be preaching from Luke 23.

The text is below, followed by starter thoughts:

Luke 23:33-43

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!’ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’

STARTER THOUGHTS

This coming Sunday, we’ve got a lot going on. We’ll be celebrating the Hanging of the Greens, as well as Christ the King Sunday, which is the last Sunday before Advent. Christ the King Sunday has also been referred to as “Reign of Christ” Sunday, and all of the scriptural passages have to do with Christ’ authority in heaven and earth. This is a good week to check out all of the lectionary texts because the common theme is evident (which is frankly not always the case). In fact, Luke 23 seems to be the odd text out. The rest proclaim Christ’s dominion and authority, but Luke 23 describes how Jesus was mocked during his crucifixion. Why do you think this section of Luke 23 was selected as a reading for Christ the King Sunday?

The description of the other two criminals crucified with Jesus and Jesus’ prayer for those who were tormenting him are unique to Luke. The Lord’s prayer, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing,” has always touched me very deeply. As he hung upon the cross, painfully and slowly dying, Jesus prayed for those who were killing him and had a conversation with one of the criminals hanging beside him. How does this image compare with other images of kings?

Clearly, Jesus came to usher in a Kingdom that is like no other. Wherever Jesus encountered customs set up to separate and rank individuals, he was found breaking those customs and proclaiming that the meek would inherit the earth. What does it mean to today to declare Christ as King? What are the marks of his Kingdom in our world today?

As the last Sunday before Advent, Christ the King Sunday always feels like a springboard into Advent. Nearly every year, as Advent approaches, I begin to hear (as I’m sure you do) complaints about how Christmas comes earlier every year…about the commercialization of Christmas…how we’ve lost the Christ in Christmas. It’s a time of year when we (as followers of Jesus) can cave to the temptation of self-righteousness…judging others for not understanding the “true meaning” of Christmas. Personally, I’ve found that my faith in Jesus Christ doesn’t automatically make me immune from the commercialization, the shopping frenzy, and the overall stress of the season. Christ the King Sunday is the perfect time to decide what you can commit to during Advent. What prayer or meditation time do you plan to take for you and God? What devotional will you and your family use together as you light your home Advent wreath? During these dark days, how can you make room for God to shine some extra light into your life?

As always, I look forward to hearing your thoughts and reflections. Feel free to email me or post a comment here. 

Peace,

Pastor Amee

Prepared Hearts for November 10th, 2013

Hello Friends,

Welcome back to Prepared Hearts, the online Bible study of the Wacousta Community United Methodist Church.

The lectionary texts for this week are as follows:  Haggai 1:15b-2:9,  Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5:13-17, and Luke 20:27-38. I will be preaching from Luke.

The text is below, followed by starter thoughts:

Luke 20:27-38

27 Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to him 28 and asked him a question, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; 30 then the second 31 and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. 32 Finally the woman also died. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her.” 34 Jesus said to them, “Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; 35 but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. 37 And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.”

STARTER THOUGHTS

This is the kind of scripture lesson that probably fascinates some and bores others. I’ll be honest, I have enough to worry about in this life that I don’t give a lot of thought to my afterlife. I trust that God is going to take care of me, that it is going to be peaceful and beautiful, and beyond that, I don’t give it a lot of thought. I’ve known others, however, who are very interested in this topic. They search the scriptures for every indication of what life after death will be like. What about you? Is the afterlife something that you spend a lot of time considering? What are you most curious about? Do you find the mystery of it unsettling? Or is it an exciting topic for you?

 The Sadducees are an interesting group in the Bible. Although we don’t know a great deal about them, we know that they, unlike the Pharisees, rejected the oral tradition, and so they didn’t believe in resurrection or angels. The Sadducees intentionally took the topic of resurrection to an absurd level when they asked this question of Jesus. In answering their question, Jesus used the Sadducees’ own source of authority, the Law of Moses, to defend his response. If God is the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the three must still be alive to God, right? The Sadducees were satisfied with Jesus’ answer…but are you? What do you think of Jesus’ response? What about couples who have spent a lifetime in a loving marriage together…is Jesus really saying that they won’t be together in the afterlife? What do you think about that?

It’s important to put the concept of marriage in its historical context when we look at this text. It was, after all, not an institution based on love and affection at that time. It was a business arrangement which ensured procreation and community stability. Men were guaranteed wives (who were considered property) and in turn, women were protected by the law (if not for a brother to take her in, a widow would have been in sore shape). Does this fact change how you read this text? Is Jesus saying something more about the bonds and structures that shape our communities on this side of death versus the afterlife?

My favorite verse in this passage is 36: Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. I love the concept of being “children of the resurrection.” What does this make you think of? What is your vision of the afterlife? Is it based on particular scriptures or upon the oral traditions that you have received?   

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and comments. Feel free to email me or post a comment to our blog.

Peace,

Amee

Prepared Hearts for Nov 3rd, All Saints

Hello Friends,

Welcome back to Prepared Hearts, the online Bible study of the Wacousta Community United Methodist Church.

The lectionary texts for this week are as follows:  Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, Psalm 149, Ephesians 1:11-23, and Luke 6:20-31. I’ll be preaching from Ephesians.

The text is below, followed by starter thoughts:

Ephesians 1:11-23

In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

STARTER THOUGHTS

This week we will be celebrating the Feast of All Saints, which traditionally is the time of year that the church celebrates the followers of Christ who have gone before us who have shaped our faith, individually and collectively. Congregations do this in a number of ways. They may read the names aloud of those who have passed in the last year, light candles, toll a bell, etc. A colleague of mine shared with me that her church used butterflies to symbolize saints and filled trees placed up by the altar with paper butterflies in remembrance of their loved ones. Who are some of the saints who have had an impact on your faith journey? In what ways did they shape your walk? What are some of the rituals you have developed for remembering them and their importance in your life?

Of course, the term “saints” doesn’t refer simply to those who have died in Christ, it is a term that describes anyone who proclaims Jesus as Lord. Do you think of yourself as a “saint?” Why or why not? Are there saints in your life today who inspire and support you? How have they helped you grow in your understanding of discipleship? Do you think they would consider themselves “saints?”

The writer of Ephesians declares that believers have an inheritance which is part of God’s greater cosmic plan. What does this mean to you? Do you find it difficult to connect your daily life to this grand plan? Why or why not?

Being the recipient of an inheritance or inherited traits is something that most of us can relate to. What things have you inherited in life (physical traits, skills, gifts, etc.)? Are there parts of your inheritances that you’d rather give back?

As members of the church, we’ve inherited a great deal from those who have gone before us, some of it good and some of it not so great. For example, we have the blessing of Scripture, but we’ve also inherited a church that is fractured into countless denominations and sects. What are the good and bad things you’ve inherited in the faith? What are some of the things you wat the next generation of Christians to inherit? What sort of things do you hope they don’t have to inherit?

I’ve been wrestling with this text all week, so I really look forward to your thoughts and reflections. Feel free to email me or post here. 

Peace,

Pastor Amee