Prepared Hearts for February 2nd

Hello Friends,

Welcome back to Prepared Hearts and my apologies for getting this out so late this week! 

This week’s lectionary texts include: Micah 6:1-8, Psalm 15, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 and Matthew 5:1-12. We will be focusing on the Gospel lesson, which is below, followed by starter thoughts.

MATTHEW 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

 ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

 ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

 ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

 ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

 ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

 ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

 ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

STARTER THOUGHTS

1.   The Gospel lesson this week pairs nicely with the Hebrew Scripture from Micah. Read the text from Micah 6 (one of my personal favorites) and then this portion of Matthew again. What similarities do you see between the teachings of the Prophet Micah and Jesus?

2.   This portion of the Sermon on the Mount is commonly referred to as “The Beatitudes” (translated: the “blessings”). Although it is a very familiar text, it contains teachings that counter nearly every cultural norm of our society. Jesus takes what we would normally consider the worst of circumstances and declares that blessings belong to those who encounter them. What do you make of the fact that nearly every blessing he mentions is bestowed on those who are empty or weak?

3.   Which of these blessings speak to you? Take some time to reflect on some of the greatest blessings of your life. In what ways have you experienced the blessings Jesus speaks of?

4.   What does this text say to you about a state of being blessed, as opposed to a state of feeling good or happy in the moment? What does it mean to you to be “blessed?”

5.   Which of Christ’ statements do you think require deeper reflection? For example, what do you think is meant by being “poor in spirit”? Who are the meek?

6.   As you read through the list, recall saints of your own life who reflected these blessed traits. What did their peacemaking look like? How were they merciful? Does the church allow for much diversity of experience or do we make assumptions about what someone “pure in heart” must be like?  

7.   Finally, what portions of The Beatitudes do you find hard to swallow? Does any portion of this text rub you the wrong way? Why or why not?

As always, I look forward to your thoughts and reflections. 

Please feel free to email me or post a comment here.

Peace,

Pastor Amee

Prepared Hearts for January 26th

Hello Friends,

This week we are taking a break from the lectionary to engage in a Wesley Covenant Renewal Service. Our text for this week is 1 Peter 1:13-2:10, which is below. Also on this blog site is a copy of the covenant we will be using this Sunday.

1 Peter 1:13-2:5

 Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’

 If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.

 Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. For ‘All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord endures for ever.’ That word is the good news that was announced to you.

Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

STARTER THOUGHTS

1.      There’s a lot to chew on in this passage of scripture. What stood out most to you as you read it? Were there portions you found easier or harder to read?

2.      1 Peter is a letter of encouragement that celebrates the eternal inheritance enjoyed by those who are born anew. However, this rebirth is the springboard for transformation. Reread verses 13-16. What does it mean to you to prepare your mind for action? To discipline yourself? To set all your hope on Jesus? What “desires that you formerly had in ignorance” are you being called to relinquish?

3.      This text contains many admonishments but little practical advice. For example the command to “be holy” is great, but how does one go about doing that? Peter tells us to “Rid [ourselves] of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander.” This is easier said than done. Societal pressures to envy others are everywhere and malice is commonplace in our culture. How do we go about becoming spiritual houses? What are some of the practices that you think are essential for us to be holy people?

4.      The Wesley Covenant Prayer (also on this webpage) will be at the center of this Sunday’s worship. As you read over this, are there portions that seem questionable to you? Are there parts you disagree with or have a hard time accepting? Why?

5.      From an outsider’s perspective, how do you think those who have put their lives in God’s hands appear or act differently from those who have no faith? Or how should we act differently?

As always, I look forward to your thoughts. Feel free to email me or post here.

Peace,

Amee

  

Wesley Covenant Renewal Service-Adapted

Wesley’s Covenant Renewal Service

Wesley found the Covenant Service to be a rich and meaningful, as expressed in his  Journal: “Many mourned before God, and many were comforted” (April 1756); “It was, as usual, a time of remarkable blessing” (October 1765); “It was an occasion for a variety of spiritual experiences ... I do not know that ever we had a greater blessing. Afterwards many desired to return thanks, either for a sense of pardon, for full salvation, or for a fresh manifestation of His graces, healing all their backslidings” (January 1, 1775). In London these services were usually held on New Year's Day. Around the country the Covenant Service was conducted whenever John Wesley visited the Methodist Societies.

The heart of the service, focused in the Covenant Prayer, requires persons to commit themselves to God. This covenant is serious and assumes adequate preparation for and continual response to the covenant.

The following is the covenant portion of next week’s Wesley Covenant Renewal Service:

INVITATION:

Commit yourselves to Christ as his servants. Give yourselves to him, that you may belong to him.

Christ has many services to be done. Some are more easy and honorable, others are more difficult and disgraceful. Some are suitable to our inclinations and interests, others are contrary to both.

In some we may please Christ and please ourselves. But then there are other works where we cannot please Christ except by denying ourselves. It is necessary, therefore, that we consider what it means to be a servant of Christ. Let us, therefore, go to Christ, and pray:

Let me be your servant, under your command.

I will no longer be my own.

I will give up myself to your will in all things.

Be satisfied that Christ shall give you your place and work.

Lord, make me what you will.

I put myself fully into your hands:

     put me to doing, put me to suffering,

     let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you,

     let me be full, let me be empty,

     let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and with a willing heart

     give it all to your pleasure and disposal.

Christ is the source of all salvation for all who seek him. Christ does not seek to enter through coercion or fear. He seeks servants who openly consent to his way. To make this covenant a reality in your life, listen to these admonitions: First, set apart some time, more than once, to be spent alone before the Lord; in seeking earnestly God's special assistance and gracious acceptance of you; in carefully thinking through all the conditions of the covenant; in searching your hearts whether you have already freely given your life to Christ.

Consider what your sins are. Consider the laws of Christ, how holy they are, and whether you, after having carefully considered them, are willing to choose them. Be sure you are clear in these matters, being honest with yourself and open to God. Second, be serious and in a spirit of holy awe and reverence. Third, claim God's covenant, rely upon God's promise of giving grace and strength, so you can keep your promise. Trust not your own strength and power. Fourth, resolve to be faithful. You have given to the Lord your hearts, you have opened your mouths to the Lord, and you have dedicated yourself to God. With God's power, never go back.  And last, be then prepared to renew your covenant with the Lord.

COVENANT PRAYER

O righteous God, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, see me as I am before you.

Forgive my unfaithfulness in not having done your will, for you have promised mercy to me if I turn to you with my whole heart.

God requires that you shall put away all your idols.

I here from the bottom of my heart renounce them all, covenanting with you that no known sin shall be allowed in my life. Against your will, I have turned my love toward the world. In your power I will watch all temptations that will lead me away from you.

Through Christ, God seeks to be sovereign in all hearts that love the Lord and seek to live in peace with one another.

Before all heaven and earth, I here acknowledge you as my Lord and God.

I take you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for my portion, and vow to give up myself, body and soul, as your servant, to serve you in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life.

God has given the Lord Jesus Christ as the way and means of coming to God.

Jesus, I do here accept Christ as the living Way for my life, and sincerely join myself in a covenant with him. O blessed Jesus, I come to you recognizing my need of you in my life. I do here, with all my power, accept you as my Lord and Head and vow that you are the Lord, my righteousness.

I take you for my guide. I take your will as my law.

Christ has told you that you must suffer with him.

I do here covenant with you, O Christ, to take my lot with you as it may fall. Through your grace I promise that neither life nor death shall part me from you.

God has given holy laws as the rule of your life.

I do here willingly put my neck under your yoke, to carry your burden. All your laws are holy, just, and good. I therefore take them as the rule for my words, thoughts, and actions, promising that I will strive to order my whole life according to your direction, and not allow myself to neglect anything I know to be my duty.

The almighty God searches and knows your heart.

O God, you know that I make this covenant with you today out of a sincere desire to order my life according to your will. If any falsehood or confusion be within my heart, guide me and help me to set it aright.

And now, glory be to you, O God the Creator of all, whom I look upon as my source of wisdom and strength. Glory be to you, O God the Son, who is my Savior and Redeemer. Glory be to you, O God the Holy Spirit, who by your almighty power have turned my heart from sin to God.

I, through your infinite grace, have become your covenant servant. So be it.

And let the covenant I have made on earth be ratified in heaven. Amen.

Prepared Hearts for January 19th

Hello Friends,

Welcome back to Prepared Hearts, our online lectionary based Bible study. This week’s lectionary texts include: Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 40:1-11, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42. This Sunday is also Human Relations Sunday. I’ll be preaching on evangelism, a thread that runs throughout each of this week’s texts, so please spend some time with each of them. The Isaiah scripture is below as it is my primary text, and starter thoughts follow.

Isaiah 49:1-7

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.

He made my mouth like a sharp sword,

   in the shadow of his hand he hid me;

he made me a polished arrow,

   in his quiver he hid me away.

And he said to me, ‘You are my servant,

   Israel, in whom I will be glorified.’

But I said, ‘I have labored in vain,

   I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;

yet surely my cause is with the Lord,

   and my reward with my God.’

And now the Lord says,

   who formed me in the womb to be his servant,

to bring Jacob back to him,

   and that Israel might be gathered to him,

for I am honored in the sight of the Lord,

   and my God has become my strength—

he says,

‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant

   to raise up the tribes of Jacob

   and to restore the survivors of Israel;

I will give you as a light to the nations,

   that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’

Thus says the Lord,

   the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One,

to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations,

   the slave of rulers,

‘Kings shall see and stand up,

   princes, and they shall prostrate themselves,

because of the Lord, who is faithful,

   the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.’

STARTER THOUGHTS

1. What does the word “evangelism” mean to you? How would you define it? What role does it play in your daily life? Or does it play a role in your daily life?

2. The Psalmist describes in Chapter 40, verses 9 & 10 how he has “told of the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation.” Have you shared your own story of faith to a gathering of Christians or have you heard others do so? What was that experience like?

3. Paul commends the church in Corinth, “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you...” How do you think the testimony of Christ was strengthened among them? How is the testimony of Christ being strengthened within our church?

4. In the Gospel text John declares, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” If you were to see Jesus walking toward you tomorrow, what would you say about him to those standing near you?

5. Finally, in Isaiah we read how God has spoken to the Prophet declaring, “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” What does it mean that God’s light would reach to the ends of the earth?

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

Peace,

Pastor Amee

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