The summer months hold wonderful opportunities for vacation, travel, family time — all of which means that might not have seen you for a while at 1317 Main Street.  But this Sunday is Covenanting Sunday, and I hope you’ll be joining us for Bible Study, Worship, Sunday School, and a Youth gathering; to reconnect and recenter; to gather energy and inspiration as you begin the fall.  Come on back to church!  September 8th, 2013.

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This past Sunday we talked about labor, and how God calls us to approach it. At the end of the service I shared part of a blessing from the wonderful writer John O’Donohue (found in his book, Anam Cara):

May the light of your soul guide you. May the light of your soul bless the work you do with the secret love and warmth of your heart…

Many of us have been following the conflict in Syria and news of possible involvement by the United States.  This article from the Washington Post summarizes the situation, arguing that while civil war is unavoidable, our limited involvement may make chemical warfare less likely in this and other conflicts.

As we consider how to pray, and how to engage our political system,  Jesus’ teachings tell us that our aim should be a peace with justice; that we should have compassion on and seek solidarity with all who suffer; and that God is with us at all times, in all things.

God of all the nations, we pray for our sisters and brothers in Syria.  May wisdom arise; may justice spring up; may peace and mercy in time come to bloom among them.  May the longings of our hearts be a part of your holy power, always at work in the tombs of the world, bringing resurrection.  Amen.

 How did I happen?

The big task- already it is right now.

I can only have my own experience: to a dying man, a girl looks good.

The meaning of vitality: there is a whole lot to know; remain on your own!

Is nature conscious, or in the abstract?

Never really lose track of time; what’s needed is a good intellect.

Despite it all, I have energy!

Here’s a deathbed wish: I am a life-being.

Accept the remainder; there’s only a little time left.

Live right where I am: Farewell all types of earthbound people.

Jesus! What are you saying? I come to bring fire to the earth? I come not to bring peace, but division?

If we read Luke 12:49-56, we have to wonder. Did Jesus wake up on the wrong side of his sleeping mat? Did he have a bad fight with his favorite disciple? Where is the one who will lead us on paths of peace?

Although Jesus is a messenger of peace, he is also someone who knows that human life – and God’s call – can lead to conflict. In fact, our fear of conflict sometimes gets in the way of life, of growth, of God. Is there a place in your life where division and conflict could be the path towards a deep, true, holy peace?

God, free us from politeness, fear, and submission. May we be baptized with your fire, refined and renewed and inspired. May we be brave enough for division if it is the way towards your peace, which passes all understanding. Amen.

This past Sunday, I mentioned Pope Francis and the waves he has made in the past few months.  You can read more here from the National Catholic reporter.  How do the actions of the most visible Christian in the world impact us as those from another branch of the Christian family?

“Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:16-17

The prophet Isaiah is probably best known for the beautiful words we hear in the seasons of Advent and Christmas: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; a child has been born, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. But Isaiah, like all prophets, also has words of judgment and warning for us. In the very first chapter of his book, Isaiah rebukes the people of Judah harshly. They are, he says, evil and corrupt: utterly estranged from God.

How have the Judeans earned this scathing indictment? They spend too much money on churchy things: burnt offerings and incense. They require the local farmers to attend too many festivals, a hardship, because time away from the fields meant a loss of preciously needed income. They have an excess of food, and enjoy prosperous ease, while forgetting the poor and needy.

The people of Judah have gotten extravagant.  They’re failing to look after those who are most vulnerable among them. The prophet counsels them: “Cease to do evil, learn to do good: seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.”

We have all too much in common with the Judean people, and it’s hard to enjoy this scriptural lecture when we realize it’s directed at us, as well. But dare I say that this kind of lecture is often good for us? Our encounters with the Living God should be powerful and challenging enough to slowly free us from all of the lies we have been taught, from all of the injustices we are complicit in, and from all of the habits that are harmful to us. Our encounters should liberate us to love God and our neighbor with all our hearts, and minds, and strength; and our neighbors as ourselves.

Wherever we are on our journey, God invites us to try again, to take one more step towards humility, towards simplicity, towards compassion, towards justice. What step could you take?  What freedom could you embrace?

God, embolden us to understand where we have gone wrong. Awaken our trust in your mercy. Through your grace, may we slowly become who you created us to be, ceasing to do evil, and learning to do good. Amen.

You may not have met Mary. She hasn’t been to church for many years. Some of us had the privilege of visiting her in her house on Main Street, or more recently, in a nursing home. We heard all kinds of stories about her 97 years of life, and she was curious about our stories, too.

Martha was one of those who visited Mary. Here is her reflection:

Today I did something I have never done before and received a most amazing and unexpected gift in return: a new friend.  After church, I delivered communion to Mary in her house.  Not only was the sharing of the bread and cup incredibly moving for both of us, but also we discovered that we have much in common, including the same birthday.  “I’m going to be 96 in March,” she said.  “What date in March?” I responded, but as soon as I asked the question, I knew she would answer the 25th.  God was powerfully present for me today in Mary’s kitchen.

We’ll be celebrating Mary’s life this Thursday, July 25th, at 11:30 at the Concord Funeral Home. Thanks be to God for her presence, witness, service, and wonderful smile.

You can learn more about the ministry of local UCC churches by reading the Massachusetts’ Conference Spotlight.  This month’s spotlight highlights a ministry called Chaplains on the Way, which works to build relationships with and offer spiritual support to people who are experiencing homelessness, living in poverty, or living with mental illness or addiction: “I feel we are acting like Veronica,” said Murray, referring to the woman who gave Jesus her veil so He could wipe his forehead while He carried his cross to Golgotha.  “She didn’t stop the crucifixion, but when she touched Him there was a momentary sense of relief and in that moment she received back some of Jesus, through the imprint in her veil.  We experience that same God when we make that face-to-face connection with someone in need.”  Learn more here.

Our denomination gathered and wonderful things happened!  Take a look:

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