#askingforafriend (this week's sermon)

June 7, 2015

2^nd Sunday after Pentecost

Genesis 3:8-15

Psalm 130

2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1

Mark 3:20-35

Please pray with me,

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable in your sight O God, our rock, our strength and our redeemer.  Amen. 

My guess is, that as long as people have been around and have wondered about things, they’ve been asking questions.  Now here’s the thing, I can take a guess that there are more than just a handful of us who have wanted to know the answer to something, but may have been embarrassed to ask for ourselves.  So at some point in time, we started phrasing questions with, I have a friend who….or a friend of mine was wondering…

Does this sound familiar? 

For example, many of you know I like to exercise and that I have a weakness for ice cream.  So I may say something like, a friend of mine wants to know if a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream counts as one serving.  You know, it’s an embarrassing question, and if I’m asking, you can better believe that I have already eaten a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream in one sitting…but if I ask in reference to a friend, then it turns the attention away from me. 

Although, truth be told, whenever we start a question like that, we pretty much know that people will think we are talking about ourselves anyway. 

With the popularity of social media, the hashtag askingforafriend has become quite popular. 

#askingforafriend

Here are some questions that you are asking…not for yourself of course but for a friend. 

If no one actually sees you eat an entire bag of Twizzlers do the calories count? 

Just wondering...is it "acceptable" to fall asleep in the dentist chair?

If one intended to make chocolate cake and ended up with brownies, is that considered a fail or a win?

How do you move on with life after Parks and Rec?

Is it wrong to want to be engaged just so that I can go to cake tastings? 

How many cats are too many cats? 

Hypothetically. How many calories do you burn if you sit on the treadmill WHILE eating a piece of red velvet cake?

Say you’re sitting alone in a coffee shop.....even the owner is away in a back room. "YMCA" comes on the sound system.  Do you make the motions? 

I know Jesus said, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemes they utter, but what about whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit?

Let’s hear that one again, I know Jesus said, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemes they utter, but what about whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit?

Because really, that’s the question of today’s gospel reading, isn’t it? 

While there are many different questions that may arise as we read through today’s passage, verse 29 seems to grab our attention, when Jesus says, “but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of eternal sin.”

This is the verse that seems to make us wonder.  This is the verse that even allows us to forget about the verse that came just before it. 

Just before Jesus speaks these words he says, “Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter.” 

That’s the good news, my friends.  That is the message to take away today, that people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter.  Period.  End of sentence.  Full stop. 

But, our own human sinfulness leads us to wonder….or to want to ask for a friend….what about that one unforgivable sin….what if I (or rather) what if a friend of mine commits that unforgivable sin, what about them? 

Well, friends, I’m here to tell you that there is a slim to none chance of us ever committing that sin.  Because really, blaspheming the Holy Spirit?  That’s more than using the Lord’s name in vain.  That’s more than saying God I’m mad at your or shouting God, I hate you!  It’s truly coming to the point in your life and your faith that God is no longer a God of love, but all that you’ve reached the point in your life that you see God and all the work that God has done in this world and the gift that God has given us in Jesus is evil.  That’s pretty extreme. 

I pray that even if you are struggling through life and faith, you are still able to see God and the gift’s God has given to you through Jesus and this community of faith of love and support, that you see God at work in your life through love.  

Because here’s the thing, we all fall short. 

We are all in need of God’s grace. 

Heck, we’re reminded of it in our first lesson today.  It’s from Genesis where Adam and Eve had already eaten of the fruit, realized they were naked and they had hidden from God.

If there were social media back in the time of the Old Testament, I bet this would’ve popped up in your feed.

Do you think it is okay to eat this fruit that God commanded us not to eat? 

Okay, maybe not…

But the reality of original sin is here…the reality is…that each of us is imperfect. 

We all fall short. 

We are all in need of God’s grace. 

Sure it’s easy like Adam and like Eve to place the blame on someone else, but we all know that we are not perfect.  We all know and we all carry with us some form of self-hate. 

There is something, within all of us, that we are ashamed of, that we hide from others and try, too, to hid from God. 

No one is immune. 

Look at me….since I’ve been here, I’ve lost 20 pounds and am at a healthy weight…but it is still a struggle for me.  A daily struggle to look in a mirror, to step on a scale and to know what the good and healthy habits are that I should have….but the reality is, I don’t follow them. 

My self-hate is that I don’t like the relationship that I have with food and exercise. 

Maybe your self-hate is that you don’t like the relationship you have with your parents. 

Maybe your self-hate is that you don’t like the way you treat tour children.
Maybe it’s that you don’t like the way you depend on alcohol or cigarettes.
Maybe it’s that you don’t like the way you interact with your spouse.
Maybe you don’t like the way you see yourself in the mirror.
Maybe you don’t like the way you disrespect others.
Maybe you don’t like the way your take out your anger.
Maybe you don’t like the way you spend your money.
You name it…we all come before God…just like Adam and Eve….knowing that we do things that we are ashamed of, that we try to hide from others and from ourselves….and from God.  

So where does that leave us? 

I would say it’s like that show, Naked and Afraid, but it’s not. 

You see, even though we come before God knowing what we’ve done wrong, God has wrapped us in a new baptismal garment, and wraps us in his loving arms time and time again.

We are forgiven. 

We are loved.

We are most certainly NOT alone, because through the waters of baptism we are called into the community of Christ and the family of God.  

And because of this love and this grace, we are freed from trying to be perfect, freed from the sins and self-hatred that try to tear us apart, and we are freed to love and serve others. 

 

This may be a better question:

Freed from sin through the waters of baptism, how can that love be shared with others?

How would you answer that question for a friend? 

How can this love and grace that we receive be shared with others?
Though our words and actions…in the work of this place…as we love and support our graduates as they enter new phases of their lives…as we reach out to feed our neighbors at Opportunity House and City Light Minstries….as we pray for and support the 13 youth of trinity being confirmed this weekend…as we speak out against injustice in our community and nation…as we feed the hungry…shelter the homeless…heal the sick….comfort the sad and lonely….the opportunities are endless. 


Go from this place, freed from sin and death to love and serve others. 
And may the peace, which passes all understanding keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus and let all God’s people say, amen. 

Prayer & healing homily and then some

So I preached at tonight's prayer and healing service.  I talked about how Jesus is not just found in the unexpected places but that Jesus purposely goes to those unexpected places to meet those who are hurting, sick, alone, broken or just down in the dumps. 

I used an image of a young boy holding up a little trash can saying, "He's hiding in there."

"Who?" Mom asks.  

"Jesus."  

Jesus...in the place least likely.  In the trash.  Boom. There he is.  

Jesus purposely travels to be with tax collectors and prostitues, to those who are outcast, untouchable or just plain forgotten. 

I talked about how Jesus has been present for me and many others in the unexpected place of Converse sneakers. I talked about how we are all connected through the waters of baptism to Sarah, to her family and to each other.  And no matter what we brought to worship tonight in our own little trash cans that Jesus would be there. Especially in the places we would rather hide from others and Jesus.  

But he continues to come to us, in those moments, and that's the key...where we are is where Jesus comes to us. 

And we are not in this alone.  We walk this journey together and we love and pray for and care for one another in the midst of it all. 

And then we sang the hymn, We come to you for healing, Lord. (ELW 617)

And it was verse three that got me. (I picked the lessons and hymns last week.). 

"You touch is through physicians' skills,

Through nurses' gifts of care,

And through the love of faithful friends

Who lift our lives in prayer."

You touch us through the love of faithful friends who lift our lives in prayer.  

We took time for laying on of hands (which is a staple in this service) we prayed together, we passed the peace, we shared in communion together.  

At the close of the service after many hugs and smiles. One woman came up and hugged me and said that she didn't know how I had the strong faith that I did. (praphrased) 

I told her that I am just like everyone else...and it's only by being lifted by others, by this community of faith and by her that I can believe.  

Thanks be to God that we are not in this alone, that we are nurtured and cared for by others.  By friends and family near and far, by brothers and sisters in Christ in our communities and around the world.  

As mom saw many comments of love and support on my Facebook page after sharing Sarah's death she posted The following comment, "All these supportive comments are the manifestation of our love and concern for each other in times of extreme sadness and loss.  You are all people who care about life and each other.  That is the gospel in action in the world.  You all matter."  Preach it, Helen. 

That is all. 

Continuing as best as I can this night...thankfully knowing that others are caring for Sarah's family and friends and for me.  

Thanks and peace. 

Last Wednesday's Reflection

March 4, 2015

Holden Evening Prayer

Lenten Reflection

Gathered in Grace…Forgiveness

Luke 15:11-32

Please pray with me,

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O God, our rock, our strength and our redeemer.  Amen.  

 

At the Lenten Fair on Sunday, our Sunday school kids were learning our mission statement.

Called by Christ, Gathered in Grace, Joyfully Serving. 

Sitting in with the 5^th & 6^th grade class, they asked, what is grace? 

Good question.  At first I tried to define it….and if asked again, I would say, it is forgiveness in the place you least expect it. 

But in the moment I shared this story...

Last month during a sermon I was preaching on healing, the congregation was invited to come up for the laying on of hands and a prayer of healing and peace.  As I went around to different individuals at the altar railing, I said their name as part of the prayer.  Towards the end of a line of people, I placed my hands on Chris' head, blessed her and went on to the next person. 

It wasn't until I got back to my office, well after worship, that I realized it wasn't Chris, it was Sue.  I felt horrible.  I sent her a note that week apologizing for my mistake and how I had hoped that by getting her name wrong that I had not made the experience unpleasant for her. 

When I saw her in worship the next Sunday, I said, "I am so sorry!"  She said, "You are amazing." 

Huh? 

She said, "You were going down the line and saying everyone's names and getting them all right, and I thought to myself, she's getting them all right, she's perfect.  And then you messed up my name and I thought, phew, she's human." 

What is grace?  Forgiveness in the place you least expect it. 

Maybe you've seen it in this place, too.  During communion, sometimes little ones come up with their parents or grandparents and the kiddos are grumpy, they may have tears on their faces and you can see the unhappiness at the communion railing…yet all the while, those children of God, too, receive the blessing, the meal, the love of God…..whether we or mom or dad think they deserve it in that moment or not….it is given. 

What is grace?  Forgiveness in the place you least expect it. 

In the story of the prodigal son….

It is when the father rushes and runs out to meet the son, wraps him in a warm embrace and treats him as royalty. 

We don’t always understand who is forgiven and why….maybe that makes us more like the older brother on some days…being disgruntled about why this reckless younger brother has been welcomed home with open arms. 

But then that leads us right back to this railing…where all are welcome.  All are loved and all are forgiven.  And isn’t that the challenging piece for us…that called by Christ, gathered in grace, we are called to forgive as we have been (and continue to be) forgiven. 

That’s what makes this place different than the real world…not that we are special, non-sinners who are perfect in God’s eyes and will never, ever do anything wrong, and that we are better than those people who squander their families riches and come running back with their tail between their legs….no, we are just like the younger brother…we have squandered things, made mistakes and sought forgiveness….and so we too, are called to forgive those who have wronged us, who have hurt us and with those whom we disagree. 

That’s not to say there won’t be consequences for our actions or the actions of others, but we are called to forgive, not to ignore, or exclude, but to forgive with the power of God’s grace and love. 

Think about a time when you did not expect to be forgiven….how did that grace moment feel? 

Think about how a word or action from you could be the same feeling for someone else. 

This is an amazing gift that we have been given by God. 

My prayers continue that we are able to receive the grace of God….and gathered in that grace, that we are free to forgive others as God continues to forgive us. 

And now may the peace which passes all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus and let all God’s people say, amen.  

Sunday's Sermon-ish

Here is the basis of what was preached this weekend. 
The stories took on a different form at each service.  Thanks to people who were in worship who were willing to be examples of God in our midst here and now. 

February 15, 2015

Transfiguration B

1 Kings 2:1-12
Psalm 50:1-6
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Mark 9:2-9

Please pray with me,

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight O God, our rock and our redeemer.  Amen. 
This morning we find ourselves on a mountain top and not just the mountain that overlooks Robesonia, but a mountaintop with Jesus, Peter, James and John. 
I don’t know about you, but because of my camp experience and travel experiences I’ve seen many mountains.  My native area of New England is home to many hills and mountains.  My summers at camp were up in New Hampshire, in an area called the White Mountain region…we went hiking often. 
Yet all those ranges throughout New England cannot even compare to the mountains I have seen in Alaska.  Wow…that’s all I can say.  They say everything is bigger in Alaska…and there is some truth to that.  The city of Anchorage is surrounded by a beautiful mountain range.  It’s a wonder to see the buildings of the city against the backdrop of the majestic mountains. 
While up in Alaska several summers ago, I had the opportunity to hike Mount Marathon.  Many people run up this mountain each year as part of a race...it’s a tricky course, not well groomed or marked, but people run it for a medal and bragging rights that they have run up and down a mountain.  Well, a few of us thought we would try it out. 
At the base of the mountain, the following notices were posted:

But we went for it, anyway!  Needless to say, we gave it our best shot to get up that mountain.  It was pretty treacherous and tricky…there was lots of slipping and sliding, but once we made it to the top….wow. 

Seriously, the view from the top was amazing…the view was spectacular.  We saw the whole town of Seward and were surrounded by even higher snow capped mountains. 

What a sight to see.  We didn’t want to leave…

Part of the reason we wanted to stay was because we knew the trip down would probably more difficult than the way up.  Part of that was because we didn’t want to leave the beautiful view. 
Who am I kidding?  We were worried about going back down. 
But we couldn’t stay on the top.  While the top of the mountain is a wonderful place to be, it’s not where we are meant to stay. 
While Peter, James and John are up on the mountain, they too see a marvelous sight.  Jesus is transfigured in front of them.  His appearance becomes one of dazzling white.  He is in the presence of Elijah and Moses. 
Upon seeing this sight, Peter is not sure what to do about it. 
He’s in shock…but he knows this is an amazing thing, so he wishes to capture the moment. 
In his confusion and fear, Peter wants somehow to preserve this moment.  As challenging as it is to understand, he wishes to hold onto this moment and never let it go.  He prefers not to leave the mountaintop.  He wishes to treasure this moment. 
I wonder what Peter’s selfie would look like from that mountaintop experience? 
How often do we find ourselves in this situation...where what is happening to us at a certain moment is so wonderful that we wish to preserve it.  We wish that it will not end.  In a way, we wish to keep it to ourselves. 
I was at a concert last year.  It was They Might be Giants.  Billy and I went with John and Tara Clauss.  As the show began, they said, we see some of you recording this show.  We don't mind you recording it...but think of the person behind you and all they can see is your hand holding the smart phone.  Don't be that jerk.  (But they didn't use the word jerk.) But they said...don't be that person...because for one, you block the view of the person behind you.  And two, you pretty much miss the whole experience because you are worried about the quality of the recording.  And I'll add three, when you go to watch the video you will only be able to see what is within the confines of the screen.  You'll miss the 'whole' experience. 
One of the highlights of our honeymoon in New Orleans was the evening we spent at Preservation Hall.  It's the home to a deep history of jazz musicians and concerts.  We waited in line for nearly an hour for a 45 minute show.  As we entered the hall, we got to sit on the last two cushions on the floor right in front of the band.  (The trombone slide nearly hit us during the show.) 
Before the band came in, we were welcomed to this little piece of jazz history.  We were asked to put away our phones and recording devices and were invited to be immersed in the music and experience for the next 45 minutes.  Everybody did.  It's 45 minutes of amazing music, laughter, and applause that isn't repeatable. 
Thankfully we captured the moment in our hearts. 
How many of you wish you could capture a moment like that?  That you were so blown away by the experience that you felt like Peter and wanted to build a tent and dwell there and never leave? 
I pray that that happens in this place week after week. 
That we see Jesus transfigured before us through the bread and the wine of communion and through the words of confession and forgiveness. 
It also happened last week in this space. As Neil and Julieann P. were serving as ushers during communion, SarahAnne was not pleased.  Nicole D. tried her best to soothe the tears, but SarahAnne would not be calmed.  And then, from across the sanctuary, Amy S. walked over and scooped up SarahAnne and just held her in the side of the sanctuary and she was at peace.  It happened....just there...in the midst of communion...Jesus being transfigured as the Body of Christ came together to love and support one another. 
It also happened at Ozgoods on Thursday.  As Pastor Bill, Vicar Tommy and I were out to lunch we saw Alyssa and her kids enjoying lunch. 
Well, they popped out of the booth to wave and smile at us as we ate and when we left, we stopped in to say goodbye.  As we went to leave, Sammie asked mom to get something to give to Pastor Jen...it was the valentine she had made at story time at the library that morning.  I asked if I could give her a hug and she said yes! 
Not to be outdone, Josie stood up and said I want to give Pastor Bill a kiss! 
(Now, what you need to know is that we were saying goodbye as they were eating dessert.  Ice cream sundaes, no less.) 
Pastor Bill got a bit of chocolate syrup, ice cream and whipped cream with his kiss.  I got a little too.  And just then in those moments, God broke into Ozgoods...into the bodies of two 4 year olds sharing valentines and hugs and kisses.
Can you see it happening?  Where are you seeing Jesus transfigured in your midst?  How are you capturing that moment?  And how are you sharing it with others? 
We are called to see and experience God in this world.  
Gracious God give us the eyes to see, the bodies to feel and the voices to share this amazing news with everyone we meet. 

And now my the peace which passes all understanding keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus and let all god's people say, amen. 

So it begins...

Here it is, Ash Wednesday. 

The Lenten journey begins as we remember from whence we came and to where it is we will return.
dust. 

Two years ago, I read and journaled through the 40+ days with the book 40 Day Journey with Julian of Norwich  by Lisa Dahill.  Last year, I spent time during the 40+ days taking pictures guided by a word a day for a photo a day.  Although, truth be told, I often was scrambling at the end of the day to find something that fit a word. 

This year, I had hoped to do another 40 day journey, but when I found a different book on Amazon, it wouldn't have been shipped until the end of February.  (This tends to happen when you think about your Lenten practice a week or less before the beginning of the season.) 

I ended up going with Writing to God: 40 Days of Praying with my Pen by Rachel G. Hackenberg.  I'll have to figure out what to do on Sundays, but I'm sure I'll come up with something.  Today's prompt included a poem, a passage from Ezekiel and a question to get the prayer juices flowing.  It was a really cool experience to be guided into putting the prayer on paper without thinking it out first.  I look forward to more prompts and different ways of expressing thoughts, questions and ideas to God. 

Before I did that, this morning, I looked at the Lent Photo a Day Facebook page.   (Feel free to look them up and like them on Facebook.)  You'll see this picture on their facebook page.

Today's word is dust.  My goal is to look at this guide first thing every morning.  And so today I did....and after finishing my written prayer, I snapped this photo.

It all comes back to dust.  

But in the case of my writing prompt this morning, it was dust as a verb.  It got me to thinking and praying about what dust I need God to sweep away out of different areas of my life in order that I may see God and God at work in my life more clearly. 

As this journey begins for you (or doesn't if your faith is different than mine) may you be continue to think about dust.  Whether it reminds you of a mess or the lack of time to clean or the truth of our existence.  

May this season, this journey to the cross, ever and always draw us nearer to God who loves us unconditionally and is always with us. 

+peace

A year in 40 pictures.

It's been a great year.

As I entered my 40s last February I thought about keeping track of fun, amazing, life changing events that I could look through as I turned 41.  It would've been super simple.  A jar and some slips of paper.  Maybe that will happen this coming year.  It didn't happen this past year, but here are some pictures that highlight year 40.

1) Breakfast on my 40th Birthday.  Cap'n Crunch french toast :) (With my husband.) 

2) Just another Friday night at Trinity....with over 100 youth at the West Berks Mission District Lock In.  

3) Quality time with my newborn nephew, Chase, and his amazing mom and dad.  

4) Mmmmmm...local breakfast at Shorty's Sunflower cafe, on St. Patrick's Day.  Carbomb pancakes. 

5) Muppets Most Wanted...with Chris (and just 4 other people in the theater.)

6) Good times with the Andersen family in CT.  

After a rainy day inside at the science center, we posed in puddles.  :)

7)  Second female...1st in my age bracket.  

8) #30daysofbiking Day 8:The reward for struggling with the hills. Downhill, that is, into the 19 mph winds.

9)  My yearly Easter morning breakfast selfie with this awesome lady!

10) Inter-office shenanigans.  

11)  A solid run at the Fox Trot 5K...another placement this spring.  

12)  Trying on my class t-shirt from the 5th grade....and it fits.  

13)  How do you eat a cupcake?

14)  FED at the Pocono retreat. 

15) Spring eats: asparagus quiche.  

16) Staff training devos at Bear Creek Camp.  

17) Yay....Joan and Ted are married!  So we posed for a picture, too.  

18) Senior High Beach retreat truck buddies!

19)  Survival snacks for VBS.

20) A peanut butter problem?  I don't think so.  

21)  Ah...the summer harvest.  Local corn for the fritters and the homemade gazpacho. 

22) Photos with minion balloons at 5th quarter.  

23) Holy hops, batman.  

24) Running the Hartford 1/2 with my awesome sister....as our husbands watched in the rain.  

25) That time I finished a porknado. 

26) A PR and 2nd female overall! 

27) Family. 

28) This girl. 

29) Great friends and a football game.  

30)  Sneakers for Sarah in Detroit!

31) Moving (fishing) for people Bible Study.  

32) Face timing with my nephew.  

33) Honored to be this little guy's godmother. 

34)  Walking a mile with the love of my life between tasting chocolates, riding the trolley, making our own candy bar and solving the mystery at the 4D theater in Hershey

And that was all before a tasty dinner at Troegs.  

35) Christmas Eve....sockies.  (Sock-selfies?)  Loved the socks on the acolyte next to me...nearly as much as I adore the awesome gal wearing them.  

36) Believe it or not, I maintained my weight between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day!  

37)  Sometimes I need extra motivation in the morning to get to the gym.

38)  Family (aka the group) gathering for a wedding in New York.  A fun walk mid afternoon.  

39)  The joy of baking...to enjoy with friends. 

40) Running a 5K with these two amazing chicks.  One completed her first 5K that day.  The other had a C-section just less than two months earlier.  

An excellent year.  One with miles, smiles, good eats and lots and lots of love.  So thankful for all the great folks in my life.  This is just a glimpse into the past 12 months.  I bet I have several more blog posts worth of photos from this past year.  But this was a fun way to see the year.  Thanks for reading/viewing.

+peace.