WEEKLY MESSAGE

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 Pastor Andrea celebrated Easter Morning in a festive service, remembering how several women discovered Jesus' empty tomb, later to find that he was risen indeed. Our jubilant congregation shared in remembering this event, also remembering our church's archives room, how our church started as a vision from Ada Beck in 1902. Without the discovery by the women in Jesus' time, as well as the start of this church by Ada Beck and others, we would not be sitting here today. This is the jumping-off space of our own story of faith. We are learning in this in-between status of our lives. We are learning there is hope in the spaces between doubt and uncertainty. We are continuing to ask where God is leading us today. We have encountered the empty tomb and are continuing to worship, never to forget the good news of a risen Christ. 

On April 6, Pastor Andrea described Jesus' encounter with a blind man and Zaccheus, a chief tax collector in Jericho. It is instructive for us to understand that he loved each person in his own way. She shared the Ana Warner 1860 poem, "Jesus loves me and I'm trying." She reassured us with the truth that Jesus loves you and me.

Pastor Andrea proclaimed March 30 as "Rejoice Sunday"! Her robe was rose-colored to recognize the day. The sermon focused on the fig tree parable, in which the owner of a vineyard becomes impatient with a fig tree which has failed to produce fruit for four years. Thus, fruit would be expected in five years. Pastor offered a unique view of this parable, suggesting not that the vineyard owner represents God, but that we represent the owner. Like him, we need to wait and continue to develop as disciples of the Lord Jesus, showing compassion for others as we grow like the fig tree 

   On March 23. Pastor Andrea focused on the story of the Prodigal Son, who returned to his father from a lifetime of debauchery. Despite objections from his brother, whose life was exemplary, his dad celebrated and hugged his newfound son in welcome and love. Pastor asked how we might react when we find something that we thought we had lost. For ourselves, let's understand that God is seeking us and won't rest until we are found and will welcome us with a party on our behalf when we are found. 

   March 16 continued the message from The Good Samaritan. Here Jesus went down the road to Jerusalem, to the home of Martha and her sister Mary. He had visited there several times in his ministry. During the visit, Martha does the work while Mary sits at Jesus' feet and listens, so Martha complains. Which was best? Pastor Andrea challenged us, asking who was on Team Martha and who was on Team Mary. The question becomes - who was the better sister? Pastor A cited Brother Lawrence, a highly respected 17th century priest who wrote a book entitied "The Practice of the Presence of God." He had learned to serve his Monastery, his community, as well as his faith. In the same way, we need to integrate the principles of faith and service so - no matter where we are - we may both hear the voice of our neighbor and the voice of Jesus. 

   March 9 featured the story of The Good Samaritan. Here a man has been left dying by the road and a priest and a Levite pass by, ignoring him, but a Samaritan man stops and helps him. Pastor Andrea cited an 182-line poem by Francis Thompson (1982), "The Hound of Heaven," on God's relentless pursuit of the human spirit. No matter how we may react to needs we encounter, we know that God will always travel with us, searching for us. Because of his love for us. 

   On March 2 Pastor Andrea spoke on the transfiguration of Jesus and what it means in our own lives. As you remember, Jesus had been teaching his disciples as they walked from village to village. He began this time in the mountain with prayer. Here God (as Elijah) spole directly to Jesus and the disciples Peter, John, and James. He tells them to listen. He states that Jesus is his son. They were told to stay silent. In our times, in the same way, we need to listen. That's a point in communication that is too often neglected. In the mountaintop experience of transfiguration, the disciples are called to not speak about the event. In our lives, similarly. let's listen to Jesus and make a difference in our community. 

  On February 23 our newly appointed Pastor Andrea Delaney reminded us of the story, Wizard of Oz. She described the Good Witch Glinda. As a witch, everyone sees your difference. When Jesus encountered a woman publicly known as a sinner, she washed his feet to honor him. For ourselves, when we have more sin, we need even more grace. We all need grace. How can we respond to this today? We need to advocate for those on the margins. We are at the feet of Christ. 

  Feb 15 and 16 marked the ordination and installation of Andrea Delaney as our 19th pastor (after serving four years as our vicar). Among the group of 183 visitors on Saturday, from the Synod and the community, was Bishop Yehiel Curry. He spoke on Jesus' sermon on the plain. He also reminded everyone that Jesus' sermon heralded participation of all ages, be they poor, homeless, ill, grieving, or otherwise. Many are hurting and we need to touch everyone. On Sunday our newly installed Pastor Andrea reminded us that we were 183 voices involved in this work of salvation, including all neighbors, and this is for God's glory. 

  On February 9 Chaplain Dave presented the sermon, starting with thoughts of Roman Centurions. As the name suggests, centurions were leaders of 100 men. In Jesus time, one centurion felt unworthy to approach the Lord, but sent someone to ask Jesus to heal one of his slaves who was a good person and who had helped in building the synogogue. Jesus praised the centurion for his faith. When the centurion's followers returned, they found the slave was in good health. Later, Jesus restored life to a widow's son, and the people were afraid, saying "a great prophet has risen among us." In our church, we once faced a decision - whether to serve people outside of town, or the community in our neighborhood. (We chose the neighborhood.) Later, the church raised money to upgrade the building, making it accessible and appropriate for everyone. Now our church serves the entire neighborhood, seven days a week. 

 February 2nd was on Jesus' words in Luke - "The Lord of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath." There, in the synogogue with his disciples, he shared consecrated bread. The following week he healed a man who had a withered hand, and the Pharisees and the teachers of the law rebuked him for healing on the sabbath. Pastor-elect Andrea was reminded of an Emily Dickinson poem on the Sabbath. The poet says "Some keep the Sabbath going to Church –

I keep it, staying at Home –

With a Bobolink for a Chorister." Think of a sacred space, a Sabbath rest. For us, in a similar way, we can reach out and care for our neighbors, especially those who might suffer problems like a withered hand. While we share God's love at this holy table, we must always show compassion to our neighbors.