Woodlawn CC

Woodlawn CC

Friday, January 31, 2020

February 2020 - Pastor's Newsletter Article

Jerusalem 
Below please find my article for the Church's February Newsletter.  I've included several of the photos taken while we were in Israel.  Gail and I are working on sorting through the photos but between the two of us and three cameras, we have over 5,000 photos.  It's going to take some time to sort and identify all the shots.  Stay tuned for more photos to come!

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Grace,
Roy


Masada

Pastor's Ponderings – February 2020

Well, January certainly has blown right by us!  With Gail and myself being gone for the first two Sundays and then the weather causing us to cancel worship on the 19th, it's been a very crazy month, to say the least.  Let's hope the worst of winter is behind us and that it's all downhill from here.  My attitude has long been that if we can just make it through January then the rest of the winter goes by quickly enough and at least the end is in sight!

As you all know from January 2nd to the 12th Gail and I were fortunate enough to be on a pilgrimage with three other couples to the Holy Land.  I've already been telling stories about the trip in my sermons and I'm sorry to say you'll be hearing many more stories as the year (years) go by.  So far I've talked about our being re-baptized in the Jordan, being on a boat on the Sea of Galilee, seeing what is believed to be Peter's home in Capernaum, and there were so many other places that we visited that will work their way into sermons and lessons.  It truly was an amazing journey and once again I want to thank the folks with Burntstone Ministries, thank you, thank you, thank you, for what was and is such a blessing!


The Western Wall


The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

I want to thank Ryan Daisy for filling in for me while I was away.  He did a wonderful job (as always) with his preaching and I am very much thankful to him for taking care of Don O'Tool's funeral service and visiting Donnie in the Hospital prior to his passing.  Thank you, Ryan!  Your efforts are very much appreciated!


Please remember to pray for comfort and strength for Don's family, Clarice and her family are true gems and may God comfort and console them all in the days, weeks, and years ahead.  God bless you all!

While I was in Israel, I received confirmation that our planned Christmas Concert on December 5th is a go!  We will be hosting Camille and Kennerly Kitt, a/k/a as the “Harp Twins” here at Woodlawn.  The concert will be on December 5th at 7 pm.  The tickets for the concert will be $15 and we have not yet determined when we will open up the sale of tickets.  These wonderfully talented musicians sell out all of their concerts and they are a show that you will not want to miss!  Mark your calendars and keep your eyes and ears open for more details... once we open up the ticket sales you will not want to wait to purchase them as most of their concerts sell out within just a very few days.  You can find their music on Spotify, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, and I'm sure more places as well.  They have over 60 million views on Youtube so they have a huge following for their music.  This will be the beginning of their first-ever Christmas Concert Series and we couldn't be more fortunate than being able to book them to perform here at Woodlawn!




I am planning to be out of the office on February 10-12 to attend the American Baptists “Ministers Council Retreat” at Dayton Oaks Camp.  I will be in the office for a bit on the 10th and will arrive back later in the day on the 12th so please check with Clint in the office to make sure I'm around before you head in to see me.

Speaking of Clint, we all should welcome aboard Clint DeVries as the new Church Secretary/Receptionist.  Clint took over for Brittanie and is in the office in the mornings Tuesday through Friday.  Clint has been doing a great job and please drop in and say hello and thank him for coming to help us out!

With that, I am going to wrap up my ramblings for this month.  Please remember as always to...

Be a blessing to someone today!!  Pastor Roy


Caesarea by the Sea

Thursday, January 30, 2020

Matthew 4:12-23, Sermon given Sunday, January 26, 2020


Last Sunday, we took a look at the very beginning of Jesus' ministry as told in Matthew's Gospel.  I brought to attention the often focused upon point of being 'fishers of men'.  But, we need to look at what type of fishermen these rough souls were... they did not fish with a cast line and a specific lure or bait.  They were not focusing on one type of fish, no they threw their nets out wide and reached out to all the fish within the limitation of the size of their net.

We too are called to cast our nets wide.  Reaching out to any and all that might respond to the story of love, grace, and forgiveness that is portrayed by the cross.  Let us cast wide and fish for all men and women... it's what we're called to do...

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Glory,
Roy

Matthew 4:12-23 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee
12 Now when Jesus[a] heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

15 “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
    on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 the people who sat in darkness
    have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
    light has dawned.”

17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”[b]

Jesus Calls the First Disciples
18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Jesus Ministers to Crowds of People
23 Jesus[c] went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news[d] of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

Footnotes:
a) Matthew 4:12 Gk he
b) Matthew 4:17 Or is at hand
c) Matthew 4:23 Gk He
d) Matthew 4:23 Gk gospel


Wednesday, January 29, 2020

1st Corinthians 1:10-18, Thursday Night Worship Sermon, "Ladders"


My sermon last Thursday night had to do with all the various 'Divisions' that we as humans bring into our Christian faith.  I could have chosen any number of illustrations to focus upon but given our recent trip to the Holy Land, I discussed and used the "Ladder at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre".  It's sometimes referred to as "the ladder that only Jesus can move", it's a very sad tale of a problem that haunts us from large to small congregations.  There is, unfortunately, in nearly every church some ladder somewhere that is still a thorn in someone's side... these ladders tend to get brought out whenever there is some new decision to be made and are touted about as some form of rationale for whatever opposition they are twisted to represent.

It would be such a wonderful day... such a Christ-Like day... the day when we put all the ladders away and just serve Christ...

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

1 Corinthians 1:10-18 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Divisions in the Church
10 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters.[b] 12 What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God[c] that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.

Christ the Power and Wisdom of God
18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Footnotes:
a) 1 Corinthians 1:10 Gk brothers
b) 1 Corinthians 1:11 Gk my brothers
c) 1 Corinthians 1:14 Other ancient authorities read I am thankful


Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Funeral for Rheta Jean Brumm - January 24, 2020


On Friday, January 24th, 2020, I performed the memorial service for Rheta Jean Brumm.  Rheta had attended Woodlawn as a child and moved away when she graduated from Highschool.  She returned home to be married and then finally at the end of her 98 years she came back to Woodlawn to be buried alongside her family here in Lake City.

We were very honored to be able to assist the family in remembering and celebrating the life of their mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, cousin, and friend.  Rheta lived a wonderfully long and productive life, she will be long remembered by those who she touched in her life and through them, she truly does live on.  She left behind a great legacy in her family and loved ones... Praise be to God indeed...

May God bless and comfort you all and please...

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy


Order of Service – Rheta Jean Brumm

Prelude: 

Call to Worship:
Heavenly Father, You have assured us that through Your Son all shall have eternal life. Trusting in Your faithfulness and mercy, we await that glory filled day when You raise us all to life in triumph and we shall stand before Your throne. Standing there with all Your creation made new in Christ Jesus, basking in the glory of Your eternal Heavenly Kingdom. 

Opening Prayer:
Let us please pray...
Dear Lord, we acknowledge Your presence here and come before Your throne this afternoon as friends and family of Rheta Jean Brumm. We are here because we loved her, and now miss her, and we want to cherish our memories of her, we want to honor her life, to honor her God, and to support one another as we grieve her passing – a passing from life here with us to everlasting life there with you O Lord.

Dear God, we thank you for Rheta, You formed her, you knew her, you walked with her through 98 years, and even now we have confidence that she is in your presence.

We thank you that you are a God of mercy, who promises to comfort us, particularly when we lose our loved ones, and so in these moments now, and in the weeks and months ahead, please bring comfort and mercy to us as we remember, and share fondly all that Rheta was to us.

In the mighty and holy name of Jesus who is the Christ... we pray.  Amen.


Special Music: Just As I Am

Scripture Readings:
Let us hear now a Reading from the Old Testament:

Psalm 121 New King James Version (NKJV)
God the Help of Those Who Seek Him - A Song of Ascents.
121 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Let us hear now a Reading from the New Testament:
1 Peter 1:3-9
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 

Prayer:
Let us please pray...
Dear Father of all mercies and God of all consolation, you pursue us with untiring love and dispel the shadow of death with the bright dawn of life. Give courage to this family in their loss and sorrow. Be their refuge and strength, O Lord, reassure them of your continuing love and lift them from the depths of grief into the peace and light of your presence. 

Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, by dying has destroyed our death, and by rising, restored our life. Your Holy Spirit, our comforter, speaks for us in groans too deep for words. Come alongside your people, remind them of your eternal presence and give them your comfort and strength. Amen

Message:  Pastor Roy Karlen – Woodlawn Christian Church
On January 5th, 2020, Rheta Jean Blanchfield Brumm, passed from this world that we all know and was born anew into the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior.  Rheta lived to the wonderful age of 98, passing away in the State of California where she had resided since the age of 18.  Rheta was born here in Lake City, Iowa on October 23, 1921, to Marion and Laura Blanchfield.  Rheta was one of five children that blessed the Blanchfield family, her siblings were Verle, Arvil, Rhea, and Genova. Only Rhea now remains to share with her family all the happy memories that the five of them created growing up on the farm here in Iowa. Rheta always cherished having been a farm-girl from Iowa and it was her desire to return to the State of Iowa in order to be laid to rest alongside her beloved family.

Growing up Rheta had long dreamed of living in California and after her High School Graduation, she moved west to Southern California.  There she lived in Glendale, California and she very quickly met William Brumm while taking dancing lessons at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio.  They fell in love and they were married in February of 1941, less than two years after Rheta had moved to California and her at the tender young age of 19. 

Rheta had insisted on returning to Lake City to be married and she and William were married right here in this Sanctuary.  Last night I took Shiara and Virdette on a tour of this old church building and you could see the raw emotion in their eyes as they stood here in this sanctuary where their mother grew up learning to love God... something that she did her whole lifelong... here where she was baptized, where she married their father, and now today where we recognize and honor her life.  A life lived primarily so far away from Lake City, Iowa but that was rooted so firmly here... in the rich soil of what was for her always home.  Today we return her to the rich soil of Iowa where her earthly remains will rest beside her family awaiting the call that will signal the return of Christ and her resurrection.  It's often been said that you can take the girl out of Iowa but you can't take Iowa out of the girl... 

After their wedding, William and Rheta first lived in Glendale, California and then later they moved to Van Nuys, where their family grew from two to four after the births of Melanie and Shiara.  Next, the young family moved to Sherman Oaks where they welcomed Virdette to their happy clan. 

As simple as all of this moving and children being born sounds to us now, we cannot forget that just ten months after Rheta was married, the United States entered World War II.  All that went on certainly wasn't simple and it most certainly was frightening and anxious for a young couple just starting out in life...

Much like the iconic poster and song about “Rosie the Riveter”, Rheta went to work during World War II working in the manufacture of aircraft for the War.  She alongside many other brave and determine women worked tirelessly to aid the war effort and to assist those who were overseas fighting.  Her husband William served in the Army during the War and Rheta did her part to contribute and there is no doubt that those efforts helped to ultimately shorten the war and curtail the horrors that raged in Europe at the time. 

After the War Rheta set about raising her family and they attended Central Christian Church in Van Nuys.  She remained a devoted member of the church for many years.  Once her daughters were raised and had moved on with their lives, Rheta started what was to be a very successful career in real estate sales in Southern California.  She enjoyed her work and spent twenty-five years selling properties and helping others obtain their dreams.

Rheta spent many years enjoying her home and garden located in Highland and later on she met the second love of her life, Arno Heckrodt.  After retiring from real estate, Rheta and Arno moved to Carmel in 2003.  In Carmel, Rheta started attending the Presbyterian Church, she became a very devoted member and was a constant volunteer for church activities.  Rheta even went on a mission trip to Brazil, which given her age at that time was a major concern to her daughters.  But, the minister assured them that Rheta would be well looked after and away she went... we should all be so active in our 80's... God willing.  What an inspiring story of an amazing lady.

I am told that Rheta had a genuine 'zest' for life which always made her shine through.  Her glass was never half empty or half full... it was always full to the brim.  She was hard-working, diligent to the task at hand, responsible, always happy... always enjoying life and having fun.  She always looked at the bright side of every situation.  Truly an example we should all strive to obtain.  Rheta loved to volunteer, she adored birds and owned many throughout her life, she enjoyed watching basketball and football, and she enjoyed discussing politics.  She always loved corn and popcorn from her home state and retained her hard-working Iowa farm girl ways for her entire life. Rheta had a wonderful life-giving and contagious laugh and an outgoing and friendly personality... she enjoyed life and she will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her.

In a few moments, we will have time for any who wish to share memories and thoughts concerning Rheta, so I will move on from eulogizing her long and loving life and focus upon her love for her God.  A love that I am most certain she shared with each of you.

I am told that Rheta like many of us took great solace in the words in John 3:16.  Let us hear now the verses found in John 3:12-21.

John 3:12-21 Revised Standard Version (RSV)
12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 18 He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.

I am told that Rheta firmly believed that all that she had received was a gift from God.  Let me repeat that last verse... verse 21: But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.

It is often said that the only Bible many will ever read is our lives.  How we live our lives is a witness to everyone that we encounter in our lives:

Hebrews 12:1-3  New International Version (NIV)
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Let us honor Rheta by remembering always that we are called to be among that cloud of witnesses.  Witnessing to the love of Christ that we are taught in the Gospels.  In closing please allow me to share with you all my personal favorite scripture.  Found in the Johannine epistle known as 2nd John.  Here the Elder of the Johannine Community is writing to the entire Church.  Where he says ”dear lady” he is referencing the entire body of believers and not just one individual. The book of 2nd John is only one chapter long so there is no chapter reference only the verses:

2 John: verses 5-6   New Century Version (NCV)
5 And now, dear lady, this is not a new command but is the same command we have had from the beginning. I ask you that we all love each other. 6 And love means living the way God commanded us to live. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is this: Live a life of love.

Walking with Jesus is really no more complicated than these two short verses.  I've often called this the Bible in two verses. Walking and witnessing for God is simply loving each other, loving God's Creation, and first and foremost loving God.  From what I have learned about Rheta it sounds that she truly lived up to this commandment repeated to us by the Elder... “live a life of love.”

Praise be to God for the life of love that Rheta lived.  Praise God indeed...

Eulogies:
The family has asked for time to share memories and contemplation's with you all.  At this time I would like to call two of Rheta's daughters to come to the pulpit.  First Virdette Laura Brumm, then Shiara Kirsch, and then we will welcome all who would like to speak to please either stand and speak or to come forward to the microphone.  Please if you chose to speak from the pew remember to speak loudly enough for all to hear... please come now and share...

Thank you all for sharing your most heartfelt memories and emotions.  Let us please now listen to the timeless and always reassuring words of “Amazing Grace”.

Special Music: Amazing Grace

Final Instructions and Closing Prayer:
Immediately following the service we will proceed to the Lake City Cemetery for the internment.  Following the graveside service, there will be a time of gathering and reminiscing out on the family farm north of Lake City.  The family invites you all to come and share this additional time of celebrating Rheta's life.

Let us please pray:
O God, our Strength, and our Redeemer, Giver of life, and Conqueror of death, we open our hearts to you just as we are.  We celebrate your gift of life freely given but are grieved by a sense of loss in the face of death.  The love which binds us to one another leaves us aching as ties are broken.  Accept our tears as emblems of devotion, and transform them into waters of life to nourish us in the days ahead.

We trust you.  We love you.  We know in Christ that your love is everlasting.  Nothing can separate any of us from your abiding care.  With you is eternal life.

With confidence, we now entrust Rheta to your unfailing love and overflowing goodness.  Through the power that raised Christ from the dead to live eternally with you, lift up this, your servant, to life fulfilled beyond our imagining.  We give you but your own, enfold her in your everlasting arms, hold her for she is your child.
Now strengthen us, through the gift of your Spirit, to face into the future with confidence that you stand with us.  Grant that the changes of life may leave us stronger as we journey through life.
Reassured of your abiding presence, help us to knit more firmly the ties that bind us one to another.  Renewed by your love, help us to love in ever-larger circles so as to embrace your people everywhere till at last we are all united eternally through Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Benediction:

Committal Service:
Selfishly, we as mortals wish to hold on to Rheta. It brings great pain to let her go. Living in the resurrection hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the trust of a loving God and in the promise of eternal life, we now commit her body to its place of rest. We will continue to mourn Rheta, but now her smile and laughter will warm the kingdom of God. We will continue to love Rheta, but God will now take care of her. We will continue to carry Rheta in our thoughts, but she will be kept safe in God's hands. Receive her in the arms of your mercy, O God, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of all your saints.

Let us hear now these words taken from the 14th Chapter of the Gospel of John
Hear these words from Jesus:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
If it were not so,
Would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again and will take you to myself,
So that where I am, there you may be also.
And you know the way to the place where I am going.
I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.
In a little while the world will no longer see me,
But you will see me;
Because I live, you also will live.
I have said these things to you while I am still with you.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
Whom the Father will send in my name,
Will teach you everything,
And remind you of all that I have said to you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be                  afraid.”  
(John 14:1–4, 18–19, 25–27)

Let us hear now these words given to us by the Apostle Paul concerning the promise of the resurrection and the life everlasting:

1 Corinthians 15: 35-44
35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” 36 How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.37 When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38 But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 39 Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. 40 There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. 41 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.
42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

Believing in the Resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we now entrust Rheta to the care of Almighty God and we ask Our Father to open the doors to his mansion and lead Rheta to the room made ready just for her. As we now commit her body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, we commend her spirit to its new home. Rest eternal grant her, and let light perpetual shine upon her.

God has blessed and enriched our lives in giving us Rheta to know and love here on this earth. Though our time together was not nearly enough, in committing her body to the earth, we give over to God the care of her spirit, and we acknowledge that we will one day reunite with her in God's Kingdom. The Lord bless her and keep her; the Lord make his face shine upon her and be gracious onto her; the Lord look upon her with favor and give her peace.

Let us now pray together the prayer that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ taught us to pray... Our Father...

This concludes our graveside service.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, may His strong arms encircle you and uphold you in your hour of grief.  God's peace and strength to you all.  Amen


Thursday, January 23, 2020

January 19, 2020 - Sermon on Jesus' Baptism


Last Sunday, we canceled worship services due to the weather.  I did, however, come over to the church and give a Facebook Live-Stream at 10 am.  I've included the video of the message that I gave during that time.

I had a different sermon in mind prior to the decision to cancel worship, but for whatever reason, I decided to change the direction of the sermon.

Here I talk about baptism and about Gail and myself being re-baptized while in Israel.  We each were baptized and also retrieved a vial of water from the Jordan River.  I want to thank Reverend Bill Wenig of Glad Tidings Assembly of God in Des Moines for doing me the honor of performing the baptism for me.  I performed the baptism for Gail and it was a very meaningful and emotional time for us both.

It's a short sermon so please take a listen.

Be a blessing to someone today!!

In His Grace,
Roy


Mark 1:1-20 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Proclamation of John the Baptist
1 The beginning of the good news[a] of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.[b]

2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,[c]

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,[d]
    who will prepare your way;
3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
    ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight,’”

4 John the baptizer appeared[e] in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with[f] water; but he will baptize you with[g] the Holy Spirit.”

The Baptism of Jesus
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved;[h] with you I am well pleased.”

The Temptation of Jesus
12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news[i] of God,[j] 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near;[k] repent, and believe in the good news.”[l]

Jesus Calls the First Disciples
16 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

Footnotes:
a) Mark 1:1 Or gospel
b) Mark 1:1 Other ancient authorities lack the Son of God
c) Mark 1:2 Other ancient authorities read in the prophets
d) Mark 1:2 Gk before your face
e) Mark 1:4 Other ancient authorities read John was baptizing
f) Mark 1:8 Or in
g) Mark 1:8 Or in
h) Mark 1:11 Or my beloved Son
i) Mark 1:14 Or gospel
j) Mark 1:14 Other ancient authorities read of the kingdom
k) Mark 1:15 Or is at hand
l) Mark 1:15 Or gospel


Matthew 3:13-17 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Baptism of Jesus
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved,[a] with whom I am well pleased.”

Footnotes:
a) Matthew 3:17 Or my beloved Son



John 1:29-51 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Lamb of God
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”[a]

The First Disciples of Jesus
35 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed[b]). 42 He brought Simon[c] to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter[d]).

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you,[e] you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Footnotes:
a) John 1:34 Other ancient authorities read is God’s chosen one
b) John 1:41 Or Christ
c) John 1:42 Gk him
d) John 1:42 From the word for rock in Aramaic (kepha) and Greek (petra), respectively
e) John 1:51 Both instances of the Greek word for you in this verse are plural

Luke 3:21-22 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Baptism of Jesus
21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved;[a] with you I am well pleased.”[b]

Footnotes:
a) Luke 3:22 Or my beloved Son
b) Luke 3:22 Other ancient authorities read You are my Son, today I have begotten you



Tuesday, January 21, 2020

1 Corinthians 1:1-9, Thursday Night Worship, January 16, 2020.



One of the key things to remember (and one of the most difficult to maintain) whenever we sit down to do the "business" side of the Church, or the Ministry side of the Church, or sad to say even when we sit down together to Worship... is to remember that what we do we do for God.  We are here to do God's bidding... not to stroke our own egos, not to advance our own agendas, be they political, moral, or what have you... we are CALLED to be Christ to a broken world.

Far, far too often in small ways and in large, we forget that we are answering a call and not making or issuing a calling of our own.  Even when we feel called to admonish another or a group we need to realign ourselves to the Spirit and place God first and foremost in our actions.  Here Paul is addressing the all too troubled church in Corinth, a church that we all should be able to relate to in general while I hope not in particular.  This is a church wrestling with many all too worldly issues... a church that has forgotten to put Christ first and foremost.

As we prepare each day let us pray that God guides our actions, and deeds that we can live a life which demonstrates to all those around us that there is an all-loving, all-caring, and all-gracious God... a God that wants to know them if they too will just return to Him.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

1 Corinthians 1:1-9 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Salutation
1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,

2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord[a] and ours:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I give thanks to my[b] God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— 6 just as the testimony of[c] Christ has been strengthened among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Footnotes:
a) 1 Corinthians 1:2 Gk theirs
b) 1 Corinthians 1:4 Other ancient authorities lack my

c) 1 Corinthians 1:6 Or to

First Clement

CLEMENT OF ROME, First Epistle
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF CLEMENT TO THE CORINTHIANS
Translated by J.B. Lightfoot.

1Clem prologue:1
The Church of God which sojourneth in Rome to the Church of God which sojourneth in Corinth, to them which are called and sanctified by the will of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace from Almighty God through Jesus Christ be multiplied.

1Clem 1:1
By reason of the sudden and repeated calamities and reverses which are befalling us, brethren, we consider that we have been somewhat tardy in giving heed to the matters of dispute that have arisen among you, dearly beloved, and to the detestable and unholy sedition, so alien and strange to the elect of God, which a few headstrong and self-willed persons have kindled to such a pitch of madness that your name, once revered and renowned and lovely in the sight of all men, hath been greatly reviled.

1Clem 1:2

For who that had sojourned among you did not approve your most virtuous and steadfast faith? Who did not admire your sober and forbearing piety in Christ? Who did not publish abroad your magnificent disposition of hospitality? Who did not congratulate you on your perfect and sound knowledge?

1Clem 1:3

For ye did all things without respect of persons, and ye walked after the ordinances of God, submitting yourselves to your rulers and rendering to the older men among you the honor which is their due. On the young too ye enjoined modest and seemly thoughts: and the women ye charged to perform all their duties in a blameless and seemly and pure conscience, cherishing their own husbands, as is meet; and ye taught them to keep in the rule of obedience, and to manage the affairs of their household in seemliness, with all discretion.



Monday, January 20, 2020

Sermon given in Jerusalem - Luke 22:39-48


While we were in Israel, I was given the opportunity to discuss Jesus' time in the Garden of Gethsemane.  His time praying, his rebuking of the Disciples, and his betrayal by Judas.

As I tend to do, I took a different view upon this often addressed time.  The sermon was well received by our guide Mishi, who pulled me aside to discuss it in more detail.  He thanked me for taking a somewhat non-traditional view of these incidents and we had an interesting dialogue; discovering a great deal of common ground between us... myself a moderately conservative American Christian and he a fairly liberal Israeli Jew.  During our time in Israel, I found that my brief private conversations with Mishi were some of the most rewarding moments of the visit.

I apologize for the wind and the traffic noise in the video.  This message was delivered in a private garden just adjacent to the site believed to be the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus spent time with his Disciples and was of course betrayed.  Please take a listen and feel free to comment if you are so moved.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ's Love & Grace,
Roy



Luke 22:39-48 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
39 He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. 40 When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.”[a] 41 Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” [[43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. 44 In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.]][b] 45 When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.”[c]

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
47 While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?”

Footnotes:
a) Luke 22:40 Or into temptation
b) Luke 22:44 Other ancient authorities lack verses 43 and 44
c) Luke 22:46 Or into temptation



Matthew 27:3-5 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Suicide of Judas
3 When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus[a] was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 He said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent[b] blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” 5 Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself.

Footnotes:
a) Matthew 27:3 Gk he
b) Matthew 27:4 Other ancient authorities read righteous