Pastor’s Paragraph - January 21, 2021
Dear Beloved Siblings,
How are you? As I write, I hold you in my heart and look forward to worshipping together in-person when it is safe to do so. Please be in touch if there are ways we can be of support to you as we continue this journey of life.
As I prayed about what to share with you this week, I thought about being in Haiti this time of the year twenty-one years ago. I went with a group that one of my professors from Eastern Kentucky University knew.
Pastor’s Paragraph - January 14, 2021
It is a joy to share some good news. From December 12th through the 25th we had 1,012 visits to the church website and 2,853 pageviews. Wow! God is using new ways to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love. Clearly, the pandemic is not stopping the church from proclaiming the good news that sustains us in a time like this. What a blessing that we have the use of technology to continue to worship, pray, learn and serve in Christ’s living Spirit. No wonder we have already decided to continue virtual worship even when it is safe to re-gather for in-person services in our inspiring sanctuary.
Pastor’s Paragraph - January 7, 2021
Dear Beloved Siblings,
May you feel God’s Spirit renewing you as this new year of 2021 begins. Are you one who practices setting goals or resolutions at the beginning of a year? For me, the new year has often been a time of practicing the spiritual discipline of examen – an opportunity to reflect on the past year and where I’ve seen God’s Spirit moving, to confess where I’ve missed the mark, and to consider where God is guiding and calling the new year.
Pastor’s Paragraph - December 31, 2020
While under house arrest Paul writes to the church in Philippi:
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
(Philippians 4:8)
This is not an example of looking at the world through rose colored glasses. This is the perspective of faith, of trust in the abiding grace and peace of Christ. This is the way a disciple who experiences the suffering of the human journey continues to persevere, learn, grow and serve others.
Pastor’s Paragraph - December 23, 2020
Dear Beloved Siblings,
I miss you! You’ve been in my thoughts, prayers, and heart throughout this season of Advent. There is so much that I want to ask you and share with you as we approach the celebration of Jesus’ birth and his coming anew in our lives. In praying about what to share, I heard gratitude. Thank you for your continued faithfulness. Being the church is worshipping our Creator in all times and places. Being the church is joining in Jesus’ mission of partnering in God’s work of healing, feeding, and growing. Being the church is about God’s gifts of unconditional love and transforming grace. Throughout COVID, by God’s mercy, we have continued to grow, learn, worship, and serve.
Pastor’s Paragraph - December 17, 2020
We began a study of the Gospels as 2020 dawned. What a blessing that we were keeping close to the wisdom of Jesus as the pandemic took hold and changed our lives. As the year draws to a close and we anticipate 2021 we have hope the pandemic will diminish with the promise of a vaccine. Come what may, our study of the way of Jesus will comfort and encourage us. We have looked carefully at the way Matthew and Luke follow the chronology and outline set forth by Mark. We have noted unique material in these synoptic gospels, appreciating the unique perspective these three bring to the story of Jesus and his love. Now we shift to the fourth and most mysterious of the gospels, John.
Pastor’s Paragraph - December 10, 2020
Most years as an adult, I’ve picked a word or two to focus on, or a word picks me. Some of the words have been more challenging than others. Listen and surrender are ones that I find very humbling and often seem to be the foundation for other words. A few years ago when I went through a pretty low time of depression, my counselor directed me to the word joy when she offered me the reminder that “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” That helps me find groundedness in the midst of confusion, exhaustion, and struggle. It reminds me that I do not, and actually cannot, carry things on my own. Strength comes from that deep trust in the God who leads us with love and compassion.
Pastor’s Paragraph - December 3, 2020
During the pandemic we have become acutely aware of how much our physical presence means to one another in our community of faith. We certainly miss being together in-person but we do not regret taking action to stem the tide of virus transmission and to ease the heavy burden for our healthcare workers and first responders. Thank you for doing your part as a caring and responsible neighbor and disciple.
Pastor’s Paragraph - November 25, 2020
The season of Advent is beginning, dear ones. In this season of confession, repentance, and preparation, we have an opportunity to open ourselves once again to the inbreaking of God’s love anew. How will we spend this Advent?
On the first Sunday of Advent, we focus on hope. In these days of global pandemics, where are you finding hope? How are you living and sharing hope?
Pastor’s Paragraph - November 19, 2020
Several years ago, a couple from Greenwood began visiting at Friedens. It did not take long to understand what a blessing they were bringing to our family of faith. Their names, Don and Pam Taylor.
Don jumped in using his gifts in music to become a member of the chancel choir and a cantor for the liturgical service. Pam brought the gift of a deep and discerning spirit to enrich our spiritual life as a congregation.
Pastor’s Paragraph - November 12, 2020
The Spiritual Journey
The spiritual journey is a way to seek and follow God’s will for our lives. Prayer is the way of grace to respond to Jesus’ invitation to ask, seek, and enter into our real (spiritual) lives. Prayer is the doorway to the continued journey. Even when we don’t think we are receiving an answer prayer sustains our relationship with God and keeps the conversation going. During this very unique period of time my sacrifice of face-to-face time has been enriched by a more intense desire for the friendship of God - also for my friendships with people through their books and even from Facebook. While I miss you all I have chosen to give thanks for each one of you, pray for you, and appreciate your unique contributions to my life.
Pastor’s Paragraph - November 5, 2020
Dear Beloved Siblings of our Creator,
I miss being with you physically, but I am grateful that we are united through the gifts of prayer and connected through God's Spirit.
At Friedens we are diverse and held together by our common mission of sharing the love of Jesus, especially with children in our communities. One way we join together is working with one another to provide weekender packs to children who face food insecurity at Glenns Valley Elementary and the Early Childhood Academy.
Pastor’s Paragraph - October 29, 2020
A couple of decades ago a young and ambitious college graduate named Cindy Adams visited Friedens UCC.
A native of Minnesota, she was beginning her Master’s in Philanthropy degree at IUPUI.
A lifetime United Church of Christ member, Cindy felt at home at Friedens and we were thrilled to welcome this bright, fun, faithful soul with a heartwarming and contagious smile.
Pastor’s Paragraph - October 22, 2020
Being a Follower of Christ
I recently read an entry on Facebook that inspired me: "I am a Christian because the character of Jesus Christ is so compelling to me that I want to spend my life chasing it, embodying it, and sharing it". Isn’t the word ‘compelling’ lovely? I not only identified with this statement but was also inspired by it to think more about what my faith means to me.
Pastor’s Paragraph - October 15, 2020
Dear Friends,
Are there smells and flavors you most enjoy in autumn? Do you have favorite autumn activities?
What do you see in the brilliant oranges, reds, and yellows of autumn? Do you see a marvelous painting? The bright bushes remind me of God’s call to Moses and the Pentecost flames connecting all of us through God’s Spirit. I am grateful for stories that ground me in the midst of so much shifting.
Pastor’s Paragraph - October 8, 2020
Howard Thurman writes, It is no ordinary matter to foster a growing relationship with God that keeps watch over all the days and the nights of all the years.
On the one hand, this quote reminds me of a song I learned as a child in Vacation Bible School. The verses were cautionary: Oh, be careful little hands what you do. Why? Because God is watching!
Pastor’s Paragraph - October 1, 2020
Order, Disorder, Reorder
Richard Rohr recently published a book entitled "The Wisdom Pattern, Order, Disorder, Reorder." Rohr points out that our culture tends to impose on us positive values on order, progress, and success. An underlying message with these concepts is that the lack of order, progress, and success often leaves us with despair.
Pastor’s Paragraph - September 24, 2020
Dear Beloved Siblings,
I frequently ask you how you are and tell you that I miss you because you continue to be in my heart, mind, and prayers. I thank God for you. As I continue to reflect on the idea of living with an open heart or tender heart or living from the core, I invite you to pause. Sometime today or tomorrow, I hope you can take time to find a comfortable position and roll your shoulders back.
Pastor’s Paragraph - September 17, 2020
In the midst of the pandemic we are also enduring hurricanes and wildfires. Many have suffered illness, death, displacement, the loss of property and the emotional toll that catastrophe entails. Our hearts and prayers go out to those suffering.
Pastor’s Paragraph - September 10, 2020
All things in our lives change, even our prayers. Over time I have explored new ways of prayer, some of which have enriched my spiritual life temporarily and some for longer term. One of the things I have tried over a longer period of time is starting prayer with some self-examining questions. I often like to take a few notes on my answers. I start by asking myself: how do I feel? This helps me to keep in touch with what is going on in my life that I might need to give to prayer. I might feel tired, drained, anxious, happy. How I feel may be a clue to something that I am not taking time to recognize in my daily life.