August 10, 2021 Dear Friend in Faith,
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1 August 10, 2021 Dear Friend in Faith, We are more than halfway through our “Geared Up for Life” series based on the New Testament Epistle - the Letter to the Ephesians. This week Rev. Dale Cockrum is serving as our guest preacher and will be preaching this week on Ephesians 4:25-5:2. Of all the virtues of the life worthy of the gospel, truth telling might be the most crucial in this moment in history. Ephesians makes the argument that telling the truth ought to be the center of all our relationships, certainly within the body of Christ. Not the cruel truth-telling that points out others’ insignificant flaws that many imagine when thinking about always telling the truth, however. This truth telling sees through the lies we tell ourselves about our motivations and our hidden sinfulness and to confess even as we call others to confess their less than firm grip on the truth. Let us, as we worship, pledge to bear witness to the truth in all things. As always, this bulletin contains everything you need to experience a time of worship: liturgy, hymn sheets, and Pastor Dale’s sermon manuscript. Throughout the bulletin, wherever you see bolded font, consider either speaking those parts aloud if you are on your own, or picking someone you’re worshiping with to be the leader and join them on the bolded parts. Be sure to check out Stan Kerr’s Lectio Divina practice included at the very end of the bulletin. This service, with some variations, will be available on YouTube if you’d like to view it this weekend. Simply go to www.youtube.com, search for “Cheney UMC” and select the August 15 th video. If you have questions, comments, or a prayer request, please contact me. May you speak truth wherever you go this week, Pastor Alissa Bertsch 204 4 th St. Cheney, WA 99004 c: 509-879-2278 [email protected] Cheney United Methodist Church August 15 th , 2021 – Geared Up for Life Summer Worship Series Call to Worship Come, let us put away all things that divide us and love one another. For we are members of one another. Come; let us put away lies, anger, stealing, and corrupt words. For we are members of one another. Come; let us put away bitterness, wrath, clamor, and malice. For we are members of one another. Come; let us put away uncleanness, idolatry, and deception. For we are members of one another. Together let us speak truth, labor together, and do what is good and edifying to the Lord. Let us be imitators of God, walk as children of God, and love as Christ first loved us. Come, let us be the people of God we are called to be. For we are saints, God’s chosen people, and members of one another. AMEN.
Transcript of August 10, 2021 Dear Friend in Faith,
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August10,2021DearFriendinFaith, Wearemorethanhalfwaythroughour“GearedUpforLife”seriesbasedontheNewTestamentEpistle-theLettertotheEphesians.ThisweekRev.DaleCockrumisservingasourguestpreacherandwillbepreachingthisweekonEphesians4:25-5:2.Ofallthevirtuesofthelifeworthyofthegospel,truthtellingmightbethemostcrucialinthismomentinhistory.Ephesiansmakestheargumentthattellingthetruthoughttobethecenterofallourrelationships,certainlywithinthebodyofChrist.Notthecrueltruth-tellingthatpointsoutothers’insignificantflawsthatmanyimaginewhenthinkingaboutalwaystellingthetruth,however.Thistruthtellingseesthroughthelieswetellourselvesaboutourmotivationsandourhiddensinfulnessandtoconfessevenaswecallotherstoconfesstheirlessthanfirmgriponthetruth.Letus,asweworship,pledgetobearwitnesstothetruthinallthings. Asalways,thisbulletincontainseverythingyouneedtoexperienceatimeofworship:liturgy,hymnsheets,andPastorDale’ssermonmanuscript.Throughoutthebulletin,whereveryouseeboldedfont,considereitherspeakingthosepartsaloudifyouareonyourown,orpickingsomeoneyou’reworshipingwithtobetheleaderandjointhemontheboldedparts.BesuretocheckoutStanKerr’sLectioDivinapracticeincludedattheveryendofthebulletin.Thisservice,withsomevariations,willbeavailableonYouTubeifyou’dliketoviewitthisweekend.Simplygotowww.youtube.com,searchfor“CheneyUMC”andselecttheAugust15thvideo.Ifyouhavequestions,comments,oraprayerrequest,pleasecontactme.Mayyouspeaktruthwhereveryougothisweek,PastorAlissaBertsch2044thSt.Cheney,WA99004c:509-879-2278 [email protected]
CheneyUnitedMethodistChurch
August15th,2021–GearedUpforLifeSummerWorshipSeriesCalltoWorship
Come,letusputawayallthingsthatdivideusandloveoneanother. Forwearemembersofoneanother.Come;letusputawaylies,anger,stealing,andcorruptwords. Forwearemembersofoneanother.Come;letusputawaybitterness,wrath,clamor,andmalice. Forwearemembersofoneanother.Come;letusputawayuncleanness,idolatry,anddeception. Forwearemembersofoneanother.Togetherletusspeaktruth,labortogether,anddowhatisgoodandedifyingtotheLord. LetusbeimitatorsofGod,walkaschildrenofGod,andloveasChristfirstlovedus.Come,letusbethepeopleofGodwearecalledtobe. Forwearesaints,God’schosenpeople,andmembersofoneanother.AMEN.
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OpeningHymn “SingaNewSongtotheLord”-TFWS#2045
OpeningPrayer Breadoflife,youtaughtustoputawaybitternessandanger,andwithtenderheartedkindness
tosharethefruitofourlaborwiththeneedy.Strengthenusbyyourgrace,thatincommunionwithyou,wemayforgiveoneanotherandliveinloveasChristlovedus.Amen.
EpistleReading–Ephesians4:25-5:2(NRSV) Sothen,puttingawayfalsehood,letallofusspeakthetruthtoourneighbors,forweare
membersofoneanother.Beangrybutdonotsin;donotletthesungodownonyouranger,anddonotmakeroomforthedevil.Thievesmustgiveupstealing;ratherletthemlaborandworkhonestlywiththeirownhands,soastohavesomethingtosharewiththeneedy.Letnoeviltalkcomeoutofyourmouths,butonlywhatisusefulforbuildingup,asthereisneed,sothatyourwordsmaygivegracetothosewhohear.AnddonotgrievetheHolySpiritofGod,withwhichyouweremarkedwithasealforthedayofredemption.Putawayfromyouallbitternessandwrathandangerandwranglingandslander,togetherwithallmalice,andbekindtooneanother,tenderhearted,forgivingoneanother,asGodinChristhasforgivenyou.
Therefore,beimitatorsofGod,asbelovedchildren,andliveinlove,asChristlovedusandgavehimselfupforus,afragrantofferingandsacrificetoGod.
TheWordofLife. ThanksbetoGod.
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TheWordInterpreted “SpeakingTruth” PastorDale 300yearsago,inEngland,livedacommanderofamerchantship—whosenamewasCaptainFudge.Weknowabouthimbecausehewasknownfortellingtalltalesandexaggeratingtotheextremehisexploitsonthehighseas.Hewassuchanotoriousliarthathebecameidentifiedwithanyonewhotoldtalltales,andonboardEnglishships,whenacrewmembertoldatale,otherswouldpointathimandsay,“Fudge!”Fudge’sfamespreadacrossEnglandandontotheUnitedStates.Inthemid-1800’s,whenchildrenplayedgamestogetherandonestartedtocheat,theotherswouldsay,“Don’tfudge!”Fudgingmeanshedgingthetruth…orstretchingitorcheatingormisrepresentingthefactsinsomeway. Andlet’sfaceit,weallfudge!Atonetimeoranother,weallfudgethetruth.Itmaynotbesomethingbig!Itmaynotseemdevastating,butit’sstillfudging! Asalesmanlistshisexpenses,andsays,“NoonewillcareifIaddanextralunchorafewmoremiles….” Oryou’reastudentinaclassroom,andtheteacherannouncesapopquiz.Yousaytoyourself,“It’snotfair.Teachersoughttosaywhenwe’regoingtohaveatest.Ihaven’thadtimetoprepare.”Asyousittheregrumbling,youseetoyourleft,slightlyinfront,thatgirlwhoalwayshastherightanswers.Herpaperisrightwhereyoucanseeitandyousay,“Theteachershouldhavetoldus.I’lljusttakeaquickpeek...” OryoureadajuicypostonFacebook.Youhaven’tcheckeditout,but,hey,it’sagoodstory!Andthenextthingyouknow,you’veforwardedittoallyourfriends,“Haveyouheard…?” Wearesogoodatrationalizingbadbehavior!Youknowwhathappenswhenyougettotherootof“rationalize”?Youget“RationalLies!”Tooeasilywebuyintorationallies! We’reinaseriesonEphesians,andwe’vearrivedattheendofchapter4.Inverse25,Paulchallengesusto“putawayfalsehoodandspeakthetruthtoourneighbors.”OrasTheMessagetranslatesit,“Whatthisaddsupto,then,isthis:nomorelies,nomorepretense.Tellyourneighborthetruth.InChrist’sbodywe’reallconnectedtoeachother,afterall.Whenyoulietoothers,youenduplyingtoyourself.” For38years,WaltKallestadpastoredalargeLutheranchurchinPhoenix,theChurchofJoy.Onedayhestoppedbyaconveniencestoreandboughtafewitems;theclerkgavehimhischange.Hesticksitinhispocket,goesouttothecar,andrealizeshedidn’tcountthechange.Sohelooksandrealizesthattheclerkgavehim$20toomuch.“Whattodo?”Hereturnedtothestoreandsaid,“Yougaveme$20toomuchchange.”Theclerklookshimintheeyeandsays,“Yes,Iknow,Rev.Kallestad.IcametoyourchurchforthefirsttimelastweekandIwantedtoseeifyouwereforreal.” Theworldislookingatyouandatme.EachofusisarepresentativeofJesus.Andtheworldiswonderinghowweconductourlives,asking,“Areyouforreal?” Onestudysays2outof3Americansbelievethereisnothingwrongwithlyingifitsuitstheirpurposes,andthat91%ofuslieregularly.Timemagazinehadacoverstoryafewyearsagowiththisheadline:“LYING…Everybody’sdoingit!Honest!”Paulsays,“No—God’speoplearenottolie.Putawayfalsehood;speakthetruth.” Jesussays,intheSermonontheMount,“Letyour‘Yes’be‘Yes’.Letyour‘No’be‘No.’”Hesaysthisinthecontextoftakingoaths.InJesus’day,takingoathswas,paradoxically,oftenatimetofudgethetruth.Ifsomeonesaid,“Ipledgebyheaven,”theywerelikelytokeepthatpromise.Butiftheysaid,“IpledgebyJerusalem,”or“Ipledgebymyhead,”itwasn’tsosurethey’dhonorthosepledges.Therewasthen,astoday,atendencytocompartmentalizeourlives. Whenwecompartmentalize,wethinksomethingsareGodthingsandothers,notsomuch.SosometimesI’lltellthetruthandothertimesIdon’thaveto.I’lllivewithintegrityinsomeplaces,butnotinothers.Andwebegintoactinacertainwaywhenwe’rearoundGodthingsandinotherwayswhenwethinkwe’renotaroundGodthings,thoughinfact,wealwaysare!
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JoeHardingusedtosaythatwhenpeoplefoundouthewasapreacher,theylosthalftheirvocabulary.He’dbeplayingdoublesracquetballwithafriendagainstsomefolktheyjustmetatthegym,andthey’dbewhoopingitupandtellingstories,buttheniftheystartedtolose,iftheyweredownafewpoints,hispartnerwouldsay,“Hey,PastorJoe,how’sitgoingatthechurch?”Joesaidtheeffectontheotherteamwasstupefying.They’dstartsecond-guessingeverythingtheyhadjustsaidandlosetheirabilitytoplayracquetball.InnotimeJoeandhisbuddywouldputthemaway! NoneofuscandoeverythingintheKingdom.Wecan’tallsingsongs.Notallofuscanteach.Notallofuscanlead.Butthisisonepassageofscriptureeveryoneofuscankeep.Wecanallbetruthtellers.Wecanbecommitmentkeepers—peopleofintegrity.Intensimplewords,Jesusdefinedintegrityinthisway,“Letyour‘Yes’be‘Yes,’andyour‘No’be‘No.’”Paulsaysitinthree:“Tellthetruth.” Seven-year-oldTannerMunseyunderstoodaboutintegrity.Tanner’struth-tellinglandedhimonthepagesofSportsIllustrated.TannerwasplayingfirstbaseinaLittleLeaguebaseballgame,andabaserunnercamearoundandTannertriedtotaghim.Theumpiresawitandcalledtherunnerout.ButTannerreachedoutandgrabbedtheumpirebythesleeveandsaid,“Mr.Umpire,Imissedhim.”Theumpiresaid,“Son,whatdidyousay?”Tanneranswered,“Itriedtotaghim,Mr.Ump,butImissed.”Sotheumpirereversedhisrulingandcalledtheplayersafe. Twoweekslater,Tannerwasinanothergame,thistimeonshortstop.Aballcomeshisway,andhetriestotagoutanotherrunner.Theumpirecallstherunner“Safe!”andimmediatelyrealizessomethingiswrongwithTanner.Sohegoesupandasks,“Tanner,what’swrong?”Tannerreplies,“Mr.Umpire,heisn’tsafe.Itaggedhim.He’sout!”Theumpirereversedhisdecisionandcalledtherunnerout!Theopposingteam’scoachrushedoutontothefieldandwentballistic!Theumpireturnedtothecoachandsaidthis:“Thisboyhasshownmehe’satruth-teller,andifhesaystherunnerisout,he’sout!” ThatishowPaulwantsChristianstobeknown…aspeopleofintegritywhostandoutamidstallthenoiseofdeceptionanddeceit!Let’slookatsomeoftheareaswhereyouandIarepronetofudge…whereour“yes”isoftena“no”andour“no”is“maybe.” First,let’slookatourCasualCommitments.ByCasualCommitments,Imeanthoseoff-handed,well-intentionedpromisesyouandImaketocolleagues,friends,customers,andeventoourspousesandkids.Here’smyTop10listofCasualCommitments.CasualCommitment#10:“We’regoingtotakeafamilyvacationthisyear!”(Butwedon’tgetaroundto
it.)CasualCommitment#9:“Let’sdolunch.”(Howmanytimeshavewethrownthatoutwiththebestof
intentions,butitneverhappens?)CasualCommitment#8:“Justgivemeacall;I’llbethereforyou.”CasualCommitment#7:“I’llpayyoubacktomorrow.”CasualCommitment#6:“I’llstillloveyouinthemorning.”CasualCommitment#5:“Ijustneedaminuteofyourtime.”(Howlongcanaminutelast?)CasualCommitment#4:“Youcancountonmetodomyshareofthehousework”(or,“…changemy
shareofdiapers,ortodothat2a.m.feeding.”)CasualCommitment#3:“Thecheckisinthemail.”(Ifallthecheckssaidtobeinthemailactuallywere,
thepostofficewouldbeclogged!)CasualCommitment#2:“I’llprayforyou.”(Howmanytimeshaveweactuallygottenaroundtoit?)CasualCommitment#1:“Thisisgoingtobeashortsermon!”Hey!PatandIhaveneverpromisedyou
that! Thinkforamomenthowcasualcommitmentsimpactkids.Wesay,“I’llcometoyourgame,orconcert”,butwedon’t.Or,“I’llcomehomeearly;we’lltosstheballaroundbeforedinner”,butwedon’tshowup’tilthey’reinbed.Kidsareeasilybruisedbybrokenpromises.Childrenarenaïveenoughtoexpectour“yes”tobe“yes.”Whenwefudgeonlittlethings,prettysoontheydon’tbelieveusonbig
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things.Andtheystarttofollowourexample,whenthetimecomesthatthey’remakingcommitmentstous(like,“WhereamIgoing?WhatamIgoingtodo?WhoamIgoingtobewith?”),theyfudge,justlikewetaughtthem.Everytimeacasualcommitmentisbroken,incrementaldamageisdonetoarelationship.Credibilityisdiminished.Trustiseroded.Peoplefeeldevalued. WhatdowedoaboutCasualCommitments?IadmitI’vestruggledinthisarea.Pastorstendtoover-promisebecausewewantsomuchtobelikedbyothers.Maybeifwe’remakingcasualcommitmentsandnotkeepingthem,wecouldgotothepeoplewemadethemtoandapologize,andthendemonstrateoursinceritybykeepingfuturecommitments. Ifwe’resloppyinkeepingcasualcommitments,let’sdevelopanewhabit,startingtoday.Ifwecatchourselvesmakinganoff-handedpromise,ask,“AmIreallygoingtoliveuptothis?”Andifnot,maybeadd,“I’mnotgoingtopromisethistime.”Tellthetruth! Andlet’slookatourCorporateCommitments.ByCorporateCommitments,Imeancommitmentswemakeinthemarketplacetogiveourbossafullday’sworkforafullday’spay,ortotreatouremployeesfairly,tobehonestinouraccounting,tomaintainqualitystandards,tofollowthroughwithpromisestocustomers,andtobetruthfulinadvertising. Inone10-yearperiod,115ofthecountry’s500largestcompanieswerefoundguiltyofseriouscriminalorcivilmisconduct.Idon’tthinktheleadersofthosecorporationscameinonedayandsaidtotheiremployees,“We’regoingtoselloutourintegrity.”Morelikelyitwasagradualslide:“OK,wecandothisbecausethecompetitionisdoingit.”Or“theIRSwillnevercheckonthis.”Cornersbegintobecut;smallscalecheatingisoverlooked.Slowlyacompanyslipsfromasking,“What’stherightthingtodo?”to,“Whatarewelegallyrequiredtodo?”to,“Whatcanwegetawaywith?” Thewaytostopthatslideiswhenonepersonsays,“I’mnotgoingtolivemylifethatwayanymore.I’mgoingtoletmy“yes”be“yes”andmy“no”be“no.”Itwillnotbeeasy,butitisthewayofintegrity. ThenthereareCommunalCommitments.Thesearecommitmentswemakeinourcommunities,inourchurch—andthewaywebuildtrustforoneanotherinourfamilies.Thewaywemostoftenviolatecommunalcommitmentsisthroughgossip. Threepreachersareoutfishing.Theygettosharingatadeeplevel.Oneofthepreacherssays,“Youknow,I’venevertoldanybody,butI’vebeendrinkingalotrecently;I’mafraidImightbeanalcoholic.”Theothertwoaresadtohearthat,butitencouragesthemtoshare,too,andthesecondpreachersays,“I’venevertoldanyone,butI’vebeenspendingwaytoomuchtimewithawomanwhoisnotmywife.”Thethirdpreachersays,“Youknow,I’venevertoldanyonemysecretsin.It’sterriblebutIcan’thelpit.I’magossip!” Wejokeaboutit,butthetruthis,gossipplaysfastandloosewiththetruth.ItissodestructivethatbothHebrewandNewTestamentscripturecondemnitoverandoverbecauseitbreaksrelationships,violatescommunity,andhurtstheinnocentaswellastheguilty.Ithasdividedandconqueredmanychurches,andit’simpossibletoundo.Peopleofintegrityjustdon’tgossip!Theydon’tparticipateinit!Theydon’tlistentoit,andtheysurelydon’tshareit! Weneedtobelikewoodchucks,thosemarmot-likerodentsthatdigdeepintotheground…Woodchuckswerecreatedwithuniquemusclesintheirearsthatclosewhentheydig,sotheywon’tgetdirtinthem.Likewoodchucks,it’stimewecloseourearstothedirt. Specifically,ifpeopletrytopassondirtaboutanotherpersontoyou,letmegiveyoufivesimplequestionstoendmuchofit.They’reonscreen,andthey’resoimportant.“Whyareyoutellingmethis?”“Wheredidyougetyourinformation?”“Haveyougonetothatpersonandtoldthemwhatyou’retellingme?[You’retellingmesomethingthat’sreallynotmybusiness.Gotothatpersonandtalktothem.”]
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“Haveyoucheckedoutallthefactsonthis?”Andhere’sonethatstopsalot:“DoyoumindifIquoteyou?” Bytheway,thesearegreatquestionstoaskbeforepassingonpoliticalpostsorstoriesaboutpoliticians,orsciencefactoids.Justbecausealotofpeoplethinksomethingistruedoesn’tmakeitso.IcameacrossaNationalScienceFoundationsurveythatfoundthataquarterofAmericanscouldnotcorrectlyanswerthequestion,“DoestheEarthgoaroundtheSun,ordoestheSungoaroundtheearth?” 26percentofthosesurveyedansweredincorrectly,muchtothedismayoftheirelementaryschoolscienceteachers. IoncesharedinaFourthofJulysermonaverymovingpiecesomeonehadforwardedtomebyemail,aboutthesacrificesournation’sfoundershadmade,onlytoreadthenextweekthatmostofitwasnottrue.Ihadtopublishameaculpainthenextchurchnewsletter!I’vereadotherstoriesattributedtothisfamouspersonorthatpolitician,onlytodoabitofdiggingandfindthatthewholethingisalie.IfIamtobetrueinmyCommunalCommitments,Ineedtoknow,“Whyareyoutellingmethis?”“Wheredidyougetyourinformation?”and“Haveyoucheckedthefacts?” IappreciatedthepassageStanKerrexploredinLectioDivinaacoupleweeksago,fromPaul’sfirstlettertoTimothy:“TheSpiritmakesitclearthatastimegoeson,somearegoingtogiveuponthefaithandchaseafterdemonicillusionsputforthbyprofessionalliars.Theseliarshaveliedsowellandforsolongthatthey’velosttheircapacityfortruth”(4:1-2). Therealityiswe’reupagainstsomeveryskilledprofessionalliars,aswellaspeoplewhohavesimplylosttheircapacityfortruth,whoaredoingeverythingtheycantothrowusoffthetruth,whowanttoharmusanddivideus.AsPauladvisesinITimothy4:7,“Stayclear!” Iwanttotouchonafinalcategoryofcommitments:KingdomCommitments.Alotofusmakesuchcommitmentswhensomeonejoinsthechurch.Werenewourkingdomcommitmentsbysayingwiththosejoining,“IacceptJesusastheSavior,theonewhoforgivesmysins.IaccepthimasmyLord,whomIfollowasleaderofmylife.”That’saKingdomCommitment.It’saKingdomCommitmentwhenweanswerthequestionthepastorsasknewmembers,“Willyouupholdthischurchbyyourprayers,yourpresence,yourgifts,yourservice,andyourwitness?” ButdoyouknowthegreatestKingdomCommitmentofall?It’snotthecommitmentswemake;it’sthecommitmentGodhasmadetous.Goddoesn’tjustgiveusdisembodiedtruth;hegivesusJesus,whoisthetruth.“Iam,”saysJesus,“theWay,theTruth,andtheLife.” MaythelifeofJesusshapeourcommitmentstooneanother…ourCasualCommitments…ourCorporate,CommunalandKingdomCommitments,asour“yes”is“yes,”andour“no”is“no,”aswelivelivesofintegrityandtellthetruth.
Endnotes:Thissermonisbased,inpart,uponmaterialfromthefollowingsources:1. LeithAnderson,WinningtheValuesWar2. WilliamBarclay,DailyBibleStudy(Matthew),Vol13. MaxLucado,ControllingYourTongue4. JamesPatterson,PeterKim,TheDayAmericaToldtheTruth5. LeeStrobel,SimpleTruthTelling6. ScottNeuman,1in4AmericansThinkstheSunGoesAroundtheEarth,SurveySays.NPR,February14,
2014.
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HymnofResponse
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PastoralPrayerforPeace&theLord’sPrayer EternalGod,whosemessagetoushasalwaysbeenthatourrelationshiptoyouisinextricably
relatedtohowwetreatoursistersandbrothers,cometousthisdayandtouchuswithyourpower.• Weanusfromourtendencytonurtureperceivedslightsandtoputhotcoalstoouranger.• Weanusfromalltendenciestotakeadvantageofothersforpersonalgain.• Weanusfromnegativityandfrombecomingbitterwhetherornotwethinkwearejustifiedin
ourfeelings.• Weanusfromthealltoohumanandcommontendencytogossipaboutothersandtoslander
theminanyway.• Weanusfromcarryingmaliceinourheartsandfromgivingintoanythingthatwouldpoison
relationshipswithothers.Grantusaconsistentkindnessandcompassionforothers.Maywealwaysbetenderheartedeven
whentheworlddeliverstousdifficultblowsandsetbacks.Teachusagainaboutyourredeeminggraceinorderthatwemaylearn,howeverslowlyandtentatively,howtoforgiveothers.Teachushowtoliveintothefutureasvictoriousandexpectantpeople,greetingeachnewdaywitheagernessandexcitement.Andindeliblyremindusthatweareamongyourforgivenandbelovedcommunity.
Wepraytodayforallwhohavespecialneedofyourgrace.Keeptheminyourgraciouscareandinsofarasweareableuseustomaketheirburdenslighter.Bewiththosewhowarandwhoarevictimsofwarandgranttousapeacefulworld. God,weofferalltheseprayers,joiningourvoicestogethertopraytheprayeryourSontaughtus:
OurFather,whoartinheaven,hallowedbethyname.Thykingdomcome,thywillbedone,onearthasitisinheaven.Giveusthisdayourdailybread,andforgiveourtrespasses, asweforgivethosewhotrespassagainstus.Andleadusnotintotemptation,butdeliverusfromevil, forthineisthekingdom,thepowerandthegloryforever.Amen.
ClosingHymn “TogetherWeServe”-TFWS#2175
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Benediction GooutandimitateGod,livinginlove.PutyourhopeinGod’sWord
andletyourownwordsbetruthfulandconstructive.Maysinrouseyouranger,butneverletangercauseyoutosin.
Don’tallowanyroomforevil,andmayGodalwayshearyourvoice.MayChristJesusraiseyoutonewlife;andmaytheHolySpiritnourishyouforthelifeoflove.
GoinpeacetoloveandservetheLord,Amen.LectioDivinaPracticefromStanKerr
Today’swelcomingwords: WelcomeHolySpirit.BreatheGod’spresenceintous. Greetings,CheneyUMCandfriends.MynameisStanKerrandIhavetheprivilegeofguidingustodayonaspiritualpracticeknownaslectiodivinaorsacredreadingofscripture.Today’sscriptureisfromthebookofSongofSolomon3:1-5(NRSV). Let’sseewhatGodhasinstoreforustodayasweopeninprayer:Godwhoisallseeing,beoureyestodaythatwemightseeyourwayforwardforyourpeople,yourchurchandyourworld.Whatweseechangesourperceptionanddrivesourdirection.Whatweseecolorsourcreativeandcollaborativespirit.Whatweseecallsthatwhichisshadowintothelight.WhatweseeisbornofGodasweseektheHolytogether.Blesstheeyesofourhearts,LivingLord,thatwemightseethroughthelensofyourHolySpirittheroadyouwouldhaveuswalk,thejourneyyouwouldinviteustoasweworkandpray.Withsingularfocusofloveandgrace,weyieldourselvesthisday!Amen.(greatplainsumc.org/prayervideos) Asyouprepareforthistimeofsacredreadingorlectiodivina,IencourageyoutoquietyourheartandmindforthistimewithGod.Lightacandleinyourcomfortableandquietplace.Takeamomenttoslowdownwithasimplebreathingexercise.Closeyoureyes,loweryourshouldersandrestyourhandscomfortablyinyourlaporonyourthighs.Breatheinoncethroughyournose,holdthebreath,andbreathinasecondtime(againthroughthenose)pushingthefirstbreathdeeperintoyourlungs.Releasethebreathslowlyoutyourmouth.Dothistwomoretime.Godspeakstousthroughthesacredscriptureslettingusknowthathehasunconditionalloveforus.Today’sscripturewillbereadforatotalofthreetimes.Listencloselyforawordorphraseorimageorfeelingthatspeaksorringsouttoyouasthescriptureisreadforthefirsttime.Slowlyrepeatthatwordorphrasetoyourselfacoupleoftimes.Thisisatimeofconversationandprayerbetweenyou&GodandGodhasgivenyouthiswordorphraseorfeelingorimagetoyouforthistimeofsacredreading.OpeningupyourfeelingsisencouragedforthisconversationwithGod…feelingsfromabundantlyjoyfultothosedesperatelydifficult.Aftereachreading,usethesilencethatfollowstoreflectonthatphraseorwordorimageorfeelingandconsideratasaspiritualgiftfromGodthathewantsyoutouse.AskingGodhowtousethisspiritualgift,ispartoftoday’sprayer. Ifnothingspeakstoyouoryou’reuncertainofwhatyou’redoing,prayboldyandwithouthesitationtoGodwithunbelievablefaith.Godwillansweryou.TrustthatGodunderstandsyou.Ifyourmindwanders,slowlybringitbacktoyourlisteningtothescriptureasyoureceivethegiftofscripturefromGod.
SongofSolomon3:1-5(NRSV)Love’sDream1 UponmybedatnightIsoughthimwhommysoulloves;Isoughthim,butfoundhimnot;Icalledhim,buthegavenoanswer.
2 “Iwillrisenowandgoaboutthecity,inthestreetsandinthesquares;Iwillseekhimwhommysoulloves.”Isoughthim,butfoundhimnot.
3 Thesentinelsfoundme,astheywentaboutinthecity.“Haveyouseenhimwhommysoulloves?”
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4 ScarcelyhadIpassedthem,whenIfoundhimwhommysoulloves.Iheldhim,andwouldnotlethimgountilIbroughthimintomymother’shouse,andintothechamberofherthatconceivedme.
5 Iadjureyou,OdaughtersofJerusalem,bythegazellesorthewilddoes:donotstiruporawakenloveuntilitisready!
(pauseforyourfirsttimeofreflection)Asyoureadthroughasecondtime,allowthewordorphraseorfeelingorimagethatcaughtyourattentiontostiryourthoughtsorfeelingstoadeeperlevelofreflection.Inyourmind’seye,considerwhatyouseewhenyouseethatwordorphrasesurroundedbyabright,whitelight.Goslowly,allowGodtimetosayallhewantstosaytoyoutoday.(whenyouareready,readthescriptureagain) NowtalkhonestlywithGodaboutwhateveryou’refeeling…listenforhisinvitationstoyou.HowareyoubeingcalledtorespondtoGod’sword?WhatdoyouneedfromGodrightnow?(whenyouareready,readthescriptureagain) RestnowinthepresenceofGodwhoknowsyoubetterthanyouknowyourself.Yourthoughtsandfeelingsrightnow,duringthistimeofsilenceandconversationwithGod,hasbeenhisgifttoyou.Forafewmoments,simplybe.AllowthesilenceandmessagefromGodtorestinyou.Whenyouareready,closewiththisprayer:"Lord,youhavebeenourhelpgenerationaftergeneration.Beforethemountainswereborn,beforeyoubirthedtheearthandtheinhabitedworld–fromforeverinthepasttoforeverinthefuture,youareGod.Teachustodowhatpleasesyou,becauseyouareourGod.Guideusbyyourgoodspiritintoagoodland."-FromPsalm90:1-2andPsalm143:10
