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August 24, 2021 Dear Friend in Faith, This week we wrap up our “Geared Up for Life” summer series AND celebrate what we hope to be the LAST fully virtual and at home worship service of the pandemic!!! Can you tell I’m excited?!?! Starting next week, September 5th, we will begin offering an option for resuming in person worship at 10am on Sundays. While we will still be offering a YouTube version of the service, it will be a hybrid of in person/live filmed and pre- recorded elements. We will continue to mail out a printed at home version of the services. However, starting next week, you will begin receiving this at home guide after the worship service occurs on Sunday mornings. You should expect to receive it by Thursday or Friday of the week following depending on how quickly we can produce it and get it in the mail! As with any shift in operations, it might take us a few weeks to iron out the kinks so please be patient with us as we make this transition. Thank you! Everything you need to participate is included in this at home bulletin: hymn sheets, my sermon manuscript, and the liturgy. 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. There is a video version available on our YouTube channel if you’d like to have Stan lead you! 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 29th video. If you have questions, comments, or a prayer request, please contact me. May you be protected by the armor of God, Pastor Alissa Bertsch 204 4th St. Cheney, WA 99004 c: 509-879-2278 [email protected]
Cheney United Methodist Church
August 29th, 2021 – Geared Up for Life Summer Worship Series Call to Worship Though storms rage around me, I will clothe myself with the whole armor of God. I will fasten the belt of truth about my waist. I will place strength and determination as my shoes to aid me in my ministry and mission for God. I will take up the shield of faith with which I shall defend against evil ways. I will pray diligently at all times, offering prayers and supplication to God. The helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit will accompany my on my journey. Be strong in the Lord who provides for your every need. I place my confidence and trust in God always. AMEN.
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Opening Hymn “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” - UMH #117
Opening Prayer Holy One of mystery and power, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below, keeping covenant and steadfast love with all who walk before you with pure and upright hearts. Fill our lives with your glory, as you filled the temple with cloud when Solomon first brought the ark into your holy dwelling place. Give us the strength and the power to withstand the forces of evil at work in our lives and in our world. Amen.
Epistle Reading – Ephesians 6:10-20 (NRSV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
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Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak. The Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
The Word Interpreted “Armored” Pastor Alissa Most of you know that I’m an avid equestrian and that I spend some time just about every day with my, J’adorra. I compete in a discipline called dressage which is the French word for “training”, and it’s so called because this form of riding is based off ancient military training for cavalry horses and the soldiers who rode them. And I mean ancient - in the 2nd century B.C.E., an Athenian military leader, philosopher, historian, and equestrian by the name of Xenophon wrote two treatises about training up the military war horse with specifics on how to select a horse, train it up through the ranks, and provide for its care. In the final section of one of his treatises, Xenophon describes the required equipment for both the horse and the rider when riding into battle. For the rider, he mentions that the corselet, or breastplate, should fit properly, and that the rider should use a Boeotian (pronounced Bee Ocean) helmet which kind of looked like a sun hat in that you could fold down various metal brims to protect the neck, ears, and forehead as needed. As an open helmet, it allowed good peripheral vision and unimpaired hearing which was apparently acutely helpful for cavalry riders who needed to see where they were going at high speed and hear over the sound of thundering hoof steps! A gauntlet, made of metal or leather was recommended to protect the left hand and arm all the way up to the shoulder and armpit as that hand would be holding the reins rather than a defensive weapon like the right hand which wielded the sword. The horse's protection was also detailed by Xenophon with a frontlet which protected the face of the horse, a breastplate, and leather pieces to protect the hind legs being compulsory. It was also recommended that the back and belly of the horse have a saddle cloth to protect them from rubs, and that the legs be wrapped with cloth to shield them from nicks and cuts. Though we are far removed from the ancient arenas of war, many of the training movements I’m learning to do with J’adorra are exactly the same as the ones Xenophon describes and many of the required equipment and safety practices he wrote about over 2300 years ago, remain in place. For me to compete and even in some cases, train, I am required to wear a well-fitting helmet that provides some neck protection as well as gloves (on both hands since the sword is no longer compulsory) plus sturdy boots with a heel to keep my foot from sliding forward in the stirrup. Whenever I ride, I always use a saddle pad on J’adorra’s back and while she doesn’t wear a frontlet, breastplate or thigh pieces, she does sport a wide, leather girth to disperse pressure and boots on her legs and feet to protect her from nicks and cuts. My chosen sport isn’t the only one that requires certain types of protective equipment to play, train, or compete. Soccer players wear shin guards. Racquet ballers have safety glasses. Softball players wear leather shoes with cleats. And many activities require, or strongly suggest, wearing a helmet. Protecting ourselves while we engage in recreational activities is normal for us. Take a moment and think about an activity you participate in regularly - what sorts of required equipment and
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safety protocols do you have to adhere to in order to engage it in? Do you have to wear helmet? Elbow or knee pads? Gloves, safety glasses, or a body vest? What purpose do each of these items serve - what are they protecting and what are they protecting you from? Broken bones and brain injuries from impact with other people or equipment? Cuts and scrapes from falling or crashing? Black eyes or bruises from a misdirected kick or swing? You get the idea. And we don’t just limit these protective measures to when we’re having fun or working out. We wear seat belts when we drive, hold the handrail when going up and down stairs, and put childproof locks on our medicine cabinets. Life is inherently risky and sometimes downright dangerous but there are mitigating practices we can embrace to help us safely participate and navigate both the mundane day to day and exciting adventures that come our way! If he had his way, our Ephesians writer would also like us to extend this practice of accessorizing for protection, albeit in a metaphorical way, to our faith life as well! Many folks who have been around the church for a while know and love this passage about putting on the symbolic “armor of God” to face the very real onslaught of challenges facing people of faith every time they walk out the door. There’s plenty of coffee mugs, canvas bags, and cute wall hangings to testify to our appreciation for how this passage helps us to think about the aspects of our faith that help us navigate the world as Christians and representatives of Christ. And even if you are very familiar with the passage, it’s always worth a refresher, so, let’s take detailed look at the Ephesians writer’s suggested gear kit, if you will, and then consider what additional items we might add to help us in our current situation! The first item recommended by the writer is the “belt of truth”. Historically, belts did what belts to do today…hold up your pants because tripping over your leggings is both dangerous and embarrassing! But back in the first century, when someone served as an infantry soldier in an army, a belt also functioned to contain any loose bits of clothing to protect the soldier from the enemy grabbing said strips of cloth and subsequently taking him down. In modern day sports built upon historical military activities, like American football, grabbing clothing is illegal, but back then, loose clothing was fair game! Hence the belts! But the belt the Ephesians writer is talking about isn’t a real belt - it’s a symbolic belt of truth that one wraps around oneself to keep loose talk from slipping from their mouths. Christians are called, and expected, to speak truth (Pastor Dale talked about this a few weeks ago) but the world is full of tempting invitations to gossip, spread misinformation, or tell lies. To protect oneself from those temptations, Christians are encouraged to don the proverbial belt of truth around their core to remind themselves that truth, and truth-telling, are at the center of their faith. So, if you’ve found yourself getting a little too caught up in gossip and such, you might consider tightening up your belt of truth a notch or two! The second item in our spiritual protection kit is the breastplate of righteousness. Breastplates were made of two pieces of metal shaped to fit the contours of a person’s upper body front and back and designed to protect their vital organs from enemy attack. Applied to our faith, this figurative piece of body armor is worn to protect our hearts and stomach (or gut) from the pain of unfaithfulness. Relationships are at the core of Christianity (you see what I did there?) and it’s human nature to struggle with staying faithful to others whether it be friends, family, or even God. The breastplate of righteousness, then, is worn to help us avoid the heart or gut-wrenching experience of having let down
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those we love or being heart broken when they fail us. If we wrap ourselves in the two panels of love and fidelity, we’ll protect ourselves and others from the pain of broken relationships. Seems like a good thing to have in our gear box! Next up are the shoes of readiness to share the Gospel! Most of us wear shoes when we’re out and about in the world to both protect our feet from injury and avoid violating laws that require shoes in most establishments. When you’re kicking your feet up in the lazy boy at the end of the long day…you’re not likely to be wearing shoes (well, maybe slippers) because you’re done working and it’s time to relax. But for Christians, we’re never off the clock when it comes to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ! We must always be ready to hit the road and tell the world about what God has done in Christ which is why the Ephesians writer suggests having your shoes on and ready all the time! He doesn’t specify what kind of shoes, so feel free to wear what you like! Our fourth piece of recommended protective equipment is an important one: the shield of faith. Like an ancient battle shield that served to protect you from any angle - from above to stop arrows, from the side to stop sword thrusts, from behind to guard your back - the shield of faith is there to protect you on all sides from the inevitable and unexpected attacks of doubts, fears, and second- guessing that assail us every day. It’s also there to protect you when the world just won’t stop sending tragedy and hard times your way until you’re afraid it’s more than you can handle. This is when the shield of faith steps in to remind us of God’s infinite grace and mercy for us as well as God’s eternal promise to provide all of us salvation from the woes of this world. Which is a good segue to the helmet of salvation! Obviously, helmets have always been designed to protect your noggin! And if you’ve ever worn a helmet or seen someone wear a helmet then you know it’s the hardest piece of protective equipment to conceal - it’s right there where everyone can take note. Which is exactly what the writer to the Ephesians wants Christians to do with their salvation - wear their sense of security and safety in God’s provision right out there in the open so anyone seeing them will learn about the power of God through their witness. That same metaphorical helmet worn right on top of your head also serves to remind you of your salvation which the writer hopes will compel you to align your vision with God’s will for you and the world around us. A vision in which ALL people are safe and secure in the kingdom of God! We have one last item to add to our imaginary Christian toolkit and that is the sword of the Spirit. This is probably the metaphor I have the hardest time with in this passage - weaponizing the Word of God, even metaphorically, to me, seems rather counter-intuitive considering the Gospel message it contains is all about peace! But the Ephesians writer is not suggesting we apply the lethal use of a sword to our understanding of how to use the Bible. Instead, we’re encouraged to “take” the Word, just as we “took” our salvation, and go into the world ready to wield it, if you will, whenever the opportunity strikes. Just as a soldier would carry a sword at the ready on their belt, so too, are we encouraged to have the Word of God close by either in hand or in mind to share with others or to help us know how best to deal with a situation. There you have it! The entire kit and caboodle of spiritual protective gear the Ephesians writer thinks any Christian needs: truth-telling, right relationships, speediness to serve, fullness of faith, sense of salvation, and the wisdom of the Word. Each of these on their own provides some support,
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protection, and provision for us on our faith journey, but taken all together, they provide everything we need to navigate the world as people of faith intent on being disciples of Jesus Christ. As we “gear up” with our spiritual armor in preparation to resume in-person worship next week, I’d like to encourage us to also engage the spiritual practice of donning some extra and real protective gear to keep ourselves and others safe. Just as helmets, breastplates, and so forth protected soldiers from the perils of war, so, too does certain personal protective equipment protect us as a church family as we continue to battle against the threat of COVID-19 and its variants. Masks, vaccines, hand sanitizer, social distancing, and staying home if you have symptoms consistent with COVID, are currently just as vital to the overall physical health of individual Christians in the body of Christ as ancient armor. The virus is just as invisible and sinister as the cosmic forces that tempt us to tell lies, commit infidelity, or deny the love of God. And just as we dress ourselves with the metaphorical armor of God to protect ourselves from falling prey to these dangerous impulses and actions, so, too, are we called to armor ourselves with modern PPE and safety actions to protect ourselves and others from the dangers of coronavirus. As has been shared in our August newsletter, your church leaders are calling each of us to take some time to discern whether this is the right time for you and/or your family to resume participation in in-person worship. Rest assured that we will continue to faithfully offer a virtual and at home worship option to ensure that everyone has a means to stay connected to God and the church through worship at Cheney UMC. And no one should feel guilty or shamed for making the decision to continue worshiping at home. Please know that Pastor Pat and I affirm whatever is best for you and your family currently and we always support the path of least harm first. One sign of our readiness to return will be our willingness to abide by the safety actions our Stepping Forward Team has implemented for our return to in-person worship. If we’re prepared to wear masks, practice social distancing, hum to hymns, and share in Christian fellowship outside, then we’re probably ready. If we’re not yet vaccinated or have a medical condition that precludes any of us from getting one and are high risk, gathering in a group to worship in an enclosed space might not be advisable at this time. Next week we will take a significant step forward in our journey through this season of pandemic and I believe we’ll need everything suggested by the writer of the letter to the Ephesians to help us navigate this new chapter. We’ll need to belt ourselves with truth lest we find ourselves spreading misinformation and lies amongst our community. We’ll need righteousness at the core of our being to ensure we place our relationships with God and others in priority place. We’ll need to lace up our shoes and be ready to share the Good News in new and innovative, albeit hybrid ways. All of us need to refresh our connection to our faith so we can face the challenges before and shield ourselves from negativity, defeatism, and doubt. And all of us need to remember the promises of God’s salvation for us and for all creation which are conveniently found in the Word of God which we must always keep close at our side. As we continue to navigate through the storm that is the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe that the armor of God will protect us spiritually from all that assails us. But I also believe we have been given the spiritual ability to practice reason and exercise wisdom in determining how best to protect each other and ourselves during these challenging times. So, as we conclude this “Geared Up for Life” series, let’s don our spiritual armor and do as the letter writer did and ‘pray to the Spirit at all times in every
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prayer and supplication….keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints” and may each of us have the boldness to speak of the mystery of the gospel today and always. Hallelujah! Amen.
Hymn of Response “Still” - W&S #3134
Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer Where has the time gone, Lord? It seems as though we just got started with summer, having plans for rest and recreation, leisure and celebration. Then suddenly we are at the end of the summer. We know, as we begin to focus more closely on our daily planners, that time fills up fast with duties, meetings, organizations, and just generally getting back into the swing of things. It is easy for us to get lost in the obligations and to neglect our commitment to you. You have girded us for the journey, giving us armaments of faith. Your beloved Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, has poured out blessings upon blessings in his teachings that we might be made whole and be in good and faithful service to you by serving your world. Open our hearts and spirits, Lord, to faithful ministries in which we may take part. Let us take the extra steps into the wondrous mission to which you have called. Heal, restore, and prepare us for service. For we ask this in Jesus’ Name who taught us to pray, saying:
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Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Closing Hymn “May You Run and Not Be Weary” - TFWS #2281
Benediction
Go out, and make known the mystery of the gospel. Keep alert and pray at all times. Draw strength from God’s power
and so stand firm against all that would corrupt you. And may God arm you with truth and righteousness; May Christ Jesus give you words of Spirit and life;
and may the Holy Spirit draw you near to God’s presence ........and bless you with honor and grace. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!
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Lectio Divina Practice from Stan Kerr
Today’s welcoming words: “We spend a lot of time talking about leaving a legacy in this world, grand or small, financial or repetitional, so that we won’t be forgotten. But ghost stories show us a different concern, hidden under our bluster: we hope that the dead won’t forget us. We hope that we, the living, will not lose the meanings that seem to evaporate when our loved ones die.”
Katherine May, Wintering: “How I Learned to Flourish When Life Became Frozen”
Greetings, Cheney UMC and friends. My name is Stan Kerr and I have the privilege of guiding us today on a spiritual practice known as lectio divina or sacred reading of scripture. Today’s scripture is from the book of Hebrews 11:11-16 (CEB). Let’s see what God has in store for us today as we open in prayer: Holy Spirit, our Comforter, and our Friend, as we stand on Your Word, we ask that You rain down on us. Let Your power fall on us and change our hearts. Open heaven wide and pour out the rain of Your Holy Spirit over our church and our lives. Change us, renew us, empower us. We need Your touch again. Precious gift from heaven, send us Your cleansing rain. Amen. (Anonymous) As you prepare for this time of sacred reading or lectio divina, I encourage you to quiet your heart and mind for this time with God. Light a candle in your comfortable and quiet place. Take a moment to slow down with a simple breathing exercise. Close your eyes, lower your shoulders and rest your hands comfortably in your lap or on your thighs. Breathe in once through your nose, hold the breath, and breath in a second time (again through the nose) pushing the first breath deeper into your lungs. Release the breath slowly out your mouth. Do this two more time. God speaks to us through the sacred scriptures letting us know that he has unconditional love for us. Today’s scripture will be read for a total of three times. Listen closely for a word or phrase or image or feeling that speaks or rings out to you as the scripture is read for the first time. Slowly repeat that word or phrase to yourself a couple of times. This is a time of conversation and prayer between you & God and God has given you this word or phrase or feeling or image to you for this time of sacred reading. Opening up your feelings is encouraged for this conversation with God… feelings from abundantly joyful to those desperately difficult. After each reading, use the silence that follows to reflect on that phrase or word or image or feeling and consider at as a spiritual gift from God that he wants you to use. Asking God how to use this spiritual gift, is part of today’s prayer. If nothing speaks to you or you’re uncertain of what you’re doing, pray boldly and without hesitation to God with unbelievable faith. God will answer you. Trust that God understands you. If your mind wanders, slowly bring it back to your listening to the scripture as you receive the gift of scripture from God.
Hebrews 11:11-16 (CEB) 11 By faith even Sarah received the ability to have a child, though she herself was barren and past the age for having children, because she believed that the one who promised was faithful. 12 So descendants were born from one man (and he was as good as dead). They were as many as the number of the stars in the sky and as countless as the grains of sand on the seashore. 13 All these people died in faith without receiving the promises, but they saw the promises
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from a distance and welcomed them. They confessed that they were strangers and immigrants on earth. 14 People who say this kind of thing make it clear that they are looking for a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking about the country that they had left, they would have had the opportunity to return to it. 16 But at this point in time, they are longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God isn’t ashamed to be called their God—he has prepared a city for them.
August 24, 2021 Dear Friend in Faith, This week we wrap up our “Geared Up for Life” summer series AND celebrate what we hope to be the LAST fully virtual and at home worship service of the pandemic!!! Can you tell I’m excited?!?! Starting next week, September 5th, we will begin offering an option for resuming in person worship at 10am on Sundays. While we will still be offering a YouTube version of the service, it will be a hybrid of in person/live filmed and pre- recorded elements. We will continue to mail out a printed at home version of the services. However, starting next week, you will begin receiving this at home guide after the worship service occurs on Sunday mornings. You should expect to receive it by Thursday or Friday of the week following depending on how quickly we can produce it and get it in the mail! As with any shift in operations, it might take us a few weeks to iron out the kinks so please be patient with us as we make this transition. Thank you! Everything you need to participate is included in this at home bulletin: hymn sheets, my sermon manuscript, and the liturgy. 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. There is a video version available on our YouTube channel if you’d like to have Stan lead you! 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 29th video. If you have questions, comments, or a prayer request, please contact me. May you be protected by the armor of God, Pastor Alissa Bertsch 204 4th St. Cheney, WA 99004 c: 509-879-2278 [email protected]
Cheney United Methodist Church
August 29th, 2021 – Geared Up for Life Summer Worship Series Call to Worship Though storms rage around me, I will clothe myself with the whole armor of God. I will fasten the belt of truth about my waist. I will place strength and determination as my shoes to aid me in my ministry and mission for God. I will take up the shield of faith with which I shall defend against evil ways. I will pray diligently at all times, offering prayers and supplication to God. The helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit will accompany my on my journey. Be strong in the Lord who provides for your every need. I place my confidence and trust in God always. AMEN.
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Opening Hymn “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” - UMH #117
Opening Prayer Holy One of mystery and power, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below, keeping covenant and steadfast love with all who walk before you with pure and upright hearts. Fill our lives with your glory, as you filled the temple with cloud when Solomon first brought the ark into your holy dwelling place. Give us the strength and the power to withstand the forces of evil at work in our lives and in our world. Amen.
Epistle Reading – Ephesians 6:10-20 (NRSV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
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Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak. The Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
The Word Interpreted “Armored” Pastor Alissa Most of you know that I’m an avid equestrian and that I spend some time just about every day with my, J’adorra. I compete in a discipline called dressage which is the French word for “training”, and it’s so called because this form of riding is based off ancient military training for cavalry horses and the soldiers who rode them. And I mean ancient - in the 2nd century B.C.E., an Athenian military leader, philosopher, historian, and equestrian by the name of Xenophon wrote two treatises about training up the military war horse with specifics on how to select a horse, train it up through the ranks, and provide for its care. In the final section of one of his treatises, Xenophon describes the required equipment for both the horse and the rider when riding into battle. For the rider, he mentions that the corselet, or breastplate, should fit properly, and that the rider should use a Boeotian (pronounced Bee Ocean) helmet which kind of looked like a sun hat in that you could fold down various metal brims to protect the neck, ears, and forehead as needed. As an open helmet, it allowed good peripheral vision and unimpaired hearing which was apparently acutely helpful for cavalry riders who needed to see where they were going at high speed and hear over the sound of thundering hoof steps! A gauntlet, made of metal or leather was recommended to protect the left hand and arm all the way up to the shoulder and armpit as that hand would be holding the reins rather than a defensive weapon like the right hand which wielded the sword. The horse's protection was also detailed by Xenophon with a frontlet which protected the face of the horse, a breastplate, and leather pieces to protect the hind legs being compulsory. It was also recommended that the back and belly of the horse have a saddle cloth to protect them from rubs, and that the legs be wrapped with cloth to shield them from nicks and cuts. Though we are far removed from the ancient arenas of war, many of the training movements I’m learning to do with J’adorra are exactly the same as the ones Xenophon describes and many of the required equipment and safety practices he wrote about over 2300 years ago, remain in place. For me to compete and even in some cases, train, I am required to wear a well-fitting helmet that provides some neck protection as well as gloves (on both hands since the sword is no longer compulsory) plus sturdy boots with a heel to keep my foot from sliding forward in the stirrup. Whenever I ride, I always use a saddle pad on J’adorra’s back and while she doesn’t wear a frontlet, breastplate or thigh pieces, she does sport a wide, leather girth to disperse pressure and boots on her legs and feet to protect her from nicks and cuts. My chosen sport isn’t the only one that requires certain types of protective equipment to play, train, or compete. Soccer players wear shin guards. Racquet ballers have safety glasses. Softball players wear leather shoes with cleats. And many activities require, or strongly suggest, wearing a helmet. Protecting ourselves while we engage in recreational activities is normal for us. Take a moment and think about an activity you participate in regularly - what sorts of required equipment and
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safety protocols do you have to adhere to in order to engage it in? Do you have to wear helmet? Elbow or knee pads? Gloves, safety glasses, or a body vest? What purpose do each of these items serve - what are they protecting and what are they protecting you from? Broken bones and brain injuries from impact with other people or equipment? Cuts and scrapes from falling or crashing? Black eyes or bruises from a misdirected kick or swing? You get the idea. And we don’t just limit these protective measures to when we’re having fun or working out. We wear seat belts when we drive, hold the handrail when going up and down stairs, and put childproof locks on our medicine cabinets. Life is inherently risky and sometimes downright dangerous but there are mitigating practices we can embrace to help us safely participate and navigate both the mundane day to day and exciting adventures that come our way! If he had his way, our Ephesians writer would also like us to extend this practice of accessorizing for protection, albeit in a metaphorical way, to our faith life as well! Many folks who have been around the church for a while know and love this passage about putting on the symbolic “armor of God” to face the very real onslaught of challenges facing people of faith every time they walk out the door. There’s plenty of coffee mugs, canvas bags, and cute wall hangings to testify to our appreciation for how this passage helps us to think about the aspects of our faith that help us navigate the world as Christians and representatives of Christ. And even if you are very familiar with the passage, it’s always worth a refresher, so, let’s take detailed look at the Ephesians writer’s suggested gear kit, if you will, and then consider what additional items we might add to help us in our current situation! The first item recommended by the writer is the “belt of truth”. Historically, belts did what belts to do today…hold up your pants because tripping over your leggings is both dangerous and embarrassing! But back in the first century, when someone served as an infantry soldier in an army, a belt also functioned to contain any loose bits of clothing to protect the soldier from the enemy grabbing said strips of cloth and subsequently taking him down. In modern day sports built upon historical military activities, like American football, grabbing clothing is illegal, but back then, loose clothing was fair game! Hence the belts! But the belt the Ephesians writer is talking about isn’t a real belt - it’s a symbolic belt of truth that one wraps around oneself to keep loose talk from slipping from their mouths. Christians are called, and expected, to speak truth (Pastor Dale talked about this a few weeks ago) but the world is full of tempting invitations to gossip, spread misinformation, or tell lies. To protect oneself from those temptations, Christians are encouraged to don the proverbial belt of truth around their core to remind themselves that truth, and truth-telling, are at the center of their faith. So, if you’ve found yourself getting a little too caught up in gossip and such, you might consider tightening up your belt of truth a notch or two! The second item in our spiritual protection kit is the breastplate of righteousness. Breastplates were made of two pieces of metal shaped to fit the contours of a person’s upper body front and back and designed to protect their vital organs from enemy attack. Applied to our faith, this figurative piece of body armor is worn to protect our hearts and stomach (or gut) from the pain of unfaithfulness. Relationships are at the core of Christianity (you see what I did there?) and it’s human nature to struggle with staying faithful to others whether it be friends, family, or even God. The breastplate of righteousness, then, is worn to help us avoid the heart or gut-wrenching experience of having let down
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those we love or being heart broken when they fail us. If we wrap ourselves in the two panels of love and fidelity, we’ll protect ourselves and others from the pain of broken relationships. Seems like a good thing to have in our gear box! Next up are the shoes of readiness to share the Gospel! Most of us wear shoes when we’re out and about in the world to both protect our feet from injury and avoid violating laws that require shoes in most establishments. When you’re kicking your feet up in the lazy boy at the end of the long day…you’re not likely to be wearing shoes (well, maybe slippers) because you’re done working and it’s time to relax. But for Christians, we’re never off the clock when it comes to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ! We must always be ready to hit the road and tell the world about what God has done in Christ which is why the Ephesians writer suggests having your shoes on and ready all the time! He doesn’t specify what kind of shoes, so feel free to wear what you like! Our fourth piece of recommended protective equipment is an important one: the shield of faith. Like an ancient battle shield that served to protect you from any angle - from above to stop arrows, from the side to stop sword thrusts, from behind to guard your back - the shield of faith is there to protect you on all sides from the inevitable and unexpected attacks of doubts, fears, and second- guessing that assail us every day. It’s also there to protect you when the world just won’t stop sending tragedy and hard times your way until you’re afraid it’s more than you can handle. This is when the shield of faith steps in to remind us of God’s infinite grace and mercy for us as well as God’s eternal promise to provide all of us salvation from the woes of this world. Which is a good segue to the helmet of salvation! Obviously, helmets have always been designed to protect your noggin! And if you’ve ever worn a helmet or seen someone wear a helmet then you know it’s the hardest piece of protective equipment to conceal - it’s right there where everyone can take note. Which is exactly what the writer to the Ephesians wants Christians to do with their salvation - wear their sense of security and safety in God’s provision right out there in the open so anyone seeing them will learn about the power of God through their witness. That same metaphorical helmet worn right on top of your head also serves to remind you of your salvation which the writer hopes will compel you to align your vision with God’s will for you and the world around us. A vision in which ALL people are safe and secure in the kingdom of God! We have one last item to add to our imaginary Christian toolkit and that is the sword of the Spirit. This is probably the metaphor I have the hardest time with in this passage - weaponizing the Word of God, even metaphorically, to me, seems rather counter-intuitive considering the Gospel message it contains is all about peace! But the Ephesians writer is not suggesting we apply the lethal use of a sword to our understanding of how to use the Bible. Instead, we’re encouraged to “take” the Word, just as we “took” our salvation, and go into the world ready to wield it, if you will, whenever the opportunity strikes. Just as a soldier would carry a sword at the ready on their belt, so too, are we encouraged to have the Word of God close by either in hand or in mind to share with others or to help us know how best to deal with a situation. There you have it! The entire kit and caboodle of spiritual protective gear the Ephesians writer thinks any Christian needs: truth-telling, right relationships, speediness to serve, fullness of faith, sense of salvation, and the wisdom of the Word. Each of these on their own provides some support,
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protection, and provision for us on our faith journey, but taken all together, they provide everything we need to navigate the world as people of faith intent on being disciples of Jesus Christ. As we “gear up” with our spiritual armor in preparation to resume in-person worship next week, I’d like to encourage us to also engage the spiritual practice of donning some extra and real protective gear to keep ourselves and others safe. Just as helmets, breastplates, and so forth protected soldiers from the perils of war, so, too does certain personal protective equipment protect us as a church family as we continue to battle against the threat of COVID-19 and its variants. Masks, vaccines, hand sanitizer, social distancing, and staying home if you have symptoms consistent with COVID, are currently just as vital to the overall physical health of individual Christians in the body of Christ as ancient armor. The virus is just as invisible and sinister as the cosmic forces that tempt us to tell lies, commit infidelity, or deny the love of God. And just as we dress ourselves with the metaphorical armor of God to protect ourselves from falling prey to these dangerous impulses and actions, so, too, are we called to armor ourselves with modern PPE and safety actions to protect ourselves and others from the dangers of coronavirus. As has been shared in our August newsletter, your church leaders are calling each of us to take some time to discern whether this is the right time for you and/or your family to resume participation in in-person worship. Rest assured that we will continue to faithfully offer a virtual and at home worship option to ensure that everyone has a means to stay connected to God and the church through worship at Cheney UMC. And no one should feel guilty or shamed for making the decision to continue worshiping at home. Please know that Pastor Pat and I affirm whatever is best for you and your family currently and we always support the path of least harm first. One sign of our readiness to return will be our willingness to abide by the safety actions our Stepping Forward Team has implemented for our return to in-person worship. If we’re prepared to wear masks, practice social distancing, hum to hymns, and share in Christian fellowship outside, then we’re probably ready. If we’re not yet vaccinated or have a medical condition that precludes any of us from getting one and are high risk, gathering in a group to worship in an enclosed space might not be advisable at this time. Next week we will take a significant step forward in our journey through this season of pandemic and I believe we’ll need everything suggested by the writer of the letter to the Ephesians to help us navigate this new chapter. We’ll need to belt ourselves with truth lest we find ourselves spreading misinformation and lies amongst our community. We’ll need righteousness at the core of our being to ensure we place our relationships with God and others in priority place. We’ll need to lace up our shoes and be ready to share the Good News in new and innovative, albeit hybrid ways. All of us need to refresh our connection to our faith so we can face the challenges before and shield ourselves from negativity, defeatism, and doubt. And all of us need to remember the promises of God’s salvation for us and for all creation which are conveniently found in the Word of God which we must always keep close at our side. As we continue to navigate through the storm that is the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe that the armor of God will protect us spiritually from all that assails us. But I also believe we have been given the spiritual ability to practice reason and exercise wisdom in determining how best to protect each other and ourselves during these challenging times. So, as we conclude this “Geared Up for Life” series, let’s don our spiritual armor and do as the letter writer did and ‘pray to the Spirit at all times in every
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prayer and supplication….keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints” and may each of us have the boldness to speak of the mystery of the gospel today and always. Hallelujah! Amen.
Hymn of Response “Still” - W&S #3134
Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer Where has the time gone, Lord? It seems as though we just got started with summer, having plans for rest and recreation, leisure and celebration. Then suddenly we are at the end of the summer. We know, as we begin to focus more closely on our daily planners, that time fills up fast with duties, meetings, organizations, and just generally getting back into the swing of things. It is easy for us to get lost in the obligations and to neglect our commitment to you. You have girded us for the journey, giving us armaments of faith. Your beloved Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, has poured out blessings upon blessings in his teachings that we might be made whole and be in good and faithful service to you by serving your world. Open our hearts and spirits, Lord, to faithful ministries in which we may take part. Let us take the extra steps into the wondrous mission to which you have called. Heal, restore, and prepare us for service. For we ask this in Jesus’ Name who taught us to pray, saying:
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Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Closing Hymn “May You Run and Not Be Weary” - TFWS #2281
Benediction
Go out, and make known the mystery of the gospel. Keep alert and pray at all times. Draw strength from God’s power
and so stand firm against all that would corrupt you. And may God arm you with truth and righteousness; May Christ Jesus give you words of Spirit and life;
and may the Holy Spirit draw you near to God’s presence ........and bless you with honor and grace. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!
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Lectio Divina Practice from Stan Kerr
Today’s welcoming words: “We spend a lot of time talking about leaving a legacy in this world, grand or small, financial or repetitional, so that we won’t be forgotten. But ghost stories show us a different concern, hidden under our bluster: we hope that the dead won’t forget us. We hope that we, the living, will not lose the meanings that seem to evaporate when our loved ones die.”
Katherine May, Wintering: “How I Learned to Flourish When Life Became Frozen”
Greetings, Cheney UMC and friends. My name is Stan Kerr and I have the privilege of guiding us today on a spiritual practice known as lectio divina or sacred reading of scripture. Today’s scripture is from the book of Hebrews 11:11-16 (CEB). Let’s see what God has in store for us today as we open in prayer: Holy Spirit, our Comforter, and our Friend, as we stand on Your Word, we ask that You rain down on us. Let Your power fall on us and change our hearts. Open heaven wide and pour out the rain of Your Holy Spirit over our church and our lives. Change us, renew us, empower us. We need Your touch again. Precious gift from heaven, send us Your cleansing rain. Amen. (Anonymous) As you prepare for this time of sacred reading or lectio divina, I encourage you to quiet your heart and mind for this time with God. Light a candle in your comfortable and quiet place. Take a moment to slow down with a simple breathing exercise. Close your eyes, lower your shoulders and rest your hands comfortably in your lap or on your thighs. Breathe in once through your nose, hold the breath, and breath in a second time (again through the nose) pushing the first breath deeper into your lungs. Release the breath slowly out your mouth. Do this two more time. God speaks to us through the sacred scriptures letting us know that he has unconditional love for us. Today’s scripture will be read for a total of three times. Listen closely for a word or phrase or image or feeling that speaks or rings out to you as the scripture is read for the first time. Slowly repeat that word or phrase to yourself a couple of times. This is a time of conversation and prayer between you & God and God has given you this word or phrase or feeling or image to you for this time of sacred reading. Opening up your feelings is encouraged for this conversation with God… feelings from abundantly joyful to those desperately difficult. After each reading, use the silence that follows to reflect on that phrase or word or image or feeling and consider at as a spiritual gift from God that he wants you to use. Asking God how to use this spiritual gift, is part of today’s prayer. If nothing speaks to you or you’re uncertain of what you’re doing, pray boldly and without hesitation to God with unbelievable faith. God will answer you. Trust that God understands you. If your mind wanders, slowly bring it back to your listening to the scripture as you receive the gift of scripture from God.
Hebrews 11:11-16 (CEB) 11 By faith even Sarah received the ability to have a child, though she herself was barren and past the age for having children, because she believed that the one who promised was faithful. 12 So descendants were born from one man (and he was as good as dead). They were as many as the number of the stars in the sky and as countless as the grains of sand on the seashore. 13 All these people died in faith without receiving the promises, but they saw the promises
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from a distance and welcomed them. They confessed that they were strangers and immigrants on earth. 14 People who say this kind of thing make it clear that they are looking for a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking about the country that they had left, they would have had the opportunity to return to it. 16 But at this point in time, they are longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God isn’t ashamed to be called their God—he has prepared a city for them.
