Today is the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Rev. Benjamin Wines will bring the message, “A Place to Lay Your Head”. Our Scripture passage comes from Matthew 8:18-27 and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 4. We look forward to joining you in this time of Worship.

Call to Worship (from Psalm 4)
Leader: Answer me when I call, O God of my right!
People: Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.
Leader: How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame?
People: How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies?
Leader: But know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself;
People: The Lord hears when I call to him.
Leader: When you are disturbed, do not sin;
People: Ponder it on your beds, and be silent.
Leader: Offer right sacrifices,
People: And put your trust in the Lord.
Leader: There are many who say, “O that we might see some good!
People: “Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord!”
Leader: You have put gladness in my heart
People: More than when their grain and wine abound.
Leader: I will both lie down and sleep in peace;
People: For you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.

Questions for Further Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus tries to find some rest.
Where does he ultimately find his resting place?
How can his resting place help us live more faithfully?

Today is the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Rev. Benjamin Wines will bring the message, “For All Creation”. Our Scripture passage comes from Leviticus 25:1-7 and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 116. We look forward to joining you in this time of Worship.

Call to Worship (from Psalm 116)
Leader: What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?
People: I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord,
Leader: I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.
People: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones.
Leader: O Lord, I am your servant;
People: I am your servant, the child of your serving girl.
Leader: You have loosed my bonds.
People: I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice
Leader: And call on the name of the Lord.
People: I will pay my vows to the Lord
Leader: In the presence of all his people,
People: In the courts of the house of the Lord,
Leader: In your midst, O Jerusalem.
People: Praise the Lord!

Questions for Further Reflection:
In this passage, God establishes a sabbath year for the Earth.
Why does God do this?
How could this sabbath year pose a challenge to humans?

I joked with a couple church members this past Sunday that my sermon was nearly going to be two and a half hours long. Not because I was going to write a 50-70 page sermon, but because I was going to propose we all go to the movie theater and just watch the new Spider-Man movie, Spider-Man: Brand New Day. And while the idea of watching a movie as a sermon was a joke, the message of the new Spider-Man movie is not. I remember leaving the theater thinking, “That’ll preach.” So, without spoiling any of the movie, let me give you a brief taste of why this movie’s message is being so well-received.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day takes place after the events of the previous Spider-Man movie, No Way Home. The incredibly short recap of that movie is this. Spider-Man’s secret identity has been outed by one of his enemies, Mysterio, meaning everyone now knows that Peter Parker is Spider-Man. Peter’s friends and family begin to suffer because of that revelation and he tries to fix the problem by having Dr. Strange—a sorcerer—cast a spell to make everyone forget that Peter Parker is Spider-Man. The spell goes awry, all kinds of crazy shenanigans ensue, and at the end of the movie, reality itself is about to be torn apart. So, Peter asks Dr. Strange to cast a new spell—make everyone forget Peter Parker ever existed. Dr. Strange casts the spell, reality is saved, but now Peter is completely and totally alone. No one knows who he is—at all.

Brand New Day picks up from there. At the beginning of the movie, we get to see what Peter’s life looks like now without any of his friends or family. As Spider-Man, he spends all his time taking down villains, cracking cases for the NYPD, and generally being a force for good in NYC. But there’s a stark, sad dichotomy that the movie starts with. Spider-Man, the hero, is beloved; Peter, the person, is forgotten. Spider-Man builds connections; Peter is isolated. Spider-Man gets the key to the city; Peter gets an asbestos-laced apartment. And so, the movie wrestles with several questions.

On the one hand, it asks questions about identity. Peter must decide, “Am I Peter
Parker or am I Spider-Man?” The movie also asks questions about what truth is—who possesses it and how do you responsibly wield it? But the most persistent questions Brand New Day asks are about love and connection. What does it mean to be loved? How do our connections shape our identity? Who do we build connections with, how do you build them, and what happens when we’re disconnected? In the end, the two main assertions the movie makes are, “You don’t have to do this alone,” and “The people who love you, they love you not because you’re special. They love you because you’re you.”

These are the kinds of questions churches should be asking. These are the kinds of things churches should be asserting. We believe in the truth of a God who loves us deeply, simply because we are who we are. We believe in the truth that God is with us, even during difficult times, and has created and molded the church to be a community where people do not have to go through life alone. We should be a place, as well, where the truth is preached—that there is a God who created us all, a Savior who loves humankind so incredibly deeply, and a Holy Spirit that guides us all to live faithfully. So, yes, Spider-Man: Brand New Day will preach.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Ben

Today is the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost. Rev. Benjamin Wines will bring the message, “The Secret to Rest”. Our Scripture passage comes from Philippians 4:4-14 and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 46. We will also have our Blessing of the Students today. We look forward to joining you in this time of Worship.

Call to Worship (from Psalm 46)
Leader: God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.
People: Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
Leader: Though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
People: Though its waters roar and foam, though mountains tremble.
Leader: The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
People: He utters his voice, the earth melts.
Leader: The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
People: Come, behold the works of the Lord;
Leader: See what desolations he has brought on the earth.
People: He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
Leader: He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
People: “Be still, and know that I am God!
Leader: “I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.”
People: The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Blessing of the Students Litany
Leader: God of new beginnings, the new school year is upon us once again. As the children of our community prepare to return to their studies, we ask a blessing over them and all those who care for them. Life-giving God,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: O God, we ask your blessing for school teachers, administrators, counselors, support staff, and volunteers who interact with our children daily. Grant them wisdom as they strive to meet students’ needs. Grant them patience when they are tired or frustrated. Grant them joy and a renewed sense of purpose when they see the spark in a child’s eye that says, “I got it!” Wise and nurturing God,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: O God, as this new school year begins, we ask your blessing on the parents and guardians of school children. Grant them the love and patience they need to help their children learn and grow. Loving and supportive God,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: O God, we ask your blessing over the children as they return to the classroom. Help them feel safe. Spark their curiosity and help them find joy in learning. Teach them your gentleness and mercy, that they may make new friends and build long-lasting relationships. Vibrant and creative God,
People: Hear our prayer.
Leader: Finally, O God, we ask for a blessing for this church. Help us create a place where the energy and excitement of youth has a home. Teach us to be faithful stewards of your love, that these children would know their church family loves them and supports them. Bless us with curiosity, that we would meet new ideas with excitement as we seek your will. Joyful and communal God,
People: Hear our prayer. Amen.

Questions for Further Reflection:
In this passage, Paul speaks about being content in all things.
What does it mean to be content in the Lord?
How does contentment lead to rest?

Today is the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost. Rev. Benjamin Wines will bring the message, “Our Chosen Portion”. Our Scripture passage comes from Psalm 16 and our Call to Worship comes from 1 Peter 1:3-9. We will also be joined by our friends from the Olive Chapel Handbell Choir for today’s worship service.

Call to Worship (from 1 Peter 1:3-9)
Leader: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
People: By his great mercy he has given us a new birth
Leader: Into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
People: And into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.
Leader: In this you rejoice, so that the genuineness of your faith
People: May be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Christ is revealed.
Leader: Although you have not seen him, you love him,
People: And even though you do not see him now,
Leader: You believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,
People: For you are receiving the outcome of your faith,
All: The salvation of your souls.

Questions for Further Reflection:
In this psalm, David declares God to be his refuge.
How does God’s presence bring joy to your life?
How does God’s presence make rest possible?

My article this week is going to be short and sweet. This coming Sunday, August 9th is the deadline to turn in Deacon nomination forms. In light of that, I wanted to just reflect for a moment on what it means to be a deacon.

We see the first deacons appearing in Acts 6:1-7. The church is in its infancy and the twelve apostles are realizing that there is more work than the twelve of them can do. So, they go out into the community and find seven people (in this case, men) and appoint them to serve their brothers and sisters in Christ. At that time, the main ser-vice that was needed was the daily distribution of food to those in need. Their service would allow the twelve apos-tles to continue to do the important work of growing the church.

So, what does it mean to be a deacon? It means recognizing that your community trusts you and repaying that trust with humility, service, and faithfulness. It means partnering with the pastor to meet people’s needs. It means praying for folks and reminding them they are a be-loved part of God’s family. It means working to foster community within the church. It means your church family recognized your gifts, sensed a call from God, and believes you could serve well. All those things may sound lofty, but sometimes all it takes to be a deacon is being willing to serve food to people.

So, if you have someone in mind that you think would be a good deacon, be sure to talk with them this Sunday and see if they would serve. If you have been approached about being a deacon, but are not sure if you’d be “good enough,” remember that all it takes is a humble spirit and a desire to serve. Pray about it. Listen for God’s voice. Respond in the way you deem faithful.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Ben

Today is the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost. Rev. Benjamin Wines will bring the message, “A Deserted Place”. Our Scripture passage comes from Mark 6:30-44 and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 23. We look forward to joining you in this time of Worship.

Call to Worship (from Psalm 23)
Leader: The Lord is my shepherd
People: I shall not want.
Leader: He makes me lie down in green pastures;
People: He leads me beside still waters;
Leader: He restores my soul.
People: He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
Leader: Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
People: I fear no evil, for you are with me;
Leader: Your rod and your staff—they comfort me.
People: You prepare a table before me,
Leader: In the presence of my enemies;
People: You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Leader: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
People: All the days of my life.
Leader: And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
People: My whole life long.

Questions for Further Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus offers rest to his disciples.
Why is it important for Christians to find rest?
How can we be a place of rest for other people?

Today is the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost. Rev. Benjamin Wines will bring the message, “Can We Hear Jesus?”. Our Scripture passage comes from Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 119. We look forward to joining you in this time of Worship.

Call to Worship (from Psalm 119)
Leader: Your word is a lamp to my feet
People: And a light to my path.
Leader: I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
People: To observe your righteous ordinances.
Leader: I am severely afflicted;
People: Give me life, O Lord, according to your word.
Leader: Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord,
People: And teach me your ordinances.
Leader: I hold my life in my hand continually,
People: But I do not forget your law.
Leader: The wicked have laid a snare for me,
People: But I do not stray from your precepts.
Leader: Your decrees are my heritage forever;
People: They are the joy of my heart.
Leader: I incline my heart to perform your statutes
People: Forever, to the end.

Question for Further Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus imagines four ways people will react to hearing the good news.
What can the actions of the sower tell us about how churches should act?

There was another point I left out of the sermon be-cause it would have taken a lot more time to set up, but I was reminded of it earlier today. So often, one of the hardest parts of “not worrying” is the “letting go” that comes with it. What I mean by that is that all of us have different stressors in our lives. For some, it’s the daily grind of working — getting projects done, emails sent, meetings attended, etc. For others it’s the strain of maintaining relationships, particularly those relationships that don’t come as naturally. Think of the coworker you don’t see eye-to-eye with but have to collaborate with, the family member you had harsh words with and don’t know how to reconcile. Of course, there’s also stress that comes with money, health issues, following the news, etc.

One of the lies we tell ourselves is that we have to hold on to all these stressors. We have to keep them close to us and we cannot let a single one of them drop cause if we do, who knows what will happen? And what that means is that we grip them tighter and tighter and tighter, the whole time wondering why we can’t relax, why we feel so off, why it feels like God is so detached. The truth of the matter is, God is not detached, but we’ve filled our hands with so many things and have refused to let go of any of them, we cannot accept the good things God offers us. We’re so convinced that we are the only ones that can hold all these things together, that when we hear Jesus say, “do not worry about your life…do not worry about tomorrow,” we can’t help but think, “That’s nice, Jesus, but if you knew everything I was holding with you’d realize I can’t afford to relax.”

I’ve told this story before, but years ago my Old Testament professor was talking to my class about our impending finals. She said she’d received emails from students talking about all the stress they were under, all the obligations they had committed to, etc. And she said that she’d emailed them back, encouraging them to find time to rest, and been met with more emails explaining that rest was not an option for them. If they did not do these things, everything would fall apart. Inspired by those emails, she took time out of our class to say to us, “I know this is a stressful place. I know a lot of you are here because you are the types who work hard, take on lots of responsibilities, and then sacrifice your health and well-being to get things done. Let me remind you that in the Creation story, God took a day off to rest and, somehow, the world kept spinning. If God can take a day off and nothing falls apart, I think you can give yourselves a break and rest. Do not worry. God is in control.” Sin lies to us and tells us that if we stop worrying, our lives will fall apart. Jesus reminds us that’s not true. So, let go of the stressors that are harming you, open your hands, and receive the blessings God offers.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Ben

Today is the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost. Rev. Benjamin Wines will bring the message, “Tomorrow’s Worries”. Our Scripture passage comes from Matthew 6:24-34 and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 118. We look forward to joining you in this time of Worship.

Call to Worship (from Psalm 118)
Leader: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good:
People: His steadfast love endures forever!
Leader: Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
People: The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.
Leader: With the Lord on my side I do not fear.
People: What can mortals do to me?
Leader: The Lord is on my side to help me;
People: I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
Leader: It is better to take refuge in the Lord
People: Than to put confidence in mortals.
Leader: It is better to take refuge in the Lord
People: Than to put confidence in princes.

Question for Further Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus tells his disciples not to worry.
How can these words be good news to people who are struggling to get by?
What do they say to those with more than enough?