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Jul
15

By Admin

Judgment or Justice

Category: News & Events, Pastoral Newsletter Tags: Amos, Christina Cosby, Colossians, Luke

Pastoral Newsletter, July 15, 2016

– Christina Cosby

This week, we are given difficult texts to read. We hear the prophetic words of Amos, who speaks out against his own people, Israel. We relate to the words of the psalm, which tells of rulers caring for their own good before the good of others. We connect with the letter to the Corinthians recognizing that Christ is our only leader, and has suffered on our behalf. We are asked to rethink what servitude to Christ looks like with our Gospel lesson from Luke.

All of these combined speak to us, give us thoughts to reflect upon, and leave us wondering in what way God is calling us to do justice in a world full of judgments. This is not an easy task—yet it is an important one that God calls each of us to follow. Let’s take a closer look together.

Amos 7:7-17 is a prophetic word to Israel regarding the end. Speaking of a famine, but not a famine of food—a famine of God’s words. This is a famine that lasts longer, and is more hurtful than any other absence.

In our world today, we can relate to the words Amos speaks. As we watch the news, we ask, “God, where are you in our world?” As others who are homeless or without food cross our path, we wonder, “Why O God?” As people are quick to harm others instead of having a conversation, tears fall upon our face more often than smiles.

Amos is not speaking only to the Northern Tribe of Israel; he is speaking to us in our world today. He is saying something must change, or else God’s words will disappear from our world, too. In what ways might God be asking us to speak out against injustices in our world?

Psalm 82 continues to point out destruction among leaders. The psalmist, like Amos, sees that religious officials have turned sanctuaries into palaces. It is through this corruption that the poor suffer; it is through this denigration that God remains absent in the world. This psalm poses a question to each of us in the midst of our world; In what ways do we promote principalities over that which furthers the Kingdom of God? How is God asking us to change our ways, so that all peoples may flourish?

Colossians 1:1-14 serves as a letter of comfort in the midst of confusions. It reminds us that through Christ all things are redeemed. God is indeed among us … once walking upon the Earth in the form of the human Jesus, and now in the body he has left behind—the church. This does not serve simply as truth to us, but it transforms how we live and act within the world.

Luke 10:25-37 is a familiar story of two sisters. A story that asks us to think about our intentions: whether it is inviting another in to our home (such as Martha does with Jesus,) listening to someone else’s teachings (Mary and Jesus,) or serving another (Martha and Jesus.) Are we to be busy for the sake of being busy? Are we to sit quietly for the sake of being quiet? Or are we to do whichever we choose with Christ in mind?

Through each of these passages, God’s judgment is not what we would expect. In Amos, it is a decree against God’s chosen people, Israel. In the psalm, it is against leaders that God has seemingly chosen. However, God’s justice turns our ideals upside down.

In the letter to the Colossians, all are made right because of Jesus’s blood. Not what we would expect from a mighty messiah to do? Throughout the Old Testament and the Gospels, thus far God and Jesus have asked people to serve others before they are served. Yet, Jesus commends the one who sits quietly (Mary).

However, I am not sure Jesus is discounting Martha. Instead, he is pointing towards the intentions one has. Mary has chosen the better, because she sits at Jesus’ feet full-heartedly. Martha initiated the interactions with Jesus by inviting him in—yet it appears to be an invitation that is not a full-hearted one. She does the inviting and the serving out of a sense or responsibility, not devotion. As one commentator puts it, the Gospel of Luke shares the importance of going and doing, in relation to siting and listening. Only after sitting and listening can we go forth and do. It sounds a lot like our commitment to both the inward and outward journey of faith, right?

This weekend, as we go forth into our busy lives, let us ask ourselves … are we busy out of obligation, or are we serving God our from a place of devotion?

This Sunday, we will reflect on the story of Martha and Mary, our passage from Luke, more deeply in light of last week’s Good Samaritan text (credit to the Wednesday morning lectionary group for this inspiration.) I hope to see each of you in worship at 11am this Sunday!

Blessings to you as you read God’s story and listen for God’s word. Where is God calling you to to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with the Lord your God in the midst of a chaotic world?

Jul
1

By Admin

Faith Experienced

Category: News & Events, Pastoral Newsletter Tags: baptism, Christina Cosby, Eucharist, Pastoral Newsletter

Pastoral Newsletter, July 1, 2016

– Christina Cosby

This weekend, we gather as Americans to celebrate the land we live in … a land created to ensure freedom and justice for all. Through these celebrations, we may see a favorite game of baseball — an American pastime. Perhaps we will watch a dazzling show of fireworks that light up the night’s sky. We might have a cookout and enjoy hamburgers or hot dogs. Or maybe we will participate in a variety of these favorite pastimes of the land we call home. Even if we choose not to partake in the festivities, we will experience what it means and looks like to be an American — even if it is simply through a trip to the grocery store where the patriotic decorations cannot be overlooked.

We experience this national celebration with traditions that have laid a foundation for American culture. But, what does celebrating our Christian heritage look like? How do we experience our faith in a similar manner to the way we gaze upon Fourth of July fireworks? This question challenges us to rethink how faith is experienced, and this is exactly what our lectionary texts and worship this week focus on.

2 Kings 5:1-14 tells the story of a powerful commander named Naaman who has one thing holding him back. He is a man who overseas the army of Aram (modern day Syria,) but even this great man has limitations — a contagious skin disease. This disease, if he were an Israelite, would deem him unclean, and forced to the outskirts of society. However, his army happens to capture a little girl who knows the great prophet Elisha. This child of faith shares the good news with Naaman, encouraging him to be made whole.

Naaman and the King of Aram gather silver and gold and travel to Israel to find this man of God. Nonetheless, Elisha does not spent any time with Naaman; he simply sends a messenger to greet him. The messenger tells Naaman to go to the Jordan to wash where he will feel his skin become clean. However, the Jordan is a very dirty river, and Naaman becomes enraged at this suggestion. He responds by saying “I thought that for me he would surely come out and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel?” (v. 11-12)

This illustrates the importance of baptism. This is a tradition overlooked by many in the church because of its simplicity; nonetheless, it is through this simple act of washing with ordinary water that we, too, can feel God’s healing presence in our lives. Similarly, God, in our pericope from 2 Kings 5, is working through the unexpected — a dirty river that offers waters of healing.

Following this encounter, the words of wisdom come from the least powerful, the small captured slave girl. She remarks, “Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, ‘Wash, and be clean?’” (v. 13) Subsequently, this remark encourages Naaman to go to the Jordan to wash, in turn returning his skin to the state of a small boy.

This story is one of redemptive power, a power that each of us experienced in our baptisms. Through cleansing waters, we experience God’s grace — grace we cannot enter into by our own doing. God comes to us and makes us clean even before we ask. “Wash and be clean” is also a commandment of Jesus when he himself is baptized, and his request to the disciples to go out and baptize others (Mathew 3:13-17; 28:18-20).

Baptism is such a simple command; nonetheless, a prevalent theme in both the Old Testament and New Testament. It is a powerful experience that allows us to celebrate our faith in extraordinary ways. Just as our nation experiences freedom through baseball, fireworks, and hamburgers; we Christians experience God’s redemptive love through the life-giving and purifying waters that flow freely from God’s hand.

These experiences of faith draw us forward into this week’s psalm. Psalm 30 reminds us that it is not simply our sufferings that tell the stories of our lives. It is the times when God turns our sorrow into song. When we recall, as a people of faith, God’s redemptive loving power, we cannot help but dance. It is this dance that serves as worship to God, worship we cannot express in any other way. So no matter where you are, or the circumstances you find yourself among, get up and sing with joy. Dance for the Lord your God who turns your cries into songs of praise.

Through the stories of the Old Testament and Psalms, we are invited to re-imagine ways in which we experience our walks of faith. Similarly, Galatians 6:1-6, 17-16 continues the conversation surrounding an essential debate for the early Christian church (along with the church today) — How is faith experienced? Paul is having a conversation with the Galatian community in regard to the importance of circumcision versus what it means to be a new creation in Christ. Circumcision was the traditional way the community experienced God. However, Paul is offering a testimony of faith that calls for a new experience, an experience that is outside the law. This is a profound freedom for Paul and the early church. However, there is a new way that faith is experienced and that is through freedom — a freedom that calls followers of Christ to serve in love. The new creation is one focused on relationship with one’s neighbor, and this overrules the written laws.

As we conclude our study of Galatians, it is important to reflect upon what we have learned about and from the mystic Paul. Over the past weeks, we have seen how Paul experienced Christ, and this calls us to ask the question: how do we today experience Christ and our community of faith? What are the ways we join together with our senses (hearing, feeling, smelling, tasting, and seeing) to experience that the Lord our God is good? Perhaps the answer is through the sacraments — baptism and Eucharist — which Jesus encourages us to celebrate as a community of faith throughout the gospels.

Nonetheless, experiencing God’s love in tangible ways is not all we are called to do. Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 encourages the seventy/seventy two (a representative number of all of humanity,) along with us, to go forth and share the Good News with others. This going-forth is an expansion of the Kingdom of God. God reaching beyond borders is a continual theme of the Bible. This proving that God’s mercy reaches beyond boundaries, bringing individual uniqueness together in order to create a vibrant community. These boundaries are often what we set in place as means of protection — but God does not simply fit into the boxes we create. God is constantly reaching outside the limits we set forth.

This is done especially when we, as followers of Jesus Christ, go forth to share love — a love that offers an experience of faith. A love that does not force our beliefs on others, but accepts their hospitality. Faith is an experience, and God comes to us in experiences before we even know to ask. (Hints the reminder we receive this week from 2 Kings 5: God loves us, and we can know this through tangible experiences.)

The lectionary passages this week raise the question: How do we experience God in our worship and communal life? The answer the church has given for centuries is through sacraments; those of baptism and Eucharist. These remind us of God’s presence, using ordinary materials, and consecrating them into tangible signs/symbols of God’s goodness. Sacraments remind us of God’s ordinary appearances in our lives that have extraordinary implications.

We hope you will join us this Sunday in worship as we discover together the goodness of God. Through our sermon, we will explore together what it means to be the Church — a covenant community. We invite everyone to join us as we celebrate the Eucharist, when all are invited by our Lord Jesus Christ to taste and see that God is good.

Jun
24

By Admin

Ordinary Days: Jesus Asks Us to Follow Him

Category: News & Events, Pastoral Newsletter Tags: Christina Cosby, Ordinary Time, Pastoral Newsletter

Pastoral Newsletter June 23, 2016

– By Christina Cosby

In our seasonal year, we find ourselves in the summer months.These months within our liturgical calendar are known as Ordinary Time. We have enjoyed the highs of Christmas, Epiphany, and Easter. We have survived the lows of Advent, Lent, and Good Friday. And now we find ourselves in the midst of the ordinary. What does this ordinary time look like? In these moments, how is God beckoning us to be disciples of Jesus?

These days, which we mark as ordinary in the church year, are essential to our walk of faith. Days such as these are so important because the majority of our lives (outside the church) are lived in the in-between moments as well — the ordinary times one might say. The times when there are no highs (we do not intensely feel God’s presence,) however, we are ever aware that God is near (God is not absent from our midst.) It is these times that shape our day-to-day lives of faith. It is in these moments that we learn what it means to be a faithful disciple of Christ Jesus; these stretches form a foundation upon which we can lean when life gets messy.

In our lesson this week from 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, we hear the familiar story of Elijah and Elisha, a story that recalls the inheritance of prophetic gifts from one prophet to another. However, Elisha’s request to receive double the share of Elijah’s spirit indicates that this gift is not one he can grant — only God can grant the gifts of prophecy. Elisha, therefore, continues to follow Elijah’s lead. This following is one that takes faith — belief and trust that God’s presents will remain with the people, even upon the loss of a prophetic leader. Elisha and Elijah are amidst the ordinary moments of life. They are traveling the journey of faith, not sure where it will lead. Nonetheless, God shows up, whisking Elijah away in a chaotic whirlwind of fire and chariots. The leader is now gone, but the people must carry on. The moments of simply following formed Elisha’s steadfast faith, the ordinary times. These times of formation are what allow Elisha to carry the people forward.

Today, we too, find ourselves hoping for God to send a prophet. As a community that has experienced the loss of a pastoral presence, we long for God to send someone our way. Yet, this text tells us that we must go on. We must go on following God in these ordinary times, for it is the ordinary that leads to the mountain tops and to the mysterious ways of God’s miraculous works.

This, at times, may cause us to call out to God amidst despair. The ordinary times can be full of uncertainty. Uncertainty that leaves us feeling afraid, confused, or abandoned. Shifting to Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20, we learn that our laments matter to God. God can handle our dismay and anger. In fact, it is healthy to share our discomforts with God. God, in return, listens to these cries. In addition, these times of desperation allow us to recall memories; memories of where we have been. These memories point to the times when God has shown up in our lives. This recollection allows us to recognize that God continues to show up today; in turn, paving a way of hope forward into the future. Psalm 77 does this by pointing toward creation, and the many ways God has provided for us through the natural world.

John Calvin, a reformation theologian, points to God’s providence through creation as well. In sum, he declares that we can know of God’s love, care, and providence for humanity through creation. God created the natural world in five days; on the sixth day he created humankind. This proves that God ensured the survival of people by providing them with a lavish earth before placing them upon it.

This implies that, in order to be a faithful follower of God, we must share our laments with our Heavenly Father, in addition to our praises of gratitude. Galatians 5:1, 13-25 shares more with us in regard to being faithful disciples on a day-to-day basis.

In the book of Galatians, we enter into the dialogue among the early Jews and Gentiles as the Christian community slowly emerges. In these conversations, the Jewish community suggested that the gentiles must follow Torah in order to be a follower of Christ. Paul re-frames this request by saying no one is obligated to follow Torah, for messiah has come. Christ has set us free from the laws. This freedom is not the typical sense of the word. It is a freedom that compels us to act in love. The writer of this text states that the law is summarized in one commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (v. 14.) This implies that love is imperative to discipleship. This is not something we simply should do, but it is a MUST do! This love not only carries us forward, but it draws us closer to the Kingdom of God.

Similarly, our Gospel lesson from Luke 9:51-62 points us to another commandment that simplifies the 617 commandments. The Old Testament states, “you shall love God [Christ] with all of your being.”

As Jesus called men to become his disciples, he reminds them that the journey they are called to travel is not easy. It is a path that will lead to rejection, and ultimately death. Upon leaving Samaria, James and John ask Jesus if they should command fire down from heaven to consume the town. Jesus replies with an adamant “NO,” suggesting that there will be no violence on his watch. This response of Jesus advocates that The Kingdom of God is one of love. However, this request was rooted in prophetic tradition — just glance back at our story for 2 Kings. Fire was a symbol of God’s presence, serving as both a sign of creation and destruction. The rules have shifted; God is a God of love, in turn calling us to love one another.

Similarly, when another disciple asks if he may go bury his father before joining Jesus, Jesus once again replies “No.” This request is rooted deeply in Jewish tradition as well. Before anything else, one was responsible for his/her elders. Remember the Ten Commandments, “You shall honor your father and mother” (Exodus 20:12.)

This implies that Jesus requires his followers, aka us, to a life that is single-mindedly focused upon him. Our first and foremost concern should be to follow him wherever the way leads. Secondly, we are to ensure we proceed with love. Our epistles and Gospel lesson this week teach us that this is where one’s gaze should be focused in the ordinary moments.

What is Jesus asking us to leave behind in order to follow him forward? In what ways are we called to solely focus our gaze upon him — leaving all else behind?

The task of following amidst the ordinary moments is a lofty one, yet it is a task we must do in the midst of the ordinary time. In the midst of life’s highs and lows it is easy to call upon God’s name. However, God ask us to remember him in the in-between times, for God never leaves our side. It is this season of the church year, along with the uneventful times in our lives, that truly put our discipleship to the test. It is easy to forget that God is near, but focusing your mind, heart, and soul upon God’s call will simply serve as a reminder that God is listening. God is near, God is calling, and God is asking you to follow.

Jun
16

By Admin

What Are You Doing Here?

Category: News & Events, Pastoral Newsletter Tags: Christina Cosby, Orlando, Pastoral Newsletter

Pastoral Newsletter June 16, 2016

– Christina Cosby

Prayers placed at the foot of the cross.

Prayers placed at the foot of the cross during Wednesday morning worship.

There are times in our lives when we feel our words are inadequate, and there is nothing within ourselves that can change the situation at hand. This is how I felt on Sunday evening, when I heard the news of the shooting that took place in Orlando, FL. I guess that some of you might have felt the same way.

Unfortunately, our nation has felt this despair too many times. Nonetheless, it never ceases to amaze me that our scriptures speak into these moments, and our lectionary text has the right messages at the right times. God works in mysterious ways; let us listen to the ways God is speaking to us this week in the midst of unrelenting tragedy.

1 Kings 19:1-15a tells the story of Elijah in the midst of doubt. Elijah, in the previous chapters, has courageously stood up to Kings and Armies of great numbers—480 persons. Elijah has been a strong man of faith. However, he is now tired and worn out. He knows that Queen Jezebel is after his life, and he is ready to die. So he lies down in the wilderness under a tree for rest. This is where God finds him—hiding and running away from his call. God responds by asking him, “What are you doing here?”

This is a question we have each asked this week, “Why am I here, how am I called to respond to this tragedy?” I, ashamedly, admit that for me, there have been no prophetic words that have come to mind. There has been no inspiration to take dramatic action—it has been a time of sheer silence. A time to ponder, “How long O Lord, How Long?”1 This is the same way Elijah felt, but notice God does not leave him in despair. God calls him forth, providing the food and encouragement he needs to continue on his journey, a journey in which God has set forth. In the midst of the wordlessness, where is God calling you; why are you here?

In this time of transition for our church, God also asks the same question of us. Why are you here? What brought you to this community? Why do you stay active in this church? What is special about this place? In what way is God calling this church community into new life?

However, transition is hard. We may feel lost, abandoned, and afraid. All while we are hopeful and confident that God is near. We are anxious about what the future holds, and how our community will survive. But we hold fast to the promise that God has, does, and will continue, to provide. Nonetheless, we relate to the longing thirst the psalmist reflects upon in Psalms 42 and 43. Here, a desire for intimacy with God is seen – yet an intimacy which is born out of despair. It is out of this despair the psalmist offers his spirit as sacrifice to God. It is a willing spirit that lives deep within each of us—it is out of this willing spirit that God accomplishes God’s work. In what ways are you yearning for God to show up? How does this create a willing spirit that you can offer to God? What are you doing here? What do you long for? How do your longings feed this community?

Our passage from Galatians 3:23-29 shares some of God’s longings with us. God longs for us to be unified, and accepting, clothed anew in Christ Jesus. We are called to cross boundaries of geography and culture to create a safe-space for all who desire life in Christ. But what does this mean … to be children of faith and clothed in baptism through Christ? Those who are newly clothed in Jesus Christ are now invited without restriction to be a part of God’s covenant, an invitation that was once restricted to the Jewish Community. The Gentiles, joining themselves with the risen Christ through baptism, now have equal access to the covenant God made with Abraham long ago, without restriction of following the Jewish law. For the text’s author, the former law proves to be a barrier to God’s graces, a barrier that arguably should no longer exist.

Bev Cosby emphasized this same idea when Church of the Covenant was founded. Bev welcomed all persons into this space—no exceptions.2 The writer of Galatians makes the same point clear—we are all accepted in Christ Jesus. Through Jesus Christ, we are aligned [justified] with God. There are no other requirements to following Jesus than to be clothed in the waters of baptism, and these waters join us into one body, creating unity.

Our world today, especially after the events in Orlando, is longing for safe-spaces. Spaces where all people are welcomed, and able to be the individuals God calls them to be, yet yearning to be part of a community. Church of the Covenant has been an affirming community within the Lynchburg area for decades. However, in these transitional days, we must ask ourselves once again, “What are we doing here?” We must dig deep into our past, while listening to our present, to hear where God’s voice is calling us. So I ask each of you, “What are we doing here?”

Luke 8:26-39 is a second reminder of what it means to be welcoming and affirming. In this text, we meet a young man, an outsider on all accounts of societal norms; yet, he calls out to Jesus. Jesus responds with compassion, calling the demons to come forth out of the man. Once the demons are revoked, the man is said “to be clothed and in his right mind.”

This is a challenging statement for me. What does the text mean when it states, “clothed and in his right mind? This, just like our passage from Galatians, is a reference to what it means to be brought into covenant with God. When a person knows they are loved and accepted, something within them changes. Jesus is asking us to be that people—a people of loving acceptance to all who enter our doors. Welcoming each person with the cleansing water of baptism and open arms. Nonetheless, this radical acceptance fundamentally changes the individual, their community, and our community, from the inside out. Whenever the people are confronted with God’s goodness, fear seizes them.

Change and transition create the same fear/anxiety within us. Nonetheless, it is out of this unrest that new life is born—the Kingdom of God draws nearer. In what ways is God calling us to change? What are we afraid of? What must we let go of in order to claim the life that is waiting? These are good questions to ponder as our community lives into this transitional, and transformational period. A time when we are called to reevaluate who we are, and where God is calling us to move.

There is a crucial question at hand within our world, and within our Biblical narrative this week: what are you [we] doing here? Are we hiding, or are we reaching out in love? Are we resorting to fear, or are we as a community moving forth in faith and trust to the new places God is calling us?


1 Psalm 13, NRSV

2 Beverly Cosby. “Historical Audio,” Church of the Covenant, 06 January 1985. http://chcov.org/historical-audio

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