During periods when we must cancel our Sunday morning worship services, we will post to this web page various materials enabling us to worship in the privacy of our own homes.
In February 2022, two members of our congregation (Bob & Margie Marrs) joined Bishop Laurie Haller and a group of more than 30 other Methodists in a 15-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Although it's impossible for any digital records to capture the powerful experience of visiting Israel, Palestine, and Jordan, the following three slideshows of Bob & Margie's photographs attempt to recreate some special discoveries of this once-in-a-lifetime journey.
This first slideshow is of photos taken in the first days of the trip to the Holy Land, featuring visits to Megiddo, Nazareth, the archaeological site of Dan, Capernaum, the Jordan River, and the Sea of Galilee.
Slideshow focusing on Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, Masada, and the Dead Sea
This third set of photographs concentrate on four days in Jordan with trips to Jeresh, Petra, and Mt Nebo.
LENTEN VIDEO MESSAGE SERIES 2021 Bishop Laurie Haller and her Appointive Cabinet provided video messages for this season of Lent. The weekly videos wwere based on the lectionary readings for each Sunday. The series invited all of us to consider how we can practice our faith together.
Lenten Week #6: Making an Entrance Introduction: Rev. Paul Wilcox's devotion focuses on how grand entrances are critical for announcing a new identity and how Jesus took special care to prepare for his entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Vimeo share link:https://vimeo.com/521573913 Spreaker share link:https://www.spreaker.com/user/9064448/ds-paul-mp3 Spreaker download link: https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/43815264/download.mp3 Transcript: "Making an Entrance" Palm/Passion Sunday, March 28, 2021 Rev. Paul Wilcox, Conference Superintendent
In the Disney movie Aladdin, the young hero makes his first wish: to become a prince, so that he might have a chance to woo the fair princess Jasmin. The Genie begins by transforming Aladdin’s street rags into royal garments, but then quickly moves to the new prince’s mode of transportation. He tries a camel, a noble white horse, an ostrich, a Cadillac, but nothing seems right. At last, the Genie arrives at the proper mount for the new Prince Aladdin: An Elephant! What follows next is Aladdin’s impressive entrance through the gates of Agraba, an over-the-top parade of wealth, splendor, and power! The Genie has granted Aladdin’s wish, he has made the street beggar into a star! Grand entrances are critical for announcing a new identity. Jesus knew this and took very special care to prepare for his entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The majority of our Scripture today is devoted to the great lengths and detail Jesus pursued to make his big entrance. After three years of hushing reports of his miracles, three years of “My time has not yet come,” finally, on this day, the Lord was ready to proclaim to the world that he was indeed the One for whom they had waited. Everything would change after this entrance. Both enemies and followers alike would be energized and set in motion. A final week would begin that day, a Holy week, in which the unspeakable treachery of humanity would collide with the unfathomable love and Glory of God in the Cross of Christ. How to begin such a week? On the back of a donkey. Jesus chose to announce his claim to be the Anointed One of God, not with words, but by Living out the Messianic prophesy of Zachariah 9:9: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; Triumphant and victorious is he, Humble and riding on a donkey, On a colt, the foal of a donkey. Unlike the Genie’s over-the-top performance, Jesus went under-the -top. He opened the volatile floodgates of Messianic hope with a visual reminder: It is not the coercion of wealth, splendor, or power that transforms the human heart, it is the freedom brought by the humility of a servant King. The power of servant leadership has found a modern parallel in our faithful Brother, Francis—the Pope. The power of his personal witness, his unflappable humility in the face of papal finery and privilege has touched the lives of millions with the love and the mind of Christ. Most notable among his many acts of humility is—you guessed it-- his mode of transportation. The “Pope mobile” (which he drives) is now a tiny black Fiat. (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-popemobile-unlike-any-other/)Talk about making an entrance! All of us have moments of privilege and power—moments when all eyes are on us and the room quiets to hear our voice. How do we take up those moments? On this Palm Sunday we remember the mind of Christ who, Though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant… —Philippians 2: 6-7 My prayer is that what we do and speak in those moments of privilege and power will say more about Christ than about ourselves. The World is listening. Glorious God, we are never more like you than when we kneel to help a child, listen when we have so much to say, love when treated hatefully, and forgive when redemption is hopeless. Walk with us during this Holy Week of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. May we too know the peace, strength, faith, and humility that carried our Lord through these difficult days to new and eternal life. Amen
Lenten Week #5: Behold the Days are Coming
Introduction: Rev. Doug Cue speaks about God's new covenant with God's people in Jeremiah 31:31-34, and reminds us that this new promise can still bring us hope today. Vimeo download link:https://vimeo.com/52156671 Spreaker share link:https://www.spreaker.com/user/9064448/ds-doug-cue-mp3 Spreaker download link: https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/43814939/download.mp3 Transcript: Behold, the days are coming Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34 NIV “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was like a husband to them,” declares the Lord. “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Behold the Days are Coming is a recurring motif in Jeremiah. There is a declaratory dimension to it, a certainty about it, that a promise is at hand. In Jeremiah 30, “For Behold, the Days are Coming…that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah.” In Jeremiah 31, just several verses before the passage we shared at the beginning of this devotion, “Behold, the Days are Coming…that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of peoples and the seed of beasts.” And again, in Jeremiah 33, “Behold, the Days are Coming…that I will perform that good thing which I have promised to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah…that at that time I will cause to grow up to David a Branch of righteousness.” For Jeremiah, there is something coming. There is something on the way and it is intended for a specific people. “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.” Jeremiah speaks these words to a house divided—to the people of Israel and the people of Judah. He speaks them to a Northern Kingdom and a Southern Kingdom which are actually no longer kingdoms at all as they are both occupied and/or in exile. They are a conquered people. And to them, Jeremiah speaks a promise, “I will make a new covenant with them. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt.” That covenant made with the ancestors was recorded and written on stone. Codified into laws. Laws that were further interpreted and clarified and expounded upon. That, in time, became exhaustive, onerous, burdensome and ultimately, impossible to keep. This time, “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.” The promise of God came to a house divided. The promise of God came to a people burdened with anxieties. The promise of God came to a people who struggled with the unknown and the unseen path. The promise of God came to a people whose patience had been tried—who were exhausted and spent. The promise of God came to a people—and declared—it got written right on their hearts. “I will be your God, and you will be my people…I AM YOURS – AND YOU ARE MINE.” Friends, Behold the Days are Coming… …that in the midst of pandemics, discomfort and death, God says, “I AM YOURS – AND YOU ARE MINE,” and there is hope on the horizon. …that in the midst of delays, disagreements, and houses divided, God says, “I AM YOURS – AND YOU ARE MINE,” and there is place for all God’s people. …that in the midst of anxieties that have escalated, divisions that have developed, and social and cultural issues that would overwhelm, God says, “I AM YOURS – AND YOU ARE MINE,” and we will get there…Promised Land.
Behold the Days are Coming…AMEN.
Lenten Week #4: God so loved the world Introduction: "There is a plenty of reasons why we might be fearful of the world. Violence, hatred, discriminations, wars, divisions, or natural disasters are threatening human lives and lives of all things around us. However, in spite of all these, God still loves the world that the Son of God who is with us is the manifestation of God’s saving grace that may sustain our lives and lives of others, because love is the only way to overcome the radical evil and to transform the world." said Rev. Dr. Heecheon Jeon. Vimeo link: https://vimeo.com/519663858 Spreaker share link:https://www.spreaker.com/user/9064448/ds-heecheon-jeon-mp3 Spreaker download link:https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/43740407/download.mp3
Transcript: "God so loved the world" by Rev. Dr. Heecheo Jeon Scripture: John 3:16
Greetings! My name is Heecheon Jeon. I am the central district superintendent. I am very honored to share with you one of the Lenten series from the lectionary today. Let us pray: Holy God of love, we give you thanks for this journey of the lent that gives us a space to reflect on our life in you. May our hearts be attuned to your spirit. May our thoughts and words be acceptable to you, O God. Amen.
I want to begin with the famous passage, John 3:16, that you might recite from your heart: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” I grew up in a Christian family in Korea. When I was a child, I loved my home church. I always went to the church ground to play. I had so many friends and families in the church I could play with, and the church was always a place for relationships and a sense of belonging, and for me, the church was another family. As I grew older, my grandmother took me to an early morning prayer service at the church every morning. For some reasons, I enjoyed that early morning service. It gave me joy, happiness and peace. I even followed a loud prayer in a room full of adults, singing hymns and listening the pastor’s message. As I reflected on those days, I realized that the everyday spiritual practice nurtured my soul, and more than that, it really helped me to sustain my faith in my early ages. It eventually strengthened my deep love for God and for the church. And then when I was in high school, I was introduced a book about Korean Minjung or people’s Liberation theology. I was so enlightened by how the church courageously spoke up against the unjust and evil power of military dictatorship that oppressed the people. The church has really taught me how to respond to that evil and unjust world. It strengthens my love for the world, because the church eventually taught me how to heal the broken and suffering world. During those days, John 3:16 was always grounded in my heart. “God so loved the world…” Christianity is about the world that we are living in. More than that, it is about God’s love for the world. The world is a place where we live together with all other beings; it is an “oecumene,” the household or dwelling place of all beings. It is a community for all beings. It is the whole ecosystem on the planet. And God loves the whole universe. There is a plenty of reasons why we might be fearful of the world. Violence, hatred, discriminations, wars, divisions, or natural disasters are threatening human lives and lives of all things around us. However, in spite of all these, God still loves the world that the Son of God who is with us is the manifestation of God’s saving grace that may sustain our lives and lives of others, because love is the only way to overcome the radical evil and to transform the world. Likewise, John Wesley boldly stated at the brink of a worldwide Methodist movement, “I look upon the world as my parish.” I feel his profound passion and love for the whole world. The world is my parish. The world is my church. The world is a place where God is dwelling and God’s love is manifested. The world is where I can bear witness to God’s saving grace. God’s love for the world breaks down all the walls and barriers and chasms between us, and between the church and the world. That is what the churches taught me. This is what John 3:16 is all about. The world is my church, my community, and my people that I am belonging to. We need to embrace them and we need to love them all, because God so loved the world. I hope we imitate God’s love for the whole world that may unite us all, embrace us all, and make us whole in peace. I hope our journey to the Easter morning be blessed and guided by God’s love for the world.
Gracious and loving God, We give you thanks and gratitude for your love for the world. May we overcome all the barriers, divisions, and discriminations against each other. May the Holy Spirit unite us all as the people of resurrection hope. Amen.
Week 3: Giving Up and Letting Go Introduction: "It is ironic that the communications folks asked me to develop a devotion based on John 2:13-22, known by many as Jesus cleansing the Temple. I can have a bit of a temper and in an effort to calm me, my wife has reminded me that Jesus did not operate out of anger, but love. I believe that every time she has tried to hold me accountable in this way, I have brought up this story," said Rev. Ron Carlson. Video:https://vimeo.com/516374828 Audio: Spreaker share link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/43621307 Spreaker download link:https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/43621307/download.mp3
Transcript for "Giving up and letting go" by Rev. Ron Carlson Scripture: John 2:13-22 It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple those who were selling cattle, sheep, and doves, as well as those involved in exchanging currency sitting there. He made a whip from ropes and chased them all out of the temple, including the cattle and the sheep. He scattered the coins and overturned the tables of those who exchanged currency. He said to the dove sellers, “Get these things out of here! Don’t make my Father’s house a place of business.” His disciples remembered that it is written, Passion for your house consumes me. Then the Jewish leaders asked him, “By what authority are you doing these things? What miraculous sign will you show us?” Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple and in three days I’ll raise it up.” The Jewish leaders replied, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and you will raise it up in three days?” But the temple Jesus was talking about was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered what he had said, and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
It is ironic that the communications folks asked me to develop a devotion based on this passage, known by many as Jesus cleansing the Temple. It is ironic because I can have a bit of a temper and have at times in my life gotten pretty upset. Many times, in an effort to calm me, my wife has reminded me that Jesus did not operate out of anger, but love. I believe that every time she has tried to hold me accountable in this way, I have brought up this story. While many of us have used this story to justify a moment of anger, I don’t necessarily believe Jesus was angry. Our passage takes place in the temple, as the time of Passover is approaching. When I look at the picture the writer of the Gospel is laying out for us, I imagine more of an open-air market than a sacred space. I picture crowds of people, fast talking vendors, loud noises and enough cattle to keep some of my rural neighbors very busy. It is no wonder that we find it easy to think Jesus was upset when he experienced this in his Father’s house. We need to remember that Passover was a feast where many traveled to the temple from great distances. We also need to recall that cattle, sheep, and doves were required for burnt offerings, and that the required offerings needed to be perfect. It would not have been possible for travelers to have brought with them the proper offerings. Also, the Roman and Greek coins the pilgrims would have brought along would not have sufficed for their temple tax. Due to the human images on their coins, they needed to be exchanged for Tyrian currency in Jerusalem. While the atmosphere might seem awkward to us, it was needed for worship to occur. There are some scholars who see Jesus’ actions as an attack on those who are taking advantage of the worshipers. I think we see something broader in scope, In my opinion he was confronting the systems of worship, not the abuse of those systems. Jesus complains that his father's house has become a place of business. Since this business was necessary to maintain the system of sacrifice and tithes, I see this as Jesus issuing a powerful challenge to the authority of the temple and its worship. In doing this, Jesus echoes the great tradition of Old Testament prophets who cried out about sacrilegious activities in the temple, against corrupting the worship of God, and substituting ritual for devotion. Prophets who usually began their addresses with “This is the word of God…” Their messages were filled with God's judgment and grace, they often pointed out where God’s people had strayed from God’s way. Like many prophets before, Jesus’ message is not understood initially, we see that it is only understood through the lens of his death and resurrection. In the words of Gail R. O’Day, “Jesus challenges a religious system so embedded in its own rules and practices that it is no longer open to a fresh revelation from God, a temptation that exists for contemporary Christianity as well as for the Judaism of Jesus’ day.” What does this challenge mean to you and me? Where are we closed to the idea of something different and what are we holding onto so tightly that we will not be open to the idea of reformation, change or renewal? Lent is a perfect time for us to reflect on these questions and others like them. Others in this space have noted that Lent is traditionally a season of giving up. Giving up and letting go is an important individual spiritual discipline in this season, because it allows us to draw closer to God. What do we need to give up and let go so that we may draw closer to God? What idols are we clutching so tightly that we are losing feeling in our hands? Would Jesus take the whip and chase these things from the temple? Almost a year ago we were just beginning to truly understand the pandemic that was upon us as people of this world. Since that time, there have been many things that have changed about Sunday morning. In this time, we have learned to let go of some things that we would not have ever dreamed letting go. Things like responsive readings, singing with gusto and even fellowship time. At some point we will pick some of those things back up because we can, and they are important to us. Are they important to God? I am quite sure there will be other things we will look back on and wonder why we thought they were so important. The important thing is that we have still been able to worship God. There are many things that we do in our lives because that is just the way we do them. These things may not be important to the desired end result, but they are important because they feel comfortable. I am pretty sure the vendors and coin changers in the Temple were comfortable. They were making a good living, and it looked like nothing would get in the way. They were doing God’s work, helping others to worship God. Then Jesus pointed out where change was needed. What is Jesus pointing to today in your life? We need to be open to change. To be open to change we need to let go of our idols. What better time than Lent to begin that process. Through Christ and by Christ we can go where we need to be, closer to him. As we go our separate ways receive this blessing - may “The Lord bless you and protect you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his face to you and grant you peace.” Amen.
Lent 2021: Week One Introduction: "We are in the first week of Lent—and this Sunday begins our journey of the next 40 days, leading the church up to Easter. The Lenten season is designed to be a mirror for us: it’s a way for us to witness to Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, as he prepares to begin his ministry," said Rev. Melissa Drake. Video: https://vimeo.com/512691425 Audio: Spreaker direct download: https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/43481194/download.mp3 Spreaker share link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/43481194 Transcript: "Knowing our Identity" Mark 1: 9-13 By: Rev. Melissa Drake, Southwest Region Superintendent We are in the first week of Lent—and this Sunday begins our journey of the next 40 days, leading the church up to Easter. The Lenten season is designed to be a mirror for us: it’s a way for us to witness to Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, as he prepares to begin his ministry. For Christians, Lent has historically been the yearly season for us to examine ourselves in that same mirror: to spend time in deep personal reflection and preparation as we get ready to commit ourselves to living into the way of Jesus: the way of his baptism, life, death and Resurrection. For the church it is our season together of reflecting and preparing for the ministries of sharing the Good News of the Resurrection with the world that so desperately needs to hear and see and touch and feel that they are beloved of God. Lent, this season always known for its austerity—the season where the days are getting longer, but not necessarily getting better—always begins this same way: with Jesus’ baptism and then immediate temptation out in the wilderness. And this year we hear from Mark, chapter 1, verses 9-13: About that time, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. While he was coming up out of the water, Jesus saw heaven splitting open and the Spirit, like a dove, coming down on him. And there was a voice from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness.” At once the Spirit forced Jesus out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among the wild animals, and the angels took care of him. Lent always begins this very same way, and I think sometimes, we, in the church get obsessed over the temptation and the wilderness part, and not so much over the baptism and the naming and claiming part. And this year of all years, it is a year for us to remember the naming and claiming part: The way the clouds split open and the sun must have been dazzling; the way the wind must have blown, maybe in that wild spring way that makes us adventurous and crazy and ready to go out in the world again, or maybe it blew in that soft spring way that wraps us in the warmth of better days coming; and then the voice. That voice coming from the heavens that says, “You are mine. You are beloved. In your very being I find happiness.” As Bishop Laurie shared in her devotion last week, Lent has historically been a season to give something up: and that can be such a powerful discipline. We need this time to examine ourselves, to pay attention to what we need to give up and let go so that we can follow Jesus more nearly and dearly. This is a season of giving things up and letting things go as we practice our faith; but it’s also a season of holding on as well. Throughout his time in the wilderness, Jesus held on to the identity and relationship with God that was so clearly expressed at his baptism. Friends, as we recommit ourselves to living in the way of Jesus, we need this time of holding on as well. A holding on to what cannot be changed, but what can so easily be forgotten or overshadowed or lost: that deep KNOWING of identity: that deep knowing of belovedness. That deep knowing of relationship, of who we are and who we belong to. And that deep knowing of being absolutely enough, at our very core, for God to delight in us without having to produce anything or accomplish anything. What would happen to our church communities if we spent the next 40 days holding on to this identity, within our own spirts, during our own times of temptations that tell us that we aren’t enough. That other people have it more and better. That if only we worked a little harder, we’d be more worthy. And I wonder, what would it be like in our church communities, if we could do this for each other, even in these longer days that don’t always seem to be getting better? If all of our words and all of our work in the next 40 days were about reminding each other, showing each other that we are beloved of God—to remind each other that there is nothing, neither height, nor depth, nor zoom church, nor sub zero temperatures, there is neither pandemic, nor politics, nor temptations or just plain old fatigue that can separate us from the love of our God. And our care for each other. Friends, this is the promise we made to each other at our baptisms: this is our work of the church: to be connected together. To watch over one another in love. To remind each other of who and whose we are. So that, out of our union with Christ, in his baptism of death and resurrection, we can take this good news out into the world and say and show: World: you, too, are God’s beloved. May you be blessed; may you hold on. And may “The God of all grace, who has called us to eternal glory in Christ, establish you and strengthen you by the power of the Holy Spirit that you may live in grace and peace. Amen.” (Baptismal Covenant II, UMH pg. 39).
Transcript for the first message (posted on February 5): "Practicing Our Faith" Lectionary scripture: Matthew 6:1-4, 16-21 (CEB)
“Be careful that you don’t practice your religion in front of people to draw their attention. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Whenever you give to the poor, don’t blow your trumpet as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets so that they may get praise from people. I assure you, that’s the only reward they’ll get. But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing so that you may give to the poor in secret. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you.”
“And when you fast, don’t put on a sad face like the hypocrites. They distort their faces so people will know they are fasting. I assure you that they have their reward. When you fast, brush your hair and wash your face. Then you won’t look like you are fasting to people, but only to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth, where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them. Instead, collect treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust don’t eat them and where thieves don’t break in and steal them. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
I’LL NEVER FORGET THAT MORNING. In 1993, my husband Gary and I were appointed to be co-pastors of First United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After twelve years of pastoring separately in different churches, Gary and I were going to be serving together. I have to admit I was a little apprehensive about being in a big steeple city church after serving much smaller churches. On our first Sunday in July, our three children, who were going to enter sixth, fourth, and first grade, sat alone in the front pew of this large Gothic style sanctuary. After all, we didn’t know anyone yet, and that way we could keep an eye out on the kids. That was our first mistake. When the time came for the children to be introduced, they marched up the stairs to the chancel area, whereupon our middle child, Garth, started waving his hands to the congregation just like a politician. I could feel my face turning red with embarrassment. But that was nothing compared to Garth making a paper airplane from the church bulletin and flying it from the front pew during the sermon. What does it mean to practice your religion in front of others? In our human quest to be acknowledged and recognized, how do we act? What is fame, anyway? What is success? What does it mean to be honored? Does it mean our name is splattered all over the tabloids? Does it mean that every action we take is scrutinized by an adoring public? Where should the reward for living a good life come from? From an adoring public, from our colleagues, or from the church? And what about Lent? The six weeks preceding Easter are often seen as a time of not only giving up something for Lent, but more often adding something. Some people give up candy for Lent, or chocolate, or coffee, or desserts. Others fast on a certain day during Lent. The idea is that when we give up something that meaningful to us, we learn about spiritual disciplines. On the other hand, some people add things to their lives during Lent. Perhaps it’s joining a short-term study group, reading through the gospels, visiting someone in a nursing home once a week, or giving extra money to a mission cause. In Jesus’ day there were three great works of the religious life: almsgiving (or giving to the poor), prayer, and fasting. To the Jews, almsgiving was the most sacred of all religious duties. Jesus certainly does not dispute here that giving to the poor is important. What troubled Jesus was the motive of many of the Jews, who made a big show of giving their money in the synagogues so that others could see how much God had blessed them. In the same way, it was tempting for the Jews to flaunt their prayer life, which was the second work of the religious life. Some liked to parade their righteousness publicly by praying on the street corners. This is how it was known that they were carrying out exactly what God wanted them to do. And then there was fasting. The Jews fasted as a sign of mourning; in order to atone for sin; as an outward expression of an inward sorrow; and as a symbol of national penitence. Or they would fast in preparation for a revelation from God. Could it be that Jesus wants us to learn from this scripture that we shouldn’t practice our religion in front of others in order to be recognized? What do you do in secret? Are you doing anY7thing in secret? Are you pleasing God at all? Henri Nouwen, who was one of the most perceptive spiritual writers of his time and was one of my professors at Yale Divinity School, wrote a book entitled Letters to Marc about Jesus. It was addressed to his 19-year-old nephew in Holland. Listen to what Nouwen wrote to Marc, “I don’t think you’ll ever be able to penetrate the mystery of God’s revelation in Jesus until it strikes you that the major part of Jesus’ life was hidden and that even the public years remained invisible as far as most people were concerned. Whereas the way of the world is to insist on publicity, celebrity, popularity, and getting maximum exposure, God prefers to work in secret. In God’s sight, the things that really matter seldom take place in public.” As we enter the holy season of Lent on Ash Wednesday, how is God calling you to practice your faith? What spiritual disciplines might you embrace to help others claim the good news of Jesus Christ and seek treasures in heaven? Let us pray. God, grant that we would discover the secret of living in your presence. Grant us wisdom and courage to yield to your intentions and purpose for our lives. Grant us insight to discern what is pleasing to you and give us strength to do it. Help us not to live glib and superficial lives but cleanse us by our confessions and make us worthy disciples, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Christmas Music YouTube Videos For many of us, the celebration of Christmas is synonymous with the singing of Christmas carols. Unfortunately, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not be meeting at Buffalo this year to join together in singing those hymns that have become a bedrock of our Christian faith. Although clicking on YouTube performances is an imperfect compensation for congregational singing, listed below are videos that may provide some moments of joy. This is a small sample of what’s available on the internet–certainly limited by my aesthetic preferences–but I hope to have identified performances that might appeal to diverse tastes. In the process I sought to eliminate ones that included long advertisements or other unnecessary distractions. In addition to this collection of carols, you will find a link to a recent performance of Handel’s Messiah by the Academy of Ancient Music. ~Bob
“The Wexford Carol”: Performed by Yo-Yo Ma (cello) and Alison Krauss (vocal) “Angels We Have Heard on High”: Performed by Andrea Bocelli “O Holy Night”: Performed by The King's Singers and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir “Silent Night”: Performed by the Salt Lake Symphonic Choir (a virtual choir performance) “Stille Nacht”: A capella performance in German of “Silent Night” by the King's Singers 22 Awesome Christmas Hymns and Carols : Collection of hymns and carols by a variety of choirs (e.g., Mormon Tabernacle Choir, St. John’s College Choir, London Regency Choir); pieces include “What Child Is This?” “The First Noel,” “Deck the Halls,” “Joy to the World,” “Away in the Manger,” “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night,” “Carol of the Bells,” and “We Three Kings of Orient Are.” Instead of videos of the performers, the audio is accompanied by a slideshow of photos and art work appropriate for celebrating a White Christmas. A Tradition of Christmas: Performance of Christmas songs by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, 28 minutes long; includes spoken words with scripture and information on the music. Songs of Praise: Top 10 Christmas Carols in the UK: A BBC TV production at the Royal Albert Hall in London, with orchestra, mass choir, and opportunities for everyone to to sing along with several of the carols; performance is 39 minutes long (with a couple of intervening ads that can be turned off after 5 seconds). Christmas carols include “O,Come, O Come, Emmanuel”; “Joy to the World”; “Once, in Royal David’s City”; “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” (though not the melody typically used in America); “O Little Town of Bethlehem”; “O Come All Ye Faithful”; “Silent Night”; “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”; “In the Bleak Midwinter;” and “O Holy Night”. Handel’s Messiah: Performed by the Academy of Ancient Music; performance is 1 hour, 35 minutes.