Pastoral Prayer: November 29, 2020

Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, 
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Immanuel. God with us. 
O good and gracious God,
this season is unlike any other we’ve experienced. 
This year, we have found it difficult to give thanks. 
Maybe it’s Covid, maybe it’s being far away from family, 
maybe it’s the uncertainty that seems to loom over all of us... 
Sitting down to give thanks only seems to magnify the sadness. 
 
As we transition from a season of Thanksgiving
to preparing our hearts during Advent, 
grief and gratitude seem to speak louder now 
than in any other season of the year. 
But Lord, there You are, ever-present and ever-faithful,
reminding us that grief and gratitude go hand-in-hand. 
Grief is the voice that reminds us of perceived loss, 
while gratitude is the voice that reminds us of what we have 
and how much we’ve received. 
We can feel them both with an equal amount of intensity: 
one does not diminish the other; 
one does not replace or overcome the other;
they co-exist in our human hearts. 
 
Teach us, O Lord, to lean into both, and let each speak,
for as Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes,
the celebration of Advent is possible 
only to those who are troubled in soul, 
who know themselves to be poor and imperfect,
and who look forward to something greater to come. 
 
And, Lord, yes, yes, we know we are imperfect. 
If we are honest,  
we admit that we would rather skip right past the preparation, 
for which Advent is designed, 
and move straight to the celebration. 
 
We confess that our time of preparation 
is generally more of a time 
to prepare our houses than a time to prepare our hearts, 
more of a time of shopping than of prayer, 
more of a time of already feasting, 
rather than a time of fasting, as a preparation for a feast.
 
We confess that, like the biblical innkeepers, 
who had no room for Mary and Joseph, 
we generally arrive at Christmas with “no room at the inn,” 
no space in our lives for a spiritual rebirth. 
But Lord, if this year has taught us anything, 
it is this: we are ready for a spiritual revival. 
 
As we juggle these voices and desires, 
and seek to equalize the pressures of the world,
there You are, Lord, 
reminding us that You are ever-present, 
ever-faithful, ever-aware. 
God, You are... here. 
You are in our grief. 
You are in our gratitude. 
You are in our fasting.
You are in our feasting. 
You are in our preparation. 
You are in our celebration. 
You are in our ruts.
You are in our revival.
You ARE. 
 
These reminders alone 
fill our hearts and allow joy to spring up, 
for our hope is in You alone.
We yield our control to You, Lord. 
We cast our cares and our anxieties upon You.
Our eyes are focused on who You are, 
and the peace you freely give.
 
We pray these things in the name of the Coming One, Jesus the Christ, the Prince of Peace, who taught us to pray by saying these words: 
 
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 us 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 and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
 
 

Pastoral Prayer: November 22, 2020

O Good and Gracious God,

King of all glory,

You have blessed us with a cornucopia of goodness. 

And You have blessed us with great bounties:

warm homes, food on the table, 

and loving people around us that care for us.

We do not all have the same blessings, 

but we have enough -  

for You, O Lord, always provide just enough. 

When we truly seek to examine our lives,  

we find we have riches beyond realization. 

Holy God, we strive to be mindful and thankful, 

as we seek Your grace and compassion.
And so, we confess these careless thoughts to You: 

 

We confess that sometimes we are barely thankful;
          we say the words, and put a smile on our faces,

but don’t feel gratitude in our hearts.

 

We confess that sometimes we forget how to say thank You;
         we have become arrogant, saying, “I earned this,”
          thinking we have only ourselves to thank. 

We confess that sometimes we are too jealous to be thankful;
          we compare ourselves to others who have more,

saying  “Why do they get everything?”,
          yet we rarely compare ourselves to those who have less.

We confess that sometimes we are too busy to be thankful;
          we asked ourselves this morning, “Do I have time to go to church?”
          and even in worship we are thinking about our to-do lists.

 We confess that sometimes we are grudgingly thankful;
          saying, “I guess this will have to do,”
          while believing that You have given us a raw deal.

We confess that sometimes we are too tired to be thankful,
          as we sigh, “I just want to get through this day,”
          having no energy to open our eyes to Your miracles and blessings around us.

We confess that sometimes we are not thankful enough to be generous;
          we bargain with You, O God, saying, 

“I’ll be unselfish when You give me more,”
          rather than being generous today.

O Lord, we lay these confessions before You, at the foot the cross. 

Though our world gives us the impression 
that we are to wrap up Thanksgiving into just one day, 

maybe a month at most, 

and then proceed on with our lives, 

we will remember that You have called us to a life of thanksgiving. 

We commit to earnestly pursuing a path 

that true thankfulness engenders: 

more compassion, more kindness, more humility, 

more meekness, more patience.

 

And so we pray this simple prayer with our whole heart:
For what we have received, Lord,
make us truly thankful. 
We want to be filled today, 

and every day, with thanksgiving. 

 

We pray all these things in the name of the one we are most thankful for, 

our Lord, Savior, and teacher of all thankfulness, 

Jesus the Christ, who taught us to pray and live together...

 

 

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 us 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 and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

 

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT JESUS #35: JESUS FEEDING THE 5000

 

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT JESUS: MIRACLES

FEEDING THE 5000 
(MATTHEW 14:15-21; MARK 6:35-44; LUKE 9:12-17; JOHN 6:3-14)

 

THE ONLY MIRACLE APPEARING IN ALL FOUR GOSPELS.

 

Location of Miracle: Tabgha - west of Capernaum, past the traditional site for the Sermon on the Mount. (There’s a church there! And I’ve been!) 

 

Set the Scene: 

o   John the Baptist had just been executed. The apostles returned from their ministry tour. Jesus wanted to get away with His friends to be quiet and rest for awhile. But the crowds followed them. So, He began teaching and healing. 

o   There were 5000 “men”, but the total number of people fed may have been over 20,000. 

o   Jesus had a very specific goal in mind with His announcement “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 

 

READ Matthew 14:15-23.

 

Big Take-Aways:

 

o   Matthew 14:20, “They all ate & were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.” This abundance would force the Jewish people to recall the expected abundance of the coming messianic banquet. Would it also have pointed toward, “I AM the Bread of Life?”

 

o   If you read the words closely, the loaves and fishes multiplied in the hands of the disciples themselves, Jesus did not do the work in his own hands. Why? Maybe the reason the work was done in the servants’ hands is the same reason why this is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels - Jesus is teaching us the critical truth of doing God's work.

o   Jesus blessed the loaves and fishes, and then handed it right back to the disciples. Put yourself in their shoes, what would they have thought hearing Jesus just give a blessing and then asking them to hand out a tiny morsel to share between 20,000 people? Being human, they must have been taken aback by the Lord's request wondering at the seeming absurdity of it. But they had faith and obedience in God, and the food multiplied as they handed it out to the crowd, with their own hands.

o   We can also think of the loaves and fishes as the talents and treasure which the Lord has given us. In our lives God presents us with many opportunities to perform miracles in the lives of others, giving a hand to a friend or loved one, volunteering at Church or larger acts manifesting God's love. Are you sitting on what God has given you as a disciple of Christ to work miracles for those around you, or have you dedicated your time, talents and treasures to Christ to do his work?

Call to Action: 

The small boy had but 5 loaves of bread, and 2 small fish. Hardly enough to feed a group of 15, let alone 20,000. But he gave his small gift to Jesus. And through Christ it became significantly greater. It's a wonderful reminder to us all that our gifts and offerings are that much greater when we go through our Savior.

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT JESUS #34: THE BLEEDING WOMAN

 

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT JESUS: MIRACLES

BLEEDING WOMAN (MARK 5:21-34)

 

In God’s Kingdom, the nobodies become somebodies.

 

Location of Miracle: Near Capernaum, northwest edge of the Sea of Galilee

 

Set the Scene: 

 

·      Jesus was often impressed with people who took enormous risks to find Him and reach for His grace: Samaritans, lepers, the poor, women… He looked for those on the outskirts of society. 

 

·      Jairus pleaded with Jesus to heal his daughter. (Jairus was the leader of the synagogue. He had been elected by the people to this “esteemed position.” He had responsibilities to arrange synagogue services and oversee the building.)

 

·      Jesus was interrupted by another daughter, a woman living on the outskirt of society. The contrast between the two – a daughter of the prestigious local mayor and the unclean woman. 

 

·      Twelve years of shame and frustration are resolved in a momentary touch of Jesus. 

 

Read MARK 5:21-34.

 

Big Take-Aways:

 

1)    The woman TOUCHED Jesus! Her uncleanliness would make Jesus unclean. This would make Him unable to heal Jairus’ daughter, according to Jewish law. But she was desperate! 

 

·      How did Jairus feel? Did he lose an opportunity to save his daughter?

·      How did the woman feel? She was DESPERATE! She had been isolated, lonely, feared by others. She reached for the one source of hope – the tassels of Jesus’ garment, which is traditionally thought of where the Rabbi’s authority resides. (Numbers 15:37-39)

·      How did Jesus feel? Whenever Jesus has contact with people like this, he doesn’t pause a moment. Jesus stopped the parade because Jesus wants contact with this woman just as much as she desperately needed him. Jesus was the only rabbi with the capacity to make the unclean clean. This reverses the rule of Judaism. He made the unclean clean and remained clean. 

 

2)    Jesus speaks of “your faith”; it is important that the woman understand that she hadn’t been cured by magic; her cure had been the result of a mighty power of Jesus, but it came to her because of HER FAITH, not because of the magic of the touch. 

 

3)    The word translated “healed” is literally “saved.” The result of the miracle is both physical healing and theological salvation. The miracle restored her health; the kindness of the encounter restored her dignity!

 

 

Call to Action: Who are the unclean people in our lives who need to encounter Jesus? How might we be able to reach them? 

PASTORAL PRAYER: SEPTEMBER 3, 2017

 God of miracles, God of wisdom, 

God of courage and strength, God of our lives, 

whose presence sustains us in every circumstance, 

in storm and distress, 

we welcome the restoring power of Your love and compassion. 

 

We open our hearts in sorrow, gratitude, and hope: 

that those who have been spared nature's fury, 

as well as those whose lives are forever changed
by ravages of wind and water, 

may find solace, sustenance, and strength 

in the days of recovery and rebuilding that are to come. 

 

We ask for sustaining courage 
for those who are suffering; 

wisdom and diligence among agencies and individuals assessing damage and directing relief efforts; 

and for generosity to flow 
as powerfully as rivers and streams, 

as we, Your people, respond to the deep human needs and shine a light of hope in the midst of chaos. 

 

Over the last days, we have seen courage at its best – 

through the first responders in helicopters 

reaching their hands to pull those stranded out of the water, 

to the Cajun Navy and other volunteers in their boats 

who courageously left their homes 
and answered a call to love their neighbors, 

to the neighbors extending hands to neighbors through hugs and rescue. 

Father, You’ve weaved our communities together through prayer 

and with courage and love. 

We ask for sustaining courage, 

for the kindness of strangers, 

and for hope that does not disappoint.

 

The word “courage” comes from a root meaning “heart,” 

and “courage” is an enlargement, 
a strengthening of the heart. 

So when we pray, our hearts open to You, God, 

and You fill our hearts with Your presence. 

We begin to feel and think what You feel and think. 

The clutter of fear, self-interest, and rationalization are gradually swept out of our hearts, and You, Lord, 
WILL us with courage and eagerness 

to act boldly and in good conscience. 

 

In these days of relief, assessment, and response, 

open our eyes, our hearts, and our hands 

to the needs of Your children and the movements of Your Spirit, 

who flows in us like the river whose streams makes glad the city of God, 

and the hearts of all who dwell in IT, and in YOU.

 

In the name of Christ the Healer, who taught us to pray with these words:

 

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 us 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 and the power and the glory forever. AMEN.

PASTORAL PRAYER: SEPTEMBER 27, 2020

 Good and Gracious God, 

Today, we celebrate! 
We celebrate the Good News of the Resurrection!

We celebrate the faithful God, who is and was and will ever be!

We celebrate the abundance of blessings You have given, 
not only to us individually, 
but to us corporately as a community of believers at First United Methodist Church. 
Our hearts are filled with contagious hope!

Our minds are overflowing with thanksgiving!

Our souls are bursting with Your abundant love!

 

We come today prepared to lay our offerings before Your altar, 

to pledge ourselves to You and Your faithful service. 

You call us, each of us, to drop our nets and follow You.

You call us, each of us, to cast our burdens upon You, and walk by faith. 

You call us, each of us, to go throughout the world, 
proclaiming Your name, spreading the Good News.

 

All are called to serve You, O Lord. 

While few are called to be Your priests and pastors, 

all are called to bloom wherever You plant us. 

No matter where we spend our days, 

no matter where we call home, 

we are called to reflect Your light wherever we are. 

We are called to rise up, stand firm, 
and be leaders and shepherds of the flocks we oversee. 

We are called to infiltrate our communities and office buildings 

and positively influence those around us. 

 

But how do we do this?

In His teachings, Jesus did not just talk about 
what He could do or how He could give; 

He spoke about who He IS.

He doesn’t just give bread; He IS the bread. 

He doesn’t merely reflect the light; He IS the light. 

He doesn’t quench our thirst with H2O; 
He IS the living water for our bodies and souls. 

 

So, when I think about impacting the world around us, 

my mind turns to Your challenge 
for we disciples to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, 

to live our lives counter-cultural to secular, sinful nature. 

 

Lord, You want us to be “salt”, 
to add flavor to Your world. 
We cannot be bland witnesses to Your love, 

only serving when it’s convenient for us. 
If we lose our “saltiness”, 
it cannot be regained. 
Give us courage and joy in our service to You. 
Help us to be people who clear 
the pathways to service, 
rather than those who place road-blocks and “potholes”, 
where people can stumble. 

Lord, we love the light.
We surround ourselves with bright and shiny things.
We mix with cheerful and happy people.
We keep our lamps lit, our fires burning, and our salt at the ready.

But, Lord, we know that there are dark and unsavory places inside us:

Places we have not allowed Your light to shine;
Activities we have not allowed Your salt to flavor;
Dark and unsavory attitudes that affect the lives of those around us;
Dark and unsavory actions and words that hurt and leave scars we cannot heal.

Forgive us, Lord.
Bring Your light and healing touch to every part of our lives:
every relationship, every activity, every word.
And as we begin to experience Your forgiveness and healing,
guide us into the dark and unsavory places around us,
to bring Your light and hope, 
Your joy and peace to those who need it most.

Lord, keep us alert this coming week;
eyes open to discover Your light shining in unexpected places,
looking for ways to share the flavors of Your love with a hungry world.

Give us confidence and joy in all that we do, 
for we offer our lives and our prayers 
to you in the name of Jesus the Christ,

who taught us to pray by saying these loving words: 

 
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 us 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 and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

 

PASTORAL PRAYER: SEPTEMBER 20, 2020

 O Good and Gracious God,

this is the beginning of a new week, 

and the whole world is before us this day.

As we gaze into the days ahead, 

we see You going in front of us to pave the way,

going behind us to guard our backs, 

and right beside us, bringing fellowship to the journey. 

Though we may be fearful

and ill-equipped to handle all that we will face

–     You are the Good Shepherd giving us guidance and strength.

Looking back, there have been some 

uncomfortable times this past week,

some tough things that have reminded us 
how small and frail and broken we are.

There have been times when we have ventured forth alone,

when we have stumbled and fallen,

disobeying You and sinning against You.

But when we lean on the everlasting arms 

of the One who loves us so much,

we stand firm.

 

This week as I read through Your Word, 

I was convicted and encouraged by the faith of Your disciples -

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 

These three friends did not worship You because of the gifts You gave them,

but because of the God You were to them. 

They were convinced that You could rescue them from the fiery furnace, 

but even if You didn’t, it would not impact their love for You one bit. 

They’d rather be delivered into Your presence through the fire, 

than worship some other false god just to escape the fire.

 

Father, forgive us when our worship of You 

vacillates based on our circumstances. 

We so easily become cynical and hopeless, 

quite capable of doubting Your love 
when life gets complicated and painful. 

We yearn to worship You before there’s a fire, 

when we’re in the fire, 

if we’re delivered from the fire, 

or if You should choose to take us home through the fire. 

 

Such a longing isn’t wishful thinking, 

but a promised reality, because of Jesus - 

Jesus, our faithful Savior, who endured the fiery trial of the cross for us. 

No matter the temptation, trial, or trauma —

Jesus is with us and for us. 

Life may not be pain free for us, 
but it will never be Christ absent. 

 

Lord, You have given us 
His worthiness for our unworthiness,

His sinlessness for our transgressions,

His purity for our uncleanliness.

We ask You to exchange the duplicity of our hearts for His sincerity,

exchange our deception for His truth,

exchange our pride for His meekness,

our backsliding for His consistency,

our disinterest for His love,

our emptiness for His fullness,

our treachery for His faithfulness,

exchange our lawlessness for His obedience,

exchange our shame for His glory,

our waywardness for His devotion,

our impurity for His holiness,

our dead works for His righteousness,

our death for His life.

 

We look to You as the one who is all sufficient:

You are the strength by which we stand,

the rock upon which we stand firm, 

the light by which we see.

May Your beauty, grace, and peace keep us centered, 

And standing firm in every season of life. 

 

We pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ, the solid rock upon which we stand, who taught us to pray by saying these words: 

 

 

 

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 us 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 and the power and the glory forever. Amen.