Harmony United Methodist Church

Monday, July 12, 2010

"He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." Matthew 18:2-5

Our Wednesday Night Live is a blast! Each week we gather for singing, prayer, Bible study, and Holy Communion at 7:00. We have a small, but faithful crowd and occasionally someone who wanders in to see what it's all about. We end with Communion. Usually George or Kurt holds the cup as we walk around the circle sharing the Body and Blood of Christ.

A few weeks ago, neither of my usual helpers were there. When I asked for a volunteer, I saw eager faces, but no hands. I knew what was going in some of their heads (not based on my mind-reading ability, but my experience in pastoral ministry). People wanted to help. Wanted to serve. But the nagging questions were there: What if I mess up?  What if I don't say the right words? And the greatest joy-robbing question of all: What if I'm not worthy?

This is the deal breaker for so many people who want to serve in all kinds of capacities in the church. "Surely someone else is better equipped than I? Somebody else would probably do a better job--who am I to think that I could do this?"

The person who finally stepped forward to hold the cup of our Lord's love for us was a nine-year-old girl. Without hesitation, she moved from person to person. She didn't ask me what to do; she simply offered the cup with the words: "the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, shed for you."

You should have seen the beaming faces--not the servers' faces, but those receiving the elements. They were grinning from ear to ear. I knew what they were thinking, "wow; Lauren knows exactly what to do." We were all humbled. She knew what to do because she has been participating in worship since her birth. She knew how to serve Communion because she regularly takes Communion with her mom and dad.

Brandy Davis shared with me about a visit to Steve's home church; the pastor commented about how at ease her boys seemed as they joined the others for the children's sermon. He was tickled to see them dipping their bread into those little individual cups! He said, "I'll bet your church communes by intinction!"

Through the years I have had some folks comment that they think young children should wait until they are old enough to understand Communion before they partake. I am an ordained priest of the church, but I know that in this life I will never fully understand--the word sacrament means "mystery." But I want the children in my parishes to know that the bread and juice mean love and welcome. No one is ever too young to know what it feels to be loved and included.

Next week Vacation Bible School begins. I hope not to break a toe this year! My greatest hope is that children from this community--children whose parents never get up on Sunday to bring them to church--will find their way to us. Maybe the free dinner will entice them. Maybe some will see those two and a half hours each evening as free babysitting. I don't care how they come to us as long as they come.

I'm calling each of us to pray for them and for their parents and for all the people who work so hard to provide a wonderful week of learning and pure joy. Wait till you see the sanctuary this year! Maybe we'll reach a heart with the good news this year. Invite every child you see, so that all these little ones--and Jesus himself--will know what it is to feel welcome.

Friday, July 2, 2010

"We are allowed to do all things," but not all things are good for us to do. "We are allowed to do all things," but not all things help others grow stronger. Do not look out only for yourselves. Look out for the good of others also." 1 Corinthians 10:23-24

Growing up, I was all over the Fourth of July. We started the day at the parade in Towson, Maryland; we started before everyone else--my dad made us leave at the crack of dawn to get a place at the curb. After fighting the crowds to get home, we feasted on my mother's homemade fried chicken and potato salad and my grandfather's crab cakes and lemonade. The afternoon was spent under the ancient maple in the backyard listening to my mom yell at my dad as he set off less-than-legal cherry bombs: "You're going to blow your hand off!" After a popsicle, we would pile in the car to watch fireworks (though watching from the backseat of a Mustang didn't afford the greatest view).

When I joined the marching band in high school, parades lost much of their charm. I was on the front row of the band; we always seemed to follow horses: you do the math. Richard and I can't go out to see fireworks because we are home feeding Xanax to the dogs. The little one trembles so badly you can hear her bones rattle.

But I still love the Fourth. I remember the instructions of the founding fathers; they wanted public celebrations, games, picnics, and fireworks. They wanted us to remember and honor the sacrifice of those who took a stand against tyranny in the name of freedom.

So why don't I do patriotic worship services? I have been asked that many times; some, in the past, have questioned my own patriotism or love of my country. I hope you don't think that I am not grateful to be a citizen of this great nation.

I want us to pray for our country. Every day. Not just on our national days of observance. I want us to pray for our leaders whether we voted for them or not (if you don't think they're doing the right thing, don't you think you should be praying all the harder?). But when we are in church, celebrating God's love for us in Jesus Christ, pouring out our hearts in praise--I want us to keep the main thing the main thing.

I don't think our American forebears envisioned a day when God's name couldn't be mentioned in public gatherings, but that's the world in which we live. The Bill of Rights guarantees many freedoms; God does too. We are free to accept or reject grace. As Americans we have many freedoms that we do not have as Christ's people: we have the freedom to say what we want--no matter how hurtful or hateful, ugly or degrading to ourselves or others; we have the freedom to drink to excess, smoke, gamble; we have the right to "look out for number one" and to choose whom we will love...yes, we can do as we please. But the exercise of these freedoms is not always pleasing to God.

You will be able to find many celebrations in the community on Independence Day. Sadly, you will not find so many opportunities in the community to celebrate God's love for us in Jesus Christ. So on July 4th, a Sunday this year, we will pray for our nation. We will thank God for America and the sacrifice of those who gave their lives to secure our freedoms. But we will keep the main thing the main thing.

Love your country, but come to church to focus your hearts and minds on loving, serving, and praising your Lord, the creator of all nations, the ruler of the world.