Membership: The Ministry of Members

Membership: The Ministry of Members

Dear Friends,

On Sunday, March 24^th (Palm Sunday), the twelve members of the confirmation class will publically profess their faith in Jesus Christ and become full members of Community Presbyterian Church. In many ways, these twelve young people are completing the process that was begun at the time of their baptism. In their baptism, we witnessed the truth that God’s love claims people before they are able to respond in faith on their own. Confirmation is about confirming this faith and entering into the covenant of membership.

It has brought me great joy to work (alongside of Kellie Becker, Bea Harrington, Diane Ellringer, and their adult mentors) with this group of young people. I have deeply enjoyed learning about who they are and helping them think about what they believe at this point in their faith journey. The mission trip last summer to Joplin, Missouri was especially meaningful as I had the privilege of partnering with these outstanding young people in service to God.

The end result of confirmation is that twelve young people will stand before the church and publically say “Yes” to belief in Jesus Christ and “Yes” to membership in Community of Presbyterian Church. Amen! This is good news and I hope you join me in welcoming each of them into the life of our congregation.

Confirmation Sunday is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on our own understanding of membership in the life and ministry of Community Presbyterian Church. Our Book of Order claims that “membership in the Church of Jesus Christ is a joy and a privilege. It is also a commitment to participate in Christ’s mission….A faithful member…promises to be involved responsibly in the ministry of Christ’s church.”

It goes on to list several ways to be involved in such ministry, the last of which is this: “(Membership) includes reviewing and evaluating regularly the integrity of one’s membership, and considering ways in which one’s participation in the worship and service of the church may be increased and made more meaningful.”

My friends, as we prepare to welcome a new Confirmation class and as we prepare to celebrate Easter Sunday and hear once again the story of Jesus’ rising from the grave, I invite you to join me in thinking about real and significant ways that your participation here at Community Presbyterian Church may be increased and made more meaningful.

I invite you to think about the following statements, taking from the final lesson of the Confirmation class workbook, and I challenge you to find new ways to answer them.

“I will be a faithful member of this church by….”

“I will share in its worship by….”

“I will share in its ministry by….”

“My prayers for this church and its members are…”

“My gifts to this church are…”

“I will study by….”

“I will serve by….”

My friends, membership in the Church of Jesus Christ is both a joy and a privilege. I invite you to welcome the new members of the confirmation class into the life and ministry of Community Presbyterian Church by renewing your personal commitment to the mission and witness of Community Presbyterian Church.

Sincerely,

Pastor John

Home By Another Way

Dear Friends - 

Here is a copy of the sermon I preached on Sunday, January 6th - Epiphany Sunday. I feel like it's a sermon I have preached before; I just love the idea that the magi who visited Jesus returned home by another road. For me, this has become a metaphor for the Christian life -- we are different after we encounter Jesus (even more so if we give him the gift of our heart) and we return home by another way. 

Happy reading.

Pastor John

“Home By Another Way”

A sermon based upon Matthew 2:1-12

preached by Reverend John H.G. Curtiss on

Sunday, January 6th, 2013, also known as Ephiphany Sunday

Sermon: Home By Another Way

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-13

Key Text: “And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they (the wise men from the East) left for their own country by another road.”

My favorite story of the whole Christmas narrative is the story of the star-gazing wise men from the East who come to worship the baby Jesus. This story just captures my imagination year after year. Maybe it’s because we have added our own details to the story that I find it so captivating. Matthew doesn’t name these visitors as kings, and yet because of the Christmas carol I imagine them in royal (bath)robes with turbans. Matthew doesn’t tell us how many visitors there are, but because there are three gifts, we identify most with three kingly visitors. Some traditions have given them names (Gaspar, Melchio, and Balthasar) and identify them as representing different races and people groups – although this is clearly not in the gospel story.

            Because the story is so sparse, or even silent, with details, every generation of Christians has added to the story details from its own time and place. What Christmas pageant is complete without the foil wrapped gifts and kingly costumes of the visitors who worship and adore the baby Jesus.

            For Matthew the wise men were not only characters in the story of the birth of Jesus; they were also representative of people in his own community. So, when we dress the neighborhood children in yellow bathrobes and send them traipsing down the center aisle toward the manger, carrying foil-wrapped boxes of simulated gold, frankincense, and myrrh, we are, in a real sense, doing what Matthew himself did, seeing the characters of this ancient story in the light of the faithful people around us.

            But what I really like about this story, is what it reveals to us about power and authority and about how a relationship with Jesus Christ is transformational.

            The story of the wise men is dramatically intricate, full of political intrigue. It primarily involves interplay among King Herod, the wise men from the East, and the Chief Priests and Scribes.

            King Herod is the principal villain of the story. Herod the Great (one of six “Herod’s” mentioned or alluded to in the New Testament) was the ruler of Palenstine from 37 BC to his death around 4 BC. He was known as a Roman loyalist and one who mounted large-scale building projects to signal to his Roman superiors the importance of his Jewish kingdom. In terms of personality, he was known as a moody, cruel, and sometimes violent ruler, one who often imprisoned or executed even members of his own family. It is not a king that would be easy to live under. When the wise men enter Palestine and ask King Herod,  “Where is the child who has been born King of the Jews” they feed into the paranoia of King Herod. You just don’t ask a king like Herod where to find the other king.

            Matthew also mentions the Chief Priests and the Scribes. These are the religious leaders and religious scholars of the day. They are the ones with authority and knowledge about the Jewish bible, our Old Testament.

            When the wise men come to Jerusalem seeking the king of the Jews, there are complete outsiders to the laws and prophesies of Israel. They come because they are knowledgeable about astrology and astronomy (linked together in ancient Israel). They have observed a phenomenon in nature, the rising of a star. Their arrival produces two responses.

            First, Herod “and all of Jerusalem with him” are frightened. If the wise men are seeking a child who is “king of the Jews,” this obviously calls into question the standing and stability of Herod himself, who is currently the political, Roman-authorized king of the Jews. The birth of the true Messiah undermines all pretenders to the throne. Indeed, the gospel exposes all human pretense and threatens all who would dominate others. The wise men’s claim speaks to a new world order of power ushered in by the birth of the baby Jesus. Whenever and wherever the true nature of the gospel is understood by the powers-that-be, all swaggering tyrants and despots turn fearful. Rulers like Herod who use fear to coerce loyalty are fearful of the one who has divine power.

            The second response to the wise men’s inquiry is that Herod gathers together the religious officials for some Bible study to determine where the Messiah would be born. Putting their heads together, and combing through Micah 5:2 and 2 Samuel 5:2, the authorities inform Herod  that the Messiah, the “ruler who is to shepherd the people of Israel” is to be born in “Bethlehem, in the land of Judah” (Matthew 2:6). Jesus, the great shepherd-king, is to be born in the village of David, the shepherd-king.

            I find it interesting to note at this point in our story the link between scripture and nature. It takes both for the wise men to find Jesus. Through nature, (the star in the sky), the wise men know that the Christ has been born, but they need the scripture to tell the where. They know he is here, they need help to find him so they can worship and adore him. In other words, they learn something of God from nature, but their knowledge is still incomplete.  We, too, can learn a lot about this God we worship from the world around us, but we also need scripture and tradition to have God’s glory fully revealed to us. However we come into the Christian faith, we come to a faith defined and grounded in the Law (the Old Testament) and the prophets. Jesus himself says “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). The wise men come to worship the Christ, but they need scripture to do so fully.

            On the other hand, simply knowing the scripture is not enough to bring one to authentic Christian worship. The chief priests and the scribes knew their bible, but they miss the Messiah. They understand the prophecies, but they do not come to the place of worship. Herod is taught the scripture, but his stated intention to “go and pay him homage” is a sinister and eventually a murderous lie.

            The world is full of “stars in the East”—events in nature or in your personal life or in history, that point toward the mystery of God. We experience the beauty of spring in the opening of a flower bud, a troubled relationship is healed, a child is born, a soldier is returned. All of these experiences draw our attention to the divine mystery that pervades and pushes through human events. Without the defining word of scripture and the foundation of tradition, however, we could not recognize these holy moments for what they are; we would not be able to see God’s face clearly in them. Like the wise men, we would be aware that something holy is happening, but we would not without God’s revelation through scripture, know how or where to worship.

            It is also true that we could err on the other side. Like the chief priests and scibes in Jesus’ time, our mastery of scripture is not guarantee of true worship. We can know the biblical facts, we can memorize the order of the books in the bible, we can ace the trivia quiz, but we can completely miss deeper biblical truth. One can memorize a bible verse, but forget the gospel. One can recite the kings of Israel in order and overlook the king of Creation.

            The story of the wise men ends with their being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, but to go home by another way (2:12) And this is the last we see of the visitors from afar in the scripture.

            They come seeking the Christ. They worship and adore. They offer gifts of gold, frankensince and myrhh. They are changed by their encounter by the baby who holds the salvation of the world in his tiny, uncoordinated hands.

            They go home a different way because they are different.

            When we meet Jesus, we too are changed. And we must travel a different road.

            Amen and amen. 

The Angel Who Lost Her Voice

Dear Friends -

One of the things I love about the Christmas season is the story telling. The Christmas Story is such fertile ground for inspiring messages of hope, love, joy, and peace. The Newberry-winning author Katherine Patterson was married to a Presbyterian pastor and for many years, she would write and read an original story for her husband's congregation. When I served as Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Hastings, Nebraska, one of my favorite parts of Christmas Eve was the children's worship service - in which Reverend Bill Nottage-Tacey would read a story that he had written.

I've read a collection of the stories that Katherine Patterson has written. They are really quite charming. And I loved the stories that Rev. Bill wrote.

This year, I decided that it was my turn to write an original Christmas story and preach it to the children (and anyone else who happens to be listening) of Community Presbyterian Church in Plainview, Minnesota.

Here is my story, "The Angel Who Lost Her Voice".

Merry Christmas -

Pastor John

“The Angel Who Lost Her Voice”

An original story by Pastor John Curtiss

Told to the children and congregation at

Community Presbyterian Church on

Christmas Eve, December 24, 2012 in

Plainview, Minnesota

Have you ever wondered how many angels there are in heaven? Heaven is quite large and there are a lot of different places to go and see, but there aren’t as many angels in heaven as you would think. Then again, then might be a lot more.

And have you ever wondered how all those angels spend their time? Angels spend there time doing a variety of things. They sort socks and fold laundry, like you and me. They have to walk their dogs and feed their pet goldfish. And sometimes they even have to take baths and wash behind their ears. But sometimes, like you and me, they have to find their place and figure out what part they play. This is a story about just that very thing.

But the thing that all the angels do; the thing that each and every angel takes pride in doing – and doing well – is sing. All angels love to sing. They are part of God’s heavenly chorus after all. If you have ever heard the angels sing – or even just one of them – then you know just how beautiful and wonderful God is because that is what the songs of angels are.

There was once a young angel – a cheribum – by the name of Sarah. Sarah was nothing special, just an ordinary angel who loved to sing. She didn’t have the most beautiful voice, as angelic voices go, but Sarah’s voice was just fine. It was steady and pure; delightful and constant.  Sarah knew that she could always count on her voice because it had never let her down before.

This was a very exciting time to be an angel in heaven, for God was planning something very special. God had already sent the angel Gabriel to share the news with Mary – that there would be a very special baby born soon. – but not just any baby, this baby was God’s only son – to be born of Mary in Bethlehem. The angels knew that the baby would be born soon.

In fact, God had asked that a choir of angels be standing by, ready to deliver the news. God had decided that he wanted the first people to know about the baby, (it was already decided that his name would be Jesus) after his parents, Mary and Joseph, would be the shepherds keeping watch. God had always had a softspot for shepherds herding sheep.

The choir was standing by, waiting and waiting. They knew that it couldn’t be long. They were practicing their “Glory Be’s! and their Alleluias!” When suddenly there was great commotion and a loud announcement:

“Calling all available angels…calling all available angels. The baby Jesus has been born!”

The angels started to line up. Before they are whooshed away to the hillside of Bethlehem to tell the shepherds the good news, they must first sing a simple little song – a warm-up, really, to the choir leaders Ms. J and Ms. L. Only the voices that are properly warmed up can sing on earth tonight.

“Next?” announces Ms. L. Sarah steps forward. She opens her mouth to sing…but nothing comes out. She clears her throat, she sips some lemon juice, she tries again. And again – no sound. Sarah has lost her voice.

“I’m sorry sweetie.” Says Ms. L. I can only let angels who can sing tonight be in the choir. You’ll have to stay here. I don’t have time to help you. Who’s next?” Ms. L gestures to Sarah to move along.

Sarah is heartbroken and doesn’t understand. She was so excited to be a part of this very special angelic choir. To sing to the shepherds and announce the good news of God’s son being born. What could have happened to her voice?

In no time at all, enough angels have been selected, and after not a small amount of commotion, they were gone; off to announce the good news. The silence was deafening.

Sarah doesn’t know what to do. She tries to tell her best friend Thomas, but she can’t find the words. Her voice is truly gone.

She decides that if she can’t sing to the shepherds, she can at least go and visit the baby. Maybe she can see the one who is cause for such great hope.

She begins to follow the trail of the angelic choir. First Sarah decides to go to the hills – where the angels will sing to the shepherds. She hopes that she can hear the beautiful message, even if she can’t add her voice to the heavenly choir.

But she is to late. The night is quiet and the hillside is empty. It appears that the angels have delivered their message and that the shepherds have gone to visit – indeed to worship – the baby Jesus.

Sarah stops on the hillside to decide what to do next. She hears a noise in the country side. There is a sheep, one lonely lost sheep. Apparently the shepherds in their haste, have forgotten one. The sheep is trying to stay warm in the cold, dark night and is calling out looking for it’s mother, looking for it’s shepherd; looking for the herd. Looking for a place to belong.

Sarah goes over to the sheep to comfort it. She picks it up to keep it warm. She rubs and pats the sheeps soft fur.

Sarah decides to help this sheep by taking the sheep with her. The only place that Sarah can think of to go is to follow the path of the shepherds. Sarah and the sheep begin their journey through the countryside to find the baby Jesus.

When Sarah and the baby sheep are nearly there, she meets some of the angels. Apparently there were so excited about the good news that they didn’t want to return to heaven right away, but they also wanted to go and see the baby Jesus. They tell Sarah about how beautiful the baby Jesus is and how special this night is.

Next Sarah meets the shepherds. They seem tired, but content. They have been to worship the new born king, the one whom they place their hope in. They have seen the baby and the baby has changed their life.

Sarah finds the shepherd with the lost sheep. He is so relieved to have the baby sheep back where it belongs. Sarah is a bit sad to lose her companion, but she lets the sheep go. She knows the sheep is home.

Alone, Sarah turns to the manger. It is the middle of the night. The shepherds have left and the holy family is exhausted. Everyone is sleeping peacefully. Sarah, as quiet as an angel can be goes in to see the baby Jesus.

While Sara is watching, the baby starts to stir – the baby starts to cry.

She realizes how vulnerable he is – she wonders what God was thinking – she doubts this grand plan – but then she realizes that she can help. Forgetting that she has love her voice, Sarah reaches out and strokes the baby on the cheek. She begins to sing him a heavenly lullaby. The baby Jesus stops fussing, smiles up at her, and begins to drift back to sleep.

Sarah is so glad that she got the chance to see the baby Jesus. And she is so glad that she got to help the lost sheep find it’s way home. She realizes that Jesus helped her find her voice again and that she has a part to play in telling the story of this child, this precious child born this very night.

Sarah returns to her place in heaven with a joyful heart, ready to sing again, ready to tell the world about the birth of the baby Jesus.

Amen.

Ancient Rituals and Modern Meaning

Ancient Words

By Lynn DeShazo

Holy words, long preserved for our walk in this world,

They resound with God’s own heart;

Oh, let the ancient words impart.

Words of life, words of hope, give us strength, help us cope;

In this world wher-e’re we roam ancient words will guide us home.

Ancient words ever true, changing me and changing you;

We have come with open heats, oh, let the ancient words impart.

Holy words of our faith handed down to this age,

Came to us through sacrifice; Oh, head the faithful words of Christ.

Holy words, long preserved for our walk in this world,

They resound with God’s own heart;

Oh, let the ancient words impart.

Ancient words ever true, changing me and changing you;

We have come with open heats, oh, let the ancient words impart.

Dear Friends - 

Advent, the time the church prepares for Christ to be born again into the hearts and minds of those who believe, is a special time for me. I love the stories of anticipation, the preparation, and the holiday cheer. I especially love the music and I can't wait to display the nativity scene at home and at the church.

As I begin to think about what this season in the life of the church means to me and how I prepare my heart, mind, and soul for Christ's coming and return, I find myself reflecting on the idea of ritual and tradition. I am looking forward to lighting the Advent candles and hanging the greens because this is how I have always kept time and marked the season. Repeating a tradition, for me, provides deeper meaning and a way to remind myself of the joy of the season.

As a lifelong Presbyterian, I have been shaped and formed by an ancient pattern of worship and keeping time. The Presbyterian Churches that I have been blessed to belong to and worship with have shared much in common--namely the liturgy, hymnody, and rhythm of worship. I personally take great comfort and find deep meaning in the rituals and patterns of worship that I have inherited from my Presbyterian brothers and sisters.

But there are times when I feel like the ancient patterns that provide me with a strong sense of belonging might look completely foreign to those outside of a life of faith. For example, if someone were to show up on Sunday morning for the first time, would they be able to make sense out of the lighting of a candle on the advent wreath or the singing of a hymn about the coming of a Messiah?

I wonder: how do we make meaning in the world today? Or (perhaps a better questions), how do we bring meaning of what we (the church) are about to the world? I suspect it begins with an invitation.

My friends, I would like to invite you to be a part of the life, worship, and ministry of Community Presbyterian Church. What we do, I believe, matters greatly. Meaning grows out of full participation in all that we do.

My hope and prayer is this: that the ancient words and ancient patterns of worship would continue to be made new through the faithful gathering of God's people, especially in this time, this place, this season.

Sincerely - and may God, Emmanual, be with you.

Pastor John

Vocation - A Labor Day Reflection

     Part of the story of my call to ministry is remembering and recognizing that many people who knew and loved me (especially from my church family - First Presbyterian Church in Alliance, Nebraska) identified a call to ministry a long time before I did. 

     When I was 15 or 16 years old, my pastor, Reverend John Wilson, asked me to come into his office sometime after school. He told me that he recognized within me gifts of leadership and ministry and asked me if I had ever considered becoming a pastor when I grew up. I laughed. I told him (with all the confidence of a teenager) that I had in fact considered the path to ministry...but I thought it would be my second career. You see, I was convinced that I needed to make a million dollars first. I thought the best way to do this was to study physics and engineering and get one of those "high-paying" engineering jobs." I claimed (with an earnest, straight face) that I thought I'd be a millionaire by the time I was 30...maybe 35...and then, only then would I "retire" from engineering and go to seminary to become a minister. To his credit, Reverend John Wilson did not laugh at me or dismiss my plan, but planted a seed and opened a door.

     I did begin college with every intention of becoming an engineer. For nearly 3 years at Hastings College, I majored in Math and Physics and was on the "pre-engineering" track. The trouble was this: I was a horrible math student. I simply could not do Calculus. I was miserable trying to be something that God did not intend for me to be. 

     And so, midway through my junior year of college, I began to discern a call to ministry (most certainly a call away from upper-level math courses!) I went home for fall break and I made an appointment to talk to Reverend John Wilson about seminary. I had forgotten our conversation nearly 5 years ago until her reminded me. That's when it all clicked. I was called to ministry. I began to explore seminaries. My last three semesters at Hastings College were much happier as I began to take every religion and philosophy and history and literature class I could (I ended up earning a BA in Music from Hastings College). 

     What I remember most about those first few months of being able to proclaim loudly to people "I want to be a minister" is that the people who loved me the most either said: "Amen" or "We knew that all along...we were just wondering when you would figure it out." It has been truly blessed to discover and live into my vocation and I am still confident that I am doing the work that God intended for my life.

    You might think that is an easy thing for me to say...since I serve a church as an ordained minister of word of sacrament. But my hope is that everyone can say with confidence that they are doing the work that God intended for their lives. Here's the thing: I want to remind you that God can use you on whatever road or career path you find yourself on. The trick is to use your gifts – to figure out what it is that you are good at – and to that to the glory of God. I was trying to be good at calculus...when clearly I wasn't (and no, you can't see my college transcript!).

     Scripture is filled with people whom God uses. Abraham, Moses and David were all shepherds…and God used them to become shepherds of God’s chosen people. Many of the 12 disciples were fisherman, simple fisherman from small towns…and God called them to be fishers of people. Matthew, a tax collector, did paperwork for the government…and God used him to put on paper the story of Jesus’ life on earth – the gospel of Matthew. Paul was a tent maker…and God called Paul to be a builder of churches in places like Rome and Ephesus, and Galatia. Luke was a physician…and God called Luke to tell the story of Jesus offering healing for all of humanity.

      Let me remind you this day, this labor day weekend--and every day--that whether you are a teacher or a farmer; a banker or a school nurse;  a butcher, baker or candlestick maker that we all serve the same God…and that God is calling us to labor for the kingdom of heaven. I Corinthians 3:8 says: “The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labor of each…for we are God’s servants.” 

    I believe (as does the Psalmist) that God has made each of us as fearfully and wonderfully made – and God intends for our lives to reflect glory. We don’t all need to be heros to live a heroic life. We simply have to use our gifts to glorify God.  When I was in high school, I was on the golf team. I did bring me great joy when I managed to hit the ball straight, but I clearly am not meant to swing a golf club for a living. I love to play basketball...all 5'6" of me (and I can't jump). I do experience joy when I actually make a basket, but clearly I am not meant to play hoops for a living. But God did give me a spirit of compassion and a listening heart and some other gifts that I think make me a minister, a preacher, a pastor. And I know from the great joy I experience through the ups and downs of church life that I am doing the work that God intends me to do. My favorite scripture verse has long been Romans 12:15. In this passage, Paul is describing some of the marks of the Christian character and the Christian community. Romans 12:15 reads: "Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep." For me this describes my life in ministry. I get to rejoice with others at the best moments in life - weddings and births and high school graduations. And I get to weep with others at their darkest, most trying moments - times of great loss and deep sadness.  And through it all, I know that I am following God's call and living out God's intention for my life. (And there are times when I fall short...but that is for a different time). 

     I hope that you can also find that place where you live as God intends, finding joy in reflecting God's glory in all you do. 

   Amen and amen,

The Rest of the Story....

This past weekend, Community Presbyterian Church held the regular weekly worship service on Saturday night. It was Corn on the Cob Days weekend, a celebration of Plainview, and for the past couple of years, we have moved worship from Sunday morning to Saturday night. Part of me enjoys worship held in the evening (because we get to sing some of the seldom used evening hymns!). I thought I would enjoy sleeping in on Sunday morning--but I honestly felt a bit weird not doing the church thing on Sunday morning.

During my sermon, I tried to be fancy with technology and it didn't work. I wanted to read something from a blog and when I opened my wireless, smart device, it wasn't where I left it...and I couldn't find it...and so my congregation got to stare at me while I silently looked at my small screen (thankfully no one broke out in the Jeopardy theme!). I concluded my sermon in my own words and finished the sermon. I vaguely remember promising to get the good people present (and suffering through my stumbles!) the rest of the sermon. And because I think that what I was going to quote in worship is really, really good...this is an attempt to tell the rest of my sermon.

In case you weren't in attendance at Community Presbyterian Church on Saturday night, August 18th, here is the main idea of my sermon. It's based on Ephesians 5:15-20.

I asked folks to come up with three people. One person who, for whatever reason, causes you to behave differently than you normally would. Maybe you are trying to impress them or intimidated by them - but you have a hard time being yourself - your true self in the midst of this person. The second person was someone who gives you permission to be exactly who you are. This person is that good friend who has seen you at your best and worst and loves you because of it all. The third person was someone who inspires you to be better.

In Ephesians, Paul urges the gathered community to sing Psalms and spiritual songs together as part of the communal act of being the body of Christ in the world. And I think that the church is called to sing songs together that shape who we are - and tell the story about who we are becoming to the world.

In Greek Mythology, the god of music Orpheus is aboard the ship with Jason (in his quest for the Golden Fleece). When the ship approaches the island of the Sirens, the Sirens begin to sing their song. The Siren's song is so powerful that no one is able to resist and they lure ships to sail into their rocky shore and perish. But when Orpheus hears the song of the Sirens, he pulls out is lute and offers to the Sirens a better song, a more beautiful song, and Jason doesn't fall under the spell and continues on his journey.

I think that when the church gathers to sing songs together, at the heart of what we are doing is offering the world a better song. We've all heard the calls of the world's "sirens," haven't we. But these songs offer promises of false abundance. The songs that we sing as a faithful community and followers of Jesus Christ is a song of hope and promise. It is a song that allows us to be who God created us to be.

And that brings me to the part of the sermon that I wasn't able to tell on Saturday night because my technology failed me. I wanted to read from the blog of Jon Acuff. I had recently seen on Facebook his blog about what one church put in writing as their welcoming statement. Most church welcome statements that I have seen (or even been a part of) are very noble - yet very nondescript. I think most churches desire to welcome everyone...but this church came up with a wonderful list.

Before you read it, please note that this is not the welcoming statement of Community Presbyterian Church. You may not agree with everything in here. But I think it is certainly a model worthy of us...all of us...to think about how we can be this bold in our welcoming. And I think it is somehow related to the songs that we offer the world as a counter-cultural way of being the church. If you'd like to read the blog in it's entirety, you can find it here: How-to-welcome-people-to-your-church/

Here is the text I would've read. It's the welcoming statement of the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Community:

We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, gay, filthy rich, dirt poor, yo no habla Ingles. We extend a special welcome to those who are crying new-borns, skinny as a rail or could afford to lose a few pounds.

We welcome you if you can sing like Andrea Bocelli or like our pastor who can’t carry a note in a bucket. You’re welcome here if you’re “just browsing,” just woke up or just got out of jail. We don’t care if you’re more Catholic than the Pope, or haven’t been in church since little Joey’s Baptism.

We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60 but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up too fast. We welcome soccer moms, NASCAR dads, starving artists, tree-huggers, latte-sippers, vegetarians, junk-food eaters. We welcome those who are in recovery or still addicted. We welcome you if you’re having problems or you’re down in the dumps or if you don’t like “organized religion,” we’ve been there too.

If you blew all your offering money at the dog track, you’re welcome here. We offer a special welcome to those who think the earth is flat, work too hard, don’t work, can’t spell, or because grandma is in town and wanted to go to church.

We welcome those who are inked, pierced or both. We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved down your throat as a kid or got lost in traffic and wound up here by mistake. We welcome tourists, seekers and doubters, bleeding hearts … and you!

Mission Trip - Joplin, Missouri, 2012

“The God of heaven will give us success, and we God’s servants will start to build”

Nehemiah 2:20

“Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.”

I Peter 4:10

Dear Friends,

The above two scripture verses capture for me two of the most compelling reasons for engaging in a mission trip.

From Monday, July 30 to Saturday, August 4^th, I will be leading a group of 12 youth (which is every member of the confirmation class) and 7 adult sponsors to Joplin, Missouri for a week of mission. We will be working with an organization called “Rebuild Joplin” and their partner Americore. We will be doing a variety of jobs, all with the intent of helping the community of Joplin with the ongoing rebuilding efforts. (Joplin, Missouri was hit by a major tornado in May, 2011).

I believe that we engage in this kind of mission work for two main reasons. First, we go to help out because we are called to make a difference in the world. Simply, we go because the people of Joplin need our help. We might not have the skills to build houses, but because we go in the name of God, we do have the skills to make a difference in the lives of others. We are going to drive nearly 600 miles to a small town in Southern Missouri (in hot August, no less) because there is a need, and as a Christian people, we are called to respond to the needs of the world.

But we also go for a second, I believe, more compelling reason. We go because the experience will change and transform us. I believe that the very act of setting aside one week to serve others has the power to transform us. Our world will expand. Our preconceived notions will be challenged. And, because we will encounter God in the lives of others, our faith will be stronger. We will be different when we return. To be sure, we might learn a new skill – like hanging sheet rock or how to paint – but we will also learn that when we act on our faith out of love, then we deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ.

I hope to use this space to reflect on how I am different because of my work in Joplin and with young people. Thanks for reading!

Pastor John

P.S. If you are near Plainview and would like to witness this growth and transformation, I invite you to worship with us on Sunday, August 12th at 10 a.m. We have designated this Sunday as "Mission Trip Sunday." The youth and their adult leaders will lead us in worship. I trust that this will be an opportunity for them to share tell their stories about the work that they accomplished - as well as how they have changed, in faith. It would be great to see you in church! Check us out at www.cpcplainview.com