A Prayer for Ukraine
Dear Lord, Prince of Peace, we pray to you today in the context of a world you so love, in the midst of a time of warfare. We lift up our soul to you, even now, as word of attack and violence in Ukraine reaches us, especially now, as effective response seems beyond our control. There are, as there have always been, wantonly treacherous people in this world, and too many of them are in places of power. Yet your power will prevail, even now. Hear our prayers for peace.
We pray for the people of Ukraine, who did not want, who do not deserve this madness. We pray for leaders, for President Zelenskiy and his family, for all the medical personnel weary from COVID and now called upon to treat the wounded, for all the citizen soldiers of Ukraine called up to defend their country, and for the children called to leave their homes, confused and worried for their fathers. Even now, as they huddle in subways and basement shelters, we pray for their safety and for an end to the loss of life.
We pray for the people of Russia, especially for those brave souls who are speaking up and protesting this unjust attack. For the people in the streets and those who have been carted off to jails, for the tennis players and hockey players and artists who have stood up for peace, and for Mr. Putin and his inner circle who somehow feel this is worth the advantage it will bring them, Lord, have mercy. For President Biden and our Congress, for relief workers and journalists doing their jobs in places of violence and in harms way, for our men and women in uniform who are now on heightened alert around the world, Christ have mercy. And for the leaders of Europe and China and Belarus who have influence and leverage, Lord have mercy upon us.
We pray for individuals: for the young mother seeking to flee Ukraine on crowded roadways; for the old Ukrainian veteran who rushes to sign up because in a few days he will be 60 years old and fears he won’t be allowed to defend his country; for all the young men and women with weapons new to their hands; for school-aged children in shelters who sense the danger and yet do not understand; for the Russian people forced to apologize for the shame Mr. Putin has brought them. We stand with all of them in prayers for healing, for wholeness, for Shalom.
As we are called to “rejoice in the Lord always,” even now we can trust in the goodness and wisdom and mercy of our God. Though our way forward is cloudy, your call is clear, even now: to work for justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly in the paths of peace with our God. By your Holy Spirit, show us all the Way.
In Christ's Name we pray: AMEN
We pray for the people of Ukraine, who did not want, who do not deserve this madness. We pray for leaders, for President Zelenskiy and his family, for all the medical personnel weary from COVID and now called upon to treat the wounded, for all the citizen soldiers of Ukraine called up to defend their country, and for the children called to leave their homes, confused and worried for their fathers. Even now, as they huddle in subways and basement shelters, we pray for their safety and for an end to the loss of life.
We pray for the people of Russia, especially for those brave souls who are speaking up and protesting this unjust attack. For the people in the streets and those who have been carted off to jails, for the tennis players and hockey players and artists who have stood up for peace, and for Mr. Putin and his inner circle who somehow feel this is worth the advantage it will bring them, Lord, have mercy. For President Biden and our Congress, for relief workers and journalists doing their jobs in places of violence and in harms way, for our men and women in uniform who are now on heightened alert around the world, Christ have mercy. And for the leaders of Europe and China and Belarus who have influence and leverage, Lord have mercy upon us.
We pray for individuals: for the young mother seeking to flee Ukraine on crowded roadways; for the old Ukrainian veteran who rushes to sign up because in a few days he will be 60 years old and fears he won’t be allowed to defend his country; for all the young men and women with weapons new to their hands; for school-aged children in shelters who sense the danger and yet do not understand; for the Russian people forced to apologize for the shame Mr. Putin has brought them. We stand with all of them in prayers for healing, for wholeness, for Shalom.
As we are called to “rejoice in the Lord always,” even now we can trust in the goodness and wisdom and mercy of our God. Though our way forward is cloudy, your call is clear, even now: to work for justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly in the paths of peace with our God. By your Holy Spirit, show us all the Way.
In Christ's Name we pray: AMEN
June 12, 2022 - Festival Sunday
Music by Chancel Choir, Handbell Choir and Organist
62 minutes
Music by Chancel Choir, Handbell Choir and Organist
62 minutes
| 01_6-12-2022.mp3 |
CALENDAR UPDATES HALTED FOR NOW. WATCH FOR REVISED SCHEDULING
What's Our Week Look Like:
February 2020
Season of Lent Begins
Thursday, February 27 -- Christians in Conversation, 10:30 am, in the Library.
March
Sunday, March 1 -- Communion Sunday, First Sunday in Lent, 10:30 am.
Thursday, March 5 -- Christians in Conversation, 10:30 am, in the Library.
Sunday, March 8 -- Daylight Saving Time starts.
Wednesday, March 11 -- Golden Girls, 11:30 am, at Heidi's in Gresham.
Thursday, March 12 -- Christians in Conversation, 10:30 am, in the Library.
Sunday, March 15 -- Fred Gregory event POSTPONED, following worship.
Thursday, March 19 -- Christians in Conversation, 10:30 am, in the Library.
Sunday, March 22 -- Handbell Choir in worship, 10:30 am.
Thursday, March 26 -- Christians in Conversation, 10:30 am, in the Library.
April
Sunday, April 5 -- Palm/Passion Sunday, Communion Sunday, 10:30 am.
Holy Week Begins
Friday, April 10 -- Good Friday Worship, Office of Tenebrae, 7 pm.
Sunday, April 12 -- The Resurrection of the Lord, Easter Sunday.
Sunday, April 19 -- Baked Potato Lunch, following worship, to support BackPack Buddies.
Join us as we reach out and celebrate together!
What's Our Week Look Like:
February 2020
Season of Lent Begins
Thursday, February 27 -- Christians in Conversation, 10:30 am, in the Library.
March
Sunday, March 1 -- Communion Sunday, First Sunday in Lent, 10:30 am.
Thursday, March 5 -- Christians in Conversation, 10:30 am, in the Library.
Sunday, March 8 -- Daylight Saving Time starts.
Wednesday, March 11 -- Golden Girls, 11:30 am, at Heidi's in Gresham.
Thursday, March 12 -- Christians in Conversation, 10:30 am, in the Library.
Sunday, March 15 -- Fred Gregory event POSTPONED, following worship.
Thursday, March 19 -- Christians in Conversation, 10:30 am, in the Library.
Sunday, March 22 -- Handbell Choir in worship, 10:30 am.
Thursday, March 26 -- Christians in Conversation, 10:30 am, in the Library.
April
Sunday, April 5 -- Palm/Passion Sunday, Communion Sunday, 10:30 am.
Holy Week Begins
Friday, April 10 -- Good Friday Worship, Office of Tenebrae, 7 pm.
Sunday, April 12 -- The Resurrection of the Lord, Easter Sunday.
Sunday, April 19 -- Baked Potato Lunch, following worship, to support BackPack Buddies.
Join us as we reach out and celebrate together!
March 20, 2020
“Grace and Peace to you from God and Our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is how we regularly begin our worship time together.
Your church’s Session made some important decisions last night, acting to continue our communal worship life in this time of mandated “social distancing.” Sunday worship in the Sanctuary has been suspended for March 22 and March 29. The Session, through the pastor and the Membership, Evangelism, and Worship Committee, will make decisions week to week beyond that, including for Holy Week. In any case, holy communion on April 5 will not take place.
You can assume that all groups such as Senior Trippers and Christians in Conversation, craft group and Men’s Coffee, are cancelled until further notice.
The church office will remain open, and will respond to phone calls, mail and e-mail ([email protected]). Regular hours are Monday through Thursday, 10am to 3pm. Any gift card orders can be picked up. During this time of disruption, we will be providing worship resources through the church website: www.savagememorial.org. Announcements and information will be posted.
We are planning weekly online worship experiences with our folks to be available by 10:30 am on Sundays. These will be recorded, rather than streaming, and will be available to view at your convenience. Archived SMPC services are available on audio CD. We will also provide links to worship opportunities offered by other faith communities, some streaming in real time.
We are encouraging everyone to continue faithful giving to the church at this time as most of the costs of maintaining the church will continue in this time. We can make offerings online through the website (see below on this page "Give Now"). We can use the text option to give at any time 503-783-8392 (text only the exact dollar amount). We can always mail our offerings in to the church.
I saw a valuable quotation, unattributed but wise. It said: “When this is over, it will be impossible to know if we over-reacted or did too much, but it will be apparent if we under-reacted or did too little.” In that sensibility, your Session was acutely aware of abiding by government guidance and the knowledge of health authorities. With the power of God, we can face the Covid-19 pandemic with the best of Christian character and actions. We are members of the wider community, and we want to show our leadership with an abundance of caution. Our national Presbyterian leaders shared this insight: over 100 times, the Bible tells us, “Don’t be afraid.” In Psalm 27, David tells us why:
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Keep Praying, and Wash Your Hands ~
Chris Grewe, pastor, for the Session
“Grace and Peace to you from God and Our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is how we regularly begin our worship time together.
Your church’s Session made some important decisions last night, acting to continue our communal worship life in this time of mandated “social distancing.” Sunday worship in the Sanctuary has been suspended for March 22 and March 29. The Session, through the pastor and the Membership, Evangelism, and Worship Committee, will make decisions week to week beyond that, including for Holy Week. In any case, holy communion on April 5 will not take place.
You can assume that all groups such as Senior Trippers and Christians in Conversation, craft group and Men’s Coffee, are cancelled until further notice.
The church office will remain open, and will respond to phone calls, mail and e-mail ([email protected]). Regular hours are Monday through Thursday, 10am to 3pm. Any gift card orders can be picked up. During this time of disruption, we will be providing worship resources through the church website: www.savagememorial.org. Announcements and information will be posted.
We are planning weekly online worship experiences with our folks to be available by 10:30 am on Sundays. These will be recorded, rather than streaming, and will be available to view at your convenience. Archived SMPC services are available on audio CD. We will also provide links to worship opportunities offered by other faith communities, some streaming in real time.
We are encouraging everyone to continue faithful giving to the church at this time as most of the costs of maintaining the church will continue in this time. We can make offerings online through the website (see below on this page "Give Now"). We can use the text option to give at any time 503-783-8392 (text only the exact dollar amount). We can always mail our offerings in to the church.
I saw a valuable quotation, unattributed but wise. It said: “When this is over, it will be impossible to know if we over-reacted or did too much, but it will be apparent if we under-reacted or did too little.” In that sensibility, your Session was acutely aware of abiding by government guidance and the knowledge of health authorities. With the power of God, we can face the Covid-19 pandemic with the best of Christian character and actions. We are members of the wider community, and we want to show our leadership with an abundance of caution. Our national Presbyterian leaders shared this insight: over 100 times, the Bible tells us, “Don’t be afraid.” In Psalm 27, David tells us why:
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Keep Praying, and Wash Your Hands ~
Chris Grewe, pastor, for the Session
"Incredible Years, Incredible Journey"
(a tribute to Elaine Schaaf)
Children’s laughter
Children’s tears
A favorite hymn
Hidden fears.
These we remember
Incredible Years.
Love of family
Love of friends.
Love in God’s service
Never ends.
Incredible Journey.
... by Jim Markel
(a tribute to Elaine Schaaf)
Children’s laughter
Children’s tears
A favorite hymn
Hidden fears.
These we remember
Incredible Years.
Love of family
Love of friends.
Love in God’s service
Never ends.
Incredible Journey.
... by Jim Markel
“Voices of Community”
Someone once offered the ultimate insult, saying that people in the Presbyterian Church today are all Pelagians. We commit the sin of Pelagianism. No, it does not mean that we cut and paste from the Internet. It means that we mistakenly believe people are basically good, and that we can each take steps to insure our salvation without God's help.
Now, that may sound good, but it denies the invaluable sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross. And it flies in the face of our irreplaceable need for God's grace. As Presbyterians, as Christians, we believe we are all sinners and fall short of the will of God for us. And, we believe God wants to lift us up in salvation from sin to new life. Yesterday (May 30) in this church, we had a Public Safety Forum, with a panel of twelve officials ranging from the national concerns of the office of Senator Merkley, to our local Portland Mayor, Charlie Hales, to our neighborhood directors of the Rosewood Initiative in Rockwood.
The message I came away with was, we all need help. Politicians need the help of people in the justice system; law enforcement needs help from mental health providers. And whether we acknowledge it or not, we all need God's help and blessing in what we do. Mayor Hales sees his work as more than an job, but a calling. And we are all called to be part of communities.
The other value I came away with from yesterday's meeting is honesty. The East Precinct Commander, Dave Hendrie, who grew up here and went to Floyd Light and David Douglas High School, said that what he lacked in political savvy, he made up for in honest, straight talk. I think people appreciated that, yesterday, and almost always.
One component of that is realizing that there are bad people out there. The scripture acknowledges that we quarrel and fight. We acknowledge that we are sinners. But there are also people out there who, for whatever reasons, exploit, oppress, and abuse others. It leads to bad people doing bad things. And one of the most difficult obstacles on the road to improving our community is fear of stepping forward, speaking out and stopping those bad, criminal behaviors. The Public Safety policy director said that was the hardest part for our law enforcement and justice officers of the court: people not coming forward.
Barbara Brown Taylor, a wonderful pastor and author, tells of her one busy day, having to stand in line in of all places, the post office. Standing in line being the lesser of evils of coming back, she thought about what she had to do to take care of the dog, who needed medicine that month. She still hadn't checked out that gas smell in the kitchen, or done anything yet about setting up that tax-sheltered annuity. She really was not spending enough time connecting with her sisters, and we do not want to miss out on each other's lives, and why can't we get our priorities straight?
In the midst of that, the post office line stopped in from of the FBI posters on the wall. By the time she had inspected four or five of them, her own sins seemed small by comparison. She had not killed anyone, after all. She had not robbed anyone or kidnapped anyone at gunpoint. For her mugshot to show up on the wall, they would have to increase the penalties for crimes like First Degree Guilt, or Grand Larceny of Anxiety.
Many of us here may be in that same group of good people, wooed by sin. We start to think we can take care of ourselves, or get along by ourselves. Many of us in communities are just intimidated by teenagers we do not know. And yet, they are still just kids. People from different countries of origin or different ethnic backgrounds are, first and foremost, still people. But we get uncomfortable in strange circumstances. And so, we are tempted to close our doors, and turn our backs. We can let someone else take care of the drug or alcohol addicted, or the homeless, or the 19% of us living at or below the poverty level. Or they can just take care of themselves.
The thing is, we do not want to live in a community where we just close our doors or turn our backs. It was police Commander Hendrie, who said yesterday that our diversity will make us a stronger community; but we have to get out of our habitual patterns of relating to each other.
The representative from County Chair Deborah Kafoury said that there is a definite link between basic health and family stability, and lowered violence and community prosperity. The Multnomah County DA said that he did not want his legacy to be how many people he had put in prison. I don't think any of us want that to be the solution of this community crisis. Well, it can't be the solution.
A word that kept coming up was “partnership.” Our local community organizer said that we need to take a holistic view of crime and gangs and community. If we think we can make it on our own, we are mistaken. The message of Christ is that we all need salvation by the grace of God. Good people who think they can make it on their own, can't.
We are all lifted up together to new life. I think it was the Mayor who said that a strategy in finding a solution is not to challenge affiliation, like with gangs, but challenge bad behavior. Those ties of association are much too strong. And so, we need to strengthen good affiliations. We need to offer young people, any people, something better than a corrupted society is offering them. Young people need adults with whom they can build trust. All of us need to feel that we are connected to something bigger than ourselves. The Church is that ultimate awareness, where we know we are part of the huge, miraculous, eternal things God is doing in the world.
If we do not have community members with a voice in these processes, then we are lost. Left only to government officials, or even non-profit volunteers, these initiatives are doomed to fail. The county representative, and the federal U.S. attorney yesterday, talked about 'working upstream,' getting resources out earlier, coming up with better, creative alternatives to gang affiliation.
The hopeful part of this is that we do things better together. We have different gifts, different tasks and tools and skills. But if we use the different checks and balances of government, the oversight and transparency there, with the flexibility and creativity of non-governmental organizations and with the eyes and ears and voices of neighbors, we will be lifted up together. As Isaiah says, light shall break forth before us like the dawn; healing shall spring up quickly; and the glory of the Lord shall be our rear guard. All these elements will come together.
We do not want to slide further down the slopes that lead to Ferguson, Missouri, or Baltimore, or even FIFA soccer officials. Kids who are 12 or 13 years old now are deciding how they are going to live. And if we do not give them positive role models for affirmation and membership, affiliation with a community, gang members certainly will. There have been criminal gangs since before society began.
Someone asked Mark Wells, the crime prevention specialist, what it takes for a neighborhood watch to work. His answer was, it takes one person to start. One person. We may never end homelessness, but we can get a blanket out to folks under the Burnside Bridge. We may not end illiteracy, but we can read one hour, once a week, to one kid. We are changing self-centered patterns, building trust in other people.
We have to trust God as well, not just for keeping us off the Post Office walls for the crime of Pelagianism. We trust God for taking what we offer and adding it to others. We trust God for what the future holds; and we have to trust God for our eternal salvation.
(from a sermon preached in worship on Sunday, May 31, 2015.)
Someone once offered the ultimate insult, saying that people in the Presbyterian Church today are all Pelagians. We commit the sin of Pelagianism. No, it does not mean that we cut and paste from the Internet. It means that we mistakenly believe people are basically good, and that we can each take steps to insure our salvation without God's help.
Now, that may sound good, but it denies the invaluable sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross. And it flies in the face of our irreplaceable need for God's grace. As Presbyterians, as Christians, we believe we are all sinners and fall short of the will of God for us. And, we believe God wants to lift us up in salvation from sin to new life. Yesterday (May 30) in this church, we had a Public Safety Forum, with a panel of twelve officials ranging from the national concerns of the office of Senator Merkley, to our local Portland Mayor, Charlie Hales, to our neighborhood directors of the Rosewood Initiative in Rockwood.
The message I came away with was, we all need help. Politicians need the help of people in the justice system; law enforcement needs help from mental health providers. And whether we acknowledge it or not, we all need God's help and blessing in what we do. Mayor Hales sees his work as more than an job, but a calling. And we are all called to be part of communities.
The other value I came away with from yesterday's meeting is honesty. The East Precinct Commander, Dave Hendrie, who grew up here and went to Floyd Light and David Douglas High School, said that what he lacked in political savvy, he made up for in honest, straight talk. I think people appreciated that, yesterday, and almost always.
One component of that is realizing that there are bad people out there. The scripture acknowledges that we quarrel and fight. We acknowledge that we are sinners. But there are also people out there who, for whatever reasons, exploit, oppress, and abuse others. It leads to bad people doing bad things. And one of the most difficult obstacles on the road to improving our community is fear of stepping forward, speaking out and stopping those bad, criminal behaviors. The Public Safety policy director said that was the hardest part for our law enforcement and justice officers of the court: people not coming forward.
Barbara Brown Taylor, a wonderful pastor and author, tells of her one busy day, having to stand in line in of all places, the post office. Standing in line being the lesser of evils of coming back, she thought about what she had to do to take care of the dog, who needed medicine that month. She still hadn't checked out that gas smell in the kitchen, or done anything yet about setting up that tax-sheltered annuity. She really was not spending enough time connecting with her sisters, and we do not want to miss out on each other's lives, and why can't we get our priorities straight?
In the midst of that, the post office line stopped in from of the FBI posters on the wall. By the time she had inspected four or five of them, her own sins seemed small by comparison. She had not killed anyone, after all. She had not robbed anyone or kidnapped anyone at gunpoint. For her mugshot to show up on the wall, they would have to increase the penalties for crimes like First Degree Guilt, or Grand Larceny of Anxiety.
Many of us here may be in that same group of good people, wooed by sin. We start to think we can take care of ourselves, or get along by ourselves. Many of us in communities are just intimidated by teenagers we do not know. And yet, they are still just kids. People from different countries of origin or different ethnic backgrounds are, first and foremost, still people. But we get uncomfortable in strange circumstances. And so, we are tempted to close our doors, and turn our backs. We can let someone else take care of the drug or alcohol addicted, or the homeless, or the 19% of us living at or below the poverty level. Or they can just take care of themselves.
The thing is, we do not want to live in a community where we just close our doors or turn our backs. It was police Commander Hendrie, who said yesterday that our diversity will make us a stronger community; but we have to get out of our habitual patterns of relating to each other.
The representative from County Chair Deborah Kafoury said that there is a definite link between basic health and family stability, and lowered violence and community prosperity. The Multnomah County DA said that he did not want his legacy to be how many people he had put in prison. I don't think any of us want that to be the solution of this community crisis. Well, it can't be the solution.
A word that kept coming up was “partnership.” Our local community organizer said that we need to take a holistic view of crime and gangs and community. If we think we can make it on our own, we are mistaken. The message of Christ is that we all need salvation by the grace of God. Good people who think they can make it on their own, can't.
We are all lifted up together to new life. I think it was the Mayor who said that a strategy in finding a solution is not to challenge affiliation, like with gangs, but challenge bad behavior. Those ties of association are much too strong. And so, we need to strengthen good affiliations. We need to offer young people, any people, something better than a corrupted society is offering them. Young people need adults with whom they can build trust. All of us need to feel that we are connected to something bigger than ourselves. The Church is that ultimate awareness, where we know we are part of the huge, miraculous, eternal things God is doing in the world.
If we do not have community members with a voice in these processes, then we are lost. Left only to government officials, or even non-profit volunteers, these initiatives are doomed to fail. The county representative, and the federal U.S. attorney yesterday, talked about 'working upstream,' getting resources out earlier, coming up with better, creative alternatives to gang affiliation.
The hopeful part of this is that we do things better together. We have different gifts, different tasks and tools and skills. But if we use the different checks and balances of government, the oversight and transparency there, with the flexibility and creativity of non-governmental organizations and with the eyes and ears and voices of neighbors, we will be lifted up together. As Isaiah says, light shall break forth before us like the dawn; healing shall spring up quickly; and the glory of the Lord shall be our rear guard. All these elements will come together.
We do not want to slide further down the slopes that lead to Ferguson, Missouri, or Baltimore, or even FIFA soccer officials. Kids who are 12 or 13 years old now are deciding how they are going to live. And if we do not give them positive role models for affirmation and membership, affiliation with a community, gang members certainly will. There have been criminal gangs since before society began.
Someone asked Mark Wells, the crime prevention specialist, what it takes for a neighborhood watch to work. His answer was, it takes one person to start. One person. We may never end homelessness, but we can get a blanket out to folks under the Burnside Bridge. We may not end illiteracy, but we can read one hour, once a week, to one kid. We are changing self-centered patterns, building trust in other people.
We have to trust God as well, not just for keeping us off the Post Office walls for the crime of Pelagianism. We trust God for taking what we offer and adding it to others. We trust God for what the future holds; and we have to trust God for our eternal salvation.
(from a sermon preached in worship on Sunday, May 31, 2015.)
Hens and Chickens
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Luke 13: 34ff
I did not know until she died that Elaine Schaaf’s family kept chickens, and as a girl she helped take care of them not far north of the church on Stark Street. One of my dear classmates in seminary, when she was a youth leader, called her kids “sweet little chickens,” and she took to calling the members of our small group “chickens” as well.
Barbara Brown Taylor writes, “I have never really thought about the church as a mother hen, but I am thinking about it now. The church of Christ as a big, fluffed up brooding hen, offering warmth and shelter to all kinds of chicks, including orphans, runts, and maybe even a couple of ducks. The church of Christ planting herself between the foxes of this world and the fragile-boned chicks, offering herself up to be eaten before she will sacrifice one of her brood. The church of Christ staying true to whose body she is, by refusing to run from the foxes and refusing to become one of them.
“Who would have thought being a mother hen offered such opportunities for courage? Maybe that is why the church is called “Mother Church.” It is where we come to be fed and sheltered, but it is also where we come to stand firm with those who need the same things from us. It is where we grow from chicks into chickens, by giving what we have received, by teaching what we have learned, and by loving the way we ourselves have been loved – by a mother hen who would give his life to gather us under his wings.” (from “Chickens and Foxes” in Bread of Angels)
Evidently, Jesus knew about chickens like these other folks do, and it is a noble example. Perhaps we are in that incubation stage. Perhaps we have not yet grown from chicks into chickens, still thinking about what the Church does for us rather than what we can give and do, in and through the Church. Perhaps now, the house is left to us.
I do think we must gather in this Easter egg season, and though we may not find out which comes first... we will find together what comes next.
Come along, sweet little chickens. This is the good kind of brooding. Those dear mother hens in our lives wanted us to stay safe together.
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Luke 13: 34ff
I did not know until she died that Elaine Schaaf’s family kept chickens, and as a girl she helped take care of them not far north of the church on Stark Street. One of my dear classmates in seminary, when she was a youth leader, called her kids “sweet little chickens,” and she took to calling the members of our small group “chickens” as well.
Barbara Brown Taylor writes, “I have never really thought about the church as a mother hen, but I am thinking about it now. The church of Christ as a big, fluffed up brooding hen, offering warmth and shelter to all kinds of chicks, including orphans, runts, and maybe even a couple of ducks. The church of Christ planting herself between the foxes of this world and the fragile-boned chicks, offering herself up to be eaten before she will sacrifice one of her brood. The church of Christ staying true to whose body she is, by refusing to run from the foxes and refusing to become one of them.
“Who would have thought being a mother hen offered such opportunities for courage? Maybe that is why the church is called “Mother Church.” It is where we come to be fed and sheltered, but it is also where we come to stand firm with those who need the same things from us. It is where we grow from chicks into chickens, by giving what we have received, by teaching what we have learned, and by loving the way we ourselves have been loved – by a mother hen who would give his life to gather us under his wings.” (from “Chickens and Foxes” in Bread of Angels)
Evidently, Jesus knew about chickens like these other folks do, and it is a noble example. Perhaps we are in that incubation stage. Perhaps we have not yet grown from chicks into chickens, still thinking about what the Church does for us rather than what we can give and do, in and through the Church. Perhaps now, the house is left to us.
I do think we must gather in this Easter egg season, and though we may not find out which comes first... we will find together what comes next.
Come along, sweet little chickens. This is the good kind of brooding. Those dear mother hens in our lives wanted us to stay safe together.
Emanuel = God Will Be With Us
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God;...” And the one seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also, he said, “Write this , for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end...” from Revelation 21
Jesus, the Giver of new life, says, “I am making all things new.” People have said that there is no end without a beginning; the conclusion of one season of life is also the start of the next. There are two sides to every coin and every story.
Perhaps there has not been so stark a contrast of the two dynamics of life than that of Starbuck and Lizzie, in the play The Rainmaker. Starbuck, the dreamer of dreams that almost never come true, complains to Lizzie about a world in which reality falls far short of a person’s vision.
STARBUCK: Nothing’s as pretty in your hands as it was in your head. There ain’t no world near as good as the world I got up here (angrily tapping his forehead). Why?
LIZZIE: I don’t know. Maybe it’s because you don’t take the time to see it. Always on the go – here, there, nowhere. Running away... keeping your own company. Maybe if you’d keep company with the world...
STARBUCK: (doubtfully) I’d learn to love it?
LIZZIE: You might – if you saw it real. Some nights I’m in the kitchen washing the dishes. And Pop’s playing poker with the boys. Well, I’ll watch him real close. And at first I’ll just see an ordinary middle-aged man – not very interesting to look at. And then, minute by minute, I’ll see little things I never saw in him before. Good things and bad things – strange little habits I never noticed he had – and ways of talking I never paid any mind to. And suddenly I know who he is – and I love him so much I could cry! And I want to thank God I took time to see him real.
Our whole lives are mixtures of vision and realism, Starbuck and Lizzie, probability and potential. As we begin a new year, the truth of Christmas remains: God is with us, here amongst our human potential and the world’s harsh realities. Both are powerfully true, yet even more true is the affirmation that with God, all things are possible. We change; the world changes; and amid all that, God continues to reach out to us, lifting us up and including us in the miraculous work God is accomplishing in our real world.
This new year, in our lives and in our life together as Savage Memorial, things are omega and alpha, ending and beginning. Life becomes new in myriad ways. We can look at life in different and complementary ways. As we open our hearts to seeing our place in God’s new year, we have hope and peace. We share love and joy. Because we know the truth: come what may, God will be with us.
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God;...” And the one seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also, he said, “Write this , for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end...” from Revelation 21
Jesus, the Giver of new life, says, “I am making all things new.” People have said that there is no end without a beginning; the conclusion of one season of life is also the start of the next. There are two sides to every coin and every story.
Perhaps there has not been so stark a contrast of the two dynamics of life than that of Starbuck and Lizzie, in the play The Rainmaker. Starbuck, the dreamer of dreams that almost never come true, complains to Lizzie about a world in which reality falls far short of a person’s vision.
STARBUCK: Nothing’s as pretty in your hands as it was in your head. There ain’t no world near as good as the world I got up here (angrily tapping his forehead). Why?
LIZZIE: I don’t know. Maybe it’s because you don’t take the time to see it. Always on the go – here, there, nowhere. Running away... keeping your own company. Maybe if you’d keep company with the world...
STARBUCK: (doubtfully) I’d learn to love it?
LIZZIE: You might – if you saw it real. Some nights I’m in the kitchen washing the dishes. And Pop’s playing poker with the boys. Well, I’ll watch him real close. And at first I’ll just see an ordinary middle-aged man – not very interesting to look at. And then, minute by minute, I’ll see little things I never saw in him before. Good things and bad things – strange little habits I never noticed he had – and ways of talking I never paid any mind to. And suddenly I know who he is – and I love him so much I could cry! And I want to thank God I took time to see him real.
Our whole lives are mixtures of vision and realism, Starbuck and Lizzie, probability and potential. As we begin a new year, the truth of Christmas remains: God is with us, here amongst our human potential and the world’s harsh realities. Both are powerfully true, yet even more true is the affirmation that with God, all things are possible. We change; the world changes; and amid all that, God continues to reach out to us, lifting us up and including us in the miraculous work God is accomplishing in our real world.
This new year, in our lives and in our life together as Savage Memorial, things are omega and alpha, ending and beginning. Life becomes new in myriad ways. We can look at life in different and complementary ways. As we open our hearts to seeing our place in God’s new year, we have hope and peace. We share love and joy. Because we know the truth: come what may, God will be with us.
Try a Little Kindness
“Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; for your goodness sake, O Lord! Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.” Psalm 25: 6-10
We cross paths with different people every day. I would guess even the loneliest hermits in our day still get those dinner-time phone calls, wanting to clean their carpets. Or they have a mail carrier still passing by their residence, coupons in hand, addressed for “occupant.” Perhaps that makes kindness even more important in this day than in previous eras: the illusion that we don't need anyone, that we can “make it on our own,” needs to be punctured.
I was in the grocery store this week; it was one of those days when insult and injury were my traveling companions. I spilled my coffee in the aisle of the store, and as I pulled on the conveniently-placed paper towels to clean it up, the entire roll of paper towels came down on my head, and skidded down along the hot dog case. I am usually pretty clever in figuring out how to replace such things, but when I could not get the towel roll back on, a younger man (note – not just a young man) helped me clip the roll in, and re-roll the paper towels. In my embarrassment, I was so happy to thank him!
Kindness is an important part of our culture. Every person has value, even me that day. Perhaps today when it seems like we are simply a number or a consumer commodity, out there on our own, kindness becomes even more important. It nurtures our humility. It reminds us that we all depend on others, from birth to death. It complements the gratitude to God that says: I am truly blessed; my life could easily, statistically, have been otherwise.
Belonging to this church, or any Church, we hope that together we are brought out of an exclusively self-centered world view. And gratitude, in all its forms, makes a profound difference on our outlook in life. When Jim Thorpe was awarded a decathlon gold medal at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, King Gustav V of Sweden told him, “You, sir, are the greatest athlete in the world.”
Thorpe said in response, “Thanks, King.”
Somewhat pithy, but he needed to say it. And that may be all it takes. Social convention, at all levels of society, is important. Expressing gratitude is one of those cornerstones.
Recognizing that all the folks we meet, day by day, are God's children and benefactors of Christ's sacrificial love, makes kindness and expressing gratitude easier, when it seems like the whole world only wants to take something or sell us something.
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell tells a story about riding the elevator down to the garage of the State Department building, away from his beautiful office – and his security agents –
and chatting with the immigrants and minorities making minimum wage working in the garage.
After trying to help him “get back home,” these workers finally talked with him, and he asked them a question he'd had about their job. In the small garage space, they had to stack cars one behind another. “When the cars come in every morning,” he asked, “how do you decide whose car is the first to get out, and whose ends up stuck second or third back?”
They gave each other knowing looks and little smiles. “Mr. Secretary,” one of them said, “it goes like this: When you drive in, if you lower the window, look out, smile, or know our name, you're number one to get out. But if you look straight ahead, don't show you see us or that we are doing something for you, well... you are likely to be one of the last to get out.”
Kindness comes back to us, whether we see it or not.
As we travel well-worn paths or blaze exciting new trails, let's remember to treat the people we meet with respect, kindness, and gratitude. It is not about their behavior. It is about who we are, and the spirit we carry with us on our travels.
Shalom ~ Chris Grewe
“Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; for your goodness sake, O Lord! Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.” Psalm 25: 6-10
We cross paths with different people every day. I would guess even the loneliest hermits in our day still get those dinner-time phone calls, wanting to clean their carpets. Or they have a mail carrier still passing by their residence, coupons in hand, addressed for “occupant.” Perhaps that makes kindness even more important in this day than in previous eras: the illusion that we don't need anyone, that we can “make it on our own,” needs to be punctured.
I was in the grocery store this week; it was one of those days when insult and injury were my traveling companions. I spilled my coffee in the aisle of the store, and as I pulled on the conveniently-placed paper towels to clean it up, the entire roll of paper towels came down on my head, and skidded down along the hot dog case. I am usually pretty clever in figuring out how to replace such things, but when I could not get the towel roll back on, a younger man (note – not just a young man) helped me clip the roll in, and re-roll the paper towels. In my embarrassment, I was so happy to thank him!
Kindness is an important part of our culture. Every person has value, even me that day. Perhaps today when it seems like we are simply a number or a consumer commodity, out there on our own, kindness becomes even more important. It nurtures our humility. It reminds us that we all depend on others, from birth to death. It complements the gratitude to God that says: I am truly blessed; my life could easily, statistically, have been otherwise.
Belonging to this church, or any Church, we hope that together we are brought out of an exclusively self-centered world view. And gratitude, in all its forms, makes a profound difference on our outlook in life. When Jim Thorpe was awarded a decathlon gold medal at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, King Gustav V of Sweden told him, “You, sir, are the greatest athlete in the world.”
Thorpe said in response, “Thanks, King.”
Somewhat pithy, but he needed to say it. And that may be all it takes. Social convention, at all levels of society, is important. Expressing gratitude is one of those cornerstones.
Recognizing that all the folks we meet, day by day, are God's children and benefactors of Christ's sacrificial love, makes kindness and expressing gratitude easier, when it seems like the whole world only wants to take something or sell us something.
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell tells a story about riding the elevator down to the garage of the State Department building, away from his beautiful office – and his security agents –
and chatting with the immigrants and minorities making minimum wage working in the garage.
After trying to help him “get back home,” these workers finally talked with him, and he asked them a question he'd had about their job. In the small garage space, they had to stack cars one behind another. “When the cars come in every morning,” he asked, “how do you decide whose car is the first to get out, and whose ends up stuck second or third back?”
They gave each other knowing looks and little smiles. “Mr. Secretary,” one of them said, “it goes like this: When you drive in, if you lower the window, look out, smile, or know our name, you're number one to get out. But if you look straight ahead, don't show you see us or that we are doing something for you, well... you are likely to be one of the last to get out.”
Kindness comes back to us, whether we see it or not.
As we travel well-worn paths or blaze exciting new trails, let's remember to treat the people we meet with respect, kindness, and gratitude. It is not about their behavior. It is about who we are, and the spirit we carry with us on our travels.
Shalom ~ Chris Grewe