UNITY!

Behold how good and pleasant it is when our brothers and sisters dwell in unity! (Psalm 133: 1)

         Like a parent who is troubled about their children’s quarrels, God is troubled when her children do not get along and fail to promote peace and unity in the church. Our God is great and wants us all to work for unity and peace while appreciating and loving the wonderful diversity of his creation.

         I am proud of our church for having a rainbow flag up in front of our building to show we don’t just say in our church vision statement that we are “reaching out with nurturing love to all…” but we practice hospitality and inclusivity as well.

         Since I have Scottish heritage and my clan comes from the region of Alloway, Scotland, I was truly joyful when I read that in May of 2015, our ancestral Church of Scotland joined the PCUSA in allowing the ordination of people who are gay. The outgoing Moderator Very Rev John Chalmers said: "We cannot go on suffering the pain of internal attacks which are designed to undermine the work or the place of others. It's time to play for the team.” He added: "It is time to stop calling each other names, time to shun the idea that we should define ourselves by our differences and instead define ourselves by what we hold in common - our baptism into Christ, our dependence on God's grace, our will to serve the poor and so on."

         According to BBC news, “The vote followed a church-wide debate and consultations with all 45 presbyteries, which voted 31 to 14 in favor of change. Supporters said it was time for the church to be inclusive and recognize the "mixed economy" of modern Scotland.”

         Baptist minister, Reverend Daryl Evans wrote a blog for a website called “What Christians Want to Know” and he listed many scripture passages on “unity.”  Reverend Evans said: “Throughout the centuries the church has  had a difficult time in agreeing with each other.  There are obviously numerous denominations and even many differences even within denominations.  There are many reasons for this dynamic. Sometimes church traditions and differing biblical interpretations get in the way of unity.  But what does the Bible say about unity?  There are many biblical passages that explain what Christian unity should be.”

         The following list is a sampling of the many scriptures on “unity:”  

1 Peter 3:8 “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”

John 13:35  “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 17:23 “I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly One, so the world may know that you sent me and loved them as you loved me.”

Acts 4:32  “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to them was  their own, but they had everything in common”.

Philippians 2:1-3 “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.  Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves”.

Colossians 3:14 “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

1 John 4:12  “…. if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”

Romans 12:10 “Love one another with affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

Ephesians 4:3 “...be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

1 Corinthians 12:12  “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.  For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”

1 Corinthians 12:26 “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”

Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all One in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 4:11-13 “The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹²to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³until all of us come to the unity of the faith…” 

Romans 12:16 “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”

1 Corinthians 1:10  “I appeal to you, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”

God’s word shows the importance of unity. Today, you may be holding a grudge or ill feelings towards another.  My prayer for you is that you give that up to God.  Show the love and forgiveness that comes from the Holy Spirit and be at peace with all. Amen

Springtime is a time for LOVE!

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that God loved us...." 1 John 4:10 

May seems to be a good month to talk about love. There are so many reasons to feel love from God in the Spring. When we look at the blooming roses, feel the heat, smell the Eucalyptus tree leaves and watch the grapes around us grow, spend time with our friends, God’s love is communicated.

         An Upper Room devotional by Dan Johnson, discussed the different definitions of love and how God’s love is distinctive. Johnson said, “Love has been defined in many different ways. One of those ways is that love is something we do. We love. We do. We make a difference. Yet, the apostle John saw it differently. Love, he says, is not primarily something we do but something God does — something God is.

         Our love for others and ourselves is a response to God’s love. We can let go of the notion that love — or anything else — starts with us. It begins with God, who is the alpha and omega, the beginning and end, the first and last.”

         Johnson calls God’s love “great news,” Because: “We can relax, knowing that love doesn’t originate with us, but comes from an endless, abounding, overflowing, and incredible supply. We can draw on God’s love and let it overflow to and through us. God’s love may lead us to some surprising places and circumstances, but God will already be there. God sets an example of sacrificial love for us. Because God’s love is sacrificial, we often need to make some sacrifice to love others well. We love because God first loved us.”

         So in the spirit of God’s love, let’s sacrifice some time and energy to help our church’s mission and activities grow and flourish to show God’s love in our community and beyond. Here are some ways:

1. Attend worship services and show your love of God in worship.     

2. Participate in our garden maintenance and care of the earth.

3. Come to the Boy Scouts BBQ on May 7^th to help our Troop 135.

4. Bring lots of friends and neighbors to our Spring Fling May 21^st.

5. Embrace our new members with your love by getting to know them and invite them to church programs you are a part of.

6. Pray for our church and help it grow by wearing your t-shirt, talking to your friends about coming along with you to worship, and inviting your children and grandchildren to join you on Mother’s day to celebrate your Mom and their Mom.

         God is good all the time and God is love ALL the TIME! I’m sure you can think of even more ways you can show love by loving and giving and caring for your church and our mission in the world. I would LOVE to hear your ideas and plans.

Happy Blooming Church of the Roses!

“A happy heart makes a face cheerful.”  Proverbs 15:13

         One of the things people look for in a church is a positive happy atmosphere. Going to a church full of dour looking solemn people is not very attractive. I think that is one of the reasons our church is growing. New visitors have been attending worship and deciding to join us in part because they look around and see happiness! With the next new members class we will have 51 new members in the last two and ½ years.

         It makes sense that we are happy because we have so so much to be grateful for, thanks be to God! But happiness is also a choice.

         Groucho Marx once said:

Groucho’s quote reminds me of this passage in Matthew 6:25-27 that encourages us not to worry, (which inspires happiness):

         “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?” (NRSV)

There are other reasons besides a happy atmosphere that helps a church grow. Here is a list I shared with our session at our March meeting. YOU can help us accomplish these ten goals:

• 1. MAKE SUNDAY SPECIAL Put creative energy into every worship service. You may only get one chance to connect Christ to a visitor.
• 2.ADD AN EXTRA SERVICE (and maybe even an extra venue)
• The Session and worship committee are considering adding a new worship service on Friday evenings that may attract new members who like to listen to instrumentalists accompany our hymns.
• 3. WORK ON YOUR WELCOME Making new attendees feel at home from the moment they drive into the parking lot will significantly increase the chances of them returning. We need greeters at Bowen Hall doors helping people find their way into our church.
• 4. ENCOURAGE BELONGING AND BELIEVING
• Belonging will often precede believing, and forming friendships is essential. Invite new comers to our activities. Consider starting a small group study.
• 5. INVEST IN YOUNG PEOPLE Young people need to be purposefully placed into visible leadership roles and given excellent Christian mentoring.
• 6. ENGAGE YOUR COMMUNITY Churches need to place community engagement high on the priority list. One church started: Christians Against Poverty and gave financial advice and aid to those struggling in their local community. In one year that church added 100 members.
• 7. MARKET YOURSELF The best marketing is the kind that comes from positive interactions with the local community. Giving people a reason to enter the church is half the battle. So make the most of Christmas, Easter and any events that give you an excuse to invite people in. Don’t be shy.
• 8.GIVE SUPPORT TO CONGREGATIONAL CARE Churches that grow have been able to develop pastoral support networks that allow everyone in the church to be ministered to without the pastor having to do it all.
• 9. RUN AN EVANGELISTIC COURSE (AND CHURCH)
• Strategically, the church needs to be missionary-minded so that every member knows they have a role in sharing their faith, inviting friends and ensuring that visitors feel at home. Have a constant introductory course such as Alpha or Christianity Explored to teach the basics.
• 10. PRAY Praying for growth. In 1 Corinthians 3:6, Paul says: ‘I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.’ 
• In our efforts to see church growth, we need to acknowledge we can achieve nothing without God’s blessing, which brings forth the fruit. When churches become inward-looking they forget the power of the gospel and what it feels like to grow. Pray daily for our church to grow so we can meet the spiritual needs of the people in our congregation and community. All of us can pray.

 (List above adapted from: Justin Brierley’s article at: https://www.premierchristianity.com/Past-Issues/2015/January-2015/Ten-ways-to-grow-your-church-in-2015)

        I am so thankful for the willingness of our Church of the Roses leaders to work on these ten things that will help our church have a healthy future. May God continue to bless us and keep us as we carry on in faith. Remember, there are seven Sundays in the Easter season. YOU can help us make each Easter Season Sunday special by worshipping and participating in the future of our church.  Happy Easter Season!    Love,   Pastor Cindy

Jesus changes his #Facebook status to 'Risen' #SarumLPAs #SocialMedia for #Mission & #Ministry

      

For the Year 2016,  I resolve to pray this prayer as often as I can remember. And to fill a gratitude jar as the year progresses with little notes of things I am grateful for. 

 It is a time of new beginnings. Set aside some time to think about what your hopes and dreams for 2016 may be and lift them up to God. 

A Prayer
by Max Ehrmann

Let me do my work each day;

and if the darkened hours

of despair overcome me,

may I not forget the strength

that comforted me in the

desolation of other times.

May I still remember the bright hours 

that found me walking

over the silent hills of my childhood,

or dreaming on the margin of a quiet river,

when a light glowed within me,

and I promised my early God

to have courage amid the tempests

of the changing years.

Spare me from bitterness and

from the sharp passions of unguarded moments.

May I not forget that poverty and riches

are of the spirit.

Though the world knows me not,

may my thoughts and actions be such

as shall keep me friendly with myself.

Lift up my eyes from the earth,

and let me not forget the uses of the stars.

Forbid that I should judge others lest I condemn myself.

Let me not follow the clamor of the world,

but walk calmly in my path.

Give me a few friends who will love me 

for what I am;

and keep ever burning before my vagrant steps

the kindly light of hope.

And though age and infirmity overtake me,

and I come not within sight of the castle 

of my dreams,

teach me still to be thankful for life,

and for time’s olden memories 

that are good and sweet;

and may the evening’s twilight find me gentle still.

            In this New Year, in the midst of the chaos around the world, let us remember and resolve not to respond with hate and not to be afraid—but what should we do?

            A rabbi wrote to his congregation in New York just after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. In response to the question, what is the remedy to wanton hatred? he wrote, 

“Wanton love. Raw, cold-blooded, fanatical, baseless, relentless hatred can be matched and combated only with pure, undiscriminating, uninhibited, unyielding, baseless, unsolicited love and acts of kindness. But we need not just plain love. We need love that costs us. Love that we get nothing back for...And when we do our part God will surely do His part to protect us and transform our world to the one we all hope and yearn for, one that will be filled with His glory, like the 

waters fill the ocean.”

Let us also together meditate and pray the words from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. Jesus told us how to deal with uncertainty and hate in his eloquent sermon. Prayer is a powerful force that can and will transform our world and our personal lives. Let us use our “force” daily to pray for healing and wholeness for our church, our families, our nation, and our world. 

Happy New Year and enjoy the rains!

   Pastor Cindy

Lent is a Time for Healthy Humility

The Lenten Season is a time for renewing our willing spirits and restoring our joy in our salvation through the love of God. I LOVE Lenten season worship services when we are inspired to evaluate our “dark forces” and the burdens we carry. And then to lift them up to the light of God for healing and wholeness. To be aware of our sinfulness and the burdens we carry, to be aware of God’s forgiveness, to be contrite in heart and mind, are all good and healthy attitudes for the soul!  

When we are introspective and humble we are better able to be compassionate and show empathy for others. C.S. Lewis said, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less."

Leadership research shows that those who admit and discuss their mistakes and failures with others learn from them and are more likely to succeed in the future.  When we humble ourselves and share our humility in our interactions with others, we receive many blessings.

Psalm 51 is a wonderful Psalm for reading and contemplating this Lenten Season. It begins with: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.” And closes with: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”