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Is and Ought
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What is and what ought to be—will we be citizens of God's kingdom here on Earth while we are alive or will we defer that experience until we are dead?
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Letters from Pastor Briney
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Dear God…We are here this morning to meet you face to face in worship and in prayer. We encounter you in worship that includes embracing your spirit, hearing your word, singing your praises, offering our prayers and giving sufficiently to keep your word alive. This morning our prayers are with Ethyl Gillcoatt whose husband Marshall died after years of steadfast and loving care provided by Ethyl, and with Lois Bailey who is receiving comfort care because surgery is not an option to remedy what ails her.
When our members and friends are visited by death and illness, changes to the familiar and all that human beings are challenged by, we are reminded of our own mortality and vulnerability. We are reminded also of what we can do to be mindful of and present for those whom we know and love. Our connection and concern for one another is a step toward you. That step leads us to concern for all of creation and the desire to relate to your word and will. Instead of becoming overwhelmed by the losses and events of our time, we have the option to turn to you, putting all things in perspective.
The wedding that took place in our sanctuary yesterday and the joyous celebration that followed was enjoyed by a variety of people, giving us reason to hope that our nation and the world will relate to one another with loving understanding and appreciation. Our wedding ministry is a glimmer of hope in the midst of the devastating news that permeates our culture: *The suffering and death of a precious ten year old girl in Phoenix at the hands of relatives who could have protected her and loved her. *The crazed beliefs and antics of a man who preys on young girls in the name of religion. *The distortion of our faith that is used to justify the insane political objectives of the man who bombed buildings, then murdered children at a camp in Norway. *The starving children in Somalia. *The attempt to attack Ft. Hood.
These reported events and many more present us with the ultimate choice: To feel hopeless and to live in fear, or to love one another as you love us. Our body of Christ, Oro Valley United Church Of Christ offers and represents the preferred choice. *To be forthright and clear about the meaning of the gospel. *To bear witness to our faith and our priorities as members of the church we claim to be our own. *To be present for others. *And to place a value on what we believe by bringing or faith to life in thought, word and deed.
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Additional Letters and Articles from Pastor Briney
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Sermon Excerpts
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Members of the congregation have chosen ideas from Pastor Jim's sermons that are especially meaningful to them, and we share them here with you.
God is ready for us to become intentional about doing the work of God. That work calls for us to be in relationship with one another. Every congregation has work to do that goes beyond their present circumstance and takes them into the deep. It is not the issue, but how the people of God choose to address an issue that either strengthens community or weakens community.
We will always do well to talk about what is happening and to figure out together what to do about it. What matters to me as your pastor is what is in your heart when you contemplate a given issue.
Whatever your views or expectations may be around any church matter, remember that we come from a variety of faith backgrounds and experiences, and that the members and friends of our church are welcoming and inviting.
At the beginning of each worship service, we sing: "Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place. I can feel his mighty power and his grace." God the Creator empowers all who believe to make the world better than it is. We are called to engage in a profound act of faith that transcends complacency and fear.
We are to make this world a better place in all that we think, in all that we say, and in all that we do.
When we put our faith into practice, guided by the word of God that resonates in our minds and hearts, then surely the presence of the lord is in this place. Surely we can feel God's mighty power and God's grace.
Most of us get along pretty well most of the time with people with whom we are most familiar. But the Gospel calls us to a new reality when we notice the predicament of others and do something about it. The new reality is the Kingdom of God.
No matter what our antipathy may be for other human beings because their culture, race, or circumstance, making a connection is the key to the kingdom because we are all in this life together.
What I care about as your pastor and teacher is what is in your hearts when you think about the issues of our time and the things we say and do to our brothers and sisters, our neighbors and friends.
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