...you shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3
Exodus 20:3 commands us that “Thou shalt have no other gods before me”. Is it not ironic this year that Lent, a season of reflection and prayer, coincides with such world wide economic distress over what is happening to the “things” around which we have built our lives. These words from Exodus starkly remind us that worshipping “idols” and “other gods” might also be seen as defining our purpose in life through the markers of our job titles, house values, brokerage accounts, and other “things” that have become gods to us. The danger is that when we have so long worshipped such material things, we risk forgetting that everything in our lives comes from God and to be truly Christ’s people, we need to change our focus, to forsake these idols and follow him. Matthew 6:33 reminds us to “…seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Merciful God; in this Lenten season, help us to set aside our old natural preoccupation with our “other gods”, and to seek the new life promised us through Christ. Amen.
Deacon, Dot Taylor
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Friday, March 13
The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims [God's] handiwork.... Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:1, 14
These are the first and last verses of Psalm 19, which has been one of my favorites for many years, and one in which I always find new meanings. It may be the association with the music of Haydn's "Creation", or the hymn "The Spacious Firmament on High" or just the depth of expression of the text that appeals to me. It seems a good text on which to reflect during Lent, as it expresses praise, awe and wonder at all of God's creation, and at the same time helps us reflect on God's will for us (verses 7-10 speak of the law of the Lord being perfect, and the "ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."). It all leads to the final verse, of introspection, and a prayer that all that we do be acceptable to God.
Thank you, God, for words to inspire us, and that call us to reflect on all that you have created, and all that you call us to be. Let the words of our mouths, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable to you, always. Amen.
Peter DuBois, Director of Music
These are the first and last verses of Psalm 19, which has been one of my favorites for many years, and one in which I always find new meanings. It may be the association with the music of Haydn's "Creation", or the hymn "The Spacious Firmament on High" or just the depth of expression of the text that appeals to me. It seems a good text on which to reflect during Lent, as it expresses praise, awe and wonder at all of God's creation, and at the same time helps us reflect on God's will for us (verses 7-10 speak of the law of the Lord being perfect, and the "ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."). It all leads to the final verse, of introspection, and a prayer that all that we do be acceptable to God.
Thank you, God, for words to inspire us, and that call us to reflect on all that you have created, and all that you call us to be. Let the words of our mouths, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable to you, always. Amen.
Peter DuBois, Director of Music
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Thursday, March 12
You shall not make for yourself an idol… you shall not worship them…. for I am the Lord your God… Exodus 20:4-6
As part of the Ten Commandments, these verses would seem to pertain to a time in the past. After all, who worships an idol these days? There are no idols to other Gods in Rochester, are there? Perhaps there are no statues to which we bow down, but there are surely "Gods" that we worship. Money, fame, pleasure, work can all become Gods to us if they control our thoghts and energies. When we allow them to become central in our lives they replace the centrality of God, then they keep us from realizing and accepting the love that God has for us.
Gracious and loving God, in our materialistic world it is so easy to forget Your great love for us and the need for us to love You. Help us to keep You central in our lives, and help us to avoid creating other Gods thereby replacing You. Amen.
Elder Bob Sterrett
As part of the Ten Commandments, these verses would seem to pertain to a time in the past. After all, who worships an idol these days? There are no idols to other Gods in Rochester, are there? Perhaps there are no statues to which we bow down, but there are surely "Gods" that we worship. Money, fame, pleasure, work can all become Gods to us if they control our thoghts and energies. When we allow them to become central in our lives they replace the centrality of God, then they keep us from realizing and accepting the love that God has for us.
Gracious and loving God, in our materialistic world it is so easy to forget Your great love for us and the need for us to love You. Help us to keep You central in our lives, and help us to avoid creating other Gods thereby replacing You. Amen.
Elder Bob Sterrett
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Wednesday, March 11
You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name. Exodus 20:7
I love talk radio. It eases the boredom of a long drive. I talk back to the commentators, the callers, and even the commercials. One day I stumbled onto a random Christian radio station. The host was taking calls on the habit of swearing. Now I don't remember the name of the show or the moderator and I don't remember too much of the discussion. But I do remember a specific caller. He identified himself as a 'deacon of the church' and he admitted to a life long habit of cursing. "It relieved the anxiety of the situation." One day he was helping a parishioner, who he described as man with great need, install a wheelchair ramp. He admitted to feeling good about helping this man. The work started and so did the expletives. Mostly they went ignored it but when the deacon let a "G** D*** it," fly, the workplace came to a halt... Silence filled the air. "Why do you damn the name of God?" said the homeowner, "What a wasted opportunity." Embarrassed by what had just happened, the deacon set down his tools. "Call on God to bless the situation... try saying 'God bless it." The deacon was rendered speechless.
That story has stuck with me for many years. In fact, I've adopted this very habit. When I am faced with frustration, confusion, tension, I often say "God Bless it" first forcefully and then reverently. And God always, Always, ALWAYS fills me with the reassurance and comfort needed. And you know what...the problem I was facing seems less insurmountable. During this season of Lent, when other faith traditions encourage the giving something up, won't you join me by taking up a new practice?
I love talk radio. It eases the boredom of a long drive. I talk back to the commentators, the callers, and even the commercials. One day I stumbled onto a random Christian radio station. The host was taking calls on the habit of swearing. Now I don't remember the name of the show or the moderator and I don't remember too much of the discussion. But I do remember a specific caller. He identified himself as a 'deacon of the church' and he admitted to a life long habit of cursing. "It relieved the anxiety of the situation." One day he was helping a parishioner, who he described as man with great need, install a wheelchair ramp. He admitted to feeling good about helping this man. The work started and so did the expletives. Mostly they went ignored it but when the deacon let a "G** D*** it," fly, the workplace came to a halt... Silence filled the air. "Why do you damn the name of God?" said the homeowner, "What a wasted opportunity." Embarrassed by what had just happened, the deacon set down his tools. "Call on God to bless the situation... try saying 'God bless it." The deacon was rendered speechless.
That story has stuck with me for many years. In fact, I've adopted this very habit. When I am faced with frustration, confusion, tension, I often say "God Bless it" first forcefully and then reverently. And God always, Always, ALWAYS fills me with the reassurance and comfort needed. And you know what...the problem I was facing seems less insurmountable. During this season of Lent, when other faith traditions encourage the giving something up, won't you join me by taking up a new practice?
Loving and redeeming Lord, thank you that you are always there, even in times of stress. Amen.
Jane Carden, Coordinator of Youth Ministry
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Tuesday, March 10
The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, "Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!" His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for your house will consume me." The Jews then said to him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews then said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?" But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. John 2:13-22
When Christ drove the sellers of animals and money changers from the temple, he told his Jewish inquisitors that if they destroyed this temple, in three days he would raise it up again. They thought Christ was talking about the temple building, but he spoke about the temple of his body that we know was raised three days after death.
Since we are made in God’s image, should we not treat our bodies as holy temples and have faith that we also will be raised at an appointed time to share the promised life everlasting?
Elder George Gotcsik
When Christ drove the sellers of animals and money changers from the temple, he told his Jewish inquisitors that if they destroyed this temple, in three days he would raise it up again. They thought Christ was talking about the temple building, but he spoke about the temple of his body that we know was raised three days after death.
Since we are made in God’s image, should we not treat our bodies as holy temples and have faith that we also will be raised at an appointed time to share the promised life everlasting?
Elder George Gotcsik
Monday, March 9, 2009
Monday, March 9
Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." ...But the temple he had spoken of was his body. John 2:19, 21
Our consumer society has erected elaborate temples to worship the accumulation of wealth, power and possessions. In these days of economic uncertainty and turmoil, the foundations of these temples are crumbling.
Our faltering economy rivets our attention. A cold fear settles into our collective consciousness... fear that our economic system and way of life may just fall apart. What will we do if our self-serving temples of commerce and greed actually implode? Then, by the Grace of God, we may find shelter and new life within the most wondrous temple, the body of Christ.
Dear God, in these times of economic uncertainty, please help us to place our faith and trust in your resurrected temple, the body of your son Jesus Christ, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
Deacon Rebecca Schichler
Our consumer society has erected elaborate temples to worship the accumulation of wealth, power and possessions. In these days of economic uncertainty and turmoil, the foundations of these temples are crumbling.
Our faltering economy rivets our attention. A cold fear settles into our collective consciousness... fear that our economic system and way of life may just fall apart. What will we do if our self-serving temples of commerce and greed actually implode? Then, by the Grace of God, we may find shelter and new life within the most wondrous temple, the body of Christ.
Dear God, in these times of economic uncertainty, please help us to place our faith and trust in your resurrected temple, the body of your son Jesus Christ, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.
Deacon Rebecca Schichler
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Sunday, March 8
A prayer for Sunday...
Lord God,
in this world where goodness and evil
continue to clash with each other,
instill in us, and in all your people,
discernment to see what is right,
faith to believe what is right,
and courage to do what is right.
Keep us aware of the subtlety of sin,
and preserve us, body, mind, and soul,
through the power of your Holy Spirit.
AMEN.
from Stages on the Way a publication from the Iona Community Wild Goose Worship Group.
Lord God,
in this world where goodness and evil
continue to clash with each other,
instill in us, and in all your people,
discernment to see what is right,
faith to believe what is right,
and courage to do what is right.
Keep us aware of the subtlety of sin,
and preserve us, body, mind, and soul,
through the power of your Holy Spirit.
AMEN.
from Stages on the Way a publication from the Iona Community Wild Goose Worship Group.
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