Worship Preview 3.16.25 "Purveyors of Awe!"

This Sunday: 10:30am – “Purveyors of Awe” Rev. Christopher Eshelman preaching. Scriptures: Psalm 19:1-14 and Luke 2:22-38

We begin a new series for Lent entitled “Purveyors of Awe!” Psalm 19 ends with words I often draw from at the beginning of a sermon: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

At a clergy retreat I participated in Monday – Wednesday of this week, one of the leaders talked about Psalm 19:14. He noted that some translations say “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be a delight to you, O Lord...” A delight! Sometimes I’ll admit I can read “acceptable” to be a bit “meh – nothing too wrong” or “just good enough”– but “a delight” That has some energy to it! We are called to delight God, in word and action!

Rabbi Abraham Heschel’s advised: “Get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed.” It is easy to become jaded, Rabbi Heschel reminds us to approach life with wonder, to value its transience. Recently, I had the opportunity to spend time looking at light through a high-quality kaleidoscope. To reclaim a childlike wonder at the interplay of color, light, time, and space. To slow down. To breathe deeply and notice subtle changes and dynamic patters. To find joy in that and share it with others.

Psalm 19 begins “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.” We are called to awareness, recognition, awe and wonder at all God has created, in all its glorious diversity. Including humanity.

I took some time away the last couple of weeks. I did so in part to rekindle and experience anew the very things I’ll be talking about throughout our Lenten series as we prepare for and approach the wonder of Easter and the reality of Resurrection. To spend time in nature – beaches, woods. To connect with family and peers. To take stock of where I’m at on my journey and where God is leading me in this time. To make sure I am listening and sharing.

Marcia McFee writes: “Awe is a profound emotional response that can significantly impact our wellbeing and perception of the world. Awe often arises from experiences that transcend our usual understanding, such as viewing vast landscapes, listening to powerful music, encountering extraordinary acts of kindness, or feeling heightened devotion and a Divine Presence connecting us all. To be a “Purveyor of Awe” is to be intentional about curating a life of spiritual depth. This has implications not only for one’s own life, but also as motivation to tend to the wellbeing of others. Let us approach this Lent with awe.”

During my time away I got to watch both my sons coach baseball. This is their passion. They both love the game and have since they took their first steps as toddlers. After years of cheering for them as players, Robin and I now delight in watching them guide their student athletes as coaches – striving to win, but more importantly to develop them as people. Passing along the best lessons they’ve learned.

In worship, we’ll revisit some Scriptures we’ve heard recently. Luke 2:22-38 we hear the awe and wonder – the delight and celebration of Simeon and Anna, who proclaim who Jesus is even as he is presented as an 8-day old infant in the Temple. This story is usually told during Christmas and Epiphany. We’ll revisit Luke 5, with Jesus preaching from Simon Peter’s fishing boat – and telling him to cast his nets. When Peter sees the resulting overflowing catch, he says “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’” He is awestruck and overwhelmed, but Christ invites and encourages him to a new path. This is our own Lenten journey. Not to beat ourselves up, but to recognize and share Christ’s presence among us.

We’ll hear again from Luke – this time Chapter 24, an Easter reading. The women go to the tomb, the find the stone rolled away and are perplexed - then terrified when angels appear and say to them “‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” Then joyfully amazed, they run to share the good news. We’ll talk about the disciples’ reaction – calling it an “idle tale” but then a sprint to see for themselves. How did the women react to the dismissal. Did they bottle up and belittle their experience, or did they joyfully persist? How do we in our day?

No matter where you are on the journey of faith, you are invited to journey through Lent and towards the awe and wonder of Easter with us at First UMC, 3rd and National here in Fort Scott. We have Sunday School groups for all ages at 9:30am and worship at 10:30 in our beautiful and historic Sanctuary.

Upcoming Events: 

Wednesday, March 19th  

Feeding Families in His Name:  This “to-go” meal is distributed under the portico at 301 S. National. This free meal is available to everyone without obligation. A reminder: Please do not block nearby driveways while waiting. Thank you. If you would like to support this ministry, you can make donations online at: www.firstumcfortscott.org/onlinegiving.