Worship Preview for 2.8.26 "Little Altars Everywhere"

Scriptures: Genesis 28:10-22, Psalm 84, John 1:1-18, 1 Corinthians 2:1-12.  Rev. Christopher Eshelman preaching.

The snow is melting, the days are getting longer, and we are beginning to think Spring might just arrive after all! Sunday we will continue our series about the full range of human emotion and “Spiritual Affective Disorder” by thinking about where God dwells.

I say thinking, but maybe it would be better to say intuiting, sensing, or feeling. Encountering the divine is more than just an intellectual exercise, even as our minds are certainly involved. Psalm 84, which we’ll hear as we gather, begins this way: “How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young — a place near your altar.” This Psalm was a pilgrimage song, sung or chanted as people made their way to the Temple at Jerusalem to worship.

Where does God dwell? During the service we’ll hear from John 1. We read John the Baptist’s witness last week, from a bit later in this chapter, about Christ as the one who “surpassed me because he was before me.” This week we’ll hear the beautiful prelude and creation story of the Word become flesh – thorough whom all things were created. All things…  as another Psalmist proclaims – “the earth is the Lord’s and all that are in it.” It is Christ who sustains our very being. We’ll also hear from the Apostle Paul who, writing to the church in Corinth, proclaims that while he was there he “resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” Paul emphasizes divine wisdom revealed through weakness and that Christ delivers salvation through compassion – suffering with us and overcoming our own darkness.

Where does God dwell? God is transcendent – beyond our comprehension. Beyond time and space. And yet God is present. At Christmas we celebrated Jesus as “Emmanuel” – a proclamation that “God is with us.” On his deathbed, the last words of John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement our church is a part of, were “best of all, God is with us.” After years of doubt and struggle, Wesley had encountered God’s presence at a Moravian prayer meeting. Wesley’s heart was “strangely warmed” and he came to understand – or more fully experience – the presence of Christ. Eternally with us, God’s grace surrounding us, God’s Spirit filling us. Waiting on our response in both piety and mercy, worship and works. The unexpected encounter changes his life – and the history of the church. So as we ponder where God dwells – we’ll hear one more story from our Sacred memories in Scripture – that of Jacob’s encounter – a sudden realization that ““Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.”  Jacob sets up an altar. A place of witness – and more importantly goes forth changed.

We too can encounter God in our time and place. We too are called to go forth in service and witness. In these last weeks before the beginning of Lent and the arrival of Spring, let us prepare our hearts and minds for the presence of Christ, the reality of crucifixion, and surpassing joy of resurrection and eternal life that begins even now. Let us prepare ourselves for a pilgrimage. Let us encounter altars everywhere – and be altered by that encounter. Let us proclaim God’s love, mercy, and justice in all we do. No matter where you are on your faith journey, we invite you to experience the love and laughter of Christ, together with us at 10:30am each Sunday and explore your next steps! 301 S. National here in Fort Scott.  Find your path, share your journey!

UPCOMING EVENTS

FEEDING FAMILIES IN HIS NAME: Wednesday, February 11 - A free, no obligation meal is served “to-go” style from underneath our portico from 5:30-6:30pm each Wednesday, prepared each week by our members as well as several area churches and community groups. We aim to provide 400 meals per week. If you would like to support this ministry feeding our neighbors, you can make donations online at: www.firstumcfortscott.org/feedingfamiliesdonation. Thank you.

ASH WEDNESDAY – 7pm WEDNESDAY, FEB. 18th. Lent begins with a traditional imposition of ashes and an introduction to our Lenten sermon series “The Way.” The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith. You are invited, therefore, in the name of Christ, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word as we journey together.

FELLOWSHIP SOUP LUNCH: 11:30am Friday, February 27^th Soup, Chilli and Dessert for a freewill offering to benefit First UMC Ministries. Bring a friend!