Worship Preview for 9.13.26

WORSHIP SEPTEMBER 13TH: 10:30am. “Listening and Renewal: the Way of Genuine Love”  Rev. Christopher Eshelman preaching. Scriptures: Isaiah 58:1-14 and Romans 12:1-12

To insist our way is the only way, instead of following the way of Jesus.Recently I highlighted the word Selah, found in the Psalms. A word that we don’t know a definite meaning for. It’s likely a musical instruction – a pause or interlude. Most scholars take it as a call to pause, to reflect. I invite us to enter into that uncertainty. To remind ourselves we don’t know everything. To pause, reflect, and discern – but also to act. 

 In so many familiar stories, Jesus challenges the religious authorities understanding of Sabbath, different cultural groups understandings of proper boundaries, and his own disciples understanding of what is possible. We’ve been talking recently about hardened hearts and living water. This week we’ll hear from two prophetic texts. The Letter to the Romans is Paul’s masterwork. The culmination of a lifetime of ministry that took some unexpected turns and in which Paul experienced significant change and transformation. He knows what he is talking about when he urges the Jewish and Gentile Christians in the capital of the world’s greatest empire to “not be conformed to the patterns of the world” but to instead “be transformed by the renewing of their minds.” We don’t usually call Romans “prophetic” but Paul is standing firmly in the tradition of the prophets, calling his hearers to accountability, urging believers to listen, use their gifts, and live our their faith. “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

If our Romans text seems to be looking forward, our Isaiah text invites us to be rooted in the tradition. Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug.Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, but I blessed him and made him many. - 

Really I think both texts this week are pointing us the same way. It’s easy to be conformed to the world. To give into hate, fear, despair, and division.It’s harder to go into the unknown, to encounter the other. This week we marked 25 years since the tragedies of 9/11. Thousands of Americans – and people from 91 nations in total and any different religiious traditions, perished in that terrorist attack. Hundreds of thousands more in our nation’s response, a “war on terror” that didn’t necessarily target those who’d targeted us. As I write, our community is really beginning to wrestle with how to deal with homelessness.We wish the problem would just go away. In both the large and the small, I invite you to look and listen for hardened hearts. For those places where fear seeks targets, gets distilled into hatred and lashes out. I saw a suggestion on a local message board suggesting “woodchippers” would solve the problem of homelessness in our community. That is not Christlike. I don’t have easy answers to these difficult problems and neither does Scripture. But Scripture does have a way – the way of Christ. Paul had been so sure of himself when he encountered the risen Christ and had his world turned upside down. In these times, I suggest that’s exactly what we need to. This week we wrap up a series on listening and begin several weeks of considering what it means to be renewed – not be conformed to the patterns of this divided, violent, hate fueled world but to truly love one another. Not with easy platitudes, but with the hard work of Christlike community. 

If the world has you down. If you can’t make sense of what is happening. If you need a shot of hope – and if you’d like to see a different way emerge, you are not alone. We’d love to have you join in worship. We don’t have all the answers. We aren’t perfect and we won’t dictate your choices. But together we keep finding that God makes a way – and that all our stories matter. So, come just as you are – with your doubts and questions, with your laments and fears, and with your deepest hopes and joys. Whether you are a longtime member, have never been to church at all, or find yourself needing a change - together we will find our paths and share our journeys. Thanks be to God!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

FEEDING FAMILIES IN HIS NAME: Wednesday, September 16th  - A free, no obligation meal is served “to-go” style from underneath our portico from 5:15pm to 6:15pm 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. 

AGING FORWARD Friday September 18th at 1pm.Aimed at retired adults for lifelong learning and fellowship, all are welcome to attend. Our last gathering for this year will feature information about the new Railroad Museum being developed in Fort Scott – you won’t want to miss it – bring a friend! Light refreshments served.