June 24 2018 “Working from the Wind and the Waves” Mark 4. 35-41

June 24 2018 “Working from the Wind and the Waves” I Samuel 17.1a, 4-11.19-23, 32-37 *Mark 4. 35-41 Pastor Jacqueline Hines

1. An elderly lady was well known for her faith and for her boldness and talking about it. She would stand on her front porch and shout, "Praise the Lord!"

Next door to her lived an atheist who would get so angry at her proclamations he would shout, "There ain't no Lord!!"

Hard times set in on the elderly lady and she prayed for God to send her some assistance. She stood on her porch and shouted, "Praise the Lord!! God, I need FOOD!! I am having a hard time. Please, Lord, send me some groceries!!"

The next morning, the lady went out on her porch and saw a large bag of groceries and shouted, "Praise the Lord!!"

The neighbor jumped from behind a bush and said, "Ha Ha!! I told you there was no Lord. I bought those groceries. God didn't."

The lady started jumping up and down and clapping her hands and saying, "PRAISE THE LORD!!! He not only sent me groceries, but He made the devil pay for them!!"  

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Our gospel lesson begins with the three words, “On that day…” It brings to mind the idea that each day is marked with particular events and happenings. That is why we often ask one another, “How was your day?” [slide # 1 How was your day?]

News headlines mark the days that stand out as special or noteworthy. We hold on to our history day by day to comfort us and remind us to move forward in our journey, to put one foot in front of another, knowing that tomorrow is yet another day, full of promise and potential. So the question, how was your day, helps us to recall highlights and events that inspire and teach us what can be so helpful! [slide # 2 lessons learned]

Verse 35 tells us “On that day, when evening had come,…” Jesus said to the Disciples,” ‘Let us go across to the other side of the lake.’ [slide # 3 On that day…] Jesus’ invitation to take a boat ride was just the beginning of a day that they would never forget. It was the day the disciples thought they were going to die. Verse 37 says “A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped.” [slide # 4 boat in a storm]

Have you ever been on a boat or water vehicle of any kind? [slide 5 # Have you ever…?] Have you ever been on a boat that was leaking? Have you ever been on a boat that was in jeopardy because it had plumbing problems or engine problems? Have you ever been on a boat in stormy weather?

Have you ever been on a boat and you had problems with sea sickness or some other physical or emotional challenge or something was worrying you?

[slide # 6 lots of people in a boat]  I attended a training workshop once and the focus point was that as human beings we should think of ourselves as being in the same boat together. [slide # 7  MLK quote re boat] By faith, we believe that Jesus is in the boat with us. [slide # 8  we are all in the same boat]

On this day, there was a gale, a wind so strong that it pushed waves of water into the boat! They thought this would be they day they would die, and Jesus was sleeping. [slide # 9  Jesus sleeping in boat] They woke him up and asked him if he cared that they were dying?

That is not a very common question: Do you care that we are dying? We are surrounded by people who care about us in general. [slide # 10  line of people caring] We know people who would give us the shirt off their backs. There are even strangers who are trained to put their lives on the line for us.  

Can you begin to count the persons in your lifetime who have labored diligently and made great sacrifices for you or your loved ones? We are so grateful that someone cares, especially when we are in dire need, desperate and despairing, when we are terrified by our troubles and anxious about our future. We want to be reassured that someone cares. And someone always does! As God cares for us, we learn to care for others. [slide # 11  cared for people care]

We need others to care for us and we need to be ready to care for others as God leads us because, like the disciples in the boat with Jesus that day, there are many waves to handle. There are at least 3 waves that often come our way in life.

One wave is the wave of weather. Weather is something we do not control for the most part, though there is a conversation going on about global warming and our taking care of the earth so it can take care of us. We cannot control when the weather is hot and hazy, cool and cloudy, or sunny and stormy. We cannot put even one snowflake in the air or plant one rainbow in the sky. We are not in charge. [slide # 12 sailboat at sunrise]

We cannot control the weather, so we need to care about each other in all kinds of weather. We need to do our best to care for each other and the earth, so that it will not have to vomit up an ocean of recycled plastic and caustic chemicals that are regularly tossed into the sewers by humans. We want to think twice about our care for the earth, as our United Methodist Book of Discipline urges us, so that it will not be forced to spit out acid rain until it burns our produce and prohibits bees from pollinating beautiful flowers. We need to care about each other and the earth when the waves of weather come before us.

A second wave is the wave of worry. So many times, Jesus reminds the disciples: “fear not.” Even to this day, the message echoes in our hearts: fear not. The healing work of the Holy Spirit wants our brains to register the truth that we can trust God, that God cares, that God will send who and what we need to walk with us and to take care of us.

Conversation with God, praying about everything, keeps us from drowning in our worries and wailing in our anguish and whimpering in our waiting. God’s word is wisdom that overcomes our worries. [slide # 13  pray more, worry less]

There are days that our little boats may be full of water and we wonder if we will make it alive to shore, nevertheless, behind the roar of our ocean of worries is the blessed assurance that we need not worry or fear, because God cares and is working everything out for us, even if we are momentarily inundated by a wave of worry.

A third wave that comes our way in life is the wave of weakness. There are days that we are not strong at all, days that we fail over and over and over again. We fail to regain our health. Our relationships do not succeed. For the life of us, we cannot produce not even one good solution to some nagging problem that is giving us nightmares. [slide # 14  Alone I am weak…Jesus...]

We are weak, but our God is strong. When the disciples encountered powerful winds that rocked their little boat until their lives flashed before them, they went to Jesus who was sleeping soundly. He was not disturbed at all.

They went to Jesus and they asked Jesus if he cared about them. Those who care about us, do what Jesus did when the disciples asked him if he cared. Jesus rebuked the wind. He stopped the storm in its tracks. [slide # 15 Jesus rebuking the wind] At first, Jesus did not answer them with words. He answered them by doing something about the storm. Those who care, do something and say something by the power of God that makes the storm less threatening.

Jesus proved he cared by doing something. He did what he could do. He did what God asked him to do, and so should we. Suddenly their fear was eclipsed by the dawning of their faith, the internal storm within their souls subsided, as Jesus spoke to the sea, saying ‘Peace! Be still!’ The wind ceased, and there was a dead calm.

They were in awe of Jesus’ ability and willingness to calm the restless sea. They were filled with a feeling of reverence and respect and wonder. “Who is this that even the winds and the waves obey him?”

We are made in God’s image and when we do what God wants us to do and say what God wants us to say, others see Jesus in us and are filled with awe, because what we do when the waves are threatening, makes a world of difference. [slide # 16 together we make a difference]

When the waves were calm, Jesus asked the disciples like he asks us, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ Jesus was not necessarily waiting for their answer. Perhaps the question is really an invitation for us to calm down. [slide # 17 calm down…blow up] Perhaps we are being asked to trust God in every storm, to have at least enough faith to speak up and dare to say to Jesus, “We’re dying here. Do you care?” [slide # 18 can trust God no matter what]

If we dare to keep our eyes on Jesus long enough, we will see the awesome things that he is doing. We miss the peaceful presence of Jesus if our faith is focused solely on a special someone, or our bank account, or our church, or our government. [slide # 19 peace in the boat] And those who are in the know, know that Jesus will not always still a storm on our terms, but if we stick with him, if WE are faithful, then we too will be filled with awe.

Whatever wave that is in your life today – a wave of weathering something that you cannot control, a wave of worry that has shaken you to your core, or a wave of weakness that reminds you that you need God’s strength, dare to call on Jesus and know that something awesome and wonderful is about to happen. And you may be the one God uses to bring it about. [slide # 20 you were born…] Amen. [slide # 21  It’s ok to be awesome]

June 17th 2018 Father's Day

June 17 2018 “Seed Sown to Save” Psalm 20, *Mark 4.26-34 Father’s Day Pastor Jacqueline Hines

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A little boy was asked to define Father’s Day. He said, “It’s just like Mother’s Day, only you don’t spend as much on the present.”

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After tucking their three-year-old child Sammy in for bed one night, his parents heard sobbing coming from his room.

Rushing back in, they found him crying hysterically. He managed to tell them that he had swallowed a penny and he was sure he was going to die. No amount of talking was helping.

His father, in an attempt to calm him down, palmed a penny from his pocket and pretended to pull it from Sammy's ear. Sammy was delighted.

In a flash, he snatched it from his father's hand, swallowed, and then cheerfully demanded, "Do it again, Dad!"

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Our scripture lesson talks about growing things. [slide # 1 verse 27 …we do not know how] Though God is the ultimate maker, creator, and designer, we humans are definitely a part of the plan.

God has planted in the human heart a strong desire to participate in the things that are living and growing. [slide # 2 sprouts growing] Some of us plant seeds. Others water and fertilize and make sure there is enough shade and sunshine as needed. Many weed and watch to protect and support the underground roots and the burgeoning blossoms. [ slide # 3 cherry blossoms ] We all have a role in making something good grow and flourish.

It is a divinely human quality to nurture a seed and help it grow, and sit back and enjoy the fruit of our labors. Often what we have grown together is so beautiful, it takes our breath away and soothes the beast in us. Sometimes what we grow feeds us and satisfies our need for survival. What we grow can be used to make our lives comfortable. [slide # 4 Mike’s cabinet ] like this beautiful entertainment cabinet that Mike is making for his son’s wedding gift.

On this Father’s Day, we remember the very special role of the   Godly father to help children grow healthy and strong. Psychology Today notes four special things that Fathers do that are important. First, is developing a toddler’s a sense of adventure by playing and wrestling with them while mom may be doing practical nurturing things, like feeding. [slide 5 father daughter fishing]

Secondly, a father shows children high standards and healthy ways to treat females. When a wife or ex is hard to deal with, a father does well to exhibit behavior that takes the high road instead of the low road, for the sake of the children, so says child advocate Dr. Mark Banschick. [slide # 6 Dr. Banschick] He advocates a bill of rights for the well-being of children, particularly when parents are not getting along, [slide # 7 Intelligent Divorce] when parents cannot get over their anger, when they want to retaliate and punish each other, which does not help at all. The points of Banschick’s Bill of Rights for Children include:

1. Please do not ask me to choose sides between you.

3. Stop “bad mouthing” each other in front of me.

9. Leave me out of your fighting.

Thirdly, girls need fathers. Successful women more often have had a father that believed in them, could identify their strengths, and who adored them for who they were. Such a relationship makes girls understand how special they are, which can protect their hearts from men who offer less.

Finally, according to Dr. Banschick, sons need a father. A father can especially help a son deal with aggressions and move into responsible manhood in ways particular to men.

Many experts agree that in spite of the fact that Hallmark sells twice as many Mother’s Day cards than Father’s Day cards, fathers are very important in God’s plan of salvation, to save this generation from some unnecessary hardships of life. [slide # 8 baby hand in father’ s hand]

As Jesus said, God’s plan, God’s kingdom begins with seeds as small as mustard seeds. Even the smallest Godly things that a father does and says will lead to great blessings for his children. Even the tiniest first steps can lead to a wonderfully long journey of faith and wisdom that leaves children, bearing much fruit of the Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness (generosity), faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Jesus said in verses 31-32 “The small mustard seed when sown…grows big enough to enable birds to nest in its shade.” [ slide # 9 verse 31-32 ] When fathers sow Godly behavior, they will reap what they sow. They will grow something great. The children will have it made in the shade! [slide # 10 happy children]

Godly fathers do not make children’s lives perfect, [slide # 11 Godly father] but more often than not, children of a father who is growing spiritually and allows himself to be nurtured by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, will experience the rewards and satisfactions that are intended for all children. [slide # 12  father and baby] May it be so today and every day! [slide # 13 Jesus hugging…]  Amen.

June 10 2018 “Cramped in a Crowd” *Mark 3.20-35

June 10 2018 “Cramped in a Crowd” I Samuel 8.4-20, *Mark 3.20-35 Pastor Jacqueline Hines

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We all appreciate a good crowd. You may have been a part of a crowd recently at the Pottstown Memorial Day parade, [slide # 1  parade] the Elverson Blues festival, [slide # 2 festival] the royal wedding, [slide # 3  wedding] or the funeral of Rev. Billy Graham. [slide # 4  Graham funeral] There is a crowd at church depending on what we are celebrating or what the menu is. We certainly have the finest cooks around! [slide #  5 good cooks…]

We do not mind being in a crowd if it is a good crowd. There are crowds we would prefer never to be a part of – such as crowds on the expressway, or in a grocery store before a storm, or when a couple is arguing in a restaurant. We rather be in a good crowd.

Some who heard about the royal wedding wanted so much to be a part of the in-crowd that they gave nice gifts. They wanted to be remembered as being a part of something big. The royal couple, for ethical reasons returned 9 million dollars’ worth of gifts – gifts that were apparently given perhaps by businesses and wannabee famous persons who hoped for some gift or favor in return.

Every now and then, we may find ourselves wrestling with what donations we should give to get the most “bang for our buck.” Like any good steward of the blessings God gives us, we do not want to drop money into a bottomless pit, we want to make a difference. We want what we give to produce good things and to multiply blessings.

Meda Maron is the director of Project Outreach with which Bethel has been one of the 26 churches involved for about 35 years. [slide # 6  Project Outreach] They serve 180 families per week with food, (for the 9 % of Chester County families that are food insecure); they help with temporary housing, oil bills and anything else they can. When I asked Meda this week how things were going she said they were going very well. She said we never have to say “no” to a need. How amazing is that. We all want to be part of a crowd where the work is so blessed, that it is a blessing to many.

We all want our spiritual cups to overflow. There are three spiritual states that we may find ourselves: We either have not enough, just enough, or more than enough. Of course, we pray and work for God’s mercy and grace to have more than enough of what we need so we can share, rather than not enough or just enough for ourselves. 

When Jesus was hanging out and helping the crowds, the scribes, writers of the law, claimed that Jesus had a demon. Verse says “‘He has Beelzebub” [slide   7   verse  22 …He has Beelzebul] which means “Lord of the flies – where the nasty, infectious, infested, refuse piles can be found. The scribes were determined to make a case against Jesus. So they depended on diagnosis and labels to prejudice people against him.

Demonic influences and mental disorders are often blurred in our minds, in our churches, and perhaps a bit less in the minds of psychotherapists and psychiatrists. One thing is for sure, whether in mind or body, when we are not well, it is a blessing to have a crowd of family and friends who care about us, and to have well-researched treatments that can restore us.

There are seasons when neither our mind nor our bodies find much balance, only chaos and confusion. It is in those times that we are left with our faith in God alone. When God is all we have, God is all we need. Whatever our health status, prayer makes a difference. Prayer creates good energy. Prayer opens our spiritual eyes. Prayer opens our spiritual ears. Prayer opens our spiritual heart to feel compassion, our hands to do good deeds, and our arms to hold on to one another. Prayer changes things. [slide #  8 prayer changes things]

We know from particular bible passages that at one point, Jesus’ brothers probably spent more energy being jealous of Jesus and trying to get rid of Jesus than they spent praying for Jesus. When we stop praying, the devil starts preying on us and we become more like him.

Jesus’ family wondered about the crowd that he was hanging around. It seemed he was so involved that he did not even get a chance to eat. They did not think that was good. My mother used to tell the story of how worried she was that my baby sister would go for an unusually long time without eating, so she took her to Doctor Hadadd, who said, “She’s fine. She will eat when she gets hungry and that is exactly what she did on her own terms.

Jesus had said to his disciples that his bread, his primary sustenance, was doing the will of God, but that did not fly with his mother Mary. She thought he was losing his mental and emotional balance. Perhaps they thought he was too young to be so fanatical about religion, that giving 100% to God was too much for anyone to give, much less a young man. His family sent for him and tried to bring him home, but Jesus refused, claiming that his family were those people who do the will of God, not just what they wanted to do.

That is why we in the church we call ourselves “family.” We focus on God’s will above our own. God gives us 100% love and guidance and we want to give God and God’s people 100% of what God asks and nothing less. That is not easy.

I recently listened to a couple men who had visited the Middle East. They were unnerved by the lack of love, the willingness to hate, and the ease at which they could kill. They were happy to return and set their feet on American soil, for God has blessed America.

We have done enough peacemaking in order for many to live in peace, at least more peace than many countries. If we do not want to become like other countries, we must continue to do the work of dialoguing, getting to know and love one another, and daring to pray for one another. Otherwise, war and distress will find us and sneak up on us like a thief in the night.

In spite of much sad news, there was good news this week in the Middle East. A woman in Saudi Arabia was the first female to be issued a driver’s license [slide #  9  Saudi driver] since the ban against women drivers was finally lifted beginning June 24th. This is progress, even though at least four women who were arrested for protesting the ban, are awaiting trial. Other protesting women have been killed, detained for months, and had to take refuge in other countries. Now they won’t have to hire drivers or depend on their husbands and sons for a right that we Americans have free to exercise since cars came on the scene in the 1900’s.

We need to stop acting like the Spirit is not calling us to pray or do something to bless someone when God is calling us. That would be the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit that verse 29 refers to; [slide #  10 verse 29 whoever blasphemes…forgiveness] to dismiss the presence of the Holy Spirit urging us to care about each other as human beings who laugh and cry and suffer, whether they be across the street, across town, or across the ocean, is unforgiveable.

We may be doing all God is asking of us today. [slide #  11 God is pleased] If not, there is a price to be paid in our hearts and in one another’s lives. The cost of blaspheming the Holy Spirit, disregarding, disrespecting, disapproving, dismantling, disengaging with the Holy Spirit is not forgiven. Consequences will ALWAYS be incurred. We need to care. Hate and ignoring one another’s needs is too high a price to pay for any person, family, country, or church. I cannot always tell you what God wants you to do; God will speak to your heart if you are listening.

It is not easy, but we have Jesus as our model to give our all, all that God asks. Giving our all begins with being grateful. When I bring in a bag of groceries and forget to thank God for the bounty or when I pray for something as simple as a nice parking spot when I am in a hurry and I get one and I don’t think about saying thank you, I often say to myself, it is good to remember to say, “thank you, God.” I say to myself, “Would I want to live without all those blessings that I take for granted and gobble up without breathing a word of gratitude to God? Which of the blessings that I can’t remember to give thanks for, would I want to live without?

I will never forget one of my Confirmation students long ago who during a discussion about tithing ten percent of our income, explained, “Giving God, ten cents for every dollar we get, that is not much at all!” [slide # 12  giving to God]

No, ten percent is not a lot compared to the 90 percent that is ours to keep. Even though, we only keep it long enough to hand over 35% to the government [slide # 13 couple viewing bills] and another percentage to the mortgage broker or our children’s education fund or that supplementary health insurance plan, not to mention groceries and a couple dollars to go out to dinner or an annual get away to vacation or be with family and friends living far away.

Ten percent is not much; it is a test; it may be the source of temptation to hold back our grateful giving out of fear of having a need, rather than having faith that God will provide. Ten percent is a reminder of the time to pray and ask God what we can best give and how we can best serve, though we may not want to have the conversation with God out of fear that we may be called to share or sacrifice.

Nevertheless, our lives are crowded with blessings. When we are blessed, we can bless God. We can bless one another. We are blessed to be a blessing, a blessing to many. [slide # 14  thanking and giving to God] Amen. [slide # 15 …more in return]

June 3 2018 “Simply Social Sabbath”

June 3 2018  “Simply Social Sabbath”  I Samuel 3. 1-20,  *Mark 2.23-3.6 Pastor Jacqueline Hines

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How many of us growing up remember the days when none of the grocery stores were open. If you did not get your milk and bread on Saturday, you had to wait until Monday morning. There were no 24 hour grocery stores. As Sonia told me last week, there were no restaurants to eat at after church. You ate Sunday dinner at home. [slide # 1 family dinner]

In my generation, we were ironing Sunday dresses and cooking dinner even on a Sunday, something many in the generation before us would never think of doing. We can think of each generation as getting slack on the rules of Sabbath or we can think of each generation coming to grips with the reality that some rules need not be adhered to blindly and rigidly, but reflectively, flexibly, respectfully, and prayerfully. [slide # 2 remember the Sabbath…] Once when I was studying the Sabbath, I was preparing to do as little common work as I possibly could. It was a challenge when my mother asked me to drive her to the grocery store. I asked the Lord what I should do and I heard God speak to my heart in clear, but simple and paternal tones, “Of course, you better take your mother to the store.” That put an end to any notions I had of thinking I had to choose God over my mother. [slide # 3 law of love]

Sometimes we are frantic about following God’s law. Sometimes we are afraid we will miss our blessings and bring the wrath of God down on our lives. Rather God wants us to see the Ten Commandments – and particularly the 4^th [ slide # 4  fourth commandment] one that tells us to honor the Sabbath - as a loving hug that binds us to a wise God and binds us to one another’s affections rather than being a rope that restricts us from enjoying life! [side # 5 the greatest commandment, heart]

In our scripture from Mark, Jesus gives the example of a time when David and his refugee buddies were hungry and ate the bread that was to be kept constantly at the altar. It was called the bread of presence. It represented the nurturing, providing presence of our God. Eating the bread was against the religious, cultural, and spiritual laws. Since David and his soldiers were hungry, they had good reason to eat the bread and put the law on hold. They were close enough to God to reason that eating the bread would not violate the Spirit of the law.

Jesus emphasized the spirit of the law when he said in verse 27, ‘The Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath;” God did not make us so we could follow certain rules of the Sabbath like robots. God made the Sabbath for us so we could find rest and relaxation and joy in worship and joy in each other’s presence, and not work ourselves to death. [slide # 6  Sabbath rest]

One of my colleagues mentioned that his wife had a very high profile job. She was making good money, but she was so stressed out by the long commute, the inconvenient hours, and the intensity of the personnel matters that she was under a doctor’s care for high blood pressure and high glucose levels and other symptoms. As soon as she retired, her health changed for the better.

One of my relatives has vascular issues and developed an ulcer on her lower leg. She got a second job full-time job, planning to make some extra money for a few months and transition into deciding which job she was going to keep. It has been nearly a year that she has been working two full time jobs. Family members have grown accustomed to having her pay for dinners and other goodies. But, she still has two full time jobs, and now instead of having one ulcer on her leg, she has two. God made the Sabbath to bless us not to hurt us.

Breaking laws, religious or otherwise, can be very tempting. It is tempting to roll through a stop sign when there is no traffic in sight. [ slide # 7 stop sign] We are often in a rush and can justify doing our own thing. Still, establishing healthy boundaries and obeying safety rules are good habits that are a blessing for many reasons. [slide # 8 obedience…blessings]

It is important to rest and not work ourselves to death. Even more important is it to rest in the Lord after we have done God’s good and holy work. I love the Isaiah 30 verse where God says, “In returning, repenting and rest you shall be saved. In quietness and trust is your strength.”

One thing that has made us especially rest-less these days is the type of incident we witnessed in a Starbucks coffee shop. [slide # 9 Starbucks] It amazes me and gladdens my heart to know that in such incidents, people of many different races take videos with their phones and speak out against hatred. It was Melissa DePino [ slide # 10 Melissa] who videotaped the Starbucks incident.

A few months ago, an incident of the same ilk was discovered at our own United Methodist Albright College in Reading. Also, it is not unusual to find hatemongers driving persons to catastrophe because of their sexual orientation or transgender identity. No human being should be mistreated for any reason. It is good when God sends somebody to help us see the changes that need to be made for the better.

Our work is to always be about the mission of helping others find the light of Jesus and having their lives transformed. [slide #   11  mission of the church…]  Our work is to welcome all who enter into God’s presence with us, to share outrageous hospitality no matter where they have come from or where they are going. Our work is to be the hands and feet of Jesus wherever we go. It is not always an easy work, so God provides rest for our souls.

Pastor Clif Christopher author of Rich Church, Poor Church tells the story of going to a new church, having a wonderful first Sunday service and returning to the church that evening to lead the youth group only to find out that there were no youth, so he went out through the neighborhood and to the schools and invited the youth to play basketball and eat hotdogs. After a while, a few members called him in for a meeting and told him that having all those kids around was causing too much mess to clean and the money being spent for snacks was not in the budget, so they wanted to make a new rule: only those kids whose parents were members could come to the group. That attitude is a far cry from that tells us to show hospitality without grumbling as I Peter 4.9 instructs us. [slide # 12 show hospitality]

The pastor said now let’s think about this. What would Jesus do? One member shouted out, “Now you leave Jesus out of this!”  We do well to remind ourselves on a daily basis that our journey of faith is not about us, it is about the mission of making disciples for the transformation of the world, it is about diversity and dialogue and daring to pray trusting God to guide and provide.

Fortunately, we do remind ourselves daily as the United Methodist Church that we are all about the mission of making disciples for Jesus for the transformation of the world. That is why we encourage bible studies, VBS, preschool, and camp where children and youth can get a year’s worth of Christian education in one week. [slide #  13 VBS, Preschool dates] That is why I work hard to make sure everyone’s gifts and talents are being used and sharpened, because we need all hands on deck to equip and strengthen each other to make the journey, to follow Jesus everywhere he leads. That is why we train and equip ourselves to have good boundaries so the bullies and perpetrators remain outside and the peacemakers feel safe as they do God’s work within and without.

We want peacemakers more so than peacekeepers because peacemakers sometimes have to speak the truth in love and stir up the pot while peacekeepers tend to keep the peace, even when others are suffering. Jesus said blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.

Our Bishop Peggy Johnson reminded all her pastors one year to work hard to keep an eye out for those who need Jesus and those who have never been a part of the church before. It is one thing to work to add members to our rolls from one church to another. It is another thing to work to welcome those who have never professed their faith or never belonged to the church before.

The story is told of one church that had a budget of almost 2 million dollars, and they had two persons join who were new Christians. One expert noted that $800,000 was invested and only two persons professed Jesus as their savior. He questioned whether they had their spending priorities in order. The question was raised, should they spend more money on a mission to encouraged outsiders to follow Jesus? One member chimed up saying, “Why would we count those who are just now professing their faith?” It was said as if outsiders do not matter, but outsiders are the very ones we are called to include in the sheepfold. [slide # 14  calling God-starved…]

What is the work we need to do to reach those who are outside the walls of the church? We received a generous community grant to help us with the elevator. We were encouraged to apply for the grant again, but this time we were asked to work as hard as we could and make a conscious effort to invite persons to serve on our boards who represented a more diverse population.

As a global church, we are in competition with many other businesses, like Starbucks that nurture diversity as a means of keeping the peace and providing good for others in this world. They too are working hard, doing God’s holy work, even though they cannot call themselves religious, much less Christian. Such businesses and organizations, like non-profit hospitals, schools, etc. are financially supported and being called good by many non-religious folks, while some days, churches are left behind, wondering why we should even bother to count the outsiders.

Starbucks gave up millions of dollars to see that their staff was trained to avoid another inhospitable incident. [slide #  15 hands…diversity] Perhaps they were inspired by the church. The United Methodist Church has deep roots in education and training. Yesterday, a diversity training was held at Cedarville UMC. At least two from Bethel attended. It is not the first training that Bethel has been a part of. The Spirit leads me to pray for teachers and students every day. Education and training is the key to eradicate slavery, poverty, hunger, illiteracy, unemployment and many other forms of oppression in our world today. [slide #  16 key on bible]

Education is the key to promote peace, development and well-being. For two Wednesdays in June on the 6^th and 20^th, staff and leaders of Bethel will gather to attend an in-house training designed to benefit our ultimate mission of equipping and making disciples who are in the business of transforming our world.

The United Methodist Church has close to a thousand, if not more, schools, academies, and universities around the world - Asia-Pacific, Africa, North and South America. Education is an integral part of the Methodist Movement led by John Wesley and Charles Wesley in 18th century England. Kingswood School was the first Methodist school, founded by John Wesley on June 24, 1748, and is still in existence today.  [slide #  17 Kingswood school]

After we pray for guidance, educate ourselves, and unite as one body in Christ, we will surely know what work we must do to reach those who are outside our walls, those who need our Jesus. [slide #  18 welcome home]

We will do as one of Allen’s songs reminds us to do, “So you bring the one next to you, And I’ll bring the one next to me; In all kinds of weather, we’ll all work together, And see what can be done…”

For many reasons working hard at welcoming and inviting others to follow us as we follow Jesus is an overwhelming task. There are so many needs and so many new ideas and cultural meanings with which to dialogue and digest. It can be exhausting, sometimes humiliating, and sometimes uncomfortable. Still, it is only after doing God’s good and holy work that we can find rest! [slide # 19 prayer…God’s rest.] Amen. [slide #20  rest..salvation]  [slide # 21 make disciples…]