January 20 2019 LIght-Filled Gatherings

January 20 2019 Light-Filled Gatherings Isaiah 62.1-5, *John 2.1-11 Pastor Jacqueline Hines

Weddings are always special, always meaningful, always talked about and always a focal point on our calendars. Weddings bring to mind the song sung by Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. known to us as John Denver. He co-wrote the song “Sunshine.” [slide # 1 John Denver]

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high…

Weddings are a time we are happy, we weep for joy, we see the lovely, and we get a spiritual and emotional high. [slide # 2 wedding ]

So it is when we remember the wedding at Cana. Jesus and his family was there, his disciples were there. It was a day of joy. We do not know anything about the happy couple, but we know some other important things about their special day. We know there were about 180 gallons of water miraculously turned into wine. We know there were enough servants there to handle the matter. We know that the wine was not just good, it was exceptionally good, and we know that the wedding was held on the third day. [slide # 3 third day]

When the third day is referenced in the scriptures, it is not a particular day of the week. The third day is a reference to a moment in our history with God. Mentioning of the third day signals a moving from death and destruction to new life, hope, and healing.

Not only do we declare that after three days in the grave, Jesus arose from the dead, there are over a dozen references to the third day in scripture.

1) On the third day — "The earth brought forth vegetation: seed-bearing plants of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit." (Genesis 1:12)

2) On the third day — Abraham looked up and saw Mount Moriah from afar where he was to offer his son Isaac in sacrifice. (Genesis 22:4-5)

3) On the third day — Pharaoh releases his chief cupbearer from death-row. (Genesis 40:20-21)

4) On the third day — Joseph releases his brothers from prison in Egypt. (Genesis 42:17-18)

5) On the third day — The Israelites request Pharaoh's permission to make a three-day journey to offer sacrifice in the desert to God, preparing their way to FREEDOM. (Exodus 3:18)

6) On the third day — Plague Nine, the Plague of Darkness, in Egypt ends, "though the Israelites enjoyed light in their dwellings." (Exodus 10:22)

7) On the third day — God descends to Mount Sinai in fire with the sound of a shofar. He then reveals The Ten Commandments to his people resurrected from the death of slavery in Egypt. (Exodus 19:16-19)

8) On the third day — Israelites are to purify themselves with water after being in contact with the dead. (Numbers 19:12)

9) On the third day — After coming to the river and preparing themselves, the Israelites cross the Jordan "to enter and possess the land that the LORD [their] God is giving to [them] as a possession." (Joshua 1:11; 3:2)

10) On the third day — Joshua's spies emerge from hiding from the Jerichoites, then return to their commander. (Joshua 2:16, 22)

11) On the third day — After asking God for release, King Hezekiah is healed of his fatal disease and offers thanks in the temple. (2 Kings 20:5)

12) On the third day — Jonah is expelled from the belly of a fish.  

13) On the third day — After fasting, Esther puts on royal apparel and enters the palace of the Persian king in order to thwart a death-plot against her people, the Jews. (Esther 4:16; 5:1)

A wedding on third day meant that a dramatic change was about to happen, an important transition was ready to be made. John starts off by telling us this good news: on the third day there was a wedding in Cana.

Now the bad news: they ran out of wine. Wine is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. We never, ever, ever want to run out of wine. We need the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the heart of all that matters. Wine is the symbol of the Holy Spirit. Wine is typically made from grapes. Grapes are delicious and nutritious, and the fact that grapes have to be crushed is a well-known symbol of human suffering and endurance that always leads us to the joy of the Lord.

Though the Holy Spirit may lead us to places beyond our comfort zone, scriptures tell us not only to be filled to overflowing with the Spirit but the progressive tense is used, meaning we are to be constantly filling up over and over again, just like keeping our gas tanks filled. To run out of gas is a problem. To run out of wine is a problem. Not having the Holy Spirit within our lives is a problem. The Holy Spirit is what energizes us and drives us to our place of healing, strength, possibilities, peace, and joy. Worshipping, serving, praising, doing justice and loving mercy keeps our tanks full!

When they gathered to wine and dine at the wedding, they were not just enjoying fun and laughter, they were building the kingdom of God. They were preparing for a miracle, for change, for transformation, for growth. [slide # 4 leaves]

Jesus promises that even where two or three of us gather, he is there, shining the light of his love for each of us. The Father is there, the Holy Spirit is there. And when we show up obediently as vessels, haven been filled with cleansing waters, filled with pure and holy intentions, miracles happen. Jesus turns us into wine that has the power to heal, restore, and illuminate paths to endless possibilities, bringing peace and joy, defying death and destruction.

Every servant knows about vessels that are pure and holy. [slide # 5 vessels pouring] Every servant knows about taking orders, being obedient, singing when the spirit says sing, shouting when the spirit says shout, praying when the spirit says pray, filling vessels to the brim with water…cleansing…pure water…every servant knows that Jesus transforms us so that healing and restoration, peace and joy are the order of the day. Verse 9 makes a special point of saying that the servants knew where the wine came from. When we are servants we know things. We know how to be transformed, we know how to heal and restore and build; we know how to bring joy and peace. We know because we learn from the master. [slide # 6 at table with Jesus] Amen. [slide # 7 Jesus the master teacher]

January 6, 2019 "Light-Filled Nations"

January 6 2019 Light-Filled Nations *Isaiah 60.1-6, Matthew 2.1-12  Pastor Jacqueline Hines

++

What a precious blessing it is to have light in our lives. We so appreciate the physical light that we have. Wondrous things have been done with Christmas lights. [slide # 1 Christmas lights] Landscapers and architects are always creating new atmospheres with special lighting. You recall our architect Casaccio Yu’s [slide# 2 Casaccio Yu on right] emphasis on lighting when we did the groundbreaking ceremony on Communion Sunday May 3^rd 2015. At sundown the lights are programmed to come on automatically. [slide # 3   drawing of Bethel] We notice lights everywhere from the grocery stores to roadways. Through the generations, God said, “Let there be light.” And light continues to be a blessing in so many ways.

Light in an incubator is warming and healing in ways that help a newborn to develop. [slide # 4  baby in incubator]. Bethel Christian preschool has incubated baby chicks for the last several years. [slide # 5  eggs incubating] Light warms, it heals, helps life to grow; light protects us by revealing hindrances within our surroundings, light illuminates our environment so that we can see the good and choose to avoid any evil options.

Yesterday, I committed to meet a Quaker named Carol who is involved with the Salvation Army and United Methodist Women in providing resources for women who have survived the horror of human trafficking. On January 10^th I will participate in what is being called a Labyrinth of Light and Hope. [slide #  6 masterpieces…] It is a celebration of human trafficking survivors of all races and nations, and creeds. They are being called “Masterpieces of Broken Pieces”, which is what we all are, God’s masterpieces of our many broken pieces. Candles will be lit along a path where women’s stories of survival are written with every step. Anyone is welcome to join me. Light is what we use to celebrate, as well as to warm, develop, heal, and protect.

Light is also fast and energetic beyond what we can imagine or fathom. Light can travel at the speed of 6 trillion miles in a year or 186,000 miles per second. Light can be powerful and even forceful. When the sun is strong, we shield our eyes so we can avoid an encounter with damaging rays.  [slide # 7 night driving] While driving at night, when the LED lights are on a high beam, I often feel physical discomfort, even pain in my eyes until the forceful light has passed. [slide # 8  driver shielding eyes]

Thus far we have been talking about physical light, but the presence of spiritual light has similar qualities. Spiritual light is also energetic, fast, powerful and sometimes forceful. The presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit comes as a light that warms us, heals us, protects us, helps us, nurtures us and can be so strong that we are inclined to shield ourselves, as so many like have done, like Paul, when he encountered the light of God before his dramatic conversion from brute to believer. [slide # 9  Paul blinded by Heaven’s light]

A world without light is a world without hope. God knows that. So God created light and provides it for us. In John 8.12, Jesus tells us that he is the light of the world and whoever follows him will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. In Matthew 5.14 he tells us that we are the light of the world and that we should let our lights shine that others can see our heavenly father’s good deeds and glorify God which means to give God the praise and honor.

So it is our task for the year as it has always been, to let Jesus shine through us that every person of every nation will find in us a light that provides whatever warmth, protection, development, healing and help that God intends.

Then we will see as the Prophet Isaiah foretells in verse 3: [slide # 10 Epiphany…Nations shall come…]

 3 Nations shall come to your light,

   and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

We have seen it before, and we will see it again. People of all nations come to you, to me, to Bethel. Even royalty – those of means and power and status, come to you, to me, to Bethel, because our light shines! Let it be so forever. [slide # 11 Arise and Shine for Jesus] Amen. [slide # 12 Arise…your light has come]

December 25, 2018 Christmas Eve Meditation - "Breathe"

Christmas Eve 2018 Meditation “Breathe!!” December 24^th Pastor Jacqueline Hines

How wonderful it is to celebrate, to rejoice, to be glad in the house of the Lord! We gather with family and friends, loved ones who give us a reason to live and who are a source of God’s greatest blessings to us. [slide # 1 family is a blessing]

Christmas is a time, in spite of the hustle and bustle, it is a time to relax, to take a holiday, to take a break and rest, to take a much needed breather and let all the joys of the moment sink in, and let the peace permeate our minds, and let our love grow stronger and richer.

The joy, the peace, the love of Christmas all begin one breath at a time. Every breath counts and moves us forward to the place we need to be. Especially in these anxious times, we need to remember to breathe.

Interestingly enough, the word for “breath” in the bible is the same word used for “spirit” and “wind.” The first thing doctors want newborn babies to do is to breathe, to show signs of life, to clear pathways, allowing the Spirit, the air of God to flow to and through the body.

Clinicians like Harvard trained Dr. Andrew Weil [ slide #  2  Dr. Weil with his dogs] remind us to take deep breaths when we are under a lot of stress. We need to be as calm and carefree as a little baby, learning that God provides, growing confident that we are loved and held precious and dear.

Baby announcements are always special [slide # 3  baby announcement] and they are just as special in the bible. Scriptures tell us that an angel appeared to shepherds watching over their flock in the cool of night. [slide # 4 shepherd…terrified] Encounters with God often leave us trembling with emotion and falling to our knees. So, the first thing the angel said to the shepherds were the first words angels usually say before they speak to us humans, “Don’t be afraid!...I have good news…news for everyone. A savior is born today. [slide # 5 shepherds in awe ]

God entered this earthly realm in the form of a little baby. [slide #   6  manger scene] God crashes through our fears and chaos with a baby. A baby is the least scary of all humans. A baby is the greatest symbol of hope and happiness in the midst of our economic evils, [slide # 7  happy baby] our political problems, [slide # 8  two babies ] and our violent vicissitudes. [slide # 9  baby with a peace sign] God gives us years to tend to the new hope that God sends into our lives. God gives us time to learn how to care for the word made flesh that has come to dwell among us. [slide # 10   growing chart] God gives us all the love we need to nurture good news until it is strong enough to overcome our worries. What do we worry about? We worry about having the right job, the perfect marriage, the most lucrative degree, good health, plenty of money, and when we do get the things we long for, we may worry about losing them.

Rather than worry, we need to calm down and breathe. [slide #  11  just breathe] Each breath comes from God as a wonderful gift. Breathing does not cost anything and it pays off in so many ways. Breathing gives us energy, calms our nervous system, improves our respiratory system, releases muscle tension, helps our heart, relaxes the mind to help focus and learn, and makes us look young and alive. Breathing also detoxifies, increases endorphins that put us in a happy mood, lowers our blood pressure, and brings more oxygen to the brain which helps our whole body function better. [slide #  12  hands up in field]

When we sing, let out a sigh of relief, or go for a run, we are breathing, connecting to the Holy Spirit and embracing the start of a mighty wind that carries us to good places. The breath that God has given us is designed to make our lives better. Whether we are living in the best years of our life, the worst years or somewhere in between, just breathe. Just breathe. [slide #  13  just breathe]  Amen. [slide #  14  Merry Christmas…]

December 23, 2018 Come to Jesus - Bring Your Listening Ears

December 23 2018 Come to Jesus – Bring Your Listening Ears Luke 1.39-45 Pastor Jacqueline Hines

 +++

Our scripture lesson this morning captures Mary, the mother of Jesus, on her way to visit her cousin, Elizabeth who was six months pregnant. Verse 39 says she was in a hurry. As good bible students you know that when we look at the verses that come before the ones we are focusing on, we often find important insights and information. It just so happens that the verses just before Mary’s visit to Elizabeth help us to see the reason Mary was in such a hurry.  She had just had a conversation with a heavenly angel. Gabriel visited Mary and told her she was going to have a baby. [slide # 1 Mary and the angel Gabriel with wings]

Mary was what the Greek transliteration calls “diatarasso” disturbed, troubled, perplexed. She had to be wondering if the angel visit was a good thing or was it a bad thing. [slide # 2 Mary and Gabriel in white light] Was Gabriel a figment of her youthful imagination, a sign that she was losing her mind or was he really bringing a message from God? Was it a time to be proud and celebrate or a time to be humble and keep the matter to herself? 

As all of this was going through her mind, Gabriel said these words to her ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. Because she was listening, because she had her listening ears on, she heard the words of the angel Gabriel and the Luke says she made haste to see Elizabeth, also a woman of God, and also preparing to have a baby, whom we would later know as Jesus’ cousin John the Baptist.

There is a lot to hear in these few verses of scripture.  We can hear Mary’s footsteps as she walks quickly to see Elizabeth. Perhaps she is a bit breathless; after all she has just had a divine encounter with the angel Gabriel. She’s excited and barely understands what is happening to her.

Mary finally arrives at Elizabeth’s door, she quickly greets Elizabeth’s husband Zechariah with the traditional peck on both cheeks and moves excitedly to Elizabeth, hugging her and jumping for joy. Verse 41 tells us that when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, [slide # 3 heard Mary’s greeting] the child leaped in her womb. Even babies in the womb have listening ears. [slide # 4 stethoscope and pregnant woman]

Not only did the baby leap, but the scripture say that Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and the evidence of Acts 2 remind us that when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you say things that you normally do not say, you sing songs that you normally would not sing, you do things that that are supernatural. You witness extraordinary events. Some may even call them miracles. Spectacular things may happen, if only for a very brief moment, like a flash of lightening, a sudden breeze, or a strong wind. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you speak awesome words, complimentary, kind and prophetic words that predict God’s wonderful purpose and plan. God’s word whether loud or soft is like a trumpet blast that is blown before royalty enters the room. [slide # 5 trumpeteers]

Being filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth made a joyful noise. [slide # 6 ….a loud cry] Verse 42 says she exclaimed with a loud cry, [slide # 7 Elizabeth shouting for joy with Mary] “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Then Elizabeth asked why Mary had come to visit, saying in verse 43, And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? She is prophesying in the spirit, calling Jesus Lord already. And in verse 44 she is giving a testimony saying  44For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.   [slide # 8 Mary at Elizabeth’s lap]

When we come to Jesus with our listening ears on we will hear sounds for which God has a particular purpose. Elizabeth exclaimed with a loud cry says verse 42. The loud cry in the Greek is the word “ruwa”. It refers to a shout, a raised sound, a crying out, a blast. [slide # 9 RUWA]

The purposes of a noise in the bible can be to shout a war-cry or alarm of battle, to sound a signal for war or march, to shout in triumph (over enemies) to shout in applause, to shout (with religious impulse), to cry out in distress, to shout for joy, shout because something stings, or has been destroyed. Every sound has a clear purpose. When we come to Jesus with our listening ears on, we are more apt to hear more and to discover more of God’s purpose.

We are a praying people and our ears are always perked [slide # 10 ears perked. We will always hear the sounds that God has for us. We listen for a baby’s first cry to signal the lungs are clear. We listen for our name to be called in a waiting room, an alarm to sound, a timer to go off, a school bell to ring, a pet’s footsteps coming or going, guns saluting to honor a soldier, train whistles blowing. Sounds have purpose.

More importantly are the sounds we do not hear with our physical ears. Some sounds can only be heard with our spiritual ears as we pray and meditate corporately or individually. [slide # 11 persons gathered in listening prayer]  As we listen we hear the glad chatter of dreams coming true before they do, the smack of kisses and handshakes to be shared in in anticipation of reconciliation, the thump of dancing feet rejoicing after a season of sorrow, hearts and minds digging deeper into the riches of God’s goodness, the swish of those falling more in love with God,  the pounding of ideas building and buttressing beginnings of a new day of justice and mercy dawning, the flutter of angels wings coming to carry a loved one home, or the prevalence of wonderful words announcing breathlessly the coming of new light, new love, new life, new courage, new hope. Some sounds can only be perceived with spiritual ears.

Just as a human does not have the capacity to hear a dog whistle because certain sounds are above the human registry, there are certain things we cannot hear or understand unless we are hearing at a certain level of willingness and obedience in prayer. So it is, if we come to Jesus, bringing our listening ears, we will be able to hear the good news that is above our normal register. May it be so today and always.[slide # 12 God is speaking…] Amen. [slide # 13 Grant your servants…]