November 1, 2020 All Saints Day Matthew 5.1-12 “Upside Down: Heaven Is Hell” Pastor Jacqueline Hine

 This is week # 30 and we are cautiously worshipping inside because it is too cold to stay outside, but we are grateful for the weeks that we were able to meet outside. The joy of the Lord was certainly our strength.  

Since our lives have been turned upside down in some ways, it seems fitting to have as our November theme, Upside Down because we know when we put our lives in God’s hands, God will make things right side up again, even where things are turned upside down. It is true that some of us are more at ease with life’s roller coasters than others. Nevertheless, life is what it is, isn’t it?

Most of us have had a long history of being a part of a church. Church is woven into our culture. It is so common to see a church in every neighborhood. Church has been, for the most part, a happy place. Church is a place of peace and fun and serious missions. We are happily surrounded by friends, family, and loved ones who care about us. Weddings, funerals, suppers and mission meetings provide deep bonding and relationship building experiences. Church is a happy place when it is a happy place.

On the days when church is not as happy as it could be, the beatitudes, remind us of the attitudes we need to have in order to keep God’s children together and blessed. The word blessed means happy. We have the beatitudes to remind us, on a good day as well as a sad day, to be happy anyway…we can sing hallelujah anyhow…never gonna let these troubles get me down…when those troubles come my way, I will hold my head up high and say, hallelujah anyhow.

Jesus teaches us – blessed or happy are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. when we not so spirited, not so pumped up, not so excited about life, especially not overinflated about our own self sufficiency, then we are more reliant and dependent upon the God who gives us the kingdom of heaven which Romans 14 tells us is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Who can ask for more than righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, for does that not lead to all the good that we could ever hope for?

The word Spirit is also translated as “breath.” In this season of covid-19 infections, we are subject to become poor in our breathing. As we become breathless, God is still with us to bless us in spite of whatever we lack.

Jesus teaches, blessed are those who mourn. Why? Because they shall be comforted! This is a precious promise. In television and movie dramas and perhaps in our own lives we have seen persons overcome in a moment of grief and despair until someone comes and holds them tightly and their tears are absorbed into someone’s shoulder and their convulsions are softened by the arms embracing them and their moaning and groaning are echoed by the hearts that have joined them. Somehow, someway God comforts us, soothes us, and holds us until the night has passed.

Recently Benita told us the story of how day after day she could not stop crying when her brother passed away. Sophie, a lab, the family dog came into her room and stayed with her time and time again. The dog had never done that before. Benita was not even aware that the dog had come until several days later. God comes to comfort us whenever we mourn. Clouds of sadness may overshadow God’s presence, nevertheless God’s presence is real and God’s presence to comfort matters. Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.

Jesus teaches, blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. The meek are not week. The meek are teachable. They are not know-it-alls, they are alert and ready to learn from all that Jesus teaches. The meek shall inherit the earth. In our Zoom class this week, someone pondered why anyone would want this earth. Shouldn’t we aim for Heaven instead? Others remarked about our need to obey God’s direction to care for the beautiful planet God has given us. If we are meek, that is teachable, we are learning how to take care of the earth and we will have the abundant blessings that come from caring as we await the new earth.

Jesus teaches, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Just like we are hungry for physical food, we are hungry for spiritual food. We hunger to do the right thing. We thirst for truth that sets us free. We will not be left empty-handed. God has an overflow of help through the Holy Spirit working in our lives. Hopefully, we will not lose our appetites for God’s goodness. God’s love is an appetizer. God’s word is the milk and honey, the meat and potatoes and fresh vegetables and fruit that sustain us when we hunger and thirst for that which only God can provide.

Jesus teaches blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. It is interesting that Paul tells the church in Colossae to show mercy with cheerfulness. It reminds us that God loves a CHEERFUL GIVER. Giving mercy where mercy is needed takes a big heart full of love and forgiveness to those who may least deserve it, for those who have made big mistakes or who are least available to give us what we want from them the most. But, since we are all human, we may be the one to make a big mistake and to be unable to give back what is most expected. Let us be merciful for we may be the one who reaps the good we have sown.

A good example of mercy happened this week when a drug store was looted in Philadelphia. The owner, a pharmacist fills hundreds of prescriptions every day. He watched his security video of people emptying the shelves. He saw drugs lining the sidewalk as people dropped and ran. Even with the glass in his door missing, he opened up for business in order to serve as he has done for the last 37 years. He could have given up. He could have gotten even. Instead, he is showing mercy. It is costing him and perhaps he has shed bitter tears. Nevertheless, he is showing mercy. God bless him!

Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. God’s word and God’s way is everywhere, but not everyone can see it. Once in a youth Sunday sermon Doug showed a video of young people playing with a ball. Viewers were asked to count the times certain players passed a ball. While most viewers were focused on counting, they were not aware of their surroundings. Half those watching the video missed something very important that happened in the video. It is easy to miss seeing how God is working in our world when we are so focused on something else. It is easy to miss hearing God’s word when there is so much noise and chatter going on.

God’s word always seems to turn our world upside down. If our life is filled with worldly pleasures, look out. God’s word will come and give us something puzzling to think about and perhaps even a bitter pill to swallow to help us get ourselves together. If our life is turbulent and troubled, God’s word comes bringing sweet honey and beautiful roses to lift our spirits. God’s word guides us in every season of our lives!

Jesus teaches us that the peacemakers will be called the children of God. It is so like God to bring peace. Peace is divine. I hope the family of Walter Wallace is surrounded by peacemakers. I hope the businesses who were looted this week have met some children of God. I trust there are peacemakers on the police force, in the National Guard and in the White House with whoever may be occupying the oval office.

It is true that there is no justice when there is no peace. What will it take for us to do justice? It seems that doing justice is a decision we all must make every hour of every day.

This week there was a documentary of very wealthy people who did unconscionable things in order to get their children into college. At first I thought it was just a few thousand dollars donated to influence admission committees to turn a blind eye to exaggerated applications and low scores of these students. It turns out that this was a deeply rooted and wicked scheme. There were nearly one thousand students whose parents along with coaches, administrators, lawyers, CEO’s, actors, and intellectuals who were willing to take hundreds and thousands of dollars in exchange for changing SAT tests scores, lying on applications and worse. One journalist remarked that these parents paid 43 million dollars in fake donations which they wrote off with the IRS as a charitable contribution, saving them 10 million dollars which, the journalist notes, is paid by poor and working class citizens.

Even when we do the right thing, even when we accomplish acts of mercy and kindness, there may be those who don’t appreciate us and who may even mean to harm us. What does Jesus tell us to do? His words seem to be wrong side up, but they are designed to turn our world right side up. He says “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. In other words, when we see hell on the horizon, we should also be able to see God’s hand working to create something heavenly in us and around us. Let it be so today and always!

Let us pray…

Merciful God, we have seen you working in our world and even in our lives. What wonders you have worked within us. What great things you have done through us. What marvels you have performed around us. What blessings you have provided to us. We pause to give you thanks and pray that you would help us to bow before you, yielded and still, to be ever faithful in response to your constant love for us. And when it seems like hell is on the horizon, we would focus on you and see the holy work of your hand making something heavenly in spite of it all. We pray as you taught the disciples.

Our father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

We trust this message is allowing the Holy Spirit to work in your heart. Next week's message, “Upside Down: Stupid is as Stupid Does” will focus on Matthew 25.  

If you would like to make your contribution to the great ministry and mission of Bethel, the website is Bethelumchurch.com

Or you can send it to 952 Bethel Church Road, Spring City, Pa. 19475. God bless you! 

 

 

 

 

October 25 2020 Pastor Jacqueline Hines Shick Shack Meditation – “The Church is the Only Bride of Christ!”

A journalist reported a few years ago that she was the only doctor in a worn torn country in the Middle East. The people were living in a battle zone. Yet, the doctor noted, families were still planning weddings. I marveled at the idea that love persisted and prevailed during the very worst of circumstances. Weddings are proof that love is always on our minds.

Revelations tells us that the Lamb of God, sent to save the world, was to have a wedding. The Lamb of God, scorned, beaten, and crucified, was getting married. And all who are invited are blessed. Matthew 22 talks about a wedding feast where the invited guests refused to come. They were busy living their lives. Some of the invited guests lived violent lives. When the invitation was delivered by UPS or FEDEX or the postal person – whoever - delivered it – that delivery person was beaten up or killed, for just delivering an invitation. That just does not make sense. There had to be some political mess going on back then, too. Don’t you think?

Weddings help us keep the main thing, the main thing. We all know, love is the main thing. We need the uplift that weddings bring us. Cultures around the world celebrate weddings with various traditions. Although, in the Congo, a couple is not supposed to smile before they are married. If they do, it is said that they are not taking their marriage seriously. In Cuba, every man that dances with the bride must pen some money onto her bridal gown to help pay for the wedding and the honeymoon.  Russian couples take a bite out of specially prepared bread with interlocking rings and whoever gets the biggest bite is considered the head of the family. In India, folks bond the night before a wedding, applying hours of skin art that can last two weeks. We used to throw rice because it is a seed that grows as we pray their love will grow. Filipinos may release two white doves to symbolize peace and harmony. The morning after a German wedding reception, couples are out sweeping up pottery that was thrown on the ground and broken by the guests to ward off evil spirits that try to get into the relationship. As they work together the next morning to sweep away the pieces, it is said that they will be able to deal with any challenges that are thrown at them. A Chinese classmate stunned me as she told that red is the color of success, fertility, loyalty, honor and love. (Our American way of red valentines and red roses may be connected.) A Chinese bride might even wear a red bridal gown! Our traditions of love are deep and wide.

A college janitor tells the story of cleaning the floors in the girl’s dorms a few times. He says, “One thing that astounded me as I went from room to room was the large pin-up pictures and posters of brides on the walls. Some of these girls had pictures taken from BRIDE magazine all over their walls. I might add that some of these girls didn’t even have boyfriends yet. It didn’t seem to matter whether marriage was imminent or not, the idea of being a bride and wearing a beautiful white gown with a veil was the biggest dream on some of these girl’s minds.

Dreams and fantasies make our world go round. Still, we cannot dream our lives away. If we want a dream to come true, we do well to work it. Or as one friend often says, “Love is blind, but marriage opens both of your eyes.”

In the bible, the church is the bride of Christ, who is the Lamb of God. We are constantly preparing ourselves to be the most beautiful and loving bride that we can be. We are the Church and we are the only bride. It is our love and devotion that matters. It our care that counts. It is tenderness that heals.

In the Matthew 22 wedding feast, we see that those who were originally invited wanted no parts of Jesus or us - his bride - the Church, so the invitation went to all who were willing and available to attend. There was one who showed up who was not dressed for a wedding. No excuse was given and we are left to wonder exactly what his motive could have been.

Those who come to witness a wedding and to celebrate our covenant, a covenant between a loving bride and the precious Lamb of God, come ready to celebrate. When we prepare, we are the most beautiful and wonderful bride. Then all invited guests and witnesses have something wonderful to celebrate! The Church is a wonderful bride preparing and ever ready to love in the best of times as well as the hardest of times. Amen.

October 25, 2020 “Paul & the Church in Philippi: Opposition” 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Pastor Jacqueline Hines

 

Week number 29 and it is time as always to trust God and live like we know God is real!

 Today, we are reminded of God’s love for the church in Philippi and Paul’s loving service during a pandemic of persecution.

 Paul was the founding pastor of the church in Philippi. He was very happy to be the leader of people who followed Jesus. Paul was in love with the church and the church was in love with Paul.

 Everybody was as happy as could be in the beginning of the marriage. Their union was blessed and celebrated. When Paul could not be home with the church, he wrote love letters. The love letters addressed the many issues that have to be addressed in any relationship. All relationships need regular attention and maintenance. Relationships that are meaningful and deep require dialogue and a willingness to straighten out whatever is crooked in a relationship. Relationships that work require work.

 Somehow in our world of instant this and instant that, we have grown to expect love and quality relationships to involve no work at all. And God forbid that anything should need fixing in our relationships. Broken things ruin the moment. We are quicker to replace and to trash relationships that are broken rather than to fix them.

 

As is often the case, a relationship that breaks after a brief period of time, one might say, “We get what we pay for.” If we give a little, we may just get a little. If our foundation of love and care is shallow, we should not expect anything deep, should we?

 Scriptures tell us that the relationship between Paul and the church had some depth and meaning. He writes:

 

 Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

2 You know, brothers and sisters that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children[a] among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

 

Paul declared his love for the church, yet he noted that love was a challenge, in fact it, at times it was rather painful. Verse tells us in verse 2 We had already suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know…

 

Acts 16 tells us just how he suffered. 

The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully.

 

Have YOU ever been persecuted for your faith? Frowned at, treated rudely for being a Christian. Most of us have not, much less been beaten and jailed like Paul was.

 

A Bethel member reported recently that there are more modern day martyrs than there have been during any time in history. Where would we be without our faith in God when unspeakable and terrible things happen in this world?

It is faith that forces us to withstand when we see around the world – with our own eyes – not the eyes of the pages of history synagogues and churches being bombed, co-workers and teachers being decapitated when they share thoughts deemed disrespectful to some.

 The governor of Alabama extended an apology to one of the little girls that survived the KKK bombing of the 16^th Street Baptist Church. The bomb was placed under a stairwell. It went off before during the Sunday school hour before service began. Four little girls were killed because of that bomb. Sarah Collins Rudolph, survived. He 14 year old sister Addie Mae died. Sarah is now 69 years old, blind in one eye, and has spent her life dealing with the physical and mental pain of the bombing. She is a victim of the persecuted church.

 

News pops up on my phone all day, every day and most of it I do not even believe it, until it comes up on another more familiar and credible source. The news can be sickening, debilitating, demoralizing. What’s wrong with this world? We cry out like Jesus, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken us?” Why is there so much opposition when we are only trying to do good?

 

We wonder if God is judging the world by allowing certain things to happen, things we consider unbelievable, undesirable and sometimes unspeakable. Others suggest that God is not judging the world. God is judging the church. Where does the church fall short? When I was a young seminarian, someone came through the dormitories and placed flyers advertising a pornographic cable channel for purchase. Did that cable company actually think they had cornered a market in the Christian seminary? What do you think? What is your experience? What is God calling Christians to do better? If we as Christians get our ducks in a row, would we be able to turn this world right side up again? Is God judging the world, or is God judging the church?

 

Either way, God uses the church for great and marvelous things. Many are blessed in extraordinary and miraculous ways. The church has a mission and ministry that cannot be fulfilled in a country club, a little league team, a community center or any other organization. We are unique because as the song says:

 

We serve a risen savior, he is in the world today.

We know that He is living, whatever others may say

We see His hand of mercy, We hear His voice of cheer

And just the time we need Him He's always near

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today

He walks with us and talks with us

Along life's narrow way

He lives, He lives, Salvation to impart

You ask me how I know He lives.

He lives within my heart.

 

As we discussed in the Monday Meditation this week, there are many who call themselves Christian who are really not Christians deep down in their hearts and in their habits. They may be Chreasters, who come to church on Christmas and Easter. That is not a real bad thing because at least they are coming to church. What did Jesus say about those who were not doing church like we do church. According to Luke 9, he said “Leave them alone! If they are not against us, they are for us.”

 

God knows the church is not a perfect bride. God still chooses us and loves us. Darryll reminded me this week that Dr. James Dobson affirms the idea that God blesses America, God withholds harsher judgments on America because we sacrifice for the sake of missions and we affirm the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people.

I cannot argue against that. I am convinced that God has blessed America.

 

Even though we know that the church is not always a safe or helpful place for sinners who mess up. All too often stories are told of folks shying away from the church when they are targets of gossip or rejection or rage or the violence of silence or made to feel ashamed.

 

Some know that the church is not always a safe place for those who want to do right, either. Even Christians are so human. We stone the prophets and rub elbows with the mischief makers. It is tempting to work to win the favor of our brothers and sisters rather than to please God. It is because of God’s grace and mercy that we are yet alive to be the church.

 

We are alive and often we are well. Still there are opposing forces. Paul sent a letter to another church, the church in Ephesus reminding them to be strong in the Lord because we are in a wrestling match, not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers. Paul talked about not one place of opposition, but two… against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world AND against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

 

We are not strong because of any brute force, belittling, or bullying. We are strong when we pray together, unite together, seeking God diligently, serving God faithfully, and obeying God quickly! May it be so today and always. Let us pray…

 

God of our past, present, future, how we cling to you today, dismissing our fears and trusting that you have begun a good work in us that is not yet finished. We are trusting that you have a purpose and plan for our wellbeing and our victory over sin and confusion. We believe, Lord that no weapon formed against us shall prosper, but your will will be done on earth among us as it is ordained in heaven. We pray as you taught us. 

Our father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

We trust this message is allowing the Holy Spirit to work in your heart. Next week we begin a new theme – “Upside Down – Heaven Is Hell” around Matthew 5. If you would like to make your contribution to the great ministry and mission of Bethel, the website is

Or you can send it to 952 Bethel Church Road, Spring City, Pa. 19475. 

 God bless you!

 

 

 

 

LAITY SUNDAY October 18, 2020 THEREFORE, GO! WITH HOPE THROUGH ENGAGEMENT Donna Kunsch

LAITY SUNDAY October 18, 2020

 THEREFORE, GO!  WITH HOPE THROUGH ENGAGEMENT

Donna Kunsch

 

“Greetings, welcome to Laity Sunday.  Today is the day that we take the time to celebrate the good works of the congregation at Bethel.  This is the fourth year in a series entitled Therefore, Go with HOPE.  HOPE being an acronym in which the H was for Hospitality, O for Offer Christ, P for Purpose, and today the E is for Engagement, Helping transform the surrounding community.  I could say it is rather ironic that this would be the year of engagement.  However, everything is in God’s timing, so how appropriate it falls in this unusual year.  How to stay engaged with each other has been the focus point of many businesses and churches these past 8 months.  Through engagement, we as a congregation connect gifts with ministry opportunities, develop leaders, and empower disciples to go out and engage in relationships that build the body of Christ.  As individuals we are to engage others outside our church by using our talents, gifts, and skills to share God’s love through our words and actions.

 

Engagement has certainly taken on new meaning this year.  The year 2020 has brought challenges to gathering in person that we never could have fathomed.  This year, our celebrations of lay calling and leadership take place in the shadows of global pandemic, economic uncertainty, political unrest, and the conviction that the crippling racism still plaguing our communities must end.  The many months of stay at home orders have heightened our sense of loneliness.  We longed for the in-person connection with each other.  For me personally it was especially hard not being able to see my grandson for three months.  It was heartbreaking having to drop his birthday gifts off at the end of the sidewalk while he stood in the doorway and watched.  I just wanted to give him a big hug and a kiss.  However, we stayed engaged by celebrating his 3^rd birthday virtually.  We all wore funny hats and watched him open his gifts and sing Happy Birthday.  We made the best of the situation.

 

We have all missed many “normal” celebrations this year:  Easter Sunday, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and weddings just to name a few.  It’s hard to have hope when there is so much unrest and uncertainty in our lives.  Through this experience we all know what it is like to be shut-in and isolated.  A light has been shown on many we hadn’t seen before, people for a variety of reasons who haven’t had access to the in-person experiences of grace we used to take for granted.  It has made us question; can we still be Christ’s witnesses?  Can we still respond to those in need?  I want you to know the answer is a resounding yes!

 

While it’s tempting to think that everything has changed and how we interact with each other is very different in our social distancing and online environments, be sure some things remain the same.  Our mission and calling to grow deeper in love continue in the way God uses lay efforts to engage all people in authentic relationships and connections.  It is through these relationships outside the boundaries of weekly worship and church life that are creating new definitions of spiritual depth.  In times such as these, laity are the eyes and ears of ministry in their communities.  It means having eyes to see and ears to hear God’s call coming through those who need our compassion, help, care, and support.

 

Today I want to highlight some of the ways Bethel has remained engaged with each other and our community.  We have adapted to online Youtube sermons, Aubrey continued the weekly Sunday morning Seekers class first by phone and then Zoom (where would we be without Zoom this year?), Janet Hunter continued to reach out to the children by providing lessons and activities on the BCP Facebook page, we implemented the Monday Evening Meditations, the Bethel Baguette, the Pastor conducted a confirmation class resulting in 2 new confirmands joining our church, we held social distancing prayer walks at the church, we hired a Youth Director Kristen Starner and she has already held several youth activities, we continued support to the food pantry, held a lasagna dinner to benefit our preschool, we sent cards, or made phone calls to stay in touch with each other, and now we are having outdoor social distancing worship services.  There are many more ways that I have not mentioned here.  The point is, that even in times such as these, we have remained engaged.

 

In keeping with the Pastor’s theme this month, our scripture reading this morning is out of the book of Philippians.  Paul’s letter urged them to be joyful.  As noted, he told them to rejoice in the Lord always, and he even repeated it.  Paul knew that they were facing challenges and discouragement in their lives, just as we are today.  Christians are to be joyful in every circumstance, even when things seem so chaotic, even when we feel like complaining, even when no one else is joyful.  Christ still reigns, and we still know him, therefore we can rejoice at all times.  In Jesus there is both hope and promise. 

 

As your Lay Leader, I thank you for your perseverance, for letting your gentleness be evident to all, and I encourage you to keep up the good works!  In these uncertain days we can have the assurance that God holds our future.  I will close with some lyrics from my favorite song.  But greater still the calm assurance this child can face uncertain days because He lives.  Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.  Because He lives, all fear is gone.  Because I know He holds the future and life is worth the living just because He lives.  Because He lives, we can face tomorrow with all of its challenges and uncertainties.  Let us “see all the people” that are in need of this gift of grace.  Therefore, Go!  Amen.

October 11, 2020 Shick Shack Meditation: “We Vote,…God Elects” Pastor Jacqueline Hines

 Even in the church in Philippi, known as the “happy church,” we find two women. Euodia and Syntyche fighting. We are told they were good people, great servants of the Lord and a big help to the Apostle Paul. We are given no details about what the conflict was, but it was big enough to stir up much concern and anxiety. Paul writes to the whole church saying in verse 2 “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, [referring to the beloved congregation,] help these women…”

I wonder if the people started grumbling, “That’s none of my business… it’s between the two of them…I don’t want to get involved… they are beyond help…I don’t like conflict. I am too nervous to say anything…”

If Rodney King were a member of the happy church, we know what he would say, “Can’t we just all get along?”

No, we can’t, Mr. King. We cannot just do what it takes to get along. We cannot. At least, we can’t do it without the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, guiding us to a place of justice and peace. We cannot do God’s will in bringing unity, harmony, togetherness in this or any church without letting the Holy Spirit get inside of our heart and mind to help us. God wants to help us!!

Billy Graham said if you really, really, really want to do God’s will, “…the key is to become more and more like Christ. If we are ignorant of God’s Word, we will always be ignorant of God’s will. When we are at a point of decision about choices in life, and it is not contrary to God’s Word, start moving in that direction. Ask Him to close doors and open others. What grieves the heart of God is when we deliberately make a choice that is in conflict with His truth. God will never—never—lead us to do something that is contrary to His written Word.”

Christians in churches everywhere all the time pray the Lord’s prayer – thy will be done….thy will be done!…it’s hard to pray a prayer I pray from time to time “God, help us to do your will, and not our own.”

Greats like King David was led to pray in Psalm 143, “Lord, teach me to do your will.” Mary, the mother of Jesus surrendered her will, saying to the angel Gabriel, “Let it be done to me according to your word – the word that God had chosen her to bear the savior of the world. We have all sung that song from time to time, “I surrender all, I surrender all. All to Jesus, I surrender. I surrender all!

There is an urgent need for us to surrender our all to Jesus, as best we can. For practicing our faith makes us better Christians. It does not make us perfect Christians. We see how things work when we go our own way instead of God’s way. This week there was a violent plot to storm the Michigan State Capitol and kidnap the Governor. More than 50 people have driven cars into peaceful protestors. Can’t we all get along?

One of our United Methodist churches wants to disaffiliate. They believe that LGBTQ persons are not treated equally. They are praying people. If they leave, I believe they will leave in peace. If they stay, I believe they will stay in peace. I believe they have carefully and thoughtfully surrendered to God’s will. No matter what things look like in the end, God can be glorified!

We cannot look at circumstances in life to determine that God’s will is being done or not being done. Circumstances may be in favor of one situation while God uses it as a stepping stone to another situation. As soon as we draw one conclusion, we may be surprised that there is a lot more to the story. 

Paul Harvey had a program called The Rest of the Story. He would share mysterious and little known facts about history that were surprising. We can’t put God in a box and decide that when something bad happens to someone that it is God’s will and judgment. A situation that we run from may turn out to be the best thing that ever happens to us. Our attitudes often change for the better when bad things happen. We learn valuable lessons and we try to pass something good on to others. Bad things happen for us, not to us.

Covid is a nightmare filled with all kinds of evil demons and hardships. Yet, there are still blessings to be counted as well as tears to be shed. We are still finding ways to be a blessing, every day in ways large and small.

There are also situations that seem good, but they can be the worst thing that could ever happen. Stories are of told of youth hanging out in malls. Some may be lonely or running away from abusive home lives. I heard a man who I think eventually became a state trooper, say he was once a sex slave trafficker. He talked about going into malls and finding troubled youth, especially girls who were good looking but did not believe they were pretty. He made them feel good. Then he would trap them into his wicked snare to make money. The innocent victims, believed the love and attention they got at first was good, but it was really bad.

As this country elects a president as we have done since 1789, 231 years, we will vote…but in the midst of the chaos and confusion, God elects one person in the hopes that we could agree with God and be of one mind while we watch the rest of the story unfold, while we wait for God to give us guidance that we might do what we need to do to be a part of the story that glorifies our God.

Paul pleaded with Euodia and Syntyche to be of one mind in the Lord and he pleaded with the church to help them. What’s a church to do? We must foster an atmosphere or harmony, peace, unity, oneness, respect, peace and joy. We must give or give up some things, and other times we must take some losses, take what we get or take up our cross.

We must decide to agree on one Godly thing to do – even if it is a bitter pill to swallow for one or the other or even both parties. For, there is no better peace than the peace God gives us when we decide to do what God is telling us to do because by faith and the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, we can all just get along. May it be so today! Amen.

 

 

October 11, 2020 Paul and the Church in Philippi: Prayer, Pleasing, Peace and Purity – Philippians 4.1-9 Pastor Jacqueline Hines

 

It is the 27^th week of worshipping in the covid pandemic…wonder what it will be like at week 50. Will cases subside? Will we be free to gather safely with masks or without masks? God knows…and God cares.

Our music selection is by Donna Upson. 

We have to love the Apostle Paul for his love for God’s children. He was so dedicated. Paul was always religious, but he was not always a Christian.

There is a difference you know. Paul was a strong-minded, lion-hearted, God-fearing Jewish brother. Paul was a scholar trained under the great Gamaliel in Jerusalem. Gamaliel was known as a distinguished and popular Rabbi, known for great wisdom and his extremely excellent grasp of all the religious laws. If you wanted to know anything about whether you the law allowed you to eat lam or shrimp, how to determine justice for someone whose cow was stolen and whose was lost. Gamaliel was your guy. People trusted him to get past the bull. He was the rabbi who encouraged Paul to be merciful to those who were breaking away from Jewish traditions and following Christ, instead of what Paul was doing, which was sending them to court for blasphemy and possible execution. We see similar laws of blasphemy that call for execution even in our lifetime. He said, wisely, that these Christians won’t last unless God wills it so, leave them be. Gamaliel’s teaching, no doubt, saved lives.

Paul was what some might call fierce and legalistic. He prayed several times a day as required, he attended Temple. He heard God’s voice in the scriptures and in the law as well as the Mosaic Covenant. Like John Wesley, he appreciated scripture, but he also was a product of his culture and he a respected the religious traditions. He had meaningful religious experiences that caused him to reflect, to reason and think about the laws he so fiercely obeyed.

Paul was also humble as well as obedient, yet he had an open mind. He was teachable, so when Jesus stopped him in his tracks, he listened to Jesus and he affirmed a new covenant, a new way. Paul put as much energy into loving Christians after he became a Christian, as he did when he was trying to wipe Christians off the face of the earth.

Paul loved the people in the church in Philippi. He urged them to pray because he knew the power and the intimacy with God that came through prayer. He urged them to think about, to focus on what is pleasing to God and to one another, to find God’s peace and to be as pure in heart as possible. Prayer, pleasing, purity, and peace is our focus for these few minutes.

Verse six says, ⁶Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

After my mother had been sent to Manatawny Manor for rehab after a fall, she stopped eating, which is often a sign of getting ready to leave this world. When I told her that I was worried that she was not eating, she spoke her last words to me. “If you are going to pray, don’t worry. If you are going to worry, don’t pray.” That was good wisdom. We need to pray about everything because if it matters to us, it matters to God.

While on a tour of John Wesley's home in England, seminary students in the 1940's saw knee prints in the carpet where he is said to have prayed hours for revival. God answered his prayer. He was instrumental in the Great Awakening of the 1730's and 1740's. Hundreds turned to Christ in England and the colonies!

Professor Orr realized one less student was counted on the bus, so he went back only to discover the missing student, his knees were inside Wesley's knee prints, and he was praying, "Do it, again, Lord, and do it with me." That student was the Rev. Billy Graham. God also answered his prayer for revival. Perhaps there is a prayer in your heart, for revival, for healing, for courage, for change. Whatever it is – pray and trust God, and don’t worry.

 

Paul loved the church enough to tell them to put their mind on pleasing things. Verse 8 says, 

8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

 They say a smile is a frown turned upside down, and it takes more muscles and more energy to frown than it does to smile. At times Christians have to remind their faces that joy is a gift from God. It is common for many to look serious and sober, even irritated and dissatisfied. We live in a world of upsets, discouragements, and irritants. It takes constant effort to “Let go, and let God.” It is good to “Lay our burdens down, down by the riverside…” It does us no good to hold on to negativity or anything but God. When we hold on to God’s unchanging hand, we are led, spiritually and often physically, beside the still waters and we get to lie down in green pastures…that is more pleasant to think about than the catastrophes and troubles that may come our way. Thinking about things that are pleasing is good for the mind, body, and soul.

When I worked at Cokesbury Bookstore years ago, there was a coworker who could not manage the cash register. She tried very hard, but became more and more frustrated. The customers were frustrated and some coworkers were frustrated and even angry or rude – quite unpleasant. Finally, she was let go.

During the next big sale day, the lines stretched out the door and lots of folk were either picking up or making special orders of bibles and music, she stood in line for about a half hour. When she came to my register, she had nothing to purchase. She just whispered in my ear how grateful she was that I was not mean to her while she was struggling. I melted, and felt a little embarrassed that she was so extraordinarily humble.

It is nice to be appreciated for doing good, but it doesn’t mean the struggle is over. A few weeks ago, I got a call from my bank that a check I received from the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference I had deposited on my phone had bounced. I was not a happy camper. I tried to smile and use my polite – it’s going to be ok voice, but my irritation at having to fix the mistake they (obviously) made probably leaked out anyway.

Three tellers came to figure out what to do. When one of them told me the Conference check probably bounced because of insufficient funds, I begged to differ. I said, “Ma’am, it was not because of insufficient funds.” My voice was probably more matter-of-fact, than polite at this point. It was a perfect example of my needing to let go and let God, to lay my burdens of worry and frustration down by the riverside and lie flat down face first in the pleasant green pastures and enjoy the still waters that God provides for all of us. Instead of calling her ma’am and giving her a fact check and a piece of my mind which I could not afford to lose, I could have taken her with me to the pleasant green pastures and she too could have enjoyed the still waters that God provides, instead of the prickly pear that she may have experienced from me.

Finally, Paul asked the church he loved to think about things that are pure.  8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, ….

We may have a difficult time thinking of things that are pure. It may be easier to say the opposite of pure – that is sacrilegious, profane, foul, wicked.

Youth rally is cancelled this year due to Covid, but each year, our youth come back with their faith renewed. We ask them to share heartwarming stories of the event that impacted them deeply. One year they came back with a slogan that was repeated by youth and adults. They said it in order to monitor their behavior. They would ask out loud, “Is it holy?”

When we ask the question of ourselves and our behavior, we may immediately put ourselves in a wrestling match with our will versus God’s will, and if we let God have God’s way in our life, sooner or later, God will win the battle and as Paul said to the church in Philippi, 

⁹Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

In this season of Covid, therapists tell us that people are more anxious and troubled. They are looking for peace in pills. Some are drinking more alcohol. I have wondered if people who are destroying property and themselves and others are like the folks I have known who are traumatized and victimized to the point of crying in the wilderness, “No justice, no peace!” They remind me of young people who are doing what psychologists call “cutting.” They take a knife and cut their skin over and over, for feeling the pain in their bodies is a way to dull the pain in their hearts and minds. Those hurting and crying out for justice remind me of people desperately searching for peace in pills and liquor bottles. They are desperately self-destructive.

Just when we wonder if the pain would go away, just when we wonder if there will ever be peace, we remember that there is a way that leads to peace. It is God’s way. We have to trust and hope that God is making a way, even out of no way.

Researcher Chan Hellman, Ph.D tells us that since 2000, ““In every published study of hope (2000 studies+) hope is the single best predictor of well-being compared to any other measures of trauma recovery.”

Paul gave the Philippians the hope of peace thorough prayer, thinking about what is pure and positive and pleasing to God and to each other. May we find such healing hope today and always.

I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus. We cannot bear these burdens alone. He is a kind compassionate friend. In my distress

He kindly will help me. He ever cares and loves His own. Lord, God almighty, we cannot bear these burdens alone. Our burdens of fear, our worries about our health, our family, our future, our finances – we place them at the altar, confident that you care for us and you have a purpose and plan and you will guide us to fulfill your good will.

We pray as you taught the disciples:

Our father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

We trust this message has strengthened you for your journey with Jesus. Next week is laity Sunday and our faithful lay leader Donna Kunsch will be bringing the message entitled - THEREFORE, GO!  WITH HOPE THROUGH ENGAGEMENT

If you would like to make your contribution to the great ministry and mission of Bethel, the website is 

Or you can send it to 952 Bethel Church Road, Spring City, Pa. 19475.

October 4, 2020 World Wide Communion Sunday “Paul and the Church in Philippi: The Prize” Pastor Jacqueline Hines

In this 25^th week, we are yet holding on! To God be the glory. Great things God has done.

Enjoy this musical selection. 

The church in Philippi was known as the happy church. Philippi is in the country of Greece. Philippi was named after Philip II of Macedon born about 400 years before Christ. He lost his right eye in battle.

He was the father of Alexander the Great. Because Philippi was like a gold rush town, people were anxious to settle there and make their fortune. To bring some order, Phillip protected the native citizens of Philippi by developing what I imagine was a sort of gated community, at least a policed community. No doubt, that protection brought some stability and peace to the area.

Each of us appreciates a sense of protection and security. Can you imagine living in a country where the military is weak? The U.S. military is strong.

It is trained and equipped to fight to protect and secure our liberty lest we be carried off at gunpoint by a stronger military force.

Can you imagine being a part of a church that is weak and unwilling or unable to fight our spiritual enemies? The United Methodist church as well as many other denominations is trained and equipped to fight and secure Godly peace, justice, and freedom lest we be taken hostage by our sins or the sins of our neighbor. 

I like to think that with so many people coming and going in Philippi for the peace and comfort, they learned to get along with people from a variety of places and situations partly because they felt some security that the government would protect them if need be.

It was in Philippi that Paul found folks who opened their mind to the gospel and cooperated together. That made them happy. It is a wonderful blessing to be happy, especially when all around you all hell is breaking loose. Paul wrote the letter to the church in Philippi while he was being detained for sharing his faith. Like us during this pandemic, he found a way to be happy in Jesus, to rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS as he writes in Chapter 4, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again,…” he says “REJOICE.”

There are reasons to rejoice in the midst of the Covid pandemic just as there are reasons to rejoice in other times of hardship. As faithful Christians, it is our job to know the reasons God has put around us to rejoice. 

The Christian life is not about us. It is about the father, son, and Holy Ghost fulfilling a purpose and a plan that we are a part of, but not in charge of. Our goal is to please God, knowing that there is a reward, there is a prize for answering God’s call. Paul wrote to the church in Philippi to encourage them to keep on keeping on, to press on and do whatever they needed to do to win that prize.

He ways – Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. ¹³Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

The world has enough trouble and sorrow, especially right now. If we do not find ways to rejoice, to celebrate, and to be happy, we will find ourselves on sinking sand. On this world wide communion Sunday, we see that it is good that we prayerfully connect to our sisters and brothers near and far because as that song from the 80’s told us: We are the world, We are the children, We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving, There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives, It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me.

John Wesley was known to be a very serious preacher. Apparently, most people probably thought he wasn’t very joyful. He wrote: You seem to apprehend that I believe religion to be inconsistent with cheerfulness and with a sociable, friendly temper. So far from it, that I am convinced, as true religion or holiness cannot be without cheerfulness, so steady cheerfulness, on the other hand, cannot be without holiness or true religion.
And I am equally convinced that true religion has nothing sour, austere, unsociable, or unfriendly in it.  Are you for having so much cheerfulness as you can?  So am I.”

There are times when we must intentionally put on a happy face in order to endure tough times. When I am particularly stressed, I wear a bracelet that says, “Smile at the future.” It reminds me that there is nothing in the future that God and I can’t handle together. When I smile, my body, mind and spirit relax and for that moment, the stress melts away. It is the same way with deep breathing. We can breathe in the breath of life and it fills us from head to toe with goodness, and we can breathe out a worry or a fear – if just for a second or two.

Just like in the book of Acts chapter 2, the Holy Spirit came upon God’s people as a mighty rushing wind and they could not help but praise God. We have seen people in a time of distress. Sometimes they cannot help but cry. We have seen fans in a sports arena who cheered for their team with an exhilaration that you dare not interrupt. Have you ever been in a crowd where they are roaring with laughter? Joy-filled laughter is good medicine.

A few years ago, I was in a large worship service. There was singing and dancing and clapping and before I knew it, I could not help but rejoice and remember over and over and over again the thought, “God is able.” Those words lifted my spirits, seemingly to the highest heavens, and I was overcome with the idea that God is able to fulfill a purpose and a plan to build the kin-dom. In spite of any misery and frustrations, “God is able…”

A few weeks ago, we played a song in outside worship called Even If. It reflects the story of Daniel being persecuted and thrown into a fiery furnace. It says - You've been faithful, You've been good
All of my days Jesus, I will cling to You. Come what may 'Cause I know you're able. I know you can Save through the fire with your mighty hand. But even if you don't my hope is You alone. I know the sorrow, I know the hurt would all go away if you’d just say the word. But even if you don't my hope is you alone. It is well with my soul. It is well, it is well with my soul. That is a song one can only sing when one is full of hope.

John Wesley knew something about that hope. He writes, “About three in the morning as we were continuing instant in prayer, the power of God came mightily upon us, insomuch that many cried out for exceeding joy, and many fell to the ground. As soon as we recovered a little from the awe and amazement at the presence of His Majesty, we broke out with one voice, 'We praise Thee, O God, we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.'

John Wesley

John Wesley (1827). “The Works...”, p.117

It will be hard to live this life, even this Christian life without the joy of the Lord, which is our strength. Certainly, we need strength to love one another, especially when we look around this world and even in our own homes and see that we think and act so differently from one another. At times we must search for that joy or smile to get the joy flowing. Doesn’t the psalmist declare, weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning? At other times, joy will come to us like a mighty rushing wind and lift us above the troubles of this world. God will not leave us empty handed. There will be joy. Be encouraged, my friends. Answer the call. Walk with the king and be a blessing. Follow Jesus wherever he leads you, and you will receive a prize – joy unspeakable. Let us pray. 

God of joy, thank you for using us to build each other up, to heal each other, be kind and loving to one another, to help our family, friends, and neighbors near and far. It is not always easy and thankfully, it is not always hard. Thank you for all your spiritual gifts – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Bless our homes to be a place that bears much fruit, especially the joy that strengthens us for each journey. We surrender our lives to you afresh this day and we pray as you taught the disciples: 

Our father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

We trust this message is food for your souls. Next week we go to Philippians 4 looking at “Paul and the Church in Philippi – Prayer, Pleasing, Peace, and Purity”

If you would like to make your contribution to the great ministry and mission of Bethel, the website is bethelumchurch.com

Or you can send it to 952 Bethel Church Road, Spring City, Pa. 19475.