Won't You Join In?

Preaching and Worship Course
April 21st, 2015
Psalm 30:1-5

Let us pray: Open our ears, O Lord, to hear your word and know your voice. Speak to our hearts and strengthen our wills that we may serve you now and always. Amen.

I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Psalm 30:1-5, KJV)

When I was in high school I was part of the Christian Fellowship. I was the only non-Baptist or Pentecostal, I brought in a New International Version of the bible instead of the “proper” King James Version. I didn’t know many of the praise songs that were sung. I felt like an outcast and like my faith wasn’t as strong. My ideas were turned down and I feared my United Methodist upbringing was “too liberal”. Yet in my junior year of high school we got a new faculty advisor and I began to realize that some of the members of the fellowship only quoted certain books, many of them never touched the Old Testament and despite their front many of them were just as uncertain as I. I left this group that year, still maintaining friendships but believing I needed a break. 
I entered college and decided that if student led Christian fellowships were anything like my high school fellowship I was good without it. Yet God had other plans. During the second week of classes I was walking by the student run café and an older student I had met during orientation invited me in. I hesitantly entered and found it was a meeting for the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, a non-denominational group on campus. I was ready to bolt but was introduced to people who have become lifelong friends. During this event the focus was on fellowship, creating relationships and connecting individuals with small groups. 
I was able to see the potential of Christian community. Fast forward and I ended up leading worship at our group meetings my four years of college, joined the executive board, sang in the Christian A Capella, cemented my faith and discovered my call to ministry. At that first meeting I also made friends with the person who introduced me to my husband four years after that meeting.
“…weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning”
As I look back on this time I see where God was moving, I see the places where I had uncertainty and doubt yet God showed hope, I see the places that God continued to provide answers despite my constant questioning without listening. Today I still have moments of doubt but I am encouraged and I am reminded to give God the glory and praise despite my hesitation. I am inspired that joy is coming in every situation.
In our reading from the book of Psalms we meet a psalmist who is living in relationship with God, who is surprised by God’s grace, who has circumstances and attitudes transformed, who cannot comprehend the things God does but trusts anyway. In Eugene Peterson’s Message translation we find a contemporary version of this text; “I give you all the credit, God—you got me out of that mess, you didn’t let my foes gloat. God, my God, I yelled for help and you put me together. God, you pulled me out of the grave, gave me another chance at life when I was down-and-out. All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God! Thank him to his face! He gets angry once in a while, but across a lifetime there is only love. The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter.”
This should be our testimony to ourselves and others, as we live out each imperfect day on this earth-it gets better. I was told a story of a man who would smile and wave at strangers. When asked why he did this he replied that if I can give someone hope to keep going, encouragement to be deal with any situation why wouldn’t I?
“…weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning”
As we near the end of this semester our worlds seem off kilter, we feel stressed and discouraged, we can’t see the light at the end but God is still working, still moving, still guiding each and every step. Wherever we are in our educational journey it can be hard to understand why God has put us in this place. Friends it’s not until we look back that we clearly see God upholding, encouraging and loving us through those around us. It’s not until we look back that we recognize the blessings and grace that have abounded. 
So even though it seems near impossible it’s time to praise God, offering our thanks for all being done. You cried all night, your life may be in the pits, you’re sorry for something you’ve done; but dawn has broken, and joy comes in the morning. If you can’t feel the dawn, take heart. It’s coming. If joy still feels a long way off, you’re not alone. Some days this joy may be loud and boisterous, some days it may be quiet but beloved let us continue to lift up the name of God, despite our situation and despite our selves. Won’t you join in?

The Community’s Proclamation

The Community’s Proclamation
Second Sunday of Easter
April 12, 2015
Acts 4:32-35
1 John 1:1-2:2

Let us pray: Holy God we come before you a changed people. A people who are clinging to you and each other. A people who want to learn more about following Jesus. Be with us at this time as we listen for your voice O Lord, our strength, and our redeemer. Amen

 What would you change if you were in charge of the world? Would you institute world peace? Free healthcare? Create sustainable food  sources? Free hugs? Affordable housing? Erase student debt? The possibilities are varied and endless but all have the hope that with change we will make the world better in some way.

Friends as we gather together the week after Easter Sunday we are called to be the change, to be people that live out the resurrection promise, serving a risen Savior. We are called to be in community with Christ and one another. We are called to share Gods love and bring light into the darkness of the world. We are called to be hope despite hopelessness. If you've read the headlines of the newspaper or turned on the television you’ve see a world in pain, a world searching for hope, a world hungry for love. As the Church, capital C, we are called to be the balm, the safe haven, the fountain of love for the world.

“The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn’t even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, “That’s mine; you can’t have it.” They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them. And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person’s need.”

In the Message version of our passage from the book of Acts we are shown an early christian community, a community willing to give up all their earthly possessions and die to self that they might live out the example given by Jesus.This community was instructed by the disciples, they heard first hand accounts of the miracles performed. They had eyewitness stories shared with them. The community brought all their possessions together and shared these things where it was needed because they believed in the message of hope and love being told as we also see in 1John.
Earlier in Acts we are told that over 3000 people became followers because of the disciples witness. These first followers felt something; a connection, a pull to change their lives and refocus their energies from the norm. And with this pull came fellowship which is so important still today. One of my favorite moments in church life is when everyone is interacting with one another and catching up, like at coffee hour. This time to be in the presence of one another and God is powerful.

Yet unlike the disciples we don't have firsthand accounts; we have our actions, we have our words, we have faith, we have this community to serve as living example to others. Like the disciples we are supposed to testify to Christs resurrection, share our stories, so we can create and maintain community in this place and beyond these walls. I grew up going to Watchnight Service on New Years Eve. During this service we would have a time of testimony where anyone could come up and share what God had done for them, revelations they had received during the year, or stories about ways they felt God in the every day. It was a beautiful witness of faith that I grew up to cherish. It helped me to see the humanity of leaders I looked up to. I was able to see the possibility in my own life by sharing with others. There is something powerful about hearing someone share their journey in community. There is something important about sharing the ups and downs with others who can understand and support the journey you are on. Without the ups and downs of Holy Week we can miss the true celebration of Easter Sunday; the acknowledgement of Gods sacrifice, the amazingness of conquering death.

This week I had the pleasure of visiting  some of our homebound members. Getting to sit and fellowship with these older members and getting to share in communion with each of them made me heart swell. I was grateful to be able to extend our community beyond these walls and share fellowship and love with each of them. I was reminded how important these intentional interactions are. To be in community is to do more than wave good morning to someone, or show up every sunday. It is an active witness to God's love and power.

In many churches we have now entered an Easter season, a period of 50 days before pentecost where we explore what it means to be Easter people, people who proclaim the goodness of God and share the story of Jesus. So friends what is our community witness one week after Easter Sunday? For some of us this may be one easter season of many, for some this may be the first easter ever. But for all of us this should be a time of change, a radical point where communal life is redefined, a season where we are challenged to create the kingdom of God on this earth.

Now  friends, I am not saying we need to sell all our possessions, or move into compounds together. I’m saying that we need to rethink the purpose  and drive of the things we do. Shift the goals and work towards our dreams. Be a radical community, a transformative people, an imperfect group who aim every day to make the world better.

We have not seen the risen Christ, But we see him in the lives of those transformed by grace. We have not seen Jesus face-to-face, But we have seen him in the faces of everyone whose love encourages us. We have not touched the wounds from the cross, But we have been called to bring healing to the scarred of the world.We have heard the story and we believe.

This is our proclamation. We have been CALLED, each of us by name to transform the world because we are transformed people, Easter people!

So friends if we as a community of faith ask ourselves what we should do to change the world what would that change be? I think it would be to promote unity with one another,to model Christ. This means finding ways to feed the hungry, provide for the needy, heal the sick. To create real solutions to real problems. To address the true nature of an issue instead of glossing over it. To understand hurt, pain, fear, struggle, joy and happiness of those sitting next to us. To be a people of empathy, joining together in community with one heart and soul. 

“In Christ there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are both alike. The lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.” The resurrection promise shines in each of us preparing us to offer hope to a hopeless world. The resurrection promise shows us the possibility and potential of this world and our part in it.

This is our proclamation in this world: Behold how good, and pleasant it is for all  of us to dwell in unity! Amen.

Hit Refresh

Recently I have been using this space to post sermons I've preached but I realize this space can be so much more and honestly I need it to be. The last two weeks have been super stressful emotionally and the last seven months or so have really been spiritually lacking. This isn't to say that I don't know God anymore or I've cut off ties. Rather I've realized that my priorities when it comes to God need to be shifted.

As a 20 something newlywed, who works in a church and is beginning the formal journey of ordination I am at a place where many roads have become intersected and its crowded! In July I shifted to ministry full time, my income got cut, I was figuring out the classes I need to wind up this masters degree, we were planning the details of our wedding and my drive became "do it now" centered. Yet six months after our wedding though are in a different season, I still have these blinders on that tell me to "do it now".

In class last night a classmate told me in conversation "remember self care is not selfish". My God.

How am I supposed to be my best self as a leader, a minister, a co-worker a wife, a partner, a daughter, a friend if I don't take time for me? Anyone who knows me knows I am a giver, I would rather help someone then get my own house in order. Yet by doing that I am doing a disservice to myself and disrespecting the call that has been placed on my life.

I won't promise that I will read my bible more thoroughly, that I will journal daily or that I will take up some sort of exercise like yoga. I won't compromise my word to make a point. But I will say that I need to make space for a quite moment with God daily. I will say that I have poured out and not taken time to be poured into. I will say that I don't take intentional time to recharge.

This is my humanness, this is my imperfection. Yet I am still beloved. So friends, its time to hit refresh.

-CJL

Change is Coming

Change is Coming

First Sunday of Lent

February 22, 2015

Joel 2:1-2, 12-14

Mark 1:9-15

Let us pray; Righteous God, we come to you bringing our failure, our hesitations and our doubts. We bring the pain we have caused others. We bring the injustice in society of which we are a part. May the transforming power of your grace work in us. Look with mercy on our hearts, create a new and right spirit in us that we may declare your praise. Be with us now as we listen for your voice. In your sons name, Amen

The United Methodist Church defines lent as this, “Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means "spring." The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.”

This season of Lent is one of transformation, renewal and growth. It is our responsibility during this season to change our lives and our hearts to ones more pleasing to God and fully attuned to Gods way. This change is not instant, rather it is a gradual process where we discover more about self and our personal relationship with God.

Amid the hectic-ness of our day to day it is so easy to let the world around us change us rather than God. Its so easy to let the world influence the way we understand God and Gods plan for our lives. Lent is about pushing the world aside, taking time to reconnect with God.

There is beauty in this season, a time where we look at the divinity AND humanity of Jesus. A time where we realize our own wilderness experiences. A time where we recognize God working in us and through us. A time where God waits for us with open arms, ready to welcome us when we falter and fail.

“Time’s up! God’s kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message.” This charge from Jesus, as written by Eugene Peterson in the Message bible, seems so drastic. Time's up? Gods kingdom is here? How can this be? I'm not ready! I'm not sure I know what to do!

But friends during this season I am especially reminded that our charge is to live each day in honor and praise of the Holy One. Time is up because each day may be our last. Time is up because we cannot keep putting off making ourselves the best we can. Our lives should continually aim to bring and carry out Gods kindom in this world. Gods kingdom is here because Gods people are here. We must change our lives daily to uphold and grow it.

"But there’s also this, it’s not too late— God’s personal Message!—“Come back to me and really mean it! Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins!” Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God. And here’s why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe. Who knows? Maybe he’ll do it now, maybe he’ll turn around and show pity. Maybe, when all’s said and done, there’ll be blessings full and robust for your God!"

Eugene Peterson again eloquently rewrites the passage from Joel. In it we are reminded we can come back when we falter, when we doubt and we struggle to be faithful people. God knows we are far from perfect but calls us to come back wholeheartedly when we are ready. God calls us to come back, owning that we were wrong, that we failed not for him but for us. We must embrace our imperfection, our struggles, our fears because if we don’t we cant move past any of it. We are called to change to the depths of our souls.

On Wednesday morning as I waited for my bus I realized that many of the homeless people I passed had ashen crosses on their heads. I knew it was Ash Wednesday, I mean I was headed here to help with our three services. Yet I was humbled by these people; people who are walked past daily, people who are considered the outcasts, people who are thought of as unworthy by their fellow humans… yet God. God loves them, God sees their value. And this is the truth of this season. God does not care about our clothing, the cars we drive, the jobs we have, or the things we buy. God doesn’t care about whether we gave up chocolate for lent or we took stuff on. God cares about our hearts and when these actions don’t change our hearts they are pointless. God calls us back to his loving arms, despite our past, our baggage, our stuff. THAT’S the purpose of our sacrifices, that they help us return to God.

Beloved this season reminds us to believe in the good news, change is coming! Jesus draws closer to Jerusalem and closer to the cross every day of this season and while we honor this it’s not a new story to us. Rather this story should remind us of a faithful and loving God who waits for us and cares for us. This season I promise you we will be a changed people. Open your hearts, open your minds, open your souls-change is coming.

The Answer is Yes

The Answer is Yes

Third Sunday after Epiphany

January 25, 2015

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

Mark 1:14-20

Over the last few weeks I have had amazing conversations with members of this congregation and friends about the importance of community and what community means to us as individuals and a group. In these conversations two things have become apparent;

1) Connection and welcome are important to our sense of belonging.

2) We have all been called in some way to follow Jesus and that call has caused us to seek community that supports and underlies our belief and deepens our understanding.

In my own life I am continually amazed at the moments and people that have added to and helped to shape my faith, my community. I have fond memories of my home church, funny anecdotes about services and events, and stories that keep me grounded. Yet it’s more than that, because each of these things have encouraged spiritual growth and challenged me to live out my faith more fully. More importantly each of these things has helped me to hear the voice of God in my life, calling me to follow and help transform the world.

"Come follow me! The kingdom of God is right in front of you. I will teach you something new. It’s your time to get ready to share this beautiful truth with everyone and show them this kingdom."

As I listen to our scripture readings from today I imagine how God might be calling each of us. The way he calls us is different but the message is the same-follow, wholeheartedly, regardless.

In the story of Jonah we see him at the end of his journey. In the earlier chapters of the book we find God calling Jonah to go to Nineveh and tell the people to repent because God was going to destroy their city due to the people’s wickedness. But Jonah doesn't want to save these people- they are different than he is, it’s not his responsibility. So instead of following God Jonah decided to run away by boat to Tarshish- the other direction from where he is supposed to go. On the boat a terrible storm begins and everyone begins to pray to their gods for safety. It’s discovered that the fault lies with Jonah. He is tossed off the side of the boat and instantly the storm ends and God sends a fish that swallows Jonah. While in the fish Jonah has time to think and pray. His prayer to God was one of trust and acceptance. Jonah realized that even though what he was being asked to do was uncomfortable and difficult, even though he didn't want do it, even though he felt ill equipped he was called to do it by God.

When we get calls in our life like Jonah or initial reaction may be to run. But to create big change we must face hard truths and go to the hard places. At times we're going to have to fast and pray and ask the Lord to forgive our sins and help us to change like the people of Nineveh. Yet through it all God is there, God is moving, God is working to create hearts and minds focused on his will. The people of Nineveh were Gods beloved, just like us. Their willingness to repent and turn from their evil ways and violence swayed God to change his mind. An entire city, a great city repented! Was not God using them to show not only his power but his love? God’s vision spread from Jonah to all the people of Nineveh, all one Hundred and twenty thousand persons. Gods call to Jonah extended beyond what he could see, beyond himself.

The gospel message contains stories of repentance and call. Our passage from Mark actually has two parts to it. In verse 14 we see a Jesus who just spent 40 days in the wilderness tempted by Satan after being baptized. John the Baptist had just been arrested by Herod. Yet despite all of this Jesus decided to proclaim the good news of God in territory controlled by Herod. Jesus saw the need for this message in this place and went forth. In verses 16-20 we meet Simon, Andrew, James and John-the first disciples. Their call is more drastic than it seems. These pairs of brothers literally dropped everything and left their families because of a radical man talking about the kingdom of God. I can imagine both their friends and family thought they were crazy or stupid to blindly follow a man who had no credentials, talking a weird message he claimed was “good news”.

But friends aren’t that the call each of us has responded to in some way, the call that has brought us to the space, to this community??  Despite what others may see as illogical, despite making a commitment we don’t necessarily understand fully we have said YES, devoting self wholly to a man who lived 2000 years ago. This call to be a disciple of Jesus, a follower of God can seem scary and overwhelming, at times it seems impossible yet the answer is still yes. This yes doesn’t always come easy, it isn’t an instant answer, it can make us question our own sanity at times but it is YES. We share this good news as we invite each other to personal relationship with God. Jesus comes, proclaiming good news. Jesus comes, inviting us to follow. We have heard Gods call, we have work to do.

Its A New Day

It's A New Day

First Sunday of Christmas

December 28, 2014

Isaiah 61:10-62:3

Luke 2:22-40

There is something amazing about a good story! It manages to draw you into its narrative, make you feel a part and get you emotionally invested in the characters. Growing up I remember the stories of the bible being told in this way. I remember feeling connected and intertwined with the different storylines. I remember being able to recite the stories because they were told in such an engaging way.

The nativity story is familiar to many of us. It is a story we have heard for many years, from different perspectives, yet we still can find new and incredible things in it.

Earlier this week we sat in this sanctuary to sing songs of adoration and love. We sat in this sanctuary to hear yet again the story of a blessed baby who would grow to be the Savior of us all. But today we are not called to sit, rather we must jump with joy! Good news has been proclaimed!  Have you heard it?

Friends, Christ has been born!

See its easy to get wrapped up in the commercialism, the sensationalism of the birth, the Isaiah prophecy fulfilled and forget that Christmas is more than a day. The spirit of Christmas is now among us and we are called to proclaim the miracle and majesty of Jesus and our God.

In our Gospel lesson today we are introduced to two believers-Simeon and Anna. Both were devout followers of God who devoted life and self to the Creator of All. Simeon had been shown by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah of God before he died. He has a personal relationship with God that had been seen through personal and public declarations of devotion and worship. Simeon devoted his life looking for the Messiah, the promise of his people Israel.

"God, you can now release your servant; release me in peace as you promised. With my own eyes Ive seen your salvation; its now out in the open for everyone to see: A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations, and of glory for your people Israel."

Rephrased by Eugene Peterson this declaration, this song of Simeon spoken to Jesus and all those around is one that I hope we can make as we go into the world. Friends- Simeon had no preconceived notion of who the Messiah, how he was coming. Rather he was able to accept the Messiah as a baby, giving glory to God for this gift.

Anna like Simeon declares and praises God for this child. Their eyes were not covered or blinded by the world, rather they saw clearly the Messiah.

What do our eyes see after our encounter with Jesus through stories? Through our encounters in this place?

Contrary to medieval artwork Jesus did not have a halo around his head or have choirs of angels around. He was ordinary, just like us! Joseph and Mary had brought him to the temple for a normal ceremony where a traditional rite would occur. They were being good parents under Jewish law. Yet the Holy Spirit working in Simeon and Anna gave them the ability to recognize an ordinary looking baby going through an ordinary ceremony as extraordinary. The Holy Spirit of God transforms our eyes today to see things in a new and different way. To see Christ in ordinary places, in ordinary things; to bring hope to a world in despair.

What kind of Messiah do we look for? What kind of person do we expect to see? Friends I tell you if you expect to see a man in shining robes, arms outstretched you will miss Jesus.

A friend sent me an article about a Methodist Church in California that has an artist design their nativity. This year he depicted Mary as a homeless woman at a bus stop, with all her possessions in a shopping cart, clutching a baby. Not everyone agrees with the depiction but the point is to cause people to see Christmas in a different way, to imagine what Jesus might look like if he had been born today.

In our Isaiah passage we are told by the prophet “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (vs 10). We are clothed in garments not of this earth! This is what the season of Advent teaches us, prepares us for. Love, Hope, Joy, Peace are gifts we have been covered with so that on Christmas morning we can go into the world proclaiming Jesus is born, the Messiah is here! Light and hope and joy and peace are born into our world and call us to look at life in new ways.

Amid the ordinary is extraordinary. Church once we look with these new eyes we can see clearly the importance, the specialness, the extra ordinary in everyone we encounter. We can look in the mirror at ourselves and see what God has done, will do and is doing!

So as we prepare for the new year, as we celebrate this first Sunday of Christmas my declaration is similar to Simeon-“God I get it! You are here, you have fulfilled your promise to your people. You are light for all, guiding us amid the darkness. Help me to shine like you, reflecting your glory!”

It’s a new day! Let us proclaim the magnificence of God.

A Unique Mold

A Unique Mold

First Sunday of Advent

November 30, 2014

Isaiah 64:1-9

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

When I was growing up my grandmother made my birthday cake every year.  Every cake was different, extraordinary, extravagant. We never knew what it would look like until she brought it out, yet year after year she managed to surprise and awe me. It was not until I was older and started cooking that I realize the labor of love she did every year. The amounts of detail, the sheer magnitude of each cake were not just hours, but days of commitment and patience. It was always fun to hear about her inspiration and how she finagled some odd shape to complete her vision.  Her drive and determination is something I will never forget, her love for my sister and I, is truly apparent.

As I get older its funny how memories like that one take on a different meaning, a deeper meaning even. My grandmothers molding and shaping is just what God does for each of us. Our Isaiah passage starts off rather harshly proclaiming that "we have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth." Yet this proclamation is not the end for any of us. Rather this glimpse into the vengeance of God is a reminder that while we are unworthy and could be considered as such God loves us and cares for us anyway. The prophet Isaiah ends by appealing to God to not judge to quickly because we are his, we are clay worked by the potter’s hands.

We are clay my friends! This means we are dirty, imperfect, and malleable. We are to be shaped and reshaped, formed into the image of God in this world. This is a process. How easy would it be for God to create us all from the same mold? Yet the world would be boring! We are each promised and called to amazing works in Christ, but what does that even mean?

It means that we are not just followers but each partner’s with Christ. To be a partner means that we work together to a greater purpose. In our New Testament lesson Paul is writing to the people of Corinth. This community is full of many people from all walks of life. This community is by no means perfect but Paul is proud of them. I love how he addresses his brothers and sisters "I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Jesus Christ". Always? Really? But friends how different would this correspondence be without this piece? Paul gave them encouragement, reminded that God is faithful, and reminded them that they have been blessed with a variety of gifts. But "I give thanks for you"-was it even necessary!?!

I puzzled over this as this week unfolded. With the decision in Ferguson, the violence that has followed, protests during Black Friday, holiday travel and thanksgiving all occurring in this world how do these words ring true today?? As I explored this text and read commentaries and articles about these passages, one person wrote "We might employ this affirmation during Advent in place of the exchange of peace. Who knows what might happen if the strangers, friends, enemies and indifferent parties who make up any congregation on a Sunday morning could say this to one another, and discover that they mean it?"

Oh beloved that shook me, how can I thank God for someone when they have taken a life? How can I thank God when a parent is mourning the loss of a child? How can I thank God for someone when I don't have my stuff together? How can I thank God for someone I don’t like or agree with? How, how, how?

But how can you not?

Friends these scriptures are meant to shake us, wake us from our complacency and call us to question what we consider "normal". But they are also meant to provide us with one of the greatest tools, hope. In my email to the young adults this week I wrote, "Yet amid my confusion, frustration and anger there is a glimmer called hope...I continue to hope; hope for a world full of equality and love, a world of peace and joy, a world that God will be proud of."

During this season of Advent, this season of preparation, how do we as a hopeful people live out what God has called us to do? Beloved we live, we trust in Gods power and presence, we take on an attitude of clay-ready to be shaped for what God needs us and calls us to do.

Friends when we leave this place I challenge you to adopt a thankfully spirit, one where we greet each person, not just in this place but in every place, with an attitude of gratitude. For in each of us is the desire for better, hope for futures that look brighter than the dimness of today. I hope during this season that when the star appears and wherever it leads us that we are transformed.

Creator God, you are the potter, we are the clay. You form us in your image. Shape our spirits by Christ’s transforming power, that as one people we may live out your compassion and justice in this world, that as one people we may love one another, that as one people our actions and interactions lift the realm of your peace. Amen