04/24/2023
Yesterday, after Pastor Daisy’s excellent sermon, I had a few moments with the 10:30 folks and I mentioned two other ways God’s mission becomes our mission.
First, we are a congregation are working on refining our mission statement. My current favorite is this:
We’re called to be the Heart of Jesus,
in the Heart of Carmel:
helping our neighbors
make a difference in the lives of their neighbors
for Christ’s sake.
Secondly, I always think it’s helpful to have a personal mission statement, especially when it comes to guiding how we relate to others with the heart of Jesus. Here is one of my favorites in that category as well:
When it comes to those closest to you:
If you find a need, fill it.
If you find a hurt, heal it.
If you encounter a problem, help solve it.
If you cause a division, bridge it.
And pray that you can be to them
what you would like them to be for you.
I’ve been reminded by the baptisms we’ve had the pleasure of witnessing over the last few weeks, that God has a unique purpose and plan for each of us. Discerning that plan and hewing to it is a big part of what it means to live a faithful life. May the Spirit fill you with everything you need to grab a hold of that plan and make it your own.
Archived Posts
One Final Scene About Scrooge
There was one more scene in Dickens’s novel that reveals something of what has happened to Scrooge over the years. I did not have time to share it on Sunday, but I believe it reveals a great deal about the regrets in Scrooge’s life....
What Jacob Marley Would Do,
If He Could Do It…
I thought about using the following for a benediction—since Jacob Marley was warning Scrooge about the danger of loving money and what it could buy. Ends up with the Cantata and everything else going on, I didn’t have the time. So here is what you might have heard if the sermon itself was 5 minutes shorter!
A Confirming Word on Old King Herod
I just want to echo what Rick said in his fine sermon yesterday (Nov. 23). Herod was a ruthless tyrant and skilled politician. When the Magi don’t report back to him, he decides to kill all the male children of Bethlehem under the age of 2. That’s one paranoid dude.
Power Without Conscience?
I ran out of room for this vignette in Sunday’s sermon. Remember the quote that could be the headline for Ahab and Naboth: “All that’s needed for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.” The following reinforces that truth.
The Cars Are Looking for A King
I don’t have a thing to add to Pastor Jessica’s excellent sermon this last Sunday. The fable/parable she shared has been one of my favorites for all the lessons she pulled from it in her message. I was playing around with my friend Chat GPT and after several abortive attempts, we came up with the following modernized version of Judges 9:7-15.
The Lost Benediction
Depending on the length of the sermon, I try to add a little something extra in my benedictions. This week I wrote up a benediction but then realized we’d be singing and waving our umbrellas to some New Orleans jazz.
Change of Focus This Week
Instead of sharing with you about yesterday’s sermon I’d like to invite you to do some background reading for next Sunday’s “Only Murders in the Bible.” Seeing that it is All Saints Day this Sunday, we are going to look at the very first Christian martyr, Stephen.