Post-preaching reflection: I rewrote this sermon three times. When I first started, it was very academic and focused on ‘facts’ about the Spirit. The irony of not speaking spiritual truth about the Spirit on Pentecost was not lost on me. I took more time to spiritually reflect and the sermon adapted…. and adapted again. I used a mixture of the Ignatian Contemplation method, “manuscripting”, and word studies to see the bigger picture.

I will show you two versions of my sermon below and also the recording which became a ‘no notes’ sermon.

Message Title: Mother Tongues & Tongues of Fire
Theme: Holy Spirit
Season: PENTECOST
Main Text: Acts 2:1-21
Scripture Reading: John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
RCL Scripture:  *Acts 2:1-21 or Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Romans 8:22-27; John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
Focus: The Holy Spirit is poured out on Jewish believers.
Function: To open our eyes to the movement of God and consider the small ways we could be part of the Spirit’s work.
Other Notes: PENTECOST

SCRIPTURE READINGS:

FIRST: John 15:26-27 26 “When the Companion comes, whom I will send from the Father—the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father—he will testify about me. 27 You will testify too, because you have been with me from the beginning.

SECOND: John 16:4b-15 4 But I have said these things to you so that when their time comes, you will remember that I told you about them.“I didn’t say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I go away to the one who sent me. None of you ask me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 Yet because I have said these things to you, you are filled with sorrow. 7 I assure you that it is better for you that I go away. If I don’t go away, the Companion won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will show the world it was wrong about sin, righteousness, and judgment. 9 He will show the world it was wrong about sin because they don’t believe in me. 10 He will show the world it was wrong about righteousness because I’m going to the Father and you won’t see me anymore. 11 He will show the world it was wrong about judgment because this world’s ruler stands condemned. 12 “I have much more to say to you, but you can’t handle it now. 13 However, when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you in all truth. He won’t speak on his own, but will say whatever he hears and will proclaim to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and proclaim it to you. 15 Everything that the Father has is mine. That’s why I said that the Spirit takes what is mine and will proclaim it to you.

Version 2 (the version before this was lost in the edit)

PENTECOST INTRO: Welcome to Pentecost, the day we celebrate the giving of the Holy Spirit to all peoples and the birthday of the church.

1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: Ever been impatient waiting for God to answer a prayer? Ever prayed a prayer and gotten mad when God didn’t respond in a blatantly obvious way?
   1. There’s a Garth Brooks Song that romanticizes this: Unanswered Prayers
2. If I’m honest with you, I can rush God. I can try to extrapolate spiritual wisdom from scripture in a condensed period of time. Or hard focus on the scholarly details that I forget to take time for the spiritual message. There’s a joke that reminds me about the importance of slowing down and paying attention in order to hear from God.
   1. Joke about us not listening:
      1. God, flood, news, boat, helicopter
      2. “God why didn’t you save me?”
      3. “I sent the news, a boat, and a helicopter.”

TRANSITION: I will be the first to admit that I can be dense. I can totally miss God working until it’s already happened and I’m looking back on the moment. In our text for today, we will see the miracles of God unfolding and people struggling to believe their eyes and ears.

This is a longer passage; I encourage you to read along on the text behind me or in your own Bible. Let’s see if we can notice what they almost missed:

SCRIPTURE: Acts 2:1-21 When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place. ²Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them. ⁴They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

 ⁵There were pious Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. ⁶When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered. They were mystified because everyone heard them speaking in their native languages. ⁷They were surprised and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all the people who are speaking Galileans, every one of them? ⁸How then can each of us hear them speaking in our native language? ⁹Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; as well as residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the regions of Libya bordering Cyrene; and visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), ¹¹Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the mighty works of God in our own languages!”

 ¹²They were all surprised and bewildered. Some asked each other, “What does this mean?” ¹³Others jeered at them, saying, “They’re full of new wine!”

¹⁴Peter stood with the other eleven apostles. He raised his voice and declared, “Judeans and everyone living in Jerusalem! Know this! Listen carefully to my words! ¹⁵These people aren’t drunk, as you suspect; after all, it’s only nine o’clock in the morning! ¹⁶Rather, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

¹⁷In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young will see visions. Your elders will dream dreams. ¹⁸Even upon my servants, men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. ¹⁹I will cause wonders to occur in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and a cloud of smoke. ²⁰The sun will be changed into darkness, and the moon will be changed into blood, before the great and spectacular day of the Lord comes. ²¹And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

EXPLANATION:

1. Background: what has been happening just before this passage?
   1. After Easter/Resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples for 40 days and provided some last instructions.
      1. Ascension Day (10 days ago)- Jesus commissioned his disciples and ascended into heaven.
   2. Judas died by suicide
      1. The 11 cast lots to replace Judas- Matthias was added.
   3. Jewish Festival of Pentecost
      1. 50 days after Passover (so 50 days after easter)
      2. “Festival of Weeks – holiday for harvest & giving of the law
      3. Typically celebrated by reading the story of Ruth (harvest plays a big part of her story)
2. Recap:
   1. Where were the disciples before this point?
      1. “all together” – likely in “the upper room” where they had the last supper & Jesus appeared to them.
   2. The Disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and that manifested in speaking in known languages, that they did not know before.
      1. A crowd gathered
   3. Audience Engagement:
      1. What was the response?
         1. How do you know my language?
         2. Are you drunk?
         3. How is this possible?
         4. We are hearing the works of God!

INTERPRETATION:

1. Walk with me through their reaction:
   1. I’ve made a pilgrimage for my faith. I’m not in my native land.
   2. WAIT! Someone is speaking my language! Many us travelers are ALL hearing our language!
   3. They’re speaking of the wonders of God!
   4. How is this possible? How could these rural fishermen know MY language? Or ALL of these languages?
2. Peter responds by finding common ground: Hello fellow Jews! We may be of diverse cultures, but we are of one faith.
   1. You are hearing this message in your own tongue but don’t need to be surprised. Our scriptures spoke of this day!
3. Take a moment to recognize the beauty of what Peter says: All peoples will receive the Spirit
   1. Your gender doesn’t determine your worthiness to receive the Spirit
   2. Your economic status doesn’t determine your worthiness to receive the Spirit
   3. Your cultural heritage doesn’t determine your worthiness to receive the Spirit
   4. Your age doesn’t determine your worthiness to receive the Spirit
4. All peoples will receive the Spirit. Our differences don’t hold us back. BUT God didn’t remove all these differences and make everyone the same. Instead, God built bridges between the cultural gaps by enabling the disciples to speak in these languages.
   1. Our differences are not something to get rid of or ignore. Our differences enrich our faith rather than distract from it.
5. Jesus had commissioned his disciples, the Holy Spirit equipped them, and immediately started speaking the truth of God.

APPLICATION: To open our eyes to the movement of God and consider the small ways we could be part of the Spirit’s work.

1. Though the disciples were given the Spirit, the language, and the words to say. There still was confusion in the crowds about how to respond to the message.
   1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT:
      1. Does anyone in this room enjoy calls from telemarketers?
      2. What about ads on television or facebook?
      3. If you’re looking to make a big purchase, where do you turn first? Ads ?
   1. Tricked into Listening to a pitch -Yes, we trust our friend’s opinion most when it comes to trying something new BUT that relationship has to be rich for the opinion to hold weight.
      1. We’ve all had that friend add us on Facebook that we haven’t talked to in forever. We’re excited to hear from them AND then we learn they are working for some multi-level marketing company and want to give you their business pitch.
      2. Nothing more frustrating than using a friendship to make money. Even if it is a great product! It doesn’t work. Right?
   1. We all feel this way about advertizements… imagine how non-Christians feel about us talking about Jesus, church, or salvation?
2. Successful Missions- from the people who “get” us
   1. Church statistics say that evangelism is most successful when a relationship has been previously established AND is also more successful/well received when you share a similar context (culture/language/profession)
   2. Acts 1:8 “Rather, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
3. Mission of the Church: To share the hope of Christ with the world, nurture new disciples, grow the family of God.
   1. Different denominations disagree about how the Mission of the Church is best carried out
      1. Track Ministries
      2. overseas missions
      3. Evangelists- Street or Television
      4. (Jehovah’s Witnesses & Mormons coming door to door)
      5. Revivals or big events
      6. Weekly Invitationals
4. The Holy Spirit does grand things like speaking in tongues but also small things like keeping someone in your mind or prompting you to admit when you’re wrong.

CONCLUSION: Back to the intro: I can try to rush God or over fill my schedule so that I don’t have time to slow down and listen. Our Wednesday night bible study has really revived that need to slow down in me.

Version 3 (my preaching “notes” that i ignored while preaching)

1. intro
   1. prayers & impatience
   2. Joke
   3. I can rush God & miss the message
2. transition: a story of God working unexpectedly and people almost missing it
3. Scripture: acts 2:1-21
4. Background:
   1. Pentecost (50 days) after Passover
   2. ascension (10 days ago)
   3. picking a replacement for judas –> Matthias
5. Interpretation
   1. reaction of the crowd
   2. can you blame them?
      1. how would you know my language?
   3. MLM companies, mission stats, & evangelism
      1. evangelism is most successful when less cultural divides exist
6. Application:
   1. God can work in ways we donn’t understand or expect.
   2. so frequently we expect god to answer prayers in grand/miraculous ways and then discredit the small ways God can work.
   3. yes, God can work through fire & storm and the gift of languages BUT God can also work through an apology or a casserole.
   4. This group was surprised that God worked through their native language–
   5. i can struggle with seeing God move when i’m tired, stressed, or impatient. my emotions don’t mean God has left, it may mean my spiritual radar has turned down.
7. Conclusion: For Pentecost this year, let’s look for the little ways God works and be part of those little movements.

Version 4 the recording – you’ll notice my sermon changed significantly from version 2 to the recording in version 4. Even now, I can hear God pruning that sermon if i were to preach it again.

This posting shows in greater depth writing my sermons. Do I think my previous sermons were bad? No, but they were a little like a spaghetti bowl. Unfortunately, a spaghetti bowl of thoughts can overwhelm your congregation rather than give them peace. Learn from my experience. Yes, take time to practice and edit your sermon, but also leave space for the Spirit to work.

Message Title: The Word Made Flesh
Theme: Even the Rocks Will Cry Out
Season: Easter
Main Text: John 17:6-19
Scripture Reading: Psalm 1
RCL Scripture: *Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Psalm 1; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19
Focus: Jesus prays for his disciples.
Function: To engage with scripture academically and spiritually.
Other Notes: Next week is Pentecost!

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 1 The truly happy person doesn’t follow wicked advice, doesn’t stand on the road of sinners, and doesn’t sit with the disrespectful. ²Instead of doing those things, these persons love the Lord’s Instruction, and they recite God’s Instruction day and night! ³They are like a tree replanted by streams of water, which bears fruit at just the right time and whose leaves don’t fade. Whatever they do succeeds. ⁴That’s not true for the wicked! They are like dust that the wind blows away. ⁵And that’s why the wicked will have no standing in the court of justice—neither will sinners in the assembly of the righteous. ⁶The Lord is intimately acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is destroyed.

NATIONAL PARKS:

1. Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
   1. The Lost Colony by Paul Green- tells the story of the Lost Colony of Roanoke.
      1. “The origins of one of the America’s oldest unsolved mysteries can be traced to August 1587, when a group of about 115 English settlers arrived on Roanoke Island, off the coast of what is now North Carolina. Later that year, it was decided that John White, governor of the new colony, would sail back to England in order to gather a fresh load of supplies. But just as he arrived, a major naval war broke out between England and Spain, and Queen Elizabeth I called on every available ship to confront the mighty Spanish Armada.

In August 1590, White finally returned to Roanoke, where he had left his wife and daughter, his infant granddaughter (Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the Americas) and the other settlers three long years before. He found no trace of the colony or its inhabitants, and few clues to what might have happened, apart from a single word—“Croatoan”—carved into a wooden post.” -History.com

1. “In 1587, 117 English men, women and children came ashore on Roanoke Island to establish a permanent English settlement in the New World. Just three years later in 1590, when English ships returned to bring supplies, they found the island deserted with no sign of the colonists. After nearly 450 years, the mystery of what happened to the colonists remains unsolved.” – Lost Colony Website
   1. Sources:
      1. https://www.thelostcolony.org/
      2. https://www.history.com/news/what-happened-to-the-lost-colony-of-roanoke
      3. https://www.nps.gov/fora/index.htm
      4. https://www.thelostcolony.org/ticket-info/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw4v2EBhCtARIsACan3nzuvWpAbzLs1ywAWvJVSTzFgZIRVXsIsKyCk06HQFNMH4Bj2C3j-qQaAtJ3EALw_wcB

TRANSITION: This national historic site strives to keep the story of the founding colonies alive through drama.

Today, instead of rocks, I want to let the words of Jesus shout as a prayer becomes a lesson. I’m sure we’ve all figured out my routine for sermons. Today we’re taking things out of order! Let’s gather some information!

APPLICATION:

1. Bible Study: Tools for Study
   1. Bible study just finished our lesson series where we looked at the four gospels and compared their version of the same story. We also learned new spiritual practices for engaging with scripture.
      1. We learned to ask questions and dig in deep. Scripture came alive.
      2. This Wednesday we’ll be picking a new study. Want to join? Come on down 6:30 pm Wednesday.
   2. Synoptic Gospels: Through our study, we noticed 3 of the gospels overlap in details frequently.
      1. Synoptic sourcing
   3. John, is not pat of the synoptic Gospels. John frequently tells a completely different story than the other three Gospels.

Our text for today is a perfect example of this divide.

EXPLAINATION:

1. The last few weeks, we’ve been in John and the passages have been on Maundy Thursday. We’re still in that same time.
   1. Jesus has had his final Passover meal with his disciples.
   2. He washed their feet.
   3. He gave final instructions.
   4. Then Jesus prays.
      1. I’m assuming you will be more familiar with the next events from the “synoptic gospels”
      2. Jesus takes 11 disciples to the Garden of Gesthemane (judas has already left)
         1. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John away from the group to pray
         2. The disciples fall asleep while Jesus prays “take this cup from me… yet your will be done.”
         3. Luke even says Jesus was so stressed and sad that he sweat drops of blood.
   5. But John’s gospel? TOTAL DIFFERENT?

INTERPRETATION:

1. John’s Gospel has focused on telling the story of God in the flesh. The Infinite God entered humanity in Jesus with the intention to redeem creation.
   1. John’s Jesus prays but not for himself and not out of stress or fear. John’s Jesus prays for his disciples.
   2. John’s Jesus connects his ministry with the work of God since creation.
2. God wanted a relationship with creation from the beginning.

SCRIPTURE: we are going to read the whole of Chapter 17. As you hear these words through our readers, listen for the promises God is making. Listen for the healing.

John 17

CONCLUSION: The Synoptic Gospels’ Garden prayer showed a relatable and human Jesus. They showed a Jesus who understands our stress and pains. John shows us the divine Jesus who will make all things right again. Together, all four Gospels proclaim the glory of the God we follow. The Word of God proclaims the Word.

Conclusion of Series: Palm Sunday the Pharisees told Jesus to silence his followers and Jesus said if he did, even the rocks would cry out the truth. We’ve seen wonders of National parks, forests, and historic sites proclaiming the beauty of America and the wonder of our Creator. God can use rocks and trees. God can use fires and storms. God can use the low and broken. All parts of creation are part of his glorious design for redemption and even Jesus’ prayer proclaims it. 

Message Title: What Friends Are For
Theme: Even the Rocks Will Cry Out
Season: Easter
Main Text: John 15:9-17
Scripture Reading: Psalm 98
RCL Scripture: *Acts 10:44-48; Psalm 98; 1 John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17
Focus: Jesus charges his disciples to act as friends.
Function: To engage with the Chosen Family of God rather than divide.
Other Notes: Mother’s Day

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 98 Sing to the Lord a new song because he has done wonderful things! His own strong hand and his own holy arm have won the victory! ²The Lord has made his salvation widely known; he has revealed his righteousness in the eyes of all the nations. ³God has remembered his loyal love and faithfulness to the house of Israel; every corner of the earth has seen our God’s salvation. ⁴Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth! Be happy! Rejoice out loud! Sing your praises! ⁵Sing your praises to the Lord with the lyre—with the lyre and the sound of music. ⁶With trumpets and a horn blast, shout triumphantly before the Lord, the king! ⁷Let the sea and everything in it roar; the world and all its inhabitants too. ⁸Let all the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains rejoice out loud altogether ⁹before the Lord because he is coming to establish justice on the earth! He will establish justice in the world rightly; he will establish justice among all people fairly.

NATIONAL PARKS:

1. Audience Engagement: How many Hoosiers like the TV show Parks and Recreation?
   1. For those who haven’t seen the show, it is not for everyone, the premise focuses on a small town Parks and Recreation department of a fictional town in Indiana. One of the main characters is a man named Ron Swanson. Through most of the show Ron is quite persnickety or difficult individual
   2. 3 and sometimes makes Leslie Knope work harder.
      1. Major Spoiler Alert: The ending of Parks & Rec includes a happy ending for the grumpiest Ron Swanson. He becomes the Superintendent of the new National Park of Pawnee, Indiana.
2. Audience engagement: Do you know how many national parks Indiana has? Not State parks but National.
   1. The National Park Website lists 4:
      1. George Rogers Clark Historic Park
      2. Indiana Dunes National Park
      3. Lewis & Clark Trail (a stop on the trail, there’s a bicentennial park on the Ohio River.)
      4. Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial
   2. Bonus: Hoosier National Forest
3. Sources:
   1. https://www.nps.gov/getinvolved/volunteer.htm
   2. https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/workwithus.htm
   3. https://www.nps.gov/libo/index.htm
   4. https://www.nps.gov/lecl/planyourvisit/maps.htm
   5. https://www.nps.gov/indu/index.htm
   6. https://www.nps.gov/gero/index.htm

TRANSITION: “Our 4 national parks and dozens of state parks are definitely something to boast about! We love to brag about our wonderful state. There are certain things we do for love.

In our text for today, we are continuing the conversation from last week. Last week, we learned about pruning in order to produce good fruit.

SCRIPTURE: John 15:9-17 we will read this in pieces

EXPLAINATION & INTERPRETATION: As Jesus continues the conversation with his disciples he steps away from the husbandry language briefly and towards the language of relationships.

vs 9-12 ⁹“As the Father loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love. ¹⁰If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. ¹¹I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete. ¹²This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you.

1. “Remain in my love”
   1. abide, dwell
2. “Keep my commandments”
   1. What are his commandments? Love God and love others.
      1. His “commandments” boils down to “love”
3. “so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete”
   1. This is before Jesus’ tragic execution and triumphant resurrection
   2. repeated theme in 16:20-22, 24(WP)
4. “love each other just as I have loved you”
   1. Jesus has set the example so far in his ministry. Little do the disciples know, on this very Maundy Thursday he will be setting an even bigger example of love.

vs 13-15 ¹³No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴You are my friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵I don’t call you servants any longer, because servants don’t know what their master is doing. Instead, I call you friends, because everything I heard from my Father I have made known to you.

1. “to give up one’s life for one’s friends.”– Remember, we’re at Maundy Thursday. Jesus is preparing them for the biggest lesson of love. I will love you even to death and back again.
2. “if you do what I command you”
3. “I call you friends,” -Jesus has changed the language. This isn’t just about being faithful subjects who fear their master. Jesus is compelling his disciples to demonstrate what they have learned. Don’t just be my students or servants, be my friends. Be my chosen family.

Vs 16-17 ¹⁶You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you could go and produce fruit and so that your fruit could last. As a result, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. ¹⁷I give you these commandments so that you can love each other.

1. “I chose you and appointed you”
   1. We don’t earn God’s favor with our actions, it’s been given to us out of God’s goodness. Because God is good, God loves.
   2. Jesus’ words point forward to Paul’s famous words of Ephesians, which James tempers.
      1. “For by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Eph 2:8-9
      2. ^“17 In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity.” James 2:17
2. “¹⁷I give you these commandments so that you can love each other.”—We are faithful to Jesus’ commandments not because we are earning God’s love with brownie points but because we have been loved. We act out of gratitude, not fear.  

APPLICATION: To engage with the Chosen Family of God rather than divide.

1. Today is Mother’s Day, and that can be a very complicated day for many.
   1. Statistics say 1 in 4 women have had an abortion and 1 in 8 have fertility issues. That alone brings pain to this day.
   2. Perhaps you have lost a mother or a child.
   3. You desire to be a mom, but something is limiting that.
   4. You are estranged from a child or mother.
   5. You feel society’s pressure to fit feminine roles.
2. Mother’s Day can be a very joyful time and we have celebrated many wonderful women today.
   1. Amid the joy, we also notice that sometimes biological family don’t act like the family you need.
3. Whether your family is one of joy or pain, the church is our Chosen family. God gathers us up into a new family. This one is stronger than blood. Our chosen family isn’t just about biology, but about intentionally engaging in relationships.
   1. Jesus calls his disciples friends. This was a way of saying they may not be blood, but they are his intimate companions. They are the ones he journeyed with.
4. Sources.
   1. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-pacific-southwest/blog/1-in-4-american-women-will-have-an-abortion-by-age-45
   2. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/infertility/index.htm
   3. https://resolve.org/infertility-101/what-is-infertility/fast-facts/

CONCLUSION:  You are welcomed into the family of God. We are not perfect people but we will love you.

Message Title: A Man with The Promised Plan
Theme: Holy Week
Season: Lent
Main Text: Isaiah 42:1-9; 49:1-7; 50:4-9a; 52:13-53:12
Scripture Reading: Mark 11:1-11
RCL Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 or Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16 or Mark 14:1-15:47 or Mark 15:1-39, (40-47)
Focus: God promises deliverance through the Suffering Servant of Isaiah.
Function: To believe in the God who keeps God’s promises and prepare to celebrate Easter.
Other Notes: PALM SUNDAY

**INTRODUCTION to HOLY WEEK** (place with Palms): Hosannah! Hosannah in the highest! Jesus is the King of Kings. Today we celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry in to Jerusalem.

1. Make your own palm leaf cross. https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Make-Palm-Crosses/
2. Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday (depending on your tradition)
   1. Passion Sunday used to be the Sunday BEFORE Palm Sunday. But the Catholic church merged those two together into the Sunday before Easter.
3. Call to worship read & response!

SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 11:1-11 When Jesus and his followers approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives. Jesus gave two disciples a task, ² saying to them, “Go into the village over there. As soon as you enter it, you will find tied up there a colt that no one has ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³ If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘Its master needs it, and he will send it back right away.’” ⁴ They went and found a colt tied to a gate outside on the street, and they untied it. ⁵ Some people standing around said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” ⁶ They told them just what Jesus said, and they left them alone. ⁷ They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes upon it, and he sat on it. ⁸ Many people spread out their clothes on the road while others spread branches cut from the fields. ⁹ Those in front of him and those following were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!^[a] 10 Blessings on the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest!” ¹¹ Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. After he looked around at everything, because it was already late in the evening, he returned to Bethany with the Twelve.

ENGAGE THE AUDIENCE:

1. What are your favorite Easter traditions?
   1. Do you have a favorite Easter food?
   2. I know without a doubt my mother would say it isn’t Easter without ham. But I need some deviled eggs!
2. Who loved sitting at the kids’ table?
   1. Who loved graduating to the adult table?
3. If I’m honest, I quickly learned the adult table was boring. All they wanted to talk about was work, school, and if I had a boyfriend. The kids’ table was more fun. We had talks of games and friends and other interests.
   

TRANSITION: Sometimes traditions are passed on for generations and we never question where they came from. My grandmother always made this orange jello salad with whipped cream and nuts on top. Now it’s a family staple. But what made her make it the first time?

INTRODUCTION TO SERMON:

Explaining today: During the season of Lent, we spent weeks looking at different covenantal promises God made with creation and with humans. As we explored those promises, we saw how God continued to be trustworthy and find ways to make God’s will happen, even if humans were stubborn or selfish.

ENGAGE THE AUDIENCE: Have you ever heard someone say that Jesus is mentioned in the Old Testament?

Christians believe Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promises to humanity. However, some of those promises have not been fulfilled yet.

Today is going to look a little different than a sermon. We are going to take a little jump through Isaiah together today and see what we can find. Our goal is not to solve all of our questions in these passages but to get glimpses of promises together that will get us excited for the rest of holy week.

SCRIPTURE ACTIVITY: Isaiah 42:1-9; Isaiah 49:1-7; Isaiah 50:4-9a; 52:13-53:12

Isaiah & the Suffering Servant—Read the Isaiah “Suffering Servant Songs” and look for details about the Servant Israel.

I’ve recruited some volunteers to read for me. As they read, I want you to write down places you see God promising to do something. We’ll sort them out together. If you want a copy of the scripture, raise your hand. Otherwise, the references will be on the screen.

Y’all, this is gonna get real awkward if you don’t join in with me.

1. But here is my servant, the one I uphold; my chosen, who brings me delight. I’ve put my spirit upon him; he will bring justice to the nations. ²He won’t cry out or shout aloud or make his voice heard in public. ³He won’t break a bruised reed; he won’t extinguish a faint wick, but he will surely bring justice. ⁴He won’t be extinguished or broken until he has established justice in the land. The coastlands await his teaching. ⁵God the Lord says—the one who created the heavens, the one who stretched them out, the one who spread out the earth and its offspring, the one who gave breath to its people and life to those who walk on it—⁶I, the Lord, have called you for a good reason. I will grasp your hand and guard you, and give you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations, ⁷to open blind eyes, to lead the prisoners from prison, and those who sit in darkness from the dungeon. ⁸I am the Lord; that is my name; I don’t hand out my glory to others or my praise to idols. ⁹The things announced in the past—look—they’ve already happened, but I’m declaring new things. Before they even appear, I tell you about them.
2. Listen to me, coastlands; pay attention, peoples far away. The Lord called me before my birth, called my name when I was in my mother’s womb. ²He made my mouth like a sharp sword, and hid me in the shadow of God’s own hand. He made me a sharpened arrow, and concealed me in God’s quiver, ³saying to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I show my glory.” ⁴But I said, “I have wearied myself in vain. I have used up my strength for nothing.” Nevertheless, the Lord will grant me justice; my reward is with my God. ⁵And now the Lord has decided—the one who formed me from the womb as his servant—to restore Jacob to God, so that Israel might return to him. Moreover, I’m honored in the Lord’s eyes; my God has become my strength. ⁶He said: It is not enough, since you are my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the survivors of Israel. Hence, I will also appoint you as light to the nations so that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. ⁷The Lord, redeemer of Israel and its holy one,  says to one despised, rejected by nations, to the slave of rulers: Kings will see and stand up; commanders will bow down on account of the Lord, who is faithful, the holy one of Israel, who has chosen you.
3. ⁴The Lord God gave me an educated tongue to know how to respond to the weary with a word that will awaken them in the morning. God awakens my ear in the morning to listen, as educated people do. ⁵The Lord God opened my ear; I didn’t rebel; I didn’t turn my back. ⁶Instead, I gave my body to attackers, and my cheeks to beard pluckers. I didn’t hide my face from insults and spitting. ⁷The Lord God will help me; therefore, I haven’t been insulted. Therefore, I set my face like flint, and knew I wouldn’t be ashamed. ⁸The one who will declare me innocent is near. Who will argue with me? Let’s stand up together. Who will bring judgment against me? Let him approach me. ⁹Look! The Lord God will help me. Who will condemn me?
4. ¹³Look, my servant will succeed. He will be exalted and lifted very high. ¹⁴Just as many were appalled by you, he too appeared disfigured, inhuman, his appearance unlike that of mortals. ¹⁵But he will astonishmany nations. Kings will be silenced because of him, because they will see what they haven’t seen before; what they haven’t heard before, they will ponder. 53 Who can believe what we have heard, and for whose sake has the Lord’s arm been revealed? ²He grew up like a young plant before us, like a root from dry ground. He possessed no splendid form for us to see, no desirable appearance. ³He was despised and avoided by others; a man who suffered, who knew sickness well. Like someone from whom people hid their faces, he was despised, and we didn’t think about him. ⁴It was certainly our sickness that he carried, and our sufferings that he bore, but we thought him afflicted, struck down by God and tormented. ⁵He was pierced because of our rebellions and crushed because of our crimes. He bore the punishment that made us whole; by his wounds we are healed. ⁶Like sheep we had all wandered away, each going its own way, but the Lord let fall on him all our crimes. ⁷He was oppressed and tormented, but didn’t open his mouth. Like a lamb being brought to slaughter, like a ewe silent before her shearers, he didn’t open his mouth. ⁸Due to an unjust ruling he was taken away, and his fate—who will think about it? He was eliminated from the land of the living, struck dead because of my people’s rebellion. ⁹His grave was among the wicked, his tomb with evildoers, though he had done no violence, and had spoken nothing false. ¹⁰But the Lord wanted to crush him and to make him suffer. If his life is offeredas restitution, he will see his offspring; he will enjoy long life. The Lord’s plans will come to fruition through him. ¹¹After his deep anguish he will see light,and he will be satisfied. Through his knowledge, the righteous one, my servant, will make many righteous, and will bear their guilt. ¹²Therefore, I will give him a share with the great, and he will divide the spoil with the strong, in return for exposing his life to death and being numbered with rebels, though he carried the sin of many and pleaded on behalf of those who rebelled.
5. 1. (Jesus’ time)? (were the fulfilled already?)
   2. Are these promises for our future? (waiting to be fulfilled?)

APPLICATION:

1. SCRIPTURE LIKE ONIONS: Scripture is so beautiful. Scripture has multiple layers of truth stacked on top of each other. There is a Jewish practice called “midrash” which is like a reinterpreting of scripture to be helpful in a new way. Jesus regularly quoted the old testament and gave it a new twist.
   1. As we look at the promises made in Isaiah, we must recognize the layers to this text. There is a layer that was directly for the Israelite people of Judah during Isaiah’s time.
   2. There is a layer for the Jews of Jesus’ time and a layer for us today.
2. I can assure you that we haven’t nearly answered any of your questions about Isaiah or the fundamentals of Christianity in this service.
   1. Christianity is a life long learning adventure. As we continue to read scripture, talk to God and learn with each other, we grow and change.
   2. We continue to peel back layers of scripture and of ourselves as time goes on. With hope, we become more who God  built us to be in the process.

CONCLUSION: Welcome to Holy Week! It’s the Church’s superbowl. We’ve got services throughout this week that will give you a different aspect of the Christian story and who this Suffering Servant is to us.You are invited to come, participate, and engaged in the story of God’s love for all of creation.

1. Holy Week schedule:
   1. 3/28
      1. Palm Sunday Service 10:30 am
      2. Judson Association Palm Sunday evening service &  “mini business meeting” at Hills Baptist Church 3-4:30 pm. (No meal).
   2. 3/31 Wednesday
      1. No Bible study
      2. Practice for Good Friday
   3. 4/1 Maundy Thursday 6:30 pm in fellowship hall
   4. 4/2 Conversations Around the Campfire – Good Friday 6:30 pm in sanctuary, dessert & fellowship afterwards. 
   5. 4/4 Easter Sunday
      1. Breakfast & Egg Hunt 9:30 am
      2. Easter service 10:30 am

originally preached on 4/18/2021

Message Title: WWJE (What Would Jesus Eat?)
Theme: Even the Rocks Will Cry Out
Season: Easter
Main Text: Luke 24:36b-48
Scripture Reading: Psalm 4
RCL Scripture: *Acts 3:12-19; Psalm 4; 1 John 3:1-7; Luke 24:36b-48
Focus: The resurrected Jesus reveals the truth through a snack.
Function: To look for the physical redemption of creation and not just the spiritual redemption in our lives.
Other Notes:

Farmer blessing: Can I have our farming families stand? We know you are preparing for planting season, perhaps you’ve already started. We want to take a moment to bless you as you start this season.

God, you are the Creator and Sustainer of Life. In marvelous ways, You take the rich life of the plant and carefully fold it into tiny seeds. Creation proclaims the delicate handiwork of your design.

We begin our planting season this week, dear Lord. We will plant the seeds that You have given us.Bless them, watch over them, and bring them to the full growth and rich harvest You wish to bless us with.

Protect our farmers as they enter the fields for long hours. Give them the energy they need to accomplish their work. Give them the rest they need to recharge for the next day. Give them the weather they need to make a smooth planting season. We ask you to bless their farm equipment, and each machine can sustain the role it plays in planting. We ask you to bless their farm hands. Keep the farmers and their workers safe.

Bless the entire farming family. May we support them during this laborious time as their church family. God we thank you for farmers and the ways they provide for our community, our country, and our world.

Amen. 

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 4 Answer me when I cry out, my righteous God! Set me free from my troubles! Have mercy on me! Listen to my prayer! ²How long, you people, will my reputation be insulted? How long will you continue to love what is worthless and go after lies? Selah ³Know this: the Lord takes personal care of the faithful. The Lord will hear me when I cry out to him. ⁴So be afraid, and don’t sin! Think hard about it in your bed and weep over it! Selah ⁵Bring righteous offerings, and trust the Lord! ⁶Many people say, “We can’t find goodness anywhere. The light of your face has left us, Lord!” ⁷But you have filled my heart with more joy than when their wheat and wine are everywhere! ⁸I will lie down and fall asleep in peace because you alone, Lord, let me live in safety.

NATIONAL PARK: Glacier National Park

1. ENGAGE THE AUDIENCE: What is your favorite camping snack?
2. I have a very distinct snacking memory of my family camping at Glacier National Park in Montana. We were driving along the scenic highways getting the sites in when we saw a small black bear on the side of the road munching on dandelions. The bear looked up at the van and had a dandelion hanging out of its mouth like a flamenco dancer.

TRANSITION: As we continue our series “Even the Rocks Cry Out” we will see God’s glory presented through snacks. Yes, Jesus gets the munchies. Join me in opening our bibles to Luke 24.

SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 24:36b-48 ³⁶ While they were saying these things, Jesus himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ³⁷ They were terrified and afraid. They thought they were seeing a ghost. ³⁸ He said to them, “Why are you startled? Why are doubts arising in your hearts? ³⁹ Look at my hands and my feet. It’s really me! Touch me and see, for a ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones like you see I have.” ⁴⁰ As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. ⁴¹ Because they were wondering and questioning in the midst of their happiness, he said to them, “Do you have anything to eat?” ⁴² They gave him a piece of baked fish. ⁴³ Taking it, he ate it in front of them. ⁴⁴ Jesus said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law from Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” ⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. ⁴⁶ He said to them, “This is what is written: the Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷ and a change of heart and life for the forgiveness of sins must be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹ Look, I’m sending to you what my Father promised, but you are to stay in the city until you have been furnished with heavenly power.”

EXPLAINATION:

1. As we’ve talked about before, the different Gospels don’t tell the story of Jesus exactly the same. The resurrection sightings are no different.
2. What happened just before?
   1. In the Gospel of Luke, the women saw the empty tomb and talked to angels but didn’t see Jesus. The disciples didn’t believe the women because it sounded like gossip.
   2. Then Jesus shows up on the road to Emmaus and strikes up a conversation with two disciples, but they don’t recognize him until they invite him to eat food with him. They tell the other disciples and say “He appeared to Simon” (though that story isn’t told in Luke).
   3. So, while the two disciples are telling the other disciples that they saw Jesus….
3. POOF! Jesus is there with them.
4. Jesus shows them his hands and feet and invites them to touch.
5. Then he asks for a snack before sorting out all the scriptures to them and commissioning them to tell all the nations this same thing.

INTERPRETATION: Jesus appears to this group of disciples and offers them the proof they need to know he isn’t a ghost or an angel. Jesus has resurrected in the flesh and the spirit.

1. It may not seem like an important distinction–resurrection of the flesh vs. resurrection of the spirit — but the resurrection of the body AND the spirit is significant.
   1. God is keeping God’s consistent promises through the full resurrection of Jesus.
   2. We don’t believe in a God that sorts out justice in the afterlife.
   3. We believe in a God who brings justice to this life.
   4. We believe in a God who will restore all of creation, not just the spiritual realm.
      1. Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.
2. Jesus’s bodily resurrection shows that his actions on the cross didn’t only take away the sins of the world, BUT also restores all of creation. Body and Spirit are redeemed in this story.

APPLICATION: In Verse 48 Jesus tells the disciples that they are supposed to be witnesses of “these things.” Disciples of Christ share the story and spread the Good News.                

1. Audience engagement: Write these down
   1. What ways do we show spiritually that God is the Redeemer?
      1. We talk of forgiveness of sins.
      2. We talk of heaven and eternal life.
      3. We talk of spiritual gifts.
   2. What ways are we showing physically that God is the Redeemer?
      1. Loving our neighbors as ourselves
      2. Taking in the orphan
      3. Caring for the widow
      4. Feeding the hungry
      5. Loving the hurting
2. We reveal God’s redemption in our actions in our daily life. We point to Jesus with our lives.
   1. What do your actions currently point towards?

CONCLUSION:

Message Title: Prunes or Pruned?
Theme: Even the Rocks Will Cry Out
Season: Easter
Main Text: John 15:1-8
Scripture Reading: Psalm 22:25-31
RCL Scripture: *Acts 8:26-40; Psalm 22:25-31; 1 John 4:7-21; John 15:1-8
Focus: Jesus uses an analogy to prepare his disciples for his absence.
Function: To reflect on the fruitfulness of our lives and prune off things that don’t help us flourish.
Other Notes:

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 22: 25-31 I offer praise in the great congregation because of you; I will fulfill my promises in the presence of those who honor God. ²⁶Let all those who are suffering eat and be full! Let all who seek the Lord praise him! I pray your hearts live forever! ²⁷Every part of the earth will remember and come back to the Lord; every family among all the nations will worship you. ²⁸Because the right to rule belongs to the Lord, he rules all nations. ²⁹Indeed, all the earth’s powerful will worship him; all who are descending to the dust will kneel before him; my being also lives for him. ³⁰Future descendants will serve him; generations to come will be told about my Lord. ³¹They will proclaim God’s righteousness to those not yet born, telling them what God has done.

NATIONAL PARK: Smokey the Bear & National Parks

1. Audience Engagement: Does anyone know what Smokey the Bear’s catch phrase was?
   1. My Grandmother & Smokey the Bear Song sheets
   2. Grandma’s “smokey the bear hat”
2. National Parks vs. National Forests are technically different BUT both have the same approach when it comes to fires.
   1. Reduce accidental fires (fires caused by humans) by prohibiting fires when its dry
   2. Allowing wildfires to run their course (but not get out of hand or harm humans) because it has been proven good for the ecosystem
   3. Light the occasional controlled fire known as a “Prescribed fire” to help an ecosystem when it is seen fit.
3. Sources:
   1. https://www.fs.usda.gov/science-technology/fire
   2. https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire
   3. https://www.nationalforests.org/blog/what-are-the-differences-between-national-parks-and-national-forests?gclid=Cj0KCQjw-LOEBhDCARIsABrC0TndHcIL4kWCyF1kDa4awoa93IWqC73_d50op4MKTiI7rCa7bxb5x2EaArmoEALw_wcB
   4. https://www.nps.gov/cuva/learn/news/cuyahoga-valley-national-park-to-conduct-prescribed-fires.htm
   5. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fire/index.htm
   6. https://www.fs.usda.gov/features/story-smokey-bear
   7. https://smokeybear.com/en/smokeys-history/story-of-smokey

TRANSITION:  As a kid, I always assumed all forest fires were bad fires. Especially with the way Smokey the Bear talked about preventing forest fires. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized that some fires actually help a forest flourish.

In our text for today, both plants and fire will enter the discussion about producing the best fruit.

SCRIPTURE: John 15: 1-8 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vineyard keeper. ²He removes any of my branches that don’t produce fruit, and he trims any branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit.

³You are already trimmed because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch can’t produce fruit by itself, but must remain in the vine. Likewise, you can’t produce fruit unless you remain in me. ⁵I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can’t do anything. ⁶If you don’t remain in me, you will be like a branch that is thrown out and dries up. Those branches are gathered up, thrown into a fire, and burned.

 ⁷If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. ⁸My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples.

EXPLAINATION: Jesus uses an analogy to prepare his disciples for his absence.

1. Background:
   1. After the foot washing on Maundy Thursday
   2. Part of the “farewell discord” of John where Jesus gives final instructions before his arrest.
   3. Can you hear him urging them to be attentive and faithful?
      1. “stay with me” – even if I’m not physically with you “stay with me”
2. Scripture Outline:
   1. I am the vine
   2. Father is the vineyard keeper who prunes & trims
   3. You are branches and have been trimmed to bear good fruit
      1. Stay connected to me and you will live and produce fruit
      2. Disconnect from me and you lose your life source
   4. Father is glorified in your fruit

INTERPRETATION: Jesus uses an analogy to prepare his disciples for his absence.

1. Judgmental Elephant: I want to stop for a moment and discuss the traditional elephant of judgement in the room.
   1. This passage has been used as a threat to tell people they could be thrown into the fiery furnace of hell if they don’t follow Jesus.
   2. This passage of comfort, has been used as a passage for fear. I want us to take time to reclaim the beauty of this passage.
2. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: Before we do that, let’s have a plant pruning exercise.
   1. Two plants, people come up and prune the plants
   2. What made you choose to prune that spot?
3. Gardening practices: Here are some gardening tips from a few gardening websites-
   1. “For extensive rejuvenation, completely remove the entire plant 6 to 10 inches above the ground using heavy lopping shears and a pruning saw. Healthy shrubs will respond by sending up new shoots.”
   2. “For gradual rejuvenation, remove one-third of the oldest, unproductive branches. The next year, take half of the old, lingering stems. In year three, prune out the remainder of the old branches. While this takes longer to complete, the shrub stays more attractive throughout the process.”
   3. “Proper pruning is a must for a productive, happy fruit tree. Pruning your trees can give their leaves better access to light, keep messy growth to a minimum and help them set bigger, juicier fruit. Remove dead wood, and thin out branches that cross each other. Every species of tree is different, so read up on when and how to prune your tree for best results.”
   4. Sources:
      1. https://gilmour.com/shrub-care-tips
      2. https://www.landscapemanagement.net/step-by-step-how-to-perform-rejuvenation-pruning/
      3. https://www.cabinlife.com/articles/5-tips-for-fruit-tree-success
4. As Jesus is preparing his disciples for his absence, he gives them instructions on how to remain faithful.
   1. Remain in me – abide in me – cling to me
   2. I will give you life and you will produce fruit.
   3. It seems like we skim over these words of comfort but, our ears naturally perk up at prune, dead, and fire.
5. We naturally associate those things with individuals being cut off of the faith family tree instead of considering each of us a plant needing pruning. We label whole individuals as good or bad instead of a beloved creation of God that could be pruned to flourish.

APPLICATION: To reflect on the fruitfulness of our lives and prune off things that don’t help us flourish.

1. As we reflect on the pruning exercise and common gardening practices, I want us to connect back to the scripture.
   1. What could spiritual pruning look like?
      1. Does God want to take away the sources of joy in our life?
      2. God isn’t saying give up video games or bubble baths.
      3. God is saying, those things that harm my relationship with you or your relationship with others, those things need to go. What needs to be pruned will be different depending on the person.
         1. Some will need to prune substances.
         2. Some will need to prune their language.
         3. Some will need to prune their entertainment.
   2. How could you make room for your own pruning?
   3. How could you give grace to others who are being pruned?

COMMUNION:  As we prepare to share communion together, we recognize Christ as our source of life AND we recognize our spiritual family are all growing and at different stages of the pruning process. We don’t all look the same as we come to the table. But we are all loved completely by the Jesus who make this table.

Deacons bless bread & juice

Come to the table.

CONCLUSION

April 1, 2021 at 6:30pm

Instructions: sit in your quarantine groups. These are people you’re comfortable sharing food with, hugging, and sharing conversation. We will participate in the Maundy Thursday story together not only in action but in conversation. To get us started, I invite you to go around your table (introduce yourself if needed) and share:

Table Talk: Describe the last supper scene in your mind

1. My favorite last supper painting. Accurate lamps, women & children involved. Everyone dressed like Jews.

Tell The Story: Matthew 26:17–29; Mark 14:12–25; Luke 22:7–38; John 13: 1-17 (I Corinthians 11:23–25)

Each of the Gospel accounts tell the story of Jesus’ last 48 hours a little differently. This is no surprise, since they have told the story of his ministry differently. John does not tell the story of the Last Supper. Instead, John tells the story of Jesus washing the disciple’s feet.  Even the remaining three gospels tell the story different from each other.

Jesus and his disciples prepare to celebrate the Passover. As Jewish men, they would have celebrated this every year as a child through adulthood.

When they were young, they took part in asking the questions about the special meal they ate and would hunt for the “afikomen” that the father would break and hide. The Passover reminds the Jewish people of God’s provision through the exodus from Egypt.

Jesus would have been involved in 30+ Passover meals as a Jewish man. Jesus and his disciples would have had 2 other Passover meals together from the previous years of ministry. This Passover meal was different. Jesus was teaching, like the “father” would normally do, but this time, he was changing the meaning of some of the items.

Though John’s gospel doesn’t specify the Passover meal in the Last Supper format that the other three did, John does say that “after the meal” Jesus got up from the table and took off his outer garments and took the place of a servant who washes feet.

During Jesus’ time, it was customary for the host to offer a foot washing to their guests to clean their feet from the dusty roads. It was an act of hospitality. A servant of the house would wash your feet as you were invited to get comfortable. I often wonder, why Jesus waited to wash their feet until this point?

Table Talk:  Here are a few more discussion questions for you and your table.

1. If Jesus “knew” what Judas would do, why did he invite judas to be a disciple?
2. What are ways we could be “washing feet” today?

The Practice: Now that we have discussed the story and considered different angles, we are going to engage in our own version of the washing and last supper. We will be doing these out of order for a more practical approach.

1. Washing Ceremony:
   1. Instructions: Wash the hands of your family/table members.
      1. During the season of COVID, we have been less self-conscious about the dirt on our feet and more focused on the germs on our hands. So, our washing ceremony will look different this year to fit our life experiences.
      1. We will go around the table and rub hand sanitizer onto our neighbor’s hands. Squirt it into their palm and gently rub it into their hands.
2. Communion:
   1. The last supper was an evening meal, but not a late-night snack. After the meal and lesson, Jesus and the disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray.
   1. If you are anything like me, you may have pictured Jesus’ arrest on Friday morning. But as we dive into the passage, we see that Jesus was arrested on Thursday night, after the last Supper.
   1. Bless the elements together
      1. Pass the loaf of bread around and tear off a piece for yourself. Pass the juice around and pour a cup for yourself. As a table, say: “We do this in remembrance of Jesus.”

Closing Prayer

Matthew 26: 17-29¹⁷ On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover meal?” ¹⁸ He replied, “Go into the city, to a certain man, and say, ‘The teacher says, “My time is near. I’m going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.”’” ¹⁹ The disciples did just as Jesus instructed them. They prepared the Passover. ²⁰ That evening he took his place at the table with the twelve disciples. ²¹ As they were eating he said, “I assure you that one of you will betray me.” ²² Deeply saddened, each one said to him, “I’m not the one, am I, Lord?” ²³ He replied, “The one who will betray me is the one who dips his hand with me into this bowl. ²⁴ The Human One^[b] goes to his death just as it is written about him. But how terrible it is for that person who betrays the Human One!^[c] It would have been better for him if he had never been born.” ²⁵ Now Judas, who would betray him, replied, “It’s not me, is it, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You said it.” ²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take and eat. This is my body.” ²⁷ He took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from this, all of you. ²⁸ This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many so that their sins may be forgiven. ²⁹ I tell you, I won’t drink wine again until that day when I drink it in a new way with you in my Father’s kingdom.” ³⁰ Then, after singing songs of praise, they went to the Mount of Olives.

Mark 14:12-25 ¹⁰ Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to give Jesus up to them. ¹¹ When they heard it, they were delighted and promised to give him money. So he started looking for an opportunity to turn him in. ¹² On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was sacrificed, the disciples said to Jesus, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover meal?” ¹³ He sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city. A man carrying a water jar will meet you. Follow him. ¹⁴ Wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The teacher asks, “Where is my guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?”’ ¹⁵ He will show you a large room upstairs already furnished. Prepare for us there.” ¹⁶ The disciples left, came into the city, found everything just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover meal. ¹⁷ That evening, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. ¹⁸ During the meal, Jesus said, “I assure you that one of you will betray me—someone eating with me.” ¹⁹ Deeply saddened, they asked him, one by one, “It’s not me, is it?” ²⁰ Jesus answered, “It’s one of the Twelve, one who is dipping bread with me into this bowl. ²¹ The Human One^[b] goes to his death just as it is written about him. But how terrible it is for that person who betrays the Human One!^[c] It would have been better for him if he had never been born.” ²² While they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” ²³ He took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. ²⁴ He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. ²⁵ I assure you that I won’t drink wine again until that day when I drink it in a new way in God’s kingdom.” ²⁶ After singing songs of praise, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Luke 22: 7-38

⁷ The Day of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover had to be sacrificed. ⁸ Jesus sent Peter and John with this task: “Go and prepare for us to eat the Passover meal.” ⁹ They said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare it?” ¹⁰ Jesus replied, “When you go into the city, a man carrying a water jar will meet you. Follow him to the house he enters. ¹¹ Say to the owner of the house, ‘The teacher says to you, “Where is the guestroom where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?” ’ ¹² He will show you a large upstairs room, already furnished. Make preparations there.” ¹³ They went and found everything just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover meal.  ¹⁴ When the time came, Jesus took his place at the table, and the apostles joined him. ¹⁵ He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. ¹⁶ I tell you, I won’t eat it until it is fulfilled in God’s kingdom.” ¹⁷ After taking a cup and giving thanks, he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. ¹⁸ I tell you that from now on I won’t drink from the fruit of the vine until God’s kingdom has come.” ¹⁹ After taking the bread and giving thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁰ In the same way, he took the cup after the meal and said, “This cup is the new covenant by my blood, which is poured out for you. ²¹ “But look! My betrayer is with me; his hand is on this table. ²² The Human One^[a] goes just as it has been determined. But how terrible it is for that person who betrays him.” ²³ They began to argue among themselves about which of them it could possibly be who would do this. ²⁴ An argument broke out among the disciples over which one of them should be regarded as the greatest. ²⁵ But Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles rule over their subjects, and those in authority over them are called ‘friends of the people.’ ²⁶ But that’s not the way it will be with you. Instead, the greatest among you must become like a person of lower status and the leader like a servant. ²⁷ So which one is greater, the one who is seated at the table or the one who serves at the table? Isn’t it the one who is seated at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. ²⁸ “You are the ones who have continued with me in my trials. ²⁹ And I confer royal power on you just as my Father granted royal power to me. ³⁰ Thus you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones overseeing the twelve tribes of Israel. ³¹ “Simon, Simon, look! Satan has asserted the right to sift you all like wheat. ³² However, I have prayed for you that your faith won’t fail. When you have returned, strengthen your brothers and sisters.” ³³ Peter responded, “Lord, I’m ready to go with you, both to prison and to death!” ³⁴ Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster won’t crow today before you have denied three times that you know me.” ³⁵ Jesus said to them, “When I sent you out without a wallet, bag, or sandals, you didn’t lack anything, did you?” They said, “Nothing.” ³⁶ Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a wallet must take it, and likewise a bag. And those who don’t own a sword must sell their clothes and buy one. ³⁷  I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in relation to me: And he was counted among criminals.^[b]Indeed, what’s written about me is nearing completion.” ³⁸ They said to him, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” He replied, “Enough of that!” ³⁹ Jesus left and made his way to the Mount of Olives, as was his custom, and the disciples followed him. ⁴⁰ When he arrived, he said to them, “Pray that you won’t give in to temptation.” ⁴¹ He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed. ⁴² He said, “Father, if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will but your will must be done.” ⁴³ Then a heavenly angel appeared to him and strengthened him. ⁴⁴ He was in anguish and prayed even more earnestly. His sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. ⁴⁵ When he got up from praying, he went to the disciples. He found them asleep, overcome by grief. ⁴⁶ He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation.”

John 13:1-17 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. ² The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. ³ Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴ so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵ After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. ⁶ He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” ⁷ Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” ⁸ “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” ⁹ “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” ¹⁰ Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” ¹¹ For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. ¹² When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. ¹³ “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

April 2nd, 2021 at 6:30pm

Focus: Telling stories of grief, loss, and survival in many forms to connect to the Good Friday story. 

Function: To know that God understands our grief and loss and find comfort in sharing our stories with the ones we love. (That people feel space to grieve and know that God loves them in the midst of their grief)

Setting: Front stage looks like a campground with trees, a fake fire, tent and camp chairs.  Participants are invited to bring their camp chair & dress as if you’re going camping. I have 5 chairs that i’ll be bringing. I may find the sound of crackling fire to go over the speakers, or perhaps nature sounds.

The group is sitting around the campfire talking about 2020 and different forms of grief or loss. Occasionally, a hymn verse or two is sung in between their stories. We create a gentle storytelling and worshipful space. 

Goal: I would like this to feel conversational rather than scripted. Each person will have a person to ask a question that will start their story.

Introduction to the audience: Welcome to our campground! This may seem like an unusual way to celebrate the story of Good Friday, but we ask you to play along with us. We will engage in authentic stories of grief and loss tonight and sing some songs together. 

What is it about the sounds of nature and the smell of a campfire that helps us break down our guards and share our stories? 

Opening prayer

Stories & Songs– instructions: Each person who tells their story will invite another person to share their story (by asking a question) or we will start singing a song.

1. Chris Kelley and farming 2019
   1. To be a farmer is to struggle with the land and the weather, Chris, how did 2019’s rainy year impact you? 
2. HYMN: Amazing Grace #487
3. Abby Johnson – hymn story ‘It Is Well’
   1. Abby, I know that most hymns have a story behind them. Can you think of a hymn that is connected to loss? 
4. Johnson Kids- surviving (& thriving) school in 2020
   1. What was something new you did for school in 2020? 
   2. What was something you missed for school? 
   3. What is a new thing you have loved? 
5. HYMN: It is well #73
6. Josh – Losing my faith
   1. Hypocrisy of Christians
   2. Embracing our differences
   3. The beauty of creation
7. Jack Lake – losing vision 
   1. Jack, over the years your macular degeneration has progressed and your eyesight has decreased. What do you miss about your sight? 
   2. What do you still enjoy or have you found new things to enjoy? 
8. HYMN: Come Thou Fount #17
9. Meriah – 
   1. Does the Bible talk about loss? 
      1. Example: story of Lazarus, the story of the cross (darkness at the cross)
   2. Is it bad if we are sad? Shouldn’t we just accept everything as “God’s plan?”
      1. OT stories & Psalms of feeling in too deep over our head and needing God’s help

Transition: Each of us has had a loss in our life, and especially since 2020. Perhaps it was a loss of our sense of   or maybe you lost a job. Perhaps you lost a loved one from COVID or simply old age. Perhaps you are grieving normalcy. As we have shared our grief stories with you we invite you to reflect on your own loss. 

Invitation to light a candle: up front here we have candles (with hand sanitizer too) we invite you to come up and light a candle to acknowledge your grief. We’ll sing a song to leave space for participation. If you aren’t able to get up or maybe aren’t ready to light a candle, you are welcome to sing with us. 

HYMN: Old Rugged Cross #317 

Point to Sunday: At the end of Friday, Jesus’ followers felt quite hopeless. Officials had executed their teacher, and it seems their hope was executed with him. There seemed to be no way out of the darkness. 

You are not alone, no matter what pain you are experiencing. Fellow believers know the struggle of loss. God’s people throughout scripture knew the struggle of loss. God grieved Jesus on the Cross. 

Conclusion: It’s normal on Good Friday to end the service sitting in our grief. I’ve had seminary professors tell students “don’t jump to Sunday too quick.” It’s easy to rush to hope when we’re in the presence of pain. Most of us don’t like to experience loss, grief, or inconvenience longer than necessary. 

Grief is a lifelong journey. We know through the story of Jesus specifically, and the scriptures entirely, that God understands what it means to feel grief. This knowledge may not take the pain away, but hopefully we can find comfort in knowing we aren’t the only ones who have felt this way, and the pain doesn’t last forever. 

God knows our grief and won’t leave us there. God isn’t just looking to heal our broken hearts or sick bodies. God has a bigger redemption plan in mind. Easter is coming along with the promise of God fulfilling God’s promises to set things right again. 

It is Friday; we are full of grief, but Sunday’s coming. Sunday doesn’t immediately remove the pain of today, but it gives us a glimmer of hope that the pain will end. 

Closing Prayer

Message Title: Unlikely Voices
Theme: Even the Rocks Will Cry Out
Season: EASTER!
Main Text: John 20:1-18
Scripture Reading: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
RCL Scripture: Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18; Mark 16:1-8
Focus: Women were the first to witness the resurrection
Function: To realize that God can use me and join the celebration of hope.
Other Notes: (Josh’s birthday) EASTER

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 Give thanks to the Lord because he is good, because his faithful love lasts forever. ²Let Israel say it: “God’s faithful love lasts forever!”… ¹⁴The Lord was my strength and protection; he was my saving help! ¹⁵The sounds of joyful songs and deliverance are heard in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s strong hand is victorious! ¹⁶The Lord’s strong hand is ready to strike! The Lord’s strong hand is victorious!” ¹⁷I won’t die—no, I will live and declare what the Lord has done. ¹⁸Yes, the Lord definitely disciplined me, but he didn’t hand me over to death. ¹⁹Open the gates of righteousness for me so I can come in and give thanks to the Lord! ²⁰This is the Lord’s gate; those who are righteous enter through it. ²¹I thank you because you answered me, because you were my saving help. ²²The stone rejected by the builders is now the main foundation stone! ²³This has happened because of the Lord; it is astounding in our sight! ²⁴This is the day the Lord acted; we will rejoice and celebrate in it!

THE ROCKS CRY OUT- series introduction– Last week was Palm Sunday and we celebrated the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Today is Easter Sunday and HE IS RISEN! (He is risen indeed!)

Easter is a season lasting longer than one holy Sunday. WE will be in “Eastertide” through April until May 23^rd (Pentecost).

As we journey through Easter, we are going to use Jesus’ very own words as our inspiration. In Luke 19: 39-40, there is a conversation recorded between Jesus and a some pharisees. They told Jesus to tell his disciples to stop praising him. His response? “I tell you, if they were silent, the stones would shout.”

As we look at Jesus’ story through the season of easter we will also explore the beauty of American National Parks.

ENGAGE AUDIENCE Have you been to a national park? Which one?

1. Has anyone been to Yellowstone?

The Rocks: (Nature sings of God’s glory)

1. Yellow Stone and Old Faithful
   1. Beautiful nature:
      1. Grand Prismatic Hot spring
      2. Morning Glory hot spring – changed over time because people kept throwing money in for “good luck” potentially forever changed by people’s litter.
   2. Old Faithful geyser
      1. This geyser is dependable. It is predicted to shoot off 20 times a day and can erupt for 1 minute to 5 minutes.
   3. A painter, Thomas Moran, & photographer, William Henry Jackson, were able to capture the beauty of this mysterious land that most thought was a myth.
      1. First national park in 1972 by Congress & President Ulysses Grant
      2. (https://www.yellowstonepark.com/park/history/

TRANSITION: It is difficult to not celebrate our great Creator when you see beautiful wonders like Old Faithful or the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring.Jesus had said, even the rocks will cry out praises.

God’s plans will be accomplished, even if we aren’t wanting to participate.

In our text for today, an unexpected thing happens and an unlikely candidate becomes the bearer of good news. Will this unexpected voice be heard?

SCRIPTURE: John 20:1-18 Early in the morning of the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. ²She ran to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him.” ³Peter and the other disciple left to go to the tomb. ⁴They were running together, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and was the first to arrive at the tomb. ⁵Bending down to take a look, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he didn’t go in. ⁶Following him, Simon Peter entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. ⁷He also saw the face cloth that had been on Jesus’ head. It wasn’t with the other clothes but was folded up in its own place. ⁸Then the other disciple, the one who arrived at the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. ⁹They didn’t yet understand the scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead. ¹⁰Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying. ¹¹Mary stood outside near the tomb, crying. As she cried, she bent down to look into the tomb. ¹²She saw two angels dressed in white, seated where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head and one at the foot. ¹³The angels asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” She replied, “They have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they’ve put him.” ¹⁴As soon as she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she didn’t know it was Jesus. ¹⁵Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him and I will get him.” ¹⁶Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabbouni” (which means Teacher). ¹⁷Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold on to me, for I haven’t yet gone up to my Father. Go to my brothers and sisters and tell them, ‘I’m going up to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” ¹⁸Mary Magdalene left and announced to the disciples, “I’ve seen the Lord.” Then she told them what he said to her.

EXPLAINATION: Women were the first to share the good news of Jesus’ resurrection.

1. Setting the scene from Thursday to Sunday: Jesus on Maundy Thursday had given his disciples teachings in tandem with the Seder meal for Passover. Then they went to the garden to pray. Jesus was arrested just as Thursday was turning into Friday. Now, each of the Gospel accounts tell the next chain of events a little differently.
   1. Per Matthew & Mark, all the disciples left. One even ran away naked. (Mark 14:52)
   2. Per Luke & John say that a disciple (John names Peter) cuts off the ear of a soldier with a sword and Jesus tells him to stop.
   3. Per Luke, Peter followed Jesus after he was arrested, but at a distance. Then Peter denied being Jesus’ disciple 3 times, for fear of also being arrested an executed out of association with Jesus.
   4. (Per John, John was near the cross, because Jesus asked him to care for his mother.)
   5. Per Luke, the women followed Jesus as he carried his cross to Golgotha and were present when his body was laid in the tomb Joseph of Arimathea gave.
   6. Per Matthew & Mark, the women were following from a distance.

INTERPRETATION: Women were the first to share the good news of Jesus’ resurrection.

1. Can you picture being Mary?
   1. From Mary’s perspective, the men have all abandoned Jesus during his arrest, trial, beating, and crucifixion. The movement they had been part of for the last three years was falling apart. The one man who saw her and valued her as an equal, was dead.
      1. They watched their teacher be unjustly arrested. Brutally beaten. AND given a criminals death.
   2. NOW, Mary goes to Jesus’ tomb and it’s empty. WHAT HAVE THEY DONE WITH JESUS?!
      1. Are they going to take away our dignity to properly care for his body and mourn his death?!?!
      2. She goes and gets two of the male disciples to show them what she has found. AND THEY WALK AWAY!?!
      3. They don’t even stay to figure out what happened.
   3. No wonder Mary doesn’t recognize Jesus right away, her world has been rocked. How many of us have been nonsensical in moments of grief or loss?
2. Can you imagine the relief she would feel realizing that it wasn’t the gardener but Jesus speaking?
   1. He’s alive?! I KNOW he was dead, I helped take care of his body. HE’S ALIVE!?!
   2. Everything he said has come true!!!
3. AND THEN Jesus tells her to go and share the news!
   1. The first person to witness the resurrection and be commissioned to share the story is a woman.
      1. A woman, who couldn’t even testify in a court of law because she was considered property.
      2. A woman, whose primary role was to get married, have children, and care for the homestead.
      3. A woman, who couldn’t even own property and if her husband died she would be at the mercy of her other relatives to survive.
   2. Jesus told a woman, the most unlikely of candidates, to share the good news.

APPLICATION:

1. God can use the most unlikely characters or corners of creation for God’s purpose. Our God is the Redeemer of Stories and the Restorer of Lives.
   1. But sometimes, in the midst of our grief, it can be hard to hear those words or to see God’s hope.
   2. Sometimes we can be Mary crying in the garden, yelling at the gardener.
2. Engage the audience in a litany reading- I want us to share in a reading. Sometimes to hear the words coming out of our own mouth can help us believe the truth.

Our God is the Great Redeemer and Creator.

No matter the choices you have made in your life.

All: God can use you

No matter the pains of my past

All: God can use me

No matter the differences between us

All: God can use us

God intends for the good of all creation

All: The rocks will sing of God’s glory

We are all invited to join with creation

All: All of God’s creation declare God’s glory

Our hope is placed in Jesus

All: He has Risen! Our Hope has risen!

He is risen indeed!

COMMUNION: As we celebrated on Thursday, Jesus gathered his disciples and broke bread and shared a cup. He changed the Seder meal forever. Today we celebrate our God who keeps his promises.

Communion is a reminder that there is still one promise left to be fulfilled. Christ will return and set the world right again. As we celebrate Easter and communion, we also remember that our job isn’t done and God still has one promise to fulfill.

Bless the bread & cup

CONCLUSION: Throughout time God has broken down social barriers and used unlikely people for his purpose. If God can use Hagar, Moses, or Deborah, God can use you too! We can join in with Old Faithful and the Great Prismatic in singing God’s praises and pointing towards the hope of Christ.

Message Title: Is Christianity stuck in the Past?
Theme: Record Breakers & Redemption
Season: Lent
Main Text: Jeremiah 31:31-34;
Scripture Reading: John 12:20-33
RCL Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:1-12 or Psalm 119:9-16; Hebrews 5:5-10; John 12:20-33
Focus: God establishes a new covenant with his people.
Function: To see the complexity of our faith and In the midst of our convictions, we can have space for differences of opinion.
Other Notes: Guinness Records in Indiana https://www.indystar.com/story/life/2014/10/09/guiness-book-world-records-hoosiers/16960841/

SCRIPTURE READING: John 12:20-33 ²⁰ Some Greeks were among those who had come up to worship at the festival. ²¹ They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and made a request: “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” ²² Philip told Andrew, and Andrew and Philip told Jesus. ²³ Jesus replied, “The time has come for the Human One^[e] to be glorified. ²⁴ I assure you that unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it can only be a single seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. ²⁵ Those who love their lives will lose them, and those who hate their lives in this world will keep them forever. ²⁶ Whoever serves me must follow me. Wherever I am, there my servant will also be. My Father will honor whoever serves me. ²⁷ “Now I am deeply troubled.^[f] What should I say? ‘Father, save me from this time’? No, for this is the reason I have come to this time. ²⁸ Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” ²⁹ The crowd standing there heard and said, “It’s thunder.” Others said, “An angel spoke to him.” ³⁰ Jesus replied, “This voice wasn’t for my benefit but for yours. ³¹ Now is the time for judgment of this world. Now this world’s ruler will be thrown out. ³² When I am lifted up^[g] from the earth, I will draw everyone to me.” (³³ He said this to show how he was going to die.)

WORLD RECORD: Batman Memorabilia-

1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: Do you collect anything? What do you collect? What started the collection?
2. A few weeks ago we had heard about Indiana’s temporary world record for longest high five chain, Today’s world record is another one of the past.
3. Largest collection of Batman memorabilia from 2013-2015
   1. Set: Oct. 25, 2013. (surpassed in 2015 by Brad Ladner of Roswell Georgia with 8226 items)
   2. About the record: Kevin Silva of Indianapolis has 2,501 pieces of Batman memorabilia. Silva’s collection includes a lunch box he carried to kindergarten and a child’s black, felt cowl paired to a purple satin cape. Sorry, no Batmobile.
4. Sources:
   1. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/10/record-holder-profile-video-welcome-to-kevin-silva%e2%80%99s-bat-cave-of-memorabilia-399999
   2. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/99621-largest-collection-of-batman-memorabilia

TRANSITION: It’s easy to live off of our former glories or cling to memorabilia from the past rather than living in the present or planning for the future. But continually focusing on the past without considering the present or the future leads to painting the past with a biased lens.

In our text for today, we will hear about God doing something new. God establishes a new covenant in Jeremiah 31. As we dive into this *new* covenant from the *old* testament, I want us to consider the preconceived ideas we carry with us about scripture specifically and Christianity as a whole.

SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 31:31-34 ³¹The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. ³²It won’t be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant with me even though I was their husband, declares the Lord. ³³No, this is the covenant that I will make with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my Instructions within them and engrave them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. ³⁴They will no longer need to teach each other to say, “Know the Lord!” because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord; for I will forgive their wrongdoing and never again remember their sins.

EXPLAINATION:

1. Background: I want to take a moment to zoom out from this passage and discover the context for these words.
   1. Audience: (northern or southern kingdom?)
      1. is speaking to the southern Kingdom of Judah. The northern kingdom of Israel was destroyed about a hundred years ago.Only the kingdom of Judah remains, yet they still struggle to be faithful to God. King Josiah (at the beginning of Jeremiah) tried to turn the people back to God but that was short lived.
   2. Chart of Prophets & Kings – 2
2. Jeremiah told them exile was coming as a consequence of their actions (and he wasn’t the only prophet at that time saying the same thing: Zephaniah, Nahum, Joel, Ezekiel, Daniel, Obadiah, and Habakkuk All have timelines that overlap Jeremiah.). But that didn’t stop them.
   1. Even though they were experiencing consequences and exile, God was promising them that redemption & restoration were coming.
   2. The covenant God started with Moses & the Israelites on Mount Sinai wasn’t working. Israel had broken that covenant so many times, God acknowledged that covenant was broken. But God’s intention of keeping God’s promises wasn’t over.
   3. God says, I’m going to establish a new covenant to fulfill my promises.
3. The New Thing: God is looking back and maintaining promises to be fulfilled in a new way.
   1. “I will put my instructions within them”
      1. Connection to Deut 6—the Shema was a prayer & instruction for Israel to write God’s word on their hearts, now God is the one doing it.
   2. “I will be their God”
      1. Repeating the words of the covenant in the 10 commandments.
      2. God is still maintaining God’s promises.
      3. God claims them first.
   3. “No longer need to teach…”
      1. No need for priests as mediators? (different than the conversation between Moses, God and the Israelites where they begged for a mediator for fear that God would smite them)
      2. God will be present with you God will be the priest.
   4. “I will forgive their wrongdoing and never again remember their sins.”
      1. No longer need to sacrifice or be made “pure” to meet God.
      2. God is changing the way the measure of righteousness will be fulfilled.

INTERPRETATION: To see the complexity of our faith and In the midst of our convictions, we can have space for differences of opinion.

1. The prophecy of Jeremiah is a book with famous passages in the Christian faith. However, we frequently take these famous passages out of context or misconstrue their meaning with our bias.
   1. Example: Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you…” (big quote people use about hope or for graduates to say that there is a purpose you are on this earth and God will bless you with those plans.) We write this passage to say God has a great plan or purpose four our life.
      1. HOWEVER: God was sending them into exile but God wasn’t going to abandon them. Nor was God going to leave them in exile forever.
      2. God tells them to not put their life on hold waiting to return to the Promise Land. Live, work, marry, have babies. Get settled in, you’ll be here a while. (verse reference)
      3. This passage is about comfort in the midst of consequences.
2. Nostalgia, Memories, & Memorabilia and twist our interpretation of scripture.
3. Our interpretation of Jeremiah 31:31-34 follows that of Jeremiah 29:11. We take that passage out of context and point only to Jesus. We see the hope of the messiah in this passage, and it leads us to what we’ve been taught about salvation. This thought or reading impacts our answers to different questions:
   1. Questions about salvation:
      1. Who is saved?
      2. What is the path to salvation?
      3. What about the Jews? Does God give up on them?
   1. THOUGHT EXERCISE: I want to take a moment to reflect on the implications of reading this passage this way (and ignoring the rest of ch 31). Here are some questions that popped up:
      1. Can God change God’s mind about the plan for salvation & sin? (God doesn’t compromise God’s goals, God modifies the route to get to those goals for humans).
      2. Can we change God’s mind the plan for salvation & sin? (scripture suggests yes, Abraham & Moses talk to God and God changes the plan. However more frequently than not, prayer is about us aligning with God’s desires rather than God aligning with our desires.)
      3. Did God give up on the Israelites/Jews(God’s promise to Abraham) and look for a new people( to be Abraham’s offspring)? (If you read all of Jeremiah 31, you will quickly see that God repeatedly says, he will not give up or abandon Israel. Even though the northern Kingdom of Israel is already wiped off the earth).
         1. Would God be a merciful, just, loving God if God transferred his commitment from the Jews to Christians? What about the people that lived before Jesus or the people who live their entire lives never hearing the name of Jesus?—answers to these questions speak about God’s character not about the character of humanity.
      4. Do we have a choice in God’s love(salvation)? –theological answer different depending on the denomination
         1. Depending on your faith family tree, your answers to these questions will be different.
            1. Calvinists & Arminians/Free Evangelicals
            2. Perhaps you can be a rebel and say, maybe there is space for both of these schools of thought to happen?
      5. Christians don’t agree on the details of salvation apart from the connection to Jesus.
4. Jeremiah knew nothing of Jesus when this passage was written. Jeremiah wasn’t speaking about a Christian hope, but a Jewish hope. God would fulfill God’s covenantal promises to Abraham, Moses, and Israel.
   1. This time, God says, “I’m gonna do a new thing.”—these promises are old but the path may be different.
   2. God doesn’t ditch the Jews nor is God saying to ditch the Old Testament when Jesus shows up on the scene. Jesus even says he doesn’t come to abolish the law(10 commandments/Torah) but to fulfill the law. God maintains God’s expectations and God brings about the fulfillment of those expectations through Jesus.
   3. God is fulfilling God’s promises through Jesus. Jesus is God keeping the promises of the OT.
5. How we read scripture impacts the teachings of the Church.

APPLICATION: To see the complexity of our faith and In the midst of our convictions, we can have space for differences of opinion.

1. As I look at this very familiar passage and my mind goes into default mode when interpreting. I have to recognize that the scope of Christian belief about salvation is wide and complex.
   1. Clinging to nostalgia teachings without analyzing them in the Spirit, can be detrimental.
      1. When I think I’ve got God all figured out, God teaches me a new lesson.
   2. Israel spent centuries ignoring the teachings and instructions of God and only listening to the voices of generations past. They experienced the consequences of their actions through exile.
2. Salvation Gatekeeping: Christian Selective nostalgia is a real problem when looking back at Christian history and scripture.
   1. We pick and choose what we like
      1. OT Laws (some) & Judgement
      2. Ditch the jews (except to defend their right to the land of Israel)
      3. Jesus represents love, mercy, and salvation (but only for the repentant who have prayed a salvation prayer).
   2. We do salvation gate keeping.
3. America has this problem with our selective memory about our history: “good ole days” for who?
   1. Asian Americans building railways or in internment camps during WWII. All Asians getting lumped into one category, disregarding their different cultures, languages, and ethnic roots. (this also led to them all being treated poorly during WWII)
   2. Native Americans lost their land to settlers and a government who continually breaks promises to them. “reservations” are the worst land.
      1. SD boarding schools- Shaved heads & beat their language out of them
   3. African Americans -slavery, segregation, “separate but equal,” civil rights movement, BLM
   4. Mexican Americans & Tejanos- you can be here only if you speak our language and work the jobs we don’t like. Yes, I know we moved the border of Mexico on you but get with the program.
4. The Good Ole days is a biased interpretation of the past.
   1. Do I love the Andy Griffith Show? Of course! Mayberry is great. Bu tit also isn’t a full picture of America.
   2. Not saying we cancel our favorite things of the past but to look at them with a bigger understanding of the story.

CONCLUSION:

1. Lent Season Wrap up: Today is the last Sunday in Lent proper. Next week is Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy week. Though we are wrapping up this season of Lent, we aren’t our commitment to live intentionally.
   1. Perhaps you started a new practice for the season of lent. what is the next step of diving deeper into your walk with God?
      1. Traditional practices: Fasting , Charitable giving, Confession & Repentance, Incorporate a new spiritual practice
      2. Unconventional practices: Joy Jar
   2. Perhaps you are still considering your commitment card or lost it and need a new one. No worries, we’ve got some in the foyer. What are your next steps for fulfilling this commitment?
2. Though this official season of reflection is ending, we are still called to grow deeper with God. As we look forward to Easter, we can also look forward to what God is doing new in our lives and in this world. God is keeping God’s promises.
3. If we let ourselves only stick to the familiar nostalgic things, we may never grow deeper into who God built us to be. Nostalgia can prevent growth. However, nostalgia can also be a gift to help us remember God’s faithfulness and give us strength to step into something new.
   1. It’s time to ask God: Where to next?