Author: Pastor Kelly Jane

Click on the Music Title to listen via YouTube

GATHERING 

A time to practice gratitude and reflect on our many blessings. 

Our service will take us through four thanksgiving scriptures, each with a brief reflection in words, silence, and music.  

MUSIC: Come, Ye, Thankful People Come by Choir of King’s College

OPENING PRAYER 

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 

Pastor: for creation/for family/for faith…Holy One… 

People: Thank You!  

CONFESSION  

Sometimes we can struggle to practice heartfelt gratitude.  

Let us pause for a moment to put down our burdens and struggles, 

That we might be free to praise God with open hearts. 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION  

Holy One, bind our wandering hearts to you and help us to follow your ways. 

Release us from the sins that stifle our praises and dampen our thanksgiving.  

Shower us with your blessings,  

In Christ we pray. Amen. 

As we listen to our next hymn, let us consider what draws us away from the Divine, that we might turn back and find the blessings of closeness with God.  

MUSIC: Come, thou fount of every blessing  by Sufjan Stevens (Click to Listen)

WORDS OF ASSURANCE:  

God takes our hearts, forgives our sins, and redeems us in everlasting love.  

We can look around us for evidence of God’s love and see much to give thanks for.  

Perhaps one of the most frequent places of thanksgiving is the beauty of creation.  

So we begin our prayers of thanksgiving with thanksgiving for creation.  

GRATITUDE in CREATION 

“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad, let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord.” – Psalm 96:11-13 

Creation praises God, for God has made this world and all that is in it.  

We can learn about thanksgiving from the praises of creation.  

Birds sing in disjointed harmony.  

Trees sway and dance in the wind.  

I consider my cat,  

gleefully rolling in the sunlight and endlessly entertained by a little ball.  

I invite you to bring to mind a being of God’s creation- the ocean, mountains, a pet, a tree.  

A piece of nature that sings to your soul.  

How does this creation praise the Divine?  

What might it be teaching you about how to give thanks? 

MUSIC: For the Beauty of the Earth by Mormon Tabernacle Choir

GRATITUDE in Prayer Requests  

“Rejoice in the Lord! Again, I say rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:4-7 

The first part of this scripture is often quoted on thanksgiving cards and the like.  

The full paragraph gives some context.  

Paul encourages the early Christians that prayers requesting something be made with thanksgiving.  

Usually when we ask for something it is because we lack something  

(ex. I want to be healed for my body is sick.  

I want a friend because I am lonely.)  

or when we ask for something there is some bargaining involved  

(ex. I’ll rub your back if you rub mine.  

God, I’ll go to church every Sunday if you do this for me.)  

In contrast to both of these approaches to requests,  

Paul urges requests to be made in a spirit of rejoicing  

(ex. God how great are your works, how beautiful your creation, how much you have loved your people. If it is pleasing to you, my heart desires to be healthy (or whatever your request might be). I pray to you for you are a good and loving God.)  

What desires do you have?  

How might you share them with God in a Spirit of Thanksgiving?  

MUSIC: 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman

GRATITUDE in STORMS 

“A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But Jesus was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” – Mark 4:37-40 

Practicing gratitude in the storms is both the most challenging time to do so and when we need it most.  

Storms can breed doubt and fear into our faith.  

Storms are the winter times of our lives when we look around and see so many bare trees. Cold. Barren . Deserted.  

Yet, there are already buds on the trees, preparing for the new life of spring.  

Yet, the cold frost gives the plants and humans respite from many an insect.  

Yet, there is a quiet calm in winter that allows creation to rest and reflect before it is reborn. 

 Storms in our lives often do that – force us to reflect and reassess.  

What we often find is that God is present in the storms and through the winter, a shield and comfort, a shelter from the waves, a thread of hope of what will be, a mighty fortress who never fails.  

Let us in the silence give thanks for how God has been a fortress in stormy winter times in our lives.  

MUSIC: A Mighty Fortress is Our God by Michael W. Smith

GRATITUDE in CHRIST 

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 –19 

As Christians our gratitude is grounded in the incarnate God, Jesus Christ,  

who walked among us, taught us, died on the cross,  

and rose again to promise us new life.  

My deepest moments of gratitude are most certainly resurrection moments – a blessing found after a period of despair, sadness, or loss.  

The friendship reconciled. The healing after illness. A wrongdoing forgiven.  

As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians, “a new life has begun” and indeed joy and gratitude spring forth when such new life is discovered.  

The gratitude does not end there though,  

for Paul continues by writing that Christ “entrusts the message of reconciliation to us.”  

When the Spirit of Gratitude fills us, it moves us to action.  

Gratitude does not leave us where we are, but inspires us to reach out in love.  

Our final musical meditation is from a contemporary Christian band called Hillsong United entitled, “So Will I” 

 and takes us from the praises of creation to the power of salvation.  

The singers recount God’s many miracles and what those miracles call forth in them.  

It is a song of deep gratitude, a gratitude that overflows in praise and love.  

As we listen, may we consider how we respond to the great acts of God  

– from creation to salvation.  

MUSIC: So Will I (100 Billion times) by Hillsong United

LORD’S PRAYER 

Let us join our voices with countless people throughout the ages astounded by the greatness of God and pray the prayer taught to us by our Savior, saying together: 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.  

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,  

for thine is the kingdom, and the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.  

BENEDICTION  

May the Creator who formed you continue to mold you. 

May the Christ continue to walk with you through thick and thin. 

May the Holy Spirit bind you together with loved ones near and far. 

May you continue on your journey, giving thanks and praise to God through all the ups and downs of life. Amen.  

DOXOLOGY by Mark Schultz

A Spirit Walk is an intentional time to be with the Divine with all your senses. 

You are invited to take a Spirit Walk any time you like in the next month. You can walk up a mountain, down the street or even around your home. You can walk alone or with a friend (children can make great Spirit Walk partners as they see the world afresh).  You may even do your “walk” while sitting by a window or in a local park.

You can join Pastor Kelly Jane for an in-person guided Spirit Walk on Saturday, November 14 at 2:00pm. Children welcomed to participate in this socially distanced and masked worshipful walk on the flat paved trail of the Great River Park in East Hartford at 301 E River Dr, East Hartford, CT 06108. RSVP to Pastor Kelly Jane helpful, but not required (860-351-7420 or revkellyjane at churchcorners dot org).  

You are also invited on Monday, November 23 at 7:00 pm to join on zoom for a time of worshipful reflection with the opportunity to share any insights or challenges met on your Spirit Walk. 

Tips for Walking:  

November Spirit Walk/Meditation: 

Journey with Gratitude 

God blesses us in many ways throughout our life journeys. 

 This Spirit Walk invites you to soak in the Divine as you journey through ups and downs.  

CENTERING: 

“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” – Matt 11:28 

Warm up your body and mind by slowly walking or, if sitting, relaxing into a comfortable position. Take this time to transition from the regular day. Let your thoughts ramble and go. If you are with someone, get your chit chat out and then allow for a time of silence. Set a timer for at least two minutes and begin walking and breathing with deep, slow breaths.  

GRATITUDE in CREATION 

“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad, let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord.” – Psalm 96:11-13 

As you walk or sit in nature, soak in the beauty of creation through all your senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, smell. As you notice, give thanks to God for each observation. Thank you, God for the red leaf. Thank you, God for the smell of the leaves…. 

GRATITUDE in JOY 

“Rejoice in the Lord! Again, I say rejoice!” – Philippians 4:4 

As you walk or sit in nature, look about for something that truly makes your heart rejoice. Stay with that object or thought for a while. Let yourself feel the joy in your whole body. Consider a joyful time in your own life and how the Holy was present to you in that time.  

GRATITUDE in STORMS 

“A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But Jesus was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” – Mark 4:37-40 

As you walk or sit in nature, notice where there might be suffering in the world around you. What in nature is hurting? Settle on one object for a while. Let yourself feel the sorrow and loss. Consider a stormy time in your own life and how the Holy was present to you in that time.  

GRATITUDE in CHRIST 

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 -19 

As you walk or sit in nature, notice the transformations in the world around you. How is the change of the seasons impacting the trees? The ground? The animals? How have the seasons of your life changed your views, your faith or your actions? What transformations in yourself or the world do you feel grateful for? 

GRATITUDE SCAVENGER HUNT 

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 

Before you turn back, take a break to complete this gratitude scavenger hunt shared by Sharon Walters! 

What are you grateful for….? 

1. In nature 

2. That makes a beautiful sound 

3. That tastes good 

4. That smells amazing 

5. That has been hard for me 

6. That I would like to share with others 

7. That is older than me 

8. That I recently discovered or learned 

9. That shows a vibrant color 

10. That has words on it 

11. That makes me feel strong 

12. That makes me laugh 

13. That makes me cry 

14. That represents my country or culture 

15. That is someone I love (outside of my group) 

RETURN 

If you are walking, turn around to return. If you have been sitting, take four minutes to sit in the impacts of your spiritual practice. 

How has this time of gratitude meditation impacted your heart? Impacted your body? 

What has this practice of gratitude revealed to you about the Holy? 

CLOSING PRAYER 

Gracious God, may we journey through life in gratitude, giving you thanks and praise through all the ups and downs of life. Amen.  

by Rev. Kelly Jane Caesar

A Spirit Walk is an intentional time to be with the Divine with all your senses. 

You are invited to take a Spirit Walk any time you like in the next month. You can walk up a mountain, down the street or even around your home. You can walk alone or with a friend (children can make great Spirit Walk partners as they see the world afresh).  

You can join Pastor Kelly Jane for an in-person guided Spirit Walk on Indigenous People’s Day, Monday, October 12 at 3:00 pm. Children welcomed to participate in this socially distanced and masked worshipful walk on the flat Hop River State Park trail at Bolton Notch, meeting at the Bolton Park and Ride at Morancey Rd, Bolton, CT 06043. RSVP to Pastor Kelly Jane helpful, but not required (revkellyjane at churchcorners dot org).  

You are also invited on Thursday, October 29 at 7:00 pm to join on zoom for a time of reflection with the opportunity to share any insights or challenges met on your Spirit Walk. 

Tips for Walking:

Bring water and wear comfortable shoes. 

Bring a timer to guide you through each portion, especially if doing walk by yourself or with a buddy.  

You may like a journal to record your findings – or print out this page to record directly on paper.  

The Spirit Walk is written to last about an hour, with periods of rest included.  

Please adapt for your own needs and environment, walking longer if you feel so called or lingering on particular sections as they beacon to you.  

October Spirit Walk: 

Sensing God with Our Senses 

God so loves our bodies that in Jesus, God became incarnate in a human body with the ability to hear, see, taste, smell, and touch. 

  This Spirit Walk invites you to soak in the Divine through your five senses. 

CENTERING: 

“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” – Matt 11:28 

Warm up your body and mind by slowly walking. Take this time to transition from the regular day. Let your thoughts ramble and go. If you are with someone, get your chit chat out and then allow for a time of silence. Set a timer for at least two minutes and begin walking. 

SIGHT: 
“I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.” Isaiah 42:6-7 

For at least the next five minutes really look around you as you walk. Notice the colors. What textures do you see. What is beautiful? What is ugly? Pick an item that captures your attention. Take your item with you either by physically picking it up, taking a picture, or drawing it in your journal. Set a timer for 5 minutes and practice seeing as you walk. 

SOUND: 

¹¹ He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; ¹² and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:11-13 

Pause to listen. You may sit or stand as you are comfortable, but try to remain still. Listen to the sounds of nature. Listen to the sounds of humans. Can you hear the silence? Pick an item that captures your attention. Take your item with you either by physically picking it up, taking a picture, or drawing it in your journal. Set a timer for at least 5 minutes and be still and listen.  

SMELL:  

“You shall make an altar on which to burn incense; you shall make it of acacia wood…and Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it.” – Exodus 30:1, 7 

As you resume your walking in the same direction as before, take some deep breaths. What do you smell? Notice the difference in smell when you are breathing in and when you are breathing out. Again, select an item the intrigues your nose and take it with you by physically picking it up, taking a picture, or drawing it in your journal. Set a timer for at least 5 minutes and walk, breathing deeply the smells around you. 

TOUCH: 

“When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.” Matt 9:20 

Slow down your walk to explore the textures of God’s creation around you. Reach out and touch what you can (avoid poison ivy!). Touch the bark of a tree. Touch a stone. Notice the temperature of your skin. Pick an item that captures your attention. Take your item with you either by physically picking it up, taking a picture, or drawing it in your journal. Set a timer for at least 5 minutes and touch the world around you.   

TASTE: 

“I’m thirsty.” – Jesus on the cross John 19:28 

Perhaps you have worked up a thirst on your journey. Notice what it feels like to be thirsty in your body. What does it feel like to be thirsty in your soul? Slowly drink some water and notice the difference.  

RETURN 

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John 1:14 

As you walk back to the beginning, soak in the walk with all of your senses. If you are with a buddy, try to walk in silence for a portion of the time. Which senses do you use more? Which less? How does the Divine speak through your senses? You may like to write your reflections down or share them aloud with your walking buddy.  

CLOSING PRAYER 

Thank you, Creator for the ability to see, hear, smell, touch and taste your blessings all around us. Amen.  

Sermon on August 9, 2020 by Rev. Kelly Jane Caesar 

Have we been hit with some storms! The storm of racism swelled this summer, unleashing civil unrest and long-awaited social change. The storm of Covid-19 has upended howe we shop, how we see one another, and how we worship. The tropical storm this past week forced us to further fast from power, screens, and more as trees and power lines fell. Not to mention the ongoing storms of life . The storm of disease that wreaks havoc on one’s body. The storm of aging that disrupts what was and wipes away previous abilities, even as new blessings emerge. The storm of grief that tears open a piece of our hearts, permanently altering our lives.  

Our spirituality (or faith) is what helps us navigate the storms of life. Some will turn to drugs or addiction or avoidance or busy-ness or blame or shame as ways to get through the storms. Such methods may relieve the pain for a moment, but doing so builds up bitterness, resentment, exhaustion and ultimately leads us to greater suffering.  

In the Bible we find a more life-giving and sustainable way of navigating life’s storms – a way that fosters deep, long-lasting peace. We will look at two scriptures that point us to this way of peace through the storms. In both it is clear that the Holy is with us through the storms, but let us listen closer to hear how the Holy is present and what we humans are to do. 

Psalm 46: a song of praise sung in the ancient temple; notice the first few verses describe a mighty storm. 

God is: strength (v.1) & peace (v.9) as the one who ceases all wars 

We are called to: not fear (v. 2) and be still and know God (v. 10) 

These themes of Psalm 46 are echoes throughout scripture and are taught by Jesus. We are going to unpack them with our next scripture. Our next scripture takes place after Jesus has fed the 5,000. Listen closely for how the Holy is present in this storm and what the human disciples are called to do.  

Matthew 14:22-33 

God in Jesus is powerful! He walks on water (v. 25); echoing God subduing the waters of creation in Gen 1 and Psalm 46 which names God’s strength and ability to overcome all the nations. 

We are called to not be afraid (v. 27) once again, like psalm 46 and 365 times throughout the Bible, for God is powerful and present with us. 

That sounds nice, except when we are caught in a storm we can quickly begin to wonder if God has abandoned us or is punishing us for unknown reasons.  

Pastors and friends may say God is present, but we want proof. Like Peter in our scripture today, we want proof that the Holy, Jesus, really is walking with us in the storms. Like Peter, we may demand the extraordinary or supernatural: Peter says, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” (v. 28) As a wise teacher, Jesus says, “come” – much like a good teacher invites a student to give their idea a try, knowing that when the student discovers their idea does not work, they have learned the lesson more deeply than words alone could do.  

So Peter tried to walk on water, he tried to have the power of God, but he becomes afrais, begins to sink and Jesus saves him and says, “you of little faith” (v. 31). Prof. Frank Rogers Jr writes in a devotional (Diciplines 2020) on this scripture that: 

“Peter’s lack of faith is not that he cannot walk on water. It is that he does not trust that Jesus is with him in the storm. He demands proof. He demands the extraordinary [I would say supernatural] … Jesus does not promise to help us walk on water. He promises to be a compassionate compaino within the boat navigating the rough seas.” 

The temptation in a storm is to try to walk on water, to try to be God, to try to make a situation what it simply cannot be. We pretend the health diagnosis is not true. We discount or ignore the advice of public health officials offering guidelines to address the pandemic. We try to “win back” someone who broke up with us. We try to pretend our bodies are more able than they are. All examples of making a situation what it is not.  

While we may be tempted to try to walk on water in a storm – or demand God act a certain way or others act the way we want – we will find more strength and peace when we can accept that the waves are roaring. 

To accept the reality of a storm is not to dwell in despair, depression or be paralyzed with sorrow. To accept the reality of a storm is not to forgo responsibility or action – we must still seek treatment for the illness, seek a vaccine for covid, and address hurricane damage. To accept the reality of the storm orients our actions appropriately .  

To accept the state of the storm is to have realistic expectations. No, you can’t have all the lights on and bake cookies when the power is out after a hurricane; but you can have canned soup. No worship will not look or feel the same as it did pre-covid, but we can still connect to God and one another. No the health diagnosis cannot be reversed, but treatment can be sought and, if necessary, goodbyes given. 

Realistic expectations – or properly-sized hope – saves us from wasting energy in fighting what is, saves us from seekign to defy the laws of physics, saves us from trying to be the savior and fix it all. Because we are not the savior. We are not God. Right-sized hope, realistic expectations, save us from drowning in the storm. 

Instead of demanding proof or chasing after supernatural power, a gentle acceptance of the storm will bring us deep, longer-lasting peace and the proper perspective for navigating our boat in the waves.  When we accept the storm, we not only find peace, but we are better able to see and trust the Holy with us.  

When a person is drowning they frantically grasp for help – and will pull down whoever tries to help them – drowning their save-r/savior in their frantic fear. This is why life guards use flotation devices. When we can be still long enough to find peace, we are able to see God, Jesus, standing there saving us from despair and guiding us to new life. 

When we quit fighting the storm, we are able to flow with peace, and see the Holy with us in the storm. This peace does not end the storm, our situation is still difficult, but when we can be still and call the storm what it is (using choice words if need be), we stop frantically and anxiously looking about and can instead focus our eyes on the Holy with us. In the hurricane storm, we see the care of neighbors helping to clear branches and offering fridge space and showers, and humor to lighten the load. In the Covid storm we see the new relationships forming over the phone or online, as well as the deepening of home worship and the sacredness of the ordinary. In the storm of disease, we see a strong humility amid loving care of others.  

As we navigate the many storms of life, may we accept the present reality of the storm, that we might have the peace and focus to see the presence of the Holy walking with us. As my most beloved prayer says: May God grant us the serenity to accept what we cannot change, the courage to change what we can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen.  

Sermon by Rev. Kelly Jane Caesar on July 12, 2020

SCRIPTURE INTRO 

Today is a scripture not often read on Sunday mornings in today’s day and age. 

It is a scripture passage probably glossed over by many reading the Bible straight through – one of those with a long list of hard names.  

Yet, it is a scripture that was used to lay the foundation of racism in the world, 

Our scripture is from Genesis – the first book of the Bible that explains the origins of where God’s Chosen People of Israel come from and the special Divine Promise given to them. From the Chosen People of Israel comes the Messiah, Jesus, who is destined to save the world, and so Christians generally read themselves to inherit the special Divine Promise of God’s chosen people, thus the Hebrew Scriptures are the foundation of the Christian Bible. In Genesis family stories explain the future layout and relations of God’s chosen nation. For example, we have the story of the 12 sons of Jacob who will become the 12 tribes of Israel. Today we have the story of Noah and his sons – a story of where various nations originated from and their relation to Israel.  

Like many other stories in Genesis, this one was written down centuries after it supposedly occurred. It was recorded once Israel was already a nation and was trying to justify why it could conquer certain people and partner with others. Chapter 10 provides a list of patriarchs and the nations which came from them. Chapter 9 involves a family story to explain why some nations listed can – and even ought- to be subjected to slavery. Listen closely for this text echoes even today in 2020.  

SCRIPTURE READING: Genesis 9:18-27 & Genesis 10  

SERMON  

Chapter 10 lists the patriarchs of each of these nations and they are grouped in such a way that later scholars show that the apparent divisions have little to do with language, culture, geography or racial divides. In fact, the concept of race as we know it today did not exist in biblical times. After-all, all the people of the nations outlined in chapter 10 were closely related in terms of skin tone and generally in the Mideast.  

Yet, European and colonial slave holders pointed to this text as justification for the enslavement of Africans, people of dark skin tone. Part of the reasoning is that Cush, a son of Ham, was later identified as being in Northern Africa and Europeans of colonial time simply said, well the curse of Ham continues for Africans. Never mind that the curse was actually on Canaan- which, also doesn’t make sense since Canaan is only one son of Ham, and Ham was the one who did wrong. Why Canaan and not the other sons of Ham? Well, Canaan lived in the promised land of the Israelites. This story provided justification for the enslavement of the Canaanites when Israel conquered their land. That story is later in the Bible and we will get to that later in the summer. Suffice it to say, this story of the so-called “curse of ham” has been used throughout history to justify the enslavement of another people.  

[Some resources:  

https://time.com/5171819/christianity-slavery-book-excerpt/

https://youtu.be/C1-6_FyUmDA]

White wealthy slaveholders in America used this text, among others, to enforce chattel slavery of Africans in the United States. It should be noted that chattel slavery in America differed from slavery in the ancient world – but that’s another sermon.  

The underlining logic of this text is that certain people deserve to be enslaved because they or their ancestors did wrong. Ham dishonored his father and thus deserves his punishment. Today we can agree that such a punishment seems to far outweigh the crime. Yet, the ideology of this text has echoed throughout time.  

If Ham had not dishonored his father, his son Canaan would not be subjected to slavery. (the Israelites argued)  

If Africans were not descendants of Ham, they would not be subjected to slavery. (the whites argued) 

If the African slave had not run away, he would not have been whipped.  

If Emmett Till had not flirted with a white woman in 1955, he would not have been murdered.  

If you don’t know the story of Emmett Till, go look that up. He is probably the most well-known case of a black man, actually in this case a teenager, who was brutally murdered for supposedly flirting or looking at a white woman. (read more here) 

The logic from this scripture –  

that a certain people deserve excessive force because of a past wrong – 

echoed into the 21^st century.  

If Trayvon Martin wasn’t wearing a hoodie, he might still be alive.  

If Eric Garner wasn’t selling loose cigarettes, he might still be alive.  

If Sandra Bland didn’t have a taillight out, she might still be alive.  

If Ahmaud Arbery wasn’t running, he might still be alive.  

If Mr. Douglas hadn’t pulled over to take a phone call, in the Bloomfield neighborhood he works in, he wouldn’t have been threatened with a gun. (citation)  

If the black teenagers in Manchester weren’t out in the middle of the night, they wouldn’t be harassed, hunted and had their bike mangled. (citation)  

If Tamir Rice wasn’t playing with a toy gun, maybe he wouldn’t have been shot in seconds.  

If Rayshard Brooks hadn’t taken the taser being used on him, he would not have been shot.  

If Breonna Taylor wasn’t asleep in her bed, she would not have been shot.  

As late-night tv show host, Trevor Noah so poignantly said,  

The “ifs” keep changing, but there is a common thread here.  

If you weren’t black, you would still be alive.  [Citation] 

Too often after a shooting or harassment of a black person, people seek justification or excuses, reasons for the excessive force. Perhaps crimes are found, but rarely does such a crime justify their murder. In almost no case is their death without a fair trial warranted.  

The desire to justify the excessive force used against people of color is the same today as it was in colonial America: those not blatantly victimized want to be free from responsibility and guilt. If a reason or cause can be found for the violence, than those with power need not do anything to stop the violence from happening again.  

If the Canaanites deserve to be enslaved, the Israelites are not guilty for the harm done. 

If Africans are destined for slavery, whites, whether slave-owning or not, need not heed their humanity. 

If any excuse or crime is justification to shoot a black person, then polite, reasonable people can sit back, shake their heads, say, “what a shame” and do nothing to change the statistics.  

If we can blame the victim, then we are free of sin – and the responsibility to change.  

It is a sin to excuse excessive force and murder because of some perceived or real minor crime. 

The fact that such blame is more prevalent when it is a black person who is killed is one of the many ways society proclaim that black lives do not matter. For if black lives did matter, there would be no petty excuses for the excessive force and murder of black and brown people at the hands of vigilantes or police without trial. It is a sin to dismiss such cases by blaming the victim and ignoring the statistics.  

As Christians we have a spiritual practice for dealing with sin: confession. Confession is the act of naming and unmasking the harm sin has in our lives and world. Confession is the opposite of seeking to deflect responsibility and place blame on others. Confession names the harm sin has in our lives and world. It is the first step towards reconciliation and peace. This is heavy stuff, so let us pause in this sermon to join together in moment of confession.  

TIME OF CONFESSION 

UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION [Slide 11] 

PASTOR: God of all our ancestors,  

PEOPLE: we are truly broken by the sins of the past and present, sins personal and political, sins we have personally committed, sins we watched happen, and sins we passed on.  Grant us faith enough to remove racism and all forms of oppression from this world.  

PASTOR: May each one be free to worship you. May each one be free to love with a whole heart. May each one know the peace that is found in you.  

SILENT CONFESSION 

SUNG RESPONSE: “Know Justice, Know Peace” [Slide 12] 

WORDS OF ASSURANCE/SERMON CONCLUSION 

After the confession I usually offer words of assurance and indeed I will, for there is hope. In fact, hope lies in the very text used for harm.  

Another justification for slavery in colonial times was that Africans were an entirely different species from Europeans, closer to apes (which is in part why calling a person of color a monkey is so hurtful). So called scientists made charts and diagrams attesting to the “biological fact”. Later scientists would find their theories based solely on conjunction and almost no actual scientific processes. In fact, later scientists would come to find that there is actually no biological difference between black and brown and white people – DNA cannot be easily categorized by race.  

[https://www.britannica.com/topic/race-human/Scientific-classifications-of-race]  

The biblical witness sands in clear opposition to the thinking of Africans as a different species…all those long genealogies of the Bible do more than just challenge scripture readers. They served as explanation that humanity is all related. The table of nations ought to not be seen as divisive, but as testament to the unity of humanity. The awkward splicing of Genesis 9 and 10 suggest that the curse on Canaan was indeed inserted later – likely for the political aims of the nation of Israel. The unity of humanity was likely the original aim of the story.  

The unity of humanity is, of course, at the core of the Jesus movement. Jesus who would bless the Syrophoenician woman (Matt 15) and speak with love to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 21), Jesus reminded humanity that we are connected by one Holy Spirit AND will be together in the kingdom of Heaven.  

Furthermore, Jesus proclaims the kingdom of heaven is near, and he does so a lot. A kingdom with enough room for all the birds of the air (mustard seed parable). A kingdom where the least of these are welcomed with honor at the feast. A kingdom of rest for the weary, food for the hungry, and peace everlasting.  

Coupled with his proclamations of the coming kingdom are calls to repent – repent for in the end the goats and the sheep will be separated and those who did not care for the least of these will not see the kingdom of heaven (Matt 25). Repent or entering the kingdom will be like trying to get a camel through the head of needle. Repent and be ready for you know not when the bridegroom will come. Repent means to turn-around, change your ways. In doing so we draw near to the kingdom of heaven.  

In Jesus we see a way and a means to embody the kingdom of heaven on earth. We need not be held captive by self-serving mis-guided interpretations of scripture. We need not hold fast to division, for there is enough room in this world for all to prosper. We need not revert to blame, for we have the power to transform this world and draw near to the kingdom of God. We are one people, united through the power of the Holy Spirit. May we seek first the kingdom of God, where poor and rich sit together, where women and men each have places of honor, where justice and equity is the rule, and excessive force and blaming are left at the door. May we seek the kingdom of God where love is the rule and justice reigns. Amen.  

Sermon by Rev. Kelly Jane Caesar 

April 26, 2020

When two disciples are fleeing from the chaos and pain and fear of Jerusalem, 

Christ shows up. 

So too is Christ is with us in our grief, in our shock, in our fleeing from pain. 

In the cleansing comfort of tears, 

In the kind listening of a friend, 

In the new understanding gleamed, 

Christ is with us in our pain. 

When the two disciples are on the road Christ shows up even though they don’t realize it is him. 

So too is Christ with us when we don’t even realize it until after the fact. 

When a heartache somehow clears the way for a deeper love, 

When a lost opportunity leaves space for a better one, 

When deep growth and love emerges out of brokenness, 

Christ is with us when we look back and see he has been alongside – or carrying- us all the time. 

When the two disciples sit for a meal together,  

Practicing hospitality, blessing bread and giving thanks, 

They see that the stranger is indeed Christ. 

So too is Christ with us when we extend hospitality, break bread together, give thanks for what we have. 

When we offer what we have to help others, 

Be it time, toilet paper, money, masks or groceries.  

When we connect with one another  

Be it over zoom or telephone or email or FB or handwritten note 

When we give thanks and practice gratitude, 

Be it with a simple prayer or gratitude journal 

When we extend hospitality, connect and give thanks,  

We are bound to something greater, our hearts are filled,  

and we see that Christ is with us in the small great everyday connections. 

When the two disciples return to Jerusalem to tell the others the Good News, 

They learn they are not the only ones who have witnessed the Risen Christ. 

The other disciples quickly tell them,  

“The Lord really has risen! He appeared to Simon.” 

Now, you might be wondering – 

Wait, I thought it was the women who went to the tomb. 

You are right.  

All four gospels report that the women are the first to the empty tomb. 

Jesus appears to Mary and the women on that first Easter Sunday morning. 

Simon Peter sees the empty tomb after the women’s report –  

But the only Gospel account of Simon Peter encountering the Risen Christ takes place days after the first appearances.  

It occurs up in Galilee and includes other disciples too… 

So that doesn’t quite line up with today’s scripture in which the disciples say, 

On that first Easter Sunday, 

“Jesus appeared to Simon” 

However, there does appear to be a tradition that Jesus did appear to Simon Peter on that first Easter Sunday. In the letter to the Corinthians (1 Cort. 15:3-7) Paul states that Simon Peter (called Cepheus by Paul) does see the resurrected Christ – but Paul gives us no details on the encounter other than it came before Jesus appeared to the rest of the disciples – which was the evening of the first Easter Sunday. The tradition that Jesus appeared to Simon Peter makes sense because Simon Peter became the leader of the early church.  

So, if it is true that Jesus appeared to Simon Peter on Easter Sunday – 

As the disciples report in today’s scripture and Paul later points to – 

Then the Resurrected Jesus was doing some serious traveling on that first Easter Sunday. 

First at the tomb and then with the women, 

then with Simon Peter, then with the disciples on the road to Emmaus, 

Then back in Jerusalem in the locked upper room where he shows his wounds to all but Thomas. 

Given the number of reports, 

It is possible the Risen Christ was in multiple locations at the same.  

After all, when the two disciples started their journey to Emmaus,  

They had not heard the account of Jesus appearing to Simon Peter – 

They had only heard of the women. 

This leads me to believe the appearance of Simon Peter was at the same time as Christ was walking with the two disciples on the road.  Perhaps Christ was in two places at once.  

In any case, these resurrection stories highlight that 

Christ’s presence is not limited by time or space – 

Christ is not limited by the time restraints us humans deal with.  

Sometimes people worry that their needs or concerns or joys are too small to  

“take up God’s time.” 

Sometimes people hold back on sharing their joys or concerns with God, 

Thinking they are not as important as others, 

Especially when others are suffering greatly. 

Yet we see in these resurrection stories that the Risen Christ is not bound by earthly rules of time or space…Christ is with us, beyond time, beyond space… 

Christ can hear our little prayers and big heartaches with full attention. 

Christ is eager to hear our prayers – 

Whether they are shared before a meal, 

In the shower, 

Or spoken only in our minds. 

The Resurrection itself shows us that Christ is always with us –  nothing can separate us from Christ – 

Not death, nor life, nor heights, nor depths,  

Nor a cross, nor a government, nor a virus, 

Nor denial, nor fear, nor guilt,  

nor anything else in all creation 

Can separate us from Christ. 

Christ is always with us, always available to listen and sit with us through whatever we are going through 

So let us take comfort, share with Jesus all the ups and downs, all the feelings, big and small. 

Christ will walk with us and help us see. Amen. 

Sermon by Rev. Kelly Jane Caesar on April 19, 2020

Denial or doubt is belief in lies; faith in falsehoods.  

Doubt is a form of despair in which we believe the crucifixion is the end – as Thomas originally did.  

Denial a refusal to hope in Easter.  

The question is what do we have faith in. 

Do we have faith in death or life? Despair or hope? Crucifixion or resurrection? 

What we have faith in determines where and how we work, where and how we spend our lives, 

Where and how we move through this “quarantine time”. 

As Christians we are called to be “Resurrection People” – 

People who believe and practice life in the face of death,  

hope in the face of despair,  

new possibilities when everything as we know it has changed.  

There is a temptation to believe this time is temporary. 

At first it was just two weeks, now it’s been a month,  

and at least another month is ahead of us, probably more. 

While I do believe in-person worship and business with return, 

There is no doubt that this time not only will,  

but already has transformed our world.  

To live as a “Resurrection People” is not about believing this will be over soon and  

It is not about believing life will return as we remember it. 

Afterall, Jesus was resurrected, not resuscitated – 

When Jesus rose again on Easter, he was different than he was before. 

He had wounds, but he also passed through walls. 

To be “Resurrection People” is to believe that after this “Good Friday” time, 

We will arise as different, renewed people.  

A Resurrection People.  

So the question is how will we arise? 

Where will we put our faith?  

Where we put our faith determines our actions and how we emerge as individuals,  

as a community,  

as a global society.  

On a very concrete level, I hope we will arise into a physical building. (hold up wooden church) 

I believe our building is a sacred space to gather as a community larger than ourselves.  

It is a shared space – not my living room or Jerry’s den – 

But a space for us all to gather regardless of economic or social status. 

It is a space shared not just in the present, but with the ancestors of our faith. 

Some of your grandparents even worshiped at First Church! 

While most of us don’t have a direct tie – 

to be in a space that has held the faith of people for generations has a power beyond words. 

 I believe our building is a sacred space to gather, 

 and I hope that we will arise into that shared sacred space, 

So I am so very glad that the trustees have continued to not only maintain the building, 

But improve it. 

This past week Valley Restorations finished their work on the front doors

Repainting and repairing this historic and majestic entry-points off main St. 

They also repaired windows and repainted the balcony ceiling where paint had chipped from water damage. 

They accidentally did more work than agreed upon – and donated their extra work to the church.  

The Trustees and Finance committee graciously paid a little more while also receiving the donation of work and supplies. There was good will all around and a God-sighting for sure! 

• 

• 

But I hope that we arise not only into a building,  

I hope we will arise as a more connected people.  

I believe and have faith that technology can connect us through walls and barriers that once divided.  

On that first Easter the Resurrected Christ passed through walls to connect to the disciples.  

Today an awe-inspiring number of church members have overcome fears and technological trials 

In order to stay connected even while walls and social distancing keep us physically apart.  

On Thursday night one person commented that there is more communication now than ever before. 

I believe that is due in large part to each of you taking the initiative to call one another, 

To read emails, attend church meetings, and otherwise keep in touch. Bravo! 

While technology at times can feel like a barrier to overcome, 

At other times it can be a bridge to connection that would otherwise not happen. 

Those who are homebound recovering from surgery are able to join in and be seen and see others. 

Young adults who have moved away are able to tune in. 

Parents with young children are able to join in without the extra stress of corralling energetic young ones.  

Anyone who is home sick can turn over in their bed and listen to the comfort of their faith family worshipping together.  

For many technologies can be a bridge to connect to their faith community, 

 But technology is also a bridge for curious seekers to try out a church family.  

It is easier for people to click a button to log into a worship experience – 

Much easier than getting dressed and entering a place where you don’t know anyone 

 And are unsure about what to expect.  

In fact, research shows that churches with online presence over the last decade found that most new members joined in worship online first. 

I believe and have faith that technology can connect us through walls and barriers that once divided. 

So during this time I hope we will develop these technological tools – 

As individuals and as a congregation – 

so that we will arise a more connected people.  

I hope we will not only be more connected to those we already know, 

But during this time connect to other church members we don’t know as well 

And visitors who may log on to check out what an affirming church is like, 

In doing so we will arise more connected in more than one way.  

Not only do I hope we will arise as a more connected people, 

I hope we will arise as a people more connected to our environment.  

I hope we will arise as a more creation conscious people. 

I believe the interconnected environment is God’s sacred way of sustaining life.  

“Just as Jesus appeared before his disciples in his resurrected form still bearing the scars of the crucifixion— this world is wounded, deeply, yet at the same time, there is resurrection and transformation. We are called to care for creation in its beauty and in its wounded-ness. The resurrection of Jesus offers hope of new life, for all of creation, and for generations to come.” (UCC Fierce Urgency of Now Environmental Sunday Worship Materials) 

Many of us are going for walks and soaking in spring like never before, 

Embracing the beauty of nature on a personal level.  

On a global scale, this pandemic has allowed the Earth to breathe again. 

Electricity usage has gone down. 

We are tapping less oil and driving less. 

Factories are blowing less chemicals into our waterways and air.  

As a result the air has literally cleared. 

You have probably seen the startling photo of New Delhi, India 

One side is a normal day in the fall of 2019; 

The clear side is in recent weeks. 

Clear air to breathe is not only better for the environment,  

But better for human health – during a pandemic or not. 

As a global or national society we have an opportunity now to choose how we reinvest in the future – 

Do we return to our environment destroying ways –  

excessive driving and travel, excessive meat eating,  

excessive plastics and consumer purchases of disposable goods-  

Or do we reinvest in a more sustainable, greener future? 

As we rebuild our economy, will we invest in jobs that destroy the life-giving earth? 

Or will we invest in green jobs that build a sustainable future for generations? 

Will we invest in wasteful products or quality products that can be reused for years? 

On a personal level we might take this time to look anew at our personal practices in terms of shopping, travel and activities to reassess what is truly needed and how we could cut back on driving, cut back on packaged foods, cut back on plastics, cut back on one-time use products – all of which contribute to the destruction of our natural resources. We might look to how we can re-use products and purchase quality items that won’t end up in a landfill in a short amount of time.  

On a global or national level, we might follow closely where stimulus money goes – and let our representatives know what we think. We might choose to invest our own money in sustainable businesses or encourage our workplaces to do so. For those with any sort of investment accounts – say for retirement – you can request your investments be placed in environmentally conscious companies.  

I invite you to take this time to look at a long view – 

Towards a future you may not see. 

For the changes we make as a society during this time will ripple through the generations – 

Long after all of us have left this earth. 

What do we want to witness when we are in heaven? 

We are a “resurrection people” that will arise different – transformed – from this quarantined time. 

I hope we arise into a physical building  

for I believe in the power of gathering in a shared sacred space. 

I hope we arise a more connected people  

for I believe technology can be a bridge for many to participate in our faith community,  

no matter who they are or where they are. 

I hope we arise more connected to our earth,  

for I believe God’s sacred earth must be treated sustainability, 

 so generations of humans have clean air to breathe and water to drink.  

We are a “resurrection people”, 

Called to believe in and act towards life amid death, 

Hope amid despair, 

Love beyond self. 

May we live boldly into our calling. Amen.  

I would like now to share a prayer I heard from a colleague in the Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska Conference. Let us listen together.  

Pastoral Prayer for this time: We Are Prophets of a Future Not Our Own (VIDEO from the Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska Conference: https://vimeo.com/405885820) 

Prophets of a Future Not Our Own It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work. Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us. No statement says all that could be said. No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession brings perfection. No pastoral visit brings wholeness. No program accomplishes the Church’s mission. No set of goals and objectives includes everything. This is what we are about. 3 We plant the seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities. We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest. We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own. 

Sermon by Rev. Kelly Jane Caesar

March 22, 2020

Scripture: John 9:1-12

Sermon Part 1: Spit 

As a pandemic sweeps across the globe, we certainly need some healing. 

The lectionary Gospel story this week is one of many Jesus healing stories. 

The source of healing however, is rather gross: 

Spit. Mud and Saliva.  

In the ancient Greco-Roman period spit and clay were actually popular in healing stories, 

But in our modern world we know that spit carries germs and illness. 

Thus we cover our mouths when we cough and may wear a mask if sick. 

Our human spit can carry germs that can make others sick.  

Yet, Jesus uses his spit to bring healing to the man born blind. 

Jesus is God incarnate, the Divine One among us – 

So in an odd way we could consider the spit of Jesus to be Divine Water.  

While spit is usually gross, Jesus is able to use it for good.  

God often takes what is gross or less valuable and uses it for good. 

God called a little shepherd boy to be King of Israel. 

God took the littlest brother Joseph, the one whose brothers all despised him, 

And used him to save the whole family.  

Jesus included prostitutes and tax collectors in his ministry. 

God often takes people or situations that look gross and transforms them into something great 

As we wander through this desert time, God will nourish us and bring healing – pulling goodness out of grossness.

As we seek healing during this time – 

Healing from coronavirus, healing from fear, healing from panic –  

We would do well to look at how God brings healing –  

Healing may come in unexpected and unconventional ways.  

Maybe we find healing in connecting with loved ones in more intentional ways, 

Even if those ways are virtual or on the phone. 

Maybe we find healing in new coping strategies,  

now that many of our “go-tos” are not available. 

Maybe we find healing in a new perspective or view of our lives. 

Let’s hear now what happens to the man born blind when he is no longer blind and certainly has a new perspective on his life after an unexpected healing.  

Scripture: John 9:13-34 

Sermon Part 2: How to Spit 

The Pharisees seem to have missed the miracle of the man receiving sight.  

They are so preoccupied by their fear, that they miss the bigger picture of healing. 

The Pharisees discount Jesus because he broke a holy rule to not work on the sabbath, 

And in doing so they seem to miss the point: 

Jesus has done a miraculous healing. 

When the blind man points out the obvious – uh, I can see, this guy Jesus must be from God – 

Well the Pharisees discount the man born blind too – 

They keep to their view that he is a sinner and kick him out. 

The Pharisees are so afraid that Jesus is going to take away their power or change their lives, 

That they latch on to small things and miss the big miracle. 

The Pharisees are not the only ones who act foolishly in fear. 

In fear people are hoarding toilet paper and Lysol wipes. 

In fear people are fighting in grocery stores, forcing police to stay on the scene. 

In fear people are pointing fingers and blaming nations and leaders  

and anyone not responding as they are.  

Fear keeps people looking selfishly, narrowing on their own interest 

And missing the bigger picture. 

During the desert time of this Coronavirus pandemic,  

It is easy to let fear run the race, 

Yet Jesus is nourishing us by asking us to look wider than fear and see the big picture.  

[Add Water to Vase] 

In this desert time I find myself forced to think big picture about essentials. 

What do I really need? Do I really need to take that trip out? 

Is it worth risking my life? Is it worth risking the life of someone I love? 

With so many activities wiped off the table,  

I need to be far more intentional about what I do and who I talk to. 

No one is expecting to see me in yoga on Monday morning – 

So if yoga is important to me, I got to prioritize it. 

This desert time is in fact the perfect time to step back and look at our lives. 

What is important? What is essential? 

Instead of getting caught in fear and nit-picking, 

We have an opportunity to reconsider our priorities.  

More than an opportunity, we are forced into making new decisions about what is important to us. 

I hope each of us will keep our focus wide and not get stuck in the fearful tunnel vision.  

While the Pharisees were stuck in fear, the man born blind was able to see the big picture.  

Let’s listen now to the conclusion of this miracle where the Jesus concludes his response to the question of “who sinned?” 

Scripture: John 9:35-41 

Sermon Part 3: Why Spit 

In times of great suffering humans tends to look for where to place blame. 

Scapegoats are common and have detrimental impacts on minorities.  

Often we humans wonder, why are bad things happening?  

Who sinned that this would happen? Who is to blame for the suffering? 

At the very beginning of our scripture today, 

Jesus responds by proclaiming that the man born blind was not a result of sin, 

But that God’s glory may be revealed. 

It is not about “who sinned”, not about who to blame, 

But about what God is doing.

In this miracle story, Jesus refocuses the question. 

He redirects our focus: 

Away from the blame game  

And towards God’s glory. 

Instead of pointing blame, 

Jesus points to God’s goodness.  

In this desert time we can be tempted to get caught up looking at all the sand, 

And miss the nourishing water God is providing. 

[Add Water to Vase] 

May our eyes be open to God’s work around us; 

For God has a habit of doing good even when the world is spinning in chaos.  

May we look for God’s blessings in unexpected places; 

For God has a habit of using gross or undervalued people or situations for good.  

May our vision not be fearfully narrow, but hopefully wide; 

For God has a habit of working big miracles.  

Sermon by Rev. Kelly Jane Caesar on March 15, 2020

Coronavirus precautions and cancellations have pushed many of us into a desert time. 

Devoid of travels, events, and activities, we are in an open and seemingly barren space. 

The hope is that this time in the desert will lead us to the Promised Land of health and healing for ourselves and our loved ones. 

Yet, this desert time also comes with some spiritual challenges.  

Today I will talk about three and invite you to share your thoughts in the comments.

For one, we face the spiritual challenge of loss. 

Loss of being able to do what we want to do. 

Loss of control and certainty. 

Potentially loss of income. 

The spiritual challenge of loss is likely familiar to anyone who has had an illness, a surgery, or a body that no longer does what it once did.  

When I suffered my concussion, I could not dance the Lindy Hop like I used to. The bouncing and turns would send my head spinning. 

With the closing of nearly every agency and organization, public and private, many of us have loss the normal in-person ways of connecting and enjoying life. 

When the Israelites were wandering the Desert in hope of the Promised Land, they too felt the sting of loss for what was.  

Exodus 16:2-3;11-15 

The Israelites longed for the food of Egypt, even though going back to Egypt would bring death at worse and slavery at best. God did not give them the food of Egypt, but gave them a new food: manna. Manna would sustenance them through their desert journey. 

So too will God provide “manna” for us in our modern desert time today.  

When I suffered my concussion and could not do Lindy Hop, CJ brought me to Tai Chi – a form of gentle movement that did not give me migraines. I ended up falling in love with tai chi as it sustained me through the time of healing. 

Now that many of us find ourselves in a semi-self-quarantine,  

Let us look for our manna. 

Maybe we will try a new spiritual practice,  

Or call friends we haven’t talked to in awhile, 

Or discover a new game with the kids, 

Or go for a walk around the neighborhood, 

Or do some spring cleaning, 

Or learn how to use technology – I’ve certainly learned a lot in the last 48 hrs.  

Maybe we allow ourselves to slow down into some sabbath. 

Sabbath – or rest with God – is an intentional time to be with God. 

Sabbath can be on our own or “with” others, for example, we might be home with kids – 

Sabbath is about a break from business as usual for some time to focus on God. 

Indeed the spiritual practice of Sabbath can be the balm to the spiritual challenge of loss.  

When we are feeling loss,  

sabbath can connect us to the Divine and sustain us through the desert.  

So take this time to connect to the Divine anew.  

Perhaps you set up an altar space in your home. 

Perhaps you try a new prayer practice. 

Perhaps you relax into a deeper spiritual conversation with a friend. 

Perhaps you and the kids enact some favorite Bible stories.  

The Spiritual Practice of Sabbath can be the balm to the spiritual challenge of Loss.  

May we allow sabbath to be our manna during this desert time.  

——— 

The second spiritual challenge is self-control. 

With meetings, worship, and activities moving online, 

It is so much easier to skip out. 

While you can watch someone on a screen, 

They can’t see you, unless you choose, 

so you can do whatever you want. 

Those who have worked from home may have already encountered the spiritual challenge of self-control. You will know that while your boss or teacher or colleague may not be watching you all day, they will eventually find out if you’ve been playing video games instead of working. 

If you do work from home – maybe you could share some of your wisdom in the comments.  

Self-control is a spiritual challenge because even if others don’t see, in our hearts we are denying our responsibility and respect of God in others and ourselves. 

The Israelites on their desert journey also encountered the spiritual challenge of self-control. When the “boss” Moses went up the mountain and left them to their own devises…

Exodus 32:1-14 

When Moses was no longer present the Israelites strayed from doing what they ought and instead built for themselves a golden calf – a false god to worship. God gets so mad that God considers destroying the people – but Moses implores God to remember the holy promise made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – a promise for a Sacred Land and a people a numerous as the stars.  

Having remembered the promise for a land and a people, God’s anger subsides.  

Remembering our promises – to others and ourselves – may help us to have self-control and focus during more “online” meetings or while spending more time at home.  

Remembering what we hope to gain from this time can keep us on track. 

As Moses reminded God, it is certainly helpful to have a buddy to remind us when we forget. 

So perhaps we tell a friend or colleague our intentions – 

For example I may tell a colleague I’m planning to work on this paper for the next two hours, let’s check in at lunch. 

Or I may tell a friend, for the next two weeks without the evening activities I’m going to have family dinner say grace – ask me how it goes. 

Or I may tell my pastor I intend to read through one of the Gospels. 

A little bit of accountability can go a long way in maintaining self-control. 

Even if you don’t tell anyone, simply writing your intention down can help to jog our memory of where we hope to end up. 

The Spiritual Challenge of self-control can be met by the spiritual practice of remembering with the help of a friend. So in this desert time, let us practice remembering – and helping others remember – where we hope to be in our spiritual or professional or family lives by Easter.  

——–

The last spiritual challenge I will talk about today is the spiritual challenge of caring for the least of these. 

The many closures are hitting hard on small businesses,  

Wage employees without paid sick leave, 

Many of whom already are not making enough to make ends meet. 

First Church is working to keep the Food Bank functioning and the YMCA open, as some of our most vulnerable citizens rely on these services for basic needs.  In addition, I am ready to help church members in need with the pastor’s discretionary fund. 

Many of you diligently volunteer through the church or otherwise to care for those in need.  

Caring for the least of these is a spiritual challenge at this time, 

Because we can be tempted by fear to do nothing at all  

or 

We can be tempted into a “Savior” complex – 

We can be tempted to forgo health advice in an effort to heroically help others. 

In striving to provide services to others, we sacrifice ourselves – 

Running ourselves ragged or simply exposing ourselves to a deadly virus when our immune systems are compromised.  

On the Israelites’ desert journey, their leader, Moses, ran himself ragged trying to care for people. 

Exodus 18:13-23 

To care for all the people Moses selected elders to help him lead. He did not work alone, but in tandem with others. It is similar to how Paul later calls Christians to each excel in the spiritual gifts given to them, but to know that no one has all the gifts – rather we each have unique gifts to share – each have a unique place in the body of Christ.  

Perhaps you have the gift of peace in chaos to share with those worried. 

Perhaps you have the gift of being young and healthy and can do errands or volunteer work for those with more compromised immune systems. 

Perhaps you have the gift of experience – while none of us have been through a pandemic of this size before, you may have been through some trying times and have advice to share. 

Perhaps you are a salaried employee and can donate the money saved by working from home and traveling less to wage employees or social services who will surely be tapped more in the months to come.  

To meet the spiritual challenge of caring for the least of these, 

We must identify our particular gifts with humble honesty.  

Humble honesty.  

We must be humble in recognizing that we are not God – 

We are not invisible nor immortal nor all powerful. 

We will not avoid illness because we can’t believe we could get it 

Or don’t want to believe our bodies are weakened in any way. 

We must be humble in what our limitations are.  

We must be honest in recognizing what our specific gifts are at this time; 

They may be different than they were a year ago or even 2 weeks ago. 

Humble honesty is a spiritual practice that allows us to see realistically how we can best help others. 

Humble honesty is a spiritual practice that is often helped by good friends or family –  people who can reflect to you honestly what they see and tell you with compassion. 

The spiritual challenge of caring for the least of these is met when we share our gifts with humble honesty.  

As we wander through this desert time together,  

may we practice humble honesty and share our gifts well, 

so that we may indeed care for all.  

Covid-19 may have pushed us into a desert time.

We can choose how we view this desert time. 

Deserts can be viewed as barren, bleak spaces – 

Devoid of water and life. 

Deserts can also be seen as places of openness and exploration; 

Indeed many mystics retreated to the desert in search of a closer relationship with the Divine. 

Instead of a crowded forest of activities and responsibilities, 

We find ourselves with space to breathe and explore – 

Space to see the Divine anew.  

In this desert time,

may we practice sabbath in the midst of loss,

care for others with humble honesty about our gifts,

and support one another in the midst of temptation,

that we might use this desert time to draw near to God. Amen.

Sermon preached by Rev. Kelly Jane Caesar on March 8, 2020

These days many of us are praying to be saved from the Coronavirus.  

Stores are selling out of hand sanitizer as people try to save themselves from infection. 

We greet one another with a nod or I saw a video of people in Japan shaking “feet”. 

Cases are multiplying rapidly across the United States and even here in Connecticut. 

Households are stocking up on basic goods in the event of a quarantine,  

Which are happening in more and more areas. 

The fear is fed by great uncertainty and a degree of powerlessness. 

We can, and should, wash our hands more thoroughly  

We can limit contact with others. 

And yet, the rapid spread across the world leads me to wonder  

if most of us will be infected and our bodies forced to fight it off. 

Such prospects strike fear into many,  

especially those whose health is not strong at the moment.  

We can attempt to find the silver lining or look on the bright side – 

The great majority of those infected do indeed fight it off and are stronger for it.  

And yet, who is to say we – or someone we love – will not be able to fight it off? 

Such uncertainty and powerlessness spark panic at worse and anxious caution at best.  

The Coronavirus is not the first thing in our lives which invokes uncertainty, powerlessness, and fear.  

Will I get a job and be saved from poverty or homelessness? 

Will I find a partner or friends and be saved from loneliness? 

Will I have children? Will I have grandchildren? 

Will I have enough resources to retire? 

Will I be cared for when I am unable to do so on my own? 

Where will I go after I die? 

With each of these scenarios, as with so many illnesses,  

We have limited control.  

Our actions can, perhaps, take us part of the way. 

The rest of the way is left up to factors beyond our control. 

At such times we often turn to prayer. 

We turn to one more powerful, one we believe or hope is in control. 

A popular prayer at such times involves a bargain with God – 

I’ll go to church every Sunday if you save me from the Coronavirus. 

I’ll give all my savings away to charity if you get me that job. 

I’ll be really good if you give me eternal life.  

The trouble with bargaining is that God isn’t really that into it. 

Our God is not transactional.  

And it is a good thing God is not interested in a bargain, for  

If God was transactional, we would never be able to pay the price. 

God’s gifts – wholeness, love, eternal life – they are simply too great for us to earn through volunteer hours or acts of kindness or money in the offering plate. 

It’s like being at Chuck E Cheeses or some arcade – 

You know, where you play games and win tickets or points to exchange for prizes at the end.  

As a kid, I would work so hard at those games, trying to win as many tickets as possible.  

But, whenever I got to the prize counter, I would almost always want a prize that was way more tickets than I had earned.  

God’s gifts are like the HUGE teddy bear worth 100,000 tickets at the prize counter. 

All our hard work can get us maybe 74 tickets which basically buys us the cheap temporary tattoos and a finger trap.  

We can’t earn enough tickets to “buy” God’s love or God’s grace or Eternal Life. 

Moreover, there is a huge ongoing debate about how to win tickets anyway. 

Some traditions say you got to pray this way, dress like that, and avoid every vice there is in order to win God’s approval.  

Some say you can’t eat this and others say you should. 

Some say dancing is a sin and others, thankfully, say dancing is a holy endeavor.  

We don’t even agree on how to win tickets to God’s love and eternal life.  

Back in the Middle Ages you could pay money to get your deceased loved one closer to heaven. While that practice of indulgences is no longer a thing, trying to use money to win God’s favor is still a spiritual trap for those with wealth.  

In fact, this idea of winning God’s gifts through proper prayer, proper actions, and the like has a long history. 

So if you find yourself bargaining with God when you are afraid, you have good company. 

However, the father of the Protestant Reformation, the one who ignited a whole new way of thinking that eventually lead to our very own United Church of Christ, spoke of a God that wasn’t into bargaining: a God of grace.  

In the early 1500s Martin Luther read and preached on today’s scripture from Romans (Romans 4:1-5, 13-17)

What he saw clearly was that Abraham was made righteous, good with God,  

Not by his actions –  

not by circumcision, nor by leaving his home, nor by following God’s law  

Abraham was made righteous and saved by God, based on his faith. 

Saved, Justified by Faith alone, not works. 

Martin Luther looked deeply into scripture and saw a God that did not give the gift of eternal life, health, wholeness, or anything else on the basis of works, but on the basis of faith.  

Justified by Faith alone, not works.  

Is the statement that would define the Protestant Reformation 

This truth is proclaimed loudly, although in different words, in the popularized verse of John 3:16 

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son  

that all who believe in him will not perish,  

but have eternal life.  

The great gifts of God – eternal life, love, wholeness – are given not based on the number of works or tickets we have acquired, but on the basis of faith. 

This is not to say our actions do not have consequences.  

Please, do not go coughing your germs on everyone  

and proclaim that God will save us if we just believe.  

To believe in Jesus Christ is not simply a nice thought that will ward off evil. 

Belief in Jesus is not some magic wand. 

However, when we truly believe in Jesus, our actions will necessarily change. 

To believe in Jesus is to believe that God would come and dwell with us in our human suffering. 

To believe in Jesus is to believe in a Divinity that is not lightyears away, but among us and with us. 

So when we truly believe in Jesus, 

We trust that God is with us and we are strengthened to face the tumult of the world, 

For we have a constant companion and friend who is right there with us.  

To believe in Jesus saves us from isolation and separation. 

To believe in Jesus is to believe that God loves the world enough to be present with us. 

To believe in Jesus is to believe in a Divine love that transcend every barrier – 

Every social barrier, every emotional barrier. 

So when we truly believe in Jesus,  

We are less afraid of reaching out to others,  

Even those across barriers. 

To believe in Jesus saves our world from discord and hate.  

To believe in Jesus Christ is to believe God breaks through not only social barriers,  

but even the barrier of death. 

To believe in Jesus is to trust that God is with us, loving us, through this life, through death, for all time.  

To believe in Jesus saves us from perishing –  Saves us from destruction and death. 

To believe in Jesus is to trust that even when our current bodies no longer breath, 

God breathes eternal life and love into our souls. 

We are saved, here and now and forevermore.  

On one hand it sounds simple – 

Just believe you will be saved! Just believe and you win the huge teddy bear! 

And yet, faith is more difficult to grasp. 

In Mark 9 the father of a boy with an unclean spirit cries out to Jesus,  

“I believe, Lord help my unbelief!” 

Jesus does heal the boy – even with his father’s paradoxical faith.  

Our unbelief – or even simply our shaken faith – can be strengthen with the spiritual practices that have built up disciples for centuries: 

• Reading or remembering stories of faithful people in scripture, devotionals, or in conversation with friends 
• Practicing gratitude and generosity often open our eyes to the work of the Divine 

• Taking time to pray – sitting or walking, singing or speaking – time to talk with God, even if you are unsure God is listening 

In AA they say all you need to come to a meeting is the desire to be sober.  

I believe the same is true for God – 

We need not be unwavering in our belief in Jesus – I know few who truly are -Rather, we are asked to simply have the desire to believe in Jesus.  

Perhaps that desire for faith in God’s love is the first step, 

 Or maybe our God is gracious enough that the simple desire to believe in Jesus is enough. 

While fear, uncertainty and powerlessness whirl around us, 

May we strengthen our belief in Jesus,  

trusting in God’s presence and God’s love through it all, 

Trusting that we will be saved one way or another,  

For God is indeed with us. 

While we should still wash our hands, let us not be afraid, but rather turn to God in prayer. Amen.