Message: We will continue to look at Peter, whose life is a paradox composed of cowardice and courage.
Special Music:
- Bunny, Sue and Paula – women’s trio
- Roy (former Navy), will share the Navy Hymn in honor of Memorial Day
What Is Peace?
Shared by Pastor Hoyt.
May 2020
Prelude to conversation…
Peace is not the absence of war (conflict).
Peace is the awareness of the presence of God.
War … conflict… does not put us out of touch with peace.
Not noticing God puts us out of touch with peace.
When we are absorbed with COVID, or with what the news says, or the lousy weather, or politics, or the behavior of the president, we are missing the wonders of life which surround us all the time. We become focused on our anxiety, our worry, the lack of sunshine/warmth, our mistrust of others, our anger and then we miss out on wholeness, on peace.
When we constantly and continually live in the presence of God…we become aware of the delights of life. Like listening to our favorite type of music or our favorite song, being aware of the delights of life, being aware of God, allows a right attitude, a calm assurance, a refreshing hope. When we are aware that we are in God’s presence all the time…anxiety, worry, selfishness, anger and general negativity take a back seat and can, with constant awareness of God’s presence, be left behind.
Peace is Shalom. Shalom is wholeness, holiness, health and home. It is joy in sorrow…hope in despair…community (life as God hopes)…forgiveness and generosity of all …toward all.
Peace is found only in the presence of God. So if peace is what we long for, in this or any time, we should hang out with God. We should spend time becoming aware of God’s presence in us and around us all the time.
Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything what so ever, even if your whole world seems upset.
St. Francis de Sales
God is with us! Peace is possible!
May it be so!
Pastor Ted Anderson
Sunday Worship – May 17
We continue this week with our look at Peter, a flawed yet faithful disciple. What can we learn from his life?
Looking back to our series, “Walking With Jesus,” how are you doing with the challenges we received each of the weeks?
- Pray 5 times each day
- Read 5 verses of scripture each day
- Do 5 acts of kindness each day
Just because the sermon series has ended doesn’t mean the challenge has expired. Finally, please take time to reach out to someone. Think about someone you may not know well, or at all and let them know you are thinking about them and that they matter. Be especially mindful of those who are normally not able to get out and about. As the weeks stretch on, our feelings of isolation are increasing. I also urge you to exercise caution even as the region is beginning to open up again.
Peace,
Pastor Hoyt
We Are Fed Up With COVID!
May 2020
Prelude to conversation…
We are DONE with the COVID quarantine! … as in fed up with…ready for it to be over… cabin fever… get us out of here…
In our society we have gotten use to immediate gratification of whatever we want. If the store is out of it… we go home and order on line. In fact… we order it on line even before we go to the store… we can’t wait.
So…we are out of our comfort zones to have to wait… and to be patient while we do.
Our response to COVID is asking us to be patient…and patience seems to be a difficult thing.
We are not the only ones frustrated with waiting.
The Psalmists often start their psalms with an impatient complaint …
The bad guy in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade can’t wait to try out the Holy Grail…
In the Fable the rabbit can’t wait to get started but then becomes impatient with the lack of competition…
Of course… we do see the results of the lack of patience.
The Psalmists always come to recognize the presence and goodness of God… be still and know.
The bad guy pays the price of impatience and Indiana Jones patiently makes a wise choice.
In the Fable the turtle…slow and steady …wins the race.
This week … it is a marvelous example to us that 3 of our best scientists have self-quarantined.
They have very responsible jobs… and yet they are choosing patience. Perhaps they have read the Fable…or seen the movie.
If you haven’t seen the movie… watch it… it is delightful on a number of levels… but for now suffice it to say that the impatience of the bad guy leads to exactly the opposite of what he is hoping for…
What are we hoping for?
In the long run…I believe that slow and steady …patience … being still… lead to life…
Alexa… 😊
We all hope that COVID will go away… but let’s be patient in the process.
Pastor Ted Anderson
Shared with the congregation by Pastor Hoyt.
Sunday Worship – May 10 – Mother’s Day
The Bishop and Cabinet of the Upper New York Conference of United Methodist Church lead us in worship this week.
“No matter what, no matter when…God is” offers messages of hope and assurance during the COVID-19 pandemic
Cabinet presents: No matter what, No matter when… God is! from Upper New York Conference on Vimeo.
Why God? Why This Suffering?
Let’s face it. Many of us have questions about God and the COVID pandemic. Why isn’t God stopping the virus? Why would God let this happen? Why did God even create such a virus? There are other questions I have heard as well.
Questions, Thoughts, and Feelings Are Normal
I want you to know that it is normal and understandable if you have such questions, or even are mad at God. I encourage you to look at the Psalms for guidance and instruction. The Psalms are filled with laments questioning God for allowing evil to exist and persist. The Psalms unashamedly profess profound anger and angst directed at God. I take away two messages from the presence of the Psalms in our Holy Scripture. First, God is big enough to handle your anger, your despair, your questioning. Second, the fact that the Psalms found their way into Holy Scripture suggests to me that it is OK to question God. David complained to, and raged at God, and he was described as a friend of God.
I would also point out, even when a Psalm professes profound anger directed toward God, or absolute despair, the Psalmist always ends by declaring a faith in God and God’s justice. And, let us not forget the message of the Book of Revelation; God wins.
Some have asked me why God is causing so much suffering. My answer in short is…God isn’t causing this.
My Thoughts On Suffering
I cannot remember if I have shared this in the past, but here is my thoughts on suffering and God’s role.
- Suffering is not God’s desire for us but occurs in the process of life. Indeed, God’s plans for us are for good, and not for evil. C.S. Lewis said once, we were created for joy. I deeply believe that.
- Suffering is not given to us by God in order to teach us something, but through it we learn.
- Suffering is not given to us by God so we may teach others something, but through it others may learn.
- Suffering is not given by God to punish, but it is sometimes the consequence of sin or poor judgement, or the natural process of life.
- Suffering does not occur because our faith is weak, but through it our faith may be strengthened.
- God does not depend on human suffering to achieve God’s purposes, but through suffering God’s purposes are sometimes achieved.
- Suffering is not always to be avoided at all costs but it is sometimes chosen.
- Suffering can either destroy us or add meaning to life.
- Tomorrow is not something God promises.
COVID is not the response of an angry God trying to teach us a lesson. But through the COVID crises God can teach us. Through crisis we can learn about ourselves.
I pray daily for your health and peace.
Peace,
Pastor Hoyt
Sunday Worship – May 3
Join us as we continue our look at Peter, a flawed but faithful Christ Follower.
The question this week: What kind of rock are you?
If you enjoyed this virtual church service, scroll down to see previous services, along with Pastor Hoyt’s posts. “Subscribe” to receive an email notice of future posts.
Resurrection – May It Be Your New Normal
How are you doing? How many times a day are you asked that? So, how are you doing?
I don’t know about you, but I am getting a bit stir crazy. I have read 10 books, built a library table, rearranged all the cabinets, scanned all my photo albums so they are now all digital, learned to cut mats for my son’s photos, and learned a bit about video editing. My life is sure different on April 28th than it was on March 22nd when we last met in worship.
Everything has changed, for now and probably forever. How are you doing?
This primitive virus has brought the most powerful nation blessed with scientific acumen, and tremendous resources to its knees. And in the space of less than three months everything has changed. What was, is gone, and will be replaced by a new normal. A virus that can only be seen by a microscope has changed our lives.
This really hit home for us as Easter approached, and we learned a new term – virtual worship. How we do worship changed. Our lives were altered just as we were preparing to celebrate Easter, the resurrection. We gathered “virtually” to celebrate resurrection.
Everything has changed. But, I’ve been thinking. What has changed your life more, the virus or the resurrection? Ouch!
Maybe a better question is, how has COVID made you more aware of the resurrection?
As Easter people (as Jesus followers) there are some things you might do to show the reality of the resurrection:
1. Keep in mind and heart that relationships are as important as ever. How you relate to people during this time is as important as what you do. Care and compassion reveal more of Jesus than anything you might know or do.
2. Be generous in your assumptions.
3. Deliver groceries to the people who are in isolation.
4. Share the hard to find commodities with those who are experiencing financial difficulties or with those who can’t get out to buy them.
5. Cook a meal and offer it to your neighbors.
6. Offer entertainment and relationship to those filled with dread.
7. Help people find the resources they might need. In times of crisis, it is difficult for some people to keep up with the facts, relevant news, and the resources provided. Be loving and kind in sharing what you know.
8. Learn to make masks and offer them to your neighbors.
9. Keep in mind that there are systemic problems, not problem people.
10. You have other ideas. Remember, all you do is with love and grace.
A new normal – But, not the same as the impact of the resurrection
Maybe this pandemic has awakened the true normal and is offering you another opportunity to be the evidence of the resurrection. The pandemic surely changes your living, but it will not have the changing impact as the resurrection.
Now, what will last longer, the pandemic or the resurrection?
How are you doing? I think your answer will depend on how you answer the question, “what has changed you more, the virus or the resurrection?”
May the resurrection be your new normal.
Peace,
Pastor Hoyt
UMCL Worship Service – April 26
Peter and the Storm
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Make The Most of UMCL Virtual Church Services
On Sunday mornings at 9AM, we gather for worship on Facebook or YouTube.
If you use Facebook, you will be able to join a “watch party” at 9:00am. While the video is playing you can comment in real time with the others who are watching. So, when you start watching, share your name so we can say “Hi” to each other. You can also comment about the service as it goes along, or ask questions of me. If you miss the 9:00 am viewing you can view the video any time. As an FYI, our Facebook views of the service are more than double our normal Sunday attendance. We have really extended the scope of our worship reach. So go ahead, share the service with someone.
Tips for getting the most out of virtual worship:
- Encourage a friend, relative or neighbor to watch our service.
- Get settled and turn off distractions, like the TV or the ringers on the phone. Maybe dim the lights, or light a candle.
- Have your Bible with you.
- Pray before the service. For example:
Dear God, be present with us as we turn our hearts to worship You. We thank You that You are present everywhere at once, and so we ask for the blessing of the Holy Spirit to pour out upon those who lead us in worship and upon every worshiping community gathered anywhere throughout Your beautiful world. May Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord, meet us powerfully to the glory of God the Father. Amen. - Participate. Don’t just read the words or listen. Speak the words, sing along. Share your thoughts. Take notes. Read the Scripture as it is being read.
- Spend time after the service reflecting on what it means in your life.
- Respond to the survey that I send out.
I look forward to “seeing” you at our UMCL virtual church service on Sunday.
Peace,
Pastor Hoyt