Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above. These gifts come down from the Father, the creator of the heavenly lights, in whose character there is no change at all.  James 1:17

You often hear people talk about God’s timing and how it is different from our timing.  I was recently having a conversation with a friend about this exact subject – God’s timing. We often get impatient when things are moving slowly for our likes. At times, we aren’t able to understand why things are changing or moving and sometimes we can’t see how events that are happening right now in our lives are good things or good for us. But in God’s time it becomes much clearer.

This pandemic has shaken us up and shifted our routines in our personal life as well as here at the church. One huge shift has been the way we are able to gather with others.  To lower our risk, we gather in small groups and outside in the open air. God’s timing is perfect because we now have a courtyard that is the perfect place where we can gather safely.  Just this past week, the preschool was able to hold their parent orientations in our courtyard under the trees which have had enough time to grow to produce enough shade for all attending. Because our courtyard is enclosed this will allow our preschool teachers to use the courtyard throughout the school year for more time outside. The courtyard offers a refuge, twice a week, for those who live on our streets and in our parks.  This past summer the Boy Scouts were able to meet in small groups on our courtyard to work on merit badges. It will be a long time before Messy Church will be able to be together in one place but when that time comes it will be because we have a large enough outside space in which we can gather. And what a blessing this courtyard will be this Sunday as we will be able to worship, socially distanced in a beautiful space.  Our courtyard is truly an outdoor sanctuary.

Who would have known that when we began the construction of the courtyard in 2016 that we were going to need a place that we could gather to be in community with each other under the shade of willow trees and with the sound of life-giving water rolling down a fountain wall?  God knew because God has a plan and God’s timing is perfect!

Amazing God whom all blessings flow, thank you for all the gifts that you have given us.  We give thanks for those who have shared their gifts so that we may continue to do your work in these ever-changing times. When we are amid chaos, it is hard to see what your plan is but when we come out the other side it becomes clear.  We give thanks for your wisdom and vision.  Amen

“The Lord bless him!”, Naomi said to her daughter-in-law.  “He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead.”   Ruth 2:20

I have always enjoyed reading the book of Ruth.  I like the relationships that develop, the love and kindness that Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz show each other.  I have two daughters-in-law and I hope I can be like Naomi.

One day in the Preschool office, I was feeling down.  I mean really down.  Talking with the staff, listening to the preschool parents, reading all this information coming down from the state agencies regarding COVID and reopening the school.  I felt like I was on a COVID roller coaster.  And then Suzanne popped by to say hello and she could see how I was feeling.  And we talked.

The next morning I was in the middle of a Zoom meeting with the staff and I noticed someone in the office.  There was Suzanne, not saying a word, just putting a jar of sunflowers on my desk.  I can’t tell you how that gesture lifted my spirits.  The flowers eventually died but the memory of that gift, and the kindness it showed, will stay with me for a long time.  I know Suzanne’s kindness has touched a lot of people here at CUMC.  We’re lucky to have her.

So, it makes me think what act of kindness have I done lately – or where did I miss an opportunity?  It does not take much to do a kind act for someone.  Just to smile at a stranger is difficult with a mask on your face.  I’m trying hard to make my eyes smile!  So I pray to God asking Him to help me see when someone could use a little kindness.  Hit me with your 2 x 4, Lord!!  I don’t want to miss an opportunity.

Be safe, stay healthy, and continue to be kind.   Vicki Compean

Gracious Lord, thank you for the kindness of your children who help others.  Open our eyes and heart to those hurting around us.  Help us to take every opportunity to share your love.

Please note:  The flag flew at the church today in honor of Patriot Day, when we remember to those who were injured or died during the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, and the first responders who rushed into the center of catastrophe to help others.

“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well. Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with me in Christ Jesus, and who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Greet also the church in their house.”
— Romans 15:1-5a

This Sunday in worship we wrap up our series on Pauls’ letter to the divided church in Rome. When I teach Romans I always start with the ending. It often shakes up our assumptions about Paul to remember that at least in this instance he did not judge leaders on the basis of gender. It is also a reminder that Paul is writing to a church which he has not started. He is sharing his bona fides (or name-dropping, depending on your perspective).

What is most striking to me in these days is to remember that Paul is writing to a church which meets in people’s homes. “Greet also the church in their house.”  We know that Jesus and the disciples preached and taught, healed and fed, in whatever place they could find. This continued in the early church: sometimes the people gathered in synagogues and marketplaces, and often in the homes of believers or friends. This sometimes led to factionalism (as in Rome) and favoritism (as in Corinthians).

Of course, as the movement grew in numbers and wealth, believers began to seek and build spaces dedicated to worship, teaching, service and fellowship. This ideally helped ease factionalism and heresy, but it sometimes led to the professionalization of belief. (Much later the Christianity was central to the rise of centers of education in the Western hemisphere.) This hasn’t really prevented us from judging each other, we just do it on a larger scale.

Church buildings were never meant to supplant the center of worship, which is in the heart of the believer. They were never meant to replace the center of Christian formation, which is the home. They were never meant to be the sole place of service, which is the world beyond our buildings. The large gathering of the believers can never replace the one-to-one sharing of faith.

I was thinking of this as we sent our kids to school this week. On Wednesday morning Kathy led the kids outside for their “first day of school” pictures. Then they made their separate commutes to school: the children to their bedrooms, and Kathy to the dining room. Thus it is for many of us with school or work, and most of us with worship. Instead of going off to school, or to church, we stay at home. THEN, through individual reflection or family fellowship, bring home what we have learned and practiced.

Gracious God, with all that we have lost in this time apart, we still thank you for the blessing of our hearts for worship, our homes for learning and growth, the world for service, and one-to-one communication for true fellowship of believers. Help us to rejoice in these blessings, and make use of them to your glory. In the name and work of Jesus we pray. Amen.

I greet the church which is in your head, your heart, your home and your hands.

George

Your questions for Sunday’s message:
1. What distracts you from living out your purpose?
2. What are some of the ways Christians judge each other today?
3. Where is our next mission field?

You are the one who created my innermost parts;
you knit me together while I was still in my mother’s womb.
I give thanks to you that I was marvelously set apart.
Your works are wonderful—I know that very well.   Psalm 139: 13-14

Life is full of peaks and valleys. The peaks are joyful, and the view is beautiful up on the top. It is easy to see the blessings and to be full of gratitude. The valleys on the other hand can feel restricting and the view is blocked by the steep valley walls. The ability to see the blessings becomes harder which then allows room for self-doubt to creep in.

I recently entered a valley and I became disappointed with myself and began to think of all the ways I had let people down, how I hadn’t done my best job, and I began to focus on all my weaknesses. The self-doubt was creeping in; but then I remembered that every part of me, my strengths, and my weaknesses, were created by God and I was wonderfully made. With this reassurance, I began to climb out of the valley.

These times are challenging and challenging us to learn new ways and new things. It can be exhausting, exciting, and rewarding. Working towards mastery while learning something new can cause frustration and self-doubt and we can quickly find ourselves in the valley.

Next time you’re in the valley, give yourself some grace. God already has. Remember that every part of you was created by God and God’s works are wonderful.

Loving and gracious God, we often find ourselves questioning our worth forgetting that you created us, and your works are wonderful and therefore we are of value. Forgive us.  Help us to remember that we are unique and have much to offer to others in your honor. Thank you for your steadiness and presence when we are on the top of the peak or when we have entered the valley. We pray all this in your name. Amen

Marty

“So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.  So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all…” Galations 6:9-10

During these challenging times, there has been a paradigm shift in our perception of workers who are essential. Prior to the pandemic, many of us rarely gave a second thought about those who harvest our fruits and vegetables. Not many of us gave much attention to the truckers who deliver these goods to the supermarket.  We just knew that  when we arrived at the market, items would be stocked and ready for purchase.  For many years I drove past Farmer Johns located in Huntington Park, not thinking about the meat that was processed there. Bacon was my favorite.

Doctors, nurses, and those who now stand outside the doors of hospitals taking temperatures. Clerical workers who process paperwork so that doctors and nurses are free to provide much needed care. Teachers who spend countless hours creating lesson plans and more hours executing those plans daily. Stay at home moms and dads and grandparents whose job is sometimes seems thankless but brings the greatest joy. These are a few of the essential workers. People who do the right thing for the common good and for the good of their families and friends.

We are inevitably linked in one way or another. The actions of a few affect the many and vice-versa.This Labor Day my hope is that  we will take the time to remember those who do the hard work that helps to keep our country moving. Remember the military that keeps this country safe, both at home and abroad, and remember those who protect and serve. Let’s not forget the postal workers that will deliver ballots, prescriptions, and countless other vital mail.

My hope is that we will continue to do the work  that will get us into “good trouble” for the  common good of all.

James Calhoun

Gracious God, we thank you 

for the world you have created  and 

the many resources you have provided

and for all those who work to make

this world a better place. Give us  

continued strength to bring light to  our world.

We pray in Jesus name.

Amen