 From Jim's Cluttered Desks
March 2, 2022 Today is Ash Wednesday. This is the day of the Christian calendar where we set aside some specific time to sit still for awhile. Many churches have worship gatherings. Some Christian traditions include placing ashes on each worshippers forehead reminding u “for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19) For some of us a discussion about our mortality (that we each will die) is not welcome. For others it can become a fearful expectation that dominates their life. Ash Wednesday helps balance those two extremes. It helps us admit to ourselves that there will be a day when that part of us that lives forever will leave these “wonderfully and fearfully made” bodies of ours. It also helps us prepare for this. advanced directives, wills, bequests, funeral arrangements are important and thoughtful. But then there is being prepared spiritually. “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many.” (Hebrews 9:27) Ash Wednesday offers an opportunity to prayerfully evaluate the “state of our souls.” On what and who are we depending as we live here and when we cross over? Knowing we should fill out an Advanced Directive, compose a will, or plan our funeral service doesn't get it done. Knowing you should make a decision to follow Jesus doesn't get it done either. Knowing and doing are two different things. Use this Ash Wednesday as a day to decide to follow Jesus; believing that he is the Son of the Living God, naming him as your Lord and Savior, letting his teaching and example become your guide, and become (or continue to be) part of a group of people who have decided the same thing. May your 2022 Ash Wednesday be a blessed time. Be not afraid, Pastor Jim Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blessed assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and hath shed his own blood for my sake. It is well with my soul. -Horatio G. Spafford
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 From Pastor Jim's Cluttered Desks..
Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is yet to come. Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 24:4-6) In light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine I encourage you to pray over the situation, especially for the people of Ukraine who are now suffering the devastation of war. It is hard to find words to shape our prayers so I offer this poem that fits the tune Finlandia (“This Is My Song”). Perhaps it will help you, as it has me, to have the words to bring before the Triune God during this crisis. We pray for peace, O God of love and justice, as once again, we face a time of war. The meek and humble try — amid the crisis -- to love and build, to nurture and restore. May leaders hear the truth the prophets teach us -- that gifts of peace are well worth struggling for. We pray for peace, O Christ who calmed the waters -- who stilled the storm, who stilled disciples’ fear. You spoke with love and with amazing power; be with us now when trouble is so near. May leaders see the miracle you offer -- that words and deeds can calm the nations here. We pray for peace, O Spirit here among us; your love emboldens, judges, and restrains. Take any hate and acts of impulse from us; make leaders wise, amid competing claims. May we seek peace, O God of love and justice; may love and mercy be our highest aims. Carolyn Jean Sibelius Additionally, we will be impacted by this war. May our words and attitudes reflect our commitment to follow Jesus. Be not afraid, Pastor Jim  We will be using Episode 8 of The Chosen (Season One) this Sunday. Several stories come together. Some are given quite a bit of time in the episode. Others are only briefly mentioned. Each something to do with following Jesus. I have some homework for you. Read John 4:1-38 before Sunday. This passage highlights the ways Jesus breaks down barriers that separate and exclude people from the Kingdom of God. The hateful division between Jews and Samaritans was centuries old by the time Jesus comes on the scene. It dates back to the Eighth Century B.C. After reading this story ponder ways that you felt left out, overlooked, or excluded. Who came along to help you? How did those experiences shape your self-image and the decisions you make today? Now, go back to John 4. Take a look at verse 4. Read it out loud. Look at attached map. Did Jesus “have” to go through Samaria because there were no other roads? No. Why did he “have” to go through Samaria? See you Sunday. Pastor Jim From Jim's Cluttered Desks
RSVP February 16, 2022 This Sunday's sixteen minute clip (The Chosen – Episode 7) dramatically portrays two invitations. The first happens in a private meeting between Jesus and Nicodemus. The second is the very public calling of Matthew. Get your Bible and read about these two events. You will find the private meeting with Nicodemus in John 3:1-21. It will require about 3 minutes of your time to read it. Then you can read how Matthew describes Jesus calling him in Matthew 9:9-13. That takes about 45 seconds to read out loud. Ponder these questions:
My prayer is that this exercise will bless and challenge you as you prepare for this Lord's Day. Be not afraid, Pastor Jim From Jim’s Cluttered Desks
February 9, 2022 It was difficult to not be with you last Sunday. It is reported that you were well cared for. Here are some tips to help you prepare for this Sunday’s services:
Could it be that relieving physical, social, or emotional difficulties is not the only or maybe the most important reason for a miracle? See you Sunday, Pastor Jim From Jim’s Cluttered Desks
February 3, 2022 I’ll not be with you this Sunday (February 6). You can prepare for the worship service by reading John 2:1-12. Jesus had been down at Bethany which is east of Jerusalem. He then traveled back up to the province of Galilee (John 1:43). That’s when he attended a wedding in the village of Cana. Take a look at a map of first-century Israel (you might have one in the back of your Bible). Find the Sea of Galilee. Then find Nazareth. Look to the northwest and you’ll find Cana. List some things you know about the wedding in Cana. Then list some things you don’t know. Can you remember anything embarrassing happening at a wedding? Something embarrassing happen at the Cana wedding. They ran out of wine. We don’t know why that happened but it did. Do a little research about the jars, the ones Jesus asked to be filled. What was important about the jars being made of stone? Then ponder Mary’s words: “Do whatever he tells you.” How do those words apply to your life right now? Enjoy your study. January 26, 2022
Let me introduce you to someone who has influenced my life. He lived a long time ago. His name was Simon. He had a brother named Andrew. His father’s name was John. He made his living as a commercial fisherman. He lived in Capernaum, a town on the Sea of Galilee’s western shore. Simon was an early follower of Jesus and was chosen by Jesus to be one of the original twelve apostles. Jesus gave him a nickname: Peter (Greek) or Cephas (Hebrew). The name means rock in English. Take some time right now to look up these Bible verses to learn a little more about this man who has deeply influences your pastor. Underline his name when you find it. • John 1:35-42 • Luke 5:1-11 • Luke 6:12-16 • John 13:1-9 • Matthew 26:31-35 • John 18:15-18 and 25-27 These episodes describe some highs and lows in the relationship between Jesus and Simon. Perhaps Simon-Peter’s influence on me stems from his “out front” leadership and his willingness to admit his failures. He seems to be the person who blessed and exasperated Jesus the most. Simon’s early encounters with Jesus are the focus of this week’s worship service. It is a story that highlights some things that distracted Simon from recognizing the Messiah. It is a story that shows how wrongly we can interpret God’s activity. It is a story that identifies the importance of repentance and obedience. My prayerful hope is that Simon Peter becomes a positive influence is your pilgrimage of following Jesus. Stay faithful and fearless, Pastor Jim PS – Next Sunday (February 6) will take us to a wedding feast in Cana. Bring a wedding picture for display. This should be fun. From Jim’s Cluttered Desks
January 19, 2022 Jesus loves the little children. Those words make me want to break into song! “Red, brown, yellow, black, and white! They are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.” Yes, Jesus does have a special place in his heart for children. Perhaps this comes from the Hebrew Bible’s emphasis on teaching children the laws and stories of their faith. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 points out the importance of “talking” about the commandments. We know that Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem every year (a sixty mile journey from Nazareth) for the Feast of the Passover. No doubt they often talked about the trip and the reasons for it. Look up Luke 2:41-52 for some information about one of those trips. In Mark 9:33-37 and Mark 10:13-15 offered the example of children as something his followers should emulate. And there in Mark 10:16 Jesus holds little ones in his arms and blesses them. This coming Sunday our worship services will focus on that wonderful relationship Jesus engendered with children. It will be easy to focus on COVID-19 home test kits and N95 face masks this week. Perhaps there might be something greater to consider. Please join me in thinking about our influence on the lives of young people. What do they take away from overhearing our conversations? How are we praying for them and their parents? How are we blessing them, just like Jesus did. Jesus loves the little children…all the children of the world. See you Sunday, Pastor Jim From Jim’s Cluttered Desks
January 12, 2022 We met several people Sunday: Mary of Magdala, Nicodemus, Simon and his brother Andrew, and Matthew. This Sunday we are going to see how they observed Shabbat (Sabbath in English), the Jewish day of rest. Mary, Nicodemus, Simon, and Matthew will each observe Shabbat in different ways and experience Shabbat with different results. Shabbat is the day of the week when observant Jews obey the Fourth Commandment (Exodus 20:8-11 and Deuteronomy 5:12). In these passages we see two different reasons for keeping the Shabbat:
Sabbath traditions among Jews vary just as Christian worship traditions do. In most traditional families Shabbat begins Friday night at sundown. A family meal is the centerpiece of the evening and begins with candle lighting and prayers. The woman of the house begins the ceremony with a blessing and candle lighting. Usually there are two candles on the table. She will pray: Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to light the candle of Shabbat and of the Day of Remembrance. Other prayers are offered during the meal and often the conversation is directed toward the reasons for a special day of rest. Following the Shabbat meal the family would go to bed and attend synagogue services the next day. Jesus attended synagogue services “as was his habit” (Luke 4:16). These were the Sabbath traditions with which Jesus was raised. Does your family have any religious traditions like this? What religious traditions were you raised with? See you Sunday, Pastor Jim From Jim’s Cluttered Desks
January 6, 2022 Using the eight episode dramatic production titled The Chosen, we are beginning an eight-week journey through the early days of Jesus’ teaching and healing work. Try to imagine a world where Jesus was relatively unknown. This first episode takes place in such a world. Jesus plays a very small role in this episode. The reputation and notoriety of Jesus will grow throughout these eight presentations. Some people will decide to follow him. Others will be confused because he is not the kind of messiah they were taught to expect. There are also those who will oppose him, sometimes violently. Things haven’t changed much. Here are some tips:
Carve out some time before Sunday to read Isaiah 43:21-2, Matthew 27:55-61, Luke 8:2-3, Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 1:16-20, John 3:1-21, John 19:38-42, Find a map of Israel during the times of Jesus. Identify Capernaum, Nazareth, and Jerusalem. I’m looking forward to walking with Jesus and those who decided to follow him (including you) over these next eight Sundays. See you Sunday, Pastor Jim |