Last week Jessie Cameron died at the age of 97.  She was known by many in our congregation as our matriarch being the oldest member of the church.  She was such a dedicated servant of God as she consistently searched for opportunities where she could bless the lives of others with gestures of love.

Last Sunday during the 11:00 o’clock worship service we paid tribute to her.  She will be memorialized on Saturday the 7th, in Franklin, Tennessee close to the farming community where she spent most of her life.

It was in 1998, when Jessie was 87 years old, that she wrote a tribute to Arapaho Church.  Maybe like me, you carefully file notes and letters that are affirming so that when things start to fall apart we can go to that file and know that good things really can and do happen.  Jessie’s tribute to our church is one of those treasures that all of us would do well to preserve.

This is what she wrote:
As I sit in my apartment this New Year’s Day, #235 on Arapaho Road, I am thinking and wishing that everyone could carry a lighter load.  I am blessed by the church I go to each Sunday.  What a pleasure it is to know that we can carry what we see and hear longer than Monday.  The people there all greet you with a shake and a smile, just to let you know that you are welcomed and worthwhile.  My church is everything you would want a church to be, people who are thoughtful, intelligent, kind individuals who, like God, love you and me.  The minister relates the scripture with care, even all the children run to be there.  The stories are true, right from His Word, and of course, we are told to spread the light, so the Word will be heard.  The music is wonderful, from Dale Morehouse and our choir, bringing new hymns and old ones…of the music we’ll never tire!  The Youth are all so happy and bright, doing things for people to make them feel just right.  Missions is the goal for all to do, building homes, feeding the hungry and clothing the poor.  Others will know, as our light will shine, that God acts through us: we are of the Divine.  Sunday School classes of all ages, Vacation Bible School too, are taught with care; the help from the congregation is fantastic there!  Women’s Circles and Bible classes too are taught, with those who lead us giving special thought.  Yes, Arapaho Church is full of the Holy Spirit and glee, from the smallest to the oldest, like me.  Advent came and went telling us that Christmas is on the way, to remind us that baby Jesus was born on this day; a time of reading and a time for giving and receiving if we may.  Our stained glass windows were beautiful, with the poinsettias and the lovely Chrismon angel tree.  We all know what he meant when He said, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and being happiness and cheer to all and glorify your Father in heaven.”  On Christmas a child was born and loved; we came to see it observed, trying to see that no one was left unheard.  Arapaho united Methodist Church is an active one, with so many things that we do that are fun.  Let me mention just a few:  There’s a Clown Day, Pageants and Pop, and let’s not forget Uncle Jack’s Coffee Shop…yard sales, crafts and, oh, yes, the Pumpkin Patch, that all Trick or Treaters come to without a latch.  This is done as a treat to keep kids off the street, where they learn of crime and drugs.  Now let’s lend a hand and come and give them some hugs.  I live at the Eldorado and each Sunday I’m at the door, for they send a van to pick me and others up.  It is a blessing to hear our minister, Jack.  If you come a few times, you will always come back!  Shalom and Thanks be to God.  Jessie Cameron, 1998.

And thanks be to God for you, Jessie.
Shalom,
Jack  

On June 7th we will hold our Annual Rummage Sale.  This is one of our three significant fundraisers in support of the ministries and missions of our church.
 Obvious is the fact that our profits are related to the number of treasures that we all provide so you are encouraged to probe into the dark corners of your garages, closets and attics to uncover those items that we will sell.  Equally important is the involvement of many in preparing for the sale by sorting, pricing before the sale and selling on the day of the sale.

Here are a few dates and details:
•    May 31st is the day for large item pick-up. (If you can help or need to have items picked up, call the office.)
•    The sale on June 7th will be from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
•    At 6:00 AM on the morning of the sale we will move large items outside.
•    On June 1st we will move items from the Fellowship Hall to the various rooms where they will be sold.
•    May 26th collection begins and you can deliver your items to the church.
•    On any day you can help sort and price so please come when you can.
•    It will be most helpful if you can sign up for the hours when you can help out.
•    On June 5th or 6th (watch for the exact date and time) we will set up the large tent.

Several years ago prior to our rummage sale I preached a sermon out of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount when he said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Mt. 6:19)  I said, “That’s why each year we hold a rummage sale; so that we can rid ourselves of our accumulated earthly treasures.”  
I know that next week when I clean my garage Jesus will once again come to mind as I remember that Jesus was right.  The odds and ends that I have treasured have little value at all.  My inclination to keep everything results in little more than having to park my car increasingly closer to the garage door.  It becomes apparent that if we don’t hold an annual rummage sale I’ll not be able to close that door.

Jesus knew that with the accumulation of stuff there comes the distracting necessity to protect, sort, polish, maintain, and shelter all of it with diminishing attention given to the matters that matter the most.

As the congregation of Arapaho United Methodist Church we do a noteworthy job of matters that matter the most.  We provide significant settings where people form and nurture a right relationship with God.  We fashion a broad spectrum of opportunities where we can serve God by serving others.  We fulfill our commitment to see to it that children are raised without a doubt about how loved they are by God and others, and how they have countless reasons to love themselves.  We explore ideas about God and the companionship of God.  The substance of our ministry is like treasure in heaven.

Interesting, I think, is the fact that the rummage sale doesn’t just give us an occasion to clean our garages and attics.  It also allows us the means whereby we transform that which we once treasured into treasures for others.  The items that we bring to the church for sale in the days ahead may no longer interest us but they will allow others to find them interesting and useful.  I am always pleased to see how many people find joy in “just what they were looking for.”  I see families able to afford good clothing especially for their children.

And, with the funds that we are able to generate we sustain the ministries of the church.  Each year we raise between $10,000 and $14,000.  Through the work that we do together in God’s name countless treasures are accumulated in heaven—just as Jesus said.  Please help as you  are able.

Shalom,
Jack

This Sunday, May 4 is “Ascension Sunday.”  The text that I will read is Acts 1:6-11.  No doubt Luke is the author of both the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts.  The Gospel of Luke is a stepping stone that leads the church in the direction of ministry to the world—ministry that is inaugurated with the birth of the Church as recorded in the Book of Acts.  The Gospel of Luke ends with the ascension of Jesus and the Book of Acts begins by recalling Jesus’ ascension.  Jesus instructs the disciples to be his witnesses in the world.  I will be talking about how we are to be witnesses for Christ.  The Greek word translated as “witness” is a very strong word that calls disciples to sacrificial action.  I believe this text sheds light on the recent General Conference decision to retain its position regarding homosexuality.  I’ll look forward to sharing my thoughts on that while being fully aware that this is a subject about which our congregation holds diverse opinion.  I hope to see you this Sunday.  Shalom, Jack 

If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength being small; if you hold back from rescuing those taken away to death, those who go staggering to the slaughter; if you say, “Look, we did not know this” – does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?  Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it?  And will he not repay all according to their deeds?Proverbs 24:10-12 (NRSV) 

Last week, two events ironically coincided – the 5th anniversary of the genocide in Darfur and Pope Benedict’s address to the United Nations in which he honored and celebrated the 60th anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, an amazing affirmation passed in 1948 that set the standard for how we should treat each other. 

In the aftermath of the almost inconceivable madness of World War II, during which some 40-50 million people were killed (no one will ever know for sure the exact number), the global community said “no more” to the wholesale slaughter of innocents.  Then came Cambodia.  Then came Bosnia.  Then came Rwanda. 

And then 5 years ago, innocents began being slaughtered in the Darfur region of Sudan.  Article 3 of the Declaration affirms that “Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.”  For five years now, the world community has watched in horror as the government of Sudan has made of mockery of these fundamental rights.  (By the way, I highly recommend the reading of the entire Declaration, which can be found by clicking here.) 

You are probably familiar with the numbers – over 450,000 dead, up to 3 million displaced, 3.5 million more dependent upon international aid for basic survival needs.  (Check out this powerful clip for a quick overview.)  This Sunday, Arapaho will host a Save Darfur Rally and Prayer Service for the second straight year.  We will show the powerful documentary The Devil Came On Horseback, we will pray together, we will offer opportunities for activism, and raise money for Darfur relief.  I hope you will join us on Sunday.  God willing, a third annual Save Darfur rally won’t be necessary.

Haven’t most of us spent countless hours with Mr. Rogers? He has helped to raise most of our kids, and he may have even blessed you too. You may not know that he was an ordained Presbyterian minister.

Mr. Rogers told the story of being in a worship service, his wife Joanne sitting by his side. They were on vacation. He was in seminary and was taking a class in preaching at the time. As he told the story, “During the sermon I kept ticking off every mistake I thought the preacher was making. He was a man, about 80 years old. When this interminable sermon finally ended, I turned to my wife, intending to say something critical about the sermon. I stopped myself when I saw tears running down her face. She whispered to me, ‘He said exactly what I needed to hear.’” Fred Rogers said, “I was judging and she was needing, and the Holy Spirit responded to need, rather than judgment.”

It may be too often that we function out of the perspective of judgment. We try to mend our own brokenness by judging others. We think that we will feel stronger when we imagine others as weak. We raise our confidence by showing disrespect toward others. We feel intelligent when we label others as foolish.

In fact and in faith, God is there to breach the gap by loving all of us. God provides affirmation, as God helps us see the goodness in both ourselves and others.

Buddy Pond is a member of our church. He says, “You don’t have to be wrong for me to be right.” He is so right.

Carl Rogers, the psychologist whose approach to psychotherapy can function as the framework of any serious conversation identifies three essential steps in a therapeutic conversation. There must be empathy, unconditional positive regard for the other, and genuineness.

We need only spend a short time with Jesus to see why so many followed him eager to hear what he had to say. He honored every person he met treating everyone as a child of God.

Put these wise observations to the test. Consider any individual you know while pondering the wisdom of Fred Rogers, Carl Rogers, Buddy Pond or Jesus. Now that will make you feel better about yourself and them.

Shalom,
Jack

Throughout Lent, I have preached sermons that addressed John Wesley’s concept regarding the availability of God’s Grace. He said that we have exposure to many “means of Grace.” They are occasions when we can witness and experience the Grace of God in our daily lives. He identifies three in particular: Holy Communion, searching the Scriptures, and prayer. Beyond those, there are no limits. Grace is available, and we discover it to the extent that we are prepared to welcome it into our hearts and souls.

Maybe you have joined me in watching for the revelations of God’s Grace. As we have approached the celebration of Easter, I have been aware of the Divine’s exposure.

Recently, we created an opportunity for interfaith dialogue. About 40 Muslims joined with about 40 of us as Christians to talk about that which we hold in common. Dr. Yusuf Kavakci, the Imam from the Dallas Central Mosque, was with us. He’s an internationally know scholar of the Qur’an. He talked about the respect that Muslims have for Christians and how they hold deep love for God, the same God whom we worship.

Also, we heard from Dr. Robert Hunt, who is a well-known scholar of interfaith dialogue and Professor of World Religions at Perkins School of Theology. He, too, addressed the theological principles that Christians hold in common with Muslims. We hold significant beliefs in common.

Both of the scholars, along with the participants who gathered around tables for dialogue, agreed that discussing our common beliefs is an act of peacemaking that we would do well to promote. In that setting, where we were talking about faith, the Grace of God was made evident.

On Palm Sunday, we worshiped in an atmosphere of music provided by our children’s choir and our Chancel Choir. All who were there felt moved by the sacred, and all of us knew that to be a means of Grace.

Following worship on that Sunday, our children were gleeful to discover that thousands of eggs filled with delights had been spread all over the church yard for their discovery. They loved it, and for those of us who watched, God’s Grace was revealed once again.

On Maundy Thursday, we worshiped as we remembered the last supper that Jesus shared with his disciples before he faced the cross. All of the disciples were present, and they each told us about the feelings that they had on that night. Then we gathered around the Communion Table in groups of 12 to celebrate that sacred meal ourselves. God’s Grace was made evident.

On Good Friday, we were in a Service of Darkness, reading the Scriptures that tell the story of Jesus as he faced the cross and died. Many took turns reading, and many more sang beautifully as the lights dimmed and candles, one by one, were snuffed out. To remember the unrelenting dedication of Christ in his effort to deliver the Grace of God was life giving.

On Saturday morning, members of the Open Door Sunday School Class decorated the chancel for Easter while members of the Worship Committee prepared the Fellowship Hall for the Easter Breakfast. The Youth made final preparations for Easter Sunrise. Grace was evident again, and again.

Easter? Well, what could we expect if not Grace. God provides love abundantly. It is ours to behold. Thanks be to God.

Shalom,
Jack