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the morning report

We celebrated Pentecost this morning in worship. As we listened to the story from Acts 2 we considered how God might want to pour out the Holy Spirit on us even today. There really isn’t any good reason to fear the genuine expression of the Holy Spirit. I think we must be willing to take a risk, especially when we come together in worship. But so also we must remember that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is not an end in itself. We are empowered for a purpose. Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) We are empowered by the Holy Spirit so that others might see the new life that is ours through Jesus Christ. Finally, I observed that the outpouring of Pentecost was possible because the disciples committed themselves to prayer. I expressed my hope that we might enter into a season of prayer at Village Presbyterian Church. Throughout the summer I’m committed to bringing four questions before the Lord as a regular focus of my prayer life. These are the questions:

Lord, how do you want to use me in this world?
What do I need to do to get ready?
How do you want to use Village Presbyterian Church?
What do we need to do to get ready?

I’m confident if we are open and receptive to the Holy Spirit, God will answer our prayers and God will give us clear direction. Let us rejoice because God is moving among us!

And now, it's nap time. Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

the end of our reading plan

Tomorrow marks the end of our reading guide through the minor prophets. I must admit that I missed a day or two along the way and had to catch up but overall I like having a plan for reading. It’s been a long time since I read the minor prophets straight through. Without a plan, my reading becomes random and I return too often to my favorite sections of Scripture. The minor prophets aren’t easy reading but I needed to hear their words.

A simple reading plan helps me to hear the whole of Scripture. Maybe you’ve noticed the new side bar I included on the right titled “Spiritual Formation.” It includes a link to the PCUSA website where you can follow along with readings from the daily lectionary. The daily lectionary is a two year cycle that includes morning and evening psalms, an Old Testament reading, a portion of one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John), as well as a second New Testament reading. It’s a good plan and lots of people use it. Give it a try for a week and then let me know what you think.

The closing book of the Old Testament is Malachi. In the reading for today the prophet challenges the people to offer the best of what they have to the Lord. Malachi asks, “When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not wrong? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not wrong? Try presenting that to your governor; will he be pleased with you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts.” (1:8) I wonder also about the kind of offerings we bring as we gather in worship every Sunday. I think the Lord wants the best of our attention in worship. I think we need to come with the expectation that we will hear a “word from the Lord.” We need to come offering prayers for loved ones and for the world. We need to come ready to reach out to others and demonstrate hospitality. And even if we might never be contenders on “American Idol” we should sing with full hearts and voices because God is honored in our song. So what will you bring to the Lord in worship? I hope you bring the best of what you have and who you are and so fulfill the Great Commandment, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” (Deut. 6:5; cf. Matt. 22:37)

chocolate chip waffles

The big treat in our house on Saturday mornings is always pancakes or waffles. We also love chocolate and so combining both is the perfect solution. Here’s a picture of Mackenzie after she enjoyed a chocolate chip waffle this morning. The large volume of sugar does tend to get the kids more active in the short term.

In case you need the recipe for this exotic breakfast treat, let me include it here. First, prepare pancake batter anyway you like it. Second, when the cakes are on the griddle or the batter is in the waffle iron, throw chocolate chips into the mix. Cook until done and serve warm. Syrup is optional and we usually avoid it for obvious reasons. See it’s not as difficult as you might think.

team ministry

I received a phone call this morning from Steve Fortenberry. Steve is the Organizing Pastor of a Presbyterian New Church Development in North Lima, Ohio. He’s working on a project called “Common Ground Church Community.” If you go to the website be sure to check out their welcome video. It’s totally cool. Maybe I could dub “Village Presbyterian Church” in the place of “Common Ground” and use it on our website.

Steve called just to check in to see how we’re getting along. He also wanted to report on his progress and get some feedback. They had their first “official” Sunday worship service on April 4, 2004 (the week before Easter) and they’re going strong with more than 70 worshipping with them each week. Common Ground meets in a local school which offers plenty of room to grow (yes, I was a little envious). It was good to hear of the progress they are making in a very short period of time. I was glad to be able to offer a few words of encouragement.

Toward the end of our conversation I started thinking about the church planting teams of the New Testament. Steve mentioned several people who have become critical to the work of Common Ground. I also told him about the many individuals and families we rely on at Village Presbyterian Church. I spoke the names of many whom I deeply care for and appreciate. It really does take more than a pastor to establish a vibrant New Church Development. It takes a team. I’m glad to be a part of a growing team here in Ladera Ranch.

In June we’ll be starting a new series on Sunday mornings as we take a closer look at First Corinthians. It’s a letter from Paul to the church in Corinth. This is how it starts, “Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, to the church of God that is in Corinth….” (1:1, 2a) According to Acts 18:17, Sosthenes was a leader in the synagogue in Corinth. The mention of his name is a reminder to us that authentic ministry is never a solo operation. Even Paul was not alone in the leadership task. We need each other. We need each other in order to experience Christian community. This morning a phone call from a friend in Ohio reminded me of that truth once again. Steve and I are partners in ministry as we commit ourselves to a similar task in different locations. And as we go about our work here in this place, let us be thankful that God calls us to serve together. We're on God's team and on this team everyone gets to play!

PS: Remember we’ll be celebrating Pentecost on Sunday so wear something red if you can.

learning from the past

The final installment of “Colonial House” ran last night on PBS. Stepping back into 1628 turned out to be harder than I expected (and I wasn’t even there). From day one it was hard work. That was to be expected. But I’m not sure the participants were expecting the lesson they received from those on whose land they had settled. I’m not sure I was ready for the lesson either. It caught me by surprise. One segment featured a Native American woman telling the story of how missionaries forced their religion upon her people. Many native people and tribes were destroyed following the colonial settlement. It’s a horrible reality we must be willing to face. I felt sad as I listened to her story.

Some might interpret this westward expansion as the Gospel going forward into all the world in response to the Great Commission found in Matthew 28. There is some truth in that but it's not the whole story. Unfortunately, in this case those who sought to proclaim the Gospel of Life ended up bringing a legacy of death. Hearing this woman’s story made me think of the legacy I hope to leave as an “ambassador” of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:20). I’m still trying to figure it all out and I know I’ve made mistakes but at the core of my being I want to be found faithful to God’s call in my life. I'm firmly committed to the Great Commission but it is not a license to control or dominate others. I do not want to be motivated by profit or greed. I want to discover a different motivation altogether. As the Apostle Paul writes, “For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) An important lesson from the past for this postmodern missionary.

Did anyone else watch Colonial House? If you saw it, what did you think? You can be sure I'll be sending in my application for the next series, "Monastic House." I'd really like to have a go at Gregorian chant.

dare to dream

This morning I drove up to Fuller Seminary in Pasadena to have lunch with Chris Koch. We enjoy his capable leadership in worship every Sunday at Village Presbyterian Church. During our time together I was reminded again that there is more to his life than what we see on a typical Sunday morning. He is working hard to fulfill a dream. Chris wants see where his music might take him and so he is pressing on as a songwriter and a performer. As you can imagine, it’s no easy gig but Chris is going for it. I have a lot of respect for his talent, his courage and his passion.

This morning I also heard about several people who signed up to give blood tomorrow night after hearing the announcement this past Sunday. The blood drive at the Avendale Club is part of Tom Riles’ dream for this community. Tom has a remarkable story to tell. A personal set back actually served to give him courage to take a bold step forward to help others. I admire Tom’s commitment and dedication.

I wonder about the dreams we are not yet aware of in this community. Surely, there are more stories to tell. On Sunday, May 30th, we’re celebrating Pentecost. According to Acts 2, it’s the birthday of the church. Jesus told his followers to wait for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and that outpouring took place on the day of Pentecost. As God pours out the Holy Spirit, people young and old “shall see visions” and they “shall dream dreams.” (Acts 2:13) God’s work on earth is yet to be completed and so God invites people like Chris and Tom and you to be a part of it. The question is, “We will dare to dream?” For the sake of the world, I hope we will.

P.S. Chris has a concert this Friday night at Fuller’s Travis Auditorium (an impressive venue) and June 4th marks the release of his new CD. You can find out more about him at his website.

public worship

Yesterday I announced a slight variation in the summer worship schedule. During the months of July and August we’ll be gathering for worship on the Town Green at 9 o’clock. Because the Oak Knoll Club is consistently unavailable to us during the summer months, we have to make the best of the few options available to us. Last week our leadership team wrestled with the options and we decided upon this course of action. Clearly, ***September 5th*** will mark a new chapter in our life together but I also wonder how God might shape us as a community of faith during these summer months. Here are a few of my thoughts on the subject, practical and theological.

First, we’ve chosen an earlier hour in the hope we can beat the heat. It will mean an adjustment for those who like to sleep in but the earlier hour will also mean more time for late morning. This can be an added benefit. Maybe we can get a brunch group going instead of filling up on Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.

Second, we’re outside in the warm California sun! When the weather is good it can be an awesome experience. We gather under a beautiful gazebo and so we’re shaded from the sun. In this environment there’s no need for air conditioning. I think we live way too much of our lives sheltered from the elements. This option will give us the chance to appreciate the beauty of creation.

Third, it will be a good memory for the children of this church. In the years to come they’ll say, “I remember meeting on the Town Green and playing on the grass at the end of Adventure Village but the gazebo isn’t as big as I remember it.” Because of our participation, our children are numbered among the pioneers of this new congregation.

Fourth, there are a number of shops, stores and restaurants opening in the new marketplace adjacent to the Town Green. I hope many will walk over after worship to eat and spend time together. I hope the whole area will soon be buzzing with activity and the energy of this church will add to the excitement.

Fifth, and perhaps most important, worship on the Town Green embodies the public nature of our faith in Jesus Christ. This morning as I was reading Treasure in Clay Jars, I came across this paragraph:

“Perhaps what is most telling about the way the early church saw the public nature of its life, witness, and worship is its choice of language to describe these things. As has often been noted, the Greek word chosen by the church for its self-description was ekklesia, the word for a ‘public assembly.’ Other words for distinctly ‘religious’ groups of one sort or another were readily available. Most groups so designated were private club-like cults or groups that followed some secret path to salvation. It is noteworthy that none of these more private notions were used by the church about itself. Instead, it used a term meaning ‘the ones called out into public assembly.’ It was a term that connoted something like a town meeting. As God calls the whole world to its proper worship in public assembly, we can think of the church as the community that has thus far assembled. It lives its life, therefore, in public and for the public.” (105)

Maybe that’s the reason God hasn’t yet provided “shelter” for this newly forming congregation. Perhaps we have more to discover about the public nature of the church and worship. We’ll see in the months ahead. May God help us to make the most of this experience.

And yet this arrangement is not without a downside. These are a few I’m concerned about.
* Parking may turn out to be a problem. There’s not much available in the immediate area. Maybe people will make the effort to walk or ride bicycles to worship.
* Also the set up teams need to get going an hour earlier. Hopefully, enough helpers will step forward to make this a genuine team effort.
* We also need to see if the restrooms at the I-Gallery can be opened earlier if we need them.
* I want us to be responsible in relation to our neighbors. I hope those who live near the Town Green enjoy the sound of our voices lifted in worship to God.
* Too much traffic and activity in the area might also be a distraction for us in worship.
* And, of course, I hope this will be a summer of moderate temperatures.

I’m confident this next chapter will be a great learning adventure for us all even as we seek to become a community that is faithful to God. Let me know what you think.

*** If you haven’t heard by now, September 5, 2004 will be our first Sunday in the multi-purpose room of Ladera Ranch School.

end

The season ended for the Rockies this afternoon after a tough loss to the Cardinals. Andy and his team mates gave it their best shot today. In the end, they’ve made their parents proud. Andy’s already talking about getting ready for next season. Way to go Rockies!

beginning

We celebrated the wedding of Craig and Shelby yesterday at the Oak Knoll Club. The ceremony went well and the reception was awesome. Good food, a great dj and a large dance floor. It was really fun to spend time with new friends and to celebrate the joining of Craig and Shelby as husband and wife. They will be moving to Ladera Ranch as soon as their house is finished in August. Congratulations! May God bless you as you establish your home in this new community.

minimal blogging

This week I am trying to make progress in the direction of my final project at Columbia (hopefully finished in time for May 2005 graduation). I have too many thoughts, plans and ideas floating around in my head right now but I’ve set aside this week to focus. It would be great if everything else really could be put on hold but there’s always the regular stuff of the week. Life isn't all about doing school work. My kids will tell you that. I’m including an article here that I wrote last May (2003) about a trip to Columbia and my reasons for heading to Decatur, Georgia to continue my education. Let me know what you think.