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Church Community Builder

We're finally ready to roll out the new online administrative software for Village Presbyterian Church. I'll be sending an email blast tomorrow but if you want to get a jump on things, click the "Request New" box below and then fill out the information. I'm confident that this program will enhance our ability to connect as members of this growing community of faith.

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And if your name has not yet been added to the email blast list, be sure to add your name below.

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The Other Rev. Wright

While the one Rev. Wright continues to prompt much discussion here in the U.S., there is another Rev. Wright who dares to speak provocatively in relation to the focus of our faith in Christ. Once again N. T. Wright finds himself on the pages a major weekly news magazine. You can access the "Newsweek" article online here or grab the pdf here. It makes me wonder, is there room enough in the world for yet another Rev. Wright?

Mission Outpost

On Sunday I offered new words of welcome during the announcement time. For several years I’ve said the same thing, "Village Presbyterian Church is a gathering of neighbors and friends discovering life together." While I believe this continues to be the case, I want us all to expand the vision beyond the framework of the “neighbors and friends” who are currently known to us. We are neighbors and friends but we must also give attention to the call that God has upon our particular community of faith. This past Sunday I said it like this, "Village Presbyterian Church is a mission outpost, called to proclaim the way of life that is found in Jesus Christ who taught us to love as we are loved by God, to forgive as we have been forgiven and to give as God has given unto us."

Hopefully, this statement causes us to ask a few good questions. What is the mission? As an "outpost," how far on the edge are we willing to live for the sake of the gospel? Who issued this call? How is this "way of life" proclaimed? Where are the "resources" of this mission to be found? When and why is forgiveness required? What has God given and how do we appropriately give ourselves and our gifts for the sake of the mission?

Just a few questions that came from the top of my head. On Sunday, we’re beginning a new series in the book of Acts. Acts is actually Part II of the Luke-Acts series. You'll notice a similar introduction for both books. Let me encourage you to read the first chapter in preparation for Sunday and then check back to this blog for a few comments about the new series that starts this Sunday.

I Love the 80s

They're dressing like the 80s today at Chaparral. We were able to coordinate a "Flashdance" costume for Mackenzie. Oh, how I loved the 80s. Michael J. Fox was my fashion idol. I wasn't able to keep up with Alex P. Keaton but I loved the style of "Back to the Future." I'm reading to Mackenzie's class later this morning so I'll get to see the 80s all over again.

Earth Day

I've got a new saying that I hope everyone will commit to memory. It goes like this, "Earth Day and then Steve's Birthday." Tomorrow I turn the big 45. I'm old enough not to remember where I was when Kennedy was shot. Over all, I'm grateful for the passing of years and for the fullness of my life. The past few weeks I've been cultivating a small crop on my chin just to see the ratio of gray to color. It looks like gray is winning.

In celebration of Earth Day, I'm riding my bike instead of driving today. Actually, I'm having some work done on the van and so I have to ride but when I'm on my bike I feel so environmentally conscious and eco-superior to everyone else. My carbon footprint is much smaller, only for this one day.

Seriously, I love the idea of Earth Day. Tonight I think we might even watch an episode or two from Planet Earth and maybe we'll even reflect on the words of this beautiful hymn:

This Is My Father's World (Sheppard & Babcock)

This is my Father's world
And to my listening ears
All nature sings and round me rings
The music of the spheres
This is my Father's world
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees of skies and seas
His hand the wonders wrought

This is my Father's world
The birds their carols raise
The morning light the lily white
Declare their Maker's praise
This is my Father's world
He shines in all that's fair
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass
He speaks to me everywhere

This is my Father's world
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong
God is the Ruler yet
This is my Father's world
The battle is not done
Jesus who died shall be satisfied
And earth and heaven be one

Happy Earth Day to all!

What About You?

You've got to watch this.

Following on yesterday's sermon, you might want to check out the full story that was an ABC News feature, "What Would You Do?" I totally mangled the statistics on Sunday morning but you can read the story here for yourself.

And finally, let me encourage all who will be setting aside 20 minutes this week for silence and contemplation. On Sunday during the prayer time we observed one minute of silence for prayer. I know sometimes it's tough to slow down for even sixty seconds but unless we are more intentional about the pace of our days, we are in danger of finding ourselves squeezed in mold of the world (Romans 12:1-2).

20

Kind of Creepy

I often use google maps to give people directions to our home. Today I clicked on the "street view" option and there's our home...van in the garage, RAV4 on the drive way. The pictures were taken on the day our neighbor's house was being painted. It's for all the world to see...if only you know our home address. Feels kind of creepy to me.

Let Your Life Speak

Words of wisdom from Parker Palmer, "Our deepest calling is to grow into our authentic selfhood, whether or not it conforms to some image of who we ought to be. As we do so, we will not only find the joy that every human being seeks--we will also find our path of authentic service in the world. True vocation joins self and service, as Frederick Buechner asserts when he defines vocation as 'the place where your deep gladness meets the world's deep need.'" (Let Your Life Speak, 16)

"Like a stray dog at a whistler's convention" is not an image of pastoral ministry that I want to embrace. I long for a deeper integration between my inner life and my commitment to the outward expression of my faith in Christ. "Lord, grant me the courage I need to live a life that is worthy of your call as I seek to do so with humility and gentleness, patience and suffering love, making every attempt to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (paraphrased prayer from Eph 4:1-3)

road trip tomorrow

It looks like we have four vehicles heading to Miracle Ranch in the early morning. It's going to be a great trip as we seek to share the love of God in a tangible way. Good conversation on the long trip down. Beautiful (and not so beautiful) scenery. And the tangible sense that we are part of something beyond ourselves as we learn to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). And I was pleased to find out today that this verse just happens to be the theme for the upcoming General Assembly taking place in San Jose in June. Good choice.

No Fear

Today we remember the terrible loss this nation sustained as the result of an assassin's bullet. Perhaps Dr. King had a sense of the fate that awaited him and yet he stood strong in the face of it. The final words of his sermon, preached April 3, 1968, have long been an inspiration in my life. Thank you, Dr. King for standing strong. May we find the courage to do so again today.

"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."