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Ron's Blog: Just One More Cast
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February 17, 2012
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 "My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's Side." --Abraham Lincoln--
Dear Friends,
Abraham Lincoln had a certain way with words. The quotation cited above is one of my favorites as it warns against the temptation to try to make God fit into our prescribed belief or plan. The question is not, “Is God on our side, but, are we on God’s side?” This, of course, is a question that never grows old. It is as important and necessary to ask today as it was in the time of the great Civil War that divided our nation in two. In fact, there is much in the wisdom and witness of Abraham Lincoln that is worthy of our reflection and response. This Sunday in our three morning worship services, I will be reflecting upon the “Lessons in Leadership” that we might glean from this remarkable and humble servant of the greater good. My message, entitled, “Abraham Lincoln: Suffering Servant,” will find its scriptural mooring in the so called “Suffering Servant” passage of Isaiah 53: 1-8. In highlighting the leadership lessons that Lincoln has to teach us, I will consider the ways in which his own suffering was a reflection of the redemptive witness of the suffering servant that Isaiah describes. There are, I believe, some remarkable similarities.
Our 9:30 a.m. Worship Celebration will be one in which children, youth and adults share in the familiar rituals of worship together. We are currently exploring some new and more intentional ways of enabling our worship experience to be more inter-generational in nature. Our Children’s Ministry Director, Sandy Bennion will help to lead this worship experience in providing musical leadership and a special message for the children. Kate Steffy will be our youth worship liturgist. Our Chancel Choir will share the morning anthem, “The Road Not Taken” by Randall Thompson. It should be an energizing, lively and meaningful time! I hope that you will plan to be a part of it.
Our Living Water Service will take place this week at its usual 11:00 a.m. time, but in a different location. Due to the fact that we are hosting the Winter Nights program in Wesley Center, Living Water will take place this week in our Fireside Room. Please note the location change for this week and the next.
As we celebrate President’s Day this long week-end, I trust that you will take time to reflect upon the leadership examples of both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. As we face the great challenges and changes that currently loom before us, their “lessons in leadership” are very timely to say the least.
See You in Church, Ron
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February 10, 2012
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 Dear Friends,
What do you think of when you hear the name of George Washington?
“Founding father?”
“First President?”
“Cherry Tress Confessions?
Washington’s story, of course, is an integral part of the story of our nation and its founding. We have learned from our history text books all about the “fact and fiction” of Washington’s life.
What sometimes gets overlooked in the review of Washington’s life is the fact that there is much more to his legacy than merely being a Revolutionary War hero and our first President elect.
Washington’s wisdom and insight was a vital ingredient in the shaping of the fledgling nation of the United States as it took its first uncertain steps. As we remember and celebrate the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, two of our greatest Presidents, I will begin a two part sermon series entitled, “Lessons in Leadership.”
This Sunday morning, I will focus my attention on the lessons in leadership that George Washington had to impart—specifically, those lessons that he offers in his Farewell Address (Letter) to our nation when he left office in 1797. I will plan to highlight the core of his concern and his hope for the American people in my message which is entitled, “The Way of Washington.” I will be using an excerpt of Moses’ farewell speech to the people of Israel (Deuteronomy 31: 11-16) as my scriptural reference point.
The Living Water Ensemble will provide our musical leadership in all three of our morning worship services. Our 9:30 a.m. service will also include the baptism of Chris, Bryce and Cora Knese and the reception of our new member class. This promises to be a full and rewarding morning of worship. I trust that you will plan to join us either at 8:15, 9:30, or 11:00 a.m. (Wesley Center).
Grace and Peace, Ron
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February 3, 2012
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 “And the greatest of these is love.” -- 1 Corinthians 13: 13 --
Dear Friends,
In his excellent book, “The Intentional Family,” William Doherty suggests that there are “two principal drains on the energy of most American families: time demands outside the home and electronic technology inside the home.” Doherty’s premise is that if we are to have quality family relationships, we must learn to find the time and “disconnect the wires” that would prevent us from experiencing the meaning and depth that makes a family a true family. He suggests that the use of ritual in our day to day lives is an essential way of reclaiming the kind of family relationships that we seek. His book then goes on to outline various forms of rituals that can assist couples and families in this important work. (If you are interested in learning more, see, “The Intentional Family: How to Build Family Ties in Our Modern World” by William J. Doherty / Addison-Wesley Publishing Company)
I believe that Doherty is absolutely correct in his emphasis of the importance of ritual in the relationships that we share. Our rituals often help to create the meaning that gives our relationships special significance. This is certainly true when we think about the relationships that we share within the context of marriage (or other committed relationships). The rituals of sharing quiet conversation over morning coffee or an evening’s long distance run can add spice and flavor to what might otherwise be a rather average day. I will be thinking about the importance of ritual in my Sunday morning message which is entitled, “A Meaning That is Shared.” This will be the concluding message of our three part sermon series entitled, “A Love That Lasts.” Drawing upon the timeless wisdom and beauty of the “love chapter” of 1 Corinthians 13, I will reflect upon the ways in which our rituals, roles and goals enable us to experience a deepening level of understanding and meaning in our relationships. In preparation for this Sunday’s focus, you may want to reflect upon the specific rituals that give meaning and joy to your relationship with your spouse / partner. How do these rituals strengthen and enliven your relationship?
In our 8:15 and 9:30 a.m. worship services, our Chancel Choir will be singing, “Set Me as a Seal Upon Your Heart,” a work inspired by the beauty of biblical witness to love that is recorded in “The Song of Solomon.” In addition, Bruce Koliha, Kelly Benjamson and Aimee Knese will combine their musical talents in a stirring rendition of the U2 favorite, “Love Rescue Me.” Our Living Water Band will provide their own unique blend of lively music as they give witness to our faith in the context of the more casual and inter-active “Living Water” expression of worship. This service takes place at 11:00 a.m. in our Wesley Center. Coffee and bagels will be served!
As the week-end looms before us, I hope that it will offer an opportunity for renewal and re-creation for you and those you love. It is also my hope that our celebration of worship will be a part of that renewal and re-creation.
See You in Church! Ron
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January 27, 2012
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 “Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
________________Ephesians 5: 21_______________
Dear Friends,
Have you ever noticed how the Bible can be used in many different ways by many different people to communicate many different messages? And have you noticed how, on some occasions, those messages are directly contradictory?
Take for example, the biblical treatment of slavery. The mention of slaves and the biblical instructions concerning the treatment of slaves by their masters was used as a basis for legitimizing the instruction of slavery in this country before the Civil War. The rationale was that since the Bible recognized the reality of slavery and did not provide instructions to abolish it, then it was clearly a part of God’s intention. Today, we can, of course, see the glaring error of that way of thinking, but our vision concerning other biblical issues (relationships) may still be a bit cloudy.
Some of us, for example, were raised in a culture in which there was a fundamental belief was that women were to be subservient to men and that men (husbands) were to be the “head of the house,” while women (wives) were to play a submissive role. While this way of thinking and understanding the Bible has been rightfully challenged and re-interpreted for our present time, there are still those who choose to retain this more literalistic way of interpreting scripture. They believe that the Bible outlines a hierarchy of relationship in which women are to be considered less than equal partners.
In the second in my series of three messages on, “Love That Lasts,” I will be referencing one of the more controversial biblical passages in regards to the relationship between husbands and wives. The instruction in the fifth chapter of Ephesians advises women to “be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5: 22) In my message, “The Feeling is Mutual,” I will do my best to “unpack” the context in which this teaching was originally offered and suggest ways in which it might be read and understood in our contemporary setting. I will also plan to reference the beautiful definition for the meaning of love as found in Colossians 3: 12-17.
As many of you are now aware, our community of faith lost one of its “saints” this past week as Johnnie Jones passed away after suffering a massive stroke. This is, of course, very sad news for all of us who have known and loved Johnnie for many years. He was such a gift to our church and we will be forever indebted to him not only for all that he did to serve his church family, but for who he was as a friend and companion on the journey of faith. I am attaching a special note from Kay that includes her invitation to celebrate his life on February 11th at 11:00 a.m. in our sanctuary. She requests that those attending wear a favorite color as an illustration of the beauty that Johnnie brought to all of our lives.
Grace and Peace, Ron
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