Light Always Wins
Good Wednesday to you,
Do we dare let the light of Christ shine upon us? That may not be as easy of a question to answer. Because, when the light shines in the darkness, the darkness fades. Literally—it disappears. What is left? Everything is exposed and out in the open. Our gut response is "Of course, we want the light of Christ to shine upon us." However, the practice and application is often intimidating and daunting. Some of us have been asleep for a long time and forgotten the freedom we find in the Light. Allowing the light of Christ to shine upon us provides clarity for the things that need Christ's attention. It might surprise us, but it never surprises Jesus. So, do we dare let the light of Christ shine upon us?
The Apostle Paul writes, "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you." It's time to wake up. Obviously, the world is "asleep," in spiritual darkness and spiritually dead. It is God who calls the person from their sleep—for only God can give life to the dead. However, there are some in the Church who have been asleep and need to be awakened. It is time to rise and allow Christ to shine upon you—that you might know and experience the freedom of Christ's light. In so doing, we live as children of light—living into the Kingdom here and now.
Children of light speak words that bring forth life and not obscenity, foolish talk, or course joking, which are out of place. Allowing the light of Christ transforms our words to bring forth thanksgiving (words). Living in the light of Christ frees us to live free of sexual immortality, impurity, or greed. Allowing the light of Christ transforms our bodies to live as a holy people set apart for God's purpose (bodies). As the light of Christ shines upon us, we put aside greed and idolatry, moving towards investing in kingdom building (wallet).
The world is a very dark place and it seems to be getting darker and darker each year. I'm grateful for our brother in Christ, the Reverend Dr. Nate Landis, for proclaiming the Word last Sunday. The challenge to "wake up" and shine the light of Christ in a dark world is as important now as it has ever been. As we allow the light of Christ to shine on us, we see the areas in our own lives that need transformation. Only Christ can bring about transformation that brings healing and restoration. As we allow the light of Christ to shine on us, we also reflect the light, like the moon reflects the light of the sun.
It is easy to lose hope in this world. But, take heart, when the lights are on, life gathers as it draws people in—much like a camp fire draws people around for warmth and visibility. The world needs the Church to shine brightly, like stars in the night sky.
I pray and hope your light is shining today!
Blessings,
Pastor John
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Aroma
Good Wednesday to You,
Congratulations to our new class of Ruling Elders: Russ Allen, Monica Pipenkotter, Doug Reavie, and Dan Swanson; and our new class of Deacons: Marty Almquist, Michael Dykstra, Anne Grignon, Matthew Heidt, and Jane Reavie. Thank you for responding to the call to lead and serve Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church through this season. "For such a time as this" you were called by God and elected by the congregation. We look forward to supporting you as you "serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love!"
In our passage on Sunday, I was struck by Paul's instruction to the church in Ephesus (and also us) to "imitate God." The question of possibility rings genuine. Is it even possible to imitate God? If so, how? We cannot imitate God's omnipotence (all-powerful), nor can we imitate God's omniscience (all-knowing), and we certainly cannot imitate God's omnipresence (all-present). These are attributes of God that we as finite beings cannot imitate. So, how then can we "imitate God"?
Very simply we can imitate God's character; God's truth, God's forgiveness, and God's love. The world is a mess and the very reason we get angry when injustice occurs is because of our "imitating God's Truth." The truth of the matter is everyone is created in the Image of God and has value and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. When someone acts unjustly, we get angry—rightfully so! Paul writes about anger in our passage too. We are told not to sin in our anger—which is a whole other side. Too often our anger is not about injustice that occurs on someone else's behalf, but on ours. When someone mistreats us, we want justice. To the point we act out in anger and sin. In moments like these, it's wise to imitate God's forgiveness.
Imitating God's forgiveness is not easy. Why should we forgive—especially when we have been wronged? Paul answers that: because "Christ forgave you." God's forgiveness and grace is scandalous. We do not deserve it, but because of God's great love, it is offered as a free gift. Unreal! Having received and experienced God's forgiveness, Paul admonishes us to forgive and "live a life of love." The very character of God that motivates forgiveness is love. We know a powerful definition of love is "to will the good of another." The words we speak, the thoughts we entertain, and the actions we take, motivated by love, bring the very best for another.
I cannot think of anything better for my life than imitating God. Oscar Wilde is known for popularizing the quote "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery..." That is so true of us. Who else is there worthy of our imitating? If God seems too far, I challenged you to find someone close to you who imitates Jesus—imitate them—as they imitate Jesus. We all draw closer to God doing so.
As a quick reminder, we will be meeting this Sunday, February 5, for our 15 Minutes of Prayer between services. After the 9:00am service, please join us in the Parish Hall as we praying for the future of Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church. We will pray for our church leadership, for the incoming interim pastor, and for whomever the Lord is calling to lead us next in this season. We will start praying at 10:10am and say "amen" at 10:25!
Blessings,
Pastor John
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
How to Invest Wisely
Good Wednesday to You,
What an exciting weekend! While Pastor John and our middle school youth were praising God on a mountain top, we were praising Him in the pews! Ruling Elder Don Steuer announced that Reverend David Rodriguez will be our Interim Pastor. His first day in the office is March 1st and he plans to start preaching Sunday, March 5th. A heartfelt thank you goes out to each elder serving on the Interim Pastoral Search Committee. We are so grateful for them!
The annual congregational meeting is this Friday, January 27th at 6:00pm. All members are invited to attend as we participate in the governing of GMPC.
Are you ready for some tips on how to invest wisely? While I’d love to talk finances with you, this investment strategy is less about your wallet and more about your walk with Jesus. Chaplain Contreras reminded us on Sunday that God’s desire is for us to invest our talents wisely. Preaching from Matthew 25:14-30, he helped us unpack the Parable of the Talents. Three servants were entrusted with portions of their master’s money. The first two servants doubled their master’s investment. The master called them “good and faithful servants.” The third servant buried his borrowed money in the ground and then made excuses about why he didn’t even try to increase the investment. The master called him “lazy.” Ouch! Sometimes the truth hurts.
I don’t know about you, but I sure hope to hear my Heavenly Master call me a good and faithful servant. Chaplain Contreras outlined five ways Christ calls us to walk with him and step out in faith. Let’s think of this as an investment checklist:
Accept Him. (Is Jesus your Lord and Savior?)
Learn from Him. (Are you reading the Bible?)
Love God and your neighbor. (Even when it isn’t easy, are you loving others?)
Think about what God calls us to think about. (Read Philippians 4:8.)
Serve the body of Christ and the world. (I’ll list a few opportunities below. Will you listen for God’s guidance and then act on it?)
The Lord is still asking “Are you for me or against me?” He can show you where hope and light are. When pressure or suffering come your way, fill your mind with God’s word. His love will pour into you and overflow onto those around you. God is committed to you. His sent his one and only son to take your place on the cross because he loves you! Are you committed to Him? If so, invest today!
Sincerely,
Rachael Tisdale
GMPC’s current opportunities to serve:
Sunday Greeters
Coffee Connection
Sunday School Teacher or Assistant
Awana Leader
Food and Diaper Distribution (Best PCS Ever!)
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Effects of Grace
Good Wednesday to You,
First, thank you to Don Steuer and the others serving on Interim Pastoral Search Committee (Debbie-Bell Smith, Richard Dukes, Doug Reavie, and Ward Wilson) for your faithful service to Graham. Please keep the committee in your prayers. Second, thank you for the update on this process. With two candidates narrowed down, we trust God will provide the right person at exactly the right time.
On Sunday, we returned to Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus. The first three chapters unpack a theology of God that roots our identity in Christ. Think of it as Paul building the foundation of our salvation and redemption in Christ. In the final three chapters, Paul turns to the Church—how we are to live. Think "practice!"
Paul starts in chapter four with "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." Earlier in the letter, we read that God called us from before the foundations of the earth. God had us in mind before creation. And, already worked out the plan for salvation! Our calling reminds us of the moment we heard God's voice welcoming us into the family of faith forgiven and free from the consequences of sin. Our calling is to new life in Christ as the Church!
As the Church, the Holy Spirit gives us unity. I said on Sunday that our unity should not be confused with uniformity. In our passage, Paul lays out our foundation, built upon "one body and one Spirit…one hope…one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (Eph 4:4-6). For if we are in Christ, then we are one Church with many expressions of faith.
I challenged you to live into the kingdom of Heaven reaching for humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love (some have translated bearing with one another as "putting up with each other in love"). How is that going for you today? I pray you've had amble opportunities to reach for patience over frustration! I hope you've reached for gentleness over harshness. As we reach for these qualities, the Holy Spirit changes our default setting from one to the other.
As a reminder, our Annual Congregational Meeting is fast approaching. We will gather in the sanctuary on Friday, January 27, at 6:00pm to celebrate what God has done at Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church in 2022 and look forward to what God is doing in and through us for 2023. Our time together will be followed by dinner together. If you plan to join us for dinner following the meeting, please RSVP here so we can plan accordingly!
Keep up the good work!
Blessings,
Pastor John
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Timing
Good Wednesday to You,
We often find ourselves working towards "perfect timing." Take a look at any stage of life, the weight of any major event, timing feels like everything. The questions people ask, "is this the right time to buy a house?" or, "Is this the right time to get married?" I shared on Sunday morning how I am blown away by the timing of athletes, especially quarterbacks and their ability to throw a pass. With the football is in the air, the timing of the ball and receiver must arrive at the spot at the same time. Simply a amazing when it works perfectly. To get to that level of expertise, they have to put in thousands of hours. But, even in that example, some passes are incomplete and it feels like the timing is just not right, and the rhythm they are in is interrupted. (Yes, there is a defense working to disrupt their rhythm, but that's a sermon for another day.)
Everyone has some kind of routine in the day. The days add up and create weeks. Weeks add up and create months. Months turn into seasons. Every day we build patterns and rhythms—it's call "life." We grow to love each of the patterns we create—the timing of it feels perfect. Those same patterns help us get from one point to the next. But, when the timing shifts, or when seasons change, we ask more questions. Like, why did this have to change? Or, how do we go back to what we know? What do we do next?
The wisdom found in Ecclesiastes tells us "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the sun." We looked at chapter 3 in which the author points out there is a time for everything, "a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot." We know these things intellectually, but when we experience these shifts in time, our rhythms are disrupted and we can feel disjointed or lost. Sometimes, in an effort for self-preservation, we feel numb to it all.
What we know about the book of Ecclesiastes is the author sets out to identify the meaning of everything. Many of us know the saying "Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless. Everything is meaningless." It comes from Ecclesiastes 1:2. After all the places in which the author searches for meaning, the conclusion is made: "Fear God and keep his commands, for this is the whole duty of man" (Eccl. 12:13). We are entering a new season of life at the comer of Tenth and C Avenue. Two things remain: 1) God is Sovereign and 2) our mission "To Know Christ and Make Christ Known" will continue.
I challenged everyone, even myself, when the moments of loss come over you, or when frustration sets in because weere in a new season, to hold our your hands out, palms facing up and ask: "Holy Spirit, what are you teaching me in this new season I am in?" We worship a God who is faithful in all seasons of life—not just the good ones but all of them—good bad and ugly. As you hold your hands out, allow the Holy Spirit to comfort you in this time of transition. My prayer has been that you would hear God's voice in a meaningful way. I didn't leave the challenge with just listening. As my good friend says "We're better together than apart." I challenged you to share your experience with someone close to you. Invite them into this new season with you. In our new season, together, with the guidance and comfort from the Holy Spirit, we will continue to be the Church, living into the Kingdom here and now.
Blessings,
Pastor John
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
All God’s People Said…
Good Wednesday to You,
What a gift! If you missed Pastor David's final worship service on Sunday, January 1, 2023, I would highly recommend tuning into our Vimeo channel to watch it online. As always, the choir filled the sanctuary with beautiful melodies. The Word proclaimed was masterfully woven together, focusing on Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus as he encouraged the church. We too were encouraged as we looked back at how we have grown in 30 years. All our worship brought joy and to the Creator, our Redeemer and Sustainer of all things seen and unseen. To God be all glory, honor, and praise! Indeed a blessed gift to us all.
With the close of one chapter, God is at work writing the future of Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church. Many are asking, what's next? Who is God calling to lead the church at the corner of 10th and C Avenue? Those are good and fair questions that I'd like to take a few minutes to answer.
Our Session appointed 5 elders to proceed with reviewing applications and interviewing prospective candidates for the Interim Senior Pastor. They are charged with an important role in the transition of hiring an Interim. I am confident, as you should be as well, that God is holding us close and that those whom the Lord called into leadership are seeking the Holy Spirit for guidance, strength, and courage. In the days ahead, continue to keep the church staff and leadership in your prayers.
As Presbyterians, we cling to "order"—for we worship a God of Order. There is nothing God does which is not purposeful or orderly. The opening pages of Scripture reveal a God who ordered the universe, placed the stars, the moon, and the sun in place to bring order to seasons on earth. We see a God who created vegetation, animals, and humanity, all in order; and they too reflect order as they all reproduce "according to their kind." Order and purpose is a gift from above.
As we move forward into the next chapter for Graham, be encouraged and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, as the Spirit leads the Session, our staff, and the congregation. We are one body, celebrating God's faithfulness—a gift from God.
This coming Sunday, we return to our regularly scheduled services: 9:00am and 10:30am. We will celebrate Communion together—another beautiful gift. I pray that as we approach the Lord's Table, we will experience God's peace and healing, trusting God has not abandoned Graham.
Blessings,
Pastor John
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Sing to the Lord/A Final Word on Wednesday
Good Wednesday to you,
How was your Christmas? I hope it was filled with laughter and love. While disappointment, stress, and sadness often accompany the holidays, let us not forget the joy that comes as well. Personally, my Christmas was bittersweet. The sweetness was abundant. Andrew came home from South Korea and Heidi and Louis came down from Seattle. Our family was together to celebrate Christmas. The sweetness continued as we gathered with loved ones to worship together on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. Sweet were the themes of Advent – hope, peace, joy, and love. Sweet are the memories of lighting the Christ candle with my family, and looking out on the sanctuary filled with faces reflecting the light of candles held in their hands. Sweet were the sounds of Christmas hymns being sung by the congregation. (Illness prevented Jody from joining us Christmas Eve and Christmas morning; she’s much better now, but we did not let that diminish our joy at being together.) The bitterness came from knowing that this is our last Christmas together as a family in the Kirk House, our home for almost 30 years. The bitterness continued in realizing we celebrated our last Christmas season with all of you.
What a privilege it has been to be the under shepherd of Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church all these years. There have been tremendous blessings, a few disappointments, and even some regrets. But I do not regret investing in your lives for the kingdom of God. There will be changes in the days ahead for Graham Memorial, but one thing will not change – God's love for you and this community. I believe God has great plans for you all. Continue growing spiritually as a body of believers, remembering that Christ, alone, is the head of the Church.
We will be spending the month of January moving out of the Kirk House, then catching our breath for a few weeks before heading out on our "gap year." The year 2023 will find us on the road, visiting friends and family across the nation, while introducing TryPraying.org to the nation. Our plan is to send out a monthly email to anyone interested in following our progress. My new email address is davidmcelrath@trypraying.org. If you would like to be included in our monthly missive, send me an email at that address, and I will add your name to the list.
This next Sunday will be my last Sunday as the pastor of Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church. We will gather to worship at 10:00am for one service, with a viewing of the “One on One“ video prepared for my retirement party showing at 9:15am in the sanctuary (in case you were unable to attend the party). I anticipate it being a joyfully difficult morning, but one I will remember for the rest of my life. You have helped me grow spiritually and blessed me and my family abundantly. With all my heart, I say, "Thank you."
May God bless you and keep you always,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Love
Good Wednesday to you,
As our Advent season ends, I hope your hearts were warmed by the choir's Christmas Cantata this past Sunday. As I said on Sunday, music is the fusion of right-brain and left-brain cooperation. Music is the creative expression of higher mathematics. Our choir and accompanying musicians demonstrated this brilliantly on Sunday. It was a "Breath of Heaven" amongst us.
With the fourth Advent theme of love behind us, our Advent journey will conclude this coming Saturday night with our Christmas Eve services at 4:30pm (for the Bell Ringing service, designed for children/families to "ring in" the birth of our Savior), and 6:00pm for the traditional Candlelight service. All the candles will be lit, including our final "Christ" candle, the Light of the World. Remember, we will still gather for worship this coming Sunday, but for one service only at 10:00am.
It is not too late to contribute to the Alternative Christmas Market! To date, you have "loved on our missionaries" to the tune of over $35,000! Clearly, missions is as near to our hearts as it is to God's. You can click here to donate, or drop a check (or cash) by the church office.
I hope to see you all this weekend!
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Joy
Good Wednesday to you,
The third week of Advent focuses on Joy. However, this past week I have encountered many people who are struggling to be joyful. Be it a child who is making poor choices, an aging parent needing higher levels of care, or even difficulties at work or at home, joy can be elusive. In reviewing our Advent themes, it is important to remember that they all work together in anticipation of the return of Jesus – the Second Coming.
The plan God had from the foundations of the earth was to redeem creation, a creation that was very good in the beginning. Disobedience severed our relationship with God, but God refused to abandon us to our own devices. Thus, a promise was given to Abraham and Sarah, a promise fulfilled in Jesus. As He ascended into the heavens, the angels told His followers that He would return. This is our hope. Peace with God was made possible through Jesus, who is the atonement for our sin. Though we still live in a broken world, the promise of His return kindles joy in our spirit.
That joy is most keenly felt in community. Paul prays that God, who gives us endurance and encouragement, would give us a spirit of unity as we follow Jesus. The family of God provides us with authentic community that is essential when we are facing challenges and uncertainty. Remember, no matter what you are facing, you are never alone. In the days and months ahead, this truth will carry you through. STICK TOGETHER!
This next week we celebrate the fourth week of Advent with our annual choir Christmas Cantata. This beautiful presentation will be heard at both services on Sunday. I am looking forward to this, and I hope you are too!
Well done to all who helped with the Best PCS Ever! Annual Christmas Store. The event was a huge success and a blessing to over 100 junior enlisted families. What a joy! And the donations for the Alternative Christmas Market keep rolling in. Your generosity is an overwhelming testimony of God's faithfulness in our midst. If you have not yet finished your Christmas shopping, consider checking out the Alternative Christmas Market. Shopping is available until December 31 at www.gmpc.org/acm.
Once again, I remind you, our Christmas Eve services will be at 4:30pm for the Bell Ringing service (designed for children/families to "ring in" the birth of our Savior), and 6:00pm for the traditional Candlelight service. Since Christmas falls on Sunday this year, we will be having one special service on Christmas Day at 10:00am for the entire family. There will be no Sunday School that morning, but trust me, our time together will be joyful and engaging for all ages. Also, will have one service on New Year's Day, my last Sunday. It, too, will be at 10:00am and may last a little longer than an hour.
Grace and peace to you all,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Peace
Good Wednesday to you,
God has emotions. I believe God is joyful and happy, but at times sad, angry, disappointed, and frustrated (at least with me). But, God is never anxious, stressed, or fearful. Being All-powerful, All-knowing, and Ever-present, how could God possibly be anxious, stressed, or fearful?
The second week of Advent focuses on peace. On Sunday, I pointed out three different kinds of peace regarding God – there is peace with God, peace from God, and peace of God. It is the last one that Paul writes about in his letter to the Philippians. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:6-7). Having no anxiety, stress, or fear would result in a very peaceful existence. God must be very tranquil, and this is the tranquility, the peace, Paul says we access when we bring all things to God in prayer with thanksgiving.
Paul goes on in verses 4:8-9 to describe how we can practically access this peace. As I read those verses (be sure to go back and read them), I am reminded of Jesus' final command to His disciples, "Love one another. As I have loved you, love one another. People will know you are My disciples by your love for one another" (John 13:34-35). Through service and sacrifice, Jesus loves us. As we serve and sacrifice for others, we effectively love others.
The Alternative Christmas Market is a way we can love others, specifically the missionaries and missions we support throughout the year here at Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church. By now, you should have received an envelope from the church that contained a letter from the Missions Committee, a description of the missionaries and missions we support, and a "shopping list." As you buy gifts for your loved ones this Christmas, I hope you will not forget to "buy gifts" for Jesus! (It is His birthday, after all.) If you did not receive a letter, you can request one or go to our website and shop. Mission is near and dear to our hearts because it is near and dear to God's heart. Your response to this event over the years has been phenomenal, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Next Sunday we continue with our Advent theme, adding to our hope and peace the lighting of the candle of joy. It's a different color. Do you know why? We will also be celebrating Communion next Sunday. Communion at Christmas is my favorite communion service. I look forward to celebrating with you on Sunday.
As a reminder, our Christmas Eve services will be at 4:30pm for the Bell Ringing service (designed for children/families to "ring in" the birth of our Savior), and 6:00pm for the traditional Candlelight service. Since Christmas falls on Sunday this year, we will be having one special service Christmas day at 10:00am for the entire family. There will be no Sunday School that morning, but trust me, our time together will be joyful and engaging for all ages. Also, will have one service on New Year's Day, my last Sunday. It, too, will be at 10:00am and may last a little longer than an hour.
Grace and peace to you all,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Know the Hope
Good Wednesday to you,
The season of Advent is upon us. These four Sundays help us to remember that the promised Messiah is both a Suffering Servant and a Conquering King. Two such diverse objectives required two advents. We will celebrate the First Advent on the 25th of December. We spend the weeks up to Christmas anticipating the Second Advent, the return of Christ, the Second Coming. No one knows when that will be, but God is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with [us], not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
As such, our first Sunday of Advent focused on our "Hope." We hope for His appearing. We hope for the completion of our transformation when the perishable will be exchanged for the imperishable, the temporal for the eternal. New bodies, healed souls, and He will wipe every tear from [our] eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things [will] pass away (Revelation 21:4). I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait!
Next Sunday, the Advent theme is "Peace." A familiar passage, Philippians 4:4-7 will anchor my conversation with you regarding our Alternative Christmas Market. This is our opportunity to love on our missionaries by making donations to them. Cards will be available to send to loved ones, letting them know that rather than giving an unwanted gift, you gave a gift to a missionary in their honor.
I hope you all picked up your two copies of "The Four Emotions of Christmas." (One to keep and one to give away.) For many, Christmas is a difficult time of the year. If you have lost a loved one, been confronted with medical issues or financial difficulties, this little book can be helpful. There are still some left in the sanctuary. You can also come by the office and pick up one (or two) during office hours.
As a reminder, our Christmas Eve services will be at 4:30pm for the Bell Ringing service (designed for children/families to "ring in" the birth of our Savior), and 6:00pm for the traditional Candlelight service. Since Christmas falls on Sunday this year, we will be having one special service Christmas day at 10:00 a.m. for the entire family. There will be no Sunday school that morning, but trust me, our time together will be joyful and engaging for all ages. Also, will have one service on New Year's Day, my last Sunday. It, too, will be at 10:00am and may last a little longer than an hour.
Some have asked if we are going to livestream the memorial service of Tom Rice. Yes, we are. The service is at 10:00am this coming Saturday, December 3, and you can watch online with this link.
I hope your holiday season is life-giving. Let the Spirit of Advent carry you through the month with hope, peace, joy, and love.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
The Plot Thickens
Good Wednesday to you,
As I said on Sunday, life is story, and our lives are a series of stories. All good stories have heroes and villains. All good stories have conflict and resolution. This is true in general, and true in our own lives as well. Sometimes, it is hard to tell in our own stories whether we are the hero or the villain. It becomes clearer when Jesus is the hero of our lives. The plot thickened in Jesus' story when He raised Lazarus from the dead, and the religious leaders, led by Caiaphas, determined to kill Him, lest their "kingdom" be disrupted and destroyed. They were pragmatic, choosing that which best served their personal motives: stay in control, and stay in charge.
How often do we make decisions based on what is pragmatic at the time. We want to avoid conflict, and I am not suggesting we go looking for conflict, but, Jesus said, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first" (John 15:18). Our culture is telling us to keep our view to ourselves. We are being told that we have no place in the "public square." Yet, I am convinced that Jesus is as relevant today as ever. Scripture tells us to "always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15). Spending time with Jesus (reading and studying the Gospels) is the best way to ensure we provide a good reason when asked. But, remember to be gentle and respectful!
Next Sunday begins the Advent season. I will be shifting away from the Gospel of John to address the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love as we prepare to celebrate the birthday of our Savior. (There are still slots for readers/candle lighters available. If you are interested, please contact Kimberlee Joseph.) Some have asked me if I was planning on finishing John before I retired. The answer is, simply, no. We could spend a lifetime in John's account of the gospel and never finish it. It is an ongoing story in our own story. Keep reading, studying, and meditating in John. There are plenty of great things for you to read and think about. Don't let your interest in this gospel wane just because I am not here to guide you through it. It will be well worth your time and effort.
As a reminder, our Christmas Eve services will be at 4:30pm for the Bell Ringing service (designed for children/families to "ring in" the birth of our Savior), and 6:00pm for the traditional Candlelight service. Since Christmas falls on a Sunday this year, we will be having one special service on Christmas day at 10:00am for the entire family. There will be no Sunday school that morning, but trust me, our time together will be joyful and engaging for all ages. I have also been convinced that we should have one service on New Year's Day, my last Sunday. It, too, will be at 10:00am and will last a little longer than an hour. (So, what's new?) There will be a small reception after the service for all.
I find myself getting very nostalgic as my time of ministry among you comes to an end. I will be working with the "Try Praying" ministries USA moving forward. If any of you would like to know more about this, you can reach out to me in an email and I would be happy to tell you more.
The blessings are more than I can count, and I have no doubt there are many more to come for the "Church" that worships at Graham Memorial. I am excited for us all!
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Restoration 101
Good Wednesday to you,
Restoring a cherished childhood possession can be a very rewarding experience. Seeing something "come back to life" can actually bring tears to one's eyes. But how may tears are shed watching something deteriorate? Of course we lament the loss of health as we grow older, and unexpected illness can contribute to our sorrow, but that comes "with the territory." As my mother used to say, "Growing old is not for sissies."
Imagine Jesus, who was "In the beginning, with God and was God" standing there watching Mary and friends weeping at the death of Lazarus. Grieved and "deeply moved in spirit and troubled," we read that Jesus wept. Death was not a part of creation in the beginning. Death entered through sin. Even though Jesus was preparing to mitigate the effects of sin on the cross, it still broke His heart.
Through His life and death, Jesus not only forgives and pardons, reconciliating us with God, He restores. He is making all things new. As we live in the "already but not yet," we celebrate the victory that is ours in Christ (the already), we continue to grieve, mourn, and lament the fact that the "restoration" is still in process. We are "not yet" there. We grieve with hope. That hope gives us strength and courage to continue being transformed by the Holy Spirit, as we strive to be brokers of reconciliation, and ambassadors for God's kingdom. Next week we will finish the 11th chapter of John, and we will see the plans for Jesus' arrest and death are put into motion (John 11:45:57).
With Advent just around the corner, I want to extend an invitation to anyone who would like to read and light the Advent candles. If you are interested, please contact Rachael in the office if you would like to participate. Also, next Monday the sanctuary will be decorated for Christmas. Let me know if you are interested in helping, and I will pass your name on to Katie Moore.
Speaking of Christmas (I know, I know; it's not even Thanksgiving yet!), our Christmas Eve services will be at 4:30pm for the "children/family" service, and 6:00pm for the traditional "Candlelight" service. Since Christmas falls on Sunday this year, we will be having one special service Christmas day at 10:00am for the entire family. There will be no Sunday school that morning, but trust me, our time together will be joyful and engaging for all ages.
I want to thank you all again for the amazing retirement party held for Jody and me. As I read your cards and notes, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church and Coronado will always have a special place in our hearts. As our time draws to an end, I find each day to be bittersweet. While we still have a few more weeks before January 1st, I want you all to know how much we cherish our time with you. Blessings upon blessings, our hearts overflow with gratitude.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Doorways
Good Wednesday to you,
In celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord, two questions are answered for us: Is there life after death? Is Jesus who He claims to be? The answer to both questions is: Yes! When Jesus goes back to Bethany in response to the word He received that Lazarus was sick, He goes knowing Lazarus was already dead, and in the tomb four days. Martha’s faith in Jesus is not shaken, even though Jesus did not meet her expectation to come and heal her brother. When Jesus states that her brother will rise again, she leans on her theology of the last day resurrection, but Jesus has other ideas and states to her, "I Am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die."
As I have said more than once, death is a doorway, not a destination. Furthermore, I believe death, the last legitimate mystery for us all, is only problematic for those of us who are left behind. As Dallas Willard once said, "I think that when I die, it might be some time until I know it."
We live in the "already, but not yet." Jesus has already conquered the grave, but we still live in a broken world that sometimes fills us with sadness, fear, and doubt. Passages of Scripture, like John 11:1-27 strengthen our faith as we "lean into" Jesus. To "live and believe in Jesus" challenges us to trust and let the Holy Spirit transform our character and spirit to more resemble Jesus, living according to biblical precepts with lots and lots of grace. We will continue explore all this next week looking at John 11:25-44. We will also be celebrating the Lord's Supper next Sunday!
I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for the retirement party this past Saturday. We were overwhelmed, humbled, and grateful for the many blessings. Friends traveled great distances to be here. Our son flew in from South Korea, and our daughter and her husband flew in from Seattle. The day was filled with laughter and a few tears as we watched the film Jane Mitchell artfully put together. The mayor's proclamation was amazing, and the retirement gift of a European river cruise, plus airfare, was over the top. We cannot say thank you enough. Though we still have a few Sundays with you, the days will be filled with bittersweet emotions. Please know that we love you all and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to serve Graham these many years.
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
The Voice
Good Wednesday to you,
There are voices and there are voices. We may not be able to determine who the next vocal star is, but are we able to determine when God is speaking to us? This last Sunday, Reformation Sunday, I talked about Martin Luther's voice to the power of his day. They were asking him to recant his writings, but with humility, he declined. He could not and would not recant. Councils had erred in the past. Unless Luther was convinced by Scripture -- for his conscience was held captive to the Word of God -- to recant would be neither right nor safe. He made such a stance because he had come to recognize the voice of God. The leaders of the day had drifted away from God.
In talking with the religious leaders of the day, who prided themselves in celebrating God's miraculous provisions in the past, Jesus implored them to look at the miracles He was doing. They were the proof needed to confirm His identity. Jesus clearly heard God's voice, while the religious leaders of the day had drifted away.
How can we be sure not to drift away from God's voice? God speaks to us primarily through His Word. Any Word that comes to us beyond that will confirm and agree with the Written Word. As we prayerfully read Scripture, meditate, and memorize Scripture, and as we faithfully seek Him together in community, we can be assured that we are hearing God's voice. Like the sheep who know their shepherd's voice, we will be able to discern God's voice amidst the noise that surrounds us.
Next week, we will look at the raising of Lazarus and encounter one more "I Am" statement made by Jesus. If you would like to join in the pre-sermon Bible study on Friday morning at 11:00, please do! The sermon text is John 11:1-27.
For all of you who participated in our stewardship campaign for next year, thank you. It is not too late to participate. We are getting close to reaching our goal. Your partnership may be the one that puts us over the top.
Yesterday, November 1, I began my 30th year among you. These past 29 years have been a blessing. I know some of you are planning on joining us this Saturday as we look back on where we've been, as well as where we are now. Some of you have already reached out with kind words or a card with regrets that you are unable to attend. Please know how grateful we are for all of you. This past year has flown by, and as we prepare to finish our ministry among you, we will celebrate what God has done in anticipation of God's faithfulness in the coming years. Please continue to pray for us as we transition to ministry beyond Graham, and please pray for the process of selecting your next pastor. Never forget, God loves Graham more than all of us put together.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Gated Communities
Good Wednesday to you,
Are you living in a "Gated Community?" Some gates are designed to keep people out. Some gates are designed to keep people in. Some are simply designed to monitor who goes in or out. As I mentioned on Sunday, the Bible talks about two "gated communities": Heaven and Hell. Jesus identifies Himself as the "Gate" by which we enter salvation. Then we are free to go in and out, being in the world, but not of the world. Jesus also declares Himself to be our Good Shepherd. Our responsibility is to recognize and hear His voice. Do we?
As followers of Jesus, we are to be His ambassadors, representatives of His kingdom, and brokers of reconciliation. We also have the responsibility to speak Truth to power, but to speak it in Love. Truth without love is crushing. Love without Truth is deceptive. Today, our culture is embracing "ideas" that would have been rejected out of hand a generation ago. Yet, to challenge this orthodoxy can mean social isolation, rejection, even the loss of employment. How did we get here?
While we need to pray for courage to speak Truth in Love, we also need to understand our times, and how we got here. To that end, I will be leading a book study using Carl Trueman’s book “"Strange New World." We will start the study on Saturday, November 12, at 3:30pm in the Parish Hall. I have ordered 15 books. If you would like "in", they are $12 each. However, do not let the cost keep you from joining this study. If you are interested in joining this study or purchasing one of these books, simply reply to this email and let me know!
We also have mid-term elections around the corner. If you would like to discuss the ballot and the candidates, especially for our local school board, please join me this coming Saturday afternoon, October 29, at 3:30m, also in the Parish Hall.
This coming Sunday we will commemorate the Reformation.
Finally, here is the link for the Steve Currey update. Thank you, Lord!
I hope to see you all soon.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Can YOU See?
Good Wednesday to You,
"Are you blind?" "Ref, how did you miss that?" "It was right in front of your face. How did you not see it?" These are often the questions fans level at referees when they disagree with a call or a no-call. The benefit we have today of recording is unparalleled. Who would have thought that one day we would have the ability to pause, rewind, and fast forward live television? That thought never crossed my mind. Now my children ask me to fast forward through commercials.
When we read Scripture, we have the same benefit of reading, pausing, rewinding, and even fast forwarding. Having 20/20 vision gives us a clarity that those who walked with Jesus, or questioned him, did not have. So, when we come to the narrative of the man born blind in the Gospel of John, we see things so clearly. How could people miss it? And, maybe we come down on some in the narrative harder than we should.
One of the beautiful features of John's account of the man born blind is his desire for us (his readers) to place ourselves in the narrative. Before reading our passage, I challenged everyone to put themselves in the narrative. Is there a person you can relate to? Can you see yourself as the man born blind? Or, are there moments you see yourself as the religious leaders questioning Jesus—"Are we blind?"
As a follower of Jesus, I see parallels in my life with the man born blind—not physically, but spiritually. I was once in darkness and needing my eyes opened by God's grace! That is exactly what Jesus was doing—using the example of healing physical sight as a window into spiritual healing. For the record, Jesus has the power to heal physically, even today. Jesus is still the great physician. But, even more so, Jesus came into a dark world as the Light of the World. He came to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness. Without Jesus, we are blind spiritually.
Jesus uses some strong language against the religious leaders—accusing them of seeing but rejecting the Truth—ultimately, calling them blind. And, as a Pastor, it is easy to see myself in the place of the religious leaders. Not that I do not see the Truth about Jesus, but maybe I am blind to sin in my life. Or, blind to how to live out God's mercy, grace, and love every day. So I find myself asking…what am I blind to? This is exactly what makes us different from the religious leaders: our willingness towards transformation. We are not the solution. Jesus is! The more I spend time with Jesus, the greater he becomes—I pray that is true for you, too.
Thinking about Jesus as healer, thank you for all those who are praying for my mom—as I shared on Sunday, she was in the hospital. As of this writing (Tuesday), she is still in the hospital but doing much better. Through your prayers, I do believe Jesus can heal her physical body.
Thank you for interceding on my behalf. I look forward to giving God glory and honor with you as our eyes are opened and the Light of Christ shines in and through us each day.
Blessings,
Pastor John
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
One Thing I Know
Good Wednesday to you,
Every time I read or hear about Jesus healing the man who was born blind, I am amazed by the responses of those who knew the man. One would think there would be great rejoicing, especially from his parents! If such a miracle occurred within our community, we would rejoice and give God all the glory; or would we?
If you haven't noticed, there is a "war" being waged against God, the Bible, and the nuclear family. Words are being invented and redefined right before our eyes. Often, the response of Christians is to downplay the situation. We are told that our views are private matters best left out of the "public square." I mentioned the "overreach" of PayPal on Sunday. To think that a company in the United States would assign itself to "police" its users for what they think is misinformation or hateful and assess them a fine of up to $2500 is Orwellian at best, and pure evil at its worst. I have heard that the backlash was so swift that they have backed down. While we may be tempted to breathe a sigh of relief, just know that the "ground has been softened." The next time someone tries this, there will be less shock and less pushback. Eventually, if we do not stand strong, it will come to pass.
Can we afford to be blinded by societal pressure? The answer is no. If we do or say nothing, sooner or later it will be too late. I am reminded of a saying attributed to Pastor Martin Neimoller – First They Came…
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
Blindness comes with a cost. This will be the subject next Sunday, finishing up the 9th chapter of John (John 9:35-41) – looking at "Spiritual Blindness."
I hope you enjoyed the first person narrative sermon. It is an interesting way to look at and think about a text.
We are almost two thirds of the way toward our 2023 stewardship campaign. If you haven't returned your commitment yet, please return your card as soon as possible. Or, even better, you can complete this online form!
Also, if you would like to sponsor a Thanksgiving box for our junior enlisted folks, you can do so here, at a cost of $55 per box. That's an increase over last year, but, as I said on Sunday, what hasn't increased lately?
You are all a blessing and I hope to see you soon.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
Broken
Good Wednesday to you,
I would never suggest that anyone takes their five senses for granted, and I am grateful to be able to see. I cannot imagine what life would be like without my sight. Yet, all of us have blind spots. As the "Light of the World," Jesus came to bring sight to the blind, both physically and spiritually. Some of His disciples revealed their own "spiritual blindness" when they asked who sinned, the blind man or his parents, that he should be born blind. To be sure, there may be times when an affliction is the result of sin, but often it is the result of living in a broken and sinful world. Jesus challenged their assumptions with a command to "do the work of Him who sent" Jesus.
I get that it is hard to have questions go unanswered, and there are many things that we cannot do. One thing we cannot allow to happen is to let our frustrations with unanswered questions become excuses for not doing what we can do. The opportunity to "work" in God's kingdom is all around us. We need to pray for "eyes that see" and "ears that hear." Next Sunday we will "see" what the man, who had been blind, did with his new sight that was both physical and spiritual.
Speaking of opportunities, we are still looking for a part-time director of Children's Ministries. The duties would be primarily on Sunday morning and take about 10 to 15 hours per week. We have a potential candidate, but she is not available until mid-December. If you can do this, please let me know as soon as possible. We love our volunteers, but we do not want to take advantage of them.
Speaking of volunteers, we almost arrived at the "perfect storm" this coming Sunday. We came close to not being able to live stream the first service this Sunday due to lack of trained volunteers. One of our online moderators stepped up for last-minute training. (Thanks, Russ!) An extra few trained volunteers would be nice. If you can help in this area and are willing to be trained, please let us know.
Thank you to everyone who helped with the All-Church picnic this past weekend. By all accounts, a good time was had by all. If you have not returned your 2023 stewardship form yet, please consider doing so today. Next year is too important to sit out on the sidelines. You are all a blessing to me.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
23 and Me
Good Wednesday to you,
Have you ever considered having your DNA tested to discover your genetic history? A handful of people raised their hands on Sunday indicating they had done just that. We will not discover who the first Scot or Ethiopian was this side of eternity, but we know the origins of the Jewish people. God began with Abraham. The religious leaders of the day were confident that they were descendants of Abraham, and Jesus did not disagree with them. However, He did challenge their spiritual DNA. If they were the children of Abraham, they would love Jesus. Spiritually speaking, they were the children of the devil, the father of lies.
Jesus spoke to those who believed in Him and said, "If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31). The promise given to Abraham found its fulfilment in Jesus. When we make Jesus the Lord and Savior of our lives, we are adopted into God's family. As a result, our spiritual DNA begins to change. Not all at once, but gradually, as we grow in our understanding and application of Jesus' teachings. Take a look at the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Christian ethics found in Luke 6, John 15-17, or start at the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) if you want to study the teachings of Jesus. John makes it clear that Jesus and the Father are One. If you want to know the Father, get to know the Son. If you desire to see your spiritual DNA change, hold to the teachings of Jesus.
Next Sunday you will "meet" the man born blind. I will focus on 9:1-12 on Sunday, but I would encourage you to read the entire chapter between now and Sunday. It's one of my favorite passages in John's account of the Gospel. Next Sunday is also Worldwide Communion Sunday. Believers all over the world will be celebrating with the Lord's Supper next Sunday.
The day before we will be having our annual All-Church Picnic! The festivities will begin at 4:30pm with lots of things for the young (and the young at heart). There will be plenty of food: smoked pulled pork, brisket, and salmon provided and you will bring the side dishes. (Click here to sign up and find out what you can contribute). A good time will be had by all. I hope to see you all there, but please register!
I also want to thank all who have already responded to our stewardship campaign for the coming year. Transitions in pastoral leadership are always difficult. This is the time to stand together, preparing and praying for the next pastor. Please consider joining Jody and me as we pray for and seek to faithfully steward Graham's future.
May the fullness of God's grace be abundantly upon you all.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!