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Bulletin: February 19, 2012
The Seventh Sunday after Epiphany

Scriptures: Proverbs 24:30-34, Psalm 135:1-3, Matthew 25:14-29

Songs:

1. Praise: Lavish Love, Abundant Beauty (lyrics, melody, author, 2, publication on worship)
2. Preparation: I Cannot Tell (lyrics & melody, video, author)
3. Response: Come All Christians, Be Committed (lyrics & melody video (click on CC for subtitles), 2, author, devotional)

Rev. Mark McKim

Investment Advice from Jesus Christ

Remember the 1987 film “Wall Street?” It starred Michael Douglas, playing the role of Gordon Gekko. Gekko is an thoroughly unscrupulous, ruthless corporate raider. There’s a famous scene in the film where he tells his eager young protégé, played by Charlie Sheen “Greed…is good.” When you first read the parable in this Sunday’s New Testament lesson that may well be what comes to mind! It sounds like Jesus is saying that the rich deserve to get more and the poor deserve to lose even the little they have. Huh?

Remember though this is a parable. A parable is a distinct kind of storytelling, in which there is one main point, and with Jesus that point always had to do with the Kingdom of God. (The Kingdom of God was the central theme of the preaching of Jesus. It means: “whenever and wherever the rule, the reign, the will of God is accomplished.”) If you miss that main point, get bogged down in the details of the story and try to assign a meaning to everything, you will be totally confused!

So the main point of this parable? In the Kingdom, spending time, money or energy does not result in having less – but in having more.

The person who hoards what he/she has, the play-it-safe, cautious investor will lose even that.

That, says Jesus, is a terrible, shrivelled way to live! In fact, it’s not really living at all. If you want to really live, and discover your true self, you need to spend your time, your money, and your energy working to see the Kingdom of God realized. You need to cross the finish line of life like a race driver in a long distance car rally – screeching across the finish line sideways, one tire missing, thoroughly worn out, leaking oil, and shouting “What a ride!”

Have Some Fun

Check out the Parable of the Talents quiz.

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Bulletin: February 12, 2012
The Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

Scriptures: Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Psalm 100, Philippians 3:8-9, Matthew 13:44-47

Songs:audio file

• Praise: All People That On Earth Do Dwell (lyrics & melody, video, acapella, history, 2, meditation)
• Preparation: Seek Ye First The Kingdom of God (lyrics & melody, 2, history, 2)
• Response: The Lord is My Delight! (lyrics, melody, author)

Rev. Mark McKim

Buried Treasure!!

This phrase conjures up images of “Indiana Jones,” swashbuckling (how exactly does one swash a buckle?) buccaneers, or pirates like those in Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous tale of buried gold, Treasure Island. Immediately we imagine adventure, feats of “daring-do,” and taking great risks to find and claim the treasure.

Jesus compared the Kingdom of God to buried treasure in one of the stories he told. These stories are called parables. (You can read the story for yourself in Matthew 13.44-47.) In the parable a man was out ploughing a leased field. All of a sudden, his plough struck something. He checked and discovered…a buried treasure! Hastily he covered up his find, hurried to the bank, sold everything he had and bought the field. Now Jesus wasn’t commenting on the ethics or morality of non-disclosure or lack of transparency in business transactions. Parables are a special kind of storytelling. A parable always has ONE single main point and you need to figure that out and not get “hung up” on other details.

For Jesus the main point in a parable was always something to do with the Kingdom of God. (The Kingdom of God means whenever and wherever God’s rule, reign, or will is accomplished, is actually happening.)

And the main point, the Kingdom point of this parable was: Risk everything, do whatever it takes to get that field, to grab that treasure! The Kingdom is NOT for people who want to play it safe. It is for those who are going for broke. The kingdom belongs to those with the guts to risk everything, stake it all, on gaining the treasure which is the Kingdom. Go big – or go home. Go for the gold! It is only those who make the Kingdom, their commitment to God’s kingship, his reign, his rule, their top priority who will enjoy its blessings.

And THAT is VERY disturbing. Is the Kingdom really my priority? Do I value it over anything and everything else?

Who said the Bible is for people who “need that sort of thing,” a sort of crutch to comfort weak, spineless people, pale faced parson’s pets? This Sunday’s sermon, based on the parable Jesus told about buried treasure definitely isn’t going to be comfortable, or comforting. Jesus didn’t intend it to be. But we need to hear what he had to say anyway….

Parables of Jesus Quiz

Try a quick quiz on the parables of Jesus.

Bulletin: February 5, 2012
The Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Scriptures: Isaiah 25:6-9, Psalm 36:7-10a, Luke 14:15-24

Songs:

• Praise: Crown Him with Many Crowns (lyrics & melody, 2, choir, video, 2, devotional/history)
• Approach: Shine, Jesus Shine! (lyrics, video, devotional)
• Response: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (lyrics & melody, group, movie version, contemporary, 2, devotion, 2, 3, history, 2)

Rev. Mark McKim

“Joy,” wrote C. S. Lewis, “is the serious business of [the kingdom of] Heaven.”

Yet, if that is so, why does Christianity sometimes have a reputation for being grim and joyless? And why do some Christians look like they had been weaned on lemon juice?! Clearly, there is something wrong. After all, Jesus (and before him the prophets of the Old Testament) often compared the Kingdom to a great banquet, party or feast – which begins here in this life as we follow Jesus and will really “ramp up” when the Kingdom comes in full. That’s why today’s gospel reading is a bit puzzling. People are invited to a great dinner party but give all sorts of lame excuses about not coming. Why would anyone want to miss out? Good question. And why would anyone want to miss out on the joy of the Kingdom either?

Click on the “Joyful” Quiz.

Print and fill it out at your convenience.

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Bulletin: January 29, 2012
The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-10, Psalm 126, Mark 4:1-10,13-20

Songs:
Praise: Tell Out My Soul (lyrics & melody, traditional, contemporary, author)
Preparation: O Church of God, prepare the plough by William Cowper (lyrics, author)
(Tune: How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds, 2)
Response: Christ Taught Us of a Farmer (Text [given below]: v. 1-2 Copyright © 2000 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. Used by Permission. v. 3. M. McKim, 2011)
(Tune: The Church’s One Foundation)

Christ taught us of a farmer who went out sowing seeds.
A few had trouble growing among the rocks and weeds.
But others grew till harvest in soil that was so good.
O God, you sow the gospel: The seed is your own word.

You sowed your word of love here so many years ago.
Your message found a welcome; your word began to grow.
By grace, this church was built here by saints who followed you.
The seed took root and flourished: we hear and follow, too.

God send us out from this place to sow the word – to speak,
The gospel news of Jesus, be heard from us this week.
Grant grace to be courageous, like saints whose lives are past,
That we may hear you say, Lord,“Well done” to us at last.

Rev. Mark McKim

This Sunday we continue our focus on the “Kingdom of God” which was the central thrust in the preaching of Jesus. Once again we find Jesus telling a parable as a way of teaching about the Kingdom – the parable of the sower and the seeds.

Interestingly there is no indication that the sower in the story had some special knowledge, education or appointment.

Too often we imagine that making the news of the Kingdom known is “the preacher’s job” when in fact it is the responsibility – and privilege – of every Kingdom person to “sow the seed,” that is to speak about their experience of God to others.

And too often we focus on “results” which are not under our control. We are called to sow the seed of the Word far and wide,, to do so well and faithfully, and leave the rest in God’s hands: Sow far, sow good.
________

Holy Communion

Holy Communion will, if the Lord tarries, be celebrated next Sunday morning. Jesus established this meal and commanded his followers to repeat it until he returns. Just as he did, we will eat bread (representing his body) and drink wine (representing his shed blood), in remembrance of his death. In some mysterious fashion which no theologian has ever been able fully to describe, his death made it possible for us, once more, to be friends, rather than enemies of God. The word “Communion” means “to have a connection with.” Jesus once described himself as “the vine” and those who followed him, who accepted him as their Lord as “the branches.” You can read this story in John 15.1-6. Only those who have this kind of connection with Jesus should receive the bread and wine. (Being a Baptist or a member of First Baptist Church is not a requirement for receiving Holy Communion in this church. The requirement is that you are a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ.)

How to Prepare for Holy Communion

Even if are a Christian, that is if you confess (accept) Jesus as your Lord (in charge of your life), you should still prepare to receive Holy Communion. Many Christians have found that reading the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) or the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20.1-17) or even their church covenant is a good starting place for preparation.

As you read, ask yourself “how have I measured up to this in the last month.” This can help you become aware of particular sins in your life. Take these to God in prayer, confess them and repent of them (repentance means being sorry for having offended God and turning around in the opposite direction from sin). If you are at odds with someone else, particularly a fellow Christian, you need to make a genuine effort to set things right and be reconciled before taking Communion.

Joyful Holy Communion

Despite the solemn nature of Holy Communion and the importance of preparing to receive, this is to be a JOYFUL meal. It shouldn’t look or feel like a funeral! This meal celebrates what Jesus accomplished by his death and points us toward what will be the most fabulous banquet and party ever – when Jesus returns in triumph.

___________

How well do you know your art?

Over the centuries, many artists have created depictions of the sower, inspired by the parable of the sower which is the focus of today’s sermon.  The mediums used have ranged from painting and sculpture to casting and woodcut illustrations.  Some artists have created seveHowral different versions!  For how many of the following works can you identify the artist?

Click here to go to the quiz.

Scoring:  1-2 (Poor), 3-4 (Fair), 5-6 (Good), 7-8 (Excellent), 9-10 (Are you an Art Museum Curator?)

Learning for Life: 9:30 am
Worship: 11:00 am

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Bulletin: January 22, 2012

Scripture: Zechariah 14:6-9, Psalm 145:10-13, Galatians 3:6,29, Matthew 10:1,7-15

Songs:
Praise: Rejoice, The Lord Is King! (lyrics & melody, video, history, 2)
Preparation: We Gather Together (lyrics & melody, video, history, 2, 3)
Response: Rise Up, O Church of God (lyrics & melody, men’s chorus, keaggy, baptists, devotional)

Rev. Mark McKim

In these early weeks of the New Year we are focusing on the concept of “the Kingdom of God” as we find it in Scripture. The Kingdom of God was the central theme of the preaching of Jesus. He talked about it all the time. And of course he gave a very simple definition of the Kingdom in the model prayer he taught to his disciples, what we call The Lord’s Prayer. “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done.” The Kingdom, in other words, is whenever and wherever God’s will is accomplished, carried out.

This Sunday you will be invited to consider this question: “What is the relationship of the Kingdom and the Church?”

The Kingdom – whenever and wherever God’s will is accomplished, his reign, his rule accepted. The Church – that’s everyone who accepts that rule, that reign of God, the God we know best in Jesus. How are the two related?

This isn’t merely an academic question – it’s vital. Among many evangelicals there is a tendency to view the church in an individualistic way, to see it as yet another voluntary organization made up of like minded individuals, but not really essential. That’s a very long way from what we find in the New Testament which can’t even conceive of Christians who aren’t committed members of the church. The New Testament sees the church, with all its faults and failures, as God’s chosen – and primary – instrument for seeing the Kingdom realized in the world. And it also insists that anyone who is a Christian, who accepts Jesus as his or her Lord, is automatically in relationship with all other Christians AND that we must work on both of these relationships.

Brushing up Quiz

Instructions:
a) Give an answer for each of the questions below.
b) After you have completed your answers, you can compare them to sample answers below.
c) Congratulations on taking the challenge!

1. There are four gospels (records of the life of Jesus) in the Bible. Name them.
2. The first three of these are called the “synoptic gospels.” Why?
3. Approximately how many times does Jesus refer to the Kingdom in the synoptic gospels?
   a) 10  b) 50  c) 100
4. In the Bible how many times does Jesus speak about the church?
5. Where in the NT does Jesus speak about the church?
6. Mark and Luke tend to use the phrase “Kingdom of God” while Matthew normally uses the phrase “Kingdom of Heaven.” Why?
7. The word “Kingdom” doesn’t appear very often in John’s gospel. What word is used instead?
8. Who said “If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God, it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen instead.”
9. Who said “The only significance of life consists in helping to establish the kingdom of God….”
10. In Christian art, keys and pearls have sometimes been used as symbols for the Kingdom. Why?

______________

Sample Answers:

1. There are four gospels (records of the life of Jesus) in the Bible. Name them.
   Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
2. The first three of these are called the “synoptic gospels.” Why?
   The word “synoptic” means “taking or affording a comprehensive mental view.” These three gospels take a very similar point of view and approach in describing the life of Jesus. John approaches things from a quite different, and more philosophical, perspective.
3. Approximately how many times does Jesus refer to the Kingdom in the synoptic gospels? a) 10  b) 50  c) 100  Answer: C
4. In the Bible how many times does Jesus speak about the church? Twice
5. Where in the NT does Jesus speak about the church?  Matthew 16.18 and Matthew 18.17
6. Mark and Luke tend to use the phrase “Kingdom of God” while Matthew normally uses the phrase “Kingdom of Heaven.” Why?
   Matthew was written primarily for a Jewish readership. Many such readers were so committed to obeying the commandment not to use God’s name in vain, that they would not speak or write the word “God” at all. It appears therefore that, out respect for those readers, Matthew avoids the phrase “Kingdom of God” and instead uses “Kingdom of Heaven.” It’s also entirely possible that Jesus himself used both phrases. They are essentially identical.
7. The word “Kingdom” doesn’t appear very often in John’s gospel. What word is used instead?
   Life. Again, it’s essentially identical with the terms “Kingdom of Heaven (or God).”
8. Who said “If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God, it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen instead.”
   William Law. Law (1686 – 1761) was an English clergyman and theological writer, whose best known work, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life, was a major influence on those who would become major figures in the rise of English evangelicalism, notably John and Charles Wesley and George Whitefield.
9. Who said “The only significance of life consists in helping to establish the kingdom of God….”
   Leo Tolstoy. Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a Russian nobleman and author of novels, short stories and essays. His most famous works are War and Peace and Anna Karenina. Beginning in the late 1860’s, Tolstoy began to move ever more deeply into the Christian faith. Profoundly affected by the Sermon on the Mount he became a pacifist, and his writing was a major influence on Gandhi. Impressed by their pacifist beliefs, Tolstoy brought the persecution of the Doukhobors to the attention of the international community in 1895, and aided in their efforts at migrating to Canada. Tolstoy became a critic of his own government during the Boxer Rebellion (1898-1901), praising the Boxers and denouncing the atrocities committed by Russian and other western troops in China whom he (accurately) accused of slaughter, looting, rape and murder. He also denounced the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05). However, his adoption of an ascetic lifestyle, and attempts to reject both his inherited and earned wealth led to increasing alienation from his wife and family. Although the authorities tried to restrict access to his funeral, thousands of peasants still lined the streets.
10. In Christian art, keys and pearls have sometimes been used as symbols for the Kingdom. Why?
    Keys derive from Jesus speaking of the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 16.13-20), while in Matthew 13.45-46, a pearl was used to illustrate the great value of the Kingdom and the need to give up everything else in order to attain it.

Scoring:  0-2 (Poor), 3-4 (Fair), 5-6 (Good), 6-7 (Amazing), 8-9 (Utterly Amazing), 10 (Did you write this quiz?)