Pastoral Thoughts

A few weeks ago our sister church, United Baptist in Ellsworth, hosted a one day conference.  Speakers addressed a number of topics.  Among the topics were: “9 Marks of a Healthy Church,” “Church Life Cycle,” and “10 Common traits of the Dead and Dying Church.”

While terms like “healthy church” and “dying church” are quite off the mark – true, these terms are catchy, but they are also far from the images Scripture uses to speak of God’s gathered people – many good points were made during the conference.  One speaker, a seasoned pastor in the area, said  ”Typically, the last expenditures to go from church budgets are the ones that make the members feel comfortable.”

As a church, as God’s gathered people here in Lamoine, we must not be found in such a backwards error.  In the two years I’ve been pastoring at LBS, I’ve seen an awareness of this error.  More importantly, I’ve noticed many have the sense that gathering together in Jesus name is fundamentally different than all other organized gatherings.  Nevertheless, such awareness and devotional understanding need to develop and grow at LBC.  This, too, I have noticed.

The Gospel calls to our (plural) imagination (singular).  May 24 was Pentecost.  Pentecost comes after Easter and is the day that God gave his Spirit to his followers, creating the church, a holy people who walk in the way of righteousness.

Yours, Pastor Brooks

Spring Planning Meeting

Spring Clean up May 2nd  8 am - noon

Mother's Day May 10

Yard sale at barn May 23  8 am - noon

Church picnic and recipe advice June 7

Change in service time June 14

Graduation day June 14

Father's Day June 21

Camp Cuff cookout - TBA
Lank's cookout - TBA
Harris' cookout June 20 @ 5 pm

Summer Fair July 25   @ 9 am - 1 pm

Carriere's cookout August 14 @ 5 pm

Potluck concert  August 16

Time change for fall service  Sept. 13

Pastoral Thoughts

Recently, I was asked to give a reading from the Koran at an upcoming public prayer breakfast.  The breakfast will have, of course, times of prayer.  It will also have scripture readings from Jewish scripture (the Tanak), Islamic scripture (the Koran), and Christian scripture (the New Testament).

If the U.S. was once a Christian nation, it has changed.  This prayer breakfast displays that reality.  Religious pluralism is here.  We now have:  bumper stickers using the symbols of the major world religions to spell "co-exist";  news anchors hosting pictures of people laughing, stating, "An hour of Laughter Yoga ... was just the thing for body and soul";  a Christian pastor being asked to read from the Koran at a public prayer event.

This is a confused and challenging time.  But it is also a time for Christian hope and witness.  I will not be reading from the Koran at the prayer breakfast.  Yes, I plan on attending it.  And, in this case, I think to do so is the right path.

The culture wars are concerned with demarcating the battle lines.  The care and energy of the Christian is not to be on marking lines, but mercy and peace (Matt 5:7, 9).  And yet, that is mercy and peace rightly understood.  The resurrection of Jesus Christ draws us toward something other than (supposed) polite and civil co-existence (Mattt 5:13; see 5:1-12).

Yours,
Pastor Brooks

"do you remember..."

Memory is important.  Gathering together and remembering together are vital ingredients in loving relationships  From family reunions to funeral receptions we often hear those words spoken:  "Do you remember..."

The other day I read an article about the recently built 9/11 museum at Ground Zero.  Central to the purpose of this museum is remembrance.  But, in recounting her journey through the museum, the author laments the complete lack of an underlying hope or even message.  Simple documentation displayed with grandiose style takes the place of a message and hope.. The author wonders if we have lost our ability to remember.

The Advent season is about remembrance.  Christians, during this season, are not just recounting once again that old story from the past  We are not just reading an ancient document because of a yearly tradition.  Rather, as we read prophetic Advent passages, we hear the deep hope of God's people as they await his coming - a hope which profoundly resounds in us.  We sing songs of such significance and beauty that they fit no other season.  We decorate the church, not with grandiosity of glamour - for Jesus was born in a manger - but for that special time, Christmas Eve, when we gather together to remember in joyful song, in prayer and in hearing again - and anew - the very Word of God, words of hope.

"I will remember the deeds of the LORD;  yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago"  (Psalm 77:11)

April 21, 2014 Church Planning Meeting
The following dates for 2014 upcoming events were scheduled:
Spring Clean Up - May 10
Barn Sale - May 24 (8am-noon)
Church Picnic/Graduation Day - June 8
Time change for summer service/Father's Day - June 15
Carriere's cookout - June 27 (5 pm)
Camp Cuff cookout - July 19
Church summer fair - July 26
Harris' cookout - August 8
Service at East Lamoine church/Potluck concert - August 17
Time change for fall service - Sept.14

Pastoral Thoughts
Today I came across an article on eonlin.com entitled "What are you giving up for Lent?"  For the readers who do not know what Lent is, the author starts out by giving a summary:  "...during Lent, people usually give up something they like doing or eating (like junk food or coffee) or pledge to do something to better themselves or the lives of other for 40 days an 40 nights."  Right under the title of the article is a close-up picture of tasty doughnuts, each with its own colorful frosting and sprinkles.

It takes an effort of mind and will to catch and discard the childish perceptions and barren observations that are often presented to us by our broader culture.  Lent is not about skipping Dunkin' Donuts drive-through for a few weeks.  Nor is it a few weeks of any obligation for the sake of the greater good.  Rather, Lent is a time of preparation.  On Good Friday and Easter Sunday, in particular, we remember through community worship the amazing love and glory of our Lord.  Lent is about worshiping god;  it is about taking the time to prepare oneself and one's family for the yearly gathering of the community of God, who gather together to remember our Lord's last days with contrition and then with joy and peace.

Let us take time this Lenten season to read the Gospels with a heart and mind of devotion.  Let us be prayerful and prepare ourselves, so that when Good Friday and Easter Sunday come, we are not caught off guard, but rather are eager to gather with brothers and sisters in the house of the Lord and give him devotion and praise.

Yours,
Pastor Brooks