Sunday, May 19, 2013
May 17 newsletter
Thursday, May 16, 2013
news for the weekend
Blown Away
This Sunday is Pentecost. That's the day in the church we wear red because some where back in time the church began to wear red to celebrate big events. in the annual calendar of the Christian year, Pentecost is the only time where red is specifically designated. It is worn for other special events that crop up year to year. By "wear" it means the covers on the altar and lectern, and the stole worn by the pastor. But we extend it to ask you to wear something red for this special day.Why is this day special? Because we tend to get wrapped up in ourselves and begin to take credit for things done in the name of "church." Now remember, the unfolding of God's relationship with we creatures in the Bible is not with heroic, accomplished folks, but those who are dysfunctional, scared, scarred, limping, broken, lost, afraid, arrogant, proud, controlling...you get the picture. God doesn't use in the Bible people who have it all together. Why? Because the heroic figures always take credit for themselves. The people God uses know that the credit is due to God because of the messed up nature of their lives.
Well, Pentecost is the time we remember that the HOLY SPIRIT from God which Jesus unleashed on us as our constant companion, empowers us to be the body of Christ and to serve the mission of Christ. We can prepare for this like the disciples did with the 24/7, 3 year Jesus training academy, but even that didn't get them ready. After the resurrection, they are not competent, confident, capable people. It is the spirit descending on them as though fire is out of control that gives them the capability and the power to share the gospel. They knew the gospel from their 3 years with Jesus, but they didn't know how to do it. And there was no training ultimately to get them over that hump. It was the Holy Spirit that took them over. And here we are today 2000 years later with the same mission and the same incompetence on our part. BUT with the same Holy Spirit. Wear red. Let's celebrate!
Grace and peace,
David Loar, Pastor
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The KAT meeting has been cancelled for Saturday, May 18. It will be rescheduled later.
Thursday, May 09, 2013
May 9 2013 newsletter
Sunday, May 05, 2013
Pew Research study of present day Islam
"Overall, the survey finds that most Muslims see no inherent tension between being religiously devout and living in a modern society. Nor do they see any conflict between religion and science. Many favor democracy over authoritarian rule, believe that humans and other living things have evolved over time and say they personally enjoy Western movies, music and television – even though most think Western popular culture undermines public morality."
"The new survey also allows some comparisons with prior Pew Research Center surveys of Muslims in the United States. Like most Muslims worldwide, U.S. Muslims generally express strong commitment to their faith and tend not to see an inherent conflict between being devout and living in a modern society. But American Muslims are much more likely than Muslims in other countries to have close friends who do not share their faith, and they are much more open to the idea that many religions – not only Islam – can lead to eternal life in heaven."
