Monday, December 22, 2014

The Smartest Post Ever!

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     Merry Christmas!

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     Happy New Year!

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     Peace on Earth!

Monday, December 15, 2014

Peace on Earth

I was reminded of an incident that happened almost exactly a century ago, one that could have put an end to violence and warfare. Sadly, it didn't.

In the midst of the First World War, on Christmas Eve, 1914, the war fell silent along a thirty-mile span of the western front. The Germans put down their weapons, lit lanterns and sang Christmas Carols. The British side, recognizing the tunes if not the lyrics, applauded and shouted greetings. On Christmas Day, German, French and British troops met in a no-man's land, shook hands, shared food and exchanged gifts. The "Christmas Truce," as it has come to be called, lasted for hours. Alas, peace was not permanent and the soldiers were reminded of their duty. Soon, they were once again trying to kill one another. (From a devotional, written by David McCasland, focusing on Ephesians 2:13-19.)

This historical fact is striking for two reasons. Firstly, it is amazing that, in the midst of  multi-national conflict, even Christmas can bring a respite from the violence and devastation. It is surprising that the German troops were able to bring a day of peace simply by celebrating the birth of Jesus. Clearly, the French and British troops recognized in the effort a beauty that transcended the purposes of warfare, even if for a very short time. Secondly, it is surprising that a peace once reached could be driven back into violence and warfare. What forces led those who had shaken hands, shared gifts, and sang together of the season to turn back to despising, hating, fearing and killing one another?

Surely, in a return to violence, hatred and warfare, we see the hand of authority and power. Clearly, someone ordered the troops from their celebration of Christmas to the fighting for which they were responsible. I imagine that they were reminded of their "higher purpose," their responsibility to country and throne and flag. "Stop that silly camaraderie," the officers may have said, "And get back to the war."

It is my opinion that we live in very dangerous times. Those who have historically been discriminated against have great reason to fear. Far too many recent incidents have seen unarmed and possibly innocent young black men shot down and killed by the police. When fervor for providing for the safety and security of the general public touched us against racial prejudice and fear of those unlike the majority, there is bound to be violence. Unjustifiable death is the result.

We are tempted to sweep the incidents aside as a cost of providing for the safety and security of the general public. I am reminded of another historical act, however. Pastoral members of the Evangelical Church in Germany found themselves imprisoned in World War II Germany. Their arrests came as a shock to them. They had stood behind the Third Reich, supported the social and foreign policies, even supported the war. When the authorities began arresting Jewish neighbors, these leaders were unconcerned. When the same authorities began arresting anyone with a dissenting voice, they remained unconcerned. When the Church leaders had seen enough abuse and death, and began to speak up, they too were arrested by the authorities. You can read the message of repentance yourselves by Googling "The Barmen Declaration."

I do not appreciate authority run amok. I do not appreciate the manner in which authorities treat good citizens of whatever race, color, nationality, age or physical appearance if those authorities are in any way being less than polite and respectful. I have been stopped by an officer for having an nonworking license plate light. Before he even arrived at my window, he had inspected the interior of my automobile. What the interior of my car had to do with a burned out license plate light baffles me yet. When he did arrive at my window, he was disrespectful and rude. I can only imagine what that incident may have been like if I were a young black man, or any minority. I was insulted and, in my opinion, abused.

Where is the peace? Can we achieve it? And, if we can achieve it, can we make it last? Or will we respond to the order of the officers, who may say, "Stop all this silliness and get back to the war?"

May Jesus achieve the peace in our hearts and times that we can now only imagine.    

  

Monday, December 08, 2014

"Glory to God in the Highest"

Shiloh Church is offering to the congregation and community its annual Christmas musical, "Glory to God in the Highest" this coming Sunday, in the Shiloh Church Sanctuary, at both 10:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. If the past years have been any indication, this is an event that you do not want to miss.

The annual musical is a production of the music ministry department at Shiloh Church. It is under the direction of Mark Barnhill, Shiloh's Director of Music. The musical will feature the joint choirs of Shiloh Church, including the Sanctuary Choir, the youth choir, the Discovery Team (Shiloh's 7:00 p.m. contemporary worship praise band and worship leaders) along with the church's bell choirs, both Voices in Bronze and the youth bells, several musicians from Shiloh, and an all-volunteer community orchestra. Martha Kirkland assists Mark Barnhill. Besides accompanying the musical on the piano, Martha has filled in as Shiloh's organist over the past few months as well.

The musical is an expression of hope, peace, love and joy. It is a means by which Shiloh's musical groups share their celebration with the congregation and community. Following each production, a hospitality team, headed by JoAnn Orihood, will offer a reception, to be held in the congregation's Omega Hall. This is always a well-attended and exciting reception. The hospitality team will also be on hand to greet people and assist those who may need direction.

Our sincere hope is that the entire congregation comes to support the music ministry in its efforts to share the Christmas message of joy with the community. As usual, Shiloh's Christmas musical is something of a throwback, to a time when the musical message completes the celebration of the season. It is intended to enthuse, inspire and uplift.

Come and join us. I promise that you will have a great time!

 

Monday, December 01, 2014

Endings

I despise endings. I think that most of us do. An ending means that things will not be the same thereafter. Endings mean that something new is around the bend, just over the next hill, around the corner. It's not that we dislike new things, I think. I think that we hate giving up the familiar and comfortable. We do not like seeing the usual pass.

A great sense of loss accompanies most endings.

I remember when my father died, at the age of 53,in 1989. At the time, my wife and I were living in Junction City, Kansas, serving a good congregation that was filled with good people. Lisa was seven months pregnant with our daughter, Casey. As I sat at his memorial service, held at my home town church in Bremen, Indiana, I remember thinking that this ending meant that I could no longer rely upon my father to bail me out of any trouble that might arise. That ending meant that I was on my own. The world changed in that moment.

I remember, too, when we left that congregation in Kansas and headed for Evansville, Indiana, to serve a congregation there. The loss of the ending in Junction City was modified somewhat by the anxious anticipation of the relationships and ministry that awaited us at Christ Church UCC. We lost much in the ending, but gained as much in the new environs.

Advent is as much about endings, it seems to me, than it is about beginnings. While we tend to want to cling to the lovely story of a baby who is born to be the savior of all humankind, a baby who never cries in the manger, never needs, never poops, the reality of Advent hits us hard. Nothing can be the same. His coming means an end to the old ways, a cosmic transformation that undoes and redoes everything that is, was and will be.

That is good news, but more for those who have no stake in the way things have been. For most of us, who have found ways to cope and succeed in life as it was, the ending of Advent is a loss. The rules change, and with those changes comes a need to adapt to new ways. The transformation is uncomfortable and inconvenient. It takes us into uncharted territory, into uncertainty and doubt and wonder.

So we grieve the loss that Advent brings. But we celebrate too. We celebrate the fact that Advent means that God's will in embodied in human nature, first in a little baby and then in those who seek to embody his example. We move from lives that are governed by economics and politics and social status to lives that are defined by compassion and caring, sacrificial ministry and service to others. We transition from worlds that are about "Me" to worlds that are about "All."

Sure, there is loss there. But the loss of a world that is defined in violence, warfare, privilege, position and power is hardly a loss when compared to the compassion, caring, mercy, grace, forgiveness and generosity that is in the world to come. Advent is an ending. It is also a beginning. Thanks be to God!