August 8th, 2021

Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost August 8, 2021

Redeemer United Church Of Christ ( Zuehl ) Marion, TX 

“ Trying To Leave A Little Bit Of Heaven Behind “ 

(  I Kings 19: 4-8, Ephesians 4: 25-5:2, John 6: 35,41-51 )

Rev. Peter E. Bauer

Several weeks ago I officiated at the memorial service of a good friend of mine. I has known this person professionally and personally for over twenty-three years. This person was an amazing therapist, husband, friend. He was an avid reader and someone who had many gifts which he used to help others.  I completed the nearly five hour drive from San Antonio ,TX up to Dallas, TX and ,got settled into the hotel, early in the morning. I turned on the television, as I was unpacking, and there was journalist author Walter Isaacson interviewing Dr. Cornel West. Dr. West has been a long time philosopher and social activist working for racial justice. He also always speaks in the fervor of an Old Testament prophet.  Walter Isaacson asked Dr. Cornel West, at one point in the interview, how he was doing noting the recent death of his mother. Dr. West smiled and reflected upon the life of his mother  “ She was a lovely person. Her motto was “ trying to leave a little bit of heaven behind. “  I thought what a brilliant description of ministry.

You and I have been engaged in a journey and a process of collaborative ministry this past year. We have worked to proclaim that “ Jesus was born, that Jesus lives, that Jesus died and was resurrected and with that the reality is that life is eternal and that the Kingdom of God transforms out lives and makes all things new.”

Two years ago on a hot July afternoon, I met Rev. Lee Zillmann here at Redeemer to facilitate some boundary training for him. I was walking around the cemetery noticing headstones and decorations left at the gravesites. Rev. Zillmann let me in to the church. I stood in the social hall looking towards the sanctuary. As the lights came on, I thought that the archway between the social hall and the sanctuary and the  carved wood of the altar reminded me of seeing the Painted Churches in Schulenberg, TX.  I thought there is a lot of heritage, there is a lot of history here. The people of this church must be very committed. I didn’t realize at the time that I would be providing pastoral coverage during the Fall of 2019 while Rev. Zillmann had his surgery.

I also didn’t realize that I would become your Interim Pastor for this past year.  I thought this is going to be interesting,” you haven’t been really serving as a parish pastor in almost forty years. “ “ What will this be like ? “

The text from I Kings describes Elijah on the run. He is trying to escape Jezebel who is trying to kill him, to do a mafia style hit on him. Elijah goes into the desert and finds a broom trees a d lies down in its shade to rest. Elijah encounters an angel wo says “ get up and eat. “ So the prophet discovers a baked cake from grain and a jar of water. He consumes both and goes back to sleep.  Again, the angel comes a second time and says:  “ Get up and eat, for the journey is too long for you. “  So Elijah gets up again, eats and drinks and is fortified for the journey. He travels forty days and forty nights until he reaches Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night. ( I Kings 19: 4-8 )

The other night, I was getting gas just off of 1604. A young Soldier in ACU inform and Patrol Cap was also getting gas. He looked worried , upset. He then said to me.  “ You look like someone who would understand. I’m on my way back to Fort Campbell, KY. I was just down here to bury my mother in Comfort, TX who died of brain cancer. Can you giver me $ 24.00 ? “  I thought “ this  guy needs more than $ 24.00. “ He was driving a nice SUV type vehicle. His smart phone was plugged in and getting charged. I didn’t doubt that he had just come from the funeral in Comfort. I wasn’t quite sure if he had been drinking. “  I told him “ I think I do understand, I told him that I was a retired Army Officer. I then added, “ why don’t you do this ?, drive up I-35 past Austin to the Florence exit and go northwest up to Killen, TX to Fort Hood. Contact the Command Duty Chaplain, see if they can get you some financial assistance and arrange for you to stay somewhere overnight and then in the morning you can continue your trip to Fort Campbell ,KY.  He smiled and said, “ I never thought of that, thank you. “

Trying to leave a little bit of heaven behind.

I am thankful for our time together this past year. I am thankful for your patience, lover and support helping me to get to know the history of Redeemer and to appreciate the morals and values and the nuances of Redeemer culture.  It’s been very gratifying that despite the challenges of Covid-19, that Redeemer was able to maintain steady healthy attendance, that there was the incorporation of digital and live worship, that there was a successful Harvest Festival auction, that the play ground equipment became a realty, that meaningful Confirmation, Christmas and Easter services occurred, and that now important upgrades to church infrastructure for the church and the parsonage are occurring.  I learned that if you can pastor during a pandemic and do that well, you can do just about anything.  Our youth discovered their journalistic voice and through the series of Youth Press Conferences they were able to articulate some insightful and penetrating questions regarding faith and culture.

I hope that they can do more of these in the future.

Trying to leave a little bit of heaven behind.

Redeemer has a bright and productive future. Financially the church is very sound and solid. Stewardship and support has been good.  There are opportunities now to expand further in terms of evangelism and outreach and mission. The addition of new housing in the area presents an additional opportunity for outreach.  As our membership ages there is also more need for support regarding health care. Redeemer could think seriously about developing a Parish Nurse program where heath education could be provided, preliminary blood pressure checks could be administrated and appropriate referrals for follow-up medical care could be given to Redeemer church members and to members of our community.

Trying to leave a little bit of heaven behind.

One of the days I will remember best was last September 2020 right after I got here. On a picture post card idyllic Fall afternoon, after church, here I was with Richard and Carol outside picking Pecans. I didn’t know that there were that many Pecans here, neither did I know that you have to develop a keen eye to determine what are good Pecans from those that aren’t good.  For that time together that day, the worries of the pandemic, and the future were temporarily set aside. This was Interim time and for now the emphasis was upon keeping everything going and enjoying the moment.  That moment with Richard and Carol and many other moments of conversations both live and over the phone, of hospital visits, of home communion visits, of moments of support during memorial and graveside services I will remember and cherish.

Trying to leave a little bit of heaven behind.

Jesus says in John’s Gospel  “ I am the bread of life “  Jesus has come to us in order to give us life and to give it abundantly. We in turn, are commissioned to give life to one another, to give the love of God made known in the person of Jesus to others and to live by grace which heals all of us.

Trying to leave a little bit of heaven behind.

May we all find this to be true for our lives this day and always.

May we stay connected together, in our journey of faith, now and always.

May it be so.

In Christ’s Name.

Amen

Tenth Sunday After Pentecost August 1, 2021

Redeemer United Church Of Christ ( Zuehl ) Marion, TX 

“ Giving Life To The World “

 (  Exodus 16: 2-4,9-15, Ephesians 4: 1-16, John 6: 24-35 )

Rev. Peter E. Bauer

Since its inception, the Church has been about the mission of proclaiming that Jesus lived, died and was resurrected from the dead. Jesus gave his life for us in order that we might live. Matthew’s Gospel ends with the Great Commission:  “ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. ( Matthew 28: 20 )

The Great Commission is the blueprint for how the Church does evangelism in the world.

But what does that look like ? What does proclaiming the Good News that Jesus is alive and with us, what does that look liker for us now ?  Anne Gregory is a United Church Of Christ missionary who serves in Thailand. She writes:  “ For many years now, I have found myself meditating on the words of God’s messengers to the women disciples at the empty tomb: “He has gone before you into Galilee.”  Seemingly simple words, but there is a world of meaning in them.  Isaiah Chapter 9 refers to “Galilee of the Gentiles,” from which a king would come, who would cause the “people who walked in darkness” to “see a great light.”  Scholars say the people of that time would likely have thought of the righteous King Josiah, who restored the faith of the nation, but who died in battle at Megiddo (also known as Armageddon).

Galilee was a place, both in Isaiah’s time and in the time of Jesus’ ministry, where the Jewish people were a minority—the Gentiles (or the nations) predominated.  It was an especially fertile land and a crossroads of international travel.  Not too many years ago, archaeologists discovered the ruins of a large city in Galilee from the time of Jesus’ life and ministry. From that, many have begun to think that Jesus and his neighbors spoke several languages—at least Aramaic and Greek, and possibly more.  So, when the Risen Christ “has gone before you into Galilee,” all of the above could be part of the meaning.  I used to think it simply meant that the disciples were to go “to all the nations” and be witnesses to the Good News.  Now I believe it also means that the Risen Christ is everywhere “the people” are.  To me, it means that no matter where I go, Christ will meet me there, having gone before me. https://www.globalministries.org/galilee-of-the-gentiles/

So, what would it mean for us to the “ Galilee Of The Gentiles “ here in Zuehl ? 

Redeemer Church is known in our community. We have our Annual Harvest Festival every year at the Bexar Hall. Our Community Vacation Bible School has been a enjoyable event for our students and teachers here in the church. This year, the event again was ss and really speaks to our desire to want to spread the Good News Of Jesus to those here in our community.

Where else might there be opportunities for us to expand our work on behalf of the Kingdom Of God ?  We have a growing number of older people in our congregation and community. Our older members can experience challenges with regards to health and continued access to health care resources.

One intervention that has been used in the utilization of a Parish Nurse for a congregation. This individual could be available as a point of contact for church members regarding health education, blood pressure screening, counseling and referral regarding medical issues.

A further definition of the Parish Nurse is as follows:  “ The health minister/parish nurse serves as a member of the ministry team of the local church. The health minister (a person having a health care background that may or may not be a parish nurse) facilitates the promotion of health and healing via health educational programs, spiritual care, referrals to appropriate health care providers, as well as through support groups and personal health counseling. The parish nurse, a registered professional nurse, promotes health and wholeness through the practice of nursing as defined by the nurse practice act in the jurisdiction in which he/she practices. Parish nurses function as health counselors, resource persons, spiritual caregivers, health educators, small group facilitators, and coordinators of health ministry volunteers.”

https://www.ucc.org/what-we-do/justice-local-church-ministries/justice/health-and-wholeness-advocacy-ministries/health-care-justice/justice_health_general-synod-21-reclaim

This is a type of ministry model that Redeemer could possibly pursue in the future. We could utilize our social hall, kitchen area for this health education and referral program for church members and for community members.

The writer of John’s Gospel notes that Jesus says to the crowd that was gathered in Capernaum:

“ I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs, but because you ate of the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son Of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval. “ ( John 4: 26-27 )

Our mission and our evangelistic outreach for Redeemer United Church Of Christ in ever-changing and is ever-evolving.  We are Christ’s ambassadors and we extend ourselves to others in Jesus name to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick and point others from the darkness into the ever-lasting and transformative light of God which reveals and transforms our lives.

May we always seek to share the Good News Of Jesus to all.

May we know that the work of evangelism, of sharing Christ with others is ever-continuing.

May it be so for us and for all of the Church.

Now and forever more.

In Jesus’ Name.

Amen

Ninth Sunday After Pentecost July 25, 2021

Redeemer United Church Of Christ ( Zuehl ) Marion, TX 

“ There Will Always Be Enough To Share “

 (    11 Kings 4: 42-44, Ephesians 3: 14-21, John 6: 1-21 ) 

Rev. Peter E. Bauer

What do you do when you are hungry ? For a lot of people, it’s a walk over to the kitchen, open the refrigerator and have some kind of snack.  That’s certainly my pattern for me working at home. When I get a break between seeing patients online in my den, I do the same drill outlined above. It’s becoming more rare to sit down with family and actually have a meal.  Schedules are so hectic, demands at work, demands on our property, with our livestock, with our crops etc. can give us little time for anything else.  Thus, we eat on the run again and again.

If you’re hungry and you don’t have resources, that can become even more of a challenge.

Here in Guadalupe County, we have the following:  7,630 food insecure children; Childhood Food Insecurity Rate is 19.4 %; Estimated Program Eligibility among food insecure children in Guadalupe County is as follows:  44% likely ineligible for federal food nutrition programs (incomes above 185% of poverty ); 56% Income eligible for federal nutrition programs ( Incomes at or below 185% of poverty ); Average meal cost in Guadalupe County $ 3.09; Annual Food Budget shortfall $ 9,144.00.  What are the implications of food insecurity ? 

Although food insecurity is harmful to any individual, food insecurity is particularly devastating among children due to their increased vulnerability and the potential for long-term consequences. Several studies have demonstrated that food insecurity impacts cognitive development among young children and is linked to poorer school performance. Other data show the health consequences of food insecurity among children, including increased illness and higher associated health costs.  The structural foundation for cognitive functioning is laid in early childhood, creating the underlying circuitry on which more complex processes are built. This foundation can be greatly affected by food insecurity. Inadequate nutrition can permanently alter a child’s brain architecture and stunt their intellectual capacity, affecting the child’s learning, social interaction, and productivity. Children who do not receive what they need for strong, healthy brain development during early childhood may never recover their lost potential for cognitive growth and eventual contributions to society.*

* National Scientific Council on the Developing Child

https://map.feedingamerica.org/county/2017/child/texas/county/guadalupe

So we know that food insecurity is not good for children and it not good for adults.  Yet, we have some voices in our society that sometimes say the following:  “ They need to work harder. There isn’t enough to go around. We have to turn them away. “  This mentality was alive and well a few years ago when the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( SNAP ) was moved under the umbrella of the Department Of Agriculture and the then Secretary of Agriculture wanted to cut and greatly reduce SNAP benefits thus effecting the lives of many poor people, including the working poor.  Why is it that we continue to hear from politicians that there isn’t enough ?

It’s almost like the message is:  “ I’ve got mine, sorry your life sucks. “

This whole notion of scarcity, that there is not enough is really a spiritual problem. If God is loving and if God desires the very best for our lives and if Jesus encourages us, by his example, to be loving and sharing of our resources with one another, then why wouldn’t there be enough?   Our scripture lessons for today give a nice parallel, a continuity between the Old Testament ( Hebrew Canon ) and the New Testament regarding the generosity of God.

The story in II Kings concerns the feeding of the hundred.  “ a man from Baal Shaliishah bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread from the first ripe grain, along with some heads of new grain.  The name Baal-shalishah occurs only once in the Bible.  During a famine, the prophet Elisha takes care of the people by providing them with food.  An unnamed man from Baal-shalishah brings Elisha twenty loaves of barley and some grain (2 Kings 4:42).  With that, Elisha miraculously feeds a hundred men, and after it there is food left over. https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Baal-shalishah.html

So Elijah is able to save these people due to the generosity of an unknown individual.  The writer of John’s Gospel tells the story of Jesus feeding the five-thousand.  There are some similarities here to the story in II Kings. Maybe Jesus might have been familiar with this story, that is unknown,.  What is striking is that Jesus encounters a lot of people who no doubt were probably physically hungry but they were also hungry with regard to what Jesus would teach them.

The text tells us that Jesus went up on the mountain and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover feast was near. “ ( John 6: 3-4 ) . Here we have the parallel of citing a festival which celebrates food as a symbol for remembering the journey from slavery to freedom. At the same time, Jesus is concerned about meeting the physical needs of the people.  Phillip, one of the disciples asks Jesus, where will be buy bread for these people to eat ? The cost would be exorbitant to feed all of these people.  Another disciple Andrew says  “ Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many ?  So Jesus has the people sit down and so he takes the bread and the fish and blesses it and then has it distributed to those who are seated on the ground as much as they wanted. ( John 6:10 ).

The disciples gather up the remaining pieces that were left over and they fill twelve baskets.

It’s here that people begin to appreciate that Jesus is a prophet who has come into the world. Jesus senses that they want to make him king and so he withdraws to a mountain to be by himself.  ( John 6:14 ).

Loaves and Fishes Centers was established in Portland by a group of people who organized in 1969 to find ways to meet the nutritional and social needs of neglected area seniors. The paramount goal of the founders of this grassroots nonprofit organization was the eradication of senior hunger and malnutrition by "providing a hot nutritious meal to every senior who has asked for one." Their program was based on the proposal by the National Council on Aging, which has developed into the national program Meals-on-Wheels.  The first Portland center opened for business in February 1970 in the dining hall of the Lincoln Street United Methodist Church. On the first day, fifteen seniors were greeted at the door by volunteers, with food and fellowship on the menu. The Meals-on-Wheels program was launched on the same day, with fourteen deliveries to homebound seniors as part of an ongoing effort to "enrich the lives of the seniors and help them maintain their independence by making social contacts and other needed resources easily accessible." https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/loaves_and_fishes/#.YM6XK7VKjIU

What would happen if every church in Guadalupe County sponsored its own food bank or networked with other churches in order to provide food including fresh produce to those who are hungry and needy, both old and young alike ?   What would it be like if Christians of all denominational and non-denominational backgrounds set the goal of feeding needy people both physically and spiritually ?  What would that we like ?  What kind of effects would that create in the lives of people and of our world?

We need to remind ourselves

“ That there will always be enough to share “

May it be so.

 In Christ’s Name.

Amen

Eighth Sunday After Pentecost July 18, 2021

Redeemer United Church Of Christ ( Zuehl ) Marion, TX 

“ The Healing Touch “

(   11 Samuel 7: 1-14, Ephesians 2: 11-22, Mark 6: 30-34,53-56 ) 

Rev. Peter E. Bauer

If you have ever been sick and confined to your bed; you know that you appreciate a touch of a spouse, partner, or parent helping you to feel support and comfort. A child may appreciate it when a parent gently rubs their back. An adult may appreciate it when a spouse or a partner puts a cold compress on their forehead if they are experiencing a fever.  When you are sick, its nice to have the presence of loved ones near by to help nurse you back to health.

The same thing is true if you are a health care worker and you get sick.  In 2006, I was stationed at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center (DDEAMC ) in Augusta, GA. I was working in the Army Substance Abuse Program ( ASAP ) and also covering the Emergency Room ( ED ) for Sexual Assault cases.  The days were long and I was sometimes called in the middle of the night to meet with a Soldier in the Emergency Room.  Tension and stress can affect the body differently for everyone. What I noticed was that I was experiencing a lot of cramping and pain in my neck on my right side. I was able to get my Primary Care :Provider ( PCP ) to do a referral for physical therapy.  What a gift !

After a grueling day in my office seeing patients, I was able to down to the basement of the hospital and be seen by my physical therapist. I would take of my ACU uniform blouse and my t-shirt and then I would straddle a therapy chair with my head is a cushion support while the physical therapist would work on my back and my neck for an hour.  I felt so much better after each treatment.  My physical therapist clearly had the healing touch and I was grateful each time that I had a session.

Healing is a profound experience. When you feel better, you know it. Whether the healing is physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual, when you have been healed, you know that you are not the same and that now you can live again and with a new perspective.

The people of Israel were longing for a place that they could call their own.  They had been wanderers, nomads, living from place top place. The Ark Of the Covenant which they carried was kept in a tent.  Here in the text from II Samuel, God says to the people of Israel:  “ Wherever I have moved with all of the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom IU commanded to shepherd my people Israel “: Why have you not built me a house of cedar ? “ ( II Samuel 7: 7 ).

God goes on to say “ I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and not to be disturbed. “ ( II Samuel 7: 9-10 ).  David will be commissioned by God to oversee the construction of the temple which will be the resting place for the Ark Of The Covenant.  Now the people of Israel will transition from being a nomadic people to being a people who are rooted in a particular place- that being the holy temple in Jerusalem. 11 Samuel 7: 1-14, Ephesians 2: 11-22, Mark 6: 30-34,53-56

The healing touch here is with the transition for Israel to move from being nomads to being a people rooted in the land and now in the worshipping temple.  Old Testament Theologian Walter Brueggemann has written:  “God is the map whereby we locate the setting of our life. That God is the water in which we launch our life raft. That God is the real thing from which and toward which we receive our being and identify ourselves. It follows that the kind of God at work in your life will determine the shape and quality and risk at the center of your existence. It matters who God is.”  https://onbeing.org/programs/walter-brueggemann-the-prophetic-imagination-dec2018/  That’s the healing, that’s the heavenly touch that God provides to each and every one of us. 

Mark describes Jesus with the disciples interacting with so many people who wanted to hear and see Jesus.  Jesus is sensitive to the needs of the disciples:  “ Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. “ ( Mark 6: 31 )  So the disciples and Jesus move to a solitary place by boat and yet the people figure it out and they run on foot throughout all of the towns ahead of them. Jesus gets out of the boat and sees them and has compassion on them because they are like “ sheep without a shepherd. “ ( Mark 3: 34 )

The people recognize that Jesus is a healer. They being the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. The sick were placed in the marketplaces. They begged Jesus to let them touch even the edge of his cloak and all who touched him were healed. “ ( Mark 7: 56 )  Think about again when you experienced healing. It might have been after the death of a loved one and someone-either family or friend, took the time to contact you to see how you were doing. It might have been when you were having all of those medical procedures done and someone you know was kind enough  to drive you to those medical appointments and stayed with you.

A number of years ago, I was at a military Chaplain training conference in Santa Fe, N.M. I was supposed to be presenting at this conference. The very afternoon of the conference when my presentation was scheduled, one of the hosts Chaplains in Santa Fe fell ill., He needed to go to the local hospital emergency room. I told the host Chaplain what had happened. He was a Colonel  “ Well, I can’t do that “ he said. We have the conference.  I told him “ Well sir, I ‘ll go.”

Please reschedule my presentation for tomorrow so that I can take this Chaplain to the Emergency Room and stay with him. “  So I drove the Chaplain over to the local hospital in Santa Fe, got him settled in a bay in the Emergency Room. He was getting fluids and was stabilized. I went and had a gourmet lunch in the hospital cafeteria and went back and sat at the bedside with this Chaplain for several hours until he was discharged.  The effected Chaplain and I were both Majors, at the time, and it’s a little ironic that the one who tends to the sick one was the Major and not the Colonel.

The healing touch can present in our lives in surprising ways. Just when you think that everything is predictive, that you know what you can expect, at that moment, grace can emerge and can give even greater insight into the mercy of God.  May we be open to the healing touch of God in our lives.  May we realize that when we know that we are “ wounded healers “ in the words of Father Henri Nouwen, that we can really be about the work of healing the wounds of others.

May it be so, this day and forever more.

In Jesus’ Name.

Amen

Seventh Sunday After Pentecost July 11, 2021

Redeemer United Church Of Christ ( Zuehl ) Marion, TX 

“ When Power Corrupts “

 (  11 Samuel 6: 1-5, Ephesians 1: 3-14, Mark 6: 14-29  )

Rev. Peter E. Bauer

There is a church that I am familiar with that has recently had to close its doors. This church was incorporated in 1921 and now as of the first of May 2021, 100 years later it is now no more.

What happened ? Like some other churches, this church found that its membership was dwindling, attendance went down below 50 and hovered quite awhile between 30-35 people per Sunday.  Recently attendance at this church dropped to 6 per Sunday, the final last members.    How did this church survive with such a dwindling membership ? The Church Session ( Council ) was innovative and they rented their space out to three other congregations, including a Korean American congregation. They rented their fellowship hall to several activities i.e. Weight Watchers, they facilitated a weekly Foot Clinic, blood pressure check and a health education service.  Their resourcefulness regarding utilization of the building paid off. At the time of closure, this church had over $ 100,000 in assets.  So why isn’t this building being utilized ? According to Presbyterian Church polity, the building belongs to the Presbytery, so you think they would be vitally interested in what to do with the property.

Recently, somebody I know inquired what the Presbytery might do with the property. They advocated that the Presbytery turn the building into a Health Education Center and provide space to other social services that could generate outreach to the citizens of this diverse neighborhood of retirees, students, young working professionals. This person was totally rebuffed in their inquiry, stonewalled, no attempt on the behalf of the Presbytery officials to respond at all as to what they might do with the property.  So much for transparency.

This person later found out that the same Presbytery  has been presented with  the same reality of several churches closing and the dilemma of what to do with the property.  I would advise them that they need to decide soon.

In 2014 I was asked to oversee the closure of the then Beacon Hill Presbyterian Church, located in the Woodlawn area, of San Antonio, TX. This was a 125 year old church that dwindled down to 30-35 people attending per Sunday. This was down from the 2000 members plus during their heyday of the 1960’s.  Again, the Presbytery made no decision with regard to the property. Due to the absence of an adequate security system the church was burglarized twice and it sat empty on the real estate market for a year and a half before it was sold to a Pentecostal congregation, relocating from California, at a fraction of its worth.  This is a sad tale. It didn’t need to happen this way. There could have been other possibilities for the property and other ways they could have handled the closure.  But once again, the Presbytery church officials insisted on circling the wagons and keeping everything a secret.

As Doctor Phil would say:

“ How’s that working out for you ? “

Mark’s retelling of the death of John The Baptist is significant. The point is not so much the killing of John The Baptist. During the first century A.D. in Israel under Roman occupation, it was quite common for insurrectionists and rebels to be executed.   According to Dr. James Tabor

“Josephus (b. 37 C.E.) is our best literary source for the practice of crucifixion in Palestine during the Greco-Roman period. As a general in command of the Jewish forces of Galilee in the Great Revolt against Rome (66-73 C.E.), he reports his attempts to save the lives of three crucified captives by appealing directly to the Roman general Titus. One survived the cross under a physician’s care, the other two could not be saved.  And when I was sent by Titus Caesar with Cerealins, and a thousand horsemen, to a certain village called Thecoa, in order to know whether it were a place fit for a camp, as I came back, I saw many captives crucified, and remembered three of them as my former acquaintance. I was very sorry at this in my mind, and went with tears in my eyes to Titus, and told him of them; so he immediately commanded them to be taken down, and to have the greatest care taken of them, in order to their recovery; yet two of them died under the physician’s hands, while the third recovered.”
The Jewish Roman World of Jesus | Josephus' References to ...

https://pages.uncc.edu › james-tabor › josephus-referen...

These are not folks you want to invite over for barbecue.  What Mark is getting at is the hubris of Herod. The excessive pride and self-confidence that Herod displays is what gets the best of him.  Jesus is a concern for him because Jesus is gaining notoriety in his ministry. Of course this threatens Herod and like Al Haig who once noted “ I’m in charge “, Herod realizes that he has to do something to look like he is in charge.  Herod also knows that people are thinking that Jesus is Herod raised from the dead. This belief threatens Herod even more, yet Herod is said to have admired John The Baptist.  Here Herod decides to hold a lavish dinner and party. He needs entertainment and ho he procures the daughter of his wife Herodias to dance,. Of course, Herodias hates John The Baptist because he called out Herod because her married Herodias who used to be married to Herod’s brother Phillip.

Sort of sounds like a day time soap opera, doesn’t it ?  When Herodias’ daughter tells Herod that she wants the head of John The Baptist on a silver platter, it aggrieves Herod. This is the last thing he wants to do.  But in order to save face and to appease his guests, he orders that the gruesome murder be accomplished.

Mark writes:

“ On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb “ ( Mark 6:29 )

This is a prefiguring of what Jesus’ disciples will do after the crucifixion of Jesus.

So again we are seeing the old adage manifested “ power indeed corrupts “  Power corrupts when political opponents and congressional representatives are spied upon and privacy is violated. Power corrupts when churches close and those in religious authority are tight lipped as to what the future may hold with regard to the church members who are displaced.  Power corrupts when we see only our own vested interests as being of paramount importance and we totally disregard and concern for the feelings and interests of others.

The Good News is that the gruesome murders of both John The Baptist and Jesus Of Nazareth did not defeat the faith of their followers. Death did not win out. Over time, make that four centuries the Roman Empire would die. Its grotesque cruelty and oppression no longer was the order of the day.  The Gospel Of Jesus would win out, as it always does.

Jesus calls us to compassionate and to be concerned about our neighbors. Jesus is not encouraging us to be power hungry and exhibit avarice.  The choice is ours, what we will we choose.  Jesus or the Empire ?

May we choose life,

May we choose compassion

May we choose the love of God made known to us in Jesus.

May it be so.

Amen

Sixth Sunday After Pentecost July 4, 2021

Independence Day

Redeemer United Church Of Christ ( Zuehl ) Marion, TX 

“ A More Perfect Union ”

 (  11 Samuel 5: 1-5,9-10, II Corinthians 12: 2-10, Mark 6: 1-13  )

Rev. Peter E. Bauer

Fifteen years ago, I visited a Mosque in Augusta, Ga. I was then serving on active duty with the Army at Fort Gordon, Ga. The congregation had asked me if I would come and give a brief presentation on trauma, particularly Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. When I visited the mosque, it was during Ramadan. The custom is to fast during the day and then you break the fast at night with a dinner ( Iftar ). The night that I spoke at the mosque they invited me to stay for the Iftar.  I arrived at the mosque and was greeted by the Imam and the lay religious leader. I was wearing my Army ACU uniform, and I removed my boots, and washed my feet before I went into the worship area barefoot where I kneeled on a carpet.  The service went well, and the dinner afterwards was delicious, My Muslim hosts were very gracious. As I left the mosque I went out to the parking lot to my then 2000 Black Jeep Cherokee. I noticed there were some green stains on the surface of the hood of the vehicle. I then grew worried. I thought it someone trying to tamper with my car ? Is this religious persecution since I’m parked at a mosque ? Is someone tailing me ? My Muslim hosts were also concerned.  Thankfully, one of the Muslim men suggested that we pop the hood of the vehicle which we did. The mystery was revealed. Apparently when I got the car serviced, the cap on the radiator line wasn’t secured enough. The green ooze that I noticed on the car hood was antifreeze.  My Muslim friends and I laughed in relief.  We weren’t being persecuted. Instead, a mechanic didn’t secure the cap tight enough. 

I subsequently went to the Jeep dealer and they had to repaint the right side of the car frame that was effected.

Two-hundred and forty-five years ago, this day, the American colonies declared independence from the British Empire. The Declaration Of Independence states:  The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript.

Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and others who attended the 1776 Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pa wanted to affirm a new government which would recognize the rights of all . “ E Pluribus-Unum “, out of many one, which would become the motto of the United States Of America.

As a country, we have strived to become a more perfect order. This has not been without a struggle in our history; consider the war of 1812, The Civil War, Slavery, Reconstruction, The Civil Rights battle of the 1960’s and beyond, Blacks Lives Matter, The full recognition of women and minorities in the full life of our country, threats of White Nationalism and other domestic, international and cyber terrorism.  So, today we reflect where we have come from the last 245 years and we look forward to where we may travel as a country into the future.

The writer of 11 Samuel describes how all of the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said:  “ We are your own flesh and blood. “ ( 11 Samuel 5: 1 ) The text goes on to say:  “ When all of the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a compact with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. “ ( 11 Samuel 5: 3 )

David makes a covenant with the people of Israel. 

This is an unconditional covenant made between God and David through which God promises David and Israel that the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would come from the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah and would establish a kingdom that would endure forever. The Davidic Covenant is unconditional because God does not place any conditions of obedience upon its fulfillment. The surety of the promises made rests solely on God’s faithfulness and does not depend at all on David or Israel’s obedience.  https://www.gotquestions.org/Davidic-covenant.htm

Biblical scholars haver argued that it is this covenant structure formulated by David that becomes the basis of Jesus’ covenant with us.  That God’s love is unconditional and that it is free and available to all of us.  No doubt, it was this message of God’s unconditional love that Jesus gave that upset the hometown Nazareth synagogue audience.  Mark describes one person observing:  “ Where did this man get these things ? What’s this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles ? “ ( Mark 6: 3 )

Jesus isn’t meeting the expectations of his worshipping community. Instead of subscribing to a covenant agreement that is conditional i.e. I will honor you as long as you honor me; instead Jesus is saying “ No, I will honor and love you, meaning God will honor and love you even if you don’t reciprocate that love back to God.  This idea was dangerous to the religious leaders of Jesus’ time. I would argue that this idea is still dangerous in our own time with regard to our religious systems.  God says that we need to reach out to others, those who are strangers, those whom we may not even like, those whom we would consider to be “ the other. “

Our American experience has survived and thrived because we have said and believed that everybody counts, that everybody is important and that everybody’s needs and rights and beliefs need to be recognized and affirmed.  That’s what makes our country exceptional – that in the words of Willie Nelson when he describes Luckenbach, TX  “ Where everybody is somebody. “  That’s us !

As long as you and I remember that, then I believe that our country will continue to thrive and our future will be bright for everyone.  I also think it’s wise to exercise our cultural humility and even humor to recognize “ it’s not always persecution “, sometimes it’s just the radiator cap not being on tight enough.   We can continue to prosper as a country and as a people when we remember that we all need each other, that everyone in this country is a part of the beautiful quilt that is the United States Of America.

Let us remember that and celebrate that and recognize the sacred in all of us.

May it be so.

Happy Independence Day !

 Amen

Fifth Sunday After Pentecost June 27, 2021

Redeemer United Church Of Christ ( Zuehl ) Marion, TX 

“Throwing Seeds, Planting Ideas, Changing Lives”

 (  Lamentations 3: 22-33 , II Corinthians 8 : 7-15 , Mark 4: 26-34  ) 

 Rev. Peter E. Bauer

Several years ago, I planted a lot of wild flower seed in my backyard. For several seasons, there have been an abundance of Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrush and other flowers.  This year, despite the February winter storm and the recent rains, there has not been that many flowers. There hasn’t been any bluebonnets, some red and occasional orange blossoms but nothing like years before.

When you sow seed, you are acting in faith that you will see something bloom, something develop. You may first prepare the soil, maybe rototill, rake out any lingering weeds, add fertilizer. You do these tasks because you want to see a good harvest.  Yet, as many of you know, what happens after you plant the seeds is up to a number of factors including the availability of rain, sun and what God has in store.  Now what God has in store can sometimes be a surprise.

Look at the example of Samuel. He was convinced that Saul would be the perfect person to become king of Israel. Yet, according to the text from I Samuel, Saul does not generate an effective reign. Jn fact, he is a disappointment.  Hence Samuel is then lead on a quest to find the appropriate and able person to lead.  The Lord says to Samuel:  “ I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be King. “  But Samuel said:  “ How can I go ? Saul will hear about it and kill me. “

( I Samuel 16: 1-2 )

Samuel probably had reason to be concerned. Here he was an advisor and counselor to the previous monarch and God is now telling him “ I want you to help find a new ruler. “  Samuel might have been concerned that Saul, like Tony Soprano, might want to whack him.  Yet Samuel goes to Bethlehem to offer his sacrifice to the Lord.  While there, Samuel sees Eliab, Abinabab and Shammah, and seven of Jesse’s sons and yet the Lord does not chose any of them.  This was probably startling for Samuel as all of these people would have been considered A-listers of their day.

 Jesse finally announces

“ There is still the youngest, but he is tending the sheep. “  Samuel responds :  “ Send for him. We will not sit down until he arrives. “( I Samuel 16: 11-12 )  So David arrives and is described as “ ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features “ and he is anointed to be king.  The Lord says, “ Rise and anoint him. He is the one “ ( I Samuel 16:12 )  Here instead of selecting the most obvious prime contenders, the opposite occurs:  someone is selected who is not known, someone who is out in the field tending the sheep.  David will go on to reveal himself as a strong beloved king and yet will also reveal all kinds of human foibles and weaknesses.

During this Interim ministry here at Redeemer United Church Of Christ, we have learned to do things differently. The pandemic initially forced the cessation of live worship. We were relegated to initially recording services and posting them on our websites. Pastoral visitation and fellowship activities halted. Communications were limited to the telephone and via Zoom.

Despite these limitations, Redeemer has been able to enjoy successes like our Harvest Auction which raised almost as much money as the previous Harvest Festival. The Youth experimented with a series of lively and enlightening press conferences with the Interim pastor. The church has also procured and installed the new play equipment behind the church which will provide enjoyment for generations of children and families.  New ideas and new procedures have been planted and growth has been occurring during our time together.

The passage from Mark’s Gospel describes the Kingdom Of God arriving like a man who scatters seeds on the ground. The seeds sprouts and they grow, though he does not know how. “ ( Mark 4: 26 )

The United Church Of Christ and the Christian Church ( Disciples Of Christ ) have partnered together to form Global Ministries International:  At any given time there are approximately 150 people in mission serving on behalf of Disciples and UCC in close to 50 countries. These include approximately 50 fully supported missionaries, 10 global mission interns (young adults just out of college), 10 long-term volunteers (one year or more) 20 to 30 short-term volunteers (2 weeks up to a year) and 50 overseas associates (being paid by international partners).  Short-term volunteers serve from 2 weeks to a year and there is a group trip program called People-to-People Pilgrimages that helps 70 plus Disciples and UCC groups per year have an overseas experience.  Global Ministries seeks to appoint mission personnel to places where capacity-building (leadership and community social infrastructure development leading to self-sufficiency) and healthcare are a primary focus.

https://www.globalministries.org/about_us_what_is_global_ministries/

Global Ministries is fund through the United Church Of Christ Our Church Wider Mission ( OCWM ) offering program and the One Great Hour Of Sharing ( OGHS ) offering program.

Both of these programs have planted seeds of hope and new life throughout the world. People who have been devastated by poverty, malnutrition and lack of resources have had their lives transformed by these ministries.

The sower sows the seeds and does not necessarily know what will germinate from the planting.  As Christian believers, we share our faith with others domestically and internationally and we trust that God will provide the grace and love that sustains us, that the Kingdom of God will be known now and that our lives will be transformed.  The next time you plant seeds for as garden, for crops, think about what is going into the ground and think about all of the possibilities of growth that might be made available through the love and grace of God made manifest in Jesus Our Lord.

May our lives be fruitful and productive now and always.

May it be so.

In Jesus’ Name.

Amen 

Fourth Sunday After Pentecost Father’s Day June 20, 2021

Redeemer United Church Of Christ ( Zuehl ) Marion, TX 

 “ Calming The Storm ”

(  Job 38: 1-11 , II Corinthians 6: 1-13, Mark 4: 35-41  ) 

Rev. Peter E. Bauer

Today we are honoring Fathers, those who are currently parenting children, those who have adult children, and those fathers who have died and who are no longer with us.  Fatherhood is an important institution. Social scientists will say that children thrive better when there is as father in the home ( National Institute of Fatherhood 2000 ). But the sad reality is that we have a lot of children who have fathers that are absolutely absent in their lives . Again, in some cases, this phenomena can produce problems for children, lower academic performance, conflicts with other children, conduct and behavioral problems, and struggles with self-esteem and mental health.  Children in single parent families, either led by a mother or a father, can also thrive well. But a single parent will probably tell you, that there are occasions when they wish they had someone to help them with parenting.

Think about your own family. Did your Dad teach you how to fish or hunt, how to catch and throw a ball, how to repair a car or tractor engine ? All of these are very important skills to learn.

Maybe, your father wasn’t that present in your home or in your life. He might have been working hard, earning a living and in the process was barely visible within the life of the family.

The late singer-songwriter Harry Chapin noted in his song 

“ Cat’s In The Cradle “

“ And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
 Little boy blue and the man in the moon
 "When you coming home, dad?" "I don't know when"
 But we'll get together then
 You know we'll have a good time then”

The song of course chronicles the story of a son and dad trying to connect but it never happens. The dad is usually too busy to engage with his son. Finally when the son becomes an adult, the dad wants to spend time with the son and you guessed it, The son now is too busy to spend time with the dad.  The vicious cycle of neglect continues.

 The movie “ Manchester By The Sea “ is a 2016 American independent tragedy film written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan that stars Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, and Lucas Hedges. The plot follows a depressed man who, after his brother dies, is entrusted with the care of the latter's teenage son. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_by_the_Sea_(film)

 Lee Chandler, portrayed by Casey Affeck, is a handyman. He is a troubled soul having lost his own children to a tragic house fire that kills his children. Subsequently he and his wife divorce.

 When he least expects it, his brother dies and he finds out that his brother has entrusted to him the care of his teenage nephew Patrick.  This story creates a tumultuous storm movement of its own. Lee is suffering from Depression and Substance Abuse and Patrick is trying to make his way in the world, as a 16 year old boy, active with playing hockey and also involved with his girlfriend.  Both Lee and Patrick are experiencing their own respective storms and yet it is in their connection and interaction that there begins to emerge some stability and comfort for both of them.

 Mark tells the story of Jesus being in the boat with the disciples. Jesus says to the disciples:

“ Let us got over to the other side. “ ( Mark 4:35 ).   So Jesus and the disciples go in the boat, along with other boats, and they go to the other side of the lake.  All of a sudden, a furious squall comes up and waves are breaking over the boat so that it is nearly swamped The disciples are anxious, nervous and understandably scared.  Jesus is described as being in the stern sleeping on a cushion.  The disciples in turn wake Jesus up and they say, “ Teacher don’t you care if we drown ? “  It’s the fear and the danger of the situation that prompts the disciples to entreat Jesus to save them.

A young boy was once left stranded and the first responders arrived and took care of the child. The first thing that the child asked the rescuers was : “ Hey mister, do you know how to drive ? “

 The disciples are uncannily asking Jesus

“ Do you know how to drive ? “  Do you know how to lead and how to provide protection ?

Jesus does respond by getting up, rebuking the wind and saying to the waves:  “ Quiet, be still ! “. 

The text then states “ that the wind died down and it was completely calm “ ( Mark 4: 39 ).

Jesus then says to the disciples:   “  Why are you so afraid ? Do you still have no faith ? 

( Mark 4 : 39-40 )  The disciples, at this point, still don’t appreciate what has happened. They are terrified and they ask each other:    “ Who is this ? Even the wind and the waves obey him ! “

Fathers and mothers ideally provide strength and security for their children. When this doesn’t happen, for whatever reason, it means that there is a disturbance in the attachment between the parent and the child. If the attachment disturbance continues, it can be a recipe for the child to experience possible long term challenges in being able to trust and connect with others that can long extend into adulthood.  Churches can be supportive for parents who are trying to become more effective with their parenting skills.  For years, congregations haver offered their space to hos classes for Systematic Effective Parenting Program ( S.T. E. P ). This program helps parents anticipates the developmental stages of development for children from toddlers to teenagers and helps fathers and mothers interact effectively with children regarding communication and appropriate discipline.  Newer programs like Scream-Free Parenting are also now being offered in church settings.

Jesus calmed the storm that surrounded the disciples.  What storm are you facing right now ?. What storm am I facing right now?  Jesus comes to us and asks that we allow his entrance into our lives.   Like the child who asked the first responder:  “ Hey mister, do you know how to drive ? “  Jesus offers to us protection, nurturance and guidance as  we continue our relationship with God who is Emmanuel , who is “ with us and among us. “

May our storms be stilled.

May our lives be comforted.

 May all fathers and mothers be blessed and may children and adults continue to flourish.

May it be so this day and always.

In Christ’s name.

Amen 

Second Sunday After Pentecost June 6 2021

Redeemer United Church Of Christ ( Zuehl ) Marion, TX 

“ Who Belongs In Your Family ?  “ 

( I Samuel 8: 4-11, II Corinthians 4:13-5:1 , Mark 3: 20-35) 

Rev. Peter E. Bauer

You have probably seen the television commercials for companies like Ancestry.Com, 23 and Me etc. which promise to give people insights with regard to their genetic background and history.  The rise in sales of DNA kits helped Ancestry, which also offers subscriptions to amateur and professional genealogists for access to its trove of research documents and family trees, to grow revenue to $850 million, up 25% form a year earlier. Jan 10, 2017 

Ancestry.com DNA Database Tops 3M, Sales Rise To $850M ...

https://www.forbes.com › sites › miguelhelft › 2017/01/10 

23 and Me also provides Genetic testing, genealogical testing and medical research. According to Forbes magazine they earned $475.1 Million ( 2019 ) and reported having 683 employees ( 2017 ).  That’s as lot of forensic swabs !

The PBS show “ Finding Your Roots “ with Harvard Historian Henry Louis Gates Jr. spotlights various well-known celebrities, authors, actors, etc. and also provides a genetic blueprint for the guests regarding their particular genealogy.  All of this tells me that many humans are concerned about their origin. What is their ethnic and social history ? Who were their people ? What group and with whom do we belong?  These can become complicated and even perplexing questions.

A few years ago, there was an interesting discovery in my family.  My wife found out that she has a cousin that she didn’t know existed.  This information came to light through Ancestry.Com.  After reviewing a lot of information online and having a series of telephone conversations, we were finally acquainted with cousin Billy.  Indeed, his mother had suffered from a terrible mental illness and as a child, Bill had to go live with an aunt who did not treat him well. He suffered a lot of emotional and psychological abuse. He was able to join the military and had a successful military career. He is now retired and is working successfully as a civilian for the federal government.  Bill is a wonderful guy and yet if it were not for the science of genetic and genealogical testing, he wouldn’t have become a part of our lives.

We usually define family as who is related to whom. Social scientists have developed the tool know as a genogram which can graphically show trends in a family over generations regarding health, illness, separations, divorces, births and deaths.  I would imagine if we did genograms of families here at Redeemer United Church, we would see a lot of people related to one another over a series of families.  This speaks to our interconnectedness as s community with our German, Czech and other cultural influences.  Family and community are very important to us here at Redeemer, as they should be.  Our Christian faith, is also asking us to look beyond family and community.

The text from II Corinthians states as follows:

“ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. “ ( II Corinthians 4: 18 .   You may have experienced moments in your life, I know I have, when the unexplainable happened. You missed the impact of an automobile accident by inches. Or you had the experience of being run off of the road by an 18 wheeler truck and you lived to tell about it. Or maybe you discovered other critical elements of information regarding your personal and family history that helped the pieces of that puzzle come together for you.  When the spirit of God touches our lives, amazing things can happen. New insight, new joy and new purpose kin our lives can become ours.

This is what I think Jesus was getting at from our Gospel passage for today.  Mark relates that Jesus’ mother, Mary, arrived at a house where Jesus was staying. They were standing outside and they sent someone in to call him.  You can appreciate that they were probably worried about Jesus. They might have been concerned about what he might be saying and if it would cause a disturbance, particularly if it incited the Roman authorities.  The crowd was sitting around Jesus and they told him,  “ Your mother and brothers are outside waiting for you. “ ( Mark 3: 31-32 )  Again, we are hearing the argument that what constitutes family is belonging to a particular tribe, or clan.  The message they are telling Jesus is “ Your people are waiting for you. “ But here, Jesus turns the tables on everyone.   Jesus asks “ Who are my mother and my brothers ?  He looks around at those who are seated on the ground around him and he says

 “ Hear are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother. “  Jesus is redefining family here. Jesus in reimagining what the community of the faithful looks like.

This may be hard for us to hear.  Those who belong to the family of faith may be different from us, may not look like us, may not think like us.  I’ve talked to a lot of young people who joined the military partly to get away from home environments which were not safe, where there was abuse.  These young people would say to me “ the people with whom I am serving feel more like family, feel more like people that I can trust versus the people with whom I was raised.”  What kind of family can we become as the Church ?  Will we be exclusive, only associating with those who believe and think as we do or will we be willing to open the doors and windows and allow for further dialogue and education and understanding regarding how the Gospel Of Jesus, the Good News, affects and transforms the lives of all people ?

 Genetic and genealogical research platforms have brought new insight regarding how we understand where we have come from and what we have become as people.  New family members like Billy have been discovered.  How we understand our genealogical roots has also changed as well.

May we remember as The United Church Of Christ affirms; “ No matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here. “

May it be so for us all this day and always.

In Christ’s Name.

 Amen

Trinity Sunday Memorial Day Sunday May 30 2021

Redeemer United Church Of Christ ( Zuehl ) Marion, TX 

“ Busy Being Born Or Busy Dying ?  “ 

(  Isaiah 6: 1-8, Romans 8: 12-17, John 3: 1-17)

Rev. Peter E. Bauer

During July of 1969, my mother and I took a road trip from Portland, Or to Milton-Freewater, Or ( Eastern Oregon ) to visit our cousins Richard and Virginia Gullixson. We were planning on staying overnight with them and then drive on to Spokane, Wa to visit with my mother’s Uncle Herb.  The drive to Milton-Freewater was long and hot. We passed a lot of wheat fields in Eastern Oregon. Richard worked for the Army Corps Of Engineers. He was involved with a lot of the maintenance projects for the hydroelectric dam system on the Columbia River. Virginia was a stay at home mother.

I remember that my mother told me that we had to be careful regarding what we discussed because Richard and Virginia had recently lost their son Richard Jr. who was killed in Vietnam. He was assigned to a parachute unit and on his first night jump he was descending into enemy territory. He had been shot by North Vietnamese forces and was found dead hanging in his parachute that got caught in a tree.  Richard and Virginia had a lovely house. They were the perfect gracious host and hostess. They insisted that we stay with them for the night. Virginia told me “ You can stay in Richard’s room tonight. “ Then she added, “ You’ll be our son for tonight. “

Now this quite a lot for a 16 year old boy to absorb. I went into his room and the room was immaculate and it looked the same as when Richard Jr. ( Ritchie ) had left for the Army. There was a big world globe, a baseball bat and his catcher’s MIT.  Also neatly folded on his bed were his Carolina blue pajamas which I wore that night.  Yes, this was a strange and unnerving experience for me. Yet, somehow I knew, even at 16, that I had to keep it together. I had to be cool and support them because I knew that they were going through tremendous grief due to the death of their son.  I’ve thought back to that night many times over the years. This event is probably one of the main reasons that I have spent so many years providing emotional and psychological support to Veterans. 

On Memorial Day, we remember those who lost their lives in the service to their country. Those who died in war, those who died in the line of duty and those who have subsequently died after their military service and also for all of their family members who have been affected by this loss.  How we memorialize those family members, friends, etc. that we have lost can be described as discovering how we can be born into a new life, post the death of a loved one,

due to combat and military service or it can be busy dying to unrelenting grief and sadness.

Clearly, Richard and Virginia were stuck in their grief. Who could blame them ? They lost their son who was 20 years old. Someone in the prime of his life who had the potential and promise of a long life ahead of him.  Yet, this did not occur. 

Isaiah, the prophet, describes this vision that he has of seeing these seraphs, each with six wings. He records that they were calling to one another “ Holy ,Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty, the whole earth is full of his glory. “  Yet Isaiah observes: “ Woe to me, I cried. I am ruined. For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty ( Isaiah 8: 2-5 )

Oh, how I relate to Isaiah !

When you experience something traumatic, whether it be a car accident or loosing a friend to death, your brain is busy trying to figure out what happened. All the scenes of the incident are replayed and a person may find themselves playing would a, should a, could a. Meaning, I wish I had done this action and not that action. I should have done something different. I could have saved this person from dying or prevented this tragedy from occurring.  Over the years, I have seen many people suffering from trauma who have been asking these same questions. It can be their attempt of trying to get the mental picture straight in their head.

John introduces us to Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He was a Pharisee. Nicodemus wanted to see Jesus and to converse with him, but the only time that was available was to see Jesus at night.  Nicodemus acknowledges Jesus as teacher. He says: “ For no one could perform the miraculous signs that you are doing if God were not with him. ( John 3: 2 )

It’s here that Jesus has this conversation with Nicodemus about “ being born again. “ Nicodemus isn’t getting what Jesus is saying. He’s thinking that he may have to be physically born again.

Instead, Jesus is telling Nicodemus and us that our new life is not a physical one but it is spiritual life that has been rejuvenated.

I felt very bad for Richard and Virginia. I wanted to do something to help them, but I didn’t know what to do.  Five years later in August of 1974, my mother and I saw Richard and Virginia again. This time were invited to the wedding of their daughter Laurie. The wedding occurred outside in the Shakespeare garden of the Rose gardens in Washington Park overlooking the city of Portland.  It was a picture perfect August summer afternoon in Portland. Laurie looked beautiful in her wedding gown. Richard and Virginia were both beaming with pride.  I was happy to see them again. They looked much better and I didn’t sense as much pain and grief as before. 

After the wedding, we were back at my cousin Duane’s house in Southwest Portland for the reception. Richard offered me my first beer and we talked about school.  I thought about how they had expressed their grief regarding the death of their son.  I wanted to mention Ritchie in our conversation, but I didn’t because I thought it might be too overwhelming and I didn’t want to put a damper on the wedding celebration.

Bob Dylan once observed

“ that he who is not busy being born is busy dying. “  I think the meaning here is that we are always about reinventing our lives again and again and again. We leave childhood, travel through adolescence and arrive at adulthood, perhaps feeling like we don’t have everything we need in order to survive and to grow.  Our Christian faith tells us that our life continues to develop. We don’t stay the same. Who we are in our 20’s is not the same person we are in our 70’s.  That’s a good thing.  We want to grow and evolve.

Being busy being born is away to live out the reality of the Resurrection of Jesus in our lives. We continue to be transformed through the love of God. That transformation doesn’t just occur individually, but it also occurs in our life with others in the community of faith. 

May we continue to see our continuing transformation. May we know that we are continuing to be born anew again and again.  May we embrace this new life and make it our own.

May it be so.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen

Pentecost Sunday Graduation Sunday May 23 2021

Redeemer United Church Of Christ ( Zuehl ) Marion, TX 

“ We’re Always Graduating From Something “ 

( Acts 2: 1-21, Romans 8: 22-27, John 16: 4b-15 )

Rev. Peter E. Bauer

I must have been six or seven years old. I was riding my bike and I still had training wheels on the bike. I remember I felt really self-conscious. All of the other kids were riding their bikes without training wheels and I still had mine on.  One day a neighbor helped remove the training wheels from my bike. This was D-Day. Next store to our house at 1826 SE 80Th Avenue in Portland, Or was Jim Bridger Grade School and its big playground.  I got on my bike and ventured forth slowly, wobbling back and forth. I managed to get to the cement playground and a voice told me peddle harder and faster and I did.  Then it happened:  I discovered that if you peddled fast the momentum kept you upright and you were balanced and you didn’t fall.

At that moment, I discovered the freedom of mobility !  What a liberating moment !  On a bicycle you had the ability to be mobile !  I had graduated from training wheels to a two- wheel bicycle !

In the movie “ Kramer Vs. Kramer “ ( 1979 ) Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep portray Ted and Joanna Kramer., They are going through a divorce. Their son Billy Kramer played by Justin Henry is emotionally torn by the reality of his parents breaking up.  Billy, like me, experiences his freedom one day when his father takes him to Central Park in New York and Billy discovers that he can ride his bike for the first time ! The camera shows a great shot of Billy joyfully riding his bike into the distance while his father ( Ted ) is grinning, celebrating and waving his fists in the air.   I came from a single parent family and when I saw the movie in (1979)  I felt envious of Billy. He had his father with him when he discovered his moment of freedom.  Billy also was able to graduate from training wheels to a two- wheeled bicycle, with the sound of the Mandolin Concerto in C Major by Antonio Vivaldi playing in the background.

Today we are celebrating Pentecost, the beginning of the church and we are also celebrating our graduates.  Both Pentecost and graduation have something in common.  Pentecost really is a watershed moment. The early followers of Jesus have experienced Jesus’ death by Crucifixion, they have also been transformed by the Resurrection of Jesus and have even been eye witnesses to appearances of him after the resurrection.  Now a new manifestation, the Holy Spirit will emerge.

The writer of Acts tells us:

“ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. “ ( Acts 2: 3-4 )  The gift of the Holy Spirit transformed the life of this early community of believers. They graduated into becoming a church, an “ecclesia “ also known as an assembly.  The Holy Spirit, the “ comforter “ would now lead this group of followers of Jesus to become a force of compassion and reconciliation in the world of the first century.  These early followers of Jesus graduated into a mobilized force with the mission of proclaiming the presence of the Kingdom Of God.  They would move from meeting in homes to gathering in a meeting place to centuries later gathering in great cathedrals.

The movement of the Holy Spirit never stops and its manifestations are always new and unpredictable.  You know that to be true when something happens to you which confirms your belief.  “ A God Moment “  For you, it might have been that word of encouragement from a parent or from a teacher. It might have been that financial gift of generosity when you least expected it. It might have been that friend who stated with you when you were sick or when a family member died or when you life changed unexpectedly due to some other tragedy.  God moments come in all sizes, shapes and manifestations.

Today, our graduates are experiencing their own “ God “ moment. The end of studies has occurred, and degrees awarded and now the road to the future is open with new possibilities.

Education gives people not only knowledge but it also provides choice, as to what to be and what to become.  There are 19 colleges with full affiliation with the United Church Of Christ Council; on Higher Education and 11 historically related colleges and universities affiliated with the UCC.  Theological education institutions include Harvard and Yale Divinity Schools, Union Theological Seminary in New York, Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves, Mo. And Pacific School Of Religion in Berkeley ,Ca. among others.  Initially church related educational institutions were for the purpose of educating clergy like Harvard and Yale. Now, of course, education has become inclusive of other areas, focused on the sciences, technology, health care, human services etc.

As people and as followers of Jesus, we are constantly evolving, constantly changing. We Are graduating from period to period in life, from childhood to adolescence, from young adult hood to middle age and then to our senior years.  All along the way there are births, marriages, divorce, remarriages, health, illness, death.

As Jackson Browne astutely observed:

“ With so much changing

And changing for the worst,

You got to keep your head up baby,

From the cradle to the hearse. “ 

( About My Imagination )

Yes, there is new life.  Pentecost marked the beginning of new life for the followers of Jesus. The church was born and there was a purpose and a mission that would live long after the lives had ended for those initial believers.  Today, our graduates embark upon their new lives, to new jobs, to new educational institutions, to service in the military, to continued service in our community.  We’re all graduating from something. The challenge becomes are we aware of where we have come from and where we are going ?

The old saying goes:

“ When you travel, its always helpful to be with others as opposed to being alone. “  The church, make that our church, is here for you and me, but it is also here for others.  That’s what we are called to be, evangelists proclaiming the Good News.  Like transitioning from training wheels to two wheels, our freedom begins.

What’s your good news ?

What’s my good news ?

Hopefully, it is that God is with us in all times and in all places.

Through Jesus we graduate to all different phases in life and the grace and love of Jesus can be made manifest in our lives.

May it be so.

Always

In Jesus Name.

Amen  

Seventh Sunday Of Easter May 16, 2021

Redeemer United Church Of Christ (Zuehl) Marion, TX

“Devine Direction“

(  Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Psalm 1; John 17:6-19)

Rev. Jennifer Gold