Small Surrenders
In Mathew 11 Jesus says, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
This is not to say in any way, that I want anyone to ‘skim through Lent’ like stones skipping across a pond. Rather consider taking small, daily intentional steps that are both manageable but also intentional efforts to surrender; to our wills and our desires to God.
Small Surrenders can be done in a myriad of ways:
You might consider attending Ash Wednesday Worship for the first time, especially if you have had negative associations with the concept of Ash Wednesday in the past.
You might consider praying again daily or for the first time.
You might consider using a daily devotional either by yourself or with a spouse or friend. (I have compiled a list of new titles that are easily ordered online (see inside pg 3).
You might consider joining one of the Lenten bible studies that will be offered this Lent.
Or perhaps coming to the Seder, and/or the Holy Week Services. Only you know what it is that you are dreading or avoiding in your relationship with God. Lent is a wonderful time to surrender even the avoidance!
My hope and prayer for all of us is that we can be open to surrendering ourselves to God in whatever way we are being drawn, especially because it is God who wants to draw near to us.
Surrendering with you in Christ,
Jen
Sojourner
As I write to you, I’m on vacation at a deliciously-quiet, snow-bound retreat hideaway. Part of this wonderful time away affords me additional freedom to ponder and pray with particular psalms.
Today I opened up to one of my ‘favs’— Psalm 84. Psalm 84’s overall theme is the JOY and celebration experienced by a sojourner returning to his home-soil and tabernacle (specifically Solomon’s temple) and the joy he experiences with God not only at his arrival to the sanctuary, but also the joy and gratitude for the pilgrimage to/from the “Dwelling Place” of the Lord.
Back in the fall I preached on Ps. 84 for the Sunday that we returned to worship in our newly renovated tabernacle. It was a perfect text, for a wonderful day, when we joyously processed in with all the elements of our worship space and reconstituted our new tabernacle.
As I read and prayed Ps. 84 again this morning, I was struck by the amazing parallel to this year’s Christmas Eve worship services — both of which were joyous, meaningful and a little unusual.
Some of you know we took a survey of regular attendees this fall, to poll whether we might change the hours of the Christmas Eve services, to improve sliding attendance. The results, the comments, and even the participation were mixed. Since there was no overwhelming trend or desire to change, we left worship times the same as in recent years.
Interestingly, attendance was up 36% at both services! This is always encouraging for pastors, choirs, worship committees and staff. But here’s the remarkable thing: many of the ‘usual suspects’ were not in attendance. Instead, there seemed to be an unusually high number of visitors, friends of friends of the church, and even individuals who had no connection to the church, who sojourned to worship with us on this Holy night.
Quite a few of the visitors, on their way out, all said something to the effect: “I’m so glad I came.” “I thoroughly enjoyed this.” “I WILL be back!”
This, dear Saints, is very good news that strangers feel welcomed and met by God.
The psalmist speaks to this that “even the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest for herself where she may lay her young.” It seems to me that as we continue being more outwardly and more mission focused, our worship time and space is a very important part of “making disciples of all nations” (Matt 28).
You, Saints, are the ones who have inspired and enabled a wonderful new tabernacle and meaningful worship by offering your gifts of time, treasure and talents, your gifts of hospitality and generosity, your leadership and manual labor, and your genuine friendliness. Together, we have created (with God’s grace) a place and space in which God not only delights in dwelling but also a setting that sojourners from near/far are drawn to, and want to return to.
This brings great joy to my heart as I know it does yours, but most importantly it brings joy to God’s heart.
So whether you are able to worship with us in person or in spirit, I encourage you to receive, celebrate (and pass on) the joy of a beautiful and life-giving tabernacle which allows us to experience God’s movement, equips us to make disciples of all nations and invites others to do the same.
Blessed Christmas-tide.
En-JOY-ing worshipping with you in Christ,
Jen
A Place So Bright
A little over 6 weeks ago, much of the world was glued to a television for at least part of an epic, all-night rescue of 33 Chilean miners who had been trapped for two months, 2,000 feet below the earth’s surface. It was a stunning, miraculous and heart-warming experience for all involved, the least of which were we, safely tucked away in our living rooms, as we watched history and lives being changed forever.
I was delighted some weeks later to stumble upon David Letterman interviewing Edison Pena, one of the 33 miners, who had come to New York City to run the NYC Marathon. Evidently Pena had decided to run the NYC Marathon after two months of ‘running laps’ underground, while he was trapped, as a way of passing the me as well as keeping himself healthy — physically and mentally.
I watched with amazement as Letterman deftly and gently ask questions of Pena, a man that Letterman clearly could admittedly identify with in any way, shape or form. As Letterman queried and waited for the translator to relay his questions, it was remarkable to watch them both in the lag of translation.
It felt as if the live (and the home) audience was privy to holy space.
Letterman gingerly asked, “…and I don’t know anything about mining but I gather there are many rooms and small sections and narrow halls, and as a new miner, what was that like for you?”
As Pena watched and waited to receive the translation, you could almost see him having a visceral memory of his then naiveté. He responded. “The ?rst me I walked into the mine I wanted to turn
around and get out, but that wasn’t really an option — so I just kept going deeper and deeper into the mine. I wanted to go back, and I said ‘Can’t we just turn around?’ But it doesn’t work that way.”
As Letterman and Pena both began to hit their conversational stride, overcoming the challenges of a live interview with a translator, they discussed many things; the meager living conditions, the di?culties of food rationing, problems with personality con?icts and sanitation concerns — many of which were hard to hear.
But the stunner, was Pena’s surprising description of having to wear sunglasses the moment he was brought up to ground level because after having been underground for so long, there was so much light that he couldn’t take it in.
Saints, this is a wonderful metaphor for the waiting and enduring of the darkness of Advent. It is a me of waiting AND darkness and waiting IN darkness.
For many, life comes to an end this me of year; actually more than all other times of year, combined.
We also physically lose light daily and have decreasing levels of daily sunlight light until the “Longest Night” — Dec 21st. Liturgically we also mark Advent with dark colors of navy blue or purple vestments and paraments.
And it is also o en a difficult me as we remember and deeply miss, loved ones who may no longer be bodily (or even mentally) among us in our pews, at our tables, in our homes.
But Advent is meant to be a preparation time, a waiting time for the coming of good, better and brighter things to come.
Solar-wise, it literally starts to get lighter again as of Dec 25th (if only by a half a minute for so) and increases daily until June 21st.
Time-wise as Christmas draws nearer and nearer we get less and less obsessed with perfect Christmas events and more and more open to surprises of the Holy Spirit, big and small.
And most importantly faith-wise, the light of Christ, the hopefulness born of an innocent child, from mysterious beginnings and humble roots, begins to again rule in our hearts and remind us again that In Jesus Christ, there is hope (and proof!) that God’s love can overcome the darkness of not only our fears and worries, but all that threatens our faith.
So wherever you are in your journey, your life and your faith, whether you are feeling lost and trapped below the surface or waiting for a loved one to return, TRUST that God is with you, and watching over you, and guiding you through a capsule to bring you ultimately to a place which is so bright, that (as ZZ Top says) “you’ll have to wear shades.”
From Encore to Renewal
Dear Saints,
Many of us are still floating from the wonderful organ dedication concert this past Sunday with Diane Bish. It was a thrill to have “The First Lady of the Organ” in our midst as well as to hear and see her stunning musicianship and enjoy her charming personality. It was a glorious day for our church, our community and the church catholic.
There are however, a few things you may not know about Diane Bish — that I learned about her during her visit with us.
First, she is a NFL fan.
I don’t mean that she ‘likes’ football… I mean that she loves the game as much as I do! She was actually looking longingly at the non-cable widescreen TV in her dressing room, hoping to watch the 2nd quarter of the 1PM games, before playing our concert! (I’ll discuss this with Property Management).
Secondly, it turns out we’re not the only church to have experienced prolonged, embarrassing ciphers (when a note gets ‘stuck’) on our organ. While Diane was rehearsing for her first time playing at Notre Dame, (which has one of the largest organs in the world) the lowest note of the entire organ (called the bombard 32) got stuck and played, non-stop for an hour and half!
You can just imagine how scary it was to the hundreds of people passing by Notre Dame late on that Saturday night! Lastly, Diane, though she played marvelously, was actually quite ‘under the weather’ Sunday. But even though she felt miserable, not only did she end the concert with the very famous and uber challenging Toccata by Widor (vee-door), she even played an encore!
I think this is a wonderful metaphor for us as we focus on Renewal during this time of stewardship.
The call to Mission comes in all shapes and sizes. For Diane, it is both the articulating and the carrying out of God’s message through witness and music. And even when Diane was unsure that she could even finish her mission, she prayed for God’s assistance (as did a few of us behind the scenes), she dug deep, and she finished out what she came to do.
God is calling us to do the same.
We know that God is calling us to renew our mission goals and commitments, grow our faith and increase Christian Ed at all age levels. But all the plans in the world cannot be carried out without partnering with God through prayer and following through on our commitments of time, treasure and talent.
Diane, herself a faithful Christian, shared with us that when she struggles in her own faith journey, she turns to her favorite hymns to get her through.
As she announced these three favorite hymns that she would play, she quoted the text from one of them, as she clenched her fist against her chest, “Amazing grace how sweet the sound…that saved a wretch like me…”
Friends, in this time when both the ground goes fallow and we pray about our pledging to God’s missions in the church, may you take time to pray for God’s guidance. May you dig deep as you discern your pledge for 2011 and may you remember that it is only God’s Amazing grace that calls us, saves us and leads us home.
Renewing with you in Christ,
Jen
Sanctuary Renovation – Done!
When I last wrote (back in late June) for the summer newsletter, I described the short-term future of worship for our summer, because we were at the beginning of our plans for the sanctuary and organ renovation.
The actual process began by a meaningful worship service on July 18th during which, with great care, we removed all of our important worship aids/items from the sanctuary and brought them to Reighart Hall for summer worship. We likened it to the Israelites after the Exodus where they carried with them the Ark of the Covenant, which was a large box that contained the tablets of the 10 Commandments as well as Aaron’s rod and manna for the journey. This is often nick-named: “God on the Move”
And we were on the move, worshiping in Cool (!) Reighart Hall for the better part of the summer while our sanctuary and our organ (“The Beast of Boonton”) were under renovation. While some of us were unsure how the worship space, the air conditioning, the locale, the loaner (roller-skating-rink-esque) organ, the hard wooden seats, and the juggling of hymnals were all going to work out, I am delighted to report: we had the best Summer attendance in 8 years!
Those of you who attended know that we enjoyed the worship space and all of its elements much more than many of us expected! We also introduced craft-time for children ages 3-8 with great success — so that parents could enjoy some quiet in worship. We also tried a new children’s sermon method called “Stump the Pastor”… and was I ever stumped! I still don’t quite know what a “Bop it!” is — but I’m sure I’ll get one for Christmas…
The Summer of Not Standing Still
A friend and I were chuckling recently about the saying, “the only thing that is constant is change.” It seems to be so true, at least for me, so I had to look it up to see who said it. My guess was Ben Franklin. It turns out it was Heraclitus (or Herakleitos), a Greek Philosopher who was a native of Ephesus, ironically, but 1500 years before Paul ever stepped foot there. WOW.
Heraclitus’ original thought, on the now modernized quote was originally “everything flows, nothing stands still.”
And so it is true as well for us at First Church, Boonton; more so this summer as we start our capital improvements, and tho’ it will be challenging, ‘it’s all good.’
1 First, because of the generosity of so many members and friends of First Church, we have been able to purchase a NEWORGAN. It is set for delivery and installation this August. And… because the ordering of the new organ has been ‘put in motion,’ the old one has to be removed (and rather quickly) because of the sequencing of the other capital improvements.
By the time you receive this newsletter, our current organ, the famed “Beast of Boonton” will have been decommissioned and removed. This will be bittersweet as we say goodbye to a friend that has served this church faithfully for over 50 years. We will however, be holding onto some pipes as momentos and selling the wood pipes and draw or “stop” knobs to anyone interested. They make great gifts. Hey, Christmas is only 6 months away!!
Whilst waiting for the new organ to be installed Sarah (and her substitutes, when she is on vacation) will be using the piano while still in the sanctuary.
2 Then, after the organ is removed we will begin preparing the bellows room (the room to the left of the pulpit which now houses the organ bellows and some of the pipes). This will be the new entrance for the proposed handicap ramp. We are still awaiting word about the grant application from the Morris County Preservation Trust for the exterior ramp construction. But regardless, the Trinity Fund will provide the improvements needed from the inside to widen the door, prep the interior walls and establish access into the sanctuary.
3 Third, we will commence the Sanctuary renovation this summer. This will consist of repainting and recarpeting the sanctuary as well as some other cosmetic and woodworking upgrades before the new organ is installed in August.
4 When the renovation work begins, we will worship in Reighart hall and be using the ‘loaner organ’ that Allen Organ will provide for us. The worship committee has also come up with some exciting, new and creative ideas for worship while in Reighart, while still maintaining the integrity of reformed worship.
5 We will also be adding a NEW “Craft Time” during worship for children ages 3-9, after the Time For Children, so that parents can enjoy worship while the ‘wee ones’make worship crafts in the Foundation. That begins Sunday July 4th, (See pg 8 in this issue)
6 And speaking of children’s sermons…“Stump the Pastor” starts Sunday June 27th, a new way of doing children’s sermons, using items brought in weekly by children that I’ll somehow weave into a lesson on the spot. Let us pray…
7 Finally in response to numerous requests for an outdoor worship service we will have the Labor Day worship service Sunday Sept 5th on the grounds of the Manse. Lawn seats will be at a premium but PLEASE—NO camping out on the lawn the night before.
So Saints, there are many wonderful new and changing events this Summer. Please keep the Session, the SRC (Sanctuary Renovation Committee) and me in your prayers, so that with the changes that come, we can continue to enjoy the constancy of God’s love.
Changing with you in Christ,
Jen
Ministry of Presence
Why Stop Mutitasking?
Face Value
Inside the May Spire there are, as usual, lots of wonderful pieces of good news: updates on activities in the life of this church and updates on how God is blessings us so we can bring blessings to others.
But there’s also some Good News that shouldn’t be missed. It’s the message from the Youth Sunday Easter-tide sermon “Face Value.” Two of our juniors, Devon Kelly & Jordan Keoppel, preached this jointly-shared theme about seeing Christ, and therefore others, at face value and building meaningful and authentic relationships, as a result.
As always, the youth members of R.O.C.K. and Tekna Theou did an outstanding job. They both led and inspired us to worship fervently and look even deeper and more honestly into Luke’s story of the road to Emmaus, at face value.
Since the last of the blooms on our lilies are likely long gone, you may not realize that we are still in ‘Easter-tide.’ Easter-tide is the period of 50 days that runs from Easter to Pentecost (May 23rd — don’t forget to wear red!).
Easter-tide is a time of enjoying the glow of the Glory of the Resurrection, a time to rejoice in our redemption and give thanks to God for God’s most merciful act in Jesus’ death and resurrection for us.
But I’ll betcha many of us are no longer thinking of our Lenten journey’s nor the power of Easter because…we are already on to the next thing, and focused on the joy of sunny days and cool nights and giddy over the growing hours of daylight.
But, if we rush to throw away our palms, put away our bonnets and baskets and leave the empty cross behind, then I wonder if we also too quickly pack away our contrite, devoted hearts for a shallow life where God gets buried under graduation invitations, summer camp applications and endless house and garden projects.
Don’t misunderstand me. I love the break that comes after the challenging season of Lent and Easter. I too delight in longer days for gardening and pending trips to the beach, but Easter really isn’t the end…it’s the beginning. It’s the beginning again of an invitation to live deeply and authentically in God’s grace. It’s the beginning again of trying to receive the unfathomable love that God has for us. It’s the beginning again of trying to live a life worthy of our baptism.
And…there’s still a lot more worship and ministry and mission that God is calling us to.
We have Mother’s Day (5/9) and Music Sunday (5/16) with the dedication of our new hymnals.We have Pentecost and Mission Sunday on May 23rd (did I mention Wear Red!?)We have Confirmation Sunday June 13th and Father’s Day to celebrate (where another one of our children will be baptized) and then VBS June 28th – July 1st.
And the always joyous summer worship in our “unconditioned” sanctuary! But at least this year we’ll have a new organ!
I know we are all looking forward to the end of school and the slowing down of the rhythm of the church year. But don’t let the passing of Easter and the ending of Easter-tide entice you back into old ways of laissez faire attitudes, limp attendance and half-hearted prayer and worship.
After all… God too, wants to be seen at face value.
Photos
New Moderator
