Yesterday was a great day to re-learn what makes us "unique" as people of the Reformed and reforming tradition of which we are part of as Presbyterians. Starting with the call to worship, itself a Psalm--and Calvin and Calvinists understood the centrality of Psalms in worship--and then singing "I Greet Thee ,Who My Sure Redeemer Art," followed by Mike McKoon's children's sermon that focused on John Calvin, complete with Calvin masks and all, gave us a kind reminder of our roots. We Presbyterians, like so many other churches shaped in and by the Reformed tradition, are inheritors of the work of John Calvin.
Hope everyone enjoyed the lessons throughout the day of our Calvin forbears.
Peace,
Pastor Brett
Monday, July 13, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Happy Birthday Dear John!
Today is the day of celebrating John Calvin's birth.
An interesting article caught a little bit of the man in the NYT.com today, suggesting the following about Calvin's calling, which is similar to the Apostle Paul:
Click here for more.
Happy Birthday, John!
Peace,
Pastor Brett
An interesting article caught a little bit of the man in the NYT.com today, suggesting the following about Calvin's calling, which is similar to the Apostle Paul:
Although he confessed these failings, his best efforts at correction and reconciliation never extirpated them. What always came first was his conviction of a calling, the calling of a prophet, in his case modeled on Paul, the evangelist, the interpreter, the planter of churches, the negotiator of differences, the disciplinarian of congregations.
Today, such single-mindedness, especially if religious, seems unbalanced or baffling. It can be appreciated only when it drives a political, artistic or intellectual rebel struggling against long odds.
That is the special value of Professor Gordon’s detailed portrait of Calvin as a man in constant motion, beleaguered by political and religious turmoil, a leader who “never controlled his agenda.” The political independence of a militarily weak Geneva was always precarious. Factions within the city were rife. European Protestantism was disunited, torn by bitter quarrels over the meaning of the Lord’s Supper and threatened by the revived power of the Catholic Hapsburgs.Click here for more.
Happy Birthday, John!
Peace,
Pastor Brett
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
John Calvin's Birthday is This Friday
In honor of the founder or Presbyterianism, who believed in the full diversity and inclusion of all in the Church, these profound words of Calvin seem to be pertinent to our mission at FPC-H:
"It is the common habit of mankind that the more closely men are bound together by the ties of kinship, of acquaintanceship, or of neighborhood, the more responsibilities for one another they share. This does not offend God; for his providence, as it were, leads us to it. But I say: we ought to embrace the whole human race without exception in a single feeling of love; here there is no distinction between barbarian and Greek, worthy and unworthy, friend and enemy, since all should be contemplated in God, not in themselves. When we turn aside from such contemplation, it is no wonder we become entangled in many errors. Therefore, if we rightly direct our love, we must first turn our eyes not to man, the sight of whom would more often engender hate than love, but to God, who bids us extend to all men the love we bear to him, that this may be an unchanging principle: Whatever the character of the man, we must yet love him because we love God," - John Calvin, whose 500th birthday is this coming Friday.
Peace,
Pastor Brett
"It is the common habit of mankind that the more closely men are bound together by the ties of kinship, of acquaintanceship, or of neighborhood, the more responsibilities for one another they share. This does not offend God; for his providence, as it were, leads us to it. But I say: we ought to embrace the whole human race without exception in a single feeling of love; here there is no distinction between barbarian and Greek, worthy and unworthy, friend and enemy, since all should be contemplated in God, not in themselves. When we turn aside from such contemplation, it is no wonder we become entangled in many errors. Therefore, if we rightly direct our love, we must first turn our eyes not to man, the sight of whom would more often engender hate than love, but to God, who bids us extend to all men the love we bear to him, that this may be an unchanging principle: Whatever the character of the man, we must yet love him because we love God," - John Calvin, whose 500th birthday is this coming Friday.
Peace,
Pastor Brett
Sunday, July 5, 2009
The Spirit at Worship
The Spirit of God was moving--and is moving--in the lives of the people of Cotton Memorial and First Presbyterian Church, both of Henderson, NC. We witnessed to the love of God for all the people of God, regardless of race, gender, age, or sexual orientation.
The sermon was about the importance of the prophetic Jesus! And then the twist was focusing on the prophets among us today.
Thank God for times of worship like this.
Peace,
Pastor Brett
The sermon was about the importance of the prophetic Jesus! And then the twist was focusing on the prophets among us today.
Thank God for times of worship like this.
Peace,
Pastor Brett
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
A BIG Thank You to One and All!
On Sunday afternoon, we started yet one more new annual (hopefully) event: cleaning up the Church. After worship and a super potluck--First Presbyterian Church knows how to do potlucks--14-20 of the parishioners stayed to clean up the place in which the people of God gather to worship, to learn, to fellowship, and to serve one another. One team tackled the kitchen, another team tackled the lounge and library, yet one more group clipped the bushes in the back near the entry way to the choir room, a cluster of people tackled the weeds near the columbarium, and still yet one more horde of people cut back and cleaned up the very front of the Church grounds itself. We worked for around 90 min. to 2 hours before the sun got the best of us...after all, it was the latter part of June.
What was novel about this whole enterprise was the recognition of how much we created a sense of community together in our cleaning, pruning, clipping, and weeding. It was the people of Christ gathered working, laughing, gossiping, commiserating, cajoling, and smiling together.
A BIG thank you to all who came and helped out.
And for those who couldn't because of time constraints, don't worry: I think another one of these gatherings will be planned for the fall.
Peace!
Pastor Brett
What was novel about this whole enterprise was the recognition of how much we created a sense of community together in our cleaning, pruning, clipping, and weeding. It was the people of Christ gathered working, laughing, gossiping, commiserating, cajoling, and smiling together.
A BIG thank you to all who came and helped out.
And for those who couldn't because of time constraints, don't worry: I think another one of these gatherings will be planned for the fall.
Peace!
Pastor Brett
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Who We Are, Where We Are, and Whose We Are
The last two mid-month meals have been "most excellent," a witty phrase and popular term in the vernacular of this contemporary age. In other words, I heard it on t.v. somewhere.
In May, we talked about the survey the Church took in November 2008. While much has changed in the Church since November, it was helpful to talk about the survey results in great depth and detail. Reading surveys is a tricky business. Even with a Ph.D. in education, and a year's worth of statistics under my belt, I am in awe of the science of statistics and surveys.
What did we learn? Well, for example, there was a sharp break between those who want contemporary worship, and those who don't: 126% believe we need more emphasis on contemporary worship styles, music and language, while 33% are satisfied, and another 26% thinks it receives too much attention (p. 7). Likewise, on p. 2 there were 9% who thought contemporary worship should be strengthened. What does this mean? There is a large group in the Church who want contemporary worship while there is an equally large group who struggle with it. That's important! We probably should include more contemporary worship styles and music.
Likewise, there was an indication that issues regarding "spirituality" should be increased and strengthened (20% on p. 2). That is significant! Since the survey, we've included Midday Prayers during Lent and Eastertide, and will have a healing worship service in July.
Likewise, a resounding 83% believe that the pastor should "prepare and preach inspiring sermons" (p. 5). I'm trying my best to provide this.
There were more interesting insights into the life of our Church in the survey, and I'd be glad to go over those with anyone who is interested. Gary Daeke (Elder) and I had a great time discussing the statistics, and see it as helpful in where the Church is going in the future.
Tonight we talked about Henderson and Vance County, and talked about the strengths and weaknesses, and opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the area. There were several lessons we learned today after watching a rose-colored glass DVD of Henderson, produced by the Chamber of Commerce of Henderson:
1. we are becoming a "browner" community: more people who speak Spanish as their first language are moving into the area, and they are not all Catholic, but include non-denominational Protestants as well;
2. 60% of the homes in the area are rented. This is very large compared to other towns and cities our size;
3. We are "importing poverty" into the area, with many people who are poor moving into the area because of housing (rental) possibilities, along with access to federal and state programs for food, medical care, and other resources;
4. no new industries are moving into the area in the near future, even though we are part of Triangle North, modeled on RDU;
5. drop out rate in high school is high, as is crime in this area.
6. many people have moved out of the area because of the quality of the schools, even though they work in the area. For example, many of the professionals at the nearby hospital live in Durham or Raleigh or Chapel Hill and commute each and every day;
7. We have a lot of retirees around Kerr Lake, and Kerr Lake is a positive draw.
So what does that tell us about our church?
1. people who are moving into the area, and will most likely be part of our church family will be from Central or South America, speaking Spanish as their first tongue;
2. poverty in Vance County is a reality and something we will have to address, and many of those who are poor are African American, and they are our neighbors;
3. we will have to be creative in figuring out how we will grow numerically in an area in which there is little to no growth of those who would have come to FPC-H in the past.
4. Preaching, writing newsletter columns, and other points of references in the life of the Church will change slightly as we become a more racially diverse body;
5. there is still a community of people with developmental disabilities and others with mental illness who need our assistance and who wish to come and be part of our worship.
As I looked around the room of 22 people last night I realized that few if any of us live in a house or apartment right around the corner or a block away from the church building. It dawned on me then: We are not necessarily a community or neighborhood church. We are a downtown church that many of us drive a good distance to come to, and then leave when worship or an activity is over.
So what would the congregation of FPC-H look like were it a neighborhood church?
My hunch? It would look slightly different than we look today.
Thanks to Elder Gary Daeke for his sharing his expertise in this area.
Our eyes, ears, hearts, minds, senses are open. We are aware of the opportunities and threats to Henderson and Vance County at large, and our Church in particular. I see this all as an opportunity to open wide the doors of the Church in welcoming all who desire to follow Jesus, especially our neighbors right around the corner and down the street.
What do you think?
Peace,
Pastor Brett
In May, we talked about the survey the Church took in November 2008. While much has changed in the Church since November, it was helpful to talk about the survey results in great depth and detail. Reading surveys is a tricky business. Even with a Ph.D. in education, and a year's worth of statistics under my belt, I am in awe of the science of statistics and surveys.
What did we learn? Well, for example, there was a sharp break between those who want contemporary worship, and those who don't: 126% believe we need more emphasis on contemporary worship styles, music and language, while 33% are satisfied, and another 26% thinks it receives too much attention (p. 7). Likewise, on p. 2 there were 9% who thought contemporary worship should be strengthened. What does this mean? There is a large group in the Church who want contemporary worship while there is an equally large group who struggle with it. That's important! We probably should include more contemporary worship styles and music.
Likewise, there was an indication that issues regarding "spirituality" should be increased and strengthened (20% on p. 2). That is significant! Since the survey, we've included Midday Prayers during Lent and Eastertide, and will have a healing worship service in July.
Likewise, a resounding 83% believe that the pastor should "prepare and preach inspiring sermons" (p. 5). I'm trying my best to provide this.
There were more interesting insights into the life of our Church in the survey, and I'd be glad to go over those with anyone who is interested. Gary Daeke (Elder) and I had a great time discussing the statistics, and see it as helpful in where the Church is going in the future.
Tonight we talked about Henderson and Vance County, and talked about the strengths and weaknesses, and opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the area. There were several lessons we learned today after watching a rose-colored glass DVD of Henderson, produced by the Chamber of Commerce of Henderson:
1. we are becoming a "browner" community: more people who speak Spanish as their first language are moving into the area, and they are not all Catholic, but include non-denominational Protestants as well;
2. 60% of the homes in the area are rented. This is very large compared to other towns and cities our size;
3. We are "importing poverty" into the area, with many people who are poor moving into the area because of housing (rental) possibilities, along with access to federal and state programs for food, medical care, and other resources;
4. no new industries are moving into the area in the near future, even though we are part of Triangle North, modeled on RDU;
5. drop out rate in high school is high, as is crime in this area.
6. many people have moved out of the area because of the quality of the schools, even though they work in the area. For example, many of the professionals at the nearby hospital live in Durham or Raleigh or Chapel Hill and commute each and every day;
7. We have a lot of retirees around Kerr Lake, and Kerr Lake is a positive draw.
So what does that tell us about our church?
1. people who are moving into the area, and will most likely be part of our church family will be from Central or South America, speaking Spanish as their first tongue;
2. poverty in Vance County is a reality and something we will have to address, and many of those who are poor are African American, and they are our neighbors;
3. we will have to be creative in figuring out how we will grow numerically in an area in which there is little to no growth of those who would have come to FPC-H in the past.
4. Preaching, writing newsletter columns, and other points of references in the life of the Church will change slightly as we become a more racially diverse body;
5. there is still a community of people with developmental disabilities and others with mental illness who need our assistance and who wish to come and be part of our worship.
As I looked around the room of 22 people last night I realized that few if any of us live in a house or apartment right around the corner or a block away from the church building. It dawned on me then: We are not necessarily a community or neighborhood church. We are a downtown church that many of us drive a good distance to come to, and then leave when worship or an activity is over.
So what would the congregation of FPC-H look like were it a neighborhood church?
My hunch? It would look slightly different than we look today.
Thanks to Elder Gary Daeke for his sharing his expertise in this area.
Our eyes, ears, hearts, minds, senses are open. We are aware of the opportunities and threats to Henderson and Vance County at large, and our Church in particular. I see this all as an opportunity to open wide the doors of the Church in welcoming all who desire to follow Jesus, especially our neighbors right around the corner and down the street.
What do you think?
Peace,
Pastor Brett
Returning Home
It is good to be back at FPC-H! My Continuing Education time in the desert of New Mexico was enriching in many ways. One Elder asked me if I came back with some new insights? Answering "Yes," he said "Then it was a good Continuing Education experience."
And what new insight did I have from my 120+ mile pilgrimage in northern New Mexico? A new found appreciation for how each of us pilgrims walk in following Jesus, the Pilgrim God. On the pilgrimage, I came to know who was in front of me by the very stride or strut in their walk. Some people walk with a real saunter, while others simply gallop. There was a sway in some people's walk--a kind of elegance--while others were more military in their footsteps, simply soldiering on as we would do 17-20 miles each day.
On our pilgrimage of faith at FPC-H, I am coming to appreciate each person's style of being a pilgrim in the roadway of life. Some people strut in their walk of faith, while others saunter along the way, simply smelling the roses. Some walk arm in arm with others in faith, inviting others to come along and be with them on the pilgrimage.
Learning to be mindful, and respectful, of each other's walk is part of the ministry of our Church. And people who come and visit us are watching to see if they can simply walk--or roll--with us forward unto the kingdom of God.
Peace!
Pastor Brett
And what new insight did I have from my 120+ mile pilgrimage in northern New Mexico? A new found appreciation for how each of us pilgrims walk in following Jesus, the Pilgrim God. On the pilgrimage, I came to know who was in front of me by the very stride or strut in their walk. Some people walk with a real saunter, while others simply gallop. There was a sway in some people's walk--a kind of elegance--while others were more military in their footsteps, simply soldiering on as we would do 17-20 miles each day.
On our pilgrimage of faith at FPC-H, I am coming to appreciate each person's style of being a pilgrim in the roadway of life. Some people strut in their walk of faith, while others saunter along the way, simply smelling the roses. Some walk arm in arm with others in faith, inviting others to come along and be with them on the pilgrimage.
Learning to be mindful, and respectful, of each other's walk is part of the ministry of our Church. And people who come and visit us are watching to see if they can simply walk--or roll--with us forward unto the kingdom of God.
Peace!
Pastor Brett
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