Blog Archives - Fairfield Presbyterian Church

GIVING EMBRACES THE PROMISE - from Sunday, March 29, 2015

3/30/2015

Following up the previous week of giving (remember the potlatch?), we encounter individuals who give themselves and their prized possessions in faithful service to God and Kingdom. Their giving makes profound statements, and reveals for us the contrast between worldly values of getting and sacred values of giving.

Famed Presbyterian minister and author Frederick Buechner was writing about God’s calling, life’s purpose, and personal joy when he stated: The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet [emphasis added].

Contrary to the worldly emphasis on getting, the life balanced in the Christian spirit realizes that there is another key element in giving. It brought some interesting responses from the inmate students in my class on Lifemapping at MCI-Lowell.

It is also a contrast between worldy empire and its focus on getting power, wealth, and maintaining order, and the Kingdom's focus on justice, righteousness, and peace.

These contrasts are on dynamic display in the readings from Isaiah, the third part of the Suffering Servant passages, and from Mark's account of the woman who anoints Jesus with precious perfume on the night of his arrest to the astonished horror of the disciples.

The life of faithfulness and spiritual values anchored in the Kingdom instead of in the empire challenges our life situations and pushes us to examine our choices and what really matters. Jesus shows us his willingness to take the dangerous good news into the center of power in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, seeking to reveal genuine Kingdom values that directly challenge political, religious, and wealthy elites.

Check out the full sermon video below and find the downloads below the video panel.

03-29-15-ff-answers.pdf
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03-29-15-giving_embraces_the_promise.pdf
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STAINED GLASS MEDITATIONS - Jesus praying - March 28, 2015

3/28/2015

We are sharing "Stained Glass Meditations" composed by our Session (ruling) elders during Lent. They'll appear here on the web site's blog, on our Facebook page, and via blast email.

They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, ‘Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’
- Mark 14: 32-36

This window shows Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. He took Peter, James and John along with him. He was very upset and troubled saying, “my soul is very sad. I feel close to death.” He asked them to stay back and keep watch. He thought by staying on guard, they would not be tempted by sin. Jesus went a little farther and kneeled down. He prayed to God, “Take this cup of suffering away from me. But let what you want be done, not what I want.” An angel came from heaven and appeared to Jesus. This gave him strength and then began to pray harder.

These passages represent obedience to God through Jesus’ acknowledgement of authority. This obedience is its true self when it is part of a relationship in which love and trust are its motive.

Parents who expect their children to be obedient also need to experience this loving and trusting authority. Their parents live by example by answering to the authority of their God based principles.

In our hectic lives, it is difficult to find time to pray. For example a mother with small children rarely gets a few minutes of quiet time to seek the Lord. A business person spends all his or her time in meetings, on the phone, or travelling. Once again Jesus was extremely busy but takes the time to be by himself and pray as shown in this window. Prayer makes the difference between doing it your way or God’s way.

May we seek God’s will every day. He will deliver time and time again in the most unexpected ways.

The flower below is the Rose of Sharon. It was mentioned in Solomon 2:1. The center includes a heart imbedded with a cross, which represents Jesus’ love for humanity and love for God, who gave him strength to endure the suffering on the cross.

- Lou Petty

References: Mark 14:32-36, Luke 22:39-43
Ask The Bible, By R.T. Brooks
Faith In Motion, By E. Larry Beaumont

SURRENDERING FOR THE PROMISE - from Sunday, March 22, 2015

3/23/2015

The potlatch tradition among northwest American Indians focused on surrendering and sacrificing possessions of greatest value. It served to keep the richest from dominating, to reinforce community standing and emphasize the importance of the web of social relationships in one's well-being and success. Do you have a possession which you would be loathe to surrender or sacrifice? Could something stand in the way of your embrace of God's promise for you?

The passage from Jeremiah notes how God regards the nations of the world, like a potter at the wheel. If the image being created becomes marred and corrupted, it can be cast down and re-shaped into a design more pleasing to the potter. This serves a cautionary notice to politicians who seem to ramping up notions of "exceptionalism" for our nation. When a nation believes itself to be exceptional, where the standard rules don't apply, when kingdom values that prioritize the needs of the poor, weak, and vulnerable are dismissed for [name your reason here]'s sake, then it should be no surprise that the Potter wants to do a makeover.

The passage from Mark is the familiar story of the rich man, a difficult one for us Westerners who enjoy the wealth of the world and its benefits. It is a unique passage in that Jesus doesn't set up this high expectation - go and sell all you have and give it to the poor - anywhere else. While the dismay of the disciples at this high expectation has its interesting points, we find in a close reading of the text that Jesus is focusing on the one thing that this fawning rich man possesses that blocks him from God's promise.

So, what will you bring to the potlatch?

Check out the whole sermon video below, and find the downloads below the video panel. Nice face, pastor!

03-22-15-ff-answers.pdf
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03-22-15-surrendering_for_the_promise.pdf
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STAINED GLASS MEDITATIONS - Jesus and the sheep - March 21, 2015

3/21/2015

We are sharing "Stained Glass Meditations" composed by our Session (ruling) elders during Lent. They'll appear here on the web site's blog, on our Facebook page, and via blast email.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep... I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep." - John 10

When I look at this window. I feel the presence of the Good Shepherd looking over his flock. I think about how God is like a loving Mother and Father who remembers their children. It makes me realize that there is someone much greater than myself. It reminds me that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and also the gatekeeper.

Jesus knows his sheep by name, and they know his voice. He leads his sheep to good pastures and water. He lays down his life so that the sheep could have abundant life.

He tells us that, if we follow in his teaching, when we get to the gate, he will know our names and recognize our voices, opening the gate so we may enter. The man who enters by the gate is the Shepherd of the sheep.

Jesus gave his life so that all people will have life, and have it abundantly.

- Martha Richardson

RENEWING FAITHFUL BEARINGS - from Sunday, March 15, 2015

3/17/2015

Things change over time. Our assumptions start leading us rather than first principles. Why? Those assumptions have become old familiars, unquestioned while growing along on their own path. Lent is a season when we can check our drift from what matters and get re-oriented to where we should be in our faith lives.

In the scriptures on Sunday, we looked at the tragic and comic elements that occur in the story of King David's procession of the Ark of the covenant into Jerusalem. David's assumptions about himself and his relation to God were untenable, to God anyway. Poor Uzzah took the brunt of the rebuke, and rather harshly. But it shows how often it is calamity, and nothing less than calamity or utter failure, that is able to awaken us from our fantasy world and respond to the truth and sovereignty of God, God's will, and God's promise.

The story of Jesus walking on water is not at all about the miracle of walking on water. It all about the disciples and their failure to act faithfully. A careful reading of the text, particularly the key vs. 56, shows how this whole event is intended as a wake up call for the stubbornly unresponsive disciples.

What assumptions do you need changed? This is the season to take the time, form a discipline, and see how you can renew your bearings, aligning with God's promise in your life.

Check out the whole sermon video below, and find the downloads below the video panel.

03-15-15-ff-answers.pdf
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03-15-15-renewing_faithful_bearings.pdf
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STAINED GLASS - THE PROJECT STORY - March 14, 2015

3/14/2015

The suggestion to add stained glass windows to the sanctuary was offered by Elder Fred Gatrell during a June 1997 Session meeting. At that time, the plan was to enhance the sanctuary by replacing the old windows on either side of the altar where the piano and organ were positioned. Fred had spoken to Mr. Jack Costello of Ocala Plate Glass & Mirror and estimated the cost of the two windows including Lexan protective panels to be $3,278.00.

The suggestion was presented to the congregation asking for pledges to pay for the windows and if in agreement we would proceed with the project using funds from our savings account balance of $3,585.05 to be repaid with pledged donations.

The congregation agreed to go forward with the project and pledge cards were made available.

Fred, Carla June, and Sara Lukachik were appointed as a committee to meet with Mr. Costello, select possible choices for the windows' religious scenes and symbols, and present them for Session approval. The project had everyone enthused. The materials were soon in Mr. Costello’s hands and payment of $3,278 was issued in July for the work to begin.

It wasn’t long before members were not only making pledges for the two windows but also talking about creating additional windows as family memorials. By February, we had received pledges of $2,025 which was 62% of our goal for the two windows.

In March, we held a BBQ fund raiser and with the $1,359.01 proceeds reimbursed our savings account in full with a bonus of $106.01.

The Sunday School class decided to pledge their weekly offerings to the project and our June ice cream social’s proceeds of $300 were added to the fund also.

Memorial windows were created through family donations for the Yongue family and Edna Yongue Boyer and were dedicated with the church project windows on March 14, 1999.

Mr. Costello continued creating the windows as they were chosen with the final dedication of all stained glass windows on October 10, 1999.

Christ blessing the little children ....Edna Yongue Boyer Memorial
Ascension..........................................Yongue Family Memorial
Christ knocking at the door .............Donna Bartlett Memorial
Adoration ..........................................Henry Gatrell Memorial
Crucifixion ........................................Billy Mason Memorial
Resurrection .....................................Edward Joseph (Joey) Wiest, III Memorial
Christ in Gethsemane ......................Member Pledges
Good Shepherd ................................Member Pledges
Sermon on the Mount ......................Member Pledges
Side Door Windows:
Mabel Mason Memorial Billy Mason
Gatrell Family Fred & Edythe Gatrell
Vestibule Windows:
Nativity .............................................Tim & Lou Petty
Flight from Egypt ............................Member Pledges

Total Costs $19,500.

- Karen Reid

FAITHFUL IS DIFFERENT - from Sunday, March 8, 2015

3/9/2015

Did you know that Tracfone makes a distinction between Android minutes and basic phone minutes? I discovered this peculiarity the hard way, but it does provide an odd vehicle for seeing how the faith commitment takes what's commonplace and makes it different.

That's what the Ten Commandments were all about. These rules of conduct aimed to define God's people apart from the rest of people. It begins with a clear delineation of who God is and how God's people are to regard their relationship to God. It moves on to articulate rules for the conduct of God's people among other people in society. Being a covenant people of God is different. Being faithful is different.

In John 2's account of Jesus clearing the Temple, we find the Lord confronting the normalization of corruption, where righteousness and forgiveness is systematically sold for a profit at the house of God. God's faithful people need to be different, not adapters to worldly corruption. The justification that it's "business," that "everyone does it," that "we've always done it this way" doesn't hold up under scrutiny with faithful awareness.

Lent is the season for understanding how the faithful people of God are different, as different as Android minutes are from basic phone minutes, according to Tracfone at least. Taking the different, sometimes difficult path goes deep in our Christian tradition. The picture above is a traveler on pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago, a 500 mile journey across rugged northern Spain to Santiago de Compostella which tradition claims to be the final resting place of James, brother of Jesus. This was a hugely popular destination in the Middle Ages.

See the sermon video below to learn more about Tracfone and its minutes, and how faithful is different, plus the downloads below the video panel.

03-08-15-ff-answers.pdf
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03-08-15-faithful_is_different.pdf
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STAINED GLASS MEDITATIONS - Jesus knocking at the door - March 6, 2015

3/6/2015

We will be sharing "Stained Glass Meditations" composed by our Session (ruling) elders during Lent. They'll appear here on the web site's blog, on our Facebook page, and via blast email.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who seeks finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

When I was asked to pick out a stained glass window and tell what it meant to me, it made me think of all the times I walked into church and looked at them. They were beautiful with the light shining through them and each window depicting a story from the Bible. I saw them, but I didn't see them. Now when I look at them, I see them.

Christ knocking at the door makes me think of opportunity. The opportunity to open the door and let him into our hearts and lives. The opportunity to be a good Christian. The opportunity to help others. All of the opportunities that being a Christian gives to us. Many we take advantage of and many we don't.

Let us all take the time now to search our hearts and take advantage of all the opportunities we have been given. They will make us even better Christians than we are and have a better life for doing so.

Go in Peace.

- Eula Kidd

CONTRARY EXPECTATIONS - from Sunday, March 1, 2015

3/4/2015

I told about my extreme frustration with my cell phone (replacement is on the way), and the way every reasonable expectation that I had had was redefined - hence the picture on the left. Confounding our plans, desires, and agendas, contrary expectations and outcomes awaken us to a powerful dynamic of the faithful life. It is that reminder of whose we are and whom we serve, awakening to realize that it is God's way to turn things inside out to advance the Kingdom.

In the story of Abraham and the forming of his covenant with God, the 99 year old busts a gut when God promises he'll become a daddy through 90 year old Sarah. We remember Sarah laughing, but forget that Abraham wasdown on the ground rolling. As last week, we noted the first covenant with Noah, this week the covenant with Abraham moves to the next level. There is a promise and a sign once again; the promise of new life where none should occur, and a sign of commitment and faithfulness for the one blessed with new life.

Turning to Mark's gospel, we find Peter making a mess of things. He has just finished answering correctly the question from Jesus, Who do you say that I am? Peter had stepped right up and said, You are the Christ. Jesus goes on to describe what this means; his suffering, rejection, death, and then resurrection. Peter doesn't like this line of thinking and pulls Jesus aside to correct him. This doesn't go over too well. Jesus has to blast Peter who has been following his own expectations about what the Christ would mena. Jesus reminds the disciples and the crowd that any of his follwers must take up their own cross if they plan to follow him into the promise of new life.

Check out the whole thing in the sermon video below. The downloads are below the video panel.

03-01-15-ff-answers.pdf
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03-01-15-contrary_expectations.pdf
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