SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 43:1-3, 5-7 Living BibleBut now the Lord who created you, O Israel, says: Don’t be afraid, for I have ransomed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you…
Say the word “treasure” and think of pirates and deserted islands and “x marks the spot.” Say “heart” and think emoji or beloveds or Jesus. Say “gratitude” and think of…each of us fills in the blank. One of the by-products of our experience of the pandemic is the falling away of non-essentials, so that we may see what remains. Jesus tells us from across the centuries in language as clear as the front page news: what you treasure is what you love. What we love, we treasure. How does that lead us through this time into which we are living? In this weekly visit to the Base Camp of our church community we’ll rest a bit, and we’ll reflect, refuel, and refresh our sense of reverence.
The well known story of the ten bridesmaids from the Gospel of Matthew urges us to wakefulness, mindfulness; readiness! “Keep your lamps trimmed and burning,” we sing, “The time is drawing nigh!” Clearly, it is a story meant to remind us to be prepared. What is worth wondering is: For what? For when? And by what means? In this weekly visit to the Base Camp of our church community we’ll rest a bit, and we’ll reflect, refuel, and refresh our sense of reverence.
Isaiah’s vision of a world without violence may be the deepest song of our hearts to this day. How shall we carry that vision to abundant fruition? How shall we be citizens of both heaven and earth? What of us belongs to which? It is likely we will answer with differences, because we are different – by design! There is room for all of us – and need for each of us – in the world and in the Base Camp of our church community, where we regularly gather to rest and reflect, refuel, and refresh our sense of reverence.
This Sunday as we return to the Base Camp of our church community to rest and reflect, refuel, and refresh our sense of reverence –we will talk together about talking. The rhythm of our lives has been grandly interrupted by changes, intrusions; separations. We are weary of communicating through screens of various sizes. And at the same time, we are yet growing and responding; collecting thoughts – finding meaning – becoming something new! What shall we make of the story of this time? What is it making of us?
This Sunday we again return to the Base Camp of our church community to rest and reflect, refuel, and refresh our sense of reverence. We remind each other of the visions that send us outward – and of the Center that shapes and guides us. Last week we heard Jesus’ lesson in conflict management, which has led us directly to this week’s question: So…what about forgiveness? How is that supposed to work, and do we really have to?!? Well, nobody HAS to do anything, but yeah, to be free, we kind of do. We’ll consider all of this from a garden perspective, where we weed and prune and plant – and then feast!
September begins a new season of Base Camp in our church community. We gather to reflect and to rest, refuel, and restore a sense of reverence – and wherever we are gathered in Jesus’ name, Spirit attends. This week Jesus continues his nomadic course in Justice with a lesson on conflict management. One on one, or as groups – congregations, communities, culture – how do we live out diversity and navigate our deep differences? Let’s talk.
We’ve been walking with Jesus through the gospel of Matthew. Time and again he has sought time apart and been interrupted. Today we ourselves take refuge…in a moment from the book of Exodus. How are we doing, packed in our many individual baskets? What visions might develop as we float in the reeds, held by the ‘in between’ of the living river. On this precious Sunday of our dwindling summer, we return to the Base Camp of our church community to reflect – and to rest, refuel, and restore our sense of reverence.
Today we consider a midnight storm on the Sea of Galilee, a small boat filled with workers, and the arrival of Jesus across the water – a true example of Deus ex machina! What do we know of darkness? Of storms? Of boats that seem oh-so-very-much-too-small? Of turbulent seas? Of confidence and doubt? Why, this is our natural habitat! What do we know of each other and of Jesus? We return to the Base Camp of our church community to reflect – and to rest, refuel, and restore our sense of reverence.
Today we consider the story of Jesus and the Miracle of the Impromptu Picnic. It is a story told SIX times in the gospel! This one must be important. Let’s talk about why…and sing and pray and share our own Table Fellowship – a present day remembering of those ancient “bring your own” meals. You are invited to bring something to your table as you join worship this morning. Something resembling Communion elements (bread and juice) or Loaves and Fishes – or a cup of tea. We will commune as we return to the Base Camp of our church community to rest, reflect, refuel, and restore our sense of reverence.
