Holiday cheer for troops...

I just ran across this and thought it worth sharing...

10 talents and 21st birthdays

This past week was Pastor Jeff and Joey Abram's birthday. The lesson for Sunday was the story of the 10 talents, where a rich man gives his servants different amounts of money. Two of them invest the money and return double, while the 3rd is afraid and buries it in the ground.

What does this have to do with turning 21? Jeff talked to us about how God gives us so much and yet we are afraid to do anything with it. When we're 21, we wanna go and see the world. We want to embrace all the things we can become. As we age, we get fearful of consequences. We forget God's generosity.

Word and Rhythm

Drumming evokes something primal in us, something deep in our soul. Back in old times, Slaves shared stories, pounded drums and clapped and sang spirituals deep in the cotton fields late at night to worship.

With the time change, our 6pm service is now squarely in the dark and we gathered with drums and bibles evoking spiritual energy from the past to feed us in the present. We clapped, we read the word to each other and we sang.

Immersed in that moment, I felt connected to everyone in the room, the words that were being shared and to a larger, deeper church --a church that meets in cotton fields, in living rooms and on street corners.

Reformation Day

Today was a celebration of reformation day. About 500 years ago, Martin Luther nailed 95 "thesis" or complaints against the Church to the door of the Cathedral at Wittenburg. On that day, Luther protested (among other things) the practice of selling letters of forgiveness (indulgences) to poor Christians to fund church construction even though forgiveness is supposed to be a free gift. Luther’s action kicked off Lutheranism and pretty much the whole Protestant movement from the Roman Catholic Church.

This evening we decided to make it our own personal reformation day, and had the people write their own complaints against Christianity and our own church in particular. The main theme we came up with was the idea that we are bound up in old traditions that have little relevance to people outside the church. In some way, participating in church is reaching back to something ancient, something bigger than yourself… thousands of years old but still living. On the other hand sometimes we get caught up in the trappings of ceremony or personal piety, and put off those who come with spiritual seeking. Probably the worst thing a Christian can do is to put himself on a holy pedestal. Jesus himself condemned this hypocritical “show faith” in the book of Matthew:

"Their lives are perpetual fashion shows, embroidered prayer shawls one day and flowery prayers the next. They love to sit at the head table at church dinners, basking in the most prominent positions, preening in the radiance of public flattery, receiving honorary degrees, and getting called 'Doctor' and 'Reverend’. Don’t let people do that to you, put you on a pedestal like that. You all have a single Teacher, and you are all classmates. Don't set people up as experts over your life, letting them tell you what to do."

“Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.”

People from all branches of the church whether Lutheran, Episcopal, Baptist, or Catholic sometimes put tradition and piety before substance. God looks for the humble heart of a servant in all of us… one that puts the needs of our family, friends, and community before our own without an eye toward “looking holy”. I have to admit it is tough actually live that way, but an occasional reformation is good for the church.

Logos

"In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God." We've decided to give some focus to our bobblehead biblestudy and read John's gospel. We decided on John because it is a dense theology of Jesus.

Dense turns to be a good way to describe it. We spent about 2 hours or maybe longer and I think we got through 16 verses. I'll try to summarize discussion as best as I can.

The beginning of John starts with "In the beginning..." Unlike the other gospels, John makes a point to go back to creation rather than Jesus's human birth to start out Jesus's story. Some say this is because he is trying to fill in what the other gospels miss, others say because this was the first gospel. No matter the reason, it is an intriguing way to start a book.

John calls Jesus the "Logos" a Greek word maeaning "the reason" or "logic." Heraclitus wrote about the logos saying

"This LOGOS holds always but humans always prove unable to understand it, both before hearing it and when they have first heard it."

We contine... "the word was with God, and the word was God.... through him all things were made." This reminded us of Genesis.

"In the beginning... And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light" God spoke, and there was light. The word was with God and the Word was God, through him all things were made. Somehow, this utterance of God through which creation came to be is in fact God.

Now. the part that blows our mind... "And the Word became flesh and dwelled among us." This utterance that was with God through which the universe was made became human. An eternal breath or sound or energy or logic was made human.

Our brains hurt at this point.

Repentance

This past week we meditated on the nature of repentance and God’s gift of forgiveness. In preparing for prayers this week I reflected on my own shortcomings that constantly pull on the grace of God:

I have let people down

I have come up short when my friends depended on me

I have promised to do the right thing and then gone back on my word

I have said words in anger I wish I could take back

I have passed by the stranger in need

I have turned a cold sholder and made others feel unwelcome

I have selfishly put today ahead of tomorrow

I think that Sara and many others sometimes have the same feelings of guilt too. What is forgiveness? God forgives us on the balance sheet up in the sky. What does this mean for us? Should we be without the feeling of guilt?

Sara gave the message this time. We read through the parable of the two brothers, one who said he would do his father’s work in the field but went back on his word, and the second who refused, but later went out to work in the field. Obviously the second brother is the one who did his fathers will.

We read psalm 51, a beautiful expression of repentance and forgiveness written by king David. Reading the works in a couple of different versions with contemplative Taize music in between really set the mood for reflecting on what repentance means for each of us.After the lesson, Sara left silence for people to focus on what they needed to repent of, and announced Jesus’ forgiveness on us all.

Forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who tresspass against us

What does it mean to forgive?

Last Sunday we discussed the story of the unmerciful servant. As a reminder, this is the parable about the guy who had a huge debt and begged for forgiveness. But then, turned around and didn't show mercy to a friend of his who owed him a small amount of money. The story was brought to life by the drama group that performed a modern interpretation.

In the conversation, we talked about how forgiveness is like removing the bullet after a gunshot wound. The bullet needs to come out before healing can begin... and sometimes.... the bullet finds itself lodged in very delicate places and there is not always a simple answer to what it means to forgive.

What about in situations where people will still harm us? what does forgiveness look like then?

We talked about giving up the right to revenge. When people do bad things to us we are totally justified in reactions of vengeance. To forgive is to name those things which we have right to do and then to let go of them.

And so even though it can be complicated, forgiveness can be very cleansing and healing. What would it look like if you woke up one morning and the world was completely fresh. There was no bad air between you or anybody else? What would it look like if everyday you had a clean slate with the people you love?

God teaches us forgiveness because we have to live with each other's brokenness.

Grace through Faith - a bit of theological bantering

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."

Tonight was our first bible study -- or perhaps more accurately described as theological bantering over beer and pizza.

The theme: How does grace work through faith?

If grace is a gift and we can't do anything for it, what is faith, is it not an action on our part - to believe? We went a bit around and around on this, as you can imagine. What is grace? What is faith? what are works? What is salvation? What is God? What's the point?!?!?

We went all over the place, so it is difficult to summerize, but the pizza was good and I learned a lot. And oh ya, check out the bobble head Jesus -- he was the life of the party!

The dance of Creation

This Sunday we celebrated creation as a whole congregation, bringing together the Crossings folks and the traditional service worshipers. The music and worship styles were blended. To me, it felt like true celebration of what it means to be a community that reflects God's creation through our own creativity.

The service began with a call and response song "Come let us worship God" which we have traditionally done with the piano. For this service, Mary led the call, I led the response and Don and Jerry play African rhythms on the Djembe.

We then sat down to listen to Leanne lead us through a "Godly Play" creation story. Godly play is our new Sunday school curriculum which is Montessori based and allows children to explore faith through stories and questions.

After our Godly play, we all got up and danced and clapped our hands, as Jerry led us on "Wake up my soul." My seat was in front with the musicians and from that vantage point I could see a see of smiles as people let the music move them.

We then read the creation story one day at a time. Between each of the readings I sang a calypso song to which the congregation responded "It was good, it was good, it was real good.

"In the beginning.. God said let there be light" with this, the alter guild brought forth a lit candle.

"And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." God called the expanse "sky."" The alter guild brought forth blue banners representing the sky.

"And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." Jeff placed small cups of water and the congregation brought the water forward and filled the baptismal font.

"Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." The alter guild brought forth potted plants.

"And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, " Around the outside of the room were several tables with candles on them. Each person got to go light a candle.



" And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky."" Under many of the chairs were placed stuffed animals which people brought forward and placed around the alter.

"Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."" We joined hands and sang together.

"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work." Perhaps the most touching of them all. On this day, we raised our hands and sang in celebration of creation... imagine a bunch of Lutherans raising their hands and dancing in church. One Sunday, in Davis California, it really happened.

Who is Jesus?

He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?"

Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are."

Who is Jesus?
Jesus asks a simple question that has a profound answer. Who am I? Who is Jesus? A wise man, a teacher, a prophet? Peter responds -- Son of God. What the heck, where does this come from? What does it mean? What makes Peter say this?

I wrestle with this question. Who is Jesus? Who is God? What does it mean for God to have a son and how can they be one? Without the bible or years of Christian tradition and theology, would I ever conceive to think of Christ as the son of God. This revelation of Peter's is so profound and Jesus responds by validating that there is no earthly way he could have come up with it.

Jesus continues by saying -- now you know who I am, let me tell you who you are -- I am struck by this. The idea that Peter's, and our, identity is somehow defined by who Jesus is makes me wonder -- How does Jesus as the son of God shape who I am?

I don't have an answer, but it is a curious question.

Taize

Taize is an ecumenical monastery in France that was started with a vision to unite the all branches of the church and promote interdenominational healing. The community uses singing of the psalms, silence and prayer to meditate on God's grace.

Emily, one of our band members spends many of her summers visiting Taize and has recently come back to share with all of us. We sat in a circle on the floor with an alter made of red and white candles. The children processed in with the cross, laying it on the floor at the center of the alter. We sang many songs including Nada te turbe, a Spanish tune which says that nothing can trouble us if we belong to God.

Get out of the boat!

This week we sat with Peter, out in a little boat on a stormy sea in the middle of the night. Through the waves, he sees a ghostly figure walking on water. Jesus yells -- Hey guys, don't worry, it's me! Peter, in usual manner, blurts out -- "if its you tell me to come out of the boat" (careful what you ask for) Jesus says - come. Peter gets out of the boat and starts walking on the water. Then he realizes what's happening (Willie Coyote moment) and starts to sink.

Our discussion about this verse centered on... What does it mean for us to get out of the boat? Here's some of the major points:

• Being identified as a Christian or living your faith in the "secular" parts of your life - work, school, etc.
  
• Not knowing what to do at a major decision in life and having peace that God is working
• Having faith when you don't "feel" like you do
• Doing something you know God wants you to do even if you are afraid that you will fail at it
• Doing something or opening yourself to something that you don't have control over
• Helping strangers in the middle of the night or in other "risky" situations

What does it mean for you to get out of the boat?

Crossings Drama Troupe

Since Lent and maybe longer, I have felt a gap at Crossings. We bring so much creative energy to the music of our worship but not to the retelling of the Gospel, the heart of faith. There are so many rich stories and deeply human experiences revealed in scripture and yet we read them in a monotone voice to an disengaged but polite congregation.

It bothers me almost as much as reading psalms of praise that speak of dancing or playing of tambourines. Come on people.... God didn't create us to live without expression.

I want to bring the stories and questions of faith to life with something we can grasp. Something that can get in our bones and keep us thinking. I want to connect with the essence of what scriptures reveal.

Sharing this with people around has birthed the idea of performing drama at Crossings. I'm not sure where this adventure will take us but am excited to imagine new ways to interact with powerful and ancient stories.

What is the kingdom of heaven?

Throughout the Gospel's Jesus refers to the illusive concept of the "Kingdom of Heaven." Last Crossings service we struggled with what this means. Is the kingdom a physical place? a political unit or group? a relationship with God?

In the service we looked at 6 parables about the kingdom of heaven...

The kingdom of heaven is like

• a treasure buried in a field discovered by a trespasser
  
• a valuable pea rl sought after by a merchant
• yeast that makes bread rise
• a mustard seed that grows into a huge bush
• a net that catches fish, good and bad
• "Then you see how every student well-trained in God's kingdom is like the owner of a general store who can put his hands on anything you need, old or new, exactly when you need it."

Our conversation placed the kingdom of heaven as faith and how these parables describe different ways that it can come to people. What do you think?

We then made a "kingdom of heaven" board where we cut out pictures from magazines that provided images that we could use as analogies to explain the kingdom of heaven. What would you post?

Sojourner's Service

Last Sunday was one of the most emotional Crossings services I have been to. It was done like a baptism service, with many stories and readings with songs in between. Many people were there -- Kali and Greg, Don and Heidi, Jen and Nathan... It was a recognition of Crossings as a crossroads. It is a place that people journey through. A community shaped by the traveler and a community that shapes the traveler as they pass through.

We read of Noah, Abraham, Moses, Ruth, Jonah... all on journeys. All discovering God's purpose in their lives. We sang the blues and "This Road" and many other songs that highlight the ups and downs along the way. We prayed for each other and all the sojourners who have spent time with us.

The last story was the road to Emmaus. In this text, Jesus, recently risen from the dead, joins some disciples on the road to Emmaus. The disciples don't recognize him. On the way, he explains the mysteries of the scriptures. Touched, they ask him to join them for dinner. He does. And as he breaks bread, they recognize him. Immediately, he disappears.

This is Jeff's favorite Gospel. Jesus appears. Joins us at the table. then leaves mysteriously and we are left around the table talking about it. His message to Corey and Nancy and for all of us is, as we travel, Jesus is with us and the body, the community of the church is with us. And when we sit at the table and break bread, we are all there together. God bless you, all who are out there on the journey, in spirit you are with us.

Rockin' Spirit Jam

On Friday, July 11, we relaunched our "Spirit Jams" we were able to connect up with some musicians from the Davis Music Coop. It is so exciting to see musicians in Davis getting together. We had a great time.

Musically, we were all over the place. Joey sang "Satisfaction" and "My generation." We also groved with some experimental jazz, and more accoustic tunes like "Black magic woman" and "Into the Mystic."

We played for about 6 hours and finally left around 2:30 in the morning.

My generation

The Gospel this week came from Matthew.

"How can I account for this generation? The people have been like spoiled children whining to their parents, 'We wanted to skip rope, and you were always too tired; we wanted to talk, but you were always too busy.' John came fasting and they called him crazy. I came feasting and they called me a lush, a friend of the riffraff. Opinion polls don't count for much, do they? The proof of the pudding is in the eating."

Joey helped us explore this text musically through an blaring interpretation of "My generation"

The Gospel continues with...

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work...Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Naomi shared a touching story from her recent trip to Mexico where she helped build a house for a family. In the beginning, the work was hard for her. The boxes and bags heavy. But as time passed, she felt the burden lighten and was reminded of this verse. Coincidentally, it happened to be the Gospel this week.