Saturday, December 13, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sermon Response for 11/23/08
In today’s sermon Francie invited us to reflect on the 2 images of leadership in today’s scripture readings. The first image is of the Shepherd (Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24). The second is of the King (Matthew 25: 31-46).
We can have positive and negative thoughts about these kinds of leaders. A shepherd can be feckless, irresponsible and mean-spirited, or she can be nurturing, selfless and foresighted making sure the sheep are fed and protected. A king can be arrogant, self-serving, exploitive and tyrannical, or he can be morally just and empowering his subjects to be the most productive each individual can be. The good and effective king inspires his folk to care for one another thus building up the common wealth of the kingdom.
What makes the difference between a bad leader and a good one? Francie suggests it is the way the leader uses her or his power. The power which leads to good results is described in the epistle (Ephesians 1: 15-23). This is a power which enables the members of the community to see a vision of the best. The best each individual can be and the best the group can be. This is a power that is effective because it enables us to become aware of the Spirit of Christ within and among us. This is the power of the resurrection. The power of God which can raise us from our stumblings, failings, and weaknesses. This is the power which is at work in the church, the living body of Christ, “the fulness of him who fills all in all.”
This power of good and effective leadership was demonstrated this morning when Penny Curry stood up at announcement time and on behalf of all of us expressed our appreciation of what the Rector, Wardens, executive committee and vestry have been doing to help us through our experience of “The Hole in the Wall.” She went on to thank the Choir and the Choirmaster for all they were doing to lead our worship. Penny was exercising the power of good leadership because she was affirming what was good in us. She was helping us to feel the Spirit empowering us in this time of testing.
We are blessed with the vision, examples and experience of good leadership.
In today’s sermon Francie invited us to reflect on the 2 images of leadership in today’s scripture readings. The first image is of the Shepherd (Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24). The second is of the King (Matthew 25: 31-46).
We can have positive and negative thoughts about these kinds of leaders. A shepherd can be feckless, irresponsible and mean-spirited, or she can be nurturing, selfless and foresighted making sure the sheep are fed and protected. A king can be arrogant, self-serving, exploitive and tyrannical, or he can be morally just and empowering his subjects to be the most productive each individual can be. The good and effective king inspires his folk to care for one another thus building up the common wealth of the kingdom.
What makes the difference between a bad leader and a good one? Francie suggests it is the way the leader uses her or his power. The power which leads to good results is described in the epistle (Ephesians 1: 15-23). This is a power which enables the members of the community to see a vision of the best. The best each individual can be and the best the group can be. This is a power that is effective because it enables us to become aware of the Spirit of Christ within and among us. This is the power of the resurrection. The power of God which can raise us from our stumblings, failings, and weaknesses. This is the power which is at work in the church, the living body of Christ, “the fulness of him who fills all in all.”
This power of good and effective leadership was demonstrated this morning when Penny Curry stood up at announcement time and on behalf of all of us expressed our appreciation of what the Rector, Wardens, executive committee and vestry have been doing to help us through our experience of “The Hole in the Wall.” She went on to thank the Choir and the Choirmaster for all they were doing to lead our worship. Penny was exercising the power of good leadership because she was affirming what was good in us. She was helping us to feel the Spirit empowering us in this time of testing.
We are blessed with the vision, examples and experience of good leadership.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Here is a great prayer from the blogosphere, it seems especially relevant to those of us who spend time in NYC.
Heavenly Father, help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.
Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.
Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slowly through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, and show patience, empathy, and love. Amen.
John
Heavenly Father, help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.
Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.
Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slowly through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, and show patience, empathy, and love. Amen.
John
Sunday, November 16, 2008
A sample sermon response
By Ted Cobden
Francie’s 11/9/08 sermon on Bridesmaids (Mat 25: 1-13). Be prepared for the coming of Jesus; now and in the future. Coming as healer, reconciler, vindicator, judge, one who asserts truth and justice.
What impedes openness and readiness for newness of life?
Cynicism, doubt, despair
Depression, discouragement
Pompousness. Vanity. Pride. One thinks one knows it all. Jaded
What facilitates openness?
Courage to hope.
Audacity to believe
Practice of thankfulness.
Discipline in prayer, closeness to the one who is present. Exercise keeps the blood flowing. Energy level high.
Sense of humor, curiosity, enjoyment of surprise. Awe
Vision and imagination generated by faith and hope. “Imagination is more important than knowledge…” Albert Einstein
By Ted Cobden
Francie’s 11/9/08 sermon on Bridesmaids (Mat 25: 1-13). Be prepared for the coming of Jesus; now and in the future. Coming as healer, reconciler, vindicator, judge, one who asserts truth and justice.
What impedes openness and readiness for newness of life?
Cynicism, doubt, despair
Depression, discouragement
Pompousness. Vanity. Pride. One thinks one knows it all. Jaded
What facilitates openness?
Courage to hope.
Audacity to believe
Practice of thankfulness.
Discipline in prayer, closeness to the one who is present. Exercise keeps the blood flowing. Energy level high.
Sense of humor, curiosity, enjoyment of surprise. Awe
Vision and imagination generated by faith and hope. “Imagination is more important than knowledge…” Albert Einstein
To St. James worship committee:
From: Ted Cobden
Date: 11/14/08
Proposal for sermon response.
In order to encourage and facilitate prayerful listening and reflection we will have on a website a way to respond to Sunday sermons.
To prompt reflection we will have open questions such as:
❐ What word or phrase stays in your memory from listening to the sermon?
❐ How does this connect with your experience? Past, present or future.
❐ What feelings are touched as you reflect on this?
❐ What might the living Christ be saying to you?
❐ Do you experience any change in thought, outlook, attitude, hope?
❐ Will you make any change in action?
Any of these reflections could be shared on the website as the respondent wishes. This might be one way we hear what the spirit is saying to our church.
In addition or as an alternative we would make these questions available to folks as they come to Sunday worship. They would then have a framework for listening to the sermon and a way of responding should they wish later in the day or the week.
From: Ted Cobden
Date: 11/14/08
Proposal for sermon response.
In order to encourage and facilitate prayerful listening and reflection we will have on a website a way to respond to Sunday sermons.
To prompt reflection we will have open questions such as:
❐ What word or phrase stays in your memory from listening to the sermon?
❐ How does this connect with your experience? Past, present or future.
❐ What feelings are touched as you reflect on this?
❐ What might the living Christ be saying to you?
❐ Do you experience any change in thought, outlook, attitude, hope?
❐ Will you make any change in action?
Any of these reflections could be shared on the website as the respondent wishes. This might be one way we hear what the spirit is saying to our church.
In addition or as an alternative we would make these questions available to folks as they come to Sunday worship. They would then have a framework for listening to the sermon and a way of responding should they wish later in the day or the week.
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