Deeper Dive Podcast (Lightened By The Light - Week 4)

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Randy, Debbie, and Isaac talk about some of the background of Israel's prophets in the time of Micah.

Listen in your device's podcast app – Apple version here and Android version here or use the desktop-only player below.

About the Authors
Randy and Debbie Reese are Co-Directing Pastors at Calvary UMC
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC

Teach Us to Pray (Lightened by the Light - Week 4)

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Below is a prayer from the UMC Discipleship Ministry page:

A Prayer Based on Micah 6:8

A 21st Century Worship Resource for the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A

by Carolyn W. Dandridge, Discipleship Ministries

Give us, o Lord, an eye for injustice.
For it is only when are able to recognize injustice and feel its awful sting that we will be moved to make things right.

Give us, o Lord, a tender heart.
Sometimes we are too hard-hearted to recognize when we have been uncaring, unfeeling, or unkind.

Grant us, o Lord the ability to view life from the dust.
All our lives we have been taught to make others proud, to be proud of ourselves, to hold our heads high -- all the while missing the virtues of being poor in spirit.

Teach us dear Lord, to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with you. Amen.

Sunday Worship (Lightened by the Light - Week 4)

This week we'll be exploring Micah 6:1-8 and Matthew 22:23-24.  

From Micah:
Listen to what the Lord says:
“Stand up, plead my case before the mountains;
    let the hills hear what you have to say.
“Hear, you mountains, the Lord’s accusation;
    listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth.
For the Lord has a case against his people;
    he is lodging a charge against Israel.
“My people, what have I done to you?
    How have I burdened you? Answer me.
I brought you up out of Egypt
    and redeemed you from the land of slavery.
I sent Moses to lead you,
    also Aaron and Miriam.
My people, remember
    what Balak king of Moab plotted
    and what Balaam son of Beor answered.
Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal,
    that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.”
With what shall I come before the Lord
    and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
    with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
    with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.
From Matthew:
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
 

Each Sunday you can find the live stream here or watch the archive here. 

A Light to My Path (Lightened by the Light - Week 4)

Our Scripture for the coming week comes from Micah 6:1-8 and Matthew 22:23-24:

From Micah:
Listen to what the Lord says:
“Stand up, plead my case before the mountains;
    let the hills hear what you have to say.
“Hear, you mountains, the Lord’s accusation;
    listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth.
For the Lord has a case against his people;
    he is lodging a charge against Israel.
“My people, what have I done to you?
    How have I burdened you? Answer me.
I brought you up out of Egypt
    and redeemed you from the land of slavery.
I sent Moses to lead you,
    also Aaron and Miriam.
My people, remember
    what Balak king of Moab plotted
    and what Balaam son of Beor answered.
Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal,
    that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.”
With what shall I come before the Lord
    and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
    with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
    with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.
From Matthew:
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

Question for Reflection:

What does acting justly and loving mercy look like?
 

Who Is My Neighbor (Red Bird Mission)

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Our God is so amazing…..I’m sure you already know that, but let me give you another illustration of God’s hand at work.

Calvary’s Outreach team has identified several ministries to support in three categories:  Local, National, and International.  (A summary of those are in last week’s Who Is My Neighbor.)  These ministries were brought to our attention by you…..the body of Christ at Calvary.

We have two international ministries about which Calvary is passionate:  Buliisa and Haiti.  We also have many local ministries with whom Calvary folks have a special place in their hearts.

The missing piece was national ministry…..something outside of our immediate area, but still in the US.  Workcamp is one of those ministries….our youth sponsor that trip yearly and many adults and youth reach out to others in a particular region.  However, we wanted to partner with a ministry that was close enough that all ages could participate and anyone could easily drive there in a day.  I knew about Red Bird Mission, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky and the important services they provide the people in that area.  We began financially supporting that ministry and wanted to fulfill our commitment to not just give money to ministries, but to also give of our time in volunteering.  We had not yet found anyone to run with this because they were already committed to other outreach ministries.  Until…

Sandy and Gary Dickson read about Red Bird Mission in a Who Is Your Neighbor article and the fire in their hearts was immediately lit.  God worked in them and within 6 weeks, they were on their way to Kentucky with the following items that were needed:

NEW:
   5 sheet sets
   5 blankets
   3 fleece throws
   1 throw pillow
   2 crocheted baby blankets
   3 crocheted scarves
   1 pair gloves

USED:
   10 sheet sets
   2 flat sheets
   8 assorted pillow cases
   3 bed quilts (1 was handmade)
   1 fleece throw
   1 bag of stocking caps, gloves, scarf)
   1 bag of small stuffed toys
   6 pair nearly new shoes
   1 pair men’s work boots

Thanks to a quick turnaround from all of you, the Dicksons had a full load of items that the staff at Red Bird had identified as immediate needs.  Thank you church!  And thank you all for listening to God’s call on your life.  We never know when God will nudge us and say, “Look….over there. That’s your neighbor.”

(Read more about this ministry at www.rbmission.org)

About the Author
Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Deeper Dive Podcast (Lightened By The Light - Week 3)

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Michael and Isaac talk about some of the language in Mark 4:35-41 and Matthew 14:22-33 as well as the way the two stories follow similar structures. 

Listen in your device's podcast app – Apple version here and Android version here or use the desktop-only player below.

About the Authors
Michael Pitzer is the Director of Sr. High Ministries at Calvary UMC
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC

Sunday Worship - Lightened By The Light - Week 3)

This week we'll be exploring Mark 4:35-41 and Matthew 14:22-33.  

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Mark 4:35-41
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:22-33

Each Sunday you can find the live stream here or watch the archive here. 

A Light to My Path (Lightened By The Light - Week 3)

in this coming week, we'll reflect on the stories of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:35-41 and Matthew 14:22-33:

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Mark 4:35-41
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:22-33

Question for Reflection:

What are your storms?

Love Your Neighbor

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Last week we heard from a Dessert Monk named John the Dwarf (again, an incredibly cinematic name). This week Rowan Williams reflects on Anthony's link of loving neighbor and loving God:

Saint Anthony of the Desert says that gaining the brother or sister and winning God are linked. It is not getting them signed up to something or getting them on your side. It is opening doors for them to healing and to wholeness. Insofar as you open such doors for another, you gain God, in the sense that you become a place where God happens for somebody else. You become a place where God happens. God comes to life for somebody else in a life-giving way, not because you are good or wonderful, but because that is what God has done. So, if we can shift our preoccupations, anxiety, and selfishness out of the way to put someone in touch with the possibility of God’s healing, to that extent we are ourselves in touch with God’s healing. So, if you gain your brother or sister, you gain God.

Williams, Rowan. Where God Happens: Discovering Christ in One Another (p. 24). New Seeds. Kindle Edition. 

Deeper Dive Podcast (Lightened By The Light - Week 2)

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Randy, Debbie, and Isaac talk about the unique role of music in our lives.

Listen in your device's podcast app – Apple version here and Android version here or use the desktop-only player below.

About the Authors
Randy and Debbie Reese are Co-Directing Pastors at Calvary UMC
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC

Sunday Worship (Lightened by the Light - Week 2)

This week we'll be exploring Psalm 40:1-11:  

I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him.
Blessed is the one
    who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
    to those who turn aside to false gods.
Many, Lord my God,
    are the wonders you have done,
    the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
    they would be too many to declare.
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
    but my ears you have opened—
    burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
    it is written about me in the scroll.
I desire to do your will, my God;
    your law is within my heart.”
I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
    I do not seal my lips, Lord,
    as you know.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
    I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
    from the great assembly.
Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
    may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

Each Sunday you can find the live stream here or watch the archive here. 

A Light to My Path (Lightened By the Light - Week 2)

Our text for the coming week is from Psalm 40:1-11:

I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him.
Blessed is the one
    who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
    to those who turn aside to false gods.
Many, Lord my God,
    are the wonders you have done,
    the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
    they would be too many to declare.
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
    but my ears you have opened—
    burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
    it is written about me in the scroll.
I desire to do your will, my God;
    your law is within my heart.”
I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
    I do not seal my lips, Lord,
    as you know.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
    I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
    from the great assembly.
Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
    may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
 

Question for Reflection:

How do patience and a new song work together?

Who Is My Neighbor? (Safe Harbor)

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Sometimes we have the time to plan ahead for ministry support outside of our church.  And then there are those times when we hear about a need and a response is needed immediately.  The latter was the case during the bitter cold that we had after Christmas.  One of our Calvary family heard from the Safe Harbor staff that the number of people coming there for a warm place to sleep was far beyond what they usually serve.  They were in desperate need of blankets and socks.  We put this need on Facebook and very quickly people were responding.  We don’t know how many folks took blankets and/or socks directly to Safe Harbor (there was no time to collect at Calvary and then deliver them), but we did have another of our Calvary family members who went to Walmart and purchased 27 blankets and 126 pair of socks on behalf of the church.  In addition, a local restaurant delivered 100 chicken dinners to Safe Harbor.

This is what happens when the people of God hear about a need.  Being in a warm house when it’s bitterly cold outside just makes us more keenly aware of how miserable it would be to be outside longer than the time it takes to walk to our car.

Thank you for continually responding to needs as they arise.  This is what it means to love our neighbor.

About the Author
Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC