Randy, Debbie, and Isaac talk about some of the background of Acts 4:5-13 along with what it means to be transformational in the world around us.
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
In Sunday's sermon, Debbie Reese retold a story told by Ed Gavagan. You can hear the original story here. It's well worth the listen.
To close our worship time this Sunday at the 7:45 and 9:00 services, we'll sing the song "I Love to Tell the Story." You can read more about the fascinating backstory of this song here.
Quote from Jonathan Haidt's book "The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided By Politics And Religion."
Scott Hughes over at the Discipleship Ministries Blog has a good (and fairly short) summary of Jonathan Haidt's book "The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided By Politics And Religion." His first two parts are below with more to follow later. This is a good read for anyone interested in understanding current fractures in culture, society, politics, and the church.
About the Poster
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC
Debbie, Randy, and Isaac talk about temple gate layout and it's importance to the Acts 3; along with more examples of how Christianity has influenced our world for the better.
Link to temple illustration: https://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/appendix-b/temple-mount-first-century/
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
Richard Rhor talks about how the transformation of the world begins inside us. Read more here.
Yesterday, we talked about the icon of Thomas and the Resurrected Christ calling our attention to being both wounded and resurrected at the same time. At first glance, this seems like an odd state to be in. If Christ is risen from the dead, why aren’t the wounds healed and gone? Doesn’t resurrection mean perfected restoration?
The resurrected Christ invites us to reimagine what it means to be “whole.”
The resurrected Christ invites us to reimagine what it means to be “restored.”
The resurrected Christ invites us to reimagine what it means to be “healed.”
If the author of being itself stretched out his arms on the hard wood of the cross to pull together death (the wounds) and life (the resurrection) into his his own body, how does that help us truly see ourselves and our place in the world around us?
Just like Christ, we are a mixture of wounds and wonder, misery and majesty, sorrow and satisfaction. Christ shows us that being fully alive is recognizing we are ‘loved-back-to-life’ even in our woundedness. Our wounds are a part of the glory of being fully alive and fully present to ourselves, each other, and the world around us.
About the Author
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC
The moments after the resurrection are some of the richest parts of the Gospels. The story of Thomas (the disciple who doubted in John 20:24-29) is often held up as confirmation of the resurrection by a doubting skeptic (Thomas), along with a promise of blessing for “those who have not seen and yet believed” (us). It’s easy to make this story entirely an issue of belief or disbelief in the bodily resurrection of Jesus. But there’s much more going on here than just a yes/no check box next to the word "resurrection." John’s inclusion of Thomas’ encounter invites us to think about the nature of the resurrection. The nature of the resurrection can be a focal point of contemplation that continually moves us deeper into prayer – something beyond than a simple yes/no assertion. Pictures, so often, tell the tale in profound ways:
This icon of Thomas and the risen Christ calls us into the mysterious paradox of the resurrected Christ: Christ is wounded and resurrected at the same time.[1] Take a moment to pray through the implications of being wounded and resurrected at the same time – it's pretty scandalous when you think about it. Tomorrow we’ll walk/pray through some of those implications, both for us and the world around us.
[1] For more on the wounded/resurrected paradox, see Richard Rhor.
About the Author
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC
Randy and Debbie follow up on the concept of God answering "no" in prayer and on Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
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
So Will I (100 Billion X) by Hillsong United
We'll be singing this in worship at 10:30 on Sunday; but until then, take a moment to pray through this beautiful song and open your eyes to the beauty of God all around you.
Read more here
Eastern Orthodox Icon of the Resurrection
We often get caught up in talking about "a" resurrection on Easter Sunday instead of "resurrection." When we focus only on Jesus' resurrection two thousand years ago, we miss the larger impact of the event and settle for a singular and thin (although still exciting) experience. The western church (Protestants and Roman Catholics) lost the plot (a bit) when it came to the resurrection, but our brothers and sisters in the eastern church have preserved a fuller and richer experience that goes far beyond a single resurrection event.
The above icon is a lesson in the expansive and all encompassing nature of the resurrection. Instead of a solo triumphant Christ or a solitary empty tomb, the painter/prayer reveals Christ descending into the realm of the dead (often referred to as Hades) and pulling all of human history back to life. Christ is depicted pulling Adam and Eve (symbols of humanity's origin story shown in the bottom left and right) from death into life. Beneath them are the (now broken) locks that have kept the gates of Hades closed to those who seek life. Even death itself is laid to rest at the very bottom of the image. As you move up the icon, all of human history follows behind in this parade of life (Old Testament figures, Apostles, and heavenly beings).
What I appreciate about this icon is that it's "in progress." And so are we. The resurrection happened, is happening, and will continue to happen. Much like Einstein's theory of relativity (time changes as speed changes); our notions of past and future become more present when we are pulled out of Hades at the pace of Christ. We are being pulled back to life all the time. Sometimes we notice, sometimes we don't. Sometimes it seems fast, and sometimes it seems incredibly slow – but Christ is always pulling. Take a moment today to look and notice that pull-to-life in the icon above and in the world around you.
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About the Author
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC
The resurrection of Jesus affirms the goodness of these bodies we so typically undervalue or misvalue. Dance is one of the most striking and visceral affirmations of the resurrection. In ancient Christian thought, dance is a frequent metaphor for how God relates to God's-self (Father-Son-Holy Spirit) and us. Take a moment to "pray" this beautiful dance that affirms (along with the Apostle's Creed) "the resurrection of the body."
"See the Love" from the album, All Is Not Lost, now available in stores & online: http://smarturl.it/AllIsNotLost Lyrics: Every day, we go to war again We assume we know so much More than them Before we hear what they have to say Headline breaks, and we start to hate again
About the Author
Isaac Gaff is the Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC
Randy and Debbie talk about some aspects of the crucifixion and miscellaneous Easter info.
Listen in your device's podcast app – Apple version here and Android version here or use the desktop-only player below.
The following is an article from a blog by Michael Slaughter, founding pastor of Ginghamsburg UMC near Dayton, Ohio. I’ve been to the Ginghamsburg church many time for conferences and Mike and I attended the same seminary (though at different times). I thought this was too good to try to summarize so I wanted to give you the full article.
- Debbie Reese
Randy, Debbie, and Isaac talk about the work of connecting an Old Testament setting of a nation state and repentance to a 21st century modern setting.
Listen in your device's podcast app – Apple version here and Android version here or use the desktop-only player below.
Affordable housing is one of the greatest needs in Bloomington/Normal. Calvary may not be able to resolve this problem on our own, but we can partner with others to make a difference…one family at a time.
That is just what we’re doing with other United Methodist Churches in Bloomington/Normal this spring/summer/fall. We will be working together on a Habitat for Humanity ‘Beloved’ Build (see last week’s Who Is My Neighbor for an explanation of that designation). The house we will build will be located at 806 S. Madison in Bloomington. It is a narrow lot, so it will be a two story home.
The home owners are Kia and Georgia Griffin. This is the bio information provided by Habitat for Humanity:
Kia is originally from Bloomington, moved away for a short time and has been
back for 18 years. Kia has one daughter, Georgia and she is 8 years old.
Kia is employed at Jack Lewis Jewelers and has worked there for 5 years. .
Kia enjoys listening to music, reading and horseback riding. Georgia also enjoys ice skating, music, reading, and “Girls in the Game”. Also, Georgia is in Girl Scouts and Kia is the Scout leader.
The family attends St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Bloomington.
The family is very excited about the upcoming build season. Kia says, “I love the idea of helping to build my own home, learning how it all comes together. I couldn’t be more inspired by the program and by the volunteers who come to assist. We are so thankful to God and to Habitat for this opportunity.”
In addition to those of you who will volunteer to help build this house on Saturdays, this year we will gather with our brothers and sisters from Wesley and Normal First United Methodist Churches to build the frames for the walls of this house. This will take place on May 19th from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in one of the parking lots of our churches (we’ll let you know the location as soon as we have that information). The great thing for wall builds is that there can be more people involved, younger folks can participate, and we can get to know brothers and sisters in the other churches.
If you are retired, there is a special opportunity for you to serve during the week. Every Tuesday and Thursday, retirees meet at the Habitat ReStore at 7:30 a.m. where they are given projects from the various Habitat Builds in the area. This is a great way to serve as well as meet other folks.
Finally, there are volunteer opportunities at Habitat’s ReStore at 1402 W. Washington in Bloomington. The ReStore not only provides lower priced used products for people in the area (not just Habitat folks), but the profits from the ReStore go back into the Habitat Builds to make it possible to purchase land for future houses.
Habitat for Humanity: a great way to love our neighbors!
About the Author
Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC
Randy, Debbie, and Isaac talk about different approaches to prayer throughout the day.
Links:
Listen in your device's podcast app – Apple version here and Android version here or use the desktop-only player below.
The Calvary Habitat for Humanity Team is taking this pledge:
“I believe that every single one of us — regardless of who we are or where we come from — deserves a decent life.
Like Dr. King, I believe in a Beloved Community of justice, equal opportunity and love of my fellow human beings.
I want to help build a world that leaves no room for poverty, prejudice or violence.
I pledge to work together with my neighbors, side by side, to create strength, stability and self-reliance for all.
I ask others to join me — it’s up to us to make this a reality.”
This the pledge to build a Beloved Community with whom we will partner with
Habitat for Humanity and the other United Methodist Churches in Bloomington/Normal. Habitat for Humanity explains ‘Beloved’ builds in this way, “Marking the 50th anniversaries of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the passage of the Fair Housing Act, Habitat for Humanity engages nationwide in the Beloved Community initiative throughout the year. Building on King’s vision, the Beloved Community allows access, equality and opportunity for all. The Beloved Community is fair, just and built on the love of God operating in the human heart…...The projects are part of Habitat’s commitment to meet The King Center’s MLK 50 Forward challenge to carry out 50 acts of kindness or service recognizing the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination.”
While there will be other Habitat Builds in McLean County, the one with which the Bloomington/Normal United Methodist Churches participates has been chosen as the ‘Beloved Community’ Build!
We will be partnering with Normal First UMC and Bloomington Wesley UMC as well as any of the other UM churches in town not already involved in a Habitat build. Although each of the churches will be assigned a Saturday for which we are responsible, our intention is to mix it up so that we can get to know our brothers and sisters in these other churches.
Even if you have worked with Habitat in the past, we need you to sign up again because we want to get a fresh, accurate list. Someone from Calvary’s Habitat group will be at a kiosk in the Atrium on Sunday, March 18 and 25. If you are unable to sign up at those times, just call the church office or sign up here and we’ll get you connected!
More details in next week’s Who Is Your Neighbor article…...stay tuned.
About the Author
Debbie Reese is the Co-Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC
Randy and Debbie continue the conversation on prayer.
Listen in your device's podcast app – Apple version here and Android version here or use the desktop-only player below.
