This city pastor has a great perspective on the way to approach helping people in city neighborhoods. Granby area clergy are currently considering an initiative that would fit with his philosophy. The initiative being considered involves helping resource the choice program through which some city students attend Granby schools.
When the purposes pursued during Lent carry over afterward, that is a salutary sign that a fuse has been lit for something good. I hope so because, like most Americans, my office and closets and garage have been getting more and more full, and this in spite of the fact that I tried very hard to downsize when we moved a couple years ago. Allow me to explain more fully. It is customary among Christians to give up something for Lent as a discipline of self-denial. In other years I have fasted one day a week or given up a favorite food or added devotional time. But this year, I felt I needed to do something different. I decided to tackle the problem of accumulation of things that plagues Americans, me among them.
Now, I’m just middle class, and I can’t afford to shop much, but if I buy a book here, a tool there, a few folders for the office, something for my Christmas display, I’m adding things to my possessions. Then I receive a few clothes for Christmas, and maybe another shop tool. Perhaps I see a steal of a deal at the one or two summer garage sales I stop for. The result– adding on a few more things. Now I don’t have or need any rented storage units as many Americans have, and I can still park a car in my garage if needed, but I decided that it was still time to turn the tide and make a deliberate start at de-accumulating.
So for my Lenten journey, I set a goal to get rid of at least forty items from at least 7 different areas of my life. It took me a couple days past Easter to finish, but I exceeded my goal both in numbers of items and in numbers of areas affected. However, I did discover that it was one thing to identify items as extra and ready to be disposed of and another to actually make them disappear. For example, I have two old computers still to take to recycling and I have a stack of books removed from my shelves but not yet taken away. I guess that’s one reason that de-accumulation has to be a continuing discipline.
There have already been some good side effects of this effort.
The evangelical and revivalist traditions of the American Protestant churches over the last hundred years have strongly emphasized making a decision to follow Christ. That is a good thing because until we make a decision, most of us drift in indecision and ultimately drift away. Better to decisively answer the call of Jesus.
But there has been one downside to this emphasis. Some have emphasized the decision to the detriment of the walk with Jesus. Like a hypothetical person who buys a car and then inexplicably keeps walking, riding the bus, or hiring a taxi everywhere they go, some so-called Christians think that having a “decision” in their records is all that is needed. More liturgical types might substitute becoming a member or being baptized as their moment of decision. But anytime our Christianity is only a decision of the past and not a present pursuit, there is a big misunderstanding.
However, if we remember that Jesus calls us using the word “follow” we will easily avoid this error. Following is by nature a continuing activity. It’s something you do every day. The word “follow” reflects the true nature of our relationship to Jesus. We are continually modeling after him. We are continually listening for his voice. We are continually understanding and appropriating more of his instructions. We are continually seeking to walk in his footsteps. Another way to say this is that Jesus doesn’t just call us to a one-time decision, he calls us to a day by day, week by week, year after year discipleship. Think about it this way, nearly all professions I know of require continuing education for continued competence. Anyone who is successful in their field is already doing continuing education whether or not it is required.
This is true of your Christian walk. This is true of your marriage. This is true of your relationship to your children. This is true in your professional life. This is true in your hobby. Continued learning is part of our basic commitment to Jesus. As Peter put it.
“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18 NIV 2011
So the corollary is that following Jesus is a life-long learning process. And there is a wonderful promise that goes with this.
“He who pursues righteousness and love finds life prosperity and honor.” Prov. 21:21
Sometimes we look around and are discouraged that the work of God seems to be in decline. And it is not our imagination either. One key indicator, though not the only one, is church attendance. Stats show that the percentage of people attending church is down and that the regularity of attendance of those who attend is also down. People in general feel that the church is losing its influence. This is not the first time in US history this has happened.
But the good news is that God has repeated visited our area and reversed the trend. Here are three accounts of historical revivals in the Granby area that had marked positive effects upon the churches. These are three actual accounts of Granby area revivals including quotes from eye-witnesses, accounts found in historical records. I hope they will inspire us to believe that God is able to visit us again in the 2nd decade of the 21st century.
Jonathan Edwards was one of America’s most accomplished intellectuals and theologians. Born in what is today South Windsor, CT, Edwards became a leader of New England’s first great awakening. His 1741 sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” first heard by throngs of believers in Enfield, CT is considered one of the most famous and influential ever delivered in the United States. [http://connecticuthistory.org/people/jonathan-edwards/]
“We went over to Enfield where we met dear Mr. Edwards of Northampton who preached a most awakening sermon from these words, Deuteronomy 32:35, and before the sermon was done there was a great moaning and crying went out through ye whole House…. ‘What shall I do to be saved,’ ‘Oh, I am going to Hell,’ ‘Oh, what shall I do for Christ,’ and so forth. So yet ye minister was obliged to desist, ye shrieks and cry were piercing and amazing.” – Stephen Williams
In 1747, Jonathan Edwards joined the movement started in Scotland called the “concert in prayer,” and in the same year published An Humble Attempt to Promote Explicit Agreement and Visible Union of God’s People in Extraordinary Prayer for the Revival of Religion and the Advancement of Christ’s Kingdom on Earth. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Edwards_(theologian)]
The reorganization of the Turkey Hills ecclesiastical society coincided with the religious reawakening that swept through Connecticut in the wake of what historians refer to as the age of “free thinking and free drinking.” In a July 1815 article on recent religious revivals, the “Connecticut Evangelical Magazine and Religious Intelligencer” lists Turkey Hills as one of the societies that “had been favored with special showers of grace.”
In the autumn of 1814, Mr. Nettleton commenced his labors in East Granby. This was a waste place. The moral condition of the people was exceedingly deportable. But God saw fit to turn again the captivity of Zion. Under Mr. Nettleton’s preaching, there was a very interesting revival of religion. -Rev. Bennett Tyler
The effect of that revival upon the church, and upon the community, was most happy and lasting. The schoolhouse and private rooms were filled with trembling worshipers. A solemnity and seriousness pervaded the community, which had not been experienced for years before. – Rev. Jonas B. Clark
33 people joined the Congregational church during the year of the revival.
[East Granby: the Evolution of a Connecticut Town by Mary Jane Springman and Betty Finnell Guinan pp. 117]
In the ministry of Lemuel Richardson, in 1871 there was an extensive revival of religion, attended with remarkable manifestations. The writer, at a single evening meeting in the church, which lasted from 7 o’clock until midnight, witnessed as many as 15 persons who became apparently unconscious. Some were stretched upon the floor; others were lying or being supported upon the seats. This visitation of “the Spirit” was regarded as a great blessing, and it certainly did strengthen the church in numbers. – Charles Horace Clark
[http://historicbuildingsct.com/?cat=273]
[Revival] gatherings often attracted so many people that they had to be held outdoors. When they lasted several days, the participants camped out nearby. Thus they became known as camp meetings. There were camp meetings at various locations near Copper Hill throughout the 19th century.
[East Granby: the Evolution of a Connecticut Town by Mary Jane Springman and Betty Finnell Guinan pp. 127]
At Copper Hill Church we are praying and preparing for God to visit his people again. As a part of this, this Sunday we will be participating in the second area united Grassroots prayer service. This series of prayer services is a cooperative effort of our church, Life Church and West Granby United Methodist Church and the three pastors. At 6 PM, March 6, we will be uniting in prayer at Life Church. Each prayer service has a special emphasis. The first one, held at Copper Hill, emphasized prayer for our country. This coming service, hosted by Life Church, will emphasize prayer for our churches and for New England as a region. A third one to be hosted by West Granby UMC is planned at a date to be announced.
As I interact with people today, I find that many are under pressure. Frequently there are two jobs in the home and children needing attention as well. Add to this the usual stresses of family finances, school situations, health challenges, and family sports schedules; it’s stressful just to name it all. Sometimes we need to find or review ideas as to how to handle stress. Here is a helpful list of ten ideas that contains much wisdom. Information like this helps us put into practice the advice of Proverbs 23:4 (NIV), “Do not wear yourself out to get rich!” If you are not fond of the word “relax” and some highly motivated people are not, may I suggest substituting the phrase “loosen up” in suggestion one and “calm down” in number six.
(From Do-it-Yourself Marriage Enrichment by Warren and Mary Ebinger pp. 34,35)
I’ve been working on a Christmas post in a new program called Sway. Here’s my first try. (Looks like you need to scroll to see it all. )
I think you’ll enjoy it.
I saw this news article and was surprised to learn that deaths from alcohol misuse, not counting traffic and assault related ones, are still greater than for heroin and cocaine, even with the recent alarming increase in deaths from these later drugs. Here’s the link to the article.
This morning’s message spoke of the dream of peace that began with the angel announcement to the shepherds on that first Christmas night. Often in our warring world, that ideal seems so far away. But it is up to us to put it into action anyway. Here is a comment by famed Catholic writer Henri Nouwen on the same subject.
The marvelous vision of the peaceable Kingdom, in which all violence has been overcome and all men, women, and children live in loving unity with nature, calls for its realization in our day-to-day lives. Instead of being an escapist dream, it challenges us to anticipate what it promises. Every time we forgive our neighbor, every time we make a child smile, every time we show compassion to a suffering person, every time we arrange a bouquet of flowers, offer care to tame or wild animals, prevent pollution, create beauty in our homes and gardens, and work for peace and justice among peoples and nations we are making the vision come true.
We must remind one another constantly of the vision. Whenever it comes alive in us we will find new energy to live it out, right where we are. Instead of making us escape real life, this beautiful vision gets us involved.
Choir singing is not as popular as it once was except perhaps in black churches. But my wife and I have always tried to bring people together to sing as a choir for special holidays and events. JoAnne arranges for and directs the choir while I sing tenor or in later years, bass.
I have always enjoyed singing in choir. I have been reflecting upon why.
1. I simply enjoy harmony. Whether created by multiple vocal parts or multiple instruments in an ensemble, harmony is a pleasure to hear and even more pleasurable to be part of making. If you have the ability to sing harmony, it is very fulfilling to do so.
2. Church choir singing gives the added blessing of filling one’s mind with inspirational songs. I often find myself singing the choir song we practiced in my mind on other days of the week. There aren’t very many time investments that help put a song in your heart like choir singing does.
3. There is a great deal of camaraderie in a choir. Like any other task-oriented small group, it provides a place to belong, some wholesome banter, a growing relationship with fellow group members, and a sense of purpose and identity. In fact, in a small choir, one feels quite close to your section singing partners as you strive together season after season to sing your part.
4. For a church choir, there is the joy of presenting the number we have practiced during church service. Sure, we may be a bit nervous about doing well, but we are most interested that those who hear are inspired by the message we are trying to bring in music. When we receive feedback that our work has inspired and encouraged others, we are blessed by that.
5. Singing in choir uses a gift I have. By contrast, right now I am not using the gift of trombone playing that I have and I feel bad about that. My ability will slowly deteriorate. But on the other hand, when I sing in choir, I use my singing ability, I keep up that skill, so that I am ready for new opportunities to use it. As a Christian, I believe I am accountable for using my gifts for the benefit of others.
6. Singing in choir expands my knowledge of Christian music. Many of the songs we learn are fresh and vibrant expressions of our faith that I have not heard before learning them in choir.
7. Being a part of the choir has been a starting point for invitations to sing in numerous other types of groups. Men’s quartets are a riot. I have sung in a massed choir where choirs from several churches joined together, a great experience. I was asked to sing the solo part for “He’s Alive” on Easter Sunday while the choir provided back-up, an experience I will never forget. One year our choir was videoed and put their Christmas cantata on television. I have sung for live nativities and on “living Christmas trees.” All these experiences and more came to me because I sing in choir.