A Place at the Table

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:5-7

Our future daughter in law graduated from seminary at TCU on Mother’s Day weekend. There was a beautiful hooding ceremony for the seminary graduates for doctoral degrees and master’s degrees. The scripture and hymns selected for the service were thoughtful and meaningful and the sermon was about letting go of our prejudices and accepting everyone as a child of God. It was awe inspiring to see these graduates of all ages and races, from multiple countries and backgrounds gathering together to celebrate their training to spread the word of God, to study and interpret the Bible and to serve as religious counselors. 

Before the sermon, those present sang the hymn “A Place at the Table”.  I don’t remember having heard it before but the melody was very familiar.  The lyrics to the hymn can be found here  https://www.hopepublishing.com/find-hymns-hw/hw342.aspx#FullDescription (you will have to click “read more” to see all the verses). Brite Seminary at TCU is very progressive. In the 1950s and 1960s they focused on civil rights. They had a strong voice during the Women’s movement in the 1960s. During the last 20 years seminary students and professors have continued to advocate for women’s rights, an end to racism, recognition of ageism, and protecting the rights of all, regardless of sexual preference. Most interesting to me was the identification in our current climate of not only homophobia but also heterophobia, and the ways that it is further separating people.    

I have thought about that sermon the last two days and have wondered about how we came to hate and fear for so many reasons. It would seem that in the last 70 years instead of advancing past our differences, and accepting people regardless of things like, sex, age, race, sexual preference, that we have desired instead to call out what makes us special and different and have used that to further isolate ourselves from others. One of my favorite quotes from Margaret Mead is “You are absolutely unique, just like everyone else”. Be unique, let people like or alternately dislike you because of your personality, or your ideas, but not for your demographics.

Prayer: God who made us all in his image, help to erase the lines that divide us. Continue to be with these new seminary graduates as they work to influence the world to accept one another.    

Christi Moock

Psalm 96

 Sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth.
  Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
    proclaim his salvation day after day.

 Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
    he is to be feared above all gods.
 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering and come into his courts.
 Worship the Lord in the splendor of his[a] holiness;
    tremble before him, all the earth.

Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
    The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
    he will judge the peoples with equity.

 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
    let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
  Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
    let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.

 Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,
    he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness    and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Memorial Day

Proverbs 4

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
    pay attention and gain understanding.
  I give you sound learning,
    so do not forsake my teaching.
 For I too was a son to my father,
    still tender, and cherished by my mother.
 Then he taught me, and he said to me,
    “Take hold of my words with all your heart;
    keep my commands, and you will live.
 Get wisdom, get understanding;
    do not forget my words or turn away from them.
  Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
    love her, and she will watch over you.
  The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.
    Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
  Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
    embrace her, and she will honor you.
 She will give you a garland to grace your head
    and present you with a glorious crown.”

 Listen, my son, accept what I say,
    and the years of your life will be many.
  I instruct you in the way of wisdom
    and lead you along straight paths.
  When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
    when you run, you will not stumble.
  Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
    guard it well, for it is your life.
  Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
    or walk in the way of evildoers.
  Avoid it, do not travel on it;
    turn from it and go on your way.
  For they cannot rest until they do evil;
    they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble.
  They eat the bread of wickedness
    and drink the wine of violence.

  The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
    shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
  But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
    they do not know what makes them stumble.  

My son, pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear to my words.
  Do not let them out of your sight,
    keep them within your heart;
 for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one’s whole body.
 Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.
  Keep your mouth free of perversity;
    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
  Let your eyes look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
  Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
 Do not turn to the right or the left;
    keep your foot from evil.

God's Faithfulness

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations. Deuteronomy 7:9

Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Psalms 36:5 

Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. Psalms 119:90 

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

The trees, flowering shrubs, and flowers this time of year are so beautiful, but the beauty is fleeting. My lilies of the valley stay fragrant for just a few days. I love lilacs, and the scent brings back childhood on the farm, where we had a towering bush full of the lavender blooms. The blossoming trees (pear, crab apple, redbud, magnolia) are so stunning right now here in Lincoln, but next week they’ll be uniformly green.

I think if these blooms and scents lasted all summer, we wouldn’t appreciate them the way we do…their essence is fleeting, and we relish it while it lasts.

God’s love ISN’T fleeting…it is steadfast. It is true. His ever-abundant grace never “goes away” or shuts down for the season. God’s love never changes…he is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

How thankful I am that this is true!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for your love and grace, that we can call on You day after day and year after year. Amen.

Donna Gustafson

Words Can Hurt

Psalm 23

(A Psalm of David.) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

As a child I remember “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”. In the movie, Bambi, Thumper said “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”. As I child I do remember being teased, which probably now a days would be called bullying.  

As an adult I don’t believe people should get offended by everything around them. I also believe it’s the intent or the spirit that hurts not the words. I also believe that Thumper is right: if you don’t have anything nice to say keep it to yourself. As a Christian I don’t understand the need or desire to intentionally hurt someone’s feelings, even if that person is intentionally trying to hurt your feelings or spirit.  

As a Christian I believe in standing up for what I believe and standing up for the person who can’t stand up for themselves. I also believe in praying for my enemies that they may find their way to Jesus and change their ways. I know it is their journey and only Jesus can guide them. I also don’t know the path that led them to this destructive behavior.  

Recently I was confronted with a situation with someone trying to damage my spirit but knowing I am never facing life’s trials by myself helped me. I heard recently someone say as long as I am holding hands and entering the room with Jesus I can do anything.  

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for always walking with me in the good and bad on this earth.  Thank you for guiding me to do my best in treating others with the same respect I wish to receive.  Hold my tongue from causing any damage to others.  Let me not judge others but I pray for their finding your love.  Amen

Lori Hood 

God Cares, Others Care

“Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” John 13:34

“So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.” Galatians 6:10 

Prayer Concerns at Eastridge Presbyterian Church are lifted up in our weekly Lamp as well as emails. Many churches do this.

I recall at one of my previous churches, prayers in action shown to our family. When I was recovering from surgery, a fellow church member delivered a meal to our home. Many times, we had given this “love in action” to others. The church member sensed I felt uncomfortable receiving the generous meal for our family of five. She said, “We just found the skinniest family to fatten up.”  That made me smile.

Recently, I have been challenged by a painful leg and back issue.  Church members have reached out to my husband and me.  Hopefully, now older and wiser, I accept this gratefully.  Just as God cares for us, we are called to care for others.

Persons of any age can share a smile.  I am especially pleased when young people hold open a door or give me a smile. 

Gary Sinise, actor states, “Each person on this planet is here for a purpose ---- That purpose is to care for other people and to help this world become a better place through service to others.”

Each day we have opportunities to show love in action.  What can we do today?  The prayer below, used in our worship bulletin on May 12, 2019, lists some simple ways we can share love with others.

Prayer: Generous God, we thank you for all we have been given.  As we learn to recognize our gifts, help us not to overlook the simple ones: the smile for strangers, the word of encouragement, the get-well card, the listening ear, the willingness to be patient with the long-winded, and gentle with people we find difficult. So shall we all be enriched with your grace, and share your love with all we meet. Amen.

Lois Poppe