Apr. 2006

Touchstone - April 2006

April 25, 2006

Luke 24:36.b-48

Our Gospel readings continue this week with resurrection appearances by Jesus to his followers. Last week we heard of the disciples huddled behind closed doors and Thomas' demand to see and touch Jesus for himself. This week the story comes from a different Gospel, the Gospel of Luke. It actually begins earlier in the chapter and picks up after we hear of the women who find the tomb empty. The story then shifts to the road to Emmaus, a town near Jerusalem, in verse 13 as Cleopas and another person are discussing the events in Jerusalem of the past week. Jesus appears to them and eventually stays and has a meal with them. Our narrative today picks up after Jesus has revealed himself to them as the risen Messiah. He seems to take great care to prove to them that it is really him, urging them to touch his flesh and even eating in their presence. But it is not enough for them to know that it is him, embodied. He has some important last words for them. He opens their minds to the teachings of scripture and then reminds them that his message is one of repentance and forgiveness. He closes with the words, "You are witnesses of these things." Interesting because so many of us are not witnesses to the physical Christ. We have the stories, we imagine the meals, the empty tomb, but we have to rely on other people's accounts to formulate our own impression of Jesus.

What a funny thing to be a witness to an event that we did not actually see. How can we do that? I think we do it because we see the faith of others and that inspires us to continue this witness. Jesus meant for us to be convicted people, acting in the world in a way that continues his ministry of compassion and forgiveness. Every time we do that we witness to our belief in a living Christ who still walks on this earth, and we in turn, help others have conviction. This is especially important in the face of great pain and despair. In the Holocaust museum in Washington D.C. in the large room there is one sentence on the wall which says, "You are my witnesses." What a chilling reminder of what our role needs to be in history. Is it to be naysayers? Bystanders? Observers? Or is it to be fully convicted people, operating out of our beliefs and acting courageously as witnesses to an alternate way? The resurrection appearances demand that we pay attention and make a decision about what kind of people we are going to be. They are invitations to a life of hope and faith and action.

The Rev. Marlene W. Pomeroy

Opportunities for involvement this weekend:

Saturday April 29, all church school teachers and adults who work with children are invited to come to the church for a Safe Church Training in the pastor's office from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Please RSVP to Marlene if you plan to attend.

Also on Saturday evening, the Dinner Club is meeting at 6:30 p.m. for dinner at Kang's Yujean Gourmet Chinese Restaurant at 67 N. Raymond Ave. Please RSVP to the Meyers or Kellers.

April 20, 2006

It is hard to imagine topping Easter in the Christian church! With all the excitement and celebration of last Sunday, where are we to go from here? The Gospel text for this Sunday is the account of Thomas, a follower who missed an initial post resurrection appearance by Jesus (John 20:19-31). While the other followers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, Thomas demands proof that Jesus is alive and that his wounds from the cross are real. Instead of a doubter, it turns out that Thomas is a deeply committed follower; his expectations of Jesus are so significant that he refuses to be fooled by any mild visions or wishful thinking on the part of the other disciples. The writers of John lift up passionate faith in Thomas and contrast it with the fear and worry of the other disciples huddled inside with the doors closed behind them. In a sermon entitled "Meeting Expectations" we will consider what we are asking to get out of our own faith and compare that to the devotion of Thomas in this post-Easter story.

Called to Care, our lay care-giving group, will meet this Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in the co-pastor's office. At 11:00 a.m. the Special Needs Class Teachers will meet to go over our worship and class plans for the end of the program year. On Sunday at 11:30 a.m. we will watch the third of four segments of a DVD with John Dominic Crossan on the life and politics of Jesus' time; come join us in the parlors for a time of education and discussion. Worship is in the chapel at 10:00 a.m. and our Forum after worship will conclude by 1:00 p.m. Call the church office at (626) 795-0696 if you have any questions.

The Rev. John H. Pomeroy

April 13, 2006

Mark 16:1-8

This week is Holy Week. In a church office there is a flurry of activity during this week as we prepare final bulletins for Maundy Thursday and Easter; the Easter lilies and tulips are arriving and we hope they will open in time for Easter; we plan to close the office by noon on Friday so that we can attend Good Friday services. So much to do as we prepare for the story of the Resurrection on Easter morning!! For non-Christians this is a regular week. Perhaps Spring Break for some families, but other than that, a beautiful week of spring, with flowers blooming around town and in family gardens. The secular side of Easter is on grand display in the local stores. It reminds people that Easter is here, but there is no story of Jesus alongside the Easter bunnies and baskets. When Mel Gibson's movie came out two years ago there was much more awareness about the Easter story itself in the public consciousness. However you felt about the movie, at least it put forth the message of Christ's death and resurrection and you could venture an opinion about it to your friends and family.

Easter is a much quieter affair than Christmas and only celebrated in churches and homes. But its power and message are huge for those of us who are Christians. It is the pivotal event in the life of Jesus and its message looms large for believers as we ponder the idea of: an empty tomb, a risen Christ, and the idea of life as followers of Jesus. We are invited to enter the story these next few days and live within its walls. Tonight we remember the Last Supper, a Passover meal that Jesus had with his followers. Tomorrow we remember the final hours of his life as he was convicted and sentenced to death. On Saturday we wait, expectantly. On Sunday we put on our Easter clothes and come to church with hope in our hearts. The version of the story that we will hear this year comes from Mark's Gospel, chapters 14-16. It will only take you ten minutes to read the account handed down to us, but in those pages you will hear of great faith, betrayal, anger, fear, sadness and rejoicing. Mark's Gospel is brief and even abrupt in its portrayal of the empty tomb. It hasn't had time to be re-worked and edited like the other three Gospels. In its simplicity there is room for our imaginations to wonder and hope. I invite you to immerse yourselves in the messages of Holy Week and to come and observe it with your faith community. But mostly, I hope that God's promise of new life and renewal is embedded deeply into your hearts this Easter.

The Rev. Marlene W. Pomeroy

Maundy Thursday dinner and worship, Thursday April 13, 6:00-8:15 p.m. Childcare provided for the worship time.

Good Friday Ecumenical Worship Service, Friday April 14, 12 noon at the First United Methodist Church on the corner of Colorado and Oakland.

Easter Jazz Worship Service, Sunday April 16, 10:00 a.m. in the FCC Sanctuary. Please bring a live flower for our living flower cross at 9:30. Also, the Children & Youth Choir will rehearse in the Chapel at 9:30. See you Sunday!!

April 6, 2006

Biblical scholars Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan present a dramatic scene at the beginning of Holy Week in their book entitled The Last Week: they describe two separate processions that come into Jerusalem for Passover. One procession is led by Pilate, up from the shore - Cesarea, bringing troops and a show of force to keep the Jewish residents in line during their Passover celebration. The other procession is the one described in this week's Gospel text (John 12:12-16) - Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a colt, the King of the Jews in humble clothing, without a horse or armed guard. The writers of John are setting up an important contrast in this simple account. In a sermon entitled "Choosing Sides" we will consider the different values of each procession and the culture that they represent. We may be presented with some of the same choices as those in Jerusalem in that year - we need to decide which values we will emulate and which procession we will participate in!

We welcome to our Sunday worship the Rev. Catherine Foote, a guest from University Congregational United Church of Christ in Seattle, WA. Catherine has ridden her bike from Seattle to Los Angeles to draw attention to the work of The Center For Progressive Christianity and the project Crosswalk America - a pilgrimage from Phoenix to Washington DC that begins Easter Sunday and will express the concerns and values of progressive Christians, including many of our own UCC congregations. Catherine will speak in worship during a Mission Moment.

After worship the children and youth will have a choir practice in the choir room with Carol Lisek. At 11:30 a.m. we will celebrate our Palm Sunday Festival with an Italian food luncheon fundraiser to support our youth on their trip to the Western Regional Youth Event in Colorado Springs in June. After lunch we will have crafts, an Easter egg hunt and other activities in the parlors - all are welcome!

If you would like to reserve a ticket to the play "iWitness" at the Mark Taper Forum on Sunday April 23rd at 7:30 p.m., please see Marlene after worship. The play has mature themes that are appropriate for older teens and adults; tickets are $37.50 for adults and $12 for seniors. Financial assistance is available through the church - simply speak with Marlene. Also on Sunday we invite you to sign up for food for our Maundy Thursday service - April 13th at 6:00 p.m. We will gather, have dinner at 6:30 p.m. and have a service of worship with readings and a reflection afterwards in our parlors. Childcare will be provided during worship for younger children - if you need childcare, please contact the church office as soon as possible at (626) 795-0606to give us an accurate count.

The Rev. John H. Pomeroy