March 8

If you were not with us on Sunday, you missed the beginning of a new sermon series – Boot Camp For The Soul.  During these weeks of Lent, we are exploring what it might mean to pursue a change in our hearts and in our actions.  This week we will be talking about a complete reset.  We know that when we became a Christian, when we had our spiritual rebirth, we experienced a new start.  But, what happens when we find ourselves needing a restart – when our Christian life has become stale or nonexistent?  Perhaps our calling is to live again, day by day.

I would like to share with you the words of someone else – a blog entry from a web site, The Community of Jesus, an ecumenical Christian community located in Massachusetts. 

Always We Begin Again
April 9, 2014
By Renaissance Girl
 
It’s been right under my nose for years and it’s only just sunk in. I was caught by the final verse of Psalm 61 this morning: “Then I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfill my vows day after day.”
 
Day after day. Not a one-shot deal, not a magic switch you flip and never have to think about again. I realize that’s what I look for — a one-time solution — setting my course and putting myself on auto-pilot.
 
But it’s not that simple, or maybe a better way to look at it is that it’s not that stagnant. Life with God — vowed life — is a “day after day” kind of living. Every morning when my feet hit the floor, I vow again. I say yes (with God’s grace) to starting the process and staying with it that day. And if…no, when…I fall, I plant my feet and begin again. It’s a more hopeful way to live than in some of the ways I’ve tried to strive. 
 
It reminded me this morning of that quote “Always we begin again.” I couldn’t remember where it came from, and was a little embarrassed to find it is in the Rule of St Benedict — the foundation of our vowed life and our own Rule. It’s been right here telling me I don’t have just one shot to get it right…..I have Day after Day!

 -Pastor Jane

March 1

I am writing this on Sunday afternoon, after a wonderful morning of worship.  After 6 weeks of sermons based on the Sermon on the Mount, today we HEARD the words of Jesus coming to us from that very same sermon.  His words are both good and hard, challenging and comforting – words we need to place in our hearts and carry with us every day.

Many of you came out of worship saying, “I liked your words today,” to which I responded, “Those weren’t my words, but the words of Jesus.”  Many of you also raised the question about the translation that was used.  Let me tell you a little about it.

The Message is a translation of the biblical texts by Eugene Peterson, written out of his lifetime of being a pastor.  He recognized that his calling as a pastor gave him a responsibility to get the word of God into the lives of the people with which he worked.  It was out of this urgency that The Message was born. 

Hear his words, “I lived in two language worlds, the world of the Bible and the world of today.  Out of necessity, I became a ‘translator,’ daily standing on the border between two worlds, getting the language of the Bible that God uses to create and save us, heal and bless us....into the language of today...”  On Sunday, you heard Jesus’ words in the “language of today.”

My prayer is that each day, we will read and hear God’s word, and that it will speak to our living as Christ followers.

 -Pastor Jane

February 22

Have you ever heard the voice of Jesus?  We might say that we hear his voice as we read scripture; we might say that we hear his voice as we watch little children at play, or take a walk in the woods; we might even say that we hear his voice through our grandparents or even through our own children.  But, have we actually HEARD the voice of Jesus?

This Sunday is the last Sunday before the season of Lent begins.  We have spent the weeks of Epiphany in the book of Matthew, specifically in the chapters that make up the Sermon on the Mount.  This Sunday, you will have the opportunity to HEAR the voice of Jesus from the mountaintop. While most of us enjoy reading and do it often, taking the time to listen is something that is often lost in our busy world.

In his book, Whistling in the Dark, Fredrick Buechner speaks of hearing in this way:
“A deaf man coming upon me listening would think that nothing of importance was going on.  But something of extraordinary importance is going on.  I am taking you more fully into myself than I can any other way.  Hearing you speak brings me by the most direct of all routes something of the innermost secret of who you are.”

My prayer is that we may all “take” Jesus more “fully into ourselves,” as we hear his words this Sunday and that we will be awakened to the “innermost secret” of who he is and what his call to each of us can mean.  I hope you will join us in worship, as Jesus speaks directly to us from the mountaintop. 

 -Pastor Jane

February 15

The beginning of Lent is only two weeks away.  As we approach this holy season, I would like to share with you a new opportunity that will be available, to help us share God’s love with our community. 

The cross is the most recognized symbol of Christianity.  During Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter, many churches have large crosses displayed in their yards, with three different colors that represent the three elements of the season. You might remember that this is something we do each year at Union.  This year we would like to offer each church family the opportunity to have their own family cross to place in their yard.

These crosses will be small, “yard crosses,” about the height of a normal yard sign.  You will also receive three pieces of fabric – purple, black, and white – to drape your cross at the appropriate time.  An instruction sheet and short devotional to accompany the fabric changes will also be provided. 

This Sunday morning, a model cross will be available for you to see and there will be a sign-up sheet to indicate your interest.  This will help us know how many to make.  I am so grateful to the men who are creating the crosses and the women who are preparing the fabric.  My hope is that this small cross in your front yard will provide an opportunity for your neighbors to ask questions and for you to share the love of Christ to each of them.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we talk about that love – a love without limits.

 -Pastor Jane

February 8

On Monday and Tuesday of this week I had the privilege of attending the Self Preaching Lectures at my seminary in Atlanta – McAfee School of Theology.  This lecture series is named after Dr. William Self, long-time pastor in Atlanta.  Each year, a leading theologian and preacher is invited to deliver these lectures and over the past few years, I have heard a variety of excellent preachers/teachers.

This year, the speaker was Dr. Bill Leonard – one of my former professors, but more importantly a long-time family friend.  He is the founding Dean of Wake Forest School of Divinity and is recognized as a leading church historian.  It was from that background that he spoke of preaching in the Appalachian tradition.

I would like to share with you a quote that has stuck with me from one of his lectures.  “Theology you can’t sing, isn’t much theology at all.”  What did he mean?  Each week as we gather in worship, we sing together – hymns and praise songs.  It is possible to stand and never open your mouth, to mumble along with words, or to sing with gusto.  Each week as I look out into the congregation, I see all three!

We spend a great deal of time in worship, reading our Bibles and listening to sermons, with the hope that they will shed a new light on God’s word.  But, have you ever considered that when we sing together, we are singing our faith, singing our theology?  From the simple “Jesus loves me, this I know,” to “Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”  AMEN! 

As we sing together each week, my prayer is that we will all be conscious of the words and the amazing theology that flows from them.  Thanks be to God!
our prayer.

 -Pastor Jane

February 1

For my daily walk with God, I use a resource called Sacred Ordinary Days.  It is based on the liturgical year, with scriptures offered each day that come from the Lectionary.  As many of you found as we read through the Bible last year, some Biblical passages can be unfamiliar.  But, in that unfamiliarity, I often find that God speaks to me in a new way.  The book also offers quotes - gleaned from authors, pastors, saints of the past - that call me back to God each day.

I would like to share one particular quote with you this week.  It is printed on a card and has a prominent place in my office, so that I can look at it multiple times per day.  When I am questioning for the hundredth time – why am I doing this particular task?  Or, what is it that God wants me to learn from my daily tasks, this quote speaks to me:

  Lord,
  I offer my prayer as my work...
  My work as my prayer.

As we all go through our day, may our daily prayers be our work; and may our work, no matter what it is, and how insignificant it may seem, be our prayer.

 -Pastor Jane

January 25

This week we continue in our study of the gospel of Matthew with the beginning words from the Sermon on the Mount.  Matthew 5-7 contains the largest block of Jesus’ teachings in one place and over the next few weeks we will be delving deeply into what he said in these chapters.  This week, we begin with Matthew 5:1-12, the Beatitudes. 

Many of you have asked me how Christians should respond to what has been going on in our country as a result of the election.  As you know, there are many different thoughts on how to answer that question.  Personally, I always turn directly to the words of Jesus for guidance.  As you prepare for Sunday, let me encourage you to read the Beatitudes and ponder what Jesus might be saying to you in response to your questions. 

Below you will find these Beatitudes written in child-friendly language, from www.flamecreativekids.blogspot.com.  This simple language speaks to me and I hope it will speak to you!

Blessed are those who are peaceful and try to stop others from fighting...God will call them sons and daughters.

Blessed are those who are kind and forgiving to others...they will be given the same.

Blessed are those who don’t show off but think of others first...they shall be given the earth.

Blessed are those who rely on God’s help...heaven is theirs.

Blessed are people who get in trouble for doing the right thing...God’s kingdom belongs to them.

Blessed are those who try to please God in what they do and think...they will be with God.

Blessed are those who want fairness...God will satisfy them.

Blessed are those who are sad and upset...God will comfort them.

-Pastor Jane

January 18

The Second Annual Chicken Brunswick Stew is just a week and a half away.  Just like last year, this is a joint venture with First Christian Winder.  Have you signed up to help?  There are available slots to work on both Friday and Saturday, so call the church office and Nickie will get you on the list. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with your church family and also to meet people from our community.
 
Have you been selling tickets?  As of Sunday morning, there are only a little over 300 tickets out, but our goal is 600.  We need to get moving!  You can pick up your tickets during the week, at the church office, or on Sunday morning.  We need an accurate count by this Sunday, so we will know much stew to cook.
 
I look forward to seeing you this weekend as we cook and worship together!

January 11

As you come to worship this week, you will notice the words of meditation after communion come from Corrie ten Boom.  “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”  You may be asking yourself, “Who is Corrie ten Boom?”

Corrie ten Boom and her family were Christians, living in Haarlem, the Netherlands. During the Nazi occupation, they chose to live out their faith through peaceful resistance to the Nazis by active participation in the Dutch underground. They were hiding, feeding, and transporting Jews and underground members hunted by the Gestapo, out of the country. It is estimated they were able to save the lives of 800 Jews, in addition to protecting underground workers.

In 1944 they were betrayed and she and her family members were sent to concentration camps.  Three members of her family died in these camps, but Corrie survived and was released in December of that year.  These acts of heroism and sacrifice became the foundation for Corrie ten Boom's global writing and speaking career which began after she was released.

Throughout all she experienced, Corrie’s constant life theme spoke of the faithfulness of God – in every circumstance.  God’s Promise of Faithfulness will be our focus this Sunday as we continue in the series New Year, Same Promises.  I hope you will take time this week to read Psalm 40:1-11 - words from the Psalmist about God’s great faithfulness for us all.

January 4

It is a new year and with that comes a new sermon series.  For most of 2016, we walked our way chronologically through the scriptures.  As 2017 begins, we will focus more intentionally on particular sections of the Bible.  Beginning this Sunday, we will move back to the lectionary texts and dig deeper into the promises of God.  Many of us have made promises to ourselves this new year, just as we do at the start of every year.  I promise to spend more time with my family.  I promise to lose weight or eat more healthy food.  I promise to read my Bible every day.  I promise to exercise every day. 

The problem with our promises is that they often fade and things stay the same.  The good news for us is that God’s promises never change.  We can hold fast to that truth.  As we begin this new year, let’s spend time learning about and giving thanks for God’s unbreakable promises. 

This Sunday, the first promise – God’s Promise of a New Life from Matthew 3:13-17.  We will tell the story of the Baptism of Jesus and be reminded of the new life, promised to all of us through our own baptism. 

December 21

Christmas is here!!  We have walked together through the season of Advent, anticipating and waiting for the Messiah – the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  We began the season by coloring those names, so beautifully depicted on the display in the Gathering Space.  My hope and prayer is that these names have become more than just a name or title for you.  I pray that you have come away with a deeper understanding of who Jesus was, and with this new understanding your life has been changed. 

We have a wonderful opportunity this weekend – one that occurs very rarely.  On Saturday night, we will gather to sing the Christmas hymns and hear the story of the baby, born to save the world.  We will share in communion and sing Silent Night, as we light candles, a beautiful picture of the coming of The Light of the World.  I hope you will join us at 5:00 to share in this wonderful service.  Bring your extended family and experience it together.

Then, on Sunday morning, Christmas Day, we will gather at 11:00 to celebrate the coming of the Christ Child.  Why should you come to church on Christmas Day, when you could so easily stay in your pajamas??  Good question.  There is a blog (Worshiping With Children) I love to read that offers some reasons we need to gather on Sunday.  These reasons are focused toward children, but could apply to all of us.

• To hear the story read or told in an important way on the “day it happened”
• To be with a crowd telling the  story
• To sing the carols at least one more time 
• To create a context in which to discover the truth about Santa
• To create memories

I hope to see you Sunday.  Keep the kids in their pajamas and join us in your most festive Christmas sweater.  Christ is born!!!

December 14

It is the fourth Sunday of Advent – the Sunday we usually call “Christmas Sunday” because it is the last Sunday before Christmas.  This week we light the Candle of Love, signifying the great love given to us through Jesus.  In the midst of Christ’s love, we will look at the last of the four names of the Messiah – Prince of Peace.  It seems odd to be talking about peace, because we focused on peace the second Sunday of Advent.  But, can love and peace coexist?  Absolutely!!!

What is Peace?  Is it the absence of war, or could it be something different?  In the book of Matthew, Jesus describes the perfect juxtaposition of peace and love when he says, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.  I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.  I was a stranger and you invited me in.  I needed clothes and you clothed me.  I was sick and you looked after me.  I was in prison and you came to visit me.”  Peace is when we look into the eyes of those we meet and actually see them. It is only then that we can show Christ’s love.  How will we open our hearts today?

Hear these words from author Jan Richardson as you ponder upon these strange bedfellows of peace and love.

A Blessing Called Sanctuary

You hardly knew
how hungry you were
to be gathered in,
to receive the welcome
that invited you to enter
entirely—
nothing of you
found foreign or strange,
nothing of your life
that you were asked
to leave behind
or to carry in silence
or in shame.

Tentative steps
became settling in,
leaning into the blessing
that enfolded you,
taking your place
in the circle
that stunned you
with its unimagined grace.

You began to breathe again,
to move without fear,
to speak with abandon
the words you carried
in your bones,
that echoed in your being.

You learned to sing.

But the deal with this blessing
is that it will not leave you alone,
will not let you linger
in safety,
in stasis.

The time will come
when this blessing
will ask you to leave,
not because it has tired of you
but because it desires for you
to become the sanctuary
that you have found—
to speak your word
into the world,
to tell what you have heard
with your own ears,
seen with your own eyes,
known in your own heart:

that you are beloved,
precious child of God,
beautiful to behold,
and you are welcome
and more than welcome
here.

—Jan Richardson
from Circle of Grace

December 7

We are already halfway through Advent.  It seems hard to believe, doesn’t it?  This Sunday we will light the pink candle – the candle of Joy.  Have you ever taken a moment to think about what brings you joy?  I’m not talking about happiness, but deep-down, utter joy. 
 
I remember as a child, singing the chorus, I’ve Got the Joy.  Do you remember?  The words went like this:
               
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy – down in my heart.
         WHERE?  Down in my heart!
         WHERE?  Down in my heart!
         I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy – down in my heart.
         Down in my heart to stay.
 
         And I’m so happy, so very happy.
         I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart.
         And I’m so happy, so very happy.
         I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart.
 
What brings you joy this Advent season?  I hope it goes beyond presents, Christmas trees, and pretty lights.  My prayer is that your joy comes from having “the love of Jesus in your heart.”

 -Pastor Jane

November 30

What does it mean to be mighty?  In our world today, it might mean the country with the largest arsenal of weapons.  It might mean that you are Brian Shaw, named the World’s Strongest Man in 2015, by dead-lifting 880 lbs.  It might mean that you are a cleaning product that can clean in ways other products can’t.  There are many ways we might define mighty.
 
In scripture, we find that the Messiah is called Mighty God.  The coming of Jesus did not bring about a large weapons stash, or weightlifting, or the ability to clean any mess.  Instead, Jesus lived into the title by fulfilling words found in Psalms.
 
       He judges people with
            righteousness and the poor
            with justice.
       He defends the cause of the poor,
            gives deliverance to the needy.
       He saves the lives of the needy
            from oppression and violence.
       He forgives all your iniquity and
            redeems your life.
       He crowns you with steadfast love
             and mercy.
       (adapted from Psalm 72, 103)
 
This Sunday we will explore the title of Mighty God as it is seen in the life of Jesus.  I look forward to seeing you!

 -Pastor Jane

November 23

What a beautiful Sunday!  On Sunday morning, we celebrated the Parent/Child Dedication of Cora Sledge – joining with her parents, Ryan and Lisa, in a covenant to walk alongside them as they parent Cora.  We made promises to pray for them and to help teach Cora stories of the faith. Then, on Sunday night, we gathered again - to feast together and to give thanks to God for the many blessings we have been given.  Seeing the many generations of the Union family was a beautiful sight.  Thank you to everyone who made the evening so special. 

Our journey through The Story has ended and now we enter into a new church year.  The first Sunday of Advent is upon us.  As we gather for worship this Sunday, we will light the first Advent candle, the candle of Hope.  We will sing songs that speak of hope of the Messiah, and we will hear words about the Wonderful Counselor, promised to us so long ago.  Sunday night will be our annual Hanging of the Greens service as we prepare our sanctuary for Advent.  The evening begins with a Chili Supper at 5:30. I hope you can join us as we begin this holy season together.

-Pastor Jane

November 16

We have made it!  For 31 weeks we have been walking together through God’s word, and this Sunday we reach the end.  In the midst of a world filled with stress, conflict, anger, and sadness, there is good news.  I hope to see you this Sunday as we reach into the book of Revelation for a word from God. 

On Friday we will have the great joy of sharing the Thanksgiving Boxes, that you so generously packed, with those in our community who need a little help this season.  Will you come and join us?  Pick up time is from 11-1, in the Gathering Space.  We need people to help check our guests in, to welcome them with smiles, to listen to their stories and pray with them, and to do the hard word of carrying heavy boxes to their cars.  If you can help, please arrive about 10:45.  This is one of my favorite days of the year and I look forward to sharing it with you.

This Sunday is Thanksgiving Sunday.  During morning worship we will have the joy of participating in a Parent/Child Dedication for Cora Sledge.  As a church family we will pledge to walk alongside Ryan and Lisa as they teach Cora the stories of faith.  Then on Sunday night, we will share together in our Church Family Thanksgiving Meal.  Friends and extended family are welcome as we eat and give thanks together.  The church will provide turkey, dressing, and gravy.  You are asked to bring a covered dish that will feed 8-10.  You will also have the opportunity on Sunday night to make Thanksgiving Cards for senior adults who are clients at the Senior Center, as well as continuing the Advent coloring project.

What a great week is ahead – a week filled with Thanksgiving and joy! 

-Pastor Jane

November 9

I have just returned to my desk from a morning spent outside as the new steeple was being placed.  It was an amazing process to watch the large crane lift it up from the trailer and hoist it into the air.  Slowly, but surely, it inched upward, until finally it was in position.  The anchors were tightened, the grounding wires were placed, and finally there was only one more thing to do – the most important thing – place the cross on the top.  Once again, the bucket rose from the ground and shortly, we heard a clang – the cross was in place.  The anchor was there.

So it is with our lives.  Our structures can be strong and secure, but it isn’t until the cross takes its position at the head of our lives, that we have a beacon to anchor our lives.  As you move through your days, it is my prayer that you will always hold the cross as your anchor.

 -Pastor Jane

November 2

It is “the day after.”  I’m sitting in my office, recovering from an amazing Fall Family Fun Night.  Last evening was a beautiful example of how the church can reach out to our community.  We had a crowd – filled with lots of children and lots of new (to us) families.  I want you to hear some words I heard over and over by those in attendance.

• Your church is wonderful example of how a multi-generational church should be. 
• We were welcomed by all ages.
• Senior adults cuddled our baby, teenagers played with our children, young adults engaged us in conversation, sharing about the mission and ministry of Union.

Thank you to everyone who made this event possible.  I am especially grateful to the chairs this year – Patti Clark, Holly Green, and Kelly Hansford. 
 
The months of November and December offer us additional opportunities to welcome people to Union; additional opportunities for them to hear the Good News of Jesus.  I hope you will continue to invite and encourage your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers to come and join us.

 -Pastor Jane

October 26

This week, we begin a new sermon series, the last one in our walk through the Bible.  This final series focuses on the church and its beginning.  How did these early believers form together into a community of faith.  There is a lot we can learn from them.  This week...

In the book of Acts, we hear the story of the early church, where we read that they “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).  The first church in Jerusalem grounded its people in the Word, in deep community, to sharing meals and sharing Christ, and to prayer.  They had to.  The task at hand was too big for them to accomplish on their own.  They needed each other.  Mostly they needed God.

That hasn’t changed, has it?  We still have the same commission to be witnesses for Jesus in our community and in our world.  We are still called to the Word, to love each other, to share life, and to prayer.  How are you doing with this commission?  This week, will you make a commitment to spend some time in God’s word, to share love and life with each other, and to spend time in prayer?  These are the cornerstones of the church.  Will they also become the cornerstones of your life?

-Pastor Jane

October 19

I am honored to be your pastor and am so grateful for the beautiful flowers and gift card you gave me on Sunday.  What a wonderful surprise!  Serving God together with Union is one of the great joys in my life.  I am looking forward to this next year as we continue to dream new dreams together.
 
As most of you know, I will be away this Sunday in North Carolina, hopefully welcoming a new grandson into the world!  Ray Austin will be preaching in my absence and I know you will welcome and hear him gladly.  My plan is to leave today and return next Tuesday.  We all appreciate your prayers!
 
Elsewhere in this midweek, you will notice that we are fast approaching an exceptionally busy time of year.  The month of November finds us with many ministry opportunities.  We will have the opportunity to fill Thanksgiving Boxes for those in need in our community, as well as shoeboxes for those in need around the world.  Information about both will be available in the Gathering Space beginning soon. 
 
It is a good time to be at Union and to have opportunities to share God’s love with our community in so many ways.  Will you join in?

-Pastor Jane