Tag: Spirituality

“The Lord is Risen!”

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 There is no service of worship more characteristically “Moravian” than those based upon our Easter Morning Liturgy. Indeed, so central is it that Moravians often self-identify as “Easter people,” not because they believe they have any special claim to the promise of resurrection, but rather because the celebration of God’s raising of Jesus from the dead embodies the core of our faith and hope. How stirring it is to be among a congregation when the pastor’s profession: “The Lord is risen!” is answered by massed voices responding “The Lord is risen indeed!” I cherish childhood memories of Easter Dawn services outside of Home Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, NC where over ten thousand persons voiced those words. 

 Yet as moving as such collective affirmations of faith are, they are no substitute for our individual experience of relationship with God through the risen Christ. An account of an exchange between Moravian Bishop August Spangenberg and a young John Wesley during the height of a violent storm at sea on the voyage to America brings the matter into sharp focus. Spangenberg asked Wesley, “Do you know Jesus Christ?” Wesley replied, “I know he is Savior of the world.” “True,” said Spangenberg, “but do you know that he has saved you?” It is one thing to profess the Lord is risen in a crowd on Easter morning; it is quite another to profess it at home with just as much hope, joy, and faith in the midst of this present storm. Yet that is the challenge – and the gift – of these times. Alone or in small family groups we have the time to ponder what we really believe and to make it our own. 

 It is worth remembering that according to the Gospel of John, Mary Magdalene was alone when the miracle of the Resurrection was revealed to her. Though she testified to the other disciples regarding what she had seen, they had to go and see for themselves. Though we traditionally celebrate Easter together, the truth at its heart must be discovered and owned by each of us individually. That truth – that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness shall not overcome it; that the power of death, sin, and separation has been broken by God; that hope shall prevail over despair – is not diminished by our inability to gather together. Rather it becomes all the more necessary and compelling. 

 As I write, the flowers spring from the ground, the trees bud and bloom, and life in the natural world goes on. So too, Easter will come. We will celebrate the best we can on the day of Resurrection – remote from one another in body yet close in spirit and heart. Even if there is no one else to hear it, even if unuttered, I invite you to lift your heart to God on Easter morning and know that the Lord is risen indeed!

Easter Blessing to You All,
Pastor Derek

The Importance of Continuing Christian Religious Education

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“Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”  – Deuteronomy 6:4-9

An old proverb states “Charity begins at home.” (In this proverb the word “charity” is used in its “archaic” sense as meaning ‘the love of humankind.”) So too, does spiritual growth and a healthy relationship with God. Weekly worship is a good beginning, but limiting one’s program of religious enrichment to worship alone is the spiritual equivalent of trying to rehabilitate an injury by doing physical therapy only once a week. It’s a routine and disciplined approach to Christian religious education that leads to real progress. Fortunately, there are many resources available for those wishing to grow spiritually.

September 9th is Rally Day, the beginning of a new year of Sunday School. Each Sunday at 9:30 am, persons of all ages have the opportunity to dig more deeply into scripture in the context of a community of believers. Discussion and study are facilitated by our committed Sunday School staff.

If Sunday School does not appeal to you, East Hills Moravian Church offers week-day Bible Study groups. On Tuesday, Jesus Saves, led by Eugene McDuffie, meets from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the Parlor.

On Wednesday, Men’s Bible Study meets from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in the same room. There are also groups of Moravian Women who meet periodically and begin their time with Bible study. If self-study is your preference, Bible reading plans are available in most study bibles and in the Moravian Daily Text.

The Daily Text itself is available as a free daily email. Ideally, each of us would partake from a varied diet of individu and collective reflection and study.

Yet, HOW we go about continuing our Christian religious education matters far less than THAT we continue to feed our souls on a daily basis. Resolve to review and, if necessary, improve your personal program of religious enrichment this fall.

Built Together With Christ

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“What brought us together, what joined our hearts? The pardon which Jesus, our
High Priest, imparts; ‘tis this which cements the Disciples of Christ, who are into
one by the Spirit baptized.” Hymn # 675

Jesus as Good Shepherd

The Home Moravian Church sanctuary is illuminated by 10 stained glass windows.

Christ calls us into covenant relationship with God and each other. It is he who builds us together into his church. Those who are faithful to the Lord shape their lives and world-view in response to God’s grace. It is a response characterized by faith, love, and hope.

Two years ago, while spending Thanksgiving with my family in Winston-Salem, NC, I encountered tangible expressions of Moravian faith, love, and hope in the bell tower and attic of Home Moravian Church. We were there with my cousin, the congregation’s administrative assistant, to lift weights powering the church’s clock and chimes back to the top of the tower. While engaged in that task, she disclosed that recently one of the supporting ropes had parted and allowed the suspended weight to fall several stories onto the ceiling of the narthex. The 18th century Moravians had anticipated this eventuality and placed hay and other shock absorbing materials under the weights.

When the rope failed, as they knew it eventually might, no damage was done. Similar foresight by early 20th century Moravians was demonstrated when the sanctuary’s stained-glass windows had to be repaired. Present day members found carefully packed replacement panes of glass in the church’s attic where they had been since the windows’ installation in 1913.

The depth of these Moravians’ faith in God, hope for the future, and the love demonstrated by such foresight touched me emotionally and spiritually. Generations ago they had anticipated the presence of those who would follow them and prepared a place for them to join hearts together in worship of the Savior. As I descended from the clock and bell tower I passed through the sanctuary where I paused to enjoy the late afternoon sun warmly illuminating the interior.

As I contemplated a window depicting Christ as the Good Shepherd, it occurred to me that what we build together with Christ often lasts far longer and is more satisfying than any purely personal achievement. Those who came before us built worship spaces which continue to express eloquently their faith in God, hope for the future, and love for fellow believers. As we express gratitude for the faithful actions of those who preceded us, may we resolve to bless others by “paying it forward.”

The Resurrection of the Body

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“I believe in … the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.”
– (Apostles’ Creed)

Resurrection of Christ by Noël Coypel, 1700.

As reflected in the 2014 movie, Heaven is For Real, and the 2012 book Proof of Heaven, stories of near death experiences and the survival of the human soul have found a positive reception in 21st century American culture. Even as belief in God and participation in organized religion continues to decrease, more persons believe in an afterlife now than did in 1972 (80% vs. 73%), according to a study conducted by three universities (San Diego State, Florida Atlantic, and Case Western Reserve). If one were under any illusion that belief in heaven was a uniquely Christian tenet of faith these findings should challenge that perspective.

Like persons of the present day, many in Jesus’ time believed in an afterlife and thought it possible for the souls of the departed to return from the realm of the dead to this world as ghosts. What they did not expect was God’s resurrection of Christ and his walking among the living with a body through which he could interact with the material world.

Our Moravian Easter Liturgy opens with the words, “The Lord is Risen!” This distinctly Christian message of hope is the original Gospel – “good news” – spread by apostles who had encountered the risen Christ and could testify to his resurrection. Indeed, being a witness to Christ’s resurrection was the criteria for being an “apostle” (Acts 1:22). So we read of the Apostle Peter proclaiming: “you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.” (Acts 3:15). Similarly, the Apostle Paul writes: “Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” (1 Corinthians 15:8).

Throughout subsequent centuries, followers of Jesus have proclaimed that, just as God raised Jesus from the grave, so God “will also give life to our mortal bodies if the Spirit of God has dwelt in us”. This affirmation is expressed in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds.

Why does belief in the resurrection matter?

Like belief in God’s Incarnation in the person of Jesus Christ, Christian belief in bodily resurrection affirms the essential goodness of nature and embodied human existence. While taking seriously problems of suffering, sin, and death, the goal of Christian faith is not to escape earthly existence but rather to open ourselves to God’s ongoing acts of redemption. Because God’s plan is to redeem this world, our task is to help God in this endeavor by becoming agents of transformation ourselves rather than simply enjoying life or passing time until we depart for a better place. We work with our Savior for justice and righteousness during our earthly lives and pray as he taught us: “your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. With Job we can claim: “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God.” (Job 19:25-26).

Pastor Derek French

 

Being A Covenant Community Of Faith

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“We in one covenant are joined, and one in Jesus are…”
– Hymn 527, Moravian Book of Worship

A covenant is an agreement which brings about a relationship of commitment between God and God’s people and among members of a faith community. Biblical covenants always begin with God’s action on behalf of humanity and then articulate tangible ways persons of faith can and should respond to God’s freely given, unmerited favor – i.e. to God’s “grace.”

Christian faith is based on covenants made between God and Abraham, Moses and David (the basis of Jewish faith) and the new covenant embodied in Jesus Christ. Whenever we celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion, God reaffirms the foundational covenant of our Christian faith as we recall Jesus’ words to his disciples: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this … in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:25) These sacred words invite us into relationship with God and challenge us to commit our lives to Christ.

As the Rev. Kevin Frack observes, “Good intentions alone are not enough to build a healthy Christian community.” Our action must follow as faithful response to God’s action if we wish to experience the full blessings of the New Covenant. For this reason, the presiding pastor asks those joining the church to affirm their commitment to God and Christ’s church:

Do you in this faith turn away from sin, evil, and selfishness in your thoughts, words and actions; and do you intend to participate actively in Christ’s church, serving God all the days of your life?

An elaboration of how this commitment to follow Christ might be realized in one’s daily life can be found in The Moravian Covenant for Christian Living.  The church office has paper copies available.

Each year on or around September 16, Moravian Clergy gather for their annual “Covenanting Day.” It is a time for them to reaffirm their call, renew their vows of ordination and enjoy the blessings of fellowship which unites the church in service to Christ. Whether ordained or a layperson, each of us is called into committed relationship with God and each other through the establishment of covenant in the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion.

I invite you to take a moment on Friday, September 16, to celebrate and renew your commitment to the covenant relationship that links you to God and other believers through Jesus Christ.

  • Pastor Derek French

 

“To Us, To Us, This Task is Given”

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moravian synodMission and outreach on behalf of the Savior, rather than denominational expansion, was the initial focus of Moravian work In North America. Collectively and individually the church willingly made great sacrifices to bring the good news about Jesus Christ to persons who otherwise would never have heard it.

This summer’s Eastern District Synod (June 22-25) seeks to re-kindle our passion for the Savior’s ongoing work through a special focus on local and world mission. Before joining together in mission teams to prayerfully consider congregational and district mission initiatives, delegates will participate in a “hands-on” mission learning experience at one of many sites throughout the Lehigh Valley. It is hoped that their experience will inform the work of synod and encourage Eastern District congregations to reach beyond the walls of the sanctuary and their member rosters in spreading spreading God’s Word.

The title of the synod is taken from the third stanza of “Sing Hallelujah, Praise the Lord,” written by the late Moravian bishop Edwin Kortz:

But not for us alone this news
was brought by Christ our Lord.
‘Twas meant for all the world to hear
and thus with one accord
with all God’s children everywhere
his name and sign with pride we bear.
To us, to us this task is giv’n:
to spread God’s word. Amen.

I find it interesting that God has most abundantly blessed the Moravian Church whenever its members have “lost themselves” in the Savior’s work with little concern for how doing so would benefit them individually or institutionally. Perhaps as we reflect on our history there are lessons for us as we set the ministry priorities of our congregation and district.

  • Pastor Derek French

Avoiding Spiritual Groundhog Day Syndrome

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groundhog dayIn the 1993 fantasy comedy Groundhog Day, actor Bill Murray plays the role of a judgmental, egotistical weatherman named Phil Connors. While covering groundhog Punxsutawney Phil’s annual weather prediction, Murray’s character finds himself trapped in a time loop in which he forever relives the second day of February. Only when Connors re-examines his priorities and motivation is he freed from an endless cycle of repetition. Compassionate consideration of others is key to Connors’ redemption and release.

Such insights are not new. Two millennia ago, St. Paul realized personal inner-change precedes cultural or institutional change. In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul pleaded with followers of Jesus not to allow themselves to be conformed to the ways of their society, but rather to allow God to transform and renew their patterns of thought and behavior. Paul writes:

“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

(Romans 12: 9-18)

Whenever we deplore the state of society or despair over the health of the church, we might best begin by contemplating ways in which our own inner transformation and growth could pave the way for God’s action. As in the movie Groundhog Day, in our own lives outward change comes only after the inner, spiritual work is done. Real life diverges from the movie fantasy in that we aren’t blessed with infinity of days; there’s a greater urgency surrounding our inner work.

Here are a few questions to ponder in your spiritual journey as an individual and in our spiritual journey as a congregation committed to following our Lord, Jesus Christ:

  • What priorities and motivations trap me in a cycle of spiritual “numbness” or “sameness?”
  • How might I allow God to transform and renew my mind?
  • How would committing to live each day according to St. Paul’s spiritual recommendations change congregational life; life at home, school or work; or American society?

A musical adaption of the movie Groundhog Day is scheduled to premiere in March of this year. Hopefully, we all will have made progress in breaking free of our own cycles of spiritual sameness.

– Pastor Derek French

Being Disciples of Jesus – Together

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“Going to church doesn’t make a person anymore a Christian than going to a barn makes a person a cow.” So said Phil as we loaded gallons of floor wax and cleaning supplies into boxes, weighed them and prepared them for shipping in the cleaning supply warehouse where we both worked. By “Christian”, Phil meant one who was a sincere follower of Jesus’ teachings; in other words, a disciple. I had to agree with him.

Phil was not arguing that the church was unnecessary for those seeking to follow Jesus. He regularly attended worship, financially supported his congregation, and assisted at its annual pulled pork, pit BBQ. Yet these activities would have fallen short of the mark had they not been grounded in Phil’s relationship with Christ. It was that relationship and the effort to follow Christ’s commandments which Phil believed identified persons as Jesus’ disciples. It’s easy to get so caught up in “doing church” that we forget to “be church”.

In Luke’s Gospel is a story of Jesus’ visit to the home of sisters Martha and Mary. Martha, the typical “worker bee”, focused on the many tasks needed to prepare for the visit of a distinguished guest while Mary spent her time listening intently to the charismatic Rabbi identified by many as the Messiah. Scripture tells us that Martha, “distracted by her many tasks”, came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” Jesus answered: “Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing …”

Jesus is not advocating sloth. He is not dismissing the industry of Martha. Home, church and society all need persons willing to complete the tasks necessary for their continuation. What Jesus is saying is that we cannot let activity, work, programs, upkeep, and the business of life and the church distract us from the one needful thing – knowing God through Jesus Christ and making that God known to others. A vibrant relationship with God is not only the key to discipleship but also the definition of eternal life. (Jn 17:3)

This summer may you find those precious moments to spend with Jesus to refresh your spirit. May you grow in relationship with God and commitment to be Jesus’ disciple. May a deeper communion with the Holy One guide your efforts so that your industrious labor on behalf of family, community and church will be not a distraction, but a witness to one thing which is needed.

A Question: How does this program, this fundraiser, this worship service, this time of fellowship, this committee meeting help those who attend know Christ and make him known?

– Pastor Derek French