October 11th Worship

“God’s kingdom," Jesus said, "is like a king who threw a wedding banquet for his son.”  (Matthew 22:2)

If you don't have internet/access to a computer you can CALL IN BY PHONE via Zoom and listen to worship!
Call-in phone number:  929-205-6099
NEW Meeting ID: 837 8512 6321
NEW Passcode: 289999
(If you call in you will be automatically muted so that the sound doesn't affect the LiveStream.) 

ORDER OF WORSHIP (30 minutes):
- Prelude
- Welcome
- Announcements
- Call to Worship
- Hymn #565 "If You Will Trust in God to Guide You"
- Scripture Reading:  Matthew 22:1-14  
- Sermon “Who Doesn’t Love a Good Banquet?!"- Hymn #452 "Here I am Lord"
- Benediction

PRAYER SERVICE (20 minutes)
You are invited to type prayer requests into the chat function of the Livestream.  
 LORD’S PRAYER
 POSTLUDE

Hymns for Sunday, October 11th

Click on the hymn to view and/or download the music.
#565  If You Will Trust in God to Guide You 
#452  Here I Am, Lord 

Around the Campfire: One Story – or Two or Three?

Some Bible stories just don’t get told in Sunday School or in Sundaymorning worship! This is a tale that appears not once, but three times in the Book of Genesis. My guess is that is was an old story told in the evenings around the campfire. Father Abraham was born “Abram.” His wife Sarai (Sarah) was so beautiful that Abram feared Pharaoh would kill him in order to take Sarai away from him. He told Pharaoh she was his sister and allowed Pharaoh to take her into his harem. In other words: he prostituted his wife. God sent great plagues on Pharaoh who then sent Abram away – with gifts. Abram went with Sarai and all his possessions into the Negeb. (Genesis 12:11-21) Next in Genesis come the name change to Abraham, the prediction of Isaac’s birth, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Then the story returns to Abraham in the Negeb where he told Abimelech, king of Gere, that Sarah was his sister. This time, God made Abimelech’s wife and slaves barren and told Abimelech that he is about to die because he had taken Sarah who was a married woman. Abimelech gave sheep and oxen as well as Sarah to Abraham and sent them away. God healed Abimelech and his family, and, as God had promised, Abraham and Sarah had a son, Isaac, in their old age. (Genesis 20:1-18 and Genesis 21:1-2) In the next generation, Isaac went to Gere where he told King Abimelech that Rebekah, his beautiful wife, was his sister. Later Abimelech saw Isaac fondling Rebekah and chastised him for lying that she was his sister, which created the possibility that another man would sin by taking her, unaware that she was a married woman. Abimelech sent Isaac and Rebekah away, but the two men later made a covenant of peace between them. (Genesis 26:6-11, 26-31) I don’t like this story. Things were different then. Wives were property to be used to gain wealth or protection. Was this the same story told three times with different characters, or did Abraham fool two rulers, or did Abimelech fall for the same scheme twice. Maybe these were just stories told around the campfire. These are stories in the Bible that we prefer to ignore. I wonder why they were important enough to be included in the Bible at all. What point are we missing? By Lyn Pickhover, Perplexed

Matthew 21:23-32

Matthew 21: 23-32   .... "Why then did you not believe him? ... neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.   ... John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him ... and even after you saw it, [the changed lives of prostitutes & tax collectors] you did not change your minds and believe him.  (v. 25, 27, 32; The New Oxford Annotated Bible).

     Do you think there's a possibility that God holds off responding to us if we're unwilling to admit motives or deal with Him truthfully?  I'm coming to the realization that if I don't get at the 'real' kernel of things, the likelihood of genuine understanding, resolution or clarity is unlikely to be reached. I'm not referring to negating the possibility of salvation here, because I've failed to admit all my shortcomings to the Creator. But am I lessening blessings by holding onto things I don't readily verbalize or unveil?  The elders and chief priests had their agenda when they questioned Jesus' authority in the opening verse of this week's text. By carefully (pridefully), not revealing the underlying reason for their questioning Jesus' authority, they were able to keep control and their devious scheme intact.  Who knows, [it] could have gone well for them!  They could have simply answered truthfully and wound up in a believing / teachable Gentile culture, benefitting self, family and Church, having had such an impactful lesson from the Master. 

     In my more 'doubting-times', I know that affirmative change, which I'm confident God wants in me and for me, is often slowed by my high opinion and conviction that I have a better way. At those times, my self-made-ness and stronger affinity to John Wayne than Jesus is out of balance.  I even tend to reinforce my thinking with rationale like: 'this stance has served me well up to this point', rather than "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything that offends you ...." (Ps. 140:23-24). 

     My belief is strengthened, meditating on and putting these few thoughts together from a mere ten Gospel verses.  The last few days, I've also had the blessing to hear Christ centered music and encouragement whereby a radio station's lifeline of fund-raising hinges on countless, humbling testimonies of believers embracing God's Spirit, across our troubled land.

     I pray your belief increases & you too are engulfed by His Spirit..., Kevin T. for your Deacons!

October 4th Worship - Affirmation Sunday

Outdoor Worship - October 4, 2020 - 10 a.m.

Affirmation Sunday

“…anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons!”         (2 Corinthians 5:17, The Message)   

Order of Worship

OPENING SONG “Bond of Love”

Welcome

Announcements

Call to Worship (based on ABCUSA Mission Statement)

ONE: The heart of the gospel is God’s redemptive love.

ALL: We affirm our faith in Christ.

ONE: In our life together as Christians, we witness to the power of forgiveness to overcome alienation.

ALL: We affirm our faith in Christ. 

ONE: In Christ we find the strength of love to transform hate.

ALL: We affirm our faith in Christ. 

ONE: In Christ we find the power of grace to break the bonds of guilt, the triumph of hope over despair, and the victory of faith over doubt.

ALL: We affirm our faith in Christ. 

ONE: As a people of prayer, purpose, and passion, we seek to create a community of faith where people of every race, nationality and culture gather as one in worship, service and work.

ALL:  We affirm our faith in Christ.

SONG “Let the Walls Fall Down”

Introduction of Affirmand by Steve Kinson, Mentor

Scripture Reading:  2 Corinthians 5:16-20, Jake Houlihan, Reader

Statement of Faith by Affirmand, Jake Houlihan

Introduction of Affirmand by Sue Borchard, Mentor

Scripture Reading:  I Corinthians 10:13, Hannah Burr, Reader

Statement of Faith by Affirmand, Hannah Burr

SONG “Come Share the Lord”

Questions to Affirmands (based on UCC Book of Worship, spoken by the pastor)

Response by Congregation (in unison):  We welcome you into our church as full participating members. We affirm all that you are, and we accept you into our church family as new creations. Thank you for adding your light to ours, and remember that no matter where you go, we are here for you.

Prayer for Affirmands (Parents and family members are invited to participate in a “laying on of hands;” non-family members are invited to raise their right hands in a gesture of blessing as the pastor prays)

Right “Hand” of Fellowship (mentors, deacons, pastor)

Presentation of Bibles, certificates, gifts (mentors and deacons)

SONG “Come to the Table of Grace”

COMMUNION of the Lord’s Supper

Benediction

CLOSING SONG ‘’Let There Be Peace on Earth”

Worship Leaders:

Rev. Dr. Marlayna Schmidt, Interim Pastor

Julie Gorman, Music Director

Hannah Burr, Affirmand

Jake Houlihan, Affirmand

Sue Borchard, Mentor

Steve Kinson, Mentor and Tech Deacon

Alan Mercer, Vocals

Kathy Danielson, Vocals and Guitar

Tom O’Toole, Tech Associate

Tim Danielson, Sound Engineer

Many thanks to:

Affirmands, their families, and mentors for inspiring our faith; members of the worship and tech teams (Julie Gorman, Steve Kinson, Marlayna Schmidt, Lyn Pickhover, Bonnie Sousa, and Sue Woodman) for their planning of this service;  Steve Kinson, Tim Danielson and Tom O’Toole whose technical expertise made this service possible.

Franklin Federated Church

171 Main Street, Franklin, MA  02038

franklinfederated.org; 508-528-3803

No matter who you are, where you are on your journey of life or faith, you are welcome here!

September 27th Sermon: “Holding on to Comfort?"

INTRODUCTION:  Our Scripture reading this morning is set by the Lectionary (which is a list of Scripture readings for worship used in many Protestant and Catholic churches.)  It is part of a chapter where Jesus challenges religious leaders to “practice what they preach,” that is, not just talk about God’s love and justice, but actually believe in it and live it out. 

Scripture:  Scripture:  Matthew 21:23-32

                23When Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.” 27So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

                28“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. 30The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. 31Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.

Sermon:  “Holding on to Comfort?”

My husband Paul and I love to watch HGTV—Home and Garden television.  We love the “reality” shows where they re-hab—or fix up-- houses.  In one such show, that’s called “Love It or List It,” the story line for each episode goes basically like this:  There’s a couple who own a house together.  One spouse or partner LOVES the house, is deeply attached to it for some sentimental reason:  their kids grew up there, their father built it, it’s the best neighborhood on the planet.  The other spouse or partner HATES the house because it doesn’t function anymore the way they need it to—and, perhaps, it never did.  For instance, there was one episode where a husband didn’t have a closet—he had to keep his clothes in a room down the hall.  In another episode, a wife had to go outside and down a flight of stairs to do laundry—because there was no access to the basement from inside the house.  In another episode, the couple had to sleep in sweatshirts, hats and mittens because there was no heat in the master bedroom.  The big question in each episode is:  can the expert fix the house up enough so that both people LOVE IT, or will the spouse/partner who is uncomfortable win the day and convince the other to sell that house and buy something new?

While it is always interesting to see how each show turns out and what the couple ultimately chooses to do, what I actually find most surprising in each episode is how oblivious and dismissive the spouse who loves the house is to the discomfort of his or her partner, the person for whom the house is not working.  All the person who loves the house can see is how the house meets his or her own needs.

Many of the chief priests, elders, scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ day were like this.  They were comfortable as leaders of the Temple and were completely oblivious to the discomfort of the people around them.  All they could see was how the Temple met their own needs.  They couldn’t--or wouldn’t-- see how the larger Temple system exploited those who were poor and vulnerable.

And then Jesus comes into the mix.  Like “Demo Day” on a house show where the expert starts demolishing things with a sledge hammer, starts clearing out old walls and cabinets and appliances to make room for a new design that works, Jesus clears bad practices out of the Temple to make room for what is truly important:  meeting the spiritual and physical needs of all God’s people. 

Our Scripture reading this morning, from Matthew Chapter 21, verses 23-32, picks up shortly after the famous passage where Jesus clears out the Temple.  Earlier in chapter 21, verse 12, we read how Jesus overturns the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves (these were the dishonest merchants who cheated poor people out of their hard-earned money.)  If you’ve read this passage, I’m sure you remember it, because Jesus seems really angry--incensed, even.  He says to the money changers and dove-sellers in verse 13, “’My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a den of robbers.”  Why is Jesus so angry?  Let me answer that:  Because the Temple of God, the very place that should be all about love and justice -- all about welcoming, helping, and healing the poor and vulnerable -- is, instead, exploiting the very people God calls them to embrace.  So Jesus acts decisively, forcefully to return the Temple to its God-given purpose:  being a place where all people--especially the poor and vulnerable-- can find comfort, healing, hope, help and connection to God.

But the leaders of the Temple--the chief priests, elders, scribes and Pharisees-- aren’t happy about Jesus clearing out the Temple like this.  Why?  Because now people will be expecting them, the religious establishment, to follow Jesus’ lead and start doing something radically different.  Now people will be expecting the religious leaders to:

·        Start living out God’s love and justice instead of just teaching about God’s law. 

·        Start welcoming the poor, the lame, the blind, widows and orphans instead of standing by and letting them be exploited by an unjust system. 

·        Start praying and working for their healing, instead of judging them and declaring them unclean.

And that’s where today’s reading picks up.  In today’s Scripture reading, we find the religious establishment, the chief priests, elders, scribes and Pharisees questioning Jesus’ authority—questioning him not because they think he’s wrong, but because they know that if they don’t stop him, they will have to change—have to change their behavior, and possibly even their minds and their hearts.  And they don’t want to do that, because they are too comfortable.  Like the oblivious spouses in the house show that I described, leaders of the religious establishment of Jesus’ day were holding on to their own comfort at the expense of the people around them.

Which brings me to a question.  “Where am I doing that?”  “Where in my life am I holding on to my own comfort at the expense of someone around me?”  That is a question this Scripture challenged me with this week, and I offer it to you to ponder as well.  “Where in your life are you holding on to your own comfort at the expense of someone else?” 

To go back to the house show analogy:  Metaphorically (or literally):  Where am I hogging the closet space?  Where have you blocked the door to the laundry room?  Where have we shut off the heat? 

Have we done that at work?   At home?  At church?   Where are we holding on to our own comfort at the expense of someone else?  Maybe it’s not blatant.  And maybe it’s not that we are actively harming someone.  Maybe it’s more that being comfortable with life as we have known it is stopping us from seeing or acknowledging the ways that injustice embedded in our systems is hurting other people. 

The chief priests, elders, and Pharisees of Jesus day weren’t horrible monsters or even really bad people.  They were human beings with gifts and flaws, like us.  In fact, at the beginning of the gospel of Matthew, we read that many Pharisees came out to hear John the Baptist preach his message of repentance.  The problem is, when push came to shove, as a group, they didn’t act on what they heard.  They didn’t change their ways.  Comfortable in their own lives, they did not challenge the injustice embedded in the system of religious life that they had control over.  They stood by and allowed the poor and vulnerable to continue to be hurt--by practices in the Temple that they had the power to stop.

My brothers and sisters in Christ--let us not make the same mistake.  This Covid crisis and the protests around racism have laid bare some of the deep flaws and inequities in the various systems of our society--health care, education, criminal justice, to name a few.  Hearing about these flaws and inequities makes us all uncomfortable.  But we cannot close our ears and our hearts--we cannot stand by while the poor and vulnerable continue to hurt.  We cannot allow polarizing political rhetoric--or our own fear of change--stop us from doing the hard work of naming injustice and working together to reform our systems. 

I believe we can talk together, despite whatever political differences we may have, and we--as a church and as a society-- can begin to name some of the injustice that we see in our society and our world. 

For instance, I believe we can voice support for police officers and still name the ways our criminal justice system needs to change in order to be more fair to our black and brown brothers and sisters.

I believe we can stand with the protestors and listen to the stories of black and brown people who have experienced racism without condoning violence or rioting.

One way we can begin to practice doing this--naming injustice and looking for ways to work together to make positive change-- is by taking part in the virtual book group led by Peggy Maxwell and Jean Southard, that starts in October and asks the question, “Are we a racist society?”  I’ve read the book that they will be studying--and it helped open my eyes in many ways, including naming privileges that I’ve taken for granted as a white person, privileges that are not available to our black brothers and sisters. 

May Jesus be with us all as we follow Jesus’ example and live out God’s love and justice in our daily lives.   May Jesus be with us and use us to change and bless the world.  Amen.

Rev. Dr. Marlayna Schmidt

Franklin Federated Church

Franklin, MA

(Earlier versions of this sermon were written, edited and preached in September of 2014 and 2017)

Feuding Families

“Blessed are you when people insult you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil lies about you because of me.” Matthew 5:11. The Westar scholars decided that while Jesus probably said something like this, the form is most likely from a later period when groups of Jesus people actuallywere vilified – by other groups who claimed their way of following Jesus was the only correct way. For example, in the First Letter to Timothy (not a letter by Paul, but from a leader of a more organized church a generation or two later,) the writer states: “But the spirit distinctly says that in later times there will be some who renounce the faith and devote their attention to deceitful spirits, and to the teachings of demons, who will make use of the hypocrisy of lying teachers. These people’s conscience is seared, and they forbid marriage and enjoin abstinence from certain kinds of food which God created to be received with thanksgiving . . .” 1 Timothy 4:1-3a. A message of Christian love? These were words of a vicious feud among different groups of Christ followers, and it continued unto the Fourth Century until the Emperor Constantine forced the bishops to settle on one version of Jesus’ story. Anyone who disagreed was ostracized, marginalized, or worse. I wish these words were not in our Bible! Today the rhetoric between political groups and even between religious groups reminds me of the vituperation of those early church leaders. I pray that our generations can find common ground before the damage is so great that it cannot be healed.

Lyn Pickhover, Peace Lover

September 27th Worship

"He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went.” (Matthew 21:29)
 

If you don't have internet/access to a computer you can CALL IN BY PHONE via Zoom and listen to worship!
Call-in phone number:  929-205-6099
NEW Meeting ID: 837 8512 6321
NEW Passcode: 289999
(If you call in you will be automatically muted so that the sound doesn't affect the LiveStream.) 

ORDER OF WORSHIP (30-40 minutes):
- Prelude
- Welcome
- Announcements
- Call to Worship
- Hymn #354 “Seek Ye First"
- Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:23-32 
- Sermon “Holding on to Comfort?"
- Communion of the Lord’s Supper
- Hymn #655 "Community of Christ"
- Benediction

PRAYER SERVICE (10-20 minutes)
You are invited to type prayer requests into the chat function of the Livestream.  
 LORD’S PRAYER
 POSTLUDE

Hymns for Sunday, September 27th

Click on the hymn to view and/or download the music.
#354  Seek Ye First
#655  Community of Christ

Luke 16: 19-21

Luke 16: 19 - 21   Jesus said, "There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man's table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores." (New Life Translation)

     Just thinking, what would I do with the situation that Jesus describes above? What do you do when encountering a homeless person? Better yet, what do I do? And what about our treatment of the 4-legged canine residing with my spouse and I?  Sure, ... our adopted hound gets 2 squares a day, plenty of treats and a warm crib mattress nightly, but am I as compassionate with the needy? One of my tactics has often been to speak to a panhandler in French, German or Spanish (of which I know approx. 30 words totally), feigning that I don't understand what they are asking. Yet, I have lived for a few decades now, certain as a believer that "my God will meet all my needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19), and parting with a few Euros for the approacher's small coffee & McBurger, extra-bread, won't deny my Bella-dog or afternoon Chai-latte. "But even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." (Mt. 15:27).

     Pastor Schmidt's depiction of the Luke text above whacked me in the wallet, but even more simply in the solar plexus. Is my empathy for and with the downtrodden on par with the innocent child which the Rev. portrayed for us? I shied away from a friendship I was invited back into with a down and out high school friend a couple years back. Am I that rich man depicted in Luke 16 or Senator-like, engrossed in my stuff to the degree that any compassion barely surfaces? Do I construct gates or bridges? Am I fencing out who I see as riff-raff rather than inviting conversation and connectedness? In no way do I see our status as royal or luxurious (they're way over rated in my book anyway), and God has given me the capability of setting healthy boundaries. This parable tells me to find balance somewhere between not losing myself or being taken advantage of and genuinely reaching out to one in need. Plenty of questions and opportunities, eh?...... still thinking, Lord may my meditations be acceptable in your sight!

     Peace to you & yours in this turbulent time, Kevin & your FFC Deacons.

September 20th Sermon: “The Rich Man and Lazarus”

INTRODUCTION to the Scripture:

Today’s Scripture reading is one of the parables--or stories-- that Jesus told.  His point in telling parables was to get people to question the status quo and consider how God might be calling them to change their thinking and behavior.  Let us listen for God’s Spirit, which is still speaking through these words...

Scripture:  Luke 16:19-31
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side.   24He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ 25But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ 27He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— 28for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ 29Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ 30He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Here ends the reading.  May God bless our hearing--and acting--on these words.

INTRODUCTION to Sermon:

Rather than preaching a traditional sermon this morning, I’ve decided to follow the tradition of Jesus and the prophets, and tell a story.  The gospel reading for today is the parable entitled “The Rich man and Lazarus,” and the story I’m telling today is based on that.  I tried to imagine what part of that story might look like in the context of our day and age and culture.  I changed many details, of course, but I tried to stay true to the sense of the parable, basing my musings on the details of the original text.  For instance, the detail of the rich man wearing “purple and fine linen” implied that he was a high ranking government official or member of the royal family, because in Jesus’ day and age, the Romans had laws determining who could wear purple and exactly how much purple they could wear!  (New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary, Vol. IX, p. 316)  So, in this modern-day-retelling of the parable, I have imagined the rich man to be a member of the government.  More importantly, however, I have tried to maintain the purpose of a parable, which is to draw those who “have ears to hear” into the story, inviting us to imagine ourselves as one of the characters and to ask ourselves, how would God want me to respond if I were in their shoes? 

Sermon:  “The Rich Man and Lazarus”

The steel gray Mercedes Benz Luxury Sedan pulled up in front of the wrought iron security gate and came to a stop.  Senator Smith, dressed impeccably in an Armani suit, was in the back seat of the car.  He was busy checking stocks on his smartphone, when his chauffeur interrupted, “Um, Senator?  I think we may have a problem.”

“Richard, can’t you see I’m right in the middle of something?  What is it?”  Senator Smith did not like to be interrupted.   

“There’s a man in front of the gate, sir, and he doesn’t look well,” his chauffeur replied.

Senator Smith leaned forward and craned his neck to see past his chauffeur to the man lying in front of the gate on the crushed shell driveway that led up to the Senator’s mansion on the hill.  The man was dressed in faded blue jeans with grass stains on his knees and an old cotton T-Shirt with a logo that looked a bit familiar to the Senator, but he couldn’t quite place it.  The man’s eyes were closed, and his gaunt arms and legs were splayed out in front of him.  The man was barefoot and had sores on his feet, face, and arms.  He reminded Senator Smith of an AIDS patient he’d seen once on a trip to Africa.  Not a pretty site.  The Senator turned his head away and settled back against the smooth leather car seat.   He closed his eyes and tried to get the picture of the man out of his head.

“Call security and have them take care of it,” Senator Smith directed his chauffeur.  “I don’t want to be late for dinner.  Mrs. Smith has hired a new chef, and he’s serving Filet Mignon tonight with a braised onion sauce.  I don’t want to miss it.” 

“I’m happy call to security, Sir,” the chauffeur replied, “but I’m afraid we’re stuck here for the moment.  The gate is not going to open with the man in front of it like that.  And, um, do you want me to get out and at least make sure he’s still alive?” 

Senator Smith let out an exasperated sigh, “No, stay where you are.  I’ll take care of it.”  He pressed a button on the door panel and the back window went down a few inches.  Senator Smith yelled out, “Excuse me.  Excuse me!  I’m not sure who you are or what you want, but you are trespassing on private property, and I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

The man opened his eyes and propped himself up to a sitting position, his back against the gate.  He spoke in a clear but weak voice.  “Senator Smith, as one of your constituents, may I please have a moment of your time?” 

Senator Smith was momentarily taken aback by how articulate and polite the man seemed, but he quickly recovered his composure and responded like the consummate politician that he was, “Well, yes, certainly, you may have a moment of my time, but you’ll have to call my office and make an appointment like everyone else.”

“I’ve already tried that,” the man said, “but it seems you are too busy to see someone like me.”

“I am busy,” the Senator said, “but if you give me your name and number, I’ll ask my secretary Connie to schedule you in at the beginning of next week.”

“Next week, I may not still be around.”  The man rubbed one of the sore spots on his arm and continued, “I lost my job when I got sick, and I have no health insurance.  My wife generally works two jobs, but they were both part-time, and she lost one in the Covid crisis.  We haven’t been able to pay our full rent since last April, and we can’t even afford to feed the kids properly.  My wife and I often skip meals so we have more to give to them—       

“Look,” Senator Smith interrupted, and he lowered the car window another few inches, “I am sorry about your predicament, truly I am.  I voted to pass the Affordable Care Act and I’m doing what I can to pass another stimulus bill, but there is gridlock in Washington right now, and there is only so much I can do.”  The Senator sat up straighter and continued as if he were addressing a television audience, “But I promise you, I will continue to fight for the rights of hardworking Americans—“

“Excuse me.”  It was the man’s turn to interrupt.  “I know your voting record, Senator, and I appreciate that you do what you can for people like me, but I was hoping for help that was a little more immediate.  Can you spare something from your own table, Mr. Smith?  Even a basket of bread would be nice.  Plus, if you’ve got it, $157 would cover our electric bill for this month.” 

For the first time in his life, Senator Smith was speechless.  He’d seen his share of panhandlers in the city, of course, but no one had ever asked him, personally, by name, to help cover their daily living expenses.  He was tempted to help the man, but what if the press got wind of it and word got out?  Everyone and their brother would be showing up at his gate looking for a handout.  Plus, was this man really his responsibility?  The Senator already represented him in Washington, wasn’t that enough?  The Senator thought to himself, “Doesn’t this man have anyone else in his own family he could ask to lend a hand?” 

As he was pondering a response, suddenly Senator Smith heard a shriek of glee coming from behind the gate.  His 7 year old daughter and their golden retriever were running down the driveway toward the car.  “Daddy, you’re home!” 

Senator Smith jumped out of the car and put his hands up in a stop position.  “Stop right there, sweetheart, Daddy will be with you in a minute.”  He did not want his daughter to see the sick man sprawled in the driveway.  He was afraid she would be traumatized.  The little girl stopped, but the dog kept coming and squeezed through a spot in the hedge next to the gatepost.  Tail wagging a mile a minute, the dog immediately ran over to the man and gently and tenderly began licking the sores on his feet. 

“Luke, stop that,” Senator Smith commanded the dog, but the dog didn’t listen. 

“What’s Luke doing, Daddy?” the little girl wanted to know.  She advanced toward the gate, despite her father’s command. 

“I said, ‘Stop right there!’”  Senator Smith barked.  But the little girl had already reached the gate, which was still closed so she could not get through.  She wrapped her hands around one of the decorative, wrought-iron scrolls and poked her little head through the lattice work.  She looked down on the man--and smiled with surprise.

“Lazarus, is that you?”  The little girl asked.

“You know this man?”  Senator Smith was astonished.

“Duh, Daddy,” she sounded exasperated.  “Of course I know him.  He’s mowed our lawn every week since I was in kindergarten, but I haven’t seen him lately.  Is he coming to dinner?” 

For the second time in one day, Senator Smith didn’t know what to say.

“Well, is he, Daddy?  Is he coming to dinner?  Aren’t you going to let him in?  Aren’t you going to let him in?

Rev. Dr. Marlayna Schmidt

Interim Pastor

Franklin Federated Church

Franklin, MA

 *****

(Earlier versions of this sermon were written/edited by Marlayna and preached on 9/30/07 and 9/29/13)

Matthew 18: 15 - 20

Matthew 18: 15 - 20   "Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (v. 18, NRSV).

    We, Christianly-thinking types have an opportunity that is oft somewhat difficult to fathom. Due to our choice to: read, contemplate, internalize, embrace, align with, adhere to, embody and then finally enact, our capability to intercede, confront, defuse and reconcile conflict is boundless. More simply put: enlisting God's Spirit, then boldly, yet tactfully proceeding toward clarity and "goodness", is undoubtedly for the benefit of the whole (which includes all affected persons)! Easier said than done, you say, but do you not perceive it? (Is. 43:19).

     Our Pastor's account regarding a difficult individual in a previous church-setting, resolved by prayer, assertive, un-offensive and truthful conversation yielding an unforeseeable outcome takes me back to 2016 with a Christian sister. In my case, it was a family case, where she and I differed on her care of our mother. Instead of going directly to Sis with my opinion and issues, I: anxiously agonized, prayed, waited for it to blow over, commiserated with a confidante, waited, hoped for it to change, prayed with my confidante, enlisted a more direct brother, garnered support from a daughter who also lived in the home, feared that I was being too judgmental, and I finally set-up a lunch outing with Sis and that brother. Oh, did I say I prayed some more? The gathering went well! My understanding of Jesus' life and intentions for our good had me both setting-up the meeting and initiating the difficult topic, once gathered. My sister's role as primary care-giver had run its course; their dynamic needed to change. I was bolstered by my confidante's earnest conscious contact with the God of our understanding, while we 3 dined at a local Pizzeria. My role with Mom's affairs changed for the better and brother and I facilitated the needed care, sans Sis, who got to return to daughter status. Suffice it to say, that the conversation / decisions didn't go perfectly, nor as I had planned, but it went wonderfully with Mom's well-being served beautifully, the siblings more tightly bonded and my angst lessened! My part had been to enlist God's everlasting support and behave and speak as a willing participant in His plan.... not sure why it took me so long to let go & do that; but gratitude has surfaced.

     Lord, lead us along paths of Righteousness for your name's sake!  Kevin T. for your Deacons.

September 20th Worship

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table…”  (Luke 16:19-21)   
 
Livestream
If you don't have internet/access to a computer you can CALL IN BY PHONE via Zoom and listen to worship!
Call-in phone number:  929-205-6099
NEW Meeting ID: 837 8512 6321
NEW Passcode: 289999
(If you call in you will be automatically muted so that the sound doesn't affect the LiveStream.) 

ORDER OF WORSHIP (30-40 minutes):  
- Opening Song:  "There's a Quiet Understanding" - Julie Gorman, Kathy Danielson & Alan Mercer
- Welcome
- Announcements
- Call to Worship
- Song:  Currently untitled - Kathy Danielson
- Scripture Reading: Luke 16:19-31
- Story Sermon:  “The Rich Man and Lazarus” (A re-telling of Jesus’ parable, set in contemporary times)
- Song:  “Peace on Earth” - Julie Gorman and Alan Mercer
- Pastoral Prayer, Moment of Silence, and Lord’s Prayer
- Benediction
- Closing Song:  "We Are One (In The Father's Love)" - Julie Gorman, Kathy Danielson & Alan Mercer

DETAILS:

• Masks are required.

• Please practice 6’ social distancing from people not in your household.

• Please bring your own “beach” chair.

• Please park on the street (as the parking lot will be our seating area.)

• People with mobility issues may be dropped off at the entrance to the parking lot. 

• Bathrooms will be for emergency use only.
  NOTE:  The worship service will not include a live-stream prayer time.  If you have prayer requests you want included in a “pastoral prayer” spoken by Rev. Marlayna, please email her with your requests by Friday, September 18th.  revschmidt@comcast.net.

September 13th Sermon: “Nip It in the Bud”

INTRODUCTION:  Today’s Scripture Reading is regularly read in churches at this time of year.  In this passage, Jesus gives his followers practical advice regarding how to handle it if a member of the church sins against them.  Although this advice is nearly 2000 years old, it can still help us navigate the sometimes challenging waters of interpersonal interactions within Christian Community.  Let’s listen for God’s Spirit speaking through these words.

Scripture:  Matthew 18:15-20

15 [Jesus said:]  “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. 16But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax-collector. 18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

Here ends the reading.  May God bless us as we consider how we might act on these words.

Sermon:  “Nip It in the Bud”

I am guessing that all of us are familiar with the classic movie the Wizard of Oz.  There is a scene close to the beginning of the movie where the character who later becomes the Wicked Witch of the West--Almira Gulch-- has arrived with an unjust order from the Sheriff to take away Dorothy’s little dog Toto.  Not wanting to break the law, Auntie Em feels compelled to hand the dog over to the mean old lady, but she’s not happy about it.  At this point, you probably all remember Auntie Em’s famous response, “Almira Gulch…for 23 years I’ve been dying to tell you what I think of you, and now…well…being a Christian woman, I can’t…!” 

Apparently Auntie Em never read Jesus’ teaching in today’s gospel lesson, which is amazingly powerful.  Verse 15:  “If another member of the church sins against you, wait 23 years… [No!  he says, “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone.”  Wow.  I think this is one of Jesus’ most powerful teachings—and one of the hardest to follow!  Perhaps because it goes against our natural tendencies and the ways we’ve been conditioned in polite, Christian society to behave.  I don’t know about you, but when someone sins against me—says or does something that offends me or hurts my feelings in a big way, my natural, gut response is like Auntie Em’s.  I want to give the person a piece of my mind.  And not in a kind way.  I want to lash out and hurt them like they have hurt me.  But because, like Auntie Em, I believe that Jesus, who preached love for our enemies, would not condone this kind of intentionally hurtful, “lashing out” behavior, my second gut response is generally also like Auntie Em’s.  Rather than lash out in an un-Christian way, I tend to bite my tongue and not say anything. 

At least not to the person who offended me.  My third gut response would normally be in a category of behavior that I should have left behind when I graduated from junior high.  That is, I am tempted to revert to my immature, teenage self and pick up the phone and call a friend to complain.  “You won’t believe what so and so just said to me!”  But, let me be clear, just because I am tempted to do that, it doesn’t mean it is the right—or even a helpful—thing to do.  In fact, as I bet we have all discovered at some point in our lives, talking about another person to someone else doesn’t resolve a conflict, it only serves to pull another person into the middle of our conflict, AND it escalates the conflict to another level.  Instead of being a conflict or a hurtful issue between 2 people, it now becomes a conflict or an issue between 3 people—and then from there it can expand and take on a life of its own and it can even turn into a disruption that reverberates throughout the whole church community.

Now, let me just stop here and say that I’m talking about all this because I’m pretty sure that I’m not the only one who has been involved in situations like this.  I think most of us in churches generally tend to behave like Auntie Em and avoid speaking directly to the person who offends us.  Part of our reason for that is what I’ve already mentioned, we don’t want to lash out and hurt the person back like they’ve hurt us.  And that is commendable.  But this is not an either/or situation—either we lash out and hurt someone back or we say nothing.  There is a way of speaking directly to a person who has hurt us that doesn’t hurt them back.  In fact, it can help them--and us--grow in faith and it can strengthen the church community.  Or, as the Apostle Paul has said in Ephesians 4, it can “build up the Body of Christ.” 

This kind of “community building” conversation is what Jesus is talking about here.  We can go to the person one-on-one, and, in a loving way, we can say something simple like, “The other day when you said or did “such and such,” I felt hurt.  And I wondered what was up with that…” 

Now, as an interim minister, I have had perhaps more occasions than most to be in situations where I’ve needed to go and speak directly to someone who has hurt or offended or sinned against me, and I’m not going to tell you that’s it’s easy to do.  In fact, I still find it one of the hardest things about Christian life and ministry.  One reason it’s hard is because most of us, myself included, want to be liked.  And when you speak directly to someone about a time when you’ve been hurt, there is always the risk that the person won’t respond well.  There is always the risk that the person will get even more angry at you and cause a ruckus.  And who wants or needs that!!?  It’s scary.  It’s uncomfortable.  And, in the short run, it can cause even more disruption in the Body of Christ.

But, I’ve got to tell you, 9 out of 10 times that I’ve bitten the bullet and gone to someone and spoken kindly and directly about a time when I have been hurt, I have been overwhelmingly surprised and grateful at how God has blessed the conversation.

Let me give you an example.  In one church I served—ages ago, not this one—there was a dedicated lay leader whose behavior we might call “controlling.”  I had several people in the church complain to me, one-on-one, about this woman’s behavior.  (I’m going to refer to her as “Edna,” which is not her real name.)  Every time someone would complain to me about Edna’s behavior, I’d stop them and ask, “Have you spoken to Edna directly about this?”  “Oh, no,” they’d say, “I couldn’t do that.”   “Why not?” I’d ask.  Answers would vary.  Let me give you a sampling:

·        “She does so much for the church, I don’t want to hurt her feelings.”

·        “She wouldn’t take it well.” 

·        “She’s not going to listen to me; she never does.” 

·        “She’s my neighbor and I have to live with her.  She might take it out on me.  I don’t want to risk it.”

·        “It could cause division in the church.”  

·        And my all time favorite response, “I don’t confront people.  It’s just not who I am.  Why don’t you do it?  You’re the pastor.  Isn’t that your job?” 

When people said these things, I would bring up Matthew 18 and try to explain that, “Because the incident happened between YOU and Edna, it can only be resolved by YOU and Edna.  I can’t resolve it for you.  No one else can.  That’s simply the nature of these things.  I can pray with you and coach you about what to say to Edna--and if she doesn’t respond well when you talk with her, I can go with you a second time-- for moral support and to witness the conversation.  But that’s all I can do.”  Sadly, in that congregation, no one, to my knowledge, at least not during the time I was there, followed up with Edna.

And then it happened.  Edna stepped on my toes.  She directly offended me, tried to control me, hurt my feelings, and then I was forced to practice what I preach!  (Hate that!)  I knew I had to go to Edna directly, but I gotta tell you, it was the last thing I wanted to do.  I found myself repeating—to God in prayer—many of the “excuses” that others had used:

·        “God, you know she’s not going to listen to me.”

·        “She’s not going to take it well.”

·        I’ve got to work with her.  It’s too risky. 

·        What if she causes a big stink in the church?” 

And God said to me, “Matthew 18.  Practice what you preach.”  Darn it.

To make a long story short, I called Edna and asked to meet with her.  She agreed.  And I started praying, hard.  I even called a friend who is deeply spiritual and said, “What are you doing this morning?  Do you have some time to pray with me about something?”  And I prayed with my friend in advance of my meeting with Edna for 45 minutes. 

And, you know what?  God is good.  When I met with Edna, I felt incredibly peaceful and centered.  I was focused on her, not my own fear.  And I explained simply how I felt hurt by her behavior.  I was careful not to sound harsh and accusatory.  (I didn’t go into other people’s experience, that was their business, not mine.  I just focused on my experience with her.)  And I then asked her what was going on with her.  And the flood gates opened.  She talked about all the chaos and pain in her life and with her kids and how she felt out of control in every area except the church. 

I couldn’t believe it.  I had no idea of the depth of her pain.  And I wouldn’t have had any idea if I’d never taken the risk to talk with her.  Edna didn’t miraculously change over night, but she did step back from some of the things at church she was trying to control.  And my attitude toward her changed.  It felt like a gift from God.  I was able to let go of my anger and frustration with her, and my compassion for her began to grow.  When she stepped on my toes again, it was much easier to say something to her in a loving way and “nip it in the bud” rather than stew about it.  

My brothers and sisters in the Lord, I’d like to say that in the church, no one ever offends or hurts another person, but, sadly, that’s just not the case.  We are all flawed human beings, and hurting each other--mostly unintentionally-- is inevitable.  However, I commend to you Jesus’ teaching from our reading for today.  “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone.  If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.”  And, from my experience, 9 out of 10 times, that is exactly what happens.  May God give us the courage to talk directly with each other, even when it’s difficult.  And may God bless all our conversations for the sake of Christ and the church community.  Amen.

Rev. Dr. Marlayna Schmidt

Franklin Federated Church

Franklin, MA

(An earlier version of this sermon was first written and preached in York, ME on September 4, 2011)

September 13th Worship

    “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20)

Information about this Sunday’s Livestream Worship 

(found on church website and FaceBook page) 

If you don't have internet/access to a computer you can CALL IN BY PHONE via Zoom and listen to worship!
Call-in phone number:  929-205-6099
NEW Meeting ID: 837 8512 6321
NEW Passcode: 289999
(If you call in you will be automatically muted so that the sound doesn't affect the LiveStream.) 

ORDER OF WORSHIP (30-40 minutes):
- Prelude
- Welcome
- Announcements
- Call to Worship
- Hymn #485 "Diverse in Culture, Nation, Race"
- Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:15-20
- Sermon “Community in Christ”
- Communion of the Lord’s Supper
- Hymn 487 "Help Us Accept Each Other"
- Benediction

PRAYER SERVICE (10-20 minutes)
You are invited to type prayer requests into the chat function of the Livestream.  
 LORD’S PRAYER
 POSTLUDE

Hymns for Sunday, September 13th

Click on the hymn to view and/or download the music.
#485  Diverse in Culture, Nation, Race
#487  Help Us Accept Each Other

Luke 11:1-4

Luke 11: 1 - 4  "Jesus said, This is how you should pray: 'Father may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. Give us each day the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don't let us yield to temptation'."  (v. 2-4; NLT - LASB).

     In Sunday's dialog between the child praying and God, the first thing that struck me was its conversational nature. In the teaching or learning realm(s), one might say that the persistence or repetition of trying to master [something] is as important as the content of what is being attempted to be learned. In my formative years, a primary recall of exposure to prayer, conjures up mundane mechanical 'rote - ness', lacking empathy or consciousness, let alone any sincere heartfelt belief. In Religious Ed. class at 13, I was promised that a particular litany guaranteed desired results. In Ancient History class, I found that my grade was better served by time studying than my supposed 'go-to' recitation. In re-examining prayer currently, God's faithfulness is center-stage and as simple a concept as I make that out to be, it is exactly what I'm drawn into!

     In my 25 yrs. in Corporate America, a significant recollection was a time when I anxiously did a spiel to folks one and two levels above my manager. In spite of knowing my stuff, success didn't happen until a guy I often jogged with at lunch (a level above my boss), turned my presentation into a conversation. In relationship our existence is bettered, and our consistency points to how God's provision is reaped daily, rather than all at once. In the heat of the battle, Lord, teach us to pray and for the subject of the moment - might our conversation be prayer. In listening to Jesus' life I've come to realize the value of getting His precepts into my ears +heart +psyche. There's still plenty of work to do, but even via a rote, child-like repetition can be a path toward beneficial change begin, which enhances my people interaction, increases my joy, and hallows God's name.               

     In process & in His service - peace, Kevin & your FFC Deacons.

“Weapons of the Spirit”

Our Old Testament records God’s frequent exhortations to care for the widow, the orphan, and the stranger, the three groups most vulnerable groups who had no male head of household to protect them. Jesus frequently echoed this theme (“Who is my neighbor” and “Feed my Sheep,’ to name just a couple of examples.) Today it is easy to shrug one’s shoulder, toss a few bills or a check in the collection plate, and think that we have no connection to danger and destitution. Such selflessness would not have been easy for Jesus’ poorer listeners and could have gotten them in trouble with the occupying Roman forces. Such dangerous times have occurred throughout history. Thirty years ago, a Bill Moyers documentary described courageous actions of the inhabitants of the small French village of Le Chambon sur Lignon during World War II. They intentionally sheltered and saved 5000 men, women, and children in the face of Hitler’s efforts to eradicate European Jews. Hiding Jews was punishable by death, but this community banded together to follow Jesus’ teachings instead of orders from Germany’s Third Reich and Marshall Petain’s collaborating Vichy government. The film raises the question: If faced with a similar situation, would we have the courage to follow Jesus or would we “go along to get along”? If you want to watch it, I have the DVD, and the remastered film will be available for streaming on and after September 13, 2020

Lyn Pickhover, Pondering

September 6th Sermon: “Lord, Teach Us To Pray”

Scripture:  Luke 11:1-4 

                1Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’  2He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:  Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.  Your kingdom come.  Your will be done, on earth as in heaven.  3Give us each day our daily bread.  4And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.  And do not bring us into temptation, but rescue us from evil.

Sermon:  “Lord, Teach Us To Pray”

M:        We are going to do a dialogue sermon that explores the meaning of the Lord’s prayer.  This dialogue was originally written around 35 years ago by a seminary classmate of mine, Rev. Charlie Bark.  It has since been revised and adapted over the years by my mentor, Rev. Maren Tirabassi, and myself.  And, 4 years ago a writer in the church I served in Manchester, New Hampshire, Gary Trahan, offered some new edits.

            This dialogue is like a little play.  I will play the part of a person who is saying her prayers before she goes to bed at night.

M:        “Our Father, who art in heaven —“

God:    Yes.

M:        Don’t interrupt me.  I’m praying.

God:    But you called me!

M:        Called you?  I didn’t call you.  I’m praying.  “Our Father, who art in heaven —“

God:    There, you did it again.

M:        Did what?

God:    Called me.  You said, “Our Father, who art in heaven.”  Here I am, though sometimes I’m more like a mother, but that’s another story … So, what’s on your mind?

M:        Look, I didn’t mean anything by it.  I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day.  I say the Lord’s prayer before I go to bed.  Makes me feel good.  Kind of like getting my work done.

God:    All right then, go on.

M:        “Hallowed be thy name—“

God:    Hold it.  What did you mean by that?

M:        By what?

God:    “Hallowed be thy name?”

M:        It means…  it means…  Good grief, I don’t know what it means.  How should I know?  It’s just part of a prayer.  By the way, what does it mean?

God:    It means honored, respected, holy, wonderful, blessed, yada yada yada…

M:        Hey, that makes sense.  I never thought about what “hallowed” meant before.  Can I continue? 

God:    Sure.

M:        “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

God:    Do you mean that?

M:        Sure, why not?

God:    What are you doing about it?

M:        Doing?  Nothing, I guess.  I just think it would be kind of nice if everyone down here on earth let Love rule their lives—like it does up there in heaven.  Well, I assume …

God:    Does love rule your life?

M:        Well, I go to church.

God:    That’s not what I asked you.  What about that habit of gossiping that you have? 

M:        What?

God:    And the way you lose your temper with your husband?

M:        Huh? …

God:    You’ve got a problem there. 

M:        I don’t think so…

God:    And the way you often compare yourself to other people and wish you were more like them—instead of being happy with the way I made you.

M:        Hey!  Stop picking on me!  I’m not as bad as some other people I could name—like Tim Danielson or Scott Kwarta, why don’t you go pick on them?

God:    Excuse me.  I thought you were praying for my will to be done.  If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it.  Like you, for example.

M:        Oh, all right.  I guess I do have some things to work on in my life.  Now that you mention it, I could probably think of a few other things I could change. 

God:    So could I.

M:        Okay, okay.  I admit I haven’t thought about it very much until now.  But, I would like to cut out some of those things.  I really would.  I want to feel better about myself. 

God:    Then let me help you be a better self.

M:        Okay.  Okay.

God:    Good, now we’re getting somewhere.  We’ll work together, you and I.  Transformation is possible.  I am proud of you for being willing to start on this journey.

M:        Look, Lord, no offense, but I need to finish up here.  This is taking a lot longer than it usually does.  “Give us this day our daily bread.”

God:    You could stand to cut down a little on the bread.  I’ve seen you on the scale.

M:        Hey, wait a minute.  What is this, “Criticize me day?” I’m praying — I’m telling you what Jesus told us you want to hear.  This is not supposed to be a conversation!

God:    Praying is a dangerous thing.  You could wind up changed, you know.  That’s what I’m trying to get across to you.  YOU called ME, and here I am.  Ha!  “I am.”  I should write that down. … I can never find a pen when I need one.  Be that as it may, it’s too late to stop now.  Keep praying.  I’m interested in the next part of your prayer—[PAUSE]—well, go on.

M:        I’m too scared.

God:    Scared of what?

M:        I know what you’ll say.

God:    Try me and see.

M:        [SPEAKING QUICKLY, TO GET IT OVER WITH]  “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.”

God:    Cough, cough … ahem …

M:        What?

God:    What about your “old friend” LuLu?

M:        See!  I knew it.  I knew you’d bring her up!  Lord, she’s told lies about me, she says one thing to my face and another thing behind my back.  She borrowed money from me two years ago and hasn’t returned a cent.  I have a right to be mad, and, boy, do I want to get even!

God:    But your prayer?  What about your prayer?  (PAUSE.)  Forgiving debts?

M:        I didn’t mean it.

God:    At least you’re honest.  But it’s not much fun carrying that heavy weight of bitterness around inside you, is it?

M:        No.  But I’ve been working on some “plans” for good ol’ LuLu…  She’ll wish she’d treated me differently!  I’ll feel better after I get even.

God:    No you won’t.  Let me tell you a secret:  you won’t feel any better.  You’ll feel worse.  Revenge isn’t sweet.  Think of how unhappy you already are about this.  Think about how much time and energy you’re wasting on someone you don’t even like anymore.  Think about how LuLu, in effect, has taken over your life.  But I … we … can change all that.

M:        We can?  How?

God:    Forgive LuLu.  Then I’ll forgive you.  Then the anger and the sin will be LuLu’s problem, and not yours.  You may never get your money back, but you will have settled your heart.

M:        But, Lord, I can’t forgive LuLu!

God:    Then I can’t forgive you.

M:        Woah.  Wait a minute.  What do you mean by forgiveness?  Do you mean forgive and forget?  Do you want me to continue giving LuLu money and let her take advantage of me?  Do you want me to be a doormat and let people walk all over me?

God:    You know I don’t want you to be a doormat.  I made you to be a person of dignity, worthy of respect, so you must respect yourself.  However, You need to let go of the anger and bitterness—it’s eating you up inside.  That is what I mean by forgiveness—letting go of the bad feelings and getting on with your life.

M:        Okay.  You’re right…  You always are.  To be honest, I still want to get back at LuLu …

God:    I know.

M:        … but more than that, I want to be the person you want me to be. 

God:    And that’s not a doormat.  That’s a welcome mat.

M:        Perspective.

God:    Perspective.

M:        I’ll try to let go—I’ll try to forgive LuLu—but you’ll have to help me.  

God:    I will.

M:        … And maybe you could help LuLu, too.  Help her to find the right road in life.  She’s bound to be pretty miserable and lonely, now that I think about it.  Anyone who does the things that she does to other people must feel pretty bad inside.  I don’t think she has any real friends.  Maybe somehow, some way, you could show her a better way to live. 

God:    There now!  Wonderful!  That was a lovely prayer—right from the heart!  How do you feel?

M:        Well, not bad.  Actually, I feel pretty good.  I think I might even sleep better tonight.  I haven’t been sleeping well lately; I guess the grudge against LuLu has been keeping me awake.  Maybe I won’t feel so tired when I get up in the morning!

God:    Bingo!  (Pause.)  Sorry, I’m multi-tasking.  Now,  you still have a prayer to finish.  Go on.

M:        Okay.  “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

God:    Good!  Good!  I’ll do that.  Just don’t put yourself in a place where you can be tempted. 

M:        What do you mean by that?

God:    I mean, those frequent trips to the Mall where you buy too many things that you don’t need; or how about your tendency to call in sick for work because you’ve stayed out too late the night before with your friends; and what about that little — ahem — “typo” on your taxes?

M:        I can explain—

God:    No need.  I understand.

M:        You do?  I’m not sure I do.

God:    Sure you do.  Let me explain.  You get into bad situations, into trouble, and then you come to me, saying, “Lord, help me out of this mess, and I promise you, I’ll never do it again.”  You remember some of those bargains you’ve tried to make with me?

M:        Yes, don’t remind me.  I’m feeling bad about it, now that you bring it to my attention.

God:    Which bargain comes to mind?

M:        You want me to say it out loud?  Don’t you know?

God:    Yes, I do.  But humor me.

M:        The time I borrowed my sister’s new sports car, without asking, when she was away for the weekend, and I got a little scratch on the door, and I remember praying to you, “Lord, don’t let her notice the scratch, and I promise I’ll be in church on Sunday.”

God:    She didn’t notice the scratch, but you didn’t keep your promise, did you?

M:        No—and I’m sorry, I really am.  Up until now, I thought that if I just prayed the Lord’s prayer every night, then I would have fulfilled my religious obligation and that would be that.  I didn’t expect you to actually get involved!

God:    Go ahead and finish your prayer.

M:        “For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

God:    Do you know what would bring me glory?  What would make me happy?  Truly happy?

M:        No, but I’d like to know.  I want to make you happy.  I can see that I’ve been pretty much doing what I want without thinking about what you would have me do, and living like this hasn’t made me happy.  Not really.

God:    The light dawns.

M:        I think I would be better off—I think I would even enjoy my life more—if I were following you … more closely.

God:    You just answered the question.

M:        I did?

God:    Yes, the thing that would bring me “glory” — I’m using air quotes here — is to have more people like you truly love me.  To consider me.  To think of me.  And I see that happening between you and I.  Now that some of these old habits — actually, I call them sins — are out of the way, well, there’s no telling what we can do together.

M:        Lord, let’s see what we can make of me, okay?

God:    Yes, let’s see.

M:        So that was our dialogue—a different perspective on the Lord’s Prayer.  I thank Sue Borchard, who played the part of God so well!  J 

We hope that it will give a deeper meaning to those familiar words that we are so used to saying—because, often, when we are in the habit of saying something a lot, we don’t take the time to reflect on what the words actually mean. 

So, now, we invite you to say the Lord’s Prayer with us. 

Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name
Thy kingdom come 
Thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven 
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our debts
As we forgive our debtors`
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil. 
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  AMEN

Rev. Dr. Marlayna Schmidt

Susan Borchard

Franklin Federated Church

Franklin, MA

September 6th, 2020

September 6th Worship

Information about this Sunday’s 

Livestream Worship 

“… one of his disciples said to Jesus, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’”  (Luke 11:1)

If you don't have internet/access to a computer you can CALL IN BY PHONE via Zoom and listen to worship! 

Call-in phone number:  929-205-6099

NEW Meeting ID: 837 8512 6321
NEW Passcode: 289999

(If you call in you will be automatically muted so that the sound doesn't affect the LiveStream.) 

ORDER OF WORSHIP (30-40 minutes):
- Prelude
- Welcome
- Announcements
- Call to Worship
- Hymn #254 “Breathe on Me, Breath of God"
- Scripture Reading: Luke 11:1-4
- Story/Sermon “Lord, Teach Us To Pray”
- Lord’s Prayer
- Hymn #585 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus"
- Benediction

PRAYER SERVICE (20-30 minutes)
You are invited to type prayer requests into the chat function of the Livestream.  
 LORD’S PRAYER
 POSTLUDE

Hymns for Sunday, September 6th

Click on the hymn to view and/or download the music.
#254  Breathe on Me, Breath of God 
#585  What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Luke 10: 25 -37

Luke 10: 25 -37   " ... how do you interpret it? ... love your neighbor as you do yourself.  ... Do it and you'll live.  ... how would you define neighbor ?" (v. 26, 27, 28; The Message).

     During my rearing in a Boston suburb I was the second son of seven sons, third in the line-up of eight, prone to sport, lacking the proverbial silver spoon, fearing God via Catholicism, but / and fortunately born into privilege. My people immigrated from: England, Finland, Ireland, Scotland and Sweden. Like you (reader): "You [God] made my whole being, made me in my mother's body. ..you made me in an amazing and wonderful way." (Ps. 139:13-14, NCV). I cite facets of my family of origin, as I see them as influencers of an outlook's evolving. 

     Did you attend, participate online or yet view our Pastor's rendition of 'The Good Samaritan'? Can you identify with any of the three (either from the Luke text or Rev. Marlayna's portrayal) who came upon the man left to the elements, wolves or worse after being robbed and beaten? My guilt is arising, personally because I see myself as making a cell-call, like the 'Pillar-of-the-Church' lady. Justifying [that] as being better than ignoring the guy totally; he's in rough shape but not critical and I'm not a doctor nor interested in a law-suit for making a mistake. Are you with me? Besides, I don't know him; he's no neighbor, probably deserved it anyway. ... (????  <- trying to show deeper contemplation.. ) ... 

     Hold on, that guilt might be framed by an upbringing's perspective! My male dominated, competitive household had its value but self-preservation and only looking out for number one is not what Jesus teaches, nor what I choose to be about today. Perhaps, it's more of a healthy shame. I'm reminded of being fearfully / wonderfully made; able to do all things perfectly imperfect through Christ, if I don't lean strictly on my own 'stinkin-thinkin', to quote an aspect of my spiritual well-beings' path. My heritage is of a colder, less compassionate culture and my learned work-ethic, in my mind anyway, entitles me to side-step getting involved in common affairs that usually bog one down. Or perhaps I could be bold like the Samaratin or the young Asian who despite being despised, lent a hand; and take that next step in my spiritual journey, which I know is the next right thing. The privilege I was born into, are those gifts God has given me (willingness to serve, sharing time, as an encourager, etc.) are otherwise are being wasted...... may All in need of mercy or help be my neighbor!

& May our strongest tendency not necessarily become our only way of being with others, Kevin T. & Deacons.  

August 30th Sermon: “Who Is my Neighbor?"

 Introduction to Luke Reading:

Today’s New Testament Scripture reading is from the gospel of Luke, the familiar “Good Samaritan” story.  A Samaritan, in Jesus’ day, was a foreigner who lived in an area north of Jerusalem called Samaria.  This was the area that was once the “Northern Kingdom” of Israel, but when it was conquered by the Assyrians in the 8th century B.C., many foreigners moved into the area, and intermarried with each other and the Jewish people who were left behind.  So, Samaritans were people of mixed race, whose religion was a conglomeration of the various beliefs brought to the region by their ancestors.  Samaritans were considered interlopers and were not well thought of by the Jewish people as a whole.  “Priests” in this story refer to the religious leaders who presided over worship in the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, and “Levites” refer to members of the Jewish tribe from which the priests are chosen. 

Luke 10:25-37

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus.  “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  He said to him, “What is written in the law?  What do you read there?”  He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”  And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

            But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”  Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.  Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity.  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them.  Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  The next day he took out two denarrii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’  Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”  The lawyer said, “the one who showed him mercy.”  Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” 

Sermon Title:  “Who Is my Neighbor?"

(Note:  This week the sermon is a story—a “re-telling” of the Good Samaritan Story in contemporary terms):

A man was going down from Franklin to Boston to visit a family member in the hospital, when he fell into the hands of robbers—right there in the hospital parking garage.  The robbers stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead on the floor of the garage next to his car. 

Now, by chance, a minister was also visiting a family member in that same hospital, and, unbeknownst to him, he parked just a few spots away from where the wounded man lay.  The minister turned off his car engine and sat for a moment in the quiet of the garage.  This was the first time he had stopped all day.  It had been a very busy month, with 4 podcasts, 3 on-line seminars, 2 funerals, several people in crisis, and now his elderly aunt had been rushed to the hospital after a major car accident.  Plus, his wife was mad at him for forgetting their anniversary and missing their son’s live zoom presentation at the end of summer camp.

The minister closed his eyes for a moment and prayed for some relief from the stress he’d been feeling lately.  “Lord,” he prayed, “I’m exhausted.  It’s not like I want to stop serving you, it’s just that I need a little break.  It seems like, lately, everyone wants a piece of me.  I’m spread too thin.  Can’t you ease up on me a bit?  Isn’t there anyone else you could call on for a while?  Please…  Amen.”  The minister kept his eyes closed for a moment longer, and let out a sigh of relief, trusting that God had heard his prayer and would begin to lift some of his burdens.

He got out of his car, hit the automatic lock button on his key fob, and started to walk toward the elevator, when he heard a slight moan coming from the space between two parked cars.  It sounded like a sick animal.  Maybe a raccoon or a cat.  But when the minister went over to look, he saw the wounded man, who was curled up in the fetal position on the floor of the garage, with cuts and bruises on his arms and legs. “Oh, my God!” he prayed, and he took a step backwards.  Then he looked around quickly, to make sure the man’s attackers were not hiding nearby, waiting to pounce on another victim.  He saw no one else around, so he figured the coast was clear, but still, he did not jump to the man’s aid.  “God,” he mumbled, more or less to himself,  “I can’t handle this.  It’s too much. Too much.”  To the man he said, “I’ll go tell security that you’re up here, but I can’t help you myself.  I’m sorry. I just can’t!” and he turned and ran out of the garage as fast as his legs would carry him.

As soon as the minister disappeared down the stairwell, another car appeared from around the corner and pulled into a parking space.  It was driven by a middle-aged woman, a pillar of the church.  She had come to visit her sister, who was also a fellow church member, who had unexpectedly taken sick. 

She was glad to have found a parking space relatively close to the elevator, because being in Boston made her nervous.  From her point of view, the hospital wasn’t in a very safe neighborhood, and she had been reading in the paper about how even children in this urban area were sometimes literally caught in the crossfire between rival gangs.  The woman got out of the car quickly and locked the door behind her.  She clutched her purse close to her body and prayed that God would keep her safe as she walked briskly to the elevator. 

When she was almost to the elevator, something caught her eye in the space between two parked cars.  She gasped when she realized it was a nearly naked man, curled up in the fetal position on the floor of the garage.  He was dirty, and she could see cuts and bruises on his arms and legs.  He was barely breathing.  Then she noticed a crumpled paper bag near his head, and an empty bottle of some sort.  Her lip curled up in disgust.  “Probably another drunken, homeless drug-addict,” she thought to herself.  Still, she couldn’t just leave him there to die, despite the bad choices he had obviously made.  She pulled out her cell phone and punched in 911, but the call wouldn’t go through; there was no reception in the garage.  Just then the elevator beeped, the doors opened, and a young Asian man in faded blue jeans and a hooded sweat shirt stepped out.  His skin was dark, one eyebrow was pierced, and he had a small dragon tattooed on the side of his neck.  The woman looked at him with fear in her eyes, and, frantically pushing the numbers on her phone, she rushed past him into the elevator. 

The young man smiled kindly at the woman as she passed by, but of course, she couldn’t see his smile because he was wearing a mask!  She was clearly in a frenzy trying to make a call that wouldn’t go through.  As he looked back at her over his shoulder, he could see her practically pounding on the cell phone as the elevator door closed behind him.

He sighed to himself.  It was a lot harder living in America than he had anticipated when he first arrived to go to college a couple of years ago.  People who didn’t even know him sometimes seemed to fear him or even hate him.  He tried to dress like the young American men his age—he even got a piercing and a tattoo to fit in with his peers, but it didn’t seem to make any difference.  Maybe he should just give up, quit school and go back home, but he knew his mother was counting on him to stay, earn his degree, and get a job so he could help his family get out of the terrible poverty they had experienced for generations.

As he stood in the garage, looking out over the sea of parked cars, trying to remember exactly where he had parked the car he had borrowed so he could donate blood at the hospital, he heard a soft moaning sound.  He walked around the car in front of him, and he realized what had spooked the woman.  There was a man curled up in the fetal position on the floor of the garage, in the space between two parked cars.  There were cuts and bruises all over his body, and his eyes were almost swollen shut.  The young man’s heart went out to the wounded man.  He thought briefly about the risk of catching Covid, but he realized the man’s life could be hanging in the balance--so he would just have to take that risk.  He ran over to him, knelt by his side, and took his pulse.  It was weak, but at least the man was still alive. 

The young man wasn’t sure how much the wounded man could hear, but he remembered learning from Grey’s Anatomy reruns on T.V. that even people in comas can understand more than we think they can.  So he held the man’s hand and spoke to him.  “Don’t worry,” he said, “Help is on the way.  I’m sure of it.  A nice woman was just here, and I saw her calling security.  I’ll stay with you until they arrive.”  He wasn’t sure what else to say, but then he remembered a Buddhist mantra that his mother taught him when he was just a boy.  It was a prayer for strength.  So the young man repeated it over and over as he waited for help to arrive. 

As he knelt by the wounded man, praying for him, it occurred to the young man that the hospital security guards, whom the woman had, by now, no doubt notified, might well greet him with fear and suspicion as so many people did, might even arrest him as a suspect in the attack, but it was a risk he chose to take.   The young man’s mother had taught him that a life without compassion was not one worth living, so once again he put himself in God’s hands and continued to pray for strength—strength for the wounded man, and strength for himself.  “God help us all,” he prayed, “to be good neighbors to each other.  Amen.”

Rev. Dr. Marlayna Schmidt

Franklin Federated Church

Franklin, MA

August 30, 2020

[Note:  An earlier version of this sermon was first written and preached by Rev. Marlayna at Annisquam Village Church in Gloucester, MA on July 15, 2007; and in Watch Hill on July 26, 2015; in Manchester, NH on Aug 21, 2016; in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA in July, 2018.]

August 30th Worship

Information about this Sunday’s 

Livestream and Outdoor Worship 

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27
 

ORDER OF WORSHIP (30-40 minutes):
- Prelude
- Welcome
- Announcements
- Call to Worship
- Song: “If We are the Body” (Scott Kwarta, vocals and guitar)
- Scripture Reading: Luke 10:25-37 (Good Samaritan)
- Song:  "Your Mercy” (Alan Mercer - vocals; Julie Gorman - vocals and piano)
- Story/Sermon “Who Is My Neighbor?”

- Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

- Song:  "Living Hope” (Alan Mercer - vocals; Scott Kwarta - vocals and guitar; Julie Gorman - vocals and piano)
- Benediction

NOTE:  The worship service will not include a live-stream prayer time.  If you have prayer requests you want included in a pastoral prayer, please email requests to Rev. Marlayna (revschmidt@comcast.net) bythe end of the day tomorrow, Friday, August 28th! 
 

If you don't have internet/access to a computer you can CALL IN BY PHONE via Zoom and listen to worship! 

Call-in phone number:  929-205-6099

NEW Meeting ID: 837 8512 6321
NEW Passcode: 289999
(If you call in you will be automatically muted so that the sound doesn't affect the LiveStream.) 
 

IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE 50 PEOPLE WHO HAVE RSVP’D AND ARE ATTENDING IN PERSON, PLEASE REMEMBER:

• Masks are required.

• Please practice 6' social distancing from people not in your household.

• Please bring your own "beach" chair.

• Please park on the street (as the parking lot will be our seating area.)

• People with mobility issues may be dropped off at the entrance to the parking lot.

• Bathrooms will be for emergency use only.