First United Challenge!

A blessing to carry with you from the mountain is:

Christ be with me, Christ within me;

Christ behind me, Christ before me;

Christ beside me, Christ to win me;

Christ to comfort and restore me;

Christ beneath me, Christ above me;

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger;

Christ in hearts of all that love me;

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

Use this prayer as you begin and end your days this week. Be looking to encounter the Christ as you live in those days. Give thanks to God for these holy encounters.

First United Challenge!

The first two disciples spent an afternoon and evening with Jesus before they decided to follow him. This week light a candle and take the time to sit with Jesus. Listen to him. Each day read part of Jesus’ core teachings. Over the week, read from Matthew, Chapters 5, 6, and 7. Ask God to illuminate a teaching from that day’s reading. In prayer ask, What is it that draws me to follow Jesus’ Way? You may want to close your reflections with Dr. King’s prayer, In this day, “I just want to do God’s will.” AMEN.

First United Challenge!

Epiphanies cannot be ordered up.  They happen.  However, epiphanies can be nurtured through regular spiritual practice.  Place a candle by the chair where you mediate or pray.  Each day this week light the candle and take time to be still.  Speak out loud the saying for that day three times, then repeat it silently several times.  Ask Spirit to illuminate the quote.

First United Challenge!

Each day this week, set aside a regular time and place, and light a candle.  Speak out loud the words for that day three times, and then silently.  Ask God to illuminate the words for you, and then actively look for signs of God's love as you carry the words into the day.

First United Challenge!

Place a candle by the chair where you meditate or pray.  Each day this week light the candle and take time to still yourself.  Speak out loud the saying for that day three times, and repeat it silently several times.  Then become the observer of yourself; become aware of the thinker that is behind your thoughts.  That is the Christ Spirit in yourself and others.  Ask Spirit to illuminate the quote.

First United Challenge!

Place a candle by the chair where you meditate or pray.  Each day this week light the candle and take time to still yourself.  Speak out loud the saying for that day three times, and repeat it silently several times.  Then become the observer of yourself; become aware of the thinker that is behind your thoughts.  That is the Christ Spirit in yourself and others.  Ask Spirit to illuminate the quote.

First United Challenge!

Place a candle by the chair where you meditate or pray.  Each day this week light the candle and take time to still yourself.  Speak out loud the saying for that day three times, and repeat it silently several times.  Then become the observer by seeking to see the Christ Spirit in yourself and others during the day.

First United Challenge!

Our lives, families, organizations in which we work and participate, and our world are not easy places.  Do you find yourself overwhelmed at times by pain, need, or injustice?  Get some distance by going to a tower, the beach, or other natural setting.  Then pray, “O God, how do you want me to use my gifts and resources?”  When the desire to rant about the problem arises again, go back to this prayer.  Wait, listen, and remember Coleman McCarthy’s words, “We aren’t called on to do great things, we are asked to do small things in a great way.”

First United Challenge!

You do not need to be a theologian, pastor, or Bible scholar to experience God firsthand.  Establish a regular practice of prayer.  Choose a location and a time each day, and pray, "O God, I am awake to your love in me and in others as I live through this day.  Make me especially aware of ways I can help others in need."  Or you can pray at night, reflecting on how you experienced God's love and became aware of others' needs.  Write it down.  Remember, God cares less about outer religious form, but showers grace and life on people oriented to help the poor and outcast.  That is knowing God firsthand.

First United Challenge!

While at their Summer cabin in Maine, Rachael Carson and her adopted son, Roger, listened to the insects one night.  What a symphony!  They decided to go “out there” to see for themselves.  Their only passports, a flashlight; their visas: an awakened curiosity.  This week take several times to go “out there” (day or night).  Spend time listening to the songs of living creatures.  Imagine what it would be like if it were silent.  Rachael Carson used her “street smarts,” her writing, to speak out.  While you’re out there, pray.  O God, I want to speak out so that this beautiful world is here for our children and grandchildren.  I am actively looking for the opportunities you show me day by day to do just that, with all the energy and savvy you have given me.  AMEN.

First United Challenge!

What a struggle it is for any people to let go of national self-interest, greed, and security.  God is hunting for nations willing to be turned around by God's love and justice.  These are nations that value the outcast, people with low incomes, and minorities.  How this clears out oppression and strife in a society!  Living from love makes wonderful nations.  "Is there anyone around to save (our nation)?  Yes.  God is around; God turns life around.  Turned-around Jacob skips rope.  Turned-around Israel sings laughter." (Psalm 14:7)  Isn't it time for us to be a turned-around people?  This week, pray:
O God, show me something in the news or in the mail where I can be part of a nation that is turning around.  AMEN.

First United Challenge!

As interruptions happen in your life this week, try to look at them in a new way.  Say, "Aha, this is an interruption.  What's going on here?"  This may be God challenging you to see something or someone in a new way.  Instead of an irritation, it might be an opportunity to go the extra mile and love someone more deeply.

First United Challenge!

Take time this week to write about some of the persons whom you have seen practice the teachings and actions of Jesus, particularly:
A. Helping the poor or outcast;
B. Keeping a life of regular prayer and silence that shows up as peace, centeredness, and love;
C. Challenged you to have a broader understanding of being a Christian.
Then write about the way(s) you put some of Jesus' teachings into practice (the way you are part of the cloud of witnesses to others).  Give thanks to God!

 -Oscar Wilde 

First United Challenge!

The God of justice and compassion challenges the people through Isaiah to do good, be fair, and help the poor, orphans, and widows as part of their preparation for worship.  Otherwise your "worship is a stench in my nostrils," and "I will not listen to your prayers" (Isaiah 1:10-20).  That's blunt!  This week, examine your own preparation for worship.  Read Isaiah, where God says (vs.18) "Come, let's talk this over!"  Feel the invitation from a loving God to bring great richness into your life as you choose to make your life a hosanna.

 -Jesus (Luke 12:20), literal translation 

First United Challenge!

Jesus tells us that focusing on stuff is dangerous for our souls.  The 80-20 Rule holds that with most things like clothes, for example, we use 20%, and not the other 80%.  We look at them, store them, and say, "Oh, I couldn't part with them."  This week, think about giving the 80% away!  When your cup is full, stop pouring instead of filling it with more surplus.  Take one of the things you really like (from the 20%) and give it to someone.  What joy!  Let go of feeling you are owed things.  That demands your soul from you.

"Even after all this time the sun never says to the earth, 'You owe me.'  Just look at a love like that!  It lights up the sky."
-Hafiz, Persian mystic

 -Jesus' prayer, Luke 11:1-4 

First United Challenge!

This week begin your day with Jesus' prayer.  Each day ask God's Spirit to highlight one part of the prayer.  Know that others from First United Church are also praying with you.  How does it change each part of the prayer to know that you are praying not for yourself alone, but as part of a group of people?

Forgiving was core to Jesus' teaching.  How can you actually lay aside resentments?  You can prayerfully choose to stop speaking how s/he has "done me wrong."  Focus on "That of God" in the other.  A change in action can lead to a change in the way you feel.

First United Challenge!

  May God bless you with anger… at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.  

  May God bless you with tears… to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to them and turn their pain into joy.

  And may God bless you with enough foolishness… to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.  Amen.”

 -A Benediction for the UCC General Synod, from “Balaam’s Courier” #4, 2007 

First United Challenge!

Turn the benediction into a prayer for yourself: “O God, bless me with discomfort…”  At the end of the prayer add: “Today, God,  I want to let your light shine through me.  Amen.”  Also, go online to www.ucc.org and explore your United Church of Christ.

First United Challenge!

Father’s Day is mixed with emotions.  Use the outside folds of the card to tell a father (your own father, the father of your children, or of your grandchildren, etc.) something that you remember that was good.  Tell him the good you saw in him, and what this meant to you.

On the sides folded inwardly of the card you may ask him to forgive you for something.  You may also express your forgiveness to him for something he did or failed to do.  As you write each segment you will likely find your wish for a Happy Father’s Day is filled with more heartfelt sincerity than with the usual greeting card.

Happy Father’s Day!

Jesus said, “One who is forgiven little, shows little love.”  One who is forgiven much, experiences a wonderful release of love.  The gift of forgiveness is breath. 

I ask your forgiveness for…

Happy Father’s Day,

First United Challenge!

These words reveal the secret of Jesus' orientation.  We all need to repent (become self-aware).  All of us have sinned (missed the mark for which we were created: to live from love).  This is so opposite to self-righteousness (blind sinfulness; false pride, which leads us to judge and condemn others).  The stones that were on our chairs represent our judgments about others and ourselves.  Judgments, whether conservative or liberal, religious or moral, can often be destructive.  Wrapping your stone in bubble wrap is a symbolic way of saying that while your beliefs are important, you do not wish those perspectives to do violence to those around you.  Take your rock home and use it as an aid for personal reflection in the coming week.

First United Challenge!

St. Francis experienced creation like a little child.  He felt such a kinship with nature’s elements, that Francis named them “Sister Moon, Brother Wind, Sister Water.”  This week set aside a little time to be in nature, even if it is on a porch or small back yard.  Name the parts of nature that you see, hear, or touch.  Give thanks to the Creator for these, your brothers and sisters of creation.  Note their beauty, unique design, energy, or presence.  You may want to write your own canticle based on Francis’ Canticle of the Sun (today’s call to worship).  If you do, please send your canticle to the church.

First United Challenge!

At First United Church we are quite diverse in religious background, politics, age, sexual orientations, and income.  Think about what you gain by being part of such a diverse congregation where there is not one right answer, but everybody has a piece of the puzzle.  Take time each day this week to pray for others in the church by name, and collectively, “May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  AMEN.”

First United Challenge!

Reflect this week on the role of healing ministry at First United Church.  What are ways that we could be channels of God’s spirit of wholeness in body, mind, and spirit, and healing in our community and world?  Diana Butler Bass, in Christianity for the Rest of Us, mentions churches with groups that pray for others, trained prayer partners available after services, lighting candles in prayer, and Christian practice of Reiki (healing touch).  With whom may we join to work for healing/justice of our community, society, and environment?  Be still in the presence of God with these questions. 

First United Challenge!

Take several times to be still, and remember times when you have been the stranger visiting in a different place.  Where did you feel really welcomed?  Where was it clear that people did not have an agenda to get you to do something, join something, or be some way that was like them?  Visualize that place and the people for a moment.

Then think about visitors who come to First United Church, and pray, O God, thank you for visitors to our church. I want to welcome them in the same way that I felt really welcome.  Help me overcome any shyness, so that I can go over and love them just as Jesus loved us.  AMEN. 

First United Challenge!

Tens of thousands of people from most of the world's countries have created the Earth Charter.  Take 15 minutes this week and actually read the Earth Charter.  Then prayerfully ask God, "What do you want me to do that will contribute to reducing CO2 emissions?"  Today's bulletin and insert are filled with ideas.  It may be attending the H.O.P.E. rally for more bus service, changing light bulbs, putting coins in a box for One Great Hour of Sharing, urging the church to be green, or starting an Earth Scouts troop.  Allow the God of Creation to lead you to action.

First United Challenge!

At night or early in the morning ask God to show you where God's grace was present in the day.  Just be still and open, listening to what might arise from the day.  When something surfaces, pay attention to the way that God's love, acceptance, presence, or forgiveness was present.  Notice how you were present to God or others in that moment.  If you were unaware of grace, or unresponsive (perhaps because of ego holding the reigns of control), just breathe, "God, have mercy."  If you were aware of grace, or were perhaps a channel for it, simple "smile to God with thanksgiving."  Allow something else to emerge from the day and repeat the process.  Then write down any responses that seemed significant, surprising, or fulfilling.  Don't write a book!  Just jot down notes or phrases.  This helps you look back and see movements of your heart over time.

First United Challenge!

This week, ask God, "When have I been blinded by money, resentment, nationality, or religion from seeing 'That of You' in others?  Remind me that the people who need love the most are the hardest to love.  I know, God, that sometimes I am the one who is hard to love.  Thank you for loving me when I do not deserve it!  I sincerely want to change my ways and live from love, just like Jesus.  I am open to anything you would have me learn from the lives of the people I wrote down.  Change me at depth, O God.  AMEN."

First United Challenge!

1.  Jesus rode into Jerusalem with deep trust in "Abba" (Daddy).  Prayerfully reflect on these words from Isaiah 55:24: "While they are still talking to me about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers."
2.  Jesus was hurt deeply when he saw people use legalisms to exploit our exclude others, because he saw "that of God in every person."  Read the newspaper this week through Jesus' eyes.  Then pray, O God, how does this change the way I see other groups of people?

These are two ways into the mind of Christ; and to a life that is blessed and a blessing.