Seek Me, Find Me

In Jeremiah 4, God speaks to the children of Israel and tells them that God will “let you find me.” God promises us that when we seek God, that we will find God.  “Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord.”

When we spend time with our children and youth in Sunday School, Youth Group, Vacation Bible School and on Mission Trips, we talk to them about God Sightings. Each day we share places where we saw God.  Older youth share their God Sightings as part of worship and in small-group discussions. At VBS the children plugged in light bulbs for each of their God Sightings.  It can be something small, like when I fell during games, my new friend helped me up, or it can feel providential, like, the family lost their mother three years ago, and the blanket that she always had is in tatters- the prayer shawl that we brought is the same color. When we notice and share these signs of God’s nearness and action in the world, it helps us to be closer to God.

By talking about God Sighting, we hope that our young people with learn to look for signs of God in their relationships, in their work and in their service to God and to others, and we trust that this understanding will help their faith to grow.

As we move into the stories of the prophets this month in worship, we will be thinking about how God spoke through them, and how God still speaks to us. I encourage each of us to take some time thinking about those places where we hear God’s voice most clearly, to give thanks for them, and to work to spend extra time this month seeking them out. 

-Pastor Deborah Huggins

Disagreeing Agreeably

We’ve all heard it said: “We have agreed to disagree agreeably.” We’ve heard that said, but it seems that it is, in our times, increasingly a rare feat. In part, I think that is because we do not really listen to each other. Instead, we shout at each other, assigning the worst possible motives to folks who think differently than we do, disagreeing disagreeably, with a lack of charity towards each other, with a vulgarity that is embarrassing. 

“We have agreed to disagree agreeably.” And maybe one of the central roles for Central is to take a lead in helping to foster the ability to do that. This week, you will have that opportunity, on Sunday, October 15, during Take Ten, when members of the Peace Islands Institute will be here, sharing some Turkish treats, and ready to engage in conversation with you about what life is like in Turkey, a nation with which the United States finds itself increasingly at odds. And on this Wednesday, October 18, you will have the opportunity to interact with community leaders with various viewpoints about how clean energy impacts the economy, our community and our families. In both settings, I hope that you will come to listen, to learn, and maybe to experience what it is to agree to disagree agreeably.

--Pastor Don Steele

Why We Don’t Have to Live Discouraged

This Monday marked the worst shooting in US history. Our hearts break as a church, community, and people of faith. As we learned about the event in disbelief, it’s hard to find our bearings. Sometimes it feels like tragedy just keeps unfolding on the wide-screen of our TV’s and in our very lives.

            I remember hearing an encouragement to “look for the helpers” in the wake of the Boston Marathon tragedy. Mr. Rogers, the popular children's television icon, coined that phrase as a sign of active hope.  He said, "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world."

            As the country lit candles, sang songs, pledged dollars, and honored rescue workers this week, we have seen those helpers. Living in New York City during 9/11, I can testify that that show of solidarity indeed means something. But I believe as a people of faith, our job isn’t just to look for the helpers; our job is to be the helpers.

            It is through the eyes of people who have suffered that we can see the suffering of others anew. We can work to bless others who are in pain. We can bind together what once was broken, and in our effort to mend fences, the holes in our hearts can heal too. The miraculous promises of our Savior are active in the world partially to the extent that we open ourselves up to be those "helpers" — in the broader communal sense and at home. Here are some ways we can do that:

·         Pray. This isn’t a trite, quick-fix solution; the Bible promises that it unlocks the power of God to move redemptively.

·         Give. We can send money, supplies, or handwritten letters to those who are hurting. Recently, my youngest son made teddy bears for children affected by Hurricane Irma at his school. He was so proud to help make a difference for another child.

·         Model. I love the quote: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Whether we’re modeling with our life or patiently teaching character-building to our children, we should never underestimate our power to plant positive seeds. These seeds can grow and become much more impactful than any tragedy, as they are not limited to a single event, but rather reflected over an entire lifetime.

This week and always, remember your God-given power to make a difference. Share your tears, open your palms, and shine your light.

In Christ’s Love,

Noelle