Category Archives: Personal Note

For All the Saints — All Saints Day 2007

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For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

The Feast of All Saints, or All Saints Day, the day I remember all those faithful servants that in the past year have left the Church Militant to join the Church  Triumphant.

As in any year, there are several I know who lived faithful lives as servants of God, and have gone to be with the Lord.  Among these are Jean, who was an incredible witness in her life and words, to whom the Lord gave seven extra years but took home this year.  And Mae, who believed in the power of prayer so strongly that she made great efforts to get her requests onto our church prayer chain knowing that other faithful saints would respond in prayer for her.  It was a witness in faith in God, and faith in other people’s faith and ministry.  For Henry, who lived a quiet but faithful life.  For a former synod executive and his wife who made significant contributions to the church in several forms of service.  For Cory, an alumnus of my son’s Christian high school who gave his life serving in the Middle East.

This year also held a horrific traffic accident that claimed several members of a youth group and a leader on their way back from a mission trip up north.

For all these and more, I know that God will say “Well done, good and faithful servant” and that one day we shall all be reunited.  May God find us as faithful.

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

The End of Daylight Savings Time – NOT!

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In these days of electronic gizmos, don’t rely on them too heavily.  As we get ready to go to worship this morning I had to get my older son out of bed.  He was awake but just taking his time since his clock told him he was plenty early.

Well, it turned out that his and my other son’s clock, our VCR, and even the time on the hoster of this blog, have the old Daylight Savings Time rules.  Last year this was the day we set out clocks back.  Wait a week and they’ll be correct again.  Or, as my older son figured out, set them for Mountain time.

Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water (or lack thereof)

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One of the names for the Los Angeles area from the indigenous peoples was “Valley of the Smokes” because the mountains and the on-shore winds worked together to trap the smoke from campfires in the basins.  In the last four days our area has lived up to that name, but interestingly it is because the off-shore Santa Ana winds are stirring up the fires.

Last night the moon was a pumpkin orange color and the past few mornings the sunrise has been spectacular, all due to the smoke in the air.  But our neighborhood smells of smoke, there are white ash flecks on everything outdoors, and pretty much all outdoor sporting and recreation events are canceled.  The other day on my way home from work I passed a fire strike team from the San Francisco Bay area that was headed to one of the fires.  And I don’t even live that close to the current fires.  It has made for some interesting NASA imagery.

I am sure that you are aware that since early Sunday morning an almost unprecedented series of fires has been burning throughout southern California.  One of the fires very first casualties was Malibu Presbyterian Church.  The Presbyterian News Service issued an initial news story on Monday about the Malibu Church loss and the fires.  Today the News Service posted a “ special update“, reprinting an update that Rev. Steve Yamaguchi, Executive Presbyter of neighboring Los Ranchos Presbytery, put out.  Steve also talks about how in the midst of this loss the church is still a witness to the community talking about Christians being a “resurrection people.”  Updates are also available from the Presbytery of the Pacific web site, the Presbytery of which Malibu is a part.

In addition, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has two staff members in the area and I am hoping that we can hear from at least one of them at our Synod meeting that begins tomorrow.

But while the Malibu fire has gotten a lot of press, it is among the smaller of the fires that are burning.  The two major fires and several smaller ones in the San Diego area have displaced 250,000 people, including several Presbyterians I know.  The Presbytery of San Diego lists several of its churches as evacuation centers, but one of those, Solano Beach Presbyterian Church, had to be evacuated itself, at least for a day or two.

The good news is that the winds are slowly calming down, the temperatures are dropping, and the humidity is rising.  But there is a lot of brush and timber burning and even under ideal conditions it would take a while to get this much acreage under control.  I don’t know if any of these fires will, by itself, pass the record Ceder Fire of 2003 that caused major destruction in the San Diego area, or the slightly smaller Zaca Fire that burned most of this past summer in the wilderness north of Santa Barbara.  But as of this morning’s situation report the Harris Fire on the north side of San Diego was at 194,000 acres with 1% containment so it could set new records.

Just as the smoke is casting a shadow on southern California this disaster will be casting its shadow on the meeting of the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii the next few days.  We appreciate your prayers and as interesting news and Presbyterian specific information becomes available I’ll post updates.

Back from vacation, and all that other stuff

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Greetings:
   No I have not fallen off the face of the earth (again) but I may have come close.  But my teaching schedule has lightened up, one church task force has finished work (but the synod one still remains) and I am back from vacation.  So I anticipate that I can get back on track with my GA Junkie life now.

Vacation was good.  About a year ago REI (Recreational Equipment Company) ran a series of radio ads with mock quiz questions about whether you are an outdoors person.  One of the questions that has stuck with me is “Do you measure happiness with an altimeter?”  (A blogger named Obi has many of the questions from multiple ads in one of his blogs (scroll almost half way down the page until you see REI) but I do know that he is missing at least one about the Ten Essentials (outdoors, not of the Reformed Faith))  After camping for the better part of a week a bit north of Yosemite at 10,000 feet I am reminded that I probably can measure happiness that way, at least in part.  So after camping, and running some whitewater, and spending time with my family, I am ready to get back into the swing of things.

One interesting note that I may pursue is some reading I did on John Muir while I was away.  There was some interesting stuff on how his Scottish Presbyterian upbringing influenced his later spirituality and environmentalism.

A second note:  My son has been approached about being a YAD to the next GA of the PC(USA).  Stay tuned, more on that if he agrees to be nominated.

What is appropriate “scripture” for worship

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Let me begin this reflection with this:

From the PC(USA) Book of Order
W-1.4005

a. The minister as pastor has certain responsibilities which are not subject to the authority of the session. In a particular service of worship the pastor is responsible for

(1) the selection of Scripture lessons to be read,
(2) the preparation and preaching of the sermon or exposition of the Word

W-2.2007

The preached Word or sermon is to be based upon the written Word. It is a proclamation of Scripture in the conviction that through the Holy Spirit Jesus Christ is present to the gathered people, offering grace and calling for obedience. Preaching requires diligence and discernment in the study of Scripture, the discipline of daily prayer, cultivated sensitivity to events and issues affecting the lives of the people, and a consistent and personal obedience to Jesus Christ. The sermon should present the gospel with simplicity and clarity, in language which can be understood by the people. [remainder deleted]

I recently attended worship on the Lord’s Day at one of the more progressive churches in the PC(USA) and had a most unusual experience that is informed by the two quotes above from the Book of Order.  The sermon that unfolded would send members of any other American Presbyterian denomination running for their judicial commissions and pastoral examinations.  For some churches within the PC(USA), this is just another Sunday morning.

For this particular service the first scripture lesson was from the Gospel of John.  The second “scripture” lesson, and the one that was favored for the preaching, was from a Gnostic Gospel.  This was lifted up as a parallel, alternative and in some ways better account of a particular story than the Gospel of John presented with the strong implication that the councils that decided the canon were wrong leaving it out.

Now, I have heard many sermons, and their quality and style covers the whole spectrum.  (As a COM liaison to PNC’s I have listened to hundreds of different preachers both live and on tape.)  I have heard children’s books read, I have heard all manner of analogies, allegories and modern parables, and I have heard statements that I believe to be down right wrong.  I have also heard Gnostic Gospels and all manner of ancient and modern literature quoted within the body of the sermon.  But I am sure this is the first time I have heard a Gnostic Gospel not just quoted in the sermon, but portions read as the primary scripture lesson for the day.

I probably should also comment that there was no significant exegesis of either scripture text but they were simply used as a jumping off point for a discussion of current events and the oppression of particular groups.  I can only guess if this reassures you or troubles you even more.

So, what can a pastor preach within the latitude of the Directory for Worship?  While W-1.4005 does provide for latitude, or at least some “academic freedom” I think that both sections are pretty clear that preaching is to be based on the Scriptures, and these are defined by various confessions,  in particular the Westminster Confession.  In addition, that document goes on to say: The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no part of the canon of the Scripture, and therefore are of no authority in the Church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved, or made use of, than other human writings.”  Yes, these Gnostic Gospels while apocryphal are not part of the Apocrypha, but I think this guidance would apply to them as well.  In the case of the sermon I just heard the pastor may disagree with the statement that it was not divinely inspired.

Well the preaching is up to the pastor, guided by the Holy Spirit, but the Book of Order does say it is to be “based on the written Word.”  While I recognize and appreciate the flexibility the Directory for Worship offers, I believe that it also provides boundaries which I see as being crossed in this case.  The reading of Scripture is accorded a particular place of honor in our worship.  To substitute something else in that place, however divinely inspired the preacher may consider it, seems inappropriate and contrary to two millennial of corporate guidance.  Yes, you can use it in the sermon.  But don’t substitute it for Scripture.

Reflections on Ash Wednesday

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This year for my congregation’s Ash Wednesday service I had the privilege of being the liturgist.  For Ash Wednesday the liturgist has two responsibilities:  Leading the responsive prayer of confession (or litany of penitence) and being responsible for one of the pots of ashes.  The prayer is fairly straight forward, very similar to what can be found in several book of common worship liturgies (such as the litany of penitence in this example).

The second responsibility is creating and imposing ashes at one of the two stations.  We traditionally have a long period of silence following the prayer of confession when we write our personal sins or confession on a 5×5 slip of paper.  The assurance of pardon it pronounced by the clergy as he and I burn these pieces of paper in the pots.

The symbolism is always striking, the smoke rising to heaven as our sins are reduced to ashes in front of our eyes.  And the responsibility of imposing the ashes on an individual’s forehead or hand as they came up to my station and I pronounced “Set your face towards Jesus to follow him today, this Lenten season, and beyond” was deeply moving.  (The words were used this year in reference to Luke 9:51 (particularly the NRSV or KJV) which was part of the evening’s message.)

But one additional aspect of the service struck me even more.  When we applied the flame to the stack of loosely packed pieces of paper they filled a five gallon pot almost to the brim.  By the time all the papers were consumed only a fine layer of ash remained on the bottom of the pot about 1/8th inch thick.  Not only did the fire wipe them out so they could no longer be read and the smoke carry the sacrifice to heaven, but the fire consumed the sins reducing them to next-to-nothing.  Just enough to apply to our foreheads  to carry around as a reminder of our sinfulness and the need for God’s greatness.

Psalm 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.

Trivial Nit-Picky Errors in the Press Today

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As any GA Junkie knows, the popular press just does not understand how Presbyterians work.  We have all seen that when a General Assembly decides on a Book of (Church) Order change, the press thinks it is done but we know that it still must go back to the presbyteries for approval.  Well, here are two items just today in the on-line news sources that have subtle errors in them that might rub other GA Junkies the wrong way.

1) The Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick preached in Havana and the International Herald Tribune reported:

U.S. Presbyterian official helps Cubans mark 100th anniversary of first Protestant temple
HAVANA: The executive officer of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
helped Cubans celebrate the 100th anniversary of the opening of the
capital’s first Protestant temple on Sunday, giving a sermon in which
he urged all Christians to do more to eliminate global inequality.

Well, to an international audience this might be the best description but at least within the PC(USA) there is also an Executive Director of the General Assembly Council who could also lay claim to the “executive officer” title. Technically we would think of Rev. Kirkpatrick as the top ecclesiastical officer.  One could also ask if he was there representing the PC(USA) or the World Alliance of Reformed Churches of which he is currently serving as president.

2) This next one gets to the heart of reformed theology, not just a subtle argument about titles.  The ABC news web site has a story about Michael Adee, the National Field Organizer for More Light Presbyterians.  In the article ABC says:

Adee would like to take the next step and become a pastor who performs
sacraments such as baptism and marriage, but that’s unlikely unless the
church changes its policy.

I bet you saw that one too:  In reformed theology we have two sacraments, baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  Marriage is not a sacrament.

Thanks for playing along.  Now back to the Politics of Presbyterianism.

Remembering All the Saints

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For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Greetings on this All Saints Day.  While it may not be a regular part of our Presbyterian heritage, for many years now I have observed it as an opportunity to remember those Saints that I have known in my life and the impact they have had on me and the Church.

Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

As I spend much of the day humming Sine Nomine I particularly remember those who went to be with the Lord in the last year.  For Ed, a very faithful choir member and long-time member of the church.  For Vivian, a hard working presbyter and congregation leader.

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the wife of one of our hard working elders and seminary students.  For warm and fuzzy individuals but real prayer warriors such as Fern.  For another Ed who lived out his faith in the public arena.

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For all of these faithful individuals and many more I give thanks for their impact on the church and on me.

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the complete words to For All the Saints, by William Walsham How, from the CyberHymnal

Central Florida Presbytery

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Greetings,
    “So much time, so little to do.  Hold it.  Scratch that. Reverse it. OK” (Willie Wonka)

Several things have happened over the last week and I will try to get caught up with them through out the day today as time permits.

Maybe the single most significant new development in the last week was the adoption by Central Florida Presbytery of a resolution affirming the historic ordination standards found in the Book of Order of the PC(USA) as opposed to the relaxing of these standards by the authoritative interpretation of the most recent GA.  The summary of the meeting is available on-line as an MS Word document.  Here is the text of the resolution:







“That Presbytery reaffirm the historic ordination standards of the Book of Order (G-6.0106b) and applicable provisions of the Book of Confessions and to affirm the role of the Book of Order and the Book of Confessions as the only guides for interpreting Scripture as illumined by the Holy Spirit in the examination of those who seek to serve as ministers, elders, and deacons in Central Florida Presbytery and its churches.  Therefore, we will not recognize the validity of ordinations and installations anywhere within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) if they violate Book of Order standards.”

On a personal note, it was a pleasure to see that the worship leader for the presbytery meeting was a  colleague who, while she served with me in a different presbytery, is one of the people I thank for identifying in me and encouraging my God-given gifts for church leadership.

Aircraft carry-on restrictions

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Greetings,

   I’ve got a bunch of stuff to post today but to start off, here is something off topic but interesting:

My wife was flying yesterday with the new carry-on requirements barring liquids and gels.  This applies to food so she was prohibited from carrying on her sealed yogert container so she ate it and then went through security.  On the plane she found out that the woman in the seat next to her had her peanut butter sandwich confiscated.  I guess you just can not be too safe.

Now, on to other varities of legal matters…