Hello beloved friends, 

I pray the day finds you well and understanding what God is calling you to do in this life. Understanding though is a difficult task even between us human beings, is it not? To explain, we assume everyone understands what we mean when we say, “the Lord’s Prayer.” But the truth is there is more than one version. Here at the FCC, we use the words “Debts and Debtors” along with the doxology. However, we do not always explain this tradition openly. And the Lord’s Prayer for someone who was raised in the Roman Catholic Church understands the prayer differently; for, they use the word “Trespass” without a doxology. And then, there are the souls who have never spoken the Lord’s Prayer and may not know what it means when they walk into our church for the first time. Yet, we assume that everyone understands the prayer, and the form of the prayer we are using. 

I share this reality to highlight how easy it is to misunderstand one another, especially when one individual or group is speaking in coded language. Language that only the in-group understands. The same can be said throughout society. I am guessing most people do not know what “biters,” “grow-out bags, “Camel Case,” or a thousand other jargon words are when people use them every day in their careers.

Jargon though can also be in our habits and expectations in a group. We expect people to come to worship without pink bunny slippers on, to know that this group always meets at this time – on this day, that – EVERYONE – is truly welcome as they are; for they are a child of God. Yet, how do people know this truth unless they come in the door. How would anyone know that when we say Open and Affirming, we are including everyone. Yes, we are including all genders, expressions, and orientations of our society; but we are also including all races – all bodies regardless of ability – all children of God. How does anyone know unless we tell them? 

Therefore, we are spelling it out to shed light on our distinct difference from the assumed jargon of Christianity. The jargon which says: “all are welcome but not as you are. No no, you have to change – be better – because we do not like you as you are.” This assumption of Christian jargon from the LGBT+ community is due to years upon years of hate and prejudice heaped upon anyone. Wait, no, on EVERYONE who is not considered “normal” by societal standards in the church. If you are in a wheelchair, people would say “no you cannot help the fund raiser because you’re disabled.” WE are saying “YES, you can. We will find a way.”  For years, individuals would say “women cannot lead or teach in the sanctuary because it’s against the Bible.” WE are saying “YES, you can. We welcome your gifts, child of God.” For centuries, society has looked down on people in the LGBT+ community denying them full membership of God’s kin-dom because of a misunderstanding of ancient Biblical verses. A misunderstanding revealed repeatedly by a variety of pastors and theologians. 

WE as a community, if the ONA passes, are saying “YES, you are a child of God. We see you and affirm you for who you are. We welcome your gifts. And to the rest of the world, by the way if you did not understand, we are saying THIS TRUTH is where we stand – not for any political movement or agenda. We stand for the LOVE of God which says ALL PEOPLE are God’s children. HE created each of us as we are. SHE reminds us to Love ALL people for who they are.” All jargon and assumptions aside, this understanding of God’s Love is what I feel we are called to share with the world; so, all people may truly find a safe and welcoming home to worship God.

I pray that on May 15th, you – each of you – will stand for what you believe in and how you see God’s Love operating through our fellowship. I pray you will stand openly and visibly even if you disagree or agree with ONA. For, it is only through open and honest voices will we be able to understand one another and live into what God is calling us to do.

May every day be an open reflection of God’s Love through you

Your pastor and teacher, Brian

Please consider and share your “calling” is in this Eastertide season. I pray Lent helped you find your calling – let us consider what this means as we build and rebuild our fellowship through the sharing of our voices. If you would like, text, call, or email me always to talk and discover ideas to help you live into your calling. As I am here to support you and your relationship with God wherever you are on the journey. My number is (207-350-9561) if you need anything or simply want to talk. Next week, my pastoral care hours are Mon. 9-4, Tues. 12-5, Wed. 9-4, Thurs. 10-2 to provide some time for visiting. Many blessings and Love to you all.

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

–          1 Corinthians 12 (12-21)

Now What?

As our youth are preparing for graduation and the celebration of all of their accomplishments, I am reminded of my own graduation from undergrad. For, it was an amazing celebration that I remember fondly today. What made it all the more special was that I was the only person in my family, other than my father, to graduate from college. Because of this reality and all the hard work I had put into school over the previous three years, the celebration seemed to be a climatic event in my life – a hallelujah. 

However, the days following had me asking the very real question, “now what do I do?” It is a rather uncomfortable question for any of us, isn’t it? Now what do I do after graduating, finding a career, having a child, winning a championship, or witnessing a resurrection? Now what?

I have often imagined the disciples asked this question in the days following Christ’s resurrection and before His appearance in the Upper Room. Now what? Remember, these souls were all Jewish followers of Christ with no intention of creating a new religion. They were simple farmers, tax collectors, sinners, saints, fathers, mothers, individuals who followed Christ in their worship of God. Perhaps a few thought they could lead; yet, I have to imagine that, in the light of the resurrection revealed, even those disciples would have been humbled and wondering, Now what do I do?  

Beloved, I think the uncomfortableness of the question is the folly of the question itself. In other words, why would the disciples ask or why would we inquire: Now what do I do, when the “I” is not the only one who got you to this celebration in the first place. It is not simply Jesus – Peter – or even us alone that make the Glory of the Resurrection something to be celebrated. Just like it is not just the person who is graduating who has made the celebration possible alone. There are teachers who have taught us along the way – families who support us – communities which help watch out for us as we learn and earn those degrees.

So, perhaps the better question is “what do we do now?” Maybe, ask the “eye” sitting next to you because they will have a different perspective. As will the “ear,” “foot,” and “hand” of Christ. For, we are all one body – the one Body of Christ. Each is welcomed and must be witnessed as equally needed, supported, and heard; for, as the Apostle Paul puts it “in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” Therefore, when we ask, “what now,” let us answer with the love and grace of one community listening to all people who are actively part of the Body of Christ revealed in our fellowship of the First Congregational Church of Salem NH.

I pray that you – each and everyone of you – will be that active voice again for the body of Christ

your pastor and teacher, Brian

Please consider and share your “what now” is in this Eastertide season. I pray Lent helped you find your calling – let us start to consider what now as we build and rebuild our fellowship through the sharing of our voices. If you would like, text, call, or email me always to talk and discover ideas to help you live into your calling. As I am here to support you and your relationship with God wherever you are on the journey. My number is (207-350-9561) if you need anything or simply want to talk. Next week, my pastoral care hours are Mon. 9-4, Tues. 12-5, Wed. 9-4, Thurs. 10-2 to provide some time for visiting. Many blessings and Love to you all.

“God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.” 

• Genesis 9:12-15 NRSV

Good afternoon, Beloved,

             I pray you are all held softly in God’s hands and able to stay safe and dry on this drizzly Wednesday afternoon. That said, I also hope you can witness a rainbow today. For, what a glorious thing every rainbow is as they drift across the sky following the storms of the world. They are almost reminders that everything will be ok. Reminders that the storms end. Reminders that God is caring for all of us and all flesh upon the Earth. 

             Now today, we know that the rainbows in the sky are not literally God’s Bow which was used to put holes in the firmament of the sky. An act which caused all the Earth to be flooded as explained in Genesis. No, we know the rainbows are created by the reflection of light. Yet, this story in the Bible of Noah and the flood is no less true. No less honest as a metaphor for God’s covenantal promise to all of Creation. Yes, all the flesh – not just the Israelites. A promise that is fulfilled through the teachings and loving actions of Christ Jesus. A promise that can be fulfilled by each of us who work as the hands and feet of God in this world every time we help and care for all people, regardless of age, gender, or any other identity.

             In this way of thinking, it makes sense that we would have rainbows upon our windows in the sanctuary. It feels right; for, we are fulfilling God’s Covenantal promise to all the flesh when we welcome all people no matter who they are or where they are on their journey. When we not only welcome all people but share that here is a place that all people – all the flesh of Creation – may finally feel safe after the long storms have passed. 

             All this calls to me in a new way. It makes me wonder what this symbol from the Bible is saying to you. As a person of faith, how or does this symbol call to you? 

Beloved, I share this practice of inquiry today because symbols are powerful things. They provide meaning in ways which we may not even think of or recognize. Yet, when we look at the symbols and deeply consider what they mean to each of us. Not how they are intended, but what they mean to us personally. We may discover new ways God is calling us in our delight, understanding, or rejection of those symbols. So, I pray that you will take the time this week to notice one symbol in your life. Consider how it makes you feel and discover what it means to you. Maybe, in this inquiry you will discover God’s call.

Your pastor and teacher, Brian

Please consider the ways you care for your own spirituality and faith throughout Lent. If you would like, you may text, call, or email me always to talk and discover ideas to help you refresh your soul. As I am here to support you and your relationship with God wherever you are on the journey. My number is (207-350-9561) if you need anything or simply want to talk. Next week, my pastoral care hours are Mon. 9-4, Tues. 12-5, Wed. 9-4, Thurs. 10-2 to provide some time for visiting. Many blessings and Love to you all.

Good morning, Beloved,

I pray you are well and feel all the love God has to offer. The love which is given freely to each and every one of us. I am reminded of this love often when reading the Bible, a truth which I hope we all understand and witness both in the times when we are distressed and in those times which are joyous throughout our lives. I hope you witness this gift and have found comfort in scripture.

Yet too often when we read scripture or truly anything, our own biases can get in the way. We can get sidetracked just at the right moment and miss the full understanding of a newspaper clipping, a book, or yes scripture. I was reminded of this truth today as I read the Daily Devotional from the UCC by Matt Laney (see below). 

The reality is, beloved, we all have done the light reading or headline skimming in our Bibles and in the news. But just as Rev. Laney points out, if we only read John 3:16 without the P.S, we are missing Christ’s Love being revealed. Moreover, we risk becoming righteous against the evil doer – the person who does not love Jesus as ourselves – and turn to a practice of condemning said person. Yet, reading the full context of the word reveals another truth. The truth of God’s Love for everyone throughout Creation.

With these thoughts in mind, I invite you into a practice of deep reading once again. Reading the full context and words of that which is written, whether biblically or in everyday texts. I invite you into this practice for it truly is the only way we may witness the Truth of what is being said and discern if we are remaining on the path to the kin-dom with Christ. The only way to discover if something is Holy or Unholy. The only way to understand the world around us. I invite you into this practice; so, you may faithfully discern and follow the call God has placed in your soul.

May your week be blessed with the practice of deep reading one text, article, or Biblical passage in this preparatory season of Lent.

Your pastor and teacher, Brian

Please consider the ways you care for your own spirituality and faith throughout Lent. If you would like, you may text, call, or email me always to talk and discover ideas to help you refresh your soul. As I am here to support you and your relationship with God wherever you are on the journey. My number is (207-350-9561) if you need anything or simply want to talk. Next week, my pastoral care hours are Mon. 9-4, Tues. 12-5, Wed. 9-4, Thurs. 10-2 to provide some time for visiting. Many blessings and Love to you all.

The All-Important P.S. to John 3:16

by Matt Laney | published on Mar 23, 2022

“For God so loved the world that God gave God’s beloved Child, so that everyone who believes may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send their Child into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17 (NRSV)

This passage includes one of the most well-known verses in the Bible, John 3:16. “John 3:16” can be found on t-shirts, memes, bumper stickers, signs at sporting events, even on the eye-black of an NFL quarterback.

John 3:16 is often used as a litmus test. If you believe in Jesus (which is code for “if you believe what I believe about Jesus”), then you will be saved from eternal damnation. If not, your ultimate destination is bleak. The verse is used and abused as a pretext for condemning people to hell.

I think the writer of John saw that coming as he first penned 3:16, so he included an addendum—a postscript—as a safeguard: “Indeed, God did not send their Child into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17).

When John talks about the world being saved through Jesus, he’s not envisioning a luxurious post-mortem retirement in the clouds for those who “accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior,” a phrase which occurs exactly zero times in the Bible.

For John, salvation begins now by checking the impulse to condemn, and committing instead to the Jesus way of love, forgiveness, nonviolence, doing justice, showing mercy, walking humbly. In short, to love the world as God loves it.

Jesus did not come to condemn. For that, we should be eternally grateful. Jesus came to love and serve and thereby to save.

Prayer

World Lover, help me check the impulse to condemn others and to love as Jesus loves.

About the Author

Matt Laney is the Senior Pastor of Virginia Highland Church UCC in Atlanta, GA and the author of Pride Wars, a fantasy series published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for Young Readers. The first two books, The Spinner Prince and The Four Guardians are available now.

Good morning, Beloved,

I pray you are joyfully held in God’s open hand on this overcast day, a feat which is sometimes difficult. Sometimes difficult because our environment, the world we live in really does influence our mood as many studies have validated throughout the years. Of course, we in New England did not need a study to prove this fact; for, the long winter months tend to make all of us a bit more depressed or somber. The rainy days can make us feel gloomy. And the tall buildings of our cities can make us feel insignificant and small.

Yet, the winter is coming to an end. The season is changing, and each day brings warmth and more sunshine into our lives. How glorious are the blessings of Spring – the gifts of God that remind us of who we are and how we are called to live in this world of Her creation.

It is in the ending of the long winter – in the changing of the season – in the first moments of Spring that I tend to witness God in everything. I see the beautiful tulips in front of me on the kitchen table. I am astonished by the life-giving lettuce plants which grow beside me daily. I feel the hopeful breath of Spring as the buds of new life grow on the bushes outside our church. Yes beloved, while admiring His beauty throughout Creation, I cannot help but feel all the gloominess of an overcast day recede as it is replaced with hope, joy, and humble admiration for all that God has created.

I bring these thoughts to you today; for, too often in the UCC, we remain in the heady space of intellectual thought and forget that God’s love is all around us throughout nature. The spiritual practices of simply being and witnessing nature around us can be as life giving to our spirits as the deep Biblical study of ancient tomes. Therefore, I pray that you take time this week to let go of some of our egos and simply be present to the awesome glory of God throughout nature in the coming of Spring.

May your week refresh the joyful feelings we are called to feel as beloved disciples of Christ.

Your pastor and teacher, Brian

Please consider the ways you care for your own spirituality and faith throughout Lent. If you would like, you may text, call, or email me always to talk and discover ideas to help you refresh your soul. As I am here to support you and your relationship with God wherever you are on the journey. My number is (207-350-9561) if you need anything or simply want to talk. Next week, my pastoral care hours are Mon. 9-4, Tues. 12-5, Wed. 9-4, Thurs. 10-2 to provide some time for visiting. Many blessings and Love to you all.

Good afternoon, Beloved,

I hope the day finds you well, safe, and at peace in the loving hands of God. A prayer that may not seem so easily filled today with all of the conflicts, troubles, and wars of the world. Troubles which seem to never end. No respite or vacation from one anxiety of the world before another becomes a deluge of pain and suffering on our hearts. I noticed this onslaught of issues a couple years ago. However, a simple example is that we have not even been able to celebrate the end of Covid before now facing war in the Ukraine. And a growing fear amongst people that this will become something far worse. The world almost seems like a never-ending diet of bad news with no time to recover in between cataclysmic events. 

However, this path is that of humankind. It is not the Way of God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and you, beloved. Our Way, the Way of God is one which remembers we must have a vacation from time to time. God reminds us there are times in our day where She is calling us to … breathe. Times of the year when He invites us to…reflect. Times in life where They welcome us to be…at peace. Lent is one of those times. One of those times where we are called to recover from the world’s problems and simply focus on our personal spirituality. Focus on the Way we love God with our whole heart and care for ourselves spiritually.

Yes, it is also a time where we are invited to repent and recall our own mortal nature. But this invitation is really a spiritual gift for us. For, it is a chance for each of us to let go of the anxieties we are struggling with, the concerns weighing us down, the burdens which make it hard to love our neighbor. This practice is a gift which we are invited to explore before our lives end and there is no time left in this world. For, we are made from dust and to dust we shall return. We recall these words tonight not to inspire fear; but to remember that there is no time like right now for us to care for ourselves. No time like today to forgive and seek forgiveness. No moment like right now to heal our relationships and be at peace. So, we may be refreshed and prepared to continue the loving ministry which Christ calls us to do every day: love God, Love your Neighbor as YOURSELF.

May each of you nurture the spiritual side of yourself throughout this Lent and find the peace, safety, and wellness of God in this season of reflection.

Your pastor and teacher, Brian

Please consider the ways you care for your own spirituality and faith throughout Lent. If you would like, you may text, call, or email me always to talk and discover ideas to help you refresh your soul. As I am here to support you and your relationship with God wherever you are on the journey. My number is (207-350-9561) if you need anything or simply want to talk. Next week, my pastoral care hours are Mon. 9-4, Tues. 12-5, Wed. 9-4, Thurs. 10-2 to provide some time for visiting. Many blessings and Love to you all.