March 29th, 2020
ONLINE WORSHIP SERVICE
|
Rev. Johan Reiners
Pastor, Chungdong English Ministry | ||
Dear Chungdong Family,
Welcome to our online worship service. Thank you for joining us. Along with our brothers and sisters all around the world, we’re now coming to terms with the “new normal” brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. Due to the spread of the COVID-19, Chungdong First Methodist Church, English Ministry will continue worshiping online until further notice.
We hope and pray that things will get back to normal soon. In the meantime, please join us with your family and friends for the online worship. You can follow the liturgy here along with the video sermon. Click on the links provided for hymns. The order of service has been simplified to include a prayer and two hymns.
We will keep you updated with regards to services during the following weeks. Please remember to pray for the country, the leaders and those affected by this crisis.
This week’s preacher is Rev. Johan Reiners
Welcome to our online worship service. Thank you for joining us. Along with our brothers and sisters all around the world, we’re now coming to terms with the “new normal” brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. Due to the spread of the COVID-19, Chungdong First Methodist Church, English Ministry will continue worshiping online until further notice.
We hope and pray that things will get back to normal soon. In the meantime, please join us with your family and friends for the online worship. You can follow the liturgy here along with the video sermon. Click on the links provided for hymns. The order of service has been simplified to include a prayer and two hymns.
We will keep you updated with regards to services during the following weeks. Please remember to pray for the country, the leaders and those affected by this crisis.
This week’s preacher is Rev. Johan Reiners
HOME WORSHIP
Welcome
Welcome to today’s service.
Call to Worship
As our call to worship today, let’s confess out loud the following words:
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
—Psalm 27:1
Song of Praise
Singing is an ancient Christian tradition. No virus or any other global crisis can keep God’s people from raising our voices in praise. By singing from home, we are engaging in an act of resistance, telling the world that no matter it throws at us we will be faithful to the God who casts out fear.
Welcome
Welcome to today’s service.
Call to Worship
As our call to worship today, let’s confess out loud the following words:
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
—Psalm 27:1
Song of Praise
Singing is an ancient Christian tradition. No virus or any other global crisis can keep God’s people from raising our voices in praise. By singing from home, we are engaging in an act of resistance, telling the world that no matter it throws at us we will be faithful to the God who casts out fear.
When Peace Like a River
Opening Prayer
Prayer for a Pandemic, by Cameron Bellm
May we who are merely inconvenienced
Remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors
Remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home
Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close
Remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips
Remember those that have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market
Remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home
Remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country,
let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,
Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.
Amen.
Confession of Faith
We believe in God, the Creator of all that we see and all that we do not see.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God becomes flesh; in death the Forgiver of sinners, in rising the Healer of the broken.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, God within us, Comforter, Strengthener and Friend.
Amen
Prayer for illumination:
Prepare our hearts, o Lord, to accept your word. Silence in us any voice but your own; that, hearing, we may also obey your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
GOSPEL READING
Luke 13:31-35
Hear the words of the Gospel:
At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’[b]”
This is the Gospel of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON
How Are You Today?
People of faith, I have a question. It's a simple one, but, I think, important. The question is: How are you? The question reminds of one morning, after the worship service, while I was greeting people at the door, I also asked in a passing-by manner to everyone, "How are you?" It was then when one congregant, an elderly lady, actually stopped and, with a twinkle in her eye, answered: "How much time do you have to listen?" After that, I never took this question lightly.
In this time of turmoil when, as we speak, the world is changing forever, and there is very little assurance of what the world of tomorrow will look like, I want to ask you: how are you? And, how about asking this question to someone next to you, near you, even far from you by text, phone call or e-mail?
In this time of lent, as we're getting closer to the cross on Good Friday, I wonder what Jesus would say if we had to ask Him this question.
Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem. In Luke 13, he's stopped by the Pharisees informing him that Herod Antipas king of Galilee, was out to stop him. Taking into account the hatred of the Pharisees, the king's vendetta against him, and the bleak future with a bloody and cruel cross awaiting him - and he knew it, Jesus' answer to our question might not have been too favorable. Not a simple "fine thanks, and you." He might also have inquired about the time we had available to listen.
This passage leads us into the inner chambers of Jesus' heart. We see pathos, passion, and pain. In his passion, there is even anger. Let's look at three points here:
1. The Pain
When the Pharisees told Jesus that Herod Antipas was out to kill him, he answered with an unexpected, even shocking: "Go tell that fox…." Wow! Not particularly language fit for a person like Jesus, we would argue. According to William Barclay, calling someone a fox for a Jew was a symbol of three things. "First, it was regarded as the slyest of animals. Second, it was regarded as the most destructive of animals. Third, it was the symbol of a worthless and insignificant man."
This "fox" was a real danger. The Pharisees probably had the best of intentions to warn Jesus for his own sake. Flee! Go away from here! There is danger!
All around us, we are bombarded with the news of the "fox" - an invisible danger out to kill and destroy. It is real. It's not a war with weapons and military power. It's a war that's killing thousands and destroying millions. Indeed a fox that affects each and every one of us in some way or another. It disrupts lives, destroys economies, and much more.
It is remarkable to listen carefully to what Jesus said:
2. The passion
How to live victoriously through this crisis? Listen again to what Jesus said:
"Go tell that fox, 'I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.' 33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day-for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
Did you hear?
I will keep on…today and tomorrow…!
Brothers and sisters, millions of people worldwide are confined to their homes either in lock-down or at the request of their governments. Places once buzzing with life, the sounds of people and children are now desolated, empty, and eerie silent. The world has stopped. And yet, Jesus says: I will keep on; I will press on! I have a passion! This is the secret, although the fox is at the door, keeping on is something of the heart. It doesn't care if you're confined to one place or space - the keep-on-going spirit is a spirit of hope. It is a spirit that, even though a cross and a Golgotha is waiting, this spirit has its eyes on the resurrection! The morning after. It's not a matter of sinking into the depths of despair, but a matter of keeping the eyes on God as the sustainer of life and tomorrow! It is a decision not to give in to despair, but to get a tomorrow, get a goal even if it is only to make today count!
Oh, may we, in the same passion of Jesus, be passionate about pressing on. Like the apostle Paul: I press on!
3. The pathos
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate.
Pathos suggests a deep emotion of sadness, pity and even compassion. Jesus cries out over Jerusalem: How often I have longed to gather you….as a hen.
The fox and the hen and the chicks. In a sermon by Nadia Bolz-Weber last week, she used the contrast between the fox and the chicken, the hen. Allow me to quote her:
"Maybe that beautiful image of God could mean something essential for us: and by us, I mean we fragile, vulnerable human beings who face very real danger. I can't bear to say that this scripture is a description of what behaviors and attitudes you could imitate if you want to be a right, not-afraid person. But neither can I tell you that the Mother Hen thing means that God will protect you from Herod or that God is going to keep bad things from happening to you.
Because honestly, nothing keeps danger from being dangerous.
A mother hen cannot actually keep a determined fox from killing her chicks. So, where does that leave us? I mean, if danger is real, and a hen can't actually keep their chicks out of danger, then what good is this image of God as Mother Hen if faith in her can't make us safe?
Well, today, I started to think that maybe it's not safety that keeps us from being afraid.
Maybe it's love.
This means that a Mother Hen of a God doesn't keep foxes from being dangerous…a Mother Hen of a God keeps foxes from being what determines how we experience the unbelievably beautiful gift of being alive.
God the Mother Hen gathers all of her downy feathered, vulnerable little ones under God's protective wings so that we know where we belong because it is there that we find warmth and shelter.
But Faith in God does not bring you safety.
The fox still exists.
Danger still exists.
And by that I mean, danger is not optional, but fear is.
Because maybe the opposite of fear isn't bravery. Maybe the opposite of fear is love. Paul tells us that perfect love casts out fear. So in the response to our own Herods, in response to the very real dangers of this world we have an invitation as people of faith: which is to respond by loving."
Jesus looks at us: In this time of fear and danger, the invitation is still standing - I want you under my wings. The fox is still out there, but my love and my care, that's what will get you through this!
Conclusion
A fox, a hen, and chicks. And an invitation. An invitation to be brave, but also to be weak. Bold to declare: I will go on. And, weak to declare: I will crawl under the heavenly wings of Jesus. So, how are you today? I'm fine, thank you, and you?
Amen
CLOSING HYMN
Opening Prayer
Prayer for a Pandemic, by Cameron Bellm
May we who are merely inconvenienced
Remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors
Remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home
Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close
Remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips
Remember those that have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market
Remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home
Remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country,
let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,
Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.
Amen.
Confession of Faith
We believe in God, the Creator of all that we see and all that we do not see.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God becomes flesh; in death the Forgiver of sinners, in rising the Healer of the broken.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, God within us, Comforter, Strengthener and Friend.
Amen
Prayer for illumination:
Prepare our hearts, o Lord, to accept your word. Silence in us any voice but your own; that, hearing, we may also obey your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
GOSPEL READING
Luke 13:31-35
Hear the words of the Gospel:
At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’[b]”
This is the Gospel of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON
How Are You Today?
People of faith, I have a question. It's a simple one, but, I think, important. The question is: How are you? The question reminds of one morning, after the worship service, while I was greeting people at the door, I also asked in a passing-by manner to everyone, "How are you?" It was then when one congregant, an elderly lady, actually stopped and, with a twinkle in her eye, answered: "How much time do you have to listen?" After that, I never took this question lightly.
In this time of turmoil when, as we speak, the world is changing forever, and there is very little assurance of what the world of tomorrow will look like, I want to ask you: how are you? And, how about asking this question to someone next to you, near you, even far from you by text, phone call or e-mail?
In this time of lent, as we're getting closer to the cross on Good Friday, I wonder what Jesus would say if we had to ask Him this question.
Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem. In Luke 13, he's stopped by the Pharisees informing him that Herod Antipas king of Galilee, was out to stop him. Taking into account the hatred of the Pharisees, the king's vendetta against him, and the bleak future with a bloody and cruel cross awaiting him - and he knew it, Jesus' answer to our question might not have been too favorable. Not a simple "fine thanks, and you." He might also have inquired about the time we had available to listen.
This passage leads us into the inner chambers of Jesus' heart. We see pathos, passion, and pain. In his passion, there is even anger. Let's look at three points here:
1. The Pain
When the Pharisees told Jesus that Herod Antipas was out to kill him, he answered with an unexpected, even shocking: "Go tell that fox…." Wow! Not particularly language fit for a person like Jesus, we would argue. According to William Barclay, calling someone a fox for a Jew was a symbol of three things. "First, it was regarded as the slyest of animals. Second, it was regarded as the most destructive of animals. Third, it was the symbol of a worthless and insignificant man."
This "fox" was a real danger. The Pharisees probably had the best of intentions to warn Jesus for his own sake. Flee! Go away from here! There is danger!
All around us, we are bombarded with the news of the "fox" - an invisible danger out to kill and destroy. It is real. It's not a war with weapons and military power. It's a war that's killing thousands and destroying millions. Indeed a fox that affects each and every one of us in some way or another. It disrupts lives, destroys economies, and much more.
It is remarkable to listen carefully to what Jesus said:
- Not for a moment did he ignore the "fox." The danger is real; it's grave, it's dangerous and out to destroy. Lesson number one, do not ignore the threat. Do not talk light about the danger. Take it seriously. The same with what is happening around the world with this pandemic.
- This pandemic will cause pain. Millions will lose their jobs, their income, security, pensions. The final chapter of this world-wide crisis is unimaginable. It's going to change the way we live, act, do business, do church, live as human beings, and much more. No more business as usual! It's painful. It's real.
2. The passion
How to live victoriously through this crisis? Listen again to what Jesus said:
"Go tell that fox, 'I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.' 33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day-for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
Did you hear?
I will keep on…today and tomorrow…!
- I will reach my goal!
- I must press on, today and tomorrow, and the next day!
Brothers and sisters, millions of people worldwide are confined to their homes either in lock-down or at the request of their governments. Places once buzzing with life, the sounds of people and children are now desolated, empty, and eerie silent. The world has stopped. And yet, Jesus says: I will keep on; I will press on! I have a passion! This is the secret, although the fox is at the door, keeping on is something of the heart. It doesn't care if you're confined to one place or space - the keep-on-going spirit is a spirit of hope. It is a spirit that, even though a cross and a Golgotha is waiting, this spirit has its eyes on the resurrection! The morning after. It's not a matter of sinking into the depths of despair, but a matter of keeping the eyes on God as the sustainer of life and tomorrow! It is a decision not to give in to despair, but to get a tomorrow, get a goal even if it is only to make today count!
Oh, may we, in the same passion of Jesus, be passionate about pressing on. Like the apostle Paul: I press on!
3. The pathos
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate.
Pathos suggests a deep emotion of sadness, pity and even compassion. Jesus cries out over Jerusalem: How often I have longed to gather you….as a hen.
The fox and the hen and the chicks. In a sermon by Nadia Bolz-Weber last week, she used the contrast between the fox and the chicken, the hen. Allow me to quote her:
"Maybe that beautiful image of God could mean something essential for us: and by us, I mean we fragile, vulnerable human beings who face very real danger. I can't bear to say that this scripture is a description of what behaviors and attitudes you could imitate if you want to be a right, not-afraid person. But neither can I tell you that the Mother Hen thing means that God will protect you from Herod or that God is going to keep bad things from happening to you.
Because honestly, nothing keeps danger from being dangerous.
A mother hen cannot actually keep a determined fox from killing her chicks. So, where does that leave us? I mean, if danger is real, and a hen can't actually keep their chicks out of danger, then what good is this image of God as Mother Hen if faith in her can't make us safe?
Well, today, I started to think that maybe it's not safety that keeps us from being afraid.
Maybe it's love.
This means that a Mother Hen of a God doesn't keep foxes from being dangerous…a Mother Hen of a God keeps foxes from being what determines how we experience the unbelievably beautiful gift of being alive.
God the Mother Hen gathers all of her downy feathered, vulnerable little ones under God's protective wings so that we know where we belong because it is there that we find warmth and shelter.
But Faith in God does not bring you safety.
The fox still exists.
Danger still exists.
And by that I mean, danger is not optional, but fear is.
Because maybe the opposite of fear isn't bravery. Maybe the opposite of fear is love. Paul tells us that perfect love casts out fear. So in the response to our own Herods, in response to the very real dangers of this world we have an invitation as people of faith: which is to respond by loving."
Jesus looks at us: In this time of fear and danger, the invitation is still standing - I want you under my wings. The fox is still out there, but my love and my care, that's what will get you through this!
Conclusion
A fox, a hen, and chicks. And an invitation. An invitation to be brave, but also to be weak. Bold to declare: I will go on. And, weak to declare: I will crawl under the heavenly wings of Jesus. So, how are you today? I'm fine, thank you, and you?
Amen
CLOSING HYMN
Laudate Dominum
Laudate Dominum.
Laudate Dominum.
Omnes! Gentes!
Alleluia!
Sing, praise and bless the Lord.
Sing, praise and bless the Lord.
Peoples! Nations!
Alleluia!
BENEDICTION
God go before you to lead you,
God go behind you to protect you,
God go beneath you to support you,
God go beside you to befriend you.
Do not be afraid.
May the blessing of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be upon you.
Do not be afraid.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Amen.
Amen
Laudate Dominum.
Laudate Dominum.
Omnes! Gentes!
Alleluia!
Sing, praise and bless the Lord.
Sing, praise and bless the Lord.
Peoples! Nations!
Alleluia!
BENEDICTION
God go before you to lead you,
God go behind you to protect you,
God go beneath you to support you,
God go beside you to befriend you.
Do not be afraid.
May the blessing of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be upon you.
Do not be afraid.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Amen.
Amen
