Outbreak of Grace: A Pilgrim's Song

Welcome to midweek in the "Pastor's Workshop". It's great to join with you today as we dive deeper into the Word of the week!

This week we're working through Psalm 121. "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord..."

On Monday we "submerged" ourselves in the Scripture. We read, wrote and recorded our initial ideas and impressions. We asked God to inspire us with some "holy imagination". I hope you enjoyed collecting your first thoughts.

Yesterday we studied the structure of the Psalm. How is it designed and written to lead and guide us as the readers and the worshippers into a greater experience of God's grace and truth? Again, I hope you jotted down your ideas in a notebook.

Today we look at the background of this Biblical passage. What is the historical context of this text? What might the world have been like that this word was originally spoken to? What needs are in our world today that this word would address?

Historically this Psalm is referred to as a "Psalm of Ascent" or a "Pilgrim's Song". One interpretation pictures the Psalm as a song or prayer that a pilgrim might have sung or prayed as they set off on a journey to Jerusalem for a religious festival.

Jerusalem was the "holy city" and home to the Temple, the centerpiece of religious life for the Jewish people. Making a regular pilgrimage to observe the high, holy days would have been part of being a person of faith.

Even as this was an expectation, the journey was never easy. Jerusalem was built on a hill in the midst of a whole series of foothills. (vs. 1 - I lift up my eyes to the hills.) The Judean countryside was rugged terrain. The hillsides were very rocky and steep. The pathways were treacherous. (vs. 3 - He will not let your foot be moved - not let your steps slip.) The sun can be blistering hot. Who knows what danger might lurk in the darkness of night? (vs.6 - The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night.) To know that the Lord who Created you (vs. 2) and called you to the journey of worship would also keep you along the way (vs. 5 - The Lord is my Keeper) was a reassuring word. To know that God's keeping you meant God would watch over you, guard you, protect and preserve you from all evil as you traveled to and from your home (vs. 8 - The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in...) was a strengthening word of grace.

You can easily see how the Psalm addressed the pilgrim of that day. But how about our day? How about us as we journey through our world?

As we move through this time of the Corona pandemic who has not lifted up their eyes, looked above and wondered, "Where will our help come from?" Who has not needed to hear that the Lord is our Keeper, that God is present to guard and protect. Even as we run our errands and come and go for those essentials of our lives who does not want to do so safely and at the same time have the reassurance that the Lord preserves us, keeps us, in our going out and our coming in!

You can also easily see how the Psalm addresses us and our world in our need today! Jot down additional thoughts you have.

Tomorrow I look forward to being with you and seeing how all our work of this week begins to fit together to tell a "sermon story" for Sunday. In that anticipation I want to join you in a closing word of prayer ...

Prayer:  "Gracious God, thank you for our time together today. We are grateful for the ways your Word would speak to us and to all across the ages. We praise you for how its truth would minister a reassurance to us in our hearts. In that blessing we trust you as our Keeper today and forever! In Jesus name we pray. Amen."

In Christ,

Paul

Claim the Cross - March 15

March 15—third Sunday in Lent

“Claim the Cross: Freedom”

“May I never boast in anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.”                          Galatians 6:14

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I believe you died to set me free, not only in the future, but here and now. And Lord, I am going to trust you to keep me from falling into the snares or yielding to sin. I turn this poor, weak, foolish heart over to you and I believe you accept that which I present. I trust you utterly, I am yours. Amen.

Scripture readings:

Sunday:             Galatians 6:14-16

Monday:           Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Tuesday:           Psalm 102:18-22

Wednesday: Luke 4:16-21     

Thursday:         Isaiah 58:6-14

Friday:                1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Saturday:         Philippians 3:18-20 

Hear my prayer, O Lord, those I offer for myself and for others.

_________________________, __________________________, _________________________, __________________________, _________________________, __________________________,

Lord of all, may we honor you by remembering the great deeds of compassion through which you have released us from the weight of our sin and strengthened us to bless you with our whole being. Amen.

Reflection:

Jesus taught, “whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.” (Mt 10: 37-38). Jesus is using the cross that is an instrument of death as a symbol of total commitment to him. Jesus’ death on a cross then becomes a symbol of God’s love and commitment to us.

 In his letter to the Galatians, Paul had written, “I have been crucified with, and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:19b-20).   The Apostle Paul said that he will boast in the cross of Jesus by which the world has been crucified to him and he to the world.  Paul claims that this leads to a new creation.  In Second Corinthians, Paul wrote, “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!’ (2 Co 5:17).  Through faith in Jesus Christ a person undergoes a transformation that results in a new being, a follower of Jesus Christ, Son of God.

 So, what does a life that has been crucified to the world look like?  Paul is very clear in this letter that those who belong to Christ are led by the Spirit.  To live by the Spirit is to no longer seek to satisfy one’s selfish desires.  Paul provides a list of self-seeking desires that will separate us from God and from our fellow Christians. (Gal 5”19-21).   It is impossible for anyone to read this list and not say, “Ouch, I have done that.”

“By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Gal 5:22-23). These are the marks of the new creation in Christ. Let us also boast in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Let us proclaim that we are part of God’s new creation in Jesus Christ.

- Jim Veach

Claim the Cross - March 8

March 8—Second Sunday in Lent

“Claim the Cross: Forgiveness”

“God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”                      Romans 5:8

Prayer:

You are loving, merciful, and forgiving, O God. You pardon our wrongdoing and cover our transgressions. May we forgive and pardon others as you have forgiven and pardoned us, so that we may rejoice in you, O Lord, this day and always. Amen.

Scripture readings:

Sunday:             Romans 5:6-11

Monday:           Jonah 3:1-4:2, 11

Tuesday:           Psalm 103:1-13

Wednesday: Psalm 32              

Thursday:         Colossians 2:8-14

Friday:                Matthew 6:9-13

Saturday:         Psalm 86:1-6

Hear my prayer, O Lord, those I offer for myself and for others.

_________________________, __________________________, _________________________, __________________________, _________________________, __________________________,

 The good news that Christians tell one another and the world is that only God can wipe away the failures, errors, and missed opportunities that sometimes plague us. We cannot wipe away or forgive our sins or those of another. But God can, and therein lies our hope, joy, and peace – a message we proclaim to all.                               - Ruben P. Job

Reflection:

Salvation is a gift. All we have to do is accept it. In a recent production of “The Great Divorce” by C.S. Lewis, I saw characters faced with choices. Heaven is theirs, but choosing heaven variously means walking away from relationships or habits or possessions. These things bring nothing but misery, but they are familiar and are, therefore, hard to give up.

 What relationships, habits, and possessions should I examine and evaluate and, perhaps, let go of?

 Why do I cling to my stories of how I have been wronged by others, holding oh so tightly to those feelings of anger or injustice?

 What barriers have I erected that prevent me from rejoicing fully in the Lord?

 I welcome this Lenten season as a time for reflection and introspection.

 Dear God,

Thank you for loving us. You know our hearts and our transgressions. Nothing is hidden from you. Teach me to forgive. Help me to be honest with myself and to listen for your voice. I long for the quiet joy that comes from trusting and resting in you.

 Terri Chepregi 

Claim the Cross - March 1

March 1—First Sunday in Lent

“Claim the Cross”

“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are being destroyed. But it is the power of God for those of us who are being saved.”           1 Corinthians 1:18

Prayer:

Almighty God, I desire to take refuge in you. Keep me from the snares of the world and protect me. Give me faith to trust you as those who have gone before trusted in the knowledge that you were their protector. Amen.

Scripture readings:

Sunday:             1 Corinthians 1:17-25

Monday:           Mark 8:31-38

Tuesday:           1 Corinthians 2:6-13

Wednesday: Psalm 145           

Thursday:         1 Peter 2:4-10

Friday:                Colossians 2:15-23

Saturday:         Psalm 34:1-10

 Hear my prayer, O Lord, those I offer for myself and for others.

_________________________, __________________________, _________________________, __________________________, _________________________, __________________________,

 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

                                                                     Colossians 1:19-20

Reflection:

In verse 18 Paul divides the world into two groups of people.

The 1st sentence focuses on “those who are being Destroyed”.  In other translations, the words perishing or headed to destruction are used instead of destroyed.   The point of the 1st sentence is that those being destroyed are destined for eternity apart from God, as an ungodly, unsaved people…

The 2nd sentence focuses on “those who are being saved”.  Implying by God’s word and power that those being saved are destined for an eternity of sharing in God's glory, as Believers…

To the first group—those being destroyed—the cross of Christ is "folly." The original Greek term used here is mōria, the root of the English word moron. Paul is saying that to the unsaved world, those who preach the gospel look like morons. Also, Greek and Roman cultures believed in all kinds of gods. It wasn’t Atheism in claiming the message of the cross to be foolishness. It was because Jesus Christ was rejected by His own people as Messiah and crucified on a cross. From a Pagan perspective, this was no kind of god to worship.

So, let us consider that The Cross of Christ was not foolish.
The second group - those who are being saved – due to their faith in Christ, the cross is understood to be God's most powerful act.  God sacrificed His Son Jesus for all human sin.  Jesus, in spite of limitless power and authority, gave up His life to cover the sins of those who were “being destroyed“.  Those who trust in Christ understand that without that powerful act, we would be lost and without hope.  Those who don't know the power of God are lost if they only rely on themselves or other men… It is those of us that come to know what and who we really are and most importantly, whose we are, that as Believers in Christ, we are destined for an eternity of sharing in God's glory - beginning here and now.  Amen

Robert Blome

Outbreak of Grace - The Lord is My Keeper

It's Tuesday in the "Pastor's Workshop". Glad you're here! I look forward to continuing to explore Psalm 121 with you.

Yesterday we had the opportunity to read and write the Psalm. What did you notice? What captured your attention? How many times was "Keep" or "Keeper" mentioned? (5) How was "Keeper" described? (A Watchman who never falls down or snoozes on the job; Shade in a sunbaked desert; a "Wingman" beside you to make sure you're OK). What images, paraphrases, thoughts did you jot down?

Today we look at the Structure of the Psalm. How is it built? How does its structure carry and convey its message?

Here are a few of my thoughts:

The Psalm starts with a Wondering and a Questioning. I lift up my eyes ... where will my help come from? How pertinent that question is these days!

Then the Psalm moves to an anchor Affirmation. The affirmation is the answer to faith. Our Help is in the name of the Lord. Then the power and majesty of the Lord are underscored as God is portrayed as "Maker of Heaven and Earth".

Following the Affirmation comes three sections with two couplets. Each of the sections details how God helps us as our Keeper. The couplets outline what that means.

For example in verses 3 and 4: Couplet One - The Lord will not let your foot be moved, He who keeps you will not slumber; Couplet Two - Behold, He who keeps Israel will not slumber, nor sleep.

Now see what you can find in verses 5 and 6 and verses 7 and 8. Jot down your answers.

As you go back and look at your answers and look at the structure, how does it not only advance the description of God as Keeper but also, how does it lead you as the reader (the worshipper) into a deeper reassurance of that core truth as it moves along? What do you think? Jot down your thoughts.

The Psalm brings a powerful message of hope to us in days of trouble. As we continue our time in the Workshop my prayer is that we all will experience the strength and peace that this word of faith provides!

Prayer: Lord, you are our Keeper! When we are afraid, when wonder, where will our help, comes from in these difficult times let us hear your Word from your Scripture by your Spirit that would draw us into your heart of love for us and your protective peace of us In Jesus Christ our Lord. In his name, we pray. Amen.

In Christ,

Paul

Coronavirus Update - March 23rd

Dear Spring Valley Church Family,

 As you are aware on Sunday, March 22 Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins issued a ‘Shelter in Place’ Order effective midnight Monday, March 23.

 In accordance with this Order and in support of the health and well being of our congregation, community and staff we will be complying with this mandate.

 Therefore, starting Tuesday, March 24 the church offices and the church will closed.  Additionally, door pass codes will be temporarily disabled so that building alarms will not be a consideration.

 Even as we say this, it does not mean our ministries have stopped.

1.     Every Sunday we will be videoing a full worship service.  These are available on svumc.org, the “Hear and See” tab, the “Sermons” dropdown.  We hope this will bring you the blessing of weekly worship.

2.     Monday through Saturday (excepting Fridays) you will receive a Constant Contact from the “Pastor’s Workshop”.  This daily devotional allows you to work alongside Pastor Paul as he prepares the Sunday message.

3.     You will continue to receive the weekly newsletter, “The Behold”, on Fridays.

4.     On Sundays the Lenten devotional, “Claim the Cross”, will be e-mailed to you by Constant Contact and will also be available on the website in the blog section.

5.     Sunday School lessons for the children will continue to be sent home weekly.

6.     Preschool lessons for the preschool children will be sent home weekly.

7.     If you have a Pastoral Emergency please contact Pastor Paul directly.

Through these means we hope you stay digitally connected and spiritually nurtured during these troubling days.

 As the staff seeks to do its part in the ministry, we all know that you, the laity, are critical to the health and well being of our church.  Because of this essential truth I make these requests:

1.     Please keep in contact with one another.  If you are part of a class or a ministry group make sure you call, text or in some way communicate with other members of your class or group on a regular (weekly) basis during this season.

2.     Enjoy the ITAC (It Takes a Congregation) that comes out in our weekly “Behold”.  I’m grateful to our Lay Leader, Myrna Ridings for her contributions that encourage all our laity in ministry.

3.     Participate in weekly worship through our videos and in devotional time through the blogs on our website.  Keep yourself spiritually nourished.

4.     Keep Spring Valley in your prayers.  We require your ongoing spiritual support to stay strong in our ministry.

5.     As you are able please support Spring Valley with your financial gifts.  We know these are difficult times for all financially, yet at the same time we seek to keep our staff and operations as strong as possible during these days.  You can make your gifts by mailing a check to the office or by donating online on our website.

 Even as we take these steps at Spring Valley we realize that the crisis and the needs are widespread.  We encourage you to be in prayer for all persons, families, communities and countries who are afflicted by the Coronavirus.  We ask you be in particular prayer for all medical personnel.  They are on the front lines in courageous ministry.  Additionally we request you pray for all community and world leaders.   They are making difficult decisions balancing many interests and seeking to insure the safety and well being of all.  Ask God to guide them with wisdom.

 As we move through these days we need to “Be Still and know the Lord is God”.  We need to remember we are not alone, God is with us always.  This is Jesus’ promise. We need to know that God is faithful and that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.   God will give us strength and courage and will lead and guide us through.    In that faith I move into the time ahead with you at Spring Valley.

 In Christ,

Paul

Outbreak of Grace: Psalm 121

Welcome to Monday in the Pastor’s Workshop!

Last week we were blessed by Psalm 46.  This word celebrated God as our Refuge, Strength and Very Present Help (vs. 1).  It called us to “Be Still” and to “Know” deeply and fully that “The Lord is God”. (vs. 10). 

I hope you had opportunity to move through the creative process with us last week.  But more, I hope you were able to experience Sunday morning worship to see how it all came forward as an offering of ministry.  If not, you still can!  Just check out our website svumc.org, the “see and hear” tab and you’ll find this message, “An Outbreak of Grace”!

This week we’ll continue in our “Outbreak of Grace” series.  We’ll be working with Psalm 121.  This is called the “Psalm of Ascents”.  It invites us to “Lift our Eyes”, knowing that where our eyes look our feet often follow.

Monday is an “Immersion Day”.  It’s a day to submerge in the Scripture.  Let it begin to sink into your mind and heart.

Read Psalm 121 silently.  Repeat.  Then read it aloud.  Repeat that too!  As you read and re-read, Listen.  Listen to the words, the images, the phrases, the cadences.  Listen to your thoughts and imagination.  What is starting to stir?  Whatever it is – write it down!

If you’ve got extra time and energy, Copy the Psalm.  In fact, if you really have extra time and energy, copy it from several translations!  Biblegateway.com is an excellent resource to check out additional translations of a Scripture passage.  In the copying, does this open up any additional insights?

A third and final phase – for those who want to go a “third mile” – is Paraphrase the Psalm.  How would you bring forward the meaning and message in your own words if you were the Psalmist?  Again, any fresh ideas?

Monday is always the day where we open ourselves to the moving of the Spirit as it would open the meaning, depth and power of the Scripture.

I hope you’ve enjoyed your time in the workshop today.  I pray it was productive.  I look forward to learning together how “The Lord is the Keeper of our lives, our going out and our coming in, in these days and forevermore. “ 

Claim the Cross: Follow

"Claim the Cross:  Follow"

 "If anyone would come after me, let them deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me."

                                                                                          Matthew 16:24

Prayer:

Almighty God, you who continually call your people to yourself, draw us by the power of your Holy Spirit into such a warm and binding relationship that we may faithfully follow you all the days of our lives. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Scripture readings:

Sunday:            Matthew 16:24-28

Monday:          John 1:35-46

Tuesday:          Luke 9:57-62

Wednesday:    Matthew 10:34-42          

Thursday:         Luke 18:35-43

Friday:              Matthew 19:16-30

Saturday:         John 10:22-30

Hear my prayer, O Lord, those I offer for myself and for others.

_________________________, __________________________, _________________________, __________________________, _________________________, __________________________,

 Almighty God, down through the ages you have called out men and women to be your faithful servants. You now call us to join that great company who seek to follow you. Grant us a clear vision and the strength to fulfill our service to you. In the name of Christ. Amen.

Reflection:

 What a crazy way to start a religious movement. In Matthew's gospel, these words of Jesus follow right after Jesus has explained to his disciples that he must return to Jerusalem and Peter, aware of the danger, tries to talk him out of it. They argue and Jesus rebukes him "Get behind me Satan."

Then Jesus goes further and tells his disciples that to be his followers they must deny themselves and take up a cross. Who wants to do that? Talk about a radical, difficult message. With self-denial being a central tenant of Christianity, how did the church ever survive and grow? Is it possible that self-denial and taking up a cross transcends day-to-day life? Is it possible that in those rare moments that my concern for others overtakes my concern for self that something divine is happening? Is it possible that when I take action to help those Jesus seems most concerned about (the sick, the poor, the marginalized), that I am finding life? Are those moments the times that I am actually drawing closer to Christ?

I am going to ponder these questions through the rest of lent and beyond.

P.S. I'm writing this the day after President Trump has declared a national emergency and Sunday corporate worship has been cancelled at Spring Valley for the first time in my memory. My understanding is that this reflection will be circulated a little over a week from now. By then who knows where the current crises will stand. Whatever has transpired my guess is that I will be struggling not to let self-concern prevent me from living true life.

- Paul Ledbetter

Outbreak of Grace - Prayer

Outbreak of Grace – Saturday, March 21, 2020

Welcome to Saturday!  I’m glad to be with you on the final day of weekly preparation in the “Pastor’s Workshop”.

What’s the last step before Sunday? 

The step of Prayer. 

Prayer is what opens us to the Presence and Power of God that is with us throughout the whole process of preparation and in the moments of proclamation.

As I get ready for Sunday my Prayer is 3 fold:

1.     I pray for you and all the listeners.  Specifically I pray that whatever blessing of God I’m seeking to proclaim on any particular Sunday, I pray that blessing for you, upon you, within you. 

2.     I pray for myself as the preacher.  I pray that I would be fully prepared and faithful in my proclamation.  I pray that I go forward as a servant with an offering, trusting in God to be at work as we join in worship together.

3.     I pray that God will be God in great and grace-filled ways in and through the time of worship today.  I pray that something special and spiritual is happening in the hour that will touch and transform our lives and our world today.

So specifically, for Psalm 46 what is my prayer?

1.     I pray that in the midst of everything that is shifting in the world around you and swirling in your heart within you, that in the midst of everything, the Spirit of God would continue to draw you into the unshakeable Center of God’s Love for you in Jesus Christ.  I pray that you would “Know that I (the Lord) am God!”  (vs. 10) I pray that you would experience this solid Core of Compassion as your Refuge, your Strength, your Hope and your Peace.

2.     I pray for myself that I might be more sensitive to the disruption and the fear that is so pervasive and at the same time turn to and draw from that same inner Stability and Strength that I am calling you into.   I pray too that I might be clear and strong in bringing that hope.

3.     I pray God would reveal God’s self as the Refuge, Strength, and Present Help to all the world in these days, that everyone might know in fresh, new ways that the Lord is God.

That’s my Prayer.  What’s yours?  What do you pray for yourself, your family, your friends, our community, our country and world, our church and your preacher?  Jot down your thoughts.  Keep them in prayer in the days ahead as we move into Sunday worship.

Prayer:  Jesus, you have said to ask anything in your name and you would do it. (John 14:14).  And so we ask and pray that You would be working in our lives and our world according to your great and gracious will.  Help us experience afresh and anew, even and especially in these difficult times, that you are God, God of these days and God always, God who is our Refuge and Strength, our Help and Hope, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  In whose name we pray.  Amen

Outbreak of Grace - A Sermon Tells a Story

Glad to be with you today as we continue our time together in the "Pastor's Workshop."

This week we've been working on Psalm 46. Our focus - "Comfort in the midst of Chaos."

Monday, we listened to the Scripture. We read and re-read the whole Psalm, silently and aloud. We listened for words, phrases and images that caught our attention and inspired our "holy imagination". We jotted these down.

Tuesday, we looked at the Psalm. We examined its structure. We tried to discern some of the Psalm's "big pieces" and how they fit together. We noted these.

Yesterday, we looked at the Context for the Text, the World into which this Biblical word was and is being spoken. We received a very brief historical background and reflected on the experiential setting of this Scripture. Again (as always), we recorded our thoughts.

Today, using your thoughts and notes from the last three days, we start to tell a story. A sermon is a spiritual journey that (like a story) has a beginning, middle and end. It has a "from", a "to", a "thru" and a "through."

A sermon starts by connecting with how we experience life. It is vulnerable to and explores some of the deeper, more troubling aspects of that experience. Even as it descends into the tension of trouble, the sermon proclaims a word of faith and hope. In that word of faith and hope, the listener receives (or is reminded) of something/someone (our God) we believe in. More than that, a sermon calls us to do something to live into what we believe.

What might this journey look like for Psalm 46?

Look back into your notes from Wednesday. As we look into our "world", we need to be speaking on our individual and collective experience of the Coronavirus. It truly has been a surreal time in so many ways. Your own notes detail your personal trials.

More than that, the Biblical words of "shaking", "roaring", "trembling", "tottering" invite us to dive deeper into our feelings and our fears. Certainly as you speculate what might be ahead it becomes easy to fall into an abyss.

In the midst of those inner voices of worry and woe, we hear the call and command of faith, "Be Still!" Know who it is who truly holds your life. "Know that I am God!" Let that faith lead you towards an unshakeable assurance that "shall not be moved". (vs.5) 

 Let that faith be your refuge, your abiding place. In that security and stability find inner spiritual strength. This inner strength is God's Comfort. Let it lead you beyond the chaos surrounding the coronavirus into how you can be a blessing to others even in these troubling times.

And as we live into this outbreak of grace we experience over and over the recurring "chorus" and benediction of this Scripture - "The Lord of Hosts (the God of the Angel Armies) is with us, The God of Jacob (an ever- faithful covenant God) is our refuge."

You get a sense of the story as it weaves and moves. The Sunday morning message will take us on this journey with more fullness and nuance.

Tomorrow we'll look into a final step in the "Pastor's Workshop". I think it is the most important part of the whole week. It's the step that brings power to the message. (So you'll have to check back in).

More than checking in tomorrow, I encourage you to turn to our website Sunday at noon (or after) to share in a full hour of sanctuary worship. The music, prayer and message will be a blessing that grounds you in God's grace and provides a foundation of faith for whatever you'll face in the week ahead! I look forward to this time with you. In that blessing, we'll "see" you on Sunday at svumc.org!

In Christ,

Paul

Outbreak of Grace - Pastor's Workshop

Welcome to the "Pastor's Workshop". As I shared on Monday my hope is to welcome you into a creative process which happens each week as a pastor seeks to discern and give voice to a word from God, based in the Scripture as the word of God.

This week we are working with Psalm 46. It is a Psalm of Comfort in the midst of Crisis.

On Monday we Listened to the Text. We read and re-read the Scripture (Psalm 46) silently and aloud, noting words, phrases, and images that spoke to our minds and hearts.   We prayed for spiritual inspiration (a "holy imagination") as we went into this weekly time of creating.

On Tuesday we Looked at the Text. We examined the Scripture's structure. What are the parts of Scripture? How do they fit together? What is the function of each in advancing the overall message of faith?

On Wednesday (today) we look at the Context of the Text. What is the World that the Word is spoken into? How does understanding the Context and the World shape and sharpen the message of the Text and the power of the Word? We seek to look into the Context of the Text and the World of the Word both historically and existentially.

Historically:

As a background for Psalm 46 we need to know that Jerusalem was considered the city of God built on the holy mountain of the Lord. It is the location where Abraham is to have offered up Isaac, where David established the political and religious capital of the united Israel, and where Solomon built the Temple. Yet even as Jerusalem held this supreme status, it endured sieges from many enemies throughout the centuries. The images of "nations raging", "kingdoms tottering" and "wars, bows and spears" mentioned in Psalm 46 were never far from anyone's mind.

Existentially:

Verses 2 and 3 of the Psalm picture a world convulsing with an earthquake. The earth is changing, mountains shaking and waters roaring and foaming. Everything that seemed immovable and certain is now unstable and insecure. The whole of what constitutes life is now in tumult.

In the midst of this upheaval the powers that be are in an "uproar" (verse 6). Nations don't seem to know exactly what to do. "Kingdoms" can't keep up with the demands and they "totter" under the weight of the crisis.

Verses 8 and 9 raise the images of "desolation" and "warfare."

Your Reflection:

As you reflect on the Scriptural images lifted up in Psalm 46 how do they give expression to what you are experiencing in our world and in your life? Jot down your thoughts.

As you find yourself moving through this time of tumult in what ways do you find yourself getting caught up in the crisis? Again, jot down your thoughts.

What "threats" are you experiencing in these days? How do the words of the Scripture give voice to them?

What "fears" are you experiencing these days?   How do the words of the Scripture give voice to them?

As you think about the "threats" and "fears", how do they impact and amplify the call to "Be Still and Know that I am God"? Jot down your thoughts.

As you do all of this, know that as you get more in touch with the trouble and trial a text is speaking into you can experience its power more fully and clearly.

Prayer:

O God of Calm and Peace, who would speak into our every "lifequake" and crisis, fill us with an assurance of your Presence and Power in these days through your Holy Scripture. Let us hear again the call to "Be Still" and know that in your love in Christ we find how faith rises above fear.   And even as we would know your peace, let us be those who pass your peace to so many who are caught up in the anxiety and fear that permeate our world. Lord, we lift this prayer to you, in the name of the One who is our Refuge, Strength and Very Present Help, Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen

In Christ,

Paul

Outbreak of Grace - Psalm 46

PSALM 46

 God is our refuge and strength,

    a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,

    though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;

3 though its waters roar and foam,

    though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

    the holy habitation of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;

    God will help it when the morning dawns.

6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;

    he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;

    the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord;

    see what desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

    he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;

    he burns the shields with fire.

10 "Be still, and know that I am God!

    I am exalted among the nations,

    I am exalted in the earth."

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;

    the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Read the Psalm (and if you have time handwrite or type the Psalm).

See how the Psalm is structured.

• There is an Opening Statement about Who God is --- Our Refuge, Our Strength, Our Very Present Help in Every Time of Trouble.

• Then there is our Response of Faith - "Therefore I shall not Fear"

• There are 3 major sections each outlining a different scenario of disaster.                   

  • A Seismic Shift in life (a "LIfequake", an Earthquake), where what you thought was immovable (the mountains) became molten and the world around you (the sea) was in total tumult.(vs. 2,3)

  • The Powers that Be (the Nations and Kingdoms) seemed helpless and

  • lashed out (they rage and totter). (vs.6)

  • A Desolation akin to a War threatened. (vs. 8)

• And In each of the scenario of disaster there is an outbreak of grace.

  • Verse 4 witnesses to a "River", a flowing, whose streams feed the unshakable dwelling of God. God is in the midst of this abiding place, from the start of every day, to be a solid rock ("the city shall not be moved').

  • Verse 9 speaks of a God whose will is Peace (who makes wars cease, breaks the bow and shatters the spear).

• There is a climaxing Call to Faith in verse 10. It summons us in the midst of all the Disasters to Take a Breath, Step Back, Stop being Carried Away by Fear

  • "Be Still and Know that I am God. I will be Exalted among the nations. I will be Exalted in the Earth"

• Then, there are the "Choruses" - the "Selahs" that in a regular rhythm repeat the powerful word of faith:

  • "The Lord of Hosts (the God of the Angel Armies) is with us

  • "The God of Jacob", our faithful, covenant God is our Refuge (our Abiding Place).

Questions to Consider:

• As you read this Psalm how does it describe our present world as we wrestle with the Coronavirus? What are the connections you make?  (How do images like "Seismic Shift", "LIfequake", "the mountains falling into the midst of the sea" speak to you?) . These are very powerful images describing a very tumultuous time. Jot down your thoughts.

• How do the Affirmations of Faith in this Scripture speak to you? (The Lord is my Refuge, my Strength, My Present Help in this time of trouble) Jot down your thoughts.

• How is the climaxing Call to Faith - "Be Still and Know that I am God" - an anchor point for you in your own experience of upheaval? Repeat that statement several times (3 or 4 for good measure). How does that help? Jot down your thoughts.

• How do the choruses - the regular rhythms of grace - (The Lord of Hosts - the God of the Angel Armies - is with me. The God of Jacob - our covenant faithful God- is here to protect me). How do they offer security, peace of mind, reassurance in the midst of your fears? Jot down your thoughts.

Prayer for today:

Gracious God, you who are my Security, my Rock, my Help; By the flow of your Holy Spirit, (that River which makes glad the city of God) draw me ever more deeply into an outbreak of your grace. When I am afraid, let me hear your Voice calling "Be Still, and Know (deep within) that you are God, Lord above all". In that unshakeable reality lead me into all the tumult of today in your ever sustaining Strength, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In Christ,

Paul

An Outbreak of Grace

Tuesday of last week we at Spring Valley were crafting our response to the Coronavirus Outbreak.   To put it very simply our policy consisted of: Wash your hands, Keep your distance, Snacks are no longer provided.

By Friday we were cancelling church and postponing all meetings and activities.   Not having church on Sunday was a surreal experience for me.  And this was just in our congregation. When you look at the rest of the country what happened here was so mild.  

Cases of the Coronavirus exploded around the country.  The stock market plummeted.  Sports on every level were suspended.  All extra endeavors were cancelled. Bars and restaurants were shut down. Travel bans were put in place.  A national emergency was officially declared.

I know that in your personal life you also experienced dramatic change of seismic magnitude. 

Some have compared this past week to the time right after 9-11. It’s like overnight “our world” became a different and far more dangerous place.

Where do we go for a word of comfort when all seems chaotic?  Where do we turn to hear a voice that speaks peace into moments of panic?

For generations people of faith have turned to the Psalms as a wellspring of hope.  They have experienced in these hymns a spiritual word from God that has “restored their souls”.

And so during these tumultuous days, I invite you to join me in opening our minds and hearts to the sustaining strength that the Psalms bring.

I am going to welcome you into the “Pastor’s Workshop” as I creatively work through the week in crafting each Sunday’s message.  Several times during the week I will be posting on our Website reflections on the upcoming Sunday message.  If you would want to personally receive these as an email I’d be glad to include you in that communication as well.

In the “Workshop” you’ll be invited to prayerfully open the pages of the Scriptures.  We’ll listen for a word of God from the word of God.  We’ll seek to give voice through our fallible words to the voice of truth and hope that would speak to our human spirits by God’s Holy Spirit.  

It will be a creative time.  And, as with all creativity, it won’t always be clean, clear and crisp.  To be honest sometimes to get to the “promise land” on Sunday I have to “wander in the wilderness” during the week.   

The series during this season of the Coronavirus is called “An Outbreak of Grace”.  As we go through this time my hope is that whether or not a message gets preached on Sunday, you get an opportunity during the week to explore spiritual insights and have worshipful moments that provide blessings day by day.  

As  we begin “Outbreak of Grace” we’ll start with an “anchor” psalm of spiritual comfort.  (And how hard it is to find “comfort” is in these days.) The word “comfort” literally means “strong with”.   Psalm 46 opens like this, “God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in time of trouble.”  To experience how the Psalmist leads us into a deeper dimension of the strength here for us in our faith … that’s the outbreak of grace we’ll be looking into this week.

In the midst of these fearful times, staying linked not only electronically but also spiritually is critical.  Remaining connected with one another and with God is essential.   In that gift of support and sustaining strength that God gives in the Holy Spirit, I look forward to journeying through these next weeks together with you.

A Next Step In Psalm 46:

A step of Listening -

Read Psalm 46 in its entirety. 

Read it again, aloud.

Read it again, aloud with emphasis and feeling.

What words, images, feelings stick in your mind? Write these down in a notebook.

For your meditation, a Great Hymn of Faith:

“ A Mighty Fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our Helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.  For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great and armed with cruel hate on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing.  Dost ask who that may be?  Christ Jesus it is he; Lord Sabbaoth his name, from age to age the same, and he must win the battle.”

“A Mighty Fortress”, Martin Luther

Pause and Pray for our church, our community, our country and our world.  Ask God to be our “present help” in this time of trouble.  Ask God how you can be a “present help” to another in need in your neighborhood.

Updates on Coronavirus

In light of the rapidly changing response to the Coronavirus outbreak, we wanted to provide you with an update regarding SVUMC Worship, Sunday School, and Preschool. We will not be holding Worship or Sunday School this Sunday, March 15. We are taking this step in the interest of everyone's health, in a spirit of collaboration with the public health efforts of Dallas County, and in cooperation with a request from the Bishop's office. Additionally, we will be postponing meetings until the risk subsides. The Preschool will be following the lead of RISD regarding school closures. If RISD does not reopen on March 23rd (following our Spring Break), we will not reopen on the 23rd.

Even as we take this step we want to support everyone spiritually in these difficult days. In that effort:

1. The Worship Service Bulletin, Sermon notes, and Lenton Devotionals will be available online on our website Monday. Also, printed copies will be available at the office and Welcome Desk.

2. Besides the message, we will also have service music from Bert and John online on our website.

3. The office will be open and follow our regular hours.

4. The Sanctuary will be open for prayer on Sunday morning and during our business hours.

5. We will be working at getting a quality live stream worship experience in place as quickly as possible.

We will be monitoring our response in an ongoing way. Also, please stay tuned through the Behold Newsletter as well as here on Facebook for updates.

As we move through these difficult days we do so together as a church family and as a people of faith. We do so trusting in God as our Refuge and our Strength. Psalm 46 is a great word for these times. In that truth of God's Word and the grace of Christ's love, we advance ahead at Spring Valley.

In Christ - Paul

Claim the Cross

March 1—First Sunday in Lent

“Claim the Cross”

“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are being destroyed. But it is the power of God for those of us who are being saved.”           1 Corinthians 1:18

Prayer:

Almighty God, I desire to take refuge in you. Keep me from the snares of the world and protect me. Give me faith to trust you as those who have gone before trusted in the knowledge that you were their protector. Amen.

Scripture readings:

Sunday:             1 Corinthians 1:17-25

Monday:           Mark 8:31-38

Tuesday:           1 Corinthians 2:6-13

Wednesday: Psalm 145           

Thursday:         1 Peter 2:4-10

Friday:                Colossians 2:15-23

Saturday:         Psalm 34:1-10

Hear my prayer, O Lord, those I offer for myself and for others.

_________________________, __________________________, _________________________, __________________________, _________________________, __________________________,

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

Colossians 1:19-20

Reflection:

In verse 18 Paul divides the world into two groups of people.

The 1st sentence focuses on “those who are being Destroyed”.  In other translations, the words perishing or headed to destruction are used instead of destroyed.   The point of the 1st sentence is that those being destroyed are destined for eternity apart from God, as an ungodly, unsaved people…

The 2nd sentence focuses on “those who are being Saved”.  Implying by Gods word and power that those being saved are destined for an eternity of sharing in God's glory, as Believers…

To the first group—those being destroyed—the cross of Christ is "folly." The original Greek term used here is mōria, the root of the English word moron. Paul is saying that to the unsaved world, those who preach the gospel look like morons. Also, Greek and Roman cultures believed in all kinds of gods. It wasn’t Atheism in claiming the message of the cross to be foolishness. It was because Jesus Christ was rejected by His own people as Messiah and crucified on a cross. From a Pagan perspective, this was no kind of god to worship.

So, let us consider that The Cross of Christ was not foolish.

The second group - those who are being saved – due to their faith in Christ, the cross is understood to be God's most powerful act.  God sacrificed His Son Jesus for all human sin.  Jesus, in spite of limitless power and authority, gave up His life to cover the sins of those who were “being destroyed“.  Those who trust in Christ understand that without that powerful act, we would be lost and without hope.  Those who don't know the power of God are lost if they only rely on themselves or other men… It is those of us that come to know what and who we really are and most importantly, whose we are, that as Believers in Christ, we are destined for an eternity of sharing in God's glory - beginning here and now.  Amen

Robert Blome

Christmas at SVUMC

SVUMC Honored at RISD School Board Meeting

Spring Valley UMC was recognized at the monthly Richardson ISD School Board meeting on Monday, November 4th for our church’s efforts in supporting the RISD’s High School Snack Locker initiative to combat student hunger.

RISD Board Member Kim Caston had recently addressed Spring Valley about this project and our congregation responded generously with gifts of over $2,600 as well as food donations. 

In addition, the Missions Committee approved an additional $1,000 donation to help jumpstart this project.

On hand for this honor and to present the check to Richardson ISD were Rev. Paul Gould and Missions Committee member David Smith, who has worked extensively on both the Snack Locker project and with Network Ministries’ Mobile Food Pantry, which also works with RISD schools to alleviate hunger. 

Rev. Paul Gould and David Smith are pictured with RISD Superintendent Dr. Jeannie Stone (far left) and RISD Board member Kim Caston (center) along with other RISD Board members. SVUMC was recognized for its support of new RISD initiatives to eliminate student hunger.