E-Call

E-call for Sunday, September 19, 2010

2010-09-15T09:47:00.000-06:00

This Sunday we begin a sermon series called “Help My Unbelief.” This series is designed to explore the doubts that coexist with our faith -- the questions that nag us and draw us to seriously consider abandoning God. The issues that we’re going to discuss over the next ten weeks reflect our struggles about God’s goodness in the face of evil; the ironic notion of the church as an agent to heal the broken; the uniqueness of the Christian message in a world of many other religious traditions; the challenges of scientific discovery to long-held tenets of Christian faith; the silence of God when we desperately long for His speech; the way the Bible often seems so inadequate to address our contemporary situation.

These questions are drawn not from a textbook, but from our lives -- from the questions you’ve asked me as your pastor; from the questions I myself have had and still wrestle with.

This Sunday we start this series with a story from Mark 9 where a man with a desperately ill son seeks help from the disciples only to face failure (once again). Into this scene of despair Jesus steps. Yet before He acts, He draw the father into divulging his frustration and pain. Jesus then offers the man unimagined grace to which he responds “I do believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).

That cry is one of the most honest prayers ever recorded. It is the pray of faith and desperation; the longing for God in the midst of a hopeless situation. It is a prayer for us to learn from and to emulate -- to not downplay our doubt, but to bring it to Jesus.

Join us this Sunday to see how Christ answers this prayer and how your own doubts and frustration can lead to an unexpected experience of grace and peace. See you Sunday at 10 AM for worship and at 9 AM for Sunday School for children and adults.

Grace,

Sam

E-call for Sunday, June 13, 2010

2010-06-11T10:03:00.000-06:00

One particular feature of contemporary life is the pervasive notion that we belong to no one but ourselves; that we are independent autonomous beings. Biblical Christianity does not support that proposition. Rather, the Bible undercuts such an understanding of life and offers something far more satisfying - belonging.

In Exodus 19 the newly freed nation of Israel meets God. In this encounter they are reminded of several things; that God alone delivered them; that He is faithful to His promises and that He has a clear purpose for them. Undergirding each of these reminders is the assertion that these people belong to Him. "Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:6).

What does it mean for Israel to belong to God? It means that God is for them; that He will protect and guide them; that no matter the external circumstances they are not without resources; that they have the means at their disposal to graciously serve the world; it means that they are God's "treasured possession."

Belonging to God brings a poise to life that is impossible otherwise. Join us this Sunday as we explore the ways in which our belonging to the LORD changes the way we live our lives. Worship begins at 10 AM and Sunday School for all ages is at 9 AM. This Sunday there will be a congregational meeting after the service to elect new officers for New Song.

Grace and Peace,
Sam

E-call for Sunday, June 6, 2010

2010-06-04T10:29:00.000-06:00

When Moses left his father-in-law's house (Exodus 4:18) he wasn't fully forthcoming about his reasons for his journey. Moses says, "Please let me go back to my brothers in Egypt to see whether they are still alive." He doesn't tell Jethro about the encounter with God at the burning bush or the command to deliver the Israelites from Egypt, rather he couches his mission in vague language and ambiguous motivations. Moses has done his father-in-law wrong; he has lied.

After the miraculous crossing of the sea, Moses sends his wife and two young sons to bring Jethro to meet him. Exodus 18 tells us what happens when Moses and Jethro meet again. This time it's a very different type of conversation, because Moses is a very different person. Moses explains in great detail what has happened; he openly recounts God's work in his life and in this people. He is honest.

Jethro responds to Moses' forthrightness with praise. "Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh..." And Moses' honesty leads to Jethro placing his faith in God, "Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods..."

Who have you been less than forthright with about God's work in your life? How have you avoided the big questions with your friends, your family, your co-workers, yourself? This account of Moses and Jethro is an encouragement to honesty and openness. As we talk about God's work in our lives, He draws people to HImself. News of grace, awakens the need and desire for it in others.

Join us this Sunday as we worship this God who delivers His people. Worshiping together empowers us to speak with conviction to our world of the graciousness of God. Our service begins at 10 AM and Sunday School for all ages is at 9 AM.

Grace and Peace,

Sam

Tuesday Book Review

2010-06-01T11:53:00.000-06:00

I recently finished James Hunter's book "To Change The World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World"
http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/ReligionTheology/SociologyofReligion/?view=usa&ci=9780199730803

Hunter takes aim at typical ways that Christians have sought to change culture and shows how ineffective they are. Why is it that while most in the US still hold to a form of orthodox Christianity yet the culture itself is far from biblical? Hunter points out that it is because Christianity has bought a view of cultural change that embraces a bottom up approach that discredits the influence of those institutions and people who actually shape the culture. For a interesting take on this watch this clip from "The Devil Wears Prada" http://www.hulu.com/watch/13046/the-devil-wears-prada-cerulean-sweater

It's not just our cerulean sweaters, but also the ideas we find interesting, the people we admire and the causes we champion which are preselected by institutions and people we dismiss as "elites." Hunter is arguing that the elites matter if our goal is making our world into a better place. The book's prescription is summed up in a phrase he employs called "faithful presence." Faithful presence is a stance commitment to a place for the long haul. A stance that is committed to bringing Grace to bear on the people, the institutions and, yes, even the elites within our sphere of place.

This book caused me to think beyond the immediate concerns I have for our church. As we grow it's easy to become busy and distracted about such larger issues, but Hunter's book helped me remember that New Song is here not just for ourselves, but for our city - that our mission is not just to build a great church, but to be part of building a great city where all can flourish.

What thoughts do you have on this? How would this practice of "faithful presence" change our priorities and patterns? Has anyone read Hunter and come to other conclusions?

Grace and Peace,
Sam

E-call for Sunday, May 30, 2010

2010-05-27T09:15:00.000-06:00

This Sunday is our annual spring picnic. This year we will be using the Rowland Hall fields right behind the cafeteria. Come to the service dressed for an afternoon outside. Please bring a grill-able item and a dish for 8 to share. Sunday School is at 9 AM and worship begins at 10 AM.

This fall I'm planning a series called "Help My Unbelief: obstacles to faith" that will explore common issues that stand in our way of fully engaging a life of following God. I would like to get your ideas and suggestions for topics at my blog www.dailyecall.blogspot.com Would you please follow the link and add your suggestions?

Grace and Peace,
Sam

Ideas for series

2010-05-25T20:45:00.000-06:00

This August I'm beginning a series titled "Help My Unbelief: obstacles to faith." I'm wanting to explore the key barriers people face when considering God. What issues would you like to talk about? What kind of things did you face (and continue to face) when thinking about your faith?

Speak up -- help me out :) Thanks.

2010-05-25T19:54:00.001-06:00

Follow me on Twitter at samtweetley :)

E-call for Sunday, May 23, 2010

2010-05-19T11:31:00.000-06:00

Sabbath is the word God uses to describe something important for His people. But this important thing is not a 'to do' rather, sabbath means 'to cease.' For one day out of seven God commands us to cease -- stop working, striving, doing and to experience something that those activities cannot provide. By ceasing we enter into the same state God Himself inhabits on the seventh day of creation; rest.

The rest of God is not empty, but full of peace and praise. In Genesis 2:1-3 (http://tiny.cc/vrcjs) God rests, blesses and makes the time holy. In Exodus 16 (http://tiny.cc/uygme) God calls Israel to do likewise.

Stephen Geller in his article "Manna and Sabbath: A Literary-Theological Reading of Exodus 16" observes that sabbath is analogous "to the mathematical discovery of zero. [therefore sabbath means] not just 'to stop, cease' in general, but specifically 'to make a complete stop,' 'to cease an activity that is not resumed.' ...The Sabbath is holy because, as a negative act, a religious zero, it makes a whole of the period of time that preceded it."

Without a sabbath, time loses its meaning. Without a ceasing; doing drags everything into an endless cycle of drudgery. Are you weary? Are you inexplicably tired? Perhaps, it is because you need to come to a stop where what has gone before is ceased and before you take up what lies ahead, you pause and rest.

The Christian Sabbath is Sunday (the day of Christ's resurrection). Join us at New Song this Sunday for sabbath rest where in our worship we will hear God's blessing over us and His call to make our lives holy and whole. Sunday School for all ages begins at 9 AM and our service of worship begins at 10 AM.

Grace and Peace,
Sam

PCA Strategic Plan

2010-05-18T09:21:00.000-06:00

New Song Presbyterian is a member of the Presbyterian Church in America; a denomination founded in 1973. The PCA has been known for active church planting (i.e. beginning new churches) and evangelism. However, over the past few years our growth has significantly slowed (http://www.pcaac.org/Statistics.htm). In response to that trend key leaders of our denomination have developed a strategic plan for how to move beyond our present malaise (http://www.pcaac.org/2010StrategicPlanDocuments/2010StrategicPlan.htm). I think this is a good step for our denomination and say so here on the denomination's website (http://www.pcaac.org/2010StrategicPlanDocuments/StrategicPlanEndorsements.htm). Take a few moments and look over the links above; I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Sam

E-call for Sunday, May 16, 2010

2010-05-14T10:29:00.000-06:00

The book of Exodus is extremely honest about how humans relate to God and to one another. Immediately after the deliverance from Egypt's army, the people of God sing an incredible song of faith and devotion, then mere days later they are grumbling, "If only we had died in Egypt" (Exodus 16:3).

Where does this rush to regret come from? The source is a warped belief that God is there for the big stuff (plagues, crossing seas, pillars of fire), but for everyday issues (food, water, clothing) He can't be bothered. For that kind of stuff we are on our own.

God answers that grumbling with grace. He sends bread from heaven every morning for them to gather and eat. This bread (manna, which means "what is it") is enough for the day and no more. God will provide for grand and the small because He cares for HIs people.

Join us this Sunday as we worship a gracious God who provides for our every need and who calls us to a life of grace toward one another. Worship begins at 10 AM at the Rowland Hall Chapel on 720 Guardsman Way (http://tiny.cc/5kbn6). Sunday School for all ages begins at 9 AM.

Grace and Peace,
Sam

Why call E-call?

2010-05-14T09:17:00.000-06:00

"E-call" comes from the subject line of my weekly email that goes out to the congregation and friends of New Song Presbyterian Church www.newsong.org where I am the pastor. This email is a short reflection on the upcoming passage to be read and spoken about on Sunday.
Early on, I realized that a mid-week reminder was good to get people thinking and good for me to focus on the implications of the passage for us.

This blog is an extension of that idea with the goal of fostering a two-way dialogue.