Sermon May 16, 2010

[florafcc]

The idea of unity is perplexing. Especially when you talk about the
church. Is it possible for there to be one church? is it not the
desire of God to have all believers be together, worship in the same
House and pray for the same things? What does God want from us who
have the love of ONE in our heart?

The scripture this week is from John 17:20-26. This is a prayer of
Jesus for all believers and it seems to me that Jesus is advocating
more unity from denominations and believers, and less lack of
cooperation. Yes, we worship and believe in the same God. Yes, we
claim some central and basic beliefs (at least the mainline churches
in Flora) but is it possible to worship together and put aside our
differences?

Can you think of examples of ecumenical cooperation? The Easter
Cantata comes to mind for me. But you have been here much longer than
I have.

What is it that God wants? Hundreds of churches, each one with a
different set of basic beliefs? A cafeteria style church directory
that one can pick and choose.

Let me know your thoughts.

[Miriam Robeson]

Bible School.  Flora Presbyterian, Cutler Presbyterian and Flora FCC cooperate to offer summer Bible School in July.  This will be our third year in this partnership.

There have been community events in previous years where the churches worked together.  When the German Baptist church hosted it's convention here several years ago, the local churches worked together to staff a food tent for the week for the convention attendees.

Also several years ago, there were a few years of Christmas programs hosted by one church, but with talent from members of several churches.

IMHO (in my humble opinion), if the "Church" wants to survive, there will need to be more working together toward converting people to Christ, and less concern with whether we were baptized by immersion or sprinkling, or whether we take communion weekly, monthly, or quarterly.  The more we show cooperation with and tolerance of the many varieties of Christian traditions, the more we can be viewed by the world as a belief system that practices what it preaches, and offers salvation to everyone, regardless of one's personal comfort zone in Christian tradition.

 The "Church" in danger of being reduced to a perception of a quaint or eccentric tradition, rather than a dynamic and vital belief in human sin and divine redemption.

--
Peace,
Miriam Robeson
lawl...@gmail.com

[Bill]

Hi!

The Journal and Courier had an article today about how many young
adults have a lack of faith. In the first paragraph, a 20 year old
woman said, "I don't think a religion should tell you how to live your
life. I think living on earth is hell, and when we die, we all go to
heaven."

I wonder what the young woman does use as a guide for living her
life. God's plan for us is perfect, and entirely for our own good and
benefit. I assume this woman wants people to be good to her - to not
lie about her, or want her things, or harm her or steal from her or
kill her, etc... Perhaps she thinks religion is about a lot of don'ts,
and she wants to be "free".

I think a huge number of people have no idea at all what God wants. I
think we have to clear up misunderstandings before we can be unified
in Jesus Christ. Above all we are to be in love with our Creator, and
know that God first loved us, and loves us now, and will always love
us. That love sustains us through disputes about practices and
preferences and styles that Miriam lifted up.

I wonder too if some people have some unease about groups. We pride
ourselves as being independent people, but in Christ we are to be a
family - brothers and sisters to one another - helping each other in
all things. That often requires a new way of looking at life.

I'll keep thinking about it.

Shalom,

Kimberly