Service 8-22-2010
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Sermon: “Sabbatical Learnings: AND”
by Pastor Todd Buurstra
Job 1:21;
I Cor. 2:9
Probably 30-40% of the emergency calls–when I was on a 24 hour on-call shift at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital doing chaplaincy work for my sabbatical–were to help people to die. To start us thinking about the topic of facing our mortality, here is 60 seconds from 60 Minutes…
How do people of faith face death?
First let’s recognize that our whole culture fears death. We are even uncomfortable saying the word so we’ve come up with all kinds of euphemisms; i.e., roundabout ways to say death. Help me out here. I can think of kicking the bucket, giving up the ghost, meeting my Maker, passing away, an appointment with the Grim Reaper… Others strike you?… My RWJ supervisor, Rev. John deVelder would preach, It’s death! Say it: death, death, death!
Not only do we avoid death in speech, we avoid it in behavior. Even though we say we can’t avoid ___ and taxes; ____ being?… we do. We color our hair or take Viagra to mask our age. Why? To postpone dealing with death. (That’s a debate in our house. The wife wants me to color my beard, but I don’t because I have to face the Gray Reaper.) Which one applies? I don’t do hospitals/doctors/wakes… Why? Probably so I don’t have to deal with death. I learned even more how the healthcare professionals avoid death by having their default behavior be to hook a patient up to a respirator, or do CPR for an hour, or whatever, to avoid… Lastly, we’ll come back to this, most of us have not filled out an AD: healthcare proxy or living will.
And this fear of death is bankrupting our country in dollars and spirit. Three striking statistics from that 60 Minutes segment are:
- $55B are spent in the last two months of life;
- 20-30% of which is wasted! And,
- 30% of hospital stays are unnecessary because the system rewards admittance and procedures.
And the fear of death costs in dollars because it first costs in spirit. I came into the hospital room, noticed the patient tossing and turning and said, John, you’re restless, what’s up? I’m afraid. What are you afraid of, John? Didn’t I tell you what the doctor said? If you did, I don’t remember. What did the doctor say? They’re calling in hospice. I’m not going to make it. I’m sorry, John, so that makes you afraid? Yes. I understand. If I had a dollar for every time that happens in a 600 bed hospital like RWJ, I could pay my kids’ college in cash. Death is scary
And so we turn to the only medicine that can help this fear: trust in God. And here’s where the biblical story of Job is helpful. You may remember that Job was a rich man, with a rich family life (7 sons, 3 daughters; 7000 sheep, 3000 camels)—the Bill Gates of his day. As Job and his family were enjoying the high life, Job was also happy and humbled by his blessings. Important, because one day, in the blink of an eye, he lost everything. In a fit of understand-able grief and anger Job’s wife told him to curse God and die! But Job had a different reaction. Maybe it was shock, but certainly it was a profound spirituality. His reaction was, please read it with me (Job 1:21)… Wow! Now that’s the power of faith. Indeed one commentator wrote:
A man may stand before God stripped of everything
that life has given him, and still lack nothing.
And when we trust in God we trust not only for the present but for the future. So the Spirit inspires Paul to write beautiful poetry of heaven (I Corinthians 2:9)…
I remember walking into Eva Jane Mosko’s bedroom for her last moments. Her husband of approaching 60 years sat in the single bed with her with his arm around her. She was uncon-sciously struggling to breathe her last, and he was sending her on to Jesus by saying things like: Soon you’ll hear the angels sing. You won’t feel anymore pain. You’ll be praising God. You’ll see Jesus face to face… You know, if you’re around for my last breaths, send me that way.
And so I invite you to do one thing: AND. Allow Natural Death. On the ledge and on the back table is what we used at RWJ, called Advanced Directives. By filling one out you can name a healthcare proxy, complete a Living Will, or both. Don’t be afraid. Trust God. AND.
Once upon a time, twin boys were conceived. Weeks passed, and the twins developed. Soon they exclaimed: Isn’t it great that we were conceived? Isn’t it great to be alive! Together the twins explored their world. When they found their mother’s umbilical cord they sang for joy:
How great is our mother’s love, that she shares her own life with us!
As weeks stretched into months, the twins noticed how much each changed. What does it mean? asked the one. It means that our stay in this world is ending, said the other. But I don’t want to go, said the one. We have no choice, said the other. But maybe there is life after birth!
But how can there be? responded the one. We will shed our life cord, and how is life possible without it? Besides, we know others have been here before us, but none have returned to tell us of life after birth. No, this is the end. And so the one fell into deep despair, If conception ends in birth, life in the womb is meaningless. Maybe there is no mother after all. But there has to be protested the other. How else did we get here? How do we remain alive? Maybe she lives only in our minds. Maybe we made our mother up to make us feel good.
And so the last days in the womb were filled with deep questioning and fear. Finally, the moment of birth arrived. When the twins had passed from their world, they opened their eyes. They cried. For what they saw, exceeded their fondest dreams:
No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him.
Audio Recordings:
Learn how you can listen to the audio files streamed over the Internet, download files to your computer or download files to your portable media player. Visit our Podcast page for complete details.
Service 08-01-2010
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Scripture: Daniel 5
Sermon by Heidi Butterworth
Audio Recordings:
Learn how you can listen to the audio files streamed over the Internet, download files to your computer or download files to your portable media player. Visit our Podcast page for complete details.
Service 07-18-2010
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Service: 07/18/2010
Scripture: Colossians 1:15-23
Sermon: “The Cosmic Christ” by Pastor Todd Buurstra
Audio Recordings:
Learn how you can listen to the audio files streamed over the Internet, download files to your computer or download files to your portable media player. Visit our Podcast page for complete details.
DVD recordings of the Sunday services are also available. Please contact Bruce Taggart at (908) 685-3165 with questions.
Service 07-11-2010
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Service: 07/11/2010
Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16
Sermon: “Whisper Down The Lane” by Anna Schwarz
Audio Recordings:
Learn how you can listen to the audio files streamed over the Internet, download files to your computer or download files to your portable media player. Visit our Podcast page for complete details.
DVD recordings of the Sunday services are also available. Please contact Bruce Taggart at (908) 685-3165 with questions.
Service 07-04-2010
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Scripture: Luke 10:1-20
Audio Recordings:
Learn how you can listen to the audio files streamed over the Internet, download files to your computer or download files to your portable media player. Visit our Podcast page for complete details.
DVD recordings of the Sunday services are also available. Please contact Bruce Taggart at (908) 685-3165 with questions.
Service 06-27-2010
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Scripture: I Kings 19:15, 16, 19-21
II Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
Sermon: “Passing the Torch in the Wind” by Pastor Todd Buurstra
God gives every believer a torch, and Elijah’s torch was flickering. It was flickering because Elijah, like we, lived in a windy world. In Elijah’s world Israel’s King Ahab made a foolish choice. To make an alliance he married the wicked Queen Jezebel. Jezebel brought with her the fertility cult of Baal. And so Israel’s worship disintegrated into cavorting with temple prostitutes in order for families and fields to be fertile. While the goings on at the temple of Baal may have seemed exciting at first, What? I get to have sex in worship?, they became sickening (STDs) in the end. But this is what the wicked queen decreed, and this is the gale force winds that our prophet, Elijah, faced. And so he said, in effect, Lord, here I have served you for my whole career, and I have no followers to show for it! I just want to roll over and die. Take me, I’m worthless.
Indeed, it’s a depressing time to try to pass the torch of faith today, too. Just look at the history of the Somerville Reformed churches. 50 years ago there were four, strong RCA churches worshiping about 6-800 on a typical Sunday. Then 40 years ago Second Reformed merged with First Reformed to become United Reformed. Four years ago, Fourth Reformed folded, a few weeks ago Third Reformed sent a dozen, feeble seniors to merge with United, and now there are maybe 80 people, most close to 80, struggling to keep United afloat. Unless God does a miracle, what’s now 90% smaller than 50 years ago, may be 90% smaller yet in another 15 years. Passing the torch on a windy day.
How is the torch of faith passed on a windy day?
First thing to realize is that God wants the torch passed. So the lonely prophet Elijah is hiding in his cave—literally. And God beckons him out to the mouth of the cave. He steps out dejectedly to meet his Maker. And a strong wind blows up and rock is literally shattering all over, but God is not in the wind. Then an earthquake roughs up the mountain, but God is not in the earthquake. Then fire flares up, but God is not in the fire. And lastly, a still, small voice. Elijah, pass the torch: nationally to Jehu and spiritually to Elisha. And don’t worry, 7000 have not bowed their knees to Baal.
God wanted faith’s torch passed to you and me also. Who taught you about the faith? Was it your mother who brought you to Sunday School? Did a youth leader take you out to lunch and guide you? I remember my ministry mentor, pastor here 25 years ago, Bert Van Soest. Early in my ministry I would go to Bert’s house and we would walk and talk. We’d lap his development and I’d ask him questions. Bert, they say they don’t get anything out of my sermons. How do you get ready to preach on a Sunday morning? Todd, I pray it and preach it hot! What? On Sunday mornings, I get up, practice preaching my sermon, then I go for a walk, and I pray God’s power upon the people. So, I started, and I still do a rendition of pray it and preach it hot. You be the judge as to whether I am passing the preaching torch on from Bert. Have you passed on your torch?
Secondly, God passes the torch by gathering us close together. I’m thinking here of the skit our senior high youth group did for Youth Sunday. Remember how there was the devil figure in black and the Jesus figure in white, and other kids with their lit candles. And the devil figure weaved in and out blowing out the kids’ light, and Jesus weaved in and out relighting them, until finally Jesus brought them close enough together that the old devil could no longer get to them? Don’t let Satan blow it out, I’m gonna…
So Elisha got close to Elijah. Over the years Elisha watched what Elijah said. He watched what Elijah did. He observed his character when no one else could. So when Elijah neared his end, and asked, What can I give you? Elisha’s answer in this translation isn’t the usual double portion of your spirit, but more directly, Your life doubled in my life. Wow! Like most apprentices, Elisha wanted to measure up to his mentor.
When Laura Kroon came to me to start her mentoring ministry here at NBRC (which is starting with 12 people growing closer with God and each other so Satan can’t blow out their lights!) Laura named two transforming experiences with mentoring: her’s and Adam Clark’s! Since Laura has already mentioned her experience to us, I’ve asked Adam to tell us what God is doing in his life. Adam was part of the core group of Ignite.
So what happens if we get close enough to God and another through mentoring to pass the torch? Well, Elisha became such an effective prophet that, as God’s CIA agent, he was thwarting the plans of the enemy. So Aram wanted to capture him so their army surrounded Elisha’s town. His servant said, What shall we do? Elisha calmly said, Those that are with us are more than those that are against us. And the servant suddenly saw heaven’s army surrounding Aram’s army. The angels were protecting them!
What will happen as we get closer to God and each other to pass the torch on our windy day? I don’t know what God will do. But heaven’s army will defend us, and the church will advance, and God will be glorified. Who knows? Maybe there will be 5 RCA churches in Somerville in 50 years worshiping a thousand or more? That’s God’s power!
Audio Recordings:
Learn how you can listen to the audio files streamed over the Internet, download files to your computer or download files to your portable media player. Visit our Podcast page for complete details.
DVD recordings of the Sunday services are also available. Please contact Bruce Taggart at (908) 685-3165 with questions.
Service 06-20-2010
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Scripture: Revelation 21:1-7
Sermon: “Don’t Be Afraid to Cry” by Dave Dzwonczyk
Audio Recordings:
Learn how you can listen to the audio files streamed over the Internet, download files to your computer or download files to your portable media player. Visit our Podcast page for complete details.
DVD recordings of the Sunday services are also available. Please contact Bruce Taggart at (908) 685-3165 with questions.
Service 06-13-2010
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Scripture: Psalm 32
Sermon: “The Joy of the Forgiven” by Pastor Mark Swart
Audio Recordings:
Learn how you can listen to the audio files streamed over the Internet, download files to your computer or download files to your portable media player. Visit our Podcast page for complete details.
DVD recordings of the Sunday services are also available. Please contact Bruce Taggart at (908) 685-3165 with questions.
Service 06-06-2010 – GreenFaith
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Scripture: Psalms 8, Colossians 1:15-20
Sermon: “Greening our Faith” by Pastor Mark Swart
Today we welcome Rev. Fletcher Harper, an Episcopal priest, Executive Director of GreenFaith and an award-winning spiritual writer and nationally recognized preacher on the environment. Rev. Harper has developed a range of innovative programs to make GreenFaith a leader in the fast growing religious-environmental movement.
This recording is from the 10:45am service.
Audio Recordings:
Learn how you can listen to the audio files streamed over the Internet, download files to your computer or download files to your portable media player. Visit our Podcast page for complete details.
DVD recordings of the Sunday services are also available. Please contact Bruce Taggart at (908) 685-3165 with questions.
Service 05-30-2010
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Scripture: Proverbs 8:22-31
Sermon: “Wisdom Speaks” by Pastor Mark Swart
Audio Recordings:
Learn how you can listen to the audio files streamed over the Internet, download files to your computer or download files to your portable media player. Visit our Podcast page for complete details.
DVD recordings of the Sunday services are also available. Please contact Bruce Taggart at (908) 685-3165 with questions.
You can receive our latest announcements and audio of our Sunday services by email.