from the pastor

September 15, 2002

When I looked out my bedroom window this morning, I could see by the damp street that the expected rain finally fell--sometime during the night. And as I look out my study window this morning, the creation itself greets me subtly: a cool breeze, a cricket solo, a cloud cover obscuring a sunrise that happened just minutes ago (according to the almanac), and a colorful mum bush that has blossomed deep red this week.

The sermon series on David continues this morning. I have been enjoying the work on these sermons. I’ve had a good acquaintance with David for years, as have many who grew up in the church. But this round of sermons has been exciting to me, a time of tapping insight and guidance I have not discovered before. The first week focused on David and his battle with the giant Goliath--giving insight to our own gigantic struggles. The second week focused on David and his struggles with Saul, a mentally unstable and abusive king. There was insight and direction for dealing with difficult people. Today’s story is about David and Bathsheba, a narrative of blundering, brokenness, and hitting bottom. It is a remarkable story about picking up the pieces and making a fresh start after one has crashed upon the blunders of foolishness, grasping, and selfishness. Next week we will enter the story of David’s relationship with his sons. It is a heartbreaking story of a messy and dysfunctional family. The ‘family values’ movement of the religious right appeals to many. But what happens when one’s REAL family doesn’t even seem to be on the same planet as those pretty families? And the final week of September we will be examining David’s relationship with God. David is the only character from the Bible to leave a collection of his own prayers and songs to God. They reveal a shocking honesty and vitality that continue to impact us 3000 years later. All four sermons will be available later this month--printed, on tape, and on the web site.

I have reserved 20 tickets for the play, "Jesus Christ Superstar" for this coming Friday evening at Bradley University in Peoria. The play begins at 8 p.m. (Peoria is about 90 minutes away.) My daughter Mindy is in the play, and she has been very excited about both the dramatic and the FAITH experience of putting it together. The tickets are $14 each and we can arrange to share rides. I need to know by noon tomorrow if you are interested in going. The tickets are first come first served, and I will need to turn any unused tickets back by Tuesday morning.

As we enter the fall season in the church, I am beginning to do one on one conversations with people in the church. A one on one conversation takes about 40 minutes, and it is a chance for me to learn about YOU. I ask simple questions that help me learn your story, your strengths, your struggles, and your self interests. I have done over 150 of these in the past year. If we have not yet spent some time together in a one on one, or if it is time for another one, feel free to approach me--or call Janice at the church office--and set an appointment. I am also putting times on my calendar this fall to visit in homes and workplaces. I won’t push myself on anybody, but a pastoral call to your home or the place you work will further help me understand you and enrich the ways I can serve you as a pastor, preacher, and leader. --Mike

Archive of sermons and Sunday morning letters by Pastor Mike     Grace United Methodist Urbana Home Page.