God at Work
On Sunday, we looked at the familiar passage from Psalm 23. In this passage, shepherd is used as a metaphor for God. The psalmist describes the experience of God as his shepherd and the one who cares for him.
At the end of the service, I asked folks to think about who they know God to be their own lives right now. I also encouraged them to be intentional about reflecting on how they see God at work in their lives during the coming week.
As I’ve been thinking about this question for my own life, a couple of thoughts came to mind. I’ve been more intentional about getting exercise now that I’m feeling better. On my morning walks, I am amazed at the beauty of creation and signs of spring all around us. I feel more connected to God in this way.
However, the event that stood out in my mind was a conversation that happened on Sunday afternoon. I met Renee, our preacher for Martha Stearns Marshall Day of Preaching for coffee. It was the first time I had seen her since that wonderful worship service in February. As most of you remember, Renee is a wonderfully talented preacher & gifted minister. Yes, she’s still in seminary but she is being used by God in big ways through the ministries at her church. I loved her stories & insights after a busy semester!
Being solo pastor at a church sometimes feels like isolated work. You all know I’m an extrovert and so I get recharged from being around other people. Renee’s sweet spirit and encouraging words were a blessing to me on Sunday afternoon. God was at work in bringing her to our church in February & for us to have coffee this past Sunday. I’m thankful for passion for serving God and can’t wait to see what else God has in store for her.
And the really cool thing is that we, at New Community of Faith were able to walk alongside her on her journey. Thanks be to God!
Holy Friday
Recently, in trying to explain to my neighbor’s the significance of this day, they asked why it is called “Good Friday”. Ultimately, something good came from this terrible story of Jesus’ crucifixion and death. However, every time I read the story on this day, I’m stirred to call it “Holy Friday” as it is in some parts of the world. The story moves me to silence, reflection, and grief.
In my Lenten reflection today, we read the part of Holy Friday’s story from the gospel of John. In verse 25, John shares that Jesus was not alone while on the cross. Standing nearby were his mother, his mother’s sister, and Mary Magdalene. In verse 26, it says, “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.”
After Jesus stated he was thirsty and was given sour wine to quench his thirst, he declared, “It is finished.” He bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Even at the moment of his death, Jesus was showing concern for someone else. He entrusted them into the care of each other. He created community with those who were suffering because of his death. I am thankful for the community that I have the opportunity to create. When I’m rejoicing or suffering, it’s persons in my created communities I know I can depend on. I’m thankful for the model that Jesus, even in his time of suffering, gave us in how to create community.
I’m thankful for the community we create at New Community of Faith. It’s a community where everyone is welcome and no one is turned away. We believe, because of the countless life-giving acts of Jesus, we are to follow in his footsteps in our community. We don’t always get it right. But, most of the time, we try to live on the side of God’s great love and compassion for the world. We try to be there for one another in the seasons this life has to offer.
Tonight, on this Holy Friday, I can call it “Good”. It is good because of compassionate community that was created at the foot of the cross and teaches us how to be community with one another today. Amen.
Movie Night
Looking for something fun to do this Friday night, March 19th?
Join us at 7 pm for movie night hosted by NCF & RGA. There’s no cost– just bring a friend!
Love, Love, Love
If you’ve been following our scripture texts for the past few weeks, you’ll know this Sunday finds us reading in Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth about love. 1 Corinthians 13 is one of the most familiar passages from the Bible. It’s most commonly heard read or preached at weddings. And while it has nothing to do in context with marriage, it has everything to do with how those of us in church are to treat each other.
This Sunday’s sermon will be presented in a slightly different format too. Intrigued? You should be, now, get out of bed and come see us to find out!
This Sunday is also an exciting day in the life of our church. Immediately following the morning worship service, we’ll break bread together (1/2 of us come from the Baptist side of the family and we can’t gather without eating!!), and have our Annual Church Conference. What’s so exciting about a business meeting? Well, it’s not just any business meeting. For example, we don’t sit around a big, boring board room table and go through the budget line by line trying to figure out how to make things more profitable. We’re more interested in people and what God can do through the work of our church. This means our meetings involve conversation, dreams, ideas, and creativity. We’re not interested in making things more profitable. We’re interested in sharing love.
I hope you’ll come and find out what a loving congregation can look like. We’re not your typical church and we think that’s a good thing. Come on and check us out on any Sunday though— 11:15 am at 6350 Rainbow Dr., San Jose, CA 95129
See you soon!
Pastor LeAnn
No Spare Parts
Have you ever put something together only to discover you had too many leftover pieces? The appliance, tool, or toy properly didn’t work correctly afterwards, did it? This reminds me of our passage for this Sunday, January 24th. Last Sunday, I introduced us to Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth. As we discussed last week in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Paul discusses the use of spiritual gifts in the community.
On Sunday, we’re looking at the next set of verses, 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 and what Paul says about the body of Christ as a whole. Check out this cute video!
What does it mean to you to know you are needed in the body of Christ? There are no spare parts or members. Every single one of you plays a special role in the mission of God in this church as we make a difference in the world. What part are you? How are you using your gifts and part in our work? How are you are encouraging others to do the same?
How Do We Respond?
I am sure many of you have been glued to the reports of the tragic earthquake that occurred in Haiti on Tuesday, January 12th. Our hearts are heavy for the families who still cannot reach their loved ones. We rejoice when we hear stories about those pulled from the rubble alive. We cry when we hear of those Haitians and other visitors in the area who did not survive. Still, we pray for hope and a future for this country, full of people who have already suffered so much.
We wonder what can we do to respond? How can we help? Our church partners with the American Baptist Church and United Church of Christ. Both of these organizations have been responding to the crisis. In case you haven’t heard, the best way we can support folks is through prayer and gifts of monetary support. If you are interested in donating online, here are some ways to do it through the organizations we support:
Another Baptist organization is the Baptist World Alliance. They will be partnering with local Haitian Baptists in the recovery and rebuilding areas.
Let’s continue to think and pray about how we can help! See you Sunday!
Unemployment Support Group
It’s hard to believe it’s already the first full week of January. Almost two months ago, we began praying and seeking guidance about how we can offer support to those deeply affective by the country’s economic downturn. After some of our own church members and their family members losing their jobs, we began to listen to what they needed most. As I began to talk about our dreams for this ministry, one of my friends volunteered her time and expertise to start a support group.
Tomorrow, January 8th will be the first day of our support group. We are kicking it off for four Fridays in January from 11am-Noon in Room One.
Pass the word along!
Not able to attend? Pray for this ministry as we hope it will offer support and encouragement for those facing difficult times.
Christmas Eve Service
Join us on Thursday evening, December 24th at 6 pm for our Annual Christmas Eve service. It will be a wonderful service of carols, scripture readings, candle lighting. It will feature musicians from our congregation and our ministry partner church, Full Gospel Korean. You won’t want to miss it!
December 24th, 6 pm
New Community of Faith
6350 Rainbow Dr.
San Jose, CA 95129
Are We There Yet?
We are an impatient people most of the time. I find myself wishing things would hurry up. Patience is a hard spiritual discipline to put into practice. We are nearing close to the end of Advent when we celebrate the arrival of the Christ child but we are not there yet. Our Advent wreath tells us there is one more candle to light. One more week to prepare, indeed it seems, we are not there yet.
Love
What the world needs now, is love sweet love, it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of…
I can hear the Carpenter’s singing this song in my head and I’m sure you can too (you can thank me later). It surely seems that at this point of time in our world, we need more love.
One of my favorite Advent scriptures is the one for this Sunday. You can read them here.
It tells the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus and her interaction with her much older cousin Elizabeth. They offer praises to God for what God is doing in and through their lives. I’m struck by the friendship between these two family members. I love the supportive network they develop between them. Perhaps they realize the uniqueness of their situation, that an aged mother and a young, unmarried mother will need each other.
And so these two women bring their stories and their unborn babes for us to journey with them on the fourth Sunday of Advent. Where will we discover love along the way?
Resources for Advent
Here are some Advent resources I am really enjoying reading during this season:
The Advent Door: written by minister and artist Jan Richardson. I’ve been introduced to her blog by several friends. I continue to find her artwork and words to be inspiring on my journey through Advent.
Following the Star: a combined project of several organizations. My favorite youth camping organization, PASSPORT originally started this site and it has been expanded to include other denominations as its supporters. I really find this meaningful and love the music.
Peachtree Baptist Church: this is the church I served while I was in Atlanta, GA. The members of the church compile an Advent resource to be used each day during Advent. I’m really proud of this resource and the depth of reflection around the scriptures. I’m thankful for this congregation in so many ways and love what they have produced!
Advent Intentionality: This is the article i referenced Sunday in my sermon. It is written by my dear friend and minister, Emily McGaughy. Hope you read it!
We’ve had a wonderful journey of Advent thus far in worship. This past Sunday as our worship focused on PEACE, I particularly felt God’s spirit move among our congregation. It was a wonderful thing to experience as we consider how we might be peacemakers in this world. Won’t you join us this Sunday?
New Community of Faith 