"SURVIVOR VS THRIVER"

WHAT IS SURVIVOR: “The show maroons a group of strangers (as one or more tribes) in a desolate locale, where they must provide food, water, fire, and shelter for themselves, while competing in challenges to earn either a reward, or immunity from expulsion from the game in the next of the successive votes for elimination. While much rarer than elimination by vote, medical conditions, such as injury or infection, have eliminated several contestants. The last two or three survivors face a jury historically comprising of at least the last seven players voted off. That jury interrogates the final few, and then votes for the winner of the title of Sole Survivor and a million dollar prize. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivor_(U.S._TV_series)

Oh I just think it would be a fascinating challenge, not to mention one of those million dollar ideas I am so fond of dreaming up, to create a reality show to replace that shameful offering which rakes in loads of advertising dollars televising humanity at its worst. The new show would be called “Thriver” and it would be an honorable offering designed to depict humanity at its best. The challenge of the show would be to see just how selfless, altruistic, compassionate and generous individuals can be as they discover how to work together. The strongest personalities will not seek to dominate, debase and destroy those with more pliable personalities. It will be the delightful endeavor of all members of the team to discover the gifts and strengths of all, helping them cultivate those strengths rather than dwelling on their weaknesses. The goal of “Thriver” would be to gather, not isolate, include, not exclude, bring along, not vote off, encourage, not ignore, strengthen, not weaken, finally building up the community instead of tearing it down one soul at a time. Survivors plot. Thrivers plan. Survivors scheme. Thrivers dream. Survivors boot. Thrivers recruit.
O, Lord how we need a new reality and a new program to be part of our weekly television fair! I keep hearing that we are a visual society. We learn visually; we are influenced by what we see. If the television were a mirror would we really want to see ourselves as people motivated by contempt for our fellows and greed for fame and riches? “Thriver” would be worth watching, clearly showing us the best of ourselves, inspiring us as well, with what an intentional community of gathered individuals can accomplish not only for their mutual benefit, but for the benefit of others.
So, now that we have the format for our show. We are left to wonder who would sponsor such an undertaking. Who would pay the costs to air Thriver? And what kind of prize would be offered to the Thriver contestants, since all are destined to be winners? Survivor offers a million dollars to a singular winner. Their sponsors have been big name advertisers like Campbell’s Soup, General Motors and Proctor & Gamble. I read recently that some of these sponsors are dropping their sponsorship of the show since learning that the new season is to be racially segregated pitting teams of black, Asian, Hispanic and Caucasian “islanders” against each other. Now isn’t that tasteful television!! The producers are well aware that their decision is highly controversial, but they believe that controversy equals viewers, and viewers equal cash. Maybe Campbell’s Soup with their tummy soothing, heart warming, delicious “Hmmm-Hmm-goodness” will drop Survivor like a hot potato for promoting racism and gang tactics as a survival game. In my opinion, indulging in such ludicrous greed-driven thinking promises to set society back 70 years or more. Maybe Campbell’s Soup will jump at the chance to sponsor “Thriver” instead. “It could happen.”

Blessings, Rev. Amanda

P.S. Please don’t give the show Survivor one minute of your valuable time. I had originally thought to create “Thriver” as a new game for our Youth Group to play. Who knows, maybe they are clever enough to create it themselves?

Prayer for the Sermon January 24, 2010 'HURLING INSULTS"

God of Grace and Mercy we have come here to give you thanks and praise and to find our way in the complex world. We have been searching for peace in our souls, inspiration in our work and courage in our witness to the Christ in our lives. We confess that we are often fearful nervous witnesses often feeling inadequate in our attempts to talk about the work and words of your son Jesus Christ. We feel self-conscious trying to tell others about our faith, or praying out loud in the company of others. If the truth were told, we would probably say that we are really more worried about embarrassing you, than embarrassing ourselves. Help each of us today to trust in your awesome ever-presence, listening intently for the whispers of your most Holy Spirit. Lord, our confidence is in you. We have faith that you will fill us with your good thoughts. You will provide us with the means to speak rightly, faithfully, and graciously, always doing honor to your name. Amen.

OFFERTORY THOUGHT
I heard a story the other day about one of the United Methodist Relief Workers who was trapped in the collapsed hotel in Haiti. Aware that both of his legs were broken and that his 3 friends were nearby also injured trapped in the wreckage, he began to sing: “I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.” When we have nothing left but the breath within us, not even our legs, we have God. We always have God, in this case lying right next to us. Let us give thanks.

Prayer for the Sermon January 17, 2010 (renamed) "THE SPIRIT OF TODAY"

Glorious God, our Creator and Sustainer, we are awed by your steadfast love for humankind, not because we imagine your love might fail, but because we are ever aware of how our love fails. We imagine that the world would be a harmonious place if everyone thought the same way, worked the same way, and perhaps looked the same, but in our most rational thoughts we know that harmony in human relationships is only achieved with great effort. Create in us righteous hearts and willing ears ready to listen, ready to hear and slow to judge. Call into our consciousness patience and true reason, compassion and tenacity. Let us never give up on the path of reconciliation, which shall lead to the equality of all persons, the dignity of all persons and the well being of the world in the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.

OFFERTORY THOUGHT
It is no accident that Human Relations Sunday is coupled with the celebration of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. In his adaptation of J. Wallace Hamilton’s Sermon the Drum Major Instinct he wrote: “Jesus gave us a new norm of greatness. If you want to be important—wonderful. If you want to be recognized—wonderful. If you want to be great—wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That's a new definition of greatness.” Since its designation in 1986 MLK day has come to be called the King Day of Service when all are invited to volunteer time to help others, making it A Day ON, not a Day Off.

This Sermon was originally titled R.E.S.T. (changing the order of the Wesleyan quadrilateral formula: R=reason, E=experience, S=Scripture, T=tradtion

Prayer for the Sermon January 10, 2010 "FIRST JOHN"

Glorious God as Luke’s story of Jesus unfolds in the weeks to come, help us to see our place in the ongoing ever unfolding story. Let us see through timeless lenses how the lives of those who encountered Jesus, intersect with ours. As we visualize Jesus at the shore of the Jordan River waiting to be baptized with the rest, let us stand with him in the cue, pondering the path of repentance before we, with him are washed clean. This day was Jesus’ day of discovery, when you revealed to him his purpose and called him your Son, the Beloved. We pray that you will open the clouded places of doubt, insecurity, or resistance in our own minds. Reveal to each one of us our truest and best purpose as those who have chosen to follow Jesus along the path of faith. It is in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.

OFFERTORY THOUGHT FOR JANUARY 10, 2010
To exist is to be real, to be alive; to subsist is to remain alive or viable; to consist is to be made up of diverse parts; to resist is to fight against someone doing something; to desist is to stop doing something, to cease, perhaps, from existing, subsisting, consisting or resisting. John the Baptist existed, subsisting on Locusts. His baptism consisted of water and repentance. He resisted King Herod’s authority and was forced to desist from baptizing and preaching the good news. Let us give thanks and persist in preaching the good news.

Prayer for the Sermon January 3, 2010 "STAR TREKKING"

Dear Lord, our most loving and merciful God, we cannot offer thanks enough, or praise enough for the gift we have received in Jesus Christ. Like mother Mary we shall treasure in our hearts all that we see and all that we hear. We shall keep close in our memory how you desired to be born like us, one among us, one with us. We shall, like the wise men from the East, follow your lead on life’s journey of discovery. We cannot know what awaits us all along the way or how long the journey will take, so help us, gracious God, to travel light carrying with us just the essentials: loving and faithful hearts and open minds. These are the gifts we bring to offer at the manger of the newborn Prince of Peace. May they be sufficient to his need and to our salvation. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.

OFFERTORY THOUGHT
I realized last Monday that I resolve to do things all year long. These daily resolutions usually begin with the words “Now that” and contain the word, could, should or ought to somewhere in the middle of the sentence: “Now that the weather is cooler I could, should or ought to take a walk around the park.” Since realizing my penchant for resolving to do things I found myself fantasizing about the resolutions I would like to make: “Now that I have dug up the buried treasure in my back yard I could, should, ought to give a million dollars to the church.”

Prayer for the Sermon December 27, 2009 "BETTERING AS WE GO"

Wondrous and Loving God, we give you thanks for this morning and the opportunity to refresh and renew our spirits here. We believe that you are always at work giving new life to the earth, and to humankind with the dawning of each new day. We confess that there are times when we have failed to see the light dawning; cautious and unsure we have demurred, hesitating to follow your lead, fearing you would take us where we could not go. Let us, in this new year, move forward with confidence, unafraid, trusting that you are with us in each step we take. Dear Lord, make us as wise as serpents and as trusting as lambs able to hear your call and discern your will for us. We can and will fulfill your commandment to love in the name of our savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

OFFERTORY THOUGHT FOR THE NEW YEAR 2010
So the new year will begin this coming Friday at 12:01 all over the world, and as God has promised each morning will bring with it a new day, with new opportunities and new challenges. I encourage you to carry the words of John Wesley with you everywhere: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can “ trusting that God is good all the time.

Prayer for December 20, 2009

Glorious God we are awed and lifted up by the glorious and familiar tunes and carols we sing in the Advent -Christmas season. Truly we give you thanks for the inspiration which quickened the pen of those with the gift to write and arrange notes so to warm our hearts and soothe our scattered spirits. We give you thanks, Dearest Lord, for those who heard your grace notes ringing in their heads and released them into the wide world for all who have ears to hear and all who would, to sing. Grant that we may hear your voice speaking to us through the music, drawing us ever closer. Surround us with the light of your Christ, the truth of the Wonderful Counselor, the calm of the Prince of Peace, the wisdom of the Lord of Lords, the triumph of the King of Kings in whose name we pray. Amen.

Prayer for Sermon December 13, 2009 "REJOICE GREATLY OF DAUGHTER ZION"

Ever loving and Gracious God gathered here with our brothers and sisters of like hearts and spirits of one accord, we are grateful for music that brightens our thoughts and reminds us that a brighter day is promised. You are the God of all things, bright, beautiful and new. You are the God who is ever surprising humanity with deeds of wonder, love and grace. Help us to tune in to your ever-presence. You have promised to clothe us with joy. The songs of scripture assure us that even though weeping may linger through the night, joy comes with the morning; joy past grieving, joy beyond sorrow, joy that turns our mourning into dancing. Help us to rejoice now, trusting always in your promises kept. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SUNDAY OFFERTORY THOUGHT REVIEW BIG TICKET ITEMS AT NEIMAN MARCUS
Neiman Marcus’ 2009 big ticket items for your Christmas list include: The Icon A5 sport aircraft, a his and hers gift for $250,000; it includes pilot license training; the customized battery powered Cupcake Car is $25,000; you can trade quips with John Lithgow or Christopher Buckley by purchasing the Algonquin Round Table Experience for $200,000. There are gifts for under $100 such as the NM snow globe ($85) and jeweled lollipops ($50). I know some of you will be crushed to learn that the special edition Jaguar XJL sedan ($150,000) has already sold out.

CORRECTION OF THE VIDEO SCRIPTURE BELOW: SERMON IS PREACHED ON
ZEPHANIAH 3:14-20