May 13, 2018 "THEIR PRAYERS FOR US"

AN EASTER AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe we are created in the image of God, male and female.
Believing that God’s will for us is goodwill, we follow in the footsteps of God’s beloved Son,
Jesus the Christ.
We believe Jesus lived to forgive, and showed us that by serving one another,
we are connected to the heart of God.
We believe we share Jesus’ mission to bind up and heal the broken hearted.
We believe that Jesus took the burden of our regrets and sorrows upon his own shoulders,
and bore them to the cross where they died with him.
Jesus was buried, but on the third day God raised him from the dead, as promised.
After Jesus’ resurrection, we believe God sent the Holy Spirit to empower Jesus’ followers.
The Holy Spirit was their ever-present advocate, counselor of truth, and companion.
We believe that same Spirit resides with us, interceding for us,
and empowering our work in the name of the Christ.
The Spirit reminds us daily to love God and one another as
the Christ loved us. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Loving and Generous Lord, today is the final Sunday of Eastertide, the day of Christ’s ascension to that heavenly seat at your right hand. Before his death and after his resurrection, the gospels tell us how Jesus prayed mightily for his disciples and the work that they would carry on his name. As we embrace our future open our eyes as you did the eyes of the first disciples. Let us see all of the new and glorious ways there are to serve you in this day and age. Because we have needed you in our lives, we believe others we meet along the WAY will need you as well. As we share stories of how we came to be your friends through Jesus, may those who are listening believe your friendship also belongs to them. All this we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
It was my mother who first quoted these verses from Hamlet: “To Thine own self be true.” I assumed she was telling me to be truthful, honest, and ethical, never being afraid to stick to my guns, to keep my own counsel, not follow the of the crowd. If I marched to a different drummer so be it. The full verses of Polonius to Laertes read: “This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.” I learned that this fatherly advice to be loyal to his own best interests first, and take care of others later, finds Laertes betraying his best friend. Contrary to modern day interpretation “To thine own self be true” was not written by Shakespeare as an ideal to be lauded or emulated. Judas was true to himself. Jesus taught us to put others before ourselves.

MAY 6, 2018 "A CHARGE TO KEEP"

AN EASTER AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe we are created in the image of God, male and female.
Believing that God’s will for us is goodwill, we follow in the footsteps of God’s beloved Son,
Jesus the Christ.
We believe Jesus lived to forgive, and showed us that by serving one another,
we are connected to the heart of God.
We believe we share Jesus’ mission to bind up and heal the broken hearted.
We believe that Jesus took the burden of our regrets and sorrows upon his own shoulders,
and bore them to the cross where they died with him.
Jesus was buried, but on the third day God raised him from the dead, as promised.
After Jesus’ resurrection, we believe God sent the Holy Spirit to empower Jesus’ followers.
The Holy Spirit was their ever-present advocate, counselor of truth, and companion.
We believe that same Spirit resides with us, interceding for us,
and empowering our work in the name of the Christ.
The Spirit reminds us daily to love God and one another as
the Christ loved us. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
O most glorious Creator, you are not only the master builder of the universe, but a doting, patient, and forgiving parent. Indeed, You surprise us by your immeasurable grace. Even when we think the very worst of ourselves, you work diligently to help us move beyond self-denigration. When we head out in the other direction thinking too much of ourselves, puffing ourselves up to great heights of entitlement, you open our eyes to the plight of those who have lost everything. You are always at work inspiring us to take that oh so, necessary step forward, prodding us to choose the smarter way, the compassionate way, the way of Jesus. Strengthen our resolve to be an even stronger, more open, ever more involved and welcoming body of Christ as we reach out to the community and the world around us. Let us bring glory to your name, O Lord, we pray in the name of the Christ. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
In anticipation of his death Jesus left humanity a will. He had no hard cash, property, blue-chip stocks or bonds to leave his disciples. He had nothing in the way of tangible assets to help his followers carry out their call to minister in his name. He hadn’t the wherewithal to build a Chrystal Cathedral in downtown Jerusalem. Nevertheless Jesus did leave a will, an ethical will, which he gave to his disciples for safekeeping. His words, his deeds, his encounters with people from all walks of life he left for us, a treasure to cherish. Much liked the servant in the parable of the talents who buried his one talent in order to return it to the master intact; not all of Jesus’ disciples shared what was left to them. Please help the church carry on sharing Jesus’ legacy of Love.

MAY 1, 2018 "WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS"

Offerings Off the Wall

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS?

When folks pass through the receiving line on Sunday, they ask me about my plans for retirement. "What are you planning to do?" I confess I have had all sorts of harebrained ideas, from almost buying a house in Costa Rica to planning a run for City Council. The Costa Rica house was cute, but I am not a surfer and with my history, it's not likely that I would be taking long walks on the beach in the hot sun. I do love the ocean, but that shore was surfing shore, not swimming shore. I realized I would have to lash a line to one of the palm trees high up on the shore, and attach it to my waste in order to pull myself out of that surf. Dick Clapp suggested I run for City Council, thinking I would be a good addition to Cathedral City's city council, but running for city council in a city where one is virtually unknown probably isn't the best use of one's resources and friends. I am such an unknown resident, I couldn't even get appointed to the Commission for Parks and Public Events, and there were only 2 applicants. At one time I thought about going to work in Guatemala. I went so far as to apply for the Director position of the Clinica Salud Y Paz on route 15, in Camanchaj, Guatemala. I didn't get it.

When it was determined by the Bishop that I would be retiring in 2018, there was the slightest hint from the Annual Conference that it would be nice if I decided to move away, and live someplace else, thus giving whoever the new pastor was an uncluttered path for pastoring the church. After a short visit to Tampa Bay in February of 2017, I gave some thought to moving to Florida when I retired, even looking at homes for sale in the Seminole area, near an aunt, a first cousin, a past sister-in-law, and an old high-school roommate. I thought living on the Gulf would be the perfect place. It is in February, but then I pondered hurricanes, humidity, and alligators.

I remember when my ministry at the First Christian Church in Hemet ended, people asked me if I was going to move back to the San Fernando Valley from whence I had come. But although I lived in Reseda for 11 years, served a church there, and worked at the same hospital for a decade, it was no more my home than Claremont, where I attended seminary, or Tucson, Arizona where I became a Christian and received my call to the ministry, or Popayan, Colombia where I taught nursing to vocational nursing students as a Peace Corps Volunteer, or Lawrence, Massachusetts where I worked for some months before joining the Peace Corps, or New York City where I studied nursing, or Poultney, Vermont, where I earned my AA in pre-nursing or West Newbury, Massachusetts the town my parents moved to when I was 16 years old.

In 1998, Hemet was home for the time being, the place where I had established my residence and friendships. I would find work and stay until the next thing came along. The next thing began in stages seven years later, and in 2007 I landed here in the desert. We had no idea I would be here for eleven years, but here is where I have established my residence and friendships. After living in a place for over a decade, packing up and moving elsewhere takes thought, decisiveness, a reason, time, effort, and planning. I am having a tough enough time clearing out my office.

Often people who are retiring decide to move closer to children and grandchildren they can spoil-rotten. But that isn't leaving or moving away so much as it is moving toward a renewed connection with family. Having never married or had children, there are no grandchildren calling out to have me close.

So my answer to the question, "What are your plans?" is "I haven't got the faintest idea." The next thing will make itself known, I am pretty sure of that. What you must know is this: on July first, even if I am living here in the desert, I am no longer your pastor. It is unethical for me to agree to marry you or bury you without the express invitation and/or permission of your new pastor. I will no longer be your spiritual counselor or guide and I won't be worshiping with you. However, I will always hold you ever so close in my heart, praying that your ministry in this community continues to flourish and grow. You are the best thing that has happened to me in my ministerial career!!


With buckets of love and endless blessings,

Rev. Amanda

April 29, 2018 "PERFECTING GROWTH"

AN EASTER AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe we are created in the image of God, male and female.
Believing that God’s will for us is goodwill,
we follow in the footsteps of God’s beloved Son,
Jesus the Christ.
We believe Jesus lived to forgive, and showed us that by serving one another,
we are connected to the heart of God.
We believe we share Jesus’ mission to bind up and heal the broken hearted.
We believe that Jesus took the burden of our regrets and sorrows
upon his own shoulders, and bore them to the cross where they died with him.
Jesus was buried, but on the third day God raised him from the dead, as promised.
After Jesus’ resurrection, we believe God sent the Holy Spirit to empower Jesus’ followers.
The Holy Spirit was their ever-present advocate, counselor of truth, and companion.
We believe that same Spirit resides with us, interceding for us,
and empowering our work in the name of the Christ.
The Spirit reminds us daily to love God and one another as
the Christ loved us. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Gracious and Loving God, how sweet it is to ponder your grace, to bask in the light of your mercy and love. It is as lovely and gently glorious as the sunrise. We pray never to have a sense of alienation from you or our community of faith. Let us never —not for a single second — take for granted your outpouring of goodwill and concern. With each and every breath we take you remind us of your presence. With each and every step we take, we are reminded that your handiwork knit each of us together in our mother’s womb. Even if we aren’t as nimble as we once were, keep our spirits limber as we serve you in the name of the Christ. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
In the United Methodist Church if a member is not attending the church where enrolled, the member is requested to: 1. reaffirm their baptismal vows and return to living in community with that church where their name is recorded; 2. request a transfer to another UMC where the member will return to living in that community of faith; 3. arrange transfer to a particular church in another denomination; 4. request withdrawal. If the church can’t find the member to offer these choices their name may be removed from the rolls by a vote of the charge conference. The gospel of John asserts that a vine branch cannot bear fruit unless it is attached to the vine, so too the Christian cannot bear fruit unless he or she is similarly attached to Jesus who is the vine who gives us life and consequent produce.

April 22, 2018 "KEEPING UP APPEARANCES"

AN EASTER AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe we are created in the image of God, male and female.
Believing that God’s will for us is goodwill,
we follow in the footsteps of God’s beloved Son,
Jesus the Christ.
We believe Jesus lived to forgive, and showed us that by serving one another,
we are connected to the heart of God.
We believe we share Jesus’ mission to bind up and heal the broken hearted.
We believe that Jesus took the burden of our regrets and sorrows
upon his own shoulders, and bore them to the cross where they died with him.
Jesus was buried, but on the third day God raised him from the dead, as promised.
After Jesus’ resurrection, we believe God sent the Holy Spirit to empower Jesus’ followers.
The Holy Spirit was their ever-present advocate, counselor of truth, and companion.
We believe that same Spirit resides with us, interceding for us,
and empowering our work in the name of the Christ.
The Spirit reminds us daily to love God and one another as
the Christ loved us. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Dearest Lord, when we live far away from loved ones, friends or family, we keep in touch by calling them on the phone or writing to them in some form. When we sign off we will actually say “keep in touch.” We can lose track when we don’t stay in touch. O Lord, may we realize that every moment of prayer is our way of keeping in touch with you, whether we are greeting you with praise and thanksgiving, or asking for guidance, comfort or relief. Let us be bold in our communication as Jesus taught us. When he prayed he held nothing back, he asked you to intercede on behalf of others and himself. Show us we need not be timid, even if it’s been a long time since we reached out; you are still there and always will be. Thank you for that, in the name of the Christ. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
I grew up hearing the expression “keeping up with the Joneses.” I really didn’t understand what it meant, because I never saw my parents as the keep up with the Jones’s types. I do remember when I was around 12 or so, we started going to a country club. I took tennis lessons there until we stopped going, because I guess my parents decided not to belong anymore. My older brother and I both had summer jobs as lifeguards at two different country clubs, and although we could swim in the pools we guarded, we weren’t members—we were employees. To belong in some organizations/clubs you have to have money, social standing or political standing, influential friends, or adequate sponsorship, and once you belong you are obliged to live up to certain expectations. It is true some churches have modeled themselves after country clubs, but the Lord requires no such “buy-in” to belong to the body of Christ, only your word that you will serve others with the gifts God has given you.

April 15, 2018 "THE WALK OF LIFE"

AN EASTER AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe we are created in the image of God, male and female.
Believing that God’s will for us is goodwill, we follow in the footsteps of God’s beloved Son,
Jesus the Christ.
We believe Jesus lived to forgive, and showed us that by serving one another,
we are connected to the heart of God.
We believe we share Jesus’ mission to bind up and heal the broken hearted.
We believe that Jesus took the burden of our regrets and sorrows upon his own shoulders,
and bore them to the cross where they died with him.
Jesus was buried, but on the third day God raised him from the dead, as promised.
After Jesus’ resurrection, we believe God sent the Holy Spirit to empower Jesus’ followers.
The Holy Spirit was their ever-present advocate, counselor of truth, and companion.
We believe that same Spirit resides with us, interceding for us,
and empowering our work in the name of the Christ.
The Spirit reminds us daily to love God and one another as
the Christ loved us. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Glorious God, in this season of Eastertide, we continue to ponder and marvel at your wondrous deeds and your grace. Even while the disciples were wringing their hands, pacing the floor wondering what would become of them and the gospel, you were at work planning something extraordinary. We are bold to say, we believe that your love, your creativity, and your hope for humankind surpasses anything our minds can fathom. You want only the best for your children. May we always be willing to open our hearts and minds to see the good you have planned for us. In the name of the Christ we pray. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
I think the hardest thing anyone has to learn in life is how to make a decision. When we are kids, our decisions are pretty much made for us by the guardian(s) of our days, whether a brand of parent (birth, step, adoptive, foster) or grand. But when suddenly we find ourselves of legal age, grown-up decisions can be cumbersome. My grandfather advocated making a decision chart with two columns, pros on one side, cons on the other. It isn’t the same as a priority list, which often puts the long list of bills to be paid in order of importance. Giving to the church is often found on our grown-up priority lists; on some lists supporting the church is at the top, on others closer to the bottom, and on some it doesn’t appear at all. Where is the church on your priority list? Do you need to start with a decision chart?

APRIL 8, 2018 "MORE THAN A WORD"

AN EASTER AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe we are created in the image of God, male and female.
Believing that God’s will for us is goodwill, we follow in the footsteps of God’s beloved Son,
Jesus the Christ.
We believe Jesus lived to forgive, and showed us that by serving one another,
we are connected to the heart of God.
We believe we share Jesus’ mission to bind up and heal the broken hearted.
We believe that Jesus took the burden of our regrets and sorrows upon his own shoulders,
and bore them to the cross where they died with him.
Jesus was buried, but on the third day God raised him from the dead, as promised.
After Jesus’ resurrection, we believe God sent the Holy Spirit to empower Jesus’ followers.
The Holy Spirit was their ever-present advocate, counselor of truth, and companion.
We believe that same Spirit resides with us, interceding for us,
and empowering our work in the name of the Christ.
The Spirit reminds us daily to love God and one another as
the Christ loved us. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Gracious God thank you for pouring out your Spirit of wisdom upon the leadership of our annual conference. We truly believe you have been at work in their process of discernment. Today we let go of any remnant fear or anxiety about the future believing that in Reverend Jane, you are sending us a clergywoman who is truly called to the pastoral ministry, who is inspired by scripture, is resilient, energetic and enthusiastic, with a wonderful sense of humor. May she lead us onward to do great things, serving our community and the world, as we endeavor to shine the light of your love and goodwill all around us. In the name of the Christ, we pray. Amen.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
Isn’t it interesting that when the Lenten season begins, we make a plan to ramp-up our spiritual discipline, and often our physical discipline, as well? We make an informed choice and a concerted effort to give up something we indulge in, or exchange a bad habit for a good one, or even add something altogether new to our daily lives. But when Lent is over and Holy Week has passed, what then? I think it is high time we embraced the 50 days between Resurrection Sunday and Pentecost as days of great opportunity not days full of waiting for something to happen. For the disciples, the 50 days following the resurrection were occasions for confronting next steps. Luke’s risen Christ instructed the disciples to get about building up their spiritual muscles, devoting themselves to prayer and each other. When Holy Week ends, I think many of today’s churches go on automatic pilot until Pentecost arrives, that is, if they are willing to acknowledge that Holy Day at all. On this Second Sunday in the season of Eastertide, let’s make a plan that will carry us through Pentecost and beyond. Let us dress our spirits in the bright colors of new beginnings, devoting ourselves to one another and the Spirit’s leading.