Blog of FPC Lebanon

Bible Reference(s): Isaiah 9:6-7 / Luke 1:46-47 and 52-55 Sermon by Rev. Terri Thorn During the Monday morning Bible study there are three things that are almost always guaranteed to happen. There will be fresh coffee available, people will typically sit in or near the same seat each week...and usually as we are reading the assigned psalm, someone will remark, "Hey, these words are from a song we sang in choir." It is one of the beautiful things about many of the hymns and anthems sung in worship...they are basically scripture set to music. In fact, I'm confident that many of you were probably humming a little Handel's Messiah as I read the passage from Isaiah this morning. In case you're wondering, I was definitely singing it in my head...I mean, it's almost impossible to read those verses without punctuating them like a grand choral performance. And...for as much as music helps us remember...stories help us understand. This time of the year we g...

Bible Reference(s): Isaiah 65:17-25 Sermon by Rev. Terri Thorn A couple of months ago, when we decided to have this service in Fellowship Hall, we planned to honor the progress we have made toward our Guiding Vision, which was unveiled at about this same time last year.  Harvest season seemed to be a fitting time to talk about the ministries that have been planted this past year and to inspire generosity for more seed-sowing next year.  Those were the original intentions for today, and we will still get to it in just a bit. First, however, could we take a minute to be real with each other about the mounting post-election tension in our nation? I understand that many of you come to church to get away from that kind of stuff for an hour or two, so I don't want to dwell on it too long.  Yet, given how this week has unfolded, I feel I would be unfaithful to my pastoral duties if I did not bring it up.  It's one of the weeks where the words of Karl Barth ring so loud in ...

Bible Reference(s): Haggai 1:15b-2:9 Sermon by Rev. Terri Thorn Unless you've been hiding under a rock this week then you already know that on Wednesday, November 2nd,  the Chicago Cubs won the Major League Baseball World Series for the first time in 108 years.  Now, I'm not even going to claim to be one of those life-long Cubs fans, who has stuck with them season after season, never giving up hope, optimistically claiming, "there's always next year."  In fact, I'm not even going to pretend to be a baseball fan.  I grew up listening to the Cincinnati Reds, but I couldn't name a Reds player today if my life depended on it.  And yes, when Rob and I lived in the Chicago-area we attend a couple of Cubs and White Sox games, but I assure you those were all about the social, not the sport.   I still enjoy an evening at the ballpark and a good rousing 7th inning stretch, but I have no loyalty to the sport or to any team.  However, with the Cubs and the In...

Bible Reference(s): Luke 18:9-14 Sermon by Rev. Terri Thorn Note: Max Lucado’s children’s book You Are Special used during Children's Sermon Is it any wonder that more than once Jesus encouraged, “Let the little children come to me?"  Sometimes the biggest lessons in life are found in simple, child-like words.   It’s pretty easy to picture the Wimmicks walking around putting stars and spots on each other isn’t it?  Creating separation based on someone's established set of parameters or personal bias.    Not all that different from  the first century Pharisee.  After all, Pharisees were perceived to be THE most righteous of all Jews. The holiest...most faithful.   They were the kind of folks you would want in your church. They prayed, they fasted, they tithed.  They were most assuredly deserving of stars.  In fact, their name meant “the separated ones”, implying that they were unique in their pious observation of the law....

Bible Reference(s): Jeremiah 31:27-34 / Luke 18:1-8 Sermon by Rev. Terri Thorn Most of us probably remember radio personality Paul Harvey, but for those who do not, he was notorious for a regular segment called, " The Rest of the Story."   As I recall, The Rest of the Story  consisted of stories presented as little-known or forgotten facts on a variety of subjects with some key element of the story (usually the name of some well-known person) held back until the end. The broadcasts always concluded with a variation on the tag line "And now you know the  rest  of the story."  (quoted from wikipedia) Well, today, our reading from Jeremiah serves a similar purpose. He gives the exiled Israelites the rest of their story...by revealing a new thing about God. As a brief recap, last week we heard Jeremiah show some "tough love" to the Israelites who were about to enter into exile.  False prophets had been telling them that they would only be captive for a little ...

Bible Reference(s): Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 Sermon by Rev. Terri Thorn There is a saying that has been attributed to Mother Teresa, which supposedly hung on the wall of the orphanage where she did much of her work. Now, it may come as surprise to learn that these words are not original to the beloved saint.  In fact, they were adapted from the writings of man named Kent Keith who called the collection of sayings, the paradoxical commandments.  Nevertheless, it speak volumes about Mother Teresa's understanding of her vow to God.  Let me share it with you now. People are often unreasonable and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway. Give the best ...

Bible Reference(s): 2 Timothy 1:1-14 Sermon by Rev. Terri Thorn Many of you have probably heard folks talk about going to their happy place.  I, on the other hand, happen to have a happy box.  Actually several of them.  You see, years ago, early in my ministry, I got into the habit of saving little things and eventually storing them in boxes like these.  Oh, but only the good things...only things that bring me joy and happiness.  I have a special circular file for all the other things.  Seriously, these boxes are filled with a variety of items that are important to me. There are notes and pictures that the children of the church and the preschool have made for me. Cards and letters of encouragement that I've received from some of you; clippings, articles and newspapers from when our congregation has been commended for something significant.  Photos and other little knick-knacks with special meaning. The items I keep may have deep significance for me, ...

Bible Reference(s): Luke 16:19-31 Sermon by Rev. Terri Thorn I'm pretty sure that if I could read some of your minds right now, you are thinking:  "Oh no! Surely she is not going to talk about money today.  I really don't like it when the preacher talks about money. What I do with my money is a personal matter between me and God."  Well, let me just say, I totally get where you are coming from. I was raised to believe that there are three things we should never discuss in a public forum...religion, politics and money.  The problem is...apparently someone forgot to mention that rule to Jesus.  He seems to talk about all three subjects,  all the time, especially in public.   In fact, in his era, religion and politics were pretty much one and the same... and money drove both. So, as much as I would rather not talk about money today...and as much as you would rather I not talk about money ...both Jesus and Paul are forcing me to talk about money. ...