Good morning, friends.
It is so good to see all of
you here today. As we gather for worship
this day. If I haven't met my name
is Pete Moon, 1 of the pastors here,
and I'd like to walk you who are
in person and also those who are with
us online this morning as we gather for
Worship.
I'm also very excited this morning to Welcome
to the Reverend Katie Gu. Who is here.
Many of you know, Katie, She is a
former executive pastor here at Rev. She's also
the director at the paces center. And she's
here to be our this day, and we
celebrate your presence with us, and so glad
that you are here today. As always, we'd
like to encourage you to take a few
moments and look at all the announcements that
are in the Bulletin. And I want to
highlight just a couple. A reminder that throughout
the summer,
we are engaged in what we have called
mission in the middle At the 09:30 hour.
We have an opportunity to be in mission
or to hear about mission. And we're continuing
that. And next week, we're gonna have a
big effort as we work with rise against
hunger to make 10000 meals. We're gonna do
that at 09:30 next week. And you can
register for that ahead of time that that'd
be extraordinarily helpful for us. And come and
join us again 09:30 next week for rise
against hunger.
Also, you're gonna be hearing more about this
in the weeks to come, but you could
see a full listing
of the many small group opportunities that will
be coming up this fall.
We were we're gonna encourage you if you're
not a part of a small group or
a sunday school class, please plan on signing
up. There's many opportunities, and we would love
to have you for each and every you
1 of those.
And finally, a reminder that were continuing our
sermon series this summer entitled whatever happened to
joy. And we're gonna jump into the book
continue to work and jump into the book
of Philippians with Paul as he is in
prison and somehow even in his chains in
his imprisonment. Finds the opportunity to find that
joy from within. We're gonna talk about what
that means and how you and I could
find that same joy and a spread it
those who are around as we gather for
worship today. The Lord be with you.
Will you please rise and join with me
in the call to worship printed in your
Bulletin?
O sing to the Lord a new song
for he has done marvelous things.
His right hand and his holy arm have
gotten him victory.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord all
the earth, break forth into joyous song and
sing praises.
Let the sea roar and all that fills
it. The world and those who live in
it.
Where he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteous this
and the peoples with equity.
Singing together him number 01:39.
We are a people that praise God, and
in people that know that God loves us.
And so as confident children of God, let
us now go
to our time of
confession to our lord. Will you please read
with me the prayer of calming confession?
Almighty god.
This day we confess our lack of joy.
You have provided all we need
for living a radiant life.
And we have allowed an angry culture
to diminish that light within us
In our challenges,
our eyes have turned away from your goodness
and your love.
We have trusted in our anxiety
instead of your promises.
Forgive us
and lead us into a better way
that we might be filled with your joy
and testify to hope
in a world,
which is in such need of it.
This we ask in the name of Jesus.
I'm amen.
Here the good news.
Christ died for us while we were still
sinner
that proves god's love towards us.
And the name of Jesus Christ,
you are forgiven.
Glory to god.
All amen. And now as reconciled people let
us past the piece of Christ if the
children will come forward.
Good morning, Revel, United Methodist Church,
and for all who are visiting with us
online. If there any children present, please move
a little bit closer to your screen because
this is your time as well.
How is everybody doing today?
Great.
Well,
I have a few things that I wanted
to share with you today.
You know, I got visited by my teenagers
and so when they come to work,
they have to work too.
So I have them draw a couple of
diagrams for you. Can anybody tell me what
this looks like?
Great Leo, it is a happy
base.
Now Is there anything that makes us happy?
Can you guys tell me some things that
make you happy? What makes you happy May
Louise?
You said what?
Salmon.
I love salmon too. That makes me very
happy. Is he?
Your family
isn't that sweet. Family makes us happy. Okay,
Leah?
Love.
Love makes us happy.
Once again, I say, you guys should be
doing this instead of me. Alrighty.
So
I now have this space? What is this
space?
It's what?
It's a sad face.
Now, is there anything that makes a sad
Is he?
Dog
Okay. She said when her dog died. Yeah.
That would be very sad.
When somebody yells at you, Anna, okay. Yeah.
That would make me sad too. Anybody else,
Leo?
Okay. And a funeral. Yeah. Okay. Those are
all sad things.
So today, Pastor Pete is gonna talk about,
I think the differences is between happiness and
joy?
The reason why I wanted to talk about
some things that make us sad, did you
know
that I had Maya draw 1 more picture
for me?
Okay? Now what does this picture look like?
Calm.
Okay. May Louise, what were you gonna say?
Blessed.
Alrighty. And that's what this picture looks like.
When we think about joy,
it's not always that ex ex, happy, happy,
you know, berry like excited.
And it... But it definitely is for sure
it's not sad.
But what god wants us to always remember
is that even when we are having a
bad day or when somebody yells at us.
We can still have that. I love the
way that you described it as calm.
It's a calm
that is about that peace of Jesus Christ.
And that calm as I think where we
find that joy.
And there's a way that I always like
to get that joy. Do you know what
it is? It's by saying to you words.
What do you think those 2 words can
be?
It's not Hi mommy.
That's what Ana saying. Hi, mom.
Alrighty, Leo?
Love God. Yes. But you know what? For
me, practically to bring that joy. Is to
say thank you. Is to remember the blessings
that God has given me
even at times when things are a little
bit rough,
and that brings that calm.
Let's pray.
Heavenly father.
Heavenly father. Thank you for the gift.
Thank you for the. Of joy. Of joy.
That is with us. That is through happiness,
happiness and sadness.
Sad
Amen.
Alright You guys can get back to your
seat.
And thank you for helping.
Please join me in praying the prayer for
elimination that's found in your bulletin.
Gracious God
as we turn to your word for us,
may your spirit, rest upon us.
Help us to be steadfast
in our hearing,
in our speaking
in our believing
and in our living.
Come amen.
Today's first scripture reading is from the book
of Philippians,
chapter 1
versus 12 through 19.
And this may be found on page 09:53
of your Pew Bible.
Paul sees his
incarceration by Rome
as an opportunity
to spread the faith.
I want you to know beloved that what
has happened to me
has actually helped to spread the gospel,
so that it has become known throughout the
whole
imperial guard
and to everyone else that my imprisonment
is for Christ.
And most of the brothers and sisters
having been made confident in the lord by
my imprisonment,
dare to speak the word with greater bold
and without fear.
Some
proclaimed Christ from envy and rivalry,
but others from goodwill.
These pro proclaimed Christ out of love,
knowing that I have been put here for
the defense of the gospel.
The others proclaimed Christ out of selfish
ambition,
not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering.
In my imprisonment.
What does it matter?
Just this
that Christ is proclaimed in every way
whether out of false motives
or true.
And in that,
I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice
for I know that through your prayers
and the help of the spirit of Jesus
Christ.
This will result
in my deliverance.
The word of God for the people of
God.
Thanks Be to god.
In our second reading for the, it comes
it continues
beginning with the twentieth verse. Once again, I
invite you listen for the word of God.
It is my eager
expectation and hope
that I will not be put to shame
in any way, but that by my speaking
with all bold.
Christ will be exalted now as always in
my body.
Whether by life
or by death.
For to me, living is Christ and dying
is gain.
If I am to live in the flesh
that means fruitful labor for me, and I
do not know which I prefer, I am
hard pressed between the 2.
My desire is to depart and be with
Christ.
For that is far better.
But to remain in the flesh is more
necessary for you.
Since I am convinced of this, I know
that I will remain and continue with all
of you for your progress, and joy in
the faith,
so that I may share abundantly in your
boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to
you again.
This is the word of God for the
people of God.
Thanks be to God. Let us pray.
Look god, it is our prayer this day
that as your word is offered and proclaimed
that we too would find the joy. Of
which Paul speaks.
Surround us with your grace, remind us of
who you are, so that we can be
a living testimony.
To that which we cling. For we ask
it all in the name of Christ star
Lord,
Amen.
All, some of you may be aware that
my daughter Kristen is just getting ready to
give birth to 2
of cool twins. It's gonna happen every any
day Now Lynn is up in Maine. Getting
ready for that and we're are all excited
about that in our family, but all this
has also been the occasion.
To remember 1 of her habits
when she was 3 years old. Some of
you know, my story, we had 5 kids
and 7 and a half years, so it
was just 1 big blur most of the
time.
And it was a challenge. When all our
kids were young to to listen to all
the requests that would come our way, but
my daughter, Kristen, when she was 3. She
would not be deter.
She would be heard. And if she was...
If we weren't here, she would literally get
up in our face she grab our cheeks.
Right? You ever to have? Listen to me
she would say.
Have you ever... Here's my question for the
morning.
Have you ever had God do that to
you?
Time spirit figuratively
grabs your cheeks and says look at this,
pay attention to this. This is important.
Let me tell you a story about when
that happened to me many years ago. I
was on a mission trip to Cuba.
And this was 1 of the... When Castro
just opened up the church down there for
missionaries. We took a group down there,
and, it was kind of hard work. We
were working building a, methodist camp, and we're
making concrete blocks all day.
Spending a lot of time with that, but
in Cuba now, you need to know. When
you go to church, you go to church
for 2 hours every night.
And except on Saturdays, you go to church
for an hour, then you play games with
the church for for an hour.
But we were there, and we had done
all the work, and we went to worship
and the service was over about 09:00, and
we were all really
tired. And... But the the church was just
getting spun up. They said this service was
so great. Let's do it again.
And and there's another church, 2 miles down
the road and said, let's get the whole
church and put it on this big flatbed
truck 40, 50 people on a flatbed truck,
youth, children adults.
And they took the whole service at 09:00
to do another 2 hour service again, 2
miles away. And can I just confess to
you
that my attitude at at that point was
not the greatest?
I was tired. I was ready to call
it day, and I was not ready to
go worship for another 2 hours,
but that's when God gotta hold my cheeks.
And said you need to pay attention to
this because those kids, those youth those children.
Were doing something amazing, 09:00 at night. Out
in the country a very dark night in
Cuba.
And we're going off the road on this
village.
And the kids were singing in this song.
Go Go go go.
Which loosely transmitted
means joy, joy, joy. I wanna joy and
the Lyrics sq to say, but I did
not find joy.
Until Christ found me.
And so they're singing this song out into
a very dark night
And I watched... I looked at the left
and I saw the school where all the
kids went.
And the children had showed me their curriculum.
What they learned in the school and the
dark pictures of the church that were brought
forth from the curriculum from an atheist government.
And they were going a little farther. And
up on the right,
there is the ration store in Cuba. And
every shelf was empty. All the bread was
gone. No food on the shelves at all,
except for rum,
abundant rum on the shelves.
We went a little further and there were
the... The old men of the city,
sitting alone in the dark, drinking rum on
the corners of the streets.
And yet, 09:00 at night into the darkness.
These children are singing Go go go. Go
yoko.
And I think about that scene, and I
think about that picture. And I think it
it it brings to light this story. From
Paul this reading from Paul and Philippians. Now
my cuban friends,
they were not in prison,
but they lived in this intensely repressed society
and they lived in the midst of poverty.
And even so, their joy, they're singing their
music. It was just unrest.
Just like Paul
and our reading this morning.
Not the story.
Paul is literally
in chains,
literally in prison.
And he is there for unjust reasons.
And he is there in part because he's
dealing with folks who he raised up. He
trained. He equipped. He offered the gospel to
these people. They became preacher, And now they're
preaching against him.
And even in these difficult circumstances,
preaching Paul for 4 chapters in the book
of Philippians writes a song of joy,
even in the chains.
And in so doing, he offers this ironic
theme for our conversation this morning.
Paul is in chains,
and yet,
pro an un unchanged joy.
Paul is in chains,
and pro an un unchanged joy.
And it offers you and me the occasion
this morning to go back to our primal
understanding of joy and what it is throughout
the scriptures.
And let's speaking begin with a reminder that
joy is not the same thing as happiness.
Happiness is a great thing.
Our declaration of independence says that our creator
has given us in ina rights, 1 of
which is the pursuit
of happiness.
And, let's just admit. There are some great
songs out there about happiness. What about that?
Classic jamaican song. Don't worry. Fill it in
Don't worry.
We got that. How can you sit still
when you hear that song? How can you
not smile when you hear that song?
What about the frail William song
that came out 10 years ago? Because I'm
happy
That's it. In fact, do you know they're
gonna make a film about 4 Williams, and
they're filming it up in Ash it's gonna
be a Lego movie. It's gonna be fascinating.
But, you know, when that song plays, you
remember how it came out, everybody did a
video about that song and different constructive videos
around that, and everybody was happy and lifting
up their hands and smiling and making all
that. How can you not move when you
hear that song happy?
But here's a question.
You hear that song, Don't worry Be happy,
what do you do in the songs over?
Because here's where we recognize.
That the pursuit of happiness.
It's not a walk into park.
There's... It's a hard thing in many ways
because happiness
is directly related
to circumstances.
We're happy because good things are happening.
Money is good.
Relationships are good. Marriage is good. Health is
good. Kids are good. The list goes on
and on.
But what happens when circumstances
go south.
And sometimes they stay south bound for a
long season. How do you pursue happiness when
things go bad?
And could it be that many people out
there
are not singing happy songs. Many people out
there are not feeling this joy. Many people
are weary
of a pursuit of happiness and as a
result.
Are living lives
where they're simply managing
disappointment.
Because let's be honest, there's a whole lot
of other songs out there,
moving songs.
The speak of what happens when we come
into the dead end
of the pursuit of happiness.
You know, years ago, a song came out
1 of the most popular songs still on
the best selling lists today by a British
rock band. It's a song entitled comfortably
numb. I don't know if you're familiar with
that song. It's haunting
it it's a beautiful song, but it's haunting
in its lyrics because it describes a man
or a person
who has pursued this happiness.
But instead of finding it has simply medicated
himself on the an aesthetics of life.
And as a result, has become in the
name of the song,
comfortably
numb.
It's a depressing song,
but representative of so many who are struggling
in the world today.
But
but you contrast a song like that
with the songs and the H that we're
singing here today.
Now we sang a great song today about
re,
and we also sing a great song. I
wish you could have heard yourself sing last
Sunday when we were out here, we opened
the whole series up with joyful, joyful we
adore. Tom, you just brought it on in
network and put the pedal down and you
all were singing And we are saying the
songs of the church,
the songs of joy,
and no 1 in the room was comfortably
numb.
And we can do that
because joy is different from happiness.
Again, happiness comes from circumstances, but joy.
It comes from within you.
And when it comes to a Christian sense,
do you see the joy that wells up
from within
is a work of god inside of us.
God's spirit working inside of us. There is
the joy
that lies in the gospel. The center of
the gospel.
The message that defines you in me and
us.
And here's an opportunity you for us to
remember
that the Christian faith is unique and among
all world religions.
In virtually, every other world religion,
you are accepted
because of what you have done, what you
do.
But you see that's not the case in
Christianity.
We are saved by grace.
Not by what we do, not by being
good enough, and that fundamental
truth,
always
distinguishes us and
If we listen carefully to it provides a
platform of joy,
which can elevate us in this life in
the next.
You know, it's an old illustration, but it
still works effectively.
Some of you might remember that old movie,
chariot a fire came out years ago.
Do you know that movie about
2 Olympic runners
is actually a depiction of the gospel.
You have 1 runner who is Zealous,
intense,
disciplined,
trains, runs. When you see him, he's... Focused
on the finish line. He's going.
All that is there.
But then the other runner is, of course,
Eric,
who famously says
when he runs,
he feels god's pleasure. And all the images
of him running,
he has that profound sense of joy on
his face.
See, that's what the gospel does.
It frees you up and me up to
celebrate the goodness of god. Embrace the grace
of god. Live a life out of god's
pleasure
instead of being driven.
By our perceived
displeasure of an angry god toward us.
Instead, we know a God who sees us
as we are sinner that we are. Messed
up broken people that we are. Our God
has come down and loved us and raised
us up by grace.
In a way we don't deserve. And therefore,
we are freed up
to celebrate and enjoy a very good god.
A god whose primary care... At 1 of
his primary characteristics is joy.
500 years ago, Saint Teresa of Ava.
She warned us even today with these words.
She said,
and I quote, from silly devotion and sour
faced saints good lord deliver.
See Joy filled saints.
They understand and they are filled with this
gospel of grace. Even though we contemporary church
people, we often
overlook this fundamental truth.
I mean, how many folks
have been driven from the faith?
How many folks who are in church this
morning have been driven because they have not
found that joy as so much of the
Christian faith gets forced out to the political
polls, P0E.
And as they move to those places in
this heated season,
joy gets squeezed out.
Whatever happened to joy.
Well, let's find it. And let's go back
to our reading and go back to Paul
because Paul had it.
And he had lots of it. How did
he do it?
Well we simply have to look to his
center,
look to that place where Paul is granted.
Looked at that place that he is t.
Paul will never
let himself or his verses or his riding
ever get far away from it. When I
read Paul,
especially in Philippians, but in other readings.
I feel I picture myself back on a
elementary school playground.
Do you all remember growing up playing that
game T ball? Do you remember T the
ball? Right? Big long pole and there's a
ball on a rope. And the goal is
to wrap the ball around the pole.
That is Paul and philippians and beyond.
Paul will never move far from the person
of Jesus Christ.
He it's like a tenth ball. Every word,
every verse, every phrase He's trying to wrap
his life, wrap his words, wrap his church,
wrap his efforts all around the person of
Jesus, tighter and tighter and tighter.
And you can see that 1 well known
phrase in our reading today where he says,
to live is Christ,
and to die is gain.
See what happens? It works.
As he wraps his life around the person
of Jesus Christ.
He finds the joy
for which he is born.
You know, the famous theologian and Marty Dietrich
Bon offer.
He also spent a good time of his
life in prison for his faith.
And he spoke of this tendency in his,
classic book, Christ the center.
Now, he wrote the book in 19 33
in the midst of the Nazi, as the
Nazis were taking over, getting more power in
Germany taking over the church in Germany.
And he wrote this book as a reminder
to the contemporary or that luc... That German
church.
Where they had to keep their center.
And because so much of the joy was
leaving that nation.
But in that book, he reminds us of
why you and I do this? Why we
wrap our lives around the person of Jesus.
Because as he says, Jesus is the center
of all creation.
In the beginning was the word and the
word was God and the word was with
God.
The point is that Jesus is the structure
the logos, the rationale of this entire creation.
And when you and,
unite our hearts with him,
We are in sync with the way creation
was made and.
His joy becomes complete in us.
But Paul isn't done yet.
He highlights some amazing things that occur
in this Christ center joy.
There's a whole bunch of them here. We
only have time really for 1
But did you just pick up in the
first part of the reading that we had
about how Paul was able because of this
to not hold a grudge?
Paul was able to not hold a grudge.
Again, he raised up these leaders. He raised
up these preacher. He trained them. They were
brothers and sisters and equip them,
and now they're preaching against him fighting against
him.
And he says they're doing this all out
of selfish ambition.
But then he goes on to say and
I quote,
But what does that matter?
Christ is preached
and because of that I rejoice.
That is phenomenal.
He's not whole the grudge.
And see that's a gift of keeping Christ
at the center. Yeah. Bad things happen.
But they are no longer deal breakers.
Paul even sees the the positive in at
all.
The circumstances may not naturally lend themselves to
happiness, but they don't stop
joy.
In fact, the circumstances made me enable joy
to abound even more
you can put it in contemporary therapeutic
or leadership language.
But we say that in the midst of
conflict and difficulty in harsh circumstances,
Paul has a non
anxious presence.
Something we all seek in this day, and
age of conflict.
You know, as a heads up, We're gonna
talk a lot more about this in our
September Sermon series. We've entitled this Jesus 20
24.
And we're gonna ask the question. How do
you how do you and I do it?
We live in this conflicted culture where everybody's
fuss about politics and life and beyond?
How do you and I do it? How
do we live as faithful disciples in the
midst of conflicted politics and culture and difficulties?
Well, Paul shows us we're gonna say a
lot more about this,
but Paul shows us that how when you
and I put our center in Christ.
And not in our anger
or insecurity,
uniquely, we're able to stand apart
from these issues that offer so much separation
to our families in our world.
We get perspective
and are able to negotiate as faithful disciples
who yet have joy.
And we could see even in our
enemies,
some good
it's a possibility.
Well, friends, let me just say that sometimes
there are seasons where where God it just
grabs you by the cheeks.
It says, friend, listen to this.
Look.
And he reminds you. And it reminds me
that there is joy
yet.
And that life is not just about
surviving. Life is not just about being comfortably
numb.
But we are the church of Jesus Christ.
And as you and I wrap ourselves around
the gospel and the wonder of the joy
of the Lord we worship.
We pray that the gift of joy may
yet abound in us that we may be
a living testimony to the the unique possibilities
that are yet available.
For all those who are only pursuing happiness
and coming up against dead ends. That is
the gift of the joy of Jesus Christ.
In the name of the father and the
son and the holy spirit.
I'm amen.
Our him response reminds us to praise God
in all circumstances
And so I invite you to stand and
join me in singing 2216
in the faith we sing when we are
called to sing your praise.
As we remain standing, let us together say
what we believe offering the Apostles Creed. You'll
find that on Page 881
of our.
I believe in god the father almighty.
Baker of heaven and Earth,
and in Jesus Christ is only son our
lord.
Who was conceived by the holy spirit
or the virgin mary,
suffered under po pilot,
was crucified, dead and buried.
The third day he rose from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sit it at the right hand of
god, the father almighty.
From then, he shall come to judge the
quick in the dead.
I believe in the holy spirit,
the holy Catholic church,
the comm of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body
and the life ever last.
Amen.
Let please be seated.
And
in
his
As we enter into prayer this morning,
I ask that you keep in mind those
in our church community who are grieving.
Charles Mo is grieving the loss of his
son.
Eddie Mc is grieving the loss of his
mother
and Walker Farm ville is grieving the loss
of her stepmother.
And we are also mourning with the community
of Koi Christian Church,
with the loss of their pastor Keith Edmonds
and his celebration of life was here at
this church yesterday.
So please keep all of them in your
prayers this morning.
Lettuce pray.
Oh god,
our creator.
We come to you this day
with many concerns on our hearts.
Throughout our world, there is
in unimaginable, hunger,
violence
and war.
Our country can feel so divided.
Our families
are surrounded by sickness,
grieving the death of loved ones,
and each of us
are struggling in our own
individual ways
with broken.
God, we come to you and prayer
because you
deeply know
our struggle
and our despair.
But in faith,
We ask that we may be centered in
you
that you may infuse us with your joy,
that you may help us to respond to
the good news of your grace,
by sharing your love, and your care, and
your peace,
and your joy
with all we meet this week.
Lord, may your spirit bring healing
may it bring hope,
may bring life.
We ask all this in the name of
Christ
who taught us to pray.
Our father,
who art in heaven.
How would be your name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done.
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our tres
as we forgive those who trust fast against
us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us or
for thin is the kingdom
and the power
and the glory forever.
Moment.
In just a minute, we're going to invite
the Usher to come forward to receive our
morning offering But before we do that, I
want to say a word of thanks to
all of you. You know, we just had
our mission in the middle, at 09:30 here,
and we took some opportunity to celebrate the
many mission opportunities, we as a church have
offered and and participated in throughout the summer.
We have done kids camp. We have done
Vacation in Bible school. We've gone to friends
of Barn. We sent some folks to Lake
June alaska. We sent our youth to Charleston.
And yesterday, we had a very special and
sacred
celebration of Keith Ed life.
Some incredible things have happened here all summer.
And I just wanna say thank you.
Because all of that was enabled by your
profound generosity.
Your extravagant giving. You have enabled us to
reach all sorts of places all through the
summer.
And as we receive that offering today, I
just wanna say a profound word of thanks
to you for all you do to make
this church who we are. And what we're
able to do in incredible ways. We invite
the usher come forward as we continue our
worship with our morning offering.
Hem father.
We give you thanks
for the abundant gifts
that you give us,
especially the gift of joy.
And we give you back this day a
portion of those gifts.
Lord pour out your spirits upon these gifts
that we present to you this day
and help us to continue to be
a light in this world
In a world of death help us to
pro
resurrection
and help us to live it out not
just within these walls but beyond it.
We also saw this in Christ's name.
Amen.
Will you please join with me and the
final him, him number 05:29,
how firm a foundation.
And now the Lord bless you and keep
you. The Lord make his face to shine
upon you and be gracious unto you. The
lord turn the light of his comments upon
you and give you peace both now and
forever more as we go in the name
of the father and the son and the
holy spirit as all god's people say. Oh
man. Go in peace.