Don’t be left out. 

Kids Against Hunger returns to Hagerstown May 18th, 2013.

Register today and be a part of the over 200 volunteers that will join together to mix and pack over 50,000 meals in one morning. 

Registration is now open and is only $10. 

All ages are welcome to participate. Contact Church office.

We’re saving a seat for you!

Everyone is welcome.

Join us for dinner once a month 5:00-7:00 p.m.

April 25th
May 23rd
June 27th

April 14   iRock 

April 21  iPlay

April 28  iRock

May 5      iPlay

May 12   iRock

May 19   iPlay

May 26   iRock

The Nicene Creed is the most widely accepted statement of faith among Christian churches. It is used by Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran and most Protestant churches. The Nicene Creed was established to identify conformity of beliefs among Christians, as a means of recognizing heresy or deviations from orthodox biblical doctrines, and as a public profession of faith. The original Nicene Creed was adopted at the First Council of Nicaea in 325.

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, light from light, true God from true God,
begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,

By the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
He suffered, died and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures;
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father (and the Son)
Who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.
Who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

What does it mean to be orthodox?

I must confess that when I think of becoming orthodox I think of the Russian Orthodox Churches I visited while in Russia. I also think about sitting in Church History classes and discussing the first church split in 1054 — enough of that history stuff.

The thing is that orthodoxy isn’t a bad thing. Orthodoxy is simply a standard. Something that everyone agrees to in principle. What could be wrong with that?

Apparently the problem is we don’t agree or at least we think we don’t …

We exist in a culture that wants to believe everything is up for debate and can be changed if you want. BUT, there are some truths that won’t be changed. From the beginning of the church there have been disagreements and controversies. Paul spent most of his letters writing to dispel false teachings and settle arguments. Ecumenical Councils met in the early church to write some Creeds that will put down in writing the truth (or orthodoxy) of what we believe. Not everyone always agreed with what was determined as Truth and as a result people leave.

Jesus had people leave Him. Paul had people leave. Peter had people leave. The history of the church is a history of drawing a line in the sand and forcing people to choose. When did tolerance of all things become the story of the Gospel? When did tolerance replace standards? When did God’s love trump God’s holiness?

Jesus said, Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” Luke 12:51-53

The church today needs to rediscover it’s orthodoxy. And as we rediscover it, may we hold onto our Orthodoxy as a standard of faith using it to draw lines rather than as a club to harm and destroy.

Over the next few days I will be posting some of the Orthodox Creeds of the church.

Take time to consider what is it that you believe? Does it match up with the standards of the faith that have been handed down to us?

And in those moments of disagreement amongst Christians can we heed these words of wisdom: In the essentials, unity; in the non-essentials, liberty; and in all things charity.

May your orthodoxy bring you closer to God.

As we converse with others about our beliefs, we use some of the same language: faith, God, grace, and mercy. But I must caution you that while you use the same words – many are using vastly different definitions of the words you use.

Did you know that more than one hundred million Americans claim no allegiance to a church, synagogue, or temple? Many of them, perhaps the majority, are pursuing some form of what we can call “spirituality”, hoping to connect with something greater than themselves. They are looking for meaning, seeking some higher purpose that will fill their inner emptiness and persistent longing for peace.

So when you ask someone, ‘Do you have faith?’ or when you hear someone talking about faith, do you really know what they mean? Do you even know what you mean? When people hear the word faith, they usually think of religion, and because Christianity is still the most popular religion in the world (for now). Most people usually think of Christian and faith as going together. But the thing is everybody has faith. If not, you would never leave your home:

You have faith that your car is going to start and get you to where you are going
You have faith in the other drivers on the road – that they won’t slam into you
You have faith your job will be there when you arrive (perhaps that faith is waning)
You have faith that at a certain time in the future you will receive a paycheck
You have faith that when you take the check to the bank you will receive money

Now it is possible that none of those things might happen, but in spite of the negative possibilities you continue on because:

You’ve calculated your chances for success are pretty good
You trust the maker of your car, the drivers, the employer, etc

In other words your faith in these events/objects rests in your knowledge and experience with them which results in trust, confidence, and belief. The same should be true of your faith in God, but we must be careful. What if in our own hunger to discover a similar faith we are headed down a destructive path? I believe the very common ideal we pursue is in effect leading us to death, destruction, and endless hunger?

Allow me to illustrate: I can take a simple bottle of water and refill it with poison. Keep the same label and change the contents. It looks the same. Can’t really tell the difference and yet that which you might seek after to give life instead will kill you. Do I have your attention?

In church and in society at large, we use simple words to convey really big ideas – Faith, God, Jesus, Sin, Grace, Mercy, Salvation – but what so the words mean? When we hear people talking, when we engage in conversation, do we really know what we are talking about? Do we even understand what they are talking about? Culture and society continue to redefine words. Does it really matter if we define them differently?

The harsh reality is this: the reason we are so easily deceived is that we do not know the truth as we should. And when we cannot recognize the original we will fall prey to the counterfeit. In the scientific world, finding errors is much easier to find when you know what is right. When attempting to identify a forgery, it is suggested that you start with two basic actions: 1) Look at the details. The differences may be nearly imperceptible, but there are often tell-tale signs of forgery if you look closely enough. It may be a color not quite right on a painting, or the placement of the sculptor’s signature. When you know the details of the original the flaws in the forgery become apparent. The US Treasury teaches it’s agents to recognize forgeries by teaching them what the real thing looks like in every detail. When you know the real thing intimately, the fakes are easy to find.

2) Study the details. A document may look authentic, but if it is printed on a type of paper not available at the time the original was produced, you’ve spotted a forgery. Often the modern chemical composition of paint gives away the forgery of an older work. There are a variety of scientific tests than can be done in a laboratory to determine when an object was created or what was used to create it. You are likely to pay dearly for these services, but the knowledge could save you from buying a high-priced forgery.

Saying I believe in God does not mean we are saying the same thing. Saying I have faith is not the same thing. We must be careful to examine the details and study what is being said about faith, God, and Christianity. All faith, all spiritual ideals, all religions are based on one of three worldviews of God. There are three different views of God and any statement of belief in God is based in some form or a variation of these three views.

The world view of moral relativism is the view that there is no God. The final reality is to be matter and not spirit. There is no spiritual world. There are no souls. There is no life after death and there are certainly no miracles. This world view is most often seen is those that declare themselves to be Atheists.

A second world view is that of Naturalism or Pantheism and it is rooted in eastern mysticism and is the core of New Age spiritual thought. Most easily stated this is the belief that God is all and all is God. Pan means all and as such the idea is that all that exists is God. There are merely different levels of existence. The lowest level is matter then vegetable then animal and finally man. Nature is God, you are God, I am God. God is all that there is. This is at the core of the Eastern Religions and is the core view of those espousing the new spiritualism.

The third type of world view is Theism and it is the belief that God is the creator and sustainer of the universe. God is personal, powerful, and independent of the universe. He is creator, and a God to whom we must give an account. Because God is both personal and just, God will bring every individual into judgment so that righteousness will prevail in the end. This is the core view of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

What is your world view? When you say you believe in God, what kind of God is it you believe in?

Then the LORD said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.
Jeremiah 14:14 NIV

What are you studying? Who are you studying? Will you be able to recognize the counterfeits that are out there? Do you know the original well enough to tell it from the forgeries?

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. I Peter 3:15 NIV

The world is searching for answers and meaning.

Are you prepared to give an answer for the faith you claim?

The meaning of the words you use is every bit as important if not more so.

A Prayer for the day:

God we confess that while we claim to have faith in You, we have been less than diligent in getting to know You. We have heard Your call to be faithful students of your Word – to be ever ready to answer for the faith we claim. Help us to become the people you have called us to be – a people ever ready to answer for the faith we claim. May we become such people of depth that what we say with mouths, might reveal what we believe with our hearts, and that we believe might change how we live and talk. In Christ’s Name, AMEN

Get your clothes clean by using Barf for that smells fresh every time kinda smell!

I think I’ll pass.

When the Iranian company Paxam began marketing the laundry detergent they translated the word Snow into Farsi and got Barf. Imagine this Barf is one of the tops selling detergents in the Middle East. You can actually wash your hair in Barf for that fresh as daisy smell.

It’s not uncommon to lose meaning when translating words into a different culture. Thanks to Stacey at The Translation Blog for these other great blunders in word translations and meanings:

A Different Kind of Milk

Years ago, the American Dairy Association ran a famous advertising campaign that included the slogan, ‘Got Milk’. When they attempted to expand this campaign into Mexico, the resulting translation became, ‘Are You Lactating?’ Now I don’t know about you, but I have to wonder if the Mexican’s who saw that ad were scratching their heads in disbelief at the American company who wanted them to line up and donate milk.

Lose A Finger

Kentucky Fried Chicken’s slogan of ‘finger lickin good’ is well known all over the world. However, in China apparently the majority of their patrons took it to mean that KFC was suggesting that they wanted to ‘eat their fingers off.’

Be Careful Of The Drinking Water

The Coors beer slogan ‘turn it loose’ was an instant hit in America. But in Spanish speaking countries, it inadvertently became ‘get loose bowels’. I wonder how many Hispanics recognized the irony that American’s are told not to drink the water in many Hispanic nations for just the same reason.

Unfortunately in the church we too often use words that just don’t translate to the same meaning when we use them in our cultural context.

Words like Faith, God, Grace, Mercy, Sin, Salvation just don’t have the same meaning in culture that they do within the walls of the church.

Do you know what the words mean that you use everyday as you talk about your faith?

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. I Peter 3:15 NIV

Are you prepared to give an answer?

The world is searching for answers and meaning.

Break open your words, let the light shine out,
let ordinary people see the meaning.
Psalm 119:130 The Message

If we continue to remain silent, who knows what meaning will be ascribed to the words you use.

See you Sunday …

In the culture of today, there are always ‘Buzz Words’ that become an overwhelming part of our public conversation. This is never more true than in our cycle of elections where words are thrown around with the assumption that we all know what they mean. The interesting part of ‘Buzz Words’ is that opposing sides of an argument will both use the same words to reveal why they are right.

In a recent on-line blog by ‘The Economist’ for Forbes (4-17-12) it was stated:
In Washington today we constantly hear about fairness. We hear that the people who pay taxes need to pay more because it’s only fair. We hear that people who pay no federal income tax should get more aid from the government because it’s only fair. Who created this concept of fairness and what is fair?

That is a good question: Who created this concept of fairness and what is fair?

1-2 “God’s kingdom is like an estate manager who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. They agreed on a wage of a dollar a day, and went to work. 3-5″Later, about nine o’clock, the manager saw some other men hanging around the town square unemployed. He told them to go to work in his vineyard and he would pay them a fair wage. They went.

5-6″He did the same thing at noon, and again at three o’clock. At five o’clock he went back and found still others standing around. He said, ‘Why are you standing around all day doing nothing?’

7″They said, ‘Because no one hired us.’

“He told them to go to work in his vineyard.

8″When the day’s work was over, the owner of the vineyard instructed his foreman, ‘Call the workers in and pay them their wages. Start with the last hired and go on to the first.’

9-12″Those hired at five o’clock came up and were each given a dollar. When those who were hired first saw that, they assumed they would get far more. But they got the same, each of them one dollar. Taking the dollar, they groused angrily to the manager, ‘These last workers put in only one easy hour, and you just made them equal to us, who slaved all day under a scorching sun.’

13-15″He replied to the one speaking for the rest, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair. We agreed on the wage of a dollar, didn’t we? So take it and go. I decided to give to the one who came last the same as you. Can’t I do what I want with my own money? Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?’

Matthew 20:1-16 The Message

Was that fair?

What does it mean to be fair? Like any English word, “fair” has multiple meanings.
Webster defines fair as “marked by impartiality and honesty: free from self-interest, prejudice, or favoritism; sufficient but not ample.” Other definitions include: “in accordance with the rules or standards; without Cheating or trying to achieve unjust advantage.” Synonyms include: “just, honest, equitable.”

So, how can something be fair?

One concept of fairness is revealed through the concept of Fair Trade Certified products where a base price for the commodity is set by the international Fair Trade Labeling Organization. The set price attempts to cover the cost of production and a living wage to cover the basics of food, shelter, clothing, education, and medical care. Importers and retailers are then screened and certified to ensure that they are paying the Fair Trade price for products. Crafts, apparel and other non-certified products are sold by members of the Fair Trade Federation, businesses committed to the principles of Fair Trade. So the idea of fair in this instance is simply that a living wage is paid within the local context.

So, how do we determine what is fair?

Americans are unusual in their commitment to the idea of fairness-as-merit. I suspect that is one of the greatest American ideals – people should be judged on their abilities. Fairness has somehow become something that is gained or earned. Now we are a compassionate country and few would want that to change. I mean … we don’t want people living in the streets or going hungry because that wouldn’t somehow be fair … and yet …

Arthur Brooks, the president of the American Enterprise Institute, defended this idea of fairness-as-merit in an article in the Washington Post this past year. He wrote: We are not a perfect opportunity society in the United States. But if we want to approach that ideal, we must define fairness as meritocracy, embrace a system that rewards merit, and work tirelessly for true equal opportunity. The system that makes this possible, of course, is free enterprise. When I work harder or longer hours in the free-enterprise system, I am generally paid more than if I work less in the same job. Investments in my education translate into market rewards. Clever ideas usually garner more rewards than bad ones, as judged not by a politburo, but by citizens in the marketplace.

So, what is fair?

It should all be perfectly clear or is your head still spinning?

That is the problem with ‘Buzz Words’ no one takes the time to define what they mean when the use them and we are left picking sides without knowing.

I believe Jesus would use this same parable today to teach us about fairness and our desire to define fairness in way that is fair. In the parable, Jesus tries to show us that our sense of fairness is often based on our own limited, albeit too often selfish, perspective. And as a result our own happiness becomes directly related to our expectations. In life when our expectations do not meet with reality we cry out, “That’s not fair!”

Perhaps as you think of expectations and reality, you can relate to the parents of the college coed who received this letter from their daughter:

Dear Mom & Dad,

I’m sorry I’ve been so long in writing. Unfortunately all my stationery was destroyed the night our dorm was set on fire by demonstrators. I’m out of the hospital now and the doctors say my eyesight should return sooner or later. The wonderful boy, Bill, who rescued me from the fire kindly offered to share his apartment with me until my dorm room is rebuilt. He comes from a grand family, so you won’t be surprised when I tell you we’re going to be married in a short while. In fact, since you’ve always wanted a grandchild, you’ll be glad to know you’ll be grandparents in just a few months!

P.S. Please disregard the above practice in English composition. There was no fire. I haven’t been to the hospital. I’m not pregnant, and I don’t even have a boyfriend. But I did get a “D” in French and an “F” in chemistry. I just wanted to be sure you received the news in perspective.

Depending on your perspective this may or may not be a ‘fair’ way to deliver bad news.

Now, when we read the parable of the workers in the vineyard, I think that Jesus is trying to teach us something about perspective: Not all of your expectations, dreams, or wishes will come true. Life is series of expectations – some met – some unmet. Life is seemingly filled with a great deal of unfair events. Our expectations, our hopes, our dreams will not always be met. Simply put life will not always be fair. The best team doesn’t always win. The most deserving doesn’t always get the prize. The question in those moments will be “What will you do when your expectations do not meet with your reality?”

Paul reminded us in his letter to the church in Corinth: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize (1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV).

Choosing to do what is right in living your faith may not always garner you the prize, but it doesn’t mean that you haven’t competed well or for that matter fairly.

Therefore, we need to remember that gratitude will change our perspective. There are many times in life when it is nearly impossible to praise God! Now Thanksgiving will not change your circumstances, but thanksgiving can change what your circumstances will do to you.

I know it is not always easy to praise God. It’s not always easy when you are stuck in traffic or late for work to praise God. It’s not easy when the Doctor’s report isn’t what you prayed for or hoped for. It’s not easy to praise God when your best friend betrays you and leaves you all alone.

Paul encourages us to gain perspective in our thought process by reminding us: whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8 NIV).

Changing the way we think or perceive life will go a long way in helping us understand what is fair. And as you continue to ponder “What is fair?” Need I remind you that God has chosen not do deal with each of us fairly, as society might determine it, but rather God is the owner of the vineyard who gives us grace and mercy as we need it and God chooses to give it freely to us without any merit.
Is that fair? By cultures definition it is certainly not.

I for one am grateful that God has a completely different perspective on what is fair in my life and for all of eternity for that matter.

Prayer:

God we confess that trying to find real TRUTH in this world is getting harder and harder to find. We are reminded what Paul wrote in Colossians:These are a Shadow of things to come, the reality however is found in Christ

As we seek to find answers to the questions of our day help us to find the truth that is built on the truth of Jesus Christ. Keep us from shying away from the debate of the day. May we ever ready to answer for our faith and as we answer may we be able to own and define the words we use. AMEN

BUZZ WORD: FAIR

What is fair?

In the culture of today, there are always ‘Buzz Words’ that become an overwhelming part of our public conversation. This is never more true than in our cycle of elections where words are thrown around with the assumption that we all know what they mean when in reality they are being re-defined by the user. The interesting part of ‘Buzz Words’ is that opposing sides of an argument will both use the same words to reveal why they are right.

The following is an excerpt from an article written by Dan Crawford for libertyunbound.com in June of 2011. I make no claims of support for or against the politics of the author or the website. I simple use his illustration to frame the question – What is fair?:

Suppose we are part of a group of friends from work who decide to go out to dinner together. “We” includes the owner of the business, the new person in the mailroom, and two of us in between. We choose a nice restaurant and enjoy our meal together. For some reason we cannot get separate checks and are given one large bill. What are some fair ways to pay for this meal — and what are some unfair ways?

Normally what happens is this: each person puts money into the kitty based on what he or she ordered. Often after the check goes around the table it isn’t quite enough because people forget to add in enough money to cover the tip or their second drink or the taxes or something. So the check goes around again while everyone refigures the cost and puts in a little more. So each pays based on what each received.

That is what we ordinarily regard as fair.

Now suppose the bill isn’t itemized and we can’t find out what each person received and therefore what each person owes. People might try to guess, but generally we feel that one fair way is for each to pay the same amount. If we do that, we recognize that people who ordered a more lavish dinner or an extra bottle of wine will be getting more than their fair share, but still the same amount for each person seems close to fair. So each person paying the same amount without regard to any other criterion looks fair to us…

So let’s go back to the arrival of the unitemized bill for the group’s dinner. How should we divide it up fairly? When the check came, the boss could offer to pay for everyone’s dinner. That would be voluntary, private charity. But imagine if, when that happened, the new mail room guy said, “Wow. This is great. I got this fabulous meal for free. I propose we do this every night! How many people are in favor?” Perhaps most of us who received the boss’ charity would vote to make him give it more often, but that would be clearly unfair…

No one would dream that three people should “vote” to make the fourth person pay for them…

The boss would be well within his rights to say, “You guys can do this again if you want, but count me out. I’m not interested in paying for everyone’s meal night after night.” Would it be fair or right to claim that he must do so because it was a “majority vote?”

Interesting to me that fairness is most often viewed within the perspective of the person that defines fairness.

Again, I ask you, What is fair?

Finally, I ask you, Has God treated you fairly?