Sharing God's Love and Grace

The Presbyterian Church, Coshocton, Ohio

Ascension of the Lord

Pastor Karen Crawford

Musicians: Alice Hoover, Caroline Heading and Mark Wagner

Liturgists: Gordon and Kelly Kendall

Prelude: Love’s Redeeming Work Is Done…… Mark Wagner, Piano

Lives again our glorious King; where, O death, is now thy sting?
dying once, he all doth save; where thy victory, O grave?

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven!  Praise to thee by both be given:
thee we greet triumphant now; hail, the Resurrection Thou!

Greeting/Announcements/Prayer Concerns: Pastor Karen

Opening Sentences/Gathering Prayer: Gordon and Kelly Kendall

Clap your hands, all you peoples!

We bow before the Lord— the Most High, who reigns o’er all creation.

Shout to God with songs of joy!

We worship the Christ—the Exalted One, who sits above every ruler and authority.

Sing praises to God, sing praises!

We bless the Spirit—the Hand of God, who lifts us into heavenly courts.

Hymn 143 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name…. Alice Hoover, Organ

All hail the power of Jesus’ name!
Let angels prostrate fall. Let angels prostrate fall. Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown Him, crown him, crown Him, crown Him. And crown Him Lord of all.

Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race ye ransomed from the fall, ye ransomed from the fall,
hail him who saves you by his grace, and crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, and crown Him Lord of all.

Let every kindred, every tribe, on this terrestrial ball, on this terrestrial ball,
to him all majesty ascribe, and crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, and crown Him Lord of all.

Oh, that with yonder sacred throng we at his feet may fall, we at his feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song, and crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, and crown Him Lord of all.

Call to Confession/Prayer/Assurance of Pardon

Holy One, You call us to be your witnesses to the ends of the earth and clothe us with power from on high. Yet we stand still, our eyes fixed on the heavens, as though Jesus will reappear in the clouds to point the way. We cling to the past, for we find comfort in familiar traditions, even if they no longer serve your purposes. We fear the future, for we cannot imagine a new season of ministry, even though you promise to empower us. Refocus us, O Lord, and fill us with expectant hope as we step into the future you will bring. Baptize us again with your Spirit and enlighten our hearts to discern your will, so that we might embody the fullness of Christ at work in the world. Amen.

Time with Children

Anthem: I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me

Prayer for Illumination/Acts 1:1-11: Gordon and Kelly Kendall

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!

Anthem: Jesus Loves Me, Caroline Heading, Piano

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

This is the good news which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved. Thanks be to God. 

Message: Lord, Enlighten Our Hearts, Pastor Karen

Praise Song: Open the Eyes of My Heart, Michael W. Smith

Affirmation of Faith   Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.22

New life in Christ takes shape in a community in which people know that God loves and accepts them in spite of what they are. They therefore accept themselves and love others, knowing that no one has any ground on which to stand, except God’s grace.

Invitation to Offering/Prayer of Thanksgiving/Lord’s Prayer

O God of all glory and majesty, we give you thanks for the gift of your Son, and his power at work in our lives and our gifts. Bless these gifts for the benefits they afford in bringing life to others in your name. Bless our lives that we may be your witnesses to the end of the earth as we love and serve you, O God most high. … Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be thy 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Hymn: Lift High the Cross

Blessing and Charge

Benediction Response: Make Me a Servant

Make me a servant
Humble and meek
Lord let me lift up
Those who are weak
And may the prayer
Of my heart always be
Make me a servant
Make me a servant
Make me a servant today.

Postlude: Crown Him Lord of All…..Alice Hoover, Organ

Meditation on Ephesians 1:15-23 and Acts 1:1-11

 for Ascension Sunday

The Presbyterian Church, Coshocton, Ohio

Pastor Karen Crawford

May 17, 2020

   Hello, dear friends. I have enjoyed recording outside in my backyard today. I am glad, however, that you can’t see how tall my grass is! I will have to get that mowed on Monday, if it isn’t raining. I have had to do several retakes, including one when I got a bug in my hair. I am not going to show you that! And then there was the time a squirrel hung from a branch above me and made a loud screeching sound. Everyone has a critic. I guess he didn’t like my sermon. Or maybe he just thought I was talking to him and he was going to respond.

This was one of the hardest weeks for me since we first started sheltering in place. The most troubling thing that happened this week, bringing the crisis closer to home, was the loss of one of our members to COVID-19. His wife has tested positive for the virus and is struggling with her breathing. We are holding her and the family in our prayers. Then on the same day, another one of our members, the husband of one of our staff, went home to be with the Lord. She and her husband had endured long separations during his illness, when he was hospitalized and staying in nursing care centers during coronavirus restrictions.

      On Thursday, I joined with more than 50 pastors and elders, our general presbyter and synod executive, for a presbytery Zoom video conference to discuss what it will mean for churches when we try to re-open our buildings and restart in-person ministries. Our presbytery is developing a manual of guidelines for churches that will be shared with our Session. These are some of the things we discussed.

      Gatherings will be limited in size, perhaps 50 or fewer. Larger churches will have to have multiple services and people will need to make reservations. Someone will have to stand at the door and check reservations and count how many are entering. Masks would be required and if people didn’t come with masks, churches would have to provide them. Some may be administering temperature checks. Others thought it would be too dangerous.

     In the worship space, families would sit together, but six feet apart from others, with no one sitting in pews in front of and behind another. The name of every person who attends each Sunday would have to be recorded, so that if someone tests positive for the virus later, even weeks later, contact tracing could be done. In between the services, churches would have to be completely emptied and wiped down, with a thorough cleaning of pews, handrails and door handles, bathrooms, lobby, etc. There would be no shared drinks or food. No fellowship meals—not indoors, anyway.

     During the service, there would be big changes. These are the most distressing to me of all. No more passing the peace or passing offering plates or communion trays. Ready-made, packaged and sealed communion cups and bread wafers could be supplied in the pews or bread and juice or wine may be brought from home. We probably wouldn’t have childcare or Sunday school for a while. No gathering of the children for children’s messages. A video clip could possibly be shown on a large screen to the entire congregation, like what I have been doing for virtual worship. But it’s not the same as having the kids coming together, surrounding me, looking into their faces, hearing what they have to say, praying with them. And no more giving out treats.

     I would have to preach with a mask or behind plexiglass. With a mask, my voice would be muffled and you wouldn’t be able to see my expressions. Of course, you all would be wearing masks—so I would look out into a sea of faces without smiles.

      So many questions remain. What would it mean for congregational meetings? Would we have to do these virtually—by Zoom or at outdoor gatherings? Would we vote through the mail or by email? What would it mean for elder and deacon ordinations and installations? What about Baptisms? Would I be permitted to hold someone’s infant or touch the forehead of a child or adult? Would wearing gloves be enough?

     One of the most upsetting things to me that we have learned is that singing is dangerous—both choral and congregational, even while wearing masks. And we are a church that SINGS!! What is worship without singing God’s praise? The pastor from a church in Alliance who led the presbytery’s discussion said his church would not be having choir for a long time-possibly a year.

      And here’s another discouraging thought. No matter what actions we take and precautionary measures are put in place, we won’t be able to guarantee everyone will be safe when we gather in person. This is something that weighs heavily on the Session. What a huge responsibility! Because if we open the church, people will come. The fact is that some people, especially the elderly and those with certain medical conditions, should remain sheltering at home. For this reason, I will continue to offer virtual worship services, after we begin to gather in person, once again.

     Additionally, there are dangers, other than to our physical health, which concern me at this time. I am worried about our emotional and spiritual health. The stress of isolation and the generalized anxiety and tensions of life with the virus is truly taking its toll. People are more fragile than they have been, more vulnerable to depression and overwhelming sadness and feelings of hopelessness. I have heard people say, “I can’t handle this.” Yes, it’s true. None of us alone, in ourselves, can handle this. But we aren’t going to handle this alone. We have one another. And we have the Lord. As Jesus says in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

      His Word is truly a lamp for our feet that will guide us on the right path. He will, when we seek him faithfully in prayer, enlighten the eyes of our heart—give us understanding and clarity when we feel uncertain, fearful, or simply exhausted from dealing with it all.

     Here on Ascension Sunday, these Scriptures are especially encouraging. The reading from Acts highlights the promises of our Risen Christ, still giving instructions by the Holy Spirit to his apostles before he is taken up into heaven and during his ascent. He orders them to stay together—in the Holy City of Jerusalem, for they are still Jewish, after all, and need concrete reminders of their faith. He knows they are stronger together, when they pray and reflect on His Words. And the Spirit is coming, he says! The Spirit that will baptize them with fire and give them immeasurable power for ministry in His name.

      Yet it won’t be ministry like they have ever known. Where will they go? What will they do? How will they live? What will become of them? They must be thinking of all these things as they watch Christ ride away on a cloud out of sight. They can’t stop looking at the sky! In horror? Fear? Awe? Sorrow? Whatever their feelings, they are stuck, not wanting to move on to an uncertain future, without Christ in the flesh walking with them.

      But God doesn’t leave them there—stuck—just like the Lord won’t leave us the way we are today, staring up the sky, wondering and fearing what is next for the church. The Lord sends 2 angels to get them moving. You know there are still angels among us today, right? They just might not be wearing white robes like they were here. The men in white say, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

    This is the promise of Christ’s return! This separation between us and the one whom, the writer of Ephesians tells us, has put all things under his feet and is still in control, is temporary! The separation between Christ’s followers and He who is head over all things for the church, which is HIS body, is only for a time! And though we are separated from Him, listen to this promise—as the Body of Christ, we still have the fullness of him, he who fills all in all.

     The apostles will endure separation not only from Christ but long separations from one another and the churches that they love. How do they persevere through years of ministry and prison sentences, often unable to be together, face to face? Through letters and messages carried by other followers across long distances—and by daily prayer. “I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus,” says the writer of Ephesians, “and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.” And those who pray have faith that prayer can change everything and empower us to do all things God desires for us. When we pray, our connection with God and one another becomes stronger. And with God, nothing is impossible. The apostle writing the letter to the Ephesians prays that “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe…”

    Don’t you need that encouragement right now? That the power of God is with you? And that God is ready to give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation. And as we draw nearer to him in faith, we will come to know him more and the hope to which he has called us.

      There’s something more than this world! We have hope beyond the grave, in something we cannot see! There were witnesses to the empty tomb, witnesses—many convincing proofs of the Risen One. And there were witnesses on that awesome day, when Christ ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father, just as we say in the Apostle’s Creed.

     This isn’t the time to be passive, angry, or despairing as we consider the future of our ministry and how different it will be. Because it will be different. The power of God is going to be with us, however, wherever we are! The power of God will certainly always be with the Church, the Body of Christ, “who is far above all rule and authority and power and dominion!” The victory over sin, sickness and death has already been won for us! The Lord is—listen to this—“above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.”

    If the earliest followers could endure the hardship and separations they did with the power of God with them, then we, too, can endure all things with our God with us.

    We have a glorious inheritance! It’s a gift! Inheritance isn’t earned!

     Keep on loving and forgiving one another. That’s part of love, regarding others’ feelings as more important than your own, having grace for one another. Everyone is going through something hard that we might not know about.

     Keep on praying for one another. Draw nearer to the Lord.

    And may the eyes of our hearts be enlightened—so that we may see the Kingdom with us now!

     May we know the hope to which we have been called, our glorious inheritance among the saints, from the One, the fullness of him who fills, all in all.

Let us pray.

Holy One, we give you thanks for your Son, risen, ascended, and seated at your right hand, coming again, and fully present with us, filling all in all. Thank you for He who has called us and united us as His Body and our glorious inheritance among the saints. This is a gift that we don’t earn. We simply receive by faith. Lord, help us to have grace for one another and live as witnesses to your Kingdom through our loving and peaceful ways. Some of us are feeling very discouraged and perhaps frightened. We are uncomfortable and disappointed with possible changes that may be in store for the church. Help us to be grateful for all that we have, to remember to whom we belong, and to be patient, trust you, and endure faithfully till you come again. We lift up those who are suffering with this terrible virus and other serious illnesses and ask for healing. We ask that you comfort the grieving and those who are separated from loved ones. Make us whole. We ask for protection for healthcare workers and other caregivers. Strengthen them, grant them wisdom and revelation, and bless them. Provide for any people who are struggling in any way, whether it be financial, emotional, physical or spiritual difficulties. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts, dear Lord, so that we know the hope to which we have been called. In His name we pray. Amen.

The Presbyterian Church, Coshocton, Ohio

Pastor Karen Crawford

Ancient writers of the letters in the New Testament in our Bibles didn’t use paper like we use today. That wasn’t available to them. They wrote on papyrus scrolls, made from the papyrus plant.

The writer of the Letter to the Ephesians wrote in Greek on papyrus.

Meditation on Proverbs 31:10-31

Pastor Karen Crawford

The Presbyterian Church, Coshocton, Ohio

May 10, 2020

Happy Mother’s Day, friends!

The rain was relentless on Friday. It wasn’t a nice, gentle drizzle, splashing from the sky. It poured down on the mourners at Memory Gardens huddled under umbrellas around the grave of Johnalee Hebron. It seeped through my black boots and drenched my socks until I could no longer feel my toes, they were so cold.

    But the mourners were truly celebrating the life of someone who gave birth to two sons—but mothered everyone.  They SANG with joy and praise to recorded music at the grave, “His Eye is on the Sparrow” and “Amazing Grace.”

     Children, grandchildren, cousins, and friends stood under, outside, and beyond the flapping canopy and beside parked cars snaking around the cemetery road. I stood by Johnalee’s casket, a little taller than the rest on the raised platform. “The Lord be with you!” I said. And it came louder than I wanted it to be through the wireless microphone the funeral director had given me. This was the first microphone I have ever worn for a graveside funeral. I think the people in Columbus could hear me.

     “I am the resurrection and the life,” I said, quoting John 11:25-26. “Whoever believes in me, though they may die, will live. And whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” And someone yelled, “Amen!”

     I couldn’t stop smiling after that. Though the rain was relentless. And my feet were freezing, that is, when I could feel them at all. Someone read Philippians 4:4-7, “Rejoice in the Lord…and again I say, rejoice” and the joy just kept on building from there.

     I told the story of Johnalee, the girl from Fresno who married the boy from Warsaw, the first man she ever dated. He was too shy to ask her out himself, so he asked her through a friend. They got married in 1953. He got a job with Edmont, who sent him in 1964 to sell coated gloves in the big city of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

     But you could never take the country out of the girl, they said of the one nicknamed Johnny. Her florist father had wanted a boy, hence the name—John-a-lee. She was the kind who knocked on neighbor’s doors to introduce herself and gave elegant dinner parties, with 14 hors d’oeuvre. She was the one who made everything beautiful, said daughter-in- law, Mary. A gift from the Lord.

    She suffered much when her and Louie’s youngest child, Kyle, was born with spina bifida. She suffered more when he died at only 18 months. But she wasn’t the type to sit around and feel sorry for herself. She used her grief to help other sick children, volunteering as a play lady at a hospital in Grand Rapids. She brought a suitcase full of tricks and toys and was so engaging that when it was time for them to go home, the children wanted to stay with Johnny.

     She was the kind of person who transformed an ordinary yard into Candyland for her grandchildren—planting lollipops in the ground and dangling sweets from shrubs and trees. She painted trees and fountains on interior walls and knew how to turn a blah room into fabulous with just a few small changes. She was the kind of woman who turned a child’s tea party into a Mary Poppins-like experience, sewing the girls’ special outfits with matching hats and serving up tiny petit fours. The kind of person who never met a stranger. She loved human beings and all God’s creation. Growing up in her father’s greenhouse business, she could make anything grow. She fed birds and squirrels out of her hand. And, oh, she could make you laugh, without even trying. The funny things that would come out of her mouth and the unpredictable things she might do. You just never knew with Johnny.

    One young woman, who, like the other 10 or so who shared memories at this graveside service, said that she went out to lunch with Johnny on a warm day. Johnny was wearing pantyhose. She was hot. She took off her pantyhose right at the table, rolled them up and plopped them on the waiter’s tray, telling him to take them away and throw them out.

    She was a character, but then, most mothers are. But she was also hardworking, creative, smart, faithful, funny, gentle, generous, and, most of all, loving. Her children and grandchildren and her husband, though the rain poured down and the wind did blow, were all rising up to praise her and call her happy and blessed.

     She was like the woman of Proverbs 31. “A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.”

     Here on Mother’s Day, when we honor women and give thanks for our mothers, I find myself wondering if the person who wrote Proverbs 31 really had one person in mind. I don’t think so. No one could do EVERYTHING this woman did. She was a superhero, this one, if she was. She managed a household and took care of every detail—even spinning the wool and flax into thread before making her family’s clothes. She was also a businesswoman, selling her own fine linens for a profit, considering a field and buying it, and planting a vineyard with her own hands, though she had servants to help her with the work, mind you!

    Is your curiosity stirred when you read how she was able to find food for her household from far away—like the ships of merchants? Where did she go? What exotic foods did they eat? Not just local fare. This was a sophisticated, resourceful woman, a busy, smart woman, never “eating the bread of idleness.” Don’t you love that turn of phrase? She didn’t get much sleep either, if she burned the lamp all night and rose early, while it was still dark.

   Apart from the many things she did, it was her character that the writer emphasized. She was someone who opened her hand to the poor and spoke words of wisdom and kindness. She was strong physically—girding her arms. She was strong emotionally and spiritually, too. She laughed with joy at the thought of tomorrow; this is not a woman who let anxiety and fear rule in her heart.

   What’s also wonderful about this passage is the picture of her relationship with her husband. He trusts her. He knows she would never hurt him. And he praises her! We all need praise and encouragement to be our best selves. The husband is a respected leader in their community. He is, “known in the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land.” Not only does he praise her at home, her good works are praised at these very same city gates, where important information is shared and decisions are made.

    The author of Proverbs 31, who might have been King Solomon himself, holds his key theological statement until verse 30 of his 31-verse poem. I want you to understand that the ideal woman bears much fruit and is able to be a blessing to others, not just because she was a hard worker and tried to be a good person. We all do that, sometimes to the point of exhaustion. The ideal woman is to be praised because of her faith; she fears the Lord, which, according to Proverbs 9:10, “is the beginning of wisdom.”

      Her husband and children call her happy or blessed! She is far more precious than jewels.

     “I can almost see her now,” I said of Johnalee at her graveside service on Friday. I imagined her in God’s beautiful garden, with Jesus and all God’s creatures, planting and arranging flowers and feeding birds and squirrels from her hand. I imagine she is making paradise even more lovely and beautiful, perhaps painting rainbows in the sky, sewing clothes for the lilies of the field, and making hors d’oeuvre for the banquet feast.  No doubt, the woman who sang in the choir at John Knox Presbyterian Church is singing God’s praise for all of her days. She has joined her son, Kyle, in the Great Cloud of Witnesses, now watching over us and cheering us on as we run the race.

      On this day that we honor our mothers, this is my hope for you, my dear sisters in the Lord:

May you feel loved and appreciated not just for all the good things you do, but for WHO you are—a beloved child of God, forgiven, freed, and redeemed! May you be emptied of fear and worry and filled with hope and joy when you think of tomorrow. May you grow in your faith, in the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom. May the Spirit grant you a heart of compassion so that you open your hand to the poor.  May you eat not the bread of idleness, but also be granted peace and rest. You deserve it! May your husband and children rise up to praise you and call you blessed.

     A capable woman, who can find? YOU are far more precious than jewels!  

Let us pray.

Holy One, who is both Mother and Father to all of us, we thank you for creating us for love. Bless our earthly mothers, Lord, and all women. Help us to trust in you and to fear you as the Proverbs 31 woman did, which is the beginning of wisdom. Lord, teach us to appreciate our loved ones more—to rise up and praise them and call them happy and blessed. Comfort and lift up those who are mourning their mothers on this day. Grant the women in our lives peace and rest, for they are busy people, never eating the bread of idleness. Encourage them that they are doing enough. Strengthen our faith so that we, like Solomon’s ideal woman, will be emptied of anxiety about tomorrow and filled with hope and joy—enough to laugh. For you will be there with us, your beloved children—forgiven, freed and redeemed—forevermore. Amen.

  

    

 

The Presbyterian Church, Coshocton, Ohio

Pastor Karen Crawford

Musicians: Caroline Heading and Mark Wagner

Liturgists: Bob and Marialice Mauch and Diane Jones

Prelude: My Faith Has Found a Resting Place, Mark Wagner, Piano

Greeting/Announcements: Pastor Karen

Opening Sentences: Bob and Marialice Mauch

Happy are the people

Who do not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path that they follow, or sit in the seat of people who make fun of others.

Their delight is in the law of the Lord, And they meditate on God’s law day and night.

The Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Gathering Prayer: Marialice Mauch

Hymn: My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

1. My Shepherd will supply my need; Jehovah is His Name; In pastures fresh He makes me feed Beside the living stream. He brings my wand’ring spirit back When I forsake His ways, And leads me, for His mercy’s sake, In paths of truth and grace.
2. When I walk thru the shades of death, Thy presence is my stay; A word of Thy supporting breath Drives all my fears away. Thy hand, in sight of all my foes, Doth still my table spread; My cup with blessings overflows; Thine oil anoints my head.
3. The sure provisions of my God Attend me all my days; O may Thy house be mine abode, And all my work be praise! There would I find a settled rest (While others go and come), No more a stranger or a guest, But like a child at home.

Confession and Pardon: James 3:18, Proverbs 31:30

God of wisdom, forgive our foolishness. We desire what we do not need and corrupt our relationships with envy. You urge us to gentleness, but we stir up conflict. Give us your grace that we may harvest righteousness and peace, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Teacher, we pray. Amen.  

Time with Children and Youth

Song for Children and Youth: Every Move I Make

Prayer for Illumination and James 3:13-18, 4:7-8a: Diane Jones

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!

Anthem: Like a River in My Soul

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-31: Pastor Karen

Holy wisdom, holy word. Thanks be to God!

Message: More Precious Than Jewels

Hymn: My Life Is In Your Hands, Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Invitation to the Offering and Prayer of Thanksgiving

O Lord, we thank you for the wealth you shower on us daily and we witness the marvelous goodness that comes from you. Transform our gifts into signs of welcome for all who are touched by their use. Transform us into people who bless others throughout each day, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Hymn: The Lord’s Prayer, Andrea Bocelli, Soloist

Charge/Benediction

Postlude: For the Beauty of the Earth Caroline Heading, Piano

Choral Response: God Be With You Till We Meet Again, Mormon Tabernacle Choir

In Memory of Lois Forsythe

June 20, 1931-May 5, 2020

It makes sense to me that a godly woman like Lois, who was passionate about youth ministry, would ask for 1 Corinthians 13 to be read at her funeral. If you are going to do youth ministry, you have to understand love. It isn’t just the romantic feeling that young people want to believe it is. Everyone wants to fall in love! But that isn’t the kind of love Paul talks about in this letter to a church struggling with egos, divisions, and disagreements and definitely not demonstrating our oneness in Christ’s Body.

       A youth group leader has to model the kind of love that God showed for us through His Son, Jesus Christ. This is a self-giving love. A patient love. A love that endures, even if it is not returned to the giver. A love that is quick to forgive and does not hold grudges.

     I think of all the time that Lois and her husband, Richard, gave to youth ministry and youth Sunday school at The Presbyterian Church—decades! That’s amazing. Love takes time. Most people aren’t willing to give that kind of time as volunteers in a church these days, especially to minister to youth, when they have their own jobs and families. But if you don’t have time to be with young people, then you aren’t going to be able to show them the kind of love that they desperately need. They are looking for acceptance and guidance. They are needing encouragement, equipping, shaping, and molding of their character, gently, affectionately over time—like our Potter does with us, His beloved clay.

       I was having lunch one January day with Susie Stout, a former youth group member from Lois and her husband, Richard’s tenure. And what did we end up talking about the most? Youth ministry. Susie is a former public school teacher who serves as a leader for children and youth at Roscoe United Methodist Church. I invited her to visit my confirmation class and share her faith, and she immediately said yes. She came and presented the gospel with a magic trick. She had us spellbound. But the other thing that came of our lunch together, Susie and I, is that we talked about Lois. She and her sisters called Lois and Richard “Mr. and Mrs. For.” I invited Susie to come with me to bring home communion to Lois on a later date. She did, and it was a wonderful visit. What did we end up talking about? All the fabulous things Susie and the youth did with Mr. and Mrs. Forsythe. Oh, and a little about their families, dogs, and swimming. As Susie and Lois talked, I considered the effect that Lois must have had on Susie’s Christian formation and vocation–the impact of one life on another.

      Susie says, “My sisters and I have very fond memories of our youth group under their direction. We had lock-ins and fundraisers. We went to Camp Wakonda for retreats. We had a concession stand on the square during Canal Days and served our famous Presby Coneys. We had a skate-a-thon and skated around the square, through the drive-thru at McDonalds and all over the church. We would bake hot cross buns and bunny cakes at an Easter Eve all-nighter. We took orders from the congregation. We had swimming parties and bowling parties…”  Also, “Lois loved her dogs,” Susie says, “and my sisters and I would take care of one of them sometimes when they had to go away… And they would also just let us come over and swim. This wasn’t really youth group related. They were just so kind. This was at their other house, not the current pool. We also painted the pictures on the walls in the “Crib Room” (at church). I’m not sure if they are still there or not.” They are, though the Crib Room has been empty for years. “They just made us feel like it was our church,” Susie says, “and we were very much at home there.” 

    Then I reached out to Leslie Griley, who also grew up in our church. Leslie says, “When I think about Mr. & Mrs. Forsythe, two things come to mind immediately. First- The Presbyterian Youth Group! They were the absolute best youth group leaders a teenager could ever hope for! They arranged countless activities and trips for us. Sleepovers at the church, picking strawberries at PBF Strawberry farm for our Strawberry Festival, roller skating parties, hosting luncheons after worship on Sundays, Camp Wakonda for a weekend retreat every fall. With everything they did, they put their all into it. Always patient and loving with us. Our youth group was like an extended family and Mr and Mrs. Forsythe were our church parents. They loved us and it showed with every word they spoke to us and we loved them. They genuinely cared for us as though each of us were their own children. Not one time, that I can recall, did they ever lose patience with us. I do recall one year Mrs. Forsythe told us that we’d be participating in Youth Sunday and what we would be doing was like a play. (With lines that were to be memorized) Apparently, we must’ve had dumbfounded looks on our faces because she then said- ALL of you have popular songs memorized. Think of the lines like those popular songs. Youth Sunday was exceptional (that year)!

“The 2nd thing that comes to mind – The Presby Coney Sauce!!!!!! During Canal Days each year, our Youth Group would have a food stand. One of the items sold was the Presby Coney Dogs. Mr and Mrs Forsythe made the best coney sauce! To this day, it is still the best I have ever had! Nothing compares to it. One year, my dad offered to help Mrs. Forsythe make the coney sauce. She agreed. Throughout the day, Mrs. Forsythe would stop by the house to check how things were going. When all was said and done, Dad nailed it!  My dad was an excellent cook and I think Mrs. Forsythe stopped by to make sure it was going smoothly. Tim, Shari, David, and John,” Leslie says, “thank you for sharing your parents with us. Your parents created some of the best childhood memories a girl could ask for. Your parents created experiences for me that I hold dear in my heart. I feel so very lucky to have grown up in a church with your parents as mentors. Not only do I feel lucky, I also feel very blessed. Both of your parents are shining stars in the heavens and I’m grateful that God placed them in my life from grade school until I graduated. I’m so truly sorry for your loss and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time. But, you can be rest assured, your parents were an extremely important and positive part of my life. I loved them so very much! I believe that God works in mysterious ways.

   “Last week, Chad Emerson (he was a member of the church many moons ago) and I were talking about Mrs. Forsythe!!!! Mr. and Mrs. Forsythe were simply the BEST. They mattered in more ways than anyone could ever express.”

    Another member of the youth group directed by Lois and Richard was Tom Lang. He says, “I’m sorry to hear that Lois passed; she touched so many youths’ lives in so many positive ways. I certainly looked up to her, and Richard, her husband, as loving,  caring, fun people who had strong faith. I could count on Lois to answer questions I had about faith, God and Christ. She had so much love to give all of her ‘kids,’ and we all loved her back. I also remember her sweet singing voice, so beautiful to hear. The first thing that came to mind when I saw her name in your message was her ‘huggability’. She loved hugging and being hugged and her hugs were genuine, and always full of love. I know many will miss her.”

       These words that Paul gave us in 1 Cor. 13 rarely describe human love, but they always describe the perfect, unconditional love of God for us. Our challenge is to reveal it, with God’s help, to our broken world. It’s a love that is embodied and shown through one’s life over time—and remembered through a person’s character and through word and deed, as in the case of Lois, who is with her loving Lord, experiencing fullness of joy.

    I pray that in your hearing of the words of the Apostle Paul to struggling Christians in every age, you will be inspired to keep on trying to reveal the love of God in your own life, with God’s help. I hope you will remember the impact that you may have on others, like Lois did on Susie, Leslie, Chad, and Tom, who shared memories from almost 40 years ago.

“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;  it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”

Amen.

Meditation on Psalm 23

The Presbyterian Church, Coshocton, Ohio

Pastor Karen Crawford

May 3, 2020

Jim bought me a lawnmower last week because I wanted to mow grass. I actually missed mowing grass! I haven’t mowed grass since I accepted my first call to ministry in Minnesota in 2011. We lived in a manse right next to the church, back then. We didn’t bring our lawnmower because the church, which had a large piece of property that included a cemetery on a big hill, paid someone to maintain the grounds, including the yard of the manse. That was great! Especially when I read in the old Session minute books that some of the pastors before me were required to mow the grass, not just around the manse, but also around the church and cemetery on the hill. It was in their job description! I figured I got off pretty easy not having to mow grass OR shovel snow. This was Minnesota, after all. Then we moved to Florida in 2015 and bought a house with a postage-stamp sized yard. WE didn’t have any snow to shovel and didn’t have a lawnmower. Since it didn’t cost much to pay someone to tend our tiny lawn, we decided not to mow the grass ourselves.

    Now, being home these 6 or 7 weeks, I have had plenty of time to watch the grass, dandelions, and clover grow—and my neighbors mowing their lawns. So I decided, I should do it, too. No excuses.

    Before I was allowed to begin mowing, Jim brought me the manual and put it in my hands. He did the same thing when he bought me a hedge trimmer a couple of years ago. I expected a test on the manual, so I studied accordingly. But when the time came to mow the grass in between the raindrops this week, I asked Jim for a tutorial, a demonstration, before I began, just to make sure I knew what I was doing. He showed me how to adjust the blade height and the speed of the wheels. How to take out the battery and plug it in for charging, how to remove the grass catcher and empty it when it got full. How to turn it on with the safety switch and, just as importantly, how to turn it off by letting go of the handle. I was ready.

     Then I started mowing, with Jim watching, until he was sure I wasn’t going to get into too much trouble.

     As I mowed, I hummed joyfully to myself. With the birds singing all around me in the trees, I thought of the Great Cloud of Witnesses in Hebrews who have already run the race before me and are cheering me on. I took to heart what I had read in the manual—how you shouldn’t mow up and down hills and how you should plan out your mowing around obstacles. And how you shouldn’t back up with this self-propelled mower, lest you injure yourself.

     Nowhere in the manual does it tell you how to mow without backing up or how to turn the mower around when you get to an end of a sweep. That took some practice! And it sounds great to not mow up and down a hill, but if you have ever seen our yard, you can imagine how hard it is to avoid mowing up and down a hill, no matter what direction you go. The thing is, you have to keep adjusting the speed of the mower or you end up running behind the machine while it lunges down a hill, without you. And nothing told me how to mow under low hanging tree branches without poking my eye out. I had to figure that one out on my own. I was just glad that I was wearing my glasses that day.

     Throughout my adventure, I only had a few minor mishaps, including mowing over a large decorative rock near our driveway that had no business being there, anyway! Well, it didn’t!

      Afterward, I was tired and sweaty, but the yard looked a whole lot better. I felt like I had accomplished something. Best of all, for that hour or two, I didn’t think about any problems or worry about anything. I just concentrated on mowing the lawn, doing the one job I had to do that day, with some help from Jim and the Good Shepherd and His angels that were surely with me.

      Later on, as I looked out at the fruits of my labor and felt peace and contentment, I thought of how the Lord provides for all our needs—not just food, water, clothing and shelter, but encouragement, worthy work and opportunities for service. We need these to feed the heart, mind and soul.

     With the Lord, my Shepherd, I lack nothing. I am free from want, including that destructive desire that keeps us dissatisfied and accumulating more and more. Aren’t we finding out through this pandemic that we really don’t need as much as we thought we needed to be happy?

      My cup runneth over with blessings. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all of my days, dwelling in the house of the Lord forever.

***

      Psalm 23, attributed to David, is often read at funerals, but don’t mistake it for being about death. It is about the abundant life that God has given us, the Shepherd who is always with us. This beautiful song of ancient Israel is in stark contrast to the psalm that immediately precedes it—22, which begins with the lament, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

    This is the rhythm of the life of believers—sometimes lament, crying out to our Shepherd for help, comfort and protection during trials and pain. But then lament turns to praise in Psalm 22 and 23 for God’s faithfulness, because God is always faithful. He hears our cries and responds with steadfast love.

      I have seen posts on Facebook from people longing for the simple life that we had before coronavirus. I agree that I, too, long for the good old days, especially because we were together all the time without worrying about spreading a deadly illness. But I remember that we didn’t think our lives were simple then! We worried all the time, when life was GOOD. We tried to do too much and made it complicated. Then, we fretted about all our commitments and responsibilities.

     Do you want a simpler life? It’s not far from our grasp. For an example, we may consider the life of sheep during the time of David, thousands of years before Jesus would say, “I am the Good Shepherd” and “My sheep hear my voice, I call them by name and lead them out and they follow me.” David knew all about tending sheep; before he was king, he was a shepherd in his youth. Young women and girls, such as Rachel in the time of the patriarchs, also worked as shepherds.

     So what are the needs of sheep in biblical times? They need food, water and rest, just like we do. The shepherd has to go ahead of them and lead them to green pastures and beside still waters, so that they may eat and drink. The shepherd has to make the sheep lie down to rest, because like us, they don’t always know what’s good for them and that they need sleep.

    The sheep also need to know to whom they belong and whom they can trust. The Shepherd gave each one a name and called them by it. Our Shepherd knows us by name, too, and assures us that we will hear his voice and follow him. That’s a promise!

     Another need that we share with sheep are the many dangers in our world. Sheep need protection, direction, and tender care when they are hurt, sick or afraid. Shepherds used a slingshot, rod and staff to keep the sheep from falling into pits, getting caught in branches or fences, going over cliffs, wandering off and getting lost, being stolen by thieves or eaten by wild animals. A sheep that was too tired or sick to walk would be carried on the Shepherd’s strong shoulders, like in the poem Footprints, when we are too weary to go on and our Lord carries us.

     Finally, the sheep have another important need—they need each other. They need affection and companionship, like we do. They are social creatures. They instinctively flock together. When one begins to walk off, others will follow.

    The Lord knows that we need our Shepherd and that we need our fellow sheep, particularly now, while we are separated in our homes. The Spirit continues to draw us together for comfort, help and healing, encouragement and friendship, and for worship. Our Shepherd uses His Word and Spirit to direct, protect, discipline and empower us.

God wants us to flourish, and offers us abundant life through His Son. But abundance doesn’t mean more. It may mean a more simple, less hectic life than we were living before we ever heard of COVID-19. Have you thought about some things you might want to change in your life when things are more “normal” again? This would be a good time to think and pray about it and talk about it with loved ones. I hope I will spend more time at home with my family than I did before. And I hope I will have more time to work in the yard, something I have always enjoyed—planting flowers, spreading mulch, weeding and watering. And yes, mowing grass.

    Our Shepherd will continue to provide opportunities for worthy work, loving service, and spiritual growth, if we open ourselves to them. God knows we need work, service and spiritual nourishment for our well-being. I have seen some of your good deeds, so I know you are already loving and serving your neighbors.

     We don’t have to wonder what we should be doing right now. I hear people say how bored they are! Well, if you feel bored, it isn’t because there isn’t work we can be doing for others or simply taking time for self-care and rest with God. For there’s so much to do when you are following the lead of the Good Shepherd. The Lord requires the same thing of us every day, whether we are retired or going to a job, school, or church or staying close to home. As Micah 6:8 says, the Lord requires us “to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God.”

    Our Shepherd will supply all our need-emotional, physical and spiritual. We truly lack nothing. Free from want, our cups runneth over with blessing.

    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives, dwelling in the house of the Lord forever.

Let us pray.

Thank you, Good Shepherd, for your call to us to follow your lead and do your will. Thank you that we are your sheep and you know our names—and more about us than we understand about ourselves.  Teach us to trust in you and listen only for your voice. Help us to obey your commands to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you each day, embracing the worthy work and opportunities for spiritual growth and service that you present to us. Give us courage, strength, wisdom, patience, gentleness, endurance, creativity, joy and peace for these times, without longing for the “good old days” when we made things more complicated and stressful than they needed to be and didn’t always recognize your presence with us. Open our eyes to the changes you want us to make so that your goodness and mercy will surely follow us all the day of our lives. Make us to be more like you and dwell in your house, forever. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The Presbyterian Church, Coshocton, Ohio

Prelude: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring Caroline Heading, Piano

Greeting/Announcements: Pastor Karen

Opening Sentences and Gathering Prayer: Matt Downing and Helen Wright

The Shepherd calls us by name and leads us to abundant life.

We hear your voice and hasten to follow.  

The Shepherd prepares a table and lavishly pours out grace.

We hear your invitation and take our place at the feast.

The Shepherd gathers us in and welcomes us to the house of the Lord.

We hear your call and give you praise. 

Hymn: The King of Love My Shepherd Is

The King of Love my Shepherd is whose goodness faileth never. I nothing lack if I am His and He is mine forever.

Where streams of living water flow My ransomed soul He leadeth, And, where the verdant pastures grow, With food celestial feedeth.

And so through all the length of day Thy goodness faileth never; Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise Within Thy house forever.

Confession and Pardon: Pastor Karen

We have gone astray, O Shepherd. You call us to follow, and we hear your voice. Yet, we choose to heed other voices—voices that promise status and comfort and a carefree life. But such promises are empty, and that life does not satisfy. Call to us again, O Shepherd. Summon us onto right paths to pursue justice in your name, to seek after the well-being of all. Lead us to the table you prepare for us—where rivals share both bread and blessings and discover there is enough for all. Amen.

Hymn: Heal Our Land by Jamie Rivera

If my people will humble themselves
Humble themselves and pray
If they seek my face and humble themselves
And turn from their wicked ways
I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins
I will hear from heaven and heal their land

Lord, heal our land
Father, heal our land
Hear our cry and turn our nation back to You
Lord, heal our land
Hear us oh, Lord, and heal our land
Forgive our sin and heal our broken land

Lord, we bow our knee, we humble ourselves
Humble ourselves and pray
Lord, we seek your face and humble ourselves
And turn from my wicked ways

Father in Your mercy, forgive our sins
Father in Your mercy, come heal our land

Lord, heal our land
Father, heal our land
Hear our cry and turn our nation back to You
Lord, heal our land
Hear us oh,…

Time with Children

Prayer for Illumination and 1 Peter 2:19-25: Erin Jobes

This is the good news which we have received, in which we stand, and by which we are saved. Thanks be to God. 

Scripture: John 10:1-10: Matt Downing

This is the gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Hymn: Psalm 23: The Lord Is My Shepherd by Keith Green

The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside the still waters. He restore’th my soul. And guides my path in righteousness For His name’s sake.

Surely goodness and loving kindness Shall follow me all the days of my life.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever and ever and ever.

Though I walk through the valley Of the shadow of death,
I will not fear, Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.
Thou prepar’est a table Before me in the presence of my enemies.

Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup’s overflowing. Surely goodness and lovingkindness Shall follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever and ever and ever.

The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want.

Message: Free from Want Pastor Karen

Hymn: Shepherd Me, O God by Marty Haugen

Refrain:
Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.

God is my shepherd, so nothing shall I want, I rest in the meadows of faithfulness and love,
I walk by the quiet waters of peace. [Refrain]

Gently you raise me and heal my weary soul, you lead me by pathways of righteousness and truth, my spirit shall sing the music of your name. [Refrain]

Though I should wander the valley of death, I fear no evil, for you are at my side,
your rod and your staff, my comfort and my hope. [Refrain]

You have set me a banquet of love in the face of hatred, crowning me with love beyond my power to hold. [Refrain]

Surely your kindness and mercy follow me all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of my God forevermore. [Refrain]

Affirmation of Faith Adapted from the Confession of 1967: Helen Wright

Let us say what we believe.

New life in Christ takes shape in a community in which people know that God loves and accepts them in spite of what they are. They therefore accept themselves and love others, knowing that no one has any ground on which to stand, except God’s grace.

Invitation to the Table and Great Thanksgiving Prayer

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, O Lord our God: You are our shepherd, O Lord, and in you there is nothing we lack. ….. And we continue our prayer as Jesus taught us…

Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art from heaven hallowed be thy 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Breaking the Bread

Communion of the People

Prayer after Communion

Charge and Benediction

Postlude: Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us Mark Wagner, Piano