Sunday Coming, October 6th

Sunday’s Coming . . .
October 6, 2005
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Edwardsville, Illinois
Rev. James R. Brooks, Lead Minister

“When the people realized that Moses was taking forever in coming down off the mountain, they rallied around Aaron and said, "Do something. Make gods for us who will lead us. That Moses, the man who got us out of Egypt--who knows what's happened to him?" (Exodus 32:1 from The Message)

There is a movement in Edwardsville (where I live) to make our downtown a historic landmark with a national registry. I do not know much about this effort. I do know that we have some interesting architecture. We are the 3rd oldest town in Illinois. We have buildings dating into the 1800s. I love history.

So I love to look at a building, especially a building that has some history to it, and imagine what it was like back in the day. I remember being in Boston and walking the wood planked floors where some of the great minds of our founding ancestors walked. I would pause and let my eye examine every nook and cranny wondering what Franklin, or Madison, or Jefferson or the others were doing on this or that spot.

There is something about a building that comforts and inspires us. Think of the photos you saw of the area affected by Hurricane Katrina and Rita – buildings that survived or not. Oh there are people who suffer – the human-interest story – but we all want to know if that building made it because deep inside we wonder if our shelter would survive. We are depending upon our shelter to protect us from the elements – so we stay glued to Headline News so we can compare our shelter to the other shelters.

The people of God were traveling from captivity to the Promised Land. Moses, their leader, was up on the mountain with God for a long time. The people grew restless, maybe even worried. So they asked for a shelter to protect them. They made a golden calf and called it “god.” They sacrificed stuff to it. Having a completed “thing” that was concrete and visible to worship was comforting.

Sunday in worship we will deal with that. Today, I am reminded of something related….
Spin your outlook from “us looking at creation” to “God creating us”

“Sculpture is considered the finest art form because it mimics divine creation: The sculptural image is found within the block of stone much as the human soul is found within the physical body.”
(http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/cultureshock/flashpoints/visualarts/david_a.html)

The above quote is from an article about the statue of David by Michelangelo.

Is the statue of David by Michelangelo more beautiful in its completed stage or when it is the block of marble?

What is so beautiful about creation? Is creation beautiful because it is a “finished product” or because of its potential for yet even greater beauty?

I love landscape projects more than “house” projects because landscape projects are ever full of potential for more beauty. Plant an annual and it is gone with winter. Plant a perennial and its beauty changes over the years – like the lilac sprouts my Mamaw gave me or the old fashion rose that has been passed down in my family from my great – great – great father’s childhood homestead.

So who are you? Are you a finished project or a part of God’s creation with potential yet discovered? What is more beautiful about you? The finished bits or the yet to be developed bits?

Sunday is on the way – lets go to God (rather than the calf) for a sign…

So – I’ll see you … Because – Sunday’s Coming . . .

Kids Respond to Hurricanes
Want to help your child(ren) respond to the recent hurricanes? We are still accepting boxes to be sent to the affect areas. If your child brings a box this Sunday (10/9/05) we will get to those who suffer form the hurricanes. Here is a link to the sheet that lists the items needed….
http://www.discipleshomemissions.org/PDF/KtoK/KidsToKidsKatrina.pdf

Yoga on Thursdays
Paula Beals is leading a yoga group on Thursdays at 7:00pm and you are invited. They are meeting on the lower level of First Christian Church in Edwardsville, IL.

Polar Star: Christian Unity
Taught by Rev. James Brooks
Why are there so many different churches? Did you know that one of the Disciple founders actually signed a “Last Will and Testament” declaring some churches dissolved into the universal church? A six week study of the roots of Christian Unity in our Disciples’ tradition. Participants will be introduced to a bit of history, to some themes that unite and divide, and our current efforts toward Christian unity. This course will be offered twice weekly to accommodate as many as possible. This course will be held on Thursday of October 6, 13, 20, 27 and November 3, 10. The same material will be covered at a 12:00pm brown bag lunch and again at 7:00pm, with each session lasting approximately one hour. For more information: 618-656-7498 or jrbrooks@fccedwardsville.org

Thursday Childcare – need it? Let me know.

Advent Study: The Art of Preparation
Lead by Rev. James Brooks
How do we prepare for an event as awesome as Christmas? This four week study will not be a lecture. There will be projects, explorations, and discovers. Rev. Brooks will serve as guide while participants prepare for Christmas through a multi-sensory approach. This study will meet on Thursdays (December 1, 8, 15, 22) at 12:00pm and again with the same material at 7:00pm with each session lasting approximately one hour. There is a limit of 12 participants per session with registration required. If necessary, additional sessions will be added. For more information & registration: 618-656-7498 or jrbrooks@fccedwardsville.org

Youth Group Lock-In
Starts at 7:00pm on Friday, October 21st
Ends at 10:30am on Saturday, October 22nd
Questions? Contact Deanna White (ddwhyte77@yahoo.com or 314-918-2790)

Boomer Event
Friday, October 21st @ 7:00pm
Questions? Contact Joanne and Rich Kelley – 288-4909


Remember, Sunday’s Coming . . . looking forward to worshiping with you!

Sharing the Faith,


Rev. James R. Brooks, Lead Minister

(Feel free to forward “Sunday’s Coming . . .” to those you believe would enjoy it. If this message was forwarded to you and you wish to receive it as part of the list, please send a note to jrbrooks@fccedwardsville.org. If you wish to be deleted from the list, please send a note to jrbrooks@fccedwardsville.org. “Sunday’s Coming . . .” is a communication to more than 225 members and friends of First Christian Church in Edwardsville, IL.)

Sunday Coming, September 30th

Sunday’s Coming . . .
September 30, 2005
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Edwardsville, Illinois
Rev. James R. Brooks, Lead Minister

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
(Philippians 4:6-7 from The Message)

Remember Archie Bunker (All In The Family)? Was he a grouch or what? Funny to watch, but could you live with him?
Remember Al Bundy (Married With Children)? How about that favorite - Homer Simpson (The Simpsons)?
What shaped those men? I’m talking about their pudgy middles? If we wanted to talk body type, we would contrast these three men to sports figures like Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong and Ben Roethlisberger (go Steelers).
Instead, contrast our three fictional characters to the author of today’s Bible verses. Here are three quick lessons I learn from Paul and this verse…
1. Being shaped is a community experience. We do not live in a vacuum. Paul is writing this letter to brothers and sisters of faith (a Christian community). Paul’s faith journey (life-long shaping experience) was shared with Christian community. Our community / culture is going to shape us, one way or another. The community you choose will shape you.
2. Being shaped is a continuim from total make over to laying a one brick at a time. Paul was completely remain on the Damscus road when God confronting Paul – changed Paul from being one who persecuted the church to one who lead the church. From to worry to praise is total makeover. And – Paul is encouraging us to do it daily, one brick at a time, one prayer at a time.
3. Being shaped is best done by God. There are days like today when the sky is blue and the sun bright and it is easy to praise God. When the clouds are dark and the day is bleak, who has the power to shape us well – to handle crisis, or doubt, or worry?

I like what Paul write in these verses because it is more than “Don’t worry be happy.” Paul acknowledges that we do have real worries. Paul provides a real response to our very real need.

How about going to church this Sunday and getting shaped?

So – I’ll see you … Because – Sunday’s Coming . . .

Yoga on Thursdays
Paula Beals is leading a yoga group on Thursdays at 7:00pm and you are invited. They are meeting on the lower level of First Christian Church in Edwardsville, IL.

Polar Star: Christian Unity
Taught by Rev. James Brooks
Why are there so many different churches? Did you know that one of the Disciple founders actually signed a “Last Will and Testament” declaring some churches dissolved into the universal church? A six week study of the roots of Christian Unity in our Disciples’ tradition. Participants will be introduced to a bit of history, to some themes that unite and divide, and our current efforts toward Christian unity. This course will be offered twice weekly to accommodate as many as possible. This course will be held on Thursday of October 6, 13, 20, 27 and November 3, 10. The same material will be covered at a 12:00pm brown bag lunch and again at 7:00pm, with each session lasting approximately one hour. For more information: 618-656-7498 or jrbrooks@fccedwardsville.org


Advent Study: The Art of Preparation
Lead by Rev. James Brooks
How do we prepare for an event as awesome as Christmas? This four week study will not be a lecture. There will be projects, explorations, and discovers. Rev. Brooks will serve as guide while participants prepare for Christmas through a multi-sensory approach. This study will meet on Thursdays (December 1, 8, 15, 22) at 12:00pm and again with the same material at 7:00pm with each session lasting approximately one hour. There is a limit of 12 participants per session with registration required. If necessary, additional sessions will be added. For more information & registration: 618-656-7498 or jrbrooks@fccedwardsville.org

Youth Group Lock-In
Starts at 7:00pm on Friday, October 21st
Ends at 10:30am on Saturday, October 22nd
Questions? Contact Deanna White (ddwhyte77@yahoo.com or 314-918-2790)

Boomer Event
Friday, October 28th @ 7:00pm
Questions? Contact Joanne and Rich Kelley – 288-4909


Remember, Sunday’s Coming . . . looking forward to worshiping with you!

Sharing the Faith,


Rev. James R. Brooks, Lead Minister

(Feel free to forward “Sunday’s Coming . . .” to those you believe would enjoy it. If this message was forwarded to you and you wish to receive it as part of the list, please send a note to jrbrooks@fccedwardsville.org. If you wish to be deleted from the list, please send a note to jrbrooks@fccedwardsville.org. “Sunday’s Coming . . .” is a communication to more than 225 members and friends of First Christian Church in Edwardsville, IL.)