iHOPE

The 8th Deadly Sin

  What should be the 8th Deadly Sin?

  We are in the middle of our series on the Seven Deadly Sins (and their redemptive virtues).  The sins that made The List are:

• Pride
• Anger
• Gluttony
• Sloth
• Lust
• Greed
• Envy

  As I mentioned in our last newsletter, I will be taking nominations for the "8th Deadly Sin"- the sin that didn't make it on The List, but we think should.

  I have already received several nominations:

• Waste
• Indifference
• Rudeness
• Hurry

  So what is your nomination?  You can respond with a 'comment'(immediately below this post), or email your nomination to me.  Nominations have to be received by July 22.  The 'winner' will be revealed on August 5.

A Church for Others

  Dietrich Bonhoeffer was one of the most influential theologians of the 20th Century.  He had the uncanny ability to think about God on a grand scale AND follow those thoughts with his actions. He never played it safe and ended up in prison for being associated with an attempt to kill Hitler. While in prison he was able to get out a series of letters before he was executed the day before Germany was liberated.  Here is a sample of his thoughts concerning the church:

"The church is the church only when it exists for others...the church must share in the secular problems of ordinary human life, not dominating, but helping and serving.  It must tell people of every calling what it means to live in Christ, to exist for others." (from Letters and Papers from Prison, p.382)

  I've been thinking about that passage this past week.  At our Annual Congregational meeting we look back on what we have done and look ahead to what we might yet do.  There will always be different opinions about 'what to do' or 'how to do it', but we will be at our best when we agree on 'why' we do whatever we end up doing: "to live in Christ, to exist for others"

Paul Neshwange

  Last Sunday (6/24) I mentioned Paul in the sermon.  He is one of the two featured in the GQ article, The Other Side of Hate.  He has been to New Hope in the past and recently preached at our Presbytery Assembly.  I count him as a friend and a brother.

  We received news this week that Paul and his family were in a serious auto accident over the weekend.  Paul, Lydia  and their four children were in a car recently bought for them by their congregation.  An oncoming vehicle apparently lost a tire and crossed over towards them.  In avoiding the other vehicle, the car rolled over several times.  Paul and a couple of the kids were the most seriously hurt and had to be taken to the hospital. Everyone is now home and recovering, Paul's injuries being the most serious.

  Prayers for Paul, Lydia, Melusi, TC, Elizabeth and Hermidah- as well as for the Chinhoyi congregation would be greatly appreciated.

Vacation Bible School: Avalanche Ranch

  If you were here Sunday, you saw the sanctuary set up for Vacation Bible School.  This year is a Western theme and all the action takes place at "Avalanche Ranch".

  If you were here yesterday or today, you know that 'Avalanche' is the right name.  This year's Vacation Bible School has 197 kids registered.  That is our biggest single week ever. From 9:00-12:00, this place practically shakes with energy. 

  Fortunately, the great turnout of kids is matched with a great turnout of volunteers- over 70 of them!

  Even if you don't get to stop by during VBS, you can still get a taste of it.  On Sunday, (July 1), we will be treated to some of the VBS music as part of Discovery Time at 9:00 & 10:30.

Quotables: On Anger

Here is the text of one of my favorite quotes on anger from the sermon (6/24):

Of the Seven Deadly Sins, anger is possibly the most fun. To lick your wounds, to smack your lips over grievances long past, to roll over your tongue the prospect of bitter confrontations still to come, to savor the last toothsome morsel both the pain you are given and the pain you are giving back- in many ways it is a feast for a king. The chief drawback is that what you are wolfing down is yourself. The skeleton at the feast is you.

Wishful Thinking by Frederick Buechner

The Other Side of Hate

The article I mentioned in the sermon (6/24) is a reprint from the July, 2006 issue of GQ.  It is titled, The Other Side of Hate, written by Andrew Corsello.  Its an amazing story of how anger and hate were transformed by Christ.  For those of us who have met Paul Neshangwe (he has visited New Hope and preached at the May 2007 Presbytery Assembly), it is even more powerful. It is long (about 10 pages), but worth the time.

  You can download the article here.

Download othersideofhate_gq_article_0607.pdf

Elders & Deacons

What's the difference between Elders & Deacons in our church?

  As a Presbyterian Church, New Hope is governed and led by its officers- Elders and Deacons.

  We are governed by Elders.  In the Bible, they are called 'presbyters', which is where we get our name; a church governed by presbyters. We have 12 Elders who serve collectively as the 'Session'.  Each Elder is elected by the congregation for a three-year term.  Each year, one third (4) of the Elders are voted on to Session even as one third cycle off. Once a person is ordained as an Elder (or Deacon), they maintain that title for life, although there term on Session is limited to three years (with the option of serving two terms- 6 years, before cycling off).  Most everyone who serves on Session will tell you this is a good thing.

  The Session is responsible for every aspect of the congregation's life and health.  The role of the minister is actually quite limited in our church.  Other than having the final authority on things like sermon topics, scriptures and hymns, the minister in a Presbyterian Church doesn't get to decide much on his/her own.  They are part of the Session and get voice and vote like every other Elder.  Most ministers and Elders will tell you this too, is a very good thing!

  What we call Elders, some churches call Deacons.  The terminology is different, but many of the functions are similar.

  In or church, the Deacons lead the congregation in its ministries of compassion and mercy.  Their job is to direct our attention and resources to care for those who are in immediate need. Like Elders, Deacons are elected to three year terms.  The Board of Deacons consists of 15 Deacons.

Annual Congregational Meeting- Why bother?

  This Sunday evening is our Annual Called Congregational Meeting.  Since most people don't come to New Hope because of its style of government (Presbyterian), a lot of people don't want to bother with things like a 'Called Congregational Meeting'- especially on a great Sunday evening.  So, why bother?

  Here are a few reasons:

1. While most people don't come to New Hope because it is a Presbyterian  church, we are still shaped and governed by Presbyterian principles. Its part of who we are and how we make decisions.  We aren't a church run by pastors or staff.  The congregation has an important role to play in making us who we are.
2. Beyond the official business, this meeting will also give us a good glimpse of our future.  We will have the clearest picture yet of the building plans and finances.
3. There is also time for feedback on where we are going with worship.  An earlier survey turned up some interesting answers and we'll have a chance to give further feedback.
4. Ice Cream

  See you Sunday at 6:30.

Quotables: On Pride

Here are a few quotes on Pride that didn't make the final cut- but are worth knowing.

From C.S. Lewis:

A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you can't see something above you.

From Dorothy Sayers:

The devlish strategy of Pride is that it attacks us, not at our weakest points, but at our strongest. It is preeminently the sin of the noble mind.

From Mac Davis (I butchered this in a couple of the services.  Here is how it was supposed to sound):

Oh Lord, its hard to be humble

When your'e perfect in every way

I can't wait to look in the mirror

Cause I get better lookin' each day

To know me is to love me

I must be one hell of a man

Oh Lord, its hard to be humble

But I'm doing the best that I can!

The final word...

One of the best temporary cures for Pride is seasickness.  When all you want to do is vomit, it is hard to put on airs.

Dixieland Jazz Worship

"By the way, in about six weeks we are going to have worship led by a Dixieland Jazz Band."

  I'm not sure if it was the first or second week I was here before someone gave me the above news.  I remember thinking, "Oh, really!"

"Dixieland Jazz" and "Presbyterian Worship" are not often used in the same sentence. It seems like an oil and water kind of combination.  Even as the band was setting up on the scheduled morning I remember having doubts about how all this was going to work- or if it could.

  That was 11 years ago. Needless to say that worship service was received well- so well that it has become a tradition at New Hope. In fact, it is one of people's favorite services of the year.

  I'm still not sure how it all works. When I try to explain it to people (particularly other ministers) I usually end up saying something like, "I know it sounds crazy and I can't explain why it works- but it does. You have to experience it to understand it."

  This Sunday (June 17) is our 'Dixieland Jazz Worship Service." If you haven't experienced it in the past, give it a try.  I can't explain why it works, but when you walk in and find yourself tapping your foot to "Just a Closer Walk" or sing "Do Lord" in a whole new way, you'll know it does work.

  In an era when some churches are fighting over music styles as if it has to be  either Traditional or Contemporary, I'm glad we don't have to make that choice.  The spectrum of music is much broader than that- and so should the music we bring to worship. That includes Classical, Jazz, Dixieland, Barbershop, Gopspel, Rock, Praise & Folk.  At New Hope, we do them all. As long as it is done with "all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength", it works.