Advent

“Advent” was preached at Sunnyside Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 23, 2018. Inspirations for this sermon included the writings of D.L Mayfield, Jill Duffield, Jan Richardson, Judith Jones, Niveen Sarras, Amy L.B. Peeler, and the woman pastors in my life. 

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I was raised into ministry by woman pastors.

The person who first told me to consider seminary because she saw the call that God placed in my life is a woman pastor: Pastor Michelle.

The most influential professor I had in seminary who taught the art and skill of preaching is a woman pastor: Professor Lammers-Gross.

My first official colleague in ministry while we were both seminarians working as chaplains at an outdoor ministry site is a woman pastor: Pastor Allie.

The first person to ever invite me to preach a sermon in a church, actually two sermons, is a woman pastor: Pastor Carol.

My first teacher in youth ministry who showed me how to show youth radical love is a woman pastor: Pastor Katie.

The person that trained me most as a pastor and helped me find my own pastoral identity is a woman pastor: Pastor Nina.

And a person I still learn from all the time as I have the joy and honor of working alongside her every day is a woman pastor: Pastor Susan.

I was raised into ministry by woman pastors, and I am the pastor I am today due to their ministries. I also share this sacred calling with so many other female friends and colleagues who serve in ministries all over the world who bless their communities with their gifts, with their words, and with their songs. I’ve seen it and heard it and felt it; the Word of God comes to us through women. This is true throughout all of history, as seen in our passage today. Let us turn toward the Gospel of Luke and the conversation between a pregnant Elizabeth and a pregnant Mary and Mary’s song that follows:

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Luke 1:39-55

39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? 44 For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

46 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

    Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,

    and holy is his name.

50 His mercy is for those who fear him

    from generation to generation.

51 He has shown strength with his arm;

    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,

    and lifted up the lowly;

53 he has filled the hungry with good things,

    and sent the rich away empty.

54 He has helped his servant Israel,

    in remembrance of his mercy,

55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,

    to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

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As I said, I was raised into ministry by woman pastors. These women; their voices and their ministries; are strong. When I hear this passage, when I hear Mary’s song, I don’t hear a Mary who is meek or mild, as some of our carols may depict, I hear a strong woman who was preparing the way for Christ. When I hear Mary’s song, I see the strong woman pastors in my life telling the story of God. I see Mary and my pastors lifting their voices to prepare the way for Christ.

It’s also a reason why I love the season of Advent; it’s a time for us to be strong, to lift our voices, and to prepare the way for Christ.  

Now one of the ways we do this at Sunnyside is through song. Music is an important part of our worship, especially during the season of Advent. Over the last month we’ve had the Children’s Christmas Program, we’ve had the Christmas Cantata, we’ve heard the Sunnyside Band and we’ve heard the Sunnyside Sisters, today we listened to Phoebe on the piano, the choir is still here following their incredible and I’m sure exhausting performance last week. We will be blessed by the Reimbold-Thomas trio coming up later in the service. Rachel and Yvonda and the choir have led us in music the last month all while they along with Gretchen and the handbells have been preparing for our Christmas Eve services. We even have caroling tonight for our neighbors in our community. Music and song are a crucial part of our Sunnyside Advent season.

So it’s fitting that today features song in our scripture passage, or to be exact, a specific song, Mary’s song.

In our liturgical tradition, this song is called “The Magnificat.” And as I said, this song is not sung by someone who is meek or mild, or even gentle, or vulnerable. Mary, here, is bold and strong and she, Mary, the unwed, young, faithful woman is who I want to follow into Christmas as she prepares the way for Christ to come into my life and to come into your life; into all of our lives.

Now this song of Mary’s is quite remarkable and even powerful. What stood out to you as you heard her song?

The first few lines are about Mary’s role in God’s work here on earth; her role in God’s plan. Right from the start, Mary is glorifying God, magnifying the name of her Lord, rejoicing in her savior because God has selected her to bring the Christ-child into the world. She calls herself lowly because society has let her know her status, after all, we know that she was young and unwed, Mary wasn’t wealthy nor was she considered that important. She wasn’t even Elizabeth, who was married to a priest and was older and possibly wiser. No, Mary is to be wed to a carpenter, a man of sawdust and tools. But Mary looks at her life and sees her blessings. She sees herself as blessed for God’s favor has been given to her. That’s typical thing for God to do; to bless those who were once considered lowly by society. She holds true to God’s promises and so she sings.

But Mary isn’t just singing for herself. She is singing with courage to spark change, and she wants to sing it loud and proud… and so she starts by singing it to her cousin Elizabeth. Now I love that the first person Mary told about her miraculous, scandalous pregnancy is Elizabeth, her older cousin. When Mary tells Elizabeth this unbelievable story, Elizabeth responds with joy and acceptance and encouragement. This moment redefines family for us; it shows that family are the ones who respond to news with affirmation; with love! It’s why we at Sunnyside selected what we call “chosen families” to light the Advent candles this year. Friends and shepherds and mentors and students of all ages; people who show that family are those who support one another with joy and love as we walk this journey of faith.

But despite how much joy in found in this moment between Mary and Elizabeth, there must be a little fear and therefore courage. Now I think this is true for pregnant women of any age and of any time and place. There is joy and excitement but there is also a little worry and possibly a little stress; perhaps there is a little fear… or even a lot of fear. For Mary and Elizabeth, their sons would bring truth into a difficult world. Elizabeth would give birth to John the Baptist, who would prepare the way, and Mary would give birth to Jesus, who would be the way. And both would carry out their mission of truth, hope, and love into this difficult world and because of that difficult world, both would be killed.

I can’t say for sure if Mary and Elizabeth knew in that moment that their sons, that their babies, the ones that were formed in their wombs and were raised by them to be young men would one day be killed.. but I do know that they knew that their sons would change the world around them and that it would be dangerous. Elizabeth even acknowledges, through John leaping in her womb, that Jesus wouldn’t just change it; he as her Lord would save it. For Elizabeth to respond to Mary’s pregnancy with joy and for Mary to sing her song of glory knowing that the future would be scary for their sons and for themselves as mothers; that takes incredible strength. I listen to Mary’s song, and I hear the courage that shines through.

Do you question where her courage comes from? Those of you with children or grandchildren, with nieces or nephews, those with students or other children you care for; those of who know how scary life can be; do you question where Mary’s courage comes from?

Mary’s courage comes from what she knows about God and what she sees God doing in her own life and in the world. She sees God’s love and power and justice, and she trusts it!  

Mary said she was considered lowly but God lifted her up. And God does the same for others like her: those who are lowly. God lifts up those are pushed aside, those who are treated miserably, those who are scared, and those who are sad. God raises up the hungry and the poor and the disenfranchised and the lonely and the forgotten because this is the will of God.

In Mary’s womb is Christ. The Word made Flesh. The Word that was with God and the Word that is God. The Holy Son. Emmanuel. The Lord of Lords; the King of all Kings. Jesus. Mary is carrying our Savior in her womb.

Our Hebrews passage that Andrew read for us tells us that Christ came into the world to do the will of God. It was the Will of God to be born as a baby in a manger surrounded by animals and shepherds. It was that will that led Christ into the temple as child. It was that will that had Christ perform miracles and provide teachings all over the countryside. It was the will of God that Christ would break bread with his disciples and pour a cup of new salvation. It was the will that led Christ to die upon the cross for us. It was also the will of God for Christ to defeat death through the resurrection; once again, for us. And it was that same will that led Christ to give his final command to her disciples; to go out and baptize more disciples “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”

The same will found in Christ to serve God and the people of God was found in Mary. Mary knows the story of God. She knows what God has done and she knows what God will do. She holds onto this and it gives her courage to sing her song: a song of faith that displays God’s providential promises.

Mary knows the story of God because she herself is intertwined into that story. And friends, so are you. You are intertwined into God’s story. The will of God to serve; that will of Christ to save; that is still with us today.

What was first sung by Mary quotes the words of Hannah in the Hebrew Scriptures and what was first sung by Mary is quoted by Jesus in his teachings. And then throughout history this song was whispered and declared and sung throughout churches and cathedrals and temples and sanctuaries. At some points in history, this song was even banned in certain countries because it was considered a threat to power. But still the song was sung. Still this song is sung. We heard it today because this song is supposed to be heard by you… and you.. and you. By all of us.

Because as I said, this song is the story of God, and you are a part of that story. Mary’s song is your song.

I was raised into ministry by strong woman pastors because they sang Mary’s song with strength and courage. They sang it through their perseverance and dedication, through their acts and deeds, through their wisdom and teachings, through their sermons and songs. They told God’s story; they tell God’s story. And so now I do the same. I join my voices with theirs, and I tell God’s story. And now I’m asking you to do the same. Will you sing with me? Will you join your voices with mine? Will you tell God’s story? Will you prepare the way for Christ with strength and courage?

St. Ambrose, an early bishop of the Roman Catholic Church said, “Let Mary’s soul be in us to glorify the Lord; let her spirit be in us that we may rejoice in God our Savior.”

Let that be our prayer this last Sunday of Advent. Let that be our song. Sing loud, my friends. Sing with strength and courage. Glorify and rejoice. Christ is coming. Thanks be to God. Amen.

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WWJG?

“WWJG?” was preached at Sunnyside Presbyterian Church on Sunday, October 28, 2018. Inspirations for this sermon include scripture, biblical commentaries, stewardship season, youth-led worship, and church ministry. 

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Mark 10:46-52

46 They came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” 50 So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” 52 Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

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You know that acronym, WWJD? We teach it to children as a moral compass. WWJD? What would Jesus do? Honestly, we probably ask it for ourselves sometimes, or at least we should. What would Jesus do? Answering that question points us in the direction of being more Christ-like and doing the right thing.

Well, here today, I figured we could change one letter of that acronym and pose the question that might inspire us during stewardship season.

WWJG?

Now I googled this to make sure this acronym wasn’t already taken, and to my surprise, it was. WWJG—Walk with Jesus Gang. Not what I meant, Google. And although I like the idea of walking with Jesus, I meant something else by this acronym.

WWJG? Why would Jesus give?

To answer this question, we must understand what is happening in our Gospel reading today.

This passage – the healing of Bartimaeus – is the second blind man Jesus healed in the Gospel of Mark.

Now this is… interesting. Jesus healing a second blind man in the Gospel of Mark is interesting. And it’s not just my opinion. Biblical scholars and commentators write again and again that this passage is different, uncanny, even odd…

The Rev. Dr. Sarah Hinlicky Wilson actually poses the question in her commentary, “Was Mark feeling quite well the day he jotted down this one? Had he eaten something funny..?”

To understand why this passage is.. “interesting,” – to understand why scholars thought Mark was feeling a bit off that day this story was recorded – we must understand some of the characteristics of the Gospel of Mark.

Like the other Gospels, Mark records Jesus’ life: his miracles, betrayal, death, resurrection, and commission. However, Mark’s Gospel is very brief, by far the shortest of the four Gospels. In fact, it’s nearly half as long as the Gospel of Luke. Every word is intentional. Every word has purpose. The entire Gospel is told in rapid succession; there’s no time to stop and breathe or waste time on the fluffy details. No, the Gospel of Mark is a quick, urgent, bold message about who Jesus is and what Jesus did.  Even in our short passage today, we see the word “immediately.” “Immediately Bartimaeus regained his sight and followed Jesus on the way.” This is one of no less than forty times the word “immediately” is used in the Gospel of Mark. As I said, this is an immediate Gospel with immediate details on what Jesus did in his ministry.

In a way, I’m betraying the Gospel of Mark by spending time explaining the characteristics of it. If I stayed true to how this Gospel was written, this moment would go something like, “Pastor Taylor went up into the pulpit, read our scripture passage, and immediately returned to his chair.”

I apologize to those of you who would prefer for me to do that, but I can’t, not today, not with this passage. The Gospel of Mark, where every word is written intentionally, purposely includes two stories where blind men are given their sight. That in itself is odd.

This means that Mark didn’t include this passage to show that Jesus could heal the blind. He did that first back in chapter eight. No, this passage was included for a different reason.

Which brings us to another reason this passage is interesting. In it, nothing goes wrong. Now this is weird, especially for Mark’s explanation of how the crowds reacted to Jesus. From the very beginning of this Gospel, people were convinced that this version of Jesus was either crazy or demonic. In Mark 6, Jesus is even momentarily defeated by the “unbelief” of all the people he encounters. In Mark 8, during the healing of the first blind man, Jesus has to attempt it twice for the man to be able to see clearly. It is more common for Jesus and the people to experience complications than it is without in this Gospel.

But there are no complications here. Bartimaeus, the blind man, has great faith in Jesus and because Jesus heals him completely without error. And although people initially told the blind man to be quiet, they were okay with it once Jesus called him over. No one thought Jesus nor Bartimaeus were crazy or demonic; this moment was going to be okay. And then, to make this story even more perfect, Bartimaeus, now with his sight, followed Jesus along the way. Jesus didn’t even tell Bartimaeus to follow him as a new disciple, but that is exactly what Bartimaeus does. He joins Jesus in his ministry.

Let’s go back to our question: WWJG? Why would Jesus give?

Now that we understand how “interesting” this passage is, let’s attempt to answer that question.

The Gospel of Mark included a second story of Jesus healing a blind man, not to show that Jesus had the power to do so and not to show the people the error of their ways, but because something else is happening. Why would Jesus give? This passage shows us Jesus gives not because he has to but because he can. Hear this revelation again. Jesus gives because he can.

This is relevant to us Sunnyside, right here and right now. Sometimes we give because we feel that we have to give. We know that we are called to give our time, talents, and tithes. Without giving, the church would cease to exist. Sunnyside would cease to exist. Without time, without talents, without tithes--our community of faith would cease to exist. Let’s be frank. We know we have to give.

But dare I say it… right now we don’t really have to…

Right now we’re not in a bad place, we don’t have to give. But why would Jesus give? Jesus gave because he could. Sunnysiders, we give because we can.

Zach Brenner, one of our youth, mentioned in his sermon last week that we are all the future of the church. This is the truth.

I love that Sunnyside is so generous when it comes to building the foundations of a Christian life for our children and youth. But we can’t just say youth alone are the future of the church. Because the other truth is, we don’t know what the future holds. We don’t know what the lives of our children and youth will look like in the future nor what the church will be.

As I said, when Jesus gave Bartimaeus his sight, he didn’t do it because Bartimaeus was the future of the church. However, Bartimaeus became part of the future of the church because when Jesus gave to him his sight, Bartimaeus had to the opportunity to do so. But also, to be honest, when the first blind man was given his sight by Jesus, he went home; he didn’t follow Jesus along the way.

Sunnyside, we give because we can. We give to follow Christ. We give because we want to create opportunities within the church for all people to follow Christ, here in the present and for the future.

We give because we believe in what the church and its ministry does for us and does for the world. We give to glorify God.

We give because we offer safe spaces for our children and youth to ask deep questions, to be vulnerable, to grow in their relationships with one another and with God.

We give because we want a place for our entire community to come together, to greet one another in the name of Christ, to share a meal with one another, to drink poorly caffeinated church coffee together. We give so families outside of our community of faith can also share a full meal together, whether it be at Hope Ministries or through our food pantry.

We give so that we have a place to gather on one of the best days of our lives, to celebrate weddings and love and covenantal commitment and the vows that people make before God and the people of God.

We give so that on the worst days of our lives we have a place to come to grieve the death of a loved one, whether it be the death of our grandparents or our parents or our spouses. We give so we’re not alone in that; so others are not alone in that. We give so that all have a place to be reminded of the hope promised in the resurrection.

We give to watch babies be baptized, to see God claim that child as God’s own through the waters of grace. We give to be united with every saint of every time and place through the Lord’s Supper, through the body broken and the blood shed, through the bread and cup that holds sacred mysteries.

We give because the church can provide space for those who mourn and question what is happening in the world. We give so that people of the transgender community know that they too are made in the image of God. We give so that people like Matthew Shepherd, who twenty years ago was murdered through a hate crime because he was gay, finally have a place to rest. We give so that when eleven lives are taken at a shooting at a synagogue, we can be reminded that the neighbors we are called to love also may be Jewish.

We give because sometimes the pain of the world is too much to handle alone. We give to be in community and to form holy friendships. We give so we can support and be supported by one another.

We give because we can. Through the good and the bad, we give because we believe in the ministry of the church. We give because Jesus gives.

Amen.

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Finding Sabbath, Young Adult Retreat

"Finding Sabbath" was the theme of our Young Adult retreat that took place on Saturday, April 21, 2018 to Sunday, April 22, 2018. There were ten participants. The retreat featured many opportunities for prayer, worship, discussion, fellowship, and "sabbath" activities. This is a sample of our agenda and the accompanying email. We used the Bible, Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer, and Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in our Busy Lives by Wayne Muller as our main resources. 

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Agenda, Finding Sabbath

Before the Retreat: Read “Remember the Sabbath” (pages 1-13) in Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in our Busy Lives by Wayne Muller.

Saturday, April 21^st

Noon – Meet at Church, Caravan to Lake House

1:00pm – Settle in, lunch

2:00pm – Rest & Rhythm

              Lighting Sabbath Candles (21)

              Begin Again (39)

              The Sabbath Walk (70) (See 3:30pm activity)

              Prayer (86)

              Activity: Introduce Candle Table

3:00pm – Midday Prayer (BCW 106)

3:30pm – Activity: Walk around the Area

4:30pm – Free Time

              Optional: Coloring, Walking, Reading, Journaling, Praying, Resting

6:00pm – Dinner

              Sabbath Meal (33)

7:30pm – Evening Prayer (BCW 43)

8:00pm – Time & Consecration

              Play (102)

              The Wealth of Companionship (118)

              Confession (198) (See 7:30am activity)

Activity: Sabbath Games

9:00pm – Continue Games or Free Time

Sunday, April 22^nd

7:30-9:00am – Activity: Time of Silence; Casual Breakfast and Coffee/Tea 

9:00am – Morning Prayer (BCW 27)

9:30am – Happiness & Wisdom

              Morning Rituals (138)

              Take Off Your Shoes (153)

              Cleansing (191)

              Activity: Hand Washing

10:30am – Leaving Sabbath (230)

Activity: Share a favorite moment of Sabbath this weekend, pass aroma, extinguish candles

11:00am – Depart for Sunnyside 

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Email, Finding Sabbath

Dear Young Adults signed up for the Young Adult Retreat:

Just a few shorts days till we head to Michigan for our Young Adult Retreat! Our focus will be Finding Sabbath. We will be intentional about finding rest and relaxation throughout the weekend.

We will be practicing a few exercises and activities found in Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives by Wayne Muller. I am asking that you read the first 13 pages as an introduction to Sabbath and the weekend. For those of you who haven’t picked up your copy yet, they are in the church office. They can be picked up on Thursday or Friday, 8am-4pm. If those times do not work for you, I will bring your copy as we meet at Sunnyside on Saturday. If you pick up your book then, you will have some time to read the 13 pages before we start out weekend, whether on the drive or as we settle into the cabin.

Remember the cost for the retreat is $25. Financial assistance is available if needed.

Packing List:

• Comfy clothes
• Clothes for outside (we will hopefully go on a walk and explore the area)
• Pajamas
• Toiletries
• Bedding is provided--Bring an additional blanket and pillow if you'd prefer to use your own
• Bible
• Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives by Wayne Muller
• Open hearts and minds
• Optional: Journal
• Optional: Group Games
• Optional: Other things that help YOU find rest

We will depart as a car pool from Sunnyside on Saturday at noon. The drivers will be myself, Grotzs, and Millers. We will return to Sunnyside on Sunday at noon. I have attached the agenda for the weekend and directions to the cabin. Again, the only preparation you need to do is reading the first 13 pages as an introduction.

I am looking forward to this! Let me know if you have any questions.

Peace,

Pastor Taylor

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Voices of the Modern Church, Part III

“Voices of the Modern Church, Part III” was preached at Sunnyside Presbyterian Church on Sunday, April 5, 2018. This sermon included the words, phrases, and questions of Sunnyside members who participated in an online opportunity to lift their voice.  Inspirations for this sermon include Scripture, creative preaching, the people of Sunnyside Presbyterian Church, human experience, The Rev. Dr. Nancy Lammers Gross, and the workings of the Holy Spirit. You can listen to an audio recording of this sermon here.

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Our scripture reading, Psalm 51, will be read as part of the sermon today.

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We approach the end of our mini-sermon series: “Voices of the Modern Church.” Over the past three Sundays including today, we walked a journey together. We approached the Word of God, which is the Word read in scripture and the Word interpreted by preaching, through the abstract.

We challenged ourselves. We listened for the voices around us as a part of God’s voice, and we listened intensely, we listened intentionally, and we listened intimately.

Now I’m going to give a brief summary of each sermon as a refresher for those who were here and as an introduction for those who were not. Regardless, as a friendly reminder, all sermons are posted on our website, so I invite you all to take a listen if the Spirit moves you to do so.

Our first sermon featured a “What If…” question and answer activity. Our own Sunnysiders wrote a “What if…” question on one side of a notecard and then they answered their own question with a “Then…” answer on the other side of someone’s else notecard without knowing the “What if…” question that was actually on that card. As we went through each question and answer pairing—there were 24 total—we made the claim that the Word of God is given, established, promised, and kept forever.

Our second sermon featured seven our own Sunnysiders as they preached in six different languages. During the sermon, their voices were lifted, and we made the understanding that even if we didn’t understand every word in that moment, we understood praise was happening, and therefore we understood that God understood on our behalf. Now I hope you had a chance to read the translations of each sermon on the sheet of paper that was distributed after worship because their reflections were sacred, they were powerful… they were a gift. Each of them praised God by saying who God is, which brings us to our second claim: The Word of God comes to us when we acknowledge who God is to us, which is praise and worship.

Each sermon approached a different way the Word of God is lifted through our own voices. Once again, we do that today. Over the last several weeks, I invited all Sunnysiders to participate in an online opportunity for their voice to be lifted. Those who participated were asked to read Psalm 51 and allow themselves to be brought into its poetic words. They would read a section of the psalm, and then they would respond with their own interpretation by considering their own experiences, feelings, memories, and emotions. What I didn’t tell them is Psalm 51 is not an easy psalm to understand; it’s about a plea to God, sinfulness, sacrifice—just to name a few themes.

We received thirty responses, and based on those who told me that they had filled it out, the age range of those who responded was from 13 to 80. After reading their responses, I brought these 30 reflections together into one cohesive, poetic, modern retelling of Psalm 51. And I have to say, through their interpretations, a greater understanding of the Word of God came to me. Through their voices, a greater understanding of the Word of God comes to all of us. And so that’s our claim for today: We receive a greater understanding of the Word of God when we listen to the voices of the modern church.

Hear now Psalm 51 as told by the voices of the modern church:

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1 Have mercy on me, O God,

    according to your steadfast love;

according to your abundant mercy

    blot out my transgressions.

Forgiveness. A plea for forgiveness. Help me ask for forgiveness. I pray to God for forgiveness. Forgive me. Forgive me. Forgive me! Wash the sin away.

This reminds me of the time in 4th grade when I got in real trouble for the first time. All I did was sneak some soda into a water bottle when I was supposed to be drinking water, which doesn’t seem like a big deal now, considering my behavior throughout the more recent years. But I remember feeling so incredibly guilty and praying as hard as I could that God would forgive me. I think that is the most I’ve asked for his mercy still to this day.

I pray my failure will not hurt other people. I make so many mistakes. I have sinned. I am imperfect.

Steadfast and abundant, you are bigger than my transgressions.

2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

    and cleanse me from my sin.

I cannot do it alone. I need your help, O God.

Let me be enveloped in your grace. Wash me white as snow.

I imagine it’s like when I have an ink pen stain on a white shirt, and I have to blot it out continuously with alcohol and then I have to wash it. It's time consuming and requires patience.

Water. Wash me with your healing waters.

There is hope here… God I need you. Always. I need you.

3 For I know my transgressions,

    and my sin is ever before me.

4 Against you, you alone, have I sinned,

    and done what is evil in your sight,

so that you are justified in your sentence

    and blameless when you pass judgment.

5 Indeed, I was born guilty,

    a sinner when my mother conceived me.

No one is perfect. I was born a sinner and I sin daily. My sin separates me from you. My actions have not lived up to what is expected of me. I will always fall short. I will make mistakes and must suffer the consequences.

I am left with so many questions.

Why do I sin? Why am I compelled to sin? By becoming flesh, I embody sin? Am I broken, God? If we were all counted for our transgressions, who would stand?

I feel guilty. I feel like dirt. I was born with strengths, and I have used these strengths to do wrong. I was also born with weaknesses. I am not good enough for you. I don’t deserve to be saved.

Yet you save me anyway. In your love, I am accepted as I am.  I am yours, O God, and you will lift me up from the quagmire. Whatever judgement you pass is right and justifiable. Thank you for making me pay you back in kind. Thank you for even more forgiveness.

Forgiveness lessens the darkness of these words.

6 You desire truth in the inward being;

    therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.

God, I ask for your assistance in my prayers. This is me trying to draw closer to you. All truth and wisdom come from you. Let me be truthful and raw.

I am asking for forgiveness for everything I have done wrong. Be my light. Guide me away from darkness. Bring me into a world of joy and happiness. Change my heart, O God; make me into who you want me to be. I want to be a better person.

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness;

    let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.

I reflect on my own life. I have had more bad things than good things happen to me. It is hard to move away from the past and be a different person than I was the day before. It is hard to be able to be joyful when I have more reason to feel bitter and down.

God, you can fill me with sorrow, but you can also bring me joy and gladness. You free me from my sin and guilt. By your power, bring my own thoughts from bad to good.

Bring hope into my despair, and bring light into my darkness. Let me hear joy and gladness… don’t we all want that?

Let me rejoice so that as even as low as I can find myself in the gutter of my life, I have hope that you, God, will make me better. Jesus, you save me.

Nothing is possible without God; with her everything is possible!

9 Hide your face from my sins,

    and blot out all my iniquities.

Forgiveness isn’t easy. Forgiveness can hurt. Yet you forgive me over and over again. I’m sorry that I hurt you over and over again. Life is painful. Our bones are broken. We crave joy and gladness. May I always learn from my mistakes.

I am so thankful for your forgiveness and wisdom. I am reborn.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,

    and put a new and right spirit within me.

I want to have a good life; I know you want me to have a good life. 

Make me fresh. Give me a new opportunity; I look to your guidance. Guide me to live a life like Jesus. Guide me and lead me. Renew my faith. This may be a large task, but I know you are up for it.

Creation of a clean heart is not a one-time act – it’s a lifelong journey.

11 Do not cast me away from your presence,

    and do not take your holy spirit from me.

To be with you, God, is the goal. Why is this so hard?  How do I see joy in the darkest of times and places? Help me find this joy. Sustain me; do not abandon me!! Even in the darkest times, I trust that God will bring me to the light and will shape me as a beacon of hope for others.

I feel like I have prayed for forgiveness of my sins in this way in my recent and most mature years. I’ve not only prayed for God to forgive me, but prayed for God to stay with me, because God is all I really need.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

    and sustain in me a willing spirit.

Sustain. Sustain in me a willing spirit. Sustain me with the long-standing strength and support of the Spirit; of your Spirit.  

I feel new. I feel fresh confessing my sins.

I remember the first time I felt your love. It was like a warm light over my entire body. I was alone, but I wasn’t lonely.

It makes me think of my mom.

I am restored in the joy of your salvation; restored like making an old building beautiful and useful again. It is better than a Disney ride; it is better than the birth of a child. Your salvation is the greatest thing; offered free, no charge—just God’s great grace.

I know you are always there, God. I turn my eyes to you. The Holy Spirit is with me. It makes me smile. Hallelujah.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

    and sinners will return to you.

14 Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,

    O God of my salvation,

    and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.

Help me to love those who hurt me. Let only kindness and compassion leave my mouth. Help me not be afraid to share your love. Help me step into uncomfortable places so others can know you too. Help me move away from sin and be cleansed by the Holy Spirit. Help me to live in the name of the Lord.  Help me bear witness to you.

I get this help from you through my community of faith: Sunnyside.

God, I praise you for your grace and mercy. I praise the Lord in thanksgiving! You have saved me from my sin; therefore, I offer myself to you. I am so grateful that I will do your biddings.

Hear my promises:

I will confess my sins. I will share your love forever. I will share God’s word to all of those around me. I will teach others about God. I will teach others in Sunday School about God. I will teach them how they can be reformed. I will pray for others who wish to be heard by the Lord. I will help others fulfill God’s work. I will let my actions show others the love you offer. I will spread my understanding of the benefits of doing good works.

Great or small, I will sing loudly enough for everyone to hear the Good News. I will tell everyone about you, O God!

Thank you! You changed my life.

15 O Lord, open my lips,

    and my mouth will declare your praise.

Let the words I say reflect who you are. Let my voice only speaks words that glorify you.

In everything I do, I will glorify you. I promise this. The person I am—the person you made me—will always sing praise for you. Thank you for loving me and allowing me to love myself.

These are my words of praise:

I praise the Lord when I speak. I know you are there when I pray for others who are hurt or when the world is suffering. I will use my voice to serve you and to lift up others. You are a forgiving God, and so I praise you. I praise you, O God! You hear my troubles. You turn to me when I need help. You teach me to do your work. You show me the ways I have to go. And so I praise you. In the darkest times of my life, I learned that you were there beside me. No matter how many times I turned away, you always showed me you were there. Thank you, O God, for your love and for never giving up on me.

16 For you have no delight in sacrifice;

    if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.

17 The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;

    a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

When I sin, I feel hurt inside. If I put myself first, my life and the lives of others unravel. I know it’s very difficult to correct a mistake in life. Yet you love me in every situation I get myself into. I have been broken. I have cursed your name by not understanding. But my heart is beginning to heal because you comfort and support me. You see my repentant heart. You see my broken spirit. My spirit longs for you.

So I will be a sacrifice for you. Offering myself is the most acceptable sacrifice. Today—today!—I become the hands and feet of Christ. 

18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;

    rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,

19 then you will delight in right sacrifices,

    in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;

    then bulls will be offered on your altar.

I want to praise you, God. I want us all to praise you. Thank you, God, I praise you! And so we offer everything we have to you. We give you all we have. Let our lives be worthy of your sacrifice.

Asking for help no matter the circumstance never gets old with you, faithful God. Your steadfast love endures. You spread your love.

Since your love has taught me to love myself, let your love help me teach others to love themselves. We are all fearfully and wonderfully made in your image. I ask that you help me remember that; I ask that you help others remember that.

Make this your promised land. Construct. Rebuild. Repair. Restore. Our community can bring us even closer to God. A better society is built through protest, advocacy, aid, and justice. Your good works inspire my good works.

Let us all go out in peace. We will walk the walk of Jesus. I see a future full with love and laughter.

I have been blessed.

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The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Amen.

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