Monthly Archives: July 2015

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on July 5, 2015
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I’m Coming Home — Rev. David J. Schreffler

July 5, 2015
Sunday

“And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.” Mark 6:3-6

“Mark’s account intrigues me as a student of human motivation. His hometown folks are, I would suspect, willing to give him the benefit of the doubt as long as he doesn’t say anything unexpected or challenging. They would not be inclined to doubt the source of his teachings if he had not made them feel uncomfortable. Their response to whatever it was he said reflects a combination of belief and incredulity. They seem to believe that what he said was of divine origin (“What is this wisdom that has been given to him?”), yet they are unable to believe that such a great gift would be given to someone they know and whose family they know.”

Following a Hometown Boy: Reflections on Mark 6:1-6 By Alyce M. McKenzie, July 02, 2012

When I graduated from Seminary in 2005, I was invited to my home congregation in Millersburg, PA to preach at the congregation’s year-long celebration for a significant anniversary. I was honored to be invited — and I looked forward to the opportunity — but I also dreaded it as well. You see, I was not always a “model” member of the congregation. Yes, I went through the entire “Luther League” program — I sang occasionally with the choir — I played my trumpet often for special music — and you could find my entire family sitting in our familiar pew most Sundays. But, I also had a reputation for being “hard to handle” — unable to sit for extended periods of time.

The day of my preaching came, and the service went off without a hitch. At the coffee hour following the service, several members of the congregation came to regale me of stories of my “storied” past in the congregation — and my other antics in scouts, school, etc. I left feeling as if I had suffered from a “sneak attack”. The people were well meaning, they just could not let go of my past — they remembered me as the rotten lad from the mid 70’s — and could not see me as the Pastor that I had become.

Thus, I believe, is the story of Jesus……he wasn’t a rotten lad, as far as we know — he just was remembered for who he used to be — and that was the problem.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on July 4, 2015
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Fourth of July — Rev. David J. Schreffler

July 4, 2015

Every Independence day I wonder what has happened to the true meaning of “July 4th”. In South Central Pennsylvania we have picnics, eat hot dogs and hamburgers, drink adult beverages, and maybe set off some fireworks. However, I have never stopped and read the “Declaration of Independence” on the 4th, or recited anything to do with the “Founding Fathers”. But according to John Adams, we are celebrating in the right manner, just on the wrong date.

He wrote the following words on July 2nd 1776. The Continental Congress had just adopted the Resolution for Independence and he wrote to his wife Abigail, describing how he thought future generations would celebrate this special day. He got the celebration correct but the wrong date. We actually celebrate the date Congress approved the specific wording of the Declaration which Adams had helped Thomas Jefferson write.

“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations (the 18th Century term for fireworks), from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.

You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration and support and defend these states. Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means. And that posterity will triumph in that day’s transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God we shall not…

It may be the will of Heaven that America will suffer calamities still more wasting, and distress yet more dreadful. If this is to be the case, it will have this good effect at least. It will inspire us with many virtues which we have not, and correct many errors, follies and vices which threaten to disturb, dishonor and destroy us. The furnace of affliction produces refinement, in States as well as individuals…But I must submit all my hopes and fears to an overruling Providence, in which, unfashionable as the faith may be, I firmly believe.”

On this 4th of July, may we remember that the founding fathers thought it appropriate to celebrate this day with devotions to G*d — so invoking G*d’s name in a prayer or two, asking that our country may be a blessing to the world, would be a good start.

Pastor Dave