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Weekly Update

Bethesda UCC

May 17, 2023

Last Sunday's Worship

Sixth Sunday of Easter

"Come Alongside"

Acts 17:22-31 John 14:15-21

On Sunday we looked at two scriptures side-by-side. The Acts passage was about Paul explaining to the Athenians that the "unknown god" that they included in their temples was, in fact, our Creator God. John tells us about Jesus promising that the Spirit, which he calls the Paraclete (meaning advocate), will come to abide in the disciples when Jesus returns to the Father.

What do these passages have in common? Love and understanding of needs. Jesus loves his disciples and understands that they need help once he returns to the Father. So he assures them that they will have the advocate to help them.

The word "paraclete" can mean advocate, but it also means to "come alongside." The Spirit comes along side of us when we are in need -- just as we, as the faith community, come along side others when they are in need. I am always concerned when people say they believe in God but not in the church - that they can "do" church at home. Church is more than worship on Sunday. Church is about a faith community that comes alongside - that worships together, prays together, works together, cries and laughs together, and is there through good times and bad.

Paul has love for the Athenian philosophers that surround him on Mars Hill. He understands that there is a yearning in their souls for God. He reaches out to them with love and care and paints a picture of a god who can be known intimately.

When people say they are spiritual but not religious, it feels very much like the Athenians who, in their yearning, erected temples to a whole variety of gods, including an unnamed one. There are so many people who are searching for spiritual fulfillment. Can we speak to them, just as Paul did, with love and care? Paul was an evangelist. I know we tend to look at that word, evangelism, through negative lenses. But pure evangelism is just sharing the good news. We don't have to threaten or scare people into belief. Just talk to them with love and share our stories.

Pastor's Message

This Is Me

This morning I saw a post about the making of the movie "The Greatest Showman" and the award-winning song "This Is Me." The film's director described the first full rehearsal of the song. No one had heard the song, nor the lead singer, Keala Settle, sing it live. Settle was hesitant to step out from behind the music stand. The director urged her to come out from behind the stand and be up front in the area in front of the chorus. In the film, she will sing as she leads the chorus into a room of people -- so the director wants her to "step out" into that moment.

You should know that the film is about the creation of the circus by Barnum and Bailey. Settle plays Lettie Lutz, the bearded lady. The group she leads is all the different types of circus performers, many of whom are marginalized and "different." They bravely declare "this is me."

In the clip of the rehearsal you see Settle begin to sing the number while behind the music stand. And then, surprisingly, she lowers the stand, steps around it and launches into the song full force. The chorus reacts, the directors and other film people react, and if you watch the clip, I promise you will react as well!

Why is this meaningful to me this morning? Two reasons. First, I think that BUCC has the opportunity to step out from where they are right now, and boldly declare "this is me." We are a unique church with a progressive view that many people need. Those who are marginalized, those who have been hurt by other churches, those who are yearning for something meaningful. The issue is they don't know we are here. We're still behind the music stand.

The second reason this is meaningful to me is that last Friday night I was at the Pride Prom in my role with the MoCo Pride Center. This annual event is a safe prom where you can dress however you like, identify in whatever way you are comfortable, and attend with whomever you choose. These kids were safe to say, "This is Me!" I shared with you at our identity meeting that the prom began as an idea by a member of Rockville United Church. The first year it was at RUC and 20 kids attended. There was a DJ and some chips and cookies and such. Now, years later, the prom is attended by almost 250 kids, includes dancing, a craft room, and a full catered dinner. All because one church member had a vision and a passion to fulfill it.

If you want to see the clip it is on you tube: The Greatest Showman | "This Is Me" with Keala Settle | 20th Century FOX - YouTube

Blessings!

Pastor Jill

Bethesda UCC