As we long to gather together once more, let us gather virtually to observe the beginning of the holiest 3 days of the Christian year--the Triduum, lasting from the evening of Holy Thursday until Easter Sunday. Below is a home worship experience that Pastor Bonnie and Pastor Lem collaborated on. Please be sure to grab some lotion and a "comfort food" (whatever food brings you comfort: a cup of coffee, a sweet, a favorite dish) before starting. You are loved.

Call to Worship Psalm 118:14-29 (UMH 839)
One: The Lord is my strength and my power; the Lord has become my salvation.
Many: There are joyous songs of victory in the tents of the righteous:
One: "The right hand of the Lord does valiantly, the right hand of the Lord is exalted,
Many: the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!"
One: I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord.
Many: The Lord has chastened me sorely, but has not given me over to death.
One: Open me to the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
Many: This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
One: I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.
Many: THe stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
One: This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
Many: This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
One: Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!
Many: O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!
One: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Many: We bless you from the house of the Lord.
One: The Lord is God, who has given us light.
Many: Lead the festal procession with branches up to the horns of the altar!
One: You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
Many: O give thanks to the Lord, who is good; for God's steadfast love endures for ever!

Opening Hymn All Glory, Laud, and Honor (UMH 280)--Skip Ads ***Please get out your palms and wave during the song. If you do not have any available (from your yard or elsewhere), you can print and color one here, or simply wave your palms (hands).***

Opening Prayer
God of truth, in the midst of the holiest of weeks you continue to speak your Word to us and in us, like so many times before; but we do not listen to you. We have not been mindful of your presence, or attentive to your voice. Have mercy on us, forgive us, and heal us. Speak your Word in us now, and create us anew. We open ourselves to your Word. Amen. (Adapted from W&S 92)

Children's Message
Please visit this link for multiple children's activities related to this week's passage. You can also watch this video story with Pastor Bonnie.

Hymn Tell Me the Stories of Jesus (UMH 277)

The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;*
the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic** church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
​
Joys, Concerns, & God Sightings
Continuing Prayers: Our Police; Baltimore; Our nation and world; The Syrian refugee crisis and Aleppo; Our homebound, Those effected by Covid-19--including medical staff, teachers, parents, children, those infected, etc.

The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Offering
As a means of justice, we are committed to paying our staff throughout this crisis. So that we can do this, especially since church employees do not qualify for unemployment, and so that we are still here when this crisis ends, please consider giving generously. We know this is a tough time for everyone, but every little bit helps. Our preferred method of giving is by utilizing our online giving platform available with any of the green "Give" buttons located throughout our website. This is safe, secure, and gets the funds to us nearly instantly. Alternatively, you may mail your offerings to the church (3800 Roland Ave, Baltimore, MD 21211)--but there may be a delay in depositing. Lastly, please consider bringing your offerings when we resume meeting to "make up" the weeks missed. We appreciate your generosity as we seek to continue our mission and ministry throughout the community and world during this difficult time.

Doxology

Prayer of Dedication
God in life and God in the crucifixion, you are there in our highest of highs and our lowest of lows. We shout “Hosanna!” and wave our palms. We curse you with our lips. Help us to shout more “Hosannas!” and fewer curses when we pull out our wallets and checkbooks; when we search for toilet paper, paper towels, meat, Lysol, and other necessities. Let us give with generous and cheerful hearts so that one day, all people can shout “Hosanna!” with joy and faith. Amen. (Rev. Bonnie McCubbin)

Closing Hymn ​Hosanna, Loud Hosanna (278 UMH)

Announcements
UPDATE: We are currently closed at least through the end of April to help "flatten the curve" of Covid-19. If you have pastoral needs, please contact Pastor Bonnie directly (preferably through email or the website) so they can be addressed promptly. We have no office hours and all activities, including, but not limited to worship, Bible Study, Church Council, choir, and After School Programs are cancelled until the building re-opens.

Please stay home and stay safe. If you need help getting reliable information, please reach out to Pastor Bonnie. She is getting informed and updated by Johns Hopkins staff and experts twice a week.

Online Giving Go to our website (www.goodshepherdhampden.com) and click the green "Give" button to go to a secure website for your transactions. Or, download the secure, encrypted App Tithe.ly from the App Store or Google Play.

Contact Information We have tried to reach out to every regular attendee and member each week via telephone, text, and/or email. However, in many situations, we have incorrect contact information. Please be sure to *email* or call Pastor Bonnie ASAP so you do not miss any information. You should be receiving calls from both Pastor Bonnie and a member of our Church Council Leadership team each week. If you are not, please let us know.
 
Bible Study resources can be accessed at https://www.bwcumc.org/resources/who-are-we/#PeopleofGod Scroll all the way down to part 1. We'd be on Session 6 this week. 
 
Holy Week Worship Schedule: All in-person worship experiences have been cancelled at this time. We cannot get palms currently because the suppliers are all closed. Holy Thursday worship will be broadcasted on YouTube on our church channel and linked to on our website. You will need lotion and a "comfort food" or drink (coffee, your favorite meal, etc) for Thursday's service. Good Friday Tenebrae service will also be broadcasted on YouTube on our church channel and linked to on our website. We are collaborating with Milford Mill UMC for these services. The Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference is also providing Palm Sunday and Easter streaming services for those interested. Links will be posted when we have them. 

Devotional Pastor Bonnie and Pastor Lem have worked together to craft a Holy Week family devotional for your use. There are activities for children, youth, and adults to participate in. Please download it here. 

Lastly, whatever Sunday we return, that will be our Easter celebration! We are working with our florist to ensure that flowers are available at that time--even if they are different than what was ordered. (Weekly flowers will be moved to a future date that is open). 

Church Council will meet via conference call immediately following worship on Sunday, April 19. Please call in and stay on the line for our meeting. 

Opening Prayer
Healing and Empowering God, we are sometimes so sure that things will not work out. We doubt your ability to make things right in our lives. We confess that we do not trust you and are often frightened by death. We have experienced the loss of loved ones and have heard, all too often, of the horrible losses of those in our community and the world who died too early from diseases or from disasters. We get scared that it could happen to our family too. Ease our fears, O Lord, and give us courage and strength to face each day unafraid because you are by our side. Help us to remember that dry bones can come alive and that there is life after death. Amen. (Rev. Bonnie McCubbin)

Children's Message
Please visit this link for multiple children's activities related to this week's passage. You can also watch this video story with Pastor Bonnie.

Prayer of Dedication
Awesome God, our gifts are just empty words called “prayers,” or ink on paper called “money” and “checks.” They are dead and useless until you give them new life. Send your Spirit into our gifts so that they may come alive and bring our community into a relationship with you. Amen. (Rev. Bonnie McCubbin)

Closing Hymn ​Lord of the Dance (261 UMH)--Awesome Irish version! Totally worth the listen.

Call to Worship Psalm 23 (UMH 754)
One: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Many: The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures,
One: leads me beside still waters, restores my life,
Many: leads me in right paths for the sake of the Lord's name.
One: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil;
Many: for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
One: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
Many: you anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.
One: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
Many: and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

Opening Hymn He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought (UMH 128)--Skip Ad

Opening Prayer
Almighty God, a wilderness beckons us: a desert, a barren place, yet a place of blessing and discovery. Jesus, steady companion, accompany us, as we enter the hurtful places, the frightening places, the dangerous places deep within us. Jesus, our wise and well-traveled guide, lead us into this emptiness, where all will fall away, and we will have nothing but you. Walk with us through the valley of the shadow of death, where we shall be raised, and drink of deep springs. Amen. (W&S 17, altered)

Children's Message
Please visit this link for multiple children's activities related to this week's passage. You can also watch this video story with Pastor Bonnie.

Hymn Lord, Who Throughout These 40 Days (269 UMH)--Skip Ad

Scripture Psalm 23 (Click the link for a modern translation by scholar Robert Alter)

Sermon​ You can download a sermon below

The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;*
the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic** church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
​
Joys, Concerns, & God Sightings
Continuing Prayers: Our Police; Baltimore; Our nation and world; The Syrian refugee crisis and Aleppo; Our homebound, Those effected by Covid-19--including medical staff, teachers, parents, children, those infected, etc.

The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Offering
Please consider mailing your offerings to the church (3800 Roland Ave, Baltimore, MD 21211), bringing them when we resume meeting to "make up" the weeks missed, or utilizing our online giving platform available with any of the green "Give" buttons located throughout our website. We appreciate your generosity as we seek to continue our mission and ministry throughout the community during this difficult time. And, we need your help so we are still here when this crisis ends. As a means of justice, we are committed to paying our staff throughout this crisis, but we need your help to do this.

Doxology

Prayer of Dedication
Lord of us all, guide us in the right paths, lead us to the still waters when all our pain and suffering can melt away. Take the gifts we have brought this day and bless them so that they may be used to lead others to the still waters that only you can provide. Amen. (Rev. Bonnie McCubbin)

Closing Hymn ​Precious Lord, Take My Hand (474 UMH)

Announcements
We are currently closed at least through the end of March (and most likely, longer) to help "flatten the curve" of Covid-19. If you have pastoral needs, please contact Pastor Bonnie directly (preferably through email or the website) so they can be addressed promptly. We have no office hours and all activities, including, but not limited to worship, Bible Study, Church Council, choir, and After School Programs are cancelled until the building re-opens.

Online Giving Go to our website (www.goodshepherdhampden.com) and click the green "Give" button to go to a secure website for your transactions. Or, download the secure, encrypted App Tithe.ly from the App Store or Google Play.

Contact Information We have tried to reach out to every regular attendee and member this week via telephone, text, and/or email. However, in many situations, we have incorrect contact information. Please be sure to *email* or call Pastor Bonnie ASAP so you do not miss any information. 
 
Bible Study resources can be accessed at https://www.bwcumc.org/resources/who-are-we/#PeopleofGod Scroll all the way down to part 1. We'd be on Session 4 this week. 
 
Holy Week Worship Schedule: (Assuming we are back by then! Otherwise, we will have online options):
Palm Sunday (April 5): 10am Vibrant Worship with Palm Parade and Trumpet
Holy Thursday (April 9): 7pm Worship at Good Shepherd with Communion and Foot Washing, combined with Hampden UMC and Mt. Washington/Aldersgate UMC
Good Friday (April 10): 11am Pastor Bonnie preaching at Salem UMC, 7509 Windsor Mill Rd
10am CrossWalk starting at Good Shepherd and ending at The Village Church with worship
Easter (April 12): 7am Community SonRise worship in Roosevelt Park
10am Vibrant Resurrection worship with Trumpet

Opening Prayer
God of the Living Water, pour out on us. We have been wandering around in desert places for too long, and we are parched. Quench our thirst and longing for something deeper, something more real, something more meaningful. We know that you have offered yourself to us many times before, but too often we turn away. Forgive us and guide us back to your well so that we may drink from your Living Water and live as your faithful disciples. Amen. (Rev. Bonnie McCubbin)

Children's Message
You can download a children's bulletin below.

Scripture John 4:5-42 (click for Scripture)

Sermon​ You can download a sermon below

Prayer of Dedication
Loving Parent, you powerfully fill the voids in our lives. You reveal your compassionate grace by the simple act of always being present. You unselfishly feed us when we are hungry and quietly walk with us when we feel alone. Combine this offering with others so that all your children can be filled with the power of your redeeming spirit. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. (W&S 134, altered)

Closing Hymn ​I Surrender All (354 UMH)

+++Prayer: Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, our Rock and our Redeemer. May our ears, eyes, hearts, and minds be open to your message. Amen.

“The eagle never flies higher than the cross.” This phrase, this quote, was formative for me this week. It was included in the final paragraph of a message that our Bishop, LaTrelle Easterling, sent out in the wake of the election results this week. She sent it knowing that our conference, like our country, our churches, and our neighborhoods, are fiercely divided. Only approximately 50% of adults actually voted in this election. If you voted, thank you for making your voice heard. Yet, 100% of our nation is divided and has an opinion. One candidate won the popular vote. The other won the electoral college and will become our next president.

But it was a fierce election. Whomever was declared to be the President Elect in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, after my head hit the pillow, exhausted from watching hours of election returns; we were going to be faced with an immense challenge in this nation to listen, pray, accept, honor, protect, learn, and talk. “This election brought out some of the worst in all of us in both large and small ways. This election opened up a chasm of racism, xenophobia, sexism, and homophobia evident to one side. And this election opened up a chasm of political corruption, illegal activity, crooked behavior, and questioned integrity to the other. We clearly see this world through totally different lenses. So we [woke] up as a divided nation—and it’s not new. We’ve been divided for some time. But the chasm feels bigger than ever. The differences feel insurmountable.

But we did not wake up alone today. We have a God who is bigger than the chasm and more powerful than the differences. That’s how we face this new day in America—honoring the God of ALL of us, loving our brothers and sisters, showing grace to those with different opinions than ours, listening to the pain of those who are afraid, and praying for this divide to be healed. But we’ve also got work to do. We’ve got a lot to do to ensure that the least, the last, and lost, and the left behind are protected and honored. We’ve got a lot to do to ensure that we hold all of our leaders accountable to work for everyone to find a way up in this world. Today I pray and start the hard work of moving forward together. And we’re not alone. We’re never alone. And that gives me hope as we work to bridge the chasm that faces our nation.” (Dr. Wiseman, http://www.onscripture.com/season-healing-how-we-move-forward)

One of the first things we can do is to confess that we have all sinned against God and neighbor. Every day, we make mistakes that dishonor our Maker. Every day, we intentionally or unintentionally hurt other people who are made in the Image of God. And every day, we must ask for forgiveness.

At the time of the Passover meal, Jewish People would have 4 cups on the table that they would use to tell the Exodus story, the story of their rise from captivity as slaves and journey into freedom. Each cup was to be drunk, like a toast, in remembrance of the events in Exodus. Then there was a 5th cup, the Cup of Elijah, that was not to be consumed, as a Promise that God would come again one day. When Jesus was eating the Passover meal with his disciples, when he picked up the cup, he picked up the Cup of Elijah, and consumed it, stating that he was now the embodiment of God. He did this to bring unity to the people.

Like the chalice, the cup, I hold in my hands, we are bent people. We are bent by the weight of this world. We are bent by our great chasm, our great divide as a nation. But take heart! We are not broken! We are bent, we are NOT broken! And so, I invite you to join with me first in a prayer of confession, as our first act of repairing the damage done in our families, our congregation, our community, our nation, and our world; as a means of unifying us with Christ.

Jesus, please take our cups of sorrow: one cup holds the sorrow of the disenfranchised blue collar workers whose opportunities have dried up in recent decades. We stand convicted of having neglected their despair.
And please take the other cup of sorrow, which is our racism and misogyny in this country. Your last commandment to us was to go and make disciples of all nations—literally, all ethnicities. You command us to know the other, to listen to the other, to befriend the other. We confess the ways we have resisted this call and feared it.
Jesus, we give you our cups of sorrow. May we humbly accept from you, instead, the oil of gladness and the mantle of praise that you promise us (Isaiah 61:3). May we go to all the ethnicities in love and humility. Amen. (Melanie Weldon Soisset)

Today in our life as a congregation was supposed to be Laity Sunday. But for a variety of reasons, it is not happening. At first, I was lamenting the change, because it created a gap in our worship life. Then a colleague suggested moving Christ the King Sunday forward a week, and using next week to recognize Thanksgiving. So that is what I have done.

Christ the King Sunday is the newest liturgical holiday that the Christian Church observes, having arrived less than 100 years ago. The United Methodist Worship Planning resources tell us that at the time, many Christians in Mexico were suffering from religious persecution from an anti-religious government. Secularism was rapidly growing and taking the power in Europe. So, in 1925, the Roman Catholic Church declared the final Sunday before Advent as a worldwide celebration of the kingship of Christ over every earthly power. It was later adopted by Protestant churches
         
As Americans, we don’t fully understand what it is like to be governed by a King or Queen. We don’t understand the totalitarian rule that was expressed. Even though there are laws, the Monarch can overturn those laws. They had absolute power and authority over everything. In our nation today, some people are grieving because they believe that the President Elect will take away their right to marry the person that they love, deport their family members or themselves, or remove their access to healthcare. Others say they are overreacting. Our President has considerable power and is often said to be the “Leader of the Free World.” But our President has checks and balances from Congress and the Supreme Court. Others say that when one party controls all of these, the checks and balances fall apart. Maybe. Maybe not. Time will tell. What we do know is that we are in a similar position to that of Scripture.
         
Only twice in Scripture is there anything approaching a democracy. The people were ruled by Judges and Kings and Queens. They did not have a say in who ruled them, or what the outcome of something would be. Only twice did they have a say. The first was before the rise to power of King David, when the Israelites asked for a King so that they could be like other nations (this is what our Bible Study has just finished studying). And the second was when Pilate asked the crowd which prisoner they wanted released—Jesus or Barabbas. And the crowd chose Barabbas. And so Jesus was crucified, with a sign over him in several languages, seeking to mock him: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.
         
What the government did to mock Jesus, the people adopted as a rallying cry. Yes, this man being executed is OUR king! This is what God’s Kingdom is really like—a reversal of worldly expectations and the fulfillment of Godly expectations. Jesus is the King of God’s Kingdom. God’s politics—if God even could be said to have politics—are not like that of a democracy or typical kings.
         
And nowhere is that more clear than in today’s Scripture passage. This letter may have been written by Paul while he was in prison, or it may have been written in his name after his death. It was written to a group of Christians who were having trouble understanding what to worship—they were worshiping, or at the very least, believing, that the stars controlled their destiny. They were using astrology instead of depending on God.
         
Today’s passage includes a hymn, a song that they were very familiar with at the time. It uses the language of praise and worship, and honors Jesus Christ as the head of the Church since the beginning of time. It sets up Jesus Christ as the King over the Kingdom—over all things in heaven and on earth. Similar to the praise of Emperors and Kings in the Roman Empire, this song heaps praises upon Christ to show the people that Christ is greater than any earthly power. Christ is the one who holds all things together, and all people together. This is something that not even the Roman Empire, through their military, armies, wars, and laws could do. The “Pax Romana”—the Roman Peace—is not peaceful. It used force to achieve its goals, and people still revolted. The Romans tried to regulate religion and social life. But it failed, because the people had different ideas. The Romans depended on force to bring people into their cult. Jesus instead depended on love to reconcile people to God. Jesus invited everyone—regardless of their background, creed, ethnicity, disability, gender, or past sins—into relationship with God.
         
This hymn, this song, was dangerous to sing in the wrong places. Singing it could get you killed—along with your family and anyone else singing it with you. It was considered treasonous. And in some places today, the result is the same. People are still afraid of being persecuted for their beliefs. In our country and abroad. And we as Christians are called to stand against oppression and injustice in whatever forms they may present themselves—even, or perhaps, most especially, when it is painful and difficult to do so. The eagle never flies higher than the cross.
         
As Christians, we must ask ourselves in the midst of this great chasm, this great divide, what would Jesus say? What would Jesus do? And I believe that the message is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. “Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still. Let this be our song. No one stands alone. Standing side by side. Draw the circle wide.” This is a line from a song written by Mark Miller, a faithful United Methodist who serves on the faculty at Drew Seminary in New Jersey. He wrote this for General Conference—the every 4 year meeting of United Methodists from around the world—several years ago, as a way to bring diverse and disparate people together. The week after the Freddie Gray riots last year, I used this song as a basis for my sermon. And once again, after protests have happened in our City, as our Nation is divided, I bring it back to you. Draw the circle wide. We stand together, Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green, and Independent, united as Americans. And, moreover, we are united in Christ. The eagle never flies higher than the cross. Our Christian identity is greater than our patriotic identity. This Veteran’s Day weekend, we give thanks and praise for the men and women who have fought for our right to worship freely in this great nation. Yet, our Christian identity must be greater than our American identity. There are Christians in every nation on this earth. And we are united as brothers and sisters. Draw the circle wide.
         
I was asked this week by a well-meaning person, what I was going to do now that Donald Trump is the President Elect. I said I was going to do the same thing I was going to do if Hillary Clinton had been elected. Get up. Shower. And go fight for justice. This has been my calling from God since before the election, and it is still my calling now that the election is over. I, along with every Christian, am called to stand with the least, the last, the lost, and the marginalized in this world. I am called to stand with the people who fear for their own lives and with those who feel that they have been heard for the first time in a long time. I am called to fight for justice. I am called to make sure that every person is safe and welcomed in the Body of Christ. I am called to make sure that we are listening to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. I am called to speak out against bigotry, hate, violence, homophobia, xenophobia, racism, sexism, and all the other “phobias” and “isms” that divide people and bring hurt to anyone. When one of us hurts, we all hurt. I am called to love. Because love wins. We can cry our ugly tears. But we can’t neglect one another—Children of God, made in the Image of God—as we voice our truth, our reality.
         
My prayer is that one day, we can all stand side by side for justice; for peace; for love; and that God’s Kingdom will be achieved on this earth. That’s the dream. Right now the reality is quite different. It’s ok to mourn. It’s ok to grieve. It’s ok to celebrate. It’s ok to care for yourself. It’s ok to fight for justice. Right now, all rules are broken. We are in uncharted territory. And we need each other.

What would Jesus say? Draw the circle wide. And, I believe he would echo Bishop Easterling: “The eagle never flies higher than the cross. Our nation’s politics do not supersede the work of God or the Holy Spirit. Our grounding is found at the foot of the cross and our hope is built on Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. We are united, even as we experience this election differently. We are united in our faith, our love of God and our love for one another.”

A story is told:
Once there was a wise old woman who lived in a small village. The children of the village were puzzled by her—her wisdom, her gentleness, her strength. One day, several of the older children decided to fool her. No one could be as wise as everyone said she was, and they set out to prove it. So they found a baby bird. One of the boys cupped it in his hands and said to his friend, ‘We’ll ask her whether the bird I have in my hands is dead or alive. If she says it is dead, I will open my hands and let it fly always. If she says it’s alive, I’ll crush it and she’ll see that it’s dead.’ So they went to the woman and presented her with this puzzle. ‘Old woman,’ the little boy asked, ‘the bird in my hands, is it dead or alive?’ The old woman became very still, studied the boy’s hands, then looked carefully into his eyes. ‘It’s in your hands,’ she said.” (From Carter Heyward, “Touching Our Strength,” p. 73, via Parker Palmer).

On this, Christ the King Sunday, we are called to remember that nations, and governments, and leaders will fade and fall, but the Kingdom of God will stand forever. We can’t put our hope and trust in any politician. We must put our hope and trust in Jesus Christ. It’s in our hands. Amen. 

Well, the snow hit us hard. As I prepare this, at my house, we have at least 18 inches, probably closer to 20+ inches, and it has picked up both in volume falling and in wind blowing. It doesn't even seem worth it to go out and shovel, because 10 minutes later, all your hard work will be erased. We are all definitely snowed in.

We also received communication from City Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke today saying that some streets in the City may not be plowed until Tuesday, and power outages may take through Friday to repair. (The full text of the email is posted on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/GoodShepherdHampden While you are there, consider "liking" our page for the most up-to-date information available. Facebook can be updated even when the website can't.) Be patient. Be safe. Be smart. Please check with neighbors. Help one another. Don't shovel so much you have a health emergency. I can't get to visit you in the snow (seriously, your health is more important than the shoveling). Keep our unhoused/homeless neighbors in your prayers. This is no time to be outside. There are warming shelters set up and transit to them...but nothing near our neighborhood. I've been working with Mary Pat Clarke to find a solution nearby. 

If you need something, remember to call 911 for emergencies. Other concerns, if you let me know, I'll work to pass them along to the correct folks as long as I have power. Stay strong. We will get through this! God has not abandoned us!

However, due to the weather, all worship services and church activities are cancelled on Sunday, 24 January and Monday, 25 January. Determinations for the rest of the week will be made as we move forward. Attempts will be made to contact all of our church families. However, if you think of someone who needs to know this information, please pass it along to them. It's better to hear it several times than not at all. 

You are invited to gather with those in your home, a neighbor or friend, call someone, or worship by yourself on Sunday. Below is an order of worship you may use. I will be in prayer during the worship time, and invite you to join me. Know that you are blessed. We are blessed. See you on the other side of the storm.

Peace and Blessings,
Pastor Bonnie

Choral Prelude​: Father, I Adore You (video starts after ad)

all to Worship
One: Loving God, who speaks to us through your Scriptures and in the collective wisdom of your people throughout the ages:
Many: Help us to hear anew what you would speak to us this day.
One: For your word is always fresh,
Many: A message of life and hope in the world that needs to know and heed your will.
One: Through Christ the living Word and your Spirit of illumination
Many: who with you is the trust that sets us free. Amen. (W&S 72)

Opening Hymn: O How I Love Jesus
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Opening Prayer: In you, O Lord our God, we find our joy, for through your law and your prophets you formed a people in mercy and freedom, in justice and righteousness. Pour your Spirit on us today, that we who are Christ’s body may bear the good news of your ancient promises to all who seek you. Amen. (Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, 2002)

Response to Prayer: The Gloria Patri
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Children's Message The Children's Bulletin is below. You are welcome to print it for one-time, home use.

Hymn of Preparation: Thy Word Is a Lamp

Scripture Reading: Luke 4:14-21 (Click Scripture for a link)

Ponderings: Discuss with those gathered or ask yourself these questions:
1) What is the passage trying to say?
2) What about the passage sticks out to me (good or bad)? Why?
3) What is God trying to say to me through this passage?

Things to Consider: When have you been rejected from those you most want to share God's love with? How did you feel? What did you do? If you've never experienced this, why not? Who have you shared God's love with? 

A Jubilee is when all work ceases for a full year. When does Jesus say this will happen? Why? Has this ever happened in your knowledge? (The answer is "no.") Why not? How is God's Kingdom different than our lived reality? What can we do to make God's Kingdom more of a reality?

Prayers: These are updated with what I have been notified about. If you have additional prayers, please feel free to contact me.

Joys:
We installed our 2016 leaders!
Myrtle M. is home at Lamplight!
 
Concerns:
Betty P’s niece, Barbara, had a stroke.
Linda T’s sister, Barbara.
Linda T’s nephew, Dennis.
Raymond N.
Edith T’s sister is in the hospital.
Edith T’s brother, John.
Rosetta W. is in the hospital.
All our armed forces and first responders.
Istanbul, Jakarta, Charsadda, Canada, Paris, Beirut, Baghdad, Japan, Nigeria, London, San Bernadino, the whole world.
Baltimore.
The Syrian refugee crisis.
 
Continuing Prayer Concerns: Tim P; Evelyn R. and Paula; Myrtle M; Edith’s Family; Pastor Bonnie’s grandfather, Al; Shirley S; Mary J; Frances S; John & Doris C; Gloria (Jeanne H).

The Lord's Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine in the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Offerings: Our expenses continue even when we are closed. Please consider making up your offerings next Sunday, or by mailing them to the Church Office: Good Shepherd UMC, 3800 Roland Ave, Baltimore, MD 21211. Other ways of giving are explained on our Giving Page of the website (Click for a link).

Closing Hymn: I Love to Tell the Story

Selected Announcements: (All events are weather-permitting--stay tuned to the website, Facebook Page, phone, and always use your own good judgement. Even if the church is open, please consider if you personally can get to church safely. Your safety is our first priority.)

1) The New Church Council will meet on Thursday, January 28, at 4pm. At this meeting, we will discuss our regular meeting time. If you are unable to attend, please let Linda Thompson, Chair, know. The meeting is open to the congregation, but only members of the Council have vote.
 
2) The Re-scheduled Worship Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 27, at 3:30 pm in the Choir Room.
 
3) A new 9-week Bible Study on Nehemiah will begin on Tuesday, February 2 at 2pm in the Parlor. All are welcome to the study as we explore how Nehemiah rebuilt the community and how we can do the same. There is a study book. The deadline to sign up has passed; however, please see Pastor Bonnie if you are still interested.
 
4) The Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 10. Mark your calendars for Ashes to Go (volunteers needed) and community worship at 7pm.
 
5) Family Dinner and a Move Night will be on Friday, February 19 at 6:30pm. We will share a meal of pasta before watching a G or PG movie. All are welcome to attend. Suggested donation of $1/person or $5/family. Please RSVP on our website or to Pastor Randy.

As yet 2 more mass shootings take the lives of 18 more people, and dozens more are wounded, I find myself struggling with the way of our world. I find myself wondering when it will be over; when our country will wake up and say, “Enough is enough!” In 336 days, there have been 355 mass shootings (defined as 4 or more people hit in a single incident). 

As a person of faith, I find myself turning to Scripture in times of trouble. And when I don’t know where else to go, I find myself traversing the Psalms, seeking to know that 1) I’m not the only one who has felt this way; and, 2) Answers to my questions.

The “whys” and the “how longs” resonate with me the most. I wonder why God is hiding from us and from this world.
Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? (Psalm 10:1)
 
How long, O Lord? Will you hide yourself forever? (Psalm 89:46)
 
I find myself wondering if God has abandoned us and forsaken us…or, at the very least, forgotten about us.
 
My God, my God, why have you forsaken [us]? Why are you so far from helping [us], from the words of our groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest. (Psalm 22:1-2)
 
People of faith are asking tough questions of God, but God seems to be silent. And the answers I find in the Psalms to “trust” God—whatever that means—seem inadequate right now.
 
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust… (Psalm 25: 1-2a)
 
It doesn’t feel active enough. Many people are writing their local and state and national representatives, demanding that they take action. And, on the one hand, yes, we need laws that protect the citizens of our country. We need our government to take action. But we as ordinary citizens need to take action too. We need to stand up to our friends, our family, our neighbors, our Facebook acquaintances; and tell them that guns are not the answer to our problems. We need to demand that we hold one another accountable, because laws can only go so far—especially if no one follows them.
 
One of the struggles we face comes from those persons who are staunchly “2nd Amendment Rights” people. In my own family, I have people who tell me that “we are given the right by the Constitution to have guns! It’s our right!”
 
I’m not a fan of guns, however, I’m the last person to try and take away the rights of our citizens. That being said, as a historian, let’s talk a bit about what people *think* their rights are, and what they actually are.
 
First, the “right to bear arms” is not in the Constitution itself, it is in the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. This is itself key. We’ve had amendments to the Constitution that have later been repealed (Prohibition, anyone?). Passed in 1791 to assuage the fears of the Anti-Federalists who didn’t want to ratify the Constitution, the Bill of Rights gives us certain rights that are not enumerated in the Constitution itself.
 
The 2nd Amendment, the one famous for the line, “the right to bear arms” actually says the following: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Meaning, the “right to bear arms” is directly related to the keeping of a well regulated Militia. The only reason we have to keep weapons, protected by the Bill of Rights, is for those persons who are trained and ready at a moment’s notice to protect our settlements, villages, and towns. And since less than 0.5% of Americans currently serve in our armed forces, that leaves 99% of us without this protection and “right.” (Even if we add in veterans, it’s only 7.3% who have ever served…and most of those were in peacetime who never saw conflict. Check out this article for a great breakdown of service).
 
Now I know I have probably ticked off a lot of people with these comments, and that’s ok. (If you want to fact-check me, you can start with the Wikipedia articles here and here before branching out further). I think we need to be clear what we are guaranteed by law, and what we aren’t if we are asking to change the law. I wonder if we need to change the law so much as enforce the one(s) we have?
 
But I digress. I didn’t write this blog post to lecture us on our rights. I wrote it to ask where God is in the midst of the senseless tragedy we find ourselves in daily. In my own great City of Baltimore, the gang violence claims so many lives. As of the writing of this post, we are at 315 homicides for the year—on track for close to 350 homicides before the ball drops at midnight in Times Square. Many of these people are caught up in gang turf wars; but many are innocent too. You can’t tell me that a 3-year-old sitting on her porch is guilty of anything. And I wonder, where is God in the midst of this? Why doesn’t God protect her?
 
Yesterday, a friend of mine posted a sentiment on Facebook that struck me, and summed up my thoughts better than I could. She said, “This is one of those ties when we might be tempted to ask God why God lets all these terrible violent things happen. But what if God asks us the same question?”
 
Why do we stand back and idly watch more people get killed by guns than terrorists? Why? And why doesn’t God intervene to stop it?
 
When God created the world, God created us in the image of God (Genesis 1:26), and gave us dominion over the earth. God gave us freewill to use the brains God gave us, and to act accordingly. We have the capacity to discern good from evil, and God lets us do that. God gives us freewill to do as we see fit.
 
God doesn’t intervene to stop every little thing—what kind of world would we be living in if this happened? We wouldn’t want to live in a world where God stepped in and forced us to do things we didn’t want to do. If every time we prayed, we got what we wanted, this would be a messed up place. That creepy boy you didn’t want to date in high school? Yup…you’d be going out with him because he prayed that God would make it happen. (Yes, this is a silly example, but you get the idea).
 
Bad things happen because we as people misuse the freewill God has given us. I recently heard a story about a mother and daughter who were walking to church when a car crashed into them, driven by a drunk driver. They were killed. The mother and daughter didn’t do anything wrong, or anything to deserve being killed like that. It wasn’t their fault. A bad thing happened because another person chose to drink too much and then get behind a wheel and drive. That person’s freewill cost 2 other people their lives.
 
Mass shootings aren’t God’s fault. They are ours. Even if you don’t own a gun; or, if, like me, you’ve never even shot one; it’s our fault. It’s my fault. We live in a violent world where we misuse freewill for our own gain and pleasure without any regard to the people around us. God gave us the brains to discern good from evil, and the freewill to choose between them. And we have been mistaken. Even those of us (like probably all of you reading this) who have never been the perpetrator of a mass shooting, we are responsible. God gave us dominion over this earth and charged us to care for it. And we have failed.
 
We need to repent and turn back to the Lord. This isn’t God’s fault. This is our fault. And as such, we must take the first steps to fix it. We must stand up to one another and say, “I know you may never use your gun for ill-purposes, but the culture of guns and weapons in this country is out of control. We must stop this. And it starts with us. It starts with me.”
 
In 1996, Australia had a mass shooting. Afterwards, they enacted stricter gun laws, and haven’t had an issue since then. We as Americans claim that this can’t be done in our country. Maybe this isn’t the right solution. Maybe it is. But we can’t stay where we are. We must change. The answers are indeed in Scripture, in the ordinary people who act in extraordinary ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus on this earth.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
 
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. (Psalm 51, selections)

Scripture: John 15:1-8
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.



My favorite tree is in the front yard of my parents’ home. It was grown from a sapling of the Wye Oak. As a young tree, it was covered by a blizzard, and run over by a lawnmower. But it persisted. It flourished. As it grew taller, one year, my dad decided that it needed to be pruned. I was devastated. To me, pruning the tree was killing a portion of it. I began to cry as the branches were cut off. My dad explained to me that pruning allows the tree to grow taller and better. I didn’t realize or understand that pruning happens naturally in nature—the deer and other animals eat the lower branches of the trees, doing what we have to do with saws in our yards. I could only see destruction and devastation with pruning, but pruning brings hope. It brings hope for a better tomorrow because you are helping the tree to grow, last, endure.

            Today’s Scripture places us firmly in the “I am” passages—I am the Good Shepherd, I am the vine. Jesus says, “I am the true vine” “He removes every branch IN ME that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to bear more fruit. What struck me this week, was that this passage isn’t negative or talking about your neighbor. This is all about you. There are branches in you that bear good fruit, and branches in you that need pruning. Each of us has good and bad in us. Every situation has good and bad in it too.

            This week has been a pruning week for Baltimore. We have bad branches that need to be pruned and cut off so that all of Baltimore can grow and flourish. This week’s riots, protests, and problems aren’t new. This has been brewing under the surface in Baltimore for generations. And it isn’t all about race either. It’s about class—the poor get poorer and the rich get richer. We know about the riots in ’68. We know about the differences in neighborhoods. We know that most of the police here in Baltimore don’t come from here and don’t understand the culture. We know that a young man named Freddie Gray was illegally taken into custody, and while in custody suffered injuries that ultimately led to his death. We know that not all cops are bad. We know all of these things and more. But we also know that there’s always at least 2 sides to every story. And that’s what I’ve come here to tell you today. The other side of the story. The story that the media won’t show. The story that is the human part.

            This week, I saw branches that were bearing good fruit and they were flourishing. Last Sunday, I posted the prayer we used in worship on our church blog, and it has received 750 views as of last night. Clergy as far away as Michigan, seeking to find words to use have requested permission to use this prayer. People want to help, they want to pray, but they don’t know what to say or do—so I am trying to help them find their place to reach out and serve; to give them the words.

            As all this has transpired this week, I’ve had the words from a song Mark Miller wrote in 2009, called “Draw the Circle Wide.” It starts like this: “Draw the circle wide, draw it wider still. No one stands alone, we stand side by side. Draw the circle wide.” I’ve been thinking about this—how can I stand side by side with our brothers and sisters 5 minutes from here—less than 2 miles away? How can I draw the circle wide to bring others in?

            I didn’t have to wait long for an answer. On Tuesday, after the riots Monday night, the schools were closed. The Bishop asked churches to open up as safe places for kids to gather—draw the circle wide. I went to John Wesley UMC, but no one came because they were too afraid to leave their homes. So we went to Metropolitan UMC where there was a large feeding effort under way. Again, folks wouldn’t come out because they were too afraid. So we took the food to them—draw the circle wide. We drove around with cars full of food, and gave out over 500 meals to people who were unable to get to the store—the neighborhood stores were looted, burned, and otherwise unavailable. Public transportation was shut down. They had basic needs, and we as United Methodists rallied—standing side by side.

            One of the most touching stories of this week for me came when I was standing outside of Metropolitan UMC. I was helping to unload the train of cars that kept pulling up to donate food, and began talking with two small children—7 and 9 years old. As we were chatting and laughing, an ambulance went by on the cross street. The children heard the siren and froze, then began to freak out. The sirens reminded them of the terrors the night before. Another volunteer and I grabbed them, and held them, reminding them, “You are safe here.” Draw the circle wide, standing side by side.

            Later on Tuesday, I was in Sandtown, at Penn and North, walking and praying with the community. Complete strangers saw me in my collar and asked me to pray with them. So we prayed. We prayed for the foot of a young girl who was hit by plastic bullets. We prayed for her friend who was killed by them. We prayed for an elderly woman in a wheelchair who couldn’t get to her prescriptions. We prayed, and we prayed; drawing that circle wide. We stopped to pray for a pastor in the neighborhood who has been working day and night to bring God’s peace to his neighborhood. And as we gathered around him in prayer, a man asked if he could join our circle. We invited him in. Then 2 women came…and some folks in a car. More people gathered. A reporter asked to join in too. Draw the circle wide—draw it wider still.

            That evening, as most of the area clergy gathered at a church in the county to plan and organize and avoid the curfew in the City; a contingent of 50+ United Methodist Clergy gathered and walked together through the streets of West Baltimore as a presence and a witness to the turmoil there. We didn’t have magic words to say. We were simply a ministry of presence. And we joined a praise party in the streets—a video is posted on our website. We watched as two competing drum corps and dance teams played together. We had gang members from rival gangs protecting us and thanking us for being there. All of us together, in the street like a fair—draw the circle wide—standing side by side.

            On Wednesday as the children went back to school, the streets were deserted and peaceful. Only a few folks remained on a stoop. Prayer calls and prayer vigils sprung up. We began having conversations with our after school kids about the events and how they can change this City. Hope began to spring forth. Draw the circle wide.

            Yesterday I was back in Sandtown, helping to hand out food, toiletries, diapers, and other basic necessities to residents who were running out of supplies. Folks were so grateful. I met some amazing people and built relationships I pray will last beyond when the cameras are turned off. Plans for the future with hope were being made. And God was being served as we stood side by side with our brothers and sisters.

            I’m telling you these short stories—of which I have many more—because I want you to understand that out of our pruning time comes hope and good fruit. We are drawing closer together and closer to God through this. And there is a place for you to serve too.

            This week, I took to Social Media to help show others what was really going on—things the media wouldn’t show. And a man I went to college with contacted me and said that he really respected what I was doing in and for the City. He said that he was a jerk in college, and apologized. He was glad that people of faith were taking action to bring about change, and that my actions were encouraging him. He turned to faith because of what we did this week. What we do makes a difference in this world. People see our action or our inaction, and it makes a difference.

            So I’m calling on you, brothers and sisters, to prune away the dead branches IN YOU this week. Prune away the fear, the insecurity, the nastiness, the indifference, the racial issues, the class issues, the neighborhood issues. Prune it all away. Let the good branches IN YOU bear fruit. I’m calling on you to reach out, to draw the circle wide, to stand side by side with our neighbors just 2 miles from here, and let them know that God cares. Let them know that God has not abandoned nor forsaken them. Let them know that you are there. Find someone who is different than you. Reach across the aisle of politics, race, class, age, gender, anything that separates you from another person—someone you view as “the other.” Reach across that aisle and draw the circle wide. Stand side by side. Because if Baltimore is ever going to grow and bear good fruit, it must start with us—one by one; united we stand. We are all Baltimore. Amen. 

Praise Party Video in the Streets of Sandtown. We are working on getting this upright. Copyright 2015, Rev. Bonnie McCubbin.

Pray For Baltimore--Week 2
By: Rev. Bonnie McCubbin, Good Shepherd UMC, Baltimore

As we join together in our City, in our State, in our Nation, and around the world in lifting Baltimore up in prayer, we are drawing the circle wide. For the outpouring of love and support we have received this week, we give thanks to you. We have felt it here—no one stands alone, we stand side-by-side. Draw the circle wide.

Draw the circle wide—for competing drum corps performing together in the streets of Sandtown.

Draw the circle wide for praise parties in the streets.

Draw the circle wide for the National Guard who are away from family protecting us.

Draw the circle wide for the Officers who are trying to do their jobs in a rough time.

Draw the circle wide for the officers accused and their families.

Draw the circle wide for the family of Freddie Gray.

Draw the circle wide for protestors.

Draw the circle wide for faith groups and leaders.

Draw the circle wide for our Mayor, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

Draw the circle wide for Police Commissioner Anthony Batts.

Draw the circle wide for National Guard General Linda Singh.

Draw the circle wide for Prosecutor Marilyn Mosby.

Draw the circle wide for the City Council.

Draw the circle wide for those bringing health kits and food to a barren land.

Draw the circle wide as we pray as one—united we stand.

Draw the circle wide. We are all Baltimore. Draw the circle wide.

You’re the God of this City. You’re the King of these people. You’re the Lord of this nation. You are God.

This week has been a week of low times and high times. This week has been filled with joys and with sorrows. Our grief, our pain is raw and it is real. This week, as many of us stood by and watched the protestors and rioters destroy and loot Sandtown-Winchester, Mondawmin, and other places; as we felt the heat of the fires burning in multiple sectors of the City; as we saw children out of school and hiding in their homes in fear; we wondered, “Where is God in the midst of this?”

Yet, Lord, you are a God of peace and of justice. You are a light in the darkness. You sent wonderful faith leaders to walk arm-in-arm to stand in the gap between disparate groups. You sent rival gangs to join together to protect these faith leaders. You sent the Nation of Islam to help keep peace.

You are the hope to the hopeless. You provided a train of cars bringing food and supplies to churches for packaging and taking to the neighborhoods. You brought together Christians, Muslims, Jews, people of faith and people of no faith at all; to go out into our City and find the children and families in need, to provide food for them, toiletries, and more until the corner stores can be reopened, the pharmacies can be restocked, and the lives restored.

You bring peace to the restless. You provided a means for the investigation to conclude early enough for announcements to be made to stop the Friday protests and keep our City from being damaged more. You hold people accountable and will have the final say on Judgment Day. There is no one like you.

Greater things are yet to come, greater things are still to be done. Our prayers will not end when the riots end. Systemic changes are needed here. But we have the faith to know that you can and you will bring change to this City and to our nation. You are God.

Once again, Almighty Protector we come before you on our knees for our Great City of Baltimore. Once again, we plead for peace. Once again we plead for justice. We know that you have not abandoned nor forsaken us. And for that we give you all the glory; all the honor; all the praise. Help us to draw the circle wide so that all may be One and your will may be done. Draw the circle wide. No one stands alone. We stand side-by-side. Amen.