Crete United Methodist Church

Weekly Devotion

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Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:43-45a

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There’s an old, medieval legend that goes like this: Once, two knights in full battle dress were riding late at night. Each one was alone but by a coincidence, they happened to meet each other in a particularly dark place in the woods. Both of them were startled and each one interpreted the surprised motions of the other as showing hostility. Both thought that they were in the presence of an enemy.

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Feeling threatened; they began to defend themselves and to fight. At first the blows they exchanged were slight; just glancing blows, but soon each blow became more intense until at last they were giving lethal attacks on one another. Both were severely wounded but finally one of knights was able to unhorse the other. With what little strength he had left, he was able to thrust his spear through the heart of his adversary. Then, badly wounded himself, he got off his horse and went over to his vanquished foe and pulled back the face gear that was over the knight’s face. And there in the pale moonlight, he saw to his utter horror the face of his own brother.

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It’s a cautionary tale, of course. It’s also one that’s been rumbling in my mind these days, as I watch the evening news, the spiraling hostility and divisions that I fear could well be the undoing of us. There’s a sense in which this ancient parable is a parallel to our world today.

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It is no overstatement to say that Jesus came into our world to reverse the story of the two knights. Instead of brothers and sisters misperceiving each other as enemies and, therefore, destroying each other, Jesus came to help us see that even the enemy we perceive, if you can look deep enough, is in fact a kinsperson. Therefore, there are reasons to be brotherly and sisterly with each other. There are reasons to love even those who may appear to be our enemies. Jesus came to reverse that terrible, terrible destructive spiral and give us a way to see each other more profoundly as those to whom we are kin.

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Jesus told us to love our enemies. I can think of nothing that could change our world for the better than our commitment to look at every person we meet with the eyes of love. It is the reversal of the legend of the two knights. Instead of kinspersons misperceiving each other as enemies, let us, even when someone seems to be an enemy, perceive that in that person’s profoundest identity--they are a brother or a sister and, therefore, worthy of our deepest affection.

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In the words of ML King: “I have decided to stick with love, for I know that love is ultimately the only answer to mankind's problems.” May we reclaim a language grounded in a sense of the Common Good, a language of love and dignity, of compassion and right relationships.

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Yours in the journey,

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Pastor Kristen

 

Announcements

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JOIN US TONIGHT FOR WORSHIP AT 7:00PM Sermon topic: “The Kingdom of God is as if someone…”.  All are welcome.

 

UPDATE ON CUMC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

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On Sunday, June 27th, the next phase to loosen safety precautions will be in place.

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      What will be different?

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• A return to pre-pandemic Summer Worship hours: One service on Sunday, beginning at 10 a.m. There will be no Wednesday evening worship service during the summer.

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• The length of the service will extend to 45 minutes (rather than 30).

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• Seating restriction to every other row in the sanctuary will be eliminated. Tape on those pews will be removed.

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• Joys and Concerns will return to pre-pandemic practice of individual sharing. An usher will bring a microphone to you and will hold it for you while you speak.

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• Congregational singing will return. Yeah!

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• Hymnals and Bibles will be back in the pews for those who wish to use them. We will continue the use of screens. No bulletins will be used.

• On the first Sunday of every month, we will return to receiving Holy Communion up front, with individual, pre-cut bread and individual cups. Servers will wear gloves in the distribution of the elements. Baskets will be placed to return cups prior to returning to your seats.

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     What will stay the same?

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• Attendance will continue to be taken at the entry doors of the church in order to maintain contact tracing.

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• We will continue the use of one entrance/exit to the sanctuary.

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• Collection of offering will continue to be received in a plate on a table just outside the entrance to the sanctuary.

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• We continue with no pencils, envelopes, things to write on or attendance pads in the pews. Please bring what you need with you.

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• Directioning decals will remain in place.

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• Coffee time before and after worship will not yet resume.

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THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED THIS FRIDAY (June 18, 2021)

If you need anything, you may contact Pastor Kristen

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