http://www.msqpc.org/ en-us ℗ & © 2012 Madison Square Presbyterian Church Sermons and Special Events from a Progressive Christian Church Madison Square Presbyterian Church Madison Square is a progressive, open and affirming, More Light Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, TX. We encourage listeners to think beyond the traditional, Christian teachings and challenge them to work for justice in their communities. This podcast will offer weekly sermons, music, and other special events that happen at MSqPC. Madison Square is a progressive, open and affirming, More Light Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, TX. We encourage listeners to think beyond the traditional, Christian teachings and challenge them to work for justice in their communities. This podcast will offer weekly sermons, music, and other special events that happen at MSqPC. Madison Square Presbyterian Church mreznicek@sbcglobal.net Madison Square Presbyterian Church Viva Fiesta! What a wonderful fun-filled week it has been for me to jump into this San Antonio tradition. Thank you to everyone who has pointed me in the direction of the most fun events to explore. (And who has steered me away from those to avoid!) I also want to offer an even greater word of thanks to our children for presenting God?s gifts to us in worship last Sunday. What a true gifts they are! And what a gift our Christian Education volunteers and staff are! Truly we are blessed with this ministry here at Madison Square. As we celebrate the joy of Springtime and the play of children, we turn toward an ?Earth Day Sunday? here at Madison Square this weekend. The familiar Psalm 23 shapes our worship of ?The Good Shepherd,? inspiring our renewed commitment to our own vocation as stewards of creation. In a sermon called ?Saving Paradise? (based on a book with the same title by Rita Nakashima Brock and Rebecca Parker) I will share how the liturgical formation of early Christians was designed to inspire a commitment to tend the ?Paradise? God has created. How might we experience our own call as 21st century Christians to do the same? Our Minute for Mission about responsible e-waste will offer practical wisdom and direction, as well. In addition, we are delighted to welcome five new members to our community here at Madison Square. Jerry King, Ron Flores, Joey Howard, and Paula Stewart have been received by the session, and Tina Sullivan plans to do so early Sunday morning. What a great joy to welcome them into our membership! msqpc_sermon_80 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 12:00:00 CST 0:20:05 earth day, paradise, psalm 23 Madison Square Presbyterian Church ?Behold, what manner of love our God has given unto us! That we should be called the children of God; for that is what we are.? With this familiar text from 1 John 3:1-3, the Sacrament of Infant Baptism concluded last Sunday, as we oooed and ahhhhhed over our beloved new child Evy-Lou. What a joyous moment of grace we shared together! Many thanks to proud parents Elizabeth Bowhay and Jenny Carnes for trusting this special moment to our community at Madison Square. As I said over and over again last Sunday, the commitment we made to Evy-Lou in this Sacrament was just as sacred as any covenant vow among life partners. We vowed to welcome her into the full life of this community. To open our hearts to her in her most vulnerable places. To lead her always to the table of sustenance. To offer her the wisdom of the ages as she hungers for truth. We said we would love her, that we would support her, that we would care for her as she lives and grows among us. And we meant it! As we turn toward this next Sunday, ?the Third Sunday of Easter,? the Scripture with which we ?sealed the deal? with Evy-Lou becomes our lectionary scripture for continued study and reflection . . . and action! In the Presbyterian tradition, we understand the Sacrament of Baptism to reflect God?s covenant commitment with a community and not just an individual. When we proclaim God?s covenant grace on children in infant baptism?even before they know how to ask for that grace?we are proclaiming God?s covenant grace for all children everywhere, and not just those who ?belong? to ?us.? And so we will be reminded this Sunday of our continued call to live out the covenant vows we make with children in this Sacrament of Infant Baptism. Two members of the Madison Square Child Development Center Board will share the work of this vital mission at Madison Square . . . and invite us to make a renewed commitment to this ministry. Our Interim Director of Christian Education will serve as the liturgist, offering a visible reminder of our commitment to rebuilding and rejuvenating our ministry with the youth who call Madison Square ?home.? And rumor has it that the Worship Committee is finding other ways to include children in prominent roles in our worship this Sunday. And . . . even as we focus on those who are ?literally? children in our midst . . . we will remember that every one of us is, in the end, God?s beloved child . . . settling deep into the arms of our mothering/fathering God . . . crying out in our need . . . but resting forever in the grace that will not ever let us go. For that is who we are. And that is who God is. Alleluia! msqpc_sermon_77 Sun, 22 Apr 2012 12:00:00 CST 0:18:10 baptism Madison Square Presbyterian Church Reading form the Epistles - Romans 15: 5 & 6 and Colossians 3: 14-17 Reading from the Gospel John 12: 20-33 msqpc_sermon_76 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 12:00:00 CST 0:22:03 Madison Square Presbyterian Church Blessed are the Peacemakers! What an amazing turnout for our witness for peace at the San Antonio City Council meeting Wednesday night. Over 40 people gathered at City Hall to ask the Council members to consider placing an endorsement of the establishment of a Department of Peace at the federal level on their agenda. MSPC was well-represented among this group. In our statements before the City Council, Father Robert Woody (Rector, Episcopal Church of Reconciliation), Ken Sheppard, and I spoke about the high cost of violence in our society and the great benefit of investing in non-violent conflict resolution methods. For us at Madison Square, this witness was a tangible way to live into our mission ?to serve actively and creatively as an agent of love, reconciliation, peace, and justice in the community and in the world.? While there is much follow-up to do in this particular effort, we can rest sure in the knowledge that the Prince of Peace is guiding every step along the way. We will continue to reflect on this aspect of the Madison Square in our worship on Sunday. In the meantime, our Focus Groups continue to meet for ?holy conversations and deep reflection? on where God is leading this congregation for the future. Some of the Focus Groups are nearly finished with their work, while others are just getting underway. Each group has a unique ?flavor? and emphasis that reflects the beautiful diversity of this congregation. Each group has important insight to share with your Transition Team in this season of self-assessment. Once we have finished the work of all of the Focus Groups (and celebrated Easter!), your Transition Team will consolidate this information into one document that outlines: 1) a common vision that succinctly describes who Madison Square wants to be; 2) a set of shared commitments/values that guide the common vision; and 3) a list of step-by-step priorities for the next 1, 3, and 5 years that move Madison Square forward into that vision. This document will be shared with the congregation for further feedback and adopted by the session. Then your Pastor Nominating Committee will use this document to assist them in the work of recruiting, interviewing, and selecting a new installed pastor. Several of you have asked what the timing of all this will be. The answer is, ?It depends.? If the Focus Groups offer fairly consistent feedback and shared priorities, the work of the Transition Team will be easy and quick. If the Focus Groups offer fairly divergent feedback, the work of the Transition Team will take a bit longer. Either way, I expect a final report and a recommendation to form a Pastor Nominating Committee to come within the next 1-3 months. For now, we are still in the season of Lent . . . still hearing from one another our deepest values, our deepest hopes, our most heartfelt commitments . . . still learning to trust that God is indeed providing for us even if we cannot yet see the future. May we use this season to deepen our faith in the One who will not ever let us go . . . and to strengthen our bonds with one another as we walk the path together. Grateful to be with you, Gusti msqpc_sermon_74 Sun, 18 Mar 2012 12:00:00 CST 0:16:09 Madison Square Presbyterian Church Love is patient. Love is kind. How often do we hear these words from Paul?s Letter to the Corinthians at weddings? They are beautiful reflections on the power of love to bind two people together ?for as long as we both shall live.? And yet Paul?s letter was to an entire community and not just two individuals within it! Love is patient; love is kind, Paul tells the Corinthians . . . reminding them in the midst of their deepest conflicts of the steadfast love of God that sustains everything they do as a community of faith. In our worship this Sunday we will gather in the same Spirit as those first century follows of Christ in Corinth to remember this most basic command of the Christian faith. It is our meditation on this Second Sunday in Lent ?to bear witness, in both word and in deed, to the universal and unconditional love of God as made known through Jesus Christ.? And it is our invitation to the table of sustenance that forms our communion in love with God and with one another. We will also remember the life of Nelda Muelker (February 10, 1938 ? February 25, 2012). Nelda united with this congregation in 1953 and was particularly embraced by the community after she was injured by a moving vehicle. In lieu of a memorial, the friend who cared most closely for her has asked us to bear Witness to the Resurrection in our worship on Sunday morning. Nelda?s burial will be at City Cemetery, Gonzalez, TX, date to be determined. It is most fitting that we remember Nelda and all the saints who have died in the faith in our communion this Sunday. It is my deepest conviction that every time we feast at Christ?s table we are, indeed, feasting with all those who have come before us and all those who will come after us . . . briefly tasting in one small moment the heavenly banquet of God?s steadfast love that is our promise forever. May we come in that Spirit of steadfast love as we gather this Sunday. msqpc_sermon_73 Sun, 04 Mar 2012 12:00:00 CST 0:16:09 love Madison Square Presbyterian Church And so we are here. The Season of Lent. Which is, I will confess, my most favorite time of the Christian year. Why? Because it asks us to turn away from everything that would distract us from the gospel truth . . . to cleanse ourselves of whatever sin and sickness and suffering would weigh us down . . . and to hold fast to that which is good as we prepare for a resurrection feast. No wonder the Season of Lent has unfolded as the opportune time for Madison Square to begin its period of self-assessment in preparation for an installed pastor! Beginning this Sunday, I will preach on the six sections of the Madison Square mission, reminding us of the roots of who we believe God has called this congregation to be, and inviting us to turn away from anything that would keep us from this mission. And beginning this Sunday, the Transition Steering Committee will invite you into a series of ?Appreciative Interviews? in which we will share our deepest values, most cherished experiences, and heart-felt hopes for the ongoing ministry of this congregation. Whether or not you have signed up for a Focus Group, I hope every one of you will participate in this initial step of the self-assessment process so we may incorporate the best of what Madison Square means to the entire community in this self-assessment period. More details follow regarding what to expect from the Self-Assessment process. Please do feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments or suggestions for how to make the most of this Lenten discipline. And in the meantime, please know how much you are loved and cherished by the God who created you ?good? . . . and wants desperately for you to be made ?well.? msqpc_sermon_72 Sun, 26 Feb 2012 12:00:00 CST 0:18:33 lent, covenant, transition Madison Square Presbyterian Church Michael Adee, director of More Light Presbyterians, preaches on Isaiah 40: 28-31; Isaiah 43: 1-2, 13, 18-19; and Mark 9: 2-8 on the 130th Anniversary on Madison Square Presbyterian Church. He talks of this church's decisions over the years to continually Defy Gravity. msqpc_sermon_71 Sun, 19 Feb 2012 12:00:00 CST 0:26:26 Madison Square Presbyterian Church What gets you up in the morning? The sun streaming delightfully through the blinds? The aroma of freshly brewed coffee steaming in the cool morning air? Or is it something more like a blaring alarm clock or a screaming infant? (Or an insistent pet who needs to get out!) ?Joy comes in the morning,? we are told in one of my very favorite psalms, Psalm 30, which is our Scripture for this Sunday. And, at least at Madison Square, it is true. Once I?ve gotten up in the morning (sometimes ?joyfully? and sometimes with more groaning than I care to admit), I make my way to this place of grace and find: Rosario, our CDC cook, whipping up another low-cost, high-nutrient meal for the truly delightful young ones who come to our Center every day . . . and making me very hungry if I have made the mistake of skipping breakfast that day! I find: Janet, our Bookkeeper, counting out numbers silently to herself to make sure she?s got our church accounting as accurate as humanly possible. I find: Betty, our Church Administrator, editing the church bulletin and compiling the statistical report and updating me on the pastoral care concerns of the day. I find: Susan, our Christian Educator, sorting through resources and coordinating volunteers. I find: Camino, our Jan-Pro service provider, sweeping and mopping and vacuuming. I find: Olga, our CDC Director, checking in with the teachers to make sure they have everything they need for the day . . . and filling in for a classroom, herself, whenever there is need. I find: Cindy, our CDC Assistant Director, corralling children into the playground for some much-needed exercise, and I find: Madelyn, our CDC Business Manager scrimping and saving and stretching those dollars every way possible to make sure every expense counts and every child has what they need to thrive. And that?s just the morning! On this Staff Appreciation Sunday, each of these members of the Madison Square staff, along with all the teachers and the support staff of the CDC, have been invited to join us in worship for a special time of recognition. Mark, Paul, Duane, Esther, Cody, and Edi, whose music ministry we experience each Sunday, will also be appreciated with these staff members. It?s our chance to say a resounding ?Alleluia!? to the work they do ?behind the scenes? on behalf of each one of us who call Madison Square home. Please join us for a reception after worship, as well, to say a special thank you to each one of them. msqpc_sermon_70 Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:00:00 CST 0:18:56 staff, praise, thanks, joy Madison Square Presbyterian Church Isaiah 40:21-31 Mark 1:29-39 What a wonderful turnout last Sunday for our Annual Meeting and ?First Annual Fabulous CDC Chili Cook-Off?! With reports from yours truly on the ?State of the Union,? from Tom Davis on the ?State of the Corporation,? from Margaret Erickson on the ?State of the Transition? and from Cindy Fuqua on the ?State of Nominations,? we received a full-scale assessment of the hard work and deep faithfulness of this congregation in the past year and a preview of what is to come in 2012. Alleluia! (My ?State of the Union? Report is available on the church web site and was just sent broadly via email to the congregation. Tom?s ?State of the Corporation? and Margaret?s ?State of the Transition? reports will be posted to the website asap.) And so here we are, moving head in preparation for a congregation-wide period of self-assessment and visioning for the future. On Sunday, February 19th, we will celebrate 130 years of ministry at Madison Square with guest preacher Michael Adee and a post-worship reception with cakes and a DVD of the MSPC history. On Wednesday, February 22nd, we will prepare for the season of Lent by inviting the purifying flame of the Spirit to cleanse us of all we need to let go and refine us for the future that lies before us. On Sunday, February 26th, we will formally launch the Self-Assessment period with a post-worship potluck of fried chicken and comfort food and an introduction to the process we will use with Focus Groups. If you have not yet signed up for a Focus Group, please do so, using the insert in your bulletin. Everyone who participates in the life of Madison Square (even those who are not official ?members?) is encouraged to sign up for a focus group. In the meantime, I will preach this Sunday on, ?Proclaiming our Mission,? using the Gospel Lesson from Mark 1:29-29. In the first ?house church? of the Christian era, Jesus preaches and heals and prays and gathers a community . . . all at the home of Simon Peter. What does this prototype of the ministry of ?house churches? mean for Madison Square?s mission of ?welcoming home? the people of God? Lots of good questions, lots of good energy, lots of good ministry yet to come! msqpc_sermon_69 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:00:00 CST 0:22:01 Madison Square Presbyterian Church Deuteronomy 18: 15-19 Luke 4: 16-30 msqpc_sermon_68 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST 0:14:57 deuteronomy, luke, prophet Madison Square Presbyterian Church Exodus 20:1-3, 8-11 Mark 3:1-6 msqpc_sermon_67 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST 0:25:32 Healing, wholeness, gay rights, same-sex marriage, same gender, rules Madison Square Presbyterian Church ?Comfort, comfort ye my people.? These are the beautiful words from the prophet Isaiah that will form the theme for our worship this Sunday, the second Sunday of Advent. As we continue our watching and waiting for the coming of Christ, let us consider the ways in which we already know Christ?s comfort among us . . . the ways in which we care for one another in our times of need . . . the ways in which we celebrate with one another in times of joy . . . the ways in which God continues to heal us as a community and as individuals. Consider, for example, the enthusiastic Facebook response of a visitor who attended Madison Square for the first time last week: ?What a precious place this is,? he said. ?The classic architecture combined with classic and modern music was wonderful. The service was thoughtfully planned and the sermon was also thoughtful and moving. But nothing was as touching as the wonderful diversity of the congregants and the obvious love and affection they have for one another!? (emphasis added). It is true! What a comfort it is to know how much we already comfort one another. What a comfort it is to know how much our care for one another can inspire those who step into our midst. What a comfort to know we are truly ?welcome home? in this sanctuary of grace no matter who we are or where we come from. May it continue to be so for all who would grace the sacred space that is our spiritual home. And may this comforting presence of God?s grace fill us ever more fully as we continue our Advent journey together . . . msqpc_sermon_65 Sun, 04 Dec 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:13:58 advent, comfort Madison Square Presbyterian Church Old Testament - Isaiah 64: 1-9 Gospel - Mark 13: 24-37 msqpc_sermon_64 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:25:44 advent Madison Square Presbyterian Church The Rev. David Jones preaches on Old Testament: Psalm 46: 1-11; Gospel - Mark 6: 30-34 msqpc_sermon_63 Sun, 20 Nov 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:33:03 thanksgiving Madison Square Presbyterian Church Be afraid! Be very, very afraid! Is this not the prevailing message we hear loud and clear on a regular basis? A daily drumbeat of fear and anxiety around our basic survival? It was, at least, the message received by one of the servants in the familiar ?Parable of the Talents? that is our Gospel lesson for this Consecration Sunday (Matthew 25:14-30): Three servants receive ?talents? (a large sum of money) from their master. One of them fears the master and buries his talent, allowing his fear to keep him from investing in the life of community. The other servants open their hearts to the generous gift they have been given and watch their talents multiply beyond their dreams. We are invited to do the same. We, as God?s people, come to Consecration Sunday this week with some choices to make about the gifts God has given us, about our talent and our treasure, about our time and our temperament. Will we fear for our survival, or will we trust God to provide when we invest ourselves in God?s world? Will we celebrate God as generous, or will we fear God as vengeful? Will we hold back in order to see what happens next, or will we put forth our best effort to build God?s kingdom right here and right now? These are the deep questions of our time . . . of all time . . . and particularly of the time to celebrate our congregational stewardship. I believe we at Madison Square have every reason to choose trust over fear, generosity over revenge, commitment over ?wait and see.? In fact, I believe we already have! And so in a spirit of trust, generosity, and commitment, I invite you to come home again this Sunday to an oasis of healing grace and celebrate together our commitment to God and to one another as faithful stewards of God?s gifts. I look forward to our time together. msqpc_sermon_62 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:18:03 Madison Square Presbyterian Church Elder Ruben Armendariz preaches msqpc_sermon_61 Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:12:32 all saints Madison Square Presbyterian Church What a delight to be celebrating our first infant baptism together this Sunday! The proud parents of Nathan Chapman will be presenting him for this Sacrament of grace and welcome into the community of Christ. Surely we will all be blessed to share in this moment together. As we prepare for this Sunday, then, I invite every one of us to reflect on the meaning of our own baptism. Many of us were baptized as infants and so we have no personal memory of this moment. Others of us were baptized in our adolescence as confirmands. Others of us sought baptism as adults. The Presbyterian tradition honors all of these ages of baptism because we believe they represent the great mercy of God for all people at all times: with adults who respond gratefully to God?s wholly outstretched arms, with teenagers who have opened themselves to grace, and with children whom God claims before we even know how to ask. So consider what your baptism has meant in your life, as we prepare to baptize precious Nathan, trusting that God?s steadfast love continues to hold you and guide you and strengthen you on the journey that lies ahead. msqpc_sermon_59 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:18:01 baptism, confirmation, child of God, Madison Square Presbyterian Church I invite you to consider where?and among whom?you ?see the face of God.? Is it in your children? Is it in the person across the street? Is it in the mirror? Or, as in our Scripture lesson from Matthew 22:15-22, is it on your money? The familiar text of ?render unto Caesar that which belongs to Caesar? is before us . . . a text which also asks us to ?render unto God that which belongs to God.? And so we must ask, again, ?where do we see the face of God?? Questions... and answers... and more questions await as we prepare to worship together. msqpc_sermon_58 Sun, 16 Oct 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:20:50 idolatry, Yaweh, God, face of God Madison Square Presbyterian Church As you walk into the sanctuary this week, you will see a few small visual additions to our normal Sunday environment. The most central of these symbols will be the ?unity candle? at the center of the table where we shared our common feast last Sunday. We normally use this unity candle in services of worship that celebrate the covenant vows of two people who promise before God and one another to unite their lives ?in plenty and in want; in joy and in sorrow; in sickness and in health; as long as we both shall live.? The candle points to partnership and commitment, fidelity and trust, intimacy and shared purpose. All values that resonate with our walk of faith, both as individuals and as a community. The newly formed ?Arts and Environment Subcommittee? has decorated the sanctuary in this way to remind us of the covenant union God has made with us, God?s people. Several biblical prophets speak of the covenant between God and the ancient Hebrews at Mount Sinai as a metaphorical ?marriage.? (This is our Old Testament lesson from Exodus 20). Many scholars and theologians interpret the deeply intimate language of Song of Solomon as an expression of God?s deep love for God?s people. (This is our anthem text.) And mystics of multiple religious traditions write of their union with God in language that resembles the kind of intimacy we share with our covenant life partners. One of my favorite religious writers even speaks of what we do in worship as one way to ?rejoice in God and make a fool of ourselves for God the way lovers have always made fools of themselves for the one they love.? And yet anyone who has made these covenant promises knows that ?this holy union,? both human and divine, is challenging. In our New Testament text, for example, a wedding parable from Jesus shakes up everything we want to believe about a loving, committed, God who will not ever let us go (Matthew 22:1-14). We do well to ask ourselves, in response how faithful we have been to our covenant vows with God. If we are honest, we may very well need to confess our need for forgiveness and grace . . . and to renew those vows once more. In our communion last week, we were reminded that the table is open to Judas and Peter, and all who fail to live our covenant promises completely. The great ?wedding feast,? which the Lord?s Supper is sometimes called, invites us to renew the commitment again and again. In our service this Sunday, God offers the same invitation: "I love you; I want to be your God; do you want to be my people?? And we get to say, ?I do.? msqpc_sermon_57 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:22:52 union, wedding, vows Madison Square Presbyterian Church Philippians 3:4b-16 Matthew 21-33-46 What a delightful month we have had of ?getting acquainted? and celebrating the joy of our common pilgrimage! Many thanks, again, for the ?sweet, sweet spirit? that permeates this place. And special thanks to the Madison Square session for our first thorough and dedicated deliberation of the business of the congregation together. (See below for the clerk?s report of the highlights.) Special thanks, also, to the wonderful group of spiritual seekers who shared their insights and observations on the text this week at our first ?Teach the Preacher? gathering Wednesday. As we move into October, I would like us to start thinking together about the deep values of our faith and the particular ways in which this congregation might want to carry these values into the future. This Sunday?World Communion Sunday?invites us to consider the Christian commitment to peacemaking in a world of violence. We partake of one bread; we say we are ?of one body?; and yet, as the traditional Madison Square liturgy for this Sunday has so beautifully confessed, ?we are bloodied with our wars, we are wearied with our wounds . . . we know the things that make for peace, [yet] we struggle to give them wings.? Our text from Matthew?s gospel underscores this reality. Even as we receive our Presbyterian Peacemaking Offering this Sunday, Jesus will share ?The Parable of the Wicked Tenants? (Matt 21:33-46), revealing to the religious authorities of his time?and to we ?religious folk? of our time?the cycle of violence that would eventually take his own life. And we, who could so easily point out the violent speck in the eyes of another, might have to learn right along with the Pharisees our need to admit the log of rage in our own eyes. What might it mean for us to confess our violent world to the care of the ?Prince of Peace?? To seek once more ?the peace that passes understanding?? To pray, ?Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me?? These questions will guide our worship this Sunday, as our children lead us in celebrating World Communion, and we each make our own modest ?offering for peace.? msqpc_sermon_56 Sun, 02 Oct 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:20:15 world communion, christ, eucharist, grace, transform, welcome Madison Square Presbyterian Church Old Testament Reading--Exodus 17:1-7 Reading from the Gospel--Matthew 21:28-31 msqpc_sermon_55 Sun, 25 Sep 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:23:19 brita filter, unexpected gifts, water from a rock, manna from heaven, journey, gifts, pilgrim, pilgrimage, exodus, matthew Madison Square Presbyterian Church Consider how God has been, is, and will always be providing for God?s people?including us! Our Old Testament text this Sunday refers to the Hebrews ?wandering in the wilderness? after their Exodus from Egypt. They have been told a Land of Promise awaits them, but they sure haven?t seen it yet! And yet God provides for them ?manna from heaven,? day by day. In our Gospel reading, a landowner (perhaps representing God?) seeks out day laborers to work in his vineyard. Each one of them receives their ?daily wage,? no matter how many hours they worked. And in our prayer every Sunday we pray as Jesus taught, ?Give us this day our daily bread.? How do we prepare ourselves to receive God?s provision? How do we prepare ourselves for God to provide for others through us? msqpc_sermon_54 Sun, 18 Sep 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:21:28 manna, bread, giving, stewardship, exile, promised land, daily wage Madison Square Presbyterian Church As we turn our hearts and minds to worship God this Sunday, I would invite you to consider the theme of forgiveness. Both Old and New Testament Scriptures for this Sunday point to this classic Christian calling. And yet forgiveness is not easy. It is a process of healing and letting go that takes time, discipline, and radical trust in God's providence. What does it mean to forgive? How do we forgive? And are there times when it is better not to forgive? Exploring these questions?without easy answers?will enrich our worship life this Sunday. I am very much looking forward to our time together. msqpc_sermon_53 Sun, 11 Sep 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:20:00 forgiveness, hope, healing, 9/11 Madison Square Presbyterian Church Love in Action msqpc_sermon_52 Sun, 04 Sep 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:15:00 Love in Action Madison Square Presbyterian Church Sometimes we are not aware of what is hard and what is easy. Is it easy to love? Or hard? And where do you find love? How do you answer? Worship will be focused on the marvelous passage from 1 John 3, ?This is the original message, that we should love one another. For God is love, and when we love, we live in God, and God lives in us.? This is the focus of the sermon. But even more, worship will be filled with a lot of good music. Worship will be a real celebration followed by a wonderful potluck lunch. A day not to be missed by babes, old folks and everybody in between! msqpc_sermon_51 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:15:00 love, God Madison Square Presbyterian Church Blessing of the Backpacks Matthew 22: 15-22 Worship will be especially focused around children. Children will share in the leadership of the worship service. All children and adults are invited to bring their backpacks, briefcases, laptop cases--whatever you use, to be presented and blessed as we begin another year of school, work and study. The special focus will be highlighted by the sermon "Stewards of our Wealth". msqpc_sermon_50 Sun, 21 Aug 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:15:00 stewardship, wealth Madison Square Presbyterian Church The market goes up, and it comes down; the days get hot, they cool off. Our families are at work, but then lose jobs. Life flows on and we try to keep flowing with it without getting worn down or worn out. So, how can we teach our heart to sing in all life's conditions? That is what we will focus on this Sunday--the attitude of gratitude that teaches the heart to sing. msqpc_sermon_49 Sun, 14 Aug 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:15:00 heart, sing gratitude Madison Square Presbyterian Church the prodigal son comes home The Prodigal Son Comes Home msqpc_sermon_48 Sun, 07 Aug 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:15:00 The Prodigal Son Comes Home Madison Square Presbyterian Church Leaving home is a spiritual event. We all leave home. Leaving home is a spiritual event. We all leave home. And then what? There is probably no story so central to the gospel than the story of the "prodigal" son who left home with his inheritance to find a life for himself--only to end up so hungry he longed to eat with the pigs. And then, decides to go home. That is the gospel story this week. Paul Hughes will sing of this story in a beautiful piece, "The Prodigal." The sermon is titled "Leavetaking". Come and worship together as we ponder what good news the gospel has for all of us in this story. msqpc_sermon_47 Sun, 31 Jul 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:15:00 home, spirit, inheritance Madison Square Presbyterian Church Texts: Luke; 11:1-13 Romans 8:26-39 Prayer is political action. Prayer is social energy. Prayer is public good. Far more of our nation's life is shaped by prayer than is formed by legislation." That's what Eugene Peterson (Presbyterian pastor, and translator of the Bible, The Message) has to say about the power and impact of prayer. Sunday worship will be about prayer, and the sermon is "Praying When You Don't Know How." Prayer has the power to transform life. msqpc_sermon_46 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:15:00 prayer Madison Square Presbyterian Church Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus ad erit ?Are there times in your life when God seems so far away; when you do not feel the slightest religious impulse beating within you?? So begins the sermon for this Sunday as we open our eyes to the struggle we all have when we discover ?God is not here; God is not with us.? Alone, abandoned, irrelevant, lost, overwhelmed, apathetic, blind?all words describing this common experience. The poem by Robin Mann ends each of its three stanzas with the words, ?You were in this place?but we never knew.? So, come Sunday we will begin to open our eyes and unpack our experience of a ?missing God? and try to discover instead, the reality of a ?present God? standing beside us. On the way we will discover the meaning of the wonderful words, vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit. Come, join us on the journey. msqpc_sermon_45 Mon, 18 Jul 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:15:00 god is present Madison Square Presbyterian Church Abiding Love by Rev. Kent Miller Abiding Love msqpc_sermon_44 Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:15:00 Love, Madison Square Presbyterian Church Things to Do and Places to Go by Rev. Kent Miller Obsession with self is a dead end. Attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God... When God lives and breathes in you, you are delivered from that dead life. With Christ's spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's. ..the best thing for you to do is give your old self-centered, do-it-yourself life a decent burial, and get on with your new life. God's spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go. msqpc_sermon_43 Sun, 19 Jun 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:15:00 God's spirit, Jesus, God, life, new life Madison Square Presbyterian Church No Empty Promise by Rev. Kent Miller No Empty Promise msqpc_sermon_42 Sun, 05 Jun 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:15:00 promise, empty Madison Square Presbyterian Church Pentecost: Come to the Party, Rev. Kent Miller Texts: Acts 2:1-21; Romans 8:12-17 God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go! 15-17This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike What's next, Papa? God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. What kind of church do belong to? I mean, what describes our church? This morning I want to talk to about belonging to a church that is adventurously expectant, that is exciting, that is festive, that celebrates. I want to talk to you about belonging to a church where all kinds of people are welcome; not just your kind of people, or my kind, but where all kinds of people are welcome. I want us to think about belonging to a church that is more like a party than a meeting. When you think about church, I want you to think about inviting all kinds of people to a wonderful party. Where people say, what's next, Papa? msqpc_sermon_39 Sun, 12 Jun 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:25:38 Pentecost, Tony Campolo, God's Spirit Madison Square Presbyterian Church When Christians Must Say No, Rev. Kent Miller What do you see? Yes, I am standing in a box. Let's say this box is my religion. It is the set of beliefs and perspectives, prejudices, values and hopes that I use to interpret and make sense of my world. As I grow, the box grows. Everyone has their own worldview, their own religion, their own box. Most of the time we see the world and ourselves from within our box of beliefs. Sometimes we change change boxes. We convert or adopt a different set of values and beliefs. Then we stand in a different religion box. (Step out and step on the box). Now, what do you see? Yes, I am standing on the box. I have stepped outside my box, my religious values hopes and beliefs, and am now standing on them. I haven't left them, but now I am viewing the world rather outside that perspective. Furthermore, I have turned my views upside down, and so the world looks different. This allows me to compare my values, beliefs and world view with other religions, other views. I have my own perspective on which I stand, but now it doesn't confine, but allows me to make comparisons, choices, changes, analyze and evaluate. With this all too simple illustration, I want to make several quick points about the boxes we all have, and how they function in our lives. msqpc_sermon_38 Sun, 29 May 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:33:43 my own religion Madison Square Presbyterian Church He Is the Way, Rev.Kent Miller When I read the Madison Square web page that invites everyone who reads it to come home it is a remarkable statement of the meaning of home. I would guess that anyone reading it would be moved. Home is where you put your foot on the porch and before the other foot ever touches the landing the door dances open. and the first thing you see is a huge smile and the first thing you feel is a huge hug and the first thing you hear is your own name spoken with excitement and elation and jubilation and so much love. Home is where you don't have to be anybody but you. You don't have to be good enough or smart enough or strong or pretty enough or think only right thoughts or believe only right beliefs or guard your heart or deny your mistakes or hide your wounds or silence your needs or measure your hopes and dreams. You don't even have to pretend to be somebody your are not. So you can belong, because at home you belong already. You are a child of God. So we say to you, Come on in, Come as you are. Come on in, child of God. msqpc_sermon_37 Sun, 22 May 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:33:17 home, way Madison Square Presbyterian Church Living the Life of Abundance, Mr. Ruben Armendariz John 10 He Calls His Sheep by Name 1-5 Let me set this before you as plainly as I can. If a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the gate, you know he's up to no good?a sheep rustler! The shepherd walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice. They won't follow a stranger's voice but will scatter because they aren't used to the sound of it. 6-10Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. I'll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good?sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn't listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for?will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. msqpc_sermon_35 Sun, 15 May 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:12:18 abundance Madison Square Presbyterian Church Living on the Other Side, Rev. Kent Miller John 21:1-14 The Message (MSG) John 21 Fishing 1-3After this, Jesus appeared again to the disciples, this time at the Tiberias Sea (the Sea of Galilee). This is how he did it: Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed "Twin"), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the brothers Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. Simon Peter announced, "I'm going fishing." 3-4The rest of them replied, "We're going with you." They went out and got in the boat. They caught nothing that night. When the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the beach, but they didn't recognize him. 5Jesus spoke to them: "Good morning! Did you catch anything for breakfast?" They answered, "No." 6He said, "Throw the net off the right side of the boat and see what happens." They did what he said. All of a sudden there were so many fish in it, they weren't strong enough to pull it in. 7-9Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, "It's the Master!" When Simon Peter realized that it was the Master, he threw on some clothes, for he was stripped for work, and dove into the sea. The other disciples came in by boat for they weren't far from land, a hundred yards or so, pulling along the net full of fish. When they got out of the boat, they saw a fire laid, with fish and bread cooking on it. 10-11Jesus said, "Bring some of the fish you've just caught." Simon Peter joined them and pulled the net to shore?153 big fish! And even with all those fish, the net didn't rip. 12Jesus said, "Breakfast is ready." Not one of the disciples dared ask, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Master. 13-14Jesus then took the bread and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus had shown himself alive to the disciples since being raised from the dead. msqpc_sermon_34 Sun, 08 May 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:34:58 other side Madison Square Presbyterian Church Living Beyond the Scars, The Rev. Kent Miller John 20:19-31 The Message (MSG) To Believe 19-20Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you." Then he showed them his hands and side. 20-21The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant. Jesus repeated his greeting: "Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you." 22-23Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. "Receive the Holy Spirit," he said. "If you forgive someone's sins, they're gone for good. If you don't forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?" 24-25But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, "We saw the Master." But he said, "Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won't believe it." 26Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you." 27Then he focused his attention on Thomas. "Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don't be unbelieving. Believe." 28Thomas said, "My Master! My God!" 29Jesus said, "So, you believe because you've seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing." 30-31Jesus provided far more God-revealing signs than are written down in this book. These are written down so you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in the act of believing, have real and eternal life in the way he personally revealed it. msqpc_sermon_33 Sun, 01 May 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:24:30 scars Madison Square Presbyterian Church The Open Door, The Rev. Raymond Judd Mark 15:45-16:6 The Message (MSG) 42-45Late in the afternoon, since it was the Day of Preparation (that is, Sabbath eve), Joseph of Arimathea, a highly respected member of the Jewish Council, came. He was one who lived expectantly, on the lookout for the kingdom of God. Working up his courage, he went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Pilate questioned whether he could be dead that soon and called for the captain to verify that he was really dead. Assured by the captain, he gave Joseph the corpse. 46-47Having already purchased a linen shroud, Joseph took him down, wrapped him in the shroud, placed him in a tomb that had been cut into the rock, and rolled a large stone across the opening. Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of Joses, watched the burial. Mark 16 The Resurrection 1-3 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could embalm him. Very early on Sunday morning, as the sun rose, they went to the tomb. They worried out loud to each other, "Who will roll back the stone from the tomb for us?" 4-5Then they looked up, saw that it had been rolled back?it was a huge stone?and walked right in. They saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed all in white. They were completely taken aback, astonished. 6-7He said, "Don't be afraid. I know you're looking for Jesus the Nazarene, the One they nailed on the cross. He's been raised up; he's here no longer. msqpc_sermon_32 Sun, 24 Apr 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:24:26 door, open Madison Square Presbyterian Church The MSPC Choir presents "The Requiem" by John Rutter. beautiful music msqpc_sermon_31 Sun, 17 Apr 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:37:28 requiem, rutter, music, cantata Madison Square Presbyterian Church Somewhere Between Sheep and Goats, Dr. David L. Jones Matthew 25:31-46 The Message (MSG) The Sheep and the Goats 31-33"When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left. 34-36"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.' 37-40"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me?you did it to me.' 41-43"Then he will turn to the 'goats,' the ones on his left, and say, 'Get out, worthless goats! You're good for nothing but the fires of hell. And why? Because? I was hungry and you gave me no meal, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was homeless and you gave me no bed, I was shivering and you gave me no clothes, Sick and in prison, and you never visited.' 44"Then those 'goats' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn't help?' 45"He will answer them, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me?you failed to do it to me.' 46"Then those 'goats' will be herded to their eternal doom, but the 'sheep' to their eternal reward." msqpc_sermon_30 Sun, 10 Apr 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:18:26 series Madison Square Presbyterian Church A Still Small Voice, Dr. David L. Jones 1 Kings 18:38 to 1 Kings 19:14 38 Immediately the fire of God fell and burned up the offering, the wood, the stones, the dirt, and even the water in the trench. 39 All the people saw it happen and fell on their faces in awed worship, exclaiming, "God is the true God! God is the true God!" 40 Elijah told them, "Grab the Baal prophets! Don't let one get away!" They grabbed them. Elijah had them taken down to the Brook Kishon and they massacred the lot. 41 Elijah said to Ahab, "Up on your feet! Eat and drink?celebrate! Rain is on the way; I hear it coming." 42-43 Ahab did it: got up and ate and drank. Meanwhile, Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bowed deeply in prayer, his face between his knees. Then he said to his young servant, "On your feet now! Look toward the sea." He went, looked, and reported back, "I don't see a thing." "Keep looking," said Elijah, "seven times if necessary." 44 And sure enough, the seventh time he said, "Oh yes, a cloud! But very small, no bigger than someone's hand, rising out of the sea." "Quickly then, on your way. Tell Ahab, 'Saddle up and get down from the mountain before the rain stops you.'" 45-46 Things happened fast. The sky grew black with wind-driven clouds, and then a huge cloudburst of rain, with Ahab hightailing it in his chariot for Jezreel. And God strengthened Elijah mightily. Pulling up his robe and tying it around his waist, Elijah ran in front of Ahab's chariot until they reached Jezreel. 1-2 Ahab reported to Jezebel everything that Elijah had done, including the massacre of the prophets. Jezebel immediately sent a messenger to Elijah with her threat: "The gods will get you for this and I'll get even with you! By this time tomorrow you'll be as dead as any one of those prophets." 3-5 When Elijah saw how things were, he ran for dear life to Beersheba, far in the south of Judah. He left his young servant there and then went on into the desert another day's journey. He came to a lone broom bush and collapsed in its shade, wanting in the worst way to be done with it all?to just die: "Enough of this, God! Take my life?I'm ready to join my ancestors in the grave!" Exhausted, he fell asleep under the lone broom bush. Suddenly an angel shook him awake and said, "Get up and eat!" 6 He looked around and, to his surprise, right by his head were a loaf of bread baked on some coals and a jug of water. He ate the meal and went back to sleep. 7 The angel of God came back, shook him awake again, and said, "Get up and eat some more?you've got a long journey ahead of you." 8-9 He got up, ate and drank his fill, and set out. Nourished by that meal, he walked forty days and nights, all the way to the mountain of God, to Horeb. When he got there, he crawled into a cave and went to sleep. Then the word of God came to him: "So Elijah, what are you doing here?" 10 "I've been working my heart out for the God-of-the-Angel-Armies," said Elijah. "The people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed the places of worship, and murdered your prophets. I'm the only one left, and now they're trying to kill me." 11-12 Then he was told, "Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by." A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper. 13-14 When Elijah heard the quiet voice, he muffled his face with his great cloak, went to the mouth of the cave, and stood there. A quiet voice asked, "So Elijah, now tell me, what are you doing here?" Elijah said it again, "I've been working my heart out for God, the God-of-the-Angel-Armies, because the people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed your places of worship, and murdered your prophets. I'm th msqpc_sermon_29 Sun, 03 Apr 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:25:56 series Madison Square Presbyterian Church Rebuild the Altar , The Rev. Dr. David Jones 1 Kings 18:16-39 The Message (MSG) 16 So Obadiah went straight to Ahab and told him. And Ahab went out to meet Elijah. 17-19 The moment Ahab saw Elijah he said, "So it's you, old troublemaker!" "It's not I who has caused trouble in Israel," said Elijah, "but you and your government?you've dumped God's ways and commands and run off after the local gods, the Baals. Here's what I want you to do: Assemble everyone in Israel at Mount Carmel. And make sure that the special pets of Jezebel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of the local gods, the Baals, and the four hundred prophets of the whore goddess Asherah, are there." 20 So Ahab summoned everyone in Israel, particularly the prophets, to Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah challenged the people: "How long are you going to sit on the fence? If God is the real God, follow him; if it's Baal, follow him. Make up your minds!" Nobody said a word; nobody made a move. 22-24 Then Elijah said, "I'm the only prophet of God left in Israel; and there are 450 prophets of Baal. Let the Baal prophets bring up two oxen; let them pick one, butcher it, and lay it out on an altar on firewood?but don't ignite it. I'll take the other ox, cut it up, and lay it on the wood. But neither will I light the fire. Then you pray to your gods and I'll pray to God. The god who answers with fire will prove to be, in fact, God." All the people agreed: "A good plan?do it!" 25 Elijah told the Baal prophets, "Choose your ox and prepare it. You go first, you're the majority. Then pray to your god, but don't light the fire." 26 So they took the ox he had given them, prepared it for the altar, then prayed to Baal. They prayed all morning long, "O Baal, answer us!" But nothing happened?not so much as a whisper of breeze. Desperate, they jumped and stomped on the altar they had made. 27-28 By noon, Elijah had started making fun of them, taunting, "Call a little louder?he is a god, after all. Maybe he's off meditating somewhere or other, or maybe he's gotten involved in a project, or maybe he's on vacation. You don't suppose he's overslept, do you, and needs to be waked up?" They prayed louder and louder, cutting themselves with swords and knives?a ritual common to them?until they were covered with blood. 29 This went on until well past noon. They used every religious trick and strategy they knew to make something happen on the altar, but nothing happened?not so much as a whisper, not a flicker of response. 30-35 Then Elijah told the people, "Enough of that?it's my turn. Gather around." And they gathered. He then put the altar back together for by now it was in ruins. Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes of Jacob, the same Jacob to whom God had said, "From now on your name is Israel." He built the stones into the altar in honor of God. Then Elijah dug a fairly wide trench around the altar. He laid firewood on the altar, cut up the ox, put it on the wood, and said, "Fill four buckets with water and drench both the ox and the firewood." Then he said, "Do it again," and they did it. Then he said, "Do it a third time," and they did it a third time. The altar was drenched and the trench was filled with water. 36-37 When it was time for the sacrifice to be offered, Elijah the prophet came up and prayed, "O God, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make it known right now that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that I'm doing what I'm doing under your orders. Answer me, God; O answer me and reveal to this people that you are God, the true God, and that you are giving these people another chance at repentance." 38 Immediately the fire of God fell and burned up the offering, the wood, the stones, the dirt, and even the water in the trench. 39 All the people saw it happen and fell on their faces in awed worship, exclaiming, "God is the true God! God is the true God!" msqpc_sermon_28 Sun, 27 Mar 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:30:50 series Madison Square Presbyterian Church Give Me the Boy. . ., The Rev. Dr. David Jones 1 Kings 17:8-24 The Message (MSG) 7-9 Eventually the brook dried up because of the drought. Then God spoke to him: Get up and go to Zarephath in Sidon and live there. I've instructed a woman who lives there, a widow, to feed you. 10-11 So he got up and went to Zarephath. As he came to the entrance of the village he met a woman, a widow, gathering firewood. He asked her, Please, would you bring me a little water in a jug? I need a drink. As she went to get it, he called out, And while you're at it, would you bring me something to eat? 12 She said, I swear, as surely as your God lives, I don't have so much as a biscuit. I have a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a bottle; you found me scratching together just enough firewood to make a last meal for my son and me. After we eat it, we'll die. 13-14 Elijah said to her, Don't worry about a thing. Go ahead and do what you've said. But first make a small biscuit for me and bring it back here. Then go ahead and make a meal from what's left for you and your son. This is the word of the God of Israel: 'The jar of flour will not run out and the bottle of oil will not become empty before God sends rain on the land and ends this drought. 15-16 And she went right off and did it, did just as Elijah asked. And it turned out as he said?daily food for her and her family. The jar of meal didn't run out and the bottle of oil didn't become empty: God's promise fulfilled to the letter, exactly as Elijah had delivered it! 17 Later on the woman's son became sick. The sickness took a turn for the worse?and then he stopped breathing. 18 The woman said to Elijah, "Why did you ever show up here in the first place?a holy man barging in, exposing my sins, and killing my son?" 19-20 Elijah said, "Hand me your son." He then took him from her bosom, carried him up to the loft where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. Then he prayed, "O God, my God, why have you brought this terrible thing on this widow who has opened her home to me? Why have you killed her son?" 21-23 Three times he stretched himself out full-length on the boy, praying with all his might, "God, my God, put breath back into this boy's body!" God listened to Elijah's prayer and put breath back into his body?he was alive! Elijah picked the boy up, carried him downstairs from the loft, and gave him to his mother. "Here's your son," said Elijah, "alive!" 24 The woman said to Elijah, "I see it all now?you are a holy man. When you speak, God speaks?a true word!" msqpc_sermon_27 Sun, 20 Mar 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:26:08 series Madison Square Presbyterian Church You Want Me to Go Where, Lord? The Rev. Dr. David Jones 1 Kings 17 1 And then this happened: Elijah the Tishbite, from among the settlers of Gilead, confronted Ahab: As surely as God lives, the God of Israel before whom I stand in obedient service, the next years are going to see a total drought?not a drop of dew or rain unless I say otherwise. 2-4 God then told Elijah, Get out of here, and fast. Head east and hide out at the Kerith Ravine on the other side of the Jordan River. You can drink fresh water from the brook; I've ordered the ravens to feed you. 5-6 Elijah obeyed God's orders. He went and camped in the Kerith canyon on the other side of the Jordan. And sure enough, ravens brought him his meals, both breakfast and supper, and he drank from the brook. 7-9 Eventually the brook dried up because of the drought. Then God spoke to him: Get up and go to Zarephath in Sidon and live there. I've instructed a woman who lives there, a widow, to feed you. 10-11 So he got up and went to Zarephath. As he came to the entrance of the village he met a woman, a widow, gathering firewood. He asked her, Please, would you bring me a little water in a jug? I need a drink. As she went to get it, he called out, And while you're at it, would you bring me something to eat? 12 She said, I swear, as surely as your God lives, I don't have so much as a biscuit. I have a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a bottle; you found me scratching together just enough firewood to make a last meal for my son and me. After we eat it, we'll die. 13-14 Elijah said to her, Don't worry about a thing. Go ahead and do what you've said. But first make a small biscuit for me and bring it back here. Then go ahead and make a meal from what's left for you and your son. This is the word of the God of Israel: 'The jar of flour will not run out and the bottle of oil will not become empty before God sends rain on the land and ends this drought. 15-16 And she went right off and did it, did just as Elijah asked. And it turned out as he said?daily food for her and her family. The jar of meal didn't run out and the bottle of oil didn't become empty: God's promise fulfilled to the letter, exactly as Elijah had delivered it! msqpc_sermon_26 Sun, 13 Mar 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:23:36 series Madison Square Presbyterian Church Sunlight Poured from His Face The Rev. Dr. Francisco O. Garcia-Treto Matthew 17 Sunlight Poured from His Face 1-3 Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light. Then they realized that Moses and Elijah were also there in deep conversation with him. 4Peter broke in, Master, this is a great moment! What would you think if I built three memorials here on the mountain?one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah? 5While he was going on like this, babbling, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the cloud a voice: This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him. 6-8When the disciples heard it, they fell flat on their faces, scared to death. But Jesus came over and touched them. Don't be afraid. When they opened their eyes and looked around all they saw was Jesus, only Jesus. 9Coming down the mountain, Jesus swore them to secrecy. Don't breathe a word of what you've seen. After the Son of Man is raised from the dead, you are free to talk. msqpc_sermon_25 Sun, 06 Mar 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:38:17 sunlight Madison Square Presbyterian Church Oh Lord - the Brook is Drying Up! Dr. David L. Jones 1 Kings 16: 34 to 17:7 It was under Ahab's rule that Hiel of Bethel refortified Jericho, but at a terrible cost: He ritually sacrificed his firstborn son Abiram at the laying of the foundation, and his youngest son Segub at the setting up of the gates. This is exactly what Joshua son of Nun said would happen. 1 And then this happened: Elijah the Tishbite, from among the settlers of Gilead, confronted Ahab: As surely as God lives, the God of Israel before whom I stand in obedient service, the next years are going to see a total drought?not a drop of dew or rain unless I say otherwise. 2-4 God then told Elijah, Get out of here, and fast. Head east and hide out at the Kerith Ravine on the other side of the Jordan River. You can drink fresh water from the brook; I've ordered the ravens to feed you. 5-6 Elijah obeyed God's orders. He went and camped in the Kerith canyon on the other side of the Jordan. And sure enough, ravens brought him his meals, both breakfast and supper, and he drank from the brook. msqpc_sermon_24 Sun, 27 Feb 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:25:05 brook, dry, series Madison Square Presbyterian Church Keep Your Eyes Upon Jesus, The Rev. Dr. David L. Jones Matthew 14:22-33 The Message (MSG) Walking on the Water 22-23As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night. 24-26Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. A ghost! they said, crying out in terror. 27But Jesus was quick to comfort them. Courage, it's me. Don't be afraid. 28Peter, suddenly bold, said, Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water. 29-30He said, Come ahead. Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, Master, save me! 31Jesus didn't hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, Faint-heart, what got into you? 32-33The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, This is it! You are God's Son for sure! msqpc_sermon_23 Sun, 20 Feb 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:26:05 eyes on jesus Madison Square Presbyterian Church The Journey Ruben Armendariz 1 Corinthians 3: 1-9 1-4But for right now, friends, I'm completely frustrated by your unspiritual dealings with each other and with God. You're acting like infants in relation to Christ, capable of nothing much more than nursing at the breast. Well, then, I'll nurse you since you don't seem capable of anything more. As long as you grab for what makes you feel good or makes you look important, are you really much different than a babe at the breast, content only when everything's going your way? When one of you says, "I'm on Paul's side," and another says, I'm for Apollos, aren't you being totally infantile? 5-9Who do you think Paul is, anyway? Or Apollos, for that matter? Servants, both of us?servants who waited on you as you gradually learned to entrust your lives to our mutual Master. We each carried out our servant assignment. I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow. It's not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process but God, who makes things grow. Planting and watering are menial servant jobs at minimum wages. What makes them worth doing is the God we are serving. You happen to be God's field in which we are working. msqpc_sermon_22 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:24:23 journey Madison Square Presbyterian Church Advancing from One Evil to the Next, Gethsemane Jeremiah 8:18-9:3 The Message (MSG) Advancing from One Evil to the Next 18-22I drown in grief. I'm heartsick. Oh, listen! Please listen! It's the cry of my dear people reverberating through the country. Is God no longer in Zion? Has the King gone away? Can you tell me why they flaunt their plaything-gods, their silly, imported no-gods before me? The crops are in, the summer is over, but for us nothing's changed. We're still waiting to be rescued. For my dear broken people, I'm heartbroken. I weep, seized by grief. Are there no healing ointments in Gilead? Isn't there a doctor in the house? So why can't something be done to heal and save my dear, dear people? Jeremiah 9 1-2 I wish my head were a well of water and my eyes fountains of tears So I could weep day and night for casualties among my dear, dear people. At times I wish I had a wilderness hut, a backwoods cabin, Where I could get away from my people and never see them again. They're a faithless, feckless bunch, a congregation of degenerates. Mark 14:32-42 The Message (MSG) Gethsemane 32-34They came to an area called Gethsemane. Jesus told his disciples, Sit here while I pray. He took Peter, James, and John with him. He plunged into a sinkhole of dreadful agony. He told them, I feel bad enough right now to die. Stay here and keep vigil with me. 35-36Going a little ahead, he fell to the ground and prayed for a way out: Papa, Father, you can?can't you??get me out of this. Take this cup away from me. But please, not what I want?what do you want? 37-38He came back and found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, you went to sleep on me? Can't you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert, be in prayer, so you don't enter the danger zone without even knowing it. Don't be naive. Part of you is eager, ready for anything in God; but another part is as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire." 39-40He then went back and prayed the same prayer. Returning, he again found them sound asleep. They simply couldn't keep their eyes open, and they didn't have a plausible excuse. 41-42He came back a third time and said, "Are you going to sleep all night? No?you've slept long enough. Time's up. The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up. Let's get going. My betrayer has arrived." The Rev. Raymond Judd msqpc_sermon_21 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:19:15 Madison Square Presbyterian Church A Child Has Been Born?for Us! Teaching and Healing Isaiah 9: 1-4 1 But there'll be no darkness for those who were in trouble. Earlier he did bring the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali into disrepute, but the time is coming when he'll make that whole area glorious? the road along the Sea, the country past the Jordan, international Galilee. 2-7The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For those who lived in a land of deep shadows? light! sunbursts of light! You repopulated the nation, you expanded its joy. Oh, they're so glad in your presence! Festival joy! The joy of a great celebration, sharing rich gifts and warm greetings. The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants? all their whips and cudgels and curses? Is gone, done away with, a deliverance as surprising and sudden as Gideon's old victory over Midian. The boots of all those invading troops, along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood, Will be piled in a heap and burned, a fire that will burn for days! For a child has been born?for us! the gift of a son?for us! He'll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings. He'll rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom. He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing and keep it going With fair dealing and right living, beginning now and lasting always. The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies will do all this. Matthew 4: 12-22 12-17When Jesus got word that John had been arrested, he returned to Galilee. He moved from his hometown, Nazareth, to the lakeside village Capernaum, nestled at the base of the Zebulun and Naphtali hills. This move completed Isaiah's sermon: Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, road to the sea, over Jordan, Galilee, crossroads for the nations. People sitting out their lives in the dark saw a huge light; Sitting in that dark, dark country of death, they watched the sun come up. This Isaiah-prophesied sermon came to life in Galilee the moment Jesus started preaching. He picked up where John left off: Change your life. God's kingdom is here. 18-20Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass, They didn't ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed. 21-22A short distance down the beach they came upon another pair of brothers, James and John, Zebedee's sons. These two were sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, mending their fishnets. Jesus made the same offer to them, and they were just as quick to follow, abandoning boat and father. msqpc_sermon_20 Sun, 23 Jan 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:25:26 Madison Square Presbyterian Church Come, See for Yourself Teaching and Healing 35-36The next day John was back at his post with two disciples, who were watching. He looked up, saw Jesus walking nearby, and said, Here he is, God's Passover Lamb. 37-38The two disciples heard him and went after Jesus. Jesus looked over his shoulder and said to them, What are you after? They said, Rabbi (which means Teacher), where are you staying? 39He replied, Come along and see for yourself. They came, saw where he was living, and ended up staying with him for the day. It was late afternoon when this happened. 40-42Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard John's witness and followed Jesus. The first thing he did after finding where Jesus lived was find his own brother, Simon, telling him, We've found the Messiah (that is, Christ). He immediately led him to Jesus. Jesus took one look up and said, You're John's son, Simon? From now on your name is Cephas (or Peter, which means Rock). msqpc_sermon_19 Sun, 16 Jan 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:24:45 Madison Square Presbyterian Church The Greatest Commandment Matthew 22: 34-40 The Greatest Commandment 34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? 37 Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it:Love your neighbor as yourself.] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. msqpc_sermon_18 Sun, 09 Jan 2011 12:00:00 CST 0:17:57 boundaries, rules, limits Madison Square Presbyterian Church Long before Jesus was born, there were many seekers looking for Messiah. Sweet Jesus ? John 1:1-18 ? Long before Jesus was born, there were many seekers looking for Messiah. Were they searching and seeking in the right places? msqpc_sermon_16 Sun, 26 Dec 2010 12:00:00 CST 0:50:43 jesus, messiah, seeking, searching Madison Square Presbyterian Church Christmas Eve Service Rev. Kenny Davis Christmas Eve Service msqpc_sermon_15 Fri, 24 Dec 2010 12:00:00 CST 0:58:40 christmas eve Madison Square Presbyterian Church Juan Diego and the Virgin of Guadalupe help us reflect on the feminine maternal dimension in the salvation story. msqpc_sermon_14 Sun, 19 Dec 2010 12:00:00 CST 0:15:18 feminine, mary, elizabeth, Virgen de Guadalupe, maternal Madison Square Presbyterian Church This is the Place: God's House, This is Where You Belong: God's Family, This is Who You Are: God's Beloved Child We are the church. With the loss of our head pastor some in our congregation who have joined recently fear that our mission and ministry as a progressive, open and affirming congregation may change. The sermon affirms that we are and will continue to be a place of welcome. msqpc_sermon_12 Sun, 03 Oct 2010 12:00:00 CST 0:18:08 welcoming, open, affirming, progressive, glbt Madison Square Presbyterian Church Stated Clerk of Presbytery - Rev. Miles White brings word from our presbytery that during our transition time the presbytery is by our side and affirms the special ministry that is present at Madison Square. msqpc_sermon_11 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 12:00:00 CST 0:22:00 Madison Square Presbyterian Church How do we come to prayer? Is prayer a way to sway God or bargain with God to get what we want. Is that why we pray? Or is there more to prayer? msqpc_sermon_10 Sun, 17 Oct 2010 12:00:00 CST 0:21:30 prayer Madison Square Presbyterian Church How do we know what we know? How do we know the truth with certainty? What are the limits of human knowledge? Do we know that we do not know? Can we confess our ignorance? msqpc_sermon_9 Sun, 24 Oct 2010 12:00:00 CST 0:21:19 Madison Square Presbyterian Church What if God does not care about justice as much as we do? What if justice is our way of tracking each other, keeping count, keeping score, who's in and who's out. What if we are working with flawed categories? msqpc_sermon_8 Sun, 31 Oct 2010 12:00:00 CST 0:12:44 justice Madison Square Presbyterian Church All Saints Day A reflection on All Hollows Eve, All Saints Day and Dia de los Muertos. How do we understand saints in the Presbyterian church? For me, saints are those, in every generation, who show us God's love affair with creation. msqpc_sermon_7 Sun, 07 Nov 2010 12:00:00 CST 0:17:41 halloween Madison Square Presbyterian Church From our Book of Order: The Church of Jesus Christ is the provisional demonstration of what God intends for all of humanity. What is the work of the church? To what are we being called to when we join Madison Square? In this stewardship season what are we asking you to give, to fund? G-3.0200 should keep us busy for a while. msqpc_sermon_6 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 12:00:00 CST 0:18:55 stewardship, giving, book or order Madison Square Presbyterian Church Guest preacher, Miles White, reflections on Stewardship. msqpc_sermon_5 Sun, 21 Nov 2010 12:00:00 CST 0:19:47 stewardship, giving Madison Square Presbyterian Church Ilene says Goodbye to MSqPC The last of a two-part series in which the Rev. Ilene Dunn says goodbye to MSqPC. The members of MSqPC walk the road less traveled every day, placing our feet in the footprints left by Jesus. We are challenged to continue that journey for all the special people in the world that depend on us. We are challenged to fight against rules that suppress the Gospel and thereby oppress God's beloved children. We must walk the road less traveled, the way of justice and compassion. msqpc_sermon_4 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 12:00:00 CST 0:23:40 Janie Spahr, Robert Frost, rainbow, justice, compassion, oppression, challenge, hope, gay, glbt Madison Square Presbyterian Church Is a harder road than the road more traveled This is the first in a two part series of the Rev. Ilene Dunn's last sermons at MSqPC. Sometimes it's hard to choose the road less traveled, to follow in the footsteps of biblical prophets, and Jesus of Nazareth and Gandhi and Mother Theresa and Martin Luther King, Jr. and others living among us, like the Rev. Janie Spahr. The road more traveled is easier, free of bumps and road hazards, but is that the road that Jesus called us to take? msqpc_sermon_3 Sun, 19 Sep 2010 12:00:00 CST 0:21:14 Robert Frost, Janie Spahr, More Light, justice Madison Square Presbyterian Church You are Blessed by God Reflection on the Luke's story of Mary traveling to stay with Elizabeth. How might Mary have felt after the angel is gone and the reality of morning sickness and doubts from others begin to invade her world. How might Elizabeth have felt with Mary coming to stay when she problems of her own to deal with? msqpc_sermon_2 Sun, 05 Dec 2010 12:00:00 CST 0:18:38 Mary, Elizabeth, Jesus, God, Joseph, Blessing, Blessed, Magnificat, Christmas, God, birth Madison Square Presbyterian Church The Irrational Season "How can this be?" Mary asked. Had Mary said no, what would have happened next? How often are we called to be the instrument through which God's love and grace enter the world and our response is, "No...maybe later...I'm not skilled enough...my plate is full" et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. msqpc_sermon_1 Sun, 28 Nov 2010 12:00:00 CST 0:20:29