Lenten Reflection: Do No Harm

By Betty Hertz

Isaiah 1:16-17

16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
    remove the evil of your doing from before my eyes;
    cease to do evil,
 17 learn to do good;
    seek justice,
    rescue the oppressed,
   defend the orphan,
    plead for the widow.

As I practice being intentional about my spiritual journey this Lenten season, I find myself reflecting on the lessons John Wesley taught. Of course, Wesley’s Three General Rules came to mind. Pastor Andy referred to these recently in a sermon: Do no harm, Do good, Stay in love with God. Not surprisingly I discovered scripture that provided the basis for the rules. The passage in Isaiah clearly reflects one source of Wesley's rules. With Lent being a time of self-reflection, the words provided me with a focus. I zeroed in on “cease to do evil,” which is the basis for Wesley's Rule One: Do no harm.

Often when I have heard that rule, I have thought: I can check that one off - I don't harm others and I don't do harmful actions. However, in looking closer at these words, I realized I do have harmful practices. A glaring one - I don't listen to the other side on issues of social justice. Being closed-minded is not the way God wants me to live. If I truly believe each person is a child of God, I need to treat each person the way Jesus taught.

In thinking about the rule “Do no harm,” one of the questions Wesley liked to ask early Methodists came to mind: “Is there anyone who I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I doing about it?”

My response: “Well, God, I know you already know my answers but insist on hearing them from me, so we're going to have many talks about this question! And I know You will guide me if I am patient.”

Lent is about self-reflection and about strengthening my connection with God. My spiritual journey continues.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for walking beside me as you teach me to be accepting of all your children. Help me to do no harm in my daily life. In Jesus name,  Amen

Betty Hertz is a longtime member of St John UMC, a Stephen Minister and a member of SPRC. When not doing volunteer work, she is playing with her three goofy dogs.

Lenten Reflection: Fasting

By Betty Hertz

For some unexplainable reason, I am more tuned into Lent this year. Perhaps God is nudging me again? I find myself seeking ways to be more intentional about my observing this time of self-reflection.

Some questions about fasting came to mind. Does UMC fast during Lent? Why fast? How does one fast? Not having the answers to these inquires, I sought out that reliable person - Google!

John Wesley

At the UMC website I found answers to my questions. John Wesley believed in fasting at least once a week as a way to express sorrow for sin and seek forgiveness. He believed by doing this, more time for prayer became available. He also believed it was more meaningful when combined with giving to others.

UMC doesn’t have official guidelines for Lent as it is considered a very personal time of self-reflection. However, the Bible tells us about the spiritual preparation Jesus made as he wandered and fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness (Mark 1:13, Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13).

How do we fast?  Many give up favorite food, but perhaps the “spirit of fasting” could include restricting activities … like unplugging from technology once a week. The second part of fasting is to take time from earthly things and make time for spiritual activities … praying, Bible reading, helping others. We open up time for self-reflection and growing closer to God.

Sources:  UMC articles: “Unplugging, Fasting and Ancient Practices” and “What does the UMC say about fasting?”

Betty Hertz

Betty Hertz is a longtime member of St John UMC, a Stephen Minister and a member of SPRC. When not doing volunteer work, she is playing with her three goofy dogs.

Communion: Be intentional this week

Pastor Autumn’s pizza skillet bread

I’ve been thinking about bread a lot lately. At the start of the pandemic I had many friends embark on a bread adventure learning to knead, bake, or care for sourdough. I’ve been intimidated by this adventure. But last week, the bread adventure began calling me again. Only this time, I have answered yes to the invitation.  

Last week, I made my first loaf. A skillet bread, where I added pizza popcorn seasoning for extra flavor (I’m not the best at following instructions to basic recipes). The smell of bread filled the house, and I was glad the recipe instructed me to let the loaf cool for an hour before cutting into it, otherwise it may not have lasted the night!  

This calling came from an invitation in our Monday Morning Women’s book, Taste and See by Margaret Feinberg. Last week, we were invited to make our own bread, specifically an 18-minute matzo. I wanted to gain some bread-baking confidence before I jumped into that challenge on my own, so matzo is this weekend’s challenge!  

Taste and See invited me to explore the communal nature of bread. Margaret Feinberg talked about all the hands that go into the making of one piece of bread. In ancient times, it was a whole family, if not entire community, affair. They would till the land, plant the seeds, weed while it grows, harvest the crop, grind the grain, haul the water, mix all the ingredients together, bake in a communal oven, and then finally eat together. It was and is something we cannot do on our own, or great effort must be made to make it a solitary event.  

Thinking about community and bread instantly draws me to think about communion. Communion has been different these past 11 months. It’s different partaking in it at home, with just your household, whether it is an intimate experience with your family or a reminder of the loneliness of not physically being with others.  

But what if, as we bite into our piece of bread/popcorn/goldfish/cookie, we remember all the hands it took to get this one piece to our table? On top of all the hands it took in ancient times to make bread, we now add in delivery drivers, barge captains, shipping dock personnel, maintenance crews, grocery store staff, and more. It is still a communal act in getting this food to our table, and so we remember all the people who have helped get it there. 

The last several months you’ve seen me rush around my house last minute to find communion elements. While it is often like that, this week is different. I miss the intentional nature of communion when we’re gathered together. How do we reclaim that intentionality at home?  

What if we intentionally prepared for communion this Sunday? Would that change how you receive it? Popcorn and grape soda work in a pinch when that’s what we have available, but what happens when we make the extra effort to acquire traditional communion elements of grain and grape?  

I invite you to try making grape juice or buying some from the store. Make yourself a loaf of bread or support a local business and purchase a freshly baked loaf. A quick search on the internet will provide you will endless recipe options, whether you want to knead dough, let it rest and have the yeast work on its own, or you need the quick 18-minute matzo recipe.  

This week, I invite you to prepare for communion now. Be intentional about this intimate time we spend with God. Secure your elements of grain and grape for communion this Sunday. Think about all the hands it took for these elements to reach your home, be reminded of the community that continues to support us that we often forget. If you need help finding a local baker or a recipe let me know! Pastorautumn@stjohnanchorage.org 

May this time of preparation for communion on Sunday, draw you closer to one another and to God.   

~ Pastor Autumn Krueger 

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” - 2 Corinthians 13:13 CEB 

Devotional 11.11.20 Rick Meidel

Dear Younger Me: Where do I start; if I could tell you everything that I have learned so far? Then you could be, one step ahead, of all the painful memories still running thru my head. I wonder how much different things would be?” Christian Singers/Songwriters ‘Mercy Me’

Last month, I traveled to Illinois to visit my ill father and to celebrate my mother’s 81st birthday. I had to plan for a COVID test so as to be admitted back into Alaska. I searched for any available appointments on the day that I wanted to test. I found one. My mom asked where the site was located, and I said off Stevenson Drive in Springfield. She said, “Now Ricky (note – only my mother is allowed to call me Ricky), you know that’s where all the Blacks live. It’s dangerous there. I’ll worry about you.” I cringed. And not just because I’m 58 and my mother is still worried about me. Her words were, on the surface, factual. There are a lot of Black people in that particular area of the city and there is a lot of crime in that part of town. She did not use any racial slur. Still, the bias was obvious.

I had an exchange with the pastors recently. I commented that we have enjoyed being part of an inclusive church. Admittedly, our last Methodist church in Texas was not as inclusive. We enjoyed the church, the fantastic music program and the positive, uplifting messages. I was aware that this particular church was against gay marriage though I can remember no time where such was the subject of a sermon or newsletter. Our own view was not to dictate love and marriage; perhaps this is why we felt so comfortable after joining St. John. After a couple years here, we feel more connected and more aware of LGBTQ+ discrimination and their respective rights. The fact that we are more aware and sensitive now, does not mean that we were ever homophobic in our past. Nothing could be further from the truth.

I also mentioned how I was touched by the Me Too movement. So much came to light as individuals were rightly made to answer for abuses against women. I learned a lot during those investigations and during the movement itself. I became more aware of how women, particularly those in the workplace, have been marginalized, discriminated against or worse. The fact that I am more aware and sensitive now does not mean that I was ever an abuser of women in my past. Nothing could be further from the truth.

After the deaths of innocent Black men, and the resulting movement of Black Lives Matter and other initiatives to curb racism in our country, I again learned much. I’ve shared some of what I’ve learned with the congregation through my devotionals and I’ve been vulnerable in sharing my sincere efforts to eliminate favoritism or bias from my life. I continue to work to be the best person that I’m capable of being. I hope this sharing has been viewed as useful and encouraging to you. But, unlike other movements mentioned, improving oneself and encouraging others to do the same, doesn’t seem to be enough. The shouts and the name calling from the media and, frankly, from within the church, to denounce our past, our families and/or take responsibility for atrocities from hundreds of years ago weigh heavy on me. I don’t feel encouraged to be better. Despite feeling that I’m at least a decent human being, I feel like I’m being scolded.

I think back to the conversation with my mom. She’s not that well and she likely doesn’t have much time left. I chose not to correct, or debate, the bias that was so apparent. I love my mom. She’s a good person, a Christian, and she’s done much for many over the years. I don’t see the point in creating a rift at this stage of the game. There is little to be gained. I use this as an example, but the point is that there is much that I’d like to tell my younger self. But I wonder what might be lost if such was possible. From my mistakes have come some of the most valuable lessons of my life. From the time we are born, there’s a journey we must all undertake. It’s colorful. It’s not always perfect. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! … " Isaiah 43:18-19. I repent of my past sins. The love of Christ and the grace of God reminds me to look forward and to grow in His Spirit. And that’s what I intend to keep doing.

I’m saddened that I find myself searching out the messages of other online churches. There are many areas where I want to grow as a person and as a Christian. Eliminating any racial bias in my life is but one, though very important, area. I remain hopeful that, together, we will all find a way to help and encourage one another, always inspiring one another, to live life in a Christ-pleasing way. At the same time, I pray that in doing so, we can avoid the expansion of an ever-deepening divide. I’m reminded of a quote by Warren Wiersbe: “You and I cannot change the world around us. But we can change and control the world within us.” Let us work to that end. And let’s celebrate our small successes along the way. Like a team.

“You are holy, you are righteous, you are one of the redeemed! Set apart, a brand-new heart, you are free indeed!” Christian singers/songwriters ‘Mercy Me’.

Heavenly Father, in some ways, we’ve come so far; in other ways, we have so much further to go. You’ve instructed us to leave the past behind. Help us to remember that encouragement is a powerful motivator. Let’s distribute it in generous proportions. As we move ever-forward, let our actions inspire. Let our words lend comfort. Let us not turn Christian upon Christian. Rather, let us band together to be an ever-stronger force for Your good. In your Son’s name we pray, Amen.

Rick Meidel, his wife Natalie and daughter Sarah have attended St. John UMC since 2018. Rick can be reached at meidy@me.com or 832-418-9200.

"I Never Thought It Would Last This Long" - Art and Marilyn Carpenter

St. John members Art and Marilyn Carpenter, with assistance from their grandchildren, share their perspective in this devotional video.