Reach Out & Touch Someone by Michael Neuf

Where do I find God in time of change? Well, that’s a trick question. Ya see, times are always changing. The real question is where do I find God. The answer is simple. Everywhere! So, let’s narrow the field a little by putting the question into the context of Sunday’s scripture reading from Isaiah 1:16-17: “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”

Taking into consideration the sermon series “The Faith We Sing – Music of the 60’s” brings me to a song recorded by one of my favorite musical groups/artists – Diana Ross. The song title is powerful to me – “Reach out and Touch” and the lyrics give me examples of how to follow the words of Isaiah above: Reach out and touch somebody’s hand. Make this world a better place, if you can. Take a little time out of your busy day to give encouragement to someone who’s lost the way (just try). Or would I be talking to a stone if I asked you to share a problem that’s not your own (oh no). We can change things if we start giving. Why don’t you reach out and touch somebody’s hand? If you see an old friend on the street and he’s down. Remember his shoes fit your feet (just try). Try a little kindness and you’ll see it’s something that comes very naturally (oh yeah). We can change things if we start giving. Why don’t you (why don’t you) reach out and touch somebody’s hand."

I find God speaking to me through the passionate music and meaningful lyrics of this song in a way that I can hear the message loud and clear. I need to hear it repeatedly. Be more compassionate, drop the sarcasm, and be kind. We can change the world to be a better place one loving encounter at a time. May it be so.

The Power of Love to Overcome Fear by Ron White

What is your greatest concern right now? Are you in fear of economic loss? Do you fear the loss of the person or thing that has steadied your life for so long? Do you fear the feeling that your health is slipping away? Or fear major changes in your life that you can’t grasp the ability to prevent? Everywhere we turn, including when we read certain stories in the Bible, messages about fear invade our consciousness. Fear, deny it as we will, is one of the most prominent features of life. Fear is a deep seated feeling that can trigger myriad other negative feelings - shyness, insecurity, self-doubt, self-criticism, and many more. Fear can also be a set of actions, a verb, a way of living life…in fear.

How do you address your fears? Do you deny them and run from the feelings as fast as you can? Or, difficult as it is to make yourself, do you face them head on? Impossible circumstances, whatever they are, can create fear in us that can rage out of control. When fear is not in control, it is very hard for us to hear to God's instruction "Don't be afraid.”

What reassures us in the midst of great worry or fear? The lesson that God teaches us about how to overcome our fear is staring us right in the face. The Bible doesn’t stop at the admonition “Fear not.” It teaches us that “Perfect love casts out fear.” Perfect love, eh? Yeah, that may seem like an insurmountable objective to achieve…all by yourself. But, you are not alone. Never. Ever. God is with you. So are the people who love you no matter what. The struggle is to accept that love, even imperfect love, and let it help us control our fears. Love is more than a noun, more than the deep feeling that books, television, and movies make it out to be. Love is a verb, a decision you make, a set of actions that you take, a way of life that lets us take control over our fears, reducing it until it almost completely disappears. Live one day at a time trusting that God will show you the power of love.

The Times They Are A-Changing by Christine White

The 60s changed the world forever. It was ushered in by Ozzie and Harriet and ended with All in the Family and Laugh In. It taught us that might does not make right and that when our leaders fail us we can find our voice and let them know by writing letters or marching in protest marches. The 60s marked the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement, the Feminist Movement, the LGBT Movement and the Anti-War/Peace Movement, all movements started by "we the people."

It also was the beginning of change in how we look at God and Church. "What would Jesus do? " (WWJD) became a rallying cry for those not so concerned with what we believe about Jesus but rather how does knowing Jesus change how we live? How do I live the stories of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son in a world that still has people being killed (or hated) for being different? For being Jewish? Lesbian/Gay/Transgender? Black? Muslim? The list goes on...

Jesus taught us to pray saying " May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Not the politician's will. Not the church leader's will. Not the will of the autocrats of the world. God's will. We may not agree on what God's will is, but we have Jesus's stories to guide us. You and I have the right to determine God's will as much as anyone else. The 60s taught us that.

One of my favorite phrases from MCC is "Come as you are, believing as you do." My belief system is constantly changing but it is nice to know that there is a place where I am welcomed whatever my beliefs about God are. I am welcomed in all my weirdness.

Finding God by Dusty Geiger

When I first came to MCCGSL I was scared. My heart was pounding; but I walked in anyway. I came because friends invited me. They ushered me over to a woman named Mama Cathy. She must have seen the deer in the headlights look on my face. She wrapped her arms around me, gave me a huge hug, her warmth enveloping me; and I believe that was the Holy Spirit. I was able to hear God differently in a way that felt truthful. For many years I had struggled to understand and find comfort with God when I heard “God loves you BUT . . .” At this church I didn’t hear the BUT and became receptive to hearing more.

I joined the Covenant Family that Mama Cathy and Jake led and there continued to find the truth I had been seeking. Our group had people from all types of religious backgrounds. So, we talked about our beliefs and the questions we had. Truth grew. God found me and I found God through these people. I participated in the Creating a Life that Matters (CLM) class where I expanded my relationship with the Holy. My faith and concept of God broadened. As my understanding of God and scripture grew, I became confident in my ability to explain MCC as a denomination and the beliefs that are a part of Metropolitan Community Churches. I became comfortable giving back what I was so freely given.

I helped out with Pride; there I saw and heard incredible interactions. I witnessed our pastors speaking to people who are amazed that there is a “Gay church!” I watched as fear, anger and skepticism melted, maybe not immediately, but always with truth and understanding meeting people wherever they are on their faith walk or struggles. Seeing people and families who come to Pride looking to find support, answers, help and just able to relax and enjoy a safe space to be authentic with no questions is a part of who we are at MCCGSL.

God has found me mostly through service: cooking for fellowship after the service so people could enjoy each other’s company, teaching Children’s Church so people knew that what their children were hearing wouldn’t cause them emotional damage or confusion, making Pride buttons and marching in the Pride parade with my sons.

Acceptance of myself and those around me is where God found me.

Finding God in Art by Kate Wottowa

Do you enjoy listening to music? Do you ever let a song take you to another place and time? Can you recall the last time you stayed in your car just to finish the song playing on the radio? Moments like these are where I find God in Art. Maybe you are hearing a story that takes you back to your childhood or moves you to check-in with a friend or an old co-worker you haven’t seen in a while. I find God in what people are inspired to create. Whether it be music, stories, paintings, film, dance, sculpture, poetry - you name it. Something has inspired them to put their art into the world, and I (we) get to interact with their creation.

Truthfully, this does not always happen for me. Caught in the routine of everyday life, I may not be ready to hear God in a song or see God in a work of art. Not everything speaks to me. But I know I need to be open to hear it. I need to be listening.

As an artist myself, I also find God in the creative process. I sit down to play my guitar for a few songs and hours will pass by without notice. Time disappears when I get into a drawing or watercolor painting. The process of creating is what touches my soul and gives me a glimpse of God. The feeling doubles when I am with a group of friends all creating something together. I enjoy a film or concert more when it is a shared experience. When I am open to it, art transports me to another place. My heart is full and God is there.

Finding God in the Kitchen by Carl Hubbell

I grew up in a family with two older brothers and a younger brother. With four constantly hungry growing boys this meant that my mother spent a great deal of time in the kitchen, cooking. This was a double labor of love for my mother because she grew up not learning how to cook. She had a secret ingredient, that was a big, I mean a really BIG, spoonful of Love into everything she cooked for us. My mother died when I was in fourth grade, but I still remember her as if it were yesterday.

She gave me one job to do and because I was exceedingly small in height I had limited ability in reaching the counter without standing on a kitchen chair. My job was to make the salad for the evening meal. I took my job very seriously and made sure that everything was exactly right. The salad was amazingly simple, thank God, nearly a whole head of romaine lettuce torn not cut, well washed of course and each leaf had to be patted dry with a cotton dish towel, 2 pre-cut Big Boy tomatoes, (they had to be pre-cut because I was not allowed to use a knife after cutting my finger just before dinner one night), several pre-cut green onions, and radishes if we had them. With all my ingredients set out around a large glass salad bowl I would put them in the bowl and slowly mix everything up with my hands. Then came the salad dressing my mother’s secret was to use at least 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise, which she combined in a small bowl with salt, pepper, and I think it also had garlic powder. I would use a spatula and turn this into the salad until it was all tossed perfect.

To this day I enjoy cooking and it brings me closer to my mother. I know that such a kind and wonderful person as my Mother has to be with God and that makes me happy. Yes, happy because we can still share something that is the love of God through our cooking together.

Where do I find God? I find It in my kitchen or wherever I may find myself cooking. Because I know that both my Mother and God are there to make sure I add my Mother’s secret ingredient – a BIG scoop of LOVE.

Finding God from the Heart of Carole Ward

Good Day Church Family and friends! I wish to give Thanks for the honor of being asked to participate during our series, "Finding God in …." Different voices and opinions are vital to gain a clearer understanding of others. First and foremost, however, we should LISTEN with both open minds and open hearts. Again, I give thanks!

The query "Where Does God Find Me?" has only one answer … EVERYWHERE! During my darkest, saddest, happiest times, God is always here. Are there times that I forget? Absolutely. As humans, our desire to take control and even create a “back up plan” is in our DNA. We may have already asked for God's help, never realizing during our lives that life will always be God's Will, God's Way, our faith. We must trust the Creator of the universe to guide us through life. Without God we will not succeed, especially as neither the perils of life nor the enemy’s tactics will cause one ounce of what God is holding to be moved. God is the anchor through our lives.

I find God when I see the Cardinal resting on a branch of a tree. Or the finches eating the seeds that the squirrels didn’t find first. Or in my client’s eyes when they’re unaware of what is the matter with them as they await test results in the emergency room, For example, I see and feel the fear of the student who falls off the trampoline, fracturing his wrist during the fall, who has yet to be told the diagnosis. God has graced me with the knowledge and compassion to remain calm, even though my heart may be racing and allows me to hold the hand of someone when they are being informed of not so good news. Frequently, God reminds me to use comforting quotations. I'll close with my favorite: “Even when I am scared, I can put my faith in YOU. Give me a courageous faith in YOU, Jesus.