SALT

This is the continuation of the series through Matthew. The sermon is available through download, rss feed (over on the right), or you can click here to stream it off the web.



embedded link for podcast

SANKOFA 2008

As many of you know, one of our own, Tanden is on the bus experienceing an intense route that revisits many of the key civil rights sites. To read more about his experience, there are two blogs:

• http://sankofa08.blogspot.com/


• http://areyoudunnyet.blogspot.com/

VINDICATION - The Easter Sunday Message

These are the links to access the Easter Sunday Message: VINDICATION. Click here to download and here to stream.

Good Friday Art by Bevie LeBrie

Bevie created this piece during the Good Friday service. There is a poem that is written on small pieces of paper in the center (and circumnavigating the center). The lyrics to the poem are below, as well as some comments and things to consider about this piece from the artist.

NO ONE IS IMMUNE, NO NOT ONE.

TO THE SICKNESS INVADING THE FLESH OF US ALL.

LIKE BARK INFESTED WITH TERMITES.

LIKE A HILL OVERRUN BY ANTS.

LIKE A SUNSET POLLUTED BY FUMES AND US IN OUR RAVES AND RANTS.

UNFAITHFUL TO THE FAITHFUL

ADDICTED TO THE GREED.

SHIELDS COVER BREAKABLE HEARTS

RAVAGING LUSTS WE FEED

HOW DO WE FIGHT THE CONSTANT INVASION OF FLESH AND SIN AND TEARS?

HOW DO WE BLOCK THE ARMY OF DARK AND SUFFOCATING FEARS?

HOW DO WE LOVE WHEN LOVE FEELS FRIGID; WHEN LOVE IS MET WITH PAIN IN ONES EYES?

HOW DO WE PRAY TO ONE WHO SEEMS SILENT TO SICKNESS AND TO THE ENEMY IN DISGUISE?

NOT ONE IS IMMUNE, NO NOT ONE. TO THE IMPURE WATER THAT QUENCHES THE SOUL.

LIKE DIRTY SNOW IN WINTER. LIKE GRAFFITI ON A WATERFALL.

LIKE HAIR IN THE SHOWER DRAIN, STRAINING UNBUFFERED WORDS ON THE WALL.

NO ONE IS IMMUNE, NO NOT YOU AND NOT ME.

NO ONE IS IMMUNE, ESCAPING THE UNCLEAN.

Comments and thoughts from Bevie:

As I was thinking about Good Friday I couldn't help but feel like Jeff when he said that he connects more with Good Friday than with Easter. Both in my own life and in the lives of friends and family--both believers and those who don't believe in Jesus, there is a common struggle. We are all so in need of forgiveness and we are capable of intense hurt toward others. The words of the poem I wrote on the painting stemmed from these thoughts--"no one is immune". Our eyes are closed and we need the reversal in our hearts, communities, nations--of our values, of our interests, of our selfishness, and of the way we pursue peace.

There's a lot of imagery and layers in the painting...the upside down cross and closed eye symbolize that reversal of thinking Jesus lives. The bars represent the bondage of our souls, of our minds, and also of the people who are oppressed. The contrast of white and black represents the contrast between our flesh and the evil in and around us and the truth and message that Christ lived and died for. The unfinished lines and messiness of the brush strokes reflects the chaos of our world the way we attempt to run it. The cross is in the center of all of this, covering some parts, and through others. It encompasses all of our struggle to see what Christ sees and live out the reversal of thinking that he died for.

The open eye began as a representation of people in pain and who have been exploited; but in my mind it's evolved to also represent those whose eyes are opened to the pain in the world and who are able to see the world as Jesus does--to the best of our human ability. The eye has deep emotion in it--which I've seen in those hurting and which I've felt for another hurting. I wonder what the image stirs in other people...

The beauty of art is that the meaning evolves from one to another. My interpretation is one piece, how it impacts another may be different. This reflects the alive nature of art...

March Madness

Hello Maundy Thursday friends. Hasn’t it been an amazing week – the 5^th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, a candidate running for the presidency of our country making a major speech on the tragic 300 year history of race relations that still flows in our blood even if it does not always flow consciously in our brains and hearts, the collapse of a major financial institution, the official arrival of spring, the NCAA college basketball tournament start and of course the pilgrimage of Holy Week. On Palm Sunday I mentioned that the narrative preceding Jesus’ non violent siege of Jerusalem records an incident as he is leaving Jericho – two blind men cry out seeking sight- “Let our eyes be open!” I also mentioned that as Jesus approaches the city he weeps and states the reason; “the path of peace is hidden from your eyes”. He was often so very critical of those in leadership and called them “blind guides”. I don’t think Jesus’ days and ours are much different do you? What are we not seeing or refusing to see or are afraid to see? The anger in people of color? The 1.7 billion we spend each day on our defense budget? The greed of the financial institutions that invest our money? The donkey riding, foot washing Messiah who marches on Jerusalem from the east while Pilate and his massive show of force enter the city from the west? The crowds intoxicated on the nectar of nationalism crying out to be saved? I think it very clear that “salvation” (only once mentioned on the lips of Jesus) comes to Zacheaus also in Jericho when his eyes are opened and states; “half of what I have I will give to the poor and if I have cheated anyone I will repay them 4 times”. What am I not seeing? Who am I not seeing? These are the questions of Holy Week for me and I cry out for salvation.

March Madness begins today as basketball teams will be competing on the hardwood courts of our countries 4 regions. Pitt will be the next national champion!!! (I’m blind I know) I invite you to remember and reflect on a different madness – that Jesus was hung on the hardwood of a Roman cross outside the city in a garbage heap called Golgotha. If you are free and able I would love to have you come to our Good Friday service which begins at 8:00PM. If not I hope you will take some time to ponder its meaning for you and for us as a nation and as a global community. And oh yea remember what Mark Twain said about the arrival of Spring; “In Spring I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside 24 hrs”. Its not really going to snow tonight is it…………..one on the journey with you. – Pastor Jeff

PAINTING:

HEALING A BLIND MAN
"I CAN SEE"

BY ALICE PATRICK

Hosanna!

The children and youth of Calvary Baptist Church marching and waving their palm branches to celebrate King Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. "Hosanna! Save us! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

Kingdoms Clash

Matthew 21:1-17 is the text for Palm Sunday's Sermon. Due to some sound issues, a couple of minutes in the beginning of the sermon are missing. Click here to download and here to stream.