# Jeremiah's Letter to the Exiles | Christ the King Sunday | Totenfest **St. John's United Church of Christ** **Chambersburg, PA** **November 23, 2025** *Please stand in body or in spirit* --- ## Order of Worship ### GATHERING SONG *"This is the Day"* ### UNISON WELCOME "No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here" ### ANNOUNCEMENTS ### PASSING OF THE PEACE *"The peace of Christ be with you"* **|** *"And also with you"* ### CHIMING OF THE TRINITY & PRELUDE ### *CALL TO WORSHIP *written by Henrietta Stith Andrews, posted on UCC Worship Ways* A word of encouragement came from prophet to people: **Live a life that is full – build, plant, eat, love, multiply.** Pray for your communities. **Keep God in the center of all that is.** We enter into worship today with hope in our hearts, **for something happens here that reminds us that we can live as God desires.** God has made a promise of faithfulness to us **and we can trust that promise.** ### *HYMN #48 *"Great Is Thy Faithfulness"* **Verse 1:** Great is Thy faith-ful-ness, O God, my Fa-ther, there is no shad-ow of turn-ing with Thee; Thou chang-est not, Thy com-pas-sions they fail not; as Thou hast been, Thou for-ev-er wilt be. **Refrain:** Great is Thy faith-ful-ness! Great is Thy faith-ful-ness! Morn-ing by morn-ing new mer-cies I see; all I have need-ed, Thy hand hath pro-vid-ed; great is Thy faith-ful-ness, Lord, un-to me! **Verse 2:** Sum-mer and win-ter, and spring-time and har-vest, sun, moon, and stars in their cours-es a-bove join with all na-ture in man-i-fold wit-ness to Thy great faith-ful-ness, mer-cy, and love. **Verse 3:** Par-don for sin and a peace that en-dur-eth, Thine own dear pres-ence to cheer and to guide; strength for to-day and bright hope for to-mor-row, bless-ings all mine, with ten thou-sand be-side! *(Refrain after each verse)* --- ### CALL TO CONFESSION *written by Thom Shuman, posted on Lectionary Liturgies* Despite our foolish and angry words, God continues to speak of mercy to us. Despite our best efforts to be faithless in our living, God remains faithful in keeping the promise to forgive us and restore us to wholeness. Let us confess our sins to God, that God's hope and grace might endure in our brokenness. ### PRAYER OF CONFESSION *written by Thom Shuman* **Holy God beyond borders, we know that on our way to worship, we may not have noticed the exiles in our neighborhoods. We admit how easy it is for us to wander down the streets of temptation, pausing at the corner of easy choices. We fail silent in the presence of those who speak words of anger and hate. We tolerate a culture that suspects all who are different from us. Have mercy on us, O God, for surely you take the side of justice. Open our hearts to all the wonders you are performing in our lives. You gift us with those of other cultures, that our lives might be blessed. You sent us friends out of places we least expect, that our community might be enriched. You call us to be generous with our blessings, so others might be graced with the gift of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.** ### KYRIE *Hymnal Companion C-4* ### ASSURANCE OF GRACE *written by Thom Shuman* God challenges us, God encourages us. God confronts us, and God accepts us. God works wonders in our midst and gives us the eyes, the hearts, the souls to see such miracles. **God forgives us, God guides us through the wilderness of the world, God leads us home. Thanks be to God. Amen.** ### *GLORY BE TO THE FATHER #704 --- ### SCRIPTURE READING **John 14:25-29** ### RESPONSIVE READING *"God of the Soft Whisper" (a remix of Psalm 66)* *by Layton E. Williams, included in "The Words of Her Mouth: Psalms for the Struggle* What God of love and mercy tests their children? Who started that rumor? **Do they know how much damage it has done, this idea that all the worst things in our lives are divinely ordained lessons, that faithfulness means learning and bearing and rejoicing in it all?** No, I have no faith in that. You are there in our trials and burdens, **in the fire and the flood – not as cause or twisted holy tester – as hand holder, as co-weeper, as the soft whisper that carries somehow across the cacophony of despair and says,** "I am here, and I am not leaving. **I'm here, I'm here, I'm here."** --- ### ANTHEM *"For the Beauty of the Earth"* | arr. John Ferguson Henry Hopper, clarinet ### CHILDREN'S MESSAGE *Chani Wolfe* *Children's Corner will be offered following the Children's Message* ### SCRIPTURE READING **Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14** ### SERMON *Rev. Caroline E. Saxton* #### 11-23 Sermon: Hope in Exile and Seeking the City’s Welfare (Jeremiah 29, Christ the King Sunday) #### Bloom Where You’re Planted: Hope in Exile ##### Scripture Readings and Liturgical Framing - **Primary Text**: Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles in Babylon — highlighted excerpts from Jeremiah 29:4–14, including: - “When Babylon’s seventy years are over… I know the plans I have… plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:10–11) - “When you call me and come and pray to me, I will listen… When you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.” (Jeremiah 29:12–13) - “I will end your captivity… gather you from all the nations… and bring you home.” (Jeremiah 29:14) - “Promote the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:7) - **Liturgical Note**: The sermon references Christ the King Sunday (the Reign of Christ), affirming that “Jesus is Lord,” over earthly powers and circumstances. ##### Opening Prayer - **Invocation for the Holy Spirit**: “Spirit of the living God, fall afresh.” - **Petition**: That the words and meditations be acceptable to God, “our Rock.” ##### Context of Jeremiah 29: The “You” and the “Y’all” - The pastor emphasizes that Jeremiah 29:11 is often popularized (mugs, journals, shirts), but frequently misunderstood as a singular promise detached from its original context. - **Clarification**: - The “you” in Jeremiah is communal (“y’all”), addressed to an entire exiled community whose world has been upended. - **The setting**: Israel is living in exile in Babylon; the familiar has been stripped away; false prophets are active, claiming quick relief and deceptive dreams (Jeremiah 29:8–9). - God counters false assurances, stating the exile will last a defined period—“seventy years” (Jeremiah 29:10). ##### Who God Is and How He Responds - God is faithful and sovereign over history, including periods of exile. - God rejects deceit and false hope; He tells the truth about hard timelines and still provides real hope. - **God’s character**: Plans grounded in peace and hope, attentive to prayer, near to seekers, committed to restoration (Jeremiah 29:11–14). - **Reign of Christ**: Amid turmoil and competing claims of power, God’s Kingdom is ultimate and Christ is King. ##### Who We Are and How We Are to Live - **Identity**: A people held by God’s promises, even in displacement and uncertainty. - **Calling**: - Not to withdraw or despair but to be active agents of well-being. - To seek the common good of the place where we are—even if it feels hostile or unfamiliar (Jeremiah 29:7). - To embody resilient hope that acts in daily life. ##### Hope is Active: Everyday Faithfulness - **Quote from Michael J. Chan**: Jeremiah calls the exiles not just to “hold” hope but to “act” on it through practical, everyday actions. - **Verbs of faithful living in exile**: - Build, live, plant, eat, marry, give, bear, multiply, seek. - **Insight**: Hope is not wishful thinking or a passive strategy; it is an enduring, resilient resolve rooted in God’s faithfulness. - **Pauline Echo**: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21, implied by the pastor’s reference). ##### The Challenge of Seeking the City’s Welfare - **Personal reflection on Jeremiah 29:7**: - The pastor wrestles with promoting the welfare of a city that may be oppressive or unjust. - **Question**: How do we move beyond despair and attack toward constructive engagement? - **Theological claim**: - The exiles’ well-being is inseparably bound to the city’s well-being. - God calls His people to cultivate community, foster prosperity, seek the common good, and build meaningful lives—even in unlikely places. ##### Grace over Scarcity: Living with Courage and Love - **Warning**: A mindset of scarcity, bitterness, and grudges defeats us. - **Gospel alternative**: Grace sets us free; love is always the right response. - **Practice**: Let go of fear; study with curiosity and compassion; choose generosity. ##### Contemporary Example: A Conversation in Brooklyn - The pastor recounts a Lyft conversation with **Alsham**, a Sudanese man affected by civil war and displacement. - Despite differences (nationality, race, background), they found common ground: - Shared faith in a common Source. - Agreement that kindness is free and coexistence is possible. - Recognition of distinctive paths within shared human dignity. - **Missional takeaway**: “Missionary love” looks at every face and says, “You are with me,” reflecting God’s inclusive compassion. ##### Biblical Threads: Neighbor Love and Community Repair - **Connection**: The ethos of Jeremiah 29 aligns with Leviticus 19:18—“Love your neighbor as yourself.” - Jesus amplifies and teaches this command in His ministry. - **Calling today**: - Seek restoration through hope. - Draw closer to God by active love and communal faithfulness. - Repair breaches, restore relationships, and pursue wholeness as God’s people. ##### Pastoral Encouragement and Assurance - **Quote** (Bladen E. Williams, *God and the Soft Whisper*): “I am here. I’m not leaving. I’m here.” - **Assurance**: God’s steadfast presence in exile and return. - **Benediction-like exhortation**: - Let God’s love and grace inform our living, wherever we are. - Immerse ourselves in God’s goodness, mercy, love, and forgiveness. - Flourish alongside our neighbors. - Be restored by the God who gathers, heals, and brings us home. ##### Applications for Today’s American Context - Embrace communal identity over hyper-individualism; read Jeremiah 29:11 as a promise to God’s people together. - Resist false quick fixes; honor honest timelines and steady faithfulness. - **Practice resilient, active hope**: - Build homes and families. - Engage local economies and neighborhoods. - Promote the welfare of our cities, towns, and workplaces. - **Cultivate cross-cultural compassion**: - Seek conversations with those different from us. - Admit shared humanity and practice “missionary love.” - **Integrate worship and witness under Christ’s reign**: - Confess Jesus as Lord above political or cultural anxieties. - Live out neighbor love as the Church’s public vocation. ##### Key Points 1. Jeremiah 29 addresses a community in exile, calling them to active, resilient hope. 2. God’s plans are for peace and a hopeful future, but they unfold through honest timelines and faithful action. 3. Seek the welfare of the place where you are; your well-being is tied to the common good (Jeremiah 29:7). 4. Hope is lived through everyday verbs: build, plant, marry, multiply, seek. 5. Grace and love liberate us from scarcity and bitterness, enabling community repair. 6. Under Christ’s reign, the Church witnesses through neighbor love, cross-cultural compassion, and steadfast presence. ##### Scripture References Highlighted - Jeremiah 29:4–14 - Jeremiah 29:7 - Jeremiah 29:10–11 - Jeremiah 29:12–14 - Leviticus 19:18 - Implied reference: Romans 12:21 (overcome evil with good) ##### Closing Prayerful Desire - May God’s love and grace shape our lives where we are. - May we be immersed in God’s goodness and mercy. - May we flourish with our neighbors and be restored by God’s faithful presence.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ #### 📊 Sermon Analysis: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14 (Christ the King Sunday) ###### 🗒 **Sermon Summary** **Central Message:** - Hope is not passive wishful thinking but active engagement embodied through everyday acts (building, planting, seeking welfare) - Community well-being is inseparably bound together—even with those who oppress - Love transcends boundaries when approached with curiosity and compassion rather than fear - God’s presence sustains through exile/displacement/turmoil **Liturgical/Thematic Focus:** - Christ the King Sunday: Jesus as Lord (not earthly rulers) - Connects exile narrative to contemporary displacement/political turmoil - Emphasis on God’s sovereignty through uncertain times **Score: 4/5** - Strongly integrated with text and liturgical theme - Clear connection between ancient exile and contemporary experience - Could strengthen explicit Christ the King theology (mentioned briefly but not developed) ----- ##### 🎙 **Preaching Style Assessment** **Primary Style(s):** - **Narrative exposition** (parable-style retelling of Jeremiah’s context) - **Topical** (theme of hope-as-action) - **Dialogical/Conversational** (personal story with Lyft driver creates dialogue) - **Contemplative** (invitation to “sit with” challenging verses) **Blend of Styles:** - Moves fluidly between exposition (historical context) → application (contemporary parallels) → personal witness (Alsham story) → theological reflection (love as answer) - The Alsham encounter functions as modern parable illustrating verse 7’s “seek welfare of the city” **Appropriateness:** - Well-suited for progressive UCC context valuing lived experience and social justice - Conversational tone creates accessibility - Story grounds abstract hope-theology in concrete encounter **Score: 4/5** - Style clear, identifiable, and effective - Narrative integration strong - Could benefit from more sustained exegetical depth before moving to application ----- ##### 🧵 **Storytelling and Illustration** **Effectiveness:** - **Alsham story** (Lyft driver from Sudan): Powerful, timely, humanizing - Creates empathy for displacement - Illustrates cross-cultural bridge-building - Models curiosity over fear - Connects personal encounter to theological principle - **Jeremiah 29:11 cultural reference** (mugs, journals, bookmarks): Effective framing device showing popular vs. contextual reading **Inclusivity:** - Centers marginalized voice (Sudanese refugee) - Acknowledges preacher’s privilege (white Midwesterner) - Cross-faith dialogue (Muslim-Christian encounter) - Gender-inclusive language throughout **Balance:** - Story doesn’t overshadow scripture—reinforces textual theme - Could use more biblical cross-references for exegetical grounding **Score: 5/5** - Engaging, balanced, inclusive storytelling - Contemporary example illuminates ancient text effectively - Diverse voices represented authentically ----- ##### 🗣 **Intonation and Delivery** **Vocal Delivery:** *(Limitations: transcript-only analysis)* - Conversational register suggests accessible tone - Repetition of key phrases (“I am here. I’m not leaving. I’m here.”) creates emphasis - Rhetorical questions engage listeners (“How do you…?”) **Tone:** - Welcoming and inclusive - Pastoral (sitting with difficult questions) - Prophetic edge when naming oppression/displacement **Learning Styles:** - **Auditory**: Repetition, rhythm, rhetorical questions - **Visual**: Could strengthen with references to images/maps (exile journey, Sudan crisis) - **Kinesthetic**: Calls to action provide embodied dimension **Score: 4/5** *(tentative without audio)* - Language suggests dynamic, inclusive delivery - Strong use of repetition and questioning - Could incorporate more sensory/visual language ----- ##### 📝 **Content Structure** **Organization:** 1. **Introduction**: Popular verse recognition → contextual reframing 2. **Exegesis**: Historical situation of exile 3. **Theological Development**: Hope as active (Chan quote) 4. **Challenge**: Verse 7 (seek welfare of oppressors) 5. **Illustration**: Alsham story 6. **Theological Synthesis**: Love transcends boundaries 7. **Conclusion**: Restoration through embodied hope **Transitions:** - “So Jeremiah…” (moves from context to instruction) - “Reading this passage, I found myself…” (personal engagement models congregation’s work) - “When we say hope is not a strategy…” (defines terms) **Accessibility:** - Clear thesis statement - Logical progression - Some repetition aids retention **Alignment with Style:** - Inductive movement (question → story → insight) - Contemplative pauses (“I had to sit with that”) **Score: 4/5** - Strong logical structure - Smooth transitions - Could use clearer summary/recap for retention ----- ##### 👥 **Engagement and Application** **Congregational Participation:** - Rhetorical questions invite reflection - Personal vulnerability (preacher’s wrestling) models engagement - “We” language creates communal identity **Inclusion of Marginalized Groups:** - ✅ Refugees/displaced persons (Sudan civil war statistics) - ✅ Cross-faith dialogue (Muslim driver) - ✅ Acknowledges power dynamics (white privilege) - ⚠️ Could name LGBTQIA+, disability, other marginalized identities **Practical Applications:** - Build, plant, seek, promote welfare (Jeremiah’s verbs) - Approach others with curiosity and compassion - Let go of fear and bitterness - Live alongside difference without imposing faith **Interactive Elements:** - Implicit: sermon models the curiosity/conversation it advocates - No explicit reflection prompts or physical actions suggested **Score: 4/5** - Strong inclusive application - Clear actionable steps - Could strengthen with explicit interactive moment or take-home practice ----- ##### 📖 **Scripture Handling** **Scriptures Referenced:** 1. **Primary**: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14 (Letter to Exiles) 2. **Secondary**: - Leviticus 19:18 (love your neighbor—mentioned) - Romans 12:21 (overcome evil with good—paraphrased) - Jesus’ teaching on neighbor-love (referenced) - Blayden E. Williams quote (theological source, not scripture) **Depth of Exegesis:** - **Historical context**: ✅ Explains Babylonian exile, displacement, 70-year duration - **Cultural context**: ✅ Names unfamiliar/hostile environment - **Original language**: ❌ No Hebrew word studies - **Cross-references**: ⚠️ Limited—could strengthen with Lamentations, Isaiah 40-55, Psalm 137, Acts 2 (early church economics) **Text-Driven vs. Theme-Driven:** - Hybrid: Text provides foundation, but theme (hope-as-action) drives development - Jeremiah’s verbs anchor message but aren’t exhaustively explored **Justice Lens:** - ✅ Centers displacement/exile as ongoing crisis (Sudan statistics) - ✅ Names oppression directly - ✅ Challenges scarcity mindset - ⚠️ Could push further into systemic analysis (who benefits from exile? empire critique?) **Score: 3.5/5** - Adequate contextual grounding - Could deepen exegetical work (word studies, intertextuality) - Strong justice awareness but stops short of full prophetic critique ----- ##### 🧠 **Logical Reasoning** ###### **Strong Reasoning:** 1. **Deductive Logic:** - Premise: Hope requires action (not just feeling) - Evidence: Jeremiah’s imperative verbs (build, plant, seek) - Conclusion: Embodied hope sustains through crisis - **Assessment**: Valid syllogism, well-supported 1. **Cause-and-Effect Clarity:** - “Your future depends on the welfare of the city” (v. 7) - Interdependence argument: exile community’s well-being = Babylon’s well-being - **Assessment**: Accurately reflects text’s logic 1. **Ethical Reasoning:** - Contrast: Grudges defeat / Grace sets us free - Love as consistent answer regardless of question - **Assessment**: Rooted in Christian ethical tradition 1. **Inductive Movement:** - Specific story (Alsham) → General principle (love transcends difference) - **Assessment**: Effective inductive reasoning from particular to universal ###### **Potential Fallacies/Weaknesses:** 1. **⚠️ Oversimplification (Minor):** - **Quote**: “Love is always, no matter the question.” - **Issue**: Could be read as dismissing complexity of oppression—love doesn’t automatically fix systemic injustice without accompanying structural change - **Impact**: Risks sentimentalism over prophetic action - **Improvement**: “Love *directs* our response, but love includes justice-work, boundary-setting, and systemic change.” 1. **⚠️ Hasty Generalization (Very Minor):** - **Quote**: “When we let go of fear and study with curiosity and compassion, it is equal.” - **Issue**: Assumes all encounters will mirror Alsham experience; some difference is dangerous (abusive relationships, fascism) - **Impact**: Could inadvertently counsel staying in harmful situations - **Improvement**: Acknowledge limits: “Curiosity and compassion open possibilities—*and* discernment names when systems/people cause harm.” 1. **✅ No Appeal to Authority Fallacy:** - Michael J. Chan quote used appropriately (scholarly support, not substitute for argument) 1. **✅ No False Dichotomies:** - Avoids “either despair or Pollyanna hope”—presents active hope as third way ###### **Overall Logical Assessment:** - Predominantly sound reasoning - Ethical arguments well-grounded - Minor risk of oversimplifying love’s complexity in face of systemic evil **Score: 4/5** - Strong, consistent logic - Minor lapses in addressing complexity - No major fallacies ----- ##### 📚 **References** **Sources Cited:** 1. **Michael J. Chan** (biblical scholar): Quoted on hope as active engagement 2. **Blayden E. Williams** (*God and the Soft Whisper*): Quoted in conclusion on God’s presence **Diversity of Voices:** - ✅ Contemporary biblical scholarship (Chan) - ✅ Black theological voice (Williams) - ⚠️ No feminist, queer, or liberation theology voices explicitly named - ⚠️ No historical theologians (Luther, Calvin, Wesley, etc.) **Depth:** - References support rather than drive argument - Could integrate more sustained dialogue with scholars **Score: 3/5** - Some integration of diverse scholarship - Could strengthen with broader theological conversation (Brueggemann on exile, Cone on oppression, Jennings on encounter) ----- ##### 🗨 **Quotes and Illustrative Stories** **Impactful Quotes:** 1. **“Hope is not a strategy”** (business maxim repurposed) - Connects: Challenges passive hope, demands embodied action - Effectiveness: Memorable, accessible 1. **“I am here. I’m not leaving. I’m here.”** (Williams) - Connects: God’s steadfast presence through exile - Effectiveness: Repetition creates liturgical rhythm, offers comfort 1. **“Grudges defeat us a lot. Grace sets us free.”** - Connects: Personal/communal liberation through forgiveness - Effectiveness: Alliterative, memorable 1. **“You are with me, I do not yet [fully know you].”** (implicit in Alsham story) - Connects: Theological anthropology—image of God in stranger - Effectiveness: Models humility in encounter **Illustrative Stories:** 1. **Alsham (Lyft Driver from Sudan)** - Biblical theme: Seeking welfare of the city, stranger-neighbor - Theological truth: Image of God across difference, common humanity - Lived experience: Displacement, cross-cultural bridge-building, interfaith dialogue - **Effectiveness**: Deeply impactful—humanizes statistics, models sermon’s thesis 1. **Jeremiah 29:11 on Consumer Goods** - Biblical theme: Popular theology vs. contextual reading - Theological truth: Scripture requires context - Lived experience: Church culture’s appropriation of verses - **Effectiveness**: Accessible entry point, gently corrects misreading **Score: 5/5** - Memorable, deeply tied to theology and lived experience - Alsham story is sermon’s centerpiece—exemplary pastoral/prophetic integration ----- #### 🔄 **Calls to Action** **Personal:** - Let go of fear - Approach others with curiosity and compassion - Recognize image of God in anyone you meet **Communal:** - Build, plant, seek welfare (Jeremiah’s verbs) - Live alongside difference without imposing faith - Foster community even in unlikely places **Systemic:** - ⚠️ **Implicit but underdeveloped**: Sermon names Sudan crisis (systemic displacement) but doesn’t call for advocacy, policy engagement, or material support - **Missing**: “Contact legislators about refugee resettlement,” “Support refugee organizations,” “Examine U.S. foreign policy in Sudan” **Modalities:** - **Spoken**: ✅ Verbal calls clear - **Visual**: ❌ No printed take-home card or screen projection suggested - **Experiential**: ⚠️ Could strengthen: “This week, initiate one conversation with someone different from you” **Score: 3.5/5** - Clear personal/communal calls - Systemic dimension underdeveloped - Could use multi-modal reinforcement ----- #### 🧠 **Style Effectiveness Analysis** **Did the chosen style(s) work?** - **Yes**: Narrative-contemplative blend creates accessibility and depth - **Alsham story** functions as extended parable—highly effective for progressive congregation valuing lived witness - **Conversational tone** builds trust, models vulnerability **How Would Different Styles Transform This Sermon?** ##### 🔹 **If Fully Expository (Verse-by-Verse):** **Structure:** - Verse 1: Epistolary context—who wrote to whom, why - Verses 4-7: Seven imperatives (build, plant, marry, multiply, seek) analyzed individually with Hebrew word studies - Verse 7: *Shalom* (שָׁלוֹם) of city—unpacking communal welfare theology - Verses 8-9: False prophets—discernment theology - Verses 10-14: Eschatological promise—restoration theology **Gains:** - Deeper exegetical rigor - Historical-critical insights (Babylonian exile’s economics, Jeremiah’s prophetic credentials) - Intertextual connections (Psalm 137’s rage vs. Jeremiah’s hope) **Losses:** - Less accessible - Alsham story might feel tacked-on rather than integrated - Risk of losing contemporary urgency ----- ##### 🔹 **If Fully Prophetic (Justice-Oriented):** **Structure:** - Opening: Sudan civil war statistics + U.S. refugee policy failures - Exegesis: Empire critique—Babylon as metaphor for all empires (including U.S.) - Application: “Seek the welfare of the city” = resist policies that harm neighbors - Call: Contact legislators, support refugee resettlement, examine complicity **Gains:** - Explicit systemic analysis - Concrete advocacy steps - Names power structures **Losses:** - Could alienate moderate congregants - Less pastoral comfort for those experiencing personal exile - Risk of reducing text to political platform ----- ##### 🔹 **If Fully Inductive (Question-Driven Tension):** **Structure:** - Opening question: “What do you do when your whole world collapses?” - Tension: Jeremiah says *seek the welfare of those who destroyed your world*—how is that possible? - Exploration: Stories of people doing this (Alsham, Desmond Tutu, etc.) - Resolution: Hope is embodied action; interdependence is reality - Invitation: Will you risk this kind of hope? **Gains:** - Engages critical thinking - Suspense sustains attention - Respects congregation’s agency **Losses:** - Less direct pastoral comfort - Requires skilled pacing to avoid frustration ----- ##### 🔹 **If Contemplative/Mystagogical:** **Structure:** - Guided meditation: Imagine yourself in Babylonian exile - Sensory immersion: What do you hear, smell, feel? - Scripture read slowly, repeatedly - Silence for personal reflection - Gentle invitation: Where are you in exile now? How is God calling you to build? **Gains:** - Deep personal engagement - Space for Holy Spirit’s movement - Less cognitive, more affective/spiritual **Losses:** - Less communal/systemic focus - Requires congregation comfortable with silence - Harder to convey urgency of Sudan crisis ----- ###### 🔹 **If First-Person Narrative (Jeremiah’s Voice):** **Structure:** - “I, Jeremiah, write to you from Jerusalem while you languish in Babylon…” - First-person account of writing the letter, wrestling with God’s counterintuitive command - Internal dialogue: “How can I tell them to *seek the welfare* of their captors?” - Revelation: God’s ways are not our ways - Conclusion: “So I write, trusting that God’s word will accomplish its purpose” **Gains:** - Imaginative engagement - Humanizes biblical figure - Models wrestling with hard texts **Losses:** - Risky if not done well (can feel gimmicky) - Less room for contemporary application - Requires significant creative skill ----- #### **Learning Styles Served:** |Learning Style |Current Sermon |Could Strengthen With | |-----------------|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------| |**Auditory** |✅ Strong (conversational, repetition)|Vary vocal dynamics more | |**Visual** |⚠️ Moderate (vivid language) |Project images of Sudan, exile maps | |**Kinesthetic** |⚠️ Moderate (action verbs) |Invite physical response (stand, gesture)| |**Interpersonal**|✅ Strong (Alsham story) |Small group discussion prompt | |**Intrapersonal**|✅ Strong (contemplative pauses) |Journaling prompt in bulletin | ----- ##### **Recommended Style-Blend for This Congregation:** **70% Narrative-Contemplative** (current approach—maintain) **+20% Prophetic** (sharpen systemic analysis and advocacy) **+10% Exegetical** (add Hebrew word study, cross-references) **Why:** - UCC context values lived witness + justice work - Congregation likely appreciates accessibility + depth - Christ the King Sunday begs for more explicit empire critique **Score: 4/5** - Style well-chosen and effective - Minor adjustments would strengthen prophetic edge and exegetical depth ----- #### 📊 **Overall Scoring Summary** |Category |Score|Notes | |---------------------------|-----|--------------------------------------------------------------------| |Sermon Summary |4/5 |Strong text-theme integration; Christ the King theology could deepen| |Preaching Style |4/5 |Clear, accessible, well-blended | |Storytelling & Illustration|5/5 |Alsham story is exemplary | |Intonation & Delivery |4/5 |(Tentative without audio) Strong rhetorical devices | |Content Structure |4/5 |Logical, clear transitions | |Engagement & Application |4/5 |Inclusive, actionable; systemic dimension could grow | |Scripture Handling |3.5/5|Good context; needs deeper exegesis | |Logical Reasoning |4/5 |Predominantly sound; minor oversimplification risks | |References |3/5 |Some diverse voices; could broaden | |Quotes & Stories |5/5 |Memorable, theologically rich | |Calls to Action |3.5/5|Clear personal/communal; systemic underdeveloped | |Style Effectiveness |4/5 |Well-suited; prophetic + exegetical depth would enhance | **Total Score: 48/60 (80%)** ----- #### ✅ **Strengths:** 1. **Alsham Story**: Pastoral, prophetic, and pedagogical masterclass in lived theology 2. **Accessible Language**: Meets congregation where they are without dumbing down 3. **Hopeful Tone**: Balances realism about suffering with grounded hope 4. **Inclusive Framing**: Centers marginalized voices, acknowledges privilege 5. **Clear Thesis**: Hope-as-action is consistent and compelling ----- #### 🔧 **Growth Edges:** 1. **Deepen Exegesis**: Add Hebrew word study (שָׁלוֹם, verbs), more cross-references (Ps 137, Isa 40-55) 2. **Sharpen Prophetic Critique**: Name systems/policies causing displacement; provide advocacy steps 3. **Expand References**: Include feminist (Phyllis Trible), queer (Patrick Cheng), liberation (Gustavo Gutiérrez) voices 4. **Multi-Modal Application**: Provide take-home card, small group questions, embodied practice 5. **Christ the King Theology**: Strengthen explicit connection—how does Jesus’ reign contrast earthly empires? How does resurrection power sustain exiles? ----- ### 💡 **Specific Recommendations:** ## **For Next Draft/Delivery:** 1. **Add 2-3 minutes of exegesis:** - *Shalom* (שָׁלוֹם) = not just peace but wholeness, justice, right relationship - Connect to Leviticus 19:18, 34 (love neighbor *and* stranger as self) - Reference Psalm 137 as foil (righteous rage vs. Jeremiah’s long-game hope) 1. **Strengthen Systemic Call:** > “This week, learn about one refugee resettlement organization. Contact your representatives about U.S. refugee policy. Ask: Are we seeking the *shalom* of our city—which includes our Sudanese neighbors?” 2. **Integrate Christ the King More Explicitly:** > “We proclaim Christ as King—not Caesar, not Babylon, not any earthly power. And Christ the King reigns through suffering love, through solidarity with the exiled. How does Jesus’ upside-down kingdom reshape our response to displacement?” 3. **Provide Take-Home:** - Bulletin insert with Jeremiah’s seven verbs + space to journal: “Where am I in exile? Which verb is God calling me to embody?” 1. **Consider Ending with Liturgical Response:** > **Preacher**: “When you call me and pray to me…” > **Congregation**: “…I will listen.” > **Preacher**: “When you search for me with all your heart…” > **Congregation**: “…you will find me.” > **ALL**: “I am here. I’m not leaving. I am here.” --- ### SERVICE OF TOTENFEST *(insert)* ### HYMN #C-37 *"Jesus, I Live to Thee"* **Verse 1:** Je-sus, I live to thee, The love-li-est and best; My life in thee, thy life in me, In thy blest love I rest. **Verse 2:** Je-sus, I die to thee, When-ev-er death shall come; To die in thee is life to me In my e-ter-nal home. **Verse 3:** Wheth-er to live or die, I know not which is best; To live in thee is bliss to me, To die is end-less rest. **Verse 4:** Liv-ing or dy-ing, Lord, I ask but to be thine; My life in thee, thy life in me, Makes heav'n for-ev-er mine. --- ### BLESSING OF THE PRAYER SHAWLS ### SHARING OF JOYS AND CONCERNS ### PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD'S PRAYER (DEBTS) ### INVITATION TO GIVING ### OFFERTORY ### *OFFERTORY RESPONSE #706 *"Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow"* ### *PRAYER OF DEDICATION *by Christine Longhurst in Hunger for Justice (adapted)* **Generous God, through your Son, Jesus Christ, you have shown us what it means to love. And you call us to follow your example – to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Continue to write your law of love on our hearts. Give us an unwavering passion for justice, and a tenacious faith that will not rest until the hungry are fed, the oppressed find relief, and the outsider finds a welcome. May these gifts that we offer today help to make it so. Amen.** ### *HYMN #567 *"For All the Saints"* **Verse 1:** For all the saints, who from their la-bors rest, Thee by faith be-fore the world con-fessed, O blest com-mun-ion, fel-low-ship di-vine! We fee-bly strug-gle, they in glo-ry shine, yet all are one in Thee, for all are thine. Al-le-lu-ia! Al-le-lu-ia! **Verse 2:** Thou wast their Rock, their For-tress, and their Might; Thou, Lord, their Cap-tain in the well-fought fight; Thou, in the dark-ness drear their one true light. Al-le-lu-ia! Al-le-lu-ia! **Verse 3:** O may thy sol-diers, faith-ful, true, and bold, fight as the saints who no-bly fought of old, and win, with them, the vic-tor's crown of gold. Al-le-lu-ia! Al-le-lu-ia! **Verse 4:** And when the strife is fierce, the war-fare long, steals on the ear the dis-tant tri-umph song, and hearts are brave a-gain, and arms are strong. Al-le-lu-ia! Al-le-lu-ia! **Verse 5:** From earth's wide bounds, from o-cean's far-thest coast, through gates of pearl streams in the count-less host, sing-ing to Fa-ther, Son, and Ho-ly Ghost: Al-le-lu-ia! Al-le-lu-ia! ### *COMMISSION & BENEDICTION ### POSTLUDE *(seated)* --- ## Join us for a time of fellowship after worship! The "Nursery Nook in the Narthex" quiet area and infant/toddler space in the Parlor are available for children and families to use during worship. Age-appropriate activity bags are also available. **Birthdays this week:** 11/27 Eileen Shaffer; 11/29 Ann Aldrich, Adrion Barbour and John Widmann, Jr. --- ## Worship Participants | Role | Person | |------|--------| | Pastor | Rev. Caroline E. Saxton | | Organist | Barbara Motichka | | Deacon in Charge | Cathy Kinton | | Lector | Diana Macfarlane | | Children's Corner | Chani Wolfe | | Media Coordinators | Calvin Frantz, Neath Ham, Heidi Ramos | | Bulletin cover | "A Future Filled with Hope" from Christian Book Distributors | --- **The Flowers at the Foot of the Cross** are given in memory of lost loved ones. The donor is anonymous. --- ## St. John's Vision We are called to love, to learn, to worship and to witness in Christ as a congregation that welcomes everyone, and seeks service that will advance God's realm on earth. ## St. John's Mission To grow in love of God and neighbor --- # THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN'S ## TODAY: Totenfest **3:00 pm** CMC Community Thanksgiving Worship Service @ Calvary United Methodist Church **8:00 pm** Bible Study on the Book of Acts, Chapter 22 (Zoom - link in Friday e-blast) ## Monday, November 24 **10:00 am** Chi Gong/Zazen silent body energy and soulful meditation – Parlor Room 104 **1:30 pm** Monday Afternoon Book Study (Ch. 10) – Conference Room 111 **7:00 pm** Boy Scouts – Fellowship Hall ## Tuesday, November 25 **5:30 pm** Yoga – Room 202 **6:00 pm** Ladies' Bible - Zoom **6:00 pm** Cub Scouts Blue & Gold banquet – Fellowship Hall ## Thursday, November 26 & Friday, November 27 **Office Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday** ## Sunday, November 30 **8:45 am** Godly Play Class – Room 119 **8:45 am** SPARK! Elementary Church School Class – Room 115 **8:45 am** Teen Discussion Class – Room 206 **8:45 am** Wired Word Church School Class – Room 116 **10:00 am** Sunday Worship – Sanctuary – **First Sunday of Advent** --- # Announcements ## Angel Tree and Hoffman Homes Gift Tags Gift tags are now available to be picked up. Angel Tree tags are on the Christmas tree in the lobby; Hoffman Homes' tags are on the Christmas tree in the church office. Consult the November Spirit or contact Pastor Caroline regarding gift guidelines. ## Cookies for Kids The "Cookie Walk" will be held Saturday, December 6. Sign-up sheets to provide homemade cookies or candy are located in both lobbies. All proceeds from this event will go to support kids in our community by partnering with local organizations. Contact Roxanne Davenport or Harold Collier with any questions. Thanks for your support of this terrific event! ## Conococheague Mission Cooperative Thanksgiving Service TODAY, November 23, 3 pm at Calvary United Methodist Church (150 Norlo Drive, Fayetteville). Pastor Caroline will bring the message. All are invited to attend this service of thanksgiving, gratitude, and praise. ## Parking Lot Progress We are in the process of eliminating the small islands, taking down the trees, and completing the electrical upgrade in Parking Lot A. Please use caution! Thank you! ## Church Directory Update As we work to finalize our new photo directory, we need your updated contact information. If your address, phone number or email address has changed, please share this with the church office. Thank you! ## November First Fruits Donations will go toward supporting Heifer International. Heifer's model includes working in economic development, environmental sustainability, food security and nutrition, risk mitigation and women's empowerment and social capital. Partnering with Children and Youth Ministry, our First Fruits will go toward strengthening communities across the globe. Speak with Roxanne Davenport to learn more how you can make a difference. ## Staff Christmas Gifts This is a way we at St. John's honor our talented staff at Christmas. If you would like to participate, please designate "Staff Christmas Gift" on your envelope or check; contributions should be submitted by Sunday, December 7, in order for our staff to receive this by Christmas. ## United Way Winter Warmth Drive This drive is currently underway. Among the requested items to donate are healthy food (whole grains, seasonings & cooking oils, boxed meals, canned goods, flour, sugar, and baking soda, condiments, peanut butter, shelf-stable milk, pasta and pasta sauce) and winter gear (mittens & gloves, winter hats, socks, first aid kits, deodorant, shampoo & conditioner, tissues & paper towels, toothpaste, laundry detergent, and hand soap, dish soap, and body soap). St. John's is a collection site; donation boxes are in both lobbies. Thank you for your support of these efforts to care for our neighbors who are hungry and clothing the cold. ## Christmas Ornament Craft Night Monday, December 1, 5-8 pm in Room 202. The cost is $5/ornament and each person may do up to 3 ornaments. Time is somewhat flexible if you cannot be there right at 5 pm. Sign up at the Welcome Center. We hope you'll join us! ## November/December Upper Room Devotionals are currently available at the Welcome Center. We suggest a donation of $1 for small print/$2 for large print copies. If you would like to have a copy mailed to you, please contact the church office. ## Bible and a Beer An opportunity to talk about our faith in public. Join us on the 3rd Monday of the month at the Trojan Diner at 6:30 pm. Our next gathering will be December 15. ## Birthday Balloons All are invited to share in a special coffee hour the last Sunday of the month to honor all who celebrated a birthday that month. November birthdays will be honored on **Sunday, November 30**. We hope you'll join us! ## Join us for Life Talk What's on your mind? Just want to talk with other adults for a bit? Grab your snack/coffee & meet in the parlor after worship on Sunday mornings. Everyone is welcome. ## Want to Stay in Touch? Contact the Church Office to be added to our email list! You can sign up to receive our regular weekly emails, Diana's Devotionals, and/or be part of the Prayer Chain. --- **Contact Information:** The Rev. Caroline E. Saxton, [email protected] (641) 260-1868 (cell) Tonya Schwartz, Office Administrator, [email protected] (717) 263-8593 (office) Gary Crum, Music Director | Barbara Motichka, Organist Roxanne Davenport, Director of Children & Youth The Rev. Stephen W. Hoffman, Pastor Emeritus