This Week in Worship • Functional Atheism with Reverend Brent Ross for Normal Heights United Methodist Church of San Diego, California, United States for Thursday, 28 May 2015
What you'll find in this week's email:
• This Week in Worship: Functional Atheism
• Free Family Movie Nights ( 6/6 • Sunset )
• Faith on Tap ( Tonight • 6:30p-8:00p )
• New Team Members on Staff!
• Bible Study Reopens ( Starts 6/3 • 6:30p-8:00p )
• Connector Training Event ( 6/7 • 11:45a-12:15p )
• Youth Ministries Parent Meeting ( 5/31 • 11:45a-1:00p )
"Functional Atheism" by Reverend Brent Ross
I heard a phrase recently that stuck with me this week…functional atheism. It’s been used by a number of writers or bloggers over the past couple of years, but it seems as though I’ve heard it a lot more often in these past few weeks. Functional atheism is generally described as “acting as if God does not exist, regardless of your spoken or asserted views on the matter.” Basically I think this means that functional atheism is something like when the people who claim there is a God still act and respond as though there isn’t a God.
Often the reverse of this is true as well. I think the greatest indicator of what someone believes to be true is simply what they do, or as I heard it phrased once, “Don’t tell me what you believe. Tell me what you do. Then I’ll know what you believe.”
In other words, for those who believe justice is important, well, they work for it. They talk live into it and they will insist on it. Or in this same way, those who may think that life is ultimately hopeless will act in that way. Their actions will betray their true thoughts despite what they may say with their mouths.
This week in our Scripture passage from Isaiah, I think we hear a story that will cause us on Sunday to ask ourselves if we too might be “functional atheists.” Isaiah in these verses will be called to do work for God and despite his belief that he is unable to do it…well, his belief in the power of God changes things. Isaiah then is a functional believer…he acts and responds as someone who believes God is at work within him.
On Sunday, the story is going to ask us if we are believers. But it asks us in a way that goes beyond the proofs of what we may say or think we believe, but rather it will ask us “What do you do?” We’ll see you on Sunday as we read the story of Isaiah’s call and share our thoughts. If you’d like to read the story before then you can find it here!
Sunday's Scripture Text: Isaiah 6:1-8
Isaiah 6:1 In the year of King ‘Uziyahu’s death I saw Adonai sitting on a high, lofty throne! The hem of his robe filled the temple. 2 S’rafim stood over him, each with six wings — two for covering his face, two for covering his feet and two for flying. 3 They were crying out to each other,
“More holy than the holiest holiness
is Adonai-Tzva’ot!
The whole earth is filled
with his glory!”
4 The doorposts shook at the sound of their shouting, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 Then I said,
“Woe to me! I [too] am doomed! —
because I, a man with unclean lips,
living among a people with unclean lips,
have seen with my own eyes
the King, Adonai-Tzva’ot!”
6 One of the s’rafim flew to me with a glowing coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 He touched my mouth with it and said,
“Here! This has touched your lips.
Your iniquity is gone,
your sin is atoned for.”
8 Then I heard the voice of Adonai saying,
“Whom should I send?
Who will go for us?”
I answered, “I’m here, send me!”
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for: Isaiah 6:1-8
Verse 1
[1] In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
I saw — In a vision.
The Lord — The Divine Majesty as he subsisteth in three persons.
His train — His royal and judicial robe; for he is represented as a judge.
Verse 2
[2] Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
Stood — As ministers attending upon their Lord.
Seraphim — An order of holy angels, thus called from fire and burning, which this word properly signifies; to represent either their nature, which is bright and glorious, subtile, and pure; or their property, of fervent zeal for God's service and glory.
Covered — Out of profound reverence.
Verse 3
[3] And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Cried — Singing in consort.
Holy — This is repeated thrice, to intimate the Trinity of persons united in the Divine essence.
Glory — Of the effects and demonstrations of his glorious holiness, as well as of his power, wisdom, and goodness.
Verse 4
[4] And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
The posts — Together with the door itself. Such violent motions were commonly tokens of God's anger.
Smoak — Which elsewhere is a token of God's presence and acceptance, but here of his anger.
Verse 5
[5] Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
l am — I am a great sinner, as many other ways, so particularly by my lips. I am an unclean branch of an unclean tree; besides my own uncleanness, I have both by my omissions and commissions involved myself in the guilt of their sins.
Have seen — The sight of this glorious and holy God gives me cause to fear that he is come to judgment against me.
Verse 6
[6] Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
Flew — By God's command.
A coal — Both a token and an instrument of purification.
The altar — Of burnt-offering.
Verse 7
[7] And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
Laid it — So as only to touch my lips, and not to burn them; which God could easily effect.
Lo — This is a sign that I have pardoned and purged the uncleanness of thy lips.
Verse 8
[8] Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Who — To deliver the following message. The change of the number, I and us, is very remarkable; and both being meant of one and the same Lord, do sufficiently intimate a plurality of persons in the Godhead.
Sermon Story "Functional Atheist or Functional Christian" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 31 May 2015 with Scripture: Isaiah 6:1 In the year of King ‘Uziyahu’s death I saw Adonai sitting on a high, lofty throne! The hem of his robe filled the temple. 2 S’rafim stood over him, each with six wings — two for covering his face, two for covering his feet and two for flying. 3 They were crying out to each other,
“More holy than the holiest holiness
is Adonai-Tzva’ot!
The whole earth is filled
with his glory!”
4 The doorposts shook at the sound of their shouting, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 Then I said,
“Woe to me! I [too] am doomed! —
because I, a man with unclean lips,
living among a people with unclean lips,
have seen with my own eyes
the King, Adonai-Tzva’ot!”
6 One of the s’rafim flew to me with a glowing coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 He touched my mouth with it and said,
“Here! This has touched your lips.
Your iniquity is gone,
your sin is atoned for.”
8 Then I heard the voice of Adonai saying,
“Whom should I send?
Who will go for us?”
I answered, “I’m here, send me!”
As we reflect again on this passage of Scripture where Isaiah is morning the death of an Israel King, he encounters the Holy God. as soon as he does, he realizes that his holiness is nothing but sin as he lives among people who are sinners when confronted with God's Pure Holiness. There is a reminder here for us who have been followers of Jesus here, even some who are active in pastoral leadership, that we must remain in constant contact with God's Holiness or we attempt not to live the holiness He gifts us in everything we do. Yes, I realize that there is a theology within the Christian faith that says that one you are saved it does not matter what one does, but even us who believe in the other theology that we are constantly saved fall into the trap of saying we are followers of Jesus, but do live like we are His children in His holiness that He and His Father sent with the Holy Spirit. Too often, we want the best of both kingdoms, the kingdom on earth and the kingdom of God. How do we stop living as functional atheist and living as true and authentic followers of Jesus? How do we become content we are circumstances while being led by Jesus to fight against the injustice we see in the world and the oppression that is opposed to God's Kingdom? How do we seek God's Holiness without watering the holiness down to where we are comfortable? Lord Jesus, we come and seek more of Your Grace and Holiness as we come forward to remember Jesus life, suffering, death, and resurrection in eating the Body of Jesus and Drinking His Blood in our participation of the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist listening and singing this Hymn or Christian song: "Watered-Down Love" by Bob Dylan
1. Love that’s pure hopes all things
Believes all things, won’t pull no strings
Won’t sneak up into your room, tall, dark and handsome
Capture your heart and hold it for ransom
Chorus:
You don’t want a love that’s pure
You wanna drown love
You want a watered-down love
2. Love that’s pure, it don’t make no false claims
Intercedes for you ’stead of casting you blame
Will not deceive you or lead you into transgression
Won’t write it up and make you sign a false confession
Chorus:
You don’t want a love that’s pure
You wanna drown love
You want a watered-down love
3. Love that’s pure won’t lead you astray
Won’t hold you back, won’t mess up your day
Won’t pervert you, corrupt you with stupid wishes
It don’t make you envious, it don’t make you suspicious
Chorus:
You don’t want a love that’s pure
You wanna drown love
You want a watered-down love
4. Love that’s pure ain’t no accident
Always on time, is always content
An eternal flame, quietly burning
Never needs to be proud, restlessly yearning
Chorus:
You don’t want a love that’s pure
You wanna drown love
You want a watered-down love
Movie nights are back for a third summer!!! The Normal Heights United Methodist Church and the Normal Heights Community Association have teamed up with Adams Avenue Park & Rec. to bring you two movies a month in the park all summer long! This is a great opportunity to get out, join your neighbors, enjoy your local parks and have a fun, free evening under the stars. Normal Heights United Methodist will be hosting the firstmovie of the summer, Big Hero 6 on June 6th, starting at sunset in Adams Park. Everyone is encouraged to bring a blanket, food and a friend.. and of course, the evening wouldn’t be complete without an intermission dance party! Make it a family day and join us for a pre-movie picnic, starting at 5pm. We could always use volunteers for our movie night on June 6th. Please let Nancy know if you're able to help out!
Faith on Tap meets TONIGHT! This month's topic is “Forgiveness.” What is forgiveness? Must we forgive in order to be forgiven by God? We will discuss these things and more this week in Normal Heights.
Faith on Tap is our casual beer and faith discussion group. We meet at the home of local church members, Mike and Nancy Palmer, and if you’d like directions or want more info, please email Nancy directly at nancy@nhunited.org. Everyone is welcome at this event!
We are excited to announce that we have made some wonderful additions to the staff here at Normal Heights UMC! In our ongoing growth and development of ministries, we have brought some people on board for key positions to help us continue to live into our identity here in Normal Heights this summer. Here’s who they are:
Ashley Sanchez
Guest Connector/Wedding Coordinator
You likely already know Ashley if you’ve attended worship here on a Sunday or one of small group discussions. Ashley’s warm personality & engaging questions have always reflected someone who is genuine in her faith journey. For a few months now, she has been serving as our wedding coordinator here. We are super thrilled to announce that she is also taking on a new role of Guest Connector! This means Ashley will be serving as a primary contact for newer guests to the church & community by reaching out to them as a representative of our church. We are excited to have her in this new role to help us extend true hospitality to those who are newer to the community!
Jessica Mount & Austin McKinley
Summer Interns
This Sunday we are looking forward to also introducing Jessica and Austin who will be interning here for the summer! Both Austin and Jessica will be helping us with children/youth activities, kids camp/VBS, movie nights and possibly some music on Sundays as well. Please take a moment on a Sunday to greet them and welcome them to the church for the summer as they join our ministries here!
The current Bible Study on the Gospel of Luke is making some changes for the summer. Starting on June 3rd, the study will move to the church so that we can accommodate vacation schedules and more people for the summer. This ongoing Bible Study meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month, from 6:30 - 8:00pm, and is currently working through the Gospel of Luke. This study is open to all and is a question and discussion-based study! We are only about 5 chapters into the book, so this is a great time to join! If you’d like to join the group, or would need childcare for the summer, please feel free to email Pastor Brent at brent@nhunited.org.
On Sunday, June 7th after the service, we will be having a “Connector Training” event for about 30 minutes from 11:45 - 12:15, and we would like to invite you to consider if you would like to join this new ministry. Read on for some more information!
A) What are connectors?
Connectors are people who have been filled in on the church’s ministries and events so that they can be a reference or connector for new guests on Sunday mornings. Basically, connectors are like greeters who have attended the training so that they are comfortable in answering questions about who we are as a church and how to be involved. So on Sunday mornings, before coffee time, we will ask all Connectors to stand and to let the guests know that if they have any questions about the church, they can talk to a connector during coffee or after the service. You are a friendly face to help! :)
B) Why do we need connectors?
Our church is in the great position of averaging 2 new guests a week and something like 80% of those guests return another Sunday. What this says to us is that the best thing to be done is to help our church grow is to help people connect. To help them navigate and understand how they can meet people and have quality conversations. So our connectors will just be another set of friendly faces that people can go and ask questions on Sundays!
C) What will we learn at the training?
At the training, I’ll just bring you up to speed on our ministries (Faith on Tap, Bible Study, etc.), our church structure (church staff and their responsibilities, committees, etc.) and tell you about our upcoming church orientation meeting. Basically, you'll just get a “big picture” of the church so you can be a resource for people. And if you don’t have the answer… you’ll know who to ask!
D) I’m maybe interested in helping, but not sure.
No problem! If you think you might at all be interested, come to the 30-minute training onJune 7th and see what it's all about. If you like the idea after that, let Pastor Brent know!
Parents of children of all ages (or anyone interested in youth ministries) are invited to attend a meeting to discuss plans for starting up a youth program at NHUMC!!! We will be talking about your needs and wants in a program for youth, how we can better serveYOU, the parents, as well as assessing our current programs for children. YOUR input is important and we value your ideas. The meeting will be in the Social Hall after the worship service THIS SUNDAY. It will run from around 11:45am-1:00pm. Light snacks will be served! If you plan on attending, or have any questions, please contact Alisa!
Our mailing address is:
Normal Heights United Methodist Church
4650 Mansfield Street
San Diego, California 92116 United States
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