Project Transformation DC is a local program based on a proven national model that helps at-risk children in low-income communities to maintain or grow in their reading abilities over the summer months when most children lose ground in their reading abilities. This is all led by college-aged young adults who are not only helping these children but also participating in their own discernment of where God might be leading them. These summer camps for children led by young adults take place in churches in the communities where the kids are to help the churches connect with their own communities in another meaningful way.

Are you being tested? Do you ever feel that way: tested by a colleague; tested by a friend or loved one; tested by "karma;" or tested by "life" or even God?

Many of you have expressed to me weariness in your bones over the last several months. Sometimes “it” (whatever it may be) feels like too much. This Sunday, we will dive into a Scripture passage where God’s people feel like they have too many trials and not enough provision. God promises to give them all they need, but then comes this funny phrase, "In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not."

So take a minute, pray over the Exodus passages and ask yourself, "Does God test us?" If so, why? If not, why not? Then, pray over the Ephesians lesson and ask, "What is a 'life worthy of the calling' I’ve been given?" How do we discern the difference between unfair tests the world piles on and opportunities to live out our calling to be kind, generous, humble, forgiving, strong, courageous, patient, etc?

As we wrap up this sermon series, Sacred Earth, Sacred Worth, we have looked at one of the most amazing and generous gifts God gave us: our sacred earth. We’ve been honest about how we have not given it the needed attention, how we've polluted and abused it - how we are at a breaking point. In this sermon, we will explore, given all this, how can we respond? Hint: Response to God’s call to care for the earth inevitably grows us as disciples in our ability to respond faithfully to all the gifts and responsibilities with which God blesses us. Read over the Gospel passage, and consider all the ways God’s creatures (including us humans) can respond to God’s love on earth.

I grew up in suburbia, so I never had any exposure to sheep. And whenever I heard anyone speak of sheep, usually a pastor once a year preaching about the parable of the lost sheep, they would say something like, "Sheep are known to be not very bright, oftentimes ‘eating themselves lost,’ they would keep grazing until they would become separated from the herd." So I thought of sheep as being pretty simple creatures and perfectly vulnerable targets for wolves or other predators.

But research shows that sheep actually have excellent facial and voice recognition skills, which help them to maintain strong communal life. They recognize the members of their own flock and even the voices of their human caretakers. So in our gospel reading for this, when Jesus tells his followers “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father,” he is saying something pretty profound. Sheep, like humans, are created as communal creatures, and we rely on those skills in our community, especially for good shepherds, for our safety and flourishing.

We have been blessed for these past 10 years at CHUMC to have a good shepherd leading us in ministry. Pastor Alisa is gifted by the Holy Spirit to know the members of this flock of Christ followers and to help us to grow in our faith. Her leadership in turn has empowered the members of this church to be more active disciples and to use their own fruitfulness to serve others. Our reading from Galatians 5:22-25 helps us to name and claim these fruit in each other and ourselves. And in this offering, we celebrate ten years of ministry with Pastor Alisa at CHUMC.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8)

Pollution – it’s in our air, in our water, and in our hearts. And so on this perfect summer day, I want you to look not outside but within…what pollutes the purity of your heart? What emotion or past experience or untrue thought clouds the clarity of your devotion to God?

Not an easy question, I know and yet an essential one. For the creation story tells us that all God made is good, and we don't want anything to block our view of the full goodness of God. Last week, we began our sermon series, Sacred Earth, Sacred Worth and together we are exploring what God has to say about creation in Scripture and how caring for the Earth is intricately linked to the healing of our own souls. So, if you missed it, listen to last week’s sermon, and then pray over the passages for this sermon.

The first installment of our sermon series on Creation Care.

Are you a fan or a follower? Or does it depend on the situation?

I know we have some ardent fans in the CHUMC family. I’ve seen you wear orange (yes, I’m talking about you Clemson fans) and shout “Roll Tide” (yes, I’m referencing you Alabamans). You know how to shout for your team. And World Cup fans are no different. So regardless of the sport, consider who you cheer for and why? How do you support your team, and what actions you take? When does your loyalty and support fade?

So as we conclude our World Cup sermon series, we will not focus on the teams or the players but rather the fans. As you prepare for this sermon, ponder what it looks like to be a fan and/or a follower of Christ. Read over the Gospel passage and ask yourselves why does the crowd follow Jesus? And what is Christ actually asking of them and us?

Have you ever seen the "Hand of God" at work in your midst or around the globe?

As we continue in our World Cup Sermon Series, I invite you to watch this clip from the 1986 World Cup. In this, Argentine phenomenon, Diego Maradona, intercepts a ball flicked back to England’s goalie and appears to head the ball into the net. Video revealed that Maradona actually illegally hit the ball with his hand rather than his head. But in 1986, there were no replays and the goal counted. Argentina won 2-1 and eventually went on to win the whole World Cup. When later questioned about the goal, Maradona responded, "A bit with the head of Maradona and another bit with the hand of God." It became known as the "Hand of God" goal.

While we laugh at his response, we can also relate. How often do we decide that God is on “our” side? We decide that God is on Alisa’s side or America’s side or you name it. And we give God credit or blame for things we have done and/or could solve. As we wrestle with the problems around our world, and especially our great divides, we will consider God’s providence and our response both personally and globally. What is God doing, and what should we be doing?

Take some time and read the Scriptures for the sermon, and ask: Where is God at work? With whom? And how? Also, again this week, we will highlight a theologian from around the globe, one who claims that God is always on the side of the poor. We can be on that side, too. So if you want a head start in worship, read a little on Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez, a Catholic priest from Peru who is considered a founder of Liberation Theology.

What do you think when you hear the phrase "Go Global?"

- Your college study abroad program?

- Commericals for "Global Business Solutions?"

- An ongoing political debate between "globalism" and "nationalism?"

Well, in this sermon, we leave the secular and political contexts for a moment and explore God’s definition of "Globalism." What does the psalmist mean when he says, "Declare God's glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples?" And what did John Wesley, one of Methodism’s founders, mean when he said, "All the World is my parish?" What do these teachings say to us about our lives, our faith, and our interactions in this global world?

Through the lense of the "World Cup," we will explore all this and more. Given the theme, we will also unpack each topic with the insight of a theologian from around the world. This week it will be Kwame Bediako, a Ghanian, evangelical theologian. In preparation, you can pray over the Scriptures, read a little about the Rev. Dr. Bediako, and / or thank God for saving us time and time again when something slips right past us.