Community

The President, in addressing the nation on his concerns about the Assad regime and their indefensible use of chemical weapons upon their own people, grounded his argument for the necessity for us to take military action in part on the phrase "American exceptionalism". To my mind, that is a dangerous idea. America IS exceptional. We are exceptionally wealthy, we are exceptionally powerful. And we are exceptional in another way -- this is a country founded not on historic alliance, or geography or language, but upon a commitment to an ideal.

In that sense, the President was exactly right. We are exceptional, but the idea of American exceptionalism can so easily bleed over into a belief that we represent the truth, the light and all righteousness. We don't. We are born into community and suckled by it, but we must never permit ourselves to make an idol of our culture, country or community of faith. To do so will lead us far from God and into fields tilled by a farmer you would not like at all. Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, "Community" by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

The Elephant's Tale

One of the most common things I hear when discussing my obsession with religion with the congregation of the Chapel of St. Arbuck's is, "I'm spiritual, but I'm not religious" by which it is meant that the declarant finds the prospect of joining with others of like (or different!) faith tiresome, tedious and non-productive. Such a statement can also be a convenient way to deal with the inconvenient aspects of a personal relationship with God, an inconvenience Jesus himself described in this fashion:

“Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

I wonder what would happen if we preached that to all prospective members? Come see why a community of believers is necessary for this week's sermon, The Elephant's Tale by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

A Place At The Table

Sometimes, when you undertake to stand up on your hind legs, dressed as a proper Geneva businessman of the 16th Century, with a group of trusting people before you, you become aware of the nuts and bolts that you used to put together a sermon. You are terribly aware of where you cut corners, where you got tired, what you left unsaid. At other times, it is as if you are not speaking, but serving only as a clothes horse while the message flows through you without effort. This was one of those times. Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, A Place at the Table, by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

The Starfish Preservation Society

I asked a friend the other day how he felt about the plight of stranded starfish -- helpless sea creatures stranded on the burning sands by the relentless withdrawal of the tides, expecting a sympathetic ear. To my horror he replied that he had never thought much about stranded starfish!

Naturally, it became my task to educate him, and now you, on this injustice and to invite you to join the Starfish Preservation Society and become one of the SAPS that rescue these helpless creatures.

Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, The Starfish Preservation Society, by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

What DID Happen?

One of the most difficult teachings of Jesus appears in Luke 12:

Jesus said, “Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!

What are we to make of the Prince of Peace saying such a thing?  Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, "What DID Happen?" by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text. Oh, and if you want to be thoroughly offended, listen all the way to the summation and benediction.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Up A Tree

Today marks the first sermon since we changed the name of the podcast from the imposing "Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky" to a hopefully easier to handle "The Casting Floor". We believe in transformation. We believe in God's power to mold us, and I hope the new title reflects that.

The recent reporting about Pope Francis has focused my attention to what I see as a flaw in our understanding of our place in God's Creation. In short, I thing we've got ourselves up a tree. Pope Francis, I believe, is showing the way down. Join the congregation of Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, "Up a Tree" by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.

Stuiff

If ever there was something we could describe as the American pastime, I think it would be the collection of "stuff". We really, really love our tchotchkes. Did you know you can buy a thermostat that allows you to control the temperature in your house from your smart phone from anyplace in the world? Join the congregation of  Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Ky. for this week's sermon, "Stuff" by clicking HERE for audio or HERE for text.

Community Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte, Kentucky, was built on the casting floor of a 19th Century iron blast furnace. We use "The Casting Floor" as an image for the power of the Spirit to form us. Visit us at http://communitypresbyterian.org.