Peggy, from the Pulpit: A Personal Reflection

 

Peggy Sue Barhydt
February 3, 1958- December 28, 2021

February 03, 1958 - December 28, 2021

“Cloudy Days are the Best.” That was the title of an essay which Peggy wrote when she was in eight- grade. She had been the liturgist on that first Sunday I preached at Mishawaka Willow Creek United Methodist Church. During my sermon I mentioned how I prefer overcast skies with a bit of drizzle rather than those blindingly sunny days which most other people seem to enjoy. After the service, Peggy hastened to get my attention that she may report her eighth- grade essay to me. She told me that she too enjoyed overcast and rain. She seemed happy to discover somebody else that shared her extra-ordinary appreciation of such conditions.

I enjoyed meeting someone who understood my atmospheric preferences.

And also, it was one Sunday morning, just before, and as we approached the front of the sanctuary that I asked Peggy, as I do to get to know people, what her favorite band or type of music was. For a moment she hesitated as if thinking “What do I report to the pastor?” And then, deciding to be straightforward, she said “Black Sabbath”. I then reported to Peggy that my son and I have attended concerts of Black Sabbath, Metalica, and other heavy metal groups. We later had full discussions about when and where we had attended such concerts.

 It was fun to make yet another connection with her. Imagine, not only did we share the anomalous appreciation of overcast and drizzle, but the fact that we churchy types enjoyed such “worldly” music as Black Sabbath seemed to be a real hoot as we were on our way to the pulpit!

Peggy was always a faithful liturgist. It was obvious that she had read and practiced the Scriptural reading for the day and was prepared to speak those divine words with precision and inspiring sincerity. Her presence in the pulpit was much more than a mere “it’s my turn to read” attitude. Peggy brought forth a moment of actual sacred significance from words on paper such that those words filled the ears and hearts of those in the pews with comfort and encouragement.

   To emphasize Peggy’s devotion and dependability serving as liturgist, she often reported that she had just arrived from fishing that she may be on time and fulfill her task. Imagine…breaking yourself away from a hobby you love that you may serve God and church. Bless you, Peggy!

    As much as I love sermon preparation and delivery, I assert that it is the straightforward reading of God’s word from the lips of laity that reach the hearts of the people most directly. Peggy delivered the word of God faithfully! And by doing so she brought people closer to God.

If God does indeed hand out crowns and jewels, I am sure Peggy is very well adorned today!

All we at Mishawaka Willow Creek will miss her.

And also, I must say, Shirley did a wonderful job raising a self-confident, intelligent, faithful, and inspiring daughter!

Rolling Stones Ford Field November 15, 2021

 

 

Rolling Stones Ford Field November 15, 2021

    My son, Eric, and I attended the Rolling Stones concert at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday, November 15, 2021.

Pastor Mike and son Eric

The tall projection screens, pre-concert, showed images of deceased drummer Charlie Watts and the crowd of 65000 chanted “Charlie, Charlie, Charlie, Charlie!”. This United Methodist Pastor and the Presbyterian Elder, Rita, beside whom I was sitting and had never before met, considered it somewhat of an “All Saints” moment for the band and fans!

    One would think that Mick, being 78 years of age, and the others of comparable condition, would have been lacking in their performances. I assert that they lacked nothing! Mick’s energy, vocal integrity, and overall presence was superb. The musicianship of the others was precise and skillful.

    I acknowledge Elvis Presley as the King of Rock and Roll. But I must claim Mick, with his captivating performance and sense of personally engaging presence, to be the personification of the spirit of rock and roll in all of its dimensions.

   The set was comprised of many of the great hits that have stirred us to dance on the concert floor, accelerate the automobile on the interstate, and sing along in the shower over the past six decades!

performance of "Sympathy for the Devil"

    While all of the songs were great, I must pay particular homage to “Sympathy for the Devil”. Yes, I know others have covered that song. But, only Mick can make it plausible.

    He stands tall in a long black and reflective jacket as he, with incomparable hubris step by deliberate step, approaches the microphone where, upon a burst of grandiose and unrestrainable personality, begins to vocalize “Allow me to introduce myself…” One feels as though they’ve been invited to one truly badass moment.

    The song lyric is theologically accurate to the sensibilities of this pastor, and also to the elder beside whom I sat. The Devil takes credit for the mischief he has caused over the centuries and offers the warning that he should not be casually dismissed, or he will “lay your soul to waste”!

    The aromas of alcohol and a recently legalized substance in Michigan mixed together to leave no doubt whatsoever that one was at a Rolling Stones concert and furthermore, one could almost feel that one had stepped through the time portal into 1968…except for the many who attended in wheelchairs, walkers, and canes.

Ah, but it was fun!

Thank you, Mick, and all for having gathered together this ephemeral congregation of the faithful for two hours plus of the greatest rock on the planet!

"Gimme Shelter" Mick with Sasha Allen

Brothers and Sisters, Sanctified!

 

Greetings Sisters and Brothers Proclaimed by Jesus…

Hebrews

2:10 It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

2:11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,

2:12 saying, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you."

The first four Sundays of October I will preach from the Book of Job…

Yes, much of the book deals with the suffering of Job. We will discuss that suffering.

Please note in verse 10 of this chapter 2 of Hebrews that Jesus, the pioneer of our salvation, was made perfect through sufferings.

As we seek and approach Christ-like perfection it is to be expected that we too will suffer. It isn’t that I enjoy that particular aspect of Christian experience, it’s just that it seems to be inevitable.

For sure, there is no reason for any of us to intentionally create our own sufferings so that we may show how pious we are.

Satan, the saboteur of our faith, is fully capable of providing all the suffering we need, as we shall see in the Book of Job.

In the Book of Job, we may find some encouragement.

For now, hang on to this promise stated in here in Hebrews…

For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters.

As we prepare our hearts for Holy Communion this Sunday, let us regard each other as does Christ…sisters and brothers sanctified!

Lori Caskey-Sigety and Poetry by Autumn Sunset October 23rd

 

poet Lori Caskey-Sigety

Mishawaka Willow Creek United Methodist Church invites you to poetry reading and workshop presented by Lori Caskey-Sigety on Saturday, October 23rd from 6:30 PM Until 8:00 PM (Eastern)

Lori is an artist, author, editor, educator, librarian, musician, poet, and writer. She lives in Mishawaka, IN, with her husband, Steve, and four pampered cats. Lori is also inspired by her memory garden that she created in 2010.  Her newest collection, Home: Poems & Drawings 2020-2021, is scheduled for release on October 26, 2021.

This event will be held outside on the campus of Willow Creek in our pavilion in the Valley Retreat.

Enjoy the poetry of Lori as the autumn sun sets and we are warmed by a pit fire and nourished with pumpkin bars and spiced cider.

A splendid time is guaranteed for all!

Mishawaka Willow Creek is located at:

14010 Jefferson Blvd, Mishawaka, IN 46545

Celebrate National Punctuation Day, September 24

 

    Earlier this year on Facebook, yes, that ” know-it-all, free- for- all, last word of all things” reported the story of a student asking a teacher if a word needed a “flying comma”, referring to an apostrophe.

    The story inspired me to consider that the use of a “flying comma” would be quite glidingly appropriate when discussing aeronautics.

 However, if we were to have a discussion regarding the art and application of magic then perhaps “Levitating Comma” might insinuate a more conjuring impact.

If we are in the sanctuary and working with ceremonial, sacred, and liturgical matters, I would encourage the use of “Comma of Ascension” so as to invoke a sense of divine ephemera.

In the field of Olympic Gymnastics perhaps we could jump to “Acrobatic comma” to give the sentence the excitement of a “Mary Lou” tumble and twirl.

And in the academic field of physics, we may imbue our sentence with an Einsteinian attribute with use of a “Gravity resistant comma”.

Of course, we could leave it with its conventional and historic nomenclature without any pretentious descriptive accoutrement and allow it to retain its humble persona as a down-to-Earth “non-condescending apostrophe”.

Whichever you choose to use, take care to not confuse, as I assert…

Happy’ National, Punctuation’ Day!

Article VII is for for the detail-diligent!

 

Oil on canvas by Junius Brutus Steams National Archives

Here’s a fun Constitutional Moment for you…

Article VII reads…

“The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.

The Word, "the," being interlined between the seventh and eighth Lines of the first Page, The Word "Thirty" being partly written on an Erazure in the fifteenth Line of the first Page, The Words "is tried" being interlined between the thirty second and thirty third Lines of the first Page and the Word "the" being interlined between the forty third and forty fourth Lines of the second Page.

Attest William Jackson Secretary

done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independance of the United States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,’

followed by the signatures of the signatories.

It’s that second paragraph to which I draw your attention, the one which begins The Word, “the”.

These fifty-five people worked for about four months (hot summer months without air conditioning) in 1787 to argue, devise and frame a government which would address and remedy the grievances mentioned in the Declaration of Independence.

As one reads through the Constitution, I encourage you to remember that this was not a “thrown together” document.

Much diligence and attention to detail were attended this document.

If they paid attention to the placement of such words as “the” and “is tried” I am convinced that the document is danged accurate to the agreed upon intentions of the signatories.

You can read more about the composition of the Constitution here:

https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution/how-did-it-happen

Celebrate Citizenship Day September 17

Celebrate Citizenship Day September 17

 

George Washington is about to receive the draft of the Constitution from James Madison in this mural by Barry Faulkner in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC (National Archives)

September 17 is U.S. Constitution Day. It was on that day in 1787 that the Constitution was signed by the various representatives of the States. It is also celebrated as Citizenship Day.

For many, patriotism and American identity is affixed to some cultural set-point which America experienced at some point in the past. For some it may have been the way things were in the 1950s, for others the 1970s.

In contrast, my sense of patriotism rests in the Declaration of Independence and its promise of a democratic republic as fashioned in the U.S. Constitution.

And so, I wanted to highlight and celebrate the Constitution on September 17 much as folk celebrate July 4.

When a person joins the military, police force, elective office, even as poll worker, the first and foremost part of the oath that we take is to this Constitution.

It seems that good citizenship and authentic patriotism require at least a familiarization of the various elements of the Constitution.

I invite you to visit this link to the National Archives and explore information about the Constitution!

https://www.archives.gov/news/topics/constitution-day

Regarding Heart-Stirring Noble Themes

 

Greetings Sisters and Brothers, faithful doers of the Word as well as hearers…

Psalm 45: 1 My heart is stirred by a noble theme
    as I recite my verses for the king;
    my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

I fancy myself a creative wordsmith and so this verse caught my eye.

“my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer”.

Part of the sermon for Sunday deals with restraining our speech…

James 1: 1:26 If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless.

But today I encourage you to unleash your tongue in response to noble themes, good things, praise for Christ. Unleash your tongue not only in the sanctuary where it is expected and is the normal thing to do. Also speak about these wonderful things in the sanctuary of the marketplace, the mechanic’s garage, Facebook and beyond!

Let’s be as much, if not more, about preparing our hearts and tongues to speak well of others, finding some good thing to report.

In looking on the bright side and finding good things to speak about, I do not advocate ignorance of the problems we have around us, prayer is the rightful place for such things; loving and respectful action (as James will preach) can right many wrongs.

But as for our speech, it comes from what is in our hearts.

Just as the Psalmist invites God to search his heart (Psalm 139: 23-24) perhaps we too should spend some time searching our own hearts.

What noble theme has God used to stir your heart?

Give that noble theme some words today.

Prayer with Humility for the World

 

Yes, let us be in prayer for Afghanistan.

But let’s not think that Afghanistan is the only troubled place on the planet.

World Population Review provides a list of the ten most dangerous countries on the planet.

You can read about them here: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/most-dangerous-countries

Hong Kong is suffering: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/15/world/asia/hong-kong-china-politics.html

Haiti has suffered an earthquake: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/hopes-quake-survivors-dwindle-storm-lashes-haiti-2021-08-17/

 

I am sure all of these people in these countries and more cry out from their suffering…

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
    Why are you so far from saving me,
    so far from my cries of anguish?
² My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
    by night, but I find no rest.”

Psalm 22

Let us pray for all of these souls.

Let us pray for the end of violence, hunger, oppression, disaster.

Let us be humble in our prayers.

Reflections on Proverbs 9: 1-6, Wisdom, and those Seven Pillars

Fair use, not monetized.

Greetings Sisters and Brothers of the Gathered Community of Christ…

Proverbs 9:1-6

9:1 Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars.

9:2 She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine, she has also set her table.

9:3 She has sent out her servant girls, she calls from the highest places in the town,

9:4 "You that are simple, turn in here!" To those without sense she says,

9:5 "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.

9:6 Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight."

First, as Mike cannot help but do, “what are the seven pillars?” Bible scholars will always wonder! Some have suggested the term refers to the “seven classic arts” of grammar, rhetoric, logic, geometry, arithmetic, music, and astronomy. Perhaps the means by which God gifted us all with the ability to “have dominion over all the Earth”. I am drawn to this understanding!

Other Bible scholars think the term refers to the seven original days created by God.

Likely, it is one of those terms that the people of the day would have understood, but because we are thousands of years removed, we just don’t get it.

Another interesting thing is that Wisdom is female! Yep! Just look at how many times “she” or “her” is written here.

But I suppose the point of the Proverb is that all are invited! They are invited to the table of bread and wine. All are invited to be the guests of Wisdom. All are invited to walk in the way of insight.

Those that feel they are lacking in anything, Wisdom wishes to entertain us!

Let’s be open to how God, through Wisdom, offers to teach us today!

Have a peaceful, blessed, and insightful day!

"This is the Shortest Song in the World" a Memoir

 

 

 

Very often a novelty, or incidental moment we think is insignificant, can result in much effect.

Such is the case with the 1970 eighteen- second recording by Kenny Price entitled “The Shortest Song In The World”.

I was in Detroit, age 15, riding with my uncle in a well- worn pick-up truck to a job site either to build a boiler or repair a chimney when I heard on the radio a DJ introducing this song.

While in Detroit I, of my own choice, would have been listening to CKLW the Windsor-based rock station. Never would I have heard this song if not for my uncle’s preference for country. "Her Majesty" on Abbey Road? Did they have a line of melody and arrangement but no where to go with it? Somebody knows!

But hearing the song, I became intrigued as to who this Kenny Price was and was this sense of humor a customary attribute or merely an ephemeral joke.

I, “rock and roll only Mike”, became a fan of Kenny Price as I, back home in Elkhart, visited Jack’s Records on Mainstreet and asked the store personnel if they had any “demo” albums of Kenny Price to which I could listen.

Kenny carried a signature country vocal along with a very Nashville kind of production that tickled my musical fancy.

I would later watch him on HeeHaw. His presence there confirmed his sense of humor!

So, to my poets, authors, musicians, artists, and idea entrepreneurs, I say, if you have some brief, short, or otherwise anomalous creation that seems not worthy of sharing, put it to the public anyway.

I bet there’s a Mike-like audience in the right place at the right time to become a fan. And you never know when that fan might be a “positive change agent” in your life!

You can hear the song on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X30l7A8-BRM

Mikie, Just Who Do You Think You Are!

 

1974 AMC Gremlin

“Mikie…just who do you think you are!” That was the response of my frustrated grandmother when I, at age fifteen, would talk about my plans to go to college.

I can still hear her utilitarian Tennessee accent as she pronounced “Mikie” with a long, tall, and lingering “”I”.

She meant no discouragement or insult.

She believed that college was the path of the children of wealthy folk.

She was not aware of the Federally Guaranteed Student Loan program of which I made use and eventually completed a bachelor’s degree, and then later graduate work.

My grandmother, having survived through the Great Depression, was convinced that I was walking around with my head in the clouds and would amount to nothing if I did not get my occupational thoughts closer to the ground.

She would often quote, in King James propriety, Proverbs 11: 2 “ When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.”

Risk-taking also was thought of as poor stewardship of time and financial resources if you were not wealthy. Investments in securities, like college, was the realm of the well-to-do. Dumping all of your savings into a business was just that “dumping”.

Again, it was her experience during the Depression that caused her to have that assessment of who got to do certain things in life.

 

Though my grandmother was not fully informed of the ways and means of gaining a college education, investing in securities and business ventures, still, her advice to “know your proper place” and live humbly rather than pridefully has helped me often in life.

As my grandmother was fond of Biblical Proverbs, so am I.

Proverbs 29: 11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

I am careful to restrain the impulse to react and “speak my mind” in situations because I have discovered that an immediate emotional reaction probably is not my truest thought on the matter. I prefer to gather information, research and then formulate a response that is useful rather than merely argumentative.

I am careful about making financial investments and will not do so motivated by the greed of easy money.

I am careful to make financial investment that is practical rather than flashy.

The photo of the 1974 AMC Gremlin has a story…

As I went looking for an automobile after high- school I was considering a 1974 Dodge Challenger. Sharp car, pretty color. It was a great attention-getting car…for $4200( a lot of cash at the time).

But then that “Just who do you think you are” message clicked in.

I purchased the practical AMC Gremlin for $2000 without even needing a car loan to do so.

To this day I am influenced in my daily decision-making and relating to others in the world by that advice offered by my grandmother.

I begin each day with the humbling personal, social, and financial anchor…

“Mikie, just who do you think you are!?”

Carlie Powell for Knighthood

 

 

 

One of the many Facebook groups in which I hold membership, Rolling Stones Fan Club, had this remarkably cool photo of a recreation of the “Let It Bleed” cover art.

The cake, created by Carlie Powell for her dad, Trev Jones, in celebration of his birthday, is a stunning reproduction. It is precise in design, faithful in detail, and immediately grabs the eye of the veteran, casual, or otherwise sincere Rolling Stones fan!

Carlie…thank you for that great work of art!

Trev…thank you for sharing it with us all!

Guessing by the number-discs laying on the table, I figure Trev to have turned 60.

Well, that seems like a fitting birthday gift for such a milestone age.

True enough you can’t always get what you want, but who could want for more of such a wonderful birthday gesture!

God Shall not Forsake the Work of His Hands!

 

Good Day Sisters and Brothers in Christ raised from the grave…

Psalm 138:

1 I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;

138:2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything.

138:3 On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.

138:4 All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth.

138:5 They shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD.

138:6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away.

138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me.

138:8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Today we find a good model in David who seems to know who to go to in time of need and in time of praise.

Let us today give thanks with our whole heart, not just a quick turn of the palm skyward, but a real on our figurative knees (because if we get on our literal knees we may not get up) praise. Let us know God’s faithfulness.

God, according to David, is faithful to increase the strength of our soul!

For those that are sometimes troubled and fear that they have no purpose or meaning in life…”the Lord will fulfill his purpose for you!”

Yes, I may be naïve and unrealistically optimistic, but always look to the Lord. David seems to speak pretty highly of him!

Why shouldn’t we also!

Praise God with Tambourine Too!

 

    Greetings Sisters and Brothers who daily and diligently look to Christ…

    Psalm  92:1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
92:2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night,
92:3 to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.
92:4 For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

 

    The Psalms consistently recognize that it is the work of God that we are glad!

This Psalm acknowledges that the psalmist is praising God morning and night. I  take that to mean that he praises all through the day! The use of  “book-ends” in the Bible is not to be taken to exclude the “in-between “ stuff. Just because God created the day and the night doesn’t mean that we don’t have dusk, the transition between day and night. Just because He is characterized as the Alpha and Omega doesn’t mean that he is absent in the rest of the alphabet. Contrast is consistently used in the Bible to include the gradations in between.

The mentioning of the music of the lute and harp may be an encouragement that what ever skill or interest we have we may use that to praise. The lute and harp are mentioned purely because David wrote the psalm and music was his skill and interest. I doubt that God would leave out those lacking in skill of musical instruments. Praise God with your mechanical abilities, your healing skills, your art, your words, your charity all through the day!

 The psalmist begins the day with praise, walks through the day with God, and ends the day thankful. He recognizes the great characteristics of God in steadfast love and faithfulness as he begins and concludes the day.

I suppose it would be a good and healthy habit to begin the day with some good word to the Lord, and then, no matter what happens through the day to continue to praise, and to conclude the day with some thankful regard for our opportunity for rest in the evening.

Let us always remember that God is indeed steadfast in love and that all through the day, let’s not miss out of one minute of it (or of any of the moments in between the minutes)!

Peace this day and well beyond, Mike

Witness to Theological Thunder!

 

Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ…

Please read Psalm 29 and focus on the concluding verse.

29:11 May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!

Psalm 29 is about God being in charge. He is in charge in Heaven as we shall see the Psalm begins.

 He is in charge in all of creation as this Psalm continues to move.

And by the end of the Psalm, we see that God also is in charge of our own personal lives.

   Psalm 29 is witness to Theological Thunder. This psalm is a poem about the power of God, the absolute sovereignty of God, described by the effect of a thunderstorm.

In the language of Bible scholars and theologists, this psalm is an “enthronement” Psalm.

   These Psalms place God on the throne. They attribute majesty to God. These Psalms recognize God, YHWH, as the singular, above all, Supreme Being such that you cannot think of anyone higher. An enthronement Psalm makes God bigger than the eternity that he created.

This is a good Psalm for Trinity Sunday. Please consider…

Verses 1 and 2 place God in Heaven.

Verses 3 through 9 bring him into the tangible stuff of this Earth, just as happened with Jesus.

Verse 10 is somewhat of an ascension.

And Verse 11 places him in our hearts and congregations, like the Holy Spirit.

Shalom, peace, there at the end, is available to us. It means that God, Supreme Being and gift-giver, is orchestrating things, storms, floods, such that somewhere, eventually, we become the inheritors of the benefits.

Yes, it serves well as a Trinity Sunday Psalm…but also it’s a really good Psalm for every day that the Lord has made!

Peace, Mike, co-inheritor of the blessings and peace.