Rev. Zach

First Presbyterian in Lafayette, Louisiana February 6, 2011 – Year A, Ordinary 5 Isaiah 58:1-9a 1 Corinthians 2:9-16 Matthew 5:13-20 Today's texts ask us to consider what is true or false in our practice of worship, and it reminds me of a story about a guy named David LaMotte.  David is - or was - a singer, songwriter and storyteller from Montreat, North Carolina.  He grew up under the influence of one of our great conference centers in a region of North Carolina heavily influenced by the Presbyterian tradition of Christian faith.  After spending time in an intentional community for the homeless in Atlanta, he wrote a song called Butler Street.  The song is about experiencing God's presence by being in community with those who suffer.  The chorus repeats ironically, or perhaps sarcastically, "Sing me a song about Jesus, but please don't sing about the poor.  It's already been a long day.  I really don't want to hear anymore.  Sing me a song about forgiveness, ...

First Presbyterian of Lafayette, Louisiana January 23, 2011 – Year A O3 Isaiah 9:1-4 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Matthew 4:12-23   Do you ever feel like you have too much on your plate?   Sometimes life can be like this pile of rocks (picking them up one at a time and placing them in a plastic pitcher). Work… School… Healthcare… Retirement savings… Friends… Social Commitments… Bills… Taking care of your house… Taking care of your children… Taking care of your parents… Taking care of your spouse…   Time to play…   Sometimes that last one doesn't even fit in.   I haven't even mentioned church.   For a lot of folks the church has become one thing in a long list of things, and there just isn't any room for it anymore.   That can make those of us who do not see the church that way feel sad and resentful.   It can even call into question our own feelings of commitment at times.     The problem is not the other stuff that we compete with.   The problem is that the c...