Rev. Zach

First Presbyterian Church - Lafayette, Louisiana November 27, 2011 - Advent (B1) Isaiah 64:1-9 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:24-37 Well, I am told that this is the most wonderful time of the year. Decorations of red and green have been in the stores since Halloween. Christian radio stations have been offering Christmas music on line since mid November for those who just can’t wait to go fa-la-la. Fundamentalist Christians and Atheists have drawn battle lines and announced add campaigns to slander one another. And so begins our annual preparation for the Advent of Christ. I wonder what that means to you - preparing for the Advent of Christ? So much of our culture and even our religious tradition seems bent toward celebrating the Advent of Christ’s birth. It makes me wonder, is that what we have reduced Christmas to - a birthday party for Jesus? Don’t get me wrong - I do think it is important to celebrate the reality of the birth of Jesus. I think remembering the birth of Jesus is ess...

We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now. Romans 8:22   We stand in a time between time. A new church year has begun, yet the calendar year is still moving toward its close. The days grow shorter as we move toward the longest night of the year. It makes sense that the founders of our faith would eventually move celebrations of Christ's birth to this time of year.  There is a sense of expectation in the air - something is happening whether we like it or not! Still, it is all too easy to step right past the uncomfortable space of expectation and take a peek at the gifts in store. That raises a question. If we already know about the gift of salvation we are to receive, what are we waiting for? What is the purpose of waiting? What is the purpose of remembering the story of a teenage girl visited by an angel and bearing the Son of God? Well, for one, not everyone knows about this gift. Even if they do, not everyone has received it. For that matter, thos...

First Presbyterian – Lafayette, Louisiana November 20, 2011 – Christ the King (A) Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Ephesians 1:15-23 Matthew 25:31-46 The least – that’s a term that no one wants to be described as. Think of all the ways that word is used. “At least” usually precedes something worse that could have been. Comedian Chris Rock once had a routine about the phrase, “the least I could do.” He said that is like saying, “If I could do any less – I would!” There isn’t a one of us that does not want to be able to make the least effort for the most gain. Every plumber knows this – because every plumber knows that water will always run down hill in the most expedient course. It is not a bad thing or a sign of laziness to want the most gain for the least effort. It is simply the nature of things, even the created order of the universe, to move in ways that result in the greatest reward for the effort exerted. So, like it or not, we all seek to find out the answer to that question...

First Presbyterian Church – Lafayette, Louisiana November 6, 2011 – All Saints Day / Ordinary (32A) Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 Matthew 25:1-13 Do you enjoy a good riddle? I’m not very good at them, but I like riddles – especially if I already know the answer. In the classic tale of The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins finds himself in a battle of wits with a nasty creature named Gollum, and he almost looses his life over this one: This thing all things devours: Birds, beasts, trees, flowers; Gnaws iron, bites steel; Grinds hard stones to meal; Slays king, ruins town And beats high mountains down. The answer? Time. Oh, if we only had enough time. Time is about the only thing (other than money) that can make us feel utterly and totally limited. Even so, I believe there is a certain amount of grace in our limitations. Garrett Hedlund wrote a song about this idea called Timing Is Everything, and it starts like this: When the stars line up, and you catch a good break, and people think ...

First Presbyterian Church - Lafayette, Louisiana October 30, 2011 - Ordinary (31A) Commitment Sunday Joshua 3:7-17 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 Matthew 23:1-12 Today is commitment Sunday, and my job is to make you feel that your commitment to the church is somehow more valuable than any of the thousand other commitments in your life. At least that is what it feels like from my side of the pulpit. Truth be told, that is what I often feel like when I forget my place. God has a way of putting me back in my place, and usually scripture is a part of that action. Today’s texts are a reminder that it is God alone who makes us low or raises up. Our various commitments may be a part of that experience, but they do not determine our value. So, for that reason, it is kind of silly to think that one commitment or another is more valuable in the eyes of God. Yet all of our actions and decisions affect our ability to experience and express the active presence of God - who is in our midst. Mayb...

First Presbyterian Church – Lafayette, Louisiana October 23, 2011- Ordinary (30 A) Psalm 90:1-6 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
 Matthew 22:34-46 Last Saturday I went down to New Orleans for my brother-in-law’s wedding. If I were a person who believed in a vengeful God or instant Karma I would say that my recompense for missing the Presbytery meeting was to get lost in the French Quarter. When I finally arrived I had actually missed the ceremony, but was still well received for the reception. I only knew about 5 people out of the 150 that were present – and that included the bride and groom. I was, of course, introduced to those I met as a minister. I am certainly not ashamed of that honor, but it is always interesting meeting folks in that way. One never knows the baggage or expectations that may be encountered. I met a man – whose name I have sadly forgotten – who surprised me more than any I’ve ever met. He was in his 60’s and from his reaction I could tell that he was probably ...