Rev. Zach

Malachi 3:1-4 Philippians 1:3-11 Luke 3:1-6 Are you ready? There are only 14 days left. Can you believe it? Are you ready? And what does that even mean – to be ready? Does it mean decorations? Does it mean shopping? Does it mean relatives and visitors? What is it that you are preparing for, and where is the space for Jesus in all of this? Last night my family went to LARC’s Acadian Village light display. We were skipping and running around the displays, and we almost ran right past an outline of the Holy Family. I told my kids that they almost missed Jesus. One of them doubled back in reverence and the other said, “Squirrel!” Because there was an illuminated squirrel running up the tree. How much are we all like that during this time of year? How much space do we leave open for Jesus? How easily distracted are we by the spectacle of Christmas. Today we hear from one of the spectacular characters in the story of Jesus. In fact, all of our readings are somewhat spectacular. B...

This Sunday was our Service of Lessons and Music. The music cannot be posted due to licensing requirement. Instead, here are a few thoughts on the Season of Advent and the way in which we are being formed and shaped by it at FPC.   Although I do not think we could have managed with any more help than we had, I wish you all could have been here yesterday afternoon and on into the night. We helped C.U.P.S. (Communities Uniting in Prayer and Service) distribute over 500 Gift Baskets. I’m sure there were Parthians and Medes here – at least Spiritually. We did not check I.D.s or orthodoxy; that is kind of the point of gathering with others in common unity. The common cause is all that matters. The common cause was bearing witness to the abundance of God’s grace, mercy, and providence. The common cause was demonstrating hope. I wore lights to remember to be a bearer of light. And although three young boys were disappointed to find that I was wearing pants purchased at Good...

First Presbyterian in Lafayette, Louisiana December 12, 2010 – Advent A 3 Isaiah 35:1-10 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11 Once again I come before you with the need to report on the activities of the Advent Conspiracy that is going on in this congregation and in others throughout the world.   By now you have probably figured out that there is nothing particularly new about the idea that Advent can be a subversive force of change in the world.   I have to admit that, for most of you, I don’t know if that is a new thought to you.   I don’t know if it bothers you.   I don’t know to what extent you have decided to join this conspiracy, or even if you believe that the church should be an instrument of social change. It’s not because of anything you have or have not done.   It is because I simply have not asked.   That is, I have not asked until now.   I have not asked because I have been too busy with the “busy-ness” of the church.   I have not asked be...

First Presbyterian in Lafayette, Louisiana November 24, 2010 – Advent 1 Isaiah 2:1-5 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:36-44 Today is the beginning of something new, or at least it could be.   Today is the beginning of Advent, the Season of preparation leading up to the celebration of the birth of Jesus, the Christ.   Of course the average person on the street or even in the pews of most congregations does not usually think about or talk about Advent except for when we light the candles on the wreath.   Think about it.   When was the last time you said, “Happy Advent!” Then again, is that even appropriate?   Advent is a time of getting ready, anticipation, and stress.   That’s not necessarily a bad thing.   Stress can be a good thing.   It indicates how important an activity is to you.   It reminds you what you care about.   Maybe we should say, “Anxious Advent!” just to see who is paying attention. I can recall those days of reta...