What a wonderful retirement celebration! There was so much work and love and grace that went into the preparations. Jeff and I had many happy times in the church and the manse and the beautiful painting of both will hang in the Arkport home as a constant reminder. The Steuben glass owl hand cooler will be cherished. It is a reminder of the wisdom I gained as we shared ministry together. And the contribution to Cobblestone Springs is appreciated. Cobblestone has been a place for me to go and find quiet and solitude.
Thank you to the Sunday School for the very special song, to the “enhanced choir” and musicians for the beautiful music, to the kitchen crew and table setters for a wonderful and delicious banquet, and to all who spoke. Thank you for the kind cards and notes and for the abundance of love you showered on both Jeff and me throughout the past eighteen years.
Much love,
Beverly
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Beginnings
September is often seen as a time of "beginnings". Teachers and students return to school and there is a change from when they left in June. Teachers have new students and students have new teachers. This month, in the life of the Watkins Glen First Presbyterian Church, there will be a change. Five months ago I announced my plan to retire as of September 30. Time has gone by quickly and now September is here. There will be a change for all of us. The pastoral relationship we now share will end. But please be assured friendships continue.
We must walk by faith as we face this transition. Frederick Buechner is quoted: "Remember that faith is more of a process than a possession. Faith is not being sure where you're going, but going anyway. A journey without maps."
As you face the upcoming transition of pastoral leadership, you are called to walk in faith. By faith, the church will continue to be involved in a vibrant ministry. This church has been providing ministry for 197 years. That's a long time. And it will continue to do so. Have faith. Have faith in the pastoral call process. It can be frustrating because the process doesn't move as fast as you would like. But the process is not simply hiring a new employee for the church. It is realizing that it is God who calls and it is you who will listen. The process is guided by Jesus Christ, who is the head of the church, who provides you with all that you need to be the church.
Thank you for the privilege of being your pastor. I ask for your prayers as I move on to the next chapter of my life. Be assured that I hold you in my heart and in my prayers as you listen to God to lead you by faith. In deep gratitude for the ministry we have shared during the past eighteen and a half years.
We must walk by faith as we face this transition. Frederick Buechner is quoted: "Remember that faith is more of a process than a possession. Faith is not being sure where you're going, but going anyway. A journey without maps."
As you face the upcoming transition of pastoral leadership, you are called to walk in faith. By faith, the church will continue to be involved in a vibrant ministry. This church has been providing ministry for 197 years. That's a long time. And it will continue to do so. Have faith. Have faith in the pastoral call process. It can be frustrating because the process doesn't move as fast as you would like. But the process is not simply hiring a new employee for the church. It is realizing that it is God who calls and it is you who will listen. The process is guided by Jesus Christ, who is the head of the church, who provides you with all that you need to be the church.
Thank you for the privilege of being your pastor. I ask for your prayers as I move on to the next chapter of my life. Be assured that I hold you in my heart and in my prayers as you listen to God to lead you by faith. In deep gratitude for the ministry we have shared during the past eighteen and a half years.
In Christ,
Beverly
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Called to Love
Gracious God, we come before you today knowing that we often fall short of your call to love one another. We allow ourselves to be blinded by wealth and power. We ignore those around us who suffer injustice, poverty, and rejection. We tune out the cries of the poor and those on the edges of our communities. Forgive us, O God.
We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God.
May we understand the grace and forgiveness bestowed upon us by God, that others may find the Kingdom within us and among us.
We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God.
May we understand the grace and forgiveness bestowed upon us by God, that others may find the Kingdom within us and among us.
Sunday, August 23, 2015
An Affirmation of Faith
We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life.
The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church.
The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and live in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church.
In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of people long silenced, to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace.
In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying "Come, Lord Jesus!"
Excerpt from a Brief Statement of Faith, 1983
The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church.
The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and live in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church.
In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of people long silenced, to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace.
In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying "Come, Lord Jesus!"
Excerpt from a Brief Statement of Faith, 1983
Thursday, July 23, 2015
May You Be Blessed
A friend recently sent me the book May You Be Blessed by Kate Nowak. The author shares at the beginning of the book that she was standing in an empty aisle of a large chain store when suddenly she sneezed. Almost instantly, from the next aisle over she heard a voice call out, "Bless you," and then another, and another, and yet another. In the span of just a few seconds, she counted eleven different voices coming from every possible direction. Some said "God bless you", others used the word "gezundheit." All were blessing her.
Usually the phrase is no more than a courtesy. But on this particular day, in the first few moments following all those blessings, she says that she began to notice a difference in herself. There was a slight shift in perception that left her feeling more connected and empowered than she had in days.
To give a blessing is one of the most powerful and practical ways we have for reconnecting with each other. I vividly remember attending a camp conference as a teenager. The speaker for the camp stood next to me one day as we waited for the bell to ring signaling the okay to enter the dining room. As we stood together he put his hand on my head and said: "God bless you." That act made a profound impression on me and I did feel blessed.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could begin to focus on offering a blessing to one another in order to connect with each other and bring goodness and wholeness into our relationships? There is no one method to offer a blessing. A blessing can be a silent prayer "God, bless that person", or a spoken word which brings goodness. Mother Teresa has said: "When we are judging others, we have no time to love them." Let’s put our energy into loving one another and desiring the best for the other. When we are divided by pettiness we are not able to fully function as the Body of Christ.
The author, Kate Nowak, says that she doesn’t know for certain that her blessings have made a difference, but in her heart she thinks they have. And she does know they’ve made a difference in her. She writes: "Through this simple act of blessing I’ve been able to transform myself from being a worrier to a warrior for good."
May God bless you,
Rev. Bev Karr-Lyon
Usually the phrase is no more than a courtesy. But on this particular day, in the first few moments following all those blessings, she says that she began to notice a difference in herself. There was a slight shift in perception that left her feeling more connected and empowered than she had in days.
To give a blessing is one of the most powerful and practical ways we have for reconnecting with each other. I vividly remember attending a camp conference as a teenager. The speaker for the camp stood next to me one day as we waited for the bell to ring signaling the okay to enter the dining room. As we stood together he put his hand on my head and said: "God bless you." That act made a profound impression on me and I did feel blessed.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could begin to focus on offering a blessing to one another in order to connect with each other and bring goodness and wholeness into our relationships? There is no one method to offer a blessing. A blessing can be a silent prayer "God, bless that person", or a spoken word which brings goodness. Mother Teresa has said: "When we are judging others, we have no time to love them." Let’s put our energy into loving one another and desiring the best for the other. When we are divided by pettiness we are not able to fully function as the Body of Christ.
The author, Kate Nowak, says that she doesn’t know for certain that her blessings have made a difference, but in her heart she thinks they have. And she does know they’ve made a difference in her. She writes: "Through this simple act of blessing I’ve been able to transform myself from being a worrier to a warrior for good."
"May we all come to live
in a world where everyone is blessed
by the presence of everyone else…
May we all come to know just how
beautiful such a world can be."
-Kate Nowak
in a world where everyone is blessed
by the presence of everyone else…
May we all come to know just how
beautiful such a world can be."
-Kate Nowak
May God bless you,
Rev. Bev Karr-Lyon
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Rest and Peace
Patient God, we need some time to rest, to sit quietly and listen to the beautiful sounds of the world. Forgive us when we are determined to crowd every moment of our lives with activity. Help us to find a quiet center with you where we can just relax and not try to get everything done as though life was some sort of a contest. Give us peace for a little while. Refresh our souls so that we can truly serve you, not out of exhaustion but out of enthusiasm.
Prayer of Confession for Sunday, July 19, 2015
Prayer of Confession for Sunday, July 19, 2015
Monday, June 1, 2015
Reaffirmations
Pastor's Message for June, 2015
On Pentecost Sunday, four of our young people publicly confessed their faith in Jesus Christ. They were members of the confirmation class and we met for six weeks to begin the journey toward church membership and faithful commitment to Jesus Christ. Confirmation is not an ending point where one joins the church and one’s faith journey comes to an end. It is only the beginning.
And so, as you move through a period of transition to new pastoral leadership, this is the time for all church members to reaffirm their faith and commitment to Jesus Christ and to the church. I would like to remind you of the questions asked at the time of uniting with the church.
Please take time to prayerfully consider these questions and affirm once again your desire to respond with an emphatic Yes! This is the time for all church members to be faithful in worship and to share in ministry through your prayers and gifts, and your study and service to fulfill your calling to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Bev Karr-Lyon
On Pentecost Sunday, four of our young people publicly confessed their faith in Jesus Christ. They were members of the confirmation class and we met for six weeks to begin the journey toward church membership and faithful commitment to Jesus Christ. Confirmation is not an ending point where one joins the church and one’s faith journey comes to an end. It is only the beginning.
And so, as you move through a period of transition to new pastoral leadership, this is the time for all church members to reaffirm their faith and commitment to Jesus Christ and to the church. I would like to remind you of the questions asked at the time of uniting with the church.
- Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world?
- Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Lord and Savior, trusting in his grace and love?
- Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying his Word and showing his love?
- Will you be a faithful member of this congregation, share its worship and ministry through your prayers and gifts, your study and service, and so fulfill your calling to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?
Please take time to prayerfully consider these questions and affirm once again your desire to respond with an emphatic Yes! This is the time for all church members to be faithful in worship and to share in ministry through your prayers and gifts, and your study and service to fulfill your calling to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Bev Karr-Lyon
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