Weekday Email to Members and Friends – 2020-06-15
Monday June 15th 2020
A daily e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
To Members and Friends of
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Friends,
Isn’t Richard Rossi great? He has added so much to our worship experience over the years.
As you know, he’s leaving us to be the Liturgical Music Director/Organist at St. Peter Cathedral in Erie, PA . Five universities, two of which are Catholic, a minor seminary, and five parochial elementary schools are located in the area. This call, he says, is “part of the journey I started a couple years ago when I had returned to the monastery. I believe this is the balance that will bring peace and happiness in my life at this time.”
He has two more Sunday’s with us. (I’ve heard his music for those two Sundays, and it’s a delight.) We get to enjoy his offerings for the remainder of June.
Wouldn’t it be neat for him to arrive in Erie and find a bunch of snail mail FROM US? Consider writing Richard. You can thank him, you can share an organist joke, you can share a memory (and there are many), you can wish him well, share a prayer, a poem, a quote, a song. Let’s write him! This address should work:
Saint Peter Roman Catholic Cathedral
230 West 10th Street
Erie, PA 16501
atten: Richard Rossi
Check out their announcement of Richard’s hire:
https://stpetercathedral.com/2020/05/new-director-of-liturgical-music-announced/
NEWS:
Men’s Breakfast Study Tuesdays at 8 am
A daily e-mailer from
Matt Matthews
To Members and Friends of
First Presbyterian Church
Champaign, Illinois
Dear Friends,
Isn’t Richard Rossi great? He has added so much to our worship experience over the years.
As you know, he’s leaving us to be the Liturgical Music Director/Organist at St. Peter Cathedral in Erie, PA . Five universities, two of which are Catholic, a minor seminary, and five parochial elementary schools are located in the area. This call, he says, is “part of the journey I started a couple years ago when I had returned to the monastery. I believe this is the balance that will bring peace and happiness in my life at this time.”
He has two more Sunday’s with us. (I’ve heard his music for those two Sundays, and it’s a delight.) We get to enjoy his offerings for the remainder of June.
Wouldn’t it be neat for him to arrive in Erie and find a bunch of snail mail FROM US? Consider writing Richard. You can thank him, you can share an organist joke, you can share a memory (and there are many), you can wish him well, share a prayer, a poem, a quote, a song. Let’s write him! This address should work:
Saint Peter Roman Catholic Cathedral
230 West 10th Street
Erie, PA 16501
atten: Richard Rossi
Check out their announcement of Richard’s hire:
https://stpetercathedral.com/
NEWS:
Men’s Breakfast Study Tuesdays at 8 am
Email info@firstpres.church for the link.
Our congregational ZOOM on Wednesdays is an oasis. Come and see. Every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Last week, Tracy Dace joined us as we explored the topic of race. (Thanks, Tracy.)
Email info@firstpres.church for the link.
* * *
As I think about racial injustice, police violence against Blacks, and my complicity in a system that needs healing, I am encouraged (and challenged) by the words of Rev. William Barber (that Betty Hollister shared with me): “White folks cause more harm when they act from a sense of urgency. Slow down. Pace yourself so that you’re acting within your own capacity.”
I hold that word in tension with a voice from within me that chastises me for going too slow and being too satisfied with change that’s too gradual.
I am at tug-of-war with myself.
What are your thoughts?
* * *
Nancy Bell and I have been exchanging emails recently about race. She has been including links to provocative articles written from decidedly white perspectives. (see below). She writes this:
“Here’s another informative devo on how we can do life better. We’re wanting to learn how to be part of the solution. I worked most of yesterday trying to summarize the first devo I forwarded to you. Wanting to be authentic on how I presented my assessment, I concluded my interpretation might not fit the current narrative of “it’s all about bad cops”. I follow sports and have read many black athletes’ disturbing stories of their abhorrent treatment and history from bad cops. So, am acknowledging we have an overwhelming problem that needs to be fixed. Have read many articles/books by Ben Carson, Tony Evans, Tim Scott, Tony Dungy, etc and support how they are dedicated to addressing our problem. We have detective/police officers in our family—one of which has been involved in the Chicago police department for many years. We hear his stories and it’s frightening. Thus, our perspective is a bit skewed.
We have discussed judgment in light of Matthew 7:5 and recognize we’re seeing abuse and violence from two different perspectives. It is incumbent for both whites and blacks to listen and act—looking to our, Lord Who commands us to love one another.
Micah, in 6:8 says it best. He has showed you, O man, what is good. And, what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with God.”
Nancy Bell finds this link useful as white Christians think about their “white privilege”:
https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/racism/what-does-scripture-say-about-how-to-handle-white-privilege.html
* * *
Nancy Bell also shares this from Rick Warren:
“The LORD our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.” 2 Chronicles 19:7 (NLT)
Our nation is desperate for healing on the topic of race. We’re in a mess, and the Church can’t be silent. The Body of Christ has to talk about it, even though it’s uncomfortable.
We can’t ignore racism because, quite simply, God hates it. If God hates racial prejudice, then we should, too.
Why does God hate racial prejudice?
1 . ) Racial prejudice questions God’s creation: God could have made us all the same. We could have all looked alike, but God didn’t do that. He loves variety!
2 . ) Racial prejudice is a sign of ignorance: When we demonstrate prejudice, we show the world we don’t know what we’re talking about. We’re revealing our foolishness. The Bible says, “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them” (1 John 2:11 NIV). The Bible says if I hate someone just because that person is different, I’m in the dark — and blind. That’s a pretty serious accusation from God.
3.) Racial prejudice disobeys the Great Commandment. Paul says, “The entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other” (Galatians 5:14-15 NIV). If you display a racist attitude, you’re disobeying the plain truth of this Scripture. We can’t make judgments about another person based on outward appearance and truly love him or her as a brother or sister.
Racial prejudice is a serious sin.
* * *
As I think about racial injustice, police violence against Blacks, and my complicity in a system that needs healing, I am encouraged (and challenged) by the words of Rev. William Barber (that Betty Hollister shared with me): “White folks cause more harm when they act from a sense of urgency. Slow down. Pace yourself so that you’re acting within your own capacity.”
I hold that word in tension with a voice from within me that chastises me for going too slow and being too satisfied with change that’s too gradual.
I am at tug-of-war with myself.
What are your thoughts?
* * *
Nancy Bell and I have been exchanging emails recently about race. She has been including links to provocative articles written from decidedly white perspectives. (see below). She writes this:
“Here’s another informative devo on how we can do life better. We’re wanting to learn how to be part of the solution. I worked most of yesterday trying to summarize the first devo I forwarded to you. Wanting to be authentic on how I presented my assessment, I concluded my interpretation might not fit the current narrative of “it’s all about bad cops”. I follow sports and have read many black athletes’ disturbing stories of their abhorrent treatment and history from bad cops. So, am acknowledging we have an overwhelming problem that needs to be fixed. Have read many articles/books by Ben Carson, Tony Evans, Tim Scott, Tony Dungy, etc and support how they are dedicated to addressing our problem. We have detective/police officers in our family—one of which has been involved in the Chicago police department for many years. We hear his stories and it’s frightening. Thus, our perspective is a bit skewed.
We have discussed judgment in light of Matthew 7:5 and recognize we’re seeing abuse and violence from two different perspectives. It is incumbent for both whites and blacks to listen and act—looking to our, Lord Who commands us to love one another.
Micah, in 6:8 says it best. He has showed you, O man, what is good. And, what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with God.”
Nancy Bell finds this link useful as white Christians think about their “white privilege”:
https://www.crosswalk.com/
* * *
Nancy Bell also shares this from Rick Warren:
“The LORD our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.” 2 Chronicles 19:7 (NLT)
Our nation is desperate for healing on the topic of race. We’re in a mess, and the Church can’t be silent. The Body of Christ has to talk about it, even though it’s uncomfortable.
We can’t ignore racism because, quite simply, God hates it. If God hates racial prejudice, then we should, too.
Why does God hate racial prejudice?
1 . ) Racial prejudice questions God’s creation: God could have made us all the same. We could have all looked alike, but God didn’t do that. He loves variety!
2 . ) Racial prejudice is a sign of ignorance: When we demonstrate prejudice, we show the world we don’t know what we’re talking about. We’re revealing our foolishness. The Bible says, “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them” (1 John 2:11 NIV). The Bible says if I hate someone just because that person is different, I’m in the dark — and blind. That’s a pretty serious accusation from God.
3.) Racial prejudice disobeys the Great Commandment. Paul says, “The entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other” (Galatians 5:14-15 NIV). If you display a racist attitude, you’re disobeying the plain truth of this Scripture. We can’t make judgments about another person based on outward appearance and truly love him or her as a brother or sister.
Racial prejudice is a serious sin.
4 .) Prejudice makes God mad. The Bible says, “If you treat people according to their outward appearance, you are guilty of sin, and the Law condemns you as a lawbreaker” (James 2:9 TEV).
5 . ) Racism is a problem of sin, not skin. One day we’ll give an account for that sin before God. The important thing to remember as we search our hearts for prejudice and bigotry is that, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV). We will only eliminate prejudice as each one of our hearts is transformed by the love of God. He is willing and able to change us.
Good Word:
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
1I love the LORD, because he has heard
my voice and my supplications.
2Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
Let us pray:
Oh God,
thank you because
goodness is stronger than evil,
Love is stronger than hate;
Light is stronger than darkness,
life is stronger than death;
Victory is ours,
Victory is ours
through you, O God, who loves us.
Victory is ours,
Victory is ours
through you, O God, who loves us.
(adapt. Archbishop Desmond Tutu)
PEACE,
Matt Matthews
Cell: 864.386.9138
Matt@FirstPres.Church
