"Preparation for Sunday." written by Drew on estrip.org

08/21/07 12:51 - 61ºF - ID#40655

Preparation for Sunday.

I'm going to try something new: This is the beginning of a sermon for NEXT Sunday. It's not done yet. I want to see what you all think of the text and my reflections on it, and encourage you all to add comments/feedback.

Here's the text: Luke 13:10-17

It seems as if this, coming after a series of teachings for the disciples, is Jesus showing how he lives out these teachings. I'm thinking this is going to be a Christian Ethics lesson.

The occasion is Jesus teaching in the Synagogue, but none of the teaching is recorded, instead, Jesus uses healing to teach. This brings us to value number #1:

We value actions over words.

We also see that this is a power struggle between the synagogue leader and Jesus. My guess is that the leader felt threatened--a healer like Jesus could steal his power, so he jumps on Jesus (and the healed woman!) in an attempt to maintain his own power.

This points out value #2:

We value service over power.

Jesus, in healing this woman, shows mercy and disregards the law.

3: We value mercy over law.

Of course, this woman waited 18 years. She could have waited one more, right? But Jesus took action when he saw her, even though he was teaching at the moment.

Value #4: We value moving in the moment over waiting.

I'll find a nice way to wrap it up, and that's my sermon! But I want to hear how you all would preach this text, and see what you think of my way.

Permalink: Preparation_for_Sunday_.html
Words: 258
Location: Buffalo, NY

08/21/07 10:45 - 60ºF - ID#40651

Brewfest?

What's up with the Beer festival happening at the same time as the Elmwood Arts fest? If I were mayor, there would be a law against that. The proper time to celebrate Beer is the fall. I know it looks like fall now, but really, it isn't yet. I still believe it is summer until school starts, no matter what the weather outside looks like.

To make matters even worse, this week there is a Polish Harvest Festival. I am very happy to be 25% Polish, and I love the fact that I can celebrate said heritage here and stuff my self with pirogies.

The German in me wants to drink beer. As a polish guy, I want to be at the harvest festival, and as an estripper, I want to be at the Elmwood Arts fest!

Saturday is spoken for, as church responsibilities will keep me here all day. Sunday morning is also taken, and I am normally super tired after that, but it looks like I will have to press on.

Permalink: Brewfest_.html
Words: 172
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: work

08/17/07 12:52 - 76ºF - ID#40595

Fridays off (sort of)

Because I work on Sundays, I tend to take Fridays off. That would explain why I just returned from Wegman's and why I am doing nothing at 12:30. It means I can take Buckly for a long walk, and enjoy the day.

But...

I did have to go in this morning, because the work that I wanted to do with my assistant yesterday I couldn't do (she was sick--pukey, stay home sick).

And I have to go in tonight, because the rest of the world is on a M-F schedule, and that means that the vacation Bible School ends tonight and I have go back and talk about Joshua and be nice to kids.

But I shouldn't complain because I really do love my job and I don't have to do anything at all tomorrow.

Permalink: Fridays_off_sort_of_.html
Words: 134
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: dissatifaction

08/16/07 08:43 - 81ºF - ID#40583

Citizen's bank closes at 4pm

What's up with that? I gotta get a new bank, but its a pain in the butt to change everything over so I won't.

I am also dissatisfied with the crazy marketers that try to sell stuff to my church over the phone.

That's all the whining for tonight. Tomorrow is some work, (even though its supposed to be my day off), grocery shopping, banking, then (after leading an evening Bible study,) hanging out with Janelle's friends from Pittsburgh. (I like them, too, but Janelle knows them a lot better than I do.)

Permalink: Citizen_s_bank_closes_at_4pm.html
Words: 93
Location: Buffalo, NY

08/15/07 02:50 - 79ºF - ID#40560

We got some press. Sort of.

Kids from my church caused havoc on Elmwood, and Buffalo Rising was there to cover it. BR haters don't have to follow the link, everyone else, can see the pictures of the Robot here:

leetee writes at 10:35:09 08/17/07 - Comment #22463: Drove by the robot yesterday evening at about 5.30 or so... gave a big wave and a honk!

tinypliny writes at 04:36:14 08/16/07 - Comment #22413: Hey, the robot waved at the bus I was on, I think it was Monday. :) I was wondering what the occasion. This makes it clear... uh, somewhat.

lauren writes at 01:07:47 08/16/07 - Comment #22407: Well, I thought I was cool playing 13 bells, but you got me beat! I am certainly open to the possibility of playing...haven't had the chance except for the occasional Christams Eve service and wedding. Keep me posted if anything comes up and if my schedule permits, I would love to get back into it.

twisted writes at 12:29:21 08/16/07 - Comment #22405: omg. I rang handbells for like, eight years. I even played a handbell solo (!) when a member of the adult choir got married. You haven't lived until you've single-handedly performed a 2-octave piece in front of a packed church. Brought the house down.

If I could do it with one, you can do it with three. ;-) But five would be much less stressful and more fun.

janelle writes at 11:36:45 08/16/07 - Comment #22404: I wanna be a handbell ringer. That makes two. And Drew makes three. I think we're well on our way to having a handbell team!

fellyconnelly writes at 11:25:35 08/16/07 - Comment #22402: lauren comes from a family of handbell ringers... i've seen them at christmas services - but i haven't seen lauren play...

drew writes at 11:09:39 08/16/07 - Comment #22398: the handbell choir is, at the moment, dormant, but there is some interest in resuscitating it in partnership with St. John's Grace.

But we have bells and music. All we need is some ringers! (and good stuff can be done with just 5 people--well, less than that if the people are good, but I like to have 5)

lauren writes at 11:07:34 08/16/07 - Comment #22397: PS: what are the chances that you have a hand bell choir at your church? Or know where there is one?

drew writes at 08:40:23 08/15/07 - Comment #22375: estrip is great. One partner says she is considering a visit to my church, and the other asks where a good sex shop is.

You should visit the church sometime. We'd love to help you. Can't help with the sex shop though.

drew writes at 08:35:49 08/15/07 - Comment #22374: Robot week is whatever Kirk (the guy in the suit) thinks it is. The Robot is the mascot for this weeks vacation bible school.

james writes at 07:32:52 08/15/07 - Comment #22366: That is awesome.

I don't get it fully, but it is awesome.

lauren writes at 07:05:11 08/15/07 - Comment #22362: Funny, Felly and I were considering the possibility of you being Presbyterian as we drove past what I now know to be your church this afternoon. Now it seems to be true. I was raised Presbyterian for the first 18 years of my life. Most people have never heard of it.

zobar writes at 05:39:17 08/15/07 - Comment #22356: That is so bizarre and awesome.

What is Robot Week?

- Z

mrmike writes at 02:53:52 08/15/07 - Comment #22350: That's pretty cool. Nice work by the robo-builders.

Permalink: We_got_some_press_Sort_of_.html
Words: 34
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: random

08/14/07 09:56 - 70ºF - ID#40547

unconnected thoughts

Tonight is trash night.

I'm embarrassed to like Beauty and the Geek, but I like it.

Maybe I like it because I am almost as Geeky, but not quite.

It can't be because of the girls in bikini's right?

I want nachos.

My ear hurts--I'm working on making it better.

Dinner was chicken nuggets and mac and cheese. I get to eat like a kid when I go to Vacation Bible School.

My wife is smart. She shoes it on estrip and so many other ways.

I miss playing cards--I did it all the time in Pittsburgh, but haven't found a game here.

Janelle has old clients from her job in Pittsburgh visiting this weekend. I think its going to be hectic having four people with D.D. and 2 staff in our house. I think it will be fun, too.

I have an audition on Saturday as well. I need to create a character that gives good advice without being cheesy.

The weather was perfect today.

Vincents Cheney video is amazing.

I'm glad football season is near.

Permalink: unconnected_thoughts.html
Words: 177
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: trips

08/12/07 08:45 - 65ºF - ID#40490

Driving to state college

Just in case you were wondering: there are no interstates between here and state college, PA (probably because state college is in the middle of nowhere). That means that I did a lot of one lane, small town, up and down mountain driving when I traveled there for a wedding this weekend.

That meant that the driving was slower, but also prettier.

Don't go to state college on a football weekend (especially if you are like me, and a fan of Pitt), but any other time, central PA might make a good weekend getaway. My hunch is that you can get a room REALLY cheap, if there is nothing at the University to create demand.

I haven't done the research yet, but in addition to the best ice cream in the world (Ben and Jerry learned how to make ice cream at Penn State), there are affordable bars and restaurants, and probably some nice places to hike and/or bike.

Oh, and by the way, this is last call for fantasy (American) football. Spaces are still available!

Permalink: Driving_to_state_college.html
Words: 177
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: sports

08/07/07 10:02 - 76ºF - ID#40432

Football?

Is there an estrip fantasy football league? If not, is there any interest in one? I'd be happy to set one up.

Permalink: Football_.html
Words: 22
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: elmwood

08/07/07 11:29 - 76ºF - ID#40421

Elmood Village Celebration of Community

The church is hosting a celebration for everybody (different faith or non-faith, too!) that's all about the Elmwood strip, and takes place after the last band at the Elmwood Arts fest on the 25th. I meet with some other people today, but I am curious as to what you all think. What should happen? What shouldn't?

Right now I am thinking some spiritual, but not religious music. Some readings from different traditions, a time to say "thank you" and a time to ask for help. Hopefully, the whole thing will be 30-45 minutes.

Permalink: Elmood_Village_Celebration_of_Community.html
Words: 93
Location: Buffalo, NY

08/06/07 07:41 - 73ºF - ID#40400

Highs and lows

There was a big party for me last night. Then I came home and found an obscene amount of dog crap on one of the few rugs we have. Nothing like soaking up something that makes you gag to bring you back down to earth.

My sweet dog now has diarrhea, and bugged me (and my wife) to let him about about every two hours last night.

I've got a lot of work that I can do from home today, which will allow me to cook some rice and nurse him back to health, as soon as I say good bye to my parents.

Yes, my dog waited until my family was here to stink up the entire house. Thanks, Buckly.