Richmond First United Methodist News and Events
Pastor’s Perspective
A Conversation with God, Job 38:1-7, 34-41
Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1st UMC, 10-18-15
Introduction
In the Bible God is depicted as a person who acts in history: God speaks to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, God sends a flood to destroy the evildoers of Noah’s generation, God converses with Abraham and Sarah, God parts the waters for Hebrew slaves escaping from Egypt with Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, God sends Assyrians and Babylonians to destroy the nations of Israel and Judah as a punishment for their sinfulness. God is portrayed as a moral agent. All God’s actions are understood as just and righteous.
In the story about Job, these assumptions about God are put to the test by the incredible suffering of the innocent in history. Job challenges the very justice of God in ruling the cosmos, and then waits for God to answer this challenge.
Retell the Scripture Story
An ancient folktale about a saintly Job has been used as the setting for this examination of the ways of God.
There once was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.
[He had 7 sons, 3 daughters, 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 donkeys, and very many servants.]
One day the heavenly beings came together to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them [the Accuser, the adversary, Heb. ha-satan, not yet the demonic personification of later Judaism and Christianity].
“Of course Job praises you. You’ve given him everything. Take away all his blessings and he will curse you to your face.”
God says, “Very well, all that he has is in your power; only do not stretch out your hand against him.”
The Adversary took everything from Job but his wife. Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head, and fell on the ground and worshiped. He said, “Naked came I from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong-doing. [Job 1:22 NRSV]
After another heavenly meeting Job is given “loathsome sores” from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. Job sat among the ashes and scraped himself. His wife says, “Curse God and die.”
Job says, “Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?”
Three friends visit. They sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.
After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. [He did not curse God.]
The friends asked what he had done to bring this suffering upon himself.
He said, “Nothing.”
This goes on for many pages.
After a long struggle to understand with accusations and defense, God [according to Job 38] replies out of the whirlwind:
Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me.
Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?
Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, so that a flood of waters may cover you? Can you send forth lightnings, so that they may go and say to you, ‘Here we are’? Who has put wisdom in the inward parts, or given understanding to the mind? Who has the wisdom to number the clouds? Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens, when the dust runs into a mass and the clods cling together?
Can you hunt the prey for the lion, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,
when they crouch in their dens, or lie in wait in their covert? Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God, and wander about for lack of food?
The poetry continues in the next chapter of Job. Eileen quoted some of her favorite verses from the King James to me as she was leaving for El Sobrante UMC this morning about 7:30 am.
Hast thou given the horse strength? Hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?
Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? The glory of his nostrils is terrible. He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword. The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield. He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet. He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting. [Job 39:19-25 KJV]
Application
The book of Job does not explain the mystery of suffering or “justify the ways of God” with human beings, but it does probe the depths of faith in the midst of suffering. We look for answers, and find none. Philosophers have spilled much ink in the quest for the answer to the “problem of pain.” I went to seminary looking for answers and found a lot of people who were asking the same questions. “Why?” “How long?” “Where are you, God?”
In Job 42 we read that Job realizes that he is not God. There are many things he will never understand.
As the folk tale concludes, Job’s fortunes are restored. He is given “twice as much as he had before” [14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, 1,000 donkeys, 7 sons, 3 daughters].
In all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them their inheritance among their brethren. After this Job lived a hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, even four generations. So Job died, being old and full of days. [Job 42:15-17 KJV]
I have found no final answer to the problem of pain. Yet I continue to pray, to study, to preach, to plan, to play music, to care for the sick and the sorrowing, to worship God in this time and place. I invite you to join me in this holy and human work.
Let us be in prayer.
Joys and Concerns
Armand Westerveldt was at church last Sunday. Her husband, Brent, died last Saturday night. She would welcome phone contact and visits. She may welcome being taken to the grocery store. If anyone would like to help, please let me know at:bahcats@sbcglobal.net and we can make a schedule. If you would like to send a card, her contact information is: 219 Nicholl Ave., Point Richmond, CA 94801: Phone # 510 375 3934.
Our dear church friend, Pat King, is requesting prayers for healing. She is slowly recovering from surgery and anticipates further surgery December or January. She is making every attempt to join us at Sunday Worship.
Kathe Kiehn is requesting prayers for healing for her daughter, Karen Ganier. Karen has survived breast cancer once and is now facing treatment for a new aggressive cancer in her other breast. Kathe says that Karen is strong and will make it through this, but extra prayers are more than welcomed.
Please keep Katherine Parker, our missionary, and the people of Nepal in your prayers.
Deby McFadyen is requesting prayers for three young friends who are battling cancer. Please remember Sarah Talkington, Carolyn Thomas a Jimmy Lowe in your prayers.
Pat Dornan and Linda Pereira continue to need your prayers of support. Update: Hospice services continue. Pat says that Linda is not able to get out of bed and is sleeping most of the time. Lorraine, Linda’s mother, is home with attendant care and volunteers are bringing her over to see Linda to supplement Pat’s help. Pat is very grateful for the assistance.
Helen Wysham welcomes your prayers for healing and gaining strength. Chemotherapy has been completed!
News
Pay/Pal is here! Our website, pointrichmondmethodist.org now has a donation tag that takes you to PayPal. The Home Page does not have it, but any page for the news or events has it listed on the right-hand side of the page. Just scroll down to Donate. This makes it easy for when you miss church, you can still participate by giving.
Don’t forget to turn your clock back one hour, Saturday night, October 31st when you go to bed.
Pinole UMC is celebrating 125 Years of Blessedness with events throughout October. October 3 Walkathon; October 10 Concert; October 18 Worship Homecoming; October 30 Trunk or Treat. See attached flyer. 2000 San Pablo Ave., Pinole. Support our sister church if you can.
News from Camp Liberty in Iraq: Since July 13th the Iraqi government has stopped supplies from entering Camp Liberty. They have prevented supplies of food, fuel and septic tank trucks from entering the compound. The lack of fuel means that the generators can not function so there is no electricity, no sewage system, no air conditioners with the temperature reaching 120 degrees. The United States Committee for Camp Ashraf is asking our Secretary of State, John Kerry, to intervene as well as the United Nations. Please remember these people in your prayers and that actions are taken to reverse this situation. One man has died due to refusal to allow his treatment for cancer.
Katherine Parker, missionary in Nepal: Katherine reports that the emphasis now will be on long-term recovery.
Generosity
UMCOR (United Methodist Church Organization for Relief) has donated $2,4 million dollars for the people of Syria and Irag who are displaced in emergency aid plus 16,800 health kits, 6000 school kits, 784 layette kits, 440 family food vouchers which feed a family for two months, 1000 emergency kits containing fresh water filters and hygiene items.
We are continuing to move ahead with plans for the long-term financing of our church for generations to come through an Endowment program.
Think about the part you want to play in our Church’s future. You have the opportunity to support this ministry in many ways. Naming the Church as a beneficiary in your estate plan or the making of an endowment gift can assure your continued participation in this ministry far into the future.
Imagine No Malaria continues to need your donations.
Events
Sunday, October 25, after church: Finance Committee Meeting.
Sunday, November 1, after church: Publicity Committee Meeting.
Sunday, November 1, after church: Thanksgiving Dinner Planning Meeting.
Thursday, November 12, 7 pm: Administrative Board Meeting, Friendship Hall. All interested persons are welcome.
Friday, November 13, 7:30 pm: Point Richmond Acoustic presents Katie Dahl and Friends. Katie is a singer/songwriter of folk music from Wisconsin. She’s got a gorgeous alto voice which she uses to fine effect on her carefully wrought lyrics and beautiful melodies. Katie’s husband, Rich Higdon, accompanies her on bass and percussion. Claudia Russell and Bruce Kaplan will back her on vocals and mandolin as well as open the show. Tickets: $15 richmondacoustic.org, $20 at the door. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina, Point Richmond.
Thursday, November 26, 12-2 pm, Community Thanksgiving Dinner lovingly prepared for our community to enjoy. Interfaith Service of Thanks, 11:30 am. If you wish to help, contact Fran Smith: 707 427 2131 or junosmith@aol.com.
Thursday, December 3: Dinner/Theater. Dinner at Hotel Mac and Theater at the Masquers Playhouse for the musical “The World Goes ‘Round”. Songs by Kander and Ebb the men who created Cabaret and Chicago. Save the date and invite friends! Tickets are $55. Dinner at 6 pm, Theater at 8 pm. Contact Jean Reynolds for tickets at 510 734 3942 or sweetheart05@mac.com. Let’s have a sell-out event!
Saturday, December 5, 1 pm: Annual All Church Conference, held at El Sobrante United Methodist Church. Bridges District Superintendent, Rev. Schuyler Rhodes will preside. All are welcome. 670 Appian Way, El Sobrante.
Saturday, December 19, 9 am-3 pm: Annual Bake and Crafts Sale. Bring your baked goodies by 9 am for sale. Donations for the crafts can be given to Barbara Haley any time. Point Richmond Community Center.
