The Sword and the Trowel

Sermon, 3.1.09
“The Sword and the Trowel”
Rev. Erik Bonkovsky
Nehemiah 4:15-23

Famous preacher Charles Spurgeon had a magazine called The Sword and the Trowel, and that phrase sums up the passage we’re studying today.

Trowel work

We need to engage in real work.  It’s good, and God has called us to it.   It’s hard and painstaking sometimes.  Often we think of our day job as something we’re doing just to pay the bills.  We squeak by with the least possible effort.  But we need to look at our occupations, whatever they may be, as what God has called us to for now.  Everything we do can be potentially life-giving, which is why we’re instructed to “work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”  Do you see your job that way?

For example, the Robinson Theater was recently re-opened in Church Hill.  A group of people worked hard to raise the money to have it fixed up, and now that it’s re-opened it’s giving life back to the community.  So by doing the work, we get closer to where this story started in the first place: God in a garden, doing work, and making things that are beautiful and useful.

Sword work

In our lives, we face attacks from the outside and from within that devalue our work.  We are told that work is all about money, security, bills, or comfort.  Freeing ourselves of this outlook is constant work, and takes vigilance.  Under these attacks, we need to pick up the sword of the word of God to reinvigorate our purpose.  Our work is derivative; we engage in this work because God did.  God is always fighting for us; he defends us (Ephesians 6:10-20).

Examples of where we can apply this work ethic

Relationships are hard work.  On an everyday basis, they can be repetitive and messy.  The trowel means pursuing people, getting to know them, and truly hearing them.  Relationships don’t just happen, it takes investment, love, and listening.

Housework is another area to focus our hard work on.  When we’re creating an atmosphere where life can happen, where meals can be shared, and where friends can be invited in, we’re doing God’s work.  As illustrated in the song “Holy As a Day is Spent,” there is a Godward dimension to everything in life.

So when the voices of doubt creep in, telling us that the daily grind doesn’t matter, we have to beat those voices back.  God doesn’t just care if you preach or lead a small group or lead worship — he cares that you’re being faithful.  And that extends into everything he has called you to do.

This week at FSC, 3.3.09

Just a few things this week…

1. Lenten Readings
Last week marked the beginning of Lent, the 40 day period in the church calendar that has been used for self-examination in preparation for Easter. This Lent you are invited to prepare yourself through: 1) Self-Examination, 2) Self-Denial (e.g. fasting), 3) Acts of Compassion (i.e. giving to the poor), and 4) The Means of Grace. For more information on all of these, please contact Erik (erik [at] franklinstreet.net). Also consult these documents.

2. Loaves & Fishes 3/15
Our opportunity to serve at Loaves & Fishes is coming up on Sunday, March 15th. We will be meeting at 11am at the Conrad Center (1400 Oliver Hill Way) to prepare and serve a meal to those who need it. If you’re interested in coming, please contact Kira (kmdisse [at] gmail.com).

3. Daylight Savings reminder
Don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour on Saturday night!

Have a great week!

Val

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Valerie Catrow
FSC Administrator

This week at FSC, 2.24.09

Happy Tuesday, FSC! Here are your announcements for the week…

1. Lent
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent, the 40 day period in the church calendar that has been used for self-examination in preparation for Easter. This Lent you are invited to prepare yourself through: 1) Self-Examination, 2) Self-Denial (e.g. fasting), 3) Acts of Compassion (i.e. giving to the poor), and 4) The Means of Grace. For more information on all of these, please contact Erik (erik [at] franklinstreet.net).

2. Women’s getaway 3/7 & 3/8
The women’s getaway will be taking place on March 7th and 8th at Ann Douglas’s family’s cabin in Cumberland County, about 45 minutes away from Richmond. The cabin sleeps 11, but there’s plenty of room if more people are interested. The plan is to leave at noon on Saturday the 7th and return to Richmond on the 8th in time for the service. If you’re planning on attending, please email Ann Douglas (memento.ade [at] gmail.com) or Kelli (kelliziemer [at] gmail.com).

-Val

Valerie Catrow
FSC administrator
val [at] franklinstreet.net

Fighting Without. Fears Within.

Sermon, 2.22.09
“Fighting Without.  Fears Within.”
Rev. Erik Bonkovsky
Nehemiah 4:1-14

Our story this week opens with Sanballat jeering at the Jews for attempting to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls.  Not only were Sanballat’s attacks demoralizing to the workers, but they were also attacks on God.  God’s instructions were to rebuild the city, and this man was questioning both the plan, and their ability to carry out the plan.

Later, even their fellow countrymen question the plan to rebuild Jerusalem, urging the workers to go home to their respective towns.  They call attention to the gargantuan amount of work to be done, and the small number and energy of the workers.

But Nehemiah said “Do not be afraid of them.  Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome” (v. 14).  The Israelites succeed not by stiffening themselves and working hard to prove the naysayers wrong, but by remembering God

What are the doubts that creep in for you?  Some examples could be opposition from your family, people being dismissive toward you, people condescending to you about your faith, the challenge of getting to know who you married, or wondering if God will provide someone for you to spend your life with.  These doubts seem to accost us at every turn.  But instead of letting ourselves become overwhelmed, we have hope:

“Hope is not simply wishful thinking; it is a fruit of the Spirit born of the spiritual discipline of remembering.  This is why, even in the darkest eras, God has left us a witness of what happens when his people believe and follow him in the fight for justice” (Gary Haugen).

The Jews had plenty of reasons to believe in a great and awesome God, who had led them out of slavery in Egypt and into the promised land.  They had concrete evidence that allowed them to continue in hope.  But we can trust in this hope completely because Christ has already faced down the opposition.  He has vanquished the mockers.  This verse from Colossians is the fulfillment of Nehemiah’s prayer:

“He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”

So as much as others may seem to tell us, “give it up!” we cannot listen to them.  Jesus is saying them same thing to us, but he is saying that we need to give up trying to overcome our doubts with our own strength.  He has already done it for us, and we need to rest in that truth.  We are not perfect, but the beautiful part is that we don’t have to be.

This week at FSC, 2.18.09

Good afternoon! Here are your FSC announcements for this week…

1. Mercy Fund, Sunday 2/22
As this Sunday is the last Sunday of the month, we will be taking contributions for FSC’s Mercy Fund. Donations to the Mercy Fund are kept separate from our regular budget and will be used to help out members of our congregation and community when needed. Please be prayerful about making a contribution to this fund.

2. Vespers, Sunday 2/22
This coming Sunday is also time for our monthly Vespers pot luck. Bring a dish to share and join us for fellowship, worship, and prayer. Drinks will be provided.

3. Men’s Retreat 4/24 - 4/26
An announcement from Blake:
Let’s be honest, men are horrible at relationships. Our schedules are busier than we ever anticipated. Put your calendar aside for a couple days and join us at the end of April, when we’ll be headed to Richard and Eniko Rumrill’s property about an hour north in King and Queen’s County for a Men’s weekend. It’s a 100+ acres of forestation where men will be able to get away and be men - smoke pipes, camp, and do whatever men like to do in the woods. Hope you can join us! More details to come.

4. Mercy/Justice Survey
If you haven’t had a chance to take the Mercy/Justice Survey, please take a couple minutes to do so. This will help the Mercy and Justice team research and explore different ministry opportunities that we might want to explore as a church. Use this link to take the survey (6 questions total).

Have a great week!

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Valerie Catrow
FSC Administrator
val [at] franklinstreet.net