When my children were little we enjoyed watching “Veggie Tales” a series of cartoons with wonderful music and inspiring stories based on the scriptures. Truth be told I still enjoy “Veggie Tales” and can frequently be heard humming one of the many tunes that so delighted me back then… I mean, “delighted my children.”
The Jonah Veggie Tale movie opened with a marvelous song called “A Message From the Lord.”
“Do not fight. Do not cheat. Wash your hands before you eat.
There is nothing quite as sweet- A message from the Lord
Be a friend. Say your prayers. Heaven loves a heart that cares.
That is why I’ve come to share, a message from the Lord.”
In the idealized world of Jonah he is excited to receive and share the message of the Lord with the people. They are excited and respectful at receiving the message. This is true until Jonah is sent with a message of repentance, mercy and forgiveness for the enemies of his people. The plot twist happens when Jonah is less keen to share the Message. For him it was because of enemies of his country, for me sometimes it is the neighbors no one wants in their backyard.
The Message is all good when it works to our comfort, but sometimes the Message is uncomfortable.
This Sunday in Kelseyville UMC at 9 a.m. and Middletown Community UMC at 11 a.m., I will be preaching. I don’t preach every week these days, so when I do — I’m holding up what is on my heart, not every week but over the months and season. I will be speaking about favorite Bible verses, trauma and a faith that holds them together for healing when the church opens its doors.
And … we will have a blessing of the bags; sleeping bags for our homeless neighbors. Bring them to either of these services and be part of something more. Something good and healing for our community. 9 a.m. at Kelseyville, 11am at Middletown. Bring a sleeping bag and join us for worship. And religion.
Spirituality is what you believe, but religion is what you do. My religion invites care for the homeless, the hurting and the lost. I am proud to be a part of it.
Rev. Shannon Kimbell-Auth is the Circuit Leader for the seven United Methodist Churches of Lake County and the Mentor Pastor for Kelseyville and Middletown United Methodist Churches.
