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In Partnership, By Community – We continue our walk through the New Testament and, currently, through the writings of the apostle Paul, with today’s reading from Philemon, a letter in which Paul addresses a younger colleague. Also, this is College Sunday, and the liturgists and preacher in both services are college students, most of whom are in the Vandy Wesley group that is hosted by our church. Preaching today is Amber Lewis, a sophomore at Vanderbilt. She begins by citing the Hebrew word, “shalom,” which can mean peace and wholeness. She describes life as a college student as demanding, and thus at times an experience of scarcity rather than shalom. Most people experience scarcity: some experience scarcity of time, focus, or even of food, jobs, housing. But scarcity can be overcome by partnership. We can be agents of Jesus by partnering with others who experience scarcity. Paul’s description of partnership includes love at the core.

Fan the Flame – We continue our walk through the New Testament and, currently, through the writings of the apostle Paul, with today’s reading from 2 Timothy, a letter in which Paul addresses Timothy, whom Paul had commissioned to help in ministry. Carol begins by talking about “burnout,” a term that applies to many people today who are feeling overwhelmed by their job or by family crises. And perhaps this is what Timothy was experiencing, and Paul, writing from prison, was hoping to rekindle the flame in Timothy, reminding him of the gifts of the love and power of the Holy Spirit within him. Likewise, when we experience burnout, we must remember that God is within us through the Holy Spirit, and we should fan that flame.

Labor of Love – We continue our walk through the New Testament and, currently, through the writings of the apostle Paul, with today’s reading from 1 Thessalonians. Today is also Communion Sunday. Paul’s letters in the New Testament are arranged in order of their length, and, historically, 1 Thessalonians was likely the first of Paul’s letters that were written, so in it we get the earliest glimpse of the spread of Christianity. It emphasizes that those believers are known for their love, but they are suffering some persecution. Also, they anticipate that Christ will return at any moment, but since that coming has not yet happened, there are mixed feelings and anxieties. Paul encourages them to keep the faith and manifest the vision of what is expected when Christ returns – keep working and exhibit love. In our lifetime we will celebrate the 2000th anniversary of Christ’s resurrection, and, like the Thessalonians, we experience much that is not the kingdom of God, but Paul cautions us not to fall into hopelessness but to live being deeply involved in spreading the love of God. On Labor Day weekend, we are called to work to extend God’s love. Our work matters to God.

Scripture Reflections – We continue our walk through the New Testament and, currently, through the writings of the apostle Paul, with today’s reading from Timothy 4. Today is Children’s Sabbath, which has become an annual tradition at West End UMC. There are children who are the liturgists and deliver the commentary on the scripture (i.e., the sermon), and children’s choirs participate, and Bibles are given to three-year-olds and third graders. In their reflections on the Timothy passage Henry Anderson and Virginia McMillan both say that Paul is telling Timothy that just because he is young doesn’t mean he can’t be of value and teach and lead others, a crucial lesson for children and youth today. Paul encourages Timothy not to neglect his gifts, and that is important for us to acknowledge for ourselves.

Lead Courageously – We continue our walk through the New Testament and, currently, through the writings of the apostle Paul, with today’s reading from Colossians 1. The United Methodist Council of Bishops’ created a new vision statement in May of 2025 (appearing on today’s bulletin cover), and in three Sundays we have been exploring the three features of the United Methodist Church’s Vision Statement, today focusing on “Lead Courageously.” Carol begins by recalling memories of Davis Kidd Bookstore in Nashville where one could explore books for sale that were on shelves by topic, one of which was a section on leadership. Most of them concerned corporate leadership and such, but in Paul’s writing and in the words of the United Methodist vision statement, the concept of leadership pulls normal people (disciples) to emulate Jesus. Carol then talks about her recent trip to Ireland and cites many things about the historic war in Northern Ireland, reminding us of that conflict, but also citing specific individuals and groups who worked as Jesus would have done to plant the seeds of peace, all evidence that God can use ordinary people like us to lead courageously as we build peace and reconciliation by following Jesus.

Serve Joyfully – We continue our walk through the New Testament and, currently, through the writings of the apostle Paul, with a reading from Philippians 2. Last week Carol reported on the United Methodist Council of Bishops’ creation of a new vision statement in May of 2025 (appearing on today’s bulletin cover), and in three Sundays we are exploring the three features of the United Methodist Church’s Vision Statement, today taking on “Serve Joyfully,” and the Rev. Will McLeane, our Pastor of Spiritual Formation, is preaching. He begins by telling about a recent family vacation with many young girls (daughters and their cousins), with crafts and activities, and a point when there was a realization of the beautiful mountains. He also talks about the joy of the FIFA World Cup this summer. In contrast, there are times when our lives are in tension, as in times of stress with elections and such. The city of Philippi was founded as a place where Roman veteran soldiers were honored. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, written when Paul was imprisoned, encourages them, no matter their situation, to act as Jesus did. We, too, are often drawn to rise and achieve, according to our ambition, but our loving and serving one another, as exemplified by Jesus, is fundamental. Will gives numerous examples of West End groups loving and serving, lifting others up.

Love Boldly – We continue our walk through the New Testament and, currently, through the writings of the apostle Paul, with a reading from Ephesians 4. Carol reported on the United Methodist Council of Bishops’ creation of a new vision statement in May of 2025 (appearing on today’s bulletin cover), and in the next three Sundays we are going to explore the three features of the United Methodist Church’s Vision Statement. Jesus certainly exemplified “Love boldly,” and pretty much everything he said or did demonstrated that. Paul, too, loved boldly, as we saw in his words to the Galatians we read last week. What would that look like in our own lives? We’re called to love boldly out in the world, bearing witness to the love of God, working to transform the world. West End UMC’s bedrock belief, “God loves everyone unconditionally,” is an example. In this section of his letter to the Ephesians, Paul encourages the believers to love each other, which, at times can be challenging. We are also called to love ourselves boldly.

The Fruit of the Spirit – We continue our walk through the New Testament and, currently, through the writings of the apostle Paul, with a reading from Galatians 5. Today is also another celebration of Communion as we’ve been considering the theme of gathering around the table as Paul wrote about table gatherings. Carol first shares a story about her parents early in their relationship, highlighting what people did and did not do in those days to show that they were Christians. Those kinds of things have changed through the generations, but there are always boxes to check and rules to follow to show that people are Christians. Jesus, however, taught that love is the basis for one’s faith. When he healed on the Sabbath, he was confronted for breaking one of the rules. Paul wrote that even gentiles were enveloped by God’s love, but gentiles who entered the faith in Galatia were challenged by those who wanted them to abide by the rules. Paul’s letter to the Galatians was very emotional, expressing anger against those who applied the rules rather than realizing that God’s love calls believers to freedom from checklists to prove themselves worthy. It is God’s grace for us to accept.

One to All the World – We continue our walk through the New Testament and, currently, through the writings of the apostle Paul, with a reading from 2 Corinthians 5. Today is also another celebration of Communion as we’ve been considering the theme of gathering around the table as Paul wrote about table gatherings. Carol recounts her week with her family reunion and camp meeting, where she baptized 15 kids. It’s an annual event that has taken place for 200 years. She said that among those hundreds of people there have been arguments and conflicts. Such disagreement and conflict can also happen at our Thanksgiving gatherings, for example. The story of Adam and Eve reveals that they turned on each other, as later did their sons, Cain and Abel. Paul’s writing in 2 Corinthians evidences that kind of thing, too. The Christians in that context were from vastly different backgrounds, and Paul is clearly heartbroken at how divided they are. He begs them to remember that we are all one in Christ, and it is through the power of Christ that they (and we) can live into oneness. We are called to be reconciled with one another – right relationship with one another – by remembering that we are reconciled to God through Christ. We are, through this, encouraged to move toward each other, to examine our lives to see where we need to move toward another through reconciliation.

One in Ministry – We continue our walk through the New Testament and, currently, through the writings of the apostle Paul, with a reading from 1 Corinthians 13. Today is also another celebration of Communion as we’ve been considering the theme of gathering around the table as Paul wrote about this. The Rev. Stacey Harwell-Dye, our Pastor of Mercy and Justice Ministries, is delivering the Communion Meditation today and she cited some writings and actions by Clara Ester, who was with Rev. Martin Luther King when he was assassinated. She also cites an action by a couple in our church who acted out of love some years ago to help Stacey. The Greek word, agapé, that is translated “love” in this Corinthians passage, points out that our own love is based on and fulfilled by God’s love. Love is an equalizer, putting us together as one in ministry, whether we’re ordained as ministers or not. Stacey says that her own work means nothing unless it’s done through God’s love. And God’s love is not something we have to earn through our own actions because it is God’s gift to all. ...

One with Each Other – We continue our walk through the New Testament and, currently, through the writings of the apostle Paul, with a reading from 1 Corinthians 11. Today is also another celebration of Communion as we’ve been considering the theme of gathering around the table as Paul wrote about this. In this section of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he is quite critical of the gatherings of the believers in that they are not really treating each other equally, and here Paul is describing God’s economy to this diverse group. In the churches, all should be equal. Carol describes what may well have been happening in Corinth in those early gatherings. It isn’t simply that everyone can gather, but that all are equal. At the table the Holy Spirit weaves all into one body. That is who we are called to be, and through this meal we are called to be witnesses to and participants in God’s economy. Throughout today’s communion service, we receive commentary from Carol and Rev. Aimee Baxter about the history, meaning, and reason for the various pieces of our communion service.

One With Christ – We continue our walk through the New Testament and, currently, through the writings of the apostle Paul, with a reading from 1 Corinthians 12. Today is also Communion Sunday. Much of Paul’s letter has to do with gathering around the table, and we will be gathering around the table through this month in reflection of that. Today’s section of 1 Corinthians is the familiar description of the parts of the body and how important each one is. As we read this, we’re listening in on a conversation that is directed toward the new Christians in Corinth. Paul spent about 18 months pulling together the diverse believers as that early congregation was being formed, and he offers pastoral instructions to help them. Saying that Jesus is Lord was somewhat dangerous in the Roman empire, and to say that every part of the body is as important as every other part would have been quite revolutionary. Paul ends by saying that we are the body of Christ, so that for the world to be changed by Christ it is up to us as the body of Christ to enable that to happen.

A Life Shaped by Grace – This past week was our annual Vacation Bible School, and much of today’s service reflects that, including the Children’s Moment, led by Maggie Jarrell, our Minister with Children and Families. We continue our journey through the writings of Paul with a further look at his Letter to the Romans. Although this is the first of Paul’s letters in the Bible, it was the last one he wrote, and, perhaps it is first because it’s the longest. But it reflects the maturity of Paul’s ministry. The overarching theme is the grace of God, who loves us unconditionally, and in this chapter, Paul tells us how the grace we are given transforms our lives and our acts. It goes way beyond being nice, setting aside one’s own purposes for the sake of others. The large challenge governs our acts for those in the world, and Paul instructs us in how to treat our enemies, to love our enemies. We likely could not do this on our own, but Paul says it is through the grace of God that we have been given the ability.

Paul to Rome: Know Your Why – We continue our journey through the writings of Paul with a look at the first part of his Letter to Rome. Carol tells us about an experience of a family that always has a cup of spoons on the dinner table, but nobody in the family knew why that was, even though they had done so for several generations. Then she cites the book, Start with Why by Simon Stinek, in which the author says when we are about to start something, we need to state why we’re doing that, and Carol indicates that the first part of the Letter to the Romans underscores Paul’s “why,” and he gives others, including us, the “why.” She then recalls the historical situation in the time of Paul’s letter, with deep tensions between the believers and others in Rome, and between Jewish Christians and gentile Christians. Paul is coming to see them, but he sends this letter in preparation. At its core, the message from Paul is that at the root of everything is faith that God is love. For us, faith is our willingness to realize that we are all sinners and can hear the call of God’s love. This faith can transform us and open us to see that God’s grace is for all people. For Paul, the “church” was not an institution but a vision of a different kind of kingdom wherein all are accepted and included.

Radiance – This is communion Sunday. In recent weeks we have followed some of the stories of the early Christian movement through the Book of Acts, and today we begin a series of looking at the writings of that most famous apostle, Paul. We also read a translation of Psalm 34. Our guest minister is the Rev. Jeff Chu, a journalist, author, speaker, and preacher visiting from Michigan. Peace, glory, and pride are foremost in this section of Paul’s writing, and this is audacious, especially considering the people to whom Paul was writing, Christians who were undergoing Roman oppression. Jeff talks about the gatherings of believers who were quite diverse and listened together to Paul’s words. He also outlines the situation they lived in that place and time, with “church” being held in gatherings in humble homes, not churches like we have. Essentially, all the believers had were this gospel and their belief, not personal possessions or status. Jeff tells his own story and how he experienced salvation. He had us read Psalm 34 today because it reflects that God is present and good always, and Jeff spoke of it and challenged us to realize that not only we but all others are loved by God. In God’s love we find our radiance. He cited the history of our own church to review how, at times, we, too, have shown radiance.