Enid Faith Ways Church

09/20/2024

I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude for the meaningful moments enid faith ways church have shared together throughout the last six years. I am confident that our decision to close the church is the right thing to do. May God bless you and keep you as we close this chapter and begin a new journey. God Grant us mercy and blessings.

09/01/2024

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

7 Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, 2 they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. 3 (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders, 4 and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash, and there are also many other traditions that they observe: the washing of cups and pots and bronze kettles and beds.) 5 So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders but eat with defiled hands?” 6 He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written,

‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
7 in vain do they worship me,
teaching human precepts as doctrines.’

8 “You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”
14 Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.”
21 For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, pride, folly. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

When the Pharisees and other religious leaders reacted to Jesus’ disciples' lack of proper hygiene, Jesus turned the conversation to a question of tradition. Apparently, the issue wasn’t hygiene it was tradition. However, it should be noted that these guidelines that the Pharisees appealed to were biblical. That’s because, Jewish priests were instructed to wash before eating holy food in temple rituals, as described in Numbers 18:8-13. The Pharisees, who are often misidentified in the Gospels as being hypocritical, simply wanted to live lives, just like the priests. So, in search of a purer community, they pushed these standards on others.
Jesus on the other hand took a different approach to things. Instead of focusing on external matters, he focused on what goes on inside us. So, in Mark’s presentation, Jesus returns the critique by suggesting that the Pharisees' criticism was based on human tradition. In calling his critics hypocrites, Jesus appealed to a version of Isaiah 29:13, which declared: “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines” (Mk 7:6-7). So, they reject God’s commandments and embrace human tradition.

The Christian community as a whole struggles with being able to eat together inclusively. The church has tended to place doctrines and regulations above people in ways that exclude people from coming to the table and possibly encountering the risen Christ. It is often doctrinal matters, which might be called human traditions, get in the way.

Building meaningful social interactions reduces stress and improves moods and encourages better relationships. Human relationship connections is key improving mental and physical wellbeing.

We create a sense of belonging in our community. We play an important role in building a community of compassion. It’s not just about offering a warm shower or few clothes or sandwich or seat at our table. It’s much much more. We must see our broader community and work to improve it.

Sermon of Rev. Jarrett Banks a friend of mine.
I believe Jesus is essentially saying to the Pharisees and to the Christians behaving terribly today who seemed to have forgotten that the faith is more than saying some words but a way of living, serving, governing and voting:

Your hands may be traditionally pure from all kinds of filth, but your hearts are terribly impure with all kinds of greed. Your hands may be traditionally healthy, but your souls are terribly sick.
Your hands are clean, because you never get them dirty lending a hand to help someone in need.
Your hands are sanitized, because you never use them to care for someone who has been wounded.
Your hands may be thoroughly washed. You even sang, “Happy Birthday” to ensure that you scrubbed for a full 20 seconds.
But you never use your hands to reach out to the poor, protect the vulnerable, feed the hungry, lift up the lowly, or shake a hand in solidarity with another who is being oppressed.

Your hands may be germ-free, but they’re not guilt-free, as you have made them into a fist, closing them to the needs of strangers and threatening anyone who is different.
Your hands may be beautifully manicured, but they are as unsightly as they can be, as you won’t risk breaking a nail doing anything for anyone other than yourself.

You lift your hands to praise God in the sanctuary, but you won’t lift a finger to love your neighbor as yourself out in the world. Amen

08/28/2024

Mark 4:35-41 & Mark 5
Faith vs Fear
4:35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side."

4:36 And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him.

4:37 A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped.

4:38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"

4:39 He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm.

4:40 He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?"

4:41 And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

The boat is a place of refuge from the crowds.
They crossed boundaries the other side.
Fear beat against the boat
Jesus is asleep.
His disciples wake him to call him out don’t you care about us?
He rebuked the wind and said to the sea Peace be still. It was teaching moment. Be quiet and trust!
Don’t be afraid have faith. They said who is this that the wind and sea obey?
See you don’t have to have perfect faith just like the disciples scared but Gods grace and mercy covers you.

What does it mean to go to the other side?
People get pushed to the margins for a variety of reasons: social class, race, skin color, mental illness, religion, educational status, living choices, sexuality, and more.

Jesus traveled outside the Jewish homeland and encountered marginal people, he indicated that the kingdom would include Gentiles and people who were regarded by many Jews as being on the outer edge.
The other side that is, across on the Gentile side of the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus calls us to welcome, embrace, and listen to those marginalized by society for a variety of reasons. Restoring justice also involves listening to the concerns and perspectives of others, even when these seem to address issues that don’t directly affect us. And it involves standing up for the rights and wellbeing of others different than ourselves.

Mark chapter 5 Jesus encounters three people who are dealing with extremely difficult life circumstances, even to the point of life and death. The stories of a demon, bleeding woman and death of a child.

How is our Faith be tested? The storm will come the the wind will beat the side of the boat. Bad relationships, death, illness, crisis and addiction disorder and so many other things.

Fear can torment us, haunts us, and make us feel so small that we stop doing what we are called to do. Fear can isolate Us from friends and family. Fear can be destructive when we obsess and worry continually about what might happen, and allow fear to rule or dominate our lives.

Some might pray, “Lord, I’m dying here, help me.” God love us. God Listens to us. We must open our ears to the whispering voice of Jesus. Amen

Mark 4:39-40�And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?’

John 14.1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”

Philippians 4:13-14�I can do all things through him who strengthens me.�Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.

08/18/2024

John 15 1-11 vine and branches

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Jesus emphasizes the need to bear fruit 6 times. And it is actually very interesting how he emphasizes it. He first talks about no fruit. These are the ones who are cut away and burned. Then it talks about the branches that do bear fruit in verse 2. He says these are pruned so that they may bear more fruit. And then he goes on to say that the ideal is that you would bear much fruit.

As we begin to build our gardens. Growing flowers, vegetable and fruits takes love, care and attention by the gardener to bear fruit.
We learn to be close to the earth and practice patience when we garden. Gardening helps make the air cleaner in our environment. Growing your own food often leads to healthier eating habits. During harvest we might nourish our community by giving away our produce to others. I ask how do you apply these scriptures in your lives today?

I encourage you to think about what it takes to build God’s garden.

The fruit yielded by that harvest is love. The abundant, overwhelming, and surpassing love of God flourishes from the vine to and through the branches. Jesus, Love Embodied, connects us as beloved of God, recipients and carriers of that love. We are pruned to love more. That Love surrounds us, upholds us, heals us, nourishes and refreshes us. This transforms us to Love more.

The gardener sees that tree with the eyes of faith and sees possibility for new growth, despite all evidence to the contrary.
The gardener does not get distracted with being judgmental and self-righteous. They continue to make look for new growth everywhere and everyday while tending to the trees.

The gardener does not write off the tree as a lost cause. They get in there, down in the muck, and gets their hands dirty. They grab a shovel and start digging. They roll up their sleeves, grabs a handful of that smelly fertilizer, and starts filling it in around the base of the tree.

Pick up a shovel and water bucket and help us tend to Garden of God. Hold up those that are struggling with pain, poverty, disease, and oppression. Hug those that are hurting and need of help. Sometimes it can be hard to watch the suffering and the destructive paths some might take but we must hold on to faith that changes will come. We should pray for Gods mercy and grace.

Jesus wants his followers to live a life that's filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

When we Help our brothers and sisters find food, clothing, cold drink, jobs, healing and recovery ( if the want it) as we help them we help build better community. To make this happen we must get our hands dirty just like gardener. We must devote time and energy to the people that need our help. We must not be distracted or judgmental.

Galatians6 :9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

The call is to welcome generously with hospitality and love. Matthew 7:16 You will know them by their fruits.
Be in the streets and on the road, in action helping our neighbors and building a loving relationship with our creator. We have been transformed, and the fruit of our lives is evidence of that transformation.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

Amen

08/13/2024

Our church helps fund local community events on overdose prevention.

08/04/2024

We help to finance these projects!

08/03/2024

Bread of Life
John 6:24-35

24 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30 So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us, then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” 32 Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

While they are looking for someone to feed their stomachs, Jesus was talking about providing them, and us, with something to satisfy a much deeper hunger. Jesus wanted to give us something that will feed our hungry hearts and souls, not just our stomachs.

We all have hearts that are hungry for something. For example, I have come across a few authors who say that every person is looking for answers to three fundamental questions: Who am I? Where do I fit? What am I here for? These questions of identity, belonging and purpose can be thought of as hungers we have. We can also be hungry for things like acceptance, self-worth, peace, rest, hope, and the list goes on.

One thing that always stands out when I read John 6 is that when the people asked Jesus what God wanted then to be doing, Jesus replied that ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.

We become like Jesus’ disciples who received the loaves and fish that Jesus had blessed and distributed them to the 5000 men plus women plus children who had come to hear him speak.

What does it actually feel like to experience real hunger?

You stomach growls, it aches and then seems to stop but only for a while, as if it knows it’s cries will not be answered. It comes back a few minutes later.

You might be creative and come up with ways for us to eat! it then gives you ideas to ponder on. Some ideas are good and some are bad, but it cares not for the outcome all it wants is to stop feeling the pain of hunger and fast. You think, I could borrow, I could beg, I could steal, could ask, I can earn. This not pleasant. You assess all possible ways of getting food and sometimes none of them seem to be promising. There seems to be nothing you can do, you start contemplating on why something like this could happen to you.

Across the United States, more than 42 million Americans go to bed hungry or don't have access to healthy food. Inflation and Stagnant Wages could be factors.
As a result food banks, soup kitchens, churches and other emergency food providers across the country say they’re seeing greater demand than ever. Perhaps more disturbing: An increasing number of working-poor families and the elderly are using these emergency services.

Hunger is painful. It is sad. Even with all that I have been able to describe, the pain can never be fully comprehended in words. Hunger is painful. It is sad.

Don’t we all hunger for a better, fuller, more satisfying life? Don’t we all want to feed that emptiness that lies within? Aren’t we all looking for something?

Jesus felt their hunger, not only for bread, but for love. He suffered as they suffered, in the very core of his being.

I know that each of us is here today for all sorts of reasons, but I believe that
deep down inside each of us there is a hunger that drives us; a hunger to know the who made us, the who lies at the very heart of this thing we call reality; the who is so much more that we can begin to imagine. The One we hope is there.

What is your heart hungry for? What might be missing in your life that is keeping you from living the life? If you’re honest answer is nothing, that your relationship with Jesus is strong and you’re finding everything you need in him, then praise God that you have something good to offer the people around you who have hungry hearts. If, however, you have a hunger that you can’t fill, then let me know and let me help you find how Jesus can satisfy that deeper hunger.

What if every Christian and church shared their food with everyone who is hungry; or shared your home with the poor and homeless. Give clothes to those needy. With over 300,000 churches in US and over 200 million Christians we should be able to feed the hungry and clothe the poor. The question today is what are you doing to help the hungry and those most vulnerable in your community?

The word "poor" appears in the Bible more than 300 times in verses that discuss poverty and generosity. Jesus takes the bread, he blesses it, he breaks it, and he gives it. He does the same thing with the cup. When we choose to follow Jesus, include like Jesus, love like Jesus, and forgive like Jesus.

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Amen

08/02/2024

A lack of 24-hour, seven-day a week public restrooms near downtown Enid has caused undue strain and anxiety in the unhoused community.

07/29/2024

07/28/2024

Paid for by our church and hosted by Enid SOS!! Please share

07/28/2024

Sheep without shepherd

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

When Jesus looked on these crowds of people who had chased him around the lake, he saw people who were like sheep without a shepherd, and he felt their pain, their confusion, their deep desire to know God in a way their scribes and teachers had never shown them. He felt their hunger, not only for bread, but for love. He suffered as they suffered, in the very core of his being.

However Jesus does not stop at criticising the current leadership but responds with compassion by teaching, feeding and then healing the people. His response is one of compassion – human and divine.

So what of this relates to our world and our issues? We can certainly look at our news feed and agree our leaders are corrupt or weak, concerned with the powerful few rather than the needs of the many.

We see Inflation and people hungry. We see Homeless trying to survive on streets. Incarceration at the highest numbers, new laws for people who are immigrants running from their homes. We see High costs of healthcare and high eviction rates. We see stagnant wages and children left behind in education. We see Unsafe, unreliable and unaffordable access to water and sanitation services such as bathrooms.

We are called to share good news with people we know, to offer healing and redemption to those whose pain we feel in our own guts.
We are called to share hope for the world.

This is what it means to be part of the Kingdom Jesus came to establish. The disciples didn’t always get it. But when they did what Jesus did, and taught what Jesus taught, amazing, miraculous things happened. And the Kingdom of God grew.

We can set boundaries, but when the phone rings and word comes that someone is in need of housing or medical assistance , we can’t tell the caller that we’ll be there when it’s convenient for us.

The thing is, Jesus doesn’t stay in the boat forever. He gets out, and walks among the sheep, having compassion for them.

Matthew 25:31-40
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, 'I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me”

He calls us to follow him, keeping ourselves anchored in relationship with God. Whether we are in the boat with Jesus, away from the crowd, or walking with him to show compassion for those he came to save, our job is to stay connected to Christ. Only then can we offer this hurting world what it needs most: a compassionate Savior. Only then can we fully participate with Jesus in building the Kingdom of God.

After Jesus spent time in the deserted place praying, he got up and got back to the mission. Spiritual rest leads to spiritual work, to serving and loving and proclaiming and striving for justice and peace.

Let go of what burdens you. We are ALL in need of something. We need HOPE.

Amid all this chaos and darkness, people feel lost and afraid. But the prophets and poets, old and new, promise that light will shine in the darkness, dispelling the negative that seeks to envelop us.

When we choose to follow Jesus, include like Jesus, love like Jesus, to eat and drink with Jesus and those with whom he ate and drank, we can expect there is always more meaning beyond the moment. Let your goodness flow in us as we become whole.

God Grant us mercy, understanding and blessings. Amen