West Yarmouth Congregational Church, United Church of Christ

09/14/2026

Being Like-Minded?
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”
Philippians 2:1-2

This morning’s devotional verse from Phillipians was the verse of the day on Bible Gateway. I chose this verse because the words, “like-minded” attracted my attention. Another translation uses the words, “… full accord and of one mind.” So, I thought it might be fun, and a bit challenging, to muse on these varied translations and how these meanings might apply to us.
First, when Paul encourages the people of the church of the church in Philippi to be “like-minded” is he expecting them to be in the same mindset as Jesus? After all, he does preface his instruction to be like minded with a description of aspects of Christ we are expected to be encouraged by. Indeed, I would say that we are also expected to model those character traits. Behaviors such as having love, compassion, and sympathy.
But, is it possible that when Paul speaks of being “like-minded” or “of one accord and of one mind” is he describing how the Philippians need to be in agreement with each other. We know that Paul addressed divisions in the church in other parts of the letter. Is it possible that he is trying to reinforce the theme of unity amongst the members of the church there?
I like to think that this could be a case of both/and! We are expected to agree on the basic tenets described here. Our faith and fellowship should be founded on the basis of loving our neighbor, while demonstrating compassion through our daily actions. If we can build the foundation of our faith community on these staples of agreement, we can endure any of the other challenges that arise whenever a group of humans come together. Even though our intention may be to love the Lord and our neighbors, the how and why of that can sometimes cause us struggle. Anytime you bring people together, whether it is in a church, at school, on a sports team, or at a family event, you bring our humanity into play. Thus, the end result is we will not always be in “one accord and of one mind.” But if we understand that it will make it easier to navigate our differences and find ways to work for the greater accomplishment of serving our Lord. May it be so for us today!
Peace,
Pastor Chuck

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09/10/2026

I Would be Afraid Too!
“And when the Israelites saw the great power the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.”
Exodus 14:31

Our devotional verse today is the final verse from our first reading on Sunday. We are spending a few weeks following the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). This is a series of Scripture readings following a three-year cycle. The RCL began in 1983 and many of the “mainline” denominations use it as a resource for weekly Scripture readings. We follow it on occasions although sometimes we veer off into other readings based upon certain sermon series we occasionally delve into.
Currently the RCL includes readings from Exodus. This is the second book in our Old Testament and the early part of Exodus focuses on the Lord’s involvement in freeing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Once they have escaped, the rest of book is centered around the trials and tribulations of the recently freed people in the wilderness.
This morning’s verse is the conclusion of the account of the escape the Israelites. They were being pursued by Pharoah and his army. Trapped against the shores of the Red Sea, they cried out to the Lord. The Lord directs Moses to raise his staff and, as he does so, the Lord parts the Sea and the Israelites cross on dry ground. Once the people have escaped the Red Sea, the Lord directs Moses to stretch out his hand. As Moses does this, the waters flow back and cover Pharoah’s army and they are wiped out. The people see this and they fear the Lord and put their trust in the Lord, and in Moses.
In the past we have discussed the use of the word “fear” in the Old Testament. Sometimes it can mean a knowledge or understanding of the Lord. It can also mean awe or in a lesser manner, proper respect. Sometimes it can just mean plain old dread. One can see how the witnesses of the drowning of Pharoah’s army might be scared out of their wits by this demonstration of the power of the Lord.
For centuries people have sought to understand exactly what happened in this story. Was it some type of weather phenomenon? Was there some type of land bridge that crossed the Red Sea that allowed the people to escape? Is this all just a folk tale created around a fireside in ancient times? One theory is the Red Sea is a failed translation and it was the sea of reeds that they crossed. In the long run, we will never know the whole story. However, it still seems that having a healthy respect for the Lord and great desire to understand what the Lord requires of us is a good strategy to have in life. May we always be open to new understandings and find ways to enrich our relationship with the Lord and with each other!
Peace,
Pastor Chuck

09/09/2026

Patience is a Virtue!
“Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.”
Proverbs 16:32

The saying, “patience is a virtue” is one of those that many people use. As I thought of these words as they related to our verse from Proverbs, I found myself wanting to dig into the origin of this saying. Using our old friend Google I found several sources of interest. The first is a 3rd or 4th century Latin saying that translates into, “patience is the greatest virtue.” These words also show up in later English poem by William Langland entitled “Piers Plowman.” This poem, written in 1340, contains the verse, “patience is a fair virtue.” The author of our Proverb verse this morning also values patience. A patient person is of greater value than a warrior.
Over the centuries since these various positive aspects of patience are noted it seems that warriors may have risen in esteem. Societies tend to erect statutes to warriors, but those who display the virtue of being patient often go unrecognized. While we certainly need to have people who stand ready to defend our world, even those people need to have patience. Wars have started by those who have chosen haste and reaction over patience and compromise.
Every person knows the experience of losing patience with a situation, or dealing with someone who has lost patience with them. Often, when we reflect on those interactions, no matter what side we were on, we feel regret over the outcome. Perhaps it might be better for us to reflect on and internalize the wise words of Solomon, as well as the prose of Langland, and seek to be patient in our dealings with each other as we make our way through each day. May it be so for us today!
Peace,
Pastor Chuck

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09/08/2026

Level Ground!
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your spirit lead me on level ground.”
Psalm 143:10

My desk Bible notes that Psalm 143 is, “a psalm of David.” If we were to read the first few verses of this Psalm, we could conclude that David seems to be in distress. He speak of an enemy who pursues him, crushes him and causes him to dwell in darkness. His spirit grows faint and his heart is dismayed. It sounds like things are not so good for David at this moment in his life. So, what does David do, he calls out to the Lord and asks that the spirit of the Lord might lead him to, “level ground.”
Perhaps David feels that if he can get his feet set on level ground he might be in a better place to defend himself. The better footing he might find there may help him to feel more settled and less anxious. Maybe the level ground is a metaphor for the need for stability in his life and David is counting on his faith and the spirit of the Lord to help him find it.
This verse brought two instances to mind for me. The first is rooted in my experience as a golfer. Hitting a golf shot off a less than level lie can be a challenge. The flight of the ball and the strike your club makes on the ball can be affected by an unlevel lie, making it more difficult. I also consider that as we age, walking on unlevel surfaces can be difficult and even downright dangerous for some. Level ground is desirable in both instances.
David’s words here give us a glimpse into his faith and his reasoning that the Lord can offer that firm footing that we all need from time to time. They may be moments in our lives when the circumstances we face can be unsettling. The ground under us may not be moving, but it may seem hard to feel settled and comfortable. Those the times when we should do our best to take a moment and turn to the Lord (and to each other) as we seek stability and comfort. May we always be able to recognize our need to seek the constancy that can be offered to us through our faith in God and the Lord’s mercy for us!
Peace,
Pastor Chuck

09/03/2026

Eating With Your Cloak On!
“This how you are to eat it; with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover.”
Exodus 12:11

This morning’s devotional verse is from our first reading for our service this Sunday. We are spending the next few weeks reading from Exodus as we hear some stories from the ancient history of the Jewish people. The above verse is part of the story of Passover. Just as a brief refresher for those of you who have never seen the Ten Commandments, Passover was the final act by God to influence Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. The whole community of Israel was called to sacrifice a lamb and smear the lamb’s blood on the doorframes of their homes. Then they were to prepare the lamb in a certain way and serve it with bitter herbs and bread made without yeast. The blood on the doorframe would be a sign to the Lord, and the Lord would pass over their homes as the Lord destroyed the firstborn of the Egyptians. This is a discomforting story for many people who view the Lord as a benevolent being as opposed to being a vengeful God.
The verse that we have chosen for this morning’s devotional highlights the urgency of the moment. The people of Israel were instructed to eat the Passover meal in great haste. They were to be prepared to travel, dressed and ready to gather their family, belongings, and flocks when Pharoah finally grants their release. In our reading from Romans this week Paul also writes of the need to, “put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” because the salvation offered by Jesus is nearer that we might imagine. Once again, we need to be prepared to act when the Lord calls for us to respond.
Now if I had attempted to eat dinner standing up with my coat on my mother would have closed the kitchen before the American Chop suey was served. One did not hurry through dinner in my childhood home. If you ate too fast in an effort to go outside and play some more, you would end up sitting there until everyone else was done eating. What might have happened to us back in ancient Egypt is anyone’s guess.
The overarching point here is not about how your dress or how quickly you consume your dinner. Instead, it is about how open you are to the instructions of the Lord and the manner in which you respond to the Lord. The Word of the Lord is not always as clear to identify as it was for Moses and his flock. Often, it is much more subtle and not as urgent. Yet we do have ways of deciphering what the Lord expects of us. The Words of Scripture and our own moral compass can help us to discern what the Lord expects of us on this day. May we be open to responding without hesitancy or indecision!
Peace,
Pastor Chuck

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09/02/2026

Teach Your Children Well!
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6

When I was in middle school (I was in one of the first classes to transition to “middle school” from junior high school) our music teacher was a young man just out of college. Our classes consisted of listening to what we might refer to today as his playlist. Godspell was one of his favorites. He also was partial to Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. He played the song, “Teach Your Children” almost every class. He would have to analyze the lyrics and discuss the song composition. It was the consensus of my classmates that we never wanted to hear that song again after our teacher’s brief tenure (one year) ended.
This morning, when I came upon the above verse in Proverbs, that song sprung from my memory. The words about teaching your children followed by the lyrics about children teaching their parents always confounded me. But this morning I took the time to look up the origins of the song. Graham Nash wrote the lyrics about his complicated relationship with his father, who had spent time in prison. That one clue unlocked my mind and I came to a new understanding and appreciation of this song.
The verse from Proverbs quoted above urges the parents of ancient Israel, and anyone who encounters these words later, to give their children a good start. My interpretation of this instruction is that we should teach our children to discern right from wrong, trust in the Lord, and treat others they way they wish to be treated. It would seem that this training should go beyond mere words but should also be demonstrated through our actions.
One of the challenges of parenting is allowing your children to choose their path as they grow older. Hopefully their successes will exceed their failures. Looking back on my relationship with my parents I am sure that I caused them more angst than they deserved. Reflecting on being a parent I now know that the care you have for your progeny does not diminish as they, and we, age. All we can do is teach them, care for them, support them in their challenges and celebrate their victories. And perhaps we can all learn from each other along the way!
Peace,
Pastor Chuck

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09/01/2026

Tired Out?
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9
Between the message from Romans on Sunday and our devotional yesterday from Matthew it seems like we have focused a lot on doing good and shunning judgment. Today’s verse from Galatians comes from similar train of thought. In this verse Paul encourages the members of the church in Galatia to continue to do the right things. It seems that some people there have fallen prey to the fatigue that comes from doing good works that seem to go unnoticed or even disparaged. Paul urges them to shake off their weariness and look to the future where they will be rewarded for their efforts.
As I write this, I am thinking about my reaction to last night’s Red Sox game. They had what seemed to be a comfortable lead going into the sixth inning. Then, in a quick series of events Seattle scored 5 runs to gain a significant lead. At this point I was considering going to bed as I was already tired and had lost some enthusiasm due to the failure of the Sox bullpen. But the Sox rallied to force the game into extra innings and won it in the 10th. I was glad to be able to reap the harvest of victory in spite of my weariness.
Now I know that my lethargy had no effect on the game nor did it carry any Biblical significance. However, it is a somewhat watered-down example of Paul’s message to the Galatians. His words can find applications in so many different instances. Tired of yard work, just take a moment when you finish to appreciate your handiwork. Exhausted because of an illness, either yours or that of a loved one, imagine the joy that can come from healing. Driven to your bed by loss or grief, take time to remember the joy that came to you from what it was that you lost.
There are many circumstances in our lives and in our world that can bring about bone-aching fatigue. It may be best a times to step away for a moment to rest and recover your strength and commitment. But we always must remember that our faith can help us cast aside all weariness as we seek to continue to spread the good news of Christ though our words and deeds. May it be so for us today!
Peace,
Pastor Chuck

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08/31/2026

Does God Use Kilograms or Pounds?
Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1-2

This morning’s devotional verse comes from the section of Matthew that includes Jesus’ sermon on the mount. Jesus had gathered his disciples around him on a hillside and sat down and began to teach them. He told them many things about what living in the kingdom of heaven requires. In the above verse he cautions them not to judge others behavior too harshly. For they too will be judged in the same manner. Jesus uses the example of measurements to make his point. These words reminded me of the Proverbs that speak of the Lord valuing those who use honest weights and measures in their dealings. If you deal with others too harshly and without empathy, you too will face the same difficulties when you deal with the Lord.
In yesterday’s sermon text from Romans, the apostle Paul wrote that his readers should, “… leave room for God’s wrath.” That sounds a bit severe a first blush does it not? But if we look deeper, we might find that Paul is reminding us that judgment is not our business. We are called to care for everyone, both those we care for and those we might not be so fond of. Judgment is not for you and I to pass, that is the Lord’s business. Leaving room for that means that we let the Lord be the ultimate judge of you, of me, of all of us.
When we reflect on this concept of leaving room, we can realize that it can apply to our own relationships. Leaving room for varying opinions, leaving room for disagreements without estrangement, leaving room for forgiveness and reconciliation. May we find ways in which to leave room for the Lord, and for each other, in the world today!
Peace,
Pastor Chuck

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08/13/2026

No Pressure!
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10

Paul, the author of the letter to the Ephesians, claims in the above verse that we are “God’s workmanship.” If that truly is the case, I have a couple of bones to pick with the Lord. What is up with my terrible eye-sight and pancake flat feet? If that is an example of the Lord’s workmanship we might want to look into a sub-contractor. Of course, I know I cannot blame the Lord for my physical deficiencies, my father has to carry the culpability for that.
It is not the workmanship aspect of Pauls’ words that I wish to reflect on today. Instead, I want to consider the Paul’s idea that we were created to do good works, “which God prepared in advance for us to do.” This caused me to scratch my head a bit. What did God prepare? Was it us that the Lord prepared to do good works? Was it the good works? Were we placed in a spot where we could act to fulfill the Lord’s desire for to do good works? Is it all of the above? How does this thought jive with Paul’s theory of being justified by faith?
If you are familiar with the concept of being justified by faith it is fairly simple. A person who has faith does not to do good works to be justified (accepted) by the Lord. Their faith is all they need. The good works that they do are not required but are instead done of out of their gratitude for being justified. Viewed in this way we can see that we are still expected to do good works whenever the chance arises. We do these things not because we need to but because we are grateful and we know that it is what we are called to do. May we continue to seek ways to honor our Lord through our actions on this day!
Peace,
Pastor Chuck

08/12/2026

Choice Morsels?
“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inward parts.”
Proverbs 18:8

As I pondered this morning’s verse for Proverbs Wednesday, I took a look at some of the verses around it. I usually do this as the accompanying verses can sometimes give us clues to understanding the words we are focused on. I noticed that much of what we read in the section of Proverbs is related to speech and the words we use. An example can be found in Proverbs 18:2, which reads, “A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.” Also, “A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.” (Proverbs 18:6) There must have been a lot of fools yacking back in those days.
As one who has frequently been found with his foot firmly placed within his mouth, I can attest to the fact that it is often wise to turn one’s words over in their mind before blurting out some foolishness. “He who answers before listening – that is his folly and his shame.” (Proverbs 18:13) Our words can be powerful tools. But as is the case with most tools, you need to be careful with them, or you might cause yourself irreparable injury.
The struggle is that as humans, we like to hear and be heard. We also like share and obtain information. Sometimes that sharing can go beyond the bounds of reasonability and become hurtful to others. That is the demarcation line for the separation of sharing and gossiping. Sharing juicy news about others is satisfying to some but can be hurtful to those spoken of. Instead, we should seek to speak words designed to lift others up in the style and manner of Jesus.
I will close this morning’s devotional with a prayer my friend, the late Rev Robert Rust had inscribed on a pillow in his office. It read, “May the words in my mouth be as sweet as honey, for some day I may have to eat them!”
Peace,
Pastor Chuck

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