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Speaker: Rev. Dr. Kit Schooley

What if everything you thought you knew about how the Bible came together was incomplete? The messy, human story behind Christianity's sacred text reveals a journey far more fascinating than most Sunday School lessons suggest.

The Bible didn't arrive as a pre-packaged collection of divine writings. Its formation followed no clear pattern, evolving through what one Methodist preacher called a "wild and woolly" process that "no one except maybe God could fully understand." This revelation forms the foundation of "Getting to 66," an exploration of how the 66 books that constitute our modern Bible came to be recognized as sacred scripture.

Perhaps most surprising is the timeline: Jesus died around 30 CE, but the first gospel wasn't written until 40 years later. None of the New Testament authors wrote with any expectation their works would become "scripture." The familiar gospels emerged gradually - Mark (70 CE), Matthew (90 CE), Luke (shortly after), and John (95-100 CE) - each reflecting different theological emphases and community needs. Meanwhile, approximately 50 other gospels circulated among early Christian communities, many now lost to history.

As Christianity spread beyond Jerusalem into the Greek-speaking world, particularly after Rome's destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE, the faith faced existential questions: How could diverse congregations scattered across the Mediterranean maintain unity without centralized leadership? What defined authentic Christian teaching? Was Jesus human, divine, or both? These questions sparked theological battles that would rage for centuries, particularly against movements like Gnosticism with its emphasis on secret knowledge and spiritual hierarchies.

The formation of the Bible wasn't merely a theological exercise but a deeply political 200-year process shaped by personalities, power struggles, and practical concerns. Understanding this human dimension doesn't diminish scripture's significance but invites us to approach it with greater humility and awareness of the complex journey that brought these ancient texts together.

What questions does this origin story raise about your own understanding of scripture? Join us next week as we continue exploring how these diverse texts were eventually wrangled into the canonical collection we know today.

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Preaching: Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Fearing

Text: Luke 14:25-33

What does it really mean to follow Jesus? In Luke 14:25-33, Jesus delivers what might be considered the worst recruitment pitch ever: "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple." These jarring words launch us into an honest exploration of discipleship's true cost.

Far from advocating literal hatred of family, Jesus employs powerful hyperbole to emphasize a crucial truth: following him demands absolute priority in our lives. Like someone calculating whether they have resources to complete a tower or a king assessing if his army can defeat a larger force, would-be disciples must honestly count the cost before committing. Christianity isn't a hobby to enjoy or an identity to weaponize—it's a radical reorientation that challenges everything about how we live.

We explore this concept through our congregation's recent summer shelter project, which provided housing for homeless women for 90 days. This ministry required surrendering control, space, time, and comfort—exactly the kind of sacrifices Jesus describes. Yet through these very sacrifices came transformation, connection, and joy. This paradox sits at discipleship's heart: it's demanding yet liberating, costly yet fulfilling. When we say yes to God's call—swimming against cultural currents of convenience, individualism, and power—we discover what it means to truly follow Jesus. His invitation isn't easy, but it opens us to a life of purpose beyond what our consumer culture can provide. Are you ready to count the cost and follow?

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Preacher: Dylan Lewellyn

Texts: Lamentations 3 & John 14:1-17

Grief comes to us all, yet our society often teaches us to suppress it, push through it, or overcome it as quickly as possible. This powerful sermon challenges that narrative by diving deep into biblical perspectives on sorrow, particularly through the often-overlooked book of Lamentations.

The message begins with a profound observation: grief isn't limited to death but emerges from countless losses—relationships ending, physical abilities changing, possessions disappearing, or futures we planned suddenly vanishing. Through scriptural exploration, we discover something revolutionary—the Bible doesn't just acknowledge human grief but gives us permission to express it fully, even when that means directing our anger toward God. As the writer of Lamentations demonstrates, we can honestly accuse God of walling us in and breaking our bones when that's how grief feels, without fear of punishment or abandonment.

What makes this message particularly healing is its rejection of oversimplified models of grief. Rather than progressing neatly through stages toward a tidy resolution, grief moves circularly, returning unexpectedly years or decades later. The preacher shares touching personal examples—tears triggered by a Conway Twitty song ten years after an uncle's death, seminary classmates still overcome with emotion about losses from years past. But within this honest assessment comes the sermon's most beautiful insight: grief persists precisely because love persists. Our ongoing sadness testifies to the depth of our connections and the meaning we've experienced.

Have you felt shame about grief that lingers or returns? Has someone told you to "move on" or "get over it"? This message offers liberation from those harmful expectations. Christ himself wept, showing us that tears are sacred expressions of our humanity. When grief feels overwhelming, remember there's always a "but" or a "yet" moment coming—not to erase your pain, but to help you hold both sorrow and hope together in what one character calls "beautiful sadness." Listen, reflect, and discover how faith creates space for the full spectrum of human emotion.

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The words of Psalm 23 and Romans 8 set the perfect tone for remembering Vernon Mull, whose 92 years on earth embodied the promise that nothing can separate us from God's love. Born in 1932 in humble circumstances in Weaverville, Vernon learned early the value of perseverance and hard work – qualities that would define his character throughout his remarkable life.

What strikes me most about Vernon's story is how he balanced success with genuine humility. Though he built a respected business career, he never forgot the importance of human connection. He knew every employee by name, making each person feel valued and respected. In a world where achievement often breeds self-importance, Vernon remained grounded, always remembering those who had, as Mr. Rogers would say, "loved him into being." His 70-year love story with Sally Swain stands as testament to his capacity for deep, enduring relationships.

Vernon faced life's inevitable challenges with his characteristic smile or thumbs up, reflecting an unwavering faith that carried him through both peaks and valleys. His quiet, reserved manner masked a profound generosity of spirit that touched countless lives – through family connections, church involvement at Guilford Park Presbyterian, and friendships nurtured over decades. The service celebrating his life wasn't just a funeral but a "witness to the resurrection," affirming the hope that death isn't the end but rather the beginning of eternal life. As we carry Vernon's memory forward, we're invited to embody his legacy of compassion, connection, and care for others. How might our lives change if we approached each relationship with the same genuine interest and respect that Vernon showed to everyone he met?

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Faced with hardship, how do we keep our hearts from growing hard? This memorial service for 94-year-old Carolyn Sherrick explores a remarkable life guided by what the pastor calls "the three Gs of faith": gentleness, generosity, and gratitude.

From her meticulous work as a CPA to her collection of over 800 nativity scenes gathered during travels to 90 countries, Carolyn embodied intentional living. Her pastor shares touching memories of this unique parishioner—perhaps the only nonagenarian with whom he could have deep conversations about Harry Potter! This connection to stories like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings reflected Carolyn's understanding of life's fundamental struggle between light and darkness, and her choice to remain gentle even when circumstances might justify bitterness.

Through 71 years of marriage with her beloved Dick, Carolyn demonstrated that love doesn't merely endure challenges—it deepens through them. Even while caring for her husband during his heart failure, she maintained that characteristic twinkle in her eye and readiness to serve others. When the church discussed medical debt relief or creating a women's shelter, Carolyn was always first to ask, "How can I help?"

The service concludes with a profound reflection on Romans 8, affirming that nothing—not hardship, loss, or even death—can separate us from God's love. For those grieving, there's comfort in Dumbledore's words to Harry Potter: "Do not pity the dead. Pity the living and, above all, those who live without love." By that measure, Carolyn's life was immeasurably rich. How might her example inspire us to face our own challenges with gentleness instead of cynicism? Consider how you might incorporate the three Gs into your own spiritual practice today.

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There's something profoundly spiritual about a neighborhood—that collection of people brought together not by choice but by proximity, learning to share space and life with one another. This concept forms the heart of our special joint worship service between Fellowship Presbyterian and Guilford Park Presbyterian Churches, where we explore the surprising ministry of Fred Rogers.

Did you know that Fred Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister? Many are shocked to learn this, assuming his beloved children's program was secular entertainment. Yet Rogers' revolutionary approach to television embodied deep theological truths without ever explicitly quoting scripture or mentioning God. His ministry was controversial when he was ordained in 1962, challenging traditional notions of what church leadership should look like.

During our worship, we explored fascinating aspects of Rogers' intentional approach to life—from maintaining his weight at exactly 143 pounds (representing "I love you" with its 1-4-3 letter count) to his mother knitting all his iconic sweaters. We discovered the five words Rogers used most frequently on his show: "know," "make," "go," "see," and most significantly, "o"—used 918 times across 895 episodes to express wonder, curiosity, and love.

Scripture readings from Micah 6:1-8 and Mark 12:28-34 reminded us of God's call to "do justice, love kindness, walk humbly" and Jesus's teaching that the greatest commandments are to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves. Perhaps when Rogers called everyone "neighbor," he was intentionally echoing these sacred texts, creating a ministry that demonstrated rather than preached these values.

Our service included a special blessing for students and educators returning to school, interactive conversations between worshippers, and powerful music that united our congregations. As we navigate an increasingly divided world, Rogers' example invites us to see the divine image in every face we meet and to make kindness our first, second, and third priority. Won't you join us in exploring what it means to truly be neighbors?

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Preaching: Rev. Dr. Kathryn G. N. Campbell

Text: Micah 6:1-8 & Mark 12:28-34

Fred Rogers wasn't just a television personality—he was a Presbyterian pastor whose ministry unfolded daily on screens across America. His deliberate choice to call his viewers "neighbors" wasn't coincidental but likely rooted in Jesus's teachings about loving our neighbors as ourselves.

When we examine the scripture readings from Micah 6:1-8 and Mark 12:28-34, we discover the blueprint for Rogers' approach to children's television. Micah reminds us that God requires us to "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God," while Jesus teaches that loving God and loving our neighbors are the greatest commandments. These biblical principles formed the foundation of Rogers' 31-season, 895-episode ministry to children.

The words Rogers used most frequently reveal his commitment to active engagement rather than passive entertainment. "Know" invited curiosity, "make" encouraged understanding creation, "go" promoted movement, and "see" emphasized active perception over passive watching. Most significantly, Rogers used the word "oh" 918 times—expressing wonder, joy, and the desire to learn more about others. His famous closing words—"You've made this day a special day by just being you"—affirmed each child's inherent worth as a beloved creation.

As we navigate our own neighborhoods, Rogers' example challenges us to move beyond merely watching others to truly seeing them—recognizing their dignity, engaging with genuine curiosity, and valuing each person as a unique and precious neighbor. What might our communities look like if we embraced this biblical understanding of neighborliness with the same intentionality that Fred Rogers brought to television?

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Preacher: Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Fearing

Text: Esther 1

A seemingly obscure figure in scripture, Queen Vashti emerges as an unexpected hero in the opening chapter of Esther—a story often skipped in Sunday School. Before Esther saved her people, there was a woman who refused to be objectified, even when commanded by the most powerful man in the known world.

Queen Vashti's defiance unfolds against the backdrop of ancient Persia, where King Ahasuerus (likely the historical Xerxes) rules 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia. After hosting a 180-day drinking festival to showcase his wealth and power, the intoxicated king demands Vashti appear before his drunken officials wearing only her royal crown. Her response? A resounding "no" that sends shockwaves through the patriarchal power structure.

The king's advisors panic at this unprecedented defiance, fearing that if word spreads, women throughout the empire might similarly question their husbands' authority. Their solution—banishing Vashti and issuing an empire-wide decree that "every man should be master in his own house"—reveals the fragility of systems built on unquestioning obedience. Though Vashti disappears from the narrative, her courage creates the vacancy that allows Esther to become queen and eventually save her people.

This forgotten biblical account stands alongside modern examples of how absurdity and humor can effectively challenge oppression—like journalist Stetson Kennedy infiltrating the KKK in the 1940s and sharing their secrets with Superman radio show writers, ultimately undermining the organization through public ridicule. Both stories remind us that sometimes the most powerful word we can speak is "no," especially when confronting demands that compromise our dignity or humanity.

What situations in your life might require the courage of Queen Vashti? Subscribe to hear more untold biblical stories that challenge our understanding of faith, power, and resistance.

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