Let Go, Let God, and Let’s Go!

Preached by Michael Cheuk
January 25, 2009, Third Sunday of Epiphany, Year B
Mark 1:14-20

In April of 1984, I received an invitation that changed my life forever.  That invitation came in the form of a letter, an acceptance letter to be exact, offering me admission to Rice University in Houston as a member of the class of 1988.  Rice University wasn’t exactly on my radar screen during my sophomore year in high school.  But during my junior year, my guidance counselor recommended that I check out the university, since it had a good reputation in engineering, which was the area that I wanted to major in at the time.  After visiting the campus, I really liked the school.  My friends in high school joked that that should have been no surprise-since I was Chinese, of course I should like Rice!

In today’s Gospel lesson from Mark, several fishermen received an invitation that changed their lives forever.  That invitation came in the form of a call, from a rabbi, a teacher named Jesus, who was just starting out his ministry proclaiming the good news that the kingdom of God was near.  One day, Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee. He found four men fishing in the lake and said to them: “Come, follow me.”

What a strange thing for a rabbi to do.  

Well-Known, Well-Loved

Preached by Michael Cheuk
January 18, 2009, Second Sunday of Epiphany, Year B
Psalm 139:1-18

I have a question for our married folks this morning.  I’d like to know which couple in our sanctuary this morning has been married the longest.  After so many years of marriage, do you feel like you know your spouse pretty well?  Do you know your spouse’s favorite food, favorite hobby, pet peeves, etc?  You probably know things about each other that no one else in the world knows.  You also know about each other’s quirks, faults, failings, warts and all.  And yet you are together and love another.  Today, we have flowers placed in the sanctuary in honor of Paul and Peggy Cave, who celebrated their 56^th anniversary yesterday.  Speaking of anniversaries, Howard and Iris Ferguson celebrated their 60^th anniversary on Dec. 25, and they had a reception last Sunday afternoon at the Fuqua School.  When I saw Howard at the reception, I told him: “Happy Anniversary Howard, I’m so happy for you!  But I must congratulate Iris for putting up with you for this long!”  When I visit long-time married couples, I find it sweet to see them finishing each other’s sentences, and anticipating each other’s thoughts and needs.  In their many years together, they know so much about each other, and in some cases, they even begin to look like one another!  It is inspiring to witness such love that comes from such an intimate knowledge.

Defining Moment

Preached by Michael Cheuk
January 11, 2009, Baptism of the Lord Sunday, Year B
Genesis 1:1-5; Mark 1:4-11

Defining Moment.  According to Dictionary.com, a “defining moment” is a point at which the essential nature or character of a person or group is revealed or identified.[1] Another definition characterizes it as an occurrence that typifies or determines all related events that follow.[2] In the recent history of our country, we’ve had many defining moments.  Many of you remember the bombing of Pearl Harbor, or Neil Armstrong taking that first step on the moon, or the collapse of the World Trade Center.  These events revealed the essential character of our nation and her citizens, and it had repercussions on all related events that followed.  In our personal lives, we too have defining moments.  Perhaps it was standing up to the bully in the school playground.  Perhaps it was accomplishing something that not many people thought you could do.  Perhaps it was saying “I do” at your wedding, promising your commitment and your life to your spouse in front of family and friends.  Defining moments have a way of revealing who we truly are and how we will live into the future.

In our scripture lessons this morning, we read about two important defining moments.