SON OF GOD SPEAK

Read: John 19

SON OF GOD SPEAK

BY LUONNE ABRAM ROUSE

Son of God speak,

The words of love ringing good news.

So eloquent in motivating people to see

The Kingdom of God, which we dare to choose.

So it is the Voice, we come to follow;

From the river of Jordan with the dove,

To The Cross of Calvary, we hear the Father holler:

“You are my Son, in whom I love!”

Forever on Sundays and then, recalling the swan song;

Are men and women preaching with clarity

The declaring of God forgiving the Wrong –

Who in sincere heart abide in faith, hope and charity.

Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday is the time of year, when joy rejoices to witness the coming of children, youth, men and women to celebrate – Life. The most popular name for it is Easter or Easter Sunday, when observing Easter Monday and other days of the Easter season.

The Random House Dictionary (Concise Edition) defines Easter as an annual Christian festival in commemoration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Why should you observe Easter, when you may not be a confessed Christian? Should a preacher in the Christian tradition invite people with or without Christian faith to join in the commemoration of Jesus Christ? Yes! We invite everyone. It is as simple as this: You are invited to worship with us because Jesus Christ exists for you, too.

You are invited to make an intelligent decision about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ based on the only evidence we have:

1. The Gospels
2. New Testament Writings other than the Gospels
3. The existence of the Christian Church/Faith with beliefs in the Old and New Testaments of Holy Scripture by followers of Jesus today.

We celebrate life within worship in the Christian community believing: “… God created (human beings) in his own image, in the image of God he created (them); male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27). Faith in God is a given in United Methodist Church Huntington-Cold Spring Harbor. We hope persons seeking a place of peace will come through the doors of this local church and return throughout life on earth. The Prince of Peace – Jesus Christ is taught and proclaimed here as Lord of lords and King of kings, our Redeemer.

Any given Sunday, worshippers share in an affirmation of faith. One that is taken to heart is the historic confession of the Christian faith - The Apostles Creed:

• ·          I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believer in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen

Holy Week observances move from the mixture of triumphant entry, through the suffering servant and onto the joy of Easter. Easter has meaning for every person, who has patience to listen and hear the truth of the last week in the earthly life of Jesus. Jesus travels into Jerusalem on the return trip home to God. When we worship through Holy Week onto the cross and from the cross to the grave; and from the grave to the ascension, we, too, are participating in the journey of faith. This is a faith journey through the acts of God’s salvation for human beings, including but not restricted to Christians. Then, why believe Jesus is our Savior? You will believe, once you experience God and center on Jesus as the Son of God, who rose to defeat death, even for us.

Travel into Huntington Village, New York (part of the Township of Huntington on Long Island) is so refreshing, following a train ride on the Long Island Railroad from Penn Station – New York City. If you ask why, then I will consider Huntington Village is not considered your place of peace and rest. The hustle and bustle of New York City is grand and indeed the cheers around the different places in the metro-city of the world can be superb. However, there is a truth to the saying: “There is no place like home.” Huntington is home for now. It has not always been home, having been born in South Carolina. So blessed through the years, it would be a discredit to the grace of God to speak of downs. Still without the downs the grace would not be significant. We live today, not by merit, but by grace. Through the sufferings and pains responsible to no one but ourselves, we have come this far and will go the distance by faith in the grace and mercies of God. At the rising of the sun at Easter, you are invited to worship the God, who carries us through the storms of life to a blessed peace - home.

Home is to be the place, where you can leave it all behind and be done with the troubles of traveling, working, meeting, entertaining or even being entertained. It is often at home that we find comfort and love or simply a place of solitude. Jesus went home, after toiling on earth, where he revealed the nature of God and redeemed human life. Come and recall the home going of Jesus Christ and find a home for your soul on earth, right here and now. In his home on earth, the Son of God speaks through singing, prayers, preaching, witnessing, and in silence. On the cross, he says: "It is finished." (John 19:30b) In the body of Christ - the Church, we say: Son of God Speak!



Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us and speak. Amen

KONY: 3 things UNICEF needs you to know to help children in conflict

Read: 1 Corinthians 13

Reminded of the suffering of peoples around the world, do you some times wonder? Do you ever wonder what can be done to end the maltreatment of people by people?

Learn the happenings among people in the world, then join the interactions for change...good change.

Men and women caring for people around the globe are intentionally interacting to realize peace with justice.

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy and help us bring to justice the unjust. Amen.
 

Bishop Claude Rouse, Sr.

Read Proverbs 8

February 2012, I revisited nine years ago, remembering the suffering and dying of my father. Usually, when I think of Dad it has to do with lessons learned about church administration or community relations or just his unfailing love. Great man, best father, my friend forever and ever.

Recalling the teachings of my father brings laughter and wisdom. When I would be incorrect on a matter, Dad would say: "The more I try to teach you, the dumber you get." Then, we would laugh harder and harder as I would retort: "No wonder I am so dump, look who is teaching me." Then, I would make the necessary change and vow to aspire for his wisdom.

I had so much fun growing up in the midst of struggles and joys, joys through struggles. Living life to the fullness of the opportunities before us was to order of each day. For numerous years, we would end the day with good games of scrabble. Dad would be the one to make up words and grant permission to himself, since he was the preacher. Oh, the joy that filled my heart laughter at the man, who was beyond compare as my friend.

Strange how I thought living without him would be necessary, when he died. I actually believed that there would be no more lessons learned from my teacher - preacher. I was wrong. In error, yet again. I have tried to make it on my own and think of him as dead and not alive. I have had dreams where my mother, who died ten months prior to dad would come as clear and adorned in glory telling me to go into the next room and talk to my father. When I would open the door to the next room, I would picture him dead not alive and turn to Mom but she would be gone.

This year, it came to me. I cannot live without ever. I was wrong when I told him it was alright to go so that I could make it without him. Dead wrong was I. I need my teacher to come back to be as clear with me as my mother.  The error is at the end of the first paragraph of the original obituary I wrote in 2003. I limited myself not trusting in God to fulfill his promise for me with Dad as he had done with me. Low and behold the day has come for me to say to God: "Thank you!" The thanks is not for the life he lived or that I can make it without him. I am thanking God, because "though he died, yet does he live." God knows what to do with limitations, and God has given me the power and authority to rise above the limit unto the unlimited faith in the resurrected life. I see my father's smile again and I accept his teachings again as he is with me. February is behind me now after nine years of holding be captive to the death of one, who is yet alive. This March, I am marching with my father again. Thank you, God!

“Jesus Wept” (John 11:35)

                On his dying day, Dad opened wide his eyes toward heaven, stretched out his hand, smiled, freed his spirit, and traveled into eternal life. No more pain. No more sick days.  No more screaming out in the night – “Lula! O boy! O Lord!”  After eighty-three years and twenty-nine days God lifted him from the troubles of this world.  And, I am not happy about it, but I accept it.  One day I will be able to look back, and say to God: “Thank you,” but right now allow me to say to you - I miss my father.  If I could have kept him alive forever and ever I would have, but I am too limited.

United Methodist Minister and prominent advocate of justice for oppressed Americans through a theology of love and grace, Reverend Bishop Claude Rouse, Sr. challenged racial segregation and discrimination throughout his adult life in the church and community. Bishop, son of the Reverend Hiram Bishop Rouse (1896-1964), attended public schools in Lumberton, North Carolina.  In the 1940s, while a soldier, whose father was a Methodist pastor in Marion County, he met Lula Alberta Woodbury (1928-2002) who resided in Marion, SC. They were married in 1947.

He completed theological studies at Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta, GA in the late forties having graduated from Allen University after serving in World War II. His pastoral appointments included: Easley Charge - Easley, SC, 1949-58; Level Green - Bennettsville, SC, 1958-60; Centenary (Hartsville Circuit) - Hartsville, SC, 1960-64; Wesley - Columbia, SC, 1964-71; Mt. Zion - Kingstree, SC, 1971-76; Lake City Charge - Lake City, SC, 1976-80; Bamberg Parish - Bamberg, SC, 1980-84; and Chesnee, SC, 1984-85.

Throughout life, inspired by his father and uncles – preachers, he accepted the teachings and ministries of the Methodist tradition.  He mastered the art of preaching salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.  A leader among local clergymen, he felt it important to guide and assist young aspiring candidates into the ordained ministry. Bishop's preaching abilities and sincere pastoral leadership would lead to church growth in membership, building of adequate facilities, increase in programmatic ministries, and dynamic worship experiences.

           In November of 2002, he moved to Greenville after a brief stay at Bradford Gardens Assisted Living facility and hospitalization at the Marion Regional Medical Center in Marion. This extraordinary Christian preacher, superb father, and first class friend died at Laurel Baye Health Center of Greenville, SC in the presence of his daughter-in-law, Connie.  Predicted to die due to illness in 1950, five years prior to my birth, my father promised me in 1961 that he would live until I was able to manage without his presence on earth. He kept his promise. Thanks God!

           Services: Visitation - Mt. Zion UMC in Kingstree, SC, 2/22, with Rev. Dr. Clyde A. Anderson; Celebration Service of Resurrection 2/23, - Wesley United Methodist Church, Columbia, S.C. with Bishop Marshall L. Meadors; Committal - Devotional Gardens, Marion, SC, February 24, 2003, by Rev. Dr. Luonne A. Rouse.

He is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law: Bishop Claude Rouse, Jr. (Minnie) of Danbury, Conn.; Bernard Jerome Rouse, Sr. (Ruth) of Frederick, MD, and Luonne Abram Rouse (Connie) of Greenville, SC; a sister: Bess Ball of Philadelphia, PA; a foster brother: Dale Barnes of Marion, SC; a mother, Geneva Rouse of Orangeburg, SC; a sister and brother-in-law, Ghussan Rouse-Greene (George) of Orangeburg, SC; Linda Booker Rouse of Philadelphia, PA; nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, numerous cousins, colleagues, friends, and neighbors.

                                                                                                                                Luonne Abram Rouse

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on us, so that when we think it is over a divine revelation will come to allow us to see a victorious life of faith. Amen