Rev. Dr. Chuck Currie

A History of the Covenant: From Moses to Joshua

This morning a special service was held at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ to mark 97 years of ministry on the corner of 105th and NE Wygant in NE Portland. All the living former ministers were invited to participate by The Rev. Don Frueh, the congregation’s newly installed minister. Like many mainline churches, Parkrose has in recently years suffered membership losses. In many ways our mainline churches have lost direction and a sense of mission. The people of Parkrose Community United Church of Christ have used the last few years, however, to discern where God was calling the church in this age. They have decided to leave their building behind as part of that process and to share space with a United Methodist Church in the neighborhood as they make preparations in the next few years to find a permanent home that also allows for some as yet defined mission project that benefits the community. I was honored to serve this faithful community for three years as their interim mister and to join them once again this morning for a celebratory service one week before they move into their new temporary space. My homily, not a sermon, focused on the leadership transition between Moses and Joshua.

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May The Peace Of Christ Be With You This Easter Morning

Luke 24:1-12 (NRSV)

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

As Christians, we remember Good Friday as the day Jesus was put to death by the Roman Empire. His crime: preaching God’s message of radical inclusion, justice, grace and love. The powers and the principalities of his day – much like our own – could not abide by his teachings and felt threatened by his influence. Rome did what all powers do when they feel their hold on power endangered. They attempted to silence the Prince of Peace by putting him to death. But Jesus did not die when he died and ever since we have experienced the Risen Christ, a powerful reminder that hope endures and that Almighty God remains sovereign over all. Let our prayers be with all those who suffer this day – the hungry and homeless, victims of wars, those who mourn, those who are sick, and those who are oppressed. Jesus stands with the least of these today just as he did 2000 years ago. God’s light can overcome any darkness we may face. May this morning of the resurrection find you well and may the peace of Christ be with you.

- Rev. Chuck Currie