"Making Moral Choices" - A Word from our Pastor May 2011

Words from our pastor, Sandy Hackett, that may be helpful in light of Osama Bin Laden's death:


A Word From Our Pastor - LCPC May 2011 Newsletter


"Making Moral Choices" 


Several weeks ago, I preached a sermon on ―Making Moral Choices. I promised a number of you that I would reprint parts of it in the newsletter since the book I was working from is out of print.  The book is called  "Choices:  Making Right Decisions in a Complex World,” by Lewis B. Smedes.  


Smedes says that most moral decisions are made on a continuum rather than being simply right/wrong, good/bad.  He offers language that makes it possible to talk about this continuum in a way that does not compromise Biblical standards and yet acknowledges that we are broken people in a broken world.   I first heard this material in a lecture he offered in my ethics class at Fuller, and I have never forgotten it.


When we have a decision to make, Smedes says that our first and best hope is for choice that is celebrational.  I love his question.  He asks, ―Is there singing in heaven because of this decision?  Are the rights of all parties honored in such a way that everyone has won?   Is it excellent?” 


This is always our best hope and highest goal, but we can’t always reach it.  So he suggests the following criteria, in descending order:


Is it justifiable?  Is this act warranted, legally permissible, circumstantially necessary?   This is the minimum standard we have to meet for something to be considered morally ―right.



Is this obligatory—something I must do.  ―We are, for instance, obligated to keep our hands off other people’s throats and out of their pockets.


Is this tolerable?  ―We do not tolerate people walking naked down Main Street at high noon.  This does not mean that noonday nudity is morally wrong; it only means that most of us do not want to see it on our streets.


In the hardest places of life the question becomes at the very least, Is this permissible?  In ethics class, we debated case studies around questions like ―Is it permissible to steal life-sustaining medication if you are too poor to purchase it? The answer isn’t a blinding yes/no, good/bad, right/wrong.  Compelling rights and responsibilities are in competition here.


Smedes suggests that sometimes we simply seek to pass the test, is it excusable? “We excuse people when we decide that while they have done something wrong, they are not really to blame for what they did.  Smedes uses the example of a friend who committed suicide, deeply  wounding his wife and children, his patients and all who depended on him.  However, he was in the midst of such a great depression, that his desire to escape made his decision understandable.  Not right, but excusable.


And finally, Smedes says, as desperately broken people operating in a shatteringly broken world, the final question we ask of any moral decision is, is it forgiveable?  Can I forgive?  Can I be forgiven?  And more importantly, can God forgive?  And the answer is ultimately, yes.  There is nothing we can do that God cannot forgive if we are willing to accept his forgiveness.  We are back at the cross of Christ.  Because of his body broken and his blood shed, we are forgiven.  


That isn’t where we want to start in making moral decisions.  We do not sin that grace may abound, b/c forgiveness doesn't exempt us from the consequences of our choices.  Nor does it protect others from the extraordinary pain that we can inflict when we sin.  But it is possible to receive the forgiveness of God for even the most selfish and destructive of decisions.


Is it celebrational?  Justifiable?  Obligatory?  Tolerable, permissible, excusable?  Is it forgivable?  These are the questions we ask when making moral choices.  It is my prayer that we would find a celebrational solution to the crises each of us face in our personal lives, and that in the infinite grace, mercy, and strength of God that we might  find such a celebrational solution to the crises of our world.   


- Pastor Sandy


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Lent Wednesday Soup & Study for All Ages

Lenten Wednesdays @ LCPC

Soup & Bread Supper and Bible Study

Wed. Feb. 24th  - Wed. March 24th ~ 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

All ages welcome (see program plans below). 

Come and join in a simple soup and bread supper with a community of friends and family focused on Jesus. There will be a small suggested donation amount but this is a make-donation-if- you-are-able meal.

Separate study tracks provided for all ages:

* Adults: Comparison study of various New Testament stories found in the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. Come for a new perspective or simply a refresher on the good news God gives us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Led by Jerry Berger,.

* Children in grades K-5 are invited to participate in  games, songs, hands-on activities exploring the purpose of the season of Lent. Led by Leena Prindle (DFF).

* Youth in grades 6-12 get to experience Jesus through an interactive Bible study. Games, worship, and hangout time in the youth room included. led by Rebecca Coffey (Youth Ministry Associate).

* Free nursery care provided for infants, toddlers,  and preschool age children. Provided by Margaux Blitch

If you’d like to sign up to help serve or provide items for the supper contact Susan Potemkin, and for program questions contact Jerry Berger or Leena Prindle via the church office.

Class this Sunday 1/24 & 2/3 - What Do Presbyterians Believe?

Lake City Pres is offering two one-hour sessions on Presbyterian beliefs and Theology on Jan. 24th and Feb. 3rd.

Adults and youth who are new or have questions/curiousity regarding Christianity or Presbyterian beliefs or if you just want a theology refresher course - all are invited to participate in this free class. Leena Prindle will be facilitating the class using materials provided by ThoughtfulChristian.com

Sunday January 24th - 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. (Time has been/may be adjusted due to the Annual Congregational meeting that follows worship).
Session 1: Covers historical Christianity background to answer "What Does Presbyterian Mean?" and "Who are Presbyterians & What Do They Believe?".

Sunday February 3rd - 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Session 2: Briefly covers the topics of God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Salvation by Grace, Election and Predestination, Church, Sacraments (Baptism/Communion) and Future Life in relation to Christian and Presbyterian Beliefs.

Both class sessions will provide handouts and references for further personal research.

Childcare: If you have children infant through 1st grade childcare is available in the nursery upon RSVP. please contact Leena Prindle by the day before each class starts so we can provide care. Also if your child will be hungry please provide a snack/lunch for them.