The View from the Pulpit

November 23, 2009

Dear Church Family:

I’m still full from yesterday’s feast.  It was a day filled with music; this year’s Carol Choir (Preschool to 2^nd grade) debut, The DJ’S (women’s quartet) wonderful harmonies, the Sanctuary Choir’s call to follow in Christ’s footsteps, a good mixture praise and commitment to God from composers who lived in the 19^th - 20^th & 21^st centuries.  It was a day filled with shouts of Thanksgiving and prayer in a manner quite unexpected of a Methodist gathering.  It was a day filled with the presence of God’s vision for all creation. And, of course, it was a day filled with food. The feast was sumptuous.  Thanks to all who have learned to do amazing things with the basics that God provides.  And thanks to Charolyn’s organizational skills and the work of the Serendipity class of almost young adults.  It was a good way to begin this special week set aside to thank God for life.

I’m also filled with gratitude for the good people called United Methodist here in Kennett and was reminded of their offerings during the afternoons meeting of the Charge Conference.  Rev. David Norbury led our gathering by helping us celebrate who we are as a church called to serve God and asking us to name some challenges God has revealed that only we can attempt (with God’s help) for the glory of God’s Household.  And of course we did the “business” stuff that has to be done each year.  Thanks to All the Committee Chairpersons; Michael Bell, David Lynn, Sue Hemann, Anita Brogden, Christie Greenway, Monte Owen, John Wheeler, Kerry Parker, Nancy Swindle, Paula Caldwell, Julie Lynn, and Steven Pellham for the wonderful offerings we’ve been able to lift to the glory of God though the year.

Next Sunday is the first of Advent, a season of preparation for the incarnation of God through Jesus Christ; God with Us.  In a world that will quickly fill with all kinds of artificial light, may the light of God’s love shine brightly in your world.

                                                                                         In Christ’s Love…Gary

Somewhere Out There:

"If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. . . . My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, truly in God's reality."                                                                                                                                                    (1 John 3:17-19, THE MESSAGE)

Somewhere out there is a five-year-old boy who doesn't know that right now plans are being made by a congregation he's never heard of to offer a neighborhood vacation Bible school that will change the direction of his life. The songs he will sing will stick in his mind, the stories of Jesus will enliven his imagination. The puppet show will make him laugh, the teacher will make him feel loved and welcomed, and the hospitality of those followers of Christ will so touch his mom and dad that they will take a small, unexpected step toward faith.

Somewhere out there is an elderly woman who feels like everyone has forgotten her. Her world has shrunk to her small apartment, the weekly trips to the grocery store, and the visits to the doctor's office. Her television has become her best friend. She doesn't know it, but right now a nearby congregation has awakened to the calling of God to invite people like her to a weekly lunch and to a chance to serve others. Soon she'll use her long-neglected skills to knit baby blankets that will wrap medical supplies bound for Central America, and this taste of community and purpose will save her life and give her a rebirth she never imagined possible.

Somewhere out there is a young couple stressed to the breaking point by personal debt. Fear squeezes the life out of them and fills their hearts with an unmitigated worry and an all-encompassing anxiety. The simple joy of shared companionship has given way to nonstop arguments about money. They don't know it, but one of their colleagues is praying for them, and asking God for the right words with which to invite them to come with her to a seminar at her church about managing money. The long path to new life and restored relationship will take them through the doors of a church they've never heard of and into a community that will shape them forever.

Somewhere out there is a teacher who thinks no one else cares about the children she has given her life to serving. Her school room is rundown, and there's less money now than ever before to provide the resources she needs to do her job. She has no idea that a congre­gation is preparing themselves for a new ministry that will change her circumstances. Six months from now she will weep with joy as strangers repaint and refurbish her classroom. She cannot imagine that droves of people will step forward to volunteer to tutor, to read stories, and to coach basketball. She has no inkling of the effect this will have on her and on her students, and how this will open the door by which she rediscovers her own faith in Christ.

Somewhere out there is a young man whose inability to cope with the basic mechanisms of daily living has caused him to lose his job, to stop taking his meds, and to slip through the cracks of every social, community, and family network. He kept falling and falling un­til now he sleeps on the streets, carries cardboard for bedding, and digs through trash for dinner. He has no idea that a congregation is gearing up to offer a soup kitchen, and that this ministry will change his life. He cannot imagine that as he is served a meal, someone will engage him in conversation, treat him as human, listen to his story, learn his name, and reconnect him to his family and to the social networks that will allow him to live again a basic life with dignity. He has no idea that God, working through people desiring to follow Christ, will restore him to a life he barely remembers.

Somewhere out there in an African village a young girl and her little sister read stories together in bed, both of them safely protected by a mosquito net bought by the youth of a rural church in the Midwest. No one can see it now, but she will grow up to become a doc­tor, relieving the suffering of thousands. She will live a full life that never would have been possible without a simple net and many generous young hearts across the globe

People ask me what I hope happens when a congregation focuses on the Five Practices. When I picture success, I don't see smiling pastors with good preaching material or church committees with well-developed strategic plans. I imagine that somewhere out there, somewhere in Texas or California or Virginia or Michigan or Mozambique, somewhere in a town like yours or a neighborhood near you is a person who has no idea of the change that is coming his way or the grace that will transform her. I picture the person un­knowingly prepared by the Spirit of God to receive the embrace of Christ that people will offer when they come alive with purpose and fulfill the mission of Christ.

Somewhere out there is a person God plans to use you to reach. Somewhere out there is a person God will use to change your life as you reach them. Somewhere out there is a person for whom Christ died, and for whom your church was built, and for whom God has uniquely prepared you to reach.

Questions:

• Who are some of the "somewhere out there" people you and your congregation are reaching?

• Who are you uniquely qualified and perfectly situated to touch with the grace and ministry of Christ whom no one else can possibly reach?

Prayer:  Lord, may I not miss the person you have prepared me to reach on your behalf, and not fail the calling you have given me in Christ.        © From The Balancing Act by Robert Schnase Abingdon Press, 2009.

What’s Happening This Week

Monday   6:30pm – Wedding Policy Writing Committee meeting in the Fellowship Classroom

Tuesday   7:00pm – Hour of Prayer in the Sanctuary

Wed.        No Planned Church Activities

Saturday  6:00pm – A Wedding / Sarah Thomason & Justin Bellomy

Next Sun. 1:30pm – 50^th Wedding Anniversary celebration for Jack & Mary Daily

Mission Cast

The Heifer International Ranch, in Perryville, Arkansas is a great place for youth and adults to learn about hunger and responses that help.  Youth groups are able to spend the night in the Global Village where they break up into smaller groups and stay in different kinds of lodging reprsenting different cultures and economic conditions.  For this MissionCast persons from Wilkes Blvd. United Methodist Church, in Columbia, Missouri tell of their experience at the ranch.  For information on the ranch and how to get your youth group signed up call Carol Oliver at the Office of Creative Ministries (573-474-7155) or email her at oliver@umocm.com .        To view MissionCast go to http://momissioncast.com

“All Smashed Up”

Joel 2:21-27

Matthew 6:25-33

John 18:33-37

How do you eat your Thanksgiving feast?  Two distinctly different ways of approaching the abundant providence of God came to mind this week in the midst of preparations for this preaching moment.  The first method is the one I prefer.  I learned it from my father who perhaps learned it from his father and I think my own children now carry the tradition.  It goes kind of like this: first comes the mashed potatoes, on top of that is a layer of corn.  Beside this is room for a large dollop of dressing some turkey and (if there is room)  a spoonful of green bean casserole.  Then a large portion of gravy is ladled over the corn/potato, dressing, and turkey.  The more everything mixes together the better.  Because, you see, it all is going to get mixed together anyway.

The other method required a new invention; the partitioned plate.  Each course is carefully placed in its own special place so that nothing touches anything else.  If more courses are served then sections provided extra bowls are brought in to play.

I’m not advocating one approach to feasting over the other.  Chances are your family has developed its own guidelines to the best way to enjoy the thanksgiving feast.  If you’d like to share your traditions just send me an e-mail and I’ll pass them along.  The first method I’m going to call the “smash together” method while the second will be the “enjoy separately” method.

You might be wondering about now what all this has to do with a Thanksgiving sermon.  One thing I must confess (you might already know) is that there are times when a preacher’s mind does funny things.  You need to know that it is not my fault.  The trouble was caused by those who pulled together the Revised Common Lectionary of scripture readings that some of us use to explore God’s word.   This lectionary is based on a Christian year that begins as we prepare for the birth of Jesus and continues through his baptism, ministry, death, resurrection, a long season of reflection on what it all means to us today and ends with a celebration of Christ as our King.

Most years there is a week between our national celebration of Thanksgiving and the church’s proclamation of Christ the King.  But not this year.  Today is the day we celebrate both.  Now you understand. Right? 

Some of this could have been avoided if they’d chosen gospels readings from the same source.  But they didn’t.  This year’s thanksgiving gospel is from Matthew while the year’s Christ the King reading is from John.  My New Testament professor in seminary was very big on teaching that it is important to let each text speak for itself (enjoy separately).  It is important to begin your study by trying to hear the good news as those for whom it was written would have heard it.  In other words…keeping the stories separate will reap the most important and lasting rewards as gospel is revealed.  Smashing them together can lead us onto shaky ground.

Many would have given in to our cultural bias and gone with a thanksgiving sermon.  But we’re not called to be like most.  We’re reminded continually of the radicalness of our citizenship in God’s kingdom and the importance of seeking first that allegiance.  So the church wants us to concentrate on this Sunday as the culmination of all our work together this year so that we can make right preparations for the birth of the One who will be King of our lives.

Since I’m from the “smash together” school of feasting, I want to do both. So listen and let’s see what God can do for us.  It’s summarized by a word from Matthew and a question from John.  “Therefore” and “So, you are a king?”

First, Matthew … ²⁴“No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

²⁵“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? ²⁸And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. ³⁰But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ ³²For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

It is important to note that this is not a “stand alone” section of Jesus’ sermon on the mount.  It is a  part of a larger thing that began with chapter 5’s “Beatitudes” and continues through words about salt and light and law and anger and reconciliation and adultery and divorce and retaliation and love and almsgiving and prayer and fasting and treasures and inner light.  The sermon continues with thoughts on judging others, profaning the holy, the golden rule, the narrow gate, fruitfulness, and being not only hearers but also doers of the word from God.  If we consider this section by itself we’d have to join Ulrich Luz and say that this statement could only have been written by “a single guy living a carefree life on the beach in sunny Galilee.”

Freedom from worry and anxiety comes only after learning what a blessed life looks and feels like.  It comes after learning the importance of living as the pure salt and light of the earth.  It becomes part of who we are as we learn the importance of relationship and honesty and sharing and holy motivation.  In other words freedom from worry comes only after we’ve come to trust that the way of life God teaches results in a lifestyle that the ancients described with the word “shalom”.

So what is shalom?  That’s where John’s gospel shines for us today.  33 Then Pilate entered the headquarters  again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ ³⁴Jesus answered, ‘Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?’ ³⁵Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?’ ³⁶Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’ ³⁷Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’

Daniel B. Clendenin writes, “In its simplest terms, the kingdom of God that Jesus announced and embodied is what life would be like on earth, here and now, if God were king and the rulers of this world were not (Borg, Crossan). Imagine if God ruled the nations, and not Obama, Medvedev, Kim Jong-il, Mugabe, or Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Every aspect of personal and communal life would experience a radical reversal. The political, economic, and social subversions would be almost endless—peace-making instead of war mongering, liberation not exploitation, sacrifice rather than subjugation, mercy not vengeance, care for the vulnerable instead of privileges for the powerful, generosity instead of greed, humility rather than hubris, embrace rather than exclusion, etc. The ancient Hebrews had a marvelous word for this, shalom, or human well-being.

In a very real way, our proclamation of a national day of Thanksgiving (only the U.S. and Canada have set aside a day like this one) proclaims our dependence upon God for life.  In a culture now driven by consumerism and debt we’ve set aside a day of Thanksgiving to remind us that God is the provider of everything.  It says that nothing is “ours”.  It all comes from God.  And since God is a jealous God the best way of life gives honor and glory to the great provider and planner of everything.  The only way for us to live in peace is to live as subjects to King Jesus.

So…what are you thankful for?

Next Week … The Advent Conspiracy begins.  Won’t you join us?

The View from the Pulpit

November 16, 2009

Dear Church Family

Thank You.  I’ve enjoyed our gathered adult Sunday School time during the past three weeks.  Many of you have said you liked it too.  It just proves the blessings we receive as a community gathered together and although I’m not advocating the elimination of our four classes to form one big Adult Sunday Class, I’m realizing that on a very infrequent basis, it is a good thing to get us all together to focus on a specific topic.

The topic was The Presence Based Church by Terry Tekyl.  In our short time together we learned that it is awfully easy to get caught up on specifics that may or may not bear much fruit.  All us “Martha’s” toyed with the idea of just showing those “Mary’s” what the church (or any organization” would be like if all we did was sit around and wait for something to happen. 

Truth be told, John Wesley had that same problem with the Moravians quietists, who helped him understand the peace that the assurance of God’s love and forgiveness can bring in the midst of a storm at sea as he crossed the Atlantic, and who undermined one of his first class gatherings in London when they told the group to do nothing unless they were led to do it by a personal word from God.  Wesley’s definition of those actions that help us open our hearts to God’s presence included both works of piety (prayer, bible study, worship, holy conversations, sitting at Christ’s feet, etc) and works of mercy (feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, being God’s love, etc.)

I’m pretty sure Dr. Tekyl would agree that the truth of his examples lies somewhere in the tension and that taking any example to its extreme invalidates its helpfulness.  I think this week we finally got to that which is most essential.  We did that by talking about first loves and the crazy things we have done while in its grasp.  Some mentioned how often their husband spoke of love in those first years.  Others described the joy of just looking at and being with the one they loved.  Still others remembered hanging on every word and a willingness to do anything to please.  The Presence Based Church lives that kind of love for God, putting first things first and keeping our eyes on the goal of pleasing God first, trusting that the result of that goal will carry us to where God wants us to be, fulfilling God’s vision of kingdom.

So thank you for sharing your insights and for joining us with the book.  Remember that this Sunday we’ll join forces once again for a single time of worship at 9:30am followed by our Thanksgiving Dinner.  Thanks to Charolyn Hilburn for coordinating the food.  If you have any questions about what to bring, contact her (or just bring a pecan or chocolate pie;)

                                                                             In Christ’s Love…Gary

Thank You

Many notes of thanks cross my desk each month (and quite a few wonderful drawings).  Most are from college students who appreciate the Huffman scholarship or church family who have learned the blessings received from saying “thank you”.  Some are from visitors who are just passing through.  I post all those “Thank You’s” on the bulletin board above the drinking fountain in the CLC hallway.

This week I want share one of those cards that was handed to me but addressed to you all after UpWords this past Sunday.  It is from Jessica who is a nursing student from Columbia, MO.  Her class work brought her to Three Rivers Community Medical Center here in Kennett.  She has regularly joined us for worship during her time and has now returned to complete her degree in Columbia. 

She writes:

Friends,

  Thank you all so much for your kindness and support.  I felt as welcome and comfortable here as I do in my home church, thanks to your friendship and open arms.  You have an incredible church family, and I am so grateful that you so willingly shared it with me.  God is clearly present in this place.  I wish you all the best in your continuing walk in faith, both as individuals and as a body in Christ.  You will be in my prayers always.

Sincerely,  Jessica Johnson

Thanksgiving Dinner

Remember – This coming Sunday we will gather together for one service of worship blended traditional and contemporary that will begin at 9:30am.  There will be a lot of thanksgiving, singing, prayer, and a short sermon.  Then we’ll move to the CLC for our traditional thanksgiving feast, thanks to all the good cooks in our group and God’s plan to provide for us.

New To YOUR 1^st Methodist-Kennett Library – Check it out.  1^st UMC has a great library of rarely used books and video.  Just sign your name and leave the card so we know where it’s at.  Then explore.

Inside The Revolution-by Joel C Rosenberg

Given as a gift in Memory of Essie Burnett (Mother of Bud Hunt) from Daryl and Vicky Wilcoxson

-How the followers of Jihad, Jefferson & Jesus are battling to dominate the Middle East and transform the world.  “Rosenberg argues there are now three movements poised to change the world forever, for good or for ill…The Radicals…The Reformers…and The Revivalists.

Dr. David Caldwell- by Finis Jay Caldwell, Jr.   An 18^th Century Flame for Christ 1725-1824-Preacher, Patriot, Educator Physician; “This book is a great labor of love as a tribute to and an appreciation for a spectacular ‘man of the cloth’ and brilliant educator during almost three-quarters of a century.  May his ‘flame for Christ’ shine upon you as it continues to glow upon thousands, even in our time.”

Don’t Mess With Moses!- by Marty Nystrom         Peculiar Poems and Rib-Tickling Rhymes

“There’s a soul-stirring book

full of spine-tingling tales

of villains and heroes

and man-eating whales…”

“These tales are not fables

from out of the blue

these tales in the Bible

are totally true!”

Listen Up, Honey-by Thelma Wells   Good News For Your Soul!  Lessons learned from living life

“… I will love them, nurture them, discipline them, and pray for them, and in my kitchen I’ll teach lessons about cooking---and about living; Because I am their Grammy.”

Uncommon Conversations with God-unique expressions of prayer and praise-by Peggy Rooney

 “Are you looking for fresh and unique ways to truly connect with God?...You will find through these unique expressions of prayer that God is the very best Friend you could ever hope to have. …Poignant, encouraging, and refreshingly down-to-earth---you will experience God anew as you speak to Him from your heart.”

The Water Pot-by Betty Buttry  Given as a gift by a friend of the author, Judith Vavak

“As Yellow Water Pot discusses the exciting event of an upcoming wedding with five friends (who are also pots), they find that they are invited to attend!  Jesus calls for them specifically to help perform his first miracle – turning water into wine!”  This little book (18 pages) is by a Puxico, Missouri Methodist lady and her grown and married granddaughter, Shannon did the illustrations while still a young girl in school.

New DVD’s

“The Sin Eater”- From the best-seller by Francine Rivers this details “a little girl’s quest for redemption uncovers a dark secret…and the truth shall set her free.---Starring Academy Award Winner Louise Fletcher with Michael Langdon Jr.’s Direction.

“Pilgrim’s Progress”-Journey To Heaven –A modern retelling of John Bunyan’s classic story.

“Bananas”-Appeeling Comedy for the Whole Family with Anita Renfroe.  Good Clean Fun!

“The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything”-A Veggietales Movie-Get on board with the fun and trademark silly songs.

“Your Love Broke Through”-The Keith Green Story- Keith’s life was lived with intensity.  He wanted to “do the stuff” and “live the life” of a true faith walk.  His short life is well documented in his music and the memories of those who knew him in this good look at his “no compromise” life.

“The Jesus Film”- 2disk- 25^th Anniversary Deluxe Commemorative Edition of the most historically accurate film about the life of Jesus. It has been seen by almost 5 billion people in 236 nations and translated into more languages than any other film in history.

MissionCast

MissionCast caught up with Rev. John Payne, and members of Hope United Methodist Church in New Orleans.  Hope UMC in Lone Jack, Missouri is an outward focused congregation that reaches out in mission in many ways.  On this particular occasion they were down in New Orleans putting the finishing touches on Debra Simmon’s home.  It has been 4 long years since Debra was in her home and she was so very appreciative to Hope for giving her hope.

Tasha Stephens, their team leader, wants us to know that there still is a lot of work to be done in New Orleans.  If your congregation would like information about reaching out like this contact Audrey Phelps at the Office of Creative Ministries.  (phelps@umocm.com or 573-474-7155)

To view MissionCast go to http://MOMissionCast.com

24^th Sunday after Pentecost

1 Samuel 1:4-20

Psalm 113

“What Do You Want?”

We would call her “Grace”.  But her Hebrew name was “Hannah”.  We’re told her story by the faithful who wrote about Samuel, the great judge/prophet of the Hebrew Scriptures.  They’re describing a time when, “there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes.”  (Judges 21:25) 

It is a time when the people of Israel are in a state of crisis.  They’re still a loose organization of family tribes, often fighting among themselves.  The rising strength of the Philistines has created a significant external threat.  In addition, at least some of the priests have become corrupt. Hophni (pugilist) and Phinehas, (mouth of brass) sons of Eli who serve as priests of the LORD, are "scoundrels" who prey upon the people and treat "the offerings of the LORD with contempt" (I Samuel 2:12, 17). Political, moral, and religious leadership is in disarray. Israel might not survive this generation.

But there is hope.  There is always hope with God.  Today we learn about the family of Elkanah.  He was known to be very faithful.  The Rabbis teach that he kept all the sacred feasts at Shiloh, which is where the tabernacle of God that contained the Ark of the Covenant was set.  They said his family always invited people in the towns along the route they traveled to join their pilgrimage and that they never took the same road twice. 

Hannah was Elkanah’s favorite wife.  But the LORD had closed her womb.  As was the custom, after ten years of childlessness, Elkanah took a second wife, Peninnah (Jewel) who bore him many children.  During the feast that followed one particular sacrificial journey, as they sat around the table filled with portions for Peninnah, all her children, and a double portion for Hannah; Elkanah noticed that Hannah’s plate was filling with her tears.  “Hannah, why do you weep?  Why do you not eat?  Why is your heart sad?  Am I not more to you than ten sons?”

Hanna rose and ran to present herself before the LORD.  Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorway of the temple.  Hannah ran right by him and was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD, and wept bitterly.  She made a vow; “O LORD of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death.  Did you hear that?  She asks for a boy-child and then offers to give him back.

Eli didn’t hear it though.  Even though he’s described later as one who couldn’t see very well, this time he saw it all.  But he heard nothing because Hannah’s lips were moving but no sound came out of her mouth.  He thought she was drunk (not the last time someone in fervent prayer was mistakenly accused of tipping the bottle a little too much.  Remember the story of the first Christian Pentecost when those walking by the upper room thought those present were drunk with wine.  Peter set them straight.  It was too early in the morning for them to be drunk.  It was instead a different kind of Spirit that had infested their lives.).

She told Eli her prayer and he pronounced his blessing.  She went back to the feast without her tears and anguish, had a fine meal, “knew” her husband, and in God’s time a child was born.  His name was Samuel.  To learn more of how his story is part of God’s story continue reading the Book.

How goes your reading of the other book?  We’re in the third week of Terry Tekyl’s The Presence Based Church.  We’ve heard him talk about his understanding of the confrontation between Mary and Martha as told by Luke.  He’s defined two ways of being as a church and done his best to take each definition to its extreme.  We’ve spent some time during our Sunday School hour discussing these two extremes.  I was reminded by a good member this past week that this was probably not the most productive discussion we could have had.  In many ways it was the easiest, but after some time with God and Hannah this week a different idea was born.  An idea that I think is really the point of Terry’s work with us this month.

It centers on a profoundly simple question.  “What do you want?”  Hannah had a need and knew what she needed for that need to be fulfilled.  She needed to bear a boy child.  A simple reading of the text might lead us to believe that she wanted a son.  But remember, part of her prayer was that she would return the child to God for God’s purposes.  As the story continues we discover that she kept her promise, took Samuel to Eli at the temple after he was weaned and saw him only once a year when she would take a new robe to him on one of the family trips to make an offering.  So what she wanted wasn’t just a child to call her own.  What she wanted was to become a complete person and in those days (please don’t read the past literally into the present) the way for a woman to become complete was to bear a boy child for her husband.  It provided her a place in the community that even her husband’s love could not provide.  Hannah became convinced by the idea that if she could just bear a son everything else would be fine.  So she went directly to God (not through Eli) and asked for it.

So, what do you want?  Theologian Paul Tillich talked about “ultimate concern”.  It is the idea that each of us believes there to be one thing that will make all the rest of our lives fall into place as it should.  We think that if this one thing becomes a reality then all will be well and we will experience comfort and joy.  Some jokingly (I think) talk about buying the winning lottery ticket from which they will donate everything we need to become the church God wants us to be while they live a beautiful life on the rest.  Others point to an education or a spouse or a property or a position or a (you fill in the blank) and silently mutter, “if only”.  Our ultimate concern is that which, is we just get it right, will take care of everything else. 

My first reading of Hannah’s story led me to name a son as her ultimate concern.  But that is silly, that idea misses the point of the story.  Because Hannah went to her “Ultimate Concern” knowing that only it (God) could provide what she needed to be complete.  She asked God for the experience of bearing a child.  And once she asked she began to live a different kind of life.  She put it out of her hands by placing it in the hands of the One whom she trusted to do what was best for her.  Terry’s real call from God is to help people build the church on prayer, recognizing that true prayer; actually listening for God’s desire and accepting the guidance and help revealed rather than just listing our wants and rebelling if they’re not met, is the basis of a fruitful relationship with God who provides.  For a presence based church, God is our ultimate concern.

As we prepare for our celebration of Thanksgiving, it would be good for us to remember its source.  The feast day was actually the result of a year lived under God’s guidance.  It was a year that began after a bad harvest and call for all the people to gather together for worship and prayer regularly.  If they didn’t join the community in these times of worship they didn’t eat or receive the support of the community.  They spent a year centering their lives around God, trusting in God’s plans and listening for God’s guidance.  That resulted in renewed relationships with the native Americans surrounding them, the very ones who taught them how to live in the new world.  They learned about fruitful work and caring for each other and the result was a fantastic harvest which they celebrated with a day of Thanksgiving.  The Pilgrims knew about Hannah and the story told this day.  And God provided because God became their ultimate concern, at least for a time (which is humanity’s big “S” Sin.)

So…what is your Ultimate Concern?  What will bring comfort and joy into your life forever?  Listen to the witness of the saints from all ages.  Life is about God and God provides.

Prayers

James Paul Walpole, Alex Wheeler and friends, Rick Thompson, Charlie & Lou Arthur, The Leonard Younger Family, Maxine Burcham

Next Sunday

Thanksgiving Dinner

Remember – This coming Sunday we will gather together for one service of worship that will blend traditional and contemporary that will begin at 9:30am.  There will be a lot of thanksgiving, singing, prayer, and a short sermon.  Then we’ll move to the CLC for our traditional thanksgiving feast, thanks to all the good cooks in our group and God’s plan to provide for us.

The View from the Pulpit

November 9, 2009

Dear Church Family

T’is the season of Thanksgiving.  I think it’s time to declare a year of thanksgiving.  So that’s what I’m doing; from now until Thanksgiving 2010 I’m going to concentrate on living a thankful life.  I’m going to develop the habit of thanksgiving and sharing my thanks.  I’m asking you to consider doing the same.

One small way I’m going to live out this call involves a simple little mug imprinted with the words, “Thank you for serving with a heart like Jesus”.  My plan is to give at least one mug away each time we gather to worship.  This week I gave them to people to thank them for their faithful attendance as we gather to worship.  I’m not sure exactly how this is going to work out; I’m just opening up to God’s push to thank you for the way you serve God.

Yesterday’s times of worship were awesome displays of musical gifts being used to praise and proclaim God.  “UpWords” was blessed by the witness of a quartet of three (kind of reminds me of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’s four book trilogy) who call themselves “Blend”.  “The Celebration of Worship” time was blessed with a single selection from “Blend”, a medley of Fannie Crosby hymns by the Sanctuary Choir, and a medley of Robyn McClellan’s favorites.  Robyn was in town for the weekend and it was good to see her and hear how their move to Nashville is going.

God has given us many gifts we can use to say “Thanks”.  It was good.         

                                                                                                   In Christ’s Love…Gary

MidWeek Bible Study – Present

Recently I’ve been asked to read a book about baptism with a young pastor.  The author is Rev. William Willimon, a United Methodist Bishop and former Dean of the Chapel at Duke.  As is often the case, I’ve found his ponderings challenging and insightful.  As we continue our work with the idea of being part of a “Presence Based Church” it would be good for us to revisit that which is the beginning of and power for our walk with God. 

The book is titled Remember Who You Are; Baptism, and the Christian Life.  You are invited to join us on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm in the Fellowship Classroom.  I will try to summarize each week and provide opportunities for discussion.  If you’d like us to order you a copy of the book, please contact the church office (cost=$12.00). 

We’ll begin this coming Wednesday evening at 6:30pm.  Come join us.

MidWeek Bible Study - Past

We’ve spent the past 4 Wednesday evenings  with Dr. Donald W. Hayes, an instructor in United Methodist Studies at Hood Theological Seminary.  The topic was his understanding of fundamental Christian United Methodist Beliefs.  He’s a regular contributor to “the United Methodist Reporter” with a section called “Wesleyan Wisdom”.

The group found it insightful and asked me to share the basics with others (and so they could try to memorize).  So here’s fundamentals as they were presented.  If any group would like me to meet with them to flesh out these thoughts, I’m very willing and available.  Just give me a call.

 ¨  1^st Fundamental - The root of our salvation is in the character of God, which is love!

¨  2^nd Fundamental - God seeks us before we seek God!

¨  3^rd Fundamental - Original Sin!

¨  4^th Fundamental - Awakened Soul!       

o  5^th Fundamental - Repentance!

¨  6^th Fundamental - Knowing Forgiveness!

¨  7^th Fundamental - Perfecting Grace!         Sanctification!

¨  8^th Fundamental - Church Community!

Hattie Baker Circle “Goody” Basket

The Hattie Baker Circle has announced that silent bids are currently being accepted for this year’s “Basket of Holiday Goodies”.  Bidding will end on Monday, Nov. 30^th at 10:00am and the basket will be delivered to the high bidder’s home on Friday, Dec. 4^th.

What’s in the basket?  Let me tell you; Fudge (chocolate & peanut butter), cheese straws, party mix, cheese ball, cookies (variety) applesauce cookies, haystacks (chocolate & butterscotch), toffee, tiger striped candy, puppy chow, Bundt cake, popcorn balls, candy, oyster crackers, rock candy, chocolate peanut clusters, Terry’s surprise, cookie/bar, oyster crackers, banana nut bread, poppy seed bread, toffee, basket & delivery.

Who’s making all this home-made goodness?  (In order) Geraldine Looney, Vickie Rhew, Mary Daily, Martha McCain, Jan Sanders, Darlene Kaneff, Judy Granger, Cathy Bell, Eky Combs, Charky Martin, Judy Vavak, Lou Arthur, Barbara Borders, Cathy Bradford, Anita Brogden, Sue Hemann, Diane Risner, Velita Wilson, Judy McCuiston, Linda Shannon, Nancy Swindle, Brenda Kitchens, & Bennye Wheeler.

Look for the bid sheet in the Hospitality Room every Sunday and by the office throughout the week.

50^th Wedding Anniversary Reception

Jack and Mary Daily are celebrating their 50^th anniversary and their children and friends have invited us to join the party.  Plan to drop in the Hospitality Room on Sunday, November 29^th from 1:30pm to 4:00pm.

Thanksgiving Dinner

The Serendipity class is hosting this year’s Thanksgiving Dinner.  You are invited to bring your friends to worship with us On November 22^nd at 9:30am then join us in a Thanksgiving feast after the service.  Charolyn Hilburn has the signup sheets.  We are looking for volunteers to cook and carve a “church provided” turkey and others that will agree to make some dressing/stuffing and gravy.

SO … one service of worship on November 22^nd at 9:30am followed by our Thanksgiving Feast.  Plan now to join the festivities.

Christmas Cantata

The Sanctuary Choir has begun work on this year’s Christmas Cantata titled, “I Hear the Prophet Callin’”.  Gifted composer Pepper Choplin is widely celebrated for creating refreshingly different, original anthems that resonate with traditional fold qualities.  This Cantata was inspired by his best-selling Appalachian=style anthem of the same name.  This Christmas Cantata is unique, unusual, and yet somehow very comfortable and compatible, accessible to smaller choirs while also being musically intriguing for larger programs – the perfect way to celebrate the simplicity of Christmas.

This is your invitation to join the choir for this special Christmas offering.  Jan will rehearse the Cantata first thing on Wednesday evenings at 7:30pm.  Regular Choir offerings and service music will be prepared during the last part of the rehearsal time.

Come share your talents with us as we, “Listen to the story, hear the story of His birth.  Listen, God is coming, God is coming to the earth.”  For more information call Jan McDaniel, one of the regular members of the choir or the church office.  Thank you.

Do you know a good building contractor?

In the next several weeks, the Southeast District Trustees will begin a search for a contractor to do the “inside” remodeling work at the recently purchased District Office building on 6 N Clark in Cape Girardeau. 

If you know of a contractor in your congregation or community who has a license to work in Cape Girardeau and who might be interested in this remodeling project, please invite them to contact the District Office by phone 573-334-8723 or by email office@sedistrictumc.org by November 25. 

The remodeling project basically includes removing some existing walls and constructing new walls, constructing one or two new bathrooms,  painting, floor covering, etc.  Additional information can be provided when the contractor contacts the District Office.  

“Who’s On First?”

Psalm 127

Mark 12:38-44

You’d think I’d have figured it out by now.  But I learned once again that my Mother was right.  I’m old enough now and have said it enough in the past 55 years that it should come as no surprise.  But it seems it always does.  I learned again this week that saying “Thank You” is important.

It happened as I did some work with Psalm 127.  I learned that it is considered another of the “Psalms of Ascent” that were sung by pilgrims during their required pilgrimages to Jerusalem.  Seems I remember the last Psalm I actually preached from was also one from this section of the psaltery.  I learned most from “The NetBible” translation.

A song of ascents,² by Solomon.

127:1 If the Lord does not build a house,³

then those who build it work in vain.

If the Lord does not guard a city,⁴

then the watchman stands guard in vain.

127:2 It is vain for you to rise early, come home late,

and work so hard for your food.⁵

Yes,⁶ he can provide for those whom he loves even when they sleep.⁷

127:3 Yes,⁸ sons⁹ are a gift from the Lord,

the fruit of the womb is a reward.

127:4 Sons born during one’s youth

are like arrows in a warrior’s hand.¹⁰

127:5 How blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!

They will not be put to shame¹¹ when they confront¹² enemies at the city gate.

I tried to imagine a family on such a journey.  Of course the only way to do that is to remember some of our early family trips.  It was sometimes a challenging experience.  Singing along the way was invented by parents to address the “fidgets” that sometimes attack the little ones.  But more than that, they can also provide good teachable moments.  Who doesn’t remember the Christmas favorite, “Jingle Bells”?  Even in my parenting days those sing-a-long tapes of Psalty and the Maranatha Singers provided many hours of character formation disguised in fun songs and stories.

We all need to learn that we work in vain if we don’t allow God to guide the work.  That’s really the theme behind our current study of The Presence Based Church.  Its way too easy to simply say the church needs to be more like Mary than Martha in the story told at the end of Luke’s 10^th chapter.  A much more complex truth is available for harvest.  A truth that’s found in the tension between Martha’s active service for the One she loves and Mary’s active listening to the One she loves.  Jesus’ words simply state that at that moment Mary had made the best choice.  We need to remember that Luke begins the chapter with memories of the time Jesus sent 70 out ahead of him to “eat what is set before you, cure the sick, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”  After that triumph, the chapter continues with the parable of the Good Samaritan and the command to, “Go and do likewise.”

There’s a definite “both/and” quality to Christian life that has confused us for years.  Please note the Psalm doesn’t teach us not to build houses or guard the city.  It does teach the vanity of trying to do either of those things apart from God.  It was the 2^nd verse upon which I stubbed my toe the hardest.  Listen again.  “It is vain for you to rise early, and come home late, and work so hard for your food.  Yes, God can provide for those whom He loves even when they sleep.”  The theme finds new voice in one of Jesus’ parables about seed that grows on its own.  We plant and cultivate but the growth is not from us.  It is part of God’s creation that causes the growth to take place.  We’ve learned ways to help the process along but we’ve never caused anything to grow.  That is God’s work.

What I’d lost in the subtleties of the text was the reason for the pilgrimage that required the song.  Most often the trips to the temple were made to offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and return the first fruit of the year’s harvest to the One who actually owned them – God.  The root of this psalm is thanksgiving.  And the more I prayed over that thought the more I realized our main job as children of God is to say “Thank You” to the One who provides.

That is what worship is.  Worship is our time to say “Thank You”.  The bible tells us that all our time in heaven will be spent praising God – thanking God.  We’d like to think about time with those we love in heaven but perhaps what will be most important to us then is the gift of life God offers and we’ll want to do nothing but say “thanks!”.

Mom tried to teach me to write thank you notes and visit others with words of thanks, but it’s taken a long time for the teaching to settle in.  There often seems to be more productive activities.  I want this “attitude of gratitude” to become an important part of who I am and what I do.  When I read the story again this week about the “widow’s mite” the reason for her offering of all she had became clear.  She gave all she had to the One who had given all to her.  She was simply saying, “thank you.”

I invite you to take more seriously these two simple words as we move toward the end of this year and begin preparations for the coming of God.  I don’t believe it is an accident that the final holiday of the Christian year is “Thanksgiving”.  Now if we could just slow down long enough to allow that act of praise to guide our preparations for Christmas.  Could it be possible that the best gift we could ever offer to anyone is a simple, heartfelt, life-changing, Thank You?  Could it be that the only act keeping God’s kingdom from appearing on earth as it is in heaven is that one act that will be our 24/7 job for all eternity?

Thank You.  Amen.

Prayers

Andrew Rhew, the family of Vickie Freeman, James Stone, McKenzie Kelly.

A Blog for our study of “The Presence Based Church”

Barney Greenway has posted a blog for our use as we read together, “The Presence Based Church”.  Go to http://booktalksite.com/thepresencebasedchurch/ with your thoughts, questions, and comments.  Thanks to all of you who are participating in the Sunday School Class.  This has been a challenging book for me to read.  I’ve not agreed with it all, which is what you do when you read critically.  But I have learned a great deal and been challenged to think deeply about a complex concept.  How do we follow God?

I think most of us would agree that there are times to be like Mary and times to be like Martha.  I think the problem is that it really is easier to be like Martha – always busy with something.  Problems arise when we find ourselves being busy with nothing.  How do we know when we are in danger of “putting the cart before the horse”,  “throwing the baby out with the bathwater”, “majoring in minor things”, or “failure to keep the main thing the main thing”?  One question that came up last Sunday asked how we know when to make the switch from being like Martha to being like Mary and back and forth?   Anybody got any ideas to help us?

Next Sunday

24^th Sunday after Pentecost

1 Samuel 1:4-20

Hebrews 9:24-28

Mark 12:38-44

      I hope to see you all at either 8:30am or 10:30am this coming Sunday.  We’re often invited to bring a friend. What would happen if we brought an enemy with us to act out our Thanks?

The View from the Pulpit

October 26, 2009

Dear Church Family:

What a beautiful weekend!  It was perfect fall weather here in the Missouri Delta that many of us used to full advantage.  Some of us gathered early to distribute Angel Food Boxes and Specials that really help stretch a person’s food dollar.  Did you know that the rules were changed so that specials may be ordered without ordering the regular box of food?  Several are taking advantage of the chicken and beef specials.  A big surprise to me has been the vegetable box special filled with several kinds of fresh veggies.  I’m amazed at the number of people who choose these.

I saw many of our people out at the Bootheel Waterfowl Festival.  Most filled organizational roles, which is kind of normal for us.  It was fun to watch the dogs run and listen to all the “would be” ducks quacking away.  I couple of the dogs had a real hard time concentrating on the little white throw with all the quacking and flapping of the fake ducks in the area.  How easy it is for us to understand, what with all the imitations of goodness that surround us.  There was a big crowd on Saturday afternoon.  How wonderful.

But even more wonderful was what happened at the corner of College and Washington.  The people called United Methodist gathered to worship.  We learned that worship joined prayer as a revolutionary activity.  Rev. Terry Tekyl, from Houston, Texas, and teammate Allen Goff from Muncie, Illinois were special guests.

Maybe “guests” is not the right word.  They were really special teachers who came to help us see God’s world with new eyes.  I loved Terry’s definition of prayer.  He called it a “holy rebellion against the status quo.”  He also encouraged us to work toward making our prayers “Kingdom Prayers”.  If you want to know about that just say the first few lines of the Lord’s Prayer.

 I pray that all of you who made this special worship/learning time a priority will reap the blessings of all we learned.  We’ve got a lot of work to do as we try to pass on the rest of our community that which Terry’s teachings ignited.  To help out you’ll find a reading schedule for the book that will guide our Bible study for the next five weeks. 

How appropriate that we embark on this journey to explore the “Presence Based Church” with the sounds of the first Christmas advertisements ringing in our ears.  The world has not forgotten all the good it gets from our increased spending and giving.  It’s time for Christians to prepare ourselves for the real gift that has called us by name and made us a people.  God’s Presence was the gift that taught us all what giving is.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we learned to use that gift to experience true peace and life?

We’re entering the season of decisions.  What is important to us?  How can we invest our resources in experiences and visions that will do the most good?  It ought to be a great journey to the cattle stall this year. 

                                                                           In Christ’s Love….Gary

Challenge!!

Last fall a large number of you accepted my challenge to read the Bible from front to back in 90 days.  This year the challenge is to read the book, The Presence Based Church in 30 days.  What we read will guide our study of Scripture and worship for the remaining month of the Christian’s year which ends on November, 29^th with the beginning of Advent.  I’ve outlined two courses.  The first, like last year, asks us to read a certain number of pages (7) each day.  The second suggests we read two chapters per week.

If you did not pick up a book for your family on Sunday, there is one for you in the church office.  We’ve paid for these books out of the general ministry budget but special donations are appreciated.

All the adult Sunday School classes are invited to join me in the Hospitality Room each Sunday from 9:40am to 10:45am for highlights and discussion.  If you’re not currently attending Sunday School, this would be a good opportunity to begin a good habit.  We may even try to start a new regular class from those of you who are not currently involved.

Stop by the office this week to pick up your book and/or a reading schedule.  And may God bless us in our search.

Advent Conspiracy – Give Presence

The story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love. So, what happened? What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a Savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists.   And when it's all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling of missed purpose. Is this what we really want out of Christmas? What if Christmas became a world-changing event again? Welcome to Advent Conspiracy, a movement calling us to proclaim Christ in how we celebrate Christmas.

Advent Conspiracy was started in 2006 by five pastors who decided to make Christmas a revolutionary event by encouraging their faith communities to Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More and Love All. The response was overwhelming and the Conspiracy was born.

[WORSHIP FULLY]

It starts with Jesus. It ends with Jesus. This is the holistic approach God had in mind for Christmas. It's a season where we are called to put down our burdens and lift a song up to our God. It's a season where love wins, peace reigns, and a king is celebrated with each breath. It's the party of the year. Entering the story of Advent means entering this season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest.

[SPEND LESS]

Before you think we're getting all Scrooge on you, let us explain what we mean. We like gifts. Our kids really like gifts. But consider this: America spends an average of $450 billion a year every Christmas. How often have you spent money on Christmas presents for no other reason than obligation? How many times have you received a gift out of that same obligation? Thanks, but no thanks, right? We're asking people to consider buying ONE LESS GIFT this Christmas. Just one. Sounds insignificant, yet many who have taken this small sacrifice have experienced something nothing less than a miracle: They have been more available to celebrate Christ during the advent season. Looking for a few gifts that don't cost a lot of money? How about making an extra gift to the Delta Children’s Home, or The Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center, or our Mozambique partner.  Need some more ideas for relational giving? Head to www.RethinkingChristmas.com today.

[GIVE MORE]

God's gift to us was a relationship built on love. So it's no wonder why we're drawn to the idea that Christmas should be a time to love our friends and family in the most memorable ways possible. Time is the real gift Christmas offers us, and no matter how hard we look, it can't be found at the mall. God gave time to be with us.  Maybe its time for us to do the same; time to make a gift that turns into the next family heirloom, time to write mom a letter, time to bake really good cookies and sing really bad Christmas carols, time to make love visible through relational giving.  Sounds a lot better than getting a sweater two sizes too big, right?

[LOVE ALL]

When Jesus loved, he loved in ways never imagined. Though rich, he became poor to love the poor, the forgotten, the overlooked and the sick. He played to the margins. By spending less at Christmas we have the opportunity to join him in giving resources to those who need help the most. When Advent Conspiracy first began four churches challenged this simple concept to its congregations. The result raised more than a half million dollars to aid those in need. One less gift.  One unbelievable present in the name of Christ.  For more information, including some videos, be sure to visit www.AdventConspiracy.org.

Prayers

JoBeth Rickman, Billie Clayton, Doug Fender, Jessica Boggs, Skyler Johnson, John Arment, Onnie Pruitt, Betty Dunahoo, Bobbie Gibbons, Neal Gibbons Sr., Isabel McNulty, Laurie Gibbon’s grandson-Hudson Haner, Kurt Muller.

The View from the Pulpit

October 19, 2009

Dear Church Family:

Finally.  Sun!  How marvelous is that?  And it was so appropriate that the first really sunny day in a couple of weeks happened on the day we gather to celebrate the new beginning of Easter and the Risen Christ.  Thanks to all of you who helped us do what we were created to spend time doing; worshiping God.

Several years ago while attending Minister’s School in Columbia, the leader asked what for him was probably a simple question that keeps breaking in to my spirit, helping me understand “why?”.  He asked us to think back to that one message from God that drove us into ordained ministry.  His thought was that each of us had to experienced something of God that so excited and energized us that we could not not tell others what it was.  It like that secret revealed to us that we just cannot keep because its revelation changes our lives.  His prescription for all us preachers was, particularly in cloudy times, to reclaim that message and allow it to re-energize our work.

I believe all of us have known those kinds of secrets worth telling.  Some are part of what it is to grow; first words, amazing scenery, smells, tastes, and touches that change the way we live.  Finding our careers, and loves that make life worth living.  These discoveries are what lead us as we become who we are.  Those that are most helpful to our wellbeing come from God.  They reveal the relationships and the vocations that help us live as created life to be lived as servants of the One who first arranged the darkness and brought forth light.

This Sunday we’ll meet one person who was messaged by God.  The message he received and now must share if he is to find peace is that prayer is the verb of God’s Church; prayer that is active communication with God.   Prayer that reveals the presence of God who knows the way to true life and wants more than anything to tell us how to experience that vision.

The Church Council has invited Rev. Terry Tekyl, an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church in Texas, to come and share his secret.  It is a secret first revealed in 1987 with the words, “build the church in prayer.”  Since that time Rev. Tekyl has been working with “Renewal Ministries” a work affiliated with the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship, teaching churches across the country how to pray and invite the Holy Spirit to lead them to be the Church God created them to be.

There will be three different sessions; one at 10:00am followed by a pot-luck brunch and the second session at 12:30pm.  The final session will begin at 2:00pm.  We’ve shared this information with most of Kennett’s faith community and surrounding United Methodist churches.  If you know anyone in those communities, please make a personal invitation.  If one of your friends is not currently part of a worshiping Christian church, pick them up and bring them with you.

Terry is known for his warm humorous style of talking with those who attend his seminars.  Please plan to join us for as many of the three sessions as possible.  Any time you can spend in this event will be a blessing and we’ll continue the work as we read together “The Presence Based Church” and allow it to guide our understanding of God’s call upon us. 

This is important stuff to the life of the people called United Methodist Christians in Kennett.  I pray you will make the effort to receive this blessing.

                                                                             In Christ’s Love…Gary

What’s Happening?

Monday               2:00pm – Susanna Wesley Circle meeting in the Parlor

                             6:00pm – Finance Committee Meeting in the CLC

Tuesday               6:30pm – “Led by Thread” meets in the Youth Room

                             7:00pm – “Hour of Prayer” meets in the Sanctuary

Wednesday          9:30am – “Ladies Prayer and Share Bible Study” meets in the Parlor

                             5:30pm – “Fellowship Meal” in the CLC

                             6:30pm – MidWeek Bible Study in the Fellowship Classroom

                                         Carol Choir (Pre K – 2^nd) in the Education Building

                                         Chancel Choir (3^rd – 5^th) in the Parlor

                                         Youth Choir (6^th – 12^th) in the Sanctuary

                             7:30pm – Sanctuary Choir (Adults) in the Parlor

Thursday              8:30am – Mature Methodist Travelers to Patty’s in Paducah

                             12:30pm – “Led by Thread” in the Youth Room

                             6:30pm – Nominations Committee Meeting in CLC

Saturday              7:00am – “Angel Food Distribution” in the CLC

Sunday                 The Church Gathered together to learn about “The Presence Based Church”

                                         10:00am – Worship & First Session with Terry Tekyl

                                         11:30am – Pot-luck Brunch

                                         12:30pm – Second Session with Terry Tekyl

                                         2:00pm – Third Session with Terry Tekyl

MissionCast #138 - 2009 Festival of Sharing

The 2009 Festival of Sharing was held on Saturday at the Missouri State Fairgrounds, in Sedalia.  This MissionCast shows some of the highlights. 

Friday night you could have heard a pin drop as 400 youth attending Youthfest listened to Beatrice Biira, from Uganda, Africa.  She spoke for ten minutes and then answered questions for 20 minutes.  This MissionCast highlights her story.  Her family could not afford to send her to school.  However, with the gift of one Heifer International goat, the family had enough income to send her and her brothers and sisters to school.  She did well and received scholarships to high school and college.  Now she is a graduate student studying in the United States.  One of the youth asked her where she would be without the gift of a goat.  She said she would probably have been married at 16 and would be living in her village with a family of children.  She said that though they were very poor they experienced a lot of joy in her village through singing and dancing and listening to stories from the elders, but her life would have been much different without an education.  A dvd of her talk with the youth and the questions and answers will soon be available from the Office of Creative Ministries.

To view this MissionCast go to http://MOMissionCast.com or click on the picture.

Preparations for Charge Conference

The Finance Committee will meet this Monday at 6:00pm and the Finance Committee will meet on Thursday at 6:30pm.  It time to begin preparing for the annual meeting of our Charge Conference on Sunday November 22 at 2:00pm.

20^th Sunday after Pentecost

Hebrews 5:1-10

Mark 10:35-45

“Right?!  Now do we laugh or cry?”

No one I knew liked it when it was first released.  Its short title was “Star Wars II” but officially it was called “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back”.  We didn’t like it for a lot of reasons but mostly because of the way it ended.  One of the heroes, Han Solo, was lowered into carbonite freezing chamber and raised back up as a wall ornament for one of the bad guys (slug?), Jabba the Hutt.  The Princess’s last scene showed her in chains holding on to Chewbacca’s fur while his growly moan of despair echoed through the theater.  Meanwhile in another place Luke was in a light saber duel with Darth Vader.  During the flips and flashes of light he loses his right hand and discovers that the evil Lord Vader is really his father.  He falls down a shaft, manages to catch an antenna and is taken by Lando Calrissian to begin a rescue mission for the Princess and the Starpilot.

We don’t usually like our stories to end that way.  We want some positive closure and maybe a good laugh as the good guys ride off into the sunset; which is what makes this week’s gospel lesson so difficult to hear.  It’s the second part of a three part story that follows last week’s story of the rich, young, ruler. 

The first part is told in verses 32 through 34.  It begins, “They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem.”  That’s a good opening line to a lot of stories.  I think of the old “Road to …” movies starring Bing Crosby and Bob Hope.  I remember “Road to Eternity” and the poem “The Road Not Taken”.  As this journey to Jerusalem begins (you all know what happens in Jerusalem, right?) it says that the Disciples were a little behind Jesus and amazed while the others who were just slightly behind them were afraid.  Jesus tells them for the third time about the events that would transpire once they arrived in the Holy City.  He will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, they will condemn him to death, then they will hand him over to the Gentiles who will mock him, spit upon him, flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.  That’s the story that introduces this amazing exchange between Jesus and his Disciples.

Listen … ³⁵James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” (Perhaps the first “me-centered” prayer in “Jesus name”) ³⁶And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” ³⁷And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” ³⁸But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” ³⁹They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; ⁴⁰but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

⁴¹When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. ⁴²So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their ruler’s lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. ⁴³But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. ⁴⁵For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Not many of us would want to listen when Jesus teaches that those who would be first among us must be slaves of the rest.  We are not alone.  It’s pretty obvious that the Disciples didn’t want to hear it either.  Perhaps James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were in denial when they asked to be seated at Jesus’ right and left in his glory. 

Jesus looks into their eyes again and maybe sees a flash of whatever it was he saw when he first invited them to follow.  He agrees that they’ll experience his baptism and cup but knows that the place on his right and left at his glorification are not his to give.  We now know those places of honor were held by two bandits who were crucified with him.

Imagine the audacity of such a request.  How could anyone be so bold?  Gospel writers Matthew and Luke couldn’t.  One put the request in the brother’s mother’s mouth.  The other simply says that while on the road to Jerusalem the Disciples were arguing about who was the greatest.  When the other ten Disciples heard what the brothers Zebedee had done they were angry.  So Jesus stopped the caravan and used that moment to talk about greatness in God’s Kingdom.

It is my understanding that the translators of the New Revised Standard English Translation of the New Testament got it right.  The word Mark says Jesus used to describe those who would be first in God’s Household was slave.

We in the United States really don’t like to think of ourselves as slaves to anyone.  A slave is someone who is captured by someone else and made to work for the master’s pleasure.  A slave is not in control of her/his own destiny but depends upon another for their well being.  A slave does not belong to him/herself.  A slave does the master’s will, follows the master’s lead, and does what the master wants done.  A slave’s life is centered around and depends upon the master.

At almost every pastor meeting I attend there is a lot of lamenting about the number of people who claim to be Christian members of the churches we serve yet don’t worship regularly.  We spend a lot of time trying to learn how to lead the church to become an organization that invites and helps mature disciples for Jesus Christ and we wonder why so many don’t respond or respond half-heartedly. 

After reading these few, important lines from Mark’s gospel, I’m amazed that so many people show up every Sunday.  I also understand why the prosperity gospel is so tantalizing to people.  And I wish I could find some way to sugar coat this whole “slave” thing to make it sound easier than it is.  But I can’t because Jesus didn’t.  The world Jesus walked was really not much different than the world in which we walk.  It is still filled with “rulers” whose main goal is to “lord it over” the people.  Those whom the world considers great are tyrants whose greatest concern is their own power and prestige.  Just watch as our own government works to make our healthcare system more just.  Try to see it from the eyes of those on the road with Jesus to Jerusalem.  No wonder those closest were amazed and the others were afraid.

Thankfully the original “Star Wars” trilogy didn’t end with “The Empire Strike Back”.  Our Good News is that the Road to Jerusalem didn’t end before they arrived either.  Mark’s chapter ten ends with a ray of hope.  “They came to Jericho.   As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside.  When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’  Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out ever more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’  Jesus stood still and said, ‘Call him here.’  And they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take heart; get up, he is calling you.’  So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.  Then Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’  The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher, let me see again.’  Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’  Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.”  Then they entered Jerusalem.

Bartimaeus could see.  That’s the gift God offers us slaves today.  And when we look with those gifted eyes we see the rewards of servant hood as the way to God’s vision of life forever and life in God’s Household forever.  An answer to prayer that never fades or decays.

Prayers

Kelly (Laurie Gibbons daughter), Bobbie Gibbons, Neal Gibbons, Dena Johnson, Ken Hensen, Billie Clayton, Isabel McNulty, Carl B. Russell, Prim Dunlap, Shelby Rebstock, Ashley Wilcoxson, Vivian Talbert.

Remember Next Sunday Services with Rev. Terry Tekyl at 10:00am – 12:30pm – 2:00pm

Pot Luck Brunch around 11:00am

The View from the Pulpit

October 12, 2009

Dear Church Family

Yes, it’s been a couple of weeks since last I sat to write this little note.  The past few weeks began with flurry’s of activity.  It’s not that I’ve not had the time.  Time is the only constant.  It’s more that other more pressing things have pulled me away from this desk.  I will tell you that the other things have been “people oriented” activities that allow me to demonstrate the difference God’s love through Jesus makes in my life.  So that is good.

One of the activities was a meeting with other United Methodist Pastors who are appointed to serve with people in churches averaging between 200 and 400 in worship.  Mostly what I discover at those gatherings is that we have many things in common with other Christians who call themselves United Methodist but live in other parts of the state.  I picked up a few helpful hints and shared some of what we’ve been doing to invite others to become disciples of Jesus Christ and help us mature our faith in God.  Some of those things will work their way into our life together now.  Others will provide food for thought and prayer and maybe become a part of another part of the way God is calling us to be Church.

One of our common concerns involves looking for ways to help people name and share the difference God makes in their lives in ways that inform others.  The basis of this concern is our belief that God really does make a difference.  That belief isn’t often named aloud, but I’ve learned that it drives much of our leader’s thinking and actions.  That’s really good news to me.

October 25^th will be the beginning of an ending.  The ending is the Christian Year that will begin anew on November 29.  To help us begin that end we’ve invited Rev. Terry Tekyl.  Rev. Tekyl is an Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church from Texas.  His “Renewal Ministries” is affiliated with the General Board of Discipleship.  His “warm, humorous style makes him one of the most sought after speakers and seminar leaders in the country.”

In 1987 God spoke and told him to “build the church in prayer.”   Since that time he has been teaching churches across the country how to pray and invite the Holy Spirit.  He will lead three sessions with us that day; 10:00am – 12:30pm – 2:00pm.  We’re planning a pot-luck brunch between the first and second session.  We’ll follow up his introduction by allowing his book, The Presence Based Church to guide our worship and bible study for the rest of the year.

Please open yourselves to this opportunity to invite God’s presence deeper into our community. 

                                                                           In Christ’s Love….Gary

The Presence Based Church – Sunday, Oct. 25^th at 10:00am, 12:30pm, & 2:00pm

is not interested in the question, “Are we attracting people?” but rather, “Are we attracting the Presence of God?” 

What is a Presence-based church? 

·         The Presence-based church is not defined by procedures or specific worship styles.

·         A Presence-based church does not surface by following a prescribed formula—singing certain songs or    ministering to people in a certain way.   

·         Most importantly, a church is not Presence-based because of what it does or does not do on Sunday     morning. A church service is just the proverbial tip of the iceberg. It is simply a weekly expression of all that is going on under the surface.

The presence of God on the Ark of the Covenant was Israel’s provision, authority, identity and joy. Today, the same divine presence is perfected and glorified in the Ark of the New Covenant—Jesus Christ. We are to put Him at the very center of our church and minister first to Him, as a living offering of worship.

This term ‘presence-based’ is meant to describe a philosophy of ministry - one that starts and ends in God’s presence.  Its ministry leaders are led by the Spirit - they don’t make a move without hearing directions from God.  Success in this approach to ministry is not measured by fruit, numbers, sales, buildings, fame or even influence - it is measured simply by obedience. 

Rev. Terry Teykl, an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church in Texas and     affiliated with the General Board of Discipleship - Renewal Ministries, will be our guest on Sunday, October 25th.  He will help lead worship and two sessions as we begin to read and study together one of his books;   The Presence Based Church.   

A word from Terry Teykl … Our vision is to see Jesus magnified and to see the Church build bridges between denominations, promote racial healing, and seek to love the hurting and disenfranchised. We believe that when prayer and evangelism are reunited that the Church will emerge as a powerful force for reclaiming the land and setting the captives free.

Wednesday, WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY

Now is the time for Sunday School Classes, Youth Groups, or Ministry Groups to schedule a Wednesday Fellowship Meal so the people called United Methodist in Kennett can provide their support.  The Sign Up sheet is on Chris’s door.  Contact her for more information and to schedule your meal.

MidWeek Bible Study

Thomas Chalmers of the Church of Scotland wrote in the 1830s, “Methodism is Christianity in earnest.”  A recent Gallup poll disclosed a very encouraging word for United Methodism—we are the most trusted denomination in the United States! United Methodists are being challenged today to discover, affirm and live out who we are.

So the question that first comes to my mind is, “What do Christians who see the world through United Methodist eyes believe?”  That’s the topic of the current MidWeek Bible Study series, “Methodist Fundamentals”. 

Gilbert Rowe gave this commentary in 1923:  “[Methodism] is the most persistent and successful attempt that has ever been made to separate between the essential and the nonessential, to concentrate upon the essence of the Christian religion, and to emphasize the characteristic marks of a Christian.”  Come join us at 6:30pm on Wednesday evenings in the Fellowship Classroom as we search for “the essence of Christian Religion” and learn to emphasize the “characteristic marks of a Christian.  There is room for you.

Choirs

Choir season is now in full swing.  If you are one of those who enjoys singing your theology and learning about God by singing the stories of our faith; we have a place for you on Wednesday evening.

Our youngest members (preschool to 2^nd grade) meet at 6:30pm on the second floor of the education building with Carol Choir director Charolyn Hilburn and pianist Jennifer Bell.  Upper Elementary age (3^rd to 5^th grades) meet with Chancel Choir director Jan McDaniel in the Parlor at 6:30pm.  Sixth – Twelfth Grade singers meet with Youth Choir director Daryl Wilcoxson at 6:30pm in the sanctuary.  The Adult Choir meets in the parlor at 7:30pm with Sanctuary Choir director Jan McDaniel and pianist Daryl Wilcoxson.

Come find your voice and learn to sing your faith every Wednesday evening.  Please note; child care is provided during Adult Choir rehearsal.

United Methodist Women – Fall Meeting

If you are a woman you are invited to learn more about the work of The United Methodist Women this coming Sunday at 2:00pm in the Hospitality Room.  Kennett’s UMW has three circles (small groups) that meet at various times of day and days of week for your convenience.  Each is an important part of the work we do together for God’s Household.  Discover more about it this coming Sunday, October 18 at 2:00pm.

What Must I do?

Amos 5:6-15

Mark 10:17-31 

How many of you really love God?  How many of you would like to live with God forever?  How many would like to know how to make that happen?  Most everyone here raised their hand in answer to these questions.  Here are a few more.

How many of you plan to eat lunch after we worship today?  How many are pretty sure that they’ll have three meals tomorrow?  How many of you have a nice warm place to sleep tonight.  How many are relative certain they’ll be sleeping in that same place tomorrow night?  A month from now?  A year from now?  How about clothes; how many of you are wearing clothes today that you were the first to own?  How many plan to take a warm bath/shower tonight or tomorrow morning?

If you (like me) answered yes to most of these questions, today’s gospel story is for you.  But before we get any further I need to emphasize a four word fragment of a sentence that’s part of the 21^st verse.  “Jesus, looking at him, loved him …”  You need to hear these words up front because what we’ve got to talk about today is going to be difficult for many of us to take.  What Jesus says is going to challenge much of what we’ve learned about life.  That’s okay because Jesus loves us.  That will be enough.

It begins with a question from a man.  I think I hear of sigh of relief from all you woman who think you’ve now been let off the hook but let me remind you that United Methodists are an inclusive lot.  If the only negative answer you’ve been able to offer so far is that you are not a man, forget about it.  If I were translating this passage I’d use the word “person”.  “A person ran up and knelt before Jesus and asked him.”  When Matthew remembers this story he says the person was young.  When Luke tells the story a Ruler asks the question.  Mark does not provide an out for us.  It was a person who asked the question.  If you are someone who loves God and wants to know what to do to live with God forever, then you could be the one who asks, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 

Jesus begins his answer by asking a question,  “Why do you call me good?”  He then makes a statement, “No one is good but God alone.”  Jesus lived honoring the four commandments that tell us how to be in right relationship with God.  We need to realize with Paul that the only good in us is from God.  We need to give God the glory for that gift of goodness that we too often claim as our own.

Jesus then reminds the questioner about the Ten Commandments (expanding them to include defraud).  The person tells Jesus that’s keeping those rules have been part of his life since childhood.  If you listen closely you can hear a note of despair.  He’s done everything right and we soon discover that he’s a man with a lot of stuff.  Others had taught him those possessions were a reward from God for keeping the rules.  Perhaps you’ve heard that too.  They would have us believe that those things were blessings from God; a reward for good behavior.  And yet here’s this man bowing at the feet of a wandering teacher who depended on gifts from supporters for a little bread and wine.  Later Franciscans would argue with a rich and powerful Vatican that he didn’t even own the cloths he wore.  There was something the man needed that all his possessions and power couldn’t provide.

That’s when Jesus looked at him and loved him.  And you can almost hear the gasp of the gathered crowd as the prescription was written.   “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”

If you’re surprised, think about the man who Mark finally reveals as one with many possessions.  Somewhere in this story the gospel has moved from preaching to meddling.  We are a people with many possessions.  What do we do?

We’re told the man went away grieving.  We’re not told what he did and an I guess in the end it doesn’t matter because now it’s become a story about me.  ²³Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” ²⁴And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁶They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.”

I’m reminded of a suggestion Jesus made to us at another point,  “If your eye causes you to sin pluck it out.   It is better for you to enter heaven with one eye than to spend eternity in hell.”  Or “if you hand causes you to sin cut it off.  Better late than eternal nothing.”  Many have tried to lessen the impact of trying to imagine a camel passing through a needle’s eye by talking about the similarity between the Aramaic word “camel” and the nautical term for the rope sailor’s use.  But I don’t want us to make it any easier because it’s just not.  This being a follower of Christ is difficult.  The results of true discipleship cannot be measured by earthly possessions.  I believe we’re walking a slippery slope when we begin equating blessings with possessions or health or anything of this world. 

So what do we do with this challenge to our understanding of good?  We keep listening for God’s good news.  “²⁹Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, ³⁰who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. ³¹But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

May God add a blessing to the study of The Word.  Amen.

Prayers

The family of Jean Kinchen, The family of Rachel Bynum, The family of Harry Rogers, Billie Clayton, Isabel McNulty, Margaret Moore, Ken Hensen

The View from the Pulpit

September 22, 2009

Dear Church Family

Grace and Peace to you in the Name of the One who walks with us every day to show us God’s presence and call us into God’s love, Jesus Christ.

I can’t decide if it’s because Kennett likes parades or because it doesn’t, that every couple years the only two parades of the year are four days apart.  But here we are and it will happen again this year.  Kennett’s Homecoming parade is this coming Friday afternoon beginning at 2:00pm and the Delta Fair Parade will swing down St. Francis Street on Tuesday’s early evening.  The Delta Fair is next Tuesday through Saturday.

It was pretty nice of the town founders to organize this fair to help us kick off the return of Wednesday activities here at 1^st UMC.  On the Wednesday after the fair you are invited to join us for a simple meal at 5:30pm.  The children’s (Preschool to 5^th grade) and youth (Middle and High School) choirs will begin rehearsals at 6:30pm and everyone else is invited to join me in the Fellowship Classroom as we study “The Fundamental Beliefs of United Methodists”  Then the Adult Choir will rehearse at 7:30pm.

The rush of the coming two weeks took nothing away from the thanks we offered to God this past Sunday as we celebrated camp.  It doesn’t matter if it’s called “Church” or “Work” it is still an opportunity to mature faith in God through Jesus Christ.  We heard from several of the youth who participated in the two Church Camps and two Work Camps that were part of our summer program.  We saw the pictures and learned some of what was accomplished because of God’s call and some of what was learned because of God’s love.  John Wheeler helped us see the connection between Luke’s story of the great banquet and our place in God’s circle of invitees to the feast offered.  The Sanctuary Choir sang “This Little Light”.  Montrell and David took us to the camp fire.  Sara, Joelle, Shelby, and Allyson helped us learn that we are brothers, sisters, and friends because of God’s presence in our lives.

Our special guest for the day was Mr. David Atkins, the Executive Director of the Missouri United Methodist Foundation.  He was present with a grant of $2,000 from the “Hamilton Grant” program.  He was also available to provide information about the ministry of The Foundation.

All in all, it was a good day of community worship that actually didn’t end until about 4:00pm that afternoon in Sikeston Missouri as the Kennett Gospel Quartet (KGQ) offered gathering and worship music for this year’s meeting of the Southeast District Conference. 

It is good to spend the day singing God’s praise.  Come join us this Sunday morning and bring a friend.

                                                                                       In Christ’s Love….Gary

MissionCast

Audrey Phelps, Volunteers in Mission Coordinator, at the Office of Creative Ministries, recently led a volunteers in mission team to Voronezh, Russia.  Voronezh is the site of the only camp for the new and emerging United Methodist Church in Russia.  When the camp was purchased by the church it was in very poor shape.  The Missouri team worked to improves the facilities for use by the church.  There is still a lot of work yet to be done.  If you think your congregation would like to send a team to work on the camp please contact Audrey by calling her at the Office of Creative Ministries (573-474-7155) or emailing her at phelps@umocm.com 

To view this MissionCast go to http://MOMissionCast.com

A Presence Based Church

Where is God?  That's one of the questions that guides our worship each week.  Of course the general right answer is "God is everywhere" (we like to be more specific) but what does it mean for us to believe that God is with us.  How does God's presence guide the work God has placed before us? How do we learn to recognize and live in that presence?  What would a "Presence Based Church" look like?

 Those are questions that will guide our worship and work this fall as the Church year comes to an end and we begin preparations to celebrate and experience God's presence born in a manger and we are excited.

 We're excited because Rev. Terry Teykl, an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church in Texas and affiliated with the General Board of Discipleship - Renewal Ministries, will be our guest on Sunday, October 25th.  He will help lead worship and two afternoon session as he helps us begin to read and study together one of his books,  The Presence Based Church.

 "Terry Tekyl's warm humourous style makes him one of the most sought after speakers and seminar leaders in the country.  Terry pastored local churches for 28 years.  In 1987 God spoke and told him to 'build the church in prayer.'  Since that time he has been teaching churches across the country how to pray and invite the Holy Spirit."

 Now is the time to set aside Sunday, October, 25th as a day dedicated to your and your family's walk with God.  More information will be available soon.

What’s Happening This Week

Tuesday                        6:30pm – “Led by Thread” meets in the Youth Room

                          7;30pm – “Hour of Prayer” meets in the Sanctuary

Wednesday       9:30am – “Ladies Prayer and Share Bible Study” meets in the Parlor

                          7:30pm – “Sanctuary Choir” rehearses in the Parlor

Thursday           12:30pm – “Led by Thread” meets in the Youth Room

Saturday           MISSIONBLITZ

7:00am – “Angel Food” Distribution

Another Prayer Ministry

We've added another way for all of us to surround the community with prayer.  Visit www.virtualprayerroom.net/1stumckennett and explore all the "stations".  Each will guide you into a particular prayer focus.  One station "Personal Prayer Requests" provides you the opportunity to see the prayers people called Methodist in Kennett have requested and to add your own prayers to the list that is displayed.  Remember this list is available to anyone who uses the internet so be wise in the use of full names and specific details.

Next Sunday

Next Sunday is the 17^th Sunday after Pentecost.  Readings from the Old Testament book of Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 and the Gospel of Mark 9:38-50 will guide our time together.  We’ll hear how God’s people practiced their faith in the face of people who liked them and those who didn’t.  We may even get to boo the tyrant Haman and the importance of remaining faithful to God’s vision of life.  We’re told to do the right thing even it does actually cost us an arm and a leg.  We are pleased that the Sanctuary Choir has returned to their place on the chancel.  I really miss the spirit and joy they provide to our experience of God each week.

The View from the Pulpit

September 14, 2009

Dear Church Family

 Yes, Dianne and I had a wonderful week piddling around the place Lake Pomme de Terre.  We met some new neighbors from southern Illinois, became a little more aware of the surroundings, enjoyed some cool morning and evenings watching the sun rise and set, doing a little more work on “the shed” and putting up three hundred feet of fence so our livestock (Boomer, Spike, and Tweety – miniature schnauzers) are safe from the neighbors bulldog who is very protective of her masters six month old daughter.  Work injuries include only one sore and blistered thumb from driving a post-hole digger into rocky ground, a bruised thumb from a misplaced hammer strike, and a few bug bites.

God spoke to me several times in the midst of whirl-wind and the still small voice.  On the first day it happened about an hour after our arrival.  One important test always happens about then when we stand at the sink after turning on the water heater to see if it’s working.  I’d been out doing something that called for my hands to be washed so there I stood with soaped hands waiting, testing, waiting, testing, wondering, fretting, testing, wondering how long it would take for the hot water to replace the cold that was in the pipes.  It should have happened, but it didn’t so with a big sigh I rinsed with the cold falling into the sink and reached to turn the hot water off trying to think about what could be wrong and how I could fix it.  I turned the handle counter clockwise but it didn’t budge.  I tried again but it was stuck.   Great, what now?  Then the solution to the problem dawned like a bright summer morning and I reached over to the cold faucet and turned it off.

My pulpit that day was the kitchen sink and I  started wondering how many times God provides the “Hot water” we require only to see us reach for the cold we don’t need and begin praying for God to make it miraculously hot.  It must be pretty frustrating for God some times.

I understand Grover preached a powerful sermon last Sunday.  Thanks to him and to the rest who continue the work of worship when the appointed preacher is away.  It is good to be serving God with you all.

                                                                             In Christ’s Love….Gary

Next Sunday

Next Sunday’s Scriptures include Psalm 1 and Mark 9:30-37.  God seems to have always worked well with people who were camping.  Miracles happened as God’s people follow from place to place and insights into God’s Household are revealed.  We’ll spend time celebrating and learning from those who participated in the various Christian Camping Experiences offered this past summer.  It doesn’t matter if the Christ-center camp is described as “Church” or “Work” there are amazing things to be learned.  We’ll hear about some of those experiences as we worship this coming Sunday at “UpWords” and “The Celebration”.  We’ll also host a representative from The Missouri United Methodist Foundation who will present a grant to us for the Audio/Visual Project and be available during the Sunday School hour to provide information about the ministry of The Foundation and ways we can be a part of this ministry.

What’s Happening this Week

Monday               6:00pm – Trustees Meeting

                             7:00pm – Church Council Meeting

Tuesday               6:30pm – “Led by Thread” meets in the Youth Room

                             7:00pm – “Hour of Prayer” meets in the Sanctuary

Wednesday          9:30am – “Ladies Prayer and Share Bible Study” meets in the Parlor

                             7:30pm – “Sanctuary Choir” Adult Choir Rehearsal meets in the Parlor

Thursday              12:30pm – “Led by Thread” meets in the Youth Room

Friday                   9:30am – “Mature Methodist Travelers” to Cowtown in Bloomfield & The Sikeston Outlet Mall

Inner Strength

If you can start the day without caffeine or pep pills,

Of you can be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,

If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,

If you can eat the same food everydya and be grateful for it,

If you can understand when loved ones are too busy to give you time,

If you can overlook when people take things out on you when, though no fault of yours, something goes wrong,

If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,

If you can face the world without lies and eceit,

If you can conquer tension without medical help,

If you can relax without liquor,

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

If you can do all these things ...

Then you are probable the family dog.

Thanks to Emily Story for sharing this little sermon with me today.

The View from the Pulpit

August 31, 2009

Dear Church Family:

It’s the last day of August.  It’s the last day of August!  I watched my first football of the season this past weekend, an Indian win and a bit of a couple of professional games.  My computer task bar says its 73 degrees outside and it’s after 1:00pm.  Maybe I should have ended that last sentence with a question mark.

Tomorrow we begin all those months that end in ‘ber.  We experienced very little “’ber” yesterday though some did complain about the air-conditioning.  Zach Johnson made of wonderful musical offering of the song “Imagine” for the groups gathered at 8:30am and 10:30am.  We played around with “Song of Solomon” for a time and though some looked a little worried as I told about the time my brother got stuck in the cemetery with his girlfriend, we all survived.  One of our members even approached me after the service to say that she too had once gotten stuck in a cemetery.  She didn’t elaborate.

I need to thank Scottie Landess and all the others who gathered with me at Southaven in the afternoon as we sang and prayed and talked God’s love with those who live there.  You were a wonderful witness to the power of God’s love and I really appreciate it.

We have set aside this coming weekend to celebrate labor; perhaps as a way for us to talk ourselves back to work.  According to the History Channel website, “Labor Day is the celebration of the value and dignity of work, and its role in the American way of life.”  This may be a good year for us to reclaim that original idea.  I seem to run across a lot of people today whose life’s goal seems to be not to have to work.  And yet labor has been part of God’s plan from the beginning.  It just started out easier when we lived in harmony with God before “the fall”.

You’ll be hearing more about the work of the church in the very near future as we begin evaluating what we’ve offered to God so far and making plans for the end and beginning of the Christian year.  I do appreciate all you do to serve God.

                                                                                       In Christ’s Love.....Gary

What’s Happening this Week:

Tuesday              6:30pm – “Led by Thread” meets in the Youth Room

                           7:00pm – “Hour of Prayer” meets in the Sanctuary

                           7:30pm – “A Service of Healing and Anointing” meets in the Sanctuary

Wednesday        9:30am – “Ladies Prayer & Share Bible Study” meets in the Parlor

Thursday                        12:30pm – “Led by Thread” meets in the Youth Room

Next Sunday

We’ll be celebrating Labor Day, Holy Communion, and the 14^th Sunday after Pentecost.  Two texts from our wisdom tradition, one from the Hebrew Scriptures and one from the Christian Scriptures (Old Testament & New Testament) will guide our time together.

The book of Proverbs is wisdom from the Old Testament.  According to the New Interpreter’s Bible, “Every human needs wisdom for living and every healthy society hands its wisdom on to the next generation. Proverbs is a literary anthology of Israel’s traditional wisdom, gathered from diverse spheres of life. The book’s purpose is to help people become wise and godly.  We’ll be looking at chapter 22: verses 1-2, 8-9, & 22-23.

The book of James is often considered wisdom from the New Testament.  According to the Daily Study Bible, “James is one of the books which had a very hard fight to get into the New Testament. Even when it did come to be regarded as Scripture, it was spoken of with a certain reserve and suspicion, and even as late as the sixteenth century Luther would gladly have banished it from the New Testament altogether.”  We’ll be looking at what it teaches in chapter 2 verses 1-10 & 14-17.

The theme that will guide our time is “Pure Religion” and, of course, all are invited to gather around the Lord’s Table.

Missioncast from Hayti, Mo

The Wardrobe is located in Hayti, Missouri, and services the area communities with inexpensive clothing and when possible and for those who need it free food boxes.  To view this MissionCast about the Wardrobe go to http://MOMissionCast.com

Sister’s Circle

The Sister’s Circle will have its first meeting of this new season on September 9^th  - 6:00pm at the “Mi Ranchito” Mexican restaurant here in Kennett.  Members of “Sister’s Circle” are on average some of our younger women.  Some of their past projects include gathering to make and deliver casseroles to our home-bound members and projects to support our local schools.  If you’d like more information about this lively group, contact Julie Lynn (888-0563)  or Charolyn Hilburn (888-2730).  Or just show up on Wednesday, Sept. 9^th at 6:00pm.

Delta Fair Ticket Booth

We’ve been given the opportunity to run a ticket booth during the Delta Fair.  For that work we’ll receive $1,000 which we’ll put toward the Audio/Video Project.  We’re still in need of a few volunteers, particularly on Tuesday and Saturday evening.  If you’d like to help, please call the church office.

13^th Sunday after Pentecost

Song of Solomon 2:8-13 & Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

“Roasted Gazelle”

One of my brothers is two years younger than me.  (note: names have been removed from this print version to protect the author)  It was my study of the Old Testament reading for today that made me think of him historically this week.  It was in the fall of the year.  As I’m mentioned before, we grew up in Hardin, Missouri; a little town in the Missouri River bottoms about sixty miles east of Kansas City.  The land is a lot like that around Kennett, only not as much.  The soil is soft and sandy and flat but its only six to eight miles wide there instead of the 30 to 40 miles we’ve got around here.

It was after the autumn rains one year, when he came in to the house one evening and my father left with him.  They were gone for a couple of hours and when they returned he went right to bed and Dad was very quiet.  It took just a little questioning from an older brother to discover what had transpired.

The short version is that he and his girl friend had been out riding around.  On the way back to her house in the country east of town they’d decided to drive through the local cemetery.  The same cemetery that was later bisected by the Missouri River during the flood of ’94 and currently contains a rather large lake where the oldest graves used to be.  He and she got stuck in the cemetery.  They had to call her father to bring a tractor in to town to get the car unstuck.  We didn’t talk much about why they had stopped in the cemetery.  I doubt their parents talked with them much about it either.

Young Love!  Isn’t it great.  The book called “Song of Solomon” is about young, passionate, crazy, dumb, love.  And if I were to poll the couples here I’m betting most would have a similar story to tell.  However since some of you are now sitting here in church with a mother, father, mother-in-law, father-in-law sitting right next to you, I won’t ask so you won’t be tempted to tell.  (After the service a member that you all know came to me saying that she too had once been stuck in a cemetery.  I didn’t ask any questions.)

Song of Solomon contains the story of two people who are passionately in love with some of the advice given by friends.  Some English translations call this book “Song of Songs” meaning “the ultimate song”.  Our Roman Catholic friends have titled this book “Canticles”.  Whatever you want to call it, it is a miracle that it is included in the sacred writings.  Scholars are hard pressed to find any reference to God.  Matter of fact, the word “God” is never used.  But it somehow holds a special place in our religious canon.  Why is that?

Theologians hint to the idea that “Songs of Songs” speaks about God’s love for the Church.  And if you can somehow make holy that dumb, passionate, crazy love that most of us have experienced at some time in our lives then you catch a glimpse of God.  If you can see behind the words that describe eyes as doves, hair as a flock of goats moving down Gilead’s slopes, teeth as white as fresh shorn ewes, lips as crimson thread, cheeks as pomegranates, necks as the tower of David (we’ll stop there) and can imagine God looking at humanity with that kind of emotion then you’ve just taken a step closer to the Holy One.  ⁸The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills. ⁹My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look, there he stands behind our wall, gazing in at the windows, looking through the lattice. ¹⁰My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; ¹¹for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. ¹²The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. ¹³The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away(Song of Solomon 2:8-13).  And you’ve gotten a glimpse of what our love for God could be like.

I imagine Jesus and his Disciples living that kind of love for each other.  A kind of love that was just so excited by presence.  A crazy love that is so focused on its source that it sees nothing else, thinks nothing else.  A relationship where “other” is the focus point.  That was the relationship the Pharisees and scribes interrupted during today’s reading from Mark’s gospel.  They interrupted with a question, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?”

Even little kids know the answer to that question.  “Who cares about clean hands, we’re having fun together, living life together.  There is no time to stop for anything.”  But let’s not be too hard on the opposition here.  I believe they loved God and truly believed that their hand washing and rituals and rules were the way to show that love.  That’s a different kind of love.  It’s a love that is measured and responsive and ordered and logical.  The problem is that it can also become the focus point or our love rather than the way of living our love.  Jesus somehow saw behind the question an attitude of disgust.  He told them then and there that God’s love is not about clean cups, even though it was God’s love for them that taught them to sanitize their eating utensils.  He said that God’s love is not about the commands even though it was God’s love for them that had given them the rules that would help transform them from a community of slave laborers into owners of property in a land of promise. Because, “There is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are that defile.  For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly.  All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (Mark 7:15, 21-23)

Children and Young Lovers are not the only ones who know about crazy, passionate, mad, dumb love.  God knows about it too.  How else do you explain all the effort God has put in to this relationship with us.  How else can you understand a desire to put on human flesh, live in this wonderfully dirty world, laugh, cry, hurt, and help?  It was that passion that led him to a week of betrayal, suffering, pain, death, and resurrection.  Oh, if we could only remember and live that love in return.  Thanks be to God!  Amen.

Prayers

Angel White, Thatcher Rowe Beaton, Evelyn Wilcoxson, John Pate, Sondra Wake, Kenneth Henson, A.T. Dunlap, Rev. Jocelyn VanBuskirk, David Carter, Rev. Norman Ogles, Lawana Miles.

Visit us on the web at www.1stumckennett.org

The View from the Pulpit

August 24, 2009

Dear Church Family:

Grace and peace to you in the name of the One who has chosen you through His Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ to be heirs to His Kingdom.

Yesterday seemed to be a day of prayer for us.  I’m not saying that prayer is not a normal part of the worship we offer.  It just seemed that we had a multitude of joys and concerns to share as we gathered together as a community traveling towards God’s House.  Which makes me wonder; are there really more concerns or are we simply more aware of community life now that school is back in session?

I don’t know the answer but am happy to be with a community of faith that prays for people who are experiencing life’s difficult moments.  It shows that we believe that God makes a difference.  I mentioned a couple weeks ago about being honored to be asked to offer a prayer before Kennett’s town hall style gathering on health care.  Last week I was able to say a prayer before the meal at “Relay for Life’s” survivor dinner and as the relay actually began on Friday night.  Rev. Ed Jansson did the same before last week’s City Council meeting.  I’m thinking the Pastor’s who serve with the people here in Kennett were given many opportunities to point to God with us in many and various situations.

So thank you for your prayers.  Each witnesses to someone who doesn’t know or has decided not to believe the truth of LORD God who is with us today.  Keep up the good work.

                                                                                                     In Christ’s Love….Gary

Relay for Life Report

Our team captain, Julie Lynn, reports that a good time was had by all this past Friday evening as the Kennett Community gathered in solidarity with those who have fought cancer, the medical community that is always looking for better treatment options, and the faith communities that provide support, encouragement, and prayer.  Our team was not the largest present but as I walked the track inside the American Legion Building I kept seeing other members of 1^st UMC sitting in other booths and working with other teams.  it just goes to show that United Methodists are a lot like yeast.  We’ve infiltrated many civic and business organizations looking for ways to live our faith in God through Jesus Christ in community with the people around us.

Thanks to all who participated.  Special thanks to those of you who purchased luminaries.  Our team received special recognition for raising the most money through the sale of luminaries.  You make a difference.

A Chair for Lindsey

The Kennett Park Board is selling plastic bracelets in honor of Lindsey Pruett and will use the proceeds to purchase a lifeguard chair for the Sheryl Crow Aquatic Center.  Lindsey worked as a lifeguard at the pool in  2006, 2007, and 2008.  Deb Stokley, President of the Park Board, will be in our hospitality room this coming Sunday morning with more information and bracelets for sale.  (Lindsey died in an automobile accident while returning to Missouri State University this past spring.)

Next Week

Next week we’ll be gathering on the 13^th Sunday after Pentecost.  Did you notice anything different when you walked into the sanctuary this past week?  The  coverings (paraments) on our altar, lectern, pulpit, and behind the cross have changed from red to green.  Most other churches who celebrate the Christian year donned green apparel back in June.  Green celebrates new life and growth and accompanies this season filled with stories of the difference the adult Christ made in the lives of the people he lived with.  It is a long season, lasting until the end of November when we change to white to celebrate “Christ the King” and then to purple when we start the year all over again with the season of advent as we prepare for Christ’s birth. 

Officially the color red is used only once, on Pentecost Sunday.  But I like red and the spirit and joy to which it points.  So I’ve asked our volunteers, Roger and Bennye Wheeler, to leave the red until about half way through the season of Pentecost.  Just to remind us of the source of our power, the Holy Spirit.

This week we’ll read from the Old Testament’s  Song of Solomon (sometimes called simply “Songs”),  and Mark’s gospel.  This OT book is for mature adults, comparing “my beloved” to “a gazelle or a young stag” while Mark remembers the conflict those who followed Jesus caused when they didn’t wash their hands.  Of course there is more to the story.  Come and see.

MissionCast

MissionCast #130 - Two Of Our Fastest Growing Churches … Get to know two of the fastest growing churches in the Missouri Conference.  Calhoun UMC is located in Calhoun, Missouri, just north of Clinton.  Drake's Chapel UMC is located just south of Calhoun.  What they have in common is that they are both small rural churches and both are growing rapidly.  Two view MissionCast go to http://MOMissionCast.com

What’s happening the Week?

Tuesday                6:30pm – “Led by Thread” meets in the Youth Room

                             7:00pm – “Hour of Prayer” in the Sanctuary

Wednesday           9:30am – “Ladies Prayer & Share Bible Study” meets in the Parlor

Thursday              12:30pm – “Led by Thread” meets in the Youth Room

Saturday              7:00am – “Angel Food” Distribution

Next Sunday         1:00pm – Leah Madden Bridal Shower in the Parlor

Outreach Kit for August due in the Office by Friday Morning

The First UMC Outreach Committee is beginning another outreach program: collecting and distributing different necessities each month for those in need. Each month we will be collecting different items (hygiene kits, blankets & bedding, clothing, etc.) beginning the Sunday before AngelFood distribution and will provide these items on the following Saturday.

For the month of August, we will start collecting laundry items from the 23rd through the 28th, and will provide the kits on the 29th during AngelFood distribution. The list includes:

§  2 boxes of laundry detergent

§  dryer sheets

§  clothes pins

§  color-safe bleach

§  2 large mesh laundry bags

These items are all available at Dollar Tree and can be purchased for a total of $7. Please place items inside one of the laundry bags and bring them to the church during the time listed above.

A reminder will be sent the week before and during collection week. 

W.C. Huffman and Ethel R. Huffman Education Fund Awards

Kennett’s First United Methodist Church recently awarded thirteen grants totaling $ 6,500  from the W.C. Huffman and Ethel R. Huffman Scholarship Fund to its members who are currently enrolled in eight colleges and universities.  Recipients include, Josh Pemberton at The Boston Conservatory, Suzanne Carter at Southeast Missouri State University, Brooke Ellis at the University of Arkansas, Kristen Privett at the University of Arkansas, Tyson Privett at the University of Arkansas, Katelyn Geary at the University of Missouri, Samantha Geary at the University of Missouri, Nicholas Jain at the University of Missouri, Alex Briscoe at Missouri University of Science and Technology, Whitney Lowry at Murray State University, Westley Wood at DeVry University, Matt Hamlett at Missouri State University, and Hope Sparks at the University of Missouri.  Because of this generous gift, 1^st UMC has been able to help 121 students with grants totaling more than $60,500  since 1986.  Please keep our current students in your prayers as their work begins this fall.

A Covenant Prayer  in the Wesleyan Tradition

I am no longer my own, but thine.

Put me to what thou wilt,

rank me with whom thou wilt.

Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee.

Let me be full, let me be empty.

Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and heartily yield all things

        to thy pleasure and disposal.

And now, O glorious and blessed God,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

        thou art mine, and I am thine.

So be it.

And the covenant

        which I have made on earth,

                 let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

12^th Sunday after Pentecost

Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18

John 6:56-69

“The Land Beyond the River” or “Skin Deep”

I wish we had more time.  This is a big day and maybe if your preacher had stayed with the lectionary instead of spending the last 5 weeks rethinking leading, witnessing, love, life, and church we’d be a little better prepared for this difficult saying about bread that caused so much confusion that many decided they could not be a follower of Jesus.  You’d have a little more background in order to try to make some sense of that first verse we read.  “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me and I in them.”

Jesus quickly follows that bombshell with two more; “Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me.”  “This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died.  But the one who eats this bread will live forever.”  Its no wonder early opposition claimed that Christian were cannibals.  This is a shocking and disgusting image for most of us.  It is even more surprising since they come this early in John’s gospel.

Perhaps we’d been prepared if the timing was right.  We might expect to hear these words during the week before Easter.  The other gospel writers pretty much agree on the order, triumphal entry, a couple days teaching in the temple, the last supper, betrayal, arrest, 40 lashes, conviction, crucifixion, burial, resurrection.  In that brutal context eating flesh is tough, but not surprising. 

But this talk of body/bread doesn’t fit into the formula you’ve heard.  You know; as Jesus and his disciples gathered in the upper room to celebrate the Passover, Jesus took the bread, thanked God, and broke it saying, “Take.  Eat. This is my body given for you.  Do this as often as you eat of it in remembrance of me.”  And after supper Jesus took the cup, thanked God and passed it among the Disciples saying, “Take.  Drink.  This is the cup of a new covenant poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.  Do this as often as you drink of it in remembrance of me.”

Today’s talk about bread began five weeks ago when we first read Mark’s memory of a day on the hillside.  It was after John the Baptizer had been killed.  Jesus and the twelve had gone across the lake to get away and pray.  John remembers that they arrived to a rather large crowd who had discovered while they were in the boat where they were going.  Jesus saw the crowds and asked Phillip a question about bread.  That’s how it all began.

Phillip said they didn’t have, would never have enough resources to purchase enough bread to feed the crowds who had come to hear him speak and heal those who were possessed with evil spirits.  Jesus asked what they did have and a young boy’s lunch was presented, five barley loaves and two fish.

Now this wasn’t the expensive bread, no ciabatta or baguette.  This was the kind of bread we used to sell at A&P in a brown paper bag; five loaves for a dollar.  And the fish wasn’t tilapia (I didn’t even know there was such a thing til about a year ago).  It was the kind we used to catch at Lions Club Lake; 4 or 5 boys, 3 hours, 30 or 40 perch scaled – gutted – fried.  And yet after Jesus’ prayer and distribution there was enough.  And each Disciple filled his basket with what was left over.  That’s the meal that introduced all this talk about bread.

Jesus begins to talk about bread from heaven and the yeast of the Pharisees and a connection between the bread he offers and eternal life.  Then he claims “bread-hood” for himself saying, “I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” And those who oppose him begin to argue and dispute about how this one they knew as Joseph’s son could say such things.  That’s when he says it.  “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.”

The gospels are very clear about the way many people responded to Jesus’ teaching.  We’d like to think that the numbers always increased. But that is just not true.  That’s one of the reasons I believe the gospels are true.  They don’t tell us that everyone who heard always believed.  Sometimes I’m amazed that was not the case.  Matthews tells us that after the crucifixion and the events of that first Easter morning, the eleven met the resurrected Jesus at the mountain in Galilee.   He writes, “When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.”

John remembers, “Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him.”  It wasn’t the first time followers stopped following.  It also wasn’t the first time people were asked to choose their path.   Joshua encouraged those God had freed from Egyptian slavery to make a choice.

It happened after the land God had promised them had been given.  These were the people who had cried for help as their Egyptian taskmasters practiced a particularly cruel kind of population control.  God called Moses to gather the Hebrews and lead them toward a land flowing with milk and honey that God will give them.  God used Moses and then Joshua to guide the people to and claim a homeland.  The fighting was done.  The battles had been won.  The land was theirs for the taking.  There were only two things left to do; move in and decide which god would lead them.

Joshua puts it succinctly, “…choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”  The “Region beyond the river” was Egypt.  The gods of the Amorites were those worshiped by the people God had just helped them conquer.  The third choice was LORD.  (It’s important to know that most English translations of the Old Testament use the word “LORD” all capital letters as God’s personal name perhaps pronounced as “Yahweh” or “Jehovah”.)  Joshua sets the example, “…as for me and my house, we will serve LORD.” 

Peter was much more verbal when he answered the question.  He gives the reason for his choice. “Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” ⁶⁸Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. ⁶⁹We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

 Eternal life; not something we want to fool around with.  We want to make the right choice.  For several years now I’ve been using that prayer that’s on that little blue insert in your bulletin to help us find the words.  They’re  contained in the United Methodist Hymnal under the title, “A  Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition.”  I was told that Wesley “borrowed” it from some old Presbyterians he knew.  That’s okay.  We Methodist’s are good at plundering the Egyptians.

Several years ago it was in the bulletin and someone came to me afterward saying they couldn’t pray that prayer on such short notice.  It requires some prayer.  Listen to the words,  “I am no longer my own, but thine.  Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.  Put me to doing, put me to suffering.  Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee.  Let me be full, let me be empty.  Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.”

And so this week I invite you to live with this prayer.  Take it home with you and put it someplace where you’ll see it every day.  Make it the center of your prayer life this week.  What changes would happen if you really committed to doing what it suggests?  How do we live as the LORD’s people?  Can we allow God to fill and empty us?  What does it mean to yield all things to God’s pleasure and disposal?

When we had our first child on the day we brought him home my Mom and her sisters came to visit.  Aunt Lola was the one who surprised us.  The first thing she did was strip off all his cloths in order to see him in his birthday suit.  Then to my surprise she said with a smile on her face,  “I could just eat you up.”  From her mouth and with that smile on her face, it didn’t sound that bad.  I believe that moment has something to do with Jesus teaching today.  May those with ears, hear; and those with eyes, see.  Amen.

Prayers

Paula Gordon, Oscar Barnes, Barbara Cuff,  A.T. Dunlap, Thatcher Rowe Beaton, the family of Frank Carter, Carol Degraw, Renee Miller, the family of Joyce “Tootsie” Brogden.  Karen Cannon, Charlie & Lou Arthur, Mickey Allen, Kim Anderson, Alice Mose, Dean Jackson, Tyler & Shelly Williams, Sister Louise Beneke, Rev. Bob McNabb, the family of Rev. Dr. Arthur C. Fulbright.

The View from the Pulpit

August 17, 2009

Dear Church Family:

Thank You!  That’s the word for all of you who put forth the extra effort required to move our worship to Jones Park yesterday.   That extra effort involved offering 400 hot dogs with all the fixings, 600 drinks, cookies, games, fellowship, prayers, information, and fun to all who happened by or who responded to our ads in the paper and your many invitations.

About 10 minutes before worship began at 10:30am our official counter had pointed to 150 people.  By the time we were finished with that hour there were more than 200 gathered around including one bicyclist who stopped about half way through the sermon between me and the playground and stayed till the end.  As the day continued more and more people enjoyed your hospitality.   I’d guess close to 350 stopped by at some time to bounce in the jumpers, taste a bit of food, and ask what in the world was going on.  We were encouraged by the work of a young Christian rock band and a refreshing breeze that blew until people started leaving about 2:30pm and the same people who set things up packed it all back across town to the church.

Today everyone who has come by the church has commented on the goodness of the effort and the fun they had doing whatever they did.  Several thought we ought to do it again in October.  We’ll see.  There are plans to make our presence known during the Delta Fair with an information table and a float in the parade.

We closed the worship part of our morning by singing lustily and with a good spirit, “Joy to the World!  The Lord has Come”.  It is good to be serving God with you all.  Thanks again for the opportunity.

                                                                                                   In Christ’s Love….Gary

Matured Methodist Travelers

The group called  “Mature Methodist Travelers” are not all Methodist.  There is some argument that they may not all be mature.  But one thing for sure, they know how to have a good time together.  You are invited to join them this coming Thursday when they leave the church at 9:30am to spend the day in Paragould.  That trip normally includes an afternoon movie.  Contact the church office to reserve your place in the bus.

Relay for Life

This year’s “Relay for Life” in support of the American Cancer Society’s Research to discover a cure for cancer is Friday evening beginning at 6:00pm.  1^st UMC’s team will be there with renewed energy and encouragement.  If you’d like to make a donation, purchase an “’luminary”, or go for a little walk with us at the Delta Fair grounds, contact Julie Lynn or the church office.

Mission Cast

MissionCast is a weekly vlog of the Office of Creative Ministries.  Every week short videos bring to life the mission outreach of the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church.  This week; Mary Z. Longstreth is a Deaconess and United Methodist missionary serving as the Director of Faith in Community Ministries, in Indianapolis, Indiana.  However, Missouri is her home state.  We caught up with Mary Z at Wilkes Blvd. United Methodist Church, in Columbia, where her father served as pastor when she was growing up.  She was invited to Wilkes to share her story while itinerating in Missouri.

To view the MissionCast  click here or go to http://momissioncast.com

What’s happening this week?

Tuesday              6:30pm – “Led by Thread” (Prayer Shawl Ministry) meets in the Youth Room

                           7:30pm – “Hour of Prayer” meets in the Sanctuary

Wednesday        9:30am – “Ladies Prayer and Share Bible Study” meets in the Parlor

Thursday                        9:30am – “Mature Methodist Travelers” leaves the church for Paragould

                           12:30pm – “Led by Thread” meets in the Youth Room

Friday                 6:00pm – “Relay for Life” begins at the Am. Legion Building/Delta Fair Grounds

Next Sunday

We’ll celebrate the 13^th Sunday after the Day of Pentecost.  We’ll hear Joshua’s words to God’s people, “choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord”.    We’ll also read from John’s gospel as Jesus delivers a difficult teaching that causes many of his disciples to turn away and stop following.  Plan now to join us for worship at 8:30am or 10:30am and to go to Sunday School.  There is a class just for you.

Outreach

The First UMC Outreach Committee is beginning another outreach program: collecting and distributing different necessities each month for those in need. Each month we will be collecting different items (hygiene kits, blankets & bedding, clothing, etc.) beginning the Sunday before AngelFood distribution and will provide these items on the following Saturday.

For the month of August, we will start collecting laundry items from the 23rd through the 28th, and will provide the kits on the 29th during AngelFood distribution. The list includes:

§  2 boxes of laundry detergent

§  dryer sheets

§  clothes pins

§  color-safe bleach

§  2 large mesh laundry bags

These items are all available at Dollar Tree and can be purchased for a total of $7. Please place items inside one of the laundry bags and bring them to the church during the time listed above.

A reminder will be sent the week before and during collection week.

Sunday School Promotion Sunday

While we were all together at the park, we recognized those children who will move up a class this next Sunday.  (We stopped “Promoting” adults a long time ago, now their class names just change after they can no longer claim to be the “Young Adult Class”)

New Pre-K/Kindergarten students include: Macy Bazzell, Sophia Beach, Kayden Dye, and Silas McClain.  Those new to the 1^st & 2^nd Grade class are Mary Grace Collins, Bodey Ellis, Molly McClain, Caroline Patton, Alice Pellham, and Owen Ross.  This year’s 3^rd graders joining the new 4^th graders are Hunter Hamlett and Parker McClain.  Jaihda Childress, Shaneesa Clark, Dakala Duckworth, Britt Harris, Will Heinen, Sydney Patton, Christian Porterfield, Cody Roberts, Riley Washburn, and Sarah Wheeler are new Middle School students.  New to High School are David Bell, Anna Kay Hilburn, Connor Hooper, Payton Raspberry, and Sarah Siebenhuener.

Please keep our Sunday School Program in your prayers.  It is an essential part of our evangelism program.  And if you don’t go to Sunday School now, why not join a class this week.  If none of the four we already offer interests you, talk to me (Gary) and we’ll see if something new might excite you and some others.

Praise in the Park

12th Sunday after Pentecost

Ezekiel 37:1-14

“ReThink Church”

I’m more than a little out of my comfort zone this morning.  It’s not being outside in beautiful Jones Park that makes me uncomfortable, I love being outdoors surrounded by trees; even these “Dr. Seuss” kind of trees left after this winter’s ice storm.  We’re blessed with a nice breeze this morning to refresh us.  I’m normally very comfortable outside.   This is not even the first time I’ve gathered with a church community for worship in the park.  The people at Miami and Mt. Carmel did it every summer while I served my first pastoral appointment with them.

However this is the first time I’ve led worship with adults while wearing shorts.  I’ve never been much a “short pants” person anyway.  Even as a child I normally opted for blue jeans even on hot summer days.  And of course jeans were required during my first jobs weeding soy bean fields and putting up hay.  A&P even had a rule against short pants.  We had to wear a white shirt and tie while stocking shelves and carrying groceries.

I’m uncomfortable in shorts but we decided to suggest everyone dress cool and comfortable today so in order to be a good example and at the encouragement of my wife, here I am.

The good news is that this uncomfortableness puts me in the right frame of mind to talk about Ezekiel’s word for us this morning.  He was one of the Major Prophets.  I was taught they called Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah the Major Prophets because their books were much longer than those written by the so called Minor Prophets.  But I don’t believe the length of book is really the reason for their title.  These three were prophets of the long haul.  They were called by God to their work when there was still hope of change.  They remained faithful to their call while trying to call people back to God to avert disaster and when the people did not return to God’s ways these prophets stayed with the people, pronouncing God’s Word and judgments through the horrors of war, captivity, and exile.

Ezekiel is writing to people who are uncomfortable.  They are in exile.  They have been forcibly removed from their homes, God’s temple has been destroyed, many have refused to sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land, some of their psalmists have named their plight.  "Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely."

But God continues to speak to Ezekiel.  Today we hear God’s prescription for people who have dry bone syndrome. 

37:1 The hand¹ of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and placed² me in the midst of the valley, and it was full of bones. 37:2 He made me walk all around among them.³ I realized⁴ there were a great many bones in the valley and they were very dry. 37:3 He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said to him, “Sovereign Lord, you know.” 37:4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and tell them: ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 37:5 This is what the sovereign Lord says to these bones: Look, I am about to infuse breath⁵ into you and you will live. 37:6 I will put tendons⁶ on you and muscles over you and will cover you with skin; I will put breath⁷ in you and you will live. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”

37:7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. There was a sound when I prophesied – I heard⁸ a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 37:8 As I watched, I saw⁹ tendons on them, then muscles appeared,¹⁰ and skin covered over them from above, but there was no breath¹¹ in them.

37:9 He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath,¹² – prophesy, son of man – and say to the breath: ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these corpses so that they may live.’” 37:10 So I prophesied as I was commanded, and the breath came into them; they lived and stood on their feet, an extremely great army.

37:11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are all the house of Israel. Look, they are saying, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope has perished; we are cut off.’ 37:12 Therefore prophesy, and tell them, ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: Look, I am about to open your graves and will raise you from your graves, my people. I will bring you to the land of Israel. 37:13 Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and raise you from your graves, my people. 37:14 I will place my breath¹³ in you and you will live; I will give you rest in your own land. Then you will know that I am the Lord – I have spoken and I will act, declares the Lord.’”

The hymn about “dem dry bones” didn’t make the latest edition of the United Methodist Hymnal.  But many of us know a few of the words and some of the tune.  It is an amazing prophesy that speaks to God’s ability to bring life where there is death.  It reminds us all of our need to “prophesy to the bones” of our neighbors, community, and yes, even to ourselves; so that God can rebuild broken lives.  And it tells us of the power of God’s spirit (wind, breath) to restore life.  It is a prophesy played out time and again but especially on the day of a mighty wind, tongues of fire, and the miracle of the Good News of Jesus proclaimed in the native tongue of all who were gathered just fifty days after Jesus’ death and resurrection.

But that’s not the part of the story that caught my attention this week.  It was the first phrase that reminded me of Otto.  Otto is a retired United Methodist Pastor who seemed to be everywhere I was when I first began life as an ordained Christian minister.  Otto’s last name is even more German than his first.  He is a faithful servant of God who continues to serve in many important ways.  While listening to him preach one day he talked a little bit about what it was like to be the child of two deaf parents.  That’s right, neither his mother or father could hear anything.  Can you imagine what it would be like to parent without the use of your ears.  Just think of all the things your kids could get away with.  But more, imagine all the trouble they could find.  Parenting would be even more difficult if you couldn’t hear a cry for help, the crash of a lamp, or the spark of scissors cutting an iron’s electric cord (another story).

The task of caring for an infant would be even more challenging.  But Otto told us how his parents faced the challenge.  When he was young, whenever he went to bed one of his parents would sleep next to him with their hand on him.  That way they could feel him wake up, or roll away, or cry, or whatever he did until he woke up the next morning.  They spent every night and every nap with their hand on him.

Ezekiel says that God’s hand was on him.  Even in exile, God’s hand was touching, guiding, lifting, providing, teaching.  It was that touch that gave Ezekiel this wondrous vision of life.

During this final week of our summer long series where we’ve been rethinking most of the doctrines of the church we’ve been invited to “Rethink Church”.  I can’t imagine a better place to do that than right here in the middle of Jones Park about 12 blocks south of our home at the corner of College and Washington.    The big question driving all we’ve talked about this summer is, “What if Church was a verb?”  What if Church became something we did rather than some place we went.  What would we mean when we said we were gathering to “do Church”?

Church happened to Ezekiel in the middle of a valley of dry bones.  Isn’t that what Church really is?  Aren’t we called to proclaim life in the face of death?  Don’t we speak justice to evil powers and principalities?  Isn’t “hope” our watchword and peace our proclamation? 

I think John said it best,  “What has come into being in Him was life, and the life was the light of all people.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”  The Church proclaims God’s light.  More than that.  The Church is God’s light.  That light was not given to be placed in a box, even a church shaped box. 

God’s hand is upon us today.  It’s here even (or maybe because)  we are not comfortable.  Today we risk our time, our resources, our love, while we invite the community to join with us and be “Church” for an afternoon.

What can we say to them?  How about, “Joy to the world, the LORD has come.  Let earth receive her king!  Let every house prepare him room; and heaven and nature sing!”  Amen.

Prayers:

Charlie Arthur, Shelly Williams, Connie & Junior Bridges, the Bill Drummond Family, Sister Louise Beneke, the family of Rev. Jeff Roland Marsh

Visit our Website

To see pictures of “Praise in the Park” as well as links to other United Methodist Web sites and to learn more about who we are and what we believe; go to www.1stumckennett.org    

The View from the Pulpit

August 10, 2009

Dear Church Family

Good morning all.  By now I hope you’ve all know about “Praise in the Park” next Sunday.  We’ll be moving our time of worship to Jones Park on the south side of town and inviting the Kennett Community to join us for worship, lunch, and an afternoon of fun, fellowship, and faith sharing.

As often happens when people go to the park, there are a few things set at specific times but many more activities that will just happen as we experience the day.  We’ll begin gathering at 10:00am.  Worship will start at 10:30am.  Hotdogs will be served from noon to 2:00pm and we’ll plan on winding it all down around 4:00pm.  In the midst of all that there will be a Christian Concert, air filled play grounds, several lawn games including volley ball and croquet, and placed to gather for prayer, communion on the hour, and to discover more about the work of 1^st UMC and the ways you can help.  There’s been some energy around a “home run derby” and I’m thinking that will happen sometime between 1:00 and 1:30 pm.

If you’ve got a favorite outdoor game you’d like to share please bring it with you.  These games don’t have to involve a lot of movement.  It would be good to have some things to do while we sit in the shade, maybe some card games (no money will change hands).  If you enjoy it most likely someone else will too.

You are encouraged to dress cool and casual and bring your lawn chairs.  There will be a cooling station and water available throughout the day.  You are also encouraged to bring a friend.  It would be even better if you brought someone you just met this week.  Also bring lawn chairs.

We’re calling it “Praise in the Park” and it’s an opportunity for us to celebrate a refreshing summer and the beginning of a new school year. 

                                                                                          In Christ’s Love…Gary

What’s Happening This Week

Monday                 7:00pm – Church Council Meeting in the Parlor

Tuesday                 6:30pm – “Led by Thread” meets in the Youth Room

                              7:00pm – “Hour of Prayer” meets in the Sanctuary

Wednesday           9:30am – “Ladies Prayer and Share Bible Study” meets in the Parlor

Thursday               Kennett Public Schools Begin Classes

                              12:30pm – “Led by Thread” meets in the Youth Room

A Letter of Thanks

Dear Kennett Friends,

It has been just about a month since I had open heart surgery.  I am now in cardiac rehab 3 days a week and this is helping me regain strength.  I am limited in what I can do and a very good nurse keeps me in line.

The many prayers and cards, E-mails, etc. I have received from you dear friends in Kennett has kept my spirits lifted and my attitude positive.  Even though a "Thank you" seems so small, please know it comes from
my heart. 

Julie joins me in sending our love and thanks.

Richard Combs

Thank You

Kerry and the Outreach Committee would like to thank all who donated back packs for school children.  Because of your generosity thirty seven children began this year with brand new back packs and supplies provided by some of the other churches and agencies in Kennett. 

10^th Sunday after Pentecost

1 John 5:6-13

John 6:35,41-51

“ReThink Life”

Close your eyes and imagine life.  What do you do?  What do you see?  What do you smell?  Is there the taste of something moving with the wind?  Listen, what do you hear?  Who is present?  Where are you? 

I doubt any of you imagined the same things.  I imagined a fishing rod in my hands, the beauty of an undeveloped shore, the smell of water, the taste of honeysuckle, and the sound of disturbed water.  People I know and have known surrounded me.  Perhaps you’ve figured it out.  The truth is I don’t have much opportunity to spend time fishing at the lake, but when I do it is often just about perfect. 

While some of you might imagine golf clubs or Broadway shows or dancing mice and whirling rides or shopping malls; I’ve learned to enjoy fishing and time with family.  Life would be almost perfect if I could do that whenever I wanted.  That would be “the life” in my book.

It is no surprise that the Bible works to guide our answer to the question of life.  John is the originator of both scripture passages we read this morning.  What surprised me this week was the realization that John started life as a fisherman.

I understand that commercial fishing is a whole different thing from the sport I practice.  I’m sure some of the glamour dissipates when the result of no catch is no eat.  I’ve been reading up on fishing for Muskie at Pomme de Terre and discovered that on average it requires almost 90 hours of fishing to catch one that is big enough to keep.  I also learned that more that 90% of those who  catch legal fish let them go so they can grow bigger and be caught again.  I person could starve to death with that kind of mentality.  But still, time on the water, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and the excitement of a big catch I would be close to the same.

But in John’s search for life he walked away from the life of a fisherman.  I wonder why?  The answer has something to do with a true definition of life.  I’m not talking about life as survival but life as God spoke it into being so long ago.

I know something about walking away from a good life.  It really wasn’t that many years ago that I worked for the world’s largest independent manufacturer of heat transfer products.  The facility in Jefferson City made radiators for all the big companies that make agricultural and construction equipment; Caterpillar, Case, International, Allis Chalmers, and John Deere.  Other plants made radiators, evaporators, and oil coolers for most anything that needed an internal combustion engine to work; from Corvettes to Cotton Pickers.

It was a good job with a good company with a bright future.  The Plant Manager liked me.  (When I left he told me that if this preaching thing didn’t work out to give him a call and he’d find a place for me in one of the 19 facilities in the U.S.)

I was happy.  At least as happy as John was on the lake working with his father and brother.  But we one day we saw someone and everything changed.  Since then we’ve been trying to explain it, but the words are not easy to find.  John wrote or influenced one gospel, three epistles, and a book of revelation trying to tell people something about true life.  His gospel begins,

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.  What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:1-5 nrsv) 

John wants to tell us about life.

^“11And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. ¹²Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. ¹³I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:11-13 nrsv)

^“35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. ⁴¹Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” ⁴²They were saying, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” ⁴³Jesus answered them, “Do not complain among yourselves. ⁴⁴No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. ⁴⁵It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. ⁴⁶Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. ⁴⁷Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. ⁴⁸I am the bread of life. ⁴⁹Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. ⁵⁰This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. ⁵¹I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” (John 6:35,41-51 nrsv)

There are two key verses in there.  “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”  And, “Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life.”

Through the years preachers have spent thousands of hours looking for the right word or group of words to tell us about life the way God created it to be lived.  John did the same but in the end found the best  message was simply, “Look at Jesus.”

So that’s what I want to do today.  If you want to know what perfect life is, look at Jesus.  Jesus got it right.  Life is about being what God creates us to be.  If you want to know what human is….look to Jesus; he did it.  His life was his sermon. 

I surely don’t want to recommend that all of you leave your current jobs, go to seminary and flood the preacher market.  I doubt God has called you all to service as Christian Clergy.  But you do need to know that if you ever really see Jesus you will be changed.  Your understanding of life will expand in ways that God can only imagine.  Your eyes will be opened and your ears will hear in ways that color every moment with the holiness of God.  Others will see you and wonder and you’ll try to find the words to explain.  But The Word is the only explanation.

Jesus is the living bread that came down from heaven so that we may eat it and live forever.  Jesus is life. 

“Living for Jesus” by

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,

Striving to please Him in all that I do;

Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,

This is the pathway of blessing for me.

Living for Jesus Who died in my place,

Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;

Such love constrains me to answer His call,

Follow His leading and give Him my all.

REFRAIN

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.

I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.

My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

Living for Jesus, wherever I am,

Doing each duty in His holy Name;

Willing to suffer affliction and loss,

Deeming each trial a part of my cross.

Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,

My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;

Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,

Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.

Lyrics:Thomas Obediah Chisholm (1866-1960)

Music:Carl Harold Lowden (1883-1963)

Prayers

The Cleamon Hively Family, Carol DeGraw, Sam Porterfield (Katie & Moses newborn son), Joyce Brogden

Next Sunday

“PRAISE IN THE PARK” – Jones Park in Kennett from 10:00am to 4:00pm

Bring a friend or neighbor

The View from the Pulpit

August 3, 2009

Dear Church Family:

What difference do we make?  Following is a letter from a student at Central Methodist University reaping some of your generosity offered a long time ago.

Dear Kennett United Methodist Church,

I greatly appreciate the opportunity that you have given me with this scholarship. I am very excited to be starting my fall semester at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri. I'm planning on majoring in psychology with a minor in nutrition and hope to continue on to receive a Masters degree in Psychology.

I have always dreamed of making a difference in the lives of others and I am hoping to be able to join the Peace Corps after completing my Masters. I am a member of the United Methodist Church of Doniphan, MO and am very active in all of the youth activities. This year I participated in a mission trip to the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma, served as a counselor at Adventure Camp and taught a Vacation Bible School Class. My family and I belonged to the United Methodist Church in Natchitoches, Louisiana before moving to Doniphan to be closer to our family in Kennett and Caruthersville.

I sincerely thank all of you for helping me with this scholarship and I am determined to succeed with your help. By generously awarding me this scholarship, I am now one step closer to achieving my goals and being able to help others –

Thank you!

Devin Bond

I don’t know when the money for this scholarship was given.  But it seems it was a good investment.  Every year we receive letters from two college students who receive this award.  The one comment common to each is that they plan to make a difference in the world. 

As “The Celebration” began (10:30am on Sunday) I asked the group gathered what they thought was the most important part of our “traditional” worship service.  They named the sermon, the “where have you seen God” preparation for prayer, and the beautiful organ music.  Of course I was fishing for a particular answer and not really surprised when it didn’t come.

To me, the fulcrum of our time together in traditional worship has to be when we all stand together to sing the doxology and present our tithes and offerings for God’s blessing.  This one short act of faith is an important statement of the reason for our gathering.

“Praise God from whom all blessing flow.

Praise Him all creatures here below.

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host.

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! 

Amen”

This song names our hearts desire.  It is a thanksgiving for all God was, is, and has promised to be.  It is a statement of faith and trust.  It deserves to be sung with our full attention and all the gusto we can muster.

How has God changed you?  How are you changing the world in response?

                                                                                          In Christ’s Love

                                                                                          Gary

Relay for Life UpDate and Thank You

A good time was had by all who came to eat spaghetti with all the fixens prepared by 1^st UMC’s “Relay for Life” Team.  I’m not real sure who the brains of the outfit is, but Julie Lynn and John & Julie Spielman seemed to be the ones who were doing the most thinking.  Other help was offered by Lou & Charlie Arthur, John Wheeler, Floyd and Mary Lynn Jones Wright, and Gary Carter.  All told you gave $518.48 that will be donated to the American Cancer Society for research.  Luminaries are still available for a donation of $5.00 and will be offered in the Hospitality Room each Sunday until the event on August 21^st.

You’ll Be Happy To Know

We received more “Home Church Letters” concerning members of 1^st UMC who recently attended camp at Blue Mountain.  The Counselors used words like, “Awesome, Funnier, Great, Excited, Outgoing, Fun, Spiritually Mature, Beautiful inside and out, Deep, Joy, Leader, Smart, Compassionate, Passionate, and Happy to describe Kayelyn Gillette, Katherine Briscoe, Benjamin Collins, Elliot Wade, Anna Kay Hilburn, and David Bell.  Watch for more information.

PRAISE IN THE PARK

On August 16^th, 2009 Jones Park in Kennett will be filled with United Methodists and anyone else who’d like to know more about Jesus and the ways we live to “Put Christ First…Every Day!”  Activities are planned from 10:00am until 4:00pm and include worship at 10:30am, dinner, games, prayer, Communion, games, a place to discover your spiritual gifts.  Mark your calendars now and bring your friends.  A cooling station will be available.

9^th Sunday after Pentecost

1 John 5:1-6

John 15:9-17

“ReThink Love”

I’ve been told during the past couple weeks that the congregation “enjoys it” when the sermon relates to a personal experience.  You all liked hearing about my experience with Jane the GPS last week because you’ve had similar experiences; maybe with a GPS or quite possibly with a back seat/side seat driver.  I have to admit those are also much easier to preach.  I discovered a long time ago that the key question I had to ask each week while preparing for this holy moment is, “So what?  What possible difference does what I’ve learned and am trying to communicate make to the way I relate to God, neighbor, and myself?”  That question often leads me to personal stories that reflect the biblical witness to this ever loving and all powerful God we gather to worship and learn life from.

 All that leads to a confession this morning as we follow the suggestion to “ReThink Love”.  The morning started out really well. I was up a little earlier than normal to begin the process of re-sticking all these prayers and ideas in to my own unique logic.  I spent time re-imagining the setting for today’s gospel reading from John.  Jesus and the Twelve are in the Upper Room celebrating Passover.  This was their third Passover meal together and much had transpired since the first.  There had been many signs pointing to Jesus as the Messiah of God, the one sent to restore God’s people to their proper place.  But those signs were confusing; the Twelve didn’t yet see them clearly.  John doesn’t talk about bread becoming body or wine becoming blood.  (John writes about Jesus as the bread of life back in chapter 6)  Instead Jesus, the Master, washes dirty feet and tells the twelve to do the same.

Peter rebels then over-reacts.  The others must have been just as confused.  Jesus says it’s time to leave but then he doesn’t go anywhere.  He begins a prayer and with the taste of the wine still in their palettes tells them that he is the true vine and that God is the vinegrower who will remove every branch in him that bears no fruit.  Jesus begins to teach the Twelve how to bear the fruit of God’s vision of life by keeping the commandments and abiding in God’s love.

¹²“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴You are my friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. ¹⁶You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. ¹⁷I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. (John 15:12-17)

That’s all fine and good except there are times when I don’t feel like loving.  I arrived this morning in a pretty good mood.  Then was reminded that I’d forgotten that today’s work camp was leaving with the van at 7:30am this morning and I’d promised to arrange for an alternate vehicle.  That made it difficult for me to love myself.

Then I went to set up the Lord’s Table with the elements Ruth prepares each month.  I carried the cups up the stairs, went back down to remove the bread from its wrapper only to discover a rather large chunk removed through a rather small hole in the plastic.  Though I’ve not actually seen any here, I’m guessing our church mouse has already celebrated communion this morning.  It was difficult to love all God’s creatures as I made a quick trip to the communion bread supply store here in Kennett at a time when I’m normally greeting people. 

During the trip I thought about the Twelve who followed Jesus.  They were a kind of slow group of guys.  I’m betting there were times when they were arguing about who was greatest or why they forgot the bread or who was going to do what when Jesus had a difficult time loving them.  I must admit that there are a few times when it would be much easier to not love those of you who make up the congregation here at 1^st UMC Kennett.  But that’s not the issue.  Jesus didn’t say that we were to love those who were loveable.  He just commanded us to love and it is that situation that makes this four letter word so difficult.

We misuse it so often.  I say that I love pecan pie, pizza and hamburgers.  We love our cars and our homes and all those other inanimate objects that seem to demand so much of our attention and resources.  I blame my own age for the way we currently abuse loves concept.  We say it too often and easily and point to those things that make us feel good.  The kind of LOVE Jesus commands always has its roots in God’s LOVE for us.  It is an action that refuses to stop within us but always seeks revelation in the lives of those around us.  God’s commanded LOVE finds itself in flesh and blood as bread and wine willfully given for the salvation of the world.  This is not the word love spoken in dark shadows and forbidden places but instead THE WORD proclaimed in the light of day with all the world watching.  LOVE changes everyone it touches.  It is God’s creative power made real. 

We gather today around a table grounded in LOVE’s power.  Rueben Job, a United Methodist Bishop who grew up in a sod house on Dakota’s prairie wrote about The Lord’s Table:

Much of the population of the world lives in a daily struggle for survival. Scarcity of the elementary needs for life is a daily reality. It is difficult for the poor to believe that anyone knows their plight or cares about their pain. And it is difficult for the affluent to place themselves in a position where they can understand, care about, and respond in meaningful ways to the plight of the poor.

So often affluent and poor are kept separated by our institutions, employment, place of living, and social structure—a social structure that often flows from and contributes to these places of segregation. However, there is one place where everyone is absolutely equal, a place where all class, social, racial, economic, educational and every other distinction evaporates as a morning mist under a bright summer sun. That place of absolute equality is at the Lord’s Table. Here, as at no other place, we realize our oneness with Christ and our oneness with each other.

Each person stands on equal ground; none is higher or lower. We all come incomplete and broken, we all come seeking wholeness and healing. We all come needy and with empty hands. And soon or late we all realize that only God can mend us, heal us, redeem us, and feed us on the bread of life. This table says little and cares less about what we have done or are doing. Primarily this table testifies to what God has done and is doing.

There are many places where each one of us is excluded. The Table of the Lord is one place where all are included. Everyone is invited and welcomed to this table. Our social structure is often built on distinction that gives and takes power. The Lord’s Supper is built on our oneness with Christ and with one another. At this table power flows equally to all; none is excluded, and none need go away empty.

Here we speak not of what we have accomplished, but of what God has accomplished through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. At this table we are reconciled to God, to neighbor, and even within ourselves. Here we are all offered the gifts of God’s redemption and peace, gifts that we have not earned and never can earn in the future. Here we are offered the incomprehensible, communion with God. At this table our hunger for God can be satisfied, our yearning for holiness directed, our purpose for life clarified, and our vision of the meaning of life made clear.

Because all of this is true, the Lord’s Supper is a remarkable sign of the reign of God. Here we have a glimpse into what God intends for all humanity. Christians sometimes forget where they are and who is serving as host. And yet, the promise and vision of God’s reign is supremely found at this table.

At the Lord’s Table there is enough for all. No matter how broken, hungry, or needy I am, there is always enough of the bread of life for me. And my need does not prevent another’s need from being recognized and met. No one is shortchanged or denied what is needed. My great need does not jeopardize the resources for my sister or brother. At the Lord’s Table there is enough for all.

Our social distinctions fall away at this table, and we begin to see each other as sisters and brothers. When we do, there is awakened within us a desire for a fair share of the goodness of creation for each of God’s children. We go from this table determined that the equality and plenty that we experience at the Lord’s Table will be the vision toward which we strive in everyday life in the world. Our daily lives are enriched and ordered by the nourishment we receive, for at this table we not only confess with sorrow our sins and receive God’s forgiveness and restoration, but we also have renewed our vision of how we are to live in relationship to God and to neighbor.

From:  A Wesleyan Spiritual Reader, Abingdon Press, 1998

“Christ our Lord invites to His table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another.  Therefore, let us confess our sin before God and one another.”

“Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart.  We have failed to be an obedient church.  We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, wand we have not heard the cry of the needy.  Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen”

“Hear the Good News!  Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us!  That sets us free to become what God created us to be!  In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!  Glory to God!  Amen!  Amen!”

Prayers

Larry Swindle, Evelyn Wilcoxson, Bill Brown, Emily Story, Tommy Tidwell, John Sanders

From the Children’s Sermon

Did you ever wonder why we don’t serve cake and ice cream at the Lord’s Table?  My parents often told me that I had to eat my vegetables if I wanted any desert.  So desert became a reward for doing something good.  We don’t look at Communion as a reward for a life well lived.  We understand it to be the basic sustaining meal for all who want to live as God’s children.  The bread and juice is the meat and potatoes of Christian life.  They are necessary and so we offer them to everyone knowing that God will provide exactly what is needed for each of us to draw closer to God’s vision. 

Next Week, Sunday August 9th

10^th Sunday After Pentecost

1 John 5:11-13

John 6:35, 41-51

“ReThink Life”

The View from the Pulpit

July 27, 2009

Dear Church Family:

Yes, it’s been a couple weeks since last I wrote.  No, it’s not because nothing has been happening around here.  Instead it’s because we’ve been kind of busy, which is a good thing.  A quick look at the calendar shows only two and half weeks remain in this season of special experiences.

One of our Church camps added something new to the experience this year for those of us who “send” our youth to participate.  We received a kind of “report card” on three of our campers who attended Adventure Camp.  Sarah Wheeler, Joelle Siebenhuener, and Allyson Lynn were reported as being excited and willing participants with smiling faces.  They were attentive during lessons and one loved to pray for the group.  Another seemed more willing than others to think deeply about some of the ideas presented.  The other was quick to include others in her group.  I can tell that these reviews were written by the same person who was mostly likely their family leader.  Our other Adventure Camper was Zach Johnson, who most likely had a different leader who has not yet sent the same glowing review of his participation.

We’re very proud of all our youth who set aside these weeks during the summer to be with God and others who love Jesus.  My next note will include a list of all those who participated in Church / Work Camps this summer.  One of the best things we can do now is to ask these young people to share their experiences with us and then truly listen to what they say. 

Church Camp can be a life changing experience for those who attend.  I’m thinking their stories might excite some of us also.  Watch for opportunities to hear what happened.

We were blessed by special music offered at UpWords and The Celebration by Michael Schulz.  Michael led music on Saturday night the “Bear Witness” event presented by Kennett Round Table of International Fellowship of Christian Businessmen.  Thanks to Barney Greenway for inviting Michael to help us worship and also to Christie for asking us to host their gathering.  It was a wonderful Saturday evening opportunity to bear witness to God’s love in Song, Word, and Art.  For more information about this group, contact Barney.

                                                                                                                                      In Christ’s Love

                                                                                                                                      Gary

What’s Happening This Week:

Monday               Colorado Work Camp Week begins

Tuesday               9:00am – DAEOC Sponsored “Back to School Fair” in the CLC

                                6:30pm – “Led by Thread” meets in the Youth Room

                                7:00pm – “Hour of Prayer” meets in the Sanctuary

Wednesday        9:30am – “Ladies Prayer & Share Bible Study” meets in the Parlor

5:30pm – “Relay for Life” Spaghetti Dinner sponsored by 1^st UMC Relay for Life Team.  In the Christian

Life Center for $6.00

Thursday             12:30pm – “Led by Thread” meets in the Youth Room

Relay for Life Team Spaghetti Dinner

If you’ll make a $6.00 donation to Kennett’s “Relay for Life” in support of the American Cancer Society, 1^st UMC’s Relay for Life Team will provide you with a Spaghetti Dinner this Wednesday evening.  Serving begins at 5:30pm in the Christian Life Center.  Bring your family and friends and take a plate to your home-bound neighbor.  It’s all for a good cause.  This year’s “Relay for Life” walk will happen on August 21^st.

Back to School Fair

The Delta Area Economic Opportunity Council (DAEOC) has provided a “Back to School Fair” for the community for several years now.  For the past three year’s 1^st UMC has hosted the event in the Christian Life Center.  This year we’re trying for a more visible presence.  Kerry Parker and the Outreach Team will provide an information table and will be there to tell those who come about the various ministries we offer and the opportunities to serve God we provide.  Bibles will be available for those who ask as well as various handouts.  If you’re able to help some time that day, please contact Kerry at 344-0688.

Thank You

As my departure date grows closer and my college bound suitcases begin to fill with clothes that I will probably never wear, I have realized that I will soon embark on a voyage that will almost certainly throw me out of my comfort zone and without denial put me on a road that is not so smooth.  The home that I have lived in my whole life will ultimately become my second home and I will no longer be cheering just for the Kennett Indians but for the Mizzou Tigers. 

Yes, my life will change just as everybody else’s has or will and I am comfortable to say that the church family that I was born into and the devoted congregation that has surrounded me for 18 years has prepared me and has given me the strength to endure whatever is to come my way, as I take this journey alone.  I thank the church for helping me to make this transition easier by the receiving the scholarship recently.   With this scholarship I plan to utilize it to my greatest ability concerning my academic goals.  My thanks are immense. 

As change approaches, I would just like to express my gratitude and humble appreciation for all that you have done for me.  Growing up in a church that is extremely amorous, supportive, and gracious I find not to be caused by luck but bestowed as a blessing.  The time that I have spent at church, I partook in many youth activities that called for the support of the entire congregation and sure enough you answered the call.  

This church has influenced my outlook on life and the positivity that I possess is modeled after the people sitting in the pews every Sunday.  I am so grateful God has surrounded me with the most affectionate, compassionate, and unselfish people that I have not only had the pleasure of knowing but being acquainted on a more personal level.  The warmth that this church emulates is astounding.  You all have had a significant impact on my moral character and I will forever be indebted to this fellowship for you all have made the person I am today. 

I am proud of my faith and I am proud to be a Christian, this is something we can all relate to. I am confident that even though I will not be able to see you all on Sunday regularly, that you are only a phone call away.  Thank you for all of kindness you have demonstrated throughout the years. Thank you for the love that you have shown not only to me but also to everybody that crosses your path.  Thank you for praying for me when I was in need of an extra “boost” and most of all thank you for helping to illuminate the way to God.

With All My Love … Samantha Geary

8^th Sunday after Pentecost

2 Kings 4:42-44

Ephesians 3:14-21

“ReThink Witnessing”

My work week began with one of those “ah-ha!” moments that we officially call an epiphany.  I knew I was going to be out of town with my parents for most of the week and so set about first thing on Monday to plan today’s worship experience.  We’re in the midst of “ReThinking Church” and since the middle of June have been asking God to help us take a fresh look at some traditional Christian ideas (doctrines).  We’ve tried to shine a fresh light on Repentance, Covenant, Boundaries, Grace, Sin, Suffering, Death, Sharing, Healing, and Leading.  We’ve been asked to rethink Witnessing this week.  I spent some time Monday morning with the suggested scripture as well as the week’s lectionary passages.  That’s when it happened.  Again.

My epiphany was rooted in those three verses from 2^nd Kings that tell a little of Elisha’s story.  They’re part of a series of stories about the prophet Elisha, who was Elijah’s relief.  I’m sure I’ve read the stories before.  I know we read them together last fall when we read the bible cover to cover.  On Monday morning I was surprised to find that Elisha was involved in a feeding of the multitudes years before we read about Jesus’ work with five loaves and two fish on a Galilean hillside.  Did you hear it?

2 Kings 4:42-44

⁴²A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing food from the first fruits to the man of God: twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. Elisha said, “Give it to the people and let them eat.” ⁴³But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred people?” So he repeated, “Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” ⁴⁴He set it before them, they ate, and had some left, according to the word of the Lord.

Okay, it’s not quite as impressive as 5,000+ fed with 5 loaves but still feeding 100 with 20 loaves and having some left-over is pretty impressive.  But for me it wasn’t the miracle that impacted but that I’d not heard it before.  It got me to praying about other words from God, other witnesses that had been offered that I’d not heard.  How could such a thing happen?  On Tuesday I think I found out.

It was a woman’s voice that helped me hear.  Her name is Jane and she has a British accent.  Dianne knows about her because she helped me choose the voice (I think woman want men to get use following the directions of a woman’s voice) after I bought my latest new fangled toy.  She’s one of those portable GPS units that all the fancy new cars have.  Jane (that’s her name) is a refurbished unit that was offered to me on one of those low-cost electrical web sites that I rarely buy from but like to browse.  She came a couple weeks ago. 

We’ve been trying her out around town, getting use to the buttons and the way we have to tell her what we want.  It’s been a kind of trial period just to see if this miracle wrought from space exploration was true.  We’ve taken her to Jonesboro and found that she wanted to take us the way we wanted to go.   We asked her to take us home and she did (though she wants to turn on south Baker  and come to our house from the east rather than going straight to Charles Drive and coming from the west.  I’ve learned to ignore her on that one.)  We told her we wanted to go to Poplar Bluff and started the journey only to discover that she wanted to take us through Arkansas.  I didn’t want to go through Arkansas so I just went the way I wanted to go and she soon figured it out and adjusted her directions.

On Tuesday I left early for Hardin via our place on Pomme de Terre Lake.  We had some things that needed to be delivered and it’s on the way.  I don’t know the exact address of our place at the lake, so I told her I wanted to go to Urbana, the closest town.   She wanted to go to Poplar Bluff through Arkansas.  I ignored that suggestion again and she again found where I was a redrew the route I wanted to drive.  At Poplar Bluff she wanted me to turn right at Bus. 67.  Of course I wanted to turn left to avoid all those traffic lights.  I did what I wanted and only had to ignore her direction to turn around twice before she caught on and took me the way I wanted to go.  It was nice of her to remind me of the turn of Hwy 67 on to Hwy. 60.  I’d missed that turn twice before.

We made it to Springfield and turned north on Hwy 65 toward Urbana.  The road to our place is south of town so I turned before we actually got to where I had told her I wanted to go.  After she told me once to turn right on a gravel road and again to make a u-turn, I turned her off. 

I unloaded the car (forgot the keys so couldn’t go in) and realized I’d never been from that cabin to my folks house before.  It would be my first opportunity to allow Jane to guide me via the fastest way along a route I’d never before traveled.  After punching in my parent’s address,  Jane came up with a route and off we went together.  My intent was to do what she said.

But within the mile Jane’s voice surprised me with a command, “after 800 yards, turn left.”  We were no way near Hwy 65 which is where I thought she’d take me.  Again she said, “after 100 yards, turn left.”  Then there was the final, “turn left.”  I kept going straight.  She didn’t say a word.  In just a few minutes the arrow was on the road I wanted to travel and we were at Hwy 65 with the words, “Turn left” that I wanted to hear. 

I must admit I felt a little guilty after that.  I started wondering why I’d said I wanted this thing in the first place, since I was making a habit of not doing what it told me to do.  Together we traveled through Warsaw, Sedalia, up to Interstate 70.  At that point I often travel on through Marshall but Jane said to turn right and keep left on to the motorway.  So I did for a change, just to alieve a little of my guilt.

We exited on to Hwy 13 turning toward Higginsville.  The next town was Lexington.  My parents grew up in Lexington.  I had cousins in Higginsville.  I’d been traveling that road and across the river to Hardin since I was a little child.  It used to be home and in some odd way still is.

We were in a straight stretch of highway with soy beans growing to the south and tall corn to the north when Jane next spoke.  “In 800 yards, turn right.”  What?  I’d never gone that way before.  Higginsville Road?  Never heard of it.  What to do?  What to do?

During the two hours since I’d last ignored her I’d had time to think about 2^nd Kings and ReThink Witnessing and a kernel of sermon had begun to grow.  It had its roots in me thinking that I know best.  Its stalk was filled with all those times I’ve begun to read familiar stories told by Biblical Witnesses and skipped to the end because I thought I knew what they were going to say.  It stemmed with an understanding that I could only be a witness for God if I listened to those who had traveled before me and risked following their lead.  It blossomed with the understanding that this whole thing is a faith issue.  Who do I follow?  Whom will I believe?

So I slowed down and prepared to turn onto a road I’d never traveled.  Half way through the turn I saw a “road closed” sign ahead.  Jane didn’t even have an opportunity to tell me to make a u-turn.  A quick turn of the steering wheel had me west bound on Hwy 13 with soy beans on the south and corn on the north.  Wondering what to make of it all.  Then Jane spoke again.  “In 800 yards, turn right.”

I don’t even remember the name of the gravel road Jane put me on.  It ran a couple miles to another gravel road where she told me to turn right.  That road soon became a black top and turned north.  Before I knew it we stopped at a flashing red light signal on Hwy 24 just across from the Lexington High School.  I don’t know the exact figures but this little side trip seemed to knock several miles off the way I would have chosen to travel.  Jane did what I asked her to do when I decided to do what she said.

We made it across the Missouri River on the new bridge built along a new route for Hwy 13 that ran through land once owned by my mother’s grandfather.  We took the new exit onto RR J and crossed the old Burlington tracks on the south side of town.  We turned right on Elm Street and went four blocks to my parent’s house where Jane proudly announced, “You have arrived at your destination”.

Christian witness is simply telling others that God can be trusted to take you where you need to go.  It is telling those you love about the difference God has made in your life.  For the apostle Paul that love extended even to people he’d never met.  That’s why he prays for them;

Ephesians 3:14-21

¹⁴For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. ¹⁶I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, ¹⁷and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. ¹⁸I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. ²⁰Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

In order to tell our story we have to have a story.  That’s the challenge before us today.  In order to know what difference God has made in our lives we have to allow God to make a difference in our lives.  We have to trust that great cloud of witnesses that has traveled this road called life before us.  We have to truly believe that God knows how to lead us to joy and peace.  We have to have faith in order to have a story to tell that