Month: May 2007

Via Sojourners:

“We fear so deeply what we think other people see in us, so we talk in order to straighten out their understanding. … One of the fruits of silence is the freedom to let our justification rest entirely with God.”

—Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline

The following appeared in today’s electronic version of The Upper Room:

The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by Christian volunteers. Submit prayer requests online (English or Spanish) or call and speak to one of our volunteers (English) at 1-800-251-2468 (U.S. and Canada) or 615-327-4673 (International). http://www.upperroom.org/prayer_center/

I’ve been at several conferences where volunteers from among conference attendees could staff the prayer line. I think it’s an interesting concept. Has anybody tried it?

From Hal Knight’s book, Eight Life-Enriching Practices of United Methodists:

“Several years ago, I saw a book prominently displayed in an airport bookstore that offered seven steps to financial independence. Jesus told a rich young man how to have financial independence in only one step: ‘Go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me’ (Matt. 19:21) What we possess or desire can end up possessing us, determining our values, commitments, and lifestyle. Jesus’ advice to this young man recognized what we so often miss—that how we live and what we value are directly related to our ability to be faithful disciples.”

Actually, I think the statement, “Go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me,” may contain three steps, but the point still stands.

Are you interested in the Angel Food Program? An order form is now available on our downloads page.

Our next movie event will be shown Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 3:00 p.m.
This movie event is open to everyone. As always, admittance, juice boxes and popcorn are free. Send us an email if you would like more information.
We’ll be watching Sumo of the Opera. According to Tom Keogh of Amazon.com:

“The main event on VeggieTales: Sumo of the Opera is the title featurette, a comic concoction of Gilbert & Sullivan and Rocky. Veggie Tales hero Larry the Cucumber plays the Italian Scallion (okay, so he was raised by a family of onions), a professional wrestler big on quips but not on finishing anything he starts, in or out of the ring. When he’s challenged to a match with the sizable Apollo Gourd, Scallion is faced with the biggest decision of his life: Does he have what it takes to complete the task? This particular VeggieTales animation treat for kids doesn’t reinvent any specific Bible story, but it does underscore the importance of perseverance. Also on the disc are a few extras, including “Going Up,” a more-or-less silent comedy in which a Veggie Tales version of the Three Stooges re-creates the famous Laurel and Hardy routine about pushing a piano up a long flight of stairs.”

You can now donate to Greensburg disaster relief through the Kansas Area Disaster Fund online at the Kansas East Website. We’ll also be receiving another offering this Sunday.

We received an offering for the Kansas Area Disaster Fund yesterday. This is the fund from which disaster assistance to Greensburg will be sent. You can read more about the Bishop’s appeal on the Kansas East Conference website.

Just a note that your’s truly was elected president of the ministerial alliance last Thursday. I’ll try to keep this new position from interfering with my pastoral duties.

Yoga has been moved to 3:00 pm today because April Foreman has to work this morning.

Cindy Powell has been gracious enough to share the following information about herself:

Let me introduce myself. My name is Cindy Powell and I am from Coffeyville, Ks. where I make my home with my husband, Warren. We have 3 children and 8 grandchildren. I have been in the music ministry for over 25 years. God has given me the great privilege of sharing my gift of singing and comedy with people all over the nation. He has allowed me to work full time at our local library and still have time to witness and minister through music and laughter along with having a husband and raising a family. I am also very involved in my home church where I lead music in our worship services, sing in the chancel choir, work with our children and teach an adult Sunday school class. I feel very blessed to be able to share my gift and am very careful to use it for God’s glory. I have also had the privilege of making several tapes and cd’s in the past years including a special recording called, “Everytime”, which is dedicated to my mother, who passed away in 2004. I am currently working on a new recording called, ‘What Happened to Your Hand?’. This cd will include some favorites like ‘His Eye is On the Sparrow’ and ‘Wayfaring Stranger’. Joining me on this cd will be some friends and family members as we praise God through duets and trio numbers. All in all, I pray the Lord will continue to entrust me with this ministry and I can spread His word for many years to come. I pray also, to be a blessing as I do His will. I do not charge a fee to come and minister but come only on faith through love gifts and offerings and God always has supplied my needs. I hope that you will pray and consider having me minister to your church family.

And yes, I have spoken to God about stopping it for a few days.

If you’ve been interested in our ongoing discussion of the frequency of the celebration of Holy Communion, I would encourage you to check out John Wesley’s sermon on “The Duty of constant Communion.” You can find it online at: http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/wesley/serm-101.stm.