The book study on Doing Justice in a Purple Church has been postponed for until next week. The church office will also be closed tomorrow and Wednesday.
Bibles for Third and Fourth Graders
On Sunday, February 13, 2011, we are planning on presenting third and fourth graders with Bibles from the church. We will be passing around papers for you to sign during worship (that will go in their Bibles) so that they can have a record of folks who were a part of the church when they received their Bibles.
Church Office Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
USD 445 has cancelled classes for the next two days (Tuesday and Wednesday) and so the church office will also be closed. I spent about thirty minutes earlier this evening battening down the hatches and trying to ensure that nothing freezes. Jenny and I will be available via our cell phones. We’ll let you know of any further church cancellations.
Consider Wesley: The Law and the Gospel
One of the issues that Christians often debate is the relationship between the law and gospel. Often times Christians get caught in what might be considered a false dichotomy that places the two in opposition. John Wesley instead saw the two more as opposite sides of the same coin. He believed that the grace of God is given to us not only to pardon the guilt of our sins but also to enable us to live as faithful disciples who fulfill God’s commands. Wesley also believed that anything that God commanded of us, God would give us the grace to accomplish. The best summary of this can be found in Wesley’s sermon, “Upon Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount, Discourse V”:
There is therefore the closest connection that can be conceived between the law and the gospel. On the one hand the law continually makes way for and points us to the gospel; on the other the gospel continually leads us to a more exact fulfilling of the law … We may yet farther [sic] observe that every command in Holy Writ is only a covered promised. … God hath engaged to give whatsoever he commands. … He will work in us [the] very thing [that is commanded]. It shall be unto us according to his word.
In the same vein. It is easy enough to reason out that because we have been made free to live Christ-like lives, we also have a commitment to live Christ-like lives. I once heard a recorded speech by Albert Outler, the noted Wesleyan scholar, in which he summarized this position by saying (and here I’m paraphrasing from memory) that every command of God is a covered promise and every promise of God is a de facto command.
Youth Group This Sunday
This Sunday, January 30, 2011, the Youth Group will be studying the second lesson in Adam Hamilton’s When Christians Get It Wrong. This session is called “Christians, Science, and Politics.”
Travis Walker Guest Preaching Next Week
Travis Walker will be filling the pulpit next week (Sunday, February 6, 2010). Jenny and I will still be on hand to lead the rest of the worship service and preside over the table for holy communion. We’re happy to have Travis with us and thankful to his grandmother for having the birthday that brings him back.
Coffeyville Journal Article
Below is a copy of the article Nancy Wright sent to The Coffeyville Journal this week:
“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (NRSV)
You are invited to worship with the congregation of First United Methodist Church this Sunday as the Rev. John Collins addresses this passage from Micah 6:1-8 in his sermon, “Walking with God” at both services.
The 8:10 a.m. service is in the chapel near the 10th Street ground floor entrance. The 10:50 a.m. worship service is in the sanctuary. An elevator provides easy access for those persons who prefer to not take the steps in to the sanctuary.
A coffee fellowship time at 9:30 a.m. follows the first service and precedes the Sunday school hour at 9:30 a.m. Sunday school classes are available for children, youth and adults.
Nikki Kirk will direct the choir for the Introit “Arise, Shine” and the anthem “Old Rugged Cross.” Henry Millen is organist for the second service and Carla Herring is the pianist for the early service. Judy Hiner and Mike Mason assist with scripture readings.
The weekly church calendar includes the youth meeting at 5 p.m. Sunday and the Men’s Prayer Breakfast at 7:15 a.m. Monday. Tuesday the book study on “Doing Justice in a Purple Congregation” continues. Wednesday activities include United Methodist Women at 1:30 p.m. at the church, Trustees at 5:15 p.m. at the church and choir practice at 6:30 p.m.
If you are visiting or looking for a church home, Coffeyville First Methodist members welcome you to worship with them. For additional information on First United Methodist Church visit the church website http://www.coffeyvillefirstumc.org.
Voice of the Day: Humility
“Humility leads me to do anything I can do in any situation without having to do everything in every situation.”
— Joan Chittister
Hat Tip: Sojourners
New-Used Shopping Cart
When I went into the office today (after a day of meetings in Topeka yesterday) there was a used shopping in the lobby. Anyone know anything about this?
Doing Justice in a Purple Congregation
We had a great discussion (or at least I thought we had a great discussion) at the book study tonight. Thanks again to Larry and Nancy Wright for leading this study.
Voice of the Day: Symbols
There is a very thin line between symbols and idols. … Churches are filled with symbols: crosses, liturgies, music, clergy, and even the building itself can appropriately symbolize our true worship of Yahweh. But the moment we “need” any one of them they have lost their symbolic value and have become idols.
— M. Craig Barnes, The Pastor as Minor Poet
Crowd-sourcing Next Weeks Sermon
Next Sunday, January 30, 2011, I’m planning on preaching on Micah 6.1-8. The best known verse from this passage is verse 8:
“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (NRSV)
My question for you: what particular injustices do you think the church should be addressing, how can we as a congregation better love kindness? Feel free to drop me a line at john@revcollins.com if you have suggestions.