It’s a day late, but I’m posting this anyway.
“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.” — W. T. Purkiser
Hat Tip: Sojourners
$2,928.00 for UMCOR
So far we’ve received $2,928.00 for UMCOR to provide relief in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. I begin this Thanksgiving Day by giving thanks for your generous response. The video below gives a quick summary of what UMCOR is doing with your money.
Gray Thursday is Not a Good Thing
As if “Black Friday” wasn’t bad enough, we now have “Gray Thursday” as some stores begin opening up with special sales on Thanksgiving Day. I worked at a grocery store in college that stayed open for Thanksgiving. I always managed to get the day off, but not everyone was so lucky. One of my friends was working on a Thanksgiving Day when a shopper told him: “It’s too bad you have to work on Thanksgiving.” He said “thank you,” but he was thinking, “If you wouldn’t come in then I wouldn’t have to work.” I urge you not to hit the stores on Thanksgiving Day. If you’re shopping, then someone else is working and not able to be with their family. Thanksgiving began as a day to give thanks to God for what God had provided, not as a day to acquire more stuff. I encourage you to treat this Thursday as the holy day it originally was and give thanks.
Church Office Closed Thursday and Friday
The church office will be closed Thursday, November 28, 2013 for the Thanksgiving Holiday and then Friday, November 29, 2013.
Community Thanksgiving Service
There will be a Community Thanksgiving Service, sponsored by the Abilene Ministerial Alliance, tomorrow, November 24, 2013 at 7 pm. The service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church and will be followed by a “Pie Fest Fellowship.” I don’t know exactly what that is, but it sounds delicious.
Hanging of the Greens
Please join us following the 10:30 Worship Service on November 24, 2013 for the “Hanging of the Greens.” We will be adorning the church with the signs and symbols of Advent and Christmas.
Sermon — September 8, 2013
A sermon on Jeremiah 18.1-11 by Jennifer Collins, preached on September 8, 2013 at Abilene First United Methodist Church.
Link: https://soundcloud.com/revcollins/sermon-2013-09-08-jenny
All Still Means All
On a personal level, we’ve been saddened by recent events in the United Methodist Church’s continuing debate about the issue of homosexuality. Issues of sexual orientation are not at the center of the teaching of the church, the example of Jesus, or the gospel itself, but the love of God for all people very much is. We wish it was that love for all people that was driving the discussion, but apparently that is not to be. In light of the recent events we want to re-post a portion of an entry from earlier this year:
Jenny and I have been happy to have two baptisms since we’ve been here at Abilene First UMC. If you’ve been following along with the baptismal covenant in the hymnal instead of on the screen, you may have noticed that we’ve changed some of the words. The baptismal covenant contains the words: “Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior … in union with the Church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races?” The problem with that phrase is that when spoken aloud, it often ends up sounding like “people of all ages, nations, and racists.” For that reason, Jenny and I have changed the wording to simply “all people.” And in our hearts and minds all really does mean all. In God’s great plan of salvation, there are no categories of people left out.
2013 Christmas Pageant
This year’s youth Christmas Pageant will be Sunday, December 1, 2013 at 2 pm. Rehearsals continue each Sunday in the youth room during the Sunday School hour.
A Call for Baked Goods
The Outreach Ministry Team’s annual bake sale is Saturday, December 7, 2013, at Sterl Hall from 9 am to 3 pm. Donations of baked goods (cinnamon rolls, pies, cakes, breads, cookies, candy, etc.) would be very much appreciated. The proceeds of this sale go in support of missions. Please bring your items to the church no later than noon on Friday, December 6, 2013 or to Sterl Hall early Saturday morning. Please label your donated goods with a description and a suggested price. Your contributions to the ministry and mission of First UMC are very much appreciated.
Salina Rescue Mission this Friday
Abilene First UMC has the responsibility of helping prepare and serve the evening meal at the Salina Rescue Mission on the fourth Friday of every month. This Friday (November 22, 2013) is the fourth Friday in October. Tim Johnson won’t be able to be with us, so I’m in need of extra help (and experienced help is especially appreciated.) If you would like to volunteer let me know. We’ll leave the church parking lot between 3:30 and 3:45.
Dear Parents with Young Children in Church
A good article from “*that* mom” on the importance of young children in worship.
Link: http://goo.gl/1P43Ch