The picture above shows the altar at First United Methodist Church this morning. A third row of grocery sacks full of food, cleaning supplies, and toiletries for the local food pantry is hidden in this picture. It was the final Sunday of our collection drive for the food pantry, so the sacks were brought forward to be blessed along with the regular tithes and offerings.
All-Church Potluck Tomorrow
A reminder: an all-church potluck has been scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday, May 31, 2015 following the 10:30 worship service. Since it’s a potluck, most of the food will take care of itself, but let us know if you’re interested in helping with drinks, clean-up, etc.
Behind the Music
The following post was contributed by Clark Williamson, Director of Music Ministries:
The John Wesley Bell Choir will wrap up their ringing season this Sunday with a musical offering of a song made popular in 2002 by Josh Groban, “You Raise Me Up”. Arranger Sandra Eithun orchestrates the usual handbells with hand chimes but this time adds two percussion instruments to the mix: wind chimes and suspended cymbal. The bell choir finale is also inter-generational. The ensemble has been blessed with the participation of Liz Collins, Rae Schwarting, and Austin Mather ringing with the adults.
During the interludes between major sections of the prelude, if you listen closely, you’ll detect short phrases from the sacred hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”. The original music for “You Raise Me Up” was composed by Rolf Lovland, from Norway. He teamed up with Irishman Brendan Graham for the lyrics. There are places in the words of both songs where God is at work to create signs of hope and encouragement when everyday life puts hurdles in the path of our faith journey.
“You raise me up so I can stand on mountains,
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.
I am strong when I am on your shoulders.
You raise me up to more than I can be.” …“…Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.
All I have needed thy hand hath provided,
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!”
Summer Mission Opportunity
First United Methodist Church has a new mission opportunity beginning this coming Monday, June 1, 2015 and continuing for eight weeks. We’re trying to provide two to three volunteers Monday through Friday to be present with the kids during the Summer Food Service Program. We’re looking for volunteers willing to help younger kids, guide older kids, make conversation with all ages of kids and, in general, provide the presence of additional adults during the process. A free meal will be provided for volunteers at 10:45. Otherwise, volunteers should plan to arrive at 11 am (the kids will be let in at 11:15) and stay until 12:15 pm.
There will be a sign-up sheet in the narthex on Sunday mornings, or you can call the church office at 785-263-2623.
Assistive Devices Available
First UMC has several assistive devices available to be loaned out (canes, walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, medical boots, shower seats, commodes). If you or a loved one has need of such an item, please contact Pastor Jenny or the church office to see what we have available. There is no time limit on the use of these devices; they are simply available for those who can get some use out of them.
Connectional Table Proposes Changes
The United Methodist Reporter (an independent publication) has a good article on a recent development in the church’s ongoing debate about homosexuality. The Connectional Table, the “visioning” body of the general church, has proposed changes that The Reporter summarizes as follows:
“The proposal would allow United Methodist clergy to perform ceremonies that celebrate same-sex unions in United Methodist churches if they wish; clergy who do not wish to perform such ceremonies would not be required to do so. The proposal also removes being a practicing homosexual or performing same-sex wedding ceremonies from the list of chargeable offenses for clergy. In addition, the proposal removes the language that says the church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers it incompatible with Christian teachings, while recognizing this has historically been the position of the church.”
I don’t know what will come of this, and I don’t think anyone else does either. We’ll have to wait to General Conference 2016 to see what happens.
Link: http://goo.gl/HQ8Q5J
Podcast: The Advocate Has Come
Below is a link to a reprise of my sermon from this past Sunday, titled “The Advocate Has Come.” My texts were Acts 2.1-21 and John 15.26-27; 16.4b-15 and I spoke about about our modern unwillingness to face death and the help the Holy Spirit provides us in confronting not only death, but evil and sin as well.
If you have an Apple product you can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes.
Link: https://goo.gl/xGqune
Decoration Day
On Memorial Day, it seems appropriate to post a link to the John Lee Hooker song, Decoration Day, which I mentioned in the sermon yesterday. A small theological quibble, I don’t believe God “takes” people from us, but I very much believe that God receives them. Link: https://goo.gl/hW5SZS
Wednesday Communion Now at 4:45
We’ve made the decision to move the Wednesday Communion Service from 5:15 pm to 4:45 pm. This new time is a better fit for Jenny and me and others who regularly attend. Let us know if it doesn’t work for you and we’ll see what we can do.
Church Office Closed for Memorial Day
This is a friendly reminder that the church office will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2015 in observance of Memorial Day.
Pentecost/All Saints/Memorial Sunday
This Sunday we’ll be observing Pentecost, All Saints, and Memorial Sunday. Only Pentecost shows up on the Church’s liturgical calendar. But this church has the excellent tradition of observing All Saints Sunday on the Sunday before Memorial Day, so we’re combining all three. Pentecost celebrates the beginning of the church when the Holy Spirit fell like tongues of fire on the disciples. As The United Methodist Book of Worship puts it “All Saints … is a day of remembrance for the saints, with the New Testament meaning of all Christian people of every time and place. We celebrate the communion of saints as we remember the dead, both of the Church universal and of our local congregations.”
I’ll be preaching on Acts 2.1-21 and John 15.26-27; 16.4b-15 and trying to tie Pentecost and All Saints/Memorial Sunday together. We’ll also be naming the honored dead and recognizing the ministry that has been accomplished through memorial gifts.
Scholarship Committee Meeting
You might have noticed the (hopefully) inconspicuous absence of the church’s scholarships in the announcements made this spring. They have not been abandoned, only delayed. The scholarship committee is now set to meet next Wednesday (May 27, 2015), and scholarships should be announced shortly after that.