Abilene Schools have cancelled classes for tomorrow and so, in accordance with our policy, the church office will be closed tomorrow. Please stay safe.
Church and Church Conference Tomorrow
We’re still planning on both worship services tomorrow, Sunday, November 29, 2015. Because of the weather and some cancellations from other churches, Dee Williamston, our District Superintendent, has moved our church conference up to 11:30 am, right after the second service. As always please exercise caution in deciding whether or not to get out. We plan our regular broadcast of the 10:30 service on KABI 1560 AM.
Voice of the Day: Eugene Cho
Today’s voice of the day applies to a great many situations in life, such as personal relationships, work, and even churches (for both clergy and laity).
“When the grass looks greener on the other side, maybe it’s the Holy Spirit reminding us to water the grass we’re standing on.” — Eugene Cho, on Facebook.
Most of the time, we don’t need to move on to greener pastures; we need to water the lawn.
Advent Sermon Series
This advent, Jenny and I will be preaching a four-part sermon series titled “Christmas Characters” on Elizabeth, Zechariah, Mary, and Joseph. We’ll prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas by spending one sermon with each of these four people beginning with Elizabeth this coming Sunday. Jenny will be preaching, and we hope you’ll join us.
Church Office Closed Today
A reminder that the church office is closed today as part of a two-day Thanksgiving holiday.
Voice of the Day: Build Longer Tables
I don’t know who first said this, but I’m going to share it nonetheless. The point is certainly a Christian one.
“When you have more than you need, build a longer table, not a higher fence.” — Unknown.
And, of course, give thanks to God for having more than you need and the opportunity to share.
Christmas Poinsettias
The following post was received from Mary Reimler and lightly edited:
You are invited to place a poinsettia at the altar in honor or memory of a loved one at Christmas time. The poinsettias can be delivered to the church Thursday, December 17, or Friday, December 18, 2015. They will be placed in the sanctuary on December 20 and 24. If you are placing a poinsettia in honor or memory of someone, please be sure to have the information to the church office by noon Monday, December 14, to have the names listed in the bulletin. If you would like to keep your poinsettia, please make certain that you take it with you following the service on Christmas Eve. Any poinsettias left will be delivered to the area nursing homes during the Shepherds Run.
Good Conversations This Morning
We had two good conversations about the Syrian refugee crisis this morning after the 8:15 and 10:30 worship services. Jenny and I want to thank everyone who took the time to participate and we hope that you all had the chance to speak your peace.
The Bishop’s Press Conference on Syrian Refugees
I wasn’t going to post on this issue any more, but the Bishop did a great job at a recent press conference and I’m so thankful for his leadership on this issue. It’s well worth 10 minutes of your time.
Voices of the Day: 1 John and Yoda
I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to put these two together:
“Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” — Yoda
“Perfect love casts out fear” — 1 John 4:18
Please note that while both saying are canonical, the second canon (the Bible) is greater than the first (the official Star Wars Universe).
The Spirit of the St. Louis
Jeremiah, the ancient Hebrew prophet, said that if he didn’t speak on behalf of the Lord “then within me there is something like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot.” Please believe me when I say that I write this post on Syrian refugees not because I want to, but because I must.
In June of 1939, the United States turned away the St. Louis, a ship filled with refugees from Europe, most of them Jewish. This was at a time when the concentration camps were already up and running. The ship was so close to safety that its passengers could see the lights of Miami, Florida. But, denied entry by the United States, the ship returned to Europe and eventually 254 of it’s passengers died in the Holocaust. We didn’t like the Nazis, but we didn’t feel obligated to take in those who were fleeing from them. They were turned away from the United States in part because they were not Christian (back then we were as suspicious of Jews as we now are of Muslims) and because there was a concern that they represented a threat to national security.
From that mistake, we learned our lesson. Since World War II the United States has led the world in welcoming refugees. But given popular opinion and the stance many of our leaders are taking, I’m afraid we’re going to have to learn that lesson once again. If we take Syrian refugees in something could go terribly wrong, but if we don’t take them something will go terribly wrong, indeed it already is.
Vox.com has more at http://bit.ly/1SLuuPJ
Bishop Jones, Syrian Refugees and Abilene First UMC
Bishop Scott Jones has written a thoughtful, carefully considered article on the Syrian Refuge Crisis titled “We Must Recognize We Are Engaged in Cultural War.” I encourage you to read it all. He makes the scriptural argument for welcoming Syrian refugees, and then he says the following:
“When Western countries mistreat and reject Muslims, it becomes a recruiting tool and propaganda weapon for our enemies. I am deeply disappointed that so many governors (including those of Kansas and Nebraska where I serve) have rejected the idea of receiving refugees. They are pandering to our worst fears and failing to lead us to be our best selves as a nation. They are making a strategic mistake and giving aid to our enemies. This culture war will be won by the Christian values of love, tolerance, mutual respect and hospitality. As a nation and as states, we need to welcome the stranger among us.” — Bishop Scott Jones.
Syrian refugees fleeing their homeland are the strongest possible rebuke to ISIS propaganda. I understand the (not unreasonable) fear that many have about welcoming refugees into our communities, but to turn them away is turn our backs on the clear witness of scripture and to do exactly what ISIS would like us to do.
I read the Bishop’s article yesterday and resolved to write the above blog post linking to it today. Then I was confronted with the opportunity to put my money where my mouth was. The District Superintendent called and said they were looking for United Methodist Churches willing to support and sponsor Syrian refugees. She wondered if Abilene First might be one of those churches. After consulting with the lay leader, the chair of the church council, and both lay delegates to Annual Conference, Jenny and I have decided to call a congregational meeting after worship this coming Sunday. Recently we, as a congregation, have practiced holy conferencing around the issues of homosexuality and the separation of church and state. My hope is that we can do the same around this issue.
Link: http://bit.ly/1j9Gm1J