Relevant Magazine has an article listing twelve scripture passages relevant to our current discussion of Syrian refugees. It’s a reminder not only of what we are called to do, but who we are called to be. As such, it’s not necessarily something we want to hear, but definitely something we need to hear. (Isn’t that often the way scripture functions in our lives?) We must not allow our fear to overcome our Christian faith and love.
Serrv Mission Sale
Serrv is an international, nonprofit, fair-trade organization that seeks to help artisans and small farmers by providing them a market for their goods at a fair price. This is a means of international economic development that allows those artisans and small farmers to help themselves.
Beginning next Sunday, the Mission and Outreach committee will be hosting a sale of Serrv products. Items ordered through the church should arrive before Christmas, and the Missions and Outreach Committee will receive up to 25% of the sales. If you’re interested in looking at what Serrv has to offer, you can visit www.serrv.com. There will be a table in the Narthex with catalogs and order forms the next three Sundays (November 22, 29, and December 6, 2015).
Children’s Christmas Program
This year’s Children’s Christmas Program is scheduled for Wednesday, December 9, 2015, at 6 pm in the sanctuary. Rehearsals have already started but if you know of a child who would like to participate, Wendy can still squeeze them in (in Christmas Pageants, as in churches, there is always room for one more).
Funeral Services for Lacey DeWeese
There will be a Service of Death a Resurrection for Lacey DeWeese this Saturday (November 14, 2015) at 2 pm in the Sanctuary. Jenny will officiate and host Pastor Kerry Coup as a guest preacher. A graveside service will immediately follow at the Abilene Cemetery. More information at: http://bit.ly/1MGybWN.
Funeral Services for Jean Elizabeth Kemph
There will be a Service of Death a Resurrection for Jean Elizabeth Kemph this Saturday (November 14, 2015) at 10 am at Danner Funeral Home. A graveside service will immediately follow at the Abilene Cemetery. More information at: http://bit.ly/1HMReJf.
New Church Conference Time
Our church conference has been moved from 7 pm to 6 pm on November 29, 2015. That also moves the Staff Parish Relations Committee meeting with the District Superintendent up to 5:40 pm. As a church conference, this meeting remains open to all church members and everyone is encouraged to attend.
Voice of the Day: Father Joe
A well known saying among Benedictine monks is Laborare est orare. Translated from the Latin, it means “to work is to pray.” It aptly summarizes part of the sixth century Rule of St. Benedict that still governs their lives together. But what does that mean? Tony Hendra relates the following explanation from a monk known to his friends as Father Joe:
“The work itself is prayer. Work done as well as possible. Work done for others first and yourself second. Work you are thankful for. Work you enjoy, that uplifts you. Work that celebrates existence, whether it’s growing grain in the fields or using God-given skills—like yours. All this is prayer that binds us together and therefore to God.” — Dom Joseph Warrilow (as quoted by Tony Hendra in “Father Joe: The Man Who Saved My Soul).
I thought this was a timely quote given last Sunday’s sermon. It gets at one of the points I was trying to make: honest work, done well, can and should be seen as a gift from God.
Wonderful Wednesday Meal and Discussion
Tomorrow is our monthly Wonderful Wednesday meal. There will be a chicken and dressing casserole with a side of broccoli and cheese. Following the meal (between 5:30 pm to 6 pm) we’ll begin a discussion of the separation of church and state. We had a great conversation about a controversial topic (homosexuality) last month. Jenny and I are hoping for the same tomorrow.
Director of Music Ministries Position Changed
In view of budget concerns, the Board of Stewards, with the support of SPRC (Staff-Parish Relations Committee), made the decision to decrease the Director of Music Ministries position to half time effective November 1. We thank Clark for his many years of dedicated full-time service to the music ministry of First United Methodist Church. At this point, Clark is continuing as the half-time Director of Music Ministry. Please don’t hesitate to speak with members of the SPRC Committee or the pastors if you have questions or concerns.
Tomorrow’s Sermon
Tomorrow (Sunday, November 8, 2015), I’ll be preaching on 1 Timothy 6:6-19 and Luke 16:1-13 with a sermon titled “Gain All You Can” in which I’ll try to convince you to do just that. We hope to see you there.
Voice of the Day: Kent Little
Rev. Kent Little, a clergy colleague of mine, recently posted this quote from an unnamed “favorite teacher, mentor, colleague, bishop, and friend.”:
“As per the Discipline, a United Methodist believe all things necessary for salvation are contained in the holy scriptures, our belief does not hold that all things in the holy scriptures are necessary for salvation.”
Normally, I like to be more specific about sourcing my quotations, but I think this one can stand on it’s own. It’s a good thing to remember when you’re reading through some parts of the Bible (e.g. Psalm 137:9, a verse I don’t encourage you to look up unless you disagree with the above quote).
Serrv Mission Project
Jenny and I are excited that the Mission and Outreach Committee approved a pre-Christmas sale of Serrv products. Serrv is an international, nonprofit, fair-trade organization that seeks to help artisans and farmers by providing them a market for their goods at a fair price. Items ordered through the church should arrive before Christmas, and the Missions and Outreach Committee will receive up to 25% of the sales. If you’re interested in looking at what Serrv has to offer, you can visit www.serrv.com. The date(s) of the sale will be announced as soon as they are set by the Mission and Outreach Committee.