Month: August 2020

An update on that last post, I’ve already gotten several responses and the new TV will be on the way soon. Thanks to everyone who volunteered.

The Church Council met last night and discussed using Wright Fellowship Hall for worship. It was decided to upgrade the old projector with a new flat-screen TV. For this reason, I’m looking for someone with a Sam’s Club Membership and a truck, SUV, or van.

Here’s a higher resolution of this morning’s worship service. I was the camera operator and so you have my apologies.

You can view this video and previous worship services on our Vimeo page at vimeo.com/abilenefirstumc.

We’ll start live streaming worship in less than an hour. I’m excited about today’s service and the opportunity to join the gathered congregation (both physically and virtually) in worshipping the great “I AM WHO I WILL BE.” The sermon text is Exodus 3:1-15 and the focus is on stepping back from the things that stress us in order to encounter God and then get back into the fray.

Below are a few links that may come in handy.

To watch: https://abilenefirstumc.org/live/

To follow along in the bulletin: https://abilenefirstumc.org/bulletin/

To make a financial gift: https://abilenefirstumc.org/giving/

Molly and Samuel Burton are hosting a blood drive at Abilene High School tomorrow (Sunday, August 30, 2020) from 12 noon to 6 p.m. There are still ten spots open. You can contact Molly via email at mburton@abileneschools.org or sign up online at https://rcblood.org/3b69m7H.

Listening to the Ask N. T. Wright Anything podcast I heard a question that I have often tried to answer as a pastor. That question is “What does it mean to fear God?” My answers haven’t been wrong, but I like N.T Wright’s answer better, so I’m going to share it here. Please note that this has a very off-the-cuff, conversational tone because I transcribed it from the Podcast. Here’s Wright’s answer: 

“Our English word fear can slide too and fro … there is a fear that is a panicky fear … and some people think that’s what fearing God is supposed to mean. And then they say how can that co-exist with love. And the answer is no. In the Hebrew, which the Greek is struggling to retain there, [fear] means reverence, [fear] means awe. It’s the kind of awe that you feel when you walk into one of the most great, lovely buildings like a huge cathedral and you have the sense of ‘I ought to mind my p’s and q’s when I’m in here.’ And yet it’s beautiful, you want to be there, and yet you have a sense that you need to talk in hushed tones and be careful what you do because this place matters. … that’s the kind of sense I think fear means, that when we think of being in God’s presence, wow, we need to take this very seriously.” — N. T. Wright [1]

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[1] N. T. Wright, “Ask NT Wright Anything #38: Lockdown Livestream,” Premier Christian Radio, accessed August 28, 2020, https://bit.ly/32BXPJ9.

In response a concerned phone call about the previous post: I’m overwhelmed by the news (almost all of it). I’m not overwhelmed in my daily life or in my pastoral duties. There is no need to worry about me. I do encourage you to pray for our community, our country, and the world.

The church office will be closed Tuesday, August 25, 2020. We apologize for any inconvenience.

The bulletin for this Sunday (August 23, 2020) is now available at abilenefirstumc.org/bulletin/. When you go, you’ll notice that all the previous bulletins are missing. That was not intentional, but happened for technical reasons. I plan to restore them eventually.