You can view this video and previous worship services on our Vimeo page at vimeo.com/abilenefirstumc.
Worship Begins at 10:30
I’m putting the finishing touches on this morning’s (Sunday, August 16, 2020) service of worship. You can learn how to watch online at abilenefirstumc.org/live/; download a bulletin at abilenefirstumc.org/bulletin/; and make a financial contribution at abilenefirstumc.org/giving/.
Installation of New District Superintendents
From the Great Plains Conference Website:
Join in a worship service to celebrate the installation of new District Superintendents Rev. Tom Brady serving Five Rivers and Parsons Districts, Rev. Jenny Collins Flint Hills and Topeka Districts and Rev. Dee Williamston serving Hutchinson and Salina Districts. The combined worship service will be the first in a joint online service for all 6 districts. We will get to hear from each of the District Superintendents [in] an hour[-long service] of worship. Everyone will be invited to leave a word, prayer or scripture verse blessing their new District Superintendent in the chat window at the end of the service.
You Can register to attend online.
Link: https://bit.ly/3kU78wK
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to link in by computer or phone.
You can also download a bulletin.
Link: https://bit.ly/2Y6H9Zc
Memorial Service For Dennis Houdek
A service of Death and Resurrection for Dennis C. Houdek (friend of Linda Rist) will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 7, 2020 at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church in Newton, Kansas.
Voices: Fearing the God of Love
When we say that God is Love, do we teach men that their fear of Him is groundless? No. As much as they fear will come upon them, possibly far more . . . The wrath will consume what they call themselves; so that the selves God made shall appear. — George MacDonald [1]
My understanding of this is not that God seeks to harm us, but that God seeks to make us holy. Insofar was we are fond of our vices and impurities we have reason to fear God. This is because the fire of God’s love will burn away our imperfections and refine us into the people God created us to be.
[1] George MacDonald, as quoted in C. S. Lewis, George MacDonald: an Anthology (London: Geoffrey Bles: The Centenary Press, 1946), Kindle.
There seems to be some disagreement about whether it’s “MacDonald” or “Macdonald.” I’ve gone with the version that I think will elicit fewer corrections.
Raising Our Ebenezers
We are in a global pandemic afflicting everyone, and there are countless difficulties besetting individual members of this congregation. For that reason, it seems to me that it would be good to hum along with “Come, Thou Font of Every Blessing,” Read 1 Samuel 7:3-17, and preach on our need to raise an Ebenezer this coming Sunday (August 16, 2020). If the only Ebenezer you know is Scrooge, well, that’s one more reason to join us for worship and look to God for encouragement.
Worship Video — August 9, 2020
You can view this video and previous worship services on our Vimeo page at vimeo.com/abilenefirstumc.
Preaching on Matthew 14:22-33
The bulletins for tomorrow (Sunday, August 9, 2020) are online at AbileneFirstUMC.org/bulletin/. My sermon on Matthew 14:22-33 is almost finished. This is the passage where Peter tries to walk on water. As always, Peter has a lot to teach us. It’s not too late to confirm your attendance through the link at AbileneFirstUMC.org.
Darlene Sexton’s 94th B-Day
Darlene Sexton’s 94th birthday is tomorrow. Cards and phone calls will be welcomed. If you need her phone number or her address you can contact me at john@revcollins.com or call the church office at 785-263-2623.
Wednesday Activities
It’s Wednesday and that means Communion and Bible Study. Communion is at 6:00 and Bible Study is at 6:15. We’ll be studying Luke 8:26-9:17. Both of these meetings will be held by Zoom. You can find instructions and links here. Link: abilenefirstumc.org/zoom-meetings/
Worship Video — August 2, 2020
Here’s a higher quality video of this morning’s worship service.
You can view this video and previous worship services on our Vimeo page at vimeo.com/abilenefirstumc.
Worship Reservations
In less than an hour, I’ve received two questions about where to go to make reservations* for worship. To me, that indicates that I haven’t done a good job of getting the word out. Here’s what you need to know. The link to the reservations form is at the top of the front page of AbileneFirstUMC.org. I hope this helps. Let me know if it doesn’t.
*Asking people to make reservations for a service of worship is a pretty ridiculous thing to have to do. Please be assured that we do so not because we want to exclude anyone, but rather because we want to include everyone who wants to come. Reservations allow up to plan how many services we need to accommodate everyone. Those without reservations will not be automatically turned away. But if there is not enough room for everyone who shows up, we will give priority to those who made a reservation.