The Young, Younger, Youngish Sunday School Class has spent the past three weeks discussing the book Tattoos on the Heart: the Power of Boundless Compassion by Gregory Boyle. This is a great book that Pastor John Collins would like to bring to a larger audience. If you are interested in participating in such a discussion please let us know via the attendance insert in the bulletin. The book is available in paperback, electronic, and audio formats.

Last Sunday, May 22, 2016, we recognized the following Abilene First United Methodist Church scholarship recipients for 2016-2017:

• Mary Graefe (First Time Recipient): $600
• Andrew Schwarting (First Time Recipient): $600
• Lisa Turnbull (First Time Recipient): $600
• Alexandria Walters (First Time Recipient): $600
• Matthew Barlow: $360
• Katie Divel: $360
• Dustin Engle: $360
• Kinsey Ford: $360
• Gabe Johnson: $360
• Keil Kelly: $360
• Jordan Luty: $360
• Mallory Schardein: $360
• Marissa Schardein: $360
• Malorie Unruh: $360

These scholarships were made possible by the generosity of members, former members, and their families through memorial gifts and donations to the scholarship fund. Awards are presented in honor of the following persons: Eugene, Hilda and Alice Carlile, Milton and Ferne Mohler, Carroll and Emma Jane Scott, Dr. E. F. Stark, and Valgene and Harriet Slingsby.

In addition, we celebrated those who will continue to receive Clara Shirk Scholarships (awarded by the United Methodist Women):

• Jacoby Robinson: $2,000
• Kylie Engle: $2,000

This coming Sunday, June 7, 2015, we’ll be recognizing the following Abilene First United Methodist Church scholarship recipients for 2015-2016:

• Gabe Johnson: $650
• Jordan Luty: $650
• Mallory Schardein: $650
• Marissa Schardein: $650
• Malorie Unruh: $650
• Matthew Barlow: $500
• Dustin Engle: $500
• Kinsey Ford: $500
• Kane Kelly: $500
• Alise Murray: $300
• Kialyn Anderson: $300
• Kaynan Anderson: $300
• Kally Johns: $300

In addition we’ll be recognizing the following recipients of Clara Shirk Scholarships (awarded by the United Methodist Women).

• Jacoby Robinson: $2,000
• Kylie Engle: $2,000

We’ll be having our second session of “Table Talk” this Wednesday at 5:45 pm after the Wonderful Wednesday meal. We had a great time last week and are looking forward to this week’s discussion of “The Fall.” You can read Genesis 2.4b-3.24 if you want to work ahead.

Beginning on Wednesday, January 8, We’ll be starting Table Talk, a great new program after the Wonderful Wednesday meal. Table Talk will help facilitate study and conversation about key stories of the Bible. The stories are basic enough for new Christians, yet have enough unexpected flair to engage the seasoned Bible reader.

Here are the Bible stories for the first six Table Talk Discussions:

• Creation
• The Fall
• The Flood
• Father Abraham
• Ten Words (The Ten Commandments)
• The Great Commandment

Sessions will begin at approximately 5:45 pm, with the telling of the story, followed by questions and discussion around the tables. For more information about this special program and how you can participate, please contact John or Jennifer Collins.

A while back, I don’t remember exactly how long, while I was visiting a parishioner in the hospital, I noticed that she had a small item from home on her bedside table. It consisted of a block of wood with the name Jesus on it in such a way that it took me a moment to figure out what it said. It was a small item that had obviously been brought from home for the comfort it gave her. I thought that it would be a good idea of have some small token like that to hand out to those who were hospitalized and shut-ins.

Going further back to Annual Conference last year there was a booth by Holy Land Gifts (www.Holyland-Gifts.com). From them, I had purchased a “comfort cross” made of olive wood by Christians living in Bethlehem. I’ve long been concerned about Christians living in the Holy Land (they’re caught in the middle of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute) and this seemed a great way to support them. It occurred to me that comfort crosses were just the thing for shut-ins and hospital patients and they have the added benefit of supporting hard-pressed Christians.

The vision team approved the purchase of 20 comfort crosses. I’ve been handing them out, telling the backstory, and making it clear that the cross is not a gift from me personally, but a gift from the whole church collectively. I’ve told the recipients that the cross is meant to be a tangible reminder to them of their church’s love for them. The response has been overwhelming. I’ve yet to hand one out without the recipient being profoundly touched. This is a small project, but it has meant a great deal to some very special people, and I wanted you to know about the good being done on your behalf.

Our next book study is being planned for the Easter Season (Easter Day and the 49 days following.) The book is Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life by James Martin. We’re doing this book study during Easter because joy is a key component in the Christian life and there should be no time in the Christian year more joyous than the Great Fifty Days of Easter.

Unlike previous studies, we’re passing around the sign-up sheet (both literally and figuratively) before we set the time. The plan is to poll those who are interested to find the time that works the best for the greatest number of people. If you’re interested, please sign up during worship or drop me a line at john@revcollins.com.