There’s A Storm Coming!

According to both the weather radar and the wind, there is a storm coming. But it’s hard to cancel something as important as worship when it’s not here yet. As of now (6:14 a.m., Sunday, November 25, 2018) both worship services and Sunday School are on. However, Jenny and I are canceling the potluck and hanging of the greens following the 10:30 service. We will find another time to get the greens hung.

Voices: An Excellent Gift of God

My main reference for yesterday’s sermon was John Wesley’s sermon, “The Use of Money.” Below is quote I want to share with you where Wesley makes the point that it is the love of money and not money itself that is the root of all evil.

“The love of money,” we know, “is the root of all evil;” but not the thing itself. The fault does not lie in the money, but in them that use it. It may be used ill: and what may not? But it may likewise be used well: It is full as applicable to the best, as to the worst uses. 
… it is an excellent gift of God, answering the noblest ends. In the hands of his children, it is food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, raiment for the naked: It gives to the traveller and the stranger where to lay his head. By it we may supply the place of an husband to the widow, and of a father to the fatherless. We maybe a defence for the oppressed, a means of health to the sick, of ease to them that are in pain; it may be as eyes to the blind, as feet to the lame; yea, a lifter up from the gates of death!” — John Wesley [1]

John Wesley, “The Use of Money,” General Board of Global Ministries, accessed November 19, 2018, https://bit.ly/2NjHEbk.

This Coming Sunday

We have a lot going on this coming Sunday (November 18, 2018). We’ll have two pieces of special music: one from the Ring Praise Youth Bell Choir and another from Jackson Welsh. We’ll also be welcoming John, Cecilia, and Joy Clemence into membership. I’m even excited about the sermon. I’ll be preaching on Mark 12:38-44.

Christmas Poinsettias

This year we’re doing something different for Poinsettias. In the past, we’ve encouraged everyone to bring a poinsettia, but this year the church has placed an order for 30 white* poinsettias from the Abilene High School (AHS) Horticulture Club. You can sponsor one (or more) in memory or honor of someone for just $10.00. Just make the check payable to the church and write “Poinsettias” in the memo line. We’ll have a sign-up sheet in the narthex so that you can let us know of whom your poinsettia is in memory or honor.

This project is a great way to remember or honor a loved one while supporting AHS students in the first year of a new endeavor. They also have poinsettia’s available to purchase. There is a poster in the narthex with further details.

*We’ve gone with white to match the sanctuary decorations.

Voices: The Luxury of a Simple Faith

“God has not given us the luxury of living in a simple time with a simple faith.”
—Bishop Ken Carter, Florida Conference United Methodist Church [1]

This is a hard, often unwelcome saying, but a true one nonetheless. We must study the Bible carefully, think deliberately, pray without ceasing, and rely upon the Holy Spirit to discern the will and ways of God in our time.

[1] Linda Bloom, Kathy L. Gilbert, and Sam Hodges, “Court Asked to Rule on Validity of Plans,” United Methodist News Service, October 23, 2018, accessed November 07, 2018, https://bit.ly/2SX96hw.