Just a reminder that we have a copy of the church calendar online at www.coffeyvillefirstumc.org. This is instantly updated any time that Jenny or I add an event to our calendars. It’s the first place to look for any new events.
Well … that Didn't Work
I slept no better last night, despite the fact that the sermon was over.
Voice of the Day: Martin Luther
Today’s voice is Martin Luther with an argument for taking care of the environment (and other matters) before it was known that the environment needed our care. (Instead of counting on Jesus to put everything right when he returns.)
Via Sojourners:
“If Christ were coming again tomorrow, I would plant a tree today.”
–Martin Luther
Voice of the Day: Interdependent Love
To me, this seems like it may be self-evident, but it’s important enough to merit reinforcement.
Via God’s Politics:
“Knowing one’s self, finding one’s self, and expending one’s self for another are intertwined activities. Love of self, love of God, and love of neighbor are interdependent.”
—Sidney Callahan, With All Our Heart and Mind
When to Listen to "The Voice of Truth"
Bluefish is a company that produces Christian videos for youth, sermon illustrations, etc. The video above is a reminder of why it is important to listen to, as the Christian band Casting Crowns put it in their song by the same title, “The Voice of Truth.” When all the world tells us that we can’t do something, the Voice of Truth tells us a “different story,” the Voice of Truth says “do not be afraid.”
New Logo Approved
You may have noticed the new logo of Coffeyville First United Methodist Church in the column to the right. The Vision Team approved this new logo Wednesday.
God Loves to Do That
This is the quote I shared in my sermon on April 27:
“Sometimes a writer, in her determined attempt to tell what she knows, just can’t help telling about God … Sometimes, despite themselves, God gives writers the slip and pops up in a story, even when the author thought that this story had no room for God. God loves to do that.”
–William H. Willimon, Reading with Deeper Eyes
No Yoga Tonight
The yoga class will not be held this afternoon, it appears that almost everybody will be at graduation.
One Soldier's Struggle with the War in Iraq
BHAG Approved
The Church Council approved “Excellence in Children’s Ministry” as our BHAG* at Monday night’s meeting. The BHAG does not replace, but instead supplements our mission statement.
*In his book, Good to Great, Jim Collins (no relation) talks about a BHAG as a “Big Hairy Audacious Goal.” For church use, we’ve altered that to “Big Holy Audacious Goal.”
Pearls Before Swine
I was initially attracted by the biblical title*, but since then I’ve really enjoyed the Pearls Before Swine comic strip. I think as a blogger that I’m morally obligated to post a link to this particular strip.
*Matthew 7.6
Link: http://www.comics.com/comics/pearls/archive/pearls-20080512.html
Possible New Logo
Above is a possibility for a new logo. Churches are often encouraged to stay away from featuring their buildings in their logos, but we have such a distinctive facade that I think everyone in town knows it. With this logo they can know which church that building belongs to and where to go if they want to join us. Let me know what you think at john@coffeyvillefirstumc.org and I’ll pass the word on.