Moth and Rust Consume

I got a chance to work on our garage today. I opened up a plastic tub where I thought I had safely stored some Coca-Cola memorabilia. Somehow, water had gotten in and much of it is ruined. I immediately thought of Jesus' words in Matthew 6.19-21.

9“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (NRSV)

Truth be told, I had been planning to unburden myself of much of the Coke stuff, and other stuff in the garage that was stored in cardboard boxes, somehow or another, but had been putting it off. When I saw the water damage, I felt as if God had said, "here ... let me help you with that."

Update 8:12 am: The Coke stuff was damaged when the Coke in some commemorative cans ate through the cans. The cardboard boxes were water draining off the car when I drove home during the storm last night.

Blogging Today, Sabbath Sunday

There will be posting today, I don't feel the need to completely abstain from work and observe a Sabbath today because we are taking this Sunday off and we can thus observe the Sabbath on the day Christians traditionally have. In case you're wondering Mike Mason will preach at both services.

Parish Visitor by Email

I just sent the Parish Visitor out to our e-mail subscribers. If you would like to receive the Parish Visitor more quickly and in living color. Drop me a note at johnandjenny@gmail.com.

United Church of Christ Campaign for Fair News Coverage

Ever watch "Christian Leaders" on the news and feel that you're not being represented? The United Church of Christ has a new campaign to address bias in news broadcasts. You can read about it here: http://ga3.org/campaign/network1?qp_source=view. The main site for this effort is http://www.accessibleairwaves.org/viewnew/.

"Be Worried. Be Very Worried."

The cover of Time magazine pictures a bereft polar bear on the cover and reads: "Be Worried. Be Very Worried." The story begins by saying "No one can say exactly what it looks like when a planet takes ill, but it probably looks a lot like Earth." The article goes on to detail how the earth has reached some unfortunate tipping points in global climate change do to human activity. I first became acquainted with the idea of global warming in high school, but I've been hesitant, much to hesitant, to say much about it because of the controversy. Well apparently the controversy is gone.

Scripture tells us that "The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it" (Psalm 24.1, NRSV) We have been poor stewards of God's good creation. Especially those of us in the U.S. which, as Time notes "is home to less than 5% of the population, but produces 25% of the world's CO2 emissions." It is time to change that. Christians have started taking notice, including such luminaries as Rev. Jim Wallis and Rev. Rick Warren, two of the founders of the Evangelical Climate Initiative. I'm glad that Christians have started focusing on this issue. As Paul wrote to the Collossians In the book of Genesis, God tells us that we have been given stewardship over the earth. It is about time we started taking that responsibility seriously, we have a Biblical mandate to care for God's good creation.

Read the article to learn more (if you don't subscribe to Time you can read it online (like I did).

Passion Readers Needed

This coming Palm/Passion Sunday we'll be reading the passion in parts.
It won't be a big production and there won't be any rehearsals. If
you're willing to help please let me know.

Guest Blogging Anyone?

Jenny, Elizabeth and I will be taking some time off soon. I've noticed that on the "professional" blogs, there is often someone who comes in and does "guest blogging" to keep things going. I've got some ideas, but I'm hoping someone will step forward of their own accord. Any volunteers?

Questions Answered Here

Have you ever had a question about the United Methodist Church that you couldn't get answered? If so you might want to consider the following:

InfoServ, the official information service of The United Methodist Church, responds to over 200 questions a day by e-mail, phone, and fax. Located in Nashville, TN, InfoServ is here to respond to not only your questions, but point you in the right direction to locate people and necessary resources. (From the InfoServe webpage.)

You can get answers via the InfoServe webpage or by calling 1-800-251-8140.

Great Breakfast

Elizabeth and I enjoyed breakfast with some of the members of the
Keystone class this morning. the biscuits were stale, and the gravy
was cold, but the conversation was great.

A Reminder

Tomorrow is our Sabbath, so no new posts until Saturday.

The Promise and the Challenge

One of the best things about being a pastor at First UMC is that you're invited to attend all the various events put on by the different Sunday school classes. We ate with the Tri-M class tonight and enjoyed a wonderful meal. I then went upstairs to teach our Lenten Bible study. I was moved by the fellowship of the Tri-M class, how they were "being" church as they gathered for a common meal. I was impressed by the intensity of the Lenten Bible study and the eagerness shown by those participating to learn more about the Bible and God, to whom the Bible points. Small groups like Sunday school classes and short-term Bible studies have so much promise for First UMC. The challenge is getting more people involved. I have some ideas of my own, but would like to hear yours.

An Opinion on an Opinion, Part 2

We previously discussed Kathryn Lopez's article in the Wednesday,
March 15, 2006 edition of The Coffeyville Journal. We also think this
passage from Leviticus bears consideration:

"The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God" (Leviticus 19:34).

2006 VBS Dates Set

Mark your calendars now--the dates have been set for Vacation Bible
School this summer! VBS 2006 will be held June 12-16 from 9:00 am to
Noon. The theme this year is: Adventure of the Treasure
Seekers--Exploring God's Promises. We are in the process of
recruiting folks to lead or help with missions, crafts, Bible
storytelling, music, snacks, and recreation. We will also need folks
to help decorate, collect supplies, take the groups around to the
different activities, etc. If you are interested in helping out with
VBS, please let us know--there are many ways to be involved in this
exciting ministry opportunity.

Taco Soup

Jenny, Elizabeth, and I attended the Lenton Lunchen today. The UMW served the meal. Jenny and I thank them for taking the great taco soup. Elizabeth thanks them for the corn chips.

Thought for the Day

In The Call to Conversion, Jim Wallis quotes Matthew 10.38 where Jesus says, "He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." He then goes onto make the following point: "We have no reason or right to choose another way than the way God chose in Jesus Christ. The cross is both the symbol of our salvation and the pattern for our lives" (The Call to Conversion, page 93).

Youth Group Mosaic Project, Part II

Kathy Wood left a comment on a previous post asking if supplies are needed for the youth group mosaic project. The answer is yes. The Plywood we'll use is readily available (although I would gladly accept offers of transportation), but we also need small tiles and I'm not so sure where to get those. We won't be needing them this coming Sunday, but we will be needing them in a variety of colors. I've seen these used for craft projects, does anyone have any idea of where to get them?

Fleetwood Mac and First UMC

I heard the song "Don't Stop" by Fleetwood Mac a few days ago. The refrain goes:

Don't stop, thinking about tomorrow,
Don't stop, it'll soon be here,
It'll be here, better than before,
Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone.

I think this pretty well sums up our task at Coffeyville First UMC. We can learn from our past, we can honor and remember it, but we cannot bring back the way things used to be, we can only move forward into what could be. Our task is not to dwell on what has happened to us, but to focus on what God would have us do next.

Youth Group Mosaic Project

The youth group met tonight. We will be starting a mosaic project next Sunday at 5:00 pm. We won't be doing anything as complicated as the picture above, but you get the idea.

A gentle reminder to youth: to go bowling with the youth group on April 7, you'll need to pick up a permission slip at Sunday school, worship, or youth group, take it home to get it signed and then bring it back to Sunday school, worship, or youth group by April 2.

New District Superintendent

The Parsons' District has a new Superintendent. We're excited to welcome Rev. Janet Maxwell.

Looking for a few good Links

We've started a "Links Page" over at the website. Let us know if you have anything you would like to suggest.

No Posting Tomorrow

Just a reminder that there will be no posting tomorrow. It's our Sabbath.

New Website!

Coffeyville First United Methodist Church now has a new website: www.coffeyvillefirstumc.org. A shoutout to Tony Wood and his company, Midwest Computer Solutions, for all his help.
Clarification: The website looks the same as it did yesterday. It is the location that has changed from www.firstumc.us to www.coffeyvillefirstumc.org.

Our opinion on an opinion.

We just finished reading an opinion article titled: "How churches are
harboring criminals," by Kathryn Lopez in Wednesday's edition of The
Coffeyville Journal. We were not able to follow her argument and we do
not know of what "proposed federal law" she was writing.

With those disclaimers we want to share some of our thoughts on the
article with you. While faithful Christians have differing
perspectives on immigration, Ms. Lopez's opinion is not from a faith
perspective. Her reasoning is secular in nature. We kept thinking of a
scripture she did not quote from Paul's letter to the Philippians:
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are
expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3.20, NRSV).
It is our heavenly citizenship to which Christians owe ultimate
allegiance.

T-Shirts

The Vision Team met today and approved a final design for church t-shirts. Everyone agreed the design looks good. Hope to have pictures soon and t-shirts soon thereafter.

Bishop Jones' Blog

If you enjoy reading this blog (or even if you don't) you might want to check out Bishop Jones' blog at the Kansas East Conference website. It's on the "Bishop's Page."

Youth Group Bowling Event

A gentle reminder to First UMC youth: to go bowling with the youth group on April 7, you'll need to pick up a permission slip at Sunday school, worship, or youth group, take it home to get it signed and then bring it back to Sunday school, worship, or youth group by April 2.

Parish Visitor Newsletter by Email

It doesn't look like there will be a Parish Visitor this week, but if you would like to receive future copies of our church newsletter by email instead of or in addition to the hard copy via the USPS; send an email to johnandjenny@gmail.com. You'll get it quicker this way and save the church postage.

Lord's Prayer in Contemporary Language

Yesterday evening the youth met and worked to better understand the Lord's Prayer by putting it into contemporary language. Here's what they came up with:

God in heaven,
reveal your holiness, your kingdom come.
Set the world right, the same way it is in heaven.
Let us have enough to eat.
Forgive us our debts, as we forgive those who are in debt to us.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but keep us away from evil,
for this is your kingdom.
From you comes the power and the glory. You are ablaze always.
So be it.
Amen.

They put a great deal of work into this, looking at and taking the best from numerous translations of the Bible. We'll be using their work this coming Sunday.

Topeka First UMC

Topeka First UMC also has two screens. In this case the screen comes up out of the wood case and covers almost all of the wall hanging.

Topeka Grace Projection System

Topeka Grace UMC has two screens for projection in their sanctuary. Above is a picture of the screen to the right of the altar, the screen to the left of the altar matches this one. Above it is deployed and ready for projection. Below is what it looks like when it is not in use. You can't tell from these pictures, but the beam that the screen rolls up into when not in use very much matches the architecture of the sanctuary. Thanks to Wesley Gately for helping me get these pictures.


I'll post a picture from Topeka First UMC soon.

Upper Room Daily Devotions by Email

Daily devotions are a wonderful way to be shaped by God's Word.  We currently have print versions of The Upper Room Daily Devotionals and Devo'zine, a devotional magazine for youth, in the office at the church.  In addition, The Upper Room Daily Devotionals are available by e-mail.  If you would like to sign up for this free E-Mail Devotional please visit: http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/email/.

The Upper Room site has many things to assist you in your daily walk with God.  There are resources for all ages.  Check out:   http://www.upperroom.org/pockets/  for the Pockets section for children which has activities for children and their families.  Youth--check out the Devo'zine section to access the magazine and other resources on line.

Sabbath

No posting (alright no more posting) today. It's our sabbath.

We're Back

We're back from Topeka and I plan to be posting pictures soon. The Bible Study on A Crucified Christ in Holy Week had excellent discussion tonight. I really appreciate everyone who is participating.

Topeka Visits

Jenny and I are in Topeka tonight. We worshiped at Grace UMC's Wednesday Night Gathering and took pictures of their projection system to share when we get back. Tommorrow we'll be visiting Topeka First UMC to look at and get pictures of their projection system.

Incarnation according to Buechner

My daily devotions sometime include readings from Frederick Buechner's book, Beyond Words. I thought I would share his thoughts on the incarnation:

"The Word became flesh," wrote John, "and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth" (John 1.14). That is what incarnation means. It is untheological. It is unsophisticated. It is undignified. But according to Christianity, it is the way things are.

All religions and philosophies that deny the reality or the significance of the material, the fleshly, the earthbound, are themselves denies. Moses at the burning bush was told to take off his shoes because the ground on which he stood was holy ground (Exodus 3:5), and incarnation means that all ground is holy ground because God not only made it but walked on it, ate and slept and worked and died on it. If we are saved anywhere, we are saved here. And what is saved is not some diaphanous distallation of our bodies and our earth, but our bodies and our earth themselves. Jerusalem becomes the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven like a bride adorned for her husband (Revelation 21:2). Our bodies are sown perishable and raised imperishable (1 Corinthians 15:42).

One of the blunders religious people are particularly fond of making is the attempt to be more spiritual than God.

I'll try to get a copy of Beyond Words for the church library. You can also purchase a copy at Cokesbury.

UMCOR Coffee Project

First UMC participates in the UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) Coffee Program. Fairly traded coffee, cocoa, and hot chocolate from Equal Exchange are now available in the office. They've been moved from the entry way because we were having some problems with inventory slippage. The hot chocolate is not as sweet as those of us in the U.S. are used to, but extra sugar and milk take care of it. Follow the link to learn more about the UMCOR Coffee Project.

Children's Corner

Next time you're in the sanctuary, take time to check out our "Children's Corner." Books and bags filled with paper, pencils, crayons, etc. for our youngest members are available there. They're updated every week. This is part of our continuing effort to be more welcoming to little ones.

Web Site Redesigned

The church website has been redesigned, but it's very simple and very sparsley populated at this point. Take a look and send  us your suggestions for content. You can follow the link at right.

Sunday Afternoon at the Movie Runs Smoothly

The warm weather seems to have cut into numbers, but "Sunday Afternoon at the Movies" went smoothly with thirty-six adults and children. Everyone (even the adults) liked the show. Lesson learned: provide each child with only one bean bag.

Good News, Bad News, Chair News

Good News: the Board of Trustees has ordered new, comfortable chairs for fellowship hall and various classrooms. Bad News: they won't be here in time for "Sunday Afternoon at the Movies" (see below), so be sure to bring camp chairs, sleeping bags, etc. to get comfortable.

Newsletter by Email

The Parish Visitor will be mailed out today. If you would like to receive it more quickly by email in .pdf format (viewable with the free Adobe Acrobat program) you may sign up by sending an email to johnandjenny@gmail.com.

Sunday Afternoon at the Movies

First United Methodist Church will be hosting a "Sunday Afternoon at the Movies" event this Sunday, March 5, 2006 at 3:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Our Movie will be Sheerluck Holmes and the Golden Ruler. It is a Veggie Tales Movie. You're encouraged to bring camp chairs or a sleeping bag to make yourself comfortable. Drinks and popcorn will be provided.