Gifts and Graces Inventory Available Online

Did you misplace your copy of the Gifts and Graces Inventory? If so you can download a copy at our website. Simply go to www.coffeyvillefirstumc.org and follow the link at the top to the download page.

On the Humanity and Divinity of Jesus Christ

It has been asserted that the historical Jesus was only a human being, that his divinity was an accoutrement added later by a power-hungry church. Again, in The Faces of Jesus, Buechner's reply is almost poetic:

The paradoxical assertion that Jesus was both fully man and in some way also fully God seems to many the unnecessary and obfuscating doctrine of later theologians, but the truth of the matter is that like all doctrines it was an experience first, in this case the experience of the simple folk who had actually known him. Having talked with him and eaten with him, having seen him angry, sad, merry, tired, and finally dead, they had no choice but to say that he was human even as they themselves were humans. But having found in him an undying power to heal and transform their lives, they had no choice but to say that he was God too if only because there was no other way of saying it.

Recycling Program

To be better stewards of God’s good creation, First United Methodist Church is now recycling:

• Shredded office paper
• Glass: must be rinsed out.
• Aluminum Cans: must be rinsed out.
• Newspaper: in paper sacks or boxes.
• Paper Sacks
• Plastic Bags
• #1 Plastic bottles: must be rinsed out.
• #2 Milk Jugs: must be rinsed out.
• #2 Colored Plastic bottles
• Magazines and Catalogs
• Phone Books: must be kept separate from magazines and catalogs
• Cardboard: keep separate from paperboard
• Paperboard: keep separate from cardboard.
• Ink Jet Cartridges
• Toner Cartridges
• Cell Phones

We’ll be storing these items in the basement (inquire in the church office as to exactly where). We’ll need volunteers to take these items to recycling centers (many out-of-town). Please let the church office know if you’re willing to help.

The Love of God and the Problem of Evil

I'm currently reading The Faces of Jesus: A Life Story by Frederick Buechner. It is a short book , but as always Buechner has a better way of expressing things I have longed believe. One of the things Christians have longed struggled with is called "The Problem of Evil." In a nutshell it goes as follows: if God is completely good and all powerful, then why does evil exist? Here's Buechner's summary of what is commonly called the "Free Will Defense" to the problem:

It is of the very essence of love to leave us free to respond or not to respond because the moment it attempts to force our hand, it is no longer love but coercion, and what it elicits from us is no longer love but obedience. The greatest single argument against the existence of God is the presence of evil in the world, and to the degree that the Christian faith attempts to answer it, its answer is all tied up in this [the nature of love]. The argument is simply stated: If there is a God who is both good and all powerful, why do terrible things happen in the world? Why does God allow us to murder and wage wars? Why does he allow us to remain indifferent to each other's needs so that the poor go uncared for and children starve and in a sense all of us go hungry if only for the peace and understanding that the world cannot give? If there is a God, why did he not with his great goodness make things right in the first place, or why does he not with his great power intervene in the affairs of the world to make things right at least in the second place, now? What Christianity in effect seems to say is that God could presumably do these things--could have turned us out perfectly as an inventor turns out a perfect invention or could step in when we get out of line and move us around like pawns on a chessboard. But as Christianity understands it, God does not want us related to him as an invention to an inventor or pawns to a cosmic kibitzer [a meddler who offers unwanted advice to others]. He wants us related to him as children are related to their father. He wants us in other words to love him, and if our love is to be spontaneous and real, we must be free also not to love him with all its grim consequences of human suffering. Evil exists in the world not because God is indifferent or powerless or absent but because man is free, and free he must be if he is to love freely, free he must be if he is to be human.

It has been argued that the "free will defense" explains human, but not natural disasters. The counter argument is that when humanity fell from grace, we took all of creation with us. The human roots of global climate change would be an example of this happens.

The Bishops' Letter on the Importance of Voting

Bishop Scott Jones of the Kansas Area of the United Methodist Church, Bishop Gerald Mansholt of the Central States Synod, the Evangelical Luthern Church in America, and the Right Reverend Dean E. Wolfe, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas issued the follow letter recently:

We, as bishops of churches in Kansas, urge all of our members to take seriously their responsibility to vote in the Primary Election, August 1, 2006 and the General Election, November 7, 2006.

Christ said that the greatest commandments were to love God with heart, soul and mind and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:34 -40) . God calls us to live our lives so that we do all that we can to follow God’s will for ourselves and the rest of creation.

Participating in the political process is part of our Christian witness. The Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution and our Kansas Constitution ensure that the full weight of governance falls upon the good actions of the citizenry. Each one of us has the important task in making sure that we exercise our responsibility at election time. Regardless of party affiliation, we need to make our voices heard.

Because we love God and neighbor, each of us has an obligation to vote in the primary and general elections being held this year. We citizens are crucial in determining the ongoing success of our governmental system. If there is a weakness in the system, if the system is flawed, or if the system is not responsive, then a part of the responsibility for these flaws rest[s] with us, the voters.

Committed Christians live out their faith, in part, by exercising political responsibility. One church body has expressed that responsibility in this way. “The strength of a political system depends upon the full and willing participation of its citizens. The church should continually exert a strong ethical influence upon the state, supporting policies and programs deemed to be just and opposing policies and programs that are unjust.”

We call all our members to prayerful consideration of our civic responsibility. We care. We vote. All of us need to participate in both the primary and general elections.

Science and Religion

On July 23, 2006 Revs. Jack and Marily Gregory of Independence First United Methodist Church had the following letter published in the Independence paper. I wanted to reprint it here and received permission to do so. It is an excellent letter. The only thing I would add is an aside that the second chapter of Genesis contains a second account of creation and that this would seem to indicate that the Bible is not interested in exactly how God created, but that it was God who created all that is and called it good. Rev. Gregory has informed me that this point did not make it into their letter because of the newspaper's 400 word limit.

Science and Religion

Conversations about religion and science have moved to center stage. Some assume the scientific endeavor threatens belief in God. Others assume that belief in God makes it impossible to be an unbiased scientist. We believe that God created us to be curious and thoughtful beings and that theology and science need not be in conflict.

Evolution is the most accurate explanation biologists can make for the variety of life. The mechanics of evolution include natural and artificial selection, gene drift and mutation, and adaptation of life forms to their environments. Scientists are not of one mind about the particulars, but there is agreement with the outline of evolutionary theory.

Christians are not of one mind, either, about how we read and understand the Bible. Some believe that the Bible is the direct word from God, without error, and read the first chapter of Genesis as a historically and scientifically accurate description of the origins of life. Others understand that the Bible is a collection of writings by humans whose experiences of God and understandings of God’s purposes bring us into a closer relationship to God. We read Genesis as a witness to God’s creative power and God’s purpose for human beings. Both readings of the Bible take the text seriously and shape readers into faithful followers of Jesus.

Francis Collins, a respected scientist, head of the National Human Genome Research Institute and a deeply committed Christian, said: “I am not aware of any reasons why one cannot be a completely dedicated person of faith who believes that God inspired the writings in the Bible, and also be a rigorous, intellectually honest scientist....” Adam Hamilton, pastor of the 9000 member Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, said, “I believe that evolution is a process that was designed by God.” We have sometimes said that science addresses the questions of “When?” and “How?” The Bible addresses the questions of “Who?” and “Why?”

Christians have a right to be offended when a scientist implies that his research proves there is no God. When religious leaders, in the name of openness, cast doubt upon the validity of widely accepted scientific thought; they, too, have overstepped a boundary.

Let us continue the conversation about science and religion. Let us talk about the Bible, how it came to be and how we are to read it. Let us learn all we can about the origins of life and the relationships between life forms. These conversations only deepen our sense of wonder before our God and Creator.

Jack and Marilyn Gregory

Ministry with College Students

We are going to have a planning meeting for ministry with college students on Monday, July 31, at 7:00 pm at the church. We are going to be talking about ways to reach college students and make plans for the fall. All who are interested in this exciting ministry outreach are invited to come.

Long Distance

Just a note to those of you who have out-of-area phone numbers. The church is now using a calling card for our long distance (it's cheaper, lots cheaper). If we have to dial long distance, your caller ID will probably show something like "unknown" or "no number."

More on Immigration

I preached on Ephesians this morning talked about a Biblical attitude for those who are sojourners and aliens. You might also be intered in Bishop Scott Jones' statement on immigration. You can download it from our website at: www.coffeyvillefirstumc.org.

7:54 PM Update: I just posted my sermon notes as well.

Annual Conference Defined

You may have heard the term "annual conference" batted around in church. As this article notes the term can refer to three distinct interrelated entities: a regional body, an organizational unit and a yearly meeting. Read the article to learn more.

Update on the Wednesday Night Gathering

Sorry for the delay in this post, but it has been a busy week. The Wednesday Night Gathering continues to grow, we had 37 this week.

Phone Answering Service

We started using a phone answering service for the church today. When the office is closed, calls to the church's main number will be forwarded to the answering service. In most cases they will send us an email with the message. In emergencies, they will try to reach Jenny and I at home, on our cell phones, or at any other phone number where we might be. Callers trying to reach someone in the church building will be given the number for the church's second line. We hope that this service will be helpful to everyone involved. Please let us know how it works for you and feel free to ask any questions you might have.

A Washerwoman's Mite (Might)

The following was printed in Acacia: A Newsletter of the Africa University Development Office.

In the late 1990's, one woman's radical act of kindness and generosity sent tremors throughout the philanthropic world. Miss Oseola McCarty was born in the Mississippi Delta at the turn of the 20th Century. Her formal education ended in the sixth grade when she left school to care for an ailing aunt. By the time the aunt had regained her health, Miss McCarty's classmates had left her so far behind that she decided not to return to school. For the next fifty or more years, she worked as a washerwoman, living frugally and saving most of her earnings. After retiring in 1994 at the age of 86, she decided that she would give her life's savings to her hometown university to establish a scholarship fund for financially needy students. She wanted to give others the chance that she never had. She gave $150,000.00 to the University of Southern Mississippi at Hattiesburg to establish a scholarship fund. Ms McCarty died in 1999 at the age of 91. In 2001 Worth Magazine listed her sixth of 100 individuals of the 20th century who changed the way Americans think of money. Miss McCarty changed the way we think about what we can really afford to give to charity.

God is calling the people of Coffeyville First UMC not to extraordinary wealth, but to extraordinary generosity. With God's help, all of us can be extraordinary givers.

Veggie Tales Movie Event

The date has been set for the next Veggie Tales Movie Event. It will
be August 6, 2006 at 3:00 pm. We'll be screening "Larry Boy and the
Bad Apple: A Lesson in Temptation." The entire community is invited.
We'll have posters for you to hang in your place of business. Please
invite anyone you know who would be interested.

Gifts and Graces Inventory Online

Were you out of town Sunday? Did you misplace your copy of the Gifts and Graces Inventory? If so you can download a copy at our website. Simply go to www.coffeyvillefirstumc.org and follow the link at the top to the download page.

Comments Off

I've turned "comments" off for the blog. The system wasn't working for many people and had become a source of frustration for some. If you have something you want to express send me an email.

Ding-a-Ling

We'll be starting to use a phone answering service soon. This means that when you call after hours you can get a real live person with whom you can leave a message. If you have an emergency, they'll notify us immediately. The name of the phone service is "Ding-a-ling." I think they need a new name.

Save the Date

A "Young Adults" cookout is being planned for Saturday, September 16, 2006 at 5 pm.

Miss Linda's computer up and running again

After nearly a week, the special church software that Linda uses is
reinstalled. Thanks for your patience.

Altar Flowers

Each week, after the Sunday service, the altar flowers are taken to a
shut-ins, care-home residents, or those in the hospital. If you know
someone who could you a pick-me-up, please let the church office know.

UMCOR Malaria Project

The following appeared in the most recent issue of United Methodist Newscope:

Heightened awareness of malaria’s toll may help UM efforts to stem the disease. At least six countries in Africa recently received grants from the UM Committee on Relief to spray insecticide indoors, distribute bed nets that shield the vulnerable from mosquitoes, and conduct community awareness programs. Cameroon, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone were among the recipients. According to a New York Times report, 800,000 young African children die every year of malaria, more than of any other disease (Advance #982009, Malaria Control).

I've been following reports of how many people Malaria kills (a child dies every 30 seconds), and how easy it is to stop if only funds are available (I seem to remember that sleeping nets run only $1 - $2). A little bit of money would go along way. The "Advance #982009" is the number if we wanted to donate to UMCOR efforts. I'm wondering if anyone else feels led to this.

The Death Penalty in Kansas

There has been a lot of talk about the death penalty in
Kansas lately. I thought it might be good to post the official United
Methodist position on this issue. It is found in The United Methodist
Book of Disicpline of the United Methodist Church, paragraph 164.G:

"We believe the death penalty denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore and transform all human beings. The United Methodist Church is deeply concerned about crime throughout the world and the value of any life taken by a murder or homicide. We believe all human life is sacred and created by God and therefore, we must see all human life as significant and valuable. When governments implement the death penalty (capital punishment), then the life of the convicted person is devalued and all possibility of change in that person's life ends. We believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that the possibility of reconciliation with Christ comes through repentance. This gift of reconciliation is offered to all individuals without exception and gives all life new dignity and sacredness. For this reason, we oppose the death penalty (capital punishment) and urge its elimination from all criminal codes."

My own personal opinion (for the little it is worth): I agree with columnist Ann Quindlen who wrote in the June 26, 2006 edition of Newsweek:

"Last year four countries accounted for nearly all executions worldwide: China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United States. As my Irish grandmother used to say, you're known by the company you keep."

Take it Easy on Miss Linda Today

Take it easy on Miss Linda today. She's adjusting to a new computer with a new operating system.

Taize Worship Service Tonight

Tonight's Wednesday gathering will be a Taize service. We're providing the following information with the order of worship:

About the Taizé service:
The Taizé service is a meditative prayer service. Please enter the service in silence. The service includes meditative singing, periods of silence, scripture reading, icons, and candles. Below you will find excerpts from the website of the Taizé community in France on a couple of the Taizé service elements.

Meditative singing
Singing is one of the most essential elements of worship. Short songs, repeated again and again, give it a meditative character. Using just a few words they express a basic reality of faith, quickly grasped by the mind. As the words are sung over many times, this reality gradually penetrates the whole being. Meditative singing thus becomes a way of listening to God. It allows everyone to take part in a time of prayer together and to remain together in attentive waiting on God, without having to fix the length of time too exactly.

Icons in worship
Icons contribute to the beauty of worship. They are like windows open on the realities of the Kingdom of God, making them present in our prayer on earth.
Although icons are images, they are not simply illustrations or decorations. [Like the cross,] they are symbols of the incarnation, a presence which offers to the eyes the spiritual message that the Word addresses to the ears.

Taken from www.taizé.fr, edited by John Collins.

You can learn more at: www.taize.fr


Posted by Jenny

For Freedom Christ has set us Free

This July 4th as we celebrate our freedom and independence as a nation, I think back to Galatians 5.1:

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Paul often spoke of slavery to sin. What sins do we need to proclaim our independence from this day?

We're Still Here

Elizabeth's cousin got sick, so we won't be going up to Council Grove. We'll be at home in case of an emergency.