Christian Meditation and the Jesus Prayer

"The Jesus Prayer" is an ancient prayer used by many Christians for meditation. the prayer itself is simple: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." One practice is to repeat part of the prayer while breathing in, and part while breathing out over and over. More information can be found at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_prayer
and
http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article7104.asp.

Nolen and Laudine Luhn to be Honored

Nolen & Laudine Luhn will be honored at a reception at the Alumni Center at CCC on Thursday, October 5, 2006 between 5-7 p.m. They will also be honored at the football game on Saturday, October 7, 2006 between Butler County Community College & CCC for their 36 years of service to the CCC Red Ravens. In addition, the City of Coffeyville has made Saturday, October 7, 2006
Nolen & Laudine Luhn Day.

Yoga Classes

Dr. April C. Foreman will begin offering a free introduction to Yoga this Thursday at the church at 5:00 p.m. Here's April's description:

April Foreman will be offering a restorative yoga class. Restorative yoga focuses on breathing, deep relaxation, and stretching as a means to improve health and reduce stiffness and tension. The style of yoga April teaches is fitness based and does not focus on the religous or spiritual aspects of the discipline. Loose clothes or clothes that allow a wide range of movement are appropriate attire. You don't need to have any experience with yoga to participate. Bring a mat if you have one. Appropriate for a wide range of age and fitness levels. It is the participant's responsibility to ensure that they are physically able to participate in this class. April has experience teaching yoga to Senior Citizens, pregnant women, people with a range of health concerns, as well as younger adults with a broad range of phyical fitness. If you have special fitness needs that should be considered during your participation in class (like hypertension, pregnancy, pain/injury joint injury or replacement, etc.) it is the participant's responsibility to notify April before you begin.

The best explanation of the intended effect of a restorative yoga class was given by a first time participant in April's class who said, "I feel more relaxed and rested than if I had laid on the couch and watched TV all night like I usually do."

Christian Communities and the Weak

"Every Christian community must know that not only do the weak need the strong, but also that the strong cannot exist without the weak. The elimination of the weak is the death of the community."

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer via Sojourners

Time for Prayer

"Nobody finds time for prayer. You either take time for it or you don't get it."

- Joan Chittister via Sojourners.

The United Methodist Position on Torture

With all the talk of torture in the news recently, I was interested in what the United Methodist Church had to say officially. The only reference to torture I could find in The United Methodist Book of Discipline comes in Paragraph 164.V.A):

Basic Freedoms and Human Rights— We hold governments responsible for the protection of the rights of the people ... the mistreatment or torture of persons by governments for any purpose violates Christian teaching and must be condemned and/or opposed by Christians and churches wherever and whenever it occurs.

The United Methodist Church adopted this position before the current crisis, but the logic still stands. Crucifixion was more than just a means of execution, it was a method of torture. As followers of a tortured savior we, of all people, must oppose torture under any circumstances.

Frame Repair Needed

Recently the wire that holds up the large picture in the entryway depicting Jesus as a young boy broke. While we had it down, we noticed that the frame is in disrepair. The Archives and History Committee is looking for someone to scrape off the loose paint and repaint the frame. Please let the church office know if you are willing.

Sermons Available on CD

I've now posted Jenny's sermon from Sunday on the website at www.coffeyvillefirstumc.org. Just follow the link labeled "sermons." We are also putting the sermons on CDs to be mailed out to shut-in's. If you know of someone who can't make it to church, but would like to hear the sermon each week, please let us know. If they don't have a CD player, the church will provide one.

Filling the Presbyterian Pulpit

As some of you may know, both of my parents were raised Presbyterian. My immediate family became United Methodist when we moved to Council Grove in 1972 and there was no Presbyterian church. I hoping that I can do my Presbyterian grandma's proud tomorrow when I fill the pulpit at First Presbyterian for the 11:00 a.m. service. Our own Mike Mason will be filling in during their 9:00 a.m. service.

Aldersgate Experience Group

The first gathering of the Aldersgate Experience group was held tonight. A good time was had by all. We had 10 adults and eight kids.

Substantial AC Savings

Our new heating and air conditioning is indeed saving us money. The bill for this August was $2,044.72, last year it was $3,171.12. That's $1126.40 more available mission and ministry.

Bishop's Letter on Education

I received a letter from Bishop Jones and his colleagues in the Episcopal and Luthern churches. I'm posting it here. It will be available on our website in an easy to print .pdf format.

THE BISHOPS’ LETTER ON EDUCATION IN KANSAS

The Constitution of the State of Kansas provides, “The legislature shall provide for intellectual, educational, vocational and scientific improvement by establishing and maintaining public schools, educational institutions and related activities….”

As we begin a new school year we call attention to this constitutional provision of our state constitution. Additionally, we urge the respective members of our churches to show support for public education in Kansas by considering the following:

• There are currently a number of challenges facing public education in our State. We should take steps to ensure that we are doing all that we can to support and enhance public education and keep the needs of our children before our elected officials.
• As professional education staff and the general public come together; each needs to be prepared to tell the story of how public education has enhanced and supported their daily living.
• We care about public education because many of the participants are members of our congregations.
• The nurturing of our children begins in the home and the church, however, as the child grows education builds on and continues the nurturing which began in the home and the church.
• We believe general education is an integral part of God’s creation. It is through the coming together of the nurturing in the home and the church and the teaching in general education that we are able to demonstrate the uniting of faith and reason. As Bishops we don’t separate faith and reason.
• We praise God through using our minds.
• Spiritual values lead us to support both public and private education. It is through education that we join knowledge and vital piety.
• Education is the place where we play out the common good for all. All children are to have the opportunity of achieving their maximum potential.
• Public education makes it possible to build community across the social and economic lines and divisions created by our society.

Our desire is that this letter will stimulate thought and discussion among our congregants and others. Our hope is that through that stimulation individual lives will be elevated and valued. Our goal is that the members of our churches will be active participants in the providing of good, well-grounded, reasoned and civil education for the common good.

Bishop Scott Jones
Kansas Area, United Methodist Church

Bishop Dean Wolfe
Episcopal Diocese of Kansas

Bishop Gerald Mansholt
Central States Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Fanning the Flame Information

This past Sunday, Jenny made an announcement about Fanning the Flame 2006, an event put on by the Kansas East Conference. I've put the booklet and registration from on the downloads page over at the website. Please let me know if you have any problems.

Recycling Reminder

A friendly reminder to those of you who were interested in helping with the recycling program. There will be pick-up this Saturday (the third Saturday of the month) at the Episcopal Church in Independence from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Please contact the church office if you are willing to take recycling up.

Fanning the Flame

Feeling tired or weary? Need a spiritual boost? Need a revival for your faith? On October 14, 2006, you are invited to take part in Fanning the Flame 2006, offered by the Kansas East Conference. Fanning the Flame an inspirational event that will be held at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS. The cost for Fanning the Flame is $25/person. Registration tables will be open at 7:30 a.m. on the 14th, and the event will last from 9:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. At Fanning the Flame, you will experience worship, hear a plenary speaker, enjoy lunch and be a part of two workshops (you get to choose from around 85 different workshops on how we invite, nurture, equip and send forth disciples of Jesus Christ). Please stop by the church office to pick up a registration form and to pick your workshops. Registration forms are due by October 1 and the $25 must accompany the form. I hope you will take part in this wonderful opportunity to strengthen our lives of faith, not only individually, but also together as a local church.

Sermons Online

We've started posting audio copies of sermons online. They can be found on our website on the "Sermons" page. They are in MP3 format. You can download them or listen to them in your web browser.

9-11 Fifth Anniversary

The General Board of Discipleship has a Family Devotional Guide for the Fifth Anniversary of 9-11.

John Wesley Resources

In preparing for tomorrow's sermon, I used John Wesley's Notes on the New Testament and his sermons "On Working Out Our Own Salvation" and "The Scripture Way of Salvation." These resources, still authoritative within the United Methodist Church are available free online, so take a look if you're interested. Please note the that sermon links take you to an index of many of John Wesley's sermons, organized alphabetically by title. I'll also post these links on our website.

Free Wi-Fi Access

First United Methodist Church is now offering free Wi-Fi (wireless internet) access. The free network is named "CoffeyvilleFirst." It is available in the:

Foyer (the entryway)
Fellowship Hall
Chapel
Sanctuary
Room 002 (Tri-M)
Room 101 (United Methodist Women)
Room 102 (Aldersgate Experience)
Room 103 (Resource)
Room 104 (Children's Sunday School)
Room 109 (Parlor)
Room 110 (Choir Room)
Room 113 (Church Office)

The network is also available in some other rooms, but at a reduced signal strength.

Wireless Hotspot For All?

We recently recieved a mailing from a church that indicated that they had free wireless internet access available on site. Currently we have wireless internet access but it is locked down to all but four computers. For a small amount we could make it available to all. What do you think? I'd really like to hear. Would this be a good thing to offer to parishioners and CCC students?

Secret Prisons and "Tough Interrogation"

A quote from ABC news, which got this article from the Associated Press: "President Bush on Wednesday acknowledged for the first time that the CIA runs secret prisons overseas and said tough interrogation forced terrorist leaders to reveal plots to attack the United States and its allies." Secret prisons and "tough interrogation" ... growing up I was taught that these were among the evils of communist Russia. I feel that from a Christian perspective, I have no choice but to question these tactics. The only argument defenders of such tactics have is that they are necessary to save lives and protect our country. My question, what good does it do to save our lives and country, if we lose our souls in the process?

Meet and Greet Lunch

Just a reminder that this Sunday is our Meet and Greet lunch, right after our 10:50 a.m. worship service. We'll start around Noon. This is an all-church dinner, with a special invitation that has gone out to CCC students. Our hope is to not only get to know one another better, but to also get to know some students that have chosen to call Coffeyville home for a couple of years. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided for the meal. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.

Question and Answer Night

We had a good service tonight. I took questions from the congregation during the time for a message, and did my best to provide answers.

Principalities, Powers, World Rulers

I came across the following quote last week and wanted to share it with all of you:

How would it change the shape of social struggle if we understood that we wrestle not just with flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places? What are the practical implications of putting on the whole armor of God and praying at all times in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:10-20)? How would it change the nature of our wrestling if we did so in the context of continuous Bible study, and singing, and worship?

- Walter Wink, The Powers Behind the Throne.

I believe we should ask the same question of the shape of our work as a church.

Wednesday Gathering

We'll be starting up the Wednesday Gathering worship services again this Wednesday at 7:15 pm. Please be sure and note the new time.

Fall Worship Schedule

This coming Sunday will be our last Sunday to worship together at 9:00 a.m. Next Sunday we'll be returning to our regular 8:10 a.m. and 10:50 a.m. worship times.

We're Back

Despite the best efforts of United Airlines, we made it back safe and sound. We're easing back into the routine and plan to see everyone Sunday.