Good thoughts on the nature of Christian community (a.k.a. the church):
"Community is first and foremost a gift of the Holy Spirit, not built upon mutual compatibility, shared affection, or common interests but upon having received the same divine breath, having been given a heart set aflame by the same divine fire, and having been embraced by the same divine love."
We're still looking for someone to sponsor altar flowers for Sunday, Novemember 5. We have a deal worked out with a local florist to provide flowers for $25. Call the church office if you are interested.
We got an email from Big Idea, the creators of VeggieTales today. Their new video is coming out soon, so we'll be having another movie event. This video is about biblical story of Gideon. You can learn more at http://www.bigidea.com/company/news/gideon_announce.htm.
"There are some who still find the cross a stumbling block, and others consider it foolishness, but I am more convinced than ever before that it is the power of God unto individual and social salvation. ... The suffering and agonizing moments through which I have passed over the past few years have also drawn me closer to God. More than ever before I am convinced of the reality of a personal God."
Jenny and I had a great time at the preaching seminar today. Toward the end of the seminar, someone asked Dr. Lowry about his views on screens in worship. He said he believes they are more important to liturgy than to sermons. He also said that in the future there will be two kinds of churches: those that have screens and those that are museums. I'm glad we're working on becoming the former.
Jenny and I recently learned that Dr. Eugene Lowry, ranked as one of the top 12 preachers in the United States, will be presenting a seminar on "The Current State of Preaching" at Topeka First UMC tomorrow. Because the pastor chairs the committee on lay leadership (formerlly the nominating committee), and because I've been told I'm important to the committee that is planning a visit from the bishop, we've postponed those two meetings. I'm sorry about this, but I feel the seminar tomorrow has a lot of promise for teaching me how to serve the church better through my preaching. The committee on lay leadership will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday and the committee for the bishop's visit will meet a week from Monday at 6 p.m.
"You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you odd."I've been thinking about this quote from author Flannery O'Conner, ever since I received it in the daily "Verse and Voice" email from Sojourners, I've decided to put some thoughts down. I'm pretty sure she's giving us her take on Jesus' statement found in John 8.32:
"You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."But it strikes me that she may be very close to the truth. The truth of the good news of Jesus Christ sets us free, but it also make us odd. To believe in Jesus Christ, to believe that the poor, the hungry, and the weeping are blessed, to believe in turning the other cheek and going the extra mile, to believe that the last will be first, to take up our cross and follow Jesus; all of these things make us odd. We shouldn't be worried about being odd. Christ was odd. It's when we find ourselves blending in perfectly with our society, that we should be concerned about our faith and our souls.
Quote of the day from Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple:
"People do not wish to appear foolish; to avoid the appearance of foolishness, they are willing to remain actually fools."
The Vision Team met last night and decided to host Trunk-or-Treat again this year. It will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 31 in the front parking lot of the church. Bring your treats to share, come in costume if you like.
Independence First has 5 or 6 seats available on their van for the ride up to Fanning the Flame this coming Saturday. Let the church office know if you are interested.
Apparently, they don't give out email addresses for Senators and Representatives, but they do have webpages that allow you to contact them. When I try to link, I'm getting rerouted, but you can still find them. Try here and here. If you're from Oklahoma, just enter your address to look up your legislators.
Since I encouraged you to contact our representatives in today's sermon, I thought the least I could do would be to post the addresses. Here's the contact information for Coffeyville's national lawmakers. I haven't been able to find email addresses yet.
Sen. Pat Roberts
109 Hart Senate O.B.
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-4774
Sen. Sam Brownback
303 Hart Senate O.B.
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-6521
Rep. Todd Tiahart
109 Hart Senate O.B.
Washington, DC 20510
202-225-6216
Tony Campolo has a blog entry titled "Duplicity on the Right" that is very much in line with me thinking about torture, though I would argue that this kind of thinking is not limited to the religious right. You can take a look here.
I receive a daily email from Sojourners. About a week ago they had this quote that I really liked from Menno Simons, founder of the Mennonites:
True evangelical faith cannot lie dormant. It clothes the naked, it feeds the hungry, it comforts the sorrowful, it shelters the destitute, it serves those that harm it, it binds up that which is wounded, it has become all things to all people.Today Sojourners had this quote of the week:
"We will forgive you."
[Attributed to an] unnamed Amish neighbor, while embracing the father of Charles Carl Roberts IV, the gunman who killed five Amish schoolchildren and injured five others before taking his own life Monday morning. (source: Lancaster New Era)
Members of the community have established funds both for the families of those killed and wounded (the Amish do not have health insurance), and for the family of Roberts, who leaves behind a wife and two young children. Mennonite Central Committee and Mennonite Disaster Service are also coordinating support for those affected.
I'm planning to preach on torture this Sunday. In a nutshell, my argument is that as followers of a crucified, and thus tortured, savior, Christians cannot countenance torture under any circumstances. I would appreciate any feedback, or counter-arguments you want to share.
I've noticed some confusion in our society over the difference between magic and religion, namely that people tend to attach to religion the chacteristics of magic. I found the following under Frederick Buechner's entry on "Magic" in Beyond Words:
"Magic is saying 'Abracadabra' and pulling the rabbit out of the hat, is stepping on a crack to break your mothers back, is a dashboard Jesus to prevent smashups. Magic is going to church so you will get to heaven. Magic is using mouthwash so everybody will love you. Magic is the technique of controlling unseen powers and will always work if you do it by the book. Magic is manipulation and says, 'My will be done.' Religion is propitiation* and says, 'Thy will be done.'The adventure of religion is really our only option. The God who gave us free will also remains free.
...
If security's what you're after, try magic. If adventrue is what you're after, try religion. The line between them is notoriously fuzzy."
We've collected almost $2,000 in the last few weeks for the multi-media fund. That brings our current total to over $7,350 toward our $20,000 goal.
Just a friendly reminder that we now have sermons (in audio format) and newsletters available at our main website: www.coffeyvillefirstumc.org.
The yoga time has changed. Dr. April Foreman will now be offering free yoga classes at 6:00 p.m. on both Tuesdays and Thursdays. I'm reposting April's description below.
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."
"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 & 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.
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."
"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."
"Nobody finds time for prayer. You either take time for it or you don't get it."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: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.
- 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
The General Board of Discipleship has a Family Devotional Guide for the Fifth Anniversary of 9-11.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It's a bit of hubris, but I thought someone might be interested in my reading list for our vacation. Because it's vacation, I'm avoiding any heavy theological reading. I brought along Godric and On the Road with the Arch-Angel by Frederick Buechner, both are fiction. And a book of sermons by Barbara Brown Taylor for devotional reading. The Bible is on both my computer and my palm pilot.
Posted from Kansas City International Airport
Want to know more about the role played by Bishops in the United Methodist Church? Introduction to the Council of Bishops is an excellent place to start. This is new (or at least new to me). You can also look at the rest of their website here.
Posted by John
Linda Beever and church answering service will have numbers for emergency, pastoral care and funeral contacts while we are away. If you call 251-3240 your message will be forwarded to the appropriate people.
I recently posted a copy of the list of Church Officers for 2006,
formally known as the "Committee on Lay Leadership Report," to our
website. It can be found on the "download" page.
We're happy to announce that next Sunday, while we're gone, Mike Mason will be preaching. The following Sunday, Jenny and I will be back, but we'll have a guest preacher, Rev. Leroy Foreman. Rev. Foreman is the father of Brian Foreman.
Just a reminder that because Jenny, Elizabeth and I are on vacation there will be no Wednesday Gathering this week or next week. We'll resume September 6 at 7:15 pm (Please note the new time).
The Parish Visitor is now available for download. For privacy we are keeping it on a password protected site. Email me if you would like the password.
The two rooms that contitute the nursery and the bathroom between them have been painted. Stop by to take a look. If you like what you see, be sure and tell April Foreman, she picked out the colors.
Two days ago, the trustees approved upgrades to the nursery and the toddler's room adjacent to it. One of the upgrades, painting, got underway today.
Mugs with the Coffeyville First UMC have arrived. We'll be using them for "mugging" first time visitors. They will also be available for sale for $5.
I just sent out the Parish Visitor to our email list. If you would like to receivie it in the manner please send me an email.
Many of you have been asking about the front doors. Dave called out to Countryside Glass today and they're still waiting for a few parts.
Every day technology is becoming more and more a part of our lives. To young people growing up today, technology is a given. It always has been a part of their lives and they probably cannot imagine life without it. Certainly some have abused technology, but it can also be a great learning tool.
I am excited to share with you some news about the new curriculum we will be using in the children’s Sunday school class beginning in September. It is called, Live B.I.G. (Belief In God). It is designed to enable kids to engage the Bible stories and live out their faith throughout the week. Each week there is a DVD segment that the class watches—engaging the senses of hearing and sight. There are also songs to learn with actions to engage them physically. We are using a one-room format that has activities for children ages 3-13 so that we can separate by ages as needed—coloring and crafts help promote creativity.
But one of the most exciting things for me about this new curriculum is that the creators are developing a website that has a section for the students to go to during the week to reinforce what they learned in Sunday school, where parents can go to see what their children are learning, and where teachers can go for additional help. This website is a way to help carry the message learned on Sunday throughout the week.
We are living in a technological world and there are exciting ways we can use technology to reach new generations to live their lives as disciples of Christ. I invite you to spread the word about our children’s Sunday school. Exciting things are happening and our class is growing. I invite you to bring a child or a grandchild or a friend or neighbor, and then stay for one of our many adult classes as well (we’ve got a new book study beginning in our young adult class beginning September 10).
Christ is the same, yesterday, today, tomorrow, but how we share our faith, and the mediums we use to teach new generations change. What better way to help shape the faith of a child than by inviting them to Live B.I.G.?
It looks like I probably won't be able to take Friday off. So I'm taking today instead. I will be available for emergencies.
I've turned the comments feature back on. This time I've made some changes that should make it easier to post comments. Simply click on "comments" at the bottom of a post and select other or anonomous under "choose an identitiy" after you've typed in your comments. Give it a try, and let me know if you have any problems.
I’m still reading The Faces of Jesus by Frederick Buechner. It’s only 94 pages, but I’m spreading it out, because it’s so good I want to savor it. Two things to share. The first is a quote from famed biblical scholar and missionary Albert Schweitzer at the end of his book, The Quest for the Historical Jesus:
He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lakeside. He came to men who knew Him not. He speaks to us the same word: “Follow thou me!” and sets us to the tasks which He has us to fulfill for our our time. He commands, and to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple, He will reveal Himself in the toils, the conflicts, the sufferings, which they shall pass through in His fellowship, and, as an ineffable mystery, they shall learn in their own experience Who He is.We can’t convert people by telling them all about Jesus, because we are not capable of doing so. We can only hope to share with them through our words, our deeds, and ultimately our lives, enough that they will begin their own journey of following him and learn for themselves who he is.
Reading from the book of Psalms for my personal devotions, I was struck by this passage from Psalm 20.7-8. It helps to understand that chariots were the tanks of the ancient Middle East and horses were only for war (remember that Jesus rode mounted into Jerusalem, but not on a horse). Here's the passage:
“Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the LORD our God. They will collapse and fall, but we shall rise and stand upright.”"The name of the LORD our God" is the only thing we can rightly take pride in. I wonder if this verse influenced the title of a song by the rock band U2: “Pride (in the name of Love),” with “Love” an alternative name for “the LORD our God.” It’s probably just me, but I see all sorts of Charles Wesley overtones.
We’re trying to do a comprehensive upgrade of this website. If you have favorite elements from other church sites that you would like to see us include please let us know at johnandjenny@gmail.com
Jenny will be off to a Kansas East Conference meeting in Ottawa today. Between the two of us we probably have about one conference meeting a month. In the short run it takes time away from the local church, but in the long run we learn a great deal from our colleagues. I had meetings where I’ve learned valuable things for the local church and how to be a better leader in the local church just by being there. Be patient with us when we’re gone, we think that in the long run its good for Coffeyville First.
I've updated our website. We now have pages for a church calendar and book recomendations. Check it out the changes at www.coffeyvillefirstumc.org.
Jenny and I took (most of) yesterday off. So I'm just now posting for Sunday. The movie event went very smoothly. Our attendance was up to 40. Thanks to Jared and Becky for making popcorn. We had some new people that we're adding to our mailing list for future events.
The UMW planning meeting scheduled for August 10 has been changed to Monday, August 7, 6:00 p.m. at Pizza Hut.
We'll be screening Larry-Boy and the Bad Apple, which has an excellent lesson in resisting temptation tomorrow at 3:00 pm in the basement. If you know of a kid or kid at heart who would like to attend please invite them. We'll have apple juice and popcorn (we went from not being able to rent a popcorn maker, to somehow borrowing two). We'll have chairs, but you'll be far more comfortable if you bring a camp chair or a blanket/sleeping bag to sit upon.
A note about Larry-Boy and the Bad Apple: previous episodes of Larry-Boy have made spoofed Batman, that spoofing continues in the new episode, but it also has quite a bit of Spiderman mixed in. I just watched Spiderman-2 so I could better appreciate it, but it can be enjoyed either way. (I'm, of course, talking about adults. Kid's may or may not recognize the spoofing).
Sorry for the lack of posting, as many of you know it has been a busy week. Thank you for all the support you've shown Jenny and me.
I've heard folks who don't attend worship say that going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car. I've been trying to formulate a reply. My thought is that just as the garage is the best place to keep your car to protect it from hail, etc.; so church is the best place to protect your faith from the storms of life. Like the car, you have to take your faith out to get the use out of it, it was not intended to be kept inside, but it is still wise to have it in the garage whenever you can. If you extend the garage metaphor to a "working garage" with oil changes, etc, it makes even more sense to consider regular church attendance essential. This is a metaphor in process, let me know what you think.
Many members may not be aware of two funds the church has. The
first is an Emergency Assistance Fund. This is for people who come to
the church office looking for help and are unable to receive
assistance (or unable to receive enough assistance) from the
Salvation Army and Genesis. The second fund is a Member Assistance
Fund which is strictly for members of the church who need help.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
After nearly a week, the special church software that Linda uses is
reinstalled. Thanks for your patience.
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.
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).
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. She's adjusting to a new computer with a new operating system.
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.
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?
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.
Posts
All Comments
