Meetings on for Tonight

I drove over for the Men's prayer breakfast this morning and it looks like the city crews have really been working, the roads are much improved. For that reason, the plan is to go ahead with the committee meetings previously scheduled for tonight: Evangelism at 6:00 and Missions at 7:00.

Recommended Reading

I just finished Beyond Hitler's Grasp: The Heroic Rescue of Bulgaria's Jews by Michael Bar-Zohar. It tells the story of how during World War II, within the sphere of Nazi occupied Europe, not one of Bulgaria's 50,000 Jews was deported to a concentration camp. Indeed, Bulgaria was the only country under the Nazi control where the Jewish population increased during the war. What I found most fascinating (an inspiring for my own faith) about this book was the key role played by the Pravoslav (Orthodox) church within Bulgaria in preserving the lives of 50,000 people who would otherwise been sent to concentration camps and certain death. The church in Bulgaria stood by their principles and took great risks to do so, and they were successful. The book seems to be out of print, but you are more than welcome to borrow my copy.

Here at the Church

We found out this morning about 8:45 that not everyone had gotten the word that worship services were cancelled this morning. So Jenny and I agreed that it might be best if I came in. Brian Foreman was good enough to pick me up in his four-wheel drive and bring me here. Our sidewalks and our parking lot are still clear, overall the streets were in much better condition than last night, but 10th Street here in front of the church is still a total mess. Hopefully a full day of above freezing temperatures will get rid of the snow, ice, and slush.

We're not alone in cancelling, we joined the ranks of First Baptist, First Assembly of God, and St. Paul's Episcopal. First Southern Baptist is going with what had been our original plan and is holding only their late service.

All Sunday Activities Cancelled

I just went out to check the roads. I was driving our Chrysler Concorde which has a wide wheel base, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, and traction control. I noticed right away that the anti-lock brakes were kicking in on almost every stop. As I went past Cline in front of the school, I noticed a truck spin out and end up perpendicular to the road. My thought was that some people just don't know how to drive in winter conditions. I went down fifth street and turned onto Elm. Again anti-lock brakes at almost every stop. When I turned from Elm onto tenth in front of the church, I went from the deep ruts to a very rugged surface and the traction control kicked in for about half a block. I decided to go home via 11th Street. In front of the college I saw someone in a four-wheel drive vehicle attempt to turn into the parking lot for the gym. They missed the turn and plowed into a snowdrift. I again thought to myself "some people just don't know how to drive in snow." When I turned from 11th onto Buckeye I slid out of control and into the oncoming lane. Fortunately there were no cars headed in my direction, but I did consider what had happened to the truck and the four-wheel drive vehicle more charitably.

In addition to my harrowing drive tonight, we've already had three people have substantial injuries due to falls this week. Including one broken wrist and one broken ankle.

I have no doubt that we could get the sidewalks in front of the church clear and salted in time for the 10:50 worship service tomorrow. But I don't think that's the issue, the real issue is the condition of the roads and I don't think the city is going to be able to get those cleared. Therefore for safety's sake, we're calling off all worship services (including the Asbury service) and activities tomorrow. I encourage everyone to join us for the Wednesday Gathering at 7:15 p.m.

Weather/Road/Sidewalk Update

I just got back from a drive over to the church to check road conditions. I have to say that right now the roads are in better shape then they have been all week. The sidewalks at the church are clear. But both the sidewalks and the roads are covered with water, and if it freezes the situation will be another matter entirely.

Alive in Baghdad

Interesting video blog about the lives of Christians in Baghdad:
http://aliveinbaghdad.org

No Yoga Tonight

No yoga tonight because of the weather.

Stay Home if You Can

I just went to the Budget Inn to put some needy people up for the night. I nearly got stuck three times. The third time (thankfully, not far from the house), I had to literally dig my way out. Our Chrysler Concorde has traction control and usually doesn't have any trouble, but the snow in the streets is soft and there wasn't much traction to be had.

Church and Youth Group Canceled Tomorrow

Morning worship and evening youth group have been canceled tomorrow. I slipped twice getting out and going into church this morning and conditions aren't getting any better. I will try to make it to greet anyone who doesn't get the word.

No Yoga Tomorrow

Because of the bad weather, there will be no yoga tomorrow.

Guilt of Sodom

One of our speakers today, Dr. Tony Campolo pointed out that Ezekiel 16.49 quotes God as saying the following about the sins of the city of Sodom:

This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. (NRSV)

At Lawrence for KASPM

Jenny and I are at Lawrence for KASPM (the Kansas Area Seminar on Professional Ministry). We're having a great time. We'll be back Thursday evening.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade Entry

We'll be marching in the Martin Luther King, Jr. parade this Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Anyone interested should meet at the corner of 9th street just south of Saint Paul's Luthern Church. Everyone in the parade will be meeting there, so you'll have to look for us. We'll try and have the church banner unfurled.

SPRC Meeting Wednesday

This is short notice, but there is an important form that needs to be turned in to the District Office. There will be a SPRC meeting Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. in room 102.

Yoga on Monday, but not Tuesday

April Foreman, our yoga instructor will be unavailable for yoga Tuesday evening. So we'll be having a special session at 9:00 a.m. Monday for anyone who can make it.

Multi-media Fund Balance

The balance for the multi-media fund is now at $12,229.29. The board of trustees voted last night to take the rest out of memorials.

A Simple Gospel?

I've long asserted that the Bible is the most complicated book in the western canon. Today, I found Frederick Buechner agreeing with me, at least as far as the gospel that Jesus preached is concerned.

"Anybody who thinks the gospel of Jesus is simple should go back and take a look at it. 'Love your neighbor.' 'Be ye perfect.' 'Resist not evil.' 'I and the Father are one.' 'Follow me.' The only thing that's simple about the gospel is the language."

Frederick Buechner, Beyond Words, 306.

It's Still Christmas

Yesterday, at the 8:10, but not the 10:50 service, I explained that for the church's liturgical calendar, the twelve days of Christmas is more than just a song. According to the liturgical year, Christmas begins December 25 and continues for twelve days ending with Epiphany on January 6. (Easter lasts for fifty days, the basic understanding is that some events are too important to confine their celebration to only one day.) If you have unsent Christmas letters you still have time. More importantly with Christmas being over according to the secular calendar, we have time to celebrate the true meaning of the season.

A Worthy New Years Resolution

The following “Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition” is found as number 607 in The United Methodist Hymnal. (I’ve updated the language somewhat, for example, using your for thine, you for thou, will for wilt, etc.)

"I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for you or laid aside for you,
exalted for you or brought low by you.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to you pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are mine, and I am yours. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen."

This prayer had its beginnings in a 1755 Covenant Renewal Service. The early Methodist often held Covenant Renewal Services on New Year’s Eve. If you’re like me, casting around for a New Year’s resolution, this prayer might be a good place to start. It reminds us that we are not our own, we are God’s, all our time, abilities, and wealth ultimately belong to God. Being willing to go where God sends us, to do or to suffer what God asks of us; to be used or left fallow depending upon the needs of God’s kingdom; to be exalted or brought low for the common good; to willingly be full or empty; to have all things or to be content with nothing (except God); to freely and heartily give all that we have over to God;’ these are the marks of greatness in the Kingdom of God. And to be great in the Kingdom of God is a truly worthy New Year’s resolution.

Christmas Eve Offering

Folks gave generously Christmas Eve for a total of 1303.04. This will be split three ways between Genesis, The Salvation Army, and our church's own community emergency assistance fund.

Out of Town, Still Available

Jenny, Elizabeth, and I are out of town visiting family this week. But we're still available. We're keeping in touch with Linda at the office and the church's telephone answering service.

The First Step of the Staircase

'Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."

—Martin Luther King Jr. via Sojourners

Cookies for Christmas Eve

We're trying to have cookies after the Christmas Eve service at 7:00 p.m. Any volunteers?

Christmas Baskets

We'll be putting Christmas baskets together today at 5:00 p.m. at the church.

Open House Successful

Thanks to all the folks who came and helped make the parsonage open house a success. We had a great time.

Christmas Baskets

From Pam Jones:

"We have adopted 25 families to share our blessings with this Christmas season. The baskets will contain non-perishable food items and we will give the families a voucher from Save-A-Lot for perishable items.

I'm sure you are asking yourself, what can I do to help? Well, of course, we need food items and if it would be easier for you; donate money instead and we will do the shopping for you.

We also need volunteers to help prepare the baskets Monday evening, December 18, 2006 (starting at 5:00 p.m.) and help when the baskets are picked up from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, December 20, 2006."

We need: cans of chili, crackers, stuffing, broth, mixes, peanut butter, evaporated milk, pumpkin, jiffy mix, noodles, mac and cheese, sweet potatoes, tuna helper, tuna, cans of icing, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, cranberry sauce, toilet paper and oats.

Only light can drive out darkness

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction....The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars - must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation."

— Martin Luther King Jr. via Sojourners

Amen and Amen.

"The Nativity Story" Movie

We have tickets to a Saturday afternoon showing of "The Nativity Story" movie. The vision team is buying the tickets, we would like this to be an event for the entire church community. The showing is at 3:00 p.m. this coming Saturday (December 16, 2006) at the Coffeyville Family Theater. After the movie, everyone is invited (but not required to go) back to the church for discussion. I'm told the theater seats 135. Call (620-251-3240) or email (johnandjenny@gmail.com) to make reservations.

Good Conversation

A lot of good conversation occurred last night at youth group as we put the new pool table together. Many thanks to Maci who stayed and worked with Allyson, Jenny, and I for four hours.

Unbelievable

Is it not almost unbelievable that the Creator, on whose freedom and power we all depend, should allow himself to be bound, and to lie in helpless weakness in the straw?

—John Stott via Sojourners

New Chocolates

The Mission Committee's UMCOR Coffee Project has expanded it's selection of Chocolate Bars. The following fairly traded, organic chocolate bars are now offered:
Dark Chocolate with Almonds
Mint Chocolate
Chocolate Espresso Bean
Very Dark Chocolate
Milk Chocolate
Dark Chocolate with Pure Cocoa Nibs

Parsonage Open House

A parsonage open house has been scheduled for Sunday, December 17, 2006 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This is a come-and-go affair and dress is casual.

No Wednesday Gathering December 27

There will be no Wednesday Gathring on December 27, 2006. We'll try to remember to give reminders later.

United Methodist Global AIDS Fund

Because services were cancelled yesterday, we'll be receiving a special offering for the United Methodist Global Aids Fund this coming Sunday (December 10, 2006).

A Generous Orthodoxy

"Generosity without orthodoxy is nothing, but orthodoxy without generosity is worse than nothing."

—Hans Frei, quoted in A Generous Orthodoxy

I am quite convinced that we need a generous orthodoxy.

Hymns and Sermons for Advent

Advent is upon us. During my years in ministry my thoughts on what hymns should be sung and what sermons should be preached during Advent have shifted. I believed and still believe that Advent is important in helping Christians prepare for the Christmas holiday. We cannot fully appreciate and enjoy Christmas unless we are properly prepared. Because our society starts celebrating Christmas before Halloween, we, as a culture, are so wrung out by the time Christmas day arrives that we can only look forward to it all being over by December 26. We have no energy left to observe the twelve days of Christmas (December 25 through Epiphany (January 6)).

I used to believe that it was important to reinforce the preparatory nature of Advent by singing Advent and not Christmas hymns and preaching on Advent and not Christmas texts. More recently, I've come to recognize that regardless of what the season it is in the church's liturgical year, the season of our society at large is already Christmas. And because Christmas is already being observed by society at large, many members want to inject some aspect of their faith into the ongoing secular celebration. For that reason we're going off the lectionary this Advent season to give in-depth treatment to Luke's Christmas story and to sing as many favorite hymns as we can squeeze in.

We want to make sure that we sing everyone's favorite Christmas hymn at least once during the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany season. For that reason we'll be publishing a hymn schedule next Sunday. There are slots left for any favorite hymns we left out. Please let us know if one of your favorites needs to be added.

No Finance Committee Meeting Tomorrow

No finance committee meeting tomorrow. It's been rescheduled to next monday at 7:00 p.m.

No Services, Sunday School, or Youth Tomorrow

After careful consideration, Dave Larimore, Jenny, and I have decided to cancel worship services, Sunday school and youth tomorrow. Stay home and keep warm!

Office Closed

We closed the church office yesterday at noon. Does it go without saying that the office is also closed today?

Sound Editor(s) Needed

We're looking for a volunteer or volunteers who can use their computer to edit audio of the Sunday worship service for shut-ins and prepare the sermon for posting on the church's website. I'll help train anyone who's willing to help.

Upper Room and the Widow's Mite

A few weeks ago I preached a sermon on Mark 12.28-34. Recently, The Upper Room Daily Devotional had a devotional covering the same passage that was an excellent testimony to the generosity the Holy Spirit calls forth from us. You can read it here. You can also sign up to receive The Upper Room by email.

Hanging of the Greens Complete

The "hanging of the greens" which is the technical, liturgical term for decorating the church for Christmas was competed today. The place looks great. Thanks to everyone who helped.

Loving ourselves so we can love our neighbor

A quote from Frederick Buechner:

"'Love your neighbor as yourself,' we're told. Maybe before I can love my neighbor very effectively, I have to love me--not in the sense of a blind passion, but in the sense of looking after, of wishing well, of forgiving when necessary, of being my own friend." (Beyond Words, page 251)

This is an important, often overlooked point. The way we take care of ourselves, look after ourselves, want what is best for ourselves, and forgive ourselves, these are indeed the ways we are to love our neighbors, but they require loving ourselves.

Laity Sunday Tomorrow

Jenny and I are looking forward to laity Sunday tomorrow. Mike Mason will be preaching.

Hanging of the Greens

It's late notice, but we'll be hanging the greens tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

A Covenant with all Creation

"The central point in the story of Noah and the ark ... is the covenant established by God with 'living things of every kind.' Here is where God's covenant promises first begin. And God's covenant is established not just with people; it is a covenant with all creation."

—Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, via Sojourners

If you've wondered why we started a recycling program at First; if you've wondered why the trustees are so excited about a more efficient heating and air-conditioning system; if you've wondered why we're replacing light bulbs with more efficient fluorescent bulbs; the quote above is part of the answer. (Another answer is that the heating and air-conditioning system and the fluorescent light bulbs will save quite a bit of money. We're trying, as a church, to be good stewards.) Going back even before Noah and the ark; God created all that is, called it good, and set us to the task of caring for it.

Pray for Strength

"Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you yourself shall be a miracle. Every day you shall wonder at yourself, at the richness of life which has come to you by the grace of God."

—Phillips Brooks, via Sojourners

Office Closed Today and Tomorrow

The church office will be closed today and tomorrow for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Wednesday Gathering as Regularly Scheduled

There will be a Wednesday Gathering tonight at 7:15.

Christmas Program

We are trying to get ready for the children’s Christmas program that will be a part of the Christmas Eve service and are looking for people who could help us make or find some animal costumes. Specifically we are looking for a donkey (shaggy & brown), a cow (white & red), a sheep (with curly horn), and a dove (or 2). As you might have guessed, we are going sing, “The Friendly Beasts.” Please call or email me at johnandjenny@gmail.com if you can help.

Front Doors have Arrived

The new doors for the front lobby have finally arrived. While they're being installed, we'll have the front sanctuary doors unlocked so you can get in. My apologies to Dave for doubting the existence of the Countryside Glass Company.

Ambient Mics Working Well

The new ambient microphones are working well. The problems with feedback yesterday were unrelated and have been corrected.

Ambient Microphones Installed

New ambient microphones were installed yesterday. These will pick up congregational singing, etc. when we record the 10:50 a.m. worship service. Hopefully this will make a much better recording for radio broadcasts and for taking CD's of the service to shut-ins.

Christians and the Death Penalty

This quote was found in yesterday's "Verse and Voice" feature from Sojourners

"Christians who remember their Lord was unjustly and cruelly given the death penalty have a hard time being enthusiastic about imposing the death penalty on others."

—Glen Stassen

This is one argument against the death penalty. The United Methodist Church emphasizes another:

"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."

—The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church

There are, of course, many others.

Great Thanksgiving Dinner being prepared

The church has been filled with the delicious smell of turkey all day long as Chuck McFate and Bill Jones work on getting ready for the Great Thanksgiving Dinner. I know that the turkey is on the bone, I don't like to look at it, I just like to smell it. I trust that all the meat will be cut off the bone by the time I get down to the basement for the meal.

Brian McLaren on Ted Haggard

I've been reading quite a bit about the Ted Haggard. I think the best considered words so far come from Brian McLaren.

Good Questions

From The Christian Century:

In Judaism, according to Jonathan Sacks, chief rabbi of Britain and the Commonwealth, "to be without questions is not a sign of faith, but of lack of death." Jews are encouraged not only to ask questions about the meaning of the faith, but to question God. We ask questions, says Sacks, "not because we doubt, but because we believe." There are, however, three conditions for asking questions rightly: a genuine desire to learn; a readiness to accept the limits of one's understanding; and the realization that, when it comes to Torah [the law], one learns by living and doing. "There is no way of understanding Shabbat without keeping Shabbat."

Subsitute "discipleship" for "Torah" and you have a very good statement on how United Methodists approach questions about their faith. It reminds me of the poster in room 102. Over a picture of Jesus are the words: "He came to take away your sins, not your mind."

Prophets as Party-Poopers

I've been told that I can be a party-pooper and I've often tried to speak a "prophetic word" from the pulpit. Not in the sense of telling the future, but in the sense of speaking of the things the prophets spoke about. You can imagine my joy at reading this quote from Sojourner's "Voice of the Day" feature:

"Prophets are, by their nature, inconvenient party-poopers. It is a mistaken notion that prophets can see the future. Rather, they tell us what is true right now."

Thomas Cahill via Sojourners

Germs, Colds, Flu and Purell Wipes

If you're concerned about cold and flu season being upon us, please note that we have Purell Sanitizing Hand Wipes on the table outside the chapel and in the windowsills of the sanctuary.

Church Sign

The church sign has been carefully restored as an Eagle Scout project and returned to a place of prominence in front of the church. A few answers to questions you may be asking:

1. The location is different because bushes in the old location kept becoming overgrown and hiding it.
2. The brass and bronze were left unpainted because a) it is believed that is the way they were when the sign was originally erected and b) because the Boy Scouts didn't know how we wanted it and painting something is easier than unpainting it.
3. The lower part is paper because the old letters and letter board were in poor shape. We thought if we could get away with printing out a poster and putting it inside the sign we would do that. The consensus among trustees (though not officially because we haven't had a meeting) seems to be that we can't get away with it. Other options will probably be explored.

Recycling

This Coming Saturday is the third Saturday of the Month which means it's the Saturday we take recycling up to Independence. right now we're collecting items in the old Tri-M room.

Movie Event a Success

Today's movie event, Gideon: Tuba Warrior, was a success. It's an excellent video, we'll try to get a copy for the church library.

Consecration Sunday Reservations

Because the great Thanksgiving dinner that accompanies Consecration Sunday is a catered meal, we need a reservation or a no from everyone who is actively part of the church. If you weren't present last Sunday and won't be present this coming Sunday please drop us an email or give us a call and let us know whether or not you will be at the great Thanksgiving dinner on November 19. As it stands right now we have over 200 phone calls to make, if you can contact the church office it will make things much easier on the Consecration Sunday team and church council.

Quote for the Day

Stanley Hauerwas is the foremost United Methodist Ethicist. I was very pleased to find a quote from him in todays "Verse and Voice" from Sojourners:

"In saying 'Your kingdom come,' we are acknowledging that faith in Jesus is not simply an idea or an emotion. It is a concrete reality of which we are to become part or else be out of step with the way things are now that God has come into the world in Jesus. When the kingdom comes, we are 'to repent' (i.e. change, let go of our citizenship in the old kingdoms) and 'believe the good news' (i.e. join up, become part of the revolution)."

- Stanley Hauerwas via Sojourners

Bill Hendryx

There is a very nice write-up on Bill Hendryx in today's Coffeyville Journal. Be sure to take a look.

Vote Today

I know that it only encourages them, but get out and vote anyway.

Gideon: Tuba Warrior

We'll be showing the new VeggieTales movie, Gideon: Tuba Warrior, this Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Admittance is free and popcorn and juice will be provided. Learn more at www.bigidea.com.

Yoga Tomorrow

Yoga resumes tomorrow at 6:15 p.m.

United Methodist Global AIDS Fund

As a response to the 2004 General conference and its passing a "Global AIDS Fund," the Kansas East Conference passed legislation last June to contribute. We voted as a conference to pay $1 per member. At Church Conference last Sunday we collected $72. We have 411 members that leaves $339 to go. By a vote of the church council will be taking a special offering on December 3 (world AIDS day is December 1) to raise the difference.

Getting Better

I think I'm finally starting to recover. Expect more posts soon.

Trunk-or-Treat a Success

It's impossible to know with precision how many trick-or-treaters we had tonight. But based on how many VeggieTales Movie Event invitations we handed out, we know we had at least 208. Thanks to everyone who made this event so successful.

Website Back Up

We're back and up and running at www.coffeyvillefirstumc.org. Many thanks to Tony Wood for his efforts.

Website Woes

We're currently having some trouble with our web hosting. Mr. Tony Wood is already hard at work on the problem. In the meantime you can find our entire site at:
http://web.mac.com/jcollins11/iWeb/coffeyvillefirstumc.org/Welcome.html

Taking all of ourselves through the door.

I'm don't know who Kari Jo Verhulst is, but I found this quote in Sojourner's daily "Verse and Voice" email exteremly apt. I think what she has to say about the Psalms is extremely important not only for that book, but for all of the Bible.

The Psalms defy our notions of profane and sacred, proving that everything we feel, witness, do unto others, and have done to us is acceptable subject matter for conversing with the Divine. They invite us to bring every part of ourselves into our houses of worship. If we omit expressions of faith lost, of rage, of disdain, and of the desire for revenge, we leave parts of ourselves at the door.

- Kari Jo Verhulst

Church/Charge Conference

We had a great church/charge conference this afternoon. I'll post more as soon as I start to feel better. Thanks to all the folks who showed up to support Travis Walker.

Help Wanted

The painter is done with the children's Sunday school room (Room 104) and will finish the fellowship hall tomorrow. We'll need some volunteers to put things back in place before the Church Conference Sunday. If you are willing and able let us know Sunday morning.

Latest Edition of the Newsletter Up

The newest edition of the Parish Visitor newsletter is now posted on the website.

Hanging Around the Palace

"If I had been a journalist at the time of the crucifixion, I would have been hanging around Herod's palace talking to Pilate and disregarding [Jesus]."

- Malcolm Muggeridge, via Sojourners

I think this is true of most of us. We find ourselves drawn to power, position, and prestige, meanwhile we want avoid poverty and suffering. May the great reversal of the passion, death, and resurrection always serve to remind us that God calls us to the opposite.

Sickness

Linda is out of the office today. I sent her home because she was sick. And I mean I sent her home, she did not go willingly. Jenny and Elizabeth are also unwell. All this at a time when I'm listening to the audio edition of The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History by John M. Barry. My timing is bad, but the book is great. I highly recommend it, although Barry's scientific viewpoint is expressed in a manner that is slightly hostile to faith.

Church/Charge Conference this Sunday

This coming Sunday at 4:00 we will have our Church/Charge Conference. Our new District superintendent, Rev. Janet Maxwell will be leading this annual business meeting of the church. We'll have a carry-in dinner following the meeting. Drinks will be provided.

On the Nature of Christian Community

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."

Henri Nouwen, via Sojourners

Altar Flowers for November 5

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.

Gideon: Tuba Warrior

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.

The Reality of a Personal God

"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."

- Martin Luther King Jr. via Sojourners

Preaching Seminar

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.

Meetings Postponed for Preaching Seminar

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.

Free and Odd

"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.

Foolishness and Fools

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."

via Sojourners

Trunk-or-Treat

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.

The Trip to Fanning the Flame

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.

Email Links

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.

Contact Information

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 weighs in on Torture

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.

The Strength of Mennonite Faith

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.

Sermon on Torture

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.

Magic and Religion

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.'
...
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."

The adventure of religion is really our only option. The God who gave us free will also remains free.

*Wikipedia currently has a good defintion of propitiation at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propitiation

Multi-media Fund Balance

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.

Childcare for Yoga

Childcare will be provided for the Yoga class tonight at 6:00 p.m.

Sermons and Newsletters Online

Just a friendly reminder that we now have sermons (in audio format) and newsletters available at our main website: www.coffeyvillefirstumc.org.

New Time, New Dates for Yoga

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."