Author Archives: Max Brennan

Max’s Corner

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THE PICNIC!

This is our annual Brian McKosky picnic—with sausage hauled all the way from Wisconsin to Texas.
Some of you have signed up to bring some of “the fixin’s” to go with the wieners.

Now listen!—if it rains, the picnic will move inside. So, not to worry. Rain or shine, we eat after worship this Sunday.

Last Week’s Sermon

Women are dying needlessly because of radical laws preventing abortions—even in medical emergencies. So, I talked about the “A” word last week. I told the story of Sophie, distraught over expecting a baby with a cruel man she had been dating. She was in agony over whether to keep the baby. Crying beside the road in her car, she opened her eyes to see a light all around her. And from the Light came this word: “The child will be fine either way.” Then she was reminded that she was loved. God can handle any situation. The laws being passed are cruel, destructive, and unnecessary.

The Class—Discovering God

This week, we will look at the second (perhaps third) most famous religious experience of all time.
Class at 9:45—followed by breakfast.

Speaking of Breakfast

This is a “Winston Sunday”—so expect a great meal. We do need the breakfast to feed the Discovering God Class and others, even if we are having a picnic after church.
Food and fellowship at 10:30.

This Sunday

This Sunday—the sermon first intended for last week: “Joy.” I hope it will be uplifting.
Blake will be in Mexico celebrating Day of the Dead. No choir. Shannon will sing.
AND!!!—we gather at the Lord’s Table.

God Bless,
MB

We Are Like Them

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This is a strange time.

This may turn out to be the quiet before the storm, the days before the fall, the last light before darkness comes.

In just 11 days, we may lose that which so many have died to save: our democracy.

I used to think Germany must have been a truly perverse nation to elect Hitler.

(Yes, he was elected.)

In 1932, the Nazi Party won only 33 percent of the vote, but that was enough for Hitler to insist that he be appointed Chancellor.

That 33 percent looks pretty good compared to us.

Nearly half of our people are vulnerable to the same prejudicial hatreds that drove the Germans.

Germans hated Jews and gay people.

In our country, the reviled groups are still the Jews and gay people, but add immigrants.

Germany was a mostly Christian nation, the land of Martin Luther. But as in America today, Christians in Germany held onto their hatreds and fears of anyone different.

Recently, millions of Methodists left the UMC so they could continue to marginalize gay people.

Millions of American Christians today support someone who called immigrants “vermin.”

(That, by the way, was Hitler’s word for Jews.)

However things go in 11 days, we are looking at a massive failure of the church.

I will tell you again: at the root of our problem is biblical inerrancy.

A majority of Christians worship the Bible, not Jesus. They have never accepted his call to love all people. Now we face the cost of that failure.

May God help us.

Max’s Corner

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The Class—Discovering God

We had one of the most interesting classes we have ever had last week—and we are only getting started.

We are studying the deepest and most meaningful experiences of our lives—every Sunday.

Class at 9:45—followed by breakfast.

Speaking of Breakfast

This is a “We-Bring Sunday.” I will be there with my pigs-in-blankets. You help me. Bring something good. I’m hungry.

Food and fellowship at 10:30.

This Sunday

I’ll make this short and—well, it may or may not be sweet. Jason needs this copy immediately. He is out of town and will have trouble getting this newsletter out.

This Sunday—less excited than last week.

The sermon will be called “Joy.”

Kristi will be out—so no choir.

Blake will be doing double duty—which means playing piano and singing—or Shannon or Julian will sing. Whoever it is, it will be beautiful.

Keep our sick folk in your prayers.

Love to all of you. And—

God Bless,

MB

MEETING: PPR Committee—again, for a few minutes after church to finalize forms. Thanks.

God Does Not Kill Children

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The newspaper business is changing. Some people must put in extra effort to keep up with me each week.

Two weeks ago, I asked people to send me an email if they are still reading Friday’s Word.

I was encouraged by the number of responses.

If you did not respond then, I invite your response now. Let me know you are there. Thanks.

I know my preaching can sometimes shock people.

Last week, I said that God did not kill the first-born sons of the Egyptians in the time of Moses.

God does not kill children, not even the children of our enemies.

How do we know that?

Jesus told us so.

He said we are to love our enemies.

Do good to those who do bad to us.

Why?

Because that is what God does. God loves all of us.

So, simple rule of thumb: God does not kill children.

Let me push you further: Any preacher who tells you God killed the first-born of the Egyptians does not yet understand Jesus.

And—yes—I know!

Most preachers will say God killed those children.

But those preachers are ignoring Matthew 5:38-48. Jesus forbids vengeance of any kind.

Jesus begins Matthew 5:38-45 by deliberately contradicting a passage of scripture from the Old Testament.

We must let him do that.

We must let Jesus be Lord of the scriptures.

We must give him the final word.

What I am saying here is not shocking.

But this is:

Many Christians worship the Bible and ignore Jesus.

And that’s a problem.

Drop me that email.

Max’s Corner

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The Class—Discovering God

Has God ever spoken to you?

Can God speak to us?

That’s what we will be discussing in class this Sunday.

(Remember our home-thought-work for the week: What does that experience I shared with you at the end of the class tell us about God? You can make a list, if you wish. We will make one Sunday.)

Class at 9:45—followed by breakfast.

Speaking of Breakfast

This is a “Winston Sunday.” Feel free to help.

Food and fellowship at 10:30.

This Sunday

That was a barn stomper from the choir last week, wasn’t it! This week, they will sing a setting of Psalm 100. Should be lovely.

The sermon this Sunday grows out of the realization that my preaching requires people to wrestle with things they have been taught all their lives. The sermon is: The Rock We Stand On.

Let’s see how many people we can get to church this Sunday. Put everything else off.

This week—this Sunday—make worship your priority. Just do it. See what happens.

Come—as we lift the name of Jesus.

God Bless,
MB

MEETING: PPR Committee—for 30 minutes after church this Sunday to fill out forms for the Conference—required by Nov. 1.