Greetings in the name of the Risen Christ, 

I listened to the service from Sunday as I always do so that I can continually critique and improve my ministry. Ironically, my sermon about scripture did not include me reading the text that was the foundational passage for the sermon. 2Tim 3: 14-17 says,

“Yet you must go on steadily in all those things that you have learned and which you know are true. Remember from what sort of people your knowledge has come, and how from early childhood your mind has been familiar with the holy scriptures, which can open the mind to the salvation which comes through believing in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the faith and correcting error, for re-setting the direction of a man’s life and training him in good living. The scriptures are the comprehensive equipment of the man of God and fit him fully for all branches of his work.”

(JB Phillips Interpretation)

This is the starting block for any rational discussion about sacred text. The other very important scripture is 2Peter 1: 20-21,

“But you must understand this at the outset, that no prophecy of scripture arose from an individual’s interpretation of the truth. No prophecy came because a man wanted it to: men of God spoke because they were inspired by the Holy Spirit.”

(JB Phillips interpretation)

These passages are the result of Paul and Peter instructing the followers of Jesus Christ about what to do in the presence of false prophets. They have also been used, out of context, to refute any argument about the accuracy of scripture. We serve a God who loves us and forgives us and who does everything to be with us. At the same time, we have sanctified a book that doesn’t proclaim this simplicity of the Gospel in all of its passages. We have to read it, to dive deeply into its history and ours, and we have to question it at every turn: “Is what I am reading the true picture of the Christ?”

Anna is holding her own at the hospital. She is still critical, still fighting an overwhelming infection in her blood, lungs, and spine. God is watching over us and the care we are receiving is first-rate. I depend on the strength I receive from your prayers and love for me and my children. There are no words to adequately describe my gratitude.

Blessings, Mary

Our story Sunday was one we could all identify with: Do you remember Jesus as he was traveling through Jerusalem going to the house of sisters, Mary and Martha? The custom of that day was that you prepare a meal for your visitors.

Martha was busy preparing the meal that they would serve Jesus. Mary, however, was sitting at the feet of Jesus to listen to his teaching. Martha was upset at Mary because she wasn’t helping. A woman sitting at the feet of a man was not socially acceptable at the time.

Martha was irritated thinking her sister should be more concerned with helping her prepare the meal, especially since their guest was someone as special as Jesus. Martha complained to Jesus, asking him to tell Mary to help her. Instead, Jesus tells Martha that she is worried and distracted by things that are not important. Mary has chosen what is important, to be close to Jesus and learn about God.

What would you do? We must realize that we all respond to Jesus in different ways. It does not mean that person is wrong. Each of us is called to follow Jesus in different ways.

Hopefully, we will see you at church Sunday.

Blessings

The East District is excited to partner with Keller UMC and The Caring Congregation to host speakers Rev. Karen Lampe and Rev. Joy Dister-Dominguez on Friday and Saturday March 1-2 at Keller UMC for an in-person Care Ministry Seminar. This seminar is for churches of all sizes to establish and equip pastors, staff, and care teams (laity) to cultivate a culture of care by providing excellent care ministries for their congregations and communities. Topics covered include theology of care, boundaries, listening and spiritual guidance, elder care, visitation, care for the sick and dying, organizing your teams, healing after disaffiliation, crisis care, evaluation, and building the vision for a culture of care.

Registration deadline has been extended to Monday, February 26th. Discounts are available for groups of 5 or more participants, with individual registration starting at $75 per person. Because CTC East District is sponsoring this event, we are able to offer Central Texas Conference, North Texas Conference, and Northwest Texas Conference clergy and laity a considerable discount (a savings of $175 per person) compared to The Caring Congregation’s National Care Ministry Webinar pricing. Please consider registering a group from your church, or partnering with your neighboring UMC, to take advantage of this training opportunity. The training counts toward pastoral continuing education.

Care Ministry Seminar @ Keller United Methodist Church

Friday, March 1st – 12 pm to 6 pm

Saturday, March 2nd – 9 am to 4 pm

Registration Cost

Individual Registration: $75 per person

Groups of 5+: $60 per person

Groups of 10+: $55 per person

For more information and to register, please visit www.ctcumc.org/careministryseminar-2024.

ASH WEDNESDAY
7:00 P.M.

It’s a simple service.

My message is short.

Some lovely music.

Imposition of the ashes and prayer at the rail.

Let God do whatever God wants to do in our lives this Lent. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday.

And repentance.

And thanksgiving for forgiveness.

Last Sunday

We will remember it as Keith Butterfield’s 97th birthday. We had a good time celebrating after worship. (We’ll do it for you, too, when you reach 97.)

Some folks thought I ran two women off during the sermon. I didn’t. That was just Vita and Linda stepping out to help with the birthday party.

What a job the choir did with just five people up there. No—I could hear no lack. Our tenor had to sing bass. Mary sang tenor.

Yes—we need a bass.

I want Blake to have what he needs.

Our choir is a bit of a marvel.

It sounds better than many larger choirs.

And it is a worship blessing.

This Sunday

Mary preaches for the next two weeks.

Do you remember all those questions Mary had to answer in prep for ordination? She will preach a couple of her answers in these sermons.

My next sermon is called “Jesus Got It Right.” How do we know? Does anyone know what God is like? Know for sure?

I say yes. But HOW can we know—for sure?

Remember breakfast.

(Do we have any others to help with this?)

See you WEDNESDAY! Perhaps? I hope.

God bless—MB

Greetings dear church and friends of the church!

Rev. Beverly Tye came through her surgery with a good report from the surgeon. We pray now for continued and quick healing for Beverly. We also pray for adequate pain control. She faces many months of rehabilitative therapy and I know she will be strengthened by your love and support. It was great to see the Maxwells this past Sunday. And it was great to celebrate Keith’s birthday! We have a real live WWII veteran in our midst folks. Dan Kessler took Keith out to the Joint Naval Reserve Base where Keith was honored with a cake and small celebration. The pictures are in this newsletter. I’ve never seen Keith smile so brightly. We love you, sir, and are grateful for your service.

Many of you will receive this newsletter on Wednesday, February 14, Ash Wednesday. This first day of Lent is a high holy day in much of the Christian faith tradition, Methodists included. As Max said on Sunday, we will come together to receive the mark of the cross on our forehead, indicating that we are the followers of Jesus Christ. The ashes represent our mortality. The entire exercise is intended to ask God for forgiveness and profess our devotion to God. While I will say the words, “you are forgiven,” I am only the messenger. I am not worthy to forgive you, only our Lord is worthy. I am humbled to be involved in the process. This is one of the reasons I am drawn to Methodism, this focus on the tradition of Lent. These next forty days are ours to use as we can to further God’s kingdom and strengthen our relationship with the One who loves us most. Until tonight, Mary