The Concert Last Saturday

The meal alone, prepared by Cindy Wheeler, was worth the effort to make it to church last Saturday.

Guests were amazed at how well we eat!

The Linda Parker table decorations also got good reviews.

It really was a good evening.

Retired UM minister, Mary Gean Cope posted pictures on Facebook and said the concert was a “strong worship experience.”

And Sunday Morning

Is there such a thing as a perfect worship service? If there is, we had one last Sunday. Rev. Beverly Tye told of her loss of faith at 21 and her return to faith years later—brought about by a flat tire. (“God can be sneaky,” Bev says.)

And Blake reprised You Raise Me Up from the concert.

And Kristi!!! She certainly blew the soot out of the proverbial organ pipes last week! Everything she did got a round of applause.

And This Sunday

I’ve been out of the pulpit for three weeks now. I’m ready to return.

Sermon title: Jesus Invented Woke

Choir rehearsal—usual time.

Choral anthem: Fairest Lord Jesus

Women Meeting Thursday

Read Mary’s note. She will tell you all about it.

And in three weeks, Mary has a special sermon based on the vision our Bishop shared with ministers in a meeting last Saturday.

It’s getting exciting around here.

I do hope to see you Sunday.

GOD BLESS—-MB

I am so very grateful for the message we received Sunday morning from Rev. Beverly Tye. What a blessing to hear her story and to listen as she shared her faith journey with us. We are blessed to have several retired UMC ministers in our congregation and I enjoy getting to come to church and get “fed” on such great gospel messages. Max is back in the pulpit this week and I am positive he will have some great vacation stories for us.

I got my COVID and influenza vaccines on Monday. Other than a sore right arm (flu shot) I have not had any problems with the vaccines. Please, please make an appointment at your local pharmacy or physician’s office to get these vaccines and any others you may qualify to receive. The RSV vaccine and shingles vaccine are two other important immune system boosters that may be offered to you. You know your body well enough to know how many vaccines you can handle at once. My only suggestion to you is to drink plenty of water before and immediately following your vaccines. Eat a hearty, healthy meal and get plenty of rest. Taking care of your immune system with good food, water and sleep, is the first step to successfully avoiding illness. If you need help obtaining any of these three things, please reach out to me. Another vital part of a strong immune system is having a powerful sense of belonging. This is where our congregation excels. We shower each other with love and joy. We work very hard to welcome everyone and to get to know each other. The fellowship we enjoy makes us healthier and happier. Keep up the good work! My love to all of you. Get outside this week in the sunshine and beautiful weather. Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday! Mary

As usual, I always arrive early for church. This Sunday I was delighted to see a little girl, her mom, and her grandpa on the playground. Mom was pushing the little girl on the swing. I just sat and watched them for some time, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to say hello. As I walked toward them, Audrey, the little 23-month-old girl, ran toward me! She was so happy, I invited her to Sunday school to also play inside, but mom had to leave. I am sure they will be back!

We have been traveling with Abraham and Sarah as they journey to a new home. Sarah is 90 and Abraham is 100. These are hardly the ages you would expect to become parents. Sarah laughs as she did when she learned that she would be a mother; this time, her laughter was from joy as she learned she would be a mother. Sarah names her son “Isaac”, which means “laughter”. Through this story, we realize that God is faithful, and God keeps his promises. God wants us to be faithful and keep our promises.

Noah and I were busy in Children’s church as we painted artwork to take home to Mom. After church, Noah was checking out the playground before going home. Grandma Liz was very patiently waiting!

We will continue our journey with Abraham this week; will you join us?

Blessings

FIRST THING— THE CONCERT!!!

It’s a big deal—as are all of our concerts.

“Blake the Great” does much of the singing.

And there will be plenty for the congregation to join in on—such as the rousing opening hymn, Revive Us Again.

That’s what we do at these concerts: We get our spirits revived. We are lifted and encouraged by the Gospel. And—we have a good time.

Cindy Wheeler is fixing the meal for everyone.

Please—do come.

This Saturday at 6:00—Oct. 14.

Dinner after.

I Am Back

We had a great time. We visited five states and drove many hundreds of miles, (I’ll share some things with you in a couple of weeks.) But this is my last vacation until I have knee replacement surgery. It was worth it—but very, very difficult.

I will sleep in my own bed tonight.

And that’s a beautiful thing.

This Sunday—Beverly Tye

We were sitting in a restaurant with Rev. Beverly Tye and a few of our members a few weeks ago.
Beverly was talking about her faith journey and I asked her to share what she was saying with us in a sermon. And she will—this Sunday.

Sermon title: Under Construction

This is something to look forward to.

Thanks to Mary

Big thanks to Mary for keeping the ship afloat by herself these last two weeks (something she can do easily). I have not seen our services online. I could not access them through my phone, nor could I even get e-mails. I have some catching up to do.

I hope all of you are well.

And I long to see you—

SATURDAY and SUNDAY!

United Methodist Church Bishops condemn violence in the Middle East, call for prayer and action

October 9, 2023

They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. (Isaiah 2:4)

In a world already consumed with political unrest and conflict, the recent attacks by Hamas against Israel only add to the reality that the prophetic words from Isaiah are needed now more than ever.

As a people who pray for and work toward peace, we in the United Methodist family are appalled, and dismayed by the animosities and inhumane actions undertaken by Hamas. The declaration of war on the part of Israel as a result is also deeply saddening. In just a few hours since this latest outbreak of violence more than 1000 people have died.

We condemn the Hamas militants who have killed and captured civilians, women and children in Israel. We equally decry the deaths of innocent civilians, women and children caught in the crossfire of the Israeli retaliation in the Gaza Strip. 

Our own Book of Resolutions (2016) states clearly, “We seek for all people in the Middle East region an end to military occupation, freedom from violence, and full respect for the human rights of all under international law.” 

As a result, today we call on all United Methodists to renew a deepened commitment to pray for those who have been injured, abducted, or killed, and to deepen our prayers for those who have suddenly lost a loved one.

In addition, we call on all congregations and leaders to begin initiating special offerings, directed to our United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), to provide specific resources to assist in providing shelter, food, and other necessities to those who have been left homeless, helpless, and afraid.

Friends, we are called to be a people of prayer, a people of hope, and a people of action. Our role should never be minimized, especially in a time when global conflicts are emerging with more frequency. As we watch the news unfold, let us not delay in moving into meaningful responses. 

Most of all, let us remain a people of hope who look to the fulfilment of those prophetic words by Isaiah. We look to the days when: 

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. In that day, the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. (Isaiah 11:5-6)

May it be so. May it be so.

Amen.

Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton
President – Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church