January 20, 2020 

Our service to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his contributions was very moving. Prior to the service, a video played honoring Dr. King and his “I have a dream of a better world”. It was people from all walks of life sharing how we all desire a better world.

 

Reverand Ronnie Bell, Pastor of Cumberland UMC, opened the service. Reverand Anthony Stone, Pastor of New Palestine UMC, assisted with the service. Our scripture reading was from Mark 10:35-45. It was the scripture when James and John asked Jesus for a favor. They wanted to sit at Jesus’ left and right in heaven. Jesus shared that they had no idea of what they were asking and that those positions were already held for those God planned to site in those positions. I can think of so many times when I ask for things that I really don’t have an idea of the responsibility that goes with the position. I think James and John were the same.

 

Our message today focused on Dr. King and his life. He shared 2,500 sermos before he died at the age of 39 in 1968. In the autopsy, it showed that Dr. King’s heart was like the heart of a 60 year old. The stress of his life showed in his heart.

 

A true leader is a servant of Jesus Christ. Technology over shadows every thing we do and shares so much of what we do. It is hard to share Jesus and do acts of kindness without others seeing the work that we are doing through Social Media. It is all the work we do that is unseen that is most fulfilling. Dr. King stayed in a challenging fight and left people with a sense of hope after many crisis’ occurred. We need to stay in the fight and bring hope to those around us.

 

In 1958, 44% of the people said that they would move if a black person moved next door to them. Today, only 1% said that they would move. While it is troubling there is 1% who said they would move, we have made significant strides in reducing prejudice. We have so many new opportunities to share Christ.

 

“Death isn’t the final answer. Power without love is reckless and abusive. Love without Power is anemic.”  Pastor Ronnie shared this and I did not catch if these were quotes or originals. 

Wow, today was the first worship service of 2020. It is January 5, 2020. We had a guest speaker, Gary Roberts,  presiding over today’s ceremonies. We had a few close calls yet everything worked well and ran smoothly. Our scripture was Matthew 2 verses 1 through 12.

 

Gary mentioned that most sermons on this first Sunday of the year may focus on Resolutions. He shared resolutions don’t last long because we are trying to change different behaviors like eating better, exercising, or saving money yet we have to change ourselves for the changes to impact us.. He shared how we spend four or five weeks talking about the coming of the baby yet once Christmas comes we don’t address the baby. We forget about the baby Jesus.

 

God could have sent Jesus as an adult yet he choose to send Jesus as a baby. Do you think he was sent as a baby because the Isrealites, the chosen ones, needed a drastic change? God did so much and forgave so much to redeem the chosen ones yet they still continued sinning. When a baby is present in a room, you can observe changes in the people in the room. They may be grumpy or mad yet a baby in the midst brings a smile and protectiveness to those present. Many of us want to hold, kiss, cuddle, and love the baby. A baby is dependent upon adults for everything. Jesus was a baby dependent upon Mary, Joseph, and others to bring nourishment, protection, and love.

 

In Matthew 5, God challenges us to love people who offend us – we are to love everyone even when we don’t like them. This is a very tall order. I have found that praying for those who I don’t particularly like has been helpful to changing my heart. 

 

Remember that the church is a family regardless of decisions made. 2020 is a pivotal year for the United Methodist Church because there may be decisions made that cause churches to move onto a new path. Regardless of the decisions made, don’t forget the baby and what He means to us and the world.

It is December 29, 2019. Christmas has been celebrated. We are looking forward to ending 2019 and a new beginning for 2020. I remember 1999 and ushering year 2000. I was priveleged to work that night to make sure the computer systems for ATA Airlines continued running when midnight hit. It went very smoothly. I arrived at home between 3:00 and 4:00 AM the morning of January 1, 2000. I can’t believe it is two decades later! Wow! I have digressed in sharing the sermon for December 29, 2019.

 

Pastor Ronnie asked if anyone remembers Cassius Marcellus Coolidge. He was the artist who did paintings of the dogs playing poker. We remember the paintings that are around 100 years old. Now, we introduce John the Baptist. He went against culture and may have been considered a “weird dude”. John was a witness to testify to the light. Jesus is the light. The light is in our world. The light is everywhere and has been for over 2,000 years.

 

I had that ‘light bulb’ come on during this sermon. Pastor Ronnie shared that we think we are bringing the light to areas where Jesus isn’t very prevelent yet Jesus is everywhere. He has always been there before we ever set foot in the area. I went on a mission trip in 2016. I thought I was bringing so much to those who have little or nothing. What actually happened is that it changed me. I did a lot of praying to ask for forgiveness and guidance because I had to face my shortcomings. I became more perceptive to the challenges of others.

 

In the sermon, we were challenged to improve how others see Christians. When Christians are out in the world we need to let others see the light that is within us because of our love of Christ. Let each of us be a witness to the light. As we progress through the day and life, God knows what we need, when we need it. Trust Him and Listen to Him.

 

Let your joy in Christ be evident to all. Know that God loves you. We are imperfect vessels of God’s perfect love. Don’t let anyone rob you of your joy. Share your joy with everyone you meet. If you want to be like John and be a little strange in your joy, go ahead!

It is Christmas Eve, December 24, 2019. Each pew in the worship area is filled with friends, neighbors, and family members anxiously awaiting the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is an awesome and awe-inspiring service.

 

We started with singing various Christmas hymns. The children completed a spectacular performance of “The Christmas Story”. It was narrated by two friends who literally ‘ran into one another’. One of the friends is excited to hear the story while the other says ‘how boring and irrelevant’ the story is for today. As the story unfolds, the one friend correlates how we have present day shepherds such as farmers, teachers, waiters, and pastors. THe point was we are all shepherds today.

 

On March 7, 1965, African-Americans marched in Alabama from Selma to Montgomery, the state’s capital, for equal rights in voting. On March 8, 1965, Marine troops land on the beaches of Danang, Vietnam taking an active role in the war in Vietnam. December 25, 1965, there’s a 24 hour Christmas truce in Vietnam. There was peace and comfort in this small slice of time. I wonder what stories were being shared during this time of peace and celebration of the birth of Christ. The “Charlie Brown Christmas” aired in 1965. There were lots of pivotal changes in 1965 (and other years for that matter). 

 

There is comfort in the Christmas story. When we share stories, there are times when some of us our so impatient and want to finish the story or interrupt the story to add our details. When we stop to listen to the story and not try to add our commentaries, we discover new details to the old, old story that bring new life, meaning, and dimension to it.

 

When you think about the story. Do you wonder if the shepherds and wise men were afraid when the angels appear? Do you ponder if Mary or Joseph had any fear? When fear enters into our thoughts, it can dim or put out the joy. Do you let all the ‘stuff’ that you want to get done before Christmas dim or snuff out your joy of the season? I know in years past I have been so tired by Christmas that I haven’t enjoyed the reason for the season. 

 

Remember fo find quiet moments in this crazy world to ponder the story and find joy. Remember Mary’s son and re-tell the story of the baby. FInd peach and stillnes in the craziness of life and celebrate the baby.

It is Sunday, December 22, 2019. After a few cold and snowy days, we had a 55 degree, sunny day. It was pretty and calming. I am reflecting on Pastor Ronnie’s sermon. He started out defining darkness as the absence of light. He acknowledged that it is hard to define darkness much like it is hard to define the color red. It is hard to believe only three days until Christmas! We have three nights (Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday) until we celebrate the “Light of the World” = Jesus. 

 

The Advent Bible Study that finished on Sunday, December 15, 2019, was focused on the book of Isaiah. Pastor Ronnie shared that Isaiah wasn’t predicting our Lord Jesus’ birth; he was predicting the King Hezekiah would be God’s rep on the Earth. Isaiah was expecting Hezekiah to redeem Isreal and to be a different king. He was disappointed. Our earthly kings, or polictical parties, can’t redeem us. Only Jesus Christ saves me. Christ calls me to walk in the light and listen to others. 

 

Did you know that every one of us has an inate fear of loud noises and heights? We learn early on that the dark can be scary with monsters hiding under our beds, the boogey man, or other nubulous, scary things that are hard to see.  Pastor Ronnie shared how that we are all different: our political views, our economic status, our ethnicity, our education, and a whole host of differences. He shared that we should not distance ourselves from others and what is occuring in our world. We need to be illuminating spirits and loving our neighbors. We, Cumberland United Methodist Church, have a HUGE opportunity to be a light in our community. I see in our interactions and programs that we are sharing our light and love with our community. It is so cool watching the children play basketball using good sportsmanship behaviors. It is so nice to talk to the visitors watching and cheering on the children. It is a priviledge to be able to encourage these children.

 

Pastor Ronnie closed with “People who walk in darkness have seen a great light – Jesus Christ”. Pray before you do anything to make sure you are following God’s will. 

 

Are you an illuminating spirit for others? Do those you encounter daily see the love of Jesus Christ in your actions?

 

Merry Christmas! May Christ’s love be overflowing from your heart for others to see.

The longest night, the shortest day, or winter solstice all refer to the same day – the start of winter. We had a longest night service at 5:00 PM. It was also refered to the Blue Christmas. The focus on the service was to acknowledge that not everyone is joyful at Christmas. People are grieving, hurting, sick, or other ailments that weigh heaviliy on our hearts..

 

The service was very moving for me. I had plenty of tears during the service. We sang various songs together and had “The Trio” singing a song as well. Pastor Ronnie shared a message to acknowledge that not everyone is the joyous, happy person. Some of us are the “Bah Humbug” people or the “Grinch” or suffering from depression or other things that keep us down. It’s ok to grieve and be blue. There was an opportunity to light a candle to acknowledge your grief along with praying at the altar.

 

I was grieving the loss of my sibling from 19 years ago. I was grieving the loss of celebrating Christmas at my childhood home where I celebrated Christmas with my family every year of my life because my parents moved this year to a condo which is less responsbility for them. It was a much needed move though still it is change and different. I am stressing over the changes in my personal life as my spouse embarks on the retirement journey while I continue working. This has been quite a year of changes. I am so glad that I went to the service to acknowledge that I am not in that joyous spirit. It helped to cry and acknowledge it’s ok. I am still kinda blue yet trying to focus on others to find joy.

September 20th,20a19, I was sitting in the pew that is on the right side of the meeter area as your enter it. I am about halfway between the altar and doors to the Narthes.  The sermon was the “Upside Down Kingdom” with scripture from Luke 16:19-31. We talked a bit about our 168 year anniversary that is coming up on October 14, 2019. The whole point of this sermon was to encourage each and every one of us to look at the world differently. It talks about how Jesus wrapped his stories in packaging that people could carry and relate.

 

We are encouraged to pursue values that are appealing to God. Don’t view differences between one another as this huge chasm that can’t be overcome. Seek Christ and let him be the door that is always open. 

 

Put aside what doesn’t matter. Remember that wealth is meaningless at death.

Did you know that Jeremiah was known as the Weeping Prophet? I didn’t until we started our September 2019 Sermon Series. I am behind in my blogging as you can see since this posting is on November 4, 2019 and I’m talking about our September Sermon Series. Life gets pretty busy at times and I just don’t want to login to my computer. 

Our September 1st sermon was focused around Jeremiah 2:4-13 and titled “From Emptiness to Meaning”. I was serving in Children’s Church so was not present for the message. By the title, I am guessing that our lives are empty until God calls us and fills us up and gives us meaning.

 

Our September 8th sermon was focused around Jeremiah 18:1-11 and titled “The Potter’s Hand”.  I helped with Children’s Church this Sunday so missed the message. The Potter’s Hand makes me think about how our lives are the lump of clay then God starts spinning the pottery wheel and shaping the clay. He takes our life and shapes, smooths, and paints it until we have something of beauty. 

 

On September 15th, the focus was Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28. The title is “Restoration”.  This sermon talks about the divided kingdom where there have been multiple kings through the years. God’s people are beat up by self and their circumstances. Jeremiah is hurting for the people. He is weeping for the people and has survivor’s guilt. When other’s are hurting, we need to have empathy and compassion and hurt right along side with them so they know we care.

 

September 22nd sermon was “From Weeping to Healing” from Jeremiah 8:18-9:1. Pastor Ronnie high on the fact that as a prophet Jeremiah had to tell uncomfortable truths to the people. It is easy for us to speak challenging words for those we are not close to and don’t relate to. For Jeremiah, he knew and loved the people so it was very challenging. My takeaway from this sermon was that we need to meet people where they are at and we need to look at things through the eyes of others to gain a better insight. How can we be one with our community? God loves me and you. He calls us and wants us to answer his calling.

 

 

 

• Don’t miss the point of what life is about
• Don’t close your heart to your neighbor’s suffering
• Don’t horde your spiritual gifts
• Remove the food that feeds hate
• Give away your goodness
• Love others freely
• Connect to others and share Jesus

 

 

 

Our sermon from Sunday, July 28, 2019 was titled “Thy Kingdom Come”. We read from Luke 11:1-13. This chapter has the Lord’s prayer along with the reference of the friend who knocks on the door at midnight asking for food to serve his guests. The friend who was woken up from sleep didn’t want to share yet due to the other friends persitence he shared.

 

The sermon is about prayer and what makes a good prayer. If we follow the Lord’s prayer outlined in Luke 11, here are the components of good prayer:

 

My take away was “Prayer changes our response to God. Prayer does not change God.”  Prayer requires vulnerability to where you share you the good, bad, and ugly in your thoughts and life with our creator. So I need to Keep on Praying!