Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Praying That People Come to Know Jesus
I came upon this story about Arthur F. Burns, who served as an economic counselor to a number of presidents from Dwight D. Eisenhower to Ronald Regan. He also served as chairman of the United States Federal Reserve System and as an ambassador to West Germany. He was a man who opinions carried a lot of weight in Washington. Arthur Burns was also a Jew. When he began attending an informational White House Christian prayer group in the 1970’s, others in the group were not sure how to involve him. Different persons gave leadership to the prayer time each week and the leader would call upon someone to close in prayer. Weeks passed and no one called upon Arthur Burns to lead in prayer. Then, one week, another newcomer to the group was leading and he did not know that Burns’ was a Jew. As the prayer meeting ended, the newcomer turned to Arthur Burns and asked him to close the time with prayer. Some of the old-timers glanced at each other in surprise and wondered what would happen. Without missing a beat, Arthur Burns reached out, held hands with others in the circle, and prayed this prayer: “Lord, I pray that you bring Jews to know Jesus Christ. I pray that you bring Muslims to know Jesus Christ. Finally, Lord, I pray that you bring Christians to know Jesus Christ. Amen.” I cannot think of a more important prayer for us to pray than for persons to come to know Jesus Christ. Jesus is the way to a restored relationship with God. He is the truth that is unchanging and always relevant. And, He is the source of life that is abundant and eternal. He is the one and only Savior. Everyone needs to know Jesus. I also cannot think of a more appropriate prayer that we could pray for our neighbors, friends, family and other connections than that they come to know Jesus Christ. Holy Week Easter is a great time to put some feet to those prayers with an invitation to worship with you. You can pick up some of the invitational cards that were in the bulletin Sunday to help you make that invitation to others. This Saturday would be a good time to join others in praying that persons come to know Jesus Christ. Our Holy Week Prayer Vigil will be from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. It will be held in the chapel. Come an spend some time in prayer. The Magnolia Festival is this Friday and Saturday. We will have a tent there. And could still use volunteers to take a time at the tent. You can contact Jenn Bryant for times, jbryant@gmvumc.org Sunday afternoon is our OLD FASHIONED EGG HUNT that will be held at Black Creek Park. All the fun begins at 3:30. We will have a Church Family picnic at 5:00 and then worship at 6:00. Bring your picnic basket, with a little extra for our guest, and invite someone to join you in this afternoon of fellowship and worship. Don’t forget one of our Outreach Ministries is the Children’s Home Easter Egg Hunt. Children from across Alabama who are in our United Methodist Group Homes will gather at Camp Sumatanga on April 23, for a great day of fellowship that is led by Clyde and Brenda Cork. They need our help in providing the prizes for the eggs. You can mark your donations for “Children’s Home Egg Hunt.” As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Serving God's Children
Most Sundays as I move from the 8:30 service in the sanctuary to the 9:45 service in the gym, I pass one of God’s special children waiting for his “Sunday Granny”. Ethan is a special needs child who has captured the hearts of several ladies in our church. These “Sunday Grannies” keep him during the 9:45 service so his parents can be in worship. Often times they will be in the lobby of the Family Ministry Building as I leave that service. There is a special bond that has developed between Ethan and those who stay with him during that hour. Even more, they experience Jesus in each other.
This week, I visited Ethan in the hospital. His mother expressed appreciation for those who serve as his “Sunday Grannies.” As I left his hospital room, I remembered the words of Jesus, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” (Matthew 19:13; NRSV) I give thanks for those who serve children.
Ethan is not the only child in our church family who is confined to a wheelchair. Every Wednesday during chapel we have another child who makes his way in and out of the sanctuary in his wheelchair. He is able to join his class in most activities, except he cannot get around on our playground, because presently our playground is not handicap accessible.
One of the goals of our Children’s Ministries is to change this by raising funds for a new Handicap Accessible Playground. The Child Enrichment Center is sponsoring a Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 14th. It will be held at the Cullman Municipal Golf Course. You don’t have to be a golfer to help make this tournament a success. The real key to a successful Golf Tournament is sponsorships where most of the money is raised. There will be “hole sponsorships,” as well as some creative sponsorships such as “trees” and “sand-bunkers.” Some of us will see those signs more than once as they are in the center of the fairway. You can contact Gina Guess gguess@gmvumc.org or Kay Moman kmoman@gmvumc.org for information on sponsorships.
Along with sponsorships, another key to a successful Golf Tournament is the prizes. The goal is to have enough door prizes so that each golfer gets one. Door prizes can range from a certificate for a meal or haircut, to gift cards, golf balls, even a weekend at a lake home or beach condo. As you think about door prizes, remember there will be male and female golfers in the tournament.
Of course, golfers are vital to a successful tournament. We have people who have helped with other golf tournaments helping in the planning of this one. Pass on the date to the golfers you know. You can get register by going to the church web page, www.gmvumc.org. Information on the Golf Tournament is in the scrolling announcements, and also under the Child Enrichment Center tab.
Another ministry of our church has been the Easter Egg Hunt for the children of the United Methodist Children’s Home. Clyde and Brenda Cork have been giving leadership to that outreach for many years. It will be held at Camp Sumatanga on Saturday, April 23. They have worked it out with Camp Sumatanga so that children in our Group Homes across Alabama and the panhandle of Florida can spend the night at camp on Friday night and be there for the hunt on Saturday. One of our special offerings is for this Easter Egg Hunt. You can support this ministry through the church by marking you gift for “Children’s Home Egg Hunt.” The money is used to put prizes in the eggs along with special gifts for all the children and for the 12 golden eggs that are hidden each year.
This week most of our Small Groups for the “24” series began. It’s not too late to join a group. We have several that will begin tonight as part of Wednesday Grow and another one Thursday night. If you are out-of-town for Spring Break, join one next week. There was a list of all the Small Groups in this week’s “Connection.”
I have found Adam Hamilton’s “40 Days of Reflection” devotional book, that is related to “24”, to be a meaningful way to enhance my personal journey through this Lenten season. We still have some of those books and we have ordered some more of the “24” book if you would like one.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
This week, I visited Ethan in the hospital. His mother expressed appreciation for those who serve as his “Sunday Grannies.” As I left his hospital room, I remembered the words of Jesus, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” (Matthew 19:13; NRSV) I give thanks for those who serve children.
Ethan is not the only child in our church family who is confined to a wheelchair. Every Wednesday during chapel we have another child who makes his way in and out of the sanctuary in his wheelchair. He is able to join his class in most activities, except he cannot get around on our playground, because presently our playground is not handicap accessible.
One of the goals of our Children’s Ministries is to change this by raising funds for a new Handicap Accessible Playground. The Child Enrichment Center is sponsoring a Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 14th. It will be held at the Cullman Municipal Golf Course. You don’t have to be a golfer to help make this tournament a success. The real key to a successful Golf Tournament is sponsorships where most of the money is raised. There will be “hole sponsorships,” as well as some creative sponsorships such as “trees” and “sand-bunkers.” Some of us will see those signs more than once as they are in the center of the fairway. You can contact Gina Guess gguess@gmvumc.org or Kay Moman kmoman@gmvumc.org for information on sponsorships.
Along with sponsorships, another key to a successful Golf Tournament is the prizes. The goal is to have enough door prizes so that each golfer gets one. Door prizes can range from a certificate for a meal or haircut, to gift cards, golf balls, even a weekend at a lake home or beach condo. As you think about door prizes, remember there will be male and female golfers in the tournament.
Of course, golfers are vital to a successful tournament. We have people who have helped with other golf tournaments helping in the planning of this one. Pass on the date to the golfers you know. You can get register by going to the church web page, www.gmvumc.org. Information on the Golf Tournament is in the scrolling announcements, and also under the Child Enrichment Center tab.
Another ministry of our church has been the Easter Egg Hunt for the children of the United Methodist Children’s Home. Clyde and Brenda Cork have been giving leadership to that outreach for many years. It will be held at Camp Sumatanga on Saturday, April 23. They have worked it out with Camp Sumatanga so that children in our Group Homes across Alabama and the panhandle of Florida can spend the night at camp on Friday night and be there for the hunt on Saturday. One of our special offerings is for this Easter Egg Hunt. You can support this ministry through the church by marking you gift for “Children’s Home Egg Hunt.” The money is used to put prizes in the eggs along with special gifts for all the children and for the 12 golden eggs that are hidden each year.
This week most of our Small Groups for the “24” series began. It’s not too late to join a group. We have several that will begin tonight as part of Wednesday Grow and another one Thursday night. If you are out-of-town for Spring Break, join one next week. There was a list of all the Small Groups in this week’s “Connection.”
I have found Adam Hamilton’s “40 Days of Reflection” devotional book, that is related to “24”, to be a meaningful way to enhance my personal journey through this Lenten season. We still have some of those books and we have ordered some more of the “24” book if you would like one.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Deeper Spirituality Key to Growing Church
I came across an article Bishop Willimon wrote following a workshop with Tom Bandy. During the workshop a layperson asked, “What do you do when you want your church to grow but your pastor just won’t lead in evangelism?”
Bishop Willimon wrote, “I thought Bandy would respond to the question with, ‘you need a different pastor,’ or ‘you and the Board get together and insist that your pastor get busy.’ Bandy said none of that. He responded, ‘If you want to change your church or your pastor, you need to go deeper spiritually, you will need to pray more and go deeper in Scripture.’”
Prayer certainly played a vital role in the New Testament Church. The Holy Spirit fell upon the disciples as they were in a prayer meeting (Acts 2). Then as Luke describes the church that was born at Pentecost he wrote, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42; NRSV)
As you read on in the book of Acts, you see that prayer played a vital roll in the growth of the Church. One of the things that I see in Acts is that they often prayed together. Mission to the “ends of the earth” was birthed in the prayer of the church at Antioch. They did not just have their private devotionals. Long before we gave names to prayer movements like Prayer Vigils and Prayer Walks, they were practicing such prayer experiences.
Bishop Willimon, in the above mentioned article, made this application: “Lord help us if we think we can be faithful to Christ and achieve our priorities as a church on our own. Nothing Jesus commands us to do, does he command us to do by ourselves. This is Christ’s Church, not ours. Christ’s mission, not our program…Come to think of it, I’ve never see a church move from maintenance to ministry, from decline to growth, from the chaplain to the church members, to a mission mover to the word where someone in leadership had not experienced a new dimension of spiritual depth. It’s a God thing.”
Could it be that opportunities like this Saturday’s Prayer Walk are really vital to the Church? I believe so. Just as the early Church was empowered through prayer, Gardendale-Mt. Vernon finds it real power in prayer. As we come together in prayer, the Holy Spirit moves, just as He moved in the New Testament Church.
This weekend will be IMPACT 2011 (February 4-6). This will be a great opportunity to learn what God is doing through our mission partners and to hear God’s call to become a witness in words and deeds. On Sunday, February 6, you will have the opportunity to make a commitment of time, gifts and prayer to advance the mission of Christ. Be in prayer for God’s direction in your commitment.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
Bishop Willimon wrote, “I thought Bandy would respond to the question with, ‘you need a different pastor,’ or ‘you and the Board get together and insist that your pastor get busy.’ Bandy said none of that. He responded, ‘If you want to change your church or your pastor, you need to go deeper spiritually, you will need to pray more and go deeper in Scripture.’”
Prayer certainly played a vital role in the New Testament Church. The Holy Spirit fell upon the disciples as they were in a prayer meeting (Acts 2). Then as Luke describes the church that was born at Pentecost he wrote, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42; NRSV)
As you read on in the book of Acts, you see that prayer played a vital roll in the growth of the Church. One of the things that I see in Acts is that they often prayed together. Mission to the “ends of the earth” was birthed in the prayer of the church at Antioch. They did not just have their private devotionals. Long before we gave names to prayer movements like Prayer Vigils and Prayer Walks, they were practicing such prayer experiences.
Bishop Willimon, in the above mentioned article, made this application: “Lord help us if we think we can be faithful to Christ and achieve our priorities as a church on our own. Nothing Jesus commands us to do, does he command us to do by ourselves. This is Christ’s Church, not ours. Christ’s mission, not our program…Come to think of it, I’ve never see a church move from maintenance to ministry, from decline to growth, from the chaplain to the church members, to a mission mover to the word where someone in leadership had not experienced a new dimension of spiritual depth. It’s a God thing.”
Could it be that opportunities like this Saturday’s Prayer Walk are really vital to the Church? I believe so. Just as the early Church was empowered through prayer, Gardendale-Mt. Vernon finds it real power in prayer. As we come together in prayer, the Holy Spirit moves, just as He moved in the New Testament Church.
This weekend will be IMPACT 2011 (February 4-6). This will be a great opportunity to learn what God is doing through our mission partners and to hear God’s call to become a witness in words and deeds. On Sunday, February 6, you will have the opportunity to make a commitment of time, gifts and prayer to advance the mission of Christ. Be in prayer for God’s direction in your commitment.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Reflections from Bro. Rudy –
December 14, 2010
“More than Homage”
The scripture says the Wise Men, in finding the child Jesus, “knelt down and paid him homage.” (Matthew 2:11; NRSV) Most other translations read, “…worshiped him.” That word “homage,” probably captures a little more of the Greek, but it is not a word that we regularly use. Paying homage is more than paying respect. Homage is more than an act of reverence or awe. It involves a surrender of your life to the One you revere.
True worship also carries that element of surrender. Worship is not simply coming together to sing some hymns, pay some respect, and then going on our way. Worship involves a surrender to the One worshiped. Paul put it this way; “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1; NRSV)
Does “homage” and “spiritual worship” describe how we will approach the celebration of Christ’s birth? Some studies have found that Christmas has replaced Easter as the time when more non-regular church participants attend a worship service. But that yearly journey to a Christmas service is not the same as paying real homage to Christ. Nor is it the spiritual worship that Paul says Christ desires.
I read of a preacher who sent his members a record of their worship attendance during the year. He said many were surprised when they saw how many Sunday’s they had actually missed. Many members, who considered themselves regular in worship and committed followers of Christ, had missed more than 30% of the Sunday worship experiences. Some had missed 50% or more of the time. But they thought themselves faithful to Christ and His Church. This took place the week before their Christmas Eve services. During their Christmas Eve services he had a Worship Commitment Card in their bulletins. As an act of worship, he invited the congregation to lay in the manger that Commitment Card. On the card, they were encouraged to make a commitment to the number of Sunday’s they would be in worship in the coming year.
We are not planning on such a Commitment Card for our Christmas Eve services, but that pastor had a good point. Truly paying homage to Christ, involves a year long commitment to worship and serve Christ. Christ wants followers, not simply fans who show up at special times.
I believe it is very appropriate that we are following our Advent-Christmas celebrations with Impact 2011 and the study “Not a Fan.” By now you should have seen information about this opportunity to grow as a committed follower of Jesus Christ. The Message Series and Small Group study kicks-off January 9th, 2011. There will be opportunities to sign up and purchase your study material this Sunday, December 19th.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
December 14, 2010
“More than Homage”
The scripture says the Wise Men, in finding the child Jesus, “knelt down and paid him homage.” (Matthew 2:11; NRSV) Most other translations read, “…worshiped him.” That word “homage,” probably captures a little more of the Greek, but it is not a word that we regularly use. Paying homage is more than paying respect. Homage is more than an act of reverence or awe. It involves a surrender of your life to the One you revere.
True worship also carries that element of surrender. Worship is not simply coming together to sing some hymns, pay some respect, and then going on our way. Worship involves a surrender to the One worshiped. Paul put it this way; “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1; NRSV)
Does “homage” and “spiritual worship” describe how we will approach the celebration of Christ’s birth? Some studies have found that Christmas has replaced Easter as the time when more non-regular church participants attend a worship service. But that yearly journey to a Christmas service is not the same as paying real homage to Christ. Nor is it the spiritual worship that Paul says Christ desires.
I read of a preacher who sent his members a record of their worship attendance during the year. He said many were surprised when they saw how many Sunday’s they had actually missed. Many members, who considered themselves regular in worship and committed followers of Christ, had missed more than 30% of the Sunday worship experiences. Some had missed 50% or more of the time. But they thought themselves faithful to Christ and His Church. This took place the week before their Christmas Eve services. During their Christmas Eve services he had a Worship Commitment Card in their bulletins. As an act of worship, he invited the congregation to lay in the manger that Commitment Card. On the card, they were encouraged to make a commitment to the number of Sunday’s they would be in worship in the coming year.
We are not planning on such a Commitment Card for our Christmas Eve services, but that pastor had a good point. Truly paying homage to Christ, involves a year long commitment to worship and serve Christ. Christ wants followers, not simply fans who show up at special times.
I believe it is very appropriate that we are following our Advent-Christmas celebrations with Impact 2011 and the study “Not a Fan.” By now you should have seen information about this opportunity to grow as a committed follower of Jesus Christ. The Message Series and Small Group study kicks-off January 9th, 2011. There will be opportunities to sign up and purchase your study material this Sunday, December 19th.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Stewardship Is Not About Paying Bills
Each week I receive a few newsletters from other churches. And this time of the year, many are having some kind of stewardship emphasis. Arab First UMC is preparing for their Consecration Sunday on November 21. In this month’s newsletter, their Administrative Council Chairperson wrote: “Congregations that approach financial stewardship from a biblical perspective do not view the money Christians give to their church merely as a way to pay its bills. Rather, such congregations see financial contributions as a way to help people grow spiritually in their relationship with God by supporting their church’s mission and ministry with a percentage of their incomes.”
Later in the article, Wayne Washam wrote; “New Consecration Sunday is based on the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of treating people like members of a social club who should pay dues, we will treat people like followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship.”
Reading the article reminded me of something our former Bishop, Robert Fannin, often said; “Stewardship is a spiritual matter.” Bill Flounders put it this way; “Your checkbook reveals your true priorities.”
Yesterday, in my travels between hospitals, I listened to Dr. David Jeremiah’s first message in his series, “The Coming Economic Armageddon.” He shares some very difficult truths about our nation’s economy. He points out that economic crisis is one of the signs of the end time. After sharing what were some very gloomy facts about our nation’s economy, he concluded, that this is not a time for Christians to despair. This is an opportunity to bear witness to our faith, as we store up treasure where it really counts, the eternal Kingdom of God.
November 14th, will be our Commitment Sunday. You should receive your Commitment Card in the mail this week. As you pray about your commitment, whose economic plan will you follow? Where are you turning for guidelines related to your giving? Are you following rules you made up or biblical guidelines that have stood the test of time?
Don’t forget, Wednesday Fast and Pray at Noon. The chapel is open all the time for prayer, but some have made a commitment to be in the chapel during the noon hour to pray for our church. If you cannot come to the chapel, find some place to pray at noon each Wednesday during November.
Saturday Prayer Vigil, November 13, from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. In addition to the daily Prayer Guide and the weekly Wednesday Fast and Pray, we will have a twelve hour Prayer Vigil on the Saturday before Commitment Sunday. Take 30 minutes to come by the chapel and spend time in prayer for your church. There are places to sign up for a time slot in the Welcome Areas.
New Study begins tonight – God Provides. Judy Shepherd will be the facilitator for this video based look at how God really wants to be your Provider. No registration is required. It starts at 6:30 in room 319.
Operation Christmas Child shoes boxes will be available this Sunday, November 7th. Instructions for filling the box will be available at the pick up places in our Welcome areas. These boxes are sent to church around the world, offering the hope and love of Christ. All boxes must be returned by Sunday, November 21.
Ministry Fair is this Sunday, November 7th. This is an opportunity to learn about the variety of ministries in which your church is involved, and to see where you might use your gifts, talents and time. Then on November 14, you will be ready to make a commitment to some area of ministry in or through your church.
Also, this Sunday, November 7th, is All Saints Sunday. During our 11:00 service we will remember those members of our Church Family who have joined the Communion of the Saints around the eternal banquet table.
Friday, November 12th, our Youth will have a BUNKO Night. The cost is only $5.00 for dessert, drinks and a night of fellowship around the Bunko tables.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
Later in the article, Wayne Washam wrote; “New Consecration Sunday is based on the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of treating people like members of a social club who should pay dues, we will treat people like followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship.”
Reading the article reminded me of something our former Bishop, Robert Fannin, often said; “Stewardship is a spiritual matter.” Bill Flounders put it this way; “Your checkbook reveals your true priorities.”
Yesterday, in my travels between hospitals, I listened to Dr. David Jeremiah’s first message in his series, “The Coming Economic Armageddon.” He shares some very difficult truths about our nation’s economy. He points out that economic crisis is one of the signs of the end time. After sharing what were some very gloomy facts about our nation’s economy, he concluded, that this is not a time for Christians to despair. This is an opportunity to bear witness to our faith, as we store up treasure where it really counts, the eternal Kingdom of God.
November 14th, will be our Commitment Sunday. You should receive your Commitment Card in the mail this week. As you pray about your commitment, whose economic plan will you follow? Where are you turning for guidelines related to your giving? Are you following rules you made up or biblical guidelines that have stood the test of time?
Don’t forget, Wednesday Fast and Pray at Noon. The chapel is open all the time for prayer, but some have made a commitment to be in the chapel during the noon hour to pray for our church. If you cannot come to the chapel, find some place to pray at noon each Wednesday during November.
Saturday Prayer Vigil, November 13, from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. In addition to the daily Prayer Guide and the weekly Wednesday Fast and Pray, we will have a twelve hour Prayer Vigil on the Saturday before Commitment Sunday. Take 30 minutes to come by the chapel and spend time in prayer for your church. There are places to sign up for a time slot in the Welcome Areas.
New Study begins tonight – God Provides. Judy Shepherd will be the facilitator for this video based look at how God really wants to be your Provider. No registration is required. It starts at 6:30 in room 319.
Operation Christmas Child shoes boxes will be available this Sunday, November 7th. Instructions for filling the box will be available at the pick up places in our Welcome areas. These boxes are sent to church around the world, offering the hope and love of Christ. All boxes must be returned by Sunday, November 21.
Ministry Fair is this Sunday, November 7th. This is an opportunity to learn about the variety of ministries in which your church is involved, and to see where you might use your gifts, talents and time. Then on November 14, you will be ready to make a commitment to some area of ministry in or through your church.
Also, this Sunday, November 7th, is All Saints Sunday. During our 11:00 service we will remember those members of our Church Family who have joined the Communion of the Saints around the eternal banquet table.
Friday, November 12th, our Youth will have a BUNKO Night. The cost is only $5.00 for dessert, drinks and a night of fellowship around the Bunko tables.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
The Influence of Children
October 26, 2010
This week we began our Cottage Fellowships. These are opportunities to talk about some next steps in fulfilling the vision God has given us to reach children for the Kingdom. As the Psalmist wrote, “He established a decree in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach to their children; that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and rise up and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments...” (Psalm 78:5-7; NRSV)
This week I’ve been reminded why this is so important. Each Wednesday we have Chapel with the older 2’s through Kindergarten children. This morning I was out gathering some sports balls to use in chapel, when I heard one of the classes on the way to chapel singing, “To Chapel we will go.” Sometimes I wonder how much they get out of chapel.
After chapel this morning, Deanna Lewis reminded me that we are planting seeds of faith into these children’s lives. Deanna leads the music for chapel. She shared that some of the kids from our Child Enrichment Ministry were playing chapel at the ball park. One of the girls said, “I’m Ms Deanna,” as she led the singing. One of the boys, one in the 2-3 year old class, said “I’m Brother Rudy.” We obviously are making an impression in those children’s lives.
Deanna went on to share about another experience. A mother shared that her son regularly acts like a preacher in their home. He gets the family together to teach them what he has learned in chapel and/or during Bible time. Each day every class has a Bible time.
Seeds of faith are certainly being planted in these children’s lives. Not only are they growing in faith, but they are leading their families to faith. Just recently, I had the privilege of baptizing a father along with his son. While the baby is not yet in the Child Enrichment Ministry, the family has another child in the ministry. The children helped bring their parents back to the Church and in the father’s case, to faith in Christ.
As I mentioned, we have begun our Cottage Fellowships. In one of the first meetings this week, I was reminded of the words of Isaiah; “a little child shall lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6b; NRSV) As we were finishing the conversation about the opportunity that is before us, one said he wanted to share a personal word. He said that when he received his packet of information about this year’s Stewardship Campaign, he had decided that he would not give as much to the Capital Fund as he has been giving. He explained that neither his Social Security or his retirement income had increased. Then he went to see one of the staff persons in our Child Enrichment Center. She took him on a tour. He saw first hand children learning about Jesus. After seeing this ministry, he said his mind was changed. He is going to make a sacrificial commitment to provide more space for children ministries.
If we are going to accept the opportunity that is before us, we may need a little more of that childlike faith. Jesus had a word about that as well. We need some more of that trusting faith of a child. In Sunday’s message, I will be dealing with faith, as we look at the definition of faith found in Hebrews 11.
Speaking of children, this Saturday is one of our largest outreach ministries of the year, the Harvest Hoedown. We anticipate several thousands to come on our campus this year. The time is 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. It will be a fund time for children and their families. We can always us some more candy. Invite the children in your neighborhood.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
This week we began our Cottage Fellowships. These are opportunities to talk about some next steps in fulfilling the vision God has given us to reach children for the Kingdom. As the Psalmist wrote, “He established a decree in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach to their children; that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and rise up and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments...” (Psalm 78:5-7; NRSV)
This week I’ve been reminded why this is so important. Each Wednesday we have Chapel with the older 2’s through Kindergarten children. This morning I was out gathering some sports balls to use in chapel, when I heard one of the classes on the way to chapel singing, “To Chapel we will go.” Sometimes I wonder how much they get out of chapel.
After chapel this morning, Deanna Lewis reminded me that we are planting seeds of faith into these children’s lives. Deanna leads the music for chapel. She shared that some of the kids from our Child Enrichment Ministry were playing chapel at the ball park. One of the girls said, “I’m Ms Deanna,” as she led the singing. One of the boys, one in the 2-3 year old class, said “I’m Brother Rudy.” We obviously are making an impression in those children’s lives.
Deanna went on to share about another experience. A mother shared that her son regularly acts like a preacher in their home. He gets the family together to teach them what he has learned in chapel and/or during Bible time. Each day every class has a Bible time.
Seeds of faith are certainly being planted in these children’s lives. Not only are they growing in faith, but they are leading their families to faith. Just recently, I had the privilege of baptizing a father along with his son. While the baby is not yet in the Child Enrichment Ministry, the family has another child in the ministry. The children helped bring their parents back to the Church and in the father’s case, to faith in Christ.
As I mentioned, we have begun our Cottage Fellowships. In one of the first meetings this week, I was reminded of the words of Isaiah; “a little child shall lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6b; NRSV) As we were finishing the conversation about the opportunity that is before us, one said he wanted to share a personal word. He said that when he received his packet of information about this year’s Stewardship Campaign, he had decided that he would not give as much to the Capital Fund as he has been giving. He explained that neither his Social Security or his retirement income had increased. Then he went to see one of the staff persons in our Child Enrichment Center. She took him on a tour. He saw first hand children learning about Jesus. After seeing this ministry, he said his mind was changed. He is going to make a sacrificial commitment to provide more space for children ministries.
If we are going to accept the opportunity that is before us, we may need a little more of that childlike faith. Jesus had a word about that as well. We need some more of that trusting faith of a child. In Sunday’s message, I will be dealing with faith, as we look at the definition of faith found in Hebrews 11.
Speaking of children, this Saturday is one of our largest outreach ministries of the year, the Harvest Hoedown. We anticipate several thousands to come on our campus this year. The time is 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. It will be a fund time for children and their families. We can always us some more candy. Invite the children in your neighborhood.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Reflections from Bro. Rudy –
September 15, 2010
A CALL TO PRAYER
What a powerful three days our Tent Revival was. God used John Ed Mathison to speak some powerful words into our lives. He opened on Sunday and closed Tuesday night with several words that I have been thinking about over the night and this morning.
First, John Ed made the point that as we celebrate the past we must move into the future. He said, “The Church is a movement.” We must not live in the past. I believe it is a God thing that God’s word through John Ed was so close to the theme that has been chosen for our fall Stewardship Campaign: Celebrate the Past – Build the Future. It hit me that the best way we can honor and celebrate the sacrifices of the past is to make our own sacrifices for the building of the future.
The second word that I’ve been reflecting on is Prayer. Sunday morning John Ed asked us what we had been praying for in relation to the Revival. Then on Tuesday evening he pointed out the prayer life of the Acts 2 Church. He asked, “When had our prayers been so vibrant that the building shook?”
His words caused me to examine my own prayer life. What am I praying about? Am I boldly praying believing in a God of might and miracles? Do I place limits on God even before I pray? Am I really praying for God’s leadership in His Church? Am I praying for our nation?
Speaking of Prayer, Derek Belcher shared with me after the service last night (Tuesday) that some were promoting 40 Days of Prayer for the Election. Election Day 2010 is just over 40 days away. I did some searching on the internet and found that the Southern Baptist Convention has developed a 40/40 Prayer Guide for this fall, in preparation for the election. The Prayer Guide is available as a free download. Here is the web address if you would like to download it: www.4040prayer.com. You may have to copy this into your internet search engine to find the download. This Prayer Guide is designed to begin next Monday, September 20th.
Whether or not you use this Prayer Guide, I encourage you to spend time the next six weeks praying for our nation and this election. As you read the suggested themes for the 40/40 Prayer Guide, they certainly speak to where we are: Personal Revival, Church Revival, Revival Among Church Leadership, National Revival, National Renewal, Wisdom for Public Officials, Wisdom to Elect the Best Officials. I believe the Guide has it right; renewal in American must begin with the people of God being revived, which we bring to the Church. A revived Church is the only real hope for America and this world.
There is one other word that John Ed mentioned both Sunday morning and Tuesday evening that I’ve been reflecting on – People Bring People to Jesus. He asked us, who have you brought this year to Christ and His Church. And He challenged us to bring someone over the remainder of this year. Are we going to answer Jesus’ prayer for labors in the Harvest? One of the best ways to do that is to invite.
I’m excited about the message God has given me for Sunday. The staff spent this summer studying the Book of Ephesians. During July, we focused on Ephesians 4, in the message series, Being the Body of Christ. This Sunday I want to return to the book of Ephesians, to the second chapter, to look at the results of grace. Having experienced revival, I believe it is a good time to look at how grace transforms our lives.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
A CALL TO PRAYER
What a powerful three days our Tent Revival was. God used John Ed Mathison to speak some powerful words into our lives. He opened on Sunday and closed Tuesday night with several words that I have been thinking about over the night and this morning.
First, John Ed made the point that as we celebrate the past we must move into the future. He said, “The Church is a movement.” We must not live in the past. I believe it is a God thing that God’s word through John Ed was so close to the theme that has been chosen for our fall Stewardship Campaign: Celebrate the Past – Build the Future. It hit me that the best way we can honor and celebrate the sacrifices of the past is to make our own sacrifices for the building of the future.
The second word that I’ve been reflecting on is Prayer. Sunday morning John Ed asked us what we had been praying for in relation to the Revival. Then on Tuesday evening he pointed out the prayer life of the Acts 2 Church. He asked, “When had our prayers been so vibrant that the building shook?”
His words caused me to examine my own prayer life. What am I praying about? Am I boldly praying believing in a God of might and miracles? Do I place limits on God even before I pray? Am I really praying for God’s leadership in His Church? Am I praying for our nation?
Speaking of Prayer, Derek Belcher shared with me after the service last night (Tuesday) that some were promoting 40 Days of Prayer for the Election. Election Day 2010 is just over 40 days away. I did some searching on the internet and found that the Southern Baptist Convention has developed a 40/40 Prayer Guide for this fall, in preparation for the election. The Prayer Guide is available as a free download. Here is the web address if you would like to download it: www.4040prayer.com. You may have to copy this into your internet search engine to find the download. This Prayer Guide is designed to begin next Monday, September 20th.
Whether or not you use this Prayer Guide, I encourage you to spend time the next six weeks praying for our nation and this election. As you read the suggested themes for the 40/40 Prayer Guide, they certainly speak to where we are: Personal Revival, Church Revival, Revival Among Church Leadership, National Revival, National Renewal, Wisdom for Public Officials, Wisdom to Elect the Best Officials. I believe the Guide has it right; renewal in American must begin with the people of God being revived, which we bring to the Church. A revived Church is the only real hope for America and this world.
There is one other word that John Ed mentioned both Sunday morning and Tuesday evening that I’ve been reflecting on – People Bring People to Jesus. He asked us, who have you brought this year to Christ and His Church. And He challenged us to bring someone over the remainder of this year. Are we going to answer Jesus’ prayer for labors in the Harvest? One of the best ways to do that is to invite.
I’m excited about the message God has given me for Sunday. The staff spent this summer studying the Book of Ephesians. During July, we focused on Ephesians 4, in the message series, Being the Body of Christ. This Sunday I want to return to the book of Ephesians, to the second chapter, to look at the results of grace. Having experienced revival, I believe it is a good time to look at how grace transforms our lives.
As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.
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