Reflections

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –

May 24, 2012

FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION

WOW!!! What a night.  110 Kindergarteners and 4- year-olds graduated from our Child Enrichment Center Tuesday night.  They recited scripture; Psalm 100, John 3:16 and Psalm 23.   They also lead us in praise to God as they concluded their musical time with songs of worship and praise.  What a powerful moment it was when those 110 voices sang, “How Great Thou Art.” 

The Bible tells us that we are to pass on the faith to the next generation.  In Psalm 78 we read:  “He gave laws to the people of Israel and commandments to the descendants of Jacob.  He instructed our ancestors to teach his laws to their children, so that the next generation might learn them and in turn should tell their children.  In this way they also will put their trust in God and not forget what he has done, but always obey his commandments.” (Psalm 78:5-7; Good News)

I thank God for the staff of our Child Enrichment Center who seek to do just that, pass on the faith to the next generation.  And the children are getting it.  My 4-year-old grandson heard the name Mary the other day and responded, “That is Jesus’ mother.”   He went on to tell about Jesus’ birth, then His dying on the cross and rising again and living in our hearts.  I thank God for the teachers and staff who are helping pass on the faith so the children “will put their trust in God…”

I also thank the many persons who helped make Tuesday night a great success.  By the time the families and friends of those 110 children got into the sanctuary, it was packed.  Pews that comfortably seat about 12 adults had 13 to 15 persons on them.  Extra chairs filled every spot in the balcony.  Micah Dorman had a group of youth who helped the parking ushers.  And Marcia Cuellar had her faithful ushers and greeters showing hospitality.  I will not attempt to name all that served with them, but thanks to all who gave of their time last night.  Also thanks to Bob Bradley, Susan Payne and Alan Riethmaier for serving in the sound and media booth.    

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee and the Child Enrichment Center Board knew that finding the person God was calling to lead this vital ministry was critical.  The Interview Team worked through about 20 resumes.  There were some excellent candidates.  After working through the interview process, everyone agreed that the person that could best continue to move this ministry forward, as a ministry, is Kay Moman.  In another week, Kay will move into the role of Director.  Undergird Kay with your prayers as she assumes these new responsibilities and seeks, with the SPRC and CEC Board, the support staff who will be part of the administrative team. 

The Child Enrichment Center is just one part of our ministry to children.  The Children’s Choirs, under the direction of Stacy Curl and Carrie Gilmore, blessed us on Sunday night.  As Stacy said, they were worship leaders Sunday evening. 

  

As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome.  You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org. 

Reflections

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –

May 16, 2012

 

SOWING IN TEARS

 

The title comes from this morning’s “Today God is First” devotional by Os Hillman.  Os reminded his readers that the “most difficult place to keep moving in faith is the place of extreme pain.  Extreme pain, especially emotional pain, can become immobilizing to the human spirit if it is allowed to overcome us.”  (TGIF, 5-16-12)

The Psalmist faced painful moments.  But he also knew a shepherd who walked with him through the valley.  In Psalm 126, he gives us a “remedy for overcoming painful circumstances that will result in joy.  We are to sow in the midst of these times.  You cannot do this if you live by feelings alone.  It is an act of the will.  This act requires that we go outside ourselves in pure faith.”  (TGIF)

 

As I read that devotional I remembered something I learned a long time ago:  Expression and Depression have the same root word, but they are total opposites.  You cannot have expression and depression at the same time.  Depression happens as we turn inward.  Expression cannot happen without turning outside of ourselves.  That is what the Psalmist is saying, “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.”  (Psalm 126:5)  He goes on in the next verse; “He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.”  (Psalm 126:6)

 

Os Hillman concluded his devotion; “Pain can become a source of joy if we take the first step by planting seed.  There is a harvest that will come if we sow in the midst of tears.”  (TGIF)

This Sunday morning we will recognize our High School Seniors during the 11:00 service then with a meal after the service.  I’m going to be preaching a sermon titled, “Here’s the Way – Follow Him.”  You might want to look at John 14:1-7 in preparation for worship. 

On Sunday evening, 6:30 PM, our Children’s Choir will be leading us in worship.  We should fill the sanctuary in support of these young disciples.

Royal Family Kids Camp is just 2 months away.  Pam Ansardi and her team need our prayers as they finish training and especially for the registration of children.  Pray that God will open the doors for the kids who need this camp the most to be able to come. 

Moving day for the Greer’s is just under a month from now.  Be in prayer for Terry, Lisa and Suzanna as they finish packing and saying goodbye to the people of Decatur.  Terry has met with our staff and Staff-Parish Relations Committee. The SPRC is working with Terry as he plans to become the Senior Pastor here at Gardendale-Mt. Vernon.  His first Sunday will be June 17^th.   

As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome.  You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org. 

Reflections

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –

May 9, 2012

A MOTHER’S PRAYER

Susana Wesley was the mother of Charles and John Wesley.  She played a major role in their faith development.  This prayer reveals why she was such an influence on Charles and John becoming the spiritual leaders they became:

God, I give You praise for days well spent.

But I am yet unsatisfied,

Because I do not enjoy enough of you.

I apprehend myself at too great a distance from You.

I would have my soul more closely united to You by faith and love.

You know, Lord, that I would love You above all things.

You made me, You know my desires, my expectations.

My joys all center in You and it is You that I desire.

It is Your favor, Your acceptance, the communication

Of Your grace that I earnestly wish for more than anything in the world.

I rejoice in your essential glory and blessedness.

I rejoice in my relation to You, that You are my Father, my Lord, and my God.

I thank You that You have brought me so far.

I will beware of despairing of Your mercy for the time which is yet to come,

And will give You the Glory for Your free grace. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

(Susanna Wesley)

(Shared by Kenny Baskin – Arab First UMC Newsletter)

This Sunday we will recognize mothers during our worship services.  Those of us who have/had mothers like Susanna Wesley need to take the opportunity to say thank you for their faithfulness. 

As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome.  You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org. 

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –

May 2, 2012

INWARD OR OUTWARD FOCUSED?

I received an email this morning from Bob Brewis.  It contained an article written by Thom S. Rainer.  The title of Thom’s article was “The 10 Warning Signs of an Inwardly Obsessed Church.”  In the article, Thom points out that any “healthy church must have some level of inward focus.  Those in the church should be disciples.  Hurting members need genuine concern and ministry.  Healthy fellowship among the members is a good sign for a congregation.” 

 Then came the “But”;  “But churches can lose their outward focus and become preoccupied with the perceived needs and desires of the members.  The dollars spent and the time expended can quickly become focused on the demands of those inside the congregation.  When that takes place, the church has become inwardly obsessed.  It is no longer a Great Commission congregation.”      

Thom Rainer is a church consultant and, in his working with churches, he developed the following list of potential signs that the church may be moving toward inward obsession.  He suggests that a church that manifests three of more of these warning signs is on the way to become an inwardly obsessed church.  

1.    Worship wars. One or more factions in the church want the music just the way they like it. Any deviation is met with anger and demands for change. The order of service must remain constant. Certain instrumentation is required while others are prohibited.

2.    Prolonged minutia meetings. The church spends an inordinate amount of time in different meetings. Most of the meetings deal with the most inconsequential items, while the Great Commission and Great Commandment are rarely the topics of discussion.

3.    Facility focus. The church facilities develop iconic status. One of the highest priorities in the church is the protection and preservation of rooms, furniture, and other visible parts of the church’s buildings and grounds.

4.    Program driven. Every church has programs even if they don’t admit it. When we start doing a ministry a certain way, it takes on programmatic status. The problem is not with programs. The problem develops when the program becomes an end instead of a means to greater ministry.

5.    Inwardly focused budget. A disproportionate share of the budget is used to meet the needs and comforts of the members instead of reaching beyond the walls of the church.

6.    Inordinate demands for pastoral care. All church members deserve care and concern, especially in times of need and crisis. Problems develop, however, when church members have unreasonable expectations for even minor matters. Some members expect the pastoral staff to visit them regularly merely because they have membership status.

7.    Attitudes of entitlement. This issue could be a catch-all for many of the points named here. The overarching attitude is one of demanding and having a sense of deserving special treatment.

8.    Greater concern about change than the gospel. Almost any noticeable changes in the church evoke the ire of many; but those same passions are not evident about participating in the work of the gospel to change lives.

9.    Anger and hostility. Members are consistently angry. They regularly express hostility toward the church staff and other members.

10. Evangelistic apathy. Very few members share their faith on a regular basis. More are concerned about their own needs rather than the greatest eternal needs of the world and community in which they live.

How many of these signs to do you see in Gardendale-Mt Vernon?  There is certainly not a perfect church, because every local church is composed of imperfect people like you and me.  But, is Gardendale-Mt Vernon manifesting too many of these signs?

I’ve been asked about a place to keep up with actions at General Conference.  This is a very important day there as the restructuring plan is being dealt with.  The petitions related to human sexuality are also expected to come before General Conference today.  A good place to keep up with what is happening there is The Confessing Movement web page.  (www.confessingumc.org)

Tomorrow, May 3^rd, is the National Day of Prayer.  We will hold a Community National Day of Prayer Service tomorrow night at 6:30 pm.  The Rev. Larry Dodd, from The Church Revived, will share a meditation and we will spend most of the service in prayer.  See you tomorrow night.

Don’t forget, the CEC Golf Tournament is this Saturday, May 5^th.  The money raised will go toward the next phase of making the playground handicapped accessible.  You can go to the website www.gmvumc.org for registration and sponsor information.

         

As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome.  You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org. 

Reflections

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –

April 25, 2012

IN WHAT DIRECTION ARE WE FOCUSED?

The General Conference for United Methodist began yesterday (Tuesday, April 24^th) in Tampa.  This morning Bishop Peter Weaver gave the Episcopal address.  Many have been passing on quotes from his address by Facebook and Tweeter.  In the words of Adam Hamilton, pastor at the Church of the Resurrection in Kansas, “Bishop Weaver nailed it!  Stirring Episcopal Address! Resurrection Revolution!”

Dr. Leonard Sweet passed on this statement of Bishop Weaver’s address: “Too many have swapped the ‘Let's Go!’ of the Great Commission for the 'status quo' of no mission.”  That is the reason many churches are not growing.  They have made the church all about themselves. 

Years ago Dr. Herb Miller shared that he was challenged to ask his congregation to raise their hands if they had brought someone to Christ.  Then he backed off, fearing no one would raise their hand.  But that is the critical question – have I introduced anyone to my Savior? Since the early days of the church, people have brought people to Jesus. 

In today’s culture, it often begins with an invitation to worship or some event at the church.  We send a questionnaire to all first time worship guests.  One of the questions asked; “How did you hear about Gardendale-Mt. Vernon UMC?”  Over half of those who return the questionnaire say they were invited to our church.  Sometimes they even write in the name of the person who invited them. 

In Second Corinthians, Paul calls us to be Ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19).  An ambassador is one who is sent out.  We cannot be ambassadors without going.  Yet, as Bishop Weaver said, we are often more interested in the “status quo” than in Christ’s mission of reaching the world.

 Shortly after we began the 9:45 service, one blamed me because his family was no longer sitting together during worship.  Some were going to the 9:45 service instead of sitting on the family pew at 11:00.  Today, the 9:45 service is not only our largest, but more baptisms and professions of faith take place in that service than the other two.  It is accomplishing what Bill Easum said, when he challenged us to begin a contemporary service at that time frame.  For those who don’t know the name Bill Easum, he is a United Methodist Church consultant who worked with our church about a decade ago.     

Bishop Weaver, in his address to General Conference also said; “None of this is for the preservation of the institution! But all of this is for the transformation of the entire world.”  Yet, the preservation of the institution, as we like it, is often our focus.  We tend to forget that this is not our church.  It is Christ’s Church.  And this church of Christ exists to make disciples for the transformation of the world.

I encourage you to continue to pray for General Conference as the business part of the Conference will soon begin.  It is my prayer that the mission of Christ will become the dominating theme of the congregation. 

Thanks to everyone who gave items, purchase items and served during the Mission Yard Sale.  Over $5,000 was raised to help send our Volunteers in Missions Team out.

Don’t forget, the CEC Golf Tournament is Saturday week, May 5^th.  The money raised will go toward the next phase of making the playground handicapped accessible.  You can go to the website www.gmvumc.org for registration and sponsor information.

    

As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome.  You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org. 

Reflections From Brother Rudy

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –
April 18, 2012

MAINTENANCE OR MISSION?

Sometime back, Bishop Willimon shared a piece in his weekly
message entitled “Maintenance or Mission?”
It was an excerpt from an article by Harold Percy that had been shared
with him from the website http://www.crossmarks.com
The article has some important insights during this time of transition:
MAINTENANCE OR MISSION?
1. In
measuring the effectiveness, the maintenance congregation asks,
"How many pastoral visits are being made?” The mission congregation asks,
"How many disciples are being made?"
2. When
contemplating some form of change, the maintenance congregation
says, "If this proves upsetting to any of our members, we won't do
it." The mission congregation says, "If this will help us reach
someone on the outside, we will take the risk and do it."
3. When
thinking about change, the majority of members in a maintenance
congregation ask, "How will this affect me?" The majority of members
in the mission congregation ask, "Will this increase our ability to reach
those outside?"
4. When
thinking of its vision for ministry, the maintenance congregation
says, "We have to be faithful to our past." The mission congregation
says, "We have to be faithful to our future."
5. The
pastor in the maintenance congregation says to the newcomer,
"I'd like to introduce you to some of our members." In the mission
congregation the members say, "We'd like to introduce you to our
pastor."
6. When
confronted with a legitimate pastoral concern, the pastor in the
maintenance congregation asks, "How can I meet this need?" The pastor
in the mission congregation asks, "How can this need be met?"
7. The
maintenance congregation seeks to avoid conflict at any cost (but rarely succeeds).
The mission congregation understands that conflict is the price of
progress, and is willing to pay the price. It understands that it
cannot take everyone with it. This causes some grief, but it does not keep it
from doing what needs to be done.
8. The leadership
style in the maintenance congregation is primarily managerial,
where leaders try to keep everything in order and running smoothly. The
leadership style in a mission congregation is primarily transformational,
casting a vision of what can be, and marching off the map in order to bring the
vision into reality.

9. The
maintenance congregation is concerned with their congregation, its
organizations and structure, its constitutions and committees. The mission
congregation is concerned with the culture, with understanding how secular
people think and what makes them tick. It tries to determine their needs and
their points of accessibility to the Gospel.
10. When
thinking about growth, the maintenance congregation asks, "How
many Lutherans live within a twenty-minute drive of this church?"
The mission congregation asks, "How many unchurched people
live within a twenty-minute drive of this church?"
11. The
maintenance congregation looks at the community and asks, "How can
we get these people to support our congregation?" The mission
congregation asks, "How can the Church support these people?"
12. The
maintenance congregation thinks about how to save their congregation.
The mission congregation thinks about how to reach the world.
The Mission Yard Sale
helps our Volunteers in Missions Teams reach out to the world. The resources raised will help with Team
member’s costs for travel, room and board.
The sale is this Friday and Saturday, April 20-21. They will
receive items for the sale this evening. If you would like to help, they will be
setting up the Fellowship Hall following the evening meal and working all day
Thursday. You can bring your items
tonight or Thursday or call the office if you need someone to pick up items for
the sale.

The CEC Golf Tournament is just two weeks away. The money raised will go toward the next
phase of making the playground handicapped accessible. You can go to the website www.gmvumc.org for registration and sponsor
information.


As always,
your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.

The Palm Sunday Parade

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –

THE PALM SUNDAY PARADE

This morning in chapel with the children of CEC, we talked about parades. The Palm Sunday parade was not much of a parade compared to the Gardendale Christmas parade or Macy’s
Thanksgiving Day parade. There were not bands or floats, but there was a welcoming crowd, as Jesus entered Jerusalem.

On my first trip to Jerusalem, a parade of “scouts” suddenly drew the attention of everyone in the Old City of Jerusalem. For about ten minutes, young persons in uniforms marched through those old streets to the beat of drums. Those streets are so narrow we had to step into some of the shops to get out of their way.

I imagine the Palm Sunday parade created a similar disruption in Jerusalem. As Jesus
entered the gates of Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, a crowd welcomed Him with singing and the waving of palm branches. Those who were in the city that day were suddenly aware of this little
parade. At least for a few moments, this little parade had gotten their attention and changed what they were doing. Some may have joined in the welcome of Jesus. Others were probably upset that their shopping had been disrupted. And we know the religious leaders were angered by the reception Jesus had received.

Jesus still comes to interrupt our daily lives. He wants to be allowed into our daily activities. Jesus never meant discipleship to become simply a Sunday experience. In talking about discipleship, He said it involved a daily response: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23; NRSV)

Jesus is looking for more from us than fans who sing “Hosanna” on Sunday. Jesus is looking
for committed followers, who seek to put Him first each day. As we approach this Palm Sunday are you a fan or follower of Jesus?

Don’t forget the Easter Egg Hunts that are coming up Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday,
March 31, Clyde and Brenda Cork will be leading the Easter Egg Hunt for the children
of our United Methodist Children’s Homes. Be in prayer for these children and those who
will be giving leadership. This will be held at Camp Sumatanga.

Then on Sunday, April 1, we have the Community Easter Egg Hunt at Blackcreek Park.
It kicks off at 4:00 PM. Invite the children in your neighborhood to the Egg Hunt. If it rains, the Hunt will be moved to the Church.

Also on Saturday, March 31 our Family and Leisure Team is having a Bunko Party. It begins at 7:00 PM. The cost is $5.00, with the money going to the Handicapped Playground. Walk-ins are welcomed.

As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.

Connection Between Relationship with God and Others

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –

CONNECTION BETWEEN RELATIONSHIP
WITH GOD AND OTHERS

Our staff has been studying the letter of First John. One thing is very apparent in the
letter: “Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:8; NRSV) In many different ways, John teaches us that love for God and love for others are connected.

This morning’s “Daily Hope” (March 21, 2012) devotion by Rick Warren, came at this same truth from a different way. His scripture was Isaiah 26:3; “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (Isaiah 26:3; NLT) He opened his devotional with this statement; “I have made an amazing discovery: The more time I spend alone with God, the better I get along with other people. I can count on it!”

Dr. Warren went on to make this application of the scripture from Isaiah: “When you spend time with the Lord, you turn your thoughts to him. Then, you get along better with others, because he keeps perfect peace in your heart, andyou’re not as irritable.”

I have witnessed this recently in my own home. Gina and I will be tense and frustrated and let those feeling come out in the way we talk to one another. Then, we go back and read our
devotional and pray and our attitude changes.

Dr. Warren went on to say; “The more you spend time with God, the more you will enjoy the rest of your time. It will be more productive and more beneficial. You’ll get along better with
others and have fewer arguments because you’re drawing closer to God.”

This raises a question; What am I doing to draw closer to God on a daily bases? Sometimes we think we are too busy to prayer and read the Bible. Those who seemed to have drawn closer to God, like John Wesley and Martin Luther, would say, “We are too busy not to pray.” Bill Hybels has written a very helpful book on prayer by that title: TooBusy Not To Pray. I commend it to
you.

Speaking of prayer, we have a new Sunday School class that is beginning this week using the Prayer Guide for General Conference. General Conference, the major policy making body for United Methodist around the world will begin in about a month (April 24 – May 4). Upper Room Ministries has developed this prayer guide. Here is the link to download
a copy of this prayer guide: http://50daysofprayer.upperroom.org/

Don’t forget the Easter Egg Hunts that are coming up March 31 and April 1. Clyde and Brenda Cork are leading the Easter Egg Hunt for the children of our United Methodist Children’s Homes. You can help support this mission by marking your check for, Children’s Home Egg Hunt.



Then on April 1, we will have our Community Easter Egg Hunt at Blackcreek Park. It will begin at 4:00 PM. Amy Sizemore, our Children’s Director, share that a person donated 1000. The
Children’s Team will fill these plus one’s they already had with candy and other prizes. There are bins around thechurch where you can place candy for this Easter Egg Hunt.

This Saturday, March 24th, there are two outreach opportunities: A Team will be painting at the Women’s Center, beginning at 8:00 AM. You can contact Danny Dunson if you would like to volunteer to help. ddunson@pinnacleptg.com

Also this Saturday, The Hispanic Team will pass out flyers in 100 Oaks Trailer Park. The flyers will announce the Easter Egg Hunt on April 1 and a new Hispanic Bible Study that will begin on April 4. If you would like to help with this outreach, meet here at the church at 8:30 AM.

As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –

JOIN IN THE GREATER WORK OF PRAYER

Oswald Chambers said, “Prayer does not equip us for greater works; Prayer is the greater work.” Our Prayer Team kind of took that as their motto several years ago. It is a reminder of the importance of prayer. But I wonder, does our practice of prayer say we believe it is the greater work?

Our Ministry Team on Prayer has decided they needed to do more praying than meeting. So each month, on the Third Thursday, they join together in the Chapel for prayer. Anyone is invited to join them at 5:45 for this time of prayer. The purpose is to make this more of a House of Prayer, seeking God’s direction and power for His Church here at Gardendale-Mt. Vernon.

This Friday marks the beginning of another Prayer Opportunity. Upper Room Ministries has developed a Prayer Guide for General Conference. General Conference is the major decision,
policy body of the United Methodist Church worldwide. It meets every four years. It will meet April 24 through May 4 in Tampa.

In preparation for General Conference, Upper Room Ministries has developed a 50 Days of Prayer Guide for us to use before and during General Conference. The Guide begins this Friday, March 16 and continues through May 4, the last day of General Conference. You can down load the prayer guide at http://50daysofprayer.upperroom.org/

The 988 Delegates from United Methodist Conferences around the world will gather to act on issues that will determine the direction of the United Methodist Church for the next four years and even beyond. There are those who believe some of the decisions that will come before
this General Conference have the possibly of dividing our connection.

The Prayer Guide could be used in your personal prayer times and also with a group. This could be a good time to form a small prayer group who would get together each week and use this Prayer Guide to lead your prayer time. If you would like help in forming such a group, Marcia and I would be happy to help you.

Don’t forget the Easter Egg Hunts that are coming up March 31 and April 1. Clyde and Brenda Cork are leading the Easter Egg Hunt for the children of our United Methodist Children’s Homes. The children will gather from across the state at Camp Sumatanga. You can help support this mission by marking your check for, Children’s Home Egg Hunt.

Then on April 1, we will have our Community Easter Egg Hunt at Blackcreek Park. It will begin at 4:00 PM. The Children’s Team needs candy to fill over 1000 Easter Eggs for the Hunt. There are
bins around the church were you can place your candy. The sooner the better, so they can start
filling eggs.

This Saturday, March 24, the Hispanic Team will been passing out flyers in 100 Oaks Trailer Park about the Community Easter Egg Hunt and a new Hispanic Bible Study that will begin Wednesday, April 4th. If you would like to help with this outreach,be here at 8:30 AM.

As always, your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.

Time With Jesus

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –

TIME WITH JESUS

Are you using the Lenten Devotional Guide that was developed
by our Prayer Team? I have been blessed
each morning as I have read the devotional thought that was shared by one of
our Church Family. This morning I was
reminded by a devotional written by Danny Dunson to “Make Christ the
masterpiece around which everything else in your life is ordered.”

One way we keep Christ at the center of our lives is to pray. We live such busy lives and prayer can easily
be pushed out of our lives if we are not very intentional. I remember how Christ-followers like Martin
Luther and John Wesley guarded their morning prayer time and when they were
expecting an extra busy day, they would spend extra time in prayer preparing
for the day.

Another way we keep Christ at the center of our lives is the
daily reading of scripture. In yesterday’s
devotional, Jackie Phelps reminded us of the importance of reading the
instructions. It is difficult to walk in
God’s Way, if we are not growing in both the grace and knowledge of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18)

If you have not picked up a Lenten Devotional Guide, they
are available in the welcome areas around the church. Thanks to the Prayer Team for developing them
and for each who wrote a devotional.

In just over a month we will have our outreach ministries to
Children, two Easter Egg Hunts. For the
Easter Egg Hunt at Blackcreek Park, they need us to bring candy to fill the
eggs. For the Easter Egg Hunt at Camp
Sumatanga for the United Methodist Children’s Home they need our money to
purchase prizes. You can mark you check
for “Children’s Home Egg Hunt.”

Our Missions Faith Promise commitments continue to
increase. 92 have committed $63,348. We need $100,000 to sustain our present
commitments. Have you made your
commitment?

As always,
your responses to these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –
February 1, 2012

IT IS HERE…

I’m not talking about National Signing Day. That’s where many sports fans are focused
today, on National Signing Day. And for
those who do not follow sports, this is the first day that High School Seniors
can sign to play football at the college level.
When I opened Tweeter this morning, the tweets were already being posted
related to National Signing Day.

What’s here for us is Prayer Walk for Missions. Many of us have been using the daily prayer
emails to pray for those mission agencies that will be joining us for IMPACT
2012. Tonight, between 5:00 and
9:00 PM you are encouraged to join in a Prayer Walk in which we lift up our
mission partners, pray for IMPACT 2012, pray for God’s vision to be caught and
our faithful response to God’s vision.

This Friday, IMPACT 2012 begins. It is about joining the move of the Holy
Spirit in being witnesses in our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of
the earth. There will be times to
celebrate how God has used us in His mission this past year and times to hear
where God may be calling us this year.

Make plans to join in the excitement. You don’t have to have reservations to come
to any of the events, however, it would help us prepare if you signed up for
those times that have meals.

One list time let me remind you of the opportunities this
weekend. To register for any of the
meals, email Rachel Hodges at rhodges@gmvumc.org

Friday, February 3rd
12:00 Noon Senior
Luncheon
6:00 PM Celebration
Dinner - Gym
6:45 PM Opening
Ceremony – Sanctuary

Saturday, February 4th
8:30 AM Missionary
Breakfasts at Host Homes

If you would like to join a
host home, contact the host for information.

David & Tara Salters –
hosting the Osteen’s with Life for Children - Kenya
Brian & Jennifer Ledlow –
hosting Kipuke’s – Togo
Cory & Heather Lebischak –
hosting Susan Canafaz – UMC Global ministries
Rick & Dee Dee Coley –
hosting Monica Lopez – To Every Tribe
Jackie & Kathy Phelps –
hosting Mark & Robin Howard – Spain
Wayne & Paula Burrow –
hosting Wesley Denham – India
Waller & Jeffreys –
hosting Lennie Allen (Bridges of Peace) and the Guzman’s Mexico
12:00 Noon Communion
Service – Sanctuary
12:30 PM Family
Luncheon – meet the missionaries
1:15 PM Kids:
World Games
7:00
PM Mike’s Chair in Concert
– Sanctuary – tickets required. For
tickets go to http://www.tickets.com/ or follow
link for our web page; http://www.gmvumc.com/

Sunday, February 5th
8:30 & 9:45 AM Missionaries in Sunday School
Classes
8:30, 9:45 & 11:00 AM Michael
Mozley from the Mission Society preaching.

I encourage you to be in
prayer about your commitment to missions.
Our Missions Faith Promise Budget provides our support to our
mission partners. To sustain our present
commitments requires $100,000. Our
Mission Team feels lead to add some new partners. So the overall goal is $120,000. Remember, this is a second mile commitment,
beyond your tithes and offerings to the Ministry Budget. We find the Apostle Paul encouraging the
Church at Corinthians to receive such an offering 1 Corinthians 16.

Of course, our resources are
just part of the commitment God’s mission requires of us. Like the Macedonians in 2 Corinthians 8, God
calls us to first give ourselves fully to God.
In doing so, God has some part for all of us to play in His mission of
reaching the world. What part are you
playing?

There has been so much
response to the Tornados that they do not need teams this week. They need roads free so those removing brush
piles can do their work. They will need
teams again on Saturday, February 11.
Jim Jefferys will be leading our team.
You can contact Jim or Betty Langston blangston@gmvumc.org for more
information or to let them know you would like to be part of the team.


As always, your
responses to these Reflections are welcome.
You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.

Rules for Life

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –

Rules for Life

Kenny Baskins is the pastor at Arab First United Methodist
Church. In his January Newsletter he
shared an article that had been written by Lowell Grisham about a Rule for
Life. Grisham wrote:

One of the church’s ancient traditions
is a Rule for Life. A Rule for Life is
the spiritual counterpoint to a physical exercise plan created by a personal
fitness trainer. Many people will go to
a Spiritual Director for some help in devising a Rule of Life. Most just make some resolutions and promises
to themselves and start trying to live into their better intentions.

At our church we invite everyone to
live in a five-part corporate Rule of Life: Worship Weekly, Pray Daily, Learn
Constantly, Serve Joyfully, and Live Generously.

Their five-part Rule of Life sounds a lot like the vows we
made when we joined the church. We made
a promise to be loyal to the church and uphold it with our prayers, presences,
gifts, service and witness.

Kenny Baskin’s offered this five-part corporate Rule of Life
worthy resolution to help believers live a more balanced and meaningful
life. He then offered a short reflection
on each of the five parts:

Worship Weekly. Making
regular time to feed your soul, for it is critical to our emotional
balance.

Pray Daily. Some form of
daily recollection is incredibly valuable.
It is good to begin the day with some intention that reminds you of your
deepest values, your identity and calling.
It is helpful to reflect on the past day and to honor it with
thanksgiving and with intentions to make amends tomorrow wherever you can. In a real sense, to pray is to remember.

Learn Constantly. Education
is life long. It’s great to have a book
in progress and a subscription to some interesting magazine. (And I would add, to have a Bible Study
plan.)

Serve Joyfully. We all need
to have an outlet for offering ourselves to something beyond jour
self-interest. Researchers have found a
remarkable correlation between happiness and lives of service. It is deeply satisfying to find some need
that moves your heart, and then to discover a way to do something to contribute
to that need.

Live Generously. The old
words, “the best way to gain your life is to lost it,” is still true
today. Generosity is the antidote to the
soul-shrinking temptation of self-centeredness and greed.

Those five practices will provide us a good base for growing
“in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter
3:18; NRSV)

Tonight begins our winter session of Wednesday Grow. There are many opportunities to help us “Learn Constantly.” If you have not signed up for a Grow Class, come and find a place.
Children’s Choir and Youth Worship also begin anew tonight.

First Connection
Training is this Sunday. All Church
Leaders are encouraged to come and learn how this Body of Christ seeks to
connect persons to Jesus Christ and His Body and grow disciples to serve like
Jesus. Don’t forget to make your meal
and child-care reservations. You can
email Rachel Hodges to make your reservations:
rhodges@gmvumc.org

I have begun a four week look at The Lord’s Prayer on Sunday
night. Come and join us for worship at
6:30.

As always, your responses to these
Reflections are welcome. You can
email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.

A Creed for the New Year

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –
January 4, 2012
A Creed for the New Year
Jackie Samples
introduced me to a devotional blog entitled “A Holy Experience.” It is
written by Ann Voskamp.
You can check
it out at http://www.aholyexperience.com/
The blog she
wrote on January 3rd was entitled, A Creed for the New Year.
She and her family have committed themselves to recite what she calls the Jesus
Creed every morning and evening. As I read her blog I was reminded
that Jesus was a Jew, who would have recited daily the Jewish Shema, “Hear, O
Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.” It is taken from the
instructions of Moses in Deuteronomy 6:4. That verse was repeated
throughout the Jewish prayer time. It is followed by the next verse, “You
shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and
with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)
In the
devotional Ann Voskamp offered a modification of the Shema for
Christ-Followers:
“The Lord our God, the Lord is One.
Love the Lord your God with all your Heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
The second is this:
Love your neighbor as yourself
There is no commandment greater than these.”
{Mk. 12:29-31}
Ann made this
application,
“What I’ve been reading aloud to the kids
, this Jesus Creed challenge we’ve taken up — to recite Jesus’ creed when we wake and when we
sleep every day for a month — for year — isn’t this Jesus’ Creed, isn’t it the
essence of koinonia:
Communion with God. Community with God’s people.”
What else is
there?
Relationship
is the essence of all reality. What else is
eternal but love — to God and His people, relationship with God and God’s
people? What can be shaken when we’re holding onto this?
That is a New
Year’s Resolution that is worth making. I’ve accepted the challenge of
this daily reminder of what Jesus called the greatest commandments. Paul
taught us to think on “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is
just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable…”
(Philippians 4:8; NRSV) I cannot think of anything more true, just and
pleasing to God than what Jesus called the greatest commandments.
Next Wednesday, January 11th, there will be many new opportunities to grow deeper in God’s
Word. Here is a list of Wednesday Grow options. For more
information or to sign up for a class, contact Marcia Cuellar, mcuellar@gmvumc.org
**NEW** The Case for Christ
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in Room 308
This course
led by Rev. Bill Wolfe will dig deeply into the evidence of Christ’s
divinity.
Course Length: 6 weeks beginning January 11 and concluding
February 15.
Book Required: The Case for Christ Participant’s Guide by Lee Strobel,
available in the Discipleship Office for $9.00.
**NEW** Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in the Chapel
This course
led by Rick White will dive into the well know work of Author C.S. Lewis as he
wrote of his understanding and case for the Christian faith.
Course Length: Undetermined - begins January 11
Book Required: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis available in the
Discipleship Office for $8.00.
Kindle edition
available
**NEW** Seeing Gray in a Black and White World
by Adam
Hamilton
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in Room 306
This course
led by Chester Jolly will probe into those areas which so often divide
us and explore the means by which we find common ground despite our sometimes
passionate
differences.
Course Length: 5 weeks beginning January 11th and concluding February 8th.
Book Required: Seeing Gray in a Black and White World Participant’s
Guide, available through the Discipleship Office for $10.00.
**NEW** God Never Blinks
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in Room 209
This course
led by Jimann Edmonds will examine the essays written by Regina Brett in her
book “God Never Blinks” these deeply personal stories of trial and triumph
uplift the soul and bring encouragement for all who have ever struggled in any
journey of life. Single parents may especially find this course to
be a wonderful resource.
Course Length: Undetermined –Begins January 11th.
Book Required: God Never Blinks by Regina Brett, available in the Discipleship
Office for $13.00.
Kindle edition available
**NEW** Good Sense (Biblical Financial Principles
for Transforming Your Finances and Life)
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in the Library
This course
led by CeCe McNeil uses the budget materials
written by
Dick Towner and John Tofilon to guide participants through sound, Biblical,
financial planning. This is a great course for those of any economic
background and can greatly benefit even the most skilled financial planner
through Biblical insight and resources.
Course Length: 6 weeks beginning January 11th and concluding February 15th.
Book Required: Good Sense Budget Course Participant Book available
through the Discipleship Office for $10 each.
(It is highly
recommended that this book is pre-purchased and preliminary homework completed
prior to the first session)
**NEW** The Story
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in Room 320
This course
led by Marcia Cuellar will guide participants on a journey through the
beautiful story of God’s Word. See the heart of Christ from beginning to
end through this journey through scripture. And, see where your own story
fits into God’s grand design.
Course Length: 31 Weeks – Beginning January 11th and concluding August 29th.
Book Required: The Story and The Story Participants Guide both are
available in the Discipleship office for a combined cost of $14.Several
Kindle resources are available
**NEW** James - Mercy Triumphs (Beth Moore
Study)
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in Room 305
This course
led by Cathy Harris will journey through Beth Moore’s latest study on the book
of James. Beth Moore’s exciting and relevant approach to scripture
encourages participants to examine their lives in light of God’s word.
Course Length: 8 weeks beginning January 11th and concluding February 29
Book Required: James Mercy
Triumphs Participant book available through the Discipleship Office for $18
each.
*Bible Study: Revelation
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in Room 310
This course is
an in-depth Bible Study verse by verse on the book of Revelation. Rev.
Ben Hogan takes his students through the scripture exploring the symbolism and
hope found in this book of the divine revelation. This is a course
continuation from the last year but all are welcome to come in and pick up
where the class is currently studying.
Course Length: Undetermined
Book Required: Personal Bible
*Bible Study
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in Room 318
This course
will explore a designated book of the Bible in-depth through expository
teaching lead by Rev. Jeri Hunt. Practical theological application is
explored and God’s Word is the primary text.
Course Length: Undetermined
Book Required: Personal Bible
*Threads and Prayers
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in the Parlor
This is a GROW
service oriented group that uses their knitting talents to create items to
donate to a variety of needs in the community.
Course Length: N/A
Book Required: None
*Conversational Spanish for Ministry
Wednesdays at
6:30pm in Room 317
This course
led by Dean Borden works through the Spanish language by use of CD
memorization, conversation, hymns, and more. Advanced and beginning
coursework are studied simultaneously. This is a great course for those
who are considering missions to Spanish speaking countries or local ministry to
Hispanic populations.
Course Length: Ongoing
Book Required: None
**NEW** Disciple IV (Under the Tree of Life)
Sundays at
5:00pm Room 319
This course
led by Marcia Cuellar goes further into the Disciple Bible Study series with an
in-depth look at the writings of John and Revelation. Disciple I is a
prerequisite to this course as it gives the foundation for further Disciple
Bible Study exploration. Discussion, videos, geographic, and historic
materials are examined in depth. This course requires a commitment of 32
weeks of both home study and 2 hour class attendance. It is well worth it
for the knowledge and understanding of God’s Word you will receive. Space
is limited in this Disciple Bible Study course so those who have completed
Disciple I should reserve their place by contacting the Discipleship Office.
Course Length:
32 weeks – Beginning January 15th and concluding September 16th
Book Required: Disciple IV
Student Manual and Personal Study Bible. Disciple IV manuals will be
available in the Discipleship Office for $38.00.
As always, your responses to
these Reflections are welcome. You can email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.

Whose Birthday Is It Really?

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –

Whose Birthday Is It Really?

I was sent a devotional with the title, “Whose Birthday Is
It Really?” The author of the devotional
was Ann Voskamp who writes a devotional entitled “A Holy Experience.” In this particular devotional, Ann shared a life
changing moment in her family that happened when her preschooler asked, “What
does Jesus get for His birthday?” How
would you answer that question?

Many of us are busy getting ready for Christmas. A question we are often asked this time of
the year is, “Have you completed your shopping?” In answering that question, we generally
think in terms of all the gifts we will give this Christmas. But do we ever really consider the question, “What does Jesus get for His birthday?”

Ann did not have an answer for her son. So he pressed on; “But Mom…. if we get wrapped presents for our birthdays,
real sacrifices from people who love us — they gave up other things to
give something to us — then why don’t we do that for Jesus’ birthday?”

The son’s question
has led that family to radically change their approach to Christmas. They do not have presents under their
Christmas tree. In fact, they don’t
exchanged Christmas gifts in their family.
Instead, they give to Jesus by giving to the “least of these.”

During the last two
weeks of Advent they select projects to which they will give. At the breakfast table they have what she
called “His (Jesus) gift catalogues.”
Those include Compassion Catalog, Samaritan’s Purse Catalog, and World
Vision Catalog. Each day they pick a
project to which they will give. These
are their Christmas Gifts to Jesus.

As I read the
devotional, I thought about the Living Christmas Market we had in one of my
former churches. Each year, we would set
up a Christmas Market with Heifer Project International. Gina and I began to give a flock of chickens
each year in honor of her Grandparents.
At the market, we would get a Christmas card to send to her grandparents
to let them know that a flock of chickens had been given in their honor.

After her
grandparents died and we moved from that church, we stopped giving in that
manner. This devotional challenged me to
look again at our Christmas giving.
After all, “Whose Birthday is it really?”

This year we have
the unique opportunity of having Christmas fall on Sunday. I know many of us have family traditions related
to Christmas. But I cannot think of a
better why for families to celebrate the birthday of Jesus than to gather for
worship. After all, “Whose Birthday is
it really?”

Plans are being
finalized for a wonderful celebration of Christ birth. Our Christmas service will be at 10:00
AM. Steve West, who in now pastor of St.
Mark’s UMC in Birmingham, wrote some liturgy for the blessings of the
toys. We are going to use his idea
during the service. Children are invited
to bring one of their Christmas gifts, a non-scary, non-noise making toy with
them for the blessing of the toys.

This Sunday evening
we will go Caroling. This is an opportunity
to share some Christmas Joy with some of our Church family who are either
homebound or living alone. There will be
three caroling routes. Come and join in
this evening of ministry. It begins at
5:00 PM. When we return from caroling,
there will be some refreshments in the Fellowship Hall.

As always, your responses to these
Reflections are welcome. You can
email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.

Living Close to God

Reflections from Bro. Rudy –
November 30, 2011

Living Close to God

I saw a quote this morning that has been around a long
time. It was posted by Pray in
Faith. “If you are not as close to God
as you used to be, who moved?”

Christmas is about God’s move toward us. Being created in the image of God there is a
need within us to be in relationship with God.
One of my seminary professors said we were created to be balanced by
God. But sin separates us from God. Sin puts our lives out of balance. God, in Jesus, came to reconcile us back unto
Himself. At Christmas God’s reaching
love took human flesh as God moved toward us, so we could reconnect with God.

The problem is, rather than living in this restored
relationship with God, we often focus on our own selfish desires instead of
living by the Spirit. Paul wrote, “Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not
gratify the desires of the flesh.”
(Galatians 5:16; NRSV) When we
are not intentional about living by the Spirit, we move away from God.

This Christmas season has many opportunities. Sometimes even the good things make our lives
so busy that we lose focus on the main thing.
We get so wrapped up in the many activities of the season that we fail
to spend time with the One who is the reason for the season. It is not that God has moved. Rather, we have drifted.

Christmas is about God moving toward us – Emmanuel, God with
us, has come. It is my prayer that we
don’t miss this great God in the busyness of the season.

This Sunday night, our Children’s
Choir will help us remember this great God who moves toward us. They will share their Christmas musicals at 6:30 in the Sanctuary. You will be blessed by their faith and
excitement about Jesus.

During our Sunday night service this week, we will receive
our White Christmas Offering for the
Children’s Home. This offering helps
support this special ministry to children.
If you cannot be present, you can still make your special gift by
marking your check for “White Christmas” or “Children’s Home.”

Commitments to the 2012 budget continue to come in. If you have not made your commitment,
Commitment Cards are available in the welcome areas.

As always, your responses to these
Reflections are welcome. You can
email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.

Giving Thanks

Sunday that old song “Count Your Blessings, Name them One by
One,” came to me. As I begin to count my
blessings, it has a way of lifting my spirit.
God really is a good God.

Years ago I heard someone say that depression and expression
are the same root words, but they are totally opposites. You cannot have depression and expression at
the same time. I believe that is one of
the reasons the scriptures continually remind us to express praise and
thanksgiving. Giving thanks refocuses
our attention on the blessing that God is giving us. When we do we discover the song was right,
“it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”

I’m rejoicing at the privilege God has given me to be an
ambassador for Jesus. Just this week,
I’ve had the privilege of talking with a boy and his family as he was exploring
faith. After sharing the basics of the
Gospel, I asked him if he was ready to invite Jesus into his heart. He said he was. So I lead him in a prayer. I can still see the tears of joy in his
father’s eyes as we finished that prayer.
There is no experience like having a part in a person coming to faith in
Jesus Christ.

That same day I was meeting with a couple who are planning
on getting married. In the conversation
we talked about faith and he shared that he had not confessed his sin to
God. I had the privilege of leading him
in a prayer of confession and forgiveness.

As I left the office that night, I remembered that the
scriptures say there is rejoicing in heaven when a lost sheep is found. That made Thanksgiving for me.

We have discovered that many did not receive your letter
with a Commitment Card for
2012. They went out a couple of weeks
ago, but apparently some sections of our parish area never received their
cards. If you have not made your
commitment to the 2012 ministries of the church, a card is attached.

Have you finished your Christmas Shopping? This Sunday you will have a unique
opportunity to do some Christmas Shopping as our United Methodist Women and
Emerge Young Adult Ministries host a Holiday Bazaar. Sojourns, a local Fair Trade retailer, will
be here with a variety of Fair Trade items.
By purchasing gifts through this means, you not only can get your gifts
at a good price, but you are providing fair wages and labor. Items on sale will range from Coffee and
Chocolate, to soaps, accessories and jewelry, along with some great children’s
gifts from all across the globe. The
Bazaar will be in the Fellowship Hall.

This Sunday night, our Hanging of the Green service will
take place in the sanctuary at 6:30 PM.
It is a learning time, a refocusing time and a worshipful time. It is a great way to set our sights on the
reason for the season.


As always, your responses to these
Reflections are welcome. You can
email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.

I Bring an Offering to You

Paul Baloche has a great worship song entitled, Offering. It reminds us that worship itself is an
offering to God. The chorus
declares: “I bring an offering of
worship to my King. No one on earth
deserves the praises that I sing. Jesus
may You receive the honor that You’re due.
O Lord I bring an offering to You.”

Psalm 100 is sometimes called “The Call to Worship for the
Great Day of Thanksgiving.” Long before
we Americans established Thanksgiving Day, the Hebrew people had their Great
Day of Thanksgiving. On the day they
came together to bring an offering of worship.
The Psalm encouraged worshippers to “Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise. Give thanks
to him, bless his name.” (Psalm 100:4;
NRSV)

Singing and prayer are two ways we offer praise and
thanksgiving. But the Psalmist also
referred to another form of thanksgiving that took place in worship – the
offering. “Give an offering to show thanks
to God. Give God Most High what you have
promised.” (Psalm 50:14; NCV) This is
one reason I believe the offering time is a vital part of worship. It is not simply about collecting money for
the church. It is an act of worship in
which we declare our thanks and praise to God.
Notice also, that the offering is something “you have promised.”

This Sunday, you and I have the opportunity to make a
promise to God concerning our offerings for 2012. In making that promise, we are saying that we
trust God to supply our needs. And we
are giving Him thanks believing that God will be faithful so we can bring an
offering to God. It’s like Paul wrote to
the Corinthians; “And God is able to provide you with every blessing in
abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share
abundantly in every good work.” (2
Corinthians 9:8; NRSV)

Be in prayer about your Offerings for 2012. And bring your Commitment Card with you on
Sunday to make that promise of thanksgiving to God. If you cannot be present, you can mail you
card to the Church.

This Sunday night, we are hosting a Community Thanksgiving Service, at 6:30 PM. Mayor Othell Phillips will bring the message
and the Gardendale High School Chamber Choir will share some special
music. Invite your neighbors to join you
in this special evening of worship.

If you picked up a Box for Operation Christmas Child,
don’t forget to bring it Sunday. That is
another offering we bring to God. We
will pray over the boxes during worship and then on Sunday afternoon they will
begin their journey to the children.

Be in prayer for our wonderful custodians. This time of the year is very busy for
them. Yesterday, our Child Enrichment
Center had its Thanksgiving Celebration.
They had over 420 children, parents and grand-parents at the feast.

Now preparations are being made for tonight’s Night
in Bethlehem. The gym is being
transformed from a Thanksgiving Feast to the little town of Bethlehem. This will be a fun night for all ages. We are expecting guests from all over the area;
one church is bringing a group of their members to experience the night.

Then on Thursday night, we host a Boy Scout Banquet in the
gym. At the same time, our Junior Girl
Scouts have a special program going on in another part of the building.

With all the traffic, not to mention the set up and take
down, our custodians are busy. When you
see Lee, Joseph, Beverly and Betty, let them know how much you appreciate them.

Speaking of appreciation, the first phrase of the Playground
renovation has almost been completed.
There were numbers of volunteers who worked last Wednesday night and
Saturday pouring the new sidewalks that will also be a bike track. The main purpose was to provide wheelchair
access to the playground and also a better way to take wheelchair persons out
of the building in case of an emergency.
Thanks to all who gave time to this project.

This Sunday is the youth/UMW bake sale in the fellowship
hall. You can shop in between any of the
services. All money raised from this bake sale will go to buy gifts for the
CASA kids. Come with your sweet tooth
and a little money to go to a good cause!

As always, your responses to these
Reflections are welcome. You can
email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.

Giving Thanks for Freedom - It came with a cost.

Last Sunday we remembered the saints from our church that
have entered the Communion of Saints around the throne. I was part of the Home going Celebration for
several of them. Some of them were
veterans. They were honored with an
American Flag over their casket, which was presented to the family at the
graveside. It is always a moving moment
for me when the family is presented the flags with the words, “On behalf of a
grateful country…” We should be
grateful.

This Friday, November 11th, our nation celebrates
Veterans Day. This is an opportunity to
express our gratitude to those who have served in our nation’s Armed
Forces. During each of our worship
services this Sunday we will recognize our veterans. Because of the sacrifices they made, we have
the freedoms we enjoy in this country.

It is also true that our freedom from sin and death came at
a cost. As Paul wrote to Timothy,
“[Jesus] gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.” (1 Timothy 2:6a; NLT) Our freedom was purchased at great cost. That is the reason the German Theologian
Dietrich Bonhoeffer referred to grace as “costly grace.” This unconditional acceptance, that we call
grace, cost Jesus His life on the cross.

How do you say thanks for such a costly gift? Over and over in the scriptures we see that
God’s unconditional acceptance brought forth a response of repentance,
re-commitment and worship. Jacob
responded by committing a tithe of all that God would bless Him with. Isaiah responded with confession, and then a
commitment to serve, “Here I am, send me.”

The Sunday before Thanksgiving, November 20th, will
be Commitment Sunday. It is appropriate
for Commitment Sunday to fall on Thanksgiving Sunday. The best expressions of Thanksgiving go
beyond words. We thank God for His
amazing grace by giving God our very selves.
Like Jacob we pledge our tithe and like Isaiah we surrender, “Here I am,
send me.”

This Sunday afternoon, November 13th, will be a
wonderful opportunity for Christian Fellowship.
The Tailgate Party begins at 3:30.
Bring food for your family or join with your small group or Sunday school
class to share a meal together. Also
bring a game or two to involve people in fellowship. Then at 5:15, we gather for worship. Martin Houston, who played on the 1992
Championship Team at the University of Alabama, will be the preacher.

If you have not picked up a box and instructions for
Operation Christmas Child, they are available in the welcome areas. The boxes need to be returned by November 20th,
so they can begin their journey to the children who will receive them at
Christmas.


As always, your responses to these
Reflections are welcome. You can
email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.

November 2, 2011

All Hallows’ Eve

It is impossible to know how many we actually had on our
campus for the Harvest Hoedown on Monday night.
Just the children who registered and their parents put the attendance
over 2500. But we know that many did not
register. The Children’s Team did an
outstanding job in preparing for the evening.
And it appeared that those who volunteered to help had a good time.

Did you know that before Halloween emerged as a holiday,
Christ-Followers were celebrating All Hallows’ Eve? That word “eve” points to something that is
coming, something just over the horizon.
For example, Christmas Eve points us to the celebration of Christmas,
the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
All Hallows’ Eve pointed believers to All Hallows or All Saints day. It was the day the Church celebrated the
“Communion of the Saints” as we affirm in the creed.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “Saint?” Because of the influence of the Roman
Catholic Church, we tend to think of special people who lived extra-ordinary
lives. We think of the Apostles as
Saints; St. Matthew, St. John, St. Paul.
Some of the early church leaders are referred to as saints, like St.
Augustine and St. Francis. And more
recently we’ve heard about Mother Teresa’s journey to sainthood.

Sometime after the third century, the word “saint” began to
take on this different meaning in the church.
As the church became more of an institution in Rome, the emergence of
these special “saints” took place. That
was not the class in the early church.
In the New Testament, the word “saint” refers to those who are followers
of Jesus Christ. You may have heard the
saying, “Jesus transforms sinners into saints.”
By His grace we are cleansed of sin and made new creations. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are set
apart as holy, seeking after sanctification through His grace.

All Hallows or All Saints day emerged both to challenge
Christ-Followers to live as holy, set apart people and to remember those who
had joined the eternal Communion of Saints during the year. All Saints Day was celebrated in the Church
on November 1st. Hence, All
Hallows Eve, on October 31st, was the preparation for the All Saints
Day celebration.

Today, many churches take the first Sunday after November 1st,
to celebrate “All Saints Day.” It still
has that dual role, to challenge Christ-Followers to live as holy, set apart
people and to remember those who have joined the eternal Communion of the
Saints. In our 11:00 Service this Sunday
we will remember those from our Church Family who have become part of that
great “cloud of witnesses” referred to in Hebrews 12:1.

This Sunday our United Methodist Women will have their Soup Luncheon
for missions. Tickets are on sale
in the office for only $6.00 a person.
Be sure to get your tickets so they will know how much soup to
prepare.
As always, your responses to these
Reflections are welcome. You can
email me at rguess@gmvumc.org.