“New Year.”

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“And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” [Revelation 21:5 N.R.S.V]

January first begins a new year. For some people this is a major event. They celebrate New Year’s Eve. Many do this by making New Year’s resolutions, most of which are broken by January second. For others it is just another day, no different from December 31st or January 2nd.

For most of my life I found myself numbered among the latter group. The only real significant New Year Day had for me was that it marked, back in the day, the end of college football season.

However, this New Year has a real meaning for me. 2018 will be the year I take Retired Status with the Holston Annual Conference. Having reaching the mandatory retirement age, I have no choice in the matter. So in effect, this will be a new beginning.

John’s vision found in Revelation 21:5 has God promising to make all things new and assuring us that that promise is true. While we usually do not think of this promise except at funerals and those rare times we think about the end of time, I submit that God can and will do a new thing in our lives and in the life of our church beginning this year.

So make a New Year’s resolution to develop a closer walk with God, to deepen your spiritual life and to support your church with more of your money, time and talents than you ever did before. Another resolution I want you to make is to help keep me focused the first half of the year and if I start acting like a “short-timer” call me on it!

God gives us a new year, let us make the best of it!

-Richard

“Thanksgiving.”

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“Count your many blessings, name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”

The other night I was having trouble sleeping.  Some people say that sleeplessness is a part of the aging process, but I am too young for that to be true, so there must have been another reason.  Pretty soon I was having a real pity party.  In my mind I was going through a long litany of problems and things that were wrong in my life.  Then all of a sudden the words of a song I thought I had long forgotten came into my mind.  Try as I would, I could not get those words out of my consciousness.

Those words were: “Count your many blessings, name them one by one.  Count your many blessings, see what God has done.”  I began to do that and pretty soon I realized just how much God has blessed me.  The next thing I knew it was morning.  When I awoke I wanted to finish my list.  I soon realized it could not be finished.  God’s blessings are really without number.

Maybe what I came to understand is the true meaning of what Thanksgiving really is.  Beingthankful for the good things God gives us and not allowing the problems that we incur to become the things that control us and give us our identity.  When we dwell entirely on the negative we lose sight of the positive.

By the way here are some things that topped my list:

  1. Jesus Christ – God loved me enough to send His One Begotten Son to be my savior.
  2. The beauty of creation – God looked at all God had made and indeed it was very good. (Genesis 1:31) That goodness has not been overcome.
  3. First Galax United Methodist Church – I am blessed to serve a church that loves the Lord and cares for one another.
  4. The portion of health I enjoy – my health problems are not nearly as bad as they could be.
  5. Family – I thank God for those who love, sometimes in spite of me.

I am also very thankful for friends, for our combined Worship Service, for our Future Committee who are looking at ways the church can improve over the years, and for my upcoming Retirement.

May we begin to count our blessings and realize just what God has done for us.  May we do tis not just on the fourth Thursday of November, but each and every day we live.

-Richard

“Something to Ponder.”

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There was a pastor who had a storefront church. The pastor’s church was called Almighty God Tabernacle. On a Saturday night several weeks ago, this pastor was working late and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00 PM, but his wife did not answer the phone. The pastor let it ring many times. He thought it was odd that she did not answer, but he decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes. When he tried again she answered right away. He asked her why she had not answered before and she said that the phone did not ring at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry way.

The following Monday the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he had used on Saturday night. The man he spoke with wanted to know why he had called on Saturday night. The pastor could not figure out what the guy was talking about.

Then the man said “It rang and rang, but I didn’t answer it.” The pastor remembered the mishap and apologized for disturbing him, explaining that he had intended to call his wife.

The man said: “That’s OK. Let me tell you my story. You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did I prayed, ‘God, if you’re there, and don’t want me to do this give me a sign now.’ At that point the phone started to ring and when I looked at the Caller ID it said, ‘Almighty God’ and that was sign enough for me.”

-Richard

“Behold.”

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Memorial Chapel near Lake Junaluska, NC by Daniel Hass (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

by Daniel Hass (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons.

The Holston Annual Conference met June 11-14, 2017 at Lake Junakuska, NC with the theme Behold.  This is based on Revelation 3:20 which reads: “Behold I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in to him and eat with him” (ESV) Bishop Mary Virginia Taylor presiding.  Here are some of my personal reflections.  It is always good to see old friends, both clergy and lay, that you only see once a year.  The worship under the direction of Music Leader Mr. Wesley Rouse and organist Bryan K. Underwood was as inspiring as always.  My favorite part may have been the Pre-Service music Tuesday evening of Lauren Talley.  The preaching was good.  This was the fortieth year I was appointed and the forty second year I attended Annual Conference having gone twice as the Lay Delegate for the Lead Mines Circuit.  The Memorial Service remembering those clergy and spouses who have passed away during the year always touches me.  I enjoy the Retirement Recognition Service as well.  This year there was no Ordination Service as there were no candidates for Full Elder or Full Deacon due to a change in policy by Holston which moved from two to three years the requirement for full time service after being commissioned.

 

Here are some bullet points of the Conference Actions:

  • Approved the 2018 Budget of $9.07 million with a 6% decrease
  • Approved the Comprehensive Strategic Plan which resized Holston’s districts from twelve to nine
  • Approved a motion to amend the printed agenda to include “New Business.”
  • Approved a resolution calling for a four-week vacation policy for clergy
  • A resolution calling for the church to work to eliminate racism and advocate against immigration policies excluding refugees “on the basis of their religion or national origin” was approved
  • A resolution calling for a moratorium on the practice of online communion was approved
  • Five constitutional amendments passed by the 2016 General Conference were voted on.  These must be voted on by every Annual Conference, so no results of the vote was announced in Holston
  • The Denman Evangelism award was presented to: Youth- Erin Elizabeth Bowman- Mt. Olivet UMC, Galax; VA: Lay-Patsy Dalton-Kodak UMC, Kodak, TN; Clergy- The Rev. Stephen DeFur, Cokesbury UMC, Knoxville, TN
  • The Frances Asbury Award for leaders in higher education was awarded posthumously to Bennett and Evelyn Horton who were members of Church Street UMC, Knoxville, TN
  • Bishop Taylor blessed 8,344 Hand-On-Mission Kits valued at $211,112. 
  • Bishop Taylor also announced a called special General Conference for Feb. 23-16, 2019.  The Conference will hear and act on a report from the “Commission for a Way Forward” during that session.  The Bishops have asked each Annual Conference to hold a season of prayer for this Commission.  Holston was assigned Sept. 24-30, 2017
  • During New Business; a motion to end the leasing or purchasing of the Connexion in Sevierville, TN was ruled out of order.  A motion requesting a written apology from Lake Junaluska Conference and Resort for it’s painful past with race relations was approved.  A motion that any agenda item requiring a vote for action be scheduled at the beginning of a session rather than at the end to allow more time for discussion was approved.
  • The Board of Pension and Health Benefits report was approved with a slight increase in premiums: 2%-4%
  • The report from the Committee on Equitable Compensation moved a 2% raise and was approved
  • The report from the Task Force on Bullying and Harassment of Clergy by laity was approved
  • 19 Local Pastors received their first term licenses; 4 were recognized as Associate Members; 9 were Commissioned as Provisional Elders; 1 was Commissioned as Provisional Deacon

Change to Worship Service & Sunday School Time

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On May 25th the Administrative Board approved the consolidation of our Sunday Worship Services to one in an effort to bring us closer as a congregation. Starting July 2nd Sunday School will be at 9:30 and Worship Services will start at 10:30.

“An Afternoon in the Park.”

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Below is one of my favorite stories. It is by Julie A. Manhan and originally appeared in A 3rd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul.

 
There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer and started his journey.
When he had gone about three blocks he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink of his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Once again she smiled at him. The boy was delighted!

 
They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling and never said a word.

 
As it grew dark the boy realized how tired he was and got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.

 
When the boy opened the door to his own home, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face.

 
She asked him: “What did you do today to make you so happy?”

 
He replied: “I had lunch with God.” But before his mother could respond, he added: “She’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen.”

 
Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home.

 
Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked: “Mother, what did you do today that makes you so happy?”

 
She replied: “I ate Twinkies in the park with God.” But before her son responded, and added: “You know, he’s much younger than I expected.”

 
May the eyes of our faith allow us to see God in unexpected places.

Purposed Change in Worship.

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As you probably know, worship attendance has been steadily declining for several years. It has now reached the point where having two worship services is impractical and really makes no sense.

Therefore I am asking for your input, your thoughts as well as any concerns you may have. Please do not be afraid to share what you are thinking with me.

I am purposing that we go back to one worship service. This will be at 10:30 a.m. with Sunday School beginning at 9:30 a.m. I am purposing this time as a compromise so that neither the 9:15 nor the 11:00 people will feel that we simply did away with their service.

Reasons for this move are: A.-We are one church yet many people do not know each other. I have been asked twice in the past little bit who someone was and they are regulars at the other service. Having one service will bring us closer together. B. -Our sound techs and music director will not have to pull double duty. [Please know that they have never complained.] C. – I get really discouraged preaching to empty pews. The combined attendance, while we will in no way fill our sanctuary, will look like a larger congregation.

Reasons against the move are: A-Those attending 9:15 like getting out earlier. The new time will help with this concern. B. – These two different styles of worship. While 9:15 is less formal it is still a traditional worship service. C. – The 11:00 service is longer. Really there is not that much difference and worship should not be governed by a clock. D. – We have always had worship at 11:00 a.m. There is nothing sacred about the eleven o’clock hour and the church that will not change is the church that will die. However if this comes about we will really need to get word out about the time change.

Tentative plans are for this to begin the first Sunday of the new Conference Year-July 2nd. Or we could continue with the two services through the summer and begin the new service after Labor Day. Remember that if attendance increased enough to support two services we can always go back to that.

Please, let me know your thoughts.

Email your thoughts to fumcgalax1@gmail.com.

Richard

“The Empty Egg.”

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“But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid: I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come see the place where he lay.” [Matthew 28:5-6 N.R.S.V.]

Jeremy was born with a twisted body, slow mind and a chronic, terminal illness that had been slowly taking his young life. Still, his parents had tried to give him as normal a life as possible. This meant sending him to the local St. Teresa’s Elementary School. At age twelve Jeremy was only in the second grade and his teacher Miss Miller often became exasperated when Jeremy seemed to not be able to grasp the lessons no matter how many times she explained them.

One Day Miss Miller called Jeremy’s parents in for a consultation. She suggested to them that they send Jeremy to a special school. With tears in her eyes, Jeremy’s mother explained that there was not a school equipped to handle Jeremy’s needs in the area and that it would upset Jeremy tremendously to have to change schools. After the consultation Miss Miller decided that no matter how hard her life was, she did not have half as many troubles as Jeremy and his family and resolved to be more patient and understanding.

As the year progressed Spring came and Easter was approaching. Miss Miller had told the story of Jesus death and resurrection to her class and came up with a special project. She gave each of the children an empty plastic egg and told them to fill it with something that represented the true meaning of Easter. As Miss Miller opened each egg she commented on the contents: whether it was a flower, a butterfly or a sprig of grass, Miss Miller commented on how each of these things showed new life as we have in Christ Jesus. When she opened the last egg it was empty. She remembered that she had not called Jeremy’s parents and explained the assignment. As she sat there, Jeremy said: “Aren’t you going to talk about my egg?” Miss Miller stated: “But Jeremy your egg is empty!” Jeremy looked into her eyes and said softly, “Yes. But Jesus’ tomb was empty too!” Time stopped. Miss Miller asked Jeremy if he knew why the tomb was empty. He said: “Oh yes! Jesus died on the cross for our sins then His Father raised him up.” When the children were at recess Miss Miller cried knowing that Jeremy had truly learned the most important lesson of all. JESUS SAVES!!!

Richard

Grace in the Season of Lent.

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“For by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not your own doing; it is a gift of God-not the results of works, so that no one may boast.”  [Ephesians 2:8-9 N.R.S.V.]

Easter comes late this year. Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent is March 1st. Lent is the season of the church year when we prepare ourselves for Easter. We remember the sacrifice our Lord Jesus made for us and in response we sacrifice something we like or we begin a new spiritual discipline. Overall, it is not usually the time we think that much about grace.

I read an interesting story the other day about a group of scholars who were debating what sets Christianity apart from the other religions of the world. With our age so concerned with multiculturalism and the rise of Islam, it is a debate that is really relevant and timely for today. However this exchange happened over fifty years ago.

The first answer proposed to the question of what is it exactly that makes Christianity different was he Incarnation. God with us was suggested. It was immediately pointed out that other religions, Buddhism for example, taught of a god living with humans. The next suggestion was resurrection. Christianity teaches that is another life beyond this one. However, both Islam and some forms of Judaism, believe in an afterlife as well.

At this point when the debate seemed hopelessly deadlocked, a young scholar name C.S. Lewis stood up and said: “It is grace. Christianity is the only one of the world’s religions that teaches us about God who loves enough to give us the gift of His grace and that is what makes it so different from all the rest.”

That is so true! Other religions teach that God is a stern judge or offer a rigid set of rules that must be obeyed. Or else they teach that salvation can be earned by what the believer does or does not do. In our text quoted above, the writer of Ephesians reminds us that in Christianity salvation is by grace, through faith, and that it is a gift from God.

Perhaps the greatest example of this gift of God’s grace is the Cross of Calvary. For it was there that God’s gift was freely given for “whosoever will” accept it. So maybe Lent is the perfect time of the year to think about and talk about grace.

So this year we prepare once again to remember the Easter event, let us open our hearts and minds to receive grace on top of grace, so that salvation can be ours: remembering that it is not the result of our works, so we have no right to boast. Rather it is the gift of God. God’s grace is offered to you. Receive it. Accept it. Use it. Live it.

Richard

Doers and Not Just Hearers.

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AUTUMN-HARVEST-TIME

“But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” [James 1:22 N.K.J.V.]

The Book of James has always been widely debated. Martin Luther, Leader of the Protestant Reformation, did not like it. He called it “that straw epistle” and believed it should be torn from the Canon. Luther thought this way because he rediscovered Paul’s teaching on salvation by faith alone and believed James taught a form of works righteousness or salvation based on what a person did.

Others defended James and said that it was not written in opposition to Paul’s faith alone teachings but to those who had misinterpreted Paul and were saying that once you were saved, you did not have to do anything. James would state: “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” [James 2:17 N.K.J.V.]

So just what is the relationship between faith and works? John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, summed it up this way: “You do good works not to be saved. Rather you do good works because you are saved.” In response to what God has already done for us in Christ Jesus, we want to do all we can to help others and serve the church.

In other words, God did not save you just so you can have a comfortable pew and hear the gospel message. No, God saved you so you can both hear and do God’s word. Nonbelievers challenge us to live what we say we believe; to “walk the walk, not just talk the talk.” James say it this way: “Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

So this brings me to my point, sometimes in the winter we slack off in our attendance, our giving, our spiritual life, and our volunteering. However, now is the time to be at our best. Ask God to reveal your gifts and willing to share those gifts with others. I know of no better way to be a doer of God’s word and not a hearer only.

Richard