^“ I tell you this: whenever you saw a brother or sister hungry or cold, whatever you did to the least of these, so you did to me.” Matthew 25:40 (The Voice)

Back in 2012, I was attending Garden Grove UMC as was Pastor Ginny Wheeler. On a fun filled day where I was wedding dress shopping with one of my future daughter-in-laws, Pastor Ginny gave me a call and asked me if I would meet with a man who wanted to begin a homeless lunch program with the area churches. I really wasn’t looking to do something like this; I was in wedding mode but yes, I agreed to meet with Larry.

Larry had a kind soul, he was doing the mission work of delivering Meals on Wheels to those who needed a meal brought to them. It was during his deliveries that he came to realize that there were many homeless people in the parks in Garden Grove who needed food, and he wanted to do something to change that. So Larry met with all the area churches wanting to get a couple or group of people who would take one Friday a month to make and hand out sack lunches to the homeless.

Larry showed me the ropes on my first time out to do this. We began by going under a freeway overpass and calling to those who had tucked themselves away at the very top. I will admit it was an uncomfortable feeling, not something I had ever done before or anything I would recommend on your own, but the people already knew Larry and they trusted him. They came down from on high and we gave them simple lunches that also had a pair of tube socks inside. The genuine graciousness and gratitude was emotionally overwhelming. We continued to make the rounds to behind store buildings and many parks.

I never went alone. There were always one or two others with me, and we had many life experiences along the way. We got to know them and they knew and trusted us, at least momentarily. One time we met a man who had once been in the NFL and now homeless, One time a lady, who was a regular, had had her shoes stolen and was very upset. She was about my size, so I gave her my sneakers. she was shocked and overwhelmed someone would do that for her and began to cry. I was taken back and humbled by her reaction, and I simply finished our route barefoot. There were turf wars and some crazy situations that we encountered, and a lot of people who had simply lost their way. But for two years my group never missed our Friday.

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d be doing anything like that, but sometimes God calls us in a way that stretches us beyond our way of thinking, beyond what we see as our limited ability. The moment I asked God to show me, to stretch me, to use me, I found God continually braking the box of security that I would like to comfortably stay in. What I did was a moment in time and was not something everyone is call to do in that way. The outreach ministries that Community UMC offers, the Food Pantry, the Shower Ministry and all the others, are a beautiful testament to what Jesus calls us to do, “If you love me…feed my lambs.” 

Loving God, new every morning is your love, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you in small and genuine ways, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to sharing your love. In the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessings,

Brenda

Come, see the glorious things God has done. What marvelous miracles happen to his people! Psalm 66:5

These last 7 months have been hard and we long to go back to the “good ole days” when we can get back to the places we like to go. We long for the time that we can connect back again with others without having to worry about our distance and if we are adhering to safe practices. Yes, these are difficult times we are in right now, and it is very easy to slip into the abyss of negativity.  But as difficult as these times have been, there have been some unexpected joys that have come out of the pandemic.

In many ways our lives have slowed down and given us time to take inventory with all the things that have cluttered our daily lives.  It has given us an opportunity to discard the things that aren’t serving us well. This pandemic has forced us out of our comfort zone where new growth happens. 

An unexpected joy for me was when the preschool opened their doors this September. Pre COVID the routine in the morning for the school has always been that the preschoolers and their parents gather outside. When the doors open they all pile into the hallway. I would station myself by my office door and would say a general hello to the masses.   But because of COVID-19, the preschool had to change how the children would be dropped off at the classes.  The parents were given a 30 minute period to drop off their child. This was to insure that families were able to keep a safe distance from other families.  This change has allowed me to greet each family individually and more intimately. I have been able to learn their names. I have heard about what they have had for breakfast. They have shown me their favorite character that is on their t-shirt or their mask.  When I showed up at the gate in the morning I came expecting to take temperatures, but what I get everyday is an opportunity to connect on a deeper level with the families of the preschool. 

This is where I see God at work…making something good out of something that we might, at first glance, perceive as bad.

Prayer:
Hey God help us to keep our eyes and minds open in all situations so that we can see the good even when we are surrounded by things that we perceive to be bad, hard or difficult. Thank you God, for the unexpected blessings in our lives that are waiting to be discovered. Amen.

 Marty

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” 1 Thess 5:16 – 18.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Phil 4:6

I love to read.  And during the quarantine, I’ve been able to read more.  I wish I could say I read new, political non-fiction books to stay informed, or more religious themed books. But to be honest, I enjoy a good mystery.  And earlier this year I saw some conversation on Lisa Brewer’s Facebook page where several people were talking about books.  There was a series by Louise Penney that was mentioned.  Several people said how they enjoyed it, so I thought I’d give it a try.

Well, I fell in love with the characters and their village in Canada.  The main character is Armand Gamache who is a chief inspector with the Quebec police department.  As he trains his officers, he has them remember four statements – “I’m sorry”; “I was wrong”; “I don’t know”; “I need help”.

I remember putting down my book and thinking – wow, those are strong words.  I need to put those in my vocabulary.  And then I thought, what a great prayer to God.  “I’m sorry” – I am sorry for missing the mark – again.  I am so very sorry if I let You down, Lord.  Please forgive me  “I was wrong” – I should have thought twice before I spoke.  I was wrong to say that, or think that.  Please help me with this.  “I don’t know” – I don’t know – but You do!  And thankfully You are in control.  Remind me to trust You at all times.  “I need help” – enough said.

It took me years to realize that when you pray, God just wants you to talk to Him.  Prayers don’t have to have fancy words.  He just wants to hear your heart.  Jesus gives us wonderful examples of how to pray.  The Psalms give us direction for our prayer life.  Traditional hymns and contemporary Christian music are heartfelt prayers.  I found a prayer in a mystery book!

And if you’re not sure what to pray, take heart and listen to this from “The Message” bible – Romans 8, 27- 28  “If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter.  He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.  He knows us far better than we know ourselves…and keeps us present before God”.  And don’t we all want to be present before God!

Gracious and Loving God, We praise You!  We give You thanks for the generous blessings and grace You give us.  Thank you for Your faithfulness and always listening to us – at all times.  And thank You for Your mercy that is new every morning.  In Jesus’ name we pray.

Vicki Compean

“I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
…
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.”
— Philippians 4:2-3, 8-9

I must admit that I, too, was distracted by the fly at the Vice Presidential debate. It wasn’t just the fly: as soon as it showed up, friends began texting, “Is that what I think it is?” But I was pulled back in at the end with the question from Brecklynn Brown, the 8^th grader at Springville Junior High in Utah, who asked,

“When I watch the news, all I see is arguing between Democrats and Republicans. When I watch the news, all I see is citizen fighting against citizen. When I watch the news, all I see are two candidates from opposing parties trying to tear each other down. If our leaders can’t get along, how are the citizens supposed to get along?”

It struck me because we had just been looking at this very question in our Lectionary Lunch group earlier in the day! It appears that in the young church at Philippi, two of the leaders have been engaged in an ongoing dispute. Paul is wanting for the church to be united, but how can there be unity when there is such fighting? How can the people be expected to get along when the leaders can’t?
Many of us have commented on the polarization of the American people. It isn’t just about politics, but then everything has been politicized! We see the arguing of leaders, of pundits, of family members, on TV and online, and it is easy to give up and feel that this is the way we all should behave.

Paul’s advice is that they be “of one mind.”  This doesn’t mean that they agree on everything. Instead, it means that the leaders must remember their common history and reaffirm the basic truths and goals upon which they agree. Then they can recognize that where they differ is on means, not ends.

And Paul goes further. Then, as now, it isn’t just that there is dissension and dis-ease between people, there is angst and frustration, confusion and distraction within each person. THIS IS A CRISIS OF OUR DAY, AND THE APOSTLE PAUL IS WRITING TO YOU! Paul invites all of us to take time to remember the good. Focus on that which builds up and assures. Do what you know to be right. And then you will have peace.

This is one of the reasons that it is so important to vote. When you vote you are not only making your voice heard, but you are reaffirming our common goals. When you vote you lift up our common aspiration to make these cities, counties, states and the nation the best that they can be to serve our fellow residents and citizens.

And this is why your prayer life is so important right now. Remember that God is the source of love. Open yourself to that love as you reflect on the goodness of God and our common humanity. Then you can pray for those with whom you disagree. And you will be blessed.

Almighty God, we thank you that you have made each of us to be unique. We thank you that you have given us imaginations with which to solve the challenges which lie before us. We recognize that you call us to lead. Help us to disagree honestly. Help us to remember our common heritage as human beings. Help us always to think on your goodness and to put first those considered the least, the lost, and the last. Move in us, that we, in our diversity of thought, might at the same time be of one mind: the mind of Christ Jesus. It is in this name that we pray. Amen. 

Questions for Sunday’s worship and message:
1. When has someone given you an apology when you needed a confession?
2. When have you substituted words for deeds?
3. How can you remember and honor God’s welcome?