I’m sure about this: the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 CEB

Lately, I’ve been reading and enjoying Nadia Bolz-Weber’s book, Accidental Saints and participating in the church book study. As I was reading chapter 4, a flood of memories came rushing back to me. She was talking about being asked to speak at the Lutheran National Youth Gathering and how unqualified she thought she was, and could not fathom what she had to offer that these young people would be interested in. Not that I have ever been asked to speak at a National Gathering, but God has called me to speak at Senior High Camp at Lazy W; and the same thought ran through my head, what could I possible have to offer.

I remember it vividly because it was a whole week of saying no to God. It was only my second time working camp, the Day Team that I was a part of was on Friday, the last full day of camp. The Theme that year was “Connected.” I kept feeling God nudge me that I needed to speak at campfire on Friday night…I responded with a laugh and “nope, I think you have the wrong person.” The nudge was there all week but with each day got stronger. “No God, I have nothing to say that these kids want to hear!” So Friday morning came and strangely enough I found myself saying to the Leadership Team, ”I would ‘like’ to speak at campfire tonight” and of course they were all for it.

I prefer to have things written down, so when the nerves kick in I still know what I’m saying, but God, true to form made sure that I stayed busy with camper issues all day so I would have no time to be silly enough to write anything down. What I kept hearing God say to me was, “talk what you have experienced, no one knows it better or can tell it better than you.” Oh God there you go again… all you want from me is to trust, trust, trust!

The week began with how we originally connected with God, then how we disconnected and ending with how we reconnected. So Friday night came, very grateful I could not see the camper’s faces staring at me in the light glow of campfire. I stood up and opened my mouth and God took it from there, sharing my experience of connecting, disconnecting and reconnecting with God. Not really a profound story but it reached and resonated with a few young people that heard it. No matter where we are or what situation we might be headed into God is always there, shinning the light on the next step forward, all that is asked of us is to trust.

Even during all of these difficult days of social distancing, of the unknown of when it will all be in the past, there is a true assurance that God is with us, guiding us and filling us with abilities we may not have known were there. Even if we are unsure of ourselves and only think of our limitations, when we trust the One who created and loves us beyond our understanding, then anything and all things are possible. 
As it says in Philippians 4:13“I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength.”

Loving God, thank you for your assurance that all things are possible in you. That your love and compassion surround us even when we struggle to say yes. Thank you for walking with us and going before us during these unsure times. Help us to rest in the knowledge that nothing will ever separate us form your love and grace. Amen.

Brenda

How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every blessing in heaven because we belong to Christ.  Ephesians 1:3

Way back in April, the Education team so carefully planned how we could do Sunday School safely during a pandemic so that when the time came to gather together in person we would be ready. Well that time came this past Sunday. We had our first Sunday School in over 6 months. What a blessing!

I gathered supplies, marked off 6ft distances and planned the curriculum and the activities to go with it. In many ways, while preparing, it felt like March before the pandemic; yet, I also knew things would be different. I wasn’t sure how; but after all, we are in a pandemic, so I was pretty sure it would be different.  When Sunday morning came, I set up the table and brought out the thermometer and here came the Sugano family. Brinklee and I walked together to Laird Park.  I had previously set up the tree stumps under the tree as our gathering place. Sitting in the shade of the mulberry tree we shared the story of Abraham and Sarah.

Sunday school was different, and what was different about it was not what I anticipated. It was different because we were outside in God’s creation. Hearing and learning about God’s wonderful works while being a part of it. I have always felt God’s presence in the outdoors. Brinklee was ready to explore God’s world too because she came equipped with her binoculars. So we talked about Abraham and Sarah as she pointed out the birds that were flying above.

Throughout this pandemic I have been pleasantly surprised by all the little unexpected blessings that pop up.  I imagine that these blessings which flow from God have always been there but I find myself noticing and appreciating them more now than ever before. This past Sunday was another one of those blessings.  COVID forced Sunday School to be outside where we could share the wonder of God’s stories while being in the wonder of God’s creation together. What a blessing!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen

Marty

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Matthew 19:26

Sometimes we say “yes” to God because we feel called, or we at least feel a little nudge, to do something. When this happens, it can mean we are about to move into new areas…areas of unknown or areas that take us out of our comfort zone. Sometimes we even stall, or say “no” because we focus our thinking on all the reasons something won’t work or the reasons why we can’t do it.   

Noah said YES when God asked him to build the ark.
David said YES when God asked him to fight Goliath with only a slingshot and some stones.
Mary said YES when told she was carrying God’s son, Jesus.
The disciples said YES when asked to drop everything and follow Jesus.

Although we aren’t stories in the bible, we are God’s people, continuing to answer God’s call.  It has been a blessing to witness people at Community UMC saying YES to God in so many different ways during this time of shut-down.

Our Saturday ministries have continued – or begun – during this time. These new ministries, along with Engage and Upside Down Church offer new and different ways to worship.  Each meets on a different Saturday and has a different leader, but they all had the same start.  Our church leadership said “YES, let’s try that.”  and someone else said  “YES, I’ll work on that.” while the congregation said “Yes, I’ll support this ministry.” 

Along with these new ministries, Sunday Services have continued online.  The Food Closet and the Shower Ministry have continued to operate and serve.  All of these ministries have been made possible because people have said “YES!”  Yes, I will learn how to stream a service on multiple social media platforms with new equipment and systems.  Yes, I can drop off food for the Food Closet!  Yes, I will wash towels for the shower ministry!  Yes, I will deliver communion, sermons and daily blessings to the homebound. Yes, I will drop off cleaning supplies to support the preschool. Yes, I can drop off a casserole and deliver food for the Southwest Community Center.  Yes, I can deliver a craft bag for Messy Church!  Yes, I will sing in the virtual choir.  Yes, I can do VBC online!  Yes, I will offer times for the congregation to buy scrip.  Yes, I will lead a book or bible study.  Yes, I will learn how to use my computer in a new way to attend a study online! 

When we say YES, when we agree to work with God and let God work through us, amazing things can happen.  Those things we feel are impossible, somehow become possible. Yes is a small word, but it often transforms us and those whom we serve or interact with.  And, when we stretch ourselves and move outside our comfort zone, we can rest assured that God is right there with us opening doors and showing us the way.  

As we again move into a new phase of this pandemic and begin to learn how to navigate new ways to be a community of faith together, I wonder what opportunities will arise for us.  What will we be called to do and be in the world.  Whatever it is, I feel blessed to be part of a community that says YES to God’s work in the world. 

God who makes all things possible, we come to you asking for forgiveness for those times when we are too scared to say “yes” because we have forgotten that we aren’t alone and you are always there to guide us.  Help us to focus more on what we can do and less on what we can’t do. We give thanks for the opportunities you give us to say “YES!” and we give thanks for this community that continues to say “Yes” to doing Your work in this church, with our neighbors and in the world.
Amen!

Leyla

“So Moses cried out to the Lord, ‘What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.’ The Lord said to Moses, ‘Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.’” Exodus 17: 4-6

First of all, you are NOT acting like the people wandering with Moses. I want to be clear on this!

Like them, we are in a strange place. Like them, our lives aren’t exactly what they used to be. Like them, we are having to learn new ways of being. Like them, we are beginning to feel like this is the “new abnormal.” Like them, we know we will get through this, we just don’t know when, or what it will look like. Like them, we are frustrated, afraid, perhaps even a bit bored.

UNLIKE them, you haven’t been complaining, or blaming. At least not out loud. At least not to me. You have been remarkably thoughtful, patient, kind, gracious, forgiving, and resilient!  No, I don’t think I am Moses, but I have heard from plenty of colleagues who in this time have been treated in a similar way to Moses in the Exodus. And there have been plenty of leaders who might have reason to sigh “What shall I do with these people?!” (I think, for instance of all the teachers, caught in the middle of competing and impossible expectations).

I love that the Bible records both the complaining and Moses’ exasperation. It tells me that it is OK to feel as we feel. It also reminds us that our words can hurt. And it encourages us to give each other a little bit of grace (as you have done so well with your church staff!)

There is something else here, though. Do you notice that God doesn’t whine back to Moses? (Of course, who could God complain to? There is none like our God!) God hears the complaining of the people, and hears to the complaining of Moses about the people. God takes it in. And then God responds to meet the needs so whiningly expressed.  God assures Moses of his leadership: I will be with you.

God has big shoulders. When you want to sigh, to complain, to kvetch, to cry, to scream, God is ready to listen. God is ready to hold you. God gets it. God understands. That is one blessing of prayer. God will not abandon you, even when you aren’t particularly likeable.

And God will respond. That doesn’t mean that God will give you what you want. The people are saying that they would rather go back to Egypt; to the way things used to be. That simply isn’t going to happen. God doesn’t correct them, God doesn’t use the occasion to explain God’s reasoning, God doesn’t even give that foolishness the time of day. God just guides Moses to open up a spring so that they can drink.

GeorgeLoving, listening, caring God, thank you for putting up with us.  Thank you for being with us when we feel hurt and frustrated. Your presence comforts our pain, calms our anger, and humbles our pride. Move in us, we pray, that we might be the rock from which flows an abundance of hope, for which so many are thirsting this day. We pray this in the name of Jesus, our rock and our redeemer. Amen.

Questions for discussion following Sunday’s message:

1. What authorities do you respect? Why?
2. When do you feel confident? Competent?
3. How can we be of one mind, yet each be working out our own salvation?

 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.      Philippians 1:3-4

The Apostle Paul had a great way of writing.  He would usually start with a blessing and thank you.  I want to thank our UMW for the honor of the Quiet Disciple Award.  I was genuinely surprised and feel very humbled and blessed to be in the company of such amazing people as the other recipients of this award.  All I can say is that I will try to live up to those words said about me.

I have always said that being here at CUMC is a blessing and this church and your friendships have certainly been that to me.  This past Sunday it was so special to have people here back on campus for outside worship in our courtyard.  I know that many do not feel safe enough to venture out, and I totally understand that, however it was truly wonderful to be able to speak in front of live people and to feel the positive energy and connection that we all share.  We as a church family are trying to work out how we keep connected with each other and how we can worship together safely in different ways.  Worshipping in person is not better or worse than worshipping online.  It is simply different.  We are blessed to have a tech team that can handle all the behind the scenes magic that lets us worship together in person and online.  Without Bill Fugard, Kelly Smith, and Doug Blue we would be in a world of hurt. We have many people who are calling other church members to check in and see how they are doing.  We have Kathie Lueck and Marilyn Leatherwood, delivering copies of the sermon and a weeks’ worth of Daily Blessings, to folks who are not online.  Brenda Weikel who is teaching the online Wednesday evening class.  There are so many people who are in ministry with one another it is amazing.  Marsha Gove keeps us connected with our prayer chain and Sue Hicklin sends out handmade cards from the church. There are so many other people who do amazing ministry here, I just named a few for you all to know that it takes an active church family to take care of a church family. We are blessed to have this church family, even with our issues, for we are not perfect. 

I write this for you to all know how blessed we are to have each other and this church family.  I give thanks for you all in my prayers every day for you all are my daily blessing.

Gracious and loving God, you have provided us with the church to care and minister to church family and beyond.  We thank you for all the folks in this church family who continue to minister in this ever-changing situation that we live in right now.   Give us hearts to hear your voice and courage to act on the calling that you put on our hearts. Give us strength and patience for this journey, for it has been long. Let our hearts be warmed by the blessings that surrounded us each day and help us to be a blessing to those we encounter today. Amen

Stay safe, stay well and be the hope you wish to see in the world. Suzanne