Reflections From Sunday Evening

It was a joy to share in two baptisms this morning. Blessings upon Olivia Hundt and Brent Reilly. Through the waters of baptism two children were marked for Christian Discipleship. Two sets of parents were given the opportunity to confirm their faith in Jesus Christ and make a promise to raise their children in the faith. We anticipate these children one day making their own personal commitment to Christ and the Church. Furthermore we all re-affirmed our faith in and commitment to Jesus Christ. There is a lot that goes on in the act of baptism. Beginning next week we will share in a message series talking about things we do in the Church. We will talk about Communion, Baptism, Pentecost (the Holy Spirit), Eternal Life and Call. I look forward to sharing with you over the next few weeks. I trust our faith will increase. We will also celebrate our Confirmation Class next Sunday at the 11:00 service. I will have reflections on the 40 young people who will make their profession of faith next week. We anticipate a great day. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Strange things happen when transformers blow fuses. That has an effect on churches. It does things like make the sound system not work but the LCD boots back up. It means lights are on in one hallway but not the next. There are some lights at the front of the sanctuary but not in the rest. So we worship old style. No microphone. Little light. But we went on just fine. They got the sound system working for the next service at 9:30. We could call it mood lighting by then. Finally during the 11:00 service the lights came back. The power company replaced a fuse and we were back to normal. In essense we had church on partial power this morning. Sadly we have a tendency to live a life of faith on partial power. In our quest for an abundant life of grace we often run on partial power. In essence we spend too much effort trying to serve the Lord and walk in His grace in our own power. The truth is God longs to impart to us His power. Can you imagine what a life of faith would look like when running on the fullness of God's power. Most of us have spent most of our time seeking merely enough grace to get some basic forgivenss and help when we are in trouble. That is living on the limited resources of God. I look for something better. We may live a fully resourced Christian life. Anticipate what your faith will look like when the lights come on and full power is restored. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Prayers for Boston

I just left the sanctuary and a time of prayer for those touched by the violence at the Boston Marathon. We shared in a litany of prayer and are offering time for reflection. I lit a candle and knealt at the communion rail praying in remembrance of an 8 year old boy and a 29 year old girl, the first identified victims. I prayed for father's who are suffering unimanginable loss. I prayed for those seeking the perpetrators of the violence. I prayed, I pray. Please join us. As I spent a few moments with background music, candles and fellow believers I was struck with the contrast between the chaotic violence at the finish line of the Boston Marathon and the very peaceful setting for our prayers today. I realize again how our world is filled with violence. Eye catching events like the Boston bombing get our attention but violence takes place daily in our world and even in our own cities. Even with that reality I do not want to detract from the focus we need to put on the events of Boston. We pray. We pray sometimes in the midst of chaos and shouts and running and fear. We pray in the peaceful presence of the Living Lord Jesus Christ. May our prayers bring peace to the chaos flashing through many lives today. May the peace of Christ prevail - yet again. Pray steve If you are in the area Platte Woods UMC invites you to come by for prayer. We share together at the top of the hour - 5, 6, 7 & 8.

Reflections From Sunday Evening

We went and saw 42 this afternoon. The story of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in major league baseball is great. Of course I am a baseball fan but this movie is a must see. Check it out and let me know what you think. In the movie the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers,Branch Rickey, sought out a young baseball player named Jack Robinson. He was playing for the Kansas City Monarchs at the time. Another intersting point in the movie (for me) came when Rickey was stating his case for calling on Jackie Robinson for this significant breakthrought. Rickey said, "He's a Methodist. I'm a Methodist and God's a Methodist!" That was some good news to hear! Evidently Branch Rickey was a one time member of Grace Methodist Church in St. Louis. All the Methodist talk aside this is a story of American racism and one of the factors that has helped in the struggle for justice and inclusion. When you see the movie notice the scene where the 10 year old boy has a brief encounter with Jackie Robinson. Remind me and I will tell you a story in a future blog. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

While walking into church this morning I thought about what the weather was like 2 weeks ago. It was cold, windy and snowing. Churches were cancelling. It was dangerous to be on the roads. It was a mess. Today was a great contrast. It is a nice day. Just another reminder that if you do not like the weather in Kansas City wait a bit and it will change. I think about last Sunday and our celebration of Easter. We walked away from an empty tomb and met the risen Lord Jesus. Our Post-Easter experience has the Living Lord Jesus stepping into our life. That produces change. A person simply cannot meet a person who was dead and is now alive and not have the experience affect them. It is not possible to walk away from an empty tomb and live a "business as usual" life. It is simply not possible to experience the resurrection and continue a "business as usual" life. Jesus makes us different. We see life and people from a new perspective. We have hope that could never be created on our own. Our Post-Easter, Post-Resurrection experience is life changing. This month we are exploring some of the ways we live into our new, Post-Easter life. Our focus is on doing justice. It may not come naturally but justice comes from Christ in us. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve