Reflections From Sunday Evening

On this date (March 29) in 1978 Cindy woke me and said it was time to go to the hospital. I had been up late preparing for a Systematic Theology test. Off we went to Hillcrest Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We got there and I got Cindy checked in and turned over to a nurse. I disappeared. A few minutes later I joined her. She asked where I had been. I told her I went and threw up but now I was ready to go! It was a memorable day. Later that afternoon Bobby was born. We remember the significant events in life. That day changed our lives. We have been there as he grew through all the stages of life into adulthood. New life alters our life. I took that exam later in the week. Must have passed it since I ended up graduating. It is all pretty amazing. I think about how other significant events affect our lives. Life if full of decisions and experiences. They all merge together to make us who we are. I think of another event that happened long ago. Today we remembered Jesus' entry into the city and reminded everyone of the events that lay before him culminating at the Cross. And because of what Jesus has done our world has been forever changed. Hope has been woven into the "fabric of the universe (to quote a former bishop who had a great way with words and images). Because of what Jesus has done our lives are not what they might have been. When we include the dimension of personal faith in Christ we have something that forever changes us and that we can never forget. This week there are different times we are called to gather and remember. We have communion on Holy Thursday. We reflect on the Cross on Good Friday. And next week we witness the most amazing event of all time. Resurrection! It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

"You've Got a Friend", "How Sweet it is to be Loved by You" and a host of other songs from the 70's were featured in our message today. We even had a commercial break - "I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony." You probably remember that one. These were some of the songs from the 70's that contributed to our series today. We focused on happy, pleasant songs that brought back some good memories. At the same time we remembered some events of the times. Some of them were not so pleasant. my for st memory of terrorism was the Munich Olympics with the Israli hostages and killings. This was the time of Watergate. There was the Iran hostage matter. Some might say the worst of the decade was Disco music. But seriously, there were some troubles. But we sought to balance things with music. At that time there were other forces at work that were seeking to engage the culture for good, or should I say for God. The people of Platte Woods UMC were stepping out in faith to build a new sanctuary to help meet the needs of people. It was a great step of faith and through the years God has honored that faithfulness. We find ourselves at another point in time where there are many troubling issues and situations. But we are feeling a Spirit prompt to engage this culture with the Gospel. Megan Hayes shared her story of the dear friend who did not "associate church with Easter." There are many wonderful people all around us with similar thoughts. The mission field is right here. I believe the church that chooses to engage today's mission field with the Gospel will write history. May God give us power to go and write history. It's been a great day. I hope you've had a great day too. Steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

We are in the message series where we are remembering, celebrating and anticipating the different phases in our church's development. Today we looked at the second phase of our development when the church constructed the first classroom wing. That was in 1964. Of course we want to keep in tune with the times so we remember some of the culture and music of that era. Today the praise team featured "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". It capped our segment on the culture of the 1960's. Abbey Morris was great! I was a bit disappointed that we did not do a duet with me having the Margin Gaye part! (Well, not really since I can't carry a tune in a bucket but it would be cool if I could.) We use some cultural and secular music to illustrate a basic point. People of faith have 2 basic options when it comes to culture. We can separate from it or engage it. We can curse the darkness or light a candle. I choose to engage and seek to make a difference. I invite you to take a similar step. We anticipate engaging the culture through mission and ministry. On another note... I am anticipating what orange shirt I can wear on Tuesday. I know lots of people wear green on St. Patrick's Day but as much as I admire St. Patrick I lean toward William of Orange. After all he was the historical figure that led England at a time that secured the nation as a Protestant nation. This is your chance to brush up on your history. So if you see me in my orange on Tuesday, now you know. It's been a great day. I hope you've had a great day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Today we had a 98% yes vote to proceed with our building project. There was a great turnout for our church conference. The atmosphere was positive. Pertinent questions were posed. Honest conversation took place. Michael Short did a fantastic job presenting the plans and responding to the questions. I could not be prouder of our church. This certainly does not close the book on our work. As a matter of fact the hard work lies before us. Continue to keep us in prayer as we to move forward. Today we begin to re-focus our mission. We GO out to plant seeds of the Gospel through word and deed. We share in ministries of mercy, service and justice. We plant seeds through witness. We OFFER CHRIST in multitudes of ways. We INVITE people to Come and See what God may do in the life that seeks Him. In our Wesleyan terms we invite people to come and experience the New Birth and enter the life of grace and Christian Discipleship. On another note... We began our series on STEPS IN TIME. It was a meaningful remembrance and celebration of those who have worked and served to bring our church to where we are. The music was GREAT. We remembered, celebrated our beginnings and anticipated our future. Next week we remember and celebrate the second phase in our development - the first classrooms and the 1960's! Don't miss it. It's been a great day. I hope you've had a great day too. steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

In spite of the snow and cold we had a good day at church. Sometimes "impact" is a better measurement than "how many". Today seemed to me to be a day of spiritual impact. Thanks to Pastor Ginger for leading us in the message and the anointing with oil along with Holy Communion. In our tradition Communion is known as a "means of grace". That means we believe that the risen Lord Jesus Christ is present in the act of communion. Communion is generally recognized as a means of feeding the soul and perfecting us in love. But our founder, John Wesley, also perceived Holy Communion as being a "converting ordinance". There is no reason why a person could not experience the new birth at the Lord's Table. Today we included anointing as a reminder that ours is a God who heals. When we stand in the presence of the Lord His grace stirs our souls. We trust Jesus as our healer. We anticipate that today some experienced greater wholeness of spirit, mind and body. On another note... Next Sunday at 12:30 we will have our Church Conference to address our building project. This is the final congregational vote where we seek your approval to move forward with the project to construct a new worship center, connecting building, youth center and support space. We will also ask your approval for the projects financial plan. This is a great step in the life of our church. We believe that our decisions made now will have impact on generations to come. I hope you will come and be part of this moment in our church's history. I have mentioned that raising the money and building the building is the "easy" part. We are embarking on an adventure where we will be called to reach a new generation for Christ. We can expect God to effect some exciting change in our church. We can expect God to do some amazing things. It's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too. steve