This is a great time of year for a basketball fan (college and high school that is.) I'm checking out conference tournaments today. Along with all our Mizzou fans I'm enjoying the fact that the Tigers won the Big XII tournament yesterday. Our area teams are heading for the NCAA tournament. This week Kansas City will host the NAIA basketball tournament as well as first and second round games of the NCAA regional. Basketball is so much fun.
I watch these teams and realize that I could have played at that level. -- If I had been a little taller - stronger - faster - quicker - more talented - smarter - more athletic -- but I still enjoyed it. (I give credit to John Pauley for that "if I had been...." part.)
OK, so I was not talented enough to play in the big time. I did play at my level and had fun.
There is something else that I may not be the most talented at - preacher - spiritual life - things like that - but here is some good news for people like me. God has done something on my behalf (and yours) that changes everything. We are not evaluated in comparison with others. Because we are not as proficient at prayer as St. Francis of Assisi does not mean we are passed over. I may not be the church planter the Apostle Paul was but God does not "cut" me from the team.
Jesus has done something that makes us all welcome on the team. Through his life, death and resurrection Jesus has opened the way for us to be fully included in the life of faith. All I can do is say yes and thank you.
So this week if you find yourself watching a basketball game remember that we are brought into the way of Christ not because we are more talented than others but because of His grace. Rejoice in the life of grace today.
We did so at worship this morning. It was a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Reflections From Sunday Evening
In 1967 we got a new pastor at my home church in Appleton City. Charles Pence was appointed to our church. He was pastor through my high school days and co-officiated at Cindy and my wedding in 1972. He served our church for 9 years through the 1970's.
I actually met him before he became my pastor. I went to church camp in Trenton, Mo., in the summer of 1966 (I think). We were not allowed to have radios or anything like that. (Could you image a week without technology today!) There was this counselor who played his radio every morning. I thought he must be a pretty good guy. A few months later he was introduced as our pastor.
Charlie was a really good preacher. He was a good pastor. He served our church well. I know he also served in Bolivar, Neosho and North Kansas City. A few years ago I was in Rolla for a meeting and went by to visit. He was retired then. I remember a really nice conversation. Some time back Charlie and Joyce moved to Kansas City.
Thursday I got a call from one of his sons who invited me to come by the house and bring communion. They did not think Charlie had long to live. I gathered with that family -- people I have known for 40 years! It has been nearly that long since I'd seen some of them. We got around his bed and talked. He was so pleased to hear Cindy and I will be married 37 years in August. It's always good to find a marriage that sticks. He remembered me introducing him as the best preacher the old Missouri West Conference had. He told me to give Cindy a hug -- he figured of all people she would need one! He was tired. I took a wafer and dipped it in the cup and put it in his mouth. We all participated in the Lord's Supper. I gave him a hug.
This morning his daugher Judy called and told me Charlie passed away around midnight. He was my preacher. I'll always think of his influence.
There was more to this day. I was blessed in worship today. During the 9:30 service I slipped into the balcony and sat with Cindy and Andrea. We don't do that much. Curtis was a blessing with his message on radical hospitality (and how 'bout that video!).
This afternoon I was at the Pack 314 Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Seven young men received their Eagle award. Among them were Zach Hannon, Tom Prinslow and Joe Richey from our church. It is a joy to see young men who have achieved such success at a young age. They have so much life before them. We are in good hands with young men like this.
One day a long time ago Charlie Pence was ordained into the ministry of the Methodist Church. He influenced others. He served well. Today he enters into the eternal kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Others will pick up the call and carry the church forward into the days ahead.
Today I saw the cycle of life. Eagle Scouts just beginning - a beloved pastor resting from his labors. All in all it's been a pretty amazing day. With God's grace it's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
I actually met him before he became my pastor. I went to church camp in Trenton, Mo., in the summer of 1966 (I think). We were not allowed to have radios or anything like that. (Could you image a week without technology today!) There was this counselor who played his radio every morning. I thought he must be a pretty good guy. A few months later he was introduced as our pastor.
Charlie was a really good preacher. He was a good pastor. He served our church well. I know he also served in Bolivar, Neosho and North Kansas City. A few years ago I was in Rolla for a meeting and went by to visit. He was retired then. I remember a really nice conversation. Some time back Charlie and Joyce moved to Kansas City.
Thursday I got a call from one of his sons who invited me to come by the house and bring communion. They did not think Charlie had long to live. I gathered with that family -- people I have known for 40 years! It has been nearly that long since I'd seen some of them. We got around his bed and talked. He was so pleased to hear Cindy and I will be married 37 years in August. It's always good to find a marriage that sticks. He remembered me introducing him as the best preacher the old Missouri West Conference had. He told me to give Cindy a hug -- he figured of all people she would need one! He was tired. I took a wafer and dipped it in the cup and put it in his mouth. We all participated in the Lord's Supper. I gave him a hug.
This morning his daugher Judy called and told me Charlie passed away around midnight. He was my preacher. I'll always think of his influence.
There was more to this day. I was blessed in worship today. During the 9:30 service I slipped into the balcony and sat with Cindy and Andrea. We don't do that much. Curtis was a blessing with his message on radical hospitality (and how 'bout that video!).
This afternoon I was at the Pack 314 Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Seven young men received their Eagle award. Among them were Zach Hannon, Tom Prinslow and Joe Richey from our church. It is a joy to see young men who have achieved such success at a young age. They have so much life before them. We are in good hands with young men like this.
One day a long time ago Charlie Pence was ordained into the ministry of the Methodist Church. He influenced others. He served well. Today he enters into the eternal kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Others will pick up the call and carry the church forward into the days ahead.
Today I saw the cycle of life. Eagle Scouts just beginning - a beloved pastor resting from his labors. All in all it's been a pretty amazing day. With God's grace it's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Reflections From Sunday Evening
We have begun the season of Lent. There was great crowd for our Ash Wednesday service. Today we continued with the first Sunday of Lent. This is a time for self-examination, prayer, fasting and repentance. This is a time during the Christian year where we may look at our lives and ask if we sense our love for God is deeper and more meaningfulful that it was a year ago. That is why we ask people to be involved in some form of intentional faith development.
Today we put our focus on passionate worship. I am convinced that it is through our regular participation in worship that we experience God's presence and power in our lives. This changes us and transforms us more and more into the people God has created and called us to be.
I pray that we continue on this road to the resurrection through the days of Lent. God is truly with us, leading us into the freshness of Easter.
By the way - it's halftime of the MU-KU basketball game. KU fans are very happy! Tiger fans are wondering what happened?
So far it's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
Today we put our focus on passionate worship. I am convinced that it is through our regular participation in worship that we experience God's presence and power in our lives. This changes us and transforms us more and more into the people God has created and called us to be.
I pray that we continue on this road to the resurrection through the days of Lent. God is truly with us, leading us into the freshness of Easter.
By the way - it's halftime of the MU-KU basketball game. KU fans are very happy! Tiger fans are wondering what happened?
So far it's been a good day. I hope you've had a good day too.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Reflections From Sunday Evening
In an hour the Academy Awards will come on. I think it's pretty neat that many people have "awards parties." People get together after having seen all the movies nominated for best picture and other awards. I tend to get together to watch sports events but not the Academy Awards. I'll read about it in the paper tomorrow. Or I might try to stay up and see who wins best picture.
I've only seen one of the pictures nominated for best picture: Slumdog Millionaire. Actually, Cindy and I don't go to R-rated movies. But we made an exception for this one. (It was not offensive like some of those goofy R movies are!) I was intrigued by the setting of the movie. I made a trip to India. I've seen some of the sites pictured in the movie although my trip was primarily to the jungle area and not the cities. But I've ridden down some of those streets and seen the abject poverty. It is an amazing place.
So I had an extra interest in Slumdog Millionaire. I was not disappointed. As a matter of fact, I would be glad to encourage a moviegoer to see the film. I would also love to see Slumdog win the best picture award.
It has a mixture of realism and miracle. There is adventure, love, hope and drama. But what I really like is the sense that there is something at work beyond the human characters. Some traditions call it fate or destiny. In Christianity we recognize the hand of God at work in the details and events of life. This grace of God accomplishes amazing things.
As I wait for the Academy Awards to begin (Oh wow -- Duke is getting ready to play Wake Forest!), I'll take a moment to reflect on how God's grace gets involved in all the details of life. Here is the hope we have as followers of Jesus Christ. If you go see Slumdog watch it through the lens of faith. I hope it wins.
It's been a good day. I hope you had a good day too.
I've only seen one of the pictures nominated for best picture: Slumdog Millionaire. Actually, Cindy and I don't go to R-rated movies. But we made an exception for this one. (It was not offensive like some of those goofy R movies are!) I was intrigued by the setting of the movie. I made a trip to India. I've seen some of the sites pictured in the movie although my trip was primarily to the jungle area and not the cities. But I've ridden down some of those streets and seen the abject poverty. It is an amazing place.
So I had an extra interest in Slumdog Millionaire. I was not disappointed. As a matter of fact, I would be glad to encourage a moviegoer to see the film. I would also love to see Slumdog win the best picture award.
It has a mixture of realism and miracle. There is adventure, love, hope and drama. But what I really like is the sense that there is something at work beyond the human characters. Some traditions call it fate or destiny. In Christianity we recognize the hand of God at work in the details and events of life. This grace of God accomplishes amazing things.
As I wait for the Academy Awards to begin (Oh wow -- Duke is getting ready to play Wake Forest!), I'll take a moment to reflect on how God's grace gets involved in all the details of life. Here is the hope we have as followers of Jesus Christ. If you go see Slumdog watch it through the lens of faith. I hope it wins.
It's been a good day. I hope you had a good day too.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Reflections From Sunday Evening
We like good food. Over 200 people enjoyed a great brunch in conjunction with our Mozambique emphasis.
The lunch out ladies were getting ready to head to lunch (I didn't know there was a Stephenson's open again.)
Others headed home for lunch together.
Some met up with family and friends to go to lunch.
Some stayed hungry.
Sunday dinner is a great theme for the Christian faith. We find what we need to sustain us. We enjoy fellowship. (sometimes this is better than the food!)
Sunday dinner has God's people getting together and enjoying one another. What makes the fellowship best is the presence of the risen Lord Jesus among us.
Today Jesus was with us. There was moving music. There this feeling that God stepped into our midst while we were together. He was there blessing the Mozambique meal. He was there when you went to lunch. He was there when you got home to eat. He was there. Furthermore he is here! It's been a good day. I hope you recognized the Lord with you today. I trust you will meet him this week. I hope you've had a good day. There is more to come with Christ among us.
steve
The lunch out ladies were getting ready to head to lunch (I didn't know there was a Stephenson's open again.)
Others headed home for lunch together.
Some met up with family and friends to go to lunch.
Some stayed hungry.
Sunday dinner is a great theme for the Christian faith. We find what we need to sustain us. We enjoy fellowship. (sometimes this is better than the food!)
Sunday dinner has God's people getting together and enjoying one another. What makes the fellowship best is the presence of the risen Lord Jesus among us.
Today Jesus was with us. There was moving music. There this feeling that God stepped into our midst while we were together. He was there blessing the Mozambique meal. He was there when you went to lunch. He was there when you got home to eat. He was there. Furthermore he is here! It's been a good day. I hope you recognized the Lord with you today. I trust you will meet him this week. I hope you've had a good day. There is more to come with Christ among us.
steve
Monday, February 9, 2009
Reflections From Sunday Evening
Al Wilson passed away the other night. Al was 80 years old. 20 or 30 years ago he led our finance committee at Platte Woods. He was one of the leaders that did much to make our church the great one it is today.
When I moved here 3 1/2 years ago Al was in a care center. I've been by to see him but never had the kind of conversation where I could learn from his experiences and share what he has meant to so many. One of the drawbacks of our way of doing things in the church. Al gets to go back home to Omaha and we pray for Philena and their family.
It is a funny thing -- how life cycles affect churches. Frankly there are a number of people who come to our church every Sunday that don't know those who have gone before in leadership. At the same time there are always others who step in and carry the work forward.
When I was growing up Doctor Ellett was a man that people counted on. He sewed me up a time or two! He was important to our church. He was probably the one who made sure everything balanced out at the end of the year. He could be counted on. But the day came when others needed to step forward and carry on his work and witness.
That is the Christian life. Others are always being called to step forward and carry on the work. The other night there were 39 couples at the Couples' Night Out. Young couples. People who are vital to our church life. We are in good hands.
There is a young adult group that continues to meet and attract new people. We see them stepping forward and offering leadership to our church.
There are 13 people in this year's leadership development group. Young adults. Stepping forward.
Our youth program develops future leaders for the church (whether this one or another).
Children's ministry prepares young people for the next step along their way of spiritual life.
One of the great joys of seeing the church from where I sit is noticing how tremendously bright our future truly is. So when someone like Al passes into life eternal God has a way of blessing them and all they have done through the years.
It is good to know we are all in God's hands -- and God is constantly inviting, calling and preparing people to carry the Word and further the kingdom.
It's been a good day to reflect. I hope you've had a good day too.
When I moved here 3 1/2 years ago Al was in a care center. I've been by to see him but never had the kind of conversation where I could learn from his experiences and share what he has meant to so many. One of the drawbacks of our way of doing things in the church. Al gets to go back home to Omaha and we pray for Philena and their family.
It is a funny thing -- how life cycles affect churches. Frankly there are a number of people who come to our church every Sunday that don't know those who have gone before in leadership. At the same time there are always others who step in and carry the work forward.
When I was growing up Doctor Ellett was a man that people counted on. He sewed me up a time or two! He was important to our church. He was probably the one who made sure everything balanced out at the end of the year. He could be counted on. But the day came when others needed to step forward and carry on his work and witness.
That is the Christian life. Others are always being called to step forward and carry on the work. The other night there were 39 couples at the Couples' Night Out. Young couples. People who are vital to our church life. We are in good hands.
There is a young adult group that continues to meet and attract new people. We see them stepping forward and offering leadership to our church.
There are 13 people in this year's leadership development group. Young adults. Stepping forward.
Our youth program develops future leaders for the church (whether this one or another).
Children's ministry prepares young people for the next step along their way of spiritual life.
One of the great joys of seeing the church from where I sit is noticing how tremendously bright our future truly is. So when someone like Al passes into life eternal God has a way of blessing them and all they have done through the years.
It is good to know we are all in God's hands -- and God is constantly inviting, calling and preparing people to carry the Word and further the kingdom.
It's been a good day to reflect. I hope you've had a good day too.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Reflections From Sunday Evening
Getting ready to watch the Super Bowl. Who would have thought when I sat down with Kelly Niemann to watch Super Bowl I between the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers it would turn into a functional national holiday? It sounds like our church is leaning toward the Cardinals. I'm hoping for a good game and some cool commercials.
Early tomorrow I pick up Alan Herndon and we go to Columbia where the Board of Ordained Ministry will be interviewing candidates for ministry. This is really significant work and I could use your prayers for all of us and especially the candidates.
This past week our building committee met. I'll be sending out a letter to our members soon but for now here is the announcement. We are planning to construct a new kitchen and remodel our existing dining hall. Brian Tolander is working as our project manager. He will be working with the committee and the daily issues of the project. We have hired Tevis Architects (Chris Sams - our very own - they had the best offer!) to develop the plans. We hope to begin construction in late May (pretty aggressive). If all goes well we will finish in late August (even more aggressive).
We will do the project on a cash basis. Everyone will be invited to participate in the project. If the kitchen is something you want to share in, plan to make a gift. We will receive our special miracle offering the weekend of March 28-29, 2009. We are NOT asking for a three-year pledge or anything like that -- just what you'd like to give.
We are committed to not spend any more than we have! No debt will be incurred for this project. It is our belief that you want this done and will step forward to provide what is needed. We will have very clear budget information shortly before the Miracle Weekend. (Once again - pretty aggressive!)
This is our step for 2009. Now let's imagine you give us significantly more than we ask for to do the kitchen/dining hall project! We move to the need for an excellent sound system and improved lighting in the sanctuary. Before much longer we move to a large gathering space with a true "front door!" That is very costly but we'll get to that when the time is right.
For now, we are moving forward. We see this anticipated improvement in the kitchen/dining hall as a sign of Radical Hospitality! Be praying about how you will participate.
One more thing. We finished the "Generations" series today. It was a real joy to hear Pastor Angie preach the word! What a blessing! Next week I'll start a short series on "Developing A Devoted Life." Next week - "Being Devoted to One Another."
I must say, I am one blessed preacher. It is a privilege to be able to work with our staff. We've got some really good preachers keeping this senior pastor on top of the game!
It's been a really good day. I hope you had a good day too.
Early tomorrow I pick up Alan Herndon and we go to Columbia where the Board of Ordained Ministry will be interviewing candidates for ministry. This is really significant work and I could use your prayers for all of us and especially the candidates.
This past week our building committee met. I'll be sending out a letter to our members soon but for now here is the announcement. We are planning to construct a new kitchen and remodel our existing dining hall. Brian Tolander is working as our project manager. He will be working with the committee and the daily issues of the project. We have hired Tevis Architects (Chris Sams - our very own - they had the best offer!) to develop the plans. We hope to begin construction in late May (pretty aggressive). If all goes well we will finish in late August (even more aggressive).
We will do the project on a cash basis. Everyone will be invited to participate in the project. If the kitchen is something you want to share in, plan to make a gift. We will receive our special miracle offering the weekend of March 28-29, 2009. We are NOT asking for a three-year pledge or anything like that -- just what you'd like to give.
We are committed to not spend any more than we have! No debt will be incurred for this project. It is our belief that you want this done and will step forward to provide what is needed. We will have very clear budget information shortly before the Miracle Weekend. (Once again - pretty aggressive!)
This is our step for 2009. Now let's imagine you give us significantly more than we ask for to do the kitchen/dining hall project! We move to the need for an excellent sound system and improved lighting in the sanctuary. Before much longer we move to a large gathering space with a true "front door!" That is very costly but we'll get to that when the time is right.
For now, we are moving forward. We see this anticipated improvement in the kitchen/dining hall as a sign of Radical Hospitality! Be praying about how you will participate.
One more thing. We finished the "Generations" series today. It was a real joy to hear Pastor Angie preach the word! What a blessing! Next week I'll start a short series on "Developing A Devoted Life." Next week - "Being Devoted to One Another."
I must say, I am one blessed preacher. It is a privilege to be able to work with our staff. We've got some really good preachers keeping this senior pastor on top of the game!
It's been a really good day. I hope you had a good day too.
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