The Church Mouse
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September 2008
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“For all the peoples walk, each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.”
Micah 4.5
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PASTOR’S PONDERINGS
Friends in Christ,
Greetings to you in the name of “the One” who has enough names to fill a book. In fact, a book entitled, Names of Christ/God, by T.C. Horton and Charles E. Hurlburt, Moody press, Chicago, 1994, listed and discussed many of the names ascribed to our Lord. The opening lines of the Introduction are:
“If someone asked what Christ means to you, how do you respond? The mystery of the Incarnation alone may leave us speechless; add to that Christ’s words of life, powerful miracles, and mighty work of salvation through the cross, resurrection, and ascension into glory. Then we need to describe the wonderful world of grace He performs inside us and in our circumstances. Our superlative phrases seem trite when trying to describe the reality of Jesus Christ. Sometimes we may feel safe simply describing Him as Savior and Lord and not dealing with the complexities that go beyond our comprehension.
…My primary hope is that you, the reader, grow in your knowledge and experience of Jesus Christ in order to be more like Him.”
As I reached the end of the Introduction, I contemplated the last sentence in relation to the first sentence’s question. It drove me to say out loud, “I agree.” If you were to ask me what Christ means, my answer would have to include, as a major point, “Christ means change!” Change means: a renaissance, a modification, a rebirth, a conversion, a re-creation, a realignment, etc. Yes, those who come in contact with the presence of God/Christ, are offered an opportunity for change. And it is offered with great promise for renewed-life. To be sure, freewill gives us the choice to choose to receive a positive or negative result from the offering. But, make no mistake; anyone who enters the presence of Yahweh/Lord is changed. The difference between whether the experience is positive or not will depend on what name we choose to call God. The use of Adonai (My Lord) indicates recognition of one’s true relation to God and that choice brings a positive result for the utterer. And it should be noted, all who enter the presence of God recognize the authority and power of God. Over that we have no choice. Individuals may choose not to accept or to follow God. But, even the adversary of God recognizes God as God.
So what does it mean to exist as product of the power and presence of Elohim (God)? It means that we are offered a chance for “regeneration,” a returning to our originally intended created state. It’s not possible for me to think of Christ without exploring what effect Christ’s presence offers. Even the invocation of a name of God brings with it great presence and power, Emanuel (God with us), changing everything in its proximity. So, to explore the names of God is to explore the power and presence of God. In doing so, the explorer augments self and his/her surroundings.
This is why I believe weekly corporate worship and study are so valuable. Each offers opportunities for focused discussions about, and intentional mentioning of, our Lord’s names. Each invokes the presence and power of God. I presume most, if not all, present, are interested in receiving blessings from that experience. All who chose to avail themselves of such experiences will have to choose to reject or accept the offerings presented them by the Trinity. Those who choose to receive will be positively augmented. Their lives will never be the same.
So, if you ask me why we must offer additional opportunities for persons and families to worship and attend Christian education, my answer is a simple one. “Offering additional opportunities for families and persons to invoke the names of God is critical in bringing opportunities of the Kingdom of God to this world. We must speak of God in as many venues as possible, utilizing as many genres as possible, and inviting as many persons as possible to each of them. Everyone is in need of opportunities that they may have the choice to choose to relate to God. And in the scriptures, the Holy Written Word of God, Jesus is reported to have called us to offer those opportunities to others.”
And so, I have asked RHUMC’s leadership to begin to offer as many opportunities for fellowship and study as can be arranged. They will include morning, day and evening venues. My prayer is that each of these venues will be led very intentionally about regularly mentioning the names of God.
Further, much discussion, prayer, and discernment have gone in to finding a way…to allow the Traditional Worship Service to worship at a later time…and a way to open space up for additional worshipers in the Contemporary Worship Service. So, in addition to these educational opportunities, we are making plans to offer an additional, third, Sunday Morning Worship opportunity. As our plans are being worked on, it appears additional educational opportunities will also be available at a second Sunday Morning Christian Educational time. We are still ironing out the details. You should be receiving further detailed information concerning these very soon.
Please, avail yourself, and if possible, your family members, to one or more of these opportunities. Once you receive more information, you may want to offer your talents to one or more of these. I know God will bless you and us for it. May God bless you…as you endeavor to do the will of God.
Shalom
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Missions
Thank you to everyone who helped in our school supply mission. We were able to provide supplies to 15 kindergarten students at Round Hill Elementary and individual families that needed help. We also provided school clothing to a needy family. Any extra school supplies were given to the counselors at the other schools.
Upcoming Mission Projects
Crop Hunger Walk—Saturday October 25th at 8:30 AM
The Crop Hunger Walk is a 6 mile walk on the W&OD. The walk is sponsored by Church World Service. This walk gives 25% of the money made to Interfaith Relief. Last year, Interfaith Relief received about $2700. A walker collects money from sponsors ahead of time and then walks for hunger on October 25th. This year the walk will start at the train station in Purcellville. It is a great time to catch up with others that you don’t see that often. Please consider walking or sponsoring a walker for this great event. We need someone to organize this event and go to the meetings. If you are interested, please contact Judy Rodgers.
Holiday Baskets
We give baskets full of food to around 40 families every year at Thanksgiving and Christmas. We will be collecting for holiday baskets earlier this year. We will be scanning the local store ads to let you know what stores are having the 10 for $10 specials. If you want to start now, some items we will be collecting are rice, green beans, 100% juice, canned fruit, pasta and sauce, peanut butter, and cereal. We will put a full list in the bulletin next month. Also, check the mission board for an updated list.
Thanks again to everyone who supports our missions. As Pastor Witt said in one of his recent sermons, you are an awesome congregation! If you have a mission you would like us to consider or would like to be part of the mission team, please contact Judy Rodgers.
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A Stewardship Minute
We are dependent on earth for all of the necessities of life. Sadly, too many humans are being greedy regarding the earth, which does not really belong to us. As Psalm 24.1 puts it: “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” In Psalm 50.7-12 God says: “Every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle of a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains; and the wild beasts of the field are mine…for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof.” Everything on the planet exists because of the goodness of our loving Creator.
Therefore, we are expected to manage the earth and all that exists on it in a caring, responsible manner. Not to do so is an affront to God. To pollute the air, water or land is wrong. To destroy forests without replanting trees and plants is an insult to God.
An article in this month’s Stewardship points out that most of the seven billion people on earth are not well-fed, well-clothed, well-sheltered, or well in health or in spirit. Yet, each year almost a hundred million people are added to those already here. We must decide now to clean up our environment, plant trees and gardens, use wind and solar power, recycle whatever is recyclable, and provide for the poor and hungry, and so on. We must be aware that this is God’s earth and remind others that we are to care for our Creator’s world.
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Wholly Spirits
On Wednesday, September 10, the Wholly Spirits will picnic at Sky Meadows State Park near Delaplane. The bus will leave RHUMC at 11:30 AM. Bring your favorite picnic dish and enjoy good food and fellowship in beautiful outdoor surroundings. (Should the weather not cooperate, we will picnic in the church Social Hall.)
We also hope to visit Mount Bleak house which is near the picnic area. It was built in 1835 by Isaac and Mary Settle as a wedding gift for their son, Abner. About 1870, it became the property of George M. Slater, a former Confederate soldier who was with Mosby’s Rangers. The property changed owners several times until 1975 when Paul Mellon of Upperville donated 1,132 acres to the Commonwealth of Virginia for the development of a state park. In 1988, Mellon donated another 486 acres.
Please sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board in the Social Hall. For more information, call Sheila James.
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Addresses Needed
If anyone knows the addresses of any of the following persons, please contact the church office at 338-1836: Nancy Thrall, Nicole Denson, Devin Frend and Shaylin Harvell (preparatory member).
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ASP For You and Me
We were your mission team. The comments below are anonymous. We cannot thank you enough for supporting the trip with your prayers, your letters with goodies and your financial gifts (including the loan of a car and trailer). We laughed, cried, sweated and ached in the name of Christ. On the way down, we enjoyed sleeping in the social hall (males only) and the youth room (females only) of Grove UMC in Radford. The hospitality shown by Greg Stokley when fixing our dinner exemplified a humble servant.
The Jonesville, Virginia ASP center housed four church teams from Iowa, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Virginia. We went around proud that we were teams of hybrid animals called Chipoalas (chipmunks and koalas), Froose (frogs and moose), and Platypards (platypus and leopards). The silly names protected the identity of the homeowners. The old felt young and the young acted very responsibly when using picks, shovels, hammers, trowels, power tools with supervision, etc.
We all completed a full day of work at various sites and then returned to shower and complete our assigned jobs at the Center. The evenings were spent with a nice balance of free time and structured activities. College-aged staffers were experienced and very spiritual. We sang, talked, danced, played games that had a moral lesson, ate free ice cream, and experienced spiritual silent time traveling from station to station on a porch.
Comments
“We kidded around a lot but the utmost love and respect were shown.”
“It is often the smallest blessings that create the most joy.”
“It was so moving to have a young woman, the lady of the home, against your protests, hugging your dirty, sweaty, stinking body out of gratitude.”
“Yellow car…I win.” (from the trip down and back)
“I really don’t take enough time just to sit and enjoy the beauty of God’s creations and the company of family and friends.”
“I love using the mallet…let me keep hitting.”
“I eat dirt for breakfast.”
“Many families in Jonesville may not have much materially, but their priority on family and friends is an example of what matters most.”
“Life is not about what you have or don’t have, how much money you make, how many degrees you have obtained, or credentials you have after your name. It is about sharing your love for each other in the smallest of ways.”
“I’ve started a list of those who sincerely want to be included in next year’s trip!”
“Tuesday evening’s gathering with the stations was profoundly powerful. What words does one use to describe to others how spending 30-40 minutes in silence can be so moving it brings you to tears that wouldn’t stop flowing?”
“We came back wearing our nail necklaces…a visual reminder of our week and a thank you from the staffers.”
“Tuesday evening was a moment that resonates with me.”
“The one additional comment from my experience was the constant “love.” To have the opportunity to get away from the everyday everything and to be surrounded by people of the same faith, the same purpose with nothing but love was awesome.”
“Praise God for incredible youth who focused on a goal for a family they will probably never see again…that’s the power of the Spirit.”
“I was inspired by our team’s commitment to serve, enamored by the beautiful Appalachian countryside and blessed for the relationships developed with one another.”
“I loved the scripture for this summer’s ASP program…Not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit. Zechariah 4:65”
Appalachian Service Project
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United Methodist Men
After a glorious summer of travel, worship, family time, and mission trips, UMMen will continue our relationship-building and service to our church by gathering in September. We will meet the third Thursday in September at 7:00 PM in our fellowship hall. There is no preparation required. Simply come with an open heart and an open mind. The doors will already be open and waiting your arrival.
United Methodist Men throughout Virginia have a wonderful opportunity to attend a spiritual retreat November 7-9 in Blackstone. World-renowned evangelist Rev. Dr. Maxie Dunnam will be the featured speaker. Over 400 men will be in attendance. Registration prior to October 11 is encouraged. This will be an incredible opportunity to come together in His name! Please see Chas Browning for further details and registration forms.
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Excited About Education
As the children and youth return to school, it is now time to think about your own spiritual growth. We are offering many things this fall but if you are interested in a topic not listed, just let us know. The contacts for small groups are Susan and Chas Browning.
Coming Up!!
- Two Disciple 1s—( a long term study of the Old and New Testaments) one on Monday nights and one on Tuesday mornings
- Moms’ Group—on a weekday morning twice a month
- Men's Study—Tuesday mornings at 6:00 AM in Purcellville
- Women's Study—Once a week in the evening; short term studies
- Adult Sunday School—Lectionary class (based on scripture readings for the week and open to youth 13 and older as well as adults)
- Adult Sunday School—United Methodism and the Sacraments
- Adult Sunday School—Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
- Friday Nights—Science and Religion at the home of the Barton’s
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New Sunday School Sessions Start September 7th
We are thankful for the current adult volunteers in our Sunday School program. The new curriculum is called Living the Good News. More volunteers are needed in order to make this run smoothly and to give our teachers an occasional break. If you have been blessed with a desire to be with elementary-aged children, please contact the church office and talk to Pastor Witt as soon as possible.
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Bluemont Fair Sign Ups Are Underway
Sign Up Sheets for the Bluemont Fair will be available at church beginning Sunday August 24. We need lots of volunteers beginning Friday, September 19 through Sunday September 21. We also need donations of bottled water, soda, apple crisps, coolers and tents. It really takes a whole congregation to “pull this off.” If you haven’t participated in the Bluemont Fair BBQ, PLEASE sign up. You will love it. If you have been a regular at the fair in the past, we definitely need you again this year. See you at the Fair!
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Early Response Training
There will be a training session for persons interested in serving on Disaster Ministry Early Response Teams on Saturday, September 13, at Harmony UMC in Hamilton, VA. The training will be held from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM at the church. Lunch will be provided so those interested in attending are asked to contact Marsha Keim in advance to register attendance.
Early Response training is required for all those who desire to go into areas impacted by disasters as first responders. The training covers measures to ensure that areas are safe, sanitary, and secure before other responders begin to work. More information about Early Response can be found on the Virginia Conference website at www.vaumc.org, select “Ministries”, then “Disaster Response”.
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Thanks to All
I would like to thank everyone for their contributions toward my education! It means so much to me. I am amazed at the amount of money raised and the generosity that fills your church and all of you. Maybe one day I will be teaching your children’s children, thanks to all of you!! I will try to keep in touch with Pastor Witt with my progress throughout my schooling.
Thanks again for all the help, I was honestly blown away. My family and I appreciate everything. Thanks for the prayers, too.
God Bless,
Ashlie D.
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