From the

Pastor Steve Flader

  Watch for Messages on this page from new South Gate Pastor Steve Flader
who came to our Church on July 1, 2007

Pastor Steve's First Note to South Gate Congregation Dear members and friends; It has been a busy first month. My priorities have been visiting, getting to know you, listening to your stories and the history of this church. I've begun meeting with committees as we begin planning for fall activities. I've even unpacked a few boxes for my office. I've also been putting time and prayer into sermon preparation. I know I have more contact with more people on Sunday morning than at any other time of the week. I am very excited about being here and want this to be a great beginning to a good, long time with you. This is a great church with great potential. We have great days ahead of us. I know that we do this ministry together, and I am so thankful for all of you who are involved in the ministry of this church. I am grateful to be among you. See you in church. In Christ's service, Steve

To "Lent - A Journey to the Cross and Beyond"                

To "Letter about the events of September 11" 

 To "Dealing with People we don't like" 

  To "Nothing nor anyone can withstand the power of our Risen Lord!"

To "Growing up as a United Methodist"

To "Tools, Neighbors, and New Friends"

To "Don't Mess With His Big Sister"

To "Rumors Can Be Funny Too"

To "May and Images"

To "Who is in charge of our Salvation?"

To "Left Speechless"

  To "Right or Polite"

   The 10 Commandments, Laws, and Bills

After having read The Ten Commandments (a preaching commentary) by John C.

Holbert, I was inspired to preach a series on these laws of God through the

summer. I have found the process of study and reflection in preparation for

each week rewarding. Preachers (and Christians in general) are often

reluctant to spend much time in the Old Testament because we so often

experience it as restrictive, judgemental, and even cruel. Over the years, I

have discovered that the grace of God pervades all of the scriptures - even

in the "thou shalt nots" of the cannon law. I believe one of the reasons our

attitudes about the Old Testament are often negative has to do with our

attitudes about others and our relationships with them in general.

For example: A doctor and a lawyer were chatting at a party when a woman

interrupted them and asked the doctor about a pain in her leg. After having

given the woman some advice, he turned to the lawyer and asked him if he had

the right to send the woman a bill. The lawyer replied, "Certainly." The

next day, the doctor sent a bill to the woman - and he received a bill as

well - from the lawyer.

We forget the nature of good relationships is give

and take. In legal and business worlds this is the fairness of reciprocity.

In life it is called justice meted out with mercy. Laws will not solve every

problem of society. However, good laws, interpreted and enacted by

reasonable and compassionate people will be vehicles for healing and hope

instead of tools of fear and despair. Perhaps we all ought to remember we

often seek out justice for our neighbor while in the same circumstance we

plead for mercy for ourselves. Let us remember that the next time we get

ready to send out our "bills".

Shalom, Pastor Bob

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   Lent - A Journey to the Cross and Beyond

Every year thousands of people climb a mountain in the Italian Alps, passing

the "stations of the cross" to stand at an outdoor crucifix. One tourist

notices a little trail that led beyond the cross. He fought through the

rough thicket that had grown over it and, to his surprise, came upon another

shrine, a shrine that symbolized the empty tomb. It had been neglected. The

brush had grown up around it. Almost everyone had gone as far as the cross,

but there they stopped. Far too many of us have made a journey of faith and

come to the cross. We have come to know the despair and the heartbreak of

betrayal, suffering, and death. While it is important for Lent to be a

season through which we get in touch with the cost of the Good News, it is

equally important that we complete the trek.

Lent without Easter would be akin to Advent without Christmas. If our

journey through Lent leaves us standing at a cross and we do not continue to

the Good News of resurrection, it would be as though we used the Advent

Season to fill ourselves with hope and expectation, only to have it all end

in a miscarriage. There were tens of thousands of crosses that lined the

roads throughout the Roman Empire. Those crosses provided nothing but death

and despair. The center cross on Golgotha is no different if we stop there.

It is when we move beyond the cross that we engage true hope and final

deliverance. It is the cross coupled with the empty tomb that inspires us to

hope and faith. Let the journey continue...

Shalom, Pastor Bob

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    Letter about the events of September 11:

A Pastoral Letter to the People of God of South Gate United Methodist Church

The congregation of South Gate United Methodist Church, like communities of

faith throughout the country, is gathered together on this day of worship.

We all recognize that this time of worship on this Sabbath is no ordinary

gathering, for we are in the midst of an extraordinary time. Many of us

have not experienced this kind of national tragedy in our lifetime. Others

of us remember the devastation of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the savagery

of a world war, the inexpressible sorrow of assassinations, and the horrific

experiences of deaths and divisiveness related to Vietnam. The United

States has survived these and a myriad of other threats to our nation and

our way of life, and with God's grace, we will overcome the events of this

week.

The physical landscape and spiritual fabric of our nation has been forever

altered by the tragic events of this past week. Our citizens are entering a

new age as we recognize that even a nation as great as ours is vulnerable to

vicious attacks from individuals, organizations, and nations who do not

share our values. The slaughter of innocent civilians is abhorrent to us.

The sufferings of families, friends, and coworkers strain the emotions of

all Americans. The initial shock of this week's images have us reeling from

feelings of disbelief and denial through inconsolable sorrow and into

diatribes of anger, as we struggle with the fact that September 11, 2001

will be logged as one of the most lethal days in American history.

Yet, in the midst of such turmoil, the American spirit should be heartened,

as we witness the aftermath of these terrible acts of terrorism. In the

midst of chaos and terrible danger, the citizens of New York and the tri

state areas exhibited tremendous restraint, as they fled from the epicenter

of destruction. There was little, if any, panic in the race to safety.

News and home video cameras recorded countless images of citizens stopping

to assist others while all of them were in flight for their lives.

Firefighters, police officers, emergency technicians and other public

servants reacted with unparalleled professionalism, courage, and compassion,

as they rushed toward danger to save the citizenry they had vowed to serve.

The city, state, and federal leadership of our nation has been exemplary as

they have striven to respond to the needs of victims, families, friends, and

the nation in this time of great peril and grief. In an age in which we

have often come to expect the least from our brothers and sisters, our

nation has shown that the spirits of compassion, self-sacrifice, and common

good are alive and well. Persons from all geographic areas and all walks of

life are rising to meet this challenge as gifts of all kinds are being made

to ensure the welfare of peoples whom they shall never see face to face. The

compassion of Americans has been nothing short of miraculous, as volunteers

have streamed into the stricken areas. Donor sites have been overwhelmed

with people willing give of their own life's blood that others might live.

The character of our nation is being tested in these days, as we witness the

carnage in New York City, Pennsylvania, and Washington D. C. We will

continue to be tested in the weeks, months, and years to come, as we attempt

to come to grips with our sorrow, anger, and desire for justice. However,

let us be assured that if our response to this attack upon our way of life

endangers or destroys the freedoms and personal liberties of any citizen or

guest in our country; then the terrorists will have accomplished their

goals. President Bush, speaking with New York Governor Pataki and New York

City Mayor Guiliani on the phone during a news conference on Thursday, said

"There are thousands of Arab-Americans in New York City that love our flag

and this country as much as the three of us do." There have been isolated

reports of unfortunate instances in the city of Lincoln and in other

communities in which the property and the safety of people have been

threatened because of their national origin, manner of dress, complexion of

skin, practice of religion, or accent of speech. If we allow this type of

treatment of anyone, the terrorists will have won. If we, individually or

collectively, respond to this horrific attempt to threaten our rights and

freedoms by infringing upon the rights and freedoms of others, the

terrorists will have won. If the dignity of any individual is ignored, if

the livelihood of one person is compromised, if the sanctity of any home is

defiled, if the innocence of even one child is destroyed, then the

terrorists will have won. Our present promise, and future hope will have

collapsed along with those magnificent buildings. A sure and complete

response to this deplorable evil must come. Justice must, and I believe,

will prevail, but let us know that the deaths of so many Americans will

truly be in vain, if we trade our national values for the short lived

satisfaction of revenge. If any human civilization is to thrive upon this

planet, the evils of terrorism must be confronted. Our nation must not only

be united and resolute in this endeavor, but also patient. The road to

justice will be difficult and arduous journey and will carry its own costs.

Our leaders will need a mixture of resources, including copious amounts of

determination and wisdom.

Our nation is once again thrust into the spotlight of the world stage, and

as the world stands just inside the threshold of a new millennium, let us

become a beacon of light beaming through the darkness of terrorism. Our

people will bear our sorrows in front of the world. We will bury our dead

and heal our wounded in view of billions of world citizens. Let us proceed

in these traumatic days knowing that the integrity of our values and the

dignity of our ancestors, our families, and our heirs are at stake.

I close this pastoral letter with a prayer for the people of our nation:

Merciful and gracious God, let your Holy Spirit come upon us in this hour

that

we may exhibit grace in our time of trial.

In this age of uncertainty, grant to us the faith to overcome our fears

and the courage to be compassionate in the presence of our pain.

Comfort our nation and heal our fractured bodies, minds and spirits.

We pray for strength to endure the tests that are yet to come

as you have sustained us in days past.

Grant us your wisdom, O God, and inspire our leaders with your righteousness

that, as we seek justice, we will also be known as a people of mercy.

Give us humility and restraint in the use of power.

Let us discover even greater unity in our diversity

that we might bring honor to the memory of our fore-bearers

and establish a proud legacy for our descendents.

O Lord, let us feel your hand in ours as we walk this path.

Deliver us from evil and death.

Renew us to our faith that all we say and all we do will be pleasing in your

sight,

For you are our hope, our strength, and our deliverance.

Through Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.

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    Dealing with People we don't like

One of the most difficult challenges in daily life is to deal with people

we don't particularly like. There are people that we take an immediate

dislike to the minute we meet them. Other times, familiarity breeds

contempt. In other words, the longer we know them, the less tolerant of

them we become. Our decisions about other people are based on their

behavior, appearance, mannerisms, etc. And, frequently, we are informed by

less obvious details such as voice inflections or even the scent of their

cologne. The range of our reactions runs from tolerance and acceptance to

avoidance and aggression. Whatever our response, our reactions tell more

about us than about others! The traits that we love or hate in others often

reflect the things that we love or hate about ourselves. Frequently, what

we view in others (good or bad) is only a reflection of ourselves. If we

approach life as if others were only mirroring back to us the images of how

we are perceived, I believe that we will become more tolerant, accepting,

forgiving, and loving even in the midst of anger, irritation, and injury.

The old adage that "time heals all wounds" has considerable merit, but time

offers only opportunities for reconciliation, we must make the effort.

Healing and forgiveness come only with consistent, intentional effort. So,

if you don't like your neighbor, reflect upon your attitudes and

shortcomings. Seek always to do the most loving thing.

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

"Love your neighbor as yourself."

Sound familiar? Think about it.

Based in part on readings from:

If Life Is a Game, These Are the Rules.

by Cherie Carter-Scott, Ph.D.

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  Nothing nor anyone can withstand the power of our Risen Lord!

United Nations leader, Kofi Annan, told this story about his youth to a Time

Magazine writer last September: Once my father did something that quite

shocked me. He was looking over a set of accounts and had a question on

something, so he called one of the junior managers, and of course the fellow

came rushing right in. But the fellow was smoking. And he put the

cigarette - still lit - into his pants pocket because my father didn't smoke

and didn't approve of people who did. And he stood there as he talked to my

father, with his pocket burning, obviously in some distress. Finally he

finished the business and left. I was really shocked and said to my father

quite angrily, "Why did you do that to him? You made him put his cigarette

in his pocket." My father looked at me and gave me a lecture. He said, "I

did not. There was an ashtray here; he could have used that. He could have

excused himself and gone and thrown it out. He could have continued smoking.

He put the cigarette into his pocket. He need not have done that." My father

looked at me and said, "Today you saw something you should never do. Don't

crawl."

Christians are filled with fear of what appears to be a powerful and

unforgiving world. When we find ourselves in a dilemma, we fill up with

fear and make hasty and detrimental decisions. We succumb to the rules of

our world because we actually believe that we cannot change the world. We

complain about the materialist nature of our society. Violence in our

communities leaves us quaking in our boots. Drugs and alcohol permeate our

social scenes. Terms such as road rage and air rage have entered our daily

vocabulary due to uncontrolled anger and rudeness. Family meal times are a

thing of the past in most homes. Our jobs demand more and more time. Our

life-style expectations require more income. Job requirements, school

schedules and sports events dictate our attention to worship, Christian

education, and spiritual development. We continue to participate in the

problems out of fear that if we speak out our children won't make the sports

team or make first chair in the school orchestra. Even if we are not

concerned with repercussions from outside our homes, we live in fear that

our children will resent us or be somehow irreparably harmed if they don't

get to be all, do all, and have all. If we claim our sabbath in the face of

unreasonable employment demands, we fear the loss of our careers. No wonder

stress consumes our energy and drains our spirits. Fear is the consummate

weapon of oppression. And, all the while, we Christians wring our hands

asking ourselves "What can I do?" We believe we are powerless, and because

we believe we are powerless - we are powerless!

Easter is coming! Are we so frozen with the fear of the world in which we

live that we cannot even move toward change in tiny increments?

Easter is coming! Are we so overcome by the tide of society that we cower

in fear and crawl in the face of it all.

Easter is coming! Let us learn the lesson that Kofi Annan learned as a boy.

Don't crawl!

Easter is coming! Nothing nor anyone can withstand the power of our Risen

Lord!

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           Right or Polite?

“A Passenger on a dining car looked over the luncheon menu. The list

included both a chicken salad sandwich and a chicken sandwich. He

decided to order the chicken salad but absentmindedly wrote “chicken” on

the order slip. When the waiter brought the chicken sandwich, the man

angrily protested. Most waiters would have shown the order slip and

proved the error was the customer’s doing. Instead, he expressed regret

at the error and picked up the chicken sandwich, returned to the

kitchen, and a few moments later placed the chicken salad in front of

the customer. While eating the sandwich the customer picked up the

order slip and realized the mistake was his. When it came time to pay

the check, he apologized to the waiter and offered to pay for both

sandwiches. The waiter’s response was, “That’s perfectly all right. I

am just happy that you’ve forgiven me for being right.”

The importance of being correct is frequently overrated by most of us.

This especially true when we are dealing with issues close to our hearts

such as politics and religion. We somehow confuse knowledge with faith,

and wind up attempting to justify ourselves with correct dogma in the

place of living out Christian principles. When Christian humility,

tact, and compassion are replaced with “being correct,” we have entered

into the much despised realm called the “Pharisee Zone.”

Christians don’t often think of the necessity of apologizing or seeking

forgiveness when we are right. The waiter in the story above understood

how best to relate to others in his world. Tact and humility are

powerful tools that are too often ignored in our quest to prove our self

worth and wisdom to others. Of course, the waiter did not miss the

teaching opportunity when the customer apologized. But, in the midst of

this, one lesson was ignored. Did the man apologize for being wrong or

for his behavior? Will this fussy diner repeat this scenario the next

time he believes his dinner order is messed up? The unfortunate answer

is “probably.”

Anger is not always a bad emotion by any means, but anger out of

control is a certain recipe for disaster. Most of us are experienced

citizens of the “Pharisee Zone.” Perhaps we should take a closer look

into our daily living experiences. Being right or being wrong is not

really the issue. Remember, we can only show respect for ourselves and

our Lord when we respect the dignity of others.

Shalom,

Pastor Bob

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            Left Speechless

Then there was the story about a governor who had an  exceptionally good speech writer. He was so good that the governor would often give the speech without reading it over beforehand. One day the speech writer asked for a raise. The governor was somewhat indignant as he replied, “The budget will not allow for that. You are being paid well enough as it is.”

The very next day the governor was to give an important speech before 15,000 local government officials on “How the State and Local Governments Can Gain Fiscal Soundness.” The speech was a gem as it led to the important points he had promised. He came to the transitional statement that would lead to the plan outline, “and now I would like to outline 15 solid proposals for fiscal soundness...”

When the governor turned the page to read the 15 points, all it said was, “Finish the speech yourself, governor, if this is all I’m worth.”

Of course a person’s value is not solely tied to the size of their salary. I imagine the governor learned a hard lesson about interpersonal relationships and the value of the people who surrounded him. Jesus was always aware of the indignities that people suffered in his society. He went so far as to talk with Samaritans, tax collectors, women and even children.

The outcasts, poor, uneducated, and marginalized of his society were lifted up by his ministry and empowered to become the cornerstones of the very faith that we now proclaim.

Perhaps we ought to treat those we meet as though they are the cornerstones of tomorrow’s church. It is strange how the value we place on others often dictates how me we are valued by them!

Grace & Peace

Pastor Bob

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   Who is in charge of our salvation?

In his book, Laughing Out Loud, Tom Mullen reflects upon Mark Twain’s

novel, Tom Sawyer Abroad. The main characters are riding in a balloon.

It lands in a forsaken desert, and several lions come after them. They

barely manage to get back into the balloon and escape. As they float

away, Tom Sawyer looks down at the disappointed lions and says, “I

couldn’t help seeing their side of it.”

Tom Mullen observes “that those who are able to see the humor in a

situation are usually more able to understand the “human condition” than

those who can’t. Seeing the funny or ironic side of events is a way of

seeing the truth they contain. He goes on to say that an inability to

laugh at human foibles is blasphemy. It treats human beings as if they

were godlike, and they aren’t.”

That seems to hold the ring of truth to me. I foul up. You foul up.

All God’s children foul up. Laughing about it is a form of confession.

If we can’t laugh at ourselves we run the risk of taking ourselves so

seriously that we become pompous fools.

The Pharisee in Luke 18:11-12 is so sure of his own righteousness that

he has lost all sense of humility. Listen to his words,

“God, I thank you that I am not as others are, extortioners, unjust,

adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week. I give

tithes of all that I possess.”

It is inconceivable that the Pharisee of this story would ever be able

to laugh at himself. The lack of humor destroys any sense of humility

and inevitably leads us to building up of ourselves at the expense of

others through judgement and condemnation.

Among other things, Jesus calls us to be humble, compassionate, caring,

and forgiving. If we, as Christians, fail to recognize our own faults,

but are certain to point out the failures of others, perhaps we need to

spend more time reading Luke 18.

Jesus is not calling us to be “right about everything”, rather he offers

us the opportunity to “be in a right relationship with God.” That is

true righteousness. Christ recognizes we are human and therefore far

short of perfection. However, isn’t it wonderful that he delivers us in

spite of our imperfections?

The good news, as Apostle Paul says, is that “Christ died for us while

we were yet sinners.” Isn’t it grand that no one else is in charge of

our salvation except the one who died to provide it? Perhaps that is

the best first step in our relationship with others - - recognizing that

they are not in charge of our deliverance, and equally as important - -

that we are not in charge of theirs!

As Christians, we are not responsible for the salvation of others,

rather we are called to be the means through which that Good News is

proclaimed! May God free us all from the awesome burden of the Pharisee

found in Luke 18. We are not saved by the perceptions of others. We

are saved only by the Grace of God.

Shalom!

Pastor Bob  

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        Growing up as a United Methodist

When I was a boy attending the Vermillion Heights United Methodist Church, I didn't know much about our denomination.  I only knew that I liked the church and the people there. Like most people who are new to our denomination, I wasn't very knowledgeable about our church and how it was organized.  However, the longer I was involved, the more I learned.   And, the more I learned about our connectional system, the more I liked it.

I recall when  the District Superintendent would come every three months and hold a quarterly conference.  These were big affairs in our church.  They would usually take place on a Sunday afternoon or evening and would be accompanied by a church wide potluck dinner. The meeting would include a lot of singing along with reports on how the church was doing at that point during the year.  People knew their District Superintendents better, and by the mere nature of having to account to each other, our committees and officers worked very hard to be able to report successes.  Those conferences have long ago been abandoned.  I am not sure that eliminating them was wise.  We need accountability for our ministries -- to each other and to the general church.  If nothing else, it keeps us on our toes.  But more than that, we felt we were a real part of the greater whole!  The D.S. would tell us of the problems and successes of our sibling churches and encouraged us in our efforts. We truly were in it together.

The church is called to be the Communion of All the Saints.  That is bigger than just our own local churches or even a denomination.  That is one of the joys of being United Methodist --We are not alone!  Unlike most congregational churches who often have little sense of connection with other church bodies, such a relationship is built into our identity.  This is a blessing that we should celebrate with more enthusiasm.

We perform our missions that reach beyond our local church in tandem with all other United Methodist churches.  Through our system of shared responsibility, every church's effectiveness is improved.  South Gate United Methodist Church, through our connectional system, is able to minister in our community, throughout our country and around the world.  Every missionary is our missionary!  Every soup kitchen, every hospital, every college, every orphanage, and well, every ministry is ours to support and take part in.

Our church is certainly not perfect. We do not agree on every program, theological doctrine, social principle, or outreach, but the same can be said of any synod.  However, even in the presence of occasional disappointment and disagreement, I am proud to call myself a United Methodist!    

                         Shalom,    Pastor Bob

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              Tools, Neighbors, and New Friends

Televisions were still rare in a lot of communities when I was a little boy growing up the 50’s. Whenever a neighbor would get a television set, it was big news. I was eight years old when mom and dad bought their first set. It was a Sylvania with the glow light around the picture tube that was supposed to be good for your eyes. Our home was absolutely jubilant!

One of our neighbors got a TV just a few months before and was more than a little mystified as to how to set up the antenna. Some of the neighbors gathered in his yard on Saturday morning to help. After a couple of hours of frustration over not knowing exactly how it worked and lacking the tools to install it properly, a new neighbor from several houses down walked into the yard carrying a rather elaborate tool box that had everything they needed to erect the antenna, hook up the rotating motor, and install the wiring necessary into the living room.

After all was finished and the beautiful black and white picture appeared, everyone stood around celebrating their victory over technology. Almost as an after thought, the home owner asked the new neighbor what he made with those fancy tools that had come in so handy. As he picked up his tool box, he looked up, smiled and simply answered, “Friends.”

I was just thinking what we carry with us that is solely for that purpose? Whether it be a shiny tool box, an engaging smile, a hearty laugh, or an encouraging word, wouldn’t it be a good idea for each of us to take every opportunity to be friends and make new neighbors?

Perhaps that would be a good start in bringing the Kingdom of God into the present. Maybe we ought to act as if it has already arrived. What was it Jesus said, oh yes. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Now that seems simple enough, doesn’t it?

Shalom,

Pastor Bob

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         Don't Mess With His Big Sister

On a snowy January day when I was about 7 years old, I remember going

outside hoping to find some neighbor kids to play with. None of the

children my age were out and about yet, so I began frolicking in the

snow by myself. It wasn’t too long until a chill went down my spine - a

chill not caused by the winter cold. Fear began to churn around in my

stomach when I saw the Renaker twins walking my way. Ricky and Tommy

were about 4 years older than me and were know to be a little more than

ornery. At times they could be just plain ole` mean. Experience had

taught me that they would be up to no good, so I began a quick retreat

(well as quick as you could move in that snow suit my 16 year old

sister made me wear) toward my front door. About the time I began to

cross the road they spotted me!

As if they shared but one brain as well as one face, they

simultaneously launched into the chase. The puffy snow pants and jacket

which a few moments before were an imagined astronaut’s suit, restricted

my movements so that I must have appeared to them as a Butterball Turkey

making a futile attempt at escape on the day before Thanksgiving.

Moving with the speed of gazelles they caught me at the corner of our

front yard. Immediately I was face down in the snow with one of the

twins sitting on my back and the other pulling on my rubber boots. Snow

was everywhere! I could no longer see nor hear because the

treacherous, cold fluff was being systematically packed into every

available crevice . Before I knew it, the abomidable snow was inside my

shirt, shoes, and even down my pants. Finally, after an eternity of

suffering, they tired of their torment. Sneering at my tears and

chanting their taunts of victory, they watched as I walked my defeated

waddle toward the door.

When my big sister, Margaret, realized what had happened, she sat me

down, wiped my tears, and told me to wait on the sofa a few minutes. If

the Renaker twins ran like gazelles, Marg moved with the speed, stealth,

and power of an angry lion! Before the twins even finished their

victory dance she pounced upon them. In a flash, the twins were face

down, being mauled by my big sister! Needless to say, their humiliation

was complete, and justice was sweet..

I think of this when I am feeling powerless. It gives me hope that

there is always a comeuppance for bullies! Anyway, the story spread

like wildfire and the moral was clear: Don’t mess with Bobby Edwards or

you will have to deal with his big sister!

Sometimes the church needs to be as a big sister for the overmatched

and powerless of our society - perhaps with a little more mercy though.

Family! Aint it great?

Peace & Grace

Pastor Bob

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           Rumors Can Be Funny Too!

As most of you are aware, I love to sing.. Music has been a very

important part of my life for as long as I can remember. About 12 years

ago I began singing with a band called the Ozark Express. We did

old-time rock-and-roll and some country western. The band frequently

played at area bars and lounges - one of which was owned by one of my

church families. When I began singing with the group, they understood

that I would not perform with them in these venues for obvious reasons.

Frankly there were a few church members that did not approve of my

participation with the band even though I only sang with them at fund

raisers, community events, and town-sponsored street dances. At one such

event we raised over $3000 for new equipment for the local health

clinic. It was great fun and most of my parishioners attended these

community shows and enjoyed them.

However, as often is the case, rumors began to circulate. It seems

that “they” were saying that I was performing with the group at the

local bar/pizza house. This establishment was owned by a church member

who told everyone that this was not true. But that did not stop the

whispers. Most of my parishioner found it to be quite humorous.

One Saturday afternoon, our daughter, Vanessa and her best friend, Sue,

were spending the day together at Sue’s house. It was Sue’s parents who

owned the bar. The girls decided to do some baking and found that they

needed some lemon juice. Sue called her mother at the bar and said she

and Vanessa were going to the local grocery to buy juice. Her mother

told her that was silly - after all they owned a bar and had lemon juice

by the quart bottle. She told the girls to come down and get some.

When the two walked in, one of the regulars asked them what in world

they were doing in the bar. My fourteen year old daughter replied, “I

don’t know why Sue is here, but my dad is sick and I am going to take

his place with the band!” Well, of course that brought the house down

in laughter for they were all regulars and knew I had never been in

there.

Vanessa never told us what happened. People kept asking me how I was

feeling and then would chuckle. It was several days before someone let

me in on the joke. As it turned out, the mean-spirited rumors caused

very few problems and even turned out to be a source of great fun.

However, rumors aren’t usually so benign. Such story telling often

causes great heartache. Let us always be careful about what we say.

Words can be funny, but they may be powerfully painful too.

Shalom,

Pastor Bob

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       May and Images

May always conjures up the images of Mothers’ Day and graduation

ceremonies. It is what feels like the true beginning of the spring

season as we see the trees full of green, the flowers blooming, and hear

lawn mowers roaring. May is when we begin thinking about long summer

weekends at the lakes. Vacations that have been months in the planning

are no longer the distant dreams that filled winter nights. The smell

of neigbors’ grills smoking hamburgers (Cheryl’s favorite meal) waft

across our backyard fences with evening regularity.

Many of us will plant vetable gardens that we hope will provide us with

fresh produce through the summer and even into the early fall. Children

and adults alike will enjoy days at swimming pools and attending

baseball games. Schedules seem to slow up a bit, and time with families

and friends come with more frequency. Spring and summer are wonderful

times of the year!

We have a great deal for which to be thankful. Isn’t it miraculous how

God has set these season in motion for us. Every season has its own

reasons for us to be in celebration. There truly is a time for every

purpose under heaven!

As I write the column for this month’s edition of The Key, I am filled

with memories of summers spent as a boy riding my bicycle over my 5

mile-long paper route. I can still smell the unique aroma of Marshall’s

Grocery Store on the corner of our street. I would stop and buy a cold

soda every afternoon as I made my deliveries. Now, some 35-40 years

later, I have to confess that those summers of freedom tug at my heart a

little. Life is very much like the seasons of the year. Each stage is

to be especially savored as we experience them - and as we recall them.

I pray that each of you will take some time to relax and enjoy the

wonderful creation that surrounds us. I realize that the phrase quality

time has already become a worn out cliche, but there is some real value

in it. Step back every once in a while and evaluate your priorities.

Before we know it, this season will have passed us by. I don’t believe

the good Lord wishes for us to miss the special gifts it has in store

for us.

Shalom,

Pastor Bob

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