Meditation for June 1st

Abraham and Sarah entertain the three angels. Detail from a mosaic above the arches on the north wall of Church of St. Vitale, Ravenna, Italy (526-548 AD).

Hebrews 13:1-3 (New International Version)
"Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering."

“There are nine requisites for contented living: HEALTH enough to make work a pleasure; WEALTH enough to support your needs; STRENGTH enough to battle with difficulties and forsake them; GRACE enough to confess your sins and overcome them; PATIENCE enough to toil until some good is accomplished; CHARITY enough to see some good in your neighbor; LOVE enough to move you to be useful and helpful to others; FAITH enough to make real the things of God; HOPE enough to remove all anxious fears concerning the future.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (German Playwright, Poet, Novelist and Dramatist. 1749-1832)

Pentecost Sunday 2009

Wow!!! What an amazing morning we enjoyed at the First UMC in Sidney! Early arrivals joined in fellowship with the adult classes and then everyone came together for a combined worship service.

This morning was special for a couple of reasons, first of course was this morning was Pentecost Sunday, the birthday of the church universal, and red was the color of the day with balloons, streamers, and more on display.

This morning also marked the move to a combined worship service for the congregation. We'll be worshipping at 9:00 a.m. through the end of August.

The worship service this morning also marked a special occasion for six young adults as they joined the congregation of the First UMC. Scott Bagnell, Courtney Highland, Scott Kelsey, Lucas Rosenbaum, Michael Sukup, and Jaide Wachtel came before the congregation to make their vows and were welcomed into full-membership in the local congregation and in the United Methodist Church.

Following the worship, a boisterous group gathered in the fellowship hall for our monthly potluck (help on the last Sunday of the month). The table was groaning, laden with an amazing assortment of delicious food. The real blessing was the warmth of fellowship with which the food was shared. What a wonderful morning this has been! Praise God!!!

Praise and thanksgiving was also lifted up along with prayers as Kelsey Arrington and her mother, Pam, who will be leaving next weekend for a trip to Europe with a school musical endeavor. Also, Lucy and Russ Stickley celebrated their 50th anniversary this weekend, well done!

More pictures from today may be found at this link.

Meditation for the Day of Pentecost (May 31st)

(Pentecost, celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter, commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles in Jerusalem. The image of the tongues of fire that symbolizes the Holy Spirit inspired the United Methodist cross and flame emblem."

Acts 2:1-11 (The Message)
When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them. There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck. They couldn't for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, "Aren't these all Galileans? How come we're hearing them talk in our various mother tongues?

Parthians, Medes, and Elamites;
Visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia,
Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,
Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene;
Immigrants from Rome, both Jews and proselytes;
Even Cretans and Arabs!

"They're speaking our languages, describing God's mighty works! Their heads were spinning; they couldn't make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: 'What's going on here?'"

Prayer for the Day of Pentecost:
O Spirit of the living God, Thou light and fire divine, descend upon Thy church once more, and make it truly Thine. Fill it with love and joy and power, with righteousness and peace; Till Christ shall dwell in human hearts, and sin and sorrow cease. Blow, wind of God! With wisdom blow until our minds are free from mists of errors, clouds of doubt, which blind our eyes to Thee. Burn, winged fire! Inspire our lips with flaming love and zeal, to preach to all Thy great good news, God’s glorious common weal. -- Henry H. Tweedy

My Five Most Important Books by Garrison Keillor - 1. "The Acts of the Apostles." The flames lit on their little heads and bravely and dangerously went they onward."

"Hello Kittie & Who Let the Dawg's Out 2"

The Legion Park in Sidney was the place to be today with the second "Hello Kittie & Who Let the Dawg's Out 2" taking place.

Pastor Charles was there to offer a blessing to any four-footed friend who came by and over 50 dogs, cats and their human companions came by. Each pet was given a certificate marking the occasion.

Belinda was also there to help with the picture-taking chores and to support the effort of the Animal Tales Animal Rescue organization's efforts to bring comfort to our animal pals.

All the pictures from this second annual event may be found at this link.

Meditation for May 30th

Philemon 1:1-7 (The Message)
"I, Paul, am a prisoner for the sake of Christ, here with my brother Timothy. I write this letter to you, Philemon, my good friend and companion in this work—also to our sister Apphia, to Archippus, a real trooper, and to the church that meets in your house. God's best to you! Christ's blessings on you! Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, "Oh, thank you, God!" I keep hearing of the love and faith you have for the Master Jesus, which brims over to other believers. And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it. Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers."

"There are hermit souls that live withdrawn in the place of their self-content; There are souls like stars that dwell apart, in a fellowless firmament; There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths where highways never ran,-- But let me live by the side of the road, and be a friend to man." - Sam Walter Foss, author of 'House by the Side of the Road'

"It is a sin against hospitality, to open your doors and darken your countenance” -Anonymous
*****************************************************************
In case you hadn't noticed, we've had more than 500 posts to the FUMC blog since it's launch in late July, 2007. The visitor counter, which was only installed this year, shows just how popular this ministry is!

Meditation for May 29th

Titus 3:1-8a (The Message)
"Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous. It wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this."

"And now let me address all of you, high and low, rich and poor, one with another, to accept of mercy and grace while it is offered to you; Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation; and will you not accept it, now it is offered unto you?"
The Rev. George Whitfield (1714-1770)

Reminders for this coming weekend

Here are some reminders for upcoming events at the First UMC in Sidney:

May 30th - The Second "Hello Kittie & Who Let the Dawg's Out" event at the Legion Park Shelter House. The event runs from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. with displays, demonstrations, food, and much, much more! Pastor Charles will be there and at 2:00 p.m. will be offering a blessing of the pets (photos, toys, and non-cat/dog pets will be blessed). A certificate will be given to every pet who participates.

May 31st - Pentecost Sunday

Food Pantry donations are being accepted and will be taken to the community food pantry (at the Salvation Army Store) on Monday, June 1st.

Combined Worship Service at 9:00 a.m. Please wear something red on Sunday in celebration of Pentecost! We'll be worshipping as a unified congregation and welcoming into our fellowship six new disciples (this year's confirmation class).

Congregational Potluck: Following the worship service, we'll be gathering in the fellowship hall to break bread together and to share in the


"The Shack" study - At 6:00 p.m., we'll be meeting to discuss chapters 10-13. Please come even if you have not read the book and share in this contemporary allegory of faith.

Meditation for May 28th

(Lighthouse - one mile off the coast @ Land's End, Cornwall)

I Timothy 6:3-10 (NIV)
"If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

Prayer to action in my life:
Heavenly Father, Thank You for this knowledge that You care so deeply and know me so intimately. I will trust in Your knowledge of me and in Your hand to guide me. Give me Your wisdom today. Hold on to me in my spinning world. Thank You for understanding me. You know me better than I know myself. Thank You for this comfort. Thank You that You are my trustworthy Father! I choose to trust You in my circumstances today! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Copyright © 2009 Gail Rodgers.

Meditation for May 27th

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 (New International Version)
"Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance."

"The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't." ~Henry Ward Beecher

Prayer for Today
Lord, I don't ask for a faith
that would move yonder mountain.
I can take enough dynamite and move
it if it needs movin'. I pray, Lord,
for enough faith to move me.

Norman Allen

Tuesday at FUMC

The cooler weather this week has brought overcast skies and with it, more rain to Cheyenne County. The two study groups continued met at the church this morning, bringing the light of Christ into the hearts of the participants.

We were able to get a repair man from Sterling, CO to come and make some adjustments to the copier. The repairs will allow us to get the print copy of the June newsletter out in tomorrow's mail.

Meditation for May 26th

(sunset, Thessaloniki, Greece)

I Thessalonians 5:16-24 (NIV)
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it."

Prayer for the Indwelling of the Spirit
Holy Spirit, powerful Consoler, sacred Bond of the Father and the Son, Hope of the afflicted, descend into my heart and establish in it your loving dominion. Enkindle in my tepid soul the fire of your Love so that I may be wholly subject to you. We believe that when you dwell in us, yolu also prepare a dwelling for the Father and the Son. Deign, therefore, to come to me, Consoler of abandoned souls, and Protector of the needy. Help the afflicted, strengthen the weak, and support the wavering. Come and purify me. Let no evil desire take possession of me. You love the humble and resist the proud. Come to me, glory of the living, and hope of the dying. Lead me by your grace that I may always be pleasing to you. Amen.
(from www.catholic.org/prayers)

Meditation for Memorial Day

(flags of the US Armed Forces @ Bob & Carrie Balfour's home, Sidney, NE)

A Litany from The Book of Worship for United States Forces (1974)

Leader: Let us give thanks to God for the land of our birth with all its chartered liberties. For all the wonder of our country's story:
PEOPLE: WE GIVE YOU THANKS, O GOD.

Leader: For leaders in nation and state, and for those who in days past and in these present times have labored for the commonwealth:
PEOPLE: WE GIVE YOU THANKS, O GOD.

Leader: For those who in all times and places have been true and brave, and in the world's common ways have lived upright lives and ministered to their fellows:
PEOPLE: WE GIVE YOU THANKS, O GOD.

Leader: For those who served their country in its hour of need, and especially for those who gave even their lives in that service:
PEOPLE: WE GIVE YOU THANKS, O GOD.

Leader: O almighty God and most merciful Father, as we remember these your servants, remembering with gratitude their courage and strength, we hold before you those who mourn them. Look upon your bereaved servants with your mercy. As this day brings them memories of those they have lost awhile, may it also bring your consolation and the assurance that their loved ones are alive now and forever in your living presence. Amen.

June edition of E-newsletter

The June e-newsletter is now available at this link.

Ascension/Aldersgate Sunday

What a beautiful day here in Cheyenne County! The rain of the night has given way to a breezy, pleasant day and those who gathered for worship this morning were able to share the joy of the day in the house of God.

Today is Ascension Sunday (Ascension Day is 40 days after Easter) and we remembered the ascension of Jesus and his final instructions to the Disciples prior to the sending of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.

Today is also Aldersgate Day. This is the day we remember John Wesley's experience at the Society meeting on Aldersgate Street, London, on May 24, 1738.

We enjoyed our worship experiences and our study time and our fellowship time as well. May is coming to a close but our discipleship continues to grow and flourish in the presence of the Living God!

Meditation for Aldersgate Day (May 24)

(The Rev. John Wesley at Oxford)
(The Aldersgate Flame memorial, London)

I felt my heart strangely warmed…” The immortal words of John Wesley describing his moment of awareness of having his sins forgiven are quoted frequently in United Methodist circles. Often, however, they are used jokingly to refer to some silliness. I know I’ve done it - haven’t you?

But Wesley’s experience on May 24th of 1738 was anything but silly. It was the culmination of years of study and effort, doubt and faith. He was trying to describe in his journal something that goes beyond words. He was trying to describe what he felt like when he finally “got it” that all this religious business was about him.

In a shift of perspective, listening with differently attuned ears, Wesley understood that God’s love made known in Jesus Christ wasn’t withheld from him. He understood that love was not something to be understood only in the mind, but felt in the heart or soul. And for some reason, led by the Spirit beyond Wesley’s control, that soul-knowing arose in his consciousness.

I think sometimes we joke about things because they are so serious, even frightening. In our own spiritual journeys, those times of close encounter with God bring a whole variety of possible emotions: Comfort, relief, awe, fear, peace, tears, laughter, quiet, an urge to tell. We know what Wesley meant by a heart strangely warmed. It was his attempt to describe the ineffable knowing of God’s touch on his life.

I like to think that it wasn’t the only time he felt his heart so warmed. I like to think that his life continued to be drawn into that space of mystery, and out of those ongoing experiences came his mature theology of grace.

“My heart strangely warmed” may be a quaint description, but it is a useful one. Just as hearts can grow cold or be made of stone, so can they warm up and be pliable and open. It is the open heart that is the God-filled heart. It is the giving heart that is the spirit-led heart.

This Aldersgate Day is a good time to take our own heart’s temperature in memory of Wesley’s experience. So much in the world today contributes to a cynical heart, an unbelieving heart, a hurting heart. But the same grace that opened Wesley’s mind and heart to God’s personal and saving love is still in our world today. Where and when we next encounter that grace is a matter of the spirit, but certainly we can be attentive and expectant. God’s love, after all, is meant for you and me as well.

Kristin L. Sachen is Assistant General Secretary, UMCOR, of the General Board of Global Ministries.

Newlyweds at First UMC

2LT Ryan Hurt and Ja Vay Erb were married in the sanctuary of the First UMC this afternoon with hundreds of family and friends in attendance. Ryan is an officer in the Marine Corps and the couple will make their home in a community near Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

More pictures from today are available here.

Meditation for May 23rd

(window seen at Canterbury Cathedral, UK)

Collosians 3:9-14 (The Message)
"Don't lie to one another. You're done with that old life. It's like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you've stripped off and put in the fire. Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ. So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it."

"There is no lovelier place in the world than Canterbury - that I say with my hand on my heart as I sit in Florence - and I have seen Venice too."
Writer Virginia Woolf

There's a wedding tomorrow!

The wedding of Ja Vay Erb and 2LT Ryan Hurt is tomorrow afternoon which meant that this afternoon was the rehearsal. There was time to give the musicians, the candle lighter, and the rest of the wedding party a chance to go through their paces before tomorrow's big event.

This coming Sunday at "The Shack"

This is going to be a great weekend for those attending "The Shack" study on Sunday evening (6:00 p.m.). Our three chapters are packed with amazing insights and you won't want to miss any of it!

Chapter seven: Centers on Galatians 3:1-14

Chapter eight: The story of the bird that Mack and Papa discuss, a metaphor for living in a manner consistent with...

Chapter nine: FRACTALS! Sarayu describes the garden at the beginning of the story as a fractal. We'll look at what fractals are and what this means to us.

See you on Sunday!!!

Meditation for May 22nd

(Prayers placed in the Western Wall, Jerusalem)

Philippians 1:3-11 (New International Version)
"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God."

"Our strength lies in spiritual concepts. It lies in public sensitiveness to evil. Our greatest danger is not from invasion by foreign armies. Our dangers are that we may commit suicide from within by complaisance with evil, or by public tolerance of scandalous behavior." -Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States

Meditation for May 21st (Ascension Day)

Luke 24:50-52 (NIV)
"When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God."

The Collect for Ascension Day
"GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that like as we do believe thy only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens; so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen." The Book of Common Prayer (USA, 1928)

"Soar we now where Christ hath led,
Following our exalted Head:
Made like Him, like Him we rise;
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies."
Rev. Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Music Director Applications being Taken

First UMC is taking applications for the position of Music Director. Interested applicants should send their resume to the church office (2622 11th Ave., Sidney, NE 69162) or via e-mail by June 5th.

To read the job description and to obtain an application, please visit the church website. A look at the music ministry is available here.

This week at the First UMC

Thanks to everyone who helps day in, day out at First UMC in Sidney. This week, John Eastman could be seen adjusting the sprinkler system at the parsonage. John was also replacing a window in the fellowship hall, thanks, John!

Marilee and Karen spent some time Wednesday afternoon making repairs to the candle lighters. It is great when someone sees something that needs to be done and makes it happen.

Meditation for May 20th

Galatians 6:7-10 (New International Version)
"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

"Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, and looks to God alone; Laughs at impossibilities, and cries it shall be done.” - Rev. Charles Wesley

“Love means to commit oneself without guarantee, to give oneself completely in the hope that our love will produce love in the loved person. Love is an act of faith, and whoever is of little faith is also of little love.”
- Erich Fromm

Meditation for May 19th

(Jars of clay window, First UCC - Burlington, NC)

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 (New International Version)
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you."


A Prayer for today
O God, I thank You for this day of life
for eyes to see the sky
for ears to hear the birds
for feet to walk amidst the trees
for hands to pick the flowers from the earth
for a sense of smell to breathe in the sweet
perfumes of nature
for a mind to think about and appreciate
the magic of everyday miracles
for a spirit to swell in joy at Your mighty presence
everywhere.

Marian Wright Edelman
(Founder of the Children's Defense Fund)

Meditation for May 18th

(The "Rose Window" at York Minster, York, UK)

1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (New International Version)
"Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."

That is why He warned people to “count the cost” before becoming Christians. “Make no mistake,” He says, “if you let me, I will make you perfect. The moment you put yourself in my hands, that is what you are in for. Nothing less, or other than that. –C.S. Lewis

Sunday - Evening (May 17)

The second meeting of the study on "The Shack" met tonight and what a great discussion we enjoyed. We have been blessed with great insights, lively exchanges and more questions to be explored.

We are looking forward to the remaining three weeks, next week: Fractals!