Meditation for July 15th

From "The Upper Room" Devotional

Scripture: Psalm 117:7-20

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

-2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NRSV)

ONE of my favorite summer activities is picking wild raspberries. I love to stand in one spot and pick as many raspberries as I can find before moving on to the next patch. Often when I think I have exhausted the supply of berries before me, I prepare to move on, only to spy the ripest, biggest, most luscious berry yet. How did I miss this one? I wonder. The answer is simple: Changing my stance and my line of sight lets me see what had been there all along, waiting for me to claim it.

In a way, the same is true with God's word. At times I become complacent, even bored, with a passage of scripture, thinking I have exhausted its meaning and relevance to my life. When time and experience have changed my outlook on life, however, I find myself re-reading the passage and thinking, Wow, how did I miss that? Surprised I didn't see some message sooner, but grateful to have the newfound insight, I am enriched. The wisdom is fresh and new every morning. (See Lam. 3:23). Thanks be to God!

Kristine Liknes (Ohio, USA)

*****

Reflection

Imagine if you will, standing at your high school or college graduation ceremony, waiting and anticipating. You've finally done it, you made it through and you're getting your degree. You've gained all this knowledge and are ready for the world. You're family and friends are there with you. You're family behind you supporting you waiting for that moment you graduated, and you're friends beside you waiting for the same thing. Then the moment hits you, and you finally see the light.... "What am I going to do now????"...then you walk across the stage with all of this banging around in your head, and finally graduate.

Sometimes all we see is the 'what's happened' and the 'what's next', not the 'now' what we need to see because this is not our time to worry about, but God's time. We don't need to keep looking to the past, or to the future, but be in the now. That's what the devotion above says to me, especially where it has mentioned "I find myself re-reading the passage and thinking, Wow, how did I miss that?". I think it has to do all with God's timing. It's those moments of clarity we get when talking with someone when we don't know what to do, read a passage from the Bible or a book and it finally makes sense, or sitting alone somewhere peaceful and the world finally makes sense. I'd like to point out, for me this is the 'clue-by-four' (much like a 2-by-4 piece of lumber) which God has finally gotten tired of giving me a million ways to see it, and much like a light turning on moment or being smacked in the head, I finally get it.

We all lead such busy lives, we seem to walk around with blinders, that we only see where our head is turned, and never what's going on around us. We can miss out on the places we can find the answers that God is giving us in little clues, that we need a big "Ah HA!" moment to see what we are indented to see/figure out. All in God's time, for he knows our plans, because he has made plans for each of us, and he will never give us more than we can handle.

So as we each lead our individual lives today, don't forget to look around, and smell the roses; see the sun rise or set, and be surrounded by the beauty that is around us, you don't want to miss the big moment when it seems everything finally make sense.

~Courtney S-B~

Meditation for July 14th

From Max Lucado's "Grace for the Moment" Vol. 2

People Who Make A Difference

"Good people have good things in their hearts." - Matthew 12:35
Name the ten wealthiest men in the world. Name eight people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize. How did you do? I didn’t do well either. With the exception of you trivia hounds, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday too well. Surprising how quickly we forget, isn’t it? And what I’ve mentioned above are no second-rate achievements. These are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one. Name ten people who have taught you something worthwhile. Name five friends who have helped you in a difficult time. Easier? It was for me, too. The lesson? The people who make a difference are not the ones with the credentials, but the ones with the concern. (from And the Angels Were Silent by Max Lucado)

******

Reflection

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.”

For many years, I moved around place to place, school to school; because of my parent's jobs, or because I went off to college, and then eventually moved here to Sidney, NE. 1,172 miles from home...not a trip I get to make back often. I came across this story above, and the quote many years ago, and learned that that's just how my life felt. People were always coming into my life, and then when a new place came, they would leave it, but I never did forget those people who truly touched my life.

I think as we move forward in the church, with the start of our new Pastor Tom Hyde, we do need to remember where we have come from, and how many people have shaped the church. No matter what has happened in the past, both the ups and downs, it make the church what it is, not because of money or because of all the things that happen within the walls, but because of the people who are not only providing service within the church, but taking it out of the church as well. It takes the many people, the members, and followers of Christ's teachings to make the church what it is and to make it grow in service, fellowship, worship, and so many other ways.

As we need to know where we've been, we need to spread our wings, and soar to new places, reach out to more people, and love one another. We need to make a mark on our community, so that someday, years down the road, when we have a new person happen upon Sidney First UMC come and share their story of how when they were young or years back, they were touched by someone through Christian love from our church when they needed it, and it helped them a long the way in their life. We want to be known as the church who always loved, reached out, and shared God's love in our community. Rather than being known as that church on the hill, who has their services on Sunday at (insert time).

How can you/church, reach out today and be that person who leaves footprints on someone's heart that will never fade?

~Courtney S-B~

What's shakin' in Sidney at FUMC...

I know it's been a while since there has been an update on the blog, but there has been a lot of things happening at the church.

3 prayer shawls were given to people.

Clyde and Arlene Christensen:














and Judy Pursley (a friend of Rila Draper):















We welcomed our new pastor, Pastor Tom Hyde on July 5th to Sidney First UMC.


















We lifted up the Christensen Family, in the passing of Clyde Christensen, in prayers and love; and with flowers at the service.

"Clyde A. Christensen, age 70 of Sidney, NE passed away at his home, early Wednesday morning, July 1, 2009. Clyde Arthur Christensen, the son of Anthony and Violet (Widstrand) Christensen, was born on May 8, 1939 at Sidney. His family moved to Sedgwick County, CO where he attended school. He began working for some local farmers before starting his painting career with Gene Zwickl. On June 29, 1958, Clyde was united in marriage to Arlene Marie Vogt at Chappell, NE. Four children were born to this union. They moved to Oregon in 1965 where Clyde owned and operated his own painting business until his retirement and returned to Sidney in 2003. Clyde enjoyed collecting railroad pocket watches, electric trains and loved to fish. He had been a member of the Elks. Survivors include: his wife Arlene of Sidney; (1) son: Richard and wife Kimberly of Seal Rock, OR; (3) daughters-in-law: Juanita Schwartz of Biloxi, MS, Lori Christensen of Grand Island, NE and Tina Dudden of Grant, NE; his mother-in-law: Marie Huston of Sidney; (2) sisters: Joyce Booth and husband Bill of Jefferson, OR and Jackie Palser of Chappell; (1) brother: Larry Christensen of Sedgwick, CO; (9) grandchildren: Shawn, Misty, Kyle, Daniel, Trey, Carl Lee, Jonathan, Dayna and Kathryn; (1) great-grandson: Kaleb and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members. Clyde was preceded in death by his parents; (2) sons: Jeffery and Thomas; (1) daughter: Misty and his father-in-law: Ardean Vogt. Memorial services [were] held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, July 6, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church with Reverend Thomas Hyde officiating. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date. A memorial is being established in Clyde’s name in care of the family."

(In picture: Alrene Christensen, her son Richard, and mother Marie Huston.)

Sunday July 13th, if you walked into the church on Sunday, you could see our much used vacuum which is in need of replacing. So the vacuum came out for the day to give its love for wanting to "retire" from the church.


If you would like to support the vacuum's retirement, please contact the church office. He is hoping to retire soon, and bring in a 'new model' who will get all the dirty jobs done around the church.


We received Pastor Tom Hyde after the service in the fellowship hall with a cookie and punch reception. Giving Pastor Tom some time to go around a talk with a few people, while other members and visitors were able to fellowship together as well.

Items used during the service to recieve Pastor Tom, and his prayer shawl, also from the service, on the back of his office chair at the church.


Patty and Jordan Ball, Jane and Rod Reeder, Pastor Tom, and Valerie


Some of the Drapper, Armbruster, and Rowan Family.

Courtney Shabram-Beach, Benny and Marie Hockman, and Kristina Spriggs.

After church, the Youth then were getting ready for their car wash, to raise funds for their mission trip. More pictures to come later.


Savannah and Jade work on signs.

I hope everyone has a great week!

Meditation for June 22nd

(from a church window in Fringford, Oxfordshire, UK)

2 Samuel 22:1-7 (8-51) (NIV)

David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent men you save me. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.

The waves of death swirled about me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the LORD; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears."

"Most of my songs are about Jesus. Most of my songs are about the idea that there is salvation, and that there is a Savior. But I won't mention his name in a song just to get a cheap play."

Peter Townsend

"No man is excluded from calling upon God, the gate of salvation is set open unto all men: neither is there any other thing which keepeth us back from entering in, save only our own unbelief."

John Calvin

Sunday, June 21st

It was an emotional morning at the First UMC - Sidney as we gathered to worship God as a community of faith and to bid farewell to Pastor Charles and Belinda Alkula.

Our worship began with lots of energy as joy appeared to be the order of the day. Carolyn Hays contributed the ministry of music while Tom Millman served as our lector and William Draper offered his services as acolyte.

Rilla Draper, with the assistance of grandson William and granddaughter, Grace, brought a "Conference Moment," highlighting some of the news from last week's Annual Conference session. Rilla also introduce some of the cast of animal puppets that we'll be seeing in the coming months!

The worship service included a litany of farewell as Pastor Charles and the congregation moved into a new relationship with the pastor's departure from Sidney this week.

Following the service, we gathered in the fellowship hall and shared cake and treats. Pastor Charles was presented with a cross inscribed with the Lord's Prayer and Belinda accepted a "traveling grace" token for their up-coming car trips.

The morning ended with Deloris Barnhart and members of the church gathering in the prayer room and Deloris being baptized into the Christian faith. She was also presented with a cross and with a prayer shawl (made by Arlene Christensen).

Please see all the pictures from today at this link.

Meditation for June 21st - Father's Day/First Day of Summer

(The early morning light, Stonehenge on the Summer Solstice)

1 Samuel 3:1-10 (The Message)
"The boy Samuel was serving God under Eli's direction. This was at a time when the revelation of God was rarely heard or seen. One night Eli was sound asleep (his eyesight was very bad—he could hardly see). It was well before dawn; the sanctuary lamp was still burning. Samuel was still in bed in the Temple of God, where the Chest of God rested.

Then God called out, "Samuel, Samuel!" Samuel answered, "Yes? I'm here." Then he ran to Eli saying, "I heard you call. Here I am." Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back to bed." And so he did.

God called again, "Samuel, Samuel!" Samuel got up and went to Eli, "I heard you call. Here I am." Again Eli said, "Son, I didn't call you. Go back to bed." (This all happened before Samuel knew God for himself. It was before the revelation of God had been given to him personally.)

God called again, "Samuel!"—the third time! Yet again Samuel got up and went to Eli, "Yes? I heard you call me. Here I am." That's when it dawned on Eli that God was calling the boy. So Eli directed Samuel, "Go back and lie down. If the voice calls again, say, 'Speak, God. I'm your servant, ready to listen.'" Samuel returned to his bed.

Then God came and stood before him exactly as before, calling out, "Samuel! Samuel!" Samuel answered, "Speak. I'm your servant, ready to listen."
*****************************************************************
Father's Day was first held in Spokane, Washington in 1910.

A Prayer for Men for Father's Day (Written for Father's Day 2008. Originally posted on Facebook)

"O Lord Our Heavenly Father: You, who adopt orphan children and care for the widows; You stand at the door staring at the horizon, desiring that your prodigal children come home. Bless fathers and men everywhere this day that the orphans may have role models, that the widows may be provided what they need, that the future men may see Christ reflected in the love of piggy-back rides and hard-learned lessons. Through Christ and the Spirit to the Father, Amen."

Byerly's Renewal of Wedding Vows

Thirty years ago this month (on June 30th), Dennis and Pam Byerly were wed and began a journey that brought them to the First UMC's chapel this afternoon for a renewal of their wedding vows. Pastor Charles officiated at the service which included the exchange of red rose buds.

Witnessing the event were children Michelle and Matt and his bride of seven months and Belinda Alkula. Following the service, everyone adjourned to the fellowship hall for cake and a time for sharing stories.

More pictures are available on the church photo album.