Hello Church,
I have the joy every day to wake up in the morning, go downstairs and look out my big, front picture window. In years past I would see a small wooded area across our street. In recent years, the owner has slowly cleared out the trees and planted grass, readying the plot to sell to anyone who might want to build a house.
As such, I now get the view that was behind that wooded area: the cemetery.
This doesn't bother me as much as it would some people. In addition, I have been a distant observer of funerals and would at times hear the somber sounds of Taps. However, over the past couple of weeks I have noticed a new dynamic: heavier traffic. I have seen more cars slowly driving through or even stopping for several minutes. Some would get out and stare at a given tombstone. I admit that part of me wants to have conversations with them. How are they feeling? What are they thinking? Who are they missing?
I have had the opportunity to dwell on this new dynamic. I wonder why this is? Is it because other people have more free time and decide to visit their past? Is it because this pandemic has caused more people to think on their own mortality? Often times, when we get troubled, we do tend to get more philosophical about life.... and theological.
This is Lent. It is a time to especially focus on God. While pandemics don't need to happen in order for us to get this message, the truth is that troubled times do fill the church pews.... and bring more visitors to cemeteries.... and cause us to especially focus on God.
I hope you are healthy and safe. We will get through this. I pray that we get through this knowing that God is with us.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Monday, March 23, 2020
Monday, March 16, 2020
Calm Down, Be In Prayer and Let's Get Through This....
Hello Church,
The last week has been a whirlwind for me and I know for most, if not all, of you. The virus is changing how we go about our days and our government is working hard to get us information on what and how to get things done that will help us as much as possible.
We will each have our stories about pandemic. For me, I have struggled to process how fast this has happened and how to react as a religious leader.... even as circumstances have changed daily if not hourly.
To be honest, a week ago I was skeptical. I was leaning toward the 'over-reaction crowd' as I watched other areas of the world report numbers that were relatively low. A week later I fully admit my mind has changed. I'm thankful we have health professionals that stayed on top of it and leaders that continue to keep us informed.
If there is anything that has troubled me most, it is the lack of calm. My trip to Kroger was the biggest eye-opener. Shelves being emptied and stores needing to put a limit on certain items to allow everyone a chance to buy what they need.
I believe this speaks to our lack of calm and a lack of calm traces back to a lack of peace. This is a role that the church--and you as a Christian--can jump into. It is easy to believe in a loving, sovereign God when we nonchalantly go about our day without too many serious cares in the world. It is much more difficult to be a holy witness for a loving, sovereign God when we are troubled or even panicked. It is times like these that we can be an example of someone who believes in the everlasting.
So let's be calm. Listen to our leaders. Be in prayer for the world. Help one another out as you can. Ask for help when you need it. Most of all, put your trust in a loving, sovereign God.
I am available to help as I can. Let me know what I can do.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
The last week has been a whirlwind for me and I know for most, if not all, of you. The virus is changing how we go about our days and our government is working hard to get us information on what and how to get things done that will help us as much as possible.
We will each have our stories about pandemic. For me, I have struggled to process how fast this has happened and how to react as a religious leader.... even as circumstances have changed daily if not hourly.
To be honest, a week ago I was skeptical. I was leaning toward the 'over-reaction crowd' as I watched other areas of the world report numbers that were relatively low. A week later I fully admit my mind has changed. I'm thankful we have health professionals that stayed on top of it and leaders that continue to keep us informed.
If there is anything that has troubled me most, it is the lack of calm. My trip to Kroger was the biggest eye-opener. Shelves being emptied and stores needing to put a limit on certain items to allow everyone a chance to buy what they need.
I believe this speaks to our lack of calm and a lack of calm traces back to a lack of peace. This is a role that the church--and you as a Christian--can jump into. It is easy to believe in a loving, sovereign God when we nonchalantly go about our day without too many serious cares in the world. It is much more difficult to be a holy witness for a loving, sovereign God when we are troubled or even panicked. It is times like these that we can be an example of someone who believes in the everlasting.
So let's be calm. Listen to our leaders. Be in prayer for the world. Help one another out as you can. Ask for help when you need it. Most of all, put your trust in a loving, sovereign God.
I am available to help as I can. Let me know what I can do.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Monday, March 9, 2020
Have You Licked The Floor Lately?
.... if you have, it might have tasted like butter....
Hello Church,
For those of you who haven't been caught up, Emmanuel had a minor tragedy in the kitchen. The fridge broke and melted a whole bunch of butter which spilled across the floor. The troops rallied, however, and everything is cleaned up and a new fridge has been purchased.
Which leads me to this week's consideration:
It takes people to be a church
I know. I know. This isn't a grand epiphany, but one that I want to voice. The church just doesn't accidentally exist and continue to exist. The church doesn't exist just because Jesus rose from the dead. The church doesn't exist because there is a pastor employed. The church doesn't exist just because there is a building in which to meet.
The church exists because there are people who have the Faith, love the Lord, and care about one another.
I invite you into another Lenten lesson: do you take for granted that Emmanuel will always be?
Emmanuel will not always be. It will cease to exist when people stop putting their Faith and love into it. Many a church people have made the mistake of assuming their little church on the corner will always be there. Yet doors close for good every year and then people wonder why. It starts with making reckless assumptions.
How are you embracing the Faith and putting love into the church? Many thanks go to those who made a vast effort yesterday to clean up the kitchen, but please consider the motivation behind the time and energy that it took them. We need to remember it takes real effort to make the church go, from everything from a preached sermon to a functional fridge. And it takes more than 5 or 10 or even 20 people. Emmanuel needs everyone to embrace the Faith and put love into the church. This is what creates effective ministry and how love expands out from the people of the church and into the community at large.
Embrace the Faith and put your love into the church.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Hello Church,
For those of you who haven't been caught up, Emmanuel had a minor tragedy in the kitchen. The fridge broke and melted a whole bunch of butter which spilled across the floor. The troops rallied, however, and everything is cleaned up and a new fridge has been purchased.
Which leads me to this week's consideration:
It takes people to be a church
I know. I know. This isn't a grand epiphany, but one that I want to voice. The church just doesn't accidentally exist and continue to exist. The church doesn't exist just because Jesus rose from the dead. The church doesn't exist because there is a pastor employed. The church doesn't exist just because there is a building in which to meet.
The church exists because there are people who have the Faith, love the Lord, and care about one another.
I invite you into another Lenten lesson: do you take for granted that Emmanuel will always be?
Emmanuel will not always be. It will cease to exist when people stop putting their Faith and love into it. Many a church people have made the mistake of assuming their little church on the corner will always be there. Yet doors close for good every year and then people wonder why. It starts with making reckless assumptions.
How are you embracing the Faith and putting love into the church? Many thanks go to those who made a vast effort yesterday to clean up the kitchen, but please consider the motivation behind the time and energy that it took them. We need to remember it takes real effort to make the church go, from everything from a preached sermon to a functional fridge. And it takes more than 5 or 10 or even 20 people. Emmanuel needs everyone to embrace the Faith and put love into the church. This is what creates effective ministry and how love expands out from the people of the church and into the community at large.
Embrace the Faith and put your love into the church.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Monday, March 2, 2020
The Lenten Challenge 2020
Hello Church,
I always like giving away free stuff. This is mostly because of the cynical looks I get from others. Like 'what's the catch?' Yesterday every household got a free trash bag. One person said they didn't need one. Another said, 'I don't have to wear it, do I?'. Another gave me a really ugly look as if to say, 'NOW what are you up to?'
By the end of my sermon I knew it would all make sense. It is a part of the Lenten Challenge and even if you weren't there yesterday or even if you live far, far away, you can participate too.
Lent is 40 days (not counting Sundays), between Ash Wednesday and Easter morning. Each of the 40 days you are invited to go into your closet and pick out something nice or something you like or something you would prefer to keep and put it in the bag. By the end of Lent you should have 40 items in the bag.
Bring the bag to church on Easter (April 12) and we will donate it to a place where people who could use your nice things can get them.
It is in this way that we remind ourselves that Lent is a time when we especially focus on our need for God in our lives. We wealthy people can have a difficult time getting that reminder when we have so many securities around us..... food, a roof, transportation, nice clothes, running water, etc;
If your closet is too bare, go to the kitchen or the basement or wherever you have nice things. Give something up each of the 40 days. Every time you place your item in the bag, remember your need for God in your life.
I also encourage you to make it a daily activity. Doing it daily creates a constant reminder throughout Lent. Just putting 40 items in the bag at one time is sort of missing the season-long impact of such a sacrifice.
And then, when April 12th gets here, we will be reminded again that God is indeed wanting to be a part of our lives. And we will be much more joyful than anything the 40 items can bring us.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
I always like giving away free stuff. This is mostly because of the cynical looks I get from others. Like 'what's the catch?' Yesterday every household got a free trash bag. One person said they didn't need one. Another said, 'I don't have to wear it, do I?'. Another gave me a really ugly look as if to say, 'NOW what are you up to?'
By the end of my sermon I knew it would all make sense. It is a part of the Lenten Challenge and even if you weren't there yesterday or even if you live far, far away, you can participate too.
Lent is 40 days (not counting Sundays), between Ash Wednesday and Easter morning. Each of the 40 days you are invited to go into your closet and pick out something nice or something you like or something you would prefer to keep and put it in the bag. By the end of Lent you should have 40 items in the bag.
Bring the bag to church on Easter (April 12) and we will donate it to a place where people who could use your nice things can get them.
It is in this way that we remind ourselves that Lent is a time when we especially focus on our need for God in our lives. We wealthy people can have a difficult time getting that reminder when we have so many securities around us..... food, a roof, transportation, nice clothes, running water, etc;
If your closet is too bare, go to the kitchen or the basement or wherever you have nice things. Give something up each of the 40 days. Every time you place your item in the bag, remember your need for God in your life.
I also encourage you to make it a daily activity. Doing it daily creates a constant reminder throughout Lent. Just putting 40 items in the bag at one time is sort of missing the season-long impact of such a sacrifice.
And then, when April 12th gets here, we will be reminded again that God is indeed wanting to be a part of our lives. And we will be much more joyful than anything the 40 items can bring us.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Monday, February 24, 2020
The Joy Of Scratching Backs
Hello Church,
Creativity has never been a strength of mine. In most circumstances I am okay with that. Artistic avenues such as painting, drawing, sculpting, etc; are hobbies that I don't strive for in any case. I am impressed with my stick figures easily enough.
Writing is just about the only artistic area in which I feel I am adequate. I also have some musical talent, but that is an area I am not so passionate about (as opposed to the rest of my family). But writing hits the spot for me.
One lacking area that does bother me a lot is in the area of new ministry ideas. I recognize the need to think outside the box, especially these days. Churches that find new ways to say the same old message tend to thrive and attract new people, young and old. I, however, often feel stuck in the box. I never feel like I have an innovative enough mind to create new excitement on a new idea.
Case in point, our light bulb ministry. Long story, short: one of our ministry teams came up with the idea of replacing the burned-out bulbs in the sanctuary with new bulbs. To help supplement the cost of these bulbs, an idea was hatched to allow individuals to write messages on the base of the bulbs... messages that would be read by the intended receiver whenever the new bulb burns out... hopefully 10-15 years from now (at least that is what the package says).
This unique, creative idea that has worked wasn't mine. I promised I wouldn't embarrass the person who came up with the idea. Suffice it to say, I admit a little jealousy. Why can't I come up with good ideas?
Someone once told me--several times-- that I can't be good or gifted for everything. Also, humility is good for the human spirit. Another lesson is this: leaning on the church to fill your voids can be a fulfilling experience. I took the light bulb idea and presented it to the congregation through the writing and preaching I do on Sunday mornings. I have leaned on the ministry team for creativity and the ministry team has leaned on me to present it. It seems to work and both of us are glad.
You can't be good at everything. Truth is, you might be good at only a few things. However, community is a place where people can scratch each others' backs and we can feel good about what we can get done together. Be in community with one another. It can make everyone a more fulfilled person.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Creativity has never been a strength of mine. In most circumstances I am okay with that. Artistic avenues such as painting, drawing, sculpting, etc; are hobbies that I don't strive for in any case. I am impressed with my stick figures easily enough.
Writing is just about the only artistic area in which I feel I am adequate. I also have some musical talent, but that is an area I am not so passionate about (as opposed to the rest of my family). But writing hits the spot for me.
One lacking area that does bother me a lot is in the area of new ministry ideas. I recognize the need to think outside the box, especially these days. Churches that find new ways to say the same old message tend to thrive and attract new people, young and old. I, however, often feel stuck in the box. I never feel like I have an innovative enough mind to create new excitement on a new idea.
Case in point, our light bulb ministry. Long story, short: one of our ministry teams came up with the idea of replacing the burned-out bulbs in the sanctuary with new bulbs. To help supplement the cost of these bulbs, an idea was hatched to allow individuals to write messages on the base of the bulbs... messages that would be read by the intended receiver whenever the new bulb burns out... hopefully 10-15 years from now (at least that is what the package says).
This unique, creative idea that has worked wasn't mine. I promised I wouldn't embarrass the person who came up with the idea. Suffice it to say, I admit a little jealousy. Why can't I come up with good ideas?
Someone once told me--several times-- that I can't be good or gifted for everything. Also, humility is good for the human spirit. Another lesson is this: leaning on the church to fill your voids can be a fulfilling experience. I took the light bulb idea and presented it to the congregation through the writing and preaching I do on Sunday mornings. I have leaned on the ministry team for creativity and the ministry team has leaned on me to present it. It seems to work and both of us are glad.
You can't be good at everything. Truth is, you might be good at only a few things. However, community is a place where people can scratch each others' backs and we can feel good about what we can get done together. Be in community with one another. It can make everyone a more fulfilled person.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Monday, February 17, 2020
Toxic People And How We Treat Ourselves
Hello Church,
We are taught to love one another. Jesus says so. We are also taught to love ourselves. Jesus says so. So what happens when the first is seemingly in conflict with the second?
It can be extremely difficult to love certain people. So difficult, in fact, that it can test our own health--spiritual, physical and mental. We can become resentful and bitter and very discouraged as we try to do what Jesus says....... love someone who, at times, just isn't lovable.
People with toxic behaviors are dangerous to invest in. The following link is a article that I think hits it on the head.
Toxic Behaviors in others
Investing in such people can cause strain in how you view yourself and in your attitude in general. In extreme situations, it can drive you to the point that forces you to make a decision:
Do I continue to invest in a relationship with this person? Or do I decide to love myself?
In the Christian community, we are taught at a very early age to be selfless. To give of ourselves until it hurts. Money, time, energy, etc; are all the things we should give, give give.
Yet one of the big lessons that we lack in our Sunday Schools and churches today is this understanding of what it means to love ourselves. This can be just as difficult we have come to think such a concept can be selfish.
The love you have to offer is only as valuable as the love you offer yourself. If you allow yourself to be mistreated by toxic behaviors, it is a form of abuse. In allowing such, you minimize your ability to show love to others. Resentful, bitter, discouraged people don't love very well. And those who think bad of themselves don't have the energy to love very well.
Think on this. Personal experience has taught me how and when to distance myself from toxic behaviors. I believe it has made me a more loving person and a more optimistic person. I also don't believe it puts me in conflict with Jesus' teachings. I can only love my neighbor as I love myself.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
We are taught to love one another. Jesus says so. We are also taught to love ourselves. Jesus says so. So what happens when the first is seemingly in conflict with the second?
It can be extremely difficult to love certain people. So difficult, in fact, that it can test our own health--spiritual, physical and mental. We can become resentful and bitter and very discouraged as we try to do what Jesus says....... love someone who, at times, just isn't lovable.
People with toxic behaviors are dangerous to invest in. The following link is a article that I think hits it on the head.
Toxic Behaviors in others
Investing in such people can cause strain in how you view yourself and in your attitude in general. In extreme situations, it can drive you to the point that forces you to make a decision:
Do I continue to invest in a relationship with this person? Or do I decide to love myself?
In the Christian community, we are taught at a very early age to be selfless. To give of ourselves until it hurts. Money, time, energy, etc; are all the things we should give, give give.
Yet one of the big lessons that we lack in our Sunday Schools and churches today is this understanding of what it means to love ourselves. This can be just as difficult we have come to think such a concept can be selfish.
The love you have to offer is only as valuable as the love you offer yourself. If you allow yourself to be mistreated by toxic behaviors, it is a form of abuse. In allowing such, you minimize your ability to show love to others. Resentful, bitter, discouraged people don't love very well. And those who think bad of themselves don't have the energy to love very well.
Think on this. Personal experience has taught me how and when to distance myself from toxic behaviors. I believe it has made me a more loving person and a more optimistic person. I also don't believe it puts me in conflict with Jesus' teachings. I can only love my neighbor as I love myself.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
Monday, February 3, 2020
Do You Like Yummy?
Hello Church,
It has started. Emmanuel is doing a church-wide fundraiser to help the ministry teams do more! Over the past 60 years the UMW has sold these yummy homemade chocolate Easter Eggs. This year the whole church is in on the action. Over the next month the goal is to sell 3,000 of them!
Why?
Creative ministry can be enhanced in a few ways: good leadership; new ideas; people implementing those ideas; good planning; and plenty of resources.
This Easter Egg project does a couple of things for the church and it is more than just making money. For sure, it does help our resource issue. Small churches every year find themselves discussing the 'lack of' when it comes to ministry ideas.... money, people, energy, time, etc. However, there is another dynamic that happens here and it has to do with what I'll call 'spiritual morale'.
Like any other organization or team, when success is experienced, it opens the door to more energy and optimistic outlooks. The church is no different. Emmanuel is on the same page in it's goal to 'make disciples of Jesus' and part of that goal is to encourage its 4 ministry teams to continue the good work.
Sometime later this year we will see the effects of resourcing these ministry teams. Youth will be sent to conferences; group studies will be taught; community outreach will be done; people will be helped; mission trips will be completed; fellowship will be enhanced; special music will be sung; children will be invested in; and the church as a whole will feel good about all the work that was able to get done because we had the people, energy and resources to get it done.
This dynamic creates momentum and people are attracted to momentum. People want to be a part of a church that has momentum. The good spiritual morale creates a spiritual magnet. In short, the church becomes yummy......and people like yummy.
So I invite you to buy an egg...or 2... or 3....and, if you want, sell an egg... or 2 .. or 3... Look for detailed information coming real soon on Facebook and through our church emails. We want to have a yummy church.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
It has started. Emmanuel is doing a church-wide fundraiser to help the ministry teams do more! Over the past 60 years the UMW has sold these yummy homemade chocolate Easter Eggs. This year the whole church is in on the action. Over the next month the goal is to sell 3,000 of them!
Why?
Creative ministry can be enhanced in a few ways: good leadership; new ideas; people implementing those ideas; good planning; and plenty of resources.
This Easter Egg project does a couple of things for the church and it is more than just making money. For sure, it does help our resource issue. Small churches every year find themselves discussing the 'lack of' when it comes to ministry ideas.... money, people, energy, time, etc. However, there is another dynamic that happens here and it has to do with what I'll call 'spiritual morale'.
Like any other organization or team, when success is experienced, it opens the door to more energy and optimistic outlooks. The church is no different. Emmanuel is on the same page in it's goal to 'make disciples of Jesus' and part of that goal is to encourage its 4 ministry teams to continue the good work.
Sometime later this year we will see the effects of resourcing these ministry teams. Youth will be sent to conferences; group studies will be taught; community outreach will be done; people will be helped; mission trips will be completed; fellowship will be enhanced; special music will be sung; children will be invested in; and the church as a whole will feel good about all the work that was able to get done because we had the people, energy and resources to get it done.
This dynamic creates momentum and people are attracted to momentum. People want to be a part of a church that has momentum. The good spiritual morale creates a spiritual magnet. In short, the church becomes yummy......and people like yummy.
So I invite you to buy an egg...or 2... or 3....and, if you want, sell an egg... or 2 .. or 3... Look for detailed information coming real soon on Facebook and through our church emails. We want to have a yummy church.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
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