Choosing Fun Over Drudgery
This is the third week of our Lenten series, I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church. During this series, there are 6 critical choices that the author Rev. Paul Nixon says that need to be made. The first choice is Choosing Life Over Death…The Second Choice is Choosing Community Over Isolation…Which brings us to this week where our choice is Choosing Fun Over Drudgery…Now, Drudgery isn’t a word that’s used all together that often in common conversation, but it’s a word that sounds just like what it is…As the choices are set up—if death is the opposite of life & isolation is the opposite of community, then drudgery is the opposite of fun…And in each choice as we’ve looked at the obvious choice, we’ve discovered that there are times even with the obvious choice that it is difficult…This morning we turn our attention to choosing fun over drudgery…
Whenever you meet new people or are getting to know someone better, after all of the basic info questions have been asked, one of the first questions is usually “What do you do for fun?” Well, I want to ask that question to you this morning…What do you do for fun? (Wait for responses.)
The word “fun” doesn’t appear in the Bible, but the closest word that does appear between 105-191 times is the word “joy”…Do you know what that means? It means that the Bible is a joyful book! Christianity is a happy faith! How do we do our best to convey that message? The Gospel is not called the “okay news” or the “bad news”…The Gospel is called the “Good News”…How do we convey that message? Is it one that we share with excitement and passion or as an afterthought? Do we share the message of the Gospel with as much excitement and passion as we share with someone else what we do for fun?
Choosing Fun Over Drudgery…It is a choice that we have to make and it’s an important choice to make…Now, again, the obvious choice is to choose fun…We like things that are fun…If you had a choice to attend a party where people were laughing or a party where people sat and stared at each other…What would you choose? It’s a pretty clear choice and yet it is still a choice that we have to make, so there’s some difficulty in making it for some people…
When I was in college, I began to lead a praise band in the church I grew up…We all enjoyed what we did, and the praise band lead worship at the services on Wednesday nights and occasionally joined the Sunday morning service…When I went away to school and returned one Sunday morning, the new leaders of the praise band had grown the ministry and were leading the Sunday morning service more frequently. The particular worship service that I was at, my sister & I had gotten there late and the pews and balcony were all full, so we had to sit in the very back pew…As the worship service began and the music began to play and the praise band began to lead the music, I began to worship and to join in the singing…The second song was a very upbeat and rhythmic song, so I along with a scattering of some others began to clap along with the song…There was a woman who was sitting in front of me who turned around and gave me a dirty look a couple times before she turned around again in the middle of the song and said to me… “This is church. Church is not a place for happy noises.” I was taken aback by her comment at the time, but it didn’t stop me from worshipping in body and spirit…
The church is not a place for happy noises…It’s a statement that is biting and one that I have to admit I still strongly disagree with…Church is absolutely a place for happy noises…Our call to worship this morning we sang that this is the day…We will rejoice and be glad in it…We are to worship God joyfully! Church is absolutely a place for happy noises…
In our passage from Deuteronomy, where the instructions are being given about presenting offerings to God through the priest, the passage says that even as we reflect on what has happened in the life of the Israelites, God tells them that when they bring their offering they should celebrate…The church is a place for happy noises…The church is a place where fun should be chosen over drudgery…
Drudgery can be quite an easy choice to make and we don’t even realize that we’re making it…when you share with someone what you do in coming to worship or attending meetings or attending other events of the church, how do you tell them that you come? Do you say, “I have to go to church today.” Or do you say, “I get to go to church today.” How we come to worship God or serve in ministry should be done with joy…It should be fun…
Another way that we choose drudgery is how we talk about the church, the ministries, and about God…When negativity is shared about these things, it is a very clear choice of choosing drudgery over fun…Some very clear examples of this would be…talking about an event or worship—“Nobody’s going to come.” “That’s a stupid time to do that.” “It’ll be interesting to see what happens with that, especially with so-and-so leading it.” “I can’t believe they’re doing that, that’s ridiculous…” Anytime that negativity has been shared, drudgery has just been chosen…If you were to hear from someone around town that something is ridiculous and won’t work…are you likely to attend that? It is very important to choose fun over drudgery…
Now that’s not to say that as Christians or as members of the church, we’re not allowed to share concerns or talk about things openly and honestly. That is absolutely something that we should be able to do…But who do we communicate that with first? If you have a problem, concern, or complaint with a ministry that is happening, the very first person that you should be sharing that with is the person with whom you have the issue…It is not to share that with everyone else but that person…
Now it is very true that it is a balance of fun…Let me be clear to say that joy should be at every single gathering…The wedding that Jesus attended at Cana was a joyous occasion! It was something to celebrate! Every single gathering should be joyful! There should be an element of joy that is at every single gathering…The danger can be choosing too much fun or choosing fun without a purpose…It can happen that fun becomes simply entertainment…But when we have chosen to share the Good News, that becomes our purpose…When we choose to share the message of Jesus Christ, we have a purpose and it is important to share that message through all ways—words and actions.
Fun is not something that is undignified or something that we shouldn’t do because it is irreverent or disrespectful to God…Quite the opposite! God continually calls us to celebrate or to worship joyfully…God wants us to choose fun over drudgery!
The message of grace is one that is filled with joy and celebration…The Good News of Jesus Christ is one that is filled with joy and celebration! Why wouldn’t we want to share that?? Choosing fun over drudgery—it’s an important choice to make…How are you going to make that choice in your own life? How are we going to make that choice as a church? Choosing fun over drudgery…
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Prayer Vigil
On Sunday afternoon at 3:00 pm, there will be a prayer vigil at Sheridan UMC for the vicitims and those affected by the shooting at NIU. Please join us in prayer...For more information you can contact me through here or you can contact the church office at 815-496-2021.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Conference website
There are several great responses and information from the conference regarding the shooting at Northern Illinois University. Please continue to be in prayer for the entire NIU community.
http://www.umcnic.org
http://www.umcnic.org
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Choosing Community Over Isolation
Choosing Community Over Isolation
We continue this week in our Lenten series, I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church. There is still an opportunity to sign up for the class or to purchase a book. Please see me after the service if you are interested in either option. As we continue in this series, I would invite you to keep an open mind and an ear towards what God is speaking. Each week there are two options that we will be looking at. Rev Nixon calls these choices our critical choices, six clear choices that will greatly amplify the impact of our lives and our churches. Last week, our choice was between life and death…Life is the obvious choice to make and we had an opportunity to during the service to make that choice publicly. The choice to choose life over death is one that we each have to do personally first in order to share that life with others…The choice to choose life is the first choice to make…The choice that we make as individuals must also be choices that we make as a church…
The next critical choice that we have to make is choosing community over isolation…Now this is another one that seems like it would be an easy choice to make…Because as much as one might need some “alone time” or time away, it’s that important to be with people…Even as God created human beings, God said, “It’s not good for one to be alone.” Community is something that we as human beings crave and do almost instinctively…We weren’t created to be isolated…We were created for community to be together…
So, if we as human beings are meant to be in community with one another…What does that make the Church? Well, the church is a gathered body of believers…The church itself is meant to be a community…In the reading from Acts, we have an idea of what the early Christian church looked like…Believers met in one another’s homes…They spent time in the temple, then they spent just as much time in one another’s homes, breaking bread…Not only did they worship together in the temple, but they also spent just as much time together outside of the temple, breaking bread together in one another’s homes…Church wasn’t just something that they did on Saturday, but it was a way of life…They weren’t just in community with one other in worship, but they were in intentional Christian community for their entire beings…
Now, those who gathered to form the early Christian church didn’t get together simply because they had something in common…They liked the same kinds of foods or talked about politics together…They gathered together because what they had in common through their Lord, Jesus Christ…Through the recognition that they were all one through Christ Jesus, they formed their communities that were open to all.
As much as community is something that seems like it’s the logical choice to make and something that typically most people would choose and would want…Even for those of us who choose community over isolation…It’s easy to slip sometimes…
I went to a movie once, and the theater sat 200 people easily…And for most of the previews, I was the only one in the theater…Until another couple came in and looked around the theater for a place to sit…In this 200 seat theater where I was the only other person in…And where did they choose to sit?? That’s right…They sat right next to me. Out of 199 other seats to choose, they chose to sit right next to me…Oh, I was so irritated! I had decided to choose isolation instead of community…
Now you may be thinking…Well, I can understand that—that’s a movie…What does that have to do with church?? Well, we’re not just Christians in worship on Sunday mornings…
I visited a church once where there were at least 200 other seats in the sanctuary…And as people came in to worship, and sat down…No one sat next to me…How is it that someone would sit next to me in a movie theater, but not in a church? Have you ever had that experience?
There was a story that was passed around the Internet awhile ago about a man who was telling his brother about a group that he had found in the town that he had just moved into…He said that people were so welcoming and friendly and when he walked in, someone offered him a seat right next them…Everyone wanted to know who he was and how he was doing…There was one person who was so easy to talk to and he ended up telling them about all of his pain and told them some of the things that he had done wrong in his life and that he was sorry about…The group of people and himself did some laughing and a little bit of singing together…Before he left, they gave him the schedule of what was going on when they would be there again and that they couldn’t wait to see him again. “Wow! That’s great!” said the man’s brother. “What church did you go to?” The man looked puzzled for a minute and said, “Who said anything about a church? I was talking about the neighborhood bar.” How do we choose community over isolation?
Have you ever had the opportunity to be on the other end of the experience? That you were the one who saw someone sitting alone and you joined them? Maybe it was a stranger…Maybe it was someone that you knew…Did you choose community or isolation?
I read an article recently where a priest talked about the American idea of individualism…And how that can unintentionally lead into isolationism…That as we try so hard to be our own person and so hard to emphasize who we are as individuals we can forget that we’re also a part of a community.
It’s up to all of us to choose community…Now, there are some people who aren’t as comfortable talking to someone new…There are certainly people who are introverted and aren’t as comfortable talking to someone new…Which would be an easy excuse to make and an easy way to choose isolation instead of community…There are many ways to choose community…
The decision to choose life is an easy step into choosing community…Why would someone choose life and then keep it to themselves? Yep, I choose life! Now, I’m not going to tell anyone about it…I’m going to keep it to myself…You know, I seem to remember that there’s a song about that…A song that maybe we learned in Sunday School…Oh, it’s in our hymnal too…This Little Light of Mine…
Choosing Community Over Isolation…Community just isn’t about the people that we know and the people that we like…Community is larger than that…All people are included in community…Jesus didn’t say, “love people as long as they look like you…smell like you…talk like you…think like you…” Actually Jesus said, whatever you do to these, you do to me…Are we welcoming Jesus into community with us?
Choosing community over isolation…It’s an important choice to make…God wants us to be in community…How are we going to do that? The first step is to make the choice…To choose community…To choose to be in fellowship with others…
We continue this week in our Lenten series, I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church. There is still an opportunity to sign up for the class or to purchase a book. Please see me after the service if you are interested in either option. As we continue in this series, I would invite you to keep an open mind and an ear towards what God is speaking. Each week there are two options that we will be looking at. Rev Nixon calls these choices our critical choices, six clear choices that will greatly amplify the impact of our lives and our churches. Last week, our choice was between life and death…Life is the obvious choice to make and we had an opportunity to during the service to make that choice publicly. The choice to choose life over death is one that we each have to do personally first in order to share that life with others…The choice to choose life is the first choice to make…The choice that we make as individuals must also be choices that we make as a church…
The next critical choice that we have to make is choosing community over isolation…Now this is another one that seems like it would be an easy choice to make…Because as much as one might need some “alone time” or time away, it’s that important to be with people…Even as God created human beings, God said, “It’s not good for one to be alone.” Community is something that we as human beings crave and do almost instinctively…We weren’t created to be isolated…We were created for community to be together…
So, if we as human beings are meant to be in community with one another…What does that make the Church? Well, the church is a gathered body of believers…The church itself is meant to be a community…In the reading from Acts, we have an idea of what the early Christian church looked like…Believers met in one another’s homes…They spent time in the temple, then they spent just as much time in one another’s homes, breaking bread…Not only did they worship together in the temple, but they also spent just as much time together outside of the temple, breaking bread together in one another’s homes…Church wasn’t just something that they did on Saturday, but it was a way of life…They weren’t just in community with one other in worship, but they were in intentional Christian community for their entire beings…
Now, those who gathered to form the early Christian church didn’t get together simply because they had something in common…They liked the same kinds of foods or talked about politics together…They gathered together because what they had in common through their Lord, Jesus Christ…Through the recognition that they were all one through Christ Jesus, they formed their communities that were open to all.
As much as community is something that seems like it’s the logical choice to make and something that typically most people would choose and would want…Even for those of us who choose community over isolation…It’s easy to slip sometimes…
I went to a movie once, and the theater sat 200 people easily…And for most of the previews, I was the only one in the theater…Until another couple came in and looked around the theater for a place to sit…In this 200 seat theater where I was the only other person in…And where did they choose to sit?? That’s right…They sat right next to me. Out of 199 other seats to choose, they chose to sit right next to me…Oh, I was so irritated! I had decided to choose isolation instead of community…
Now you may be thinking…Well, I can understand that—that’s a movie…What does that have to do with church?? Well, we’re not just Christians in worship on Sunday mornings…
I visited a church once where there were at least 200 other seats in the sanctuary…And as people came in to worship, and sat down…No one sat next to me…How is it that someone would sit next to me in a movie theater, but not in a church? Have you ever had that experience?
There was a story that was passed around the Internet awhile ago about a man who was telling his brother about a group that he had found in the town that he had just moved into…He said that people were so welcoming and friendly and when he walked in, someone offered him a seat right next them…Everyone wanted to know who he was and how he was doing…There was one person who was so easy to talk to and he ended up telling them about all of his pain and told them some of the things that he had done wrong in his life and that he was sorry about…The group of people and himself did some laughing and a little bit of singing together…Before he left, they gave him the schedule of what was going on when they would be there again and that they couldn’t wait to see him again. “Wow! That’s great!” said the man’s brother. “What church did you go to?” The man looked puzzled for a minute and said, “Who said anything about a church? I was talking about the neighborhood bar.” How do we choose community over isolation?
Have you ever had the opportunity to be on the other end of the experience? That you were the one who saw someone sitting alone and you joined them? Maybe it was a stranger…Maybe it was someone that you knew…Did you choose community or isolation?
I read an article recently where a priest talked about the American idea of individualism…And how that can unintentionally lead into isolationism…That as we try so hard to be our own person and so hard to emphasize who we are as individuals we can forget that we’re also a part of a community.
It’s up to all of us to choose community…Now, there are some people who aren’t as comfortable talking to someone new…There are certainly people who are introverted and aren’t as comfortable talking to someone new…Which would be an easy excuse to make and an easy way to choose isolation instead of community…There are many ways to choose community…
The decision to choose life is an easy step into choosing community…Why would someone choose life and then keep it to themselves? Yep, I choose life! Now, I’m not going to tell anyone about it…I’m going to keep it to myself…You know, I seem to remember that there’s a song about that…A song that maybe we learned in Sunday School…Oh, it’s in our hymnal too…This Little Light of Mine…
Choosing Community Over Isolation…Community just isn’t about the people that we know and the people that we like…Community is larger than that…All people are included in community…Jesus didn’t say, “love people as long as they look like you…smell like you…talk like you…think like you…” Actually Jesus said, whatever you do to these, you do to me…Are we welcoming Jesus into community with us?
Choosing community over isolation…It’s an important choice to make…God wants us to be in community…How are we going to do that? The first step is to make the choice…To choose community…To choose to be in fellowship with others…
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina
One of the most central and ancient practices of Christian prayer is lectio divina, or divine reading. In lectio divina, we begin by reading a few verses of the Bible. We read unhurriedly so that we can listen for the message God has for us there. We stay alert to connections the Spirit may reveal between the passage and what is going on in our lives. We ask, "What are you saying to me today, Lord? What am I to hear in this story, parable, or prophecy?" Listening in this way requires patience and a willingness to let go of our own agendas and open ourselves to God's shaping.
Once we have heard a word that we know is meant for us, we are naturally drawn to prayer. From listening we move to speaking -- perhaps in anguish, confession or sorrow; perhaps in joy, praise, thanksgiving or adoration; perhaps in anger, confusion or hurt; perhaps in quiet confidence, trust or surrender. Finally, after pouring out our heart to God, we come to rest simply and deeply in that wonderful, loving presence of God. Reading, reflecting, responding and resting -- this is the basic rhythm of divine reading. *
Individual Lectio Divina
Phase 1, Lectio (reading/listening)
> Choose a passage of scripture. Although any passage will do, a psalm, a story about Jesus, or one of the poetic passages from a prophet works very well. For example, try Mark 1:14–20 or Isaiah 40:1–5.
> Read the passage to yourself twice. Don’t be caught by the literal meaning of the scripture. Rather, listen for the word or phrase that catches your attention.
>Silently focus on that word or phrase. Repeat it a few times. Allow it to sift through your heart and mind.
Phase 2, Meditatio (pondering)
> As you continue to focus on your word or phrase, pay attention to the thoughts and feelings it evokes.
> What images, what thoughts, what memories come to mind?
> Continue to ask God to speak to you through this word, and listen for the reply.
Phase 3, Oratio (responding)
> At some point you may find yourself wanting to reply to God. What desires has your prayer awakened in you?
> Maybe you have found an area of your life that needs some work.
> Maybe you are grateful for something and you wish to express that gratitude.
> Maybe you feel called to a new course of action in your life.
> Whatever you sense, do not rush the prayer. Continue to wait and listen as God forms your prayer and desire in your heart.Speak your prayer of desire, longing, or action to God. Continue to listen in the silence.
Phase 4, Contemplatio (resting)
> In this final phase of the prayer, the conversation with God draws to a close. Having heard a word from God and having expressed your response to that word, you now allow yourself to rest in the silence.
> Allow your mind to settle.
> When you feel that the prayer has come to an end, express your gratitude to God. This can be as simple as saying “Thank you” or “Amen.” +
Above all clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.-- Colossians 3:14-16a (NRSV)
*Adapted from "Praying the Scriptures" by Marjorie Thompson in The Spiritual Formation Bible, pp. xv ff. © Zondervan Corporation, 1999. © 2007 The Upper Room. Used by permission +This article is adapted from Creating a Life with God: The Call of Ancient Prayer Practices. © 2003 Daniel Wolpert. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books..
One of the most central and ancient practices of Christian prayer is lectio divina, or divine reading. In lectio divina, we begin by reading a few verses of the Bible. We read unhurriedly so that we can listen for the message God has for us there. We stay alert to connections the Spirit may reveal between the passage and what is going on in our lives. We ask, "What are you saying to me today, Lord? What am I to hear in this story, parable, or prophecy?" Listening in this way requires patience and a willingness to let go of our own agendas and open ourselves to God's shaping.
Once we have heard a word that we know is meant for us, we are naturally drawn to prayer. From listening we move to speaking -- perhaps in anguish, confession or sorrow; perhaps in joy, praise, thanksgiving or adoration; perhaps in anger, confusion or hurt; perhaps in quiet confidence, trust or surrender. Finally, after pouring out our heart to God, we come to rest simply and deeply in that wonderful, loving presence of God. Reading, reflecting, responding and resting -- this is the basic rhythm of divine reading. *
Individual Lectio Divina
Phase 1, Lectio (reading/listening)
> Choose a passage of scripture. Although any passage will do, a psalm, a story about Jesus, or one of the poetic passages from a prophet works very well. For example, try Mark 1:14–20 or Isaiah 40:1–5.
> Read the passage to yourself twice. Don’t be caught by the literal meaning of the scripture. Rather, listen for the word or phrase that catches your attention.
>Silently focus on that word or phrase. Repeat it a few times. Allow it to sift through your heart and mind.
Phase 2, Meditatio (pondering)
> As you continue to focus on your word or phrase, pay attention to the thoughts and feelings it evokes.
> What images, what thoughts, what memories come to mind?
> Continue to ask God to speak to you through this word, and listen for the reply.
Phase 3, Oratio (responding)
> At some point you may find yourself wanting to reply to God. What desires has your prayer awakened in you?
> Maybe you have found an area of your life that needs some work.
> Maybe you are grateful for something and you wish to express that gratitude.
> Maybe you feel called to a new course of action in your life.
> Whatever you sense, do not rush the prayer. Continue to wait and listen as God forms your prayer and desire in your heart.Speak your prayer of desire, longing, or action to God. Continue to listen in the silence.
Phase 4, Contemplatio (resting)
> In this final phase of the prayer, the conversation with God draws to a close. Having heard a word from God and having expressed your response to that word, you now allow yourself to rest in the silence.
> Allow your mind to settle.
> When you feel that the prayer has come to an end, express your gratitude to God. This can be as simple as saying “Thank you” or “Amen.” +
Above all clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.-- Colossians 3:14-16a (NRSV)
*Adapted from "Praying the Scriptures" by Marjorie Thompson in The Spiritual Formation Bible, pp. xv ff. © Zondervan Corporation, 1999. © 2007 The Upper Room. Used by permission +This article is adapted from Creating a Life with God: The Call of Ancient Prayer Practices. © 2003 Daniel Wolpert. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books..
Spaghetti Dinner
SHERIDAN -- The United Methodist Church, 219 Bushnell St., will offer a Valentine's spaghetti dinner from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15. Donations will be accepted at the door, and carryouts will be available. Call the church, 815-496-2021, for additional information.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Choosing Life Over Death
Choosing Life Over Death
This week begins our six week series on the book I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church by Rev. Paul Nixon. Rev. Nixon is a United Methodist Pastor currently serving in a new church based in Arlington, VA. Rev. Nixon works with pastors & churches of many denominations across North America. This book has been recommended by our Bishop, Hee-Soo Jung as part of the tools for Harvest 2020. Harvest 2020 is the vision for the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church, of which we are a part… The VISION of Harvest 2020 is to plant 100 new faith communities within the Northern Illinois Conference, to grow healthy disciples in local churches, and to promote cooperation through cluster ministries. As a part of the Norther Illinois Conference, we are challenged to participate and to live into this vision. There are ways that we have engaged this vision already and there are ways that we are working towards living into this vision…
During this Lenten season, we have intentional time to practice Spiritual disciplines and to have conversations about the vision & mission of Sheridan-Norway United Methodist Church. Participating in worship, practicing a spiritual discipline, or joining a Bible study are all ways that we will have ways to connect with God and to seek to hear what God is calling and sharing with us…
We begin our Lenten series this morning…In this first week, we are talking about choosing life over death…
Now, choosing life over death seems like a no brainer, right? Would you rather have a piece of fruit that is rotten and dead or something that is ripe and juicy? Or would you buy a plant that is wilted and dry or one that is blooming and lush? Choosing life is something that seems like it would be an easy decision to make, one would think that to choose life would be a conversation that would be very short and sweet…Choosing life is something that everyone would choose, right??
It seems like an easy question to answer…It seems like an easy choice to make…And yet…For many the choice is very hard…and for many, without realizing it, they have chosen death instead of life…
In our passage from Dueteronomy, Moses is speaking to the Hebrew people…These people who were in slavery to Pharoah and who were brought out of slavery by God and lead through the dessert for 40 years where they wandered, seeking to arrive to the land which God promised, the promised land…Moses is speaking to these Hebrew people toward the end of their wandering years and asking them to make choices that honor what God has planned for them…That before them has been set life and prosperity and death and adversity…And they have been given very specific instructions on how choose life…To obey the commandments of God…To love God…To walk in the ways of God…All these things are ways that the Hebrew people choose life…
It’s still a choice…It’s still a choice that the Hebrew people make to choose life…They could just as easily choose to turn away…to not hear…to worship other gods…And there were times that they did that…There were times when the Hebrew people chose death over life…
But of course…We’re not like those Hebrew people! We’re not a people who would choose death over life! That’s preposterous! Right??? And yet…Doesn’t it happen?
How are there ways that you have chosen death over life? That you have not listened to God…That you have turned away from God…That you have not obeyed the commandments of God…That you have chosen death over life. Now, some of you may be sitting and thinking… “Melissa…I have never chosen death over life! Are you serious???” And maybe you’re right…I mean I’m not with you 24/7 or have been present with you for your whole life…So…every day, have you listened to everything that God said? Every day have you loved God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength? Every day have you walked in the ways of God completely? Because I have to be honest…I know that there have been times when I have chosen death over life…Sometimes intentionally and sometimes unintentionally…I can think of a time when I was finishing visiting someone at the hospital and as I was leaving, I saw a familiar car in the parking lot…And I felt God nudging me to turn around and go back into the hospital, but I had to get to another meeting instead…I disobeyed what God was telling me and missed an opportunity to minister…I chose death over life…It’s easier to choose death than one might think…
There are ways that we choose death unintentionally… When we have questions about what is happening or the direction of the church Jesus teaches us that we are to go directly to the leadership of the church and talk, ask, discuss…By gossiping or sharing negative attitudes, we have chosen death instead of life. Choosing death is easier than it seems…
But…Within the passage from Deuteronomy and the story of Jesus healing the paralyzed man…We’re not asked to choose death…We’re asked and instructed to choose life…It’s about what we shouldn’t choose…It’s about what we should choose…We should choose life.
Life…Life is what God offers to us… To obey the commandments of God…To love God…To walk in the ways of God…To do that is to choose life…
We choose life when we spend time in prayer and meditation with God…When we listen to God…When we turn to God…When we live into what God is calling us to do and to be…We choose life…During this Lenten season, during our communion on Wednesday evenings, we’ll have opportunities to practice different spiritual disciplines…To pray through art, through body prayers, through silence, through studying Scripture…These are all ways that we choose life…
The life that is given to us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ…Jesus didn’t die so that we could choose death…Jesus died to destroy our death…Jesus died and was raised to give us hope…To give us life…How could we not choose that?? That Jesus gave up his life so that we may truly live…How could we not choose that life that Jesus gives??
We begin our series talking about choosing life…Because choosing life has to be something that we choose to do as individuals…As Christians…To accept the life that we have been give by and through Jesus Christ our Savior…As Christians, before we can invite others to choose that life…It’s something that we need to choose for ourselves…Maybe that’s a decision that you made long ago…When you chose life over death…Maybe it’s a decision that you’ve been struggling with…Choosing life over death…Maybe you’ve felt like you’ve been choosing death more than you’ve been choosing life lately…Let me tell you that choice to choose life is here for you today…It’s here for you now…If life is something that you would claim now…In this time and in this place…If you are choosing the life that Jesus gives…To love God…To walk in God’s ways…To choose life over death…I would invite you to come forward to pray at the altar…To come down and make the choice to choose life…(song)
This week begins our six week series on the book I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church by Rev. Paul Nixon. Rev. Nixon is a United Methodist Pastor currently serving in a new church based in Arlington, VA. Rev. Nixon works with pastors & churches of many denominations across North America. This book has been recommended by our Bishop, Hee-Soo Jung as part of the tools for Harvest 2020. Harvest 2020 is the vision for the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church, of which we are a part… The VISION of Harvest 2020 is to plant 100 new faith communities within the Northern Illinois Conference, to grow healthy disciples in local churches, and to promote cooperation through cluster ministries. As a part of the Norther Illinois Conference, we are challenged to participate and to live into this vision. There are ways that we have engaged this vision already and there are ways that we are working towards living into this vision…
During this Lenten season, we have intentional time to practice Spiritual disciplines and to have conversations about the vision & mission of Sheridan-Norway United Methodist Church. Participating in worship, practicing a spiritual discipline, or joining a Bible study are all ways that we will have ways to connect with God and to seek to hear what God is calling and sharing with us…
We begin our Lenten series this morning…In this first week, we are talking about choosing life over death…
Now, choosing life over death seems like a no brainer, right? Would you rather have a piece of fruit that is rotten and dead or something that is ripe and juicy? Or would you buy a plant that is wilted and dry or one that is blooming and lush? Choosing life is something that seems like it would be an easy decision to make, one would think that to choose life would be a conversation that would be very short and sweet…Choosing life is something that everyone would choose, right??
It seems like an easy question to answer…It seems like an easy choice to make…And yet…For many the choice is very hard…and for many, without realizing it, they have chosen death instead of life…
In our passage from Dueteronomy, Moses is speaking to the Hebrew people…These people who were in slavery to Pharoah and who were brought out of slavery by God and lead through the dessert for 40 years where they wandered, seeking to arrive to the land which God promised, the promised land…Moses is speaking to these Hebrew people toward the end of their wandering years and asking them to make choices that honor what God has planned for them…That before them has been set life and prosperity and death and adversity…And they have been given very specific instructions on how choose life…To obey the commandments of God…To love God…To walk in the ways of God…All these things are ways that the Hebrew people choose life…
It’s still a choice…It’s still a choice that the Hebrew people make to choose life…They could just as easily choose to turn away…to not hear…to worship other gods…And there were times that they did that…There were times when the Hebrew people chose death over life…
But of course…We’re not like those Hebrew people! We’re not a people who would choose death over life! That’s preposterous! Right??? And yet…Doesn’t it happen?
How are there ways that you have chosen death over life? That you have not listened to God…That you have turned away from God…That you have not obeyed the commandments of God…That you have chosen death over life. Now, some of you may be sitting and thinking… “Melissa…I have never chosen death over life! Are you serious???” And maybe you’re right…I mean I’m not with you 24/7 or have been present with you for your whole life…So…every day, have you listened to everything that God said? Every day have you loved God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength? Every day have you walked in the ways of God completely? Because I have to be honest…I know that there have been times when I have chosen death over life…Sometimes intentionally and sometimes unintentionally…I can think of a time when I was finishing visiting someone at the hospital and as I was leaving, I saw a familiar car in the parking lot…And I felt God nudging me to turn around and go back into the hospital, but I had to get to another meeting instead…I disobeyed what God was telling me and missed an opportunity to minister…I chose death over life…It’s easier to choose death than one might think…
There are ways that we choose death unintentionally… When we have questions about what is happening or the direction of the church Jesus teaches us that we are to go directly to the leadership of the church and talk, ask, discuss…By gossiping or sharing negative attitudes, we have chosen death instead of life. Choosing death is easier than it seems…
But…Within the passage from Deuteronomy and the story of Jesus healing the paralyzed man…We’re not asked to choose death…We’re asked and instructed to choose life…It’s about what we shouldn’t choose…It’s about what we should choose…We should choose life.
Life…Life is what God offers to us… To obey the commandments of God…To love God…To walk in the ways of God…To do that is to choose life…
We choose life when we spend time in prayer and meditation with God…When we listen to God…When we turn to God…When we live into what God is calling us to do and to be…We choose life…During this Lenten season, during our communion on Wednesday evenings, we’ll have opportunities to practice different spiritual disciplines…To pray through art, through body prayers, through silence, through studying Scripture…These are all ways that we choose life…
The life that is given to us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ…Jesus didn’t die so that we could choose death…Jesus died to destroy our death…Jesus died and was raised to give us hope…To give us life…How could we not choose that?? That Jesus gave up his life so that we may truly live…How could we not choose that life that Jesus gives??
We begin our series talking about choosing life…Because choosing life has to be something that we choose to do as individuals…As Christians…To accept the life that we have been give by and through Jesus Christ our Savior…As Christians, before we can invite others to choose that life…It’s something that we need to choose for ourselves…Maybe that’s a decision that you made long ago…When you chose life over death…Maybe it’s a decision that you’ve been struggling with…Choosing life over death…Maybe you’ve felt like you’ve been choosing death more than you’ve been choosing life lately…Let me tell you that choice to choose life is here for you today…It’s here for you now…If life is something that you would claim now…In this time and in this place…If you are choosing the life that Jesus gives…To love God…To walk in God’s ways…To choose life over death…I would invite you to come forward to pray at the altar…To come down and make the choice to choose life…(song)
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Lenten Study
Lenten Study
Lent begins in February and during the season of Lent; we will be doing a sermon series and Bible study on Paul Nixon’s book, I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church. This book has been recommended by the Bishop and the conference for the conference’s Harvest 2020 vision and plan.
"God has called all leaders, lay and clergy, to lead healthy, growing spiritual movements. For this reason, I refuse to lead a dying church. And I invite you ... to join me in refusing; ever again, to lead a dying church ...This commitment entails six critical choices: Choosing Life over Death, Choosing Community over Isolation, Choosing Fun over Drudgery, and Choosing Bold over Mild, Choosing Frontier over Fortress, and Choosing Now rather than Later."
Books are available through Cokesbury for $13. If you would like to purchase one, please contact the office and make checks payable to Sheridan United Methodist Church. You may purchase your own copy or you may want to share with someone.
There will be opportunities for classes on:
Monday Evenings at 6:30-8:00 pm at the Parsonage
Wednesday Mornings at 10:00 am-11:30am at Norway UMC
Sunday Afternoon at 1:00-2:30pm at the Parsonage
Sign up sheets will be posted for the classes. There needs to be at least 2 people signed up for each session in order for the class to meet. If you need to meet another time, please make arrangements with Pastor Melissa.
Topics include
February 10
Choosing Life Over Death
February 17
Choosing Community Over Isolation
February 24
Choosing Fun Over Drudgery
March 2
Choosing Bold Over Mild
March 9
Choosing Frontier Over Fortress
March 16
Choosing Now Rather Than Later
Lent begins in February and during the season of Lent; we will be doing a sermon series and Bible study on Paul Nixon’s book, I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church. This book has been recommended by the Bishop and the conference for the conference’s Harvest 2020 vision and plan.
"God has called all leaders, lay and clergy, to lead healthy, growing spiritual movements. For this reason, I refuse to lead a dying church. And I invite you ... to join me in refusing; ever again, to lead a dying church ...This commitment entails six critical choices: Choosing Life over Death, Choosing Community over Isolation, Choosing Fun over Drudgery, and Choosing Bold over Mild, Choosing Frontier over Fortress, and Choosing Now rather than Later."
Books are available through Cokesbury for $13. If you would like to purchase one, please contact the office and make checks payable to Sheridan United Methodist Church. You may purchase your own copy or you may want to share with someone.
There will be opportunities for classes on:
Monday Evenings at 6:30-8:00 pm at the Parsonage
Wednesday Mornings at 10:00 am-11:30am at Norway UMC
Sunday Afternoon at 1:00-2:30pm at the Parsonage
Sign up sheets will be posted for the classes. There needs to be at least 2 people signed up for each session in order for the class to meet. If you need to meet another time, please make arrangements with Pastor Melissa.
Topics include
February 10
Choosing Life Over Death
February 17
Choosing Community Over Isolation
February 24
Choosing Fun Over Drudgery
March 2
Choosing Bold Over Mild
March 9
Choosing Frontier Over Fortress
March 16
Choosing Now Rather Than Later
Saturday, February 2, 2008
It's Time to Party
It’s Party Time!
Someone once told me that if you want to make something more fun, you always call it a party…So, we used to have cleaning parties, laundry parties, washing dishes parties…Because if it was a party, it was always guaranteed to be more fun right? Of course, there’s always the traditional: birthday parties, anniversary parties, wedding parties, I didn’t-fail-my-math-test-at-school parties…There’s something to these parties, I think. And if you think about the parties that you host, it’s usually filled with the people that you really want to have there, right? You’ve usually got family that you may not have seen for a while and friends both old and new. Usually your parties are filled with people that you really want to see and hang out with. And of course, we can’t forget the party food! I know someone who used to go around to different graduation parties just to eat the different kinds of cakes…But, we look at those other parties to see what we can use in our own, be it food, entertainment, or people…Parties are good times!
In these two stories, we start out with two very different parties…We have the party in Exodus. Which, seemed like a great party in the beginning. There was cheering and celebrating! They were free from Pharaoh! So, they had to do something to celebrate! Now, they did take it a little too far by melting the gold and creating a golden calf…And then a little bit further by worshiping this golden calf…so, this party got a little bit out of hand. No big deal as long as they clean up after themselves, right? Yeah, well…If God wasn’t just chatting it up with Moses at the same time and then God just casually happens to mention to Moses… “Umm…So, you know what those Israelites are doing down there? Cause I do…”
And there’s nothing quite like that “busted” feeling. Oh, don’t deny that you haven’t felt it. Maybe when you were a child and you got caught sneaking cookies before dinner…Or you didn’t want your parents to see that “F” on the test…Or when that police officer pulled you over for speeding. The moment when you realize that you can’t deny something unless you come up with a brilliant excuse… “No, mom! These cookies are for my friend…um…Brent Manigantinger…” “Why, officer! I did not even see the sign that said I should be going 35, I was thinking this was a 65 mile zone!” “Aliens must have taken me away during the test and took it for me while they conducted tests on me…” All of which are very brilliant, but you still know that you’re busted…And after that moment of panic, you start to realize “Oh, great…Now, I’m in for it.” But there’s really nothing else to do, so you decide to tell the truth and fess up and take what you’ve got coming to you.
And God was ready to give it to the Israelites. But, even though Moses was shocked at the way that the Israelites were repaying God for bringing them out of Egypt, he bargained with God to convince God not to do anything to the Israelites. Moses was kind of like the Israelites’ lawyer in the courtroom on top of the mountain. You can almost hear the echoes of Moses telling God, “I object! Remember when you talked with Abraham?” And Moses’ argument works, because God changes God’s mind.
Then, there’s the party in the parable in Matthew…The wedding feast. The king in this parable had planned a wedding feast for his son and nobody came. Oh, he sent out invitations all right, but nobody showed up to his party. And that’s a sad feeling too…When you go to all kinds of work to plan a party and nobody shows up…You’ve put all this work into something and you’ve spent all kinds of money—you’ve hired the musicians and you’ve put out the drinks…And nobody’s there. So, the king, although upset that those he invited didn’t come, didn’t grieve for too long, but he did say… “Fine, go out and invite everybody off of the streets!” Instead of pouting and packing up his party and going on his bitter way, he invites everybody into the party!
But there was this one guest at the party, who didn’t come prepared and this guest got thrown out…Now, why exactly he got thrown out, we don’t know for sure. The text says it was because he was not wearing a wedding robe, but if they were pulling people in off the streets, it wouldn’t really matter if they were wearing a wedding robe or not…Maybe this guy double-dipped his chip and offended the host…He could have been one of the guests who refused to come the first time the invitation went out…or maybe he was a spy for those other parties…But the servants of the host did go out and find people in the streets, both good and bad…Maybe he was a bad guy. Which didn’t mean that he couldn’t come to the party, but if he didn’t behave himself, he couldn’t stay.
So, two different parties…One that was riddled with good intentions, but got a little bit carried away…One that was open to all people as long as the behaved themselves…So what? What can we learn from these two parties?
What parties are we throwing around the church? Is there something that we’re trying that just doesn’t seem to get results? The people that we’re inviting just aren’t coming…We’ve put up signs, sent out fliers, called people, made announcements, and they’re just not here…So, what do we do? Well, according to the parable in Matthew, we go out in the street and start bringing people in—both good and bad…Yes, that means that they might not be wearing the same kinds of clothes, but they’re welcome in any kind of a “party” that we throw, but they have to realize that they need to behave appropriately—no double-dipping here folks! But, the point is that they are all welcome! That’s what Open hearts, open doors, open minds means…
And the party in Exodus? What parties are we throwing in the church that are riddled with great intentions and are meant to serve God, but end up serving only our own selfs? The ones that everybody may love and have a great time, but just aren’t the ones that just have gotten carried away from the original intent…
I can’t answer these questions for you…But in the coming year as we are visioning toward the future with Community, these questions will be asked. And just because the questions are asked, that doesn’t mean that the parties have to stop and we have to change everything that we do! Because, there’s one thing that I know and have experienced from Community and that’s the hospitality that is warm and receiving. The hospitality that you extend to a seminary student who is far from home and needs a family to adopt her in…The grace that you share with a family who is new to the area and needs to feel at home…The love that you give to one of your family members here when times are tough…You have the gifts to throw these parties—to spread the love of God through your actions! You have the gifts to use and the party is waiting...
Someone once told me that if you want to make something more fun, you always call it a party…So, we used to have cleaning parties, laundry parties, washing dishes parties…Because if it was a party, it was always guaranteed to be more fun right? Of course, there’s always the traditional: birthday parties, anniversary parties, wedding parties, I didn’t-fail-my-math-test-at-school parties…There’s something to these parties, I think. And if you think about the parties that you host, it’s usually filled with the people that you really want to have there, right? You’ve usually got family that you may not have seen for a while and friends both old and new. Usually your parties are filled with people that you really want to see and hang out with. And of course, we can’t forget the party food! I know someone who used to go around to different graduation parties just to eat the different kinds of cakes…But, we look at those other parties to see what we can use in our own, be it food, entertainment, or people…Parties are good times!
In these two stories, we start out with two very different parties…We have the party in Exodus. Which, seemed like a great party in the beginning. There was cheering and celebrating! They were free from Pharaoh! So, they had to do something to celebrate! Now, they did take it a little too far by melting the gold and creating a golden calf…And then a little bit further by worshiping this golden calf…so, this party got a little bit out of hand. No big deal as long as they clean up after themselves, right? Yeah, well…If God wasn’t just chatting it up with Moses at the same time and then God just casually happens to mention to Moses… “Umm…So, you know what those Israelites are doing down there? Cause I do…”
And there’s nothing quite like that “busted” feeling. Oh, don’t deny that you haven’t felt it. Maybe when you were a child and you got caught sneaking cookies before dinner…Or you didn’t want your parents to see that “F” on the test…Or when that police officer pulled you over for speeding. The moment when you realize that you can’t deny something unless you come up with a brilliant excuse… “No, mom! These cookies are for my friend…um…Brent Manigantinger…” “Why, officer! I did not even see the sign that said I should be going 35, I was thinking this was a 65 mile zone!” “Aliens must have taken me away during the test and took it for me while they conducted tests on me…” All of which are very brilliant, but you still know that you’re busted…And after that moment of panic, you start to realize “Oh, great…Now, I’m in for it.” But there’s really nothing else to do, so you decide to tell the truth and fess up and take what you’ve got coming to you.
And God was ready to give it to the Israelites. But, even though Moses was shocked at the way that the Israelites were repaying God for bringing them out of Egypt, he bargained with God to convince God not to do anything to the Israelites. Moses was kind of like the Israelites’ lawyer in the courtroom on top of the mountain. You can almost hear the echoes of Moses telling God, “I object! Remember when you talked with Abraham?” And Moses’ argument works, because God changes God’s mind.
Then, there’s the party in the parable in Matthew…The wedding feast. The king in this parable had planned a wedding feast for his son and nobody came. Oh, he sent out invitations all right, but nobody showed up to his party. And that’s a sad feeling too…When you go to all kinds of work to plan a party and nobody shows up…You’ve put all this work into something and you’ve spent all kinds of money—you’ve hired the musicians and you’ve put out the drinks…And nobody’s there. So, the king, although upset that those he invited didn’t come, didn’t grieve for too long, but he did say… “Fine, go out and invite everybody off of the streets!” Instead of pouting and packing up his party and going on his bitter way, he invites everybody into the party!
But there was this one guest at the party, who didn’t come prepared and this guest got thrown out…Now, why exactly he got thrown out, we don’t know for sure. The text says it was because he was not wearing a wedding robe, but if they were pulling people in off the streets, it wouldn’t really matter if they were wearing a wedding robe or not…Maybe this guy double-dipped his chip and offended the host…He could have been one of the guests who refused to come the first time the invitation went out…or maybe he was a spy for those other parties…But the servants of the host did go out and find people in the streets, both good and bad…Maybe he was a bad guy. Which didn’t mean that he couldn’t come to the party, but if he didn’t behave himself, he couldn’t stay.
So, two different parties…One that was riddled with good intentions, but got a little bit carried away…One that was open to all people as long as the behaved themselves…So what? What can we learn from these two parties?
What parties are we throwing around the church? Is there something that we’re trying that just doesn’t seem to get results? The people that we’re inviting just aren’t coming…We’ve put up signs, sent out fliers, called people, made announcements, and they’re just not here…So, what do we do? Well, according to the parable in Matthew, we go out in the street and start bringing people in—both good and bad…Yes, that means that they might not be wearing the same kinds of clothes, but they’re welcome in any kind of a “party” that we throw, but they have to realize that they need to behave appropriately—no double-dipping here folks! But, the point is that they are all welcome! That’s what Open hearts, open doors, open minds means…
And the party in Exodus? What parties are we throwing in the church that are riddled with great intentions and are meant to serve God, but end up serving only our own selfs? The ones that everybody may love and have a great time, but just aren’t the ones that just have gotten carried away from the original intent…
I can’t answer these questions for you…But in the coming year as we are visioning toward the future with Community, these questions will be asked. And just because the questions are asked, that doesn’t mean that the parties have to stop and we have to change everything that we do! Because, there’s one thing that I know and have experienced from Community and that’s the hospitality that is warm and receiving. The hospitality that you extend to a seminary student who is far from home and needs a family to adopt her in…The grace that you share with a family who is new to the area and needs to feel at home…The love that you give to one of your family members here when times are tough…You have the gifts to throw these parties—to spread the love of God through your actions! You have the gifts to use and the party is waiting...
Friday, February 1, 2008
Family Ministries Survey
Spending Time With Your Church Family
*What does your family look like?
(Please count those who currently live with you.)
Children (0-12)____ Youth (13-18)____Young Adult (18-35)____
Adult (35-60)____Senior (60+)____
*Additional family members you may be willing to invite or bring?
Children (0-12)____ Youth (13-18)____Young Adult (18-35)____
Adult (35-60)____Senior (60+)____
*What type of events would you like to participate in?
(examples – barbeques, pot lucks, cooking classes, talent contests etc…)
*If an event costs a fee, how much are you willing to pay?
(example~ the Brookfield Zoo Trip cost $12.00 per adult)
$0-10 $10-20 $20-30 $30-40 $40-50 $50+
*What days of the week are most convenient for you?
Weekdays Weekends
*What times are most convenient for you?
Mornings Afternoons Evenings
*Our summer programs will be coming up soon!
Vacation Bible School in July
Kids Club every Wednesday in June
Are you available to give your time to either events?
*Suggestions: (Please use back if needed)
Name___________________ Phone#______________
*What does your family look like?
(Please count those who currently live with you.)
Children (0-12)____ Youth (13-18)____Young Adult (18-35)____
Adult (35-60)____Senior (60+)____
*Additional family members you may be willing to invite or bring?
Children (0-12)____ Youth (13-18)____Young Adult (18-35)____
Adult (35-60)____Senior (60+)____
*What type of events would you like to participate in?
(examples – barbeques, pot lucks, cooking classes, talent contests etc…)
*If an event costs a fee, how much are you willing to pay?
(example~ the Brookfield Zoo Trip cost $12.00 per adult)
$0-10 $10-20 $20-30 $30-40 $40-50 $50+
*What days of the week are most convenient for you?
Weekdays Weekends
*What times are most convenient for you?
Mornings Afternoons Evenings
*Our summer programs will be coming up soon!
Vacation Bible School in July
Kids Club every Wednesday in June
Are you available to give your time to either events?
*Suggestions: (Please use back if needed)
Name___________________ Phone#______________
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