Pastor's Notes for September 26, 2010

OUR HEARTFELT APPRECIATION to the men who hosted the Fish Fry last Sunday night—to the cooks who brought all the side dishes and desserts—and to the Lord for the good weather and good fellowship. About 67 of us came to Lion’s Park for the get-together.

A NEW ADDRESS
Charles & Maxine Carty
9224 Riggs Lane Apt. B
Overland Park KS 66212 Today was their final day with us.

NEXT WEEK, the first Sunday in October, we celebrate World Communion Sunday. This celebration reminds us that our allegience to the risen Lord connects us with all who confess faith in Christ. This spiritual connection transcends denominational lines, state borders, and national boundaries.

Our October newsletters will also be available.

ENCOURAGE those in our congregation who have been absent from us. Let them know they are missed.

“…let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another….” Hebrews 10:24-25

TODAY WE CONCLUDED a series of sermons on stewardship. This little poster summarizes the primary points!








Reflecting on the Scriptures:
The Rich & True Riches

Luke 16:19-31. The rich man is this parable is blind to the world around him. While he is covered with luxury, the poor man is covered with sores! While he feasts, the poor man starves! The rich man continues to assume dominance even after death but, instead, finds a reversal of circumstances!

1 Timothy 6:6-19. The rich are admonished to set their hopes on God not on earthly wealth, to be attentive to the needs of others—rich in good works, willing to share—thus, storing up treasures in heaven.

Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15. In the midst of adversity continue to hope in the Lord. The direst of circumstances will eventually change for good. Trust in the Lord’s promises.

Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16. Trust in the Lord. Live and abide in the shelter of the Most High. Find refuge, protection, deliverance, and companionship in the Lord. Take hold of life that is really life. Then you are entrusted with true riches!

Pastor's Notes for September 19, 2010

ENCOURAGEMENT CARDS can be sent to the following address:
Dillon Frieze
10-4-ICU, Barnes Jewish Hospital
Hospital Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63110.

A NEW ADDRESS:
Stormey Keith
3214 Greenwood Ave. Apt A
Springfield, MO 65802

WE HAD A WONDERFUL FISH FRY tonight. Sixty-seven of us gathered. We had lots of food and desserts. And the men provided the fish while the Lord provided the blessing. The men served us well. The fish was bountiful and we had several visitors. All and all it was a good time of fellowship.

SAYING GOOD-BY to Charles & Maxine Cartey began at the fish fry as we publicly expressed our appreciation for them. But they will be with us through the rest of the month. So if you did not get to say good-by at the fish fry they will be here the last Sunday of September as our greeters.

Reflecting on the Scriptures: The Faithful & Faithfulness
Jeremiah 8:18—9:1. Jeremiah weeps over the devastation of Judah after the Babylonian invasion. Grief stricken, God’s people wait for healing and restoration. Where are the faithful ones? The Lord looks for them among the images and foreign idols!

Psalm 79:1-9. The psalmist also laments the destruction of Jerusalem, admits the faithlessness of God’s people, and cries out to the Lord for forgiveness.

1 Timothy 2:1-7. Faithfulness means praying for the political leaders in this world! The faithful also declare the reality of Jesus Christ, mediator between God and humanity, the one who gave himself as a ransom for all.

Luke 16:1-13. Can the ‘children of this age’ respond more faithfully than the children of light? Can our handling of ‘dishonest wealth’ hinder us from receiving true riches? Can our attitude toward the wealth of this age keep us from valuing that which is eternal?

Pastor's Notes for September 12, 2010

THE CRISIS FOOD PANTRY has received several donations these past few weeks. Many of them have come from our congregation, but some have come from the community. Pape Christian Church brought a couple of bags and do ever now and then. On a regular basis a man from the Baptist Church supplies canned meats. This week a family brought several bags of groceries to donate since they were moving. We have written notes to those outside our congregation, but it is only appropriate that you also know your contributions are deeply appreciated. These small sacrifices help families in our community in a significant way. In the last month we served 15 households which included 17 children & 30 adult.

REMEMBER THE FISH FRY next Sunday night, the 19th, in Lion’s Park at 6:00 p.m. Each of us brings a dish to share, the men provide the fish and the Lord provides the blessing. Invite a friend. At that gathering I will also share information about the Pastoral Care Groups that the elders and I are forming.

TERRIFIC TUESDAY had its first meeting last Tuesday. It began small, but promises to grow. Mary Horn and I trust that small beginnings are important to the Lord—a little leaven leavens the whole lump, a single seed becomes a tree, a grain of wheat produces itself many times over…. Continue to pray for this outreach.

Reflecting on the Scriptures: Fools & Foolishness
Psalm14. The fool lives life as if there is no God—no higher being to worship, no one who will call us to give an account of our life. 1 Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds… Compare Psalm 53.

Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28. God speaks through the prophet: 22 "My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good."

1 Timothy 1:12-17. Paul admits his foolish ignorance!
13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

Luke 15:1-10. Whether we foolishly wander away or simply slip through the cracks there is One who searches for us and rejoices when we are found! 7 …there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Give us ears to hear...

On Saturday, August 28, Thomas and I attended the ordination of Martha Jolly in Columbia, MO. She has been the director of camp and outdoor ministries in the Northeast Area of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) forever and ever. When the Ozark Lakes Area began to partner with the NEA for summer youth camps Thomas and I worked with her several years in a row either as co-director for a camp session or as primary presenters in family camp. This year Jacob Walsh served as camp program staff at Rickman Center under her direction.

On this particular Saturday friends and family gathered to celebrate with Martha. The Call to Worship selected to bring us together as a one-time-congregation for her ordination emphasized the call on each of our lives, not just those called to fill a pulpit and provide pastoral care. As we read the Call to Worship responsively to begin the service I heard the words in the context of our congregation in El Dorado Springs.

During the month of September in our Sunday morning worship we allow the scriptures to challenge us to be good stewards of God's bountiful blessings. One of these blessings is the call of God on our lives--and our response to that call. That Saturday in Columbia as I heard the words that called us to center on the Lord's call I decided to use the same words to call us together in El Dorado Springs for each of our services in September.

So during the entire month of September as the various Scriptures opened in the sermons feed our souls and strengthen our faith, the words in our Call to Worship will remind us of our responsibilities to the Lord as a congregation, spurring us on to faith and good works.

Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 1 Peter 4:10

OUR CALL TO WORSHIP
God whispers to each of us: “You are my Beloved,
created in love for love.”

My spirit answers, “Here I am, Lord. Speak to me.”

God breathes on us the Holy Spirit, knitting many members into one body, the body of Christ.

Together we answer, “Here we are, Lord.
Come, Holy Spirit.”

God has yet more vision for the people. Who will work for God to extend God’s kingdom into our hurting world?

Here we are, Lord. Empower us for your work.

God calls the small and helps them do great things.
God calls the weak and reveals their hidden gifts.
God calls the rejected and opens their eyes to their worth.
God calls and equips you and me for the work of creating God’s Beloved community.

Here we are, Lord, listening for your call.

Then let us gather, old and young, small and great, to dream God’s dreams, receive God’s power, and do God’s deeds.

Here we are, Lord. Whisper your word to us
and awaken your Spirit in us. Empower us
with your vision and desire to answer when you call.
Give us ears to hear your voice. Amen.

How are we doing?

In 2004 at the end of a study of The Purpose Driven Church led by Kyle Vickers, the participants of the study created the following statement of purpose for our congregation.

Our purpose is:
 to spread the good news of Jesus to all people,

 showing His love by our service and commitment,

 embracing past and present ideas in teaching all ages,

 using His gifts to grow into a Spirit-led family to the glory of God.

Like good stewards
of the manifold grace of God,
serve one another with whatever gift
each of you has received.1 Peter 4:10

HOW ARE WE DOING?
What have we done in the last 6 years to spread the gospel?
What are our plans to spread the gospel next year?

How have we shown His love in service and commitment?
How will we demonstrate our commitment to service in 2011?

How have we embraced old and new ideas in our teaching?
What new ideas will we embrace in the months ahead?

How have we used our gifts to grow into a Spirit-led family?
How is the Spirit leading in our growth in the future?

Pastor's Notes for September 5, 2010

The board challenges us to devote a month each year to self-evaluation. How are we doing with all that God has given us? In September we have the opportunity to take a personal and a congregational inventory of how we partner with God to manage our god-given gifts of time, health, talents, relationships, property and the gospel. We will read the scriptures this month, in light of 1 Peter 4:10.

Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 1 Peter 4:10

Reflecting on the Scriptures: The Lord & I
Psalm 139:1-18, 23-24. God searches us and knows us—and loves us anyway! We yield to God—all we are, all we have, all we hope to be. We yield to the Lord’s leading.

Jeremiah 18:1-11. The potter reworks the clay vessel that has spoiled in his hand! The people of God, like clay in a potter’s hand, are called to return to the Lord with an obedient heart, pliable partners with God.

Philemon 1-21. Paul redefines relationships in Christ! A slave and his owner become brothers! And in this new Beloved community that forms within the risen Lord we become partners with God, stewards of God’s grace!

Luke 14:25-33. Tough language Jesus! What do you mean “hate” and “give up everything” to follow you? Is this is the cost of discipleship?


YOUR BOOK DONATIONS to our library can be brought to the church office. We have a box to collect them and Kathy Dains will work out of that box. Please don’t leave books for us in the library.

OUR ELDERS ARE IN THE PROCESS of forming Care Groups so that the elders and I can better share pastoral care within the church. We will have more information for you at the Fish Fry. Deacons will be invited to an orientation meeting in October.

TERRIFIC TUESDAY begins this Tuesday. Thank you for keeping this outreach in your prayers.

NEWSLETTERS for September are available in the office during the week and in the sanctuary on Sunday.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR for Acolyte Training next Sunday, September 12, following our worship service.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR for the Fish Fry at Lion's Park on Sunday, September 19.

"Stewardship is celebrating God's love."