Pastor’s Reflections
Re-start
This is an old story with many variations … this is how I first heard it:
“There was once a monastery where the monks prayed long prayers. But times were hard, outside contributions fell, and the monks needed to find a way to make enough money to keep the monastery from going under. So they decided to make cheese — and it turned out to be pretty good cheese. Brother Vincent was put in charge of the operation, and he made it a success, but there was a cost to him personally. He was required to find the best markets for the cheese, install quality control measures, invest the money properly and deal with all the petty squabbles that come along with any group endeavor of this sort. The work got to him. When the head of the monastic order came for a visit he took Brother Vincent aside and asked him how he was doing. The monk shook his head and said, ‘Before I took this job I was able to pray six hours a day. But with all these responsibilities, and all these decisions, I am having to pray ten hours a day!’”
The point, of course, is that prayer actually clears your head, makes you more efficient and better able to deal with the world. This has always seemed counterintuitive to me. When there’s a lot on my plate I am tempted to skip my prayers. Better to just get the job done, get that monkey off my back. And yet through trial and error over many years I’ve found that this is not the way to go. My connection with God keeps me sane, moral and clear. I am better able to handle anger and fear, better able to forgive and feel myself forgiven. And this makes me better at everything else.
The Christian season of Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, Feb.18. If Jan. 1
wasn’t the best “re-start” for you, then let the beginning of this forty-day period of reflection be your opportunity to make a new commitment to God and to a spiritual life. I’ve listed some devotional resources that have worked for me — but find the way that works for you, and work it as best you can.
Peace,
John Wagner
Recommendations for Devotional Reading
These are all books I have used and read myself, and feel I can honestly recommend to you. None of them require advanced reading in theology or Christian spirituality.
Sacred Spaces: Stations on a Celtic Way (and other books by Margaret Silf)
Margaret and I got acquainted on a retreat years ago and stayed in touch. A wonderful descriptive writer, her books are divided into easily readable sections.
I like Sacred Spaces the best, and also Inner Compass, but they are all very good with excellent Biblical illustrations. She is popular with Roman Catholics, but has a British Methodist background.
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers.
This is a devotional classic. Very serious but readable daily devotions from the Evangelical perspective.
A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants by Norman Shawchuck and Reuben Job. See also: A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God and A Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk with God.
I was Norman Shawchuck’s associate pastor for three years, and have met Bishop Reuben Job several times. These books combine Bible reading with brief selections from spiritual writers past and present. Well organized and gives prayer time a very clear structure.
Abundant Living: 364 Daily Devotions by E. Stanley Jones.
Stanley Jones was a family friend and also one of the great writers in the Methodist tradition, and perhaps our most illustrious missionary — a close friend of Gandhi in India. Very Biblical, provocative and practical.
Centering Prayers: A One-Year Daily Companion for Going Deeper into the Love of God by Peter Traben Haas.
Traben Haas is a young Presbyterian pastor serving in Iowa. I don’t know him personally, but I really like these simple prayers. This book has been part of my personal devotional reading for some time now.
Books by Henri Nouwen.
Henri was a Dutch Catholic priest, a professor at my seminary, and did me the honor of preaching at my church some years back. Highly regarded by many clergy, he has become even more popular after his death in 1996. His books are widely available and combine both Biblical themes and personal history.
2015 Adult Sunday School: Join Us!
I am excited to share some good news about our Adult Sunday School for 2015. In January, we started using the “Standard Lesson Commentary” curriculum and learned some new things about prayer as recorded in the Bible. We will continue using the “Standard” material but will also be looking into other resources, such as inviting guest speakers from United Theological Seminary, using materials by Christian authors for lesson mini-series, and researching ideas and lesson plans as suggested by the students in our class.
We praise the Lord that we have many gifted volunteers who create excitement each Sunday as we anxiously await a different teacher, whose style and approach may differ from the previous week. Sometimes a volunteer may teach a whole series over consecutive Sundays or teach for a few Sundays on individual lessons, or it may happen that each Sunday brings a different teacher standing before the class.
Our Adult Sunday School provides Bible-centered learning and a joyous sense of Christ’s presence due to the contribution of everyone to the week’s study. Discussions are lively but not argumentative, and there is no such a thing as a “stupid” question because everyone learns from the most basic inquiry. All levels of faith and Biblical knowledge are represented here, from the beginner to the mature and experienced. All are welcome, and all questions and insights make the class more enjoyable.
Hopefully and prayerfully, as the year 2015 progresses, all class participants can leave each learning session with a better understanding of God’s Holy Word, and will feel empowered by the Holy Spirit to tackle the world’s obstacles, be strengthened in our relationship to Christ, and be ambassadors of Jesus to all whom we meet.
Why don’t you join us? You might discover a whole new Spiritual revival happening within you that will change your life and energize your faith!
Johnny Schmitt
Member of the First UMC Sunday School committee
Choralfest 2015
FUMC has been participating in Choralfest for 29 years and 2015 is no exception. During the months of January and February, children who like to sing learn five anthems that have something in common.
This year’s theme, “Songs of Deliverance,” includes songs about some of the people in the Bible that God delivered as well as songs about how God delivers us today. On Choralfest Day we get together with several other churches who also learned the songs and lead a musical worship service that is open to all.
We have started rehearsals but it’s not too late to join. Our practices are here at FUMC Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m. Choralfest itself is Saturday, March 7, at Sycamore Presbyterian Church in Mason. The children arrive at 10 a.m. and the worship service starts at 4 p.m.
Prostate Cancer Support Group
The Prostate Cancer Support Group will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m. We will meet at First United Methodist Church in the Asbury Room. Any questions or concerns please call Mike Snyder: 513-423-7092.
Baking Reminder
*cookies needed Feb. 15*
We’ll be packing spring snack boxes for college & military persons on Feb. 15. Home-baked cookies are welcome. Please prepare cookies small to medium in size (2” or less) in quantities of (8) baggies of (6) cookies each; size & quantity is important as boxes only allow so much space, and we wish the cookies to make it in one piece. Please contact the church office to let us know you will be baking so we can prepare enough boxes.
Contact the office or Imogene Orts with questions or to help with this outreach. Thank you for your support of this mission project.
Care Package Update
Please provide current college/military addresses to the church office this month to help us prepare for the mailing of care packages to your loved ones!
Family Craft Party: Feb. 28
Join us on Feb. 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. for an afternoon of crafting! Hope Circle is preparing crafts for all ages. Snacks will be provided.
Please RSVP to the church office with the number of persons in your group as well as their ages so that we can plan appropriately.
New Church Library Books Honor Robert Tucker
We appreciate that Helen Tucker has donated two books to our church library in memory of her late husband, Robert Tucker.
Recommended by Rev. Wagner, these books will be in the library soon: 365 Days with E. Stanley Jones by E. Stanley Jones (a daily devotional) and Centering Prayers: A one-year daily Companion for Going Deeper into the Love of God by Peter Traben Haas.
These titles and others are on the list of Rev. Wagner’s Recommendations for Devotional Reading. Do stop by the library to inquire about these and see the great variety of devotional and other books in the library. Copies of Rev. Wagner’s Recommendations will be there also. Contact: Anita Shew.
Altar Flowers
Reminder: It’s not too late to sign up for altar flowers in 2015! There are still Sundays available. To place an order, please contact the church office or Mary Maurer (513-539-2395) .
Hungering After God in Nepal
Update from Dr. Les & Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital
Last month we traveled to KTM to see the Christmas pageant for which Hannah was music director at the school where she is teaching. It was a wonderful production. We were so proud of the work Hannah had done and were so pleased to be able to be there to see it.
We were in KTM for one day before we returned to Tansen, and we took the opportunity to visit the small offices of the Institute for Theological Education by Extension in Nepal so we could get the next bible study book for Debbie to use with a couple of the church ladies.
This is a challenging weekly study for Debbie — not only is it in Nepali, but the verses for memorization are also Nepali! It’s been a great time of growing together with some of the believers here in Tansen, though.
On the way to the office, we spotted these 3 dogs — so attentive and hopeful in front of the butcher shop. We were impressed by their restraint — and also their patience! I wonder, if I were hungry, would I be able to sit and wait for the possibility of a crumb or a scrap? I wonder also if I hunger and thirst after God and His word the way these dogs were hungering after the meat? Hopefully these dogs will make you smile like they did for us — and also encourage you in this new year to keep your “noses” pointed towards Jesus!
Looking forward to seeing you all in a couple of months!
In Him,
लेस (Les) and देबी (Debbie)
P.S. To see more photos and stories, please check our blog: Hope for the Hills.
Remember, every third Sunday of the month we collect donations to support Les and Debbie’s work in Nepal.
You may drop your donation in the collection jars or add it to your regular offering using your envelope; just write “Dornons” along with the designated amount.
Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard
A Little About Lent
The holy season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, and continues until Holy Week beginning on March 30. You will discover that some elements of our worship experience will change as we observe this time of reflection, self-denial, and renewed commitment to our faith. Instead of a time of somberness, I like how Rev. Wagner views Lent … A vigorous and joyful time to strengthen the health of our faith — a “back to basics” approach to what we believe as Christians. We hope that you will make a commitment for the 6 Sundays of Lent to attend Sunday School and worship in anticipation of the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Ash Wednesday Service: Wednesday, Feb. 18, 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Community Choir
In January several members of our choir enjoyed being a part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Community Choir. We shared music with at least five other churches and came out of the experience with new friends and new music. Everyone is welcome as rehearsals continue, scheduled each 2nd & 4th Monday, 7-9 p.m., at 2nd Baptist Church (on the other side of the library from FUMC) in preparation for a community Good Friday service.
First Friday Concert Series 2015
FEB 6 Edde Osborne | Jazz Stylings for Flute and Saxophone
MAR 6 Ron Esposito and Friends | Tibetan Singing Bowls, Table, and Native American Flute
APR 10 The Jazz People | Jazz Stylings for Flute and Saxaphone
MAY 1 Kettering Banjo Society
JUNE 5 Viva La Strings | Classical/Pop String Quartet
JULY 3 Tom White | Piano
AUG 7 The Singing Auctioneer | Country, Gospel, Pop Standards and Comedy
SEPT 4 Jameson’s Folly | Celtic
OCT 2 Spittin’ Image | Comedy and Pop Standards
NOV 6 Yun Kim Hughes | Pipe Organ
DEC 6 Cinnamon Peppo | Harpist
Keep an eye on this space for further concert details. This concert series wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Middletown Community Foundation, The Barnitz Fund and the congregation of First United Methodist Church, Middletown. Thank you for helping us make downtown Middletown a destination for the arts!
Community Ministries Corner
Food Pantry Volunteers Needed
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”— Matthew 25:35
If you are someone who wants to help make the world a nicer place, please consider joining The Pantry Team. We can always use volunteers to buy groceries, check in the shoppers during regular
Pantry hours every Tuesday from 2 to 3:30, help inventory and stock shelves, and learn how to run the various aspects of the Pantry so you can sub when someone is ill. You can give as little or as much time as you like. To volunteer or learn more, contact Patty McGraw: 937-746-9487.
—The Community Ministry Council
February Birthdays
1 Matthew Dixon, Hannah Dornon
3 Kathy Lambert, Sandy Mills
4 Beth Watson
5 Mark Frazer
7 David Wittman
8 Anita McLaughlin
9 Mary Davis, Lynda Goecke
10 John McDaniel
11 Roy Ickes, Gene Saylor, David Wieneke
12 Kira Wills
13 Jack Diefenbach, Martha Gill
14 Mary Roehll
16 Mary Ellen Clinard
17 Phyllis Richmond
19 Bill Alderton, Dean Prushing, Helen Tucker
21 Johnny Schmitt
22 Mark Mills
24 Joni Bachelor, Eric Young
28 Donna Burley