Our intern, Tara deCock is going to the Holy Land!Follow her blog at: Journey to the Holyland, January 2010.Musings from the PastorJanuary gets me thinking about Spring, especially when it's cold outside and the sun takes its time warming us up! But I don't want to get too far ahead of myself since there are a few months between now and the Nevada Spring (if we don't go directly to summer!) As I begin my second January with you, I think about our future together and what the coming year holds for us.I know I have referred to the idea of missional vs. a maintenance churches in a couple of sermons. I so see us moving in the missional directions: supporting our youth on their missions, United Methodist Men volunteering for the Soup Kitchen; men, women, and UMW helping with finances for mission trips, Financial Peace, worldwide missions and our discretionary fund, knitting and crocheting prayer shawls, supporting our 5 soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, visits and cards to folks, etc.Our future as a church depends on our willingness to minister to one another, our community and our world. I consider everyone of us a minister. God calls each one of us to love on another; it's on us to listen for God's voice and pray mightily when we are sure God couldn't be calling us to do that!So, friends, I know of a few things coming down the pike: meetings, mission trips, training day, confirmation celebration, this summer's Camp Kelly work days, and the Peace Officers Banquet. What I don't know for certain, where God will continue to lead us. I only know, with certainty, we will be led by God to places we never thought of going and to ministry we never considered. We can do none of this without one another or without God's love holding us together in community.Some of you have read "The Five Practices" material and are familiar with the notion of risk-taking mission and outreach. My prayer for us all is that we make church more of an action verb when it comes to mission and outreach. Bring us your ideas and a willingness to serve in a missional capacity. There's a place for everyone to use their time, talents, and treasures. Listen...I think God might be calling you.....Blessings,Pastor Gayle***************
FLIP SIDE Theological perspectivesGrace--from the United Methodist Website
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God--not the result of works, so that no one may boast" is what we read in Paul's letter to the Ephesians.
United Methodists define grace as "the love and mercy given to us by God because God wants us to have it." It is not earned. For Wesley, God's grace was three fold:
Prevenient Grace--God's active presence in our lives, helping us to choose between good and bad; Justifying Grace--points to reconciliation, pardon and restoration, the pardoning of our sins bringing us into relationship with God, and ; Sanctifying Grace--through which we grow to be more Christ-like and move towards perfection---being made perfect in our love of God and each other and of removing our desire to sin.
A note on justification: The process of salvation involves a change in us called conversion--turning around, leaving on orientation for another. This point in the process of salvation is called justification, a time when we accept our need for reconciliation, pardon and restoration rather than spend time trying to convince God we are just because of our religious and moral practices. It's the experience of justifying grace and the new peace and joy and love it brings us.
************
SMALL GROUP FELLOWSHIP GATHERINGS
2010 is the year to start new 4x4 groups for social activities with church family and friends. It is a great way to make new friends with 8-10 other persons from the church through monthly activities such as fellowship over dinners or dessert potlucks in your home,or at a restaurant, going to a theater, bowling or any other activity you want to create fellowship. Every person or couple gets the opportunity to be a host and plan an event for their 4x4 group.
Those who have participated in this program in the past, will tell you it is a great way to get to know your fellow Christian friends better. Now is the time to sign up for the new 4x4 groups for the year 2010. A sign up sheet will be available starting Sunday, the 10th, with hopes of forming the new groups by February, so that events can be planned that month. The groups are made up of both singles and couples. We hope you will consider being a part of this great fellowship opportunity. SIGN UP TODAY!!
Inquires about this program should be made to Gail Andrews, adult coordinator at 623-5750 or Pastor Gayle Basten at 623-2814.
***************
TREASURERS REPORT
December offerings:
12/6 $3,349.69
12/13 $1,182.25
12/20 $2,090.45
12/24 $ 839.50
12/27 $1,108.35
Total $8,570.24
In December, our monthly budget need of $8,333.92 was met! For 2009, we will have paid $8,963.50 of our apportionment's, which is about 47%. We did meet our goal of paying all of the pastor pension portion, but failed to increase our payment from 2008. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call me at 623-4183.
Happy New Year! Letty Norcutt
****************
