From the Pastor's Desk:

Transcription

1 Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church 2016 January, From the Pastor's Desk: Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago. Watch for the new thing I am going to do. Isaiah 43:18-19a Yea! Year 2016! It s a New Year! It s a time for new beginnings & new opportunities! It is well known that January is the time of year when many of us take inventory of the past and make a new resolution for the future. For the New Year, we make resolutions such as eating in a healthier way, exercising more, being nicer to others, following the Three Simple Rules written by John Wesley for the people of United Methodist Church to fulfill God's Purpose! Thus, we deceive everybody, including ourselves, while the real resolutions that would lead us into a significant new beginning never cross our minds. Does that sound like anybody you know? How do you think I know about these interesting avenues of escape from reality? Well, because I have been there. Personally, I believe that there are two essential steps to a successful new beginning: Remembering and Forgetting. Of course it is important to remember our own past through which we have lived. But it is equally important to remember the past of those who came before us. Both of these influence our lives today and the world in which we live right now. The beginning of the year is an appropriate time for us to look back, clinging to events of the past, dwelling on what happened long ago, being advised and strengthened by the past so that we may be prepared for what the future holds. The very fabric of our faith calls us to look back and remember. Some of the most tragic stories in the Bible have to do with the lives of people and nations who forgot. When the great prophets of Israel spoke, they nearly always began by looking back. Our Jewish forbearers in the faith were constantly reminded by Old Testament scriptures to remember the past. In Deuteronomy 15:15a says: Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you. The Jewish Celebration of Passover is an annual reminder and reenactment of how God redeemed Israel from slavery in Egypt. Passover is not only an acknowledgment of the power of God. It is a not-too-subtle warning to stay out of Egypt. Do not let this happen again. Remember how awful it was! I believe that remembering is essential to freedom of people from past mistakes. The Spanish-born philosopher and critic George Santayana said, Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. There is a sense in which we are saved by history. Knowing history helps make up for the brevity of our lives. In our myopic view of reality, we sometimes forget that our life in this world is but a single drop in the ocean of eternity and it the most critical drop at that, because our personal part in history is infinitesimally small! Now, thinking about the New Year, what are your plans for 2016? Are you placing God first as part of your plans as you begin? Because, according to the Prophet Jeremiah you are an important part in God s plan! See Jeremiah 29:11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. And Jesus said, according to John 10:10a I came that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. And the Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:17b that Look, all things have become new. This news is a major element of our Christian faith to start fresh and have a new beginning with God. Friends, Sisters and Brothers of Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church, I pray that 2016 will be full of blessings for you and your families! Happy New Year! Your Servant In Christ, Pastor Rafael. Dear Friends, Sisters and Brothers in Christ, My wife and I are so thankful to serve among the people of Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church. We look forward to continue proclaiming the Good News in witness to God s love for all in Real happiness comes with peace in Christ, and let s pray together that it will be so throughout in 2016, and the years to come. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Mariana Vargas & Rafael Cubilette, OSL

2 Reflected Faith by Veronica Berry I am about to create new heavens, a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered. Isaiah 65:17 As the year comes to a close, we usually take time to reflect on the events that touched us throughout the year. Traditionally the end of the year is a time to release old thoughts and bad habits and the new year is a time to start new projects and change old patterns. For me, in the twilight between the old year ending and the new year beginning, it s a perfect time to thank God for guiding me through the tough times and showering me with his blessings of laughter and joy. It s a time to express my gratitude because he has given me the courage and faith to look pass the adversity and obstacles blocking my path to focus on his love and the love around me. In prayer, I acknowledge the truth that God is my strength. No person, place, or thing can keep me from my good. As I solidify the foundation of my faith, I can go within and ask: What hurts am I ready to forgive? What pain and trouble am I ready to release? What fear can be pried out of my soul so I can begin again? In the stillness and absolute truth of the moment, I open my heart and mind to the answers from the spirit of God within me. Bit by bit, I let go and prayerfully consider which steps are mine to take. I ask God to help me remember to be kind and patient with myself as I bravely try something new. Goals helps us to be disciplined and focused to aim our energies toward accomplishing what we ve set out to do. Setting goals and not leaning on God can lead us into perplexing and emotional turmoil. When we humbly go before God and give him our concerns, he will provide us with direction. Step by step he will be there, helping us remove and release the obstacles in our way. He will guide us on a path that leads to spiritual fulfillment and our greatest good. There are many things I want to do but my greatest goal for the new year is to become a better me. In my prayer time, I envision myself and ask God to help me become more compassionate, kind, understanding, and loving. I hold this vision in my mind and heart so it can radiate to my mind and soul and be reflected in my actions. I know it may take time to come to fruition but the more I see it, the easier it will be to accept it. Each day we release old ways of being, we give life to a renewed radiant self. Our world needs a change; a change where humanity, life, and peace are inalienable rights available to all mankind. When we learn to love ourselves and see God s spirit in every person s face maybe it will be harder to pull the trigger or harm another person s soul. Humane acts start with us through forgiveness, gentleness, and love. We can bring a change to the new year by reflecting our faith through words of hope and joy, nonjudgmental eyes, acts of kindness and compassion, and a cooperative and peaceful spirit. We can cause a ripple effect that creates more understanding and trust. A shift in consciousness can extend beyond our community into our country, continent, and the world. May the new year open your heart and mind to all of God s blessings that he has in store for you, so you can readily accept his direction and reflect your faith through words and acts of kindness, understanding, and love. Happy New Year! Due to vacations and inclement weather the UMW is on hiatus for the winter. The next UMW Meeting will be in March of 2016.

3

4 Christian Education and Classes at Sherman Avenue UMC The All-Church Study of The Story resumes the week of December 27th. We will study Chapter 22, The Birth of a King. In January we will return to the Old Testament starting with Chapter 11. The sewing class is held on Fridays from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM in Fellowship Hall. Please contact Kazoua or Patsy if you have any questions. A Spanish Language class will begin on Saturday, January 23, Class hours will be 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. (No class on February 13th.) This eight week course will be taught by Ms. Carolina Diaz, a member of El Libertator UMC. Please RSVP to the office before January 16, 2016 if you are interested in attending. Please contact Pastor Rafael if you have any questions. Stephen Recognition In the spirit of the Book of Acts "Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word." Act 6: 3-4 Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church Certificate of Appreciation Presented to Dennis Bobo In recognition of your volunteer service to our church as Chair of the Worship Committee, Trustees, Finance, and Sunday School; a member of all other committees (except SPRC); an organizer/worker of ham dinner and clean-up day; a leader of UMC canoe trips; and many other tasks of which few are aware. We hope this certificate will serve as a lasting memento of our appreciation for your continued and dedicated service. In the name of God, Thank You! Prayer for Epiphany The story is out; Jesus Christ, Light of the World has been born to dispel the darkness that covers its people. God s glory appears in human form. Life on earth will never be the same again! Father God, the star that led the Magi to the stable announced to the world that its Savior was born. Today we live in a world that is still covered by darkness, and still needing to make that journey to the stable door. May our lives reflect your light day by day, as we seek to serve where you have placed us. That we might be the means through which others can encounter Jesus Christ. Amen.

5 January 2016 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 The Rummage Sale is scheduled for the end of Feb, but you can bring in BOXED items anytime for storage in the shed. Contact Chuck L. or just bring them here on Sunday mornings :30 Cub Scouts 6:30 Trustees 1:30 Staff Meeting 6 :00 Pinewood Derby 8:30 Pinewood Derby 12:00 Christmas Undecorating :30 Trustees 6:00 Hmong Ministry & Youth Bible Study 6:15 Communications 11:00 Girl Scout Women :00 Eagle Project 2:00 Boy Scout Workshop 3:00 AHLMA Meeting 6:00 Admin Council 1:30 Staff Meeting 6:00 Craft Night 10:00 Spanish Class :30 Blood Pressure Clinic 31 5:00 Newsletter Deadline 6:30 Outreach & Missions January Birthdays JABRAILEN R 1/4 DENNIS B 1/6 ELIZABETH L 1/9 KAY N 1/18 BENG L 1/25 MARILYN M 1/25 JUDY M 1/26 JAYE L 1/26 Need A Prayer? Call Pat B ( ) or Cyndy H ( ) 8:00 Copy/Fold 10:00 Jabez Meeting 10:00 ELCC Meeting 6:00 Hmong Ministry & Youth Bible Study 10:00 Spanish Class Please take a moment to remember our homebound members. Contact Lisa in the office for current addresses and phone numbers: Linda Jungbluth Marvel Mapes Jean & Justin Kramer These are the dates that are in the database. If you find that your name is not included with the Birthdays or Anniversaries, please call Matt Treadaway