Do You Have Itching Ears?

Transcription

1 Do You Have Itching Ears? In our day of never-ending Internet access, videos at your fingertips to purchase, the outreach of the megachurch, and self-help gurus, I believe we must be careful not to catch what I call the disease of itching ears, (translation: looking to hear what WE want to hear, not what we need to hear). The Apostle Paul wrote about itching ears in 2 Timothy 4:3: The time will come when people will not listen to the true teaching. But people will find more and more teachers who please them. They will find teachers who say what they want to hear. (Easy to Read Version) From The Message Bible, it is translated this way: You re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you keep your eye on what you re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God s servant. Finally, hear the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible: 3 For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, Continued.

2 Continued. Brothers and Sisters in Christ, as we embark upon a collective journey through the Bible in the next 31 weeks by studying Max Lucado s The Story, let us be careful to hear from God what God would have us to hear through these lessons. The Story is a 31-lesson journey through the Word of God, meant to help us see, in chronological form, what God has done for us from the beginning of time as we know it: from the creation of the heavens and the earth, to the Fall of Man, to starting over with Noah, to birthing a new nation through the Hebrew people, to sending Jesus Christ to earth to die for our sins. It s a grand story. It s a beautiful story. It s God s story; it s our story. As a church, however, we must be on our guard as individuals and as a corporate body to hear from God, as we study together, what God is reaching out to tell us as a local church. The illustration and cartoons referenced above are meant to serve as a warning: we ve got to be careful not to have itching ears, hearing only what we want to hear. The cartoons above speak volumes as to what we are dealing with in the church: people who won t hear what God really wants them to know. We ve got to be careful not to compromise the Word of God for our lives and only hear what we want to hear. If it offends or gets under your skin, chances are God is trying to tell you something if nothing else but to pray for the poor preacher trying to speak a word from God! We, members of the Body of Christ, at Sinton First United Methodist Church, are a local church, divinely orchestrated by God to bless one another and our surrounding community, through our corporate work and worship. As a local church, what we get from one another (believe it or not) should far surpass what we can get from watching a favorite preacher or video in your home alone--at least that s the goal. The Body of Christ, even through smaller units like the local church, is meant to learn and grow together. Have you heard the scripture: In the same way that iron sharpens iron, a person sharpens the character of his friend. This scripture, Proverbs 27:17, is an often-quoted scripture which means that we sharpen one another s character when we are in meaningful relationship with one another. Does your church family do that for you? Is your character being strengthened and is your faith being renewed by hanging out with fellow members of the church? Are you able to grow as a follower of Christ through our work and worship together? I pray that the answer to all of these questions is yes. One of a pastor s main goals (and certainly one of mine) is growth. Growth in Godly maturity; growth in love; growth of the kingdom. Let us grow together through these lessons coming up as The Story is taught in various small groups and as the Word of God is preached. Let us grow in spiritual maturity. Let us grow in love towards one another. Let us grow in prayer for one another. God has a beautiful story to share with us. You are a beautiful part of that story. Happy Mother s Day on Sunday, May 11 th! Let us have a glorious time in the Lord on this special day set aside for all mothers in the world. My belief is that everybody has been a mother to somebody, so let us celebrate what God has done through you! Thanks to all who were able to come and participate in Holy Week events. This season with all of you has been beautiful! In Christ Love, Pastor Rosie

3 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY COMMUNION G-Open Y-Open Christian Men s Fellowship 8:30 AM 6:00 PM RX PROGRAM 1:00 PM 11:30 AM 6:30 PM Trustees Meeting 6:00 PM :00 PM H-Nina DuBose G-Open Y-Open UMW Meeting 2:30 PM 11:30 AM & 6:30 PM Finance Meeting 5:30 PM CHURCH COUNCIL CC District Conference Meeting at Sinton FUMC 3:00-4:30 PM 11:30 AM 6:30 PM 6:00 PM H-Nina DuBose G-Open Y-Open 25 MEET THE PASTOR SUNDAY :00 AM & 11:00 AM 11:30 AM 6:30 PM H-Holly Houser G-Open Y-Open Office Closed

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5 Hello from the COGS! Gwyn and I provided our Reflections during the Good Friday service. The COGS provided help at the Eggstravaganza, and stuffed Easter eggs for the Easter Sunday Easter Egg Hunt (just don t tell the little ones it was us!) We would like to thank everyone who provided plastic eggs and candy. The eggs that were already stuffed were the best part! We also spent each Wednesday evening with our fellow youth in Sinton Youth United, for fellowship and devotionals. We are in the process of planning activities for our Field Day on May 24 th for all of the youth in the community. We are planning games and accumulating door prizes. If you have any games you would like to loan to us, or any ideas for games, we d be glad to hear about them. Anyone who would like to donate financially to purchase the lumber and other materials required, or with time and tools to help in building some of the games, please get in touch with me. We will be getting together to assemble them 1-2 weeks before the field day, so it s coming up fast. We continue to collect toner/ink cartridges and aluminum cans for recycling. If you ever need to reach me, my phone number is 361/ and my is mygwyn1997@yahoo.com. Have a great May, and Happy Mother s Day! Mary Anne Hartung Youth Director ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS Special Session of the Charge Conference will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2014, during the Church Council Meeting, to consider filling the vacancy of Treasurer for All are welcome to attend. A New Musician has been hired! Bobbie Knapick joins the staff and music team of our church and she will be performing on Sundays during our 10 a.m. Worship Services. Please make Bobbie feel welcome by your prayers and presence! Announcement Time is changing! If you have a special announcement that needs to be made in Worship, please contact the Pastor by the Tuesday prior to the service so that it may be included as a Special Announcement in the Order of Worship. All other brief announcements can be made just prior to the benediction. Thank you! NOMADS 2015 Project---We are in need of your ideas and suggestions for projects & repairs for our next NOMADS visit next year. If you know of any repairs that are needed to the church and parsonage or if you know of a community project or needy family that needs repairs to their home, please, call the church office.

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7 GREETINGS FROM YOUR WESLEY NURSE May is high blood pressure month. In a past article, I talked about high blood pressure, what it is, and how to control it. This month, I would like to focus on the complications that can develop if your blood pressure is not controlled. High blood pressure is the excess pressure that is put on the vessels in the body. If this pressure goes on for a prolonged length of time, it can cause damage to the vessels and organs of the body. The longer the pressure remains high, the more damage that occurs. Some of the most common damage that occurs is: Heart attack or stroke: High pressure in the vessels over time can cause the arteries to thicken and harden. This thickening over time can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Aneurysm: Pressure in the vessels can cause them to weaken. Areas that weaken can balloon out. If left untreated, these areas can rupture and cause a stroke or death by bleeding. Heart Failure: If left unchecked, the constant pressure causes the heart to have to work harder to pump blood. This excessive work on the heart can cause it to harden and weaken causing heart failure. Kidney failure: Not only are the larger vessels of the body affected but the small vessels are as well. High pressure causes small vessels to weaken and narrow leading to failure of the kidneys. Eyes: The same narrowing and weakness in the kidneys can be seen in the eye vessels. Over time, this can lead to blindness. Metabolic syndrome: If you have a combination of problems that include increased waist circumference, high triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high insulin levels, you are at risk for developing a condition referred to as metabolic syndrome. Having high blood pressure puts you at higher risk for developing metabolic syndrome. This syndrome greatly increases your risk of developing diabetes, and having a heart attack or stroke. Trouble with memory or understanding: Having uncontrolled blood pressure makes it difficult for you to think, remember, and learn. Hopefully by now you understand the importance of keeping your blood pressure under good control. I am available to check your blood pressure if you have any concerns. If you need specific assistance with working to control your blood pressure, please feel free to stop by and see me! Grace and peace! Kerry, Wesley Nurse

8 ABCD News The health committee has been working hard this year on implementing the ABCD program. ABCD stands for Asset Based Community Development and it promotes self-empowerment by discovering the assets and gifts already present within the community. Each individual is recognized as having gifts, talents, and skills that are available to meet the needs of the community and its people. Health outcomes are improved when the people of the community are involved as co-producers of their own and their community s well-being. Relationship building is fundamental to creating a healthier, safer and stronger community. Powerful community partnerships are created when people are connected in a way that allows them to share their assets. Some of you may remember the YouTube clip that Kerry played during the leadership training showing ABCD in action. The Health Committee along with Kerry has begun identifying local leaders, formal and informal, that they think would be great for the Leadership Team. The first meeting for this group will be May 15 th, from 11:00a.m-1:00p.m., in the Fellowship Hall. Pastor Andy Hernandez from Methodist Healthcare Ministries will be presenting information about the program and helping them to get started. If you are interested in helping things happen in our community and church, please be sure you plan to attend this meeting. It will be incredibly exciting and informative! If you know someone that you think would be an asset to this Leadership Team, invite them to come along to learn what is going to be accomplished in the community of Sinton. We will also be serving a light lunch for those attending the meeting. If you would like to assist with this, please let Kerry or any of the Health Committee members know. 2 Timothy 1:7 states: For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. It is time for us to step out in faith to create a new vision and a new work here in Sinton! Be excited! Grace and peace! Sinton Health Committee & Kerry DuBose, RN Wesley Nurse

9 Prayer List: Kevin, Betty & Irene Wahl David Miller Teresa Schubert Neta Deleon Ryan Rivera, Jr. Thelma Kelley Patsy Cluiss Sam Nelson Daniel & Megan Jurach A.L. Nelson Amber Ogle, Triplets: Kyle, Keaton, Katherine Arlan Maley Alleta Waters Dusty Gill & Family Denice Hadwin Stephanie Jetton Brezina David Jajchman Diane Colon Nursing Home, Assisted Living, Long-Term: Sallie Brewer Dot Burch Mary Jackson Military: Wesley Hartung Cameron Collier Rachal O Cañas Crystal O Cañas Matt Lowder Kevin Campbell If you would like to add a loved one to our prayer list, please, call the church office at , or us at umc@att.net. Memorials (Received April 1-30, 2014) BETTY HUNT Marilyn Moore Mr. & Mrs. John E. Fleck, Jr. JAMES RAY ADAMES Mr. & Mrs. William F. McDaniel JO ANN TUMLINSON Mr. & Mrs. William F. McDaniel ATTENDANCE & OFFERINGS MARCH 2014 MARCH 2: Worship -43 Sunday School-18 Total Offering: $4, MARCH 9: Worship -38 Sunday School-10 Total Offering: $2, MARCH 16: Worship -44 Sunday School-16 Total Offering: $1, MARCH 23: Worship -30 Sunday School-17 Total Offering: $1, MARCH 30: Worship -42 Sunday School-14 Total Offering: $1, GIVING TO FUNDS MARCH 2014 APPORTIONMENTS FUND= $25.00 BUILDING FUND=$ CHILDREN S WORK=$50.00 COMMUNION RAIL FUND= $19.00 GENERAL FUND= $10, MEMORIAL FUND=$70.00 SPECIAL OFFERING=$ WESLEY NURSE=$50.00 YOUTH FELLOWSHIP=$15.00 Thank You to everyone who helped with the Holy Week Prayer Breakfast, Community Eggstravaganza and with our Youth Sponsored Easter Egg Hunt at our church!

10 Children s Ministry News Recently I saw a new movie out in theaters called He Is Alive. The title of this movie has me thinking of how our children s ministry is alive! So many great conversations, activities, and planning sessions are taking place for the sole purpose of helping our children grow in their relationship with Jesus. He is Alive! And our children s ministry IS ALIVE! April was a busy busy month for our children! We painted crosses, performed in an amazing Easter skit, learned about Jesus in Sunday School, and participated in the 2 nd Annual Easter Eggstravaganza. We had Sunday School visitors like Pastor Rosie teach us about communion and baptism to help us better understand what happens during worship service. What a busy and blessed month! During May our children will be following a curriculum that parallels the adult Bible study of The Story. The children will be doing a lot of singing and learning this month. We hope to see all of our children in Sunday School each Sunday at 9:00a.m. Holly Houser My Church Family, Rosie, Sunday School Class, Exercise Group, The thoughts and well wishes sent with your cards and thoughts & prayers are so appreciated! Although I still have a long way to go you ve helped me get through some very difficult days. Loving thoughts & prayers, Kathy Wheeler

11 FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH P. O. Box 276 Sinton, Texas Sunday, May 11 TH Monday, May 26, 2014 SINTON METHODIST NEWS 2014 A Publication of the First United Methodist Church of Sinton umc@att.net Website: 11