“Active Faith”

Several years ago, the Missouri Annual Conference of the UMC (the grouping of United Methodist Churches in MO) adopted the following mission statement:

The Missouri Annual Conference exists to lead congregations to lead people to an active faith in Jesus Christ.

When I first encountered this mission statement, I was intrigued by the phrase active faith.  I’d heard many other adjectives to describe a living faith, but the word active to describe my faith really caught my attention.

When our family was considering adopting a new dog, I read up on different breeds, specifically the behaviors and personalities of specific dogs that were up for adoption.  I read stories from dog “foster parents” about different dogs. The stories discussed the dogs’ habits.  One story I read was in regard to a black lab. The foster parents described this dog as being a great companion for early morning 5-mile runs and a dog who always enjoys playing every afternoon for 45 -60 minutes out in the yard.  Another dog I read about was described as “very active” and in need of exercise multiple times a day to get all of her energy out.  Finally, I read about a Newfoundland.  This dog was described as being low energy. He liked laying on the couch (big couch) or the floor near the family and was generally not very active. 

When I think about these descriptions, it makes me wonder how someone observing my life would describe me, especially my faith life.  Is my faith something that is used a lot of the time, or just occasionally?  Do I exercise my faith constantly, or mostly just lay around without putting out much effort?  Would the way I practice and embody my faith on a daily basis be described as active or inactive?

When you are physically active, you don’t stay in the same place very long.  Similarly, an active faith is one that takes you places.  It takes you to Bible studies and small groups.  Active faith takes you to worship services and service opportunities.  An active faith leads you to people who you might otherwise not interact with.  An active faith will result in a reordering of your priorities and, ultimately, your life!

Are you ready to develop or further develop an active faith?  I know I am!  I encourage you to join us beginning this Sunday for a 5-week message series designed to help us all develop and live a more active faith.  I also encourage you to consider joining one of the many small groups we are forming to further engage what is discussed in worship. 

It is an honor to be your pastor and to grow with you as we seek to become more active in our faith life.

Blessings, Chris

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday we begin a new message series titled “Active Faith.”  This week our message is titled “Assess Your Status Quo.”  Our scripture reading for Sunday comes from the Book of Hebrews, chapter 5, verse 11 – chapter 6, verse 1.

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.  In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again.  You need milk, not solid food!  Anyone who lives on milk, still being an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.  But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Therefore, let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity…

We will begin our service with the song Love God, Love People by Danny Gokey.  Our hymns for Sunday include: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee, and Take Time to Be Holy.  Additionally, our video hymn this week is This I Believe, from Hillsong Worship. 

COVID-19 Updates

As of this morning (9/17), there are over 90 active cases of COVID-19 in our county.  This is the highest case total yet for Cooper County.  This is a reminder for all of us of the need to remain vigilant in our practices of keeping not just ourselves, but those around us safe by wearing our masks, keeping a safe distance from others and sanitizing or washing our hands as often as appropriate.  Remember, these practices are a way we show our love to our neighbor.  Additionally, if anyone who normally attends the 10:20 service would be willing to come to the 8:00 service for the next few weeks, it would help us provide more room for new folks at the 10:20 service.  (Also, if you are worried at all about being able to social distance at the 10:20 service, there is plenty of room to do at the 8:00 service.)

As the COVID-19 virus continues its presence in our community, we know that many of you are still not ready to come to worship. Please know that even though we don’t get to see you weekly, we still want to minister to you.  Every Sunday afternoon we will post a recording of our 10:20 worship service on our Facebook page and the message on our website.  We hope this helps you feel connected until we are able to gather again without concern. 

Announcements

Small Groups Forming: In conjunction with our new message series, we are forming some small groups to continue the discussion about developing an active faith life. A small group is a group of 8-10 people who come together on a regular basis to fellowship, study Scripture, pray together, and help one another grow in faith. Our new small groups will meet for five weeks. There are different groups at different times to accommodate everyone’s schedule. We even have a Zoom group! Each group will work through a curriculum that is designed to help participants go deeper into their faith. We hope you’ll consider joining a group.  The groups are:

• Sunday Evening, 7 pm, via Zoom, hosted by Rob Gordon
• Tuesday Morning, 8 am, in the church lounge, hosted by Cindy Koch
• Tuesday Evening, 7 pm, in the church lounge, hosted by Evelyn Rogers
• Wednesday Morning, 8 am, at Taylor’s Bake Shop, hosted by Pastor Chris
• Wednesday Evening, 7 pm, Church Fellowship Hall, hosted by Bill Salyer
• Saturday Afternoon, 4 pm, hosted by Diedra & Matt McGruder at their home
• Saturday Evening, 7 pm, hosted by Bob & Cindy Koch at their home

You are encouraged to sign up for one of these groups.  There is a signup sheet is in the Sanctuary by the south doors or you can signup online.

New Prayer Group Forming: Praying together is faithful, effective, and important to God. If you have been wanting to grow in prayer and join together with others in praying for our church, our community, and our world, consider becoming part of this Wednesday morning prayer group that will meet weekly on Zoom at 8:15.  We will stay short and focused, just 15-20 minutes.  No books or special knowledge are required, and “silent types” will not be asked to pray our loud.  Come now and then, or every week if you can!  Contact Evelyn Rogers at 537-1724 or RogersES@missouri.edu.  We begin on September 23.

Help Wanted! We have four very eager children in our Pre-K Sunday School class who are in need of a teacher. We use a wonderful curriculum produced by Cokesbury (the United Methodist Publishing house) to help with the weekly lessons. If you feel led to provide leadership and direction to these four (and maybe more) young learners, please speak with Melissa Baker or Pastor Chris. Your help could plant seeds of faith for many years to come.

Fellowship Cruise this Sunday: Bring the family and your bikes to the Katy trailhead on Sunday, September 20 at 2:00 pm. We will meet at the Rails and Trails Visitor Center, ride a few miles to the MFA inlet/outlet, have a few snacks, and ride back. The Education Committee will provide drinks and snacks. Let’s build our endurance together as a church family.

Back to Basics Sunday School Class – Our Sunday school class would like to invite anyone interested in a new study on 1st and 2nd Thessalonians to join us in Fellowship Hall at 9AM beginning October 4th, 9-10AM.  The “living word” of Thessalonians is pertinent for our times.  The “Jesus Bible” introduction has this to say: “I Thessalonians speaks to a culture characterized by the experience of seductive images, self-centered materialism, and secular values.  The apostle Paul addressed issues of living a holy life in a culture hostile to Christian values, dealing with relationships and establishing boundaries for living in an immoral culture.  Undergirding all of this is a perspective on life that is shaped by eternity.”   Cindy Koch is the Back to Basics teacher.  Come see, and discover, Thessalonians line by line.  

Events this week:

Sunday, September 20: Fellowship Bike Ride, 2 pm, Rails & Trails Visitors Center

“Active Faith” small group, 7 pm, Zoom

Monday, September 21: TOPS, 9:30 am

Tuesday, September 22: “Active Faith” small group, 8 am, Church Lounge

“Active Faith” small group, 7:00 pm, Church Lounge

Wednesday, September 23: “Active Faith” small group, 8:00 am, Taylor’s Bake Shop

Bible Study, 9:00 am, Church Lounge

“Active Faith” small group, 7pm, Fellowship Hall

Saturday, September 26: “Active Faith” small group, 4 pm, McGruder’s Home

“Active Faith” small group, 7 pm, Koch Home

Closing Words of Wisdom:

‘Holy solitaries’ is a phrase no more consistent with the Gospel than holy adulterers. The Gospel of Christ knows no religion but social; no holiness, but social holiness.” ― John Wesley