“Change My Heart, O God”

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.  “Abba, Father,” he said,” everything is possible for you.  Take this cup from me.  Yet not what I will, but what you will.“

Mark 14:35-36

I don’t think I’m the only out there who would agree with this statement – I really want the Presidential election to be over with, it cannot come soon enough!  We say this every election cycle, but I am so tired of all the terrible campaign ads on television and the radio, the constant barrage of negativity– even in the mail, the nonstop news cycle reporting more and more bad behavior, and never-ending vile on social media.  (And don’t even get me started on the debate the other night!)  I am just so sick of all this and so ready for the divisions, anger, and hate to be over.

Yesterday, when I was in one of my doldrums about the political cycle and all the nastiness, I saw an email about praying for the election.  My first thought was that I don’t want to think at all about this darn (I may have used a different word in my head) election, let alone pray for it.  The message was about encouraging our congregations to pray each of the 30 days leading up to the election, and all I envisioned was people praying for their desired outcome and for their point of view to prevail.

Then I started thinking a little more about prayer.  My number one understanding about prayer is that prayer changes us.  When we pray, when we spend time sharing with God the desires, hurts, pains, longings, and fears of our hearts, we become shaped more into the image of God.  Prayer isn’t about informing God about a situation or attempting to change God’s mind, it is another opportunity for God to transform us into who we were created to be. 

The above scripture passage tells of Jesus going into the garden at Gethsemane and pouring out his heart before God.  He asks to avoid the crucifixion, to avoid seeing his friends desert him, to avoid being mocked and scorned, to avoid being beaten and ultimately crucified.  He asks God to change the future.  Then Jesus, showing us what happens when we live a life of prayer, has his attitude changed. The Spirit works within Jesus so that he is able to lift his head, rise up, and fully embrace whatever God’s will is.  In prayer, God transforms us too. Like Jesus, we are able to lift our head, rise up, let go of our desires, and seek to follow God’s will.  Prayer is meant to change us.

So, as I reconsider this idea of prayer for our upcoming election, I think it is exactly what I need.  I need God to change me through the power of prayer over the next 30 or so days between now and the election – to change my outlook on the state of our politics, to change my opinion of those running for office, to change my heart and help me not feel so hopeless with the entire process.  Some leaders in our Conference have developed a prayer guide for the 30 days leading up to Election Day.  I invite you to join me in using this guide and seeking to allow God to shape us over the coming days and weeks.

Blessings, Chris

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday we continue our message series “Active Faith.”  This week our message is titled “Don’t Do It Alone.”  Our scripture reading for Sunday comes from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 5, verses 17-20.

One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there.  They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem.  And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick.  Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus.  When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

We will begin our service with the song Love God, Love People by Danny Gokey.  Our hymns for Sunday include: Come, Christians, Join to Sing and Blest Be The Tie That Binds.  Additionally, our video hymn this week is The Father’s House, from Cory Asbury. 

COVID-19 Updates

We encourage you to remain vigilant in the practices of keeping not just ourselves, but those around us safe by wearing masks, keeping a safe distance from others and sanitizing or washing your 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, 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 socially 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

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.  

Hayride and Bonfire – It is officially Fall!  Bring your families to the Haller’s on Saturday, October 24th for a hayride, bonfire and other fall activities.  The party starts at 5:00.  Hot dogs and s’mores provided by the education committee.  Please bring a side dish to share! 

Annual Church Conference – Our annual Church Charge Conference will be held on Saturday, October 17 at 10:00 am.  This year this meeting will take place via Zoom, and we will have a “Zoom Room” set up in the Church Lounge.  Everyone is invited to join us for this time of business and learning.

Adults Night Out – Save the date for a fun adult’s only night out!  Join us on Saturday, October 10th at 7:00 at Midway Golf & Games. We have a fire pit reserved from 8-10.  Attractions include a corn maze, hayride, axe throwing, putt putt golf, and more!  Please RSVP to Chelsea Jackson or Melissa Baker by October 8th.  

Events this week:

Sunday, October 4: Youth Group, 4 pm at the Jackson’s home

“Active Faith” small group, 7 pm, Zoom

Monday, October 5: TOPS, 9:30 am

Tuesday, October 6: “Active Faith” small group, 9 am, Church Lounge

Congregation Care & Prayer Team, 6:00 pm, Foundations Classroom

Wednesday, October 7: “Active Faith” small group, 8:00 am, Taylor’s Bake Shop

Bible Study, 9:00 am, Church Lounge

“Active Faith” small group, 5:40 pm, Foundations Classroom

Trustees, 6:00 pm, Sanctuary

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

Saturday, October 10: Methodist Men, 8:30 am, Church Lounge

“Active Faith” small group, 4 pm, McGruder’s Home

“Active Faith” small group, 7 pm, Riley Equine Center’s club room

Adults Night Out – 7 pm, Midway Golf & Games

Closing Words of Wisdom:

October 6, 1774
I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them
1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy
2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against, and
3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.” ― John Wesley