“God-Fearing”

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.  Proverbs 1:7

I like to think I am a handy guy.  I switched out all the mechanicals on a toilet a few weeks ago.  I have designed and built some furniture around our house.  I can assemble almost anything from Ikea without using language I’d need to confess later on.  I’ve helped with landscaping projects big and small.  I’ve even been known to fix a few things on our vehicles (replace batteries, cables, bulbs, other minor things). 

Even with my comfort and semi-confidence with tools, there is one area of home-improvement that I do not mess with – electrical work.  I don’t know much about electrical work, but I do know one thing – electricity can kill you.  Sure, messing with my table saw or nail gun could force me to the emergency room if I’m not careful, but electrical work can do a lot more than that.  During my first week working as a hospital chaplain many years ago we had a construction worker pass away in our ER after an electrical accident.  It’s not so much that I’m afraid of electricity, I will change out an outlet and do a few other minor things, but I’ve seen the power of what it can do.  I wouldn’t say that I have a fear of electricity, just a healthy respect for the power it generates. 

A dozen or so years ago, I was talking with someone about the cultural and spiritual background of the folks in the church I was serving.  He told me, “Overall, we are a group of faithful, God-fearing men and women.”   I remember reflecting later on the phrase “God-fearing.”  I was raised with an image of God as one who is all-loving and forgiving and, therefore, deserving of love in return.  One of my favorite scriptures is from 1 John 4:18 – “There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”  I had this idea that fear was the opposite of love.  I mean, we don’t fear those we love, or those who love us, right?

But then I dug into this idea of fearing God a little deeper.  The book of Proverbs, attributed to King Solomon, is a grouping of sayings and teachings that focus primarily on wisdom and Godly living.  In the very first proverb, Solomon writes that the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”  Throughout the book of Proverbs, Solomon writes about the duality of fearing the Lord and gaining wisdom no less than eleven times. 

We have been conditioned to think that fear is a bad thing, but fear is a survival instinct, something that we can use to keep us from dangerous situations.  Just as I have learned to have a healthy level of respect for the power of electricity, perhaps it is also important to cultivate a healthy fear of the awesome power of God as a pathway to wisdom.  In The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis includes a discussion about Aslan, a lion symbolizing Christ.  One of the characters asks if Aslan is safe.  The response is, “Of course he’s not safe, he’s a lion.  But he is good.” 

Maybe recognizing the power and potential of things around us, be they electricity, viruses, even God, and developing a respect for them, a form of fear, is not always a bad thing.  As we go about our lives, we are called to be a fearful people, but a people who have faith in the One with all power and authority.  A healthy respect, and perhaps fear of God can be the pathway to true wisdom and a strong faith. 

Blessings, Chris

Announcement from the Church Council

The Church Council met earlier this week and discussed the current practices we have in place to keep the church a safe place in the time of COVID.  After much discussion of current infection rates, positivity rates, and a review of local school guidelines, we have decided for the time being to require the wearing of masks for all people (school-age children and older, excluding individuals with medical exemptions) at all events (including worship) held in the church building.  We have made this decision with the hope that it will allow us to continue to safely conduct in-person worship and other ministries for as long as possible.  We will have masks available if you forget to bring one from home and thank you for your cooperation with this increased health and safety measure. 

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday will be week two of our “Praying the Psalms” message series.  This week the message will be about “Psalms of Confession.”  Our scripture reading for Sunday comes from Psalm 32, verses 1-7

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. 

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.  For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.  Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.  I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.”  And you forgave the guilt of my sin. 

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.  You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. 

We will begin our service with the song Who You Are to Me by Chris Tomlin and Lady A.  Our hymns for Sunday include: God of Grace and God of Glory and He Touched Me.  Additionally, our video hymn this week is Come As You Are, by David Crowder.

Community Health Updates

Our county is currently experiencing more active cases of COVID-19 than we have to this point.  We must 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. 

In addition to measures in place around COVID, we also encourage you to get a flu shot this year.  Below is some information on Flu shot opportunities in the area.

Columbia – Drive-thru Flu Clinics for anyone ages 6 months and older to receive a vaccination. South Providence Medical Park – A drive-thru flu vaccination clinic will occur every Saturday beginning Sept. 19 to Nov. 14 from 8 a.m. to noon on the east side of the building. Signs will direct traffic flow. 

Howard County – https://www.howardcountypublichealthdepartment.com/about1 – doesn’t have a drive thru clinic planned but has vaccines available through the county health department. 

Announcements

Opportunity to Learn More – The church council is exploring a structural change and is offering information sessions the next two Sundays following each worship service.  The proposed change will reduce the total number of Administrative committees and committee members, thus freeing up people and time to be more involved in ministries of the church.  Please join us either of the next two Sundays for this opportunities to ask questions and learn about the proposed new administrative structure.

Roll Up Your Sleeves – With flu season beginning and COVID hanging around, blood and platelet donations continue to be essential to hospital patients.  Donors are needed to come together to help others in this time of need.  We will be hosting a blood drive through the American Red Cross Tuesday, December 1, from 2 – 6 pm in our Fellowship Hall.  Stay tuned for more information about this but please help spread the word.  If you would like to register to donate, please visit the online scheduler (you will have to search by our zip code – 65233). https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time   We are hoping for at least 20-25 donors at this event. 

Christmas Program Rehearsals Have Begun – Practices for the children’s Christmas program will started November 1^st. If your child would like to participate, please let Risa Venable, Chelsea Jackson, or Melissa Baker know.

Salvation Army Bell-Ringing  – We are scheduled to “ring the bells” at Walmart on Saturday, December 12, 2020. We will need volunteers for one hour time slots from 10 AM – 6 PM. A sign-up sheet will be in the East wing narthex (where we serve refreshments after worship).

2020 Angel Tree – It is hard to believe Angel Tree is sneaking up on us. Our angels will appear on our tree on Sunday, November 22nd. We will need the children’s gifts back in the sanctuary no later than Sunday, December 6th for the dedication of the gifts. The Angel Tree Party will be held at the church on Saturday, Dec. 12th at 11:00 a.m., beginning with a short message in the sanctuary and soup and sandwiches to follow in Fellowship Hall. Our Education committee will be joining us in this special ministry. All of our church members are invited to join with us in fellowship with our “angels.” As always, we are so grateful for the way in which our church family supports this Matthew 25 ministry to the children of incarcerated parents. If you have any questions please contact Karma Haller or Debra Windsor. Thank you.

Events this week:

Saturday, November 14: Freezer Meal Cooking Party, 9:00 am, Church Kitchen

Sunday, November 15: Conversations about Administrative Structure Change, following each Worship service

Monday, November 16: TOPS, 9:30 am

Worship Committee, 7:00 pm, Zoom

Al-Anon, 8:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Tuesday, November 17: SPRC, 6:00 pm, Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, November 18: Al-Anon, Noon, Fellowship Hall

Thursday, November 19: Baby Grace, 5:00 pm, Church Annex

Sunday, November 22: Youth Group, 4:00 pm @ the Jackson’s

Closing Words of Wisdom:

“In using all means, seek God alone. In and through every outward thing, look only to the power of His Spirit, and the merits of His Son. Beware you do not get stuck in the work itself; if you do, it is all lost labor. Nothing short of God can satisfy your soul. Therefore, fix on Him in all, through all, and above all…Remember also to use all means as means-as ordained, not for their own sake…” ― John Wesley