“Overloaded”

I’ve been reflecting on the life and story of Moses lately.  Among other things, Moses’ story is about learning how to be a leader.  Moses is called into leadership and, like many of us, he isn’t ready.  God continues to teach Moses lessons along the way and helps him become the leader Israel needs.  Even though he doesn’t start off ready, through time, God develops Moses into the leader God always knew he would be.

One of the most important lessons God teaches Moses, and one that he continues to teach me as well, is that good leaders know how to delegate.  Moses became a judge and arbiter for the entire Israelite nation.  He would sit in the judge’s seat from morning till evening hearing the complaints and arguments of the people and helping to settle them.  Day after day Moses would spend his time bearing the weight of the entire nation. 

One day, Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, observed this behavior and told Moses that he was not being a good leader: 

“What you are doing is not good.  You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out.  The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone…Select capable men from all the people – men who fear God, trustworthy men who hat dishonest gain – and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.  Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide for themselves.  That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you.”

Exodus 18:17-18, 21-22

Have you ever felt like Moses?  Have you ever felt like you had an enormous responsibility and that you had to take care of it all by yourself?  Have you ever seen a need and, in trying to help, took on too much responsibility?  Have you ever felt like you were the only one who could do it (whatever it is)? 

This is how Moses felt.  He had this enormous task he thought he had to do all on his own.  But his father-in-law came and showed him a better way (as father’s-in-law can sometimes do).  Jethro reminded Moses that Moses did not have to go it alone.  He did not have to bear the weight of this burden on his own.  God had sent him others in the community who could bear some of the responsibility, who could lighten his load.

Do you feel overwhelmed?  Do you feel as if there are so many things going on in your life that you can barely keep your head above water?  Do you, like Moses, feel as if you have to face all of the work on your own?  Hear this important message: God has prepared others to help.  That huge project you are working on – there is someone out there waiting to be asked to help.  That major event you are planning – there is someone out there who would love to assist.  That person you love whose care is almost more than you can handle – there is another out there God has called to share in that care.  God does not want us to go it alone.  God has called and prepared others to help us lighten our load.  We just have to be willing to share it.  How is God calling you to “lighten your load” today?

It is an honor to be your pastor and serve an amazing God alongside each of you!  Thank you for all the ways you share my load.

Blessings, Chris

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday, we will continue our Lenten message series “Entering the Passion of Jesus.”  This week our message is titled: “Entering the Upper Room.”  Our scripture reading will be from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 22, verses 14-27:

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table.  And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.  For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

After taking the cup, he gave thanks for it and said, “Take this and divide it among you.  For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 

In the same way, after the supper, he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.  But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.  The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed.  But woe to that man who betrays him!”  They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this. 

A dispute also arose among them as to which of them would be considered to be the greatest.  Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.  But you are not to be like that.  Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.  For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves?  Is it not the one who is at the table?  But I am among you as one who serves.

We will begin our service with a video of the song This is Amazing Grace by Phil Wickham.  Our hymns for Sunday include: I Come with Joy, and One Bread, One Body.  Additionally, our video hymn this week is titled Your Grace is Enough, by Chris Tomlin. Additionally, this Sunday, as we focus on the Upper Room, we will observe the Sacrament of Holy Communion during our services.

COVID Precautions

The Church Administrative Board is continuing to monitor the COVID infection rates, hospitalization rates, and vaccination numbers for our area.  We are cautiously optimistic about the progress being made in all three of these areas.  We will continue to monitor these numbers, follow the direction of state and local leaders, and get opinions from medical authorities about when and how to resume our previous Sunday morning schedule. 

Until that time, please remember the COVID precautions in place at the church: masks are required for everyone over the age of 2, social distancing is expected, we will be disinfecting pews between services and we have modified our worship schedule to accommodate for having no more than 25% capacity (approximately 50 people) in our Sanctuary.  Our services are now at 8:00, 9:15 & 10:30.  We also request you not hang around too long after the service is over so we can have enough time to wipe down the pews and prepare for the next service.

We know there are many who do not feel comfortable attending worship at this time. 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 10:30 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

Lenten Focus – Pastor Chris has invited us to focus on intentional relationships this Lenten Season.  How have you reached out to someone this week?  Take time now to reach out to that person you’ve been thinking about and let them know they are on your mind. 

Happy Birthday Baby Grace – Our Baby Grace ministry is turning ten years old!  My how our baby has grown fast!  The congregation is invited to consider giving a birthday gift to Baby Grace in recognition of this momentous occasion.  Your donations of diapers, baby wipes, lotion, and baby wash will not just help a young mother or provide for a small child.  It will be a visible sign of God’s love.  Look for the crib that is set up in the main entrance vestibule, because this will be the starting point for making something holy happen!  This Sunday, March 21, we will have a “birthday party” for Baby Grace, complete with cupcakes.

Holy Week Services:

• Maundy Thursday: April 1 – Service at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary
• Good Friday: April 2 – Service at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary
• Easter Sunday: April 4 – Services at 8:00, 9:15 and 10:30 am in the Sanctuary

Easter Cards for Elders & Friends –  This year due to the Covid-19 virus, we are asking the congregation to mail out Easter cards or other greeting cards with your own personal Easter greeting rather than drop them off at the church.   The addresses for the names listed below will be located on the refreshment table or on the counter next to the front entrances.       

Florence Banion, Guree Beam, Frances Bradley, Virginia Brownfield, Mary Margaret Browning, John Chipley, Ada and Wes Gingrich, Ann Hartmann, Margaret Hopkins, James & Dixie Lloyd, Carolyn McFarland, Ruby McNew, Phillis Otis, Bart Riley, Carol Schenck, Leona Schmidt, Helen Taylor, Hessie Watts and Dorothy Whitten.

We know all the recipients will experience a special Easter blessing because of the thoughtfulness of all those who participate in this endeavor.  Thank you for remembering these special people.

Flipz USA Outing – The Nelson kids and youth are planning an outing to Flipz USA in Columbia on Sunday, April 11th from 2:00 – 4:30. We will have the gym to play in from 2:00-4:00, and then eat pizza from 4:00 to 4:30.  Everyone is welcome, bring a friend too!  Please RSVP to the Jacksons or the Bakers.

Blood Drive Coming – The next Red Cross Blood Drive will on Wednesday, April 14 from 1-6pm in our Fellowship Hall.  The need for blood remains great.  We currently have over 30 appointments still available on April 14.  You can sign up to donate blood by clicking here.

Events this week:

Sunday, March 21: Birthday Party for Baby Grace

Youth Group, 11:30 am, Fellowship Hall

Monday, March 22: TOPS, 9:30 am, Foundations Classroom

Al- Anon, 8:00 pm, Church Lounge

Wednesday, March 23: Al Anon, Noon, Church Lounge

Closing Words of Wisdom:

When we accept the fact that we can’t do everything, we are more willing to ask for and accept help when we do anything.” – Author: Simon Sinek