Weekly Update, September 25, 2020

A Good Reminder

Earlier this week I was driving home for lunch, which I do most days, and I noticed a police car behind me.  I don’t know about you, but every time a police car is behind me, I get anxious.  I immediately checked to make sure I wasn’t going more than 3-4 miles over the speed limit.  I also paid more attention to everything else I was doing, making sure to not do anything that might give him reason to pull me over.  I could feel my heart rate rise a little bit and I kept checking my rearview mirror, hoping he would turn onto another street.

Finally, I pulled up to a stop sign, making sure to come to a full and complete stop with my turn signal on.  As I sat there, likely longer than I would typically sit at a stop sign, I heard a voice in the air.  I looked in the rearview mirror and saw the officer on his loudspeaker, addressing me.  “Red Jeep!  I am not going to pull you over, but your registration is expired.  Please get this renewed as quickly as possible.” 

Then, I turned right and he turned left.  I let out an exhale, grateful for not being pulled over, not getting a ticket, not being inconvenienced, and not being embarrassed.  My registration wasn’t actually expired, by the way. I have until the end of the month.  But I appreciate this officer for the friendly reminder.

Then I realized something else. I was really lucky.  Not to get out of a ticket.  I hadn’t broken any laws.  I was lucky because this situation could have gone a lot differently.  You see, this officer reminded me about more than my registration. He reminded me about the reality of my white privilege.  Please don’t stop reading this now.  I understand that many of us do not believe in white privilege.  When I first heard the phrase, I scoffed at it.  I was not raised in privilege. Things didn’t come easily for me.  Everything I have came either from my own hard work or the hard work of those who made it possible (specifically, my parents).  But the truth is, I do benefit from privileges because I am white.  When people look at me, their first thought isn’t that I might be dangerous.  People don’t question whether or not I got a job due to a diversity quota.  I am not expected to speak on behalf of an entire race of people and my actions don’t automatically reinforce others’ opinion of my race.  All of these things are privileges our Black brothers and sisters are not always given.

I am privileged because, if I were a Black man, I likely would have been pulled over the other day and had my license run to make sure I didn’t have any outstanding warrants. I might have been put in handcuffs while that was being done because I am not assumed to be an upstanding citizen.  This experience was an important reminder for me of the differences that still exist right here in our community.  I’m not angry at this officer.  I don’t think he is a bad guy or is racist.  I just recognize this as one more reminder that I do receive different treatment from others simply because of the color of my skin.  While I did nothing to warrant this privilege, I can do something to help others not be treated differently than how I was treated.  I can recognize that I need to treat others the way I would like to be treated.  I can recognize that there is a gap between how things should be and how they are

Today, I want to encourage you to consider that there are times when you are treated differently from others because of your race, your gender, your income level, your educational experience, your political point of view, and even the sports teams you root for.  I want to remind you that Jesus teaches us to treat everyone, no matter their race, religion or anything else, the way we wish to be treated.  I want to encourage you to use this as a reminder that our world on earth is not as it is in heaven.  This is a reminder that we still have work to do.

It is a blessing to be your pastor and be in ministry with you as we serve an amazing God who calls us to love others as we love ourselves.   

Blessings, Chris

Worship This Sunday

This Sunday we continue our message series “Active Faith.”  This week our message is titled “Start Out Slow.”  Our scripture reading for Sunday comes from the Book of Philippians, chapter 3, verses 10-14.

I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

We will begin our service with the song Love God, Love People by Danny Gokey.  Our hymns for Sunday include: Open My Eyes, That I May See, and Have Thine Own Way, Lord.  Additionally, our video hymn this week is Word of God Speak, from Mercy Me. 

COVID-19 Updates

We 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, 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, 9 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 Diedre & 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.  You may still join!

New Prayer Group: 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.

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 27: “Active Faith” small group, 7 pm, Zoom

Monday, September 28: TOPS, 9:30 am

Tuesday, September 29: “Active Faith” small group, 9 am, Church Lounge

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

Wednesday, September 30: “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, October 3: “Active Faith” small group, 4 pm, McGruder’s Home

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

Closing Words of Wisdom:

True humility is a kind of self-annihilation; and this is the center of all virtues.” ― John Wesley

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