23 December 2007—Advent 4—Mary, Did You Know?

focusPoints:

There is a Christmas song written in recent years that asks a poignant question, "Mary, Did You Know?" Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene have composed this beautiful, contemporary song that poses this question.What did Mary know and understand? What did she not understand about Jesus? Certainly there were some things that Mary knew. What were they?

1—Mary knew that God uses humble folks, humble people for mighty purposes. (Luke 1:26)
2—Mary knew that she was a virgin. (Luke 1:27, 34)
3—Mary knew that her son would be the promised Messiah. (Luke 1:31-33)
4—Mary knew that the name of her baby would be Jesus and He would save people from their sins. (Matthew 1:20-21)

(Fookes: Stockwell UMC Worship Message, 23 December 2007)

forwardPoints:

There were some things Mary did not understand or know? What were they?

1—Mary did not know what Jesus' life would be like. (Mark 3:21)
2—Mary did not understand how He would have to die. (Luke 2:34-35)

(Fookes: Stockwell UMC Worship Message, 23 December 2007)

fellowshipPoints:

Above all, we see willingness in Mary's life to be obedient to God's call to her to be used for a special purpose. Her words are forever a model for us when she said, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1:38)

findingPoints:

Robert Morris in Provocative Grace notes that how we react to the stranger - to someone alien to us - fundamentally tests our humanity. It's natural for the stranger - and for strange customs, cultures, and ideas - to evoke suspicion. Because the unknown may contain hidden danger, our urge to investigate the stranger is a necessity, not a flaw in our character. We rightly tell our children not to go off with strangers. But fear of the unknown may intensify beyond reason into the blind revulsion and rejection of xenophobia.

On the other hand, the very same strangeness may not only pique our interest but blossom into xenophilia - an intrigued fascinated love of that which is different. Both xenophobia and xenophilia are parts of our survival equipment. Xenophilia inspires fascination with the new and different. It invites us to encounter strangers with an initially positive, inquiring interest rather than knee-jerk suspicion. Intriguing strangers become doorways into new aspects of the human experience, valued expansions of our sense of the world.

Fookes illustrates how different Mary was—self actualized. Morris notes that our reaction to people who are different can take two very different paths fear (avoidance) and faith (curiosity). Considering those theses:

Do we risk the avoidance of others to live the mission to which God is calling us?





Do we know the impediments God will (need to) remove from us when we are in the center of His will?





Do we know the outcomes of our obedience? Or, is what we’re doing now (all the time) making disciples?





In what ways do/can we emulate Mary’s life of preparedness, inquisitiveness, and obedience?






faithPoints:

Saul/Paul was blinded before he was obedient. Jonah spent time in a fish before he was obedient. Mary simply asked “how can this be” and received the Holy Spirit’s assurance before she was obedient. In what ways can we move from Saul/Paul and Jonah follow Mary’s example when God asks something beyond that which we know how to do now?

23 December 2007--Advent 4--Mary, Did You Know?

For many of us, Christmas means singing the familiar carols and hymns, as well as being introduced to new pieces.

There is a Christmas song written in recent years that asks a poignant question, "MARY, DID YOU KNOW?" Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene have composed this beautiful, contemporary song that poses this question.

What did Mary know and understand? What did she not understand about Jesus? Certainly there were some things that Mary knew. What were they?

1-First, she knew that God uses humble folks, humble people for mighty purposes. (Luke 1:26)
2-Second, Mary knew that she was a virgin. (Luke 1:27, 34)
3-Third, Mary knew that her son would be the promised Messiah. (Luke 1:31-33)
4-Fourth-Mary knew that the name of her baby would be Jesus and He would save people from their sins. (Matthew 1:20-21)

There were some things Mary did not understand or know. What were they?
1-First, she did not know what Jesus' life would be like. (Mark 3:21)
2-Second, Mary did not understand how He would have to die.
(Luke 2:34-35)

Above all, we see a willingness in Mary's life to be obedient to God's call to her to be used for a special purpose. Her words are forever a model for us when she said, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1:38)

Pastor Jim Fookes

Charge Conference 2007--Imagining Stockwell (2 December 2007)

Visioning Exercise--Identifying Our Publics

Whom we serve (the direct and primary recipients of resource and programs delivered through time, money, staff):

Car Show
Children
Christmas Jubilee & Harvest Baskets
Community
Conference
Congregation
Craft Show
Elderly/Shut-ins
Family Game Nights
Funeral Dinners
Harvest Baskets
Ice Cream Social & Fall Gathering
Men’s prayer breakfasts and outings
Missions
Pastor
Pioneer Clubs
Spring Fling
Treat Night
UMW (United Methodist Women)
Vacation Bible School
Youth Group


Who are our key partners (those individuals, groups, and organizations depended upon, who provide resources, where things are done jointly, etc.:

Car Show
Christ
Community Youth
Connectional UMC (United Methodist Church)
Each Other
Egg Hunt
Election
EE (Evangelism Explosion)
4-H
Fire Department
Habitat
John and Ruby Parks Foundation
LUM (Lafayette Urban Ministry)
Missionary
Pastor Jim & Sandy
Pioneer Club
Play Ground
Scouts
Treat Night
VBS (Vacation Bible School)


Who else is there we consider (individuals, groups, and organizations that are members of the larger community where it is important to us that they know us and are supportive:

Contacts though outreach programs
Geographic Area
Hispanic community
New Residents

9 December 2007—Advent 2—Why the Shepherds

focusPoints:

Have you ever focused on the shepherds in the nativity scene? What do they have to teach us? What can we learn from them? The key word in Luke 2 is everyone. The angel said to the shepherds, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for everyone.”


forwardPoints:

Jesus’ birth is good new for everyone
· Jesus came for the lost (Mt. 9:9ff; I Tim. 1:15; Luke 15)
· Jesus came for the least (Luke 18:15-16)
· Jesus came for the lonely (Is. 7:14, Rom. 8:38-39)

We need to tell everyone about Jesus (Luke 2:15-17; Mt. 25:35-36; James 1:27)

(Fookes: Stockwell UMC Worship Message, 8 December 2007)


fellowshipPoints:

Jesus, as Provocateur, did not come to make us comfortable (Mt. 10:34) (Morris 18). He challenges us to go beyond the rule-maker’s way (Mt. 5:17, 20) (20) (A corollary is the way in which law is a first step towards ethics.)

Jesus insisted that we are to do good to those who are different from us and that we should not let social propriety or religious structures restrict the outreach of love (Luke 10:36-37; Lev. 19:33; Mt. 25:40) (Morris 90).

In welcoming and loving the stranger (Mt. 25:35) (Morris 94), we are not to stay behind the wall of our own group (Mt. 5:47) (96).

Synthesizing Morris to Fookes, Jesus teaches regarding:
· the lost → learn from Me (Mt. 19:21) (25);
· the least → listen to Me (Mt. 11:29) (25); and
· the lonely → love with Me.

If you don’t have time for others, you don’t have time for God. If you aren’t taking time to serve others, you aren’t being attentive to God. (Rev. David Hellmann, St. Bernard RCC, Liturgy of the Word Homily, 7 December 2007).

findingPoints:

Considering Fookes’ and Morris’ analysis of God’s grace as provocative because its for everyone:

Who are today’s “Samaritan’s”—despised or maligned groups—in our community? the nation? the world? (Morris 100)




Who do you know who is lost?




Who do you know who has little (spiritually, emotionally, physically, socially, and/or financially)?




Who do you know who is experiencing loneliness?




faithPoints:

Meditate in prayer how you can keep the lost, least, lonely, maligned, and marginalized close to heart, top of mind, and focus of action.

Sunday 9 December--Adevent 2--WHY THE SHEPHERDS

Have you ever focused on the SHEPHERDS in the nativity scene? What do they have to teach us? What can we learn from them? (Luke 2:8-10)

The key word in Luke 2 is the word EVERYONE. The angel said to the shepherds, "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for EVERYONE."

Jesus' birth is good news for EVERYONE.
Jesus came for the LOST (Matthew 9:9ff.; I Timothy 1:15; Luke 15)
Jesus came for the LEAST (Luke 18:15-16)
Jesus came for the LONELY (Isaiah 7:14; Romans 8:38-39)

We need to tell EVERYONE about Jesus Luke 2:15-17; Matthew 25:35-36; James 1:27)

Charge Conference 2007--Imagining Stockwell

Lay/Clergy Resources

The following resources were referenced at Charge Conference:

Beyond the Bishop's Bundle of Books (Evangelism and Disciple-Making)

Hit the Bullseye: How Denominations Can Aim the Congregation At the Mission Field (Paul Borden)

The Race to Reach Out: Connecting Newcomers To Christ In a New Century (Douglas T. Anderson & Bishop Michael J. Coyner)

Resurrecting Excellence: Shaping Faithful Christina Ministry (L. Gregory Jones and Kevin R. Armstrong)

Conference/Forum/Training Events

Imagine Indiana with Bishop Mike Coyner--Tuesday 11 December 3:00-5:00 PM and 7:00-9:00 PM, at Dayton UMC (http://www.inareaumc.org/)

Lafayette District UMC Leadership Training Equipping the Saints--Saturday 15 December 2007 (9:00 AM-Noon) at Monticello UMC and Sunday 13 January 2008 (2:00-5:00 PM) at Dayton UMC (ladisumc@verizon.net)

LEAP (Let's Establish A Priority)--Friday 29 February & Saturday 1 March 2008 at University of Indianapolis (http://www.inareaumc.org/)

Spiritual Strategic Journey (Center for Congregations)--5 March 2008 in Evansville and 6 March 2008 in Indianapolis (http://centerforcongregations.org/)

Web-Based e-News and Listservs

Barna Group (http://www.barna.org/)

Leadership Teleseminar (http://www.leadershipteleseminar.com/)

Monday Morning Insight (http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/)

Methodist Musicians (www.GBOD.org/worship/methodistmusicians)


(Submitted by Mark Eutsler, CLS, Stockwell UMC Lay Leader)

2 December 2007--Charge Conference IMAGINING STOCKWELL

Pastor's State of the Church

Grace and Peace to you from our wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is a blessing to serve with you in ministry.

Five and a half months ago the moving van landed with our earthly possessions on your doorstep. Little did we realize what was in store for us. Yet, I can say that truly, God is good - all the time!

When I think about our ministry together the words faithful, committed, hopeful and blessed come to mind. God truly has blessed us. Stockwell is a warm, caring church family seeking to carry out Christ's work and mission in this community.

We consist of close to 200 members. Our average attendance is in the 140 plus range and Sunday school attendance is in the 50's currently.

I want to express my appreciation to our paid staff here at Stockwell who are working alongside of me and have helped in the acclimation process. So, I say thank you to Margaret Woody, our
church secretary; to Coy Lane, who is our custodian; and to Mark Miller, who is our assistant pastor.

There are some short term goals that I have been seeking to deal with in those early days of ministry here.

It has obviously been my goal to get to know the people and the ministries of this church. To that end, we are planning a series of meet the pastor and spouse nights - group meeting for members and attenders - in several homes on Sunday evenings during the months of January and February. Currently, four nights are planned, with the possibility of adding more. These meetings will be a good opportunity for fellowship and information gathering. These are being sponsored by the Pastor/Staff Relations Committee.

A second short term goal is to get a number of systems in place that will allow us to work toward effective ministry together (Effective Minstry Systems--EMS). One of those is to strengthen our record keeping through updating our file system. Another is to strengthen our record keeping concerning first time visitors to worship and our follow-up to them. A final one I
would mention is to have functioning committees with an adequate number of members to carry out their work. A real effort has been made through the Lay Leadership Committee to fill committees with persons gifted in that particular area.

A third goal for 2008 would be to enlist as many attenders and membvers as possible in reading the Bible through in 2008; and to continue to develop the discipline of prayer, intercessory prayer, for the needs of the Stockwell community, our state, nation, world, our Annual Conference, and our own Stockwell family. One of the things I am excited about is the recent formation of a Vision Committee that will work alongside our Building Committee to evaluate our ministries, and envision what Stockwell UMC might look like in five years and ten years.

State of the church report given by Pastor Jim Fookes at the annual Stockwell United Methodist Church Charge Conference on Sunday, December 2, 2007, at 3:00 P.M.

Sunday 2 December--Advent 1--Happy New Year

WHAT IS ADVENT?
We live in a society that is tied to a secular calendar. As Christians we have a second calendar that is important. It is the CHRISTIAN CALENDAR, and its new year begins on the first day, the first Sunday of the church season we call Advent.

Using Scripture references, Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of Christ, both as a baby some two thousand years ago and also the Second Advent, referring to the second coming of Jesus Christ.

What is Advent? Advent is.....

1-Advent is about an unusual PROMISE.
(Scriptures: Isaiah 7:14; John 14:3)

2-Advent is about unlimited POSSIBILITIES.
(Scriptures: Luke 1:37; John 14:3)

3-Advent is about uncommon PREPARATION.
(Scriptures: Mark 1:2-3; Luke 12:35-36)

4-Advent is about universal PROCLAMATION.
(Scriptures: Matthew 1:21; Hebrews 9:28)

5-Advent is about ultimate PRESENCE
(Scriptures: John 1:14; Revelation 21:2-4)

Happy New Year from Pastor Jim