Gleanings…

Saw a sign the other day that stated, “All you need is love, and a sunset.”  I thought as I read it, “How romantic!”  Truly, one of the joys I have every year (that I can go) is to see the sun set on the ocean.  The colors, the breeze, the sound of the waves washing up on the shore; I love it and I never get tired of it.  But I thought of something else as I read the sign: All we really need is a sunrise.

Every year about this time, we celebrate Easter, and as holy days go, it is the perfect conclusion to the story of Jesus’ time on earth.  Think about it for a moment.  Where would we be without the gift of God taking on human form, living to enable us to know God better, and then dying on a cross to show us God’s love?  And then, on the third day, a sunrise!

“He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said.”  Matt. 28:6.

Just as the sunrise assures us every morning that darkness does not hold ultimate sway in this world, Easter morning reminds us that death does not have the final word for our lives.  Because of love, we have a future that knows no end and cannot be taken from us.  Though the time of our mortal existence is determined by many factors—some we control, others we don’t—we will live eternally because not even death is stronger than God’s love for humankind.

What will be the form of our eternal existence?  I have no idea, but we are assured that we will be like Jesus (see 1 John 3).  This is good news without measure!

This year, invite someone you know who needs to see the sun rise again, to join you for an Easter Sunrise worship service.  Share the joy of greeting the new day with praise.  Invite them to join with you in a renewed life that begins and ends with Jesus every day.  May it be the beginning of a great relationship for all!

Peace,

Braxton ><>

Gleanings…

Heard that another Chattanooga pastor offered some advice this past Sunday.  Basically, instead of giving up something that we will pick back up after Lent, why not give up something we don’t need, such as worry?  The biblical recommendations to trust in the Lord offer us the potential for a positive experience that will improve our lives if we will give whatever is worrying us to God.  Deciding to stop worrying could also improve our witness!

This recommendation begs this question.  What has the greater impact on others, what we say or how we live?  Most will agree that how we live will have the greater impact on others.  The problem is that we would much rather tell someone the Good News than take the time for them to get to know us well enough to see the Good News lived out in our lives.  Maybe we should give up being in a hurry, too.

When our year end statistics for the Chattanooga District were tallied this year, our District Superintendent shared that our cumulative average attendance for the year was down by 500 people!  Wow!  What happened!  Has the message of God’s love, compassion, mercy, forgiveness, and assurance suddenly gone out of fashion?  This did not happen because we ran out of people—I see new faces everywhere.  Maybe they are waiting for someone to build enough of a relationship with them to dare inviting them to join us for worship.  Hmmm.

A speaker at Ministers’ Convocation last week offered the following guidance.  Bishop Looney (a native son of the Holston Conference) said that there are three simple steps to take to grow our congregations.  I took notes so I could accurately share them.  They are, 1) Invite, 2) Invite, and 3) Invite.  Yes, that is really all there is to it.  Invite people to share in an outreach activity.  Invite people to join you for covered dish dinner.  Invite them to any outing that the church is planning.  And, invite them to join you for worship.  Don’t worry about whether they might have a church family for it may be that they have been taking a break, or just relocated and need a new church family.  It takes very little to show them that you honestly care for them.

Remember the three simple steps to help grow our congregations?  Repeat as often as you see someone from outside your family.  And, pray that God will send the people our way who most need to hear and see our invitation.  We will have a training event later this month (see elsewhere in this newsletter or look for a flyer) on being invitational and I hope that you will join me as we take advantage of this opportunity to learn more.

Have a blessed day,

Braxton ><>

Gleanings…

So, how are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions?  If you have not abandoned them already, you are to be commended because so many have already given up all hope of seeing them through.  For those still hanging on, keep doing what you are doing, it appears to be working.  For the rest of us, maybe we could use a little help.

A recent article* in Forbes magazine by Kevin Kruse shared 7 “secrets” that might help us from Dr. Paul Marciano, psychologist.

1.  Make your goals specific – Use a “goal system that makes goals specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

2.  Measure progress – “If you can measure it, you can change it.”

3.  Be patient – “Progress is seldom linear.  Making lasting change takes time.”

4.  Share your goals with friends and family – “One of the most effective things you can do is to get an ‘accountability partner’, someone who checks in with you daily or weekly.”

5.  Schedule it – “Nobody finds time, we choose time.”

6.  Something is better than nothing – “Any effort towards your goal is better than no effort.”

7.  Get up, when you slip up – “Don’t turn temporary failures into total meltdowns or excuses for giving up.”

Reading through that list gave me the thought that these “secrets” can be applicable to more than just New Year’s resolutions.  No matter what task is set before you, no matter what changes you feel you need to make, success is more likely if you develop the right skills, execute strategies, and have patience.

Sounds a lot like what Jesus was teaching the disciples.

Want a closer walk with God?  Want to make a difference in a social justice issue?  Want to help your family, your marriage, your work situation?  Begin with prayer, then set your goals and get started.  Finally, share what God is doing in your life.  You never know who is listening.

Braxton ><>

* For the full article see: http://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinkruse/2016/12/26/7-secrets-of-people-who-keep-their-new-years-resolutions/

 

Thank You to all our volunteers who helped with the meal packaging event recently.  We packaged 10,152 meals in about 2 hours.  We appreciate your help and are so grateful you took time out of your Saturday to come together to help hungry children.

 

Share in great fellowship and a delicious meal together the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.   Enjoy Joe’s famous fried catfish, Jean’s homemade chicken and dumplings, Rita’s BBQ, Juene’s chocolate cake, and Cheryl’s chocolate pie and many other veggies, bread, and desserts.  Bring your favorite dish, your family and friends and enjoy an evening with friends.

The Baptism of Jesus

¹³ Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. ¹⁴ But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

¹⁵ Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

¹⁶ As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. ¹⁷ And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

— Matthew 3: 13-17

January 28, 2017 – 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

We invite you to join us for a meal packaging event for the Stop Hunger Now organization.  We will package 10,152 meals and it will only take 2 hours.  This is a great opportunity for children and adults needing community volunteer hours.  You can sign up to help by calling the church office at 423-842-4886 and leave your name and number of people participating or
email us at: fairviewumc.hixson@gmail.com

We are collecting supplies & gifts for the Hosanna House & the residents there.

We are collecting: Paper towels, Toilet paper, and Art & craft supplies.

Bring donations to the church Sundays at 11:00 AM

— December – 25th – Worship – 11:00 AM —

We are having a birthday party after church. Come join the celebration!