THE GOOD NEWS April 2, 2020 FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, SENATOBIA, MISSISSIPPI From the Pastor ….. I’ve worked with many wise preachers. They’ve taught me tons of things about ministry and life. As I soaked in their wisdom, I recall one thing that Billy Ray Stonestreet would tell me about fatherhood. At the time, I was a single guy serving in youth ministry, so I had strong ideas about how one should parent a child. Everyone does when they don’t have any. What he told me stuck with me, and I’ve taken it as my saying ever since. What was this chunk of wisdom? He would say, “I won’t say what my children will or won’t do. I’ll just say they know better.” That’s super-wise, right? It saves you from getting your foot stuck in your mouth later if they do something foolish. I can’t say what they’ll do. I’ll just say they know better. As I’ve conversed with pastor friends over the internet, I’ve seen the anxiety level in preachers go up. I hear them asking lots of questions. How can we be the church at a time like this? How are you all making disciples of your people? How are you guaranteeing that everyone stays engaged? How are you ensuring growing faith? How are you making sure they participate in worship? As I hear all of those questions, Billy Ray’s words echo, and I answer my friends, “you can’t.” You can give resources. You can send out videos. You can live stream and have a Drive-In church service. You can Zoom small group meetings. You eventually have to say that you equipped your congregation and now they have to take up the challenge themselves. You can let go of a ton of anxiety by trusting your people - trusting that they take faith seriously and will continue to grow even when physically separated from your care. As far a spiritual study and growth are concerned, I cannot say what you will or will not do during this crisis, but I can say that you know better. Your ministry area leaders and teachers have equipped you to do the good work of growth. How you choose to grow during this time is up to you. I have continu- ously been impressed by the depth of spiritual maturity in this church, so don’t let me down. This is not a time to take a break from the church or your faith. It is a chance to take the extra time and grow deeper. Perhaps God can use this time of slowing to draw our attention to the important things. Holy Week is next week, and it will be a different experience for sure. We won’t have our usual Holy Week services in person. You’ll have to watch a Maundy Thursday video. Palm Sunday won’t have the children processing with palm branches. Easter will be live-streamed and in our parking lot. Neverthe- less, God is with us. Let’s take the time this upcoming week to focus on the Holy Week story in scrip- ture. I’ve included a list of the scripture readings for each day of Holy Week for you to take the time to read. (see inside page) The readings are for Year A in the Revised Common Lectionary. The Lectionary is a three-year cycle of scripture readings to assist in worship and study. Keith
Transcript
THE GOOD NEWS April 2, 2020
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From the Pastor …..
I’ve worked with many wise preachers. They’ve taught me tons of things about ministry and life. As I soaked in their wisdom, I recall one thing that Billy Ray Stonestreet would tell me about fatherhood. At the time, I was a single guy serving in youth ministry, so I had strong ideas about how one should parent a child. Everyone does when they don’t have any. What he told me stuck with me, and I’ve taken it as my saying ever since.
What was this chunk of wisdom? He would say, “I won’t say what my children will or won’t do. I’ll just say they know better.” That’s super-wise, right? It saves you from getting your foot stuck in your mouth later if they do something foolish. I can’t say what they’ll do. I’ll just say they know better.
As I’ve conversed with pastor friends over the internet, I’ve seen the anxiety level in preachers go up. I hear them asking lots of questions. How can we be the church at a time like this? How are you all making disciples of your people? How are you guaranteeing that everyone stays engaged? How are you ensuring growing faith? How are you making sure they participate in worship?
As I hear all of those questions, Billy Ray’s words echo, and I answer my friends, “you can’t.” You can give resources. You can send out videos. You can live stream and have a Drive-In church service. You can Zoom small group meetings. You eventually have to say that you equipped your congregation and now they have to take up the challenge themselves. You can let go of a ton of anxiety by trusting your people - trusting that they take faith seriously and will continue to grow even when physically separated from your care.
As far a spiritual study and growth are concerned, I cannot say what you will or will not do during this crisis, but I can say that you know better. Your ministry area leaders and teachers have equipped you to do the good work of growth. How you choose to grow during this time is up to you. I have continu-ously been impressed by the depth of spiritual maturity in this church, so don’t let me down. This is not a time to take a break from the church or your faith. It is a chance to take the extra time and grow deeper. Perhaps God can use this time of slowing to draw our attention to the important things.
Holy Week is next week, and it will be a different experience for sure. We won’t have our usual Holy Week services in person. You’ll have to watch a Maundy Thursday video. Palm Sunday won’t have the children processing with palm branches. Easter will be live-streamed and in our parking lot. Neverthe-less, God is with us. Let’s take the time this upcoming week to focus on the Holy Week story in scrip-ture. I’ve included a list of the scripture readings for each day of Holy Week for you to take the time to read. (see inside page)
The readings are for Year A in the Revised Common Lectionary. The Lectionary is a three-year cycle of scripture readings to assist in worship and study.
Keith
PRAYER CONCERNS
HEALING OF CANCER
Dorothy & Ed Spencer (parents of John Spencer) Johnny Clark Jerry Brewer Renee King (teacher at Magnolia Heights) Ali Moore Mary Oswalt Jimmy Hansboro (friend of the Barnards) Gayle Hillhouse (friend of Signy Givens) Katie Hughey (sister-in-law of Turner and Beth Hughey) Sara Ingram-Hitt (mother of Teresa Roberson) Proby Dulaney (friend of Bill & Lynda Battle) Hilda Young (friend of the Tim & Brenda Sexton) Thomas McCollum (nephew of Inez McMichael) Bernadean Taylor Morganti Valerie Wilson (daughter of former member Bob Wilson) Kaiden Hughes (friend of Godbold family) Gail DeMore (friend of Terry & Clarann Spence)
FRIENDS AND FAMILY Luke Lipscomb (son of Mark & Shannon Lipscomb) Marie Coleman Jamie Hogg Vivian & Noel Blankenship (friends of Inez McMichael) Lee Bourland Joe Whitwell Albert & Fay Tomlin (friends of Peggy Williams) Kam Spencer Pat Gabbert Owen Torti (grandson of Gene Torti — friend of Glenda Rhodes) Dr. Jim Taylor Kathryn Gabbert Barbara Rone (niece of George Rone) Lindsey Todd David Rhodes Frank Collins (friend of Cliff & Nicole O’Conner) Billie Massey Lindsey Criswell Ronnie Taylor (friend of Len Durr) Pat Hughes Lindsey Cade Lisa Lucius (friend of Mary Ann Walker) Cohen Perkins (grandson of Sarah Perkins)
Mackie Dettor (friend of Jerry & Ellen Clark) Steven Dossett (son of Ken Dossett) Jerry Dossett (brother of Ken Dossett)
AT HOME
Jim Coyle Max & Sue Walker
NURSING/RETIREMENT HOME Sue Anthony (Providence — mother of Marvin Lishman) Len Durr (Providence) Les Dicken (VA Retirement Home—Oxford) George Rone (Providence) Horace Hankins (Senatobia Health Care & Rehab) Jessie Anna Puryear (Madison) Bernie Taylor (Germantown—The Village of Germantown)
MILITARY SERVICE Landon Riley (great-grandson of George Rone) David Meacham (son of Bob Meacham) Brian Englund (nephew of Val Lyle) David Neal (brother of Beth Dickerson) Tyler Williams (Korea — cousin of Rhonda Mitrik)
Bobby Weeks (grandson-in-law of Mr. & Mrs. Robert Eoff) Members of Mississippi National Guard Units
Please report to the church office any changes that need to be made to our Prayer List.
Please contact the church office when changes need to be made.
STEWARDSHIP March 29, 2020
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
2020 Operating Budget $602,055.00
Received to Date $114,103.88
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION
10:00 a.m. Online Live 48 households
8:45 a.m. Drive-In Worship 45 cars
11:00 a.m. Drive-In Worship 47 cars
Psalm 121 Ministry donation list is located at
each entrance to the sanctuary and also in the Grand Hall. A box for all donations is also placed in the Grand Hall. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Claire McClure.
Matthew 25 Ministries A box is located by the Pastor’s Conference Room for donations of socks for the homeless in Memphis. Any type sock will be welcomed.
1 Corinthians 12:27 “You are the body of Christ and each on of you is a part of it.”
Romans 12:4 “We have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function” Helping Each Other
During this time of tremendous uncertainty, we know that many of our older members and medically compromised members may have fears about getting around crowds and shopping for groceries and essentials. That's where we as a church family want to help. A gracious offer has been made to shop for anyone who feels at risk during these activities. Should you need assistance, please contact the church and let us know. We will then pass that information along to the team to provide that assistance.
Continue to be in prayer during the days ahead and watch for infor-mation about how the developments affect our times together.
John 6 Ministry
"I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. John 6:35 ESV During the school year, some students rely on the two meals a day they re-ceive from the school. When school is not in session students that rely on these meals sometimes go hungry. We have seen this need in our community and would like your help to fill the need. This Summer we are starting a din-ner Ministry for those who do not have access to these meals the schools pro-vide. On Wednesday nights during the summer we will provide a meal open to all those in the community to help fill this immediate physical need. We will also have a time of prayer, give them something to take home, and share the gospel with those who attend these dinners. But we need your help! Sing-up forms to help are online or available in the church office.
Youth Small Group meetings will be held through Zoom around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights. Each group is a little different, so you need to communicate with the group lead-ers as to the specific time.
Sunday night Bible Study through Zoom also, starting this Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
Plans are still on for the M28 Camp. The deadline for sign-ing up and paying your deposit has been pushed to May.
Check with your ministry area chair/staff person for updates
regarding ministry activity.
Some Sunday School Classes are using Zoom each week to
reach their class.
Online Giving
Online giving is one of the easiest ways to make a contribution to the church. It’s safe and can be set up for a one-time donation or continuous giving. You can change it or cancel it at any time. There is a link at the bottom of our webpage (senatobiafumc.org/give-sonnect) that will take you directly to E-Giving. Set up an account and begin giving online within minutes.
We have now added the Building Fund so that you can give directly to that account.
Using ACH (Electronic Check) as opposed to a Debit Credit Card transaction costs the church less in processing fees. Senatobiafumc.org/give-connect
You may also mail your contributions to the church at:
We will have a joint finance, trustees, and leadership council meeting using Zoom on Monday, April 6, 2020. The meeting will start at 6:00 PM.
If you've never used Zoom, there are several ways to participate. If you aren't around a computer or don't want to download the app, you can use the call-in number. If you are using your smart phone, tablet, or computer, click the link provided and it will prompt you to download the required software (or open the software if it's already downloaded). You do not need to sign up for a zoom account to join the meeting.
Remember that this is on the app/web platform Zoom. We will not meet in person at the church.
Please let me know if you have any questions. You can email Keith directly ([email protected]). This is a joint informa-tional meeting concerning the recent events.
SPRC ZOOM MEETING
We will have a SPRC meeting using Zoom on Wednesday, April 8, 2020. The meeting will start at 6:00 PM. If you've never used Zoom, there are several ways to participate. If you aren't around a computer or don't want to download the app, you can use the call-in number. If you are using your smart phone, tablet, or computer, click the link provided and it will prompt you to download the required software (or open the software if it's already downloaded). You do not need to sign up for a zoom account to join the meeting. Again, this is a Zoom (teleconference) meeting. We will not meet at the church. Please let me know if you have any questions. You can email Keith directly at [email protected].
