New resources that are available in the Children’s Ministry Hallway.
4 New take Home Bags:
Miracles of Jesus
John The Baptist
Being Special and Being Loved
Kindness
For more info, contact Lisa Michelle Wilson
Lisa@1stumc.org
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Children’s Ministry Resources
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Final Week of "And The Survey Says..."
This will be the third and final week of our sermon series entitled, "And The Survey Says..." So far we have answered your questions about Judgment in Haiti, Sins, and last week we answered the question "What is a Methodist." This final week we are opening up the floor and taking your questions directly on Sunday morning. It is our hope to give time to 5-7 questions each service that comes from the congregation via cards or text message.
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Andover Office Closed Today
Everyone stay inside if you can and stay safe! We will be open on Thursday again from 9:00am to Noon.
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Tuesday, February 2, 2010
What Makes A Methodist?
Good question and one that we will be discussing this weekend. I am excited to say that Ken Kinghorn and Jerry Mercer will be joining me for the sermon time as we tackle this question about Methodism. From the earliest of times Methodism has been a movement of people who are concerned about growing close to Christ, caring for the less fortunate, and making a difference in their communities. We will explore our heritage and what it means for us today. Look forward to seeing you at either 9:40 or 11:00.
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Monday, February 1, 2010
Thank You Sunday School Teachers
Wanted to take a moment to thank our Sunday School leaders for a great beginning to 2010. Yesterday, during a cold and snowy day, we set a record attendance in Sunday School! This does not begin to happen without a group of dedicated and talented teachers who give of themselves unselfishly each week. As I said on Sunday, Sunday School is the place to get connected, grow, and be cared for. If you haven't found a class yet, this is a great time to start.
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Visitors to the Andover Blogsite; Thanks for your support!
Andover Site
This Year's Visits and Page Views by Month
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Sunday, January 31, 2010
Sermon Manuscript: And the Survey Says 2010...Why Do I Continue to Struggle with the Same Old Sin(s)??
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Saturday, January 30, 2010
Weather Update
We will have services tomorrow at Andover. As always, please do not get out if you at all feel uncomfortable!
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Wednesday, January 27, 2010
And the Survey Says Sermon Series
For the upcoming week we are asking the question, "Why do I continue to struggle with the same old sin(s)?" Have you ever asked God to free you from something particular in your life only to find that it might go away for a little while and then come back more controlling than ever?Hebrews 12 in the King James Version calls these "besetting" sins and cautions us that they weigh us down in the life that God has called us to live. How do we begin to deal with these struggles?
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Monday, January 25, 2010
Andover Update
SECOND SERVICE (which is actually the 1st service!)
Things are working smoothly with the 9:40 service in terms of flow and service format. We continue to be recognize the need for people to come in after the service starts and go to Sunday School or to the choir room. At this point, we have not noticed this to be a disturbance and are encouraged by that fact. We do need to be mindful to NOT have conversations in the back as the sound travels all over the Sanctuary even in whisper tones.
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Sunday, January 24, 2010
Sermon Manuscript: And the Survey Says 2010...Did God Judge the People of Haiti Through the Earthquake?
Text: Jeremiah 21:1-10, Matthew 5:38-48
Each time we have a natural disaster, some well meaning person makes comments about “why” these things happen. And instead of admitting that no one really knows, they usually try find a way to assign blame on the people of the area. It is no different this time with the earthquake in Haiti. Some well meaning TV commentator made the case that 200 years ago the Haitian people made a pact with the devil and God is finally getting around to punishing them. He boldly stated that the earthquake was a judgment on the people of Haiti for their sin. So this morning we are going to look at this important question of judgment, sin, and God’s wrath. Should be a load of fun! But, in all seriousness, this is important that we deal with this subject as earnestly as we can.
Let me begin by walking through a few facts that we build our faith around. First of all, God is omnipotent (all-powerful) and omniscient (all-knowing). While this sounds good on the surface, it also comes with some distinct uncomfortable moments for us. Since God is all-powerful and all-knowing, that means God knew about the earthquake and could have stopped it but did not. I told you this was not going to be easy. But that is why it is called a faith journey and not a scientific experiment or a debate or a philosophy.
God’s omnipotence and omniscience leads to the natural question, “Is God heartless, disinterested, or simply cruel?” No. We must go back to Genesis to understand geologically why these sort of things happen. Earthquakes, tsunamis, tornados and other natural disasters are a result of a creation that has gotten off-course due to humanity’s sinful actions. What began in Genesis 1 and 2 as a world created “good” turns decidedly “not good” in Genesis 3 when sin is introduced into the world. Not only does humanity suffer the consequences through our imperfect bodies that are susceptible to disease and final death, but we also suffer injustice in this world, and many other things which were never intended but are now a reality due to sin. Natural disasters were not God’s intention for creation. Romans 8 helps us understand this idea when it says,
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” (Romans 8:18-25 TNIV)
These things came about as a result of humanity’s sinful nature. In a way, they are a judgment, or maybe better put, a reminder that things are not as they should be. I told you this would not be too comfortable.
Secondly, there is such a thing as judgment. This life does have consequences. It is not a free ride. This life matters. And for that we should all be grateful. For it is far too difficult a journey to be taken in vain.
What we see in Scripture is a distinct progressive revelation of judgment. As time moved forward from Adam and Eve through Moses to King David to the period of the Exile through Jesus, we see a progressively growing understanding of God by how God relates to the people. God did judge the people in the Old Testament in some pretty harsh ways up to and including natural disasters such as Noah’s flood, Sodom and Gomorrah’s fire from heaven, and there were assorted plagues such as what took place in Egypt during Moses’ time. As nations began to emerge upon the earth, God began to use other nations to bring judgment more than any other way. And most of the time, the nation’s God chose to use were vile and pagan. It was a sign to the people of Israel of how far off course they were if God would choose to use such nations. Jeremiah 21 shows just such a time.
Let me set the context for us. Israel, the nation, is in the final stages of existence. It is approximately 588 B.C.E and the Babylonians led by King Nebudchanezzar are at the gates of Jerusalem ready to destroy it. King Zedekiah, the last king of Israel, asks his advisors to go inquire of the Lord about their fate. The advisors went to the prophet Jeremiah and asked him to inquire of the Lord on behalf of the king. Instead of hope and salvation, Jeremiah brings these words of doom and gloom.
Jer. 21:3 (TNIV) But Jeremiah answered them, “Tell Zedekiah, 4 ‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I am about to turn against you the weapons of war that are in your hands, which you are using to fight the king of Babylon and the Babylonians who are outside the wall besieging you. And I will gather them inside this city. 5 I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm in furious anger and in great wrath. 6 I will strike down those who live in this city—both people and animals—and they will die of a terrible plague. 7 After that, declares the LORD, I will give Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials and the people in this city who survive the plague, sword and famine, into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who seek their lives. He will put them to the sword; he will show them no mercy or pity or compassion.’
Imagine that as a bedtime story for your kids? Johnny, you child of God, then your heavenly Father said he would bring plagues, swords and famine on the people called the Chosen Ones. Night, night. Sweet dreams. Did I say that today would not make you real comfortable?
I want you to notice who this section of Scripture is directed at. It is the leadership of Israel.
Jeremiah, the prophet of sweet dreams continues. No wonder this guy only got one convert in his life of preaching!
Jer. 21:8 (TNIV) “Furthermore, tell the people, ‘This is what the LORD says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. 9 Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; they will escape with their lives. 10 I have determined to do this city harm and not good, declares the LORD. It will be given into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he will destroy it with fire.’
Who is this section of prophecy directed to? The people in the city. Jeremiah relays the information to the people that Jerusalem is about to fall. If they want to save their lives they need to go and surrender to the Babylonians right away. Do not wait until they get into the city. Go right now and submit to the authority of the raiding forces. What a strange way to save the people? Submit to the enemy and you will be saved?
The trend we begin to see is that God uses judgment as a way to hold the leaders accountable while protecting the people by giving them an opportunity to seek safety.
The other theme we see is that the way of salvation is submission. Follow God’s plan and find salvation. Ignore God’s plan and find destruction. Not only in this section do we see it, but throughout the Bible it holds true.
As human history progressed, we reached what the Bible calls the “fullness of time” in the person of Jesus. And with Jesus, we begin to see judgment in a new light. In the New Testament we see a picture of God’s judgment having an end of days focus. In Matthew 28, Jesus told us that God had given him all authority in heaven and earth. Part of this authority is judgment which is declared to us in Revelation 21:1-8. . Are there current consequences for sin? Absolutely. You don’t have to go much past the seat you are sitting to find a life that has suffered consequences for poor choices.
But Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 how the Father in heaven views this world when he says,
Matt. 5:38 (TNIV) “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’f 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
This passage shows that God is more concerned about grace than reciprocity. Why would he tell us to turn the other cheek and then go about wiping out tens of thousands of people? Many of whom were innocent victims. In my estimation, God does not.
The earthquake in Haiti was not a judgment of the people of Haiti any more than Katrina was a judgment on New Orleans or Ike was a judgment on Galveston. In fact, if God is in heaven waiting to wipe us out for past sins and mistakes, none of us better rest easy in our beds tonight. But that is not how God views this world. Here is how God views this world per John 3:16,
“For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him will not die but have everlasting life.”
God is not looking for an opportunity to strike us down. God is looking for every opportunity to lift us up. And that includes the people of Haiti prior to two weeks ago and it is the same for the people of Haiti today. May we not get hung-up on “why” this happened but “how” we can make it better. For that is God’s heart. And that is our call.
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Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Devotional Thought from Genesis
Genesis 15: 1-6 says,
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Monday, January 18, 2010
And The Survey Says...Part 3
It is January, and that must mean we are ready for our third annual installment of the sermon series entitled, "And The Survey Says..." This is a time that we talk about your questions about the Bible, theology, Methodism, social issues or anything else that is on your mind concerning your spiritual journey. Each year this series has been impactful and informative as we wrestle with your great questions.
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Sunday, January 17, 2010
Sermon Manuscript: I Believe! Help My Unbelief! Part 2
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Saturday, January 16, 2010
UMCOR Chief Dies in Haiti
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Friday, January 15, 2010
Health Kits Being Assembled January 21st
Next Thursday evening, January 21st, beginning at 5:00pm and lasting until 7:00pm, we will be gathering at Andover to put together UMCOR Health Kits for the earthquake victims in Haiti. The following is a press release from UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) with instructions and items that need to be place in the kits.
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Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Haiti Update
Here is an update from UMCOR. They have opened up an advance number which will make sure all funds received get to Haiti directly. Remember that with UMCOR, every dollar given goes directly to the field. This is made possible by the generous people of the United Methodist Church funding the budgetary needs directly through our apportionment giving.
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Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Quake in Haiti...
Here is a partial story from the AP about the disaster in Haiti. Be in prayer for those affected by the quake. We are monitoring UMCOR's (United Methodist Committee on Relief) response to see how we can help in the relief efforts.Strong quake hits Haiti; hospital collapses
By JONATHAN M. KATZ Associated Press
Jan. 12, 2010, 9:23PM
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Sunday, January 10, 2010
Sermon Manuscript: I Believe! Help My Unbelief!
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