Remembering Judy

Let me share these thoughts with you... My deepest condolences go out to Andy and Angie Ellefson for the loss of Angie’s mom. Almost every Sunday, for over two years, we have been blessed in worship by Judy and Eddie Jenson. Neither are members of the church. In fact they have their own church to which they belong; but, they have been supportive and encouraging of our two year old, contemporary worship service. I have enjoyed tremendously getting to know them. Judy was always smiling, encouraging – a fine, sensitive, sweet soul. I particularly love the way she would sweep her granddaughters into her arms. She would hold them in her lap, tease one of the girls with the nickname, spankenheimer... Her love for her family and God were immense.

Judy passed away very unexpectedly on Thursday (March 1st) even as Eddie was driving her to the hospital. She wasn’t feeling well. I understand her last words to Eddie, as he was driving, were “I love you.” Judy, we will miss you. You have been a joy to us all and we love you. We will be here to support Eddie and Angie and the family in any way we can.

Pastor Patrick and the Milton United Methodist Church.

Preaching at Cedar Crest

A couple of weeks ago I was asked to lead the worship service, and give the message, for Cedar Crest in Janesville at their Sunday evening worship service. Now, this is a busy time for me since Lent had started on Ash Wednesday and I was already preaching three times a week. So, I did what anyone might do and I complained to my wife about having to go. I was tired. I didn't want to take extra time away from my family (I do enough of that already). I didn't want to prepare another sermon. But, I went anyway... kicking and screaming, so to speak!

When I got to Cedar Crest I was warmly welcomed by Terrance and Bess - two of the elderly helpers. Bess gave me a bulletin and walked me through the order of worship. I had some time before service began and went around visiting with some of the people who gathered for worship. Their ages ranged from mid-twenties to mid-eighties. One lady, a Lutheran, came to these worship services even though she was not a resident at Cedar Crest. What a wonderful group of people! There were probably 30-40 in attendance for worship that evening.

And, what a great service it was, too! The organ was played by a blind woman named Carolyn Schultz (no relation). I could have listened to her play all evening. The prayer time was uplifting and the message went well. Many of the people shared with me how meaningful the service was and what a wonderful message.

I talked with one of the residents, John, for a long time after the service. He is a retired pastor from the Iowa conference. He enjoyed the message, the walking through scripture – likened me to a Jesuit priest he knew – I think this was a compliment!

By the time I left the service I found my spirits uplifted and I had been fed. What a joy. In the midst of my weariness and complaining, God had been at work within me. What a blessing.

Sometimes we don't want to do what God is calling us to do. But I think we find that if we go, even if we have to go kicking and screaming, if we go we will be pleasantly surprised by how God can be at work in us. What a blessing.

Preaching today

This summer I am beginning a doctoral program with an emphasis in preaching. The doctorate is through the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS) and I will be working through Garrett Evangelical Seminary. I spend a fair amount of time studying preaching because I would like to improve my own delivery, content, theological soundness...

Some of the great preachers I appreciate are: Peter Marshall, Ellsworth Kalas, Fred Craddock (learning to appreciate him more), Gerald Kennedy, Harry Emerson Fosdick. There are probably a few more I really enjoy and get a lot from, but here's my question to you.

Do you have a preacher that has stood out for you? What is it that makes that preacher so good, in your opinion? Is it content, is it delivery, is it style? What makes a preacher good?

Is this preacher someone who has helped you grow spiritually (maybe even theologically) through the sermon? Has this preacher encouraged you to delve deeper into scripture or brought it to life somehow?

What makes a preacher good? Your thoughts would be appreciated and helpful to me.

Putting On The Heart of Christ

A couple of weeks ago I completed a sermon series entitled, "Putting On the Heart of Christ". Throughout this series we looked at several key areas of our lives where we could be more like Christ including: Freedom (freedom of the heart to worship and follow Christ), Gratitude, Reverence, Generosity and Faith.

In the midst of this sermon series Brenda, Grace and I had to go to Kentucky to spend some time with her father who had been recently diagnosed with colon cancer. While we were there my father-in-law had unexpected open heart surgery instead of the scheduled colon surgery.

The heart surgery went well. The colon surgery pushed back several weeks. The evening following surgery, Brenda was driving to the hospital while Gracie and I were at the hotel room. She called me en-route. The front tire on my Saturn VUE was smoking! Do you ever get that sinking feeling in your stomach when you receive unexpected, bad news?

What was I supposed to do? I'm in the hotel room with Gracie (my four year old daughter). We've got no other vehicle. No one to call. Yipe!

Brenda pulled over in parking lot of a lawn care business. The owner of the business was just coming out, saw her standing there and went to see how he could help. He ended up taking a look at the tire; test drove the VUE, and then said his mechanic can look at it in the morning.

Here is the reflection of God’s generosity in the people around us at work. He drove Brenda back to the hotel. The next day had his mechanic call the auto places in town until he found all the needed parts. He had his mechanic do all the necessary work. He called me at the hotel the next afternoon (while the car was being worked on) to see if we needed a ride anywhere or if we needed lunch. That evening he sent a driver to pick me up – the car was fixed and he only charged us for the parts – no charge for labor.

He knew we were from out of town and that Brenda’s dad was in the hospital and wanted to do what ever he could to help. I am very grateful to the generosity of this man. He was "Putting On the Heart of Christ"

We strive, as a church and as followers of Christ, to put on the heart of Christ - to be more Christ-like. In a world where the negative, bad things are most often emphasized, it is wonderful to see someone living as Christ would have us live.

Thank you Robert Prichard.

Tebowing - hmmmm.

Most Americans love football and faith. Tim Tebow, Denver quarterback, has mixed the two and sparked quite some debate about the public expression of religion. One of the controversial points has been his wearing of scriptural reference on the eye black (marks under his eyes) such as John 3:16.

The Barna Group did a recent survey to see if the typical American knew the significance of this reference. Could Americans identify what the “3:16” meant? And could they know, without predetermined choices what the “3” means?

Overall nearly 7 out of 10 Americans (68%) were able to identify without prompting that the “3” meant chapter 3. More than 3 out of 10 (15%) gave an incorrect guess or ventured no guess. 18-27 year olds had a lower basic understanding rate than the overall national average (61%). Practicing Protestant Christians (80%) were more likely than practicing Catholics (66%) to understand the reference. Interestingly enough, a majority of the people outside Christianity (59%), including those affiliated with another faith or atheists or agnostics, said they understood the “3” references the chapter.

I think it’s interesting that relatively speaking so many people know what these numbers refer to. Most Americans have at least some knowledge of the Bible and a connection to Christianity. In respect to Tebow, I wonder what would happen if more people were less concerned with public opinion and shared their faith more ‘audibly’. After all, Jesus reminds us in Matthew 10: “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim (shout!) from the rooftops.”

If you are not from the Milton WI area, but would like to follow/hear any of my sermons, please log onto our website at www.miltonumc.org. Click on the Sermon Archive menu and you will be able to listen to our sermons.

Blessings to you,

Patrick

A Renewed Commitment to Grow and Invite

The beginning of each year our church gathers and talks about new goals for the new year. One goal we discussed was not necessarily new, but one we wanted to bring emphasis and intentionality to. This is the goal of invitation.

Jesus calls us to “make disciples”. We are called to invite others into a relationship with Christ. There are a variety of ways in which we do this. At Milton UMC we have quite a few different connection opportunities each month. We host family oriented events, ministry and mission happenings, fellowship gatherings, study groups… such as: a Family Bowling day, a fall car show, our annual Valentine's Spaghetti Dinner, MOME’s free clothing exchange, the GIFTS men's homeless shelter, the Share Food Program… We have Bible study classes, Sunday school classes, exercise groups, Girl Scouts… We have missions’ trips to various places in the US. And of course we have our weekly worship services – traditional and contemporary styles with voice choir, bell choir, guitar, piano, drums... depending on which service you attend.

There is so much good happening in our church. And this church is doing so much to reach out in our community – sometimes I think we are just busting at the seams! This doesn’t mean we are perfect. We don’t offer something for absolutely everyone. But I believe we can offer a message of hope to the people we know, who don’t have a church home.

If you are a member or regular attender of MUMC, would you think about whom you know – this may not be a close friend but an acquaintance or neighbor – that would really benefit from an invitation? Invite that person to come to worship and then brunch afterwards. Invite that person to our Valentine's Spaghetti Dinner and then church on Sunday morning. Invite that person to one of the Bible study classes and then a church service the following Sunday.

If you aren't a member or attendee of MUMC, but attend another church, this same request holds true for you. Invite someone into a relationship with Jesus Christ through your church. More people come to be a part of a church through invitation than any other means. More people stay active in a church when invited to participate in ministry, music, media, mission, bible study, children and youth groups... because they are invited.

MUMC has much to offer and many people want to be connected. They are just waiting for that invitation. Let's share this good news, this great joy, with the people around us. Make it a priority this year to invite people into a relationship - to be a part of your church.

Blessings to you my friends,

Patrick

Christian Cancer Support Group

Recently, I was invited to participate in the first Christian Cancer Support Group meeting of Milton – being held at the Gathering Place. I was asked to lead the opening prayer, give a brief message, and close our time together with prayer. I also volunteered to be available for any private prayer or counseling with individuals as needed.

15 poeple, who have been touched with cancer in some way, attended. Many had experienced their own cancer diagnosis ranging from thyroid to ovarian to breast to skin to non-Hodgkin’s… . Several were there as caretakers living with cancer patients. At least one person had experienced the loss of a daughter and wife recently to cancer.

An important part of my message to this group was that this support group would not be the typical support group. It would be different in that at the center – the core of this new ministry – would be Jesus Christ. Hence, the ‘Christian Cancer Support Group’ with a mission statement emphasizing the importance of providing a caring “Spiritual Oasis” for anyone touched by cancer. This is a time and place where we can feed the spirit and the body. This is a group of people dedicated to providing not only emotional support but spiritual encouragement as well.

Listening to the stories of these people was heart rending in one way, but very affirming in another. Stories of tragedies endured through cancer diagnosis and treatments were shared, but also (and most importantly) was how their faith in Christ was either renewed, affirmed or strengthened during this time.

While the voice of hope, comfort and encouragement is found throughout both our Old and New testaments I think the Apostle Paul writes something especially significant to us. He writes to the people of Corinth as they find themselves struggling.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. … So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

We do not lose heart. We must not lose heart. We must find our strength in Jesus Christ and through the support, encouragement, listening and sharing and praying of each one of us. Together you will help make a difference in the life of another cancer survivor.

For more information on the Christian Cancer Support Group contact Steve Hynds (608-290-6932) or Paula Schutt at the Gathering Place (868-3500) or our Milton UMC church office (868-2860).

Faithful Giving

I’d like to extend a special 'thank you' to the folks of Milton and especially the families on Chicago Street and High Street. Each Friday following Thanksgiving Day I hand deliver a personalized letter asking families to fill a grocery bag (which I provide thanks to Jason at the Piggly Wiggly) with non-perishable food and toiletry items. I deliver the letter to about 45-50 homes. In my message I say that I will pick up and deliver these items to the Milton Food Pantry the following Friday.

Each year my “city block community” responds faithfully and helps provide for the families of our community who are in need. This year was no different! On December 2nd I picked up 23 bags of groceries and assorted items, including one very large box. I dropped these items off at the Milton Food Pantry. In four years this city block community has given over 95-105 bags and boxes of food, toiletries, and assorted stuff! What a blessing!

Thanksgiving and Christmas are a time of celebration and rejoicing, gifts and big meals, family gatherings and more. Yet many in our community are feeling the pinch of the economy and may not celebrate with big meals because the cupboards are bare. The gifts may not be as plentiful as one would like. Some may not have family to share with. Yet because of the generosity of the community, and people like you, we can help.

This Advent and Christmas season I’d like you to give thought and prayer to where you might be able to help out someone in need. Do you know a family that won’t have a Christmas meal? Someone who is staying home, by him or herself, at Christmas? Someone who needs to hear the message of Jesus Christ and the peace and grace a personal relationship with Christ brings? How can you help? Who can you invite to worship with you?

Blessings to you my friends. I’ll see you on Sunday!

The Gift of An Eraser

This Sunday we continue sharing the gifts God has blessed us with by opening The Gift of An Eraser. Do you remember playing those games as a child and someone would call out, ‘Do Over!’. We need a do over! And all the children, some grumbling but most eagerly accepting would do just that – do it over. Whatever was done incorrectly, whatever mistake had been made was erased. As if it had never happened.

Don’t you wish you could do that in real life? I said something I didn’t mean to – oops, do over! I made a huge mistake – do over! In reality we can’t always have a do over. There are consequences for our actions that we need to take in to consideration and live out. Ideally, we take those consequences in mind, before saying or doing or responding to a situation… but we don’t always do that.

Yet we can be a part of wiping the slate clean and starting over, letting go, forgetting and moving on. This is an important part of our relationships with one another and with God. Christ teaches we are to forgive 70 times 7 the one who has hurt, offended, or disappointed us. As important as this is, we must learn to forgive ourselves as well. Do not carry the weight of past mistakes on your shoulders. Let them go. Christ forgives you. You can forgive you.

Blessings to you my friends,

Patrick

Holiday Spending...

I came across this suggestion for holiday spending in an email sent to me from Church of the Resurrection. I thought I’d share it with you, as many of us get ready to do our Christmas shopping (or find ourselves in the midst of our shopping!)


• Create a budget before you start spending – The first step in smart holiday spending is to create a budget. List the areas in which you will spend money and assign dollar amounts to each area. Be realistic or you will be tempted to change the budget midway and that will defeat the purpose of your budget. The budget is there to tell you how much you can spend. Keeping to your budget is the smart way to shop.

• Shop with a list – Make a list of everything that you intend to buy and stick to your plan. Don't buy anything that is not on your list unless you absolutely must.

• Set expectations – Have the "talk" with your family to see if you can exchange names for the adults and place a dollar figure on the amount to be spent on the gift. If the budget will be tight, let everybody know ahead of time and you will all be on the same page.

• Make your own gifts – Everybody loves a gift that comes from the heart. If you are handy or artistic, you might consider making your own gifts for family and friends. Gift baskets of homemade foods, picture books, crafts and artwork are all great ideas.

• Do your homework – Do your homework before you leave the house. Know where the sales are. Many stores price match, so always ask “for your best price” especially on large ticket items. Look for coupons and discounts at every opportunity.

• Shop with a plan – Never go shopping without a plan on where you are going to go and what you are going to buy. This will avoid those impulse purchases.

• Track your spending – Make a list of everything that you buy and how much it cost. Comparing your spending with your budget can keep you on track and prevent you from spending more than you originally planned.

Hope this helps!

Blessings to you this Christmas,

Patrick