Last night I was invited to speak at a presentation and viewing for a 40 minute video entitled "Bullied: A Student, a School, and a Case That Made History". The presentation was organized by Robert Alexander, a Milton HS graduate and co-chair for the Fair Wisconsin South Central Action Network. In conjunction with Robert, Brian Juchems, program director for Gay Strait Alliance Safe Schools helped coordinate and present.
In the two hour presentation and ensuing discussions we talked about the problems of bullying. Jamie Nabonzy, the central character in the video, was an Ashland WI student and was bullied throughout his middle and high school days for being gay. He was beaten, kicked, groped, urinated on, and his life was threatened.
I remember middle school and high school days well - even though that was some thirty years ago for me. On occasion I was bullied. On occasion I stood by while others were bullied. I think I remember mostly being afraid during those times. As I watched the Jamie Nabonzy video, I remember a feeling of anger at his treatment and wondered that none of the bystanders stepped in to help. Of course, I don't believe I ever stepped in to help someone else who was being bullied back in my day. I seem to remember a feeling of relief that I wasn't the target.
It's now thirty years later and I'm no longer afraid and no longer content to be a bystander. My question is - what do I do now? How can I help be a part of the solution for those who suffer the abuse, mistreatment, ridicule, embarrassment... of being bullied. Bullies target many types of people - not just GLBT. The target can be someone too tall, too short, too fat, too skinny, too nerdy, too .... The target is someone who is perceived different and vulnerable.
Being different is not something to be ashamed of or to try to hide. Nor is being different a reason for being targeted - although it happens. God has made each one of us uniquely different for a reason. We may not understand that reason nor always appreciate it. Yet, Jesus gave to us a commandment that we are to love one another as we do ourselves. In other words, we should treat others as we would like to be treated.
I plan on inviting Robert and Brian to our church for a showing of the video and open discussion as we get into the new year. Perhaps that is my first step towards helping and no longer standing by.
Peace to you my friends,
Patrick
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Pirates of the Wisconsi-bean
This Sunday morning I cancelled our worship services due to inclement weather - snow, ice, blowing and freezing temps gave cause to question as to whether we should hold services or not. Better sense prevailed when I received call after call (I had made it to the church office myself) from ushers, advent candle lighters and readers, and our Sunday School director saying they were snowed in and were not coming to church.
Typically, I strongly dislike canceling service because it is the one time a week about 150-180 of us come together to worship our Lord, sing & pray together, and hang out. So, with a bit of down-heartedness I placed the notice on our website, contacted the local radio/newspaper station listing cancelations, and changed our church answering machine. I then went back home.
Earlier this week my three and a half year old daughter wanted to play pirates. I had promised we would do that this weekend. So... instead of feeling down, I thought to myself - here's a wonderful opportunity to make hats, eye patches, telescopes and even a sword or two.
Our cedar chest was our ship; Jackson the dog was the shark. Together the three of us arghed, ayed, and matey-ed the afternoon away. In a very real way this was part of our worship of the Lord. God calls us to be in a wonderful, healthy and happy relationship with one another.
I am thankful for the extra time we had together as a family. Usually half my Sunday is consumed with church services. This way I had some morning time with Brenda and Grace. Some present wrapping time while they napped. Some pirate time in the afternoon and evening. And felt very blessed by the love of my family and Christ.
Blessings to you all.
Peace out
Patrick
Typically, I strongly dislike canceling service because it is the one time a week about 150-180 of us come together to worship our Lord, sing & pray together, and hang out. So, with a bit of down-heartedness I placed the notice on our website, contacted the local radio/newspaper station listing cancelations, and changed our church answering machine. I then went back home.
Earlier this week my three and a half year old daughter wanted to play pirates. I had promised we would do that this weekend. So... instead of feeling down, I thought to myself - here's a wonderful opportunity to make hats, eye patches, telescopes and even a sword or two.
Our cedar chest was our ship; Jackson the dog was the shark. Together the three of us arghed, ayed, and matey-ed the afternoon away. In a very real way this was part of our worship of the Lord. God calls us to be in a wonderful, healthy and happy relationship with one another.
I am thankful for the extra time we had together as a family. Usually half my Sunday is consumed with church services. This way I had some morning time with Brenda and Grace. Some present wrapping time while they napped. Some pirate time in the afternoon and evening. And felt very blessed by the love of my family and Christ.
Blessings to you all.
Peace out
Patrick
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The Need To Do Church Differently...
Recently Adam Hamilton asked a question of his Facebook friends: "What are the five most important qualities of pastoral leaders that create or lead vibrant, alive churches?" He received 55+ responses and then followed up with another question: "What is the one thing that could strengthen current and future pastoral leaders in the UMC that would have the greatest possible impact on reversing the decline of the church?"
These are excellent questions and ones (especially the latter) that I have been asking myself. This last year I began research, asking the vital question, why is our denomination declining? Statistics reveal a number of startling indications:
1) The percentage of Americans claiming "no religion" has almost doubled in two decades, climbing from 8.1% in 1990 to 15% in 1980 (ChristianityToday, Nov. 23, 2010).
2) Young Americans are dripping out of religion at a rate of five to six times the historic rate (30-40% have no religion today, vs. the 5-10% of a generation ago) (Putnam and Campbell - American Grace)
3) In 2004 UM membership was 8.1 million (Recent Changes in Membership and Attendance in Mainline Protestant Denominations) while a 2008 report showed UM membership fell to 7.7 million.
4) David Kinaman reports in his recent book, UnChristian, that non-church attenders (especially the younger ages) view Christians as: a) hypocritical; b) judgemental; and c) homophobic. This is one of the reasons our teens, tweens and twenty-somethings are turned off from church.
The statistics go on and on, relevant to attendance, participation, financial giving, biblical study participation... In general the UM church (mainline churches across the board) is declining and church leaders (such as mega church pastors like Hamilton, Slaughter, bishops and others) are seeking answers as to why.
I lead a smaller church of around 275-300 members. In the last 3.5 years we have added 76 new members (not an astronomical number by any means - but a significant one for our size especially in light of church reports I read where membership is declining). Many of the new members are younger families - vitally important as our overall mean membership age was in the later 60's - early 70's. We have launched a new mission ministry team that has taken members and non-members (young teens and older adults) to Alaska and Cleveland OH on mission endeavors. Beginning of 2010 we launched a second service of contemporary style. We have added a Sunday night Bible study class, and are involved in numerous community outreach activities and actions that have touched the lives of our locals. Our average attendance has gone from 100 (2007) to 140 (2010), while our annual financial giving has increased $10 - 20,000 each year since 2008.
Why do we seem to have success in growing? I firmly believe it is because:
1) Our church has a vision. It has been cast in our 7-year ministry plan. This plan provides guidance and direction to our church leadership. The key to a successful plan is to continue effective vision casting/communicating to the congregation. This is something I need to continue to do effectively.
2) Our church is turning the corner from being a welcoming church to an inviting church. When I talk with visitors I inevitably ask the question - what do you like about our church? What keeps you coming back (for our repeat visitors). The answer - your church is very welcoming. We feel like this is home to us. The trick is to take this welcoming attitude out into the streets and extend invitations. Welcoming is reactive. Invitation is proactive.
3) The service has to be a quality, worshipful experience from beginning to end. The music has to be good. The media (we utilize slides and video in our services) has to be run well. The message has to be biblically sound, yet relevant to our current day situations. And people need to be fed, so when they leave they are: 1) wanting to come back; 2) wanting to invite someone to join them; 3) feeling like they have received something to nurture them through the week.
Each year our church leadership undertakes a year long study to improve leadership skills and understanding of how Christ calls us to serve those in need, while building the kingdom of God. Last year we studied Rev. Dan Dick's Vital Signs. This year we studied Bishop Schnase's 5 Fruitful Practices. In 2011 we will be taking the first of our annual leadership retreats to worship together, learn together, and become better leaders together.
Last year, I invited several younger and upcoming leaders in our church to participate in a Spiritual Formation group with me. We meet once a month in study of the Bible, mission and ministry callings, how our church needs to grow in following the vision cast through our Church Ministry Plan and to be faithful to God's call upon our own lives. I am keeping the same group, but am adding several new people to the group. I keep in mind that this is the group of people who will be making decisions in the near future regarding our church growth, outreach, ministry and mission. How can I help them grow to hear what God has to tell them, and to be open to God's shaping and forming?
We have also opened our doors and facilities to many of the community groups. We have four Girl Scout troops and one Boy Scout troop which use our building monthly. We have a Strong Women's and Strong Men's workout group which meet twice a week throughout the year. We host the Milton Youth Football for organizational meetings. The Share Food program handles 70-80 people and families each month, providing discounted foods for them. There are other group activities that take place in our church - we have intentionally decided our church doors are open 7-days a week, not only Sunday morning.
This is just a little insight as to why our church is growing and thriving in a time when many are not. As to why the denomination in general is declining, I believe it is because we are struggling with doing church differently. We all need to find ways to reach the unchurched and sometimes that means shedding old ways - even to the possible ire of the "old timers" who insist we do it this way because... well, because that's the way we've always done it.
Our church needs the courage to do church differently, while maintaining scriptural integrity and faith. Our church leaders and especially pastors must be willing to cast the vision and then have the ability to keep the vision before the congregation - communicating it effectively. Our church leaders, not only the pastor!, must be in the community learning the needs of the people of the community. And there must be a desire - a heartfelt desire - to follow God's call for the local church and building of the kingdom of God - even when this goes against what the congregation believes they need. The two do not always go hand-in-hand.
peace out my friends,
Patrick
These are excellent questions and ones (especially the latter) that I have been asking myself. This last year I began research, asking the vital question, why is our denomination declining? Statistics reveal a number of startling indications:
1) The percentage of Americans claiming "no religion" has almost doubled in two decades, climbing from 8.1% in 1990 to 15% in 1980 (ChristianityToday, Nov. 23, 2010).
2) Young Americans are dripping out of religion at a rate of five to six times the historic rate (30-40% have no religion today, vs. the 5-10% of a generation ago) (Putnam and Campbell - American Grace)
3) In 2004 UM membership was 8.1 million (Recent Changes in Membership and Attendance in Mainline Protestant Denominations) while a 2008 report showed UM membership fell to 7.7 million.
4) David Kinaman reports in his recent book, UnChristian, that non-church attenders (especially the younger ages) view Christians as: a) hypocritical; b) judgemental; and c) homophobic. This is one of the reasons our teens, tweens and twenty-somethings are turned off from church.
The statistics go on and on, relevant to attendance, participation, financial giving, biblical study participation... In general the UM church (mainline churches across the board) is declining and church leaders (such as mega church pastors like Hamilton, Slaughter, bishops and others) are seeking answers as to why.
I lead a smaller church of around 275-300 members. In the last 3.5 years we have added 76 new members (not an astronomical number by any means - but a significant one for our size especially in light of church reports I read where membership is declining). Many of the new members are younger families - vitally important as our overall mean membership age was in the later 60's - early 70's. We have launched a new mission ministry team that has taken members and non-members (young teens and older adults) to Alaska and Cleveland OH on mission endeavors. Beginning of 2010 we launched a second service of contemporary style. We have added a Sunday night Bible study class, and are involved in numerous community outreach activities and actions that have touched the lives of our locals. Our average attendance has gone from 100 (2007) to 140 (2010), while our annual financial giving has increased $10 - 20,000 each year since 2008.
Why do we seem to have success in growing? I firmly believe it is because:
1) Our church has a vision. It has been cast in our 7-year ministry plan. This plan provides guidance and direction to our church leadership. The key to a successful plan is to continue effective vision casting/communicating to the congregation. This is something I need to continue to do effectively.
2) Our church is turning the corner from being a welcoming church to an inviting church. When I talk with visitors I inevitably ask the question - what do you like about our church? What keeps you coming back (for our repeat visitors). The answer - your church is very welcoming. We feel like this is home to us. The trick is to take this welcoming attitude out into the streets and extend invitations. Welcoming is reactive. Invitation is proactive.
3) The service has to be a quality, worshipful experience from beginning to end. The music has to be good. The media (we utilize slides and video in our services) has to be run well. The message has to be biblically sound, yet relevant to our current day situations. And people need to be fed, so when they leave they are: 1) wanting to come back; 2) wanting to invite someone to join them; 3) feeling like they have received something to nurture them through the week.
Each year our church leadership undertakes a year long study to improve leadership skills and understanding of how Christ calls us to serve those in need, while building the kingdom of God. Last year we studied Rev. Dan Dick's Vital Signs. This year we studied Bishop Schnase's 5 Fruitful Practices. In 2011 we will be taking the first of our annual leadership retreats to worship together, learn together, and become better leaders together.
Last year, I invited several younger and upcoming leaders in our church to participate in a Spiritual Formation group with me. We meet once a month in study of the Bible, mission and ministry callings, how our church needs to grow in following the vision cast through our Church Ministry Plan and to be faithful to God's call upon our own lives. I am keeping the same group, but am adding several new people to the group. I keep in mind that this is the group of people who will be making decisions in the near future regarding our church growth, outreach, ministry and mission. How can I help them grow to hear what God has to tell them, and to be open to God's shaping and forming?
We have also opened our doors and facilities to many of the community groups. We have four Girl Scout troops and one Boy Scout troop which use our building monthly. We have a Strong Women's and Strong Men's workout group which meet twice a week throughout the year. We host the Milton Youth Football for organizational meetings. The Share Food program handles 70-80 people and families each month, providing discounted foods for them. There are other group activities that take place in our church - we have intentionally decided our church doors are open 7-days a week, not only Sunday morning.
This is just a little insight as to why our church is growing and thriving in a time when many are not. As to why the denomination in general is declining, I believe it is because we are struggling with doing church differently. We all need to find ways to reach the unchurched and sometimes that means shedding old ways - even to the possible ire of the "old timers" who insist we do it this way because... well, because that's the way we've always done it.
Our church needs the courage to do church differently, while maintaining scriptural integrity and faith. Our church leaders and especially pastors must be willing to cast the vision and then have the ability to keep the vision before the congregation - communicating it effectively. Our church leaders, not only the pastor!, must be in the community learning the needs of the people of the community. And there must be a desire - a heartfelt desire - to follow God's call for the local church and building of the kingdom of God - even when this goes against what the congregation believes they need. The two do not always go hand-in-hand.
peace out my friends,
Patrick
Friday, December 3, 2010
It's the Little Things...
Mother Teresa has often been quoted for saying that God doesn't desire us to do great things, but to do little things with great love. How true this is. For the third year in a row I have held my annual Chicago Street Milton Food Pantry Drive and have again met great success with it. Let me preface this all by saying - I am not writing this article to say hey! look at me and what I'm doing! But rather I want to show that the little things we do can make a significant change in someone's life. It's the little things we do with great love that are important.
Each year the day after Thanksgiving I go around our block (the Chicago Street Block) and place a letter attached to a grocery bag (I get bags donated directly from Piggly Wiggly) at each home. Now, each year I've expanded the houses I include to neighboring streets, so technically I'm going beyond the Chicago Street block, but nevertheless...
The letter invites the household to fill the bag with non-perishable items, canned foods, toiletries... all which will be donated and delivered to our Milton Food Pantry. I try to be as unobtrusive and un-impossing as possible. So, I drop the letter and bag off in the evening by placing it on the household door step. In the letter I indicate my pickup date and time (usually a week later and between 8:00am-9:00am). The family can place the products on the doorsteps and never see me. Thus, I try to respect their privacy and not impose upon the people by having them answer the door or "have to" talk to me.
This year I've collected 21 bags of food items, canned goods, toiletries, and some treats for our Food Pantry. Over the course of three years I believe we collected around 60-80 bags of items. After each drive I deliver a handwritten thank you note to the home for their generosity.
In these difficult economic times and especially over the holidays, every little bit we can do helps a family in need. Perhaps this posting might spark your own idea of where you can do a little bit of something with a great deal of love.
God bless you all and may you be kept safe during this Holy Day season.
Peace out,
Patrick
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Christmas Ghosts...
As I mentioned in my earlier post, I am doing a series utilizing the framework of a classic story, the Christmas Carol, to undergird the scriptural message of Advent. Dickens', A Christmas Carol, helps to put into perspective how our lives are shaped by "Christmas Past" to "Christmas Present" and for the "Christmas Future".
This evening I was completing a funeral sermon for tomorrow. The service is for a lady I met last year when I did her son's funeral. Her son was 47 and born with Downs Syndrome. Both mother and son thoroughly enjoyed Christmas and I wonder how the challenges of raising a son with Down's helped shape her? She had 12 children altogether and their coming home for the holiday's was a high point in her daily life. She loved having everyone together - children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, spouses... So - some of my sermon for her funeral is centered around Christmas and the true meaning of Christmas.
Gathering family together at Christmas (or anytime really) is important, but not everyone can do that. What about family that serves in the military and is across seas, or lives out of state and can't travel, or .... Presents at Christmas time is a wonderful way to show one another we love each other. Yet, many families I know are living on the edge of poverty because of our economy. Not everyone can afford Christmas gifts. Wonderfully cooked ham or turkey meals with all the fixings - great, but again not everyone can do this (for a variety of reasons).
So... when it gets right down to it the true meaning of Christmas is Jesus Christ. Christ is the one we should celebrate at Christmas time. All the rest - a trimmed out tree, multi-hued gifts wrapped under the tree, a table ladened with good fixin's, even family members gathered together are wonderful and should be celebrated - but is icing on the cake, and not the cake itself. [hmmmm ... sacrilegious to compare Jesus to cake? My seminary professor's might say so]
What we need to celebrate is Christ. We can do so through reading the Christmas story - the birth of Christ - in scripture together. We can sing some of the hymns telling of the coming of Christ and the promise fulfilled through his birth. We can attend worship service together. We can even offer to help at worship service on Christmas eve. There are many ways to celebrate the birth of Christ. Let us remember the real reason we gather December 24-25th. Jesus Christ and the salvation offered through his birth, life, ministry and mission, death and resurrection. But... it begins with his birth! Let's celebrate!
peace out friends,
Patrick
This evening I was completing a funeral sermon for tomorrow. The service is for a lady I met last year when I did her son's funeral. Her son was 47 and born with Downs Syndrome. Both mother and son thoroughly enjoyed Christmas and I wonder how the challenges of raising a son with Down's helped shape her? She had 12 children altogether and their coming home for the holiday's was a high point in her daily life. She loved having everyone together - children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, spouses... So - some of my sermon for her funeral is centered around Christmas and the true meaning of Christmas.
Gathering family together at Christmas (or anytime really) is important, but not everyone can do that. What about family that serves in the military and is across seas, or lives out of state and can't travel, or .... Presents at Christmas time is a wonderful way to show one another we love each other. Yet, many families I know are living on the edge of poverty because of our economy. Not everyone can afford Christmas gifts. Wonderfully cooked ham or turkey meals with all the fixings - great, but again not everyone can do this (for a variety of reasons).
So... when it gets right down to it the true meaning of Christmas is Jesus Christ. Christ is the one we should celebrate at Christmas time. All the rest - a trimmed out tree, multi-hued gifts wrapped under the tree, a table ladened with good fixin's, even family members gathered together are wonderful and should be celebrated - but is icing on the cake, and not the cake itself. [hmmmm ... sacrilegious to compare Jesus to cake? My seminary professor's might say so]
What we need to celebrate is Christ. We can do so through reading the Christmas story - the birth of Christ - in scripture together. We can sing some of the hymns telling of the coming of Christ and the promise fulfilled through his birth. We can attend worship service together. We can even offer to help at worship service on Christmas eve. There are many ways to celebrate the birth of Christ. Let us remember the real reason we gather December 24-25th. Jesus Christ and the salvation offered through his birth, life, ministry and mission, death and resurrection. But... it begins with his birth! Let's celebrate!
peace out friends,
Patrick
Friday, November 26, 2010
Advent Begins!
Advent season is already upon us and quite likely sooner than we expected! It kind of snuck up on us. Our first Sunday of Advent is November 28th. Advent is the time of expectation, anticipation, and coming - which means we anticipate, expect and celebrate the coming of the birth of Jesus Christ.
This Advent I want to look at three seasons or times which should receive our attention.
The first season is the prophetic promise from the Old Testament that a king from the household of David would come and reign over Israel forever. During the Babylonian exile of the Jews, the promise of a coming king was especially important. The Jews, in their oppression as slaves, hoped their time of exile would end and Judah would be restored. Many were looking for a saviour or messiah - the “consolation of Israel” to save them from exile. Advent is a time in which we remember the prophetic promises and longing of ancient Israel for the coming of this king. The longing and expectation of a coming Lord is captured in the wonderful hymn, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” Listen to these words: "O come, O come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the son of God appear."
The second season surrounds the birth of Jesus – his first coming. We see the announcement from the angel to Mary that a child will be born – a savior. And we see a parallel story of Elizabeth who gives birth to John the Baptist – the one who goes before Jesus to prepare a way. Traditional hymns such as “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” by Charles Wesley share these words of fulfillment: “Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free…”. We sing the Christmas carols and we ready our hearts for the birth of Jesus Christ – our Savior and Lord.
The third season is the second coming of Christ and the day Christ comes for us in our death. This is the final emphasis of Advent. We turn our attention to the unfulfilled prophesies Christ’s own promises that He will return and usher in a new kingdom – a new heaven and new earth.
Hymns like “Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending” capture this theme. In the words of this song we hear the promise of what is to be: “Lo, he comes with clouds descending, once for favored sinners slain; thousand, thousand saints attending swell the triumph of his train. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! God appears on earth to reign.” We ready our hearts and lives for the return of Jesus Christ.
In considering the past, present and future themes of Advent I am using a classic story by Charles Dickens to help lay the framework in conjunction with the scripture for the next three Sundays of Advent - A Christmas Carol. Pastor Adam Hamilton [of Church of Resurrection] did a similar sermon series in 2002 which I have reprised.
I invite you to join with us beginning November 28th as we begin Advent and explore the true meaning of Christmas – past, present and future – and what it means for us today. Please invite a friend to worship with us as we look at:
November 28th – the Ghost of Christmas Past – Isaiah 61:1-3
December 5th – The Ghost of Christmas Present – Luke 1:46-53
December 12th – the Ghost of Christmas Future – Isaiah 53:1, 4-6
December 19th – The Christmas Story – Luke 2:1-20
I would also like to encourage you to invite a friend to one of our Christmas Eve services – 4:00, 6:30 or 10:00pm, to hear a special message from one of the Wise Men, so they too may come to know the grace and love of our God through the Son, Jesus Christ.
If you can't make it to church on Sunday, please take some time to hear the messages via our website: www.miltonumc.org. Check out the Sermon Message Archive Menu option (on the left).
Peace out friends (as my 3 year old says),
Patrick
This Advent I want to look at three seasons or times which should receive our attention.
The first season is the prophetic promise from the Old Testament that a king from the household of David would come and reign over Israel forever. During the Babylonian exile of the Jews, the promise of a coming king was especially important. The Jews, in their oppression as slaves, hoped their time of exile would end and Judah would be restored. Many were looking for a saviour or messiah - the “consolation of Israel” to save them from exile. Advent is a time in which we remember the prophetic promises and longing of ancient Israel for the coming of this king. The longing and expectation of a coming Lord is captured in the wonderful hymn, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” Listen to these words: "O come, O come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the son of God appear."
The second season surrounds the birth of Jesus – his first coming. We see the announcement from the angel to Mary that a child will be born – a savior. And we see a parallel story of Elizabeth who gives birth to John the Baptist – the one who goes before Jesus to prepare a way. Traditional hymns such as “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” by Charles Wesley share these words of fulfillment: “Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free…”. We sing the Christmas carols and we ready our hearts for the birth of Jesus Christ – our Savior and Lord.
The third season is the second coming of Christ and the day Christ comes for us in our death. This is the final emphasis of Advent. We turn our attention to the unfulfilled prophesies Christ’s own promises that He will return and usher in a new kingdom – a new heaven and new earth.
Hymns like “Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending” capture this theme. In the words of this song we hear the promise of what is to be: “Lo, he comes with clouds descending, once for favored sinners slain; thousand, thousand saints attending swell the triumph of his train. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! God appears on earth to reign.” We ready our hearts and lives for the return of Jesus Christ.
In considering the past, present and future themes of Advent I am using a classic story by Charles Dickens to help lay the framework in conjunction with the scripture for the next three Sundays of Advent - A Christmas Carol. Pastor Adam Hamilton [of Church of Resurrection] did a similar sermon series in 2002 which I have reprised.
I invite you to join with us beginning November 28th as we begin Advent and explore the true meaning of Christmas – past, present and future – and what it means for us today. Please invite a friend to worship with us as we look at:
November 28th – the Ghost of Christmas Past – Isaiah 61:1-3
December 5th – The Ghost of Christmas Present – Luke 1:46-53
December 12th – the Ghost of Christmas Future – Isaiah 53:1, 4-6
December 19th – The Christmas Story – Luke 2:1-20
I would also like to encourage you to invite a friend to one of our Christmas Eve services – 4:00, 6:30 or 10:00pm, to hear a special message from one of the Wise Men, so they too may come to know the grace and love of our God through the Son, Jesus Christ.
If you can't make it to church on Sunday, please take some time to hear the messages via our website: www.miltonumc.org. Check out the Sermon Message Archive Menu option (on the left).
Peace out friends (as my 3 year old says),
Patrick
Black Friday
It has been such a while since posting, that I thought I would start with this one - Black Friday shopping. The apprehension and anxiety leading to trepidation is always highest just before Friday - around 4:00am. News articles, blogs, websites... all talk about the crowds and difficulty in shopping the day after Thanksgiving.
This year I thought I would give it a try - see what the hype is all about. Although, I did not venture out at 4:00am. It was around 11:30am when I hit the roads for the several stores I had in mind. Building Blocks - looking for a pre-school spanish program or books to work with my 3-year old on learning spanish. Kohl's - finding a certain pair of boots my wife said she was interested in for a Christmas gift. Best Buy - seeking a Garmin so I would quit getting lost on those road trips I take several times a year. And... I thought about Wal-Mart, but opted against going there.
What I found most interesting were the people. I knew what I wanted at each store so I did not spend a lot of time actually shopping, but spent more time people watching. And believe it or not I found many of the people upbeat and friendly. Only a few here and there seemed harried and out of sorts.
I watched one lady at Kohl's juggling 6-8 packages, drop a couple of them, step on one of her children's toys, set everything down on a table and try to regroup. It was obvious to me that she had too many things in her hands. I was in the check out line with only two items in my cart, so I offered her the cart. She accepted it - but I can't remember if she said thank you or not. Most likely she did.
At all the places I stopped, the employees were gracious, helpful and smiling - a feat I would not have accomplished had it been me.
All in all - a good Black Friday experience. I'd love to see that many people rushing into church on Sunday morning though. It's the pastor side of me, I know. But really - shouldn't saving souls be more important than saving a few dollars on good deals for Christmas?
peace out (as my three year old says to me).
Patrick
This year I thought I would give it a try - see what the hype is all about. Although, I did not venture out at 4:00am. It was around 11:30am when I hit the roads for the several stores I had in mind. Building Blocks - looking for a pre-school spanish program or books to work with my 3-year old on learning spanish. Kohl's - finding a certain pair of boots my wife said she was interested in for a Christmas gift. Best Buy - seeking a Garmin so I would quit getting lost on those road trips I take several times a year. And... I thought about Wal-Mart, but opted against going there.
What I found most interesting were the people. I knew what I wanted at each store so I did not spend a lot of time actually shopping, but spent more time people watching. And believe it or not I found many of the people upbeat and friendly. Only a few here and there seemed harried and out of sorts.
I watched one lady at Kohl's juggling 6-8 packages, drop a couple of them, step on one of her children's toys, set everything down on a table and try to regroup. It was obvious to me that she had too many things in her hands. I was in the check out line with only two items in my cart, so I offered her the cart. She accepted it - but I can't remember if she said thank you or not. Most likely she did.
At all the places I stopped, the employees were gracious, helpful and smiling - a feat I would not have accomplished had it been me.
All in all - a good Black Friday experience. I'd love to see that many people rushing into church on Sunday morning though. It's the pastor side of me, I know. But really - shouldn't saving souls be more important than saving a few dollars on good deals for Christmas?
peace out (as my three year old says to me).
Patrick
Friday, August 27, 2010
Excellent!
Last night as I drove home, pulling into my driveway, I saw a man walking his dog down our street. Seeing him brought back memories to me. I stopped at the head of my drive way and got out of the car - retrieving the empty garbage cans on the corner of my front lawn. As the man came abreast of my house I said to him - "a beautiful night for a walk". He looked at me and said, "Excellent night. Thank you, sir." His emphasis was on the word excellent. Here's what caught my attention with him.
His hair was cut short in what is known as a high-and-tight; meaning he was shaved up the sides and the very top was a short, buzz cut. He had on a Marine Corp t-shirt and shorts. He was fit and walking briskly and looked to be about 10 years younger than I. On the calf of his leg was a Marine Corp emblem tatoo. He was a Marine and rightfully so, proud of it.
I too was in the Marines, many - many years ago. And often times seeing a fellow Marine brings the memories of those days to the surface. His emphatic response, "Excellent" reminded me of how Marines exemplify excellence and exhuberance in all they do. A mumbled response, a hanging head, a lackadaisical, "yeah" is the response I've come to expect in most cases when I say something to a passerby. Occasionally I will receive something a bit more spirited. However, rarely do I get the - Excellent! response.
I'm not surprized this man responded so. It's easy to see that he takes great pride in being a Marine. He takes pride in what the Marines stand for - integrity, honesty, honor, and yes - pride ... and is willing to share that with those around him.
I was blessed by his single word in a way that has stayed with me even into the next day. It is a reminder to me that when I respond to someone I have the opportunity to bless them with my own form of exhurberant "excellent" with the intent of lifting spirits and bringing a smile to the face. Or I can mumble and hang my head and respond lackadaisically. I choose the former.
From one Marine to another, from a Marine to all those reading this post, from a pastor who strives to bless those around him - Have an Excellent! day and may God bless you always.
Pastor Patrick
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Keeping Drugs Off Our Streets
Recently our Milton Police department installed a brilliant red drop off box in front of the police station labeled, Drug Drop-Off. I had the pleasure of watching as they installed the box and then spoke with the police department about the box. The Milton Police department is the first agency in Rock County to offer this permanent, 24-hour, prescription drug drop-off. It is a mailbox-style drop box for unused prescription drugs.
My feeling on this is – this is a wonderful thing. This is a place where you can get rid of unused prescription drugs anonymously (if so desired). This certainly would have come in handy earlier this month as I and my siblings were trying to get rid of my mother’s unused prescription drugs following her untimely death July 5th. In Sheboygan County there is no drop box for drugs. Subsequently we struggled to find a good solution.
During a recent conversation I had with one of my staff members I learned that kids now days have what is called a “pharm” party. Kids raid their parent’s cabinets for unused prescription drugs; bring them to a party; place the drugs (unmarked – no bottles…) in a big bowl; stir the bowl and then grab a handful for consumption. I shudder to think of our youth involved in something like this and the detriment to their health, their minds and possibly their lives. God help them!
One concern shared with me was the security of this drop off box. Is it secure? Could someone break in and take the contents? In my conversation with the department they said, it’s as secure as it can be. The box is bolted to the ground and has been designed for this specific purpose (dropping off drugs). There is a camera trained on the box 24/7. The cost of the box, sans the bright red paint job and logos, was $650.00. Thought, function, security… have been well invested in this box. And the community is using it! Over 70lbs of prescription drugs were taken from the drop box the very first time the police department emptied it.
The proper disposal of the drugs is quite involved – much more than just flushing the pills down the toilet! The drugs are collected via the drop box. The local pharmacist volunteers his time to separate the collected drugs. Then they are boxed and shipped out (or flown out) to a drug disposal center.
If you, your family, your parents or grandparents have old, unused drugs in your bathroom cabinet and you don’t know what to do with them. Bring them in to the Milton Police Department. Let them help you to dispose of them appropriately.
All in all, way to go Milton Police Department! I like what you are doing in our community for the safety and concern of the people. God bless you and keep you.
Pastor Patrick
My feeling on this is – this is a wonderful thing. This is a place where you can get rid of unused prescription drugs anonymously (if so desired). This certainly would have come in handy earlier this month as I and my siblings were trying to get rid of my mother’s unused prescription drugs following her untimely death July 5th. In Sheboygan County there is no drop box for drugs. Subsequently we struggled to find a good solution.
During a recent conversation I had with one of my staff members I learned that kids now days have what is called a “pharm” party. Kids raid their parent’s cabinets for unused prescription drugs; bring them to a party; place the drugs (unmarked – no bottles…) in a big bowl; stir the bowl and then grab a handful for consumption. I shudder to think of our youth involved in something like this and the detriment to their health, their minds and possibly their lives. God help them!
One concern shared with me was the security of this drop off box. Is it secure? Could someone break in and take the contents? In my conversation with the department they said, it’s as secure as it can be. The box is bolted to the ground and has been designed for this specific purpose (dropping off drugs). There is a camera trained on the box 24/7. The cost of the box, sans the bright red paint job and logos, was $650.00. Thought, function, security… have been well invested in this box. And the community is using it! Over 70lbs of prescription drugs were taken from the drop box the very first time the police department emptied it.
The proper disposal of the drugs is quite involved – much more than just flushing the pills down the toilet! The drugs are collected via the drop box. The local pharmacist volunteers his time to separate the collected drugs. Then they are boxed and shipped out (or flown out) to a drug disposal center.
If you, your family, your parents or grandparents have old, unused drugs in your bathroom cabinet and you don’t know what to do with them. Bring them in to the Milton Police Department. Let them help you to dispose of them appropriately.
All in all, way to go Milton Police Department! I like what you are doing in our community for the safety and concern of the people. God bless you and keep you.
Pastor Patrick
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Keep the Faith
If you’ve followed the Christian news at all recently, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Anne Rice’s declaration to stop following Christianity, while still being a follower of Christ. Anne is the best selling author of the Vampire Chronicles and recently wrote the book, Of Love and Evil. Ten years ago Anne made headlines in declaring her return to her Catholic heritage and moving from atheist to believer. Today you will find on Anne’s Facebook a posting that states, “Today I quit being a Christian. I’m out… In the name of Christ I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth. I refuse to be anti-Democrat. I refuse to be anti-secular humanism. I refuse to be anti-science. I refuse to be anti-science. In the name of Christ I quit Christianity and quit being Christian. Amen.” (posted July 28th)
The issues Anne talks about, which cause confusion, discomfort, even anger, are many of the issues we all deal with. I had a conversation with a young lady of my community several months ago where she said she was against organized religion – for many of the same reasons Anne has cited. We are no strangers to these controversies, are we? I have spoken with people in my community (some from my church) who have left the church because of arguments on homosexuality, or politics, or feminism (should a woman be allowed in the pulpit or be ordained as a pastor…). Some have left the church because someone said something to them to which they took great offense.
The truth is we find many things within the religious organization that are discomforting, off-setting, and seemingly at odds with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Gandhi once said that he has no problem with Jesus – in fact he is in agreement with the teachings of Jesus. His problem is with the Church. Our Church is fallible. Our Church is made up of people who are sinful and imperfect and often times at odds with one another. There are issues I struggle with in the Church. I’ve been a pastor for 6 years and involved in ministry for about 10 years. There are things I will probably always disagree with, struggle with, and try to understand (perhaps with success, perhaps not). Perhaps you’ve experienced this too?
Yet, this doesn’t negate the fact that we strive to follow the teachings of Jesus and to be the Christians Christ calls us to be. Our best chance of doing this is as a community – a Body of Christ. Don’t turn your back on Christianity because of the weak, fallible areas of our “organized religion”. As Adam Hamilton wrote in his recent Washington Post article in response to a man who said he was leaving the church, “Please, don't let this man define what it means to be a Christian. We desperately need to show the world that there is another way to be Christian!”
I would echo this. Please don’t leave the church. We need you to help lead us to be a better Church. Our issues cannot be resolved if we quit the game. Persevere. Hang tough. Help us to see the other side of the picture. And think about it this way. Perhaps there are some tensions that are not meant to be resolved (Andy Stanley’s words at the recent Willow Creek Leadership Summit). The tension is important for the health of the church.
Keep the faith and at times you’ll have to help us keep the faith too.
p.s. two great books to read to learn how those outside the Church view the Church:
UnChristian by David Kinnamen; They Like Jesus But Not the Church by Dan Kimball.
The issues Anne talks about, which cause confusion, discomfort, even anger, are many of the issues we all deal with. I had a conversation with a young lady of my community several months ago where she said she was against organized religion – for many of the same reasons Anne has cited. We are no strangers to these controversies, are we? I have spoken with people in my community (some from my church) who have left the church because of arguments on homosexuality, or politics, or feminism (should a woman be allowed in the pulpit or be ordained as a pastor…). Some have left the church because someone said something to them to which they took great offense.
The truth is we find many things within the religious organization that are discomforting, off-setting, and seemingly at odds with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Gandhi once said that he has no problem with Jesus – in fact he is in agreement with the teachings of Jesus. His problem is with the Church. Our Church is fallible. Our Church is made up of people who are sinful and imperfect and often times at odds with one another. There are issues I struggle with in the Church. I’ve been a pastor for 6 years and involved in ministry for about 10 years. There are things I will probably always disagree with, struggle with, and try to understand (perhaps with success, perhaps not). Perhaps you’ve experienced this too?
Yet, this doesn’t negate the fact that we strive to follow the teachings of Jesus and to be the Christians Christ calls us to be. Our best chance of doing this is as a community – a Body of Christ. Don’t turn your back on Christianity because of the weak, fallible areas of our “organized religion”. As Adam Hamilton wrote in his recent Washington Post article in response to a man who said he was leaving the church, “Please, don't let this man define what it means to be a Christian. We desperately need to show the world that there is another way to be Christian!”
I would echo this. Please don’t leave the church. We need you to help lead us to be a better Church. Our issues cannot be resolved if we quit the game. Persevere. Hang tough. Help us to see the other side of the picture. And think about it this way. Perhaps there are some tensions that are not meant to be resolved (Andy Stanley’s words at the recent Willow Creek Leadership Summit). The tension is important for the health of the church.
Keep the faith and at times you’ll have to help us keep the faith too.
p.s. two great books to read to learn how those outside the Church view the Church:
UnChristian by David Kinnamen; They Like Jesus But Not the Church by Dan Kimball.
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