West Ohio Conference Recommendations (June 6 - 10)

Our West Ohio Annual Conference consisting of approximately 3,000 lay and clergy representing 1,150 United Methodist churches meets June 6 to 10 at the historic and scenic Lakeside grounds, in Lakeside, Ohio, along Lake Erie.

In addition to inspiring worship services, the ordination of Deacons and Elders, the approval of the conference budget, and times for learning and growth, Bishop Bruce Ough will preside over our legislative meetings. This year, we have seven recommendations to consider as an Annual Conference.

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This year's theme is "Love in Action: Building Bridges Out of Poverty" which is one of four denominational goals for this quadrennium (2008 - 2012.)

Please keep Lancaster First UMC's representatives, Scott & Regina Gottliebson, Cheryl Foulk, Sam Halverson, and me in your prayers as we prepare to participate in this year's Annual Conference.

•Recommendation #1:
Resolution To Support Abolishing Human Trafficking
•Recommendation #2:
Budget
•Recommendation #3:
Commission on Equitable Compensation
•Recommendation #4:
Board of Pension and Health Benefits
•Recommendation #5:
Resolution To Support Fair Trade
•Recommendation #6:
Ministerial Sexual Ethics Policy
•Recommendation #7:
Encouragement To Respond To Convictions Related To Modern Times

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Post May 30th Sermon Thoughts

Following today's sermon on "The Language of Faith" and how our religious and "churchy" language can sometimes become a barrier when we share our life of faith with the unchurched, think of some other church words we use on a regular basis. The list really adds up!

"Churchy Words from Today's Sermon"

1. Narthex - The space when you enter the front entrance of the church.

2. Sacristy - Room where altar supplies are stored.

3. Nave - The seating area of the worship space.

4. Cherub - Could refer to an angel or to the name of a children's choir.

5. Liturgist - Person who assists in a worship service.

6. Hymnal - Book of church worship songs and prayers.

7. Altar - Table located in front of the worship space

8. Acolyte - Person who lights the candles on the altar.

9. Trinity - A doctrine that says God is one but known in three persons (Father, Son, Spirit.)

Other "Churchy" Words

10. Partake - This comes from my brother who says we say this a lot for Holy Communion.

11. Bulletin - Program of the worship service.

12. Traditional/Contemporary - In referring to worship styles

13. Circle - As in United Methodist Women's Circle meetings which are prayer/study groups.

14. Chancel - Area surrounding the altar

15. Vestibule - An entrance area in the church.

16. Nicene & Apostles' Creed

17. Catholic - meaning "universal" as in "Holy Catholic Church" of Apostles' Creed.

18. Episcopal - Church governing system that has a Bishop assigned for a number of churches

19. "Extend the right hand of fellowship" - Phrase for "greet your neighbor."

20. "The Word" - Phrase referring to the Bible. Also can refer to Jesus Christ.

21. Sermon - Message given by the Pastor during worship.

22. Potluck - Church meals where people bring a dish to share.

23. Baptism - Water used on person signifying intiation into the congregation.

OK, I can go on and on. What churchy words/phrases come to your mind?

Sunday Worship Preview - June 6

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June 6 - (8:15 A.M. & 11:00 A.M. Traditional Services & 9:45 A.M. Praise Service) & Wednesday, June 9 (6:30 P.M. Casual Service @ Crossroads, 2095 Fair Avenue)

Features - Music Sunday; 2nd Sunday After Pentecost; & Holy Communion

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Scripture - Exodus 3:1-6; 4:1-5, 10-17 & Psalm 30:1-5, 11-12

Happy Trinity Sunday! (May 30)

Trinity Sunday Collect (Prayer)

Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Open for Sermon Suggestions!

In the month of August, I will be attending a sermon planning retreat and putting together a preaching schedule for 2011. Here are my specific goals for this year's retreat:

• Spend this personal retreat time reconnecting with God through prayer, scripture, quiet reflection, Holy Communion, long walks, running, and worship.
• Pray for First UMC, Lancaster, Ohio, that the sermon themes in 2011 will help us grow in what it means to be fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ for the transformation of our community and world.
• Enjoy God's beautiful creation.

Specifically related to the 2011 preaching schedule, there are three vital areas I will keep in mind in my planning:

1) Be faithful to the church's annual liturgical calendar which helps us to stay in rhythm with the church seasons such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, etc.

2) Reflect on the past, present, and future needs of the congregation.

3) In addition to sermons which will be based on the pre-selected scripture readings from the lectionary, I want to design several sermon series around various themes. I have discovered that sermon series can be effective since a congregation can spend an extended period of time on a topic, rather than just one Sunday.

Regarding the planning of themes around sermon series, I want to make sure that I have at least one sermon series per the following four categories - 1) evangelism 2) discipleship 3) pastoral care needs 4) equipping for ministry/service

If you have a particular topic that you would like me to consider addressing through a sermon series in 2011, let me know by the middle of August. I might not be able to incorporate your idea because of a limited number of Sundays, but the more ideas I receive, the better the brainstorming will be! Some of the sermon series ideas that I thought would make the cut for 2010 didn't make it because of the specific needs of the congregation.

The picture with this post was taken at last year's sermon planning retreat. I stayed at a friend's beautiful summer home which was located by a scenic lake.

A Tribute to Youth Leaders

Yesterday, my daughter, an adult youth mentor in her church, called me about a situation involving a troubled youth. She wanted some advice on how she might approach this very difficult situation. Actually, she has already done a great job in assessing the situation, knowing who should be involved, and realizing what her role is and what her role isn't as a volunteer.

After I got off the phone, I thanked God for my daughter as well as for the countless numbers of adult youth mentors and Youth Pastors who encounter these kinds of issues facing our young people on a regular basis. To all who minister to the youth of the church, thank you for the many times you go above and beyond the call of duty in offering the hope and love of Jesus Christ for our young people as they grow up "in an unsteady and confusing world."

A Prayer for Our Youth

God our Father, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: Show them that your ways give more life than the ways of the world, and that following you is better than chasing after selfish goals. Help them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start. Give them strength to hold their faith in you, and to keep alive their joy in your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
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Dave's Deep Thoughts

Here's Pastor Dave McDowell's weekly devotional that he sends out to members of his church. Dave is my brother and serves as the Music Minister at Stewartstown UMC in PA.

Some say that no news is good news.
I say no to that.

The call came in the middle of the day.
It was mid-March
I wasn't home at the time,
so the message went to voice mail.

It was from the organization that I participate with
to sponsor a child.

My sponsored child, Jean Bernard,
lives in Haiti,
or at least I hoped he still lived in Haiti.

On January 12, 2010
a massive earthquake struck the poorest nation
in the western hemisphere.
The results were (and still are) catastrophic.

As I heard the news,
my first thoughts went to Jean Bernard...
Is he still alive?

Weeks went by,
the news from Haiti
appeared to get worse,
as a nation that had nothing to begin with,
struggled to survive
when even the the nothing was taken away from them.

When I retrieved the voice mail,
my heart raced
when I heard it was from the sponsoring organization,
I knew it must be about Jean Bernard.

It was an automated call,
very expected since they had thousands of children
to account for following the earthquake.

Mr. McDowell,
you are Jean Bernard's sponsor.
We want to inform you that.....

The worst possible thing happened at that moment.
No, I wasn't informed that he was dead.

No, the message became unintelligible.
I couldn't make out the last part of the sentence.

The worst possible thing isn't receiving bad news,
it is receiving no news at all.

Weeks continued to roll by.
I sent in an additional check for a birthday
that Jean Bernard might never celebrate.

A previous sponsored child of mine in Africa
had died from the measles,,,,,,
measles!

I remember the empty feeling at that time
when a child that I had never met, but loved,
died of a disease
that in America,
is merely a week off of school.

It was that child's death
that led me to the sponsorship of Jean Bernard.
And now,
the earthquake.

Last week
I received a letter from Jean Bernard.
I usually receive a letter every three months.
The earthquake only caused me to miss one of his letters.

He told me that God has blessed him,
he only suffered a broken arm,
but an aunt and a uncle had died.

His school was badly damaged,
but his church was still standing.
Each week he continues to go to Sunday School
and mid-week programs,
where he learns of God's love.

He said that he prays for my family
and that he hopes that I can visit him some day.

I hope that day comes soon.
I want, no I need to meet this young man
who in the midst of a catastrophic disaster,
can testify to love and faithfulness of God.

Some say no news is good news.
I say no.
The good news is that there is eternal good news
in the person of Jesus Christ.

And no earthquake
can shake that news away.

Happy Birthday Jean Bernard!

How lovely on the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news.,
who announces peace
and brings good news of happiness,
who announces salvation,
and says to God's people,
"Your God reigns!"