Issue #17 - September 2007
Minister's Message
Despite three years of Seminary and more years of working as a minister, I find that I have a hard time remembering the stories, people, and places of the Bible. To address this problem, I recently began reading the Bible from front to back, once again. It is interesting to read stories that I had forgotten.
One morning, I paused after reading Genesis 33. This chapter is the culmination of a conflict between two brothers, Jacob and Esau. As you may remember, these brothers were the sons of Isaac. From the earliest days, Jacob had tricked Esau and got the best of him. To save his own hide from Esau, Jacob left his homeland to start a family. Eventually, as we see in chapter 33, Jacob and Esau ran into one another after a long separation. Again, understandably, Jacob was afraid and even remorseful for what he had done to his brother. So, he sent gifts to Esau. However, as the chapter plays out we realize that Esau held no grudge against his huckster brother. In fact, Esau ran to hug him at their reunion.
After reading the story, I couldn't help but think about my own brother. The story of Jacob and Esau sounds familiar to me. As kids, my brother and I were not terribly close. Being the older brother, he was too cool to be caught hanging out with me. He tricked me and got the best of me more than once. However, at some point that changed. I can still remember the first time my brother offered to give me a ride to high school in his car. From that point on we became better friends. Even after all these years, I still talk to my brother several times a week.
There is something about the relationship between siblings that cannot be explained and that is never like that between even two of the closest friends. With my brother, I have never worried about who I am. I know my brother accepts me for who I am and overlooks my faults. I can't help but think that is why Esau overlooked his own brother's mistakes and was joyous to see him after so many years of separation.
I suppose that my point is not so complicated or revelatory. I was simply reminded that one of God's greatest gifts in my own life has been my brother. If you have a brother or sister, I hope you feel the same way. If you and your siblings have had a conflict, take a lead from Esau. Forgiveness opens all kinds of doors to peace and love between people.
By the way, just a few chapters after this episode between Jacob and Esau, another set of brothers have a serious squabble. If you don't already know how the conflict between Joseph and his brothers ends, then read through Genesis to find out.
~ Matthew
General Assembly Wrap-Up
State Of The Church Message - July 23, 2007
General Minister and President Sharon E. Watkins exhorted listeners to "Choose Life" in her State-of-the-Church message on Sunday night during the 2007 General Assembly.
In an hour-long presentation and sermon that included scripture, video, and messages from those who help the Church live out its mission each day, Watkins opened holding a Bible and reading the passage from Matthew 14 where Jesus' feeding of the 5,000 is detailed. She then used video to evoke images of the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes and talked about the overwhelming response shown by Disciples, who, during one of the country's worst natural disasters, found countless ways to "feed" those in need.
"When the storms hit, individuals and congregations, regions and the general church joined together - one whole church," said Watkins. We joined with ecumenical and interfaith neighbors to respond to Jesus' urging: 'You give them something to eat.'"
"In the aftermath of a hurricane's destruction, where death appears to have the upper hand, 'life' isn't necessarily an easy choice. And yet, community after community, congregation after congregation, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina did choose life," Watkins noted.
She also spoke of the partnerships between ecumenical groups such as Church World Service (CWS), the United Church of Christ (UCC), and one of our newest partners, the Alliance of Baptists. Watkins stressed that our ecumenical partnerships extend around the globe, and include the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Puerto Rico, the Christian Council of Mozambique, The United Church of Christ in the Philippines and the Middle East Council of Churches, among others.
Despite hardship and challenging circumstances, our global partners understand fully what it means to choose life when death seems to often have the upper hand, said Watkins.
"Our international partners have placed themselves into Jesus' hands and found something to give. They are daily choosing life," she said.
The General Minister and President invited David Vargas and Cally Rogers-Witte, co-executives of Global Ministries, to commission 11 missionaries as part of the service. Watkins called the missionaries, "the human face representing the rest of us to the world."
Watkins closing comments included the retelling of a Cherokee fable that examines the internal battle that each person faces. "There are two wolves inside each of us," says the old Cherokee to his grandson. "One wolf is evil, vengeful, angry, and full of self-pity. The other wolf is good. It represents love, hope, truth, and compassion." "Which wolf wins, Grandfather?" asks the grandson. The old Cherokee replies, "The one you feed."
"I've seen just how hard it is sometimes for us Disciples to feed the good wolf of hope, compassion, and joy," said Watkins. "How hard it is for us to choose life. But I come tonight to bear witness that more often than we know, we do choose life, and that is the part of the story that we must learn to tell."
~ Disciples News Service
Evangelism Project
At Vacation Bible School this year, participants began a special project for our church. We are collecting stories about why people attend Louisa Christian Church (or why they attend their own church). We are placing these stories on the church's web site and we are also collecting them to put into a book, which will be placed in the church vestibule for visitors to read. For people who are visiting our church, or are considering visiting, another person's story can be really encouraging. In the end, the stories about our own faith are our best tools for doing evangelism.
Please, help our project along by writing your own story about why you come to Louisa Christian Church. Your submission can be two sentences or two pages long. It's your story. If you are more of an artist, musician, or poet, then express your story in that manner. You may either hand them to me or email them to me. I have never heard of another church doing anything like this. I hope that everyone will take a few moments to contribute.
You can read other people's stories and look at their pictures on the church's web site. Enjoy.
~ Matthew
Board News
Recent board news:
- Denny's contract was renegotiated
- The youth of the church were requested to clean up some leaves behind Denny's house
- The overhang behind Denny's house needs to be repaired or replaced ... options are being considered
- An advertisement has been placed to help find a music Director
- A question was raised about who the Trustees of the church are
Schedules
Acolytes
September: Abbie S. and Corey S.
October: Shawn L. and Andrew P.
November: Katelyn P. and Jack P.
December: Andrew P. and Amber W.
Nursery
September 2, 2007 ... Diane Purcell
September 9, 2007 ... Patricia Burnette
September 16, 2007 ... Steff Throckmorton
September 23, 2007 ... Lucie Snider
September 30, 2007 ... Melonie Donovan
Comic Relief
A new pastor was visiting in the homes of his parishioners. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door.
Therefore, he took out a business card and wrote "Revelation 3:20" on the back of it and stuck it in the door.
When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, "Genesis 3:10." Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter. Revelation 3:20 begins "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Genesis 3:10 reads, "I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked."
"A cheerful heart is good medicine." (Prov. 17:22)
Lectionary
September 2, 2007
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Jeremiah 2:4-13
Psalm 81:1, 10-16
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Luke 14:1, 7-14
September 9, 2007
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
Philemon 1-21
Luke 14:25-33
September 16, 2007
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
Psalm 14
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-10
September 23, 2007
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Jeremiah 8:18-9:1
Psalm 79:1-9
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Luke 16:1-13
September 30, 2007
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16
1 Timothy 6:6-19
Luke 16:19-31
Take a moment and read these scriptures each week!
Volunteer Opportunities
- Come help with our Community Youth Night every Wednesday from 5:00 - 6:15 pm by driving, cooking, or just hanging around.
Upcoming Youth Activities
- Sept 2 ... Acolyte training
- Sept 8 ... Vera Bradley fund-raiser for youth group 5 PM
- Sept 16 ... Roller Skating in Ashland ... 2 PM
- Sept 30 ... Youth Sunday
Birthdays
Ethel Adkins 10/17
John T. Ayres 10/5
Edward Buhrer 10/9
Cathy Collins 10/13
John D. Davis 10/19
Nicholas D. Leake 10/4
Kristin Madison 10/20
Brittany Maxton 10/19
Joanna McDonald 10/21
Patricia A. Perkins 10/3
Jennifer Purcell 10/2
Tori Purcell 10/29
Dottie B. Reynolds 10/11
N. Conrad Smith, Jr. 10/4
Jack L. Snider 10/30
If we missed a birthday, let us know.
Kid's Page
Worship
Sunday School every Sunday at 10 AM
Worship Service following at 11 AM
Prayer Service each Wednesday at noon
Every Wednesday we offer a Bible Study at 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM
Community Youth Night every Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:15 PM
Louisa Christian Church
P.O. Box 1344
104 Elm Avenue
Louisa, VA 23093
Rev. Burnette: 540-967-4884
Email
Rev. Ricks: 804-683-3537
Email