Genesis 15:17> A New View!

So I downloaded an app on my iphone that allow me to do a daily reading plan. Since I'm only a couple weeks into it I'm in Genesis. While reading Genesis 15:17 a couple of days ago I had an "aha" moment. Scripture is cool like that, it will never cease to surprise you if you commit to being a life long student of it.

In 15:17 God is proving to Abram that he will be a father of many nations. He also tells Abram that his descendants will be in captivity for 400 years but they will eventually escape and go to a land that will be their own. In order to prove His power, God asks Abram to cut a bunch of cattle in half and lay them "half over against each other". Later that night God has a torch and a smoking pot travel between the two lines of slaughtered animals; through the blood. Now this sounds familiar, doesn't it?! Later in Exodus, the Hebrews escape Egypt. God was present with them as a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of smoke by day. Now maybe I'm reaching but do you see the similarity: smoking pot=pillar of smoke and torch=pillar of fire?

Now the theological similarity. With Abram a covenant was made as the fire and the smoke passed through the blood. With Moses the people were saved as the fire and smoke passed through the water. God made a covenant through the blood and saved them through the water. Almost 2000 years later Jesus saved us through the shedding of his blood and gave us the waters of baptism as a sacrament of salvation- through the blood and the water (also check out 1 John 5:6-8).

So, here are the symbols through out scripture that are full of power: smoke, fire, blood and water. What kind of emotions and memories do these symbols evoke for you?

My Weekend in Greensburg and The Combined Service

Here is my hole. Three feet deep and three feet across. I drove over to Greensburg, Kansas with Pat last Thursday. We met with Rogers and his son and son-in-law for a solid day of work. I dug a hole for concrete, chipped concrete corners, unloaded a lumber truck and helped put a roof on a room. So, when I challenged you all (WUMC) to get dirty for the Gospel, you can see I meant it:) There will be other opportunities to go and help the town that was devastated by a mile long tornado two years ago. Take the opportunity, you won't be sorry. I'll show more pictures this Sunday at the COMBINED (10am) SERVICE this Sunday. Remember to bring some food for the Pot Luck after wards as well- I'll be hungry after stuffing myself all week:) Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Prayer Request- Paul M.

Today while I was at Rotary, Paul M. who attends Holy Trinity Catholic Church had a heart attack. It was a pretty scary deal, but luckily there was a trained, professional medic available. We called 911 and the ambulance came and rushed him to the hospital. I spoke to Father Charles a while ago and he said Paul received a pace maker today and should be out tomorrow. Wow! How's that for pronto!! Please pray for Paul and his recovery.

Backyard Deer Pictures!

The Pieces Come Together!

Ministry can be a lot of work. Sometimes it's a lot of work for not a lot of results. I don't operate well that way. I'm admittedly very reward oriented. A few things have come together lately that feel very rewarding and they all involve leadership. Linda Scouby did a great job this weekend as our new Volunteer Coordinator. I'm very excited about Linda's commitment to volunteerism. This week's new news began on Monday with a phone call from Kim Kirby. Kim agreed to be our Church Council Chair! Kim is ministry driven and I believe she will do a great job as our new Council Chair. The third surprise came after a meeting with one of our high school students. We decided we needed to move forward on organizing youth ministry even though we hadn't received another two adult leaders. Kylee has a strong faith life and even though she is in high school, she feels ready to be a leader to her peers. However, she also would love to have adults join her in leading and loving our teens. Which made last night even more amazing when Rogers Strickland let me know that he wanted to help with our Youth Ministry next year!
In the words of Hannibal on the A-Team, "I love it when a plan comes together"! Remember, nothing happens without leadership. Thank you to those who are stepping forward and picking up the scepter of leadership:)

What is Charge Conference?

WUMC Charge Conference- Tonight at 6pm (Dinner) and 7pm (Meeting)

I've had many folks ask me the question lately, "What is Charge Conference"? And that is a very good question. As a new lead pastor, I've been asking myself that a lot lately. Actually, I just took 10 minutes and looked up "Charge Conference" in the United Methodist Book of Discipline. Here is the best synopsis sentence I found,
"The primary responsibilities of the charge conference in the annual meeting shall be to review and evaluate the total mission and ministry of the church, receive reports, and adopt objectives and goals recommended by the church council that are in keeping with the objectives of the United Methodist Church." - p. 160, 2008 Book of Discipline
Tonight we are going to have fellowship. We will eat together, approve a few things and hear from our District Superintendent and Bishop (via video). It's a good time to get together and pray for our local church, our denomination and our global faith. I hope to see you tonight for my first Charge Conference as WUMC's pastor:)

This weekend at WUMC!

What’s Going on this Week with WUMC!

Charge Conference- Wednesday the 4^th

Be here at 6pm for the Potluck Dinner. We will have turkey along with what other delicious side dishes you bring along as well. Our District Superintendent, Susan Cox, will join us for dinner and the evening. After dinner, we will have the business section of the evening and watch a video message from our Missouri Bishop, Robert Schnase. This is an annual time of celebration and fellowship for our church- hope you can join us!

Campout at the Stricklands’ – Friday the 6^th and Saturday the 7^th

It is going to be a beautiful weekend- 70’s and sunny! Come out Friday night for a bonfire and hayride around 6pm. Feel free to stay in the Stricklands’ lodge or campout next to the pond! We will have breakfast and a time of worship and devotion Saturday morning. We will have breakfast (pancakes) between 8am-9am and worship/devotion shortly after. Feel free to go on a hike or fish in the pond the rest of the morning.

Stewardship Series- Volunteerism: An Inward Focus- Sunday the 8^th

This Sunday the teaching segment will be on Volunteerism: An Inward Focus. A Gifts/Volunteer Survey was included in the Newsletter. You may have picked yours up on Sunday, if not you should receive it in the mail this week. Please consider filling the Survey out before our service on Sunday and bringing it with you. If you would like to download it, print it off and fill out additional Surveys, you can find it on our web site, www.westonumc.com ; click on the top tool bar FORMS and click “Interest & Talent Survey” to print the form. At the close of the service this weekend you will have an opportunity to bring your surveys forward to the kneeling rail area.