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** The mission of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church is to glorify God by sharing Christ's transforming love, introducing Christ to those who do not know him, and inviting people to join us in becoming devoted followers of Christ serving in the world. **
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FROM YOUR PASTOR ... (February 2012) |
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Written by Anne O'Connor
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Thursday, 26 January 2012 12:16 |
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As I write this it seems as if winter has finally arrived. Of course, there are many things we can do outdoors in the winter, but we tend to spend more time inside. I invite/encourage/challenge you to turn off the TV and use some of that inside-time to grow closer to God. It can be a time to begin or recapture a life of prayer.
Over five Sundays in January and February we will be focusing on prayer, how the Lord's Prayer is a model for our prayers and our lives as followers of Christ. Prayer is not just something we do but who we are. E. Stanly Jones said, "When prayer fades out, power fades out."
This is true for our personal lives and our life as a church. We cannot give to others what we do not have ourselves. If we want to be faithful as a church we must become a "house of prayer for all nations" (Mark 11:17) not simply a house with prayer for people like us.
This focus on prayer (both talking to and listening to God) will continue through Lent which begins February 22 with our traditional Ash Wednesday service. Lent is the 40 days (excluding Sundays) that lead up to the celebration of Easter. We will again have daily devotionals to help all of us live more and more in a vibrant relationship with our loving Lord.
Fasting and prayer go hand in hand. Those who are physically able can fast from food. Others might choose to fast from TV or computer games or some other favorite activity. This not only frees up time for prayer and devotion, but enables us to grow in solidarity with and in greater appreciation of Jesus' suffering for us.
Join me in making prayer a greater part of your life. Pray for the church. Listen to what God is saying. Share what you hear with me and others. Let's see what great things God will do in and through us as we become more and more a "house of prayer." We have a time of prayer each Sunday morning from 8:00 — 8:30 AM in the parlor. We'd love to have you join us. There will also be a prayer vigil in March on Good Friday, which is another good opportunity for prayer. But there's no need to limit prayer to a time or even a place. Take every opportunity everywhere you go to pray, pray, pray.
Blessings and prayers,
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FROM YOUR PASTOR ... (December 2011 / January 2012) |
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Written by Anne O'Connor
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Thursday, 01 December 2011 00:00 |
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I'm writing this on November 11, 2011. The leaves are still on many of the trees (although I saw my first snowflakes of the season this morning). The hype for Christmas is already in full swing. The decorations are up in the stores. The bell ringers are out. Lots of holiday plans are being made or already underway. With all the expectations and activities to help us get ready for Christmas, it's easy to get carried away and exhausted by our preparations. Here's a thought I came across that is a word we all need to keep in mind during this season.
"Getting ready for Christmas is a whole lot different than getting ready for Christ. One may leave you depleted...the other fulfilled. How can you do both?"
For me, it comes down to balance—making sure amid all the "things" I do to get ready for Christmas I take time to open myself to and "be" in God's presence. Prayer and Bible study alone and with others and corporate worship help me get ready for and make room for Christ. (If you haven't done so yet, be sure to pick up an advent devotional at Church and join us for our Advent series on the True Gifts of Christmas.) In the things I do, I try to keep others in mind. I try to put a few dollars in those red kettles when I go by them. When I'm buying gifts, try to include some "fair trade" products and support local businesses when I can. (For fair trade gifts, check out the TradeAsOne.com web site. We will be handing out cards with this web site on it. If you use the code on the card when you make your purchase, not will you help provide a living wage to someone living in poverty but to help Aldersgate as well. Watch for more information on that in our Sunday bulletins. Another place to buy gifts that help those in poverty is through Red Bird Mission at crafts.rbmission.org.) When buying gifts for my family I try not to overdo it, which leaves me more than enough to be generous toward others through programs like White Gifts and other worthy programs.
I don't do this perfectly. I can get as overwhelmed with all the doing as much as anyone else. Yet, I find that the more I am able to focus on getting ready for Christ, the more I'm ready for Christmas without being exhausted. It's my prayer that you will find your own balance and ultimately experience joy in your preparations for both Christmas and Christ.
In Christ's love,
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