Your Four Life Legends

Four Living Legends: Bench, Aaron, Koufax, Mays (l-r)

   Known as the Midsummer Classic, the game between the best of the National League and the best of the American League dates back to its inauguration in 1933. The greatest of all time have made up the rosters since. This week's game was  no different in that regard, but did feature something additional. In the moments before the ump yelled "Play ball" at Tuesday's All-Star game, the past met the present at midfield in a special moment of recognition. After twenty-five million votes were cast, the four greatest living players were introduced to the fans gathered in Cincinnati. Titled the Four Living Legends, the list included the pitcher Sandy Koufax, catcher Johnny Bench, and outfielders Willie Mays and Hank Aaron - the true Home Run King.  Now, if you have ever been a fan of baseball in your life, you can appreciate how difficult compiling such a list would be. But, I have to say that they probably got it right. Mays and Aaron are shoe-ins, and Bench and Koufax played the game right and at a high-level for years.
   The thought of narrowing down legendary performers into a small list started me thinking about some of the people who have performed at high levels in my life. Who are the four people to have had the greatest impact on who I am? Which prompts the next question; what are the measures or qualities I value the most in my relationships?
   What about for you? Who are the four or five or six legends in your life? Maybe it comes back around to grace and peace. Who are the  people who have offered you grace and peace most consistently? Who are the people who have told you - with words and acts - that you are valued, accepted, and a joy in the eyes of God? Who have helped you embrace the peace in the right now that God offers?
   The truth is, my life has been made of up of a truly All-Star roster of family, friends, mentors and teachers who have offered me grace and peace. May we all draw closer to those who are still living, and cherish those who have passed on. Grace and Peace to you, Scott

The quiet way of God

   I love trains. My dad's father was a depot operator for the Savannah to Atlanta Line nearly a century ago. My grandmother grew up with those tracks in her front yard. I have grown to have a deep appreciation for what they mean to our nation's history and how they continue to serve our country's economy. They are pretty impressive. Lately, we've been most impressed with how loud their horns can sound from a mile away. And, I am impressed with how cautious the drivers engineers are when approaching a crossing. Of course, we live a few hundred yards from two crossings, so we are often alerted to their presence in our community. Which is, at least, three times around midnight every night! Despite my sarcastic tone, I really do want them to blow their horns loud every time, so drivers can hear and take heed. 

   There have been many times in my life that I wish God was more like a locomotive engineer: you know, more deliberate at getting my attention. That is rarely God's way. The Bible includes a few instances of God taking the loud approach - Noah and the flood, Pharaoh and the plagues, Daniel walking from the lion's den, or Paul on the Damascus road. Generally speaking, hearing from God is more like the experience of Elijah in the wilderness. The story from 1 Kings 19 begins with Elijah fleeing for his life from the evil Jezebel. He ends up on a mountain and is told to listen for God speaking. It says:

"Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him..."

The voice was in the silence. This is how God often speaks to us, still today: when we turn down the noise of the world and are silent ourselves. 

   I want to hear from God, not just as a pastor, but also as a husband, parent, and friend. Sometimes it is because the train is bearing down and I'm in harm's way. Mostly, it is because God's voice reminds me of who I am: a child of the King. 

   Join me this week in taking an extra ten minutes every morning to sit quietly in order that God might speak. Grace and peace, Scott

I grow better in light than darkness

   I walked by some flowers earlier this week that caught my eye. I snapped a photo of them that you might appreciate their beauty, as well. God's creative ability is amazing. I regularly marvel at the colors that are found within nature. Just think of the million different hues and tints of colors that can be found on flowers alone, each created by a slightly different reaction to water, soil, nutrients and their own unique chemistry. Just the science of how flowers are adorned causes me to worship the greatness of God. Jesus used flowers to teach against worrying when he said in Matthew 6, "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these." He saw what we see; flowers are evidence of God's handiwork. 

   But, the flowers I saw caught my eye for something else. I couldn't help but notice the direction they were facing: they were bending toward the sunlight. The very thought of that captured my heart; oh, that it would be that easy for me.   Instead of bending my life perfectly toward the light that nourishes, I so often choose to twist and contort toward the shadows and darkness. When I gossip, worry, fail to forgive, hold a grudge, fixate on money, or get too busy to pray, it is like a flower choosing to bury it's head in the shadows and turn away from the very thing that gives life. 

   We were made for better. I think this is exactly what 1 Peter 2 was talking about when it encourages:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

   May we grow in grace by turning into the light that shines brighter than any other: the love and grace of God offered to us though Jesus Christ. Amen!

   Scott

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns."

- Isaiah 52:7

   The prophet Isaiah captures the raw emotions known to any who have waited to hear Good News. The baby is fine. Your loved one is okay. The contract went through. You've go the job. Your football team finally beat their rivals! (OK, this last one is not as important as the others, but I was trying to include everyone)!

   Despite that much of the specific history of Isaiah's context has been lost over the centuries since these words were first uttered, it is clear that he once stood among God's people waiting for news to arrive. Obviously, waiting back then took longer: no cell phone towers, electronic mail, or even the pony express. Runners would risk their lives to carry back word of victories or impending attacks. In every way, technology has radically changed the meaning and methods of communications. Yet, the importance of communicating has not been altered one bit (or byte).

   I propose this is as true for the Bonaire Church now as in the days after those first Sunday services were held here in 1894. People need to stay in touch and be informed. It might be even more important now, considering the overwhelming amount of information and content that flows our way. We are inundated with communication, so we all need to hear things on more than one occasion in order to process it correctly. 

   We are updating some of our methods in small, but meaningful ways. We are now sending more each week in our emails. We are considering plans to begin sending a monthly piece out by regular mail. Here is what we would ask of you:

   1) Help us by providing and keeping current your email address and phone number with the Church Office. Send it to bonaireumc@bonairechurch.com or call Kristina at (478) 733-1806. 

   2) Call the church when you are having surgery or have experienced some need of pastoral care.

   3) Read your bulletin and transfer dates to your calendars.

   4) Pray that we continue to be a place where the Good News is proclaimed, and every visitor would walk away knowing that Our God reigns.

   Grace and Peace, Scott

   

The New Guy(s)

   We all know, it's not always easy being the new guy or girl in a new place. I remember walking into elementary school, after we moved to Statesboro the day before the start of First Grade, clutching a shiny new pen because it was the only friend I had in the building! Of course, Mrs. Marks was gracious to point out that in her class we'd be writing with pencils.

   You probably have similar remembrances of those moments you've walked into a place unsure of who you'd sit with, what would happen, how you'd be treated, and if would you be accepted. Those are often moments of anxiety and even fear. Yet, when we look back on some of those same moments we realize that they were often the beginnings of new and exciting chapters in our lives: new careers, new relationships, new opportunities, new directions, or new moments of learning. 

   Matt Martin has reminded me, on more than one occasion, that he's a new guy, too. Often, that happens when I whisper a question about the name of someone standing across the hallway. We're both wanting our 'newness' to work as permission to get more time to meet and get to know everyone. 

   All of us came to Bonaire as the new person, at one point or another. Despite Mrs. Kay's insistence that she's been here all her life - which is true - even she arrived (as an infant) not knowing what to expect. It's a good reminder for all of us that every Sunday (or any day, really) brings new people who walk through our doors unsure of what to expect. So, our own experiences of being the new person are guides to the simple acts of greeting people, introducing yourself, and extending a hand. Every moment we can treat someone as we ourselves have wanted to be treated we are living out Jesus' commandments:  

Matthew 7:12 -  "In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. 

Matthew 22:39 - "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 

   Speaking for Matt and myself, you've welcomed our families with such grace. Thank you. May we welcome the next family, and the next, and the next, in the same manner! 

   Grace and peace, Scott

Hugs, Help Moving Boxes, Hospitality and a Humble Word of Appreciation

   We are humbled. The welcome we have received, from the very first phone call from Claire Chapman to the very last dessert brought to our door, has been a blessing. The list of tangible ways that this congregation has extended hospitality to our family is lengthy: hugs, helping move boxes, bringing food, balloons on the mailbox, helping move furniture, kind notes, beautiful flowers, helping move boxes, words of welcome by email, prayers that are written and spoken, helping move furniture, smiles, handshakes, helping move boxes, and offers to do even more in the days ahead. I am sure that I left some things
out, but did I mention how much we appreciate the help with moving boxes and furniture? That was awesome. I am unable to list every person who has already helped, but I must mention Linda Dykes for her exceptional work in this transition. She walked us through a truly magnificent home on Wednesday upon our arrival that was the product of the consistent effort of a host of people.
   We have met a few dozen people already, but please continue the grace-filled kindness of reminding us of your names for at least a month or so. We need the help! We will begin reviewing the Church Directory on Sunday evening to connect names with faces we've met so far, but it is a slow process, as you all know.
   Let me say a word of appreciation to Jay and Cathy, Mary Catherine and Ross, for the amazing ministry they have helped to steward for these eight years. Bonaire is not the same since they arrived here in 2007. I have long had a lengthy list of reasons to admire them and various points of connection and friendship, but their grace in this transition has been tremendous. They are good people, in the best sense of the term.
   I hope to meet you in worship and see you again soon - possibly as a volunteer at VBS this coming week!
   Grace and peace to you, Scott

A Word from Julie Hagan

God of mercy, sweet love of mine. I have surrendered to your design. May this offering stretch across the sky. And these hallelujahs be multiplied. 

As I stood and listened to Andy and the band sing these lyrics to one of my favorite songs last week, I closed my eyes so that I could hear more clearly. It sounds strange, but we all have been taught that when one sense is omitted, our other senses are enhanced. With my eyes closed, I could hear the intracacies of the guitar, the voices, the drums, and the piano, but I could also hear  my prayers for Epworth being lifted throughout the singing of that song. 

Epworth is a special place, full of special people.  People who share a common vision for what God's call is in their lives, as well as what His call is for the church.  The manner in which the people of Epworth have ministered to the least of these in Columbus is such a testament to what it means to be Epworth as well as to be the kingdom of God. This giving and service to others is simply part of the fabric of Epworth. 

I am so thankful to have been a part of this church for the past five years.  For five years you have welcomed my family, loved and cared for my children, and even laughed at whatever crazy prop Scott brought into worship that week. It has been a blessing and a privilege to serve alongside you. You have shown me and my family what it really means to be the people of Epworth and the people of God. For every prayer that I have prayed for you, you have prayed the same for me. I have felt it, and I know that those will continue even now that our time serving together is ending. That is just how you are built. This home that we have known will always have a special place in my heart. It is for all these things that I am thankful. 

May your lives continue to be blessings, and may all of your hallelujahs be multiplied.

Grace and peace,

Julie

Honoring Lives Lived Well

   I was sitting quietly on Memorial Day thinking about friends I have made over four decades who leave home to serve our country. Service in our military is a sacrifice, and exposes the men and women of our nation's Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard, to risks that include death. I was thinking, too, about the families they left behind every time they deployed. Millions of times families have stood at airports, on bases, or on front porches and watched their precious person pass around the corner, not knowing the next time they'd see them.
   It is humbling to think about such devotion to our country, a nation built on a little phrase that Jefferson penned three centuries ago...

We hold these truths to be sacred & undeniable; that all men are created equal & independent, that from that equal creation they derive rights inherent & inalienable, among which are the preservation of life, & liberty, & the pursuit of happiness; ...

I am thankful for every person who has given life and limb to uphold these truths.

   Epworth is also a place where people have given themselves to service over self. Including the story of the Hamp Stevens UMC, this congregation has been shaped for decades by the generosity of men and women who have lived out their lives as faithful followers of Jesus Christ through ministry here.

   The Tree of Life Memorial, displayed for the first time this past weekend, gives people an opportunity to remember and honor those who have gone on before us but whose lives remain an important part of who we are. Initiated by the Friendship Class, the idea, from its very start, has been carried through to completion by Marjean and James Waters. The design was beautifully created by Buddy Dunn, and the woodworking itself was created by Archie Smith, whose ties to these congregations run deep. We are indebted to all of these for offering us such an opportunity to celebrate our loved ones.
   You can honor any loved one, who was a member of either of these two congregations, with a donation in their memory to Epworth UMC. Call the church office, visit our website, or find an insert in the bulletin.
   Grace and Peace, Scott