Epworth's Transformation: More Than Surface Deep

   I never saw the Bill Murray comic classic Groundhog Day when it came out in 1993.  I was too busy not studying calculus. But, I am familiar with the folklore that says if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on February 2, then spring will come early and, if is it sunny, then we’ll have winter for six more weeks. Last month, Punxsutawney Phil predicted we would have a long winter. Of course, that is not great science, is it? You cannot predict the future weather for months out based on one day’s conditions.

   Last week, I was delighted to write a report on all of the new construction and renovation projects that Epworth has tackled in the past 54 weeks. The list is long, and the changes are dramatic. ROCON is waiting on the delivery of the final piece, new entrance doors to the Fellowship Hall, and that project will be complete. But, I also promised to report on the transformations happening at Epworth that are more than surface deep.

   First, let me revisit the groundhogs. I don’t think you can predict the future based on one day’s weather. Just like I don’t think you can speak to the Spirit-led transformation happening at Epworth without considering a variety of measures. So, here goes:

• The transfer of the Hamp-Stephens funds last January made a huge impact on our Spirit. More than just allowing us to pay for the construction work, finally having the monies in hand freed up so many of our people from the sense of dread that the funds would somehow be lost to us. 
• Our Vision Team that met from January to June of last year helped capture a clear mission: Epworth connects and equips all kinds of people to seek, serve and share Christ. People are learning and quoting this statement to each other and to folks outside our church. 
• The Vision Team also laid out an ambitious goal of having 60% of our active people serving beyond the walls of our church in ministries in our community. I hear of people taking on new projects and passions all the time. This is the church being the church! 
• Finally, I received feedback from our congregation in a survey I did on Epworth’s vision and our future. One of the questions asked, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rank your confidence in the statement, “Epworth will be a thriving congregation in the year 2025.” The average answer came back as 7.5. 

Think about that last point. In a world that is changing so rapidly around us, our people nevertheless are very confident that Epworth will be here. I believe they are right and I believe that hope comes from the continuing work of the Holy Spirit to transform us. 

   Like the word of promise spoken by the prophet Ezekiel to God’s people countless generations ago, “A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” I don’t think this is some silly tradition that is poorly predicting the future weather - I believe Epworth is positioned to continue seeking, serving and sharing Christ with the world. 

   Grace and Peace, Scott

Looking Back on the Good

   The Scriptures contain some pretty serious consequences for those who look back. In Genesis 19, Lot's wife is left behind - in the form of a pillar of salt - when she casts a glance back after being instructed to not look back. Jesus says, in Luke 9, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." In both cases, it seems that looking back in a way that suggests returning to the past is deemed a very bad thing.
   However, I think there is scriptural evidence that looking back to take stock of what was beneficial, for the purpose of changing course or getting perspective, is clearly a good thing. Luke 15 tells of the younger son thinking back to his father's home and coming to his senses. Clearly the New Testament comes to us only eyewitnesses spent years looking back and thinking through the words and deeds of Jesus. I think looking back can have value. We probably don't do it enough: slow down and look back.
   It was February 3, 2014 that our church gathered to hear a report on two proposed renovation and new construction projects. It was also that night that the assembled group first learned of the transfer of the Hamp Stevens Memorial UMC funds into Epworth's account. Who knew that a unanimous vote would be the beginning of fifty-two weeks of work?

• The hallway renovations, and the renovation that upgraded the women's restroom in the long hallway, would be completed in April, just before Easter. 
• The parking lot project would begin in May and wrap up in August. 
• The children's ministry wing project would begin in June and wrap up the week of Homecoming in September.
• Finally, the renovation of the Fellowship Hall and the new storage room that has been built started in October and are finishing this week. We hoped it would be finished in December, but the middle of this project was delayed for 2.5 weeks by the City, another three weeks by our choice to upgrade the ceilings, and then a week for Christmas break. So, while Andy Rolling and ROCON are a couple of weeks behind on the timetable considering these bumps in the road, their work over the past year has truly transformed our building.  

   In all, our Building Committee has led us to tackle six projects. We have has construction crews on the property for forty-eight of the past fifty-two weeks. At the same time, different monies were raised or given to replace the commercial refrigerator, the business phone system, and to install a new security system at the church and in the parsonage.
   What a year! And this only scratches the surface of what Epworth has going on. Next week, I want to highlight the transformation that continues in Epworth.
   Grace and Peace, Scott

Don't Bother Praying

   My friend Linda had surgery in December, and spent the better part of January in physical therapy regaining strength. She was delighted to once again be in control of her daily schedule, to sleep in her own bed, and to resume her life, but she was also worried. Many of us who have witnessed loved ones try to recovery from a fall or surgery or have even gone through it ourselves know, it is not an easy transition. There are a dozens of daily and weekly tasks that become strenuous to accomplish.
   So, there she was, a few days from returning home after over a month in two different local medical facilities, and worrying about it. She said as much to one of the folks where she was in physical therapy and they offered her a piece of wisdom that she passed on to me. I thought so much of it, I am sharing it with you. The woman told Linda,

If you're going to pray, don't worry. If you're going to worry, don't bother praying.

I love this. Of course, she was reworking the essence of Jesus' words to those gathered around him when he preached the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 6:34 records Jesus saying, "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."
   In my years of visiting and counseling with friends of all ages, this might be the passage I quote more often than any other. Almost everyone struggles with worry. It is human nature. It is not the nature of one who is seeking after the will of God, though. Worry is about fear, prayer is about trust. We cannot have both. Which do I choose?
   May you choose wisely and live abundantly. Grace and Peace, Scott