This Thanksgiving, embrace gratefulness and celebrate blessingsDoesn't Thanksgiving lends itself to helping us name the many ways we are blessed? 'An attitude of gratitude' is what we seek to instill in ourselves and in our family members, especially this week. The following suggestions may enable our families to focus not just on being thankful for the good food of the day, but to also show true gratefulness for the many blessings experienced by our families. Stopping to identify blessings doesn’t mean that life has been easy in the past year. Everyone experiences difficulties and hardships. We can’t ignore the fact that hardships are part of life. In light of this, at Thanksgiving, reflect together on families all around the world who have left their homes to move to other countries because of war, because of economic issues, or because of instability in their home countries. Many may not have the opportunities that we have: enjoying a family meal, reflecting together on the year, or even having a safe place to live. Yet, they too may be looking at life with an 'attitude of gratitude' ... in spite of finding themselves in new places, with circumstances they didn’t anticipate, or with people they do not know. This year, consider using one or more of the following suggestions when you observe Thanksgiving in your home or with others.
Happy Thanksgiving from Sealy's First United Methodist Church! May we observe this Thanksgiving, and every day, with open, loving and grateful hearts.
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THIS SUNDAY: CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY This Sunday's worship marks the last Sunday of the Christian year and centers around the theme of ‘Christ the King.’ With the passing of this day, our hearts and minds turn toward Advent, when the Christian worship year begins again. So what of this day we call ‘Christ the King?’ What is God’s good word for those of us who worship this, the last Sunday before we journey to Bethlehem? Of the four Gospel writers, only Luke records the detailed conversations that took place between our Lord and the two thieves who died with him that day on Calvary. Through Luke, you hear the mocking of the crowd and the derision of the soldiers. But only Luke includes a verse not found in some of our oldest Bibles, the verse that records Jesus saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” At that time, and place, of horrific human suffering, where abandonment meets death, Jesus dies on a rough-hewn cross beneath a darkened sky. It is here that our Lord, hoisted above the ground and pegged to a cross between two thieves, is enthroned as the forgiving King. It is here, that Jesus, if you please, holds court before a crowd of insulting bystanders and a corps of profane soldiers. Here, that Jesus hangs on a splintered throne, the instrument of his death, with two lost sons of God who stole and murdered their way to Calvary. It is here, that Jesus dies … not so much as ‘King of the Jews,’ ... but as ‘Christ the King,’ full of mercy and love. As we honor Christ the King on this day, I invite you to remember again with me this: that God offers the power to changes lives and alter history through the power of forgiving love. So, no matter how insensitive another has treated you … or how cruelly you have treated yourself … you are given life in the midst of death … hope in the face of despair … all from our splintered King’s throne. And remember, as we journey through life’s difficulties and joys, we should live with an awareness that no matter what happens to you or others … we live with hope. And in living with hope, we live in Christ’s kingdom. It has been a while since I have said much about our remodel project. Believe it or not, it has been moving forward, just slower than I had hoped. I have heard people say that “we have been talking about this for over 10 years, but nothing ever happens.” Well, I know that what sometimes seems impossible, is possible with God, and this too is possible.
The finance committee has decided to use the story of Nehemiah as a basis for this project, and more specifically, the capital campaign that will go along with it. I want to share with you some of my thoughts on Nehemiah. God is in the business of working through his people to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks. God often shapes people with personality characteristics, experiences, and training that prepare them for his purpose, and usually the people have no idea what God has in store for them. God prepared and positioned Nehemiah to accomplish one of the Bible's "impossible" tasks. Nehemiah was a common man in a unique position. He was secure and successful as the cup-bearer to the Persian king, Artaxerxes. Nehemiah had little power, but he had great influence. He was trusted by the king. He was also a man of God, concerned about the fate of Jerusalem. Seventy years earlier, Zerubbabel had managed to rebuild God's Temple. Thirteen years had passed since Ezra had returned to Jerusalem and helped the people with their spiritual needs. Now, Nehemiah was needed. Jerusalem's wall was still in ruins, and the news broke his heart. As he talked to God, a plan began to take form in Nehemiah's mind about his own role in the rebuilding of the city walls. He willingly left the security of his home and job in Persia to follow God on an "impossible" mission. And the rest is history. From beginning to end, Nehemiah prayed for God's help. He never hesitated to ask God to remember him, closing his autobiography with these words: "Remember this in my favor, O my God" (13:31 NLT). Throughout the "impossible" task, Nehemiah displayed unusual leadership. The wall around Jerusalem was rebuilt in record time, despite resistance. Even Israel's enemies grudgingly and fearfully admitted that God was with these builders. Not only that, but God worked through Nehemiah to bring about a spiritual awakening among the people of Judah. You may not have Nehemiah's unique abilities or feel that you are in a position where you can do anything great for God, but there are two ways you can become useful to God. First, be a person who talks to God. Welcome him into your thoughts and share yourself with him—your concerns, feelings, and dreams. Second, be a person who walks with God. Put what you learn from his Word into action. When it comes to remodeling (rebuilding) our sanctuary, God may have an "impossible" mission that he wants to do through you. Pastor Curtis Hello church family!
In 2017 we are planning to make a significant change in the way we handle church business here at First United Methodist Church. I want to spend some time in the next few weeks making sure everyone feels comfortable with what we are doing. During our Sept. 22 charge conference, we will be voting to move to a Single Board Model of church governance. This is something that some of the churches in our conference and other churches throughout our denomination have moved to over the last few years. I have been talking about this move with our Church Council and the other administrative committees for roughly a year now. The church leadership overwhelmingly supports this move. When we have voted for this change, the new model will become effective January 1, 2017. In this brief explanation, I will try to pass along the key elements of this new model for leadership. I will be happy to talk with any of you about it if you would like more information. We will be voting at our charge conference to shift from the former United Methodist Church’s structure that includes an Administrative Council, Finance Committee, Board of Trustees, and a PPR Committee, to the new “Single Board” alternative structure comprised of eleven members. These members have been nominated by the existing Lay Leadership and Nominations committee. The Board will be comprised of a Chairperson, Recording Secretary, the Lay Leader, the Lay Delegate to Annual Conference, the Pastor and six persons elected to serve in three year terms. This year we will elect two to a class of 2017, two to 2018, and two to 2019. Each year the openings on this Board will be nominated by Lay Leadership and Nominations. This Single Board will oversee all of the administrative decisions of the church. The Lay Leadership and Nominations Committee will continue to function as it has in the past. This model frees up people to serve in ministry positions in the church. We will also vote at charge conference for the leaders of those ministry areas. I think the way to best lay out how this new model will function is to give you some key areas of responsibilities and where they will fall in the new model. Leadership Board Purpose
Leadership Board Responsibilities
Pastor’s Role
Guidelines to Ensure the Alternative Structure’s Success
Yours in Christ, Pastor Curtis Matthys |
AuthorIn matters of faith, we at First United Methodist Church, Sealy put primary reliance on the Bible. In scripture, we understand that we are all God’s children; therefore, we will be a church that cares for the needs of our church and local community through prayer, deeds, inspiration, and love in the spirit of Christ. Archives
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Our MissionCaring for the needs of our church and community through prayer, deeds, inspiration and love in the Spirit of Christ.
Sunday Worship: 10 am Adult & Children & Youth Sunday School 9 am First Kids Mother's Day Out (Tuesday & Thursday; 8am to 2pm; Ages 1-3) Rev Pat Bell, Pastor First United Methodist Church Sealy
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