LIVING and LOVING in LODI      October 18, 2020

from Pastor Pam…. 

 

A Biblical Election Year Challenge

We are nearing an election. Our nation is polarized. While I realize most of us have our minds made up regarding candidates, it is my hope to encourage us to continually engage in biblical reflection on the issues of the day.
Years ago, as a seminary intern, I taught a class based on a book by a Protestant Evangelical writer Jim Wallis: God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Does Not Get It. I was excited to use this book in Bible study as I had found his first book The Soul of Politics, so enlightening. The group I led had both progressives and conservatives; it was a great blessing to watch persons move from their knee- jerk responses to moral/ political issues and engage in holy conversation: folks stopped needing to be right and started opening their minds and hearts to fresh ways of attuning their perspectives to the way of Jesus. 

We, in The United Methodist Church, have rich biblically based resources to help us form our responses to the political / moral issues of our day: the texts for Holy Communion and Baptism offer food for reflection as does the Social Creed (The Hymnal), The Book of Discipline has the “Social Principals”.  The “Social Principals” can also be found on-line in outline form or fully articulated with biblical support; these resources are also available in hard copy.

Often we become locked into ways of thinking that are comfortable; looking at our community, nation, world, and values with fresh eyes can feel uncomfortable, but Jesus did not come solely that we might be comfortable; he came that we might live an abundant life and share that life with all creation.

I pray we will all be vigilant as to the sources of our in-formation so that we will be formed inwardly in the way that is Jesus.  As the hymn states so beautifully: keep your eyes upon Jesus!

 

We welcome Larry Scott to the pulpit this Sunday as it is Laity Sunday.   He brings his energy with a most interesting message entitled “Mopin’ / Copin’ / Hopin’”. 

 

Weekly Scripture:   Psalm 46                                                                                  

46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

² Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

³ Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

⁴ There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

⁵ God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

⁶ The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

⁷ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

⁸ Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

⁹ He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

 

Hymns   #378 “Amazing Grace” verses 1,2,4

                #142  “If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee”  verses 1,2,3

                #368  “My Hope is Built”  verses 1,2,3

 

Noteworthy News and Needs   ~We are back in the sanctuary, BUT still on Facebook AND YouTube!!!!  The link will come Sunday afternoon (after the service) in an e-mail. You MUST click the link to be able to watch the service as it is private on YouTube.  

  ~United Methodist Women - All women are welcome; the group meets the second Saturday of the month at 9:30 in Fellowship Hall. Contact: Chris Sparr 

~Have you checked out the ramp project!  The brick matches perfectly!!!! Thank you to Frank and his crew!

~Clothe My Sheep: set up this Thursday and Friday 10 am to ?

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!!!!!  Even an hour... it helps!!

Please pray for this outreach!!!   We are offering so much more than clothing.

 

Advent Booklet:

We are still in need of a few articles.  PLEASE consider it!!!!  You can write it.  It can be a poem.  It can be a song. 

For your devotional article you will need: scripture, your article, a prayer

Nov. 29 - Dec. 5 - theme is HOPE                        Dec. 6 - Dec. 12 - theme is PEACE

Dec. 13 - Dec. 19 - theme is JOY  (all dates are taken)     

Dec. 20 - Dec. 26 - theme is LOVE

If you are interested in sharing an article, please e-mail, text or call me with the date.  We have had such thoughtful booklets in the past - looking forward to doing it again this year!  Dottie

                                                                 

The Lodi Tech Team:

We had our first meeting on October 2nd. Thank you Re. Donna Van Trees, Bob Wooley and Colin Laughlin for stepping up!  We will find ways to make our audio and video better, including PowerPoint, Testing Microphones, adding lighting, etc.  We’re thrilled to be reaching so many people virtually. Our World Communion Sunday Service had 78 views on Facebook and 30 views through our private site on YouTube! There are many ideas on how to better utilize these opportunities. We could use a few more members on our team! Text Katrina if interested or with ideas. (330-819-6890)

 

Rev. Pamela Buzalka       (216)-704-0307        pamelab23@hotmail.com