From the Pastor’s Heart         

 From the Heart

 March 2008

Going On To Perfection

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5.48)

From my earliest memories I can recall words of encouragement: “Good job!  Way to go!” or if need be, “Keep trying!  You can do it!”  Relatives, friends, teachers and coaches were all sources of encouragement as I attempted to become the best I could be in academics and sports and other endeavors.  I would guess that most of us had similar experiences in our “growing up” years.  Not that our elders expected perfection out of us – no, what they were looking for and encouraging us to do was strive for perfection, knowing that how we engage the journey has a lot to do with how we enjoy the destination.  In that sense, we recognize that some things never change.

In the text from Matthew, Jesus was encouraging his disciples to strive for perfection in their faith, their work and their relationships.  Obviously, Jesus didn’t expect them to become perfect like their heavenly Father is perfect, but to become as flawless as we can be considering that in our humanness we will always be less than perfect.  His concept of perfection, expressed in the Greek as téleios, is a process of spiritual growth moving us toward completeness – toward the original human form God had in mind when he said, “Let us create humankind in our own image, according to our likeness.”

Though I was not raised as a United Methodist, one of theological understandings or beliefs of our denomination that I have come to ever more fully appreciate over these past 36 years as a layperson and now a pastor, is the concept of Christian Perfection whereby we come of full age and maturity as we live each successive year ever more faithfully in the presence of God.  Truly, one of the great joys of United Methodists is that we believe with all our hearts that we are going on to perfection.  There is no doubt in us that when we submit ourselves to God a process of transformation begins that will eventually deliver us from a state of grace to a state of glory – from being blessed in this life to being blessed for all eternity. 

The phrase going on to perfection points to the process of connecting with God in a dynamic, active, living manner.  Our individual and congregational relationships with God are should be celebrated as a present and future-oriented set of interactions.  Admittedly, our God is found in history, and while we are informed by that history we must also recognize our God is already in the future experiences of our lives.  To paraphrase – God was, is, and ever shall be.  I have always found comfort in the thought that God is with us today and is already waiting for us in the tomorrows of our lives.

John Wesley wrote in his journal that Christian Perfection is: 1) loving God with all our heart;

2) having a heart and life devoted to God; 3) regaining the whole image of God; 4) having all the mind that was in Christ; and, 5) walking uniformly as Christ walked. (Journal, vol. 3,  p.369).  It was Wesley’s hope that we people called Methodists become examples of holiness of heart and life, so that others might be called to believe and to begin their own journey toward perfection in Christ Jesus.

                                                                                                            Blessings, Pastor Jef

 One Great Hour of Sharing

The Mission emphasis for the month of March will be "One Great Hour of Sharing", a Mission thrust that is observed in United Methodist churches around the world.  All the funds raised by "One Great Hour of Sharing" go to the United Methodist Committee on Relief or UMCOR.  This is the main relief arm of the United Methodist Church, and the funds are used to answer emergency needs in this country and around the world.  The need may be a hurricane in Louisiana, a flood in SE Minnesota, tornados in Tennessee, a civil war in Dafar, or a famine in Africa.  This year the need is more critical than usual as a result of all the many disasters this year and last.  In addition to emergency relief, One Great Hour of Sharing also provides all the administrative support for UMCOR, so that during the year, any funds collected for a specific project will go to that project with nothing taken out for administrative costs.  In the 25th chapter of Matthew, Jesus talked about the righteous inheriting the kingdom of God when He said "for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me."  The righteous responded to Him saying, "Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink?  And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee?  And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?"  And Jesus answered them; "Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me."  This scripture is what UMCOR is all about.  It is about serving our Lord Jesus Christ by serving not the rich and prosperous, not the comfortable, not the saintly church people of the world, but by serving the "least of these", serving men, women, and especially children in desperate need at a time when governments might be only starting to "study" the problem.  UMCOR goes into all areas of the world with supplies and aid, unconcerned about what caused the problem, only concerned about what solves the problem.  UMCOR is also not too proud to work with and through other agencies if necessary to effectively get the job done.  Depending on the circumstances, this may include local churches, Church World Service, Catholic Charities, Red Cross, Red Crescent or any other agency that can help them fulfill their mission of serving Jesus through serving those of His children in need.  Each of us in the Stewartville United Methodist Church, if we are to follow the scriptures must also serve these people in need, but we would have trouble getting to Africa to pass out relief supplies to the starving, we would have trouble getting to Indonesia to help rebuild the country, most of us would even have trouble getting to Tennessee to rebuild tornado destroyed homes.  But UMCOR can and does do all of this and more in our name.  When we dig down deep into our billfolds and purses bringing out the fives, tens or twenties, or write a substantial check to the Stewartville United Methodist Church for "One Great Hour of Sharing", we are truly following the scriptures, truly serving Jesus by helping "the least of these".  Since Easter falls on the fourth Sunday, we will be celebrating Mission Moment for One Great Hour of Sharing on the fifth Sunday, March 30^th.  On this Sunday you will have your opportunity to be part of the worldwide blessing that is UMCOR.  Please be generous and “give until it helps” when the black bags are passed for the second offering on Sunday, March 30th.

                            NEED A RIDE?

Would you like to attend Sunday morning worship, but do not have transportation? If so, please call the church office (533-4625) and someone will return your call to make arrangements to provide transportation to church.

Children's Time ~

                               March

If you are unable to serve as scheduled, please find a substitute and call the church office by                                                                                                                                                           

                                    Wednesday at 533-4625 or call Barb Warren at (507) 867-3006.

Lay Readers ~

                                            March

If you are unable to serve as scheduled, please find a substitute and call the church office by Wednesday at 533-4625 or  Wilma Menshik at 533-9591. 

                              PRAYER PAGE

THANK YOU:

            Pastor Jef, members and friends of SUMC:

  Thanks to all for your prayers, thoughts and cards during and after my recent surgery.  Also thank you for the Prayer Shawl.  A special thank you to Pastor Jef for your visits and prayers.

We believe that your thoughts and prayers were beneficial for the success of the surgery and fast recovery.  I am feeling well.  Thanks again, Jerry Hildebrandt.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

              Midwest Mission Distribution Center Mission Trip:  Open to youth through adults.  Departing March 30 and returning April 5^th of 2008.  All skills and abilities can be used.  Lodging will be in the campus dorms.  Costs are:  project fees ($50); dorm ($15/night) and share of food and gas.  If you have questions please contact Tanya Oberg at 288-7152. Please sign up at the Missions Table in the narthex.

 SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE:

 The Gifts and Memorial Ministry Team is again offering a scholarship given in Christian Faith and Love.  Anyone attending a post-secondary education institution is encouraged to apply.  Applications will be accepted until March 30^th and are available on the table in the narthex. Please submit your application in a sealed envelope to the church office-Attn. Gifts& Mem.

ANNOUNCEMENT: 

           Volunteers are needed for the next “Feed My Starving Children” mission trip to Eagan, MN on Saturday, June 7^th, 2008 from 9-11am.  Please sign up at the Mission Table in the Narthex.  All ages are welcome. 

EASTER FLOWERS:

 We have again made arrangements through a local florist for placing orders for Easter Flowers. Lilies are $7.98, cyclamen, kalanchoes, mums and tulips are $13.99 and azaleas and hydrangeas are $21.50. If you would like to add a bow the cost is $2.50. There are ordering sheets on the back table in the Narthex or call the church office.  The deadline for ordering is Sunday, March 16^th.

ANNOUNCEMENT: 

              Home Show time again:  Please show your support to the SUMC food booth by volunteering to work, donating pies, and/or donating hamburger for BBQ’s. The dates and times are Friday, March 7th, from 4:30-9:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 8^th from 9:00-5:00 p.m.  Please see the sign-up sheets in the narthex to join in the fun or talk to Jeff or Sue Churchill.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

            Lenten Wednesday night supper and worship gatherings will be on February 27th and continue through March 12^th.  A light supper will be served at 5:45 p.m. in the fellowship hall followed by a worship service ending at 7:00 p.m. Our topic of exploration this year will be the Stations of the Cross.  During Holy Week we will gather for Maundy Thursday service (March 20^th) at 7:00 p.m.  Please note that there will be no supper served at the Maundy Thursday gathering.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

            A SECOND meeting facilitated by Dale Arendt has been set for Saturday, March 1, 2008 beginning at 9:00 a.m.  This workshop is designated to “empower our vision” as a congregation.  Reminders will be sent to participants in the September 2007 workshop.  If you would like to join in this brainstorming session, please contact Pastor Jef.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

           REMEMBER to put some quarters in your pocket before church next Sunday, the first Sunday of the month is Quarter Drive.

ANNOUNCEMENT: 

          SUMC has been invited to send volunteers to participate in a SE MN UMC work camp in Rushford, MN.  This three or four day work mission opportunity is being hosted by Red Wing UMC and the Gateways connectional ministries group to which our pastor/church belongs.  Participants will spend Sunday evening through Wednesday or Thursday of the following week. The dates being considered are April 20-24 and May 18-22.  Please contact Pastor Jef if you are interested in sharing your time and construction skills to further the recovery process from last Augusts’ devastating flood.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

           The Southeast District Committee on Lay Speaking is planning an Advanced Lay Speaking Ministries course for March.  The topic will be the Social Principles.  If you have questions, please talk to Pastor Jef.

Midwest Mission Distribution Center Mission Trip

The Stewartville United Methodist Church is planning a mission work trip to the Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Chatham, IL leaving about 11:30 a.m. (after church) on Sunday, March 30, 2008 and returning Saturday, April 5, 2008.  We have reserved space at the dormitory on site, and it is now time to sign up for this trip.  Signup sheets are located on the table in the Narthex.  This will be a great way to get a “mission” experience without going a long distance, yet will give you the sense of really doing something concrete for the Lord. If you want more information on this mission work trip, please contact George Menshik.  We plan to car pool out to Chatham as much as possible and will be leaving from the church.  The cost at Midwest will be $15 per night per person for lodging plus $50 per person to pay for materials used while there which comes to $140 for the six nights we will be there which will be due at the conclusion of our stay.  The only other costs will be the cost of getting there and food.  The dormitory has full kitchen facilities, so we will be preparing our own meals there on site.  Work performed will be based on the needs at Midwest at the time we are there and the capabilities of the volunteers, but can include such activities as sorting, packing and shipping disaster relief items, sewing school bags of layette blankets, assembling school kits, health kits, or flood buckets, working in the woodworking shop making school desks, doing office work, or perhaps doing maintenance work there at the center.  There will be plenty of work available that will match the capabilities of the volunteers.  Please sign up as soon as possible so we can firm up our plans for the trip.  It should be a lot of fun as well as a source of real satisfaction.

Mission Moment from Marion Bateman on this half.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Happy Birthday to the following church members and friends who celebrate March birthdays! Do YOU have a March birthday?  Is YOUR name on the list?  If not, please call or drop a note to the church office to let us know. We don't want to miss the opportunity to wish you a very Happy Birthday! 

      As we settle into what can be the remaining long days of winter, please consider using your talents in the creation of Prayer Shawls.  During the past year the SUMC prayer shawls have brought tangible, visual reminders to many of our church family and friends of the prayers and well wishes of our congregation.  Thank you for all your time and efforts to keep this ministry alive in our church.  Health & Wellness Ministry Team.

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     Don’t miss it!!  Friday, March 28th will be our “Beach Party” family fun night for all members of our church family starting at 6:00 p.m.  A light supper will be served.  A serving table will be set up if you want to bring a little something to share.  It is not required.  There is a sign up sheet on the back table.  Let us know if you are coming, if you have a game you would like to bring or will be in need of nursery care.  Come for an hour....stay the whole time.  Invite friends and family.  It should be an evening of good fun and fellowship.  If you have any questions, suggestions or would like to be a part of the planning, please contact Laura Renken, Becky or Russ Kidd or Ronda Miner.

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 Education is teaming up with Missions during the month of March for a Channel One competition.  At a minimum, we have 6 barrels to fill.  Our hope, of course, is for an overflow.

The Sunday school will be split into 3 age groups (yet to be named)…preschool through 3^rd grade, 4^th through 6^th grade and 7^th through 12^th grade.  Each group will have 2 decorated barrels.  As adults, you can choose to support any or all age groups.  The barrels will be “manned” on Sunday mornings vying for your support. 

As with any competition, a prize (yet to be determined and announced) will be awarded to the winning group.

We are also working on a way to involve the whole community.

During the month of March, please bring an item or 2 of non-perishable food each Sunday in support of this effort.