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As we begin, I invite you reflect on your relationship with God known to us in Christ Jesus through these words. Oct. 29, 2007 MondayConnect, Transform, Serve Transformations of a Sinner By Bill Herbert Welcoming, Anointed, Fulfilled from within, we walk from this building feeling devoid of our sin. The burden is lifted, our souls scrubbed with resurrection, we live our lives piously filled full with conviction. Only God has the answers to the questions we pose, salvation only through Jesus since he died and arose. Through the depths of our despair we can climb that thin rope, clinging to redemption the only glimmer of hope. Above us our needs, our wants our desires, below the ones who torment and conspire against us. Through Divinity and Love we can see the sun shining, our hearts and minds no longer left crying. We should avenge the loss of our purest convictions, by searching them out and start living within them. Charity, Love, Peace and Kindness. Let the Passion of Christ burn strong inside us. Bill Herbert recently accepted the call to share Lay Leadership at Smoky Hill UMC. Bill sings in the choir, participates with his kids in repacking rice and beans for the Aurora Interchurch Food Bank, is part of our drama team and chairs the Worship Team. Still Bill was humbled by the invitation to serve as Lay Leader. Dear Rev. Marti, I also wanted to let you know that I accept the position of Lay Leader .I only hope that I will be able to live up to the responsibilities that are required in this leadership role. I truly feel a great passion about our church community, am excited about reaching out to everyone who enters our doors. At first when you asked me and told me there were two others, I was relieved and thought that this role would be better for me at a later point in my life. But that all changed this Wednesday night after choir, the simple unsolicited act of a small child (6-8 years old), who I didn't know, calling me over and telling me I was "Cool" and "Nice" lifted my heart. It showed me that even though I'm not perfect, and struggle with my own faith on a daily basis, I can be a good role model for our children and congregation. I'm excited to work with the Emily, John and you as well. You really have lifted me up the last few years and have allowed me to grow as a person. With much Love, Peace and Joy, Bill Herbert
. . . . . . . . . . Oct. 30, 2007 Tuesday Elspie Tapp is a long time member of Smoky Hill UMC. She has often spoken to the congregation of her faith journey, how God has given her opportunities to connect in worship and prayer, to participate in small groups, and to serve. Elspie has just returned from three weeks on a medical mission team to Cambodia. What touches you as you read her letters? Greetings, Well we have made it one week and I am doing well. The heat and humidity is still tough. Today we went to such a remote village that the roads were too difficult to travel in our vans so we got 13 of us in the back of a Toyota pick up (small) and rode into the village. On the way out we got 20 people in a diesel powered old farming truck. It was very bumpy but an absolute RIOT!!! We laughed so hard. We have seen a lot of congenital abnormalities and mentally handicapped people, the percentage must be high for the population. This has been such a blessing and I am enjoying myself so much. Last night I had a hamburger w/fries and it was about 8 fries with a hamburger patty a little bigger than a pickle slice and about 1/16 in thickness. We laughed so hard at the site and I took a picture. I will write when I can. Hugs and Kisses, Elspie We are now in Seim Rep seeing the Ankor Wat ruins and they are marvelous. I am taking many pictures. God is here with these gentle, kind people. We have seen over 700 medical/dental patients and we still have next week. I will write again.
. . . . . . . . . . . Oct. 31- Wednesday - Connect My favorite scripture is John 16:16 “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me." To me is speaks of the ebbs and flows of the spiritual life. There are times when we seem so close to Christ – so close that it seems we could touch him, and then there are times when it seems that Christ is no where to be found. Yet, it is in those times when it seems that Christ is so far away that the scripture can bring us comfort: “Then after a little while you will see me” I have had many times when my prayer life felt stale, or I could not quiet my mind for reflection and meditation. But sure enough, the ebbs and flows of the spiritual life ever remain. Even though I may not feel close to Christ today, I know the day will come when I will. Maybe that is what faith is really about? Prayer: Dear God, help me to rely upon your strength when it feels like I have none. I know you care for me, and for that I am thankful. Amen Rev. DanCare Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov. 1, Thursday - All Saint’s Day Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. On Sunday, Nov. 4, we will celebrate the lives and legacies of Smoky Hill UMC members and friends who died in this world and have moved on to the next. I love singing…“For All the Saints who from their labors rest….”. This year I will tenderly remember Joe Franchi. His chair remains empty at the 8 AM worship time. His spirit is still with me. Joe knew the meaning of commitment and promise. It was important to him to keep his promises, especially to his wife, Marion. Even in those long years of Alzheimer’s Care, he promised “for better for worse, in sickness and in health, till death do us part,” and he meant it. When you joined the church, you promised to support its ministries through your prayers, your presence, your gifts and your service. Write down how you are living out these vows today. Write down the names of spiritual mentors in your life who have died to this world and passed on to the next. What promises did they keep? What values did they model? Prayer: Dear God help me to keep my promises like you keep your promises to me. . . . . . . . . . . . . TRANSFORM & SERVE “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room for it.” Malachi 3:10 I still receive the newsletter from the church we were members of in Roanoke, VA. Here are excerpts from the message in the Circuit Rider dated Sept.20, 2007: First Fruits: A Holy Experiment I believe that tithing the first fruits of our income, i.e. giving God one-tenth of our annual income, is God’s way of personally providing for us. And He does promise abundant blessing if we will obey. ……. If your church is asking you to tithe personally, how can your church leaders set an example corporately? What if the church begins to tithe its income? ……… Very simply, a tithe of ten percent of every offering every week in the coming year, i.e. from all non-directed general budget offerings, will be set apart for First Fruits Ministry each week. These monies would be held quarterly and then dispensed to the particular missions that have been blessed by our Board through the Missions/Outreach Ministry. ……….. This way, our directed Missions ministry would be the recipients of what comes through these offerings rather than to have to continually ask our people to give extra offerings for special missions. ….. Now is the time to trust God with our finances. Praise the Lord. Rev. Russell M. Cheatham, Pastor This church has less than 250 members with 70 plus being the average member’s age. All income and expenses are carefully planned. I am stingier that the next guy but I am challenged by the last line: TRUST GOD WITH OUR FINANCES. Dearest Lord; You provide, You comfort, You believe in us. We trust you, expand our trust so we can be part of the abundance of spirit You have promised. Amen Stephanie Moses
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