Let Hope In

A couple months ago, I saw a post from Pete Wilson, pastor of Cross Point Community Church in Nashville, TN, about his upcoming book Let Hope In.  I've read some things that he's written by way of blogs & tweets & Facebook statuses, but I haven't yet read any of his books.  So, an opportunity to be a part of the launch team seemed interesting to me.  As a part of the launch team, I did receive an advanced copy of Let Hope In (along with some other free swag).  In return, I would help publicize & review the book.

Here's the truth...I was intrigued to read the book, but I would be lying if I said it wasn't with a healthy dose of skepticism.... Whenever a mega church pastor or "celebrity pastor" writes a book, I usually have some reservations.  Some are well founded & let's be honest, some are founded in snobbery.

The idea of the journey from hurt to healing...woundedness...hope... Well, if those aren't personal for everyone, I don't know what is.  But, this is a topic that has been important in my preaching along with just in my life.

I've been spoiled by Andrew Sung Park as a professor & mentor, especially in this topic.  Reading his book From Hurt to Healing: A Theology of Woundedness really did change a lot for me.  I had never thought about victims or hurts... It really helped me to rethink forgiveness, grace, and hope.  While this is not a review about that book, it's important for me to mention it because that has helped to shape my view in this area.

So, back to Let Hope In.... I actually really liked it.  (wait, that probably shouldn't sound so surprised...)... No really, I liked it.  There were moments in the books that reminded me so much of Andrew's book...but in a more accessible way.  This is a book that I feel like I could give to someone in a hard time or wanting to find hope again & they don't need an MDiv to understand some of the words.

Reading this book was personal for me...I am sure if I read it with a critical eye, I would find things to be offended by or things that are not completely inclusive... But, this was a book that was a beautiful reminder for me to hold on to hope.

So, please do, read this book...I mean it... And always remember to let hope in.

Life Hacks for Faith: Genoa

For this week's sermon, I asked for the best life hacks or life advice people had that they wanted to share with people.  Here's the list (minus some that were shared this morning...)  They came from people on Facebook, Twitter, and the congregation of Faith UMC.

~Treat others like they would like to be treated.

~Live everyday to the fullest, tomorrow is not promised

~You don't have to worry about having everything in its place as long as you have a place for everything. It'll take you 10 minutes to tidy up your whole house if you know where everything is going.

~Don't constantly talk of the negatives in your life, because it seems they get written in Sharpie permanent marker, and it's all you think about. Let Go and Let God.

~Also, eat marshmallows to soothe a sore throat.

~Bring packets of instant oatmeal (or grits, or cream of wheat) and a spoon when you travel so you can make a quick and cheap breakfast using the hotel room coffeemaker.

~it's easier if you smile

~be wrong

~If someone does the courtesy of letting you go (for whatever reason), let go and walk away.

~Smile and live each day as it's your last... 

~Always think before You speak because you cannot take words back 

~you may not remember what someone says but you will always remember how they made you feel'

~It is really hard to do, but IF you will learn from others mistakes, life really is much easier

~"It is not up to you to complete the work, but neither may you desist from it." -- Rabbi Tarfon

~Don't sweat the small stuff! It's so easy to get overrun by things that, in the long run, won't change a thing. Save the worry and stress for the important things.

~If the situation your in doesn't seem to point towards the world ending, then don't stress it cuz it will be OK.

~Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end

~Fail as often as possible so that you learn not to fear it. ~Fill up on gasoline on early Wednesday mornings (they usually publish new prices on Thursdays and mornings are colder so you get more gas for your $$. 

~Run towards the things you fear.

~Question everything. Always. 

~Have fun and enjoy life, otherwise you make yourself and others miserable.

~Keep an open mind; 

~It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice; 

~Kill em with Kindness…

~everything will come out in the wash

~smile!

~Everything is on its way somewhere.

~Keep Memories alive

~Live to your last breath

~Don’t fear making memories

~Don’t sweat the small stuff

~Live, laugh, love

~Live everyday to the fullest, you don’t know what tomorrow will bring

~The minute I let go of the belief that things will get better is the minute I know they won't.

~Contact lens cases make great travel containers for make-up, lotion, etc.

~Store bobby pins in a magnetic paper clip holder.

~If it can't be happy, make it beautiful.

~It's never too late to tell someone thanks.

~It's Never too late to say "Thank you, I love you, or I'm sorry."

~Only a fool won't let someone help them be better

~Grace is for everyone, not just the people in the church

~“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

~You just do you

~"And so our good Lord answered all the questions and doubts which I could raise, saying most comfortingly:

I make all things well, and I can make all things well, and I shall make all things well, and I will make all things well..." ~Julian of Norwich

~You can't always get what you want, but you'll get what you need
~Forgive
~Time is more precious than just writing a check
~Be Kind
~Eat healthy food
~Be nice
~Worry ends where faith begins

Dreams for Faith: Genoa

As a part of our Last Lecture sermon series, today was about dreaming big...I gave everyone crayons & note cards to write their dreams for our church.  Some are in pictures & can't be written here, but I am touched & moved by the dreams that this congregation has within them....Now, comes the work of living into these dreams.  

Growth in numbers

Growth in Spirit

Growth in outreach into community & beyond

Growth in care of our building

Growth in programs of all areas of the church

Dreaming Big for Christ

Make the church more handicap accessible

Lots of young families in church

2 services (or more) full :)

Keep memories alive

Love & tolerating one another

Peace in the world & people getting along

To be a better person tomorrow than I was today

To be a better person

I dream for people...dreams for people that don’t dream...BIG dreams are good.

I dream of a church with fellowship area & kitchen on same level as worship area...in other words, no stairs.

Coffee house for adults, youth, & children’s meetings after school to hang out, play games, work on homework, etc…

People using their God given skills to help or serve others

Where we are all accepted for who we are

A full church every Sunday

Families with young children journeying with our Faith family

Successful building drive ($$); Break ground for building rennovations

I want to go to college & get a good education

Walk hand in hand with God’s love

larger attendance & more prayers to God

A full building

All the pews filled every Sunday

To dream for people & loved ones & for those who have lost someone

A bigger & better music program

Loving, comfortable, growth, acceptance, welcoming

More people come to our church

Enough food, clothing, housing, understanding, health, compassion, love, generosity, peace, education for all

No more Malaria

Vital discipleship

Be a positive force in the universe

Dreams of peace

To better our food pantry for our church & our community

Find a way to raise money for the new furnace

That the building program will happen

That we can help more families who are in need

That the people of the world can live in peace

A full & happy church

I dream of a new furnace & a new kitchen & a bigger congregation

I love the church

The church will grow & renew

Remove hunger

All live as one

More mission work by all ages to bring Jesus to everyone

Show people how the love of God can enrich the lives of individuals & their own lives

Let the Holy Spirit take over all thoughts & actions of our everyday lives.

Feel the love of God & pass that love on

I dream the church will become a huge church

That there was 1,000 people at church

That the building was big enough for 1,000 people

To get more people to come to our church & worship with us

I dream for more people coming here.

I dream to be a better person today & tomorrow

I dream a church that smells like cinnamon rolls

I dream a church that sounds like a song

I dream a church that looks like a welcoming place for all

I dream a church that has a treehouse playground outside

I dream that we all love each other

I’ll dream of someone to take over the corn stand after next year

I dream of air conditioning in the summer

I dream for our church to get bigger in membership & and in space

Full pews hearing God’s words

Larger sanctuary to hold more people.

I dream of a choir & congregation singing the “old time” hymns on Sundays

A social atmosphere for people to have fun together socially

I dream a church helping others

I dream a church getting the Holy Spirit out

I dream a church spreading joy & learning the needs of others

I dream a church that learns to listen to God for doing & keeps on doing

A nicer kitchen; memorial steps; air conditioning

October Newsletter

Dear Friends,

It has been so exciting to start to fall into a routine again!  Some new classes, curriculum, and schedules & some returning!  If there is something that you’re interested in, join in!  We’ve got The Last Lecture Bible Study on Tuesday nights… Women’s month Bible study reading & studying Rachel Held Evans’ book, A Year of Biblical Womanhood on the 2nd Thursdays… Spanish as a 2nd Language classes on Wednesdays…. Wednesday Afternoon Bible study at 1pm (beginning October 2nd)... Sunday school for all ages on Sunday morning!  So many opportunities… But, if there’s something you don’t see or something that you might be interested in, please share!  

We had a great kick off Sunday on September 8th!  Thank you to all who helped to make it a great day! Thanks to Kay Baker for organizing the kitchen & the team that worked with her… Thanks to Jen Barton for organizing the games & all who helped by donating supplies, games, prizes, & bounce house!  We have some great cooks in the congregation-- what a delicious potluck we had!  It was a fantastic day & great to see so many friends & family members joining us for a great kick off to the year!

Hopefully, Kick Off Sunday wasn’t a one time experience…Keep inviting your friends, family, neighbors to join us for worship, Sunday school, Bible studies, and more potlucks!  Someone asked me on Sunday, “How are you going to keep all of these people here?”  and my response was, “Well, how are you going to help keep all of these people here?”  No one can do the work of ministry alone & we’re all in this task together.  It’s through our combined efforts that we’ll make some changes in our communities...One step at a time!

I’m looking forward to continuing to get to know each of you, whether it’s through the meet & greets, Bible studies, or meals around town!  I want to hear your hopes & dreams for the church along with sharing mine.  We have some exciting work to do!  

Blessings,

~Pastor Melissa