John 4:5-42
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper

I keep hoping that someone will steal my identity. Given my financial situation, I would feel sorry for someone who ended up with my identity. That person is in for some serious frustration. But for most people identity theft is a serious issue. In our world, stealing someone’s identity means access to their financial power. Identity theft is a way to access a person’s wealth. The quick and easy access to information our digital world provides us allows identity thieves to destroy one’s financial identity in a matter of minutes. (more…)

There is a saying about there being only a few links between yourself and anyone in the world. In my case there are only 2 links between me and the crisis now unfolding in Kenya. A friend of a friend runs an orphanage in the Western Kenyan town of Eldoret. This is the place where a church full of refugees was burned down. So far they have been able to divert the warring tribes from the orphanage. They would like to leave, but the orphans do not have proper “papers” to cross the border, so they are stuck. Your donations will help hundreds of people like these to make it through this latest humanitarian crisis. To give to our `work in Kenya, make a check payable to “UMCOR” (United Methodist Committee on Relief) and put “UMCOR Advance #982450 – Kenya” in the memo field. Put your check in the offering plate on Sunday or send it to the church office. Or you can make a gift directly on line. Thanks for you help. - Steve Derby

We are in the middle of Lent.

As I consider the implications of Christ’s ministry, I wonder how you reflect on Jesus during Lent.

I like to consider Jesus’ life, and wonder how I might respond to a life lived like Jesus’. How can I say “Yes!” to the God revealed in the words and works of Christ? The text for last week is a case in point. Nicodemus came to Jesus hoping to say “Yes.” He had heard good things about Jesus. He wanted to believe that Jesus was from God.

But Jesus didn’t make it easy for him. Instead, he told him he had to be born “from above” and “again.” He perplexed him. And I suspect Nicodemus felt frustrated.

I think Jesus was trying to say to us that to follow him requires a radical reorientation of our lives. It isn’t enough to “follow his teachings” or “subscribe to his doctrines.” It isn’t enough to agree or ascent. Jesus asks us to be completely transformed – to become new creatures – to become new people.

And another thought: this newness that Jesus invites us into is not a one time thing. We are constantly being transformed throughout our lives. We are asked, ultimately, to live lives open to renewal, open to transformation, open to the radical, mysterious, hopeful Spirit of God that consistently summons us into new life, again and again.

Our annual project to “wrap-the-chilly” is on Mothers’ Day, Sunday, May 11. What better way than that to show our love and concern for others? Blankets are used for warmth, shelter, carry-alls, and for so many other necessities. Please continue our reputation as generous supporters of this Church World Service project. $5.00 buys a blanket; $15.00 a hoe, shovel and rake. Consider making a contribution in memory or in honor of a loved one. Free cards will be available in the hall and the church office to send to friends.

At our annual meeting, we conducted much business. We elected new leaders. We accepted a bequest. We ate stone soup. We reviewed our finances. We reviewed the status of our membership roles. Pastor Bryan delivered a “State of the Church” report. A good time was had by all. Here is a list of those who were elected to various offices at the meeting: (more…)

Pastor Bryan’s State of the Church report is now available online. You can read the written report, or watch the slideshow presentation as a video.

Visit the State of the Church page.

John 3: 1-17
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper

For these first three Sundays of Lent, I am talking about Lent in spatial terms. I am talking about entering in to different kinds of space – spiritual space of course. Last week I talked about entering into darkness – about hitting bottom, about how when we hit bottom we are given an opportunity to change. Today, in many ways, I’m going to talk about the opposite journey – about entering the kingdom of God. Next week I’ll talk about another kind of entrance. I’m using this image of entering because I think lent is partially about getting our heads into a different kind of space. It’s a slightly uncomfortable space – a difficult, challenging space – but it is also a refining, renewing space. So I hope in these days of lent you will try to move your head into the kind of spaces that I’m trying to describe for you. (more…)

We now have 178 new, energy efficient light bulbs installed in our sanctuary. You may have already noticed how bright and inviting the sanctuary looks with the new bulbs in place. The bulbs not only look better, but are also longer lasting, and use less than one quarter the electricity required by the old ones. Many thanks to Bob Howard, who donated the bulbs, the ladder needed to install them, and considerable time and effort. Thanks also to Bob’s ladder crew, and especially to Sheila Sennett, who balanced atop a very tall ladder to change all 48 bulbs in the sanctuary chandelier.

On Sunday, February 10, more than 75 members and friends gathered in the parlor to enjoy good food and a fabulous concert of “Jazz ‘N Hymns” presented by Paul Knopf following the Sunday morning  service. He had earlier played the piano during the worship service. Paul, a jazz/church musician, grew up in a musical family in which jazz and classical music flourished. His compositions include two operas about John Wesley and Martin Luther.  He also went “down to N’Orleans and got lost and found.” The concert was sponsored by Music in the West End. 

Matthew 4: 1-11
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper

Just after Jesus hears a voice from heaven say to him, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased,” Jesus is driven out into the wilderness by that same Spirit. Just after Jesus is shown with clarity the true nature of his identity, just after Jesus realizes his unique connection to God, just after Jesus has revealed to him what he has suspected all his life – he is sent out to the wilderness. Life is funny like that. Just after you get a big promotion at work, the stock market crashes. Just after you meet a wonderful person to begin a relationship with, they move to Arkansas. Just after goodness – just after wonder – just after miracles – difficulty always seems to follow. (more…)