Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper

Earlier this year, a group of us went to the house of an older lady that was in serious disrepair. Several doors wouldn’t close because of jammed up door knobs, some lights didn’t work, her back yard deck was crumbling, she needed painting and cleaning done everywhere. Basically, she had become overwhelmed with all the challenges her house presented. And we went there with one goal: to help out. So we repaired things, we cleaned, we painted. At the end of the day, we were covered in sweat and filth, but we had helped out this woman in a major way. (more…)

Where is grace alive in your life?

That question occurred to me recently as I was lamenting the many troubles I have. I realized how quickly I could list off all the things that were bugging me, from little things that really didn’t matter much in the grand scheme, to large challenges that I need to address. I had no problem listing my problems.

But what about all the good things in my life? What of the grace I have experienced lately? Well, it was harder to think of things at first. And I realized something: I focus a lot more on the negative forces in my life than the positive. If a hundred people compliment me in a day, and one person criticizes me, I’ll remember the critical comment. I’ll focus on it. I’ll wonder how I can fix it, how I can do better, why I’m so insufficient.

Some of us just naturally focus on the negative. After all, the negative things need our attention and effort to overcome. Focusing on our failings or our faults allows us to evaluate ourselves, to consider how we could do things differently, to try to improve ourselves. When we are open to critical comments, we can evaluate their validity and apply a correction as appropriate.

But for many of us, it is much more difficult to focus on the sources of grace in our life. We overlook them, assuming subconsciously that we really don’t deserve much grace in this life. And if we neglect appreciating grace in our life for too long, we become convinced that there just isn’t much grace around.
And yet, as I thought about it, my life is full of more grace than I could ever list: from living in a great city doing a job I love to sharing my life with wonderful people to walking in the reservoir to patting my dog on the head. Grace abounds! And maybe if I could learn to focus on the grace in my life at least as much as the problems, I could also begin to live with more gratitude and appreciation for all the ways God has enriched my life.

I think I’ll start today.

Each year we return from the slower pace of summer to gear back up for the fall and winter. This year we are planning an exciting fall season, and we are eager to share the opportunities available to you. Consider tutoring a child at Noah Webster School. Deepen your faith through our Adult Forum or the programs of United Methodist Women. Enroll your children in our Sunday School. Make a change in your community and world by working with our Outreach Team. Offer care and support to a new friend through our new Visitation Teams. Pray for others in need through our Prayer Circle. Help lead worship by joining the choir, or becoming an usher or helping serve communion. There is much here for you.

John 6: 51-58
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper

I was somewhat disappointed this week when Michael Vick was hired to play football for the Philadelphia Eagles. Vick is the former-Atlanta Falcon, talented quarterback who spent some time in jail when it was discovered that he was running an elaborate and illegal dog-fighting ring. As a dog owner myself, I was particularly disgusted by the violence and the abuse that Vick perpetrated on rather helpless animals. So, Vick served his time in jail, and I realize that he is now a free citizen, able to do as he wishes. (more…)

The United Methodist Church, in concert with other faith-based organizations, has been working to reform health care for many years. You are encouraged to get involved in advocating for a health care system that is fair, affordable and that covers everyone. The United Methodist Church believes that health care is a human right. A new website recently launched suggests 10 things you can do to advocate for change. You may visit the site at http://www.1010challenge.org/. At the site you can learn more about the church’s position on health care. Here is just one of the suggested actions: Congress should enact real reform to health care that ensures that everyone has access to health care. This year represents a rare window of opportunity to provide health care for all people in the United States. Jesus provided a promise of God’s grace for us all when he proclaimed we shall “have Life, and have it abundantly”. (John 10:10, NRSV) We believe that the kairos moment has been thrust upon us and voices of people of faith are required to proclaim a prophetic word that everyone has access to the abundance God offers to us without price. Contact your Congressperson and share your view.

This monthly women’s study, sponsored by the United Methodist Women, began its’ twentieth year on October 20 at 12:30pm. “United Methodists and the Sacraments” is this year’s study, which helps participants “understand and practice the sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion.” Additionally, “Food and Faith“, one of the School of Mission study books, supplements the material…Our time together in the church parlor begins with a “bring your own” lunch. We take turns as the hostess who sets up, cleans up and provides dessert. The actual study starts at 1:00pm, finishing by 2:30pm. The cost of the study book and supplies is $9.00.

Newcomers are welcome! It’s not too late to join. Please speak to Dianne Antos if you are interested in attending.

The Front Lawn Storytime wrapped up its second summer of Tuesday afternoons on the front lawn during the West End Farmers’ Market. The program of stories, arts and crafts was geared mainly for preschoolers through third grade children and their parents. The series will move indoors for special programs, known as The Children’s Hour, periodically beginning in the fall. Watch here and on the sign on the front lawn of the church for details of upcoming programs.

Our young students are in need of full time and substitute teachers for their Sunday lessons when church school resumes in the fall. Teaching experience is not as necessary as your love for and desire to work with children. Your class will be small and you will enjoy the support of other teachers, as well as up-to-date materials. Please let Julie Wacht know of your interest and willingness to instruct our children, either by calling her directly or by contacting the church office.

John 6:35, 41-51
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper

One of the reasons we are so reluctant to take the Bible seriously is because the Bible invites us into a very strange world. We make a mistake if we think the world of the Bible is strange to us because of our modern sensibilities. In fact, even with their ancient world view and lack of scientific sophistication, the Bible was a strange world to those who heard it the very first time.

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John 6: 24-35
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper

One of the features of Christianity that I’m fond of is the idea that we worship a living, present, active, engaged God. We do not worship an indifferent, distant, disinterested, or dead God. While I like this feature of our faith, I also think it is a cause of confusion and even disbelief for many people. (more…)